《Water Ink Panel: Starting with Bow Technique to Hunt the Sun and Patrol the Skies》 Chapter 1: Chapter 1 Hunter The cold wind was biting.Large snowflakes, like goose feathers, were steadily falling from the sky. After a night of accumulation, the snow had already reached past the shins. Shen Qing was wrapped in a tattered yun coat, carrying a bow on his back, trudging through the snowy ground, his footsteps crunching. Snowflakes landed on him and quickly melted from his body heat, seeping into his clothes. When the cold wind blew, they hardened and made him shiver uncontrollably. "I hope I''ll have some luck today, I pray to the heavens for a bite to eat; if it goes on like this, I really won''t survive." Shen Qing''s hands were tucked into his sleeves as his gaze fixed on a clear set of footprints. The footprints were deeply imprinted in the snow, forming a winding trail that extended towards the sunlit slope ahead. Based on his experience, this should be a young deer. Yo, yo... The sudden sound of a deer call interrupted Shen Qing''s thoughts. There''s game! Shen Qing immediately became fully alert, carefully taking down his bow and fitting a feathered arrow onto it. He crouched down, inching forward cautiously. As he got closer, a young deer appeared in Shen Qing''s line of sight, and his movements became even more careful. Suddenly, the deer, as if sensing something, jerked its head up. Shen Qing cursed silently at his misfortune. Deer are skittish and wary, with a keen sense of smell; they are frightened by any hint of "human scent" and will bolt at the slightest disturbance. Shen Qing rushed out hastily, firing an arrow in desperation. Swish! The arrow turned into a dark flash, piercing the white snow. And in the blink of an eye, the young deer in sight had vanished into the vast snow-covered landscape. Another miss. Shen Qing''s face immediately turned a bit ugly. "Oh no, my arrow!" Shen Qing hurried into the snowfield, searching frantically. However, looking around the snowfield, all he could see was a blanket of white, with no sign of the arrow. Time ticked away as Shen Qing searched everywhere he remembered the arrow could have fallen, but to no avail. The last arrow, gone! ... At the foot of the mountain. A village that lived off hunting was nestled there. The village consisted of over thirty households, all made of earthen and thatched cottages. Among all these cottages, there was a dilapidated earthen house that stood out starkly in the snowstorm. The walls were built from a mixture of mud and straw, their dark yellow color mottled with patches. The roof was covered with thick straw, now blanketed by snow, making the already fragile structure seem as if it might collapse at any moment. Knowing the way well, Shen Qing walked to the front door of the earthen house and with a push, entered. "Sister, I''m back." The furnishings inside the house were extremely simple: an old wooden table, a few chairs missing arms or legs, and a plank that barely qualified as a bed constituted all the furniture. Shen Qing closed the door behind him with his back hand, took off his hat, and hung the bow on his back along with some farming tools and worn clothing on the wall. In a corner of the room, a frail woman quickly stood up and said to Shen Qing, "Why have you come back so late today? I thought something had happened to you outside." This was Shen Qing''s elder sister, Shen Fang. Ever since he had come to this world, Shen Qing had always depended on her for survival. Shen Qing said, "Today was a bit rough. I lost an arrow on the way and got held up a bit." Shen Fang quickly walked to the door and brushed the snow off Shen Qing''s shoulders. Light from the crack of the door hit her face, revealing a delicate visage. But years of exposure had tanned her skin dark and rough, masking much of her natural beauty. "Losing it is losing it; as long as you''re safe, that''s what matters. If something happened to you, I''d have no way to explain it to our late parents." After a while, Shen Fang suddenly said, "Chen Yuan came by again today." ``` As she spoke, Shen Fang subconsciously pulled her sleeves over her wrists to hide the bruises. Shen Qing looked up and said, "Chen Yuan?" His eyebrows furrowed without conscious thought. Sear?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chen Yuan''s family had three brothers; their father was the leader of the village and had considerable prestige, with some connections in the city. Riding on their father''s coattails, the brothers were accustomed to acting arrogantly; many in the village either feared or fawned over their family. They were not easy to get along with. "What did they come over for?" "They said that someone like me could be worth five or six taels of silver as a maid to a wealthy family in the county city. They asked if I was willing. Qingzi, perhaps..." Shen Qing cut her off, saying, "Sister, our family doesn''t have any support; who knows where they would sell you off to. What if you end up in a brothel¡ªhow would you cope then? Don''t listen to their nonsense." "We only have one man in our family. Before our parents left, they told me to take good care of you, that I couldn''t let our family''s line end..." Shen Fang said softly. Shen Qing fell silent. As hunters who "drive mountains," they relied on the mountains for their livelihood and didn''t have any farmland. Apart from managing household chores, there wasn''t much else a woman could help with here. "By the way, Sister." Shen Qing changed the subject. "Do we still have any meat at home?" "It''s all gone," Shen Fang stammered. "Now we only have some bran cakes left." Shen Qing''s face fell: "¡­ Just take it out and let''s eat for now; I''ll think of other ways tomorrow." "Alright." Shen Fang stood up, took out two bran cakes from a broken jar, put them in Shen Qing''s hands, and said, "Qingzi, don''t worry too much. As long as I''m here, I won''t let you go hungry." "I know," Shen Qing took the grayish bran cakes. He looked down at the bran cakes in his hands, their rough and uneven surface covered with specks of bran, resembling a piece of earth eroded by time. Heavy. They didn''t look much different from other cakes. However, when you took a bite, the texture was indescribable. They were not soft and smooth like typical flour products; on the contrary, they were so coarse that they were difficult to swallow. Each bite came with a gritty sound, almost as if chewing on sand. The bran rolled around in the mouth, bringing an indescribable feeling of a foreign object. If there was any flavor at all, it was a faint, slightly bitter taste of grass and wood¡ªeating them was more a challenge to the limit of one''s taste buds than enjoying food. For Shen Qing, who had lived a modern life before this, eating such cakes was undoubtedly a form of torture. But for families like Shen Qing''s, being able to fill their stomachs mattered more than whether the food tasted good or not. Shen Qing exhaled and swallowed it with snow water, bracing himself. The bran cakes were hard to eat, but when his stomach was full, Shen Qing still felt an unprecedented sense of comfort. Warmth began to return to his tired body, and his face showed a bit more vitality. At this moment, looking around the empty clay house, Shen Qing couldn''t help but start thinking more actively. Having been in this world for over a month, he had figured out where he now stood. He was living in a village named Hongshan Village, with hunting as its primary occupation¡ªthe village consisted of around thirty households and belonged to Taiping County. Taiping County laid to the north against the great mountains and to the south it touched upon a great lake; it was home to several tens of thousands of households making their living here. In the county, there were four markets located to the north, south, east, and west, dominated by the Four Great Eastern Families. The hunters from Hongshan Village, along with other tenants, fishermen''s sons, and woodcutters, all depended on the Four Great Eastern Families to make a living. However, the Four Great Eastern Families in the county were far from benevolent. Each one was a ruthless character, unconcerned with the well-being of others. With the tax officials from the Great Zhou Government added to the mix, it was a challenge for the common folk just to achieve basic sustenance. If calamity or disaster struck, it often meant complete ruin for a family. This world could be summed up in one word: difficult! Fortunately, having been reborn in this world, Shen Qing was not without reliance. With a thought, a glint appeared in his eyes, and a layer of invisible ripples seemed to spread through his gaze. A string of ink-brushed characters unfurled before him like a scroll. [Skill: Bow Technique (Entry Level)] [Progress: 98/100 points] [Status: Unable to improve] [Note: "As heaven''s movement is ever vigorous, so must a gentleman ceaselessly strive." Continuous practice can break through the skill''s progress.] ``` Chapter 2: Chapter 2 Breakthrough! Tap, tap, tap!"Qingzi, are you home? Open the door!" Shen Qing set aside his thoughts. The scroll in his view was promptly put away and disappeared. "Coming, coming." He walked to the door, opened it, and a gust of cold wind rushed inside, "Uncle, what brings you here?" Although Shen Qing had no parents since his arrival, his father had a brother and a sister. The fact that he and his sister were still alive, not wiped out, owed much to his uncle''s support. Uncle Shen Er was silent for a moment before he took down a strip of meat from his waist, "This is some hunting crossbows I caught a few days ago, all smoked already. I don''t have much left now, you and your sister should eat it sparingly." "This..." "Enough talk," Shen Er tossed the meat to Shen Qing and without even pausing to brush off the snow on his clothes, he turned and left. Shen Qing had wanted to show some backbone, but looking at the meat in his hands, he subconsciously couldn''t let it go. When poor, even one''s spirits are diminished. Suddenly, as if he remembered something, Shen Qing hurriedly handed the hunting crossbows to Shen Fang, then braced himself against the wind and snow and rushed out. "Uncle, uncle, wait a minute, I need to ask you for something." Walking ahead, Shen Er stopped and turned back, "What is it, Qingzi?" Shen Qing, without any embarrassment, bowed his head and spoke humbly, "Uncle, I lost my arrow today, could I borrow one to use?" Shen Er looked at Shen Qing and sighed, "Come with me." Shen Qing hurriedly said, "Thank you, uncle." Uncle Shen Er''s house was not far from his, just front house to back house. His house was on the slope, Uncle Shen Er''s was downhill, just around a small path, a few steps away. In Uncle''s house lived two sons and one aunt, a total of four mouths to feed. As an old hunter in the village, Uncle hunted in autumn and winter, collected medicinal herbs in spring and summer; even if the Boss from the county took a cut, they could still earn about 50 to 60 wen a day, roughly enough to buy five kilos of grain. It seemed alright, enough to scrape by a subsistence for the family. But in reality, it was far from enough. Salt, iron, and other necessities required money, as did cloth, oil, and tea, not to mention replacing hunting gear and various kinds of harsh taxes. Though each expense was small, added together they could crush a person. Walking behind, Shen Qing saw his uncle, in his thirties, already looking as weary as a man of fifty or sixty, his back even starting to hunch. A moment later, the two arrived near a mud-brick house. Compared to Shen Qing''s house, his uncle''s was clearly bigger and much sturdier. "Hu Zi''s mom, open the door!" Aunt Wang, hearing the noise, opened the door. As a woman from the mountains, Wang was not good-looking, even somewhat ugly. Her dark skin and large bone structure made her appear as robust as a man. "Wife, fetch an arrow for Qingzi," instructed Uncle as soon as he entered the house. Aunt Wang didn''t say much, just turned to get an arrow, quietly complaining to Shen Er, "We don''t have many arrows left at home!" Wang took down a bamboo tube hanging on the wall, fetched a feathered arrow from it, thought for a moment, then added two more. She then handed them to Shen Qing, admonishing, "I''m not being stingy with these few arrows, Qingzi, you know your uncle''s household doesn''t have it easy either, don''t lose them carelessly." "Thank you, auntie," Shen Qing didn''t look closely but stuffed them into his coat, gratefully speaking as he stood at the door, looking inside by the dim light. His two cousins were sitting in the hall sharpening their hunting gear when they saw him; they smiled and called out to him. "Brother Qingzi, won''t you come in and sit?" "With such heavy snow, I better head back early. I need to go up the mountain early tomorrow. We''ll go to town together once the snow stops." "Alright then!" Shen Qing turned and said, "Uncle, aunt, you guys carry on with your work, I will head back now." Once Shen Qing had left, Wang closed the door and spoke to Shen Er, "I heard that our youngest sister is now a concubine at Linfeng Hall given by the Zhao family?" Shen Er hummed in affirmation, "It''s a recent development." Wang tentatively proposed, "Could our youngest sister be asked to speak to the Martial Arts Hall, to get Shanwa into the hall? If Shanwa becomes a martial master, our days could improve a lot. After all, Shanwa is her biological nephew, and you are her own second brother." Shen Er scoffed, "Do you think the Martial Arts Hall belongs to your family? Just enter whenever you say? I''ve already inquired; even entering the outer gate costs ten taels silver. Asking our sister for help, to say the least, would cost five or six taels, it is not a small sum." Wang Family said, "Today, the son of Chen Family mentioned that families in town are buying wives, they are willing to offer five taels silver. Xiao Fang is not young anymore..." Upon hearing this, Shen Er unconsciously glanced up and down at Wang Family and said, "Can Chen Family really be that kind-hearted? They almost wiped out my elder brother''s family. If it weren''t for my intervention, there would have likely not been a scrap of meat left for the siblings. They''re probably just fooling you, a woman without worldly experience." Wang Family did not speak again, but after a while, she said in a slightly complaining tone, "The heavy snow keeps falling, don''t just think about those siblings, consider Shanwa and Hu Zi a bit more." "Got it. I am well aware." ... Behind Shen Qing''s house, there was a bamboo forest that had been flattened by the heavy snow. There was a large, bent bamboo with a wooden post attached to it; a part in the center had been flattened. It was covered with dense pits. This was where Shen Qing usually practiced bow shooting. Having gone home to retrieve his bow, Shen Qing skillfully nocked an arrow borrowed from his uncle onto the bowstring. Shen Qing drew the bow fully, maintaining a distance of three feet between the bow and his arm. Whoosh! Fifty steps away, the feathered arrow left the bow and struck near the edge of the wooden post, almost missing the target. sea??h th§× ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Expressionlessly, Shen Qing re-nocked the arrow on the bow. This bow, left by his father, was made from elm wood and strung with deer tendons. Although it wasn''t a top-quality bow, it was certainly better than simple single-piece wooden or bamboo hunting bows. At least, it could be used to hunt mountain pigs and wolves, unlike the latter which were only suitable for pheasants and hares. This bow could be sold for one tael silver, representing one of the few assets he possessed. Whoosh! Another arrow was shot. It missed the target. Shen Qing continued his archery training, once, twice, three times... He didn''t know how many times he repeated until the sky had darkened, then he finally stopped. At that moment, Shen Qing''s glance fell upon the crude panel within his view, and a slight smile appeared on his face. [Skill: Bow Technique (Entry Level)] [Progress: 100/100 points] [Status: Upgradable] [Note: Heaven rewards the diligent, and a gentleman strives ceaselessly for self-improvement! Continuous practice can break through skill level.] "Finally, it''s enough!" Without any hesitation, Shen Qing thought, "Break through for me!" A muffled sound echoed in his mind; in the crude panel, the numerical value of the progress was rapidly changing, resembling the screen on a gas pump in his previous life. When the progression numbers reset to zero, the panel in his view vibrated slightly. [Current Skill: Bow Technique (Skilled)] [Progress: 0/200] Shen Qing seemed to feel something, his eyes fixated on his own hands. Visibly, calluses bulged out on his hands while the muscles on his arms unbelievably strengthened at an incredible rate. This feeling was like... like he had truly been practicing archery for a long time... Various key points about Bow Technique emerged in his mind. Shen Qing''s eyes narrowed slightly as he reached for another feathered arrow and drew the bow. His arms stretched comfortably long, pulling the bow into a full moon. The movement sequence became incredibly skillful. Thump! The bow vibrated mysteriously. A hundred steps away, an arrow struck the target center; the feathers quivered! The snow on the large bamboo fell rustlingly. The bent bamboo straightened its body slowly. With an excited face, Shen Qing slowly lowered the bow in his hand, looking at the ink-like crude panel in his sight. He realized that this seemingly simple panel might just be the foundation for his existence in this world. Chapter 3: Chapter 3: The Hunt Snowflakes touched the ground, and rustling sounds filled the forest.Shen Qing looked up and saw that Shicheng Mountain, under the cover of night, was nothing but a blur. He gathered his thoughts and expressionlessly plucked all the arrows stuck in the wooden stake, then gathered them neatly into the Arrow Quiver hanging at his waist. In the snowstorm, he turned and left the bamboo forest. When he got home, his elder sister Shen Fang had already gone to bed. In such a season, the villagers would generally go to sleep at dusk if there were no pressing matters. Shen Qing removed the bow and arrow from his body, leaned it against the wall, grabbed a handful of straw, and plugged the three broken pot windows on the wall. Then, he took off his coat and directly lay down on the other side of Shen Fang''s bed. In this village, many families couldn''t afford to build new houses, even if they got married they would still sleep on the same kang as their parents. Poor families didn''t have many scruples. Not to mention, Shen Qing and his sister had been sleeping together since they were little and were used to it. The quilts at home were filled with hemp and wadding, and the insulation was very average. When Shen Qing curled up under the quilt, however, he felt waves of warmth. The bed had already been warmed up by Shen Fang. Shen Qing lay flat on the bed, his hands behind his head, his eyes gazing at the ink script in his line of sight. These hunters lived off the mountains and the waters, their regular means of livelihood were hunting animals, trading furs, gathering herbs, and chopping wood. But if he wanted to change his situation quickly, that wouldn''t be enough. He must hunt some big game. Preferably delicacies from the mountains. Such things had an excellent effect on conditioning the body, and consuming them could invigorate his Qi-Blood. The martial master in the county coveted them highly. It was said that some mountain delicacies could save months of arduous training and were worth several thousand coins. They were the dream of every mountain driver. In the past, he wouldn''t even dare to think about such things, but now, as his Bow Technique improved continuously, maybe he would have a chance to try for it in the future. "Tomorrow I''ll go to the mountains again, first solve the problem of food and clothing, then ask my uncle about the intricacies of mountain delicacies, and see if I can try my luck in the future." "Without unexpected wealth, a man does not get rich; without night grazing, a horse does not fatten. Just hunting some birds and beasts won''t make one wealthy." Winter was the season for winter hunting, free from prohibitions. Once spring arrived, the officials would ban hunting. Then, these hunters could only hunt birds and waterfowl. Even if they sneaked into the mountains, the animals, having depleted their energy over winter, were of poor quality and did not fetch high prices. Their daily haul would necessarily be much reduced; to live well, they had to depend on this period. He definitely couldn''t miss this opportunity. After thinking it through, Shen Qing''s eyes flickered, and the Panel that appeared in his line of sight rolled up like a scroll, and he fell asleep. The winter in Hongshan Village generally lasted until the fifth watch of the night. Shen Qing timed his biological clock and woke up on time. He rolled over to a pot hole in his bed, pulled out the stuffed straw, and took a glance outside. The snow in the mountains hadn''t stopped, but it had lessened considerably. Judging by this trend, the heavy snow would probably stop in a few days. Shen Qing crawled out of the warm quilt, and the sudden chill made him much more alert. Shen Qing casually grabbed a yun garment from the wall, wore it, went outside, scooped up a handful of snow, and rubbed it on his face as a way of washing. "Today I can take a turn in the forest behind the mountain; I probably won''t come back empty-handed." Shen Qing was mentally planning his day''s work when his sister Shen Fang''s call from behind interrupted his thoughts: "Qingzi, come have some porridge." "Coming." Thanks to the Hunting crossbows his uncle brought last night, there was a bit of meat to eat this morning. Shen Fang had torn off a part of the Hunting crossbow early in the morning and then scraped some rice grains from the near-empty rice container to cook a bowl of thin meat porridge. From afar, the fragrance of meat already wafted through the white water. Shen Qing accepted the bowl passed by his elder sister, Shen Fang, and drank while blowing on it. The warm porridge flowed down his throat into his stomach, making him feel as if he were immersed in a hot spring, his whole body relaxed. After gulping down two large bowls and chewing a few slices of meat, Shen Qing put down the bowl and said, "Sister, you should have some too." Shen Fang smiled and said, "I already had some before you woke up." Shen Qing knew of Shen Fang''s stubborn temper but did not point out her intentions. After finishing, he smacked his lips and said, "I''m heading out now; let''s eat meat together in the evening." Shen Fang expressed her worries, "Be extra careful in the mountains, and it''s okay if you don''t catch any game, I can always go to Chen Yuan if needed." Shen Qing took the bow and arrows from the wall and strapped them onto himself, "Chen Yuan and his crew are no good either; you just stay at home and don''t wander about. Wait for me to return before making any decisions, and please don''t decide on your own." "I know," replied elder sister Shen Fang with a nod. "I''m leaving now." "Wait a moment," Shen Fang said as she tore off a large piece of dried meat from the wall, stuffed it into Shen Qing''s clothes, and cautioned, "Take it slow on the road, and don''t try to be brave if you encounter a Black Bear or other fierce animals." Shen Qing tucked the dried meat into his clothes and said, "I''ll be cautious and not recklessly take risks. Just wait for me at home with peace of mind." Having said that, he turned around and walked out the door. Elder sister Shen Fang stood at the doorway, watching the figure of Shen Qing disappear into the snow-covered ground, gradually moving further away. It was bitterly cold, and since Shen Qing left quite early, he encountered no villagers along the way. Shen Qing warmed his hands in his sleeves, sighing to himself, "In this cold weather, anyone with a bit of ability would stay indoors, not lacking meat to eat." "Those less fortunate, like my cousin, even have an uncle to support them, and might even have the opportunity to learn martial arts in the county city." "Only someone like me, who has no one to depend on, would head to the mountain so early, relying solely on themselves." "Without any capability, one would only end up frozen to death." "What a terrible place!" Shen Qing glanced at the sky, tightened his hold on the hunting bow, and followed the path frequently used by hunters in the village directly towards the back mountain. ... Following the route remembered in his mind, Shen Qing found the bark he had marked a few days earlier. Every time the hunters entered the mountain, they would chop off a section of bark about two-foot long from a large tree at the boundary of the area they had marked, roll it into a cylinder, and wedge it onto a tree beside the path leading deeper into the woods. Subsequent hunters entering would see the bark roll and know this was someone else''s territory, avoiding deeper intrusion to prevent accidental injury. Shen Qing picked up the roll of bark from the ground and wedged it among tree branches, then proceeded along the mountain path into the woods, soon reaching the outskirts of Shicheng Mountain. The area was teeming with bushes and thorns and overrun with shrubs. The heavy snow also made movement quite challenging. Shen Qing trudged through the thick snow, his steps uneven as he navigated through the forest. Based on past memories, this area was rich in game; his father had frequented it, managing to secure some game more or less. An hour later. Shen Qing sat on the snow, took out the strip of meat Shen Fang had torn for him, and chewed on it to regain some strength. Suddenly, he stopped chewing and cautiously removed his bow, gently parting the bushes in front of him. S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. A colorful pheasant flew down from the mountaintop and landed on an old tree nearby. Hey, there''s life! Shen Qing slowly drew an arrow from the Arrow Quiver, placed it on the bowstring; he held his breath, almost instinctively adjusting his breathing and posture. Previously, he wouldn''t dare attempt a shot from such a distance, but now¡­ He slowly drew the longbow. The bowstring tightened, and the arrow pointed directly at the pheasant. Whoosh! The arrow shot out like a meteor, piercing through the silence of the mountain wood. The pheasant seemed to sense something but was too late. After Shen Qing''s breakthrough in Bow Technique, the arrow flew with unerring accuracy, piercing through its body. Chapter 4: Chapter 4 Chen Yuan "Hahaha, hit!"The pheasant flapped its wings continuously and, after a few wobbles, it collapsed in the snow. Shen Qing was overjoyed. He dashed over, grabbed the still-flapping pheasant, and looked it over carefully. People in the county liked to use these feathers to make craft feathers, feather fans, and feather headdresses. This pheasant''s feathers were as gorgeous as brocade, with a full tail and colorful plumes, and could fetch a pretty penny. Not only that, but pheasant meat, whether stir-fried, boiled, stewed, or roasted, was always delicious. It was a rare delicacy, enough to satisfy his and his sister''s hunger for a day. He finally had some rewards for his efforts. Shen Qing pinched the pheasant''s neck, twisted it with a flick of his wrist, and hung it on his waist. Then he looked up at the sky, where under the dark clouds a spot showed some brightness, indicating it was still before noon. S§×ar?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. There was still plenty of time; he could venture deeper. Now that his archery had improved, the bow and arrow felt like an extension of his arm, completely free from the previous unfamiliar sensation. Just now, he had hit his target from a hundred steps away in one shot, something he wouldn''t even dare to imagine before. If a snow wolf were to appear in front of him now, he felt he could bring it down as well. With this thought, a rare smile appeared on Shen Qing''s face. Holding his bow, he trudged through the snow deeper into the wilderness. There were many villages like Hongshan Village near Shicheng Mountain, all of which relied on hunting for a living and had been familiar with the mountain for generations. This mountain range spanned nearly a hundred miles and appeared large, but in reality, there were only a few dozen areas suitable for hunting. The other areas were either too dangerous, with demons and ferocious beasts lurking, or were too barren, with very little game. If an inexperienced hunter from outside entered Shicheng Mountain, not to mention a day, even after ten days they might come back empty-handed. Today, he had managed to catch a pheasant in half a day, which aside from the breakthrough in Bow Technique, he had to admit was partly due to luck. Indeed, for the rest of the day, he didn''t spot another single piece of game. The game in the mountains seemed to have made an agreement to suddenly become invisible. Standing in the snow, Shen Qing considered, "Perhaps I''ve been hunting too frequently here this past month; it might be time to find another place." As he thought of the deer he saw the day before, the image surfaced in his mind. "I''ll try that side again tomorrow." Having made up his mind, Shen Qing turned and left. Since he left early, it was still bright when he returned to the village. He happened to meet a few fellow villagers from Hongshan Village. Seeing the pheasant hanging from Shen Qing''s waist, they showed interest. "Qingzi, lucky today, eh? You didn''t come back empty-handed." "That pheasant is of good quality. How about it? Do you want to sell it to me? I''ll trade you five pounds of brown rice for it?" "Old Tian, do you think I don''t know the value? You expect to trade my pheasant for your five pounds of brown rice? Is your rice made of gold or silver?" Shen Qing said with a laugh, "Now on the market, a pound of brown rice is about twelve wen, so five pounds would be sixty wen. My pheasant could easily fetch 150 wen in the county. Don''t try to take advantage of me." After saying this, he squeezed through the group and left. From a place of sheer cliffs and harsh waters come cunning folk. Having lived here over a month, Shen Qing had long realized that these people would take advantage of every opportunity. If you give them an inch, they will take a mile. The people behind him were not bothered by Shen Qing''s refusal and scattered on their own accord. Passing by several households, Shen Qing quickly made his way to his own front door and found it wide open. Inside sat a burly man, clad in a set of gray cotton clothes, his face covered with horizontal flesh. Upon seeing Shen Qing''s return, a flicker of joy crossed Shen Fang''s face. The burly man seated on the chair turned his head and stared at Shen Qing, expressing his surprise, "Wow, Qingzi is back." The burly man stood up, towering a head taller than Shen Qing. He was strong and sturdy, clearly not someone to be trifled with. This man was none other than the eldest son of the mountain drivers from Hongshan Village¡ªChen Yuan. It was rumored that Chen Youguang, who was well connected in town, had obtained a martial arts manual called Nine Skills and was training his three sons with it. Among the three brothers, it was the eldest who had the most talent for martial arts, grasping some of its essence, far beyond what someone like him, who survived on bran cakes, could defeat. However, Shen Qing was not the type to cower at the first sign of trouble, and he quickly regained his composure, his expression unchanged, and with a beaming smile, he said, "What brings Brother Yuan to my humble abode today?" "It''s cold, just making a round of visits with nothing better to do," Chen Yuan glanced at Shen Qing and walked toward the doorway. As he passed by Shen Qing, he looked down and said, "You''re lucky today, the pheasant you got is rather fine." Shen Qing caught on to what Chen Yuan meant and cleverly responded, "It''s all thanks to the heavens providing for us. Since Brother Yuan likes it, why don''t I give it to Brother Yuan as a gift?" "Ha ha, Boss Shen is quite straightforward, but I didn''t expect him to have such a clever son," Chen Yuan patted Shen Qing''s shoulder and continued, "I''ll pass on the pheasant, let''s talk about your sister after the heavy snow stops. The two of you should discuss this at home. It''s a good opportunity for both of you." After saying that, Chen Yuan turned and left. Shen Qing watched Chen Yuan walk away with an unpleasant look on his face. Even a fine pheasant wasn''t what he wanted; he probably desired much more from them, brother and sister. The two siblings had nothing of value, and their home was utterly poor. The only thing they could offer was their good looks. Shen Fang, who looked somewhat rustic, would turn into a beauty with only a slight touch of grooming. As for himself, there was no need to say more. In the village, nobody could match him. However, beauty was a gift from heaven for the middle-class family, but for people like them at the bottom, it was a disaster. Ever since the snow started, Chen Yuan had been eyeing Shen Fang, growing increasingly persistent. He definitely found some leverage outside and had set his sights on Shen Fang. Shen Qing estimated that once they were cornered with no way out, Chen Yuan was likely to bleed them dry. "Qingzi... it''s good that you''re back... he''s been persuading me, I really didn''t know what to do..." Shen Fang, who was hiding on the side, had a flickering look in her eyes. Seeing Shen Fang like this, Shen Qing knew that she lacked a firm stance and might have been swayed by Chen Yuan. "Don''t pay him too much mind. You better not forget how his family left us high and dry when our parents passed away," he said. "I know," Shen Fang whispered back softly, almost inaudibly. Shen Qing looked outside the house. The snow fell gently. The silvery world was enveloped in a chill. The cold wind blew in gusts, as Shen Qing felt the bone-chilling cold surrounding him and his sister. "When I''m not home, sister, go stay with our aunt''s family. It might be a bit safer with my aunt and uncle there." Shen Qing returned to the house, took off the pheasant from his waist, threw it on the ground, and said, "Let''s slaughter it!" Chapter 5: Chapter 5 Like a Human The Chen Family''s house was situated right at the center of Hongshan Village.Compared to the ramshackle mud and straw huts of the surrounding villagers, the Chen Family''s house, primarily built of blue bricks, stood out conspicuously, mismatched with its surroundings. Chen Yuan, who had rushed back from Shen Qing''s house, pushed open the door and went inside. In the courtyard, the snow had already been swept clean. The second and third Chen brothers, Chen Tai and Chen An, were lifting stone locks, exerting their strength. "Big brother," Chen Tai, putting down the stone lock, asked, "Did everything go smoothly? Did Shen Fang agree?" "I almost persuaded her, but then Shen Qing came back and stirred things up," Chen Yuan said regretfully as he walked back to his room. The youngest brother, Chen An, interjected, "In my opinion, there''s no need for such trouble. Just tie her up and send her over." "The Song and Dong Family is short of girls for their brothel and is willing to pay a high price of thirty taels to collect beautiful women. If we miss this opportunity, there won''t be another like it." "Shen Fang is pretty good-looking; she should be worth that amount. Once we get the money, maybe all three of us could join a Martial Arts Hall and become martial masters, move to the county city, and not have to huddle in this mountain hole." Chen Yuan glanced at his brother and said, "It''s a good fifty or sixty li from Hongshan Village to the county city, and with the heavy snow and fierce winds, the roads are not easy to travel. Who''s going to carry her, you or me?" "Once the snow stops and if the Shen siblings still haven''t agreed, then we can make our move. By that time, traders from the city will be here, and we can conveniently rent a mule cart or horse cart to go to the city." "Before that, I''ll see if I can persuade them. If they both act foolish, we''ll save ourselves a lot of trouble." "As long as you have a plan, big brother," Chen An suddenly remembered something and asked, "Big brother, do you still have the ''Nine Skills of Martial Arts'' father gave you?" "Still with me; what about it?" Chen Yuan replied. Chen An said, "I''ve had some insights in the past few days and want to ponder over them again. If you''re not using it, can you lend it to me for a couple of days?" "Sure, I''ll find it for you later. Lately, you''ve all started strength training, and our consumption of meat has increased. If there''s nothing else tomorrow, remember to go hunting in the mountains to supplement your diet. The key to Martial Arts lies in physical training." Chen An agreed, "Big brother, both I and the second brother know, we were planning to hunt in the mountains tomorrow." Chen Yuan looked around and, noticing only their brothers were at home, asked curiously, "Where''s father?" Chen Tai, who had started lifting the stone lock again, replied, "He said he had to make a trip out this morning to meet a friend. He probably won''t be back until tomorrow." "Oh." ... Shen Fang finished preparing the pheasant, picking up each feather carefully. Holding a potful of meat, she hesitated, "I don''t eat much and can''t finish it all. Should I save half to air-dry for later?" "Just half for the two of us, how could we possibly get full?" Shen Qing, sitting below the stove making fire, said, "We eat bran cakes every day and can''t even poop properly; we need some meat and broth to lubricate our intestines." At these words, Shen Fang''s complexion turned awkward, as if recalling unpleasant memories. "Don''t worry, I''ll go up the mountain again tomorrow and won''t come back empty-handed." In the end, Shen Fang couldn''t overrule Shen Qing. The siblings took care of the whole pheasant. Shen Fang gently placed a bowl of steaming chicken soup on the table. The golden-yellow chicken soup emitted a light meat fragrance, with a few slices of bright green onion floating on the surface. Even though it only contained some salt and no other seasonings, the innate deliciousness of the ingredients was enough to leave a memorable taste. The pheasant, stewed for a long time, was tender and juicy. With a gentle pull, one could feel the texture of the meat, and the aroma was overwhelming. Much better than the daily bran cakes they ate. Shen Qing took a bowl of chicken soup and drank it down, feeling warm all over, as though soaking in a hot spring, utterly comfortable. "Finally have a chance to treat these organs to a feast," he said. In the midst of winter, with meat and hot soup to eat, After more than a month in this world, Shen Qing felt like he was truly human again. He set down his bowl and refilled it with another serving of hot soup, asking, "Big sister, what did Chen Yuan say to you today?" Shen Fang took a sip of the chicken soup, cradling the bowl in her hands to warm them, and recalled, "The same things as before, asking if I would be willing to be sold to a well-off family in the city to work as a maid." "What do you think about it?" "I want to try. If I go, I could exchange it for some money, and it would be easier for you, little brother." Shen Qing knew that such thoughts were very common in Da''an County. Many impoverished families would squeeze into the homes of the rich and powerful in the city, willingly becoming slaves just for a bite to eat. For people like them at the bottom of society, serving wealthy households seemed like a decent way out. If, by chance, they gained the favor of their master and received rewards, they could even stand out from among their peers. At the very least, they wouldn''t die of starvation. Shen Qing pondered for a moment before saying, "Sister, do you want to listen to me?" "You are the only male in the family; your sister will definitely listen to whatever you say." "If it were up to me, I''d say don''t go, not even to be a concubine." In present-day Great Zhou Country, people were divided into rankings. Emperor, nobles, officials, doctors, martial artists, farmers, craftsmen, merchants, slaves. The so-called ''maids'' essentially signed a contract of servitude, becoming part of the slave class. Being hunters living by the mountains and obtaining what they needed for life through hunting, their status was a bit higher than that of wandering beggars but lower than farmers who owned land. After all, they were officially registered as part of the agricultural class. As for the slave class, they were the lowest in Zhou Country, only slightly better off than disreputable prostitutes. Once they entered the slave class, it meant they became the personal property of the master, who could beat or kill them at will. Their descendants would also be slaves for generations, with no hope of turning their fates around. Being a maid for a wealthy family might seem glamorous, but in reality, their futures were never guaranteed. Of course, there was an even more important point that Shen Qing had not told Shen Fang. S§×arch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. What Chen Yuan wanted was probably not as simple as having her become a maid. And to sell his own sister for money. Shen Qing asked himself, and knew he could not do such a thing that weighed on his conscience. Even holding that money would burn his hands. "Alright, I''ll listen to you. If Chen Yuan comes again, I''ll reject him," Shen Fang said, seemingly touched by Shen Qing''s concern, though she showed little expression on her face, her heart was very delighted. "Drink your soup quickly, or it''ll get cold." They finished the entire pot of chicken soup. Their starving bodies were like parched land receiving rain, nourished and revived. Their complexions both turned much rosier. After a brief cleanup, Shen Qing did not delay, grabbing his bow and arrows and heading into the bamboo forest behind the house, intending to practice his Bow Technique while it was still light out. Time waits for no one, and he wasn''t willing to waste too much of it. Perhaps it was the effect of the chicken soup, but standing in the snow, Shen Qing didn''t feel as cold as before. Just as Shen Qing was drawing his bow, a startled cry came from the village. "Murder! The Chen Family Brothers have killed someone!" The shout instantly spread throughout the whole village. Shen Qing saw many people coming out of their homes, heading toward the direction of the Chen Family''s house. Chapter 6: Chapter 6: Life is Cheap The Chen family committed a murder?!Startled by this news, Shen Qing abruptly stopped what he was doing and ran out of the bamboo forest. He caught up with Chen Dahu, who had just come out from inside the house, and asked, "What''s happening outside?" Chen Dahu, who had been at home, had also just heard the news and was as confused as Shen Qing. After a while, Shen Qing saw his cousins, Shen Xiaohu and Shen Xiaoshan, and hurried over. "Xiao Hu, Shanwa, what''s going on?" Seeing that it was Shen Qing calling, Shen Xiaoshan and Shen Xiaohu didn''t hide anything. Xiao Hu said breathlessly, "Tian Chuan was beaten to death by the second and third sons of the Chen family." "I heard that Tian Chuan was caught climbing a wall by the second and third sons of the Chen family, who showed no mercy. Now he''s lying in the snow, with a large expanse stained red by his blood." "The Tian family members have all gone there, wanting to demand an explanation." "Brother Qingzi, do you want to come with us?" Shen Xiaoshan and Shen Xiaohu took turns speaking and finally gave Shen Qing a rough idea of what had happened. The Tian family were newcomers in Hongshan Village and didn''t have a high status, leading somewhat twisted lives. This was especially true for Tian Chuan''s family. He was the only male in his family, and his parents were old and frail. It was extremely difficult for the entire family to manage even the basic necessities. To think that they had been beaten to death by the Chen family members. "Wait for me," Shen Qing said, and after giving Shen Fang a brief explanation and closing the door, he signaled, "Let''s go!" By the time Shen Qing and the others arrived, many villagers from Hongshan had also gathered from all directions, surrounding the scene and whispering among themselves. Tian Chuan''s body lay stiffly there, the surrounding snow dyed scarlet with his blood¡ªa shocking and ghastly sight. The faces of the villagers were filled with astonishment and regret. Next to Tian Chuan''s body, the second son, Chen Tai, and the third son, Chen An, of the Chen family stood with grim expressions, each holding a stick stained with dark red blood, still dripping. Chen An''s face wore a murderous look, as if afraid that others wouldn''t know it was he who had done the deed. Just then, Tian Chuan''s parents, having heard the news, stumbled into the crowd. Seeing the body of their son, Mother Tian immediately collapsed to the ground, while Lord Tian''s eyes were empty, tears streaming down his face. Mother Tian wailed, "My son, how could you leave us like this!" Lord Tian, trembling, pointed at the Chen Family Brothers and bellowed, "You''ve committed murder!" Their voices were piercing and despairing. Murmurs of sympathy continually arose from the mouths of the villagers of Hongshan Village. "Alas, young Tian Chuan must have been driven to desperation, with the heavy snow sealing off the mountains and likely no more food reserves at home." "But sneaking into the Chen family to steal was still wrong, no matter what." "Even so, it was not necessary to beat a man to death, was it?" someone indignantly said. After a while, as the villagers discussed, the details of the incident became clearer. Tian Chuan, driven by hunger and having run out of food at home, had reluctantly chosen to steal cured meat from the Chen family. Regrettably, he was caught by the second and third sons of the Chen family, and after a verbal altercation and struggle, Chen An, in a fit of rage, beat him to death in the snow. By this time, the Tian family members from within Hongshan Village had already hurried over after hearing the news, confronting the Chen Family Brothers and accusing the Chen family of being vicious and cruel. Everyone in the mountains lived a hard life and carried a degree of fierce energy. If it weren''t for others holding them back, the Tian family members would have grabbed the hunting knives they carried on their bodies, seemingly ready to hack the Chen Family Brothers to pieces. The second and third sons of the Chen family, however, stood to the side with expressionless faces, exuding arrogance and contempt. "If he''s dead, he''s dead. Just a thief." Chen San scoffed, "I didn''t know he couldn''t take a hit like that." The villagers looked at Tian Chuan''s body and then at the attitude of the Chen Family Brothers, a chill rising in their hearts. "Give me back my son, give me back my son!" Mother Tian suddenly became fierce and lunged at Chen An, only to be quickly knocked down by a kick from Chen Tai. The scene immediately became chaotic. The eldest son of the Chen family, Chen Yuan, squeezed through the crowd. He was tall and burly, with a face full of ferocity, easily overpowering even the village''s old hunter. Chen Yuan looked around and shouted in a deep voice, "Everybody listen up!" "Tian Chuan climbed the wall to steal meat from my house. Although my family has some reserves, it''s not something just anyone can take. Furthermore, Tian Chuan was carrying a dagger and intended to attack my two brothers." Chen An used a stick to lift Tian Chuan''s arm and sure enough, they found a dagger. Seeing such a scene, the villagers were in an uproar. Shen Qing, in the crowd, furrowed his brow upon hearing Chen Yuan''s words. He had a bit of an impression of Tian Chuan. He believed Tian Chuan might have stolen the meat out of extreme hunger, but he did not believe he would have attacked the Chen brothers with a dagger. S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. It was very likely that Tian Chuan, pushed to the brink, chose to fight back. But now, saying anything was useless. Tian Chuan was already dead. By bringing up this point now, Chen Yuan was clearly looking to capitalize on Tian Chuan''s death, with an underlying intention to establish his authority. Chen Yuan scanned the crowd and took a step forward, continuing loudly, "I have one fault¡ªI am protective of my own. If anyone touches a single hair on my brothers, not only would a beating be justified, but killing them on the spot would be their own fault. Don''t blame me for not making this clear beforehand." As soon as these words were uttered, Chen Yuan''s presence suddenly changed. A formidable aura spread out, as if he were a wrathful deity. With this spectacle, plus Tian Chuan''s body on the ground, the villagers of Hongshan Village were all somber, resembling frightened quails. Not one dared speak up for Tian Chuan, only able to offer silent sympathy in their hearts. In the crowd, Shen Qing looked at Chen Yuan, pondering, "Chen Yuan has some skill in martial arts, capable of taking on three men by himself. There are over a hundred people in this village, and if everyone were to gang up on him, perhaps they could beat him to death." "It''s just a pity, no one is willing to stick their neck out to be one of those three." As if sensing Shen Qing''s thoughts, Chen Yuan subconsciously glanced in Shen Qing''s direction. Shen Qing quickly lowered his head. Confronted with the Chen family''s dominance, the Tian Family members, who arrived in outrage, no longer had the momentum they had at the beginning. Chen An yelled, "In this snowstorm, what are you all crowding around my house for? Get lost, all of you!" At his shout, the many villagers who''d gathered dispersed. Tian Chuan''s parents, their hair white with grief, dragged their son''s body back to their house in the heavy snow, leaving behind a long trail of blood. Quickly, the snow covered the bloodstains, blanketing the scene as if nothing had happened. Back at home, Shen Xiaohu and Shen Xiaoshan were both filled with righteous indignation. "The Chen Family Brothers are so overbearing, and the Tian family is too spineless. If the Chen family hadn''t colluded with the Boss in the city to suppress the prices of the game, Tian Chuan wouldn''t have lacked even food to eat." "What good would it do not to be spineless? Tian Chuan had no brothers or sisters, and his parents are too old to do anything. Who would risk stepping forward for them? Even going to the government requires having connections." "Dead is dead." "In this world, nothing is cheaper than the lives of people like us." Shen Qing remained silent, listening quietly on the side without speaking further. Chapter 7: Chapter 7: Back to the Mountain In Hongshan Village, most were hunters who survived by hunting.The mountains were full of venomous snakes and fierce beasts, and almost every year, someone from the village would die from hunting. Death, for the people of Hongshan Village, was all too common. By the second day after Tian Chuan was beaten to death, no one in Hongshan Village talked about it anymore. Everything had returned to calm. It was as if this person had never existed in the village. Shen Qing woke up early in the morning with dark circles under his eyes. He stepped outside the house, caught a falling snowflake with his hand, then fiercely grabbed a handful of snow from the ground and pressed it tightly to his face. The ice-cold chill, like countless needles piercing his skin, made him shiver instantly. This chill, as if it could penetrate his bone marrow, also cleared his muddled thoughts, bringing a surge of exhilaration and an unprecedented clarity to his mind. "Little brother, the hot porridge is ready, come have a sip," "Coming," Shen Qing gently exhaled. Shen Qing took the bowl of steaming meat porridge from Shen Fang''s hands, gently blew on it, and carefully sipped. The warm broth, carrying bits of meat, slid down his throat, bringing waves of warmth. This sense of warmth spread from his mouth throughout his body, seeming to dispel the chill that enveloped him during the winter. Combined with the chicken soup he had drunk the day before, his stomach was nourished, and Shen Qing felt much more spirited. "Little brother, do I feel like you''ve grown taller?" When Shen Qing stood up, Shen Fang felt, perhaps it was an illusion, that he seemed a bit sturdier. "Maybe I used to hunch over," Shen Qing put aside the calligraphic characters in his view, set the bowl aside, and took up his bow and arrow quiver. "I''m heading up the mountain, I probably won''t be back by noon. You should stay at your aunt''s house. Remember to bring a bran cake with you, don''t make it difficult for your aunt and them." Shen Qing packed up while giving these instructions. "I got it." Shen Fang lowered her head in silence for a moment, then turned to clean up the dishes without making another sound. At that moment, she suddenly felt as if Shen Qing was the older brother, and she was the younger sister. Even though she was two years older than him. Shen Qing didn''t pay much attention to Shen Fang''s subtle feelings and, disregarding the harsh wind and snow, pushed the door open and left. A moment later, he arrived at the spot where he had peeled bark the day before and surveyed the surroundings. "The place we went yesterday was too crowded with human activity, going there again today would likely yield little. According to what was considered yesterday, today I''ll head to the forest where the deer appeared earlier." Generally speaking, deer do not stay long in one place. Their instinct for wild survival drives them to constantly migrate and seek new food sources to avoid the depletion of resources and the threat of predators. Going there today, it was very likely that he wouldn''t see the deer he had encountered that day. But the presence of deer in that forest proved there were lichens, mosses, and unfrozen water sources¡ªit would definitely attract other animals. Shen Qing checked his direction, peeled some bark again to mark his path, and then headed straight into the depths of the mountains. The snow behind him bore a trail of deep footprints, as the figure of Shen Qing gradually disappeared into the snowstorm. Chen Family Mansion. Chen Tai and Chen An, both dressed in animal skins and carrying longbows and daggers, walked out of their house, facing the biting cold. Although the heavy snow had lessened considerably, it had not stopped and continued to fall sparsely. Looking out, Shicheng Mountain was dressed in silver, a sweep of pure white. Chen An tightened his coat and complained to Chen Tai beside him, "This snow has been falling for so long, why do we have to climb the mountain? Wouldn''t it be better to stay at home and take care of our bodies?" Chen Tai smiled and responded, "The game is fat in winter, and it''s a good intention from older brother. Don''t talk too much, let''s go early and return early." Despite his complaints, Chen An started walking, keeping up with his second brother''s pace. The two of them walked side by side, passing through the quiet village, heading towards the back mountain. Soon, the two brothers, Chen An and Chen Tai, trudging through deep snow, arrived at the edge of the forest where Shen Qing was peeling bark. Chen Tai stopped, looked at the peeled bark Shen Qing made, and said, "Someone''s already here, let''s find another spot." "It''s good that someone''s here; it means there''s something inside, saving us from aimlessly searching." Chen An didn''t care who peeled the bark and went straight towards the hunting ground inside. "Isn''t it a bit inappropriate for us to just go in like this?" Chen Tai hesitantly said, his expression showing concern. Chen An turned his head and said, "Brother, the rules of hunters are rigid, but people are adaptable. Look at the footprints in the snow, only one person at most, what''s there to fear? He does his thing, we do ours¡ªthe mountain doesn''t belong to him alone." With that, he stretched out his hand and firmly grasped Chen Tai''s wrist, "We''re just going in to hunt, second brother, no need to be so pedantic, no one can do anything to us." Chen Tai glanced at the silent, deserted forest, felt convinced by Chen An''s words, and finally nodded, "Alright, but let''s be careful." Chen An''s face showed a smug smile upon hearing that. He pulled on Chen Tai, and they followed Shen Qing into the woods one after another. ¡­ Thwack! An arrow came flying from a distance and firmly pinned a rabbit to the ground. Blood slowly oozed from the arrow-pierced wound, staining the surrounding snow red. The rabbit''s eyes were filled with terror as it painfully writhed, trying to escape. Each struggle came with severe pain, yet the instinct to survive urged it to keep struggling. Shen Qing quickly approached from nearby, grabbed the rabbit by its long ears, and lifted it up, arrow and all. His eyes gleamed with joy as he skilfully pulled out the dagger from his waist and swiftly slit the rabbit''s jugular. Blood spurted out, staining the cuffs of his sleeve. The rabbit convulsed a few times, then lay completely still. Shen Qing picked up the dead rabbit, skillfully tied it up with a rope, and then hooked it onto his waist. He gently patted the game on his waist, a hint of satisfaction flickering in his eyes. "That makes the third one, it really wasn''t a wasted trip today, just a pity I didn''t encounter a big prize." Shen Qing placed his dagger on his elbow joint, wiped away the blood, and repositioned it at his waist. He then slowly crouched down, his gaze intently fixed on a trail of footprints on the snow. The footprints were clear and deep, obviously freshly made. He reached out, his fingertips lightly touching the edge of one footprint, feeling its delicate outline. He was sure it was a deer-like footprint. A glint of light flashed across Shen Qing''s eyes, his heart secretly thrilled. To think, speaking of Cao Cao and Cao Cao appears, to actually stumble upon a big prize. S§×arch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. By tracking these footprints, perhaps he could find that game, and this time, he wouldn''t let it escape. Suddenly, Shen Qing felt an intuition. His mind shifted, an expanse of ink unfolded in his sight, and a familiar interface emerged before his eyes, his expression turning to one of surprise. Chapter 8: Chapter 8: Small Success in Hunting Skills The ink in his vision began to diffuse.Under Shen Qing''s gaze, it transformed into line after line of text. [Skill: Bow Technique (Skillfully)] [Progress: 11/200 points] [Status: Unable to Improve] [Note: "As heaven''s movement is ever vigorous, so must a gentleman ceaselessly strive!" Continuous practice can lead to a breakthrough in skill progress.] ... [Skill: Hunting (Skillfully)] [Progress: 103/100 points] [Status: Can be Improved] [Note: The art of hunting is broad and profound, encompassing Tracking, Tracking, Concealment, trap, Bait, slaughtering, and other small skills, continuous practice can lead to a breakthrough.] Lately, Shen Qing had been hunting frequently, and his hunting skills had shown significant growth. Unknowingly, he had already met the conditions for a breakthrough. Without any hesitation, Shen Qing immediately said, "Breakthrough!" A familiar sensation suddenly struck him. A torrent of hunting techniques mercilessly flooded into his mind, surging like tumultuous waves. His head felt as if it had been struck by a blunt object, becoming faintly swollen. Pit, lasso trap, capture net, Quench Poison, Tracking, Concealment... Key points in hunting flickered through his mind like a swift horse glimpsing the flowers. Such complex information caused him to feel dizzy, and it took several deep breaths before he recovered. Once he steadied his mind, Shen Qing subconsciously glanced at the inked text within his vision. [Skill: Hunting (Small Success)] [Progress: 3/200 points] [Status: Unable to Improve] [Note: Continue practicing for a comprehensive breakthrough. There is a certain probability that some of the hunting techniques will transform.] Shen Qing looked at the note and felt somewhat surprised. To think, the experiences now in his mind, without a knowledgeable old master to teach them, would be impossible for most people to know. With such abilities, he could now go much farther in the mountains. He hadn''t expected the hunting skills to continue to evolve. With this development, even if the heavens didn''t provide him with sustenance, he feared he could empty the mountain clean. Shen Qing''s spirits were greatly lifted. He lowered his head to look at the footprints below, and his expression became much more composed. After carefully mulling it over for a while, several methods of tracking appeared in his mind. He didn''t delay any further and confidently followed the footprints. Whether it was due to the breakthrough, Shen Qing noticed several subtle changes in his body just as he set off. Though he was moving quickly through the snow, not a sound could be heard, and his figure was extraordinarily nimble. Additionally, he could hear every movement around him clearly, becoming more alert and observant. Hunting techniques with Small Success indeed had some tricks up their sleeve. Hard work pays off. After a round of tracking and concealing, Shen Qing spotted a dark shadow in the forest from afar. It was a robust roe deer, its brown fur shimmering with an attractive sheen. Shen Qing was overjoyed. Wild roe deer, which lived among the sparse forests on the small hills, not only had delicious, nutritious meat but also fetched a high price in the county town. Their fur was also a material for high-end leather goods. A unscathed wild roe deer could sell for as much as 1,200 wen. Even if there were injuries, diminishing the value of the fur, it could still fetch over 800 coins at least. For hunters like them, who made a living in the mountains, it was unquestionably valuable goods. Shen Qing did not dare to be careless. He knew that animals living in the wild were extremely vigilant, and any negligence at this moment could startle the roe deer, causing it to escape. Shen Qing steadied his mind, held his breath, and silently approached. The stag was intently lowering its head to forage, oblivious to the impending danger. Without alarming the roe deer, Shen Qing narrowed the distance between them to within a hundred steps, entering the effective killing range of his bow and arrow. Shen Qing sniffed the air, stretched out his hand to gauge the wind direction, then slowly drew the bow from behind his back, lightly resting a feathered arrow on it, and noiselessly pulled the bowstring taut. His gaze, breath, and heartbeat became one, and when the right moment came, he suddenly released his hold. Whoosh! The bowstring vibrated. Like a shooting star, the arrow cut through the sky, heading straight for the deer. After firing one arrow, Shen Qing didn''t hesitate to quickly swipe his quiver, hooked out another arrow with his little finger, notched it on the bow, and shot another arrow in quick succession. After firing two arrows, Shen Qing sprinted forward. While running, he continued to notch arrows onto the bowstring. The deer seemed to sense something, but it was clearly too late for it to react. The arrow traveled an incredible distance in a blink of an eye. Under Shen Qing''s watchful eye, it pierced through the deer''s body with unerring accuracy. The powerful follow-through made the animal''s body stagger and fall to the ground. The instinct to survive compelled it to scramble up regardless of everything. But it didn''t even have time to get up. Whoosh, whoosh. The subsequent arrows followed closely, piercing through its chest and thigh. Bright red, warm blood splattered everywhere. The deer that had just stood up was pinned to the ground by the arrows. It stared at its limbs, struggling to stand, but it was already at the end of its strength. A hundred steps'' distance could be covered in just a dozen or so breaths at a full sprint. Shen Qing had already caught up; he excitedly pulled a dagger from his waist and skillfully thrust it into the roe deer''s neck, beginning the slaughter. "Puchi!" The deer''s sturdy skin was sliced open, the dark red flesh turned inside out, revealing a hole. Hot blood surged from the hole, splashing all over Shen Qing. Seeing the hot blood spray out, Shen Qing hurriedly grabbed his arrow quiver, dumped out the arrows, and collected the roe deer blood. Roe deer blood could be eaten or sold to apothecaries in town for some money. S§×arch* The Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. For a lowly hunter like him, not a drop could be wasted. Realizing it was trapped, the roe deer struggled more fiercely. But how could Shen Qing, having already seized his prey, let it do as it wished? Shen Qing pinned the inexperienced deer down with his full body weight until it ceased all movement. After a while, Shen Qing released his aching arms, unable to suppress the joy on his face. Such a large roe deer was hard to catch even for experienced hunters in the village. He didn''t expect his luck today, having caught one. Although the pelt was damaged and the price was reduced, he was still content with the catch. Shen Qing estimated in his heart that as long as he continued to hunt like this, it wouldn''t be long before his days would visibly improve. Eventually, once he had saved enough money, he could even move to town with his older sister. Leaving behind this place of petty village conflicts. Just as Shen Qing was processing the roe deer, in high spirits, two figures emerged from the nearby forest. "Brother, look, it''s Shen Qing." Chen An had sharp eyes and recognized him at a glance. They had just been following tracks in the vicinity, not expecting it to be Shen Qing. Chen Tai remarked in surprise, "It''s actually a roe deer; this kid really hit the jackpot." At this moment, Chen An, looking at Shen Qing ahead, fell silent without responding. After a while, he suddenly said in a cold tone, "Second brother, I heard his sister is indecisive, and big brother has not been able to persuade her, it''s this kid who''s been blocking. Do you think if he were to die in the mountains, his sister might agree to big brother''s suggestion?" Chapter 9: Chapter 9: A Snowy Day is Good for Killing Snowflakes drifted down, and the chilling wind was piercing.In the silver-clad forest, a sudden aura of grim resolution filled the air. "We''re bound to make a move on those siblings sooner or later, better sooner than later. After all, in the forest with its wolves, insects, tigers, and leopards, a person dying is nothing out of the ordinary. A snowy day is perfect for killing." Snowflakes landed on Chen An''s expressionless face, his icy gaze daunting to behold. Listening to Chen An, the calm-faced Chen Tai nearby began to continuously weigh the pros and cons. Indeed, as his elder brother said, if the eldest sister of the Shen family was wise enough to sell herself into lowly status, it would indeed be safer. They, the Chen family, dominated in Hongshan Village; killing someone was trivial to them, but the government office of Taiping County still carried some authority, and forcing a decent person to degrade herself was not a small matter. Avoiding it would be best if possible. After considering comprehensively, Chen Tai''s expression turned ruthless, and he nodded heavily, saying, "What the third brother said makes sense, a snowy day is good for killing!" Seeing Chen Tai agree, Chen An''s face relaxed, revealing a hint of a smile, and said, "Then second brother, you go that way, I''ll go this way; surround him, let''s not let him escape." "Alright." The two brothers immediately split up and took action. In their eyes, Shen Qing in the snowy forest had already become their prey. Shen Qing, who was tying up a roe deer, frowned slightly and looked toward the nearby forest. Seeing nothing unusual, he withdrew his gaze and continued to secure the roe deer, slinging it over his shoulder. By then, he had pulled out all the arrows shot into the roe deer. Since the arrow quiver was used to hold roe deer blood, the arrows that had been in it were now attached to his belt, and the bow was in his hand. After roughly identifying the direction, Shen Qing started heading back the way he had come. The Chen brothers, lying low in the snow, glanced at each other simultaneously as they hunted. Indeed very sharp. He almost detected them just now. Chen An gestured, and he and Chen Tai quietly headed in different directions, following the trail. They saw Shen Qing carrying the roe deer, his steps in the snow uneven. Behind him, the blood dripping from the roe deer left a twining red line in the snowy forest, conspicuously eye-catching. Moments later, Chen Tai, following behind, was suddenly surprised by the direction Shen Qing was headed. It did not seem to be the direction back to the village. The path in the mountains was covered by heavy snow, and the original trail was no longer discernible. It seemed that Shen Qing had lost his way. This suited their intentions perfectly. Chen Tai held his breath, his hunting bow in hand, and carefully continued his pursuit. Gradually, the forest ahead became denser. The branches were laden with thick snow. A gust of cold wind stirred up a flurry of fine snow particles, blurring the vision. When the wind passed, Chen Tai unexpectedly discovered that Shen Qing''s figure had disappeared from his field of vision. Chen Tai narrowed his eyes, focusing on the red line of blood on the ground, extending into the depths of the forest. He signaled Chen An, and together they moved to encircle from both sides. Seeing Chen Tai''s signal, Chen An, knowing it was time to act, couldn''t help but lick his lips. "Once we''ve sold the eldest Shen sister and gotten the money, my hopes of entering the Martial Arts Hall will also increase. By then, I might have a chance to join the ranks of the gentry in the county town." While he was excited, he suddenly realized after walking a distance that the fresh red trail of blood in the forest had disappeared. And so had Shen Qing. "What''s going on?" Unable to contain himself, Chen An rushed over, searching around. Closely following after him, Chen Tai also dashed out. "Where is he?" The two exclaimed in unison. Chen Tai was the first to calm down and dashed along the original trail of blood, only to find the roe deer hanging high in a tree. And the blood trail broke off right at that spot. Chen An, frustrated, said, "Damn it, that kid is cunning; he managed to escape." As soon as he finished speaking, Shen Qing, holding a bow and arrows, pointed at them from behind a large tree, about a dozen steps away. The Chen brothers were startled, a trace of panic appearing on their faces. Shen Qing instantly understood that they harbored malicious intent. Chen An shouted instinctively, "Attack!" Whoosh! Shen Qing''s expression turned serious, and he let go of the bowstring decisively, a step ahead of them. The deer tendon bowstring vibrated gently, accompanied by a low and mellow humming sound, sending the arrow flying at a startling speed. The arrow hissed through the air, leaving a silver trail behind. Phut! The arrow struck Chen An squarely in the chest. At just over a dozen steps away, the force contained by the Elm Wood Bow and deer tendon string was enough to puncture Chen An''s chest cavity. Chen An looked down, his gaze fixated on the arrow shot by Shen Qing, the pain and the cold shaft causing him waves of dizziness. His eyes widened, his face showing an expression of disbelief, filled with astonishment and confusion. S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chen An had not expected Shen Qing to be so decisive, even quicker to act than him. "Third brother!" Chen Tai saw this scene, his face turning pale with shock. Chen An broke the arrow in his chest fiercely, and roared, "Second brother, kill him!" The arrow had pierced the middle of his chest, but since it wasn''t where the heart was, it wasn''t immediately fatal. Chen An gasped in pain, his consciousness still intact, he knew he still had a slim chance of survival. However, no sooner had he spoken than Shen Qing had already shot another arrow. Shen Qing''s hands moved incredibly fast, the black arrow shadow shooting toward Chen Tai. Unexpectedly, at the moment of life and death, Chen Tai disregarded brotherly loyalty and used Chen An as a shield. "Phut." Chen An''s form halted, and looking down, he saw fresh blood drenching his chest, the arrow shaft trembling. He covered the wound, but the bright red blood still seeped through his fingers, staining his palms. In an instant, his face turned pale, his breathing rapid, his eyes shining with a mingling of shock and pain as he collapsed onto the snowy ground. Chen Tai had not expected Shen Qing''s archery skills to be so formidable, hitting the heart with a single arrow. If he hadn''t reacted swiftly, he would have been the one to fall. "Dammit!" Realizing something was off with Shen Qing, Chen Tai could not care less, he took cover behind a tree to use as a shield, and returned fire with his bow. But the hastily fired arrows lacked accuracy and hit a tree near Shen Qing. The accumulated snow on the tree fell rustling down. Seeing he had lost the opportunity, Shen Qing did not linger and quickly maneuvered to the side, not planning to let Chen Tai get away. The cold wind blew in gusts. Snow particles mixed with snowflakes danced in the mountain forest. Shen Qing, tightly clutching his longbow, moved through the mountain forest like a nimble snow leopard, his figure elusive. Chen Tai repeatedly fired two arrows, both missing their target. In contrast, the arrows returned by Shen Qing were extremely accurate. Every time Shen Qing''s arrow passed close by, Chen Tai felt a rush of relief. Chen Tai found it hard to believe that a man barely known in the village, someone who almost couldn''t afford meals, could possess such exceptional archery and hunting skills. Unbelievably cunning. It suddenly made him feel as if he was the prey in this snowy forest. Being dominated by such a petty person, Chen Tai felt deeply humiliated at this moment. Shen Qing, with a sharp gaze in the mountain forest, noticed the change in Chen Tai''s expression, knowing he was pushed to his limit. He pulled back the longbow again, aiming at that figure. Suddenly, a cold arrow shot from Chen Tai''s direction. Shen Qing rolled swiftly to the side, narrowly avoiding the arrow. He quickly stood up, his eyes colder, and shot another arrow without hesitation, then reached toward his waist. Shen Qing''s expression faltered. His hand felt empty; he had used up all his arrows! Chapter 10: Chapter 10: Shooting Through a Willow at a Hundred Paces Shen Qing looked down at his empty arrow quiver and felt his heart lurch, his face suddenly changing.He had just killed Chen An, and now he was in a death feud with Chen Tai. The two of them were at a point of no return. Sear?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Now, without any arrows, he had lost his most advantageous method against Chen Tai. Whiz! An arrow shot from the opposite side interrupted his thoughts. Damn it, Shen Qing cursed inwardly, quickly dodging to one side. After a moment, seeing that Shen Qing had not shot any arrows, Chen Tai, hidden in the woods, immediately realized Shen Qing''s predicament and sensed that Shen Qing was out of arrows. The perfect moment for a counterattack had come. A sly and ruthless look flashed across his eyes, "Shen Qing, you''re dead." Chen Tai emerged from behind a tree, grabbed Chen An''s arrow quiver, and held the bow tightly in his hand, quickly drawing the bowstring and aiming at Shen Qing. The tremor in the arrow excited him like never before. With a whiz, the arrow was violently shot straight toward Shen Qing. Shen Qing hurriedly hid behind a tree. Bang! A muffled sound as the arrowhead buried itself into the old tree, stirring up a circle of snowflakes. Shen Qing took a deep breath, forced himself to calm down, and quickly thought through his strategies, trying to find a glimmer of hope. He knew that any panic at this time could lead to a situation from which he could not recover. Peeking out, Shen Qing caught a brief glimpse and saw that Chen Tai was making his way around to his side, locking onto most of his body. If he let Chen Tai get to the side or moved out of fear, he would expose himself completely to Chen Tai''s view. This was a common hunting technique used by the hunters. If he continued to stay put, he would only get himself killed. Shen Qing clenched his teeth and burst out from behind the old tree, sprinting randomly in any direction. Thanks to his breakthrough in hunting skills, he had a clear understanding of Chen Tai''s tactics and was not completely forced into a passive situation. The two figures chased each other through the forest. In the vast snowy mountains, winter birds flew up in alarm, making the snowy woods seem even more lively. Whiz, Whiz, Whiz! Chen Tai''s arrows kept coming. Thud! An arrow grazed past Shen Qing, slicing through his arrow quiver. The roe deer blood within splattered out, scattering on the ground. Seeing this, Chen Tai, relentlessly in pursuit, mistakenly thought Shen Qing was wounded and his face lit up, hastening his steps. Unbeknownst to him, Shen Qing had been driven to a familiar hillside. There were few trees here, offering little cover. Shen Qing wanted to change direction and run towards another dense forest. But what he thought of, Chen Tai naturally had thought of too. Barely having driven him this far, Chen Tai was not about to let Shen Qing have his way; he shot several arrows in quick succession to block Shen Qing''s escape, driving him up the hillside. Shen Qing''s expression was not good. With no other choice, he jumped down the hillside. Standing outside the forest, Chen Tai stopped, gave a cold laugh, and pointed the arrow at Shen Qing from a distance. With few trees to obstruct the view, the visibility was excellent. Narrowing his eyes, Chen Tai gripped the bow tightly and drew the bowstring steadily and forcefully, placing an arrow on it. Suddenly, he released his finger, and the bowstring instantly rebounded, making a "twang" sound. The arrow tore through the air like a meteor, shooting directly towards Shen Qing at an astonishing speed. At that moment, Shen Qing''s scalp tingled. His instincts as an "old hunter" made him react subconsciously, diving to the side and rolling. He barely avoided Chen Tai''s deadly arrow. Chen Tai revealed a shocked expression and spit out a mouthful of phlegm in the snow, silently praising Shen Qing''s luck. Seeing Shen Qing fall to the ground, he calmly drew another arrow and notched it onto his bowstring. Among the three brothers, his Bow Technique was the best. When Shen Qing was running, the angles were tricky, and he could hardly perform. Now, without the trees to block his view and standing on high ground, he had a clear vision, facing a target that had already fallen to the ground, he couldn''t possibly miss again. This arrow was meant to take his life and avenge his younger brother! Lying in the snow, Shen Qing''s face turned pale; he had realized he was trapped. What should he do? Large beads of sweat formed on his forehead, and his back went cold. Just then, his hand touched something hard in the snow. Shen Qing pulled it out to see; it was the very arrow Chen Tai had shot! His heart suddenly filled with ecstasy. With no time to hesitate, he quickly turned over, pulled the longbow to its full extent. Seeing Chen Tai standing still, he did not hesitate at all, released his fingers, and concentrated all his strength and hope into this one arrow. The arrow, like a bullet from a gun, whistled through the air straight toward Chen Tai. The hundred-step distance vanished in a blink, and the arrow reached Chen Tai first, piercing his throat precisely. Blood sprayed as Chen Tai''s body swayed and he fell heavily to the ground. Chen Tai touched his neck in disbelief. His fingers felt something slick; blood gushed out from his neck, flowing like a stream. Chen Tai''s eyes widened as he saw his hands covered in blood, realizing that his life was quickly slipping away. Panic and despair intertwined on his face, and his eyes filled with shock, "How is this possible..." After shooting the arrow, Shen Qing saw Chen Tai fall, and his mind relaxed momentarily; he sighed, feeling as though all his strength had left him. Without delay, Shen Qing quickly sat up from the snow and walked over to Chen Tai. By now, Chen Tai had turned into a corpse, his eyes wide open, an arrow piercing his neck, protruding from the other side. The arrow had blood grooves, and bright red blood flowed out from them, spilling onto the pure white snow. The blood, still warm, melted the surrounding snow, forming a sinuous little river that extended seven steps away. The bright red and pure white formed a stark contrast against each other. Shen Qing raised his hands, looking at his own hands. "So it feels like this to kill someone..." At first, the situation was urgent, leaving no room for him to think. Now that he had killed both, he realized it was his first time killing someone. For some reason, Shen Qing didn''t feel much psychological discomfort. To him, the world simply worked this way. The tragic scene at Tian Chuan yesterday was still clear in his mind. If he hadn''t been ruthless or lucky, then he would be the one lying here now. "I don''t want to die, anyone trying to kill me, I just have to kill them!" "Hunting can be for beasts, or it can also be for men." Shen Qing''s eyes suddenly hardened, free from psychological burdens and adapted to his current situation. Shen Qing looked down at Chen Tai''s corpse, his eyes brimming with a slight smile. Having killed both men, the most important thing now was to loot the bodies! The Chen Family had quite a few valuables, not to be wasted. Shen Qing decided, squatted down, and moved quickly. To save trouble, he took a Dagger from his waist and pried open Chen Tai''s belt. He rummaged through his body and pulled out a purse, some hunting gear. Then in the heavy snow, he stripped Chen Tai clean, packing up his clothes and bow together. After handling everything neatly, he left behind Chen Tai''s naked body A slight smile appeared unconsciously on the corners of Shen Qing''s mouth as he turned and quickly left the scene. There was another corpse of Chen An in another part of the mountain forest, which probably also had many valuables, and he couldn''t miss out on those either. Chapter 11: Chapter 11: Returning Fully Loaded, The Opportunity of Martial Arts The forest was a blanket of white snow.Shen Qing trudged through the thick snow, following the tracks he had been chasing, and approached near Chen An''s body. From a distance, he saw Chen An''s body lying silently on the silvery-white snow-covered ground, although it had been only a short while since he left, a thin layer of snow had already covered the body, seeming to merge with the icy, snowy environment. The thick beast skin he was wearing, originally meant to ward off the severe cold, was now mottled with dried blood, seeping into the snow beneath. Shen Qing walked over, crouched down, and found that the blood on the chest was no longer bright liquid but had become dull and congealed, sticking tightly to the rough beast skin on Chen An''s body. The cold wind passed, lifting up fine particles of snow and covering the large patches of deep red. Ignoring the bloodstains, Shen Qing pulled out a complete arrow from his chest, placed it into the empty Arrow Quiver, then used a Dagger to pry open his clothing and searched carefully. From Chen An''s body, he retrieved a pouch, some Beast Medicine Powder, a short knife similar to a Dagger, and other common hunter items. "Huh?" Suddenly, Shen Qing felt a hard object on Chen An''s body, a square object wrapped in cloth with many fresh bloodstains on it. Shen Qing brought it in front of him and examined it; it appeared to be a small book. Without hesitation, he unfolded the cloth, and indeed, it was a small blue booklet. The cover of the book bore three large characters. Shen Qing did not know many characters in this world, but he recognized the characters for "Nine" and "Skills." His expression changed involuntarily, and his heart thumped twice. Lately, everyone in the village knew that Chen Youguang, a mountain driver from the village, had acquired a Martial Arts manual in the county town for his son to practice. If he remembered correctly, that Martial Arts manual was called "Nine Skills," meant for foundational training and Qi-Blood cultivation for a martial master. Martial masters held a status above that of workers and farmers in the Great Zhou. Earlier, when he visited the county town, Shen Qing had specifically inquired about this information. In today''s world, the Great Zhou Court was confiscating all spiritual weapons and controlling Martial Mechanisms; learning Martial Arts was not a simple matter. They, as rural folks, could not compare to those noble sons born with a silver spoon. If one wished to learn Martial Arts, one could either join the court as an official, where many Magic Skills for cultivating Martial Arts were available for selection with personal guidance, or one could join a Martial Arts Hall to learn some folk Martial Arts. But either option was difficult. The former required local fame for recommendation, whereas the latter required a lot of money. The saying ''poor in literary arts, rich in Martial Arts'' was not an empty phrase. Shen Qing estimated that, just in terms of silver, such Martial Arts would likely cost ten taels silver to purchase. And that was if one had the right connections. On the market, counterfeit Martial Arts manuals were prevalent, and it was easy to be deceived. If one was slightly fortunate, they would only lose some money. If one was less lucky, it was feared they might practice until they fell into madness and died from ruptured heart vessels¡ªa no joking matter. This "Nine Skills" had been practiced by the Chen Family Brothers for some time now, and Chen Yuan had already achieved some proficiency. It was undoubtedly a genuine Martial Arts manual. In this impoverished and remote area, such a Martial Arts manuscript was indeed considered extremely precious. Shen Qing let out a gentle breath, calmed his emotions, and carefully hid the blue booklet recording the Nine Skills close to his body. Gathering the items he had scavenged from the two brothers, Shen Qing laid them out in front of him and began to inventory them. Two tattered animal skin coats and two bows. Shen Qing recognized that both animal skin coats were made of wolf skin, and the bows were fine Elm Wood Bows. All together, they were worth quite a bit of silver, but he, Shen Qing, knew he could not take these items with him. In the whole village, only Chen Yuan''s family could afford such things. If he took them back, suddenly appearing wealthy in Hongshan Village would be like a child flaunting gold in the market, inevitably bringing trouble upon himself. The remaining items included seventy-five wen in large coins, a bag of poison powder, various hunting gear, and twenty-eight feathered arrows. These items were common in almost every household in the village, so taking them was no issue. After some consideration, Shen Qing found a hidden spot in the forest, where he concealed the animal skin coats and the two fine bows and marked the spot in a way that only he could understand, planning to retrieve them later when he had the opportunity. Having done all this, Shen Qing retrieved the wild roe deer he had hunted and, with it slung over his shoulder, he briskly walked down the mountain. Snowflakes mixed with sporadic snowflakes were gently falling from the sky. The forest was dressed in silvery white, with tree branches laden with sparkling snow beads. After Shen Qing left, the once lively forest quieted down again. A snow wolf, attracted by the scent of blood, found its way near Chen Tai''s corpse, cautiously approaching after looking around. Once it was sure there was no danger, it opened its maw wide and began to tear at Chen Tai''s body. Soon after, seven or eight more snow wolves gathered. In just a short while, they had cleanly devoured Chen Tai''s body. One snow wolf followed at the end, low in rank among the pack, it stuck out its tongue, licking its lips, exhaling bursts of warm breath, and sniffing as it walked to the other side... With his successful hunt, Shen Qing''s mood was elevated, and he walked briskly through the forest. By the time he reached the entrance to the village, for safety, he didn''t take the main road but chose a small path that led through the bamboo grove behind his house, avoiding the villagers. Just as Shen Qing rapidly approached his home, he happened to meet Chen Dahu coming back from outside. Chen Dahu immediately noticed the wild roe deer on Shen Qing''s shoulder and the arrows at his waist, a flicker of surprise crossing his face. "Shen Qing, where did you go hunting?" Chen Dahu asked curiously. His voice was somewhat loud, which didn''t quite match his hunched appearance. Shen Qing paused, his usually expressionless face breaking into a smile, and pointed to the forest behind him, speaking in a normal tone, "Just in that forest. I was lucky today and caught this wild roe deer." Chen Dahu stepped forward, closely inspecting Shen Qing''s catch, and couldn''t help exclaiming, "Nice skill, this roe looks quite plump." "It took me quite an effort to get this roe deer. Would you like to buy some to feast on?" Shen Qing responded with a smile, "Besides this roe deer, I also got three Hunting crossbows, if you''re interested, twenty wen each." Chen Dahu waved his hand and said, "No, no, if I want to eat meat, I''ll just go into the mountains myself. Why spend the money?" "Hahaha... All right, my sister and I probably can''t finish this for a while, so if you change your mind, just let me know, I can sell it anytime. But once the snow stops, I''ll take it to the county town, and won''t sell to you then." S§×arch* The ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chen Dahu touched his flat coin purse, sheepishly nodded, and with a look of envy, casually agreed before heading back home. Watching Chen Dahu enter his house, Shen Qing''s face quickly grew cold again. He kicked open the door and swiftly entered. Once back inside, after placing the Arrow Quiver and other items down and ensuring no one was outside, he closed the door and finally relaxed. Chapter 12: Chapter 12 Learning the Nine Skills, Cultivating Qi-Blood ```Fortunately, Chen Dahu didn''t notice anything unusual. Seeing that Shen Fang was not in the house, Shen Qing guessed she must have gone to her aunt''s house. After thinking it over, Shen Qing took two hunting crossbows and pulled out a feathered arrow before walking out. Considering that there was already meat at home, he carefully locked the door before leaving. Shen Qing treaded through the snow to his uncle''s house and knocked, calling out, "Uncle, auntie, are you at home?" A moment later, rustling noises came from behind the door. With a creak, the old wooden door opened. Shen Xiaohu, seeing it was Shen Qing, turned and shouted into the house, "Brother Qingzi is here." Upon hearing it was Shen Qing visiting, the aunt''s face showed unexpected concern; she continued her needlework in her chair without even lifting her head. "Ah Di," Shen Fang, who was helping her aunt with the work, saw Shen Qing return safe and sound, her face relaxed as usual with a sigh of relief. Shen Qing glanced around the room and asked, "Where''s uncle?" Shen Xiaohu answered, "He went up the mountain with Shanwa a while ago, I reckon they should be back soon." Shen Qing hummed in acknowledgment and placed the two hares on the ground, saying, "Today I hunted a few crossbows on the mountain, I''ve brought them for you, Auntie." "Brother Qingzi, you should take them back. You and big sister don''t have it easy, we have Dad, and we still have food in our house," Shen Xiaohu quickly picked up the hares from the ground and stuffed them back into Shen Qing''s hands. Shen Qing protested, "I hunted quite a lot this time, and we still have more at home; it''s not that valuable." He was slightly stronger than Shen Xiaohu, who couldn''t refuse, so he had to give up. "At least you have some conscience," the aunt muttered coldly. "Mother," Shen Xiaohu exclaimed with a hint of complaint in his tone. Auntie Wang gave him a glance but remained silent. Shen Qing neatly put the hares back down and then took some arrows from under his arm, handing them to his aunt, "Today I also found the arrows I had lost, and these are the ones I borrowed from you a while ago. It''s time to return them to you and uncle." Auntie Wang, without looking up from her needlework, said as she bit off the thread, "Just put them on the table, I''ll tell your uncle later." "Alright," Shen Qing replied and placed the arrows on the table, then added, "There''s nothing else now, I''ve bothered you for half a day, auntie. Big sister, you should come back with me." With that, Shen Qing was about to turn and leave when Auntie Wang stopped him, "Hold on." "What is it, Auntie?" Auntie Wang tested an old, patched jacket against Shen Qing''s frame and said, "Looks like it fits just right." "Auntie, what''s this?" Auntie Wang explained, "I saw that your yun robes have been worn for quite some time, and many parts are too short. I altered one using your brothers'' old clothes, here, put this on." "This¡­" "Don''t dawdle, get going." Auntie Wang promptly issued him to leave. Having interacted with his aunt over this period, Shen Qing knew her temperament well and did not say more, taking Shen Fang back home. On the way, Shen Fang quietly complained, "Qingzi, you should''ve just given one. Our family doesn''t have much to eat either. When we''re better off in the future, we can give more to Auntie''s family¡­" Shen Qing did not respond and, upon reaching home, he opened the door to let Shen Fang in. S§×arch* The ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. As soon as she entered, Shen Fang''s eyes immediately fell on the roe deer piled in the room, and her mumbling complaints stopped abruptly. Disbelief filled Shen Fang''s eyes, "Qingzi..." ``` "Lucky me, bagged an extra dumb roe deer." Shen Qing turned his head to look at Shen Fang and said with a smile that wasn''t quite a smile, "Sis, do you know how to cook roe deer meat?" ... As it turned out, not only was Shen Fang beautiful, her cooking skills were indeed up to par. Under her hands, the roe deer meat, after being smoked over firewood, became firm and elastic. Each bite allowed one to feel the toughness of the meat fibers and the chewiness. The smoked meat''s surface developed a slight char, and this smoky flavor combined with the tender meat. Although somewhat primal, Shen Qing found it exceptionally delicious. The brother and sister hadn''t eaten so freely in a long time. They feasted voraciously, devouring the roasted roe deer meat until not a scrap was left. Even so, there was still a lot of roe deer meat left. Eating it all would only put a small dent in the amount. With the leftovers, and considering it was winter, there was no worry of spoilage. Shen Qing planned to take half to the market in town later on to sell for some silver coins. After filling their stomachs, Shen Fang dutifully began to clean up the housework, while the rarely idle Shen Qing took the opportunity to pull out the "Nine Skills" Martial Arts book and scrutinized it carefully. This Martial Arts text was Entry Level, merely for refining Qi-Blood, to lay the foundation for martial masters on their Martial Arts path. The entire text covered nine different stance trainings, without any fighting moves or killing techniques. It was somewhat similar to the Health Cultivation Martial Arts like the Eight Sections of Brocade from his previous life. Considering the cultivator''s comprehension, the book mostly consisted of illustrated pages that were straightforward and easy to understand; one simply had to follow the pictures and practice. However, Shen Qing knew that the easier Martial Arts looked, the harder it was to master the basics. There were often numerous details that were difficult to notice and easy to overlook. And often, whether one learned successfully or not depended on these details. After reading through it once and understanding the gist of the practices, Shen Qing started to practice the first four stances (Hunyuan Stance, Mao Dun Stance, Tuo Ying Zhuang, and Floating Cloud Stance) as depicted in the book. He placed the blue book on the table, flipped open a page, and with fists clenched, stood in the Hunyuan Stance as described. At first, there was no discomfort, but after just a dozen or so breaths, Shen Qing started to feel a throbbing soreness below his waist and knees, growing more and more acute. Shen Qing kept a stoic face, gritting his teeth as he endured. After a while, his body''s muscles began to tremble slightly with the rhythm of his breathing, as if an invisible force was circulating within him. With deeper breaths, Shen Qing''s body began to shiver slightly, and the Qi-Blood under his skin started to surge. Suddenly, it was as if he sensed something. Shen Qing''s consciousness shifted. In his vision, a drop of water ink spread out, revealing a series of water ink characters. [Skill: Nine Skills (Entry Level)] [Progress: 0/100 points] [Status: Cannot be improved] [Note: A technique for refining Qi-Blood. Continuous cultivation can increase progress, achieve Great Perfection of Qi-Blood, and gain strength like that of an ox.] Looking at the water ink characters that appeared in his vision, Shen Qing couldn''t help but smile, and a weight in his heart finally settled. It seemed his Water Ink Panel wasn''t only limited to improving Bow Technique and Hunting, Martial Arts could also have their progress increased. Now that the Nine Skills was displayed in his vision, as long as he continued to cultivate, it would be prove forever, enhancing the progress. Given some time, he would be able to master the Nine Skills to Great Perfection. With this thought, Shen Qing felt as though he was filled with enthusiasm. Even though his forehead was covered with fine beads of sweat, he seemed completely unaware, focusing wholly on immersing himself in cultivation. Chapter 13: Chapter 13: Chen Family Members In the village, the sky was gradually darkening, and plumes of cooking smoke were rising.The occasional bark of a dog would shatter the quiet, only to quickly return to silence. Shen Qing noticed that at this time, both Chen Tai and Chen An showed no signs of returning, and he couldn''t help but feel somewhat uneasy. Even the stance training he had already mastered on normal days, he was unable to cultivate at this moment. "Both of them are experienced, having roamed the mountains since they were young, and even if my third brother is naturally playful, he shouldn''t be out after dark." Suddenly, Shen Qing had an ominous guess. He glanced at the darkening sky, knowing that going up the mountain at this time was no different from courting death; he then put on an animal skin jacket, slammed the door behind him, and knocked on his neighbors'' doors. The one who opened the door was a member of the Chen family of the same generation, called Chen Lao Wu because he was the fifth in line: "What is it, Chen A Da?" Shen Qing asked directly, "Old fifth, did you see my two younger brothers when you went up the mountain today?" Chen Lao Wu, taken aback by the question, immediately answered, "No, I went up the mountain with a few others from the central room, and we didn''t see anyone else. What happened? Have your younger cousins not returned yet?" Shen Qing shook his head and said, "They have not returned." Sear?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Wait here for a moment, I will call out the men from the Chen family central room, and we will ask from house to house." With more than thirty households in Hongshan Village, and ten of them belonging to the Chen family, they were quite influential in the village. In such a remote and impoverished place, blood relations became a crucial bond. When one family had a problem, the whole family would lend a hand. Families like the Tian family, who were sparse in numbers, were often at a disadvantage in places like Hongshan Village. Saying this, Chen Lao Wu also put on a tattered jacket and followed Shen Qing out, calling all the men of the Chen family to action. In an instant, the quiet Hongshan Village became chaotic and noisy. "Open up, open up." "Old Tian, are you at home? We need to talk to you." "..." The Chen family members inquired from door to door; even those who had already gone to bed were called up. Facing the formidable arrival of the Chen family, the villagers dared not oppose them. Inside a crude adobe house, Shen Fang was concentrating on cultivating the Nine Skills. As he continued to practice, his progress in mastering this cultivation technique visibly ticked upward before his eyes. With each breath Shen Fang took, it was as if he were absorbing the essence of heaven and earth, integrating it into his own Qi-Blood, causing his skin to gradually emit a faint red glow as if brimming with vitality. [Skill: Nine Skills (Entry Level)] [Progress: 18/100 points] [Status: Non-improvable] [Note: A Refining Qi-Blood Technique that, with continuous practice, can improve progress, achieving the Great Perfection of Qi and Blood, strength comparable to an ox.] "Based on this rate of cultivation, it will only take me one day to break through to the next realm in this martial art." After practicing for a while, Shen Fang''s waist and knees became numb and weak, and his legs ached like they were being pricked with needles. He collapsed onto the ground, panting heavily. It might have been an illusion, but after only a short period of practice, he felt as if the food he had just eaten had already been half digested. His body was warm and steaming; he didn''t feel the cold at all, making Shen Fang feel quite extraordinary. Shen Fang looked at the blue booklet in front of him but felt somewhat regretful. Apart from the diagrams, there were also some text annotations. He guessed that they might be related to the essentials of reaching certain realms, but unfortunately, he couldn''t read and didn''t fully understand their meanings. Having experienced the wonder of martial arts, Shen Qing felt he needed to make some time to learn to recognize characters and read. His life was improving day by day, and he could now afford to ask Zhang Shu Chi, the village bookworm, to teach him some words. Just as Shen Qing made up his mind, he suddenly heard an uproar and noisy commotion outside his house. For some reason, he immediately became alert and hastily asked Shen Fang to hide the items they had brought down from the mountain today under the bed. "Bang, bang, bang!" "Is Shen Qing home?" "I''m here, I''m here. A little gentle, please, don''t break my door." Shen Qing opened the door, and it was Chen Lao Wu. Before Shen Qing could even speak, Chen Lao Wu had already asked, "Did you see the Chen Family Brothers in the mountain today?" Upon hearing this, Shen Qing''s heart skipped a beat. Fortunately, he was a very calm person, and his face showed no unusual expression as he calmly said, "No, I haven''t seen them. The villagers think my hunting skills are too immature, and no one wants to take me with them; I always go up the mountain to hunt alone." Chen Lao Wu sized up Shen Qing a couple of times, saw nothing out of the ordinary, and then instructed, "Chen Tai and the others haven''t come back until now. If you go up the mountain later, keep an eye out." "I understand," Shen Qing bowed his head and said modestly, "If I see them, I will immediately inform you." "Alright." Chen Lao Wu didn''t think too much about it and moved on to knock on the neighbors'' doors. Shen Qing watched Chen Lao Wu''s departing figure and heaved a sigh of relief, then gently shut the door with a creak. That night, the Chen family members were restless until midnight. All the villagers living in the village were angry, but dared not speak out. The next day, having been restless for half the night, the Chen family members collectively went up the mountain to search for Chen Yuan and Chen Tai''s whereabouts. Only then did the villagers realize that the brothers had gone hunting in the mountains and hadn''t returned all night, their whereabouts unknown. Most people in Hongshan Village lived off the mountain and knew that under such circumstances, it was most likely that they had perished in the mountain wilderness. The dangers in the great mountains were abundant, with countless wolves, insects, tigers, and leopards. An accident could easily happen. It was just unexpected that Chen Tai and Chen An, who had been so imposing just the day before, disappeared in the blink of an eye. When Tian Chuan''s parents learned of this news, they stood at the doorway claiming divine justice and cried tears of joy, stirring up emotions. Since the Chen family members had all gone deep into Shicheng Mountain, it was disorderly with too many people. Many hunters chose not to go into the mountain and instead spent the day resting at home. Shen Qing did the same. He dedicated all his energy at home to practicing the Nine Skills martial art. As for the bodies of Chen Tai and Chen An, Shen Qing was not worried the Chen family members would find them. Shicheng Mountain was too big, and it was snowing. Shen Qing had run about haphazardly that day, and now without a marker, he doubted he could find the spot himself, let alone them. Even if they were found, they would likely have been eaten clean by wild beasts by then. Shen Qing locked himself in his room and repeatedly practiced the first four stance trainings: Hunyuan Stance, Mao Dun Stance, Tuo Ying Zhuang, and Floating Cloud Stance. As he continued practicing, he felt a warm current as thin as a strand of hair start to circulate within his body. And this warm current grew thicker as Shen Qing''s stance training lasted longer and longer. Compared to the beginning of his practice yesterday, he found that the sense of fatigue and soreness was much less today. "After all, this is a legitimate Health Cultivation Martial Art, used for refining Qi-Blood. As long as one can endure and gain entry to its secrets, the practice will become easier and easier," he mused. Shen Qing knew that among the various martial arts halls in the county town, this martial art probably wasn''t considered good, but that didn''t prevent him from having high hopes for it to be the key that opened the door to the world of martial arts. Chapter 14: Chapter 14 Strengthening Qi-Blood, Learning to Read and Understand Text After practicing for a while, Shen Qing stopped and sat in the chair to rest for a brief moment, combining work and relaxation.In this moment, utilizing the faint light coming through the jar-shaped window, Shen Qing picked up a small blue booklet containing the Nine Skills Brocade Technique, burying himself in flipping through it. He wanted to ponder the hidden meanings within it and understand the content related to Martial Arts. Their place was too remote and information was extremely blocked, to the extent that they didn''t even know whether the saint of today was a man or a woman. Shen Qing was unwilling to let go of any channels that might allow him to grasp information. Unfortunately... "The characters I recognize are still too few; the content recorded inside is barely understood, indecipherable." Having gone through the entire book, he could only recognize the illustrations of the figures within. As it was a "genuine" book, every figure was drawn vividly with exceedingly standard poses. Thanks to his knowledge from his previous life, he was able to grasp some essentials. If it were the Chen Family Brothers, without a Martial Arts Hall master''s guidance, merely relying on these would be but wishful thinking to master this Martial Arts skill. Seeing that he could not comprehend the written content of the booklet, and unable to figure it out, Shen Qing chose to give up and continued to ponder the drawings'' movements several times more, imprinting them in his mind to continue his progress. Time trickled by, and after half a day had passed, Shen Qing watched as the ink numbers in his vision jumped continuously, his heart growing fervent. Until a certain moment. [Skill: Nine Skills Brocade (Entry Level)] [Progress: 101/100 points] [Status: Can be promoted] [Note: A Cultivation Technique to refine Qi-Blood; continual cultivation can increase progress, achieve Great Perfection of Qi and Blood, and have the strength of an ox.] Shen Qing''s face brightened with joy. A day''s hard practice finally brought about a qualitative change. The Nine Skills Brocade, a Health Cultivation Martial Arts technique, had reached a breakthrough stage for Shen Qing. With a face calm as water and surrounded by an indescribable authority, Shen Qing decisively chose to upgrade. Just as he broke through, the muscles in Shen Qing''s body suddenly tensed, as if every fiber was infused with endless strength at this moment. The originally fine thread-like warmth inside Shen Qing''s body, at this moment, burst into flames like a spark hitting kindling, expanding from hair-thin to the thickness of a little finger. This warmth was not just the flow of blood, but represented the surging of Qi-Blood in his body and the accumulation of strength. As the warmth expanded, Shen Qing''s Qi-Blood clearly grew much stronger, his complexion changing from pallid to healthy, as if an invisible power was bursting forth from within him. Shen Qing''s breathing rhythm gradually accelerated, each intake of breath seeming to expel impurities from within his body. After one deep breath, the restless anomaly finally settled down. [Skill: Nine Skills Brocade (Skilled)] [Progress: 1/200 points] [Status: Cannot be promoted] [Note: Continuous cultivation can increase progress. Once Qi-Blood reaches Great Perfection, one can have the strength of an ox and draw Qi as smoothly as silk.] Gazing at the ink-written text in his vision, Shen Qing''s eyes sparkled with sharpness. Chen Tai and Chen An racked their brains but couldn''t find the way; Chen Yuan exhausted great effort just to grasp a hint of the Nine Skills Brocade. In his hands, it was merely a technique that had already broken through another realm at the start of practice. He was clearly a "Martial Arts Genius". After breaking through the Martial Arts realm, his strength receded like the tide, and Shen Qing felt a sense of deficiency, followed by extreme exhaustion. The Qi-Blood cultivated by martial masters does not arise from nothing; it also requires the nourishment of external substances. Shen Qing caught a glimpse of a portion of roe deer meat sorted by Shen Fang beneath the bed today. He leaned over to take the meat out and immediately started a fire. As the flames grilled the meat, it gradually emitted a tempting aroma, with the dripping fat causing sparks and smoke to burst forth from the fire pit. When the roe deer meat was roasted to a golden brown and the skin turned crispy, Shen Qing called Shen Fang to eat together. Eagerly tearing off a piece, the steaming roe deer meat burst with rich flavor in his mouth. The siblings thoroughly enjoyed themselves for a while. After eating most of the meat and filling their empty stomachs, he finally stopped. "Little brother, lately people in the village have been saying that a fierce creature has appeared in the mountains. The Chen Family Brothers were just unlucky to have met with disaster. For the near future, don''t go to the back mountain. I''ve learned some needlework from auntie these past two days, so I can mend things for others and earn a bit for the household." Shen Fang''s face was full of concern, her almond eyes fixed on Shen Qing, almost as if she feared he wouldn''t agree, "Auntie is not a bad person, her words just aren''t pleasant to hear." S§×ar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "I know." Shen Qing squatted by the fire, carefully picked up a handful of dry plant ash, and sprinkled it evenly over the embers, which were faintly red. As the ash covered the embers, the light of the fire gradually weakened, leaving only strands of blue smoke drifting into the night sky. Shen Qing stood up, gently clapped his hands, and after a moment''s gaze at the fire, said, "I''ve basically been wandering around familiar areas in the back mountain, trapping some hunting crossbows. As for places deeper in, I don''t have the skills for that. Don''t worry about it." "Okay." Seeing her younger brother so decisive, Shen Fang did not try to persuade him further. "I''m going out for a bit, to bookworm Zhang''s house, I''ll be back soon." After some thought, Shen Qing felt that he needed to learn to recognize more characters. It wasn''t just to understand the content on the Nine Skills Brocade. As far as he knew, in the schools and gangs in the city, there was a complete difference in treatment between martial masters who could read and those who couldn''t. If he could learn to read, he would undoubtedly be more valued and have better prospects. Not to mention the officials at the government office, if you couldn''t read at all, you couldn''t even enter the door. In this world, despite the emphasis on martial arts, the tradition of literacy had not been severed. As he spoke, Shen Qing took the wild fatty rabbit he had caught the day before by the hand and strode out. Zhang Shu Chi''s house was not very far from his, roughly only fifty steps away. Shen Qing arrived at the door of an earth house and knocked lightly. A moment later, the wooden door opened. Greeting him was a man in his late forties or fifties, with graying hair. Carrying the wild rabbit, Shen Qing said with a smile, "I caught a wild rabbit yesterday and thought I couldn''t finish it myself, so I brought it to the teacher. I need to ask a favor." "Come in." Zhang Shu Chi, seeing Shen Qing bring something, let him in without any hesitation, stepping aside to let him pass. Once inside, looking around, Zhang Shu Chi''s home was starkly bare, described perfectly as ''walls unadorned'', save for the shelves of books that seemed somewhat out of place in this village, filling the air with a musty smell of damp pages. Zhang Shu Chi''s real name was Zhang Shuyuan, a native of Hongshan Village. It was said that when he was young, he was frail and sickly, not fond of hunting. But since his family had some wealth at that time, he was able to attend a private school in the county for a few years, which endowed him with some talent. Later, looking down on the livelihoods in the village, he wanted to settle in the county. But it wasn''t so easy to gain a foothold in the county city. After about ten years of struggle, he achieved nothing, ended up poor and destitute, and had no choice but to return to his hometown. By recognizing characters, he managed to make a living writing couplets, letters, and keeping accounts for others in his hometown. Because he was always seen with a book in hand, never going out the front door or stepping out the back, villagers called him bookworm. "What do you need me for? To write a letter or to do accounting?" After letting Shen Qing in, Zhang Shuyuan sat back in his chair, picking up a book as usual and asking. Shen Qing stepped forward, looked Zhang Shuyuan in the eyes, and said seriously, "I want to ask the teacher to teach me to recognize characters and read." Chapter 15: Chapter 15: New Skill In the thirty-some households of Hongshan Village, most people''s minds were on hunting.Even those who didn''t wish to hunt were mostly thinking about practicing martial arts to facilitate their hunting. At most, some idle children would learn to write their names or study arithmetic. As for those who wanted to recognize characters and read, over the years, Zhang Shuyuan hadn''t come across a single one. He was also aware of the young man before him¡ªthe dead son of the Shen family''s eldest son. Apart from being somewhat good-looking, there was nothing else remarkable about him, very ordinary. Perhaps due to some clumsiness, or poor comprehension, his hunting skills were also quite mediocre, often needing his uncle''s help. So, when this person suddenly came over and told him he wanted to recognize characters and read, Zhang Shuyuan thought he had heard wrong. He asked in surprise, "Why do you suddenly want to recognize characters and read?" Shen Qing thought for a moment and sincerely said, "The snow will stop soon, and I have hunted some mountain goods recently. I plan to sell them in the county city, where the people are very shrewd. I''m worried about being cheated, so I want to learn more characters to have more confidence." "My family members said before that knowing more characters is never a bad thing and that it will always be useful in the future." Hearing Shen Qing''s explanation, Zhang Shuyuan couldn''t help but understand. In this world, for hundreds of years, families in Wuwei have been accumulating virtue, and the best pursuits are still reading and practicing martial arts. Those who seek to progress and enter high society know that recognizing characters and reading is the foundation, even before practicing martial arts. It''s just a pity that the people in this village are too busy with their livelihoods to pay attention to anything else. Since he was offered food in return, Zhang Shuyuan immediately agreed, "All right, I have some spare time lately. I can teach you a bit." "Take the book beside you, open it to the first page, and let''s see how many characters you recognize," he instructed. Shen Qing''s face lit up with joy, and he quickly thanked him, walking over to the bookshelf. The book Zhang Shuyuan wanted him to get was at the very bottom, looking somewhat worn, with mildew spots on it. Obviously, it hadn''t been looked at for a long time. Shen Qing opened the book and began to read slowly and with difficulty, as Zhang Shuyuan had asked. Indeed, the characters he knew were limited, and he stammered as he read. "Begin... open... the qi of... heaven..." "All right," Zhang Shuyuan continued, "Write your name for me, and then write the character ''eternal''." Hearing this, Shen Qing started to draw on the ground with a stick. Although the characters in this world were somewhat similar to those of his previous life, they were still different. Adding on the fact that the original body was completely ignorant of these matters, Shen Qing''s writing was crooked and awkward, resembling the track of a turtle. Zhang Shuyuan glanced over, saw how he read and the characters he wrote, and furrowed his brows, getting a rough idea of Shen Qing''s reading and writing ability. He then said to Shen Qing, "I have a copy of the Thousand Character Classic here. I will teach you, and you will learn sixteen characters a day. You can learn for as long as you wish to, but..." Pausing, Zhang Shuyuan added, "If you want to continue learning later, you will need to provide some tuition." Having been a person in two lifetimes, Shen Qing instantly understood what Zhang Shuyuan meant. He was down and out and needed some support. Fortunately, his hunting skills were improving each day, so he could afford this small tuition. Without hesitation, Shen Qing agreed on the spot. Seeing that Shen Qing was so compliant and did not haggle, Zhang Shuyuan heaved a sigh of relief and pulled out a book, placing it on the table. He had Shen Qing sit in his seat, stood up himself, and began teaching, pointing to the first character, "This is the character for ''heaven,'' written with four strokes, and it refers to space, the opposite of earth." "This is the character for ''earth''..." Zhang Shuyuan was very patient, teaching character by character. Shen Qing had the foundation from his previous life and could also sit still for a long time, so he learned quickly and absorbed all that Zhang Shuyuan taught. About a shi chen later, Shen Qing had a movement of thought. In his line of sight, a drop of ink fell from up high into the water, spreading out. ``` Rows of ink characters began to emerge before his eyes. [Skill: Recognizing Characters and Reading (Entry Level)] [Progress: 1/100 points] [Status: Unable to Improve] [Note: Acquiring this skill grants reading and writing ability, continuous practice can break through realms, with a certain probability of awakening the "Memorize" Sight.] Memorize? Shen Qing''s heart gave a jolt, filled with surprise. He hadn''t expected that recognizing characters and reading could become a skill, and that it could even awaken a talent. He suddenly felt that coming here today was very worthwhile! Shen Qing hid the smile on his face and adopted an even more serious demeanor. Zhang Shuyuan, instructing him on the side, couldn''t help but slightly raise his estimation of him in his mind. After practicing for almost half a Shi Chen, Shen Qing saw that it was about time and proposed to leave. Before leaving, he borrowed the Thousand Character Classic under the guise of studying, planning to take it home to continue learning and to grind through the Progress. As it was only an ordinary text, Zhang Shuyuan did not stop him but merely asked him to remember to return the book and to come over to study for a Shi Chen during the daylight hours the next day. Shen Qing agreed repeatedly. ... Nearing evening, after spending an entire day, even though the Chen family members turned out in full force and searched all over the nearby hills, they still hadn''t found the two brothers, Chen Tai and Chen An. At this point, Chen Yuan, no longer holding onto any hope, knew that his two younger brothers were most likely already dead in the mountains. They had been hunting since a young age; the likelihood of them getting lost in the mountains was next to none. Only if they died there would so many people have been unable to find them. In the grand hall of the Chen Family, the Chen family members had gathered, whispering amongst each other, creating a bit of noise. Looking towards a middle-aged man, Chen Yuan said, "Everyone has worked hard today, when my father returns, I will visit and thank each of you personally." "Eh, we''re all one family, no need to be so courteous." "Maybe the two of them discovered a mountain delicacy and are still deep in the mountains; don''t overthink it." "..." Many Chen family members consoled him one after another, with Chen Yuan responding wearily. After sending off most of the Song Family, Chen Yuan called to Chen Lao Wu, who was last to leave, saying, "Old fifth, wait a moment, I have something to ask you." Chen Lao Wu had just stepped out when he paused, then turned around and said, "What''s up?" Chen Yuan lifted his chin, signifying for him to close the door. Curiosity crossed Chen Lao Wu''s face, but he followed the instructions nonetheless. Once the door was closed, Chen Yuan walked forward, lowered his voice, and asked, "Today, as everyone went from house to house inquiring, who went up the mountain around the same time as Er Tai and Xiao An?" Chen Lao Wu thought carefully and replied, "Yesterday in the village, there were over thirty households, and practically every household had someone going up the mountain." "Think again, those who went around the same time period." With furrowed brows, Chen Lao Wu thought for a while before saying, "Our Chen family had three, the Tian family had two, the Zhang family two, and the Shen family... should have three people; they all went up the mountain close to noon, the timing was quite close." "The Tian family, the Shen family..." Chen Yuan muttered to himself. "Do you think someone made a move on them in the mountains?" "These two good-for-nothing younger brothers of mine, not outstanding in Martial Arts, but as hunters, they were indeed adept; they would never just perish in the mountains. Shicheng Mountain might be vast, but it''s honest territory, without any evil creatures within it, and the officials from the government office have long since searched it." Chen Yuan noncommittally said, "Thinking it over, it could only be someone who had harbored evil intentions in the mountains. My two brothers were always simple and honest, they might have been taken advantage of there. Searching for two dead in the vast mountains would be exceedingly difficult." With a sigh, Chen Lao Wu said, "Who could it be, to be so bold?" Chen Yuan, lost in thought, said, "We seldom deal with the Zhang family, the Shen family doesn''t have the nerve with their meager possessions, so that leaves only¡ªthe Tian family!" ``` S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 16: Chapter 16: Catching Moles, Breakthrough "Tian Family?""Yes," Chen Yuan quickly said with a very assertive tone, "The day before yesterday, Tian Chuan sneaked into our house to steal food and got into a conflict with my two younger brothers and was killed by them. They must hold a grudge and wait for an opportunity to retaliate in the mountains." "How bold!" Chen Lao grew more convinced, "We should go find those Tian Family members and demand an explanation!" "Don''t rush, let''s wait for Grandpa to come back home, and I will ask for his advice." "Alright, just call us when you need us." "Old Fifth has had a tough day today." "No need for that, we''re all family, no need for formalities. It''s getting late, I''m heading back." "Take care." As soon as Chen Lao left, Chen Yuan''s expression quickly vanished, becoming expressionless and even a bit resentful. "Foolish third brother¡ªto die in the mountains is one thing, but he also took the Nine Skills with him. There are still many techniques and magic skills that I haven''t fully learned, and now where am I to find this martial arts book." ... Hongshan Village was draped in silver, and white snow covered the scattered houses. The heavy snow from the previous day showed signs of stopping, and the sun rarely made an appearance in the sky. Because of the incident at the Chen Family, many hunters in Hongshan Village hadn''t gone hunting for a day and were restless. Early in the morning, numerous villagers, either leading hunting dogs or carrying various hunting tools, went up the mountain to hunt in pairs and groups. Hongshan Village was unusually noisy. Children played and frolicked, their laughter echoing through the alleys. Despite the freezing weather, the atmosphere enlivened and became more animated. As a child from a poor family, Shen Qing also got up early, filled his stomach with some meat, took some bran cakes and other hunting necessities, and headed up the mountain before anyone else. Still alone. Previously, Shen Er and other clan members had taken him a few times, but his hunting skills were mediocre; not only did he have to share some of the game, but he was also somewhat of a burden. Gradually, no one was willing to take him anymore. So, he always went up the mountain to hunt alone. His hunting skills had progressively improved, and now he was able to handle it alone and wasn''t worried. With his remarkable hunting skills, it didn''t take long for Shen Qing to successfully capture a pheasant and two mountain hares. "Eh? Is that a badger?" While hunting in the woods, Shen Qing was surprised to discover traces of a badger. The fur of a badger, unique in color and highly glossy, thick yet soft, is the preferred choice for making luxurious apparel in the county town. It could be used to make warm fur robes that also showcased one''s status, or as accessories like shawls, scarves, and even for decoration, spread on thrones or hung on walls. It could fetch a high price during winter! Even a normal one could sell for six or seven silver taels, making it a prime target for winter hunting, second only to foxes and minks. It was indeed a great fortune. He noticed the badger''s tracks heading deeper into the mountain. Seeing that it was still early, Shen Qing hesitated for a moment but felt he could try to catch it. sea??h th§× Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "My skills are sufficient to feed my elder sister and myself, and now that I have mastered the Nine Skills and my Qi-Blood has increased, I can also withstand some risks." "Might as well be a bit bolder and explore a few deeper parts of the mountain, and hunt this badger." "If I could catch one, although it might not compare to rare delicacies, I could still earn a few thousand large coins." "We are all hunters, relying on the mountain for food, surviving on our skills. Even if I casually catch one or two, I can handle it, and no one would say anything." Shen Qing knew in his heart that for a rootless hunter like him, suddenly acquiring a fortune was not a good thing. Easy to obtain, hard to keep. But with the Water Ink Panel, the Nine Skills would continue to breakthrough sooner or later, reaching the Great Perfection of Qi-Blood. It won''t be long before he would surpass Chen Yuan. There was no longer anything to fear. "I can kill people, so what''s hunting a raccoon dog?" Shen Qing quickly made up his mind and followed the trail into the depths of the forest in the mountains. His hunting skills had already improved significantly. He could easily identify the traces left by the raccoon dogs on the ground and knew their directions and habits. After walking for almost half an hour, Shen Qing suddenly stopped, his gaze sharply fixed on a certain place, his eyes flashing with excitement. He found a hidden small hole, which was a raccoon dog''s den. Shen Qing cautiously took out some fine threads and began to carefully set up the trap. He used the surrounding branches and snow for camouflage, placed some rodents near the entrance as bait, and gently sprinkled some specially made poison powder. After setting up the trap, Shen Qing hid behind a large tree and quietly waited. As time ticked by, suddenly, there was a rustling sound from the entrance, and a chubby, furry little raccoon dog peeked out its head. It blinked its watery big eyes, curiously surveying its surroundings. Seeing the little raccoon dog enter the trap, Shen Qing secretly rejoiced. Soon, the little raccoon dog was indeed overwhelmed by the poison powder and collapsed softly into the snow. "Success!" Shen Qing hadn''t expected the poison left by the Chen Family to be so formidable, allowing him to succeed so smoothly. He ran over quickly, satisfied, and tucked the little raccoon dog into his clothes, grinning broadly. "This time I really stumbled upon a windfall! Although this raccoon dog is a bit small, it can still be sold for five to six thousand large coins, equivalent to the earnings of uncle''s fellow hunters for five to six months. I''ve struck it rich!" ... When he returned home, it was still early. Shen Qing brought all of today''s game home, without showing off outside. And that raccoon dog, worth several thousand coins, he tied up well, took some ice blocks, and placed them at the bottom of the jar, without even telling Shen Fang. After handling things briefly, Shen Qing, with a book in hand and cheerfully carrying a pheasant, went to Zhang Shuyuan''s house. "Sir, I''m here to learn today''s characters." Walking into the house, Shen Qing behaved very respectfully, as if he truly regarded Zhang Shuyuan as a mentor. This respect was very gratifying to Zhang Shuyuan. Upon raising his eyelids and seeing Shen Qing holding a large pheasant, he was somewhat surprised. He was well aware of Shen Qing''s situation and now seeing him bring a whole one, he couldn''t help but pinch himself in secret. This child was already poor, and yet he was taking things from him like this. That was really dreadful. But since he had already come, it would be too much of a pity to refuse. Thus, in the following instruction, Zhang Shuyuan became extremely serious, a stark contrast to his casual attitude the previous day. "Read and write everything you learned yesterday." "Yes." Shen Qing did as Zhang Shuyuan instructed, one after the other. The result of Shen Qing''s performance exceeded Zhang Shuyuan''s expectations, so he immediately started teaching him the next sixteen characters. After studying for more than an hour, coupled with his fervent studying the night before and early morning, Shen Qing noticed a new change in the water-ink characters in his vision. [Skill: Recognize Characters and Read (Entry Level)] [Progress: 101/100 points] [Status: Upgradable] [Note: Mastering this skill grants reading and writing capability, continued practice can break through to new realms, with a certain chance to awaken the "Memorize" Sight.] Shen Qing''s expression remained unchanged, but he felt a slight joy in his heart. "Breakthrough!" Chapter 17: Chapter 17 Mountain Drivers Just as Shen Qing decided to break through, a sense of clarity struck him at the top of his head as if he had suddenly understood everything.In the gloomy and damp room, the characters that had seemed so awkward and unfamiliar now appeared friendly and approachable. After seriously studying them twice, the shapes and meanings of these characters became clearly etched in his mind. When Shen Qing looked down again, his fingers lightly slid across the page, and he felt an unprecedented smoothness. [Skill: To recognize characters and read (Skillfully)] [Progress: 1/200 points] [Status: Cannot be improved] Zhang Shuyuan did not notice anything unusual about Shen Qing. On account of the wild pheasant, he patiently taught Shen Qing another round. "Now you have learned sixteen characters, plus the sixteen from yesterday, that''s a total of thirty-two characters. Close the book, recite them first, then write them out for me to see," Zhang Shuyuan said, stroking his shining goat''s beard as if he truly were a private tutor, with dignified utterance. Shen Qing nodded and replied, "Yes, Teacher." He closed the book as instructed, closed his eyes, and recited loudly, "Heaven is black, Earth is yellow, the vast universe, the primal chaos. The sun rises and sets, the stars and constellation appear. Cold comes and heat goes, autumn harvests and winter stores. With the leap year, the cycle of the seasons completes, and the rhythm keeps the sun in tune." Seeing Shen Qing recited smoothly without any hesitation, Zhang Shuyuan queried further, "Do you know what they mean?" After thinking for a while, Shen Qing said, "Teacher taught me yesterday, these words mean that the sky is dark blue, and the earth is..." Listening to Shen Qing discuss with ease, Zhang Shuyuan felt that the poor family''s son in front of him was behaving somewhat unusually. When he first learned the Thousand Character Classic himself, he had to forcefully memorize the characters and their meanings; it was much later that he gradually absorbed and understood them, nowhere near as smooth-flowing as Shen Qing described. Zhang Shuyuan put a dried tree branch in front of Shen Qing and said, "Write these thirty-two characters." Shen Qing nodded his consent, picked up the branch, and started writing on the ground. In just a short while, he had written out all thirty-two characters without missing a single one. If the writing from yesterday was like a crawling turtle, today it was indeed a proper turtle. Ugly, but standard. Zhang Shuyuan unconsciously took another look at Shen Qing. In just one day, this unremarkable young man had stepped from a completely illiterate person to someone on the threshold of literacy. Such an aptitude was something he had never seen in all his years. However, Zhang Shuyuan did not get excited or treat Shen Qing differently because of this. Talents were as common as carps crossing the river; without the right background or connections, few of them would ever make a name for themselves. Sear?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. This little display of talent was merely a moment of surprise in his eyes, nothing more. After Shen Qing finished writing, Zhang Shuyuan commented indifferently, "Not bad, you need to practice more when you''re free." Shen Qing nodded and said, "Thank you for the instruction, Teacher." After Zhang Shuyuan inspected his work, Shen Qing practiced for a while longer before ending today''s lesson on character recognition. Upon leaving the house, Shen Qing did not linger long and hurried back home early to take out the martial arts book and give it another look. There were still many characters he could not recognize, but compared to before, he understood a bit more. Indeed, some general knowledge about Martial Arts was recorded here. He needed to make more progress in earnest. Shen Qing became full of zeal. ... Outside Hongshan Village, a decrepit horse pulled a cart slowly into the village. As one of the mountain drivers of Hongshan Village, Chen Youguang sat on the cart with a beaming smile, full of vitality. "Uncle, you''re back!" On the roadside, Chen Dajiang''s face wrinkled into a heap as he greeted with a sombre face. "Back," the village chief answered, then nodded towards Aunt Zhang in the distance, "Aunt Zhang, how''s your health?" "Good, it''s good!" Aunt Zhang''s expression seemed a bit unnatural when she looked at Chen Youguang, as if she had something to say but stopped short. Chen Youguang found it strange. It has only been a few days since he had been out, yet the atmosphere in the village had become rather gloomy. He was puzzled, as if someone''s son had died. Children gathered around, curiously looking at the cart. Chen Youguang waved his hands, shooing them away. With his smile fading, Chen Youguang hurried home at a brisk pace with the cart. As soon as he opened the door, he felt an unusual silence at home: "Elder, second, third, come out. Your father is back." After calling out for a while, only Chen Yuan came out. His face bore stubble and he seemed somewhat despondent as he said, "Dad!" "Where are your two brothers?" Chen Youguang took a wine sack off the cart and took a swig. "They... they were killed by the Tian Family members..." "Pfft..." Chen Youguang, who had just taken a drink, spat it out with a splutter: "What did you say, the second and the third are dead? Tell me exactly what happened." "It was like this..." Chen Yuan recounted everything that had happened in the past couple of days, bit by bit. After listening, Chen Youguang had a rather grim expression, his heart sinking deep down. "Dad, what are we going to do now? Shall we take down the Tian Family members..." Chen Yuan made a throat-slitting gesture. Chen Youguang interrupted, "No, killing them would be nothing more than a momentary satisfaction, useless otherwise." He paced back and forth, then looked up, "How is your martial arts practice coming along?" "I''ve just begun to sense Qi. Give me a few more months, and I can reach the Great Perfection of Qi-Blood." "Good, then there''s a chance," Chen Youguang said. "In town, I met with the Song and Dong Family, and I also visited the Shen Shou Sect. I''ve already made arrangements with them. Once spring arrives, if your Qi-Blood reaches Great Perfection and I gather sixty taels silver, I can send you directly into their inner sect." Shen Shou Sect! Chen Yuan''s eyes immediately lit up. This martial arts sect was famous in the county town, no less esteemed than those martial arts halls. More importantly, this sect had a connection to the government office; one could cultivate martial arts and gain other revenues as well. The only issue was the high cost of joining, which deterred many people. He did not expect that his father could establish such a connection. "A dead person isn''t worth much, but a living one can be quite valuable to brokers. Since you need the money, let the Tian Family pay. If they don''t agree, force them to!" "What about my two brothers'' vengeance..." Chen Youguang lifted his eyelids and said, "I''m still young, I can earn more money, take a few more concubines, and give you two more brothers." Chen Yuan: "..." "All right, let''s not talk about this anymore. In the next few days, when the snow stops, our family will start buying game to take into town." Chen Yuan said, "Dad, why are we doing the buying? Isn''t it usually the Song and Dong Families who send people over?" "With heavy snow on the roads, their broker died tumbling down a mountain. From now on, our family will do the buying. We''ll set the prices. In Hongshan Village, anyone who doesn''t sell to us won''t be able to hitch a ride to town to sell their game." From their place to the county town was not a short distance; if one walked, it would take a whole day there and back without return. If the goods didn''t sell, an extra night''s stay would be necessary. Chen Yuan knew that his father intended to turn Hongshan Village into their own private hunting ground, a reserve exclusively for them. Chapter 18: Chapter 18: The Exploitation by the Chen Family Three days went by.As dawn broke, Shen Qing rose from his warm bed and habitually peered outside through the earthen window. The long-fallen snow had finally ceased, without a whisper of wind. The sun shone brightly in the sky, a rare spell of good weather. "Today, eight or nine out of ten, the traders from the town''s Boss will likely come over. With some money, we can hitch a ride on their cart to the county town and sell all the goods we''ve accumulated these past few days." Thanks to the harvest from the earlier days, Shen Qing had been able to limit his hunting to the mountains close to the house, securing enough wild rabbits and pheasants to fill his belly. With the remaining time, he devoted all his energy to practicing Martial Arts and learning to recognize characters and read, continuously improving his progress in both. The results were quite gratifying. He was now able to recognize nearly a hundred characters, and his Nine Brocade Technique was reaching the realm of Great Perfection. Everything was progressing smoothly and orderly. Shen Qing had the habit of washing his face with snow water in the morning; then, he would continue his stance training indoors, waiting for Shen Fang to prepare breakfast. Shen Fang, who shared the house with him, couldn''t help but worry about seeing her younger brother practicing in a bizarre posture from morning till night every day. She called out, "Qingzi? Are you okay these past two days?" "I''ve heard Auntie can draw some talismans, maybe she should have a look?" Hearing this, Shen Qing couldn''t help but give a wry smile. Obviously, these past few days he had been busy with both practicing the Nine Skills and studying; so much so that his feet scarcely touched the ground. Even his hunting had decreased, a stark change from before. Shen Fang thought he might have encountered something unclean in the mountains. Despite her good looks and fair features, his sister wasn''t very bright and lacked assertiveness. Letting her know too much about certain matters wasn''t necessarily a good thing. Shen Qing didn''t provide much of an explanation. He came up with an excuse, saying, "This is an enlightenment I''ve had from reading these past days, and I learned it from the books. It''s for strengthening the body and improving health. Didn''t you notice I''ve grown taller lately? I thought it might have something to do with this, so I continued practicing." "Oh," Shen Fang, finding Shen Qing''s words quite reasonable and not like he was haunted, didn''t think any more of it. As usual, she handed the cooked porridge over to Shen Qing. The porridge was traded from another house and was far superior to the previous husk-filled meals. With the warm porridge in his hands, Shen Qing crouched at the threshold. He basked in the sun while skimming a circle of rice porridge along the rim of the bowl, savoring the sweetness of the rice juice. "We''ll see how things go. If it''s feasible today, we can take out the two fur coats left by Chen An to sell in the county town as well. If not, we''ll wait and see, looking for the next opportunity." As Shen Qing pondered how to deal with the items from the mountains, he looked up to see Shen Xiaohu running over from behind his house. He shouted loudly, "Brother Qingzi, something terrible has happened!" "What terrible thing has happened? Has someone been killed by the Chen family members again in the village?" Shen Qing asked, lifting an eyelid. "No!" Shen Xiaohu, squatting beside Shen Qing, said with a worried face, "The traders from the town''s Boss won''t come to our place anymore." "The traders won''t come anymore?" Shen Qing''s expression became noticeably more serious. Their Hongshan Village was fifty or sixty miles from the county town. Normally, the hunters from these villages would sell their game to the traders from the Boss to save a trip to the county town. As a rule agreed upon by everyone, the price sold to the traders was slightly lower than that in the county town. If they caught valuable game and were unwilling to sell to the traders, they could pay to ride on the traders'' horse cart to sell the goods themselves in the county. In the county town, the big families, Martial Arts Halls, government offices, and restaurants all needed their game, the wild delicacies. If one wanted to make a move, it wasn''t difficult. Take more or less, all based on skill. If one encountered local bullies or tyrants and got robbed, just chalk it up to bad luck. Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "He''s not coming anymore, I heard it loud and clear, my grandpa and the others were all talking about this. I guess I won''t be able to go to the county town in the future," Shen Xiaohu''s expression showed some disappointment and discomfort. Shen Qing knew he had always wanted to visit the county town. Now with this development, the chance of him visiting the county town had become even slimmer. He pondered for a while before asking, "The Chen Family is the most active in dealing with traders, what do they say? Are we going to be stuck with whatever we hunt in the future?" "Damn it, don''t even mention them, they''re the ones who stirred up this mess," Shen Xiaohu cursed loudly: "I heard my grandpa saying that all the hunting goods in the village will have to be sold to their family, they will monopolize the purchasing and sell to the town. If you''re not willing, then you have to go sell it in town yourself." After listening, Shen Qing almost immediately thought of two words¡ªmonopoly! This Chen Youguang, they are treating the entire Hongshan Village as their own "property." All the hunters living in this village have to work for their family, to make money for them. Even the usually good-tempered Shen Qing couldn''t help but curse inwardly. On second thought, their family really hadn''t done many good deeds in the village. "Brother Qingzi, my grandpa and a few others, although the Zhang Family members had their objections, they tended to agree. As for the other families, even if they are dissatisfied they can''t do anything about it. The Chen family is numerous and powerful, and it''s said that Chen Yuan has even learned some martial arts, we can''t fight against them." Shen Xiaohu was very downhearted. A lot of hunters don''t have much left after accounting for the daily necessities of their families from what they catch every few days. For such a small amount, making a trip to the county and possibly having to stay overnight hardly seemed worth it. After the start of spring, hunting goods were not easy to preserve, making the situation even worse. Under these circumstances, life must be even harder for his uncle''s family. Shen Qing couldn''t help but feel somewhat troubled. After Shen Xiaohu left, he put down his bowl, and made up his mind not to consider retrieving the things left by the Chen family brothers in the mountains for the time being. To forge iron, one must be strong oneself. Since he couldn''t take a coach to the county town for the time being, he decided to continue training the "Nine Skills" martial arts. It was only a bit more. First, he needed to increase his strength. Two hours later. Shen Qing alternated practicing the Hunyuan Stance, Mao Dun Stance, Tuo Ying Zhuang, and Floating Cloud Stance. His legs were already sore, and large beads of sweat seeped out on his forehead. Just when he could no longer endure, his mind suddenly vibrated, and the ink-like characters in his vision slowly materialized. [Skill: Nine Brocade Technique (Small Success)] [Progress: 203/200 points] [Status: Can Be Enhanced] [Note: Continue training to increase progress. When Qi-Blood is perfected, you can have great strength and draw breath as smoothly as silk.] Great! Shen Qing was overjoyed. After several days of diligent practice, he had finally managed to advance this martial arts skill to the next realm. With another breakthrough, even without having reached the Great Perfection of Qi-Blood, it was probably close enough to swagger through the village. Based on what he had been surreptitiously finding out these past few days, Chen Yuan of the Chen family had not trained to such a realm. Chapter 19: Chapter 19: Mastery of the Nine Skills "Breakthrough!"Boom! Shen Qing, holding his hands in a circular embrace, was suddenly invigorated. The moment he broke through, he felt a warm current rising from his Dantian, rushing through his meridians. Each time this warm current completed a Grand Circulation within his body, it grew stronger by a degree. In the blink of an eye, the warm current grew from the size of a thumb to a ceaselessly flowing stream. Shen Qing felt his Qi-Blood rapidly strengthening. His muscles swelled as if being inflated, every inch of skin filled with explosive power. Until it reached a certain equilibrium, the phenomenon gradually subsided. [Skill: Nine Skills (Mastered)] [Progress: 3/300 points] [Status: Cannot be upgraded] Shen Qing found a stone bar in the room, grasped it with one hand, and with a sudden effort, the stone bar shattered into pieces that fell to the ground. He somewhat incredulously looked at his own right hand, a feeling of ecstasy surging in his heart. "I did it!" With such strength, even Chen Yuan could be easily handled. Although there was still a gap from true Martial Arts, he could not yet be compared to a real martial master. But now, having surpassed Chen Yuan, within Hongshan Village, there was no one who could match him in terms of strength. In such a chaotic environment, possessing such power made him feel reassured. In the afternoon, Hongshan Village was thrown into chaos. Outside the Chen Family''s home. Chen Youguang summoned many of the village''s folks to his doorstep. Seeing that most had arrived, he no longer delayed. He and his son Chen Yuan stood to the left and right of a carriage and loudly announced, "Listen up, everyone!" "Starting today, all the hunters in Hongshan Village will be trading with me on behalf of the Boss. This year, all the villages had excellent harvests. The Boss said the purchasing price would be thirty percent lower than before." S§×ar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. As soon as these words were said, the crowd that had gathered erupted, their hearts ignited, causing a collective uproar. "What? Thirty percent lower? Isn''t this bullying!" a burly hunter said incredibly dissatisfied, his face full of hostility. "Exactly, the game has been selling well this winter! The Boss is trying to take advantage of us!" "Lowering it by thirty percent, wouldn''t we have worked for nothing all year, unable to even pay our taxes!" a hunter from the Zhang Family said, waving his fists indignantly. Shen Qing, hiding among the crowd, opened his mouth but ultimately chose not to speak. He looked toward his uncle Shen Er, who was frowning, clearly dissatisfied and surprised by this decision: "How could the Boss do this, last time the prices were fine, how can they suddenly drop them so much!" The villagers were all talking at once, filled with dissatisfaction and complaints, the atmosphere suddenly becoming tense. Chen Youguang observed the villagers'' reactions expressionlessly, as if he had anticipated this uproar. He quietly waited for their voices to gradually subside. Then he slowly spoke, his voice steady and forceful: "Everyone, please listen to me. I understand your dissatisfaction, as this affects everyone''s personal interests, but please also understand the Boss''s predicament. With more people selling, the price will inevitably drop." He paused, looked around to make sure everyone was listening, sighed and said: "However, considering everyone''s hard work, I don''t plan on profiting from you all. So altogether we need to decrease it by ten percent, which is the biggest concession I can offer." Chen Youguang''s words somewhat calmed the people in the village. Although lowering the purchasing price was still displeasing, it seemed that Chen Youguang at least made some compromise. The hunters of Hongshan Village began to whisper to each other, discussing the new proposal. "A ten percent decrease, though still somewhat disappointing, is much better compared to thirty percent," Uncle Shen Er said with a sigh. "Yes, what we can do next is to try to hunt more game to increase our income." Another hunter from the Zhang Family had no choice but to lower his head as well. In fact, facing the powerful Chen Youguang''s family, they had no other options. Shen Qing observed these people closely. Having lived through two lifetimes, he saw clearly the small schemes of Chen Youguang who played the trick of lifting at first to knock down later. He could hear the calculations being made from a great distance away. If he was not mistaken, Boss in the city didn''t actually intend to lower the price for purchasing game, and it was Chen Youguang''s own initiative to reduce it by such a significant amount. The difference in margin went entirely into the pockets of him and his father. What was more terrifying was that two of their sons had just died by his own hand. These past few days, their family had acted as if nothing had happened and had briskly started the purchasing business. All they saw was money. Their family was indeed somewhat cold-hearted and frightening. "Right, there''s another thing I need to mention," Chen Youguang looked around at everyone, patted the pushcart beside him, and said, "My family''s cart is quite small, so it can''t carry people when hauling goods in the future, I hope everyone can bear with this." Compared to the issue of lowering purchase prices, not taking people into the city seemed trivial. However, some of the smart hunters in the village had already figured out the implication. From now on, only valuable and easy-to-carry game like delicacies, foxes, or minks would be worth making a trip. The rest of the game, if just usual price, was not worth the half-day walk to the county town on their own anymore. Chen Youguang had indirectly increased the cost of selling on their own, thereby coercing the hunters to turn over their game for him to purchase. It was an outright blatant scheme. At this time, Shen Qing couldn''t help but frown deeply. The way this father and son from the Chen Family ate was quite unsightly. "Alright, everyone knows now, right? If anyone has suitable game, come exchange it for money with me. If the weather is good tomorrow, I will make a trip to the city." Chen Youguang''s face bore a slight smile as he took a heavy bag of large coins from his sleeve, held it in his hand, and shook it in front of everyone, making the sound of copper coins clinking. "I''ll go." Chen Family''s fifth son, beaming with joy, carried a colorful pheasant, feathers and all, placed it on the cart, and happily took one hundred wen. After him, a few other Chen family members sold several pieces of game. "Anyone else?" "I didn''t bring it with me; I''ll fetch it from home." "I need to discuss with my wife back home." "¡­" All the men present, old and young alike, were not fools. This matter involved a family''s livelihood and was a significant issue, one that couldn''t be decided immediately. "Alright then, I''ll wait for you all until tomorrow morning. After tomorrow morning, when I''ll go to the county again is uncertain," "Everyone in the village knows now, right? Is there any family not yet informed?" "Not a single member from the Tian Family is here!" At that moment, Chen Yuan suddenly interjected. "Hmm?" Chen Youguang glanced at the crowd, looking puzzled at Chen Yuan, "What''s the meaning of the Tian Family? Chen Yuan, go check it out." "Yes, Grandfather." After saying this, Chen Yuan, accompanied by the Old fifth and several other Chen family members, squeezed through the crowd, and headed straight towards the Tian Family''s location. In the crowd, Shen Qing suddenly had a bad premonition. Chapter 20: Chapter 20: Armed with a Sharp Weapon, the Urge to Kill Arises The young and old gathered at the scene were very curious to see what Shen Fang and his son were up to.Shen Qing followed behind, exchanging glances with his uncle Shen Er, and also rushed over with the crowd. By the time they arrived, Old Tian''s house was already surrounded by people. They heard a loud bang, just in time to see Chen Yuan kick open Old Tian''s door. Shortly after, Chen Yuan and his men threw Old Tian and his two sons out of the house. Apart from Old Tian''s residence, three other Tian Family households had their doors kicked open by Chen family members. One of these households experienced a fierce conflict, with relentless smashing sounds. After a while, a blood-soaked Tian Family hunter was forcibly pushed out by three Chen family members. "Kneel down!" The three Chen Family members were injured in several places, clearly indicating that the Tian Family hunter had fought back fiercely. Chen Yuan appeared to intentionally let the many villagers witness this scene, stepping forward to ask, "What happened?" "Tian Xiaohu and his family attacked us without a word as soon as they saw us coming; they must be guilty of something." Blood-covered Tian Xiaohu fiercely raised his head and yelled in defense, "You were the ones who started it!" Smack! As soon as his words fell, Chen Yuan slapped him across the face. He had been cultivating his Qi-Blood and was on the verge of entering the level of martial master; his strength was far greater than that of an ordinary man. The slap knocked out one of Tian Xiaohu''s teeth, making his already injured state even more pitiful. His face covered in blood, he tried several times to get up but couldn''t manage to rise from the ground. Shen Qing, upon seeing this scene, furrowed his brows intensely. He also recognized this Tian Xiaohu as one of the most capable young men in the Tian Family, a skilled hunter. When his father was alive, he often went hunting with their family. He hadn''t expected Chen Yuan to beat him so brutally. Even though he was an exceptional hunter, he was an ordinary man who stood no chance against martial artists. At that moment, Tian Chuan''s parents and others were also driven out of their homes. The Tian Family members living in Hongshan Village were gathered together. Chen Yuan scanned the Tian family and coldly said, "You Tian Family members killed two of my brothers. Out of neighborly harmony, I didn''t trouble you, but you took our kindness for granted. Today, my grandfather called for a village meeting, and none of you attended; it seems you are ready to sever ties with us, aren''t you?" "Nobody informed us at all!" a young Tian Family hunter explained in a panic. "And how could we possibly have killed your brothers?" "The day after my brother accidentally killed Tian Chuan, he went up the mountain and vanished; if it wasn''t you, do you expect me to believe I killed my own brother?" Chen Yuan''s eyes flared with anger, his face murderous. He turned and asked Chen Lao, "Did you not inform the Tian family?" Bowing, Chen Lao replied, "I did inform them, but for some reason, they didn''t show up." "You... are lying!" Tian Xiaohu, lying on the ground, glared fiercely at Chen Lao. If looks could kill, Chen Lao would have died dozens of times over. Chen Lao suddenly felt a chill all over his body. The onlookers were incredulous, finding it hard to believe that the weaker Tian Family would initiate a conflict in such a situation. Shen Qing in the crowd knew all too well. The Chen Family Brothers were actually killed by him. What Chen Yuan and his men were doing was framing the Tian Family. The Tian Family members felt wronged and tried to argue, but Chen Yuan didn''t give them a chance, kicking away the Tian Family member who tried to speak up. "All of you deny it, huh?" Chen Yuan lifted his chin and commanded, "Everyone, search their houses!" Hearing this, Chen family members surged into the Tian family''s house like a pack of wolves, wreaking havoc. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The Tian family''s communal stove was toppled, and the large pot inside was smashed to pieces. Cabinets, large jars, and beds were turned over. They were thrown out of the house. With blood everywhere and the Tian family members, bruised and swollen-faced, crying intermittently, along with the sound of smashing from the house, the villagers suddenly felt a sense of sorrow shared by all. "Chen Da, look what I found?" A Chen family member turned up an elm wood bow from inside Tian Xiaohu''s room and handed it to Chen Yuan. Chen Yuan caught the bow and looked it over, "This is my brother''s bow. Why is it here with you?" As Tian Xiaohu stared at the unfamiliar bow, even he could comprehend, "Chen Yuan, you''re bloody framing me!!" Chen Yuan lifted his eyelid and said, "According to the laws of Great Zhou, anyone who commits murder pays ten strings of coins and serves three months if they are commoners; twenty strings of coins and demotion for officials; a hundred strings of coins and conscription for doctors and martial artists; craftsmen are executed and their families enslaved." "You killed my two brothers. All Tian family members shall be reduced to slaves." At this moment, Chen Yuan revealed his dagger. Tian Xiaohu, like a sick tiger caged, began to struggle violently, "Chen Yuan, you will not die a good death, none of your Chen family will. You killed my cousin first, then harmed our entire Tian family, I won''t let you off even as a ghost." Despite Tian Xiaohu''s curses, Chen Yuan ignored him and pressed the Tian family members, "We''ve only found a bow. Do you have other accomplices who harmed my brother?" The falsely accused Tian family had no such accomplices. Yet Chen Yuan was not satisfied: "Hmm? Speak up!" "Chen Da, I have something to say." Just then, Chen Dahu seemed to remember something. "What is it? Speak!" With the current situation, the Chen family had risen to prominence within Hongshan Village. As someone on the periphery of the Chen family, Chen Dahu felt he had to cling to Chen Yuan and their influence by any means. He saw through Chen Yuan''s actions; their supposed quest for revenge was just a pretext to cause trouble. Others might not know, but he was aware that according to Great Zhou''s laws, laborers involved in a killing must only compensate with their lives and not involve their families. Chen Yuan and his family wanted to enslave the Tian family to make money. Remembering Chen Yuan''s previous designs on Shen Fang, he stepped forward and said, "On the afternoon Chen Tai and Chen An went to the mountains, I saw Shen Qing returning from behind the mountains, carrying a wild roe deer, his chest bulging out, and he also had an extra bow and arrows." "Everyone knows Shen Qing''s hunting skills are poor. How could he have such large prey? These past couple of days, he''s also been sending rabbits and chickens to the bookworm. There''s definitely something fishy." "He must have colluded with the Tian family, killed Er Tai and Xiao An, and that''s how he got such a bounty." Chen Dahu spoke astonishingly. Upon these words, everyone was shocked, and all eyes turned toward Shen Qing. Shen Qing was utterly bewildered. He hadn''t expected that while casually enjoying the spectacle, he would suddenly become the spectacle himself. Chen Yuan, slightly surprised, glanced at Chen Dahu, finding his accusation quite suitable. He had been worried about not having a chance to drag Shen Qing into the mess to sell off his sister. It seemed like the solution came while he was merely hoping for it. Chen Yuan stared at Shen Qing and demanded sharply, "Shen Qing, what do you have to say for yourself?" Shen Er, present in the crowd, hurriedly defended, "Impossible. My nephew can''t even kill a rabbit properly, how could he kill a person?" "Is that so? Then a search of the house will tell!" said Chen Yuan ominously. Shen Qing knew without thinking that Chen Yuan was looking to plant evidence on him again. Regrettably, he didn''t need to frame him. Shen Qing stepped out from behind his uncle Shen Er and said with a smile, "No need for that, I am the one who killed him!" Already proficient in the Nine Brocade Technique, Shen Qing, seeing all that the Chen family had done, felt a surge of murderous intent. Chapter 21: Chapter 21 The Murderer, Shen Qing! Whoosh!As soon as Shen Qing''s words came out, everyone present was stunned. They had never expected that facing the Chen family''s false accusation and the miserable state of the Tian Family members, Shen Qing would... actually agree. "Qingzi, have you gone mad?" Uncle Shen Er said in a panic. After speaking, he hurriedly stepped forward to explain, "Chen Da, he''s young and doesn''t know any better. He''s talking nonsense." Standing by his side, Shen Qing glanced over and saw that when Uncle Shen Er spoke these words, his hands were slightly trembling, obviously, he was very afraid. But Chen Yuan, who had finally seized the opportunity, would not give it up so easily. The chance to join the Shen Shou Sect was right in front of him. All it lacked was paving the way with silver. He said coldly, "Just because he''s young, does that mean he can''t kill?" "Chen Da, my older brother only has this one son. If he dies, how can I face my brother? You are a man of great generosity. Please spare Qingzi. I... from now on, I will definitely sell my hunting goods to your family." Shen Er knew that from today onward, he had definitely offended Chen Yuan, but at this point, he had no choice but to stand up. The villagers all knew he had always protected this nephew of his, only to shrink back like a turtle when a crisis actually struck. This was something he could never accept. He did not want to live his life being pointed at the spine by others. The onlooking villagers, seeing this scene, all felt a pang in their hearts. Recently, Chen Yuan had been visiting Shen Qing''s house frequently; his intentions were as clear as day to everyone. Today, having seized the opportunity, Chen Yuan certainly would not let it go lightly. Shen Qing must have seen it too, which was why he had voluntarily confessed. How pitiable! But even though they knew this, the most they could do was sympathize in their hearts. They absolutely did not dare to stand up like Shen Er did. Facing the Chen family, they were all angry but did not dare to speak out. Shen Qing surveyed his surroundings, taking in everyone''s reactions. He smiled lightly, held down Shen Er''s trembling hands, and shook his head, "It''s useless; at this stage, how could Chen Yuan let me go?" Uncle Shen Er opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but saw that Shen Qing was already walking towards Chen Yuan. Although Shen Qing was only fifteen years old, thanks to his recent practice and nourishment from meat, he had grown quite tall and straight. He looked directly at Chen Yuan and said without changing his expression, "Do you want to know how your brother died?" Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chen Yuan''s expression gradually faded, and he squinted to size up Shen Qing. Something seemed amiss. Shen Qing was too calm. There was no sign of fear. It simply defied logic. It was not just him; everyone else felt that Shen Qing seemed somewhat unfamiliar when they looked at him. However, Shen Qing did not care about these surprised looks. As he approached Chen Yuan, he continued, "Your third brother, Chen An, before he could react, I shot two arrows through his heart. When he died, his eyes were as wide as copper bells." "Your second brother, Chen Tai, had his throat sealed by my arrow, unable to even let out a scream. By the end, his breathing sounded like a broken bellows." As he said this, Shen Qing had walked right in front of Chen Yuan, looking him in the eye: "So... what will you do now?" The scene fell into a deathly silence. The next moment, Chen Yuan felt a surge of fury "boom" up his spine to the top of his head, and he roared like a volcanic eruption, "You''re asking for death!" The enraged Chen Yuan threw a punch at Shen Qing, fast and forceful as the wind. Shen Qing''s fingers loosely gripped, firmly grabbing onto Chen Yuan''s wrist. Chen Yuan tried to pull his wrist out only to find that Shen Qing''s five fingers were like a pair of pliers, and he could not pull free at all. Shen Qing''s eyelids lifted slightly, revealing a chilling intent. At that moment, in his eyes, Chen Yuan was almost no different from the prey he hunted every day. He kicked out fiercely toward the front. With a thud, his foot landed squarely on Chen Yuan''s abdomen. All of his Qi-Blood surged up in the moment he made his move, all of it pouring into his right leg, causing the muscles on both sides of his thigh to tighten like iron, exploding with a terrifying strength. Chen Yuan was kicked so hard that his feet left the ground, his whole body soaring into the air. Just right, Shen Qing caught Chen Yuan''s hands and pulled forward with the momentum. Thud. The tall and burly Chen Yuan was brought down smoothly by Shen Qing, crashing heavily onto the ground. Shen Qing twisted his wrist. Crack crack crack... Chen Yuan''s wrist bones were crushed by Shen Qing, emitting a piercing scream. Shen Qing, however, was indifferent, sitting astride Chen Yuan''s back with an expressionless face, grabbing his hair and lifting his face. His sharp eyes caught sight of a broken arrow with an arrowhead among the pile of miscellaneous items thrown out during the raid on his house by Chen Yuan and the others. Shen Qing grabbed it and without any hesitation, stabbed Chen Yuan''s throat with it as if he were slaughtering prey. The rusty arrowhead emerged from the other side of Chen Yuan''s neck, with blood spurting out like a fountain. "Huh huh... huh..." Chen Yuan tried to speak but couldn''t say a word, as blood froth continuously seeped from his mouth and nose. Shen Qing wiped the bloodstains off his face, feeling that this Chen Yuan was nothing special. He couldn''t understand why everyone was afraid of such a person. "Ah, you''ve killed someone, you''ve killed Chen Yuan!" Chen Dajiang, standing by the side, was shouting in panic, waking everyone from their stupor into an uproar. The Chen family members who were guarding the Tian Family members exchanged glances, and, faced with Shen Qing''s powerful aura, subconsciously loosened their grip on the Tian Family members and took two steps back. They hadn''t expected Shen Qing to actually dare to deliver a killing blow, to kill the oldest son of the mountain drivers'' family right in front of everyone. Clean and decisive! Almost without any hesitation. All of a sudden, they felt their scalps tingle, and their hearts were filled with dread. Some of the more cowardly ones'' legs were shaking so much they couldn''t even stand properly. "He actually took action!" "Never realized how ruthless Shen Qing, the eldest of the Shen family, could be." "Wasn''t Chen Yuan practicing Martial Arts? How come he can''t even beat Shen Qing? If we had known he was this weak, we shouldn''t have held back that day and just fought back." All the onlookers were shocked. Shen Er, his uncle who was standing nearby, was so startled he couldn''t even speak properly. In his memory, Shen Qing had always been a very honest and obedient child. His skills were not refined, he was timid, and not very bright. For this reason, he always bowed and scraped before others, meekly agreeing with everything. But the Shen Qing in front of them now was exuding an evil aura, brimming with killing intent. That ferocious strength was incomparable even to the old hunters in the village, chilling to the bone. Shen Qing paid no attention to the crowd, his gaze shifting towards Chen Dajiang. Chen Dajiang felt his scalp go numb, chill from head to toe. Shen Qing took a deep breath, his Qi-Blood surging, causing his face to flush red. The muscles in his legs swelled, and under the boost of Qi-Blood, a power far greater than usual was stirred up. He looked straight at Chen Dajiang and said, "I never thought, as a neighbor, you could be so shameless. But do you know, the ones who pop their heads up first usually die the fastest." "I didn''t do anything, you''re talking nonsense, let me go..." While Chen Dajiang was trying to argue, Shen Qing suddenly swept his leg around. Bang! The originally standing Chen Dajiang screamed as his legs were completely broken, collapsing onto the ground. Clearly, Shen Qing had no intention of letting him go. He had always been small-minded and held grudges. What could be done today, he would never put off until tomorrow. Chapter 22: Chapter 22: Fight the Tyrants, Wipe Out the Rich Families "Qingzi, that''s enough."Uncle Shen Er hurried forward to pull Shen Qing back, worried he might act rashly. He lowered his voice and said, "Qingzi, you''re being too impulsive. The Chen family has more than a dozen households, and today, in front of everyone, if you kill Chen Yuan, it means you''re thoroughly at irreconcilable odds with them." "The Chen family has connections in the county town. If the Chen family members report this to the county government, it''s a case of a life for a life. You won''t be able to bear the consequences." "You should run first! We''ll hold them off here, and talk about it when this blows over." Shen Qing looked at his uncle Shen Er and said, "Run, why should I run? It''s not me who''s in the wrong. If I hadn''t killed him just now, it would have been my family who ended up broken and deceased. There''s no reason in the world for the victim to have to run." "Ah..." Shen Qing, having heard Uncle Shen Er''s words, nodded and said, "But Uncle, your words have awakened me. If the Chen family stir up trouble at the county government, I would definitely die. They won''t let me go, and I don''t want to live a life of hiding and skulking." "What are you planning to do?" "When you cut grass, you must remove the roots," Shen Qing''s lips lightly parted as he uttered a chilling and straightforward statement, "Chen Youguang has lost all three of his sons, it''s only fair that he join them down below." Seeing Shen Qing like this, Uncle Shen Er hurriedly tried to persuade him, "Qingzi, don''t be rash." But Shen Qing turned a deaf ear, his mind was very clear. The situation had developed to this point; he and Chen Youguang were irreconcilable. The entire Chen family must die today. Today, nobody could stop it. Shen Qing returned to his house and took out all the bows and arrows, strapping them to his body. He walked up to Tian Xiaohu and lifted his chin, saying, "Are you coming or not?" Tian Xiaohu, seeing Shen Qing''s face which was as calm as water, for some reason found it exceptionally attractive. He gritted his teeth, wiped the blood from his nose, and said, "Let''s go!" With that, he too picked up a bow and arrows from his home, holding a dagger and rope, and walked out. In front of everyone, he wiped his knife on the still warm body of Chen Yuan, cutting through his throat. Then he said to Shen Qing, "I had a part in killing Chen Yuan!" Shen Qing was slightly stunned, then quickly understood, "Good!" "I had a part in it too." "I''m in as well." "..." The Tian Family members who had been bullied by Chen Yuan, nearly driven to ruin and death, one by one stood up, some with knives, some with pitchforks, each stabbing Chen Yuan''s body. In the blink of an eye, five or six hunters from the Tian family were standing behind Shen Qing. Shen Qing''s face showed great joy as he laughed loudly, "Since that''s the case, fellow villagers, follow me to the Chen family to fight the tyrants, to wipe them out." "Let''s go!" Shen Qing, along with five or six people from the Tian family, marched imposingly towards the vicinity of Chen Youguang''s family. The scene completely spiraled out of control. Seeing this, Chen Lao Wu was scared out of his wits, trembling he muttered, "It''s over, it''s all gone wrong, this is a disaster!" He hurriedly ran toward the Chen family''s direction. "Hm?" Shen Qing''s gaze was sharp, and without a word, he released an arrow, striking Chen Lao Wu to the ground. The speed was so fast that even the Tian Family members beside him hadn''t even had time to react. Tian Xiaohu, witnessing this, was inwardly stunned, "Such fast, such accurate bow technique!" He couldn''t help but admire Shen Qing even more. He knew very well that Chen Lao Wu was close to Chen Youguang and his family. As he passed Chen Lao Wu, he didn''t say a word, just casually delivered a final cut with his knife to send him to heaven. Seeing things getting out of control, other villagers from the surrounding villages all went back home to grab their weapons and followed behind Shen Qing to watch. Seeing Shen Qing''s departing figure, Uncle Shen Er was somewhat dazed. He stomped his foot and went home to call Xiao Hu and Shanwa, "Hurry up, grab your weapons, we''re heading to Chen Youguang''s house." "Grandpa, what happened?" "Don''t ask, hurry!" "Oh, oh!" Seeing that Shen Er had no intention of explaining, Xiao Hu and Shanwa did not press him for answers and, upon hearing his words, hastened to follow him. ¡­ Chen Family. Chen Youguang, the head of the Hongshan village mountain drivers, sat on a cart, chatting with the Chen family''s elder from the previous generation. "This time, I have to trouble my uncle to speak with a few families first, to lead the way in purchasing goods. Our family hasn''t even completed the five mourning periods; we should be more united," Chen Youguang said with a smile. "As soon as I go to the county, I''ll return the part outstanding for my uncle''s family in full. Of the profits earned by the clan, let''s split it seventy-thirty." "That''s acceptable." "Then I''ll have to trouble my uncle with the rest." Just as Chen Youguang was beaming with joy, a junior member of the clan dashed over frantically: "It''s terrible, it''s terrible, Grandpa, Second Uncle..." "Chen Jizai, what happened?" Gasping for breath, Chen Jizai said in a panicked tone, "Shen Qing... Shen Qing... he..." "What about Shen Qing?" "He killed Brother Yuan!" Chen Jizai blurted out the rest of his message in one breath. Boom! Suddenly, Chen Youguang felt as if he had been struck by a thunderbolt. "What did you say?" "Shen Qing killed Brother Yuan in front of everyone!" "How is it possible for my son, who''s already cultivated martial arts, to be killed by anyone in Hongshan Village?! I can''t believe it, that Shen Qing, always with his head down and hardly skilled in hunting, could kill my son." Chen Jizai said urgently, "It''s true, everyone saw it. Brother Yuan couldn''t fight him at all. Just at one glance, Shen Qing knocked Brother Yuan to the ground, and now his body is still lying there." Chen Youguang''s eyes instantly filled with blood and turned bright red as he clenched his teeth and said fiercely, "Bastard!" He could still rationalize the deaths of Chen An and Chen Tai to himself, but the death of Chen Yuan was something he couldn''t accept. A son with a talent for martial arts meant something completely different to him. The reason he had been actively amassing wealth and building connections in the county was all to pave the way for Chen Yuan. If his family could produce a martial master registered in the martial arts register, given time over two or three generations, there was no reason they couldn''t settle in the county town and establish a "Chen Family" of their own. Now with Chen Yuan dead, it was as if his very roots had been dug out. Everything he had done after that seemed meaningless. S§×ar?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chen Youguang''s normally rosy cheeks instantly turned as pale as paper. "Also, Second Uncle, you all need to get away quickly now. Shen Qing and the Tian Family members have joined forces and are heading this way; they want to kill us." Chen Youguang''s scalp went numb, and he jumped off the cart with a start. "Run quickly!" Before he could finish speaking, a feathered arrow shot through the air, reflecting a cold light in the sunlight, and struck Chen Jizai in the temple. Chen Jizai didn''t even have the chance to cry out before he collapsed to the ground. "Ah!" The elder of the Chen family was so frightened he felt his soul leave his body. "Run!" Chen Youguang, after all, had some skill to have become the head of the Hongshan Village mountain drivers, and seeing that the situation was dire, he immediately turned and ran. But he had underestimated Shen Qing''s archery. Just after Chen Jizai had fallen, another feathered arrow whistled through the air, leaving no time for Chen Youguang to react. The White Feather Arrow had already reached his chest just as his words fell. Chapter 23: Chapter 23 A Complete Family Chen Youguang turned his head and his eyes suddenly widened.A flash of cold light passed in his eyes. Pff! The sharp arrowhead instantly pierced through the clothing on his chest and penetrated his skin. Flesh was violently torn apart, fresh blood spurted out, scattering in the air like blossoming petals. The momentum of the arrow did not subside, embedding deeply into his chest, the strong recoil caused him to stagger back into the wall. Chen Youguang looked down at his chest, frantically covered it with his hands, crimson blood continuously seeping out between his fingers. The next moment, intense pain spread throughout his body, nearly rendering him unable to stand. Yet, a single arrow was not enough to take his life. This old hunter, who had battled the wilderness for years, quickly calmed down driven by a strong desire to survive. He hurriedly struggled, supporting his body with all his strength, and rushed into the courtyard, hoping to catch his breath behind the walls of the courtyard. Seeing his intention, Tian Xiaohu, who was at the forefront, suddenly accelerated, reaching the Chen family''s gate before Shen Qing. With the full force of his body''s inertia, he violently burst open the gate of the Chen family. Behind the door, Chen Youguang, already severely weakened from blood loss, staggered. He was knocked down to the ground. Tian Xiaohu''s eyes were fierce as he pulled out a rope from his body, wrapped it around Chen Youguang''s neck, lifted him up, and then hung him from the door lintel. Desperation and struggle covered Chen Youguang''s face as his legs kicked wildly in the air. His hands tightly gripped the coarse rope, his fingertips turning white from the strain, and a faint moan could be heard from his throat, barely making out the words "save me." Unfortunately, there was no one to rescue him. Soon, Chen Youguang''s facial expression twisted, his lips tightly closed, veins on his forehead bulged, and his complexion began to turn red and then purple. But Tian Xiaohu firmly gripped the rope, showing no signs of letting go. Gradually, Chen Youguang''s body grew weaker and eventually hung motionless in the air. Blood from his chest dripped down his cotton clothes and pants, trickling drop by drop from his heels. "Ah!" The previous generation''s patriarch of the Chen family, Chen Kaijun, was terrified at the sight, scrambling to escape from the place. He had barely taken a few steps when he saw a pair of old leather shoes. Chen Kaijun slowly looked up, only to see a dark and handsome young man, with his bow drawn tight, the arrow aimed directly at him. His face turned pale as he was about to open his mouth. A muffled thud sounded. Shen Qing released his fingers. The arrow, like lightning, cut through the air and pierced through Chen Kaijun''s head. Chen Kaijun''s eyes quickly lost their light, and his body slumped to the ground. Shen Qing walked over Chen Kaijun''s body expressionlessly and headed towards the Chen family''s main gate. The Tian family members and several villagers who had followed stopped in their tracks. Seeing Chen Youguang, once a commanding figure in Hongshan Village, hanged at his own front gate moved everyone. They had not expected Shen Qing and Tian Xiaohu to act so swiftly and decisively, with hardly any hesitation. At that moment, Shen Er, along with Shen Xiaohu and Shen Xiaoshan, finally arrived near the Chen family''s residence. Seeing the three bodies ahead, his face drastically changed, and he abruptly stopped. "Dad, what exactly do you want us to do?" Shen Xiaohu, not paying attention, bumped into Shen Er''s back, stopping as well. He and his brother Shen Xiaoshan curiously passed by Shen Er and looked forward. Upon seeing the bloodstains on the ground and the three bodies of the Chen family, the faces of the two brothers simultaneously turned deathly pale. "Grandpa, what... what is going on... why is Brother Qingzi there..." It was the first time Shen Xiaohu had seen a killing, and suddenly he found himself stuttering and tongue-tied. However, Shen Er was equally shocked and did not respond. At the entrance of the Chen family, Tian Xiaohu secured the other end of the rope and fiercely spat a thick phlegm at the hanging body of Chen Youguang. "He cursed with relish, ''I didn''t expect you, old bastard, to have this day too, hahaha...''" Over the years, as newcomers, the Tian family had not had an easy time in Hongshan Village. A major reason was the oppression and exclusion led by Chen Youguang of the Chen family. Tian Chuan of the Tian family said if someone died, they just died; there wasn''t even a place to reason out the matter. Had it not been for Shen Qing standing up today, Tian Xiaohu would probably have been more unlucky than not. Thus, when he killed Chen Youguang, he felt no psychological burden. After cursing, Tian Xiaohu looked toward Shen Qing. In his eyes, the formerly gentle youth was now eerily calm after killing the Chen family members, without a trace of turmoil on his face. Although he was three years older than Shen Qing, he questioned himself and knew he definitely couldn''t achieve this level of composure. In his heart, he couldn''t help but feel even more convinced. Shen Qing turned around to look back. Having just killed a man, his demeanor was incredibly fierce. His eyes carried a bit of ferocity, like a hungry tiger descending the mountain, freezing to the marrow in this winter cold. Everyone glanced at by him involuntarily took a step back. "Brother Qingzi of the Shen family, why so fierce?" "Normally it doesn''t show, but his killing is just like hunting, too ruthless." "..." After many days of sideways investigation, Shen Qing understood that the costs of learning martial arts in the county far exceeded his expectations. It was not something an ordinary family could afford. Beside the entry fee and the bribe, there were also apprenticeship fees, medicine fees, and a host of supplemental expenses. Casually put, hundred of taels of silver could be spent without hearing a sound. Poor in literature but rich in the martial, it''s absolutely true. sea??h th§× n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Thus, when he saw Chen Youguang trying to monopolize the mountain goods channels of Hongshan Village, he was slightly tempted. Chen Youguang, in paving the way for Chen Yuan''s martial arts, must have established a steady channel in the county. If he could seize this channel for himself and secure a stable income, then his martial arts training could receive better support. It so happened that Chen Yuan came to him, giving him an opportunity. He used this to provoke the other party successfully and captured all these "mountain drivers" in one fell swoop. The whole family, neat and tidy. However, it was not enough. The Chen family had more than ten households in Hongshan Village, and four of them were quite close to Chen Youguang and liked to stick together. Now that he had killed Chen Youguang and his entire family, he had, to some extent, harmed their interests. It''s possible that some of those households could still connect with people in the county. According to the laws of Great Zhou, a murderer must pay with his life. If he were to be judged according to the law, he would not die but would be deeply wounded. He didn''t have the connections like the Chen family did. If left unchecked, it would definitely be a problem later. While he had every legitimate reason to kill Chen Youguang and his family, clearing out the other households of Chen family members could be troublesome. Definitely, the Tian Family would not make another move against him. However, with the stage set to this extent, Shen Qing would not miss this rare opportunity and planned to push further in this moment. He dived into the Chen family household and started searching. A moment later, he found a chest of money. Shen Qing opened it and saw, amongst a pile of copper coins, about twenty silver ingots were hidden. Shen Qing''s face lit up with joy, and he placed the largest few silver ingots entirely into his chest. Then, carrying the chest, he walked to the front gate and held it up high. Chapter 24: Chapter 24: Coercion Boom!Under everyone''s gaze, Shen Qing violently smashed the wooden chest onto the ground. The sturdy wooden chest, under his force, instantly shattered into pieces. sea??h th§× N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Crash... A large amount of copper coins and silver ingots scattered on the ground, shimmering under the sun. The Tian Family member, Shen Family member, and other hunters from Hongshan Village gasped in astonishment. They were all commoners without any connections, always living life on the edge, when had they ever seen so much money? Now, a chest full of money was laid out in front of them, giving them a tremendous shock. Everyone stared intently, their hearts filled with greed. Seeing that the time was about right, Shen Qing bellowed with full breath, "The Chen Family has always had a saying that if a family loses a man and is left with only widows and orphans, they would offer to hold a banquet under the guise of arranging a funeral, and then eat up all the meat and grain of that family." "We always called this ''eating out the family'' in secret." "Now that Chen Yuan''s family is all dead, everything in this house has become unclaimed property, and should rightfully belong to whoever sees it. We should also ''eat out his family,''" Shen Qing said with a highly seductive voice, "Everyone is free to take." The onlooking crowd immediately became restless. Shen Er watched Shen Qing standing at the doorway, appearing completely composed. For some reason, he felt increasingly unfamiliar with him. Since when had the Shen Family produced such a character? Seeing that no one dared to make a move after a while, Shen Qing said with cold sarcasm, "What''s the matter, no one dares?" Shen Er couldn''t fathom Shen Qing''s purpose, but he knew that as a member of the Shen Family, especially as Shen Qing''s uncle, he could not detach himself from today''s events no matter what. Rather than let others gain from it, it was better to benefit his own family¡ªhe gritted his teeth and shouted, "I''ll take it!" Shen Er ran to Shen Qing and in front of everyone, began stuffing silver ingots into his pockets directly. Other Tian Family members looked at each other and quickly joined the fray, frantically grabbing money. At this point, those who were still watching could no longer hold back. "This money was all sucked from us by Chen Youguang and his people, it was originally ours," someone exclaimed. "Why not take it if it''s free!" others chimed in. Once someone took the lead, like a breached dam finding an outlet, they all rushed forward in droves. Seeing the people rushing forward, Shen Er, with the silver ingots, ran behind Shen Qing and stood protectively behind him. At this moment, those at the back, realizing they couldn''t squeeze in, looked up at the house. They bypassed the crowd grabbing money at the door and charged inside. Other people reacted and rushed in as well. Fearing they would miss out and end up with nothing, they started grabbing whatever they saw. Some even called over their families, took up hoes to dig at the walls, sparing not even the stone bricks from Chen Youguang''s family home. The villagers, usually so harmonious, now resembled locusts, leaving nothing in their wake. Although the year-end was still some time away, Hongshan Village seemed to have plunged into a frenzied ocean, with everyone losing their senses. Rumble! After several days of communal effort, the walls of the Chen Youguang''s family home collapsed. In just the time it took to brew a pot of tea, the seemingly decent Chen Family home had been reduced to a ruin. If not for Shen Qing standing at the doorway, these people likely would have disassembled the Chen Family''s front door as well. By this point, most of the villagers had been swept up in the affair. Seeing that the time was about right. Shen Qing shouted loudly, "Fellow villagers, today we eliminated Chen Youguang''s family and also divided the Chen family''s wealth. What if those Chen family members who were close to Chen Youguang become dissatisfied and go to the county town to cause us trouble?" "According to the laws of Great Zhou, we have no connections in the county town, I fear we will all be held accountable." The villagers, who had been basking in joy, exchanged glances and licked their dry lips. Suddenly, someone in the crowd yelled, "If we don''t do it all, let''s not stop halfway. Kill those few families as well, and then no one will come looking for trouble again." These hunters, accustomed to living in the mountains year-round, were not the forgiving type. With the lure of benefits, the intent to kill was also aroused. Seeing someone take the lead, Shen Qing took the opportunity to continue, "Fine, let''s not stop halfway then. Everyone, follow me to exterminate a few more households." Having said that, Shen Qing charged toward the households of the Chen family members with a fierce momentum. Shen Qing remembered that a few Chen family members were very close to Chen Youguang, and they had always been arrogant and domineering in Hongshan Village, with a terrible reputation. There was some sort of grievance with each household. Bang! The crowd smashed open the door of one of the households and stormed in. Immediately, screams could be heard. In Hongshan Village, almost every household had hunters, and when they really got into a fight, they were incredibly ruthless. Shen Qing stood outside the door without going in, looking on expressionlessly. "I haven''t yet truly practiced martial arts, and my Qi-Blood hasn''t even reached Great Perfection. If someone from the county town simply sent a real martial master, I wouldn''t stand a chance." "So, I must nip all dangers in the bud and unite the entire Hongshan Village as one. Only then can I be truly safe." "Give me some time after this. When I control my Qi-Blood and find support in the county town, becoming a real martial master, none of this will be a problem." "Now is not the time for womanly kindness." Shen Qing''s eyes were downcast, looking at everything before him, his heart clear, as he suppressed the hesitation that had just begun to emerge. With Shen Qing''s intentional and unintentional influence, the hunters of Hongshan Village had completely let loose. Almost every family had gained some benefit or been tainted with blood. At this point, everyone was in the same boat; no one would betray Shen Qing anymore. As evening approached, the bodies of Chen Youguang and other Chen family members were buried in the back mountains, and all matters finally settled. After this event, Shen Qing''s reputation for ruthlessness spread throughout Hongshan Village, and his status soared almost immediately. Everyone looked at him with a new sense of respect, unlike the disdain of the past. He returned home. Shen Qing put down his bow and his spirit finally relaxed. Not long after arriving home, Shen Qing heard the sound of Shen Xiaoshan calling at the door. "Brother, are you home?" "Coming." Shen Qing walked over and opened the door. Seeing Shen Qing, Shen Xiaoshan felt as if a fierce aura was rushing toward him and instinctively stepped back, an unfamiliarity seeping through. Realizing his own reaction, he hurriedly said, "Grandfather is calling you over, he said he has something to ask you." Shen Qing knew it most likely concerned today''s events. He agreed without refusal, "Alright, I''ll go right over." As he was about to leave, Shen Qing remembered something. He took out the cotton-padded clothes his aunt had made from inside the house, put them on, and confidently stepped out after closing the door behind him. Chapter 25: Chapter 25: The New Leader of Hongshan Village Uncle Shen Er''s adobe house had its main door slightly ajar.Faint light drifted out through the crack in the doorway, casting a layer of pale orange glow on the white snow. Shanwa walked ahead of Shen Qing, pushed open the door, and shouted, "Grandpa, Brother Qingzi is here." Instantly, sounds of a chair scraping against the floor and someone getting up could be heard from inside the house. Shen Qing followed closely behind Shanwa and stepped in. When he entered the house, he discovered that Uncle Shen Er wasn''t the only one present. Several of the Shen Family elders from Hongshan Village, Tian Xiaohu from the Tian Family, Zhang Baqing from the Zhang Family, and a few other respected hunters from the village were all there. As Shen Qing walked in, they all turned to look at the entrance, focusing their gaze on him and stood up. In front of these people, Shen Qing did not show any sign of pressure; he walked in under their gaze with an unchanged expression. Shen Er looked at him with a complex expression and asked, "Qingzi, you''ve come?" "Mm," Shen Qing replied curiously, "Today''s matters are pretty much settled. I''m not sure what Uncle called me over for?" "There are some things everyone thinks we need to discuss further. Take a seat first." Tian Xiaohu, quick to see the need, pulled out a chair and placed it in the chief''s position. This small detail, caught by Shen Er, left his heart filled with mixed feelings for a moment. Shen Qing, without any embarrassment, sat down comfortably in the chief''s seat. Seeing him seated, the others took their seats as well, hinting at a sense of him being the leader. Yet strangely, no one found this inappropriate. Everything Shen Qing had done that day, they had all seen clearly. The ferocity he displayed was still fresh in their minds, leaving them somewhat apprehensive. It was precisely because of this ferocity that Shen Qing, who had just been a compliant young hunter in the village yesterday, had already become an important figure today, overshadowing everyone else. The light from the oil lamp flickered from the disturbance of the air currents, becoming hazy. The shadows of the people around, cast by the oil lamp, also swayed, drifting from side to side. Once the shadows in the room stabilized, Shen Er spoke up, "Now that Qingzi has arrived, let''s get straight to the point." After his eyes swept over everyone and finally rested on Shen Qing''s face, he said, "Today is mainly about the matter of Hongshan Village''s new leader. Everyone wants to hear your opinion, Qingzi." "The new leader of Hongshan Village?" Shen Qing frowned. The so-called mountain driver is essentially the head of the hunters in a village. This position is not considered vital, yet it''s indispensable. The mountains in this part of the world are not safe, and the mountain drivers who rely on the mountains for their livelihood often face various dangers. Each village that lives off hunting selects a leader to take them hunting, to increase their chances of survival. Chen Youguang, in his younger days, was a well-known hunting expert far and wide, despite his bullying of the villagers in Hongshan Village. He created many safe hunting zones for the villagers and led them to avoid numerous risks. A burly middle-aged man with thick eyebrows looked earnestly at Shen Qing and said, "Chen Youguang was the former mountain driver of Hongshan Village. Now that he''s dead, the position is naturally vacant. There are many conflicts, big and small, within our village, and we need someone to fill the role to prevent major oversights in the future." Shen Qing turned to look at him. He remembered the man. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. It was Zhang Baqing from the Zhang Family. His hunting skills were excellent, and he often spoke up for the Zhang Family members, also establishing himself as a respected hunter in Hongshan Village. The Zhang Family had always avoided being targeted by Chen Youguang and his people, thanks in no small part to this man''s efforts. Shen Qing pondered for a moment and asked, "Then I wonder if anyone has a suitable candidate in mind?" From the few sentences exchanged and observing the reactions of those present, he had roughly guessed what was on everyone''s mind. The Chen Family was wiped out today, all because of him. The strength he displayed in the process had indeed shocked them, making them somewhat wary. Otherwise, with his experience and prestige in the village, the matter of becoming the mountain driver wouldn''t have been brought up for discussion with him. Moreover, after wiping out the Chen Family, each of these households had gained some benefits to an extent. Therefore, their views of him were not only one of fear but also contained a hint of "respect". That was why everyone was being so amicable around the table. Zhang Baqing revealed a friendly smile and sincerely said, "I think, Qingzi, you are strong enough to take on the role of the mountain driver." "What do you all think?" Shen Qing''s gaze shifted from Zhang Baqing to the others. "Baqing makes sense, I''m convinced by Qingzi, and I support him for the mountain driver position." "I support him too." "..." The other few, including Tian Xiaohu, also voiced their support. Shen Qing laughed and declined, "I am still young, and I don''t hold much prestige in the village; I''m afraid it might be difficult to win everyone''s acceptance." Uncle Shen Er was quite surprised by Shen Qing''s decision and advised, "Age isn''t an issue, if you want to, I think everyone will definitely support you." "To speak frankly, I admit to some strength and killing is not a problem for me, but when it comes to handling village affairs, I genuinely lack the experience. I wouldn''t be able to manage being the mountain driver." Shen Qing sat in his chair and gently shook his head, his thoughts adrift. Right now, on one hand, he needed to practice archery, go hunting, recognize characters and read, and on the other hand, he was also planning to go into the city to study Martial Arts. All of these were enough for him to be preoccupied with. He already lacked the energy to be distracted by the role of "mountain driver". Moreover, in his view, the "mountain driver" role came with a low cost-benefit ratio. Aside from having some benefits in terms of hunting goods, and increasing his prestige in the village, there weren''t many tangible advantages. Instead of fussing over village affairs, it was better to find ways to make money, study Martial Arts in the county town as soon as possible, and become a distinguished person. Why be short-sighted and remain trapped in this small valley, tethered by such small gains? Shen Qing''s face bore a smile as he observed for a while and then said, "I wonder if there are any other suitable candidates?" As he spoke, his gaze slowly fell upon Zhang Baqing. In his two lifetimes, Shen Qing had developed a keen sensibility in dealing with people. He vaguely sensed that Zhang Baqing was quite interested in the position of mountain driver. Since he himself was not interested, it would be good to extend a favor in return for something he currently needed. Everyone at the table looked at each other with surprise. Shen Qing''s refusal had disrupted their original plan, and for a moment they did not know how to respond. Seeing that no one at the table had spoken, Shen Qing looked meaningfully at Zhang Baqing and said, "I think Uncle Zhang is very suitable, but what do you all think?" Indeed, as soon as Shen Qing mentioned it, waves of joy surfaced on Zhang Baqing''s calm face. Even though he thought he had hidden it well, Shen Qing had still caught it in his eyes. Shen Qing knew that the next move was almost certain to be his. Chapter 26: Chapter 26: Expanding and Strengthening Zhang Baqing, in terms of seniority in the family, was much the same as Shen Er, living in the same village, so it was appropriate for Shen Qing to call him uncle.After Shen Qing spoke, everyone''s attention fell on Zhang Baqing, and they all looked toward him. At first, they didn''t think much of it, but after Shen Qing''s mention, they felt it was indeed quite fitting. Zhang Baqing had lived in the village for many years and had never failed in hunting; he supported his entire family, and his hunting skills were solid. At the same time, the seven or eight households of the Zhang Family also respected him immensely. In the village, he was always kind to others and had enough prestige. If Shen Qing didn''t take the role of the "mountain driver," letting Zhang Baqing do it could also win people''s approval. To tell the truth, Shen Qing was still a bit too young. Assuming the position of "mountain driver" indeed seemed a little premature. So after Shen Qing''s suggestion, a hunter nodded in agreement, saying, "Qingzi is right; I also think Baqing is suitable to be our Hongshan Village''s ''mountain driver.''" Sitting to the side, Uncle Shen Er glanced at Shen Qing, not understanding why Shen Qing had chosen Zhang Baqing, but he knew his nephew was somewhat extraordinary. As family, he found no reason to object and maintained his agreement, "I feel the same, that Baqing is suitable." With people expressing their stances one after another, the rest naturally had nothing to object to and sequentially agreed with Shen Qing''s opinion to let Zhang Baqing be the new mountain driver of Hongshan Village. Zhang Baqing, seeing himself unexpectedly gain a big advantage, was suddenly beaming with joy, unable to hide the elation on his face, which completely overflowed. "Then I will humbly accept the position and will definitely fulfill my duties and live up to your trust, safeguarding the well-being of our Hongshan Village. I promise never to exploit the villagers like Chen Youguang did." "You exploiting them wouldn''t be an issue. The day you really become like Chen Youguang, I''ll do to you and your family what I did today," Shen Qing casually added, causing Zhang Baqing''s happy expression to instantly stiffen. The atmosphere suddenly turned awkward. Shen Qing let out a chuckle and said, "Alright, don''t be so serious; I was just joking." A joke? That last statement of yours must be the joke, right? Zhang Baqing force-laughed twice to alleviate the awkwardness. Shen Qing tapped the table with his finger and said, "Now that we''ve settled the ''mountain driver'' matter here in the village, I have something that requires everyone''s support." "May I ask what is it that Qingzi speaks of?" Uncle Shen Er asked. "Mountain produce to the city," Shen Qing spoke firmly, "There''s some time before the spring begins, and with the good weather we have now, we should sell the village''s mountain produce in the city as quickly as possible to avoid any setbacks." sea??h th§× n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "I''ve caught quite a lot of game recently and plan to use Chen Youguang''s nag and cart to head to the city. There''s still plenty of space left in the cart. Would the ''mountain driver'' like to ask everyone if they want to sell their goods this time?" As he spoke, Shen Qing tossed the question to Zhang Baqing. Zhang Baqing, seeing the smile on Shen Qing''s face, understood. This was repaying a favor. Zhang Baqing pretended to ponder before speaking, "Selling is definitely the plan, but how much are you going to pay?" "I''m not sure about the situation in the city. Let''s keep it the same as before for now; I won''t raise or lower the price, and if there''s a loss, I''ll bear it myself." "Then that should be easy. Chen Youguang and the others are greedy, saying they''ll cut prices that much, but since you''re not lowering yours at all, many households will probably agree. I''ll go around and ask tonight and give you an answer in the morning." "Good, then thank you for your troubles, Uncle Zhang." "It''s nothing." Shen Qing had already taken over Chen Youguang''s nag and cart, and the people present tactfully refrained from asking any more questions. After discussing the main matters, Zhang Baqing and the others declined Shen Er''s hospitality and left, each going their own way into the night. After everyone in the main room had left, Auntie Wang led her two sons and eldest daughter Shen Fang out from the side chambers. Auntie Wang asked, "Are they all gone?" "They''re gone," Uncle Shen Er instructed, "Wife, go and get the goat kid I caught a while ago and roast it. I''ll keep Qingzi here for a meal." Auntie Wang had obviously heard about the events in the village today. When she looked at Shen Qing again, her eyes clearly changed, filled with a touch of fear and estrangement. However, Shen Qing didn''t mind; he grinned and said, "Auntie, what''s wrong? Don''t you recognize me anymore?" He scratched at the old cotton clothes he was wearing and said, "The clothes you made for me the other day, I''ve been wearing them." Auntie Wang glanced at Shen Qing''s clothes, and the estrangement in her eyes suddenly melted away. Everyone outside was saying how Shen Qing would kill without batting an eye. Now it seemed that he was still the same nephew of hers. "Look at you, showing off. One of these days, I''m going to strip those clothes off you and take them back," Auntie scolded with a glance and went into the kitchen. Shen Qing chuckled. He pulled up a stool and sat down next to Uncle Shen Er, asking, "How much did we get today?" "Haven''t counted it all, but it''s all Silver Ingots, definitely six or seven taels at least, otherwise I''d never splurge on goat for you," he replied. After spending some time together, Shen Er also let go of the wariness in his heart and sighed, "You really went too far with the killing, kid." "I had no choice. If I hadn''t taken action, my sister would''ve definitely been sold off by them," Shen Qing said. "Alas... that''s just how it is in these times," Uncle Shen Er agreed. Shen Qing sobered up his expression and got to the point, "Uncle, I have a business proposition for you." "I''m planning to sell our mountain goods in the city. I can''t handle it all alone. Xiao Hu and Shanwa are not so young anymore, and it''s the time when they need to spend money. Their Hunting skills are not yet refined, and they''re idly at home anyway. It would be better for them to come help me out, and together we can make this business grow stronger." Shen Qing knew that since his father had died, his sister''s family had a lot of their belongings seized by the Chen Family. With cold weather and a lack of clothing and food, had it not been for Uncle Shen Er''s regard for their old kinship, who shared some of his family''s grain with them, the whereabouts of him and his sister by now would be uncertain. He hadn''t forgotten this act of kindness. In the countryside, people were very clannish, emphasizing kinship and blood relationships. In the county town, many trades were built up by the hands of relatives, brothers, and fellow villagers. Now that he had some capability, he did not trust outsiders with some affairs, so he thought it better to rely on Uncle''s family, which was more dependable. Once the trade of mountain goods stabilized, he could eventually transfer the operation to his two cousins. He would just take a share of the profits, maintain relationships in the city, and no longer run back and forth. He could use the free time to concentrate on cultivating, make Progress, and enhance his own strength. Seizing this opportunity, he could become a martial master in one fell swoop and establish a firm foothold in the county town. "Uncle, what do you think? Can we do it?" he asked. Shen Er looked at his nephew, who spoke with clear logic, hardly resembling a hunter from the mountains begging for food, but rather like a city dweller. However, this kid had a ferocity that even surpassed these seasoned hunters... He didn''t immediately answer Shen Qing''s question, but pondered for a while before saying, "I''ll think it over." Chapter 27: Chapter 27: Finalized (Please follow) Xiao Hu and Shanwa, seeing Shen Er hesitate, couldn''t help but feel anxious.Shen Xiaohu had been eager to go to the city for a while, and now that a rare opportunity had arisen, he hurriedly said, "Grandpa, Brother Qingzi is going to the city tomorrow, why don''t I follow him and try it out? Making a trip won''t be a problem." After considering for a moment, Shen Er felt that there really was nothing bad about it and nodded, "Then go ahead and take a look this time. If you''re not cut out for it, just come back and hunt with me in peace." Seeing that Shen Er was not stopping him, Shen Xiaohu immediately beamed with joy and agreed again and again. Shen Xiaoshan, watching his older brother get a head start, couldn''t help feeling anxious and opened his mouth to speak. However, just as he was about to speak, Shen Er, as if seeing through his thoughts, said, "You''ll go next time." Immediately, Shen Xiaoshan deflated, letting out a weak "oh." "By the way, uncle, I wanted to ask, besides the Chen Family, who else in our village is familiar with Taiping County?" Shen Qing had never been to Taiping County and knew nothing about it, being completely in the dark. For this trip to Taiping County, it would be best if he had someone to accompany him. Without even thinking, Shen Er replied, "Definitely the Zhang Family''s bookworm. He''s spent quite a few years in the county; even the Chen family members probably don''t know it as well as he does." Shen Qing suddenly realized. He had almost forgotten about this. Zhang Shuyuan had indeed studied in the county and lived there for a few years afterward. Eventually, he returned to the village because he couldn''t make it there anymore. If anyone in the village understood it, it was indeed him. "Then I''ll have to call him to join me when I leave." At this moment, Shen Er suddenly remembered something and instructed, "Qingzi, when you go to the city tomorrow, remember to stop by Linfeng Hall to see your little aunt. I''ll take some goods from the mountains at home for you to bring to her." "Is there any message you want to send?" Shen Qing asked casually. As if his thoughts had been pinpointed, Shen Er, a seasoned hunter living off the mountains, showed a rare hint of embarrassment, "Just ask her if the outer gate of Linfeng Hall might take disciples. If they do, I''d like to have Shanwa give it a try." Initially, when the family was in poor straits, he didn''t even dare to think about this. But now, having snatched six or seven silver taels from the Chen Family, he felt somewhat emboldened. The thought of having Shanwa learn martial arts began to stir vigorously in his mind. Without much thought, Shen Qing agreed on the spot, "Okay." Afterward, the uncle and nephew discussed the details casually, and the matter of selling goods from the mountains was settled as well. However, Shen Qing did not bring up the specifics of the profit-sharing. So far, Shen Qing was completely in the dark about the situation in the county and didn''t dare to make wild promises. He decided to take it one step at a time. He would wait until he had a clear understanding of the situation in the county before speaking further. This matter was crucial to his future plans; he could not afford to neglect thinking about it. As far as he knew, most martial masters in the county either ran martial arts halls or lived off the imperial grain, each having their own stable way of earning money. Otherwise, worrying about the day-to-day needs without support, no martial master could concentrate on cultivating their qi-blood and refining their body and techniques. If it were him, even with a gift, he wouldn''t necessarily make great progress in the martial arts or find a foothold in the county. For someone of low birth like him without any backing, it wasn''t easy to secure a place in the class-conscious Taiping County just by talking. Seeking a master, showing respect, buying precious medicines, currying favor, begging for techniques... If he failed in any of these areas, his efforts could end in failure. Shen Qing was acutely aware of this. After discussing business, Shen Qing, Uncle Shen Er, Shen Xiaohu, and Shen Xiaoshan chatted casually about family matters and recent amusing incidents in and around the village. The atmosphere gradually became much more lively. Sometime later, Auntie Wang had finished roasting a lamb shank and brought it to the table. The goat roasted over the fire, its exterior had slowly turned to a golden brown, dripping with grease. There were bursts of aroma overflowing, exuding the enticing scent of cumin mixed with lamb. Besides the roasted lamb ribs, Auntie had also stir-fried a dish of bamboo shoots and wild vegetables from the mountains. Shen Qing knew that his aunt was usually reluctant to use much salt when cooking, but now she was actually generous with the seasonings. It was evident that Auntie Wang had put a lot of effort and determination into it. "Auntie''s cooking is really good. I''ve only ever had such delicious meals during the New Year," Shen Qing couldn''t help but let out a satisfied burp, drawing laughter from everyone. After the meal, Shen Qing made small talk at his uncle''s house for a while, then got up to say goodbye. On the way home, Shen Fang quietly followed behind Shen Qing, becoming silent and reserved. ... After a day of toil. That night, Shen Qing slept exceptionally soundly. By the time the sky was faintly light, he had woken up early as usual, began his stance training, and planned to improve the "Nine Skills" training progress. Ever since he had made a breakthrough to the level of mastery with the "Nine Skills," Shen Qing often felt his body warm as a furnace, not fearing the harsh winter in the slightest. In the past, during such winters, he could hardly muster the will to leave his bed. Shen Qing spread his legs wide, just as described in the books, with his energy sinking into his Dantian. Soon, his breathing became deep and even, his body seeming to merge with the surrounding air. A warm current arose spontaneously, flowing like trickling streams through his meridians. Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. With the rhythm of his breathing, Shen Qing''s chest rose and fell slightly, his Qi-Blood circulated within his body. Under his skin, there was a faint glow flowing, a sign of Qi-Blood growth. After practicing for almost half an hour, Shen Qing finally stopped. He exhaled a breath of stale air, clenched his fists, and faintly perceived that his strength seemed to have grown a bit more. A trace of joy appeared on Shen Qing''s face. Only after the heat in his body had mostly dissipated did he put on a cotton-padded jacket. But as soon as he opened the door, he saw a young man of about his age standing at the doorway, hands tucked in and feet tapping continuously. When the young man saw Shen Qing come out, he hurried over, grinning and saying, "Brother Qingzi, last night my dad already asked around, everyone says it''s fine, all the goods from the mountains are yours to sell." This young man was the son of Zhang Baqing¡ªZhang Fanglin. He must have been entrusted by Zhang Baqing to make the trip, standing outside for a while. "Good, my thanks to Uncle Zhang. I''ll pack up and then go door to door to collect them." "And there''s this..." Zhang Fanglin took out a few paper-wrapped packets from his chest and said, "Brother Qingzi, these are the medicines my grandpa got from the Chen family. He checked and they are all good for replenishing Qi-Blood. He thought you could use them, so he asked me to deliver them to you, please take them." Zhang Baqing''s action surprised Shen Qing a little. It seemed that stepping down from the role of mountain driver was a great favor in his eyes. Shen Qing did not refuse and accepted them graciously, "Please thank your grandpa for me." "Eh! Nothing else, I''ll head back now." Zhang Fanglin bowed slightly, with his hands tucked into his sleeves, he turned and ran off. Shen Qing looked at the medicinal herbs he was holding in his hand, a smile unconsciously forming at the corner of his mouth. He hadn''t thought that one day, there would be people in the village trying to curry favor with him. Shen Qing felt that he must go to the county town to find a backing and practice Martial Arts as soon as possible. In this world, strong power was the very foundation of one''s standing! Chapter 28: Chapter 28 Entering the County Town (Please Follow) "Sir, I am about to go to Taiping County, and I have never been inside the county town, so I am not very familiar with it. I''ve heard from others that you, sir, have lived in the county town for many years and know its customs like the back of your hand.""Thus, I would like to ask you to accompany me to the county town and offer me some guidance." Shen Qing stood in front of Zhang Shuyuan, speaking with utmost humility. Zhang Shuyuan, while reading a book, replied indifferently, "I don''t want to go. It''s so cold, freezing cold, and I''ve always been in poor health, not able to withstand such troubles. Moreover, I haven''t been to the county town for a long time..." "I''ll pay you," Shen Qing said, smiling and looking earnestly at Zhang Shuyuan. Zhang Shuyuan thought to himself how such an enlightened child could be so worldly. "It''s not about money, mainly it''s..." "I''ll give you one hundred wen, with a horse-drawn cart for transportation." Zhang Shuyuan set down the book and sighed, "Alright, I''ll go with you once, but..." "Two hundred wen." "When do we leave?" "In half an hour," Shen Qing said. "Then, I''ll come to find you in half an hour," Zhang Shuyuan agreed. "Thank you for your trouble, sir." After Shen Qing left, Zhang Shuyuan heaved a long sigh. He had heard about what happened in the village yesterday. However, he wasn''t surprised at all. In the county town, factional strife often resulted in killings like this. He had long since become accustomed to it. So while facing Shen Qing, he felt calm enough to dare to ask for money. "It''s a disgrace to scholarly honor. But after all, earning money isn''t shameful, and this old scholar also needs to eat," he said to himself. ... After becoming a mountain driver, Zhang Baqing seemed to be full of energy and managed the tasks entrusted by Shen Qing to perfection. With the assistance of Shen Family''s Cousin, Shen Qing barely needed to intervene, as everything was almost taken care of. Looking at the cart already piled up, Shen Qing couldn''t help but sigh. Indeed, when poor in a bustling place, no one asks about you; rich in the mountains, you have distant relatives come seeking. He had come to see the cold reality of human relationships. Back when he had nothing, borrowing even a bowl of rice from someone was difficult. And now, he had only achieved mastery of the basic Martial Arts Skill, "Nine Skills," and not yet reached the Great Perfection of Qi-Blood, yet he was already treated like this. He couldn''t help but wonder how incredibly powerful the martial masters who had truly stepped onto the Martial Path in the county town were. Shen Qing put aside his reflections, glanced at the sky, took a bow in his hands, and ran straight towards the back mountain. He planned to retrieve the two bows and leather jackets belonging to brothers Chen Tai, taking them to sell in the town. Now that the Chen family members were no longer around, these items could be taken out in broad daylight without anyone raising objections. After all, they represented a source of income. Following the memories of that day, Shen Qing found the place where they had been Concealed. He brushed away the snow on top and took out the two bows and two leather jackets hidden underneath. After examining them briefly and seeing nothing out of the ordinary, Shen Qing packed them up and took them with him. At that moment, from the vast mountains in the distance, there was a sudden flurry of birds taking flight. A deep, beastly roar carried through the air, causing Shen Qing''s heart to skip a beat. He didn''t dare to linger, moving swiftly and quickly down the mountain. Only when he reached the outskirts of the forest did he finally slow down his pace and look back. "If I didn''t hear wrong just now, that should have been a tiger''s roar," he thought to himself. "Since when has there been such a predator nearby?" Shen Qing found it hard to believe. ... At the entrance to the village. A tired horse pulled a cart loaded with products from the mountains. Shen Qing sat in the central position, with Shen Xiaohu and Zhang Shuyuan sitting on his left and right, respectively. "Drive!" Shen Qing gripped the reins and, with a flick of the whip, headed along the mountain path towards Taiping County. Taiping County was about fifty to sixty li away from their Hongshan Village. Riding in the "horse carriage" and with the weather being quite fair, they could reach their destination in just under an hour. On the road, it was Shen Qing''s first time driving a carriage, so he didn''t dare to go too fast. His face remained tense as he concentrated solely on the horses'' behinds, deeply concerned they might suddenly lose control. "The most important thing in driving a carriage is to make the horses feel your presence. Relax when you hold the reins, move them occasionally, and when using the whip, do it lightly to avoid sudden acceleration or deceleration, which could frighten the horses," the unusually neat Zhang Shuyuan said while sitting in Shen Qing''s cart, dressed in a clean long shirt and chatting away. "Also, don''t worry. This is a sluggish horse; it''s very docile," he added. Shen Qing looked at Zhang Shuyuan with some surprise. "You can drive too, Teacher?" Zhang Shuyuan closed his eyes slightly and did not respond. Knowing when to drop a subject, Shen Qing stopped asking and began to focus on driving, as Zhang Shuyuan had taught him. After a moment, Shen Qing''s heart stirred. In his vision, a drop of ink fell from above, spreading out into a mist. Lines of inked characters slowly emerged before Shen Qing''s eyes. [Skill: Driving Skill (Entry Level)] [Progress: 4/100 points] [Status: Unable to Improve] [Note: The art of driving lies in practice makes perfect. Continuous practice can enhance your skill progress and mastery of driving essentials. In the future when driving, you''ll be able to drive steadily and swiftly, effortlessly guiding the carriage as if by an extension of your arm, leaving others in the dust.] Seeing the new notification in his vision, Shen Qing couldn''t help but stare blankly. He hadn''t expected that simply taking a trip could lead to the development of a new skill. One can never have too many skills. Having nothing better to do anyway, Shen Qing began to focus on driving with all his might, striving to improve his driving skill. Shicheng Mountain spanned a hundred li and was quite vast, but its scenery was rather ordinary. Both sides of the mountain path were lined with low hills, devoid of any grandeur. As Shen Qing and his two companions continued their journey, after half an hour, carriage wheel tracks began to appear more frequently on the mountain path. Crossing each other, they turned the snow into water, making the path increasingly muddy. However, after half an hour of practice, Shen Qing had already grasped the essentials of driving, and his driving skill had improved. He held the reins tight, with an impassive face, guiding the small sluggish horse to choose the easier path. The sluggish horse seemed to understand Shen Qing''s intentions as it wiggled its behind cooperatively, earning a sideways glance of appreciation from Zhang Shuyuan. Involuntarily, his evaluation of Shen Qing rose another notch. Continuing for a while longer, they soon caught sight of the outline of Taiping County. Shen Qing couldn''t help but whip his hand, driving the sluggish horse to quicken its pace. In no time, a city appeared before the trio. As the largest surrounding city, Taiping County covered an extensive area, with its back to the mountains and water, enjoying an advantageous terrain. Outside the city was a sturdy rammed earth wall, dividing Taiping County into the Outer City and the Inner City. Inside the walls was the Inner City, housing the Martial Arts Halls, markets, and government office compounds, frequented by nobility. Outside the walls was the Outer City, inhabited by all manner of commoners. The scale of the Outer City was undoubtedly much larger than that of the Inner City, but it was relatively more rundown. At a glance, one could see densely-packed shanties, filthy and chaotic. There were beggars everywhere, along with all kinds of lowly households. As soon as Shen Qing and his companions entered the Outer City, they were immediately surrounded by all sorts of people begging for food and even trying to rob the goods from their carriage. Instantly, Shen Qing''s face turned fierce, and he knocked down a dirty-handed individual with a punch. Because of Shen Qing''s ruthlessness, the others stopped their harassment. S§×arch* The ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Why does Taiping County look like this?" Shen Qing furrowed his brow. Lifting his eyelids, Zhang Shuyuan said, "Otherwise, why do you think it''s called Taiping County? It''s named for what it lacks and desires." Shen Qing was speechless. "Let''s go, we''re entering the city." Chapter 29: Chapter 29: East District, Making a Small Fortune After the snow melted, the roads in the Outer City were full of puddles, uneven and pitted.The old elm cart wheels rolled into the water-filled pits, splashing dirty water like a broken pearl curtain. The lowly residents of the Outer City, barefoot, stepped on the muddy water, circling around the carriage like vultures, slowly moving forward on the muddy streets. If it weren''t for Shen Qing''s intimidation, they would have probably swarmed up and looted the entire carriage of mountain goods. "Brother Qingzi, I''m a bit scared," said Shen Xiaohu, who was visiting the county town for the first time and had never seen such a scene before, seeking help from Shen Qing. "Take out your bow, and if anyone comes close, shoot them dead," Shen Qing said expressionlessly, "Having a weapon in hand naturally makes you fearless." "Ah!" Seeing Shen Xiaohu hesitate, knowing he wasn''t mentally prepared for this, Shen Qing continued, "Just think of them as the game in the forest. See that one with the long ears, doesn''t he look like a wild rabbit from the mountains?" "He does!" In Shen Xiaohu''s mind, his cousin was very impressive; even the notable figures in the village respected him. "Then treat him like a wild rabbit, and if he steps out of line, shoot him dead." Hearing this, Shen Xiaohu immediately took out the bow and arrows he had brought from home, cocked the bow fully, and revealed a fierce look. Sure enough, as soon as he did this, the encroaching lowly residents seemed to slow down, gradually increasing their distance from them. Zhang Shuyuan casually mentioned, "This is your first time here, and the local bosses in the Outer City haven''t figured you out yet. Once they get to know you after a few visits, you''ll need to be cautious." In truth, Shen Qing didn''t need a reminder from Zhang Shuyuan; with his hunting skills, he was extremely sensitive to external environments. He had already noticed several sharp gazes from within the shanty area of the Outer City, the figures tall and imposing, seemingly skilled fighters. "Prepare some money for me, we''ll need to bribe to enter the city," Zhang Shuyuan nodded toward the city gate and hinted. Shen Qing looked ahead. Under the city gate inscribed with "Taiping," the crowd hustled and bustled with many farmers lined up, carrying vegetables and firewood for sale. The city guards held inspection rods, their indifferent gazes scanning across each person''s face. The sounds of children crying, merchants complaining, and livestock lowing mixed together, making it especially noisy. ... A few moments later, Shen Qing pulled the reins tight, stopping outside the city gate. A few guards lazily leaned against the mottled city walls, their eyes carrying traces of disdain and indifference. Two of them, noticing Shen Qing''s cart loaded with goods, approached lazily, raising their hands to signify Shen Qing to dismount. "Entering the city?" One guard grunted, his lips curling up in a distinctly greedy sneer, "Know the rules? City Entrance Fee, one tael silver, not a wen less." Shen Qing''s gaze swept across the simple stalls and the raggedly dressed lowly residents around him, clearly seeing that the entrance fees they paid were nowhere near one tael silver. At that moment, Zhang Shuyuan jumped down from the cart, took the twenty wen in his hand, and heavily stuffed it into the guard''s hand, saying with a pleasing smile, "I work for Ruan Pottery Master, brothers, please make it easy." The guard weighed the coins, his lips finally squeezing out a semblance of satisfaction as he lazily waved them through, even allowing them to skip the line. Shen Qing couldn''t help but gain a new respect for the usually unsmiling bookworm from their village; truly, he had seen the world. The money paid to him was indeed not wasted. They had already recovered the cost just by entering the city gate. The moment they crossed the city gate, Shen Qing felt as though he had stepped into another world. The streets within the city were broad, lined with shops, and filled with a mix of shouting and laughter, bustling with activity, a stark contrast to the slums outside. S§×arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Inside, many well-dressed young masters strolled the streets, laughing and talking. The poorly dressed farmers walking on the same street seemed somewhat absurd. Having seen the flourishing times of the contemporary era, Shen Qing remained unexcited, but Shen Xiaohu, witnessing this lively scene for the first time, couldn''t help but be amazed, his eyes filled with curiosity, truly a rural observer. The main streets of the Inner City were paved with bluestone and formed a crossroad at the center, dividing the entire county town into four districts: north, south, east, west. Shen Qing was not familiar with this and humbly sought guidance from Zhang Shuyuan. "I have done some accounting work for Chen Youguang, they are mostly selling to the Boss Song''s restaurant in the East District, turn right at that intersection," Zhang Shuyuan pointed in the direction based on his memory. Following Zhang Shuyuan''s directions, Shen Qing smoothly reached the East District. Inside, various types of restaurants, inns, and snack shops were densely packed. Various dressed residents of the county town bustled about. Soon, Shen Qing stopped in front of a restaurant named "Wanfeng Building," and after stating their purpose, a servant guided them to the back courtyard of the restaurant. When he arrived, he saw various farmers and hunters coming in and out of the back door, and occasionally, he could hear discussions on haggling. Shen Qing waited at the back door for a while before it was his turn. "Hunter from outside, come in," Hearing the call, Shen Qing did not delay or show any disrespect, leaving Shen Xiaohu to watch the cart, and walked in with Zhang Shuyuan. Upon entering, a wave of noise hit him. The backyard was like a market for vegetables and meat, filled with various fruits, vegetables, poultry, livestock, and numerous mountain goods laid on the ground. Chapter 30: Chapter 29: East District, Making a Small Fortune_2 A middle-aged man with sunken cheeks and a sharp chin held an abacus in his hand, frequently glancing up to check his calculations.He muttered quickly under his breath, his voice thin but strict, unforgiving of even the smallest mistake, even debiting half a wen more than due. Seeing Shen Qing and the others enter, the middle-aged man glanced up and down at Shen Qing and asked, "Never seen you before, where are you from?" "Manager, I come from Hongshan Village," Shen Qing replied truthfully, "May I inquire the honorable surname of the manager?" "Hongshan Village? My surname is Wang. Where is Chen Youguang?" "Manager Wang, he''s dead," Shen Qing said calmly as he looked up, "A mountain lord appeared in our village, and his entire family perished." Manager Wang from Wanfeng Building set down the abacus, his expression stunned. Dead? Wouldn''t that mean all the arrangements he''d made before were now void? All of a sudden, Manager Wang''s mood from Wanfeng Building darkened. Shen Qing continued, "Our village is an insignificant place, not much to see. I''m a bit more daring, wanted to give it a shot. Manager, what do you think, can you give me a chance?" Regaining his composure, the manager from Wanfeng Building said, "I want to see your goods first." Saying this, he walked outside to start examining and selecting from the mountain goods on Shen Qing''s cart. Shen Qing introduced them, saying, "These are freshly caught wild rabbits, and pheasants, and even a new catch of roe deer, all good products from the mountains, please take a good look, Manager Wang." "These are all quite ordinary items, do you have any rare mountain delicacies?" casually inquired Manager Wang of Wanfeng Building. Shen Qing responded, "Manager Wang, mountain delicacies aren''t that easy to come across. Our village doesn''t encounter them but once a month." Manager Wang from Wanfeng Building said, "I already had an agreement with Chen Youguang, I need to find some mountain delicacies as nourishment for the Song and Dong Family. Can you find them? If you can, I''ll take the cartload you''ve brought." Shen Qing was momentarily taken aback, picking up on the unspoken implication. If he didn''t agree, he feared this deal wouldn''t go through today. "Manager Wang, please make your request," Shen Qing said. Dressed in black boots and wearing a half-hearted smile, Manager Wang stared at Shen Qing and said slowly, "I want three things: Blood Bird''s Nest, Jade Deer Tendon, and Tiger King''s Penis." Upon hearing these three items, Shen Qing''s face immediately showed difficulty. "Manager Wang, I''ve never even heard of these, where am I supposed to find them for you?" "If you don''t have them, I won''t take the goods in your cart," was the blunt reply. Shen Qing turned to Zhang Shuyuan at his side and whispered, seeking advice, "In the county city, aside from his place, can we sell to someone else?" Zhang Shuyuan replied, "Do you know what the Four Great Eastern Families in the county city are involved in?" "I''m unaware." "In the county city, there are the Zhou, Wang, Song, and Li families that run four major trades: silk garments and hats, pawnbroking and banking, restaurants and actors, and shipping. It''s no exaggeration to say that all aspects of life in Taiping County are dependent on these four families." Zhang Shuyuan continued, "Wanfeng Building is owned by the Song family; if they refuse to take your goods, you won''t be able to sell them anywhere else." After this explanation from Zhang Shuyuan, Shen Qing''s expression soured somewhat. He knew the people of the county and beyond relied on the Four Great Eastern Families for their livelihood, but he hadn''t expected they would be so overbearing. Manager Wang from Wanfeng Building spoke impatiently, "Have you finished discussing? If you''re not willing, don''t waste my time." Shen Qing hastily said, "Willing, very willing. I''ll let everyone in our village know to look for them, I''ll definitely find them for you, Manager Wang. Please, examine the goods on my cart first." "Be sure to find them by the beginning of spring, or else pay thirty silver taels to honor the boss," he said. A jolt ran through Shen Qing''s heart, inwardly cursing these bloodsuckers. Thirty silver taels was certainly not a small amount. Even the entire Chen Family estate might not amount to that sum. But now he had no better options, and had to grit his teeth and accept it. With great difficulty, he''d found this opportunity and he couldn''t just give up so easily. Under someone else''s roof, one must bow their head. Before making a name for himself, he had no choice but to conceal his resentment. The manager of Wanfeng Building, who stands before me now, must have clung to the Song family''s influence to rise to his current position. He certainly has some tricks up his sleeve. In this county, killing a hunter from a village would be as easy as turning his hand over, but he''s not someone I can kill on a whim now. But as for the future¡­ "The goods in your cart are worth about ten taels silver in total. I''ll also take the mink and some pheasant feathers, and I''ll give you an extra five taels silver, making it fifteen taels in total," the manager of Wanfeng Building declared, swiftly manipulating the abacus in his hands, and offered Shen Qing a price. "Can the price be raised a bit more? It''s too cheap," Shen Qing said. The manager of Wanfeng Building snapped the abacus shut, a displeased look on his face, and said firmly, "I''ll add half a tael of silver, don''t even think about any more. If Chen Youguang hadn''t pestered us so, the Song family would have sent their own merchants to collect, and this opportunity wouldn''t have fallen to you." Shen Qing suppressed the thoughts in his mind, quickly plastering a smile on his face and said, "Thank you, Manager Wang, for your support. I hope you can overlook this small token of my respect." While speaking, Shen Qing discreetly slipped a string of large coins into the palm of Manager Wang of Wanfeng Building. With this, Manager Wang''s expression finally eased slightly, "I can tell you''re smart. I like dealing with clever people." "I''ll be straight with you. Seeking those delicacies from the mountains is not a deliberate action against you, but rather an opportunity given to you by the Boss. Some young masters in the Boss''s household have reached critical stages in their Martial Arts training and need these mountain treasures for nourishment. If you bring them in, the Boss will surely reward you." After hearing this, Shen Qing put on an immensely grateful facade and responded, "I see, thank you for letting me know, Manager." He wisely chose not to inquire further about the thirty taels silver from the Boss. As for the subtleties of the situation, he had already deduced a thing or two. Having put away the abacus, Manager Wang of Wanfeng Building motioned for his men to start unloading items from the cart and then had the accounts office give fifteen taels silver to Shen Qing, "What''s your name?" After counting the silver taels and ensuring there were no mistakes, Shen Qing replied, "Responding to Manager, my surname is Shen, with a given name of Qing." "Shen Qing, is it?" Manager Wang of Wanfeng Building nodded and said, "I''ll remember you. You can bring goods here in the future. If you do well, I can give you the business of mountain products from seven or eight villages around Shicheng Mountain." Faced with the tempting promise laid out by Manager Wang, Shen Qing verbally accepted the offer, expressing his thanks repeatedly, "I will certainly do my best." Manager Wang of Wanfeng Building waved his hand dismissively and dismissed him, "There''s nothing else for you here." "Then I will take my leave," Shen Qing respectfully expressed his thanks a few more times before leaving the backyard. Watching Shen Qing''s departing figure, Manager Wang Qiyao of Wanfeng Building couldn''t help but take a few more glances, appearing to be deep in thought. An underling approached him and said, "Manager, should we give some instructions to the people outside the town?" "The Boss''s orders are paramount, and we cannot be short of mountain delicacies. Have you made it clear to the hunters from the other villages?" "Rest assured, Manager. Every hunter that came has received the instructions. We won''t fail you," the underling reported. Wang Qiyao''s expression turned serious as he ordered, "I don''t care by what means, but you must gather all three types of these mountain delicacies before spring arrives. That fellow named Cai is not on good terms with me and is surely looking for ways to sideline me. I absolutely can''t let him take over as the head shopkeeper of Wanfeng Building." "Manager Cai is certainly not as well-connected as you, Manager Wang. The head shopkeeper position will undoubtedly be yours in the future," a nearby underling quickly flattered. Wang Qiyao gestured for the underling to leave, then walked over to the spot where Shen Qing had unloaded his goods and picked up the mink. "This mink is of good quality and should fetch about six taels silver. I''ve earned an extra tael, haha." ... Upon exiting, Shen Qing carefully calculated his earnings for the day. Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. In total, he had made fifteen taels silver. Of that, nearly five and a half taels were from the fur and other goods he had traded, especially the mink, which had earned him quite a lot. The remaining almost ten taels silver were from the mountain products from the entire village. After deducting costs, he stood to make a net profit of about five to six hundred wen. This sum was almost equivalent to twenty days of his uncle Shen Ershi''s earnings. Even if he ate fine grains every meal, he could now afford it. What''s important is that this venture wasn''t as reliant on luck as hunting; it was stable. No wonder Chen Youguang had set his sights on this trade. Including his total earnings, he had made almost six taels silver this time. It was enough to be considered a windfall, a small fortune. The days ahead were looking much brighter. He now had some confidence to pursue the practice of Martial Arts. Chapter 31: Chapter 30 Linfeng Hall "Brother Qingzi, my dad once sold a raccoon dog for six taels of silver, which was about the same size as yours, but the steward sold it for too cheap."Once the three had moved away from Wanfeng Building, Shen Xiaohu began to express his indignation on behalf of Shen Qing. S~ea??h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Hey, you guys are actually quite lucky. If they had started a fight and refused to pay you at all, you wouldn''t even have a place to argue your case." Zhang Shuyuan leisurely sat in the cart, somehow flipping out a small booklet and reading it with relish. Shen Xiaohu exclaimed excitedly, "Doesn''t the government here care? We''ve never missed paying all sorts of taxes every year." "This place is far from Dragon Court. The officials sent here all look to the Four Great Eastern Families; a strong dragon does not suppress the local tyrant. You''ll understand once you''ve struggled here for a while. The government here always takes the money but never gets things done." Zhang Shuyuan glanced at Shen Xiaohu with a meaningful look and said, "If you cause trouble for the government, the first thing they do is take care of you, the troublemaker." Shen Xiaohu''s mouth fell open, and he was at a loss for words, speech choked in his throat. Although he had never traveled far from home, he had witnessed the situation when Tian Chuan was beaten to death. He understood all these principles. It''s just¡­ he felt somewhat unreconciled. At their side, Shen Qing listened to the conversation silently, without speaking. Why was it so hard for people at the bottom to prosper? Whenever they had some harvest and wanted to enter the county town, they couldn''t escape the exploitation of the Four Great Eastern Families and the government. They were exploited when entering the town, exploited in trade, and stripped yet again by various clever pretexts each year. For people at the bottom like them, having enough food was already a luxury, let alone having the energy and capital to prosper. Just like Zhang Shuyuan said, today he was rather lucky. After all, he was still too weak. He needed to practice martial arts and quickly find a backer to change his martial arts register. "Sir, do you know where Linfeng Hall is located?" Shen Qing asked, holding the reins in his hand. ... Shengshi Square. The majestic residence lined both sides of the street in neat rows, and looking down the street, the roads were paved with bluestone, clean and scarcely populated. The snow from above had already been cleaned away, piled up on both sides of the street. Shen Qing drove the cart and stopped in front of a large courtyard with a single-story house. A pair of stone lions squatted at the gate, one clutching a ball, the other shielding a cub, both majestic and imposing. Above the lion statues, a plaque hung on the gatehouse with the characters for "Linfeng Hall" inscribed in gold on a black background. Standing at the entrance, Shen Qing and the others could faintly hear the sounds of shouting and training coming from inside. His younger aunt, Shen Xiu, was initially sold to a wealthy family in the county town, and because of her looks, she had had a reasonably comfortable life there. When her grandparents were still alive, she was able to visit home once every year. Even after her grandparents passed away, she continued to maintain contact, occasionally sending things to the Shen Family via others. However, as the years passed without her getting pregnant, her life in the wealthy household became increasingly difficult, and her opportunities to come out and mingle decreased. Even when his parents died, she was unable to return to the Shen Family. His uncle had told him that not long ago, his younger aunt had been sold to the home of the master of Linfeng Hall and had become a concubine there. This time, having come here with great difficulty, he should visit her and, following his uncle''s plea, inquire about Shanwa starting martial arts training. Shen Qing walked up the bluestone steps and grabbed the brass knocker on the vermilion door, knocking three times without haste. After a while, the vermilion door opened inward, revealing a face with prominent brow bones. "Who are you, and what are you doing here?" Shen Qing stepped forward and explained his purpose, "My aunt is Shen Xiu, the concubine of Master Li from inside. I happened to be in town for some business, and my family asked me to bring some mountain goods for her. Could you please pass the message along?" "A relative of Miss Qi from her mother''s side? Wait at the door for a moment." As soon as the other party had finished speaking, they slammed the door shut with a bang. Shen Qing''s face remained calm as he patiently waited at the door. A moment later, the crimson door was reopened, "Come in." "Thank you for your trouble." Shen Qing, followed by Shen Xiaohu, strode in, handing the handcart and the tired horse to Zhang Shuyuan. Inside the courtyard, right past the door was a sight of about twenty topless, robust men, each hefting stone weights, their bodies steaming with heat. This caused the courtyard, despite being in the cold winter season, to feel as warm as early spring, astonishingly so. After pausing for a moment, Shen Qing, led by the gatekeeper, went into a room in the front courtyard to await his aunt, Shen Xiu. The Hall Master of Linfeng Hall, Li Linfeng, who had been running a Martial Arts Hall for many years, held some reputation in the town and had quite a large family. With a large family came many rules. Outsiders, even men, were not allowed into the inner courtyard to have contact with the women without permission. After waiting in the room for about fifteen minutes, a beautiful lady who bore a slight resemblance to Shen Qing opened the wooden door and walked in. It had to be said, no one in the Shen Family could compare to others in terms of appearance and demeanor. His aunt''s skin was as delicate as cream, her lips thin, her nose high and defined, and her almond eyes brimmed with a lively spark. She was truly a beauty who bore no trace of her origins from a hunter''s family. "You''re Shen Qing? The eldest son from your big brother''s family? I didn''t expect you to have grown so much. The last time I saw you, you were just a little boy." Aunt Shen Xiu slowly stepped into the room, her steps slightly cautious, with a hint of roundness barely noticeable in her waist. Recognizing her nephew, she spoke with a warm tone in her face and gentle eyes. Aunt Shen Xiu found a soft cushion and sat down in a chair to make small talk, "How are your second uncle and his wife doing?" "Thank you for your concern, Uncle and Aunt are doing well." "That''s good, I couldn''t come back when your big uncle had an accident, don''t be upset with me. It wasn''t within my control." Aunt Shen Xiu''s face darkened slightly as if recalling many sad memories. Shen Qing quickly said, "How could I be upset with Auntie? Our family''s situation is not known to others, but our own family is well aware of it." "Ah¡­" Aunt Shen Fang sighed and asked, "Did you come to see me because something happened at home?" "Aunt, there''s nothing wrong at home," Shen Qing stood up and pulled Shen Xiaohu next to him, saying, "This is Xiao Hu. We rarely come to the town, Uncle thought I should bring some mountain goods over and visit Aunt." Aunt Shen Xiu''s face showed a hint of happiness as she smiled, "You really thought of everything." Shen Qing finished speaking and patted Shen Xiaohu on the back. Understanding the cue, Shen Xiaohu brought over a basket filled with mountain delicacies like Hericium erinaceus, bamboo mushrooms, and lamb''s tripe, placing it at Shen Xiu''s feet. "They''re just some inexpensive Hericium erinaceus, bamboo mushrooms, lamb''s tripe, and the like. You can ask the cook to prepare some hometown flavors when you have time." Aunt Shen Xiu warmly smiled and said, "I haven''t eaten anything from home for a long time, now I can satisfy my craving." "I''m glad you don''t mind," Shen Qing stood up and bowed slightly, saying, "Besides visiting Aunt, Uncle also mentioned that he indeed has something he needs Aunt''s help with." Aunt Shen Xiu''s face showed no change as she spoke warmly, "I don''t know what it is? Let me hear it first and see if I can help." Shen Qing looked even more respectful and showed a slight embarrassed expression as he sought help, "Uncle wants to ask Aunt if she could allow us brothers to enter Linfeng Hall to practice Martial Arts?" Chapter 32: Chapter 31 Striving for Progress Once these words were spoken, Shen Xiaohu gave Shen Qing a somewhat odd glance from the side.He wasn''t sure about everything, but some things he did remember. His father only wanted the younger Shenwa to try out Martial Arts, when had he ever said to let the three of them enter Linfeng Hall? That would cost a lot of silver. However, seeing Shen Qing''s "righteous and bold" demeanor, he felt uncertain, doubting whether his father had given some other instructions on the fly. With no confidence in his heart, he kept his head low, not daring to utter a sound. Shen Xiu''s expression turned serious as she sized up Shen Qing and Shen Xiaohu, her gaze becoming hesitant. She knew all too well what her own family was like. Otherwise, her own parents wouldn''t have sold her to rely on others and live life watching other people''s faces. She didn''t believe her nephews could amount to much. But in the back of the house, Hall Master Li Linfeng had more than one concubine, and each of their families had some sort of foundation, more or less. Even though she was pregnant, her status within the household was not high. Shen Xiu subconsciously touched her lower abdomen. She felt that even if she didn''t consider herself, she should think about the child in her womb. As an aunt, if she could give her nephews a hand and they managed to get into Linfeng Hall and hold their ground, they would surely remember her favor in the future and look after her unborn sibling. With this thought in mind, Shen Xiu looked towards Shen Qing. It was the first time in all these years that Shen Qing was able to speak so eloquently and logically when she saw him, different from the simple and honest Shen Family member she remembered in her mind. He didn''t seem like someone who came from the lower-class backgrounds of a hunter. It was worth a try. Having been influenced by the ways of a large family, she also understood the principle that teaching someone to fish is better than giving them fish. Now that her nephews are seeking progress, whether they succeed or not, as family, she ought to lend a hand. A family member with potential could help her out. After pondering for a while, Shen Fang said, "Master Li has indeed shown an interest in recruiting disciples recently." "Thank you, auntie," Shen Qing said excitedly, a glint of surprise flashing in his eyes. "Don''t get too excited just yet, I''ll ask around first. Whether it works out or not is another matter," Shen Fang said with a light laugh, her almond-shaped eyes curling into crescents. "You guys don''t go anywhere, wait here for me." S~ea??h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. When Shen Fang stood up to cross the threshold, Shen Qing quickly went over and eagerly offered support. His cleverness made Shen Fang glance at him sideways, and she became more convinced that this nephew of hers was someone who knew how to handle things. Just with this quick-wittedness, even if he couldn''t get into Linfeng Hall, he would definitely not fare too badly elsewhere. After escorting her outside the side room, Shen Qing didn''t go any further, keeping to the propriety of a guest and watching Shen Fang leave. In just that brief moment, he judged that his aunt''s status in Linfeng Hall was probably mediocre; clearly pregnant, she didn''t even have a maid to attend to her. Whether he could succeed in studying Martial Arts at Linfeng Hall was truly uncertain. "Brother Qingzi, can we really enter Linfeng Hall to practice Martial Arts?" As opposed to Shen Qing''s calmness, Shen Xiaohu was like someone with ants in his pants, getting restlessly impatient. "I don''t know, let''s see what auntie does about it. Let''s wait and see," Shen Qing knew this was not something that could be rushed. Seeing that there was some time left, he decided to start his stance training right there in the side room, hoping to improve the progress of his Nine Brocade Technique. Time trickled by, and after about a pot of tea''s worth of time, Auntie Shen Xiu crossed the threshold with a smile on her face and came in. Shen Qing hastily finished his practice and suppressed the rising Qi-Blood, looking at Shen Xiu with anticipation. "The Hall Master wishes to meet with you," Shen Xiu said straightforwardly as she entered, not beating around the bush. A weight lifted from Shen Qing''s heart, and he hastily expressed his gratitude, "Thank you, Auntie." "Come with me." With that, Shen Xiu led Shen Qing and Xiao Hu to another courtyard. As soon as he crossed the main gate of the courtyard, Shen Qing saw a burly man with a face full of horizontal flesh, instructing two young masters in martial arts attire, around the ages of twelve or thirteen, in an open area of the yard. "Stand firm, all of you! You''re already struggling after just standing for a short time; how can you achieve anything like this?" The burly man with the horizontal flesh seemed frustrated to the point of hating iron for not becoming steel, his anger simmering like a dormant volcano, ready to erupt at any moment. Seeing Auntie leading him straight toward that stout man, Shen Qing thought that this must be the Hall Master of Linfeng Hall¡ªLi Linfeng. "Are you the nephews from Lady Qi''s house?" Li Linfeng glanced at the two of them, his tone neutral, revealing no particular fondness or distaste. Shen Qing hastily saluted with a fist in palm, "I have seen Master Li. My name is Shen Qing, and this is Shen Xiaohu." "You two will practice for an additional period of time. If you can''t even do this, don''t think about leaving the house for the next three days." Hall Master Li Linfeng casually instructed, then walked towards a small pavilion, "Let''s talk over there." "Yes." As Shen Qing was leaving, he glanced at the two young masters practicing and couldn''t help but notice one of them had unusually developed chest muscles, capturing his curiosity for an extra look. Sensing his gaze, the muscle-bound young master suddenly turned and glared at him with a lethal stare. This face was clearly that of a female master. Shen Qing quickly averted his eyes and refrained from looking any further. Inside the small pavilion. As soon as Li Linfeng, the Hall Master of Linfeng Hall, stepped onto the platform, Auntie Shen Xiu dragged a large chair upholstered with tiger skin out from under the table, just in time for him to sit down. "Just now, Xiu Xiu mentioned to me that you wish to join Linfeng Hall to study martial arts?" Li Linfeng asked Shen Qing with a glance. "Replying to the Hall Master, yes, that is our intention." With a thump, Shen Qing knelt before Shen Xiu and Li Linfeng, gritted his teeth, and presented the entire fifteen taels of silver he had earned that day with both hands. "I implore uncle to grant your nephew this opportunity!" Shen Qing felt this opportunity was indeed precious. Outside, countless people were clamoring for a chance to find a way to learn martial arts. Being able to meet Li Linfeng today was a rare exception, and he had to seize the initiative, show his eagerness to advance, and also be willing to invest in order to leave a strong impression on the other party. Losing face was nothing of consequence. To expect rich rewards without any investment¡ªsuch a good deal did not exist in this world. In fact, Shen Qing accomplished just that. His behavior left Xiao Hu completely dumbfounded, unsure what to do, while also surprising Li Linfeng and Shen Xiu. They had anticipated Shen Qing might beg without dignity, or be frantic and trembling with fear, but they had never expected him to act like this. Even when asking a favor, he actually seemed reasonable and did not provoke annoyance. However, Li Linfeng, having weathered many storms, quickly recovered and, examining Shen Qing, he said, "Linfeng Hall does indeed intend to recruit disciples recently, but not everyone is eligible for entry. Let''s do this¡ªboth of you step forward two steps so that I can assess your Bone Root. If the Bone Root is too poor and you''re not cut out for this discipline, then you may go back to where you came from." "Yes." A chill went through Shen Qing''s heart as he slowly stepped forward. Chapter 33: Chapter 32: Checking Bones to Assess Potential, Good Material for Martial Arts Practice With the physique of a tiger and the waist of a bear, Li Linfeng had already stood up, towering a full head taller than Shen Qing at nearly six feet three inches, looking down at him and putting immense pressure on him.Shen Qing even had the illusion that what stood before him was not a person, but a wall. Li Linfeng asked in a deep voice, "Have you practiced before?" "I''ve practiced some Nine Skills." "To what extent?" "I can already feel a warm flow of Qi Sensing in my Dantian." "Hmm? You''ve cultivated Qi-Blood?" Li Linfeng''s gaze shifted over Shen Qing''s body, and suddenly, the corners of his mouth curled up in an intriguing smile, as if his interest had sparked unexpectedly. He poised his hands like claws and, in an instant motion akin to catching the wind, he clasped Shen Qing''s arms and jerked them outward. The movement was so fast, as swift as a gust of wind, that Shen Qing could not react in time. Shen Qing''s heart shook, but he saw Li Linfeng gently exerting strength with his hands, a warm yet irresistible force transmitted from his arms, seeming like a small stream entering his body, wandering through his veins and muscles. He involuntarily stood upright following Li Linfeng''s movements, his muscles exhibiting a subtle tension under the influence of that invisible force. Fear and excitement surged in Shen Qing''s heart. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Is this a true martial master? So powerful!" The air around seemed to solidify; Shen Qing could only hear his own slightly rapid breathing. He stared at Li Linfeng''s face, his thoughts whirling, worried about his Bone not being outstanding enough, yet longing for approval. Time stretched at that moment, anticipation and anxiety continuously interweaving in his heart. Seeing Li Linfeng''s brows slightly furrowed, Shen Qing''s heart felt as if it had been lifted to his throat. However, just as he was on tenterhooks, he suddenly felt lighter, his feet left the ground, and he turned around in an odd posture. When he landed, he staggered forward two steps and nearly fell to the ground. In that brief moment, Shen Qing distinctly felt Li Linfeng had touched his spine, both sides of his waist, and shoulders. A tingling soreness surged within his bones, making Shen Qing involuntarily gasp in a cold breath. Li Linfeng''s gaze gradually softened, and then a glINT of satisfaction flashed in his eyes, "You really have cultivated Qi-Blood, more vigorous than most people, and your Bone is good, a fine martial material." A simple sentence, yet it struck like a spring thunder, easing the heavy stone in Shen Qing''s heart, his joy overflowing. "Thank you, Uncle." With a population of three hundred thousand in Taiping County, eight or nine out of ten are commoners who cannot eat their fill, let alone have abundant Qi-Blood; even if there are some good seeds, their foundations are too poor. Better martial talent usually belongs to the prominent families within the county. These people lack no channels for practicing martial arts. They say entering into martial arts training is challenging, and choosing the right seeds in these martial arts halls is equally demanding. Li Linfeng regarded Shen Qing anew, his eyes carrying a hint of satisfaction. It''s just a pity he''s a bit older. Therefore, he could only say he was good martial material, not a perfect seedling. But the issue wasn''t too serious. Miss Qi''s relative, with a clear background, plus such qualities and astuteness, had somewhat stirred his interest, so he asked, "Can you read?" "I can recognize some characters," Shen Qing turned and respectfully replied. "Good, if you want to practice martial arts here, you need to know how to read," Li Linfeng casually said. Shen Qing picked up on the implication in Li Linfeng''s words. He had agreed to let him train at Linfeng Hall, a glINT of excitement flashing in his eyes, his joy unmistakable. He had found a patron! Without a second word, he bent his legs and his knees heavily fell to the ground. "Disciple pays respect to Master." Shen Qing extended his hands forward, palms up, his forehead touching the ground. "You''ve got nerve; I haven''t yet agreed to take you as my apprentice. You will stay in the inner sect, where a martial master will teach you," Li Linfeng stated as he accepted the silver taels Shen Qing offered. "Consider this as your tuition for now." "I''ll listen to all Uncle''s arrangements." Shen Xiu, standing to the side, saw that Li Linfeng was pleased with Shen Qing and couldn''t help feeling overjoyed. If Shen Qing performed well, he could even be transferred to the martial arts register in the future. Her family could finally produce someone noteworthy, and could also lend her a helping hand. Li Linfeng turned to Shen Xiaohu and said, "And the other one; let me see." Unlike with Shen Qing, Li Linfeng didn''t make any significant movement but merely grasped Shen Xiaohu''s wrist to feel it. A moment later, he said, "The bone structure is not bad, but the Essence Qi inside is too weak, training in Martial Arts might be somewhat challenging. Considering that you are relatives of Miss Qi, give seven silver taels and start by tempering your Qi-Blood in the outer gate for three months. Let''s see if you can cultivate any Qi-Blood, and we can discuss further thereafter." Shen Xiaohu''s face brightened at first, but then quickly dimmed. Compared to Shen Qing, he was indeed lacking a lot. However, his family had not originally planned for him to practice Martial Arts, but having this opportunity now was already quite fortunate. He didn''t dare to ask for too much, repeatedly giving awkward thanks. Shen Qing recalled something and asked, "Uncle, I''m registered as a hunter and need to go up the mountain to hunt and pay my taxes. I wanted to ask, when training in Martial Arts later, is it necessary to be in the Martial Arts Hall every day?" Shen Xiu beside them answered for Li Linfeng, "Being in the Martial Arts Hall every day is the treatment for true disciples. Whether it''s the inner or outer sect, Linfeng Hall is free to come and go, it''s just that the martial masters are different. How much one trains depends entirely on oneself." "I see," understanding the gist, Shen Qing expressed his intent to leave: "It''s getting late now; we should head back to the village early and not bother Aunt and Uncle here any longer. I''ll return another day." "Alright, go ahead. Next time just find the martial master directly; I won''t see you out," Li Linfeng said calmly. Shen Qing bowed and turned to leave. After Shen Qing and Shen Xiaohu had left, Shen Xiu, with lively eyes, hurriedly gave a deep bow and said, "Thank you, husband, for giving Qingzi this opportunity. He will certainly work hard in the future, not to fail the grace of your recognition." Li Linfeng waved his hand and said, "Just take care of yourself and don''t worry about these matters." He made a casual remark of concern and walked out of the pavilion. At that moment, he suddenly remembered something. "I forgot to ask that boy which Martial Arts Hall he had practiced the Nine Skills in; cultivating Qi-Blood must have taken a lot of effort." "Never mind, I''ll ask him next time." Martial Arts have many subtleties. The Nine Skills is a basic, general martial art, mainly aimed at nurturing Qi-Blood; it''s not difficult to practice. However, this doesn''t mean that blindly practicing it will lead to success. Some of the subtleties involved, if not pointed out, can lead one on many detours. Li Linfeng thought, Shen Qing must have sought someone to train under. Li Linfeng walked down from the pavilion and had not gone far before gradually stopping. His face appeared as though he was quite troubled. Moments later, Li Linfeng leisurely turned and walked towards the entrance, murmuring to himself, "Today''s task should be completed today. The boy hasn''t gone far; better to ask now, rather than waiting until next time." Chapter 34: Chapter 33 Picked up a Treasure Linfeng Hall, the front courtyard.Li Linfeng called out to Shen Qing, who had not yet left. Shen Qing did not know what Li Linfeng wanted and turned around, respectfully saying, "Uncle." Li Linfeng asked calmly, "I forgot to ask just now, where did you learn the Nine Skills from?" Shen Qing thought Li Linfeng was concerned about the difference in sects and felt a sudden pang of anxiety in his heart. After careful consideration, Shen Qing still decided to tell the truth, "Replying to uncle, I had no one to teach me, I just studied and practiced based on the illustrations in the manual, and unexpectedly I cultivated some Qi-Blood." Even Li Linfeng, who was usually unflappable, showed a hint of emotion on his face, revealing a trace of skepticism. The Great Zhou Court controlled the Martial Mechanism, and the true greater paths of Martial Arts were all within the court. The cultivation methods they held were also closely guarded, not daring to be shown to others lightly. As a result, apart from the government and those Martial Arts Halls that complied with official training, there wasn''t much knowledge about Martial Arts available on the market. Even if some martial arts knowledge occasionally leaked out, there would be many secret codes or keys known only to martial masters. The entry-level Nine Skills was neither difficult nor easy. Yet without someone to guide, it was not an easy task to train well. Li Linfeng looked Shen Qing up and down and continued, "So you''re saying the Nine Skills book you have was bought outside? When you bought this Cultivation Technique, didn''t the person who sold it to you teach you any tricks?" "The Nine Skills weren''t bought by me; I seized them from someone else," Shen Qing explained. Li Linfeng''s burly face paused with a flicker of surprise. To be able to cultivate Qi-Blood to this degree just by practicing with the manual, he found himself somewhat at a loss for words. This child''s comprehension must be much higher than he had anticipated. Seeing Li Linfeng silent, Shen Qing feared he wouldn''t believe him and that the arranged martial training would fall through, so he quickly pointed to Shen Xiaohu and said, "I snatched the Nine Skills from the Chen Family Brothers. My cousin can also vouch for me; I definitely did not seek instruction from other Martial Arts Halls or have someone else''s teaching." Shen Xiaohu hastily assured, "Yes, yes, yes, that was eight days ago. The whole village knows about it, everyone can testify." "Eight days! Self-taught?!"" Even Li Linfeng, who was usually composed, couldn''t help but be emotionally stirred at this point. The hands hidden in his sleeves clenched tightly. He knew all too well the mediocrity of the Nine Skills. Some of the key points could lead one astray by a wide margin if not explained properly. Without guidance, any critical juncture could hold someone up for months, struggling and failing to understand. This comprehension was monstrous. He had stumbled upon a treasure! "Good," Li Linfeng looked at Shen Qing and after a moment''s pause said, "Since you''re already cultivating your Qi-Blood, you should take some prescriptions to consolidate it. A Fu!" "Master!" In the front courtyard, the man with prominent brow bones who had initially opened the gate for them, heard the call and quickly ran out, standing before Li Linfeng with a bent waist and respectful posture. "He''s been accepted into the inner courtyard; go get him some good medicine for nourishing the Qi-Blood to consolidate," Li Linfeng ordered. A Fu nodded repeatedly, "Yes, master." Having given these instructions, Li Linfeng left without saying more. A Fu turned to Shen Qing and said, "Young Master, please wait here for a while, I''ll go get the medicine for you." Being addressed as ''Young Master'' for the first time made Shen Qing feel somewhat uncomfortable. Unfamiliar with the specific protocols here, he humbly said, "I''m not any ''Young Master,'' my name is Shen Qing, just call me Qingzi." "Other than his direct disciples, our master has never treated anyone else like this. Those medicinal essences are expensive. You might not be a Young Master now, but you will definitely be one in the future," A Fu said with a smile, not explaining further to Shen Qing as he tucked his hands into his sleeves and hurried to a small room in the front courtyard. Direct disciple? Shen Qing was taken aback. Shen Xiaohu, standing beside him, muttered softly, "I didn''t expect our uncle to seem fierce but actually be quite nice!" ... Shen Qing came out of Linfeng Hall with his mind full of the matter of becoming a direct disciple. S~ea??h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He had not expected to encounter such fortune. When he returned to the streets at this time, watching the young masters and ladies dressed in silk, he no longer felt envious. Seeing that it was already noon, Shen Qing bought some steamed buns at the store, and the three of them made do for lunch. Then he went straight to the market selling sundries and sold the two beast fur coats he got from the Chen Family, earning one and a half taels of silver. Having done this, Shen Qing did not linger. With the money he had exchanged, he bought some rice, flour, grain, oil, and also picked out a new cotton garment for his elder sister to improve their living conditions a bit. With that, all the money was basically spent, even the money from selling goods back in the village had been used up. But relatively speaking, today''s trip to the county town was a full harvest, securing the great matter of his future martial arts training. Just for that, no matter how much money was spent, it was worth it. As for the prices of the hunters'' goods in the village, thanks to the Chen Family''s generosity, he still had six or seven silver taels, which could fill this gap nicely. After such a hustle, Shen Qing was "as poor as a church mouse" again, falling into a state of lacking money. After returning to the village, he would have to find a way to go into the mountains to hunt more and increase some income. Shen Qing''s thoughts shifted, and the water-ink characters concerning his skill slowly emerged and unfolded before his eyes. [Skill: Hunting (Small Success)] [Progress: 89/200 points] [Status: Cannot be improved] [Note: Keep practicing for comprehensive breakthrough. There is a certain chance that some hunting skills will undergo a transformation.] There''s still some progress to go. Next, he must hurry up and work hard on his ability to make a living. As the wheels collided with the rough stone road, Shen Qing, sitting on the bumpy cart, steadied his body and put these thoughts aside. In just the time it took for a pot of tea to brew, Shen Qing had already leisurely passed through the bustling street and arrived at the city gate. The city gates of Taiping County were scheduled to close around five periods before sunset, approximately a third quarter of Shen Hour, which is around five to six o''clock in the afternoon. The sky was still bright at this time, and it was clearly too early to close the city gates. But Shen Qing did not dare to leave the city too late. It would still take some time to return to Hongshan Village from Taiping County. When he reached the city gate, Shen Qing stopped and looked at the dilapidated shanties outside the city, his expression gradually becoming serious and furrowed. After thinking for a while, he turned to Zhang Shuyuan and asked, "Can you drive the cart for me?" Zhang Shuyuan, who knew about the brothers'' entry into Linfeng Hall, had become much more subdued than before and wasn''t as lazy, "What do you want to do?" "After we leave the city, you drive," Shen Qing handed the reins to Zhang Shuyuan. "What about you two?" Shen Qing took out the bow and arrows he had obtained from the Chen Family Brothers and felt their balance in his hand, "Xiao Hu and I will each take a bow and keep watch. The area outside the city is a mess, and I don''t feel very reassured." Recalling the grim-faced group that had surrounded them when they first arrived, people who grew bolder to the point of making moves, if someone harbored bad intentions and they were outnumbered, it would be easy for them to be at a disadvantage. So, it would be better to take precautions in advance to feel more secure. Shen Qing tried the Elm Wood Bow and Arrow in his hand; the craftsmanship was similar to the one at home, and it was a bit better than the one Shen Xiaohu currently held. He did not hesitate nor feel pained about it, passing another bow to Shen Xiaohu, instructing, "Once we leave the city, whoever approaches us with ill intentions, you shoot, don''t hesitate." "You have to appear fierce." Having witnessed his cousin''s abilities first hand, Shen Xiaohu now respected Shen Qing immensely and nodded earnestly, "I understand." Shen Qing patted Zhang Shuyuan on the shoulder and said, "Drive well, sir. Later, when I go to the mountains to hunt some good things, I will reward the sir." After confirming everyone''s roles, Shen Qing hooked an arrow onto the bowstring, feeling more at ease. "Alright, let''s leave the city now." Chapter 35: Chapter 34 Outer City ```The ancient city gates of Taiping County towered majestically, with the weak winter sunlight piercing through the heavy clouds, casting dim shadows inside the gate. The cold wind surged from the open space outside the city gate, constantly seeping into the gate in wisps and strands. As Shen Qing stepped into the city gate, the winter chill hit him head-on, causing both Shen Xiaohu and Zhang Shuyuan to shrink their necks involuntarily. Once they had passed through the ancient city gate, the cold wind gradually ceased. The familiar scene once again appeared before the eyes of Shen Qing and his two companions. The uneven ground was mixed with dark snow water soiled by mud... The surrounding shanty was put together using various materials, crowded and sprawling as far as the eye could see. The narrow, muddy paths between the shanties were interwoven with the figures of running children and the sporadic sounds of vendors, adding a few touches of life''s reality and noise to this bleak scene. It was already afternoon, and there were fewer people entering the city. The guards standing under the city gate were mostly idle since there was no fee for leaving the city. The guards'' gazes lingered briefly on Shen Qing before they retracted their attention, allowing him to leave. By the time they reached the shanty area, Shen Qing, who was sitting on the cart, immediately became vigilant. Glancing to the side, he saw that Shen Xiaohu had a stern look on his face, his eyes constantly sweeping the surroundings. Shen Qing warned, "Xiao Hu, don''t tense your face or else people will think we have something valuable. Just relax a bit and stay alert in your heart." "Okay," Shen Xiaohu, startled by the reminder, realized he was too tense and quickly let go of his worries, doing as he was told. Zhang Shuyuan, holding the reins, looked at Shen Qing and smiled, "You''re quite clever. Anyone in the Outer City who has their eye on you would be unlucky." "Better be safe than sorry," Shen Qing replied casually, "When you''re away from home, in unfamiliar places, it''s always good to be cautious." Zhang Shuyuan chuckled and cracked his whip, "Giddy up!" The scrappy horse shook its rump and couldn''t help but quicken its pace. Pulled by the horse, the cart made of a few broken planks also sped up, passing by the entrance of each shanty home. The items Shen Qing had purchased, including some rice and grain tied securely with hemp rope, were covered with coarse burlap but still drew the gaze of many passersby. Whether busy adults or idle children, everyone in the shanties couldn''t help but slow down as Shen Qing passed by, their eyes drawn involuntarily to the goods piled on the cart. The further they went into the depth of the Outer City, the more such people there were. They watched Shen Qing overtly and covertly, whispering to one another, curiosity and greed flashing in their eyes, as if the goods were a bright spot in this chaotic world. A subtle atmosphere gradually permeated the air. A young man leaning against the doorway of a shanty, dressed in a short outfit with his arms crossed, watched Shen Qing and his companions pass by. As they whisked by, the young man dropped his casual demeanor, turned, and entered the house to speak to a burly man inside, "A new face just passed by, Old Ba, are we doing it?" The burly man called Old Ba tossed aside the chicken leg he''d been gnawing on¡ªwhich was then hungrily fought over by the boys waiting nearby, like wild dogs. sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. One of the taller boys grabbed the chicken leg bone and dashed out the back door in a flash, quickly disappearing from sight. The other teenagers chased after him wildly. "Hahaha." The burly man wiped his greasy lips, looking somewhat pleased with himself, and asked, "Did you get any details? Where are they from, and do they have any connection to the big shots in the city?" "This morning when that new guy went in, Old Dog was already asking around; he should be back soon." "Have someone keep an eye on them. As soon as they''re about to exit Seven Turns Alley, no matter if Old Dog got any news or not, take action." "Understood. If after all this time we still can''t figure it out, it must mean he''s a nobody." ``` Old Ba Zi nodded and said, "That''s right, recently Boss has sent a message saying that the Song and Dong Family are looking for a few mountain delicacies, to help their young masters make a breakthrough in their Martial Pass. Tell your brothers to pay attention to the hunters coming into the city recently, see if they have any of those items." "Boss said," Old Ba Zi''s face showed a hint of longing, "if anyone can find them, he could guarantee them wealth and entry into the Inner City." "Old Ba Zi, just tell me, what are the three items?" the youth exclaimed in surprise. Old Ba Zi spoke unhurriedly, "Blood Bird''s Nest, Jade Deer Tendon, and Tiger King''s Penis." "Ah... I only know of the penis, haven''t even heard of the others," the youth said. "I''ll pass this on to the brothers when I get back." "Mhm, arrange it as soon as possible." ... After his breakthrough in hunting skills, Shen Qing had long since become adept in details such as Tracking and hunting, and was very sensitive to his surrounding environment. Just as they had been advancing, passing through the shantytown, he felt as if there were fleeting gazes on them every so often. His hunter''s intuition told him that he was being watched. Shen Qing lowered his voice to Shen Xiaohu and Zhang Shuyuan and said, "Speed up, we''re being followed." "Ah!" Shen Xiaohu exclaimed. "Keep your voice down. Don''t startle the snake in the grass." "Oh, right." Shen Xiaohu quickly steadied his nerves. Zhang Shuyuan, who was usually nonchalant, also became serious for once. "Whack, whack, whack!" He didn''t mind hurting someone else''s horse as he ferociously whipped it three times, striking the small nag''s hindquarters and leaving three bloody marks. The nag, in pain, suddenly accelerated and began to gallop forward. When Shen Qing and his two companions whizzed by a bald man, the bald man summoned a teenager and instructed, "Quickly tell Old Ba they''re about to reach Seven Turns Alley." "Alright." In a shantytown in the Outer City, a teenager wearing straw sandals ran in panting and said, "Old Ba, they''re nearly at Seven Turns Alley, the bunch wants to know whether to do it or not." "Has there been any news from Old Dog?" Old Ba Zi asked the straw-sandaled youth at his side. "Not yet." "Then forget about it, tell the brothers to go ahead." "Got it. The cart they''re carrying doesn''t seem to have much on it, shall we cripple the three of them first and then sell them to the brokers? Make a hefty profit off them." "Just see to it," Old Ba Zi''s muscles suddenly tensed, his Qi-Blood surging throughout his body, pumping his muscles until they expanded like lumps of flesh, emanating a powerful aura. Great Perfection of Qi and Blood! The speaking teenager stepped back and hurriedly said, "Old Ba, the brothers all know the rules, they won''t short-change you." "Let the brothers be at ease, I will also stick up for them if they get into trouble," Old Ba Zi reigned in his aura, "Go now!" The teenager nodded vigorously and ran towards Seven Turns Alley, his figure gradually vanishing among the many shanties. Chapter 36: Chapter 35: Killing a Man, Once is Raw Twice is Familiar The heart of the slum, "Seven Turns Alley," was so narrow that only a single carriage could pass through alone. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.The low shacks stood shoulder to shoulder, vying for cramped space, with the sky relegated to a thin, elongated crack. Upon entering the alley, Zhang Shuyuan was forced to slow his pace as the once-wide streets narrowed. Suddenly, seated on the cart, Shen Qing tensed up, gripping the arrow tightly, his heart like the taut string on the bow, his expression solemn. He ducked to avoid a protruding eave and said, "Xiao Hu, draw the bow to the full, and hide well." "Okay." Seeing Shen Qing in such a serious state, Shen Xiaohu quickly placed an arrow on the bow, drew it fully, ready for battle. The quiet in the vicinity was unnerving. It gave Shen Qing a bad premonition. As they turned the first corner, the nag pulled the cart onto a short, straight section of the alley. Then, Shen Qing saw about six or seven young men leaning against doorways. Behind them lay a few farm tools like hoes, more or less. When they heard the hoofbeats, they looked up in unison, exchanged glances and signals. Shen Qing reacted instantly, drawing the bow to a full crescent and releasing. Whoosh! An arrow shot through the air, like a meteor streaking through the night, leaving only its piercing whistle to echo in the air. The short-haired youth leaning against a door jolted; he had just received a signal to wait but had no time to react before his legs buckled and he collapsed to the ground. The arrow was deeply embedded in his forehead, blood instantly seeping across and obscuring his face, as if the surrounding air froze in that moment. Shock and disbelief flashed across everyone''s faces, but one of them quickly realized, "He''s onto us! Don''t wait, attack!" At the leader''s command, six or seven men each grabbed a tool and surged out. Without a second thought, Shen Qing shouted, "Xiao Hu, do it!" "Ah... Okay..." Shen Xiaohu, shooting a person for the first time, was flustered, and his first arrow was way off mark. Just as he was about to notch a new arrow, Shen Qing had already fired another. The arrow struck an opponent''s shoulder blade, throwing him off balance and to the ground, with blood rapidly soaking his clothes, immobilizing him. "Fuck your mother! They are hunters, tough bastards!" The scene descended into utter chaos. The other side came charging over, cursing. Luckily, there was some distance between them, and Shen Qing''s bow and arrow held a great advantage due to his excellent archery skills and precision. In just one confrontation, two or three of the opposition were downed. Zhang Shuyuan, seeing the situation, quickly crouched and lashed the horse''s hindquarters with a whip. Neigh! The small nag neighed sharply and suddenly sped up. Shen Qing''s footing was incredibly stable, unaffected by the motion, and arrows kept flying from his hands. Unfortunately, lacking experience with shooting from a moving horse, his accuracy suffered as the small nag picked up speed. Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh! Shen Qing, relying purely on instinct, fired three arrows before killing one. As they drew closer, one furious youth swung a hoe high, aiming to strike down Shen Xiaohu. Shen Xiaohu, pale with fright, almost subconsciously released his grip. The arrow turned into a flash of light, racing forth. It pierced straight through the man''s chest, causing him to drop the hoe slightly off target, missing Shen Xiaohu by an inch behind him, narrowly escaping death. If it weren''t for the arrow he had shot just now, there was no doubt that the hoe would have split his head open. Shen Xiaohu''s mind went blank in an instant, without further thought, he quickly shot two more arrows. At such a short distance, his arrows went right through the man. The last remaining skinny young man, seeing how fierce Shen Qing and his companions were, had already lost any thought of making a move, and watched helplessly as they disappeared from his sight. The surviving skinny young man looked at the messy scene with a gulp of saliva, his heart pounding with residual fear. Usually, they pretended to be ordinary people, and when these "fat sheep" got close, they would relax their guard and then strike unexpectedly. It had always been foolproof. They had done it so many times, and not once had it been like this. Before they even started, the other party seemed to have "foreseen" their move, striking them down first in a manner much more decisive than theirs. The surviving skinny young man steadied his spirit and went up to check the breath of each of his comrades. All dead. His expression changed, and without hesitation, he took the money pouches and some valuable items from his brothers'' bodies and quickly ran towards the core area of the shantytown. The matter had gotten a bit out of hand, and he must report to Old Ba Zi, asking him to avenge his brothers. After emerging from Seven Turns Alley, the shantytown began to thin out, and the roads became much wider. Zhang Shuyuan let go completely, continuously whipping and racing the horse at a breakneck speed. After a short while, the three of them had left the Outer City of Taiping County. Only after the city walls of the county town were far out of sight did Zhang Shuyuan slow down somewhat. "We''re safe now, they won''t be able to catch up," he said. Shen Qing put away his longbow and sat cross-legged on the plank cart, showing a hint of relief. Seeing that Shen Xiaohu looked a bit pale, he patted his shoulder and said, "What''s the matter, not used to it?" Shen Xiaohu nodded vigorously. He hadn''t wanted to kill the man at first; he had been confused at the moment and shot several arrows instinctively. Shen Xiaohu clearly remembered that his arrows had struck vital spots, and the man was surely dead. He had killed someone. Shen Qing offered consolation, "Killing someone is nothing. The first time is the hardest, the second easier. It''s no different from hunting in the mountains. If you hadn''t killed him, he would have killed you. That''s just the way the world works; don''t overthink it." Shen Xiaohu looked up at Shen Qing, who seemed to take it lightly, and couldn''t help feeling envious. He consoled himself by thinking, "My cousin is right. I didn''t really want to kill him. He brought it on himself by running into my arrow. He had it coming." With that thought, he felt somewhat better inside. ... Outer City, shantytown area. A young man with a crewcut ran in flusteredly and gasped, "Old Ba, not good, the brothers at Seven Turns Alley are all dead." "What did you say?" Old Ba Zi, who was sitting in a chair and gnawing on chicken feet, rose abruptly, his eyes filled with disbelief, "Say that again!" "They''re all dead. The fresh faces we encountered today were tough. Our brothers couldn''t handle them and got wiped out. Only Little Six managed to escape and bring us the news," the crewcut youth explained. Old Ba Zi''s face immediately turned very ugly. For all the years he had been operating, this was the first time he had encountered such a situation. Just then, a young man wearing straw sandals walked in and reported, "Old Dog has sent word, the guy we were watching is a rootless hunter." As soon as he entered, he saw the crewcut youth with a face full of sweat and asked in surprise, "Hey, what are you doing here? Shouldn''t you be at Seven Turns Alley?" The crewcut youth wiped the sweat from his forehead and said, "There''s been trouble at Seven Turns Alley. The brothers are all dead." "What?" The young man in straw sandals exclaimed in shock, staring blankly at Old Ba Zi. Old Ba Zi slowly sat back down in the chair, the folds on his face gathering into a somewhat fierce expression, "Since he''s a rootless, then I don''t have to worry about any consequences." "Let the brothers keep watch. Next time they come to Taiping County, I will personally take action and twist their heads off to hang from the roof beams. They will learn what happens when they cross Old Ba!" Chapter 37: Chapter 36: Killing should be enough, right? The rugged mountain road winding upwards outside the county town was covered with a thin layer of white snow.A seemingly weary nag, exhaling puffs of white breath, pulled an old cart, slowly advancing along the silent mountain road. The cartwheels rolled over the snow, emitting a dull creaking noise. Along the way, bare branches stretched with a tenacious posture. An occasional cold wind passed by, causing the branches to tremble slightly and the snow on the twigs to fall rustlingly. "Brother Qingzi, how did you notice them just now?" After a moment of self-comfort, Shen Xiaohu had emerged from the initial guilt of killing someone, feeling much more at ease in his heart. Shen Qing glanced at Shen Xiaohu and said truthfully, "I wasn''t very sure either, so I shot an arrow in advance to test it." "Ah? What if you had killed the wrong person?" "If it''s wrong, it''s wrong." Shen Qing had no psychological burden and said softly, "Sometimes, if you''re not ruthless enough, you can''t survive in such a harsh world. Don''t think too much." In this world, the death of a person was truly too common. Even in their small village, accidents often occurred with people getting eaten clean by wild beasts. Not to mention a county town with a population of one hundred and fifty to two hundred thousand, it''s feared that people die every day. One more or one less person wouldn''t make any difference at all. If Shen Qing didn''t want to be the one missing, then he couldn''t afford to be indecisive. Shen Xiaohu fell silent upon hearing this, not objecting. Because he knew that what Shen Qing said was the truth, the world was just like this. Zhang Shuyuan, who was leading the weary horse, overheard the conversation between the two brothers and chimed in, "You killed them today and avoided a calamity, but it might not be the same next time you enter the town." Shen Qing, sensing that Zhang Shuyuan might know something, cupped his hands and asked, "Is there some reasoning behind this? I hope the teacher would be generous with his guidance." Zhang Shuyuan, seemingly pleased with Shen Qing''s respect, continued, "These lowly households scraping a living in the Outer City don''t work alone. Today I saw their group had people tailing and others taking action; there definitely must be a leader among them." "These people care a lot about loyalty. If one of their brothers encounters trouble, these leaders are bound to step forward to settle things. Otherwise, it would lead to disunity. As long as you go to the county town, you won''t be able to escape." "However, the good news is that we live in Hongshan Village. Those leaders can only take care of their own turf; they can''t reach out that far and have no control over us. As long as you don''t go to the county town, there shouldn''t be a big problem." After hearing Zhang Shuyuan''s words, Shen Qing, who was directly involved, furrowed his brow slightly. He had just obtained a precious opportunity to learn martial arts at Linfeng Hall''s inner courtyard, an opportunity far too rare to give up easily. He was definitely going to the county town. "Are these leaders very strong?" Shen Qing asked further. "Those who make a living in the Outer City definitely can''t compare to the true martial masters in the Inner City. Most of them are at the Great Perfection of Qi and Blood realm, half a step away from the gate of Martial Arts. They are more than enough to deal with us ordinary folks." Great Perfection of Qi and Blood? Shen Qing''s brow furrowed slightly again. Although his training in the Nine Skills had not yet reached the Great Perfection, he was not too far from it. If that''s the case, when the time came, as long as he killed that leader, that should suffice, right? Thinking this in his heart, Shen Qing let out a long sigh. ... Sear?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Time trickled by. By dusk, when the sky was still bright, Zhang Shuyuan, relying on his superior driving skills, safely delivered Shen Qing and Shen Xiaohu to the village. "I must thank you for your efforts today, sir. Here is your compensation for the day," Shen Qing took out the money he had prepared earlier and, as agreed, gave two hundred wen to Zhang Shuyuan. Not only that, but he added another twenty wen and said, "You''ve been a great help to me today, sir. Here is an extra twenty wen for your troubles." Zhang Shuyuan didn''t count the money in front of Shen Qing. He simply pocketed it and said, "Remember not to forget tomorrow. Come over to continue learning the Thousand Character Classic." "All right, I''ll go early tomorrow morning." After sending Zhang Shuyuan away, Shen Qing turned to look at the sky, feeling it was still early before dark. He hurried toward his home, tethered the nag, took down the items from the cart, kicked open the dilapidated gate, and called out, "Sister, I''m back." ... At Shen Er''s household. Shen Xiaohu, who had returned to the village with Shen Qing, dashed home as soon as he got off the carriage. As soon as he pushed the door open, he shouted, "Grandpa, Grandma, I can study at Linfeng Hall! I can study at Linfeng Hall!" The moment Shen Xiaohu burst into the house and saw what was happening inside, his voice caught in his throat and died down. Besides his father Shen Er, Tian Xiaohu and Zhang Baqing were also present, seemingly discussing some affairs. "Cough, cough..." Uncle Shen Er coughed twice to draw everyone''s attention back and glared at Shen Xiaohu, saying, "What''s with all the fuss returning from the county town? Can''t you behave with some decorum? What did you say just now?" Shen Xiaohu''s excitement upon entering the house instantly dissipated, and his voice dropped several notches as he honestly said, "Grandpa, the Hall Master of Linfeng Hall said I have decent bone structure, and if I provide seven silver taels, he''s willing to let me study at the outer gate." Uncle Shen Er sprang up from his chair, and in disbelief, rushed over to Shen Xiaohu, saying, "You can study at Linfeng Hall?! Is what you''re saying true?" He had once wanted his child to study the martial arts and had not spared any effort for this, but learning martial arts was never easy, and he had long ago lost hope. Never did he expect it to actually happen, how could he not be thrilled? Shen Xiaohu nodded vigorously and said, "Uncle Li Linfeng personally promised, and he''s willing to let me start at the outer gate for three months first." "Three months is fine, three months will do," Uncle Shen Er said, examining Shen Xiaohu up and down with satisfaction. Tian Xiaohu and Zhang Baqing, who were in the room, exchanged glances before standing up to congratulate him, "Congratulations Brother Shen, once your Hu Zi studies martial arts, perhaps he will soon change his martial arts register and become a cut above the rest." Uncle Shen Er, rarely so delighted, showed a gratified smile on his deeply wrinkled face, "It''s still early days, still early days." Though he said so, Tian Xiaohu and Zhang Baqing could still see the pride on Shen Er''s face. With Shen Qing before and Shen Xiaohu after. It seems that from now on, Hongshan Village might well belong to the Shen Family. Shen Er patted Shen Xiaohu on the shoulder, saying happily, "How did you manage to enter Linfeng Hall so smoothly this time? I remember they are very strict about taking disciples. You''d better tell your grandpa how you did it?" Shen Xiaohu said excitedly, "It''s all thanks to Brother Qingzi. You have no idea how amazing he is. Uncle Li Linfeng tested his bone structure on the spot and directly accepted him into the inner sect. When we left, he even gave him a medicine prescription. The gatekeeper said that''s the treatment for a direct disciple." Boom! As soon as these words were spoken, the room fell silent. Shen Er, Tian Xiaohu, and Zhang Baqing, each of them stood there, dumbfounded. Chapter 38: Chapter 37 Never Forget The county town, Linfeng Hall, inner sect disciples, direct disciples...Each term dropped like a thousand-pound boulder into the center of a lake, stirring up waves. The most part of their lives had been spent in this rural village, and martial masters from the county town were like towering figures to them. Even an ordinary outer disciple was not someone they could afford to provoke. The Chen Family''s eldest son¡ªChen Yuan, at that time, merely by virtue of a Martial Arts manual on cultivating Qi-Blood, was able to call the wind and summon the rain in their village. Not to mention an inner sect disciple, or a direct disciple. The Shen Family was likely really going to rise to prosperity. Tian Xiaohu and Zhang Baqing couldn''t help swallowing their saliva, and when they looked at Shen Er, their eyes were filled with envy. If one were to say who had extended the greatest favors to Shen Qing in Hongshan Village, it would undoubtedly be Shen Er here. As they had observed in recent times, Shen Qing, ever since the death of his parents, had come this far through steps steeped in blood and tears. He was someone who hated evil as if it were his enemy, with a somewhat heavy killing aura. But he was also clever, a person who remembered kindness and sought to return it. The family of Shen Er was certainly not going to fare badly in the future. At this moment, looking at Shen Er''s old face, they inwardly celebrated yet also regretted. They rejoiced that in the past, they had not made an enemy of Shen Qing; these days, their interactions with Shen Qing and other Shen Family members were frequent, and they were considered close in this village. Regretting that they hadn''t lent a helping hand when he and his sister were at their lowest. Adding flowers to the brocade could never compare with sending charcoal in snowy weather. Setting aside their chaotic thoughts, Tian Xiaohu and Zhang Baqing swiftly regained their composure and began to show great interest in the experiences that Shen Qing and his companions had encountered in the county town. Urged by them, Shen Xiaohu detailed everything that had happened to the trio in the county town that day. After listening, their faces turned to shock one by one. "Blood Bird''s Nest, Jade Deer Tendon, and Tiger King''s Penis, these delicacies had not been seen in our village for many years. Though, if we really looked for them, we might find them. But you''ve offended those people from the Outer City upon returning. They''re tricky to deal with. Those folks have nothing but their miserable lives; if they decide to go all out against you, your outcome would definitely not be good. What will you do now?" Zhang Baqing, who had received Shen Qing''s kindness and had also been to the county town, had a bit of insight and immediately grasped the severity of their problem. Caught off guard and like a bucket of cold water poured over him, Shen Er, who was initially on a high, calmed down and also became anxious. ... Shen Qing, who had just returned home, was unaware that the news of him becoming an inner sect disciple of Linfeng Hall had already spread within Hongshan Village and was known by most people. He also did not know that some villagers who were close to him had already become worried about his affairs in the Outer City and were thinking of ways to help. Sometimes, indeed, the eunuchs are more anxious than the emperor himself. Inside the dilapidated hut. Shen Qing was busy putting away the things he had bought from the county town. After dealing with these chores, he eagerly took out a brand-new flower-patterned cotton-padded jacket and sneakily placed it in front of his elder sister Shen Fang, saying, "Big sister, you''ve always been mending the cotton jacket mother made for you, how can it keep you warm? I went to the county town today and bought you a new one, see if it fits?" Shen Fang was busily storing the grains Shen Qing had brought back into the rice bin. Turning her head, she suddenly saw that her little brother had bought her a new garment and was overjoyed. She looked like a little girl, sizing up the new cotton jacket from left to right, her almond-shaped eyes curving into crescents. After looking for a while, her expression turned stern, and she shoved the clothes back into Shen Qing''s hands, saying against her will, "I don''t like it. Next time you go to the county town, tell the shopkeeper. Say it doesn''t fit and return it. Save the money for later, for you to use when taking a wife." Shen Qing saw through his elder sister''s habit right away and forced the new garment onto her, saying, "It''s too much hassle to go back and forth from the county town. By the time I go again, how would the shopkeeper acknowledge the return?" Shen Fang bit her lip and stamped her foot. "Then why didn''t you consult me before you went ahead and bought it this morning?" "It was a spur-of-the-moment decision," Shen Qing said with a smile. "Besides, my uncle at Linfeng Hall has already agreed that I will become an inner sect disciple there. Once I''ve trained in martial arts, I''ll be able to afford to buy clothes, so sister, please keep it." "Alright then," Shen Fang agreed, though she didn''t quite understand the significance of being an inner disciple at Linfeng Hall. All she knew was that her younger brother was becoming successful. She carefully put away the new clothes that Shen Qing had given her, folding them neatly and storing them away. "Tonight, I bought quite a few things from the county town. Sister, please make a rich meal for us. Let''s, brother and sister, have a good feast," Shen Qing suggested. "Sure." In the evening, Shen Fang prepared two dishes and a soup, with both meat and vegetables. While cooking, she also added plenty of seasonings to satisfy Shen Qing''s appetite. The next day, Shen Qing took some silver taels that he had gathered from the Chen Family and sought out Zhang Baqing to settle the accounts with the households. He initially thought it would be troublesome but was surprised to find that the process went particularly smoothly. Zhang Baqing nearly took over everything, and in less than half a day, he settled everyone''s accounts right in front of Shen Qing. Shen Qing had the impression that the villagers were treating him with an unusual amount of respect that day, even showing a kind of fear and favor typical of how one might treat someone of higher status. He was somewhat puzzled by this. Fortunately, Shen Qing was not the type to dig into every detail, so he didn''t concern himself too much with this subtle change. After handling the village''s financial matters and setting the next time to go into the city, he went straight to Zhang Shuyuan''s house to study and practice calligraphy. Five days later. After practicing the last character required for the day, Shen Qing suddenly sensed something and his mind stirred. In his vision, a drop of water ink spread out, and segments of water ink characters appeared before his eyes. [Skill: To recognize characters and read (Skillfully)] [Progress: 203/200 points] [Status: Upgradable] Without any hesitation, Shen Qing chose "Upgrade". The next moment, an unprecedented sense of clarity exploded in his mind, making him feel as though he had opened some sort of gateway in the unknown, and his perception of the things around him became much clearer. He subconsciously looked at the water ink panel in his line of sight. [Skill: To recognize characters and read (Small Success)] [Progress: 3/300 points] [Status: Unupgradable] [Note: Awakening a new skill, memorize by hearing, never forget.] Shen Qing was overjoyed. He hadn''t expected that breaking through in this skill would awaken a new one, enabling him to memorize by hearing and never forget. sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. This skill might seem common at first glance, but digging deeper, it was incredibly valuable. At the very least, this skill would greatly accelerate his progress in recognizing characters and reading. A slight smile appeared on the corner of Shen Qing''s mouth as he approached Zhang Shuyuan and said, "Teacher, I wish to learn more of the Thousand Character Classic. Could you teach me another part?" Chapter 39: Chapter 38: Ten Days East of the River, Ten Days West of the River Sitting in the wry-legged chair, Zhang Shuyuan looked up in surprise, furrowing his brow and said, "In the matter of learning to recognize characters and read, one must understand the principle that too much to chew is tough to digest. Even if I tell you the pronunciation, writing, and meaning of the remaining few hundred characters now, you may not be able to remember them.Instead of that, it is better to consolidate what you have learned today, head home early, and come back earlier tomorrow." Zhang Shuyuan noticed that Shen Qing was becoming a bit anxious. After all, he was a young man. Five days in a row had worn down much of his patience, and he could no longer calm his mind, wanting to take shortcuts. He had seen many such people. But where were there shortcuts in reading and recognizing words? The knowledge in his belly was all accumulated bit by bit. It was because of these years of learning that, compared to others, he knew a little more about some principles of how the world works, and his frail body didn''t end up starving to death. If learning was that easy, then he would have starved to death long ago. Shen Qing heard some didactic tones in Zhang Shuyuan''s words. He smiled slightly and said, "These days, I have learned a total of eighty-four characters. After understanding their meanings, I couldn''t help but marvel at the wonders and vastness of the world, so I''ve been eager to understand the rest of the content. Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. It''s purely a desire for knowledge in my heart, and not learning for the sake of learning." Zhang Shuyuan''s expression paused. He never expected Shen Qing to think like this. And those words struck right at his heart. Learning was indeed for the pursuit of knowledge, not for the sake of learning. In this short phrase, a significant principle was contained. Zhang Shuyuan couldn''t help but take a few more looks at Shen Qing. This handsome young man was brutal and merciless when killing, but was gentle and noble when learning to read. It was hard to imagine two completely different temperaments in one person. Truly a peculiar flower in the deep mountain. Since the student wanted to gain knowledge, he certainly had no reason to refuse. Zhang Shuyuan coughed and said, "Bring the book here, and I will tell you the rest of the Thousand Character Classic. However, this is not teaching. I will only say it once briefly, and you just need to listen." "Much obliged." Upon hearing this, Shen Qing brought over the Thousand Character Classic, already old and yellowed, and placed it in front of Zhang Shuyuan. "Sit next to me, and I will teach you one by one," Zhang Shuyuan said, patting the space next to him. At that moment, Shen Qing''s heart sank. He didn''t know if it was because Zhang Shuyuan''s diet had improved recently, coupled with the poor sanitary conditions, but he had developed serious halitosis and had also taken to farting. And it was getting worse day by day. Recently, sitting next to him to learn to read had also become a rather painful affair. This was also one of the reasons why Shen Qing wanted to finish the Thousand Character Classic as quickly as possible. At the very least, after learning the Thousand Character Classic, he wouldn''t need Zhang Shuyuan to teach him by hand, so close up. Shen Qing took a deep breath and sat down beside Zhang Shuyuan. The familiar smell hit him immediately. At first whiff, the odor was like a fermented substance, carrying a musty undercurrent, and upon a second sniff, it intertwined with a faint sour stench that drilled persistently into his nose. Shen Qing''s heart surged with discomfort and the urge to flee, yet he struggled to maintain a calm appearance. "Just look here, I will explain to you sentence by sentence¡­" As Zhang Shuyuan spoke, waves of his breath continued to flow out. Shen Qing kept his face taut, trying to focus his attention on the Thousand Character Classic. With his attention highly concentrated, Shen Qing suddenly realized that the feeling of words going in one ear and out the other was gone. Instead, what replaced it was a miraculous learning experience. ``` Just by listening and looking once, the content on the paper had all become deeply etched memories in his mind. When he recalled them again, it was as if he carried an endless library with him, every detail, every piece of text, every hue was as clear as when he first saw them. Is this what it feels like to be a top student? It was simply too exhilarating! This wonderful learning experience gradually made Shen Qing forget that he was in a harsh environment. Time flew by quickly. In about half an hour, Zhang Shuyuan finally finished explaining the last part. "This sentence means that one should dress neatly and properly, act with ease, and look far into the future. These principles wouldn''t be understood by someone ignorant and narrow-minded, reduced to living their life in vain like a fool, becoming a laughingstock. As for the auxiliary words in the ancient texts, they are ''whence'', ''alas'', ''indeed'', and ''is''." Zhang Shuyuan closed the yellowed book, the Thousand Character Classic and said, "Alright, that''s all the content of the Thousand Character Classic. If you can fully learn the Thousand Character Classic, in the future you will know the meaning of most books you read." "Thank you for the instruction, Teacher." Shen Qing closed his eyes and recalled for a moment, and with his "Never Forget" ability, he realized he had remembered the entire Thousand Character Classic. Combined with the knowledge and cognitive ability from his previous life, he understood the meaning of all the characters as well. This ability is truly useful. Shen Qing opened his eyes, a look of joy crossing his face. He glanced at the sky through the window and stood up, saying, "It''s getting late, I should go back. I''ll disturb you again, Teacher, when I have time later." Zhang Shuyuan was slightly puzzled. During the past five days, every time Shen Qing left, he had said he would come back the next day, but this time he mentioned coming back when he had time later. It sounded as if he had already learned everything and might not return. There was a subtle difference. Zhang Shuyuan thought he was possibly overthinking it. The Thousand Character Classic, with more than a thousand characters, would normally take at least a year or two to memorize. How could it be easy? It must just be Shen Qing''s way of speaking. Zhang Shuyuan waved his hand nonchalantly, with no intention of keeping him any longer. Upon leaving Zhang Family''s home, Shen Qing couldn''t help but take a deep breath, feeling as if his entire body had become relaxed, as though a layer of shackles had been lifted from him. He didn''t linger at the doorway but went straight home. Now, his Qi-Blood was vigorous throughout his body, and even in his thin cotton clothes with bare hands exposed, he didn''t feel cold. "Qingzi, been learning to read at the bookworm''s place again? When are you free to come over to my place? I''ll ask Auntie to cook you some mutton." On the way, he came across a clan uncle from the same lineage, who greeted him enthusiastically. "No thank you, Uncle Seven, I should head back early. My sister has already prepared food at home," Shen Qing replied with a smile, politely declining. However, after only a few steps, a stout woman in the village stuffed a wild rabbit into his hands: "Qingzi, this wild rabbit was caught by your nephew from the Zhang Family. He insisted on giving it to you; you take it." Before Shen Qing could refuse, the woman turned and walked away as if fleeing, as though she was worried he would not accept it. Witnessing this scene, Shen Qing couldn''t help but laugh: "When I was in dire straits, everyone avoided me like a plague. Now the tables have turned, such is the fickleness of the world..." He shook his head, continually accepting the kindness of his neighbors as he made his way home. All the villagers he met on the way were huddled in their sleeves, with their necks shrunken, a complete contrast to his own comfortable demeanor. This was the difference between someone who practiced Martial Arts and someone who didn''t. Shen Qing gave the wild rabbit to Shen Fang, then eagerly took out the "Nine Skills" booklet he had snatched from Chen An and turned to the first page. ``` Chapter 40: Chapter 39: Cultivate Both Internal and External, Harmonize Qi-Blood Shen Qing came to understand that the martial arts practiced within the county city could almost be categorized into three levels: upper, middle, and lower.The lowest level martial arts were like the "Nine Skills," which could only nourish and train Qi and Blood. This kind of martial arts, aside from cultivating Qi-Blood, had no other forms of combat, training methods, or killing techniques. It can only be described as the most fundamental of the fundamentals in martial arts. Even so, this martial art was still stronger than those inferior bluffs that were not considered orthodox. As long as one cultivated enough Qi-Blood, reaching the realm of Great Perfection, even those with a frail physique could knock down four or five strong men with a single punch. If it were not for this kind of power, martial arts would not be so valuable, and the court would not have such strict requirements for them. sea??h th§× NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. What those high above all feared most was that someone in the region would take up arms to assert their status and act against the prohibitions with martial prowess. For this reason, the court added a large amount of secret codes and hidden language to the martial arts disseminated to the public, increasing the cost of learning martial arts. Without a proper lineage, one simply cannot even begin the path to Entry Level. Shen Qing was fortunate enough to have the "Nine Skills" manual, which was low level enough and mostly consisted of diagrams; the textual component wasn''t extensive, which allowed him to find an opportunity and enter the threshold of martial training. Otherwise, even with his Water Ink Panel, he might not have been successful in commencing his training and achieving results. Now that he had mastered the Thousand Character Classic, combined with his previous knowledge, he no longer faced any reading difficulties. When he returned home, Shen Qing immediately started studying the "Nine Skills" manual without delay. Turning to the first page, he found an introduction to the Nine Skills. After reading it, Shen Qing learned that this martial art was called Nine Skills because it combined nine types of stance training for nourishing Qi and Blood, making it a compilation of the nine major stances, hence the name. Each stance documented here was the most effective stance practice verified through various practices within the major martial arts, and it was the best starting point for nourishing and training Qi and Blood. The nine stances progressed from one to nine, each one increasing in difficulty, and the more difficult the stance, the better the effect it had on nourishing Qi and Blood. Generally speaking, mastering the first four or five stances, or even just practicing one of them diligently, could lead to the realm of Great Perfection of Qi and Blood. As for how many stances to ultimately practice, it depended on the preferences of the practitioner. Initially, he thought the album was one complete Training Method, so he practiced the first four stances indiscriminately, and even dabbled a bit in the latter five. Looking back now, he realized he had chosen the most difficult path. But that was not a big concern. The nine major stances within the Nine Skills all focused on nourishing and training Qi and Blood and were not in conflict with one another; they simply utilized different approaches. Ultimately, they all led to the same destination. As Shen Qing continued to read, the Nine Skills manual provided a description of Qi-Blood, which instantly opened up his thinking for cultivation. The so-called Qi-Blood did not refer to Qi and blood separately, but meant that the blood was perceived as Qi flowing through the body. The flow of blood within the human body is very subtle. It is only intermittently, in moments of stillness, that one might hear the throbbing of the pulse or become aware of the temple''s beating. this made it difficult to summon one''s full strength. The purpose of stance training was to detect this flow of blood as one would Qi, taking control of it, directing it wherever wanted. The warm current that Shen Qing experienced during his training was the detection of the flow of blood. Yet just sensing it was not enough. Nourishing and training Qi and Blood. Before training, there needs to be nourishment. Everyone has different quantities of blood and varying qualities of blood, all of which can be nourished and improved through medications and food supplements. In the process of nourishing while training, both internal and external cultivation combine to make a person look radiant and full of vigor. When a certain level is reached, and the body''s essence blood reaches the physical limit, merging the Qi-Blood with the intent in one''s mind, then one can cultivate Qi, reaching a new realm. Nine Skills, this process is referred to as¡ªcultivating both internally and externally, harmonizing Qi and blood. Shen Qing read through the content one by one and directly garnered a lot. No wonder that while cultivating now, he only felt that there was a breath he couldn''t summon, and the progress of his cultivation had slowed down considerably. He felt that something was missing. It turned out that he was lacking the process of nourishing blood. In these past days, he had only relied on consuming flesh and blood, which was no longer keeping up with the refinement of Qi and blood within his body. Shen Qing secretly felt fortunate about his decision to recognize characters and read. If he hadn''t understood these things, he feared he might have taken a wrong path. He cleared his mind and continued reading. The remainder was all about the techniques and key points of various stance training practices. It involved quite a few codes, such as "running dragon," "An Xue," "Chong Tian Jiao," and other cryptic terms. Shen Qing had already mastered them in the course of his training. After reading the entire "Nine Skills" from beginning to end, he closed the booklet, still not fully satisfied. All in all, the Nine Skills Martial Arts seemed easy to learn but hard to master; achieving Great Perfection would be very difficult. At this time, Shen Qing suddenly remembered the medicine that Li Linfeng had given him on that day. According to what A Fu said, that medicine was quite precious, likely used for nourishing and training Qi and Blood. He hadn''t taken it lightly upon receiving it. Now, having read the Nine Skills and understanding some of the keys to nourishing and training Qi and Blood, he decided to give it a try immediately. Shen Qing set aside the Martial Arts booklet and took out the medicine that Li Linfeng had given him, found an elixir pot, and started decocting it. Just as Shen Fang, who was bustling about in the kitchen, saw Shen Qing preparing to make the medicine, she hurried over and volunteered to take over, shooing him out of the kitchen. Shen Qing shook his head helplessly and ran to the doorway, focusing on practicing his stance training. Time quickly passed by. By nightfall, Shen Fang had already prepared the medicine and brought it to the table, "Qingzi, the medicine is ready, it has been cooled down, you should drink it early, so it doesn''t get cold." Upon hearing this, Shen Qing finished his practice and exhaled a breath of stale air, responding, "Okay, I got it." He walked back into the room, picked up the bowl of medicine soup from the table, and took a glance. The medicine soup was a deep brown color, with fine herbal residues floating on the surface, emitting a strong and complex smell. Mixed with the richness of ginseng and deer antler and other unknown medicinal fragrances, it direct hit his nostrils. Shen Qing didn''t hesitate at all and gulped it down. As soon as the medicine soup entered his mouth, it immediately filled him with bitterness, causing the muscles on his face to involuntarily twitch. It was damn terrible tasting. While Shen Qing was still enduring the bitterness, a strong medicinal power suddenly transformed into waves of warmth, instantaneously flowing from his belly to the Four Meridians and Eight Vessels. The muscle soreness and weakness caused by the prior cultivation were greatly alleviated in an instant. Not only that, moments later, the surplus medicinal power surged into his Dantian. Shen Qing felt his body heat up, his Qi and blood surged, and the originally gentle warm current grew slightly stronger. As expected, it was a powerful tonic, with immediate effects. No wonder A Fu said this kind of essence was expensive. Shen Qing went into the kitchen and said to Shen Fang, "Sis, you didn''t throw away the dregs, did you?" "Not yet, what''s up?" "Add some water and boil it again, then make those dregs into medicine cakes for me." Such good medicine might not come by again any time soon, and Shen Qing wasn''t about to waste it. Martial Arts are so profound. He wanted to completely refine his Qi and Blood to Great Perfection as soon as possible and head to the county town. Chapter 41: Chapter 40 Breakthrough in Hunting Skills Taiping County, Outer City, Slums."Lord Ba, spare my life, Lord Ba, please spare my life," a young man covered in blood knelt on the ground and repeatedly begged for mercy. "Spare your life? Do you even realize what you''ve done recently?" Old Ba Zi sneered coldly. "I, I, I¡­ I don''t know¡­" The young man was so panicked that he broke into a heavy sweat, his face twisted in a grimace worse than tears: "Recently, the game from the mountains has been scarce, so I became a woodcutter for a while, selling some firewood for a bit of food..." As if remembering something, the young man hastily added, "I didn''t know that was Lord Ba''s firewood. I deserve to die, I deserve to die." As he spoke, he slapped his own face twice with a loud smack and then quickly pulled out a washed-white money pouch from his chest, fawning with a smile: "This is the money I earned from chopping wood, all in here. Lord Ba, please show mercy, let me go as if I were a fart, I swear I won''t dare to do it again." Old Ba Zi slapped away the money pouch in the young man''s hand, throwing it on the ground: "Who wants your trash?" Old Ba Zi grabbed the young man''s collar, violently pulled him close, and asked in a chilling voice, "Who did you sell the Blood Bird''s Nest you got yesterday to?" Hearing the words "Blood Bird''s Nest", the young man''s face paled, he then put on a forced smile and feigned ignorance, "Lord Ba, you must be joking. The Blood Bird''s Nest is a mountain delicacy. I don''t have such a thing." Old Ba Zi narrowed his eyes and said, "Still playing dumb with me at this point?" He grabbed the young man''s wrist and activated his Qi-Blood, causing the veins on his arm to bulge and the muscles to tense up like tumorous lumps. "Refusing a toast only to drink a forfeit, don''t blame me for being impolite." As soon as he finished speaking, Old Ba Zi exerted force on his wrist and squeezed fiercely. "Ah!" A piercing scream erupted from the young man''s throat. His complexion turned deathly pale in an instant, his features knotted together in agony, his body convulsing uncontrollably. Looking down, the young man saw his left wrist twisted into a twisted shape, completely destroyed. "Mercy, mercy¡­" The young man knelt on the ground, begging for life, his breathing suddenly becoming extremely labored. "Have you thought of anything now?" Old Ba Zi released his grip, and the young man''s broken wrist drooped limply, the fingers on it twitching feebly. The young man gasped for cold air, a look of despair and terror appearing on his face, realizing he couldn''t escape today''s fate. Still, he gritted his teeth and said in pain, "I... really don''t have it..." However, before he could finish his sentence, Old Ba Zi had already grabbed his right hand, sneering, "You''d better think carefully before you speak." The young man shuddered violently as he stammered out, "I... I''ll tell you, I sold the Blood Bird''s Nest to Wang Ma." "You should have said so earlier." Old Ba Zi released his hand and patted him on the chest, "If you had spoken sooner, you wouldn''t have had to suffer like this." "Then... Lord Ba... may I leave now?" "Of course, you can, I wasn''t stopping you," said Old Ba Zi as he stepped slightly aside. "Thank you, Lord Ba, thank you, Lord Ba," the young man expressed his gratitude like someone who had survived a great disaster, hastily fleeing the place. However, after only two steps, the sinister voice of Old Ba Zi came floating over, "But everyone in West City knows that Wang Ma and I are at odds; giving him the Blood Bird''s Nest, are you trying to defy me?" "Ah?" The young man turned in horror, looking back in confusion. Bang! A crisp sound of bones breaking echoed. His spine was smashed by a slap from Old Ba Zi. The young man''s eyes bulged as his body collapsed powerlessly, lifeless. Old Ba Zi snorted coldly and called out, "Little Six." "Lord Ba!" A teenager rushed in from outside, glanced indifferently at the corpse on the ground, and then withdrew his gaze, saying, "What did you want to see me for?" "Clean this place up, then go call some people; we are going to settle accounts with Wang Ma. Damn it, getting hold of a ''Nine Skills'' book, reaching Great Perfection of Qi-Blood, and thinking oneself invincible in this world, he even dared to reach out to us." "Alright," Little Six swiftly agreed. Just as he was about to leave, he was stopped by Old Ba Zi again, "Hold on, any news from Old Three about that guy who killed so many of our brothers a few days ago?" "Not yet, the brothers from the Outer City haven''t come across him; he must not have come into town yet." "What about his background?" "The brothers in the city saw him heading to Wanfeng Building, but other than that, Old Three hasn''t found anything. He''s likely a local hunter coming into town for the first time." Old Ba Zi puffed up his chest and said viciously, "A mere village hunter dares to lay hands on us, they don''t regard us at all, it''s outrageous. Tell the brothers, I, Old Ba, have always practiced vengeance for grievances; let them be at ease. Just give me a little more time, I''ll definitely take revenge for the brothers." "The brothers all know the kind of person you are, Lord Ba, but there are some complaints privately, though most still support you," Little Six said. Many days have passed, and Old Ba hasn''t shown any sign of taking action for revenge, so it''s inevitable that there were some whispers and rumors among the people beneath him. Old Ba knew someone was coveting his position, secretly inciting trouble, looking for an opportunity to replace him. This being a matter of his future, he had to take it seriously. ¡­ In the woods. "Crack!" sea??h th§× Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. A goat was caught in a trap, struggling furiously. "Got one!" Not far from the trap, Shen Qing in a gray robe with a split skirt emerged from the forest, approaching skillfully. He moved cautiously to avoid provoking even more relentless resistance from the goat. By the time he reached in front of the goat, he held a reinforced rope in one hand and swiftly brought out a resilient vine with the other, skillfully tying up the goat firmly, with neat and clean movements. The goat, now securely tied, gradually reduced its struggles, staring at Shen Qing with grievous eyes, occasionally letting out stubborn snorts. "Goat, goat, don''t blame me, you were born to be part of a dish. Go early this year, come back early next year." Shen Qing patted the goat''s head, seemingly in a good mood. "The progress of my hunting skills feels like it''s about enough for today." A gleam of light flashed in Shen Qing''s eyes. In his vision, segments of calligraphy slowly emerged through the misty ink. [Skill: Hunting (Small Success)] [Progress: 202/200 points] [Status: Upgradeable] [Note: Continuous practice can achieve a comprehensive breakthrough. There''s a certain probability that some techniques in hunting will be transformed.] That''s enough. Shen Qing willed, "Upgrade!" Suddenly, a flurry of complex memories surged into his mind, and a wild aura rapidly emanated from his body. His muscles underwent subtle movements, as if after endless tempering, the lines of his muscles became smoother and stronger, [Skill: Hunting (Mastery)] [Progress: 2/300 points] [Status: Not Upgradeable] [Note: The continuous breakthrough of hunting skills has transformed the Baiting and Concealment skills; awakening new skills: Skillful Baiting, Poison Shadow. Using these skills, one can greatly increase the success rate of hunting.] Chapter 42: Chapter 41: Great Perfection of Qi and Blood (Request for Follow-up Reading) "Skillful Baiting, Poison Shadow? Can greatly increase the success rate of hunting?"Shen Qing gazed at the scriptural explanation, lost in thought, then a surge of indescribable joy bubbled up in his heart. As the name suggests, this skill is an upgraded version of baiting and tracking. These two skills appear simple, but in reality, they are among the most demanding hunting skills, requiring intense hunter power. Usually, without ten or fifteen years of pondering, it is impossible to grasp the essence, leading only to a clumsy understanding. Shen Qing was surprised that he could master it directly. Now with this skill, he could either use baits or poison powder to overturn his prey or approach them silently, undetected. If he encountered cunning and agile prey such as foxes or minks in the future, he wouldn''t miss his shot. Perhaps even those rare mountain delicacies wouldn''t pose a problem. With nothing else to do, he secretly tried it out and found that whether arranging baits or stealthily taking down prey, he was doing it seamlessly, his skill was unnaturally seasoned. Prey without spiritual wisdom would hardly notice any human traces. Shen Qing''s mood was greatly uplifted. After several trials, Shen Qing gradually got the hang of the changes and felt reassured. Then, carrying the goat that was no longer struggling, his figure slowly vanished into the forest, leaving behind a trail of deep footprints in the snow. When he reached a three-way fork in the road, he stopped and stood still. Soon, two fairly large figures emerged from the forest. It was Shanwa and Hu Zi. Seeing the goat Shen Qing was carrying, their eyes lit up, "Brother Qingzi, we actually caught one, yeah!" "When have you ever come back empty-handed with me on the mountain?" Shen Qing said with a smile. Unlike before, his prestige in the village was now akin to being at its peak, with many people wanting to join groups with him to hunt on the mountain. But he noticed their intentions, recognizing they wanted to do him a favor by currying favor with him. All in all, it felt strange to him, as everyone seemed to have their own motives. To silence others, during this period every time he went hunting on the mountain, he deliberately took his cousins Shen Xiaohu and Shen Xiaoshan with him. This not only trained their hunting skills but also helped alleviate some of the burdens on their uncle and aunt''s family. It was a win-win situation. "Brother Qingzi, if this continues, I''m afraid the game in this mountain will be depleted by you, leaving nothing left to hunt." "You really worry too much. Our village has been living at the foot of this Shicheng Mountain for many years now. Have you ever seen it hunted clean? As long as we take care after spring, making sure not to drain the resources, it shouldn''t be a problem." Shen Qing lifted his foot, "Let''s go, time to head back." The two cousins, each holding a sandalwood bow, followed behind Shen Qing, heading towards Hongshan Village at the foot of the mountain. Along the way, Shen Xiaoshan suddenly asked, "Brother Qingzi, can I still join a Martial Arts Hall to practice martial arts?" "It might be difficult." Shen Qing knew his uncle''s family wasn''t very wealthy; it was already hard for them to support one person in a Martial Arts Hall, not to mention another. Now that Shen Xiaohu was fortunate enough to join Linfeng Hall, there was no chance for Shen Xiaoshan anymore. Shen Xiaoshan, knowing this might be the answer, reluctantly asked again only to face the same result, looking somewhat downcast. "Do you really want to learn?" Shen Qing asked, turning back. Shen Xiaoshan quickly replied without hesitation, "Yes!" "Then when I have time, I''ll teach you some stance training for nourishing and training Qi and Blood," Shen Qing said as he walked through the forest, "Initially going to a Martial Arts Hall involves nourishing and training Qi and Blood, you can practice just the same at home. Once you''ve developed your Qi and Blood and your uncle''s family is in a better position, going to a Martial Arts Hall won''t hold you back." Upon hearing Shen Qing''s words, Shen Xiaoshan''s face glowed with sudden happiness. "Thanks, Brother Qingzi. That goat must be heavy, let me help you carry it for a while." "No need, no need..." The three brothers frolicked as they walked toward Hongshan Village at the foot of the mountain. The setting sun poured down like molten gold, covering the snowy forests of the mountain, as well as the three Shen Qing, bathing them in a layer of golden light. In the distance at the mountain''s foot, blue smoke from cooking rose gently from the village houses, drifting slowly in the evening breeze like a light veil. It was a time of peace and tranquility. ... Four days later. Shen Qing had consumed all the medicine Li Linfeng had given him, including some tonics he had previously scavenged from the Chen Family, leaving none behind. He secretly calculated that the cost of the medicine he had consumed was no less than five or six taels. Enough to cover the expenses of an ordinary family for nearly half a year. It is said that poverty breeds scholars and wealth breeds warriors. He had indeed gained some insight. But you get what you pay for. In recent days, after taking these tonics, Shen Qing''s progress in stance training and nourishing and training Qi and Blood surged as if he had activated a cheat code, increasing at least twice as fast as before. In less than ten days, he had once again met the conditions for a breakthrough. [Skill: Nine Skills (the level of mastery)] [Progress: 306/300 points] [Status: Can be elevated] Shen Qing licked his dry lips. If he were to break through to the Great Perfection of Qi and Blood, he would undeniably be stronger than now. By then, he should be able to deal with one or two local tyrants of the Outer City. In the candlelit room, as the light flickered eerily, it illuminated Shen Qing''s resolute face. He hesitated no longer, "Break through for me!" Boom! Shen Qing felt a muffled sound, and the Qi and Blood within his body seemed to boil suddenly. Underneath his skin, the veins resembled ignited fuse, circulating a fiery glow, and the sensation of Qi and Blood reached an unprecedented intensity. An invisible force erupted from Shen Qing''s Dantian, like a volcanic eruption, transforming into waves of warmth, flushing every inch of his body. As this warm flow washed over him, moments later, a slight yet soul-shaking crack was heard, causing Shen Qing''s eyes to suddenly open wide, shooting out beams of intense light, brightening the dim room momentarily. Never having seen such a phenomenon before, Shen Qing was momentarily astounded. As time slowly passed and all signs of the breakthrough had subsided, Shen Qing began to carefully sense the changes in his body. To his amazement, he discovered that the warm flow inside him had grown even thicker, almost twice its original size. It moved with his thoughts, continuously circulating within his body. Shen Qing took a deep breath, his energy boundless, feeling better than he ever had before. So this is what the Great Perfection of Qi and Blood feels like. With a thought from Shen Qing, the description of the Nine Skills appeared before his eyes. [Skill: Nine Skills (the Great Perfection)] [Progress: 6/400 points] [Status: Cannot be elevated] [Note: As Heaven''s movement is ever vigorous, so must a gentleman ceaselessly strive to strengthen himself. Continuously practicing and advancing in this cultivation technique can help break limits of this skill.] S§×arch* The ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 43: Chapter 42 Good news, Old Ba Zi is injured "Break limit?"Shen Qing looked at the water ink characters in his sight, showing a faint look of bewilderment. As far as he knew, the Martial Arts of the Nine Skills could essentially only be cultivated to the Great Perfection of Qi and Blood. Once reaching this step, the Qi-Blood within one''s body had already reached the physical limit it could endure, and no matter how much more one cultivated, it would not increase the Qi-Blood or produce any power. It was like a cup filled with water; if you kept adding water, it would overflow, but the total amount of water contained would not change. At this moment, the Water Ink Panel suddenly reminded him that the Nine Skills had a Limit Breaking Technique, which somewhat overturned the understanding of Martial Arts he had just established. In fact, through continuous exploration over these days, Shen Qing had already discovered the pattern of the Water Ink Panel. Generally speaking, as long as he had reached Entry Level in a skill, the Water Ink Panel would incorporate it. After being incorporated into the Panel, each time he practiced, he could continuously improve his Progress, deepening his comprehension. Upon reaching a bottleneck, he could subjectively Break Limit, integrating all the details he had practiced, and sometimes this would even bring about changes in some innate talents and skills. Just like learning to recognize characters and read, practicing every day would deepen one''s wisdom and comprehension, and then when quantitative change caused qualitative change, one would break through. He also unexpectedly awakened the skill Never Forget. Currently, the various skills in the Water Ink Panel can be basically divided into several levels: "Entry Level," "Skillfully," "Small Success," "Great Success," and "Great Perfection." He had never encountered such a concept as breaking limits before. "However, this is not a bad thing. Having reached the realm of Great Perfection of Qi and Blood, I already possess Half Bull Strength. If I continue to break through and reach the Break Limit, my overall strength should further improve. Undoubtedly, I will be stronger than others who are also at the Great Perfection of Qi and Blood." A few threads of excitement laced through Shen Qing''s eyes. "Since that''s the case, I shouldn''t slack off; I should practice with unwavering diligence." Shen Qing stood on the ground with his legs apart, steady as a rock. He slowly raised his hands, palms facing upwards, his breath composed around him as he began to guide and cultivate the Qi-Blood within his body. In the blink of an eye, three days passed. After learning that the Nine Skills could be limit broken, Shen Qing devoted most of his energy to cultivating this Martial Art every day. Through arduous cultivation, Shen Qing advanced the progress of the Nine Skills a bit further. At this time, there was no obvious change in the Qi-Blood within his body. But with consecutive cultivation of the Nine Skills, Shen Qing vaguely felt that he had become more robust, his muscles seemed fuller and filled with strength, and his mental status improved even more. Shen Qing couldn''t help but anticipate what it would be like after breaking the limit of the Nine Skills. After ending three days of cultivation, he walked outside his house. After many days without snow, Hongshan Village was bathed in radiant sunshine, all things basking in the glittering light. The snow in the village had already melted, only the thick snow on the mountains remained. Counting the days, it was time to go to the county town. Now, having reached the realm of Great Perfection of Qi and Blood, his strength far surpassed that of ordinary people, and even if he passed through the shanty areas of the Outer City, he had the capability to protect himself. sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. As he was thinking this, Tian Xiaohu came running over with a beaming face and called out, "Qingzi, Qingzi, there''s good news." With a puzzled face, Shen Qing walked out and asked in surprise, "What good news?" "One of my friends went to the county town yesterday," Tian Xiaohu said with a laugh. "He told me that Old Ba Zi was injured." Upon hearing this, Shen Qing''s brows furrowed slightly, a hint of confusion on his face, "Who is Old Ba Zi?" Tian Xiaohu slapped his thigh and said, "Didn''t you kill quite a few people when you left the city last time? I''ve looked into it, and those men were all under Old Ba Zi." A look of surprise briefly crossed Shen Qing''s face, followed by sudden realization. He hadn''t expected that Tian Xiaohu had been secretly gathering this information for him these past days, which took him quite by surprise. "What happened? Tell me more about it." "Right after you came back last time, Xiao Hu told us all about what happened on the road. I was thinking you''d have to go back to the city sooner or later, so I helped you keep an eye on the affairs of the Outer City. It''s only in the past few days that I''ve come to understand some of it." "I''ve heard from a friend that Old Ba Zi got into a fierce fight with Wang Mazi a few days back, apparently vying for territory in the West City area. They killed quite a number of people. Old Ba Zi was also severely injured and hasn''t shown up for many days. You should be fine going into the county city for the time being." "So that''s the story." Shen Qing nodded earnestly, "Thank you for that. Without your mentioning it, I wouldn''t have known about these behind-the-scenes happenings." "My life was saved by you. If it weren''t for you, I might have been killed by Chen Yuan, this is no big deal," Tian Xiaohu waved his hand and continued, "Besides, you offered a fair price last time; everyone still wants to sell mountain goods to you and keeps asking when you will go to the county. Helping you is helping everyone." "The regard of everyone is truly humbling," Shen Qing reflected for a moment, then continued, "I''ll let everyone know, I''m headed to the county tomorrow." "Then I''ll go and talk to Zhang Bazi later; he''s the one who''s best at this. Just like before, tomorrow, I''ll have everyone bring their goods directly to you." "That works, sorry to trouble you to make the trip." "A trivial matter. I''ll head back now." After seeing Tian Xiaohu off, Shen Qing returned to the room and gazed at the bow and arrows hanging on the wall. A sharp glint flashed in his eyes, and his expression was as calm as water. From killing the Chen Family Brothers to wiping out Chen Yuan''s family, and then those lowlifes in the Outer City... He had been a bit inexperienced at the beginning, but with each kill, he became more accustomed and adapted to it. Old Ba Zi needed to be killed. If he didn''t kill him, according to what Zhang Shuyuan said, once Old Ba Zi recovered from his injuries, there might be conflicts anytime he entered the city. Open attacks are easy to dodge, but hidden arrows are difficult to guard against. It''s uncertain whether Old Ba Zi had backers. "I am the only one capable of fighting here. If the other side has backing and sends a martial master, I''m afraid I won''t be able to handle it." If he wanted to continue his trade in mountain goods, Old Ba Zi had to be killed¡ªthere was no other way! Better to strike on the chosen day than to wait for the perfect one. Tomorrow, I will act! For the sake of caution, Shen Qing took out the poison powder he had gotten from the Chen Family Brothers and fetched a dagger as well, planning to take them with him when he left for the city the next day. The night passed without incident. The next morning, as dawn broke, many villagers had already registered their mountain goods under Zhang Baqing''s arrangements. By the time Shen Qing came out, the goods were already being loaded onto carts. Shen Qing had no money on hand and needed to buy on credit, but the villagers seemed to trust him implicitly and hardly questioned it. The pettiness from before had vanished without a trace, which filled Shen Qing with emotion. It wasn''t long before all the mountain goods in the village were properly organized. Considering Shen Xiaohu''s youth and lack of experience, plus the potential need for martial arts training, Shen Qing also called upon Tian Xiaohu to go with him to Taiping County, having an extra hand for help along the way. Tian Xiaohu gladly agreed, sorted out his family affairs, and followed suit. Chapter 44: Chapter 43: Wang Mazi, may you meet a bad end! By now, the winter season had passed by more than half.Before long, as the weather warmed, the government officials of Taiping County would start making excuses to supervise the springtime hunting ban in every village and stronghold. S~ea??h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Once the hunting ban began, the mountains would be off-limits. So taking advantage of the period before the ban, villagers who were hunters put all their energy into hunting in the mountains. As a result, this time the mountain goods piled on Shen Qing''s cart were more than double the previous load. The winter morning sun pierced through the thin mist, slowly illuminating the endless stretch of green mountains. The snow-clad peaks gradually revealed patches of greenery under the caress of the morning light. The golden radiance fell on the faces of Shen Qing and the others, making them feel warm and comfortable. Seeing that Shen Xiaohu and Tian Xiaohu were feigning sleep to rest, and with nothing else to do, Shen Qing checked the items he carried on his person. A bow, fifteen arrows, a bag of poison powder, and a dagger, four items in total. His most familiar weapon now was the bow and arrows, but although useful, they could only be employed against distant foes. Should he come to close combat with an adversary, their effectiveness would be greatly reduced. Moreover, for someone at the Great Perfection of Qi and Blood, ordinary bows and arrows were of little use. After all, the power of the arrows ultimately depended on the bow. The Elm Wood Bow was good, but its strength was limited, at most two shi, approximately a hundred kilograms. The one he had used for a long time had diminished in power, probably below two shi. "After reaching the Great Perfection of Qi and Blood, I can mobilize my Qi-Blood to increase the toughness of my muscles; such a bow can no longer shoot through me. If I were to go and kill Old Ba, the bow and arrows would not be a good choice." "Therefore, the best approach would be to use poison and assassination." Shen Qing sat on the cart, listening to the chirping of the birds in the surrounding woods, silently weighing his options. From Hongshan Village to Taiping County, there was a distance of fifty to sixty li. After the snow melted, the mountain roads became muddy and difficult to traverse. It took Shen Qing nearly half an hour to make just half the journey. By that time, more and more carts began to appear on the road. Upon closer inspection, it was evident that various carts, big and small, were loaded with more or less mountain goods, all making their way to the county. There were even some carts carrying boys and girls; some had red-rimmed eyes, clearly having just cried. If Shen Qing wasn''t mistaken, these were likely brokers involved in human trafficking. Every winter, many families couldn''t make ends meet and were reduced to selling their children. These kids were destined for sale to wealthy households. His own younger aunt was sold off in this way. After a while, two fine horses suddenly charged forward. Shen Qing quickly steered his cart to the side and looked intently at the approaching horses. The two horses had glossy coats and were plump and strong, clearly of excellent breed, and the two riders atop them were no ordinary people. They wore iron armor and sat erect on their steeds, with swords hanging at their waists and eyes as sharp as eagles, exuding an awe-inspiring presence. They were the government officers from the Guardian Martial Department of the county government! Accompanied by a crisp whip crack, the horses'' hooves thundered, and two strong gusts of wind blew past with incredible speed as they dashed by their sides. Shen Qing and the others couldn''t help but watch those two figures until they completely disappeared from view. After the two government officers had left, Shen Qing gradually began to hear the murmurs of the surrounding people. "I heard that traces of the Huang Tian Sect bandits were found outside the county town, and many from the Guardian Martial Department were dispatched to conduct searches." "There are people from the Huang Tian Sect in Taiping County too?" "Hard to say. Recently the Huang Tian Sect attacked Jinzhou, and the court''s several expeditions have been fruitless, with the bandits only growing in number. The Huang Tian Sect''s momentum is getting bigger. If this continues, it won''t be long before it affects the county town." "Taiping County is an important stronghold outside the county town, strategically located and hard to access. If the Huang Tian Sect were to attack the county town, Taiping County would likely bear the brunt. There are signs that the county government''s Military Department is expanding recruitment, and many martial masters have already been drafted as officers." "Then I''ll let my fellow sect members know to avoid any involvement with the Guardian Martial Department at all costs. The Huang Tian Sect is not to be trifled with." The discussion of the crowd gradually faded away until it was no longer audible. Shen Qing, sitting on the cart, became increasingly silent. All this talk of the Huang Tian Sect, Jinzhou, and the court, he couldn''t understand. All he knew was that chaos seemed imminent. What a wretched world! "Drive!" Shen Qing cracked his whip and urged the tired horse into a jog. An hour later. Shen Qing and the others arrived at the Outer City of Taiping County. "We''re about to enter the slum area, lads. Stay sharp and keep an eye on the merchandise. I''ve got to relieve myself, wait here for me." Shen Qing leaped down from the cart, threw the reins to Tian Xiaohu, and headed towards a thicket nearby. Tian Xiaohu puzzled, "Why does your brother take a bow and arrow with him for a shit?" "Dunno, maybe for self-defense. This place is pretty chaotic." "Makes some sense," Tian Xiaohu nodded but still felt something was off. ... The slum area. In a cramped small room that could barely fit a bed. Old Ba Zi lay on the bed, his chest wrapped in white gauze, his complexion somewhat pale. Little Six, holding a piece of black plaster, said, "Boss, sit up, and I''ll change your dressing for you." The fat on Old Ba Zi''s body quivered. He sat up at the mention, slapped the bed plank hard, and growled, "I never thought that damned Wang Mazi would be so shameless as to get help, making us suffer such a big loss. Once I''m healed, I''ll kill him." "Fuck, take it easy," Old Ba Zi kicked Little Six away with one foot. The latter quickly got up, put on a smiling face, and resumed changing the dressing. "Wait a second." Old Ba Zi suddenly perked up his ears and listened before asking, "Don''t you think something''s not right?" Little Six, puzzled, "What''s not right?" "Where are the brothers I stationed outside? Why is there no sound at all? Go check it out." "Oh." Little Six put down what he was doing and ran out quickly. After a while, there was no response from Little Six. "Little Six, Little Six." Old Ba Zi called out twice but got no answer. He immediately had a bad feeling, pulled a shiny long knife from under the bed, tucked it behind his back, and cautiously approached, then used the knife to poke open the door. There was nobody outside the door. Old Ba Zi took a few steps and saw some bloodstains on the ground. Following the direction, he looked and was immediately terrified. All his men had turned into corpses piled up together. Old Ba Zi turned to run but was suddenly blinded by a clump of white ash thrown in his eyes. "Ah!" Old Ba Zi let out a piercing scream, waving the long knife wildly, hitting everything around him before staggering through the door into the room. Just when he thought he was safe. A shadow slowly emerged behind him, holding a dagger, stabbing fiercely towards him. Thump. The dagger sank into flesh. Old Ba Zi cried out in pain, turning around to swing his knife. Bang! In a rush, Shen Qing ducked low, throwing a punch. Old Ba Zi sensed it, took the punch head-on, and countered with a punch of his own. Bang bang bang. All the furniture in the room was smashed to pieces from the force of their punches. "Stance training! Nine Skills! You fucking Wang Mazi?" Old Ba Zi quickly realized, his body trembling uncontrollably as he lunged over in extreme excitement, "I''m gonna kill you!" The room was too small; the bow was useless, and Old Ba Zi, also blinded, was lashing out in desperation. Shen Qing decided not to fight him head-on but silently moved behind Old Ba Zi. Picking up a piece of broken wood from the ground, he hit him with a dull thud. Thump! A muffled sound, Old Ba Zi was dazed. Just then, the poison powder began to take effect. Old Ba Zi started to stagger, unable to stand steadily. Seeing the opportunity, Shen Qing took the dagger and plunged it into Old Ba Zi''s body repeatedly, turning him into a bloodied mess. Old Ba Zi, unwilling to accept his fate, felt a surge of Qi-Blood, roaring, "Wang Mazi, you won''t die a good death!!! Boss won''t spare you!" The sound spread far and wide. Shen Qing didn''t bother to argue, channeling his Qi-Blood to cut Old Ba Zi''s throat with a knife, silencing him forever. Pocketing the dagger, he rummaged through the room and found some Silver Tael to stuff into his pocket. Then, crouching down, he climbed out through the rear window and left quickly, his figure vanishing in the alley. Chapter 45: Chapter 44 Aftermath The slum was densely packed and crisscrossed.In the uneven alleyways, Shen Qing quickly stepped through the mud and water. When he occasionally encountered other strangers, he silently kept his head down, not letting anyone see his face clearly. Once he left the slum area, Shen Qing started to run with large strides, and when he reached the suburban woods outside the city, he leaped and plunged into the jungle. He was already at the Great Perfection of Qi and Blood, and with the breakthrough in his hunting skills, he had mastered the ability of Poison Shadow. The combination of the two made Shen Qing almost like a fish in water in the jungle. He hopped and swooped, moving through the forest as quickly as a fleeting shadow, agilely navigating the trees. In less than the time it takes half an incense stick to burn, he had already returned to the bush he left earlier. Shen Qing hurriedly changed into the cotton clothing he had taken off earlier, covering up the bloodstains from the fight, and then, with the relaxed expression of someone who had just lightened his load, he walked towards the cart by the roadside. At this time, Shen Xiaohu and Tian Xiaohu were leaning against the cart, vigilantly scanning the passersby around them. "I''m ready, let''s go," Shen Qing called out as he walked by and quickly sat on the cart, grabbing the reins. Shen Xiaohu and Tian Xiaohu said nothing and got on the cart in succession. "Giddy up!" Shen Qing cracked the whip. Clatter, clatter... The old horse plodded forward, and the cart''s wheels slowly turned. On the cart, Tian Xiaohu couldn''t help but take several more glances at Shen Qing. In just the time it took to drink a pot of tea, he noticed that Shen Qing had returned with many fewer arrows than he had taken. More importantly, if he remembered correctly, Shen Qing didn''t take any toilet paper when he went to relieve himself. And the place he went to relieve himself was a bush which was full of thorny branches, commonly known as cat''s thorns¡ªit''s impossible to wipe oneself clean with them. He must not have gone to relieve himself, Tian Xiaohu was quite certain. As for what exactly he did, seeing that Shen Qing didn''t mention it, Tian Xiaohu also tactfully didn''t ask. One horse, one cart, three men were traveling on the thoroughfare outside of Taiping City, neither fast nor slow. This was already the second time Shen Qing entered the city, so he was well-acquainted with the route. A few moments later, the three men had already entered the slum area and arrived at the Seven Turns Alley they passed before. At this time, Shen Xiaohu couldn''t help but become nervous. "Brother Qingzi, people ambushed us here last time, are we still going this way?" Shen Qing showed no intention of slowing down the cart and said while looking straight ahead, "I asked the bookworms, this path is the closest to enter the city from our direction, if we don''t go here, we would have to take a long detour, which isn''t worth it." "Moreover, the people living here are all sly as ghosts; they won''t leave you so many options." Shen Qing abruptly whipped the horse, urging the lazy animal, "Relax, there''s nothing to worry about, giddy up!" Shen Xiaohu, holding a bow and arrows, face dripping with cold sweat, scanned the surroundings with a fierce look, jittery the entire way. To his surprise, on the way, no one came up to talk to them; not even the group of beggar kids who had surrounded them during their last visit were to be seen. Very strange indeed. After some time, they crossed Seven Turns Alley and suddenly heard a clamor ahead; a large crowd was gathered in a nearby alley. Shen Xiaohu stretched his neck curiously and asked, "What''s happening up front?" Shen Qing glanced over and said casually, "Don''t know." As they passed by, several bodies were being carried out. "Holy mother, a lot of people are dead," exclaimed Shen Xiaohu. Shen Qing looked back and recognized that this was the alley where he had just killed Old Ba Zi. He hadn''t expected his deed to be discovered so quickly, attracting so many onlookers. He secretly felt fortunate for his decisive departure; any later and it really would have been difficult to escape. S§×arch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The cart passed two county officers with closely cropped hair. They were looking at the bodies being carried out and chatting leisurely, one sentence at a time. After leaving Seven Turns Alley, the road ahead was still not very spacious, with people on both sides; the cart was passing close by them. The officers'' conversation fell into the ears of Shen Qing and the others. "Didn''t expect Wang Mazi to be so ruthless. Not long ago he was challenged by Old Ba, and today he just directly took action and killed Old Ba. Old Ba had barely gotten into Boss'' good graces and established a foothold here before getting killed without enjoying much fortune." "Isn''t that the truth. He died rather miserably too; nearly every part of his body was ruined. He was almost turned into a porcupine, bleeding all over like a colander. The helplessness and screams when he died could be heard for miles." "His men also went down on their bad luck, all dead, one arrow to the throat. Wang Mazi didn''t plan to leave any room for them to survive." "With this kind of disturbance, Boss probably won''t let it lie; now there''ll be excitement to watch." "..." The idle chat of the two government officers had fallen into Tian Xiaohu''s ears, and he was immediately shocked to his core. A bolt of lightning flashed through his mind, and an unbelievable suspicion surfaced. He looked at Shen Qing with incredulity, opened his mouth to speak, found that there were countless words he wanted to say, but he didn''t know how to begin. Just now he hadn''t gone to defecate; instead, he had gone to kill Old Ba Zi. That''s right, it must be so. What kind of normal person goes to relieve himself while still carrying a bow and arrows? The reason there were fewer arrows on him was that he had used them. Seeing Shen Qing''s indifferent expression, Tian Xiaohu''s words reached his throat, but being quite tactful, he swallowed hard and forced them back down. At this moment, waves of doubt washed over him. He couldn''t understand how in just that short span of time, Shen Qing could have suddenly killed so many people? He had heard from a friend that Old Ba Zi had already reached the Great Perfection of Qi and Blood, just a step away from becoming a martial master. His notorious reputation in the region was well-known to everyone. And yet, he had been killed so effortlessly? Tian Xiaohu found it unbelievable. He couldn''t help but look at Shen Qing again, seriously reevaluating him. Back in the village, he had always thought of Shen Qing as a mediocre hunter with no real talent. Quiet, honest, and his hunting skills were lacking. But the events that later unfolded in the village had made him reevaluate Shen Qing. A ruthless man. But now, he had a new understanding of Shen Qing''s ruthlessness. Just yesterday he had informed Shen Qing about Old Ba being injured; today, Shen Qing came to the county city, and after disappearing for a while, Old Ba Zi was dead. What was more frightening was that from the beginning to the end, no one except him would suspect Shen Qing. The tactic was too seasoned. Old Ba Zi''s death was undoubtedly a good thing for them; they wouldn''t have to fear when entering the county city anymore. If he had the capability, he would certainly have wanted to kill him himself, to remove this obstacle in their path. But he definitely couldn''t have done it as cleanly as Shen Qing had. Shen Qing, he was bound to achieve great things in the future! Tian Xiaohu decided to keep everything he had seen today and all the thoughts in his mind to himself, and not to mention them to anyone who asked. "Brother Qingzi, did you hear that? Old Ba is dead, no one will come looking for trouble with us anymore," said Shen Xiaohu, bubbling with excitement. Shen Qing let out a light chuckle and said, "Don''t be too happy just yet; without Old Ba, who''s to say there won''t be an Old Ninth or Old Tenth that pops up? Wouldn''t it be the same then?" "This¡­" Shen Xiaohu was at a loss for words. "Let''s talk about the future when it comes." Shen Qing turned their attention back, spurred his horse towards the city gate, and silently picked up the pace a little. At this time, a middle-aged man dressed in a clean changshan walked past them, accompanied by three or four followers. The middle-aged man had a robust physique, with arms that extended past his knees. Upon closer inspection, one could see that both of his palms, especially near the pinky fingers, had thick calluses¡ªa sign that he was a martial practitioner, not someone to be trifled with. As the middle-aged man reached the mouth of the alley, the two officers put away the casual expression on their faces and, with a smile, said, "Boss has arrived." The middle-aged man bowed slightly to the two officers and asked, "Have you two cleared up the matter?" "Everything''s clear; it was certainly done by Wang Mazi," one of the officers said calmly. "Many people heard it themselves, and we''ve verified it with each one." "I see, you two have worked hard." With that, the man known as Boss, took out two silver ingots from his bosom, and handed them to the officers, saying, "Here''s a little something for tea, please also present my regards to your lord." "Of course, come by the government office more when you''re free, we''ll have a small drink with Boss," they responded. "Next time, definitely," he said. "We''ll take our leave now, Boss, please go ahead," they said. Boss bowed politely and said, "Take care, I won''t see you out." Watching the officers leave, Boss''s smiling face suddenly turned cold, and he said icily, "Take care of Wang Mazi, he broke the rules; we can''t keep him around. Also, check to see if anyone has recently held a grudge against those two. We can''t simply listen to others, we need to verify things ourselves." "Yes, Boss," the two young men behind the middle-aged man nodded and hurried off. "These people really are a headache, causing trouble at a time like this; they all deserve to die." Chapter 46: Chapter 45 Song and Dong Family Bully the Market Shen Qing skillfully maneuvered the reins, blending seamlessly with the numerous caravans, and again slowly approached the gate of Taiping County.The arched gate was wide open, revealing the dry road beyond. Over the years, the gray brick-paved road had been worn shiny black, with snowmelt accumulating in the cracks between the bricks. Upon closer inspection, there were also a few piles of horse dung scattered about. The guards, clad in old-fashioned armor, stood inside the gate, either leaning against the walls or sitting on simple wooden stools, showing no intention of cleaning up. The horse dung was continually crushed by the passing carts'' wheels, turning into green manure water. The guards'' gazes drift nonchalantly between the pedestrians and the goods passing by. They would occasionally look up lazily to ask a few questions, perfunctorily checking the luggage and waving through anyone who paid the city entrance fee. At this moment, it was the morning rush hour to enter the city, and the flow of people was considerable. Shen Qing and his two companions had to wait for about a quarter of an hour before their turn came. "Whoa!" Shen Qing halted his cart and confidently pulled out the silver he had prepared in advance, proactively handing it over before the guard could speak, his movements smooth and natural. "Half a tael of silver, I know the rules," Shen Qing said with an indifferent smile, his voice seasoned and unconcerned: "I am a disciple from Linfeng Hall, brother, do me a favor." The guard took the twenty large coins, quite pleased with Shen Qing''s understanding. He then habitually muttered "Go on in," and lazily waved him through. After paying the city entrance fee, Shen Qing drove his horse slowly through the gate. Since he entered the city quite early this time, he managed to catch the morning market. Upon entering the gate, a wave of noise surged toward him like a tsunami. The cacophony of hawkers'' cries, shouts, and laughter mingled together, making it especially noisy and chaotic. The air was also filled with the smell of various fried pancakes. On the main street, there were no nobles or young lords, mostly stall vendors, as well as some woodcutters carrying wood through the streets, and servants out shopping. Compared to his initial awkwardness and displeasure, having walked through once already, Shen Qing was now very familiar with the routes inside the city. He briefly checked the location, then led "two tigers" towards the direction of Wanfeng Building. On the way, Shen Qing casually bought three pancakes, which served as a quick breakfast for them. After walking for a while, they arrived at the entrance of Wanfeng Building, and after stating their purpose, they went directly to the backyard of Wanfeng Building. Now was the peak period for winter hunting, so there were no fewer than seven or eight hunters from other villages in the backyard of Wanfeng Building. However, they were mostly individuals. None, like Shen Qing who had brought a whole cart, were present. Even so, seeing this atmosphere, Shen Qing already had a bad feeling. He consulted briefly with the people around him, learning that the buying price for mountain goods had been lowered. After doing the math, Shen Qing realized that his earnings had nearly halved. Previously, he could make close to 700 cents; now, it was barely 200 cents, and he might not make any money at all. Wasn''t this outright bullying? "That''s a total of 120 wen!" Sear?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. In the backyard, Wang Qiyao was holding an abacus, tallying up the goods'' value. An accountant beside him was writing down the accounts with a brush, ready to pay out the silver for settlement. "These are a whole eighteen wild rabbits, how can it be only 120 wen?" The hunter was reluctant, trying to bargain for more. "So you won''t sell then?" Wang Qiyao glanced at him, walked past, and called out: "Next." The overlooked hunter hurriedly rushed forward, clutching at Wang Qiyao''s sleeve and pleading, "Please, please, let it be 120 wen then." Wang Qiyao flicked his sleeve, shaking off the hunter''s hand, and glanced sideways as he said, "It''s not that I intentionally want to pay less, but now is the season when you mountain drivers have the best yield. Everyone is rushing to sell to me, which naturally drives the price down. Once spring comes, the prices will naturally bounce back." The hunter''s face showed a trace of contempt. He knew Wang Qiyao was right, but by the time spring arrived next year, hunting would be prohibited in the mountains. By then, those who dared to go up the mountain were either well-connected or outright desperate, risking their lives for it. The county government of Taiping was adept at finding any pretext, without saying. If they got you in their grasp, they wouldn''t let go until they had squeezed you dry. By that time, for these rootless people going into the mountains, even if it didn''t ruin families, it would likely cost them heavily, barely leaving them alive. It seemed as though the hunter had resigned himself to his fate as he handed over the goods and, taking the 120 wen payout, left despondently. Wanfeng Building''s manager, Wang Qiyao, seemed quite accustomed to this, casually instructing about the delicacies just as the hunter was leaving and started selecting the next candidate. Shen Qing, with a keen eye, noticed that the hunter was carrying a splendidly feathered wild hen, which was in good condition. In the past, it could have sold for 150 wen, but Wang Qiyao offered only eighty wen. The hunter''s face turned from green to white. But he was completely helpless. In the county, the only ones buying mountain goods were the Song family; if he didn''t want to sell, his only other options were to consume it himself or let it rot, without making a single penny. Ultimately, the hunter could only swallow his frustration and accept the deal. Just then, a hunter changed his mind and wanted to return to cancel the deal and take his goods back, but the servants of Wanfeng Building stopped him, and Wang Qiyao loudly scolded, "Once the money and goods have been exchanged, these goods belong to the boss and have nothing to do with you, throw him out." The servants of Wanfeng Building rushed up, punched him to the ground, lifted him directly, and threw him high, tossing him over the courtyard wall. "My arm, my arm..." Shen Xiaohu and Tian Xiaohu, hearing the continuing cries and screams outside the wall, couldn''t help but change their expressions. This place truly showed no mercy at all. Shen Qing watched all this unfold, clear that Wanfeng Building was exploiting the change in supply and demand to force prices down. They surely had a specialized ice cellar, buying up large quantities of mountain goods at very low prices at this time, to then sell at high prices once shortages occurred in the market after the spring. The money made in between came off the backs of these unconnected lower-class hunters. In plain terms, it was the Song and Dong families exploiting and bullying the market. As he was thinking this, it was his turn to sell to Wanfeng Building. Shen Qing tucked away his thoughts and walked forward with a beaming smile, "Manager Wang, long time no see, I''ve come to bother you again." "You are..." Wang Qiyao found Shen Qing slightly familiar since he met many people daily inside and outside, and he didn''t quite remember him. Shen Qing introduced himself, "I''m Shen Qing, from Hongshan Village." "Oh, it''s you," Wang Qiyao immediately recalled, showing a hint of recognition. "I didn''t expect Manager Wang to remember me. Please take a look, these are this season''s mountain goods from our village. We have deer, rabbits, mountain goats, wild hens, and even rare items like mushrooms and Lingzhi mushrooms. It would be a great help if you could price them for me," Shen Qing said respectfully. Wang Qiyao picked and chose, his face showing no emotion. Clickety-clack. He moved his abacus quickly and then announced, "You''ve brought quite a lot of goods here, all together worth three taels and five maces." Shen Qing''s face darkened slightly. Previously, similar goods had brought in ten taels silver, but now they were only worth three taels and five maces; this was not just a small difference, it was practically a discount. "Manager Wang, could you possibly raise the price a bit? This price is too low," he said. "Low? Your cartload is all common mountain goods, and our caravan has already collected plenty from various villages. I have even quoted a bit more for you," Wang Qiyao turned towards Shen Qing with a confident look and asked, "Are you going to sell?" Chapter 47: Chapter 46: Entering the Inner Courtyard Shen Qing glanced at Wang Qiyao''s hands and noticed the absence of calluses, indicating that he had never practiced any fighting techniques and his cultivation must have reached at most the Great Perfection of Qi and Blood.This level of arrogance must be due to having powerful support, unafraid of offending anyone. After contemplating for a moment, Shen Qing decisively said, "I''ll sell!" Upon hearing this, the expression on the face of Wang Qiyao from Wanfeng Building slightly cleared, feeling that Shen Qing finally understood the situation, but the next statement made his complexion change. "But with this, the Tiger King''s Penis becomes a problem." Wang Qiyao inquired, "What do you mean by that?" "Manager Wang, over the past couple of days, our village discovered traces of the Tiger King while hunting in the mountains. Everyone is interested in this Tiger King, and they even planned to use the money from this sale to buy some hunting tools to prepare," Shen Qing glanced at a stunned Wang Qiyao and sadly added, "But now with the price you''re setting so low it seems nobody will be in the mood." "..." Shen Qing continued, "Manager Wang, you know a tiger''s hunting range can be as vast as a hundred square miles, and Shicheng Mountain is so small. This is a rare opportunity, miss this chance, and I... I''ll just have to think of other ways." As Shen Qing spoke, his eyes intently fixed on Wang Qiyao''s face, observing his every expression. Just now, he saw Wang Qiyao mention the matter of mountain delicacies to every hunter, which showed how much Wang Qiyao cared about those three delicacies; it could even be connected to his future career prospects. He was now trying to link the topic of mountain delicacies with their mountain goods, hoping to loosen Wang Qiyao''s grip to squeeze out some more silver. Since I am to handle matters, surely there should be some token of gratitude, right? Shen Qing''s expression was extremely sincere, showing a "very disappointed" look, causing a flicker of hesitation in Wang Qiyao''s thoughts, as though he had made a significant decision and took several deep breaths before saying, "Seven taels, that''s the biggest concession I can make." Although it was still less than expected, it was obviously better than the initial three taels. Shen Qing smiled and respectfully said, "Thank you, Manager Wang." Leaning forward, Wang Qiyao lowered his voice and coldly warned, "I can give you more money, but you must bring me news about the mountain delicacies before spring starts, or it won''t just be a matter of thirty taels. You''re not stupid, you should understand what I mean." Shen Qing wiped the smile off his face and glanced at Wang Qiyao. Threatening me?! A sudden alertness rose in his heart. Wang Qiyao was a man of the Song family from the county town, with both background and support, while he had just entered the Entry Level and wasn''t even a martial master. If he really wanted to deal with him, it would be all too easy, but... Shen Qing''s face broke into a smile, respectfully responding, "Understood, understood." "Good, A Wen, pay him with seven silver taels," Wang Qiyao casually called out and continued walking toward the next hunter. Shen Qing received the seven silver taels and after briefly verifying the amount, left the courtyard silently with Tian Xiaohu in tow. Once they reached a secluded spot, Shen Qing took out one tael silver and handed it to Tian Xiaohu, saying, "Xiao Hu and I are off to Linfeng Hall to practice martial arts, and being the first day, we don''t know when we will finish. Since the opportunity is rare, all three of us will stay in town tonight and not return home. Go find us an inn nearby, and with the rest of the money, see if there is anything you want to buy for the family." Tian Xiaohu looked at the one tael silver in Shen Qing''s hand, hesitating, he said, "This... doesn''t seem right." "I also have something else I need you to check on for me," Shen Qing waved him over, then whispered into his ear. Tian Xiaohu exclaimed in surprise, "Why do you need to look into this?" "Never mind that, just do as I said," Shen Qing replied. Recalling today''s incident with Old Ba Zi, Tian Xiaohu asked no further questions, "Okay, I understand. Later, I''ll come find you at Linfeng Hall." "Be careful on your way," Shen Qing said. Tian Xiaohu jumped down from the cart and hurriedly parted ways with Shen Qing, each heading in opposite directions. ... Shen Qing wandered around the county town and reached Shengshi Square, where he skillfully found the main gate of Linfeng Hall. He stepped forward, grabbed the knocker, and gently tapped three times before announcing his name. "Come in." Soon, the thick wooden door opened inward, revealing behind it still the face of A Fu with his prominent brow bones. "Come in!" A Fu recognized Shen Qing and Shen Xiaohu, said no more, let them in, and even took their horses to the stable. S§×ar?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. After securing the horses, A Fu hurried back and said, "Last time the master had already instructed that if you come, just go straight inside to train. You''ll have senior and junior brothers to guide you. Junior Brother Shen, you are to go to the inner courtyard, and the younger brother behind will go to the Outer Court. I''ll take you there." Following the direction of the stable, they walked straight for a while. Shen Qing and Shen Xiaohu arrived at the front courtyard. They saw stone locks of various sizes placed on the ground of the courtyard, their surfaces smooth from long-term use. People continuously joined near the stone locks, lining up in rows. About a dozen robust men, under the watch of Shen Qing and others, each firmly grasped a heavy stone lock. At a deep command, the men exerted force together, their muscles tensed, lifting the stone locks high. This was repeated over and over. Each action was accompanied by dull breaths and the heavy thuds of the stone locks hitting the ground, instantly giving one the urge to join in. A Fu turned to Shen Xiaohu and asked aloud, "Did you bring the money?" "Brought it all." Shen Xiaohu quickly took out a patched-up purse from his body, poured out seven silver taels, and offered them to A Fu with both hands. A Fu, without any courtesy, took the silver and said, "I''ll go record this for you later; just go stand in the last row and start training." Shen Xiaohu was somewhat timid but still mustered his courage and walked to the very back. The stone locks in that position were the smallest. He struggled to grasp two of them and lifted them along with everyone else: "Hu, ha!" "Junior Brother Shen, you come this way, follow me." A Fu pointed to an Outer Gate beside him, led Shen Qing through it, and entered the second courtyard. The second courtyard was much more spacious than the front one, but it had far fewer people, only about six or seven. Various wooden dummies were placed inside. A Fu pointed to a tall man and said, "That''s the master''s direct disciple, our senior brother Ouyang Tiezhu. He will be teaching you for the coming period. If you have any confusion about Martial Arts, just ask him. As for the other rules, you can figure them out yourself." "Thank you, senior brother." A Fu smiled, then left the second courtyard. Shen Qing knew that from today onward, he would truly begin his Martial Arts training and practice fighting techniques. He took a deep breath, walked slowly towards the location of Ouyang Tiezhu, and greeted him, "Hello Senior Brother, I am the newly arrived Shen Qing." Ouyang Tiezhu glanced him up and down and said, "The master mentioned you to me, said you are good material for Martial Arts training. Let''s go talk over there." Shen Qing obeyed and honestly followed behind Ouyang Tiezhu. Finding a quiet place, Ouyang Tiezhu asked Shen Qing, "Junior brother, do you know why we practice Martial Arts?" Chapter 48: Chapter 47 Wind Defying Finger Shen Qing said without hesitation, "To become stronger, and then to be able to beat others."Ouyang Tiezhu clapped his hands and laughed, "Right, exactly. We practice martial arts to be able to beat others. As long as you can beat others, your martial arts training wasn''t in vain." Ouyang Tiezhu then sobered up and asked, "Do you know what it means to be strong, junior brother?" Shen Qing frowned and involuntarily recalled every experience of killing he had, saying, "In my view, no matter what means you use, as long as you kill the other person before they can kill you, that''s being strong." Ouyang Tiezhu couldn''t help but take a second look at Shen Qing, thinking to himself that it was no wonder their master said he was a natural martial arts talent. His temperament was truly¡­ "That''s right. As long as others can''t kill you and you can kill others, you are strong," he said, nodding and smiling in agreement. "Practicing martial arts is not child''s play; we train to master all sorts of killing abilities, using every method to make our bodies stronger, and then to beat and kill others." Shen Qing looked up and asked, "So how can I become stronger?" Ouyang Tiezhu, knowing everything, did not hide anything and replied, "Returning to what we said before, what is strong? Killing others, beating others, that''s strong. To beat and kill others, there are really just three points." Shen Qing grew serious, perked up his ears, and listened intently to Ouyang Tiezhu''s next words. At this moment, he was extremely curious. What was the martial arts of the Great Zhou Dynasty really like? Ouyang Tiezhu did not play coy and continued talking, "Those three points are speed, strength, and endurance. As long as you are faster than your opponent, stronger than your opponent, and can take more hits than your opponent, there''s no chance of losing." "All the major martial arts halls and gangs in this county revolve around these three points, trying by all means to make themselves faster, stronger, and tougher." Shen Qing had thought that the martial arts of the Great Zhou Dynasty might have some magical aspects, but never expected it to be such a simple truth. Shen Qing remembered that Great Zhou had its own armory, had seized the world''s martial mechanisms, and couldn''t possibly not involve martial arts. He heard Ouyang Tiezhu mention martial arts halls and gangs, seemingly deliberately avoiding the Great Zhou government. He asked curiously, "What about the government office?" "Them?" Ouyang Tiezhu shook his head, "They are different from us. The principle of becoming stronger is simple, but it is very difficult to practice to that level. We ordinary people have limited energy and can''t cover all bases, we can only focus on one. Anyone who can excel in any one of these three points is doing well." "At Linfeng Hall, we pursue speed, to ''control all with one finger'', and to break the game with swiftness." "But the Great Zhou Court is different; ever since the Grand Ancestor consolidated the world''s martial mechanisms, anyone from the court can harness Essence Qi, practicing ''Refining Body and Returning to Truth.'' They strive for growth in all three areas; it''s hard for us to compete." Shen Qing frowned, not expecting that there were such intricacies. Seeing Shen Qing like this, Ouyang Tiezhu thought he might be losing heart. He stepped forward, patted him on the shoulder, and said, "Don''t worry. Once you''ve mastered the skill of our master, you can take part in the county''s martial examinations. Once you rank, you''ll also be able to get a martial title, just like those gentlemen." Martial title? Shen Qing''s interest was piqued, and he said with a fist salute, "Thank you for the guidance, senior brother." "Let''s go, I''ll introduce you to the Wooden Dummy first." Ouyang Tiezhu led the way and took Shen Qing to a Wooden Dummy. He slapped the Wooden Dummy and said, "I see that junior brother has trained well in Qi-Blood. Later on, it''s almost enough to maintain daily supplementation. Just like the other junior brothers, you can go straight to training movement technique." "Movement technique?" "Do you know what our master''s signature skill is?" Shen Qing shook his head. "Our master''s signature skill is a Finger Skill called ''Wind Defying Finger''," Ouyang Tiezhu puffed out his chest, a hint of pride on his face. "It is said that many martial masters in the city cannot stand against our master''s finger." As he spoke, Ouyang Tiezhu''s eyes changed, he joined his hands in a sword-finger gesture, and casually pointed out. Shen Qing only saw a black shadow flash by, and with a thud, wood chips burst out from the Wooden Dummy. Ouyang Tiezhu had actually driven his fingers two inches deep into the dummy, both joints of his fingers fully embedded in the wood. Shen Qing''s eyelids twitched. If it had been flesh and bone, it probably would have been pierced straight through. Ouyang Tiezhu shook his head, feeling somewhat dissatisfied, "The move I used was Master''s Wind Defying Finger. It''s only that I haven''t mastered it well. If it were Master using it, even a stone in front would easily be perforated and shattered. The fingers are like sharp swords, indestructible." Shen Qing drew a sharp breath, finally gaining a more concrete understanding of the martial arts in this world. "However, before you train in Finger Skill, you need to first train your movement technique." Ouyang Tiezhu slapped the Wooden Dummy''s protruding stick, and the Wooden Dummy attacked with two other sticks from behind. Ouyang Tiezhu acted as if he had eyes on the back of his head, smoothly catching them before the two iron sticks could land their blows. With a kick of his foot, he intercepted another attack from the opposite side, repeating the process again and again, his speed increasing all the while. The sticks on the Wooden Dummy almost turned into a series of afterimages, yet they still couldn''t touch Ouyang Tiezhu in the least. Bang! Ouyang Tiezhu stopped the Wooden Dummy he was facing forcefully, "Junior brother, you try." Upon hearing this, Shen Qing did as Ouyang Tiezhu instructed and pushed the long stick of the Wooden Dummy. Gurgle, gurgle. The Wooden Dummy began to rotate. Using his "Never Forget" skill, Shen Qing recalled the scenes he had just witnessed and then mimicked Ouyang Tiezhu''s movements. Thanks to his breakthrough in hunting skills earlier, he had some foundation in movement technique, so it wasn''t very difficult to learn. Bang! Ouyang Tiezhu saw that Shen Qing caught the dummy on his first try and his eyes couldn''t help but show a bit of surprise. He''s got something indeed. After catching the stick, Shen Qing''s face lit up with joy, and he began to speed up his movements, imitating Ouyang Tiezhu. Bang, bang, bang, bang bang, bang bang, bang-bang-bang... Ouyang Tiezhu, watching from the side, suddenly bulged his eyes, staring at Shen Qing intently, his expression becoming tense in the blink of an eye. After reaching a certain speed, Shen Qing missed a move and got struck in the shoulder by the rapidly spinning Wooden Dummy, crying out in pain. Seeing this, Ouyang Tiezhu let out a heavy sigh of relief as if a stone had settled in his heart, feeling greatly relieved. He approached and comforted, "It''s like this the first time you train. After you practice more, you''ll get used to it." "Mhm," Shen Qing responded absently. At that moment, his attention was on the Water Ink Panel that had just appeared in his vision. [Skill: Wind Defying Finger (Entry Level)] [Progress: 1/100 points] [Status: Cannot improve] sea??h th§× NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. [Note: Practice diligently through the bitter cold of winter and the scorching heat of summer to master this skill and increase skill proficiency.] When he had been trying to hit the Wooden Dummy earlier, the sudden appearance of this Water Ink Panel had taken him by surprise. He had not expected he would enter the gates of Master Li Linfeng''s exclusive skill so quickly. From now on, all he had to do was to continue practicing. Suddenly, Shen Qing felt a vague sense of excitement. Chapter 49: Chapter 48 Progress Increase ```"Junior Brother, today you should just practice this movement technique," Ouyang Tiezhu said to Shen Qing with a smile. "When you can handle it as easily as I can, I''ll teach you an even more complex technique. I have other matters to attend to now. If you have any questions, you can ask the other senior brothers." "Thank you for your hard work, Senior Brother." Ouyang Tiezhu waved his hand and took a few steps away, then as if he remembered something, he came back and said to Shen Qing, "Right, after you finish practicing today, have A Fu fetch you another set of Shiquan Dabu Decoction." Shen Qing was somewhat surprised. Ouyang Tiezhu continued, "Miss Qi bought it for you earlier. She''s already paid for it." "Alright." Watching Ouyang Tiezhu''s retreating figure, Shen Qing couldn''t help but sigh. He had not expected his aunt Shen Xiu to be so kind to him, and now he owed her a great deal of gratitude. After finishing today''s practice, he needed to visit his aunt and thank her in person. Shen Qing gathered his thoughts, became serious, and began to practice at the Wooden Dummy as if no one else was present. Without the distraction of the Water Ink Panel, his focus became extremely intense, and he struck the Wooden Dummy forcefully. Thump, thump, thump... His speed increased. It wasn''t until he reached a certain limit that he was interrupted. sea??h th§× ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Again." He kept practicing for nearly two Shi Chen. Shen Qing became more skillful, pushing the limit of his endurance higher and higher. "Phew!" After finishing the last sequence, Shen Qing instinctively protected his shoulder, taking one more hit before officially ending today''s session. With a thought, Shen Qing''s eyes sparkled, rippling with waves. The familiar Water Ink Interface appeared before him. [Skill: Wind Defying Finger (Entry Level)] [Progress: 18/100 points] [Status: Cannot Improve] The progress had increased. Shen Qing wiped the sweat off his face, feeling that it was all worth it. After an afternoon of training, his whole body was incredibly sore, especially his back and shoulders which had been struck and were now bruised. They burned and throbbed, and even a light touch would increase the pain. Fortunately, he was robust and resilient, so it didn''t affect him too much. Just then, A Fu came in and found him, saying, "Junior Brother, someone is looking for you outside." Shen Qing guessed that it might be Tian Xiaohu and replied, "I''ll be right there." When he reached A Fu, he paused and, with a gesture of respect, asked, "I heard from Senior Brother Ouyang that my aunt had prepared a Shiquan Dabu Decoction for me, may I know..." He was interrupted by A Fu before he could finish, "I''ve already packed it for you; just let me know when you are leaving, and I''ll get it for you." "Many thanks," Shen Qing repeatedly cupped his hands in gratitude. "I would like to see my aunt and thank her in person." "It''s unfortunate. The Hall Master has taken Miss Qi out, and they haven''t returned yet." "Where have my aunt and the others gone?" "They should be staying at Jifu Temple for a few days; they should be back the day after tomorrow." "Alright, I''ll find my aunt in person next time," Shen Qing said, deciding not to press further: "Thank you for your trouble, Brother A Fu. Please give me the medicine; it''s getting late, and I need to leave." "Okay, let''s do it together." After speaking, Shen Qing and A Fu left the Second Court through the Outer Gate and went to the Outer Court where A Fu efficiently entered the pharmacy and handed the Shiquan Dabu Decoction to Shen Qing. "The flatbed cart and horses are at the stable over there. You can go and collect them when you leave," A Fu said, pointing to a room in the Outer Court. Shen Qing nodded and quickly thanked him. After A Fu left, Shen Qing went to where Shen Xiaohu was training in the Outer Court. Shen Xiaohu looked like a drowned rat, his hair plastered to his scalp, sitting collapsed on the ground with an utterly despondent look on his face. ``` Shen Xiaohu saw Shen Qing walking over and struggled to stand up, saying weakly, "Brother Qingzi..." "How''s the training going?" Shen Xiaohu said with some regret, "Can I get a refund for the silver I paid this morning?" "Can''t you be a little more ambitious, be brave like a man." "I''m not... It''s just... I feel..." "Do you still want to continue practicing martial arts?" "Yes!" "Then keep training, otherwise you''ll never get anywhere. I suspect with your temperament, you''ll start crying over every little thing that happens." "Impossible," Shen Xiaohu said, his neck stiff and his face flushed. "That''s enough," Shen Qing didn''t continue to scold Shen Xiaohu, turned around, and said, "Tian Xiaohu should be here to pick us up. Let''s go back and rest." Shen Xiaohu hurried to follow, saying defiantly, "I definitely won''t cry when I face problems. It''s just that I''m too tired today, and I''m not used to it yet." Shen Qing didn''t respond. This attitude unwittingly ignited a fire in Shen Xiaohu''s heart, vowing to train hard in the future and never let Shen Qing look down on him. They arrived at the gate outside Linfeng Hall. Shen Qing indeed saw Tian Xiaohu pacing at the entrance, waiting for them. When he saw the Shen brothers come out, his eyes brightened, and he hurried over to Shen Qing, lowering his voice to say, "That thing you had me look into..." Shen Qing said, "We''ll talk on the road." "Alright." "Did you find a good inn?" "Yes, I did," Tian Xiaohu said while pulling out a pouch, "The inn charges only two hundred wen a night, including meals and lodging. I spent some of the money you gave me on handling the matter, but there are still 500 wen left, all here." At this moment, Shen Qing realized Tian Xiaohu was a person with principles. Compared to the villagers of Hongshan Village who only knew how to take advantage, he truly was an exception. However, he had already spoken his piece and couldn''t go back on his word. Shen Qing climbed onto the cart and said, "You keep it. We might need you to handle more things in the future." "But this is a lot." "It''s getting late, let''s go. Stop dawdling," Shen Qing said impatiently. Seeing Shen Qing''s attitude, Tian Xiaohu gave up on insisting and boarded the cart with Shen Xiaohu, one after the other. "Go!" Shen Qing cracked the whip, and the old horse slowly began to walk down the street. Tian Xiaohu moved up behind Shen Qing, leaning in to speak in a lowered voice, sharing the information he had gathered. After listening, Shen Qing nodded and said, "Alright, I got it." Tian Xiaohu, seeing Shen Qing''s calm demeanor, couldn''t figure out what he was planning. After a while, Shen Qing and the others arrived at a flat house district. Following Tian Xiaohu''s directions, they made their way to a place called "Yuelai Inn." The doorkeeper recognized Tian Xiaohu, took the initiative to lead the horse, and ushered Shen Qing and the others inside. The inn was very ordinary, just some Octagon tables and chairs, with various guests scattered around. Linfeng Hall did not provide meals and lodging, and since Shen Qing and the others had barely eaten all day, especially after a day of training, they were extremely hungry. Upon entering the inn, Shen Qing immediately asked the waiter to serve all the house specials. Shen Qing and Shen Xiaohu devoured the food voraciously, like starving ghosts reborn, and in a short while, they had finished all the dishes. After being sated with food and drink, Shen Qing called over the waiter and asked, "Can we prepare medicine in your inn?" The inn''s waiter replied, "Yes, we can. Would you like us to do it, or will you prepare it yourself? The former is ten wen, the latter five wen." Shen Qing laid down five large coins on the table and said, "Take me there, I''ll do it myself." "Sure thing, this way please." Taking the medicine, Shen Qing told Tian Xiaohu and the others, "You eat up and rest first; I''ll come up later." After giving instructions, Shen Qing followed the waiter toward the back yard. Chapter 50: Chapter 49 The best way to eliminate a threat is to kill it. Yuelai Inn, located on a street with two Martial Arts Halls, often accommodated disciples from these halls, and preparing herbal medicines was a common occurrence.There was a special shed in the backyard of Yuelai Inn reserved specifically for preparing medicines. The waiter pointed inside the shed and said, "Customer, all these medicine pots have been cleaned, and the firewood is piled up over there, you can just use it directly." "Okay." The waiter didn''t give up and tried to say, "Sir, our cook is very skilled at preparing medicines, and she does it quickly and well. If you pay an additional five cents, you could comfortably lie down in your room for an hour, and we''ll bring it to you then. Would you like to try it?" "No need, I''ll do it myself," Shen Qing still refused. Being away from home, he felt it was better to be cautious. Linfeng Hall for so many years, had no need and would not tamper with the medicinal materials. But he dared not casually drink something prepared by others; he felt safer preparing it himself. Sear?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Seeing that Shen Qing was still firm, the waiter no longer urged and respectfully bowed before retreating. An hour later, it was already evening. The backyard of the inn was dyed golden by a touch of the setting sun''s afterglow. A cold breeze gently blew, mixing various medicinal fragrances in the yard, making it seem as if one were in a pharmacy. Shen Qing picked up an earthy yellow bowl, filled with the recently cooked and cooled Shiquan Dabu Decoction. Under the reflection of the setting sun, the medicinal soup glinted with a pale gold color, emitting bursts of refreshing herbal fragrance. Shen Qing tilted his head back and gulped down the medicinal soup in one go, a bitterness tinged with a hint of sweetness immediately spread through his mouth. As the soup went down, the familiar medicinal power began to slowly diffuse within his body, turning into warm currents that smoothly glided through every meridian like silk. The soreness produced in his muscles from practicing movement techniques earlier that day gradually became softer under this warm flow. In just the time of burning a stick of incense, and after digesting all the medicinal power, even the last trace of soreness vanished. Shen Qing had fully recovered, his Qi-Blood replenished, becoming vigorous once again. The effects of the Shiquan Dabu Decoction impressed him. The last time he took it, he hadn''t trained as much as today, and the soreness had been mostly in his lower body, not as deeply felt as today. Indeed, Linfeng Hall had its unique aspects. It was an unexpected pleasure. After taking the medicine, Shen Qing returned to his quarters with the waiter''s guidance. Tian Xiaohu was meticulous this time, specially booking two rooms. He had one to himself, while Tian Xiaohu and Shen Xiaohu shared the other. He didn''t let Shen Qing spend money in vain. Shen Qing greeted Tian Xiaohu, exchanged a few pleasantries, then returned to his room and shut the door tightly. When night completely fell, Shen Qing, who was feigning sleep in bed, sat up, walked over to the window. He opened the window, looking at the damp ground outside the inn, a cold wind blowing gently. Shen Qing picked up a dagger, tore a piece of cloth to wrap around his face, then leapt out the window with a single bound, landing as lightly as a cat. He looked around to make sure there were no other people outside the inn, then his figure surged forward and he dashed away, quickly disappearing into the alley. ... Inside Wanfeng Building. As one of the managers, Wang Qiyao had finished a day of trivial tasks, massaged his sore wrists, and closed the ledger. He picked up a cup of tea from the table and took a sip, "Today''s work is almost done; it''s time to head back." Wang Qiyao stood up, took out a large portion of the day''s unused purchasing funds from his pocket, and tucked it into his own pocket. Then he put the remaining portion and the ledger into a wooden box, secured it with a delicate small lock. After tugging at it to make sure it was locked, he left feeling reassured. Since the restaurant business ended late, by the time Wang Qiyao walked out of Wanfeng Building, the sky had already turned completely dark. At that time, there were far fewer people in the county. Many things that shunned the light of day began to emerge. Fortunately, his home was not far from Wanfeng Building; it wouldn''t take long for him to get home. Even though he carried some gold and silver items and had the backing of the Song family, no one dared to target him. His home was in a residential area of Pinghe Square, a small courtyard enclosed by a single gate. Standing at his own door, Wang Qiyao found the main gate tightly shut. He pounded on the door and shouted, "Open the door!" After a while, the door opened from the inside. A servant inside bowed his head respectfully and stepped aside. Wang Qiyao strode in, complaining, "Why so slow?" The servant remained silent, closed the door again, and dropped the latch. "It''s late at night, why are the candles in the room still lit? Don''t they cost money?" Wang Qiyao entered the courtyard, turned his head, and was about to scold. Just as he turned his head... Bang! Wang Qiyao was struck on the top of his head and his head was covered in blood. "Ah?!" Wang Qiyao screamed in pain, feeling dizzy and unable to stand straight: "Such audacity! I belong to the Song and Dong Family, you..." However, the only response he got was a handful of white ash. The wound on his head, now mingled with the white ash, sizzled oddly, as if his scalp was being ripped off. Intense pain spread from the top of his head throughout his body. But Wang Qiyao, having trained in martial arts, quickly regained some composure. Wang Qiyao looked at the masked servant in front of him and pointed at him, saying, "Who are you exactly? Do you know who I am? If you touch me, the Song and Dong Family won''t let you off." He hadn''t noticed in the dark, but now he realized that the person who had opened the door was not his servant but a masked man. This was his home! He had never imagined that someone would come into his home to attack him. This was incredibly bold! It made no sense at all! Shen Qing showed no intention of responding; he completely ignored Wang Qiyao''s warnings. His eyes were cold and indifferent, looking at Wang Qiyao as if he were a cornered beast fighting desperately in its last moments. Shen Qing timed his move perfectly and swiftly shifted his footing. Already adept with the Poison Shadow, and after practicing the Wind Defying Finger technique all day, his movements were sharp and swift, positioning himself behind Wang Qiyao in the blink of an eye. Wang Qiyao seemed to sense something and exclaimed, "Spare my life, noble man!" Unfortunately, it was already too late. Shen Qing hesitated not at all. A flash of cold light, and he slit Wang Qiyao''s throat with a knife. Then, he quickly stabbed a few times in his chest, ensuring Wang Qiyao was beyond dead. "Heh, heh..." Wang Qiyao''s eyes bulged, his mouth spewing blood, and his lower body discharged uncontrollably. Shen Qing quickly frisked his body, grabbed the package he had already looted, then sprinted and vaulted over another courtyard wall and dashed away. Landing in the alley, Shen Qing chose his path and ran as fast as he could. In his view, eliminating threats didn''t require superfluous fluff. The best method was to kill him! With the person dead, the threat naturally disappears. Chapter 51: Chapter 50: Windfall, Overnight Riches However, his decision to act was not impulsive.In fact, even before he made his move, he had Tian Xiaohu spend an entire day gathering clear information about Wang Qiyao''s background. A distant collateral of the Wang family, he had practiced martial arts but lacked innate talent and had insufficient Qi-blood. His family had been in decline since his grandfather''s generation. When he was very young, he had managed to secure a job at the Song family''s restaurant through his family''s only remaining connections, and now, after twenty years, he had become the manager of Wanfeng Building. He was stingy and ungenerous, bullying the weak and fearing the strong. He wasn''t very influential in the county town either, though he did have some connections with local gangs. As for backing from above, at best he was supported by the Shopkeeper of Wanfeng Building, who had no real ties to the Song family. Lately, he had been collecting mountain delicacies in hopes of connecting with the Song family to further his career. There were six or seven managers at Wanfeng Building, each overseeing different matters. One more of him made no difference, one less of him the same. In the eyes of important figures, he was just a slightly capable beast of burden. Given such circumstances, he couldn''t really be blamed. Although insignificant in the eyes of influential figures, to these hunters, Wang Qiyao was a big-shot, his word could determine their life or death. If he couldn''t obtain the so-called mountain delicacies by spring, there was no telling what kind of trouble Wang Qiyao might stir up in his efforts to climb higher. The King of Hell is easy to meet, but a little ghost is troublesome. It was better to eliminate the problem once and for all. When he went to ambush his home, Shen Qing also took the opportunity to dispatch his servant and his wife and children along the way. "There''s no other way, killing Wang Qiyao there was only one chance. If they were alive, I wouldn''t have been able to act. Even if they don''t recognize me, but what if they do. I have killed the pillar of their family, they would definitely try to track me down for revenge, and that would be another problem. It''s better to eliminate any future threats. After all, killing one is murder, killing an entire family is still murder, there''s no essential difference. Besides, with Wang Qiyao''s background, if he were to die, his family''s fate wouldn''t be much better anyway; they would be better off dead." Shen Qing muttered to himself as he sprinted. The neighborhood where the Wang family lived was a maze of alleyways, making it easy for Shen Qing to escape. Finding a deserted spot, Shen Qing quickly changed out of the cloth wrapped around his face and servant''s clothes, throwing them into a dried well. Afterward, before the curfew officially began, he hastened his pace and made a quick round through the town to cover his tracks before returning to the inn. In the guestroom of the inn, Shen Qing pulled out a fire stick and lit the wick of a candle. The dim candlelight slowly flickered and rose in the guestroom. Shen Qing put away the fire stick and took out the package he had pilfered from Wang Qiyao''s house, placing it on the table. Upon opening it, it contained silver bracelets, gold notes, jewelry, silver, and other valuables. He estimated that it was almost forty taels of silver. To know, in Hongshan Village, an ordinary hunter would earn about fifty wen in a day. These forty taels were a substantial amount of money for Shen Qing. Adding what he had snagged from Old Ba Zi that morning, it amounted to a total of sixty taels. He had truly become rich overnight. "I never thought that the first windfall of my life would come this way," Shen Qing felt quite emotional. Earlier today, when I went to Wang Qiyao''s house, it was mainly to commit murder, and time was quite tight. Therefore, the items he had gathered were only a part of Wang Qiyao''s family wealth. There were still some leftovers he didn''t have time to gather, and he could only give up on them. Actually, Shen Qing was a bit perplexed. Initially, he had simply wanted to get rich through hunting labor, and he didn''t understand why it had turned into the current situation. "Sigh..." Shen Qing took a deep sigh, packed up everything, and lay down on the bed to sleep with a blanket over his head. Having been tossed around all day, his body and spirit were both very tired. He soon fell into a deep sleep, slept through until dawn, and felt very solid. Usually an early riser, he woke up to find it was already broad daylight. Shen Qing comfortably stretched and tidied up a bit before walking out of the guest room. Tian Xiaohu and Shen Xiaohu had been waiting in the hall for a long time. The two of them subtly had started to see Shen Qing as their leader and both looked over together. Shen Xiaohu stood up and asked, "Brother Qingzi, what''s our plan for today?" "Today, we''ll stay at Linfeng Hall until the afternoon Shen Hour, and then we''ll leave," Shen Qing finished speaking and turned to Tian Xiaohu, "When we go to train in martial arts, it''ll be tough for you to wander around the town alone. Wait for us afterward." Shen Qing had already given quite a lot of money to Tian Xiaohu, who wasn''t in a rush to return to the mountains to hunt, so he easily agreed. S§×ar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The group left the inn, checked out, and headed towards Linfeng Hall. Considering the bloodstains on his body, before entering Linfeng Hall, Shen Qing went alone to a tailor shop and had a new suit made to fit him. As the old saying goes, a Buddha depends on gold attire, a person depends on clothing. After changing into a new set of clothes, along with Shen Qing''s already pleasant appearance, it made him look like a transformed person. Both handsome and spirited. Today, with Ouyang Tiezhu not in the inner courtyard, Shen Qing practiced his movement techniques alone with the Wooden Dummy, quietly enhancing his skill in the cultivation technique. ... After Shen Qing and his brother went to Linfeng Hall to train in martial arts, Tian Xiaohu, somewhat bored, roamed around the town. Eventually, he found himself near Pinghe Square. At that moment, he saw many government officers coming and going in Pinghe Square, and faintly heard the crying of many women. Curious, Tian Xiaohu approached and was immediately stunned. Was this not the Wang Qiyao house he had investigated yesterday? Why were so many government officers gathered here, even the Guardian Martial Department had come? Tian Xiaohu asked a nearby old lady, "Old lady, what''s happening here?" A nervous neighbor lady said, "Didn''t you know? The manager of the Wanfeng Building''s family was victim to a feud yesterday, the whole family of five was killed, annihilated." Tian Xiaohu felt his mind explode like a volcano, suddenly bursting. His throat felt dry, unable to speak. The neighbor lady rambled on, "Now that his family''s all dead and no close relatives remain, his clan cousins are popping up, hypocritically crying for half a day." "I saw the shopkeeper from Wanfeng Building came to take a look, said nothing, and just left. I don''t know how they will handle it afterward." "Now with such an incident in the neighborhood, everyone is very scared..." As for what was said afterward, Tian Xiaohu didn''t hear a word, a chill running from the base of his spine to the top of his head. Seeing those government officers, Tian Xiaohu couldn''t help but shrink his neck, feeling a bit guilty and wanting to leave immediately. But just as he took a step, he suddenly stopped, staring at the government officers in front of him, deep in thought. Maybe I can find out more, tell him to prepare in advance... I plan to follow him in the future; maybe I can make something of myself too. Chapter 52: Chapter 51: Junior Brother, have you practiced Wind Defying Finger before? Linfeng Hall, inner courtyard.Accompanied by the dull echoes of the wooden dummies, a dozen disciples stood in front of the scattered Wooden Dummies practicing the movement technique of Linfeng Hall. Shen Qing was also among them. After exterminating Wang Qiyao''s entire family, he bore no psychological burden at all, acting as if nothing had happened. At this moment, he had devoted himself wholeheartedly to Martial Arts training. In the dead of winter, heat steamed off Shen Qing''s entire body. To dissipate the heat, he had taken off his jacket, wearing only a newly bought cloth garment as he moved swiftly in front of the Wooden Dummy. The bruises that had been on his shoulders, now completely healed by the medicinal strength of the Shiquan Dabu Decoction, bore no marks, but they gradually reddened under the onslaught of a new round of strikes. Pa, pa, pa... The entire process of practicing the Lingfeng Body Technique was monotonous, simply a constant repetition of dodging and being struck, but Shen Qing did not find it arduous or boring. [Skill: Wind Defying Finger (Entry Level)] [Progress: 31/100 points] [Status: Unavailable for improvement] Watching his proficiency increase in his line of sight, Shen Qing could feel himself growing stronger, and the more he practiced, the more energetic he became, even becoming completely immersed in a state of self-forgetfulness. Not knowing how long he had been practicing for, Shen Qing suddenly felt that this Wooden Dummy would soon no longer be able to stop him. "Junior Brother Shen, how''s your training going?" At this time, the eldest senior brother, Ouyang Tiezhu, had finished his errands and, seeing Shen Qing training in the inner courtyard, he walked over with interest. Shen Qing was a blood relative of the Seventh Master, her own nephew. The master had also said that he had some Martial Arts talent and might one day become the master''s direct disciple and join their ranks. Knowing that his own background was rather ordinary and that it was only through his fists and kindness to others that he had gained some status, Ouyang Tiezhu had almost immediately taken on the task of instructing Shen Qing without much consideration. For one, he could make his presence felt in front of the master, and on the other hand, it gave him an opportunity to make a new friend and pave more paths for the future. It was a good deal for him. After their first encounter yesterday, he realized that Shen Qing indeed had some martial talent. What took others three to five days to just grasp the basics, Shen Qing had managed to get the hang of in just a short while. This reinforced his intention to befriend him even more, so he immediately noticed him upon entering the inner courtyard today. Shen Qing was currently focused on practicing his movement technique and did not hear Ouyang Tiezhu greeting him at all. His mind was highly concentrated at this moment, and everything around him seemed to have gone silent; all he could hear was the beating of his own heart. Suddenly, Shen Qing''s movements became faster, and his figure almost turned into an afterimage. Finally, at the last moment. He broke through a barrier in an instant. Boom! Shen Qing subconsciously pushed his hands forward and down, and the rapidly spinning Wooden Dummy came to an abrupt halt, emitting a dull thud. He had successfully replicated the movement technique taught to him by Ouyang Tiezhu from beginning to end, with virtually no difference in speed. ``` "Success." Continuous practice had caused beads of sweat the size of soybeans to seep from his forehead, sliding down his chiseled face and dropping onto the dusty ground. A surge of joy rose from the depths of Shen Qing''s heart, involuntarily lifting the corners of his mouth upwards. This scene had just caught the eye of Ouyang Tiezhu, who was not far away. His expression froze in an instant, fists clenched, and the leg he had just stepped forward with stopped mid-air. A moment later, as if snapping back to reality, he woodenly continued to walk forward. If he remembered correctly, when he started from scratch, it had taken him nearly seven or eight days just to perform this movement technique with some fluency. To reach the level of today, he had spent a whole month''s worth of day and night practice. Shen Qing noticed Ouyang Tiezhu and was somewhat surprised. He quickly wiped the sweat from his face and walked over, greeting, "Senior Brother!" Ouyang Tiezhu, snapped out of his shocked state by Shen Qing''s call, regained his composure. After mumbling a few words with difficulty, he asked with a taste of bitterness in his heart, "Junior Brother, have you practiced the Wind Defying Finger before?" He thought Shen Qing, being the nephew of Seventh Master, might have been taught some basics in advance. Under Ouyang Tiezhu''s complicated gaze, Shen Qing shook his head and denied, "I''m just a small hunter from the mountains, where would I get the chance to learn such Martial Arts?" "Didn''t your aunt tell you some of Linfeng Hall''s training methods when she returned?" "Auntie married into the city, and it''s been many years since she has returned to her parental home," said Shen Qing, looking at Ouyang Tiezhu curiously, "Why does Senior Brother ask these questions?" Ouyang Tiezhu swallowed a bitter saliva and forced a smile, "You''ve learned this movement technique very fast, just casually asking." Shen Qing glanced at the Water Ink Panel within his line of sight and said complimentarily, "It''s all thanks to Senior Brother''s good teaching, actually I''m quite slow at learning other things." Ouyang Tiezhu''s heart seemed to feel a little better, and his facial expression relaxed a lot. "Senior Brother, I have a question, which is, about how long do I need to practice this movement technique before I can consider it mastered?" Shen Qing asked earnestly. Ouyang Tiezhu set aside his complex feelings and began explaining, "What you are practicing now is the basic Two Stick Wooden Man Stakes, and there are still three sticks, and five sticks to come." "Once you can use five sticks without getting close, and your Qi and Blood reach Great Perfection and can circulate freely, you''ll basically be able to start Strengthening Tendons and Bones." Shen Qing persisted, "So, you mean as long as I can handle the five sticks, it''s considered achieved? There aren''t any other Martial Arts Realms?" "There certainly are Martial Arts Realms, but you''re not quite there yet," said Ouyang Tiezhu, not withholding information despite Shen Qing''s eye-catching performance. Life is so long, who knows what will happen. However, do good deeds without asking about the future. Since he had decided to befriend him, he should follow through, not letting a touch of envy spoil their relationship. Ouyang Tiezhu paused and then said, "For us martial masters, the realms aren''t divided so finely. In the early stages, it''s primarily about nourishing and training Qi and Blood; reaching Great Perfection of Qi and Blood is one realm. Afterwards, practicing basic skills to stimulate blood energy, followed by stretching tendons and Bone Refining, constitutes the Second Realm. Then, after strengthening muscle and bone, you merge your Qi and Blood inward, develop strength, proceed with Skin Forging and Qi Cultivation, this is the Third Great Realm." "Each Great Realm consists of two stages, with a former-latter relationship, like the First Realm is first about nourishing the Qi and Blood, followed by achieving Great Perfection; the Second Realm is about stretching first and then refining the bones, and so on." "Each school''s focus within the three Great Realms leads to different results. For instance, our Linfeng Hall places great emphasis on stretching in the Second Realm, for victory with speed. Whereas the Chen Martial Arts Hall focuses on Qi and Blood in the first phase, for outsmarting with power." "There are other realms beyond these but our master has told us not to pay too much attention to them for now. First, we should solidify our fundamentals step by step, and the subsequent knowledge will naturally follow." Ouyang Tiezhu had laid out the rough stages of Martial Arts, providing Shen Qing with a very clear understanding in an instant. By that account, he was at the second phase of the First Realm ¨C Great Perfection of Qi and Blood. S§×ar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Curious, Shen Qing asked, "Senior Brother, which realm is our master currently in?" ``` Chapter 53: Chapter 52: Calm Seas "He has reached the Qi Cultivation Realm," Ouyang Tiezhu said with a touch of longing."What about you, senior brother?" "I..." Ouyang Tiezhu replied, "I just finished bone forging and am now rushing towards the realm of Skin Forging. Master said if I cannot complete Skin Forging before the age of thirty-five, it is highly unlikely that I would develop Qi after that." "Why?" "Master said that once a person turns thirty, their Qi-Blood begins to decline, and there''s at most a five-year window. Once this window has passed, it''s too late to turn back. If you cannot muster strength while the blood is vigorous, you certainly cannot do it when Qi-Blood is in decline." Ouyang Tiezhu sighed, "I am already twenty-five this year." Shen Qing inwardly agreed. In his previous life, he was aware of the saying "thirty is the age for establishing oneself," and the workplace even had the notion of a "35-year-old threshold," which was not without reason. "Let''s not talk about this anymore," Ouyang Tiezhu said, patting Shen Qing''s shoulder, "By the way, I still don''t know how old are you today, junior brother?" Poor families weren''t so particular; most just muddled through life without paying much attention to birthdays and age. After recalling for a while, Shen Qing calculated his age, "After the coming Li Chun, I should be fifteen." Fifteen?! The corners of Ouyang Tiezhu''s eyes revealed a hint of a smile, as if this age made him feel much better, "Junior brother, to be honest, you''re a bit old. In another year, your muscles and joints will be fixed, and the difficulty of cultivating the second Great Realm will increase not by a small margin. If you want to make progress in Martial Arts, you need to work much harder." Shen Qing was momentarily stunned. Did that mean he needed to complete the entire Second Realm within the next year? It seemed like there was still... enough time? Shen Qing was not entirely sure. "Thank you for the guidance, senior brother," Shen Qing looked at the sun hanging high in the sky, bowed with his hands clasped and said, "Senior brother, I was wondering if you have some time now, could you teach me the movement techniques of the three and five stick Wooden Dummies?" Ouyang Tiezhu smiled and said, "Of course, I''ll perform each one, just watch." As soon as he finished speaking, Ouyang Tiezhu walked up to a three-stick Wooden Dummy, took a deep breath and shouted softly. He lightly tapped the ground with the tip of his foot, his hands weaving between the three protruding sticks of the dummy. Ouyang Tiezhu''s hands alternated between palms and fists, his movements smooth and powerful, each strike accurately hitting different spots on the dummy, producing a thud. Throughout the process, his body was extremely agile, the three protruding sticks unable to even touch his upper arms. Ouyang Tiezhu abruptly stopped the Wooden Dummy and asked Shen Qing, "How about it? Did you remember everything?" Shen Qing, having the ability "Never Forget," had observed carefully. After briefly recalling and seeing that all the details were memorized, he replied, "Senior brother, I''ve got it all down." Ouyang Tiezhu furrowed his brows, but seeing how confident Shen Qing was, he didn''t have much to say. "Then I''ll perform the Five Stick method again." Ouyang Tiezhu walked up to a Wooden Dummy covered with complexly arranged long sticks, closed his eyes to concentrate and circulated his breath. Then he suddenly opened his eyes, his body swiftly unfolding the movement technique. The movement technique Ouyang Tiezhu used now was even more complex, involving hands, feet, waist, knees, and legs. It was completely different from the techniques used in the two and three sticks. His movements were like those of a fish navigating through a coral reef, skillfully avoiding the long sticks attacking from both sides, and striking predetermined targets with precision using fists, elbows, knees, and feet. Each crisp hit was followed by the soft sound of the Wooden Dummy being shaken. Strong and profound. While striking, he explained the key points, benefiting Shen Qing greatly. After completing the set of the Five Stick Piles technique, sweat droplets slid down his neck, gradually soaking the back of Ouyang Tiezhu''s shirt. "Junior brother, the movement technique for the Five Stick Piles is relatively complex. You don''t need to push yourself too much, just get to know the key points. When you practice the Three Pole Stakes, being conscious of those points during your training could also be beneficial." "Alright." Shen Qing clasped his hands together in a salute, "You''ve worked hard today, elder brother." S§×arch* The ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "It''s all part of the duty." Ouyang Tiezhu patted the Wooden Dummy and said, "We''ll stop here for today, I have other matters to deal with, and I''ll come find you again when I''m free later on." "Okay. Hongshan Village is also a bit far from here, I will need to head back after practicing a bit more." "You''re still living in Hongshan Village?" "Yes, my home is over there." Ouyang Tiezhu turned his head and suggested, "Once you master some techniques, I have some connections here. Later on, you can go to the Outer City and work as a guardian for some ''local tyrants,'' earning some money for fist-training. It might be better to save up some money and move to the city for convenience, to avoid such back and forth." "You have connections in Outer City too?" "Ah... I have a good-for-nothing younger brother who works with a local named Wang Mazi. There are indeed some connections." As he said this, Ouyang Tiezhu showed a sense of frustration akin to hating iron for not becoming steel. He waved his hand and said, "I''m leaving now." "Take care, elder brother." Watching Ouyang Tiezhu''s figure disappearing into the inner courtyard, Shen Qing withdrew his gaze and walked to the Three Pole Stakes where Ouyang Tiezhu had demonstrated the movement technique. He struck out with a palm. The Three Pole Stakes started to spin rapidly. "Snap!" ... Shen Qing continued practicing in Linfeng Hall until the afternoon Shen Hour and then finally stopped. With his aunt not in the hall now, he didn''t plan to stay long. After taking today''s portion of Shiquan Dabu Decoction, Shen Qing, along with Shen Xiaohu, left Linfeng Hall, bought some supplies, exchanged some money, and headed directly to the spot he had agreed to meet with Tian Xiaohu. As they had scheduled, the three of them met and sat in the cart, heading in the direction of West City Gate. As Shen Qing had anticipated, the journey was smooth and uneventful. The entire family of Wang Qiyao''s death had indeed stirred no waves in the vast Ping''an City. The three of them reached the West City Gate without incident, slowly making their way towards the shantytown area. Sitting in the cart, Tian Xiaohu felt as if a heavy stone had been lifted from his heart, and he took a long breath of relief. There were many people leaving the city in the afternoon. Shen Qing pulled the cart, blending into the crowd and delving deep into the shantytown. Tian Xiaohu shifted up close to Shen Qing and tugged at his sleeve. "What''s up? Is there something you need to tell me?" Tian Xiaohu lowered his voice and said, "I went for a stroll by Pinghe Square today and there''s something I need to discuss with you." "What''s the matter?" Shen Qing asked, his face unmoved. Tian Xiaohu continued in a hushed tone, "The entire family of Wang Qiyao has died. Since there are no descendants, their relatives are now fiercely disputing over the inheritance." "The shopkeeper from Fengwei Restaurant just came to look and left. As for the government office, it seems they have closed the case by declaring it a robbery. Wang Qiyao''s father-in-law didn''t agree and wanted to provide clues, but was instead accused of causing trouble and was killed on the spot by the county government." Tian Xiaohu spat out everything he knew in one breath. "So, in the future, if we sell our mountain goods, we''ll have to deal with a new manager?" "It seems they have switched to someone with the last name Cai. I''ll find time to inquire more about it next time." Shen Qing tugged at the reins and responded, "Hmm." About the death of Wang Qiyao''s family, both kept an unspoken agreement not to bring it up again. "Giddyup!" Chapter 54: Chapter 53: The Death of Wang Mazi (Please Follow) Shen Qing was not worried that Tian Xiaohu would betray him to the government office.The county government was, frankly, even more ruthless than him. If there was money to be made, they would take it; if they could avoid a problem, they would avoid it. If they really couldn''t avoid it, they''d make money first and then deal with the issue, ensuring they never came out on the losing end. As for justice and integrity, the government office didn''t care at all. As long as they could pay the required taxes to the court on time and take care of those above them, they couldn''t care less whether the common people lived or died. If a problem arose, the Four Great Eastern Families would clean up after them. The Great Zhou Court was not co-governing the realm with these grassroots civilians. Beyond that, the relationships within the village were also very delicate. People liked to wield power within their own nests, but once they left the village, they were extremely united. If one person was in trouble, the whole village would lend a hand. Anyone from the village who made a name for themselves in the county had family and fellow villagers by their side. Tian Xiaohu, being from the same village as him, would be taught a lesson by the agreed-upon customs here if he committed such an act of "utter disloyalty." His family had only him, without any notable figures in his clan, and no connections in the county city. Tian Xiaohu was not a fool; he knew which side to choose. In the afternoon, the city was bustling with many people leaving. But as they moved away from the city gate, the departing crowds gradually thinned out a bit. After about forty minutes through the slum area, Shen Xiaohu suddenly cried out, "Look, over there!" At his words, Shen Qing and Tian Xiaohu looked up and followed Shen Xiaohu''s pointing finger, their faces registering shock. In the dim slums alley, shadows crisscrossed. A row of bodies was hung from the eaves, the ropes creaking as they swayed gently in the cold wind. The air seemed to solidify around them, and a stench of blood emanated from the alley. The most central corpse, beneath tattered clothing, bore the pockmarked face etched with the last moments of terror and unwillingness of life. Passers-by quickened their steps, not wanting to disturb the scene. sea??h th§× ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Shen Qing glanced and recognized the alley where he had killed Old Ba Zi earlier; he faintly felt that this might have something to do with him. People from the slum area walked by on the street. He reached out, grabbing someone at random to ask, "What happened here?" "None of your damn business¡­" The person grabbed was a surly teenager who replied impatiently. However, the boy abruptly stopped speaking. Shen Qing, who had killed many people, had a sharp gaze filled with an imperceptible murderous aura. The teenager felt as if breathing had suddenly become difficult. Shen Qing''s grip on his wrist tightened more and more, as if he was about to crush his bones, causing a sharp pain to shoot through the boy''s wrist, to the point where he didn''t dare to make any sudden moves. Under his watchful eye, Shen Qing slowly pulled out two large coins from his bosom and jingled them. The teenager knew he was unlucky today, having encountered a formidable figure, and dared not offend further; he immediately lowered his head and said, "It was Boss, Boss enforced family law and had Wang Mazi and his group killed." "Boss?" Shen Qing furrowed his brows. "He''s the local tyrant of this area; Old Ba Zi and Wang Mazi, all these tough guys, made their living under Boss." Shen Qing pressed on, "What family law did Wang Mazi break to be executed by Boss?" "Wang Mazi caused in-fighting, killing Old Ba Zi and breaking a taboo. Now, those under Wang Mazi are either dead or have fled; almost all of them are here." The teenager nodded his chin towards a line of corpses, indicating Wang Mazi''s. "Sir¡­" The teenager looked pitifully at Shen Qing, pleading with his face. Shen Qing released his grip, tossing the two large coins carelessly in his direction. Then, he whipped the reins and urged the horse cart forward, his eyes lingering thoughtfully on Wang Mazi''s body. This Boss was also a ruthless character, and he would have to be cautious when encountering him in the future. The half-grown lad who had just regained his freedom glared at Shen Qing with venom in his eyes. The superiority Shen Qing had exuded earlier had made him extremely uncomfortable, causing him to lose a great deal of face. "Damn it, I''ll go shake them down, and see if I don''t kill you all¡­" He spat a thick gob of phlegm onto the ground. After cursing a few times, he bent down to pick up the two large coins from the ground. Whoosh! At that moment, an arrow whistled through the air, suddenly piercing through his palm and nailing it to the ground, causing him to let out an involuntary scream. "Ah!" Tian Xiaohu stepped down from the cart, walked over with an expressionless face, and coldly glanced at the lad, maintaining silence, subjecting the half-grown boy to immense pressure, almost causing a mental collapse. With a thunk. The lad seemed unable to support himself any longer and sat down on the ground with a thud. Ignoring the wound on his hand, he pulled out the arrow and threw it to the ground, scrambling away quickly. Tian Xiaohu took the two large coins from the ground and, with a flick, cleansed the blood-stained feathered arrow before handing it back to Shen Qing. "The people here are cheap, they fear might but not virtue, give them an inch and they''ll open a dye workshop. You have to make them fear you, that''s the only way. Shen Qing gave a soft grunt and loosened his grip on the bow. He had heard those words. If Tian Xiaohu hadn''t acted, he too was prepared to give that lad an arrow. But he wasn''t aiming for his hand¡­ After walking out of the shantytown, there were already fewer pedestrians on the official road. Shen Qing no longer hesitated, raised his hand, and gave the reins a fierce lash. Crack! The crisp sound of the whip followed behind the nag. The nag, struck by the whip, immediately broke into a run. In the cold winter of the twelfth lunar month, the sky after the Shen Hour was a leaden gray, and the cold wind cut like a knife against the skin. The cart carrying the three of them bumped along the official road, the wheels crunched over the frozen ground with a dull creaking, racing toward the distant Hongshan Village, looming faintly through the thin snow. When passing branches, specks of snow scattered, adorning their eyebrows and coats with quickly melting ice-cold droplets. Tian Xiaohu and Shen Xiaohu were both wearing bulky cotton-padded coats, their hands gripping the cart''s edge tightly, their knuckles turning white from the cold. They intermittently exhaled puffs of white breath that the cold wind shredded to tracelessness. As for Shen Qing, holding the reins, his complexion was rosy, not feeling the cold at all. In his hands, the nag was as obedient as a docile maidservant, allowing him to command and handle at will. After running for almost half an hour, the nag''s stamina seemed to be slowly depleting, and its speed inevitably began to decrease. Shen Qing appeared thoughtful, his pupils flashing with a light as if a drop of ink had fallen into water, creating ripples. In his vision, a line of ink characters then emerged. [Skill: Driving Skill (Entry Level)] [Progress: 101/100 points] [Status: Eligible for upgrade] [Note: Mastery of driving skills comes with practice¡ªthe continuous exercise can improve skill progression, mastering the key points of driving. In the future, driving can be both stable and fast, natural as moving one''s own arm, leaving others behind in the dust.] Shen Qing couldn''t help but let out a wry smile. He hadn''t expected that driving these past few days would have filled his driving skill progression. Shen Qing''s mind stirred, and he chose to breakthrough. Chapter 55: Chapter 54 Hongshan Trading Company (Please Follow) In the moment he decided to make a breakthrough, Shen Qing felt as if he was in the torrent of time, countless fragments of driving memories surging into his mind like a tide.These memories encompassed many driving skills from the past to present, from handling a regular horse-drawn carriage to racing ancient chariots, nothing was left out. Each image was so vivid and clear, as if he had experienced them firsthand. As these memories slowly merged and turned into a powerful stream of knowledge for Shen Qing to digest, his understanding of horses and carriages deepened, providing him with a sense of confidence that came from clear comprehension. [Skill: Driving Skill (Skilled)] [Progress: 1/200 points] [Status: Unimprovable] [Note: The way of driving requires persistent effort, its essence lies in repetitive practice, where skillfulness is born from familiarity. Continue to break through, and you will handle it with even greater ease, control, and unity between driver and vehicle.] Shen Qing sat calmly on the cart, the reins in his hand seemed to come alive, each slight pull carrying a precise intention. As he gradually approached the vicinity of Hongshan Village, he left the imperial road, and the mountain terrain started to become complex and varied. But whether it was a steep slope or a narrow bridge, the breakthrough Shen Qing managed it with ease. Every turn, every acceleration was just right. Such performance made Shen Xiaohu and Tian Xiaohu, sitting on the cart, sense the difference. S§×arch* The n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. In the blink of an eye, the cart seemed even steadier. Looking at a section of water ink text in his line of sight, Shen Qing remembered something and asked Tian Xiaohu and Shen Xiaohu, "Do you two know how to drive?" Tian Xiaohu and Shen Xiaohu looked at each other, shook their heads, and said, "Not yet." "When there''s time later on, I''ll teach you how to drive," Shen Qing said, gazing ahead, lost in thought. Currently, he had made two trips to Hongshan Village and played the role of a merchant twice. Calculating the profits carefully, if it weren''t for the boss and external thieves, it was quite considerable. In Hongshan Village, hunting in winter, selling exotic plants in spring, and gathering fruits and chopping wood in summer and fall could all be considered income. It''s not much for each household, but when added together, it''s still significant. Once things stabilize, if the opportunity is right, he could attempt to establish a stable commercial route from Hongshan Village to Taiping County. As long as the route is established, the business could last a long time. "I do have tens of taels of silver in my hands, but in the future, martial arts training, living expenses, and making friends will all involve significant expenditure. This money may seem like a lot, but it won''t last if I don''t manage it well. I can''t afford to consume without producing. Starting a business in Hongshan Village is a good beginning." It might seem small at first, but looking into the future, even the Four Great Eastern Families in the county started from small and built up their businesses over generations. In the future, I might as well establish a business on the same scale and make a name for Hongshan Trading Company," Shen Qing was full of confidence. To make this business work, in addition to establishing a stable commercial route, he also needed to have sufficient martial strength. Having witnessed the murky environment of Taiping County, he knew that without strength, it would be difficult to gain a foothold amidst the interwoven relationships and numerous factions within the city. Shen Qing knew that his current foundation was purely because he had fought for it with his own strengths and prowess. Rowing against the current, if you do not advance, you will fall back. If he did not actively strive for progress, it would be hard to make advances later; at best, he would only be a local notable limited to Hongshan, unable to step beyond the bounds of that substantial mountain. "Brother Qingzi, why are you suddenly teaching us to drive?" Shen Xiaohu sat up, asking Shen Qing with curiosity: "I think you drive just fine, even steadier than bookworm." "I previously promised your aunt and uncle that I would bring you and Shanwa into this business of selling mountain goods. Now that I''ve run the route a couple of times and am familiar with it, I thought I''d teach you both some." Shen Qing turned his head and glanced at Shen Xiaohu and Tian Xiaohu, and said solemnly, "In the future, I will be spending more time and effort on Linfeng Hall, and I might not be able to take care of this side of things. When the time is right, I plan to let you both help manage this mountain goods business; I don''t trust anyone else with it." After pondering for a while, Shen Qing said: "At that time, I can give you both a twenty percent share for each trip." "Ah, twenty percent? You''re entrusting such an important business to us?" Shen Xiaohu was somewhat incredulous; after following on a few trips, he had some understanding of the profits involved. In his eyes, it was no small amount¡ªat least four to five hundred wen. Even at twenty percent, each person would get forty to fifty wen, equivalent to the income of an adult laborer in the village; for a single person, one trip could double that. If they moved quickly, it wouldn''t even take a day''s time. "You''re not willing? Is it too little?" "No, no, no, this business was started by you, Brother Qingzi. Just having a taste of it is already more than I deserve, how can I be so ungrateful. I actually feel like I''m taking advantage of you," said Shen Xiaohu quickly. Shen Qing looked at Tian Xiaohu and asked, "And you?" "I didn''t have much to do in the village to begin with; if you, Qingzi, are willing to bring me along, of course, I couldn''t ask for more." As he spoke, Tian Xiaohu''s face showed a touch of happiness. Such opportunities to work outside of their village were not common for them. Having this additional income during spare times would undoubtedly make his life much more comfortable. Shen Qing turned to Shen Xiaohu and instructed, "Hu Zi, you keep an eye on this matter for now. Now that you''ve entered Linfeng Hall, focus primarily on practicing martial arts." "Understood," he acknowledged. "Let''s settle on this for now. Go back and explain everything to your aunt, uncle, and Shanwa," Shen Qing instructed. "Xiao Hu, you prepare too. I''ll take you with me on every trip to deliver the mountain goods from now on." "Understood." The journey from Hongshan Village to Taiping County was about fifty to sixty li, taking just over an hour one way¡ªit really was a bit of a time-waster. Especially since before spring, the buying and selling of mountain goods only happened about once every ten days. If he went fewer times, it would inevitably reduce his training. Simply practicing blindly at home ran the risk of doing it wrong without anyone to correct him. He needed to practice in the city. After all, Shen Qing was only one person with limited energy; he couldn''t juggle everything at once. Shen Xiaohu and Tian Xiaohu had followed him on two trips, so they should be familiar with the process by now. Having them assist would not only increase their income but also free up some of his energy¡ªa win-win situation. Shen Qing remembered Ouyang Tiezhu saying that it was best to do stretching and bone-strengthening before the age of sixteen; it wouldn''t be as effective once the muscles and bones had set. Though this seemed to leave plenty of time according to the Progress on the Water Ink Panel, he didn''t dare let that cause him to slack off. Shen Qing planned to go to Linfeng Hall in Taiping County to practice martial arts whenever he had the chance, at the very least to complete all of the movement technique training. After another half-an-hour''s journey, Hongshan Village''s silhouette gradually came into view for the trio. Shen Qing lifted his whip but hadn''t even brought it down on the nag, when the nag, as if anticipating, already picked up its pace and began to run faster. Chapter 56: Chapter 55: You need to help the adults more in the future Shen Qing and his company hurried along and finally arrived at Hongshan Village by evening.By this time, most of the villagers who had gone up the mountain to hunt had come down, and the village was much livelier than during the day. The cart rumbled over the stone-paved path at the village entrance, kicking up a layer of muddy soil as it passed through the entrance of Hongshan Village. A villager clad in dog skin poked his head out and, seeing Shen Qing and his group, said, "Yo, isn''t that Qingzi and his crew? They''ve finally come back!" With his call, other idle villagers also gathered around. "Qingzi, why didn''t you come back yesterday?" One villager said teasingly with a smile, "Everyone was joking that you had exchanged your mountain goods for money to enjoy yourself in the city and weren''t going to come back." Shen Qing let go of the rigid ropes, jumped down from the cart, and said, "Last night I practiced Martial Arts at Linfeng Hall until late, so I stayed in the city overnight and was delayed." "That''s what I thought, Qingzi is a fair dealer. How could he run off? They just didn''t believe it. Heh heh..." Shen Qing, aware of the petty thoughts of the villagers, said with annoyance, "Stop babbling, your money hasn''t been shortchanged. Get Zhang Batou over here to see me." sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Alright, alright." Not long after, Zhang Baqing, who was eating dinner when he heard of Shen Qing''s return, hastily wolfed down a couple of bites, put down his bowl, wiped his mouth, and ran out. When he arrived at the entrance of the village and saw Shen Qing and the others, he immediately called out warmly, "Shen Family nephew, did you call for me?" "Zhang Batou, I do have something for you indeed." In front of everyone, Shen Qing took out more than six strings of large coins and handed them to Zhang Baqing saying, "Here is the money from this sale of goods. Take the account book and tally it for the villagers, and settle their payments." The onlooking hunters eagerly watched the large coins in Shen Qing''s hands, rubbing their hands together, impatient to receive their share. What they busied themselves with every day, they were now counting on this. Zhang Baqing slapped his chest in assurance and said, "Sure, leave it to me. I know exactly how much each family owes." Shen Qing then continued, "After that, tell everyone that once this payment is settled, I won''t run a tab next time. Cash for goods, to avoid any confusion in the middle." "Ah..." Zhang Baqing said in surprise, "There are so many families in the village, that will require quite a sum of money." "That''s not for you to worry about," Shen Qing dismissed. As Shen Qing spoke, his tone neither warm nor cold, Zhang Baqing instantly felt a sense of distance. Zhang Baqing understood internally; now that the Shen Family''s eldest son had learned Martial Arts and was achieving something, he might even become a gentleman in the city one day, naturally not in the same class as him. He silently reminded himself not to be carried away, "Okay, I''ll visit each family and tell them today." "I appreciate it, Uncle Zhang," Shen Qing said, and he took a candle from the cart and handed it to Zhang Baqing, "It''s dark and the roads in the village are slippery. I have a candle on my cart for you, Uncle Zhang, to light your way." In the city, high-quality candles could sell for a hundred to four hundred wen each and were very expensive. Even the cheaper, ordinary candles used by the common folk were priced at ten to thirty wen each. For the villagers, these were rare items. Thus, those in the village would typically light oil lamps at night and rarely would anyone afford to use candles, such extravagant items. Shen Qing''s gesture was akin to giving Zhang Baqing a modest benefit, stimulating his enthusiasm, ensuring he wasn''t working for nothing. Villagers, unencumbered by the elaborate courtesies and rules of city dwellers, Zhang Baqing simply expressed his thanks and gratefully accepted the offer. After receiving the candle, his wrinkled old face blossomed into a wide grin, and he eagerly got to work for Shen Qing, filled with vigor. After dispersing the crowd of villagers, Shen Qing and Tian Xiaohu returned to their respective homes. After several turns, Shen Qing arrived at the mud-brick house with its pale yellow walls; the large doors were wide open. Shen Qing moved aside to tether his horse next to the house. Elder Sister Shen Fang, hearing the noise outside, hurriedly came out and, seeing Shen Qing in a new set of clothes, happily exclaimed, "Ah, Qingzi has returned!" She quickly went forward to help. Seeing a bundle on the handcart, Shen Fang, without a second thought, went up to it and lifted, only to find it remarkably heavy. "What''s inside this, Qingzi? It''s so heavy." "Let''s talk about it after we get back inside." Shen Qing removed the handcart from the horse, laid it against the wall, and took down a sack of stuff, following Shen Fang into the house. After putting down the various items, Shen Qing sat on the edge of the bed and, upon noticing Shen Fang still eyeing the bundle, said, "If you want to look, just open it. What''s with the hesitation?" All mysterious. Muttering to herself, Shen Fang deftly unwrapped the bundle. Whoosh! A cascade of silver grains and blocks flowed out like a waterfall, spilling before her. She was immediately stunned. She had never seen so much money in her life. Feeling like a thief, Shen Fang quickly rewrapped the bundle and asked in a trembling whisper, "Where did you get all this money from?" "I helped some people in the city, and they, being kind-hearted, gave it to me," Shen Qing explained with an earnest look. Shen Fang was somewhat incredulous. With a smile, Shen Qing said, "Elder Sister, the lords in the city dine with chopsticks made of gold, so this is merely pocket change to them." Chopsticks made of gold? Shen Fang took in a sharp breath and said, "Then you should help those lords more in the future. Be careful though and don''t let them find any fault in your work. Understand?" Elder Sister Shen Fang now seemed like an old mother hen, constantly nagging with her endless chatter, "Once we''ve saved up enough money, we can buy a house in the city and you can marry a wife from there. Then you''ll have truly made something of yourself." Shen Qing shook his head helplessly, thinking that the idea of getting him a wife had turned into his elder sister''s obsession; she brought it up every few days. "We''re just making ends meet right now; it''s still too early for that. But from now on, we don''t have to skimp and save every day. Eat what you should, wear what you should, drink what you should. Our most difficult times as siblings are behind us." Seeing Shen Qing''s somewhat frivolous attitude, Shen Fang frowned and said, "Qingzi, it was thanks to Auntie and Uncle that you could learn martial arts and make something of yourself in the city. If you ever make it big one day, you can''t forget them; we must be grateful and repay their kindness." "I know." Shen Qing stood up from the bed, looked around and asked, "What are we having for dinner tonight?" Shen Fang secured the bundle tightly and handed it to Shen Qing; she dusted off her hands and said, "We still have some lamb meat at home. I see you brought back some vermicelli, so I''ll cook that for you." "Alright then," Shen Qing replied with a smile, adding, "I''ve bought quite a few spices and salts from the city, remember to use them generously." In the few months he had been in this world, he felt that he was starting to live more like a human being. Life was finally becoming comfortable. Chapter 57: Chapter 56: Passing the Five Person Stance In the following days, Shen Qing went deep into the mountains, spending most of his time hunting and practicing the movement technique of Wind Facing Finger.As his Bow Technique and hunting skills progressed, his hunting ability improved significantly. He never returned from the mountain empty-handed, always bringing back small game like rabbits, pheasants, and badgers, and even a deer, which piled up at home. However, strangely, some of the larger game he used to encounter frequently, such as wild boars, elk, and goats, were now seldom seen. It even made Shen Qing wonder if his hunting skills had improved so rapidly that he had almost depleted Shicheng Mountain. It was less than a month until the onset of spring. Shen Qing could only sincerely hope that the small animals in the mountains could endure a little longer. Hang in there, winter is almost over. ... In the bamboo forest behind the house, Shen Qing squatted down, picked up a stone from the ground, and easily grasped it in his palm. Dressed in short clothes, his arms were exposed, the veins faintly visible. Suddenly, Shen Qing exerted force, his muscles tensed on his arms, and the veins bulged. Cracks appeared on the surface of the stone, and then with a "crack," it shattered into several pieces in his palm, the fragments scattering on the ground. He dusted off his hands and stood up, his gaze calm. "Now that I have achieved Great Perfection of Qi and Blood, my arm strength has increased significantly, far surpassing ordinary people. Five or six men can''t stop me, and I can even crush a stone if I exert my full force. So why can''t I puncture a simple wooden board with my fingers?" Shen Qing looked towards the other side, at a broken wooden board full of marks. These days, he had been secretly pondering and trying a few times like Ouyang Tiezhu had, but he had not succeeded. Li Linfeng''s hard skill, it seemed, did not depend solely on the strength. There was a self-consistent logic and training method involved. Shen Qing had asked around in Linfeng Hall, and Li Linfeng had once used this unique skill to counter-kill four Bone Refining Realm martial masters and became famous in the county town in one battle. These Bone Refining Realm martial masters, on the other hand, could easily subdue five or six individuals achieving Great Perfection of Qi and Blood like him, and eighteen or nineteen sturdy men couldn''t even get close to these martial masters. He dared not imagine how strong Li Linfeng, now in the Qi Cultivation Realm, might be. Indeed, the county town was a place where crouching tigers and hidden dragons lay, not to be underestimated. I must continue to train hard. Shen Qing put aside these distracting thoughts and walked to an old oak tree, treating it as if it were a Wooden Dummy. He took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and went over the actions of the Three Person Stance and the Five Person Stance, which he had replicated in his mind countless times. Once he was sure he had remembered all the details, he suddenly opened his eyes. Immediately, his figure became as agile as a darting rabbit, launching into a fluid series of movement techniques around the old tree, burying himself in practice. He darted and jumped, lightly tapping the ground with the tips of his toes, leaving almost no trace. One could almost hear the rustling of his clothes in the air, responding to the cold winds in the bamboo forest. Time slowly passed. Even though it was winter and he was dressed in short clothes, sweat gradually soaked the back of Shen Qing''s shirt. Gradually, his breathing became rapid and powerful, his movements more smooth and rapid. On the rough bark of the old oak tree, there were several spots that, after countless touches and leveraging, had become much smoother, appearing somewhat different from other areas. S§×ar?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Shen Qing continued to practice tirelessly until he was nearly depleted of energy. In order not to waste time, he would continue to practice stance training and nourish and train his Qi and Blood from Nine Skills to recover his strength. As he constantly cultivated, Shen Qing''s understanding of martial arts increased day by day, and he found some of the martial arts common sense on Nine Skills to be somewhat erroneous. For instance, the Nine Skills never mentioned stretching or Bone Strengthening, nor did it introduce concepts like Skin Forging and Qi Cultivation. It merely stated that once the essence blood throughout the body reached the physical limits it could contain and fused the Qi-Blood with one''s thoughts, one could cultivate Qi strength. This seemed rather exaggerated and unreliable. Up until now, he still hadn''t figured out what exactly the book meant by "thoughts in the heart." No wonder this Martial Arts wasn''t very famous. Shen Qing even suspected that when Chen Yuan and the others had purchased this Martial Arts book, they had been significantly overcharged. But it wasn''t as if this Martial Arts was completely useless. At the very least, the nine major stance trainings recorded in it were truly beneficial, greatly aiding in the nourishing and training of his Qi-Blood. Shen Qing didn''t keep it to himself either; he also taught this Martial Arts to Tian Xiao Hu and Hu Zi, the brothers. The few of them were vigorous in practicing daily at home. The three weren''t as prodigious as Shen Qing; they were still struggling at the Entry Level. After a brief adjustment, Shen Qing felt his strength had almost recovered, so he plunged into practice again. Under the influence of the Water Ink Panel, each time Shen Qing practiced his movement technique, he became more agile and more precise than the previous time. In the blink of an eye, seven or eight days had passed, and the mountain goods of Hongshan Village had accumulated quite a bit; it was time to head to the county town again. In the bamboo grove, Shen Qing slapped his palm against a tree trunk, completed the last move, and gently exhaled. He glanced at the Water Ink Panel in his line of sight and his face couldn''t help but reveal a hint of joy. [Skill: Wind Facing Finger (Entry Level)] [Progress: 92/100 points] [Status: Unable to Improve] Through continuous practice, along with the skill boosts from the Water Ink Panel. Shen Qing was already able to smoothly execute the Two Person Stance, Three Person Stance, and Five Person Stance in succession, achieving a sort of breakthrough. Unfortunately, an old tree is ultimately not a Wooden Dummy; some movements still differed, and he hadn''t perfected them, making it difficult to increase his progress. He thought of taking this opportunity to visit Linfeng Hall, to fill up this last bit of progress and see if he could break through this bottleneck. Shen Qing exhaled the last turbid breath, gathered his thoughts, and went back home. At this time, his elder sister, Shen Fang, had already prepared a barrel of hot water for washing up after training. After washing up, Shen Qing put on new clothes and went out, making a beeline to Zhang Shuyuan''s house to ask him to help with some accounting. With his current level of literacy, he could handle simple accounts and arithmetic himself. However, the accounts in the village had mostly been done by Zhang Shuyuan for years, and the villagers recognized him. If he were to do it himself, the villagers might not actually recognize it, and it could instead cause unnecessary complications. So it was better to be safe and stick with the old ways. Upon arriving at Zhang Shuyuan''s house and explaining his purpose, Zhang Shuyuan, without any embarrassment or the arrogance of a scholar, agreed immediately, as though afraid Shen Qing might change his mind. As for why Shen Qing hadn''t come to study the Thousand Character Classic in such a long time, he didn''t even ask, acting as if he had forgotten all about it. In his view, learning was something entirely dependent on one''s self-discipline. With Zhang Shuyuan in tow, Shen Qing went to a flat area in the center of Hongshan Village. Tian Xiao Hu had already brought the cart over and was waiting early on; other villagers wanting to sell goods also gradually arrived. Shen Qing walked over and clapped his hands. The crisp sound instantly attracted the attention of the villagers on the flatland. Shen Qing shouted, "Let''s start collecting the mountain goods, folks, hurry up." Chapter 58: Chapter 57: The Business Begins to Take Shape ```Hearing Shen Qing''s call, many villagers carrying their own mountain goods squeezed in front of him. The scene became chaotic. Shen Qing patted the handcart and shouted, "Quiet down, everyone line up, one at a time." A straightforward villager pushed to the front and asked doubtfully, "Qingzi, everyone says you''re not doing credit this time and require cash payment, is that true or false?" "Of course it''s true." Shen Qing took out some silver and some pre-prepared large coins from his bosom and piled them on the handcart, "Today is cash payment, I''ll buy whatever goods you have." Shen Qing''s voice was solid and resolute, spreading far and wide, reaching the ears of everyone around. Wow! The many villagers craned their necks to look forward. Seeing Shen Qing suddenly take out so much money, they looked at each other with surprised expressions. Some couldn''t understand. Just over a month ago, this was the same Shen Qing who was struggling to make ends meet and suffering the bullying of the Chen Family, so why did it seem like he had undergone a complete transformation overnight and had become so wealthy? Over this past month, Shen Qing''s first improvement was in his hunting skills, no longer coming back empty-handed, then he aggressively took down Chen Yuan and his entire family. After that he was learning to read and sell mountain goods, and even training in martial arts in the city... To them, it seemed as magical and unbelievable as reading scriptures or hearing a fairy tale. Having lived in Hongshan Village for so long and grown up there, they had never heard of such a person emerging before. Shen Qing had truly "struck it rich." Most hunters who lived off the mountains year-round had tough temperaments and could be blunt in speech, but they also stood by a strict code of respect for strength and power. The ruthless ferocity of Shen Qing when he killed the Chen Family not long ago was still vivid in their minds. They knew that Shen Qing was a man not to be trifed with. Now that he had made money, no one dared to say anything, and at most some people felt a twinge of sour envy, thinking he was just lucky. Once Shen Qing had made his stance clear and the villagers were certain he did have the money and wasn''t just talking big, they brushed aside their last doubts and began selling their mountain goods to him. One man came over with a bunch of freshly picked mushrooms and some coptis, placing them in front of Shen Qing. After Shen Qing weighed them, he purchased them at the normal price. Receiving the money made the man extremely happy, and seeing that Zhang Shuyuan was taking his job of keeping the accounts seriously, he left reassured. Seeing this man receive his money made the other hunters eager to step forward and sell their goods to Shen Qing. And one by one, as they got their money, they were grinning from ear to ear. Just because there was nowhere to spend money in Hongshan Village didn''t mean the villagers lacked the motivation to earn it. Spring was coming, and the government office would soon be collecting forest tax, household tax, leftover woman tax ... and by the time autumn arrived, there would be land tribute and a vast array of miscellaneous duties with money required at every turn. If they couldn''t pay up when the county government came to collect the taxes, they would be conscripted to dig rivers or build walls, forced into labor, and if they didn''t die from it, they would still lose a layer of skin. Besides, even without the taxes, people from the village occasionally needed to go to Taiping County to attend the major markets and purchase necessities for living. So money was very important. A village woman who had traded for some money asked Shen Qing, "Qingzi, are you taking people with you to the county town this time? Can I come along with you?" The speaker was an aunt from Linfeng Hall, someone Shen Qing vaguely remembered, although they didn''t interact much. "I am taking people with me, but I''m afraid Auntie can''t come with me this time," Shen Qing replied truthfully, "I need to train in martial arts in the county town, and I likely won''t be back for seven, eight days, maybe even ten." The aunt from Linfeng Hall was somewhat disappointed and said, "¡­ I see, I was hoping to catch a ride and pay you some fare." ``` ``` She emphasized the word "money" heavily, trying to change Shen Qing''s mind. Of course, this didn''t deceive Shen Qing. Having lived in the village for a while, he was already used to the little schemes of the village women. This time, he definitely wouldn''t bring anyone else to Taiping County. First, there wasn''t enough room. The cart was only so big. After loading it with mountain goods, it would already be fully packed with him, Shen Xiaohu, and Tian Xiaohu. Adding one more person would make it too cramped. Second, it would be troublesome. S§×ar?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He wasn''t going to the county town just for the trade of mountain goods, but more importantly, to train in martial arts at Linfeng Hall. Bringing another person would leave no room to spare. However, this aunt did give him an idea. It was impossible to take someone with him, but he could certainly make money. Shen Qing felt he could purchase the mountain goods himself and, once the villagers had the money in their hands, he could help them make a list and purchase other supplies for them in the county town. He could earn something on both the trip there and the way back. Money becomes more valuable once it starts moving. Faintly, Shen Qing felt the beginnings of a business for Hongshan Trading Company. Shen Qing said with a smile, "Auntie, do you want to buy something? If so, I can bring some things back for you." "Really? That''s great," Aunt Shen exclaimed. "I just want to buy a pair of scissors and some needles and thread for the house. If you see them, please bring some back for me." "No problem. Please take note, Mister, and I''ll buy them when I head into the county town," Shen Qing instructed Zhang Shuyuan. Aunt Shen was immediately delighted. Seeing this, others who had a bit of extra cash also entrusted Shen Qing to purchase items for them in the county town, even paying a deposit. A portion of the money he had just spent immediately made its way back into Shen Qing''s hands. After being busy for nearly three to four shichen, the mountain goods from the village had been completely collected and the cart was fully loaded. Taking the shopping list from Zhang Shuyuan, and seizing the good weather of the morning, Shen Qing set out for Taiping County with Tian Xiaohu. Because he let Tian Xiaohu and Shen Xiaohu take turns driving the cart, it delayed them a little. A journey that usually took one shichen took nearly one and a half this time. Fortunately, they had left early and arrived at the city gates of the county town before noon. The trip was uneventful. After paying the usual City Entrance Fee as always, Shen Qing headed straight to Wanfeng Building. The backyard of Wanfeng Building was still bustling with activity, with hunters, vegetable farmers, and porters coming and going. Only the manager was a new face. He looked more respectable than Wang Qiyao and a bit younger. The abacus clicked quickly in his hands, showing efficiency. Since it was their first transaction, the new manager handled everything by the book, neither pressing too hard nor asking for too much. A cart full of goods was exchanged for thirteen silver taels. The mountain goods he brought were worth roughly 1,300 wen in silver, and he could make about two taels from this trip. Quite nice. Shen Qing took out two hundred wen in large coins, weighed them thoughtfully for a moment, then walked over to the new manager with a smile and lowered his voice to ask, "What should I call you, manager?" Manager Cai glanced down at the hard, crisp items Shen Qing had passed him. Without any trace, he skillfully pocketed them and said, "Cai Jia Sheng." ``` Chapter 59: Chapter 58: Truly a Material for Martial Arts! "Manager Cai, it''s nice to meet you in person. My name is Shen Qing from Hongshan Village. I hope for your continued support in the future.""Hmm." Cai Jia Sheng hummed softly, continuing to focus on his work. "Manager Cai is busy now, I''ll bother you later when you''re free. Goodbye." Shen Qing didn''t mind and decisively led his men to leave through the back courtyard. There would be other days. S§×ar?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. For their first interaction, Shen Qing decided to use a small amount of money to test the waters, to see if this manager was really usable. If they didn''t get along well, if he wasn''t very useful, then there would be no choice but to have the Song family replace him with someone new. "Xiao Hu, come here, this is what you''ve earned this time." Stepping outside the courtyard, Shen Qing pulled out seventy large coins and handed them to Tian Xiaohu. After distributing the coins, Shen Qing instructed, "We''re going to stay in the county to practice Martial Arts for a few days. You''ll go with me to the market later to buy the things for the village, see if you can catch a ride with someone else to bring them back first, and I''ll settle the payment when I return." Tian Xiaohu, without any pretense, accepted the seventy large coins and nodded seriously, "I''ve got it down, I won''t mess up your affairs." "Hmm, if you''re not busy when you get back, you could go learn some arithmetic from Zhang Shuyuan." "Arithmetic?!" Tian Xiaohu''s brow furrowed, he hadn''t expected that handling a task would require learning such things: "That''s so troublesome¡­" "Don''t you want to advance yourself? If you do, you''ll need to know these things." "I''ll follow your advice." Having given these instructions, Shen Qing took Tian Xiaohu to the market. They purchased all the various items the villagers wanted and handed them over to Tian Xiaohu to take back. Luckily, the items bought by the village this time weren''t too numerous, and Tian Xiaohu could carry them all by himself. After sending Tian Xiaohu off, Shen Qing also made a trip to the rouge shop and spent one tael of gold on some fine rouge. It was about time his aunt Shen Xiu should be back. Just as his eldest sister said, his aunt had helped him a lot and deserved to be thanked in person. A grand gift deepens the bonds of friendship. To give is to receive. Having visited Linfeng Hall many times, Shen Qing and Shen Xiaohu had become much more familiar with the place and no longer felt the restraint they had the first time. They didn''t need A Fu to escort them; they went into the courtyard, familiarly tied their dilapidated horses in the stable, and each went to practice Martial Arts in the yard. Ouyang Tiezhu wasn''t seen in the inner courtyard, and Shen Qing wasn''t in a hurry to look for him. By now, he had skillfully increased his mastery of the Wind Defying Finger technique to ninety-two, just eight points shy of breaking through the bottleneck. If he hadn''t miscalculated, practicing with the Wooden Dummy for one or two Shi Chen should be enough to achieve it. He would break through the Wind Defying Finger movement technique first. Shen Qing took off his coat and, dressed in a short outfit, he directly approached the Five Person Stance. Most of the seven or eight people in the inner courtyard had been practicing the movement technique for a long time and were mostly still at the Three Person Stance level. Only a sparse few were at the Five Person Stance. This individual, sporting arched brows and sharp eyes, was fairly handsome, though somewhat portly. If Shen Qing remembered correctly, this person should be Xiao Zhi, a cook who earned his living from the Song and Dong Family''s business. Their ages were similar, and he had been practicing body training here for nearly half a year. In the back courtyard, before Shen Qing arrived, he was the one with the most potential for learning Martial Arts. Seeing Shen Qing approach the Five Person Stance, Xiao Zhi greeted him with a smile, "Junior brother, are you also here to practice the Five Person Stance?" Shen Qing responded casually, "Hmm, just practicing casually." Standing in front of the Five Person Stance, Shen Qing''s expression turned serious; he subconsciously widened his stance slightly, rooted like an old pine to the ground. Without a prolonged preparation, Shen Qing suddenly moved. His gaze sharpened, and his form moved as swiftly as a darting rabbit. All the movement techniques Ouyang Tiezhu had taught him were deeply embedded in his mind, and he replicated them flawlessly at this moment. Unlike Ouyang Tiezhu, however, Shen Qing''s movements were noticeably more ferocious. Bang, bang, bang. With swift actions like cascading rain, he continued dodging, kicking, slapping, and weaving around the dummy... A pair of hands fell on different parts of the wooden dummy like raindrops, making a dull yet forceful sound. What was even more rare was that his stance was very stable. Even when he turned and dodged, it was as if he were walking on water, hardly causing a ripple. Inside Hongshan Village, after spending about seven or eight days, Shen Qing had mastered this complex movement technique to perfection. At the beginning, he had to occasionally pause to adjust his breathing and think about the next move''s connection. But now, every one of his actions had become smooth and natural, as if these techniques were already integrated into his blood, becoming a part of his instincts. Bang! At the final blow of the Five Person Stance, there was still a remnant stickiness, not quite perfect. Shen Qing stopped and started over from the beginning. Sweat slid down his forehead, dropping onto the floor tiles, making a crisp sound. Bang Bang Bang! The dull noises began again. The wooden dummy trembled slightly under Shen Qing''s onslaught, as if it was about to topple over at any moment. Xiao Zhi, having finished his practice, couldn''t help but curiously look towards Shen Qing, where he could only see streaks of residual images crisscrossing. There weren''t too many secrets within Linfeng Hall. Ever since Shen Qing entered the inner courtyard, word about him had spread, knowing he was Li Linfeng Lady Qi''s close nephew and also that his Martial Arts were highly gifted. They had always heard of him but never dealt with him directly. Today was his lucky day; he saw Shen Qing practicing the Five Person Stance, and it was truly an eye-opener. If he remembered correctly, it was hardly more than ten days since he entered Linfeng Hall, and he had already trained to this extent. True Martial Arts material indeed! Absolutely monstrous! All disciples in the inner courtyard paid to learn skills, with very straightforward purposes; how much they learned entirely depended on their skill without too many other concerns. The commotion from Shen Qing''s side was significant; as soon as he stepped into the inner courtyard, he had already attracted a crowd''s attention. At that moment, Shen Qing was completely immersed in his self-forgetful practice, hardly paying any attention to the gazes of others. Breakthrough! Breakthrough! Breakthrough! A simple belief continuously ran through his mind. After practicing for about one more Shi Chen. "Bang!" Following the final forceful side kick, Shen Qing steadily caught the wooden dummy''s onslaught. A full sense of joy suddenly shone in his eyes. [Skill: Wind Defying Finger (Entry Level)] [Progress: 100/100 points] [Status: can be enhanced] [Note: Winter training on the ninth cycle of nine days, summer training in the hottest days, continuous practice can master the skill, increasing the skill proficiency.] Unknowingly, Shen Qing had already trained this Martial Art to the first checkpoint. He couldn''t help but lick his lips, his face full of anticipation. "Wind Defying Finger, break through for me!" A muffled boom sounded. Shen Qing felt his whole body shake. Suddenly, warm currents surged inside his body, like the melting snow in spring, roaming throughout his body. He felt the Qi-Blood inside him tumbling, muscles trembling slightly, as if trying to break free from some kind of restraint. Shen Qing couldn''t help but slowly lift his foot and fiercely stepped forward. His muscles erupted with astonishing power at that moment, dust flew up from the ground, and fine cracks appeared on the thick floor tiles. That single step made Shen Qing feel a refreshing sense of liberation from bondage. All sorts of movement techniques thoroughly fused in his mind. The movement technique for Wind Defying Finger was accomplished! Chapter 60: Chapter 59 Aunt encounters misfortune [Skill: Wind Defying Finger (Skillful)] Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.[Progress: 0/200 points] [Status: Unable to Improve] For Shen Qing, the breakthrough process seemed to take a very long time, but to the disciples in the inner courtyard, it was no more than five or six breaths from start to finish. In such a short period of time, they were not aware of Shen Qing''s breakthrough. Most were there just to watch the excitement, but a few keen-eyed disciples vaguely noticed some subtle changes in Shen Qing. But that was as far as it went. These people more or less knew about Shen Qing''s background, and aside from a bit of surprise and envy, with some emotion on their faces, there were no so-called shocks. After Shen Qing finished his practice, the onlookers swiftly redirected their attention, focusing on the practice of their movement techniques. The sounds of slapping and colliding with the Wooden Dummy once again filled the inner courtyard. Having mastered his movement technique, Shen Qing had no intention of showing off. He digested the physical and mental changes from the breakthrough, gathered his spirit, and briskly walked towards the pharmacy in the Outer Court. The so-called pharmacy of Linfeng Hall was nothing more than a small partition made from the living quarters of the servants. Upon entering, you could see a brick wall filled with medicine cabinets, brimming with various medicinal ingredients, and emitting a strong aroma of medicine. In the center of the room, there were three furnaces, each with a medicine pot bubbling and steaming, the bitter scent of the medicine continuously entering Shen Qing''s nostrils. A Fu was standing in front of a medicine pot, occasionally adding a bit of firewood. Noticing the movements at the door, he turned back and smiled, "Junior Brother Shen, did you come to find me for something?" Shen Qing gestured with a fist and palm salute and said, "Is eldest senior brother at the courtyard today?" Now that the movement technique of Wind Defying Finger had been mastered, it was definitely time to practice the following striking technique, stretching and bone strengthening. Since the master had entrusted him to Ouyang Tiezhu, he naturally had to seek him out to learn. A Fu picked up a thin branch from the side, snapped it into sections, and stuffed them into the fire to boost it before saying, "Eldest senior brother has gone out to deal with something concerning your Seventh Master." Seventh Master? Aunt? Shen Qing frowned with concern, "What happened to my aunt? She''s been feeling unwell lately, hasn''t she?" A Fu sighed and said, "She was ambushed by the Mi Gang on the way back from Jifu Temple last time. She couldn''t save the fetus and lost it." "What?" Shen Qing was taken aback and quickly pressed on, "What exactly happened?" After A Fu finished stoking the fires in the other two stoves, he dusted off his hands, stood up, and said, "Do you know how many wives our master has?" "My aunt is Miss Qi, so there definitely are seven!" Shen Qing almost instinctively replied. "Now there are three." Shen Qing looked at A Fu with surprise, "Why are there only three?" A Fu enjoyed seeing Shen Qing''s expression, "The first wife died of illness before our master made a name for himself, the second and third wives were killed by enemies, along with a young master and miss." "Sixth wife died from complications during childbirth, leaving only the fourth, fifth, and seventh wives." Hearing all this, Shen Qing did not know how to respond. "Your aunt encountered a similar incident," A Fu said with a matter-of-fact tone, "No help for it, our master came from humble origins and relied solely on fists and feet; having enemies in the county city is quite normal." Shen Qing asked, "What''s the deal with this Mi Gang?" "That''s a long story." "Get to the point." "..." A Fu''s face stiffened, as if someone had squeezed his neck, and all the words he was about to say were shoved back in with a hammer. He mumbled twice, then began speaking dejectedly, "The Mi Gang was originally just a small gang in the city, but after the old county magistrate died last year and the court appointed a new county magistrate, they made connections with the government and now control a part of the grain business in the county, becoming a big gang. They''re essentially a puppet gang propped up by the current government office." "They specialize in doing the dirty work for the government office. Our master had worked with the previous county government and his relationship with the new administration is somewhat awkward. Moreover, our master has killed a son of the Boss of Mi Gang, so... hence, this incident occurred." Shen Qing listened and got the gist of the situation, asking, "How strong is the Boss of Mi Gang, and can our master beat him?" "Previously, he was equal in strength to our master, but now that they''ve connected with the government, it''s hard to say," A Fu replied with a tone of concern, "The disciples and forces of the Mi Gang are much stronger than ours. Sigh... I''ve heard they''re going to take action against us, and this incident with your aunt is a sign." Shen Qing could tell that things were not looking good for Linfeng Hall. Otherwise, A Fu''s tone wouldn''t be so despondent. Shen Qing let out a helpless sigh. Whatever has come, then let it settle. In the county, the martial arts halls and gangs consider three things: money, connections, and lastly, talent. If he wanted to learn martial arts, there weren''t many choices available to him, and even if he got into one, the treatment wouldn''t be much better than here. First, he would earnestly learn all he could. At this moment, a maid walked in from outside, interrupting the two: "Is the medicine ready?" "It''s ready. I''ve been keeping it warm in the food box for Miss Dongxue," A Fu said while holding up a square food box. Dongxue, the maid, took the food box without lingering and turned to leave. Shen Qing hurriedly called out, "Wait a moment, good sister." The maid Dongxue turned back, looking Shen Qing up and down, and asked, "What is it?" "I am Qi Niang''s nephew; she''s my aunt. I just heard about her situation and would like to visit her in the inner courtyard. Would you be so kind as to let her know?" "You wait here; I''ll go ask," Dongxue replied, and then headed toward the direction of the Li Family''s inner courtyard. Once Dongxue had left, Shen Qing hurriedly went to the Outer Court to find Shen Xiaohu, gave him some silver, and sent him off without delay to buy nourishing items. A short while later, Shen Xiaohu returned with items like red dates, longan, black sesame, astragalus, and brown sugar that are good for women''s health and handed them to Shen Qing. Just then, Dongxue came back with a message: "The master allows you to visit Qi Niang. Follow me; I''ll take you there." "Thank you." Shen Qing, carrying the supplies, followed behind the maid Dongxue toward the inner courtyard. Linfeng Hall had a total of three courtyards. Li Linfeng and the female family members all lived in the third courtyard. After walking for a while, Shen Qing was led to the entrance of a side room. Dongxue stepped forward, knocked on the door, and said, "Qi Niang, your nephew is here and wishes to see you." "Come in!" A familiar female voice replied from inside, sounding drained and weak. Dongxue opened the side room''s wooden door for Shen Qing and stepped aside. Shen Qing nodded in gratitude, crossed the threshold, and quickly entered. Chapter 61: Chapter 60: Sparring with Li Linfeng, Learning Techniques Upon entering the door, Shen Qing saw a burly figure and his steps unconsciously paused, lowering his head respectfully and saying, "Uncle."The light in the side room was dim, with just a few weak rays of sunlight streaming through the partially open window, spottily casting onto the rough wooden furniture. It had been more than ten days since Aunt Shen Xiu had miscarried. Lying in bed, her face was as pale as paper, her eyes were empty, and she appeared extremely weak. Hall Master Li Linfeng of Linfeng Hall was sitting by the bed. He heard Shen Qing''s greeting, nodded in acknowledgment, and said nothing more. The air was filled with an indescribable sense of oppression. The room was so quiet that only the faint breathing of Aunt Shen Xiu could be heard. Li Linfeng commanded the maid Dongxue, "The water in the copper basin has gotten cold, go change it for a hot one." "Yes, master." After maid Dongxue had left with the copper basin and a few blood-stained cloths, Shen Qing slowly approached. Aunt Shen Xiu saw Shen Qing and shifted her body slightly to ask, "Qingzi, when did you come to the city?" Shen Qing placed the items he brought beside the bed and replied, "I arrived earlier this morning and came over right after hearing about Aunt''s situation." "Qingzi, you are thoughtful." Carefully approaching the edge of the bed, concern filling his eyes, Shen Qing softly asked, "Aunt, how are you feeling? Do you want me to get you a glass of water?" As he spoke, he leaned forward slightly, and seeing Shen Xiu struggling to sit up, he quickly moved forward to help her naturally. Aunt Shen Xiu sat up with Shen Qing''s assistance, her eyes full of fatigue and sorrow. She gently waved her hand, her voice hoarse and weak, "I am alright, Qingzi, no need to worry." Shen Qing inquired, "What exactly happened?" Aunt Shen Xiu opened her mouth slightly, wanting to say something, but ultimately just weakly shook her head, "It''s nothing." Seeing that his aunt showed no intention of speaking further, and with uncle Li Linfeng present, Shen Qing refrained from probing further. After a while, he tried to maintain a calm and gentle tone, "Aunt, I know you must be suffering, but dwelling on it is useless at this point. I was in a hurry when I came and did not bring much, just bought some things on a whim for you. Please take care of yourself from now on. There will be better days ahead." Receiving familial concern after so many years, Aunt Shen Xiu''s eyes turned red, and she managed a bitter smile, "Qingzi, thank you, I¡­ just need some time..." Shen Qing, sensing the heavy atmosphere in the room and lacking experience in such matters, merely offered some simple words of understanding and care. As he was about to leave, Li Linfeng, who had been quiet throughout, looked at Shen Qing and asked, "Are you currently learning movement techniques?" Shen Qing bowed his head and responded, "Yes, sir." "How far have you gotten?" Without any concealment, Shen Qing truthfully responded, "I have completed the Five Person Stance." "Hmm?" Li Linfeng''s expression turned sharply surprised, but he quickly composed himself and calmly said, "Come with me." "Yes, sir." Uncle Li Linfeng, with his hands clasped behind his back, walked out first, and Shen Qing nodded to Aunt Shen Xiu and hurriedly followed. Outside, the sun shone brightly. The courtyard of the side room was silent. After walking a while, Linfeng stopped and turned to face Shen Qing. Li Linfeng''s robes fluttered slightly with the wind, and he remained motionless. Suddenly, without any warning to Shen Qing, Li Linfeng''s expression became sharp, and with a fierce burst of speed, he launched himself toward Shen Qing like a ghost. His speed was incredibly fast. To Shen Qing, it seemed like a beast charging straight at him, leaving him no time to react. Li Linfeng''s palm swung fiercely, sending a sharp airstream instantly towards Shen Qing. Shen Qing''s pupils shrank as he felt the terrifying power contained within the airstream. He didn''t dare to be careless, immediately summoning all his strength to retreat swiftly, trying to dodge Li Linfeng''s attack. However, Li Linfeng''s attack was too fast and too strong. Despite Shen Qing''s full effort to evade, he was still grazed by the airstream. He felt an immense force strike him, instantly losing his balance, staggering backward several steps, and barely managing to regain stability using the movement technique he had just learned. Shen Qing was shocked in his heart; he had not expected Li Linfeng''s casual strike to be so horrifying. He looked up at Li Linfeng, who stood there, calm and composed, as if the previous attack was just a casual gesture. Li Linfeng, seeing Shen Qing''s disheveled appearance, smiled pensively and said, "Your reaction speed is not bad; your lower stance is quite stable." Saying this, he swiftly moved and appeared in front of Shen Qing. Li Linfeng pressed his fingers together and pointed at Shen Qing''s face, then intentionally moved a few inches, changing his thrust into a sweep. Seeing this, Shen Qing was inwardly shaken and immediately understood Li Linfeng''s intention. With no time to think, countless movements were almost ingrained in his muscles, forming a memory-like instinct, he dodged just in time to block Li Linfeng''s sweep. That brought a more pleased expression to Li Linfeng''s eyes. He really had grasped it. Next, Li Linfeng deliberately held back most of his strength, constantly launching attacks with just one arm and two fingers, leaving Shen Qing in a difficult situation. Even though Shen Qing used all the movement techniques he had just learned, he barely managed to cope with Li Linfeng''s attacks. As if intentionally, under Li Linfeng''s guidance, Shen Qing gradually adapted to the rhythm of the attacks, employing all the movement techniques from the Two Person Stance to the Five Person Stance. S§×arch* The ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. When using them, he was not just mimicking the moves; each maneuver was fully integrated and responsive. Each move was a muscle reaction made in virtually the blink of an eye. After trying everything, Li Linfeng stopped his attacks, and with an increasingly satisfied and approving look, he admired Shen Qing more and more. He really hadn''t been mistaken that day. Having trained in martial arts for barely over twenty days, and actually spent only a few days at the Martial Arts Hall, yet able to master this set of movement techniques and apply them, was enough to prove his exceptional natural talent. Truly a born martial talent. When he heard that his aunt had a miscarriage, he visited her immediately and brought a large amount of nourishing items. Though these items were trivial for his wealth, Li Linfeng knew that Shen Qing''s parents had passed away early, leaving him alone; how much could he save just by hunting in the mountains? For him, giving these gifts today cost him a significant amount. Giving ten yuan out of one hundred, compared to giving eight yuan out of ten, held distinctly different meanings in Li Linfeng''s eyes. This also showed from the side that Shen Qing was a person of character. Since that was the case, Li Linfeng felt he could personally mentor him a bit. It was the right time to add some more capital to Linfeng Hall amidst these turbulent times. He looked at Shen Qing and said, "Your practice is decent, but your strikes are a bit messy. Martial arts is all about the willingness to climb; starting tomorrow, come see me every morning, and I''ll teach you some techniques." Learn the techniques? He couldn''t ask for more. Shen Qing''s face lit up with joy, and he quickly bowed with his hands clasped and said, "Thank you, Uncle." Chapter 62: Chapter 61: Direct Disciple? Li Linfeng, as the master of Linfeng Hall, was considered quite a figure in the whole of Taiping County.Although he had been given the opportunity partly due to his aunt and partly because he possessed some "Sight" for learning Martial Arts, there was a great chance he would receive special care later on. But he never imagined that day would come so soon. As the saying goes, "An apprentice for three years, halfway through in five." To learn a master''s skill as an apprentice, one shouldn''t even think about it without at least three to five years of examination. It could only be said that those who find the path often find more help along the way. Today he was indeed in luck. "If you wish to visit your aunt in the future, just let Dongxue know and she will bring you here," "Okay," Shen Qing nodded in agreement. "You may go now, remember to come find me early tomorrow morning." Once he was done speaking, Li Linfeng, with his hands clasped behind his back, strode out of the courtyard. ... To learn Martial Arts, one aspect requires a large amount of meat and medicine to nourish the body and maintain a robust physique; the other aspect requires the guidance of a martial master to learn the specific Training Method. For the lower class who cannot guarantee three meals a day, either of these two conditions is as difficult as reaching the heavens. Not to mention that after learning Martial Arts, if one does not have good talent and fails to make a name, the money spent in the early stages could very likely be completely wasted. Therefore, most of those in Taiping County who truly become martial masters and obtain a place in the martial arts register are from families with some resources. People like Shen Qing who purely come from the lower class are not many. Shen Qing also knew that such an opportunity was very rare. The next day, very early in the morning, Shen Qing got up from the inn where he was staying and waited outside Li Linfeng''s residence. The courtyard was laid with green bricks and was relatively open. After about the time it takes to drink two cups of tea and the east grew light, Li Linfeng walked out of the house leisurely. He was dressed in a black practice outfit, looking vibrant and not at all like a middle-aged man in his forties or fifties. Li Linfeng looked at Shen Qing and spoke seriously, "Before you came in, I had already examined your Bone and Qi-Blood which are very good, but you are older and lack the basic skills of Martial Arts. Originally, I was planning to have you start as an Inner Disciple and see how things went after a year or half a year of tempering." Shen Qing stood to the side with his head lowered, listening intently, and he deeply agreed with what Li Linfeng said. Real skills are not so easily learned. Even to become a carpenter in the county, you need someone to negotiate, post an apprenticeship notice, and establish a rule of completing the apprenticeship in three years. Once accepted, the apprentice starts by doing rough chores. Carrying water, sweeping, sawing, sharpening blades, filing saws, and after about a year, the master will start to teach them to use the plane, chisel and other assistant works. Gradually, they move on to using the adze, swinging the axe, marking lines, and preparing materials. Some apprenticeship notices even state that if the teacher injures the apprentice by accident, the incident cannot be held against the teacher. If learning the trade of carpentry is so, then learning the Martial Arts of combat is bound to be even more strict. "Yesterday, I noticed that your talent for learning Martial Arts seemed better than I had imagined, and I suddenly felt an affection for talent. So, I changed my mind and decided to teach you personally," Li Linfeng circled around Shen Qing, assessing him with his gaze and said, "You know that the Wind Defying Finger is my signature Martial Skill, and what the disciples in the Outer and Inner Courts learn is the foundation of Wind Defying Finger. However, what they learn is just the surface, the real skill is all in my hands. Do you want to learn it?" Shen Qing was by no means slow-witted and immediately understood Li Linfeng''s implication. It was not just about teaching him personally, but there was also a hint of taking him as a Direct Disciple. Shen Qing snapped back to reality and intended to kowtow to Li Linfeng to perform the ceremony of accepting a teacher. However, before he could kneel down, Li Linfeng stopped him with a lift of his foot, "Don''t be in a rush to perform this ceremony now, we''ll pick an auspicious day later. For now, I''ll teach you the techniques of Wind Defying Finger." The dawn was faintly breaking, and a cold wind was whistling. "Wind Defying Finger, as the name suggests, is like the formless wind, prevailing above the formless," Li Linfeng''s voice was deep and full of contained power as he continued to speak slowly, "This Martial Skill focuses on channeling the body''s strength to the fingertips, using the fingers to strike. It''s about catching the opponent off guard and striking where they least expect it." Li Linfeng spoke, gently raising his right hand, only to see faint frost-colored light swirling around his fingertips. With a flick of his finger, Shen Qing saw nothing but heard a series of crackling sounds and hurriedly looked toward the source. Underfoot, a piece of blue brick was covered in dense, spiderweb-like cracks that spread outward from a central point. Finally, with a "bang," the blue brick completely shattered. All this happened in an instant, demonstrating Li Linfeng''s immense finger strength, and he clearly hadn''t used his full power. "Did you see me make a move just now?" Shen Qing shook his head. "That''s right. The Wind Defying Finger technique is all about speed," he emphasized, "At the level of stretching and strengthening, it has only two moves: flicking finger and pointing." "These two moves require unity of Qi-Blood and finger skill, embodying the principles of internal and external cultivation," Li Linfeng explained. "Next, I''ll teach you some flicking finger techniques, so you can find the path for unleashing the Wind Defying Finger''s power." Shen Qing was all ears, solemnly saying, "Okay." Li Linfeng''s instructions were clear and after speaking, he moved his hands from the sides of his body to in front of his chest, spread his legs, generated force from relaxed shoulders through wrapped elbows, and assumed the stance for a double finger thrust of the Wind Defying Finger. He executed the movements slowly, as if intentionally teaching Shen Qing. Shen Qing watched intently. His eyes focused, etching every single one of Li Linfeng''s movements into his mind. The sequence wasn''t overly complicated; he went through all the movements in the span of several dozen breaths. Li Linfeng finished the demonstration and, exhaling a murky breath, said to Shen Qing, "You copy my breathing and go through the sequence once." Without any hesitation, Shen Qing followed suit. Endowed with the "Never Forget" skill, Shen Qing only needed a brief recollection for Li Linfeng''s movements to reappear vividly in his mind. He began to arrange his stance, earnestly mimicking the movements, striving for accuracy. Li Linfeng offered guidance from the side, "Feel the flow of Qi-Blood, and while moving, try to gather it at your fingertips." Shen Qing did as instructed, sensing the changes in the flow of Qi-Blood within his body. Gradually, he felt a warm current emerging from his Dantian. Under the guidance of Shen Qing''s actions, it followed the meridians towards the tips of his fingers. At that moment, black-and-white characters appeared before his eyes, and the proficiency of the Wind Defying Finger skill jumped forward by 2 points. [Skill: Wind Defying Finger (Skilled)] [Progress: 2/200 points] [Status: Cannot be upgraded] [Note: Continuous practice could lead to mastery of the Extreme Speed Finger Technique, killing invisibly with a single move.] A smile appeared on Shen Qing''s face. S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Indeed, having guidance made a difference. Quickly, Shen Qing''s movements transformed from the initial awkward stiffness to a smooth fluidity. Li Linfeng, watching Shen Qing from the side, showed a flash of surprise: "So fast?" The technique he was teaching wasn''t highly complicated, but even the brightest martial arts prodigies took about three to five days to grasp the basics. None of them learned it as fast as he did. Never! Before! This was his first encounter with such a freak of nature. Li Linfeng felt that this level of comprehension was truly defying the heavens! Chapter 63: Chapter 62: Bosss Invitation Shen Qing''s mind was entirely immersed in the Martial Arts moves taught by Li Linfeng, tirelessly practicing them over and over again.He didn''t know how much time had passed before Li Linfeng interrupted him, pulling him out of this immersive status. "That''ll be enough for today," Upon hearing this, Shen Qing ceased his movements and exhaled a breath of murky air, slowly dispersing the Qi-Blood that had gathered at his fingertips. At this moment, Li Linfeng took out a couple of papers, full of writing, and handed them to Shen Qing, saying, "Can you read?" Shen Qing took them and replied, "Yes, I can." "This is the relaxing muscles and strengthening bones formula, which can aid you in stretching and strengthening your muscle and bone. I''ve written some notes and instructions on it; go and find A Fu later and have him prepare some for you to take a medicinal bath," Li Linfeng instructed earnestly. "Thank you, Uncle," Shen Qing said sincerely as he accepted the prescription. Li Linfeng did not say much more and walked around Shen Qing, making his way out of the courtyard and leaving the backyard. Shen Qing maintained a respectful posture with his hands clasped in a fist, remaining that way until Li Linfeng''s figure had completely disappeared before relaxing. He looked at the relaxing muscles and strengthening bones formula in his hand. It listed specific medicinal ingredients, methods for taking the medicinal baths, and key points for breathing to refine the medicine''s efficacy, all outlined in detail. It was evident that Li Linfeng was not just fobbing him off. Just as Shen Qing was about to put away the prescription and leave, to his surprise, Li Linfeng returned. Shen Qing, who had just relaxed, hastily resumed his respectful demeanor in the scramble. Li Linfeng looked at Shen Qing and seriously said, "I forgot to tell you, the medicinal bath costs two taels of silver per session; hand it over to A Fu later. If you''re short of money, you can put it on a tab and find a way to make it up later." "Two taels!" Shen Qing was momentarily startled. This price was almost as much as an ordinary family''s spending for two months. "Did you get that?" Li Linfeng repeated once more. Shen Qing said, "I''ve got it." Seeing this, Li Linfeng finally left with a bit of reassurance, striding away. Shen Qing looked at the two thin pieces of paper in his hand, feeling as if they weighed a ton. People say that practicing Martial Arts consumes money; today, he had truly seen how. Luckily, he had brought several taels of silver with him this time, which would be enough to manage for a while. The last time they had robbed Wang Qiyao and Old Ba Zi, and they had left thirty to forty taels at home. He had thought this sum was quite sizable, but it turned out to be nothing against such expenses. To make a name for himself in Martial Arts, he would have to find ways to make money. After leaving the backyard, Shen Qing did not dally and went straight to the pharmacy in the Outer Court. He gave A Fu two taels of silver to prepare the relaxing muscles and strengthening bones formula. A Fu was a bit surprised that Shen Qing could easily come up with two taels of silver. He had always thought that Shen Qing, a small hunter from deep within the mountains, would be quite cautious financially. It seemed the actual situation was not as such. However, A Fu did not pry; those who practiced Martial Arts often had their own concerns. Shortly after, A Fu gathered the necessary medicinal ingredients for the relaxing muscles and strengthening bones formula and got the hot water ready for Shen Qing''s medicinal bath. After practicing for a while, and upon receiving A Fu''s notice, Shen Qing, covered in sweat, followed A Fu''s direction into a servants'' room. Inside the room, a large cypress-wood bath barrel occupied the center, with steam billowing from it. As the door opened, the scent of herbs mixed with the fragrance of cypress engulfed him. Without a word, Shen Qing stripped bare and sat in the dark brew of the medicinal barrel. As soon as he settled down, a wave of heat rushed into his chest, with countless tiny flames igniting inside his body, flaring up all at once. Shen Qing hurriedly mobilized his Qi-Blood, attempting to guide the potency of the medicine into his meridians. Suddenly, patches of redness surfaced on his skin, as if he were a shrimp cooked to a bright redness. Shen Qing had not expected this formula for relaxing muscles and strengthening bones to be so overbearing and fierce. Taking a bath was akin to enduring a thousand cuts¡ªhis muscles felt as if they were tearing apart. He clenched his teeth and furrowed his brows, while sweat slithered down his forehead like raindrops, falling into the water and creating ripples. Suddenly, Shen Qing let out a muffled grunt; his face contorted in pain, as if he was enduring immense torment. The medicine''s power was too domineering, like violent fire dragons rampaging through his meridians, relentlessly assaulting his physical limits as if tearing and reconstituting his muscles and bones. After an unknown duration, the medicinal strength in the Medicine Bath Pool was gradually absorbed by Shen Qing, and the pitch-dark water became much paler. Shen Qing''s complexion progressively regained its healthy glow, and his breathing steadied. He slowly opened his eyes, a sharp glint flashed within them, as if he had undergone a transformation. Getting to his feet, he stretched his muscle and bone, feeling a surge of strength throughout his body. His Qi-Blood, seemingly enhanced, made him feel lighter. ¡­ The area near the city wall was the best location in the Outer City. S§×arch* The Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. It was only a wall away from the Inner City, which made it convenient to travel between the two. Not far from the West City Gate, amidst dilapidated shanties, stood a rice-white mansion that stood out like a crane among chickens. Its white walls and bright windows formed a stark contrast with the surrounding squalor. At the entrance, strong men in plain cotton clothes constantly moved in and out of the large gate. A burly man threw a young man with a bruises all over his face into the main hall. "Boss, I''ve caught another runaway from Wang Mazi''s men; should we apply the family law?" the burly man inquired. No sooner had the burly man spoken than the young man hurriedly begged for mercy, "Boss, spare my life, please! Old Ba Zi''s death wasn''t our doing¡ªWang Mazi was with a brothel girl that night; he couldn''t possibly have done it. Please, at least investigate further!" Seated at the center of the hall, a large man spoke up, "How many does this make now?" He appeared to be in his thirties or forties, standing nearly one meter ninety tall, towering like a turret, with arms that extended past his knees, uncommon among ordinary men. "This is the fourth one. They all say Wang Mazi was with a brothel girl that day, so it seems likely true that he''s not the one who killed Old Ba." "The man''s already dead; whether it''s him or not doesn''t matter anymore," the Boss said nonchalantly. "Did Old Ba Zi have any feuds with others before he died?" "Yes, but they''re likely unrelated." "Who is this person?" "A hunter from Hongshan Village," the burly man recounted. "Old Ba Zi once wanted to take him down, but ended up being killed by a few of our brothers. Since then, Old Ba Zi has been vengeful, wanting to kill that hunter until the day he died without finding him. Old Ba Zi''s death had nothing to do with him, but¡­" "But what?" "In my investigations, I stumbled upon something interesting. This hunter is a direct nephew of Mi Qi''s Seventh Aunt, who''s just joined Linfeng Hall and is about to start learning Martial Arts from Li Linfeng." The Boss, taken aback, said, "If I remember correctly, didn''t Mi Gang make a move against Li Linfeng a few days ago?" "Yes, they injured one of his direct disciples and caused his Qi Niang to miscarry." Tapping his hands on the chair, the Boss proposed, "We''ve always wanted a way to connect with the Boss of Mi Gang, but we never had the chance. This Li Linfeng might just be our opening. Go call someone to bring that hunter to me later. I want to see if there''s a chance to plant a mole beside Li Linfeng." "All right," the brawny man replied. He kicked the young man at his feet and asked, "What do we do with this one, Boss?" "Kill him." "Boss, please have mercy, I''ve done nothing, nothing at all. Ah¡­" the young man pleaded. The plea for mercy abruptly ceased. Chapter 64: Chapter 63: Storm Brewing, Break Limit! Free the Body Martial arts training emphasizes seven parts practice, three parts nourishment.After receiving guidance from Li Linfeng, Shen Qing skillfully practiced the Wind Defying Finger technique every morning for the next few days. In the afternoon, he would take medicine and bathe in medicinal baths to nourish his body, leading a very regular life. Additionally, with the hearty meat dishes provided by the inn at noon every day, Shen Qing''s spirit and complexion were worlds apart from when he lived in Hongshan Village. In just three short days, he had already learned the Wind Defying Finger technique quite well. Even Li Linfeng, who seldom praised others, couldn''t help but acknowledge his talent. Overall, these days were good in every way except that silver was being spent too quickly. Shen Qing privately calculated his expenses and realized that to maintain such a lifestyle, he was using about three taels of silver daily, and the money he brought with him was almost gone. If things continued at this rate, he would either have to run a tab with Li Linfeng or go back to get more silver. The saying that practicing martial arts is a bottomless pit had become clear to him. No wonder Li Linfeng could maintain such a grand scale just by running a Martial Arts Hall without engaging in other trades. Shen Qing noticed that, for some reason, there were significantly fewer Outer Disciples and Inner Disciples practicing martial arts at Linfeng Hall than when he first arrived. On a typical day, there would be one or two fewer people around, making the courtyard seem much quieter. Shen Qing didn''t understand why. Being new to the town, he was not very familiar with its dynamics. Seeing Xiao Zhi practicing the Five Person Stance in the inner courtyard, Shen Qing took the initiative to approach him and asked, "Brother Xiao, what''s been happening recently? Why are there fewer people around?" "You don''t know yet?" said Xiao Zhi, glancing at Shen Qing. "Know what?" Xiao Zhi stopped his movements and said, "The day before yesterday, Senior Brother Ouyang went to deal with that previous matter by finding the Mi Gang, but he couldn''t win the fight and is now recuperating at home. I''ve heard that the Mi Gang is planning to make a move against Linfeng Hall. Everyone here pays to train in martial arts; there''s no need to risk our lives, so many are laying low recently." "This..." Shen Qing was greatly surprised. Li Linfeng only had four direct disciples, and now two of them were injured; this wasn''t a good omen for Linfeng Hall. Shen Qing thought about a lot in that moment. sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. No wonder Li Linfeng suddenly decided to teach him, lowered his standards, and even contemplated taking him on as a direct disciple. It probably had to do with the incident, like preparing weapons right before the battle. There was a sense of an impending storm. After exchanging a few polite remarks with Xiao Zhi, Shen Qing didn''t inquire further and focused on his training. It was noon. In the pharmacy, Shen Qing took the Shiquan Dabu Decoction as usual and then proceeded with his daily medicinal bath. After several days of nourishment from the medicinal meal, Shen Qing felt that his Qi and Blood had reached the limit of his current physical state. Every time he called upon his Qi-Blood, it would swell tremendously, creating an urge to release it, but it felt as if it was blocked by a layer of film, making it difficult to break through. Shen Qing frowned and focused on refining the medicinal properties, not giving it much thought. To save effort, even during the medicinal baths these past days, he chose to stand in a stance for nourishing and training Qi-Blood, which was quite comfortable for him. At this moment, Shen Qing, soaking in the medicinal bath, suddenly opened his eyes wide. He fixed his gaze on a certain void in his sightline, and the Water Ink Panel slowly emerged. [Skill: Nine Skills (Great Perfection)] [Progress: 401/400 points] [Status: Can be improved] [Note: Heaven treasures the diligent, and a gentleman should never cease to strengthen himself. Continue to cultivate and improving the progress of the technique can break the limit of this Cultivation Technique.] Unbeknownst to him, the Nine Skills had already reached the peak in skillfulness! A look of joy flashed across Shen Qing''s face. Without any further hesitation, he entertained the thought of a breakthrough. The description related to the Nine Skills behind [Great Perfection] disappeared instantly, and the words [Break Limit] gradually came into view. ``` Shen Qing only felt the Qi-Blood within his body start to circulate wildly, and his whole body inflated like a balloon, his skin tight and hot. [Skill: Nine Skills (Break Limit)] [Progress: 1/500 points] [Status: Cannot be promoted] [Note: Each effort brings its reward, you have mastered the essence of the Nine Skills through day and night of hard cultivation, breaking the limit of the Nine Skills. Now your physical body has been further liberated, possessing strength and endurance far exceeding that of ordinary people.] Shen Qing''s eyes widened, "Liberate the physical body?" This Nine Skills is considered a lower third-rate Martial Arts book, and much of its recorded content could well be incorrect. The so-called Break Limit, he had never heard of it outside of this Panel. Shen Qing felt as if everything was happening in a dream. At that moment, waves of Qi-Blood surged furiously throughout his body, making him grunt involuntarily and collapse into the bathtub. His entire body''s Qi-Blood was circulating and striking madly. "Crack!" Suddenly, Shen Qing heard a crisp sound by his ear, like ice breaking. Boom! The barrier obstructing him was shattered by the powerful surge of Qi-Blood. After almost half a quarter of an hour, the pain throughout Shen Qing''s body slowly subsided, and he noticed some changes to his physique. Compared to before, he had become more solid, stronger, and even his height had shot up a notch. Shen Qing raised his hand and clenched his fists, already feeling that his strength was more than just a notch above what it had been before. "Is this what it''s like after the liberation of the physical body?" Shen Qing touched his bulging muscles, his skin had become rough, as if it had gone through thousands of hammerings, leaving a thin callus behind. If one didn''t look closely, it would be entirely unnoticeable. Such changes were limited to his limbs only. Suddenly, Shen Qing felt an urge to test his new abilities. He decided to just do it. After refining most of the medicine''s effectiveness in the wooden tub, he quickly climbed out, dried his body, and changed into his own clothes. Fortunately, the clothes he had bought before were slightly bigger and not too tight to fit into. Back in the inner courtyard, he found a large stone for practicing, took a deep breath, and struck down with his palm. Crack! A crisp sound immediately came from the stone, breaking it into pieces. Shen Qing was startled. The strength was equivalent to that of an ox. If used against someone, it could definitely kill with one punch. Not only that but after striking that palm, he hardly felt any pain. If he really got into a fight, the advantage he would have over others of the same level was not just slight. Impressed, Shen Qing couldn''t help but feel elated. Shen Qing gathered his thoughts and turned to leave, taking advantage of the midday break to return to the inn. When he entered the inn and had barely warmed his seat, an unexpected visitor arrived at the door, specifically asking to see him. Shen Qing opened the inn''s door, sized up the two robust young men standing at the threshold, and frowned, "You are...?" "Boss has sent for you." "Boss?" Shen Qing''s face showed surprise, and the image of a middle-aged man surfaced in his mind. He asked in a deep voice, "Have you got the wrong person?" "It''s you we''re looking for, come with us." The people across him spoke very decisively, leaving no room for discussion. ``` Chapter 65: Chapter 64: First Weaken the Opponents Strength Partially Shen Qing''s expression turned cold in an instant.He had long heard of the name Boss. In the Outer City''s East City, he was a tough leader who had reached the realm of strengthening. The Old Ba and Wang Ma he had killed before were his subordinates. Now that they had come to him, one could easily guess they harbored no good intentions. "Kid, I advise you to behave. Please," they said. Seeing that Shen Qing made no move, the two men gestured for him to follow with an arrogant look. Shen Qing intended to refuse. In his eyes, these two were just minor characters whose Qi and Blood were not yet at Great Perfection, not even comparable to Old Ba. Killing them wouldn''t be very difficult. But he was in the inn in the middle of the city, under the public eye; starting a fight would definitely cause trouble for himself. After all, the city was ultimately in the hands of the county government. If he broke the rules of the county government by acting rashly, they would not stand idly by. Shen Qing in the city had no connections and dared not expect anything from the county government. Besides, the two didn''t look like they were going to attack him. If they truly wanted to kill him, they would likely have ambushed him in a hidden spot and quietly dealt with him. After weighing his options, Shen Qing decided to wait and see for a bit longer. He clasped his hands together and said, "I''ve long heard of Boss''s reputation. Since Boss has invited me, I wouldn''t dare to decline. Please wait a moment though, as I have a younger cousin here. I need to let him know, so he doesn''t worry about not finding me." "So much nonsense, hurry up," they cursed. The two grumbled and walked toward the inn''s lobby. Seeing that they had gone far, Shen Qing flipped out an old dagger from the room to carry on him, then took out all the broken silver he had and knocked on Shen Xiaohu''s door. "Brother Qing, what''s wrong?" These days, after continuously facing the sun to nourish and train his Qi-Blood, Shen Xiaohu''s already dark face had become even darker. Seeing Shen Qing knocking on his door with a serious expression made him a bit puzzled. "Let''s talk inside." Shen Qing stepped in, and Shen Xiaohu, very observant, promptly closed the door behind him. Shen Qing turned around and entrusted Shen Xiaohu, "People from Boss have come looking for me. You take this money and go to Linfeng Hall to find some people to join me. We''re headed to the outside of West City." While saying this, Shen Qing handed him some broken Silver Taels, "The senior brothers are not around, and in the inner courtyard, I only know Xiao Zhi. You might try asking him if he''s willing; otherwise, look in the Outer Court or outside Linfeng Hall." Seeing how serious Shen Qing was, Shen Xiaohu didn''t dare to be negligent and took careful note, "Okay." "Also, carry your bow and arrows when you leave, don''t forget." "Mmm." After roughly explaining, Shen Qing pushed the door open, walked up to the two young men, and casually said, "Let''s go." The two young men looked Shen Qing up and down, somewhat annoyed, and with a snort, they led the way to the West City. Right after Shen Qing and the others left, Shen Xiaohu quickly followed out and entered Linfeng Hall. He originally planned to find people from the Outer Court. Unfortunately, being of low status and with the continuous Martial Arts training draining the resources, Shen Qing didn''t have much Silver Taels, and the Outer Court''s people looked down on the small sum, forcing Shen Xiaohu into a desperate scramble. At last, by pleading from one side to the other, he managed to find Xiao Zhi. "Since it''s Junior Brother Shen asking, I happen not to be busy this afternoon, so I''ll go with you," said Xiao Zhi. Xiao Zhi was essentially a cook, used to serving others, and was quite perceptive. He recognized the extraordinary Martial potential of Shen Qing and saw interacting with him as forming a good relationship and gaining a friend, which might be helpful in the future. After calling on Xiao Zhi, the two hastily rushed out of Linfeng Hall. By chance, they bumped into two young men. One of them bore a striking resemblance to Ouyang Tiezhu. Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Shen Xiaohu thought he had encountered Ouyang Tiezhu. Knowing that this senior brother had a decent relationship with Shen Qing, he hurriedly stopped him and asked him to follow on a trip. The young man, who looked quite like Ouyang Tiezhu, indifferently said, "You''ve got the wrong person." Thinking that Ouyang Tiezhu didn''t want to get involved in this mess, Shen Xiaohu anxiously shouted, "Senior brother, we''ll pay you." At the mention of money, the young man''s steps halted suddenly, and he turned around to say, "How much?" "Two taels of Silver, paid afterwards," Shen Xiaohu gritted his teeth and blurted out a figure. The young man said joyfully, "Okay, both of us will go with you." Shen Xiaohu couldn''t help but sigh with relief in his heart. The young man looked at Shen Xiaohu and said, "Also, you really got the wrong person. My name is Ouyang Tie Niu, I''m the younger brother of Ouyang Tiezhu." Shen Xiaohu''s face showed surprise, and he opened his mouth, not knowing what to say. ... Outside the West City. Under the guidance of the two, Shen Qing smoothly walked out of the city gate and headed toward a district near the walls of the Outer City. The streets here, compared to the slums, were much wider and cleaner, even the number of lowly residents was fewer. The dirty snow on the roads in the alley had been swept clean, now linked together. Without close inspection, it could be mistaken for an ordinary district in the Inner City. After walking for a while, the number of pedestrians diminished, and the road became more secluded. Shen Qing frowned and asked, "Gentlemen, how much longer do we need to walk?" One of the young men in a worn cotton jacket lifted his chin and pointed, "We''re almost there. Do you see the house ahead? That''s where the Boss lives." "Oh," Shen Qing continued, "Why do I feel that there aren''t many people around here?" "Why do you have so many questions? Can''t the Boss enjoy some quiet?" Quiet? Quiet is good! Shen Qing pondered in his heart, as if brewing something. Not sure if it was because they were getting close to the Boss''s place, but they seemed less strict with Shen Qing. What was originally a line formation with one leading and the other following now changed to the two leading the way for Shen Qing. The two were chatting and laughing. This opportunity was truly rare. If that''s the case, then they can''t blame me. Walking behind the two, Shen Qing suddenly had a flash of cold light in his eyes. He quickly pulled out the Dagger hidden on his body and pounced forward, plunging the knife into the back of one man''s neck. Shen Qing''s strength was immense, and he broke the man''s spinal cord with one stab. Blood spurted out. The stabbed young man hadn''t even realized what was happening when he felt a chill at the back of his neck and fell forward. The young man beside him was shocked and instinctively looked at Shen Qing, ready to block. After a successful strike, Shen Qing swiftly pulled out the knife, twisted his body, and using his nimble movement technique, he maneuvered behind the young man, covered his mouth and nose, and slit his throat. Meanwhile he pulled his head down. This young man, like prey, was bloodlet by Shen Qing without even a chance to cry out. After a while, seeing that the two were no longer moving, Shen Qing finally let go, kicking the two to the side. These two were clearly working for the Boss. Killing them first would mean two fewer people to deal with later when things got rough, improving his chances of success. No matter what the Boss had called him for this time, it was best to weaken the opposition first. "Since I''ve been sought out, there''s no avoiding it. It''s just the right time to meet this so-called Boss," Shen Qing muttered to himself. Shen Qing wiped the blood-stained Dagger on the bodies of the two, cleaned off the blood, sheathed it carefully, and his face hardened. Chapter 66: Chapter 65: Meeting Shen Qing often travelled between Hongshan Village and the county town, and the mandatory route he had to take was exactly under the control of this "Boss".If he avoided meeting this "Boss", he might escape on the first day, but not on the fifteenth. Sooner or later, he was bound to encounter him. It was better to meet by chance rather than choosing a day. He could also take this opportunity to gauge the depth of his adversary. Otherwise, if he refused today and offended the other party, he would have no room to maneuver in the future. After killing two men, Shen Qing did not linger, but quickly got up and left, stealthily waiting in an alley nearby. Not long after, a flurry of footsteps sounded on the road; a group of people quickly passed by the alley. Shen Qing, keen-eyed, recognized Shen Xiaohu among them, and he stepped out of the alley and called, "Xiao Hu." Shen Xiaohu, holding a bow and arrows, suddenly halted. He turned to look behind him and, seeing Shen Qing, his face filled with confusion as he hurriedly approached and asked, "Brother Qingzi, what are you doing here?" Shen Qing did not explain much, merely saying, "Waiting for you all." Now, without the subordinates of the Boss to restrain him, the initiative was in his hands. Shen Qing felt slightly more confident, no longer so urgent. His gaze moved past Shen Xiaohu to the group behind him. Seeing the face of "Senior Brother Ouyang Tiezhu", he was somewhat surprised. If he remembered correctly, wasn''t the senior brother injured? Shen Qing was somewhat puzzled. Besides this senior brother, there was another person even more unfamiliar, not from Linfeng Hall. He looked to be in his early twenties, with dark skin and a resolute face, wearing a slightly whitened cotton garment that wrapped his lean yet robust frame. "And this is..." Shen Qing asked. "Yang Zhao Ping." The twenty-year-old youth greeted with a fist salute, introducing himself very efficiently. After he finished speaking, "Senior Brother Ouyang Tiezhu" scanned Shen Qing from head to toe and asked, "Are you the employer?" "Hmm?" As this "Senior Brother" spoke, Shen Qing immediately sensed something odd. The voice was similar to before, and he looked nearly the same, yet the tone was completely different, exuding upbringing. He immediately thought of something Ouyang Tiezhu had mentioned¡ªthat he had a younger brother. "Are you... Ouyang Tie Niu?" As Shen Qing spoke, he glanced subtly at Shen Xiaohu. Shen Xiaohu quickly explained, "We met him at the doorway when we were leaving." Seeing that Shen Qing had recognized him, Ouyang Tie Niu did not deny it. He seriously extended two fingers and shook them in front of Shen Qing''s eyes, emphasizing, "Initially agreed on, two Silver Taels, don''t forget!" Shen Qing was stunned for a moment, then, realizing, he laughed and said, "Brother Ouyang is really straightforward. Not just two taels, if it''s well done, twenty taels are possible." "Really?" Ouyang Tie Niu was somewhat startled by the amount Shen Qing mentioned, as if it struck a chord in his heart. "Of course it''s true, I''m well-read and wouldn''t deceive you," Shen Qing said with a smile. If he initially went with the two subordinates of the boss, it would undoubtedly mean bowing down and acting submissive, a very passive situation where it was easy to be manipulated. But now it was different. The two subordinates originally sent by the boss had been killed by him, and now Shen Xiaohu and four others had followed him. If they went over together, the momentum would be enough, and the confidence too. It concerned his safety; this was not a time to be stingy about money, so he made a bold promise. In his view, since Boss had been rampant in the Outer City for so long, he should have the money; it was just a matter of whether it could be accessed. Shen Qing''s words struck a chord with Ouyang Tie Niu. What others didn''t know was that ever since Wang Ma''s death, he had been out of a livelihood, and what he lacked the most was silver. He also went to Linfeng Hall today thinking about asking for help from his elder brother. If he could earn some money, even if it meant meeting his boss''s boss, he didn''t mind putting on a show; if things went south, he''d just run. He was familiar with this way. As the saying goes, know thyself, know thy enemy, and you will win a hundred battles. When Shen Qing met Ouyang Tiezhu, he recalled something and asked proactively, "I remember your brother once told me you were under Wang Ma, that is, under this Boss. How much do you know about him?" Ouyang Tie Niu pondered for a while before replying, "Boss''s real name is Zhao Ba. He came here from the county town to make a living. In his youth, he challenged many heroes in the eighteen districts of the Outer City, and finally stabilized his footing in this West City area." "He had five followers, but now two are dead, leaving only three." "What about Zhao Ba''s cultivation level?" Ouyang Tie Niu spoke openly, "He practices a Hard Qi Gong known as the Iron Pine Technique, possessing brute strength. Last year, he had just begun the stretching and bone strengthening, and now I guess he''s just reached the stretching level and hasn''t advanced to the bone strengthening stage yet." Hearing this, Shen Qing felt even more confident. After three to four days of intense training, he had consistently improved his skill in Wind Defying Finger, and he had also entered the stretching realm, perfecting his technique. He was not much behind this Zhao Ba. Shen Qing looked around at everyone and asked, "Does anyone here specialize in Bow Technique?" Seeing no one respond. Shen Qing grew helpless, he glanced at Shen Xiaohu and said sternly, "Later, you follow us from behind and hide well, then act accordingly. Only a hidden arrow is hardest to defend against." Shen Xiaohu nodded vigorously and said, "Okay." After giving instructions, Shen Qing bowed slightly to Xiao Zhi and the others, saying, "Thank you all for following me for this visit." ... Outside the West City Gate in the Outer City area. In a low slum area, a distinctly eye-catching mansion stood. Its walls were smooth, with green bricks and black tiles, shaded by green trees inside, stone paths leading to a half-open wood door. It sharply contrasted with the surrounding simple houses. Inside the mansion, Zhao Ba, the hero of West City area, was sitting in the main seat of the mansion''s hall. He was dressed in a black robe, his face stern, continuously tapping on the table, producing a thudding sound. Sear?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "What time is it already, why hasn''t the kid shown up?" After a while, some of his subordinates grew impatient and started to grumble. Zhao Ba picked up the teacup in front of him, took a light sip, then set it down, his voice low, "I have already sent people over, even if he doesn''t want to come, they will bring him here. In this Taiping County, aside from those officials and nobles, no one can disregard my authority." "No rush, good things take time. Just a mere hunter, he can''t stir up much trouble." Just then, a faint sound of footsteps came from outside, followed by a knock on the door. Zhao Ba waved his hand, signaling his men to be quiet. "Alright, the person I called is here." One of his subordinates took the initiative to step forward, went behind the door, and opened the big door. Shen Qing, dressed in a gray-green cotton outfit, stood outside the door. Chapter 67: Chapter 66 What if I dont agree? Shen Qing stepped into the room and the first thing that caught his eye was a stretch of blue-gray brick flooring, the surface of the bricks was somewhat worn and there were signs of undulation and twisting, clearly due to the passage of years. Beyond that, there were some simple wooden furnishings in the house, not luxurious, but each one exuded an ancient charm. They seemed somewhat out of place in the room, as if they had been haphazardly put together by someone. Shen Qing withdrew his gaze and walked forward two steps before looking up. Zhao Ba was sitting on a tall wooden chair with a back covered by a wolf skin that emitted a faint glow. He was looking at him with a half-smile, exuding the unique oppressive aura of someone in a high position. Xiao Zhi, who was following behind him, felt like a rabbit that had stumbled into a tiger''s den, and a sense of unease and anxiety welled up within him. He took a deep breath trying to appear more composed. Still, his demeanor didn''t escape the watchful eyes of others, prompting laughter. Zhao Ba''s gaze swept over everyone behind Shen Qing, his eyes deep and sharp. Seeing that Shen Qing had brought more than just himself, his eyebrows knitted together. He had clearly sent for only Shen Qing; how come so many people had turned up? Wouldn''t that let too many people know, making it impossible to plant a spy? Just a small hunter, did he really need to win him over? "Two incompetent fools, can''t even invite someone properly." Zhao Ba was displeased, but fortunately, he was experienced in dealing with tough situations and quickly adjusted himself. His voice was loud and strong, "You are Shen Qing?" Shen Qing quickly stepped forward, cupped his fists respectfully, and replied, "Boss, it is indeed me. May I know why you have requested my presence?" In just that moment, he, with his Never Forget ability, noticed a slight emotional fluctuation in Zhao Ba when he saw Xiao Zhi and the others. Shen Qing knew that bringing more people with him was the right move. At the very least, the momentum was much stronger than if he had been alone, and it also disrupted the opponent''s original plans, giving himself a bit more of an initiative. Zhao Ba gestured for Shen Qing to sit down. Shen Qing looked at the high chair covered with wolf skin, and without demur or courtesy, carefully sat down in a wooden chair beside it. His followers like Xiao Zhi and Ouyang Tie Niu followed suit. At this moment, Ouyang Tie Niu sensed that something was off about the atmosphere. He had thought Zhao Ba simply wanted to ask Shen Qing some questions or extort something from him. It now seemed to be much more troublesome than he had thought. With so many people around, it would not be easy to escape. When he circled behind Shen Qing, he leaned in close to his ear and whispered emphatically, "You''ve really dragged me into this, you owe me extra now!" sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Shen Qing glared at Ouyang Tie Niu, silently cursing him for making trouble and motioning for him to shut up. Ouyang Tie Niu, however, pretended not to see and glanced around distractedly, planning his escape route in case of conflict. Zhao Ba picked up a cup of tea, gently blew on it, and then slowly sipped it. He set down the teacup and once again turned his gaze towards Shen Qing, "I hear you''re a hunter from Hongshan Village and now practice Martial Arts at Linfeng Hall. Today, I''ve asked you here because I need your help with something." Shen Qing tensed up, knowing they were getting to the crux of the matter. Although his heart was turbulent, his face retained a calm demeanor as he said, "Boss, please speak. If it is within my capabilities, I will do my utmost to help." Zhao Ba then asked, "Have you heard about the matters between Mi Gang and Linfeng Hall?" Shen Qing replied without hesitation, "I have heard a little, but I am not very clear on the specifics. I don''t know much." "You don''t need to know too much. You just need to know that Mi Gang does not get along with Li Linfeng, and that Mi Gang is very strong. That''s all," Zhao Ba said earnestly. "In recent days, the first and fourth disciples of Li Linfeng have been injured by Mi Gang, and Li Linfeng has been too busy to care for the rear. Honestly, in my view, Linfeng Hall won''t last much longer." "So, what does this have to do with you finding me this time, Boss?" Shen Qing vaguely guessed Zhao Ba''s purpose, but he continued to play dumb and probe. Zhao Ba spoke in a lofty and somewhat patronizing tone, "Although my place is not big, I have some connection with Mi Gang. The medical prescriptions, Martial Arts, and Training Methods that Linfeng Hall can give you, I can offer as well, and you only need to help me with a small favor in return." "Oh, not just you," Zhao Ba''s eyes gleamed with cunning as he continued, "Coincidentally, there are two managerial positions available in my Yihe Square on the west side of the city. If you agree, I might just give you those two positions." Upon hearing this, Ouyang Tie Niu, standing behind Shen Qing, got excited, poked Shen Qing''s back, and said in a low voice full of envy, "Quickly agree to him. With two managerial positions, you could earn fifty or sixty taels in a year easily. This is Boss appreciating you." But Shen Qing remained unmoved. On the contrary, upon hearing these words, his heart tightened. If such an enticing offer was on the table, then the task Zhao Ba intended for him must be no small feat. Shen Qing pondered for a while before carefully asking, "Boss, let''s hear it. What exactly do you want us to do? I''m just a common little hunter, and I might not be up to this important task." Zhao Ba stood up, walked down from his high seat to the middle of the hall, and looked directly at Shen Qing and his group, saying, "What I need you to do is very simple. You just have to report everything that happens inside Linfeng Hall in great detail, keep a close eye on Li Linfeng. When the opportunity arises, either get him to come out or add a little something to his food. You see, very simple, right?" Simple? Simple your old mother! Shen Qing was not a fool, and neither was Li Linfeng. If Shen Qing showed any signs of doing such things, the first person Li Linfeng would want to kill would be him. It also indicated, indirectly, that Linfeng Hall was indeed in danger. Shen Qing inhaled a breath of the crisp air, with his heart surging like tumultuous waves. Zhao Ba watched Shen Qing and his group with a relaxed and comfortable expression on his face. If he remembered correctly, Shen Qing had been in Linfeng Hall for less than a month, just a greenhorn who had just stepped onto the path of Martial Arts. A little hunter like Shen Qing, popping up from some obscure place, wouldn''t have many choices and could only be manipulated by him. Just when Zhao Ba felt assured of his victory, Shen Qing, who was standing opposite him, suddenly stood up and met his gaze. After a long moment, the little hunter spoke resolutely, "What if I refuse?" Shen Qing''s words resounded like thunder in the modest hall. Refusal! He actually refused! Zhao Ba''s smile suddenly froze on his face, turning to uncontrollable anger, "What did you say?" "I said, what if I refuse?" Shen Qing repeated, with his voice clearly reaching the ears of everyone present. Ouyang Tie Niu, standing behind Shen Qing, said anxiously, "Stop talking, Boss will kill you." Shen Qing remained completely unmoved. Ouyang Tie Niu, with a very unsightly expression, muttered, "Madman, he''s gone mad!" "Very well, very well," Zhao Ba, infuriated, said with mockery, "Then don''t blame me for serving the punishment wine after you refuse the toast." At that moment, Shen Qing shouted to someone outside the room, "Uncle, take action!" No sooner had he finished speaking than an arrow whistled through the air, heading straight for Zhao Ba''s back. Zhao Ba was taken aback. Chapter 68: Chapter 67: What the Hell is the Background of this Damn Thing? Shen Qing''s uncle in the county town was none other than Li Linfeng. Could it be that his plans had been seen through by Li Linfeng? Was Li Linfeng here? The moment Shen Qing spoke, Zhao Ba''s mind raced with thoughts, and he felt a chill throughout his body. "Li Linfeng is a martial master who has achieved Great Perfection of Qi and Blood. In front of him, I am like a brothel girl stripped of her clothes, completely at his mercy, and in no way his match. If he were to make a move, I would undoubtedly die," he thought to himself. In his haste, Zhao Ba instinctively activated his Qi-Blood, and his Tongbei Iron Pine Technique was stimulated. Suddenly, every muscle in his body tensed, bulging like iron nodules and making his cotton clothes puff up. The originally agile body became even more imposing. When the arrow came shooting at him, it hit his back with a "thud," an unusual sound. His flesh was like wearing a layer of iron armor, far tougher than that of a normal person. The sharp arrowhead could not penetrate Zhao Ba''s flesh and fell to the ground, rendered powerless. "Hmm?" Having withstood that arrow, Zhao Ba immediately realized he''d been tricked. Li Linfeng couldn''t possibly be so weak. He hadn''t come at all! Knowing he had been played, Zhao Ba''s eyes blazed with fire, and he couldn''t contain his anger. He shouted at Shen Qing, "Seeking death!" Thump! However, what responded was a cloud of white poison powder. Shen Qing had been deceiving him all along, attempting to divert Zhao Ba''s attention. In coordination with Shen Xiaohu, they had indeed fooled Zhao Ba, causing a brief moment of distraction. Seizing this brief opportunity, Shen Qing took out the poison powder he carried with him and scattered it. This poison was extremely toxic, something he had tested time and time again without fail. Even a person at the Great Perfection of Qi and Blood could be flipped by this drug. Zhao Ba, being a martial master at the Tendon Stretching Level, might not be poisoned to death by this drug, but it would certainly make him suffer. It had to be said, Shen Qing''s timing for throwing the poison powder was exquisitely perfect. He threw the poison precisely as Zhao Ba roared, with his mouth at its widest. Even though he subconsciously held his breath, the poison powder that enveloped him still got swallowed in a large gulp through his open mouth. It was astringent, dry, and a bit fishy. It made his throat burn painfully, and he couldn''t help coughing. And with that cough, he ended up inhaling two more mouthfuls. Zhao Ba quickly shut his eyes tightly and hastily retreated, escaping the cloud of poison. His speed was quick, but Shen Qing''s was even quicker. His hunting skills, constantly improving, gave him an ability like a Poison Shadow, closely sticking to Zhao Ba. Without any fancy techniques, Shen Qing simply flipped his wrist, drew out a dagger, and stabbed forward. In that moment, all the Qi-Blood in his body followed his intent and surged, pouring into his arm as he willed it. The veins in his arm popped out as the muscles expanded in loops, the skin taut as iron. The force technique of Wind Defying Finger was vividly applied to the dagger, concentrating all the power at the tip of the blade. Thump! The great strength of his arm, along with the speed, easily drove the dagger through Zhao Ba''s skin, tearing apart the pink flesh underneath and plunging deep into his lower abdomen. "Ah!" Zhao Ba''s eyes bulged, in disbelief. He couldn''t comprehend how Shen Qing, an unknown hunter, was able to wound him. Zhao Ba roared furiously, lifting one arm high and slamming it down onto Shen Qing like a guillotine blade. Shen Qing watched Zhao Ba''s hands at all times. The moment Zhao Ba moved to strike, without a moment''s hesitation, Shen Qing released the dagger and retreated explosively. Shen Qing''s nose detected a whiff of cold sharpness, narrowly avoiding the slash from Zhao Ba. The two had already exchanged blows several times within the span of four breaths, leaving everyone else in the hall astounded. They had not even had the chance to react. Zhao Ba''s face contorted ferociously as he clutched at his blood-drenched abdomen, and with a fierce slap, he shattered the wooden table beside him, angrily exclaiming, "You wastes of space! Are you all eating shit? Why aren''t you attacking?" Zhao Ba''s roar, like that of a wild beast, echoed within the hall and frightened his men into trembling at the sudden outburst. As his voice faded, three of his subordinates and the younger brothers finally began to react, swarming toward Shen Qing and his three companions like hungry wolves. The scene quickly descended into chaos. Standing behind Shen Qing, Ouyang Tie Niu''s mouth dropped open, completely dumbfounded. He had initially thought he was taking on a job for just one tael silver, but then it seemed like it might be worth twenty. And now it was clear¡ªit was a job worth a whole 200 taels! To take down the local tyrant of the West City area! Ouyang Tie Niu had thought about replacing Zhao Ba, but he couldn''t beat him. S§×ar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The first thought that crossed Ouyang Tie Niu''s mind was to run. Zhao Ba had reached the Tendon Stretching Level in martial arts, and no matter how they fought, these small fry could never hope to win against him. He was no longer interested in the money. No matter how good the money was, he needed to be alive to spend it. But those on the other side wouldn''t allow him that luxury. They had sealed off their escape route very early on. "Xiao Hu, fire the hidden arrows, kill as many as you can!" shouted Shen Qing, his voice carrying far and wide. As soon as he finished speaking, a hidden arrow was already whizzing through the air. Open attacks are easy to dodge, hidden arrows hard to defend against. The subordinates and younger brothers of Zhao Ba in the hall suddenly found themselves restricted and impeded. "Don''t worry about the outsiders, those broken arrows won''t kill you, just attack and kill them all," Zhao Ba called out as he drew out a dagger, twisted it cruelly into the wound on his belly, the muscles around a finger-thick blood hole writhing and tightening to stop the bleeding. At his command, the three subordinates, as if making up their minds, rushed forward disregarding the hidden arrows from outside. Yang Zhao Ping, Xiao Zhi, and even Ouyang Tie Niu, who was keen on running away, were forced to face the situation and reluctantly join the fray. The two sides clashed fiercely. Tables and chairs in the hall were overturned, cups and plates were smashed, and the place was in complete disarray. "Shen Qing, very good," Zhao Ba, gritting his teeth, said, staring at Shen Qing. "I will surely twist your head off and use it as a piss pot." Bang! He had not finished speaking. A tall dark figure suddenly lunged forward and slammed a palm onto the wound on his abdomen. Before he could grasp what was happening, he felt a massive force beneath him, crashing him and his chair against the wall behind him before coming to a stop. "Ugh!" The wound that had just stopped bleeding opened once more due to the strain, a fresh gush of blood spilling from it, bringing intense pain. Just in time, the poison powder had also begun to take effect. Zhao Ba felt as though the whole world was shaking uncontrollably. At that moment, panic started to set in his heart. He never expected Shen Qing to be so tenacious, each move following the next, one trap leading to another. And that power- it clearly surpassed the Great Perfection of Qi and Blood level. "Damn it, who the hell is this son of a bitch?" Zhao Ba cursed inwardly, blood spurting from his mouth as he roared at his men, "Quick, kill him for me." A subordinate of Zhao Ba took advantage of Shen Qing''s distraction to attack from behind. Shen Qing sensed a chill wind approaching and hastily dodged to the side, swinging his arm in the process, sending the man flying with the force transferred from his arm. Without delay, he charged toward Zhao Ba and threw a punch down. Chapter 69: Chapter 68: Massive Slaughter Zhao Ba felt the wind of the punch on his face. Even though his head was dizzy and heavy, he could sense a surging intent to kill within it. He could not care about the wounds on his body, forcing his spirit up, he urged all his Qi-Blood to rush towards the skin underneath. In an instant, Zhao Ba''s skin turned extremely red, like an iron block heated until it glowed, a faint red mist lingered around him, and the hardness of his skin and flesh increased by more than thirty percent. "Condense!" Facing the overwhelming punch from Shen Qing, Zhao Ba used his hands to block. With a dull clang. Shen Qing''s fist struck Zhao Ba''s forearm, making a muffled thud on impact. Zhao Ba felt a secret shock. This brute strength was simply terrifying, just this one hit already made his arms go numb and limp. One must know that his Iron Pine Technique was a Martial Arts that excelled in defense and strength, whether it was skin, flesh, muscle, or bone, its hardness was much stronger than that of the average Martial Arts practitioner. It was hard to imagine just how far this man''s brute strength went; it simply made no sense. Seeing that one punch didn''t break through, Shen Qing''s face showed dissatisfaction and he threw punches one after the other without hesitation. His fists didn''t have any special moves. He relied entirely on what Li Linfeng taught him, to make his strength follow his intent, to attack in whatever way felt comfortable and fast. His punches, like a violent storm, called on Zhao Ba''s body with continuous attacks. "Hahaha, thrilling!" Shen Qing laughed loudly in the midst of battle; his eyes flickered with an insane light as if he were enjoying the thrill of fighting for life and death. Each punch made him feel exhilarated, his attacks growing more fierce. Bang bang bang bang... Sounds like a punching bag being struck echoed continuously from Zhao Ba''s body. As time went on, under the dual effects of the wounds and the poison powder, Zhao Ba gradually felt his strength leaving him. His wounds kept oozing fresh blood, and his physical strength rapidly depleted. This damned guy came for him today. "Damn it, this can''t go on!" Zhao Ba felt anxious in his heart; he knew he had to end this battle quickly, or once his physical strength was exhausted, both he and his subordinates would be hard-pressed to escape death. Seeing his strength nearly depleted, Zhao Ba quickly said, "I surrender, I surrender! I have a lot of money, lots of precious medicine, I''ll give them all to you, just spare my life, and from now on this territory will listen to you." Shen Qing stopped his punching, looking down from on high at Zhao Ba, he said softly, "Oh?" "Really?" Zhao Ba thought he had persuaded the other, and was about to speak again, "Of course..." Boom! A fist stained with blood suddenly smashed into his face. Zhao Ba''s head caved backward, embedding directly into the wall. A moment later, Zhao Ba''s hand raised then slowly fell, and his whole body, like a deflated ball, drooped powerlessly against the wall. "If I kill you, your things will be mine, why would I still need you to give them to me." Shen Qing pulled back his blood-stained fist and turned around to look. The air in the hall seemed to have solidified. All those present stared at him intently, their eyes filled with shock. Only the sound of breathing and the dripping of blood echoed in the hall. Shen Qing looked down at his fist covered in fresh blood. He could no longer tell whether it was his blood or Zhao Ba''s. "So this is what fighting feels like?" In the past, he had relied on bows, assassinations, never really engaging in such real combat with anyone. This was the first time. He hadn''t thought that the strength released by his physical body could be so powerful, paired with the Wind Defying Finger''s movement technique and fighting style, so fierce. This feeling of overpowering his opponent. Only one word could describe it, truly exhilarating! Speed and strength are everything! Shen Qing turned around to look at the subordinates of Zhao Ba who were still alive in the hall; most of them were unscathed, though occasionally a few were injured. In contrast, there were only three on his side, all half-baked at best. Two of them had even been picked up along the way and did not pull their weight at all. Among the three, Xiao Zhi was the most seriously injured, Yang Zhao Ping was next, and Ouyang Tie Niu was the most cunning, with the least injuries. Some of Zhao Ba''s men and subordinates came to their senses and shouted loudly, "Brothers, let''s all go at him together. He has been fighting alone for so long, he must be exhausted. He''s no match for all of us!" Whir... Someone waved their cold weapon in hand, their face regaining a trace of calm amidst the initial panic. "Whoever kills him will get all of Boss'' territory for himself." "Brothers, whether we can make a fortune depends on today." Hm? There are still so many who are unwilling to give up? Well, think about it. Men die for wealth, as birds die for food. Now that Zhao Ba is dead, there''s a power vacuum. A large swath of the West City is up for grabs. Such a juicy piece of the pie simply laid bare in front of them, no one was willing to let go. All having been in the game for so long, who among them didn''t have a few lives on their hands? Those who walk this path, if they aren''t on the road to killing others, they''re on the road to being killed themselves. They were well aware of this. Fine by me, it saves a lot of trouble. At this time, Shen Xiaohu, who was hiding outside the door in the dark, saw that his shooting was ineffective and, with everyone in the hall at a dead angle to his line of sight, he was unable to exert any force. He simply moved closer to the doorway, his figure just visible to Shen Qing. Shen Qing took a couple more steps towards the doorway and shouted outside, "Xiao Hu, give me the bow and arrows!" Shen Xiaohu, who had not yet hidden himself, was slightly stunned, unsure of Shen Qing''s intentions. But without giving it much thought and almost instinctively, as soon as Shen Qing''s voice dropped, he threw both the bow and the arrows to Shen Qing. Shen Qing caught the bow and arrows and began to nock an arrow to the bowstring. "I''ll give everyone three breaths'' time. Anyone who stays will end up like him," he said, surveying everyone and tilting his chin towards Zhao Ba. "One." "Don''t be afraid, everyone together, charge!" "Two." "Three." "Time''s almost up!" Shen Qing drew the bow fully, his eyes sharp as he locked onto an oncoming thug in the distance. Swish! Shen Qing suddenly released his fingers, the arrow flying swiftly like a bullet, slicing through the air. The arrow struck precisely through the man''s eye, blood splattering everywhere, causing him to fall to the ground, lifeless. "Spread out, scatter, use serpentine movements, charge!" Shen Qing, expressionless, continued to skillfully nock another arrow, let go, arrows flying in quick succession! Pfft! Pfft! Pfft! The people present, whether ordinary folks or those who had practiced martial arts, were either taken out with an arrow to the throat or shot through the head. Even wearing thick clothing or practicing hard skills or using serpentine movements was to no avail. These people were desperately trying to approach, but none could even touch a corner of Shen Qing''s garment before falling midway. Shen Qing''s archery was unbelievably accurate, chilling everyone to the bone. Having reached this point, the remaining courage of Zhao Ba''s men, already sparse, crumbled completely. S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Run!" Someone yelled out this word, attempting to escape. They knew staying here meant only death. But only a few words were spoken. Pfft¡ªseveral sounds indicated they were shot dead by Shen Qing, not even a chance to dodge. Looking at the bodies scattered haphazardly across the hall, Shen Qing sighed deeply in his heart, "I did give them a chance, what a pity..." Chapter 70: Chapter 69: Scavenging, Dividing the Spoils After the commotion, the neatly arranged tables and chairs in the hall had scattered, as if swept by a violent storm, with fragments littering the floor in disarray. On the dusty floor tiles, corpses lay haphazardly strewn about. The blood that flowed from the bodies formed startling pools of red that flickered with an ominous light under the weak lamp. The air was heavy with the thick scent of blood. Zhao Ba and his men were all dead. Shen Qing had acted decisively, without any sign of hesitation or procrastination. The once domineering gang of Zhao Ba in the west of the city was so easily eradicated. Too weak! Or to say, Shen Qing did not realize he was so strong, mistakenly thinking he was in for a fierce battle. But then again, Zhao Ba was getting old. Someone like Zhao Ba, who climbed up from the bottom, lived in hunger when young, suffering from chronic malnutrition. Even when conditions improved later on, and he began to cultivate his Qi-Blood and learn Martial Arts, he had missed the best period to practice Martial Arts. His physical condition was far inferior to those young people who began their training early, not to mention those figures from the Inner City. He could only throw his weight around in these shanty areas. Additionally, with age, his Qi-Blood declined, and comfort had led to his vulnerability. In the hall now, the gaze of Yang Zhao Ping and the others was tightly fixed on Shen Qing. The scene fell into a silence as still as death. Their faces were full of shock. They had never imagined that Shen Qing could single-handedly, and so effortlessly, kill Zhao Ba and completely eradicate all his followers without leaving a single one behind. Shen Xiaohu was fine; he was already used to his cousin''s ways. But for Xiao Zhi and Ouyang Tie Niu, it was their first time witnessing this. In Xiao Zhi''s mind, Shen Qing was just a person with a talent for Martial Arts, usually silent and obedient. As for Ouyang Tie Niu, he was just a naive country fellow from the countryside, inexperienced in the ways of the world. This revelation thoroughly overturned their image of Shen Qing, as they couldn''t hide their feelings of deep awe. The seemingly harmless little hunter had suddenly shown such a ferocious side that it made them somewhat uncomfortable, momentarily unable to adjust. Shen Qing slowly turned around, his gaze once again sweeping over Ouyang Tie Niu and the others. He casually tossed the bow and arrow in his hand to Shen Xiaohu and said to Xiao Zhi with a clasped fist, "Thank you all for today, for joining me in eliminating this local tyrant. Surely Zhao Ba must have left something in this house; why don''t we look around for ourselves?" Shen Qing''s sudden speech pulled their wandering minds back to reality, sobering them up a bit. Xiao Zhi had come to offer a favor and naturally had no objections. Ouyang Tie Niu and Yang Zhao Ping were after money, so they had even less to say. Thus, everyone agreed and dispersed to rummage through the house. The mansion seemed large and imposing, but it was actually all show and no substance. There weren''t many valuable items. Gold and silver treasures, quilts, and clothing could only be found in bits and pieces. It was nowhere near the wealth of the big families in the Inner City, but it was certainly better than the home of an average person. "Brother Qingzi, come over here and look at this?" Shen Qing was busily examining a body when he suddenly heard Shen Xiaohu''s call. He stopped what he was doing, went over, and upon clearly seeing the scene inside the room, he couldn''t help shaking his head. In a room, three women were chained like dogs to the side of a bed. Upon seeing Shen Qing and the others, they instinctively stripped off their clothes despite the cold, revealing their rough bodies. Everywhere was a patchwork of blue and purple. S§×ar?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. They lay on the bed, then stuck their backsides in the air, like walking corpses, letting others manipulate them. Long-term confinement had made them thin and emaciated, and since they ate, drank, and relieved themselves all in the room, they were far from anything beautiful and had no relationship with the word at all. They could only be called women. In his previous life, he had grown accustomed to seeing many beautiful women undressed, whose figures and appearances were far superior to theirs. Shen Qing could not muster the slightest interest. Expressionless, he stepped forward and, amidst their dulled and vacant eyes, grabbed the iron collars around their necks and exerted his arms forcefully, prying them outward. Being mere unwelded, rusted iron, they could not withstand Shen Qing''s strength. After several tooth-grating sounds of metal scraping, there were constant clicking noises from the iron collars. In just a moment, Shen Qing had undone all the iron chains. Shen Qing nonchalantly threw the chains on the ground, then rummaged through a cupboard nearby for some old clothes and tossed them over: "Put these on!" After doing all this, he didn''t linger in the room and left without a second glance. However, the young and hot-tempered Shen Xiaohu, seeing such a scene for the first time, found it hard to leave, constantly looking back with every step he took. He looked at those round backsides and couldn''t help but swallow his saliva. His eyes were glued to them. Shen Xiaohu glanced at Shen Qing, and seeing that he was not watching this way, he rushed into the room boldly, reaching into the clothes of one of the women and fiercely pinched a breast before running off. Realizing no one had noticed, he relaxed, stared at his own hand, and couldn''t help but grin foolishly. ... Many people might slack off when working, not pulling their weight. But when it came to looting, every person exerted themselves as if their lives depended on it, with exceptional efficiency. After about the time it took to drink a pot of tea, five men had searched everything inside and outside the house. They had found roughly seventy taels of silver, some scattered pearls, stones, and jade, along with other assorted weapons, tonics, cotton clothes, and quilts. All tallied up and converted into silver, it would probably amount to about 200 taels. What was more important, they hadn''t found a single word about the Martial Arts technique he was training in¡ªthe Tongbei Iron Pine Lean. Shen Qing found it strange: "This guy has been a tyrant in the slums for so long, why does he have only so little property?" Ouyang Tie Niu, who had been mixing it up in the streets for years, explained: "This place is only where he used to gather with his minions, split the loot, and discuss business, so it definitely wouldn''t have too many valuable things. I''ve heard that Zhao Ba has a family outside, and all the money and other treasures he has amassed over the years must be at his home." Hearing this, Shen Qing looked startled and suddenly felt he had been hasty. He shouldn''t have killed Zhao Ba so quickly; he should have extracted some useful information before killing him. Sigh... Careless. But dead men can''t be brought back to life. Forget it, he would have to think of another way to find out where Zhao Ba''s wife and family were and rob them later. "Now that we''ve pretty much searched everything inside this house, and since Zhao Ba and his men are dead, all these items are ownerless, let''s divide them up right here," Shen Qing said, putting away his thoughts. "Since most of those men were killed by me, it''s only fair I get the most. I want seventy percent. Do any of you have objections?" Chapter 71: Chapter 70 Boss, I want to follow you! All present knew that it was Shen Qing who had killed Zhao Ba and wiped out his underlings. At most, they were just lending a hand. Let alone dividing thirty percent, if he were harsher, not giving them a single hair wouldn''t be a problem either. Shen Qing nodded and said, "If you have no objections, I will take it as your agreement." He looked down at the many items piled on the ground and said, "Roughly estimating, these things could be worth about two hundred taels. Let''s round it to two hundred; each of you three will get ten taels. The amount of silver is just right, so each of you take twenty taels and be off." As he spoke, Shen Qing looked at Ouyang Tie Niu with a smile that was not quite a smile, and said with profound meaning, "Brother Ouyang, the twenty taels I promised you have been given." Twenty taels, enough for an ordinary farming family to live on for a year. Even if living expenses in the city were higher, that twenty taels still amounted to a significant fortune for a ruffian scraping by outside, enough for him to swagger around for a while. Shen Qing''s eyes weren''t blind; of course, he noticed that Ouyang Tiezhu had been shirking his work and slacking off. But in consideration of Ouyang Tiezhu, the eldest martial brother, he generously gave it anyway. After all, it was an unexpected windfall, and he didn''t care about this minor amount. The eldest brother had not held back when teaching him, and they might often deal with each other in the future, so why not create a good karma? In life, one should try to make more friends and fewer enemies, not create discomfort for oneself. When necessary, one should be willing to give. Ouyang Tie Niu stared blankly at the shiny silver on the ground, his face twisted with conflict as he uncontrollably reached out, grabbed a silver ingot, and slowly placed it against his chest. Shen Qing frowned slightly, wondering why Ouyang Tie Niu was behaving as if constipated when taking the silver, which was baffling. Suddenly, as if he had made a great decision, Ouyang Tie Niu put the silver back. Under everyone''s gaze, he knocked on his knee to the ground, bowed to Shen Qing with his fist, and said with a full voice, "Boss, I want to roll with you!" "Hmm?" Being called "Boss" by someone several years older than himself felt a bit odd to Shen Qing, "Roll with me for what?" "Now that Zhao Ba and his gang are dead, and there''s no local tyrant in West City, this spot is up for grabs. Boss, you can take this opportunity to bring this area under your wing, and making a fortune every day won''t be a problem," Ouyang Tie Niu said, puffing out his chest and speaking spiritedly. "What''s more important is that with this as a foundation, you can get on the boat of the big shots. Who knows, one day you might rise above others. I hope Boss will give me a chance to serve under you." He had been mulling over one thing all this time. And that was, after Zhao Ba''s death, who would take charge of this area. In the twelve districts of the Outer City, there were many hills and local tyrants. If things went as expected, they would come to carve up the spoils as soon as they smelled blood. Unfortunately, he didn''t know any of them, nor did he have any connections. In the Outer City, there were many ruffians and scoundrels trying to make a name for themselves, and even the identity of a big brother didn''t carry much weight here. Everything depended on strength. Since Shen Qing was strong enough to kill Zhao Ba, it meant he had the strength to be a leader in this place. Distant waters can''t quench immediate thirst, and a wise person knows how to adapt to the times. Rather than fight over illusory things, it was better to take this opportunity to pledge allegiance. Choice is greater than effort. As long as he followed the right person, he might yet make something of himself in the future. Standing beside Ouyang Tie Niu, Yang Zhao Ping saw him make such a decisive move, contemplated for a moment, and then knelt down resolutely and said, "I hope to serve you as well." Shen Qing did not agree immediately, weighing the pros and cons in his mind, his brows furrowed in deep thought. Ouyang Tie Niu recalled something and continued, "Boss, there''s another delicacy I know of. If you''re interested, we can take it this time as well, it''s in this area." "Delicacy?" "Yes, it''s the Blood Bird''s Nest that Wang Mazi got from a hunter before. When Zhao Ba''s men came knocking, a ruffian took advantage of the chaos to steal the Blood Bird''s Nest. I happened to see it. The young master of the Song and Dong Family needs these delicacies to break through to the Qi Cultivation Realm. If the boss gets it and builds a good relationship with the Song family, there will be great benefits." Shen Qing weighed the situation and shook his head, "The Outer City is a mess with dragons and snakes mixed together, too deep for me to get involved in. I''m just a small hunter from a remote place; it''s better not to get involved. Let''s wait until I''m stronger. However, I''m a bit interested in this Blood Bird''s Nest." He wasn''t dazzled by the flattery of the moment. With Zhao Ba''s recent death, who knows what kind of ghost or serpent would emerge. If he accidentally provoked a big shot, that wasn''t something he could handle. Better to wait and see for now. Amass grain slowly, claim kingship unhurriedly. Respond to myriad changes with constancy. Prioritize stability in everything. After some time, once he''s made further progress in his martial arts and grown stronger, it won''t be too late to go for it then. By that time, the benefits he could obtain, one after another, will be his for the taking. Ouyang Tie Niu was somewhat surprised by Shen Qing''s decision but didn''t give up, asserting firmly, "If you won''t be the boss here, I''ll follow you anyway. From now on, you''re my boss." "Me too." Shen Qing had no words to offer and let out a helpless sigh internally, resigning himself to their decision. "Do as you will," he said. Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Seeing Shen Qing accept them, Ouyang Tie Niu and Yang Zhao Ping exchanged glances, delighted. Since Wang Mazi''s death, they had been aimlessly drifting; today, they finally had someone to cover for them. Ouyang Tie Niu saw Xiao Zhi, wrapped an arm around his shoulder, and said, "Brother, what do you think, want to join us too?" Xiao Zhi glanced at Shen Qing then shook his head, "I''d rather not, I''m just a cook and plan to open a restaurant in the future. I don''t intend to mix in your line of work." "That''s a pity," Ouyang Tie Niu said with regret. "You seem quite fierce when you fight; I was hoping to fight alongside you in the future." "Heh... We''ll talk about it if there''s a chance in the future, a chance in the future," Xiao Zhi said resignedly. "Are you guys still taking the money or not?" Shen Qing asked, nodding his head towards the group. After some thought, Xiao Zhi bowed and spoke, "I came to help originally for the sake of my junior brother; taking money on top of that wouldn''t be right. I won''t take the money." He had made up his mind that if he was to owe someone a favor, he shouldn''t be bashful; taking money would be inappropriate. Better to be straightforward; it would be more honorable. Ouyang Tiezhu stated, "As juniors helping our boss, it''s only natural for us. We won''t take it either." "Yes." Seeing their resolute attitude, Shen Qing no longer urged them, "Alright then, I''ll take you all for a good meal at a restaurant later to celebrate. These damaged weapons aren''t easy to sell. Take a look and if you need anything, pick one to take home." "Alright." These people were of not very high status to begin with, and there were only a few with weapons, all of which were common goods, nothing good to choose from. The few of them casually picked out weapons suitable for them, tidied up the place, leaving a field of corpses, and walked out of the house. Shen Qing stepped out of the house, looked at Ouyang Tie Niu and said, "Later at the restaurant, give me a good rundown on the delicacy." "Of course, Boss." Chapter 72: Chapter 71 Blood Birds Nest and the Song Family Taiping County, Inner City. Most of the people from outside the city who had come for the market had already left, but the streets were still bustling with passersby. Upon closer inspection, one could see quite a few young lords and ladies dressed in fine silks and satins. This time was neither too early nor too late, and with fewer country folks around, it was the preferred time for many wealthy people to go out. A host of merchants, peddlers, and restaurant waiters were busily shouting out their wares. The aromas of fried snacks, pastries, and alcoholic dishes intertwined, wafting unrestrained through the streets. The Fengwei Restaurant, located in a bustling area of Taiping County, had an imposing red door that could be seen from afar. As one of the high-class restaurants in the county, Fengwei was quite famous. Shen Qing had just returned to the inn when he was summoned by Zhao Ba''s men, and he hadn''t even had time to eat, so he was quite hungry. In the past, he would definitely not have considered coming here, but after his visit to Zhao Ba, he had come into quite a bit of unexpected wealth, and suddenly he could afford it. With newfound confidence, after returning from the Outer City, Shen Qing chose to dine here. Shen Qing, accompanied by Xiao Zhi and others, entered Fengwei Restaurant and was immediately enveloped by a gentle scent of sandalwood mixed with the fragrance of wine and meat. Looking around, the interior of Fengwei''s main hall was elegant and tasteful. Gold-carved screens, famous calligraphy and paintings hanging on the walls, ink scattered lively. The floor was laid with fine bluestone tiles, and above hung opulent brass chandeliers that dazzled the eye. It was the peak dining hour, and the place was teeming with guests, filled with noise and clamor. Almost every table in the hall was occupied, and the diners seated there were all respectably dressed, enjoying themselves as they pushed their cups and raised their glasses. In terms of demeanor, they were at least a class above Shen Qing and his companions. Shen Xiaohu had never seen such a scene from childhood to adulthood and was somewhat stunned for a moment. A young boy at the entrance saw Shen Qing and the others and hurried over to greet them, "Sirs, are you here for a meal?" There was none of the looking down upon them that one might have expected. On the contrary, the waiter of Fengwei Restaurant had an excellent attitude, treating Shen Qing and his party with equal respect, regardless of their attire. "I''ll take a private room," said Shen Qing indifferently, his every gesture exuding an inherent composure that instantly made Shen Xiaohu feel ashamed. He couldn''t understand why there was such a huge difference between him and his cousin, who had grown up in the same place. "All right, sirs, this way, please," the waiter of Fengwei led the way. The waiter went ahead, clearing a path for Shen Qing and his group, leading them to a private room on the second floor. Inside the private room on the second floor, the wooden carved tables and chairs were arranged neatly, and sunlight streamed through the window grills, illuminating the interior with a bright and warm light. "Sirs, please have a seat," the waiter wiped the chairs thoroughly with a cloth, "What would you like to eat?" "Bring me one of each of your restaurant''s signature dishes. Make sure the portions are generous, and bring two jars of good wine," Shen Qing casually slapped a few silver beans on the table, "Attend to it well. This is your tip." "All right, sirs, please take your time; I''ll arrange it right away," the waiter cleaned the table and chairs, poured tea for everyone, and then bowed and took the silver beans from the table before leaving. When the waiter was gone, Shen Xiaohu, who had been on edge, seemed to let out a sigh of relief and said, "I thought the lads working in this place would all be arrogant and overbearing, but they''re actually quite nice." Xiao Zhi laughed as he explained, "Hahaha... Young brother, I guess this is your first time here, not knowing how fierce the toughs at Fengwei Restaurant can be. Anyone who comes for a free meal or to cause trouble either gets sold into the mines or is beaten to death, which is why they have such a notorious reputation. Now, most of those who come here are legitimate diners who pay with silver, so naturally, they receive good service." By his side, Ouyang Tie Niu picked up the conversation, saying, "Nowadays, many desperadoes who have made a fortune overnight come to the city to enjoy themselves. The attendants here have seen a lot of it and are not so snobbish. It''s those average places that, when they see the likes of us, might mumble something under their breath." The conversation between the two enlightened Shen Xiaohu quite a bit. The service at Fengwei Restaurant was very quick. Within a quarter of an hour, course after course had already been served sequentially. Ouyang Tie Niu was quite adept at currying favor, and before anyone else had reacted, he had already poured Shen Qing a full bowl of wine. Shen Qing didn''t say much, picked up the bowl, and said, "Fill ''em up, we''ve been busy till now, it''s time for drinks." "Cheers!" Shen Qing tilted his head back and drank. Compared to the baijiu of the previous generation, the alcohol here was much weaker, and all of it was rice wine, with a hint of sweetness, making it quite refreshing. After a few glasses of wine, the atmosphere at the dinner table suddenly became much livelier, and besides Shen Xiaohu, who was burying his head in his meal, the relationships between everyone else had also considerably warmed up. Shen Qing turned to Ouyang Tie Niu and asked, "Tell me about the Blood Bird''s Nest." As a hunter, Shen Qing knew a thing or two about the Blood Bird''s Nest. This type of bird''s nest had a deep red color like blood, clear and lustrous. It was made by a bird known as the Flying Sky Swallow on cliffs and steep rocks, using essence blood, saliva, and a rare red herb to construct the nest. For ordinary people, the Blood Bird''s Nest was a delicacy that nourished beauty and augmented Qi-Blood, and consuming it could strengthen the body and prolong life. For martial artists, the Blood Bird''s Nest was an even more precious treasure. Not only could it increase a martial master''s Qi-Blood, but it could also consolidate the internal foundation, making the body stronger. At the moment of breaking through bottlenecks, it provided extra confidence, making it a sought-after rarity by martial artists in their dreams. Such a rare delicacy could easily fetch hundreds of taels on the market. If hunters like them could get one, it would suffice for their family to live comfortably for several years. Therefore, when Ouyang Tie Niu mentioned the Blood Bird''s Nest, Shen Qing immediately took interest. Ouyang Tie Niu pondered for a moment and said, "Do you know about the sons of the Song and Dong Family, Song Gongming? We need to start the story with them." "Go on!" Shen Qing picked up a slice of tender beef with his chopsticks, dipped it in some spicy sauce, and chewed it in his mouth. "Song Gongming has seven sons and five daughters, among them, the third and the youngest sons are the most promising. One is twenty, and the other is seventeen, both already at the Qi Cultivation Realm." "To help his two sons break through the Qi Cultivation Realm sooner so they can enter the court and prosper the family, Song Gongming wanted to obtain some rare delicacies to aid their breakthrough. It all started with them seeking the delicacies." Shen Qing was somewhat surprised to hear this. He swallowed the beef he had been chewing and took a sip of wine discreetly. If he remembered correctly, his own uncle, Li Linfeng, was also at the Qi Cultivation Realm, but for the two sons of the Song family to have reached such a level of cultivation at such a young age was truly terrifying. Shen Qing asked, "How strong exactly is the Song family?" "I''m not exactly sure about the specifics, but I''ve heard that in the Four Great Eastern Families within the county city, there are martial masters above the Qi Cultivation Realm, and many within their clans practice martial arts. Even the County Magistrate here has to give them some face and wouldn''t dare provoke them lightly." S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 73: Chapter 72: Pledge ```plaintext Shen Qing, with his head lowered, poured himself another bowl of wine. He stared at the bowl filled with wine in his hand, silent and wordless. It seemed to him that he now faintly understood why the Four Great Eastern Families had been able to monopolize business in the county for so many years, compelling tens of thousands of households, and over a hundred thousand people throughout Taiping County, to rely on them for a living. The foundations of the four great families of the county were profound; their relationships complex and intricate, shielding one another, in addition to having powerful martial masters in place. No one could challenge them. And those born into these families were like children with golden keys in their mouths, out of reach for the likes of him, brought up with muddy legs. Maybe even while they were in their mother''s wombs, they were already being nourished with various tonics to cultivate their Qi-Blood. After they were born, it goes without saying. The precious medicine and spiritual plants that were rarely seen by the likes of him were nothing but ordinary meals to them. For these noble offspring practicing Martial Arts, the path was undoubtedly smooth and wide. They, who had tumbled through gullies and ditches, couldn''t even match up to one of their toes. But Shen Qing wasn''t discouraged in the least. No matter how formidable they were, they couldn''t measure up to one who was "cheating". Shen Qing raised the bowl in his hand and drank all the wine in one gulp, saying, "Now, who has the Blood Bird''s Nest?" "It''s in the hands of a ruffian named Kong Tiantu, a peasant lad who came over from Jinzhou. He''s strong and knows some farming techniques," Ouyang Tie Niu took a sip of wine, moistened his throat, and continued, "He''s a clever one, and Wang Mazi trusts him a lot. He was present when the hunter gave Wang Mazi the Blood Bird''s Nest. After that incident, he took advantage of the chaos to take the Blood Bird''s Nest, and I secretly saw him." "Where does he live?" "Right between the hovels of Wang Ma and Old Ba, and he hasn''t left." Shen Qing frowned and said, "So much time has passed, the Blood Bird''s Nest might not be in his hands anymore, right?" "It should still be," Ouyang Tie Niu said, looking down, "I still heard a few hints of news yesterday." "What kind of hints?" "The other Great Eastern Families, in order to prevent Song Gongming''s sons from advancing too smoothly, have also been secretly offering high prices to acquire any of those mountain delicacies, each one higher than the last. Kong Tiantu will surely wait for a good price and won''t sell hastily." Shen Qing nodded, not continuing the topic, and changed the subject, "Let''s eat and drink." The dishes at Fengwei Restaurant, without monosodium glutamate and modern seasoning, tasted mediocre in Shen Qing''s eyes. But it had to be said, this was the most satisfying meal Shen Qing had since his transmigration. Shen Xiaohu, Xiao Zhi, and the others all ate until their bellies were round. When it came to paying the bill, Shen Qing found that just this one meal cost him eleven taels silver, which took him aback. Indeed, it was not cheap. After leaving Fengwei Restaurant, Shen Qing did not linger, parting ways with Ouyang Tie Niu and the others, each going their separate ways. At that time, he had no real intention of taking Ouyang Tie Niu and the others as his subordinates. In his opinion, if he really wanted to take on followers, it was better to find someone reliable back in Hongshan Village. They were from the same village and could be trusted. People from outside were always unreliable. After leaving Fengwei Restaurant, Shen Qing did not wander around the Inner City. He took Shen Xiaohu and went straight back to Linfeng Hall. Previously, with not much silver on hand, he had planned to return to Hongshan Village to fetch some money before coming back. Now that he had gotten a sum from Zhao Ba, enough for his expenses for two or three months, there was no need to rush back. ... ``` Ouyang Tie Niu and Yang Zhao Ping left Fengwei Restaurant and headed towards the direction of the Outer City. After walking for a while, Ouyang Tie Niu''s face was filled with worry. He felt a bit of regret for being too concerned with his safety at noon and for not being more proactive, saying many things to Shen Qing that he shouldn''t have. During today''s noon meal, he could see that Shen Qing didn''t trust him at all. Although Shen Qing was very polite, he kept a controlled distance, which made him start to worry. After thinking for a moment, Ouyang Tie Niu turned to Yang Zhao Ping and said, "What do you think of Shen Qing?" "Very strong, with a sophistication that doesn''t match his age, quite decisive," Yang Zhao Ping replied without hesitation, then added, "Not someone easy to get close to." "I feel the same way," Ouyang Tie Niu continued, "What are your thoughts now?" Having spent a long time with Ouyang Tie Niu, Yang Zhao Ping knew what he was getting at. "We don''t have a better place to go right now, I suggest we stick with him. Your brother seems to have a good relationship with him; trust can be built gradually. You need to keep in mind that we are not like those lowlifes from the Outer City, we are ruffians with principles, we need to have some ambition, not flip-flop all the time." "What you said makes sense," Ouyang Tie Niu nodded, "Then shall we go and snatch the Blood Swallow''s Nest?" Yang Zhao Ping was stunned for a moment, then leaned in and said, "Are you talking about... a pledge?" Ouyang Tie Niu hooked his arm around Yang Zhao Ping''s shoulder, pulling him closer, and spoke in a lowered voice, "Shen Qing doesn''t have a good impression of us now. If we present a pledge, it will undoubtedly be better, the Blood Swallow''s Nest is an opportunity." After some thought, Yang Zhao Ping finally agreed, "Right, we can''t just think about reaping the rewards without effort. That won''t take us far. I''m with you on this one!" "Good brother, come with me, I know where Kong Tiantu lives." ... The shantytown of the Outer City mostly consisted of houses made of simple bricks, tiles, and wooden boards, dilapidated from lack of repair. Kong Tiantu''s home was particularly inconspicuous amidst this decay. The roof tiles were uneven, some already broken, exposing the wooden beams within. In the house, besides a worn-out bed and a few chairs, there was hardly any furniture. At this moment, the slovenly Kong Tiantu came in from outside, fumbling under the bed and tightly holding a wooden box. The box didn''t look remarkable, just some wooden blocks cobbled together that barely formed the shape of a box. But seeing the box intact, Kong Tiantu seemed to let go of a huge weight on his heart. He stared at the wooden box, his eyes filled with hope and longing. Kong Tiantu carefully opened the box, revealing what was inside. A bright red, crystal clear Blood Swallow''s Nest lay quietly inside, emanating an enticing fragrance. "I''m glad I held back from selling it. The Zhou Family is already offering one hundred and twenty taels outside, and the Zhou Family''s steward has agreed to my terms. Whether I can become rich and live a superior life depends on this move." As he was lost in his thoughts, suddenly, a large stone was thrown through the window, landing on the bed, startling him. He quickly closed the wooden box and held it in his arms, shouting, "Who''s there?" Kong Tiantu leaned against the door, peeking outside through a three-inch gap in the doorway. S§×ar?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. There was nothing outside. It must have been the prank of some local kids. While he was thinking this, a sharpened stick suddenly thrust through the gap, stabbing into his eye. "Aah!" A piercing scream burst forth from Kong Tiantu''s throat. Chapter 74: Chapter 73 Turbulent Undercurrents Kong Tiantu clasped his hands over his eyes, which were bleeding profusely, as he uncontrollably leaned backward; the pain almost rendered him unable to stand. He immediately realized these people had come for the Blood Bird''s Nest; they wanted to rob him of his Blood Bird''s Nest. A deep hatred erupted from within him, surging uncontrollably. Standing outside the door, Ouyang Tie Niu and Yang Zhao Ping exchanged a look, knowing they had succeeded. Ouyang Tie Niu lifted his foot and violently kicked the dilapidated wooden door. With a loud "bang," the door collapsed under the force of Ouyang Tie Niu''s kick, The two of them rushed in without hesitation amidst a cloud of dust. "It''s you!" Kong Tiantu recognized the two as Ouyang Tie Niu and Yang Zhao Ping. "Kong Tiantu, we''ve been waiting for you!" Ouyang Tie Niu, wielding a knife he had pilfered from Zhao Ba, swung it viciously at Kong Tiantu. Kong Tiantu, true to his farmer''s roots, managed to react despite having lost an eye. In a moment of desperation, he rolled to the side, narrowly evading the vicious slash. "Get him together; kill him." A fierce look flashed across Ouyang Tie Niu''s face as he pounced towards Kong Yutian, with Yang Zhao Ping following immediately at his side. The few pieces of furniture left in the room, none too sturdy to begin with, completely collapsed amid the chaotic struggle, turning into scrap wood. Kong Tiantu, outnumbered and outmatched, especially against those wielding blades, Was quickly overcome. In the blink of an eye, he was reduced to a bloody mess and collapsed to the ground with a grunt, dying with his eyes wide open. Blood flowed from his body, dripping down his arms, coating the grey wooden box he clutched in his arms with a layer of red, like a coat of paint. Kong Tiantu had held on to the wooden box tightly; Yang Zhao Ping also had to expend a fair amount of effort to pry it from his grasp. He excitedly opened the wooden box and saw the transparent Blood Bird''s Nest inside. Yang Zhao Ping closed the box and exchanged a knowing look with Ouyang Tie Niu, communicating silently with their eyes. "Let''s go!" However, as they turned to leave and had not yet dashed out of the alley, they saw a man in a grey robe walking towards them, blocking their way. Ouyang Tie Niu, impatient and annoyed, said, "Good dogs don''t stand in the way; move aside." "I am not a dog; I have a name, a surname, I am a man." Ouyang Tie Niu and Yang Zhao Ping, having just committed murder and eager to flee, were seething with murderous aura and savagely said, "I don''t care what your surname is, get out of my way, or don''t blame me for being rude!" "Very well then. With the heavens above and the Huang Tian Sect below, since you two are in such a hurry, I won''t delay you any further." No sooner had he finished speaking than the man in the grey robe''s hands, hidden in his sleeves, shot out like a dragon emerging from the sea, striking Ouyang Tie Niu and Yang Zhao Ping in their chests with a couple of thuds. Ouyang Tie Niu and Yang Zhao Ping''s bodies shook, a surge of power piercing through their skin, penetrating their flesh, and causing their bones to instantly crumble. The two of them slammed against the wall like kites with cut strings, coughing up blood. "A Skin Forging master..." Ouyang Tie Niu looked at the man in the grey robe, his eyes filled with disbelief. At this moment, his body felt as if it had fallen apart; his heart and lungs were pierced by his fractured ribs, breathing out more than in. Under the watchful eyes of Ouyang Tie Niu and Yang Zhao Ping, the man in the grey robe slowly walked forward and took the Blood Bird''s Nest from Yang Zhao Ping''s embrace. The grey-robed man opened the box, looked inside, and, reasonably satisfied, said, "Not bad, the quality isn''t too poor." He closed the wooden box and bowed slightly, "Thank you for your efforts." With that, the grey-robed man left the alley, striding boldly away as Ouyang Tie Niu and Yang Zhao Ping watched in despair. Ouyang Tie Niu and Yang Zhao Ping lay in a pool of blood, their complexions pale as paper. They could feel the life force ebbing from their bodies, just like Kong Tiantu. All their years of effort, and their ambition to stand out, had vanished in that instant. With his last bit of strength, Ouyang Tie Niu let out a low, indignant groan and, like Yang Zhao Ping, kicked his legs out and died, breathless. ... Linfeng Hall. Shen Qing, after returning from the restaurant, immediately threw himself into arduous training, practicing the fighting techniques he had learned from Li Linfeng without any shortcuts. Each movement, each technique, he practiced with utmost seriousness. Time ticked away, and before long, it was nearly evening. Shen Qing glanced at the sky and thought to himself, "It''s about time, I better go early and return early." He went to the Outer Court and greeted Shen Xiaohu, telling him to return to the inn early, before setting out alone towards the outskirts of the city. Shen Qing intended to check out the Blood Bird''s Nest that Ouyang Tie Niu had mentioned. As evening approached, whether it was the Inner City or the Outer City, the number of people dwindled, with few pedestrians in sight. Shen Qing walked with his head down among the crowd, inconspicuous. The location described by Ouyang Tie Niu was not hard to recognize; Shen Qing asked around a bit and arrived in front of a dilapidated shack. Standing not far from the entrance, Shen Qing looked at the wooden door that had been smashed open, and immediately had a bad feeling. He hurriedly stepped inside and found that the room was in disarray, with signs of a struggle everywhere, and blood splattered all over the place. A naked corpse lay silently on the ground. He had been hacked to death. After his death, his clothes were stripped clean. By then, Shen Qing knew he was too late. Someone had gotten to the Blood Bird''s Nest before him. Shen Qing didn''t appear too disappointed or anxious, "Ouyang Tie Niu and the others are more familiar with these parts of the Outer City. If there''s time tomorrow, I''ll ask them." The house was in ruins, almost completely transparent at a glance. Furthermore, the nearby residents had already scavenged the place once, leaving nothing worth searching for. Shen Qing didn''t linger at the entrance; he turned around, planning to leave from another direction. However, after only a couple of steps, he froze. S§×ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Another naked corpse lay right in front of him. This was... Yang Zhao Ping! He was actually dead! Shen Qing bent down for a closer look and noticed that Yang Zhao Ping''s chest had caved in, killed by a single blow; the perpetrator was at least an expert with the strength of Skin Forging. Looking behind at Kong Tiantu''s position, he connected the dots and roughly guessed that they were all silenced because of the Blood Bird''s Nest affair. People who had been alive and well in the afternoon were now just cold corpses. The sight unexpectedly filled Shen Qing with a sense of lamentation, akin to a rabbit mourning for a deceased fox. He remembered that Yang Zhao Ping and Ouyang Tie Niu often hung out together, as close as brothers. The matter of the Blood Bird''s Nest had also been brought up by Ouyang Tie Niu; now, with Yang Zhao Ping dead, he feared Ouyang Tie Niu''s fate was more likely dire than not. The sky gradually darkened, the evening glow filled the sky, and the setting sun dyed half of the heavens yellow. Shen Qing carefully recalled that, up to this point, he had not been involved in the affair of the Blood Bird''s Nest; he had merely come to take a brief look, which should mean no one would have a reason to target him. He breathed a sigh of relief, straightened his chest, and walked normally past the body of Yang Zhao Ping, leaving the alley. As he walked, Shen Qing suddenly heard a series of footsteps nearby moving toward him. There was a large group. Shen Qing quickly executed a movement technique and hid in a dark corner, curiously peering forward. Two groups of ordinary civilians, each with yellow cloth bands around their arms, followed behind a robust man, each holding a stick of incense and walking unhurriedly. As they walked, they murmured something under their breath, their faces showing extreme devotion. "With blue skies below, Huang Tian above, the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, Taiping within sight." From beginning to end, these people kept muttering this phrase, the tone alternating between yin and yang, rhythmic, making Shen Qing at the side almost feel the urge to chant along. Shen Qing quickly closed his mouth tight; he recognized them. The yellow cloth bands, the chants. They were Huang Tian Sect''s people! What were people from Huang Tian Sect doing appearing in Taiping County, preaching in the Outer City? Weren''t they supposed to be in Jinzhou? Rustle rustle... These people passed one by one through the alley at Shen Qing''s location. When Shen Qing saw clearly who the leader was, his eyes widened in shock. He knew that person; it was Manager Cai from Wanfeng Building! Chapter 75: Chapter 74: Huang Tian Sect, Three Mountain Delicacies In the Song and Dong Family''s restaurant, the manager turned out to be a member of the Huang Tian Sect. Shen Qing was truly shocked by this scene. He would never have thought that the seemingly ordinary manager had such a layer of identity behind him. It was fortunate that he had made this trip, otherwise he would have remained in the dark, never knowing the secret. Regarding the Huang Tian Sect, ever since he accidentally heard about them on his way into the county town last time, he had paid special attention and inquired about them in the city. The result of his inquiries revealed that the Huang Tian Sect was not to be underestimated. In recent years, they had been attacking cities and taking fortresses in the southern parts of the Great Zhou Dynasty, and their momentum had gradually grown like wildfire. Lately, they had even managed to take over Jinzhou in the north, with their momentum growing strong. There were even rumors that the Huang Tian Sect had their secret methods of gathering the dispersed Martial Spirit from outside the Great Zhou Court, accumulating small gains to amass a fortune and gathering sand to build a tower. Slowly, they had the potential to rival the court of the Great Zhou Dynasty, and were considered by the court as a major concern. These days, the main task of the Guardian Martial Departments in various cities was to exterminate the Huang Tian Sect. Encounters with disciples of the Huangtian Sect resulted in immediate execution, without any room for negotiation. The Huang Tian Sect preached the doctrine "Huang Tian above, all beings are equal," aiming to lead their followers to transcendence, harness the great powers of heaven and earth, and pursue the ancient immortal path''s mighty powers and eternal life. Their main temple was established atop the mist-enshrouded "Huang Tian Sacred Mountain," presided over by a Huang Tian member whose strength was unfathomable. The evangelists of the Huang Tian Sect were called "Yellow Angels"; they wore yellow robes, donned yellow crowns, held yellow banners, and walked across the Great Zhou, spreading their doctrine and promoting good deeds. They were dubbed the Yellow Peril by the government offices of the Great Zhou. It appeared that so many people in the Outer City were now daring to risk their lives to join the Huang Tian Sect. It looked as though the Great Zhou Dynasty, having been established for nine hundred years, appeared flamboyant and splendid, yet the reality was that its core had deteriorated, and it was starting to decline. The lower-class people in the Outer City would rather risk death to join the Huang Tian Sect than continue to barely survive under the rule of the Great Zhou. Shen Qing craned his neck for a closer look and noticed that the disciples of the Huangtian Sect following Cai Jia Sheng were all emaciated, with few appearing robust. Yet even if their faces were pale, each one of them was immensely devout, occasionally revealing brilliantly shining eyes. Shen Qing didn''t look any further and withdrew his gaze. If he wasn''t mistaken, this whole area must have already been absorbed by the Huang Tian Sect, becoming an area for their covert expansion. That''s why they were conducting ceremonies so openly and brazenly under the broad daylight. He had barged into a nest of the Huang Tian. "In that case, that Cai Jia Sheng must be the Yellow Angel of this Outer City, and he seems to have quite some influence in this area," he thought. Just now, Shen Qing actually wanted to rush over and kill Cai Jia Sheng, just as he had killed Wang Qiyao. As a Yellow Angel, Cai Jia Sheng might have had the Blood Bird''s Nest on him. But he dared not make a move on Cai Jia Sheng. Although Cai Jia Sheng appeared ordinary, had a mild temperament, and showed no sign of martial prowess, Ouyang Tie Niu and Yang Zhao Ping might have been overcome by Cai Jia Sheng, who could not be excluded as a Martial Master of the Skin Forging Realm. Shen Qing himself had only just stepped into the level of strengthening, and there was still a considerable gap between him and the Skin Forging Realm. Not to mention, the waters of the Huang Tian Sect were very deep, and he had no idea how many people like Cai Jia Sheng were inside. If he were to make a move, whether he could obtain the Blood Bird''s Nest was uncertain, but he would definitely stir up the hornet''s nest of the Huang Tian Sect. "If that''s the case, let''s leave it then. Delicacies from the mountains are rare, but not worth such risky ventures. If I were to face such a skilled opponent, I''m not confident I could kill him." S§×arch* The n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Just as Shen Qing was preparing to leave, he suddenly sensed two more people approaching in his direction. He quickly held his breath and once again concealed himself in a dark corner. The two approaching individuals were also disciples of the Huang Tian Sect, but their physiques were visibly more robust than those of the ordinary disciples. Even their speech was full of vigor. "Who would have thought the last piece of mountain delicacy would be right here in our area; that person surnamed Kong hid it deeply. It''s only because those two made some noise coming here that we found out about it." "Isn''t that the truth? Lucky for us that a Yellow Angel is here, saving us a lot of effort. Those two were just unlucky." "Never mind them, those who aren''t from the Holy Sect aren''t our brothers or sisters; if they die, they die. Perhaps this was arranged by some unfathomable destiny of Huang Tian, bringing the mountain delicacies together for us." "Heaven below, Huang Tian above." At this point, the speakers paused to recite a phrase devoutly. After finishing, one of them continued. "With the Yellow Angel now having all three mountain delicacies, the Blood Bird''s Nest, the Jade Deer Tendon, and the Tiger King''s Penis, does that mean we can move on to the next step in our plans?" "Yes, I heard the Yellow Angel plans to exchange these three delicacies for a position of shopkeeper in a restaurant, securing a foothold for our Holy Sect in the Inner City. When Huang Tian descends, we will be able to save many of our brothers and sisters." "Ah... it''s just that the Song family gets the better deal." "Those young masters and misses of the Song family, even with the mountain delicacies, they won''t progress quickly enough; perhaps by the time we attack the county, they won''t have been able to use them yet." "Right, let''s think of it as temporarily stored with them..." The voices of the two conversing faded away. When the footsteps of the two finally disappeared into the alley, Shen Qing slowly stepped out from the dark corner. With his ability to move like a "Poison Shadow," Shen Qing concealed himself very well. Even the two groups of Huang Tian Sect members had not managed to detect him. Once out of the alley, Shen Qing didn''t linger. He made several turns to ensure no one was following before he felt safe enough to return to the main street. The conversation he had just overheard made Shen Qing realize that the development of the Huang Tian Sect in Taiping County had far exceeded anyone''s expectations. Before long, Taiping County was sure to be thrown into chaos; he must prepare ahead of time. What surprised him even more was that Cai Jia Sheng, without making a sound, already had three pieces of mountain delicacies. Especially the latter two, which were far more precious than the Blood Bird''s Nest. If it were just one Blood Bird''s Nest, it wouldn''t be worth the risk, but with the Jade Deer Tendon and the Tiger King''s Penis, it was definitely worth a try. From his experiences, robbing had proved much quicker for accumulating wealth than honestly selling mountain goods. Wealth does not come without windfalls, just like horses don''t grow fat without night grazing. This windfall depended on whether he could catch it. Shen Qing walked fast, head down. As he arrived at the city gates, they were just about to close. With quick steps, Shen Qing entered, swiftly handed over several large coins as a gesture, and hurried into the city. Chapter 76: Chapter 75: Manager Cai, you dont want others to know, do you? After entering the Inner City, Shen Qing returned to the inn where he usually lodged as if nothing had happened. As usual, he called Shen Xiaohu to have a casual meal together. Since they had a hearty lunch at noon, neither of them was very hungry by evening. Seeing that there were fewer guests in the hall, Shen Xiaohu moved his stool closer to Shen Qing and said, "Brother Qingzi, something bad has happened." Shen Qing, holding a chopstick with a peanut between them, threw it into his mouth, clueless, and asked, "What happened?" "Ouyang Tie Niu is dead. Not long after you left, Senior Brother Ouyang came to our school in mourning to request the presence of our uncle, the Hall Master, to preside over the funeral." Shen Qing almost lost his grip on the chopsticks in his hand, exclaiming in surprise, "Ah, Ouyang Tie Niu is dead? We just ate lunch together, how could this have happened so suddenly?" "I know, I didn''t expect him to die so soon either," whispered Shen Xiaohu, continuing with regret, "You don''t know, our uncle, the Hall Master, looked terrible when he left. Now, everyone in the outer gate is saying that the Hall Master''s enemy has come knocking, and everybody is really scared. I reckon a few more people won''t show up tomorrow." Shen Qing fell silent for a moment, then said no more. Shen Xiaohu pondered, "Actually, Ouyang Tie Niu was rather fortunate to have a brother to claim his body. Yang Zhao Ping is the one to pity, being the only one left in his family. If he died, there would be no one to claim his corpse." Shen Qing changed the subject and asked, "Are there not many disciples left at the outer gate now?" "Not many," Shen Xiaohu said honestly, "You remember when we first went there, there were around thirty or more? Now only about a dozen show up each day, and even those dozen aren''t there every day. They all say the Hall Master is in danger and might not make it through this time." "You just focus on your training, don''t worry about the rest. With fewer people, you might be able to stay at the outer gate a bit longer and learn more." "I understand. We''re only staying because of auntie''s sake, leaving now would make things even harder for her. We''re all family; we can''t do something that would let our family down," said Shen Xiaohu earnestly, "A single chopstick is easily broken, but a bundle is much harder to break. We need to stand together." Shen Qing looked at Shen Xiaohu and said, "Where did you learn all this?" "My mother taught me," he replied. "Auntie taught you well," commended Shen Qing. After dinner, Shen Qing and Shen Xiaohu returned to their respective rooms. The inn here was very cheap, with a night''s stay costing just sixty to seventy wen per room. For Shen Qing, with his current financial status, this was a mere trifle. Shen Xiaohu might have been young, but when he slept, his snores were thunderous. With such lodging costs, Shen Qing decided not to share a room with Shen Xiaohu anymore. The sixty to seventy wen room in the inn was quite basic inside. There was a table, a bed, and a chair. The oil lamp, the size of a soybean, flickered in the night wind as if it might go out at any moment. Shen Qing sat on the worn wooden chair, and with a shift in consciousness, a flash of sharpness gleamed in his eyes, a water ink vision unfolded before his sight, dyeing the air with lines of water ink text. [Skill: Hunting (Level of Mastery)] [Progress: 300/300 points] [Status: Upgradable] [Note: Having awakened Skillful Baiting and Poison Shadow, these new skills greatly increase the success rate of hunting. Continuing to increase progress may grant a certain probability of inducing a transformation and advancement in the awakened skills.] During this period, Shen Qing certainly hadn''t forgotten his signature skill; he had been continuously practicing and making progress. With the constant use of his hunting skills today, he had unknowingly met the conditions for a breakthrough. Whenever there was a breakthrough in the past, his body showed some abnormalities, more or less. Now, when no one was around, it was a good opportunity to break through and adapt. Shen Qing took a deep breath, willed his consciousness to move, and broke through. At that moment, on the Water Ink Panel, the skill level relating to hunting quickly jumped up, shifting from the level of mastery to Great Perfection. All the progress reset to zero again. Boom! When the realm information jumped, Shen Qing''s entire body shook, and the muscles and breath throughout his body underwent unbelievable changes. A surge of memories flooded into his mind. At a certain moment, Shen Qing seemed to have lived through decades, polishing his hunting skills over and over during this time. Finally, at one moment, he comprehended a new skill¡ªTurtle Breathing Technique. [Skill: Hunting (Great Perfection)] [Progress: 0/400 points] [Status: Cannot be improved] [Note: Your continuous practice has allowed the hunting skill to break through consistently. Skillful Baiting, Poison Shadow, and other skills have undergone transformation and advancement, awakening the Turtle Breathing Technique. With this skill, you can conceal your figure to the utmost, generally undetected by your prey.] S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Shen Qing looked at the lines of water ink information in front of his eyes, so excited that he almost jumped out of bed. Turtle Breathing Technique! It was actually the Turtle Breathing Technique! That''s great. With this skill, his ability to save his life has greatly increased. No one would have an easy time discovering him. Late at night. Near the outer gate of Outer City, the corner of the gate emitted grinding sounds of bricks and stones. Crackling sounds echoed. A few bricks were skillfully removed from inside by a hand. After a short while, a doghole just big enough for one person to get through was gradually dug out beneath the city wall. Dressed in cotton clothes, Cai Jia Sheng squeezed out slowly from the doghole. When he was almost out, he suddenly sprang forward, much like meat being squeezed out of fingertips¡ªhis entire upper body emerged from the doghole. A gleam of joy appeared on Cai Jia Sheng''s face as he propped himself against the city wall with his muscular arms, and his lower body elegantly extricated itself from the doghole. Upon landing, he scanned his surroundings alertly, seeing no one else around. Cai Jia Sheng quickly turned around to rebuild the removed bricks. "This hole was dug too small, and it''s a bit of a struggle every time I use it. It''s alright for skinnier people, but someone bigger than me would probably be unable to squeeze through. I''ll have to find someone to fix it up later." After covering his tracks, Cai Jia Sheng glanced left and right, avoided the night watchman''s patrol route, and skillfully navigated through several alleys before returning to his small courtyard home. Inside the house, candlelight rose once more. Cai Jia Sheng placed the wooden box he had acquired today on the table, and he also took out two other wooden boxes from under the bed, lining them up neatly. He opened them one by one, revealing three delicacies inside: Blood Bird''s Nest, Tiger King''s Penis, and Jade Deer Tendon. Looking at these three delicacies, a satisfied smile appeared on Cai Jia Sheng''s face: "Finally, all three are gathered. Truly the blessing of heaven, Wang Qiyao died out of the blue, and now my position as the Shopkeeper should be secure." "Knock, knock, knock!" Just then, a knocking sound came from outside the door. "Who is it?" Cai Jia Sheng quickly closed the three wooden boxes. "Who I am is not important, but who you are, is very important. Manager Cai, you wouldn''t want others to find out that you''re Huang Tian Sect''s Envoy, would you?" A deep voice came from outside, causing Cai Jia Sheng''s face to change drastically. Chapter 77: Chapter 1 Sir, I want to report! Hearing the words "Yellow Angel," Cai Jia Sheng could no longer keep his composure. Now, in Jinzhou, the activities of the Huang Tian Sect were in full swing, almost alerting the neighboring jurisdictions. In Taiping County, the Guardian Martial Department was currently searching everywhere for clues about the Huang Tian Sect. Once his identity as a Yellow Angel was exposed and known by the city''s Guardian Martial Department, he would definitely face certain death. sea??h th§× NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Although he was only responsible for a small part and there were other sect brothers and sisters in the city, his death would more or less affect the plans of the Holy Sect. This was something he absolutely could not tolerate. "It was probably when Huang Tian revealed themselves today. During the time our brothers and sisters were on the defense and trailing, someone took advantage of a gap and let some unrelated people come into contact. This person is pretending to be mysterious and is probably not a very formidable figure." Having figured out the sequence of events, Cai Jia Sheng immediately had an idea in his mind, his face turned fierce as he shouted, "Courting death!" As soon as the words fell, he tensed the muscles in his legs and swung open the door with one hand, throwing a punch outside with force. Accompanied by a whooshing sound, Cai Jia Sheng, however, punched the air. The small courtyard outside the door was completely empty, with no one in sight. Cai Jia Sheng''s heart skipped a beat as he looked around. Even though he had already started to summon his Qi Force, making his senses sharp, he couldn''t detect any presence in the surroundings. It was as if the person outside had never appeared. This caused his facial expression to instantly turn ugly. Whoosh! A sound of cutting wind suddenly appeared. In the quiet night, it was exceptionally clear. Cai Jia Sheng only felt a sting at the center of his forehead, and his head involuntarily tilted. A sharp arrow barely grazed his cheek, slicing his hair at the temples into two. If he had dodged a moment later, that arrow would have done more than just cut his hair. It would have pierced his eyeball! Such precise archery. For someone like him in the Skin Forging Realm, whose skin was as tough as cowhide and impervious to ordinary weapons, only certain vulnerable spots such as the pores remained. This person was knowledgeable, not just anyone. It''s easy to dodge a direct attack but hard to guard against a hidden one. Cai Jia Sheng calmed down and shouted coldly in the direction from which the arrow had come, "I have no recent grudges or past grievances with you. You didn''t come here tonight just for my identity as a Yellow Angel, did you?" "What do you want?" There was no response at all. Cai Jia Sheng''s expression suddenly became unpredictable. At this moment, in a dark corner of the courtyard facing a Skin Forging Realm martial master, Shen Qing was using the "Turtle Breathing Technique" skill, concealing all his Qi very well. Even though his Qi-Blood was boiling uncontrollably and his muscles were tight and swollen to their optimum condition, he still didn''t show the slightest trace. Even the nervous emotions inside his heart were concealed by this skill. Cai Jia Sheng found it extremely difficult to detect him. Shen Qing''s eyes turned stern as he shifted the direction of the arrow, his finger suddenly loosening. Pff. The candlelight in the room was extinguished on cue. Without delay, Shen Qing employed the "Wind Defying Finger" movement technique and entered the room as swiftly as a ghost. He had already secretly observed for a while before arriving and knew that the prized items were placed on the table. Shen Qing rushed to the eight immortals table, swept his hand across, and gathered the three wooden boxes into his arms, quickly taking the treasures out from them. Cai Jia Sheng suddenly turned his head, hearing the noise in the room and looked towards the sound. In the flickering moment when the light went out, he saw a figure holding a hard bow flash by. Cai Jia Sheng''s eyes narrowed slightly. He realized that if it weren''t for this person making a move, he would not have noticed at all. Even though this person was standing in front of him, it still gave him an unreal feeling. As if it wasn''t a person there, but rather some plants. Without any Qi presence. Seeing this, Cai Jia Sheng''s expression couldn''t help but turn serious, realizing that this person might be tough to deal with tonight. However, no matter how difficult it was to deal with him, he could not let this person go. The three treasures in the room were not easy for him to gather, how could he allow them to be taken away? Seeing that the person had already rushed into the room, without any hesitation, he surged forward with all his strength. "Die!" Bang! A series of strong winds followed behind Shen Qing. Now that the room was pitch black, and since Shen Qing''s "Turtle Breathing Technique" had concealed his Qi, Cai Jia Sheng couldn''t sense Shen Qing''s presence at all. He was blindly swinging in frustration. Shen Qing, with his agile movements, had already moved aside as soon as Cai Jia Sheng took action. Crash! The furniture in the room was turned into debris under Cai Jia Sheng''s Qi Force. Shen Qing, holding the three treasures, used his hunter''s instincts to fire several arrows towards Cai Jia Sheng''s position. The arrows flew continuously with a whistling sound, heading straight for Cai Jia Sheng''s face. However, since Cai Jia Sheng had already summoned his Qi Force and intentionally closed his eyes, the arrows hit his eyelids and were blocked. Taking advantage of this brief moment, Shen Qing bolted out the door, quickly scaled the courtyard wall, and chose a direction to sprint madly. At this moment, Shen Qing''s heart pounded like a drum, thudding wildly. To steal and run was thrilling indeed. Especially stealing from a Skin Forging Realm martial master, it was even more exhilarating. Cai Jia Sheng pinched his fingers, and the candlelight in the room brightened again. Seeing that the three delicacies on the Eight Immortals table had disappeared, leaving only three empty boxes on the floor, his complexion turned exceedingly ugly. The person had clearly come for his three mountain delicacies. It was just that. After all, even if the delicacies were stolen, he could collect them again later. The most troubling part was that his identity had been revealed, which posed a massive risk, and the person couldn''t be allowed to live. He had to be killed. For some reason, although he hadn''t seen the intruder''s face clearly, Cai Jia Sheng felt a familiar sensation from the voice. It seemed like he had heard it somewhere before. His brows furrowed tightly, he simply couldn''t recall. He couldn''t match the voice to any known acquaintance either. "Regardless, I''ll capture him first. Treat him as a sacrifice to Huang Tian." Without delay, Cai Jia Sheng took a small sandalwood box from a cabinet in his house. He carefully opened it and took out a yellow talisman. Cai Jia Sheng bit the tip of his tongue, sprayed out a mouthful of essence blood, muttered some words, and shouted softly, "Rise!" An incredible scene unfolded. A golden light burst forth from the talisman in front of him, and it folded itself into a shining golden paper crane. Under Cai Jia Sheng''s gaze, the golden paper crane seemed to come to life, trembling its wings. Cai Jia Sheng''s face lit up with joy, and he thought to himself, "The Daoist''s talisman skills are truly miraculous." He didn''t delay. With his fingers together, he visualized the shadowy figure three times in his mind, then picked up the empty boxes from the floor. The yellow paper crane landed on the empty wooden box, touching it a few times as if a butterfly drawing nectar. That should do it. Cai Jia Sheng pinched a technique with his fingers and shouted, "Quick!" A response came. The yellow paper crane transformed into a beam of yellow light and shot out from inside the house. Cai Jia Sheng quickly followed it. ... In the alleys, Shen Qing''s figure dashed through the streets as swiftly as a cheetah. He looked down at his bulging chest, where the three mountain delicacies were now secured. Shen Qing hadn''t expected his mission, assisted by "Turtle Breathing Technique" and the movement technique of "Wind Defying Finger," along with his flawless archery, to be unexpectedly effective. It had gone incredibly smoothly. "I only spoke one sentence from beginning to end and didn''t show my face, so he probably doesn''t know who I am," Shen Qing muttered to himself. "However, nothing is absolute, and the Great Zhou Court regards Huang Tian Sect as a major threat for good reason." "The other party is also a Skin Forging Realm martial master; it''s better to be safe than sorry." Stealing Cai Jia Sheng''s three mountain delicacies was worth at least one to two thousand taels. There was no way the other party would just swallow this indignity. Especially since he revealed his identity as a Yellow Angel to make him hesitate earlier. If their roles were reversed, he certainly wouldn''t let himself off the hook. At any rate, in summary. "I must kill him tonight," Shen Qing declared with a serious expression. While that might be, Cai Jia Sheng possessed the cultivation of the Skin Forging Realm, and Shen Qing had just stepped into the phase of strengthening bones and stretching muscles without even securing a martial title. Even using assassination, poison, and many other methods might not guarantee his death. However, killing him didn''t necessarily require him to act directly. Shen Qing changed direction and sprinted toward another destination. That direction led to the Taiping County government office. He decided to report to the Guardian Martial Department! The Guardian Martial Department was gathering clues about the Huang Tian Sect everywhere, and wasn''t Cai Jia Sheng a ready-made clue of the Huang Tian Sect? His act of reporting was entirely legitimate! Just as Shen Qing left, a yellow paper crane had already closely followed. The paper crane paused briefly, then changed its direction, pursuing Shen Qing. "Huh, changed direction? I didn''t expect it to be not only fast but also quite clever," Cai Jia Sheng murmured while following behind the yellow paper crane, quickly catching up. The urge to kill grew stronger within him. ... The gates of the county government were tightly shut, with two mottled stone lions squatting quietly at the front. The faint light filtering through the cracks of the door fell on the slate paving, casting a cold glimmer. Two officers, clad in their uniforms and wielding long spears, stood rigidly on either side of the government entrance. The cold wind howled past, bringing waves of chill that made them involuntarily shrink their bodies. "This ghostly weather, it''s bone-chillingly cold," complained the officer on the left, his voice echoing in the empty night, mixed with a hint of helplessness. He took out a hard biscuit from his chest and took a couple of bites. The officer on the right nodded, took a deep breath of the cold air, and responded, "Yes, this winter seems especially long. However, Li Chun is just over twenty days away, and the weather should start warming up." The officer on the left sighed and tightened the cloak around him, gazing into the distance. Suddenly, he saw a figure dashing towards the government office from the shadows ahead. He rubbed his eyes and poked his colleague with the spear, saying, "Lao Liu, do you see someone running this way in front of us?" "Who would bother coming to the government office so late at night?" "No, there really is someone." "Hm?" At his colleague''s prompting, he took a closer look and indeed saw someone running towards the government office. Before the two government officials could speak, they heard the approaching person shout, "Officials, I have a report to make!" Chapter 78: Chapter 2: Slaying the Yellow Angel The deep silence of the night was shattered by this loud shout. The speaker was none other than Shen Qing, who had rushed over. He hurried to the front of the government office, gasping for breath as he shouted, "I have to report something! I have important information to tell the official!" Two government officers were startled by the sudden noise and looked displeasedly at the newcomer. The officer on the left frowned and waved his hand impatiently, "Go away, go, it''s the middle of the night, don''t cause trouble here, whatever it is can wait till tomorrow." "..." Shen Qing''s expression froze, the familiar demeanor was a bit too brusque. It was a matter of life and death, so Shen Qing did not leave but continued to explain urgently, "Honorable officers, this matter is truly very urgent! I saw it with my own eyes, someone is secretly colluding with the Huang Tian Sect, intending malicious deeds! It''s extremely urgent, officials!" The officer on the right glared at Shen Qing and said coldly, "You say it''s the Huang Tian Sect just like that? How do we know if this is true or false? Besides, it''s late at night and the officials need their rest. Come back first thing in the morning if you have something, don''t disturb the officials'' rest." Seeing the attitude of the officers, Shen Qing knew that being courteous was ineffective, and he cursed angrily, "Such a serious matter, and you both don''t care at all, aren''t you afraid of a disaster?" The two officers looked at each other, angered, "Hey, you violate the curfew, and we don''t blame you, yet you are blaming us? It seems you are tired of living." "We can''t deal with the Huang Tian Sect, but can''t we deal with you?" The two officers brandished their spears, raising their voices, "If you don''t leave now, we will treat you as a disturber of public order and throw you into jail!" Seeing the officers like this, Shen Qing, furious at their indifference, decided to bypass them and rush into the Guardian Martial Department in the government office to inform the people there. Just then, a yellow glow flashed outside the government office. A yellow paper crane, under the watchful eyes of the three men, quietly landed on Shen Qing''s shoulder. With a puff, the yellow paper crane turned into a blank yellow talisman, slowly drifting toward the ground. "What is this thing?" One of the government officials curiously bent over to pick it up. Suddenly, Shen Qing''s hair stood on end, and he almost instinctively moved to the side of the government office''s main gate. Just as he stabilized his stance, a figure suddenly hit the main gate of the government office. Bang! "Wow!" The body of one of the government officials at the gate fell to the ground like the pancake in his embrace, from the gate. He was bleeding from all orifices, continuously bubbling blood from his mouth, clearly beyond saving. Seeing this scene, the other government official was terrified, his mouth open as he shouted, "Enem¡ª" However, before he could utter the word, a punch had already landed on his face. Shen Qing saw it clearly. The officer''s face was smashed in like a dough, several teeth spattering out of the wound and hitting the gate with a thud. Bright red blood spread in a linear radiating pattern on the gate of the county government office, red and white splashing everywhere. The officer was indeed dead beyond doubt. "Glad I made it in time." Cai Jia Sheng secretly rejoiced, having caught up before Shen Qing could blow the whistle. He looked at Shen Qing beside the gate of the government office and sneered. All this was caused by this man today. Now, as long as he killed him and snatched back the three precious items from the mountain, there wouldn''t be much else to worry about. Pressed for time, he couldn''t overthink it. After killing the two officials, Cai Jia Sheng did not hesitate, his figure shifted and he threw a punch towards Shen Qing. A whistling sound arose, the punch fierce, bringing a gust of wind, straight towards Shen Qing''s face. What to do? What to do? Shen Qing''s mind went blank at that moment. Cai Jia Sheng''s fist magnified infinitely in his eyes. At that moment, the instinct to survive wildly stimulated the Qi-Blood within Shen Qing''s body, his body subconsciously used the Nine Skills and various movement techniques he had learned these days, turning into a black shadow, narrowly grazing Cai Jia Sheng''s fist at his chest. Both hands joined together, strength from intent, he pointed twice consecutively on Cai Jia Sheng''s abdomen. Wind Defying Finger! Bang! Cai Jia Sheng was shaken by the force of the finger, jolting his body as if he had been heavily struck, and he staggered back several steps, his face filled with disbelief. He had not expected Shen Qing to be able to dodge his punch and strike him. Cai Jia Sheng remembered seeing him in Wanfeng Building, just a hunter from Hongshan Village. He hadn''t expected this obscure person to be able to withstand his strike. Luckily, the technique relied solely on strength and lacked any real skill, otherwise it would have been more than just a sore abdomen. Cai Jia Sheng''s eyes glinted fiercely, as he rushed forward again with both fists. Just at this critical moment, the great doors of the government office burst open, and two off-duty Guardian Martial Artists rushed out, "Who is causing the disturbance?" Without asking further, one on each side, they struck at Cai Jia Sheng''s shoulders. Faced with their attack, Cai Jia Sheng had to withdraw his hands to parry, meeting their moves with his own. Boom! The two parties separated at the touch. Cai Jia Sheng saw that the people from the Guardian Martial Department had already entered the scene, unable to subdue Shen Qing, his eyes filled with hatred as he glared at him once before withdrawing. Upon seeing this, Shen Qing hastily shouted toward the men from the Guardian Martial Department, "Sirs, he is the Yellow Angel of the Huang Tian Sect!" "What?" The two martial masters from the Guardian Martial Department, upon hearing this, hurriedly pursued him. These past days, they had been searching for clues about the Huang Tian Sect to no avail. This time, an achievement had been delivered right to their doorstep. The martial masters of the Guardian Martial Department moved extremely fast, with a push of their step they had already caught up to Cai Jia Sheng, and the two began to fight intensely. Cai Jia Sheng''s attacks were like a fierce storm, continuous and unrelenting, delivering punch after punch, not giving the two any chance to catch their breath. The two martial masters from the Guardian Martial Department could only exert all their strength to hold Cai Jia Sheng back. Cai Jia Sheng took a deep breath, gathering all the strength in his body, clenched his fists tightly, and swung them out violently, colliding harshly with the palms of the two martial masters from the Guardian Martial Department. As they collided, a deafening thunderous noise erupted, making the air around them seem to solidify. Shen Qing only felt a fierce gust of wind, as overwhelming as a landslide and tsunami. While the two martial masters were struggling, a cold light descended from the sky. It flowed over Cai Jia Sheng''s body like a silver waterfall, then gathered at the feet of a figure. The once imposing Cai Jia Sheng stopped his movements, his arms drooping powerlessly. On his forehead, a bead of red blood appeared, stretching down to his chest. With a soft sound. Cai Jia Sheng''s eyes widened as he fell forward powerlessly. Blood continuously flowed out from beneath him, soon pooling into a puddle. "You''re all useless, unable to subdue even a martial artist without Qi cultivation," a figure in plain clothing suddenly appeared at the entrance of the government office. She sheathed her sword, speaking discontentedly to the two men. The two looked at each other, then limped over, explaining, "We came out in such a hurry, we didn''t have time to bring weapons." "Excuses, if you''re no match, then you''re no match." The female martial artist from the Guardian Martial Department flicked her ankle, swirled a sword flower, and carried the long sword into her embrace. She turned and walked toward the entrance of the government office, looked at Shen Qing and asked, "I heard you say he was the Yellow Angel, what is this about?" Shen Qing looked up. He saw a striking woman in plain clothes standing before him, looking down on him from a high position. Dressed in light blue plain clothes, her figure was graceful and curvy, especially with her poised and confident demeanor. Shen Qing calmed his emotions and relayed everything he had seen in the Outer City today, omitting none of the details. However, he changed the part about him coming to steal rare mountain delicacies to being pursued by Cai Jia Sheng. "I had nowhere to go up in the heavens or down on the earth. Truly desperate, I fled all the way to the government office. The rest, sir, you already know¡­" Shen Qing''s words were half true, half false, and logically worthy of scrutiny. Upon hearing this, the face of the female martial artist in plain clothes took on a rare seriousness. Her brows furrowed tightly as she quickly ordered, "Hurry and gather some people, we need to make a trip to the Outer City right away. "Yes." The two martial masters who had rushed out from the Guardian Martial Department pushed the doors of the government office wide open, immediately causing a commotion inside. Seeing that the people of the Guardian Martial Department were all busy and not paying attention to him, Shen Qing prepared to leave quietly, not intending to linger at the entrance of the government office. Just as he turned to leave, the female martial artist suddenly asked Shen Qing, "Wait a moment." Shen Qing paused in his steps and quickly bowed with a fist, asking, "Sir, may I help you with anything?" The female martial artist looked him up and down and asked, "What is that bulging food in your chest? " "It''s pies, sir. We are all workers outside, provided meals by the Boss, I brought extra for my family." As he spoke, Shen Qing even reached into his bosom, revealing half a pie. "Alright, you may go." S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Thank you, sir." Seeing that the people from the Guardian Martial Department had no intention of having him lead the way, Shen Qing did not stay any longer and hurried away. Once he reached a secluded spot, he pulled out all the pies from his bosom. They were already half-eaten and stained with blood. Shen Qing casually threw the pies into an alley full of beggars and gradually disappeared into the dark streets. By the time he returned to the inn, it was already midnight. When he left, he had exited through a window, and he returned the same way, not disturbing anyone. In the room, he lit an oil lamp and took out the three rare mountain delicacies he had hidden in his bosom, lining them up. Each one, under the lamp light, was crystal clear with a lustrous sheen, giving them an extraordinary appearance. "These three rare mountain delicacies are serendipitous, not easily found in the market. Even hunters who linger in the mountains all year round may not encounter them. To obtain all three at once is truly lucky." "If I remember correctly, these three delicacies can be used in medicine and are greatly beneficial to cultivation." The flickering light cast shadows on Shen Qing''s face, making them short and long, elusive and shifting. Shen Qing exhaled lightly, carefully stored the three delicacies, and reviewed the evening''s events in his mind. Except for some details in front of the female martial artist that didn''t withstand scrutiny, the rest had few flaws. As for these matters, he thought no further. The incident happened suddenly, and he could not consider everything thoroughly. Future matters would be dealt with in the future. Shen Qing blew out the oil lamp, lay down on the bed, and fell into a deep sleep. Chapter 79: Chapter 3: Lay Low After the Event This sleep was very deep. Because Shen Qing had been cultivating the Nine Skills, his Qi-Blood was abundant. Even if he occasionally went without sleep all night, he wouldn''t feel tired. So, as usual, when the time was almost right, Shen Qing woke up with his biological clock, full of energy. Morning. Shen Qing and Shen Xiaohu habitually squatted on the threshold in the inn''s backyard. Each holding a large bowl in their hands, they sipped porridge along the rim of their bowls. S§×arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. After taking a large sip of white porridge, Shen Qing said to Shen Xiaohu, "Pack up your stuff today, we''ll head back to the village this afternoon." "Why are we leaving so soon? Why not stay a bit longer?" Shen Qing said, "I haven''t been back for quite a while, and I''m a bit worried about my sister. Besides, spring is around the corner. We need to go up the mountain to hunt early to avoid being without a plan after spring begins." Shen Xiaohu teased, "Brother Qingzi, you already have so much money. Do you still care about those bits and pieces from hunting?" He had been directly involved in Zhao Ba''s affair and knew exactly how much money Shen Qing had taken¡ªhundreds of taels were not a small sum. "How long will this bit of money last for my practice? What if I run out of money in the future and my ability to earn a living through hunting gets rusty? By then, it''ll be too late for you to regret." "Oh." Shen Xiaohu, bowing his head, said no more. Shen Qing sipped some more porridge, his eyes flickering. In fact, his eagerness to return home was primarily to avoid the limelight. Having killed Zhao Ba, been tangled up with the Huang Tian Sect, and possessing three treasures of the mountains, he felt unsafe in any part of the city. It was better to lie low in Hongshan Village for a while. Wait until things settled down a bit here before making any moves. Moreover, he wanted to take advantage of the period before the spring ban to practice hunting and Bow Technique more to improve his progress. These two skills might come in handy in the future. Of course, these things could only be kept in his heart and not discussed with Shen Xiaohu. After breakfast, Shen Qing packed up the room, took Shen Xiaohu, and hurried to Linfeng Hall. When entering Linfeng Hall once more, whether it was Shen Qing''s sensitivity or not, he felt that the atmosphere in Linfeng Hall had become much heavier. But he couldn''t quite put his finger on it. Anyway, it didn''t feel good. The eldest senior brother and the Hall Master uncle had not yet returned. So Shen Qing kept his head down and continued to practice the techniques Li Linfeng had taught him before. After pondering over last night, practicing the technique today, Shen Qing suddenly felt more at ease, and his skill proficiency progressed much faster. Shen Qing recalled the pointing technique he used last night and carefully pondered over it. Cai Jia Sheng was undoubtedly a martial master in the Skin Forging Realm, skilled in fist techniques. With his current sight, he could see that Cai Jia Sheng''s fist techniques were actually quite rough with many flaws, definitely not as meticulous as the Wind Facing Finger. He was simply relying on his realm and the Qi of his whole body to fight. It was precisely because of this that Cai Jia Sheng''s slight movements had weaknesses that Shen Qing subconsciously caught, leading to what followed. Thinking of this, Shen Qing gradually understood why Li Linfeng emphasized foundation, speed, and strength. Because only with these could one reveal fewer flaws, have a tight defense, and strike faster than the opponent, killing them with a single move. If he had had a bit more strength at the time or had developed his Qi, he definitely could have killed Cai Jia Sheng with a single point. Shen Qing put his thoughts away and continued to focus on his arduous training. It was then that Xiao Zhi, also in the inner courtyard, approached silently and said, "Shen Qing, did you hear about Tie Niu''s death yesterday?" "I heard," Shen Qing replied noncommittally, "Sigh... just yesterday we were still eating together." "Sigh, no need for you to be sad. There''s no helping the chaos out there, especially in the Outer City." After saying this, Xiao Zhi continued mysteriously, "Do you know that Tie Niu''s death is connected to the Huang Tian Sect?" "Ah? That''s news to me," Shen Qing exclaimed in surprise, "I really had no idea." "I''m telling you, last night the Huang Tian Sect even attacked the county government. The Guardian Martial Department''s people took action overnight and went to the Outer City, causing utter chaos. Now, the whole city is filled with panic." Shen Qing casually asked with profound implications, "Has the county government dealt with the Huang Tian Sect?" "It won''t be long before the county will post a notice saying they''ve captured all the sect''s criminals. You know how the county government operates, don''t you? Who really knows to what extent they''ve handled it?" "Indeed." "We should still focus on our training and master our skills quickly." Shen Qing echoed a few words, and the two of them said no more. By the afternoon, when the time was about right, Shen Qing went to the backyard to take care of his aunt before planning to return to the village. Coming out of his aunt''s room, Shen Qing once again encountered that young master with the exceptionally developed chest muscles. She had a square face, which actually bore some resemblance to the Hall Master''s uncle. In Great Zhou, there was no distinction between men and women; as long as one had the Sight, regardless of gender, they could learn Martial Arts and even hold positions in the court. However, women would marry eventually and naturally couldn''t match men physically, so there weren''t many females who gained renown through learning Martial Arts. Hearing from his aunt occasionally, this was the Hall Master''s uncle''s fourth daughter, Li Lingchan, who had a bit of Martial Arts talent, hence she was also one of the children that the Hall Master''s uncle focused on nurturing. "What are you looking at?" Li Lingchan, who Shen Qing faced, glared at him, clearly discontent with his gaze. Shen Qing didn''t intend to cause trouble for himself, so he lowered his head, shifted his gaze away, and passed by her without a second glance. His eyes flicked, and he noticed that this young female master had a sturdy figure from behind, with a broad back and a wide waist, much like a man. She truly had some talent for Martial Arts. "Coward." Shen Qing withdrew his gaze and ignored Li Lingchan''s words. By the afternoon, he took Shen Xiaohu and left Linfeng Hall. As usual, he bought some necessities from the street and then headed straight for the city gate. Perhaps because of the Huang Tian Sect, the security at the city gate had become much stricter. Fortunately, the guards had some impression of Shen Qing and did not trouble him. Besides, leaving the city was easier as there was nothing to be gained, so the guards briefly checked and let them pass. This time, with Zhao Ba dead and the Guardian Martial Department getting involved, the slums around the West City Gate were much more peaceful than before. Almost no one came to surround them, and even the beggars seen before were few and far between. Walking for a while, Shen Qing saw black smoke rising from the shantytown in the distance. It appeared there had been a big fire there, and embers were still burning. "Make way, make way." Suddenly, five or six government officers emerged in the middle of the main street ahead, pushing the pedestrians to either side. Behind them, strung together with rope, about twenty people were being led into the city. These people were bound like prisoners, their hands tied with ropes, and their mouths gagged, being dragged forward by the officers. Whispers arose from the crowd as some recognized their nearby neighbors. "Aunt Wang was actually a member of the Huang Tian Sect. She usually speaks so little." "And that little tailor too, I''ve even had him sew pants for me." "..." One by one, familiar faces were recognized, causing the crowd to stir. As these people passed by Shen Qing, he noticed that their eyes were bright, showing no sign of fear. He could even faintly hear them murmuring, "The blue sky below, the yellow sky above..." It filled him with an inexplicable sense of irritation. Shen Qing watched these people move away, remaining silent. He then resumed driving his cart, heading in the direction of Hongshan Village. Chapter 80: Chapter 4 Bone Refining Realm, Transformation of Cultivation Technique ``` Time flew. In the blink of an eye, twenty days had passed, and it was the season of Li Chun. The accumulated snow in Hongshan Village gradually melted away, and the occasional sporadic snowflakes mixed with rain could no longer accumulate. Despite this, the warm spring had not yet arrived, and the weather was still annoyingly cold. "Snap!" In the bamboo forest, Shen Qing joined his hands together, pointing his arms forward like a whip. With a crisp sound, Shen Qing''s two fingers actually pierced directly into the emerald bamboo. He withdrew his fingers, leaving two dark holes in the bamboo, as if they were punctures from the sharp teeth of a fierce beast. Shen Qing looked down at his own fingers, somewhat disbelieving. "So this is the strength of the Bone Refining Realm." Shen Qing muttered to himself, delighted. After returning to Hongshan Village last time, Shen Qing had dealt with all the trivial matters and had not gone back to the county town for over twenty consecutive days. The task of hunting in the mountains had been handed over to Tian Xiaohu. He had devoted his entire heart and energy into the cultivation of Martial Arts. Through his days of relentless practice, he had finally achieved Small Success in the Wind Defying Finger, mastering all the techniques and the stretching skills of the finger. In the process of continuous tempering, his muscles, bones, and flesh had been fully stretched. By now, he could exert his strength as he desired and move it freely. The moves of the Wind Defying Finger had begun to enter Entry Level. Having reached this step, he had achieved Great Perfection of the Tendon Stretching Realm and became a martial master of the Bone Refining Realm. Next was to continue increasing the strength of his bones throughout his body, reaching the so-called "Invincibility," and to enhance the lethal power of his moves. Otherwise, the hardness of the flesh and blood body would never match that of hard stone and iron. Besides that, another thing caught his attention was a new change in the Nine Skills he had been practicing. With a thought, the Water Ink Panel appeared before his eyes. [Skill: Nine Skills (Break Limit)] [Progress: 501/500 points] [Status: Upgradable] [Note: Heaven rewards the diligent. Through continuous effort, your understanding of this Martial Arts has reached a new realm. Continue to break through, and you will comprehend a new Martial Arts.] "A new Martial Arts." Of all his skills, Nine Skills was the first to reach a Break Limit level of cultivation. As it was a basic Martial Arts Skill with no thresholds, he practiced it frequently, and unexpectedly, it had produced such an effect. It led him to a new understanding of the Water Ink Panel. No one was around. Shen Qing licked his lips, without any hesitation. "Breakthrough!" The status of Nine Skills on the Water Ink Panel quickly changed. A brand-new Martial Arts name appeared before his eyes. [Skill: Blood Dominance Technique (Entry Level)] [Progress: 1/600 points] [Status: Not Upgradable] [Note: You have comprehended a new Martial Arts from the Nine Skills and possess an enormous amount of Qi-Blood that has broken through the limits of your body. Therefore, you have immense strength, your wounds heal at a rate far beyond ordinary people, and your constitution is robust.] Hum! Shen Qing''s body suddenly shuddered, with various memories of cultivating the Blood Dominance Technique surfacing in his mind, causing him to clasp his head and groan in pain. A multitude of memories converged, and in a certain fleeting moment, Shen Qing felt as though time had stopped for him, caught up in a loop of the memories linked to practicing the Nine Skills. After an unknown number of cycles, he finally broke through, gaining an understanding of how to further strengthen his body through the exercises. The nine stance training exercises he practiced merged into one, forging a single state. This technique could raise the body''s strength and the upper limit of Qi-Blood by eight or nine times, and was incredibly terrifying. ``` ``` After ten breaths, Shen Qing felt the pain throughout his body slowly diminishing. His muscles also began to twitch, and a sense of familiarity came from his legs. Shen Qing looked down and suddenly found that his legs had undergone tremendous change, becoming exceptionally robust. Muscles bulged on them like blocks of iron, straining his clothes. sea??h th§× Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Even his height had increased a notch. Shen Qing stretched out his legs and with a fierce kick, a tree thick enough to be embraced by a person was directly snapped by his foot, yet he felt no pain whatsoever. "Is this the power of the Blood Dominance Technique?" Shen Qing could hardly believe it. He extended two fingers, turning them into a sword gesture, and walked toward the direction of the tree. This tree was a solid pine tree, very hard, far from comparable to bamboo. Shen Qing exerted force in his fingers and pointed at the trunk of the pine tree. Pu-chi. A dull sound. Shen Qing found his fingers had penetrated the pine tree like nails, the joints completely submerged. Then an overpowering pain drilled through from the tips of his fingers. Unperturbed, Shen Qing calmly pulled his fingers out. Under his gaze, the two swollen fingers quickly returned to normal, and in the blink of an eye, they were as good as ever. Shen Qing flexed his fingers without feeling any abnormalities. "Very good, I feel like I might be even stronger than the elder martial brother." Looking at his fingers which were now functioning normally without pain, Shen Qing showed a satisfied expression. He tidied up casually and left. Back at home, his older sister Shen Fang was busy with needlework, planning to make a few new pairs of shoes and clothes for Shen Qing. Shen Qing originally didn''t want her to do this, saying that she could buy whatever was needed with money. But upon careful thought, there was really not much else for the women in the village to do, so he let her be. "Huh!" At this moment, the sound of wheels rolling suddenly appeared outside the house. Shen Qing, holding a bowl, poured himself a cup of coarse tea, drank it all down in one gulp, and then set the bowl down and walked out. Tian Xiaohu, whom he had sent to the city to sell mountain goods, happened to return at that moment. Shen Qing patted the horse''s back and asked, "How are things in the city nowadays?" "A bit chaotic. With that incident that happened, the Guardian Martial Department caught several members of the Huang Tian Sect in Wanfeng Building, and the Song family''s business has been unable to continue, they''ve closed their doors for reorganization. The government office won''t let it go easily if they don''t pay a heavy price." Tian Xiaohu stepped down from the cart, continuing, "Fortunately, we didn''t have too many mountain goods, and those that were in season all sold, but because of the Huang Tian Sect incident, the market isn''t good, and the mountain goods couldn''t fetch a high price." Shen Qing muttered to himself, wondering why, but it was getting harder and harder to hunt game in the mountains. He felt that his Hongshan Trading Company might end before it even began. Turns out he''s not cut out for business and should just focus on progressing in martial arts to make his fortune. "What about the government office?" "The same as always, they are everywhere trying to capture members of the Huang Tian Sect. It''s nearing its end and should be over soon." "Roar!" Just then, a beast''s roar came from behind the mountain, reverberating throughout the wilderness. ``` Chapter 81: Chapter 5: Trace of the Demon Tiger Upon hearing this roar, Shen Qing and Tian Xiaohu exchanged glances. Accustomed to dealing with various beasts in the deep mountains, Shen Qing and his companion could tell, this was clearly the roar of a fierce tiger. A fierce tiger in Shicheng Mountain? "Let''s go, take a look outside." Shen Qing, accompanied by Tian Xiaohu, stepped outside the house and looked toward the direction of the animal''s roar, only to be stunned. In the sky above Shicheng Mountain, a massive hole had been punctured through the thick dark clouds. From a distance, it resembled a celestial being casting a giant stone from the heavens. Blue sky and sunlight poured down through the hole, presenting an astonishing sight. Such a spectacle drew the rest of the villagers out of their homes. They huddled together in small groups, and the scene became somewhat noisy. Shen Qing knew that there were fierce tigers in Shicheng Mountain, as well as Black Bears, although they were rarely seen. However, he had never heard a tiger roar quite like this one. "I remember there are people out hunting on the mountain, right?" asked Shen Qing, turning to Tian Xiaohu. Although it was already Li Chun, the tax officials from the city had not yet arrived, so the villagers naturally ignored the hunting bans of Li Chun. Everyone wanted to take advantage of this last opportunity to make some money. Tian Xiaohu replied without lifting his head, "Yes, they are. Every household''s harvest hasn''t been good, and now they''re desperately hunting in the mountains." "Good, we can ask them later what exactly is happening in the mountains." "Mhm." As they were speaking, a commotion arose from the village entrance, as though many people were frantically rushing into the village. "The mountain drivers are back!" Someone exclaimed, drawing everyone''s attention. Shen Qing looked over and saw Zhang Baqing leading a group of hunters into the village in a panic. Each of them looked as if they had just seen a ghost, with terror written all over their faces. Shen Qing stepped forward to intercept Zhang Baqing, clutched his shoulders, and shook him, asking, "Zhang Bazi, what happened on the mountain? Why are all of you running?" Zhang Baqing''s face was filled with fright, and he trembled all over as he stammered, "Demon... tiger!" Shen Qing frowned, "A tiger is just a tiger, what do you mean by demon tiger?" "We... we... saw that tiger speak... human language!" "What?!" At these words, everyone in Hongshan Village was shocked. Exclamations echoed one after another. "I''ve lived so long... never... have I seen such strange and eerie occurrence..." Shen Qing was skeptical, "Are you sure you didn''t see it wrong?" "It wasn''t just me who saw it; everyone heard and saw it. Chen Dacong was even carried away by a gust of demonic wind," Zhang Baqing said with certainty. Shen Qing fell silent. Zhang Baqing was known in their village for his integrity and would not fabricate such tales. There truly was a demon tiger in Shicheng Mountain. Shen Qing immediately said, "Zhang Batou, we don''t know what''s happening in the mountains right now. You need to calm down. Tonight, arrange for males over twelve years old to be grouped together, old with young, each to take a gong and patrol the outskirts of the village." "We''ll keep watch and see what happens. In a day or two, I will go to the city and seek help from the government office," Shen Qing said methodically. His calm demeanor seemed to give Zhang Baqing a pillar of support, and he quickly regained his composure and hurriedly went to make arrangements. The hunters of Hongshan Village, for generations, had at most heard of spirited foxes in the mountains but had never heard of demons in this part of the world. For a time, there was panic in their hearts. The entire village was enveloped in an atmosphere of impending disaster, and every hunter living in Hongshan Village was pushed by waves of tension. Each household placed their hunting bows and daggers beneath their pillows at night. Ready to respond to any sudden changes that might occur. At night, Shen Qing lay in bed but did not fall asleep. His mind was preoccupied with the matter of the demon tiger. At this moment, he felt that the world he knew little about had vaguely revealed a mysterious corner to him. The night passed in silence. By early morning, Shen Qing had already woken up early. His older sister, Shen Fang, prepared breakfast for him as usual, her face betraying no emotion. Shen Qing brushed his teeth with a willow twig and green salt, washed his face with hot water, then put on a thick cotton coat and walked towards Zhang Shuyuan''s home. Knock, knock, knock. He knocked lightly and said, "Is the teacher at home? I have something to ask." "Come in," camed Zhang Shuyuan''s languid voice from inside. Shen Qing didn''t think too much and walked in, seeing Zhang Shuyuan still curled up in his blankets; only upon seeing Shen Qing enter did he make an effort to sit up halfway. "Did you come over so early because of the demon tiger yesterday?" "I can''t hide it from the teacher, it''s about that," Shen Qing didn''t beat around the bush and directly asked, "I want to ask the teacher whether there really are demons in this world." "Demons? How could there be such things? You must have read too many stories. Anyway, I''ve grown up and read so many books, but I''ve never heard of any place where demons have appeared," Zhang Shuyuan shook his head. "If you''re really serious, you can find a few mentions of demons in ancient times, but those years are too far back, and some are not very credible." Shen Qing held reservations about Zhang Shuyuan''s words. Zhang Baqing and the others had seen with their own eyes; the demon tiger that spoke was definitely not fake. "If there are no demons, then are there immortals?" Shen Qing pressed on. "There are, but since the establishment of the Great Zhou Dynasty, only one has appeared." "Who?" "The founding emperor of the Great Zhou, the Ji Family''s ancestor, who has now lived for nine hundred years." "He''s still alive?" Shen Qing was astonished; he had never imagined that someone could live until now. "Don''t look so unworldly; this is something well known among us scholars. The founding emperor of Great Zhou became an immortal through martial arts and has lived a second life. He is the only martial immortal of this era." S§×arch* The n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "But because it involves the imperial family''s ethics, it has always been kept secret, just not publicized to common folks like you. What did you think, that the Ji Family has been able to sit on the throne for nine hundred years and still stand unshaken?" Zhang Shuyuan''s words made Shen Qing''s scalp tingle. He didn''t remember much else very clearly, only one phrase stood out: "became an immortal through martial arts." There really were immortals in this world. Until now, he had just been ignorant. Shen Qing continued to ask some other trivial details and asked, "Teacher, do you have any historical and cultural records about this world? I''d like to take a look at some." "You haven''t mastered all the characters yet, you wouldn''t understand even if I told you." Hearing this, Shen Qing silently stepped forward and placed three silver beans on the table. The sound of each silver bean was extremely pleasant to the ear. Lying in bed, Zhang Shuyuan sighed leisurely and climbed out of the warm quilt. Then in front of Shen Qing, he took two books off the shelf and handed them to Shen Qing, saying, "Take a look at these, and come ask me if there''s anything you don''t understand." Shen Qing clasped his fists in thanks and said, "I have disturbed the teacher. I will take my leave." "What''s the use of reading when you don''t even recognize all the characters? Forget it, the old master said ''education without class distinction,'' letting him read more books won''t do any harm." Zhang Shuyuan swept the silver beans into his pocket and nestled back into his quilt. Chapter 82: Chapter 6: Tax Officials Enter the Village, Harsh Governance Fierce as a Tiger Shen Qing stepped out of the house and glanced at the book Zhang Shuyuan had given him. The yellow cover was already worn, prominently featuring the words "Mountain and River Chronicles." Shen Qing flipped through it and roughly understood that it was a geographical record interspersed with many introductions to cultural and historical stories. Some records could be traced back to five thousand years ago. Although some were vague and exaggerated, for someone like Shen Qing, using them to broaden his horizons was unparalleled. It was a good book. Besides this book, Zhang Shuyuan had also given him a book of short stories and novels. Contained within were chapters involving many stories of supernatural creatures and martial masters eliminating evil. It gave off a bit of the impression of "Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio." There were also many small illustrations. Shen Qing found himself inexplicably more interested in this type of story and novel. Just as he was about to start reading, the sound of a gong interrupted his thoughts. A piercing scream followed immediately. Shen Qing put away the two books and rushed toward the sound of the gong without a second thought. In the village, figures darted about, and many villagers had already gathered where the gong was sounded. Shen Qing recognized that it was the home of Chen Yixiang, a hunter in the village. At that moment, one side of his earthen house had collapsed, and the ground was covered in blood. On closer inspection, half an intestine was trailing on the ground. "What happened?" The hunter holding the gong, with a pale face, said, "I just saw six or seven wolves burst in and snatch away Chen Yixiang''s entire family. One of the wolves was as big as a calf¡­ I''ve never seen such wolves before. They looked almost human¡­ I thought I was going to die¡­" Clattering! Far off in the mountains a demonic wind arose, and the forest rustled loudly. The villagers, like startled birds, quickly drew their bows and bladed weapons. The atmosphere turned solemn. After waiting a while and seeing no further disturbances, everyone slowly let out a sigh of relief. An experienced elder, still terrified, said, "A dragon follows the clouds, a tiger follows the wind. The tiger is the king of beasts; it must be that demon tiger causing trouble." "The demon tiger has come!" As soon as this statement was made, it stirred up a storm. The ominous news hung over Hongshan Village like dark clouds. The hunters still living in Hongshan Village became even more frightened. Seeing Shen Qing present, Zhang Baqing hurried over and asked, "Qingzi, what do you think about this? What should we do?" Shen Qing said, "I will go to the county town immediately to consult with the Hall Master of Linfeng Hall and the county government. They must make a decision, as this matter is obviously beyond our ability to handle." By now, he had entered the Bone Refining Realm, his Qi-Blood surging through him like rivers. Even if ten or twenty hunters from the village came at him together, they were no match for him. Yet, faced with such bizarre occurrences, he still felt uncertain and did not intend to risk it personally. "Alright," Zhang Baqing sighed and said, "That''s all we can do." Just then, the sound of hooves suddenly came from the direction of the village entrance. Shen Qing looked up and saw two tax officials from the county riding into the village on two big donkeys, their presence overwhelming. They wore official robes and headcloths, their faces displaying an insufferable arrogance. The villagers stepped aside. "Woah..." The two tax officials charged towards the villagers, pulled on the reins, and looked down at everyone from a heightened position. One of the tax officials took a tiger head knife from the back of his donkey, cradled it in his arms, and called out loudly, "Where is leader Chen? Come out and speak." These two were tax officials. Familiar faces indeed; every year they had to come to collect taxes and loot. Upon seeing the two men, all the hunters in the village realized that the spring prohibition was starting, and it was time to pay the spring tax. In the past, such matters were always handled by the Chen Yuan family. The village was isolated from information, and the two tax officials clearly did not yet know that the Chen Yuan family had all been killed. Under the indication of Shen Qing, Zhang Baqing reluctantly stepped forward, trying his best to be polite, and said, "Chen Bazi''s entire family met with disaster in the mountains." "They all died?" The two tax officials looked at each other and saw disbelief in each other''s eyes, "Who is in charge in Hongshan Village now?" Zhang Baqing subconsciously glanced at Shen Qing, who appropriately averted his gaze just in time. He conveyed, "This humble person, trusted by the elders and the young masters in the village, takes responsibility." "Fine, then follow the old rules, lead the way." The two tax officials dismounted from their donkeys and walked forward, leading the reins. As they passed the villagers gathered nearby, they curiously asked, "What are you all looking at?" One hunter saw this as a good opportunity and quickly came forward, saying, "A demon tiger appeared in the mountains, and Chen Yixiang''s whole family was carried off. Esteemed officials, please think of something quickly. Otherwise, none of us in the village can live in peace." "Hahaha..." The two tax officials laughed aloud, "It''s funny that you call yourselves hunters. If there''s a tiger in the mountains, shouldn''t you be happy? A tiger is a treasure from head to toe, enough for your whole village to live luxuriously." "But... it''s a demon tiger, sir!" S§×ar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Enough, stop that nonsense. Do you think you can avoid taxes with such tricks? A tiger is a tiger, even a demon tiger..." The two tax officials clearly did not believe what the villagers said. They were often on the road collecting taxes and had encountered various schemes. Some jumped into manure pits, pretending to be crazy or stupid. Some claimed to have been hit by a plague. Some said that a possessed sow had climbed up a tree. Others had even castrated themselves or sold their wives. The list went on and on. They were no strangers to such oddities. They hardly came out for a trip, heavily relying on this time to scrape together a bit, so they would not believe such ghost stories. Zhang Baqing dared not say more, quickly inviting the two tax officials into his wooden house to make a fire and boil water. Then he informed the village to prepare good wine and food to entertain them. Yet these two tax officials were not at all appreciative. They looked around with dissatisfaction in their eyes. "Is this your home?" one of the tax officials asked, pointing at the simple wooden house and scoffing disdainfully, "It''s truly shabby! It seems this year, your Hongshan Village will have to pay more taxes." Zhang Baqing''s heart tightened; he knew these two tax officials had begun to make things difficult for him. Suppressing his anger, he tried to appease them with a smile, "Esteemed officials, our household cannot compare with the original Chen Bazi''s connections, and we have disappointed you." The two tax officials ignored him, chatting among themselves. Zhang Baqing did not dare to interject. As officials from the court, nourished by Martial Mechanism, all were martial masters of significant realms. They were not someone small households like his could afford to provoke. After a while, each household had contributed a bit, managing to prepare a table full of good wine and food. Shen Qing wasn''t stingy either, and specially took out some for them. The two tax officials, seeing the food and drinks on the table, frowned. Zhang Baqing, observing their reactions, explained, "This year''s harvest was not good, we have already done our best." However, the tax officials remained unmoved. They snorted coldly and started eating. Zhang Baqing, trying to lighten the atmosphere, ventured, "Sir, there is indeed a demon tiger in our village, and the people are very fearful. I wonder if the county government has any way to address this. Otherwise, there''s hardly any hunting success, with the spring prohibition starting soon, and taxes due, we will have no means to live." "That''s easy to handle, besides the forest maintenance tax, household tax, Leftover Woman Tax... just pay an additional tiger tax." "The tiger tax need not be much, just one tael silver is enough." Chapter 83: Chapter 7: One Hit Kill "Ah? Are you gentlemen jesting? One tael of silver... even in bountiful times, my entire family, old and young combined, would not spend a single month without eating or drinking to save up one tael of silver." "Are you questioning us?" A tax official suddenly pulled out a tiger head knife, pressing it against Zhang Baqing''s neck, "I don''t care how you do it, but you must pay this one tael of silver. Besides that, you''ll also have to pay the Yellow Peril Tax." Zhang Baqing was utterly dumbfounded. "What tax is this now?" "Didn''t the County Magistrate spend recent days tirelessly eliminating the remnants of the Huang Tian Sect? To protect the safety of common people like you, we have been working from dawn till dusk without a moment''s rest. You should be considerate of our efforts." One of the tax officials put away the knife that had been pressed against Zhang Baqing''s neck. Zhang Baqing stuttered, "Sirs, then... how much is the total spring tax this time?" "Two and a half silver taels per household." "What..." Zhang Baqing was speechless upon hearing this, thinking he might have heard wrong. "Forest tax is 200 cents, household tax is 300 cents, Leftover Woman Tax is 100 cents, road tax is 100 cents, ditch tax is 200 cents, land and property tax is 100 cents, broken windows tax is 50 cents, tiger tax is graciously 950 cents, and Yellow Peril Tax is 550 cents." "It''s all clear and obvious," the tax officials said impatiently. "Any issues? Go collect quickly. Otherwise, we''ll have to spend the night here and impose an overnight tax." Zhang Baqing was filled with indignation and astonishment. And this was merely the spring tax. It was already far beyond their ability to bear. But seeing the tiger head knives in the hands of the two government officers, Zhang Baqing dared not say more. The two officers stood there in their thin uniforms on this bitterly cold day, their faces flush with health. Their martial prowess must indeed be stronger than that of Chen Yuan, stronger than the likes of Shen Qing. Strength was power, and he was no match for them. He felt deeply aggrieved. Zhang Baqing took a deep breath and sighed, "I will go and urge them to pay." Watching Zhang Baqing''s receding figure, the two government officers spoke dismissively, "These stubborn people, they don''t know how to get moving unless beaten. Each one is as block-headed as the next." "Be satisfied. It''s good enough they have food and drink in the deep mountains and dense forests." "And who knows why the County Magistrate acts as if he''s gone mad, demanding so much all at once?" "Isn''t it because of the recurring demands from the Yellow Bandits? The whole country''s rates are rising, not just our county. Besides, regardless of how much is collected, we cannot miss even a single character in our reports, the old rule: one-third for the state treasury, one-third for the County Magistrate, and one-third for us. How much more or less we collect all depends on our skill." "Yeah, exactly." ... "Two and a half taels, that much?" Upon learning that the spring tax suddenly demanded two and a half silver taels, Shen Qing was somewhat incredulous. This tax was outrageously high. Zhang Baqing felt belittled and dared not speak. Shen Qing pondered for a moment and then said, "Zhang Bazi, wait for me a moment." With that, Shen Qing went back into the house and returned with eight taels of silver, placing it on the table and said, "Zhang Batou, here are eight taels of silver, consider it the spring tax for my and my uncle''s families, as well as Tian Xiaohu''s. There''s also five hundred coins, see who needs it, and help them out." Zhang Baqing was shocked speechless by Shen Qing''s swift and immense generosity, repeatedly nodding his head in approval and taking the money, he left. Shen Qing was not too distressed about the money; after all, if it could solve the problem, he wasn''t keen on making more trouble. Those two tax officials, if Shen Qing wasn''t mistaken, were both martial masters from Bone Refining Realm. Better to avoid making trouble. Because of the taxation, the village was in turmoil. After much effort, Zhang Baqing finally collected some money from each household, which he handed over to the two tax officials. The tax officials counted the amount, frowning, "Why is it so little?" "Sirs, there are a few households left with only the old and weak, really struggling, I humbly ask you to spare them some consideration," Zhang Baqing pleaded earnestly. One tax official pulled out a register and said, "There are supposed to be thirty-six households in Hongshan Village, which should bring in ninety taels of cash, and what is this, less than sixty taels? Are you thinking I am blind?" "Sir, there are only twenty-nine households left in our village, the Chen family members missing seven households." "Am I stupid or are you stupid? The register clearly lists thirty-six households. Have those missing households all died or what?" Zhang Baqing stuttered, "They are all dead!" Bang! S§×ar?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. As soon as he finished speaking, he felt a tremendous force in his lower abdomen. Under the foot of the tax official, the entire person was launched into the air and smashed into the wall. He struggled to open his eyes, only to feel that the figures in front of him seemed to be swaying. "Let everyone come over, I want to check one by one. I don''t believe they are all dead," the tax official said viciously. Many people would hide to evade taxes, which would take some effort, but such blatant tax evasion was, frankly, their first encounter. "Yes, yes," Zhang Baqing said, bowing and scraping. Thud, thud, thud! The sound of gongs rang out, gathering many villagers. Seeing that the time was about right. One of the tax officials, holding a roster, surveyed the crowd and said, "There are precisely thirty-six households in Hongshan Village, yet now seven households claim to be dead? I have never heard of such an absurd thing. Whoever clarifies the whereabouts of these people, I will allow a deduction of three hundred cents from their taxes." "My lord, they indeed are all dead." "Yes, they died." The gathered villagers echoed one after another, having not seen much of the world living in the village. The matter of killing the Chen family members, more or less, involved them; they were quite worried about being punished under the laws of Great Zhou, so they only dared to tell half-truths. Hidden among the crowd, Shen Qing witnessed this scene, sensing that these people still understood the stakes and were not foolish. The tax official was growing impatient and did not want to elaborate. "If that''s the case, then the spring tax of these seven households will be distributed among each of you, adding six hundred cents to each household." "Whoosh..." The words of the tax official were like a drop of water in boiling oil, inciting public outrage. Their encounter with the arrogant tax officials made them extremely discontent. One elderly hunter angrily said, "To scrape together your tax money, we can''t even afford to eat. And now you''re increasing it?" Instead of easing back, the tax officials became even more arrogant. They drew their tiger head knives and coldly asked, "You have an objection?" "I do, and a big one at that!" The old hunter, who spent years in the mountains, exuded a wild nature from head to toe. "Good, very good, extremely good," one of the tax officials coldly walked forward, repeating the word ''good'' several times. Just as his last word fell, a flash of cold light burst from his hand. Squish. The old hunter had not yet understood what was happening when his head was cleaved off with a knife. Blood splattered, staining the ground. The tax official turned and looked at the crowd, "Does anyone else have objections?" All the villagers of Hongshan Village fell silent. Another tax official closed the roster and said, "If the tax money can''t be pooled together, look around to see if you have any siblings. The city is in need of forced labor, which can also be offset against your taxes." Forced labor? The word sent shivers down everyone''s spine. Hardly any forced laborers returned alive. "Good, since no one is speaking, it seems everyone agrees. So it''s settled then." "I have something to say?" Among the crowd, Shen Qing slowly stepped forward, walking towards the two tax officials. "What is it?" "How much is your life worth, sir?" "What? How audacious!" Spurt! The tax official hadn''t finished speaking. Shen Qing quickly positioned his fingers together, swiftly striking towards his throat, deeply puncturing it. Wind Defying Finger. A fatal blow. "Heh, heh, heh... you..." Chapter 84: Chapter 8: Kill them all, I am a tricky people too! Watching from the side, another tax official was dumbfounded by the scene. He had never imagined that someone from the villages below would dare to lay hands on them, the tax officials. They were not mere officers, they were legitimate "officials," who ate the government''s food. Even the court''s Martial Arts training was something they could partake in, considering themselves to be minor officials of the ninth rank. At the very least, their cultivation was at the Bone Refining Realm. What they represented was the face of the government, and their backing came from the Great Zhou Court. That was the source of their arrogant and domineering behavior outside. Otherwise, how could they dare to be so ostentatious as mere commoners? The tax official immediately reacted and roared, "How audacious, find¡­" Snort! Before he could finish his sentence, and his tiger head knife only half drawn, Shen Qing''s two fingers had already struck first. To the tax official''s astonishment, they penetrated his throat from under his jaw. After being empowered by the Blood Dominance Technique, Shen Qing''s arm strength was tremendously fearsome. Combined with the technique of the Wind Defying Finger, it achieved an effect greater than the sum of its parts. The tax official''s throat was as soft as tofu; his fingers penetrated it effortlessly. Without a hint of hesitation. The scene suddenly fell into a bizarre silence. "Heh heh heh¡­" Both tax officials'' windpipes were blocked by Shen Qing''s fingers, rendering them speechless. sea??h th§× NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Blood followed their throats and surged upward. With a chill in his demeanor, Shen Qing stirred his fingers inside, hooked, and then pulled them out. From the throats of the two tax officials, he pulled out a segment of a red tubular object. Blood plasma, like the opening of a faucet, sprayed incessantly. The two tax officials clutched their necks, staring at Shen Qing and retreating two steps in succession. Under the watchful eyes of Shen Qing and the villagers of Hongshan Village, they eventually fell to their knees and face-planted onto the ground. They writhed like worms, continually curling up until they ceased to move. The blood from the two mingled, forming a small pool of blood. The thick scent of blood spread continuously from it, filling everyone''s nostrils. Shen Qing''s expression was solemn as he nonchalantly threw the two pieces of tubular objects to the ground, turning back to face the crowd. An elder of the Shen family from the village, fearful and trembling, asked in a quavering voice, "Qingzi, how¡­ how could you do this? They were officials, not mere officers." The so-called officers were people hired from various Martial Arts Halls by the government office to work. They were paid by the day. Many of them were even secretly involved in gangs, a mixed bag of characters, and often did the hard and tiring work. Even if they died, it wasn''t particularly serious. But these "officials" were different. Killing them would indeed lead to trouble. Shen Qing glanced at the elder from the Shen family and said in an even tone, "I''m just a troublemaker; why can''t I?" "Ah!" "Killing these two officials will only bring more officials; no one will escape, and we will all die!" Shen Qing''s expression turned cold as he said, "So we should let them exploit us, oppress us, kill us, and have our brothers and sisters violated by them? Now there is a tiger demon in the mountain, and if we pay this spring tax again, do you think we will have a way to live?" "Killing them we die, not killing we also die, wait to die? Better to kill them and take some with us when we die. What''s wrong with that?" The many villagers fell silent. Because what Shen Qing said was true. Just now in front of them, an old hunter was slaughtered as a warning to others. Why could the tax officials kill, but they couldn''t? There was no such rule in the world. Expressions on everyone''s faces began to fluctuate between anger, fear, hatred, and a touch of schadenfreude. Shen Qing surveyed the crowd, capturing each person''s expression as the corners of his mouth curled into a smile. His killing of two officials was not a momentary impulse. Having just witnessed the tax officer kill an old hunter from the village, he immediately realized it was an excellent opportunity to win over the hearts of the people. The county government didn''t intervene¡ªjust sending two tax officials was enough for the villagers of Hongshan Village to be willing to hand over their money. Why? Out of fear! They feared that if they didn''t pay, these tax officials and the government office would not let them off, not allowing them a way to live. What else was there inside? Anger! Shen Qing took the lead precisely to draw out the anger in their hearts. To use it for his purposes. Shen Qing didn''t fear that these people would report him. Because of the county government''s behavior, even if they testified and exempted themselves from involvement, the government would not go easy on them, which would not be beneficial for them. They might even face harsher punishment. Moreover, with the village''s tradition of collective enmity, such acts were purely harmful without any benefit. Evil officials lay ahead, and a tiger demon loomed in the mountains. The ones driven to desperation weren''t him. Just as Shen Qing had anticipated, many people resonated with his words. Two and a half silver taels was no small amount. After paying this batch of spring tax, what about the summer, autumn, and winter tax? The appetites of those in the government office could never be satisfied! If it hadn''t been for killing the Chen family members earlier and dividing their wealth, they feared they wouldn''t have been able to gather enough for this spring tax. "Qingzi speaks the truth! Kill and die today, or don''t kill and die anyway, why wait for death?" Among the many villagers, a young hunter with vigorous spirit excitedly said, "Now most of the prey in the mountains fills that demon tiger''s stomach. My father and I go hunting in the mountains, and a whole day''s effort doesn''t even earn us fifty wen." "After paying this spring tax, our family won''t have any grain left. These evil officials just want us dead!" Tian Xiaohu shouted loudly, "Well done killing them! I''m a troublemaker too. If the government wants to arrest someone, let them come. These two officials were killed by me! It has nothing to do with Qingzi!" "Count me in, it has nothing to do with Qingzi!" another person stood out and shouted indignantly. "Count me in!" "I..." The scene suddenly became fervent. Seeing that it was about enough, Shen Qing, with his hands behind his back, seriously said, "There''s no need to argue anymore. The dead are already dead; it doesn''t matter who killed them anymore. What we need to think about is what to do next?" The others quickly agreed, "Right, right, right, what should we do next?" Shen Qing paced back and forth, pondered for a moment, and then said, "As it stands, if we don''t remove the demon tiger from the mountains, there won''t be much harvest here, and living well will be difficult. The best option is to move elsewhere." Zhang Baqing asked, "Move to where?" "We''re undesired by the world; we must seek a way to live in the city!" Shen Qing revealed his final thought. "To the city?!" Everyone looked at each other. They had never imagined that Shen Qing would actually suggest such a solution. "But it''s not so easy to enter the city. What will we do for a living if we go there?" The Great Zhou Country strictly controlled the identity of its citizens. They wanted people from different places to have their specific roles, each serving their purpose. They were all identified as hunters; if they went to the city and stayed long-term, they would eventually have no place to settle or legitimate occupation, and before long, they would be deregistered and become unemployed and homeless. For them, this was undoubtedly a risk. But Shen Qing didn''t see it that way. Chapter 85: Chapter 9 Enter the City! Enter the City! Demon Tiger Blocks the Way! Not long ago, Zhao Ba was killed by him. After that, there was the Huang Tian Sect incident, and the slum areas in West City were basically cleared out. Now that area in West City is like a dragon without a head, an excellent time for fishing in troubled waters. Take some people over, and you might be able to make your move very quickly. These people are all our fellow villagers and undoubtedly more trustworthy. What was then is not what is now. In the past, he didn''t have this idea, but now that the business with mountain goods is not viable, and with the demon tiger and evil official both assisting, he had no reason not to try. "Fellow villagers and neighbors, I must be frank with you. Recently, Taiping County has cleared out a batch of remnants from the Huang Tian Sect, and the Outer City shantytowns have emptied out a large block of streets, which is just right for us to settle down." "You heads of households are all in the hunting business. Why not broaden our horizons a bit? Prey is not only in the mountains; that Outer City can also become our hunting ground." sea??h th§× N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Qingzi... do you mean... to have us go and rob?" A straightforward young hunter asked. Shen Qing smiled and said, "Rob? We are hunting, fair and square. It''s just that the prey is different." Although Shen Qing''s words were a bit convoluted, they still understood. It was robbery! Robbery sounded good. It was much better than toiling away in the deep mountains and forests hunting rabbits. Some of the more wild-minded hunters licked their lips, suddenly feeling an urge to give it a try. Shen Qing continued, "I''ll also share something with everyone. The Hall Master of Linfeng Hall intends to take me as a direct disciple, so we have connections to rely on in the county city. Trusting in your faith in me, I will certainly enable you all to set down roots there." His gaze flickered, and he stooped to pick up the household register from the ground, saying, "Moreover, in the county city, the household register is only updated and checked every six months. By that time, if anyone feels like backing out and living in misery, it wouldn''t be too late to return and have a way out." "Anyway, whatever it is, is better than now. What do you all say? Are you willing or not?" Tian Xiaohu, a loner, had long been exposed to Shen Qing''s methods. He firmly believed in his judgment and was the first to agree, saying, "Of course I''m willing. I''ll join you." "I''m also willing," Shen Xiaohu said, immediately standing up. Shen Xiaoshan quickly followed suit. Uncle Shen Er on the side knew that the money for the spring tax came from Shen Qing. He didn''t know exactly what happened to his nephew recently. But being able to come up with so much money in a short time obviously meant some capability. Since life here was unbearable, and with trust in Shen Qing and an attitude of taking a chance, Shen Er also agreed to go along. Zhang Baqing thought the same. One after another, nearly twenty households from Hongshan Village agreed to Shen Qing and were willing to follow him into the city. These households were mostly young people. The rest were the elderly, weak, or Chen family members who did not get along too well with Shen Qing. Everyone has their own aspirations, and Shen Qing did not force anyone. "Alright, everyone takes back however much tax you paid," Shen Qing said. "My share will go to Uncle Wang''s family." The Uncle Wang Shen Qing mentioned was the old hunter who had been killed by the tax officials. Two and a half silver taels were given as he said. Everyone immediately felt that Shen Qing was of high moral standing. Shen Qing announced, "We should not delay. Those of you who have agreed to go with me, pack up quickly, have an early lunch, and we''ll leave." "Alright." The many villagers in the village started to get moving. Shen Qing approached Tian Xiaohu and Shen Er, reminding them, "Uncle, Xiao Hu, don''t forget to take back your tax money." Uncle Shen Er and Tian Xiaohu glanced at each other spontaneously. Their tax money had all been given by Shen Qing. Asking them to take it back now, wasn''t that like gifting it to them? Shen Er was deeply moved in his heart, feeling all the more that his nephew was a man who remembered kindness and sought to repay it. Tian Xiaohu also felt that his choice was becoming more and more correct. Returning to his home, Shen Qing didn''t delay and immediately summoned his elder sister to pack up all the valuable possessions in the house, planning to move to the Outer City. Shen Fang was quite reluctant, "Are we really moving away?" "A tree dies when it''s moved, but a person thrives. People migrate to where the living is good; these dilapidated earthen houses aren''t worth clinging to." "Alright then." Shen Fang didn''t say much more and immediately started packing. In the twenty or so days since Shen Qing had brought things back from the city, they had almost run out of supplies. There wasn''t much left to pack. They packed up quickly. Just as Shen Qing was busying himself with packing, Zhang Shuyuan, who had heard about the move, came to his doorstep. "Teacher, what''s this about?" Shen Qing asked curiously. "I wish to use the family''s cart to move some books," Zhang Shuyuan said straightforwardly. Shen Qing hadn''t expected that Zhang Shuyuan, without any noise or fuss, was also planning to move. He chuckled, "Teacher, that''s a small matter. Feel free to move as you need." Zhang Shuyuan bowed in gratitude and said, "Thank you very much." Stepping outside, Zhang Shuyuan couldn''t help but let out a long sigh, "Most people here have already moved. If I don''t move, the remaining ones simply won''t care about my well-being¡ªI might as well starve to death." "If I starve to death, then one more person in the line of scholars left by the old master would be lost. That won''t do; I must go with them." ¡­ By noon, many had already finished packing, and with families in tow, they stood at the entrance of the village, ready to enter the city with Shen Qing. The few households that were unwilling to leave bade them farewell at the entrance of the village. A hunter from the Chen Family said earnestly, "Qingzi, I''m sorry, but we won''t be going with you this time. However, rest assured, we won''t breathe a word about you killing the tax officials. If I hear even a whisper about it outside, I won''t die a good death." Shen Qing shook his head, speaking very seriously, "You''re all mistaken. We didn''t kill those two tax officials¡ªit was the demon tiger in the mountain that killed them!" "We discovered a demon tiger in our village. The two officials were diligently tracking its movements when they unfortunately encountered the tiger and were killed... It has nothing to do with us, right, everyone?" The people present were not fools and quickly caught on. Shen Qing was framing the demon tiger. Now, the corpses of the two tax officials had been discarded in the deep mountains. It had to be said, it made perfect sense! "Exactly, exactly, Qingzi is right. It was the work of the demon tiger in the mountain, I saw it with my own eyes." "I saw it as well. That demon tiger''s body was reddish-yellow, and it could speak human language¡ªit must be a spirit tiger." "What''s more? That demon tiger was leading a few wolves; I believe it''s already claiming kingship in the mountains." "¡­" One by one, the people there concocted a story out of nothing, illustrating it with vivid details. The atmosphere suddenly turned ridiculous and amusing. "Everyone, we''ll go ahead to scout the way. When things settle down, if you regret not coming, it won''t be too late to join us then." "Good, we''ll await your good news, and wish you a smooth journey." "Farewell." Shen Qing waved his hand, and the horse carts and donkey carts gradually set in motion. Around twenty households, with familial responsibilities in tow, headed towards Taiping County amidst a mix of reluctance and anticipation. After they had gone far, the expressions of unwillingness and difficulty on the faces of the few remaining households were immediately replaced with snickers. "The city isn''t so easy to live in; they''ll know once they''ve hit dead ends everywhere." "Besides, the killing of the tax officials was all Shen Qing''s doing; what''s it got to do with us? Those people are too easily deceived." "Let''s go back. Now that they''ve all left, we can choose to live in any of the vacant houses. It doesn''t matter anymore if we defecate in their cooking stoves, hahaha¡­" "Indeed, that''s the spirit." Just then, gusts of wind arose from the mountain. In a patch of woods, the leaves rustled and roared, as if driven by the wind. Chapter 86: Chapter 10: Assisting the Tiger, Slaughtering the Village It was noon. The early spring sun carried threads of warmth, dispelling the chill that had lingered for many days. Sunlight dappled through the dense forest of Shicheng Mountain. Amidst the interplay of light and shadow, an undercurrent of a threatening aura quietly emerged. "Creak¡­" Deep in the dense forest, a faint sound of breaking branches arose, followed by a large tiger with bulging eyes stepping out slowly. Its fur was a deep yellow interspersed with black stripes, its eyes twinkling with an intelligent light. Wherever it passed, the wind howled. "My lord, this way," a faint voice rose beside the tiger with bulging eyes. It slightly turned its head and spoke in human tongue, "How far is it from your village?" As soon as the tiger with bulging eyes had spoken, a figure quietly emerged behind it. It was a lean and pale Ghost. Dressed as a hunter, his eyes were hollow and lifeless, yet they emitted a strange red glow. The Ghost lowered his head and respectfully responded, "My lord, it''s just past this dense forest ahead." "Good, as long as you bring me a hundred people, I will let you go," the tiger demon''s eyes sparkled sharply, and his voice was deep and commanding. "I am entirely at your disposal, my lord," the lean Ghost said expressionlessly. The tiger demon slightly nodded, then paced forward with firm tiger steps. Its tail swayed gently, creating a gust of wind that made the leaves rustle loudly. The Ghost closely followed the tiger demon, his ethereal figure tightly keeping up, occasionally lifting his head to look at the imposing figure of the tiger demon, his eyes flickering with an indescribable emotion. Soon, they arrived at the entrance to Hongshan Village. The tiger with bulging eyes slightly parted its lips, revealing a humanized smile. "You didn''t deceive me after all, ha-ha¡­ It''s just nice I can have a hearty meal here and enhance my cultivation. I never thought the flesh and blood of you humans could be so beneficial to me," the tiger demon said. With an indifferent face, the Ghost responded, "If it serves you well, my lord." "Good, come with me into your village for a visit, if it''s suitable, I might stay here for a while," the tiger demon''s eyes flashed with cruelty as it quickened its pace towards the heart of Hongshan Village. It stood in front of the village gate, paused briefly, stepped back a couple of steps, and then surged forward. The low village gate, in front of the large tiger, was virtually irrelevant; with just a light leap, it elegantly jumped in. The tiger with bulging eyes entered Hongshan Village with the Ghost. It opened its huge jaws and let out a thunderous roar, and within this roar, the figure of the Ghost became increasingly ethereal, as if at any moment it might dissipate into the wind. "Roar!" ¡­ The Chen family had some disputes with Shen Qing, but Shen Qing didn''t trouble the rest of the Chen family members; in fact, he even took care of them somewhat. However, Chen Jinzhong and others did not appreciate Shen Qing''s kindness. After all, they were also surnamed Chen, coming from the same clan lineage. It was impossible for them to remain indifferent when their clansmen were killed. Moreover, they did not trust Shen Qing''s words and even blamed him for being too impulsive. The tax officials had said to just give whatever was demanded. If the money had been enough, there wouldn''t have been these troubles later on. In their eyes, it was all Shen Qing''s problem, unrelated to them. So, as their paths diverged, they did not plan together. When Shen Qing suggested that the village people go to the county town together, they were certainly not going, as it would only bring them displeasure. Instead, it was best for each to mind their own business, without interfering with each other. Aside from the few Chen family members, there were also four households of people who were short-staffed that had stayed behind. After sending away Shen Qing and the other villagers, Chen Jinzhong and his group had made a round around the village, gathering these people to discuss the trivial matters that would come next. Whether to repair some of the village walls, whether to continue clearing the land in the mountains, whether to share a cooking fire... All these were issues concerning their future livelihood, and they could not help but pay close attention to them. Just as they had gathered and before the first word had been spoken, they heard a tiger''s roar. Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "What''s going on?" All of Chen Jinzhong''s faces showed a moment of panic. "Grab your weapons and go out to have a look." "Okay." Leading the pack, Chen Jinzhong grabbed a hunting knife and walked out. The others, each carrying weapons of some kind, followed behind him. Pushing the door open, a group of men, who made their living in the mountains, cautiously stepped out and looked around carefully. After most of the hunters from Hongshan Village had moved away, the village seemed somewhat desolate. It made everyone momentarily uncomfortable, feeling even more shiveringly uneasy. "The roar just now seemed to have come from the entrance of the village; no matter what it is, with seven or eight of us together, even a mountain tiger could be killed," said Chen Jinzhong, as a call to boost morale. However, they had only walked a few steps when they saw the scene ahead, and each of them froze as if they had been struck by an immobilization spell, unable to move a step further. A tiger as large as a bull casually strolled through the village with a ghost trailing behind it, slowly approaching them. "Chen Dacong..." "Tiger..." The large tiger with protruding eyes halted, looking at them oddly, "Didn''t you say there were more than ninety people in your village? Why are there so few?" "I... I don''t know," replied the ghost-like Chen Dacong, his already pale face turning even paler. The large tiger with protruding eyes frowned in displeasure, "Humph, then just stay inside." It opened its large mouth and swallowed the fear-stricken ghost, Chen Dacong, staring menacingly at Chen Jinzhong and the others, "It''s fewer than expected, but I''ll make do." "Don''t be afraid..." Chen Jinzhong hadn''t finished speaking when he was swept up by a demon wind and, before he could understand what was happening, he was caught under the claw of the white tiger with protruding eyes, which bit off his spine in one bite. Seeing this, the others panicked, their souls terrified, and they began running in all directions in a frenzy. Regrettably, in the face of this terrifying demon, all their actions proved futile. The large tiger with protruding eyes lunged forward, easily biting one person''s shoulder and tearing it off. The living person was ripped in two. Their viscera and intestines spilled out. One of the hunters regained his composure, rushed into a house in a panic, and grabbed a hunting bow to shoot an arrow. Arrows that had never failed in the past were now like child''s play, obstructed by a demon wind and hitting the large tiger with protruding eyes harmlessly. "Roar!" The large tiger with protruding eyes roared, expelling a bloody wind that swept the hunter to the front of it. With a flick of its tail, it snapped off his head. The remaining people, facing such a fearsome tiger demon, were utterly demoralized, and the scene turned into a one-sided massacre. They held their farming tools, trying to resist this terrifying demon, but no matter how they tried to flee or defend themselves, it was all in vain. The power of the tiger demon was far beyond their imagination. Even the robust houses were easily knocked down by it. At that moment, they deeply regretted not having left with Shen Qing at noontime, as they now faced such a calamity. But there were no ifs. Accompanied by the final scream, the last villager remaining in Hongshan Village died at the tiger''s hands. All the villagers were dead. Chapter 87: Chapter 11: No Way Out, Settling in the Outer City "The physical bodies of the Human Clan are so weak, yet such a frail group holds the esteemed title as the leader of all spirits, which is truly unjust. Now, in this era of great strife, I have awakened my spiritual wisdom and should seize the opportunity to change the ruler of this world," The tiger demon walked over to a villager lying on the ground; one of his legs was still intact. Its gaze was cold as it opened its bloodied mouth wide and tore off the entire leg, then slowly sat down and began licking the leg, savoring the delicious meal. With each lick, its tongue scraped off a layer of flesh, making a hissing sound. The village was filled with a strong stench of blood and a sinister bloody aura. "Ah, truly satisfying... I''ve heard that the Human Clan even likes my whip, saying it''s a delicacy of the mountains. Someday, I''ll capture some and see if they really like it..." ... On the mountain path, numerous villagers from Hongshan Village walked with bewildered expressions. Some villagers began to regret their decision as soon as they left. "My child''s father, should we not go? I''ve thought it over, and a golden nest or a silver nest is not as good as our own doghouse. The government officials haven''t even come yet; wait till they come and start blaming, then we can escape to the mountains, it''s not too late," a woman in the crowd said to her husband. The head of the household, carrying heavy belongings, did not utter a word. "Would you say something?" "We''ve already left, we''re not going back." "..." With the external pressure gone, many people''s minds became more active, and the same question started arising among several other families. "Roar..." Just as people began to waver in their decision, a tiger roar came from afar. S§×ar?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The roar shook the heavens and the earth, rolling like thunder and echoing like the growl of an ancient beast in everyone''s ears, causing palpitations. Everyone stopped in their tracks and looked back. "It seems like it''s coming from our Hongshan Village," someone recognized the direction of the roar, looking puzzled. Shen Qing, who was at the front of the group, called out to Tian Xiao Hu, "Take a few people and go back to the village to check what''s happening. Be careful." "Alright, you two come with me," said Tian Xiao Hu. Tian Xiao Hu put down the belongings his family had brought and, carrying only a bow, casually selected two young Tian Family members and hurried back towards Hongshan Village. Shen Qing found a suitable spot and rested on the spot. They hadn''t left Hongshan Village for long, having covered only about two or three li. With the pace of Tian Xiao Hu and his group, it only took less than a quarter of an hour to reach the entrance of Hongshan Village again. "Such a strong smell of blood, something''s not right. We won''t enter the village, let''s go around to the mountain and check out the situation in the village from above," Tian Xiao Hu said, his nose very sensitive to the abnormality, immediately becoming alert. A few followed Tian Xiao Hu to a high spot in the mountain forest. The view here was open and they could overlook the entirety of Hongshan Village. They often rested here while hunting. Reaching the spot and parting the branches, Tian Xiao Hu saw the bloody scene in the village and his face turned pale with shock. It wasn''t just him; the few young Tian Family members with him also felt waves of fear. They could see clearly, a tiger demon was holding a leg and was nibbling on it with gusto. The remaining villagers were all dead. Seeing a figure floating behind the tiger demon, they were even more scared out of their wits. My goodness! It really was a demon tiger! At that moment, they suddenly felt a wave of relief. If they hadn''t left earlier, they would have been the ones lying in the pool of blood. "Let''s go, hurry back and tell Qingzi and the others," Tian Xiao Hu said, pulling his gaze away and speaking in a panic. The Tian Family youngsters with him didn''t dare to stay long and quickly left. Fearing to disturb the demon tiger, Tian Xiao Hu took extra care to detour, staying far from the village. It took them quite some effort, but they eventually rushed onto the mountain path and ran wildly. Tian Xiaohu said breathlessly, "The tiger demon has come; everyone left in the village is dead!" The devastating news exploded in the ears of the Hongshan Village villagers like a thunderbolt from a clear sky. They grew even more terrified and felt that their decision to leave the village was both heroic and timely, confirming the suspicions Shen Qing had shared with them. The many villagers who had just been clamoring to return were now silent as quails, frozen like cicadas in the cold. Although they had luckily escaped a calamity, they all knew in their hearts that they couldn''t return; their way back was completely cut off. Where the tiger demon haunted was no longer suitable for their hunter lives. The atmosphere on the mountain path suddenly became oppressive. Walking at the front of the group, Shen Qing didn''t say any comforting words; he maintained his calm demeanor, waiting for everyone to absorb the news, before he finally said, "Go to the city." His voice wasn''t loud, hardly raised at all. Even so, his words acted like a hook, drawing everyone together and leading them towards Taiping County. The wheels of the wagons and donkey carts started turning again, emitting squeaky noises. The people of Hongshan Village walked forward as if their souls had left their bodies. The weather today was very good. There were no clouds in sight, and the sky was clear and blue. Normally, Shen Qing with his cart would take just over one "shi chen" to arrive. With people in tow, the journey was much slower than usual. Starting before noon, it took them almost three "shi chen" to finally reach the outskirts of Taiping County. Most of the villagers from Hongshan Village had not traveled far from home before, and even visits to Taiping County were rare. They were very unfamiliar with the area. Instinctively, they all turned their eyes to Shen Qing. Shen Qing, walking at the front, shouted: "Men and boys, take out your bows, arrows, and weapons, hold them in hand and stay on the outside. Women and children, stay inside the formation ¨C I''ll find us a spot." There were no objections or questions. Noise erupted from the group as each hunter turned their belongings inside out to find a suitable weapon. After a while, they barely managed to assemble as Shen Qing had arranged. Seeing that the preparations were almost done, Shen Qing, leading sixty or seventy people from Hongshan Village, moved mightily toward the Outer City. Gathered together and armed, their formidable appearance made it clear they were not to be trifled with. Many passed by, filled with curiosity, but no one dared to approach and inquire. Passing through the familiar Seven Turns Alley, they stopped in front of a shanty area. Shen Qing recognized the place and headed straight in. The others quickly followed. This area was formerly a stronghold of the Huang Tian Sect, previously housing many people. Due to issues with the Yellow Angel, the residents were disrupted by the government ¡ª some died, some fled, leaving many empty houses. It was just perfect for them to settle. Shen Qing entered and looked around; many houses were empty, the contents having been looted, leaving only the bare frames. More than twenty days had passed, and some of the houses were occupied by homeless wanderers or neighbors, but most were still vacant. There was enough room for them all if they squeezed a bit. First to settle down, and as for the rest, it could come slowly. This was no time to be picky. The villagers from Hongshan Village were overjoyed; they hadn''t expected to find a place to settle so soon. With no need for Shen Qing to worry, they busied themselves enthusiastically. This time, the arrival of the people from Hongshan Village at the shanty area caused quite a stir, and Shen Qing guessed that trouble might follow soon. However, he hadn''t expected it to come so quickly. That very evening, just after they had settled in, a man claiming to be Brother Biao kicked open his door. Chapter 88: Chapter 12 Killing the Chicken to Scare the Monkey, Hunting Time Begins The doors of the shanty town were made of wooden planks and were inherently fragile. Under this single kick, they directly collapsed into several pieces, scattering on the ground. Inside the house, Shen Qing and Shen Xiaohu had just finished setting up their bed and were tidying up when they saw a burly man standing at the doorway. "Newcomers, do you know the rules? Settling down here without Brother Biao''s permission, are you tired of living?" "Brother Biao?" Shen Qing and Shen Xiaohu looked at each other, unfamiliar with the name. In the past twenty days, every time Tian Xiaohu went into the city to sell mountain goods, Shen Qing would ask him to find out the news in the city. He had also paid attention to West City. He knew that since Zhao Ba was killed by him, many new faces had emerged in West City, intending to form new gang powers. He had heard of a couple of fierce fights. But he had absolutely no impression of this so-called Brother Biao. He must be some minor leader not well known in West City. He truly lacked vision. With so many of them carrying knives and sticks, one could tell they were not to be trifled with; yet they had still come knocking, looking for trouble. Weren''t they asking for death? Shen Qing touched the bow and arrow that had yet to be hung on the wall and sighed deeply, showing a look of regret. He really didn''t want to leave a bad impression on his neighbors right away. "I don''t know who Brother Biao is, and I don''t want to know." Shen Qing''s gaze locked on the burly man at the doorway, his wrist flicked, and the bow was instantly drawn taut. With a swish, the bowstring vibrated, and the arrow shot forth. Shen Qing moved as fast as lightning, his actions fluid and pleasing to the eye. There were no fancy moves, just a precise and correct strike. The arrow turned into a line, hitting the burly man directly in the throat. The burly man was pierced by the arrow, blood spurting out instantly. He widened his eyes in shock, trying to cover the wound with his hands, but it was futile. The burly man could never have imagined that the young man inside the house would be so decisive and resort to violence without a word. Under Shen Qing''s gaze, the burly man slumped sideways with a thud and fell to the ground. His neck caught on the threshold, blood continuously dripping down. The body of the burly man trembled a few times in the pool of blood, then lay still. Shen Qing withdrew his gaze, looking at the bow in his hands. With his current strength, he could at least handle a heavy bow of twenty stones. This bow had at best the strength of five stones, to him it was like a child''s toy, far too weak. It could only deal with ordinary people. If he encountered any powerful martial masters, such a bow would be of no use at all. He needed to make a new bow. As he was thinking about the bow and arrows, Shen Qing suddenly heard a commotion outside the house. He frowned and took several more arrows before stepping outside. Seeing that the area outside the house was swarming with people, he realized something. They had come in a group of nearly forty people. The one who had burst into his house was just an unlucky soul, and it wasn''t a targeted act against him. This time, it seemed like there were many of them, but in reality, excluding the women and the elderly, the actual number of hunters, including him, was only twenty-three. The other side was almost twice their number. No wonder they were so arrogant. No wonder they were so foolish to dare come knocking for a fight. The night was as dark as ink. At this moment, the quiet shanty town streets had been broken by this sudden clamor. The dim, flickering lights of the shanty area illuminated the ferocious faces of over forty gang members. They carried sticks and some had short knives hanging at their waists that gleamed with cold light, aggressively pouring into this newly settled area. The villagers of Hongshan Village were busily packing their belongings, only to be interrupted by this sudden riot. Many women and children, terrified, started to scream in horror. The gang''s leader was a burly man, his face covered in horizontal scars, with a broad back and thick waist. He glared viciously at the villagers and shouted loudly, "This place is my Tang Biao''s turf. You all move in without saying a word, did you even say hello to me?" "These houses were empty to begin with, how can you say it''s your turf?" The hunters of Hongshan Village weren''t the type to suffer losses easily, and they clashed fiercely. "If I say it is, then it is." Tang Biao''s face, with its horizontal scars, twitched as his entire body''s Qi-Blood surged. He suddenly lunged forward, hitting a villager like a wild boar and sending him crashing into a shack. That villager, like a kite with a snapped string, flew backward, crashing into the shanty. The simple shack was instantaneously smashed to pieces. The villager rolled on the ground in agony. This was someone who had learned martial arts. These hunters were no match for him. A ferocious smile flashed across Tang Biao''s face. Once trained in martial arts, merely relying on strength could overwhelm three to five men, allowing one to dominate the village fiercely. His Great Perfection of Qi and Blood was anyhow stronger than those mere martial arts novices. In the past, under Zhao Ba, he had to bend over backwards and live like a subdued man. But now with Zhao Ba dead and without a leader, it was the perfect time for him to flex his muscles. He needed to claim a spot in this chaotic shanty town, no matter what. The people before him dared to invade his turf without even a greeting. Even if he didn''t want to take action, his followers would keep pushing him. Otherwise, everyone would think him cowardly, and the recently risen group of forty would likely cut in half in no time. In this place, everyone talks about loyalty, but no one really practices it. Whoever has the strongest fist can secure the best and richest parts of West City. Tang Biao wasn''t very clear about these people''s backgrounds. It was purely a gamble. If he won the bet, by keeping these people in check, he could strengthen his troop and consolidate their loyalty, thus securing his position even more. If he lost, it would be the end of him. If you want to be in a gang, you can''t be scared of these things, or you shouldn''t be in a gang at all. A glint of cold light flashed in Tang Biao''s eyes. He shook the fat on his body and slowly pressed towards the villager in front of him. He intended to make an example by killing the chicken to scare the monkeys; this villager was that chicken. "Die!" Tang Biao clenched his fists together and swung downward. An arrow, from a sinister angle, sped directly toward his waist. His face changed color, his feet kicked out, shifting him an inch to the side. The arrow pierced right into his belly. Waves of piercing pain emanated from his lower abdomen. Tang Biao suddenly looked in the direction of the arrow, only to see a young man swiftly taking another arrow and notching it to his bow. His face twisted with ferocity as he commanded, "Kill him." Shen Qing looked at the surrounding roughnecks closing in, his face devoid of any panic; instead, there was a hint of excitement. He licked his lips and said, "Gentlemen, the time for hunting has come; let''s hunt!" Whoosh! Shen Qing suddenly released the bowstring, and arrows flew like a string of pearls. The charging ruffians were caught off guard in the night, each one reeling back, collapsing to the ground, dead or alive unknown. As soon as Shen Qing finished speaking, Tang Biao suddenly felt the atmosphere around him turn strangely eerie. Sounds of rustling constantly emerged around him. The villagers, fearless of death, in the darkness, their eyes suddenly emitted bursts of red fierce light. S§×ar?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Just like... just like a pack of hungry wolves! Chapter 89: Chapter 13 From Now On, We Call the Shots Here Tang Biao suddenly had a bad feeling in his heart. These people were more troublesome than he had thought. But, it had already come to this point. An arrow shot can''t be retracted once the bow has been drawn. Tang Biao viciously said, "Kill them all for me. These people are moving their whole family; there must be a lot of possessions on them. Whatever we get is a gain." No matter where these people came from, they were definitely not easy prey. On his own turf, a confrontation was inevitable sooner or later. After all, territory is static, it can''t be moved, and he didn''t want to spit out what he had already swallowed. Might as well take advantage of their current strong state and strike with all their might. Strike them down before they can gain a stable footing. "Kill, kill them fiercely!" The scene plunged into chaos. Shen Qing used up a dozen feathered arrows at his side in one breath. His archery in the dark was frighteningly accurate. Almost with each arrow, he took down more than a dozen of the enemy, forcefully clearing out a swath of empty space. Tang Biao realized that Shen Qing was a master in archery and could not be allowed to continue at will. He forcefully pulled out the arrow stuck in his belly, bringing out some bits of yellow fat. Tang Biao broke the arrow and threw it to the ground, twisting his body and charging towards Shen Qing with a whistling wind. Shen Qing squinted, noticing the power embedded in the charge. Facing Tang Biao''s fierce charge, he immediately took a deep breath and tossed his now arrowless bow aside. The Blood Dominance Technique he had been practicing for days was running at its peak. Suddenly, his Qi-Blood surged inside him, and an invisible force began to flow through his meridians. Bang, bang, bang. A series of strange sounds continued to emerge from Shen Qing''s body. Accompanied by these strange sounds, his body''s muscles instantly swelled, filled with endless strength. Empowered by this force, his body grew slightly in size, becoming even more burly and formidable. Tang Biao was shocked, not expecting Shen Qing to exhibit such bizarre changes. "But the hard skill I practice is specialized in increasing strength. Even a martial master who has undergone stretching may not be stronger than me," he thought. "Watch me crush you. Kill!" S§×ar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. All of Tang Biao''s strength was fully activated, and he believed he could send Shen Qing flying, but at that moment, he realized he was completely wrong. Boom! With an unusual sound, Shen Qing held his arms together, firmly catching Tang Biao''s charge, his stance stable as a rock. His fists clenched; the veins on his arms bulging as if he could hear the roaring of the blood flowing within his body. Tang Biao was astoundingly surprised, unable to believe Shen Qing could muster such strength. His first strike having failed, he adjusted his breathing, trying to use his size advantage to press down. But in that instant, Shen Qing had already made his move. "You''ve got significant strength, but what about this!" "Ha!" With a light shout, Shen Qing''s arms suddenly exerted force. The veins on his arms swelled dramatically, and his muscles hardened like iron, adhering to his arms. In Tang Biao''s astonished gaze, Shen Qing tightly wrapped his arms around him, lifted him high, and slammed him to the ground. Bang! The ground seemed to tremble, faint cracks appearing. Shen Qing used tremendous force, smashing Tang Biao violently. "That''s all you''ve got." Shen Qing''s hands came together to form a point, stabbing down swiftly. Before Tang Biao could raise his arms to defend, Shen Qing''s fingers had already landed on his neck. Like a snake bite, Shen Qing''s fingers "pecked" at Tang Biao''s neck, leaving a hole from which blood oozed. Tang Biao only felt a chill spreading from his neck, his entire body stiffened as if someone had seized his lifeline. He touched his own neck, which was covered in blood. Tang Biao''s mind was a mess. At this moment, he realized that he had kicked an iron plate today. He had become the chicken used to warn the monkeys. Shen Qing frowned, looking down at Tang Biao with dissatisfaction. He was too fat, all grease. A finger jab wasn''t deep enough to kill him. Then he would just have to jab a few more times. Shen Qing put his hands together, using the Wind Defying Finger technique, his hands turning into afterimages as they relentlessly struck Tang Biao, like a sudden violent storm. In the blink of an eye, Tang Biao was riddled with holes. Blood and fat mixed together, filling the holes that had been jabbed into him. And faced with Shen Qing''s rapid movements, Tang Biao was completely unable to defend and could only watch helplessly as his body was pierced by Shen Qing. Pu-chi! With the final strike, Shen Qing''s finger landed deep in Tang Biao''s chest, piercing his heart and creating a bloody hole. Tang Biao coughed twice, spitting up the blood accumulated in his chest, then his head tilted, and he was motionless. The entire process was completely one-sided, with him being beaten down. Shen Qing stood up and swept his fierce gaze around, making Tang Biao''s followers'' hearts tremble uncontrollably. In their eyes, in just a brief encounter, Shen Qing had poked their boss, someone they respected, to death with just a series of jabs, which was terrifying. "Cry out, cry out!" Shen Qing snorted coldly, "Thinking of leaving now? Isn''t it a bit too late for that?" He casually hooked his foot around a longbow on the ground, picking it up, then walked forward. Passing by the ruffian he had shot dead, Shen Qing pulled out the arrows sticking in the corpse, nocked his bow, and shot in rapid succession. He shouted, "Spare no one. As long as we kill them and establish our dominance, then we will have secured our foothold here. From now on, this area is ours to command." "Roar, roar!" The many villagers of Hongshan Village, already filled with suppressed rage, saw that Shen Qing had killed the most troublesome martial master, and they had no more reservations about the rest. It must be said, these hunters were natural born killers. Once they truly engaged in combat, killing people, they were more agile than the next. Some were on watch, some blocked the road, some set traps, some specialized in slashing and killing... This place had fully turned into Hongshan Village''s hunting ground. All the ruffians inside were their prey. The shrill screams of agony were continuous and unending. It only took a short period, two quarters of an hour, for all the intruding ruffians to be wiped clean. Blood had completely dyed the earth red. Shen Qing spat and said, "Chop off their heads and pile them up to create a Corpse Pile, set it at the alley''s entrance to deter the night prowlers. We don''t need any more trouble from those who can''t see the forest for the trees." "Alright." While cleaning up the scene, all the hunters'' faces were beaming with bright smiles. "Wow, I found sixty copper coins, that''s more than I make in a day back in the village," one hunter exclaimed happily. "I found something too, this material can make a fur coat, also worth quite a bit." "This knife isn''t bad either..." "..." Joy at their windfall was heard here and there. The hunters were filled with energy, looting the corpses everywhere. Shen Qing walked over to Tang Biao and also searched, finding a purse. He poured it out, and out fell three golden leaves, his face lighting up with delight. When they had searched enough, The villagers of Hongshan Village chopped down a large head as Shen Qing had ordered and piled it up at the entrance to the alley. Then each returned to their houses to sleep soundly, with no sign of discomfort whatsoever. Chapter 90: Chapter 14: Winning Hearts and Stabilizing Our Foothold ``` After killing these short-sighted thugs, the alleyway returned to peace. The old hunters of Hongshan Village went on with their eating and sleeping just the same. Since it wasn''t their first time killing someone, each of them seemed rather self-assured and justified. Inside the house. After handling all matters fairly well, Shen Qing called over Shen Xiaohu and Tian Xiaohu. "Brother Qingzi, what do you need us for this late? Who else do we have to kill?" Tian Xiaohu said cheerily as he entered. He had gotten lucky in the recent scuffle, managing to pocket three to four hundred wen from a few bodies. Though this amount didn''t compare to what Shen Qing would usually haul in, the fact that he had earned it through his own efforts still made him quite happy. Shen Qing took out a knife and started cleaning it, saying, "We need to pay a visit to Tang Biao''s place. He can practice Martial Arts, so he must have some savings. I didn''t find much on him. Probably left it all at home. Let''s go have a look." "Alright, Brother Qingzi, we''ll do as you say." "No time like the present, let''s go now." After finishing with his knife, Shen Qing tucked it into his waistband and left with the two tigers. Leaving the alley, Shen Qing approached a shack that looked quite sturdy, knocked on the door, and said, "Neighbor, we''re new here. I have a question for you." "We don''t know anything, we don''t know anything. We''re ignorant of it all." A voice filled with fear and trembling came from the house. Shen Qing''s brow furrowed, and his expression soured as he glanced at Tian Xiaohu. Tian Xiaohu understood and kicked the door of the household wide open. "Ah!" A scream came from inside the house, where a family of four huddled in the corner. The man in the lead held a long wooden stick, looking fearfully at Shen Qing and the others. The noise of the earlier murder in the alley had truly terrified them. Shen Qing stood at the doorway without entering, his tone now milder, "We come from Hongshan Village. We have some grudges with Tang Biao, and I''m wondering where his house is. Just tell me the location, that''ll do." The man inside had no choice. Quivering, he said, "His place is... at Liu Li Lane... behind the large stone... turn right from here until the end, then left, and you''ll see it... it''s the largest shack." "Alright." Shen Qing gave a fist and palm salute and took Shen Xiaohu and Tian Xiaohu with him to leave. He took only a few steps, then turned back. The man who had just begun to relax inside tensed up again. Under the family''s watchful eyes, Shen Qing took out ten large coins, stacked them neatly, and placed them on their doorstep, "Thanks." Shen Qing smiled at them before turning to leave for real. "They''re really gone, right?" "I''ll go check." The man inside, still gripping the wooden stick tightly, cautiously made his way to the door, peeked outside, and saw no one there. "Really gone?" Looking down at the doorstep, he saw the ten large coins shining coldly under the bright moonlight. ¡­ "This should be the place, right?" Following the neighbor''s directions, Shen Qing arrived in front of a shack. This house was clearly different from the others around it. Even though it was quite shabby, it started to take on the semblance of a proper residence. There was still light in the house. Shen Qing walked briskly towards it, knocked on the door, and called out urgently, "There''s trouble, something''s happened to Brother Biao." Clatter. There was a sound of panic within, followed by the door being pulled open. "What happened to him?" The woman who answered looked concerned. Upon seeing Shen Qing and the strangers without a trace of urgency, she sensed something wrong and tried to shut the door again. Shen Qing propped the door open with his hand. "Why the rush to close the door?" He pushed inside, nudging the woman aside. The house brightened as he entered, revealing only the woman, an ordinary person. Tian Xiaohu and Shen Xiaohu followed in after him. Shen Qing, sitting in a chair, demanded, "Tang Biao''s dead. Bring out whatever you have." "I don''t know what you''re talking about," the woman said through clenched teeth. Shen Qing pulled a golden leaf from his clothing, flashed it in front of the woman, and spoke, "You recognize this, don''t you? He must have hidden some at home. I''m giving you a chance ¡ª don''t irritate me. If we start searching ourselves, you''ll have no part to play. You understand my meaning." The woman''s face turned pale at the sight of the golden leaf. She fell silent then, as if resigning herself to the inevitable, lifted up a floorboard and retrieved a box. "It''s all right here." Shen Qing caught the box and felt a pulling force. He glared at the woman, who reluctantly let go. Upon opening the box, he found it filled with silver beans, silver fish, and some large coins, but no more golden leaves. He weighed it in his hand. Roughly sixty taels or so. "That''ll do." Shen Qing closed the box and stood up. The woman stepped back in fear, pleading in a flustered voice, "Don''t kill me. I''ll do anything, I can sleep with you." Shen Qing looked her up and down. She wasn''t ugly, nor was she particularly attractive. ``` Perhaps due to having decent meals on a regular basis, the body had some capital and appeared quite plump. Shen Qing didn''t engage in her conversation, but looked around the room and said, asking, "Tang Biao doesn''t have a son, does he?" "No." "What about a daughter, a son-in-law?" "Neither. He came from somewhere else, and all his family went down with a sinking ship." "That saves quite a bit of trouble. You''re very sensible, I won''t make things hard for you. Let''s go." Shen Qing didn''t say much more, and signaled Shen Xiaohu and Tian Xiaohu to leave with him. As they were leaving, Shen Xiaohu couldn''t resist glancing at the breasts of the woman in the house. So big, so round. Shen Xiaohu hurriedly took a couple more glances before reluctantly catching up with the pace of Shen Qing and the others. On the way, Shen Qing took out four taels of silver and said to the two men, "Take this, then go back and call over the men from each household." "Okay." Tian Xiaohu and Shen Xiaohu were not courteous and readily agreed on the spot. "How have you two been practicing the Nine Skills lately?" Tian Xiaohu and Shen Xiaohu looked at each other and sighed, "Not so good, we haven''t figured out the right method until now." "Hmm, no rush. You''ve both been practicing for a relatively short time, first get your bodies well-conditioned. The world isn''t peaceful right now, and if we want to stand our ground outside, we need to start practicing martial arts as soon as possible." "We understand." Shen Qing didn''t say much more. Actually, he was clear in his mind. The Nine Skills Martial Arts was a basic nourishing and training technique, demanding in terms of talent, somewhat difficult to practice. It wasn''t easy to grasp the knack of it. If that was the case, it would be good to have more people in the village practice it, maybe a change in quantity would lead to a change in quality, and someone would eventually make something out of it. Times had changed; cherishing one''s modest possessions was not a good strategy. Back in the lane, his aunt was in his room complaining to his eldest sister, Shen Fang. Seeing Shen Qing and the others return, the aunt didn''t stop her chatter and left, talking away. Shen Qing noticed that his aunt was afraid his eldest sister would be lonely in the room by herself, not familiar with life here, and had come to keep her company. "Eldest sister, you go to auntie''s house for a while, I have some business to discuss here," Shen Qing placed the box on the table, watching his auntie''s retreating figure, and said to his eldest sister. S§×ar?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Hmm." Shen Fang didn''t think much of it, tidied up the room, and followed behind the auntie. After waiting a while in the room, the men from the households were called over. The shed that Shen Qing chose was not small, just enough to fit these twenty or so men inside. Uncle Shen Er sat beside Shen Qing, looking at his increasingly promising nephew, pride added to his face. The usually hunchbacked man couldn''t help but straighten his spine. The heads of the households who came in all looked at Shen Qing, waiting for him to speak. Shen Qing didn''t notice Uncle Shen Er''s thoughts and lightly tapped the wooden box on the table, saying, "When we were in the village, if we hunted big game together, everyone could share some. I just went to Tang Biao''s house and collected some silver. I''m not one to keep secrets, so let''s divide it today." "However, even brothers should settle accounts clearly, I need to take half of what''s inside." Upon hearing that there was more silver to be divided, the men who had come into the house all immediately smiled brightly. Many people outside had been killed by Shen Qing, and he hadn''t asked them for a single coin; they all felt like they had picked up a bargain. Now, there was extra money to share, which was truly an unexpected joy. If Qingzi were to swallow it all alone, they wouldn''t have any objections. "We''re just country folks, haven''t seen much of the world, Qingzi, whatever you say goes." Someone took the lead and the rest of the people also expressed their agreement. "Then good, thanks for your trust. I''ll divide it like this, and those ''hunters'' who were injured this time will get a little more." Shen Qing immediately made up his mind and began to divide the money. In his view, the authority of a leader half came from his men''s fear of his power, and half from their pursuit of profit. Shen Qing didn''t expect that once they arrived at the county city and left their native soil, these people would still stick together as usual. People are very pragmatic. There are too many temptations outside. Shen Qing had also called over Zhang Shuyuan, the only scholar in the village, on the way to do the counting and bookkeeping. In a quarter of an hour, these hunters each proudly took one tael silver back home, and when they told their families about it, the atmosphere was even more festive than during holidays. They felt all the more that following Shen Qing had been the right choice. After sending off the village hunters, Shen Qing quickly pulled Uncle Shen Er aside. "Uncle, wait for me a moment." "What? Does Qingzi have something else?" Shen Qing took out three more silver coins and stuffed them into Uncle Shen Er''s hand, saying, "Living in the Outer City is different from living in the village, everything including clothing and fuel costs money, even firewood has to be bought. One tael silver might seem like a lot, but it really doesn''t last long. Take this, uncle, our own family should receive some special consideration." Shen Qing spoke with order and determination, very decisive. They were all rough men, without so much polite ceremony. Uncle Shen Er glanced at the silver without much to say, pocketed it, and stated, "Okay, your two cousins don''t have much else but their strength. In the future, you can use them for whatever you need! Our family might be poor, but at least we''re not afraid of death." Although he said this, Shen Qing was a clever person and heard the concern in Uncle Shen Er''s voice. "Uncle, here''s what I''m thinking, Xiao Hu has gotten used to me these days, and I will have him follow me in the future. Xiao Shan is young, he''ll stay in the house for now, and when conditions are better, we''ll find him a wife. What do you think, uncle?" "Done!" Uncle Shen Er''s brows unconsciously relaxed a bit, "I''ll head back now, if there''s anything we can discuss it tomorrow." Shen Qing didn''t keep him, and saw off Uncle Shen Er. After a day of hustle and bustle, where others might struggle to hold up, Shen Qing, on the other hand, was still brimming with energy. He took out a book borrowed from Zhang Shuyuan and read it with relish. Chapter 91: Chapter 15: The Rise of the Hongshan Gang, Becoming a Direct Disciple "So it turns out that this world is indeed filled with wonders. There''s even a Prefectural Governor who managed to punch out a lake to create canals, benefiting the local populace." Shen Qing couldn''t help but exclaim after finishing reading Mountain and River Chronicles. At first, he thought this world was an ancient one where Martial Arts flourished, but after finishing Mountain and River Chronicles, he realized that was not entirely the case. Actually, this world was one where immortals and mortals coexisted, a magnificent universe that was far more formidable than he had imagined. According to the records in the book, martial masters who cultivated to the extreme could live for hundreds of years, or even achieve eternal life, and become immortals through the power of Martial Arts, possessing the might to move mountains and overturn seas. Though there were some exaggerations, it was clear that Martial Arts in this world were not limited to mere physical combat. In such an information-isolated small place, if he hadn''t read this book, he truly wouldn''t have had such a perspective and awareness. "Ordinary people who have trained their bodies well would try to obtain a place on the martial arts register and join the court for an official position. Only by getting into the court can one gain access to the most comprehensive cultivation methods and transcend the ordinary." "I''m different from them. Just by relying on the Water Ink Panel, I can break through all the way and practice a great magic skill, but this is not the method to achieve the path of Immortal Martial Arts." "In the future, if I want to go far, I''ll still need to join the court. Firstly, for safety and stability, and secondly, to gain control over the secrets of Immortal Martial Arts." "No wonder everyone is so eager to practice Martial Arts," Shen Qing murmured to himself as he closed the Mountain and River Chronicles. It was already midnight, and Shen Qing didn''t continue reading. He quenched his curiosity, blew out the oil lamp, and fell asleep head first. Having moved to a new house, where there were two beds, Shen Qing could finally occupy one by himself, no longer having to squeeze with his elder sister Shen Fang. A night without dreams. The next day. The Corpse Pile piled up at the entrance of the alley caused ripples through the shanty area of West City. Everyone knew that someone not to be trifiled with had arrived in the area. Some people with intentions inquired about their background and found out that they came from Hongshan Village. The reputation of the Hongshan People, of the Hongshan Gang, spread quickly in West City. By noon, all the families that had followed from Hongshan Village had finished their shopping and tidying up, and many people began to have free time on their hands. And with free time, trouble often brews. Shen Qing knew many ways to make money, but in such a world where power was vested in individuals, it was hard to say if those could be fully realized. After much thought, he decided to use the most reliable method, instructing these people to start collecting ''security fees'' everywhere. This task didn''t require much skill. It was something all big gangs did, and the rewards could be substantial. However, even in collecting protection fees, Shen Qing felt the need to add a unique twist. "Other gangs charge five hundred large coins per household per month; we''ve just arrived, so let''s charge less, only two hundred large coins per household per month," he said. "If we encounter a family that truly has difficulties, we won''t sell their children or force them, let it be for now." "Then, we can''t do nothing after taking the money. Like when we defended the village from tigers back home, form groups mixing the old with the young, and take turns standing guard in our area. Anyone with ill intentions, treat them like prey and deal with them accordingly." "Can''t guarantee anything else, but the ''security fee'' must be earned with integrity." Shen Qing gave a series of instructions and looked around at everyone, asking, "What do you all think?" "How will the collected ''security fees'' be divided?" a hunter asked. Without a second thought, Shen Qing replied, "Like yesterday, I take half, the rest is divided evenly among everyone, and bookworm keeps the accounts. If there are no objections, then we''ll set down rules. Those who don''t comply will be punished, those who contribute will be rewarded, with the reward money coming from me." "Okay, no objections from me." Having said that, Shen Qing took out the Nine Skills Martial Arts manual and handed it to Tian Xiaohu, saying, "We''ve come here together. Those under fifteen with free time can practice it, Xiaohu, you start teaching them. If there''s anything unclear, they can ask me." The others didn''t expect Shen Qing to be so generous, willing to even teach them Martial Arts. Thinking that it was something both Chen Yuan and Shen Qing had practiced, everyone''s eyes lit up with eagerness, and they began to imagine themselves mastering the skills and walking with their heads held high, eager to try. Perhaps influenced by the Corpse Pile, the already chaotic no-man''s-land of the shanty area mostly agreed to pay up. For those who really couldn''t pay, as Shen Qing had requested, the hunters didn''t insist on using force. After collecting the fees, under Shen Qing''s arrangement, they truly began patrolling the areas they had charged, looking quite official. The residents living in the shanty area felt as if a new order was quietly established. After living in the shanty area for a few days and seeing that everything was on the right track, Shen Qing tidied up and headed for Inner City Linfeng Hall, leaving the chores to Zhang Baqing. The residents in the nearby alleys seemed to realize that he held a different status among the people. As Shen Qing passed by them, they bowed and scraped, behaving extremely courteously. It made Shen Qing somewhat uncomfortable for a while. Linfeng Hall. Returning after nearly twenty days, Shen Qing found the place just as it was before, neither hot nor cold. Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. It was even showing slight signs of decline. Shen Qing wasn''t too concerned about these matters. He had already broken through to the Bone Refining Realm for several days now and thought to inform Li Linfeng to learn the killing technique of the Wind Defying Finger to accelerate his cultivation progress. Shen Qing remembered that his eldest martial brother Ouyang Tiezhu had only reached the Great Perfection of the Bone Refining Realm at the age of twenty-five. And from when he started practicing the Wind Defying Finger to now, it had taken roughly two months to break through to the Bone Refining Realm. He didn''t need others to tell him that his pace of progress was indeed fast. He just wondered what sort of Sight the remaining direct disciples of Linfeng Hall''s master''s uncle possessed. Counting the time, at this point, Hall Master Uncle Li Linfeng should still be in his room. Shen Qing told a maidservant in the room that he was going to Li Linfeng''s study. At the time, not only was Li Linfeng inside, but his four direct disciples and his son and daughter were also in the study, seemingly discussing something. The door of the study was open. Through the doorway, Shen Qing caught a glimpse of Ouyang Tiezhu, whom he hadn''t seen for many days. In just one short month, Ouyang Tiezhu''s temples had gotten flecked with grey, and his entire demeanor lacked vitality. Besides him, there was another who sat with one arm in a sling, head bowed without making a single sound. The atmosphere was somewhat somber. As soon as Shen Qing arrived, Li Linfeng noticed him. At that moment, Li Linfeng was feeling gloomy; two of his direct disciples had been injured in a sudden turn of events, while Mi Gang waited menacingly outside. He had been looking for connections higher up recently but to no avail; it was making his life difficult, his complexion growing dull as if covered by a layer of dark clouds. He knew clearly that Linfeng Hall now faced a gap in succession and was teetering on the brink of crisis. His eldest disciple, Ouyang Tiezhu, had just been defeated and then faced a tragedy at home, leading him to become despondent. Furthermore, being twenty-five years old and only just touching the threshold of the Skin Forging Realm, breaking through to the Qi Cultivation Realm seemed very challenging. Given the current situation of Linfeng Hall, there wasn''t much to help him. The youngest of the four disciples had decent talent and was already in the Skin Forging Realm at such a young age, but tragically, one of his arms had been rendered useless. Now thoroughly disheartened, it was uncertain when he would be able to recover. The second and third disciples were promising, one at Skin Forging Realm and the other at Bone Refining Realm, having worked their way up step by step. It wasn''t that they lacked talent; it''s just that they both needed a bit more time. Finally, there were his daughter and son. Both had respectable talent, yet ultimately they were still too young. If he had ample time, he could surely develop their abilities. The problem now was the lack of time. What he urgently needed at the moment was someone who could hold the fort. He didn''t aspire for someone who could match the children of the court and the four major families, but at least someone who could stand firm against groups like Mi Gang. Only then could he protect the fruits of his lifetime''s work. It had to be said, Mi Gang was truly ruthless. They were torturously and precisely tightening the noose around his neck step by step, and he felt powerless to stop it. Pushing aside all these troubling thoughts, Li Linfeng asked Shen Qing, standing at the door, "Did you need me?" Shen Qing greeted with a respectful fist and palm salute, "Yes. I have already¡­" The troubled Li Linfeng interrupted him, "Wait outside until I''m done with my business. We''ll talk afterward." Seeing that they were indeed discussing important matters, Shen Qing realized it was inappropriate to interject so abruptly. He ended up not continuing his speech and nodded in acknowledgment. Li Linfeng gazed at his four closest disciples and his two children, his mouth slightly open, about to speak, yet he wasn''t sure how to start. He sighed heavily in his heart and then turned to Shen Qing outside the door, "Never mind, go ahead and tell me what you wanted." Shen Qing was slightly startled, not understanding why Li Linfeng had suddenly changed his mind, but he answered honestly, "Uncle Hall Master, I have broken through to the Bone Refining Realm and would like for you to teach me the follow-up training method of the Wind Defying Finger." "Ah!" Upon hearing this, Li Linfeng sprang up, his emotions surging. He knew his niece from Lady Qi''s house had some cleverness and talent, and he was keen on cultivating him, but he never expected Shen Qing to advance so swiftly. Tallying it up, his niece from Lady Qi''s house had been practicing martial arts for just over two months. Just over two months! What did this signify? He recollected only the children of high officials could achieve such a feat. Born into the families of high-ranking officials, nurtured from a young age with various strengthening methods, such achievements were understandable. Yet, what could a village youngster like Shen Qing rely on? Such talent was simply extraordinary. Li Linfeng felt both astonished and delighted. It was fortunate that he was moved to mentor him that day, otherwise who knew when such a genius would emerge. In an instant, all of Li Linfeng''s displeasures were swept away. Even a leaky boat has three thousand nails. He hadn''t fallen yet; Boss of Mi Gang, Hong Xingwen, was at the same realm but didn''t dare to act rashly against him. If Shen Qing was well-cultivated, with his rate of progress, he might be able to take up the mantle for him. "Well done, lad." Li Linfeng''s face beamed, and he walked over from the desk, grabbed Shen Qing''s shoulders, and looked him up and down with growing satisfaction. "I said before that I wanted to pick a good day to take you as my direct disciple; today seems like the perfect day. What do you think?" "I defer to Uncle Hall Master''s decision," replied Shen Qing, noncommittal. His experience had proven that under instruction, the progress on the Water Ink Panel could be much faster; he was here to learn killing techniques, naturally, he wouldn''t refuse. Chapter 92: Chapter 16 Fellow Disciples The other disciples and Li Linfeng''s son and daughter were all stunned at that moment, filled with shock. Shen Qing, the guy who came out of the ravines, actually managed to reach the Bone Refining Realm so quickly? The speed was a bit too fast. Li Linfeng circled around Shen Qing once more, his eyes growing increasingly satisfied. He had taught countless people, and he could generally tell someone''s specific cultivation realm with just a glance. Just now, when he felt Shen Qing''s muscle and bone, it confirmed that what Shen Qing said was true. "Alright. Tiezhu, go and fetch me a cup of tea," Li Linfeng casually called out to Ouyang Tiezhu behind him. Ouyang Tiezhu was still in shock but quickly came to his senses and replied, "Yes." After a little while, Ouyang Tiezhu walked over with a cup of tea. Shen Qing was good at seizing the moment; he quickly stepped forward to take the teacup and then knelt in front of Li Linfeng, respectfully saying, "Master, please accept your disciple''s bow." This clever act pleased Li Linfeng, a twinkle of satisfaction in his eyes. He didn''t put on airs and naturally took the teacup, sipped a bit, set it aside, and lifted Shen Qing up with one hand. "By rights, to show respect for the teacher-student relationship, taking a disciple should involve an incense table, offerings, three kneels and nine bows, and many witnesses, but the current situation inside and outside Linfeng Hall is a bit complicated, so we''ll keep it simple." Shen Qing wasn''t interested in these elaborate formalities; the simpler, the better, so he found Li Linfeng''s arrangement perfectly acceptable. Li Linfeng observed all this and couldn''t help but raise his assessment of Shen Qing by several notches. To tell the truth, he was now a bit afraid. The Mi Gang had been targeting people close to him one after another, nearly crippling two of his disciples. Having finally found a promising seed, if he were too conspicuous and caught their attention, there would be nowhere to cry when trouble came. So, it was better to keep a low profile, at least for a while during this transition period. Shen Qing''s untroublesome and steady character suited this arrangement very well. Li Linfeng grabbed Shen Qing''s arm and pulled him into his study. This place was considered his private area, one that those not close to him had no chance of entering. Now by bringing Shen Qing into the room, it was clear that he had accepted him. "Let me introduce you to your senior brothers," Li Linfeng gestured to the people in front of him and introduced one by one, "This is your eldest senior brother, Ouyang Tiezhu. This is your second senior brother, Niu Daping. This is your third senior brother, Dong Zizhuang. This is your fourth senior brother, Wushili. His family is in business." "And these two," Li Linfeng continued sternly, "are my second son and fourth daughter. They were also worried when something happened to Qi Niang." "Ling Chan, Hongyang, come and meet your junior brother." Li Lingchan and Li Hongyang both greeted with clasped fists, "Greetings, Junior Brother Shen." "Young master, miss, greetings." "No need to be so formal; you are older than they are. From now on, you can just call them by their names." Li Linfeng returned to his seat and said to Ouyang Tiezhu and the others, "Now you all have a new junior brother. Look out for each other from now on. He''s new to the city and not familiar with many things here, so he''s prone to being taken advantage of." "Yes, we will take good care of our junior brother," Ouyang Tiezhu and the others replied in unison. "Alright, you may all leave. That''s enough for today''s matters," Li Linfeng instructed before his mood seemed to wane, "Shen Qing, I''ll teach you some more advanced techniques tomorrow." "Yes, Master." Li Linfeng waved his hand, signaling everyone to leave. The others didn''t linger either, bowing their heads to pay their respects before each took their leave from the room. As soon as he stepped out, Ouyang Tiezhu hooked Shen Qing''s neck, saying affectionately, "That''s really impressive, I never expected you, kiddo, to have such strong Sight. It hasn''t been long, and you''ve already trained to the Bone Refining Realm. At this rate, you might even have a chance to break through to the Qi Cultivation Realm." "Even if I can''t break through, I''ll definitely be able to become a martial master in the Skin Forging Realm, obtain a place in the martial arts register, and become a minor official. If I can live off the official''s pay, I would be considered someone of status." Shen Qing was no longer Wu Xia A Meng, and he knew that to obtain a martial title in Great Zhou, the Skin Forging Realm was the minimum requirement. For those born at the bottom like them, it was extremely difficult to cultivate to this degree, and to have achieved it was already a significant accomplishment locally. His second senior brother, Niu Daping, interjected, "Our master said, Junior Brother Shen, that you came from outside the city?" Shen Qing wasn''t embarrassed and said truthfully, "Yes, I used to live near Shicheng Mountain. Now I''m residing in the Outer City." "Shicheng Mountain? That''s really quite far. The Outer City is a mixed bag with many gangs often fighting; it''s unsafe. My house has two spare rooms. How about you come to stay with me?" Niu Daping offered. "No thanks, I''ve already settled in the Outer City. So far it''s alright, not too chaotic," Shen Qing declined, shaking his head. "Alright then, whenever you want to come and stay, just let me know," Niu Daping said. "Thank you, Second Senior Brother." Shen Qing expressed his gratitude with a cupped fist salute. After Second Senior Brother Niu Daping finished speaking, their third senior brother, Dong Zizhuang, said with a smile, "Junior Brother, now that you''ve become a Bone Refining expert, you could be a minor leader in many of the gangs. Even the Inner City Four Families are vying for you. Although you could only serve as a guard or instructor, you would be considered fairly influential, which is much better than the average person." "Us who practice martial arts, not to mention anything else, have great expenses. The herbs our master uses, and the elixirs for practicing¡ªthey all cost money, not given for free. Seeing that you''re not very well-off, Junior Brother, are you interested in helping me out? Although my place can''t compare to those Bosses, we''re quite generous towards martial masters." "Third Junior Brother, the business of debt collection at your place is too risky. Junior Brother just arrived and is unfamiliar with life here; if you let him go, he might inadvertently cause trouble," Ouyang Tiezhu chimed in from the side. Dong Zizhuang laughed and said, "The bigger the waves, the pricier the fish! Besides, we''re fellow sect brothers. If Shen Junior Brother comes over, would I still allow him to risk his life?" His Dong Family lived off the Wang Family''s moneylending business, and the connections they had behind them were beyond what Ouyang Tiezhu could imagine. sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Seeing how much Li Linfeng valued it, it was clear that Shen Qing''s Sight was very promising. If he could win over such a talented individual early on, it would be very beneficial for his family. "In the end, it''s all up to Junior Brother''s decision." Outside the house, the sun hung high, casting a warm glow that filled the courtyard with a sense of warmth. Shen Qing paused in his steps, pondering. Having established himself in the Outer City, he probably wouldn''t be short on money in the future. So, with a smile, he declined, "Just as Eldest Senior Brother said, I''ve just arrived and don''t know the city well. I should get acquainted with it first so as not to inadvertently offend anyone. If I''m in need of money later, I''ll definitely trouble Third Senior Brother." His words were quite reasonable and well-founded. Dong Zizhuang felt it made sense and nodded, "Alright, my house''s door is always open for Junior Brother." "Thank you, Third Senior Brother." "I''m off." Dong Zizhuang bid the others farewell with cupped hands, not persuading any further, and walked straight out of the courtyard. As for Fourth Senior Brother Wushili, after leaving, he merely nodded at Shen Qing as a gesture and then strode away without looking back. As if he was holding a grudge. "What''s wrong with Fourth Senior Brother?" Shen Qing asked curiously. Ouyang Tiezhu couldn''t help but express regret, "Among us four, Junior Brother is the youngest and most promising, always having it smooth sailing. Not long ago, he was injured by a skilled member of the Mi Gang, and he''s struggled to get over it." Chapter 93: Chapter 17 Aftermath of the Tiger Demon "Oh," Shen Qing didn''t ask any further. Ouyang Tiezhu patted Shen Qing''s shoulder, his mood apparently much better, "Really don''t know how you practice, breaking through so fast. Now you''re officially my junior brother, shall we go out for a drink to celebrate?" He had initially heard about some of Shen Qing''s talents from Li Linfeng and thus volunteered to get close to him. Now, Shen Qing was soaring just as he had anticipated. Among the numerous junior brothers, he was the first to build a good relationship, gaining the advantage of proximity, perhaps in the future, he could benefit from it. Shen Qing knew that it hadn''t been long since Ouyang Tie Niu had died, and the senior brother Ouyang Tiezhu must not have completely gotten over it yet. Seeing him in such rare good spirits, he simply didn''t decline. "Then let''s go to Fengwei Restaurant," Ouyang Tiezhu said with a smile. "Junior brother might not know, Fengwei Restaurant is a high-class restaurant in the Inner City, where the most expensive meal can easily cost hundreds of taels of silver, it''s one of the restaurants that sons of the Boss families like to frequent the most." "Today, to celebrate master taking you in as his disciple, let''s make an exception and go there." Fengwei Restaurant? Shen Qing remembered he had just eaten there not long ago, the taste was quite ordinary, and it was expensive, truly a bit unnecessary. "Senior brother, let''s just find a place to have some drinks and eat some meat and vegetables. That place doesn''t really offer anything special in taste, and there''s no rush to go now. We can go later after I''ve broken through to the Qi Cultivation Realm." When Shen Qing spoke, his tone carried a bit of sincerity. Ouyang Tiezhu thought about his own purse and did not insist any further, "Alright, I''ll owe this meal to you, and we''ll make it up later." Seeing Ouyang Tiezhu acting in such a way, Shen Qing knew that this senior brother was indeed a little short on money. Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He didn''t know what to say to his senior brother''s insistence on keeping up appearances. Leaving Linfeng Hall, it was just mealtime, so the two found a clean and neat little restaurant nearby, ordered some food and wine, and sat down. At this time, the restaurant was filled with laughter and conversation, atmosphere harmonious. Ouyang Tiezhu couldn''t help but sigh, "Indeed, only the Inner City of Taiping County looks proper, other places are all in a mess. Sometimes I wonder if it''s just Taiping County like this, or if it''s the same in other parts of Great Zhou." Shen Qing asked, "Has senior brother been to other places?" Ouyang Tiezhu shook his head, "Just around Taiping County. I was born in the Outer City, used to hang with people and go all over the place, you wouldn''t know what life outside Taiping County has become. Every day there''s fighting and killing." "To even have an honest living, one needs connections, to find a gang to rely on, or else you won''t last long before being sucked dry by various powers." "In the end, in Taiping County, the word ''safety'' is too valuable." "With safety in the Inner City, businesses can thrive, the Boss families can make more money, then hire more martial masters for protection, government offices can be stable, so if you want to make something of yourself, you need to practice Martial Arts and can''t just get by." Ouyang Tiezhu spoke absently, "I''ve known this truth for a long time, but he just wouldn''t listen." Shen Qing, sensing that Ouyang Tiezhu was venting frustrations, tactfully played along, "Senior brother is talking about who wouldn''t listen?" "My stupid brother," Ouyang Tiezhu sighed. "I''m sorry, junior brother. I originally planned to get you some work with a gang in the Outer City, but that''s not happening now." "I''ve heard about it, Senior Brother, take care," Shen Qing replied with a calm expression. "Let''s not talk about the past anymore, let''s drink, come on." "Okay, cheers." Both filled their cups with rice wine and drank it down. Ouyang Tiezhu wiped his mouth and said, "Refreshing!" He picked up his chopsticks, tapped on the table, then grabbed a peanut and tossed it into his mouth, chewing contentedly. "By the way, little brother, have you heard anything about the tiger demon recently?" "Tiger demon?" Shen Qing''s heart skipped a beat, and he casually replied with chopsticks in hand, "How could there be such nonsense in this world? Is there really such a thing as a demon?" Ouyang Tiezhu leaned in earnestly and said, "It''s true, right near your Shicheng Mountain. Haven''t you heard?" "No," Shen Qing flatly denied, "However, I have heard that there are traces of a tiger in the mountains." "That''s right, it''s that tiger demon," Ouyang Tiezhu said mysteriously, "Some people have seen it talk. It''s truly become a spirit. The Guardian Martial Department has even urgently gone to capture it. I heard a lot of people got injured because of it, with tax officials dying at the hands of the tiger." "Is that so?" "It''s been in the past few days. Right now the county government is discussing with the Four Great Eastern Families about capturing the tiger demon. I reckon it won''t be long before things get serious." Shen Qing asked, "This doesn''t involve us, does it?" "Hard to say. To some extent, our Linfeng Hall is under the government office, and if they come to us for support, we can''t refuse." Shen Qing frowned and said, "We can''t refuse?" "There''s no helping it. It''s not so easy to enter the Inner City. If you come in, you have to follow their rules." "Is it only us who has to do this?" "Not necessarily. Basically, anyone studying Martial Arts in the Inner City has a certain chance of being called upon depending on how strong their connections are." "Well, that''s not too bad. If the sky falls, there are tall people to hold it up; we don''t need to worry." "Exactly." After Shen Qing and he each had another bowl of wine, they picked up the roasted lamb chops that had just been served and started to eat. After three rounds of wine. Shen Qing spoke up and asked, "Senior Brother Ouyang, now that I''ve become Master''s direct disciple, are there any benefits? Tell me about them." "Master teaching you personally isn''t a big enough benefit? Don''t be ungrateful; Master is like a father. Many people can''t even beg for such an opportunity." Ouyang Tiezhu continued, "Don''t think that just by holding a Martial Arts Secret Manual you can master it. How do you know if there''s a typo, or a mistake made during transcription and printing? Sometimes a single word can lead to a completely opposite meaning." "Having a revered and respected Master teach you is different; you can avoid many detours." Shen Qing nodded in agreement, "I understand. There are many terms in Martial Arts that I can''t even understand, let alone learn. I just want to know more when I have the time." "Ah... your timing isn''t great. A few years earlier, our Master was quite a figure in the Inner City, and everybody gave him some respect. Now that the government of the city has changed, Master''s connections have weakened quite a bit." "But Master''s foundation in Martial Arts is still there. Not to mention anything else, he has practiced numerous Martial Arts, and his vision is quite broad. You''ll know when he teaches you killing techniques. ''Wind Defying Finger'' can truly take a life with one point, it''s not a lie at all." Hearing this, Shen Qing''s eyes lit up. He hadn''t expected Li Linfeng to have such skills. Perhaps he could get some more Cultivation Techniques from him to practice. At the moment, the combination of Blood Dominance Technique and Wind Defying Finger already produced unexpected effects. What would he turn into if he broke through several more Martial Arts using the Water Ink Panel? Chapter 94: Chapter 18: Killing Technique? Slaying Mortal Bones After returning from the restaurant, Shen Qing told everyone about the tiger demon matter he had heard. When they learned that the government thought the tax officials were killed by the tiger demon, everyone secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Having tasted the sweetness of success, they were now determined to stick with Shen Qing, and the last thing they wanted was for anything to happen to him. Now that the tiger demon had taken the blame, the last of the dangers was eliminated. Those who knew that Shen Qing had killed the tax officials were all present. That evening, everyone in front of Shen Qing took a deadly oath, promising that if anyone gossiped about it outside, they would bear sons without assholes and meet grievous ends. ... The next morning. Another beautiful day. In the sky above the shantytown, the golden sun slowly rose from the east, casting a brilliant light that gradually brightened the entire horizon. From afar, clouds danced lightly and the sky was a vivid blue, like a flowing painting. When the golden rays spread into his room, Shen Qing, who was practicing the Blood Dominance Technique, slowly finished his exercise and walked toward Zhang Baqing''s house a moment later. As a key figure, he had to maintain basic control, with everyone in the village now stationed in the Outer City. After a period of familiarity, the neighbors close by had all become aware of their presence and, adopting their posture, gradually blended into the neighborhood. Shen Qing immediately decided to have the disagreeable bodies and heads taken care of, restoring normalcy. Having received the first security fee payment that day, it was promptly distributed, and the hunters from Hongshan Village who followed him reaped tangible benefits. Everyone felt that life was much better than before in the village, becoming progressively more stable. After making calculations, Shen Qing realized he had not been busy in vain. Sharing the profits, he earned a total of twenty taels a month, which was far more profitable than selling mountain goods. He felt somewhat wistful that the Hongshan Trading Company had not succeeded, but this form of income generation had taken its place. "Now that everyone is patrolling day and night, they all know that this shantytown is a lawless area. Those with connections can invite government officers from the city to handle things, but those without connections can only rely on their fists." "So, we don''t need to be soft-hearted here. If we encounter some troublemakers who don''t know better, there''s no need for words, just kill them outright. You got it?" Shen Qing explained everything to the men in the house one by one. "We all know this. Killing some strangers we don''t know isn''t tough for us. Our ancestors experienced bloodshed fleeing into the deep forests, and we have also killed in the village. We know the ropes." "That''s good. Start practicing the Martial Arts I''ve taught you even if you might not achieve much. But practicing more can''t hurt." "Alright." After discussing many issues, the shrewd and incisive Shen Qing went to buy living supplies while the old and young men patrolled. The women sewed, sharpened knives, and tidied up the house. Time passed peacefully. After sorting out most of the miscellaneous affairs, Shen Qing took Shen Xiaohu straight to Linfeng Hall. Benefiting from Shen Qing''s influence, even though Shen Xiaohu''s talents were mediocre, he was still retained. Probably knowing how difficult it was to be retained, Shen Xiaohu was especially serious when training in Martial Arts and put in great effort. Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Shen Qing had no spare attention to watch over Shen Xiaohu. After entering the inner courtyard, he did not stay long and went straight to Li Linfeng''s study. According to what Li Linfeng had said the previous day, today he would teach him the killing technique of Wind Defying Finger, which was the specific Training Method of the Bone Refining Realm. Concerned with Martial Arts, he was very serious. When he found Li Linfeng, he coincidentally discovered his aunt Shen Xiu was also there. At that moment, the Hall Master and uncle were tenderly supporting Aunt Shen Xiu as they walked in the courtyard, showing a rare soft side. After one or two months of recuperation, Aunt Shen Xiu''s complexion was completely well, and she looked no different from a normal person. She seemed to have grown slightly plumper in appearance. Aunt Shen Xiu''s eyes brightened when she saw Shen Qing arriving and she hurriedly called out excitedly, "Qingzi, come over here." "Aunt, Master." Shen Qing approached her and greeted her proactively. Aunt Shen Xiu took Shen Qing''s hands, expressing her concern, "I heard that you''ve moved to the Outer City. It''s pretty chaotic there, are you getting accustomed to living there?" "It''s all fine, the place I chose is quite safe, I''m getting used to it for now," Shen Qing honestly responded. Aunt Shen Xiu nodded and said, "That''s good, don''t go anywhere this afternoon, have lunch here with Xiao Hu and me." "Sure, Aunt," After exchanging a few pleasantries, Aunt Shen Xiu let go of his hands and said, "You two, Master and disciple, chat. I won''t keep you." Speaking thus, Aunt Shen Xiu walked knowledgeably towards the courtyard exit. As she was leaving, she gave Shen Qing a meaningful look, her face bearing a hint of fortune. Shen Xiu herself hadn''t expected that her own nephew genuinely possessed some abilities, enough for her husband to take him as a direct disciple. Even without children of her own, this connection made her life in the inner courtyard much easier. Her husband, Li Linfeng, was usually good to her, but since yesterday, she felt that he had become even more attentive to her. She wasn''t foolish, she knew what lay behind this change. Once Shen Xiu was completely out of sight, Hall Master Uncle Li Linfeng didn''t hold anything back. After a few simple formalities, he began to pass on the killing techniques of the Wind Defying Finger and the related training methods of the Bone Refining Realm. "Bones are the scaffolding of the body, supporting our flesh and internal organs. In the early stages of Bone Refining, one should start with the flexibility and hardness of the bones." "But so-called Bone Refining involves not merely tempering the bones, but intensely cultivating every inch of the body''s muscle fibers." "Imagine this¡ªyour bones as hard as steel while your muscles as flexible as willow branches. In this way, you can dissipate impact with flexibility when receiving heavy blows and resist damage with hardness. This is the purpose of the Strengthening Tendons and Bones realm, allowing the body to be both strong and flexible, enabling strength at will." "At this stage, when your bones and muscles reach perfect harmony, you''ll be able to fully unlock your body''s potential and advance to the next realm," Li Linfeng explained. The explanation by Li Linfeng was simple and easy to grasp, allowing Shen Qing to understand it clearly. "To achieve the ideal progression, you''ll next need to switch herbal medicines and practice killing techniques," he continued. Shen Qing felt invigorated. He was already aware of the existence of fighting techniques and killing methods in Martial Arts. He knew they distinguished ordinary Martial Arts from other forms. "The term ''killing technique'' refers not only to the killing methods you are familiar with but also prominently includes ''Bone Killing.''" "Bone Killing?" Shen Qing heard this entirely new concept and immediately became fully alert. "Correct," Li Linfeng continued. "The bones are crucial for martial masters, and they can determine the ultimate limit of one''s Martial Arts potential. Ordinary mortal bones cannot withstand the inner force of Martial Arts. So, it is necessary to kill these mortal bones and replace them with Martial Bones." "I recall that you can read?" Shen Qing quickly replied, "Yes, I can." "That''s good." Li Linfeng took out a yellowing stack of thick paper and placed it in front of Shen Qing, "This contains details about the Bone Killing Technique of the Wind Defying Finger, including information on specific meridians and vital points, and it has some specialized terms you should memorize. Once you have memorized it, come to me, and I''ll teach you how to train." Shen Qing took the thick stack of papers and began reading intently. The documents detailed various human vital points and provided specific breathing techniques and annotations, making it easy to understand. Li Linfeng, seeing how absorbed Shen Qing was, could not help but laugh silently, turned, and began to leave. However, just as he took a step away, a voice came from behind him, "Master, I''ve memorized it. Teach me how to train, please!" Chapter 95: Chapter 19 Intentional Matchmaking "Hmm?" Li Linfeng thought he must have misheard. Shen Qing neatly refolded the yellowed stack of pages and repeated, "Master, I have memorized them. Please teach me the killing technique." Li Linfeng gave Shen Qing a dubious look. He knew Shen Qing was not the frivolous type; on the contrary, in his impression, he was a man of few words and great steadiness. Now he suddenly claimed to have memorized it all¡ªcould it be that he indeed had? Li Linfeng was not one to jump to conclusions. Without saying much more, he casually drew a yellowed page and asked, "What are the most important acupoints in the abdomen?" "The abdomen has four major acupoints: the Qi Hai Acupoint, located about an inch and a half below the navel on the midline; the Guan Yuan point, three inches below the navel; the Zhongji point, four inches below the navel on the front midline of the body; and the Shen Que point, in the center of the navel, with the Tianshu point positioned two inches to the side of the navel." Endowed with the ability to "Never Forget," Shen Qing needed only a brief recollection to visualize all the content recorded on those pages in his mind, clear and distinct. Li Linfeng was utterly astonished. He found it hard to believe and proceeded to quiz Shen Qing on several other key phrases and meanings used in Bone Refining. These phrases were all coined by him; no one in the entire world understood what they meant more clearly than he did, and it was impossible for Shen Qing to have known them in advance. Yet, Shen Qing recited them without a hitch, responding to each question without any hesitation. At this moment, Li Linfeng could not merely describe his feelings as astonishment. It was nothing short of miraculous! No wonder he was so perceptive¡ªthis was pure, natural intelligence! In such a brief time, Shen Qing had surprised him again and again, leaving Li Linfeng at a loss for words. Shen Qing handed the neatly folded pages back to Li Linfeng and said, "Master." The scene fell into a brief silence. After a long pause and a moment of distraction, Li Linfeng finally came to terms with the fact that Shen Qing had memorized everything. He calmly accepted the yellowed pages from Shen Qing and said, "Since you have memorized them all, I will have A Fu prepare the medicinal bath and teach you the killing technique." "Very well, thank you, Master." ... The ingredients Li Linfeng used in this medicinal bath inflicted excruciating pain on Shen Qing. Soaking in the medicinal liquid was like being in boiling oil, with every inch of his body penetrated and tormented by the powerful medicine, reaching all the way to the marrow. Eventually, Shen Qing felt such unbearable pain that beads of cold sweat the size of soybeans began to fall from his body. Fortunately, Li Linfeng was by his side, pointing out some endurance methods that helped him absorb the medicinal power and refine his bones all over again. Otherwise, Shen Qing doubted he could have persevered. "Once you no longer feel any pain, and your bones are as firm and resilient as steel, your Bone Refining will be complete, and you will have cultivated the Martial Bone," Li Linfeng said leisurely, standing beside Shen Qing. "This training method isn''t cheap. Going forward, you''ll take two medicinal baths daily, costing two taels of silver each." Even as a direct disciple, practicing Martial Arts and consuming medicines came at a cost. For Li Linfeng to teach his special skills and ask for money was only natural, and the practice was common throughout Taiping County; there was nothing to fuss about. Shen Qing did not complain much. In the following days, Shen Qing immersed himself in learning and practiced the Wind Defying Finger killing technique at Linfeng Hall. Li Linfeng did not hold back, teaching Shen Qing with all his heart, treating him as his own. In no time at all, Shen Qing''s progress in the Wind Defying Finger technique improved by leaps and bounds, increasing several times over. Skill: Wind Defying Finger (Small Success) Progress: 201/300 points Note: Continuous practice may lead to the awakening of the "One Finger Seal Throat" skill¡ªkilling invisibly, taking lives in one strike. If it went at this rate, he would be able to master the Wind Defying Finger within a month. Shen Qing couldn''t help but feel even more excited inside. After practicing until evening, just like always, Shen Qing said goodbye to his aunt Shen Xiu and Li Linfeng before leaving Linfeng Hall for the Outer City. After sending Shen Qing off, his aunt Shen Xiu saw Li Lingchan coming over to discuss Martial Arts with Li Linfeng and suddenly thought of something. If she remembered correctly, Shen Qing was almost fifteen and Li Lingchan was fourteen. Their ages were quite compatible. Shen Qing, though of modest origin with no significant family wealth, was very capable. Li Lingchan came from a good background, her family was affluent, and she was quite presentable. It was a time of need for Linfeng Hall, and if the two could be united in marriage, it would indeed be a joyous affair. She suppressed the idea in her heart and, after Li Lingchan had left, seemed to casually ask Li Linfeng, "Master, you have many acquaintances outside; do you know of any young ladies of marriageable age that come from a good family?" Li Linfeng didn''t pay much mind and casually replied, "Why? Are you thinking of matchmaking for someone?" Shen Xiu walked up to the robust arm of Li Linfeng and said, "My nephew is not young anymore and there is no elder in the family to worry about this. I want to find someone for him so that he can focus and be more dedicated to his work later on." "I''ll take a good look at this when I''m free later. I still have quite a few miscellaneous things to deal with right now." Li Linfeng nodded noncommittally. Shen Xiu lowered her voice and asked, "Master, what do you think about Lingchan?" "Lingchan?" Li Linfeng suddenly raised his head, looking at Shen Xiu. Shen Xiu, unafraid, met Li Linfeng''s gaze and said, "Their ages are similar, and my nephew is your direct disciple. Wouldn''t their union be great happiness?" Li Linfeng thought for a moment and suddenly felt it was quite suitable. He was in need of people now, and Shen Qing was starting to show promise, having great natural talent. If he became his son-in-law, without a doubt, he would cultivate him even more carefully, and in the future, he might even take over his position. This was something that could be done. But thinking of his daughter''s temperament, Li Linfeng frowned and said, "I''ll ask their opinions when they come tomorrow. If Lingchan does not agree, then let''s forget this, and I''ll find someone suitable for your nephew." "As you will, my lord," Shen Xiu said. "Hm." In fact, Shen Xiu''s words had opened up a new train of thought for Li Linfeng. sea??h th§× Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He felt that even if his daughter didn''t agree, it was good if someone outside did. Marriage alliances were a good strategy. ... Late at night. Inside the shanty area, the hunters from Hongjiazhai patrolled according to their established routes as usual. The two patrollers, one old and one young, each carried a small gong in their hands. "Niu Dan, how''s it going? Are you getting used to your first patrol?" asked the hunter walking behind, carrying a bow and arrow, with a smile. The boy named Niu Dan chuckled, "Of course, I''m used to it. Don''t underestimate me; back when I was in the village, I also went hunting in the mountains following my father." "This is not the same as hunting in the mountains. The game is afraid of people, but here..." He hadn''t finished speaking when a shadow suddenly charged out of the dark, plunging a knife straight into his heart, cutting his words short as his figure came to an abrupt halt. The young man who was walking in front heard something wrong behind him, turned his head, and his face drastically changed. He hurried to ring the gong, but quickly a gaunt hand reached out from the darkness, grabbed his neck, and hoisted him up high. "I heard there''s a new gang here from Hong Shan, very fierce, but is this all they amount to? Hang them up, then send a message to prepare a hundred taels by tomorrow noon and give up the spot. Otherwise, my Eagle will let them understand the meaning of ''blood flows into rivers.''" Crack! With a sharp twist, the man effortlessly broke the young man''s neck. Chapter 96: Chapter 20 I Just Want to Send Him to Heaven In the dead of night, screams had ended before they even began. After a rustling silence, the shantytown alleys once again returned to calm. Dawn was breaking. Wang Jia, a resident of the shantytown, left his home as usual to work as a laborer in the city. He had been sleeping soundly these days. Ever since the Hongshan Gang came to their area, someone patrolled at night, and the petty thieves had vanished without a trace. He hadn''t fought with the thieves for days, and he truly hoped that every day could be like this in the future. Thinking thus, Wang Jia walked into the alley, and his face''s happy expression came to an abrupt halt. In front of him, dangling high up were the bodies of two individuals, big and small, swaying slowly in the cold wind, stiff as sticks. Two copper gongs hung on their chests, with a blood-red character "death" written on them. He recognized them, they were people from the Hongshan Gang. "It''s bad, it''s really bad, something''s happened!" Wang Jia stumbled backward, shouting loudly with a pale face. ... Shen Qing was absorbed in practicing the Wind Blade Finger Killing Technique. Under the guidance of Li Linfeng, his execution of the Wind Defying Finger moves was no longer rough but increasingly structured. The subtlety of Wind Defying Finger not only lay in its astonishing power but also in its intangibility, its moves within no-moves. Every encounter was based on the opponent''s strength and characteristics, adjusting the angle and speed of the attack to go straight for the enemy''s life. The so-called killing techniques Li Linfeng taught him were to use different Martial Arts moves to continuously feed him attacks, to spar with him, and to deduce his own rules of killing techniques through real fights. After practicing these days, Shen Qing, with his Never Forget Skill, had repeatedly recalled and practiced the moves Li Linfeng used in actual combat, becoming thoroughly familiar with them and making swift progress. Just after finishing a counter-move, Shen Qing exhaled a breath of foul air, and someone knocked on his door. "Who is it?" "Qingzi, something''s happened." The speaker was his uncle, Shen Er, and Shen Qing stopped his stance to go forward and open the door. At this moment, Uncle Shen Er''s face was taut, with a layer of dark clouds seemingly spread across his brows. "What happened?" Shen Qing asked. "You should see for yourself." Shen Qing frowned and waved his hand, "Let''s go." By the time he arrived, the place was already crowded with people. "Qingzi is here, Qingzi has arrived." Upon seeing him, someone made way for him to enter. Inside were the big and small bodies, with two households encircling them, their faces mournful, crying silently. He knew the deceased, the bigger one was a hunter from the Zhang Family, and the smaller was a young lad from the Wang Family, with only a fuzz of mustache on his lips. "The people from the shantytown found them," said Zhang Baqing, producing a letter, "Qingzi, take a look at this." Shen Qing took it and saw that it was from a ruffian named Eagle, filled with blatant threats. In summary, three demands: First, they must bow down and be submissive; S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Second, they must pay up a hundred taels of gold; Third, they must cede the territory of this part of the shantytown. If they failed to meet these three demands, a few of them would be killed every day. Today''s incident was just an appetizer. After reading, Shen Qing''s face did not betray joy or sorrow as he asked, "Who is this Eagle?" "These past few days, I had people scout the surrounding area. He''s a rowdy from the North City district, cozying up to the Zhou Family. Recently, he''s been showing up in West City, claiming dominance. I''ve heard his Kung Fu is incredibly advanced and that he has completed his stretching." Zhang Baqing hadn''t been idle these days either, often walking through the shantytowns to gather a good deal of intelligence, which now came in handy. "Qingzi, should we not contact our adversaries and probe their depths?" Shen Qing walked forward to close Niu Dan''s eyes and looked at him, "If someone''s already plunged a knife into your ass, do you still need to probe their depths?" "One thing about me, I always believe in a tooth for a tooth, an eye for an eye. Whoever kills mine must be ready to be killed," Shen Qing stood up and asked, "Tell me where he lives?" Zhang Baqing wanted to dissuade him further. But Shen Qing glared at him, "Immediately, right now!" Zhang Baqing immediately swallowed the words he wanted to say and answered truthfully, "He should be staying in Yanwei Lane right now." "Fine! I''ll take care of this." Shen Qing went back inside the house, took out his bow and arrow and a long knife, and strapped them onto his body. Under everyone''s watchful eyes, he slowly vanished from their sight. He couldn''t believe that with the Turtle Breath Technique, Blood Dominance Technique, and Wind Blade Finger Killing Technique all reinforcing him, he couldn''t kill a Martial Master who had completed stretching. With sheer numbers of local tyrants unknown, and countless individuals beneath them, they could not all be killed. In such a situation, the best solution was to take care of the ones who stuck their heads out first. First, to kill off this Eagle, and send him to heaven. After Shen Qing left, the atmosphere became especially heavy and oppressive. Tian Xiaohu, coming to his senses later, also hurriedly grabbed his bow and knife and followed. Uncle Shen Er and Shen Xiaohu were close behind him. Meanwhile, the families of the two households that had been killed didn''t speak either, silently taking their knives and bows. As if a chain reaction had occurred, other hunters in the neighborhood quietly took their hunting equipment and sharpened knives and followed in the direction Shen Qing had disappeared. In the alley, Shen Qing was like a lead wolf, his eyes gleaming with ferocity as he moved forward slowly. Behind him, the others were like a pack of wolves, coming one after another. Every place they passed was filled with an atmosphere of impending death. People living in the alley quickly locked their doors, only daring to peek out cautiously through their windows, taking brief glances from a distance. Yanwei Lane was a bit of a walk from Shen Qing''s location, but at least it was within the same district. After about the time it takes to drink a pot of tea, Shen Qing had already arrived in the middle of Yanwei Lane. A large compound presented itself before him. The red doors were closed. Outside, two petty rowdies sat at the doorway, playing with dice, laughing heartily. Shen Qing stood outside the alley, running the Turtle Breath Technique, and approached the two silently. By the time the two men felt something amiss and looked up, they were startled to find Shen Qing had already appeared before them, without them knowing when he had arrived. Shen Qing spoke calmly, "Does the Eagle live here?" "What do you want?" One of the petty rowdies glared at him and said, "You walk without a sound during broad daylight, scared the hell out of me." "Living here is enough." "Huh?" While the two men were still unclear about the meaning of Shen Qing''s words, they suddenly felt a gust of wind blowing in front of them. Shen Qing''s fingers on both hands inserted into their throats at almost an intricate angle. He precisely targeted their windpipes and vocal cords with his fingers, preventing them from making the slightest sound. Hearing footsteps from behind, Shen Qing glanced back and saw that Tian Xiaohu and the others had arrived. Shen Qing nonchalantly threw the two men aside. Tian Xiaohu and Uncle Shen Er got the message, covered the men''s mouths, and with a slash, sent them to their deaths. Chapter 97: Chapter 21: Out in the World, Its All About Being Ruthless ``` The number of people arriving kept increasing. Before long, about twenty hunters had gathered, which somewhat surprised Shen Qing. Since that was the case, today would be a good day to make a big move. Shen Qing made a hand gesture, and the veteran hunters instantly understood. They spread out as if hunting in the mountains, adeptly splitting into groups and crouching down as they headed towards the perimeter of the courtyard. Especially near the entrance, many traps and snares had been set. Seeing that the preparations were nearly complete, Shen Qing stimulated his Turtle Breath Technique to the extreme, then bent his knees slightly and flipped over the courtyard wall with ease. Without making a sound. After entering the courtyard, Shen Qing didn''t see any other shadows. He could only faintly hear the teasing laughter of women from inside the rooms, along with the sounds of people drinking, eating meat, playing cards, and carousing, which seemed very noisy. Shen Qing''s perception was quite sharp, and he could faintly make out several threads of panting amidst the sounds. These people were engaging in an orgy, which had been ongoing without a pause since the night before. S§×ar?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Shen Qing walked to the gate and gently opened the latch, letting Tian Xiaohu and the others in. After sneaking into the courtyard with a few others, Shen Qing scanned the surroundings and spotted an inconspicuous window in a corner. Without hesitation, Shen Qing deftly slipped through it, agile as a cat. Inside the room. A group of underlings were taking turns with a few women who were kneeling on the ground. Many others were cheering them on. "Da Lei, can you handle it? The loser has to drink three cups!" "Of course, I can! If you''re a man, you must hold on for a Shi Chen, ah!" "Hahaha..." "Drink! Drink!" Eagle found his men''s heckling quite amusing. A bare-chested man sitting next to him said, "Going after Hongshan Gang like this tonight, could that cause trouble? I heard that the guy surnamed Tang brought five or six dozen men and all got wiped out by them. With just our few guys..." Eagle dismissed the concern, saying, "It''s all about being ruthless in our business. If you''re not tough, you won''t stand firm. Just because they''re strong, does that mean I can''t touch them? I just want to test them, to see what they''re really made of." The bare-chested man was still worried and asked, "These people came out of nowhere, and you just go after them without checking?" "You think I''m as dumb as Tang? I''ve already checked. They''re from Hongshan Village, and the only two who''ve learned martial arts were the two who entered Linfeng Hall two months ago," Eagle replied with a laugh, turning his head. "You don''t think they could''ve made something of themselves in just two months, do you?" "Logically speaking, that should be case... but just to be safe..." Eagle cut him off: "I know what you mean. Come, take a look at this..." As he spoke, Eagle took out a long rectangular box from his chest. "What is this...?" Eagle spoke in a low voice, "This is a Martial Mechanism Bomb seized by the government office from the Huang Tian Sect. One bomb going off, and even a Martial Artist in the Bone Refining Realm would not be able to handle it, they''d be crippled if not dead, and it''s extremely easy to trigger. If I really can''t beat them, I''ll just hit them with this, and they won''t even know how they died." "That powerful?" A surprised voice appeared next to Eagle, inappropriately inquiring. "Of course, would I lie to you guys?" Eagle turned his head to look at the source of the voice and saw an unfamiliar face. Frowning in suspicion, he said, "Who are you, you look kind of familiar to me?" "Me? Don''t you know? Didn''t think it through when you made your move yesterday?" Eagle''s eyes widened as if he realized something, and his expression drastically changed. His hand suddenly lunged for the box. But Shen Qing was quicker. Just as Eagle reached out, Shen Qing''s two fingers, held together like a sword, had already pressed on his wrist. Eagle''s flesh was like tofu, easily penetrated by Shen Qing''s fingers. A scream rang out. ``` Eagle''s wrist hurt and released its grip, and the Martial Mechanism Bomb fell, which Shen Qing caught steadily. "Attack!" After a successful hit, Shen Qing shouted loudly. Tian Xiaohu and others, who had been ready to burst forth from outside the door, suddenly crashed through the entrance and rushed in. At such close distance, bows and arrows were no longer useful; it was all close-quarters combat. Fortunately, there were not many martial artists in the room, and most of them were ordinary people. Facing the hunters from the deep forests, they had no choice but to be overwhelmed and beaten. Seeing the tide turn against him, Eagle pulled back his wrist, his muscles bulged throughout his body as he threw a punch at Shen Qing. A head-on clash? Shen Qing''s movement technique was sharp; with just a slight sidestep, he dodged Eagle''s punch. Boom! Eagle''s fist landed on the Eight Immortals table, immediately shattering it to pieces. Bang, bang, bang... The sounds of Shen Qing and Eagle''s fight echoed ceaselessly within the building, like rolling thunder. Eagle, with his Kung Fu Training, had muscles that twisted like vines, seemingly forged from copper and iron, each of his punches accompanied by a whistling that seemed to tear through the air. Despite the pain in his hand, his punches came in rapid succession, akin to overlapping mountain ranges, continuously aimed at Shen Qing. The furniture inside the house was smashed and shattered into chaos under the impact of this force. In the end, Eagle still had some tricks up his sleeve; after a brief lapse, he found an opening and sealed Shen Qing''s movement, punching out. "Die! No one in the West City can beat me at hard skill!" Eagle roared, his face filled with a brutish cruelty. Faced with an unavoidable attack, Shen Qing struck out with his palm, colliding with Eagle''s fist. "Bang!" a loud noise exploded. The airwave spread in all directions, as if the surrounding air had been torn apart by this force. Shen Qing''s arm swelled at an exaggerated rate, his clothes were stretched tight, revealing veins on his palm that emerged like wriggling earthworms, sinuous and powerful. A look of hesitation flashed across Eagle''s face. His prized Hard Qi Martial Arts had been blocked by his opponent. Read the latest on M-VL-emp,yr "Is that all you''ve got, and you dare boast?" Shen Qing did not expect the other party to be so weak. He sneered playfully, pushing his Blood Dominance Technique to its limit. He spun around, his fingers coming together, the tips gathering a sharp current of air, and stabbed fiercely towards Eagle. "Swish¡ª" The sound of his finger cutting through the air was sharp and piercing, as if it could penetrate any barrier. A trace of fear flickered in Eagle''s eyes; he had not expected Shen Qing to possess such a lethal move. But Eagle was still a hardened fighter; he reacted quickly, retreating sharply to avoid this deadly strike. Would Shen Qing give him that chance? The Hunting Physical Technique followed closely, aiming straight for Eagle''s throat. Eagle let out a furious roar and threw a punch in response. "Pfft!" Shen Qing, who had attained the Bone Refining Realm, was solid in his foundation, exceptional in his movement technique. With the strength from the Blood Dominance Technique, his two fingers easily bypassed Eagle''s fist. Like swords, his two fingers penetrated his throat. Blood gushed out like a fountain. Eagle''s figure swayed and then he collapsed with a thunderous fall. "You''re right, in this world it all comes down to ruthlessness. Unfortunately, you''re not as ruthless as I am." Shen Qing glanced coldly around him and said in a chilling tone, "Not a single person in this room shall be spared!" Chapter 98: Chapter 22: Five Secret Manuals, Zhou Family Member After Shen Qing gave the command, the room instantly burst into chaos. Seeing their boss killed in the blink of an eye, Eagle''s subordinates used all their tricks to desperately flee. Unfortunately, the hunters waiting outside had already set a trap, and these men unwittingly ran straight into it. The sound of animal traps snapping shut continuously exploded both inside and outside the courtyard, mixing with screams of agony, one after another. Shen Qing shook the blood from his hands and strolled leisurely inside the room. Anyone foolish enough to come close was instantly killed by his touch. Shen Qing''s speed and ruthlessness in killing made the thugs inside tremble with fear. In their eyes, killing a person was just like slaughtering a chicken. No, it was even simpler than killing a chicken. This massacre had no turning point, as Shen Qing and his group slaughtered all of Eagle''s subordinates with overwhelming strength. Shen Xiaohu wiped the blood from his face and approached Shen Qing saying, "Brother Qingzi, it''s all done." "Hmm," Shen Qing glanced at the much matured Shen Xiaohu, then shifted his gaze to the Martial Mechanism Bomb in front of him and examined it. One end of the Martial Mechanism Bomb box had a ring-like trigger mechanism, while the other end was wrapped in iron sheet. After looking carefully for a while and understanding its principle, Shen Qing couldn''t help but laugh silently in amazement. He hadn''t expected that this world would have created something similar to a wooden-handled grenade. According to them, a martial master below the Qi Cultivation Realm couldn''t withstand the power of this Martial Mechanism Bomb just with their flesh and blood. In other words, from the Qi Cultivation Realm and above, this Martial Mechanism Bomb would be of no concern. Martial Arts cultivation has its merits when developed deeply enough. Shen Qing tucked the Martial Mechanism Bomb into his bosom, seeing that all of Eagle''s gang had been executed, a smile surfaced on his face. It was time for the crowd-pleasing segment of searching the corpses. He wondered what they would find this time. Shen Qing signaled for everyone to start searching through the room. Since the room''s occupants were already dead, they had no reservations; they smashed any boxes they saw and dismantled any chests they found. Eagle''s stronghold was turned upside down, nearly lifting the roof off. Indeed, there were quite a few treasures. Seven golden leaves, a short dagger, and countless silver and copper coins. As per the old rule, split fifty-fifty. Shen Qing alone took five parts, and the remaining five parts were shared among the others. Everyone was very satisfied, having made a killing. "Qingzi, come take a look at this." Just as everyone was about to leave, Tian Xiaohu squatted on Eagle''s bed, lifted the quilt, knocked on the bed board, and said to Shen Qing. Shen Qing walked over, curious, "What''s up?" Tian Xiaohu seriously said, "It sounds hollow, and there are gaps around." "You mean there is something?" Tian Xiaohu nodded emphatically and said, "But it''s stuck tight; I can''t open it." Shen Qing looked down and pointed up with his finger. Stay updated with m-v le-mpyr Pff! With a muffled sound, Shen Qing directly pointed out a hole and easily flipped over a small wooden board. Tian Xiaohu''s face twitched, momentarily speechless. He straightened his neck forward and looked inside. There, the cupboard glaringly contained several Martial Arts Manuals. Upon closer inspection, there were as many as five. Illusion Breaking Fist, Netherworld Ghost Steps, Eight Extremities Collapse, Wuji Tiangang Kick, Dragon Roar Armor. "This is¡­" Tian Xiaohu suddenly became excited. It was well known that any Martial Arts Manual on the market starts at tens of taels, and more profound Martial Arts could reach hundreds of taels. If there was an annotated version of profound Martial Arts, they were priceless. Never expected there would be five of them here. "Qingzi, look at this..." Shen Qing was very calm and did not get as excited as Tian Xiaohu. The truly good Martial Arts Skills were passed down through lineage, rarely leaked to the outside. Because they could not decipher the hidden codes within, they also could not ensure that the copied text was error-free. With Martial Arts Skills, a single wrong character could lead completely astray, missing the mark by miles. Shen Qing calmly said, "This Martial Arts isn''t that great, otherwise the Eagle wouldn''t be so weak." His cold reality check quickly cooled Tian Xiaohu down. Right. If the Martial Arts here were so powerful, why would the Eagle be so weak? Great Zhou didn''t lack clever individuals, diligently studying various Martial Arts. The better the Martial Arts, the easier it was practiced by many, the easier it was to deduce patterns, and the lower the requirement for Sight. Only low-level Martial Arts were difficult to practice, demanding this perception, that Sight. The reason everyone wanted to get into the government office was because there were plenty of opportunities to practice Martial Arts. Once you entered the government office, entered the court of Great Zhou, regardless of age or perception, everyone had the chance to soar to the heavens and seek enlightenment. Unlike them, miserably begging everywhere they went. Shen Qing took out the Martial Arts, saying, "However, we shouldn''t lose heart. My uncle, the Hall Master, is well-informed and knowledgeable about many Martial Arts. I''ll take these skills to him tomorrow for a check to see if they''re practicable, and how they should be practiced." "That settles it, I''ll listen to you," Tian Xiaohu nodded vigorously. "Let''s go." Shen Qing flipped off the bed and walked out of the hall with Tian Xiaohu. At this time, they saw Shen Xiaohu squatting on the ground, staring fixedly at several women. The women were motionless in the corner, and nobody paid attention to them when the fight broke out. A few young hunters did have some ideas, but when they saw others looting corpses for money, they temporarily dropped the subject. Shen Qing walked over and kicked Shen Xiaohu, saying, "I see you can''t even walk when you see women anywhere. Last time at the Tang''s house, you kept staring at the widow''s chest, and I''m going to tell Uncle this time that it''s time to find you a wife." Shen Xiaohu squatted down on his bottom, complaining, "I didn''t do anything. Brother Qingzi, take a closer look, they seem a bit odd." "What''s odd?" "Their gaze is so dull, and their faces are still red until now." Shen Qing looked over and indeed, something was off. S§×ar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The women were like wooden figures, seemingly at the mercy of others, lacking all vitality of living people. One of them was not very attractive, but her skin was soft, clearly different from the other three. Tian Xiaohu whispered, "They''ve been drugged." "Drugged?" "Just some despicable tricks," Tian Xiaohu said, "Like slapping mud on them. Use some potion on their nose and mouth, and they lose consciousness. These women must have been abducted from somewhere." Shen Qing sighed, "Then there is no helping it, let''s go, get someone to take them to the government office." Although he was ruthless now, he hadn''t reached the point of killing everyone he saw. These women had done him no wrong, and he had no intention of going out of his way to kill them. Since they were neither relatives nor friends, sending them to the government office was Shen Qing doing his utmost duty. Shen Xiaohu reluctantly followed Shen Qing and Tian Xiaohu as they walked out. However, he had only walked a few steps when he suddenly paused and called out, "Wait a minute." Shen Qing and Tian Xiaohu stopped and turned back to look. Shen Xiaohu said seriously, "Did you hear any of them talking?" Shen Qing focused his attention, and with Shen Xiaohu''s reminder, he indeed heard faint murmuring. The sound was very soft. If one were not listening carefully, they wouldn''t hear it at all. If Shen Qing hadn''t deliberately listened, even with his keen senses he would have struggled to catch it. "Zhou Family... send me back to the Zhou Family... I am the Zhou Family... miss... my father... will not forgive... you..." Chapter 99: Chapter 23 Offering Huge Profits "The Zhou Family?" Upon hearing this term, Shen Qing''s face changed. In Taiping County, one of the Four Great Eastern Families was surnamed Zhou. Or rather, in Taiping County, aside from the Zhou Family, Shen Qing couldn''t think of another Zhou who would dare to call herself Miss. Had Eagle''s men actually kidnapped Miss Zhou, and then... assaulted her? Such audacity seemed almost too much to believe! Even Shen Qing found it hard to believe. But it wasn''t necessarily impossible. Shen Qing said to Tian Xiao Hu, "Is there a way to wake them up?" Tian Xiao Hu shook his head, "There''s no particularly good way, we can either wait here, or try feeding them golden liquid to induce vomiting. The drug''s effect lasts just for a shi chen or two." Shen Qing turned his head towards Shen Xiao Hu and lifted his chin slightly to signal him twice, "Xiao Hu." "Ah?" Shen Xiao Hu: "I don''t have any right now." "I didn''t ask you to use your own, go fetch it from the outhouse at the back." "Oh, right." Shen Xiao Hu quickly reacted and scurried off. Shortly after, he returned with a bowl filled with golden liquid. The already dim and foul-smelling hall worsened with this bowl of turbid golden liquid, emitting an even more indescribable stench. Shen Qing held his breath and commanded, "Pour!" Shen Xiao Hu did as told. He gently lifted the head of the murmuring woman, pinched her mouth open, and without hesitation poured the golden liquid into her mouth. A strong stench immediately filled the air, suffocating. The golden liquid slowly flowed down the woman''s throat, provoking waves of nausea. The woman, caught in a stupor, seemed to sense an unusual stimulation. Her eyebrows knitted tightly, and her body began to tremble slightly. The taste of the golden liquid tingled her nerves, triggering her instinctive reaction. Soon afterward, the woman''s eyes snapped open, filled with shock and confusion. Then, overcome with an intense urge to vomit, she coughed violently, spitting out the golden liquid that had just been poured into her mouth. "Bleah!" "Bleah!" "Bleah!" The already foul-smelling room became even more unbearable, causing the woman to feel pain as if she wished for death. However, since she had been unconscious for too long, her physical strength and reaction capabilities were greatly reduced, and due to her dizziness and blurred vision, she couldn''t even avoid it. sea??h th§× ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Seeing this, Shen Xiao Hu swiftly turned the woman''s head to one side to prevent her vomit from soiling himself. After a while, the woman, seemingly mustering all her strength, finally managed to spit out all the golden liquid, along with a series of violent coughs and dry heaves. After vomiting, the woman felt drained. She leaned weakly against the wall, gasping for air, with an expression full of pain and anger. "Give me water..." Shen Xiao Hu acted upon hearing this, bringing over a basin of water. Without saying a word, the woman rushed forward and repeatedly scooped water with her hands to rinse her mouth, then hurriedly wiped the golden liquid off her face, hands, and body without considering the cold. In the brief moment while waiting for the water, having seen her half-exposed body, she understood what had transpired. Glancing around at the corpses in the room, and seeing Shen Qing and others standing patiently aside, she began to weigh her options. Even though she knew she had just been force-fed golden liquid and was nearly on the brink of another outburst, she suppressed it in the face of life and death. "Who are you?" the woman asked, wiping the yellow stains at the corner of her mouth, speaking for the first time. Shen Qing picked up a coat from the ground and threw it to her, saying, "It''s cold, put this on before we talk." The woman silently took the coat and draped it over herself, covering the many revealing sights of her body. "A member of the Zhou Family?" The woman nodded, her almond eyes fixed on Shen Qing, "A servant-born daughter from the fifth concubine''s quarters of the Zhou Family." "Raised by a concubine?" Shen Qing was stunned for a moment. Having lived in this world for so many days, he had come to understand some of its terms. Generally speaking, in the households of the wealthy, a daughter of the family who comes as part of a concubine''s dowry is called a Concubine Teng. If the legal wife passes away, they elevate the Concubine Teng to maintain the marital ties and protect the interests of her family. After the Concubine Teng, there are concubines, secondary wives, side chambers, noble concubines, and concubine maids, etc. In general, concubine maids are born to those of lowly status within Great Zhou, and their status is very low. To some extent, they are considered the property of their masters and can be transferred at will. The status of children born to concubine maids naturally wouldn''t be high either. As soon as Shen Qing heard that she was raised by a concubine maid, he surmised why the Eagle''s underlings dared to do such a thing. "How were you snatched and brought here?" The woman spoke calmly, "Last night, I went out of the courtyard to dispose of some waste, and after that, I don''t know what happened." "Alright, it seems there are many twists in your story that I am not interested in hearing about. Now that you''ve woken up, you should just go back on your own." Shen Qing said offhandedly, planning to leave with Shen Xiaohu and Tian Xiaohu. She was merely a girl raised by a concubine. In this chaotic county town, even if someone were killed on a whim, nobody would care. Disappointment. "Wait a moment." The woman stood up and spoke, "If you can escort me back, I can give you hundreds of gold taels. If you don''t want gold, I can still provide you with martial arts from a government office and an elixir." "Hmm?" Upon hearing this, Shen Qing abruptly turned his gaze onto the woman, eyes gleaming intensely. "Are you joking with me? I don''t believe that a girl born to a Zhou Family concubine can give me all that." "That''s because you know nothing of the Zhou Family''s foundation." The woman met his gaze without a trace of fear, "What seems unreachable to people like you are but trifles to the Zhou Family. When the Zhou ranks first among the Four Great Eastern Families, it''s not just an empty claim." Shen Qing hadn''t come into contact with the Four Great Eastern Families, but he had vaguely heard people mention that each family within the Four Greats is exceedingly wealthy, possessing riches beyond his imagination. Shen Qing narrowed his eyes and said, "So, I just need to escort you to the Zhou residence?" "Yes, just take me back to the Fifth Room of the Zhou house," the woman said firmly, "I keep my word." After a brief consideration, Shen Qing agreed, saying, "Alright, I''ll escort you." "Good, then it''s settled. The Outer City is too chaotic these days; it would be very difficult for me to leave without protection," the woman said, sounding relieved. Discover magic on m_v_l_e_m_p_y_r Shen Qing examined her from head to toe and said, "You haven''t fully recovered yet. Rest a little longer, and then we''ll leave." The woman didn''t make a sound, which Shen Qing took as agreement. Shen Qing went outside with Tian Xiaohu and Shen Xiaohu and said to them, "Xiao Hu, go tell the others to dispose of these bodies. From now on, this area is under our control. After you''ve done that, everyone can head back." "Got it," Shen Xiaohu nodded in agreement. "Piece of cake." Shen Qing then said, "Xiao Hu, come with me later to take the remaining three women to the government office. I will take that woman to the Zhou Family." "Are you really going to take her there? Do you want me to come with you?" "No need. If I haven''t returned by nightfall, take Xiao Hu to Linfeng Hall and ask Li Linfeng to go to the Zhou Family and find me." The martial arts from the government office, as far as he knew, generally involved realms above the Qi Cultivation Realm. They are not only easy to practice but also powerful. As for the elixirs from the government office, they are probably rare treasures. Even with some risk involved, it was worth making the trip. Having dealt with the surrounding affairs, it was two Shi Chen later. When Shen Qing returned to the house, the Zhou Family woman had found her clothes and gotten dressed again. Her expression was calm, showing neither joy nor sadness. "It''s about time, shall we go?" Shen Qing approached and asked. The Zhou Family woman nodded and said, "I haven''t been here before and don''t know the way; you lead the way." Chapter 100: Chapter 24 Above the Qi Cultivation Realm Shen Qing smiled at the woman and said, "You go ahead; I''ll just direct from behind." "..." Shen Qing wouldn''t make the foolish mistake of turning his back on a stranger. Shen Qing asked, "Is that not okay?" The Zhou Family woman took a deep breath and replied, "Then I appreciate your effort." Shen Qing signaled with his eyes, "Let''s go." The Zhou Family woman nodded, her hands hidden in her sleeves, and walked out beside Shen Qing. Shen Qing turned back to Tian Xiaohu and said, "I leave the rest to you." "Yes, rest easy." Tian Xiaohu stepped forward and whispered, "Qingzi, I feel that woman is always hiding something from you." "You feel that too? Seems I wasn''t overthinking it." Shen Qing glanced at Tian Xiaohu and said, "Alright, I got it." "Hmm." Having said that, Shen Qing turned and followed the Zhou Family woman. "Turn left at the alley ahead, then turn right and go straight." Once out of the courtyard, Shen Qing spoke to remind her. Upon hearing this, the Zhou Family woman followed the direction Shen Qing indicated and walked on, head down. Standing behind, Shen Qing tilted his head and glanced at the corpses piled in the corner, then looked again at this Zhou Family woman, his eyes narrowing into a long line. Discover tales on m_vl_em_p_yr He increasingly felt this woman was extraordinary. An ordinary woman, seeing the ground littered with corpses and a bloody scene, would likely have collapsed, unable to walk. But this woman seemed unaffected. This indicated, either she had an unusually strong demeanor unlike normal folk, or she was used to seeing such scenes and it had become customary for her. Otherwise, it wouldn''t be so. What was even more frightening was that, as a member of the Zhou Family and facing such a significant upheaval, she displayed no signs of emotional collapse, just like someone unaffected. Such a reaction was all too glaring. Shen Qing quietly increased the distance between them. The two walked on without saying a word, their clear footsteps resonating between them. After a while, the Zhou Family woman at the front, unable to stand the chilly silence, asked, "Sir, how may I address you?" "Li Feiyu." "Then what is Qingzi?" "That''s my nickname," Shen Qing deflected and asked, "What about you? What''s your name?" The Zhou Family woman said, "Zhou Qiaoji." Since the conversation had started, Shen Qing directly asked, "I heard that the Zhou Family started from the shoes and silk business, from the county town over there. Can you tell me about your family?" Zhou Qiaoji did not avoid the question but softly smiled and said, "Which aspect would you like to hear about?" "How many people are in the Zhou Family, and who has the highest cultivation?" These were not secrets and held no value in hiding; Zhou Qiaoji replied, "Definitely more than a hundred. I haven''t counted exactly. Just from the direct line of the Zhou Family, there are nine people, two legitimate sons, and three legitimate grandchildren. The eldest son married the County Magistrate''s legitimate daughter, and the second son married Miss Li. Recently, it came out that the eldest son would likely manage the Zhou Family''s properties in the future." "Regarding cultivation, of course, the strongest is Old Master Zhou, who already reached the Qi Hai Realm ten years ago. Next would be the second son, who broke through to the Qi Cultivation Realm last year. Inside the Zhou Family Mansion, there are also Martial Masters in the Qi Cultivation Realm slightly stronger than the second son, but they are practitioners invited by the old master, not surnamed Zhou." After listening, Shen Qing asked, "So above the Qi Cultivation Realm, there''s the Qi Hai Realm?" S§×ar?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Yes, and after that, there are the Yu Luo Realm, Dan Realm, and several levels up to the Innate Realm. However, in our small county town, such important figures don''t come by. Our old master''s cultivation is pretty much the limit here." With one statement, Zhou Qiaoji instantly broadened Shen Qing''s horizons, causing his heart to pound. Shen Qing asked, "I''ve heard masters in the Martial Arts Hall say they all aim for the Qi Cultivation Realm; no one thinks of going further, why is that?" "Because the chasm between the Qi Cultivation Realm and the Qi Hai Realm requires the methods of the court to cross," Zhou Qiaoji said slowly. "Although Qi Cultivation Realm and Qi Hai Realm share a word, the difference between the two is immense. Crossing it makes one a cultivator, failing to cross leaves one a mere common martial master." Speaking, Zhou Qiaoji paused and turned back, "Our Zhou Family has been operating here for many years, naturally, we have ways to obtain this breakthrough from the court. As for you heroes... reaching the Qi Cultivation Realm is quite an achievement, and all the masters in the martial arts halls understand this." Zhou Qiaoji''s words had a somewhat condescending tone, which made Shen Qing somewhat uncomfortable. But he also knew that what Zhou Qiaoji said was the truth. It appeared that for those who weren''t part of Great Zhou''s system, no matter how hard these lower-class people fought, breaking their socio-economic bounds was incredibly difficult. It might take the efforts of three generations to have a chance. One generation accumulates wealth through business, the next generation strengthens its power through martial arts, and the third generation secures its position by entering officialdom. In this process, three generations must not produce any prodigals and must proceed methodically. "I just wonder, if I use the Water Ink Panel, could I cross that chasm she spoke of?" Shen Qing quietly pondered. Through his continuous practice, the Water Ink Panel had been increasing in proficiency, cultivating a myriad of skills. With a thousand hammerings, a skill nears art, and with a hundred refinings, art nears dao. He could try it out later. Shen Qing put aside these thoughts and continued asking, "What about the other Bosses?" "You mean the Wang Family, Song Family, and Li Family?" "Yes." "All more or less the same. Among the four, the Wang Family is the most low-key, the Li Family has the strongest power, and the Song Family is the weakest and also the most anxious." "What do you mean by that?" Zhou Qiaoji continued as he walked, "Didn''t you all hear recently? The Song family has been searching everywhere for rare treasures to lay the foundation for their Third Young Master and Young Master." Upon hearing this, a grin almost escaped Shen Qing''s face. Could he not have heard? Those three rare treasures were currently in his possession. "That is indeed the case," Shen Qing said, restraining his emotions and speaking calmly. "They are in such a rush purely because their family''s old ancestor has died and they lack a Qi Hai Realm figure," Zhou Qiaoji said indifferently. At this, Shen Qing suddenly saw the light. "No wonder." The two chatted sporadically as they walked. In a blink, they reached the main road, passed through the city gate, and entered the Inner City. They walked in the Inner City for a while, spending nearly half an hour, and Zhou Qiaoji led Shen Qing to the vicinity of the Zhou Family Mansion. Looking from afar, the grand entrance of the Zhou Family was majestic and awe-inspiring. The beam over the gate was embedded with a golden plaque bearing the great letters of "Zhou Family," written with vigorous and extraordinary strength. On either side of the gate, two stone lions were intricately and beautifully decorated, quite unlike many others Shen Qing had seen, displaying even greater grandeur. The Zhou Family Mansion covered a vast area, with deep courtyards and many buildings inside the compound. Shen Qing, who had never been here before, suddenly felt quite intrigued. Zhou Qiaoji explained, "The fifth chamber is in the West Entrance Courtyard, we need to walk this street around to another street." Shen Qing, unfamiliar with the place, said, "Since you know the way, you lead. Once you deliver me there, just fulfill your promise." Zhou Qiaoji responded, "Don''t worry, our Zhou Family is known for keeping promises, we will not go back on our word. Let''s go." As he spoke, Zhou Qiaoji headed towards the other side of the Zhou Family Mansion. Shen Qing followed a few steps behind. Chapter 101: Chapter 25: Loss of Honor is Minor, Reputation is Major Zhou Qiaoji led Shen Qing to another street and entered an alley. On both sides of the alley, various vendors'' stalls were lined up densely, displaying a dazzling array of goods. From fresh vegetables to exquisite handicrafts, tempting snacks..., everything was available. Steaming buns, fragrant pancakes, crispy deep-fried dough sticks..., the air was filled with the aroma of various snacks, and the cries of vendors were incessant. Children were playing and frolicking in the alley, their laughter and playful shouts intertwined with the vendors'' calls, creating a lively atmosphere. After passing through this alley, they continued towards the Sezhou Family Mansion, the shadows of the trees on both sides growing deeper. The number of vendors abruptly decreased. It was like crossing a certain boundary; beyond that line, not a single vendor could be seen. Sunlight slanted across the end of the alley. Soon, Zhou Qiaoji led Shen Qing to a vermilion wooden door. With no one around, Shen Qing''s steps were slightly hesitant, his Qi-Blood churning incessantly, tense on the inside yet relaxed on the outside. Zhou Qiaoji appeared much more composed, as she gently knocked on the wooden door, producing a low and rhythmic sound. After a short while, the wooden door creaked open, and a gatekeeper clad in blue peeked out. The gatekeeper''s gaze lingered on Shen Qing just briefly; seeing Zhou Qiaoji, his expression changed and he quickly bowed respectfully, "Miss twelfth, have you returned?" Zhou Qiaoji nodded slightly, telling the gatekeeper, "Go and ask Chang Guanshi to come out; tell him I need to speak with him." The gatekeeper obeyed and went, while Shen Qing kept his eyes firmly fixed on the gatekeeper''s retreating figure and remained silent. The long-robed Chang Guanshi hurried over, his voice reaching them before he did, "Miss twelfth, where have you been? I''ve been terribly worried." When he saw Shen Qing, he paused for a moment, but quickly regained his composure. "It''s a long story; I''ll explain later," said Zhou Qiaoji as she ascended a step and turned around to face Shen Qing, "What do you want? The Cultivation Technique and Elixir or a hundred gold taels?" Shen Qing hadn''t expected Zhou Qiaoji to act so decisively without any procrastination. On the way, he had heard of various Martial Arts Realms and learned some of their key aspects; after a brief reflection, he calmly replied, "The Cultivation Technique and Elixir." "Alright," Zhou Qiaoji commanded, "Chang Guanshi, go get me the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill that I obtained from my second brother, and also bring the Qi Refining Pill." Chang Guanshi made a face and said, "The eldest young master took the Qi Refining Pill when he saw you weren''t here." Zhou Qiaoji''s chest tightened, but she maintained her composure and said, "Then bring one hundred silver notes instead." "Alright, Miss, I''ll be right back." Chang Guanshi nodded, bowed, and hurried back to fetch the items. Zhou Qiaoji turned to Shen Qing and said, "Lord Li, please be patient; I will soon bring you the items to fulfill my promise. However, the Zhou family is quite large, and it takes some time to retrieve items. Wouldn''t you like to come with me to a quiet place and wait for a moment?" Shen Qing refused, saying, "I am just a rustic countryman and not worthy of sullying the entrance to the Zhou family. Besides, I am here only for the items, not as a guest; I prefer not to go inside." "Lord Li is truly humble, very well then. It''s up to you." Zhou Qiaoji did not insist further. After about the time it takes to drink a pot of tea, Chang Guanshi came over with a wooden box and said, "Miss twelfth, it''s all here." Zhou Qiaoji opened the box, looked through it to confirm, and said, "It''s all here." Then, holding the small wooden box, she approached Shen Qing and said, "The Martial Arts Skills are inside, and since I promised you Elixirs are missing, I''ve converted them into one hundred silver notes." Shen Qing took the box, pulled out the skills inside it, and then started to flip through them page by page in front of Zhou Qiaoji. As he flipped, he explained, "I need to carefully check the skills to avoid any potential faults or blanks that might cause me a loss." At this moment, Zhou Qiaoji''s expression showed a hint of impatience, but she quickly covered it up, "You make a good point, Lord Li. Take your time; there''s no rush." "Hmm." Read new stories on m_vl_em_p_yr After half the duration of an incense stick had passed, Shen Qing finally finished and confirmed the content was complete, saying, "There is no issue." "That''s good." "Miss Zhou truly acts with integrity," Shen Qing took out the silver notes from the box and said with a clenched fist, "With this, our transaction is complete. Farewell!" Zhou Qiaoji said, "Lord Li, safe travels." As Shen Qing''s figure disappeared down the alley, Zhou Qiaoji''s spirit abruptly relaxed, and her face suddenly changed, her teeth clenching angrily. "Miss..." Chang Guanshi noticed something was amiss and stepped forward with concern, asking, "What is it...?" "Uncle Chang, I''ll need to trouble you with something later," Zhou Qiaoji said with a fierce look in her eyes. Chang Guanshi, puzzled, asked, "Miss, what do you need me to do?" "Kill that man from earlier!" "The young master has already ordered us not to kill people randomly, so as not to make it difficult for his father-in-law. I need a reason." Zhou Qiaoji''s eyes reddened as she said, "I was deceived by that despicable person." "Hmm?" Choking back tears, Zhou Qiaoji recounted her continuous misfortunes. However, she omitted some details. "Ah... so there was such a thing? That damned eagle, luckily he died early. Otherwise, if the old master got angry, he would have made his life worse than death." Zhou Qiaoji became somewhat agitated. In fact, her name was not Zhou Qiaoji; she was Zhou Yu, one of the favored daughters of Old Master Zhou from the fifth concubine room, skilled in calculations and even in some martial arts. When facing Shen Qing, she dared not reveal her true identity out of fear of tarnishing it, hence she used an alias. After a while, Chang Guanshi said, solemn-faced, "If that''s the case, losing one''s virtue is a minor issue, but reputation is a major one. This man must not be left alive." "It''s not just him, but also the three women who were sent to the government office, and those people from the slum area. They all need to be killed. As long as they are all dead, no one will know about this, and the matter can be covered up." Zhou Yu spoke with growing agitation. At this moment, she harbored immense hatred toward Shen Qing, fervently wishing to mutilate him thousands of times. The so-called golden liquid was actually sewage! She, a distinguished Miss Zhou, was forced to drink golden liquid, a torture worse than death for her. Nevertheless, that man must be killed! A mere vagabond living in the Outer City, if he died, no one would care. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Excuse me, gentlemen." Just then, an abrupt voice sounded in the ears of Zhou Yu and Chang Guanshi, startling them both. They looked around and saw Shen Qing, who had unexpectedly returned, moving soundlessly. Zhou Yu suppressed her thoughts and asked, "What is it?" "I''ve thought it over and decided not to take the Martial Arts Skills. Please exchange it for one hundred gold taels." As he spoke, Shen Qing presented the Martial Arts Skills with both hands. Zhou Yu and Chang Guanshi exchanged glances. She didn''t know why Shen Qing suddenly wanted to exchange the skills, but it seemed to make no difference, as he couldn''t have memorized much of it anyway. After all, a man who was going to die could have anything taken back. Zhou Yu said, "Chang Guanshi, go and get the gold notes." "Yes, Miss." This time Zhou Yu was cautious and said no more, fearing she might say too much. Soon Chang Guanshi brought the gold notes, "Count them, are they right?" Shen Qing grabbed the gold notes and didn''t count them, "I trust you." After saying this, he immediately handed back the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill, "The cultivation technique is yours." Chang Guanshi glanced at Zhou Yu, who signaled him to hold off on any actions and take it outside, to avoid making the issue public. Chang Guanshi understood and took the cultivation technique handed by Shen Qing. But as he touched it, there was a rectangular box underneath the cultivation technique. "Goodbye." Chang Guanshi was puzzled, but Shen Qing had already left swiftly. He frowned, took out the rectangular box, and wondered, "What is this?" As the words fell, Boom! A violent burst of flame erupted from the box, with a thunderous sound, instantly engulfing Chang Guanshi and Zhou Yu in a massive fireball. Chapter 102: Chapter 26: With a Loud Bang, They All Died in the Explosion The dazzling fireball in the courtyard shot up into the sky, intermingled with yellow flashes of lightning, as if a sleeping fire dragon had been awakened in an instant, furiously tearing at its surroundings, lunging in all directions. Immediately afterward, a thunderous boom exploded like thunder, deafening to those who heard it. The vermilion back gate was instantly shattered by the blast, and even the courtyard walls did not escape unscathed. The sturdy cyan bricks collapsed in one corner under the force of the explosion, the fragmented stones bursting forth along with the flames. When the light from the fire dissipated, countless pieces of stone showered down. The air was thick with the scent of scorched earth and gunpowder, pungent and intense. Having already stepped outside the gate, Shen Qing, upon witnessing the scene unfolding before him, was somewhat surprised, "This power is much greater than I anticipated." Shen Qing glanced around swiftly, charged back inside, brushed off the dust in the air, and scanned his surroundings. A short while later, he discovered the remains of Zhou Yu, Chang Guanshi, and a gatekeeper who had become charred beyond recognition amidst the rubble. The faces of the three bodies were beyond recognition, their features blurred from the blast impact, contorted in a perverse state, limbs stretched abnormally, their shredded clothes caked with dust and blood. If it were not for Shen Qing having seen the two just now, anyone else arriving would have to spend a long time identifying them. "Quick, quick, quick, let''s see what happened at the fifth room!" Urgent footsteps echoed from all around. The Zhou Family members rushed here immediately upon hearing the explosion. Having confirmed the death of those inside with no need for further action, Shen Qing activated his Turtle Breath Technique, pushed off the ground, and dashed into the alley, leaving the scene before the Zhou Family members arrived. Only when he reached the bustling streets and merged with the crowd did he slow down his pace a bit. Upon escorting Zhou Yu back to the Zhou Family Mansion, Zhou Yu promised him a Cultivation Technique and Elixir plus a hundred gold taels. S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Both were valuable items. But you can''t have your cake and eat it too. Zhou Yu wanted him to choose one over the other. This left Shen Qing torn and troubled the whole way. It wasn''t until he stood at the gate of the Zhou Family''s backyard that he thought things through and finally made his decision. Only children make choices. He wanted the Cultivation Technique and Elixir, and he wanted those hundred gold taels as well. So he took the Cultivation Technique first, using his Never Forget ability to glance at it and memorize it, then pretended to have a change of heart and gave it back, taking the hundred gold taels instead. In this way, he obtained both the Cultivation Technique and the gold. He was able to keep both. To avoid being too obvious, Shen Qing only used his Turtle Breath Technique to return after they saw him leave, intending to give back the Martial Arts. He unexpectedly caught them off guard and overheard fragments of their conversation. They were plotting against him! All along the way, Shen Qing felt something was off about that woman, so he had been cautious from the start. The Martial Mechanism Bomb he had got from Eagle had been hidden in his sleeve all along, ready but unused. Hearing their words, Shen Qing simply decided to go all in, giving them the Martial Mechanism Bomb along with the Cultivation Technique. Then, with a loud boom, he blew both of them to pieces! The seed of enmity¡ªno, the enmity hadn''t even started before he avenged it. He didn''t hesitate for a moment. After a careful review, Shen Qing recalled that in the backyard, only the gatekeeper, Chang Guanshi, and Zhou Yu were present. When he returned later, he was more careful to avoid being seen. Now, the people who had seen him were basically dead. With Zhou Yu intentionally concealing the information, even if the Zhou Family members wanted to investigate, it would be difficult for them to trace it back to him. Safe. It was still early. After today''s turmoil, his clothes had gotten quite bloody. Shen Qing found a clothing store to change into fresh garments and then hit the bathhouse for a soak, washing away the filth from his body. After wandering around the city and burning his old clothes in a secluded spot, he leisurely made his way towards Linfeng Hall. When Shen Qing returned to Linfeng Hall, he found Tian Xiaohu pacing at the entrance, looking hesitant to go in or stay out. Shen Qing approached and called out. Tian Xiaohu snapped his head up and seemed to breathe a sigh of relief upon seeing Shen Qing, his worries easing. "The Zhou Family members didn''t give you a hard time, did they?" "No," Shen Qing replied with a calm smile, "The Zhou Family members are quite righteous. They gave me everything that was due to me. We got along like a house on fire, quite familiar now." "That''s good. After all, the Zhou Family is a big boss. If you can establish a connection with them, it would be greatly beneficial to you." "That''s a matter for later. Let''s talk about it then," Shen Qing patted his shoulder and said, "You''ve worked hard. I''ll go in and check with my uncle, the Hall Master, to see how our five Martial Arts Secret Manuals are coming along." "Okay, go ahead with your tasks. I''m heading back too," Tian Xiaohu said, cupping his fists without lingering and striding off. Inside Linfeng Hall. There were still quite a few people practicing martial arts in the courtyard. Most of them were unaware that Shen Qing had been taken as a direct disciple; they only knew that he was Miss Qi''s nephew who had benefited from her favor and was regarded differently by Li Linfeng who personally instructed him. After Shen Qing entered, most people looked at him with envy, while a few showed disdain and jealousy. Shen Qing didn''t care about this, greeted the familiar Xiao Zhi and others as usual when arriving in the courtyard, and went straight to the back courtyard. Now that he had been designated a direct disciple by Li Linfeng, he did not need the housemaids or servants to announce his presence anymore. Apart from the bedchambers and quarters of the female family members, which he couldn''t enter, he was free to come and go as he pleased in other areas. A lot freer than before. Entering the room, Shen Qing saw the three senior brothers, as well as Li Lingchan and Li Hongyang practicing together and sparring against each other. Li Lingchan was still dressed like a young nobleman, her chest padded. After all, training martial arts would be inconvenient if she wore skirts and hairpins. Ouyang Tiezhu was still indifferent, sparring with the third senior brother: "Third junior brother, have you been frequenting the brothels too much lately? I feel like your waist lacks strength and your reaction is much slower. I remember you invented a Finger Skill that even impressed the ladies there. Heh heh..." "I''m slow in reaction? Big senior brother, you should be careful." Pfft! Enjoy stories on m_v lem|p-yr The third senior brother, Dong Zizhuang, pointed his fingers together and jabbed fiercely several times into the empty space in front of him. But the first senior brother, Ouyang Tiezhu, was agile in his movements, dodging left and right to avoid the attacks. Ouyang Tiezhu, seeing Shen Qing approaching, hastily retreated, getting out of the attack range of Dong Zizhuang: "Little junior brother''s here, stop training." Dong Zizhuang turned at the mention, noticing Shen Qing standing in the courtyard and pausing in his actions as he stopped. Ouyang Tiezhu walked up to Shen Qing, looked him up and down, and commented curiously, "Little junior brother, how is it that you seem to have grown even taller?" After changing into a new set of clothes that better fit his body, Shen Qing indeed appeared different from before. With months of martial arts training and nourishment from various foods and medicinal herbs, his body was growing rapidly, changing almost daily. Now he had shot up from a height of around 1.70 meters to nearly 1.80 meters, and his whole body had beefed up considerably. Shen Qing replied with a smile, "Ever since I started training in martial arts with Master, I''ve been eating well and sleeping well, so I''ve naturally been growing. Life was too hard before." Chapter 103: Chapter 27: Competition, Judging Martial Skills Ouyang Tiezhu felt there was some truth to it, he didn''t think too much, and asked, "Did you come here looking for Master?" "Yes, is Master here?" Shen Qing nodded. "He just went to the back room, he should be here soon." Shen Qing said, "Then alright, I''ll wait here for Master." "We still have some time, how about a little sparring, Junior Brother? At the stage of Practicing Killing Skill, actual combat is very important." Ouyang Tiezhu smiled and beckoned to Shen Qing. Shen Qing glanced at the study, the door was open, and Li Linfeng was indeed not inside. "Alright, let''s practice." No sooner had Shen Qing finished speaking than Ouyang Tiezhu rushed forward in a leaping step, aiming a jab at Shen Qing''s chest. This was a common initial move in Wind Defying Finger, aimed at breaking through the opponent''s ''gate''. Shen Qing was not sloppy either; he spun on his heels, turned around, and dodged this finger while also pointing out with his finger. His Qi-Blood was immensely robust, augmented by long-term stimulation of precious medicines as well as the conditioning of the Blood Dominance Technique. Even though his cultivation was at the Bone Refining Realm facing Ouyang Tiezhu, he did not fall behind in the slightest, and was even a bit faster than Ouyang Tiezhu. Ouyang Tiezhu was also experienced; he slapped with one hand and blocked Shen Qing''s attack. He had already completed Bone Refining and was attempting to break into the Skin Forging Realm. Theoretically, his power and speed should have been a notch above Shen Qing''s, but the reality made him doubt his own cultivation. Ouyang Tiezhu realized he couldn''t suppress this junior brother who was only at the Bone Refining Realm. The two continuously exchanged moves, stirring up the dust on the ground with each clash. In an instant, dozens of moves were exchanged. Ouyang Tiezhu landed a flicking finger on Shen Qing''s shoulder, making Shen Qing''s body go numb, forcing him to retreat several steps. Both were holding back, not using their full strength. Otherwise, that one finger could have made Shen Qing bleed. Indeed, sparring with someone rich in combat experience was different from the ordinary person. "Again." Shen Qing calmed down, carefully observing Ouyang Tiezhu''s habits and movements. When Li Linfeng taught him, he often mentioned that the most important thing in combat against others was observation. To discern the opponent''s strength, find the opponent''s weakness, thus doubling the effort and achieving the effect of surprise. Ouyang Tiezhu "heh"ed, and charged straight forward. His movement looked familiar to Shen Qing. After breaking through to the Bone Refining Realm, Shen Qing''s senses had become extremely sharp, exceeding that of an ordinary person by a dimension. Combined with his Never Forget skill, he quickly dismantled Ouyang Tiezhu''s movements and found his habitual tendencies. There was a flaw. Shen Qing lowered his body, dodged to the right in a sidestep, easily avoiding Ouyang Tiezhu''s attack. Then he quickly moved behind Ouyang Tiezhu and lightly pressed on his back. Ouyang Tiezhu felt as if he was electrocuted, involuntarily staggering forward. If it weren''t for his stable movement technique, he might have fallen face first. The others looked on as if they had seen something marvelous, staring wide-eyed at Shen Qing. He had actually defeated the eldest senior brother. How long had he been practicing martial arts? Such talent was truly freakish. Shen Qing hastily stepped forward, grabbed Ouyang Tiezhu, and bowed, "Eldest senior brother, my apologies." Ouyang Tiezhu was very open-minded, clapping his hands and saying, "No worries, it''s just that my skill isn''t as good as yours. Junior brother, your progress is really fast, worthy of Master''s praise that you are natural martial arts material, even several of me combined can''t compare to you." "It''s all thanks to Master''s good teaching," Shen Qing said modestly, bowing his head. Ouyang Tiezhu said, "Your ability now surpasses that of an ordinary martial master. An average person would stand no chance against you¡ªyou could easily handle any number, and being in charge of a household or guarding an estate, you could earn a good sum in just a month." "Let''s talk about making money later. Right now, I need to focus on improving my Martial Arts." While they were speaking, footsteps echoed through the corridor. "The master is coming." Shen Qing bowed to Ouyang Tiezhu and said, "I''m going to see the Master first. We''ll chat more later, elder brother." Read more adventures at m-vl-em-pyr After he spoke, Shen Qing followed behind Li Linfeng and entered the study. Once Li Linfeng was seated, Shen Qing stepped forward and respectfully called out, "Master." "What brings you here?" Li Linfeng asked with a steady gaze towards Shen Qing. Shen Qing took out five Martial Arts Secret Manuals from his chest, which he had collected from the Eagle, and said, "Master, I found some basic Martial Arts elsewhere. I hope you can take a look and see the quality of these techniques." After finishing his words, Shen Qing reached into his chest and placed the five Martial Arts Secret Manuals on Li Linfeng''s desk. "Illusion Breaking Fist, Netherworld Ghost Steps, Eight Extremities Collapse, Wuji Tiangang Kick, Dragon Roar Iron Cloth Shirt." Li Linfeng spread out all five manuals and glanced through them. He casually picked up one of the manuals and began reading it intently. After a while, having finished one, he proceeded to the next. While reading, he took a pen and made corrections and annotations. After spending several hours, Li Linfeng had read and corrected all five manuals. He stacked them together, pushed them towards Shen Qing without any hint of greed, and said, "These techniques are generally accurate, with no major flaws. I noticed some minor errors and have corrected them for you." Shen Qing''s face lit up with delight as he hurriedly said, "Thank you, Master." "Among these techniques, only the Eight Extremities Collapse is somewhat interesting. It shares some unique similarities in power with my Wind Defying Finger technique. You might want to study that one more for inspiration. As for the others, don''t bother." Li Linfeng waved his hand and advised, "The biggest fear in learning Martial Arts is breadth without depth. At this stage, it''s better for you to concentrate on cultivating one technique. Engaging in too many could dissipate your energy and prove counterproductive." "I understand." Shen Qing nodded, pulled the corrected manuals towards him, and briefly scanned through them. Seeing the annotations, Shen Qing knew he had done right by consulting Li Linfeng. This saved him a great deal of trouble. S§×arch* The ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. With this thought, Shen Qing fetched some paper and, relying on his Never Forget memory, transcribed another manual before speaking in a hushed tone, "Master, please look at this one too." Shen Qing didn''t dare to practice the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill given to him by Zhou Yu directly. The best course was to have someone knowledgeable review it first to identify any potential issues. Li Linfeng looked oddly at his newly accepted direct disciple. He couldn''t figure out how he had suddenly produced so many Martial Arts manuals. And even transcribed one on the spot. Did his family run a Martial Arts wholesale business? But he was well-cultured and knew this disciple was not ordinary, so he refrained from commenting further. Li Linfeng picked up the manual Shen Qing had placed on the desk and studied it carefully. Noting the fresh ink, Li Linfeng''s brows furrowed slightly. He patiently turned to the first page and began reading seriously, finding it somewhat reasonable. Turning to the second page, he thought, "Oh, so Qi-Blood can be trained like this." By the third page, he became restless. The technique was straightforward and even touched upon the essence of simplicity. Without a doubt, from his perspective, this was not only a technique but also a True Martial Arts manual¡ªa good technique indeed. Enthralled, Li Linfeng read until the very last page before suddenly snapping out of it, feeling a sense of loss. He looked at Shen Qing and sternly asked, "Where did you get this Martial Arts technique from?" Chapter 104: Chapter 28: Get Stronger! Get Stronger! Shen Qing knew that if he sought advice from Li Linfeng, he couldn''t avoid this issue. He had killed three members of the Zhou Family in one go, creating such a big incident that it could easily lead to suspicion. If a hint of this got out from Li Linfeng, and they came looking for him, he wouldn''t be able to withstand their assault. One must not harbor ill intentions, yet one cannot be without a guard against others. It was absolutely imperative not to reveal that the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill came from the Zhou Family. Shen Qing began crafting his explanation internally. Having lived two lives, he was very clear that lying was the worst choice at this time. One lie often required countless other lies to cover it up. This was especially true in front of someone of higher social standing than oneself, where lying was even more difficult. Because you have no idea at which level the other''s knowledge lies. Perhaps even an unremarkable detail might be a flaw that allows the other to see through your petty schemes, thereby incurring losses unseen by you. Therefore, in front of such people, sincerity is the trump card; there''s no need for cover-ups, just speak the true thoughts in your heart. Of course, if you encounter people who are very jealous and suspicious, you can''t be so direct. After observing for these past days, he concluded that his hall master uncle was not a narrow-minded person, nor did one who likes to probe too deeply into matters. Having made up his mind, Shen Qing clasped his hands together, bowed, and said, "Master, there are some complexities here... it''s not quite convenient to disclose..." As he had expected, Li Linfeng indeed did not pursue the matter further. In Li Linfeng''s perspective, the cultivation technique was probably acquired by Shen Qing through "murder and plunder", with somewhat dubious origins. However, in Taiping County, people fought over cultivation techniques every day, so Shen Qing''s situation was fairly normal. Rather than that, Li Linfeng found it more curious that Shen Qing could copy an entire cultivation technique from memory. Li Linfeng averted his gaze, lightly "hmm" and said, "Your writing is a bit ugly." Shen Qing looked surprised, embarrassed, he said, "My family was poor when I was young, it is embarrassing in front of Master." In his previous life, he had used pens, not often practicing with brush, and if it weren''t for learning the skill of reading and writing from the panel, he probably wouldn''t have been able to write these characters. "Practice more when you have free time." Li Linfeng closed the book and looked at Shen Qing with a half-smile, asking, "What do you want to ask me by showing me this cultivation technique?" Shen Qing sighed with relief, knowing he had managed to skirt around the issue of the origin of the cultivation technique, and said respectfully, "Master, I mainly want to know if this set of martial arts skills is genuine or not, whether it can be cultivated, and the quality of the technique?" Li Linfeng pondered for a while, "I have carefully examined it, and this set of martial arts establishes a foundation from nourishing and training Qi and Blood all the way to Qi Cultivation into sea. The reasoning is sound throughout, so it should be a genuine set of martial arts, and the quality is not low either." Your source is m-vl|em|p,yr "It is obviously much more refined than the cultivation techniques concocted by our rough methods, and many parts are easy to understand. As to whether it can be practiced, I''m not certain. The martial arts you''ve copied are somewhat incomplete; there should be corresponding diagrams of techniques and training methods included." Hearing this, Shen Qing finally relaxed; the cultivation technique given to him by the Zhou Family had no problems, and he could try practicing it. As for the diagrams of techniques mentioned by Li Linfeng, the original did have them. It was just that he couldn''t draw them, which was why he hadn''t copied them. A flash of joy crossed Shen Qing''s face as he said gratefully, "Thank you, Master, for your guidance." "It''s nothing to thank me for." Li Linfeng said frankly, "This cultivation technique is far superior to my Wind Defying Finger; if you have the complete technique, you indeed should practice it. However, there''s an old saying that one should not be greedy when learning martial arts. A person''s energy is limited; if you study this martial art more, you will definitely have to study less of the others. I''m not familiar with this technique, so there''s not much I can teach you, you need to make your own choices." "Disciple understands. Having become your direct disciple, I will naturally focus on learning the Wind Defying Finger and not be fickle," Shen Qing bowed his head and said. Seeing Shen Qing recognizing his own martial arts, Li Linfeng''s face showed an increase in satisfaction. But, thinking it over, he still said sternly, "A good bird chooses a tree to nest in, and people seek places of suitable environments. If I were you, upon finding more complete and advanced martial arts, I would not hesitate to learn them. Has your eldest senior brother told you why we practice martial arts?" Shen Qing recalled and said, "He has." "What did he say?" "We practice martial arts to become stronger and to defeat others," Shen Qing replied without hesitation. "Right. The philosophy of practicing martial arts here is nothing but to become stronger, stronger, and constantly stronger! To become stronger, you can''t be obstinate. To confine oneself in a small puddle is an act of a fool." Li Linfeng spoke sincerely, "I am the Hall Master of Linfeng Hall, and some things I say may be inappropriate, so use your discretion. No matter what, you are my direct disciple, and I will help if I can. But if it''s beyond my ability, there is nothing I can do." Shen Qing was genuinely surprised by Li Linfeng''s open-mindedness. He was no fool; naturally, he heard the implication in Li Linfeng''s words, and it vaguely seemed as if there was encouragement for him to study the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill. His face expressionless, he looked at Li Linfeng, unsure of how to respond. Li Linfeng stood up and tossed the copied Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill to Shen Qing, saying, "Don''t leave after a while at noon; stay here for lunch." Owing to his aunt Shen Xiu, he often stayed here for meals after becoming a direct disciple, so Shen Qing didn''t think much of it and agreed right away. Stepping out of the study, Shen Qing found his mood growing somewhat complex for some unknown reason. After half an hour, it was time for the Li family''s noon meal. In the private chambers of the back courtyard, the maid Dongxue approached Li Lingchan''s chamber and knocked on the door, saying, "Miss, the master calls for you to join him for the meal." Li Lingchan, having just finished her training, was surprised. Usually, aside from some special occasions, only the mistresses and father dined together; those of the younger generation didn''t have the privilege to sit at the table. Today was just an ordinary day, neither a major holiday nor anyone''s birthday, so why would father ask her to dine together? Without much thought, Li Lingchan replied, "I''ll be right there." Dongxue continued, "The master also said, Miss, you shouldn''t wear your training attire anymore." "Hmm?" Li Lingchan expressed her surprise, "Did some important guest come to our house?" "No," Dongxue shook her head. Li Lingchan''s brows knit slightly as she said, "Okay, I understand." Having delivered the message, Dongxue executed a respectful curtsy and withdrew. The noon sun cast slanted rays over the gray tiles and green bricks of the Li family''s back courtyard, seemingly coating the tiles with a layer of pale gold. S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The Li family''s main hall was located in the middle of the back courtyard, radiating an air of simple elegance. The interior of the hall was adorned with antiques, fine porcelain, jade, paintings, and other works of art, all neatly arranged. At this moment in the center of the main hall, a large rosewood table was laid with an assortment of delicious dishes and fine wine, wafting tempting aromas. The first to enter was Shen Xiu. After days of recuperation, her complexion had become much rosier, and today she had especially dressed up, looking radiant and beautiful. Shen Xiu, with the help of the maid Dongxue, quietly took her seat. "Dongxue, check if my makeup is smeared," she said. Dongxue inspected carefully and said, "Miss Qi, it''s perfect." "Lingchan has somewhat of a proud nature; I must behave well and not upset her," Shen Xiu spoke with some anxiety. "That won''t happen. Miss Four isn''t someone who gets upset so easily. Besides, Miss Qi, you''re so beautiful, everyone in the courtyard likes you," Dongxue reassured her. Shen Xiu couldn''t help but cover her mouth and giggle, cheerfully. While they were talking and laughing, Shen Qing stepped over the threshold and walked in. Chapter 105: Chapter 29: Matchmaking As he entered the hall, Shen Qing noticed that today''s arrangement was different from the usual, appearing somewhat more lavish. He saw Shen Xiu sitting on the left, and puzzled, he asked, "Auntie, don''t we usually go to your side chambers? What''s this about today?" "The family is having a meal together." Shen Xiu patted the chair, signaling Shen Qing to sit next to her. On hearing this, Shen Qing went and sat down. Shen Xiu looked her own nephew up and down, a hint of satisfaction appearing in the corners of her eyes. One thing you couldn''t fault the Shen Family for was their bone structure. S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. After these days of recuperation and having switched to a fitted new outfit, Shen Qing truly looked outstanding. Broad where he needed to be broad, slim where he should be slim, strong in the right places. Shen Xiu asked in familial terms, "Have you been getting used to life in the Outer City lately? Has anyone been bullying you?" Bullying me? Basically, those who tried to bully me are dead. Shen Qing smiled and said, "The Outer City is always a mess, there is some bullying, but they''re all trivial matters. I''ve learned some martial arts, and with my uncle backing me, they don''t dare do much." "If it''s too dangerous outside, think about saving some more money in the future and move to the Inner City," Shen Xiu suggested with a frown. Shen Qing calculated that he had just gotten a hundred gold taels from the Zhou Family, and now his wealth amounted to about one thousand five hundred taels of silver, which was nearly enough to buy a house in the Inner City. But renting rather than buying saved money that would be better spent on martial arts training. Shen Qing noncommittally said, "Hmm, no rush on that, we''ll talk about it later." Soon, another person entered. It was Li Lingchan. Today, she wore a plain white long dress with a hairpin, looking completely different from her usual self. Li Lingchan had inherited Li Linfeng''s wide frame. Usually, the tight clothing she wore while training made this quite noticeable, but in a long dress, she looked more like the girl next door. With some rouge on her face and her naturally fine skin, the already beautiful Li Lingchan was striking. She carried with her a breeze of fragrance, which gave off an aura of a well-bred young lady. As Li Lingchan entered the main hall and saw Shen Qing sitting at the table, she paused slightly. This was the place where the Li Family usually entertained guests, and even if Shen Qing had become a direct disciple, he had no right to sit there. A flash of puzzlement crossed her eyes, but she did not ask further and quietly took a seat on the right side for guests. A while later, Li Linfeng walked in with a woman who was dressed elaborately. Shen Xiu and Shen Qing quickly stood up to greet them, "Lord, Fifth Madam." "Father, Mother!" The puzzlement in Li Lingchan''s eyes deepened, she opened her mouth to ask but was interrupted by Li Linfeng''s words. "We are all family here, please, have a seat," invited Li Linfeng. There were five people at the table, with Shen Qing being the only one not part of Li Linfeng''s immediate family. "Don''t just sit idle, start eating," Li Linfeng said, picking up his chopsticks and grabbing a piece of meat, which he dipped in sauce and stuffed into his mouth. After Li Linfeng started eating, the others also began to pick up their chopsticks and eat. The atmosphere at the table was still not warm, feeling somewhat chilly. Everyone seated at the table simply ate without speaking. Women often matured early in heart. Li Lingchan noticed her mother''s eyes occasionally darting toward Shen Qing and then back to her as she ate. Her heart skipped a beat, guessing something unpleasant. After eating for a while, Li Linfeng picked up a bowl of strong liquor, took a few gulps with a gurgling sound, and placed it heavily on the table, producing a crisp sound. Everyone, who was focused on their meals, looked up at Li Linfeng simultaneously. Check out m_vl_em_p_yr stories Li Linfeng''s hands braced against the table and he scanned the faces of Shen Qing and Li Lingchan. A few moments later, he withdrew his hands, picked up his chopsticks again, and while picking at the food, he casually said, "Shen Qing, how old are you this year?" "Replying to master, fifteen," Shen Qing answered. "Fifteen, eh? That age is about right for marriage and starting a career," Li Linfeng glanced at Shen Qing and said, "Do you have anyone in mind?" Shen Qing looked towards Li Lingchan. Even if he was slow to react, he now understood why Li Linfeng had invited him to this meal. This was to set him up with his fourth daughter. In the Great Zhou Dynasty, it was typical for boys to marry at fifteen, so it wasn''t as if he was being forced into it prematurely. Shen Qing honestly said, "Not yet." Li Linfeng continued, "What do you think of my daughter? She is a year older than you, has a grounded personality, and knows some Martial Arts. If you two were together, you would be well-matched." These words reached Li Lingchan''s ears, and even with her mental preparation, she was still embarrassed and annoyed, even feeling a rush of anger shooting up to her forehead. The originally rosy complexion on her face turned fiery red. "Father, I still want to serve you for a few more years," Li Lingchan hurriedly said. Li Linfeng glanced at his daughter and said, "Getting married won''t prevent you from serving." Hearing this, Li Lingchan gritted her teeth and knelt on the ground, saying, "Father, I have always wanted to achieve something in Martial Arts. Now is a critical time for me to pursue progress in my training. If I get married and have children, my Martial Arts will surely be hindered. Furthermore," Li Lingchan looked up at Shen Qing and said, "Even if I were to marry, I should marry someone with a career like father, and Junior Brother Shen is not the type I prefer." Sitting aside, Shen Qing, seeing Li Lingchan''s resolute attitude, analyzed the situation internally. He noticed a bit of pride in Li Lingchan''s character, and although it was not overt, her eyes carried a slight disdain for him. Even if he agreed now, it would be like forcing a slack melon, which would not be sweet and would only be a burden to his progress. More importantly, Li Lingchan was not his type. Her face was pretty, but her waist was a bit thick, her chest small, and her buttocks not large. He preferred girls with slender waists, large breasts, and big buttocks. Ideally, they should also be gentle, virtuous, and stable in mood. Li Lingchan, who jumped out at any disagreement, would be better suited to a more patient man. He calmly stood up, then followed by saying, "Thank you for the kindness of Master, Matron, and Aunt. However, I am dull and come from a humble background without even a tile or brick to call my own. If I were to marry sister now, I could not provide her a proper place to live, and would only harm her. Besides, I have no romantic feelings toward sister and hope Master can rescind the order." "Hmm?" Seeing both of them so resolute, Li Linfeng felt somewhat disappointed. To tell the truth, he quite liked Shen Qing. He had the Sight, knew how to handle interpersonal relations, and he knew when to yield and when to be bold. In his eyes, such a person, if he did not die, would certainly make a name for himself and establish a career in the future. If he could become his son-in-law, it would indeed be a good thing. Li Linfeng glared at Fifth Miss, as if to complain that her well-taught daughter didn''t even understand the principle of keeping something valuable and let his plans come to nothing. Fifth Miss shrank her neck and dared not make a sound. Realizing both were unwilling, Li Linfeng sighed deeply and gave up, saying, "Let''s eat." Li Lingchan stood up, glanced sideways at Shen Qing, holding back an emotion in her heart. "Shen Xiu was a concubine purchased by another family and later given to my father to keep as a side chamber, coming from an extremely humble background. Shen Qing is his nephew and also comes from such a background, and till now doesn''t even have an entry in the martial arts register." "If I married him, wouldn''t I become the same status as him? I''m not saying I want to marry into nobility or officialdom, but at least someone from the martial arts register, right? What was father thinking, deciding hastily just because he saw some talent in Martial Arts?" "In the Great Zhou, there are many with greater Martial Arts talent than him; it''s just that he stands out among us here. Fortunately, he has the self-awareness not to overreach." When Li Lingchan looked at Shen Qing and Shen Xiu again, she didn''t know why, but she felt increasingly annoyed. After this incident, the already somewhat cold atmosphere turned colder. Li Linfeng only ate a few bites before he stopped and, after making some polite remarks, left the table with Fifth Madam. Shen Qing voluntarily stood up to see them off, with no sign of dissatisfaction or annoyance on his face, appearing very calm. Seeing this, Li Lingchan inexplicably felt even more irritated. The face of Shen Qing that she had once found agreeable now seemed detestable to her. This emotion, once it arose, even made her feel somewhat baffled by her own reactions. "Getting a little achievement and walking around with his nose in the air, he really does not know the vastness of heaven and earth. My father is also getting senile. In these chaotic times, it''s uncertain whether he will survive into the future, and he''s so casual about his daughter''s major life events, letting me marry someone without even a little background." Already blinded by rage, Li Lingchan even started to resent Li Linfeng a bit. She stood up coldly and said, "Seventh Miss, take your time eating, I''m leaving first." Li Lingchan walked out of the main hall without turning back, her strides so firm that her hairpin jingled loudly. After everyone left, Shen Xiu looked completely dispirited, like an aubergine touched by frost. Shen Qing, on the other hand, carelessly filled a bowl with wine and then let go, continuing to heartily eat his food as if nothing had happened, belching... "Qingzi, are you okay?" Shen Qing smiled and said, "What could be wrong with me? I''m very well. All this good food, since we''re already here, it would be a shame not to eat it. Burp..." Shen Xiu looked even more dismayed. "Qingzi, don''t lose heart. If Fourth Miss doesn''t think much of us, we''ll look at other girls. I previously spoke to your uncle about this, and he said he would help look out for someone else for you." "Um..." Shen Qing suddenly felt that he might have given his aunt the wrong impression. Chapter 106: Chapter 30: Decision The morning''s events had left Shen Qing ravenous, and the spread prepared by Li Linfeng was particularly to his taste. Once the others had left, he let his guard down and ate with abandon, a departure from his usual manners. This prompted his aunt, Shen Xiu, to make some other associations. Shen Qing couldn''t be bothered to explain any further, fearing that it would only add to the confusion. After he had his fill of food and drink, Shen Qing patted his distended belly and said, "Aunt, I''m heading back now." "Alright," responded the disinterested Aunt Shen Xiu. "I wasn''t thorough enough with today''s arrangements, don''t let this affect your mindset and concentrate on your Martial Arts." "I understand." Shen Qing gave a slight smile and strode out of the main hall, a lingering sigh echoing behind him. Li Linfeng''s efforts to connect Shen Qing through Li Lingchan had been relatively secretive and hadn''t been publicized, so few were aware of it. Yet somehow, it had come to the attention of some interested parties. "Junior brother, I heard that the master introduced you to junior sister, but you turned her down?" Ouyang Tiezhu asked with curiosity after a sparring session with Shen Qing. Shen Qing frowned and said, "You all know about it?" "There aren''t many people in the courtyard. When the junior sister didn''t come by this afternoon, a bit of inquiry was all it took. It''s not that hard to find out." Shen Qing didn''t deny it and said, "There was such an incident, but it''s more that the junior sister wasn''t impressed with me." "I see. The master''s junior sister has been spoiled by him since she was young. She sets her sights very high, indeed too high to take an interest in you." Ouyang Tiezhu clapped Shen Qing on the shoulder and said, "I know a few girls around here; do you want to meet them? Rest assured, they all come from decent families. Some even belong to business families, and they are quite beautiful. You are now a martial master in the Bone Refining Realm, you should really start considering this." "Well..." Shen Qing waved his hand and said, "I''m not thinking of settling down just yet, we''ll talk about it later." "Alright, I''ll keep an eye out for you, and when you''re ready, just let me know. You''re young now, your potential is limitless, so it''s easier to find a suitor. Otherwise, if you wait too long, if you have made a name for yourself, fine, if not, it becomes harder to find a good in-law, so it''s better to act early." Shen Qing nodded and said, "Sure. If I change my mind, I''ll tell you right away." "Right, one more thing to remind you, the Zhou Family''s compound was bombed by the Huang Tian Sect today, and the county government is currently hunting down the remnants of the sect. Be careful when you go out." Shen Qing guessed it was probably because of the Martial Mechanism Bomb, making the Huang Tian Sect take the fall for him. This was for the best, as taking on another burden from the Huang Tian Sect was something he didn''t mind. He might as well task them a bit more. "The Huang Tian Sect again?" Shen Qing said helplessly, "It never ends." "Just be careful." "Thank you, Senior Brother Ouyang." ... The minor incident of Li Linfeng setting up Shen Qing with Li Lingchan caused quite a stir among the younger brothers in the backyard. But as quickly as it arose, it subsided. In Linfeng Hall, where men predominantly resided, such gossip didn''t capture much attention. They felt it was more beneficial to invest time in training and strengthening their capabilities than in prying into such trivial matters of relationships. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. By the time Shen Hour arrived. After dozens of bouts with other martial brothers, Shen Qing returned to the Outer Court''s pharmacy sore all over. He peeled off his clothes only to find large bruises all over his body. These were injuries from those instances during the sparring when his skills were slightly inferior to his brothers''. If it were a real battle and his martial brothers unleashed the full power of the Wind Defying Finger, the bruises would have been the least of his worries ¨C it could have been a matter of life and death. "In actual combat, I must consider defense as well. As long as an opponent''s strike doesn''t kill me, I have a chance to fight back. If someone''s strike is fatal, then everything ends there, and there''s nothing beyond that. My body''s resilience to physical blows is still not sufficient." Shen Qing collected his thoughts, soaking in the medicinal bath as usual, tempering his flesh and refining his muscle and bone. As evening approached, Shen Qing concluded his day of cultivation and was preparing to leave the city with Shen Xiaohu to return to their residence in the Outer City. On the left side near the road, a shop had its doors tightly shut, and faint sounds of smashing and screams could be intermittently heard from inside. As Shen Qing passed by, the door violently burst open. A middle-aged man, covered in blood, stumbled out from inside, trying to escape. However, he hadn''t gone far before a ruffian from behind grabbed his hair and forcefully dragged him back inside. The door slammed shut again, leaving only a trail of blood on the ground. Both Shen Qing and Shen Xiaohu were somewhat startled by this scene. In his memory, the Inner City had always been stable, with gang conflicts generally confined to the Outer City, and few dared to openly engage in such fierce fights. "Who are they to be so brazen in the Inner City?" After a while. The screaming inside the house abruptly stopped. The door opened again. A burly man who looked not to be trifled with walked out. He loosened his muscle and bone, glanced over the crowd that had gathered on the street, and bellowed, "Mi Gang is handling affairs, bystanders keep away." The burly man''s voice was mightily robust. Under his fierce shout, the onlookers who were craning their necks quickly scattered. "So it''s the Mi Gang?" Shen Qing narrowed his eyes slightly, stealing a glance at the man without leaving a trace. He knew that the Mi Gang had some conflicts with Li Linfeng and having recently attached themselves to the powerful government office, their aggressive style posed bad news for Linfeng Hall. "Let''s go." Without further delay, Shen Qing and Shen Xiaohu quietly left. Walking on the main street. He wasn''t sure if it was an illusion, but Shen Qing noticed that there were far fewer people on the streets. Many storefronts were already empty and evacuated. The Inner City felt somewhat desolate. Shen Qing returned to the slum area and inquired about the conditions of the newly managed area for that day. Continue the saga on m-v-l-e-mpyr Seeing that there were no issues, he did not inquire further. Later that evening, after having a simple meal of coarse tea and light rice, Shen Qing set aside all other affairs and laid out the Martial Arts Secret Manuals he had obtained that day on the table. "Li Linfeng told me today that a person''s energy is limited; one should not practice too many Martial Arts, mastering another discipline is already at the limit, and one should make careful selections. But with the Water Ink Panel, I don''t need to do this." After many days of practice, Shen Qing already knew that his Water Ink Panel was a permanent asset, ever advancing without regress, thereby learning multiple Martial Arts Skills wouldn''t drain too much of his energy. "I have twelve Shi Chen in a day, with two to three reserved for practicing the Wind Defying Finger, and two to three for rest; hence, I still have time left over. After calculating, I can learn two more Martial Arts Skills and one more skill outside of Martial Arts. For those I''ve already mastered, I can increase proficiency through application; there''s no need to practice them separately." "So, the question now is, which two Martial Arts should I practice next?" Shen Qing lowered his gaze to the several Martial Arts Skills Manuels lying in front of him. Chapter 107: Chapter 31 More is beautiful, big is good Although early spring nights were no longer as bitterly cold as those of winter, they still carried a slight chill. A gentle breeze slipped through the cracks of the door, causing the dim yellow oil lamp on the table to flicker uncontrollably, casting patchy shadows over the simple furniture. Shen Qing''s face was intermittently lit by the changing light. The old wooden desk, its corners worn smooth, was covered with five yellowed books and a stack of freshly written papers. Shen Qing sat by the desk, his brows furrowed, his eyes flashing with complex emotions. His fingers caressed the five Martial Arts Secret Manuals: "Illusion Breaking Fist, Netherworld Ghost Steps, Eight Extremities Collapse, Wuji Tiangang Kick, Dragon Roar Iron Cloth Shirt, Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill..." The smoke from the oil lamp rose slowly, the crackling of its burning echoing in the empty room. "Illusion Breaking Fist, Netherworld Ghost Steps, Wuji Tiangang Kick, these three Martial Arts focus on one category each. Illusion Breaking Fist specializes in fist techniques and focuses on breaking illusions with punches, emphasizing inner cultivation to dispel inner falsehoods. According to Li Linfeng''s notes, it is merely a third-rate Martial Art, with nothing noteworthy in actual combat and killing techniques. I could learn it, and the Water Ink Panel could facilitate continuous breakthroughs. However, for the current me, the output ratio is not high, and investing too much time and effort is not cost-effective," he mused. Shen Qing picked up Illusion Breaking Fist and placed it to his left. "Netherworld Ghost Steps and Wuji Tiangang Kick both focus on leg techniques, one enhancing speed by using the legs to lead the whole body, and the other using the legs as weapons to defeat enemies. At deeper levels of cultivation, one could tread on snow without a trace, and shatter stones with a kick. I possess hunting skills that involve footwork, and Wind Facing Finger involves movement techniques, making these two Martial Arts somewhat redundant. Moreover, these two Martial Arts are not profound and are difficult to master. After considering this, Shen Qing also placed Netherworld Ghost Steps and Wuji Tiangang Kick to his left. "That leaves these three: Eight Extremities Collapse, Dragon Roar Iron Cloth Shirt, and Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill." Shen Qing brought Eight Extremities Collapse closer. "Eight Extremities Collapse mainly focuses on inner training of strength. Its true power can be realized in the Qi Cultivation Realm, where one can cultivate the Eight Extremes Qi, enhancing the power of Qi, which complements the Wind Facing Finger. Li Linfeng has also recommended that I study this Martial Art." He turned the pages of this yellowed book of Martial Arts Skills, which was filled with dense annotations. It was apparent that Li Linfeng had taken this Martial Art quite seriously. After skimming through the book, Shen Qing placed it to the right. Then, he picked up the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill. "This Martial Art leaked from the Great Zhou Court. I guess it isn''t considered very profound within the Great Zhou Dynasty; otherwise, it wouldn''t have ended up in the hands of a Zhou Family member. Even so, for independents like us, this Martial Art is precious." "The fundamental principle of the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill is constantly reversing one''s own Qi-Blood channels, taking an accumulative approach. With each transformation, a martial master can double their strength, and reaching the Perfect Realm allows them to stack nine times the power, making it immensely powerful." "The only flaw is that each activation of this technique exhausts the body''s functions, resulting in significant weakness. During this period, a martial master''s capabilities are at least thirty percent weaker than usual." "Even so, in combat, the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill can produce unexpectedly powerful effects, making it a technique worth practicing." Shen Qing placed Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill at the top. "Now, the last Martial Art remains." Shen Qing picked up the book on Dragon Roar Iron Cloth Shirt. As the name suggests, this was a primarily defensive Martial Art. It abandons the common practices of Strengthening Tendons and Bones, focusing entirely on constantly training Qi-Blood and muscles, eventually hardening the entire body''s muscles and skin like iron, and the Qi-Blood as deep as mountains, achieving ultimate levels where one is immune to blades and fire. Presently, Shen Qing considered his options; his Wind Facing Finger was focused on offensive killing, his hunting skills were focused on Concealment movements, and learning Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill would enhance his explosive power. What he lacked now was a defensive Martial Art. Shen Qing opened this Martial Arts Skill manual, quickly scanned through it, and noticed a summary made by Li Linfeng. "More is beautiful, big is good." Shen Qing couldn''t help but pause in expression. He knew, indeed, that Li Linfeng hadn''t spoken wrongly. sea??h th§× n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The martial arts skill of the Dragon Roar Armor throughout the book is a wild style, from beginning to end, it only increases the thickness of Qi-Blood and the strength of the flesh, making them grow in size and quantity, until it can emit a resonant dragon roar during combat collision and withstand all impacts. It cares for nothing else. It must be said, this martial arts is indeed wild. Shen Qing put down this martial arts manual, his gaze then continuously shifted back and forth between the Eight Extremities Collapse and the Dragon Roar Armor. Eight Extremities Collapse is good, but it isn''t what I urgently need right now, the most suitable for my current situation is still the Dragon Roar Armor. After practicing the Blood Dominance Technique, my Qi-Blood is indeed abundant, now I am just lacking the correct guidance on how to practice, and Dragon Roar Armor could solve this problem, complementing the Blood Dominance Technique to enhance my physical defense. Soon, Shen Qing made his choice. He decided to use the time to practice both the Dragon Roar Armor and the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill for the additional martial arts. Seeing that it was getting late, he gathered the remaining techniques, locked them in a chest, and went straight to bed. Early the next morning, Shen Qing woke up early and began practicing the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill and the Dragon Roar Armor. The Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill, as expected, was a martial art that had been refined by the Great Zhou Court over the years and was very easy to master. Continuing to practice it felt just like driving on a highway, fast and smooth, easier to master than other martial arts. Within just a moment, a drop of water ink appeared in his field of vision, and lines of water ink text emerged. [Skill: Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill (Entry Level)] Experience adventure on m-vl-em|p-yr [Progress: 1/100 points] [Status: Cannot be Improved] [Note: Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill, each transformation stronger than the last, continuous practice can increase cultivation progress.] Very fast. Indeed, official techniques are not the same as ordinary paths, no obstacles in practicing at all. At this rate, maybe in three to five days, he would be able to master the First Transformation and unleash twice the power. Shen Qing was delighted inside. After practicing for a while, Shen Qing ate a few flatbreads prepared by his elder sister Shen Fang, and he and Shen Xiaohu walked briskly toward Linfeng Hall. In the back courtyard, Shen Qing did not see Li Lingchan again. Listening to his fellow students, she had gone to another yard to practice with the fourth senior brother Wushili. This suited Shen Qing''s intentions perfectly. Now, he just wanted to practice martial arts, the absence of Li Lingchan in the back courtyard made it seem all the more tranquil. After four days of hard practice, as Shen Qing predicted, he had completely maximized the proficiency of the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill. [Skill: Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill (Entry Level)] [Progress: 101/100 points] [Status: Can be Improved] With no hesitation, Shen Qing declared, "Breakthrough." Chapter 108: Chapter 32: The Power and the Glory Just as Shen Qing had this thought, the text on the Water Ink Panel before his eyes instantly changed. The Progress of the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill jumped from Entry Level to [Skillfully/First Transformation]. Sitting cross-legged, Shen Qing''s expression was solemn. This time, he only felt the Qi-Blood in his entire body circulating rapidly in a special rhythm, causing his body to heat up. Soon, the attribute information on the Water Ink Panel was completely updated. [Skill: Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill (Skillfully/First Transformation)] [Progress: 1/200 points] [Status: Cannot be promoted] [Note: You reap what you sow, continuous practice can speed up cultivation progress, enhance the realm of the Cultivation Technique, and unleash the potential of Qi-Blood.] "It''s a pity that although this Imperial Martial Arts progressed quickly, it did not awaken any other skills." Just when Shen Qing thought the breakthrough had ended, he suddenly sensed faint ripples of energy erupting from deep within his body. The Qi-Blood in his body suddenly became like a runaway wild horse, violently charging and surging through his veins in reverse. Shen Qing could not help but cry out in pain, collapsing onto the bed. "A reversal of the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill for the first time?!" After the reversal of the Qi-Blood, Shen Qing felt waves of heat coursing through his body, like a torrential flood, each wave more violent than the last. His vessels vibrated faintly under the scouring of this power. Fine beads of sweat appeared on Shen Qing''s forehead. "Just endure a bit longer, and it should pass soon." Shen Qing immersed his mind, feeling the reverse flow of Qi-Blood and the combing of his vessels. Finally, at a certain moment, an unprecedented strength burst forth within Shen Qing''s body. This power, like a flood and fierce beast, assaulted his bodily limits. Shen Qing felt as if his meridians were about to tear apart, the pain was unbearable. "Ah! Fuck this..." Despite Shen Qing''s resilient nature, he couldn''t help letting out a cry of agony: "There really is no such thing as a free lunch in this world." Shen Qing clenched his teeth and fists, holding onto his mental focus to resist the impact of this force. Soon under the wash of this power, his meridians became more resilient after the first reversal, glowing with an unprecedented vitality. After a pot of tea''s time, the pain in his body gradually subsided. Shen Qing exhaled a breath of stale air softly, lowered his head to inspect his body, and found no changes to his physique. However, when he slightly circulated the Mysterious Skill, he discovered that the flow of Qi-Blood inside his body was faster and more agile than before, with no major anomalies during the reversal. The pain from the first circulation had disappeared. Shen Qing pondered for a moment before slowly standing up, then suddenly pointed towards the void, and a faint boom sounded in the air. A flicker of excitement crossed his eyes. "It seems there is some change, different from when I practiced before." Shen Qing realized this must be the increase in strength brought about by the breakthrough of the First Transformation of the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill, but he was unsure to what extent this power could reach. He took a deep breath and pushed the First Transformation of the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill to its limit; the Qi-Blood in his body started to reverse frantically again. Shen Qing felt his body, as the reversal of the Mysterious Skill was activated, had become a huge furnace, continuously melting away all his potential. A force much stronger than before was condensing within his body. When the power peaked, Shen Qing''s eyes blazed with light, he let out a cry, flicking his finger, and a deafening blast tore through the air, as if thunder had exploded. Where his finger touched, splinters flew from the wall, and wooden boards as thick as more than a dozen inches were effortlessly pierced with deep holes. Not only that, but the holes he created emitted wisps of smoke, as if scorched, and were covered with a layer of black char. Shen Qing glanced at his own unremarkable fingers, feeling somewhat incredulous. His fingers were at most three inches long, yet under the augmentation of the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill, they could penetrate even deeper wooden boards¡ªan impossibility in the past. Not only that, but there was even the effect of scorching. This was all without him having entered the energy to cultivate Power. If he did cultivate Power, with one finger he could turn a person to ashes. A satisfied gleam flickered in Shen Qing''s eyes as he silently assessed. Even though he was at the level of Bone Refining Realm in his cultivation, if he faced a martial master of the Skin Forging Realm who had entered the energy, he could end them with one finger. "Since I''ve made progress with the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill, next I should practice the Dragon Roar Iron Cloth Shirt more to increase the strength and defense of my muscles." Shen Qing put these thoughts aside. He grabbed a few strands of thatch from the kitchen, rolled them into a ball, and casually plugged the holes he punched. Feeling weak, Shen Qing hurriedly climbed into bed to rest. Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, it was already February. The weather in Taiping County grew warmer by the day, and the willow trees by the pond had sprouted green buds, filling the air with the essence of spring. Keep reading on m,vl-em|p-yr During this time, Senior Brother Ouyang Tiezhu took special interest in Shen Qing''s matter of finding a wife. In the backyard, after completing a sparring session, Shen Qing sat on a bench to rest. Next to him, Ouyang Tiezhu exclaimed, "Junior Brother Shen, I''ve noticed you''re getting more and more formidable. At this rate, I won''t be able to be your match anymore. Are you about to finish refining your bones and start on Skin Forging?" "It will take some more time," Shen Qing shook his head and said, "Master said that only when bones turn as solid as iron and produce a clear, metallic sound when struck together is the Bone Refining complete. I haven''t experienced such a change yet." As he said this, Shen Qing clenched his fists and bumped them together, only producing a dull, odd sound. Ouyang Tiezhu was momentarily at a loss for words. If his memory served right, it had taken him nearly a year to achieve that sound. The fact that Shen Qing had reached this status in just over a month was truly embarrassing for him. Ouyang Tiezhu didn''t dwell on these thoughts. In his view, of everyone in Linfeng Hall, Shen Qing was the most talented. It was quite normal for him not to be able to surpass Shen Qing. He took out several rolled-up sheets of rice paper from his chest and spread them out before Shen Qing, each bearing the lifelike image of a young woman. "Junior Brother Shen, what do you think of this girl? Her family owns a butcher''s shop, and they have a house in the Inner City, from a decent family." "And this one, her family works in shipping, and she looks very spirited." "And this one..." Shen Qing looked at the very proactive Ouyang Tiezhu and said with a wry smile, "Senior Brother, I haven''t considered settling down yet." Ouyang Tiezhu quickly rolled up the rice paper and said, "So you haven''t taken a fancy to any of them?" "It''s not that, I just..." Shen Qing opened his mouth to speak, but Ouyang Tiezhu interrupted him by raising his hand, "You haven''t been through the ways of the world, Junior Brother, and are still tender behind the ears. I understand. I was just like you back then, too shy to face it, until I visited a few more girls and then I got it." Ouyang Tiezhu rolled up the rice paper in his hand, "With your marvelous martial arts talent, surely you aren''t interested in these mundane beauties. I''ll go and inquire for you again." S~ea??h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Shen Qing let out a helpless sigh, thinking that next time he would just pick any that seemed passable to appease him. Chapter 109: Chapter 33: Intensifying Tiger Plague, Customizing Heavy Bow The western city area had seen a noticeable improvement in security, thanks to the daily patrols by the multitude of hunters from Hongshan Village. Combined with Shen Qing''s fierce way of handling affairs, no one dared to provoke trouble for the time being. After a month or two, the several dozen families from Hongshan Village who had followed him had all made a good profit. Inside the house. Shen Qing, Zhang Baqing, and a few other households were sitting around an eight-immortal table, talking about recent happenings. "Uncle Zhang''s family moved to the Inner City?" Shen Qing picked up a ceramic bowl and took a sip of coarse tea before asking. Zhang Baqing did not prevaricate and directly replied, "They just moved there yesterday. These days, everyone has earned some money, and many have the idea of moving to the Inner City. It was my cousin''s wife who was urging him on, so they had to move in a hurry. However, I''ve already explained to not shirk the patrol duties here." Stay informed via m-vl-em,pyr While speaking, Zhang Baqing gave Shen Qing a furtive glance, as if worried about upsetting him. Shen Qing put down the ceramic bowl, his tone indifferent, "There''s nothing to it, everyone wants to move up in the world, and water flows downhill, I understand. The Inner City is safe and prosperous, so it''s not a bad place to live in." After a few incidents, Shen Qing had already saved up quite a sum of Silver Tael, enough for his Martial Arts expenses. Money was no longer his most pressing concern. The protection fees from this shanty town were substantial but not exceedingly high. Shen Qing thus didn''t give it much thought. In his view, people''s hearts are prone to change. These people, unexposed to much of the world, might stick together and rely on him when they arrive at a strange place initially. But as time goes on, each of them will start to have their own selfish desires once they get their footing. Unity would be impossible then, just like it was in the beginning. Shen Qing had anticipated this. So he had aimed to make quick money from the start. Once his cultivation improved, there would be many opportunities to make money later on, so he didn''t need to cling to a tree that was both old and decaying fast. Zhang Baqing noticed no displeasure on Shen Qing''s face and couldn''t help but breathe a sigh of relief, feeling more relaxed. "I knew it, Qingzi, you have a benevolent heart. Following you, everyone is bound to prosper." "Recently, has anything big happened in Taiping County?" Shen Qing went on to ask. A hunter from the same village, seated at the eight-immortal table, said, "Just yesterday there was indeed something significant, and it is somewhat related to us." "What is it?" "Do you remember that demon tiger?" Tian Xiaohu was slightly taken aback, as no one was more familiar with the tiger demon than the people from Hongshan Village. He asked, "I remember, what about it?" "I heard that all the officers from the government office who went to encircle and suppress it died, and even people from the Guardian Martial Department suffered casualties. Several villages near Shicheng Mountain were completely wiped out." "Ah? Such a big incident, and we didn''t know anything about it?" Shen Qing was also puzzled. He hadn''t heard a whisper about this in Linfeng Hall. "With the troubles of the Huang Tian Sect not yet settled, and now there''s this tiger threat, the county government fears triggering impeachment and unrest, so they deliberately sealed the news. If it wasn''t for someone I know who happened to come across the scene, I''m afraid I wouldn''t know either." "Sigh¡­ When can this world ever be peaceful?" Shen Qing remained silent on the side. If this tiger nuisance continued, the county government would sooner or later have to recruit martial masters in the city. One must prepare for the future or face imminent worries. It''s time to get ready. Shen Qing glanced at the bow and arrows hanging on the wall; the force of this old bow was too weak. In front of his constantly advancing cultivation, it was like a child''s toy. It was time to custom order a Heavy Bow for unforeseen circumstances. After some more idle chit-chat about household trifles, everyone dispersed. It was still early. Shen Qing, having always been one to act upon his words, headed straight towards the Inner City. In Taiping City, there were not many old masters capable of forging Heavy Bows. Ruan Pottery Master, who lived in the east of the city, was one of them, and he was the most skilled among the many craftsmen. The kiln of Ruan Pottery Master was somewhat remote and not easy to locate. Shen Qing asked around and guessed his way until he finally found the narrow path leading to Ruan Pottery Master''s residence. "Ruan Pottery Master of the east city, is the renowned craftsman within a hundred miles, his skill unmatched by anyone. With time pressing, I must have him make me a Heavy Bow as promptly as possible." "Should I encounter a tiger demon on the mountain, it would serve as protection for me." Shen Qing silently reiterated this in his mind, stepped onto the path, and the moist earth beneath his feet squished, emitting a subtle squeaking noise. Along the way, Shen Qing wound through sparse streets and alleys and noticed that they were filled with uncollected trash everywhere. This was unusual, considering it was still within the bounds of the Inner City. S§×ar?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Such disrepair..." Compared to the lively times, Taiping County was now exhibiting an unnerving aspect. Shen Qing didn''t give it much thought and hurriedly made his way until he arrived in front of Ruan Pottery Master''s kiln shop. The door of the kiln shop was half open, and the light from the furnace fire shone through the crack, illuminating Shen Qing''s face. He pushed the door open, and a wave of heat hit him, accompanied by the crisp sound of a hammer striking metal. "Ruan Pottery Master, I am Shen Qing, here to pay you a visit." Shen Qing bowed his hands in greeting, his voice echoing in the spacious kiln shop. "Shen Qing?" A loud voice came from beside the flame. The speaker had a burly figure and a face full of beard, a middle-aged man. He lifted his head, his eyes gleamed sharply, "What do you want from me?" Shen Qing got straight to the point, "I''d like to request the Master to forge a Heavy Bow for me." "A Heavy Bow? How heavy do you need it?" "I need a fifty shi bow." Ruan Pottery Master looked stunned. Fifty shi? One shi equals one hundred and twenty jin. Fifty shi is six thousand jin. A fifty shi bow would require six thousand jin of arm strength to draw. An ordinary person couldn''t possibly achieve this. Ruan Pottery Master glanced him up and down and asked, "A Martial Arts practitioner?" Shen Qing nodded without any confirmation or denial. Ruan Pottery Master didn''t ask further and stated frankly, "To make a fifty shi bow, I don''t have any other special materials here; only an iron bow blank will meet your requirements. Such bow horns would need to be made from water buffalo horns, the string from the tendons of Mountain Treasures, the glue boiled from the swim bladder of precious sea fish; only then can it be made. The bow blank needs to dry for two months, with refinement and adjustments for a month. Plus the time taken to procure these materials¡ªat the very least, I would need half a year to complete it... it''s troublesome." "Half a year?" Shen Qing''s eyebrows knitted together: "That won''t do, I need it in one month!" Ruan Pottery Master stopped the iron-forging in his hands and stared at Shen Qing, "Are you making fun of me?" "I''ll pay extra." "Ah..." Ruan Pottery Master''s expression immediately softened. He walked to the side, picked up a piece of dark iron, and looked at Shen Qing, "One and a half months, 200 taels. If you accept, I''ll do it; if not, forget it." 200 taels?! Shen Qing couldn''t help but be astounded. Such a price could buy a fine house in the Inner City. But after a brief consideration, Shen Qing didn''t dawdle and agreed on the spot: "Alright." Ruan Pottery Master threw the dark iron into the furnace and said, "Leave fifty taels as a deposit here, and come to collect it in one and a half month." Shen Qing looked at Ruan Pottery Master with some suspicion. "Young man, I''ve been doing this for so many years; I''m not after that little bit of your money." Shen Qing didn''t think further, took out the prepared silver, and placed it on the table: "I hope Master Ruan will make it well." "Don''t worry, it won''t disappoint you." Chapter 110: Chapter 34: Dark Clouds Gather With the assurance from Ruan Pottery Master, Shen Qing finally felt at ease. He clasped his hands and said, "I''ll come back in a month and a half. It would be troublesome, but I''d like Master Ruan to make some more suitable arrows for me." Ruan Pottery Master glanced at him and replied, "Fifty wen each." Quite expensive. That price was equivalent to the daily toil of an ordinary hunter. However, fortunately, this amount of money was not much for Shen Qing now. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Then I''ll trouble you to make twenty," Shen Qing said as he took out one tael of silver and placed it on the table, then left with his fists clasped in a salute. When he left, Shen Qing encountered a girl wearing a blue long skirt coming head-on. Her hair was pinned up with a hairpin, her chest was just starting to rise slightly, like the hazy hills in the morning light, indicating she was of marriageable age. But in terms of looks, she was rather plain, with some freckles on her face, and bore a resemblance to Ruan Pottery Master. The girl in the long skirt stepped aside slightly, making room for Shen Qing. Shen Qing nodded politely and left calmly. The girl in the long skirt looked at Shen Qing''s retreating figure a bit longer and then walked into the house. She carried a pot of rough tea to Ruan Pottery Master and quietly asked, "Dad, who was that just now?" Ruan Chengbao put down the iron hammer in his hand, took the tea pot, and said, "He came to have me make him a bow." "Oh, do you know where he lives, what his name is?" the girl inquired curiously. "I''ve never seen such a handsome person." "What, has this little girl developed a crush?" Ruan Chengbao asked with a teasing smile, looking at his daughter. The girl stayed silent, quietly taking back the tea pot passed to her by Ruan Chengbao. Ruan Chengbao smiled and said, "In a month and a half, he will come to pick up the arrows. I''ll ask for you then." "Okay, I''ll leave it all to you, Dad." Ruan Chengbao said no more and took the dark iron that had been thrown in and was now red-hot out onto the anvil. He swung the large hammer in his hand down upon it. With a clang, sparks flew in all directions. ... In a desolate hill outside of Taiping County, Zhou Family Patriarch Zhou Dingwen stood near a new grave accompanied by his eldest legitimate son Zhou Jishan, second son Zhou Congwu, and various servants. A paper model of a spirit house and other assorted paper offerings crafted for the deceased were being busily arranged by the servants. Each paper offering was intricately detailed. From houses to daily household items such as scissors, everything that might be needed was there. Even a dozen paper effigies of men and women, dressed as servants, stood outside the spirit house. A moment later, a man who looked like a steward approached Zhou Dingwen and respectfully said, "Old Master, everything''s ready." "Then burn them all for Little Jade," Zhou Dingwen said, his eyes welling with tears. "Since she was young, she spent most of her time at home and couldn''t bear to leave. Today marks the end of her mourning period, and she must embark on her journey. We can''t let her suffer in the afterlife." Eldest son Zhou Jishan stepped forward to comfort him, "Father, don''t be too sad. The matter with Twelfth Sister has passed; the dead cannot be brought back to life." Zhou Dingwen exhaled sharply, calming the tumult in his heart. He spoke slowly, "Have you found out yet? Was it the work of the Huang Tian Sect?" Zhou Jishan replied softly, "I have thoroughly investigated, and Twelfth Sister had no ties to the Huang Tian Sect. We haven''t had conflicts with them either; it doesn''t seem like their doing." "Then who did it? Who dares to strike in broad daylight within the Zhou family courtyard?" Zhou Dingwen''s eyes were sharp. "Has our Zhou Family always been low-profile because everyone assumes we''re weak and can be bullied?" Zhou Jishan replied honestly, "I haven''t found out yet, but it seems to be somewhat related to... the Seventh Branch¡­ Twelfth Sister didn''t come home the night before she died; the last place she went was to the Seventh Branch''s side¡­" Bang! Zhou Dingwen''s hand fiercely slapped the tombstone in front of the new grave. The stone sank deep into the ground, three inches lower, with a dull sound. His face became enraged, "Investigate thoroughly. Better to wrongfully punish than to let one go." "Yes, I''ll definitely investigate carefully." At this moment, a flame flickered into existence from a stack of paper offerings, spreading slowly outward. Zhou Dingwen watched the flames, his eyes filled with sorrow. The paper effigies of buildings, carriages, and people curled at the edges, blackened, and emitted a faint crackling sound as the flames licked them. Gradually, the fire grew more intense, the flames leaping and tumbling in the wind, resembling a dancing fire serpent. As the heat wave rose, the paper offerings quickly turned to ash in the flames, wafting up plumes of blue smoke. Read more chapters on m-vl-e-mpyr Until at last, all was burned to nothing. "Let''s go back," said Zhou Dingwen, dispiritedly waving his hand as he walked down the hill. His eldest son, Zhou Jishan, quickly followed. As he was stepping forward, Zhou Congwu pulled at his sleeve and said, "Big brother, didn''t you find out that someone else came back with our sister that night? This matter is almost certainly related to him; why don''t you mention it to father?" "I''ve already checked that person. I only know he''s a young man, nothing else. To truly find him would be like searching for a needle in the ocean. It''s better to do something more certain. The seventh house has become increasingly arrogant lately. We''ll talk about the rest later." After a moment of stupor, Zhou Congwu fell silent and said no more. ... Returning from Ruan Pottery Master''s kiln. Shen Qing was as ever deeply immersed in his cultivation. During the day, he would rigorously practice the Wind Defying Finger at Linfeng Hall and occasionally practice the Dragon Roar Armor; at night, he would train in the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill, filling almost every moment of his day. In the backyard of Linfeng Hall, Shen Qing''s muscles were tense, and his skin had taken on a dark red hue. "Just a little bit more, the Dragon Roar Armor is harder to train in than I expected." Shen Qing''s thoughts shifted as he glanced at the Water Ink Panel in his line of sight, and the information about the Dragon Roar Armor appeared before him. [Skill: Dragon Roar Armor (Entry Level)] [Progress: 92/100 points] [Status: Cannot be improved] [Note: Heaven lay a great responsibility on this man, must first suffer his mind and strain his muscle and bone. Continue to refine Qi-Blood and hone flesh, it will increase the progress of this martial skill significantly and greatly strengthen the physical body.] Compared with the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill, a martial arts of the Great Zhou Dynasty court, the Dragon Roar Armor did not have a systematic methodology, and many parts of its cultivation were rough and unsophisticated. As a result, Shen Qing encountered many obstacles during training, and his progress was slow. This was even when augmented by the Blood Dominance Technique; otherwise, he would be even further behind. It was hard to imagine how difficult it would be for a person without any foundation to cultivate martial arts in the Great Zhou Dynasty after the martial mechanism had been centralized. "Hoo... Ha..." Shen Qing gently exhaled a hot breath and his tightly stretched muscles relaxed, as his dark skin began to seep with layers of hot sweat. As usual, he sat down on a stone stool to rest for a while. At the same time, his gaze couldn''t help but drift outside. For some reason, the number of people coming to Linfeng Hall for martial arts training had decreased by another twenty percent in recent times, making the large courtyard seem quite deserted. Moreover, the "security fee" he collected from the slum area of the Outer City also diminished compared to before. The people living in the slums were decreasing. This was not good news. Shen Qing looked up to find the sky over Taiping County unexpectedly overcast with dense clouds. Chapter 111: Chapter 35 Matchmaking A gentle breeze drifted by. In the backyard, the bamboo leaves swayed softly, rustling in the wind. At that moment, Ouyang Tiezhu stepped through the courtyard door and, seeing Shen Qing, his face brightened with excitement as he hurried over and said, "Junior brother, you''re just in time. I''ve found out about a few more girls; do you want to take a look?" Shen Qing sighed helplessly. He didn''t know why Ouyang Tiezhu had suddenly taken such an interest in his personal affairs, coming up every so often with a selection of girls for him to consider. He had no idea where he got all this information from. Shen Qing was not opposed to marriage. Men should marry when they come of age, and so should women¡ªit has been an unobjectionable tradition since ancient times. However, marriage should not be entered into lightly; one must find someone truly agreeable. Otherwise, marrying an unworthy wife could lead to endless troubles later, rather than remaining single. Ouyang Tiezhu sat down beside Shen Qing, deftly pulling out a stack of women''s portraits as he said, "Come on, come take a look at these." "This is a concubine-born daughter of a side branch of the Wang Family. Although her status is somewhat lower, she has ties to the Wang Family, so she''s from a reputable household. If you marry her, you''ll definitely struggle less for many years." Ouyang Tiezhu earnestly praised, pointing to a slightly plump girl. Shen Qing frowned; this girl really wasn''t to his taste. Seeing that Shen Qing seemed to care quite a bit about the appearance of the girls, Ouyang Tiezhu spread out all the portraits before Shen Qing and said, "Take a look. If you see one you like, I''ll go ask about her for you." Shen Qing, feeling helpless, carefully examined the portraits before him and finally pointed at random to a rather handsome-looking girl: "Her then." Ouyang Tiezhu took a look and joyfully said, "Junior brother, you really have a good eye. This girl is the daughter of the leader of the Taiping Escort Agency. She''s capable and clever, and she''s also attractive. I''ll go inquire about her for you right away." Shen Qing said indifferently, "Thank you, senior brother." The Taiping Escort Agency had been operating in the county for many years and had gradually built up a good reputation, no longer just one of those minor households. The leader of the escort agency was named Tang You, a forthright man who often came in contact with various martial arts halls while escorting valuables. Sometimes when the martial masters at the halls were short on money, they would go to him to earn a living. Because of this, Ouyang Tiezhu had also had contact with the Taiping Escort Agency and knew that there was a young lady there waiting to be married off, which presented a good opportunity to introduce her to Shen Qing. The lady he introduced was named Tang Wanrou. At the age of thirteen, she had followed Tang You on escort missions, braving all sorts of dangers along the way. Although her name suggested delicacy, she actually had a very spirited personality. The Taiping Escort Agency''s entrance was located relatively close to the center of the market, an area that was quite bustling. When Tang Wanrou received the message, she was practicing her martial arts in the courtyard of her home. "Miss, Young Master Ouyang from Linfeng Hall has sent word through a messenger, looking to propose a marriage for you," the maid came rushing over, exclaiming with excitement. Next to her, Tang Wanrou punched a wooden post, resulting in a muffled, hollow sound. She withdrew her fist to reveal a punched-in imprint on the wooden post. Stopping her practice, Tang Wanrou turned her head in confusion and asked, "Ouyang from Linfeng Hall? Li Linfeng''s direct disciple?" The maid nodded vigorously: "Yes." Find more adventures on m|vl-em,pyr Tang Wanrou frowned in recollection, seemingly recalling some memory. She took out the towel that had already been prepared beside her, scrubbed it in a basin, and wrung it dry, saying, "Tell me, what kind of person did you introduce to me?" "He introduced his junior apprentice, a direct disciple secretly taken by Li Linfeng. It is said that he is well-favored, a rare and handsome young man." "A handsome young man?" Tang Wanrou asked curiously, "How handsome?" "Young Master Ouyang even sent a portrait, Miss can take a look." The maidservant promptly unfurled a scroll. Tang Wanrou''s eyes brightened, "He really is quite good-looking." She stepped forward for a closer look, her phoenix eyes showing a hint of satisfaction as her hair, reaching her waist, seemed to flutter in excitement. "Since he is a direct disciple of Master Li, his Sight must be remarkable. Do you know what his cultivation realm is now?" Tang Wanrou herself was a martial artist, and with her family in the escort agency business, she was very concerned about Martial Arts. Looks were important, of course, but in these times and given the situation in the city, Martial Arts cultivation was a fundamental means to establish oneself, something that could not be taken lightly. "The messenger also inquired clearly for us. At fifteen, he is already in the Bone Refining Realm." "He''s slightly below me but still acceptable. At this age, he can still climb higher, and he''s enough for our escort agency." Tang Wanrou nodded and then asked, "What about his family background and temperament?" "The person introduced by Young Master Ouyang is named Shen Qing, the nephew of Linfeng Hall Master''s Seventh Aunt, and has a rather mild temperament, currently of peasant status. Besides practicing Martial Arts in the Martial Arts Hall, he seems to be leading a gang in the Outer City." Hearing this, Tang Wanrou''s brows furrowed slightly. "I remember Linfeng Hall Master''s Seventh Aunt was originally a concubine, later given away, wasn''t she?" "There was such an incident." "It seems he is of lowly birth. Mixing with gangs in the Outer City is nothing impressive, just trivial skirmishes, nothing prestigious. Now with Linfeng Hall in shaky circumstances, it might be difficult for him to obtain a place in the martial arts register with his background." "So Miss, shall we decline?" Tang Wanrou glanced at the scroll in her hand, hesitated for a moment, and said, "Ask if he is willing to marry into our family? If he is willing, I can take him as a husband. As for marrying out... I haven''t fallen so low as to marry just anyone. Even if his status is slightly lower, his cultivation must at least be stronger than mine." Recently, with the unstable situation, the business at the escort agency had declined drastically. Still, even a camel that has starved is bigger than a horse. Although this Shen Qing had some talent and his cultivation was not bad, he was still mismatched in terms of family background, which made it somewhat unsuitable. The maidservant nodded, "All right, Miss, I''ll tell Young Master Ouyang immediately." "Mm." After the maidservant left, the back courtyard once again filled with the sounds of whistling from practicing punches. The next day. When Ouyang Tiezhu informed Shen Qing of the marriage proposal, Shen Qing refused without hesitation. In Great Zhou, the status of a man who married into his wife''s family was only slightly better than that of a slave. Many kinds of forced labor were first assigned to such men. Having come this far on his own, he was not in a rush to degrade himself by marrying a woman for mere consolation at this point. S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Ouyang Tiezhu thought the matter was indeed somewhat improper and did not persuade further, simply carrying the message back. On the other hand, Tang Wanrou, upon hearing the news of the rejection, did not take it to heart. To her, three-legged toads may be hard to find, but three-legged men were all too common; she did not lack for the likes of Shen Qing. With that, the matter was settled, and neither side mentioned it again, letting it rest. Chapter 112: Chapter 36 Double Breakthroughs, Impressive Enhancements Ouyang Tiezhu had a conflict with the Mi Gang, which resulted in his injury. Even though he has healed, there remain hidden complications. Moreover, his lack of proper self-care during regular training has led to a condition wherein his limbs and joints ache whenever it rains. Ouyang Tiezhu knew that under these circumstances, it would be very difficult to make any advancements in Martial Arts. It is said that those without long-term concerns will soon find themselves with immediate worries. Now that his younger brother is dead and his parents are gone, his background is quite ordinary. If he cannot make a name for himself in Martial Arts, it would be nearly impossible to lead a good life in the chaotic Taiping County once he grows old and weak. Having been defeated by Shen Qing in their last duel, he knew that as long as Shen Qing stayed alive, his future would certainly be brighter than his own. Thus, he intentionally tried to form a friendship with Shen Qing. He went out of his way to introduce potential marriage partners to him, aiming to deepen their bond. If he could successfully play matchmaker, at the very least, he would become Shen Qing''s go-between and have some security for the future if he were to fall on hard times. Unfortunately, after introducing so many girls and considering the affairs of the Taiping Escort Agency, he realized that Shen Qing really had little intention of marrying. Gradually, he let go of this aspiration. In a blink, another three to five days passed. In a shabby courtyard in the slum area. Next to a rudimentary bed, Shen Qing stood in a horse stance, continuously throwing punches with both hands, sweating profusely. Shen Qing suddenly felt an epiphany: "After yesterday''s breakthrough in Blood Dominance Technique, my Qi-Blood robustness has greatly improved, making it much easier to practice Dragon Roar Armor. My progress now seems... sufficient." "I wonder to what degree this technique can enhance my physical body." After finishing his punches and taking a deep breath, Shen Qing sat down on a chair, his gaze becoming vacant. As his consciousness stirred, rows of information appeared before his eyes on the Water Ink Panel. [Skill: Dragon Roar Armor (Entry Level)] [Progress: 101/100 points] [Status: Ready for enhancement] "The progress is full. Since that''s the case, let''s break through!" The information on the Water Ink Panel rapidly changed, and Dragon Roar Armor swiftly updated from Entry Level to skillfully. Shen Qing steadied his mind, bracing for the impact that was about to come. However, even with his mental preparation, the breakthrough of the Dragon Roar Armor was more intense than he had anticipated. Shen Qing''s vision darkened, a severe sensation of dizziness assailed him. A feeling of weakness, depletion, and hunger washed over him like a tsunami, nearly causing him to fall off the chair, his vision seemingly bursting with stars. This was a condition he had never encountered with any previous breakthrough. Shen Qing knew this was due to the physical toll taken by practicing Dragon Roar Armor. Seeing that this Martial Art solely focused on the physical body, ever since he had started practicing it, his physique had been strengthening daily, leading to a significant increase in appetite. He needed to constantly absorb Essence Qi from the outside world to replenish the energy needed for his flesh and strength. The recent breakthrough had made his flesh cross a major threshold, and his body struggled to keep up, which caused his dizziness and blurred vision. Shen Qing didn''t have time to prepare anything and immediately grabbed a wooden box from under the bed. He twisted open the lock and flipped open the lid. The three delicacies he had obtained from Cai Jia Sheng of the Huang Tian Sect lay inside, honest and intact. He had originally planned to use these delicacies to consolidate his cultivation once he reached the Skin Forging Realm or the Qi Cultivation Realm. Now that his body was lacking in Essence Qi energy, he couldn''t afford to care about anything else. Among the three delicacies, the Blood Bird''s Nest was relatively the least valuable, so Shen Qing directly grabbed the Blood Bird''s Nest from the wooden box and wolfed it down without a second word. Crunch, crunch, crunch! The crystal-clear Blood Bird''s Nest, resembling a jade bowl, was bitten off piece by piece by Shen Qing, making crisp sounds. The noises of chewing and swallowing echoed continuously in the room. Soon, the palm-sized Blood Bird''s Nest was completely devoured by Shen Qing. Once the Blood Bird''s Nest reached Shen Qing''s stomach, the abundant Essence Qi it contained began to disperse rapidly, spreading through his body and infusing his flesh and blood. The mountain delicacy was indeed a great tonic. The Essence Qi contained within a single delicacy was far beyond what ordinary daily food could compare to. Shen Qing, who was sitting on a chair, saw his somewhat pale complexion turn rosy at a speed visible to the naked eye, and even his body felt slightly warm. Every inch of flesh throughout his body, like parched land welcoming sweet rain, greedily absorbed every strand of essence from the Blood Bird''s Nest. A moment later, that sense of weakness was alleviated until it disappeared completely. Shen Qing stretched out his strong arms and noticed that the thick blue veins under his skin were pulsating, and his muscles began to swell with explosive strength. Not only that, Shen Qing also found that after the breakthrough of Dragon Roar Armor, his slightly dark skin had become even finer, with a nearly invisible transparent membrane covering the surface. Under the light, it shone with a crystalline luster. Sear?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Is this the status after mastering Dragon Roar Armor?" Shen Qing smirked and swung his right fist, creating a series of short, sharp breaking sounds in the air. "Very good. This feeling of being enveloped in muscle and thick Qi-Blood is really too comfortable; it gives me an unprecedented sense of security." Shen Qing glanced at the Water Ink Panel within his line of sight. [Skill: Dragon Roar Armor (Skillfully)] [Progress: 5/200 points] [Status: Cannot be advanced] [Note: Skillfully mastering this Martial Art will enhance the strength of your flesh and the thickness of your Qi-Blood. It also allows you to cultivate a tendon membrane, making your body as if wearing a layer of Iron Cloth Shirt, greatly enhancing your resistance to physical attacks. Ordinary weapons can no longer harm you.] Shen Qing looked at the Water Ink text that appeared in sight and tightly clenched his fists, feeling waves of powerful strength coming from his body. "Hm?" Shen Qing suddenly felt something unusual and exclaimed in his heart, "Could it be?" With a thought, the Water Ink Panel''s text information appeared before him again, but this time it displayed the progress information of the Wind Defying Finger. [Skill: Wind Defying Finger (Small Success)] [Progress: 303/300 points] [Status: Can be advanced] [Note: Continued practice may give you a chance to awaken the ''One Finger Seal Throat'' Skill, killing invisibly with a single move.] Stay tuned with m,v le,mpyr "I didn''t expect that after breaking through Dragon Roar Armor, Wind Defying Finger''s progress also reached the standard for advancement." Shen Qing was genuinely surprised, "To breakthrough both at the same time is quite an impressive improvement." After Wind Defying Finger had been cultivated to Small Success, advancement became relatively difficult, and considering he divided his attention each day to practice other Martial Arts, the progress slowed down. He thought it would take another two or three days to fill up the skill proficiency to the required level for advancement. Now, the progress was earlier than he expected. Shen Qing guessed in his heart that this might be due to the mountain delicacy. The Essence Qi contained within a mountain delicacy was a great supplement for martial masters, one delicacy could be equivalent to over a month of arduous cultivation for a martial master. Having just consumed the Blood Bird''s Nest, it caused changes to his muscles and bones, which were then reflected on Wind Defying Finger. Chapter 113: Chapter 37: Advancing to the Skin Forging Realm ``` Indeed, that was the case. Not only had the progress of the Wind Defying Finger improved, but the progress of other Martial Arts such as the Blood Dominance Technique, Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill, and Dragon Roar Iron Cloth Shirt also increased to varying extents. It''s just that the Wind Defying Finger happened to be on the brink of a breakthrough, which was why such performance was observed. "Then let''s make the breakthrough now." Shen Qing licked his dry lips, showing no intention of taking a pause. In his past life, when reading novels, he often saw many protagonists take a break when they progressed too rapidly. The reasons given were that advancing too quickly in cultivation could lead to insufficient Qi and blood or an unstable foundation, which could affect future achievements, and so on. To him, these reasons were pure nonsense. Now that he was practicing multiple skills simultaneously, he found that these basic Martial Arts were all about digging into and enhancing the body''s potential. They used the same set of Qi and blood without conflict, and the argument about an unstable foundation didn''t apply. Even if it did, his Water Ink Panel could overcome it. At this moment, Shen Qing had firm belief in Li Linfeng''s note: more is beautiful, and bigger is stronger. As long as one was fast enough, powerful enough, and had solid defenses, they could still kill their opponent even if their realm was slightly inferior. Shen Qing gathered his thoughts and said seriously, "Water Ink Panel, break through for me!" The information on the panel refreshed quickly. [Skill: Wind Defying Finger (Mastery)] [Progress: 3/400 points] [Status: Unavailable for improvement] [Note: You have used the Wind Defying Finger to thrust at throats and kill people multiple times, gaining enlightenment of the "One Finger Seal Throat" skill. With this skill, you can quickly latch onto your opponent''s vital points, killing invisibly and ending lives with a single move.] A buzzing sound. All of a sudden, Shen Qing clutched his head, feeling a surge of intense pain. A mixture of strange yet familiar memories and experiences began to surface in his mind out of nowhere. It seemed as though he had killed countless people with the Wind Defying Finger, until at a certain moment, he had an epiphany and mastered the killing technique "One Finger Seal Throat". It took a good while before the pain gradually subsided. Shen Qing put his two fingers together like a sword, and instantly felt a very familiar way to strike in his heart. "It seems I have yet another method of killing from now on." Shen Qing glanced at the Water Ink Panel where the word Mastery under Wind Defying Finger now appeared. Only after he emerged from that mentally muddled state, without having time to relax his mind, did he suddenly feel a warm current slowly rising from his Dantian, traveling quickly along his meridians to the tips of his fingers. The warm current grew stronger and stronger, like flames leaping at the fingertips, hot yet full of power. Read further on m_vl em,pyr Shen Qing knew it was the Qi and blood going wild, a sign that he was condensing Qi Sensing after Wind Defying Finger reached the level of Mastery. The Wind Defying Finger technique was exquisitely intricate, emphasizing the control of finger movements through Qi, with the finger wind sharp as a blade. Once practiced to the level of Great Perfection, reaching the Qi Cultivation Realm, one could condense powerful Qi strength. With a single flick, it was like wind sweeping away the remnants of a storm, nothing would remain unbroken. Before reaching the Qi Cultivation Realm, the Skin Forging Realm was the beginning of cultivating strength and Qi. In other words... A look of incredulity filled Shen Qing''s eyes. He clenched his fists and brought them crashing into each other. Clang! A crisp, metallic sound emanated from Shen Qing''s fists. He knew this was not a true metallic sound but rather a similarity to the sound of his bones, indicating his bones had grown strong enough to produce such a tone. "It''s Bone Refining! I''ve succeeded in Bone Refining!!! I''ve now advanced to the Skin Forging Realm." Shen Qing was overjoyed in an instant. He had no idea what the process of cultivation was like for those nobles and high officials in the court, nor where he stood in terms of talent in front of them. But without a doubt, compared to the lower-level martial masters, his speed of cultivation was absolutely astounding. In just over a month, he had traversed a path that would take lower-level martial masters a year or even several years to walk, and to call it monstrous would not be an overstatement. The transformation within his body was still ongoing, and Shen Qing dared not slacken one bit; he immediately adjusted his breathing and concentrated all his mental energy on the tips of his fingers. ``` The warm current gathered at the fingertips, gradually forming a thread-like nascent Qi. This Qi was initially very weak, like a tiny spark on the grassland, ready to extinguish at any moment. During his cultivation over the past month, he had consulted his fellow disciples about Qi and learned some of the key aspects. Shen Qing quickly focused his mind, not daring to be careless, striving to stabilize that change. Gradually, the nascent Qi became more solid and sharper. Until at last, Shen Qing could clearly feel the Qi jumping at his fingertips. "Stabilized." A glint of excitement flashed in Shen Qing''s eyes as he stood up, pointed his fingers like a sword forward, and the Qi whistled out following his will, tracing a clear path through the air, emitting a faint sound as it broke the silence, hitting the wall and dispersing. A look of surprise appeared on his face. After trying repeatedly for a while, Shen Qing stopped his gestures and murmured to himself, "The current Qi Sensing is still quite weak, mainly relying on the power of the flesh to initiate, it''s not very useful when emitted from the body. It''s best to maintain the same way of confronting enemies as before." Shen Qing concentrated the Qi Sensing around his fingers and suddenly pointed it down towards the chair below him. "Bang!" A muffled sound. The wooden board on the chair instantly splintered. Right where Shen Qing''s finger had touched, a hole broke open, as wide as a wrist. "The power is much greater than before. Previously, one finger would only make a hole, but now it has burst open a gap." Shen Qing brought his fingers together in a sword-like gesture, examining them closely in front of him. "Then, what would happen if I combined this with the might of the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill?" [Skill: Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill (Skilled/Second Transformation)] [Progress: 13/300 points] "Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill, Qi-Blood reversal." Shen Qing uttered softly and pointed a finger towards the chair in front of him. "Boom!" A booming sound echoed through the room. The chair, which was somewhat intact a moment ago, exploded into chunks of wood in an instant, scattering throughout the room. Upon closer inspection, one could see that the edges of each shattered piece of wood were charred, emitting smoke as if burned. "This..." Shen Qing stood stunned, looking at the scene before him with a surprised expression. If this move were to land on a body of flesh and blood, wouldn''t it directly blast a person into pieces? He suddenly felt so powerful. After using this move, Shen Qing soon felt waves of weakness wash over him. sea??h th§× N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. This was the physical backlash caused by the Qi-Blood reversal technique. At the beginning, during the First Transformation, it wasn''t very noticeable, but now, after advancing to the Second Transformation, it had become quite different. Shen Qing sat on the edge of the bed, silently regulating his breathing. It took him over a dozen breaths to recover. "Now that I''ve broken through to the Skin Forging Realm, I should seek the Hall Master for the next step in the training method, and quickly advance to the Qi Cultivation Realm." After regaining his breath and ensuring there were no issues with his body, Shen Qing quickly left the room and headed towards the direction of the Inner City Linfeng Hall. It took nearly a quarter of an hour for Shen Qing to arrive at the entrance of Linfeng Hall. Without another word, as soon as A Fu opened the door, he headed straight for Li Linfeng''s study. Fortunately, Li Linfeng was still in his study and had not gone elsewhere. Shen Qing knocked on the door, "Disciple Shen Qing seeks an audience." "Come in," Li Linfeng replied from inside the study, closing an account book, "What is it?" Shen Qing entered, bowed with his hands clasped, and said, "Master, I wish to learn the training method for the Skin Forging Realm." "Hmm?" Li Linfeng, who had been frowning, suddenly looked up, his sharp eyes firmly fixed on Shen Qing. Chapter 114: Chapter 38: I Might Be Very Strong Now "You''ve already refined your bones?" Shen Qing heard this and didn''t hide anything; he clenched his fists in front of Li Linfeng and bumped them together, deliberately producing a crisp iron sound. "Iron bones," Li Linfeng''s expression changed slightly. Shen Qing respectfully clasped his fists and said, "Replying to Master, with continual hard study these days, I''ve finally had some insights and, luckily, have managed to refine them." Li Linfeng had already known that Miss Qi''s nephew was somewhat out of the ordinary, but it still seemed inconceivable that he had completed Bone Refining in just over a month. It greatly exceeded his expectations. In his view, even if Shen Qing''s talent were exceptional, being a "wild" martial master, it would still take three to five months'' time. A month and a half''s time was rare even among some of the large and wealthy families. And those wealthy families, lacking neither food nor medicinal herbs and having had renowned teachers from a young age, could achieve such progress through various means. Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Shen Qing had simply been practicing according to his teachings and had reached this extent; he truly didn''t know how to describe it. Li Linfeng, sitting in his chair, looked at Shen Qing with a complex expression after a long silence. "It seems that in addition to your excellent insight and bone quality, your temperament and perseverance far surpass those of ordinary people." Shen Qing, upon hearing this, agreed wholeheartedly. He had reached his current state all through his own efforts. Although the Water Ink Panel was somewhat powerful, without his unique talent, exceptional aptitude, and incredible insight, it was just an inanimate object with no chance of breakthrough. You reap what you sow. If he were lazy and mediocre, the Water Ink Panel would show no changes whatsoever. After all, the Water Ink Panel was just a skillfulness panel at the end of the day, and it intrinsically wouldn''t increase his cultivation. Seeing Shen Qing so calm, this temperament made Li Linfeng nod his head involuntarily, further confirming the thoughts in his heart. In Great Zhou, learning martial arts was a very difficult matter, and with the great investment required in the early stages, ordinary families, once they chose a Martial Arts Hall, would continue to train there. If they learned well, they became a part of the Martial Arts Hall; if they learned poorly and left, they would just be half-baked and couldn''t stir up much trouble. Therefore, besides setting a high threshold to test a disciple''s aptitude and character, there was no saying of "teach your apprentice and starve to death as a master" in martial arts halls. "Now that you''ve refined your iron bones, next you should proceed to Skin Forging." Li Linfeng stood up and, without any secrecy, asked, "Do you know why you should forge your skin?" "The disciple is slow-witted, please enlighten me, Master." Li Linfeng spoke generously, "You know that above the Skin Forging Realm lies the Qi Cultivation Realm, what''s cultivated is Qi. What is Qi? Qi is the fundamental essence that distinguishes martial artists from ordinary people, it is like the roots of a tree, deeply implanted within the body, born from the essence of flesh and blood." "Once you cultivate Qi, it can fill your punches and techniques with powerful explosive force, different from ordinary stances." "It is precisely because of the might of Qi, filled with violent destructive power, that the body, as a vessel, finds it difficult to bear it. Therefore, one must achieve Great Perfection of Qi and Blood, perform stretching, Bone Refining, and Skin Forging." "Qi originates from the bones, condenses in the flesh, and ultimately is released through the skin. Your tendons, flesh, and bones have already been tempered; you can withstand the force of Power and lack only the final layer of Skin Forging to perfect your physical body." Shen Qing inquired, "Then what should I do to forge my skin?" "Eat!" Li Linfeng said, uttering just one word. Discover magic at m-vl-em-pyr Shen Qing was puzzled, "Eat?" Li Linfeng continued, "The energy in a person''s flesh comes from the intake of external substances. When a martial master reaches your stage, the physical body''s capacity for energy is nearly at its limit. One can only consume various essence-enriching substances, allowing the body''s energy to overflow through the skin, gradually transforming it bit by bit, until it becomes as thick as cowhide and as hard as iron." Li Linfeng spoke in easy-to-understand terms, and Shen Qing could grasp the concept after brief contemplation, "Then aside from eating, are there no other auxiliary methods?" "There''s also grinding!" Li Linfeng said, "We martial masters who come from humble beginnings have figured out a clumsy method for Skin Forging, which is to use potent medicines to stimulate and grind the skin, causing the skin and the physical body to continuously undergo damage and repair during the overflow of Essence Qi, in order to accelerate progress." "I see," Shen Qing suddenly had a question, "I''ve heard from my senior brothers before that at this stage it''s possible to condense Qi strength. If Skin Forging is not complete, does that mean it can''t be used?" "That''s correct. At this stage, you''re just beginning to condense Qi strength, barely sensing it, let alone controlling it, which is difficult. Even if you could use it, if the Skin Forging is incomplete, just as the Qi strength surfaces, before it''s even emitted, the skin would feel the pain of tearing and swelling. Forcing its use would only harm oneself greatly, and the enemy partially." Shen Qing was stunned. His progress in the Skin Forging Realm seemed different from what Li Linfeng described. He had not only transported the Qi strength to the surface of his body but also activated it, and could even strike through the air. Shen Qing speculated that this might have a lot to do with the Blood Dominance Technique and Dragon Roar Armor. The unintentional combination of these two Martial Arts had already made his skin''s strength surpass that of normal people, even though he hadn''t completed the Skin Forging. Now, he might be very strong! Far surpassing those of the same realm. Seeing Shen Qing''s composed demeanor, Li Linfeng was increasingly satisfied and couldn''t help feeling a growing fondness for talent. He stepped forward and said, "From now on, when you practice Martial Arts with me, you don''t need to pay the monthly fee for all the prescriptions and various supplements. Practice to your heart''s content." Shen Qing was moved and quickly expressed his gratitude. Li Linfeng, worried Shen Qing would become arrogant and complacent from this, cautioned him, "However, don''t get too proud of yourself. My Wind Defying Finger Martial Arts is not very profound, and it''s not very difficult to learn. You must know there are skies beyond skies, and people beyond people. In Great Zhou, there are many talents like you, thick as carps crossing the river. You still have a long way to go." "Master''s lesson is well received," Shen Qing said without any hint of impatience, his expression even more respectful. Just then, A Fu hurried in and said, "Master, people from the Guardian Martial Department of the government office have come, saying there''s an important matter to discuss." "The Guardian Martial Department? What do they want?" Li Linfeng wondered. A Fu replied, "It seems to be about the demon tiger issue. They''ve come not only to our Martial Arts Hall, but it seems they''ve also visited other major Martial Arts Halls and factions." "Oh?" Li Linfeng pondered for a while and then instructed, "Please ask them to wait in the main hall for a moment, I''ll be right there." "Yes, Master." Shen Qing watched A Fu''s retreating figure, contemplative. That demon tiger seems quite troublesome to deal with. Li Linfeng got up from the study and walked out, casually saying to Shen Qing, "Have your four senior brothers come along too." "Yes," Shen Qing agreed, then asked, "Should I also follow, Master?" "No need." After dropping these words, Li Linfeng''s figure swiftly vanished at the study''s doorway. Shen Qing narrowed his eyes, noting that this time Li Linfeng did not intend to involve him in the demon tiger incident. This perfectly suited his wishes; he could focus on cultivating in peace. Shen Qing had an inkling that the Skin Forging Realm might be virtually nonexistent for him, possibly the easiest realm for him to master. Chapter 115: Chapter 39: What Big Talk The main hall of Linfeng Hall was spacious and bright. In the most central position of the hall, there was a large chair. Behind the large chair, a piece of calligraphy was displayed, with a simple "Martial" character written in powerful and lively brushstrokes, filled with a stern and efficient aura. Beneath the large chair, swords, spears, sabers, halberds, and other weapons from the eighteen categories were lined up behind the four chairs on each side, radiating a cold light. At this moment, all four chairs were occupied, and the one at the head was a woman. Unlock new chapters at m_vl-em-py-r She was dressed in plain white casual clothes, which made her especially eye-catching. "What wind has blown Team Leader Wang here today?" Li Linfeng''s hearty laughter came from outside the door. Soon, he entered the main hall, flanked by Ouyang Tiezhu and four other disciples. Everyone sitting on the chairs stood up, greeted him with their hands clasped together in a fist. Wang Yanjun, who was at the forefront, spoke, "It concerns the peace of Taiping County; I had to bother Master Li." Li Linfeng glanced at this female team leader from the Guardian Martial Department. Her stature was outstanding, her back straight, exuding a vigorous heroic spirit. The exquisite id card hanging at her waist highlighted her official status, and with the Treasure Sword and ropes she was carrying, she seemed like someone not to be trifled with. In the current times, Great Zhou did not forbid women from learning Martial Arts. S§×ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. However, inherently, women have weaker physical constitutions than men, and with childbirth and monthly menstruation, they are prone to Qi-Blood deficiency. It isn''t easy for them to excel. This Wang Yanjun was born into the Wang Family and belonged to the same main house as Boss Wang of the county town. At a young age, she had already developed impressive skills. Somehow she managed to enter the Guardian Martial Department of the imperial court. In just a few short years, using the court''s Martial Arts resources, she had cultivated to the Qi Cultivation Realm. In Taiping County, she was a remarkable figure. Li Linfeng retracted his gaze and sat in the master''s seat, saying, "May I know what exactly Team Leader Wang is referring to?" Wang Yanjun, with two big principles to her name, spoke indifferently, "Has Master Li heard about the tiger demon incident in Shicheng Mountain?" "I''ve heard a thing or two," Li Linfeng said as he picked up a cup of tea that the maids had brought in. "What''s the situation now?" Wang Yanjun''s eyes, deep and luminous, stated matter-of-factly, "Not to keep Master Li in the dark, according to reports from below, about a dozen hunting villages near Shicheng Mountain have all fallen prey to it, with nearly a thousand dead or injured. Basically, the area around the base of Shicheng Mountain has become uninhabited." "This..." Li Linfeng knew the ferocious tiger was not easy to deal with, but he had not expected it to be this troublesome. Wang Yanjun looked at Li Linfeng with solemnity and said, "If we allow this demon tiger to keep growing unchecked, the entire Taiping County could be facing a great disaster. As we have suffered heavy losses in our multiple encirclements, we''ve come specifically to ask for Master Li''s help in deploying some people to assist us in eliminating this calamity." Li Linfeng asked, "Is this the County Magistrate''s wish?" Wang Yanjun nodded and said, "We have already notified the Shen Shou Sect, Blood Gang, and Feiying Pavilion. Everyone is well aware of the urgency and is willing to lend a hand. Now, we are only waiting for Master Li to make a statement." Between her words, Wang Yanjun''s lips slightly turned up, with a subtle, barely noticeable smile. Li Linfeng gestured to the maids beside him and said, "Don''t just stand there; go and refill the tea for the officers." The two maids, nervous and fearful, quickly bowed their heads and cautiously went to refill the tea and pour water for Wang Yanjun and the other officials and officers of the Guardian Martial Department. The imposing aura Wang Yanjun had managed to gather was easily disrupted by the maids'' actions. Her brows furrowed, feeling somewhat dissatisfied within. However, this dissatisfaction quickly disappeared and wasn''t shown. Li Linfeng sincerely said, "Since the County Magistrate has spoken, we, as citizens under the rule of Great Zhou, should indeed support. But there is one thing I find quite strange, it''s just a fierce tiger, why has it come to this point?" Before Wang Yanjun could speak, an officer from the Guardian Martial Department standing beside her stood up, clasped his hands and said, "Hall Master is unaware; we''re not exaggerating. This fierce tiger is not an ordinary one, but a true demon tiger." "This tiger can speak human language, understands human nature, and can even command ghosts and demons. It''s utterly inconceivable, I have never seen such a creature in all my years. It is precisely for this reason that we''ve been unable to defeat it and have come to seek assistance from everyone." "There''s such a thing?" Li Linfeng was quite astonished. Wang Yanjun nodded and said, "The matter is too peculiar, the County Magistrate is concerned about causing unnecessary disturbances and has sealed off the news, only saying it''s a fierce tiger. It''s normal that Master Li does not know." Li Linfeng''s face still wore a look of disbelief; the concept of a beast able to speak human language turned his understanding upside down. "If I hadn''t heard it from you, I would suspect this to be a tale from a storybook." An officer from the Guardian Martial Department sitting in a chair said solemnly, "Getting back to the point, how many people is Master Li willing to support us with this time?" Li Linfeng, realizing the serious matter at hand, instantly became fully alert. The Guardian Martial Department came this time with a formidable momentum, determined not to stop until they achieved their goal. Moreover, he didn''t have much of a relationship with the current County Magistrate, so there was no possibility of any reward for doing this task for the officials. After pondering for a long time, he said, "I can offer three Disciples from the inner courtyard, ten from the Outer Court, plus one Direct Disciple to work with you, how about that?" Although there weren''t many Disciples in Linfeng Hall, years of operation had built up quite a foundation. If given enough benefits, they could still summon quite a number of people. It all depended on how much benefit was offered. "Not enough, too few," said Wang Yanjun with an indifferent expression. "Then how many does Team Leader Wang want?" Li Linfeng asked, his tone becoming much colder and quite confrontational. "I want four of your Direct Disciples, ten from the Inner Court, and thirty from the Outer Court," she said. Whoosh! Li Linfeng suddenly stood up: "Team Leader Wang really has a big appetite, are you joking with me?" Currently, he had only four Direct Disciples announced to the public, and she wanted to conscript all of them. Not just that, but she also wanted ten Inner Court Disciples and thirty Outer Court Disciples. These Inner and Outer Court Disciples were those who paid to learn Martial Arts, and at most had a master-disciple relation with him. If he needed to inconvenience them, he had to offer substantial benefits. Either waive tuition and medicine fees, or more directly, pay money. Based on the numbers Wang Yanjun mentioned, he would need at least one to two thousand taels of Silver as a base, and that''s not even the limit. If there were any accidents, it would be his many years of accumulated resources that were depleted. Taiping County was not a place of good will; if he appeared weak, other gangs and Martial Arts Halls would surely have designs on him. Wang Yanjun''s demands were nothing short of excessive. The atmosphere in the hall suddenly became tense. Wang Yanjun from the Guardian Martial Department appeared to have anticipated this, she held her sword scabbard, pushing it with her thumb to reveal a section of the silver blade, smiling as she said, "I am not joking with Master Li. If Master Li prefers not to do so, then perhaps Master Li himself would be willing to take action. With Master Li joining, our chances of defeating the tiger will surely increase. What does Master Li think?" Chapter 116: Chapter 40: Pushing People Too Far ``` Clatter! In front of him, his direct disciples, Ouyang Tiezhu, Niu Daping, Dong Zizhuang, and Wushili took a synchronized step forward, glowering with anger. The already tense atmosphere became charged like a drawn bow. Wang Yanjun felt confident and without fear, her thumb pushing the hilt of her sword up slightly, "Master Li, a wise man submits to circumstances." Li Linfeng''s expression turned icy as a fiery rage began to rise from the depths of his heart. Just as this rage was about to erupt, Li Linfeng, seasoned by frequent dealings with the county government, managed to muster some rationality and suppress the rising fury. Read further stories on m-vlem|p-yr Li Linfeng was aware that Wang Yanjun was not merely a squad leader of the Guardian Martial Department. Behind her stood the Great Zhou Court, with County Magistrate Chu Yiwu, a martial master in the Qi Hai Realm, backing them up. They were not someone he could afford to provoke. Not to mention, Wang Yanjun''s cultivation was in the Qi Cultivation Realm, on par with his own. No matter how aggrieved he felt, he could only endure it. The glaring eyes of Li Linfeng gradually softened, and his tone became more measured, "I can provide at most two direct disciples, five from the Inner Court, and fifteen from the Outer Court to your cause." As soon as he finished speaking, Li Linfeng''s gaze sharpened, and an imposing air of solemnity exuded from him. Seeing that she had pushed Li Linfeng far enough, Wang Yanjun suddenly sheathed her sword, her face breaking into a congenial smile. She gave a fist and palm salute, "Master Li is indeed righteous. I thank you on behalf of the people in the county. Now that we have an agreement, let''s meet outside the West City Gate tomorrow morning at the Mao Hour; together with the heroes of Linfeng Hall, we will ascend the mountain to hunt the tiger." Li Linfeng, his face expressionless, issued a dismissal, "Do you have any other business, squad leader? If not, then I shall see you out." Unperturbed, Wang Yanjun adjusted the sword at her waist, leading the other officials and officers from the Guardian Martial Department out with a stride, "I appreciate your effort, Master Li." "This is too much," As soon as Wang Yanjun and the others left, the impetuous Dong Zizhuang couldn''t keep the frustration at bay and started to curse vehemently. But he also knew that under someone else''s roof, one must bow their head. Facing the formidable Zhou Dynasty Court, there was nothing they could do. An arm could never twist a thigh. After a while, when everyone''s emotions had steadied, Li Linfeng said to the group, "Ouyang and Xiao Wu were injured not long ago, so this time you two, Daping and Zizhuang, will take people there." "The road may be dangerous; both of you should bring handy weapons. Once this is over, you no longer have to give the usual tribute; no more needed." Niu Daping and Dong Zizhuang glanced at each other and replied in unison, "Yes, Master." The next day. When Shen Qing returned to Linfeng Hall, he found the entire courtyard eerily silent, with only a sparrow at the door. There were only a few people listlessly practicing their moves inside the hall. After inquiring briefly, Shen Qing learned about the events of the previous day from Ouyang Tiezhu. "They didn''t take us seriously at all," Ouyang Tiezhu complained angrily as he pointed at the wooden dummy, "Damn it!" Shen Qing said nothing, silently hanging his head. He knew that complaining was useless. This world speaks through deeds and power. Wang Yanjun was skilled, and with the powerful county government behind her, she naturally stood tall. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. In contrast, Li Linfeng had no such backing, his cultivation realm was no match, leaving him with little confidence. Seeing Shen Qing''s mute frustration, Ouyang Tiezhu found it dull and ceased to say more, sighing deeply before leaving the inner courtyard. ``` In the following days, even though Linfeng Hall faced substantial difficulties, Li Linfeng still fulfilled his promise to Shen Qing. Every day, Shen Qing could almost always enjoy a nutritious medicinal meal and soak in a pricey medicinal bath, his cultivation progress visibly speeding up. Before one knew it, over a month had passed. In this period, Shen Qing''s various martial arts cultivation proceeded in stride, with rapid progress. He had cultivated the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill to the third transformation, which could be considered incredibly fast. Every time his Qi-Blood reversed, the moves he punched out burned even hotter, even showing hints of red light, as if leaving traces of combustion. If controlled well, he could even compress the side effects to within two breaths. Moreover, his cultivation of the Blood Dominance Technique, Dragon Roar Iron Cloth Shirt, and Wind Defying Finger did not lag behind, rendering his tendons and muscles as formidable as a mountain. There was a knock on the door. Shen Qing stopped his cultivation and called out, "Come in." Standing at the door, Tian Xiaohu, carrying a cloth bag, came in and said, "This is the monthly fee collected for this month." Taking it over, Shen Qing frowned and said, "This little?" He could feel that there were at most ten taels silver inside, more than half less than before, not to mention that the area they collected protection fees from had even expanded. Tian Xiaohu said helplessly, "For some reason lately, many people are either trying to move to the Inner City or leaving Taiping County. The population in the shantytown has diminished compared to a few months ago, so naturally, we couldn''t collect much money." The situation in Taiping County seemed to be getting worse. Shen Qing asked, "Those who came with us from Hongshan Village, did many of them move to the Inner City?" "Almost half of them moved there," Tian Xiaohu replied truthfully. After pondering for a moment, Shen Qing said, "These next few days, take a good look around the city for a suitable residence. Let''s also move there. After all, the Inner City walls are high and thick, which is always safer. Remember we''re looking to rent, not buy. With the current instability in Taiping County, house prices are unreliable, and buying would not be worthwhile." "Okay, I''ll go inquire about it right away," Tian Xiaohu agreed without a second thought. "Go on, and after you''re done, focus on your cultivation." Tian Xiaohu nodded and withdrew. Shen Qing calculated the time in his head, and it had been almost a month and a half. The fifty shi bow he had Ruan Pottery Master forge should almost be ready. He took the already prepared silver taels and golden leaves from home and placed them in front of his chest before leaving the shantytown. Walking on the grand streets of the Inner City, Shen Qing noticed that the number of pedestrians was at least thirty percent less than usual, and the once lively atmosphere had dwindled considerably. The surrounding air was filled with foul odors like urine, sweat, and other unpleasant smells. Glancing downward, Shen Qing spotted a fresh puddle of sewage on the road ahead, a yellowish stain running across the whole street. He had to leap over to avoid stepping into the mess. Some people failed to notice the puddle in time, stepping into it and leaving a long trail of footprints on the ground, which made the already foul stench even more pervasive. As Shen Qing held his breath and did his best to avoid these footprints, he was oblivious that others had set their sights on him. A man dressed plainly brushed past him, and Shen Qing suddenly realized that his chest felt lighter. The silver that he had brought from home was now gone without a trace. Shen Qing immediately snapped out of his thoughts, reacting swiftly. Before the other could pull away, he grabbed the man''s wrist, his hand gripping like an iron clamp. "Good sir, have you taken something of mine?" Chapter 117: Chapter 41 On the Road to Kill, Seize the Bow In the main street, Shen Qing was reluctant to start a conflict with others, always preferring fewer problems over more, so he still offered the other party a way out, hoping to downplay the situation. As long as the Silver Tael was returned, he wouldn''t mind letting the other party off the hook. Unfortunately, the other party clearly misunderstood his intention, taking him for someone weak and easily bullied. The man Shen Qing caught tried to smooth things over with an oily smile, "Ah, I''m really sorry, I accidentally bumped into this big tree of yours. I promise to look where I''m going next time. Please don''t stoop to my low level, I''ll return your belongings right away." Shen Qing''s face was expressionless, as he was about to let go. A fierce look flashed across the face of the man opposite him, and his other hand quietly reached for his waist, drawing a dagger and stabbing violently at Shen Qing. In Taiping County, those who made a living as pickpockets and engaged in other such underhanded trades were rarely of good sort. For them, money was more important than life. When pushed into a corner, without a second thought, they would kill on the spot, no questions asked. Their livelihood depended on their ruthless determination. Shen Qing had already keenly detected something amiss with the man before him. His Qi-Blood surged throughout his body, and the Dragon Roar Armor instinctively activated. His muscles suddenly tensed like iron, and a translucent membrane appeared on his skin. Clang! A crisp sound emitted from Shen Qing''s skin. The pickpocket looked at the dagger, only to find its tip bent. He was dumbstruck for a moment. He felt that he had encountered a ruthless character today and hurriedly attempted to withdraw his hand, aiming to escape. Unfortunately, his arm was as if fixed by Shen Qing, unable to move in the slightest no matter how he struggled. The pickpocket''s heart instantly panicked, and he felt as if he could already smell death, his scalp tingling. Shen Qing stretched his mouth into a smile, "I clearly gave you a chance. Why force me?" "Ah?" Shen Qing gestured with his finger, instantly triggering the Wind Defying Finger. Bang! The back of the man''s clothes burst open, sending up a cloud of blood mist. Incredulous, the pickpocket lowered his head to see that his chest had burst open to the size of a bowl under Shen Qing''s finger. No blood gushed from the wound. Because it was already cauterized. The pink flesh inside curled up, with white and scorched yellow intermixed, sealing off the veins completely. Just as the pickpocket was about to let out a piercing scream, Shen Qing moved swiftly to cover his mouth and nose, stifling the sound in his throat. Then, hooking the man''s neck, he dragged him into an alleyway. The pickpocket, gasping for air, breathed more out than he could take in, resembling a dead rat, and gradually went still. Seeing another life disappear before him, Shen Qing let out a heavy sigh, "Every time I see this, I always feel a sense of inexplicable sorrow." Shen Qing surveyed the surroundings to make sure no one nosy had followed or gone to report to the officials. After confirming it was clear, he quickly took the stolen goods with peace of mind and returned to the main road. Then, he walked down the street as if nothing had happened. Once he left the main street and reached a deserted place, he opened his chest and looked down at where the pickpocket had stabbed him to find not even a mark. Unscathed. "That man seemed to be a martial master too, but he hadn''t mastered his craft yet, just reaching the stage where he had condensed a bit of Qi-Blood. Even so, he couldn''t hurt me in the slightest. Although the Dragon Roar Armor is difficult to train, the payoff is considerable." Shen Qing murmured to himself, "Combined with the power of Wind Defying Finger and the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill, slaying such a person is almost effortless for me. But I wonder how it would be against a martial master of the same level?" Somehow, he felt a stirring impulse to test his might. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Shelving those whimsical thoughts, Shen Qing followed his memory along the route towards Ruan Pottery Master''s shop. Ruan Family Kiln. The old store front was half-open. Even before Shen Qing approached the Ruan Family Shop, he could clearly hear the "clang clang" of hammers striking the anvil, crisp and forceful. He quickened his pace, pushed open the large door, and entered. A wave of heat hit him, and the shop was filled with the strong scent of rust and the smell of burning charcoal. At that moment, the flames in the forge leaped, casting a red glow over the entire shop. Continue exploring at m|vl-em,py-r A middle-aged craftsman was vigorously swinging his large hammer, every movement seeming effortless, as if he were one with the world of iron and fire. Several apprentices were pulling the bellows with difficulty, working as his assistants. Shen Qing stepped forward and greeted with a clasped fist, "Master Ruan, is my fifty shi bow ready?" Upon hearing the sound, Ruan Chengbao glanced at Shen Qing and shouted into the house, "Girl, bring out that bow from inside and the finished arrows as well." Soon, the girl with some freckles on her face that he had seen before came out, holding a bow and arrows in her arms. She walked in front of Shen Qing, looked him over carefully with her bright eyes, and said, "Here, your bow and arrows, they are a bit heavy." Shen Qing looked down. The young girl was holding a fifty shi heavy bow, thick and solid, with a lustrous black sheen, entirely forged from dark iron. On both sides of the bow, inlaid ox horn as well as delicate patterns were visibly clear, exuding an air of masterful craftsmanship. Shen Qing took one look and felt exceedingly satisfied. He reached out to take it. The heavy bow made of dark iron in his hands seemed no different in weight from other bows and arrows. Shen Qing knew it wasn''t an issue with the bow, but rather the result of the continuous advancement in his cultivation over the past month, significantly increasing his strength. Excitedly, he grabbed the arrow handed to him by the young girl and asked Ruan Pottery Master, "Master Ruan, do you have a place where I can practice shooting with a bow and arrow?" "Just go to the backyard and try it out." Shen Qing strode directly toward the backyard. An apprentice peeked out and asked, "Do you think he can actually draw that bow? That''s a fifty shi heavy bow, and several of us couldn''t even budge it." "Let''s go and see for ourselves." Some bold apprentices put down their work and followed along. "Master..." Ruan Chengbao set down the iron hammer in his hands and rotated his wrists, saying, "I''m tired from hammering till now; it''s just the right time to loosen my muscle and bone." Having said that, he also headed to the backyard. The other apprentices, who dared not act recklessly, excitedly flocked towards the courtyard. The young girl beside them bit her lip, moved her feet, and silently followed the crowd. The backyard of the Ruan Family Shop was a large open space, only about thirty meters from front to back. In front of the courtyard wall at the very front, there stood a crude wooden target, probably used by Ruan Chengbao and the others for bow casting tests on regular days. Shen Qing stood in front of the target, his tall and sturdy figure silent and immovable like a tranquil mountain peak. Adjacent to him, Ruan Chengbao with folded arms watched along with several apprentices for some heated action. "Quick, look, he''s going to pull the bow." Under everyone''s gaze, Shen Qing firmly gripped the fifty shi heavy bow, forged of dark iron, drew out a dark iron arrow, and placed it on the string. He took a deep breath, his arm muscles tensed up, and veins surfaced, appearing like countless little dragons moving between his muscles. Crack! Crack! Crack! Crack! Shen Qing began to pull the bowstring, which made the sound of steel wire being tightened. "He''s pulled it back, he''s pulled it back!" exclaimed Ruan Chengbao and the apprentices around him. The fifty shi arm bow was effortlessly drawn by him. "His cultivation must be quite high." As the tension in the bowstring grew, the air around seemed to freeze, and a powerful aura emitted from Shen Qing''s body, sending chills down the spines of those who felt it. Finally, when the bowstring was pulled to its limit, Shen Qing abruptly released his fingers, and the bowstring shot out with a "hum" like an arrow leaving the string. The arrow cut through the air, emitting a piercing whistle, and headed straight for the distant target. With a "whoosh," the arrow precisely struck the center of the target, causing the wooden target to burst open and shatter into pieces. The arrow didn''t stop there, and amidst a roaring sound, hit the courtyard wall. Boom! A section of the courtyard wall was directly hit and collapsed, with countless fragments flying everywhere, and dust filling the air. The commotion surprised everyone present. Silence fell over the scene. The potency of the fifty shi bow was beyond even Shen Qing''s expectations. He turned his head to see that Ruan Chengbao''s face had turned ashen. "You''re paying for the repairs to the courtyard wall," he stated. Then he shouted to the apprentices around him, "What are you all standing around for? Is there nothing to work on?" The apprentices who had come to spectate scattered in shock. The remaining young girl, looking at Shen Qing, had her eyes filled with a tender mist, her face flushed red, and she quietly left, head bowed. At that moment, Shen Qing sensed something and a trace of joy appeared on his face. [Skill: Bow Technique (Small Success)] [Progress: 303/300 points] [Status: Can be upgraded] [Note: The strong are not deterred from striving for improvement! Continuous practice may break through the progress of the Skill, with a certain chance to awaken the Sight for Bow Technique.] Chapter 118: Chapter 42: One Senior Brother Died, One Was Crippled Shen Qing stared at the Water Ink Panel before his eyes, momentarily entranced. He had not expected that right after acquiring the fifty shi bow, he could now break through in Bow Technique. It was indeed like a pillow arriving as he dozed, perfectly timed. Shen Qing, without any hesitation, chose to break through. The information on the Water Ink Panel refreshed synchronously. [Skill: Bow Technique (Level of Mastery)] [Progress: 3/400 points] [Status: Cannot Be Enhanced] [Note: Through consistent practice, your Bow Technique has progressively improved. You''ve acquired the "Eagle Eye" ability, significantly enhancing your perception and spatial awareness, allowing you a bird''s-eye view like that of a sharp-sighted eagle.] "Eagle Eye?" Shen Qing had not yet snapped back to reality when his entire body shuddered sharply. Memories of practicing Bow Technique surged continually in his mind. He looked down at the Heavy Bow he was holding, now sensing a peculiar familiarity and muscle memory that grew increasingly clear. A moment later, after this strange sensation passed, Shen Qing''s arm muscles tensed, his little finger hooked, and he placed the dark iron Arrow on the string. He stretched his arms smoothly, drawing the bow fully. This sequence of movements was fluid like drifting clouds and flowing water, as if he had practiced it millions of times. "Incredible," Shen Qing set down the bow and arrows, a glint of brilliance passing through his eyes, "Earlier, I was still slightly unskilled in pulling this Heavy Bow. Yet in the blink of an eye, there''s no friction at all." "And this Eagle Eye..." Shen Qing closed his eyes, then suddenly opened them. The ''Eagle Eye'' ability activated. Instantly, various scenes from the eastern part of the city appeared in his mind. The mottled and ancient city walls, the scattered low buildings, the cluttered alleys and paths, chimneys of various heights... These scenes continuously assembled, gradually forming a bird''s-eye perspective. At Shen Qing''s will, the viewpoint moved downward. Part of the city''s east side enlarged continuously until it fixed on a small courtyard. In this courtyard, one wall had already collapsed. In the middle of the courtyard, a small figure holding a bow and arrow stood. Snap! Quickly, the image that had appeared in his mind burst like a bubble. Shen Qing, as if awakened from a dream, looked incredulous. "This..." His experience with the ''Eagle Eye'' ability was so miraculous that it gave him a powerful sensation of overseeing everything. "Based on my earlier judgment, the effective range of this Heavy Bow in my hands can reach a thousand steps. If I use the ''Eagle Eye'' ability in combination with this Heavy Bow, I could strike preemptively. Wouldn''t that be as unstoppable as deities or buddhas blocking, and deities or buddhas falling?" Shen Qing, looking down at the Heavy Bow in his hands, soon dismissed this thought. "That''s not right, this world has the study of Immortal Martial Arts, and those skilled in martial arts have astonishing defense capabilities. For them, the killing power of a fifty shi bow may still not be enough, and the same goes for the demons that appear suddenly. However, for others... it''s sufficient." "If one arrow doesn''t do it, then I''ll shoot a few more to see. Later, when my arm strength increases, I''ll try the Hundred Shi Heavy Bow, Thousand Shi Bow, ten thousand shi bow... Eventually, I''ll be able to shoot them all dead." Shen Qing laughed heartily, put away his thoughts, and then walked to where the wall had collapsed, retrieving his shot arrows. The dark iron Arrow, incredibly hard. Despite being subjected to such tremendous force, it remained undamaged. "It''s clear that Master Ruan did not skimp on the work, the bows and arrows he made are very robust." After collecting his arrows, Shen Qing turned and walked towards the courtyard''s exit. People in the store had witnessed his astonishing arm strength. When he appeared in the shop, their gazes naturally fell on him. Shen Qing, feeling no discomfort, took it in stride. He walked up to Ruan Chengbao, pulled out a silver note and smiled, "Thank you, Ruan Pottery Master. I am quite satisfied with this Heavy Bow. Here is the remaining 150 taels bow money." Now in the Great Zhou, circulating silver notes could be freely withdrawn from the money banks. However, different banks and different regions were not interchangeable, which limited them somewhat. Nonetheless, it saved one the trouble of carrying a heavy bag of Silver around. Read the latest stories on M-VL-em|p,yr S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Ruan Chengbao, with no thought of refusal, generously accepted it. He pointed his thumb behind toward the courtyard and asked, "What about the rest?" Shen Qing was not annoyed and immediately pulled out a money bag, apparently carrying about fifteen taels of Silver, and said, "This is for compensating the courtyard wall and the casting of the arrows." Ruan Chengbao took the bag, peered inside to check, and found no issues. He pulled the strings of the bag tight, sealing it and said, "If you ever want to forge other items, just come to me. I deal fairly with everyone, young and old." "Master Ruan''s craftsmanship is superb. If I ever need to forge other items, I will definitely come here," Shen Qing promised. Ruan Chengbao stuffed the money bag into his tunic and, without further ado, picked up the hammer and seriously started forging other iron blanks. Shen Qing tactfully turned to leave. The young girl who stood in the pottery shop, seeing Shen Qing departing, couldn''t help walking up to Ruan Chengbao and stomping her foot, "Dad... he''s gone." "I know," Ruan Chengbao said, lifting a nearly finished iron blank with tongs and plunging it into the water. With a sizzle, the surface of the water boiled, emitting a puff of white steam. The girl looked puzzled. Ruan Chengbao glanced at his daughter and said, "You''re not suitable for him. I see that at such a young age he can easily draw a fifty shi Heavy Bow, so his strength alone is no ordinary martial master. At the least, he must be in the Skin Forging Realm, and possibly even in the Qi Cultivation Realm." "What kind of woman couldn''t a martial lord like him have? Although we have some family wealth, we are just a small household. They wouldn''t consider us. I''ll find you another handsome young man later." As the iron cooled, Ruan Chengbao knocked off the iron filings and tossed them back into the fire to continue forging. He watched the iron gradually turn red and mumbled to himself, "The most important thing for a person is to know oneself." The girl bit her lip, her eyes misted with a layer of water, speechless. ... Nowadays in Taiping County, inside and outside the city, people die almost every day. Shen Qing had moved to Taiping County and had fought several bouts. Having killed so many people, no one from the county government had bothered him. He gradually understood that the county government basically turned a blind eye to murder here. Thus, his courage grew substantially. Previously, Shen Qing, who had killed someone in the street, carried his bow and arrows, walking fearlessly on the street again. However, some people on the street, seeing his tall and imposing figure, carrying a dark longbow, knew he was not to be trifled with and made way for him. "Junior Brother Shen?" As Shen Qing passed by a tavern, he suddenly heard someone calling him. He quickly stopped and looked around for the voice, finally seeing Xiao Zhi at the entrance of a small tavern. "Brother Xiao?" Shen Qing looked up at the tavern, Xilai Building. He knew Xiao Zhi was a cook, so this must be where he worked. Xiao Zhi said in surprise, "You''re still here?" "What''s wrong?" Shen Qing was somewhat puzzled. "I just got word that something happened to a direct disciple at Linfeng Hall. Many of our brothers have already headed over." Shen Qing was stunned for a moment, then clasped his hands and said, "Thank you for letting me know, Brother Xiao. I''ll go check it out now." "If there''s any situation, tell me in time. I will head over after finishing today''s meals..." Xiao Zhi hadn''t finished speaking when he watched Shen Qing turn and run along the main street, quickly disappearing into the crowd, About the time it took to drink a pot of tea later, Shen Qing arrived at Shengshi Square. At the entrance of Linfeng Hall, it was surrounded by many people making a lot of noise. People continuously gathered towards Linfeng Hall. Shen Qing approached Linfeng Hall and grabbed a person to ask, "What happened inside?" The man whose shoulder Shen Qing grabbed frowned and was about to get angry. But as he turned and saw Shen Qing''s towering figure, he hesitated and his frown smoothed out, smiling apologetically, "Not sure, but I heard two of Master Li''s direct disciples went to hunt a tiger demon and something serious happened." "Second Brother Niu Daping, Third Brother Dong Zizhuang? Did something happen to them?" Shen Qing''s heart stirred, and he quickly pushed through the crowd to the door, and knocked. A Fu squeezed half his head out and, seeing it was Shen Qing, immediately let him in. Bang. After Shen Qing entered, A Fu quickly shut the door as if he was worried about other people pushing their way in. "Is Master inside?" "Everyone is." "What exactly happened?" A Fu hesitated, then sighed deeply and said, "Ah... you better see for yourself." Without saying more, Shen Qing headed towards the main hall, hastening his steps. He arrived at the location of the Linfeng Hall''s main hall. Sobs echoed from inside, and outside, a crowd of new and old disciples of Linfeng Hall gathered, forming a considerable assembly. Shen Qing approached and saw a corpse laid out in the center of the hall; it was Second Brother Niu Daping. Half of his body was missing, his face was a bloody mess, and the severed area faintly showed white bones and attached pink tendons. Second Brother Niu Daping''s family had already arrived, laying on his body, weeping bitterly. Standing aside, Third Brother Dong Zizhuang, who had also gone on the tiger hunt, was no better off. He was pale as paper, trembling uncontrollably, as if he had lost his soul. His right eye socket was empty, missing an eyeball. It seemed many family members of other brothers and disciples had also arrived, their cries of anguish continual. The entire Linfeng Hall seemed as if the sky had fallen. People like Li Lingchan, usually hard to see at Linfeng Hall, were now gathered in the hall, their expressions somber. Slap! Li Linfeng slammed the table and stood up, "You Guardian Martial Department owe me an explanation." In the hall, a clerk dressed in a sable robe quickly lowered his posture and said with respect, "Master Li, calm your anger. This time, it was truly because the tiger demon was too cunning and the Ghost accompanying it too difficult to handle, which resulted in such heavy losses and the misfortune of the two disciples." Li Linfeng said angrily, "Not just those two, other external disciples and inner sect disciples from our sect, none survived. I have enquired with other bureaus, and none has suffered losses as severe as ours. Is the Guardian Martial Department deliberately targeting my disciples?" "Master Li has misunderstood; it was purely an accident. We divided into several teams, each with its own task. Unfortunately, this time, our Linfeng Hall brothers were unlucky to encounter the tiger demon. We were too late when we went to support," said the sable-clothed clerk, his attitude extremely sincere. After finishing his words, his posture became even more humble, "This time even the County Magistrate knows about the heavy losses you''ve suffered, so he''s made an exception for us. If we dispatch some disciples to eliminate the tiger demon again, all expenses will be borne by our office, and those who contribute will be granted a martial title." After finishing, the sable-clothed clerk raised his head, his eyes cautiously measuring Li Linfeng''s reaction, as if he was worried his words might offend him. Chapter 119: Chapter 43: The Bigger the Storm, the Pricier the Fish "Martial arts register?" S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. As soon as these words were spoken, the hall suddenly burst into an uproar. As everyone knew, changing one''s household registration in the Great Zhou was very difficult. The civilians of Great Zhou were generally born with a certain registration, and unless something unexpected occurred, they would die with the same registration. To change registration, one would either need to join the military and distinguish themselves by killing enemies on the battlefield, or ascend through scholarly or martial examinations to become an official or a general. But for most ordinary people without any backing, both options were almost impossible. There were many interpersonal subtleties involved; it wasn''t simply a matter of assessing one''s cultivation alone. Ordinary people had no advantage. Similarly, once changed to a martial arts register, it meant getting an opportunity to enter the Great Zhou Court, becoming superior to others, securing a certain amount of fame and social status. It didn''t guarantee a lifetime of glory and wealth, but at the very least, it provided control over significant social resources, ensuring no worries about basic needs and blessings for three generations. Even someone as strong as Li Linfeng had never obtained a martial title in his entire life. Now that the clerk from the government office had brought up the martial arts register, it was no wonder everyone was quite surprised. After hearing what the clerk from the Guardian Martial Department had said, everyone in the venue felt that the County Magistrate was very sincere. However, unlike the others, The same words, when they reached Li Linfeng''s ears, suddenly made his heart sink; he sensed an ominous aura. He figured out that the clerk''s speech from the Guardian Martial Department was targeting him. The clerk put it beautifully, seemingly showing sufficient respect, but in fact, he had already cornered him. If he objected, on one hand, he would be defying the court, which was somewhat disrespectful and would not end well; on the other hand, he would be obstructing the path of other disciples who wished to advance, causing problems all around. But if he agreed, Linfeng Hall, which he had worked his entire life to build, would likely be halved in strength. Originally, he had planned to train four or five direct disciples and focus on cultivating three of them. One disciple to manage the hall, one disciple to play the role of the tactician, and one disciple to wield the pair of red flower clubs, with these to strengthen and enlarge Linfeng Hall. Even if he didn''t have a martial title, his successors could benefit from it. Now, after the incident with the tiger demon, one of his five direct disciples had died, and another was crippled. Of the remaining three, two had hidden injuries due to conflicts with the Mi Gang. The last one was fine, blessed with exceptional talent and had faced no issues, but his reputation was not prominent, and it was the time for him to accumulate strength. Under such circumstances, the government office still wanted him to send personnel; wasn''t this tantamount to digging up his roots? Did he have a way to refuse? No. The government office behind this seemed like a huge mountain standing in front of him, rendering him immobile and helpless. Li Linfeng''s hands, hidden in his sleeves, could not help but clench into fists, his knuckles turning white. The clerk, dressed in uniform and wearing his id card, glanced at Li Linfeng and continued, "Our lord knows that Master Li cares for his disciples, a rare good master indeed, but we also hope that Master Li can consider the overall situation and show more compassion for the town''s people." Li Linfeng exhaled, took two steps forward, and stared directly at the official from the Guardian Martial Department, his mouth curling into a smile as he said, "I can send my disciples, but I demand that each disciple''s treatment be doubled, twenty taels each, and if they are injured or die as a consequence, a compensation of eighty taels, and for direct disciples, double this amount." "If your lordship can agree to this, I will make the arrangements. If not, then we shall end this matter. I should consider my disciples more than the town''s people." Li Linfeng set a very high price, knowing the past stingy nature of the government office, confident they would not agree. He planned to use this to refuse the government''s draft, conserving strength while also bonding the people within the hall. However, to Li Linfeng''s surprise, the Guardian Martial Department unprecedently agreed! "Good, Master Li truly is a master who treats his disciples like his own children. Before I came here, the County Magistrate had already made it clear that as long as Master Li''s requests are not excessive, they can be granted. I find Master Li''s request to be very reasonable." Not only that, but the clerk of the Guardian Martial Department continued to up the ante, taking out a stack of silver notes from his bosom and placing it on the table next to him: "This is a little token prepared specially by the County Magistrate before coming here, I hope you will kindly accept it." Following that, he took out a porcelain bottle and said, "I also have here Qi Blood Pills issued by the court, totaling twenty. They can solidify Qi-blood and increase cultivation progress. I hope Master Li will also not make things difficult for a mere official like me." "This time, our county government''s determination to eradicate the tiger demon is as solid as a rock, and we hope Master Li can contribute his strength. We will be most grateful." Experience the best on m_v_l_e_m_p_y_r Qi Blood Pill? Li Linfeng''s expression changed, knowing these were part of the martial benefits provided by the Great Zhou Dynasty Court, comparable to a great tonic. Outside, one could be worth between one to five taels. The Guardian Martial Department was indeed making a huge investment. Now that things had reached this point, Li Linfeng already knew he had no room to maneuver. He could neither fight nor escape. What else could he do? The fists that Li Linfeng was clenching inside his sleeves slowly relaxed. "How many do you need this time?" The clerk of the Guardian Martial Department flashed a smile and hurriedly said, "Considering Master Li has suffered heavy losses, you only need to allocate one direct disciple, five inner courtyard disciples, and ten outer court disciples. Whoever manages to kill the tiger demon will earn a martial title." "Alright, I understand." The clerk of the Guardian Martial Department clasped his hands and said, "Then we shall gather tomorrow morning at the West City Gate by Mao Hour. Since my task is done, I won''t disturb Master Li any further, I take my leave." "Take care, no need for formalities." The clerk of the Guardian Martial Department turned and walked towards the door, and the many disciples gathered at the doorway of Linfeng Hall stepped aside, creating a path. After he left the inner courtyard hall, Li Linfeng gestured to Ouyang Tiezhu and Wushili, saying, "You guys get some silver from A Fu and sort out the matters for our brothers. For the second one, I''ll handle it myself." "Yes, Master," Ouyang Tiezhu stepped forward and asked, "So who is going this time?" Li Linfeng stared at Ouyang Tiezhu, then glanced at Wushili. The matter of the tiger demon was so critical that even Niu Daping and Dong Zizhuang, who were unharmed, had faced trouble. These two had only just recovered from injuries a few days ago; if they went, the chances of misfortune were high. At a loss, his gaze inadvertently swept over Shen Qing, who was standing outside the door, and with a resigned sigh, he said, "Let your junior brother go." Ouyang Tiezhu and Wushili exchanged looks, "The junior brother has only trained in martial arts for a short time? Even if his talent is exceptional, his combat experience is lacking. If we let him go, it might be a life and death situation." Li Linfeng helplessly said, "First ask your junior brother what he thinks." Saying this, he gestured to Shen Qing to come over. Understanding, Shen Qing approached and bowed with his fists, "Master, you called for me?" Li Linfeng said, "I want you to go this time, are you willing? If not, then forget about it." Shen Qing glanced at everyone, weighing the pros and cons in his mind. With continuous cultivation, his true martial strength might approach the Qi Cultivation Realm, and with the advantage of the bow and arrow, it was even more unpredictable. Besides, equipped with skills like Turtle Breathing Technique and Eagle Eye, and wearing the Dragon Roar Iron Cloth Shirt, even if he couldn''t defeat the enemy, he had more than enough to protect himself. The bigger the storm, the more precious the catch! The chance to earn a martial title didn''t always come. It was also an opportunity to see just how strong he had become after learning so many martial arts and skills. With that thought, Shen Qing agreed, "Disciple is willing!" Chapter 120: Chapter 44: The Ghost Descends the Mountain, No Taboos Whatsoever Linfeng Hall, the study. Wisps of faint green smoke slowly rose from a golden bronze incense burner, dispersing the lingering scent of sandalwood. Suddenly, the green smoke swirled. Shen Qing entered from the main door, "Master, did you call for me?" Li Linfeng turned around from his desk, presenting a neatly folded golden vest to Shen Qing. "This is?" "A Golden Silkworm Armor. It won''t soak in water or burn in fire. Take it and wear it to protect yourself." Shen Qing received the Golden Silkworm Armor. The garment was light and thin like gauze and cool to the touch. Intertwined golden threads were extremely delicate, emitting a golden luster, clearly indicating it was no ordinary item. The fact that his Hall Master uncle was willing to give him such a generous gift took him by surprise. Shen Qing did not show embarrassment but gratefully accepted, saying, "Thank you, Master." Then, Li Linfeng handed over two porcelain bottles to Shen Qing, "One contains Qi Blood Pills from the government office that can solidify Qi-Blood and increase cultivation, which is beneficial for your Skin Forging. There are twenty in total; I''ve saved five for you. The other bottle contains Heart Returning Pills, which can save your life in critical moments. Take them both." Shen Qing knew that Linfeng Hall wasn''t in a financially comfortable position, so these gifts were not easy to come by. But good things are never too many. Shen Qing also accepted everything one by one. Li Linfeng spoke, somewhat dispirited, "The hall is currently in turmoil, and my energy is limited. I can''t do much to assist you, so be mindful on your own." "I understand." Li Linfeng waved his hand, showing signs of fatigue, and sat back down. Shen Qing gave a fist and palm salute and left the study. Many things had happened in Linfeng Hall lately, resulting in chaos from top to bottom. Unable to help here, Shen Qing decided to return to his dwelling to prepare for climbing the mountain early the next morning. As he walked to the inner courtyard, he happened to see Li Lingchan, whom he hadn''t seen for a long time. She was dressed in a martial outfit, busying herself with others, dealing with the aftermath for their fellow sect members. Li Lingchan seemed to notice something and glanced at Shen Qing. But soon, she averted her eyes as if worried that looking any longer would give him the wrong idea. With no expression to spare, Li Lingchan buried herself in her work again. Shen Qing smiled wryly, not the least bit concerned. As the sun set gradually, the clouds shifted from golden to orange-red. Nightfall crept in quietly, enveloping the world in darkness. The day passed in the blink of an eye. His elder sister, Shen Fang, knowing that Shen Qing was heading out for a few days, prepared a lot of dried food. She even packed a bundle with clothes for changing and repeatedly went over many details. Shen Qing showed no impatience and agreed to everything. Before going to bed, he practiced the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill and the Dragon Roar Iron Cloth Shirt, among other Cultivation Techniques, to improve his progress. Late into the night, Shen Qing slowly exhaled a breath of stale air and then went to the living room''s Eight Immortals table. On it were laid fish, Lingzhi mushrooms, ginseng, and even a precious soup made from Tiger King''s Penis and Jade Deer Tendon. Ever since Li Linfeng told him that the Skin Forging Realm required "eating" for cultivation, Shen Qing constantly thought of ways to consume various strengthening substances uninterruptedly. He even had an extra supper. Because of this, his cultivation had been increasing at a visible rate. "Every time I finish my cultivation practices, I feel hungry; this indicates that my body''s strength grows faster than the speed at which I intake essence. The hungrier I am, the faster my strength increases." "But the money runs out so quickly, I''ve nearly spent a hundred taels just on food. In the future, I need to find ways to make more money, gain more power." Shen Qing grabbed an unknown beast leg and ferociously gnawed at it. A moment later, he finished everything on the table. Shen Qing felt his whole body as if immersed in a hot spring, warm and cozy, as essence seeped from inside out, causing his skin to flush red. He quickly practiced his Martial Arts again and, watching the increasing numbers on the Water Ink Panel, rested contentedly. ... Meanwhile, dozens of miles away in Shicheng Mountain. In an unknown dense forest, shadowy figures emitted blood-red glows. If one looked closely, those were pairs of eyes drifting through the woods. Among the shadows, a tiger with a striking pattern lay on the ground, breathing heavily. Its breathing was rhythmic, three long breaths followed by a short one, in a continuous cycle, and it was covered in a faint glow of moonlight. After an indeterminate amount of time, the tiger opened its eyes and spoke in human tongue, "After eating so many humans in succession, my cultivation seems to have improved significantly. For a demon''s path, consuming humans truly is the essential method for cultivation." As it spoke, it tore a human arm from behind and threw it into its mouth. The sound of bone crushing and flesh tearing rang out continuously in the forest, causing an eerie shudder. Gulp. The mottled tiger swallowed once, green light flickering in its eyes; a human-like satisfaction appeared on its face, and its fur gleamed metallically under the moonlight. After a while, the tiger stood up, opened its bloody maw, and roared arrogantly. The roar exploded like thunder. An invisible wave of force emanated from it, rippling outward like water ripples. Wherever the shockwave passed, leaves rustled noisily and branches swayed violently as if hit by a sudden storm. In the forest, over a hundred ghosts covered their ears from the roar, their faces contorted in pain. Their faces were etched with fear, and their eyes flickered with terror. Under the impact of the air wave, their bodies swayed, ready to be dispersed at any moment. After a long while, the giant tiger finally satiated its roaring and headed down the mountain. "The foot of the mountain has been rather lively lately, good for a little feast. It would be best to encounter a woman with higher cultivation, for their flesh is tender and firm, delicious indeed." The tiger, mottled like a calf, surveyed the numerous ghosts and commanded in a deep and authoritative voice, "From today on, I want more rations, more, more! I now lift your restrictions, bring me humans, and anyone who comes back empty-handed will be used to fill my stomach." Its gaze swept over the ghosts, each one feeling a chill rise from the bottom of their hearts as its gaze touched them. Discover new content at m vl-em,py-r "Yes, Mountain Lord!" All the ghosts drifting through the forest bowed to the mottled tiger, responding in terror. "Ghosts descending the mountain, without any taboo!" With a low growl from the mottled tiger, the red light in the eyes of the ghosts diminished a bit. In the wailing winds, the ghosts departed in vast numbers, like a torrent rushing down the mountain, disappearing into the night. At the foot of the mountain, a village that had been destroyed by the tiger demon. Among the ruined walls, many martial masters tasked with hunting the tiger lit bonfires, forming a circle. The night wind howled, shaking the bonfires, casting flickering shadows on everyone''s faces. Martial master Bao Renliang poked at the bonfire with a stick, urging the flames to burn brighter. The others sat together, chatting casually. Though they called it small talk, in reality, it was mostly complaints. "This village must have had thirty or forty tiger families before, but now not a single one is left¡ªit has been thoroughly devoured by the tiger demon. I honestly don''t know what the County Magistrate is thinking; why haven''t they taken action yet?" Martial master Bao Renliang threw a half-damp log into the fire, muttering to himself. Another martial master with a mutton-chop beard gestured for silence with his finger to his lips, then tilted his chin towards the inside of the house signalling, "The officers from the Guardian Martial Department are inside, keep it down." "Afraid of them my ass." The martial master with the mutton-chop beard spoke in a hushed tone, "I heard that the Lord County Magistrate has encountered some trouble with his cultivation lately and wants to use this incident to diminish the strength of the various gangs and Martial Arts Halls among the people to prevent disturbances." A look of surprise flashed in Bao Renliang''s eyes, "Really? Such a thing is happening?" The martial master with the mutton-chop beard continued, "It''s just something I heard, can''t be certain if it''s true or not. Just listen and let it be. I also heard that the County Magistrate spent a hefty price maneuvering, and as long as no issues arise in his two-year tenure, it''s almost a done deal that he''ll be transferred to a richer post." "Damn that cur." Just as the martial master with the mutton-chop beard was about to say more, several white shadows flashed nearby, accompanied by a howling cold wind, making him shiver. Turning his head, he suddenly felt the chill at the tip of his nose. A pale, twisted face was staring intently at him, almost within reach. His heart felt like it was being squeezed, and his feet were as if nailed to the ground, immobile. The martial master with the mutton-chop beard swung his hands wildly behind him, but it was to no avail, as he was quickly dragged into the darkness, screaming in agony. Only a chilling echo lingered, reverberating through the silent village. Then, the noise abruptly ceased. The village returned to its former tranquility. S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The rest of the martial masters, stunned by this sudden turn of events, drew their weapons, gingerly looking around. Yet apart from the howling night wind and flickering firelight, there was no other sign of disturbance. The place where the martial master with the mutton-chop beard had vanished only bore the traces of where he had been dragged away. "What was that?" "Old Wang was among the best of us in terms of cultivation, how could he disappear in the blink of an eye?" Bao Renliang, among them, kept calm and walked to where the traces were. Crouching down, his expression was somber as he followed the marks on the ground toward the deep darkness. As he focused intently, a pale, bloodied face suddenly surged forth. "It''s a ghost... it''s one of the tiger demon''s ghosts!" Bao Renliang, terrified, plopped down on the ground exclaiming, "Quick, into the house!" He had not finished speaking. Another scream rang out from behind him. Another martial master was seized by the feet by a ghost and dragged into the darkness, vanishing in an instant. "Die for me!" A martial master stepped forward, flinging a punch at the dark figure. But the shadowy apparition passed through him as if it did not exist. And in his moment of distraction, a ghost floated behind him and reached into his chest. The martial master''s body seemed to be made of paper as a bright red heart was ripped out by the ghost. "Into the house, these ghosts can only be hurt by Qi. Let the government officers from the Guardian Martial Department deal with them," said one as the rest brandished their torches and filed towards the door. The last one in line, with grim resolve, threw his torch far away. The light drove off the darkness. In a fleeting glimpse, the people clearly saw the two martial masters who had been dragged off¡ªnow with their organs ripped out, spilled across the ground. Surrounding them were no fewer than ten white figures, their eyes glowing with a bloody light, uniformly advancing towards them, causing their scalps to tingle with fear. "Ahh!" All the ghosts surged forward en masse. In the night, the village quickly returned to silence. Chapter 121: Chapter 45 Distrust Mao Hour, below the West City Gate. Having made his preparations, Shen Qing, with his Heavy Bow and belongings, arrived at the appointed place below the West City Gate as agreed. By the time he got there, a few officials from the Guardian Martial Department and some martial masters from other forces had already arrived. Amongst everyone present, Shen Qing noticed a familiar figure. This familiar figure was none other than Xiao Zhi, with whom he was quite acquainted. He walked over and said in surprise, "Senior Brother, you''re going as well?" Hearing Shen Qing''s greeting, Xiao Zhi also turned around in surprise and said, "This time, Master sent you?" Shen Qing nodded and replied, "Mmm, the eldest Senior Brother and Fourth Senior Brother both have hidden injuries, and you know about Second and Third Senior Brother; apart from me, there are no other suitable direct disciples." Knowing the situation at Linfeng Hall, all Xiao Zhi could do was sigh helplessly and say, "Alas... that''s true, there really is no one else suitable." "How come you are going this time?" Xiao Zhi smiled and said, "Of course, it''s to fight for a future prospect. If I can successfully kill the demon this time, I might be able to obtain the status of being listed in the martial arts register. Taking a chance can benefit my family for three generations; this business is worth it." Shen Qing glanced at him from top to bottom, as if seeing him with new eyes. Unexpectedly, this unimpressive-looking cook had some "ambition." As the two chatted casually, the people from Linfeng Hall, including one direct disciple and Xiao Zhi, five Inner Disciples, and ten Outer Disciples, gradually arrived. As far as Shen Qing knew, every year, Linfeng Hall would have disciples with inadequate Sight or insufficient financial resources leave, but these people were not completely out of touch with Linfeng Hall. As former disciples of Linfeng Hall, they could occasionally take on tasks from Linfeng Hall to supplement their family income. Therefore, among the people who came, some were known to Shen Qing, and some were old disciples who had already left the hall and were unrecognizable to him. Seeing that most people had arrived, The five officials from the Guardian Martial Department checked the roster, confirmed there were no issues, and then, raising their voices, announced, "It''s getting late, let''s set out now." Shen Qing took a quick look at the crowd; aside from the sixteen of them from Linfeng Hall, other forces had also sent a similar number of people, with the entire team approaching fifty people. All of them were martial masters. And there were already several other such groups assembled. The tiger demon lurking in Shicheng Mountain might be tougher to deal with than he had imagined. On the official road, the five government officers from the Guardian Martial Department, in a two-one-two formation, led the group toward Shicheng Mountain. Different forces'' members naturally found their respective groups, formed alliances, and created their own small collectives. "May I ask, sir, how do we plan to arrange so many people?" Along the way, a martial master around thirty approached an officer of the Guardian Martial Department to ask. Yu Xiaoruo, being an official of the Guardian Martial Department, looked back and saw that the martial master was tall and sturdy with a resolute face, one he had not seen before. He replied straightforwardly, "We will divide into five teams, each stationed in villages near Shicheng Mountain to track the tiger demon. Once we find it, we''ll collaborate to kill and eliminate it." "Are there other people in the villages now?" "Of course, we''re going to supplement their reduced numbers." "I see," said the martial master, around thirty, as he cupped his hands and asked, "May I know how to address you, sir?" "Cut to the chase, if you have something to say, say it!" "Sir, my name is Chang Yinfa. I studied with Master Li for a year, the year before last. This modest gift is not to pay respect." Yu Xiaoruo discreetly accepted and asked, "So, what do you want to do?" Chang Yinfa said with a smile, "I wonder if you could transfer me to a stronger team?" "What? You don''t trust your Linfeng Hall?" "Ah... The direct disciples of Master Li have either died or been maimed, and although the direct disciple sent this time has some talent, he has only studied for half a year and lacks actual combat experience; I have to consider my own safety, don''t I?" With a smile plastered on his face, Chang Yinfa slid some more Silver over, "Please, sir, make an arrangement." Yu Xiaoruo from the Guardian Martial Department pointed to a side and instructed, "Go to that team." Following Chang Yinfa, many more of Linfeng Hall''s new and old disciples came forward, giving Silver to the Guardian Martial Department officers. Shen Qing''s eyes narrowed slightly, and he asked Xiao Zhi beside him, "What are they doing?" Xiao Zhi had interacted with these people before and knew what was going on, but after hesitating for a moment, still said, "They''re reorganizing their teams." "Reorganizing their teams?" Shen Qing immediately grasped the situation. The rewards offered by the county government for this tiger demon hunt were substantial, enough that some were tempted to muddy the waters and try their luck. These were people who did not trust him and were seeking a safer place. "Should we stop them?" Shen Qing said, "No need, let them go." In his view, these kinds of people were useless even if they were persuaded to join; they wouldn''t be much help to him. Soon, under Shen Qing''s deliberate indifference, the number in Linfeng Hall''s original team of sixteen sharply dropped to seven. Aside from Xiao Zhi who trusted him, those who remained were partly those without money or too stingy to part with it, and partly those confident in their own strength who couldn''t be bothered to move. That''s why they stayed. People from other factions looked on with pity for Shen Qing. When the team reached a fork in the road, Yu Xiaoruo, a government officer from the Guardian Martial Department, had everyone stop and arranged, "There are two villages nearby, brothers of Linfeng Hall, your station will be at Shiqiao Village here; brothers from Feiying Pavilion should take this road and head up to Heshan Village. If you spot the tiger demon, set off fireworks to signal. Understood?" "Understood." The crowd answered in unison, and each group split off. Each team was accompanied by someone from the Guardian Martial Department. The man paired with Shen Qing was a government officer from the Guardian Martial Department named Lian Bing, who looked honest and straightforward. As he passed by Shen Qing, he glanced at him with an almost imperceptible look, his expression unfriendly. It was as if his assignment with Shen Qing was particularly unlucky. After a considerable walk, they finally arrived at the so-called Shiqiao Village. The entire mountain village was dilapidated and rundown. A small stone bridge lay across a mountain stream, overgrown with wild grass. Crossing the stone bridge, at the entrance of the village, there were a few houses that looked as though they had been abandoned for many years, falling into disrepair. An old disciple from Linfeng Hall looked around and remarked, "This village doesn''t seem to have been abandoned due to the impact of the tiger demon, it seems to have been deserted even earlier." Discover stories at m,v l''-NovelFire "Life in the mountains is never easy; there are many such abandoned villages in Shicheng Mountain," Lian Bing said indifferently, "We have more than a dozen people stationed here, let''s go join them first." Under Lian Bing''s lead, they proceeded towards the depths of Shiqiao Village. The entire village was eerily empty and lifeless, and everyone felt that something was amiss. Lian Bing spoke in a deep voice, "Stay alert." Everyone''s expressions turned serious, and they followed Lian Bing to the front of a relatively intact house. A strong smell of blood wafted from inside the house. Lian Bing''s expression turned grim. "Kick open the door, let''s go in and take a look." A burly man didn''t hesitate and kicked hard against the door. "Charge!" Lian Bing took the lead and charged in, with the others filing in behind him. Shen Qing quietly followed after the others, confirming there was no danger before entering. When he saw the scene inside the house, his brow furrowed tightly. S§×ar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. There was no one in the house, or rather, no complete person. Eyeballs sticking to tendons and chewed remains of skulls... The gnawed remains of human bodies were strewn haphazardly everywhere. Lian Bing moved close to the mutilated corpses and examined them thoroughly. He touched the bloodstains with his hand, rolled it between his fingers, and discovered it had not yet dried. This meant that the incident had occurred not long ago. "Now this poses a problem..." Chapter 122: Chapter 46: Our Hunt Begins The people inside the room stirred. All eight here had some bravado and did not show much fear or timidity. Some were here specifically to achieve meritorious deeds and were actually eager to try. A Linfeng Hall elder brother, unfamiliar to them, stood up. His face was square and exuded a resolute strength as he said, "Officer Lian, could this be the work of the tiger demon?" Lian Bing, serving as both an arrestor and Martial Artist for the Guardian Martial Department, stood up, looked around, and said, "Based on the intelligence we''ve gathered so far, the tiger demon in the mountains has a preference for eating humans. Although there are no traces of fierce animals here, it''s highly likely that it''s related to it." The elder brother said, "So, you mean the tiger demon is nearby?" Lian Bing nodded and then shook his head, "Not necessarily. That tiger demon moves like the wind, its whereabouts uncertain. It may have already left for another place." Having said that, he instructed sternly, "Search the surrounding area and see if there are any traces." "Yes." Including Shen Qing, the seven from Linfeng Hall scattered in all directions from the house, following Lian Bing''s order. Xiao Zhi, having witnessed Shen Qing''s capabilities and trusting him, instinctively moved closer to Shen Qing, "Junior brother, shall we go together?" "Alright." Relieved by Shen Qing''s agreement, Xiao Zhi came closer, lowered his voice, and said, "Junior brother, if the tiger demon appears, remember not to charge ahead. If we can join, take the chance to earn some merit, but if the situation turns bad, run immediately. Life is the most important thing." Shen Qing glanced at Xiao Zhi, whose grease-slicked ears somehow gave off a ''sneaky'' aura, prompting him to take another long look at him. At that moment, he realized the cook had some wisdom. Good. If he couldn''t judge what was important, it would be a lot more trouble for Shen Qing. Shen Qing smiled and said, "Thanks for the reminder, senior brother." Xiao Zhi waved a hand and began searching the area for clues around Shen Qing. But after searching for a long time, not a single tiger hair was found. "Junior brother, does this count as a clue?" Xiao Zhi pushed aside some bushes and pointed to a spot. On hearing this, Shen Qing went over and saw that behind the bushes was a small clearing. There was a piece of excrement on the ground. Human excrement. It had not yet started to decompose. Shen Qing was at a loss for words. He turned his head and said, "If this were tiger dung, it would be considered a clue. Unfortunately, it''s human, so it doesn''t prove anything." "Right..." Just then, someone shouted from not too far away, "Come over here, there''s someone here!" Shen Qing and Xiao Zhi looked at each other, "Let''s go take a look." The two made their way toward the voice. By the time Shen Qing and Xiao Zhi arrived, the surrounding area of the bushes was completely sealed off. Someone on the periphery said they found an officer from the Guardian Martial Department in the bushes, still alive, barely hanging on to his breath. The people lifted the officer out, making room, and placed him on the ground. Lian Bing quickly took out a small blue pill and administered it to him with some water. Moments later, the rescued officer''s face turned rosy, and he began to cough vigorously. Slowly, he opened his eyes and regained some spirit. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Seeing Lian Bing, he grabbed his collar, agitated, and said, "Quick, quick, there are others who are not dead, go save them, and we have found the tiger demon''s tracks..." The rescued officer said a lot in one breath. Lian Bing''s face changed dramatically, and he asked urgently, "A Lin, what exactly happened?" "No time now, save them first. After the rescue, I''ll explain slowly..." The rescued officer let out a breath, sat up straight, and hurriedly said, "You carry me, I''ll guide you all!" Lian Bing frowned, looked up, and randomly pointed at one of the crowd, "You, come over and carry him." "Me?" Shen Qing was slightly taken aback, and before he could ask, Lian Bing did not seem inclined to explain. He called out to the others loudly, "Get ready, let''s go save them, the tiger demon might be right there with them." Whoosh! Everyone geared up, full of alertness and readiness. Seeing that Shen Qing had not yet approached, Lian Bing shot a sharp glance his way, "Come over here, quickly." Shen Qing, realizing he could not avoid it, had a look of helplessness on his face. Reluctantly, he walked over to the rescued officer, crouched down, and motioned for him to get on his back. The rescued officer said apologetically, "Sorry for the trouble." Shen Qing looked the officer up and down surprisingly but said nothing more. The saved officer sprawled onto Shen Qing''s back, and Shen Qing barely felt any weight, easily standing up. "Go!" After the saved officer pointed in a direction, Lian Bing hurriedly led his men to rush there. Soon, under the guidance of the saved officer, they plunged into the dense forest. Within the forest, Lian Bing and others indeed found some bloodstains and viscera, which couldn''t help but make their expressions even more solemn. After making several turns in different directions, the group went deeper and deeper. "Little brother, why are you falling further behind?" the saved officer asked strangely, "How can I guide you like this?" "My training is all in finger techniques, I''m not good with leg techniques, naturally, I can''t match the other seniors," Shen Qing said without a blush or bated breath, "To guide us, you can just shout." "Alright then," the saved officer stopped quibbling and asked, "What''s your name, little brother?" "Shen Qing!" "Oh, you look quite young." "I''m only sixteen." "That is quite young." At the very front, Lian Bing, who hadn''t yet reached the destination, had his patience nearly worn thin, "How much farther to go?" "We''re already near, we''ve arrived!" the saved officer shouted, his voice spreading far and wide. "Huh?" Just after the officer had shouted, he saw that Shen Qing had already stopped in his tracks, and said in dismay, "Why have you stopped moving?" Shen Qing said, "You''re too heavy, my feet are sore, I can''t walk anymore." The saved officer was somewhat speechless. But seeing that they had already come this far, it didn''t matter to him anymore. At this moment, the saved officer''s face began to melt away like a burning candle, slowly transforming into another, unfamiliar face. With a ferocious smile, he suddenly reached out for Shen Qing''s heart. However, just as he raised his hand, Shen Qing had already grabbed his arm. "What are you trying to do?" The color drained from the saved officer''s face, clearly Shen Qing had taken him by surprise. Discover hidden content at m,v l''e-NovelFire He looked up and shouted loudly, "Brothers, our hunt begins now!" "The hunt?" Those at the front hadn''t yet processed what was happening when dark shadows emerged from the deep, shadowy forest, numerous and more than twenty strong, encircling Lian Bing and his men. Seeing the many shadows that suddenly appeared, Lian Bing''s scalp tingled, "Ghosts???" "Kill!" As if given a command, all the ghosts surged forward. Lian Bing shouted hurriedly, "Everyone, don''t be afraid at all! They can shift between tangible and intangible, and once you fear the ghosts, you won''t be able to catch their bodies, and death is certain!!!" Unfortunately, he was still a step behind, and some were so terrified by the sudden turn of events that their faces turned ghostly pale. A ghost dove straight into one of them, bursting out through his stomach. The screams of agony were incessant, with many martial masters succumbing and being no match at all. The saved officer sighed deeply and said, "You''re pretty sharp, not falling into the trap, but our mountain lord cherishes fine, tender flesh like yours, what a pity! Die!" After that, he clawed down. Shen Qing watched as those sharp fingers aimed at his body. They drew closer and closer. He couldn''t help but inhale sharply. The black nails looked cold and grim. If he were injured, who knew what the consequences would be. And facing a ghost for the first time, his pupils dilated instantaneously, and the muscles on his face involuntarily twisted into a grimace. At that moment, Martial Arts such as Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill, Wind Defying Finger, and Blood Dominance Technique were activated to their utmost. Shen Qing''s body crackled, veins on his arms bulging as his muscles swelled markedly. He brought his fingers together and spun around abruptly, pointing a finger at the officer. Boom! A burning heat and an explosive force burst forth simultaneously. The ghost, bewildered by what had happened, still had its smile frozen on its face when it was instantly turned to dust and smoke. Chapter 123: Chapter 47: Such a Ghost is Wiped Out with a Single Finger Shen Qing was stunned. He hadn''t expected that a single jab from him could obliterate the ghost to the point where not even residue remained. In the dense forest ahead, the ghosts kept emerging from all directions, each with ferocious faces, blood-red eyes, and a cruel smile hanging at the corners of their mouth. Once human, they had been turned into evil ghosts after falling prey to the tiger demon, losing their humanity. At this moment, they were inching closer and weaving towards the location of Lian Bing and others with their claws bared and teeth flashing. Lian Bing and the others were completely encircled by the ghosts, with no avenue of escape. The ghosts moved erratically and at an unbelievably fast pace. The sudden chaos had instilled fear in many, whose punches and weapons could not harm the ghosts at all. Blood splattered everywhere as screams echoed through the deep woods, one after another. Those who were tackled down by the ghosts were instantly devoured by the darkness, leaving behind nothing but their piercing wails. Lian Bing seemed to have some experience dealing with ghosts, managing to injure them slightly with his strong power, but that was about as far as he could go. After joining forces with another martial master to take down one ghost, both appeared exhausted and their faces inevitably showed a color of despair. With just a single ghost being such a struggle, they had no chance of survival against so many more. Xiao Zhi, who had kept a watchful eye and realized that the situation was going south, took to his heels and ran. Seeing Shen Qing standing there in a daze, Xiao Zhi shouted, "Run! There are too many ghosts here, we''re no match for them!" The ghosts in the woods, hearing the commotion, all looked up and began chasing after Xiao Zhi. One of the ghosts leered with a hideous laugh as it lunged towards Xiao Zhi. Xiao Zhi felt a chill throughout his body. It''s over! In a panic, Xiao Zhi closed his eyes and flailed blindly behind him. After a moment, when there was no movement and he sustained no injuries, he cautiously opened his eyes to unexpectedly find an arm, with a sword pointed outstretched in front of him. By that time, the ghost that had lunged at him had vanished without a trace. Turning his head around, Xiao Zhi saw Shen Qing looking at him with a smile. "Help me grab the bow and arrows." Shen Qing took off the bow and arrows strapped to his back and tossed them to Xiao Zhi. Experience new tales on m v|l e-NovelFire Xiao Zhi caught the heavy bow and dark iron arrows in a flurry of panic. With a look of astonishment and numbness, Xiao Zhi watched as Shen Qing rolled up his sleeves and strode forward. After killing two ghosts in a row, Shen Qing seemed to have gained some confidence in his strength. To such ghosts, he could obliterate one with a single finger! Shen Qing quietly advanced to an open space, where the sunlight, dappled through the dense foliage, fell upon him and dotted the damp ground beneath. From a distance, he appeared akin to a fearsome and majestic deity or demon. His sharp and murderous gaze was directed forward, faintly tinged with the madness of bloodthirst. The ghosts, possessing some spiritual wisdom, noticed that Shen Qing could slay one of their kind with a single finger and realized that he was not to be trificked with. "So you do know fear! I thought you ghosts were devoid of emotions. Seems like you''re not so different from us after all." Shen Qing took one step after another forward, exerting an indescribable pressure. With every step he advanced, the ghosts retreated one step. The still-living Lian Bing and another square-faced martial master, witnessing this unbelievable scene, felt waves of shock stirring in their hearts. It was then that Shen Qing''s commanding, cold voice resonated through the deep woods. "Well then, if that''s the case, I won''t hold back. If you don''t want to die, try stopping me with all your might!!" As soon as his words fell, Shen Qing suddenly sprinted toward the ghosts in front of him, plunging headfirst into their midst. The Wind Defying Finger was a martial arts technique known for its speed, and was greatly complemented by the enhancement of movement technique in hunting skills. Shen Qing was upon them in the blink of an eye. "Die!" The combination of the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill and the Wind Defying Finger caused Shen Qing''s hands to blur into an afterimage as they pointed out, striking one of the ghosts. With a soft "puff", the ghost was struck by the finger wind, and instantly dissipated into a wisp of smoke in the air, unable to emit even a cry of agony. "Weak, weak, weak, too weak! Not even requiring a third of my power, pathetic!" Shen Qing''s expression was frantic. He struck out consecutively, each strike precisely hitting a ghost. In front of the wind from his fingers, these ghosts had no resistance¡ªthey turned into black smoke and dissipated one after another. "Worthless, worthless, worthless!" The remaining ghosts, driven by resentment, screamed and howled, finding no escape, they pounced toward Shen Qing with bared teeth and claws. But it was all in vain. With a muffled ''pfft'' sound, Shen Qing''s finger connected with the last ghost in front of Lian Bing, its powerful qi turning the ghost to ashes. As Lian Bing watched in stunned silence, Shen Qing stopped moving and slowly withdrew his hand. The scene became quiet once again. Under the shadow of fear, breaths that had been held were now turning into heavy pants. "All worthless!" Shen Qing said with the corners of his mouth slightly raised, "Officer Lian, are you all alright?" Lian Bing couldn''t help but swallow hard, stuttering, "No... no... problems..." "Good to hear that you are fine." Shen Qing looked around and saw the four fallen disciples, not quite understanding. Why did they die to such pathetic ghosts? "Perhaps, it is not that they were too weak, but that I am too strong?" Shen Qing muttered to himself, somewhat uncertain. Meanwhile, in Nanshan Village surrounding Shicheng Mountain, Chang Yinfa, along with a few senior disciples from Linfeng Hall, and Yu Xiaoruo from the Guardian Martial Department, walked in. They had been assigned to this location. "Mr. Yu, why is the village so quiet, where are the people?" Chang Yinfa asked nervously. Yu Xiaoruo from the Guardian Martial Department glanced at him, and said nonchalantly, "During the day, everyone must be out hunting the tiger on the mountain, how could they stay at the base point? We''ll find out when we go in." Chang Yinfa suddenly realized, "Oh!" A group of people walked into the village. Yu Xiaoruo from the Guardian Martial Department slapped the door beside him and called out, "We''re here, may I ask where our brothers from the Martial Department are?" There was no response. Yu Xiaoruo from the Guardian Martial Department frowned, sensing something wrong. "Mr. Yu, listen, there seems to be a sound." "Shh, no one makes a sound." Yu Xiaoruo from the Guardian Martial Department tilted his head, listening carefully, and indeed, heard some noises. The sounds were a bit like that of pigs smacking their lips while eating. "Over here." Someone quickly followed the sound. Upon discovering the source of the noise, everyone''s face turned pale, and they could not utter another word. In front of them sat a large tiger with a variegated coat, gnawing on the corpse of a martial master from the Guardian Martial Department. Surrounding it, seven or eight ghosts stood guard, their pale faces uniformly turning toward them. Chang Yinfa felt something stuck in his throat as he managed to say with difficulty, "Tiger... tiger demon... " The calf-sized tiger lifted its head and stared at them, emitting a human-like smile, "Yo, more snacks have delivered themselves!" Without a word, Yu Xiaoruo from the Guardian Martial Department turned and ran. "Run!" The others, snapping to their senses, scattered as one. The tiger demon''s smile subsided, and it tossed aside the human leg in its paw, standing up. At that moment, the surrounding ghosts, as if understanding its intent, transformed into shadows and gave chase. S~ea??h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Rarely do mice stumble in; let''s have some fun with them, a nice way to digest." The tiger demon had just taken a step forward when it abruptly stopped. The huge tiger turned its head toward another part of the forest, looking puzzled, "What''s going on? Why have my little ghosts dwindled so rapidly?" It spun around, shaking its head, then suddenly darted into the woods, rushing toward the direction of its sense. Chapter 124: Chapter 48 Skin Forging Great Perfection, Qi Cultivation Realm In the gloomy forest. Four bodies were scattered haphazardly, like carelessly discarded dolls. Their faces were twisted, frozen in expressions of terror from just before they died. The blood, under the sunlight, displayed a sinister dark red, pooling into small streams on the ground, meandering along. The air was thick with the iron-like stench of blood mixed with the putrid smell of rotting leaves. Occasionally, a breeze would blow, but it couldn''t dispel the heavy scent of blood. The three surviving members of Lian Bing''s team had their gazes tightly locked on Shen Qing, filled with confusion and suspicion. They looked at him as if they were seeing some indescribable monster. Lian Bing opened his mouth to ask something, but in the deathly still forest, he found he had no words to begin with. He lowered his head to glance at Shen Qing, allowing the shock to spread through his heart. After a while, under the gazes of the men, Shen Qing bent down, methodically searched the corpses, and collected their Silver and Qi Blood Pills, unashamedly pocketing them. Lian Bing and his men did not stop him, finding it perfectly natural. After confirming he missed nothing, Shen Qing took out a bright red Qi Blood Pill and held it in his palm. He approached Lian Bing and asked, "Officer Lian, are these Qi Blood Pills actually of great use?" Lian Bing, snapping to attention, respectfully bowed and truthfully replied, "This is a common elixir provided as part of our official salary by the government office; one Qi Blood Pill contains more Essence Qi than a bowl of tonic soup. We usually take one before cultivation to speed up the process. We also take one after feeling exhausted from a battle outside to revive our spirits." "I see. I just went through a battle and used up quite a bit of energy; this will be good for replenishing." Shen Qing looked at the Qi Blood Pill with interest for a few moments, then tossed it into his mouth, crunching it up. It tasted a bit like a calcium tablet, with a hint of sweetness. Gurgle! Shen Qing swallowed it down and quietly felt the effects for a while. At first, there was no apparent effect, but after a moment, he suddenly felt invigorated. Here it comes! Shen Qing sensed a faint herbal fragrance diffusing from his mouth as the Essence Qi from his bone marrow merged with that in the pill, spreading from inside out, continuously permeating and expanding, This immense Essence Qi, along with his Qi-Blood, ran wild like a runaway horse, rushing through his meridians and continuously cleansing his flesh and skin. Shen Qing noticed that the membrane created from refining the Dragon Roar Armor on his arm became even more crystalline and translucent, with the disseminating Essence Qi being locked within it. His skin began to turn a visible shade of red, from afar, resembling a boiled shrimp. Shen Qing knew this was the effect of the Qi Blood Pill. He was delighted, guiding the medicinal essence through his meridians, repeatedly cleansing his body. The effect of one Qi Blood Pill lasted for the duration of half an incense stick before completely fading. Barely experiencing any sensation, it stopped. Shen Qing frowned slightly, feeling somewhat displeased. Without hesitation, he immediately took out another Qi Blood Pill and swallowed it. Shen Qing then felt his skin begin to tighten and harden, as if about to touch a separate layer, continually changing. He understood that this was the result of his cultivation advancing under the effect of the Qi Blood Pill. The first use of a Qi Blood Pill was extraordinarily beneficial for him. After consuming two pills, Shen Qing still felt a deep hunger in his muscle and bone, far from reaching his limit. "If that''s the case¡­" Shen Qing gulped down the remaining seven Qi Blood Pills in one go. On the side, Lian Bing, upon seeing this, couldn''t help but gape in astonishment. He had never seen such a ferocious method of consumption. Because he ate too many at once, a large amount of Essence Qi escaped from his orifices. Shen Qing hurriedly covered his mouth and nose, continuously transforming the energy. Time slowly passed, and at a certain moment¡ª Shen Qing suddenly heard a muffled sound by his ear, as if in an instant, he had violently broken through a barrier. In his muscles and skin, something seemed to burst and shatter. Following that, the muscles attached to Shen Qing''s bones started to wriggle and slowly expand. The flush on his skin faded like a receding tide, merging into the skin, and then everything abruptly stopped. Shen Qing raised his hand to touch it, feeling a series of cold, hard touches. S~ea??h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Did I just¡­ complete the Skin Forging? Have I advanced to the Qi Cultivation Realm?" Shen Qing''s eyes sparkled with excitement. He clenched his fists and moved his muscles and bones, finding that every action was filled with immense power. His entire skin was as thick as cowhide and as hard as iron. "As I suspected, the Skin Forging Realm was indeed the realm I was most likely to break through," Shen Qing murmured to himself, "With this strength and the Dragon Roar Armor, my defense must have reached a terrifying level." He unclenched his fists, stood with his hands by his sides, and looked around, his face filled with immense confidence. Lian Bing and Xiao Zhi and others did not know about the internal changes in Shen Qing at this moment. They only felt that his aura had subtly changed, seemingly becoming more... powerful... Explore new worlds at m,v l''-NovelFire Just then, a loud explosion sounded from the distant forest. Shen Qing and his companions quickly looked towards the sound. Lian Bing stood and blurted out, "Someone has spotted a tiger demon." A flash of panic crossed his face. Previously, he did not realize how terrifying the tiger demon was, but having seen the difficulty they had with ghosts, and now hearing about the tiger demon, he was like a frightened bird. Shen Qing glanced at Lian Bing but said nothing. He turned and looked at an old tree thick enough for two people to embrace, then kicked off the ground and rushed up the trunk to the canopy. He looked towards the direction of the explosion, his eyes intense, "Eagle Eye!" Whiz! Images from the forest flooded into Shen Qing''s mind. These images began to come together, forming an aerial view. He clearly saw birds scattering in the woods in one area. A tiger as big as a calf, with distinctive markings, was dashing through the woods, heading in his direction. Shen Qing licked his lips and shouted to Xiao Zhi, "Give me the bow and arrows!" Xiao Zhi beneath the tree heard him and hastily threw up the heavy bow with arrows. Shen Qing caught it with one hand. Hooking his foot around a branch, he steadied himself on the tree. Under the hot, brilliant sun amidst the lush green mountains, Shen Qing slowly raised the heavy bow in his hands. His arm stretched out, the muscles like tree burls swelling, their lines smooth, filled with explosive power. Shen Qing took a deep breath, placed a heavy arrow on the bowstring, and pulled the string back. As the bowstring was pulled to a full circle, a brief silence fell over the woods. Shen Qing fiercely released his fingers, and the bowstring snapped with a thunderous sound. The dark iron arrow tore through the sky, carrying a whistling wind and fierce momentum, and shot towards a spot in the distant forest in a perfect arc. The striking tiger, focused on its path, suddenly sensed a chilling murderous intent, was shocked, and its fur bristled. It had not yet understood what was happening when it saw a black light descending from the sky, heading straight for it. Boom! The moment the black light hit it, it was as if the entire forest shook. Chapter 125: Chapter 49 The Tiger Demon Appears The powerful shock wave, with the tiger demon at its center, instantly spread out, shattering the surrounding trees and kicking up a great cloud of dust and debris. As the smoke gradually cleared, it revealed the tiger demon in an utterly disheveled state. It had been heavily smashed to the ground, its body forging a deep pit in the stiff soil below, and its originally golden fur was now matted with dust and shattered stone. Even more horrifying was the dark iron Arrow embedded in its massive hind, exposing a fierce wound. Waves of excruciating pain constantly emanated from its hind. The tiger demon''s eyes, like copper bells, were now filled with shock and reluctance. Ever since it had started devouring humans, its cultivation had rapidly improved. Its entire body had long become impervious to swords and spears. The arrows of the Hunters could not even scratch it. Recently, the Martial Artists who had come to the mountain to hunt it found that their swords and blades felt no more threatening than tickles, merely cutting a few tiger hairs. Over time, its ambitions swelled, and it increasingly dismissed the humans here, indulging in excessive predation. In its eyes, the so-called Human Clan Martial Artists were nothing special. But now, it had been wounded by a seemingly insignificant iron arrow, how could it possibly accept this? The tiger demon struggled to lift its head, looking in the direction from which the dark glow had shot. Its eyes slightly narrowed, focusing their sharp gaze, gradually discerning the figure of a young man standing on a distant treetop with a longbow in hand. "Good, very good, extremely good! The flesh of such a powerful human is rich in Essence Qi, and consuming him would greatly enhance my cultivation," mused the mountain lord. The tiger demon turned its head and bit down on the dark iron Arrow lodged in its hind, ready to yank it out, all the while imagining the delightful scene of devouring its assailant. Just then, another dark glow came shooting towards it. Tiger demon: "What the fuck..." Boom! Once again, a cloud of dust spread everywhere. Perched in the treetop, Shen Qing retracted his longbow, his eyes sharp as torches. Utilizing his eagle-like vision, he continuously tracked the tiger demon''s location. Confirming that the tiger demon had not moved, Shen Qing immediately shouted to Xiao Zhi below, "Pass me the rest of the arrows!" Xiao Zhi wasted no time, quickly tossing all of the remaining dark iron Heavy Arrows up to Shen Qing''s hands. Shen Qing caught them seamlessly, ready at once. Without any hesitation, Shen Qing fired arrows in rapid succession, shooting them one after another from his hand. Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh! In that instant, arrows gleamed in the sunlight, whistling sharply as they raced towards the tiger demon. The fierce sound of tearing through the air materialized. The arrows wove into a dense net in mid-flight, entrapping the tiger demon firmly within it. The tiger demon, already impaled by two arrows in its hind, barely came to its senses before it was bewildered by the barrage of arrows. Boom, boom, boom... One by one, the arrows pierced the tiger demon''s fur, sinking into its body, causing blood to splatter in all directions. "I''ll fuck your mother... Roar!" The tiger demon let out a mournful roar that echoed in the distance. Hum! A bloody radiance burst forth from the body of the tiger demon. The subsequent arrows instantly penetrated the thick blood-colored radiance, creating invisible ripples. However, after piercing through the bloody glow, the arrows lost their momentum and failed to sink any further into the tiger demon''s body. By now, the tiger demon''s body had been penetrated by six or seven arrows, its blood drenching the ground. "Roar!" The tiger demon, frantic with rage, opened its huge, bloodied mouth and roared. It no longer cared about the arrows stuck in its body, and a bloody wind burst forth around it as it sprinted towards Shen Qing''s location. In the woods, Xiao Zhi and the others heard the continuous roar of the tiger, which grew progressively closer. Their faces drained of all color in an instant. Seeing that the tiger demon was on guard, Shen Qing knew that his Heavy Bow wouldn''t catch it off guard like at the start. He decided it wasn''t worth wasting his strength anymore. He put away the Heavy Bow and leaped down from the tree canopy, landing steadily on the ground. Shen Qing handed the Heavy Bow to Xiao Zhi and said, "The tiger demon is coming, you should find somewhere to hide." "And what about you?" Xiao Zhi asked. Shen Qing smiled and responded, "I, of course, am going to try and kill it!" Xiao Zhi knew his abilities were limited and he wouldn''t be of help here. He clasped his fists and moved away. Shen Qing then turned to Lian Bing and his senior with the square face, asking, "What about you two?" The senior with the square face gave a wry smile and said, "I''ve been injured fighting Ghosts, my Qi-Blood surged up and damaged my meridians. I can''t run far; I''ll stay here. Maybe I can still serve as bait for you." Lian Bing followed, "I''m in a similar state; I''ll stay here too, hoping not to be a hindrance." Seeing their resolve, Shen Qing said no more. Find your next read at m_v l|e-NovelFire.net He stood still, slowly regulating his breath, gradually bringing his body to its optimal state. The mountains and forests were quiet, with only the occasional disgruntled chirping of insects and birds. A faint scent of blood wafted through the woodlands. In the distance, the noise from the tiger demon drew ever closer. Lian Bing and his senior with the square face felt their hearts rise to their throats, eyes fixated on the direction of the tiger demon. Deep and powerful, the rhythmic sound of the tiger''s footsteps echoed through the forest. Rustle rustle. Tree after tree, bramble after bramble, were pushed aside by a massive figure. A tremendous pressure rolled forth all at once. Lian Bing and the senior with the square face saw the true form of the tiger demon, their throats constricted as if gripped by an invisible hand, unable to utter a sound. Their hearts pounded like drums, echoing in their ears. It was enormous! The tiger''s size was akin to that of a bull, its eyes as large as copper bells, filled with a wild and beastly ferocity. At that moment, Shen Qing had already brought the Dragon Roar Armor to its limit. The membrane covering his body became even more crystalline and lustrous. In the sunlight, it shimmered subtly, making him appear as though he were wearing a layer of transparent armor. Suddenly, a breeze swept swiftly through the forest. Shen Qing looked up and saw the tiger demon covered in arrows, his face betraying a trace of unnoticeable delight. "I didn''t expect the tiger demon to bring the arrows back. It''s not an easy task to find arrows in such a vast forest." The tiger demon''s large frame was also incredibly agile. It twisted its hind body a few times in the forest, effortlessly drawing out from the trees, standing completely before Shen Qing. The tiger demon stared at Shen Qing, baring its teeth and speaking in human tongue, "You''re the first to injure me in many days, and your scent is delicious and strong. To specially thank you, I''ve decided to lick off your flesh, bit by bit." With that, the tiger demon opened its wide mouth, revealing its backward-curving tongue, and licked its own face. "Huh, a talking tiger¡ªthis is my first time seeing one," Shen Qing suddenly said. The tiger demon was momentarily stunned; the fearful, pleading scene it had anticipated did not occur. Shen Qing''s words seemed to have caught it off guard, unsure of how to respond. At that moment, Shen Qing looked at the tiger demon, his mouth curving steeply into a smile. A fierce joy spread across his otherwise calm and indifferent face as he took steps forward. S§×ar?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Suddenly, his pace quickened, the muscles on his right arm swelling rapidly. Accompanied by a fierce whistling sound, Shen Qing''s finger jabbed violently toward the tiger demon¡­ Chapter 126: Chapter 50: Slaying The tiger demon, having been thwarted repeatedly, was clearly on guard. As Shen Qing made a sudden move, it let out a roar, and in front of it, a blood-red radiance quickly coalesced into a Blood Shield, like a sea of blood. Shen Qing''s fingers pierced deeply into the Blood Shield, as if stabbing into the warm flesh of a cavity. His Wind Defying Finger, a move in which he took pride, was halted. The sizzling sound continuously emanated from it. The Blood Shield actually possessed a corrosive power that was relentlessly eroding Shen Qing''s skin. If not for a layer of transparent film on the Dragon Roar Armor, his flesh would have undoubtedly been corroded away. But at this time, the corrosive power of the Blood Shield could only wear away at the film, leaving Shen Qing without any sensation of pain. He had never seen such a magic skill before, and his eyebrows furrowed slightly. The tiger demon sneered with a malevolent grin, suddenly opening its huge mouth wide and attempting to bite Shen Qing. "Die!" However, before its tiger head could reach Shen Qing, an explosive burst of scorching breath erupted from the tips of Shen Qing''s fingers. Boom! The intense Qi of the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill coupled with the explosive power of the Wind Defying Finger, the two combined into one burst within the Blood Shield, rushing towards the face of the tiger demon. The tiger demon, having just stretched out its head and opened its mouth, had no time to understand what was happening before it was hit by the formidable force, causing its body to sway and crash into a tree. The tree, as thick as the mouth of a bowl, was snapped in two by its waist. Unfortunately, the trunk crashed right into the end of an arrow, the powerful inertia driving it further into the flesh. Causing the tiger demon to scream miserably, it leaped up violently again. Shen Qing, having reached the Great Perfection of the Skin Forging Realm and ascended to the Qi Cultivation Realm, now found that harnessing the Qi within his body caused him no discomfort whatsoever and he could fully unleash his inner power. Having tested out the extent of his capabilities, Shen Qing saw the tiger demon''s strength and no longer held back. His muscles tensed throughout his body, and he leapt towards the location of the tiger demon. The Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill was pushed to the limit, carrying a terrifying scorching aura; Shen Qing kept thrusting his fingers forward, fiercely jabbing at the tiger demon''s body. Thud, thud, thud... The muffled sounds of impact kept arising from the tiger demon''s body. Man and demon clashed in a fierce battle. Wherever they went, every tree and shrub was shattered by their powerful forces. Shen Qing, not only striking exceedingly quickly, also imbued each move with terrifying strength. Bang! Bang! Bang! The power within him surged along his fingertips and jetted out, repeatedly targeting the same spot on the Blood Shield. The tiger demon''s Blood Shield finally could not hold up and collapsed completely. "Roar!" The tiger demon roared furiously. At this moment, its body, once glossy, now bore the marks of being scorched, the whole tiger looking as if it had been fished out of a pit of fire. It suddenly clawed at Shen Qing''s chest. Shen Qing couldn''t avoid it in time. With a tearing sound, that one claw shredded all of Shen Qing''s outer garments, revealing the golden shine of his silkworm clothes underneath. The tiger demon''s expression stalled for a moment, and then it was sent flying by a slap from Shen Qing, crashing down in a messy heap. Fear and shock were human-like expressions evident on the face of the tiger demon. This was just the first exchange, and it was already having a hard time coping. In that moment, it suddenly became afraid. The man in front of it was somewhat different from the martial artists it had encountered before. This man was too fearsome, far too strong¡ªit couldn''t win! Unfortunately, at this point, whether it could escape was no longer up to it. Shen Qing surged forward, ramming his shoulder into the tiger demon''s back and lifting it off the ground. Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill, Wind Defying Finger, Blood Dominance Technique, and other martial arts were pushed to the extreme by Shen Qing as he kept thrusting his fingers. Without the obstruction of the Blood Shield, not even the tiger demon''s copper skin and iron bones could stop Shen Qing in the slightest. Furthermore, having been hit by several arrows and sustaining some injuries, its strength was affected, and the tiger demon seemed even more unable to hold itself up. Its tiger skin was fiercely punctured by Shen Qing, leaving behind holes from which streams of steam emerged. Around the blood holes, the tiger fur was scorched clean under Shen Qing''s finger, leaving nothing but a burnt black mark. Shen Qing''s eyes hardened, and he concentrated all the remaining strength and Qi in his body into the fingers of his right hand. The exhausted tiger demon watched as Shen Qing''s finger, glowing with a red light, plunged into its body with a massive force. The tiger demon felt a searing pain in its chest and came to its senses, its claws scratching frantically at Shen Qing. Blood-colored marks appeared on the transparent membrane on Shen Qing''s body, as he felt waves of pain. "Damn it!" Shen Qing''s expression turned grim as the intense heat of Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill''s Qi and the last of his power violently dispersed and erupted from his fingertips. Everywhere it passed turned scorched yellow and ruptured. A loud thud came from inside the tiger demon''s body. In the forest, Lian Bing and the square-faced senior brother, who hadn''t left, were filled with disbelief, staring fixedly at Shen Qing with his hand embedded in the tiger demon''s chest. "It seems the tiger demon is nothing special after all," said Shen Qing as he pulled out his hand, covered with blood clumps and steaming with heat, his face showing a touch of disappointment. The tiger demon gasped twice, emitting a sound akin to an old diesel engine starting up. The deep wound pierced in its chest was now gushing blood like a fountain. "Who are you... exactly..." the tiger demon asked. "Me?" Shen Qing said, "Hong Shan, Shen Qing!" Bang. The massive body of the tiger demon swayed for a few moments before crashing down to the ground, causing the earth to tremble. At this moment, the tiger demon''s mind involuntarily projected the experiences of its life. It recalled the days when, as a young tiger, it ran carefree in the jungle, chasing butterflies and playing in the streams. At that time, it knew nothing of demons or humans. It wasn''t until one night when a meteor streaked across the sky that it gradually began to realize that it was different from the others. Its strength was extraordinary, its intellect exceeded that of its peers, and eventually, it even devised its own magic skill. From then on, it embarked on the path of a demonic beast, reigning as king of the forest. Gradually, it was no longer content to be confined to its small mountainous territory; it began interacting with humans, attempting to understand their emotions and intelligence. Unfortunately, every human who saw it wanted to kill it. By chance, it killed a human and consumed him, opening up a new world, and it was no longer able to stop itself. Just when it thought it was about to reach the pinnacle of its demonic existence, everything came to an abrupt end. Now, lying in a pool of blood, as the last bit of life force drained away, the light gradually faded from the tiger demon''s eyes. Shen Qing, looking at the tiger demon that had breathed its last, swept his gaze unmoved and a sense of satisfaction appeared on his face. Up to this point, this tiger demon was the most powerful being he had encountered. He had just enough strength to deal with it. Continue reading on m|v-l''e m,p| y- r "If I remember correctly, even a martial master at the Great Perfection of Qi Cultivation Realm would struggle against this tiger demon. My strength should have reached at least the Great Perfection of Qi Cultivation Realm," Shen Qing thought as he exhaled a breath of turbid air, and his tightly tensed muscles gradually relaxed. S§×arch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. As if noticing two unusual gazes behind him, Shen Qing turned to look, finding Lian Bing and the square-faced senior brother staring in shock. Realizing Shen Qing''s gaze was upon them, they became flustered, at a loss on how to approach Shen Qing at this moment. "Shen... Lord Shen..." Chapter 127: Chapter 51: Demon Core, Wind Defying Finger Great Perfection "Lord Shen?" Being suddenly addressed as ''lord,'' Shen Qing suddenly felt a little unaccustomed. After a battle, he was drenched with sweat, with hairs sticking to his scalp. His breathing had become somewhat rapid, and his face showed a tinge of fatigue. However, his posture remained as upright as a mountain. Having just killed the tiger demon, he emitted an indescribable and powerful aura, which even Shen Qing himself had not noticed. He didn''t pay too much attention to the change in how Lian Bing and the other addressed him, and lightly turned his head to focus on the body of the tiger demon. Having been born a hunter, he knew that a fierce tiger''s body was a treasure trove. Especially the tiger skin, tiger bone, and tiger penis were very valuable. Not to mention a tiger demon. A beast with awakened intelligence, the flesh and blood contained potent Essence Qi, which made these valuable parts even more precious. Shen Qing looked around and quickly found a knife on the ground. In front of his senior fellow apprentice and Lian Bing, he skillfully sliced open the tiger demon''s belly and rummaged inside for a while. Soon, Shen Qing felt a round and hard object in his hand and exclaimed with delight, "There really is one." He drew it out, revealing a Blood Pearl. The Blood Pearl was shrouded in a red glow, radiating threads of scorching heat. During the fight earlier, Shen Qing noticed that when the tiger demon used its Blood Shield, its abdomen glowed with bursts of red light, which was astonishing. Shen Qing guessed that this must be the ''Demon Core'' that the tiger demon formed after becoming a demon, a tiger treasure. His luck was indeed good. "I''m not sure how to refine and use this Demon Core... I''ll ask the Hall Master or look it up once I get back," he mused. Shen Qing carefully stored the Demon Core close to him, feeling motivated, and called out the Water Ink Panel. A drop of water ink fell from his sight, slowly converging into lines of text. [Skill: Wind Defying Finger (the level of mastery)] [Progress: 401/400 points] [Status: Upgradable] ''The progress is full?'' ''I didn''t expect that during the fight with the tiger demon, I would unintentionally fill the progress of my Wind Defying Finger Martial Arts... Well, in that case...'' ''Upgrade!'' The status on the Water Ink Panel suddenly refreshed. [Skill: Wind Defying Finger (Great Perfection)] [Progress: 1/500 points] [Status: Not upgradable] [Note: Blue comes from indigo but surpasses indigo; through continuous and relentless cultivation, you''ve brought this Martial Arts to the Perfect Realm. Continue to cultivate and master the Wind Defying Force in order to Break Limit on this Martial Arts.] Shen Qing''s body shook, and a tearing pain echoed through his sea of consciousness. Fortunately, he was already accustomed to this sensation, calmed his mind, and suppressed the pain, feeling the various changes. For a brief moment, memories of the arduous practice of Wind Defying Finger continually emerged in his mind. He had practiced the Wind Defying Finger Martial Arts tens of thousands of times in his hands. Until finally, he completely comprehended the essence of the Wind Defying Finger taught to him by Li Linfeng. A familiar sensation rippled through his fingers. The dullness in his mind swept away. Shen Qing felt incredibly pleased. ''Actual combat is indeed the best practice, absolutely no exaggeration there.'' "Lord Shen, should we inform the others?" Behind him, Lian Bing displayed a very submissive attitude, which was a stark contrast from before. Having struggled in the Guardian Martial Department for a long time, Lian Bing was well aware even without being told. Shen Qing, who had slain the tiger demon, would certainly rank among the notable figures in Taiping County from now on. Even the Lord County Magistrate would show him some courtesy upon meeting him. He was no longer someone a junior constable like him could afford to provoke. Shen Qing responded indifferently, "You decide for yourself." Enjoy more content from m-v l''-NovelFire.net Lian Bing hesitated for a moment but ultimately pulled out the fireworks he carried on him, lifted them above his head, and yanked the string at the bottom. A plume of blue smoke shot out from the earth-colored cylinder in his hand, soaring into the sky. ... In an unnamed village on Shicheng Mountain, Team Leader Wang Yanjun from the Guardian Martial Department, dispersed a ghost with a palm strike, her expression showing a hint of impatience. "Hurry up, we can''t miss the Lord''s important business!" Behind her, a few middle-aged men dressed as Jianghu martial artists, working together to punch a ghost to death, said, "Don''t worry, we won''t be late." Bang! Another ghost was killed. Wang Yanjun was somewhat agitated by these ghosts'' pestering at this time. Just as she was about to kill another ghost with a palm strike, the ghosts still wandering around suddenly stopped their motions and looked towards a certain spot in the forest as if by some agreement. Then, their faces flashed with wild joy. Under the astonished gazes of Wang Yanjun and the others, the ghosts scattered in all directions and completely disappeared, leaving them somewhat baffled. "Team Leader Wang, do we continue the pursuit?" a brawny martial artist, with iron hoops wrapped around his arms, asked with a grin. Without a second thought, Wang Yanjun commanded, "Let''s go up the mountain first and deal with the tiger demon." "Got it." As soon as she finished speaking, they all heard a loud "boom" from another direction. Without any hesitation, Wang Yanjun leaped up swiftly, hurrying towards the location where the fireworks had just appeared in the forest. After a month or two of encirclement and suppression, the Lord County Magistrate had weakened most of the big and small powers within Taiping County that were insubordinate or distant from the county government, using the tiger demon as a pretext. Even the Four Great Eastern Families had suffered some losses, albeit to varying degrees. Essentially, they were unable to stir up much trouble anymore. Sear?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Next, as long as they represented the county government to kill the tiger demon, the prestige of the County Magistrate would rise another level. Even with their strength reduced, they could rest easy for a while. The individuals following her were also Qi Cultivation Stage experts gathered by the County Magistrate. No matter how strong that tiger demon was, it couldn''t withstand their combined force. The only concern was if the tiger demon burrowed into the vast mountains, finding its trace again would be quite an effort. Wang Yanjun spread her arms wide, moving swiftly like a hawk and transferring positions continuously through the dense forest, rushing forward, afraid that the tiger demon might escape. After a time equivalent to burning two sticks of incense, Wang Yanjun suddenly smelled a strong scent of blood. She abruptly stopped, her right hand involuntarily reaching for the sword at her waist, a serious expression appearing on her face. "Get ready." Wang Yanjun displayed no fear on her face, leading the remaining few persons directly towards the direction where the fireworks had appeared. In just a moment, Wang Yanjun and her group charged past numerous trees to a clearing, the scene in front of them laid bare. At that moment, in the clearing ahead, a young man sat cross-legged next to the corpse of the tiger demon. His clothes were ragged, and he was quietly regulating his breathing. Both Lian Bing didn''t dare to let out a breath and stayed obediently to the side. Suddenly, she noticed the dead tiger demon, and her expression froze on her face. It was dead! The very tiger demon they were meant to kill was actually dead! Wang Yanjun walked over in a daze, her almond-shaped eyes wide with shock, and asked, "Did you kill it?" Shen Qing looked towards Wang Yanjun, his gaze briefly lingering on her chest before he replied with a smile, "I killed it. I wonder if the County Magistrate will honor the martial arts register as promised?" Chapter 128: Chapter 52: The Courteous Government Officers He actually did murder it! Wang Yanjun''s mind suddenly went blank. It seemed she couldn''t believe it as she turned to look at Lian Bing beside her. As a member of the Guardian Martial Department, Lian Bing, sensing Wang Yanjun''s gaze, glanced at Shen Qing again. The latter''s eyes were filled with a sharpness, unintentionally sweeping over him. Lian Bing steeled himself and nodded, "Boss, it was Lord Shen who labored to slay the demon tiger, removing a menace from Taiping County. This matter was handled by Lord Shen from start to finish, his contribution is immense." Wang Yanjun fell silent. After observing for so many days, the tiger demon''s strength had ranged higher than the Qi Cultivation Realm but no lower. If she remembered correctly, none of the officers stationed in Shiqiao Village were of the Qi Cultivation Realm; they couldn''t possibly be a match for the tiger demon. Now that the tiger demon was dead, it was very likely slain by this young man whose name hadn''t been known before. Wang Yanjun stared at Shen Qing''s face, her elegant brows slightly furrowing, feeling that his face seemed somewhat familiar. She calmed the surprise in her heart and asked, "Lord Shen, have we met before?" Shen Qing remembered two things very clearly about Wang Yanjun. That day, it was she who had executed the Yellow Angel in front of the government office gate on his behalf. If she had not intervened at that time, he would definitely have suffered. After thinking it over, Shen Qing smiled wryly at Wang Yanjun and said, "No, we haven''t met." Wang Yanjun paused, a hint of suspicion flashing across her beautiful face. But upon reflection, she had only seen that person three or four months ago. At that time, the aura the other possessed was distinctly different from what this person exhibited. It must have been her mistake. Wang Yanjun clasped her hands in a salute and asked briskly, "How should I address this hero?" "Shen Qing!" "Since you have slain the demon tiger, the Lord County Magistrate will naturally keep his promise, and the martial arts register will surely be assigned to you without fail," Wang Yanjun''s attitude became respectful, speaking gently and humbly. Truthfully, Wang Yanjun was well aware of her own limits. She asked herself, if it were her, she wouldn''t be capable of slaying the tiger demon alone; even with several people, it would require significant effort. This Shen Qing, alone and with a single weapon, had slain the tiger demon, his combat power undoubtedly superior to theirs, leaving no room for their arrogance. Wang Yanjun''s purpose here was to eliminate the tiger demon. Although the tiger demon hadn''t died by their hands, it was still dead, merely requiring the County Magistrate to pay a bit more, which made no difference to them. Thus, there was no need to conflict with this man and make things uncomfortable for herself. Being abroad, it wasn''t necessary to make more friends, but at the very least, making more enemies should be avoided. Being a bit courteous didn''t mean losing face. Seeing the confident manner of Wang Yanjun, Shen Qing''s last bit of worry was also dispelled. He looked at the corpse of the tiger demon, as if thinking of something, then asked, "How will you deal with this tiger''s corpse?" "This tiger demon was slain by Hero Shen, naturally, it''s for you to handle as you see fit," Wang Yanjun truthfully replied. "If Hero Shen wishes, you can certainly sell this tiger demon corpse to the Lord County Magistrate, he will surely buy it at a high price." "Good, the Lord County Magistrate is straightforward." Shen Qing patted the body of the tiger demon and stood up. This tiger demon sounded intimidating, but it was essentially no different from them, martial masters, all made of flesh and blood. If the strength is sufficient and sufficiently fast, even an arrow can kill it. The only major difference is that this tiger demon possessed a dark crimson murderous aura on its body, deadly upon contact with ordinary flesh and blood, and its thick skin and flesh were somewhat troublesome. But before strength, everything could be resolved smoothly, posing no problems. In other words, even in killing the tiger demon, his strength was not exaggerated to the point that anything needed to be hidden or masked. Shen Qing looked up and said generously, "Let''s pack up; the tiger demon has been dealt with. Let''s prepare to head back." Wang Yanjun glanced at the sky and said, "It''s already past noon. If we go back now, we might find the city gates already closed. It might be better to rest here for the night. I''ll gather some people, and we can head back early tomorrow." Shen Qing thought about it for a moment. The city was indeed around seventy li away, which was not close. Returning from here would certainly take some time, and carrying the tiger demon would take even more time. Therefore, he nodded and agreed to Wang Yanjun''s suggestion. Wang Yanjun looked at Lian Bing and the flat-faced senior brother and asked, "Can you both still walk?" Lian Bing quickly replied, "Chief, they''re just minor injuries, walking won''t be a problem." "Then let''s not delay anymore; let''s hurry down the mountain." It was clear that Wang Yanjun had a decisive and fiery disposition. He immediately made a decision and started implementing it. The flat-faced senior brother from Linfeng Hall, after hesitating upon seeing the bodies scattered around, asked, "Guardian Martial Departmental Head, what should we do with these bodies?" Wang Yanjun glanced at him, speaking in an indifferent tone, "They died here due to their lack of strength; no one else is to blame. We don''t have the leisure to pick a geomantic spot for them, nor to build their graves. The mountains are not lacking in beasts; nature will take its course here. If you want to bury them, then go dig the graves yourself." The senior brother from Linfeng Hall flinched, his face falling as he said, "I was just saying." Experience new stories on m v|l e''-NovelFire.net "Let''s go!" Shen Qing did not meddle further and yelled, "Someone, lend a hand to carry this tiger demon down." The martial masters who had come with Wang Yanjun exchanged glances, improvised with resources at hand, and snapped some arm-thick tree trunks to use as poles. Four of them carried the corpse of the tiger demon up and down. The flat-faced brother looked around at the scattered corpses with a deep sigh and hurriedly followed the group. They walked along the road they had come on for a good while. In a patch of woods, the group noticed a figure hiding. Shen Qing, with sharp eyes, immediately recognized him as Xiao Zhi, who had walked away earlier. "Brother Xiao!" Shen Qing called out loudly. Xiao Zhi shivered all over, carefully poking his head out and looking forward. He saw Shen Qing and the others carrying the splendidly patterned large tiger, slowly making their way through the woods, which startled him: "My goodness!" After quite some time, as the group got closer, and he could see clearly, he finally calmed down and boldly stepped out of the bushes. He rushed up to Shen Qing excitedly, "Are you alright?" "I''m fine!" Shen Qing had others take over the burden for him while he walked up to Xiao Zhi and took back his Heavy Bow and Arrow Quiver. Xiao Zhi kept his eyes fixed on the carried tiger demon, swallowing his saliva uncontrollably. When he had left, the tiger demon was almost about to pounce, leaving only Shen Qing intact and capable of moving in the woods. Now the tiger demon was dead, and Shen Qing was still unharmed. Either someone else had helped, or Shen Qing alone had fought and slain it. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The latter, however, sounded unlikely no matter how you looked at it, with a very slim possibility. But recalling the invincible aura Shen Qing had when he killed the Ghost, he found himself oddly inclined to believe the latter possibility. Xiao Zhi cautiously confirmed in a low voice to Shen Qing, "You killed this tiger demon, right?" "Yes." Boom! In an instant, Xiao Zhi felt a rush of blood to his head. Looking at Shen Qing, it seemed as if he was glowing. After a long while, he seemed to return to his senses, slowly raised a thumb, and said, "You, are truly amazing!" Chapter 129: Chapter 53: A Tough Character Who Can Slay Even a Demon Tiger The mountain forest here is rarely trodden by humans, with towering ancient trees lush and verdant. The group followed the trail they had made on their way in, winding forward and finally emerging from the mountains. Soon, an ancient and dilapidated village gradually came into their view. Rundown houses were unevenly scattered on the hillside, their walls overgrown with vines and moss, and the roof tiles were incomplete and damaged. Some houses had doors and windows tightly shut as if they had been unoccupied for a long time, while others were half-open, occasionally revealing signs of beasts and humans moving inside. The group entered the village, and Lian Bing stepped forward, pointing to one of the houses and said, "Team Leader, this village has been tormented by a tiger demon and is no longer suitable for people to live in. Shall we choose this clean house?" As he spoke, Lian Bing glanced at Wang Yanjun, assessing her expression. He knew that Wang Yanjun was a person with a penchant for cleanliness and would fuss for a long time if encountered a dirty place. Now, with his Qi-Blood roiling and his body feeling weak, he just wanted to find a place to rest well and wasn''t willing to trouble himself further. "Is this the only clean house?" Wang Yanjun''s face showed a hint of dissatisfaction, "Are there any other houses?" "In this wilderness, it''s good enough to have a place to stay. Team Leader Wang, you should not be picky. Let''s gather some people to clean up for the night so we can leave early tomorrow," Shen Qing came over and said. Seeing Shen Qing speak up, Wang Yanjun thought about it and held back, saying nothing more, and pushed open the half-closed door in front of her. Dust and dirt rose in clouds. Wang Yanjun couldn''t help but wave her sleeve to sweep it away, holding her breath. Looking around, there was a thick layer of dust accumulated in the house. But, fortunately, other than the dust, there was nothing else messy. Wang Yanjun sighed reluctantly and said to everyone, "Let''s all rest here for tonight." "Lian Bing, gather the nearby people and let everyone know to assemble here, and we''ll head back together in the morning." "Yes!" ... Inside an unnamed mountain forest. Chang Yinfa and Yu Xiaoruo fled for their lives, almost to the point of running blindly in panic. Their clothes had been torn by various thorns during the run, making them look utterly disheveled. "Hurry, hurry, hurry!" Yu Xiaoruo kept urging, with a lingering expression of fear on his face. Chang Yinfa, gasping for breath, said, "Mr. Yu, it feels like the tiger demon and ghost haven''t followed us. We''re safe." Yu Xiaoruo glanced back, saw no sign of pursuit, and only then did he start to feel a little reassured and stopped running around like a headless fly. Chang Yinfa sat down on the ground with a thud, breathing heavily, his face filled with the terror of having narrowly escaped death. They''re all dead. The strength of those ghosts was terrifying; each one of them was at least as strong as a martial master in the Bone Refining Realm, plus their elusive movement speed. Almost all of his fellow disciples who were with him met with misfortune. If he hadn''t been shrewd and followed Mr. Yu in a desperate escape, he probably would have ended up the same as them. This tiger demon was even more frightening than the rumors suggested. Both men sat on the ground without a word, disregarding their appearances. Yu Xiaoruo took out a Qi Blood Pill and threw it into his mouth, chewing crunchily as he recovered his energy. Your next journey awaits at m v|l-e''-NovelFire.net Chang Yinfa, watching this scene, couldn''t help but swallow his saliva, his eyes showing envy. After a while, when both had regulated their breath and recovered some energy, Chang Yinfa asked, "Mr. Yu, where shall we go next?" Yu Xiaoruo exhaled a breath of stale air and pondered for a moment before saying, "We''re going to..." Boom! Boom! Boom! ``` He had not yet finished speaking when suddenly, a series of explosions in the distance interrupted him. Yu Xiaoruo turned his head at the sound and saw three trails of blue smoke rising in the east, shooting straight into the sky. After reaching a certain height, they gradually began to disperse and blend into a cloud due to the wind. He suddenly sat up, his eyes full of surprise, "That''s Team Leader Wang''s signal to gather everyone!" After hesitating for a moment, Yu Xiaoruo said, "Let''s go, hurry over." Having said that, Yu Xiaoruo followed the direction of the signal. Chang Yinfa looked towards the distant mountains with reluctance and followed. The two of them pushed through brambles and thorns, crossing over a mountain, and finally rushed into Shiqiao Village. The ancient stone bridge at the entrance of the village was mottled with age, and its surface was covered with moss and weeds, clearly abandoned for a long time. However, before even entering the village, they already heard a commotion of surprise, as if the village was abuzz with voices. Chang Yinfa and Yu Xiaoruo exchanged a glance, puzzled, and quickly rushed in. By this time, other people had also arrived in the village, forming a circle with a constant buzz of discussion emanating from it. Full of curiosity, Chang Yinfa and Yu Xiaoruo squeezed into the crowd and craned their necks forward, only to gasp at the sight on the ground. "Hiss¡­" S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. It was clearly the very tiger demon they had seen! The one they had been running from, afraid that it wasn''t easy to deal with¡­ was dead! Yu Xiaoruo looked at the bull-sized body of the tiger demon and the arrow wounds all over it, and he couldn''t help but urgently ask the person next to him, "Who killed this tiger demon!" A female martial artist with a face as sharp as a knife turned around, somewhat impatient. Seeing Yu Xiaoruo dressed like a government officer, her impatience subsided, and she respectfully said, "I just heard that a martial master named Shen Qing did it alone." Yu Xiaoruo pressed on, "Shen Qing? Why does that sound familiar? Who is he with?" "He''s from Linfeng Hall over there, a direct disciple newly taken in by Li Linfeng." "Everyone says he''s already reached the Qi Cultivation Realm, truly terrifying." Upon hearing this, Chang Yinfa, who was standing beside them, had a look of astonishment, his mouth slightly agape as if he could fit an egg. Yu Xiaoruo looked at Chang Yinfa with annoyance and glared at him fiercely. If he remembered correctly, Chang Yinfa was the one who thought Shen Qing was unreliable and had led some of his disciples to bribe him and defect to his side. And yet, here was someone capable of slaying a demon tiger. Incapable of even understanding the situation within his own Martial Arts Hall, truly a waste! He had missed a great opportunity to distinguish himself. Chang Yinfa also felt aggrieved. He didn''t know that his own sect had admitted such a monstrous prodigy. Now he felt like he was caught between a rock and a hard place; whether it was sh*t inside his pants or not, he was still in a mess, full of grievance. He had clearly seen Shen Qing appearing utterly unremarkable, so how had everything changed by noon? The disciple his master had taken in was too good at biding his time; he had truly misjudged him. No, he had to suck up to him. Having slain a demon and returning to the city, Shen Qing would certainly rise to fame. With the connection of being from the same sect, he might definitely reap some benefits. Chang Yinfa''s eyes rolled, and disregarding Yu Xiaoruo, he silently slipped out of the crowd. After finding out where Shen Qing lived, he rushed there nonstop. But when he arrived, the doorway was already crowded with people, and the main gate was shut tight. ``` Chapter 130: Chapter 54: Triumphant Return to the City, The Crisis of Linfeng Hall "Junior brother, there are a lot of people outside, all clamoring to see you. Won''t you really meet with them?" Xiao Zhi leaned against the door, peeking through the crack and teasingly said. Shen Qing had already changed into clean clothes by then and was lying lazily on the freshly cleaned mud bed, indifferently saying, "They''re all a bunch of climbers, flatterers. Seeing them would mean they''d bother you day and night; it''s better not to meet them at all." "True," Xiao Zhi agreed wholeheartedly, "I''ve seen plenty of such sycophants before in restaurants. They''re all fair-weather friends, useless as farts. Ask them to lend you money, and they''ll shrivel up immediately." As he spoke, he sat down naturally beside Shen Qing. Compared to those shriveled goods outside, he was able to get close to the ruthless man who had slain the tiger demon. Such differential treatment brought a delighted expression to his face. As if recalling something, Xiao Zhi asked, "Junior brother, that ghost disguised as a human looked just like the real thing, even the officer Lian from the Military Department didn''t recognize it. How did you notice it?" Shen Qing glanced at Xiao Zhi and said, "He said something to me, and just by his attitude, I immediately felt something was off." "What did he say to you?" Xiao Zhi asked curiously. Shen Qing said, "He actually said to me ''sorry to trouble you''." Xiao Zhi was slightly taken aback, his face twisting awkwardly, "That... doesn''t seem like much, does it?" Shen Qing smiled and said, "When have you ever seen someone from the government office be polite to us?" "Uh..." Xiao Zhi found himself at a loss for words, realizing that Shen Qing made a very good point. The government office in Taiping County was notoriously arrogant. Shen Qing continued, "Afterwards, when I saw how eager he was to point the way, it reminded me of how I used to guide prey into traps when I went hunting up in the mountains¡ªit was clear something was wrong." "Junior brother, I''ve realized that not only are you talented in martial arts, but your mind is also very sharp," Xiao Zhi gave a sincere compliment. ... By the next morning, as the sky was just beginning to brighten, Continue your journey on m|v-l''e -NovelFire.net Wang Yanjun and a group of people had already woken up. All being martial masters with vigorous Qi-Blood, even those who hadn''t slept the night before were brimming with energy, showing no signs of fatigue. After a brief period of tidying up and preparing, Wang Yanjun''s voice broke the silence, "Return to the city!" Under Wang Yanjun''s call to action, the many martial artists stepped forward. Some helped carry the corpse of the tiger demon, while others supported their injured peers. The group marched impressively toward the official road back to Taiping County. From the original fifty or more martial masters, now only half remained. Linfeng Hall, in particular, was pitiful; from over a dozen members, only a mere three remained. However, when they saw the Linfeng Hall disciple walking at the front, each person''s face showed more or less a hint of respect and reverence. Shen Qing was oblivious to the gazes behind him, just earnestly hurrying along. He ignored everyone trying to cozy up to him, and Chang Yinfa''s attempts to get close during the walk were all fruitless. When the first ray of dawn shone on the vast land, Shen Qing and the others had already reached the official road. The sun was brightly shining, with not a cloud in the sky. In recent days, because of the scourge of the tiger demon, the surrounding villages had suffered greatly, and merchants were fearfully cautious, not daring to travel freely. As a result, the city gate, normally bustling in the morning, now appeared exceedingly quiet, virtually deserted. In the middle of the gate, the bored Taiping County guards were rubbing their sleepy eyes and yawning endlessly. Suddenly, a strong smell of blood hit their nostrils, instantly alerting them. They looked forward curiously at what was coming. The next moment, the corpse of a tiger demon as large as an ox was shouldered by the crowd and entered their line of sight. Peoples'' intention of making the tiger demon''s gaping mouth appear alive by propping it with two sticks was quite successful; it lay over several logs, looking life-like, as if it were still alive. "Tiger... tiger demon..." The guards perked up, retreating a few steps in panic, drawing their daggers and closely watching the approaching crowd. Since the Mao Hour, they had walked for half an hour. ``` By the time the sun was three poles high, Shen Qing and the rest of the troops had finally made their way under the gates of Taiping County. "It''s Team Leader Wang..." Someone recognized Wang Yanjun''s identity and exclaimed in astonishment. Standing beside her, walking shoulder to shoulder with her, Shen Qing''s eyes were calm as water, casting a glance at the guards. However, the sharp gleam and murderous aura in his gaze made them involuntarily shudder. Wang Yanjun stepped forward and said to the guards in a deep voice, "Go inform the County Magistrate right away. Tell him that the tiger demon has been slain, and the one who slew it is Shen Qing from Linfeng Hall." Hearing this, the faces of the guards at the gate filled with shock, and they instinctively glanced at the man standing next to Wang Yanjun, hurriedly responding, "Yes!" S§×ar?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. After speaking, one of them dashed into the city, unfastened the reins of an official horse, leapt onto its back, and sped away towards the government office. The remaining guards automatically stepped aside, allowing Wang Yanjun and the others to enter the city smoothly. At this time, the inner city was already bustling with activity, and the streets were crowded with people. Upon hearing that the tiger demon had been slain, people came pouring in from all directions, eager to see the excitement. When they saw the fierce expression of the slain tiger demon, all of them gasped with horror. In an instant, the street was abuzz with voices, gathering more and more people. Walking within the troop, Shen Qing slightly furrowed his brow, displeased with such a manner of entering the city. "Brother Qingzi, Brother Qingzi!" Just then, Shen Qing heard a familiar voice from within the crowd. He looked around. "Over here, over here!" "Xiao Hu?" Shen Xiaohu squeezed to the front of Shen Qing, panting with urgency, his face full of anxiousness. "What are you doing here?" Shen Qing asked in surprise. Shen Xiaohu quickly said, "There''s trouble, something''s happened at the hall. The Mi Gang came to challenge us and Senior Brother Wu was beaten to death right in front of Uncle Hall Master!" "What?" Shen Qing, upon hearing this, immediately realized the severity of the situation and, without even a goodbye to the others, hurriedly broke away from the group. Linfeng Hall. The usually quiet inner courtyard was now filled with a throng of people. A robust man in a short tunic sat grandly in a Taishi Chair, enjoying his tea with an air of contentment. In front of him, Senior Brother Wu of the fourth rank lay on the ground, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth, lifeless, his eyes open in death. "Master, I didn''t expect Linfeng Hall''s direct disciple to be so frail. I hardly exerted any strength and he just died," said a burly man with a sneer, standing next to the robust man. As he spoke, he cast a mocking glance towards the people of Linfeng Hall standing in front. Even the usually mild-mannered Li Linfeng couldn''t suppress his anger and stepped forward, saying, "Sun Tiangai, if there''s a debt of vengeance, it should be directed at the one responsible. You''re welcome to settle it with me!" "The sparring between disciples can sometimes lead to unfortunate injuries or even deaths. It''s hard to avoid," replied Boss of Mi Gang, Sun Tiangai, setting down his teacup on the table with a smile that wasn''t quite a smile, "Besides, you killed my son back in the day, and now I''ve killed your disciple. We''re even." "What exactly do you want?" asked Li Linfeng. Sun Tiangai said, "I''m here for a challenge at your hall, what''s so agitating about that, Master Li?" As soon as these words came out, Li Lingchan, Ouyang Tiezhu, and others hiding behind Li Linfeng turned pale. In the courtyard, just the disciples of Mi Gang in the Bone Refining Realm numbered no less than five, and there was one disciple with innate strength whose cultivation reached the Qi Cultivation Realm. And now, with many of Linfeng Hall''s disciples called away to hunt the tiger, the ineffective direct disciples left the hall severely weakened and utterly incapable of facing the aggressively approaching Mi Gang. This time, the Mi Gang had explicitly come to annihilate Linfeng Hall. "Next one, who will it be?" said the burly martial master, scanning those present. ``` Chapter 131: Chapter 55: Crisis of Annihilation, Decisive Action The hall fell silent, every person from Linfeng Hall hung their heads low, no one answered. Boss of Mi Gang, Sun Tiangai, took in the scene of Linfeng Hall''s dispirited people and couldn''t help feeling a bit of satisfaction. S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. In truth, Li Linfeng probably didn''t know that the tiger demon disaster that was half-created was actually a man-made calamity. The reason it persisted for a month was because the county magistrate deliberately allowed it to. It was all to trim down those Martial Arts Forces that had gained a bit of power. It was a strategy to fatigue and weaken the populace. Under his leadership, Mi Gang had boarded the county magistrate''s large ship and escaped this disaster. The other Martial Arts Halls and gangs of the county towns weren''t so lucky. Basically, the strength of the sects was cut by half, let alone Linfeng Hall, with whom he had a poor relationship. With both intentional and unintentional pushes from him, promising great rewards, he had worn down the foundation that Li Linfeng had accumulated over the years, leading to the current situation. It so happened that few years ago, he had taken a direct disciple, who was a natural martial talent. Even without cultivating the Qi-Blood and raw strength within, he was already comparable to a martial master with Great Perfection of Qi and Blood, and after a few years of cultivation, his combat power was not inferior to his. This time, he had brought him over to use Li Linfeng and his people as a stepping stone, to make this direct disciple famous and establish Mi Gang as the number one gang in Taiping County. Boss of Mi Gang, Sun Tiangai, feigned anger and said, "Meng De, don''t be presumptuous. After all, this is someone else''s territory, you should be polite." The burly Meng De showed a joking expression and said, "Master, the key point is that these guys from Linfeng Hall are all cowards, it''s just no fun. In my opinion, Linfeng Hall is just all bark and no bite, should''ve closed down long ago." "You..." Hearing this, Li Lingchan, who stood behind Li Linfeng, went pale and then flushed, hardly able to restrain herself from charging out, but was held back by Ouyang Tiezhu next to her. Meng De glanced at Li Lingchan and said, "I heard that Master Li''s family has a tomboy who''s got some Martial Arts talent. Must be this one right here, tsk tsk tsk... really is a coward, after all." "You''re looking for death!" Li Lingchan shouted furiously, breaking free from under Ouyang Tiezhu and charged toward Meng De, pointing a finger. With a smack, Li Lingchan''s finger touched Meng De''s chest. To her surprise, the flesh of the burly-faced man was as hard as real iron. Her finger didn''t even break the skin. Meng De''s face showed a sneer and said, "Too weak!" He swung a slap over. With a smack, a loud slap echoed in the inner courtyard. Li Lingchan didn''t understand what had happened when she felt the world spin, being thrown backward. She completely stopped only after crashing into Ouyang Tiezhu. Her hair was now disheveled, blood dripped from her mouth and nose, and her face showed utter bewilderment. After a few moments, feeling the swelling on her face, Li Lingchan realized what had happened, and her beautiful eyes went completely blank. Li Linfeng knew that Sun Tiangai had come for him this time. He suddenly stepped forward, "If that''s the case, why don''t I exchange a few moves with your junior, but don''t blame me for taking advantage of the younger ones if he dies." The other party initiating a challenge was originally meant for peers to spar, and for him to intervene would be too embarrassing if word got out, but by now, there were no other options left. Linfeng Hall had been pushed to this extent; at this rate, they would inevitably meet with disaster. Pride was no longer important. "Where there is life, there is hope; better to survive first," he thought. Worst case scenario, if they couldn''t make it in Taiping County, they would just move somewhere else and start over. No sooner had his words fallen than Li Linfeng put his fingers together and fiercely jabbed forward. To his slight surprise, upon seeing him strike, Boss of Mi Gang, Sun Tiangai, showed no sign of panic or anger. Instead, he picked up a teacup, watching him as one would a comedy. This sight made a foreboding intuition suddenly arise in his heart. Pop! He saw Meng De across from him let out a sinister laugh, his fan-like hand swiftly striking forward, and a crisp sound emerged out of the void. He had actually dispersed Li Linfeng''s qi with a single palm. Then, under Li Linfeng''s astonished gaze, Meng De suddenly took a leaping step and charged towards Li Linfeng. Not only was Meng De''s build considerable, but his speed in switching moves was also extremely fast. Bang, bang, bang, bang! The full-faced Meng De threw more than a dozen punches in one go, each punch steady in force and with plenty of follow-through strength. After over a dozen moves, even Li Linfeng felt his arms going numb. The Wind Defying Finger was not known for defense and strength, and the opponent''s skin was far thicker and harder than his. Watching the battle from the side, Boss of Mi Gang, Sun Tiangai, clapped his hands and laughed, "Master Li, over the years, has aged and declined, I didn''t expect your strength to have regressed so much. You can''t even defeat my closed-door disciple." Li Linfeng''s expression turned increasingly ugly, and at this moment, he remained silent, his mood growing more irritable. Now, he realized that this Meng De''s defensive ability was extremely exaggerated, a natural-born thickness of skin and flesh, gifted and unusual. After years of studying Martial Arts, it became even more terrifying. Techniques that could break steles and shatter rocks were utterly ineffective against him. Having thought this, Li Linfeng''s finger speed became incredibly swift, gradually only leaving trails of afterimages to be seen. Yet, even so, he could do nothing against Meng De. "Is this the famous Wind Defying Finger of Master Li?" Meng De provoked, "Master Li, you need to use your full strength. There is no need to hold back against a junior like me, I can take a beating." Meng De''s spirits rose as he fought, one punch following another, as if he never knew exhaustion, endlessly flowing. Bang! A metallic clashing noise suddenly erupted from within the inner courtyard square, creating an invisible ripple that spread outwards in all directions. Li Linfeng actually staggered several steps backward before barely managing to stop, his face flushing red. He gulped down something in his throat as if forcibly swallowing down something. "It seems you''re not that great of a master either," Meng De said with a taunting smile through his split teeth. He looked towards everyone behind Linfeng Hall, and turning his head to Sun Tiangai, he said, "Master, I find a few of Li Linfeng''s wives and daughters to be quite nice. I am willing to take them as my concubines to honor Master Li. I hope you will show mercy and let Li Linfeng off the hook, Master." With that, he let out a lewd smirk, seemingly glancing at Li Linfeng both intentionally and unintentionally. The strange tones of the master and disciple made Li Linfeng, who had managed to suppress the surge of blood, sweeten in his throat uncontrollably and vomit a mouthful of filthy blood. "Father!" "Master!" "..." The people of Linfeng Hall were thrown into chaos, their faces turning pale as paper. As for those outer gate Disciples who had come to learn Martial Arts after paying upfront, they looked at each other, sharing a glance. They already knew that from today onwards, Linfeng Hall was utterly finished. Just as they were thinking of seeking another path, a figure suddenly appeared before everyone, leaping onto a Wooden Dummy. His towering figure was not inferior to that of Meng De. However, unlike Meng De, the muscles on his body seemed much more restrained. Explore more stories at m,v l''-NovelFire.net "Junior Brother Shen!" Ouyang Tiezhu recognized him immediately, not expecting Shen Qing to have returned so quickly. Shen Qing turned around to see the disheveled state of Li Linfeng and frowned, "Master, your disciple is back! Please rest for a while, I will handle this matter." Meng De looked him up and down and said, "You will handle it? Who are you, making such a bold claim!" Shen Qing stepped forward, treading on the tiles of the inner courtyard without changing his expression, and said, "I am a direct disciple of Linfeng Hall, Shen Qing!" Chapter 132: Chapter 56: This is the Direct Disciple I took in not long ago After announcing his name, whispers spread among the people of the Mi Gang in the inner courtyard. "Shen Qing? Who is that?" "Never heard of him." "I remember Li Linfeng only had four direct disciples: Ouyang Tiezhu, Niu Daping, Dong Zizhuang, and Wushili. Ouyang Tiezhu is here, Niu Daping and Wushili are dead, and there''s Dong Zizhuang, the one-eyed. Where did this Shen Qing come from?" The inner courtyard suddenly became as noisy as a marketplace. Facing the numerous voices of discussion, Shen Qing remained composed, his expression extremely serene. Sitting on the Taishi Chair, Sun Tiangai silently set down his teacup, his eyes narrowing slightly. A few months ago, he had vaguely inquired about a direct disciple taken in by Li Linfeng. However, this disciple was a relative of Lady Qi''s household, indicating some nepotism. Furthermore, Lady Qi came from a humble background with nothing in her family worth mentioning. What great martial talent could be cultivated from such circumstances? They couldn''t even get enough to eat. He hadn''t paid much attention to it. Knowing the details about Shen Qing, Sun Tiangai who had sat up, slowly lay back down, watching Shen Qing with an anticipatory look in his eyes. At that moment, Li Linfeng, who had regained his senses, looked around and knew the situation had turned dire. He sighed deeply and said to Shen Qing, "Step back, this is not something you can handle." Knowing that the opponent was a martial master of the Qi Cultivation Realm, even he was no match, let alone Shen Qing who had only recently achieved Skin Forging. The two were simply not on the same level. The recent death of Wushili was a bloody lesson. If Shen Qing went up now, facing Meng De, there were nine chances out of ten he would not escape death. Shen Qing, looking down at the ground where Wushili lay dead, eyes still open, did not intend to heed Li Linfeng''s words. He raised his head and, looking Meng De in the eye, asked, "You killed him?" "Indeed. I didn''t expect him to be so fragile. I used all my strength, and he just went down; I truly apologize. Next time, I will be more careful," Meng De said with a face full of bulging muscles, his expression jokingly shifting as he spoke. Although he was apologizing, his eyes and the muscles on his face were filled with disdain and mockery. "Do you think this is funny?" Shen Qing stood silently in the center of an open area, his figure becoming even more upright under the sunlight. Meng De, dropping the smile from his face, asked, "What?" "I mean, I hope you can keep smiling like this," Shen Qing said, his lips curling into a smile, his mouth splitting with excitement, "I still don''t know whether your fleshy body is stronger than a demon tiger''s." Suddenly, a breeze began to rise quietly behind Shen Qing. The wind was not fierce, but as it gently blew, it seemed as though the surrounding air was solidifying. As the breeze spread, an invisible pressure centered on Shen Qing rippled outward like ripples on a pond. The previously bustling and noisy inner courtyard, now enveloped by this pressure, instantly became extremely silent. The members of the Mi Gang, who had been arguing and skeptical, seemed as if something invisible was gripping their throats, promptly shutting their mouths, not daring to make a sound. The inner courtyard fell into a deep silence. Even Li Linfeng closed his mouth, staring blankly at Shen Qing. He, along with the other disciples of the Linfeng Hall, also felt an unusual oppressive force. This silent pressure felt like a thousand-pound burden pressing on their chests, tightening their hearts, making it difficult to breathe. "Good, good, good! This is the feeling I want... Linfeng Hall is full of trash, but finally, there''s one who can stand tall. I hope you won''t disappoint me." Meng De stood in the inner courtyard. He felt the overpowering force emanating from Shen Qing, harboring not a trace of fear in his heart. On the contrary, his eyes sparkled with a frenzied glow. His chest heaved violently, his aura continuously rising. His muscles tensed abruptly as he threw a punch. "Die!" Meng De''s hoarse, deep voice echoed across the inner courtyard. He abruptly stepped forward, and the bluestone ground beneath his feet shattered instantly, with debris flying everywhere. Meng De clenched his fist, with a fierce whistling wind, and charged straight for Shen Qing''s chest. At that moment, Meng De had completely unleashed his power, holding nothing back; the only thought in his mind was to knock down this arrogant man with a punch! Make him kneel and beg for mercy in front of him. Just when he thought he had spared his rival, he would strike him dead with another punch! Ha ha ha! Meng De''s eyes were filled with red bloodshot as all his Qi-Blood concentrated into a single fist. At that moment, he suddenly felt immensely powerful. His fist seemed to carry an unprecedented strength and heat. Every inch of his muscles, every drop of his blood seemed extraordinarily active under this force. In the moment of the whistling fist wind, Meng De''s years of martial arts practice and power seemed to integrate and lead to new insights. Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Enjoy more content from m-v l''-NovelFire.net But just as he thought his punch would nearly kill his opponent, he suddenly discovered that the young man standing opposite him had disappeared. Boom! His fist struck the air, producing a deafening blast. A powerful wave of air spread out from the two men to the surrounding area, causing everything around to tremble under this force. But Meng De felt no joy, instead, he sensed an unprecedented sense of crisis, with a strong murderous intent enveloping him from behind. He turned his head to look. At some point, the young man named Shen Qing had moved behind him. Pfft! Suddenly, Meng De felt a sharp pain in his back. "What''s going on?" Shen Qing''s fingers, containing trails of firelight and a scorching aura, fiercely pressed against his back. The Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill, Blood Dominance Technique, and Wind Force were all activated to their limit, drilling into Meng De''s flesh through Shen Qing''s two fingers. Bang! Two fierce and scorching, sharp and brutal gusts of Qi exploded inside Meng De''s body, leaving a hole as big as an arm through his chest. Meng De looked down, touched his hollow chest, and the hot blood staining it; he suddenly seemed to understand something. A look of terror appeared on his face, and he slowly turned to Sun Tiangai, his mouth trembling as he said, "Master¡­ save me¡­" Sun Tiangai suddenly rose from the Taishi Chair. Before he could remember what to say, he heard a loud bang, and Meng De''s burly body suddenly crashed to the ground. Shen Qing slowly withdrew his hands, smiled at Sun Tiangai, and said, "I''m truly sorry for not controlling my strength. In fighting, there are no certain outcomes, Leader Sun, please take heart." The inner courtyard fell completely silent. It was just one move. Everyone was so stunned they could not close their mouths. They could hardly believe that Meng De, who seemed invincible, was slain by Shen Qing in just one move. The emotions of everyone in Linfeng Hall were like a roller coaster, experiencing dramatic highs and lows. Li Linfeng was the first to react, excited and in disbelief, he asked, "Have you broken through to the Qi Cultivation Realm?" "I was fortunate enough to break through!" Hiss¡­ Li Linfeng took a sharp breath, shocked by the ferocity of his disciple. It took him a while to recover from the shock. After a moment, he burst out laughing, as if relieving all his frustration, and looked around at the members of the Mi Gang, emphasizing, "I forgot to tell everyone, this is Shen Qing, the direct disciple I took on not long ago!" Chapter 133: Chapter 57 The Most Correct Thing Ive Done in My Life In the inner courtyard, Li Linfeng''s voice rang out strong and clear, deafening to those around. Following Shen Qing''s swift and decisive move, his heart once again blazed with boundless pride, and he did not attempt to conceal the proud look on his face. At that moment, he felt that the most correct decision he had made in his life was not rejecting Shen Qing from his door on account of his background, his foundation, or his various shortcomings. Instead, he had graciously given him the opportunity to learn martial arts. After taking him in as a disciple, he did not neglect Shen Qing, treating him no differently even when facing difficulties within the sect. Not only that, but he also went so far as to personally take him as his direct disciple, and even intended to marry his daughter to him... It was because of such past goodwill that today''s blessings had come. If he had been the slightest bit more snobbish back then, not taking Shen Qing seriously, perhaps today Linfeng Hall would have completely fallen under the challenge of Mi Gang. In this moment, Li Linfeng wanted to throw back all the mocking words Sun Tiangai had thrown at him, but before he could open his mouth, his body wavered, his head spun, and he began to sway unsteadily. Ouyang Tiezhu, who was standing behind him, acted quickly upon noticing something was amiss with Li Linfeng. He hurriedly stepped forward to subtly support Li Linfeng at the waist, saving him from embarrassment in front of everyone. Li Linfeng shot Ouyang Tiezhu a grateful look and restrained the expression on his face, deciding then to quiet his thoughts and speak no further. Li Lingchan, standing behind Li Linfeng, was gently biting her lip, her gaze toward Shen Qing extremely complex, her heart a mix of emotions. In contrast to the satisfaction and joy on Linfeng Hall''s side, the faces of the members of Mi Gang were all taut with tension. Especially Boss of Mi Gang, Sun Tiangai, whose face was an interesting picture of emotions. He had almost completely crushed Linfeng Hall not long ago, only to have the situation suddenly reverse completely. He watched helplessly as his once-proud disciple was defeated with a single move, even causing a drop in his own morale. Sun Tiangai''s face, shadowed and pale, twisted in unspeakable rage and pain. He trembled slightly on the Taishi Chair, fists clenched so tightly that the knuckles began to whiten. Shen Qing surveyed the members of Mi Gang, slowly fixing his gaze upon Boss of Mi Gang, Sun Tiangai. "I presume this gentleman must be Boss of Mi Gang, Sun Tiangai. I am Shen Qing, a younger generation, and I have met the Gang Leader. I''ve heard there has been a misunderstanding between my master and you. Would it be possible, on my account, to settle this matter today?" Shen Qing spoke evenly and with dignity. Sun Tiangai thought that Shen Qing, not wanting to be too presumptuous in the presence of his many supporters, was looking to quit while he was ahead, leading to a slight dissipation of his anger. But seeing such arrogance from a junior rekindled a deep dissatisfaction in his heart, which soon turned into waves of hatred, replacing the accumulated anger. sea??h th§× N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Settle? I wonder, dear nephew, how do you propose we settle this?" Sun Tiangai said coldly. Shen Qing smiled and replied, "It''s quite simple. If Gang Leader Sun would compensate our Linfeng Hall with five thousand taels for mental anguish and promise to henceforth avoid our waters and retreat from Linfeng Hall''s sphere of influence, this matter can be put behind us." "You''re saying you killed my man, and I''m supposed to pay you?" Sun Tiangai felt as though he had just suffered a great insult as he stood up to look directly at Shen Qing, "That doesn''t seem logical, does it?" Shen Qing continued smiling, "Being stronger than you is the logic. What do you think, Gang Leader Sun? You all don''t seem as strong as I had imagined." This statement landed like a heavy hammer on the hearts of the Mi Gang members. At this moment, they all realized that this good-looking young man was not as harmless as he appeared, nor as humble and polite; beneath the surface, there was a fierce and ruthless air. The image of Linfeng Hall teetering on the brink of collapse was instantly restored by him, and even elevated. "What arrogance. Do you think defeating Meng De proves anything? He defeated your master and your fellow disciples before you, exhausting a great deal of strength. You merely took advantage of a vulnerable moment," said a Bone Refining Realm martial master from Mi Gang named Jing Yuanzhong. He had watched closely. The finger Shen Qing used was as swift as the wind, and its power was extraordinary. When it struck Meng De''s back, the Qi Force that burst forth even contained an intense heat. The power required for such force was extremely exhausting, and Wind Defying Finger was a martial art that excelled in speed, with only average defense and stamina. He was certain that the man before him was definitely not as strong as he had imagined, and that the whole scene was just an act. With this thought in mind, Jing Yuanzhong no longer hesitated and said, "I am Jing Yuanzhong from the Mi Gang, and I would like to learn a thing or two from this young brother." Experience tales at m v|l e''-NovelFire.net Shen Qing glanced at Jing Yuanzhong, who had already stepped forward, and with a slight lift of the corner of his mouth, he pointed at the two people beside him and said, "How about you all come at once, to save the trouble." Upon hearing this, Jing Yuanzhong''s heart skipped a beat. He realized that this direct disciple from Linfeng Hall might not be pretending, and a slight urge to retreat suddenly sprouted in his heart again. Then with due respect, I will comply." The named members of the Mi Gang showed no fear on their faces, took a deep breath, stepped forward, and without any fancy maneuvers, threw a direct and strong punch. Following in his footsteps, another Mi Gang member threw his punch as well. These people were all in the Bone Refining Realm, with formidable punching power throughout their bodies. The muscles of the two men seemed to be pulled by an invisible force, swelling up rapidly, with bulging veins protruding on their skin, like dormant azure dragons roaming beneath the surface. Shen Qing lightly drew a line with his foot forward and assumed the starting position. This starting position, infused with movements from the Yin and Yang of the Eight Trigrams, appeared somewhat ethereal and unfathomable. He took a gentle breath, concentrating all his strength at his fingertips. The next moment, Shen Qing''s form flashed, turning into an afterimage; Wind Defying Finger, trailing with it a red flame, precisely aimed at the armpit of the gang member charging at him first. "Bang!" A muffled sound rang out as the charging gang member''s body seemed to be pierced through, his lungs inside the chest seared into cooked flesh by the scorching force. The entire person, like a cut-off kite, traced a parabolic arc in the air and fell heavily to the ground. He gripped his own neck tightly, his face turning bright red as though he was unable to catch his breath, and ultimately suffocated to death. After killing one person with a single move, the second person had already arrived. He too struck with both fists, following the same technique as the previous man. However, slightly different was that this person''s punches were steadier, indicating a more solid foundation. Shen Qing''s eyes sharp, he gave a carefree smile and, without any superfluous movements, his figure shifted and a powerful surge of Qi Force burst forth from within him, his two fingers sweeping like a fierce storm at the man. The opponent''s face changed slightly, evidently not expecting Shen Qing to possess such strong Inner Strength. Just as he was about to swing his fists again, a sudden intense pain shot through his neck. A dull bursting sound followed. His vision blurred, and his head involuntarily flew off. The scene fell deadly silent. Shen Qing''s eyes shifted, staring at Jing Yuanzhong, and with a sinister smile, he said, "Your turn!" "Ah!" Jing Yuanzhong was instantly terrified out of his wits. Where was there any sign of exhaustion? He had guessed completely wrong. Thick fear enveloped his entire body, causing him to shiver uncontrollably. The Boss of Mi Gang, Sun Tiangai, could no longer stand by and shouted, "Enough! The money, I''ll pay!" Chapter 134: Chapter 58: Total Annihilation is the Best Respect for Him As soon as these words were spoken, everyone in the inner courtyard was in an uproar. Especially the people of Linfeng Hall, who didn''t expect that Sun Tiangai, the previously invincible Boss of Mi Gang, had suddenly conceded. At this moment, Sun Tiangai tried hard to maintain composure on his face. Initially, he thought along the same lines as Jing Yuanzhong, assuming that Shen Qing had only pulled off a few tricks by capitalizing on Meng De''s weakened state, showing off a moment of bravery. He even planned to go down to the arena himself and kill him. Now it seemed that he had been hugely mistaken. The closed-door disciple of Linfeng Hall, where was the advantage? It was clear he hadn''t even used his full strength, yet still had plenty to spare! Thinking of this, Sun Tiangai couldn''t help but feel a chill. If he hadn''t recognized the situation just now and impulsively stepped into the arena, the consequences would have been unthinkable. His cultivation was only slightly higher than Meng De''s, with the bulk of it being actual combat skills. Facing someone like Shen Qing, he wasn''t sure he could gain any advantage. One misstep, and he might end up like Li Linfeng''s situation previously. Now, having aligned himself with the powerful county magistrate, he was on his career peak. If he were to be defeated publicly, his subordinates would surely turn disloyal. The favorable situation that the Mi Gang had painstakingly built might well collapse. This was something he absolutely could not accept. A true man knows when to bow and when to stand tall. Rather than clashing head-on, it was better to temporarily bow down and wait for a later opportunity for revenge. Shen Qing frowned and said, "Oh, has the Sun Gang Leader come to a realization?" "I have realized that disputes should be resolved, not prolonged. Since Brother Shen has shown such goodwill, how could I fail to appreciate it?" As he spoke, Sun Tiangai waved a big hand to his followers below, "Search yourselves, see how much money you have! Hurry and give it to Brother Shen, to thank him for sparing my life." Amid a rustling noise! Everyone turned out their pockets, spilling all their money onto the ground. Copper coins, broken silver, gold beans¡­ everything was there. The flurry of activity even made Shen Qing blink in surprise. Sun Tiangai took out a silver note from his bosom, with an extremely sincere attitude, "Here is one thousand taels of silver, my tribute to Brother Shen, and the remaining four thousand taels, I will repay later. Farewell!" As he spoke, Sun Tiangai maintained a calm expression, exuding a certain haughty charisma of a gang leader. Seeing the demeanor of the departing Mi Gang underlings, everyone in Linfeng Hall got to their feet, cheering and applauding, their voices echoing throughout Linfeng Hall. "Shen Qing! Shen Qing!" Amid the cheers, the name of Shen Qing was called out repeatedly. At this moment, Li Linfeng took a deep breath and looked towards Shen Qing, feeling a profound sense of honor and fortune. The emergence of Shen Qing might truly change the fate of Linfeng Hall in the future. Sun Tiangai, walking at the front, heard the cheers from behind. His face, which had been calm and slightly obsequious, suddenly chilled, and he thought bitterly, "Shen Qing, is it? Wait until I report back to the county magistrate, call some experts, and send you and your martial brothers to reunite." Amid the cheers in the inner courtyard, Shen Qing stared at Sun Tiangai''s retreating figure, his expression unchanged, and called out, "Xiao Hu!" Experience new stories on m v|l e''-NovelFire.net Pushing through the crowd at the back, Shen Xiaohu heard Shen Qing''s call and hurriedly ran out from the crowd, "Brother, did you call me?" Shen Qing said nothing but stretched out a hand. Shen Xiaohu recognized it, the gesture Shen Qing used when he needed an arrow. He quickly handed over the heavy bow and arrows that Shen Qing had entrusted to him before they arrived. Shen Qing took the heavy bow, drew it fully in front of everyone''s gaze, and an arrow, gleaming with dark light, rested on the heavy bow. Li Linfeng hurriedly asked, "What are you intending to do?" "Master, if you don''t remove the roots, the spring breeze will bring them back to life again!" Shen Qing''s lips moved, releasing a cold statement, "A thorough purge is the best respect for him!" "..." With Li Linfeng''s astonished gaze upon him, he suddenly released his hold. Whiz! The dark iron arrow, propelled by the force of the fifty shi heavy bow, shot out like a cannonball, its whistling sound fierce, and its force unstoppable. Just as Shen Qing made his move, Sun Tiangai''s entire body bristled with hair as he detected intense danger. The distance was too close, hardly giving him any time to react, so he hastily cobbled together a Qi defense. Regrettably, this Qi defense appeared fragile in the face of a fifty shi heavy bow. "Bang!" A loud noise ensued as the dark iron arrow harshly struck Sun Tiangai''s chest, effortlessly tearing through his defenses and piercing his flesh. Under the potent inertia, Sun Tiangai''s body was carried by the arrow, flying backwards and crashing heavily against the wall, where he was violently nailed in place, unable to move. With disbelief etched across his face, Sun Tiangai gazed at the wound on his chest, his eyes filled with fear and despair. He struggled to stand, but the severe pain left him completely unable to muster any strength. Even martial masters of their level were still of mortal flesh and lacked the Imperial family''s undead, bone-crafted Immortal Martial techniques. Pierced through the heart, death was certain. "No... impossible..." Sun Tiangai, the Boss of Mi Gang, murmured incredulously as he looked at Shen Qing, "I had already... agreed to your terms..." S§×arch* The ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "But I didn''t agree to yours!" Shen Qing said calmly and unflinchingly. "Heh... heh..." Dark red, steaming blood spilled from Sun Tiangai''s throat, choking him and preventing him from uttering another word. His movements grew fainter and fainter. Shen Qing ignored Sun Tiangai''s struggles and despair, standing quietly in place, his gaze deep and impassive. After a moment, Sun Tiangai''s gaze lost focus, his limbs slackened, and he died hanging on the wall. "Ah!" The members of Mi Gang screamed in terror and began frantically rushing towards the exit, fearing that any delay might result in the same fate as Sun Tiangai''s. Shen Qing didn''t stop, arrows flying in rapid succession. With each arrow shot, several lives were claimed. In the blink of an eye, there were no more standing members of Mi Gang in the inner courtyard. Only a few insignificant shrimps managed to escape. Looking over the bodies littering the ground, Shen Qing put away his heavy bow and respectfully said to Li Linfeng, who was completely shocked at his side, "With this, the Mi Gang should no longer trouble Master." Only now did Li Linfeng realize that his disciple was not only a natural martial talent but also a born killer. However, given what had transpired, Li Linfeng did not feel that Shen Qing had done anything wrong. He was the one who had aged, his edges worn down after starting a family, always cautious in his actions. If he remembered correctly, he had been just as fierce at Shen Qing''s age. Li Linfeng nodded his head in deep approval, "Nothing wrong! You did well, very right!" Behind him, the many disciples of Linfeng Hall, in addition to their previous admiration for Shen Qing, couldn''t help but also feel a new sense of awe, no longer daring to approach him as casually as before. "Don''t just stand there, clean up the courtyard," Li Linfeng waved his hand and instructed the disciples of Linfeng Hall standing behind him. The numerous disciples snapped to attention and promptly responded, "Yes!" They had barely started cleaning the inner courtyard when a government officer in uniform, sword hanging at his side, walked in. Seeing the courtyard full of bodies and the thick scent of blood, his expression faltered, and he quickly stepped back out to confirm the location again, realizing it indeed was Linfeng Hall, then stepped back in. "What brings you here, officer?" A Fu, the manager of Linfeng Hall, hurried forward to inquire. The government officer clasped his hands in a polite gesture, "Is Hero Shen here?" "Are you looking for Shen Qing, Junior Brother Shen?" A Fu replied confused, "He''s right here in the courtyard, just call out to him." The officer nodded, took a step forward, and called out loudly, "Hero Shen, your deeds in slaying the tiger demon have been recognized, and the Lord County Magistrate has prepared a celebratory feast in your honor, specially inviting Hero Shen to attend." Slaying the tiger demon! Upon hearing this, the disciples in the courtyard of Linfeng Hall all turned their gazes to Shen Qing, who was leisurely sipping tea not far away. Shen Qing tilted the spout of the teapot, his expression nonchalant as he said, "Understood, I''ll be right there." Chapter 135: Chapter 59: Everyones Shock! Keeping the Appointment! Gurgle! Shen Qing took a big gulp of cool tea and immediately felt refreshed. The government officer who had come to deliver the message listened for the source of the sound and spotted Shen Qing, his face revealing a touch of surprise. He had not expected the person who had slain the tiger demon to be so young. He looked to be no more than twenty! He was bound to have a limitless future. A smile spread across the government officer''s face, and he hurried forward with a smile, saying, "Junior Brother Shen, the banquet will start around noon at the county government, and the county magistrate has invited the local bosses to attend. I hope Junior Brother Shen will arrive on time." Shen Qing glanced at the government officer and noticed a hint of sycophancy in his eyes, which made him inwardly mock the harsh reality. It was merely a small success in Martial Arts, and yet people had already started to curry favor with him. Indeed, a hero is not asked about his background; poor in a bustling market, no one cares, but rich in remote mountains, distant relatives come calling. Fortunately, Shen Qing was a clear-headed person; he did not let it go to his head and disregarded the officer. He knew that no matter what, the government officer before him wore the skin of the Great Zhou Court. They say it''s good to rest in the shade of a great tree, and this official was certainly "higher" than him, a commoner, deserving a bit of courtesy in the city. Seeing that the other repeatedly reminded and instructed him, Shen Qing put down his teacup steadily, stood up, and bowed politely: "Thank you for informing me, sir. I will certainly be there on time." The government officer''s face brightened, finding Shen Qing easy to deal with, and thus he intended to foster a connection, taking the initiative to say: "I am Quan Helin, working in the service at the county government. Should Junior Brother Shen need assistance in the future, feel free to seek me out." Shen Qing noticed Quan Helin''s underlying motive, but did not resist or put on airs. In his view, having one more friend meant one more pathway, which wasn''t a bad thing, so he happily responded with folded hands: "Good." Quan Helin said, "Now that I have delivered the message, I will not bother you any longer, I take my leave." "Take care, no need to see me out!" Shen Qing watched Quan Helin leave, his smiling expression gradually fading from his face. At that moment, he suddenly felt that the bustling noise from the inner courtyard had vanished, leaving it eerily silent, which struck him as odd. Shen Qing turned around and saw that many disciples from Linfeng Hall were staring at him with expressions as if they were looking at a monster. After a long while, Ouyang Tiezhu stepped out from among the people, sounding a bit uncertain as he said, "Junior Brother Shen, that government officer said you were to attend a banquet at the County Magistrate''s invitation, what banquet is it?" "Oh, it must be because I killed the demon tiger, and the county magistrate wants to celebrate," Shen Qing replied casually without overthinking it. "You said... you killed... a tiger demon?!!" "Yes, I was lucky to kill it." Whoosh! As soon as these words were uttered, Linfeng Hall''s inner courtyard erupted like a drop of water in boiling oil, suddenly filled with clamorous noise. S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Many people began whispering to each other, and the courtyard buzzed with discussion. Upon hearing this news, Li Linfeng, who was still recuperating in the inner courtyard, felt a surge of Qi-Blood. Having just regained some color and vitality, he couldn''t help but sit up abruptly, staring intently at Shen Qing. He had not fully recovered from the shock of Shen Qing shooting the boss of the Mi Gang yet, and now he was hearing about Shen Qing slaying the tiger demon, stormy waves arose in his heart. With these two significant events happening one after another, the image of his disciple Shen Qing grew immensely in his eyes. He subconsciously glanced at Fifth Miss and Li Lingchan next to him, feeling even more pity and anger for their lack of struggle. If it were as the government officer had said, and Shen Qing had indeed killed the tiger demon, then his merits would surely be immense, and a place in the martial arts register was guaranteed. From now on, within Great Zhou, he would be a man of true status and no longer be an outsider. Your next journey awaits at m v|l-e''-NovelFire.net Even when he went out, someone would call out, "My Lord." It was all because his daughter was short-sighted that he lost an excellent son-in-law. For a moment, Li Linfeng became dispirited and called out to Shen Xiu, "Miss Qi, help me back to my room to rest." "Yes, my lord," Shen Xiu stepped forward to support Li Linfeng, yet her gaze occasionally wandered towards her nephew Shen Qing. Living in the inner courtyard, she knew little about outside affairs, so her understanding of her nephew Shen Qing was merely superficial. She only knew that her nephew possessed some talent in Martial Arts and had been taken as a direct disciple by her husband, which had pleased her for a long time. However, besides these, she was completely unaware of the specific progress of Shen Qing''s martial training. It was not until today that she saw Shen Qing, with a simple gesture, defeat those insufferably arrogant opponents and even kill the Boss of Mi Gang with one arrow as easily as slaughtering chickens and dogs. Only then did she fully realize that her nephew was far more than what he appeared to be. The power he contained far exceeded her imagination. Just now, she clearly heard that it was Shen Qing who slaughtered the tiger demon! Seeing the respectful manner of the government officer before him, she was so excited that she could hardly speak. Finally, someone from the Shen Family had made a name for themselves. Never again would anyone comment on her background. With that thought, as Shen Xiu passed by Fifth Miss and the others, she unconsciously straightened her back, her face filled with pride and arrogance. The others pursed their lips, said nothing further, and merely bowed their heads. Shen Qing did not notice the ulterior motives of these people and continued to sit by the railing, drinking cold tea. When he felt the timing was right, he straightened his appearance and strode out of Linfeng Hall. By then, outside Linfeng Hall, A Fu had prepared the carriage early under Li Linfeng''s instructions and was waiting. Shen Qing asked in surprise, "Brother A Fu, what is this?" A Fu replied, "The master instructed me, saying that it doesn''t suit Junior Brother Shen to go out without a carriage, so he specifically tasked me to give Junior Brother Shen a lift." Shen Qing smiled wryly and generously headed towards the carriage, "Then I am in your care, brother." Quick witted, A Fu actively assisted Shen Qing into the carriage. Once Shen Qing was seated, he whipped the reins, heading towards the government office. The carriage was lined with soft carpets emitting a faint fragrance, making Shen Qing feel very comfortable. The carriage traveled unhurriedly down the main streets. As the carriage passed through the bustling area, Shen Qing gradually heard numerous sounds of music and dance. Curious, he used the back of his hand to brush aside the curtains, peered through the small carriage window, and saw the townspeople celebrating the slaying of the tiger demon with song and dance, full of joy and excitement. Shen Qing chuckled silently, let the curtain fall, and sat cross-legged inside the carriage, closing his eyes. He listened to the clamor outside, the corners of his mouth bearing an almost imperceptible faint smile. After a while, as the carriage rocked gently, it suddenly stopped. "Whoa! Junior Brother Shen, we have arrived," A Fu pulled up the reins and stopped the carriage, announcing. Sitting inside the carriage, Shen Qing quietly opened his eyes, "Good." He responded and stepped out of the carriage, standing at the entrance of the government office. Chapter 136: Chapter 60: First Meeting with the Taiping County Magistrate The tall, vermillion gate tower stood towering in front, with a gilded plaque hanging above it, inscribed with the words "county government" in forceful and vigorous characters. At this time, the two thick wooden doors were tightly closed, with a pair of bronze beast heads with exposed fangs hanging on the door rings. At the gate, a pair of majestic stone lions stood guard. As if aware that Shen Qing had arrived at this moment, the doors slowly opened. Discover hidden tales at m,v l''e-NovelFire.net Behind the door stood a middle-aged man with a smile on his face, dressed in official robes. His face was resolute, exuding a calm and restrained air like jade, his eyes deep as pools, and his forehead conveyed a sense of majesty even without anger. This person was none other than the County Magistrate of Taiping County, Du Yuntong. County Magistrate Du Yuntong had already been waiting inside the government office for a long time, and when he saw Shen Qing''s figure, his eyes revealed admiration for Shen Qing. He personally walked out from inside the door, descended the steps, swept his gaze over Shen Qing, and said with full praise, "Mr. Shen, truly a remarkable youth!" While Du Yuntong was sizing him up, Shen Qing was also continuously taking measure of Du Yuntong. sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Du Yuntong''s figure was tall and straight, making him appear particularly imposing. At this moment, he wore a deep blue official robe with exquisite patterns embroidered on it; golden threads adorned the cuffs and collar of the robe, and he wore a broad jade belt around his waist, set with several transparent jade stones. At first glance, he truly exuded a richness and nobility, and held a king-like demeanor. However, Shen Qing knew that the gorgeously dressed middle-aged man before him was not just for show; he was one of the few martial artists in Taiping County who had reached the Qi Hai Realm, his cultivation reaching to the heavens. Even ten Bosses of Mi Gang put together wouldn''t be able to touch a finger on this man. Shen Qing gathered his thoughts and humbly responded, "Lord County Magistrate is too kind. Ridding the people of evil is merely my duty as a man of the martial world." County Magistrate Du Yuntong laughed heartily, patted Shen Qing''s shoulder, and said, "Mr. Shen is being modest. That demon tiger has brought disaster for months, and countless commoners have suffered. Today, your slaying of the tiger demon has lifted the siege of the county¡ªhow could I, as an official, not acknowledge this feat? I have ordered a banquet to be prepared. If Mr. Shen does not mind, perhaps you could come in and share a few drinks?" "Then I shall respectfully comply," Shen Qing said. "After you!" "After you!" Shen Qing stepped aside to let County Magistrate Du Yuntong go first, and this display of manners improved Du Yuntong''s impression of him by several degrees. County Magistrate Du Yuntong led Shen Qing into a secluded and elegant rear hall. This place was Du Yuntong''s special hall for entertaining guests, set aside specifically for distinguished visitors. Upon entering the hall, Shen Qing immediately smelled the faint fragrance of sandalwood permeating the air. The floor of the hall, paved with green bricks, was covered with a soft carpet, and a round table made of rosewood was placed in the center. At this time, the table was already set with delicate tea sets and pastries, and two guests sat at the seats, leisurely enjoying tea and conversation. They were dressed in finery and had an extraordinary demeanor, engaged in relaxed chatter over tea. Behind them, two pretty maids dressed in simple and elegant gowns stood quietly, their behavior showing well-trained deference. Besides the slight sound of tea being poured into cups and the occasional conversation of the guests, the hall was extremely quiet without other noise, giving it a peaceful atmosphere. When the two guests heard the noise and looked towards Shen Qing, they both got up and said, "Ah, here comes the guest of honor," County Magistrate Du Yuntong walked forward and unceremoniously took the main seat, gestured with his hand to tell the others to sit down. "Mr. Shen, please sit here." Hearing this, Shen Qing sat down in the seat of honor. His gaze wandered over the two middle-aged men opposite and found that the aura emanating from these two was actually comparable to that of Du Yuntong. Shen Qing couldn''t help but be awestruck and dared not act rashly. Du Yuntong pointed to the middle-aged man on the left dressed in brocade robes, with a plump figure, and said, "This is the Family Head of the Wang Family, Wang Sanbao." Is this the Wang Family from the Four Great Eastern Families? Shen Qing was somewhat surprised. The Wang Family in Taiping County was known for its pawn brokerage and owned several money shops. Furthermore, rumors suggested that this person had also reached the Qi Hai Realm of cultivation and dominated Taiping County single-handedly. Unexpectedly, today he was brought by County Magistrate Du Yuntong to keep company. Wang Sanbao had a warm smile on his face that gave a sense of cordiality, with not the slightest hint of mercenariness. Dressed in brocade with intricate patterns embroidered on his clothing, he looked both luxurious and dignified. He cupped his hands towards Shen Qing and said, "Mr. Shen, it''s a pleasure to meet you." Du Yuntong then pointed to a middle-aged man on the far right, who was dressed in a blue robe, tall and with a majestic presence, and introduced, "This is the Family Head of the Li Family, Li Heqing." Li Heqing''s features were firm, and his eyebrows exuded an air of valiance, reminiscent of a general who had been through many battles. He greeted Shen Qing with a fist and palm salute and said in a resonant voice, "Mr. Shen, I have long admired your name. Seeing you today, truly a young hero!" The ship transportation business run by the Li and Dong Families? Shen Qing''s expression remained unchanged, but ripples of emotion were spreading through his heart. Another Martial Artist in the Qi Hai Realm. County Magistrate Du Yuntong pointed to Shen Qing and said to the two middle-aged men, "Gentlemen, this is our hero who hunted the tiger demon today, Shen Qing, Shen Shaohua." Shen Qing returned the gesture modestly, neither overbearing nor servile, and said humbly, "I dare not claim credit, it was all due to the Magistrate''s excellent command." "Let''s dispense with the formalities, Team Leader Wang, bring the tiger demon up! Let''s see what kind of demon craft this tiger used," the County Magistrate Du Yuntong called out to those outside the door. As his words fell, Wang Yanjun and others from the Guardian Martial Department escorted the body of the tiger demon to the front of the living room amidst the surrounding crowd. Its massive body, even in death, still exuded an intimidating presence that sent a chill down the spine. The maids in the hall couldn''t help but cause a stir, stepping back, their faces pale with fear. Li Heqing of the Li Family rose from his seat and walked over to observe, saying, "Tsk tsk, I''ve seen countless tigers in my travels, but such a large one¡ªit''s my first time." Wang Sanbao laughed heartily, "Otherwise, how could it be called a demon tiger?" "Lord County Magistrate, what do you plan to do with this tiger demon?" asked Li Heqing, patting the body of the tiger demon. County Magistrate Du Yuntong noncommittally responded, "This demon was hunted by Shen Shaohua, so its disposal should be decided by him." Shen Qing, having lived through two lifetimes, sensed County Magistrate Du Yuntong''s hint. Although his strength was no longer what it once was, it was still not enough to be considered significant in the eyes of these prominent figures. It was impossible for him to claim the tiger demon for himself. Besides, he had already secured the most important part, the tiger treasure¡ªgiving the rest away wouldn''t be a loss. As the saying goes, "The wise adapt to circumstances." Shen Qing quickly bowed and respectfully said, "Taiping County is under the Lord County Magistrate''s jurisdiction, and all the natural treasures found here naturally belong to Lord County Magistrate." Seeing how tactful Shen Qing was, County Magistrate Du Yuntong smiled and said, "I did not expect someone of your young age to be so articulate. Well, since this tiger is extraordinary and you were the one to slay it, why don''t the two Family Heads see what they would like from this tiger and convert it into equivalent goods for Shen Shaohua." Chapter 137: Chapter 61: The Wonderful Uses of the Demon Core "Convert it to cash for me?" Shen Qing was genuinely surprised, having not expected County Magistrate Du Yuntong to be free of corrupt intentions. However, he quickly thought that this might just be Du Yuntong''s way of winning people over. Looking at Wang Sanbao and Li Heqing with their beaming smiles, Shen Qing grew even more certain of his thought. Although Du Yuntong had said that he would let Wang Sanbao and Li Heqing purchase the tiger demon and convert it to cash for him, with the cunning minds of these two old foxes, they definitely would not foolishly buy it and bring trouble upon Du Yuntong. After all, a tiger demon was a rare sight, and every bit of it was considered valuable treasure, enough to make anyone drool. Both were posing as bosses, yet in Great Zhou, they were merely minor merchants without much status; to survive in Taiping County, they definitely knew the importance of backing powerful allies. The most likely scenario was that they would buy it and then gift it back to County Magistrate Du Yuntong under various pretexts. At this moment, Wang Sanbao looked at Shen Qing and asked, "Does Shen Shaohua have a residence in the Inner City?" Continue reading at m|v-l''-NovelFire.net "I am temporarily stationed in the Outer City and do not have a residence inside the city," Shen Qing said truthfully, with a smile on his face. Wang Sanbao smiled and said, "My family has an idle small courtyard in the Inner City; if Shen Shaohua doesn''t mind, I would offer 300 taels in addition to a residence in exchange for the tiger bones from this tiger demon." The tiger bones are generally known for their efficacy in expelling wind and promoting blood circulation, as well as strengthening sinews and bones, and are considered rare delicacies which significantly boost a martial master''s cultivation. This tiger demon''s effects are likely even greater. Wang Sanbao knew his goods well. A property in the Inner City was worth roughly 300-400 taels, so together it was about 600-700 taels; it wasn''t a large amount to spend. Shen Qing knew that today he appeared to be the main character, but in reality, he was just supporting cast, so he didn''t haggle further and said, "Then I shall follow the boss''s arrangement." "Good," responded Wang Sanbao, as he immediately took out a property deed that had been prepared in advance and placed it on the table. "Shen Shaohua, you just need to sign your name and press your hand seal here, and this eastern city property is yours." Shen Qing, maintaining his composure, glanced at the property deed. Tactfully, he did not ask why Wang Sanbao brought the deed to the banquet or why even government seals were already arrayed... Seeing no issues, he directly signed his name and placed his hand seal, then tucked it into his chest before bowing and saying, "Thank you, Boss Wang." S§×ar?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. After Wang Sanbao finished his arrangements, Li Heqing came forward and said, "Since Brother Wang has taken the tiger bones, I will take the tiger skin and tiger penis. Seeing that Shen Shaohua doesn''t have a good horse, how about I give Shen Shaohua a precious steed, plus three hundred taels?" As his words fell, he clapped his hands. Immediately, a servant led a magnificent horse forward from outside. Shen Qing looked over and saw a black horse standing in the courtyard. It had a jet-black coat as smooth as a mirror, and its mane fluttered while its limbs were muscular and strong. Even someone like Shen Qing who didn''t know much about horses could tell this black horse was extraordinary, a true steed. Since a fine horse was precisely what he needed, Shen Qing''s face lit up with joy, and he said, "Then I shall not refuse." "Hahaha, Shen Shaohua is young and promising; it''s this horse''s honor to become your mount," Li Heqing laughed and said. In a trice, the group had finished dividing up the entire tiger demon. County Magistrate Du Yuntong said, "Zhang Zao Yi, call a few people to skin and bone this tiger demon and pack it up properly for our two bosses." "Yes, Lord County Magistrate." Outside, officials came forward to carry all the pieces of the tiger demon to the side chambers for slaughter. After the tiger demon was carried away, the scent of blood in the hall slowly dissipated until it completely vanished. County Magistrate Du Yuntong motioned to everyone and said, "Alright, the chores are all done, everyone come and have a drink, Team Leader Wang, join us as well." Wang Yanjun''s face remained calm, without much to say. After clasping her hands and bowing, she sat next to Shen Qing. Being a female martial artist, and with a good foundation, Wang Yanjun had an excellent physique. She straightened her back and sat on the chair, appearing somewhat graceful, and dressed in a martial outfit, which unavoidably drew several extra glances. "Come, everyone raise your glasses. Eliminating a demon from Taiping County is indeed a joyous occasion," County Magistrate Du Yuntong said loudly, holding up his wine glass. The rest of the people respectfully picked up their glasses with both hands and happily said, "Cheers to that!" Putting down his glass, Du Yuntong began to pick up dishes with his chopsticks. As the parental official of Taiping County, he was akin to a powerful lord with the authority over life and death, and he had numerous talented subordinates. In this Taiping County, he could determine life and death with just a word. Therefore, even though he appeared approachable and casual, the others only dared to start eating after he made his first move, careful not to overstep. After three rounds of drinks, Du Yuntong sighed and said, "It''s a bit of a pity. This tiger demon was just a bit off in maturity; otherwise, if it had condensed an inner core, it would have been a top-notch treasure for us cultivators." An inner core? A light flickered in Shen Qing''s eyes. Pretending to be confused, he asked, "What do you mean by that?" Looking at Shen Qing, Du Yuntong said, "To tell you the truth, Taiping County is not the first place where demons have appeared." "What?" Continuing, Du Yuntong said, "About thirty years ago, a comet fell from the sky, and records of demons began to appear across Great Zhou. However, they were relatively weak and were subdued and executed locally without causing much trouble." "In this process, the court discovered that some of the demons with significant cultivation harbored inner cores. These cores could be boiled with medicinal soups and consumed, enhancing one''s Qi, consolidating one''s Qi Sea, and their effects were comparable to, if not better than, the spiritual elixirs refined in the court. Many people of power have already known about this and have been buying demon cores in secret. No matter the quality, the starting price for a single demon core is thousands of taels." "Starting at thousands of taels?" Shen Qing''s heart skipped a beat, feeling the red hot core in his pocket becoming slightly warmer. This price was far more valuable than rare mountain delicacies. Wang Sanbao and the others were also hearing this for the first time and couldn''t help but be astonished internally. A moment later, Li Heqing followed up with a question, "Lord County Magistrate, do you know why such strange creatures are appearing in today''s world?" "I am not completely sure, as this matter is being investigated by the Tian Ji Shu within the court. It''s said to be caused by celestial events, with our world potentially being tainted by demons from beyond our domain, though the truth of this is unknown. All I can say is that we should devote ourselves to cultivating, lest calamities descend and we find ourselves powerless," smiled County Magistrate Du Yuntong with a meaningful look at everyone. "Come, the sky won''t fall as long as the tall ones stand, let''s drink," he said. "As you wish, my lord, we''ll drink to that," they responded. After a few more drinks, the atmosphere heated up a bit. Just then, an officer from the officers'' squad had already dissected the tiger demon and came in to say, "Gentlemen, your items have been taken care of." Wang Sanbao stepped forward, took a wooden box, opened it to glance inside, then walked over to County Magistrate Du Yuntong with a smile, saying, "Lord County Magistrate, there are many tiger bones, why not take some for yourself?" Chapter 139: Chapter 63: Becoming Lord Shen, Theres a Tragic Thick Barrier At the county government office entrance, Shen Qing boarded the carriage, but it had barely started moving when A Fu stopped it. "Whoa!" "What''s the matter?" Shen Qing''s questioning voice came from inside the carriage. A Fu said in surprise, "There are people from the Wang Family here, and they want to take you, Disciple, to see the house." Shen Qing recalled the deed gifted to him by Wang Sanbao and replied, "Let him lead the way." A Fu was slightly taken aback; he had not expected Shen Qing to have made connections with the town''s elite so quickly. Suppressing his thoughts, he had a brief, quiet conversation with the other party before the carriage started moving again. Back in the bustling city center, the noise outside the carriage grew much louder. Perhaps it was because he had obtained his martial title that Shen Qing now found this cacophony somewhat pleasant to hear. After a journey lasting the time it takes to burn a stick of incense, A Fu drove the carriage to a stop near a siheyuan. "Lord Shen, we''ve arrived." Outside, the voice of an unfamiliar servant reached Shen Qing''s ears, pulling him out of his leisurely state. Hearing the other party''s address, he couldn''t help but smile wryly. Unexpectedly, he had unconsciously been elevated to the status of a "Lord." Shen Qing collected his thoughts and stepped down from the carriage, standing in front of the residence and squinting slightly as he sized it up. The siheyuan appeared quite old, with black paint peeling off in some areas of the large gate, revealing the underlying wood. But the lintel was carved with exquisite auspicious beasts and auspicious clouds, giving the siheyuan a bit of distinction. "Here is the key to the main gate." Wang Family''s servants offered up a set of keys with both hands. Shen Qing reached out to take them, aligning the key with the keyhole and inserting it. There was a clicking sound. Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The brass lock opened. Shen Qing pushed open the gates, and with Wang Family''s servants clustering around him, he stepped into the siheyuan. A wave of ancient air hit him as he did. Shen Qing looked around: the courtyard was spacious and meticulously laid out with the main house, wing rooms, opposite rooms, and side rooms all properly aligned. In the center of the courtyard stood an old locust tree, lush and leafy, with several stone tables and benches under it, lending an air of charm and vibrancy. Wang Family''s servants said, "Lord Shen, this was originally the residence of a minor disciple of the Wang Family. They have since moved away, and no one lives here now. They didn''t tidy up properly when they left, leaving many belongings behind, most of which are still usable." Shen Qing leisurely strolled around the yard and after a few rounds found that despite its proximity to the city center, the environment was still very quiet; he was actually quite pleased. Continue your adventure at m|v-l''e -NovelFire.net "Lord Shen, what do you think?" Wang Family''s servants asked, reading his expression. Shen Qing replied, "Not bad." "That''s good to hear, I''m San''er, and I live just up the front alley. If you need anything in the future, Lord Shen, just give me a call, and I''ll be here at your service." "Is this the Wang Family''s intent?" San''er smiled and said, "This is my idea." Shen Qing looked down at this San''er, who, under his gaze, bowed respectfully and then retreated with a smile brimming with goodwill. He had not anticipated that people would start attaching themselves to him already. It was a stark contrast from the past. If he continued to climb and truly reach the top, who knew what that would be like? Shen Qing couldn''t help but look forward to it even more. After making a circuit of the yard and ensuring everything was in order, he relocked the gate and said to A Fu, "Brother A Fu, let''s go." As he was making adjustments to the carriage, A Fu''s face showed signs of relentlessness, and though he moved his lips, he remained silent. After a while, he finally spoke softly, "Lord Shen¡­" Lord Shen? Shen Qing couldn''t help but tug at the corner of his mouth, figuring that A Fu had seen how respectfully the Wang Family''s servants had acted and had understood some of the change in his status. He knew that a sorrowful barrier had now been placed between them. "Where are we going now?" Shen Qing sighed helplessly and said, "First to the Outer City, I''m planning to move the household." Early on, Shen Qing had already asked Tian Xiaohu to keep an eye on houses within the city, contemplating moving, but he hadn''t found the right one until now. Now that Wang Sanbao had given him a residence, it seemed right to just move there. The steward A Fu didn''t say much but dutifully drove towards the Outer City. As the day wore on, the late spring and early summer heat was becoming noticeable in Taiping County. The shanty areas of the Outer City were enveloped in golden sunlight, casting over the cramped, dim streets and adding a rare splendor to the dilapidated area. Steward A Fu drove the carriage slowly, its wheels bumping rhythmically over the uneven cobblestone road with a ''clunking'' sound, soon steering deeper into the alleys of the shanty area. The shanty area where Shen Qing lived was not too remote, allowing carriage passage. As he passed by, many of the lower-class residents turned to look. It wasn''t that the carriage was too luxurious to behold; rather, it was the dark steed tied behind the carriage, which in the sunlight almost shimmered with scales, that was truly dazzling. The carriage stopped in front of a large gate. Gathered in the shanty area and playing Liubo, Zhang Baqing, Shen Er, and others all paused, staring warily at the new arrival, subconsciously reaching for their bows and arrows at their sides. Just as they thought some important figure was coming to cause trouble, A Fu jumped down from the carriage and respectfully lifted the carriage curtain. Inside the carriage, Shen Qing slowly stepped down. "Qingzi?" Zhang Baqing and Shen Er were momentarily stunned. "What''s this?" Shen Qing smiled and said, "Wang Family''s boss gave me a house in the Inner City; I plan to tidy up and move there." "Ah?" Everyone could hardly imagine that a big boss from the county city had given Shen Qing a house. "And this horse...?" "Oh, it was gifted by Boss Li." "Hiss..." Everyone inhaled sharply, realizing that Shen Qing might have made it big. Shen Qing''s gaze swept over familiar faces, their expressions ranging from surprise to joy. He did not explain further, withdrawing his gaze and walking calmly toward his residence. As soon as he left, Zhang Baqing and other hunters from Hongshan Village gathered around A Fu, inquiring about the situation. A Fu didn''t conceal anything, sharing all that he knew. Hearing how Shen Qing had slain the tiger demon, been received by the County Magistrate, and established connections with two prominent businessmen, securing a martial title... Detail by detail, all the hunters from Hongshan Village were stunned beyond belief. They could never have imagined that the boy who once nearly faced the extinction of his family line after both his parents died, would one day achieve such feats. The crowd unanimously looked towards Shen Er, casting envious glances. The Shen Family truly had someone who had made a breakthrough. Inside the shanty district, a tightly closed old wooden door was opened. "Qingzi, you''re back!" a familiar and excited voice called out. Shen Qing looked up to see his older sister Shen Fang standing in the hall, her eyes slightly reddened as she watched him. Shen Fang had heard about the dangers of the tiger demon and had been restless these past days. Now, seeing her brother safe and sound before her... The weight in her heart finally settled. "Blessed by our parents, blessed by our parents." Shen Fang clasped her hands together, continuously praying to the heavens, as if all of this was under the watchful eyes of their deceased parents. Shen Qing knew this was Shen Fang''s way of finding spiritual solace. Patiently waiting for her to finish her prayers, he then smiled and said, "Big sister, pack up your things. In a while, we''ll move to the Inner City. I''ve got us a house there, big enough for our whole family to live in." Chapter 140: Chapter 64: Moving into the Inner City, Li Lingchans Backbone "Ah?" Eldest Sister Shen Fang was somewhat incredulous, "Where did you get a residence in the Inner City?" Although her little brother had some abilities, having a residence in the city was still not an easy feat. In her mind, the Inner City was where officials and nobles lived, and a residence would cost hundreds of taels. It was far beyond what people like them, who came from the mountainous poor households, could aspire for. "It was gifted by the officials in the city, don''t worry about it," Shen Qing didn''t explain much and continued, "There''s plenty of room there. Tell auntie as well, let''s move together and live there." Seeing how certain her younger brother Shen Qing was, Shen Fang very tactfully didn''t ask further and nodded in agreement. After making a few arrangements, Shen Qing handled his valuables and some savings, leaving the rest of the trivial matters to his Eldest Sister Shen Fang to take care of. With nothing else to do, he walked out of the house. Upon stepping outside, Shen Qing noticed that the hunters from the village at his doorstep, one by one, finally began to address him with respect, clearly calling out, "My lord!" No one dared to call him by name anymore. Uncle Shen Er looked at his nephew who had made a name for himself, his expression becoming complex. Shen Qing had now gotten used to this change in status and accepted it grandly. "Uncle, I just asked Eldest Sister to tidy up a bit and also informed auntie. In a while, let''s move to live in the Inner City together," Shen Qing spoke to Shen Er. Uncle Shen Er nodded woodenly, not saying a word, seeming to have some profound thoughts. Shen Qing didn''t say much more and began to look around. In the past few months, many hunters from Hongshan Village had made a windfall and quietly rented houses in the Inner City, each harboring their own thoughts. Shen Qing didn''t have the energy to keep these people from Hongshan Village always united as one. Moreover, he had now obtained his martial arts register and, after killing the tiger demon, had made a name for himself in Taiping County. With a reputation, money was naturally not too big of an issue anymore. He no longer cared for the meager protection fees from the shanty areas. So Shen Qing simply decided to take his relatives and move into the Inner City, leaving the rest for Zhang Baqing and the others to handle. With his current reputation, he believed that no one in the Outer City would dare to provoke them anymore. After a while, Eldest Sister Shen Fang, along with Auntie, had everything at home packed and ready. Zhang Baqing and the other hunters from Hongshan Village were also keen, stepping forward to help and load the belongings into the carriage. Continue reading on m_v--NovelFire.net Once everything was loaded, Shen Qing left the address of his residence in the Inner City and led his family towards the Inner City. For the first time riding in such a carriage, Auntie Wang was tense, looking somewhat nervous. But her son beside her, Shanwa, saw clearly that his mother was beaming with joy inside. Just now, as they were leaving, she was as proud as a big white goose among the flattering voices of the neighboring women, her neck held high. Sear?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Compared to Wang, Shen Er''s face was etched with wrinkles, yet to snap out of his daze. He hadn''t practiced martial arts and was unaware of the changes in Shen Qing, knowing only that he had grown stronger, without any other perception. Now, seeing that Shen Qing had unexpectedly killed the demon tiger and obtained his martial title, he truly understood how extraordinary and different his nephew was. Uncle Shen Er looked at Shen Qing, leaning against the carriage, and hesitated, "Qingzi... you..." Hearing this, Shen Qing looked at him and said, "Uncle, what about me?" "It''s nothing," Uncle Shen Er sighed deeply and said, "If your father and mother were still alive, knowing you''ve achieved so much would be great." For a long time, Shen Qing slowly said, "Yes, it would be good if he was still alive." A group of people quickly arrived at Shen Qing''s Siheyuan inside the city. Upon pushing open the door, Uncle Shen Er and Auntie Wang saw the appearance of the blue bricks and green tiles and were immediately so astonished that they were speechless, as if in a dream. They had never seen this courtyard before, and they were excited everywhere, finding it extraordinary. Poking around here, bumping into things there, they simply couldn''t stop themselves. Shen Qing just let them be. At the same time, at Linfeng Hall, in Li Lingchan''s boudoir. "Fifth Miss." The maid attending to Li Lingchan saw the Fifth Miss walk in from outside, quickly paid her respects, and withdrew. Fifth Miss looked at Li Lingchan lying on the bed resting and revealed a pained expression on her face, saying, "Lingling, are you feeling all right?" Having been slapped by Meng De from the Mi Gang, Li Lingchan''s face had yet to reduce its swelling. Moreover, Meng De had secretly exerted some sneaky force, causing a violent shake in her meridians and leaving her with some internal injuries, which made her look somewhat listless. Li Lingchan sat up from the bed and said, "I''ve already drunk some medicinal soup prescribed by the doctor, and I''m much better now." "That''s good, you must not be impulsive in your actions in the future," the Fifth Miss said with concern on her face. "If something happens, your father will take care of it, but if your father can''t handle it, your involvement wouldn''t help matters." "I know, but I just couldn''t stand it..." "Sigh..." Fifth Miss sighed deeply. In fact, both of them knew well that the danger they faced today was such that they were narrowly spared from utter ruin. The mother and daughter fell silent, not speaking for a long time. After some time, Fifth Miss looked at Li Lingchan and tentatively asked, "Lingling, what do you think of Shen Qing?" "Him?" Li Lingchan feigned ignorance, keeping her head down and said, "Mother, why do you suddenly ask about him?" Fifth Miss rallied her spirits to persuade, "Back then, it was your father who wanted to match you with Shen Qing, and Shen Qing must have been aware of it. His coming here indicates that he must also have some thoughts about you. I have thought it over, and if I go and plead with your father again, maybe Shen Qing might still agree to the match." "I never expected him to be so powerful at such a young age. His talent is indeed extraordinary, and in the future, he''s sure to..." "Mother!" Li Lingchan, lying on the bed, annoyed and angry, cut off Fifth Miss''s words sharply, "Let''s drop this matter. A good horse doesn''t eat the grass that''s been past. I didn''t fancy him back then, and if I go back to him now, I''ll certainly face mockery. I can''t afford to lose that face. I believe that even if I don''t marry Shen Qing, I can still make my own way." Seeing Li Lingchan''s proud demeanor, Miss Wu''s face looked a bit displeased as she continued, "What''s the big deal about lowering your head a bit? We women have to read cues from others." "Mother, don''t talk about it anymore." Li Lingchan said with a cold snort, "He''s just a little faster in cultivation, but in the end, he''s just a lowly household without any fields, nothing special. Don''t think too highly of him, Mother." While they were talking, the maid standing outside ran in excitedly, shouting, "Miss, Madam, there''s great news for our Linfeng Hall." Fifth Miss and Li Lingchan stopped talking and asked, "What great news?" "Brother Shen Qing has been invited to a banquet by Lord County Magistrate and has now obtained the martial title. It''s already spreading throughout the hall. Our Hall Master has taught a person who became a martial titled official," the maid said jubilantly. Upon hearing this, Li Lingchan''s face went stiff, turning pale and flushed in turns. Fifth Miss stood staring blankly at Li Lingchan. "Everyone, get out!" The maid was stunned, her face puzzled: "Miss..." "Get out!" Chapter 141: Chapter 65: The Ambitious Shanwa, The Forgotten Xiao Hu "Selling large buns, steamed buns!" "Selling large buns, steamed buns!" The following morning, the sky was clear, and the sunlight shone through the clouds onto the earth. Taiping County''s shops gradually became bustling, crowded with pedestrians, and filled with incessant cries of street vendors. The courtyard where Shen Qing lived was not far from the bustling district, and he was awakened early by the cries of vendors outside the courtyard. He sat up in bed, stretched lazily, and felt the long-missed comfort and tranquility. Shen Qing casually grabbed his clothes from the foot of the bed and draped them over him before he walked out of the room. At this moment outside the house, Uncle Shen Er and his wife were already awake, busying themselves with chores. Compared to the excitement of their first visit the day before, both were much calmer now, even showing signs of boredom. There was no helping it; once settled in a new environment, this was bound to happen. Shen Qing pondered whether to find something for his uncle and aunt to do in the future, like selling pancakes, to make a living. "Qingzi, are you awake?" Uncle Shen Er was sitting on a stone chair, with an arrowhead stone on his lap, sharpening arrowheads. Shen Qing replied with a smile, "Uncle, did you sleep well last night?" "Very well." Uncle Shen Er glanced at his wife unconsciously, who looked particularly healthy, "We''ve grown so big, yet we''ve never lived in such a nice house. Shanwa even has his own bed now, no need to squeeze with us anymore. It''s very comfortable." "That''s great. Where''s Shanwa?" Shen Qing looked around and asked. "He fed your horse this morning. Now there are two horses in the house, and we''re running low on fodder. Do you think you should sell that old horse of yours?" Uncle Shen Er looked up and said. Shen Qing replied, "Let''s not sell it for now, it might still be useful later." He wasn''t lacking money at the moment, and he could afford to keep two horses. Shen Qing went to the stable and saw Shanwa grooming the horse''s mane, his small stature not as tall as the horse, yet he sat skillfully. He asked in surprise, "Shanwa, when did you learn to take care of horses?" Shanwa paused his movements and replied, "Brother, are you up?" "I learned this from an old master in the Outer City. I heard he used to be a stableman and was very good at tending to horses. I used to ask him a lot when I cared for the old weak horse." He walked outside the stable and said seriously to Shen Qing, "Brother Qing, this black horse of yours is really a good horse. I bet it can run a thousand miles in a day. Such a horse can''t just eat fodder; it needs eggs, bean meal, salt, and about a stone of millet every day." "Huh, I didn''t expect you to know so much." Shen Qing looked at Shanwa, who was four years younger than him, quite surprisingly, "If you know all this, I''ll give Uncle some money later, and you can go to the market to buy some." "Sure, I''ll definitely fatten up Brother Qing''s horse." Back when they lived in Hongshan Village, everyone didn''t have enough to eat, and Shanwa was malnourished, appearing rather frail. However, since Shen Qing had risen to prominence, his uncle''s living conditions visibly improved rapidly, and Shanwa''s physique also became stronger day by day, no longer looking like a skinny pole. Shen Qing smiled and asked, "How''s your martial arts training going?" "I''m not sure, but I feel a certain energy in my body, and my strength has increased a lot," Shanwa replied, feeling it as he looked down. "You''ve started to feel the Qi-Blood then. Keep practicing, eat well, drink well. Maybe soon you''ll reach the Great Perfection of Qi and Blood and become a true martial master." Shanwa''s eyes brightened as he said, "Really?" "Of course. And when you feed the horse, buy more fine grains and meat. You can eat as much as you like, I can still afford that," Shen Qing replied. Good horses are fed fine grains, sometimes eating better than people, making many wealthy families'' stablemen a cushy job. Continue reading at m|v-l''e -NovelFire.net Shen Xiaoshan was an ambitious man. It seemed he saw his elder brother, Shen Xiaohu, mingling around him with signs of wanting to stand out, and he too was unwilling to fall behind and also wished to make a name for himself. Early in the morning, he would run to feed the horses, probably intending to skillfully nourish himself while seeming to handle the horse feed. He even secretly pondered and delved into the knowledge of horse care, striving to develop a skill instead of always relying on Shen Qing. This mindset was quite rare in a poor, remote place like Hongshan Village. Shen Qing greatly admired it. Understanding Shanwa''s intentions, he naturally wouldn''t stop him. Not only did he not stop him, but he also gave him additional support. Right now, he also had some capital, and perhaps later he could bring back some supplements to nourish Shanwa, speeding up his Qi-Blood cultivation progress. When the brothers grew up further, it would be a significant help to him. S~ea??h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. After all, they were relatives from the same household, and in this world, they were certainly more reliable than others. Realizing this, Shen Qing suddenly recognized a problem. What about Xiao Hu? It seemed they had forgotten to notify him when they moved house¡ªwhere did he rest last night? Shen Qing''s face twisted in perplexity. He quickly washed up and stepped out of the room. Watching Shen Qing leave, Uncle Shen Er glanced at Aunt Wang Family and said, "Wife, once the kids are asleep tonight and there''s no one else in the house, shall we chat?" Aunt Wang Family glared at Uncle Shen Er, "Look at you, dare to give it to me now if you''re so capable." Uncle Shen Er carefully glanced toward the stable then glared at Aunt Wang Family. "Moving to a new house, I didn''t expect you''d become so cultured," Aunt Wang Family said, grabbing Uncle Shen Er''s arm, "Come on, let''s go inside." Bang! Under the bright daylight, the door to the side room slammed shut. Passing through several familiar lanes, Shen Qing arrived at Linfeng Hall and strode in. As soon as he entered, he saw Shen Xiaohu standing in the Outer Court, in a horse stance, frowning, and occasionally looking into the distance, clearly anxious about something. Seeing the person was safe, Shen Qing silently heaved a sigh of relief. He quickened his pace, approached Shen Xiaohu, and asked softly, "Xiao Hu, what''s wrong? You look worried." Upon hearing Shen Qing''s voice, Shen Xiaohu swiftly turned around, a flicker of joy in his eyes. He quickly grabbed Shen Qing''s arm, his voice trembling and his tears nearly falling, "Brother Qing, you''re finally here! A big problem has arisen!" Shen Qing was infected by Shen Xiaohu''s anxious demeanor, and he too started feeling tense. He patted Shen Xiaohu''s hand gently, signaling him to calm down, "Don''t worry, take it slow, what exactly happened?" Shen Xiaohu took a deep breath, calmed his emotions, then said in a low voice, "Last night when I got home, I found that dad, mom, Shanwa, and Sister Fang were all missing! The house was empty! They must have been harmed by some criminals." A smile of amusement couldn''t help but form on Shen Qing''s face; he suddenly felt the kid was somewhat pitiful. "Brother, what''s up with you? Speak!" Shen Qing said, "I''m saying, Xiao Hu, you''re not getting any younger, can you not cry at the drop of a hat in the future?" Chapter 142: Chapter 66 Medicine, Nourish Wind Force Qi "What?" Shen Xiaohu was a bit stunned. Shen Qing decided not to tease him any longer and said, "It''s alright, your aunt and uncle are doing well. I moved them and forgot to tell you. I''ll take you there tonight." "Really?" "Why would I lie to you? Wipe your nose." "Oh!" Shen Xiaohu stopped his tears, suddenly feeling quite pathetic. His expression changed, "Damn, why do my eyes always get sand in them?" Shen Qing helplessly shook his head. Suddenly, he felt that Shanwa and the two had entirely different personalities, like two extremes. "Keep practicing. I''m going to see Uncle, the Hall Master." Shen Qing patted his shoulder and walked toward the inner courtyard. On the way, he encountered many disciples of the Outer Court, all of whom were extremely respectful toward him. ''Brother'' from the left, ''brother'' from the right, all faces smiling. It seemed that the news of him killing the Boss of Mi Gang had spread, making him quite renowned among many people. Shen Qing went straight to the backyard and happened to meet Dongxue, to whom he asked, "Is Master here?" Seeing it was Shen Qing, Dongxue dared not delay and hurriedly said, "Lord Shen, the master is in the study. He said if Lord Shen comes, to please seek him out." "Alright, I''ll go now." Maid Dongxue lifted her head to watch Shen Qing''s departing figure, feeling pity for Li Lingchan in her heart. "I heard that yesterday, when Miss Four heard that Lord Shen had obtained a martial title, her face swelled with regret. Ah... If only she hadn''t spoken so definitively that day, perhaps there would still be room to maneuver now. With Lord Shen in Qi Niang''s favor, the other branches probably can''t compete anymore." She shook her head, stopped thinking about it further, and left with her head held high and chest puffed out. In the backyard study, the door was tightly closed. Shen Qing knocked on the door. "Come in!" A robust voice came from inside the study. Shen Qing pushed open the door and walked in, seeing Li Linfeng sitting in a chair, smiling brightly at him. The sunlight streamed through the windows of Linfeng Hall, spreading across the smooth floor and casting mottled shadows on Shen Qing''s resolute face. This scene, in Li Linfeng''s eyes, made him inwardly commend, "What a fine piece of jade indeed, I never thought I''d encounter such a disciple in my lifetime." If it hadn''t been for Shen Qing''s intervention, Linfeng Hall would have nearly been destroyed by Mi Gang. Li Linfeng felt a sense of gratitude toward this disciple. Enjoy new adventures from m-v l''e|-NovelFire.net "Disciple Shen Qing, greets Master." Shen Qing bowed, his voice neither servile nor overbearing. Li Linfeng smiled slightly, emotionally saying, "Qingzi, the recent crisis in Linfeng Hall was nearly disastrous. Had you not acted timely, I fear my whole reputation would have been utterly destroyed, not to mention possibly bringing ruin upon our family and disciples." Shen Qing quickly waved his hands, "Master, you overstate it. I only did my duty, and besides, it was the unified effort of everyone in Linfeng Hall, not just my own doing." "You''re too modest." Li Linfeng nodded, admiringly watching Shen Qing, "The speed of your cultivation''s progress is truly rare in my lifetime. In just a few months, you''ve broken through to the Qi Cultivation Realm. Honestly, I''ve never seen someone as exceptionally talented as you." Shen Qing opened his mouth to speak, but Li Linfeng stopped him, "Let''s skip the modesty and pleasantries." Li Linfeng changed the subject and continued, "Since you''ve now broken through to the Qi Cultivation Realm, I presume you''re interested in the training method for the Qi Cultivation Realm, right?" "Exactly, I humbly ask for your guidance, Master." "Can you now feel the surges of Qi from time to time?" "Master, I can feel it somewhat. This Qi is like what Master mentioned before, originating from the bones, condensing in the flesh, and emanating from the skin, but the sensation still seems somewhat weak." Li Linfeng nodded and said, "This is what it''s like to just step into the Qi Cultivation Realm. Shen Qing, do you know the realms above the Qi Cultivation Realm?" Shen Qing had already gotten a general idea from Zhou Yu before. But seeing that Li Linfeng apparently still had guidance to offer, he chose to hide this and said, "Disciple does not know, and looks forward to Master''s teachings." Li Linfeng said earnestly, "Above the Qi Cultivation Realm, there is the Qi Hai Realm, and beyond that the Yu Luo Realm, Dan Realm, Innate Realm, among many other realms. Can you glean some clues from these names of the realms?" Shen Qing pondered for a moment and said, "It seems that starting from the Qi Cultivation Realm, the later realms rarely involve the refinement of the physical body." "Correct." Li Linfeng approved, "In fact, from the Great Perfection of Qi and Blood to the Qi Cultivation Realm, the higher-ups like to collectively refer to them as the Body Refining Realm." "Body Refining?" Li Linfeng nodded, "Indeed, the heavens and earth contain the Spiritual Energy of the Great Dao, which can be utilized by us humans and transformed into the learning of Martial Arts." "However, the human body is too frail, and if one wants to cultivate and utilize this kind of Spiritual Energy, one must have a physique far superior to ordinary people, a vessel that can bear this strength." "The more robust and larger this vessel, the more power it can hold, until one grasps the great forces of heaven and earth, achieving many things ordinary people cannot. With ultimate cultivation, burning mountains and boiling seas, and even physical sanctification and longevity are possible." "Burning mountains and boiling seas, longevity!" Shen Qing''s expression grew solemn. "The Qi Cultivation Realm, as the final realm of Body Refining, may not require much effort for many children of official families and famous clans, possibly polished almost from birth," Li Lin said, "But for us at the lower levels of martial artists, it is also crucial." "If you want to go further, and later have the opportunity to enter the court to study higher realms of Martial Arts, you must cultivate enough Qi. The key to Qi Cultivation lies in the ''cultivation''." Saying this, Li Linfeng took out an aged piece of paper from his sleeve and handed it to Shen Qing: "Medicine and Martial Arts are inseparable. This is the fundamental Medicine formula I''ve deduced over the years to cultivate Qi, consuming it daily will help you condense more Qi, enhancing your cultivation." S~ea??h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Thank you, Master, for your generous gift." Shen Qing took the paper, full of gratitude. "I will now teach you the guiding direction of the Wind riding Force, which you can learn as well," Li Linfeng''s voice was low and rhythmic. Having said that, he demonstrated the flow of the Force, slowly reciting the incantation: "The heart moves with the will, Qi moves with the heart, strength arises from the heart, power emanates from Qi. In guiding, like the wind passing through a bamboo forest leaving no trace; where the Force reaches, like breaking bamboo, unstoppable." Gradually, an invisible force seemed to be pushing the airflow around Li Linfeng; he suddenly pointed with both hands, and the airflow burst forth instantaneously, emitting a rustling sound. Seeing himself so depleted of energy, Li Linfeng felt somewhat disappointed and calmed his mind to say, "Have you remembered all that?" Shen Qing nodded, "I have remembered." Seeing this, a hint of relief flashed in Li Linfeng''s eyes, "That''s good. While you cultivate Qi, you should also refine the usage of this Power. When your body''s strength increases to the utmost, it will be the Great Perfection of Qi Cultivation Realm, and you can begin to open your Qi Sea." Shen Qing thought for a moment, then still asked, "How can I begin to open the Qi Sea?" "To open the Qi Sea! Either accept the official supports from the Great Zhou Court and obtain the Wish Power Pearls distributed by the court, using Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures to make a breakthrough; or accept the inheritance of certain holy places... As for the other shortcuts and underhanded methods, having immense wealth can also do the trick." Shen Qing frowned; none of the options seemed feasible for someone from the lower levels of martial artists. Li Linfeng, as if knowing Shen Qing''s thoughts, said, "Now that you have a martial title, you need not panic. In the future, you can join the court to serve the Zhou Dynasty, which is the best way to break through to the Qi Hai Realm." "Disciple understands." "You may go now. If you don''t understand anything, come and ask me at any time." "Yes." Shen Qing bowed again and left the study. He looked up at the azure sky, muttering to himself, "It seems with a martial title, I''ll have to find a way to secure an official position in the future." Chapter 143: Chapter 67: Rising Reputation, Taiping Escort Agency Sends Invitation After exiting the study, Shen Qing''s gaze drifted across the familiar corridor and finally settled on the half-open wooden door. He strolled over, pushed it open, and walked in. This was the small courtyard where he and his senior brothers, such as Ouyang Tiezhu, practiced and exchanged their martial skills. sea??h th§× n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Usually at this time, the senior brothers would have already gathered, starting to hone their martial skills with each other in the room, but today the courtyard was unusually quiet. After the incident involving the Mi Gang, his second senior brother, Niu Daping, third senior brother, Dong Zizhuang, and fourth senior brother, Wushili, all met with misfortune; some died, and others were crippled. The vibrant scenes of yelling during martial arts practice, the clear sounds of weapons clashing, and the lively banter could no longer be recreated in the courtyard. Shen Qing stepped into the center of the courtyard, took a deep breath, and slowly assumed a stance as he closed his eyes. Thanks to his "Never Forget" ability, the moves that Li Linfeng had just taught him, along with each key point, continually surfaced in his mind. Whoosh¡­ Shen Qing''s Qi surged throughout his body, his marrow condensed into flesh, and burst out along his fingers through his skin. Accompanied by a whistling sound, this force erupted from his body and struck the floor tiles, causing a cracking sound as several fine cracks appeared on the surface. "In the past, when my Qi erupted from my body and hit the walls, it would instantly dissipate; now I am able to crack the floor tiles, which is a significant improvement, stronger than before. But this level is still far from enough," he thought. Shen Qing vividly remembered that Li Linfeng''s Wind Defying Finger could now create a hole in the floor tiles using Qi. He was nowhere near to achieving that. And forget about those martial artists whose bodies were as impregnable as metal fortresses; with just that level of power, wanting to injure them was simply impossible. To some extent, the Wind Riding Force concentrated in the flesh could harm some experts, while the Wind Riding Force that erupted from the body could at most injure ordinary people. "This still isn''t enough," Shen Qing mused. Stay tuned to m-v l|-NovelFire.net With his head bowed in contemplation, he subconsciously accessed the Water Ink Panel, and information about the progress of the Wind Defying Finger technique appeared before him. [Skill: Wind Defying Finger (Great Perfection)] [Progress: 16/500 points] [Status: Cannot be improved] [Note: "Blue is made out of indigo but is more vivid than it." Through continuous and uninterrupted practice, you have cultivated this martial arts technique to a state of Perfect Realm. Continue practicing, and mastering the Wind Riding Force may Break Limit of this martial arts technique.] "According to the notes on the Water Ink Panel, the martial art of the Wind Defying Finger can still be perfected; it can Break Limit. Since advancing to the Qi Hai Realm doesn''t seem likely right now, I might as well dedicate all my energy to the cultivation of martial arts, and achieve Perfect Realm while cultivating my Qi," Shen Qing planned. Surveying his surroundings, Shen Qing looked at the desolate courtyard: "In this chaotic world where life is as cheap as grass, having a bit more strength offers a bit more peace of mind." Determined, he made a decision in his heart and immediately resumed his focused cultivation, striving to master the methods of using his strength that Li Linfeng had taught him. Engrossed in his practice, Shen Qing barely noticed as the afternoon arrived. Seeing that the time was right, he went to the herbal pharmacy of Linfeng Hall, planning to gather some medicinal herbs. In a servant''s room of the Outer Court, A Fu was busy at work. Seeing Shen Qing coming in, he hurriedly greeted him with respect, "Lord Shen, you''ve come. Are you here for some herbs?" As the steward of Linfeng Hall, A Fu had willingly lowered his status after Shen Qing acquired his martial title and dared not address Shen Qing as a fellow disciple anymore. Shen Qing did not insist on any formalities and nodded, "Yes, I need to gather some." A Fu respectfully said, "The master has ordered that you, Lord Shen, can take any medicine from this room at will, without the need for silver." To Shen Qing, Li Linfeng seemed like a person who knew how to handle affairs, so such an arrangement was within his expectations. He smiled and said, "Then I won''t be polite and will help myself." "Lord Shen, please take your time. I''ll go attend to other matters," A Fu said, well aware that some prescriptions were top secret and not meant for others to know. With understanding, he left the servant''s room, leaving Shen Qing alone. After he had left, Shen Qing took out the foundation prescription that Li Linfeng had given him, and according to the list, he gathered several sets of medicine. He also gathered some Shiquan Dabu Decoction to take back for strengthening the bodies of the children like Shanwa and Xiao Hu. Having handled these miscellaneous matters, Shen Qing, along with the already restless Shen Xiaohu, returned to the quadrangle. Shen Xiaohu, realizing that everyone in the family had moved to the mansion except for him, suddenly felt a bit gloomy. Shen Qing walked behind Shen Xiaohu and patted the back of his head, "What, you''re not happy to have your own room? Stop dilly-dallying like a woman and go inside." Saying this, Shen Qing pushed open the door and walked in. Shen Xiaohu followed behind in a daze. "Qingzi, you''re finally back." As soon as he entered, his uncle Shen Er came forward and said eagerly. "Uncle, what''s this all about?" Uncle Shen Er pulled Shen Qing over to the stone table and pointed to a stack of invitation cards and a wooden box, "Many people came looking for you after you left this morning, wanting to give you these... these... right, right, right, invitation cards, insisting on leaving them here. Each family who came brought some cash gifts, saying they wanted to congratulate you on moving to the Inner City. I didn''t understand all of it, so I just left them here for you to check out." "Invitation cards?" Shen Qing guessed that these people from the city must have heard about his demon-slaying and the skirmish with the Mi Gang, which is why they came to visit. Shen Qing put the medicine he carried on the table and opened one of the invitation cards to read closely. "Shen Shou Sect..." He skimmed through it and got the general idea: the Shen Shou Sect wanted to treat him at Wanfeng Building and promised him a hefty reward if he joined their sect. Shen Qing put down this invitation card and picked up another one. "Feiying Hall." "Kuai Dao Gang." "Hong men." "..." One by one, Shen Qing quickly went through the invitation cards; the content within was more or less the same, all essentially trying to court him to their side. "Hmm? Taiping Escort Agency." Among the many invitation cards, Shen Qing noticed a familiar name. He had some recollection of this Taiping Escort Agency. Before Linfeng Hall fell into trouble, his senior brother Ouyang Tiezhu had tried to find him a match for marriage, and to oblige, he had chosen a young lady from the Taiping Escort Agency. If he remembered correctly, the young lady''s name should be Tang Wanrou. Shen Qing looked down at the signature ¡ª Tang You. The Chief of the Taiping Escort Agency. It was definitely their family. Shen Qing opened the invitation card and looked at it; the content was similar to that of other sects and clans, inviting him to serve as an escort master with a promise of ten gold coins for a single trip. Right now, such an amount of money could not entice him anymore. Shen Qing shook his head, put aside the invitation card, and casually opened the wooden box. Inside, five or six dozen silver ingots lay neatly arranged. Shen Qing pushed the silver to his uncle Shen Er, saying, "Uncle, Shanwa said the horse feed at home isn''t good. Take him to the market to buy some." Seeing the box pushed over, Uncle Shen Er''s expression froze, and his breathing gradually became rapid. It was tens of taels of silver. In his old village, it would have taken three to five years of hard work to amass such a sum, but Shen Qing gave it to him without even blinking. "Qingzi, this is too valuable... I... I..." Shen Qing smiled and said, "Uncle, you didn''t skimp on helping us siblings when we were in difficulty; it''s time I repaid you. You can take this money without worry; if it''s not enough, just tell me. If you feel bad about it later, call over Zhang Shu Chi and let him do the accounts for me, how''s that?" After a long moment, Uncle Shen Er''s old eyes shrank into two slits, and he began to smile, as if content, nodding fervently, "All right!" Chapter 144: Chapter 68: The Chaos Begins, Rapidly Rising Strength Taiping Escort Agency. Tang Wanrou''s fists and feet ceaselessly struck at the wooden post before her, leaning into it as if it were a vessel adrift on a storm-tossed sea, until finally with a muffled thud, it collapsed thunderously. "Miss, have some lotus seed and white fungus soup to cool your temper," said a maid as she brought over a bowl of crystal-clear lotus seed soup. Tang Wanrou stopped her punches and kicks, staring seriously at the wooden post now lying on the ground, panting. Her face was flushed with exertion, and beads of sweat glistened on her skin. If one looked closely, they would see a deep worry and a sense of helplessness burning in her eyes. Since the demon tiger was killed last month, she had hoped that business at the escort agency would improve and Taiping Escort Agency would bounce back. But unexpectedly, while business did pick up, the situation outside worsened considerably. Add to that, the number of capable martial masters in Taiping County had greatly diminished due to the demon tiger incident, resulting in a mix of escort masters of varying abilities. The Taiping Escort Agency had lost several escorts in quick succession and had suffered heavy losses. This added to the agency''s already struggling business, making an already bad situation worse. If things continued this way, they might not be able to keep doing business and would have to close their doors for good. Facing such a predicament, the always strong-willed Tang Wanrou simply could not find a solution, which made her increasingly frustrated and suffocated by her situation. S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. After catching her breath, Tang Wanrou said, "Ping''er, what do you think we should do to change the current situation of our escort agency?" The maid Ping''er consoled her, saying, "Miss, there will always be a way. Aren''t the lord and the others actively seeking solutions outside? Maybe our fortunes will turn any day now." Actively seeking solutions? Tang Wanrou no longer held much hope for her father. If he were ten years younger, full of vigor and able to fight, maybe others would have shown him some respect. Now, many gangs and sects are struggling to survive, and with her father''s Qi-Blood declining, no longer as strong as before, who would lend a helping hand? Given the shaky state of the Taiping Escort Agency, not being kicked while down would be considered fortunate enough. Stay connected via m-v l|e''-NovelFire.net As if thinking of something, Tang Wanrou asked, "The greeting cards I asked you to deliver to Shen Qing, Master Shen, last month, have they been sent?" "They''ve been delivered. I went with Brother Yuan," the maid Ping''er confidently replied. "There''s been no news until now; I suppose they must not be interested," Tang Wanrou said with a sense of loss. Seeing Tang Wanrou like this, Ping''er placed the lotus seed and white fungus soup on the nearby table and hurriedly consoled her, "That''s not necessarily the case. Miss, think about it, Master Shen showed his interest when he sent someone to propose marriage. As long as you, miss, lower your pride a bit, Master Shen will surely still want to marry you." "Not receiving a reply now might mean our greeting card got buried under too many others, perhaps he didn''t see it. Let''s write another one and send it later. Maybe he will see it then." "This Master Shen, having slain the tiger demon and secured a place on the martial arts register, has connections with the Wang and Li families, even with the Lord County Magistrate himself. With such strength, if he is willing to help, all the problems of our escort agency could easily be resolved." Tang Wanrou let out a bitter laugh and shook her head, "It''s not that simple. I never imagined that a man of such humble origins could one day achieve such accomplishments. If it were a couple of months later, I would have agreed no matter what. But now... it seems we''re not fated." "Why''s that?" Ping''er pressed. After a moment of silence, Tang Wanrou sat down and began, "You don''t know how strong Master Shen really is. I''ve inquired about it long ago. He achieved the Qi Cultivation Realm within four months of practicing martial arts, surpassing me significantly in strength." "What''s terrifying is that not only did he kill the tiger demon, but he also took down the Boss of Mi Gang with almost no effort. Even many martial masters in the Qi Cultivation Realm couldn''t achieve this feat." "Such a man has clearly risen to great heights; what sort of woman can''t he have? Why would he be interested in me? Now he associates with several influential bosses¡ªwhat are we in his eyes compared to them?" "Not to mention that at the time, I was thinking of having him marry into our family, which seemed a bit presumptuous. If I were him, I wouldn''t even spare a glance." A trace of regret crossed Tang Wanrou''s face, "To be honest, I have some regrets. If only I had let go of my pride a bit back then." "Miss..." The maid Ping''er suddenly found herself at a loss for words of comfort. "Enough, let bygones be bygones; there''s no use dwelling on the past. Right now, we should focus on the escort agency." Tang Wanrou''s gaze involuntarily drifted towards the gateway of the courtyard, a look of determination in her eyes. "Miss, Miss!" Just then, an escort master dressed in grey rushed in, shouting excitedly. "Good news!" "What good news?" "We''ve landed a big deal," the escort master said with buzzing enthusiasm. "The boss has taken a job of escorting a shipment from the Inner City to the outskirts. There are twenty or thirty rounds in total." "Ah? Are you serious?" Tang Wanrou stood up and asked. "Would I lie to you? The boss has already made arrangements with the client." "That''s great!" Tang Wanrou said joyfully. "We''re familiar with the outskirts of Taiping County. There shouldn''t be any trouble. With this deal, we can finally take a breather." "Yes, indeed." The young escort master suddenly recalled something and said, "Oh right, something big happened in our city today." "What happened?" "Boss of the Song family is dead!" ... "The boss of the Song family is dead?" Shen Qing, who was practicing his martial arts, was quite surprised. "How did he die?" Ouyang Tiezhu said, "How would we know? Some say he died of illness, others say he was poisoned, and some say he was assassinated. Overall, his death is quite mysterious." Shen Qing fell silent. For some reason, over the past month, Taiping County seemed to have become increasingly unsettled. Previously, the county government and the various bosses in the Inner City were more or less able to maintain the status quo. But now, ever since the tiger demon incident, the relationships among the big bosses seemed to have subtly changed, competing silently, and the order within the Inner City had become somewhat unstable. All sorts of bullies and contemptible characters in the city began making moves, and many gangs grew bolder. With the death of the weakest Boss Song, his businesses and industries would be of great interest to the other bosses and the government office, resulting in an inevitable scramble for them. The days in Taiping County were getting tougher. Shen Qing put his thoughts aside and said, "This matter has nothing to do with us. Let''s focus on our training. Brother, do you want to spar for a couple of rounds? I''ll take it easy on you." Ouyang Tiezhu''s expression stiffened, showing a hint of fear. "I just remembered I have something to take care of. You go on without me." With that, he left as if fleeing. Shen Qing felt a bit helpless. With his improvement in cultivation, there seemed to be fewer and fewer people who could beat him. His gaze shifted, and the Water Ink Panel appeared in his line of sight. [Skill: Wind Defying Finger (Great Perfection)] [Progress: 490/500 points] ... [Skill: Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill (Small Success/Fourth Transformation)] [Skill: Blood Dominance Technique (Small Success)] [Skill: Bow Technique (Great Perfection)] [Skill: Dragon Roar Armor (Small Success)] ... "Wind Defying Finger is almost there, better keep up with the training in hopes of mastering this martial arts technique to the peak in the next few days," he thought. Shen Qing felt the vigorous Qi coursing through him, and with one finger, he struck, causing the air to explode. His strength was growing rapidly. Chapter 145: Chapter 69: Flicking Finger, Terrifying Qi ``` In the blink of an eye, another three days had passed. In the small courtyard, Shen Qing wore a black short jacket. In front of him, on the stone stove, a three-legged alchemy pot bubbled and steamed, the amber liquid inside rolling and emitting a strange medicinal fragrance. Up close, one could see a crimson demon core floating and sinking in the liquid, giving off a faint reddish glow, as if divine radiances were flowing from it and blending into the potion. As time went on, the liquid in the pot began to undergo a marvelous change, turning clearer, and the medicinal fragrance grew even more intense. "It''s about time." S§×ar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Shen Qing reached out to wipe the surface of the alchemy pot, using his Qi to draw the demon core into his hand. Although the demon core had become scalding hot, he felt no strangeness in his hand. After continuous refinement, the membrane that covered his muscles became even more translucent. Whenever he circulated his Qi-Blood, this layer would become clearly visible, as if he donned a layer of crystal armor, insulating him from the heat. Holding the significantly smaller demon core in his hand, Shen Qing muttered to himself, "According to what Du Yuntong and others said, this demon core can be compared to spiritual elixir and, when boiled with other medicine formulas and consumed together, is very helpful in cultivating the Qi Sea. Over the past month, with daily consumption and the fundamental medicine prescribed by my uncle, the Hall Master, the enhancement of my inner Qi has been indeed significant." "My inner Qi seems to have an endless source; truly a priceless treasure." Shen Qing found a clean porcelain bowl and poured the finished potion into it. After waiting for the potion to cool down, he tilted back his head and swallowed it. Instantly, a warm current slid down his throat and rapidly spread throughout his body. The potent medicinal strength surged into his limbs and bones like a torrent, as if countless flames were burning and bursting inside him. Shen Qing''s skin immediately turned an extreme shade of red as his Qi-Blood surged. A moment later, the explosive heat subsided, transforming into a mountain spring''s coolness, bringing an indescribable comfort. The flush on his skin quickly faded, returning to normal. Shen Qing gently closed his eyes, feeling the medicine nourish his meridians and muscles. As the medicine spread and was absorbed, Shen Qing felt his Qi growing continuously stronger. The originally slow-moving streams of Qi inside him seemed to be infused with new vitality, becoming turbulent and surging. They ran through his meridians like rivers, bringing an unprecedented sense of exhilaration. His Qi inadvertently grew stronger. Shen Qing slowly opened his eyes and looked at the Water Ink Panel in his line of sight, his lips curving into a slight smile. [Skill: Wind Defying Finger (Great Perfection)] [Progress: 510/500 points] [Status: Upgradeable] "Good, the progress is sufficient." "Come, Water Ink Panel, show me the extent of Wind Defying Finger after the Break Limit." "Upgrade!" The status of Wind Defying Finger on the Water Ink Panel refreshed rapidly, changing from the state of Great Perfection to [Break Limit]. [Skill: Wind Defying Finger (Break Limit)] [Progress: 10/600 points] [Status: Not upgradeable] [Note: With your relentless daily practice, you''ve eclipsed the master, grasping the Limit Breaking Technique ''Flicking Finger''. Within ten meters, your power can penetrate metal and split stone, turning all to dust.] "Flicking Finger, turning all to dust? What a plain name..." ``` Before Shen Qing could recover from his daze, a torrent of memories surged in like a mighty river, causing him to involuntarily clutch his head and groan in pain. Within this burst of memory, he trained day and night in the Wind Defying Finger, tirelessly honing the Martial Arts skill. Finally, during an accident, he broke through his own limits and successfully contained the outward emission of power, achieving an ideal state and obtaining a Limit breaking Technique named ''Flicking Finger.'' Discover more content at m,v l''e-NovelFire.net This Limit breaking Technique could gather and emit power, which would then explode upon reaching the target, causing unexpected destructive effects, far exceeding the original Wind Defying Finger''s capability by at least fifty to sixty percent. After the time it took for a stick of incense to burn, the strangeness in his mind gradually faded, as did the pain. Shen Qing lifted his arm and found that the muscles on his arm had become even harder, and the two fingers on his right hand had become more nimble. With a slight operation of strength, waves of familiarity washed over him as if he had truly practiced this Martial Arts thousands of times. Shen Qing turned his head and gradually settled his gaze on an old locust tree in the courtyard. The distance to the old locust tree was just about ten meters. "There''s no one in the courtyard; I can try out this so-called Break Limit Technique." Shen Qing raised his hand and performed the Flicking Finger. An invisible and fierce Qi shot out from the tips of his fingers, slicing through the air and whistling as it hit the trunk of the old locust tree. With a ''pfft'' sound. The large tree, fifty to sixty centimeters in diameter, was directly pierced through, leaving a hole the size of two fingers. "Hmm?" A hint of joy appeared in Shen Qing''s eyes. "All of Li Linfeng''s Wind Defying Finger strength is scattered in different directions, so the point of contact always results in a shattered state with limited range. By concentrating the force and refining it to a single point, my technique is strong in both distance and penetration." "If that''s the case, what would happen if I combined it with the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill?" Shen Qing''s gaze once again fell on the old locust tree in front of him, his mind stirring. He mobilized all his strength and then layered it with the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill. "First Transformation, Second Transformation, Third Transformation... Fourth Transformation!" Shen Qing pushed the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill to its limit in one breath. His arm muscles were taut, and his veins stood out as he gathered all his strength between his two fingers. Around his body began to swirl powerful currents of air, enveloping and rotating around him. "Huh¡ª" With a fierce cry, the strength between his two fingers shot out. A powerful blast, with red glimmers mixed in the invisible force, left a long trajectory through the air, roaring as it shot forth. Wherever it passed, the air itself was shredded apart, emitting piercing howling sounds. Boom! A muffled bang. The force struck the locust tree in an instant, a blinding flash burst from the trunk, followed by deafening explosion. This old locust tree, that had withstood the test of time and weather, was shot through and snapped in half by this powerful force. The trunk split down the middle, breaking into two pieces that collapsed with a thunderous crash, shattered wood and broken branches scattering all around The severed surface was charred, emitting wisps of blue smoke. Shen Qing stood still, looking down at his fingers, his face showing a trace of emotion. Such fearsome strength. This time it was truly so; within ten meters, reduced to ash in the flick of a finger. None below the Qi Cultivation Realm, I''m afraid no martial master''s flesh and blood could withstand this terrifying finger of mine. Chapter 147: Chapter 71: The Taiping Escort Agency Meets Its Demise, Huang Tian Sect Emerges The sound of arrows cutting through the air was sharp and grating, and countless birds in the forest were startled, fluttering away in chaos. Faced with the sudden calamity, the people from Taiping Escort Agency were terrified, trying to scatter and flee, but the sheer number of arrows and their swiftness left them nowhere to escape. The escort masters who had come with them were mostly below the Skin Forging Realm, their flesh and skin still fragile, only slightly stronger than ordinary people, and were completely unable to defend against the heavy crossbow arrows. Thud, thud... The dull sounds of arrowheads penetrating flesh kept occurring. The heavy arrows, endowed with extreme speed and intense momentum, mercilessly pierced through the escort masters'' flesh. Screams of agony rose and fell in succession. The escort masters fell to the ground like wheat, more than half of them killed or wounded in the blink of an eye, A thick scent of blood spread out towards the surroundings. Tang You''s entire body shook, swatting away the arrows; he turned back to see this scene, his eyes splitting with rage. These were their professional escort masters, the backbone of their escort agency. Far more valuable than those temporary martial masters they had hired. If they all died, their escort agency would effectively cease to exist. "You dare!" Tang You bellowed furiously, his eyes ablaze. The burly man stood outside the range of the arrows, quietly observing everything. Just one volley of arrow fire had left barely one in ten of these ordinary escort masters standing, an outcome that brought a slight pleasure to his face. "Worthy of the heavy crossbow from the emperor''s arsenal, the power is even stronger than I had anticipated." The burly man looked up at the few people like Tang You and Tang Wanrou who were still alive, thinking gleefully. This time he had the Taiping Escort Agency transport these military contraband goods because they were on the brink of life and death, easy to manipulate. He could use their service as a cover to secretly achieve his own goals, avoiding the city''s watchdogs. Beyond that, he could also use these young escorts to test their weapons and methods. A multitude of gains in one move. As for the payment? S§×ar?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Dead men did not need payment. The burly man glared at Tang You and his group, a vicious look flashing across his face: "Since these people have seen our tracks, they definitely can''t be left alive. They must all be killed, otherwise, the leaked news would also be troublesome." "Only that your luck is poor." Tang You, who had spent years roaming around as an escort, quickly regained his composure and glanced at the two escort masters beside him. These two were also veteran escort masters of the Taiping Escort Agency, with many years of experience wandering the martial world, and their cultivation had reached the Skin Forging Realm, giving them some ability to protect themselves against the rain of arrows. "Old Huang, Old Gao, wait for my command later. The three of us will rush him together, try to take out this man first, and after he''s down, we''ll scatter and run." "Okay." "Wanrou, when we make our move, don''t look back. Find an opportunity to run immediately, go back to the county and report this to the Lord County Magistrate, let him decide. This matter has already gone beyond what we can handle." Tang Wanrou''s expression was solemn, knowing the urgency of the situation, and immediately agreed. Outside Zhangzi Forest, a breeze passed through the treetops, rustling the leaves. Just as the people from the Taiping Escort Agency were discussing their strategy, the burly man''s figure suddenly dashed forward, fast as a cheetah pouncing on its prey, his speed leaving no chance for reaction. Bang! A muffled impact accompanied by the sound of breaking bones resounded. Soon after, bright red blood sprayed like a fountain from the neck of an old escort master beside Tang You, staining the surrounding grass red. The body of the escort master was heavily slammed into the ground by the burly man, his skull shattered, blood and brain matter mixing together, spilling all over. The scene unfolded so swiftly that Tang You and those beside him could barely react. He stood in place, dumbfounded, hastily turning his head as his eyes fixed intently on the burly man, his heart pounding wildly like a drum, a chill rising from his spine to the top of his head. Tang You and another seasoned escort master couldn''t believe they were so easily defeated. The opponent was a martial master from the Qi Cultivation Realm! "Who exactly are you?" Tang You, overwhelmed by the burly man''s presence, tried to stabilize his emotions, but his voice still trembled almost imperceptibly. "The dead needn''t know too much." The burly man glanced at Tang You and the others with a hint of contempt on his face. "Big brother, you guys go. I''ll hold him off." As soon as he finished speaking, the escort master beside Tang You dashed out like lightning, his fist whistling through the air directly at the burly man''s face. The burly man had already noticed this, his eyes slightly narrowing, his whole body''s muscles tensing like steel, resembling two mountains merging into the center. "Bang!" When fist met palm, a deafening roar erupted. Formless Qi spread around, making the surrounding leaves tremble. The escort master from Taiping Escort Agency felt as if he had been struck by lightning in this hit, sensing an exceptionally fierce Power penetrate his arm, causing his meridians to shatter. His entire body swayed slightly, his complexion instantly flushing red, and a mouthful of fresh blood spurted out. "Old Gao!" A flash of horror crossed Tang You''s eyes, and he suddenly turned around to slap Taiping Wanrou''s shoulder, "Run!" Tang Wanrou also reacted and leaped up, aided by the palm strike, and quickly vanished into the forest. Seeing this, the burly man shouted angrily, "You''re seeking death!" Before he could make a move, Tang You had already moved first and aimed straight for the burly man''s vital points. However, the burly man was not at all disordered, a hint of disdain flashing through his eyes, and with a slight sweep of his hand in the air, he accurately grabbed Tang You''s arm. "Ah!" Tang You''s muscles bulged as he tried to break free from the grasp, but the burly man''s strength was as immovable as a mountain, preventing him from budging even slightly. The burly man looked down indifferently at Tang You and quickly reached out another hand to grab another escort master''s ankle and ferociously pulled, suddenly swinging him down toward the ground. "Die!" Boom! The ground shook. Sounds of bones cracking like ice rang out through the forest. "Cough, cough!" Tang You bled from all orifices, his vision covered in red, his consciousness blurred. "Why... why..." he murmured, filled with reluctance. He couldn''t understand why, just by honestly delivering items, he had met such a fate. "Because you are weak!" The burly man stood over Tang You, looking down on him, a foot pressed against his chest: "In the world ruled by the dog emperor of Zhou Country, it''s survival of the fittest." "Go to hell... damn... world!" Tang You issued a desperate roar. As the burly man increased the pressure of his foot, the sound abruptly cut off, vanishing completely. Just after the burly man killed Tang You and the others, over a hundred well-equipped men rushed out of the forest, gathering around the burly man. Each with a Yellow Cloth tied around their arms, expressionless. Find adventures on m_v l|-NovelFire.net "Yellow Angel, what shall we do next?" "A rat managed to escape. I''ll chase him. You all continue with the Commander''s plans." "Yes." After dropping these words, the burly man directly chased into the forest. Chapter 148: Chapter 72: Encounter, A Fatal Blow! The trees in Zhangzi Forest were densely packed, and now at the cusp of spring and summer, they were even more lush and thriving. The sunlight from above could not pierce through to the ground, casting the forest in a dim and gloomy light. Within the forest, a nimble figure moved like a female leopard, constantly weaving through the woods. This person was none other than Tang Wanrou, who had just managed to escape death. Currently, her face was flush with panic, her heart weighed down by a heavy stone, still unadapted and unresponsive to the sudden disaster that had befallen her. "Damn it... This goddamn... world!" The voice of Tang You from outside the forest reached her ears and then abruptly stopped, causing her heart to skip a beat. Tang Wanrou looked back, realized something, and tears involuntarily spilled from the corners of her eyes. She hurriedly picked up her pace, daring not to stop for even a moment. Those people were too ruthless; they attacked without giving the chance for an explanation, killing as casually as one might crush an ant. If she were caught, her death would be certain. Tang Wanrou clenched her teeth and ran with all her strength, kicking up the soil and fallen leaves with her strides. At this moment, a single thought dominated her mind¡ªescape! Smuggling military supplies was a grave crime, and if only she could get out and return to the county town to report this incident to the government office, the government would surely seek justice for the escort agency. ... On a small path outside the forest, a black horse galloped past like lightning. Find more chapters on m_v l|e-NovelFire.net The horse''s hooves struck the solid road, emitting a rhythmic "clip-clop" sound. Shen Qing sat astride the horse, his posture erect, the wind whistling past his cheeks and blowing his long hair to flutter in the breeze, the mountain scenery on both sides retreating rapidly from his view. "It sounds like arrows," he murmured, slightly furrowing his brow. Being an archer, he was very familiar with the sound. "And there seem to be a lot of arrows, at least a hundred," he mused. Shen Qing looked in one direction, his gaze reaching nothing but a vast expanse of forest. "Could it be bandits?" he wondered, shaking his head. He had traveled this mountain path countless times and never found signs of bandits. While he pondered, many screams followed, especially toward the end; even without trying to listen, they were audible, albeit faintly and vaguely. Something stirred in Shen Qing''s mind, and he immediately reined in his horse. The horse neighed loudly, rearing up on its front legs before coming to a steady halt on the path. The horse, Zhuifeng, was visibly discontent at the abrupt interruption to its enjoyable run, snorting loudly. Shen Qing gently stroked the horse''s neck, signaling it to calm down. A moment later, he gazed intently ahead, slightly tilting his head to listen more carefully, attempting to pinpoint the source of the sounds. Unfortunately, the pitiful screams did not occur again. A strong curiosity welled up inside Shen Qing. After taking a deep breath to steady himself, he concentrated. "Eagle Eye!" As soon as this thought manifested, images from the surrounding forest began to appear in Shen Qing''s mind. Gradually, these fragmented images came together to form an aerial view, as if he were an eagle overlooking the ground from the sky. Shen Qing could clearly see that at the other end of the mountain, near the official road outside of Zhangzi Forest, numerous bodies lay haphazardly, their blood almost staining the ground red. But that was not the most important thing. The most crucial was the many people standing outside the forest, their arms tied with yellow cloth bands. Shen Qing''s eyes suddenly widened in disbelief, "People from the Huang Tian Sect! How could they be here?" Having previously inquired about the Huang Tian Sect, Shen Qing''s awareness of them was not insignificant. The Huang Tian Sect had ordinary disciples and those specialized for combat. The group Shen Qing had just seen, all wearing yellow bands on their arms, meant they were the Saints of the Huang Tian Sect. It had been these Saints who were responsible for the conquests of the Huang Tian Sect in various places. The recent commotion must have been caused by these disciples. This was not a place to linger. Currently alone in the wilderness, Shen Qing did not know how many of them there were. If they decided he had interfered with their affairs, it could lead to trouble. Shen Qing had only intended to take his horse out for a ride, not looking for any trouble. Taking a deep breath and gently stroking the horse''s mane to calm its nervousness, he then lightly turned the horse''s head towards the direction of the city to return. "Let''s go!" Zhuifeng seemed to sense Shen Qing''s intention, shaking its head with a hint of dissatisfaction. But seeing Shen Qing''s persistent urging, it shook off the dust from its body and, with a nimble gait, turned towards the city gate and galloped back. However, Shen Qing hadn''t gone far when he suddenly looked towards the forest to one side, as if sensing something. He saw a figure weaving through the woods, continually dodging the branches and vines. As the figure drew closer, Shen Qing could see more clearly¡ªit was a woman who was running. Tang Wanrou seemed to have sensed something in the forest and looked ahead, unable to contain her excitement. Someone, a horse! As long as the other party was willing to take her along, she would certainly escape the danger. With this thought, she nearly exhausted all her strength to speed up and rush out of the woods, panting heavily as she blocked the way, "Noble sir, wait a moment!" The narrow forest trail, now obstructed by Tang Wanrou''s interception, left practically no path but to enter the woods. Shen Qing hurriedly reined in his horse and called out, "What are you doing? Are you not afraid of death?" Tang Wanrou didn''t have time to explain and quickly said, "Noble sir, I am Tang Wanrou from the Taiping Escort Agency. I have urgent matters to report to the Lord County Magistrate in the county town, it''s extremely critical. I beg for your assistance to take me along, there will be a generous reward." The Taiping Escort Agency, Tang Wanrou?! Seated on horseback, Shen Qing was surprised as he scrutinized her. He found that aside from looking a bit disheveled, she was virtually identical to the portrait Ouyang Tiezhu had shown him. It really was her. A notable person indeed. Tang Wanrou was frantic, about to speak. At that moment, she suddenly felt a fierce killing intent emanating from the woods. She sharply raised her head to look and saw a burly man standing not far away, staring coldly at her. "I didn''t expect you, you little mouse, to be quite good at running." Tang Wanrou''s heart sank in an instant; she hadn''t anticipated her pursuer to catch up so quickly. Steeled, she blocked Shen Qing''s way and said, "Leave this to me. You hurry and tell the Lord County Magistrate that someone is smuggling military weapons outside the city, tell him to send people to search quickly." Tang Wanrou knew her chances of survival were slim today; the man before her was of the Qi Cultivation Realm and she was certainly no match for him. She only hoped she could delay slightly so the message could be sent back. Perhaps this way, she might also avenge her brothers in the escort agency. "Hahaha... Your father and the others were no match for me, do you think you can stop me?" the burly man laughed as he stepped out from the forest. "Rest assured, none of you will escape today." The burly man turned to Shen Qing and sighed, "Looking at your clothes, you must be the young master of some wealthy family. What a shame, your luck isn''t good. You happen to pass by at this time, and for the sake of secrecy, I can only let you die." Sear?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Shen Qing, seated high on his horse, looked down at the burly man and sensed the robust aura emanating from him, powerful Qi circulating continuously, almost spilling out. He did not want any complications and said, "I can assure you I won''t tell anyone, I don''t know anything. Can you let me go?" "What do you think?" The burly man''s body tensed like a bow, his muscular contours clearly defined in the sunlight, resembling a sculpture about to burst into action. "Die!" No sooner had the words left his mouth than the ground beneath the burly man''s feet burst with the surging power within him, turning into fine waves of dirt that dispersed in all directions. He shot forth like an arrow released from a bowstring, with a faint whistling of wind indicative of the air currents carried by his rapid movement. A mere ten meters separated the two, a distance the burly man could cover in a few breaths. Tang Wanrou urgently shouted, "Run, he is a martial master in the Qi Cultivation Realm, if he touches you you''ll be dead for sure!" A martial master in the Qi Cultivation Realm?! That''s damn dangerous. Shen Qing''s expression turned grave as he almost subconsciously pushed his Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill to its limit, the Power within his body circulating crazily fast, concentrating at the tips of his fingers. Whoosh! A piercing sound erupted from between Shen Qing''s fingers, carrying a scorching Qi like lightning as it darted towards the burly man, striking his fist before he could complete his own attack. "Bang!" A loud noise resounded. The burly man''s fist turned to dust under the impact, and his arm disintegrated under the rampage of that power, scattering in all directions. "What?!" A piercing scream burst from the burly man''s throat: "My hand, my arm! Ah..." He staggered and fell to the ground, fearful eyes locking onto Shen Qing. By then, he had realized that the "rich young master" before him was a monster far stronger than himself. Tang Wanrou stood by, mouth agape in shock, her gaze towards Shen Qing completely transformed. Shen Qing silently withdrew his fingers and said with resignation, "Don''t blame me for this, you forced my hand." The burly man''s scalp tingled as he desperately scuttled backward, retreating in haste. But no sooner had he risen to his feet than a blazing wave of Qi was already hurtling towards him. Bang! His head exploded like a watermelon shot by a bullet, unequivocally dead. "Alright, he''s dead now, and you''re safe," Shen Qing said to Tang Wanrou from his horse. Regaining her senses, Tang Wanrou looked at Shen Qing, cupped her fists in gratitude, and said in a daze, "I do not know your esteemed name, sir, but I shall certainly repay the debt of saving my life." "You don''t know me?" Shen Qing asked, surprised. Tang Wanrou looked puzzled. Should I know you? "I am Shen Qing." Boom! Tang Wanrou''s mind erupted like a sudden volcanic explosion, obliterating all thoughts, leaving only blankness. Chapter 150: Chapter 74: In this eventful autumn, lets first deal with the present. After enduring several tribulations, Tang Wanrou appeared pale, but a hint of color finally returned to her cheeks after Shen Qing agreed to help her. She moved to Zhuifeng''s side and was steadily pulled onto the horse''s back by Shen Qing, sitting in front of his chest. "Go!" Zhuifeng, sensing his master''s urgency, started to stride vigorously without waiting for the whip, racing along the winding path toward Taiping County. The sound of horse hooves was crisp and forceful, echoing through the forest and startling the birds perched along the way, causing them to take flight and leave behind a trail of sharp chirping. Shen Qing, with Tang Wanrou, galloped all the way and managed to arrive smoothly at the majestic city gate of Taiping County within half an hour. As they approached the city gate, Shen Qing hastily pulled the reins to slow Zhuifeng down. He then habitually took out twenty wen from his bosom and threw it to the guard at the gate. The soldier, noticing Shen Qing riding a tall horse with a noble demeanor, recognized him as someone not to be trifled with and quickly stepped aside to let them pass. S§×ar?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Shen Qing then spurred his horse and headed straight for the Taiping Escort Agency. He looked around and noted that the street''s former prosperity was no more; only scattered hawkers'' cries and some pedestrians haggling could be intermittently heard. With each preoccupied with their own concerns, neither Shen Qing nor Tang Wanrou had time to pay attention to others. "Go!" After entering the Inner City, Shen Qing cracked his whip forcefully. Zhuifeng, suddenly accelerating, left a series of hurried shadows along the main street. In a moment''s time, Shen Qing and Tang Wanrou saw the solemn entrance of the Taiping Escort Agency. Tang Wanrou realized that Shen Qing had brought her to the entrance of the Taiping Escort Agency, not the government office, and knew what that implied. This powerful direct disciple of Linfeng Hall did not want to involve himself further in the disaster at the Taiping Escort Agency. Tang Wanrou did not complain or say much. She dismounted with swift and agile movements, unlike a delicate young girl, but with the bold spirit common among those familiar with the Jianghu. "Mr. Shen, wait for me a moment." With that, Tang Wanrou stepped up to the door''s staircase and knocked on the door. Suddenly, a gatekeeper opened the door, and upon seeing Tang Wanrou, he exclaimed in surprise, "Miss, aren''t you¡ª?" "Greet Mr. Shen; I need to retrieve something." "Yes, Miss." The gatekeeper stepped aside, and Tang Wanrou rushed in. After the time it takes to burn a stick of incense, Tang Wanrou returned, pulling out a stack of silver notes from her bosom and offering them with both hands: "Our Taiping Escort Agency has undergone such a change and our hands are tied. Take these five hundred taels for now, and once our agency recovers, we will repay you generously." Shen Qing looked at Tang Wanrou''s solemn face and calmly replied, "No need, I didn''t kill that man merely to save you; he wanted my life as well. These silver notes might be very important to your agency; it would be a shame to waste them on me. Keep them for now, and we can talk about it later." Upon hearing Shen Qing''s response, Tang Wanrou unexpectedly looked up at him. Shen Qing, not wishing to explain further, added, "Miss Tang, if there''s nothing else, I will take my leave now. Farewell!" After speaking, Shen Qing tugged forcefully at the reins in his hand. Zhuifeng neighed softly and galloped away under Tang Wanrou''s complex gaze. Watching Shen Qing''s gradually disappearing figure, Tang Wanrou silently lowered her raised arm and let out a self-deprecating laugh: "Ha, I didn''t fancy him then, and he doesn''t fancy me now, such is fate." A deep sense of loss continually surged from within her. "However, relying on others alone will not accomplish anything. I still have a blood feud to avenge; now is not the time for self-pity." "Without him, can I not avenge this wrong, shall I not avenge it? I don''t believe so." Tang Wanrou''s eyes became resolute as she regained her composure. She gathered her thoughts and called an old servant in the house, "Tell Housekeeper Chen to come here and bring some silver and golden leaves. Accompany me to the government office." ... At the entrance of Taiping County government office. Tang Wanrou hastened towards the imposing doors of the county government, her furrowed brows exuding an undeniable determination. The old servant from the Taiping Escort Agency followed closely behind her. She approached the gatekeeper without preamble, saying, "Please announce that I am Tang Wanrou from the Taiping Escort Agency in the city, and I urgently need to meet with Lord County Magistrate on official business." The gatekeeper glanced at her disdainfully, tilted his chin upward, and said, "Do you see the petition drum at the entrance? You should go and beat the drum; the Lord County Magistrate will summon you if he hears it." Tang Wanrou couldn''t wait. The petition drum was well known throughout the city, and whether the Lord County Magistrate would summon her after she beat it was still a question. It''s always easier to meet the king of hell than to deal with his little minions. Today, she had learned this firsthand. Discover more content at m,v l''e-NovelFire.net The gatekeeper, responsible for opening and closing the entrance to the government office, controlled who was allowed in. His main duty was to inform the officials about visitors and decide whether they could enter. Though his position was lowly, his power was not trivial; the decision to report a visitor could significantly impact their fate. "A small token, no great honor. This matter concerns your master''s future, extremely urgent. I hope the sir will announce it." The gatekeeper accepted the "Delivery Package" Tang Wanrou handed over, and his eyes dazzled at the sight of the silver. His attitude immediately turned obsequious, "Ah, Miss Tang, please wait a moment. I will announce you now." Shortly after, the gatekeeper came out and allowed Tang Wanrou inside, leading her to another room. Tang Wanrou had no choice but to use the same tactic again, another round of greasing palms. Thus, one gate after another, Tang Wanrou''s hundreds of taels of silver flowed away like water. Finally, after a series of "please waits" and "let''s accommodate a little more," she was led to a modest but imposing study. The door was gently pushed open, and a stable aura came forward. County Magistrate Du Yuntong was sitting upright behind the desk, his eyes sharp. "I am Tang Wanrou, with urgent official business that needs to be reported to the magistrate!" Without waiting for the complete announcement, Tang Wanrou stepped in, her voice clear and striking to the heart. County Magistrate Du Yuntong looked up, his eyes scrutinizing Tang Wanrou. Before she arrived, he had already received the ''announcement'' from below. "Oh? Miss Tang, what is so urgent that you come in such haste?" The voice of County Magistrate Du Yuntong was deep and powerful, revealing a hint of authority. "Sir, someone is smuggling military armory supplies!" Tang Wanrou enunciated each word heavily, her voice echoing in the study. County Magistrate Du Yuntong''s expression immediately turned solemn. He stood up and slowly walked up to Tang Wanrou, "This matter is no trivial issue. Do you have conclusive evidence?" "The evidence is conclusive. Today my family was escorting..." Tang Wanrou straightened her back, her gaze firmly meeting the magistrate''s. She laid out the day''s events, each word sounding like a vow, resounding with conviction, "I am willing to stake my family and life on it, please issue an order to thoroughly investigate! The criminals are currently in Zhangzi Forest, and if you dispatch troops now, you will catch them red-handed." County Magistrate Du Yuntong pondered for a moment and finally nodded, "Very well, I understand. I will immediately gather my men and verify with you. If it is true, they shall be severely punished!" Tang Wanrou, overwhelmed with relief, cried out, "Thank you, Lord County Magistrate!" "You stay in the back room and wait for a moment while I make arrangements." County Magistrate Du Yuntong called an officer, "Take Miss Tang to the back hall for a short rest." "Yes," an officer stepped forward and led Tang Wanrou away. After sending off Tang Wanrou, County Magistrate Du Yuntong paced back and forth in the study, contemplating deeply. "Soon, officials from the County City Guard Martial Arts Department will arrive from the county town to deal with the tiger demon and the Huang Tian Sect. It is not suitable to foster any turmoil during this sensitive time. One wrong move, and I might not even be able to save my own position." "In these troubled times, it''s better first to get past this immediate situation," County Magistrate Du Yuntong decided resolutely, "After the officials from the County City Guard Martial Arts Department arrive, if this matter can be pushed onto them, then do so." "If that''s the case, the Taiping Escort Agency cannot be spared..." Chapter 151: Chapter 75 Song Familys Strategy, Colluding with Huang Tian Sect The following day. In the Song Family Mansion. A few withered vines wrapped around the crumbling rockery, where the once bloom-laden courtyard now lay overrun with weeds, presenting a sight of decay and desolation. Explore stories at m,v l''e-NovelFire.net The eldest young master Song Chen and the third young master Song Yu sat in the living room, their gazes slowly shifting toward the center of the room. There, standing alone, was a spirit tablet inscribed with "In memory of our late father, Song Gongming." Song Chen and Song Yu rose one after the other, each took out three sticks of incense and lit them over the white candles. Shoulder to shoulder, the brothers held the lit incense against their foreheads, then knelt down reverently and kowtowed three times. The incense sticks were then inserted into the incense burner in front of the spirit tablet. Wreaths of blue smoke began to curl upwards. The solitary great hall started to fill with the fragrance of sandalwood. "When father was alive, how illustrious the Song family was, and now it has fallen into decline so suddenly..." Song Yu''s voice was deep, tinged with a sense of unwillingness, "Big brother, with the family business continuously losing money and the other families closing in, how much longer can we... can we hold on?" He was met with the equally grave sigh of his brother Song Chen, "I don''t know. At this rate, by the end of the month, our Song family might no longer exist." "Are we really just going to sit here and wait for death?" Just then, a series of hurried footsteps broke the stillness of the courtyard. The youngest young master of the Song family, Song Xuan, rushed into the great hall, followed by a plainly dressed yet imposing Taoist. At his words, both elder brothers were taken aback and then looked up at the Taoist. The man had a gaunt face and profound eyes, with strong shoulders. They could tell at a glance that he was a martial practitioner. "Who is this?" The Taoist stepped forward, his mouth curling into a smile, "I am Taoist Wei Yushan, serving under Commander Liu of the Huang Tian Sect. I''ve caused some disturbances at the Song family before. Today, having heard about the plight of the Song family, I wish to offer my humble assistance." Between the lines, there was an indescribable air of arrogance and the unique demeanor of someone in a position of authority. Upon hearing Taoist Wei''s introduction, Song Chen and Song Yu exchanged a glance, both seeing the shock in each other''s eyes. It was well known that the Huang Tian Sect was branded as traitors by the Great Zhou Court. What was their youngest brother Song Xuan thinking by bringing someone from the Huang Tian Sect into their home? Could it be that he wanted them to join with the Huang Tian Sect and become traitors as well? Song Chen and Song Yu were suddenly struck by a storm of emotions, feeling that their youngest brother had been far too bold in his actions. Seeing his brothers so disturbed, the young Song Xuan, with a hint of indignation on his somewhat childish face, quickly stepped forward and said, "Brothers, we''ve tried every solution we could think of to no avail, and now Taoist Wei from the Huang Tian Sect is willing to help us. Isn''t this a good thing?" The Huang Tian Sect, they were traitors. Song Chen and Song Yu fell abruptly silent, their faces tense, as it was inappropriate to lash out in Taoist Wei''s presence. Upon seeing this, Song Xuan''s youthful face carried a layer of anger. He had gone to great lengths to bring Taoist Wei Yushan here, yet Song Chen and Song Yu seemed ungrateful. Song Xuan''s expression changed, and he said resentfully, "Father died so mysteriously, are you just going to sit here like scared turtles waiting for death? Are we going to just hand over the family business that it took us twenty years to build? Are you content with that?" Eldest young master Song Chen and third young master Song Yu were berated furiously by Song Xuan, leaving them feeling quite uncomfortable. Song Yu was breathing heavily, his fists clenched till his knuckles cracked. Song Xuan continued, "Since that dog County Magistrate is without compassion or justice, he cannot blame us for our actions. If he can make the first move, we can make the fifteenth. The county is bound to fall sooner or later, so why not gamble for a brighter future now?" "What do you mean by that?" Third young master Song Yu suddenly looked up at Taoist Wei Yushan and asked Song Xuan. Taoist Wei, smiling, responded, "Literally what it sounds like. Our commander, under the orders of the Daoist, will soon lead an army of over a hundred thousand to attack Taiping County." "What?!" Song Chen and Song Yu were both taken aback, having heard this news for the first time. The Huang Tian Sect was about to attack Taiping County? Was there going to be a battle here? Song Chen and Song Yu''s faces were aghast. Song Yu glanced at Wei Yushan and suddenly said, "You''re telling us such crucial information, are you not afraid that I will expose you?" "Hahaha." Wei Yushan, as if he heard something very amusing, burst out laughing and said, "Should you choose to expose us, then go ahead. Now that Taiping County''s martial preparations are lax, let alone our hundreds of thousands of followers, even just our tens of thousands could breach the county government''s defenses. Your early disclosure wouldn''t affect the outcome. Moreover, our Commander has already reached the Innate Realm in cultivation, capable of quelling any petty criminals in this county town." Wei Yushan took a step forward, gazing directly at the Song brothers and seductively said, "Let''s be frank, there''s no need to beat around the bush. Your Song family is essentially the boss of the county town, having run businesses here for many years and knowing Taiping inside out." "After we take the city, we need someone to manage Taiping County for us, and there''s no one more suitable than the Song family. Could joining us possibly be worse than your current situation?" Song Xuan interjected anxiously, "To advance may not ensure life, but retreat will certainly bring death. Big brother, third brother, what is there to hesitate about?" The third Young Master Song Yu pondered for a while before asking, "If we join, what exactly would you need us to do?" "We don''t need the Song family to do much; just help us open the city gates when we attack and lend us a hand." "Is it that simple?" "Yes, just that simple." After a long while, Young Master Song Yu glanced at Eldest Young Master Song Chen and saw a hint of intent in the latter''s eyes. Indeed, the Song family''s situation couldn''t get much worse. He made up his mind and nodded emphatically, "We will join you." S§×ar?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Wei Yushan said joyfully, "Good, with the righteous Song family joining us, our attack on Taiping County is sure to succeed and will spare many of our brothers and sisters. I thank the benevolent Song family on their behalf in advance." As he spoke, Wei Yushan bowed seriously, causing Song Yu, Song Chen, and Song Xuan to appear surprised and flattered. Song Yu asked in a lowered voice, "Commander, when do you plan to rise up? I need to prepare." Wei Yushan replied, "The original plan was for the fifteenth of next month, but there was a small change yesterday, so our Commander decided to move it forward to these few days. If it''s fast, we''ll act in three days; if slow, roughly within five days." "So soon?" "A swift sword is needed to cut through entanglement." "All right, we will await your message at any time." The Song family had been singled out by the government office as they uncovered the Huang Tian Sect, and Song Yu didn''t hold much affection for this sect adept at beguiling the populace. But unexpectedly, one day they would actively cooperate with the people from Huang Tian Sect¡ªhow temporality plays tricks on people. Song Yu didn''t know whether this would be good or bad for them. ... Meanwhile, outside Taiping County, the official road was shrouded in dust. A lavishly decorated carriage raced from a distance, its wheels churning, kicking up clouds of dust. Atop the carriage, a triangular flag flapped loudly in the wind, drawing attention with the golden, dazzling "Zhou" character, shining like the rising sun and emanating magnificent light. As the carriage entered the Outer City''s shantytown, the common folk living there, seeing the extraordinary carriage, didn''t dare to make a disturbance and consciously cleared a wide path. "It''s the Zhou Family from the county town, make way quickly." Even the usually proud city gate guards recognized the carriage''s owners at first glance and were now humbly reverent, not daring to act rashly as they watched the carriage pass by. The carriage deftly turned several streets and came to a steady stop in front of the Zhou Family mansion. "Fifth Young Master, we have arrived." The carriage door opened with a light touch, and the clear sound of a bell jingled, followed by a faint fragrance wafting out. A male around twenty, dressed in cloud-patterned robes, slowly stepped out. With fair skin and handsome features, He wore a white jade crown and had fine jade hanging from his waist, exuding an indescribable aura of majesty and nobility. "The family has sent people, and that old Zhou Dingwen didn''t come out to meet me?" Chapter 153: Chapter 77: Great Perfection of Qi Cultivation Realm! Zhou Dingwen''s heart skipped a beat. He had never expected that the Zhou Family in Yongzhou, thousands of miles away, would know about the incident of Zhou Yu being blown up. Was there a secret informant from the main Zhou family by his side? Zhou Dingwen suddenly felt a chill all over his body as he squinted and asked, "Where did the Third Young Master hear about this?" "So, it did happen then?" Zhou Xintong''s tone was indifferent. He stood up, stared at Zhou Dingwen, and emitted a vague, yet apparent, aura. Endowed with exceptional talent in Martial Arts since childhood, he had always been much favored and never opposed. Seeing Zhou Dingwen showing a hint of resistance now, he felt a surge of discontent. He thought of simply killing him with one strike, and then taking over the Zhou family''s business and bringing it back himself. Continue reading at m|v-l''e -NovelFire.net As per the main family''s usual practice, the branched Zhou families had little to do with them. For someone like Zhou Dingwen, a member of a collateral branch, even if he was the son of an elder and a senior relative, Zhou Xintong wouldn''t normally offer him a second glance, let alone speak with him politely for so long. But, remembering the strict instructions of his great grandfather, he restrained himself. Similarly, Zhou Dingwen, despite being the head of the Taiping County Zhou family and an influential figure here, appeared utterly insignificant and low-status when facing the main household''s eldest lineage. He also felt immensely stifled. Both were looking at each other with considerable disfavor. After a long while, Zhou Dingwen gritted his teeth and said, "There is indeed such a matter." Zhou Xintong, with a hint of dissatisfaction, asked, "Have you found out who did it? Is it related to the Huang Tian Sect?" "These are family disgraces not to be aired publicly." "Hm?" Zhou Xintong sternly said, "I think Lord Jiu should consider his answer more carefully before responding." Zhou Xintong stood tall and straight in front of Zhou Dingwen, his body radiating a cold and insurmountable aura, as if solidifying the air around them. His words, though soft, carried great weight, each word resounding profoundly. Zhou Dingwen, standing a few steps away, suddenly had a fluctuating expression on his face. He felt an unprecedented pressure, as if tightly bound by an invisible force. Sweat silently emerged from Zhou Dingwen''s forehead, trickled down his cheeks, and dropped onto the stone pavement, making a faint sound. He took a deep breath and said, "This matter is not related to the Huang Tian Sect." "That''s good. I recall that it was Uncle who was investigating this from the beginning. Ask him to come here." Zhou Dingwen felt a sudden surge of horror. How did the main household in Yongzhou even know who was conducting the investigation? How could they possibly know? Could it be that¡­ these years¡­ someone by his side... Zhou Dingwen suddenly felt as if his heart was being tightly squeezed in someone''s fist before being released. Instantly, he lost all courage to face this junior member of the main family lineage and quickly nodded in agreement. Soon, Zhou Jishan was called by the servants. Zhou Xintong had no idle time to exchange pleasantries with this uncle. He slowly stepped forward, instantly closing the distance between them, his imposing manner almost suffocating Zhou Jishan. "I want to ask, concerning the affair of Aunt being blown up, who is responsible, and is it connected to the Huang Tian Sect?" Zhou Jishan hurriedly replied, "It has been confirmed that it has nothing to do with the Huang Tian Sect, it was¡­ it was¡­ a collusion from within our seventh house¡­" Zhou Xintong suddenly interjected, "Was the person who brought Aunt back also from the seventh house?" Zhou Jishan was also shocked, how could they know about this matter. "I¡­" "Not clear yet? Then investigate it properly again. This matter could be severe or minor; I need a detailed explanation in three days." Zhou Jishan looked at his already withered father and was at a loss for what to do. "Quickly prepare a courtyard for me, I''ve been rushing over by carriage and now I''m exhausted," Zhou Xintong casually remarked before retaking his seat at the head of the table. "Yes." Zhou Dingwen and his son dared not stay any longer in the front hall and hurriedly withdrew. Watching their retreating figures disappear outside the door, Zhou Xintong revealed a disdainful expression, "Even I, as Ninth Lord, am incompetent¡ªa mere family matter and yet I, an outsider, seem to understand it better than they do. I really do not know why the Old Master insisted that I must come and make this effort." Sear?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "This old servant thinks that this might involve matters pertaining to the Huang Tian Sect, as the masters are strategizing to ascend to court and must be cautious." Zhou Xintong nodded in deep agreement. "Luckily over the years, our main family has never relaxed its supervision over the branch families; otherwise, today we might not have managed to intimidate them. In the future, once I become the Family Head, I will not have such trouble; whoever disobeys will be killed outright." ... The quadrangle yard where Shen Qing resided in Taiping County city seemed somewhat empty. The old scholar tree that had once been planted in the courtyard had already been chopped down, leaving only a stump about half a meter tall. Shen Qing picked up a bowl of medicinal soup and sat on the stump, drinking down the contents of the bowl in one go. As the medicinal soup entered his throat, it was initially bitter beyond words, but soon a warm current rose from his Dantian and swiftly flowed through his limbs and bones. Everywhere it passed, it felt as though countless tiny needles were gently stimulating every inch of skin and every bone, bringing an indescribable tingling and exhilaration. Under Shen Qing''s guidance, the turbulent power, akin to rivers meeting the sea, gradually calmed down and transformed into a gentle yet powerful stream, slowly filling his body. After an unknown amount of time, Shen Qing could clearly feel that after so many days and nights of continuous meditation and taking medicine, the Qi inside his body had reached an unprecedented fullness at that moment. It seemed that he was no longer able to absorb the remaining medicinal power into Qi. As if he had reached some critical threshold of this physical body. "Great Perfection of Qi Cultivation Realm..." Shen Qing quietly mused to himself, a barely concealable joy flashing in his eyes. He clearly remembered Li Linfeng telling him that the so-called Qi Cultivation Realm was about nurturing Qi through precious medicine. In this realm, the physical body was a vessel for Qi, and when Qi filled this vessel completely, it signified the Great Perfection of the Qi Cultivation Realm. Shen Qing calculated that he had spent about a month and a half on this process, which could be considered exceptionally fast. As the medicinal power was fully absorbed, Shen Qing slowly stood up, his physique as straight as a pine, exuding an indescribable spirit with every motion. Over this month, combined with the refinement and supplementation of the Tiger Demon Pill, he secretly estimated that the Qi inside his body was now about five times that of a common Martial Artist in the Qi Cultivation Realm. Combined with the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill and several other Martial Arts, what level Shen Qing had reached was not even clear to him. Although he hadn''t broken through to the Qi Hai Realm, Shen Qing faintly felt that even Martial Artists in the Qi Hai Realm might not necessarily be his match. The precise estimation would only be known after a fight. "Qingzi, something seems off outside," his uncle Shen Er muttered, returning from outside. Shen Qing asked, "What seems off?" "I don''t know what''s going on today, but the Zhou Family has started frantically selling land, houses, and buildings. The other bosses are ecstatic, and even the county government is now accepting the Zhou Family''s properties. Everyone is saying that the Zhou Family Boss has gone mad," Shen Er replied. Shen Qing furrowed his brows. Why would the Zhou Family suddenly decide to sell off their property? There must be a demon at work behind unusual occurrences. He called over Shen Xiaohu and instructed, "Go and find Tian Xiaohu for me, I have some matters to inquire about." Seeing the serious expression on Shen Qing''s face, Shen Xiaohu quickly nodded in agreement and dashed out. A short while later, Tian Xiaohu, who had been wandering the streets, was pulled back into the house by Shen Xiaohu. "Qingzi, did you want to see me?" Shen Qing nodded and said, "I feel something strange is happening in the Inner City. Help me find out what exactly the Zhou Family is up to, and if there''s anything else amiss in the city besides the Zhou Family." Suddenly, Shen Qing had an ominous premonition. It seemed Taiping County was no longer a place to stay. Chapter 154: Chapter 78: The Gentleman Does Not Stand Under a Collapsing Wall In recent times, following Shen Qing''s slaying of the tiger demon and his killing of the Boss of Mi Gang, Shen Qing has unknowingly developed a certain reputation within the county town. Utilizing the banner of Shen Qing, Tian Xiaohu made a fair number of questionable friends in the county town, which made gathering information quite convenient for him. After spending nearly half a day, Tian Xiaohu had already gathered a general understanding of many events occurring in the Inner City. "You mean to say that the Zhou Family is not only liquidating its assets in the city but is also arranging carriages and horses as if they are preparing to evacuate Taiping County?" Shen Qing, seated at the eight immortals table in the living room, was listening to the news brought by Tian Xiaohu next to him. Tian Xiaohu nodded and said, "I have a friend who frequents the Zhou''s place, and he says that the entire Zhou family is packing up, dismissing some servants who are unwilling to follow, which indeed suggests an intent to leave." "Where are they planning to go?" "Yongzhou County." Shen Qing fell into deep thought, his eyebrows tightly knitted, placing his hand on the table and rhythmically tapping the tabletop with his fingers. With a slight frown, he asked about the issue that concerned him most, "The Zhou Family was doing quite well, why would they suddenly move to the county town of Yong City? Did you manage to find out why?" "I''m not entirely sure about the specifics, but I heard that it might be due to people from Yongzhou''s Zhou Family demanding that they move," Tian Xiaohu spoke truthfully. "Yongzhou''s Zhou Family? What kind of immortals are they?" Tian Xiaohu asked, "Qingzi, do you know about the Thirteen Titans of Yongzhou?" "I don''t. What''s that?" "I''ve heard that over in Yongzhou County, there are thirteen high ranking families that dominate thirteen trades, and even the county government is hollowed out by their people. The Zhou Family is one of them and is said to be the most prosperous, with an Innate Ancestor presiding over the family," Tian Xiaohu leaned in toward Shen Qing as he continued. "The Zhou Family here in Taiping County is an offshoot of Yongzhou''s Zhou Family, and the Boss, Zhou Dingwen, is an illegitimate child of that aged ancestor." After listening, Shen Qing said, "So you mean to say that the main family has summoned Zhou Dingwen, the branch family, to return?" "That''s likely." Shen Qing stood up and began to pace, immersed in thought. After a while, he shook his head and exclaimed, "That doesn''t make sense, no, no. If I was Zhou Dingwen, I definitely wouldn''t agree to return to the main family. Here, I have everything I want, isn''t being a local tyrant enjoyable? To go there and lose everything, not to mention having to look at other people''s faces, it''s just asking for misery. Only someone with water in their brain would agree unless..." Tian Xiaohu replied, "Unless what? Does Zhou Dingwen really have water in his brain?" Shen Qing''s glance flicked to Tian Xiaohu as he said, "Unless staying in Taiping County is more terrifying than having nothing at all." "Ah?" What could be more terrifying than that? At that moment, Shen Qing''s thoughts involuntarily drifted to the matter of Tang Wanrou. In light of the current situation, with the arrival of the Fang Jun Saints of Huang Tian Sect outside the city, and further, they had obtained bows and crossbows from the county''s Military Armory. It was highly probable that the Huang Tian Sect was planning an assault on Taiping County. Stay connected with m-v l|e''-NovelFire.net Shen Qing felt a sudden jolt of clarity, the more he thought about it, the more it seemed to be the case. Only the prospect of the Huang Tian Sect laying siege to the city and the outbreak of hostilities in Taiping County would cause such panic in Zhou Dingwen. The Huang Tian Sect was a full-blown band of traitors, comprised of common folk. If they were to capture Taiping County, they would surely target these affluent bosses. By that time, the question wouldn''t be about losing everything, but rather a threat to their very lives; with such a motivation, Zhou Dingwen would have reason to flee Taiping County. Shen Qing''s expression turned grave all of a sudden. "Besides the Zhou Family, have there been any other recent events in the county town?" Tian Xiaowen pondered and said, "Apart from the Zhou Family, the Song family has also been acting oddly." "What''s wrong with them?" "Previously, when Song Gongming died, the other families were eager to split the Song family''s assets, and the Song family was resisting fiercely. But these past few days, the Songs have been very quiet, showing no signs of resistance." "Have they resigned themselves to the situation, or have they found a powerful backer and are biding their time?" For some reason, Shen Qing couldn''t help but connect the Song family''s recent behavior to the Huang Tian Sect, feeling there might be some correlation. "Also, the Taiping Escort Agency in the Inner City has gone bankrupt and disbanded; Tang and his family members are nowhere to be found, which suggests they might have left the county town," mentioned Tian Xiaohu offhandedly. Hearing this, Shen Qing was taken aback and couldn''t help feeling disgusted with County Magistrate Du Yuntong. If things didn''t go against his expectation, the incident with the Taiping Escort Agency must be his doing. Earlier, by taking advantage of the tiger demon incident, he eliminated dissenters and weakened the martial strength of the county town. When faced with problems, he only covered them up. If the Huang Tian Sect truly were to attack the county town, as he suspected, Shen Qing had no confidence whatsoever in such a County Magistrate. "That''s all I was able to find out," he said. Shen Qing stood at the doorway, and after a long while, as if he had made up his mind, he turned back and said, "Xiao Hu, do you have any intentions of going to the county town?" "To the county town?" "Yes," Shen Qing didn''t hide anything and said frankly, "I feel that it''s probably impossible to stay in this town any longer, and I want to move somewhere else." A wise man does not stand under a dangerous wall. He saw that the Huang Tian Sect was not of good nature, and since he already knew that they intended to attack Taiping County, it would be unwise to stay here any longer. It just so happened he had an appointment letter from the Yongzhou Military Department, so going there would also be a good opportunity to seek higher Martial Arts within the court and thus strengthen himself. In these chaotic times, it''s like rowing upstream; if you don''t advance, you will fall back. He must keep climbing upwards. Otherwise, one could easily find themselves in mortal danger. You could die without even knowing how it happened. Tian Xiaohu, upon hearing Shen Qing''s words, had an expression full of surprise and seemed somewhat puzzled. They had only moved from Hongshan Village to the Outer City, and then from there to the Inner City, all within less than half a year''s time. Now that they had just settled down, he couldn''t understand why Shen Qing wanted to move again. However, when Tian Xiaohu recalled all that Shen Qing had done before, nearly every choice he made was impeccably correct. Since he had decided to follow Shen Qing that day, he should also trust his own decision. After only a brief consideration, Tian Xiaohu agreed. "As for my family, I''m the only one who needs feeding, so there are no worries. Qingzi, wherever you say we should go, I''ll go." Shen Qing said, "Then you should go back and pack up. Also, keep a close watch on the Zhou Family; we''ll leave as soon as they do." "Alright." After Tian Xiaohu left, Shen Qing didn''t delay and went straight to Linfeng Hall. sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Naturally, many of his judgments were speculations, but he felt seventy or eighty percent certain of them. Both emotionally and logically, he should inform his uncle and Hall Master. If he wished, he could leave with him; if not, then at least Shen Qing had fulfilled his duty as a disciple. Perhaps influenced by Shen Qing, now Linfeng Hall had once again seen an influx of newcomers coming to practice Martial Arts, and the Outer Court was bustling once more. When Shen Qing found Li Linfeng, he was in the backyard having a small gathering with a few old friends. Upon seeing Shen Qing, Li Linfeng intentionally wrapped up the meeting early and then walked over to Shen Qing, saying, "Let''s go, to the study." "Alright." Li Linfeng knew he had some skills, and he could also tell that Shen Qing''s current strength had surpassed his own at a younger age, so his attitude had changed a bit and was no longer as standoffish as before. After reaching the study, he even offered Shen Qing a seat, allowing for a discussion on equal terms. Nevertheless, Shen Qing maintained the formality of a disciple, which made Li Linfeng think very highly of him. "What''s the matter? You wanted to see me for something?" Shen Qing got straight to the point and said, "Master, these past few days I have felt that the Inner City is not very peaceful. I''m thinking of going to Yongzhou County, and I wish to know your thoughts on this." "You''ve noticed it too?" What do you mean ''too''? Shen Qing was quite surprised. Chapter 155: Chapter 79: Breakthrough in Hunting Skills, Hunting Scripture! Sharp Eyesight "What do you mean, Master?" Li Linfeng said, "I have many old friends in town. In the past, when Linfeng Hall was in decline, I didn''t visit them often, but thanks to your reputation, Linfeng Hall has thrived again. These old friends have also become active again." "From their words, I learned about some changes in the city, and they all think that it won''t be long before something big happens in the Inner City. Coincidentally, my family at home has sent letters, asking for the ancestral tomb to be renovated. In a few days, I plan to take my family back to Lu''an for a while." Shen Qing reassessed Li Linfeng, realizing that this Hall Master uncle understood the times better than he did. He smiled and asked, "Master, when do you plan to leave?" "It''s not decided yet." Shen Qing smiled and said, "Then why don''t you leave town with us? It so happens that the journey to Yongzhou County and Lu''an is on the way." "That sounds good." Li Linfeng nodded without any refusal, "When do you plan to leave?" "I''ll leave after the Zhou Family does. Seeing how they are selling off their property at such low prices, it will probably happen in the next few days." Li Linfeng looked Shen Qing up and down and laughed, "That''s good, I will feel at ease traveling with you." Shen Qing couldn''t help but laugh silently. "After you leave, Master, what are your plans for the Martial Arts Hall?" Li Linfeng smiled, "I''ll let your Senior Brother Ouyang handle it for a while. I expect to be back in about a month." In Shen Qing''s eyes, coming back later might not be an easy task. However, since Linfeng Hall was Li Linfeng''s property, Shen Qing had no place to comment and chose not to say more. "It''s good that Master has a plan." Shen Qing exchanged a few more words with Li Linfeng, then walked out of the study. When he reached the inner courtyard, he happened to see several acquaintances practicing movement techniques, so he stopped to watch. When everyone noticed Shen Qing''s arrival, their attitudes changed drastically, becoming extremely respectful, even more so than when facing Li Linfeng. Now, in the whole of Taiping County, who didn''t know of Shen Qing''s fearsome reputation. Killing the tiger demon, annihilating Mi Gang. Both feats were beyond the capabilities of ordinary people, earning their immense admiration. Many of them had come to Linfeng Hall to study martial arts specifically because of him. Shen Qing saw the familiar Xiao Zhi, walked up to him, and slung an arm around his shoulder, "Come, let''s talk over there." "Ah?" Xiao Zhi was slightly overwhelmed by Shen Qing''s warmth. The two walked to a corner of the courtyard, and Shen Qing said, "I''m planning to go to the county town in a few days. Do you want to come with me?" "You''re leaving?" Xiao Zhi asked, "Aren''t you settled in nicely in the Inner City?" Shen Qing said, "Don''t you want to?" Xiao Zhi was silent for a while then said, "Let me think about it some more." Shen Qing released his shoulder and said, "Well, you''d better decide soon. I might leave in a few days." "So soon?" Xiao Zhi exclaimed in surprise. Shen Qing smiled, said nothing more, and strode away. ... In the courtyard. Uncle Shen Er, feeling guilty, returned to the house and ducked into the side room, startling Wang Family, who was sewing shoes with Shen Fang. She scolded irritably, "Old man, what are you doing? Sneaking around like a thief." Shen Er grinned and said, "Wife, come here a moment." Aunt Wang Family put down her needlework and followed Shen Er to the side, impatiently saying, "Out with it if you''ve got something to say." Uncle Shen Er, unbothered, magically pulled out a brand-new copper mirror from his bosom and presented it to Wang Family, "Here, wife, this is for you." "This!" Aunt Wang Family gasped in surprise and began examining it closely. As a poor farmer''s wife, it was her first time seeing a copper mirror, and she found it fascinating. The brand-new mirror boasted a smooth surface, with its edges carved with delicate water patterns, making it quite attractive. She carefully extended her hands, as if she were receiving the most precious treasure in the world, and gingerly accepted the copper mirror. However, the coolness of the mirror through her palms only excited her more. Aunt Wang Family slowly raised the mirror to her face. That moment seemed to freeze time. It was the first time she saw such a clear reflection of herself. She saw her dark complexion, the numerous wrinkles on her face, and her plain features. The initial excitement and joy quickly diminished by half. Aunt Wang tossed the copper mirror to Uncle Shen Er, "I don''t want this thing, take it away." Uncle Shen Er caught the copper mirror, his face filled with surprise. He had saved up money to buy it, so why was this happening. Looking at Wang, who had gone back to focusing on her shoemaking, Uncle Shen Er suddenly felt the copper mirror burning his hand, unsure of what to do next. By evening. During dinner with the family, Shen Qing announced his plan to move to the county town. S§×ar?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Both Uncle Shen Er and others, such as Shen Xiaohu, were surprised by the news. "Brother, we''ve just settled down in the Inner City, why are we moving again?" Shen Xiaoshan said in surprise. While serving himself some food, Shen Qing replied, "The city is no longer safe, we must leave. The Hall Master uncle will leave too." "But..." Shen Qing quickly finished his bowl of rice, then firmly said, "Start preparing. I''ve made up my mind about this. You all will come with me; Taiping County is about to become troubled." After finishing, Shen Qing put his bowl down on the table and quietly left the main seat without giving too much explanation. With their current understanding, knowing too much might not be a good thing. The living room quickly quieted down. However, influenced by Shen Qing''s strong will, Uncle Shen Er''s family, including Shen Fang, also agreed, and they began packing their belongings. The next day, Shen Qing approached people like Zhang Baqing to ask if they wanted to move to the county town with him. Unfortunately, these people, relying on his renown, had gotten used to life in Taiping County and showed no interest in leaving. They even continuously tried to persuade Shen Qing to stay. Eventually, Shen Qing gave up and stopped pushing the matter on them. Two more days passed. The anticipated trouble from the Huang Tian Sect showed no signs of occurring, and contrary to expectations, the depression didn''t occur. Instead, as the Zhou Family sold off their property at very low prices scattering wealth, the Inner City became even livelier. Even so, Shen Qing still trusted his judgment and did not let his guard down, instructing Tian Xiaohu every day to keep a close watch on the Zhou Family''s actions. "Hmm?" At that moment, standing in the backyard, Shen Qing sensed something and quickly summoned the Water Ink Panel. Water ink dripped into his view, spreading into text of equal size. [Skill: Hunting (Great Perfection)] [Progress: 401/400 points] [Status: Can be elevated] [Note: Skill tempered a thousand times, approaching the art, art tested a hundred times, approaching the Way. Continuous progress can unlock new skills.] "New skills?" Shen Qing looked stunned. Being originally a hunter, hunting skills appeared too mundane to him. However, he hadn''t expected that this mundane skill could still be advanced, and it seemed quite remarkable. He wondered what this new breakthrough skill would be. Without hesitation, Shen Qing chose to upgrade. The water ink characters seemed to dissolve into water, turning into dots of ink. They quickly gathered again, displaying a new set of water ink text properties before him. Once he clearly saw the text, Shen Qing''s eye expression changed. [Skill: Hunting Scripture (Entry Level)] [Progress: 1/500 points] [Status: Cannot be elevated] [Note: The way of hunting is profound; if cultivated to the extreme, all things can be hunted. Through continuous practice, you have integrated all hunting skills, enhancing your senses further, awakening the ''Sharp Eyesight'' skill.] Before Shen Qing fully understood what was happening, a cool sensation merged into his eyes. As this coolness infused, he noticed that everything he saw became incredibly clear, as if the resolution was readjusted. Shen Qing looked towards the distance, seeing the landscape in his perception continuously magnify. He could even see the ants hundreds of meters away clearly. Your next journey awaits at mvl In an instant, his mind was profoundly shaken. Shen Qing quickly withdrew his gaze, his face showing bursts of ecstasy. This perception... it''s too strong. With Eagle Eye and his Heavy Bow, it was a perfect match! Chapter 156: Chapter 80: Harboring Ulterior Motives, Establishing Authority! "Be careful, be careful, this is the master''s favorite vase." "The box is too heavy, come give me a hand." "Someone, go fetch a horse quickly." At the entrance of the Zhou Family Mansion, the figures of the servants bustled tirelessly, either carrying heavy luggage on their shoulders and hands, or carefully moving delicate porcelain and paintings, constantly loading onto the carriages at the entrance of the mansion. ... Among the many carriages, one made of sandalwood and inlaid with silver threads was particularly conspicuous. Zhou Xintong sat within, dressed in a finely-crafted brocade robe, his gaze intermittently passing through the half-open carriage curtains. "Is everything arranged properly?" The elderly servant outside the carriage smiled and said, "Back to Young Master Five, everything is now ready." "Then let''s not delay any longer, let''s go," Zhou Xintong said, pulling the curtains shut. The elderly servant stepped forward and exclaimed, "Order from Young Master Five, depart!" At his command, the well-prepared Zhou family members, as if driven by an invisible force, majestically headed toward the city gate. The wheels rolled over the bluestone road, making a dull, rhythmic sound. Zhou Dingwen looked towards the mansion he had strived to build; his heart filled with mixed feelings. "Father, are we really leaving Taiping County?" Zhou Jishan, sitting beside Zhou Dingwen, said reluctantly. "Do you think I want to?" Zhou Dingwen replied, gently patting his son''s hand, "You do not know the power our Zhou family holds in Yongzhou. Your uncle, your second uncle, any one of them could squash our entire Zhou family with a slap, and we dare not defy the order from the head of the family." "Besides, the Huang Tian Sect is about to attack the city soon. Staying here would mean losing everything. It''s better to preserve our lives in Yongzhou. Once things here settle down, we can come back." Zhou Jishan''s face still showed great discontent, his gaze involuntarily drifted towards the carriage frame ahead, appearing somewhat resentful. If it weren''t for this interference, in a few more years, he would have taken over the Zhou family of Taiping county, calling the shots in the Inner City. But now, with this situation, all of it had become an illusion. At home, assets were sold off, and servants dismissed, which caused a more than one-third decrease after this incident. Zhou Jishan was no fool; he understood that once their family moved to Yongzhou, it meant leaving their hometown behind to depend on others, and the future was bound to be extremely tough. As the caravan slowly moved farther away, the Zhou Family Mansion gradually disappeared from Zhou Dingwen''s sight. Taiping County was backed by mountains and facing the Yanshui River. The Yanshui River, like a jade belt, circled around the outside of Taiping County. The morning sun poured down on the not-so-wide river surface like molten gold, making it shimmer brilliantly. At that moment, a massive boathouse docked on an slightly aging ferry terminal by the bank of the Yanshui River. Its deck was wide, and with flying eaves curling upwards, it looked like a floating palace, forming a stark contrast with the simple fishing boats around. On the deck of the boathouse, Manager Zhou Hao, who was gazing into the distance, suddenly turned serious and instructed the nearby servants, "Hurry and prepare, the Young Master Five has arrived." At his command, the uniformly dressed servants quickly disembarked from the boathouse, lined up neatly at the edge of the ferry terminal, each with a solemn expression. Manager Zhou Hao also disembarked and stood respectfully in front of the servants. The Zhou family''s departing caravan gradually approached and reached the boathouse in no time. Zhou Hao quickly walked to the front of that distinctive carriage and bowed, saying, "Everything is ready for the young master." "It was a great help from Manager Zhou to assist Lord Jiu. His family had quite the chaotic time relocating back to the county town." "Yes, Young Master Five, I will certainly give my utmost support." The carriage started moving again and under the escort of the servants, it was directly led into the tower ship. "The rest of you help Lord Zhou move the luggage onto the ship," someone commanded. Under Zhou Hao''s orders, the usually deserted ferry terminal bustled with unusual activity today. On the tower ship, Zhou Xintong familiarly walked into the elegant room on the third floor. This small chamber, no more than ten square meters, was fully equipped with fruits, pastries, books, classics, stone weights, bows, arrows, and precious swords. Zhou Xintong sat behind the long desk, lit some incense, and said to the old servant, "Uncle Tai, I''m sorry to trouble you, but please ask Brother Jishan and Uncle Wu to come here." The old servant did not ask any questions. He directly leaped off the tower ship and found the Zhou brothers, saying, "My young master invites you both up." Zhou Congwu''s eyelid twitched, and he immediately had a bad premonition. He asked, "May I know why the young master has summoned us?" The old servant smiled and said, "How would I, a mere servant, know the master''s business?" "Thank you," Brother Jishan grasped his brother''s wrist, stepped forward, and said, "Let''s go." After Uncle Tai, the old servant, left, Zhou Jishan said to his brother Zhou Congwu, "I don''t know why the young master has summoned us, but when we get there, we should respond to all changes with constancy. Make sure not to speak carelessly." "Alright." The two went upstairs together, walked into the elegant room, and saw Zhou Xintong savoring his tea. Zhou Jishan stepped forward and asked, "Young master, you wanted to see us?" Zhou Xintong put down the tea cup and said to Zhou Jishan, "Uncle, three days have passed. Have you found out what I asked you to?" Zhou Jishan''s expression changed as he explained, "The matter with sister twelve has been long resolved. We had already investigated it at that time, and it was all covert interference from within our family." As the head of the main branch, Zhou Xintong looked directly at Zhou Jishan and said, "Didn''t you follow up on the leads I provided you?" "I¡­" Zhou Xintong sneered, "It seems my words do not carry much weight here, Uncle Tai." Before he had finished speaking, the old servant standing behind Zhou Congwu had already moved, striking with a speed that was astonishing. He extended his fingers, which slammed into the back of Zhou Congwu''s head like a pair of iron pliers. Thump. A crisp sound. Zhou Congwu''s eyes widened instantly, filled with confusion and shock, but these emotions vanished in an instant, replaced by a vacant and bewildered expression. His body seemed to have had all its strength sapped away, and he collapsed forward limply, his eyes vacant as he gradually lost his breath. He died right before Zhou Jishan, alive one moment and gone the next. Zhou Xintong picked up his teacup again, his gaze not lingering on Zhou Jishan even for a second, as if he was merely savoring the aroma of the tea, "Now, Uncle, do you remember what you found out?" The sudden change caused Zhou Jishan''s face to turn deathly pale, his lips quivering slightly. He clenched his fingers tightly, the knuckles prominent, as if struggling to control his emotions. Zhou Jishan realized that the man before him did not regard him as kin; he saw them as servants to be merged into his household. Not mentioning it earlier or later, but just after they got on the ship, this was clearly intentional, using his brother''s life to assert his authority! Investigating the murderer was just an excuse! Zhou Jishan had already inquired about the young master of the main branch, who was already of the Yu Luo Realm, capable of assimilating nature''s spiritual energy, truly a martial artist on the path to transcendence. S§×arch* The nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Read exclusive adventures at mvl He was no match for him. A glimmer of despair flickered in Zhou Jishan''s eyes. Chapter 157: Chapter 81: Leaving the City! "Uncle, think carefully again, and don''t say I didn''t give you a chance,"What does he want? Zhou Jishan''s sweat fell like rain, and he began to struggle internally. He looked up to see Zhou Xintong''s seemingly smiling expression, and his expression paused. That''s right. Attitude. The truth doesn''t matter. What he wanted was my attitude of subordination. Realizing this, Zhou Jishan moved his dry throat and said, "My little sister was previously abducted by the Eagle, and then I found out that the Eagle was killed by Shen Qing. Her death is probably linked to him." This was a fact he had established long ago, but whether Zhou Yu was killed by Shen Qing had no clues or evidence whatsoever. Sear?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. But at this moment, he could not care about that much, firstly pulling out a scapegoat would do. "What background does this Shen Qing have?" "A hunter from a village who recently killed a tiger demon and gained the County Magistrate''s favor." That meant he was someone without a background. A corner of Zhou Xintong''s mouth lifted; his uncle was on the right track, knowing what he wanted. He gently set down the teacup, creating a faint sound, yet it struck Zhou Jishan''s heart like a heavy hammer. Zhou Xintong slowly stood up, walked over to Zhou Jishan, and said, "Uncle, I am very heartbroken about the death of Aunt Twelve. Although Lord Jiu and others are not from our main family, they still represent the face of our Zhou Family, and not everyone can touch them. Now, since we have found out the truth, it''s good. Uncle Tai, please take a trip for me." "Yes, young master." The old servant silently walked out of the private room and descended from the boat. The private room immediately became quiet. "From Uncle Wu''s sudden cardiac illness leading to his unfortunate death, I also feel deep sorrow. I hope, uncle, you will contain your grief. The Yongzhou''s Zhou Family has a great business, and I still look forward to forging achievements with you, uncle. Please do not disappoint me." Zhou Xintong patted Zhou Jishan on the shoulder and walked out of the private room. After Zhou Xintong left, Zhou Jishan''s strength seemed to be drained from his body, and he felt dazed. He looked at his brother who had now become a corpse, his face suddenly void of happiness or sorrow, showing no expression at all. In the Great Zhou, the main family often had a tilt in the distribution of Martial Arts cultivation resources; their cultivation was always much higher than that of the side branches. Martial power is authority. Unless someone from the side branches emerged with outstanding cultivation potential, attentively nurtured to uphold the family''s reputation, they, these side branch members, were inevitably seen as lesser in the face of the main family, with no possibility of turning the tables. After this fierce lesson from Zhou Xintong, Zhou Jishan resigned himself to fate. It was not just him resigning; his father Zhou Dingwen, and their entire branch would do so too. Zhou Jishan bent over to pick up his brother''s corpse, his expression wooden as he left the private room. ... In the courtyard. "Have the Zhou Family left yet?" "They''ve left. I saw them off personally, their carriages are gone." "We shouldn''t delay. Prepare yourself, we are also setting out," Shen Qing told Tian Xiaohu. Tian Xiaohu pointed at the packages by the door and said, "I have already brought the stuff over; I can leave immediately." Shen Qing smiled and said, "I didn''t expect you to be so quick. Xiao Hu, go to Linfeng Hall and notify our Hall Master, we''ll leave the city in a moment." "Alright, brother," Shen Xiaohu put down what he was working on and dashed out. Although Shen Qing had risen quickly during this period, he hadn''t actually accumulated much wealth apart from some money. And there was even less to say about his uncle''s family; apart from pots, pans, and bedding, there wasn''t much left. Shen Qing bought a horse carriage from the city, and together with a donkey cart, these two vehicles with people and possessions just fit. Under Shen Qing''s arrangements, Tian Xiaohu and Shen Xiaoshan led out a nag and a donkey, each hitching up their harnesses. Tian Xiaohu had learned to drive, so he eagerly took the front seat of the horse carriage. Uncle Shen Er was driving a donkey. The two men, one in front of the other, cracked their whips one after another. With a crisp crack of the whip, the sluggish horse began to trot, twisting its hindquarters. Shen Qing placed the heavy bow on the horse''s back and rode Zhuifeng at the very front. After passing through a street, he arrived at the agreed place and successfully met up with Li Linfeng. Li Linfeng had quite a large family; this trip back to his hometown included quite a few people, with three horse-drawn carriages in total. Among them, Shen Qing unexpectedly saw a familiar face. This familiar person was none other than Xiao Zhi. He spurred his horse forward and, smiling, approached Xiao Zhi, "Brother Xiao, have you made up your mind?" Xiao Zhi scratched his head and replied, "Lately, for some reason, the shopkeeper hasn''t been too fond of me. I figured there''s no point staying here, so why not join you to the county town? It''s going to be a long journey, and you''ll probably need a cook." "Hahahaha, we were just worrying about that. With you around, we''d certainly suffer less on the road." "As long as you don''t mind my terrible cooking." Xiao Zhi gave a naive smile and climbed onto Shen Qing''s donkey cart. After greeting Li Linfeng and his aunt, Shen Qing joined Li Linfeng''s caravan as they headed towards the city gate. "Lord Shen, where are you headed?" As he approached the city gate, Shen Qing heard a shout and looked in the direction of the voice. Recognizing the man by his appearance, he recalled that he was the official who had once delivered a message to him on behalf of County Magistrate Du Yuntong. They had met before, and he was very cordial. Glancing at the caravan leading the way, not wanting to complicate matters, he hurriedly claimed, "My master is returning to his hometown to repair the ancestral grave, and I am escorting them." Quan Helin suddenly understood, and as if recalling something, he advised, "Right, Lord Shen, it''s been a while since you last visited the government office to see the Lord County Magistrate. The Lord County Magistrate has expressed some displeasure towards you; you should make some time to see him." Shen Qing showed an embarrassed expression, "Thank you for the reminder, sir. I have been so engrossed in my training recently that I forgot about this. I will definitely visit the Lord County Magistrate after seeing off my master today." "It''s good that you remember, Lord Shen." "Then I''ll take my leave; I need to go, farewell." Meanwhile, Wang Family, sitting inside a carriage, was rummaging through the luggage. "Mom, what are you looking for?" Shen Xiaohu, also sitting in the carriage, asked curiously. "Looking for a mirror." "A mirror?" "Eh, I''m sure I brought it with me; could I have left it in the house?" Auntie frowned. Speaking of which, this was the first curious item Shen Er had given her over these years. Although she verbally expressed her dislike the other day, she was genuinely delighted inside. Now that it was lost, her face suddenly turned gloomy, and she felt greatly disappointed. Seeing everything, Shen Xiaohu said, "Mom, we haven''t gone far, how about I go back and get it for you?" "Never mind. Let''s not delay your brother''s journey; it''s just a mirror, a small item." Shen Xiaohu could tell from his mother''s tone that she meant the opposite, "It''s no problem. I''ve been practicing martial arts for so long and have achieved some cultivation in Qi-Blood, making me a martial master. I can run very fast. Just tell brother and the others to slow down, and I''ll catch up after I get the mirror." Without waiting for Wang Family to say more, he jumped down from the back of the carriage and ran off like a flying bird. Wang Family poked her head out from the carriage and told Tian Xiaohu about Shen Xiaohu going to get the mirror. Tian Xiaohu then shouted to Shen Qing, which unwittingly slowed their pace. After quite some time, Li Linfeng''s caravan had already far outstripped them, yet there was still no sign of Shen Xiaohu. Even if he were walking, he should have made the round trip by now. Shen Qing flicked the reins of Zhuifeng and said to the others, "Catch up with my master; I''ll go check and return immediately." "Go!" Shen Qing lashed the whip and turned back towards Taiping County. Chapter 158: Chapter 82: Huang Tian Sect Attacks the City, Chaos Ensues Taiping County, at the entrance of the county government office.Two gatekeepers were quietly discussing the day''s trivial and amusing matters, their faces displaying a touch of relaxation. Suddenly, a series of hurried footsteps accompanied by a frightened shout broke the calm. "Something serious has happened, I need to see Lord County Magistrate!" Not far away, a young man with slightly disheveled clothes and an anxious expression rushed to the front of the government office like a gust of wind. The smiles on the faces of the two gatekeepers gradually faded, and they exchanged a meaningful glance. Then, one of them stepped forward and asked sternly, "What happened to the Cang Long Gang that has you so flustered?" They recognized the wolf''s head embroidered on the young man''s chest. He was a member of the Cang Lang Gang. Not long ago, this gang had pledged allegiance to their Lord County Magistrate and had started working for him. In a sense, they were on the same side. The only difference was they were officials with a salary, while the gang members were commoners, earning their place through sacrifice. Considering they were in the same camp, they showed them some respect. The disciple, still gasping for breath with eyes full of terror as if he had just escaped the brink of hell, stammered, "No, no... it''s from the county town...the officials from the County City Guard Martial Arts Department there, they... they''ve all been murdered!" At these words, the air around seemed to solidify. The faces of the two gatekeepers instantly changed. "Are you serious?" "I saw it with my own eyes..." The two gatekeepers had heard that recently, the county town would send officials from the Military Department to investigate the tiger demon and the Huang Tian Sect. They had not expected them to die on the way, and to die within the jurisdiction of Taiping County. This was a serious situation! Taiping County was under the administration of the county town. Now, with such mysterious deaths, if the county town were to lay blame, their Lord County Magistrate would not be able to talk his way out of it. If the Lord County Magistrate was in trouble, their days would undoubtedly become even more difficult. Realizing that this could affect the stability of the Taiping City government office, the gatekeepers set aside any notion of a delivery package, stepped aside to make way, and shouted loudly into the interior, "Quickly report to Lord County Magistrate, there''s an urgent matter!" As the announcement echoed, there was a flurry of activity inside the government office. In the rear hall of the government office. County Magistrate Du Yuntong was lazily lying on an exquisite soft couch, eyes closed, resting. A maid gently rested his legs on her smooth, jade-like thighs, meticulously massaging them as she gently fanned him with a hand fan. Suddenly, a series of hurried footsteps came from outside, and the County Governor and Chief Clerk burst into the rear hall almost simultaneously, their expressions grave and anxious. The County Governor exclaimed in a panic, "Sir, bad news!" County Magistrate Du Yuntong, enjoying the ministrations of the maid, feeling comfortable all over, lifted his eyelids and said, "Look at you all in a rush. What has happened to cause such a panic, lacking any decorum?" "It''s a serious matter." The County Governor''s voice was hoarse with urgency as he took several steps towards Du Yuntong and exclaimed, "In broad daylight, the officials from the County City Guard Martial Arts Department were murdered outside the county town, none survived!" Startled, Du Yuntong sat up quickly, his eyes flashing with shock, "What did you say?" "The County City Guard Martial Arts Department was attacked, no survivors," repeated the County Governor gravely. "It''s absolutely true, it has been confirmed." Moments later, Du Yuntong quickly regained his composure and decisively ordered, "Lock down the county town, strengthen patrols, ensure safety. At the same time, gather personnel, and accompany me outside the town to investigate the truth." "Yes." At the behest of County Magistrate Du Yuntong, the government office quickly became busy, with summoned officials rushing over. In no more than the time it took to make a pot of tea, even the officials who were on duty outside hurried back. Du Yuntong, now wearing his official robe and with a grave expression, stood in front of the desk, his gaze sharply sweeping over each official present. "Gentlemen..." "Boom!" Just as Du Yuntong began to speak, a loud bang erupted outside the government office, as though even the ground had shaken slightly. The people at the government office were stunned. County Magistrate Du Yuntong''s expression changed as he said, "What happened? What exactly is going on outside?" The many officials in the main hall looked at each other, equally clueless. Amidst the crowd, Wang Yanjun quickly summoned a subordinate to investigate. Moments later, the subordinate returned, accidently fell to the ground, and while rolling and crawling, he shouted, "It''s bad, it''s really bad, there are a lot of disciples of the Huangtian Sect inside and outside the city, they are attacking the city!" "Ah!" As his words released, the hall burst into uproar. County Magistrate Du Yuntong''s face turned as pale as paper in an instant; his hands involuntarily landed on the case table, fingers curling and stretching, slightly whitening due to the force applied. "My lord, what should we do?" County Magistrate Du Yuntong said calmly, "Team Leader Wang, take the Guardian Martial Department to the city walls and gates, and hold the gates. County Governor, you go to the garrison and call Lord Wang to prepare for the military, and the rest of you go notify the Wang and Li Families, as well as the various gangs, to form defense teams. Hurry!" "Yes." As orders were issued one after another by Du Yuntong, the entire government office sprang into action. A fervent, tense atmosphere enveloped the government office. "My Lord, your body hasn''t fully recovered yet; should we find some more people to ensure your safety? After all, they''ve even killed members of the County City Guard Martial Arts Department, we must be on guard." Just then, the Chief Clerk seemed to remember something and reminded him. Coming to his senses, Du Yuntong called out to Quan Helin, "Go to Linfeng Hall and call Shen Qing here to the government office." Suddenly, Quan Helin''s expression turned strange, "My lord, I just saw Shen Qing and Li Linfeng leaving the city..." County Magistrate Du Yuntong immediately realized, they were fleeing. He slammed his hand on the case table, "I knew it! I knew this rascal was unreliable! After all the kindness I''ve shown him." "Not just them, I also saw the Zhou Family members departing today¡­" Du Yuntong''s expression tightened, and the next moment, he became furiously enraged, seething with a murderous aura. Did they all know that today the Huangtian Sect would attack Taiping City and he was the only one kept in the dark? "Traitors, traitors, they''re all in league with the Huangtian Sect." Du Yuntong tagged these people as traitors in his heart, completely unaware of his own negligence of various signs. Before long, Taiping City was in complete chaos. Disciples of the Huangtian Sect mysteriously emerged in all the streets, dragging people about, looting, and causing chaos. Song Family Mansion. Song Chen, Song Yu, and Song Xuan, the three Song brothers, stood in front of their father''s spiritual tablet, their facial expressions dark as water. Eldest brother Song Chen spoke, "The time has come; it''s time to act big." Song Yu and Song Xuan remained silent, each taking out a prepared Yellow Cloth and tying them around their foreheads. The three brothers in unison said, "Below the sky and above the Yellow, today we three brothers assist the Huang Tian Immortal in eliminating the wicked, succeed or die trying." After speaking, the three took out the talisman given by Taoist Wei Yushan of the Huangtian Sect and chanted under their breath. Then, biting their fingertips, they smeared the talismans. An incredible scene unfolded. Yellow light flashed brightly from the talisman in their hands and entered their chests. Suddenly, the three appeared as if they were possessed by Yellow Armor, their muscles swelling, transforming them into figures of Yellow Armored Warriors. "Let''s go, kill those unprincipled rich." "Yes!" The three brothers bent their knees slightly, then charged out of the rundown Song Family Mansion towards the city gates. Previously arranged disciples of the Huangtian Sect had already started to rally large crowds nearby, creating chaos, making the area near the city gate utterly disordered, so much so that even the arriving garrison couldn''t hold their position at the gate. They had no choice but to attack the people, prompting a series of screams. Without a word, the Song brothers, in tandem with the Huangtian Sect disciples, charged into the crowd and with one punch killed the guards at the city gate, then joined hands with the sect''s disciples to open the gate from the inside... S~ea??h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 159: Chapter 83 You damned servant dog! "Clatter clatter clatter!"Shen Qing slung the heavy arrows over his back and, spurring his horse, charged into the city. The sound of the horse hooves echoed through the streets, appearing exceptionally urgent and loud. Shen Qing looked ahead to find that the originally bustling shops were now in complete disarray. The shopkeepers were panicking, some hurriedly rolling up their bedding, others frantically stuffing the goods from their shelves into carts. Everywhere were the anxious whispers of women and the heavy sounds of men hauling. The air was filled with an ominous premonition. S§×ar?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "I heard that the Huang Tian Sect is coming. They pillage, kill, and commit all kinds of evil deeds. They''ve just slaughtered all of the county town''s Guardian Martial Department officials clean. We better run for our lives now!" "Yes, yes, we must leave before it''s too late." ... A few well-dressed merchants gathered together, speaking in low voices. The street was noisy, and though their voices were not loud, Shen Qing, who was passing by, heard them clearly. He could not help but frown, his nerves tensing. Shen Qing knew that the Huang Tian Sect would come, but he had not expected them to arrive so soon. He must find Xiao Hu early and take him away. Delay could lead to disaster. Not daring to delay even slightly, he clenched his legs tighter around the horse''s belly to hasten its pace and headed straight for the courtyard house. Along the way, Shen Qing encountered many ragged people, dragging their weary bodies through the crowd, begging for food or shelter. Unfortunately, the passersby were in a hurry, and no one paid them any heed. After turning several streets, Shen Qing finally approached the familiar courtyard house. The gate was half open, so he dismounted swiftly, casually tying the reins to an old locust tree outside, and rushed into the courtyard in large strides. As soon as he entered the courtyard, Shen Qing''s steps halted abruptly, his gaze quickly locking onto the center of the yard. There stood an old man dressed in a gray short jacket, looking like a servant, with numerous bloodstains on his body. His eyes, hidden within wrinkles, flickered with a sinister light, indicating malice. "Is this Mr. Shen Qing in person?" "Who are you?" Shen Qing asked in a deep and alert voice, full of caution. He looked around and, finding no one else but this uninvited guest in the yard and no traces of Shen Xiaohu, his heart sank immediately. The old man slowly raised his head, his mouth curling into a calm smile, "I''m an old servant under the fifth young master of Yongzhou''s Zhou Family, ordered to claim Mr. Shen''s life." Having obtained the ''Never Forget'' ability, Shen Qing had no recollection of this Zhou Family''s fifth young master. His face coldly expressed, "I have no acquaintance with your young master; no recent grudges nor past conflicts. I wonder, what offense have I given to your master that he seeks my life?" "No grudge is needed; my young master merely wishes to borrow Mr. Shen''s head for a while. If the gentleman agrees, this old servant can grant a swift end." As the words fell, the Zhou Family''s old servant''s clothes stirred without any wind. Shen Qing''s pupils shrank suddenly, reflecting the faint swirl of Qi surrounding the old servant. This servant, with Qi flowing freely inside his body, was able to form a protective barrier indicating his cultivation had reached the Qi Cultivation Realm, or at least, one foot into the Qi Hai Realm. In Taiping County, such strength was considered top-notch, yet he was willing to serve as a servant of the Zhou Family. What exactly was Yongzhou''s Zhou Family''s background? Shen Qing took a deep breath to calm the waves inside him and said indifferently, "I have a question for you?" "Oh? What is it? Let''s hear it," responded the servant. "Have you encountered my cousin and what have you done to him?" Glancing down at the bloodstains on the ground, the old servant replied, "Just now, I indeed killed a few young men near your house, about your age. Now that I think about it, one of them did bear some resemblance to you..." "Then you damned servant, you really deserve to die!" Shen Qing''s entire body trembled, and he lashed out instantly. Streams of Qi gathered at his fingertips and with a muffled ''thud'', they transformed into a fierce wave of Qi Force, shooting straight at the Zhou Family''s old servant. The Zhou Family''s old servant looked surprised. In his haste, he gathered his Qi into an invisible shield in front of him, causing even the air to warp. Bang! The Qi Force from Shen Qing struck the old servant, forcing him to stagger back repeatedly, his hastily conjured shield dissipated. A look of shock filled the face of the Zhou Family''s old servant. "Qi Cultivation Realm, are you also a martial master of the Qi Cultivation Realm?" His heart could no longer remain calm in an instant. To know that he had served the Zhou Family diligently all these years, it was only with many years of hard work that he obtained a top-notch Martial Arts manual complemented with some Elixirs to reach his current level. Even this, was already something many people envied but could not achieve. Yet, this young man in front of him came from a hunter''s background and practiced Martial Arts in a place like Linfeng Hall, which certainly did not have his resources available. Frankly speaking, the Cultivation Resources that leaked through the Zhou Family''s fingers were beyond Linfeng Hall''s reach even if it waited eight generations. How did he accomplish this? Impossible, absolutely impossible, it must be an illusion. The Zhou Family''s old servant''s face turned fierce, and he no longer held back his strength. With a twist of his foot, his body swayed and he charged in front of Shen Qing, throwing punches at him. "Die!" Thump thump thump. Shen Qing turned his fingers into palms, clashing with the old servant''s punches, emitting a dull collision sound. The servant''s fists were like the wind, and each punch seemed to carry the might of moving mountains, powerful enough to break through paper, and incredibly fast. Even for the Wind Defying Finger technique, which was known for its movement, this was somewhat difficult to handle. Shen Qing repeatedly took several punches. Fortunately, he had practiced the Dragon Roar Armor, and with the Golden Silkworm Armor on his body, the fierce power of the Zhou Family''s old servant seemed unable to break through even the outer layer of defense on his skin. The longer Zhou Ji''s old servant fought, the more apprehensive he became, noticing the opponent''s continuous, relentless Inner Strength and terrifying defense. He struck with all his might over several punches, yet the other party seemed unscathed. If this continued, he would deplete all his Qi Force. Is this guy even human? The two exchanged a series of blows in the courtyard, with the continuous dull explosions echoing in the yard. The Zhou Family''s old servant''s punches grew fiercer, but Shen Qing stood like an unbreakable wall, keeping his Qi Force out. "Is this all you''ve got, and you still want to kill me? Who gave you the courage?" "Hmm?" The Zhou Family''s old servant suddenly looked up and met Shen Qing''s eyes. Shen Qing''s eyes were filled with a beast-like ferocity, so bright they were blinding, making the servant shiver. "You..." Whoosh! In an instant, Shen Qing extended two fingers towards the Zhou Family servant''s chest. Accompanied by a piercing whistling sound, they swiftly hit the old servant. "Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill, Fourth Transformation! Condense!" A scalding and burning breath burst forth from the two fingers of Shen Qing. The brutal Qi Force exploded at the chest of the Zhou Family''s old servant, centered at one point. Bang! The Zhou Family''s old servant screamed, as he got hit by the force like a kite with a broken string, flying back and crashing against the courtyard wall. His heart trembled violently. No good, I have to leave, or I will die here. The Zhou Family''s old servant gritted his teeth, leapt onto the rooftop, and with his Qinggong, he desperately fled. Shen Qing slightly narrowed his eyes. He took the Heavy Bow off his back and notched a dark iron Heavy Arrow. With sharpened eyesight, he activated his Skill. Shen Qing''s perception was immensely amplified as he locked his gaze on the fleeing Zhou Family old servant, grasping his trajectory in an instant. He gathered all his strength into his right hand, pulling the bow to its full extent. The next moment, Shen Qing suddenly released his hand. With a "whoosh," the dark iron Heavy Arrow flew like lightning from the bowstring, tearing through the sky with a whistling sound heading straight for the old servant. The Zhou Family''s old servant sensed the threat of the arrow, his face filled with shock and terror. He turned his head, only to see the heavy arrow growing rapidly in his pupils. In the end, with a "thud," it pierced through his chest. The Zhou Family''s old servant''s body stiffened mid-air, a trace of blood seeping from the corner of his mouth, his eyes gradually losing their luster as he fell from the sky like a powerless bird. Chapter 161: Chapter 85: Guarding the Stump Waiting for Rabbits, Turmoil outside the City With the invasion from Huang Tian Sect, the government office''s military camp and the remaining families of Wang and Li became the main targets of the attack.Inside and outside the county city, chaos reigned. Faced with such a situation, County Magistrate Du Yuntong and his subordinates simply lost their will to resist. They charged haphazardly through the messy streets, bolted out of the east city gate, and fled directly. It caught everyone by surprise. Many guards who had the heart to resist watched as County Magistrate Du Yuntong and his men scurried away and immediately lost all morale, surrendering on the spot. One by one, locations throughout Taiping County quickly fell. Within the Inner City, flames soared into the sky; the air was filled with thick gunpowder smoke and the stench of blood, while cries and desperate pleas for help rose and fell in succession. Shen Qing''s face grew sterner as he constantly whipped and struck Zhuifeng''s haunches. He noticed on the Water Ink Panel within his line of sight that the Progress of his Riding Skill was visibly jumping up a little bit at a time. Zhuifeng, as if sensing Shen Qing''s urgency and resolve, galloped as if on the wind, forging a path through the chaos. By the time they reached the bottom of the east city gate, Shen Qing fiercely clamped his legs around the horse''s belly. Zhuifeng, like a wild horse freed from its reins, charged out of the gate, leaving the chaos and despair far behind. After running one tael straight through, leaving the mayhem behind him, Shen Qing finally slowly reined in, allowing the horse to catch its breath. He couldn''t help but turn his head back in the direction of Taiping County. At that moment, Taiping County seemed to be shrouded by a heavy pall, the sky no longer the usual blue, but turned into an unsettling shade of earthy yellow. That yellow light seemed to float over from the far southwest, with layers upon layers, carrying an oppressive aura. The yellow light continued to spread, with some of the edges already extending over Shen Qing''s head. Shen Qing gazed at the county engulfed in yellow light, his heart sinking heavily. Continue your adventure with mvl This was clearly not a Martial Arts technique; it was closer to Daoism. Huang Tian Sect might be stronger than he had imagined. Shen Qing took a deep breath, suppressed the turmoil inside him, patted Zhuifeng on the neck to signal it to keep going. Now, he must catch up with his master and aunt as quickly as possible. "Drive!" Zhuifeng raised its head proudly, let out a resounding neigh, and once again galloped away. ... Up ahead on the main road, considering Shen Qing''s need to find people, Li Linfeng and Uncle Shen Er, along with a convoy of nearly twenty people, travelled slowly. Tian Xiaohu, who was handling the carriage, occasionally looked back at the road behind them, appearing preoccupied. They had walked so far that Taiping County was no longer in sight, but when they saw the sky above the county turn yellow, their expressions immediately soured. Something had happened in Taiping County. On their way, they had already heard that Huang Tian Sect was attacking the county, which had given them a scare. Tian Xiaohu knew clearly that with his meager abilities, it was a fool''s dream to survive unscathed in such chaos. Luckily, he had made the right choice once again. Boom, boom, boom. Suddenly, the sound of thunder echoed from the clear skies above, startling everyone in the convoy, who looked up. The sun still hung high, its golden light piercing the sparse cloud cover, intermingling with the occasional flashes of silver lightning, creating a bizarre and surreal scene. Shen Fang, sitting inside the carriage, was jolted awake by the sound of thunder. She gently lifted the curtain on the carriage and looked out. Faced with such strange weather, worry washed over Shen Fang''s face. She asked Xiao Zhi and Tian Xiaohu, "Has Qingzi returned yet?" Tian Xiaohu turned around and gazed down the road again, then shook his head and said, "Not yet, but he should be here soon." "Hiss..." The caravan led by Li Linfeng and the others suddenly stopped ahead, causing the distracted Tian Xiaohu to hurriedly pull on the reins. The mare immediately halted, avoiding a collision with the carriage in front. Under this inertia, Shen Fang, who was kneeling and stretching her head out, would have been thrown forward if not for Xiao Zhi''s quick reflexes, swiftly supporting her to prevent a fall from the carriage. "Why did they suddenly stop at the front?" Tian Xiaohu handed the reins to Xiao Zhi and said, "Don''t move, I''ll go up front and take a look." Tian Xiaohu trotted towards the very front of the caravan. As he moved forward, the smell of blood in the air became stronger. At the very front of Li Linfeng''s caravan, shadows flitted about. By the time Tian Xiaohu arrived, the area had already been surrounded by Li Linfeng and his people. Squeezing through, Tian Xiaohu''s gaze fell upon the scene before him, and he stood frozen, fear creeping over his face. Bodies were strewn haphazardly ahead: faces twisted in agony, some heads tilted to one side, staring blankly at the sky, while others had fists clenched tight, with fingertips deeply embedded in the mud. Most had gaping wounds as if pierced by arrows. The air was heavy with the smell of blood and rust. But that wasn''t what mattered; what did was their attire¡ªthey were all from the Guardian Martial Department! Rustle rustle. Suddenly, from the shadows of the bushes on both sides behind the caravan, came a series of footsteps and the sound of metal scraping. One after another, disciples of the Huang Tian Sect, dressed as such, emerged from the bushes. Armed with heavy crossbows, they aimed at Li Linfeng and his group, leaving everyone in the caravan aghast. Among these disciples of the Huang Tian Sect, a giant of a man, standing seven feet tall, walked out, and the surrounding disciples of the Huang Tian Sect automatically cleared a path for him. This man held a high position within the Huang Tian Sect. The uncles and aunts, who had not seen much of the world, were terrified and quickly gathered closer to Li Linfeng and the others. Li Linfeng realized that they might be facing big trouble today and quickly stepped forward. With both hands raised to the leading man, he said, "Esteemed hero, we are just ordinary folk passing through here. I hope you can show us mercy." The robust man looked Li Linfeng up and down and, with an unexpectedly delighted face, said, "The Commander ordered us to wait here like sitting ducks, to prevent those greedy officials from escaping and ruining our plans. I didn''t expect to be graced by you fat sheep first." Li Linfeng''s heart skipped a beat. From the sound of it, these people were not planning to let them go today. He was about to speak up to plead for mercy, hoping to buy their way out of disaster, when suddenly he saw someone from the opposite side rushing over, shouting, "General, the dog officials from the city are coming this way with a large group of men. What should we do?" The stalwart man''s face showed a trace of displeasure, and without a second thought, he said, "Quick, get the brothers and sisters ready. We have to kill that bunch from the Ji Family." "And them?" "Kill them first!" "General, there''s no time. The officials from Taiping County are on fast horses; they''ll be here any minute now." The bearded giant glanced at Li Linfeng and the others, cursed under his breath, "You''re lucky," and gave orders, "Have a few brothers keep an eye on them; the rest follow me to prepare an ambush for those dog officials. Today we must ensure no one escapes." "Yes." The thirty or forty disciples of the Huang Tian Sect behind the caravan, well-trained, quickly adjusted their crossbows and ran ahead to set up the ambush. Clip-clop, clip-clop... The sound of horse hooves drew closer and closer. The moment the ambush was set, County Magistrate Du Yuntong, together with Wang Yanjun and others, charged headlong into the Huang Tian Sect''s trap. "Kill!" Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 162: Chapter 86: Ambush, Attacked On the official road leading to Yongzhou County town, the sound of galloping horses was urgent and powerful.Having escaped a brush with death, County Magistrate Du Yuntong, upon hearing thunder from within the Inner City, rode his horse daring not to delay any further. Behind him, a group of disheveled officials closely followed. Riding by the side of County Magistrate Du Yuntong, Wang Yanjun shouted, "Lord County Magistrate, we have already broken out of the county town, what''s next? There''s a station forty miles ahead, shall we rest there for a while?" County Magistrate Du Yuntong slightly turned his head, his gaze resolute, "We cannot! Taiping County has fallen and is now in the hands of the enemy; this place is no longer safe. We must reach the county town as soon as possible to report the situation here to the county government." His voice was not loud, yet every word clanged decisively. His long-standing high position made him exude an aura of authority, significantly reassuring the numerous officials and subordinates who had followed him. In fact, despite his calm demeanor, County Magistrate Du Yuntong was already in turmoil. He knew in his heart that as a county head, he could not escape punishment for the loss of the town, and at the very least, losing his official hat would be the lighter consequence. A slight mishap might even lead to the severe punishment of skinning. Fortunately, over the years, he had discreetly provided support to the governor of the county town, amounting to no less than several tens of thousands of taels. If he could shift some of the blame, the governor might consider the years he had served diligently, and grant him a way out. In time, when the right opportunity arose, he would surely emerge once again after improving his network of connections. Therefore, reaching the county town as quickly as possible was of paramount importance¡ªthe sooner, the better. Just as County Magistrate Du Yuntong was contemplating this, a sudden shout erupted from ahead, "Kill!" There was no hesitation, nor any pleasantries. As soon as they entered the range, the disciples of the Huangtian Sect who were in ambush decisively made their move. "Protect the Lord County Magistrate!" Wang Yanjun, as the head of the Guardian Martial Department, roared and swiftly formed a defensive formation with his subordinates, tightly shielding Du Yuntong in the middle. Accompanied by the rebel''s roar, a thick murderous aura permeated the air. Arrows flew like raindrops, arriving in the blink of an eye. The numerous martial masters from the government office around Du Yuntong circulated their Qi-Blood, lying close to their horses'' backs, and dodged to the side to avoid the arrows. Unfortunately, the arrows were too densely packed to be avoided in time. "Whiz, whiz, whiz." Arrows scattered down relentlessly. Having achieved the Skin Forging Realm, martial masters had skin hard as cowhide, impervious to ordinary blades and spears, yet the arrows shot by the Huangtian Sect still penetrated their flesh. "Crossbows! They are using crossbows!" Experience more content on mvl The regular officials and martial masters who had charged over were terrified. The numerous muscular horses, already large, found almost no escape from the impenetrable rainfall of arrows, with most of them being struck. "Neigh, neigh!" The war horses let out a series of dismal whinnies, tumbling down one after the other, kicking up dust, with the riders thrown off, their fate unknown. Grasping the reins tightly, Du Yuntong surveyed his surroundings, calmed down, and shouted to the remaining people, "Those who hesitate now will surely die! Follow me, let''s break through!" Although County Magistrate Du Yuntong had mainly focused on money throughout his tenure, he was not a useless figure, having been appointed to this position. Faced with the sudden ambush, he quickly made appropriate decisions. Wang Yanjun, as the head of the Guardian Martial Department, and second only to County Magistrate Du Yuntong in the Qi Cultivation Realm, pulled out her blade and charged forward immediately after a brief gap in the enemy''s intense crossbow attack. "General?" The burly man leading the assault spread his arms across the path, "A Qi Cultivation Realm martial artist from the county town, and a woman to boot, quite rare, just right to test their mettle." He casually drew a blade from a Holy Sect Disciple beside him and leapt forward. With a deep shout, the two almost drew their blades at the same time. S§×arch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The blades shone like dragons, clashing ferociously with each other''s will. Bang! A deafening roar erupted in the void, scattering shockwaves that lifted the dust and fallen leaves from the ground. Wang Yanjun felt an indescribable gigantic force transmitted from the hilt, instantaneously spreading throughout her body, causing excruciating pain in her palms. Upon closer inspection, she saw several small cuts had formed in her palms, from which blood was slowly seeping out and dripping down the hilt. No matter how much she tried to stay composed, she could not hide the slight trembling of her wrists. "This power..." Wang Yanjun was secretly alarmed in her heart, "Qi Hai Realm!" But her attack was not intended to result in a life or death battle with her opponent. After pushing the opponent back with one strike, Wang Yanjun immediately spurred her horse''s hind with the flat of her blade and dashed toward the disciples of the Huang Tian Sect, trying to break through. Seeing this, the burly man from the Huang Tian Sect hooked a faint smile on his lips and pulled out a talisman, sticking it to his body. A yellow light suddenly enveloped him. With a fierce stamp of his foot, he shot forward like an arrow released from the bow, reaching Wang Yanjun in no time. To Wang Yanjun''s surprise, he raised his long blade again and chopped off the horse''s hooves. Boom. Thrown off by the strong inertia, Wang Yanjun was catapulted from the horse''s back, rolling over a few times. Before she could regain her stability and catch her breath, an extremely sharp killing intent suddenly surged behind her. Wang Yanjun''s heart tightened, and she instinctively wanted to turn around, but the long blade was already swiftly following. A long blade, shimmering with a cold light and cleaving the air with a whistling sound, chopped down right at her head with astonishing speed. Relying on her years of combat instinct, Wang Yanjun abruptly lifted her long blade to meet the attack coming from behind, colliding harshly with it. The massive sound of metal clashing filled the air, sending sparks flying everywhere. The opponent''s thousand-pound force was condensed in that single strike, its impact far exceeding Wang Yanjun''s expectations. She felt a unique force penetrate her body instantly, like a rock smashed by a giant wave, her organs seemed to have lost their original positions in that moment. The excruciating pain surged like a tide, nearly suffocating her to the point of fainting, completely passing out. Li Linfeng watched this scene, deeply shaken. He knew that Wang Yanjun''s cultivation was similar to his own, both being Qi Cultivation martial masters, but facing this general from the Huang Tian Sect, they were nearly subdued without a chance to fight back. If it were him facing the opponent, he would also have no chance of victory. He clenched his teeth and quickly made a decision. Circulating the Qi throughout his body with a rapid movement technique, he dashed toward the several Saints of the Huang Tian Sect and immediately shouted, "Go!" The others, coming to their senses, wasted no time and clambered onto the wagons, then lashed the horses. Crack! "Drive!" Li Linfeng led the two teams in a fierce charge. The remaining disciples of the Huang Tian Sect planned to surround them, only to find that the people from the government office they were encircling had also broken through. The Huang Tian Sect General coldly watched Wang Yanjun, and without a word, swung down his blade. Wang Yanjun''s body, as fragile as a piece of tofu, was easily beheaded, her head crashing heavily to the ground. "Forget about these people for now. Finish off all these escaping officials, leave none alive." Chapter 163: Chapter 87: The Arrow that Fell from the Sky "Kill!"Taiping County Magistrate Du Yuntong and others understood that the traitors of the Huang Tian Sect would not spare them, each of them stirred up with fierce Qi, fighting to the death. The two sides engaged in close combat. On the official road, the war cries shook the heavens, deafening to the ear. The Huang Tian Sect General held a long saber, his face calm and collected. After killing Wang Yanjun, he glanced at the many officials without any hesitation, his figure burst like a tiger descending the mountain, directly charging into the chaotic battlefield. Wherever he passed, no one could withstand his edge. The County Governors and others engaged in the hard fight could not defend against him. Normally dignified in the county government, Taiping County Magistrate Du Yuntong, now had an ashen face. He gathered all his Qi Force and roared, "Scoundrel, how dare you be so bold!" "Hmm?" The Huang Tian Sect General, twisting his step, swung his saber directly. The saber light, like a whirlwind, pierced the void, carrying with it the momentum to tear everything apart, heading straight for Du Yuntong. Du Yuntong''s expression changed, and he leaped down from the horse. Then, with fists clenched, a vast amount of Qi surged through his body, weaving in the air into an impenetrable net of Qi, forcibly catching the saber light of the Huang Tian Sect General. The Huang Tian Sect General, unexpectedly calling out, "Hmm? The Qi Hai Realm! Are you Taiping County Magistrate Du Yuntong?!" He recognized the cultivation of the person before him at a glance, only achievable after opening the Qi Sea, capable of freely manifesting such vast Qi. And, as he knew, within the government office of Taiping, only County Magistrate Du Yuntong had reached such a level. He had truly caught a big fish! The Huang Tian Sect General, seeing Du Yuntong''s exhilarated face, said, "I never expected to encounter such a great merit; taking you back, the Commander will surely grant a hefty reward. Since that is the case, I will not hold back." With those words, his figure burst forth, his Qi also releasing outward, concentrating around the blade, continuously chopping down at Du Yuntong. Du Yuntong, in haste, countered with his fists against the saber. His skin, hardened like steel after years of tempering, aided by the Qi Force, was actually capable of resisting the opponent''s blade with his flesh and blood. Thud, thud, thud, thud... The long saber and the invisible Qi continuously collided, both men exchanging blows in rapid succession, bursting out deafening deep booms. At this moment, Du Yuntong inwardly groaned. A few months ago, in his anxious pursuit of advancement in cultivation, he didn''t expect to encounter a mishap injuring his meridians, causing his cultivation to regress instead of advance. Now, with his injuries unhealed, continuously making moves, his Qi was gradually becoming unsustainable. He truly couldn''t understand why, after the Great Zhou Dynasty consolidated Martial Mechanisms, the Huang Tian Sect still had so many martial masters, including the Qi Hai Realm martial masters. Du Yuntong refused to give in to death and shouted, "Do you think you can rest easy after taking down the county city? Having slain the officials of Yongzhou, the Prefectural Governors will not let you go; they will lead troops to punish you, making sure you have no place for your burial." "If I die, I will surely ascend to the Yellow Heaven and achieve the fruit of immortality; there''s no need for your concern!" Discover stories at mvl The Huang Tian Sect General pounced again fiercely. Just when he thought he had victory in his grasp, Du Yuntong suddenly spotted a small flaw in his opponent. His eyes sharpened, the Qi within his body boiling to its peak, his fists suddenly swung, two brilliant Qi streaks like lightning tearing through the void, accompanied by a howling sound, heading straight for the opponent''s chest. The Huang Tian Sect General, seeing this, his face greatly changed, attempted to use his saber to block with all his might. However, he was still a step too late, a streak of Qi piercing through his clothing, hitting his chest fiercely, sending his body flying backward, crashing heavily onto the ground. Du Yuntong stood in place, gasping for breath, his eyes filled with surprise, "Did it, let''s go." However, to his surprise, before he could mount his horse, the opponent took out a golden-yellow Elixir and swallowed it. The next moment, he stood up as if nothing had happened and shouted, "You think you can leave? It''s not that easy; I haven''t had enough!" Qi force erupted from his entire body, gathered on his sword blade, and then he lunged forward fiercely. The Huang Tian Sect General turned into a beam of yellow light, rushing in front of Du Yuntong and slashing down, releasing a burst of Qi force. A dull thud sounded, accompanied by a scream. Already nearly exhausted, Du Yuntong had an arm chopped off under the adversary''s strike, blood spraying wildly. Following this, the Huang Tian Sect General''s large hands suddenly transformed into a dark shadow, as quick as lightning, striking down upon his head. County Magistrate Du Yuntong hadn''t reacted yet when he felt a tightness on the scalp, and then his entire body was swept up like leaves caught in a fierce wind, out of control. "Bang!" With a heavy thud, the county magistrate was violently slammed onto the ground by the Huang Tian Sect General. Dust rose up, and the air around seemed to tremble with it. Under this powerful impact, County Magistrate Du Yuntong''s Qi force instantly collapsed, feeling his organs shifted out of place, stars dancing before his eyes, and even breathing became extraordinarily difficult. He struggled to stand up but found he couldn''t move even a single finger, his mouth slightly open, managing only a faint groan, unable to utter a complete sentence. "Did you ever think of today when you were in high position?" the Huang Tian Sect General sternly said, gazing at County Magistrate Du Yuntong, "All you people are the same, carrying sins too numerous to count." County Magistrate Du Yuntong looked up, his eyes filled with terror. The Huang Tian Sect General sneered, "Rest assured, I won''t kill you yet; you have more value alive than dead." After saying this, he looked around and noticed that the officials were either dead or injured, unable to make any more trouble. Then, the Huang Tian Sect General looked towards the distance, "Some minor characters have fled; they looked like they had substantial wealth. We should chase them down." He grabbed County Magistrate Du Yuntong by the collar, threw out a talisman, and formed a spell with one hand. The talisman flashed brightly with gold, landing at his feet and lifting him up. The next moment, he transformed into a beam of yellow light, landing directly in front of Li Linfeng and others'' fleeing convoy. Bang! The Huang Tian Sect General slammed his palm on the head of Li Linfeng''s leading carriage. The galloping horses suddenly halted as if a great force staunchly blocked their path, their hind parts lifting high, then crashing heavily to the ground, stopping dead in their tracks, unable to rise again. Sitting inside the carriage, everyone was thrown out, rolling and scrambling on the ground. Looking up and seeing the Huang Tian Sect General, who appeared like a golden war deity, and then at the wretched state of County Magistrate Du Yuntong, they were terrified. The Huang Tian Sect General casually threw County Magistrate Du Yuntong onto the ground and said expressionlessly, "Leaving without a word, don''t you think that''s a bit rude?" Li Linfeng, who had weathered many crises, was at a loss on how to respond to this scene. While they were delayed, many disciples of the Huangtian Sect gradually gathered. Although some were lost, nearly twenty blood-soaked and ferocious disciples remained. sea??h th§× N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The Huang Tian Sect General looked down, sweeping his gaze over Li Linfeng and others, and coldly said, "You have two choices: die lying down or die standing!" Li Linfeng opened his mouth, attempting to speak, but found he could not utter a complete sentence. If he was struggling, there was no need to mention the others. In the carriage, Shen Fang, Aunt, and others curled up into a ball, trembling. "It seems you prefer to die lying down!" the Huang Tian Sect General said, hearing no response for a long while, making the choice for them. He stepped forward, lifting the long sword in his hand. Just then, a black light descended from the sky at an incredibly fast speed, accompanied by a roaring sound, heading straight for the Huang Tian Sect General... "Hmm? What''s this?" Chapter 164: Chapter 88: With a Herculean Effort, a Shot Fired by the Gods! The streak of dark light, wrapped with a piercing shriek as it ripped through the air, arrived in an instant, so fast that there was no time for any response.In the flash of lightning, the Huang Tian Sect General''s wrist turned. The long saber, glistening with a cold light under the sun, rose like a dragon soaring to the Nine Heavens, carrying an overwhelming force of Qi as it fiercely cleaved upward. Boom! The dark light fell, striking the long saber, producing a thunderous noise. The invisible force, like raging sea waves, wreaked havoc, with air waves surging and raising clouds of dust, completely shrouding the Huang Tian General in chaos. Once the wind settled and the dust cleared, the sunlight pierced through the dust, revealing the disheveled Huang Tian Sect General. S§×arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Now, he seemed slightly staggered, with his clothes in disarray and his face covered in dust. Before him was planted a dark iron arrow, like a divine weapon from the ancient past, thrust into the ground. The ground around it cracked and scattered, unable to withstand the force, resulting in a one-meter wide crater, powerful and penetrating. Li Linfeng and the others were shaken by the sight of the familiar arrow. Standing tall and unbending like a pine, the Huang Tian Sect General, with a stern expression, suddenly roared, "Who goes there! What sacred being dares to be so reckless here?!" His voice was deep and powerful, like thunder from the heavens spreading far and wide, carrying an air of imperious authority that pierced through the clouds and echoed around. Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh... In response to him came a series of sharp and urgent sounds of cutting through the air. Shadowy trajectories sprang from the distant ground, slicing through the sky and descending towards the many Huang Tian Divine Sect disciples behind the convoy. The Heavy Bow, with a strength of fifty shi, was not something those crossbows could compare with; the arrows it fired were tremendously powerful. Within a range of two hundred steps, the mere flesh and blood of those below the Skin Forging Realm stood no chance against these arrows, as if they were made of paper. "Aah!" Screams rose and fell in succession. More than half of the Holy Sect Disciples fell to the ground with arrows in them. Some with insufficient cultivation were ripped apart by the force of the heavy arrows, unable to even scream. The Huang Tian Sect disciples wore expressions of extreme terror and dread as they backed away. Looking ahead, they saw a young man holding a Heavy Bow, straightening his back on a fast horse, with the bow drawn full circle. The young man squinted his eyes, and with a sudden release of his finger, another dark iron Heavy Arrow shot out like lightning. Whoosh! The black arrowhead twinkled with cold light under the sun as it landed near the Huang Tian Sect''s group. This arrow was incredibly accurate and, to everyone''s disbelief, it went straight through five men before finally nailing the last person to the ground, where it barely came to a stop, touching it alone would cause injury. "Sharpshooter, a sharpshooter!" The remaining Huang Tian Sect disciples, having witnessed this, were completely petrified and fled into the mountains without looking back. Instantly the road was swept clear as if by a sweeping wind, all obstacles vanquished by the might of Shen Qing''s arrows. Shen Qing did not stop his assault; he leaned close to the horse''s back, muscles tensed, urging the stallion Zhuifeng to sprint forward. The next moment, he charged straight up to the Huang Tian Sect General. Shen Qing, holding the Heavy Bow, used the bow as a weapon; with a powerful sweep emanating whistling winds and an imposing force, he struck out. The Huang Tian General''s face turned serious; his long saber moved like a dragon emerging from the sea, stretched across his chest, and immediately after, he swiftly cast a yellow talisman, which floated in front of him and formed a yellow Light Shield around his body. Bang! The moment the Heavy Bow collided with the Light Shield, it erupted with a deafening noise, stirring the air around and creating visible ripples. "Wow!" The Huang Tian Sect General was thrown backward like a kite with its string cut, trailing a gust of wind, and finally crashed heavily against an ancient tree. With a sound, the ancient tree snapped, its branches scattering and dust rising into the air. ``` Shen Qing, fused with the strength of his steed, unleashed a power beyond imagination. He felt an overwhelming force surging down the blade in front of him, one that not even the talisman-derived Light Shield could withstand. The Huang Tian Sect General barely managed to steady himself with all his might. Hiss... The talisman, floating in the air, ignited out of nowhere like a struck match, and turned into a wisp of ash, scattering in the wind. The blow from Shen Qing had hit the Huang Tian Sect General so hard that his guts felt twisted, and his whole body went numb. "I am Shen Qing from Hong Shan," said Shen Qing calmly while on horseback. As if hearing a familiar term, County Magistrate Du Yuntong, lying on the official road, strained to lift his eyelids and glanced at Shen Qing. His eyes brightened, revealing an expression of surprise and joy. ''Good! I hope he can hold on for the duration of a stick of incense, or the time it takes to drink a half cup of tea, to give me enough time to recover some strength and escape into the mountains... Maybe then, I''ll have a chance at survival.'' As for whether Shen Qing could handle the Huang Tian Sect General in front of him, that was not even within his considerations. His own cultivation at the Qi Hai Realm wasn''t enough to be a match. How could someone merely at the Qi Cultivation Realm pose any threat? Just as long as he doesn''t die too quickly, that would be an accomplishment in itself. It would be enough if he could buy some time for escape. Shen Qing slid off his horse and walked to the front of Tian Xiaohu and Li Linfeng, frowning as he noticed bloodstains on Li Linfeng. "Shen Qing? The hero who slew the demon tiger?" Shen Qing remained silent. He hadn''t expected that the Huang Tian Sect traitor judge he was meeting for the first time would recognize him. With an admiring gaze, the Huang Tian Sect General spoke, "With your skills, I see you are still without affiliation. Why not join our Holy Sect, and share in the ultimate pleasures of heaven and earth?" Upon hearing this, Shen Qing smiled wryly. From what he had seen recently, he figured that the methods of the Huang Tian Sect were somewhat extreme, as if they were willing to stop at nothing to achieve their goals. Had he not arrived just in time, his uncle, aunt, Hall Master, teacher, and Tian Xiaohu might have already become ghosts under that man''s blade. Shen Qing had a very poor opinion of them. "No need, I have no interest in joining your so-called Holy Sect. I''m not one for religious belief." Experience new stories on mvl The Huang Tian Sect General was not angered, "Then what does interest you?" "I''m very interested in killing you. How about doing a kindness and ending yourself in my presence?" The Huang Tian Sect General was momentarily stunned, then burst into loud laughter as if he heard the funniest thing, "Haha... I admit you have some ability, but you are still far from being able to kill me. It seems I must crush your arrogance." Up till now, the real powerhouse that Shen Qing had encountered was the Zhou family''s old servant, who had reached the Great Perfection of the Qi Cultivation Realm. And even that man had only forced Shen Qing to use forty percent of his strength. How much effort would this man in front of him require? "Theory is always shallow until put into practice. Some things, you just need to try to understand." "Since you seek death, then I shall not be blamed for your demise." The words had barely left his mouth when the Huang Tian Sect General lightly flicked his left hand, and an ancient talisman rose from his palm into the air, shining a brilliant light that enveloped him. Far from dissipating, the talisman turned into a stream of light and merged into the chest of the Huang Tian Sect General. Instantly, his aura transformed dramatically. His muscles swelled like mountains, and each inch of his flesh seemed to contain explosive strength, inflating the Huang Tian Sect General into a colossal figure. An awe-inspiring presence emanated. Exhaling a scorching breath, the Huang Tian Sect General said ferociously, "There, now. Kill!" His eyes wide with rage, his sharp gaze fixed on Shen Qing as he suddenly swung his blade. An ominous atmosphere enveloped the area. The long blade, in the hands of the Huang Tian Sect Patriarch, brought with it a whistling wind, striking like a bolt of silver lightning, aimed at Shen Qing''s chest with the speed of thunderstorms. Chapter 165: Chapter 89: Kill, Talisman, Huang Tian Sect Spy Register Under this astounding transformation, the seemingly simple and unadorned long saber in the hands of the Huang Tian Sect General burst forth with a world-shocking and awe-inspiring might in an instant.Qi surged around the blade like a dragon, coiling layer upon layer, raising goosebumps and emanating an oppressive aura that captured the soul. With what seemed like a casual slice, Shen Qing felt as though he was caught in the midst of a storm, with no means of escape. Shen Qing took a deep breath, his muscles tensing up. He had pushed his Dragon Roar Armor to its limits. A warm current surged wildly from his Dantian, quickly spreading throughout his body. The next moment, the layer of film that had covered his skin due to the breakthrough of the Iron Cloth Shirt, upon his activation, became crystal clear and more substantial, wrapping him tightly like armor. "Bang!" The long saber struck the front of Shen Qing''s chest, emitting a metallic cutting noise. The originally invulnerable Golden Silkworm Armor was cleanly sliced open by this blow, with the blade landing on the transparent film over Shen Qing''s chest. A clear metallic scraping sound and a spray of scorching light burst forth. In the heat of battle, Shen Qing couldn''t help but step back two paces and sidestep to avoid the saber''s remaining force. After evading the follow-through, he quickly looked down to see a thick white mark left on his chest, resembling a deep scratch on a block of solid ice. Beyond that, there was no discomfort whatsoever. A look of surprise spread across Shen Qing''s face, and he saw the Dragon Roar Armor''s martial arts in a new light, gaining a clearer understanding of the crystalline film. "How is this possible?" In contrast to Shen Qing''s composure, the Huang Tian Sect General looked as if he had seen a ghost. Others might not know, but he was acutely aware of just how powerful his last strike was. It wasn''t an overstatement to call it his strongest attack, enhanced by the talisman. Even a martial master of the Qi Hai Realm standing before him would have been severely injured. Yet here was this fellow Qi Cultivation martial master who hadn''t yet learned to project his Qi outside his body, nor form it into a solid mass, and he had blocked it with just his flesh and blood body; this overturned the general''s understanding. Realizing the terrifying defense of the Dragon Roar Armor, Shen Qing instantly felt a surge of confidence, and the corners of his mouth twitched upward slightly. "As a martial master of the Qi Hai Realm, is this the extent of your ability?" he asked, locking eyes with his opponent. The Huang Tian Sect General unconsciously met his gaze, only to see a pair of eyes like those of a wild beast awakening, flickering with a bloodthirsty light that made his heart skip a beat. "You..." Before he could finish his sentence, he saw a pair of fingers accompanied by a sharp, piercing woosh, thrust violently into his chest. "Pugh!" A faint yellow, semi-transparent light shield and runes, which had appeared abruptly in front of the Huang Tian Sect General, held against the unexpected pair of fingers. No longer able to remain calm, the general swung his long saber in a broad arc, its sharp edge transforming into a streak of silver light as it chopped straight at Shen Qing''s neck, "Die!" "Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill, Fifth Transformation!" At that moment, the searing breath of the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill merged with the fierce Qi, erupting violently between Shen Qing''s two fingers like a volcanic explosion, gushing forth. Boom! An ear-deafening explosion rang out, and heat waves and strong winds scattered in all directions. The Huang Tian Sect General''s massive body was thrown back violently by the force of the impact, emitting a heart-wrenching scream. Shen Qing''s expression twitched, as the might of the Fifth Transformation of the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill far exceeded his expectations. Feeling dizzy, Shen Qing almost subconsciously began to practice the Blood Dominance Technique, replenishing the deficit caused by the reversal of Qi-Blood. He glanced at the Huang Tian Sect General, his expression turning fierce. Strike while the enemy is sick, take his life. Shen Qing leaped forward, carrying a heart-shaking, scorching breath as he thrust out his finger, once again landing precisely on the Huang Tian Sect General''s chest. Boom! The Huang Tian Sect General had just managed to prop himself up and was struggling to rise when he was once again smashed back into the ground by the force of Shen Qing''s strike. The ground was forcefully indented, creating a deep crater two meters wide as dust flew around. The semi-transparent light shield formed by the talisman was shattered instantaneously. Once the power of the talisman was lost, his body shrank back to its original form at a visible rate. ``` "Ah!!" In the eyes of the Huang Tian Sect General, there was nothing but disbelief and horror: "My strength." ``` ``` "It seems you are nothing special after all." ``` ``` Shen Qing looked down from on high at the Huang Tian Sect General, his face showing a touch of disappointment. ``` ``` He had thought that the person before him would at least bring him a little surprise, but it turned out he had only used eighty percent of his strength, still not reaching his limit. ``` ``` If that was the case... then die! ``` ``` Shen Qing once again activated the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill; he pointed his fingers together at the Huang Tian Sect General from afar. ``` ``` Accompanied by an extremely scorching breath, the air around his fingers was distorted by the high temperature. ``` ``` Realizing the immense danger, the Huang Tian Sect General screamed: "Spare... spare my life..." ``` ``` But before he could finish speaking, he watched helplessly as a red glow burst forth from Shen Qing''s fingertips, striking his chest. ``` ``` A heart-wrenching, agonizing pain surged like a tide, instantly overwhelming his entire body. ``` ``` The blazing Qi emitted by Shen Qing, with its terrifying strength, completely burned through his heart. ``` ``` In that moment, the Huang Tian Sect General seemed to be suddenly imprisoned by an invisible force, turning into a statue, devoid of all movement. ``` ``` His eyes were hollow as he stared at the sky, faintly revealing a sense of despair. ``` ``` Suddenly, there was a deathly silence on the main road. ``` ``` Only the slight sound of the wind brushing through the mountains and forests could be heard. ``` ``` At this moment, Li Linfeng and the others were filled with disbelief, staring at Shen Qing with their mouths agape. ``` ``` Even County Magistrate Du Yuntong, who had been discarded on the ground, was stunned into immobility. ``` ``` Qi Hai Realm! ``` ``` That was a martial master of the Qi Hai Realm. ``` ``` Taiping County couldn''t produce more than a few such individuals, yet you killed him like he was nothing more than a dog!!! ``` ``` "Are you really Shen Qing?" ``` ``` As Shen Qing''s master, Li Linfeng had taken him as a disciple with astute discernment. Now, even his speech was trembling with a touch of nervousness. ``` ``` Hearing this, Shen Qing''s lips curved into a slight smile as he said, "Master, who else could I be besides Shen Qing? I''m hardly a big shot in Taiping County; who would pretend to be me?" ``` ``` With his rich experience and deep understanding of Martial Arts, Li Linfeng recognized the martial arts that Shen Qing had just used. Apart from the Wind Defying Finger, there was also the Dragon Roar Armor, the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill, and some other martial arts he didn''t understand. ``` ``` Amazement was unmistakable in his eyes. ``` ``` It was hard to imagine how so many martial arts could converge in one person and be cultivated to such a level of proficiency. ``` ``` After a moment, the tension on Li Linfeng''s face was slowly replaced by a look of excitement, and his body began to shake uncontrollably. ``` ``` The same martial arts performed by different people would yield different results. ``` ``` He never expected that in his lifetime he would train such a prodigy. ``` ``` Worth it! ``` ``` Absolutely worth it! Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ``` ``` Apart from Li Linfeng, the others were also lost in shock for a long time. ``` ``` Seeing the expressions of the crowd, Shen Qing couldn''t help but give a wry smile. ``` ``` Unconcerned with their gazes, he quickly walked over to the body of the Huang Tian Sect General and bent down. ``` ``` This man held a high position within the Huang Tian Sect; he had to be searched. ``` ``` Shen Qing''s fingers swiftly searched through the clothing of the corpse, and as his agile fingers flipped through, a stack of talismans emitting a faint spiritual light quietly appeared before his eyes. ``` ``` Glancing briefly at them, there seemed to be seven or eight in total. ``` ``` Having seen the capabilities of the Huang Tian Sect General, he knew at once that these talismans were no ordinary items. ``` ``` Find adventures on §Þ?? Shen Qing joyfully accepted them. ``` ``` In a moment, he also found a small triangular flag, a money pouch, and a thin booklet. ``` ``` There was no text on the outside of the booklet. Shen Qing opened it to find it only contained some personal biographies and information, somewhat like a roster. ``` ``` There was also a letter tucked inside the booklet. ``` ``` Shen Qing didn''t look closely, quickly putting these items away along with the rest. ``` Chapter 166: Chapter 90 He is an Unprecedented Martial Arts Genius After having thoroughly searched the body of the Huang Tian Sect General, Shen Qing made sure nothing was overlooked and returned to the caravan under everyone''s watchful gaze, leading his horse.As Shen Qing walked back, following a brief silence on the official road, whispers of conversation began to emerge from within the caravan. Shen Qing approached Li Linfeng and asked with concern, "Master, is everyone alright?" Li Linfeng cast aside his jumbled thoughts. As he looked at Shen Qing, his direct disciple, once again, his expression became extremely complex upon regaining his composure. In his eyes, it was already remarkable for someone to practice two types of Martial Arts, and those who could make a name for themselves in both were even rarer, let alone mastering more than that as an impossible feat. And yet, on Shen Qing''s person, he recognized three types of Martial Arts, not to mention there could be others he didn''t recognize. It would have been fine if it were just about learning, but the level to which Shen Qing had trained these Martial Arts was exceptionally high. Even the Wind Defying Finger had been mastered to the extent that Li Linfeng, its creator, was speechless, leaving him at a loss for words. If he absolutely had to make a judgement, the Martial Arts talent of the direct disciple before him was the strongest Taiping County had seen since its founding, bar none! An unprecedented Martial Arts genius, such talent was a rarity in his lifetime! Li Linfeng opened his mouth to say, "I... We are all fine..." "That''s good," Shen Qing replied calmly. "Now that the obstructions on the road have been mostly cleared, Master can let everyone start cleaning up and preparing to set off. I''ll take the lead on horseback when we head out." For some reason, Shen Qing''s words brought Li Linfeng a great sense of relief, and he couldn''t help but feel reassured, so he immediately agreed with a smile. After a few words with his master, Li Linfeng, Shen Qing walked step by step to where his uncle, Shen Er, and his aunt, Mrs. Wang, were standing, a look of guilt and hesitation suddenly appearing on his face. After a moment, he spoke, "Uncle, Aunt, I couldn''t bring Hu Zi back, I couldn''t find him." He spoke plainly to his relatives, without any attempt at concealing the truth or finding an excuse. Uncle Shen Er and Aunt Mrs. Wang both inevitably showed a dim look on their faces, their eyes filled with inexpressible sorrow and sadness. Mrs. Wang''s eyes even began to redden involuntarily, filled with guilt. As a hunter from the mountains, Uncle Shen Er''s eyebrows were knotted tightly together, and he remained silent without uttering a word. People were dying every day in these times. For these lowly hunters, death was all too familiar. Uncle Shen Er sighed, patted Shen Qing on the shoulder, and said, "Let''s tidy up and prepare to set out in a bit." Looking at his uncle''s retreating back, Shen Qing couldn''t help but feel that he seemed much older all of a sudden. Without saying much more, Shen Qing called over Tian Xiaohu and Xiao Zhi, among others, to clean up and organize the caravan. At this moment, when Tian Xiaohu and the others looked at Shen Qing, there was a clear increase in reverence, uncertain of how to act around him. They had seen quite clearly what had happened to the Huang Tian Sect General. The strongest county magistrate was no match for him, easily subdued. And yet such a powerful man, from beginning to end, could not gain the upper hand against Shen Qing and was instead suppressed throughout the fight. In the end, Shen Qing killed him with just two fingers, with relentless force. Without a doubt, Shen Qing was now the strongest martial master in Taiping County. Explore hidden tales at §Þ?? Considering he had been practicing Martial Arts for less than a year to reach this level, if given more time, it was unthinkable how far he could go. The pair did not dare to think further on it. Suppressing a stomach full of questions and shock, Tian Xiaohu opened his mouth and in a low voice, motioned and said, "Qingzi, what about those items?" ``` Shen Qing looked in the direction indicated by Tian Xiaohu and recognized what he was referring to, it was the crossbows scattered on the ground. To be honest, such objects were no longer worthy of his attention. However, for many ordinary people, they were lethal enough. If Tian Xiaohu used one of these crossbows, he could take on and even kill any Martial Artists below the Skin Forging Realm. Considering these items were unclaimed and strewn across the desolate wilderness, it was truly a pity. Shen Qing said, "Let''s pick some out together and collect all the intact ones." Tian Xiaohu nodded, following Shen Qing into the pile of corpses. The bodies of the Huang Tian Sect leader and the city officials, along with those of the Yongzhou Guard Martial Arts Bureau, were sprawled across the official road. Dark red blood pooled in the uneven ground, forming vast patches of crimson. The air was thick with the stench of blood. Shen Qing and the others turned a blind eye to the bodies, bending over to pick up the crossbows and arrows scattered on the ground. Furthermore, Shen Qing didn''t intend to overlook the bodies, and while collecting the crossbows and arrows, he also casually searched them. Strangely, for Shen Qing, rummaging through the bodies felt as natural as foraging for mushrooms in the mountains after a sunny spell following rain. Every body he cleared gave him a sense of satisfaction, a subtle feeling that was hard to put into words. Along the way, Shen Qing''s face was lit up with a brilliant smile. The disciples of the Huang Tian Sect had much less on them, mostly things like Taiping Scripture and Copper Coins. On the other hand, searching the bodies of the Taiping Government Office officials lying on the road yielded quite a few Jade Pendants, Silver Ingots, golden leaves, and Wish Power Pearls, rewarding him for his efforts. As Shen Qing passed by the body of a woman with a prominent chest, he paused, recognizing it was Wang Yanjun''s body, which filled him with sorrow. ''Such a waste of great assets, Xiao Hu would have been so upset if he were here...'' ''Sigh!'' S§×ar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Shen Qing clapped his hands, standing up from beside the body. Seeing that both parties'' caravans were ready, he gathered the items he had collected into his arms and walked towards his own caravan. He placed the crossbows and other items on the donkey cart and covered them with a burlap sack. After all, these items were prohibited by the Great Zhou Dynasty, and couldn''t be blatantly displayed. They needed to be concealed. After dealing with these, Shen Qing had his elder sister Shen Fang comfort their aunt, then stepped forward to lead out Zhuifeng, heading to the front of the caravan. "Huh?" Standing near Li Linfeng''s carriage, Shen Qing noticed Li Linfeng and his family squeezed into one carriage, with a few people even lacking room and forced to walk. Shen Qing clearly saw another carriage ahead with an uninjured horse. "Master, why do you all have to crowd into one carriage?" Li Linfeng said, resigned, "The Lord County Magistrate was somewhat injured and needed space to recuperate, so he took a liking to my carriage and requisitioned it. Being an official of the court, we had to comply¡­" The Lord County Magistrate? Du Yuntong, that Dog County Magistrate? Shen Qing held an even lesser opinion of the arrogant County Magistrate. He couldn''t help remembering the Taiping Escort Agency, recalling Tang Wanrou, and his face instantly showed displeasure. Shen Qing turned on his heels and headed straight for the carriage at the front. ``` Chapter 167: Chapter 91: Murdering an Official! You Seem to Hate Me a Lot Inside the carriage, County Magistrate Du Yuntong, having boarded the vehicle, sat upright on the meditation cushion, seizing the moment to close his eyes and regulate his breath.Just now, the scene of Shen Qing''s fierce battle against the Huang Tian Sect General had left him unable to calm his heart for a long time. The shock he felt was no less than that of Li Linfeng and the others. In his eyes, Shen Qing had been nothing more than a country bumpkin, with a slight talent for martial arts and some fame due to luck. Deep down, Du Yuntong looked down on people of Shen Qing''s background. Typically, based on his past experience, with just a small favor, he could command martial masters of such background at will. However, what he had never expected was that this lad could actually kill such a high-ranking Huang Tian Sect officer, achieving a tremendous level of cultivation. Experience more content on §Þ?? In terms of combat ability, the man had already risen above him, making it impossible for him to accept this reality at the moment. "Lord County Magistrate?" Just then, the curtain of the carriage was pulled open. Du Yuntong, seeing Shen Qing''s face beaming with a smile, quivered the flesh on his face as if startled. He quickly forced a smile and said, "Mr. Shen, what''s the matter?" Now that he was injured, his cultivation had greatly diminished, and with no subordinates left to use, he was isolated and vulnerable. Facing someone as formidable as Shen Qing, he had no chance of winning and had to lower himself a notch. Usually prideful and long accustomed to high position, Du Yuntong suddenly felt a sense of frustration in his heart. Du Yuntong''s hands, hidden up his sleeves, were already tightly gripping his knees, trembling slightly as if restraining something. Shen Qing bowed respectfully and said, "Lord County Magistrate, the carriage you''re occupying belongs to my master''s family. By using it, you''re forcing them to travel on foot. I hope, Lord County Magistrate, you won''t do so and will let my master''s family have the carriage." "There''s still space on my donkey cart. Perhaps, Lord County Magistrate, you would consider riding in my donkey cart?" Du Yuntong was, after all, somewhat different from the officials he had encountered in the past; he was a proper ranked official. Although he couldn''t be absolved of the fall of Taiping County, his status was certainly high enough. Despite his discontent, he was not someone Shen Qing could just kill in broad daylight. Therefore, Shen Qing adjusted his attitude as well. He thought he had been sufficiently respectful, but in County Magistrate Du Yuntong''s ears, these words sounded like blatant sarcasm. "Donkey cart? Does he really think a mere common person''s cart is befitting for an official such as myself? He actually believes I''m only fit to ride a donkey." County Magistrate Du Yuntong felt a surge of anger, and the thin smile on his face could no longer be maintained. Unfortunately, being under someone''s roof, he had to bow his head. He stiffened his face, and his clenched fists relaxed, then he wordlessly stepped down from the horse carriage. "Mr. Shen, where is your donkey cart?" County Magistrate Du Yuntong didn''t realize that his tone of voice had become somewhat commanding, inadvertently revealing a sense of superiority unique to those in higher positions. This behavior did not sit well with Shen Qing. Shen Qing casually pointed and said, "It''s right there, in the back." County Magistrate Du Yuntong followed the direction Shen Qing pointed to and saw the rudimentary donkey cart, his face turning ashen. S§×arch* The ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He said nothing else, glanced at Shen Qing subconsciously, and limped toward the donkey cart. Shen Qing rode his horse beside Li Linfeng and spoke, "Master, you all should head back. After my persuasion, the county magistrate agreed to switch to the donkey cart. I see that you all have been quite frightened; it would be good to rest inside the carriage." "Shen Qing, antagonizing the County Magistrate like this is a bit unwise. Although he has lost power for now, officials within the Great Zhou Court protect one another, and it''s possible he has connections that could restore his position someday. It will be troublesome if he comes after you then," said Li Linfeng, weighing his words carefully. "We have trained in some martial skills; traveling on foot is no big deal." "He''s heading to the county town, and you to Lu''an Prefecture. Once your paths diverge, he might requisition your carriage, and you''ll have to walk all the way back," continued Li Linfeng in silence. In fact, he had thought of this as well. But what could be done? "I haven''t really done anything to him; after all, I owe him a life-saving favor. Master, don''t worry about this matter," Shen Qing replied, narrowing his eyes and fixing his gaze on Du Yuntong. At that moment, Du Yuntong had just reached the donkey cart and was preparing to climb aboard. His hand reached out, and he happened to touch the crossbow, his expression stunned. Privately hoarding a crossbow?! According to the law, the crossbow is a military supply of Great Zhou, strictly forbidden for civilians to possess. This matter could be trivial or serious. County Magistrate Du Yuntong, looking at the crossbow, a bold idea suddenly emerged in his mind. If that''s the case, after I double back, you''re going to have a taste of your own medicine. He revealed a sly smile, just about to climb up when suddenly a figure stood behind him. County Magistrate Du Yuntong hurriedly turned back, only to see Shen Qing who had, unbeknownst to him, approached with a cold face. "My lord, I just remembered something. My martial master and I are bound for Lu''an Prefecture, which is a different route from yours, so we cannot escort you to the county town. Why doesn''t my lord take a short rest here, and wait for the reinforcements to come later before deciding what to do?" "You..." County Magistrate Du Yuntong realized that Shen Qing was humiliating him. However, the beastly look in Shen Qing''s eyes made him lose his imposing aura all at once, and he could only do as he was told. County Magistrate Du Yuntong glared at Shen Qing fiercely, snorted coldly, and left the caravan, sitting alone by the side of the official road to recuperate. Shen Qing paid him no heed, raised his hand, and beckoned the entire caravan to get moving. He looked at County Magistrate Du Yuntong seated on the ground with a meaningful gaze, toyed with the reins, and spurred his horse to leave. Continuing straight to the front, Shen Qing showed no sign of stopping. Instead, he whipped his horse into greater speed, shouting aloud, "I''ll go ahead and scout the road. Giddy up!" The road ahead made an almost right-angled turn. Shen Qing spurred his horse along the bend at a breakneck speed, vanishing from everyone''s sight. The wagon convoy had just started moving at a slow pace and was left far behind by Shen Qing. After a stick of incense had passed, the wagon convoy finally followed Shen Qing into the turn. As soon as their figures had completely disappeared from the official road, County Magistrate Du Yuntong''s eyes flew open, his anger uncontrollable as he exclaimed, "You rascal. To dare humiliate me like this today, I will not let you off." "My lord, it seems like you really hate me!" Just as County Magistrate Du Yuntong''s words fell, a familiar voice abruptly emerged from behind him, startling him. Ignoring his injuries, he rolled to the side and, on raising his head, saw Shen Qing staring at him with a teasing smile, sending shivers down his spine. At this moment, Shen Qing had already come back around. In fact, Shen Qing had already sensed County Magistrate Du Yuntong''s dissatisfaction with him and realized that keeping him was a hidden danger. Instantly, the thought of slaying an official crossed his mind. Now, hearing the man''s own words, his determination was even further solidified. "Since that''s the case, I''ll give you a gift, my lord." Shen Qing took out a Martial Mechanism Bomb, triggered the mechanism, and tossed it towards Du Yuntong. In an instant, a deafening boom resounded. County Magistrate Du Yuntong had not yet grasped what was happening. Sky-high flames engulfed him. "Ah!" Screams echoed from within the flames. The flames, red with streaks of purple, crisscrossed with flashes of lightning, savagely lashing out in every direction. County Magistrate Du Yuntong''s body was torn to pieces in an instant. "Lord County Magistrate has been murdered by a traitor of the Huang Tian Sect..." Shen Qing smiled, leaped, and dived into the forest. Having broken through the Hunting Scripture, entering the woods was as natural for him as a fish in water. Utilizing his agile movement technique, he breezed through the forest with ease. Before the caravan could catch up, he was back on Zhuifeng''s saddle. Shen Qing looked back and said with a smile, "It''s improper to kill you in broad daylight, under the watchful eyes of the public. But that doesn''t mean I''m afraid to do it. Ha, tui~" Chapter 168: Chapter 92: Poor Xiao Hu, Forced to Join the Huang Tian Sect "These wealthy families, heartless in their affluence, deserve the wrath of the Heavens. Brothers and sisters, charge with me and slay these dog landlords. Charge!"At the entrance of the Wang Family Mansion, a man dressed as a Huangtian Sect Envoy was continually waving a flag and shouting. He wore a Yellow Crown on his head, donned a Yellow Robe, and held a large yellow flag in his hand, his face exuding exhilaration. With his cries, the masses of peasants and disciples of the Huangtian Sect mixed together, as if they were drawing endless strength from somewhere. Under the yellow sky, everyone''s eyes were covered with a thin layer of yellow light. "Charge!" Suddenly someone shouted, manic in appearance, charging at the forefront and slamming into the Wang Family Mansion''s gate! Continue reading on §Þ?? The rest followed close behind. Bang! The gate was forced open by the combined strength of the crowd, revealing Wang Family''s servants armed with crossbows inside. The Wang Family''s servants were thrown into chaos. "Fire!" the manager yelled. Arrows, without a shred of mercy, shot from the bowstrings. Thud! Thud! Thud! The crowd that charged in fell like wheat before the wind, toppling backward. But this did not stop the crowd outside from continuing their surging advance. Seemingly unaware of what fear meant, they stepped over the bodies of their "brothers and sisters" and charged forward recklessly. The Wang Family''s servants, who had never seen such a scene, became utterly disorderly amidst the chaos, their hands and feet failing them. S§×arch* The n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. With their typical lack of training, they couldn''t even load new arrows properly, and in the blink of an eye, they were scattered by the charging crowd of sect disciples and peasants, losing all courage as they fled in all directions. Even the manager, who tried to make a stand, couldn''t achieve it. "They are no match for us, let us enter the mansion and slay these wealthy households. The Heavens have descended; we are like gods helping us. Kill!" The shouting resumed. The disciples of the Huangtian Sect and the peasants who had charged in were now thoroughly enraged; their eyes were filled with yellow veins, charging into the Wang Family Mansion fearlessly. "How dare you! Does the Wang Family have no one left?" Just then, Family Head Wang Sanbao, with his corpulent body, rushed into the crowd from the back of the mansion, slaughtering like a wolf among sheep. His hands moved in swift, connecting strikes, his Qi enveloping his body. All of the disciples of the Huangtian Sect and the ordinary peasants who touched him were injured and incapacitated. Yet, even as he slaughtered mercilessly, there was no hint of fear in the eyes before him. Their faces, numb, all turned to look at him in unison, pressing on with their charge, causing his expression to darken. "Death to the heretics! Die!" Wang Sanbao roared furiously, his Qi surging around him like a raging dragon, the invisible Qi condensing in his palms. He drew his hands back under his arms and suddenly slapped down from midair, invisible palm Qi sweeping towards the peasants and disciples of the Huangtian Sect. Suddenly, the sky changed dramatically; the hazy yellow heavens seemed torn asunder, and a dazzling flash of divine thunder, carrying the might of heaven, crashed down with a roaring sound right atop Wang Sanbao''s head. "Ah!" Wang Sanbao retreated explosively, the lightning strike rendering him charred, his Qi completely dissipated. Before he could recover, there was a flash of gold, and a golden figure rushed to his face. "You mere mortals dare to defy the heavens? Die," the Huangtian Sect Commander thundered. Wang Sanbao''s face turned to shock as he forced himself to stand, pushing his Inner Strength to its limit. "Kill!" The two collided, and a mighty aura exploded within the confines of the Wang Family Mansion. After an indeterminate time, blood flowed like fountains, staining the bluestone floors of the Wang Family Mansion red. Under the watchful eyes of everyone in the courtyard, Wang Sanbao''s figure slowly fell to the ground, turning into a corpse. Upon seeing this, the Wang Family''s servants completely lost the will to resist and fled in total disarray. In the courtyard, Shen Xiaohu, holding a rock, pounced and smashed it onto the head of a servant, completely crushing the servant''s skull with a heavy blow. Bright red blood splattered on his face, awakening him as if from a dream. Shen Xiaohu looked around in confusion, completely unaware of why he was in this place. "Didn''t I leave the city? Why am I here?" Shen Xiaohu tried to recall, but his mind was blank, unable to remember any impressions at all. He stood up and looked around, only to see, amidst the twilight glow, dust flying and the flames seemingly reddening half of the sky. The once bustling courtyard was now a sight of devastation, with the cries of the Wang Family members and the cheers of the Huang Tian Sect disciples intertwining into utter chaos. Staggering among the crowd, Shen Xiaohu''s clothes were in tatters, and his eyes were filled with bewilderment. "No, I need to leave the city, I have to find Brother Qingzi and the others." Shen Xiaohu felt a mirror hidden in his chest and suddenly seemed to think of something. He broke into a run. "Stop right there! You lad, you seem to have some skills," a voice called out. Shen Xiaohu shivered and looked towards the source of the voice, only to see a burly man draped in a Yellow Robe, a Yellow Angel of the Huang Tian Sect, blocking the path of a martial master. The martial master''s face tensed up, and he forced a bitter smile, "Sir, I''m just an ordinary civilian, how could I have any special skills?" "Humph, stop pretending, I''m not blind," the Huang Tian Sect angel approached the commoner, circled around him to take a good look, and said. "Heaven descends upon the earth, and now my Huang Tian Sect is widely recruiting the talented. Would you like to join our Holy Sect?" In his words, the tone of the Huang Tian Sect Envoy carried an air of undeniable authority. "I... I am of low status and my words carry no weight, not fit to join the Sect." "So, you refuse?" The martial master''s face slightly stiffened as he pondered his words, just about to speak. Swish! A flash of silver streaked through the air. The Huang Tian Sect angel directly drew the Dagger strapped to his waist, a quick slash, and beheaded the man. "Ignorant fool." The Yellow Angel sheathed his blade, turned his head, and happened to see Shen Xiaohu standing nearby. He gripped his long blade tightly, and his expression undulated unpredictably. Shen Xiaohu looked around, finding himself surrounded by disciples of the Huang Tian Sect. He simply collapsed to one knee, fists in hand, and stammered, "Sir, I am a hunter from Hongshan Village. I know a bit of fist and foot, and have long admired the Huang Tian Sect. I, I would like to join the Huang Tian Sect." The Huang Tian Sect Envoy was slightly stunned, took his hand off the Dagger, and looking at Shen Xiaohu said, "Fine, once this matter is over, follow me to receive our teachings, and join my Huang Tian Sect. How should I address you?" "Shen Hu!" Shen Xiaohu''s heart was bitter, knowing that he probably would not be able to leave the city today and meet up with his parents, Shen Qing and the others. Given the present circumstances, he could only swallow his pride and join the Huang Tian Sect to save his life. "Chaotic times are approaching, joining my Huang Tian Sect is your wisest choice, this is your good fortune, and you shall realize this in time." Though Shen Hu''s heart did not agree and even felt some sadness, his face was a picture of resolve, "I am willing to go through fire and water for the Huang Tian Sect, without hesitation." The Yellow Angel withdrew his gaze, his face betraying no emotion. He pulled off the Yellow Cloth from his body and threw it to Shen Hu, "Put this on." "Yes." Shen Hu glanced at the other disciples and, without any hesitation, tied it to his arm. Chapter 169: Chapter 93 Farewell, The Green Mountains Remain Unchanged, The Ever-Flowing Waters Boom!On the official road, Li Linfeng and his caravan were gradually picking up speed, when suddenly they heard a huge explosion from behind, causing them to exchange worried glances. "What happened behind us?" "I don''t know, let''s hurry." Li Linfeng urged frantically. To tell the truth, he was already a bit scared now. He had encountered nothing but trouble today, and each incident posed a threat to his life, making him anxious and fearful. He simply had no desire to find out more. Up ahead at the foot of the mountain forest, Shen Qing sat astride a steed, deliberately slowing Zhuifeng''s pace to wait for Li Linfeng and the others. After a short while, Shen Qing heard the sound of wheels and horses'' hooves getting closer, signaling that Li Linfeng and his party would soon arrive. Shen Qing gently pulled on the reins, signaling Zhuifeng to come to a slow stop. As the caravan drew near, dust gently rose in the air. The caravan flashed past him. Shen Qing tugged on the reins and, squeezing with his legs, urged Zhuifeng forward into a swift chase. Li Linfeng sat at the front of the carriage, his brow furrowed and a look of unease in his eyes. "Master," Shen Qing, noticing Li Linfeng''s unusual demeanor, asked, "It seems all is well on the road now, without the slightest anomaly. Are you rushing like this because something has happened?" Li Linfeng turned to Shen Qing, his worry apparent, "Not long after you left, I heard the sound of thunderous explosions behind us. I think the Huang Tian Sect is on our tail." Shen Qing''s face showed shock, "Ah, so soon?" "Let''s hurry." Following this, the journey continued without incident, and Li Linfeng breathed a sigh of relief, as did everyone else, their tense nerves finally relaxed. As they moved away from Taiping County, the official road they traveled on became narrower and the terrain rougher. After another five or so miles, they had completely reached the wilderness. Ahead on the official road, it branched off into two paths, one winding eastward, the other quietly leading west. Yong City in the county town was on the east side of Taiping County, which is where Shen Qing needed to go. Lu''an Prefecture was on the west side of Taiping County, so Li Linfeng and the others would need to go westward. The sun was setting in the west, the surroundings enveloped by the gloom of twilight. The caravan involuntarily slowed down, with Li Linfeng sitting in the carriage, his gaze wandering between the two roads, his heart filled with mixed feelings. He knew that the time for parting had come. Shen Qing pulled on the reins to stop, and the silent caravan behind him stopped as well. The air was filled with an unspeakable heaviness. Shen Qing turned to face Li Linfeng and the others, breaking the silence, "Master, it''s time for us to take separate paths." Li Linfeng, unskilled in dealing with such scenes, could only let out a long sigh after a moment. He looked up at Shen Qing, his direct disciple, and his gaze grew more complex. Shen Qing, now sitting on the back of a horse, had grown to a point where his master had to look up to him, which was both a fortune and misfortune for his master. Fortunate to have led such a prodigy into the world of Martial Arts, proving his excellent judgement; unfortunate because the disciple''s cultivation only served to highlight the master''s mediocrity and incompetence. Realizing that the moment of parting was upon them. Sitting in the carriage, Aunt Shen Xiu took the initiative to step out from the cabin, and Li Lingchan followed her. Compared to the former''s pure reluctance, the latter''s feelings were much more complex. Even with a tough exterior, Li Lingchan could no longer deny a fact in the face of such ironclad reality: she had missed out on a young man with boundless potential. To say she wasn''t regretful would be impossible. And as for Shen Qing, he had long since become indifferent to it. ``` Once his strength and vision had expanded, such minor episodes could no longer cause any emotional turmoil to him. After simply nodding to Li Lingchan, Shen Qing walked up to his aunt Shen Xiu and earnestly expressed his gratitude, "If it weren''t for aunt''s help, Shen Qing would not have reached this day. Aunt, this kindness, I shall engrave it in my heart forever." Aunt Shen Xiu pulled him close and said, "There''s no need for this. We are family after all. If I didn''t help you, I wouldn''t be able to face your parents down below after my demise. So, spare me these words of gratitude." Taiping County was almost a thousand li away from Yongzhou, and Taiping County to Lu''an Prefecture was also nearly a thousand li. If Shen Qing''s cultivation did not break through to the level of traveling with the wind in the future, it was foreseeable that it would be a long while before they would meet again. Shen Qing spent a long time exchanging pleasantries with his aunt Shen Xiu, his uncle Shen Er, and the rest of the family. Aunt Shen Xiu and Uncle Shen Er, the siblings, overwhelmed by deep emotion, could not help but burst into tears and embraced each other tightly. Seeing that it was about time, Li Linfeng lifted the corners of his mouth into a bitter yet resolute smile and said, "Let''s go." "Master, the green mountains will not change, the clear waters will flow forever. If fate allows, we will meet again," shouted Shen Qing from the horseback. With a heavy neigh, the carriage slowly set in motion. Shen Qing watched Li Linfeng and the others fade into the distance until they completely disappeared from the official road. He stood in place, motionless for a long time. After a while, Shen Qing mounted his horse and called out, "Let''s get going! Giddyup!" With the crack of a whip, Zhuifeng started to gallop, quickly picking up speed. Shen Qing faced eastward, only to see the world ahead gradually enveloped in darkness as the sun set. ¡­ "Look ahead, there''s a village," Tian Xiaohu, who was sitting on the carriage, pointed at a spot and exclaimed, "We can stay near that village for the night." Shen Qing followed the direction Tian Xiaohu pointed to and saw a small village of four to five households beside the official road straight ahead. One of the houses had two red lanterns hanging, their crimson light seemingly bleeding into the night. "Eagle Eye!" Shen Qing''s expression was as calm as water as he activated his Eagle Eye skill. Scenes after scenes came to his mind, one after another. Shortly thereafter, these scenes began to combine, forming an overhead perspective. Shen Qing then used his "sharp eyesight" skill to closely observe the village. Experience new stories on M V L The night fell, the evening wind whispered. Through Shen Qing''s eyes, a thin layer of mist gently shrouded the village, making it difficult to see clearly. He looked carefully but did not find anything out of the ordinary. Tian Xiaohu said to Shen Qing, "Let''s go over and see if there are suitable dry goods and water. If so, it would be best to replenish. From here to Yongzhou, it''s more than a thousand li. We will likely need to travel for over ten days to get there, and we''ll require plenty of provisions along the way." Shen Qing withdrew his gaze and nodded, "Let''s go and have a look." The carriage rumbled on the desolate official road, gradually approaching the isolated village. This village was situated by the official road, and as Shen Qing and his party approached it, they felt an indescribable desolation and loneliness emanating from it. "I''ll go knock on the door." Tian Xiaohu jumped down from the carriage, stood outside the wall and shouted, "Is anyone there? We''re passing by; may we stay in your village for the night?" Walls surrounded the village, a protection against beasts from outside. They seemed new and not as if they were long neglected. After calling for a while with no response, Tian Xiaohu felt puzzled. "Where is everyone?" Sear?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Just as they thought the place was deserted, the door with the red lanterns flung open. A middle-aged farmer cautiously stepped out, looked Shen Qing and his party up and down a few times, his face not showing any goodwill, and shouted fiercely, "Who are you people, where are you from, and what do you want?" ``` Chapter 170: Chapter 94 Monster! Monster! Monster! Tian Xiaohu clearly had not expected such an attitude from the other party, thinking instead that the old man was mistaking them for bad people.He stepped forward and hurriedly explained, "We''re not bad people. There''s been a conflict in Taiping County, and we are heading to the county town to seek refuge. Old man, could you please help us out? We won''t eat your food for free." The middle-aged old man impatiently yelled, "Go, go, go! I don''t care who you are. If you want to rest, go somewhere else. You''re not welcome here. Scram!" "You old man, I''m speaking to you nicely. What kind of attitude is this! Do you think we''re easy to bully?" Even a clay Buddha carries three points of anger, let alone a hunter like Tian Xiaohu, who came from humble origins and struggled for a living in the mountains. It was only because he was following Shen Qing that he restrained himself somewhat. Otherwise, faced with such rudeness, he would have long since leaped up to confront the man. "The household is celebrating a happy occasion, why must you act this way, old man? Instead, you could invite these gentlemen in to share a drink of celebration. On such a late night, without villages in front or stores behind, driving us away like this is too inconsiderate," said another. Just as the farmhand was urging Shen Qing and his group to leave, a young girl dressed in new red clothes walked out from the main gate and warmly said, "Gentlemen, my grandpa has a bad temper, please excuse him." The girl showed a bright smile and opened the gate of the village wall, "It''s already dark, please come inside first. I will discuss with a few people in the village and arrange a room for you." Seeing how sensible and considerate the village girl was, Tian Xiaohu''s face softened considerably. He glanced at the sullen and stiff-faced old man; his attitude had become much more respectful, and he happily replied, "Thank you, miss." Tian Xiaohu turned back to Shen Qing and the others and shouted, "They have agreed, tonight we can stay in the village." "That''s great, we don''t have to sleep outside tonight." Xiao Zhi and Shen Xiaoshan, among others, could not help but feel a bit lucky. "Let''s go. They''ve opened the gate, let''s go in." Tian Xiaohu led the cart, guiding everyone into the village. Shen Qing dismounted, lagging a step behind silently, holding the reins and following behind Tian Xiaohu. As they passed by the farmhand and the girl, he couldn''t help but take another look. The girl was not very pretty; her skin was dark and rough, her features slightly aged, resembling a village girl living in the countryside. She was dressed in a bright red outfit which contrasted strikingly with the dim haze surrounding her under the night sky. The previously arrogant farmhand stood quietly by her side, silent, looking at Shen Qing and the others with a complicated gaze, as if he had something to say but hesitated. Shen Qing felt something was off. Once they had all entered the quiet little village, the girl in red clothes loudly shut the gate of the wall. She led Shen Qing and his group to a large open space in the center of the village and said, "This threshing floor is spacious; you can park your cart here. Come inside my house for a drink of celebration." "We have brought quite a few things; we need to leave some people to watch them." Shen Qing said with a slight smile, pointing at Tian Xiaohu and Xiao Zhi, "How about this, we three will go in first, and after we have eaten, we can switch with the others." "That''s fine with us." The girl in red didn''t say anything, her face expressionless. "We have other things to attend to, please make yourselves at home. Grandpa, let''s go back," she said, pulling the farmhand by the hand as they lowered their heads and returned to the house. S§×arch* The ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Once the girl and the farmhand''s figures had disappeared at the doorway, Shen Qing whispered to Tian Xiaohu and Xiao Zhi, "You two prepare your weapons and stand behind me later." Tian Xiaohu paused and said, "Do you feel something is wrong here?" Shen Qing nodded. "Then we should leave quickly." "It seems we can''t," Shen Qing looked around and noticed the fog gathering near the village had thickened, resembling a white beast crawling on the ground, slowly encircling them. Tian Xiaohu and Xiao Zhi instantly felt a chill rise from their spines, shooting straight into their hearts. "Let''s go in and have a look." Without saying much, Tian Xiaohu walked over to the cart and pulled out a heavy crossbow, fully loaded with arrows, and held it in his hands. Xiao Zhi did as he heard. Once both were ready, Shen Qing casually walked to the doorway, and with a push, opened the door. The creaking sound of the wooden door was especially harsh in the silent night. As soon as Shen Qing opened the door, he saw a cramped, dark, damp thatched hut filled with a bizarre dark red. Upon closer inspection, it resembled the color of coagulated blood and in some places, was splattered all over the walls. The faint moonlight shone through the dilapidated window lattices, making the inside of the hut even clearer. The living room table was piled with disassembled human flesh, strewn about haphazardly. Arms were arms, legs were legs, ribs were ribs. Various internal organs were strung up with straw, hanging beside the table, still dripping warm blood. Even though Tian Xiaohu and Xiao Zhi had killed people and seen various bloody scenes, the sight before them was simply incomparable. Shen Qing''s gaze skipped over these bloody details and landed on the edge of a bed in the room, his face changing instantly. In the bedroom, which was slightly festively decorated, he saw three dog demons that looked half human and half dog, sitting upright on the bed like humans, large in stature. One Dog Demon, with fur as black as ink, eyes flickering with a ghostly green glow. "You father and son did pretty well this time, I''ve decided... to grant you a quick end." The big black dog reached out a paw and grabbed something from the shadows. A muffled pu-ch sound was heard, and it pulled out a fresh, red heart and liver. The young girl in red standing in the shadows stared wide-eyed, showing no pain or scream, looking just like a puppet, motionless. The peasant next to her looked ashen, trembling uncontrollably, daring not to act out. The big black dog held the heart and liver in its paw, carefully licking and tearing it. Pieces kept falling from its mouth, making a soft "pat" sound as they hit the ground. "Demon! Demon! Demon!" Seeing this scene, Tian Xiaohu and Xiao Zhi''s hearts began to beat wildly, their legs felt as if they were filled with lead, wishing to turn and flee, but they found themselves as if bound by an invisible force, unable to move. Fear overwhelmed them like a tide. What to do, what to do? The two instinctively looked toward Shen Qing and saw his expression was unusually calm, which considerably steadied their minds, and they each pulled out a crossbow targeting the dog demons. The corners of Shen Qing''s mouth slowly curled up, revealing his uniformly white teeth: "I thought there was something significant inside, just three mongrels!" The three old dogs sitting on the bed stopped all movement abruptly, like statues, their eyes wide open staring at Shen Qing. "You seem a bit ungrateful." The black Dog Demon on the far end swallowed the juicy heart and liver, snarling as it spoke. From the corners of its mouth, transparent saliva continuously dripped, falling to the ground and making a sizzling noise. Continue your saga on M V L Chapter 171: Chapter 95: This Dog-Eat-Dog World The dog demon had just finished speaking when it sensed a strange wind in front of it.Shen Qing had somehow already appeared in front of it. It suddenly felt a chill in its chest. One of Shen Qing''s fingers had already pierced through its chest. The brutal Qi exploded at the chest area, spreading rapidly around, forcibly blasting a hole. Only then did the black dog demon react, starting to struggle violently, its claws wildly scratching at Shen Qing. Streaks of white scratch marks appeared on Shen Qing''s body, the membrane covered by the Dragon Roar Armor was like steel, rendering the dog demon''s sharp claws useless and merely tearing Shen Qing''s clothes into shreds. The dog demon immediately realized that the person in front of it was different from those it had encountered before! Shen Qing pulled out his finger, and slapped with his hand! The black dog demon, with its heart shattered, had no strength to resist. It was slapped and sent flying backward, hitting the wall, like a lump of mud. "Third brother!" The remaining two dog demons shouted in unison, "How dare you, die!" Whoosh, whoosh! Two arrows shot from a distance, striking the two dog demons. Thwack, thwack! The thick fat and fur on the dog demons were penetrated by the arrows, causing them pain and making them even more furious. "Roar!" The two dog demons, with red eyes, opened their huge mouths and each bit down on Shen Qing''s arms like mad beasts. The sharp dog teeth, as they touched the membrane on Shen Qing''s skin, produced a sizzing noise, like nails scraping a blackboard, making one''s teeth sour. "Want to eat me?" Although the two dog demons appeared large, to Shen Qing, who possessed enormous strength, they were no different from ordinary vicious dogs. A cold light flashed in Shen Qing''s eyes, he lifted his arms and with a twist to the side, pinned the two dog demons against the wall. "You like to eat people, right? Here, I''ll feed you!" Shen Qing pressed his arms against the mouths of the two dog demons, continuously increasing the strength in his hands. Crunch, crunch, crunch! Find your next read at M V L The brutal Qi overflowed, directly shattering their fangs. Shen Qing''s arms slid forward, pressing dead against the corners of the dog demons'' mouths. The dog demons sensed something wrong and began to struggle violently. A thick fog rose from behind the dog demons, the fog swirling, and from it stretched invisible threads, landing on Shen Qing. Shen Qing felt an involuntary resistance in his body. "Puppet Demon Technique?" Shen Qing''s Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill circulated within his body, beginning from the First Transformation and continuing to increase. In a single breath, he ascended to the Third Transformation. Scalding hot breath burst forth from within his body, transforming into a tangible heatwave, invisible ripples spreading around Shen Qing as the center. Wherever it passed, even the space slightly distorted. The threads that were spiraling down instantly disintegrated under this wave of heat. The two dog demons showed a flash of shock in their eyes and began to whimper, begging for mercy. "You still want to eat, huh? I''ve brought it right to your mouths. Don''t be so ungrateful..." "Woo woo woo..." The two dog demons'' throats were blocked by Shen Qing, and they could only emit a whimpering sound. "Hmm? Do you think you''re too good for me, that my flesh doesn''t taste good? What if I cook it for you, how about that?" Shen Qing increased the force in his hands, while the scorching breath of the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill gathered on his arms, gradually becoming hot, emitting a sizzling steaming sound. The activity on his arms grew more intense, and the heads of the two dog demons began to deform under Shen Qing''s pressure. Finally, at a critical point, the scorching breath exploded. Bang! The two dog demons stopped struggling, their bodies going limp. Their heads were completely blown open by the Qi. Blood and brain matter coated the wall, slowly trickling down. Shen Qing, expressionless, withdrew his hand and silently looked at the two dog demons. Initially, he had expected something more sinister but was disappointed to see it was only three dog demons. Before setting off, he had sensed that the aura of these three dog demons was much weaker than that of the tiger demon. At that time, with his cultivation in the Skin Forging Realm, he had been able to slay the tiger demon; now, having accumulated multiple martial arts skills and broken through to the Qi Cultivation Realm, dealing with such dog demons was hardly a challenge. The main issue was deciding how they should die. Standing behind Shen Qing, Xiao Zhi and Tian Xiaohu exchanged looks. They had not anticipated that this "fierce battle" would end in such a manner. S§×arch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. These dog demons had some intelligence, but not much. A beast is still a beast. "Excellent, excellent, what a good death! Hahaha¡­" In the darkness, the middle-aged peasant, seeing the three dog demons Shen Qing had killed, became extremely agitated and burst out laughing. Shen Qing slightly furrowed his brows. He remembered the peasant had adamantly opposed their entering the village, perhaps not out of unprovoked hostility or indifference, but because he knew about the dog demons inside and didn''t want them to needlessly lose their lives. Moments later, the peasant composed himself, walked up to Shen Qing, fell to his knees with a thud, and weeping with joy said, "Thank you, my lord, for avenging our entire village. I have nothing with which to repay you, except to serve as your ox and horse in the next life." "Old man, there''s no need for this." Shen Qing helped the peasant to his feet and looked around as he spoke, "What exactly is going on here?" The peasant wiped the tears from the corner of his eyes, his lips trembling, "Today was my son''s wedding, and we had invited neighbors. The three calamities burst out of the mist, attacking and eating anyone they saw. We have farmed here for generations, and I don''t know how we provoked these three calamities." "If I weren''t so old with tough meat, I probably wouldn''t have survived until now." Xiao Zhi and Tian Xiaohu couldn''t help but look shocked and asked, "Everyone in your village is dead?" "Yes, now I am the only one left." Everyone fell silent. The old man asked, "Did all of you gentlemen come from Taiping County?" "Indeed." "Speaking of which, I heard those three calamities mention that a formidable tiger demon appeared over there as well?" "That''s true." Shen Qing asked, "Did these dog demons come from Shicheng Mountain?" The peasant''s face showed numbness as he shook his head, "I don''t know." "Gentlemen, there''s no one left in this village now, but there''s still some food left in every household. I can''t finish it myself; please feel free to take some as a token of my gratitude for your kindness." Looking around the room with a solemn expression, the peasant said, "The house is a bit of a mess right now, not fit to host distinguished guests. Perhaps the gentlemen would take a short rest outside while I tidy up a bit." Shen Qing, without giving it much thought, said to Tian Xiaohu and the others, "Let''s step outside." With that, he turned and led them out of the thatched cottage. Uncle Shen Er and the others approached Shen Qing as he emerged and asked, "What''s the situation inside, it seemed a bit noisy?" "It''s nothing." Shen Qing said, "We''ll sleep here in the rice yard tonight. We won''t go inside." Seeing that Shen Qing was disinclined to say more, Shen Er tactfully didn''t ask further, arranging for everyone to rest on the spot. After a while, Shen Qing, seeing no activity inside the house, suddenly had a bad premonition and walked toward the house. Upon entering, the first thing he saw was a leg dangling in midair. Shen Qing''s expression changed slightly as he looked up, his eyes becoming complicated. The peasant of the village was dead. After they had left, he had chosen to hang himself. With the village folk slaughtered by the demons, none of his family remaining, and his own advanced age, he indeed had no means to survive in these wilds. It seemed there was no better way to live than through suicide. "This really is a dog''s world!" For some reason, at that moment, Shen Qing felt a chokehold of emotions, a thought sprouting in his mind like a bamboo shoot after rain. From his time in Hongshan Village until now, most of what he had done was for self-preservation, no other thoughts entertained. Whether it was killing the Chen Family Brothers, Old Ba Zi, Cai Donglai, or Wang Qiyao, it had always been the same. Now that he evidently had some means of self-protection, the idea of doing something for ordinary people like the peasant suddenly came to him. Shen Qing took out the appointment letter from his chest, as if finding a direction, his eyes becoming resolute, "If I wish to do so, then I must become stronger, stronger than everyone in this world! Only then will I be strong enough to suppress everything!" Chapter 172: Chapter 96 Blood Dominance Technique Mastery, Talisman and the List The following day.The firmament was dotted with stars, the eastern horizon showing a hint of dawn''s first light. Lying on the flatbed cart, Shen Qing slowly opened his eyes. He sat up, looked around, and, through his initially blurry vision, clarity gradually emerged. In the distance, the morning fields were delicately shrouded in a thin mist. The rice paddies swayed with the breeze, exuding vitality, while the continuous croaking of frogs and the chirping of cicadas ebbed and flowed. Shen Qing took a deep breath, inhaling the fresh scent of earth and vegetation in the air, which relaxed him. After affirming his belief, the events of the previous night no longer distracted him; his thoughts became lucid. Knowing is not difficult; doing is what is difficult. The superior person is deliberate in speech but vigorous in action. In Shen Qing''s view, now that he had made a decision and had an ambition, the only thing left to do was to put it into action. He quietly alighted from the flatbed cart, careful not to disturb Shen Er and others beside him, and walked over to speak to Tian Xiaohu, who was on guard duty, "I''ve had enough rest, you go take a break. We will set off after dawn." The incident from last evening had left Tian Xiaohu and the others worried, and they volunteered to keep watch, ready to respond promptly to any emergency. After all, Tian Xiaohu was used to practicing martial arts. Even after a sleepless night, he was brimming with energy, not too much affected. Yet he also knew that along this journey, with mountains high and rivers far, conserving strength was crucial, and he shouldn''t flaunt temporary prowess. Tian Xiaohu nodded and said, "I''ll just lie down for a while; call me when you are ready to leave." He found a corner, laid some straw down, and quickly fell into sleep with his clothes on, soon snoring away. Shen Qing''s aunt and uncle among others had not yet woken up, and Shen Qing had no intention of waking them. He silently walked aside and began to cultivate the Blood Dominance Technique. Without any medicated diet or elixirs, and no various means of exercise, practicing the Blood Dominance Technique was fitting. He stood with legs apart, as sturdy as an old pine tree, inhaling and exhaling the morning''s rosy clouds. He cultivated until the east brightened and the sunrise blazed like fire before he finally ceased. Shen Qing''s consciousness stirred, summoning the Water Ink Panel. [Skill: Blood Dominance Technique (Small Success)] [Progress: 801/800 points] [Status: Ready for advancement] [Note: You have comprehended a new martial art from the Nine Skills, and through continuous practice, aided by demon cores and medicinal recipes, the progress of this technique has been significant. Your strength is gradually increasing, your physique growing stronger and constantly breaking the limitations of your body.] "Huff... finally, I''ve reached the full level of practice." The Blood Dominance Technique, as a Limit Breaking Technique within the Nine Skills Realm, had no one to instruct him and lacked other martial art skills to refer to, relying solely on exploration. That''s why the progress in cultivating this martial art was always slow, much slower than other martial art skills. Moreover, as a martial art that breaks limits, it required a higher accumulation of progress points. Shen Qing could only incrementally grind it out, slowly advancing. Fortunately, after prior continuous cultivation, this martial art finally met the conditions for breakthrough. Shen Qing cast aside all distractions, unified his mind and spirit, and then, with a thought, chose to break through. At once, the progress information about the Blood Dominance Technique on the Water Ink Panel began to refresh. [Skill: Blood Dominance Technique (Mastery)] [Progress: 1/900 points] As the Panel updated, surges of new Qi-Blood suddenly permeated from the flesh throughout his body. It was as if a plethora of water was being squeezed out of a sponge, merging together to form streams, flowing into his Qi-Blood. This not only increased the already vast amount of Qi-Blood Shen Qing possessed, but his muscles also gained resilience, receiving further enhancement. "With the Mastery level of the Blood Dominance Technique, my physique has become even more robust. Before stepping into the Qi Hai Realm, if the Blood Dominance Technique continues to advance, I fear my Qi-Blood capacity will reach a terrifying level." "By then, with such a body, breaking through to the Qi Hai will surely be beyond imagination." Feeling stronger, Shen Qing was very satisfied. He returned to the center of the village, invigorated. Daylight had come, and the people resting in the village square had woken up one after another. Upon waking, none of them idled about. Shen Xiaoshan took a sickle and cut many green plants, carefully mixing them with some dry grass and grains to feed the two horses and the donkey. The cook, Xiao Zhi, set up the pot, cooking breakfast. Everyone had their tasks, adding a lively touch to the setting. After breakfast, Shen Qing led the others in searching each household, taking all the grain, meat, eggs, and salt they could carry. These supplies had become unclaimed property, and Shen Qing and his group did not feel embarrassed when taking them. Xiao Zhi even used the firewood from these homes to fry an entire bag of rice for dry provisions. Once all the chores were handled, Shen Qing skinned the three dog demons, retrieved their demon cores, and then lit the entire village on fire. The thatched huts and wooden houses were quickly engulfed in flames. The many villager corpses inside were gradually swallowed by the fire. "Let''s go." Shen Qing said no more, and the others asked no questions. Amidst the vehement flames, Shen Qing led the group towards the direction of the rising sun. ... With the speed of Zhuifeng, the thousand-mile journey from Taiping County to Yongzhou could be covered in about two days. But Shen Qing, bringing his family along and bearing in mind the lessons learned, no longer approached villages to accept the goodwill of villagers, opting to rest in the mountains and forests, which slowed their journey considerably. In the blink of an eye, after seven days of travel, they finally reached the borders of Yongzhou in safety. As the signs of human activity gradually increased, Shen Qing and his companions let out a sigh of relief. They continued to walk forward and, by the afternoon, they arrived at a dilapidated temple. The temple had only a few decayed planks hanging askew from the doorframe, and the threshold was covered with moss and weeds, as if it had been abandoned for a long time. Fortunately, the temple''s overall structure remained intact enough to provide shelter from the wind and rain. Shen Qing went in for a look and noticed several piles of extinguished bonfires and a few pieces of charred food residue. The ashes of these fires varied in age. It was clear that people often used this temple as a temporary refuge. Having been on the run and resting outdoors, they all smelled foul, although the men did not care much about it; but Auntie and older sister Shen Fang were becoming intolerable. Even when they lived in Hongshan Village, they never reached such a squalid state. After Shen Qing confirmed there was no danger using his Eagle Eye ability, he decided to stop here for rest. This decision immediately brightened the spirits of Auntie and Shen Fang. Women always have those few inconvenient days, and traveling during such times is simply torture. Your adventure continues at M V L There was a well in the temple, perfect for drawing water to freshen up. It was still early in the day. Shen Qing, who stood guard outside the temple for his older sister and others, took out a thin booklet and started to flip through it. It was something he had taken from the body of a Huang Tian Sect General. He had only glanced at it briefly before, but now he had some free time and decided to inspect it carefully to see if there was any valuable information. The booklet appeared to be a roster, with no text on the outside cover. Shen Qing turned to the first page. "Yun Yinfeng, male, aged thirty-two, from Yanyu Town; orphaned at a young age, adopted by a martial master who taught him Martial Arts. In the third year of Tian Guang, joined our Holy Sect and served as a messenger. Skilled at hiding amongst the common folk, often using the identities of merchants, scholars, and beggars for cover..." This entire page was densely filled with the life story of Yun Yinfeng. Shen Qing had no recollection of this person, so he turned to the next page. "Qiao Lan, female, nineteen years old, from Taifeng County; born into a Martial Arts family, but the family was implicated in a sudden coup and subsequently joined the Holy Sect. Beautiful, highly skilled in Martial Arts, dependable." "Zhang Biao, male, twenty years old..." Shen Qing read through the entire booklet, which contained significant figures within the Huang Tian Sect with either detailed or rough descriptions of their abilities. sea??h th§× N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. There was also an open letter tucked inside the booklet. Shen Qing took out the paper and unfolded it, feeling somewhat surprised. It was a letter sent from the Yongzhou Government Office, noting the departure date, route, and personnel configuration of the Yongzhou Guard Martial Arts Bureau. There were people from the Huang Tian Sect inside the Yongzhou Government Office who were secretly revealing the movements of the government office''s military department to the sect. No wonder the Huang Tian Sect could successfully set up an ambush and completely wipe out the Yongzhou Guard Martial Arts Bureau en route; it seems this was due to having an informant within. The waters of Yongzhou''s government office are probably very deep. Shen Qing''s expression immediately turned serious, and he discreetly put away the booklet and papers. These materials could prove very useful to him in the future. After putting away the roster, he pulled out a stack of yellow talismans and a triangular Array Flag. This too was pilfered from the body of the Huang Tian Sect General. Shen Qing remembered clearly how exceptional these talismans had been in the General''s hands, being able to add numerous effects and comparable to the versatile Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill. Additionally, these talismans seemed incredibly convenient to use. It seemed they did not require arduous cultivation; they only needed to be activated. Shen Qing looked down and inspected them closely. The talismans were about ten inches long and three fingers wide, edged with red lines. The surface of the talismans had black ink of varied shades, outlining complex and intricate patterns. Within those were images of dragons soaring and phoenixes dancing, as well as clouds rolling and unfurling, diverse in representation but overall categorizable into three styles. These seven or eight yellowing talismans likely represented three types of talismans. However, Shen Qing was not versed in the art of talismans and did not understand their specific meanings. Shen Qing pinched one of the talismans in his hand and tried to shake it as he had seen done. After several attempts, the talismans showed no sign of activation, so he temporarily gave up and turned his attention to the triangular Array Flag. Given Shen Qing''s limited knowledge in this area, he was even less able to discern its mysteries. Just then, Shen Qing heard the sound of carriage wheels from a distance outside the temple, and he quickly stored the talismans and Array Flag, looking into the distance. He saw a group of people carrying a large flag embroidered with a "Wu" character, slowly approaching the broken temple, numbering around ten. Shen Qing shouted back to the people inside, "Auntie, sister, hurry up, there are people coming to the temple." "Ah..." A flurry of panicked noise came from inside the dilapidated temple. Shen Qing did not wait for them and signaled to Tian Xiaohu and Xiao Zhi. The two men smoothly pulled out their crossbows, sat atop their carriage, and vigilantly watched the approaching group. The foremost man of the escort agency rode a tall horse and seemed somewhat surprised to see Shen Qing and the others by the temple gate. "Whoa!" He stopped his horse, considered momentarily before sliding off its back, instructed the others to halt, and then made his way step by step toward the entrance of the dilapidated temple. Chapter 173: Chapter 97 Yongzhou Thirteen Lines, Wu Sheng "Gentlemen, we are a merchant convoy from the Wu Family of Yongzhou returning to the city. Each time, we have stopped here to rest; I wonder if it would be convenient for you to let us stay together in this dilapidated temple for the night?"The man who stepped forward had a square face and looked to be in his twenties. He was well-dressed and seemed to hold some status, not appearing to be an ordinary person. Being away from home, Shen Qing had no intention of causing trouble, and he calmly responded, "This place is just an abandoned temple; make yourselves at home." "Thank you," said the man in his twenties, glancing at Shen Qing with a smile. "Your accent doesn''t sound local to Yongzhou. Are you from outside?" "From Taiping County." "Oh!" The man''s face instantly showed a flash of realization, and he slowly said, "It''s not very peaceful over there recently." Shen Qing was startled; he hadn''t expected the man before him to know about Taiping County. They had traveled many days, not a thousand miles but certainly seven or eight hundred. Explore more stories with M V L In these times, the largest range of activities for ordinary people was just a few dozen miles, and their access to information relatively limited, so most knew nothing of affairs a hundred miles away. The man before him was truly well-informed. He must possess some skills. At the very least, he was a martial master, and his cultivation realm was not low. Naturally, if he didn''t possess some skills, he wouldn''t be able to lead a group of people roaming around this wilderness. The man with the square face bowed his hands and signaled to his companions behind him, indicating they could come over normally. Upon receiving the man''s signal, these people hesitated no further, leading their carts toward the position of the temple one by one. Shen Qing scanned briefly; there were about ten people, all robust men. Each one of them was muscular and formidable at a glance. "Everything has its order. The temple is only so big and we outnumber you, so it seems we are at an advantage. If you have any troubles, you can ask us for help," the man said. Keeping his vigilance, Shen Qing, seeing how polite the other party was, also exchanged a few courtesies and said, "All right, don''t mind us imposing on you then." "Hahaha... Brother Shen has a good nature," the square-faced man laughed. "My surname is Wu, with a single name Sheng. How may I address you, brother?" "Shen Qing!" "Where are you all heading?" "We were planning to go to Yongzhou County." "That''s a coincidence, we''re preparing to return there too. From here to Yongzhou is just a day and a half''s journey. Why not travel together?" Shen Qing hesitated for a moment. Wu Sheng said, "Brother Shen needn''t worry, we are people from Wu Family of the Yongzhou Thirteen Lines. The Wu Family strictly abides by the principle of ''sincerity,'' ensuring all debts are repaid. Once you''re in the county town, you''ll understand after a little inquiry. We are not bad people." After pondering for a while, Shen Qing said, "Then thank you for the trouble." "Good, it''s settled then. We''ll set off together tomorrow morning." Wu Sheng called to his companions, and with their luggage, they entered the temple. The already small temple quickly became crowded. Big Sister Shen Fang and Aunt had hurriedly washed up and, having dressed, came out of the temple. Seeing so many people inside all of a sudden, they hesitated and cautiously moved back behind Shen Qing and the others. "Qingzi, who are these people?" Big Sister Shen Fang asked quietly. Shen Qing signaled to Tian Xiao Hu and Xiao Zhi behind him to keep low profile, reassuringly saying, "They are people from the Wu Family of Yongzhou, staying with us in this derelict temple." "Oh." Big sister Shen Fang''s bright eyes sparkled, curiously sizing up the Wu Family ahead of them. After Shen Qing started learning martial arts, his life greatly improved. Not only did he become robust, but his once fragile elder sister, Shen Fang, had also grown plumper. With already good features, the proper care made her stand out even more. Her appearance, freshly bathed, caused them to take several more glances. "Hurry up and pack the goods properly, if anything is missing, Boss won''t spare you," Wu Sheng, with a meticulous mind, noticed this and kicked one of his men harshly, shouting to break everyone''s train of thought. The well-dressed men shifted their gazes and resumed working, not daring to look further. Shen Qing thought for a moment and said to Tian Xiaohu and the others, "Let me keep watch tonight, you guys should rest early." For many days now, it was mostly Xiao Zhi and Tian Xiaohu who took turns on guard duty. Occasionally, Shen Xiaoshan would also help out. Shen Qing, to maintain his energy, seldom performed patrols. But seeing that tonight''s company seemed rather extraordinary, Shen Qing decided it was better to take over for safety''s sake. The setting sun, like blood, painted the vast green mountains golden red, and eventually sank into the embrace of the mountains below the horizon. The night sky revealed a myriad of stars, and the sound of frogs began slowly to fill the air. Two bonfires gradually lit up in the old temple, where Shen Qing and Wu Sheng''s groups began preparing their respective meals and organizing their personal belongings. Compared to Shen Qing''s group eating stir-fried rice and hard cakes, Wu Sheng''s group had better food: dried meat, steamed buns, and even alcoholic drinks. S§×arch* The N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Wu Sheng, seeing Shen Qing sitting at the doorway, walked over with a wineskin and offered, "Drink some?" Seeing Shen Qing hesitate, Wu Sheng uncorked it, took a few sips himself, and laughed, "It''s not poisoned." Shen Qing, slightly apologetic, said, "I''ve never really drunk alcohol before, I''m afraid it might impair my ability to deal with things." "Never drunk before? Okay then." Wu Sheng sat next to Shen Qing and started a conversation, "Brother Shen, what are you planning to do in Yongzhou?" Shen Qing was not familiar with Wu Sheng; this was their first acquaintance. In his view, one should avoid profound conversations when the relationship is shallow. "Not sure yet," Shen Qing, uninterested in revealing too much in response to Wu Sheng''s inquiry, sighed helplessly and said, "Brother Wu might already know about the situation in Taiping County. We are going to Yongzhou to see if we can find a way to make a living, but I''m not sure what''s next, or what we can do." "Facing natural and man-made disasters, we mere mortals truly have no means to respond. However, seeing Brother Shen''s magnificent young steed, you might be able to establish yourself in Yongzhou despite your youth." Wu Sheng offered, "If Brother Shen really faces difficulties in Yongzhou, feel free to look for me. My position in the Wu Family isn''t high, but I can still arrange some work. Getting food on the table won''t be a problem." Shen Qing detected the sincerity in Wu Sheng''s tone¡ªit did not seem like a recruitment pitch, but rather seemed genuine. "Thanks, Brother Wu. If things really don''t work out, I''ll definitely come to bother you," he said. "Hahaha, it''s no big deal," Wu Sheng took a sip of his drink and said, "It''s just a pity. It would have been good if you came earlier. If you had come sooner, Yongzhou might still have been promising, but now¡­ alas..." "Oh, Brother Wu, is there something secretive going on inside the county town?" Shen Qing knew Wu Sheng was well-informed, surely aware of many matters. He didn''t let go of this rare opportunity to gather information, pressing further with his inquiries. Chapter 175: Chapter 1 Yongzhou County, Arrival! When the next day dawned, Shen Qing chose to join forces with the Wu Family''s trade caravan, merging their teams into one.Since the Wu Family''s caravan often traveled this route, they were very familiar with the roads and moved much quicker. What was originally a journey of a day and a half, took them almost just one day to reach Yongzhou County Town. Outside the West City Gate of Yongzhou County Town. Wu Sheng and Shen Qing''s caravans halted their steps outside the city gate. As Wu Sheng had to go back to handle the business of this trip and had other matters to attend to, he could no longer accompany Shen Qing, so he chose to part ways at the city gate. "Brother Shen, I''ve felt a kindred spirit and enjoyed our conversation during this journey. Once you''ve settled down in Yongzhou City, come and find me at the Wu Family if you have the time. I''ll show you around the great Yongzhou," Wu Sheng said sincerely. If one didn''t know that he was also involved in other businesses, Shen Qing might have truly believed this person considered him a real friend, even more approachable than the most successful real estate consultants he had met in his previous life. However, regardless of Wu Sheng''s purposes for making the acquaintance, Shen Qing still learned quite a bit about Yongzhou from him. Considering the value of this information, Shen Qing also showed a cheerful smile and said happily, "Absolutely, I hope Brother Wu won''t find me a bother when the time comes." "Haha, how could that be. When we meet again, I will certainly set up a table full of good food and wine for Brother Shen," Wu Sheng said with clasped hands, "I must leave now, till we meet again someday." "Until then." "Let''s go!" Wu Sheng mounted his horse and led his people into the city with heads held high. Watching Wu Sheng and his company leave, Shen Qing lifted his head to take a good look at this city called Yongzhou. Yongzhou, as the county town of Yunlu County, had a population of eight million. If we add the continuously arriving yet unregistered concealed population, it might well have exceeded ten million. His cultivation at the Qi Cultivation Realm that seemed top-notch in Taiping County was now quite ordinary in Yongzhou City and nothing special. According to Wu Sheng''s boast, in Yongzhou City, tossing a brick randomly could hit a martial master at the Qi Cultivation Realm. Although the statement was somewhat exaggerated, one could be certain of the fact that the overall level of martial masters'' cultivation in Yongzhou was far above that of Taiping County. There must be many who wished to stand out among the rest within. As the sky approached evening, the lanterns were just beginning to glow in Yongzhou City, while the official road outside the city remained bustling with activity. With a casual glance, Shen Qing could see monks in robes, Daoist priests with an air of immortality, young masters and misses dressed in exquisite garments, and gangsters clad in sword belts or carrying long blades on their backs... the diversity was endless. Of course, there were even more small vendors carrying their wares on shoulders or pushing single-wheeled carts, along with ordinary people working in the city. Compared to Taiping County, life for people in Yongzhou seemed to be much better; at the very least, there was none of the heavy, numbing dreariness that pervaded Taiping. Seeing that nightfall was nearing, Shen Qing, riding atop a tall horse, took the lead at the front. The grey horse-drawn carriage followed behind him, its wheels rattling against the stone-paved road. Upon reaching the city gate, Shen Qing was stopped by the city guards for identity verification. Shen Qing didn''t make any rash moves; he retrieved his Registration Certificate and honestly handed it to them. To Shen Qing''s surprise, after merely flipping through and checking it, they allowed him to pass without extorting any so-called City Entrance Fee, unlike the situation in Taiping County. Indeed, every city has its own way of life. Once inside Yongzhou City, Shen Qing witnessed the prosperity of this world for the first time. In the past, Taiping County was merely a slightly more bustling ancient town in his eyes, with nothing to catch his eye. But the city of Yongzhou before him was different. The streets were all paved with blue stone slabs, and tea houses and taverns were lined up one after another on both sides, crowded with people, a picture of prosperity. Even as night fell, it remained clamorous and extraordinarily lively. All kinds of lanterns were strung high along the street, making it bright as day. The cries of the vendors rose and fell in succession, with all sorts of goods dazzling the eye, from the exquisite silks and satins to the rugged iron tools and farm implements, from sweet pastries to spicy street food¡ªeverything was readily available. It truly opened the eyes of Shen Qing and his companions. S~ea??h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. They heard that there were a total of twelve markets within the city of Yongzhou, each with its unique trait. Shen Qing couldn''t help but feel some anticipation for what his life would be like next. He found an inn at random and had everyone stay there. Seeing their travel-worn and disheveled appearance, the innkeeper did not refuse them but quietly raised the room price by thirty percent before welcoming them in. Unfamiliar with the prices in Yongzhou City, Shen Qing found the cost of accommodation unusually expensive. For just three rooms, his group was charged three taels of silver. It allowed Shen Qing to make a rough judgment about the cost of living in Yongzhou. Days of travel combined with constant tension had made Shen Qing somewhat weary, and after settling into the inn, he finally felt relaxed and enjoyed an unprecedented sense of peace. After Shen Qing washed up, he went straight to bed. He slept without dreams. Shen Qing, having had a full night''s sleep, awoke feeling refreshed and vigorous. After breakfast, Shen Qing inquired about the location of the Military Department and eagerly set out for the government office. The Yongzhou Military Department''s office was imposing and majestic, exuding grandeur. Two gatekeepers stood on either side of the entrance, emanating authority. Shen Qing approached calmly, and after explaining his intentions to the gatekeepers, and taking into consideration the cost of living in Yongzhou, he gave each of them a generous "Delivery Package." The latter, seeing this, beamed with pleasure and graciously let Shen Qing into the Military Department office. Once inside the government office, Shen Qing, well-aware of the way things worked in the Great Zhou bureaucracy, used money to pave his way and in just the time it takes for a stick of incense to burn, he found the officials'' room responsible for the assignment of Military Department officials. Shen Qing presented his official appointment document to the duty official and waited patiently on the side. Upon confirming the authenticity of the appointment document, the officials'' room clerk wasted no time and led him to a side chamber for a proper reception. "Your timing is perfect. There are a few vacancies for officers in our Military Department, and if everything goes smoothly and you meet the requirements, you should be able to start in a few days," the official said. Shen Qing found it somewhat incredible and always felt that it seemed too easy to enter the ranks of the Yongzhou Military Department. He maintained a cautious attitude and said with a hint of joy, "So soon?" "Ha, not so fast, not so fast. The key is to see how smoothly things go. I''ll take your appointment document and Registration Certificate later to the Chief Officer and explain your situation to see what the Lord of the General Supervisor''s Office will arrange for you," said the officials'' room clerk, emphasizing the word "smoothly" significantly. Shen Qing immediately got the hint; hearing this, he took out his Registration Certificate and subtly placed a golden leaf on top of it before handing it to the officials'' room clerk, "Then I am in your hands, my lord." The clerk''s eyes lit up, and he cheerfully pocketed the golden leaf, assuring, "I''ll head over first. You just wait here patiently for my message." Your next read awaits at M V L Chapter 177: Chapter 3: Joining! Joining the Guardian Martial Department Dispatch Office For Huangfu Rou, if it was an officer from the Military Department, she might have considered meeting with him, but the Guardian Martial Department had its own Commander of the Military Guard to deal with it. There was no need for her to pay too much attention; she could just leave it to the staff of the Personnel Office.The affairs with the Prefectural Governor were also just "routine business," not worth her trouble. The small official of the Personnel Office, receiving the order and seeing that Huangfu Rou hadn''t taken away Shen Qing''s position, a flash of surprise and delight crossed his face as he struggled to maintain calm, "Yes, my Lord. I will make the official certificate for him right away and let him report to the Guardian Martial Department in three days." Huangfu Rou buried her head in the government affairs at hand without another word. The small official of the Personnel Office bowed with hands clasped together and tactfully retreated. Once out of the government office, the official glanced back cautiously and could no longer contain the wild joy in his heart. His luck this time was simply too good. He had just moved his lips and earned a thousand taels just like that. In the past, when high-ranking disciples competed with their family backgrounds, he might not even have had the chance, and even if he got something in his hands, he would have had to give up a large part. Fortunately, Shen Qing was a foreigner, new to the place and without connections or background, perfect for his manipulation. On his way back to the Personnel Office, seeing Shen Qing standing straight in the courtyard, calm and composed, he couldn''t help but give him a sideways look. "This young man has a really good temperament; if I were him, having given so much money, I would have been anxious like an ant on a hot pan." The small official approached and grabbed Shen Qing''s arm, his eyes becoming slits as he smiled happily, "Little brother, it''s done." "It''s done?" Shen Qing asked with a hint of skepticism, "Is what my Lord says true?" The official feigned indignation, "Would I deceive you? Our Lord Chief Officer has personally agreed and told me to make the official certificate." With that, he lowered his voice and spoke with a secretive tone, "Do you think the money you gave me is all for me alone? As long as it can be sent out, it means the matter is settled." Seeing the small official acting this way, as if afraid he might change his mind, Shen Qing couldn''t help but feel speechless. For him, as long as he could secure the officer''s position, spending some money was irrelevant. Once he had power, money would naturally be no problem. Shen Qing did not reveal his thoughts, playing along, "It is all thanks to the Lord''s efforts." "Dare not take the credit, dare not take the credit," the small official laughed, "We in the Personnel Office will make your official certificate, you just need to come back in three days to get it and report to the Guardian Martial Department." Upon hearing this, Shen Qing felt puzzled. He remembered that the position he was appointed to in his official document was as an officer of the Military Department¡ªhow did it change to the Guardian Martial Department? S~ea??h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Shen Qing, confused, inquired, "My Lord, why must I report to the Guardian Martial Department? I recall that my appointment document placed me in the Military Department." "Hey, don''t worry. Whether it''s the Military Department or the Guardian Martial Department, they''re both under the supervision of the Lord Chief Officer. The latter was specifically split off from the Military Department to deal specifically with demons and the Remnants of the Huang Tian Sect. They are one and the same. The Military Department had no vacancies, but the Guardian Martial Department did, so naturally you were assigned there." The small official explained haphazardly, reassuring, "Don''t overthink it." Shen Qing inwardly sneered, suspecting that due to the Guardian Martial Department in the county town having many vacancies because officers were killed by the Huang Tian Sect, he ended up, by some twisted fate, being transferred there from the Military Department. At this point, Shen Qing thought of an important question that he couldn''t help but ask, "May I dare to ask my Lord, is there any difference in treatment between the County City Guard Martial Arts Department and the Military Department at the moment?" "In theory, what the court sends is all the same, but..." the official trailed off, "You''ll understand once you report to the Guardian Martial Department, words alone won''t make you understand." Discover exclusive tales at M V L Shen Qing''s gaze darkened, showing a maturity beyond his years as he pondered over the official''s words. "That''s enough for today. Remember to come back in three days." Shen Qing, snapping out of his thoughts, bowed with hands clasped and asked, "May I know how to address my Lord?" "My surname is Zhao, Zhao Guanglu." "So it is Lord Zhao; I hope you will continue to take good care of my affairs." "Sure thing, sure thing." ``` Shen Qing saw that Zhao Guanglu was hinting for him to leave, so he did not linger at the Yongzhou Military Department Office. After a respectful bow, he withdrew and left the office. After returning to the inn, Shen Qing informed his uncle and the others about his upcoming position at the Guardian Martial Department. Seeing Shen Qing''s position confirmed, they all finally felt completely at ease. With a few days left before he had to report to the government office, and with nothing else to do, Shen Qing, accompanied by Tian Xiaohu and Xiao Zhi, sought out a broker and, after two days of negotiations, spent one thousand taels on a small courtyard located in the same market district as the Guardian Martial Department Office. The broker said that the original owner of the courtyard was also an officer of the Guardian Martial Department, but unfortunately, he had been killed by a demon, and his family, losing their livelihood, was thus forced to sell the property. This courtyard was much smaller compared to the one in Taiping County, but it was sufficient for the whole family to live together, an ideal place to settle. It took another day for Shen Qing and the others to move out of the inn, buy household necessities, and settle into the courtyard before nightfall. Altogether, Shen Qing spent another 300 taels to properly furnish the house. After all these expenses, he had only about 200 taels left on hand. If there were no major expenses, this money would probably only be enough to cover half a year''s living expenses for his large family. Just the upkeep for his two horses would likely cost half of that. He would have to find a way to earn money in the future. Saying this, Shen Qing couldn''t help but let his gaze fall on Xiao Zhi, and an idea suddenly sprang to mind. But he quickly suppressed the thought. ''There''s no rush for this, I should first establish a firm foothold in the Guardian Martial Department. I can plan for making money later.'' The next day, having finally settled down, his aunt planned to take his elder sister, Shen Fang, out for shopping, and the whole family followed suit. Tian Xiaohu and Xiao Zhi did not idle either, using shopping as a pretext to go out and gather intelligence, while Shen Qing, as Zhao Guanglu had asked, went to the Yongzhou Military Department Office to get his official certificate. Guardian Martial Department Office. Two stone lions stood imposingly on both sides of the gate. The crimson gate lintel shone with a golden plaque gleaming under the moonlight. Carved upon it were the three characters for "Guardian Martial Department," the brushstrokes strong and powerful, emanating a grandeur that commanded respect without anger. The gatekeeper at the door, seeing Shen Qing with his official certificate, did not make things difficult for him and let him straight into the office. In contrast to the size and comprehensiveness of the Yongzhou Military Department Office, the Guardian Martial Department Office appeared much more cramped. Looking ahead, the front courtyard paved with bluestone was only ten meters deep, with rows of disordered weapon racks placed in it, mostly empty except for a few wooden sticks scattered about. It had a certain laxness to it. To the left and right of the courtyard were rows of buildings. At that moment, clusters of officers were seated in the buildings, each wearing long swords and sipping on bitter shattered tea from old bowls. Seeing Shen Qing come in, one of the middle-aged officers took the initiative to come forward, cupped his fist and said, "Are you Officer Shen Qing?" Shen Qing raised his eyebrows, "You know me?" "Officer Shen, your red decree arrived yesterday and is already in the hands of Chief Officer Zheng. The Chief Officer specially ordered me to wait for you here," the man replied. Shen Qing knew the Chief Officer he mentioned referred to the Chief Officer of Weiwu Division, who nominally was of equal rank to the General of the Military Department but in practice held a slightly lower status. "Please, lead the way," he said. The middle-aged officer, bowing his head in a busy manner, declared it was his duty and led Shen Qing through the front courtyard into the main hall. In the center of the main hall stood a large desk, piled high with scrolls and documents, yet there was no one behind it. The middle-aged officer called out loudly, "Lord Chief Officer, Officer Shen has arrived." ``` Chapter 178: Chapter 4 Have your problems been solved now? The middle-aged officer''s voice rang out far and wide, resonating through the main hall.After a while, a man sauntered in from the back of the main hall, belatedly arriving. Yawning as he walked, he sat down behind the desk, moved his neck, relaxed his cervical spine, and said leisurely with his eyes closed, "So you are Shen Qing?" Shen Qing stepped forward and replied, "That''s me." "I have looked over your identity documents. From now on, you''ll be leading Lao Liu and the rest of the Sixth Group." The Chief Officer of the Guardian Martial Department stopped shaking his head, opened his eyes, and said, "Lao Liu, you''ve been with the Guardian Martial Department for a long time, and you''re quite experienced. Shen Chasi is new here and unfamiliar with many things; you should assist him, so he gets acquainted with our department''s affairs quickly." "Yes, Lord Chief Officer," replied Lao Liu. "Alright, go get acquainted with everything," said the Chief Officer with a big belly, gesturing dismissively. The officer Lao Liu respectfully bowed with his hands clasped and withdrew. Shen Qing gave a glance at the desk before him, said nothing more, and followed suit, exiting the room. After leaving the main hall, Lao Liu led Shen Qing to a side chamber and said, "Lord Shen Chasi, please show your official certificate to get our duty token. From now on, you must swap the duty token every morning at the Mao Hour and return again in the evening at the Xi Hour." Isn''t this just clocking in and out for work every day? Shen Qing asked, "What happens if I forget to exchange the duty token?" "Forgetting once a month doesn''t matter much, but if you forget twice, your official salary for one day will start to be deducted; three times, and half will be deducted. If it''s four or five times, then the entire salary will be forfeited, and in severe cases, you could be dismissed." Shen Qing''s expression suddenly turned solemn; dismissal was equivalent to being fired. It seems being an official is not so easy after all. Seeing Shen Qing take the duty token, Lao Liu continued, "Here in the county town, there are a total of six groups within the Guardian Martial Department. Our main responsibilities are dealing with the evil spirits and demons in the city''s twelve districts and seventy-two villages. Occasionally, we also have to suppress traitors and help the Military Department maintain public order. In short, the work is diverse and plentiful; you just need to follow the orders of the Lord Chief Officer." "So for maintaining public order, does that mean we also have to patrol and stand watch at night?" asked Shen Qing. "That''s generally the responsibility of the Military Department; we don''t stand night duty." "I see," replied Shen Qing. "Lord Shen Chasi, let me introduce you to the people of the Sixth Group. We are all technically your subordinates. It just so happens everyone is here today, so it''s a good time to get to know them," said Lao Liu. "Alright," Shen Qing murmured thoughtfully before asking, "Lao Liu, there are six groups in our county''s Guardian Martial Department. Is there any difference between these groups?" "There is... well, there are differences..." Lao Liu began to hem and haw. "Speak freely," encouraged Shen Qing. Lao Liu sighed deeply and said, "The order of the groups within our Guardian Martial Department is actually determined by ranking according to strength." Raising an eyebrow, Shen Qing asked, "Does that mean our Sixth Group is the weakest?" "Yes..." Lao Liu replied, his old face looking somewhat embarrassed. "Lord Shen Chasi, you may not know, but the officers of the other five groups are all from high-ranking families in the county town. Although they''re not closely related to the direct lineage, they all have some abilities, and the officers they lead have been carefully selected and are related to them, here to partake in the imperial grain." "And our group''s officers..." pursued Shen Qing. Lao Liu answered honestly, "They are those who were not wanted by the other groups, kicked out, ordinary martial masters." Shen Qing was left speechless: "Let''s meet them first, shall we?" Leading Shen Qing out of the side chamber, Lao Liu passed row upon row of houses and finally stopped outside a room at the corner: "Lord Shen Chasi, here we are." "Let''s go in." Lao Liu pushed the door open and led him straight in. "Everyone, be alert, the Lord officer is here." As Shen Qing entered, two men and a woman who were conversing with their heads down around a square table immediately ceased their conversation and stood up. Upon sizing up Shen Qing, they were surprised by his youth and appearance. Stepping forward, Lao Liu made the introductions: "Lord Shen Chasi, these are Jiang Dacong, Guan Yunjian, and Uncle Shu, the officers of our Sixth Group." "This is our new officer, Lord Shen Chasi Shen Qing." Simultaneously, the three clasped their hands and greeted, "We''ve met Lord Shen Chasi." "No need for formalities," Shen Qing replied, advancing to commit their faces and names to memory. Jiang Dacong was a tall woman with somewhat yellowish skin and acne marks on her face; she was far from what one would call attractive. Guan Yunjian and Uncle Shu appeared no longer young either, both around thirty years old, with faces weathered by the elements. And these were to be his subordinates. An officer differs from an officer in charge. The dispatch office is a small ninth-rank official position, part of the bureaucracy, while the officers can only be regarded as "temporary workers" for the government office. If nothing unexpected happens, they will spend their lives as officers, biding their time at the bottom. Even if they didn''t speak of it, Shen Qing could sense it from their demeanor. Shen Qing, having lived twice as a human, did not have any stage fright. His gaze swept over the faces of the several men in turn and he said, "Gentlemen, I am new here and still have much to learn. I will need your guidance in the future¡­" Just then, Guan Yunjian and Uncle Shu exchanged a glance, and Guan Yunjian stepped forward to interrupt, "Lord Shen Chasi!" Suddenly, the gaze of everyone in the room converged on Guan Yunjian. sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Shen Qing frowned, somewhat displeased, "What is it?" With his head lowered and hands clasped, Guan Yunjian said, "I''ve heard that Lord Shen Chasi hails from Taiping County and now possesses the cultivation of the Qi Cultivation Realm. I wonder if that is true or false?" Shen Qing detected a hint of malice in Guan Yunjian''s words. Narrowing his eyes, he replied, "What of it if it''s true?" "Not to conceal from Lord Shen Chasi, we three are also of the Qi Cultivation Realm, and we''ve managed the affairs of the Sixth Group well in the absence of a Chief Officer. You do not come from a high-ranking family, and your cultivation is not higher than ours. If Lord Shen Chasi carelessly meddles in the future, causing trouble that leads to punishment for us all, it would be bad for the Sixth Group." Uncle Shu chimed in, "Lord Shen Chasi, at such a young age you have become an officer, you surely have your own means; how could you allow him to intrude here?" Standing by the door, Lao Liu''s face turned sour as he intended to step forward and reprimand, but was stopped by Shen Qing''s gesture. He could tell that these people were just not convinced by this outsider. And, seeing his youth, they also thought he was easy to manipulate. They really take me for a sick cat, huh. Since that''s the case¡­ Shen Qing was not angered at all, smiling and saying, "I''m just an ordinary person, what kind of means could I have? Yunjian makes sense. What do you think I should do then?" "This is not difficult. As long as Lord Shen Chasi doesn''t command randomly in the future and follows our arrangements, that would be fine. I''m sure Lord Shen Chasi is a wise man, who knows how to make the right choice." After pondering for a while, Shen Qing shook his head and said, "Sorry, I''m rather slow, and I have never liked multiple-choice questions." "Usually, when I encounter a problem I can''t solve, I tend to deal with the person who posed the problem first." "Hmm?" Boom! In an instant, as Shen Qing''s robes fluttered, he rushed towards Uncle Shu and Guan Yunjian, striking fiercely with both hands. Their pupils dilated in shock, and in their haste, they waved their hands quickly, trying to block Shen Qing''s sudden onslaught. However, Shen Qing''s speed was far superior to theirs. The Wind Defying Finger, carrying an air of supremacy, thudded against their chests. The moment it touched their garments, the third transformation of the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill activated A scorching breath and rampant Qi erupted between them, causing a deafening explosion. In the face of such terrifying force, Uncle Shu and Guan Yunjian were struck as if by a heavy hammer, their bodies staggering backward until they finally hit the wall, barely managing to stop. Ultimately unable to hold on, they coughed up blood uncontrollably from their mouths, collapsing onto one knee on the ground, their faces as pale as paper. Lao Liu and Jiang Dacong''s faces changed dramatically upon seeing this; they had not expected Shen Qing to be so ruthless, to strike without warning. "You¡­" Uncle Shu and Guan Yunjian managed to tremble out. The earlier mockery and carelessness were gone, replaced by unmistakable terror and unease. Shen Qing''s lips curled into a faint smile, "Have your issues been resolved now?" Uncle Shu and Guan Yunjian''s bodies tensed up to the extreme, sweat pouring down like drizzle, yet they didn''t dare make a sound. After a moment, they could no longer keep up, lying flat on the ground, they submitted to Shen Qing, saying, "We were blind to not recognize Taiping, we hope Lord Shen Chasi will forgive our petty offenses. From now on, we will follow your lead." "If you had known this, why bother in the first place?" Shen Qing reined in his killing intent and settled into the main seat. He silently poured himself a cup of tea and said, "Stand up, the Sixth Group''s work still requires your effort." Stay connected through M V L "Yes." At this moment, the way everyone in the room looked at Shen Qing had changed; there was no longer any frivolity. Uncle Shu and Guan Yunjian couldn''t even withstand a single move from Shen Chasi; his strength was probably far from merely that of the Qi Cultivation Realm. Shen Qing knew that, being new here and with no one under his command to rely on, these people couldn''t yet be killed; they had to be kept for the time being. He drank a bowl of tea, feeling somewhat displeased. Damn, this tea is bitter. Chapter 179: Chapter 5: Able to Enter the Martial Path, Condensing the Supreme Divine Skills! "I have always preferred to win people over with virtue, as I''m sure you all have witnessed," Shen Qing silently set down the teacup in his hand, looked up at everyone, and said slowly."I don''t know how you got along with the previous Chief Officer, but this is my style of doing things. If you''re not used to it, you''d better start adapting now." At this moment, Uncle Shu and Guan Yunjian''s faces were as pale as paper, devoid of any color. When Shen Qing''s gaze swept over them, they quickly lowered their heads, not daring to meet his eyes. Struggles and reluctance flashed in their eyes, but in the end, they resigned themselves to their fate and fell silent. They were martial masters who had climbed up from the lowest ranks, not just some decorative pillows without substance. With their cultivation at the Qi Cultivation Realm and their hard skill, they were confident they couldn''t be beaten, but with their skills, they could move freely. However, Shen Qing''s movements were too swift, almost instant, giving them no time to react. In just one encounter, they were forced to take a strike. The power that bore down on them was overwhelming, like an avalanche. The fierce and hot breath it carried felt almost on par with a martial master of the Qi Hai Realm. The two of them couldn''t even take one strike. They even felt that the new Lord Officer Shen had held back when he struck, thinking they were useful and therefore didn''t kill them. This young Lord Officer Shen was far from the harmless appearance he presented. sea??h th§× n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. It was hard to tell where this freak had sprung from. Read exclusive content at M V L If they kept opposing him, their fates were uncertain. Thinking of this, both Uncle Shu and Guan Yunjian couldn''t help but feel a chill in their hearts. "Starting today, the affairs of the Sixth Group will officially be under my charge. Who agrees and who opposes?" "Your subordinates have seen the Lord Officer." Lao Liu was the first to speak up and immediately responded loudly. Following him, Jiang Dacong, Guan Yunjian, and Uncle Shu also called out one after another. Shen Qing was quite satisfied with everyone''s performance: "I am still familiarizing myself with the affairs. Everything will continue as usual for now. I don''t need to say more, as we will have plenty of time to adjust to each other." "Go on with your work. Lao Liu, stay behind for a moment." Guan Yunjian and Uncle Shu limped out of the room after Jiang Dacong, even politely closing the door behind them for Shen Qing, as docile as sheep. Shen Qing took in this scene, satisfied with his own decisive action. Most martial artists have a certain proud and unruly air about them. If you don''t beat them into submission and show them your strength, they will never be convinced. Over time, they will only try to dominate you, bypassing your authority. This is why, since ancient times, the reason new officials set fires upon taking office, to intimidate and overawe, is a lesson learned by predecessors. Only by establishing authority can he freely get things done in the future. Fortunately, Guan Yunjian and Uncle Shu, these two greenhorns who didn''t know his background, came knocking on his door, giving him an opportunity to establish his authority. Otherwise, he really wouldn''t know how to assert himself. Having witnessed Shen Qing''s strength, Lao Liu, the old officer, became even more respectful. He waited quietly for Shen Qing to speak. "Lao Liu, what is your real name?" Officer Lao Liu laughed and said, "It''s just a humble name, Shen Chasi can just call me Lao Liu." "You should still tell me your real name." "I''m the third child in my family, my full name is Liu Sangui." Officer Liu Sangui, seeing he couldn''t deflect Shen Qing''s question, reported his real name and then asked, "Does Shen Chasi keep me here to inquire about something?" Shen Qing nodded, "There is something I would like to ask you." "Please ask, my lord." "I want to know how one can advanced their cultivation within the court, and how this differs from training at an external Martial Arts Hall." Shen Qing asked a question that concerned him greatly. It was well known that the Great Zhou Court had consolidated all the Martial Mechanisms of the world. Profound Martial Arts and various efficient methods that could aid in cultivation were all in their hands. He had joined the court, largely for the sake of these Martial mechanisms. Liu Sangui pondered for a moment and organized his thoughts, "My lord, we all receive our official salary every month, which, in addition to the standard Silver Tael, includes various spiritual elixirs like Qi-Blood Pills that aid in Martial Arts training. The elixirs distributed are adjusted based on your cultivation realm. For instance, those below the Qi Hai Realm receive mostly Qi-Blood Pills, while those at or above the Qi Hai Realm receive Gathering Spirit Pills." "These pills can all advanced your cultivation, but of course, the most important is the once-a-year Wish Power Pearl, which is an unparalleled tool for advancing one''s cultivation." Shen Qing''s eyes narrowed, "What exactly is the use of the Wish Power Pearl?" "It can help you condense the sparse Spiritual Energy of heaven and earth, assist you in using Martial Arts to enter the path and refine supreme Divine Skills!" Liu Sangui quickly explained. Using Martial Arts to enter the path, refining supreme Divine Skills? Shen Qing''s expression changed. "Of course, as an officer, I have not seen it myself. But, Shen Chasi, if you want to break through to the Qi Hai Realm, you will definitely need to use the Wish Power Pearl." "Why is that?" "Humans are nurtured by the heavens and earth, and the spirit contained within flesh and blood is ultimately finite. If one wishes to cultivate further, one must snatch Spiritual Energy from the heavens and earth to strengthen oneself, and the Wish Power Pearl is the best magic skill for doing so." Shen Qing felt like he had gained a significant amount of knowledge all at once and pressed on, "I''ve heard that using the Wish Power Pearl also requires the Refining Pearl Technique?" Liu Sangui nodded, "Indeed it does. But you don''t need to worry, Chasi. Generally, once you have been in the government office for three full months, and after you are registered and listed in the court''s Ministry of Personnel, the Lord Chief Officer will tell you the Refining Pearl Technique." Just three months'' time, that seemed manageable. "There''s one more thing," Shen Qing said, "There are many profound Martial Arts within the court, I wonder how I can obtain them?" "That''s simple. Our government office has a specialized Martial Arts Hall, which houses a collection of training magic skills. Lord officers can exchange Qi Blood Pills or Silver Taels for the opportunity to read them. Our county town''s collection only includes Martial Arts up to the Innate Realm; for anything more profound, one would have to go to the Imperial Armory in the Capital." Liu Sangui spoke respectfully, "Does Lord officers have any other questions?" "No, that will be all. You may go back to your duties." "If there is anything you need, Lord officers, you can call me at any time. Acquaint yourself with the environment of our Human Government Office, and later in the afternoon, I will take Lord officers to patrol the defense area of our Sixth Group. I shall take my leave now." Watching Liu Sangui leave the building, Shen Qing remembered something important and hastily said, "Wait a moment." Liu Sangui''s footsteps halted, and he asked, "What is it, my lord?" "I forgot to ask, what is the name of our Lord Chief Officer?" Shen Qing asked with a smile. It was important for him to learn about his immediate superior; it would be quite impolite not to even know the man''s name. Liu Sangui promptly responded, "Our Chief Officer''s surname is Zheng, Zheng Yuanqiu." A shock ran through Shen Qing, and suddenly, an image unbiddenly surfaced in his mind¡­ Chapter 180: Chapter 6 Bow Technique Break Limit, Every Arrow Hits the Mark! Shen Qing, possessing the "Never Forget" Skill, remembered very clearly any book content he had seen, even if he had merely glanced over it once.That day, he had perused the roster taken from the Huang Tian Sect General, and he remembered that on one page, the name "Zheng Yuanqiu" was conspicuously listed. "Zheng Yuanqiu, thirty-five, corpulent, fond of wealth, cultivation at the Dan Realm. He acts swiftly, accurately, and ruthlessly, is suspicious, and does not make a move without a foolproof plan. Joined the Holy Sect in the second year of Tian Guang, trustworthy," it read. Could it be that the Chief Officer of the Guardian Martial Department was actually an angel of the Huang Tian Sect? This was too preposterous. However, if it was the Chief Officer, sitting in that position would indeed enable him to control the movements of his subordinates and secretly communicate with Taiping County. Upon careful reflection, this possibility could not be eliminated. "Lord officers, what is the matter?" Shen Qing withdrew his thoughts and calmly said, "It''s nothing." "If there''s nothing, then I''ll get back to my duties." With that, Liu Sangui no longer lingered in the room and left. After sending Liu Sangui away, Shen Qing pondered in the room for a while but still couldn''t be certain. Having stayed for about the time it takes a stick of incense to burn, he walked out the door alone. As he walked into the courtyard, he detected several faint glances sweeping over him from the rooms on both sides of the courtyard. Shen Qing looked around and noticed that several rooms had their doors wide open, and the clerks of the Guardian Martial Department wearing the usual attire curiously glanced at him a few times. But after a few glances, they withdrew their gaze and continued joking with their subordinates. There was neither disdain nor adulation, seemingly indifferent to Shen Qing. Shen Qing didn''t mind and began to casually stroll around the office of the Guardian Martial Department, familiarizing himself with each department. The Guardian Martial Department did not have six offices; it only retained a few clerks responsible for miscellaneous clerical work such as documents and archives of the Guardian Martial Department. As Shen Qing passed by, he happened to see a clerk of the Guardian Martial Department organizing paperwork on the desk. With a thought, he entered unnoticeably, pretending to be browsing. Noticed by someone, he was dismissed as a new attendant getting familiar with the department. Shen Qing''s eyes darted around and finally, among the documents, he found what he wanted to see¡ªZheng Yuanqiu''s handwriting. Taking advantage of others not paying attention, he stepped forward, glanced over it quickly, then immediately put it back and walked out leisurely with his hands behind his back. Upon stepping out of the clerk''s office, Shen Qing''s complexion involuntarily darkened. It was confirmed. The handwriting in Zheng Yuanqiu''s notes matched the handwriting on the letter exactly. He was indeed a spy for the Huang Tian Sect! His immediate superior was actually a secret agent of the Huang Tian Sect; the waters of the Guardian Martial Department ran deep indeed. However, knowing Zheng Yuanqiu''s identity, Shen Qing did not plan to act hastily. He had just joined the Guardian Martial Department and had not yet established a firm footing; exposing Zheng Yuanqiu''s identity would be disadvantageous and detrimental to himself. Even if he spoke out, no one would believe him. It was best to keep this matter to himself for now, be aware of it in his heart, and then look for an opportune moment to act. ... Time flies, and time passes like an arrow. In the blink of an eye, a month had passed. During this period, Shen Qing had completely adapted to life at the Guardian Martial Department. He wore the black beast attire exclusive to the Guardian Martial Department, attending roll calls and patrols daily. Apart from catching a few petty thieves, all was peaceful. During this time, Tian Xiaohu and Xiao Zhi had also gotten a clear picture of the situation in Yongzhou, and in general, among the Thirteen Lines'' bosses, some were strong like the Zhou Family, reaching upwards to the heavens. The weak, such as the Qian Family, had degenerate descendants, stirring up trouble daily, showing a declining trend. The overall situation was not as perilous as Wu Sheng had portrayed. In Xinyi Square, Shen Qing, carrying a heavy bow and wearing a long sword and an arrow quiver, walked down the street with Liu Sangui and four others, looking imposing. Ordinary people who saw him also stepped aside, not daring to act recklessly. As usual, after patrolling Xinyi Square, it was soon time to clock off at the Xi hour. Shen Qing refused Liu Sangui and the others'' proposal to have drinks, mounted his Zhui Feng Horse, and left the city before dark to an open area in the mountains. The sound of the spring water was distant from the hustle and bustle. Shen Qing slid down from the horse, patted Zhui Feng, and Zhui Feng snorted, lowering his head and wandering off on his own into the brook. With familiarity, Shen Qing took down his well-known Heavy Bow and walked to an open space with his Arrow Quiver. He took out an ordinary arrow and aimed at a rock wall ahead, his expression becoming extremely focused. The city was too cramped to practice archery. Now that life had stabilized, he had found a quiet, suitable place in the mountains outside the city where he came every day to train in Bow Technique or practice other Martial Arts. Shen Qing drew the bow, aimed, and released the arrow in one fluid motion. With a muffled bang, stone chips scattered, and the iron tipped arrow deeply embedded itself into the rock wall. Shen Qing was expressionless as he drew another arrow and repeated the practice. The whistling sounds of arrows cutting through the air continuously erupted throughout the forest. After numerous repetitions, when Shen Qing once again drew the Heavy Bow, his eyes changed. [Skill: Bow Technique (Great Perfection)] [Progress: 502/500] [Status: Ready for Advancement] [Note: After continuous and persistent harsh training, your Bow Technique has advanced once more, allowing you to break the limits of conventional Bow Technique and comprehend the Limit Breaking Technique of the Bow.] Sear?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Finally, it had arrived. After countless repetitions of drawing and shooting, Shen Qing had finally filled the progress of his Bow Technique, meeting the conditions for further advancement. He licked his lips without any hesitation and focused on the column for Bow Technique, thinking, "Advance." As this thought occurred to him, the ink character descriptions for Bow Technique began to refresh and change. [Skill: Bow Technique (Break Limit)] [Progress: 2/600] [Status: Not available for upgrade] [Note: Heaven rewards the diligent. Through relentless practice, your Bow Technique has broken its limit, comprehending the Break Limit Technique "every arrow hits the mark," ensuring every shot hits its target.] "Every arrow hits the mark?" Shen Qing looked at the information, his body shaking in realization. With his Heavy Bow fully drawn, it could pierce iron and stone at two hundred steps, and dislocate bones and tendons at five hundred steps. If he could achieve "every arrow hits the mark" even outside of his line of sight, that was indeed quite terrifying. As he thought about it, the familiar feeling came again, and countless foreign memories surged forth. Fortunately, after so long enduring hardship, both his body and his divine sense had become much more robust, and the previous symptoms of dizziness and blurred vision did not appear again. Enduring the discomfort, Shen Qing slowly digested the memories in his mind. After the time it takes for a stick of incense to burn, he opened his eyes. At that moment, it was as if he had had an epiphany, suddenly feeling an indescribable tacit understanding with the bow as if the bow had become a part of his body, moving at his will. Shen Qing''s gaze shifted slightly, activating the skill [sharp eyesight], and spotted the trace of a wild mountain goat five hundred steps away. He notched an arrow to the bow without hesitation or aiming. Almost like breathing or eating, he instinctively shot an arrow. "Swoosh!" The arrow flew off the string, with a piercing whistle, turning into a black light that ripped through the void, directly targeting the mountain goat five hundred steps away. "Crack!" Experience exclusive tales on M V L As the mountain goat bowed its head to graze, completely unguarded, the arrow arrived instantaneously, inserting itself accurately into its heart; the powerful inertia knocked it to the ground. In the distance, dusk fell, and the last traces of sunset were gradually swallowed by the greedy darkness. Shen Qing sprinted forward, looking at the dying mountain goat with a trace of joy, "Tonight there will be an extra dish." Chapter 181: Chapter 7: Huang Tian Sects Plot, Spirit Mechanism Land "You take your team this way, and the rest of you head up that mountain."On the post roads outside Taiping County, a man wearing a yellow cloth on his head loudly commanded. Following his order, dozens of disciples of the Huangtian Sect in front of him split into two teams, entering the deep mountains. Among the many disciples of the Huangtian Sect searching the mountains, Shen Xiaohu, who had been forced to join the sect, was conspicuously present. The two teams quickly disappeared into the vastness of the mountains. The sun shone brightly overhead, casting dappled light through the forest. A team of disciples of the Huangtian Sect wove through the forest, searching around as they followed the terrain. As they ventured deeper, the surroundings gradually became more desolate. After walking for who knows how long, with the sun growing more scorching, many were completely exhausted, panting heavily. Even Shen Xiaohu, who had some training in Martial Arts, was now so tired his whole body ached. Sweat streamed down his dark face, falling to the ground where it was instantly absorbed by the earth, silent and traceless. "What in this damn weather are we even looking for?" A disciple of the Huangtian Sect couldn''t help but complain, his voice echoing in the empty mountain valley. The oldest brother in the team halted, turned around, and cast a sharp glance at the complaining disciple, his expression suddenly stern as he asked, "Junior Brother, are you expressing dissatisfaction with the True Master of the Huang Tian? Are you dissatisfied with the sect?" The complaining disciple''s face went pale, and seeing the other''s severe gaze, he quickly explained, "I... I''m just delirious from the heat, talking nonsense. I have no disrespect or irreverence towards the sect." "Hmph¡­" The older brother snorted coldly, "Being able to join the sect, understanding life and previous lives, breaking through delusion ¨C this is an immense blessing. You must not harbor ill intentions or slacken your resolve." "If the commanders sent us here, there must be a good reason. Perhaps this contains the opportunity for us to achieve longevity or ascend to Heavenly Qi. It''s your chance ¨C why not seize it properly?" The complaining disciple nodded repeatedly like a pecking hen, "Thank you for the reminder, Elder Brother." The elder brother surveyed the surrounding disciples and noticed that after climbing over ridges and sweeping through the forest, fatigue was written all over everyone''s faces. He felt they needed to rest on the spot. Just as he was about to speak, a sharp-eyed member of the team suddenly discovered a spring and cried out, "Look, there''s a spring up ahead!" Hearing this, the others followed his pointing finger and indeed, they saw clear spring water bubbling up from several springs. With faces lit up with joy, they rushed over without waiting for anyone else to prompt them, greedily drinking the sweet bounty of nature. Shen Xiaohu was not to be outdone; he shouldered his way through the crowd, dropped to the ground, and scooped up the spring water, gulping it down thirstily. As the spring water hit his tongue, a wave of coolness instantly spread through his body, making him feel refreshed all over. "Is the spring water good?" "Yes, it''s sweet." A Huangtian Sect disciple with a yellow cloth bound around his arm looked up to see a hunter-dressed man looking at him with a half-smiling, half-menacing gaze that made his skin crawl. "Who are you? I don''t think I''ve seen you before?" "Hehe... you''ll find out who I am soon enough." As the disciple looked on puzzled, the hunter''s eyes turned blood-red, and tiger whiskers sprouted inexplicably on his face; then he pounced forward, plunging into the disciple''s body. There was a shimmer, and then the figure of light darted out again. The Huangtian Sect disciple trembled, his face drained of color, and his expression froze. A moment later, he collapsed to the ground, startling those around him. "Hey, what''s wrong with you?" Suddenly, just as they finished speaking, they noticed a man standing beside them who hadn''t been there before, and they couldn''t help but look up. "You are..." "Aaah!" A scream rang out among the crowd. Shen Xiaohu, who was intently drinking from the spring, was drawn by the scream and hastily turned his head to look. Amidst the chaos, he unexpectedly saw a familiar figure and his face changed dramatically, "Chen Fu!" Shen Xiaohu remembered clearly, when they moved away from Hongshan Village, many hunters had not left. S§×arch* The ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. In the end, all the hunters who had not left were killed by the tiger demon. Chen Fu was among these people. He was clearly already dead, so why was he appearing here in these desolate mountains and forests? Shen Xiaohu saw that Chen Fu''s figure was erratic, like a ghost, and his face turned pale with fright, realizing what was happening, he shouted, "Run, there''s a Ghost!" No sooner had he spoken than he disregarded everyone else and started running for his life. Stay connected through M-V-L "Huh?" Chen Fu had been very cautious and had not expected to be discovered. Seeing that he''d been exposed, and while others were still clueless, he no longer concealed his form and began a massacre, crudely devouring the Essence Qi of these people. Soon, these people also came to their senses and started to run away in all directions, screaming desperately. Leading the way, Shen Xiaohu frantically ran without choosing his path, rampaging through the forest. After braving through countless brambles, just as Shen Xiaohu was completely distraught, the forest in front of him abruptly gave way. A sight he had never seen before suddenly unfolded before his eyes. Old trees, majestic and ancient, towered skyward; blades of grass, exquisitely vibrant, danced with spirit; the air was filled with a faint fragrance that rejuvenated the mind upon a single whiff. Shen Xiaohu''s face lit up with joy. Could this be the place of Spirit Essence that Commander had sent them to find?! "Who are you? How did you come to our place?" Before him, an ethereal voice emerged out of nowhere, startling Shen Xiaohu. "Who, who''s talking?" "I asked you first, who are you?" A tiny squirrel climbed down from a tree, its eyes filled with curiosity, constantly turning to size up Shen Xiaohu. "A demon!" Shen Xiaohu was startled and quickly took out a Yellow Paper Crane from his bosom, which was fluttering about, trying to escape. The moment he let go, the Yellow Paper Crane transformed into a stream of light, streaking across the sky like a shooting star. The former government office of Taiping County had been occupied by the high-ranking members of the Huang Tian Sect. A man with thick hair and beard sat in the high seat, saying, "Although we have blocked several onslaughts from the Ji Family''s dogs, they certainly will not give up easily, and I need to hold on for a while longer. At the very least, we must ensure that we find the Spirit Mechanism Land and collect the Heavenly Qi." "Commander, the rich in Taiping County have already been robbed by us, and the official warehouses and granaries have been distributed. Our morale is high, and no matter how many times their dogs come, we will surely make them return without success." "Hmm." Whoosh! Just at that moment, a Yellow Paper Crane came flying in, landing on the shoulder of the Huang Tian Sect Commander and whispered in his ear. The Huang Tian Sect Commander stood up excitedly and declared, "The Spirit Mechanism Land has been found, everyone follow me quickly." After speaking, he formed hand gestures, and the Yellow Paper Crane led the way with agility, flying out of the government office. With a thought, the Huang Tian Sect Commander was enveloped in surging True Qi, transforming into a ray of rainbow light that eagerly followed the paper crane, vanishing in a flash. The other members of the Huang Tian Sect in the government office were also excited and hurriedly followed. About the time it takes to drink a pot of tea had passed. Just as Shen Xiaohu was feeling uneasy, facing off against the squirrel demon and worried about the Ghost, the Huang Tian Sect Commander suddenly charged to his side. The latter appeared as if out of thin air, startling him, and he plopped to the ground. Upon recognizing it was the Commander, Shen Xiaohu quickly steadied his emotions, pressed his wildly pounding heart, and knelt on the ground, "I''ve seen the Commander." The Huang Tian Sect Commander paid no attention to Shen Xiaohu''s words, his eyes were fixed on the spirited plants in front of him, excitedly saying, "Such vigorous Spiritual Energy, this is the Spirit Mechanism Land! I knew it, this demon couldn''t have appeared out of nowhere, there must be a land graced with Spirit Mechanism nearby. Hahaha, with this, even giving up Taiping County would not be a loss." Chapter 182: Chapter 8 The Air of the Vast Sky, Traces of Demons Reappear The Huang Tian Sect Commander looked at Shen Xiaohu kneeling on the ground and said with delight,"You found it?" Shen Xiaohu, having never faced such an important figure before, became extremely nervous. At that moment, the image of Shen Qing couldn''t help but appear in his mind. In his memory, Shen Qing, no matter whom he faced or what he encountered, always remained calm, his emotions never showing, as if he had everything under control. Compared to him, he was far behind. However, having Shen Qing as a role model, Shen Xiaohu felt a surge of strength within him. He controlled the unease in his heart and replied, "I found it by chance." "Excellent, excellent. Others have searched for so long without success, yet you managed to find it. This shows that you have great destiny," the Huang Tian Sect Commander said with a laugh after calculating with his fingers, "This is a good omen. You are fated with our Huang Tian Sect. From today onwards, you will be one of our Saints. After some time, follow me back to Huang Tian Sacred Mountain to cultivate our Holy Sect''s teachings." Shen Xiaohu''s expression changed to one of surprise; he had not expected the Huang Tian Sect Commander to hold him in such high regard. He had originally planned that, once he safely left the mountains, he would secretly leave Taiping County for Yongzhou to find his parents and siblings. If they took him to some Huang Tian Sacred Mountain, God knows where, it might be ages before he could see his parents again. Seeing Shen Xiaohu''s hesitant and unsure expression, the Huang Tian Sect Commander said, "What''s the matter, you''re not willing?" The awe-inspiring aura of an Innate Martial Master was immediately bestowed upon Shen Xiaohu, causing his limbs to touch the ground. Shen Xiaohu''s face turned deathly pale, knowing his hesitation had displeased the other party. He hurriedly spoke up, "I am willing, I am completely willing. My nature is dull and I was shocked by the news, unsure of how to respond, hence my hesitation. I hope for the Commander''s forgiveness¡­" Discover exclusive tales at M-V-L The Huang Tian Sect Commander withdrew his imposing pressure, his face brightening slightly. His gaze shifted and landed on the shivering squirrel demon. The latter, realizing the Commander''s gaze was fixed on it, its fur bristling, quickly climbed up a tree to escape, muttering to itself in a low voice as it ran, "I''m going to die, I''m going to die, this person is terrifying." The Commander paid no attention to the insignificant demon, turning his gaze back to the front. Shortly after, the upper echelons of the Huang Tian Sect in Taiping County arrived one after another. Seeing the forest that was distinct from the rest, they couldn''t help but show excitement on their faces. The Huang Tian Sect Commander waved his hand and said, "We must not delay, let us quickly collect the Heavenly Qi of this place to prevent any changes." "Agreed." The others didn''t hesitate either, moving as if they had rehearsed many times, each flashing into position to form a seven-star formation. Each of them closed their eyes to focus, forming seals with both hands, quietly chanting complex and difficult spells, their bodies radiating bright yellow lights, resonating with the Heaven and Earth Essence around them. As the time was right, the Huang Tian Sect Commander took out a stack of talismans and tossed them upward. The dozens of talismans, as if guided by someone, spontaneously formed into a void sphere. "Heaven above, Huang Tian below, open!" With their unified shout, space seemed to be torn apart by an invisible force, a faint but clearly visible crack slowly appearing in front of them, congregating in the center of the talisman-formed sphere. From a distance, it looked like the eye of a deity, slowly opening. In that instant, a pure and immense aura overflowed from the crack, the "Heavenly Qi" transcending the mortal realm. A gleam passed through the eyes of the Huang Tian Sect members as they stared intently at the pure and immense aura. As this aura appeared, all plants within the area seemed to be reborn, growing at a speed visible to the naked eye. The squirrel hiding in the treetop, along with the other animals around, all instinctively absorbed this aura. Even Shen Xiaohu, standing outside the group, inadvertently inhaled a few breaths and felt impurities seeping out from his pores, making him feel lighter. The Commander of the Huang Tian Sect swiftly activated all his cultivation and brought out a jade talisman, employing the unique "Qiankun Storage Skill" of the Huang Tian Sect to slowly draw that wisp of precious Heavenly Qi into the specially crafted magical artifact. He stared intently at the jade talisman hovering in mid-air. Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Soon, as more and more Heavenly Qi was collected, the torn space began to close slowly. After the space rift closed, all talismans turned into ash with a dull poof sound. Everything returned to the way it was. Shen Xiaohu and all the other living beings, as if awakening from a dream. The Commander of the Huang Tian Sect reached out for the jade talisman and, feeling the powerful force contained within, was overwhelmed with indescribable excitement. "Ladies and gentlemen, the Heavenly Qi is key to our Holy Sect''s rise in the future. Now that we have gathered this wisp of Heavenly Qi, we have taken another step closer to longevity," he said. The tired high-ranking members of the Huang Tian Sect were ecstatic. "Now that Taiping County has been almost completely scavenged by us and the Heavenly Qi has been secured, we should hold this place if possible; if not, we''ll retreat and prepare to return to the Holy Mountain." "We will follow the Commander''s orders," they all replied. "Good, let''s go." The Commander of the Huang Tian Sect grabbed Shen Xiaohu by the collar and turned into a rainbow light, flying away into the sky. After his departure, moments later, the vibrant grasses on the ground began to tremble, pulling their roots out of the soil to form two legs and running wildly everywhere, disappearing in the blink of an eye. Following the grass, the towering ancient trees also started to move, shaking their branches as they traveled underground. In the blink of an eye, the Spirit Mechanism Land became desolate, devoid of any life force or Spirit Essence. In the mountains and forests. With a scream, Chen Fu finished consuming the Essence Qi of an entire person and showed a look of complete satisfaction. Ever since he freed himself from the tiger demon''s control, he inexplicably enjoyed devouring the Essence Qi of people. As the number of his victims increased, he felt an unprecedented sense of freedom, as if he were capable of anything. "I''ll go back to that forest and take a nap, digesting what I consumed today. When I wake up, my cultivation will surely have improved rapidly," he thought. Chen Fu, content and joyful, hurried back to his destination. As a ghost, his figure was ethereal and elusive, and he quickly returned to his familiar cultivation spot. However, when he arrived, he was stunned. The ground in front of him looked as though it had been plowed several times over, with the soil turned inside out and devoid of any life. Chen Fu, now completely baffled as a ghost, remained frozen. What had happened? "Chief Officer, demons have caused trouble," someone reported. In Yongzhou County, Shen Qing, who had recently improved in Bow Technique, was patrolling as usual with Guan Yunjian, Uncle Shu, and Jiang Dacong. Shortly after setting out, Liu Sangui hurried over to find Shen Qing and the others. "The Lord Chief Officer has ordered us to return immediately for further commands," he reported. Shen Qing raised an eyebrow at the mention of demons, not daring to delay or dawdle. He quickly called out to the others, "Let''s go." Without delay, Shen Qing led the group at a faster pace. By the time he arrived back at the Guardian Martial Department Office, the first squad of officers and constables had already fully assembled. Chapter 183: Chapter 9: The Baili Village Tragedy Shen Qing glanced at the first group of officers from the Guardian Martial Department gathered in the courtyard, his gaze settling on a young man.He was surrounded by many officers as if he were the moon encircled by a host of stars. This man was the group leader of the Guardian Martial Department''s first team, a concubine-born son from the high-ranking Dong Family of Yongzhou, Dong Jing. It was said that at the mere age of sixteen, he had already broken through to the Qi Hai Realm and, before long, was likely to condense his Yu Luo. With such cultivation talent, even among his peers in the Dong Family, he was considered one of the front-runners. However, due to his birth, no matter his cultivation level, he couldn''t inherit the family business or hold an official position elsewhere; instead, he turned to the Guardian Martial Department to become an officer and seek a way out. As if sensing Shen Qing''s eyes on him, he glanced over indifferently, as casually as one would look at a stranger, and then looked away. Shen Qing lowered his head and led his subordinates over the threshold into the courtyard of the Guardian Martial Department Office, maintaining a low profile. Because of Sixth Group''s lower status and relative lack of strength within the Guardian Martial Department, they weren''t well-regarded by the other patrol teams; Shen Qing and his men quietly took their place at the very end of the queue according to the team order. In this time, Shen Qing observed that within the Guardian Martial Department Office, the other five patrol teams each formed their own cliques, deliberately excluding the Sixth Group. Having joined the Guardian Martial Department for a month, Shen Qing had almost no interaction with them and was nearly invisible in their eyes, devoid of any presence. Fortunately, Shen Qing had a clear goal and maintained the right mindset, unaffected by the situation. Otherwise, such a working environment could indeed feel quite oppressive. After staying in the courtyard for a while, the other several patrol teams arrived one after another. The previously quiet courtyard became noisy. The courtyard of the Guardian Martial Department was not large, and these people did not seem to be avoiding him in any way. The contents of their conversations were still clearly overheard by Shen Qing. "Something happened at Baili Village outside the city, a lot of people died." "Was it the work of that demon?" "You guessed it?" "Tch, lately the most rampant demon around here is none other than that one." Listening to the discussions, Shen Qing frowned and asked Liu Sangui, "Baili Village sounds very familiar, is it our area to patrol?" With a bitter face, Liu Sangui replied, "It''s the area outside the city that our Sixth Group is responsible for patrolling. We normally patrol once a month, and I didn''t expect such an incident to occur." No sooner had he finished speaking than the faces of Jiang Dacong, Guan Yunjian, and Uncle Shu also turned sour. For some reason, the demons were becoming smarter. They had suffered quite a few defeats at the hands of these demons, usually returning without success and with little to show. The thought of a troublesome demon appearing in their patrol area put everyone in a rather bad mood. After a while, the Lord Chief Officer, Zheng Yuanqiu with his large belly, came out. He glanced over at the people in front of him and said, "Has everyone arrived?" The team leader of the first group, Dong Jing, clasped his hands in salute and said with his head bowed, "Reporting to the Lord Chief Officer, all seven members of the first group are present." S§×ar?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Second group..." ... "Sixth group, five members present." Zheng Yuanqiu''s expression softened slightly, and without a desire for a long speech, he issued his command tersely, "I''ve just received a report; a murder incident has occurred at Baili Village, the work of a demon. I remember this area falls under the jurisdiction of the Sixth Group. You are given three days to capture this demon, and if you fail, your official salary for this month will be halved." Upon hearing this order, Liu Sangui and the others appeared to have grown accustomed to such expectations, revealing expressions that seemed to say, "as expected." "The other teams will assist the Sixth Group in solving the case," Zheng Yuanqiu''s gaze suddenly sharpened, sweeping over the crowd with an invisible aura of authority emanating from him. His voice suddenly raised as he said, "Have you all heard me clearly?" "Yes, clear!" the people in the courtyard replied in a disordered chorus. Zheng Yuanqiu barked, "If it''s clear, then what are you all doing standing around here? Get moving and investigate for me!" Shen Qing felt somewhat displeased in his heart, but he did not stick his neck out to defy Zheng Yuanqiu, following the crowd he echoed, "Yes." There was a burst of chaos in the vast courtyard of the Guardian Martial Department, everyone pushing towards the main gate, scattering in all directions. Continue your saga on M-V-L Many officers dashed out of the entrance of the county government of the Guardian Martial Department, and upon looking back and seeing that the Chief Officer Zheng Yuanqiu had already departed, they relaxed and left, hooking arms and chuckling amongst themselves. They did not take Zheng Yuanqiu''s orders to heart at all. In their view, since the demon appeared in the Sixth Group''s territory, it was only natural for the lowly skins of the Sixth Group to deal with it; it was their emergency. After all, it was not their defense area, nor was it their official salary at risk, so it had nothing to do with them. Walking behind them, Shen Qing watched their departing figures without any surprise in his heart. Since ancient times, everyone has only swept the snow from their own doorstep, never bothering about the frost on others'' roofs. He had no kinship or reason to associate with these high-ranking disciples; therefore, they naturally would not kindly help him out. After a moment of silence, Shen Qing said to Liu Sangui, "Has our chief officer always worked like this? Docking our salary at the drop of a hat?" Liu Sangui replied with a bitter smile, "Officer Shen is unaware, our Chief Officer has a well-known problem." "What problem?" "Greedy for wealth and lustful for beauty," said Liu Sangui, lowering his voice, "Now that the Chief Officer is older, his interest in women has waned quite a bit, leaving only his greed for wealth. If we do not perform well, the deducted official salaries go right into his pocket. This is an unwritten rule within the Guardian Martial Department¡ªeveryone is long accustomed to it." "Sir, if you stay longer, you will naturally understand." After hearing this, Shen Qing formed a more concrete impression of the Chief Officer Zheng Yuanqiu. "Let''s go; let''s see what exactly is happening in Baili Village," he said. Having said that, he entered the stable, leading out his prized steed, while Liu Sangui and his subordinates went to the stable to complete some procedures. Liu Sangui and the others did not have their own horses, and when they went out on official business, they generally used the horses of the Military Department. The horses they were given were aged and slow, but they sufficed. Once everyone was ready, Shen Qing, mounted on his steed, discerned the direction and led his subordinates to gallop towards Baili Village. Dong Jing from the First Group was the last to leave the Guardian Martial Department, instructing his subordinates: "Notify the brothers to prepare; we''re heading to Baili Village shortly." His accompanying officers, confused, asked, "Officer Dong, are we going to help that new lowlife?" "Hmm? Just prepare when I tell you to. Why all the pointless chatter!" Dong Jing''s expression chilled as he spoke, "Are you waiting to take orders from me?" The officer he reprimanded quickly shrank his neck, not daring to say more and hurried with the other officers to prepare. Others may not be aware, but Dong Jing was very clear about the situation. He had already found out that this newly arrived Commander was not like the drunkards in the county government; he was a man of swift action and clear rewards and punishments, and especially abhorred demons intensely. If he knew the Chief Officer had failed to eliminate the demon, he would without a doubt fly into a rage, and the Chief Officer would not be able to walk away unscathed. This was his opportunity. If he could gain some achievements, he would be able to turn the tide in front of the Chief Officer and earn favor with both supervisors, which would greatly benefit his career advancement. He knew that as a child born to a concubine, despite the outward glamor, he could not expect a penny of the Dong Family''s wealth due to his mother''s lowly status. If he wanted to avoid a miserable end in his old age, he needed to seek multiple ways forward and aspirations for progress. As a Martial Artist in the Innate Realm, if the Commander was willing to take him under his wing, it was undoubtedly a strong support. Shortly after Shen Qing, Dong Jing also led his group of officers toward Baili Village at a breakneck pace. Outside Yongzhou City. A team of five riders galloped past. The leader, with a dark Heavy Bow and an Arrow Quiver on his horse, led boldly at the front. "Officer Shen, up ahead is Baili Village¡ªwe''re almost there!" Far away, Shen Qing seemed to smell a strong scent of blood and became stern. He whipped his horse fiercely: "Go!" Chapter 184: Chapter 10 Punishment Baili Village, by its name, implies that it is a town situated approximately a hundred Li from Yongzhou.However, this ''hundred Li'' is not precisely accurate. If measured by the actual distance, it is roughly about seventy Li, which translates today to approximately thirty kilometers. Shen Qing, urging his horse swiftly, had arrived in the vicinity within a matter of minutes. At that moment, the thick, almost indissipensible smell of blood overwhelmed the air. Shen Qing''s eyebrows twitched as he instinctively encouraged his men to quicken their pace. "Hush!" Shen Qing halted his horse and stared intently ahead, where a corpse was carelessly thrown by the roadside. The corpse lay with its back up and face down, the center of its back appeared as though slashed by sharp claws, sketching the silhouette of a wingless eagle. The flesh on both sides was sliced open, the rib bones were fractured, and the ribs were turned inside out along with the flesh, forming a pair of bone wings spread as if to fly. The blood-red bone wings, together with the earlier mark of the wingless eagle, resembled a gruesome "Blood Eagle." Upon seeing this corpse, Liu Sangui and the others'' faces paled, and almost instantly recognized it: "This is trouble; it really is it!" Shen Qing turned his head and asked, "This ''it'' you mention, who is it?" "A mature Eagle Demon." "Eagle Demon?" Jiang Dacong, Guan Yunjian, and Uncle Shu''s expressions turned even grimmer upon seeing the corpse. "Lord officer, you may not be aware, but this Eagle Demon has committed offenses here not once or twice. After each incident, it leaves behind a corpse like this. After consuming the person, it spreads its wings and flies deep into the mountains, which makes it extremely troublesome. Even the entire Guardian Martial Department has been unable to handle it." Shen Qing listened quietly, pondering in his heart. As described by Guan Yunjian and the others, if it was a demon that could fly, indeed, these men would be helpless. "Let''s go have a look first." With a solemn expression, Shen Qing tightened his grip on the horse, leading the way into Baili Village. Baili Village has roughly a few dozen households, which is somewhat larger than an ordinary village, and contains many taverns and stands to cater to traveling merchants looking for rest. However, many rooftops were torn off now, walls collapsed, beams broken, having turned into ruins. "Stay close, everyone be careful," Liu Sangui called out from behind. Jiang Dacong, Guan Yunjian, and Uncle Shu instinctively tightened their grip on their weapons, closely following behind. As Shen Qing entered Baili Village, he was met with debris scattered everywhere. Demons consume humans. Shen Qing looked around; not a single intact body could be found, not even the internal organs were left untouched. The ground was covered in vast patches of dark red blood and signs of struggle. If one looked closely, they would notice many claw marks and pecking traces on these remnants, even an infant with its skull cap lifted, completely hollow inside. Shen Qing couldn''t help but recall the scene he had witnessed in the village, identical to this one. As Shen Qing and his men delved deeper, the scene underwent many changes. More fragments of bodies appeared. Upon careful observation, eyes, ears scattered on the ground, with patience, one could even piece together an entire body, though many vital areas remained uneaten. This suggested that the Eagle Demon initially killed only to feed, but later, having satiated its hunger, it killed these people merely for the pleasure of slaughter. Shen Qing couldn''t help but develop a profound hatred for this Eagle Demon. Guan Yunjian and others looked at the corpses scattered all over the ground, and scenes like this had become commonplace to them, causing no great stir deep within their hearts. Only one thing made them somewhat worried. "If it''s the Eagle Demon, the Lord Chief Officer has ordered us to capture it within three days. If the Guardian Martial Department can''t handle it, where can we go to kill this Eagle Demon? This month''s official salary is bound to be half of what it usually is." "How about we stick to the old rules then?" "What old rules?" Shen Qing turned his head and asked. Uncle Shu spoke naturally, "What happened here, we don''t say it was the Eagle Demon. Who knows if it was the Eagle Demon''s doing? Fortunately, I know a few thugs. We could kill them and claim they did it. Wouldn''t that solve the problem?" After hearing this, Shen Qing''s face remained impassive as he asked, "Is this what you''ve been doing before?" "Not always, but we do have experience with this kind of thing. When the time comes, we''ll set the place on fire, eliminating all evidence. No one will know. If the Eagle Demon strikes again, as long as it''s not in our area of responsibility, others will have to deal with the headache." After finishing, Uncle Shu still wore a smug look, as though he took great pride in this arrangement. "Killing innocents and taking credit, and you seem quite pleased?" Shen Qing''s glance made it more of a retort. "Huh?" Uncle Shu, seeing the look in Shen Qing''s eyes, shivered all over, involuntarily furrowing his brow. The next moment, before he could react, a sudden burst of Qi forcefully struck his lower abdomen. The overwhelming strength exploded in his belly, throwing Uncle Shu into the air like a battered sack caught in a fierce wind, heavily falling to the ground amid a cloud of dust, ending up in a sorry state. Guan Yunjian and Jiang Dacong, among others, witnessed this scene and cried out in shock. Shen Qing slowly withdrew his hand and coldly warned, "If you ever consider doing such a thing in front of me again, it won''t just result in an injury." Fire appeared in Uncle Shu''s eyes, and he became uncontrollably furious. I kindly suggested an idea, and you have the nerve to strike? What are you pretending to be so righteous for? Just as Uncle Shu was about to erupt, Guan Yunjian quickly stepped forward, helped him up, and pinched him hard on the arm. Catching Guan Yunjian''s eye, he instantly got the hint and suppressed his anger. Standing up, Uncle Shu together with several others chorused, "Yes, Lord Officer." Liu Sangui stepped forward and asked, "Lord, what should we do next?" Shen Qing mounted his horse and inquired, "Where does the Eagle Demon usually roam?" "I know a place," Liu Sangui hurriedly said. "I''ll lead the way for the Lord right now." "Good." Liu Sangui hurriedly mounted his horse and spurred it forward. Shen Qing followed closely behind. Watching Shen Qing''s gradually receding figure, Jiang Dacong couldn''t help but blurt out, "Is he... really thinking about finding that Eagle Demon?" "With just him?" Rubbing his belly, Uncle Shu filled with disdain for Shen Qing: "Damn, what a pretender. Only he''s the good guy, and we''re all miserable officials. Bah, once he experiences the trouble of the Eagle Demon, he''ll understand what true despair is! Then I''d like to see if he can still be as arrogant." The Eagle Demon has always been Concealing between rugged mountains and ridges. Even if they find it, it will just fly off with a flap of its wings, and they won''t catch up even on horseback, let alone capture it. Moreover, the Eagle Demon holds grudges. If it remembers them, they''re in for trouble. Discover exclusive tales at M-V-L "Stop talking, let''s hurry up," Jiang Dacong urged. She mounted her horse and quickly caught up. Uncle Shu spat out a thick wad of phlegm, his face full of hatred as he mounted his horse: "I really want to see just how big of a wave you, Shen Chasi, can make, let''s go!" S§×arch* The n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 185: Chapter 11: Bending the Bow to Shoot the Eagle Demon, the Heavy Arrow Decides the Fate! "Were those guys who just passed by from the Sixth Group?"On a government road outside the city, Dong Jing saw Shen Qing and the others flash by in the distance and couldn''t help but feel puzzled. "It''s those lowlifes," an officer following him replied obsequiously as he stepped forward. Dong Jing pondered for a moment and then instructed, "A few of you go check out the situation at Baili Village, the rest will come with me." "Yes." With a flick of the reins, Dong Jing chased after Shen Qing in the distance. No matter what, the Sixth Group had gone to investigate the Baili Village massacre and must have some leads by now. Following them might bring about some gains. ... Shen Qing rode swiftly and, guided by Liu Sangui, arrived near a dilapidated and deserted Taoist temple. From the temple''s location, towering peaks could be seen piercing the sky all around. A raging river snaked through the valley below. "Lord officer, we''re here," Liu Sangui pointed toward a cliff behind the temple and said, "The locals often saw that Eagle Demon around here. Only, after several attacks by the demon, people stopped coming. Now, we don''t even know if it''s still here." Shen Qing remained silent, perched on his horseback with his eyes narrowed, gazing intently around. Under the azure sky, a few scattered clouds floated, empty of anything else. At that moment, the sound of horse hooves came from behind, and Jiang Dacong and the others had followed as well. Guan Yunjian and Uncle Shu exchanged a glance when they saw Shen Qing looking around cluelessly, a schadenfreude smirk appearing on their faces. "The Eagle Demon is like seeing a dragon''s head but not its tail; what are the odds of encountering it? Do they really think Eagle Demons are so easy to find?" As they were thinking this, they saw a dark shadow streak across the sky and heard the cry of an eagle, immediately drawing everyone''s attention. Under the azure sky, a demon that was neither human nor eagle circled above their heads. This Eagle Demon, over ten feet tall, was covered in black feathers that were close-knit and layered heavily. Continue your story on M-V-L Its outstretched wings were even wider, spanning thirty feet, like dark clouds covering the sky. Guan Yunjian and Uncle Shu''s faces tensed up. Could it be that they actually encountered the Eagle Demon here? Everyone looked up carefully upon hearing the sound, and spotted the sharp and curved beak, still dripping with fresh blood. This Eagle Demon had already spotted them, its avian features merging strangely with human-like contours on its face, forming a mocking smile as if toying with prey. Guan Yunjian and Uncle Shu, unable to accept their fate, thought to themselves, "Even if we are lucky to run into this Eagle Demon, what can we do? We have not reached the Innate level, unable to wield the rainbow light, and we are still powerless against this bird. If the Prefectural Governor from the government office and other lords were to take action, perhaps there would be a chance." Compared to the tension of Guan Yunjian, Uncle Shu, and the others, Liu Sangui, who had seen many storms, appeared quite calm at this moment. He couldn''t help but look towards Shen Qing. This man, their newly appointed officer for barely more than a month, now wore an expression of excitement on his face. "As the saying goes, ''early arrival isn''t as good as timing.'' This really saves me a lot of effort," Shen Qing remarked. As he spoke, he took down the dark iron Heavy Bow and dark iron Arrow from the horseback and silently nocked it onto the bowstring. He flexed his arm, pulling the Heavy Bow to its full extent, aiming toward the heavens. The Eagle Demon circling in the sky had sharp eyesight; it saw Shen Qing below, drawing the bow and readying the arrow and gave a human-like sneer. "To think this broken bow and arrow could kill me is just wishful thinking." The Eagle Demon turned its body, folding its wings and conjuring a gust of black wind as it plummeted toward the forest beneath the cliff. It vanished without a trace in the blink of an eye. "It''s escaping!" Guan Yunjian, Uncle Shu, and the others saw the Eagle Demon take off and exclaimed, "Lord officer, the Eagle Demon has left. We should hurry and report to the Lord Chief Officer so he can make a decision. The Eagle Demon is not something we can handle." "Leaving?" Shen Qing scoffed, "Did I allow it to leave?" The Eagle Eye Skill was activated. Instantly, Shen Qing''s mind filled with the features of the surrounding peaks. Roaring rivers, trees thick enough to embrace, mottled rocks... A myriad of fractured images continually reassembled, gradually forming a bird''s-eye panoramic view. The gaze of Shen Qing plummeted as the sharp eyesight skill was activated. In the midst of obscurity, he seemed to have captured with uncanny accuracy, a fleeting shadow hovering in the depths of the forest. A slight smile involuntarily crept up the corners of Shen Qing''s mouth. In an instant, his eyes suddenly condensed; his fingers abruptly released their hold. The bowstring, tense to its utmost limit, trembled and issued a clear and stirring explosive sound. A dark iron Heavy Arrow, like a bolt of lightning, shot forth with a piercing whiz, cutting across the sky, directly aiming at a certain point in the void. The Eagle Demon, wandering through the mountains, felt a sense of self-satisfaction at the time. Ever since it had relied on its innate ability to control the wind and roamed freely across the world, making its way near Yongzhou County, it had always come and gone as it pleased. The members of the Human Clan in the areas outside the city were completely unable to do anything to it. In its eyes, the gatherings of the Human Clan outside the city were no different from granaries, ready to be used whenever it wished. "Once I devour enough flesh and blood, my cultivation will certainly progress. How can those Four-legged Demons compare to me? The throne of the King of Demons must surely be mine." Thinking of this, the Eagle Demon swelled with excitement and almost couldn''t help but let out a triumphant howl to the heavens. It shot up from the ground, suddenly bursting out from the depths of the forest with an unstoppable force. Thwack! Just as the Eagle Demon burst out of the forest, it abruptly heard the sharp, ear-piercing sound of an Arrow cleaving through the air. Turning its head to look, it saw a dark iron Heavy Arrow, carrying an air of invincibility, speeding directly toward it. Bow Technique''s Limit-Breaking Skill, every arrow hits the mark! The distance of three hundred meters was well within the maximum lethal range of a Heavy Bow. Without the slightest hesitation or obstruction, in the astonished gaze of the Eagle Demon, the heavy arrow pierced through its feathers as tough as iron, erupting with a muffled sound of flesh and blood ripping apart. S§×ar?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The dark iron Heavy Arrow, with its unstoppable momentum, bored through the Eagle Demon''s body, leaving a trail of blood and shattered bones along its path, and made a ghastly gaping hole. A flash of disbelief swept through the Eagle Demon''s eyes; its massive body violently shook, releasing a painful scream that echoed to the heavens. "To think a mere human should die, I''ll eat you alive!" The Life Force of a demon is exceedingly robust. Even after being pierced by an Arrow, the Eagle Demon had not lost its life or the power to move. It flapped its wings, swooping straight toward Shen Qing, intending to tear this diminutive human into shreds. But before it got far, several dark iron Heavy Arrows came flying from behind, as if anticipating the Eagle Demon''s movements, shooting toward it with precision. The Eagle Demon''s pupils contracted sharply as it suddenly realized it had guessed wrong, and a wave of terror overcame it instantly. Thwack, thwack, thwack... Numerous dark iron Heavy Arrows penetrated its demon body one after another, turning it into a sieve. The Eagle Demon looked down at the various bloody holes in its body in disbelief: "Mercy..." "Mercy? Now?" Shen Qing, without haste, notched another heavy arrow and cast a casual glance ahead: "Too late!" The heavy arrow shot forth, exploding the Eagle Demon''s head upon impact. Splashes of crimson blood sprayed continuously from the sky, like a rain of blood. The headless Eagle Demon''s massive body slid through the air before crashing heavily to the ground not far from Shen Qing, kicking up a ten-foot-high cloud of dust. All was silent. Shen Qing, with an indifferent expression, re-mounted the Heavy Bow on his horse and nonchalantly said to Guan Yunjian and Uncle Shu behind him, "Do I have to do the dirty work as well?" Guan Yunjian and Uncle Shu, along with others startled from their shock, couldn''t believe it. They couldn''t comprehend how Shen Qing had so effortlessly slain the Eagle Demon, one of the most troublesome creatures dealt with by the Guardian Martial Department. At that moment, Dong Jing just happened to arrive nearby and witnessed the scene of Shen Qing shooting the Eagle Demon, his mouth agape in astonishment. They were all too familiar with this Eagle Demon; it had almost become a bane of their Military Department. But now, this bane had been so effortlessly dealt with by Shen Qing. That precise Archery even made him a bit frightened. Suddenly, he felt that this new Chief Officer was rather formidable... Chapter 186: Chapter 12 Return Fully Loaded Outside Yongzhou City, on an unnamed hill.Dong Jing, looking at everything before him, felt a bit parched and his tongue was dry. He had assumed Shen Qing only had some clues, but he had not expected to encounter such a scene. "If I remember correctly, this new officer from the dispatch office came from another county. What exactly is his background? I don''t recall any high ranking families with the surname Shen in the surrounding area." Dong Jing fell into deep thought but after a long while, he still had no answers. Some time later, the officer he had sent to Shi li Village galloped over, pulled up beside Dong Jing, and halted his horse, saying, "Dong Chasi, we just went to check Baili Village and it''s still the work of that same Eagle Demon." "Lord Officer¡­" Seeing that Dong Jing did not respond, he was somewhat puzzled and followed Dong Jing''s gaze forward, his expression slightly frozen. He clearly saw that in front of them, the men from the Sixth Group were dragging a creature that looked neither human nor like an ordinary eagle, but rather some sort of demon, in front of a young man. This demon was all too familiar to them; it was unmistakably the Eagle Demon. As if realizing something, his heart trembled violently. No way! Had the men from the Sixth Group actually slain the Eagle Demon?! Dong Jing immediately gave the command, "Let''s head back, and make it to the Guardian Martial Department before them." Now that the Eagle Demon had been killed by Shen Qing and the others, the case of the demon in Baili Village could be considered closed, and they had little room for intervention. All they could do was to report the investigation finding¡ªthat it was the work of the Eagle Demon¡ªto the Lord Chief Officer before the Sixth Group did. To gain some credit in his eyes. It was better to show ambition and do something, rather than do nothing at all. The officer from the first group did not understand Dong Jing''s thoughts but followed closely behind him as they hurried towards the direction of the Guardian Martial Department. Shen Qing and the others had already noticed Dong Jing''s movement, but they did not pay it much attention. At this moment, Liu Sangui and the other officers were strenuously dragging the carcass of the Eagle Demon before Shen Qing. Shen Qing smoothly dismounted his horse, his gaze firmly locked on the towering figure before him. He had already noticed how immense the Eagle Demon was while it soared through the sky, but he had not expected it to be quite so large. Even lying prostrate on the ground, the Eagle Demon was as tall as a man. The demon''s feathers were pitch black as ink, its edges gleaming with a faint blue luster. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Even in death, the body still exuded an extraordinary aura. There was even dense demon energy emanating from the Eagle Demon''s body. It was certain that, given more time, this Eagle Demon would have become a serious threat. Upon deeper consideration, Shen Qing realized this was his first encounter with such a demon. The tiger demon he had met before, although it had some spiritual wisdom, was essentially a beast, visible and tangible. In essence, it was comparable to a Martial Artist in the Qi Cultivation Realm. The Eagle Demon was different. With its wings span of three zhang wide once unfurled, a Martial Artist in the Qi Cultivation Realm had no way to counter it; they could only react passively on the ground. If caught unawares by the Eagle Demon''s dive from the sky, one might not escape from disaster. Even using a bow and arrow, to say nothing of the distance, it was wishful thinking to hit a demon like the Eagle Demon known for its speed. A mere Qi Cultivation Realm Eagle Demon was already this troublesome; there was no telling how many more demons lurked around Yongzhou, nor how many innocent lives would be lost because of them. Now, upon further reflection, Shen Qing felt that what Wu Sheng had said was not without basis. Yongzhou, he still had much to learn about it. Shen Qing put away his thoughts and turned his attention back to the carcass of the Eagle Demon. The skill ''sharp eyesight'' was activated. Every abnormality on the Eagle Demon''s body could not escape his keen eyes. As if he had discovered something, Shen Qing drew the long sword that hung at his waist and plunged it into the carcass of the Eagle Demon, slashing fiercely. Bloody hot fresh blood splattered out. Shen Qing crouched down, ignoring the blood stains, and directly reached into the gaping wound, pulling out a demon core the size of a chicken egg. The color of the Eagle Demon''s core was somewhat different from the Tiger Demon''s. The Tiger Demon''s core was predominantly reddish, while the Eagle Demon''s core exhibited a dark cyan color. In this Eagle Demon''s core, Shen Qing sensed that the energy contained within was even stronger than that of the Tiger Demon''s. If used for enhancing one''s cultivation, it would definitely be more powerful! Shen Qing shook his wrist, flicking off the blood stained on the core, and without hesitation, he tucked it into his pocket. He then noticed that among the feathers all over the Eagle Demon''s body, a few were somewhat extraordinary, so he plucked them out as well and kept them in his pouch. Liu Sangui, standing by, reminded in a low voice, "Lord Shen Chasi, our Lord Chief Officer also likes to collect rare treasures on normal days, and he''s quite fond of demon cores. If you take it for yourself just like that, I''m afraid it might displease him." Shen Qing cast a glance at him and said, "I know what I''m doing." This time killing the Eagle Demon cost him quite a few dark iron Heavy Arrows. Each one of those was money. Read new chapters at M-V-L So what if he plucked some feathers and took a Demon Core? If it came down to it, he would just play it by ear. If he couldn''t keep it, then he''d deal with that later. Shen Qing surveyed those around him and said, "That''s about enough. Clean up this corpse and head back." Guan Yunjian couldn''t help but step forward, asking Shen Qing, "This Eagle Demon is so big. We don''t have a cart, so how can we take it back?" "You''re asking me such a thing?" Shen Qing replied irritably, "Can''t you use the official horses you brought? Load it on your horses and take it back." Uncle Shu and Guan Yunjian were both frustrated. If they used their official horses to carry the Eagle Demon, they would have to walk back to Yongzhou. This Shen Chasi was clearly treating them like coolies. "Why are you staring at me? Get to work!" Shen Qing sheathed his Dagger and slung it over his body. He then mounted his horse, his cold gaze fixed on Uncle Shu and Guan Yunjian, causing the latter two to subconsciously lower their heads, resigning themselves to their tasks without uttering another word. With the help of Liu Sangui and Jiang Dacong, Uncle Shu and Guan Yunjian managed to hoist the huge corpse of the Eagle Demon onto the backs of two official horses. A few sticks were used to bridge between them, creating a makeshift equine carriage. "Let''s go, back to the Guardian Martial Department Office," Shen Qing said, tightening the reins. "We''ve cleared up the case at Baili Village, so let''s take this Eagle Demon''s corpse back and clear our names. It''s also a good time to tell those high-born layabouts in the yard that we, the Sixth Group, are not weaklings and are no less than them. Drive!" Uncle Shu and Guan Yunjian, reduced to laborers, were not moved by Shen Qing''s impassioned words and even felt some disdain for them. However, these words, coming from Liu Sangui and Jiang Dacong who had no grudges with Shen Qing, stirred their excitement. They hurriedly followed closely behind Shen Qing. "The two at the very end, pick up the pace. We must make it back to the city before it gets dark!" Uncle Shu and Guan Yunjian, leading the horses, gritted their teeth and said, "Yes, Lord officers!" The last four words were uttered with a bit more force. ... Yongzhou City. Clad in a fitting uniform, Huang Furo and a bearded middle-aged man, each riding a tall and splendid horse, sped to the front of the Guardian Martial Department Office and came to a halt. "Whoa!" Huang Furo asked, "Lord Commander, this is the site of the Guardian Martial Department Office, shall we go in now?" "Let''s go. With the traces of demons appearing outside the city, we must resolve this rapidly. Great Zhou has internal strife and external threats; as long as I''m stationed here, receiving the ruler''s grace, serving the ruler''s cause, and sharing the ruler''s worries, I absolutely won''t allow any mishaps in the affairs under my jurisdiction." The middle-aged man, not hesitating at all, dismounted and briskly walked into the Guardian Martial Department Office, with Huang Furo following closely behind. Chapter 187: Chapter 13: Subordinate Shen Qing, Fortunately Fulfilled the Mission Outside the gates of Yongzhou City, the official road was bustling with pedestrians.Suddenly, a suffocating stench of blood swept over them. The pedestrians on the road quickly covered their noses, their faces showing disgust as they looked curiously toward the source of the foul smell. They saw a group of officers dressed in the attire of the Guardian Martial Department approaching the gate leisurely. Behind them, on the back of a horse, was something enormous¡ªit was the corpse of a massive demon. Not quite human, not quite eagle, it was ferocious and terrifying. All the bloody stench originated from this demon''s body. The spectators widened their eyes in horror at the sight. They scurried to the sides in panic, automatically clearing a path for Shen Qing and his group. Leading them, Shen Qing sat upright and proud on his steed, one hand on his sword, the other pulling on the reins, exuding bursts of an imposing aura. "Who is that? He looks so valiant and righteous." "Must be a disciple from a high-ranking family, right?" "Why are you all staring at that man? Look at that demon''s corpse, if I''m not mistaken, that''s an Eagle Demon!" "Ah? An Eagle Demon! Wasn''t it said that only an Innate-level individual could subdue such a demon? Was it an Innate Realm powerhouse who took action?" "What are you dreaming about, an Innate Realm powerhouse wouldn''t bother with such trivial matters!" "Pah, if demons are trivial, and rebels are trivial, then I really don''t know what counts as important to those lords! In my view, Yongzhou simply has no serious matters." "Nonsense, collecting taxes is a major affair!" "¡­" The Sixth Group, overhearing the crowd''s comments, felt that Shen Qing was being overly conspicuous. However, even if there were always rumors of demons outside the city, no government office in Yongzhou had ever really eliminated one. This return of Shen Qing with a demon''s corpse was unprecedented. He couldn''t keep a low profile even if he wanted to. The expressions of the group members turned complicated and indistinct. At the city gate, the duty guards, seeing Shen Qing and others returning from slaying the demon, couldn''t help but show their respect and hurriedly cleared the way for them. Explore more stories at M-V-L After they entered Yongzhou, they attracted countless gazes, which was something the usually low-profile members of the Sixth Group were not accustomed to. Amidst such crowding, they made their way to the Guardian Martial Department Office. ¡­ In the main hall of the Guardian Martial Department Office. "Lord Chief Officer, this is the situation." Dong Jing stood before Chief Officer Zheng Yuanqiu, earnestly making his report. Chief Officer Zheng Yuanqiu frowned and asked, "The case in Baili Village, you''re sure it was the work of an Eagle Demon?" "No mistake about it. The method of killing and eating matches those from before exactly." Chief Officer Zheng Yuanqiu''s facial muscles twitched twice, as if he was suppressing a look of pleasure, he said anxiously, "This is troublesome." Trouble is good! The more troubling it is, the more chaotic Yongzhou County becomes, advancing the cause of the Holy Sect. More importantly, if his subordinates fail their tasks, he could rightfully deduct their official salaries, gaining more control over them. If the demons were too weak or his subordinates too capable, it would actually be less desirable. Dong Jing, unaware of Chief Officer Zheng Yuanqiu''s ulterior motives, also did not reveal that Shen Qing had already slain the Eagle Demon. He made his point succinctly without showing off too much. Better to avoid troubles for himself. Just then, a high-ranking gatekeeper from the Military Department rushed in, panicked, and said, "Lord Chief Officer, Lord Huangfu has arrived." "Oh, she is here," said Chief Officer Zheng Yuanqiu, his face instantly brightening up. In the entire Yongzhou Government Office, it was Huang Furo, a woman whose figure was the most domineering. The parts that should protrude did so impressively, and those that should curve did likewise, quite simply captivating one''s soul. Moreover, what was even more remarkable was that not only did Huang Furo have an attractive figure, but her appearance, background, and abilities were also exceptional. He felt that if he married this woman, he would be willing to sacrifice decades of his life. "Hurry, hurry, check if my appearance has any flaws?" Chief Officer Zheng Yuanqiu cheerfully exclaimed as he beckoned. Chang Sui wiped the sweat from his forehead and hurriedly continued, "Lord Chief Officer, I haven''t finished yet. Along with Lord Huangfu, there is another official." A man? Chief Officer Zheng Yuanqiu''s face darkened, and his cheerful expression faded, quickly replaced by dissatisfaction, "Who is it?" "Lord Commander!" "Lord Commander?" Dong Jing quietly reminded, "Didn''t a commander from the Innate Realm arrive in Yongzhou not long ago?" Chief Officer Zheng Yuanqiu exclaimed in surprise, "It''s him!" This was clearly the boss of his boss, an official from the court! "What does he want, coming here out of the blue?" "What, can''t I come if there''s no specific matter?" As Chief Officer Zheng Yuanqiu''s voice fell, a deep male voice resounded from afar, causing him to involuntarily shiver. He quickly rose from his seat and walked to the doorway, respectfully saying, "This subordinate greets Lord Commander." "Hmph!" Commander Jia Zhiping snorted coldly, his face displeased as he brushed past him and boldly sat in the main seat. Following him, Huang Furo also crossed the threshold, deliberately keeping some distance from Zheng Yuanqiu, and moved to stand beside Commander Jia Zhiping. On Zheng Yuanqiu''s face there was no sign of dissatisfaction or anger, instead, he approached with a fawning smile and said, "May I know why Lord Commander has come this time?" Commander Jia Zhiping got straight to the point, "You''re aware of the situation at Baili Village, aren''t you?" Chief Officer Zheng Yuanqiu nodded and replied, "Responding to Lord Commander, this subordinate is already aware and has sent people to handle it." As he spoke, he couldn''t help glancing at Dong Jing with an appreciative look, then said to Jia Zhiping, "Now, my men have already investigated. The incident at Baili Village was the deed of the Eagle Demon." "The Eagle Demon?!" Commander Jia Zhiping frowned. Chief Officer Zheng Yuanqiu complained, "My lord is unaware, but this Eagle Demon is extremely troublesome to deal with. It is incredibly fast, and each time it slaughters and consumes humans, it vanishes before our arrival. Although the demon''s cultivation isn''t deep, capturing it is harder than reaching the heavens, and it has severely troubled us too." "However, my lord, rest assured, we will not slacken our efforts and will eradicate this evil!" Commander Jia Zhiping glanced at Huang Furo and asked, "Lord Huangfu, is the Eagle Demon as troublesome as Mr. Zheng describes?" Although Huang Furo disliked Zheng Yuanqiu, she didn''t cause any hurdles in this matter, "Indeed it is as so, both our departments are aware of the trouble. Whether we should ask the Lord Governor''s involvement is even being considered." sea??h th§× novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Commander Jia Zhiping placed his hands on the table and tapped it, then after thinking for a while, he decided, "If that''s the case, let me handle this Eagle Demon issue. We can''t afford to delay." "With you handling it, capturing the Eagle Demon will be guaranteed. Many will thank you for your grace," Chief Officer Zheng Yuanqiu flattered. Suddenly, outside the main hall, a flurry of disordered footsteps erupted. Accompanied by intermittent exclamations, the Guardian Martial Department Office became as noisy as a marketplace. The noise grew louder and more intense. Chief Officer Zheng Yuanqiu rebuked discontentedly, "What is happening outside, who is creating a disturbance?!" The Chang Sui stumbled in, stammering, "Lord, demon, demon, demon..." "What demon?" "It''s the Eagle Demon." Following Chang Sui, Shen Qing confidently strode into the main hall. Seeing Zheng Yuanqiu standing beneath, and a middle-aged man with a beautiful woman sitting above, he was momentarily startled. Shen Qing quickly realized these must be other high officials from the county town, having coincidentally encountered them. He clasped his hands together and forcefully said to everyone in the hall, "Subordinate Shen Qing, has successfully slain the Eagle Demon and resolved the Baili Village demon case, awaiting your judgment!" As he spoke, the entire room fell silent, suddenly so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Aside from Dong Jing, everyone else on the dais turned their eyes sharply towards him. Chapter 188: Chapter 14 Very good! How can such a role model not be rewarded? Shen Qing?Huangfu Rou had some impression of the name. If she remembered correctly, it should have been the out-of-towner who came to seek a position at the Military Department a month ago. At that time, due to the lack of positions in the Military Department, she had arranged for him to be placed in the Guardian Martial Department. She had not expected him to be so capable. Huangfu Rou unconsciously took a few more glances at Shen Qing. As it turned out, this was her first time meeting this out-of-towner. One had to say, he was indeed handsome. After a long while, sitting in the chief seat, Commander Jia Zhiping. His body subconsciously leaned forward, squinting his eyes, he asked, "You say you killed the Eagle Demon?" "Yes!" Shen Qing clasped his hands and replied with even more respect, "The body of the Eagle Demon has already been brought here, and I hope for your examination, Lord." Commander Jia Zhiping glanced at Chief Officer Zheng Yuanqiu and skeptically said, "Let''s take a look." He suddenly stood up and quickly walked toward the inner courtyard of the Guardian Martial Department Office. The inner courtyard of the Guardian Martial Department had already become bustling. As soon as the crowd approached the main courtyard, they could already smell the blood that permeated the air. Many officials who hadn''t gone out involuntarily gathered, forming small circles, pointing at a demon''s body and discussing in low tones. "Tsk, tsk, tsk, looking at this Eagle Demon''s size, its spread wings could probably cover half the sky! It''s much bigger than we imagined." "Indeed! With such a size, even if it didn''t run, just standing in front of me, I wouldn''t think I could be its opponent. No wonder we kept losing to this Eagle Demon before." "Who would have thought that it would ultimately fall into the hands of our Guardian Martial Department." "This new officer from the Sixth Group has some skills." ¡­ While the officials were all bustling with discussion, a series of steady and powerful footsteps approached from afar, interrupting everyone''s conversation. The crowd looked toward the sound only to see Jia Zhiping, Huangfu Rou, and other important officials from the government office stepping steadily into the courtyard with grave expressions, quickly falling silent. They very consciously moved to the sides, automatically clearing a path. Through this path, a huge Eagle Demon''s body came into their view. The Eagle Demon''s body lay quietly on the ground, motionless. The essence blood on its wounds had already dried, and its feathers had lost their luster, no longer vibrant. Yet, seeing its sharp beak, enormous body, and sharp talons, one could still imagine its impressive figure soaring through the skies while living. "Is this the Eagle Demon you mentioned?" Jia Zhiping''s voice was not loud, but it clearly reached everyone''s ears, carrying an undeniable authority. Chief Officer Zheng Yuanqiu looked at the Eagle Demon, his expression momentarily stunned, feeling somewhat at a loss. He had just mentioned how difficult the Eagle Demon was to deal with, and Huangfu Rou had confirmed it again, elevating the necessity to handle the Eagle Demon to the level where only an Innate Martial Master could contend with it. Now, just as he had finished speaking, his subordinate officer had already killed the Eagle Demon, which supposedly required an Innate Martial Master, and the body was now lying in front of the Commander. What did this mean? This demon disaster had appeared over and over again without resolution. Did my arrival as Commander instantly lead to its demise? Such a coincidence? Isn''t this person just making excuses for his own incompetence? Chief Officer Zheng Yuanqiu''s gaze swept over the Eagle Demon''s body, a hint of deep thought flashing in his eyes. After a moment, he slowly said, "Lord Commander, this is indeed the Eagle Demon. This demon has committed many evils, and now that it has finally been executed, it truly pleases everyone''s heart." Commander Jia Zhiping questioned, "Didn''t you just say that this demon was difficult to deal with, requiring an Innate Martial Master to intervene?" "Haha," Zheng Yuanqiu laughed heartily, "That was all thanks to Lord Huangfu''s efforts." "Me?" Huangfu Rou''s eyes were filled with bewilderment. "Lord Commander, unbeknownst to you. Shen Chasi was recommended by Lord Huangfu, and I could see his extraordinary ability at a glance. Today, when a demon-related murder occurred in Baili Village, I immediately sent Shen Chasi there, and just as I expected. Shen Chasi has exceptional abilities; he managed to execute this troublesome Eagle Demon in just one day." "Honestly, I was also startled today by Shen Chasi''s efficiency in slaying demons." Zheng Yuanqiu''s words caught Jia Zhiping and Huangfu Rou in their praise, making them impeccable. This Eagle Demon was difficult to deal with, but with my keen eye for talent, using the right person for the job, I didn''t expect to accidentally slay the Eagle Demon. "This is also the first time I have learned of this, and I am quite surprised." "I have not said a single lie." After Zheng Yuanqiu''s explanation, Commander Jia Zhiping felt there was some sense in it, and he easily accepted it without further thought. In his view, the process was not important, as long as there was a result. Jia Zhiping carefully looked Shen Qing up and down, recognizing that Shen Qing''s cultivation was only at the Qi Cultivation Realm and his Qi Sea had not even condensed. He asked with a smile, "How did you hunt this Eagle Demon?" Hearing the words "Lord Commander," Shen Qing had guessed the identity of the middle-aged man before him¡ªhe was the newly appointed Commander by the Great Zhou Court to Yongzhou. An Innate Realm Martial Master. S~ea??h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. One of the top few important figures in Yongzhou City. He dared not show any negligence and stepped forward with both hands clasped in front of him, respectfully saying, "My cultivation is mediocre, but I excel in archery. I have a Heavy Bow that can pull fifty shi, which just happens to suppress these bird-transformed demons. Thus, I was fortunate to slay the Eagle Demon." "Very good, very good!" Commander Jia Zhiping said joyfully, "How can I not reward such an example?" Shen Qing took a step back and said, "It is all due to the leaders'' excellent command. I dare not take credit." "Rest assured, I always punish where due," Commander Jia Zhiping said with his hands behind his back, "and reward where merited." Shen Qing lowered his head and said nothing. Jia Zhiping looked towards Shen Qing and said, "You have not yet broken through to the Qi Hai Realm. As a reward for slaying the demon, I specially grant you three days to observe at the Martial Arts Hall and learn a Martial Art, without the need for Elixirs or Silver Tael. Not only that, but your official salary this month is doubled." Shen Qing quickly expressed his gratitude, "Thank you, my lord." Seeing that his subordinate was so efficient, Jia Zhiping couldn''t help but feel very pleased. The foundation of Great Zhou needs such capable officials. I must keep control over such capable officials. Jia Zhiping glanced at Shen Qing, seriously memorizing his face and name, intending to promote him more in the future. "Lord Huangfu, take some people with me to Baili Village to check something. I need to verify something and take care of the scene," he said. "Yes, Lord Commander." "Let''s go." Seeing Jia Zhiping and others about to leave, Shen Qing walked over to Zheng Yuanqiu and whispered, "Lord Chief Officer, the corpse of this Eagle Demon is also a rare treasure, shouldn''t we give some to the Lord Commander?" Zheng Yuanqiu immediately reacted. If it wasn''t for Shen Qing''s reminder, he would have almost forgotten about it. Zheng Yuanqiu hurriedly said, "Lord Commander, this Eagle Demon''s body is useless to me. You might as well take it." Jia Zhiping remained silent, not responding, and continued walking toward the door. Understanding, Zheng Yuanqiu, feeling the pinch, instructed his followers, "Prepare immediately and transport this Eagle Demon''s body to the Lord Commander''s residence." The many followers in the Military Department quickly complied. Leading the way, Huang Furo glanced back at Shen Qing. Shen Qing, feeling the gaze, met his eyes. Huang Furo silently withdrew his gaze and did not say more, swiftly departing the Guardian Martial Department. After these people had left, Zheng Yuanqiu let out a sigh of relief; this time he had finally managed to avert a crisis. He patted Shen Qing on the shoulder, happily saying, "Well done." Experience new stories with M-V-L Shen Qing humbly lowered his head and modestly declined any praise. This performance greatly pleased Zheng Yuanqiu. In fact, Shen Qing was also very pleased. Now that Zheng Yuanqiu had given the Eagle Demon''s body to the Lord Commander, the remaining matters like the Demon Core were no longer his concern. If Jia Zhiping discovered any issues, the blame would fall on Zheng Yuanqiu''s shoulders. It would not be related to him. He could now rightfully keep the items he obtained from the Eagle Demon. Perfect. Chapter 189: Chapter 15: The Small Path, Making Some Achievements After the departure of Huang Furo and the others, the matter of slaying the Eagle Demon also came to a close.Shen Qing watched Zheng Yuanqiu, with a pained expression, instructing Chang Sui to clean up the demon''s corpse, and he did not linger long in the Guardian Martial Department Office. He bid farewell to Zheng Yuanqiu, swapped his duty token, and leisurely walked towards his own small residence he had purchased in Yongzhou. Today, there were still many demons around Yongzhou, but from Shen Qing''s observation, most of them were covertly concealed in the shadows, occasionally devouring a few people, but they had not yet openly opposed the county government office. After all, standing behind the county town was the Great Zhou Court, with countless experts. Those demons with awakened intelligence could easily learn of the terrors involved just by inquiring outside. Demons like the Eagle Demon, who were tired of living high-profile and devoured humans, were actually uncommon. In the following period, if Huang Tian Sect did not cause trouble, it was foreseeable that it would be a time of peace and relaxation. The sky gradually darkened. Shen Qing led his horse to the door of his house, just in time to see Shen Xiaoshan carrying a sack rushing home. "Brother! You''re back," Shen Xiaoshan called out loudly upon seeing Shen Qing nearby. As he greeted him, he set down the fully laden sack and carried it with one hand to the door. Shen Qing sized him up and said, "Has your cultivation progressed recently?" Your journey continues with M-V-L "Eating so well every day at your place, how could it not progress?" Shen Xiaoshan said with a simple smile, "Now my strength is not small. I can carry a sack of soybeans with one hand without any problem." "It seems you do have some talent for martial arts." "Ah, I don''t have any talent at all, just blindly practicing. Brother, you don''t need to flatter me," he replied. "What I said is the truth, not flattery. Keep practicing, and you will achieve something," Shen Qing advised. Shen Qing patted his shoulder and pushed open the door. Shen Xiaoshan tactfully took the reins from Shen Qing''s hand, and with the other hand carrying a sack of beans, followed Shen Qing into the house. In the small courtyard, a square table was set and the eldest sister, Shen Fang, wearing an apron, was serving a series of hot dishes. Upon seeing Shen Qing, a glint of joy flashed across her face: "Qingzi is back. Brother Xiao just finished cooking; we won''t have to wait, let''s eat while it''s hot." Shen Qing removed the long saber hanging at his waist, took off the Guardian Martial Department''s black official robe, placed it in the cabinet at the doorway, and walked over to the table, stretching his neck to examine it closely, "So many dishes?" "Brother Xiao came back early today and was not very busy, so he cooked some extra dishes. I''m not sure if they suit your taste," explained Elder Sister Shen Fang simply. "Chef Xiao''s skills are without question; he could support a tavern by himself," Shen Qing said, loosening his wrists, "It''s getting late, call uncle and aunt over for dinner." "I''ll go call them." Shortly after, Uncle Shen Er and Aunt Wang Family and others came out from the kitchen. As usual, Shen Qing let them sit at the head of the table, and he took the secondary seat. The rest, including Shen Xiaoshan, Xiao Zhi, Tian Xiaohu, and Elder Sister remained unwilling to take the seat. Even though Shen Qing emphasized repeatedly that he did not mind, these people still adhered to the local customs, so Shen Qing no longer insisted. It must be said, Xiao Zhi''s cooking was excellent, and the meal was no less delicious than what one would find in a tavern. Shen Qing really enjoyed this meal. He even took a jug of wine and drank fleetingly with Uncle Shen Er. If this world were without demons and all sorts of chaotic troubles, Shen Qing couldn''t help but feel that life was actually quite comfortable. After the third round of drinks, Shen Qing noticed Uncle Shen Er hesitating to speak on several occasions and couldn''t help but ask, "Uncle, do you have something to tell me? We are all family here, no need to hold back." Uncle Shen Er sighed heavily and said, "It''s not anything significant, just that the entire family depends solely on you for all needs, which somehow doesn''t feel quite right." "Hahaha, I thought it was something serious," Shen Qing said with a smile as he poured a full cup of wine. "Back in Hongshan Village, my family also relied on Uncle''s help. Now, without parents, it''s only right for me to take care of Uncle and Aunt." Although the amount of silver tael he possessed wasn''t much, he still had three dog demon skins, an Eagle Demon Pill, and several eagle feathers. Plus, there were other miscellaneous items that could be converted into money anytime, in addition to the official salary that was due. All in all, it was barely enough to manage the livelihood of his family. Uncle Shen Er looked at Shen Qing, his face filled with relief, but he still shook his head and said, "It''s not the same. Back then, the two of you siblings were young; without others'' help, you would have perished in the deep mountains. We now have the ability to work, and sitting around like this always feels uninspired." "Don''t mind my nagging, but our expenses aren''t small with so many mouths to feed. We really can''t rely solely on you forever." Shen Qing lifted his wine cup and took a sip. He gradually understood Shen Er''s point. This situation was similar to rural parents who were brought to live in the city by their children, finding themselves bored and unable to adapt to the environment. The best solution was to find them something to do. Of course, Uncle Shen Er did have a point¡ªrelying solely on him to support everyone wasn''t a long-term solution. Now that the family and business had grown, the expenses were not a small amount. If he wanted to keep progressing in cultivation, the expenditure would be even greater. Shen Qing couldn''t help but look at Xiao Zhi, who stood not far off, and suddenly an idea struck him. He called over Xiao Zhi and asked, "Brother Xiao, if I teach you a few dishes, do you think we could open a restaurant?" "Junior Brother Shen knows how to cook?" sea??h th§× N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Not really, but I know some recipes," Shen Qing put down his wine cup and said, "I''ll write them down for you to see. If it works out, you all can come help, and you might even gather some useful information. It would be better for my work in the Guardian Martial Department than your current aimless busyness." Xiao Zhi neither agreed immediately nor rejected him outright, "Let me see what dishes you are talking about first. This place isn''t like Taiping County; the restaurants here offer a variety of styles, and only good taste will make it work." "I''ll write them out for you to see tonight," Shen Qing said, nodding. That evening, Shen Qing picked up an oil lamp and, taking into account the local customs and carefully recalling his memories, he wrote down several classic recipes from his past life and handed them to Xiao Zhi the next day. Xiao Zhi didn''t hesitate and prepared them in no time. After tasting the dishes, Xiao Zhi found the flavors exquisitely delicious, featuring techniques and styles he had never seen before. To think that back in the day, he had gone through so much trouble, practically begging everyone in sight, to learn just a snippet of a recipe. Yet here at Shen Qing''s, these skills, which would be prized family secrets for others, were nonchalantly shared for free. He was utterly amazed. "How is it?" Shen Qing asked. "These dishes you gave, the steamed pork with rice flour, Peking duck, stir-fried intestines, sweet and sour carp, and boiled meat slices," Xiao Zhi confidently declared, "They are enough to sustain a restaurant." Shen Qing clapped his hands and exclaimed, "That''s great, let Xiao Hu find a good location in the next few days to start a small trial version, we''re free anyway." "Alright, I''ll go with Xiao Hu to take a look when the time comes." "You two decide, just let me know. However, our funds are limited; we can''t start big." "We understand the stakes." Shen Qing nodded, not delving further into this issue. After all, this kind of business venture was a minor matter; leaving it to Xiao Hu and the others was best. Chapter 190: Chapter 16 Promoted to Boss, Shens Restaurant! "Why is this all there is?"In the blink of an eye, the day to distribute the official salary at the Guardian Martial Department had arrived. Shen Qing, as promised, rushed to the department''s government office. Looking at the six taels of patterned silver and a porcelain bottle containing five Qi Blood Pills in his hand, his face was full of confusion. "Didn''t Lord Commander say that my salary would be doubled this month?" The official who was handling the matter turned his head, glared at Shen Qing and ignored him. Liu Sangui, who was nearby, saw this and took the initiative to pull Shen Qing aside and explain, "Shen Chasi, you''re unaware of something. There''s always some loss when we collect our salaries at the government office. It''s common to be short by about one tael." Shen Qing was taken aback when he heard this. He knew that there was a concept of shrinkage in tax and grain collections, but it was the first time he heard that even the officials'' salaries were subject to this kind of loss. It was utterly outrageous. "Anyway, no one really counts on just this salary to live on," Liu Sangui said meaningfully. Shen Qing had no reply, seeing that the government office in the county town was actually just as corrupt as in Taiping County. He had hoped to rely on the salary to support his family, but now it seemed to be difficult indeed. The cost of living in the county town was much higher than in Taiping County, and there was a tendency for continuous small price increases. The matter of the tavern really had to be started to avoid future hardships without income. "Shen Chasi, this is the Martial Arts Hall token. When you go to the Martial Arts Hall, you can come and go as you please with this token," one of the officials said to him at that moment. At this moment, the official took out a golden-red copper token and handed it to Shen Qing. Shen Qing knew that the Commander was making good on his promise, allowing him a three-day visit to the Martial Arts Hall to observe Martial Arts. "Thank you." ... "This tavern''s location is quite good. Since the Shopkeeper''s poor management has led it to ruin, he''s planning to lease or sell it," Tian Xiaohu and Xiao Zhi took Shen Qing to a tavern and introduced it. "The tables, chairs, and benches inside are all available for us to use as the Shopkeeper is including them in the deal. What do you think?" Shen Qing observed carefully, noting the decent foot traffic around the place. The tavern was neither too big nor too small¡ªa manageable size. Most importantly, this tavern was located in Xinyi Square, within his patrol zone, where he had some clout. "What''s the asking price for the lease?" "We''ve negotiated a deal. The rent for half a year is just about a hundred taels, which is reasonable enough," they replied. Shen Qing weighed his options, and since he had just enough money on hand, he nodded and said, "It sounds good to me. Let''s settle on this place." "What shall we name it?" Shen Qing said without hesitation, "Keep it simple, let''s call it Shen''s Restaurant!" "Shen''s Restaurant?!" Tian Xiaohu nodded, took note of it, and then said, "So, shall we prepare and choose an auspicious day to open?" "There''s an auspicious day five days from now. Let''s clean up and open on that day. I''ll call some subordinates from the government office to support the opening," Shen Qing, not one to hesitate, immediately decided. "Sounds good." Five days is neither long nor short. Xiao Zhi, who had once been a chef at a tavern, was very knowledgeable about the workings of such an establishment, and the preparations for it were very well-organized. Thanks to the concerted efforts of everyone, Shen''s Restaurant was almost ready. On the auspicious day, the entire family of the household woke up early. Aunt and elder sister even boiled a pot of water so that everyone could wash up properly. These hunters, who had come from the mountains, were used to running around in the woods year-round and had no habit of washing regularly. Over time, they had developed a peculiar smell about them. Shen Qing was still okay. After his conditions improved, he gradually started to pay more attention to his hygiene. The others, however, were really not praiseworthy, turning a basin of clear water into black water during washing. "Brother, today is the grand opening of Shen''s Restaurant. Will a lot of people come?" Shen Xiaoshan, having changed into a new set of clothes, asked with excitement and sparkling eyes. "Hard to say. I don''t have much of a foundation here in the county town, so it would probably just be a few of us making it lively. My main purpose is to show a presence, to lend our restaurant some support so as to avoid any trouble from those who are looking for it." After over a month of patrolling, Shen Qing had come to realize that there were indeed various Martial Arts Groups in the county town. Their means of livelihood usually involved using violent measures to monopolize small trades, engage in business that couldn''t be brought to light, or forcefully buy and sell goods, and collect protection fees by force. If his restaurant, new to the area, didn''t have any backing, these assorted demons and monsters would indeed not be easy to send off. Shen Xiaoshan lowered his head and said, "That''s true, this world judges right from might everywhere." "Since you know, you should practice more." Shen Qing pulled out a porcelain bottle from his chest and said, "Take this. When you''re at the final stage of your practice, pop one of these to boost your Qi-Blood. It will help accelerate your cultivation." Shen Xiaoshan asked, puzzled, "This is..." "A Qi Blood Pill." Shen Qing placed the porcelain bottle in Shen Xiaoshan''s hand and strode out of the house. Himself nearing Great Perfection in the Qi Cultivation Realm, he had tried one of the Qi Blood Pills, but its effect was now negligible for him. Enjoy new chapters from M-V-L Rather than let it go to waste in his own hands, it was better given to someone appropriate. Shen Xiaoshan didn''t say a word, silently tucking the Qi Blood Pill away close to his body. Outside Shen''s Restaurant. Dressed in the uniform of the Guardian Martial Department, Shen Qing stood at the doorway. At that moment, his belt was cinched, making his figure look tall and straight, radiant, with each step showing an extraordinary composure. To his surprise, the entrance of Shen''s Restaurant was now bustling with a crowd that had gathered unanticipatedly. The numerous small merchants from Xinyi Square, the laborers at work, and the idle citizens had all swarmed over to join the buzz. They had accidentally learned that this restaurant was opened by their district''s dispatch office, and that this very dispatch office was the one who had slain a demon not long ago. Thus, word spread, multiplying until a sizeable crowd had gathered. S§×arch* The n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Compared to these revelers, only two familiar subordinates, Liu Sangui and Jiang Dacong, had come over. Liu Sangui, with a strange expression, whispered into Shen Qing''s ear, "Guan Yunjian and others¡ªone says his wife is giving birth at home, another says he''s injured his leg and can''t make it." Shen Qing hummed in acknowledgment without speaking, clearly sensing that the two had some grievances towards him. Time to observe and see. If they continued to act against him, having subordinates who refused to obey was unacceptable; he would have no choice but to dispose of them. Just then, there came a noisy sound of gongs and drums from afar. It was Dong Jing leading two lion dance teams, coming to offer his congratulations. "Congratulations to Lord Shen on the auspicious opening of your business." Shen Qing gazed at Dong Jing, genuinely surprised; he did not think of himself as well-acquainted with these high-ranking officials from the Military Department. He hadn''t expected Dong Jing to be so proactive. "Lord Shen, I''ve come uninvited to your restaurant''s opening day. I hope I''m not being presumptuous." Dong Jing looked at Shen Qing and said with a big laugh. Lord Shen? Shen Qing noticed the subtle shift in how he was addressed, and with a brilliant smile, he said, "Not at all. For Dong Chasi to come, I couldn''t be happier. Please, come inside and have a seat. Please." "Please." Dong Jing, accompanied by his followers and subordinates, walked into the restaurant with ease. The smile on Shen Qing''s face gradually faded a bit as he watched Dong Jing''s retreating figure, thoughtfully. Seeing that it was about the right time, Shen Qing turned to the crowd and spoke generously, "Fellow elders, neighbors from all directions, guests from afar; today, after much preparation, our humble establishment finally opens its doors. On this occasion, we have prepared modest wine and simple dishes to express our gratitude. May all our guests drink to their hearts'' content and join in the celebration. We welcome everyone to the opening!" Chapter 191: Chapter 17: The Heart of Making Friends, the Petty are Like Ghosts The front of the restaurant was instantly adorned with colorful banners, and the air buzzed with the clamor of voices.Amid the deafening sound of firecrackers, Shen''s Restaurant officially opened its doors. With a creak, the grand entrance to Shen''s Restaurant slowly opened, and a waft of enticing aromas of dishes immediately spread, stirring the appetite of everyone present. Hidden in the crowd, an onlooker deliberately said, "I heard that the culinary skills at Shen''s Restaurant are exceptional, and they offer many fresh dishes you can''t find elsewhere." "Is that so? How could I miss such an event! Especially since Shen Chasi is in charge of Xinyi Square, if a demon appears here, we''ll be relying on him. I must go in to support the place and try some delicacies." A gleam of anticipation flashed in the eyes of the speaker, who then slowly moved forward with the crowd. In the blink of an eye, the restaurant was packed with distinguished guests, not a single seat remained unoccupied. Seeing that the crowd at the door was dispersing, Shen Qing also turned and walked into the restaurant. Spotting the prominent figure of Dong Jing amidst the crowd in the main hall, Shen Qing hesitated before stepping forward to exchange pleasantries, "I didn''t expect Dong Chasi to honor us with his presence today, it truly flatters me." With a smile, Dong Jing turned and said, "Ha, I came uninvited today, I hope I haven''t disturbed Lord Shen." "Not at all, Dong Chasi''s visit brings glory to my humble establishments! Please, take a seat and try our restaurant''s signature dishes," Shen Qing quickly greeted him and personally led him to a private room that had been reserved in advance. "Then I shall accept the offer without reservation," Dong Jing, clad in fine garments, followed Shen Qing into the private room, with several subordinates trailing behind. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Inside the room, Dong Jing and his subordinates took their seats: "I''ve heard that Shen Chasi''s restaurant offers some special new dishes?" "There are a few. They are rustic dishes from the mountains of Taiping County, nothing suitable for high society," Shen Qing said with a modest smile. "I''m afraid they might amuse Dong Chasi." Before the opening, Shen Qing had already spread the news about some new dishes, and clearly, Dong Jing was also aware of them. Dong Jing said with a smile, "Today, we''ll have the pleasure of tasting these ''not fit for the table'' dishes. We have many people here, so Lord Shen, please serve us all of your specialties." "I''ll inform the kitchen immediately. I have other matters to attend to, so please enjoy your meal here," Shen Qing said. "Lord Shen, please do as you need to," they responded. Shen Qing clasped his hands in a bow and left the private room. Once Shen Qing had departed, one of the officers voiced his confusion, "Boss, why do you hold this upstart Chasi in such regard? He''s just a lucky foreigner, isn''t he?" Dong Jing slowly spoke as he poured a cup of tea, "My eyes do not deceive me, our Lord Shen is no ordinary man. His use of the Heavy Bow¡ªothers simply cannot achieve the same effect. In the future, I don''t want to hear such derogatory terms again, especially not in front of Shen Chasi." "Is his... archery truly worthy of such high praise from you?" "It is," Dong Jing said decisively. A man who could relocate his family from the war-ravaged Taiping County to the county town, secure a respectable position, and even managed to subdue the Eagle Demon that had troubled the region for long. There must be something exceptional about this Shen Qing. In Dong Jing''s view, there was only benefit and no harm in maintaining good relations with him. Dong Jing took a sip from his tea cup and savored it. Hmm, the tea was mediocre. After a while, dish after dish of signature cuisine was served by the waiter. Gazing at the artfully arranged plates, Dong Jing and his companions were somewhat astonished. Stay tuned for updates on M-V-L Having been born into a high-ranking family, he had eaten or seen many lavish meals, but the dishes served in Shen Qing''s restaurant were truly a first for him. Contrary to what Shen Qing had said about the dishes being unworthy of praise, that didn''t seem to be the case at all. "Let''s eat, and have a taste," he said. Picking up his chopsticks, Dong Jing started by sampling the sweet and sour carp. As soon as it touched his palate, his eyes lit up, and he exclaimed, "This dish is perfectly balanced between sweet and sour, and the meat is delicious. There really is something special about it." The other subordinates followed suit, taking bites of their own, and echoed, "It is indeed delicious." Dong Jing hurriedly picked up his chopsticks again and tasted the nine-turned intestines, and surprisingly, he discovered another delight. By the time an hour passed, the table of dishes had been cleaned out, and Dong Jing and his subordinates were all stuffed to the brim. He walked out of the private room and looked at the busy Shen Qing in the main hall with a serious expression. He was finding this person a bit unfathomable. Once lunchtime was over, Shen Qing had his people tally the day''s earnings and they reached close to ten taels, with profits amounting to six or seven taels. Looking at such a "fortune," Tian Xiaohu and the others were all thrilled. "Our restaurant is still too small. If it were bigger, if we could fit more tables, we would likely earn even more." Xiao Zhi, with a hint of happiness on his face, said, "Our business can be considered a success now." "Don''t be too happy too soon. This is just the beginning. If someone becomes jealous over time and steals our recipes, then we won''t be able to make this much money anymore," Shen Qing said calmly. "Ah?" Xiao Zhi''s eyes widened as he said, "Boss, you can rest assured. No one will manage to steal the recipes you''ve taught me. If anyone manages to learn even half, answer only to me." Shen Qing smiled and replied, "Starting tomorrow, let''s double the price of our signature dishes. Let''s focus on making the money at hand first. After we''ve made enough, I''ll think of ways to buy you all some useful items. Without some real skills in these times, it''s impossible to protect this wealth. Mere talk won''t do." ... In Yongzhou City, inside a residence. An ancient stone table with a tea kettle boiling atop it, Guan Yunjian and Uncle Shu sat across from each other at the table. Guan Yunjian picked up the teapot and poured a cup for Uncle Shu, "This tea was a gift from a tea merchant, a rare good tea. Give it a try." Uncle Shu took a sip of the tea and smacked his lips, "Indeed, it''s quite good. Today, that Shen opened a restaurant, wouldn''t it be too much if we didn''t go?" "When he first came, our offense was not considered excessive. What does it matter if we don''t grace the place with our presence?" Guan Yunjian said indifferently, "On the day we killed the Eagle Demon, I realized that Mr. Shen was not one of us. If we continue under his command, we will not end well." Uncle Shu sighed and said, "We really shouldn''t have been so impulsive that day." "It''s useless to talk about the past since it has already happened. Let''s think about what we should do next." Uncle Shu asked, "You didn''t call me here today just to have a simple cup of tea, did you? Do you already have some ideas?" "I do have some thoughts." "What are they?" "Changing allegiance." Uncle Shu said, "Elaborate." Guan Yunjian said calmly, "Let''s find a way to switch to another dispatch office or secretly get their protection first and lay low for a while. As the saying goes, men falter, horses stumble. Shen will make a mistake sooner or later. When the time is right, I''ll kill him. Yongzhou has plenty of capable people. He''s just a martial master in the Qi Cultivation Realm. What do you think?" After some contemplation, Guan Yunjian nodded and said, "Makes sense." "Uncle Shu, if we are to pledge allegiance to another dispatch office, do you have any preferences?" Guan Yunjian took a sip of his tea and said with a refreshing tone. "What preference could there be? They are all about the same." "Then, in your opinion, whom should we join?" "Of course, the strongest one. Dong Jing''s Dong Chasi group." "Great minds think alike," Guan Yunjian said as he raised his tea cup. Understanding the gesture, Uncle Shu also picked up his cup, and their cups lightly clinked together. Together, they burst into hearty laughter. Chapter 192: Chapter 18: Never Forget, Taking All the Martial Arts with Me Time hurried by, and in the blink of an eye, three days had passed.The business of Shen''s Restaurant gradually got on the right track, netting about several taels of silver each day. Though this was but a trifle for many of the high-ranking families, in Shen Qing''s eyes, it was a promising start. In the future, slowly developing and adding another high-ranking Shen family in Yongzhou was certainly a possibility. Taking advantage of these few days, Shen Qing had also pawned some miscellaneous items that he no longer needed and exchanged them for tens of taels of silver to cover his living expenses. As for the Eagle Demon''s Demon Core, he still kept it in hand, planning to use it later to enhance his cultivation. ¡­ County Office, Martial Arts Hall. Shen Qing, holding an ancient copper token, approached the entrance. The doorkeeper was a martial master instructor with white hair and beard. Even though his Qi-Blood had already declined, his gaze was still sharp as ever. Upon seeing Shen Qing, he scrutinized him and asked, "Who goes there?" Shen Qing bowed slightly, his voice steady and strong, "I am Shen Qing from the Guardian Martial Department. A short while ago, by the grace of Commander Lord Jia, I was specially allowed to come to the Martial Arts Hall to study martial arts and enhance my cultivation." "Do you have proof?" Shen Qing respectfully handed over the copper token and said, "Please, senior, have a look." The old coach took the copper token, examined it carefully for a moment, a flicker of surprise crossing his eyes, then regained his composure and returned the copper token to Shen Qing, his tone easing, "So, you are Shen Chasi. Commander Jia had already sent someone to inform me. You may enter the Martial Arts Hall for three days and review all the martial arts books. Please, follow me." With that, the old coach turned and led the way, winding through several twisting corridors before finally arriving at a spacious and bright study, and pushed the door open. S~ea??h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Please come in." The air in the Martial Arts Hall''s study was filled with the scent of ink and paper. As soon as Shen Qing stepped in, these two scents intertwined and entered his nostrils. Looking around, the study was lined with bookshelves filled with various books¡ªsome yellowed and aged, others beautifully bound, obviously freshly collected. The study wasn''t very large, roughly one hundred square feet. Shen Qing roughly estimated that there were nearly a thousand martial arts books stored here. Just choosing the appropriate cultivation techniques was likely to take a day or two. "Shen Chasi, this is where we, the county office, store the collected martial arts books. Each one can be said to have been refined by countless people. Many of them are masterpieces borrowed from the Imperial Armory. You may choose any to study, and if there''s anything unclear, feel free to ask me. But remember, the way of martial arts is about persistence; do not bite off more than you can chew," the old coach advised earnestly. Shen Qing nodded, expressing his gratitude, "Thank you for your guidance, senior." "By the way, senior, where do I find the martial arts that come after the Qi Cultivation Realm?" "From here, everything from the third row onward," the old coach pointed and explained. "Thank you." Following what the old coach had pointed out, Shen Qing walked to the third row of bookshelves, his eyes scanning over the dazzling array of martial arts secret manuals. He casually pulled out one of the volumes and looked at it. "Cloud Flipping Sword Technique." He opened the first page. The first thing that caught his eye was a series of sword move diagrams, each move dissected and vividly depicted. Even the direction of the True Qi flows for each move was meticulously noted down to detailed precision, making even someone like Shen Qing, who was inexperienced in the Sword Dao, feel their profoundness. "The sword moves lightly, like clouds changing shape unpredictably..." As Shen Qing softly read on, he increasingly recognized the ingenuity of the sword moves recorded, each embodying profound natural principles. This opportunity to view such a martial arts secret manual was rare, and Shen Qing became completely immersed, quickly flipping through the pages. Unbeknownst to him, Shen Qing had memorized these Martial Arts secret manuals using the "Never Forget" Skill. It took the time of burning a stick of incense, but Shen Qing had finished viewing the entire "Cloud Flipping Sword Technique" Martial Arts secret manual. "Good, next one." Shen Qing pulled out this Martial Arts book and immediately became curious upon seeing the name of the technique on it. "Joyous Zen Great Harmonious Flesh Lotus Technique." As he opened it, he discovered it was indeed a remarkable Buddhist Martial Arts Technique. As stated in the book, by studying Joyful Buddhist Dharma with a woman and daily harvesting the essence of the woman''s flesh lotus, one could rapidly increase one''s Qi-Blood and Qi, achieving a breakthrough. Moreover, once one began cultivating this technique, it would engender a strong craving in the opposite sex, while the body would emit a Buddhist fragrance. Any desired person of the opposite sex, upon smelling this Buddhist fragrance, would develop a devout longing, ready to give and receive. The only requirement was that one needed to have a foundation in Buddhist Dharma to cultivate it; otherwise, it would be difficult to train in. Shen Qing saw that this technique wasn''t at a high level and offered limited achievements in cultivation, making it not very suitable for his needs. But since he had come, Shen Qing still memorized this Martial Arts Technique. Just now, after finishing the first book''s sword technique, an audacious idea suddenly emerged in his heart, he decided to use the "Never Forget" Skill to memorize all the Martial Arts here, not missing a single word. Even if he did not practice these techniques in the future, copying them down could also be a way to make money. If each of the thousands of Martial Arts secret manuals here sold for ten taels of silver, he could make ten thousand taels. Shen Qing licked his lips, his mood suddenly becoming excited. No sooner said than done. He collected his thoughts and busied himself with intense reading. "Mixed Element Profound Technique¡­" "Returning Different Aspects to Their Original State¡­" "Blood Piercing True Essence Scripture¡­" Shen Qing unexpectedly found that as he continually studied the magical manuals, his previously static skill "to recognize characters and read" began to visibly improve. Time trickled by. Shen Qing spent nearly half a day and had read nearly three to four hundred Martial Arts secret manuals. Find more adventures on M-V-L It must be said that the Great Zhou Court''s Martial Arts foundation was indeed profound. Any book here was more sophisticated than those he learned in the Martial Arts Hall. Many of the cultivation approaches were also classic, nearly all providing results with half the effort. After spending the day reading, Shen Qing benefitted greatly. He understood the concept of transforming Qi Energy when breaching the Qi Hai Realm, allowing him to make some early preparations. Shen Qing looked at the sky, it was almost evening; he put down the book in his hand and walked out of the study. Outside the study, the old coach was poking at an anthill. Seeing Shen Qing come out, the old coach said without looking up, "Did you find any that caught your eye?" Shen Qing shook his head and replied, "Not yet, I plan to look through them all before deciding." "That''s fine, you better decide by tomorrow so that I have a day to guide you," urged the old coach. "The Martial Arts of this Martial Arts Hall aren''t permitted to be taken out; otherwise, it would be a violation of courtly taboos and could cause big problems," the coach seriously instructed. Shen Qing nodded and said with a smile, "I understand." Chapter 193: Chapter 19 Annotations on Talismans, Sky Flipping Seal The next day.After inspecting the defense area and ensuring there were no errors, Shen Qing once again arrived at the Martial Arts Hall. Following a day''s struggle, there remained several hundred Martial Arts books in the study hall of the Martial Arts Hall. He intended to use the next couple of days to transcribe all of them into his mind. "Has Shen Chasi arrived?" The instructor at the door, seeing Shen Qing again, became much friendlier and even skipped the routine inspection, "You''re a bit late today." Shen Qing smiled, "Martial Arts are indeed important, but I still need to do my primary job well. Otherwise, if something goes wrong and demons cause trouble, that would be troublesome." "That makes sense," the old coach said as he glanced at Shen Qing and stepped aside for him, "Go on in by yourself, I won''t lead the way." Shen Qing bowed and, following the route from the previous day, entered the study of the Martial Arts Hall, filled with a fighting spirit as he looked at the rows of bookshelves. "I finished the Martial Arts over here yesterday; might as well finish the rest today. Knowledge is power, time is money. Let''s get to work!" Shen Qing walked up to a bookshelf, pulled out the outermost Martial Arts book, and began flipping through it. As he continued to read, the progress of his skill in "recognizing characters and reading" kept increasing, and the speed at which his brain "imprinted" Martial Arts also increased. As time trickled by, Shen Qing had reviewed nearly all of the remaining Martial Arts books. Among these books, Shen Qing unexpectedly discovered two interesting ones. One was a long-neglected old book that had been forgotten for a long time; the other looked ordinary on the outside but contained great secrets and was deeply connected to him¡ªa Martial Arts Secret Manual. Shen Qing picked up the old book in front of him and examined it closely. When Shen Qing took out this book, he found it had become damp and stained, and many of its pages were moldy and stuck together. Had it not been for the four ancient characters on the cover, "Annotations on Talismans," clear and decisive, he might have thought it was a casual notebook written by some martial master. The reason this old book intrigued Shen Qing was not because of its ancientness, but because it recorded rarely seen content. It documented long-lost annotations on talismans, and Shen Qing even found several familiar talismans within. "If the record in this book is correct, then the three talismans I possess are respectively the Divine Power Talisman, the Featherweight Talisman, and the Revitalizing Talisman," he said. "Unfortunately, it only contains the methods of use and lacks the method of making talismans. This tradition must have declined." Shen Qing''s expression grew solemn as he carefully memorized the content of the book and then returned it to its place. He then turned his attention to the other Martial Arts Secret Manual. The cover of the manual was simply outlined with a rustic seal, and in the middle, "Sky Flipping Seal" was written in a flamboyant style, carrying an extraordinary aura. Shen Qing picked it up, his expression complex. This Martial Arts manual was considered fateful to him because he recognized traces of the Wind Defying Finger technique from a few moves described within. At first, he thought he had misread, but upon carefully reviewing it a second time, he truly found several moves that matched the style of the Wind Defying Finger exactly. He was almost certain that the Wind Defying Finger originated from this Imperial Martial Arts manual known as the Sky Flipping Seal. Why it was so could no longer be investigated. Perhaps, in the past, some martial master learned the Sky Flipping Seal and it inadvertently leaked outside, eventually evolving into Li Linfeng''s Wind Defying Finger under fortunate circumstances. Perhaps someone had surreptitiously learned it, and then transmitted it to Li Linfeng''s hands. Either scenario was possible. Shen Qing had no particular interest in researching the route of its transmission; rather, his interest in this martial art was profound. According to this specific record of Sky Flipping Seal, when cultivated to its utmost limits, reaching the supreme realm, it was said to be able to shake heaven and earth, reverse the polarity of the universe, and even, with a single thought, overturn mountains and rivers, plunging the sun and moon into darkness. Shen Qing was still somewhat skeptical of such claims, suspecting that the author had exaggerated, but he believed that reaching the highest level of practice could indeed achieve feats like shattering mountains and splitting the earth with a single palm strike, though perhaps not to the extent of darkening the sun and moon. It was without a doubt that this martial art was many times more complex and sophisticated than Wind Defying Finger, which could at best be considered merely one of its techniques. If Wind Defying Finger were a child, then Sky Flipping Seal was a mighty adult in his prime. There was simply no comparison. Another critical point was that Sky Flipping Seal included training methods beyond the Qi Hai Realm, which perfectly suited his situation. Explore more stories at M-V-L Shen Qing read through it several times more to ensure there were no omissions or errors, firmly memorizing it. After that, he set down the martial art book and proceeded to "imprint" all the remaining martial arts books before he stopped. After putting down the last book, he suddenly felt a sense of satisfaction akin to a person with OCD, observing a block fitting perfectly into a slot. Stepping out of the study, the old coach, who was occupied with molding clay, glanced at him and smiled, "Shen Chasi, have you decided which martial arts book you want to pick?" Shen Qing thought for a moment and replied, "Sky Flipping Seal." The old coach paused, expressing surprise, "You want to study it?" "Is there something inappropriate?" Shen Qing asked. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Shen Chasi, listen to my advice, it would be better for you to choose another martial art," the old coach urged. Shen Qing questioned curiously, "Is this martial art by any chance a false one?" "It''s not fake, it''s just very difficult to practice," the old coach explained. "Sky Flipping Seal has immense power, but such strength is not easily attained. Cultivating this martial art requires exceptional talent, determination, and opportunity. Most who train in this martial art get stuck halfway, unable to progress or retreat, ultimately wasting their years. That''s why I suggest you choose another martial art." Shen Qing earnestly sought advice, "Could you suggest some better martial arts?" The old coach listed them like an inventory, "Burning Sky Technique, Three Elements Body Refining Technique, Mixed Element True Technique, are all decent martial arts." Shen Qing took careful note and expressed his thanks, "Thank you for your guidance. I still feel that Sky Flipping Seal suits me better." "Eh¡­ everyone to their own. If that''s what you like, then so be it," the old coach responded without any hint of sarcasm but felt that his previous words with Shen Qing were somewhat wasted. After all, he had only met Shen Qing twice, and they had no real friendship to speak of. As someone responsible only for guarding the doors, he was too lazy to meddle in others'' affairs, and offering a few words of advice was all the duty he felt he owed. Shen Qing bowed slightly, "Sorry to have troubled you, I take my leave now." The old coach hummed softly in response, paying no further attention to Shen Qing. Shen Qing strode out, leaving the Martial Arts Hall. Standing at the entrance of the Martial Arts Hall, he turned back for a glance. All the martial arts inside the hall had now been etched into his memory, eliminating the need to return the following day, freeing up time for other, more important tasks. Shen Qing withdrew his gaze, took a large stride forward, and suddenly felt a jolt in his mind as if realizing something urgent, and quickly summoned the Water Ink Panel. Chapter 195: Chapter 21: Demon Tracks, Secret Martial Arts Instruction "Have you heard, there are demons appearing in the Inner City now?""I just came back from there, how could I not know?" "What? What happened?" "A whole family was devoured by a Cat Demon in their sleep. I heard it even started by carving out the heart from the inside... The scene was really... ah, no more, no more, I''ll lose my appetite if we keep talking about it." ... Shen Qing walked into the courtyard of the Guardian Martial Department and found that the usually bustling yard had taken on a different appearance today, filled with an unusual air of seriousness. The officers, who were typically scattered about doing menial tasks, were now huddled in groups, discussing in hushed tones. Shen Qing couldn''t help but raise an eyebrow. "Shen Chasi, you''re here. Have some tea to moisten your throat and relieve your fatigue," Liu Sangui''s voice came from the middle of the yard. He was all smiles, tossing aside the shell of the seeds he was eating and refilling a bowl of bitter tea, waiting for Shen Qing with a welcoming grin. The gathered crowd consisted mostly of officers from the second and third groups, while those like Liu Sangui, who were not from these groups, naturally formed a large circle around the outside, stretching their necks to listen, without proper form. Shen Qing, expression unchanged, walked over and leisurely took a seat in front of Liu Sangui, his gaze sweeping over the crowd clustered together. Then, he lightly sipped the bitter tea from the bowl and lifted his chin to ask, "What''s going on, what is everyone talking about?" Seeing this, Liu Sangui spoke seriously, "The city is in chaos! There''s talk of a Cat Demon entering the city, it even devoured a whole family, young and old alike, and everyone''s discussing this matter." Hearing this news, Shen Qing was somewhat surprised. In the county town, there were both the Guardian Martial Department and Military Department at the county office, which had sufficient power to handle demons, traitors, gangs, and all sorts of characters. Even minor incidents such as gang fights or theft were quickly handled by the Military Department, a capability far beyond what Taiping County could compare with. To say that the strength of these two departments was weak outside the city and thus overrun by demons was one thing, but how could it be the same within the city? From where had this Cat Demon emerged? Shen Qing pondered secretly, unable to figure it out. He asked, "What does the Lord Chief Officer say?" "Same as usual, he sent the fourth group to handle the scene," Liu Sangui said mysteriously. "Shen Chasi, you might not know this. Because of this incident, many high-ranking officials who own cats are finding ways to kill or abandon their cats. Today, when I stepped outside, I could see heaps of cats in the alleys. The fourth group is quite troubled by this, and it has made the citizens extremely anxious." After remaining silent for a moment, Shen Qing cautioned, "We''ll need to be more careful when going out in the future." After spending a while at the Guardian Martial Department, he noticed that, apart from Jiang Dacong who had already arrived, Guan Yunjian and Uncle Shu were still nowhere to be seen. "Where are Guan Yunjian and Uncle Shu?" Liu Sangui replied, "Perhaps they have family matters, so they arrived late today?" Noticing the displeasure in Shen Qing''s face, both Liu Sangui and Jiang Dacong remained silent. After waiting for a long time, Shen Qing looked at the sky, finished his bowl of bitter tea, placed it on the table, and said, "Let''s go, we''ll patrol without waiting for them." Just as Shen Qing was about to step out, Guan Yunjian and Uncle Shu emerged from the entrance of the Guardian Martial Department, hurriedly offering apologetic smiles, "Shen Chasi, we just received a message from our subordinates that traces of a Wolf Demon were found in our patrol area, so we were delayed a bit." Subordinates? Shen Qing raised an eyebrow. He glanced at the two men and said, "Explain what happened." Uncle Shu stepped forward, cupped his hands together, and began explaining, "Here''s what happened, early this morning, a woodcutter from Changqiao Town was reported missing to the county office. The locals said it was a Wolf Demon. The Military Department sent people to investigate, but there''s no conclusion yet." "Let''s wait for news from the Military Department then. Anything else?" "That''s all." "If there''s nothing else, don''t just stand around foolishly here." Shen Qing did not hide his displeasure as he strode off. Uncle Shu and Guan Yunjian exchanged a glance, feeling quite helpless. They sensed that Shen Qing was increasingly unsatisfied with them, having developed some grievances. But in all fairness, they indeed had received some news about the Wolf Demon today, which caused their delay. Walking behind everyone, Uncle Shu and Guan Yunjian exchanged glances and whispered to each other. "What should we do?" "This might be an opportunity." "You mean..." Guan Yunjian nodded and said, "Get ready. His impression of us has worsened. If we delay further, I fear he will strike at us first. It would be better to deal with him using the Wolf Demon incident as a pretext, to avoid complications later." Uncle Shu replied, "You make sense, let''s prepare then." "Mm." The two of them quieted down and silently followed. ... In the ensuing days, no Cat Demon incidents were discovered in the county town, but Shen Qing remained vigilant. When night fell, Shen Xiaoshan and Tian Xiaohu, among others, finished their tasks in the restaurant, and he called the three of them to the main hall. "Slam!" Just after Xiao Zhi was the last to enter, Shen Qing silently stepped forward and shut the door. Only the three of them were left in the living room. Tian Xiaohu asked in confusion, "Boss, what do you need us for so late?" By now Tian Xiaohu and others no longer dared to call Shen Qing by his nickname in Hongjiazhai, but addressed him as ''Boss'' to show respect. Shen Qing said, "The situation in the county town is not as peaceful as we thought. The knowledge from the Taiping County Martial Arts Hall is no longer sufficient." "So... I plan to teach you new martial arts." Upon hearing this, Tian Xiaohu and the others were visibly excited. They were not fools and knew that not long ago Shen Qing had learned the Imperial Martial Arts Skills from the Martial Arts Hall. Now that he mentioned teaching, it was clear he intended to teach them those. This was not at all the same as the few moves they had learned outside. Xiao Zhi, who had spent years mingling in the restaurant, had some insight. S§×ar?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He knew well that those from the court were forbidden to teach Imperial Martial Arts outside, and if caught, according to the laws of Great Zhou, the punishment could range from exile to the borderlands to threats to their lives. Xiao Zhi spoke up, "This might not be a good idea, what if someone finds out..." Shen Qing sternly said, "That''s why you shouldn''t tell anyone about today''s matter." "But what if someone accidentally discovers something?" Shen Qing replied without hesitation, "Just say you bought it from Wu Sheng of the Wu Family." Tian Xiaohu and the others looked at each other, bewildered. "Didn''t you hear me clearly?" Shen Qing stated, "A true man does not fret over minor details. Why worry so much? With such an opportunity before you, would you let it pass by?" "Right, we finally have such an opportunity, we must seize it. Even if the government office suspects and watches me, Boss, rest assured, I will not reveal anything about you," Tian Xiaohu said with determination. "Same here." "Me too." "Just be more cautious in your daily activities. If something eventually gets out, just say it was bought from Wu Sheng. They''ll understand," Shen Qing continued. "Eventually, when we are strong enough, even if the government office knows, it won''t matter. Ultimately, the skills you hold in your own hands are what provide true security." Shen Qing was well aware that the Thirteen Lines virtually treated the county office as their own home. He did not believe that these high-ranking families didn''t learn Imperial Martial Arts. It was probably just the Prefectural Governor turning a blind eye. Even Wu Sheng''s networks likely implicated many people. This matter of teaching martial arts privately could be blown out of proportion, depending on how craftily the individuals involved handled it. If only family members learned, the risk was controllable, and it wouldn''t be a significant issue. Chapter 196: Chapter 22: Acquiring the Refining Pearl Technique Shen Qing''s gaze swept over the faces of Shen Xiaoshan and the other two as he spoke, "I have three Martial Arts here, each of you shall learn one."The Martial Arts Shen Qing planned to teach them were the three core Martial Arts techniques he had gleaned from the old coach''s lips, the essence of the Martial Arts Hall: Burning Sky Technique, Three Elements Body Refining Technique, and Mixed Element True Technique. After the old coach''s reminder, Shen Qing had scrutinized these three Martial Arts carefully several times and indeed found them extraordinary. The Burning Sky Technique was a mental method that, once cultivated to a deep level, could draw the fire element of heaven and earth into the body to form the Burning Sky Intense Flame Palm. With a single strike, all things could be turned to ashes, with astonishing power. However, this Cultivation Technique was notorious for its violent nature, and cultivators had to possess an indomitable will to control it. The Three Elements Body Refining Technique was a Body Refining Skill that merged the paths of heaven, earth, and man. It used Qi, Qi-Blood, and Bone as the foundation to temper the physical body until it reached the state of being indestructible like diamond. After cultivation, one would possess copper tendons and iron bones, with abundant Qi-Blood flowing like rivers surging ceaselessly. When Qi, Qi-Blood, and Bone were unified, they could form powerful Inner Strength, integrating offense and defense into one, creating a Martial Art with no shortcomings. The last technique, Mixed Element True Technique, originated from the inner Cultivation Technique of Daoist schools. It emphasized the balance of Yin and Yang and the harmony of the Five Elements, using heaven and earth as the furnace, and oneself as the elixir, merging with the Dao to condense the Mixed Element Qi. At advanced levels of cultivation, the True Qi inside the body would be pure and flawless, encompassing all things, able to replicate an opponent''s attack and neutralize all external forces, embodying the principle of ruling by inaction. Shen Qing introduced the general situation of the three Martial Arts to them, lighting up the eyes of the three individuals. "Which one do you all want to learn?" "I''ll learn the Burning Sky Technique. I''m a cook, so practising this Martial Art is perfect for me. Even if I''m cooking in the kitchen, I can practice on the side without neglecting my training," Xiao Zhi laughed heartily as he spoke. Tian Xiaohu said, "I''ll learn the Mixed Element True Technique." Shen Xiaoshan looked around and then said, "I... I, then I''ll learn the Three Elements Body Refining Technique." "Once you get the Cultivation Technique, you can focus on cultivating without worrying about your Bone quality," Shen Qing said. "Certainly, Bone is very important, but we are backed by the court, and the Zhou Country Court has enough resources to transform a mediocre talent completely. What you need to do is to train hard and wait for opportunities to come later." Upon hearing Shen Qing''s words, their faces flushed with excitement, and they each responded, waiting for what would come next. "Next, listen carefully and remember with your minds, do not leave any traces." Sitting in the main seat, Shen Qing, possessing the ability to articulate fluently, recited all three Cultivation Techniques in front of the three men. Such an astonishing memory left the three men gaping in awe and admiration. The three Martial Arts encompassed extensive content; it was only after midnight, past the hour of Zi, that they roughly grasped the essentials. Shen Qing waved his hand and said, "You''ve remembered most of it already; go and practice the rest. If there''s anything you don''t understand, come and ask me." Still longing for more, the three men stood up, not lingering, and left one after another. As they departed, the respect in their eyes for Shen Qing grew noticeably. Shen Qing, who had been talking until he was dry-mouthed, picked up a cup and took a sip of water to moisten his throat. After many days of interaction and observation, he had realized that Guan Yunjian and Uncle Shu were not on the same path as him, and keeping them around would only be a burden. Sooner or later, he would find the right opportunity to kick them out. For now, he had already established a foothold in the county town, but to secure a position among the thirteen high-ranking families of the county town, relying solely on himself was no longer sufficient; he needed reliable people by his side. Tian Xiaohu and the others, whom he had brought along all the way, could certainly be trusted. The only issue was their lack of strength. He hoped that the Martial Arts from the Martial Arts Hall would not disappoint him and could significantly enhance the strength of these three men. Outside a civilian house in Yongzhou. Uncle Shu walked to the door and knocked. After a moment, the door cracked open slightly. S§×ar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Uncle Shu whispered, "It''s me." The door was pulled open, and Guan Yunjian let him in, asking, "Is everything taken care of on your end?" Uncle Shu nodded and said, "Things are about ready. I''ve visited all twelve Martial Arts Halls in the Outer City, and a total of nine hall masters are willing to take action. How about you?" "I found three old immortals, and one of them is willing to get involved with our matter." Uncle Shu clapped his hands with satisfaction, "That''s excellent, so we''ll have nine martial masters from the Qi Cultivation Realm and one from the Qi Hai Realm, ten people in total. Even if Shen Qing had three heads and six arms, he definitely won''t be able to escape death. When shall we make our move?" "Let''s do it tomorrow. There happens to be traces of a Wolf Demon in Changqiao Town. We can lure him there to make our move and pin the incident on the Wolf Demon. After that, we can go seek refuge with Dong Chasi, and no one will suspect a thing." Uncle Shu nodded, his excitement evident, "Although our current sacrifice is rather significant, and we''re paying a heavy price, as long as we kill that Shen, his taverns will fall into our hands, and it will all be worth it." "Haha, exactly, that''s what I''m thinking too." ¡­ "Shen Chasi, a letter from the Capital has just arrived, stating that your registration has been recorded in the Ministry of Personnel. It''s not yet time to distribute Yuan Stones, but you can have the Linked Pearl Technique now." Just about to finish his shift, Shen Qing received a message from the Military Department Office and hurried over, excited to receive the Refining Pearl Technique, which even for someone as calm and composed as him, was an exciting moment. Zhao Guanglu smiled and handed over a wooden box, saying, "Inside is the Refining Pearl Technique, for your eyes only. Take it." Shen Qing took the wooden box, opened it, and found a jade token lying quietly inside. "May I ask, Mr. Zhao, how is this used?" Zhao Guanglu looked at Shen Qing with a smile, remaining silent. Shen Qing immediately understood, "Look at my memory, Mr. Zhao. You''ve lost your money pouch, and I found it but forgot to return it to you." With that, he pulled out his own money pouch and placed it in Zhao Guanglu''s palm. Zhao Guanglu felt the heavy weight in his hand, quite taken aback. He quickly changed his demeanor, smiling warmly, "This item is simple to use. Just paste it on your Dantian, and you will know the specific methods of the Linked Pearl. Whoever uses this jade token first will be the only one who can use it from then on. Try it when you refine your Wish Power Pearl and you''ll understand." "Thank you for your guidance, Mr. Zhao." "It''s a small matter. If there''s nothing else, Shen Chasi, you may leave. That''s all I have for you." Shen Qing closed the wooden box and said, "Thank you for your trouble, Mr. Zhao. I take my leave." After saying that, he quickly left the Military Department, his expression becoming somewhat impatient. He had been stuck at the Qi Cultivation Realm for a long time, like a balloon inflated to its limit, just one step away from breakthrough. Fortunately, he had a Wish Power Pearl, which he had acquired from the Taiping County Magistrate, and had yet to use. Now that he had the Linked Pearl Technique, he could utilize it to break through to the Qi Hai Realm. At that moment, as Shen Qing arrived at the door, he saw a familiar, graceful silhouette and quickly stopped, bowing with folded hands, "I''ve seen Lord Huangfu." A beautiful woman had appeared in front of him, walking in from outside unexpectedly. She was none other than the Chief Officer of the Military Department, Huang Furo. Upon seeing Shen Qing, Huang Furo scanned him from head to toe, let out a faint hum and brushed past him without any pause. Shen Qing didn''t take it to heart. After all, she was the Chief Officer of the Military Department, from a high-ranking background with exceptional cultivation, while he was just a newly appointed Chasi from out of town¡ªit was a normal reaction. Watching Huang Furo''s enchanting figure disappear at the door, Shen Qing leapt onto his horse and galloped home. Filled with anticipation for his breakthrough to the Qi Hai Realm after accumulating Qi-Blood and Qi for so long, Shen Qing could hardly wait. Chapter 197: Chapter 23: Breaking Through the Qi Hai Realm In the tightly shut bedroom, Shen Qing sat still as a pine tree, his form upright on the bed. He gently pinched a white, round bead in front of him between his fingers.This was precisely the Wish Power Pearl he had obtained from Du Yuntong that day, which appeared utterly ordinary and inconspicuous. If one were not within the Imperial court system or a noble son from a high-ranking family, chances were they wouldn''t even know that such a bead was worth five hundred taels, enough to exchange for a small residence. For the ordinary people of Great Zhou, they''d likely never earn that sum in a lifetime. "It''s about time." Shen Qing furrowed his brows, opened the wooden box, took out the jade token housed within, and examined it for a few moments. "All I need to do is place this type of jade token on the Dantian, right?" Shen Qing expressed some doubt but still silently placed the jade token on the skin of his Dantian. "Hiss... so cold." Besides the piercing cold touch, there was no other change. Just as Shen Qing was about to dismiss it, the jade token on his Dantian began to grow even colder, and this icy feeling spread rapidly from the Dantian to his entire body. The Wish Power Pearl held in Shen Qing''s hand seemed to be activated, becoming crystal clear and softly radiating a gentle white light, slowly rising and hovering in front of his chest. Under Shen Qing''s gaze, the Wish Power Pearl began to slowly rotate, its light flickering like a heartbeat, brightening and dimming intermittently. In a trance, Shen Qing seemed to hear countless whispers near his ear, unsettling his mind and gradually making him more irritable. Just when Shen Qing thought he was losing his mind and wanted to stop his cultivation, the pervasive icy sensation seemed to transform into an invisible hand, pressing down all these whispering voices. Hum! The rotation speed of the Wish Power Pearl increased, and at a certain moment, as if reaching a critical threshold, it began releasing ripples one after another. These ripples quickly spread out, like a lighthouse in the deep sea guiding the way, pulling the thin and nearly imperceptible spiritual energy of the world towards it. In an instant, the spiritual energy that had been aimlessly lingering outside was pulled in by invisible ropes, converging around him, filling the entire room and enveloping his body. Shen Qing felt extremely amazed. "Is this... spiritual energy?" Guided by the Wish Power Pearl, these streams of spiritual energy became dense and pure, clinging to Shen Qing''s skin, permeating through his pores and along his breathing into his body, merging with his blood, nourishing every inch of his skin and each of his bones. Shen Qing felt as if his entire body was being pricked like needles, this discomfort penetrating even into his bones and flesh, omnipresent. After a moment, the Qi energy in his body that had been accumulated through many days of arduous cultivation burst forth with the infusion of this mighty spiritual energy, as if ignited by a fierce fire, expanding and boiling rapidly. They collided with each other, merging and emitting roaring sounds, as if thousands of horses were galloping ceaselessly within his body, growing more and more intense, shocking his spirit. sea??h th§× N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Here it comes!" Shen Qing composed himself, ready for what was to come. Having practiced martial arts for half a year, along with the recent "learning" in the Martial Arts Hall, he had gained sufficient understanding of the ways of Martial Arts. Like his cultivation experience in Taiping County, from the Great Perfection of Qi and Blood to Strengthening Tendons and Bones, and from Strengthening Tendons and Bones to Skin Forging and Qi Cultivation, all were stages of flesh and bone conditioning, typical of the ways known in the Jianghu. In most parts of the world, most Jianghu martial masters without powerful backgrounds were also concentrated in this phase; reaching the Qi Cultivation Realm in a small place would be considered significant. But for the powerful elites of Great Zhou, this was merely the beginning. After the Qi Cultivation Realm, there were six major realms: the Qi Hai Realm, Yu Luo Realm, Dan Realm, Innate Realm, Spirit Void Realm, and Primordial Spirit Realm. These six realms were the true essence of cultivation. Among them, the Qi Hai Realm was a significant watershed for martial masters, crossing it meant truly transcending the ordinary, at least extending one''s life by ten years. In Imperial Martial Arts, there was even a saying, "Only when one reaches the Qi Hai Realm, does one belong to our ranks." To step into the Qi Hai Realm, one needed Qi Energy to transform into True Qi, with the spiritual energy of nature aiding in transforming all the cultivated Qi energy in the body into True Qi, using it to forge the Spirit Sea and accommodate all things of the world. Shen Qing was experiencing this very process. Thinking of this, his mind couldn''t help but ripple in waves, which grew more intense as time passed. He didn''t know how much time had eventually passed. Finally, at a certain moment, all the Qi seemed to find a breakthrough; it gathered into a torrent and fiercely struck the seemingly indestructible barrier within Shen Qing''s body. Accompanied by a deep and prolonged rumble, that barrier shattered explosively, and the Qi instantly transformed into an even purer and more powerful True Qi! Shen Qing''s body was enveloped in a halo of rosy light, and strands of luminescence flowed to every corner of the room. Right after his transformation into True Qi, countless spiritual energies continuously poured into his body. A gleam of light flashed in Shen Qing''s eyes, and his expression became exceedingly agitated. He vividly felt that with the continuous surging and gathering of True Qi in his body, an unprecedented sense of warmth and fulfillment arose at his Dantian. It seemed as if an immense and boundless ocean was quietly forming there. Shen Qing closed his eyes, his mind immersed in the Dantian. The True Qi flowed incessantly like rivers, vast and endless. He heard the sound of waves in his ears, as if seeing an ocean formed of condensed True Qi. Above this ocean, the True Qi began to spread like morning mist, lightly intertwining and merging with the meridians throughout his body. In a deep and prolonged rumble, this condensed Qi Sea thoroughly stabilized, and seemed endless at a glance. After a while, Shen Qing noticed that the strange pain throughout his body had also retreated like a tide, and True Qi gently roamed inside him, replacing the Qi. "It worked!" Shen Qing opened his eyes and clenched his fists, feeling a surge of tremendous power throughout his body. With just a casual gesture, an overwhelming surge of True Qi rose within him, causing the surrounding space to tremble from its aura. Shen Qing looked at his palms, his face filled with ecstatic joy he could hardly contain. Considering some improprieties, he restrained himself, but his lips curled up and he couldn''t help but laugh aloud. Glancing out the window, Shen Qing saw the sun had completely set beyond the horizon and the night had quietly descended, with Yongzhou City already submerged in darkness. Yet he was like the only firefly in the night, his body radiating glimmers of light. Having officially broken through to the Qi Hai Realm, he now had the capital to continue climbing upwards. Shen Qing collected his thoughts, removed the Jade Token at the Dantian, and the chill on his body immediately dissipated. The Wish Power Pearl floating in front of him also fell. Shen Qing caught it and unexpectedly found that after his recent refining, the pearl had shrunk slightly in size. If so, it would almost be completely exhausted after two or three more uses, which seemed to Shen Qing a rather substantial consumption. Ordinarily, a Wish Power Pearl was issued only once a year, so it shouldn''t be consumed this quickly. However, without anyone else for horizontal comparison, Shen Qing didn''t know whether his situation was normal. He tucked the one-third refined Wish Power Pearl into his chest, pondering, "When I get my end-of-year Wish Power Pearl salary, I might try consulting the old instructor at the Martial Arts Hall to see if this is normal." This time, the Wish Power Pearl he used for his breakthrough was obtained from the County Magistrate of Taiping County and wasn''t acquired through the most proper means, which could spell trouble if known by the wrong people. The county town was filled with capable individuals; it was better to be cautious. It would be safer to wait until his own Wish Power Pearl was issued before seeking advice from others. Having made up his mind, Shen Qing decided not to think further and drifted into a deep sleep. Chapter 198: Chapter 24 Capturing Demons Outside the City, The Visitor Bodes Ill The next day.Shen Qing emerged from his room, full of energy, striding like a dragon and stepping like a tiger. As he passed Tian Xiaohu, Tian couldn''t help but glance sideways at Shen. Subconsciously, Tian nudged Xiao Zhi beside him with his arm and whispered, "Hey, do you feel like the Boss is somewhat different today?" Upon hearing this, Xiao Zhi, originally deep in thought, was pulled back to the present. He slowly lifted his head and his gaze fell on Shen Qing. Shen stood tall and straight, with a faint aura of light seeming to envelop him. It was a change in temperament, radiating from inside out, commanding unwitting reverence. Xiao Zhi agreed, "Indeed, the Boss seems to possess an ethereal charm, as if overnight, his essence, vigour, and spirit reached Great Perfection. Even the aura he exudes has undergone a significant transformation. How peculiar and astounding." The two murmured among themselves, puzzled. Without any intention to explain, Shen Qing strode out and headed to the Guardian Martial Department, just as usual. When he arrived there, many officers were also arriving, changing their duty tokens just like him. After replacing his duty token, Shen Qing habitually returned to the dispatch office''s resting room to wait for his subordinates like Liu Sangui. However, before long, a Chang Sui entered and conveyed, "Shen Chasi, the Lord Chief Officer summons you." Shen Qing sipped his tea, pondering, "Zheng Yuanqiu seeking me out at this time must be nine times out of ten related to demons." After all, Zheng Yuanqiu was a true "rebel," and certainly wouldn''t be plotting against the remnants of the Huang Tian Sect. That left only the demon concern. Putting down his tea bowl and wiping his mouth, Shen Qing said, "I''ll be right there." Having finished speaking, and recalling the reaction of Tian Xiaohu and the others when he left, Shen Qing was cautious. He subtly used his hunting skills to conceal some of his aura before walking to the back hall and calling out, "Chief Officer, did you call for me?" In the main hall, Chief Officer Zheng Yuanqiu stood with his hands on a long table, looking stern, as if suppressing something. Seeing Shen Qing enter, he lifted his head and said, "The Military Department just sent a message. There appears to be a Wolf Demon in Changqiao Town. Take your people and check it out. If it is indeed a Wolf Demon, take care of it on the spot. I trust with your abilities, it shouldn''t be difficult." Shen Qing had heard about the Wolf Demon a few days earlier and wasn''t too surprised about being summoned for a demon hunt. He clasped his hands and said, "Understood. I will take my men there immediately." "Go ahead." Hmm? Shen Qing noticed an urgency in Zheng Yuanqiu''s tone as if he was in a rush to send him off. His eyes couldn''t help but fall on the long table, where he noticed a rhythmic trembling. Impatient, Zheng Yuanqiu saw Shen Qing had not yet left and asked, "What is it, is there anything else?" As if realizing something and feeling a sense of disdain, Shen Qing bowed with clasped hands, "No, I take my leave." Once Shen Qing left, the trembling of the table gripped by Zheng Yuanqiu''s hands grew more intense. With a red face, Zheng Yuanqiu looked down and cursed with a chuckle, "You little minx!" ... In the small courtyard house, Liu Sangui and Jiang Dacong had arrived. When they saw Shen Qing come in, they quickly stood up and bowed with clenched fists, saying, "Shen Chasi." Shen Qing instructed, "Get ready, both of you. We are going to make a trip to Changqiao Town shortly." Liu Sangui and Jiang Dacong were slightly startled, exchanged a glance, and then agreed. Continuing to wait, Guan Yunjian and Uncle Shu arrived fashionably late. Shen Qing did not fuss over them, and as soon as everyone had arrived, he gave the order, "A demon has appeared in Changqiao Town, we''ll make a trip there today, to take a look." "Yes." "Let''s set out." Changqiao Town was located outside Yongzhou City, built along the mountain and surrounded by water. Overlooking the town, three sides were surrounded by mountains lush and green, as verdant as though dripping paint, with clear water circling one side, glistening like ripples, the scenery stunningly beautiful as if a jade belt gently caressed it. Because Changqiao Town was abundant with forests, many townspeople and those around the town made a living from logging. Over half the firewood in Yongzhou City was supplied by Changqiao Town, making it one of the larger towns under Yongzhou''s jurisdiction. Shen Qing and his party approached Changqiao Town rapidly amid the urgent sounds of galloping hooves. In just two quarters of an hour, they had already arrived outside Changqiao Town, which was fifty miles away. Sear?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. They saw a stone bridge spanning a hundred meters across crystal clear waters, blocking the path of Shen Qing and his group. The bridge''s surface was mottled with bluestone, and the water flowed gently beneath. Fishing boats were moored at the riverside, lending an unexpected charm to the scene. The word "Changqiao" in Changqiao Town was indeed named after this bridge. At this moment, Guan Yunjian and Uncle Shu exchanged a look. Understanding the signal, Guan Yunjian suddenly reined in his horse and shouted to Shen Qing and the others, "Hold on!" "Whoa!" Shen Qing turned his head to look, asking, "What''s wrong?" Guan Yunjian said, "Something isn''t right, Shen Chasi. Uncle Shu and I will go ahead to scout the path." Shen Qing looked around and did not sense anything amiss, his eyes narrowing slightly as he watched the two men. He did not trust them and was unsure what they were up to. Shen Qing had no intention of letting them go alone, "No need, let''s all have a look together!" "There''s no need, Shen Chasi, we''ll just go." Guan Yunjian said urgently. "Strange, very strange," Shen Qing stared at Guan Yunjian, a sharp light flashing in his eyes as he questioned, "What''s the rush to leave? Are you planning to engage in some kind of skulduggery?" Guan Yunjian''s complexion changed, and he exchanged a quick look with Uncle Shu. Without hesitation, Uncle Shu barked, "Damn it, Shen, don''t push your luck. Don''t force us to move!" "Hmm?" As soon as Uncle Shu''s voice fell, several dark figures emerged like ghosts from their hiding places on the seemingly tranquil bridge, their speed astonishingly fast. Jiang Dacong, who was at the forefront of the group, had no time to react before he felt a pain in his chest. He was sent flying backward like a kite with its string cut, crashing heavily to the ground, his life or death unknown. "Dacong!" Liu Sangui cried out in alarm from the group, hastily drawing his dagger. Shen Qing''s expression turned stern as he quickly scanned the surroundings, only to find they were encircled by ten martial masters. Guan Yunjian clasped his hands and said, "Today we must trouble you all. Once this task is completed, I assure you that your promised reward will be delivered in full to your residence." "Hahaha, good. Rest assured, for just one person, the ten of us will surely take care of your business cleanly," said an old man with youthful features among the ten, chuckling. Shen Qing''s expression darkened as he leaped from his horseback straight at Guan Yunjian and Uncle Shu. "How dare you." Before the old man finished speaking, his figure swayed like an ancient pine, his sleeves billowed as if containing the force of mountains and rivers, and he struck out with two fierce palms. Two invisible bursts of strength surged forth like dragons, whistling towards Shen Qing. Bang! A deafening boom, like thunderclaps tearing the sky, erupted as their palm winds collided in mid-air, sending visible ripples of spiritual power spiraling out from them, shredding the surrounding air into tatters. Shen Qing''s figure swayed slightly as he lightly tapped his feet on the empty air, using the motion to dissipate the overwhelming force. "A Qi Hai Realm martial master!" Liu Sangui, standing to the side, turned ashen in an instant. "Go!" With the old man blocking in front, Guan Yunjian and Uncle Shu acted decisively, splitting to the left and right, swiftly breaking away from the group and silently blending into the surrounding shadows. Watching the two escape, Shen Qing was in no hurry. He slowly dismounted and swept his gaze across the crowd, calmly saying, "Who exactly are you, and why would you be tempted by mere officers? Do you think you''ll live after killing an officer if the county office finds out?" "That''s none of your concern. I don''t like to waste words on the dead," the old man said. "Do you really think you''ve got me cornered? Up until now, I still don''t know how strong I''ve become after my breakthrough! I''m afraid you might not be up to the task," Shen Qing said with a smirk, glancing at the clear river water beneath the bridge, "The scenery here is beautiful; how about I make it your final resting place?" Chapter 200: Chapter 26 Despicable Outsider! Upon hearing Yun Yichen''s words, Shen Qing''s expression turned serious as well.He sensed an indescribable aura of authority radiating from the old man before him, different from those in the Qi Cultivation Realm martial masters, so he couldn''t help but become fully alert. Speaking of which, this was his first time facing off against a master of the Qi Hai Realm, and he dared not underestimate him. Old man Yun Yichen sneered coldly. As soon as his words fell, True Qi surged in the palm of his right hand, bursting forth with a dazzling brilliance akin to the first light of dawn, streams of golden light converged into a beam, with the force capable of destroying heaven and earth, he smashed it ferociously towards Shen Qing. Shen Qing''s complexion changed. He felt Yun Yichen''s attack bearing down like a mountain, where a single misstep could mean eternal doom, and couldn''t help but experience a complex emotion woven of fear and excitement. Yun Yichen, who was rapidly closing in, saw the threads of fear on Shen Qing''s tense face and felt very satisfied with his reaction. Good! I hope you don''t disappoint me! The distance between the two rapidly diminished, and the wind from the strike hit them head-on. Shen Qing inhaled sharply, his pupils dilating suddenly. He could already sense the terrifying power contained within that radiant force. So strong! So terrifying! If I were to be hit by this palm, I would surely be killed! I don''t want to die. "So, kill him!" In an instant, Shen Qing''s face twisted fiercely. At that moment, he cast aside all other thoughts, channeling the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill with all his might. The Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill, originating from the Great Zhou Court''s martial arts, was profound, capable of stacking the body''s strength layer upon layer. Hum! The moment Shen Qing had the thought to activate it, the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill was driven to the extreme, with the Qi Sea above churning tumultuously, and True Qi inside him rushing like a river. It was as if countless real dragons were flipping over rivers and seas within him, completely throwing everything into chaos. With each inversion of the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill, his power doubled. Under Shen Qing''s operation, the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill reversed five times in one breath, amplifying his body''s power fivefold. Shen Qing was like a war god between heaven and earth, surrounded by True Qi so dense it was nearly tangible, with a towering aura. With a roar that shook the skies, Shen Qing''s palms came together without any reservation, as he exerted all his force, suddenly flipping the Sky Flipping Seal. All worries and panic vanished in that moment, with a "Sky Flipping Seal" tearing through the air. The True Qi surged wildly like a dragon emerging from the sea, carrying the force that could move mountains and overturn seas, and collided head-on with Yun Yichen''s dazzling light palm. At the moment of impact, the sound of thunder and booming noise interwove, as though the heavens and earth themselves had changed color. Standing on the ground, Liu Sangui felt the squalls from the shockwave making it hard to keep his footing; had he not planted his knife into the ground, he would have been blown away. The calm water under the bridge suddenly surged with waves several feet high. A trace of incredulous horror flashed across Yun Yichen''s eyes; he had never imagined that Shen Qing could unleash such a shocking and awe-inspiring force. "How could this be?! This power... Ah... you lowly... foreigner!" Bang! The unstoppable might of the Sky Flipping Seal pierced through the brilliance in Yun Yichen''s palm, enveloping him completely. Moments later, as the dust settled, Yun Yichen was left shattered to pieces, with only half of his body remaining. He lay disheveled on the ground, blood continuously pouring from his mouth. Yun Yichen looked up at Shen Qing, wanting to use all of his remaining strength to curse out loud, but the blood welled up, blocking his throat, leaving him unable to utter a word. He stared at Shen Qing with eyes filled with unwillingness. Under Shen Qing''s gaze, he slowly fell down with eyes wide open, swallowing his last breath. Ah? Dead?! Gasping for air, Shen Qing stared dumbfounded at the scene before him, and couldn''t help but lower his head to look at his own palm, feeling somewhat speechless. S§×arch* The N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He had never expected that even Yun Yichen, at Great Perfection of the Qi Hai Realm, couldn''t withstand his full-powered strike. By such reckoning, even a martial master at the higher Yu Luo Realm, he could also give a fight. Now he had roughly assessed his own combat strength. The corner of Shen Qing''s mouth lifted involuntarily, revealing a carefree laugh as he covered his face. At this moment, a strong sense of weakness and a wrenching pain in the Dantian washed over him like a tide. The aftereffects of the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill had arrived. This time was somewhat different from the past. The Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill had reversed his entire body''s True Qi, not one but five times, nearly wreaking havoc on his meridians and Qi Sea. There had not been much breakthrough and progress in the practice of the Blood Dominance Technique yet, it merely fortified Qi-Blood, and was somewhat insufficient in repairing the damage caused by the reversal of True Qi. So it required him to endure it forcefully. Fortunately, he had laid a solid foundation during his breakthrough to the Qi Hai Realm and possessed an extremely strong physical quality, ensuring that he wouldn''t lose his ability to move. Thus, Shen Qing stood in place, quietly regulating his breath as the faint Spiritual Energy of heaven and earth was absorbed by him. Behind him, Liu Sangui watched this scene, slightly stunned. At this moment Shen Qing appeared like a divine demon descending from the Nine Heavens, standing arrogantly amidst the scattered corpses, surrounded by a faint halo of light, exuding a transcendent aura that left Liu Sangui speechless for a long time. After an indeterminate amount of time, Shen Qing had recovered some strength. He turned around and quickly searched through the corpses on the ground, before mounting a horse. Awoken from a dream, Liu Sangui asked, "Lord officer, where are you heading to?" Even Liu Sangui hadn''t realized that his tone towards Shen Qing had become much more respectful than before. Shen Qing picked up the reins and instructed in an even tone, "I''m going to take care of a minor issue. You deal with this place, then head to Changqiao Town to gather some information and see what the situation is exactly. I''ll be right back." "Let''s go!" Shen Qing gave a flick of the whip and galloped away. Having come to the lands of Yongzhou, considering the abundance of skilled individuals, he had restrained his temper, avoiding trouble. In addition, Guan Yunjian and another being of special identities, belonging to the house steward, he had let them be, planning to take care of them at a later date. But now it seemed they were more anxious than he was. In that case, don''t blame me. He had always liked to repay grievances and seek revenge for wrongs. Sitting astride the horseback, Shen Qing''s mind moved, activating the Eagle Eye Technique. In an instant, the surroundings came alive in his mind. Shen Qing saw two figures, sprinting towards the city, leaving billows of dust in their wake. "Heading back to the city?!" With a cold expression, Shen Qing immediately followed in hot pursuit. Underneath the gate of Yongzhou City. Guan Yunjian and Uncle Shu sped over, urging their horses on with the whip. "Whoa!" Stopping his horse, Guan Yunjian looked towards the city gate tower and said with an uplifted mood, "Considering the time, that Shen youngster''s body should have been thrown into the river to feed the fish by now, right?" "Even if he hasn''t been fed to the fish, he surely isn''t in much better shape. In front of so many martial masters, even if he had three heads and six arms, he would never stand a chance," Uncle Shu said with a smile, "But let''s not worry about that for now. We better hurry up to find Dong Jing, Dong Chasi, to see if he is willing to take us in." "Right, let''s go." After exchanging a few words, the two squeezed their horses'' flanks and entered the city. Chapter 201: Chapter 27 Seeking Support In Changhe Square, a clear river flows through.The gentle waters, shimmering bright, reflect the adjacent, intricately placed pavilions and towers. Among these structures, the Dong Family''s estate from the Yongzhou Thirteen Lines is located here. The Dong Mansion is grand in scale, with its doors carved from ancient vermilion wood. Atop the doorframe, a gold-plated plaque glows, inscribed with the words "Dong Residence," exuding a noble air. Guan Yunjian descended the steps of the Dong family''s grand entrance and shook his head at Uncle Shu, "Dong Chasi is not at home." Uncle Shu asked, "Then where is he now?" Guan Yunjian glanced at the blazing sun high in the sky and said, "It''s midday, the mealtime. Dong Chasi hasn''t returned home; he should be at Zuihua Building outside the city, having a drink. Let''s go take a look there." The two immediately hurried towards Baihua Building. Going back and forth like this delayed them quite a bit. Arriving at Baihua Building, they entered the restaurant and saw pavilions and towers in harmonious disarray, rock gardens and reflecting pools complementing each other, with all sorts of exotic flowers and plants competing in splendor, ever-vibrant in all seasons. Meandering corridors led to elegant private rooms; through delicately carved lattice windows, one could glimpse the silhouettes of nobility inside¡ªsome playing the zither and reciting poetry, others enjoying tea or chess, or teasing women, toying with their tender hands. Everywhere was permeated with a lavish and wealthy atmosphere. Dong Jing was a regular patron at Baihua Building, and with a little inquiry to a waiter, Guan Yunjian and Uncle Shu soon found his private room. Standing at the door, a servant responsible for the private area gently knocked and said, "Dong Chasi, there are two officers here looking for you." Dong Jing, who was inside playing drinking games and entertaining beauties, furrowed his brow upon hearing this, puzzled as to why someone from the county office would seek him out at this time. He gestured for his subordinates to settle down a bit and said, "Let them in." The door to the private room creaked open. "We pay our respects to Dong Chasi," Uncle Zheng and Guan Yunjian said in unison as they bowed with clasped fists. Dong Jing gave the two men a glance. He recognized them as officers from the Sixth Group, subordinates of Shen Qing. Why had they come to him? Dong Jing was momentarily perplexed. He straightened his posture and asked, "I remember you two accompanied Shen Chasi to Changqiao Town, so why have you returned to the city and to me?" Guan Yunjian spoke with an extremely pained tone, "Dong Chasi may not know, that Wolf Demon of Changqiao Town has attained spiritual prowess, very difficult to deal with. Our Shen Chasi, unfortunately... unfortunately was harmed by the Wolf Demon..." Hearing Guan Yunjian mention Shen Qing being harmed by the Wolf Demon, a look of surprise appeared on Dong Jing''s face. Seeing Shen Qing as someone radiant in his eyes, had he really died so easily? Dong Jing found it hard to believe. However, he quickly calmed down and narrowed his eyes at Guan Yunjian and Uncle Shu. Dong Jing noticed neither of the two had any signs of combat or fatigue on them, which he found odd. He asked in a grave voice, "Then, why have the two of you come to find me?" Guan Yunjian smiled and said, "We have come to seek assistance from Dong Chasi." As he spoke, Guan Yunjian and Uncle Zheng exchanged meaningful glances with a group of officers sitting at the table. Dong Jing understood, realizing that the two had something else to discuss with him privately. So, he waved his subordinates away, saying, "You''ve had your meal, go on patrol." The group of officers glared at Guan Yunjian and Uncle Shu and reluctantly said, "Yes." Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. They glared at the two standing by the door, each getting up and leaving. Dong Jing also sent away the serving girls who had accompanied him for drinks. In the blink of an eye, the spacious private room was left with only Dong Jing, Guan Yunjian, and Uncle Shu. "Now, can you two tell me what exactly you have come here for?" Dong Jing picked up his cup and drank deeply as he inquired. His hand rested on his waist, steadying the dispatch office''s Dagger. "The ancients say, ''He who knows the times is a wise man; a good bird chooses the tree it lodges in,''" Guan Yunjian said with a smile plastered on his face, "Officer Dong, Officer Shen has died. We would like to offer our services to you, to toil for you like dogs and horses." Seeing their demeanor, Dong Jing withdrew his gaze and had a rough guess in his mind. He said with a half-smile, "Officer Shen didn''t die at the hands of a Wolf Demon but at your hands, right?" Neither Guan Yunjian nor Uncle Shu reacted angrily when this was pointed out; they remained unperturbed and calm. Having spent many years in the Guardian Martial Department, many officers and lower-level agents who came from humble beginnings ended up with poor outcomes, situations like that of Shen Qing were not unheard of. As long as the offered benefits were sufficient, even if the Chief Officer were to drown unexpectedly this very night, there would be someone willing to pinch their nose and accept it. However, it was necessary to have some semblance of a fig leaf. Feigning misunderstanding, Guan Yunjian shook his head and said, "Officer Dong must be joking. How could we have such gall? We merely wish to seek your protection to advance further." "Of course, we wouldn''t want to make things difficult for you, Lord Dong. Over the years, we have indeed accumulated some wealth. If you are willing, we''re prepared to pay one thousand taels of cash annually to show our respect." They knew Dong Jing was a son born to a concubine; despite his bravado in front of them, within the Dong Residence, he had to tread carefully and was not particularly well-off. A thousand taels might not be a lot for a legitimate son of a high-ranking family, but for Dong Jing, it was a substantial amount, enough to sway him, and this deal would not be to their disadvantage either. Shen Qing owned property in Yongzhou worth nearly a thousand taels just by itself. Amidst surrounding turmoil, Yongzhou alone remained unscathed. Many people wanted to move to the city to make a living, and the price of houses had been rising year on year; it was solid currency. Besides the house, Shen Qing had also taverns - if they could take over the recipes, they would be raking in gold daily. With these thoughts, Guan Yunjian almost couldn''t contain the smugness on his face. However, Dong Jing did not see it the same way. To Dong Jing, both Guan Yunjian and Uncle Shu were veterans of the Military Department, and his past assessment of them could be summed up in four words: all ambition, no talent. Otherwise, they would not have spent so many years stuck in the Sixth Group, achieving nothing. In contrast, Dong Jing did not consider Shen Qing to be a mediocre person; he found him to be quite capable. It was more fitting to say that Shen Qing had been toying with the two men. A thousand taels a year was not an excessive amount to him, but it certainly was not insignificant either. However, he did not plan to decide too early before the situation became clear. At that moment, outside the Baihua Building. Shen Qing had been tracking by horseback, and upon seeing the familiar official horses outside the entrance, he knew that Guan Yunjian and the other were inside. He dismounted and rushed into the Baihua Building. "Waiter, I''m looking for two officers." Shen Qing called over a servant and explained his purpose. After a description, the servant understood, inquired about their whereabouts, and then led Shen Qing to the door of the Dong Jing''s private room. The servant respectfully said, "My lord, shall I knock on the door?" "No need," Shen Qing stepped forward and kicked the door. Bang! The private room''s door was kicked open. Chapter 202: Chapter 28 Why Should the Dead Interfere in Shen Qings Actions? ```In the elegant private room of Baihua Building. After hearing Guan Yunjian''s terms, Dong Jing silently picked up his chopsticks, unhurriedly took a bite of the dish, sipped his wine, and showed an expression of enjoyment, as if he had left the two hanging. Watching Dong Jing''s behavior, both Guan Yunjian and Uncle Shu cursed internally that Dong Jing was too composed. Guan Yunjian stepped forward with a forced smile on his face, "We truly wish to follow Dong Chasi. I wonder if the price we''re offering is not satisfying to Dong Chasi?" Dong Jing put down his wine cup, continued to eat and said, "It''s not about the money. It''s just that words alone aren''t enough. Now you suddenly say you want to join me, and if Shen Chasi finds out, he might think I''m purposely stealing his people." "Haha!" Uncle Shu laughed confidently, "I was wondering what Dong Chasi was worried about. It''s just this. Rest assured Dong Chasi, that Shen is certainly dead. We all saw it with our own eyes." This time, they had gathered nine Martial Arts Halls and an old martial master of the Qi Sea status. Shen Qing was merely a martial master of the Qi Cultivation Realm. Faced with such a situation, he really couldn''t see any possibility for Shen Qing to survive. Even if they had left a bit early and hadn''t actually seen the outcome, it was foreseeable. In their view, it wasn''t wrong to say it in advance. However, just at that moment, a dull thud came from the door. Bang! "You''re saying I''m definitely dead?!" Upon hearing the familiar voice, Guan Yunjian and Uncle Shu turned their heads in a flash. There stood Shen Qing at the door, his figure as tall and straight as a pine. At that moment, both were like struck by lightning, their bodies shivering, as if they had seen a ghost. "How... how could you..." Guan Yunjian''s voice trembled, each word seeming to be squeezed out through clenched teeth, filled with disbelief and deeply hidden fear. Uncle Shu was the same, his face white as paper, his eyes wide open, almost unable to speak. Seeing both of them in the private room, Shen Qing hooked up the corner of his mouth in a faint smile, and, glancing at the attendant behind him, said, "Sorry to trouble you, young brother, but please close the door." After saying this, he strode over the threshold and entered, boldly standing in front of Guan Yunjian and Uncle Shu. The attendant at the doorway, seeing everyone inside wearing official uniforms, hurried to close the door for Shen Qing without delay. Shen Qing, without looking back, took his dagger from his waist, shoved it backward, and tapped it on the door bolt. With a snap, the bolt fell into place, securing the door shut. Dong Jing, sitting in the main seat, glanced at Shen Qing then at the stunned Guan Yunjian and Uncle Shu standing like petrified chickens, and his mouth curved upwards. Just as he had expected, Shen Qing wasn''t going to be that easily manipulated by these two. Now there would be a good show to watch. While Dong Jing was sizing them up, Shen Qing also subtly took a moment to size up Dong Jing. Shortly after, he showed a hint of a smile and said, "I was wondering where you had gone. Turns out you came to see Dong Chasi. May I know what business you have with Dong Chasi?" In the face of Shen Qing''s questioning, Guan Yunjian and Uncle Shu realized they might have misjudged their Chief Officer. Suddenly, a storm of panic rose in their hearts, wild fear growing like weeds, unstoppable, with the sound of their rapid heartbeats echoing in their ears. "We..." Guan Yunjian and Uncle Shu began to stammer, a stark contrast to their earlier confidence. Dong Jing wore an expression of someone who enjoys a good spectacle. He intervened, "They said you were dead and wanted to seek refuge with me, asking for my protection." Upon hearing this, Guan Yunjian and Uncle Shu suddenly looked as if they were about to collapse. They were in league. They were in league with each other. Guan Yunjian no longer tried to conceal the unsavory deeds in his heart, suppressing the fear within and said, "Shen, what did you do to those people?" Shen Qing laughed, "What else could I have done? Of course, I killed them. Not to criticize, but the people you brought were honestly quite lacking in the basics, too weak." ``` Guan Yunjian''s face was pale. He never imagined that the heads of the Martial Arts Halls in the Outer City, when mentioned by Shen Qing, would all be lacking in basic skills and have been entirely silenced. "Impossible, impossible¡­" This time, taking action had pushed the two to a life and death situation; it was either his death or my survival. Now that Shen Qing was standing here, it also meant that they couldn''t escape their fate. In the face of the overwhelming desire to live, Guan Yunjian''s expression became increasingly crazed, almost hysterical. Suddenly, as if he had grasped a lifeline, he said coldly, "Although we are officers with low status, after all, we belong to the Guardian Martial Department. You cannot kill us. Otherwise, you won''t be able to explain to the Chief Officer, to Lord Huangfu. Why don''t we both take a step back and pretend nothing happened? How about that?" "Pretend nothing happened? You really have the nerve to say it. Didn''t you think of all the reasons for me to kill you?" "What?" "Nowadays, demons are rampant in Yongzhou City; a few officers dying is quite normal, isn''t it!" Shen Qing slightly turned his body and walked slowly towards Guan Yunjian and his companion. As he walked, he drew the dagger from his waist. By the time the long sword was fully unsheathed, he had stopped in front of the two men, holding the long sword, and said with a smile, "Besides, since when do I, Shen Qing, need the dead to speak into my affairs? Today, I just want to kill you, and no one can stop me! I said so." As the last word left Shen Qing''s mouth, he suddenly drew his sword, moving so fast that it nearly surpassed the limits of what the eye could capture. And with that instant of drawing his sword, the True Qi around his body boiled, like a river bursting its banks, surging violently, forming visible ripples that spread out in all directions from him, causing the air to tremble wherever it passed. All that remained in Guan Yunjian''s eyes was that extremely dazzling white light. Wherever Shen Qing''s long sword went, space itself seemed to split apart, emitting a howling crack. Before he could react, Guan Yunjian''s body had been completely engulfed by the white light. A thud. Before Guan Yunjian could react, his body was cleaved open by Shen Qing''s blade from head to chest, not even managing to let out a scream. Uncle Shu, who was nearby, watched everything, his body turning ice cold. His legs turned weak, his whole body trembling non-stop, and his chattering teeth intermittently let out a whimpering plea for mercy, "This¡­ was all¡­ Guan Yunjian''s idea¡­ it has nothing to do with me¡­ I even tried to dissuade¡­ him!" However, Shen Qing''s gaze remained utterly unfazed, and with a laugh full of scorn, he said, "Do you think I''d believe such a lame excuse?" Uncle Shu grit his teeth and hurriedly drew his dagger, striking a sideways blow at Shen Qing. Yet Shen Qing had no intention of dodging. Covered by the Dragon Roar Armor, he caught Uncle Shu''s swinging blade barehanded. "Hmm?" Uncle Shu''s eyes flashed with bemusement. With a flick of Shen Qing''s arm, he swung his sword down once again, without any hesitation. The blade''s light flashed and was gone; accompanied by Uncle Shu''s last muffled scream, crimson blood sprayed from his neck. He stared with wide eyes, clutching at his neck, stumbled backward several steps, then his body went limp, and he fell to his knees, face down. The most efficient killing is often done in the simplest of ways. To Shen Qing, disposing of Guan Yunjian and the other was merely a matter of two sideways slashes. sea??h th§× n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Shen Qing wiped the blood from his blade on his arm, turned his head to Dong Jing, who remained unperturbed, and said, "Sorry for the disturbance, it seems I''ve disrupted Dong Chasi''s enjoyment today." "It''s fine," Dong Jing said with a smile. "Has Shen Chasi had lunch yet?" "Not yet." Dong Jing gestured with his chopsticks to the dishes and wine on the table and said, "Then, how about joining me?" "Great! I''ve been chasing demons all the way here and am quite hungry. I will gladly accept your hospitality," Shen Qing replied. Seeing Dong Jing''s calmness, Shen Qing sheathed his sword and strode towards the table, taking a seat to Dong Jing''s right. Chapter 203: Chapter 29: Owe You a Favor Shen Qing, regardless of the bloodstains on his body, picked up the wine cup and drained it in one gulp.After eliminating the threats of Guan Yunjian and Uncle Shu, a hint of relief and ease appeared on his face. "Good wine!" "Brother Shen, what a bold spirit! Since it''s good wine, should you not drink more?" Dong Jing watched Shen Qing''s unkempt appearance without any concern and even took the initiative to pour him another drink, the matter of the promised thousand taels from Guan Yunjian and Uncle Shu long forgotten. Shen Qing stopped the wine cup and said, "It''s enough to drink the wine for its taste, too much can spoil the pleasure." "If not drinking, how about eating instead?" Dong Jing was not annoyed, "This Baihua Building has long enjoyed a renowned reputation in Yongzhou, and though the food can''t compare to your Shen Ji''s, it is still quite delicious. It''s just that you''ve arrived a bit late, so only leftovers remain." Shen Qing laughed heartily, "With this table of leftovers, how many people in Great Zhou would have the chance to eat them? Besides, I came here to commit murder, not to attend a banquet." "Indeed, that''s true." Dong Jing also laughed heartily with him. Shen Qing made no pretense of politeness and wolfed down the food on the table. The consecutive ordeals had indeed left him famished and with a ravenous appetite. Dong Jing took a sip from his wine cup and quietly glanced at Shen Qing eating heartily, then cast a look towards the corpses beside them. The eyes of Guan Yunjian and Uncle Shu were fixed on Shen Qing in death, while Shen Qing, who had slain them, ate as if nothing had happened, his appetite surprisingly hearty, which left Dong Jing marvelling. "I wonder what these two did to offend Shen Chasi today?" Dong Jing asked. Shen Qing recounted, "They found nine martial masters somewhere, attempting to take my life, which annoyed me, so I came over." "Nine martial masters?" "Merely mediocrities, their skills no match for mine." Shen Qing, believing he and Dong Jing were not close friends, thus had little trust in Dong Jing and held back when speaking, not revealing the details about the martial masters from the Qi Hai Realm. Furthermore, while speaking, he skillfully rested his hand on the hilt of his blade, casually casting a few glances at Dong Jing. Should Dong Jing show any sign of odd behavior, he would not hesitate to strike and slay him, letting him join Guan Yunjian and the others in death. In his view, killing two people was killing, killing three was no different. Dong Jing, surprised by the statement, said, "They must have really exhausted their resources this time. I had long heard that Guan Yunjian had made many connections using his position at the Guardian Martial Department over the years, and it seems it wasn''t just rumors. Now that you''ve killed them, what do you plan to do next?" Shen Qing countered, "I wonder if Brother Dong has any wise insights?" S§×arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Dong Jing hadn''t expected Shen Qing to throw the question back to him. After pondering for a while, he said, "No wise insights. I just think that Shen Chasi should just wait and watch. Dead men tell no tales, and nobody will want to stand up for a dead man. In my opinion, they are just using the Guardian Martial Department''s name in vain, and they are likely to die unavenged." Shen Qing strongly agreed. The status of two mere officers was indeed not high. Moreover, after observing for so many days, he knew that Chief Officer Zheng Yuanqiu only had eyes for women and wealth and was even less likely to care about this matter. Seeing Dong Jing''s composed demeanor, showing no intent of plotting against him, a judgement formed in Shen Qing''s heart. At the very least, they were not enemies for the time being. "Indeed, that''s what I think as well." Shen Qing ate quickly, swiftly clearing the table of its food as if a whirlwind had passed through. He found a towel and skillfully wiped his greasy hands, then said to Dong Jing, "Thank you for your hospitality, Brother Dong. I have another favor to ask of you." "What is it?" Shen Qing pointed to the two corpses not far away and said, "I need to investigate the Wolf Demon matter and am a bit pressed for time. I hope Brother Dong can help me deal with these two. I''ll owe you a favor." Friends accustomed to killing people all know that it''s easy to kill, but hard to dispose of the bodies. Even in these times when human life is as cheap as mustard, killing people in the street is still a grave crime, one that the Military Department does not overlook. Not to mention that the men Shen Qing had killed were officers, half belonging to the official estate, and that made the matter all the more serious. If anyone discovered anything amiss, it wouldn''t necessarily be life-threatening, but it would definitely be troublesome. Shen Qing had thought this would be a difficult request, but to Dong Jing, it seemed to be of no concern at all. He simply said, "It''s a trifling matter." Dong Jing clapped his hands together. Before long, a servant from the Baihua Building came to the door and knocked, "Dong Chasi, did you call for me?" "There''s been a small incident here with some bloodshed. Call two handymen and have them clean it up in the backyard," Dong Jing said casually. "Understood." Shen Qing didn''t have to wait long before two sturdy handymen, each carrying a sack, came over. When they saw the two officers'' bodies on the ground, a flicker of surprise crossed their eyes. Without a word, they skillfully packed the bodies into the sacks, and even a servant came with a bucket of water and a cloth to clean the bloodstains from the floor, bowing his head and saying respectfully, "Dong Chasi, please take your time." After finishing, he silently closed the door, as if nothing had happened. The cooperation was so practiced that Shen Qing was momentarily at a loss for words. Dong Jing smiled and said, "This Baihua Building is the Dong Family''s property. Often enough, some who do not know their place commit offenses here, and we at the Baihua Building have ample experience in handling bodies. There''s no need for Shen Chasi to be so surprised. From today on, even if heaven and earth were turned upside down, no one could find these two again." It was only then that Shen Qing half woke to the realization. The Yongzhou Thirteen Lines were a colossal presence in the county town, each of them more formidable than the county government office. For them, killing people and disposing of bodies were as common and routine as a daily meal. "Thank you, Dong Chasi," Shen Qing said, moving toward the window. "Now that we''ve eaten and drunk, I''ll come find you to set a table of good food and drink once I''m less busy. Please don''t decline. I''ll take my leave now." "Take care." Shen Qing''s clothes were covered in blood, which wouldn''t have been appropriate for openly strutting around the Baihua Building. He leaped down from the window, used some hunting techniques to conceal his form, and vanished from the private room. Watching Shen Qing''s retreating figure, Dong Jing pondered thoughtfully. "Just now, his True Qi was manifest, clearly showing he has broken through to the Qi Hai Realm." "Hiss..." Dong Jing inhaled sharply. "A sixteen-year-old martial master of the Qi Hai Realm, this would be considered an extraordinary gift even among the noble families. Given time, his future might truly be boundless." "In light of this, why not owe him a bigger favor? Complete the kindness thoroughly by taking care of the entire matter for him. Who knows, there may come a time when I need his assistance." Chapter 204: Chapter 30: Wolf Demon Sighting Having leaped out the window of Baihua Building, Shen Qing gracefully spread his arms and, like a cat, landed softly and quietly on the ground.He turned back to look at Baihua Building. Now that the matter with Guan Yun Jian and his companion had concluded, it was time to deal with the menace of the Wolf Demon. This was his duty as an officer of the Guardian Martial Department. Failing to perform well could lead to severe consequences. He had been delayed here for quite some time. After concealing the bloodstains, Shen Qing went straight to his prized steed and galloped away, heading directly for Changqiao Town. ... On the expressway outside Yong City. A shadow zoomed past, swift as a dark iron arrow cutting through the wind. Zhuifeng, a fine horse, had been well cared for by Xiao Shan, and its stamina seemed to have increased. It had traveled back and forth twice without any signs of fatigue or slowing down. About a quarter hour later, Shen Qing returned to the Qinghe River outside Changqiao Town. At the place outside Changqiao where he had fought, one could only faintly see bloodstains on the ground; the bodies had vanished. They must have been dealt with by Liu Sangui. Shen Qing gently tugged on the reins, slowing the sleek Zhuifeng as they stepped onto the bridge of Changqiao Town. The horse''s hooves tapped lightly on the bridge, producing a sharp, clear sound. After a brisk ride, Zhuifeng''s chest heaved with heavy breaths, but the steps it took remained methodical and orderly. Amidst the rhythmic clopping, Shen Qing had unknowingly entered Changqiao Ancient Town. Outside the ancient town, three large archways stood across the road, flanking golden yellow rice fields on both sides. As Shen Qing appeared, many villagers bent over with labor straightened their backs and looked towards the officer from the Guardian Martial Department. They tied bunches of rice plants while they observed Shen Qing. There was a trace of fear on their numb faces. For them, the officials from Yongzhou City were no different from demons¡ªboth devoured humans. However, whereas a demon would devour a human in a few bites, the officials of Yongzhou City would do so over many decades, across generations. As Shen Qing walked on the road, many villagers sidestepped, avoiding sharing the path with him as if he were a viper. Even a woodcutter, carrying firewood, threw his bundle down and jumped into the fields with the others, trembling as he watched Shen Qing leave. After they could no longer see him, these people, as though relieved, returned to the main road. Witnessing this, Shen Qing couldn''t help but sigh inwardly. He had not realized that officials of Great Zhou were so unwelcome. He had not walked long before entering the complex residential area of Changqiao Town. Shacks made of simple thatch were scattered before Shen Qing. In the midst of these humble homes, an elegantly structured estate conspicuously stood out. On the outskirts of the residential area, a servant in plain clothes suddenly caught Shen Qing''s eye. He looked around periodically, lingering at the doorway. Upon seeing Shen Qing, a look of surprise appeared on his face. He hurried forward and took hold of Shen Qing''s reins. The servant said with a placating smile, "Officer, our master specifically instructed me to wait for you here." "And who is your master?" "The village chief here." The village chief was effectively the town mayor. Shen Qing said expressionlessly, "Lead the way!" "Yes, sir." Shen Qing had just killed a person not long ago and carried with him an air of faintly discernible malevolence that nearly made the servants shudder, daring not to delay. Led with respectful guidance by the servant, they crossed the flagstone path, and Shen Qing was brought to the front of a manor. The manor''s main gate stood imposingly tall, flanked by majestic stone lions. Even before Shen Qing could step over the threshold, a hearty and expectant laugh pierced through the door, eagerly greeting his arrival. "Haha, Lord Officer, we''ve been eagerly waiting for you!" A middle-aged man dressed in fine clothes and exuding an extraordinary presence heard the commotion and hastened to the door to welcome him personally. Shen Qing dismounted and said, "I am Shen Qing from the Guardian Martial Department, sent by the Chief Officer to subdue demons." "So, it is Officer Shen himself." The village chief quickly approached, clasped his hands together, and gave a deep bow. "May I know the village chief''s honored surname?" "Please, it''s Zhou." Shen Qing asked, "A member of the Zhou family from Yongzhou?" "My ancestors were, but by my generation, we have long since been disconnected, without much contact with the Jun City Zhou Family. Nevertheless, we still benefit somewhat from the family''s reputation." Village chief Zhou Baoyin candidly said, "Please come inside and have a seat, sir. I have already prepared a feast." "Let''s skip the feast, dealing with the demon is more pressing." Shen Qing gazed at the distant mountains and said, "Where are my subordinates?" Zhou Baoyin was momentarily startled and responded, "They arrived not long ago and already went up the mountain to investigate the Wolf Demon''s traces." Shen Qing frowned. When had Liu Sangui ever been so responsible about demon-slaying? In his eyes, although Liu Sangui appeared diligent on a normal day, he was actually quite slippery, one to drag his feet whenever possible, preferring fewer troubles over more. It wasn''t likely for him to rush into checking on the demon without waiting around. Strange. Shen Qing took another look at Zhou Baoyin and asked, "Tell me about this Wolf Demon." Observing Shen Qing''s tone, Zhou Baoyin''s expression grew serious. Clasping his hands together and slightly bowing, he respectfully said, "To report to you, sir, the problem originated about a month ago." "There was a woodcutter named Zhang in our town who, as usual, wanted to chop wood for charcoal, but unexpectedly¡­" Zhou Baoyin paused for a moment, a hint of barely noticeable fear flashing in his eyes, and continued, "After his last trip into the mountains, he didn''t return for several days. When I found him, he was reduced to a skeleton, gnawed beyond recognition." sea??h th§× N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Since then, the woodcutters entering the mountains often heard strange growling sounds that did not resemble typical beasts, with people occasionally disappearing, causing widespread panic." "Some even saw a giant wolf with an enormous body. With more mysterious incidents occurring in the woods, it''s said that this Wolf Demon is behind it all. We are truly at our wits'' end, which is why we sought your help, sir." "Awooo!" As they spoke, a wolf''s howl echoed. Shen Qing, as if sensing something, slowly directed his gaze toward a small hill outside of the town. He used his skill of sharp eyesight to focus intently on it. In the distance, a massive Wolf Demon, its eyes flickering with a ghostly green glow, bared its teeth and growled menacingly. Zhou Baoyin trembled, pointing and shouting, "Ah, the Wolf Demon, that''s the Wolf Demon!" "Sir, due to this Wolf Demon, many woodcutters in the town have not dared to go into the mountains for many days, putting them in dire straits. We hope you will intervene on our behalf." The arrival of the wolf was such a coincidence? Shen Qing was somewhat hesitant. But since it had shown itself, it spared them the trouble of a lengthy search in the vast mountains. Shen Qing immediately took down the Heavy Bow hanging on his horse, fetched a dark iron arrow, and placed it on the bowstring. He drew the bow fully, extending his arm length, aiming the arrow toward the verdant forest ahead. "What does the master plan to do? Can he really subdue the Wolf Demon with just a bow and arrow?" A servant, standing next to the village chief, stepped forward a few paces to the chief''s ear and whispered. Zhou Baoyin squinted and said, "Let''s wait and see first." Chapter 205: Chapter 31: The Heavy Arrow Kills the Wolf Demon, Too Fast! Shen Qing''s fingers suddenly relaxed.In an instant, the tearing sound of air erupted. A streak of extremely cold light, swift like lightning, raced towards the Wolf Demon standing amidst the trees, following an almost imperceptible trajectory through the void. For a mere distance of four hundred meters, it arrived in a blink of an eye. The just-emerged Wolf Demon seemed to sense an immense danger. Its fur stood on end, and human-like emotions flickered through its eerily green eyes. Without any hesitation, it promptly dodged to the side without a second thought. The activation of the skill "every arrow hits the mark" in Bow Technique made everything feel as if it were predestined. Just as the Wolf Demon darted to the side, the whistling arrow struck its body unerringly. With a muffled thud, the sharp arrow hit its wolf body precisely, its powerful inertia tearing through the flesh and piercing through its abdomen. Accompanied by a piercing howl, the massive body of the Wolf Demon crashed to the ground, the demon energy swirling around it suddenly in disarray. Like a scattered cloud blown by a gust of wind, it instantly lost the majesty of a Wolf Demon. A flicker of shock crossed its eyes, unable to understand how it could be wounded by a mere human arrow. In the past, the arrows of the Human Clan were like tickling, never causing any substantial harm, let alone dodging the arrow! Whiz, whiz, whiz! Three arrows descended from the sky, almost sealing off all its avenues of escape. Before it even had a chance to stand and defend itself, the three arrows, as though guided by sight, successively buried into its skin and flesh. Nearly nailing it firmly to the ground. Blood trickled from the corner of the Wolf Demon''s mouth, its eyes fixed on Shen Qing, standing in the distance with his bow. It realized that everything was completely different from what the Wolf King had told it. Gradually, the Wolf Demon felt its body becoming heavier and heavier... Its raised fur slowly flattened down, and in just a few dozen breaths, it completely lost consciousness, breathing its last. The village chief, Zhou Baoyin, and the servants standing at the mansion''s entrance widened their eyes in disbelief at the scene, slowly focusing their gaze on Shen Qing. Their hearts pounded nonstop, clearly not expecting Shen Qing to possess such astonishing methods. Especially village chief Zhou Baoyin, whose face turned extremely unsightly, sweat beads forming, his heart pounding like a drum. Just a few arrows to kill a demon, that was too fast! Shen Qing, with a skeptical tone, lowered the bow and arrow in his hand and asked, "Is this the Wolf Demon that has been threatening your town for days?" He felt that this so-called Wolf Demon was almost no different from the Dog Demon he had encountered before. Too weak! Couldn''t a big town like Changqiao handle even such a weak demon? Not to mention the ordinary townsfolk, farmers, woodcutters, given the Zhou Family''s prestige, along with the treatment of the village chief from the court, he didn''t believe Zhou Baoyin did not practice Martial Arts or lacked the ability to slay demons. Even if his talent and cultivation were poor, as a member of such a large family with many heirs, as long the resources were there, some would inevitably stand out. Such Little Demons should almost be easy to capture. Shen Qing''s glance subtly surveyed village chief Zhou Baoyin, noticing that the latter''s Qi-Blood was abundant, clearly pointing to some level of training. This made him even more puzzled and felt very inconsistent. Shen Qing temporarily set aside the doubts in his heart and said, "This Wolf Demon has been slain. I will go and take a look at the Wolf Demon''s body to see if there is anything else we missed." No sooner had he spoken than Shen Qing''s figure suddenly unfolded, turning into a streak of light, and in an instant, he had risen into the air, flying towards the woods hundreds of meters away. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Along the way, the treetops swayed. All along the path, birds perched on the branches were startled by the sudden disturbance and took off in panic, their cries echoing loudly. The technique Shen Qing was using at the moment was not any profound martial art but merely a movement technique from his hunting skills. Propelled by instinct, he flew forward, but with the nourishment and enhancement of the Qi Sea Realm''s robust True Qi, this basic movement technique exhibited an astonishing speed and agility. After just a short while, Shen Qing leapt down from a height, landing near the Wolf Demon''s corpse, causing the surrounding leaves to tremble violently from the disturbance of his air current. Shen Qing narrowed his eyes, staring at the Wolf Demon corpse before him, his gaze becoming deep and sharp. Into the sturdy hide of the Wolf Demon''s body, three arrows had deeply embedded themselves, the blood around them already congealing into dark traces, save for the massive wound in the abdomen which continued to ooze filthy blood. On closer inspection, this Wolf Demon, besides being much larger than its kin, was no different from ordinary wolves. Shen Qing unsheathed the dagger at his waist, cut open the Wolf Demon''s belly, and examined its stomach. Inside, apart from a barely identifiable rabbit carcass, there were no human tissue fragments to be found. Shen Qing clearly remembered the village chief Zhou Baoyin saying that people from their town would occasionally disappear because of this Wolf Demon; it should have been eating humans. It now seemed either the Wolf Demon plaguing the town was another one, or Zhou Baoyin was lying. Slain was this Wolf Demon, but it did not necessarily mean the town''s misfortunes had been resolved. Shen Qing raised his eyebrows slightly, pulled the arrows out from the ground, returned them to the Arrow Quiver, and then carried the Wolf Demon corpse back the way he came with one hand. Bang! Shen Qing threw the sizable corpse of the Wolf Demon in front of Village Chief Zhou Baoyin and the others, kicking up a layer of dust. Village Chief Zhou Baoyin immediately reacted, raising his thumb and exclaiming in admiration, "Shen Chasi is truly a divine archer! Who would have thought that the Wolf Demon which has troubled us for so long would be slain so easily by your Excellency!" "I will make sure to report this to the county office, so the Prefectural Governor and everyone else are aware of your grace." "Since your Excellency has expended so much effort, I must also show my gratitude." Having said that, he signaled with his eyes. Understanding the cue, a servant immediately brought a tray of Silver Ingots before Shen Qing. Village Chief Zhou Baoyin bowed with hands clasped and said, "The issue with the demons here is settled. This modest token is not worthy of your merit. I hope Shen Chasi will not refuse it." Shen Qing stepped forward, picked up a Silver Ingot, and weighed it in his hand for a moment. It had a substantial heft, "Village Chief truly knows how to conduct affairs; please wrap it up for me." "Right away." Zhou Baoyin turned back to his servants and scolded, "Shen Chasi has spoken, why are you still standing there? Go quickly!" The servant hurriedly nodded and bowed, rushing to carry out the task. "Now that this matter is concluded, Shen Chasi, do you think..." "What''s the hurry?" Shen Qing glanced at Zhou Baoyin and said, "Didn''t you just prepare a banquet? It would be a waste to leave it, so I might as well go now, especially since my subordinates will be arriving soon." Zhou Baoyin''s face changed slightly, and he quickly plastered on a smile, saying, "My apologies for being presumptuous. Shen Chasi, this way, please." Shen Qing strode over the threshold and entered the estate. He hadn''t walked far when he suddenly remembered something and commanded Zhou Baoyin''s servant, "Oh, and remember to skin the Wolf Skin; it''s quite valuable in the city, and I need to take it back." Chapter 206 Chapter 32 Are you hiding something from me? Hearing this, Village Chief Zhou Baoyin''s face turned pale.However, considering Shen Qing''s identity, he couldn''t afford to lose his temper and quickly gestured with his hands, signaling his people below to follow the instructions. Shen Qing didn''t pay any attention to these thoughts and, surrounded by Zhou Baoyin''s entourage, stepped into his grand courtyard. If killing the Wolf Demon had only aroused some suspicion, then Zhou Baoyin''s eagerness to send him off had almost convinced him that Zhou Baoyin must be hiding something from him. So far, Liu Sangui had not shown up, and not a single trace of him had been found, which gave Shen Qing an even worse premonition. It was very likely that Liu Sangui had met with foul play. Although he was thinking this way, Shen Qing did not show any emotion on his face and remained calm. Changqiao Town was located at the foot of the mountain and beside the river, with only a canal access, which wasn''t very convenient for outside contact. In a sense, it was like gathering a dozen or so Hongshan Villages together. Shabby and old. Thatched cottages crowded together, oppressively small and cramped. But entering Zhou Baoyin''s home was a different scene altogether. As soon as he entered, the elegant yet luxurious ambiance characteristic of a high-ranking household hit him. The bluestone path was immaculately clean, and flower beds on both sides were colorful and lush. Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Every time a gentle breeze passed by, the refreshing fragrance became more intense, making one feel relaxed and happy. Above the main hall, the eaves soared upward; at first glance, the wall was adorned with famous paintings, the ink strokes vividly depicting the grandeur of mountains and rivers, as well as the delicate minutiae of flowers, birds, fish, and insects. Everything around created a strong contrast with the overall appearance of Changqiao Town. Shen Qing put away his thoughts and walked side by side with Zhou Baoyin into the main hall. The moment he entered the house, servants brought in steaming hot dishes and placed them on the table. The heat rose, and the aroma wafted through the air, mouthwatering. Zhou Baoyin, who was following, stepped forward quickly, his face beaming as he said, "Mr. Shen, your presence in my humble abode is an honor! The feast that the kitchen prepared, although not rare delicacies, is indeed the best my household has to offer. I hope you won''t find it wanting." At these words, Shen Qing laughed and said, "Village Chief, you''re too modest. I haven''t yet tasted the local dishes here, and today is a good opportunity for me to do so." "This way please, Shen Chasi!" Village Chief Zhou Baoyin invited Shen Qing to take a seat in the guest seat of honor, while he himself sat in the master seat. By that time, it was past noon. Calculating carefully, it should be about the end of Wei Hour, early Shen Hour. Clearly this time was already past the traditional mealtime. Shen Qing wasn''t hungry, but as a martial master, he naturally had a high calorie expenditure. After nearly an hour had passed, his stomach had emptied quite a bit, and he could manage to eat something. The midday sun was fierce, and the intense sunlight poured in, making the walls shine. Zhou Baoyin personally filled a cup with fine wine for Shen Qing and raised his glass, saying, "Mr. Shen, this cup is to honor you, to thank you for ridding Changqiao Town of that vile Wolf Demon, preserving peace for us all. Please!" Shen Qing also raised his cup and said loudly, "Village Chief, you flatter me. It is our duty to exorcise demons and guard the way." After their glasses lightly clinked, emitting a crisp sound, both men drank down the wine in one gulp. Shen Qing ate heartily, engaging in light conversation with Zhou Baoyin. He was originally a hunter, so he understood quite a bit about the affairs of the mountains and forests, and with his ability in "Academic Pursuit," he was full of witty remarks at the dinner table, which left Zhou Baoyin in continuous admiration. After three rounds of drinks, the atmosphere grew warmer. Zhou Baoyin couldn''t help but relax his guard. At this moment, Shen Qing broached the main subject and suddenly asked, "Village Chief, has only this one Wolf Demon appeared in your town?" Zhou Baoyin, slightly drunk, said, "In these deep mountains and forests of ours, how can we be so sure? For now, we have only seen that one Wolf Demon." Shen Qing asked, "So you''re saying, now that I''ve killed that Wolf Demon, the demons in your area are all gone?" "Naturally they''re gone." "I don''t think that''s right. Wolves are generally pack animals. If this Wolf Demon was strong within the pack, there would certainly be a group of wolves following it. But if it''s weak in the pack, that means there''s a stronger Wolf Demon out there. If it''s the former, I suppose with your capabilities, Village Chief, it should be solvable. But if it''s the latter, that would be troublesome." Shen Qing spoke with profound meaning, "Could it be that the demons in this area haven''t been completely eradicated?" "What does Mr. Shen wish to do?" Zhou Baoyin thought that Shen Qing was trying to take advantage of the situation, and spoke with a probing tone. At this moment, all he wanted was to send Shen Qing away as quickly as possible, free of cost, and avoid any further trouble. Shen Qing picked up his cup, and with a smile that was not quite a smile, watched Zhou Baoyin''s eyes and said, "As an officer of the Guardian Martial Department, slaying demons is my duty, is it not? I must clarify these matters, am I right?" A chill rose in Zhou Baoyin''s heart. This officer was more troublesome than he had anticipated. "Haha, I understand," Zhou Baoyin said with a forced laugh. "How much does Mr. Shen want?" Shen Qing shook his head. Zhou Baoyin''s heart sank as he felt Shen Qing was being too greedy. Dare you, a mere officer, bite off more than you can chew? Under Zhou Baoyin''s watchful eye, Shen Qing lifted his cup and drank it all in one gulp, saying, "Money is secondary, I just feel that, Village Chief, you might be hiding something from me?" Zhou Baoyin tensed up and feigned calmness, "Mr. Shen must be joking; I''m not hiding anything from you." "Liu Sangui was killed by you all, wasn''t he?" Zhou Baoyin''s eyes flashed with panic, his wrist trembled, and he said in a strained voice, "What are you talking about, Mr. Shen? I don''t understand." "You didn''t, then what about the demon?" Zhou Baoyin said, "What exactly do you mean, Mr. Shen?" "I mean it in the literal sense," Shen Qing said, glancing at Zhou Baoyin. "You don''t want to talk?" Whoosh! Suddenly, Shen Qing drew his dagger. The cold light flashed as the Guardian Martial Department''s dagger, with a whistling sound, accurately bisected the air before Zhou Baoyin''s throat. The previously warm atmosphere in the main hall turned cold in an instant. "Mr. Shen, do you realize what you are doing? Killing officials is a capital offense." For some reason, facing Shen Qing''s aggression, Zhou Baoyin''s previously irritated demeanor dissipated, and he became calm and collected. Shen Qing''s gaze was as cold as ice as he said, "That''s something I should be asking you, Village Chief. Are you hiding many things from me?" Zhou Baoyin''s tone suddenly turned sinister, "Mr. Shen, I kindly advised you to quit while you were ahead and to not stir up this mess. Since you failed to recognize the favor, you can''t blame us now." "Hmm?" Boom! Just when Shen Qing was puzzled, a muffled noise came from the doorway, as if a heavy sack had been thrown down onto the ground. "Lord Zhou, how did my youngest son die in such an unclear manner? And now his skin is even stripped off and thrown in the yard. You''d better give me an explanation, or else, don''t blame me for breaking our original agreement." A powerful male voice came from the doorway. Shen Qing turned his head to look, and there stood a muscular Werewolf holding the head of a servant, step by step, walking in. Zhou Baoyin lifted his cup and drank it all in one gulp, saying, "Mr. Shen, I told you to take the hint and back off. It seems you didn''t quite grasp my meaning." Enjoy more content from empire Splat! Shen Qing''s wrist flicked, and his strength reached the blade. The cold light flashed, grazing across Zhou Baoyin''s neck. Disbelief filled Zhou Baoyin''s eyes, his pupils contracted, manifesting utter shock. He clutched at his neck, from which blood oozed steadily through his fingers. His chest heaved like a broken bellows, gasping nonstop, making wheezing sounds. "Village Chief, it seems you also didn''t quite grasp my meaning." Shen Qing, holding his dagger, stood up and slowly turned towards the Werewolf who had come in. On the tip of the dagger in his hand, bright red blood dropped one by one to the ground, making a rhythmic ''drip, drip'' sound. Chapter 207 Chapter 33 Is this your strength? Slap, slap, slap!"Interesting, really interesting." The werewolf standing at the door clapped and laughed, "He always kept me from acting, worrying about attracting the court''s attention. I didn''t expect you to kill him so cleanly." "Hey, you killed your court''s official. According to your own laws, you are to be executed, aren''t you?" "Did anyone see me do it?" Shen Qing looked around and asked in confusion, "No, I don''t think so." The smirk on the werewolf''s face paused. Shen Qing slowly stepped forward, smiling slightly as he spoke, "As I see it, it clearly was you, the Wolf Demon, that killed Lord Zhou, wasn''t it?" The corners of the werewolf''s mouth twitched involuntarily; it had never seen someone as shamelessly brazen as Shen Qing. "Looks like you want to kill me?" "What else? A life for a life. Just because you are a demon doesn''t mean you''re an exception." "Very well, very well." The Wolf Demon''s face turned a ghastly hue, "Since you wish to die, I shall fulfill your wish. If you amuse me, perhaps I''ll leave your body to remain a half-corpse." The werewolf casually tossed the severed head he was holding in his hand. A fresh, blood-soaked head rolled limply towards Shen Qing. Shen Qing looked down and recognized the servant he had earlier sent to skin the wolf, who happened to encounter this Wolf Demon and was brutally killed on the spot. He withdrew his gaze and fearlessly stepped over the scattered head on the ground. Shen Qing held a knife in his right hand, standing in front of this half-human, half-demon Wolf Demon. "Shall we try?" This Wolf Demon was large, standing upright in human form, towering over Shen Qing by more than half a foot. Its body was covered with mottled grey fur, and its eyes were blood-red. The corners of its mouth split up to its ears, revealing two rows of sharp fangs gleaming with cold light. Drool dripped slowly from its fangs, emitting a nauseating stench. This Wolf Demon was starkly different from those Shen Qing had slain before, giving him an exceedingly dangerous intuition. Shen Qing clenched the knife in his hand, no longer wasting words with the Wolf Demon. He suddenly stomped his feet, his figure burst forth, his muscles swelling and tensing like an inflated balloon, charging straight towards the Wolf Demon. In the midst of the Werewolf''s surprised gaze, the tip of the long knife, amidst the howling wind, silently penetrated its chest. "Puff!" A light sound emerged abruptly between the man and the demon. A thick scent of blood suddenly permeated the air. It all happened so suddenly, so swiftly that it was almost impossible to react. It wasn''t until Shen Qing gently exhaled a turbid breath that the werewolf at the door was jolted awake by the sudden stench of blood. Its body violently trembled, then burst out in a deafening roar. The roar rolled out like thunder, instantly filling the entire village, shaking the spirit of anyone who heard it. The Wolf Demon''s massive body shook violently with anger and unwillingness, its drooping eyelids revealing eyes full of fierce light from the shadows. "You''re courting death!" The werewolf''s deep growl rumbled in its throat. The next moment, the werewolf''s towering body seemed to be ignited by crimson flames, emitting a bright and eerie light. The originally ferocious wound on its chest incredibly contracted and healed under the bath of blood light, returning to flawless condition. It suddenly leapt up, its massive body nearly blocking half the space of the hall, casting a dim shadow over the room''s light. Surging demonic energy emanated from the Wolf Demon. It swung its giant claw, carrying a momentum that seemed to split mountains and cleave valleys, and viciously lashed down at Shen Qing! Shen Qing''s expression tensed, and he hastily employed the movement technique from the "Hunting Scripture." With continuous support from the True Qi, Shen Qing exhibited the movement technique from the "Hunting Scripture" to its utmost, flipping and maneuvering in the air, ingeniously avoiding this seemingly fierce attack. From a distance, it looked as though a hunter was toying with his game. Having missed its strike, the werewolf''s earlier arrogance was instantly replaced by raging fury, and it couldn''t help but howl skyward, its voice filled with unwilling anger. As the Wolf Demon howled, it threw a heavy punch wrapped in a towering crimson blood evil, like a raging tide surging out, blocking all Shen Qing''s paths of escape. With no way to avoid it, Shen Qing quickly grasped his long knife, positioning it horizontally in front of him. The blade''s light clashed fiercely with the blood-red specter, exploding into a deafening roar. Shen Qing''s figure seemed to be torn apart by an invisible, immense force. The long blade in his hand could hardly withstand that terrible force, instantly shattering and scattering in all directions. Bang! Shen Qing''s figure was sent flying back by this force, like a kite with its string cut, skidding six or seven meters before he barely stabilized himself, his back foot landing on a floor tile, breaking it and kicking up a cloud of dust. A cruel, yet unsatisfied smile hooked on the fierce face of the Wolf Demon. "I say, is this the extent of your strength?" The Wolf Demon''s face slightly startled, "What?" When the dust settled, Shen Qing''s straight figure was revealed. After the exchange just now, Shen Qing was already aware that the Wolf Demon in front of him had considerable cultivation, and mere bravery with fists and feet was no longer effective. His mind stirred as he rallied his Qi Sea. In an instant, the Qi Sea churned. True Qi surged like a river, tumultuously flowing through his meridians, quickly forming a layer of dazzling light membrane on his body''s surface, making him look crystal clear, radiating out multicolored brilliance. Shen Qing let go of the remaining half of the knife handle. "I say, is this all the strength you have?" As soon as his words fell, without the slightest hesitation, Shen Qing swiftly formed seals with his hands and charged towards the Wolf Demon. A Sky Flipping Seal containing the power to overturn rivers and seas strikingly took shape, carrying the might to destroy everything, and powerfully hit the massive body of the Wolf Demon! sea??h th§× N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Boom! The main hall resounded with a thunderous crash, as if heaven and earth were splitting apart. The demon energy swirling around the Wolf Demon, along with the surrounding furniture and wood splinters, was torn into pieces. Explore new worlds at empire "Wow!" The Wolf Demon couldn''t help but spit out a mouthful of dirty blood. He had never expected to be pushed to this extent by a mere human, and true anger flared in his heart. "Mere food, daring to act like this!" A ferocious smile curved the Wolf Demon''s lips, as his muscles bulged out like surging hills, a force far more intense and nearly tangible surged out from his body, instantly filling the entire main hall. "Hmm?" Shen Qing, being in the midst of it, felt a surge of bloodthirsty, self-destructive impulses. He knew this was the natural talent of this Wolf Demon. Immediately, he exerted his full power to drive the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill! True Qi reversed! First Transformation! Second Transformation! ¡­ Fifth Transformation! "Break!" With a thunderous noise! A scorching aura, like the blazing sun overhead, rippled between them like a massive wave! The Sky Flipping Seal, now amplified five-fold, reached a terrifying degree, making the defense of the Wolf Demon seem incredibly fragile. His internal organs were completely shattered, and the Demon Core was severely damaged. "Come on! This is more like it! Let me see, just how many more surprises you can bring me!" Shen Qing''s True Qi surged wildly once again as he formed another Sky Flipping Seal¡­ Chapter 208 Chapter 34 Next, I Ask and You Answer The Wolf Demon screamed in a shrill, agonizing voice as it was sent flying diagonally by Shen Qing''s powerful force, crashing into the courtyard, utterly powerless to counterattack.It was completely dumbfounded! At this moment, its martial spirit had collapsed under the onslaught of the seemingly unremarkable officer from the dispatch office, and its previous imposing momentum had vanished without a trace. Watching Shen Qing step out of the main hall, it panicked like a ghost, hurriedly flipping over. Ignoring its dignity and the injuries inside its body, it kept all fours on the ground and ran wildly towards the gate, throwing caution to the wind. After taking two hits of Sky Flipping Seal from Shen Qing, coupled with the quintupled strength, the internal condition of the Wolf Demon had become a complete mess. It was now solely relying on the physical strength of the Demon Clan and its own talent to hang onto a few breaths of life, preventing it from dying on the spot. Any more hits, and survival would be impossible. Flee! If it didn''t flee, it would die! "Hmm?" As he walked out of the main hall, Shen Qing suddenly felt a wave of dizziness emanating from within his body, leaving him feeling incredibly weak. Shen Qing knew that the side effects of the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill had arrived. He glanced at the fleeing Wolf Demon, steadied his mind, then gently exhaled, circulating the Blood Dominance Technique to gradually recover the deficit caused by the reversal of True Qi. Once his Divine Sense had recovered, Shen Qing went back inside to grab his heavy bow and arrows, then walked towards the gate with large strides. The commotion from Shen Qing''s fight with the Wolf Demon had alarmed the people in Changqiao Town. By this time, many of the braver residents were poking their heads out, curiously looking in the direction of Shen Qing. All they saw was the young officer from the Guardian Martial Department, dressed in his official attire, holding a dark black heavy bow in his hand, with an Arrow Quiver hung around his waist, walking out of the house calmly. His waist was ramrod straight, with only a few spots of blood on his sleeve. Overall, he looked no different from when he first arrived. In front of him, a Wolf Demon, as large as a pig or ox, stumbled like an old dog along the ground, tripping and floundering, fleeing towards the mountain. The townsfolk, particularly those braver men, found such a scene somewhat inconceivable. In their eyes, the demons of the town were infinitely strong and powerful. If a demon attacked, they could only meet their end without resistance. When had they ever seen a demon in such a sorry state? It was clear that the Wolf Demon had some level of skill, but in just a short amount of time, it had already regained quite a bit of strength thanks to its natural talent. By the time Shen Qing reached the doorway, the Wolf Demon had unwittingly put a distance of hundreds of meters between them. "You really can run. I thought you had a bit more backbone," Shen Qing jeered. "That should be enough." Shen Qing took several deep breaths; a short period of breathing exercise had largely mitigated the effects brought on by the reversal of True Qi. His eyes narrowed as he gazed at the staggering Wolf Demon in the distance. He pulled out a dark iron heavy arrow from his quiver and placed it on the bowstring. Without any hesitation. Shen Qing''s fingers, which were hooked on the bowstring, suddenly released. Whoosh! The arrow shot out as soon as it left the string. Over the distance of just over a hundred meters, every arrow hits the mark. The dark iron Heavy Arrow, like a black thunderbolt, tore through the void and struck the Wolf Demon''s hind leg. Boom! The force of the fifty shi heavy bow erupted upon contact with the Wolf Demon''s hind leg, blasting it into a cloud of blood mist. The hind leg simply vanished into thin air. Already staggering and weak, the Wolf Demon could no longer support its weight and fell to the ground. At this moment, as the Wolf Demon looked back at Shen Qing approaching step by step, its face finally showed an expression of terror. Shen Qing, unhurried, nocked another arrow to his bow. Whoosh! A thunderous noise seemed to ring out between heaven and earth, while the Wolf Demon''s figure, still unsteady, was sent flying by the terrifying force contained within the arrow. Another hind leg exploded into a mist of blood and vanished into thin air. Desperation filled the wolf demon''s pupils as it watched Shen Qing approach its side, helplessly. Shen Qing made no pleasantries and promptly sat atop it. The intense pain from its lower body almost suffocated the creature, yet it dared not show any anger. "My lord... spare my life... I will never... dare again..." The wolf demon''s expression became obsequious, resembling that of a dog. Shen Qing turned a deaf ear to the wolf demon''s pleas and said, "I''m going to ask you a few questions. I ask, you answer." He didn''t wait for the wolf demon''s consent before asking, "What about the officers who arrived here before me?" The wolf demon''s body trembled. "Speak!" "They were... eaten by... my children." Shen Qing seemed to have anticipated this response, his heart sank, expressionless. "What about the wolf demon who showed its face before you?" "It''s my child... I sent it... to lure you... to consume... your flesh and blood... the flesh of martial artists is... highly nourishing to us..." "Zhou Baoyin doesn''t seem to allow it?" The wolf demon fell silent, as if regretting. Shen Qing ignored its emotions and continued, "Tell me, what''s the deal with you and Zhou Baoyin?" The wolf demon replied, "He approached me... allowed us to live in the town... we... eat humans very carefully, it was... someone... who leaked the information..." Shen Qing''s calm face involuntarily darkened, and he subconsciously applied more pressure. "Ah!" The wolf demon let out a ghastly wail. "Why?" Shen Qing asked. "It''s the Spirit Mechanism, he wants to find the Spirit Mechanism Land with us," the wolf demon said quickly. Shen Qing frowned and inquired, "Spirit Mechanism Land? What is that?" "It''s the reason for our Demon Clan''s existence. Every Spirit Mechanism Land contains the Supreme Spiritual Mechanism, which can enable beings to transcend the mundane and become extraordinary, even rumored to hold the secret of longevity." "Our Demon Clan can sense a profound connection to it, which is why Zhou Baoyin sought us out..." Shen Qing''s heart jolted. He had not anticipated such secrets to be hidden here. It had to do with longevity! Martial masters in this world could grasp tremendous powers of heaven and earth through cultivation, wielding extraordinary influence. They appeared immensely glorious, yet their cultivation was miserly in extending lifespan. Each cultivation and breakthrough added but a mere sliver to life. Even the strongest being of the current era, the ancient ancestor of the Ji Family who established Zhou Country and was known as a martial immortal, was said to have lived for nine hundred years, and now no one knows whether he is dead or alive. It is evident, then, that longevity is an unimaginable temptation to anyone in this era. Shen Qing''s expression grew increasingly somber. S§×ar?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He gradually realized that this world might not be as simple as just Martial Arts. "My lord... I have told you everything I know... please let me go..." Shen Qing glanced at the wolf demon beneath him and extended two fingers to press upon its head. True Qi as hot as lava surged out from between Shen Qing''s two fingers. Spreading across every inch of skin touching the wolf demon, the True Qi burned its flesh red, as if even the air boiled at that instant. The wolf demon, snapping back to reality, let out heart-wrenching screams. Its voice was filled with despair and unwillingness, its head struggling violently, trying to break free from Shen Qing''s seemingly light touch. Alas, it was in vain. Boom! A dull explosive sound came from the wolf demon''s head, which burst into pieces, scattering in all directions. Shen Qing withdrew his fingers and stood up from the headless wolf corpse, looking down and saying, "When did I ever promise to spare you?" Chapter 209 Chapter 35 Uncontainable Anger ```In the distant mountains, birds and beasts scattered in alarm. Outside the Zhou Family''s Manor, the head of the Wolf Demon exploded, fragments scattering in every direction, painting the ground in a radiating pattern of red and white. The crimson blood seeped into the dried earth, blossoming like roses in full bloom, vivid and striking. Shen Qing glanced briefly towards the two dark iron arrows near the Wolf Demon''s corpse, reached out, and grasped one with a sudden exertion of force. The heavy dark iron Heavy Arrow seemed to be drawn by an invisible force, pulling free from the soil, as the arrowhead gleamed with a cold light under the blazing sun. With an impassive expression, Shen Qing transformed the arrow into a blade. A dark glint flashed, and the sharp arrowhead sliced open the chest of the Wolf Demon. Suddenly, a faint scent of blood mingled with the peculiar fluctuations of demonic energy permeated the air. Shen Qing reached inside, pulling out a round, lustrous Demon Core imbued with potent demonic power. A gentle green glow emanated from its surface, resembling a piece of jade. This Demon Core was of even finer quality than the Eagle Demon''s Core he had previously vanquished, sufficient for Shen Xiaoshan and others to refine into medicinal prescriptions. Shen Qing gazed intently at the Demon Core, his eyes gleaming with a hint of joy as he discreetly tucked it away into his bosom. At this moment, the bolder villagers cautiously emerged from their homes, creeping towards Shen Qing after witnessing the silence there. Upon seeing the enormous Wolf Demon corpse and Shen Qing standing triumphantly beside it, their expressions turned solemn, regarding Shen Qing with a gaze of awe and reverence. The others, realizing the place was safe, were driven by intense curiosity to flock there. When Shen Qing moved away from the Wolf Demon''s remains, the onlookers finally snapped out of their initial shock, their faces a mix of disbelief and complex emotions. Moments later, murmurs and whispers began to fill the air, the scene becoming extraordinarily noisy. "Oh my, how did he do it?" a woodcutter clad in coarse cotton clothing spoke first, his voice trembling with excitement: "So many of us were captured by it..." A middle-aged woman, part of the woodcutter''s family, wiped at her eyes with her sleeve, apparently reminded of many misfortunes, her heart aching with sadness. "Who would''ve thought this officer was even more formidable than the young Master Zhou of our town? If our town is guarded by this officer, we won''t fear those magical beasts'' invasions ever again." ... For a time, the populace of Changqiao Town was abuzz with discussion. Shen Qing didn''t engage much with them. He walked slowly back to the entrance of the Zhou Family''s manor, noticing that the servants who had fled in fear of the Wolf Demon had somehow resurfaced. Among them were a few familiar faces. Shen Qing looked at one of the highest-ranked servants and asked: "Do you know about your master''s collusion with the Wolf Demon?" The servant trembled all over, remaining silent. Shen Qing extended a finger towards him, saying: "I''m giving you one more chance. One, two..." With a thud, the servant named by Shen Qing fell to his knees, kowtowing repeatedly in pleas for mercy: "Spare me, officer, spare my life. I was forced by the master... If we didn''t comply, he would have fed us to the demons, spare us, officer." Following his lead, the other servants also knelt to beg for mercy. Shen Qing retracted his fingers and said: "I heard your master raised several demons in town, there should be a few left, take me to them!" The kneeling servants all turned their gaze to a fair-skinned servant. Realizing he could not evade the situation, the servant reluctantly stood up, speaking with a trembling voice: "This way, sir, I''ll take you..." "Lead the way!" Shen Qing slung the Heavy Bow over his shoulder, his waist adorned with the Arrow Quiver, following the servant at a steady pace. The servant lowered his head, hurriedly darting towards a secluded corner outside the town. In no time, the servant from Village Chief Zhou''s household had led him to an old house. "Sir, this is the place." The servant spoke in a low voice, his face ghostly pale. Shen Qing noticed the mottled bloodstains on the ground and raised an eyebrow involuntarily, taking a few steps forward. The farther he went, the stronger the stench became. Standing before the rickety wooden door of the shack, the odor seemed almost tangible, a thick and vile presence. S~ea??h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Suppressing the nausea and physical discomfort stirring within him, Shen Qing maintained a composed demeanor, slowly pushing open the wooden door. With a creak, the door opened. What Shen Qing saw inside made his expression turn incomparably grim. The light in the room was dim, only allowing a few strands of weak illumination through the shattered window, revealing the room stained in a deep crimson. Blood had once splattered everywhere, leaving marks that had now dried. A closer look revealed scattered, gnawed human bones, vividly red. A small wolf emerged from the shadows of the room, gnawing on a large leg bone playfully. Upon seeing Shen Qing, it dropped the bone, baring its teeth and growling low. Just then, a gray-furred arm stretched out from the darkness, grabbing the small wolf by the neck and tossing it aside. "Why are you so late today? Where''s the promised fresh meat?" In the dim room, a massive Mother of Wolf Demon sat poised on the ground. Its eyes glowed with a ghostly green light, holding a bloody arm under its claws. As it spoke, it tore flesh from the limb without expression, its sharp gaze fixed on Shen Qing: "If you let my precious little ones starve, I won''t hesitate to devour you alive, regardless of your skin." Shen Qing''s gaze sharpened, the arm the Wolf Demon was gnawing on seemed familiar. Scanning the area revealed a Guardian Martial Department uniform lying on the ground, along with a fallen Dagger. "What is it, I''m speaking to you?" The Mother of Wolf Demon lifted its head, its dining interrupted, it growled at Shen Qing, baring its fangs in displeasure. Shen Qing could see the strips of flesh hanging from them, suppressing his contempt, he spoke impassively: "There won''t be any fresh meat today, perhaps you should consider a change of taste." With that, Shen Qing raised his right hand, extended two fingers. With a subtle motion, a faint True Qi began to form between his fingertips, suddenly shooting out. The Mother of Wolf Demon had no time to react, the condensed flick of a finger exploded upon the demon''s eye. "Ah!" Her eyeball was blasted away by Shen Qing''s True Qi, leaving only empty sockets, silent streams of blood tears trickled from the hollow orbits. "I''ll kill you!" Maintaining a steely expression, Shen Qing swiftly formed a seal, True Qi surging, concentrated into his hands. With a low roar, the unmatchable True Qi imbued hand seal crashed down upon the Mother of Wolf Demon''s ash-gray fur. Radiating light surged from his palm, akin to the blazing sun piercing through clouds and rocks, breaching her defenses to reach her flesh. The Mother of Wolf Demon''s body quivered violently, as if seared by invisible flames, pain and terror intermingling, a hint of undisguised fear flickering in her void, lifeless eyes. Shen Qing calmly withdrew his palm from the Mother of Wolf Demon''s fur, reaching down to pick up the fallen Dagger, slowly drawing the blade from its sheath. His expression twisted into a vicious snarl, seething with rage. Abruptly, gathering all his strength at that moment into his right arm, he delivered a clean, decisive slash at the Mother of Wolf Demon''s neck, without a hint of hesitation. "Demons, all must die!" ``` Chapter 36 The Hope of Life The head of the Mother of Wolf Demon rolled down, landing in front of Shen Qing.Shen Qing skillfully turned his wrist and slit open the Wolf Demon''s belly, extracting yet another Demon Core from within. This core was much smaller than the previous one and of lesser quality, but it was better than nothing. Shen Qing tucked the core into his bosom and slowly walked deeper into the house. He looked around, and his gaze involuntarily froze for a moment. In front, amidst the scattered bones, a bone bed had formed, on which a pack of young wolf cubs gathered, seven or eight of them in total. They either curled up or cautiously surveyed their surroundings. Upon sensing his movement, they started to bare their teeth and emit low growls. And in a corner of the pack of Wolf Demon pups, three people huddled together. Two adults and one child, a family of three. The three were in tattered clothing, their backs pressed tightly against the corner wall. The frail child in the middle bit his cracked lips hard, trying hard to suppress the fear and unease within, his small body trembling silently, snuggling close to his parents'' embrace. Their faces appeared exceptionally pale in the faint light, eyes hollow and apathetic, as if they had experienced all the suffering and despair in the world, losing their expected reaction to everything around them. The air was permeated with an oppressive, suffocating atmosphere. These people were most likely sent here by Zhou Baoyin, only to accidentally encounter the matter with Liu Sangui. The Wolf Demon was attracted by the martial master''s essence Qi, which allowed them to narrowly escape being eaten by the demons. Shen Qing looked at this family and asked his servant behind him in a deep voice, "What''s their story?" The servant behind him spoke fearfully, "They¡­ They are the landlord''s tenants and, unable to pay the rent, were¡­ were sent here by the master." Shen Qing''s already somber face grew even grimmer. He took a few steps forward and stopped. Looking at the blackened family, the image of the old man he had seen in the village involuntarily surfaced in Shen Qing''s mind, a mix of emotions swirling within. Seeing that Shen Qing had not moved for some time, the child cautiously asked, held by two adults, "Officer, are you here to save us?" Her eyes were bright like the stars in the sky, shimmering with lively light in the dim room. Shen Qing bent down, reached out to touch her head, and his brows showed more softness, "Yes, I''ve killed the Wolf Demon, and now you are safe." A trace of joy suddenly appeared on Little Ni''er''s face, and she continuously shook the two adults, exclaiming with delight, "Dad, Mom, we''re okay now, we''re safe, and the officer has come to save us." The eyes of the two in the corner, that had been apathetic and unfocused, suddenly showed some emotion, gradually focusing as they stared at Shen Qing. Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. When they saw Shen Qing in his blood-stained Guardian Martial Department uniform, a hint of suspicion appeared on their faces. "Awwooo!" A small wolf cub bared its ferocity, biting at Shen Qing''s pant leg. Shen Qing glanced down, waved his long knife, and swept it over the cub. A flash of cold light erupted. The cub''s body was split in two. Shen Qing wielded the knife and said, "How long do you plan to stay in here? Don''t you want to leave?" Only then did the family truly realize they had been saved, and a glimmer of hope for life appeared on their faces. They seemed to be filled with energy, slowly supporting themselves against the wall as they stood up. Then, under Shen Qing''s gaze, with reddened eyes, they stooped, bowed repeatedly in thanks, and limped out of the dim room. Shen Qing turned his gaze to the wolf den beside him, his expression growing colder. These wolf pups were clearly newborns, lacking much intelligence and differing little from ordinary wild wolves. But now, having eaten human flesh and tasted human scent, and since they were born of a demon, one of them might very well become a new demon in the future. Shen Qing had no intention of sparing these wolves. He carried his knife and slowly walked to the wolf den, slashing without hesitation. After a while, Shen Qing wiped the blood off his blade, grabbed the Mother of Wolf Demon''s corpse with one hand as he passed by the body, and walked to the door, telling his servant, "Bring all the cubs in the den." Leaving these words, Shen Qing dragged the huge wolf demon corpse and headed toward Changqiao Town. The filthy blood from the demon''s body continued to drip, leaving a long bloodstain on the trail as Shen Qing dragged it along. ¡­ In Changqiao Town, within the Zhou Family Mansion. The death of Zhou Baoyin inevitably aroused the suspicion of many Zhou Family members. Especially Zhou Baoyin''s three sons, they were aware of what their father did behind closed doors, knowing that at least for now, the Wolf Demon wouldn''t harm their father. Plus the bloody wound on his neck. It''s obvious; this was the doing of that Guardian Martial Department officer. "Outrageous, an officer dares to defy the law, he must not be spared," as Zhou Baoyin''s eldest legitimate son, Zhou Dazhi stood up indignantly, declaring loudly. His voice was resounding, reverberating in the disorderly main hall. After Zhou Baoyin''s death, Zhou Dazhi became the nominal head of the family, obliged to bear household responsibilities. Looking at the crying family members, he quickly regained his composure. Zhou Dazhi instructed his family seriously, "Second brother, you must go to the Jun City Zhou Family, and inform the Family Head there of what happened. Even as collateral, we are still Zhou Family." "For an officer from the Guardian Martial Department to do such a thing, it''s clearly putting Zhou Family to shame, the Family Head will not tolerate this. We should inform them, not asking for their direct intervention, but ensuring if we face trouble because of this, they won''t stand by." "All right. Brother, I''ll go now." Zhou Dazhi nodded, "The rest of the family, come with me to confront the officer directly, demand justice, and make him understand that Changqiao Town is not a place where he can act recklessly. Let''s go!" After speaking, Zhou Dazhi led many Zhou Family members to the door. Experience new stories with empire He saw the family''s second son standing stupidly at the door and asked, "What''s wrong, why are you standing at the door?" The Zhou Family''s second son swallowed and said, "Brother, that officer has returned." "Hmm?" Zhou Dazhi looked forward upon hearing the words and saw a figure slowly walking into his view. A man dressed in a blood-stained Guardian Martial Department uniform. In his hand, he dragged a headless Wolf Demon, approaching them step by step, treading steadily. When Zhou Dazhi met the beast-like gaze of the man, he couldn''t help but shiver, his mind going blank as if forgetting the next move. It wasn''t until Shen Qing threw the Wolf Demon''s body before them that he regained consciousness. Chapter 37 Annihilation and a Cup of Tea Zhou Dazhi remained calm and said, "Sir, you have quite the imposing manner."He steadied his mind and presented himself with the dignity befitting the head of a family, stepping forward to question, "Just as well, I want to ask if it was you who killed my father." S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Why would I kill the village chief?" Shen Qing denied firmly, subtly saying, "Without evidence, you shouldn''t make wild accusations. Otherwise, it could lead to trouble." "You still deny it, who else could it be but you?" Zhou Dazhi said harshly. Shen Qing asked, "I''m puzzled, why do you suspect me? Could it not have been demons?" "Impossible. It was definitely you who killed my father!" Zhou Dazhi asserted, "As an officer, you killed a court official, breaking the law knowingly, which is an even greater crime." Shen Qing laughed. The crowd that had gathered to watch the commotion had not yet dispersed and gradually surrounded them, watching curiously and whispering among themselves. Shen Qing glanced around and then asked, "You all are so sure it''s me because you are well aware of the demon collaboration, aren''t you?" Upon hearing this, Zhou Dazhi and his companions'' expressions changed, and they said in a deep voice, "We don''t understand what you''re talking about. You have killed someone and are now trying to smear us." Shen Qing smiled slightly and said, "I think you all have misunderstood something." "What?" Shen Qing stepped over the wolf demon''s corpse, walking while drawing the dagger from his waist. When the long knife was fully unsheathed, he stood right in front of the Zhou Family members. Shen Qing grinned and said, "Your father was a court official, but you are not. I see you collaborating with demons, making you traitors that deserve death!" As the last word fell, Shen Qing radiated a chilling killing intent. Not giving the others a chance to react, Shen Qing suddenly moved. The blade in his hand glinted with a cold light as he infused it with True Qi, driving it towards Zhou Dazhi''s heart with a swift howl. Pfft. The sharp blade silently pierced Zhou Dazhi''s chest. With a blank expression, Shen Qing withdrew his dagger, leaving a bloody hole from which blood gushed like a spring. Now promoted to the Qi Hai Realm, his True Qi was powerful. Zhou Dazhi had no time to defend, and even copper skin and iron bones could not deter him in the slightest. Zhou Dazhi never imagined that Shen Qing would act so decisively, even in broad daylight without any hesitation. He staggered back a few steps, collapsing into the arms of the Zhou Family members, pointing at Shen Qing with a trembling finger, "You¡­ you¡­" Bang! With a flick of his finger, Shen Qing sent a searing burst of True Qi into Zhou Dazhi''s throat, causing his neck to burst like a blooming rose. The hand pointing at him fell helplessly. "Ah, he killed someone! The officer killed someone!" The Zhou Family fell into chaos. Someone shouted loudly, "You murder our family in front of so many people, thinking we have no backing? The Jun City Zhou Family won''t let you get away." "Then let them come," Shen Qing said quickly, "Guess, if I were to wipe you all out, would the Jun City Zhou Family speak for you dead? If you are indeed secretly collaborating with demons and endangering the Great Zhou, would the Jun City Zhou support you then?" Shen Qing held his knife high, standing tall and said, "Rest assured, I have experience in eradicating entire households." The Zhou Family members were in utter shock! Turning towards the crowd, Shen Qing announced, "Everyone, I, Shen Qing of the Guardian Martial Department, am here to investigate the wolf demon case in Changqiao Town. It has been found that the Changqiao Zhou Family secretly fed demons with townsfolk to seek longevity. According to the laws of Great Zhou, such treasonous acts warrant the execution of three generations." Uproar ensued. "What?! The wolf demon was brought in by the Zhou Family and kept in town?!" The Zhou Family turned pale as paper, "Nonsense! You killed as an excuse!" Fearless, Shen Qing declared, "If you don''t believe me, go check the hut on the mountain. Then you''ll know. Otherwise, where do you think the wolf demon came from?" Shen Qing''s voice rose sharply, "Do you Zhou Family members think there''s no law left in this world?" As the Zhou Family attempted to argue, a farmer suddenly shouted from the crowd, "It was them. Old Third Liang''s family returned, and they all said they were taken by the Zhou Family to feed demons!" No one knew better than the Zhou Family if there was demon collaboration. With evidence now laid out, they were speechless. Shen Qing glanced at the trembling Zhou Family members and at the Changqiao Town residents, who were angry but didn''t dare move forward. He knew it needed just a little more. From past experiences, he understood that as long as onlookers'' interests were not harmed, They would side with the winner! With that in mind, Shen Qing lifted his knife and shouted loudly, "I, Shen Qing, am ordered to exterminate demons! Today, the Changqiao Zhou Family''s collaboration with demons means an entire household deserves death! Kill!" Shen Qing''s voice was deep and resonated like a mighty wave, filling the entire world instantly. "Ah!" The screams came one after another. Facing the already-promoted Qi Hai Realm Shen Qing, the townsfolk, even if trained in martial arts, couldn''t compare to him. The scene turned into a one-sided massacre. After Shen Qing killed the Zhou Family''s three young masters and a group of martial masters, the situation became clear. The spectators began to stir, and soon someone took the lead, using righteousness as a banner, swarming into the Zhou Family Mansion like a flood. Watching this scene, Shen Qing felt a sense of d¨¦j¨¤ vu. After everyone rushed into the mansion, Shen Qing followed a step behind, entering unhurriedly. Once inside the Zhou Family compound, it had turned chaotic, the former opulence entirely gone. He consciously searched for Zhou Family members, intending to offer them a proper send-off. Entering one of the rooms, he unexpectedly found a delicate-skinned woman. Upon seeing Shen Qing, she repeatedly knelt, begging for mercy. Seeing her meek appearance, Shen Qing was immediately alert. He suspected she was intentionally revealing herself to protect her child; thus, to be cautious, he searched the room thoroughly. As expected, he found a bewildered boy in the cupboard. Kind-hearted, Shen Qing couldn''t bear such partings, so he facilitated a reunion between the mother and son. After more than half a Shi Chen of commotion, having taken some silver notes and taels and ensuring there were no hidden threats, Shen Qing had the skins of two wolf demons peeled and mounted his horse. Having muddied the waters of Zhou Baoyin''s affairs, in all likelihood, no one would speak for the dead. As far as he knew, their dispatch office often drove families to ruin; he just played a bigger game this time. Taking one last look at the burning mansion, Shen Qing was indifferent. The remaining matters would be left to his colleagues at the Military Department; they knew the rules. Read exclusive chapters at empire "Hyah!" Shen Qing spurred his horse, leaving Changqiao Town behind as he headed back. Not far beyond town, he saw a frail little girl in tattered clothes, cheerfully running toward him, clutching a chipped porcelain bowl with bright eyes, "Officer, have some tea." Shen Qing reined in his horse, "Were you waiting for me?" "Mhm, my parents said you''re our family''s savior, so I came to see you off." The little girl pulled out two warm eggs from her pocket, "These are from my mom for your journey, Officer." Watching her innocent eyes, Shen Qing paused in silence before bursting into laughter. He accepted the bowl and drank, "Great tea!" At that moment, he felt a sense of clarity, a weight lifted from his heart. Returning the bowl to the girl, he tucked the eggs away and rode off. "Thank your parents for me. Hyah!" Seeing two gold beans inexplicably appear in her bowl, the little girl gazed at Shen Qing''s retreating figure, murmuring, "What a good officer!" Chapter 38 Return to Report ```The mountains were vast, draped in the twilight glow at the horizon, like a tapestry, dyeing the sky a shade of orange-red. The setting sun was like blood, slowly sinking among the undulating hills. A majestic horse, like black lightning, sped along the winding path, its hooves clattering sharply, breaking the silence of the mountains. Shen Qing was dressed in a tight-fitting garment, its hem fluttering with the wind. He held the reins tightly with one hand, a hint of rugged heroism on his dust-covered face. At this moment, Shen Qing''s expression changed. He noticed a drop of ink falling from above, gradually spreading into lines of text, popping up with a skillful reminder. [Skill: Riding Skill (Small Success)] [Progress: 301/300 points] [Status: Can be upgraded] [Note: Through continuous practice, your understanding of riding skills has further improved. After mastering the riding skill, your riding speed can increase by up to 100%, and you can master the technique of concealing oneself while stepping.] "Huh? Riding speed increased by 100%, and the technique of concealing oneself while stepping?" "Speed increase means I can travel farther in less time, and the technique of concealing oneself while stepping can confuse the perception of some ordinary people, not bad." Shen Qing murmured to himself. Seeing that the upgrade conditions were met, he lay flat on the horse''s back, with no hesitation, dropping his consciousness onto the water ink panel: "Riding skill, upgrade!" The familiar process appeared once again. Just after Shen Qing had this thought, the information on the water ink panel immediately refreshed. [Skill: Riding Skill (Mastery)] [Progress: 1/400 points] [Status: Cannot be improved] [Note: Your riding skill has now reached the level of mastery. You can control your mount more freely, with an anticipated speed increase of up to 100%, and you have mastered the technique of concealing oneself while stepping.] The riding skill had reached mastery. Shen Qing skillfully gathered his thoughts, holding his breath. As usual, a vast amount of memory flooded into his brain, causing it to become suddenly dizzy. Shen Qing quickly took a deep breath, steadying himself. In the newly gained memory, through day-by-day practice, he had achieved a deeper understanding of the horse''s strength and further refined his mastery of riding skills. When the discomfort in his mind had completely disappeared, Shen Qing slowly sat upright and found that riding had become even more effortless for him. He turned back to look at Changqiao Town, which was now out of sight, and pulled a warm egg from his bulging pocket. Sitting on horseback, he peeled the eggshell leisurely and took a bite. He stuffed the remaining egg white into his mouth, and after eating one more, Shen Qing''s face showed some satisfaction with a faint smile. "Giddy-up!" Shen Qing clamped his legs around the horse''s abdomen, and like a black arrow, Zhuifeng shot forward. After spending two moments, when night had fallen and everything was silent, Shen Qing finally arrived before the towering gates of Yongzhou. At this point, it was past the entry time for Yongzhou, and the city gates were already closed. Several lanterns hung beneath the city gate swayed in the wind, casting mottled shadows. The guards clutching spears noticed the sound of hooves, stopped their conversation, and shouted: "Who goes there?" Shen Qing reined in his horse to slow its pace, approaching the city gate gradually. He took an identity token from his pocket and showed it to the guards: "Guardian Martial Department dispatch office, Shen Qing. I am on a mission to investigate the demon havoc at Changqiao Town, causing a late return. I hope you brothers will kindly open the gate." The guards exchanged glances quickly, and one of them stepped forward swiftly, accepted the token respectfully, checked it carefully, and then gestured the others to let him pass. Find your next read at empire The heavy gate slowly opened with a deep creaking sound. Surely, it was a county town; Yongzhou did not have so many complicated rules upon entry. Shen Qing smiled slightly, nodded to the guards in thanks, then rode through and entered the city smoothly. At this hour, many government offices in the county had already reached closing time. Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. However, since many demons liked to commit mischief late at night, both the Guardian Martial Department and the Military Department had people on duty even in the dead of night. Not wanting to leave anything to chance, Shen Qing went directly to the Guardian Martial Department to report in and change the duty token for the day. County City Guard Martial Arts Department Office. Compared to the daytime busyness and clamor, the Guardian Martial Department appeared much quieter at night. Only faint candlelight leaked from a duty room, indicating that there was still someone on duty in the Guardian Martial Department. The night was ink-black and silent. Shen Qing walked with quick steps, his footsteps echoing rhythmically as he crossed the empty courtyard. Entering the side chambers, the weak airflow he stirred caused the candlelight inside to flicker, shifting the shadows along with it. Inside was a minor official leaning beside the table, engrossed in reading a yellowed magazine. Noticing someone enter, the minor official put down the book and, upon seeing Shen Qing, complained: "Shen Chasi, why are you back so late today? Chief Officer said he was waiting for your report." Shen Qing chuckled lightly and took out his duty token, saying: "When did our Lord Chief Officer become so diligent?" "The Lord Commander, of course." The minor official took the duty token and said, "For some reason, there seem to be more demons around Yongzhou, putting quite some pressure on the Commander, which in turn affects our Chief Officer. But it is already very late now, so reporting in tomorrow won''t be an issue." Shen Qing patted the minor official''s shoulder lightly, smiled, and said: "I''ll handle it myself." Having sorted out the duty token matter, Shen Qing briskly left the side chambers and rode off with three pieces of wolf skin towards the Chief Officer''s quarters. Knowing that his superior was quite suspicious and secretly affiliated with the Huang Tian Sect, he chose to avoid unnecessary trouble unless necessary. He simply needed to fulfill his responsibilities at the dispatch office as expected. If he was told to report, he would report, without giving any excuse for critique. Inside the inner hall of the Chief Officer''s quarters, candles lit the place brightly. Standing at the door and ready to knock, Shen Qing heard playful voices inside, causing him to pause and stand quietly outside. He heard the actions inside grow bolder. For about a stick of incense''s time, with a climax in the voices, everything inside abruptly stopped. Shen Qing frowned, feeling that their Chief Officer seemed a bit weak. Standing outside for a while more, ensuring everything was complete, Shen Qing stepped forward and rapped softly on the elaborately carved wooden door, the crisp sound breaking the still air. "Subordinate Shen Qing, on command to investigate the Wolf Demon at Changqiao Town, here to report to the lord." His voice wasn''t loud, yet it clearly penetrated inside, reaching the ears of those present. A series of subtle and hurried sounds ensued, indicating an onset of panic from the people inside upon receiving the sudden news. After a moment, these rustling sounds gradually faded, and a low and authoritative male voice floated out from within: "Come in." Hearing this, Shen Qing gently pushed open the wooden door. Crossing the threshold, Shen Qing''s gaze swept quickly over the room''s furnishings, finally landing on Zheng Yuanqiu, the Chief Officer in a green robe, whose expression held a hint of dissatisfaction. At that moment, Zheng Yuanqiu was sitting upright at the desk, with flickering candlelight casting his bulky figure into a long shadow on the mottled wall. Shen Qing took a step forward, bowed, and said, "My lord, I have successfully completed the mission, and I have investigated the matter of the Wolf Demon in Changqiao Town." Zheng Yuanqiu looked up and asked, "Tell me about it, what''s the situation?" ``` Chapter 39 Insatiable Greed "Yes."On the way back to report, Shen Qing had already prepared his wording. He pondered for a moment before speaking slowly, recounting the collusion between the Zhou Family in Changqiao Town and the demons. During his narration, he conveniently placed the blame for the deaths of Guan Yunjian and others on the Wolf Demon, ensuring that the dead had no way to testify. Shen Qing speculated in his mind that, as a dark agent of the Huang Tian Sect, Zheng Yuanqiu would likely be pleased if his subordinates were dead; in his eyes, the more chaos in Yongzhou, the better. After all, officers were just ordinary martial artists from Jianghu, and to the Guardian Martial Department, the loss of a few officers was of little consequence. Martial artists from Jianghu were plentiful outside. As he had speculated, Zheng Yuanqiu showed no concern for the officers'' deaths. "Outrageous!" After Shen Qing finished his account, Zheng Yuanqiu slammed the table and stood up: "As a local village chief, to dare collude with demons and bring harm to one side, death is too lenient for him." Seeing Zheng Yuanqiu''s righteous demeanor, if one didn''t know his identity in advance, they''d think he was a truly upright official. But now, Shen Qing only felt that his acting was impressive. He stepped forward and said, "My Lord, the village chief of Changqiao Town is rumored to be a branch of the Zhou Family, I wonder..." Zheng Yuanqiu waved his hand and said, "The Zhou Family''s enterprise is vast, with untold branches. The Changqiao Zhou Family left the main family many years ago. Our Great Zhou has its laws, and their collusion with demons is enough to conclude the case." Shen Qing deliberately showed joy on his face and said, "With your words, my Lord, I am relieved." Zheng Yuanqiu snorted coldly, "Don''t be happy too early." Hearing this, a trace of unnoticeable vigilance flashed in Shen Qing''s eyebrows, quietly waiting for the next words. "I said, according to reason... There are too many trivial matters in the government office, sometimes even the temperature of a bowl of tea can affect the progress of paperwork, let alone matters involving influential families like the Thirteen Lines." Chief Officer Zheng Yuanqiu gently stroked the intricately carved Jade Pendant at his waist, his gaze meaningfully drifting over Shen Qing, "This matter can be big or small, depending entirely on whether the Zhou Family wants to escalate it or not. If the Zhou Family truly wants to pursue it, your life or death is uncertain." Shen Qing vaguely guessed some of Zheng Yuanqiu''s intentions and said with a solemn expression, "Then what does my lord think I should do?" Zheng Yuanqiu was not very satisfied with Shen Qing''s response, having spoken to this extent, and yet he still didn''t understand. "We have to prevent potential problems, and make arrangements with the Zhou Family in advance to establish good relations." He tapped the table, speaking with worldly wisdom and shrewdness, "Don''t you know the rules of our government office?" His gaze intentionally or unintentionally glanced over the money pouch at Shen Qing''s waist, the meaning in his eyes could not be more obvious. Shen Qing understood well, this was about money! He had already heard from other colleagues that Zheng Yuanqiu was particularly fond of amassing wealth, as mentioned in the secret manual of the Huang Tian Sect''s dark agents. Today, he witnessed it directly, asking for it without any disguise. S§×ar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Shen Qing carefully said, "Chief Officer, you speak reason." With that, he pulled out a stack of silver notes from his pocket and offered them with both hands, "To you, my Lord, this is what I collected from the Zhou Family, I hope you accept it with a smile." Zheng Yuanqiu''s five fingers moved in a pseudo-grasping motion. Shen Qing felt a suction force, and the silver notes in his hands rustled as they were taken by Zheng Yuanqiu. "I recall you said you had also slain three Wolf Demons, right?" Zheng Yuanqiu asked with a hint of anger in his tone. Shen Qing nodded, "To the Chief Officer, there were indeed three Wolf Demons. I skinned them, and their pelts are outside the door." "What about the Demon Cores? You''re not thinking of keeping them, are you?" Zheng Yuanqiu''s voice was not loud, but each word carried an undeniable authority. As soon as he finished speaking, a vast aura erupted from Zheng Yuanqiu''s body as if it took on physical form, silently filling the entire space. More accurately, it fell directly onto Shen Qing. Instantly, Shen Qing''s face changed drastically. He felt an indescribable pressure descend from above, as if thousands of mountains were pressing down on his shoulders, causing his spine to groan under the weight, gradually bending him down. Shen Qing''s feet sank deeply into the stone floor, the surrounding slabs unable to bear the force and producing distinct cracking sounds. He gritted his teeth, clenching his fists tightly, his nails embedding into his palms, as his True Qi began to circulate involuntarily to resist this force. The candle flame on the long table flickered violently, as if it might extinguish at any moment, and a tense atmosphere of bowstring tension permeated the room. Shen Qing knew Zheng Yuanqiu''s strength was formidable, having already reached the Dan Realm, with True Qi forming his body, and condensed True Elixir vastly beyond what he could handle at the moment. He did not expect this man to turn hostile so quickly. Shen Qing took a deep breath, looking solemnly at Zheng Yuanqiu. After some consideration, he trembled as he took out two Demon Cores, holding them in his palms, "To the Chief Officer, here are the Demon Cores." As he said this, Shen Qing slowly opened his palm, where a faint glow gradually coalesced, it was indeed the Demon Cores from the two Wolf Demons he had slain. Seeing this, Zheng Yuanqiu''s eyes finally showed satisfaction. He nodded slightly, and the aura covering Shen Qing vanished, as if it had never existed. "Shen Chasi is indeed sensible." Zheng Yuanqiu''s voice returned to its previous calm, "You are just an ordinary common folk, unlike those noble sons and daughters, with no one to rely on but me. In the future, learn to have a sense of self-awareness, understand the rules, don''t make it so blatant between us. It''s difficult for you, difficult for me." "Yes, my Lord, your subordinate remembers." Shen Qing slowly offered the Demon Cores with both hands, and Zheng Yuanqiu waved his sleeves, capturing them both. "Rest assured, I won''t take from you without reciprocating. In the future, when you face those high-ranking families, you don''t need to be timid, I''ll back you up." And if you can''t, you''ll just let me die, right? Shen Qing couldn''t help but mentally retort, having no interest in the empty promises Zheng Yuanqiu offered. But thoughts were just thoughts, he maintained the intuitive responses of a subordinate, showing "gratefulness" on his face, "Thank you, my Lord." "It''s getting late, is there anything else?" "No more." Zheng Yuanqiu said, "Then leave. As for your subordinate officers, I will make it up to you another day. Manage by yourself for the time being." "Yes, thank you, my Lord, this subordinate takes his leave." "Leave the Wolf Demon pelts outside." Find adventures at empire Shen Qing cupped his hands in response and exited the room with large strides. "Truly ungrateful." Watching Shen Qing''s departure, Zheng Yuanqiu snorted coldly, "Fortunately, he is without background and easy to manipulate. Otherwise, if it were those noble sons, I''d really have to spend some effort." ... In the night, Shen Qing''s expression gradually turned cold, silent. "This Zheng Yuanqiu is truly insatiable, for others who are high-ranking disciples it''s manageable with family support, but I am alone, with no one to rely on but myself. With such demands, I''m afraid I won''t have peace under his command." "Next, it''s still necessary to vigorously advance in Martial Arts progress, having cultivation as a backing is more reliable." Chapter 40 High Officials Embezzle Big, Low Officials Embezzle Small Three days later, at the Guardian Martial Department Office.At this moment, it was midday. Many of the officers and inspectors patrolling outside had already returned to the courtyard of the Guardian Martial Department to rest. When Shen Qing walked in from outside, other group inspectors who were chatting inside looked at him several times. Experience more content on empire Recently, the news of all his subordinates being completely wiped out had spread within the Guardian Martial Department Office, and unsurprisingly, it had become a topic of conversation during tea breaks and meals among the people there. The already weak Sixth Group was now left with a sole commander. Shen Qing had even earned the nickname "Lone Rider." However, these colleagues from the Guardian Martial Department only discussed it privately, using the matter for idle jokes. They weren''t deliberately mocking Shen Qing to his face, like what was written in novels. After all, alongside the nickname "Lone Rider" came the story of him slaying the Wolf Demon and annihilating the entire Changqiao Zhou Family. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. People knew he was ruthless. So when they met Shen Qing, they mostly and intentionally kept a certain distance from him, unwilling to get too close, fearing future trouble. Shen Qing gradually showed signs of being isolated by the other officers in the Guardian Martial Department. "Inspector Shen, have some time for a cup of tea?" Shen Qing had not taken many steps into the courtyard of the Guardian Martial Department Office when he suddenly heard a familiar voice. Looking in the direction of the voice, he saw Dong Jing sitting in a small room, raising a cup in invitation. Without much thought, Shen Qing turned around, walked over, and sat in front of Dong Jing. The officers of the First Group were somewhat dissatisfied to see their leader being so polite to Shen Qing. In their view, the First Group was the most powerful, Dong Jing''s cultivation was the highest, so how could a poor outsider like Shen Qing deserve to sit on equal footing with their leader? However, Dong Jing held great authority among them, so if the leader acted this way, none of them dared to say anything. When Dong Jing gestured, the officers wisely dispersed. Shen Qing didn''t care much, he unceremoniously picked up a bowl and poured himself a bowl of tea, drinking it in large gulps. Amber-colored tea even dribbled from his lips. He finished the large bowl of cool tea in one go. "Now I patrol many markets alone, a bit parched from thirst, making a fool of myself in front of Inspector Dong," Shen Qing put the emptied bowl on the table and said with a smile. Dong Jing didn''t mind, refilling his bowl, and said, "Brought some rough tea from home. Inspector Shen, drink to your heart''s content, I have plenty here." "So that''s why the tea here tastes different from the one in my room, it''s Dong Inspector''s private stash," Shen Qing picked up the tea bowl again, drinking a bit slower this time. Dong Jing smiled and said, "I wonder, when you returned from Changqiao Town, how much did the Chief Officer extort from you?" Shen Qing asked in surprise, "You all know?" "Fatty Zheng''s greedy and lecherous nature is well-known in our office. Except for Inspector Yang from the Fifth Group, whom he favors, who here hasn''t been extorted by him?" Dong Jing had a somewhat dissatisfied tone and complained, "The batch of inspectors who died in Taiping County before us suffered the same. It was only because of our family backgrounds that his demands weren''t as ugly." Shen Qing feigned modesty, "So it wasn''t just me." He paused, calculating as he spoke, "If I calculate carefully, the Chief Officer took seven hundred taels of silver notes, two Demon Cores, and three pieces of Wolf Skin from me, which is almost all my gains from Changqiao Town." "Hiss¡­" Even Dong Jing couldn''t help but feel the pain for Shen Qing. A Demon Core''s open price was at least close to a thousand taels, more expensive than those treasures from Baoyu Mountain. And while treasures from Baoyu Mountain were common, Demon Cores were not. Rarity increases value. According to the current market in Yongzhou, it would only be higher than this price, not lower. Calculating this way, Shen Qing was extorted of nearly three thousand taels by Zheng Yuanqiu in one go. Such an amount, even from his high-ranking perspective, was considered a huge sum. "It seems our Chief Officer bullied you for having no background, extorting a hefty amount. According to the rules, we only turn over half," Dong Jing concluded, "Your days will probably be tough from now on." Shen Qing let out a long sigh, and after a while, said helplessly, "Such is the world, I can only take it one step at a time." Yesterday, he had inadvertently learned that Zheng Yuanqiu had secretly sent people along with the Military Department to wrap up the Wolf Demon incident in Changqiao Town, sorting out the mess there. Upon knowing he hadn''t kept anything private, he truly managed to cover up the Zhou Family''s matter. That came as a bit of a surprise to him. This undercover agent of the Huang Tian Sect, who managed to sit in the position of General of the Army, wasn''t solely relying on luck, he had some skills. In Yongzhou, with hidden talents, he wasn''t strong enough to act rashly. Seeing Shen Qing''s deep sigh, Dong Jing didn''t say much more. The bureaucratic landscape of Great Zhou was like this; everyone wanted to climb up. Whoever ascended and acquired the martial mechanisms of Great Zhou never worried about any spiritual elixirs or Yuan Pearl Techniques. Beyond wealth and power, they could advance in Martial Arts Cultivation and even extend their rare lifespan. Even the small Dragon Court in the Capital City was nearly crowded with aristocratic families. They were all like that, not to mention the lower-level officials. Big officials took a lot, and small officials took a little. There was no help for it. Dong Jing recalled something and said, "Inspector Shen, I remember the Shen Ji in Xinyi Square is your tavern, correct?" "It''s my establishment, why?" "Coincidentally. I''ve heard your dishes are quite distinctive. Tonight, there''s a gathering there, my friends and two colleagues from the office plan to have a table," Dong Jing took the initiative to invite, "I wonder if Inspector Shen might be free to join us for a drink this evening." Faced with Dong Jing''s invitation, Shen Qing fell into contemplative consideration. He wasn''t particularly interested in such social engagements. In his view, it was more worthwhile to spend time advancing his cultivation rather than engaging in these ineffective social interactions. But after thinking about it, he decided to accept. Dong Jing was from the Dong Family of the Thirteen Lines, and his friends must be either wealthy or noble. Such private gatherings in Yongzhou weren''t opportunities everyone could participate in. With some luck, he might hear some information or insights that were hard to come by elsewhere. "Alright. My defense duties are quite heavy right now, I might be late when it''s over." "No problem, we also start late, after evening duty, I''ll invite you then." Shen Qing drank the remaining cool tea in one gulp, cupped his fists towards Dong Jing and said, "Thank you, Inspector Dong, for your hospitality. We''ll talk later." "Busy yourself, Inspector Shen." "By the way, the matter at Baihua Building the other day has been taken care of. No one will trace it back," Dong Jing mentioned. Shen Qing''s expression turned stern, he made a heavy gesture with his hands and then turned to leave. Chapter 41 Circle of Wealthy Young Masters from Thirteen Lines ```As dusk approached, Shen Qing completed his patrol of his designated area and returned to the government office. After handing over the duty token, he followed Dong Jing towards Xinyi Square. Dong Jing and Shen Qing rode side by side on their horses. "Brother Shen," Dong Jing asked, "do you know what we need to do to advance as officers?" "I''m not sure," Shen Qing replied with a shake of his head. In Yongzhou, he had no connections or foundation, so no one offered him guidance. He relied solely on his intuition. Having joined the Guardian Martial Department for nearly three to four months, he still felt restricted despite accomplishing so much, unable to make any significant progress. Currently, the Guardian Martial Department ran parallel with the Military Department. The General of Military Department and the Commander of the Military Guard each led numerous officers, with several officers managing several patrol officers. Reportedly, the two departments started with over a thousand staff members, but due to personnel attrition, they had never reached full capacity since. In other words, there was still ample room for promotion. Dong Jing''s question was indeed the one Shen Qing wanted to understand. "To be honest, our Guardian Martial Department isn''t overly complicated. The most crucial factor is personal cultivation, not the amount of merit one achieves." Surprised, Shen Qing asked, "Cultivation?" Dong Jing explained, "Exactly. This principle applies not only to our Guardian Martial Department but throughout the Great Zhou Court. You see, even if you achieve significant merit and rise to nobility, acquiring many Wish Power Pearls and spiritual elixirs, what happens if you''re inept in martial arts?" "What if you receive so many resources for training, yet you can''t even surpass the Qi Cultivation Realm? Wouldn''t that be laughable? Moreover, if you choose not to cultivate but still receive such resources, what then?" Recalling the business of Wu Sheng, Shen Qing frowned and said, "Either sell them off or leave them for descendants?" "Exactly so. Whether sold or left for descendants, it destabilizes the nation''s foundation and hinders the Ji Family''s legacy. Thus, promotions are based on martial arts cultivation." "The level of martial arts cultivation is the most direct indicator. Either you have it, or you don''t. It''s evident at a glance." "So if we want to advance, martial arts come first, merits second. Simply working hard won''t suffice," Dong Jing hinted meaningfully, "You''ve just started, don''t be too hasty, as rigidity often leads to failure." Shen Qing furrowed his brows slightly, seeming to understand. He realized that Dong Jing was intentionally offering advice before the gathering. "Thank you for the advice," Shen Qing said, cupping his fists in gratitude. "We''ve arrived," Dong Jing remarked, glancing ahead at the bustling Shen''s Restaurant. "Your business is booming. I had to reserve the spot three days in advance at a higher price." "If you plan to visit next time, just give me a heads-up. I have the authority here, unlike in other places," Shen Qing assured. When they reached the entrance, a waiter recognized Shen Qing and greeted him respectfully, "Sir, you''ve arrived." Shen Qing tossed the reins to the waiter and entered through the restaurant''s main door with Dong Jing. They bypassed the main hall and went directly to a private room on the second floor. Inside, several figures were seated, chatting quietly. These individuals carried themselves with elegance, clearly exuding the aura of nobility from prestigious families. Even without interaction, one could sense their prestigious family backgrounds. Shen Qing followed Dong Jing to these individuals. Dong Jing introduced Shen Qing to everyone. In the room, there were three men and two women who arrived early. Among them, four people were astonished to learn that Shen Qing was the restaurant''s owner and an officer in the Guardian Martial Department. A woman wearing a hairpin said, "If I''m not mistaken, there are no prominent families named Shen in Yongzhou, right?" A man next to her nodded, saying, "Maybe there were in the distant past, but not now." Upon hearing this, Shen Qing noticed their interest in him waned significantly, becoming indifferent. Find more to read at empire In the Great Zhou Dynasty, family lineage was ingrained in people''s minds. Though Shen Qing had obtained martial arts register status and was an official, he still fell short in the eyes of these aristocratic families. Just like a nouveau riche without refinement being looked down upon by other businessmen. Shen Qing maintained a calm demeanor, seemingly anticipating this. After some casual chatting, three more individuals gradually entered the room. One of them was familiar, a fellow officer named Xi Shaoqin from the fourth group. Upon seeing him, Xi Shaoqin hesitated briefly before nodding and smiling at him. Dong Jing suggested, "Now that everyone is here, let''s sit down and order some dishes. I''ve heard that Brother Shen''s restaurant offers exclusive dishes not available elsewhere. Today, since we''ve gathered, let''s all enjoy it." "Ha ha, we came here specifically for the food. Let''s find our seats," said another. These people were familiar with each other, taking their seats according to precedence. Shen Qing found himself silently assigned to the last seat, while Xi Shaoqin from the fourth group sat similarly at the back, beside Shen Qing. The man at the head table looked at Shen Qing and said, "Since it''s Lord Shen''s restaurant, why not let Lord Shen order for us, and we''ll see what''s special?" Shen Qing smiled, "I''m not particularly knowledgeable about the cuisine. My family just uses my name. How about we serve all the signature dishes for everyone to enjoy? I find them quite nice." "Let''s follow your suggestion, then. Serve each signature dish," the others agreed. Shen Qing summoned a servant to give instructions on the dishes. Before the dishes arrived, the table had some idle time, leading people to chat in small groups. With this being Shen Qing''s first time attending, he was left unattended at the last seat. Noticing this, Xi Shaoqin, after conversing with others, turned to Shen Qing and asked, "Is this your first time attending such a gathering, Brother Shen?" Shen Qing hadn''t expected Xi Shaoqin to initiate a conversation with him. In the government office, they were merely nodding acquaintances, barely exchanging more than three words. Unsure of Xi Shaoqin''s intentions, he replied cautiously, "I haven''t attended any before." "That explains it," Xi Shaoqin said, glancing inconspicuously at the man at the head table. "Do you know who he is?" "I don''t." sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "That''s the direct young master of the Sun Family, ranking second among the Thirteen Lines. Only twenty years old, he''s already at the Yu Luo Realm. People think he might become the future Innate of the Sun Family." A twenty-year-old Yu Luo Realm martial master? Shen Qing studied the young Sun Family master again, noting his sharp brows and charismatic demeanor. He wore a deep blue cloud brocade robe, with a jade belt inlaid with gemstones, his hair tied high with a jade hairpin, exuding nobility. Indeed, he was impressive. "There are also the Wu Family, Zhao Family, Qian Family, and Dong Family... each is either a young master or young lady, all from noble backgrounds, with cultivation mostly at the brink of the Yu Luo Realm, and at the very least, at the Great Perfection of the Qi Hai Realm." Shen Qing realized that in this entire gathering, he seemed to have the lowest cultivation and the least prestigious background. Xi Shaoqin observed Shen Qing''s expression closely, seemingly satisfied. This young officer, having come this far from a small place and defeated numerous demons, was indeed remarkable; but compared to them, he still didn''t measure up. Xi Shaoqin didn''t want Shen Qing to disrupt the atmosphere of the government office or cause trouble, hoping to temper his ambition. Before long, the dishes were all served, with the attendees frequently toasting each other. "Oh, these dishes are truly amazing. I''ve never tasted such unique flavors before. Lord Shen really has something special here," someone remarked. "I''m glad you all enjoy it," Shen Qing said with a polite smile. After a few drinks, the atmosphere gradually became lively. Around the table, familiar faces engaged in enthusiastic conversations in small groups. Shen Qing, as if forgotten, found himself increasingly neglected. He felt that this gathering was growing increasingly tedious, wasting his time. Had he spent this time cultivating, he might have advanced his progress some more. Inwardly frustrated, Shen Qing refrained from disrupting the upbeat mood and ultimately chose to leave the gathering quietly. Engaged in conversation, Xi Shaoqin noticed his departure and continued chatting with others without concern. ``` Chapter 42 Refining the Blood Dominance Cultivation Technique Suddenly, after Shen Qing left the gathering, Dong Jing and Young Master Sun realized and looked towards the end of the table.That end was empty; Shen Qing was long gone. Dong Jing approached Xi Shaoqin and quietly asked, "Where''s Shen Chasi?" "Oh, he left a while ago," Xi Shaoqin said nonchalantly. Dong Jing''s drunken face cleared up somewhat, "I invited him today; at our gathering, I should have involved him more. Ignoring him like this makes me seem a bit rude." Xi Shaoqin raised his eyebrows slightly. He was from the Xi Family of Yongzhou. Though not from the direct line, he was still from a high-ranking family and had attended many such gatherings. In his eyes, gatherings like theirs weren''t meant for someone as plain as Shen Qing. He already had some reservations about Dong Jing inviting Shen Qing, and the importance given was even more displeasing. "You think highly of him and have a good relationship with him in private?" said a young woman, sensing the tension. The woman speaking was in her blossoming youth, with shoulders like carved statues and a waist as slender as a thread. Her legs were straight as chopsticks, revealing an elegant curve shaped by years of training. "No, not really," Dong Jing shook his head, "I saw he''s without parents, an outsider who managed to settle in the county town and even squeezed into the government office. Quite some skill, and I wanted to make his acquaintance." "What''s so good about befriending someone like that? Even as a Chasi, with that meager official salary, he can''t compete with us in cultivation resources. The gap in cultivation will only widen; he''s destined not to be one of us." "Exactly. Why bother reaching out to someone like that? Once you''ve improved your cultivation and achieved success, he''ll naturally try to curry favor with you; you don''t need to be so courteous." Xi Shaoqin had long admired the ladies of the Wu Family and the Qian Family. These two had decent martial skills and looks. Strengthening ties could potentially lead to further developments, greatly aiding his future ascent. Hearing one of them speak, he agreed, earning the approval of many. Young Master Sun, sitting at the head, said, "Xi Chasi speaks wisely. I once knew someone with decent talent but low standing. Initially, he was quite aloof towards me, even dismissively of my status. Later, when he saw I kept breaking through in cultivation, surpassing him, his attitude changed, wanting to get close to me." "That was when I understood; people from such backgrounds respect power over virtue, have small manners, and lack greater principles. You must train them as you would train a dog, never letting them overstep." "That''s precisely true," everyone nodded, "After all, our interests and habits from a young age differ greatly from theirs. Forcing a friendship can easily lead to envy if our cultivation surpasses theirs or disdain if it''s less, making them difficult to please." "Yes, indeed," another woman said, "I have a relative like you who enjoys associating with those from lower backgrounds. Initially, they got along well, but later, neglecting cultivation, his level fell behind the person he befriended. Once, on an outing, he got humiliated and couldn''t endure the hostility, leading to a quarrel and, ultimately, his death. It''s truly lamentable." "..." Hearing his friends share real-life examples around him brought Dong Jing back to sobriety. During his time with the Guardian Martial Department, he had seen many people and events, knowing that what they said wasn''t entirely false. Many from humble beginnings have perspectives completely different, often getting excited over minor issues and disagreeing with them in views. However, observing over time, Dong Jing found Shen Qing somewhat different from those he had encountered. If his guess was correct, Shen Qing had somehow silently broken through to the Qi Sea Realm, keeping pace in cultivation. Find exclusive stories on empire To sever such ties so abruptly seemed a bit too wasteful. Young Master Sun, seeing Dong Jing''s hesitation, smiled and said, "If Dong Cha doesn''t want to break it off like this, just reduce the interactions; occasionally offer some benefits to maintain it. Over time, as your cultivation rises, he''ll naturally seek you out. No need to trouble oneself." Dong Jing glanced at everyone, then outside the private room. On one side were longtime friends, on the other, a low-born "Lone Rider." There was almost no comparison between the two. Dong Jing made up his mind instantly, pouring himself a full glass, and laughed loudly, "Forget about this ''Lone Rider,'' let''s drink." "Come on, cheers." Sear?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. When curfew time approached, the gathering finally wound down. "Waiter, come over and settle the bill," Dong Jing shouted with a wave. Before long, a servant came running with a large smile, "Gentlemen, this is on behalf of our Boss, in honor of Dong Cha." "On behalf?" Dong Jing was slightly taken aback. ... "Qingzi, are you back?" As the small courtyard''s door opened, Shen Qing stepped in from outside. Turning to close the door again, he casually asked, "Sister, weren''t you at the restaurant today to help?" "Uncle and Aunt are at the restaurant; they don''t need me. Without someone at home, no one would take care of you when you return, so they let me come back." His elder sister, Shen Fang, sat on a chair, embroidering by the light of a lantern. As she stitched, she spoke, "Have you eaten? If not, I''ll heat some food for you." "I ate at the restaurant. You should rest," Shen Qing leaned over to see Shen Fang embroidering a pair of mandarin ducks, surprisingly well-crafted, "Sister, when did you learn this embroidery skill?" Shen Fang''s face turned red, "Hey, don''t concern yourself with that." By the candlelight, Shen Qing noticed even the roots of Shen Fang''s ears were red, so he stopped teasing. After doing some mental math, his sister was already twenty, considered old enough for those thoughts in this place. Shen Qing didn''t ask further questions and turned to his own room. Tonight''s gathering hadn''t been particularly enjoyable, but it wasn''t entirely fruitless. "Improving cultivation is still the right path." With a thought, Shen Qing saw a drop of ink fall from above, forming lines of text. [Skill: Blood Dominance Technique (Mastery)] [Progress: 403/900 points] [Status: Cannot be enhanced] This cultivation technique, Blood Dominance Technique, was derived from breaking through nine types of stance training, primarily to strengthen Qi-Blood and restore strength. Before reaching the Qi Sea Realm, it''s worth noting this technique was excellent, offsetting the side effects of using the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill. However, after breaking through to the Qi Sea Realm, it seemed somewhat inadequate, unable to restore True Qi, making it somewhat redundant. Perhaps finding a similar technique benefiting True Qi would be better, refining away the progress points of Blood Dominance Technique. Shen Qing began pondering, assessing the options. Chapter 43 Six Paths Whale Swallowing Technique, True Qi Surges! Shen Qing quickly made a decision without much hesitation.In his view, a useless cultivation technique was as good as no technique at all. Letting those points go to waste was a travesty. It was better to refine those points and put them into something useful. The Blood Dominance Technique originated from the Nine Skills, which even in the Martial Arts of the Martial World was considered second-rate. Achieving such a level was already beyond his expectations; it was time for a change. "Exhale..." Shen Qing took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and used the [Never Forget] ability to recall all the martial arts he had learned at the Martial Arts Hall that day. Then, using the [studying and inquiring, integrating and understanding] ability, he quickly made a choice and selected three martial arts related to the Nine Skills. These three martial arts could greatly enhance True Qi, and some foundational aspects employed the stance training from the Nine Skills, making them somewhat related and suitable for refining the Blood Dominance Technique. Shen Qing assessed the three martial arts and finally chose one named the [Six Paths Whale Swallowing Technique]. This martial art emphasized "swallowing True Qi like a whale, rapid refinement, restoration like a tide, and continuous vitality." Cultivating this technique allowed one to absorb nature''s spiritual energy from the surrounding environment like a whale swallowing the seas, with a refining speed several to dozens of times faster than normal. It could greatly shorten recovery time, allowing the cultivator to quickly replenish True Qi during battle. Moreover, thanks to its unique cultivation path, when cultivated to the extreme, combined with its powerful speed of refining nature''s spiritual energy, it allowed for self-repair from both external and internal injuries with astonishing speed. In life-and-death struggles, this was akin to having a second life. It was truly mystical. The greatest drawback, however, was its difficulty in practice. It''s important to know that the martial arts of the Zhou Country Court were wisdom crystallized by countless martial masters, simplified for easy entry. If a martial art labeled by the court as difficult to practice, it meant it was genuinely difficult, extremely so. Nevertheless, since even the challenging Sky Flipping Seal could be learned, Shen Qing believed this martial art could be learned as well. Difficulty was not an issue, especially with the Panel''s aid. All that was needed was to add points. Shen Qing memorized all the key points of the Six Paths Whale Swallowing Technique and then opened his eyes to begin entry-level cultivation. He took a deep breath, exhaled slowly twice, then once briefly. A lush breath spun a white thread in mid-air. Time ticked by, nearing midnight. Shen Qing sat cross-legged on the bed, gradually surrounded by a faint glow, an indicator of beginning mastery of the Six Paths Whale Swallowing Technique. Shen Qing closed his eyes, focusing, silently reciting the obscure mantra, attempting to guide the surrounding nature''s spiritual energy into his body, slowly refining it according to the technique''s path. However, this first step was extraordinarily difficult. Shen Qing felt an invisible barrier within his flesh and blood, hindering the unique path of circulation. As time passed, sweat appeared on Shen Qing''s forehead, his face growing paler. He could feel that the True Qi, which should have been docile, was now as hard as stone, ignoring him. Each attempt to guide it felt like trying to pry a boulder with a fine needle, not only futile but leaving him increasingly exhausted. He did not know how long it took, but leveraging the massive amount of True Qi he had refined, he finally pried away the barrier slightly, barely completing one week-long circuit before dawn broke. Just from this one rotation, Shen Qing felt as if he''d run a marathon, utterly exhausted, truly a difficult technique. S~ea??h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. [Skill: Six Paths Whale Swallowing Technique (Entry Level)] [Progress: 1/500 points] [Status: Cannot be improved] [Note: Difficult for non-experts, easy for those who know. This is a particularly difficult martial art to learn, but persistent practice guarantees results.] "Entry Level?" Just as Shen Qing breathed a sigh of relief, a Red Ink alert appeared on the Water Ink Panel: [Similar martial art "Blood Dominance Technique" detected, would you like to refine and extract its points to fill the new martial art?] "Yes!" [Blood Dominance Technique successfully refined, a total of 4003 points extracted.] [Would you like to fill them into the Six Paths Whale Swallowing Technique?] Without hesitation, Shen Qing chose to [Fill]. Boom! At the moment Shen Qing made his decision, a strange wave surged from the depths of his dantian. Accompanied by a low rumble, it was as if a massive machine awoke from slumber, slowly operating. In his vision, the Six Paths Whale Swallowing Technique''s points kept rising, and the status shifted from Entry Level to Skillfully, then from Skillfully to Small Success. [Skill: Six Paths Whale Swallowing Technique (Small Success)] [Progress: 1003/2000 points] [Status: Cannot break through] [Note: After days and nights of intensive training, you''ve finally reached the level of Small Success with this technique. In the process of cultivation, you''ve grasped the concept of ''pocket,'' doubling the capacity of your True Qi while maintaining your body''s size.] Continue your adventure at empire "Pocket?" Shen Qing didn''t ponder too much, quickly gathering his thoughts. Soon, a flood of memories from cultivation rushed in. This time, the volume of memories far exceeded the past, making it feel as if he had been cultivating this technique for thirty to fifty years, leaving Shen Qing''s mind groggy. As memories surged, droplets of blue imprints resembling water appeared around Shen Qing''s dantian, shining brightly, while his internal meridians underwent change. A surge of cold, pure True Qi gushed forth like a tide, rushing along the original circuit path. Crack! Suddenly, the invisible barrier in his flesh and blood was broken through, and the circulation of True Qi became unobstructed, galloping like an unleashed horse. Ignoring the haze in his mind, Shen Qing clenched his teeth, focusing all his thoughts, quickly grasping the rhythm and pattern of that surge of True Qi. Following this pattern, he gently guided the surging True Qi to circulate within his body. When it was By Dawn, Shen Qing subtly mastered this surge of True Qi. At that moment, he seemed to hear the rush of vigorous True Qi within him, feeling unprecedented power coursing through his body. The dawning light shone through the window onto Shen Qing''s face, making his face appear brilliant and translucent. After a night of arduous cultivation, he''d successfully mastered this martial art. He smiled slightly, suddenly activating the Six Paths Whale Swallowing Technique, instantly draining the surrounding spiritual energy in just a few breaths, causing his True Qi to surge. At this point, Shen Qing noticed the "pocket" around his dantian beginning to gleam, turning even more extraordinary, as subtle changes started occurring in his body... Chapter 44 Change in Stature, Xi Shaoqin is Dead ```After finishing cultivating the Six Paths Whale Swallowing Technique, Shen Qing''s muscles, which swelled like mountain ranges, seemed to come alive. Under the agitation of True Qi, they began to wriggle. In the wriggling, his physique underwent subtle changes. This transformation was not like the simple swelling and piling up from cultivating the Blood Dominance Technique or the Wind Defying Finger. Instead, it involved refinement and reshaping. Shen Qing''s swollen muscles began to compress inward, becoming like cast bronze with smooth lines and restrained strength. After about ten breaths, this change finally stopped. Shen Qing looked down to find that the clothes he wore had become loose and baggy, much larger than before. He knew it wasn''t that the clothes had grown, but that his physique had shrunk somewhat, no longer as burly and robust as before. Shen Qing sat up from the bed and raised his arm to clench his fist. He found that the explosive strength hidden in his flesh and blood had not weakened in the slightest. Instead, it had been unprecedentedly enhanced through this metamorphosis. In general, martial masters were not necessarily better the more burly they were, nor the larger their muscles. sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Larger muscles meant more energy was needed to maintain them daily, resulting in greater consumption and making cultivation progress difficult. Therefore, most martial artists wouldn''t train dead muscles, only pursuing muscle size. Some martial masters who advanced their training would intentionally reduce their physique to restrain True Qi and energy. Shen Qing did not expect that after achieving Small Success, the Six Paths Whale Swallowing Technique would directly bring his physique to such a state. It was an unexpected delight. A slight smile appeared on his face. At this time, the eastern sky brightened, and the courtyard showed signs of activity. Shen Qing, who hadn''t slept all night, didn''t feel any fatigue at all. He only felt unprecedentedly well, energetic, and as if he had endless strength. He directly pushed the door open and stepped into the courtyard as usual, guiding Tian Xiaohu and others in Martial Arts. During this time, after he provided them with Imperial Martial Arts, the trio''s cultivation also advanced rapidly. Xiao Zhi had already started Skin Forging, Tian Xiaohu had reached Bone Refining, and even Shen Shan, who learned Martial Arts last, had reached the Great Perfection of Qi and Blood, ready to Strengthen Tendons and Bones at any time. In the tranquil courtyard bathed in the first light of dawn, the trio had risen early and faced the morning glow, diligently practicing. Upon seeing Shen Qing, the trio began, as usual, to take turns asking him about their cultivation puzzles. "Boss, the Mixed Element True Technique I cultivate emphasizes the unity of inner and outer, with True Qi flowing freely. However, after Bone Refining and during recent cultivation, I always feel that my True Qi is stagnant. I don''t know the reason." Shen Qing, standing like a piece of warm jade in the morning glow, smiled slightly and said, "Xiao Hu, the Mixed Element True Technique is profound and extensive. True Qi stagnation might be due to a restless mind. You could try meditating quietly before cultivation to calm your mind. Like a lake without ripples, True Qi then can flow smoothly." Tian Xiaohu suddenly understood. "Do you have anything else to ask?" "No," the trio replied, shaking their heads. Shen Qing instructed Tian Xiaohu, "Xiao Hu, recently, I''ve been patrolling several markets alone, and it''s a bit overwhelming. Go into the city and see if you can find reliable candidates to patrol the markets under my jurisdiction. Notify me immediately of any signs of trouble." These days, he noticed that Zheng Yuanqiu hadn''t shown any intention to restructure his subordinates, so during this gap period, he had to find solutions himself. Tian Xiaohu''s expression became serious, "I understand. I''ll handle it today." Shen Qing admonished, "Money isn''t an issue. The person must be reliable and can''t mess things up." Tian Xiaohu nodded emphatically. ... In the following days, Shen Qing returned to his usual life of patrolling and cultivating, living simply and steadily. However, beneath the calm surface, Shen Qing keenly noticed that since the gathering, Dong Jing seemed to intentionally or unintentionally distance himself from him, no longer as warm as before. When they met in the government office on ordinary days, they merely nodded politely, at most exchanging a few pleasantries. At first, he was a bit confused, but after occasionally hearing that Dong Jing no longer invited him to gatherings with Xi Shaoqin and others, he understood the situation. He didn''t really care. Everyone has their ambitions, and meetings and partings are common. Different circles need not forcibly merge. Rather than getting entangled in the whirlpool of human relationships, it''s better to focus on self-cultivation improvement. Shen Qing quickly put the matter aside, devoting all his energy to cultivation. In the blink of an eye, it was November, and the weather turned colder. After patrolling, Shen Qing returned to the Guardian Martial Department Office, wearing thick cotton clothes and a cloak, intending to hand over the duty token and end his shift. Just as he walked into the Guardian Martial Department Office, Shen Qing noticed a circle of people in the courtyard pointing and discussing something. Curious, he grabbed the arm of an officer and asked, "What''s going on?" The officer he grabbed initially wanted to retort, showing some impatience, but upon seeing Shen Qing, he swallowed his complaints. "The officer of the fourth group has died." Shen Qing''s expression changed, "Are you saying Xi Shaoqin, Officer Xi, is dead? How could he just die out of nowhere?" "I don''t know either. Everyone''s saying it''s the Cat Demon," the officer pointed ahead, "The body is right there in the courtyard. Officer Shen can see for himself. Does Officer Shen have any other questions?" Shen Qing released his grip, his face solemn. The officer whose arm he had grabbed bowed and quickly left. "Excuse me, make some room," Shen Qing squeezed his way in and looked forward, his face turning pale. The scene before him was shocking, even somewhat horrifying. Someone who sat beside him just days ago now lay in a terribly tragic state on a makeshift wooden board. His internal organs were almost entirely hollowed out, with only a large intestine dangling outside. His whole body seemed to have been gnawed and eaten, even his face was so chewed up it was unrecognizable, truly heartbreaking to behold. The numerous officers and dispatch officers of the Guardian Martial Department surrounded by this tragic sight were filled with shock, fear, speculation, and puzzlement. For a while, everyone talked in confusion. "How could Lord Xi end up like this?" An older officer trembled, full of disbelief. "Yes, I heard he was fine just last night. How could he turn like this overnight?" Another dispatch officer chimed in, his gaze lingering on Xi Shaoqin''s corpse, "Could it really have been... the Cat Demon?" "Nonsense. How could there be demons in this city? Besides, Officer Xi had high cultivation, it must have been man-made!" "..." Shen Qing stood silently in the crowd, observing coldly. Yongzhou seemed somewhat unsettled lately. "What do you think will happen next now that the fourth group has no officer? Promote internally or recruit externally?" "That''s something only the Chief Officer can decide. How would we know?" As they conversed, a Chang Sui came over, seeking Shen Qing, saying, "The Lord requests Officer Shen''s presence." "The Chief Officer is looking for me?" Shen Qing recognized this Chang Sui as a subordinate of Chief Officer Zheng Yuanqiu. Without delay, he cupped his hands and said, "Lead the way, please." Chang Sui nodded, "Officer Shen, please follow me." ``` Chapter 45 I Became the Leader of Group Four Guardian Martial Department''s main hall, typically the office of the Chief Officer, Zheng Yuanqiu.Chang Sui led Shen Qing inside, one after the other. As Shen Qing stepped into the Guardian Martial Department''s rear hall, the heavy wooden door slowly closed behind him. Chang Sui moved forward and said, "Shen Chasi, please. The master has been waiting in the inner room for quite some time." "Thank you," Shen Qing clasped his hands respectfully. He adjusted his collar and strode towards the quiet room with large strides. Upon entering the quiet room in the main hall, Shen Qing saw the steady and authoritative face of Zheng Yuanqiu. At that moment, he was sitting calmly behind the desk, his sharp eyes focused and brows furrowed, pondering something unknown. Shen Qing approached and spoke with a steady and powerful voice, "Lord Chief Officer, Shen Qing of the Sixth Group, reporting as ordered." Zheng Yuanqiu slightly raised his head, his gaze lingering on Shen Qing for a moment before he said, "Shen Qing, do you know why I urgently summoned you here?" Shen Qing met Zheng Yuanqiu''s eyes without any hesitation, "This humble officer is not wise, but I guess it might be related to Xi Shaoqin, the death of Xi Chasi." "Well, you''re somewhat clever," Zheng Yuanqiu nodded lightly, his tone growing more serious, "Xi Chasi was, after all, one of our people from the Guardian Martial Department, a proper official of the court. The Military Department has already taken over this matter." "But I heard that Xi Chasi''s death is related to a demon. In that case, we cannot sit idly by; we need to investigate thoroughly. Slaying demons is within the duty of our Guardian Martial Department." "You usually act decisively and have outstanding ability. I intend to entrust this heavy responsibility to you. What do you think of the position of Chasi of the Fourth Group? Do you want it?" Make me the head of the Fourth Group? Upon hearing this, ripples of emotion surged in Shen Qing''s heart. His first reaction was not to feel fortunate but to suspect that there was considerable intrigue in this matter. Ever since the demise of his Sixth Group, Zheng Yuanqiu had not replenished the staff, always making him serve as a "Lone Rider." Now, by coincidence, Xi Shaoqin of the Fourth Group had died, leaving a vacancy that needed filling. In this way, wouldn''t the Sixth Group''s staffing effectively be eliminated? Shen Qing remembered that the Chief Officer before him was a member of the Huang Tian Sect. The Guardian Martial Department people who went to Taiping County a few months ago were betrayed and killed by him. Now he''s reducing the staffing again, making it feel like Zheng Yuanqiu was deliberately weakening the Guardian Martial Department, turning it into a powerless government office. Knowing that this newly established office was also responsible for seeking out and eradicating rebels like the Huang Tian Sect, was it possible the sect was planning new actions? This possibility couldn''t be eliminated. Moreover, the Cat Demon has been lurking in the Inner City for some time. Xi Shaoqin had been investigating for so long with his group, and not a single clue was found; it was extremely troublesome. He had no confidence he could unravel this matter. It was clearly a mess, a curse for whoever took it on. For a moment, Shen Qing thought of many things, but he remained as calm as water on the surface, without revealing the slightest hint. After a while, Shen Qing bent over, clasped his fists, looked at the ground, and said neither humbly nor arrogantly, "My lord, this humble officer feels inadequate, unworthy of such an important task. I hope you choose someone more capable." "I believe Dong Jing, Dong Chasi of the First Group, and Xie Zongyong, Xie Chasi of the Second Group, are both quite competent and should be able to handle this..." As Shen Qing spoke, he noticed a shadow falling across him, stopping his words as he looked up. He saw Zheng Yuanqiu standing up from his chair, moving to stand before him. "Unwilling to accept?" Zheng Yuanqiu''s eyes were like a cold pool, deep and chilling, with these four words squeezed out from between his teeth, tinged with a hint of interrogation. Shen Qing looked up, his gaze exceptionally firm, and his Qi Sea churned involuntarily, his Six Paths Whale Swallowing Technique activating automatically, driving a surge of True Qi. He took a deep breath and continued, "Mr. Zheng, it''s not that I intend to refuse, but truly my abilities are limited..." Before he could finish, the air seemed to quiver slightly. An oppressive force burst from Zheng Yuanqiu, enveloping Shen Qing. Shen Qing felt as though his whole body was trapped in a quagmire, even his breathing became labored. "You''d better think carefully before answering me," Zheng Yuanqiu said with a half-smile. Shen Qing''s eyes narrowed, unable to resist the urge to reveal the truth about him. But seeing that Zheng Yuanqiu hadn''t used his full strength, after some consideration, Shen Qing lowered his head and said, "Sir trusts me; by right, I should do my utmost to uncover the truth." The oppressive force around him suddenly vanished. Shen Qing immediately felt a lightness throughout his body. Zheng Yuanqiu patted Shen Qing''s shoulder with a pleased smile, saying earnestly, "Good, I knew I didn''t misjudge you. From today, you are the Chasi of the Fourth Group of our Guardian Martial Department, commanding all the officers under the Fourth Group, responsible for thoroughly investigating the demon related to Xi Shaoqin." Shen Qing expressionlessly bowed to accept the order. "Now that rumors of the Cat Demon are increasingly rampant, you are given one month to investigate this demon. Either slay it on the spot or capture it, remember, whoever is involved, you must investigate thoroughly, no leniency. If you fail, you should resign with disgrace. Now get out and get busy!" Shen Qing opened his mouth, bowed silently, and withdrew. Upon exiting the main hall, Shen Qing, usually composed, couldn''t help but show a trace of anger on his face. Fine, you think I''m easy to bully because I have no background, right? Shen Qing took out the incriminating letter Zheng Yuanqiu had given to the Huang Tian Sect, his expression hardening. Hope you don''t blame me then. He secured the letter close to his body, setting aside these thoughts. ... In the courtyard of the Guardian Martial Department, Shen Qing sat at the head position, summoning the former officers of the Fourth Group. They had already received orders, knowing that the young man before them was their next Chasi, the one they would work under from now on. Shen Qing looked at them, noting that most had a hint of indifference on their faces, their eyes carrying more or less a trace of disdain, which he had anticipated. Though these people were not from families as prestigious as the Thirteen Lines, they had some background, not simply from the lower social strata, so naturally, they wouldn''t have a fond regard for him, an outsider. Shen Qing didn''t care; he wasn''t counting on these people anyway. sea??h th§× Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "The Lord Chief Officer has ordered us to find out within a month the demon behind Xi Chasi''s murder. If we don''t, all of us will be dismissed and dealt with. From now on, all of you must be on full alert and do your utmost to investigate. Did you understand?" Upon hearing his words, everyone showed some reaction, responding perfunctorily. "Haven''t you eaten?" Shen Qing shouted, his True Qi surging, a fierce aura emanating from him. The officers of the Fourth Group in the room immediately felt a chill. This cultivation was at the Qi Hai Realm!!! They suddenly realized that Shen Qing seemed different from the Chasi they had in their minds. Some quick-thinking officers immediately changed their attitudes, promptly responding, "Understood!" "If understood, then hurry up and investigate," Shen Qing said sharply. They exchanged glances and then one by one went out to investigate the city for the demon. Chapter 46 Investigation, Stalemate ```"Boss, it''s here." Shen Qing, accompanied by an officer, stood in front of a residential building. "The first carpenter in the city to die at the hands of a demon died in this house," the officer said respectfully. This officer was named Ji Youwu, the son of a small merchant in Yongzhou City. Sear?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. From a young age, he learned martial arts and mingled with gangs, eventually bribing his way into the Guardian Martial Department, where he became an officer and began living off the official''s salary. Among the many officers in the fourth group, his background wasn''t exceptional, and his cultivation wasn''t high, but he had a clever streak. After Shen Qing became their dispatch officer, Ji Youwu did not resist and continued to actively investigate cases as before. After several rounds, Shen Qing grew accustomed to using him, often assigning him to track clues. "Let''s go in and take a look." Shen Qing stepped forward and gently placed his hand on the front door, giving it a light push. The door was unlocked, and amid creaking sounds, it swung open on both sides, shaking down a layer of white dust. Inside, there was a deathly silence. At first glance, Shen Qing saw the room was covered with a thick layer of dust. The light from outside filtered through dense cobwebs, casting mottled shadows on the ground. It seemed like it had been uninhabited for a long time. The air was filled with a damp, musty smell, which made Shen Qing wrinkle his nose involuntarily. With one hand on his longsword, he stepped in first, followed closely by Ji Youwu. The clean government boots stepped on the ground, stirring up circles of floating dust, which drifted in the light streaming through the window, forming beams. "Has this carpenter been dead for more than two months?" Shen Qing asked as he looked around. Ji Youwu replied, "Specifically, it has been seventy-eight days. This carpenter died with his heart and liver gouged out. The demon should have cut open his belly while he was still alive, then consumed him from inside out, and left only half of his body." "So, this person was alive and watching himself being eaten?" "Pretty much." Shen Qing surveyed the surroundings. The room wasn''t large and could be seen in its entirety with just a quick glance. Except for cobwebs and dust, it was empty, having been abandoned for quite some time. However, a dried bloodstain on the floor was particularly conspicuous. Shen Qing slowly approached the bloodstain and observed it carefully, noting that there was just one spot of blood and it hadn''t spread widely, indicating the carpenter was either hanging or standing when he was eaten. The absence of other footprints on the ground suggested the demon either had a high level of spiritual wisdom to cover its tracks or had the means to float in the air. Either possibility indicated that this demon in the city was a particularly troublesome entity. "Who is the owner of this house?" "It''s the Zhou Family''s." Shen Qing raised an eyebrow, instantly becoming alert. "To be precise, it belonged to a steward of the main Zhou Family branch. After the steward died last year, this house has been left vacant," Ji Youwu explained in detail. Shen Qing asked, "Was the carpenter related to the Zhou Family?" "No," Ji Youwu replied. "The carpenter was just a lowly worker living in the Outer City, not capable of associating with the top-ranked Zhou Family of the Thirteen Lines." "Have you investigated how the rumor of the Cat Demon came about?" "In the recent demon cases in the city, our secret investigation found that every time a murder occurred, surrounding people heard a chilling cat cry. So, everyone thought this demon was a Cat Demon." Shen Qing remained silent, carefully observing the room again, then said, "Let''s go and see if the carpenter''s family has noticed anything unusual." "Yes." ... Outer City. Shen Qing rode on a tall steed, surveying the street districts of the Outer City in front of him. Compared to the Outer City of Taiping County, the Outer City of Yongzhou, though also rundown and cramped, was clearly more organized. He and Ji Youwu walked into a somewhat noisy district, with a dense blend of street-market smells like various buns and rotten vegetable leaves filling the air. Wrapped in thick coats or huddling their necks, people moved through the wafting smoke, appearing and disappearing. Shen Qing, donned in an official robe and cloak, stood out conspicuously in this street-market setting. Soon, they led their horses into an eatery. "Madam, two bowls of noodle soup and a plate of pork offal, please." Shen Qing handed the reins to Ji Youwu and chose an empty spot to sit. After tethering the horse, Ji Youwu sat beside Shen Qing. After a while, a young boy followed by a woman, presumably the mother, brought the stewed offal and noodle soup to Shen Qing, smiling apologetically, "Gentlemen, enjoy your meal." Shen Qing nodded slightly, picked up chopsticks, and began eating the piping hot noodle soup. Nowadays, with his physique, his daily energy consumption was significantly less, and thanks to refining True Qi, his demand for regular grains diminished. He usually preferred consuming food or medicinal soups that contained vital essence to maintain or enhance his cultivation. Occasionally, though, he would indulge at small eateries to satisfy his taste buds. As Shen Qing looked up, he found the eatery somewhat quiet. It wasn''t that there were no people, as it was noon and many came to eat, but it was unusually silent, starkly contrasting the lively scenes in Yongzhou Inner City. Here, people were just silently eating, without joy or sorrow, with an expression of apathy. Additionally, with his presence and their awareness of his government office identity, people dared not utter a word. Some, timid, hurriedly shoveled a few bites, left some copper coins on table, and quickly left. After finishing his simple meal, Shen Qing turned and called to the woman, "Lady, come here. I have something to ask you." The busy woman behind the stall froze, glanced at the man beside her, then nervously approached, saying, "Sir, is there something lacking in our service?" "Your food is good, that''s not what I want to ask." Shen Qing turned to the woman and said, "I want to ask about your previous husband. Was there anything unusual about him before he died?" "You are¡­" the woman asked in surprise. "Investigating why your husband died." Before coming, Shen Qing had learned from Ji Youwu that the carpenter''s wife and child had remarried to the eatery owner. The lower class of Great Zhou lived precarious lives, holding the concept of chastity lightly, so remarriage was common. Seeing that Shen Qing wasn''t here to trouble her, the woman quietly sighed with relief, thought for a moment, and said, "There was nothing unusual the day my husband died. He went to the city to find work like any other day, and I waited all day but didn''t see him return. It wasn''t until the next day that I learned he was dead." Remembering this, the woman''s eyes couldn''t help but redden. "Anything else?" Discover hidden content at empire "No, I haven''t even seen his remains." "Alright, thank you." Shen Qing stood up, took out a few broken silver pieces, and left them on the table, saying to Ji Youwu, "There''s no clue here, let''s go check Xi Chasi''s scene." Ji Youwu promptly got up and followed. In the following ten days, Shen Qing tirelessly ran to various crime scenes, investigating the demon matter in the Inner City, yet without any progress. There weren''t even many clues, and thus the demon case was stalled. The deadline Zheng Yuanqiu had set for him was already half over. ``` Chapter 47 Breakthrough in the Hunting Scripture, Tracking As the days went by, news that Zheng Yuanqiu had given the Fourth Group one month to investigate the demon began to spread within the Guardian Martial Department.A tense atmosphere enveloped the entire Fourth Group. Some officers from good backgrounds started to maneuver secretly to protect their jobs, trying to get transferred to other groups as a way of self-preservation. "Brother Li, I heard everything''s arranged on your side?" A grey-clad officer lowered his voice, leaned closer to his companion, eyes filled with urgency and envy. The officer called Brother Li paused slightly in his movements, a hint of imperceptible pride flashed in his eyes as he said with a helpless smile, "Spent quite a bit of silver, just got it done." "Could you point a way for us brothers over here? We''ve been with Shen''s group for so many days, and still can''t find a decent clue. If we stay under him, we''ll definitely be implicated, need to jump ship." "One slot, one person, it''s not that easy. I also spent this much to get it done." Brother Li held up five fingers to indicate. The grey-clad officer was slightly stunned: "Five hundred taels?" Brother Li nodded with a grim expression. The two fell into a brief silence. After a while, the grey-clad officer suddenly had a brainwave and said, "Brother Li, our Lord Chief Officer values money as much as his life. What if we gather some among us and give it to him, maybe he''ll let us off?" "Hard to say, but I think it might work. When things go wrong for Shen, we can shove the blame onto him, and Lord Chief Officer might not bother with us small fry." "Then I''ll go ask the brothers, see who''d be willing to join." "If you decide to, you have to act quickly. Otherwise, in a few days, this might provoke Lord Chief Officer''s displeasure, and you''ll not even have a chance to give your silver away." "I understand." ... Shen Qing was not deaf to these thoughts among his subordinates, but he had no intention of stopping them. If the sky wants to rain and the mother wants to remarry, let them be. What mattered was the quality, not the quantity, of soldiers. He had more important things to do. "Alright, done here. Let''s check the next place." Shen Qing said to Ji Youwu. At this point, even the usually mild-tempered Ji Youwu couldn''t hold back, and said anxiously, "Lord officer, we''ve been searching for clues everywhere for these days, already looked for twenty-eight days, and found nothing. Lord Chief Officer decreed we must apprehend the demon within a month, and the deadline is almost upon us!" Shen Qing stopped and asked, "Do you have any good ideas?" "Lord Chief Officer has a fondness for beauties and money. Lord officer, why not prepare some money and a beautiful concubine for him? Maybe there''s hope." Explore new worlds at empire "In short, offering money and women?" Ji Youwu hurriedly replied, "It may sound unpleasant, but it''s indeed a good plan." "No need for that. Let''s just focus on the investigation, almost there." Ji thought extremely puzzled by Shen Qing''s calm demeanor: "What do you mean it''s almost here?" Shen Qing didn''t explain much, but it was then he seemed to sense something, a joyful look appearing on his face. S~ea??h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. His mind stirred, and a drop of ink fell from the void, spreading in his view. [Skill: Hunting Scripture (Entry Level)] [Progress: 500/500 points] [Status: Upgradeable] [Note: The path of hunting is vast and profound, reaching the extreme, all things can be hunted. Having practiced diligently, applying the principles of the Hunting Scripture, you can awaken the skill ''Tracking,'' and no prey can escape your eyes.] Over the days of investigation, Shen Qing unexpectedly found that the slow progress of the [Hunting Scripture] skill was rapidly advancing. At this moment, it dawned on him that demon hunting was indeed a part of his hunting journey. Once he understood this, he was no longer in a hurry, so he stayed focused on the investigation while improving his hunting skill and martial arts cultivation. The days passed busily. Unbeknownst to him, after advancing the [Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill] to the Seventh Transformation, even the [Hunting Scripture] skill had reached the breaking point. Shen Qing didn''t hesitate and chose to advance. [Skill: Hunting Scripture (Skillfully)] [Progress: 0/600 points] [Status: Not Upgradeable] [Note: Through long-term diligent practice and application, you have mastered the skill ''Tracking.'' Every path leaves a trace, and when you use this skill, no matter how much time has passed, the trace of the prey''s activity will automatically appear before you, escaping nowhere.] Shen Qing felt a rush of excitement in his heart and hurriedly steadied himself. In the next moment, an avalanche of hunting memories surged into his mind. In just a moment, it seemed as if Shen Qing had hunted through countless years, and his understanding of hunting had reached a profound level. After a while, Shen Qing exhaled deeply, allowing his muddled mind to gradually regain clarity. Confidence spread across his face as he mounted his horse, "Onward!" Ji Youwu shouted, "Lord officer, where are you going?" "To where Xi Shaoqin met his demise." Hearing this, Ji Youwu nearly lost his composure. It was Shen Qing''s second time at the place where Xi Shaoqin died, and he was already familiar with the route. He quickly rode to an alley behind an inn at Tian Dou Square. Xi Shaoqin had died in this alley. Shen Qing sat atop his horse, looking down at the alley. [Tracking] was activated. With a thought, every inch of the alley''s stone walls came alive in his vision. On the walls, the faint traces usually hidden in dust and shadows now lit up like stars, forming a disjointed yet patterned trail of footprints. Some of these footprints were distinguishable, others faded and faint, as if they would disappear with a gentle wipe. A surge of indescribable excitement rose in Shen Qing''s heart. He could truly see them. These small footprints stretched from the walls to the rooftops, threading through the narrow, deep alley, clearly not human. "It''s definitely that demon; after so many days, there''s finally a result." "Whoa!" Ji Youwu arrived on his horse from behind. His growing bewilderment at Shen Qing''s actions only deepened his pessimism about his own fate. "Lord officer..." Shen Qing suddenly turned, smiling, "You came just in time. Come demon hunting with me!" "Ah!" Ji Youwu''s face turned even more ghastly. Crazy, he had definitely lost it. With no clues at all, where would they catch the demon, how would they catch the demon? Shen Qing didn''t seem to offer him any explanation. He lightly pulled the reins, following the direction indicated by the footprints in a hurry. Ji Youwu followed hopelessly. In Shen Qing''s vision, the deeper they tracked, the denser the footprints became. Finally, they ended abruptly inside a residential house. "After all these days, finally caught you." Shen Qing''s heart raced, anticipation, and tension surged within him. Ignoring the gaze of people around him and Ji Youwu, he dismounted, drew the dagger from his waist, held it in his hand, and stopped in front of the main door. Suddenly, he kicked the door open. "Guardian Martial Department is hunting demons, bystanders stay clear!" Chapter 48 Demon Transforms, Slaying Demons and Eliminating Evil! ```With a sudden crash, the worn old wooden door shattered under Shen Qing''s kick. Shen Qing brandished his sword and strode into the seemingly ordinary house. Inside, on a bed where light and shadow interlaced, lay an exceptionally large black cat, fur as dark as night, lazily curling on an ancient wooden bed. The black cat was as large as a grown wolfhound, surrounded by an indescribably thick aura of demon energy, substantial and weighty. Shen Qing noticed that the prominent footprints in his vision stopped abruptly on this demon''s body. It was undoubtedly the demon that killed Xi Shaoqin. "I finally found you." Ji Youwu, who had followed Shen Qing in, was shocked upon witnessing this scene. He looked at the demon on the bed, then back at Shen Qing, his mind buzzing, a tangled mess. He couldn''t comprehend how, in a vast city with over a million households and millions of people, without any clues, how Shen Qing had tracked down the demon''s hideout, a near-impossible task akin to finding a needle in a haystack. Shen Qing seemed to know the demon''s whereabouts all along and came straight here. How exactly did he manage that? This approach overturned his common sense and understanding of investigations. Too incredible! Unable to figure it out, Ji Youwu decided not to dwell on it. Now that they had found the demon''s location, the next step was to fight to the death or apprehend it. They could report to the Chief Officer, who wouldn''t have anything to say about it. He rekindled his fighting spirit, discarding previous speculations. Shen Qing''s intrusion shattered the peace within the house. The black cat demon, that had been sound asleep, suddenly opened its eyes, revealing slender pupils. It stared at Shen Qing and Ji Youwu, an invisible aura of authority surging from its body, creating ripples in the air. The hair of both Shen Qing and Ji Youwu flew up in the gust, like a wild dance of demons. Ji Youwu, standing behind Shen Qing, braced for a battle, muscles tensed, hurriedly drawing the dagger from his waist. The cat demon on the bed arched its body, supporting itself with its front paws, as if stretching lazily. "Apparently, not all the people from the Guardian Martial Department are useless after all if you actually found my presence." Recognizing their identity, the demon showed no sign of panic. The voice carried a faint yet undeniable authority and confidence, echoing in the spacious room. Ji Youwu, who had never witnessed such scenes, felt a chill in his heart, and even a tinge of fear flashed across his face. Unruffled, Shen Qing withdrew his Tracking skill, those prominent marks gradually fading, clearing his vision. He lifted his head, tightly gripping the sword in his hand, and faced the demon, speaking in a deep tone, "So, it''s you who killed our Xi Chasi?" "Xi Chasi? You mean the martial master dressed like you." The demon, stretching after its slumber, stepped lightly off the bed, saying, "That was over a month ago. All I remember is his heart and liver tasted exquisite, rich but not greasy, filled with Essence Qi. Martial artists are indeed different. Consuming such people is like you consuming ginseng, a great supplement. Wonderful!" The demon''s face showed a touch of human-like intoxication. "Oh, looks like we found the right guy, that''s good." Shen Qing''s face bore no joy or sorrow as he slowly raised his sword. The enormous cat demon sat on the clean tiles, licking its paws with its tongue: "Hahaha, to be honest, I''ve been very cautious, yet you found me. Since you''ve come all this way..." As it spoke, its paws paused, its gaze and tone grew cold: "It would be a shame not to take advantage of this opportunity. To be honest, I do not like your attitude." As soon as the words fell, the cat demon widened its mystical eyes. Under the gaze of Shen Qing and the others, its body underwent a shocking transformation. Its body lengthened, muscles subtly appearing under the light from outside the window, limbs becoming elongated and powerful until it completely shed its feline form, transforming into a grotesque man covered in black fur. A cat-headed human. It had long black hair draped over its shoulders, eyes deep as pools, with a cold smile at the corners of its mouth: "Since you made such an effort, I''ve decided to savor your flavor." Bang! An invisible force rippled through the air. The cat demon put its words into action. Its form flickered, darting towards Shen Qing with incredible speed. Sharp claws traced a gleaming arc in the air, suddenly pouncing towards the two. Shen Qing and Ji Youwu, both witnessing a demon''s transformation for the first time, couldn''t help but feel somewhat astonished. As the cat demon attacked, Shen Qing, quick as lightning, grabbed Ji Youwu by the collar, pulling him aside. The cat demon''s claws struck the ground, the tiles beneath shattering instantaneously, the fragments dissolved to dust mid-air under the demonic power, falling with a crackling sound. Ji Youwu, beside him, saw this and his pupils contracted sharply; had those claws landed on his flesh, he wouldn''t have survived unscathed. At this moment, Ji Youwu suddenly noticed Shen Qing stood calmly in front of him, sword in hand, facing this transformed cat demon. "Don''t get in the way here." Shen Qing said meaningfully to Ji Youwu, then sprang forward, sword in hand, slashing down, targeting the cat demon''s heart. The cat demon''s expression turned icy, much like a phantom, twisting evasively at an incredible angle in the nick of time, narrowly avoiding the fatal strike. Yet the residual wind from the blade caused its fur to shiver, revealing some of its distress. "This officer is strange." The cat demon, far from mindless, felt a tremor in its heart after crossing moves with Shen Qing. Its previously relaxed expression turned serious. It sensed a hint of danger. This was something it hadn''t felt with the previous officer. Shen Qing twirled his sword, calmly saying, "If you plan to eat me, I doubt you have the ability." The cat demon''s chest heaved violently, baring its fangs, revealing a fierce expression, channeling all its demon energy. Instantly, the demon energy swirled around it, gathering into nine whip shadows, all striking at Shen Qing. Shen Qing showed no panic. Despite the cat demon''s imposing appearance, it seemed utterly devoid of skill in the old hunter''s eyes. It was as if it was merely relying on the instincts of a "cat," blindly attacking, full of flaws. Bang, bang, bang! The two engaged in frequent exchanges in the void, strength clashing continually. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The cat demon clasped its hands together, enveloping Shen Qing in whip shadows formed from demon energy. "Gotcha!" "Is that all you have?" Shen Qing''s cold words pierced through the layers of whip shadows. In the cat demon''s bewildered gaze, a golden glow suddenly erupted from the enveloping demon energy. Sky Flipping Seal! Boom! Instantly, all the demon energy vanished without a trace. ``` Chapter 49 A Cat Has Nine Lives? Fine, Ill Kill You Nine Times! ```Faced with this sudden strange phenomenon, a hint of astonishment and fear flashed in the Cat Demon''s eyes. It hadn''t had time to react when it noticed a palm lightly falling on its chest. A vast and boundless golden light instantly erupted, surging like a tide, completely engulfing it. It let out a shrill and desperate roar. The plaster on the walls trembled and fell off in response to the deafening roar. Not long after, when the dazzling golden light began to fade, all returned to calm. Under the power of the Sky Flipping Seal and Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill, the Cat Demon in front of them was no match for Shen Qing. The once arrogant Cat Demon was now utterly silent. Shen Qing, holding his sword, stood before the Cat Demon and instructed Ji Youwu behind him, "Get ready to clean up and report back." "Ah? Okay!" Ji Youwu awakened as if from a dream and finally reacted. Looking at Shen Qing again, his gaze had completely changed. Previously, they all thought Shen Qing was nothing extraordinary, but now it was clear how wrong they had been. He could clearly see that this Cat Demon had transformed, much stronger than any demons he was familiar with, yet such a demon was no match for him. Their dispatch office was far more powerful than anyone had imagined. Truly, he wondered how he had trained to such a level. Dismissing the chaotic thoughts from his mind, Ji Youwu hurriedly stepped forward to clean up the Cat Demon''s corpse. Suddenly, he stopped in his tracks, pointing at the Cat Demon''s body in surprise and said, "Lord officer, look!" At his words, Shen Qing looked over, only to see that the once silent Cat Demon had mysteriously risen, wearing a sinister smile, with a surge of renewed vitality. "Did you think you could kill me just like that?" The Cat Demon slowly raised its head, a gleam flashing in its eyes. In the astonished gaze of Shen Qing and Ji Youwu, its massive body shook. Upon closer inspection, nine shadows appeared behind it, one of which fell, becoming a wisp of green smoke descending to the ground, transforming into a Cat Demon''s corpse. With the fall of this shadow, the Cat Demon instantly returned to its original state. In their shocked gazes, the Cat Demon suddenly leaped towards Shen Qing like an arrow leaving the bowstring, its claws howling like the wind, aiming precisely. Shen Qing''s reaction was exceedingly swift; relying on profound cultivation, he swiftly used his arms as a shield to block the deadly strike. However, even so, the terrifying power contained within the Cat Demon''s claws still made Shen Qing feel an overwhelming force crashing down, sending him involuntarily flying backward, heavily colliding with the furniture behind him. The furniture shattered instantly under Shen Qing''s immense impact, splinters flying. Shen Qing steadied himself, looking down to find several cuts had appeared in his clothing, exposing the taut muscles beneath with faint white scratch marks visible, showing that although this strike hadn''t injured him fundamentally, it had indeed subjected him to quite a bit of trouble. A sly expression crossed the Cat Demon''s face, "Sorry, I forgot to tell you, I actually have nine lives. If you truly want to kill me, you''d have to do it nine times!" An expected look of apprehension did not appear on Shen Qing''s face. "Finished speaking?" "Hmm?" The Cat Demon, hearing the voice, looked up to see Shen Qing''s clear yet unfathomable pupils, without a trace of emotion, only unwavering killing intent and a faint hint of mockery. "A cat has nine lives? Fine, then I''ll kill you nine times!" "Bang!" A loud bang. The Cat Demon had no time to react as a golden handprint, accompanied by a searing hot aura, slammed onto its chest. Muffled sounds continuously emanated from the Cat Demon''s chest. The dense demon energy gathered at its chest, stubbornly resisting Shen Qing''s palm. An unprecedented fear appeared on the Cat Demon''s face; it grasped Shen Qing''s arm with both of its claws, continuously clawing, even extending its neck at an extremely strange angle to bite Shen Qing''s upper arm. Yet it only bit into a layer of crystalline, transparent membrane, leaving only a white mark, unable to harm Shen Qing in the slightest. "Had enough biting?" "Die!" the Cat Demon roared. Suddenly, a surging hot aura erupted in front of his palm. After practicing the Six Paths Whale Swallowing Technique, the amount of True Qi in Shen Qing''s entire body was incredibly fearsome. These massive quantities of True Qi from the third transformation of the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill were completely unleashed by Shen Qing. Threads of crimson mingled among the golden light, eradicating the pitiful demon energy at the Cat Demon''s chest until it was traceless. The Cat Demon let out another scream, its body not yet understanding what happened as it crashed into the desk behind it against the wall. Its body was reduced to a fragile skeleton, sliding down the wall. "Your second life is gone." Shen Qing silently withdrew his palm. Ji Youwu, witnessing all this on the side, was dumbfounded, involuntarily swallowing hard. Our Lord officer is terrifying. "Cough, cough, cough!" The same scene rapidly unfolded on the Cat Demon''s body, with the second shadow falling, appearing as a new Cat Demon corpse. At this moment, the Cat Demon looked at Shen Qing with a completely changed expression, from the previous reliance to a lack of confidence. Clenching its teeth, like encouraging itself, it said, "I don''t believe you won''t run out of energy. Kill!" This time, the Cat Demon learned its lesson, not exchanging more words with Shen Qing, attacking directly after resurrection with genuine fury. It wailed up towards the sky, black energy swirling around its body, its form becoming even more enormous with eyes flickering with bloodthirsty light, charging at Shen Qing. Shen Qing, composed, calmly activated the Six Paths Whale Swallowing Technique. Centered on him, countless Spiritual Energy in the void was drawn, integrating into his body, instantly restoring the True Qi deficiency from before. "Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill, Fourth Transformation! Kill!" Bang! The intense aura and demon energy collided, setting off waves of impact, shaking the entire space. "Wow!" The Cat Demon''s figure fell from mid-air like autumn leaves. Maintaining his outstretched palm, Shen Qing said, "Now, your third life is gone!" The resurrected Cat Demon, having lost three lives consecutively, had become frantic, shouting angrily, "I''ll definitely eat you, ah!" Bang! "Fourth life..." "Fifth life..." "Sixth life..." Losing seven lives in a row left the Cat Demon completely stunned. The man before it, with seemingly infinite True Qi, showed no signs of exhaustion. There was not a trace of hope for winning. An indescribable fear spread from deep within its heart, expanding. Escape! Use the remaining lives to flee desperately. The instinct to survive made it completely forget the bold statements it had previously made. It forced its demon energy, compressing its entire demonic body. In an instant, it transformed into the size of an ordinary house cat, becoming a streak of black light rushing out of the room. sea??h th§× Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. However, as if sensing it in advance, Shen Qing pointed a finger. Splat. The scorching Essence Qi shot forth, striking precisely at the Cat Demon, flipping its small body to the ground. Before it could react, the golden finger imprint silently landed on its body. "Alright, you have one life left!" The newly resurrected Cat Demon hurriedly pleaded, "My lord, spare me... If you kill me, the Goddess won''t spare you." "Goddess?" Shen Qing furrowed his brows. The Cat Demon urgently said, "Our Goddess is the Young Madam of the Zhou Family, with the Zhou Family''s power. It''d be easy for her to kill you." "The Goddess you speak of is a demon, right?" Shen Qing suddenly asked. The Cat Demon''s expression froze, unsure why Shen Qing was asking, but in the face of death, it couldn''t think too much, "Our Goddess is a Great Demon who cultivated a human form." "So, the Zhou Family collaborates with you demons?" Shen Qing''s face darkened like water, "Do you know what I hate the most?" Without waiting for the Cat Demon to answer, Shen Qing said, "I hate demons like you the most, who are never satisfied even after devouring humans, and want to learn from them!" Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill, Sixth Transformation. Bang! Shen Qing struck down with a fist. The Cat Demon''s ninth life was gone! ``` Chapter 50 Kill the Nine Demons, Return to the Government Office ```Tian Dou Square, main street. Liu Yuan, an officer of the fourth group of the Guardian Martial Department, was feeling somewhat anxious at this moment. Chief Officer Zheng had occupied the position of Chief Officer of the Guardian Martial Department for several years, never missing an opportunity to profit from it. Over the years, he had made it so that everyone in the Guardian Martial Department dared to be angry but not say anything. Now they had been given one month to apprehend the demon that murdered Xi Chasi, and that was it, no extensions. As the deadline given by the Chief Officer was nearing, Liu Yuan had completely lost hope in Shen Qing. He had to save himself. Of the seven people in their group, three had already found another place, leaving four, including him, without an option. He estimated that he would need to bleed money, and quite a lot, to get through this hurdle. As for resistance? Despite Chief Officer Zheng''s lecherous and greedy nature, he was still at the Dan Realm, which counted for something in Yongzhou City. Not to mention that the government offices in the county town all conspired together, their small powers were no match for such big figures. His position as an officer was not easy to come by. He could only resign himself to fate. As he was mulling over these thoughts, he suddenly saw a colleague from his group ahead and exclaimed, "Shouyuan? What are you doing here?" Each officer in their group had a designated patrol area, and unless something unexpected happened, they wouldn''t patrol other areas. Encountering other officers in Tian Dou Square signified that something was amiss. "I just received a message from a colleague in the Military Department, saying that there was some demonic activity in Tian Dou Square. I''m going over to check it out," Wang Shouyuan said quickly, almost in one breath. Hearing there was demonic activity, Liu Yuan immediately perked up and followed Wang Shouyuan: "Let''s go together." Since they had discovered a demon, whether or not it was the one who killed Xi Chasi, at least they would have an explanation. Thinking of this, he became somewhat impatient, worrying the demon would escape. Seeing Wang Shouyuan''s slow movement technique, he felt like giving him a shove, anxiously asking, "Shouyuan, where is it approximately?" The officer named Wang Shouyuan casually pointed: "Over there." Liu Yuan followed Wang Shouyuan''s direction, and immediately stopped waiting for him, using his movement technique to rush forward. Having patrolled Tian Dou Square frequently, he knew the streets well. Coupled with his outstanding movement technique, in just a dozen breaths, he left Wang Shouyuan far behind. Soon, Liu Yuan arrived in front of a private residence. At this time, the entrance of the residence was crowded with people, layers of them from inside out. A faint but distinct smell of blood reached his nostrils. Liu Yuan''s expression changed; he placed his hand on his dagger, gripping the hilt tightly, and shouted, "Guardian Martial Department on duty! Clear the way!" The ordinary people, upon hearing his words, looked over, saw Liu Yuan in his official uniform, and hastily made a path on both sides. Liu Yuan''s heart tightened, and the hand gripping the dagger''s hilt broke out in a cold sweat. Recently, there had been multiple incidents of human-eating demons appearing in the city, each scene extremely bloody and terrifying. He hadn''t even rushed in yet, and gruesome images of bloodshed automatically appeared in his mind. They made him feel physically uncomfortable and fearful. He naturally feared such scenes. But thinking about how he had worked hard for his officer position, he couldn''t miss the opportunity at hand. So he took a deep breath, gritted his teeth, and rushed straight into the house. As soon as he entered, his movements suddenly stiffened. In his line of sight, Liu Yuan saw cat demon corpses all over the ground, each in a different manner of death. Demon blood was splattered everywhere, and the house''s green bricks were stained a dark red. The intense smell of blood filled the entire house. Shen Qing was sitting with a dagger resting on a damaged chair, resting with his eyes closed, while Ji Youwu was busy cleaning up the demon corpses on the ground. "Shen Chasi, you¡­ what are you doing here? Where is the demon?" Shen Qing opened his eyes and looked around, "They''re all here." Liu Yuan stood there speechless. There wasn''t the anticipated bloody scene, nor the anticipated fierce battle. The demon that had kept them on edge for so long ended in such an absurd manner. Shen Qing stood up and said, "Don''t just stand there, come lend a hand, Ji Youwu can''t handle all these demon corpses by himself." Wang Shouyuan, who was one step behind Liu Yuan, also arrived subsequently. Seeing the scene inside the house, he too was momentarily speechless and stunned like Liu Yuan. "Oh, another has arrived, you three bring the corpses and come with me back to the government office to report." With help on hand, Shen Qing immediately stepped forward, walking out of the residence with the momentum of a dragon and tiger. Liu Yuan and the other two quickly and respectfully clasped their fists in acknowledgment. Even they didn''t realize that their attitude had unknowingly become much more respectful. As Shen Qing and others took the demon corpses away, a white cat quietly leaped from the courtyard wall onto the ground, quickly disappearing into the alley. ... Zhou Family Courtyard. Even though it was early winter, the courtyard was still lush with flowers, with birds chirping and flowers fragrantly blooming, as if it was its own world. sea??h th§× Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. A round table was meticulously arranged beside the flowers, with various exquisite snacks laid out, making one''s mouth water. On the table was a small stove, where a beautiful young woman in white was brewing tea with a teapot. "Young Madam, fifth young Master has arrived." The young woman''s eyes were full of smiles, and she calmly said, "Invite the fifth young Master over, I have just brewed a hot cup of tea for him to warm himself." "Yes, Young Madam." "Hahaha, I''m here already, no need for an invitation." Zhou Xintong''s hearty laughter came from outside the courtyard: "It''s been a while since I visited sister-in-law, today I''m free and can sit with you for a bit." Enjoy more content from empire The young woman got up and gracefully bowed, "Greetings to the fifth young Master." Zhou Xintong looked at this woman, feeling a rush of warmth, and a bit of dryness in his throat. "Sister-in-law, you''re too polite." Zhou Xintong sat on the stone chair opposite the woman, his face filled with fascination. Such fortune for my brother. Behind him, having returned to the main house from Taiping County, Zhou Jishan stood like a servant follower behind Zhou Xintong, his face appearing somewhat numb. "Fifth young Master, have some tea." The woman elegantly brewed a cup of tea and handed it to Zhou Xintong. Zhou Xintong felt the fragrance waft over, enjoying it immensely. He took the tea handed over by the woman, lost in thought, secretly lamenting that his brother was truly fortunate. If he could marry such a woman, he would be willing to give up ten years of his life. "Good tea, sister-in-law, you''re quite skillful." Zhou Xintong took a small sip, feeling the pores of his body relax, tremendously comfortable. He set down the teacup and exchanged pleasantries, "I just caught news from my father that my brother might have to be busy outside for a while before he can return." "I''m used to it." "My brother is often away, and you two rarely get to be together. Even I, as a younger brother, find it hard to bear. I recently arranged a room full of interesting things, sister-in-law, if you feel bored, you can come to my courtyard often." "Sure." The woman readily agreed, to Zhou Xintong''s great delight. "Meow!" Just then, a white cat emerged from the flowers in the courtyard, leaping into the woman''s embrace. ``` Chapter 51 Dark Waves Surge, Shocking the Enforcers """The woman looked at the cat curled up on her, a strange light flashing in her eyes. "Excuse me, Fifth Young Master, while I put this cat away," the woman said apologetically to Zhou Xintong. "At your convenience, sister-in-law." The young woman stood up gracefully, offered a bow, and returned to her chamber with her maid. The maid opened the door, and the woman quickly walked in. Once inside, the young woman turned her head, her eyes flashing pink as she coldly instructed, "Stand guard outside, don''t let anyone come in." The maid lifted her head, her eyes also glowing pink, woodenly like a puppet, "Yes, Goddess." Creak. The door closed again. "Why are you seeking me now?" A cool voice of the woman filled the room. The white cat in her arms leaped to the ground anxiously, speaking in human language, "It''s bad, Xiao Hei was killed." "What happened?" "A month ago, Xiao Hei ate one of the Guardian Martial Department''s officers. We thought nothing of it, but just a moment ago, they somehow found Xiao Hei." "Are you sure you didn''t see it wrong?" the young woman said, "Xiao Hei has nine lives, it shouldn''t be that easy to die." "I saw it clearly, Xiao Hei''s nine lives are all gone. When they left, I counted nine Xiao Heis." The young woman fell silent for a moment, then said after a while, "You''d better behave yourself in the near future. Don''t go looking for trouble. If you want blood food, just tell me, and I''ll have the Zhou Family give you some servants." "I understand, Goddess," the white cat raised its head and asked, "Goddess, what about Xiao Hei''s matter?" "What do you mean what to do about it?" "Shouldn''t we avenge him?" "That''s a Human Clan rule, we demons don''t bother with that. For now, let''s focus on the opportunity that''s about to appear in Yongzhou. I have a premonition that it won''t be long now. This time, the Spirit Mechanism eruption might even be more intense, perhaps not weaker than that time in Yun Meng County." "Ah, really?" "Don''t provoke those in the Guardian Martial Department anymore and keep your mouth shut to prevent news from leaking. We already have our hands full with the Ji Family. Is there anything else?" "No more." "If there''s nothing, just stay in the room today. Tonight I''ll send someone over, and we''ll eat together." "Yay. I want a tender child." "Got it." The young woman calmly turned around, casually waved her right hand to open the door, and walked out, returning to the courtyard. She couldn''t help licking her lips at the abundant Essence Qi emanating from Zhou Xintong. "If it weren''t for the agreement with your great-grandfather, I''d really like to drain you dry. What a pity, now I can only watch." She showed a hint of helpless disappointment, then walked forward again with a forced smile. ... Guardian Martial Department''s government office, quiet room. Zheng Yuanqiu asked, "How are things in Taiping County?" The officer from the fifth group, Xu Changle, stood and said, "The Ji Family attacked several times without success, and the Commander and others held them off." "That''s good. So what''s the next step? Does the True Master have any instructions on whether we should take Yongzhou?" The officer from the fifth group, Xu Changle, said, "The True Master said Yongzhou is not urgent for now, but there is something else we need to focus on." "What is it?" "The True Master observed the celestial phenomena and feels that a new Spirit Mechanism might descend in Yongzhou." "A new Spirit Mechanism?" Zheng Yuanqiu said with unusual solemnity, "I understand. I''ll make arrangements." "Good. We''ll exchange information when the time comes." "Yes." At this point, Xu Changle suddenly remembered something and said, "You mentioned having the fourth group investigate the demon''s matter in a month, now there are only two days left. What''s your plan?" Zheng Yuanqiu dismissed it, "Naturally, according to the usual practice, strip them of everything. This time, I want more than just their silver." Xu Changle was curious, "What else do you want?" "Heh, I want their wives and concubines," Zheng Yuanqiu said shamelessly, "You don''t know, such women are the real deal." "Be careful," Xu Changle glanced at him, "Two officers from the fourth group came to me. In view of the silver Tael they brought, I plan to bring them into my group. I''m informing you in advance." "Do as you see fit." With that, without waiting for a response from Zheng Yuanqiu, he silently left the quiet room. Outside the door, he had just taken a couple of steps when he met Shen Qing returning to report. The two exchanged a glance before looking away and passing each other. Shen Qing raised an eyebrow. Experience tales at empire He knew the fifth group''s defense zone had been peaceful lately, so why was Xu Changle here? The fat slob inside the room was someone they could hardly afford to associate with. No clue. S~ea??h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Shen Qing stopped thinking further, straightened his attire, and walked to the quiet room''s door, respectfully saying, "This humble officer, Shen Qing, requests an audience with Lord Chief Officer." "What is it?" Zheng Yuanqiu''s voice came from inside the room. "It''s about the demon that killed Xi Chasi," Shen Qing continued, "I am fortunate not to have failed my duty and have already slain the demon, coming specially to report to Lord Chief Officer." Zheng Yuanqiu, who was lazily lying on a chair in the quiet room, suddenly sat up from the table upon hearing the words ''fortunate not to have failed my duty.'' He walked to the door, staring at Shen Qing, and asked in a lowered voice, "What did you say?" Shen Qing lifted his head, met Zheng Yuanqiu''s gaze, and said neither humbly nor arrogantly, "Lord, I have already captured the demon that killed Xi Chasi." A shadow covered Zheng Yuanqiu''s face as he felt the silver and women slipping away from his grasp, sparking a nameless anger in his heart, and he said unpleasantly, "Where is the demon''s body, take me to see it." Shen Qing calmly stepped aside, saying, "This way, Lord." Zheng Yuanqiu suppressed his dissatisfaction and walked with Shen Qing to the courtyard. There lay nine cat demon corpses the size of large dogs, seemingly dead for a while, their dark red blood and fur clumped together. The foul stench was overwhelming. Confronted with the undeniable reality, Zheng Yuanqiu remained speechless. Other officers, including those from the fourth group, came in succession upon hearing the news. When they saw the demon corpses piled like a small hill, each drew a cold breath, too shocked to speak. Especially those officers who had prepared their escape plans, at this moment, deeply regretted it. They had never expected Shen Qing to actually have slain the demon within the deadline. As a result, the Guardian Martial Department''s fourth group was now safe and secure. The so-called escape plan for which they had spent so much silver Tael might as well have been money down the drain. Worse still, going or not going, they would lose either way. Looking at Shen Qing again, several of them secretly cursed, "Damn, this Shen guy really doesn''t care for his fellow humans." """ Chapter 52 Breakthrough in Bow Technique, Heavenly Bow Technique ```"Hahaha. Good, I indeed did not misjudge. Shen Chasi, you truly are adept at slaying demons." Faced with the surrounding officers and dispatch officers, Zheng Yuanqiu quickly adjusted his mindset and laughed as he spoke. Having held a high position for many years, he had long since learned to pick things up and put them down. Even though Shen Qing dashed some of his plans, there would be plenty of opportunities with time. For now, he needed to protect his status and not do anything unbefitting of his position to avoid exposing himself. This position as Chief Officer of the Guardian Martial Department still had some use. Shen Qing was unaware of Zheng Yuanqiu''s specific thoughts, but he sensed some changes in the latter''s psyche. Clasping his hands in respect, he insincerely complimented, "This is all due to the efforts of Lord Officers." "Shen Chasi worked hard. Take this demon''s body to the forensic doctor for examination to check if the traces left by past homicide cases match this demon. If they match, then the case is closed," Zheng Yuanqiu concluded. Shen Qing quickly put on a flattered expression and hesitated before saying, "Lord Chief Officer, I have another matter to report." Stay updated via empire "What is it?" "Lord Chief Officer, this Cat Demon suddenly appeared in the county town for no reason. I suspect someone in the city is secretly colluding with demons." At this point, Shen Qing recalled the "Goddess" the Cat Demon mentioned before dying and mentioned it intentionally. Zheng Yuanqiu responded nonchalantly, "Alright, I understand. Anything else?" Just understand it? Shen Qing glanced at Zheng Yuanqiu, seeing no intention of getting involved, he understood the situation. Indeed, the Guardian Martial Department was unreliable; he would have to rely on himself. Shen Qing calmed his thoughts and replied, "No." "If there''s nothing else, consider this matter closed." Zheng Yuanqiu waved his sleeve and turned to leave. Shen Qing straightened up, his expression turning cold. At this moment, right after Zheng Yuanqiu left, the courtyard suddenly became noisy. Everyone''s gaze turned to Shen Qing. They realized that since Shen Chasi arrived at the Guardian Martial Department, he single-handedly killed more demons than the entire department did in a year. If not for him, they wouldn''t even know there were so many demons in Yongzhou. Simply unreasonable. All at once, they were in awe as if seeing a legend. Shen Qing''s image in the Guardian Martial Department became elevated, his status raised several levels, and no one dared underestimate him. On that day, confirmed by the forensic doctor, many features of the Cat Demon Shen Qing killed matched the traces left at crime scenes, confirming it was undoubtedly the demon behind recent murders. Zheng Yuanqiu naturally concluded the demon case, and the Demon Core was, of course, retained by him. After the matter ended, the three officers who had prepared to leave ultimately returned to join Fifth Group under Xu Changle. Shen Qing did not impede their departure, allowing them to leave. The remaining four officers had no way out and stayed. Fearing Shen Qing''s views on them, they worked more diligently, much to Shen Qing''s satisfaction. Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, a month had passed, welcoming another frigid winter. During this month, Shen Qing, to be safe, specifically had Tian Xiaohu hire many Jianghu martial artists to keep an eye on the Zhou Family. S§×ar?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Simultaneously, he strengthened the defenses of Xinyi Square. To his surprise, after he slew the Cat Demon, the so-called "Young Madam" from the Zhou Family made no move, as if she had forgotten him. This made Shen Qing''s heart sink. So far, most of the demons he killed were not known for patience, always quick to act upon disagreement, yet the Zhou Family''s so-called Young Madam remained calm. It indicated her ambitions were significant. Perhaps something was brewing secretly in Yongzhou City, and it was undoubtedly ominous. Shen Qing felt an increasing urgency to enhance his strength. ... Outside the city, in a desolate area. Shen Qing stood with his bow, and as his consciousness moved, the Water Ink Panel surfaced automatically in his view. [Skill: Bow Technique (Break Limit)] [Progress: 601/600 points] [Status: Can Improve] [Note: A thousand miles begin with a single step; a great way starts from small beginnings. Through long-term diligent practice, the ordinary path of archery has been honed to the extreme by you. Breaking through will evolve into a new skill.] Looking at the information appearing in his view, Shen Qing''s lips subtly curved up. These days of diligent practice had finally borne fruit. Shen Qing took a deep breath: "Improve!" As soon as he had this notion, the skill information on the Water Ink Panel regarding Bow Technique refreshed instantly. [Skill: Heavenly Bow Technique (Entry Level)] [Progress: 1/700 points] [Status: Cannot Improve] [Note: After extensive practice, one comes close to the Dao. With years of bow training, you combined Martial Arts insight to master the Heavenly Bow Technique. Having learned this technique, you can now draw a Hundred Shi Bow, releasing an arrow that can stir surrounding winds and clouds, even utilizing the stormy gales and lightning, possessing overwhelming might.] "Hundred Shi Bow, winds and clouds changing?!" Seeing these words, even the usually composed Shen Qing couldn''t help but change his expression. He didn''t quite understand the winds and clouds changing aspect of the Heavenly Bow Technique, but he could calculate the Hundred Shi Bow. A Shi was a hundred and twenty pounds, so a Hundred Shi was twelve thousand pounds. Under such immense power, what flesh and blood could withstand, even a martial master in Yu Luo Realm would likely be shot dead by this arrow!? Sensing the peculiarity in his mind, Shen Qing quickly gathered his thoughts, avoiding overthinking. A torrent of entirely new memories flooded into his mind. With a stern face, Shen Qing endured the intense headache and dizziness, slowly digesting the newly emerged memories in his mind. After a while, he completely assimilated the newly emerged memories. In the memories, the proficient bow craftsman who had practiced for decades merged with his current self. He comprehensively mastered this path of archery comparable to Martial Arts. Shen Qing opened his eyes, a flash of brilliance in his gaze. He suddenly drew the Heavenly Bow, the string tautening with a "buzz" that vibrated the surrounding air. Shen Qing gathered all his True Qi into his right arm, channeled it through the bow, and finally concentrated it at the arrow tip. At that moment, the arrow seemed to be imbued with life, sparkling with a dazzling brilliance, reflecting the surrounding wind and clouds, while the dark iron Heavy Bow glimmered with scarlet-golden light. Whoosh! With a thunderous string sound, the arrow shot like lightning cleaving the sky, instantly departing the string, tearing through the air, racing to the heavens. Its speed was astonishing. Along its path, the previously calm sky surged with winds, the clouds tumbling, as the sky seemed to darken somewhat. The clouds were forcibly torn apart, forming a straight fissure aiming at the distance. Its power surpassed Shen Qing''s expectations. Yet, before he could celebrate. Bang! Shen Qing unexpectedly found that the bowstring on his bow and the Xuantian Arrow in the sky could not withstand the power in his hand, breaking one after another. ``` Chapter 53 Hundred Shi Bow Cloud Splitter Shen Qing looked at the heavy bow in his hand.This bow was crafted from dark iron in the town of Taiping County. To some extent, it was a fine bow, but only limited to that. Now that his bow technique had broken through, it was time to replace it with a new Hundred Shi Heavy Bow. Shen Qing hung the heavy bow with the broken string on his horse and turned back to the city. After handling his daily duties, Shen Qing did not delay and went straight to the most renowned Bai Bing Hall in Yongzhou City. Yongzhou City had always been a hub of transportation and prosperity, a place where people and goods gathered in abundance. Thus, unlike in Taiping County, Shen Qing did not need to find a specific blacksmith to customize a heavy bow but could purchase one directly. Among the various shops, Yongzhou''s Bai Bing Hall was the most famous, with a full array of weapons. It was said in Bai Bing Pavilion that as long as you had a court permit and sufficient silver, there was no weapon you couldn''t buy. After Shen Qing finished his duties, he headed straight to Bai Bing Hall. Upon entering Bai Bing Hall, the subtle scent of iron rust and pine resin wafted into his nostrils. Inside the shop, an array of various weapons shone coldly, dazzling to the eyes. Shen Qing glanced around and saw an elder with white hair and beard sitting behind the counter, carefully polishing a long sword, his eyes hinting at an obsession with weapons. "Senior, I am Shen Qing. I''ve come to Bai Bing Hall to find a heavy bow capable of bearing the strength of a Hundred Shi. Does your esteemed shop have such weapons?" Shen Qing stepped forward and asked respectfully. "A Hundred Shi Heavy Bow? That''s quite rare." The elder heard this, looked up at Shen Qing, a trace of surprise in his eyes: "To draw a Hundred Shi Bow, one would need to be at least a martial master of the Yu Luo Realm. Those with ordinary strength can''t even pull the bowstring. You look unfamiliar and young; are you sure you want to buy a Hundred Shi Bow?" "I have twenty shi, thirty shi, and fifty shi here. Would you like to try them?" Shen Qing caught the meaning behind his words, smiled, and said, "Thank you, senior, but I only want the Hundred Shi Bow. I wonder if you have it here?" "There is indeed one. Never mind, bring out your credential for me to check." The elder finished polishing the sword, sheathed it, and looked up. Shen Qing was not surprised. Although the Great Zhou Court did not prohibit weapons, not everyone could casually purchase them. According to the laws of the Great Zhou, court officials could wear swords and daggers, martial masters from registered martial arts halls could purchase them, but any other weapon purchases were considered illegal. However, this rule was largely ineffective in many places of the Great Zhou, where people found many ways to acquire various weapons. But Bai Bing Hall was conducting business and was not familiar with Shen Qing, so they naturally followed the rules. Shen Qing was not offended and took out his ID card from the Guardian Martial Department. The elder inspected the ID card and found that Shen Qing was indeed an officer of the Guardian Martial Department, and he was a bit surprised. Having resided in Yongzhou for many years, he hadn''t heard of an official with the surname Shen. He didn''t ask much. Seeing no issues with the process, he stood up and said, "Follow me, I happen to have a ready-made Hundred Shi Heavy Bow in Bai Bing Hall." Shen Qing said nothing more, took back his ID card, and honestly followed the elder. Bai Bing Hall was large. When Shen Qing entered the inner part of Bai Bing Hall, he felt an atmosphere that was both ancient and solemn. The weaponry within was dazzling, leaving him overwhelmed. The elder''s gaze quickly scanned across the rows of weapon racks, finally settling on a specially-made display. "There it is." A remarkable Hundred Shi Heavy Bow lay quietly, its body crafted from an unknown black metal, emanating a faint cold light. The taut bowstring, upon closer inspection, shimmered with rainbow-colored glows, appearing extraordinary. Shen Qing was delighted, stepped forward quickly, and carefully examined the heavy bow. He gently touched the bow and picked it up. He discovered that although the bow appeared cumbersome, it was heavy but not unwieldy, and holding it in his hand required no effort at all. Shen Qing carefully examined it, seeing two flying dragons etched upon the bow, the entire bow seemingly containing immense power, and he couldn''t help but nod in acknowledgment. Shen Qing turned to the shopkeeper of Bai Bing Hall standing beside him and said, "Is there anything special about this heavy bow?" The elder stroked his beard and smiled, "This bow is called ''Cloud Splitter,'' and it was acquired by Bai Bing Hall by chance many years ago. Who exactly forged it is unknown. If you want to buy it, Officer, you''re welcome to take it." Hearing this, Shen Qing withdrew his gaze and said, "May I try it?" "Of course, but do not dry-draw the bow, as it can damage the bow. I have an arrow here that you can try in the back courtyard of Bai Bing Hall." The elder then took out an ordinary bow and arrow and handed it to Shen Qing. Shen Qing took the arrow and went to the backyard. Enjoy exclusive content from empire The back courtyard of Bai Bing Hall had many wooden posts, bearing numerous marks left over from weapons testing. Shen Qing gently placed the arrow upon the taut bowstring, his eyelids slightly lowered, a sharp gleam flickering in his eyes. In the elder''s astonished eyes, Shen Qing took a deep breath, his shoulders slightly sank, and effortlessly drew the bow to its full moon form: "Such formidable arm strength." At that moment, Shen Qing suddenly released his grip. The arrow sliced through the air, producing a sharp whistle as it shot toward the wooden target. Bang! When the arrow struck the solid wood, instead of embedding deeply as expected, a deafening explosive sound rang out, and splinters flew. The arrow and the wood simultaneously shattered into fragments. The elder beside him had his mouth slightly open, showing an expression of disbelief. "This Hundred Shi bow named ''Cloud Splitter'' is nice, I''ll take it," Shen Qing said with a smile. Earlier, he hadn''t used the true Heavenly Bow Technique but merely wielded the bow with his inherent strength. For some reason, this bow felt incredibly comfortable to use and very much to his liking. "I wonder how much the shopkeeper wants?" The elder glanced at Shen Qing, pondered for a while, and said, "I see you are so fated with this bow; I won''t charge you much, just 1,200 taels." sea??h th§× N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. 1,200 taels? Shen Qing couldn''t help but click his tongue. He knew bows weren''t cheap, but he didn''t expect them to be that expensive. Previously, the fifty shi heavy bow had cost him nearly two hundred taels, yet this Hundred Shi bow was more than six times that. This shopkeeper saw him as an easy mark. "Four hundred taels," Shen Qing named a price and said. "Are you teasing me?" The elder showed no leniency in price: "At most, a thousand taels." "Five hundred taels. If you want to sell it, sell it; otherwise, forget it. I can have a craftsman make such a bow; it would just take some time." "Eight hundred taels, not a bit less." "It seems you''re not sincere," Shen Qing feigned to leave. "Six hundred taels, no less, or I''ll not sell it. Go find a blacksmith to create one then." Shen Qing pretended to ponder, weighed it for a moment, and said, "Alright, six hundred taels then. Thank you, senior, for accommodating." For Shen Qing, six hundred taels was not a small amount, but he could afford it. After settling the transaction, Shen Qing also took seven Purple Gold Heavy Arrows from the shop before leaving contentedly. Chapter 54 Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill Breaks Limit, Tenfold Strength Stacks ```As the year-end approached, Yongzhou experienced its first snowfall of the winter. The thick, goose-feather snowflakes drifted down gently. Everywhere in sight was wrapped in silver white. On the streets paved with bluestone, a layer of white snow had accumulated. In such cold weather, if there was no pressing matter, most people in the city preferred to stay indoors all day rather than go out. In the past, the bustling streets of the city now appeared much quieter. The workload of various government officials in the county also decreased significantly. In this way, Shen Qing found himself with a lot of free time after handling his official duties for the day. With nothing else to tend to, he unsurprisingly dedicated all this time to cultivation, becoming even more diligent than before. In the wild forests of Green Mountain, Shen Qing wore only a short garment as he stood firm between heaven and earth, practicing the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill. Not knowing how much time had passed, he slowly opened his eyes and looked at the emerging Water Ink Panel: "Almost there." [Skill: Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill (Great Perfection/Nine Revolutions)] [Progress: 802/800 points] [Status: Can be upgraded] [Note: The key to martial arts cultivation lies in continuously breaking through one''s limits and defying conventions. After years of training, you have finally honed the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill to the utmost. A further breakthrough will grant you the ''Heaven defying Style,'' capable of unleashing tenfold strength in an instant.] Tenfold strength! Shen Qing''s heart quickened as he looked at the reminder on the panel, and he couldn''t help but feel his throat dry. Such power was truly astonishing. He took a deep breath and chose to upgrade without hesitation. The information on the Water Ink Panel rapidly refreshed. [Skill: Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill (Break Limit - Heaven defying Style)] [Progress: 2/900 points] Boom! The moment the status changed on the Water Ink Panel, Shen Qing felt a powerful force and a flood of memories pouring into his body. Suddenly, all his pores seemed to open up, frantically absorbing the spiritual energy between heaven and earth. This spiritual energy surged through him like a river, merging with the original true qi in his dantian, forming an unprecedented force that kept climbing. Soon, a dragon''s roar and a tiger''s roar echoed within him. Shen Qing even fell into an illusion as if the true qi flowing through his Qi Sea was no longer merely moving but circulating in a semi-gaseous, semi-liquid state within his meridians, with each cycle bringing indescribable comfort and strength. "What is this??" Shen Qing suddenly widened his eyes, clearly sensing that the quality of his true qi had reached a new height. His cultivation had undergone an unprecedented improvement. At this rate, it seemed that he was only one step away from the Yu Luo Realm. Discover hidden stories at empire Shen Qing resisted the physical and mental discomfort, striving to digest the sudden change. After the time it took for a pot of tea, all the abnormalities on Shen Qing''s body faded away, and he exhaled heavily. At this moment, Shen Qing found that the true qi within him was surging, his skin slightly reddened, and despite the thin clothing, he felt no coldness at all. The next moment, he focused his mind, pushing the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill to its peak. A sharp light burst from his eyes, and an overwhelming aura erupted from him, soaring into the sky. Around him, the space seemed to warp with heat like flames, causing transparent distortions. "There''s no one around right now, just the right time to test how strong my power really is." Shen Qing locked his gaze on a towering small mountain not far away, suddenly urging the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill to its extreme while softly lowing and stacking the Mountain Embrace Seal. "Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill, Heaven defying Style! Tenfold overlay, open for me!" The true qi within Shen Qing surged like a dike-breaking river, gathering at his fist, and with one palm he struck! S§×ar?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The already potent Mountain Embrace Seal, enhanced by the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill, had its power increased tenfold in an instant! Accompanied by a thunderous boom, a blinding light erupted from his palm like a rising sun, illuminating half the sky. Wherever it passed, the air was torn, and the space seemed to distort, with all obstructing trees and barriers disintegrated into dust by this palm. When the light met the small mountain, there was no buffer or transition. The mountain''s surface was immediately enveloped in golden light. Then came an earsplitting collapse. Stones flew, dust filled the sky, and half the small mountain collapsed with a crash, turning into a ruin. Shen Qing stood in the void, looking at the scene he caused, a hint of shock flashing in his eyes. Tenfold strength was so formidable that even with this one palm strike, it was enough to rival a martial master of the Yu Luo Realm, even contending with a martial master of the Dan Realm. "Not bad, not bad." Shen Qing showed a few signs of satisfaction. Just as Shen Qing was feeling pleased, an unprecedented sense of weakness suddenly washed over him; however, to his surprise, this weakness lasted only for a fleeting moment. He seemed to have thought of something, looked down at his dantian, and found that the "nacelles" surrounding his dantian had all extinguished, becoming dim. "This is the Six Paths Whale Swallowing Technique. In this case, I can use the Heaven defying Style of the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill at most twice." Shen Qing calculated inwardly: "That should be enough." "Tomorrow is the year-end, and the Guardian Martial Department Office will issue the annual salary. I will receive a Wish Power Pearl. With this pearl, I should be able to break through to Yu Luo. I imagine that in the Yu Luo Realm, using the Heaven defying Style should handle most situations." Shen Qing gradually gained confidence, smiled smugly. He glanced at the sky, took down the cloak from his horse, draped it over his shoulders, and mounted the horse to return to the city. After a while, three to five figures of varying builds gathered, standing in front of the collapsed small mountain. The remnants of the aura Shen Qing had just unleashed still lingered over the crumbled peak. All present felt a faint warmth from it as if it were springtime, each showing an unusual expression. A man with a pair of large bull horns asked a charming woman, "Lady Bai, you were the first to arrive here. Did you see who collapsed this mountain?" "No. As soon as I heard the commotion, I rushed over but saw nothing." "The one here just now was at least a Yu Luo Realm expert from the Human Clan, possibly even Dan Realm. At this point, has someone important in the city discovered something?" "I have a grasp of who''s at this cultivation level in Yongzhou City. This aura feels so unfamiliar, I''ve never encountered it." "Is it a martial master newly dispatched to Yongzhou from the Ji Family of the court?" Upon hearing this, everyone''s heart tightened. A middle-aged man with two protruding teeth and shifty eyes stepped forward: "It shouldn''t be. We have been very careful, and except for Lady Bai, none of us have left any trace in the city. No one would know." "But in any case, to be cautious, we ought to inform the mountain lord." ``` Chapter 56 I Cant Take It Anymore, Im Laying My Cards on the Table! "He went to do what? He''s not going to confront Fatty Zheng, is he?""Looks like it!" "Is he really that bold?" "The Wish Power Pearl got snatched. If it were me, I wouldn''t let it go that easily either." "But even a fool wouldn''t just confront him like that. Heh, this is going to be a good show, Fatty Zheng isn''t so easy to deal with." The people in the courtyard were already accustomed to Zheng Yuanqiu''s extortion and knew perfectly well why Shen Qing didn''t have the Wish Power Pearl. At this moment, they all held a sense of watching for entertainment, pointing and discussing Shen Qing''s back. The myriad tasks of distributing official salaries seemed unaffected by the event and continued to be distributed in an orderly manner as annual salaries. "Fourth group of officers, Ji Youwu." The named Ji Youwu hastily withdrew his gaze, glanced at Shen Qing, and walked towards the myriad task officer, blending into the discussion, his face complex. Dong Jing, standing nearby, also looked at Shen Qing with a complicated state of mind. He always thought Shen Qing was not someone impulsive, someone who wouldn''t put himself in danger, but now it seemed he was wrong. Fortunately, he had listened to his friends and hadn''t associated too closely with him. Otherwise, he surely would''ve been dragged down by him. Ignoring the discussions around him, Shen Qing walked towards the back hall, calm and composed without any joy or sorrow on his face. As it was the time for annual salary distribution, the back hall had no clerks around, with only a few Chang Sui passing by hastily. Shen Qing had been to this back hall many times, and he was familiar with the way. He walked to the door of the quiet room and, without any warning, pushed it open and walked in, closing the door behind him. Inside the quiet room, Zheng Yuanqiu was engrossed in his account books. Startled by the commotion, he felt like a thief with a guilty conscience and shivered slightly as if afraid of being caught. When he saw it was Shen Qing who barged in, he felt played with, becoming enraged and embarrassed: "Can''t you knock? Who taught you to enter like this?" Shen Qing stared at Zheng Yuanqiu, a smirk on his face, seven parts jest, three parts excitement. Ignoring Zheng Yuanqiu''s words, he gripped his sword and stepped toward him. Zheng Yuanqiu realized that the officer before him seemed different from usual. It was clear something was up. He snapped the book shut, feigning calmness. "What does Officer Shen intend to do?" Zheng Yuanqiu said coldly, like ice beneath the first snow of winter, crisp and resolute. With his words, an indescribable aura erupted from within him. Though unmoving, an invisible wind seemed to swirl around him, causing his clothes to flutter. A faint halo appeared around him, the unique aura of a strong practitioner in the Dan Realm pressing toward Shen Qing. Shen Qing paused, momentarily stunned. He felt as though a giant hand grasped his surroundings, the pressure bearing down upon him. Unfazed, Shen Qing''s mind stirred. The vast True Qi of the Qi Hai Realm surged through his meridians, counteracting the aura Zheng Yuanqiu exerted on him. Shen Qing resumed his steps, unhurriedly moving in front of Zheng Yuanqiu, the corners of his lips curving into a composed smile. Looking Zheng Yuanqiu in the eye, he calmly said, "The reason I''m here, Lord Chief Officer, you should know very well, right?" "¡­" Of course, Zheng Yuanqiu knew why Shen Qing was there. It was for the Wish Power Pearl he had embezzled. But to think Shen Qing dared to barge into the quiet room to confront him over this Pearl face to face; such bravery. He''d seen countless people, yet he''d never met someone so¡­ impulsive. Suddenly, he laughed. Find more to read at empire "Hahaha... Do you know what you''ve just said? Do you think just because you''re an officer I can''t touch you? I may not kill you, but don''t forget, I can make you wish you were dead." "I think it''s you who doesn''t understand the situation," Shen Qing continued to smile softly. He pulled a letter from his chest, waving it before Zheng Yuanqiu: "Doesn''t this letter look familiar to you, Lord Chief Officer?" "Lord Chief Officer, what do you think would happen if I handed this letter over?" Zheng Yuanqiu''s laughter abruptly stopped. Shen Qing grinned, every bit the rascal: "So, are you ready to talk about our matters now?" Feigning calm, Zheng Yuanqiu said, "Haha, I don''t know what you''re talking about." Shen Qing tucked the letter back, fearlessly reciting, "Zheng Yuanqiu, thirty-five, overweight, greedy, Dan Realm cultivation. Quick, precise, ruthless in actions, suspicious by nature, never acts unless absolutely certain. Joined the Holy Sect in the second year of Tian Guang, trustworthy..." He narrated while observing Zheng Yuanqiu. Shen Qing noticed with each sentence, Zheng Yuanqiu''s face grew paler until it was ashen like paper. Indeed, by now, he could no longer tolerate the spy from the Huang Tian Sect and decided to lay his cards on the table. It was time to deal with him decisively. After Shen Qing revealed all his cards, he even sensed deep fear in Zheng Yuanqiu''s trembling gaze. Zheng Yuanqiu struggled to maintain composure, his breathing heavy, his eyes on Shen Qing filled with killing intent. "He knows, he knows it all." "He knows I''m with the Huang Tian Sect, knows I secretly leaked the official movements to Taiping County¡­ This boy cannot be allowed to live! He''d be disastrous." "He must be killed." Presently, not considering the various family heads and masters from the Thirteen Lines, the Prefectural Governor and the newly appointed Commander were already beyond his handle, and should his identity be discovered, he''d have no way to survive. With this in mind, he didn''t hesitate to make a move, delivering a palm strike toward Shen Qing. As a Dan Realm powerhouse, Zheng Yuanqiu''s True Qi was finely honed, shaping it and gathering it as he struck. Upon acting, mist-like True Qi enveloped him, flowing like a cascading river of stars. Facing Zheng Yuanqiu''s terrifying might, Shen Qing didn''t retreat but instead allowed his True Qi to boil. The Sky Flipping Seal combined with the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill''s Heaven Defying Style, launched instantly. Massive amounts of True Qi from within surged forth like a breached dam. With the Heaven Defying Style''s support, Shen Qing''s strength exponentially increased, reaching ten times its original magnitude. Like an awakened ancient beast, he clasped his palms into an imprint to meet Zheng Yuanqiu''s strike. Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Boom! The two forces clashed explosively in mid-air, akin to celestial bodies detonating, sending waves of heat surging. Everything around them was instantly ignited; the room''s tables, chairs, furniture, bricks, and wooden windows were swept up by the energy, compressed to one side, exposing bare ground. For the first time, Zheng Yuanqiu''s face showed surprise¡ªhe hadn''t expected a mere Qi Hai Realm Shen Qing to unleash such astonishing combat power, almost shaking his strike. His expression changed, with a light cry, he increased the force in his hand. Bang! In the next moment, Shen Qing flew backward under the lingering power of Zheng Yuanqiu''s palm. Flipping several times mid-air, adjusting his posture, he planted his feet heavily, his legs sinking deep into the ground, stones scattering. Using the legs'' reactive force to slow his backward flight, he finally came to a staggered but determined stop at the doorway. In front, two deep ravines marked the magnitude of the impact he had withstood. Unharmed, Shen Qing nonchalantly dusted himself off and smiled, "Lord Chief Officer, now can we properly discuss my matters?" Chapter 57 Not a single thing can be taken away from me Shen Qing''s chest heaved violently, each breath accompanied by sharp pain, but he had no time to worry about this. His gaze was firmly locked on Zheng Yuanqiu.At this moment, Shen Qing noticed that Zheng Yuanqiu''s face was extremely pale, alternating between blue and white. His mouth was slightly open, filled with shock. He couldn''t understand why Shen Qing had obtained his secret message, and even more so, why he couldn''t kill this person with a single palm strike. What the hell, is this a dispatch officer? S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. What the hell, is this a Qi Cultivation Realm martial master? No, somehow this guy had gotten hold of a Wish Power Pearl and had already broken through to the Qi Hai Realm. But even so, it was still astonishing that he, a Dan Realm martial master, couldn''t take down a Qi Hai Realm dispatch officer. His hand slightly raised, and the murderous intent in his eyes did not diminish. Shen Qing, who had taken a palm strike from Zheng Yuanqiu, felt the True Qi inside him surge, nearly displacing all his internal organs. If it weren''t for the Six Paths Whale Swallowing Technique secretly repairing him, he would have already collapsed. The power of a Dan Realm martial master was no joke. With his current strength, if Zheng Yuanqiu struck again, death would be certain. However, with the situation this far revealed, there was no reason to retreat. Shen Qing frantically activated the Six Paths Whale Swallowing Technique, stabilizing his internal injuries, and feigned a calm demeanor, continuing to threaten: "Lord Chief Officer, the current situation is clear. If you can''t kill me with one strike, then you''ve lost. Think about it, what will happen if I escape from here?" Enjoy exclusive content from empire "Are you threatening me?" Zheng Yuanqiu felt a sense of suffocation and gritted his teeth. Shen Qing replied, "What else? Do you think I''m joking with you for fun? You''re not a dog." "You...," Zheng Yuanqiu struggled to suppress his anger. He analyzed the situation and realized that it was indeed as Shen Qing said. If he couldn''t kill this bothersome thing with one blow and wasn''t sure of a critical strike, it would be him who lost. Pushing him into a corner and letting him escape would also have unimaginable consequences. From that earlier strike, he sensed that this person had some skill and couldn''t be easily killed. Now, he truly didn''t have many options. Zheng Yuanqiu sneered, "I misjudged. I didn''t expect in this small Guardian Martial Department Office, I would find a true dragon like you. Just say what you want." "My demands are simple." Shen Qing pulled his legs out of the ground earnestly, "I don''t want much, just return to me everything you took without missing a bit. I mean not a single coin should be lacking." Hearing this, Zheng Yuanqiu''s face showed immense pain. To him, losing anything was more painful than cutting his flesh. But he also knew that if this matter wasn''t resolved, he wouldn''t have peace. Of two evils, choose the lesser. Suppressing his inner torment, Zheng Yuanqiu agreed, "Fine, I promise you. But how can you guarantee that you''ll keep your mouth shut?" "Do you really have a choice, my Lord Chief Officer?" "You..." Seeing Zheng Yuanqiu about to erupt, Shen Qing knew not to provoke him further and assured him, "Rest assured, I''m a person who keeps my word. I''m not interested in your affairs. Had you not provoked me, today''s incident wouldn''t have happened. Give me back my things, and I won''t speak out of turn." Zheng Yuanqiu remained expressionless after hearing this. He knew that now he was on the chopping block, and Shen Qing had the upper hand. He truly had no other choice and warned, "Fine, I''ll trust you this once." With that, Zheng Yuanqiu rummaged through the ruins, found a box intertwined with iron and jade, and after some selecting, placed items into a money pouch. "I took from you a total of three Demon Cores, seven hundred taels in silver notes, and a Wish Power Pearl. I''ve already used the Demon Core, so I''ll compensate with a Wish Power Pearl. Other consumables and losses amount, converted, to one thousand taels for you." "Master Zheng, did you get it wrong? You clearly took five Wish Power Pearls from me?" Zheng Yuanqiu''s eyes almost popped out in rage, "Fine, fine, fine." He suppressed his temper, added four more Wish Power Pearls, totaling six, into the money pouch, and threw it to Shen Qing. Shen Qing took the money pouch, glanced inside, confirmed there were no issues and said, "Thank you, Lord Chief Officer, for your generosity. Now that our matters are settled, I won''t disturb you any longer. Goodbye." Saying this, Shen Qing clasped his hands in salute and withdrew. Zheng Yuanqiu watched Shen Qing silently, his face icy cold. After stepping out from the rear hall, Shen Qing couldn''t hold back a sweet taste in his throat, with a trickle of blood at the corner of his mouth. A Dan Realm martial master. Stronger than he had imagined. For now, he couldn''t deal with him lightly. Shen Qing composed his mind, focusing on activating the Six Paths Whale Swallowing Technique to repair his internal injuries. This cultivation technique was one he had carefully chosen, exhibiting immense potential when he fully activated it. Every meridian began to bulge, and each inch of skin and flesh glowed with a crystalline sheen. His injuries healed at a speed visible to the naked eye. Shen Qing looked at the money pouch hanging from his waist and felt satisfied. As the saying goes, you must enter the tiger''s lair to catch the tiger cub. To gain more, you must take some risks. There''s no such thing as a free lunch in this world. Today''s venture seemed risky but was mostly within his plan, not too far gone. Everything in this pouch was rightfully his. "Look, Shen Chasi is coming out." When Shen Qing reached the backyard, all eyes instantly focused on him. As an officer of the fourth group, Ji Youwu hurried forward and asked anxiously, "Are you alright?" Shen Qing replied calmly, "What could possibly happen to me?" "The Lord Chief Officer didn''t make things difficult for you?" "It was merely a misunderstanding. I always rely on virtue to win people over. After my explanation, Mr. Zheng gave me the Wish Power Pearl, nothing too troublesome." "Ah... Did I hear that right?" Exclamations of disbelief echoed through the courtyard, full of incredulity. When had Fatty Zheng become so agreeable? Shen Qing didn''t bother to explain further to them. In his view, the situation had escalated to a point where it was him or Zheng Yuanqiu. Zheng Yuanqiu had to die; otherwise, he wouldn''t find peace. Since he couldn''t kill Zheng Yuanqiu himself, he would find someone who could. Shen Qing left the Guardian Martial Department Office unhurriedly, heading straight for the Military Department. He planned to report it! "Hyah!" After Shen Qing left, the already noisy backyard became abuzz, discussing the truth of Shen Qing''s words and speculating about what had happened between him and Zheng Yuanqiu. Amidst the crowd, Dong Jing found himself somewhat dumbfounded. He realized he was getting more and more perplexed by Shen Qing. At that moment, a Chang Sui rushed over and informed the officer in charge of the fifth group, Xu Changle, "Xu Chasi, the Lord Chief Officer requests your presence." "Alright, I''m on my way." Xu Changle cast a glance at the doorway, then followed the Chang Sui into the rear hall. Upon entering the quiet room and seeing the mess, Xu Changle''s expression changed drastically. Facing Zheng Yuanqiu, he asked, "What happened here?" "Our identities have been exposed." Buzz! In an instant, Xu Changle''s mind went blank. Realizing something, he blurted out, "Is it Shen Qing?" Zheng Yuanqiu nodded and remained silent. "How did he find out?" "There''s no point in chasing that now. The priority is to find an opportunity to kill Shen Qing immediately. We can''t delay even a moment, or we''ll be in big trouble," Zheng Yuanqiu said sternly. Recognizing the gravity of the situation, Xu Changle responded quickly, "I''ll handle it right away." "By the way," Just as Xu Changle was about to leave, Zheng Yuanqiu recalled something and asked, "What is Shen Qing doing now?" "When I came, he had just left the government office." As soon as those words were spoken, the two exchanged a glance, detecting a trace of fear in each other''s eyes. "I''ll go after him right away." Without hesitation, Xu Changle dashed out of the quiet room. Zheng Yuanqiu angrily punched the wall and gritted his teeth, "That rascal! I will never forgive you." Chapter 58 Those Who Block Me Shall Die, Kill Them All! Xu Changle emerged from the quiet room, his mind already in turmoil.He and Zheng Yuanqiu had been lurking in Yongzhou for many years, using the Guardian Martial Department''s connections to secretly do many unsavory deeds for the Holy Sect. If their identities were exposed, there was no doubt they would die without a burial place. Thinking of this, his steps became more urgent, eager to catch up with Shen Qing immediately and nip the danger in the bud. As he reached the courtyard of the Guardian Martial Department, Xu Changle ignored the gazes around him and continued walking, heading straight to the stables to retrieve his horse, galloping toward the direction of the Military Department and the county government. Seated on horseback, Xu Changle took out five yellow paper talismans from his bosom and placed them in his palm, pressing his hands together and rubbing twice. Instantly, five lifelike paper cranes appeared in his palm. "Order all parties to surround and kill the Chief Officer of the Guardian Martial Department''s fourth group, Shen Qing! Quickly! Go!" Xu Changle tossed his palm upward, and the five yellow paper cranes turned into five streaks of yellow light, vanishing into the void. ... Above Yongzhou City, the heavy snow fluttered down again like goose feathers. In such a large city, there were few pedestrians, the streets appearing empty. Shen Qing rode his horse toward the Military Department, one hand holding his dagger and the other the reins. The Military Department was quite a distance from the county office and the Guardian Martial Department, and with many alleys in between, it would take nearly a stick of incense''s time for him to reach, even on horseback. Zheng Yuanqiu had been operating within the Guardian Martial Department for many years, surely with many spies inside; his departure would be hard to conceal from Zheng Yuanqiu. As long as Zheng Yuanqiu wasn''t foolish, he would surely guess Shen Qing''s intentions were dishonorable. He didn''t have much time left. Shen Qing rode his horse, turning into a street. Suddenly, a flash of yellow light passed above his head and disappeared into a house ahead. Just as Shen Qing was puzzled, the previously fleeting yellow light returned and charged straight at him. He found the yellow glow strangely familiar, scrutinizing it closely. Wasn''t this a Yellow Paper Crane from the Huang Tian Sect? He instantly became vigilant, almost instinctively using the "Deng Li Cang Shen" from his Riding Skill, slipping to one side of his horse. At that very instant, a fierce arrow shot across the horse''s back, closely following the yellow paper crane. Shen Qing squinted, looking up. He saw at the end of the street, a man in a cotton jacket crouched, aiming a bow at him. A member of the Huang Tian Sect. If Shen Qing hadn''t reacted quickly, even if he wasn''t injured, he would have at least suffered. Lying on the side of his horse, Shen Qing''s expression turned cold as he grabbed the reins with both hands, sat back on the saddle, and drew the bow hanging from the horse''s back. Enjoy exclusive adventures from empire His eyes suddenly congealed into two cold stars, his movements fluid as he nocked an arrow and drew the bowstring. With subtle adjustments in his breathing, Shen Qing''s entire body''s strength swiftly gathered into his arms, then flowed to his fingertips, as he nocked the arrow, drew the bow, and activated the Heavenly Bow Technique. The whistling sound grew around him, swirling up snow and frost, shrouding Shen Qing within. In the instant the opponent''s arrow left the string, Shen Qing released his grip. The Purple Gold Heavy Arrow, made from solid material, thundered with an unstoppable force straight toward the opponent. The thick layer of snow on the ground was swept away by the arrow''s force, revealing the clean, straight blue brick beneath. Thud! An unimaginable scene unfolded. The arrow Shot by Shen Qing hit the opponent''s arrow squarely. The powerful snowstorm arrow shredded the opponent''s arrow to pieces. The momentum of Shen Qing''s arrow was undiminished, growing even stronger. With a howling snowstorm, it pierced through the opponent''s chest like a bamboo moving through the wind, leaving a large, bowl-sized blood hole. Blood splattered, nearly turning the white snow on the ground red. Shen Qing galloped past. As he passed the corpse of the Huang Tian Sect''s spy, he reached down, snatching back the Purple Gold Heavy Arrow without looking back. After not much distance, Shen Qing noticed more yellow paper cranes flying overhead and frowned slightly. "Zheng Yuanqiu and his crew respond quickly, already reacting in such a short time. But¡­ it''s too late." Shen Qing''s expression turned solemn, without hesitation, as he strung the previously used arrow once more. [Activate Eagle Eye!] Suddenly, countless images flooded his mind, composing an overhead map of the street. On the snow-covered street, a black steed galloped, spraying snow in all directions. Ahead of the horse, three figures converged toward his location. Shen Qing remembered their positions, wasted no words, and began firing arrows rapidly toward three positions. Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Three arrows shot forth, the wind and clouds shifted. The snowstorm engulfing the area was cleared by the three arrows, whistling unimpeded toward the three Huang Tian Sect spies. The three Huang Tian Sect spies hadn''t realized what was happening before the arrows penetrated their hearts. The powerful momentum nearly split them in half, leaving them undeniably dead. The air was thick with the scent of blood and the chill of impending death. Shen Qing put away the Cloud Splitting Heavy Bow, his face expressionless: "Is there one more?" He saw another martial master emerging from a narrow alley, taking a shortcut. Now they were too close for the use of arrows to be convenient. Shen Qing simply drew his dagger from his waist, holding it horizontally before him. He tightened his grip around his horse''s belly, urging his horse to charge and slash. "Those who block me shall die!" Even an eagle gives its all when attacking a rabbit. [Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill, Ninth Transformation] Shen Qing''s eyes focused, channeling True Qi within him, concentrating it onto his dagger. Blade facing blade. With a crisp snap, under this shocking strike from Shen Qing, the opponent hadn''t even had time to react before the long sword he wielded was shattered by Shen Qing''s strike. Slosh! Shen Qing''s hand movements were relentless, severing the opponent''s head with one strike. Blood gushed, splattering Shen Qing''s clothes on one side. Thus, the temporary reinforcements sent by the Huang Tian Sect were all dead! Shen Qing wasted no time, casually flinging the blood from his dagger with a flick of his sleeve, then sheathing it calmly. The snow previously cleared by the force of his arrows began to flutter down once more. All was as usual. Not far ahead, Shen Qing saw the gates of the Military Department Office. Before the appearance of demons and the Huang Tian Sect, the Military Department was in charge of maintaining law and order with considerable power. Later, due to the emergence of the Huang Tian Sect and demons, the Guardian Martial Department split from the Military Department; in a sense, the Guardian Martial Department was part of the Military Department. Hence, their superior was naturally the Commander of the Military Department. With a spy appearing in the Guardian Martial Department, the Commander''s responsibility was undeniable, while Shen Qing, dealing with Zheng Yuanqiu, was already cultivated enough. "Who goes there?" When Shen Qing arrived at the military governor''s office, the guards were alarmed, seeing Shen Qing half-covered in blood, instinctively flashing their weapons. Shen Qing quickly said: "I am Shen Qing from the Guardian Martial Department''s dispatch office, I have urgent matters to report to Lord Commander. This matter is extremely urgent, please immediately inform him." Chapter 59 Breaking Through the Yu Luo Realm ¿¤ÑÃÃÅ¿Ú,º®·çÖèÆð.Shen Qing wore the cotton uniform of the Guardian Martial Department. The hem was edged with fine blood-colored ice crystals, and even one side of his cheek bore a bloodstain. Anyone could see that he had just killed someone. The two gatekeepers standing at the entrance dared not let him in casually. "We ask that you show your identity card," one of the gatekeepers said, his hands tucked into his sleeves as he held his weapon, exposing only a red nose and a pair of wary eyes. Shen Qing retrieved a finely carved jade token from his pocket, with his name and official position engraved on it, and handed it over. The gatekeeper took the jade token and carefully examined it in the dim light by the door, his expression gradually becoming more respectful. "So it''s Lord Shen, Lord Officer Shen. My apologies." Shen Qing took back his identity card and tightened his cloak, asking, "May I ask, where are the Lord Military Commander and the Lord of the General Supervisor''s Office at the moment?" The gatekeeper stomped his feet and, with a troubled expression, explained, "Lord Shen, unfortunately, the Lord Military Commander and the Lord of the General Supervisor''s Office went out early this morning to inspect the city defenses. They said they wanted to personally check the fortifications outside the city and are expected to return in the afternoon. Would you like to leave a message, or wait a while until they return?" Hearing this, Shen Qing frowned slightly, knowing that his visit was of great importance and time was of the essence, yet he hadn''t expected the two main officials to be absent. "In that case, I''ll go inside and wait," he said. Currently, he had completely fallen out with Zheng Yuanqiu, and outside, it might not be as safe as the county office here. As long as Zheng Yuanqiu hadn''t figured out the situation here, he wouldn''t dare act recklessly. Otherwise, if something went wrong, everyone would assume the worst, and it would be hard to explain. The gatekeeper quickly put down his long spear, bowed, then swiftly stepped forward to push open the heavy county office doors for Shen Qing. As Shen Qing stepped into the county office, the warmth instantly provided a stark contrast to the bitter cold outside. Saying this, Shen Qing pulled out one ingot of silver from his pocket and slipped it into the gatekeeper''s hand, saying, "Please, brother, keep an eye out. Inform me immediately when they return." "Rest assured, Lord Shen, I''ll do my utmost," the gatekeeper promised quickly. He then led Shen Qing to a warm room nearby to wait and ordered someone to prepare hot tea and snacks to ward off the winter chill. Seated in the warm room, watching the snow fluttering outside, Shen Qing''s mind was filled with countless thoughts. It was nearing the end of the year; any necessary inspections should have been completed long ago. Why would there suddenly be so many inspections to do now? Why check now instead of earlier or later? If he wasn''t mistaken, nine times out of ten, they went out to socialize. They should be back around noon if things went as expected. In the prefectures and counties, Shen Qing could finally relax his tense mind a little. He took out the purse he had obtained from Zheng Yuanqiu. Shen Qing poured it into his hand. Six Wish Power Pearls rolled into his palm. They received just one Wish Power Pearl each per year, so if his position didn''t change, it would take him six years to earn these six pearls. Shen Qing estimated silently that among these six Wish Power Pearls, one was originally his, four were likely Zheng Yuanqiu''s original official salary, and one might have been taken from the deceased Xi Shaoqin''s allotted share. Now they all benefitted him. Confronting Zheng Yuanqiu face-to-face had been a risky move, but it was somewhat worth it in the end. He had been stuck in the Qi Hai Realm for four or five months. S§×arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. After continuous nourishment with medicinal meals and an increase in his panel abilities, he was now only a step away from advancing from the Qi Hai Realm to the Yu Luo Realm. The so-called Yu Luo Realm was when martial masters, through continuous cultivation, further compressed their True Qi into liquid that filled their entire body''s meridians, transforming the Qi Sea into a True Sea. Once reaching this realm, when martial masters circulated their True Qi, a crystal light would appear along their meridians, resembling real jade, hence the name Yu Luo Realm. In the Yu Luo Realm, True Qi throughout the body was refined and one could glide with Qi. Though not quite as advanced as the innate Rainbow Light control, it was still above the ordinary. Even within the entire Great Zhou Country, one would be considered a prominent figure within a city in a prefecture. Seeing it was still early with nothing to do, Shen Qing, having witnessed the terrifying power of the innate realm, didn''t want to waste this downtime opportunity and planned to use the Wish Power Pearls to break through the bottleneck of the Yu Luo Realm. He felt a bit insecure at the moment. Even a slight advancement could offer him some peace of mind. So, he decided to act. Shen Qing stored the extra Wish Power Pearls back in the purse, leaving only one out. Gazing at the milky white pearl in his hand, Shen Qing could faintly sense the immense Desire Power contained within. He took a deep breath, took out the Refining Pearl Technique he carried with him, placed it over his Dantian, and gently lifted the Wish Power Pearl with both hands. With a thought, the Refining Pearl Technique automatically activated, and his True Qi surged like a river, converging between his hands and resonating subtly with the Wish Power Pearl. The Wish Power Pearl''s surface gradually emitted a soft glow, intertwining and merging with Shen Qing''s True Qi to form a vast power. The Spiritual Energy of heaven and earth gathered towards where Shen Qing sat. His pores opened wide, greedily absorbing this energy. As the energy entered, the True Qi within his Qi Sea began to spin and compress madly, as if guided by an invisible force, condensing into a liquid form, exuding a warm, jade-like luster. ... On the street. Xu Changle hastily followed the location indicated by the paper crane. His face grew increasingly grim as he came across one corpse after another. These people were experts in the Qi Cultivation Realm secretly cultivated by their Huang Tian Sect, following the martial path. Yet they didn''t even possess the capability to hold Shen Qing back! At that moment, Xu Changle realized that Shen Qing was somewhat out of the ordinary and challenging to deal with. But he was not without options. Up to now, his own identity remained undisclosed. This meant he could still get close to Shen Qing, and with his cultivation in the Qi Hai Realm, if he made a move at the right moment, he had a seventy percent chance of succeeding. Once he acted and killed him, he could fabricate any reason later on, resolving any crisis naturally. Judging from the situation with Chief Officer Zheng, this Shen was very skilled at manipulating human nature. At that time, he must not engage in any unnecessary interactions and should act decisively. Xu Changle quietly warned himself as he headed towards the county office. Soon, he arrived at the entrance, providing a reason unhurriedly, verified his identity, and proceeded inside without any obstructions. He asked, in a tone part casual, part deliberate, "I just saw Shen Chasi arrive before me, where is he now?" "Lord Shen? He is in the warm room," the gatekeeper replied without much thought. "Oh, that''s perfect. I have some business with him," Xu Changle said nonchalantly. "You can go about your work; I''ll find him on my own." "Alright, I won''t disturb you," the guard replied. Once he got the gatekeeper out of the way, Xu Changle''s face instantly turned cold as he quickly made his way toward the warm room. Inside the warm room. Shen Qing sat in the chair, enveloped by a vortex of Spiritual Energy around him, continuously entering his body. Boom! Finally, the True Qi within him reached a critical point. With a clear, resounding boom, Shen Qing''s Qi Sea underwent a complete transformation into a True Sea, vast and unfathomable. His meridians were also filled at that moment with the liquified True Qi, crystalline and translucent, seemingly carved from jade, shimmering with a radiant glow. Shen Qing slowly opened his eyes, radiating energy and exuding an indescribable aura. Enjoy exclusive content from empire "Success!" Shen Qing''s face was filled with an incredible joy, he knew he was just a step away from the Yu Luo Realm, but he hadn''t expected, aided by the Wish Power Pearl, to break through to the Yu Luo Realm so effortlessly!!! He stood up, feeling the surge of new power within him, and his mouth curled into a confident smile, feeling much more at ease. "Very well. Now, I may not be able to kill Zheng Yuanqiu, but at least I won''t be in such a miserable state as before." At that moment, footsteps sounded outside the warm room, and someone pushed the door open, interrupting his thoughts. Chapter 60 Better to Kill by Mistake Than to Miss One ¿¤Ñà courtyard''s snow curtain was as dense as a woven fabric, but inside the warm room, the fire crackled warmly, like spring.Xu Changle wore a heavy brocade robe, stepping with a light snow sound, he walked up to the warm room and pushed open the carved wooden door. In an instant, the cold air from the courtyard found its outlet and rushed into the warm room. Snowflakes were carried by the cold wind into the warm room, falling to the ground and turning into ice water. Xu Changle stepped inside, his gaze as sharp as an eagle''s, scanning the surroundings. Soon, his sight landed on Shen Qing''s figure. At this moment, in the vast warm room, there was only Shen Qing. Xu Changle''s lips curled into an imperceptible cold smile. S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. This was good. Xu Changle closed the door with a backward motion of his hand. Read latest stories on empire The howling wind at the door abruptly stopped. With a hint of deliberate intimacy, he said, "Oh, I didn''t expect to find you here, Shen Chasi?" Shen Qing sat calmly on a chair, looking up at Xu Changle with a face full of surprise, he asked, "Xu Chasi? It''s a coincidence you came to the county office too. Is there something important?" Xu Changle''s smile grew brighter, a sly glint flickering in his eyes as he said, "In this heavy snow, what important matters could there be? I just happened to pass by, thinking the New Year is near, and came specifically to get acquainted with Lord Commander and Lord Chief Officer." Commander Jia Zhiping and Chief Officer Huang Furo''s positions could be considered as superiors of the Guardian Martial Department. To climb higher, one could not bypass these two people. Therefore, at the end or beginning of each year, the Military Department and Guardian Martial Department saw many ambitious officials trying various means to connect with the two. Simultaneously, the high-ranking families behind these officials often wanted a foot in the door. Although Shen Qing hadn''t experienced this, he had heard of the custom and understood another layer of meaning in Xu Changle''s words. This was undoubtedly one of the main reasons that Jia Zhiping and Huang Furo became increasingly busy as the year-end approached. "Oh, so that''s how it is..." Shen Qing slowly stood up, putting on a smile as he walked towards Xu Changle. He didn''t seem distant or cold, but rather hooked Xu Changle''s shoulder with a smile: "Brother Xu, do you have any experience to share with me? I also want to advance but have no way." Seeing this, Xu Changle was delighted and did not resist. He was worrying about how to approach Shen Qing and didn''t expect him to deliver himself. Heh heh, there''s a path to heaven you don''t take, but you break into the doorless hell. Don''t blame me then. His hand moved towards the dagger at his waist as he said, "Haha, there''s no secret, just three words." "Oh, which three words?" Shen Qing showed a look of earnest listening, instinctively placing his other hand on Xu Changle''s chest, his eyes growing purer. There was a slightly more smile on Xu Changle''s face, scrutinizing Shen Qing, his heart filled with ecstasy. He was about to succeed. He twisted his wrist on the knife handle, about to speak, when he suddenly felt an intense heat in his chest. Boom! Abruptly, a volcano-like surge erupted from Shen Qing''s palm, and an unprecedented burning torrent burst forth. At this moment, the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill was running at its peak, with the scorching Qi it contained interwoven with the dominant might of the Sky Flipping Seal, exploding on Xu Changle''s chest. Xu Changle''s face changed drastically, emitting a sharp scream. He was thrown sideways by an irresistible force like a leaf caught in a hurricane, slamming hard against the warm room wall. The wall behind him cracked like a spider web rapidly spreading as he crashed against it. Xu Changle spat out a mouthful of fresh blood, looking extremely haggard and frail. He raised his head to see Shen Qing, noticing the jade-colored patterns emerging on his body, revealing a look of disbelief as a monstrous wave surged in his heart. Yu Luo Realm! He was actually a martial master of the Yu Luo Realm! He clearly remembered when this Shen Qing had just joined the Guardian Martial Department, his cultivation was only at the Qi Cultivation Realm, not even reaching the Qi Hai Realm. Had this Shen fellow broken through two Great Realms in just half a year? How could it be? The Guardian Martial Department, after so many years of establishment, how could such an individual emerge? In an instant, many thoughts ran through his mind. Xu Changle said, "Shen Chasi... you... what does this mean?" "Nothing, just that I want to kill you." Shen Qing''s tone was cold, without any emotional fluctuation. He had noticed this Xu Changle several times by chance, closely interacting with Zheng Yuanqiu, and even if not collaborating with Zheng, they must have some other connection. He had barely left the Guardian Martial Department for the county office when this person followed. Moreover, seeing the blood on him, this man wasn''t surprised, almost like he already knew he had killed someone. Ninety percent sure he was targeting him. Even though he didn''t have any evidence at hand now. But rather kill mistakenly than let go!!! At this moment, how could he show mercy? It''s better for someone else to die than himself. Xu Changle had never seen anyone as ruthless as Shen Qing, who acted so decisively that he had no defense at all. Seeing Shen Qing approaching step by step with no intention of sparing him, he felt as if he had fallen into an ice cellar, his face gradually filled with fear. He started to struggle, trying to muster his entire True Qi to resist, but now almost all his meridians were shattered by Shen Qing''s palm, leaving him with no strength. The strong desire to survive drove him to ignore his injuries, painfully sticking to the wall and trying to get up, warning Shen Qing: "Shen Chasi... do you know... what you are... doing? Are you trying... to kill an official... this is the county..." Before Xu Changle could finish his words. There was a flash of cold light, and a shiny steel knife was plunged into his chest. "What official? You are clearly a traitor, a Huang Tian Sect traitor." "Huh! You... have... no proof... huh!" "Dead men don''t need proof." Xu Changle''s pupils suddenly widened. With a squelch. As soon as the words fell, Shen Qing''s blood-stained dagger, in Xu Changle''s despairing gaze, sliced across his throat. Hot blood splattered everywhere, the thick stench of blood rising in the warm room. "Huh... huh..." Xu Changle''s throat sounded like a bellows with leaks, continuously rasping. Shen Qing wiped his dagger on Xu Changle''s clothes, removing the blood from the blade, then sheathed it. He returned to the chair, placing the long knife across his legs, and took a sip of warm tea. Shen Qing replaced the tea cup onto the table with a clink. At the same time, the deceased Xu Changle slumped to sit before toppling over to the ground. The crimson blood slowly spread from beneath him. Inside the warm room, the fire continued to crackle. Shen Qing glanced at Xu Changle and withdrew his gaze, his expression calming as he regulated his breath silently. Chapter 61 Report! ```After a brief adjustment of his breath, Shen Qing calmed the side effects of the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill. It suddenly occurred to Shen Qing that he hadn''t yet searched the corpse, so he hurried to Xu Changle''s body and began to search it carefully. Seeing that there was no one around, he searched meticulously and successfully found a bulging money pouch on the body. Shen Qing opened the pouch and counted the contents, discovering a Wish Power Pearl and several taels of Silver Tael. Xu Changle had just received his annual salary today and hadn''t had the chance to use it, leaving it on him. It was all to Shen Qing''s benefit now. Not to mention, that Wish Power Pearl was quite a rare find. Today''s gain utterly exceeded his expectations. Shen Qing unhesitatingly tucked the money pouch into his robe with practiced ease. He casually pushed open the window and glanced at the sky. It looked like it had just reached noon, and there was still some time before Huang Furo and the others would return. He had to keep waiting. Shen Qing settled back into the chair, patiently regulating his breath as he waited. Time passed slowly, and soon it was late noon. Shen Qing sat quietly in the chair, his eyes slightly closed, surrounded by a faint ripple of spiritual energy, engrossed in regulating his inner breath, oblivious to anything happening outside. Just then, the gatekeeper opened the door to the warm room and loudly said, "Shen Chasi, the Chief Officer and the others have returned..." He hadn''t finished speaking when his gaze involuntarily fixed on one side of the warm room, his pupils suddenly contracted. There lay a corpse quietly on the cold ground, its blood already dried. On closer inspection, he noticed the distorted face and disheveled clothing of the corpse, clearly indicating a fierce struggle. The gatekeeper was overcome by a sense of foreboding and became terribly frightened. His face turned pale, and he pointed at the corpse, his voice trembling as he asked, "Shen Chasi, this... this is..." The gatekeeper recognized it as the dispatch officer of the Guardian Martial Department who had entered earlier! Shen Qing had killed him? This Shen had blatantly killed an official of the Guardian Martial Department in the county office? Was this Shen Qing insane? Upon hearing the disturbance, Shen Qing slowly opened his eyes, which flashed with a sharp glint. He gently exhaled a deep breath, calming the surging energy within. "No need to worry too much. This person was a spy from the Huang Tian Sect. I discovered his identity and had no choice but to act. Quickly inform the Chief Officer and the others to come here. I need to report this in person. This matter is of critical importance! Hurry!" Shen Qing''s voice, though soft, carried an undeniable firmness. The gatekeeper''s heart skipped a beat upon hearing this. He glanced at Shen Qing, then back at the corpse on the ground, realizing the gravity of the situation, promptly agreeing and rushing off to inform them. After the gatekeeper left, Shen Qing''s demeanor gradually became colder and much more serious. Shen Qing didn''t have to wait long. Soon, a series of steady and forceful footsteps echoed outside the warm room. Commander Jia Zhiping and Chief Officer Huang Furo pushed open the door and entered the room one after the other. As soon as they entered, their eyes were instantly drawn to the corpse on the ground, both stunned and speechless. Discover more stories at empire Clearly, neither had expected someone would kill another official within the county office. Jia Zhiping''s voice carried a hint of irrefutable authority as he sternly asked, "What in the world happened here? You''d better have a good explanation for me." Jia Zhiping, thickly bearded and stout, exuded composure and strength with every step, resembling a triumphant general, fixing a severe gaze on Shen Qing. The aura of an Innate Martial Master was naturally evident in him. Under this aura, every hair on Shen Qing''s body stood on end, feeling immense pressure. He hurriedly activated the true qi from his True Spirit Sea, a faint jade radiance appearing over his body, covertly resisting this imposing force. Shen Qing had vaguely heard that this Commander of the Military Department had a character that abhorred evil, with a fiery temperament. Not daring to delay, Shen Qing took a stack of letters from his sleeve, stepped forward, and respectfully presented them before Jia Zhiping, saying in a deep voice, "These are correspondences between Zheng Yuanqiu and the Huang Tian Sect that I discovered during my investigation. I request your review, My Lord." Jia Zhiping gave them a sweeping glance, his eyes twitching twice before handing them over to Huang Furo next to him after reading. Huang Furo took the letters and began to read them quickly, her expression becoming increasingly gravely as she delved into the contents. Each word in the letters revealed the Huang Tian Sect''s schemes and ambition and the evidence of Zheng Yuanqiu''s collusion with them. A trace of cold light flashed in Huang Furo''s beautiful eyes. She asked, "Where did you get this letter?" Shen Qing replied half-truthfully, "I discovered it on my way to the prefectures and counties. I never dared to be sure until today when the annual salaries were distributed, and I accidentally witnessed Chief Officer Zheng''s handwriting. It was identical to that in the letter, which is why I rushed over to report it." After speaking, he casually pointed to Xu Changle''s corpse on the ground and continued, "This person and Zheng Yuanqiu were both spies sent by Huang Tian Sect. He discovered my purpose for coming here. In desperation, like a cornered beast, he chased me all the way here. But fortunately, my cultivation was slightly superior, and I killed him in return." "I ask the Lord to discern the truth!" Huang Furo was not entirely convinced by Shen Qing''s unilateral account. She held the letter, pondered for a while, and immediately summoned Chang Sui to retrieve past official documents from Zheng Yuanqiu received at the county office. She carefully compared the handwriting on the documents with that in the letters. Finding the styles to be identical, she realized it was the work of the same person. Huang Furo''s expression suddenly changed, "Zheng Yuanqiu, so he really is with the Huang Tian Sect!" Jia Zhiping lowered his gaze, seemingly and imperceptibly glancing at Huang Furo. Huang Furo immediately realized her negligence in supervision, allowing such a huge oversight. She clasped her hands together and pleaded, "My Lord, this is entirely my failure in oversight. I request your punishment." Jia Zhiping''s face remained expressionless, but even the unfamiliar Shen Qing could sense the fury in his eyes. A prestigious Chief Officer of the Guardian Martial Department turned out to be the leader of the bandits. If this reached the court, reputations would be ruined, and there would be no end to the consequences for him. Sear?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. However, he knew now was not the time for punishment. Jia Zhiping quickly regained his composure, calmly issuing orders, "Close the city gates, place the entire city under curfew, and ensure that the remnants of the Huang Tian Sect are completely eradicated. I will personally go to capture this chief bandit." Huang Furo and Shen Qing immediately agreed. Under their gaze, Jia Zhiping''s entire body shone brilliantly, then transformed into a rainbow light soaring into the sky, swiftly heading toward the government office of the Guardian Martial Department, moving at an exceptionally fast pace. In the blink of an eye, he vanished into the horizon. Huang Furo returned to her senses and quickly said to Shen Qing, "You will follow me now to defend the entire city and capture the remnants of the Huang Tian Sect." "Yes!" Shen Qing promptly agreed. The two swiftly followed Jia Zhiping out the door. Huang Furo quickly issued commands, summoning all two to three hundred members of the Military Department to guard each town. Nearing the year''s end, the previously peaceful Yongzhou City suddenly erupted into chaos. ``` Chapter 62 Missed by One Step ```Above the Guardian Martial Department, the dark clouds were as thick as ink. S§×ar?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. A sudden rainbow-colored light cut through the sky and descended, landing steadily in the rear hall of the Guardian Martial Department. As soon as this streak of light touched the ground, it dissipated like fireworks, revealing the stern face of Jia Zhiping. Unlike the usual bustle, Jia Zhiping found the rear hall to be unusually quiet at this moment. His heart tensed suddenly, as if realizing something, and he quickly surveyed his surroundings. The vast rear hall was empty, with not even a trace of many servants. Jia Zhiping strode quickly into the quiet room at the back hall, only to see chaos all around, with no sign of Zheng Yuanqiu. This person had realized something was amiss and fled ahead of him. Damn it! Jia Zhiping''s expression turned extremely grim. He angrily swept his sleeve and swiftly left the Guardian Martial Department in a hurry. Meanwhile, As Commander Jia Zhiping rushed to the Guardian Martial Department, Huang Furo, after issuing a few orders in succession, brought Shen Qing along and hurried toward Changhua Street. Changhua Street belonged to Anshan Square, located in the southeast part of Yongzhou City, a place of prosperity. Zheng Yuanqiu''s residence was here. Enjoy exclusive chapters from empire The distance between Changhua Street and the government office of the Military Department was not far, and Huang Furo, bringing Shen Qing and a few subordinates, took only half a moment to reach the "Zheng Mansion." The majestic courtyard had its front gate tightly shut. Without hesitation, Huang Furo gracefully raised her hand, striking the door with the force of thunder. Accompanied by a deafening "bang," the wooden door exploded instantly, splintering apart with shards flying everywhere. The air was filled with the mingling dusty scent of wood and earth. Huang Furo''s face was cold as frost, expressionlessly retracting her hand before propelling herself forward like an arrow released from a bowstring, entering without a moment''s hesitation. Shen Qing, witnessing this scene from the side, was momentarily stunned. Huang Furo''s actions were truly like those of a man, rudely forceful, without consideration. No time to ponder further, Shen Qing quickly collected his thoughts. Following Huang Furo, he and other officers from the Military Department rushed in one after another. The numerous servants in the courtyard, engrossed in their tasks, were startled by their forceful arrival. A steward stepped forward, shouting, "This is the residence of Lord Chief Officer of the Guardian Martial Department. What are you doing?" "Search!" Huang Furo''s voice was cold and powerful, echoing in the empty house, ignoring the steward. She knew that every second was crucial and that she must find Zheng Yuanqiu''s whereabouts quickly. Otherwise, delays could lead to unexpected changes. If this matter went unresolved, it would be impossible to account for it. "You!" The Zheng Mansion steward, seeing these people act so rudely, glared angrily. Huang Furo stepped forward and questioned, "Let me ask you, where is your master now?" The Zheng Mansion steward looked closely, seeing that this was none other than Huang Furo, the Commander of the Military Department, and eldest daughter of the Huangfu family, who had eyebrows like distant ink strokes and wore beige attire exuding the aura of a high-ranking person. Having spent years with Zheng Yuanqiu and seen much, he immediately recognized the incredibly beautiful woman before him. Even if his master were present, he would show due respect to someone like her. He dared not act rashly, and his arrogance quickly subsided. The Zheng Mansion steward, unable to grasp the situation, answered honestly to Huang Furo''s questioning, "The master is always busy with official duties and is elusive. How would we servants know?" "Then when was the last time you saw him today?" "Earlier today, it was around noon when the master returned briefly, took some things, and left in a hurry." Hearing this, Huang Furo''s heart skipped a beat, realizing that Zheng Yuanqiu might have already fled far away. "Sir, there''s no trace of Mr. Zheng in the house." "None here either." "..." The subordinates reported in succession. "Take these people back for questioning. You two, come with me." Huang Furo was not surprised by such a result. She pointed out Shen Qing and another officer from the Military Department, then hurried towards the door. "Yes." Shen Qing and the other officer responded in unison, ignoring the chaos behind and swiftly following. Once out of the Zheng Mansion, Huang Furo rushed straight to the nearest city gate without any hesitation. When the three of them arrived at the city gate, they found that Jia Zhiping was already waiting there for some time. Huang Furo stepped forward and spoke first: "Sir, how''s the situation?" Jia Zhiping said in a deep voice: "It seems Zheng Yuanqiu was well prepared. I''ve asked at all the city gates, and none have discovered any trace of his departure. It seems he''s been building back routes for himself during his time at the Guardian Martial Department." Huang Furo gritted her teeth, her expression turning grim. Jia Zhiping scanned the surroundings, his gaze firm, and said: "Immediately deploy the city''s forces to seal all the main exits, and at the same time strengthen the patrols within the city. We must find Zheng Yuanqiu''s trail." Hearing this, the assembled officers quickly followed orders and moved into action. Commander Jia Zhiping said calmly, "Now, Lord Huangfu, control the situation while I promptly meet the Prefectural Governor to report this matter." "Subordinate, at your command." Huang Furo clasped her hands, her expression becoming more solemn. As the seconds and minutes passed, to everyone''s surprise, Zheng Yuanqiu seemed to have vanished into thin air. Even if they searched every nook and cranny, they were unable to find any trace. Facing such a situation, Shen Qing''s heart sank. At this moment, he suddenly felt extremely insecure. Now that he had torn relations with Zheng Yuanqiu and had become mortal enemies, with a Dan Realm martial master hidden in the shadows, he could not rest easy if not killed. Jia Zhiping and his forces, contrary to what he had thought, were not omnipotent; their efforts had reached a stalemate. When he was clueless and troubled, he happened to walk past the street where he had previously shot down the disciples of the Huang Tian Sect. The image of a yellow paper crane flashed through his mind. Shen Qing paused, frowning slightly. In the "Annotations on Talismans," a method named the tracking talisman surfaced in his mind. He focused his mind, revealing a line of ink-washed text. [Skill: Talisman Making Skill (Skillfully)] [Progress: 115/200 points] [Status: Cannot be upgraded] [Note: Talismans are the divine skills of ancient immortals. Now that the great path has declined, it takes ten thousand efforts to achieve even a bit. With relentless practice, one can achieve the slightest success.] After learning the annotations on talismans, Shen Qing had practiced secretly out of curiosity for some time. During his practice, he found that this skill required great effort for little gain and was extremely difficult to train. Without the right techniques, it was hard to utilize and could only produce minor results. As a result, this skill was gradually sidelined, and he left its progress at a skillful level before setting it aside. Now, the matter of the yellow paper crane reminded him that among the many talismans, the tracking talisman was the most basic, conveniently within his range of creation. Perhaps he could try out this talisman. ``` Chapter 63 Learn Now, Act Now, Catch Them Off Guard ```Once said, immediately done. Shen Qing didn''t hesitate at all. He whipped his horse and rushed home without stopping. "Qingzi, you''re back. What''s happening outside? It''s almost the New Year, why is it so chaotic?" Inside the house, his aunt was idly stitching a shoe with his elder sister Shen Fang, and casually asked when she saw Shen Qing suddenly rush back. Shen Qing didn''t have time to chat with them, so he casually replied, "It''s nothing major, just some thieves in the city. It''s better if you don''t go out for the next few days." "Ah, thieves?" His aunt and elder sister Shen Fang were both somewhat alarmed. They wanted to ask more, but saw Shen Qing had already slipped into his room, leaving them staring at each other. Inside his room, Shen Qing rummaged through his cabinets, finding a pile of scattered talisman materials. A Lang Brush, a stack of yellow lamination paper, and a handful of cinnabar. Shen Qing casually pulled out a sheet from the yellow lamination paper and spread it on the table. This type of talisman paper was usually made from processed mulberry bark, bamboo pulp, and other materials to form a resilient paper, tougher than regular white paper. According to the "Annotations on Talismans," to make higher-grade talismans, one would use silk, but this yellow lamination paper was only suitable as a base for lower-grade talismans. The Tracking Talisman''s quality was not high, and using this yellow lamination paper was more than adequate. Shen Qing exhaled a murky breath, closed his eyes, calmed his mind, slowly adjusted his breathing, and recalled some Meditation Techniques and rituals from the annotations. Once his breathing was steady, he meticulously repeated the complex ritual three times as described in the book, and prepared the cinnabar and other tools. When his mental state calmed completely and was as clear as an undisturbed lake, he took a deep breath, picked up the Lang Brush, lightly dipped it in the cinnabar, and began to draw on the yellow lamination paper. Shen Qing''s wrist turned lightly, and True Qi, like a fine thread, leaped out from the palm of his hand, falling on the tip of the Lang Brush. His movements were extraordinarily smooth, as if he had already repeated this process thousands of times, appearing highly proficient and natural. Just as he felt he was about to complete a Tracking Talisman, an unexpected event occurred! "Boom!" After a subtle explosion, a small flame unexpectedly leaped up from the center of the talisman paper. Shen Qing, accustomed to such occurrences, casually pinched his fingers to extinguish the rising flame. A wisp of blue smoke spiraled up from his fingers. Shen Qing then discarded the failed talisman and unemotionally began his second attempt. Having advanced his Talisman Making Skill to a skillful level, his success rate for crafting such simple Tracking Talismans was quite high. After the first failure, his success rate sharply increased, successfully crafting two in a row. Gazing at the two finished Tracking Talismans, Shen Qing fell into contemplation. After pondering for a moment, he placed the two Tracking Talismans in his bosom and hurriedly left. Zheng Yuanqiu''s cultivation was powerful, and it would be somewhat risky to go alone. It would be best to find some people to go along. S§×ar?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. After all, the affair had been stirred up to such a degree that capturing and killing Zheng Yuanqiu was no longer just his personal matter. With the stage set, he had to learn to leverage others'' strength. As he thought of this, Shen Qing didn''t delay, immediately mounted his horse, and headed straight for the Military Department''s meeting hall to explain his purpose to Huang Furo. "Are you saying you can find Zheng Yuanqiu''s whereabouts?" Huang Furo eyed Shen Qing up and down, somewhat skeptical. "Yes," Shen Qing nodded and replied, "Although I can''t directly locate Zheng Yuanqiu, I have two Tracking Talismans which might trace his movement. It''s worth a try." In the meeting hall, Huang Furo, with a few other officers, looked serious and said, "You also know the Talisman Making Skill?" "A little." After speaking, Shen Qing took a Tracking Talisman from his bosom and affixed it to the purse that Zheng Yuanqiu had once given him, lightly blowing on it. Under his gaze, the talisman seemed to come alive, floating up and emitting a faint glow. Huang Furo subconsciously glanced at Shen Qing. If she remembered correctly, this officer before her wasn''t local and his rank wasn''t high. She had heard about his feats in repeatedly slaying demons at the Guardian Martial Department. In her eyes, he was a capable official. Yet, she had never imagined he possessed such skill. "Sir, shall we perhaps give it a try to see if we can find something?" Shen Qing earnestly said. "Sure," Huang Furo nodded and said, "There''s no time to waste, activate the talisman." "Alright." Shen Qing quickly formed a seal with his fingers and muttered incantations. Moments later, the Tracking Talisman suddenly transformed into a streak of light, shooting through the window and disappearing from everyone''s sight. "Sir, let''s go." Seeing this, Huang Furo swiftly ordered, "You few accompany Shen Chasi and me. Chief Wang, you inform the Lord Commander. We will leave markers along the way for you and the Lord Commander to follow for assistance. Without delay, move out." "Understood!" They all replied in unison. Huang Furo''s figure flickered as she chased after Shen Qing''s silhouette. Although the others still had doubts in their hearts, seeing Shen Qing so confident, they hesitated but then followed under Huang Furo''s orders. ... Outside Yongzhou City. The wind and snow subsided gradually, and silence reigned. The world was a vast expanse of white, with nothing in sight except for the snow-covered ground and mountains, seemingly untouched by dust. Deep in the scenery, a seemingly ordinary forest hid a wooden house. Inside, the fireplace was blazing bright, and a slightly stout man sat cross-legged on the ground, leisurely sipping tea with a contented expression. This man was none other than Zheng Yuanqiu, who had escaped from Yongzhou City ahead of time. When Xu Changle had failed to report back for a long time, he acutely sensed a whiff of danger. Without any hesitation, he quickly returned to pack his valuables and, without alarming anyone, quietly left the city and came to this place. This small house was one of several bases he had prepared outside Yongzhou City. Though not large, it was equipped with all necessary living tools, enough to sustain him for a month or two. Judging by the information that had been returned from the True Master earlier, it seemed that Yongzhou would have significant Spirit Mechanism activity in the coming days. This was a rare opportunity for him. Although his identity was now exposed, he still had many cards hidden in the city, providing a chance to seize such an opportunity. The only loss was his identity as Chief Officer of the Guardian Martial Department, unable to live as freely as before. Thinking of this, Zheng Yuanqiu''s eyes turned fierce, and anger welled up in him. "It''s all Shen Qing''s fault. If it weren''t for him, how would I have ended up like this?" "Since you showed no mercy, don''t blame me for being ruthless." "I''m curious to see your expression when you watch your loved ones die one by one in front of you." Zheng Yuanqiu tightened his right fist, the knuckles turning pale from the force. Just then, there came a subtle yet strange sound of something breaking through the air outside the house. With a crack. It sounded like something had hit the door. Zheng Yuanqiu squinted suspiciously, sensing for any abnormalities, but found nothing amiss outside. He placed his teacup gently on the table, stood up, walked to the door, and cautiously opened a narrow crack. Peering through the gap, he saw nothing outside. Strange. Did I hear wrong? Just as Zheng Yuanqiu was about to close the door, his eyes inadvertently swept over the ground by the entrance, spotting an inexplicable yellow talisman. The talisman sparkled with radiant colors. Zheng Yuanqiu''s head suddenly snapped up, a flicker of surprise and alertness on his face. His eyes widened with determination, and he abruptly threw open the wooden door, with no hesitation, preparing to dash into the forest like an arrow released from a bowstring. But just as he turned, an unparalleled sharpness pierced the sky, tearing the air with a deafening roar and endless wind and snow, aiming directly at his back. Zheng Yuanqiu felt an overwhelming aura of destruction, blaring alarms in his mind. Spiritual Power within him surged instantly, forcing his body to twist in the air at an inconceivable angle, turning around. Then, gathering brilliant light in his palm, he unleashed it with a thunderous blow, directly confronting the incoming arrow head-on. "Boom!" A deafening explosion erupted, the arrow shattered in the air, scattering into bits of cold brilliance, stirring a circle of visible ripples in the snow. Riding the momentum, Zheng Yuanqiu''s figure soared higher, spotting a figure in the distance holding a bow, his complexion horrified. Your next chapter awaits on empire "So it''s you, brat!!!" ``` Chapter 64 Driven into a Corner Zheng Yuanqiu''s eyes widened in disbelief when he saw Huangfu Rou and the others behind Shen Qing, an indescribable panic welling up in his heart.He was sure he had been cautious enough, leaving no traces behind, so why had he still been found? S§×arch* The ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Zheng Yuanqiu couldn''t figure it out no matter how much he thought. But now was clearly not the time to ponder this. Shen Qing and Huangfu Rou had discovered his trail, and if they captured him, the consequences would be unimaginable. Discover hidden content at empire To pry open the secrets in his mouth, they would only make his life a living hell. He had to leave. Upon realizing his predicament, Zheng Yuanqiu''s eyes flashed with decisiveness as he intended to use the cover of the snowy forest to slip into the vast mountains. At that moment, Shen Qing already saw through his intentions, raising the Cloud Splitting Bow with his right hand, his eyes shining brightly. He secretly operated the Heavenly Bow Technique, channeling Supreme True Qi through his hands onto the arrows. The surrounding air seemed drawn by this power, coalescing into a barely visible vortex of Spiritual Power, swirling around the tip of the arrows he held. "Swish, swish, swish!" Three arrows with a chilling gleam released almost simultaneously, cutting through the air and leaving indelible scars in their wake. Boom, boom, boom! Thundering explosions erupted continuously from the deep mountain, blasting open walls of snow several meters high, perfectly sealing all of Zheng Yuanqiu''s escape routes. The powerful force carried by the arrows compelled Zheng Yuanqiu to retreat backward continuously. Witnessing this, Huangfu Rou couldn''t help but feel a surge of astonishment. She had long heard of Shen Qing''s unparalleled archery skills, but seeing it firsthand, she was still left speechless; she had never seen anyone hone their bow technique to such an extent. "What a ''Heavenly Net and Earthly Web'' archery!" Huangfu Rou, filled with admiration, quickened her pace, employing Qinggong movement technique, sprinting towards Zheng Yuanqiu''s position. Zheng Yuanqiu, thwarted, found Huangfu Rou and the others already closing in on him, his expression turning grim. He fixed his eyes on Shen Qing, showing deep-seated hatred. "You caught my weakness, you reported me in secret, you found me, and finally, you blocked my retreat¡­" "Damn it! It''s never-ending." "I originally intended to let you live a few more days, but since you''re so eager to die, I''ll oblige!" Seeing that he had no time to escape, a vicious glint flashed in Zheng Yuanqiu''s eyes. Suddenly, the Spiritual Power within him surged wildly as he turned and charged towards Shen Qing. With undeniable killing intent, Zheng Yuanqiu''s figure moved like lightning, instantly crossing the distance between them, unleashing a fierce palm strike aimed at Shen Qing''s vital point. Shen Qing''s muscles instantly tensed, activating the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill to its peak in a split second. The Zheng Yuanqiu before him, after all, had the cultivation of the Dan Realm, a whole Great Realm above him, unlike those he had faced before. He had to be cautious. However, at that moment, Huangfu Rou''s figure expanded, stepping in front of Shen Qing. "Zheng Yuanqiu, your opponent is me!" Huangfu Rou shouted coldly as Spiritual Power surged from within her, launching a palm strike. A cool, pale blue glow radiated from her palm, landing in front of Zheng Yuanqiu. The powerful Spiritual Power surged like a torrent, tearing through the surrounding space, causing it to tremble slightly under the impact. Huangfu Rou and Zheng Yuanqiu, both strong in the Dan Realm, had equivalent cultivation levels, matching each other strike for strike. Both were forced back several steps under the other''s moves before stabilizing themselves. "Huangfu Rou, you have remarkable courage. I didn''t expect you to stand up for a lowly dispatch officer," Zheng Yuanqiu sneered at Huangfu Rou with a grim smile. He had long been familiar with the nature of Yongzhou''s officials, who pursued results over the lives of their subordinates. Someone like Huangfu Rou was indeed unusual. "I, Huangfu Rou, do not need a traitor like you to comment on my actions." Huangfu Rou''s response was succinct and powerful. With that, her brows furrowed like swords, exuding a commanding presence, surrounded by a brilliant spiritual light, akin to dawn breaking. Then, Huangfu Rou summoned all her Spiritual Power, and with a soft chant, a blue brilliance materialized out of thin air. Instantly, the space seemed torn apart by an invisible hand, and Huang Fuqi''s form gradually blurred under the astonished gazes, ultimately transforming into a radiant blue light, darting towards Zheng Yuanqiu. This was the secret technique passed down through the Huangfu family ¡ª the Da Xu Technique. It allowed one to shift form and attack unexpectedly, catching the opponent off guard. Faced with this sudden change, Zheng Yuanqiu''s anger surged, yet it also sparked unprecedented fighting spirit. His form burst forth like a lone boat braving raging seas, directly meeting the blue light. As they clashed, the void trembled violently, light scattering in all directions. Each collision between them stirred destructive waves of power. The snow atop the surrounding forest was instantly melted under their pressure, revealing the grayish, decayed soil beneath. Countless trees were destroyed in an instant. After exchanging dozens of moves, at a certain moment, Zheng Yuanqiu''s actions subtly lagged. His entire Gang Qi finally showed signs of instability under Huangfu Rou''s fierce onslaught. In a moment of brilliance, Huangfu Rou seized the fleeting flaw, delivering a heavy strike, akin to a falling star, utterly destroying Zheng Yuanqiu''s defense. All the light dispersed, revealing Zheng Yuanqiu''s figure. His face flushed red, unable to stop a spurt of murky blood from escaping his lips. "This woman is tougher than I imagined. If this drags on, who knows what reinforcements will come next. I must go!" Zheng Yuanqiu shouted fiercely, lunging forward, unleashing a forceful punch. Huangfu Rou dared not take it lightly, meeting it with both palms. Boom! A tremendous explosive force erupted between them. Zheng Yuanqiu''s lips curled into a grin as he used the explosion to retreat violently, turning to flee. The punch was merely a feint, a ploy to retreat through advance. Just as he thought he had successfully escaped, a blazing aura suddenly emerged. During their battle, Shen Qing had silently maneuvered behind them in the forest using the Hunting Scripture technique. Seeing through Zheng Yuanqiu''s plan, Shen Qing decisively attacked. The Heaven Defying Style of the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill and the Mountain Embrace Seal were launched in unison, sweeping towards Zheng Yuanqiu. The "Heaven Defying Style" and "Mountain Embrace Seal" interlaced, combining to unleash tenfold power. "Boom!" With a deafening roar, the Mountain Embrace Seal crashed onto Zheng Yuanqiu''s back like a towering mountain. The defensive Gang Qi Zheng Yuanqiu painstakingly maintained shattered like thin ice beneath a scorching sun, torn apart in an instant. The searing True Qi flooded into his internal organs. "Bleh!" Zheng Yuanqiu spat out a mouthful of foul blood mixed with fragments of his organs, his face turning deathly pale. His body, like a kite with a broken string, plummeted heavily to the forest''s rotten soil, splattering a wave of mud. Chapter 65 The Damn Ants ```"You..." Zheng Yuanqiu never expected Shen Qing to seize the opportunity so well. This strike hit precisely at his vulnerable point, dispersing a breath of his inner vitality, worsening his injuries. Staring at Huang Furo and the others, who were waiting in formation, Zheng Yuanqiu realized that today''s situation was a dead end. The surroundings fell into a deathly silence. After a moment, his laughter suddenly echoed through the open mountain forest. "Haha, what a twist of fate!" Zheng Yuanqiu''s sharp gaze fixated on Shen Qing, not far away, that unremarkable officer. "Shen Qing, oh Shen Qing, I never imagined I, Zheng Yuanqiu, would fall to a lowly officer like you. You''ve truly hidden your talents well." Shen Qing''s expression remained unchanged as he righteously stated, "Every action leaves traces. You, as an official of the Zhou Dynasty, had malicious intentions and were bound to be exposed sooner or later. I just happened to be in the right place at the right time." Upon hearing this, Zheng Yuanqiu''s mouth curled into a faint smile, which contained endless hatred and unwillingness, "Didn''t expect you to be sharp-tongued, either. I truly misjudged, I misjudged..." He gazed at the dark sky, sighed deeply with regret, and said, "I truly regret not having the determination to destroy everything back then, hoping for luck, and failing to eliminate you, this minor figure, only to create a great disaster." Huang Furo snorted coldly, her voice chill, "There is no cure for regret in this world. There''s still one chance left before you. If you confess, maybe I can give you a swift end." "Hehe!" Zheng Yuanqiu glanced at everyone and said, "At this point, no matter what is said, it is futile. But don''t underestimate me. I, Zheng Yuanqiu, am not ordinary, even in death, I can take you with me!" Zheng Yuanqiu''s maniacal laughter echoed through the forest. His eyes turned red, and he suddenly clasped his fingers together, thrusting them into his chest without hesitation, twisting to the right as if manipulating something. Blood spurted from between his fingers. Zheng Yuanqiu, face crazed, exclaimed, "Die with me!" Suddenly, a strange power surged around Zheng Yuanqiu, and rune-like patterns appeared incessantly over his chest. Shen Qing recognized the patterns, realizing suddenly they were from the Detonator. "Get out of the way!" Shen Qing shouted loudly. Unfortunately, the entire process was completed in a matter of one or two breaths, leaving no time for anyone to react. Zheng Yuanqiu''s fat figure suddenly shrank, becoming incredibly thin, with only a skeleton remaining in an instant. In the next moment, like a long-repressed volcano finally erupting at the last moment. "Die!..." Zheng Yuanqiu roared, the light before his chest suddenly intensified, and the destructive power exploded from his body with fierce intensity. Boom! Boom! The forest seemed like a sudden sunrise, engulfing everything around. The corrupted soil mixed with melted snow rapidly dried out, cracked, and was peeled away layer by layer by the formidable force, turning to dust, dissipating into the void. The immense power crushed everything around. The wind howled, the earth trembled, as if an apocalyptic scene unfolded. It was unknown how long it took before everything gradually returned to silence. Where Zheng Yuanqiu once stood, a pit ten feet in radius was left, like a scar on the earth. "Cough, cough!" There was a disturbance of dry mud within the pit, soon revealing a human face, followed by two hands. With both hands supporting, a figure sat up from the soil. sea??h th§× n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He shook his head, quickly regaining clarity. "Are you alright?" Shen Qing turned to see the disheveled Huang Furo. Her hair was in disarray, her clothes torn, and there was a trace of blood at the corner of her mouth, clearly indicating a significant injury. "I''m fine, I won''t die." Shen Qing circulated the Eight Desolate Whale Swallowing Technique, illuminating streams around the Dantian. The previously stored True Qi flowed out continuously, repairing the injuries in his body. After resting for a dozen breaths, Shen Qing stood up from the soil, silently observing the chaotic scene around. It was unexpected how formidable Zheng Yuanqiu''s final "destroy everything" card was. In this unexpected disaster, only he and Huang Furo, with their exceptional wit and profound cultivation, barely found a sliver of life at the explosion''s edge. The others were not so fortunate; even their remains were never found. Shen Qing looked at the barren scene before him, feeling a sense of dread. Fortunately, years of easy living had dulled Zheng Yuanqiu''s resolve. Otherwise, such a deadly attack on Yongzhou City would have unimaginable consequences. A single misstep could have disastrous consequences for those around him. "What should we do now?" Shen Qing, in tattered clothing, asked Huang Furo after calming his breath. Huang Furo said, "Wait for Lord Commander and the others to arrive, let''s discuss... " Suddenly, her words were cut short, and the sudden ground tremor changed her expression dramatically. Shen Qing and Huang Furo quickly reacted, leaping out of the pit, and looked toward the source of the tremor. Boom! Boom! In front of them, a mountain peak collapsed, revealing a bottomless cavern. From the cavern, two massive, lantern-like objects swayed, glowing with red light. At first glance, the lanterns were as large as a person, appearing slender. Even a brief glance sent chills through their bodies. "What are those things?" "I don''t know." As they speculated wildly, a gigantic black snakehead emerged from the dust. They realized instantly that those two lanterns were the giant eyes of a massive snake. Under their gaze, a snake as thick as a vat and as huge as a mountain revealed its true form. The snake''s pink forked tongue flickered in the air, carrying a strong, stinking odor in the wind. "It''s a demon! Retreat quickly!" Shen Qing shouted decisively. "So you were the ones causing the commotion earlier." The big snake spoke in a human voice, "Daring to disturb my slumber, you ants shall face punishment!" The big snake demon''s voice was as cold as it was authoritative, filled with an undeniable force. Awakened from its hibernation, the demon snake was utterly furious. The big snake demon angrily swung its massive tail, aiming its destructive force at Shen Qing and Huang Furo. Wherever it passed, whether mountains or forests, everything was leveled. Neither Shen Qing nor Huang Furo had ever witnessed such terrifying power, and they dared not resist, turning to flee madly. However, the speed of the giant tail surpassed all expectations. In the blink of an eye, the giant tail had already caught up with them. Despite their best efforts, they could not avoid being swept up by that terrifying power. Huang Furo and Shen Qing''s vision went dark, feeling as if the bones in their bodies were being shattered by that force. In a daze, they lost control of their bodies, swept into the cavern by the irresistible force. ``` Chapter 66 Demons Lair """The sky seemed to be stained with ink, leaving only darkness. The vast forest had been plowed flat, with pristine snowflakes intertwining with black rubble and mud, creating a striking black and white contrast. In between this world, the enormous body of a giant python slowly writhed, its lower half coiled together, raising its massive head high. Then, a jaw-dropping scene unfolded. A dark light burst from the Snake Demon, enveloping its entire body. In the blink of an eye, the dark light gradually shrank, and the enormous Snake Demon transformed into a handsome man dressed in a black robe. He stood tall, his eyes as deep as abysses, pupils vertically slit, gleaming with a soul-stirring light, an indescribable aura of majesty permeated the air. "Hmph, how annoying, being disturbed by mere ants," the black-robed man''s voice was deep and magnetic. He gently flicked his long, slender tongue, expressing his extreme dissatisfaction. "Since the hibernation is broken, and I can''t fall asleep for the moment, with idle time on my hands, I might as well enjoy hunting some blood food." A hint of a smile appeared at the corner of the black-robed man''s eyes, revealing a longing for prey, as he thought joyfully, "This will also help improve my cultivation, and increase my chances of seizing future opportunities." As soon as he finished speaking, the black-robed man pointed his toes lightly, instantly transforming into a wisp of dark light, slicing through the sky, his figure disappearing beyond the horizon. Winters darkened faster than other seasons. It had only just reached the Xi hour, yet the night had already descended upon Yongzhou. Above, the sky was starless and moonless, everything was dead silent. Two marks after the black-robed man''s departure, Commander Jia Zhiping led forces from the Military Department and the Guardian Martial Department, following the traces left by Huang Furo and others, and pursued all the way here. When they saw the scene of devastation before them, everyone was struck dumb, unable to utter a word for a long time. ... In the dark underground cave. After being struck by the Snake Demon''s tail, Shen Qing felt his entire body collapse like a city disassembled, in excruciating pain, unable to muster much strength. He only felt a sharp wind in his ears, as his body fell uncontrollably downwards. Just when he thought he was about to be smashed into pieces, a sliver of fortune befell upon him. The bottom of the cave wasn''t as unfathomable as he imagined, nor was it solid rocks, but instead, it was a Clear Water Pool. With two muffled splashes. Shen Qing and Huang Furo fell into the Clear Water Pool one after the other, splashing up large amounts of water. Being winter, as soon as Shen Qing touched the pool water, he felt an icy chill seeping in. Strangely enough, even though he was at the Yu Luo Realm, with his Qi-blood vast as the sea, he couldn''t ward off the cold in the slightest, causing him to shiver involuntarily, instantly waking him up. For martial masters with True Qi and Spiritual Power within, holding their breath underwater was very easy, capable of lasting several marks of time at once. Dan Realm people, once underwater, were no different from fish, able to temporarily substitute breathing with surrounding Spiritual Power, capable of living underwater for even a month without issue. Shen Qing gathered all his focus to avoid panic, then used the natural buoyancy of the water to suspend himself in the pool, allowing his broken bones to relax. He held his breath, circulated his True Qi to stimulate the Whale Swallowing Technique, refining the Spirit Essence around him, to heal his injuries. Unaware whether it was the peculiarity of the pool water or some other reason, Shen Qing only felt that the concentration of Spiritual Energy in the pool was significantly higher than outside. After about half a mark, Shen Qing finally regained some strength and slowly opened his eyes. The pool water was unfathomably deep and pitch black, invisible beyond his fingers. Shen Qing gradually sensed the pool''s cold penetrating to his bones, actually eroding his True Qi. He dared not linger, instinctively swimming upwards. With a loud splash. He emerged from the water, taking deep breaths, and after calming his breath slightly, opened his heavy eyelids. Upon seeing the scene before him, he paused in disbelief. Shen Qing discovered he was in a confined and damp space, surrounded on three sides by rough rock walls, with the high cavern ceiling seemingly within reach. However, the only side without a rock wall was a flat cave space stretching far away, and sloping, the space gradually becoming extremely spacious. Amazingly, the seemingly ordinary cave ahead hung with peculiar stalactites, emitting a soft, cold light. The light was very faint, yet just enough to dispel the cave''s darkness, illuminating the entire space rather brightly. Shen Qing focused his eyes and saw a familiar figure on the cave''s shore ahead, causing him to pause slightly. At some point, Huang Furo had already swum out ahead of him. At this moment, she was entirely soaked, with her colorful embroidered robe clinging tightly to her graceful figure, outlining curves hard to avert one''s eyes from. Most likely also significantly injured, Huang Furo was sitting on a dry rock, her legs crossed, hands gently folded over her Dantian, eyes closed, focusing on regulating her breath. Her breathing was long and even, the fabric on her trembling chest rising and falling with her breaths. Shen Qing didn''t think much further, enduring the excruciating pain of his fractured bones, swimming forward. A subtle and sudden sound broke the surrounding silence, instantly putting Huang Furo on high alert. She suddenly opened her eyes, a gleam of vigilance and wariness in her eyes, hands instinctively formed in a defensive posture. The abrupt movement instantly aggravated her injuries, pain flooding her like a tide, draining her face of color, turning it paper white. S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Who''s there..." Her voice was deep and tense. No sooner had she spoken than she saw a familiar figure swimming rapidly towards her. As that figure became clearer, her sudden tension and defensive stance dissipated instantly. Shen Qing swam near Huang Furo, not far away, causing a splash as he laboriously climbed from the pool into the cave. He sat on a rock beside Huang Furo without thinking, his garments moving with the motion, scattering water droplets. Shen Qing glanced at Huang Furo, and their gazes met in the air. Huang Furo''s wet hair clung to her scalp and cheeks, a few loose strands lightly hanging on her forehead, droplets sliding slowly down the tips, or dripping onto her fair neck, adding a touch of allure to her. "Lord Huangfu, it''s I." Shen Qing quickly diverted his gaze, surveying the surroundings as he asked, "My lord, do you know where we are?" "I''m not entirely sure, but this place is pungent and damp, I think it should be the Snake Demon''s lair," Huang Furo ventured her guess. "So, this should be the giant demon''s dwelling?" "More or less." Shen Qing inquired, "Lord Huangfu, do you know why we ended up here, and is there a way out? I remember we fell into a deep pool, why did we end up here after surfacing?" Huang Furo replied, "I observed when I arrived, the pool ahead connects with an Underground River, we were swept here by chance. As for a way out, let me recover first and then we''ll discuss it." """ Chapter 67 Big Snake Shedding ```With those words, both of them in the cave fell silent instantly. In each of their minds, they couldn''t help but recall the terrifying presence of that shadow, revealing expressions of lingering fear. "And you? How are your injuries?" Huang Furo asked. Shen Qing heard this and felt helpless in his heart. Despite his True Qi exceeding that of others, Zheng Yuanqiu''s cultivation of the Dan Realm, combined with his terrifying final attack, had wearied him. After constant torment, all of his True Qi was nearly exhausted. When finally facing the Big Snake Demon, he relied almost solely on his physical body to hold on. Being able to survive relied heavily on his solid foundation. "All my True Qi is depleted, and my injuries are quite severe..." Shen Qing replied with a hint of a bitter smile. Huang Furo was not surprised by this result. From her observations, Shen Qing''s entire body showed no signs of True Liquid condensation, indicating his cultivation was at the early Yu Luo Realm. As for the Big Snake Demon today, its cultivation was feared to press close to the Innate Realm. She struggled against it herself and nearly perished, not to mention the ordeal with Zheng Yuanqiu before. Shen Qing''s ability to withstand everything and stay alive had already surprised her greatly. "Lord Huangfu, how are your injuries?" Huang Furo shook her head and said, "I''ve broken ten ribs, and my meridians were damaged by the Snake Demon''s immense force. Without three to five days of rest, it''d be tough to recover." "Looking at it that way, we might be stuck here for a while," Shen Qing said with a self-deprecating laugh. Your journey continues with empire "Not necessarily," Huang Furo encouraged him. "I left a mark when I came, and the Lord Commander should make his way over. If we''re lucky, they might find us earlier, and we can escape this trap." "Although the hope isn''t great, it''s not non-existent. Besides, even if they don''t find us, once we''re healed, breaking free won''t be a problem for us." In a desperate situation, you can lose everything, except hope. Huang Furo said earnestly, "So the urgent matter now is to heal our injuries quickly." Shen Qing nodded and replied, "Understood." After a brief exchange, they silently agreed not to speak further. They each found a place away from each other and began to silently regulate their breathing, repairing the injuries within their bodies. Time passed gradually. Sitting cross-legged on a stone platform alone, Shen Qing slowly activated the Six Paths Whale Swallowing Technique and discreetly took out a Wish Power Pearl to refine it. Suddenly, Shen Qing felt as though a giant whale had awoken inside him. Upon awakening, this giant whale opened its boundless mouth and greedily devoured every inch of Spiritual Power it could touch around him. Not only that, the Wish Power Pearl and the Six Paths Whale Swallowing Technique resonated together, seemingly drawing the purest Spiritual Energy of this world into his body. With the infusion of this power, whirlpools of delicate Spiritual Energy began to envelop Shen Qing, spinning gracefully as they refined and purified the surrounding thin spiritual energies, gently permeating into his damaged meridians and flesh, turning into pure True Qi. After a while, Shen Qing felt as if his entire body was soaking in a warm spring, each breath allowing him to absorb unprecedented Spiritual Power. The once exhausted True Qi within him began to slowly recover and even gradually exceeded previous levels, growing thick and liquid-like, continuously flowing through his body. Ultimately, the Six Paths Whale Swallowing Technique was truly profound. The powerful speed at which it refined nature''s spiritual energy made Shen Qing quickly rejuvenate. The injuries to his flesh and blood began to heal at a pace visible to the naked eye, and his broken bones started to regenerate. It was unclear how long had passed before Shen Qing slowly opened his eyes. When he opened them, he suddenly discovered that his injuries had mostly healed, and even his face had regained its blood color, becoming radiant again. While his injuries had not yet fully healed, they were far better than before. Shen Qing noticed his cold clothing, channeling the abundant True Qi within him to the surface of his body. In the next moment, a scorching aura emanated from his body. Instantly, the soaked clothes began to emit wisps of vapor, akin to the light mist drifting over a lake in the early morning. Before long, the clothes were dry again. "That''s much better." Shen Qing looked up and saw that not far in front of him, Huang Furo was similarly cultivating with a Wish Power Pearl, her entire body enveloped in a circle of blue light. Yet Huang Furo''s injury seemed to recover slower than his, as she still had her brows tightly knit. Shen Qing chose not to disturb her. He stood up and glanced toward the depths of the cave, feeling a sudden curiosity. He narrowed his eyes and said, "Eagle Eye!" Suddenly, countless scenes from the cave appeared in his mind, forming an three-dimensional image. The once vast cave appeared empty, with a huge shadow lurking in the depths, devoid of any signs of life. Shen Qing''s heart sank. Being unable to escape now, he needed to understand what lay inside to truly comprehend his predicament, and potentially make new discoveries. He took a deep breath and turned to walk into the cave, intending to investigate further. sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Initially, the narrow passage could barely allow six or seven people to walk side by side, but gradually, the space began to expand in a fantastic manner, vast and deep, naturally making one feel insignificant. Above, stalactites radiating gentle light suddenly became sparse, some even crudely severed, leaving jagged edges, indicating a mysterious event had occurred here. With the loss of the stalactites, light became increasingly scarce amidst the boundless darkness. Shen Qing had to tread even more cautiously. At that moment, he paused, seemingly drawn by an invisible force. His gaze pierced through the heavy darkness ahead, locking onto a daunting scene. A field of skeletal remains lay before him, the bones varying in size. Upon the bones rested an enormous snake skin, silently settled atop them. Its grand dimensions made it imposing, even when compared to Shen Qing''s not-so-small stature. The snake skin''s surface was covered with fine scales, which under the faint light, appeared to shimmer with a subtle glow. Shen Qing held his breath involuntarily, a sense of unspeakable awe surging in his heart. There was no doubt about it, this was the Big Snake Demon''s shedding! And not just one, but layers of shed skins, totaling two or three. This was likely not the snake''s lair, but a site dedicated to its molting. Shen Qing approached slowly and lightly touched the cold snake skin. The tactile sensation confirmed it was indeed the Big Snake''s shedding. It was widely known that snake shed could dispel wind and fright, detoxify and reduce swelling, acting as a medicinal material. In this world, the more rare the snake, the higher its value as a medicinal guide. The Great Demon''s snake skin, being this enormous, had inestimable value. Especially such a powerful demon, its snake skin... Shen Qing''s heart suddenly skipped a beat. ``` Chapter 68 Three-Legged Furnace No doubt, the snake skins before his eyes were an invaluable treasure.However, when Shen Qing thought about his current predicament, it was as though a bucket of cold water had been poured over him, instantly dousing the fire that had just flared up. What use were so many snake skins? They couldn''t solve his problems, nor could they fill his stomach. Even if they wanted to exchange them for wealth, it would have to wait until they restored their cultivation and could escape from here. If they couldn''t escape, then no matter how many snake skins were before them, they would be nothing but worthless dead skin. With a sigh in his heart, Shen Qing continued to explore further inside. He placed his hands on the cold stone walls, feeling around but finding not a single crevice, leaving him extremely disappointed. "Is there really no other way out besides that green pond?" Shen Qing mused to himself. He carefully proceeded along the winding stone wall, his palms gently gliding over the icy surface. Suddenly, his steps halted. A strange sensation came from beneath his feet, as if he had stepped on something round and bulging. A faint glimmer of stalactite light happened to fall nearby. Using this dim light, Shen Qing slowly lowered his head and spotted a hint of metallic luster amid the scattered bones. Among the scattered remains, a small Ancient Cauldron, the size of two palms, was partially buried. He let out a slight exclamation and squatted down slowly, nudging it for a closer look. The cauldron had two ears and three legs, bearing an ancient and solemn form. Its surface was dull, covered in green rust, and intricate patterns were carved on the body. S§×ar?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. It resembled intertwining cloud motifs and racing mythical creatures. Shen Qing hesitated for a moment, then carefully reached out to touch the small cauldron. The moment Shen Qing''s fingers lightly touched the cauldron''s body, he felt an indescribable warmth from it. This warmth did not come from the outside, but emanated from within the cauldron. In disbelief, Shen Qing realized that this Ancient Cauldron was no ordinary artifact, perhaps harboring some incredible power, but having limited knowledge, he could not grasp its mysteries at the moment. He took a deep breath, trying to use True Qi to sense the world inside the cauldron, only to find his True Qi being blocked by an invisible force, unable to penetrate at all. After researching for a while without any leads, Shen Qing was not in a hurry and quietly pocketed the small cauldron before continuing to explore along the stone wall. Finding no other exit, Shen Qing did not linger and turned around to return to his original meditation spot. By the flat area beside the pond, Huang Furo gently parted her red lips, closed her eyes, and concentrated, as if surrounded by a gentle but vast Spiritual Power. As her thoughts flowed, the pure, unmatched Spiritual Power surged through her meridians, transforming into delicate, silky warm streams that gently traversed every inch of her skin. A faint mist gradually permeated the air. It was the water stains on her damp clothes rising and condensing under the effect of the Spiritual Power, then fading away into the void. As her garments lightly fluttered, the wet clothes clinging to her body seemed to be gently smoothed by an invisible hand, restoring Huang Furo''s attire to its original state. Huang Furo slowly opened her eyes, inadvertently meeting Shen Qing''s gaze, feeling waves of astonishment. She hadn''t expected Shen Qing to recover faster than herself. This little dispatch officer before her seemed to be enveloped in a mist, delicate as silk, appearing and disappearing, making him increasingly inscrutable to her. Seeing Huang Furo''s significant recovery, Shen Qing stepped forward and asked, "Sir, how do you feel now?" "Some strength is restored, a bit better," Huang Furo deflected the topic and asked, "I saw you wandering around earlier, did you find anything?" Find your next read at empire "This seems to be the snake demon''s shedding place; I saw many snake skins inside," Shen Qing truthfully said, choosing not to hide, "In addition, I also discovered this cauldron." "A cauldron?" Shen Qing took out the three-legged furnace from his arms and placed it between them. In Shen Qing''s view, this cave wasn''t that large, and since they would be spending several more days together, many things couldn''t be hidden well. Being open and honest rather than being guarded and defensive might yield better results. Perhaps given Huang Furo''s background and experience, she might recognize the origins of this small cauldron. Huang Furo took the small cauldron, glanced at it a few times, and then returned it. She noticed it was merely an ancient-style burial ritual cauldron, ordinary, without any peculiar features. "Sir, do you recognize the origin of this cauldron?" Shen Qing asked when he saw Huang Furo''s response. "It is just a common burial item, nothing extraordinary." A common burial item? "Sir, did you not feel any warmth when touching this cauldron?" "No, it felt like cold bronze," Huang Furo shook her head and replied. Shen Qing looked astonished. Now, when he touched the cauldron, it was warm to the touch, radiating layers of heat, leaving no room for mistake. Why did Huang Furo not detect it? He was puzzled. At that moment, Huang Furo interrupted and asked, "Besides the snake skins and this cauldron, did you find any other exits while checking inside?" Shen Qing returned to himself and pointed helplessly at the green pond before them, saying, "The cave''s end is a stone wall, a dead-end. If we want to get out, we still have to find a way through this pond." Huang Furo paused after hearing this, then nodded, saying, "It seems we still have to stay here for a few more days and talk about other things once we''ve recovered some cultivation." Shen Qing let out a long sigh and said, "Quite so." Huang Furo scanned Shen Qing up and down, asking, "Shen Chasi, is your family by any chance a Han Sect?" A Han Sect referred to a fallen ancestral clan with some legacy. Even when such clans fell, they often had some remnants of legacy. In her impression, there were no prominent Shen families in Yongzhou or the surrounding areas. Shen Qing''s quick recovery suggested he might be from a Han Sect, possessing some family inheritance. Unaware of Huang Furo''s thoughts, Shen Qing flatly denied it, "To my lord, before coming to Yongzhou, I lived at the foot of Shicheng Mountain in Taiping County, and my family has been hunters for generations, nothing like a so-called Han Sect." A hunter?! Huang Furo''s eyes flashed with extreme surprise. She guessed that this person likely relied on his own abilities, building up little by little, but never thought he was just a small hunter initially. However, with this new understanding, her doubts deepened. Since this boy was a hunter, why did he recover so quickly, even matching her pace, or perhaps even quicker? Chapter 69 Great Void Shifting Technique ```Huang Furo was not someone without experience. In her heart, she knew very well that her cultivation could be considered among the top of her peers in the entire Yongzhou, one of the best. When she was in her mother''s womb, her mother had already started taking various precious medicines to temper her muscles and bones. Even now, it had never stopped. After she was born, she received the guidance of various renowned martial masters, which was why her cultivation progressed rapidly and her physical body was strong enough. With all this, she wasn''t swept to death by that Snake Demon''s tail, and later, she had the capacity to recover from her injuries. And Shen Qing, despite his background, managed to reach such a level, how could she not be shocked? In her view, even if Shen Qing didn''t die, he should have been lying here for at least ten days to half a month. She was even prepared to help this "burden" leave, in case his injuries hadn''t recovered. Unexpectedly, in the blink of an eye, his recovery was better than hers, which struck a blow to her self-esteem. It was as if she had cultivated in vain for twenty-one years. "Sir, why are you asking this?" Shen Qing curiously asked. Huang Furo said casually, "Oh, nothing, just asking." Shen Qing was confused but didn''t ask further. He bowed and went to one side, and continued to bury himself in studying the small three-legged furnace in his hand. Huang Furo said this was just an ordinary burial artifact, but Shen Qing clearly disagreed, maintaining his own thoughts. He was seen sitting cross-legged under the glowing stalagmite, holding the furnace with both hands, his eyes sparkling. A warm sensation continually came from the furnace as if it were still sitting on fire, burning. An ordinary burial artifact wouldn''t have such wonder. Shen Qing''s mind stirred slightly, activating the skill "sharp eyesight." Instantly, beams of light flashed through his eyes. In his view, the details of the three-legged furnace were magnified, with even the smallest details appearing before him. On the body of the furnace, amid the cloud patterns, were carvings of birds and beasts, lifelike in their depiction. Each one had its wings slightly spread, hooves lifted, seemingly poised to break through the sky at any moment. Gradually, Shen Qing could vaguely decipher some bewildering inscriptions from these engraved patterns. These engraved characters were not the current script used today and, judging by their rhythms, should belong to the Ancient Era. Counting them in his mind, there were eighteen characters inside the furnace and thirty-six outside. Each character was ancient and profound, like the trajectory of stars, yet naturally formed. Before he knew it, Shen Qing was deeply attracted by these peculiar symbols. With his gaze fixed, these characters seemed to come alive, dancing in his eyes, making him suddenly feel a sense of ancient and enduring aura. The cave was quiet. The only sound Shen Qing heard was the beating of his own heart. Gradually, the rhythm of the ancient characters on the three-legged small furnace synchronized with his heartbeat. In that instant, Shen Qing felt as though he had established a subtle connection with the furnace. Shen Qing''s divine sense trembled. In his vision, a drop of ink fell from the void, forming a line of calligraphic text. "Skill: Great Void Shifting Skill (Beginner)" "Progress: 1/100 points" "Status: Cannot be improved" "Note: A family secret skill circulating during the Ancient Times. Nowadays, with the collapse of the great path, cultivation is extremely difficult. The higher one attains, the slower the progress becomes, but the more you sow, the more you reap. When this Martial Art is cultivated to the Perfect Realm, it can reverse the river of time, possessing the power to shatter the void with martial might." Upon seeing the note at the bottom, Shen Qing was suddenly stupefied. Reverse the river of time, is it really that powerful? Such Martial Arts Skills suddenly broke through his realm of understanding. He had never thought that Martial Arts Skills could reach such a level. S~ea??h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Shen Qing''s breathing became somewhat rapid, his eyes widened. As if realizing something, he quickly glanced at Huang Furo, noticing she wasn''t paying him any attention. Shen Qing secretly breathed a sigh of relief. To her, this small three-legged furnace wasn''t anything unusual; he was overthinking it. Subduing his excitement, Shen Qing carefully observed the inscriptions on the three-legged small furnace. Since there was a response on the panel, and given he had nothing else to do, this opportunity couldn''t be missed to enhance his skill cultivation. In the mountain, there was no Sixty Years, unaware of the passing of time. In the dim cave, Shen Qing completely lost his sense of time. After who knew how long of cultivation, the points for the Great Void Shifting Skill finally reached 3 points. Shen Qing was at a loss for words. This divine skill from the Ancient Era was indeed harder to cultivate than he had anticipated. "I''ve seen you hold that furnace for three days. It''s just a burial artifact with Ancient Era patterns, even if you stare at it to death, you won''t understand anything," Huang Furo''s voice suddenly emerged in the cave, interrupting Shen Qing''s thoughts. He lifted his eyes, looking at Huang Furo somewhat surprised and said, "How do you know it''s been three days?" Having spent these days together, the two had gradually become familiar, and unknowingly, Shen Qing dropped the formalities, which didn''t seem improper to Huang Furo. "I counted the heartbeat to calculate it." "..." Shen Qing was slightly stunned. Calculating time by heartbeat, he hadn''t thought of that. Shen Qing roughly calculated and said, "If it''s been three days, then it''s already the start of spring." "Yeah, how are you now? You''ve probably almost recovered, right?" Huang Furo asked. Shen Qing nodded, "Basically fine." "Then it''s about time we dive through the pond to leave," Huang Furo said seriously. "Although we martial masters have much better physical bodies than ordinary people, we''re still far from reaching the stage where we don''t need food. Three to five days without eating or drinking is fine, but if it drags on any longer, it won''t be good, so it''s better to leave early." Shen Qing deeply agreed. This pond in front, who knew why, had nothing in it. Even if they wanted to find some fish to eat, it wasn''t possible. If they stayed any longer, indeed, it might cause a big problem. Shen Qing asked, "Shall we leave now?" "If you''re ready, let''s go." Shen Qing thought of something and said, "Wait a moment; I need to pack some things." After speaking, Shen Qing ran into the depths of the cave. Huang Furo curiously followed to take a look. She saw Shen Qing rolling up a few snake skins inside and stuffing them into his chest. Because the snake skins were enormous, even when rolled up, they took up a lot of space. After rolling up just two snake skins, Shen Qing couldn''t fit any more in, so he had no choice but to give up. Watching this, Huang Furo laughed. Shen Qing, with his bulging chest, walked up to Huang Furo and said, "Alright. Let''s go." Huang Furo nodded, "Okay." The two walked side by side to the edge of the green pond. Huang Furo suddenly said, "I remember when I came, this water was unfathomably deep, coupled with an underground river. Just relying on some Water Techniques might not be enough. I''ll teach you some of our Huangfu family''s martial techniques so that when you get in the water, you can use them and follow me." Enjoy new adventures at empire Seeing Huang Furo so thoughtful, Shen Qing couldn''t help but be a bit surprised. He didn''t think much and nodded. "Next, I''ll speak and you remember." ``` Chapter 70 Astonishing Aptitude, Escape from Trouble! ```"Our Huangfu family''s ultimate technique is called the Da Xu Technique, a high-grade martial art emphasizing movement technique. While I cannot teach you the deeper aspects of this knowledge, I can teach you some of the application techniques involved," Huang Furo said lightly, her tone carrying an undeniable gravity. Shen Qing, upon hearing this, showed a slight surprise and gratitude in his eyes. The Ji family of Dazhou and the various prestigious families have always been stingy with martial arts, and someone as generous as Huang Furo is indeed rare. Such an opportunity for martial arts guidance was hard to come by. Shen Qing bowed respectfully and sincerely said, "I am extremely grateful for your generosity, Chief Officer Huangfu." Huang Furo had a good impression of Shen Qing. She smiled slightly, thought nothing of it, and continued, "What I will teach you is the essence of applying force, hidden within eight key words. These words are ''Mind leads Qi, and strength arises from the heart.''" "These words sound simple, but they hold the highest realm in movement martial arts. By using the intention to lead the entire body and then following the movement of the heart, there is no place you cannot reach. Until strength emanates from the heart, born from the heart, you can release and retract freely, with the body moving as the mind directs." As she spoke, she began to demonstrate slowly, her figure moving subtly. A blue light appeared around her, merging with the surrounding void. Every move was executed perfectly. Shen Qing watched her every movement intently, pondering deeply in his heart. Thanks to the "Never Forget" skill, every move and style of Huang Furo was almost imprinted in his mind, easily recallable with a simple memory. After Huang Furo finished her demonstration. Shen Qing closed his eyes again, recalling Huang Furo''s detailed explanation. From breath control to True Qi perception, from movement adjustments to power usage, every detail replayed clearly and thoroughly in his mind. The "Academic Pursuit" skill was activated. Soon, Shen Qing had comprehended the key points. Until it was internalized in the heart, externalized in action. [Skill: Da Xu Technique (Entry Level)] [Progress: 3/100 Points] [Status: Unable to Upgrade] [Note: There is no difficulty in the world that cannot be overcome by effort. You have gained initial insight into the Da Xu Technique through practicing some of its techniques. Further complete martial arts will accelerate the cultivation progress of this art.] "..." Shen Qing stared at the martial arts panel appearing in his vision, bewildered. Was this possible? He gave Huang Furo a peculiar look. The other party probably did not expect that her casual teaching would let an outsider like him gain initial insight into her family''s martial arts. It wasn''t over yet. Just as Shen Qing was at a loss for words, a line of red-ink text appeared, making his heart skip a beat. Red Ink Reminder: [Detected similar martial art "Great Void Shifting Technique," would you like to refine and extract points from this martial art to fill the new martial art?] "This..." Shen Qing instantly realized that the Great Void Shifting Technique and Da Xu Technique might have a special connection. He was vexed by the difficulty of practicing the "Great Void Shifting Technique," and the next moment, the similar martial art was detected. It really was a case of drowsiness leading to a pillow, coming just at the right time! Based on his past experiences, there was no difference in points between similar martial arts. This meant he could reverse refine points from the Da Xu Technique to fill the Great Void Shifting Technique. Observing Huang Furo, the Da Xu Technique should not be more difficult to practice than the Great Void Shifting Technique. This method was feasible. The only trouble was, obtaining the Da Xu Technique of the Huangfu family would be somewhat challenging. But as the note stated, there is no difficulty in the world that cannot be overcome by effort. With direction, solutions would eventually follow. Shen Qing collected his scattered thoughts and carefully pondered according to the key points taught by Huang Furo. As the points on the panel increased, his proficiency grew. Huang Furo observed all this, increasingly astonished by Shen Qing''s performance. The techniques she taught were not difficult, but mastering them wasn''t exactly easy either. Even she took a day to grasp the basics back then. And how long did Shen Qing take? Probably less than a quarter of an hour. She thought long and hard and concluded that there was only one possibility. That this subordinate of humble origin must possess a high cultivation talent with astonishing comprehension. Otherwise, it wouldn''t be possible to reach this level no matter how hard one tried. Huang Furo subconsciously placed more importance on Shen Qing, this subordinate. As the explanation delved deeper, an unspoken understanding grew between the two. After a while, Shen Qing stopped his actions, slowly exhaled a breath of impure air, "I''ve learned it." Huang Furo lightly said, "Are you ready?" Her soft voice was especially clear in the quiet air. Shen Qing nodded, took a deep breath, and adjusted his state. "Almost." "Alright, let''s go." "Okay." With two splashes. The two leapt into the water, surrounded by a piercing cold in an instant. Experience tales at empire The pool was not only unfathomably deep but also unusually cold, devoid of any fish, seeming strange. Upon entering the water, both didn''t dare to be careless, hurriedly circulating their Qi-blood throughout their bodies to stay warm, lest all their muscles froze and they lost mobility. Shen Qing clenched his teeth and, according to the martial arts techniques taught by Huang Furo, quickly adjusted his breathing, making his body gradually adapt to the cold environment, like a fish swimming, keeping up with Huang Furo ahead. In the deep pool, the light was dim. The two gradually felt an undercurrent surging underwater. Shen Qing guessed that this might be the underground river, the culprit leading them into the cavern. Right now, they needed to traverse the underground river upstream to find the exit. The pool was intensely cold, and if ordinary people were there, they might have long lost mobility, their blood even freezing. Fortunately, Shen Qing''s Qi-blood was vigorous, and with the Three-legged Small Furnace he carried releasing warmth, dispelling the cold surrounding him, he felt less chilly, more composed than when he first arrived. As the water depth increased, the light became even dimmer. Shen Qing could only rely on the faint glow emitted by Huang Furo to determine direction, but eventually even this light grew faint. At that moment, in the dimness, Shen Qing suddenly saw Huang Furo extend a hand toward him. Shen Qing didn''t hesitate, True Qi surged, and his legs propelled. Like walking in the void, he moved to Huang Furo''s side, grasping her cold, soft hand. The underwater world was silent, no sound of fish playing, only the bubbles from their breathing slowly rising, breaking the deathly silence. Huang Furo led the way, carefully recalling the direction from before as she moved forward lightly. At this moment, a current flowed between them. Holding each other, they avoided being swept away by the undercurrent. "Shen Qing, watch your step, the undercurrent might appear at any time," Huang Furo''s voice was transmitted clearly to Shen Qing underwater. Shen Qing nodded in understanding, carefully avoiding the undercurrents and whirlpools that might hide dangers. They didn''t know how much time had passed, but after stealthily navigating through the cold and silent waters for a quarter of an hour, they finally saw a glimmer of light ahead on the water''s surface. Sear?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Without any hesitation, Shen Qing and Huang Furo leapt from the water, emerging out of the surface. ``` Chapter 71 I Want You to Temporarily Act as the Chief Officer of the Guardian Martial Department The thin, cicada-wing-like layer of tranquility on the dark, deep water surface was shattered.Shen Qing and Huang Furo''s heads suddenly emerged from beneath the water, sending sparkling water droplets flying. As soon as they surfaced, the two greedily inhaled the long-missed air, their chests heaving continuously. In this brief moment of respite, Shen Qing and Huang Furo looked at each other simultaneously, seeing the joy of surviving disaster in each other''s eyes. Underwater, Shen Qing naturally let go of his hand and laughed, "Shall we go?" Huang Furo nodded and said, "Alright." Huang Furo''s entire body shimmered with blue light, transforming into a light, flowing beam that shot out of the water, soaring out of the dark cave. Unwilling to be outdone, Shen Qing utilized the movement technique taught by Huang Furo, kicked his legs, and sprang out of the water, closely following behind. Ultimately, Shen Qing''s mastery of the movement technique was not as swift as Huang Furo''s, lagging significantly behind her. When Shen Qing extracted himself from the stone cave, Huang Furo had already evaporated the moisture from her clothes using her profound cultivation, returning to her usual state. At this moment, snow was falling heavily. In the snow, her long hair was tied back, adorned with a simple jade hairpin, appearing extremely capable. Sear?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Shen Qing removed the moisture from his damp clothes, walked forward, and stood shoulder to shoulder with Huang Furo in this vast and boundless world. The silhouettes of the two appeared and disappeared amidst the swirling snow. Shen Qing slowly surveyed the surroundings. The once lush and thriving mountain forest was now a desolate sight, both familiar and strange. Many towering peaks had been flattened by demonic power, an expanse of wilderness mostly buried under snow, leaving only vague traces. "Now that Zheng Yuanqiu is dead, the position of Chief Officer of the Guardian Martial Department is vacant. Shen Chasi, what thoughts do you have going forward?" Huang Furo''s stern voice was particularly clear and powerful in the wind and snow. After escaping danger, their original superior-subordinate relationship was restored. Shen Qing did not let himself become arrogant, quickly adapting to the shift and humbly said, "Does Lord Huangfu have any high opinions?" Huang Furo pondered for a moment, then said, "A nation cannot go a day without a ruler, nor a family a day without a head. Right now, the Guardian Martial Department is in disarray, urgently needing reorganization. I see your cultivation is nearly at the Yu Luo Realm, though not enough to be noteworthy in the county office, it is considered top tier within the Guardian Martial Department. And you''ve accomplished considerable feats, your merits are sufficient." "I intend for you to temporarily assume the position of Chief Officer of the Guardian Martial Department when we return. What do you think?" At this point, Huang Furo''s eyes involuntarily swiveled slightly, quietly resting on Shen Qing. Hearing her words, a trace of emotion flashed in Shen Qing''s eyes, then turned into a more determined light. "Thank you, Lord, for your kindness. I will not let you down. I will do my utmost to prevent the Guardian Martial Department from repeating its past mistakes." "Yes, currently for some reason, demons have become increasingly prevalent and rampant. The Guardian Martial Department must take up the mantle." Shen Qing nodded heavily. Huang Furo glanced at the sky and said, "Let''s go. You''ve been missing for so many days, your family must be worried." With that, she first performed her movement technique, like an arrow breaking through clouds, gliding through the snow-white landscape. Huangfu family''s Da Xu Technique was pushed to the extreme by her, and with her Dan Realm cultivation, she seemed to merge into the void, her figure constantly flashing, disappearing from Shen Qing''s sight in the blink of an eye. No matter how hard Shen Qing tried to catch up, he could only trail behind distantly. "Chief Officer Huangfu''s cultivation is truly remarkable." Shen Qing marveled in his heart. His figure moved subtly, and following Huang Furo, he silently began to practice the still somewhat unfamiliar but fledgling Da Xu Technique, inching towards Yongzhou City at his own pace. He had only just glimpsed the basics of this cultivation technique, and it was not skillful, even somewhat crude, but under his deliberate control, it appeared graceful and nimble. Every step borrowed strength appropriately, leaving trails of blurry afterimages in the snowy forest. Before long, as he stealthily made his way, Shen Qing soon arrived beneath the towering city gates. He slowed his pace, returned to normalcy, verified his identity, and entered the city. Considering that the bulky snake skin in his bosom was somewhat burdensome, upon entering the city, he did not delay and went straight to a pharmacy in Yongzhou, exchanging the snake skin for tens of taels of gold, making a small fortune. At the same time. Inside the small courtyard of the Shen Family, the atmosphere was so tense it seemed you could hear the subtle sound of air friction, appearing somewhat "lively." Inside the hall, numerous uninvited guests occupied the main seats with impunity, sitting arrogantly above. The leader was a big man with a twisted beard, who smiled casually, saying, "Everyone from the Shen Family, have you thought about our boss''s proposition? According to our boss, Shen''s Restaurant could earn a daily fortune, but we must not let it wither in your hands." After speaking, his gaze swept across the chaos in front of him, finally resting on the blood-stained body, a glimmer of pride and disdain flashing in his eyes. Uncle Shen the Second supported the fallen Shen Xiaoshan on the ground, tightly clenching his fists, knuckles turning white from exertion. Standing beside them, Tian Xiaohu and others were full of resentment, anger burning in their hearts, but due to the overwhelming opposition, they could only suppress their anger. "What? Not giving an answer?" The big man with a twisted beard stood up and said, "Now I might as well level with you. Behind our Hei Zhao Gang stands the Zhou Family, the head of the Thirteen Lines. Being noticed by them is your fortune." "Now that Shen Chasi is dead, you outsiders have no roots. Do you think you can still hold on to this restaurant? We are doing this for your own good. I advise you to respond promptly, don''t test our patience." Hearing the mention of Shen Qing, the room instantly filled with more sobbing sounds. Aunt and Elder Sister Shen Fang''s eyes were red and swollen, adding a touch of sorrow to the hall''s atmosphere. At this moment, everyone in the Shen Family deeply understood what it meant when people left their tea cooled, what it meant by survival of the fittest. Tian Xiaohu stepped forward, cupped his hands slightly politely, and said, "This valiant man, our Boss''s life or death has yet to be determined. You brazenly offend our Boss, aren''t you afraid of our Boss returning and causing you trouble?" "Hahaha, now that the Prefectural Governor couldn''t gain any advantage from the Snake Demon and is in retreat due to injury, the Huangfu family''s legitimate daughter vanished without a trace, do you think that Shen fellow anything worth mentioning has any chance of being alive?" The big man with a twisted beard laughed loudly and said, "Even your backers are dead, dreaming you can keep this restaurant is just delusional." Xiao Zhi stepped forward and said, "Hmph, if I don''t make the recipes in the restaurant, what use do you have with just an empty shell?" The big man with a twisted beard pulled out a packet of powder from his bosom, saying, "This is Jiu Guang Han Shi Powder. After consuming it, one will feel almighty, as if soaring to immortality. It''s an exquisite reward, but it strikes once every seven days. Once it strikes, the body feels like it''s being bitten by ants, only relieved by taking it again. Heh heh, do you think¡­" Explore more at empire The big man with a twisted beard didn''t elaborate, but Xiao Zhi and the others heard clearly, breaking out in a cold sweat instantly. Chapter 72 They are just remnants of the Huang Tian Sect, kill them! "Despicable!"The big man with a twisted beard was indifferent. He walked forward confidently, pinched Shen Xiu''s chin, and said, "You''re quite pretty too. How about this, spend a night with me, and I can let you all live." Shen Xiu brushed away the dirty hand of the big man with a twisted beard, her face resolute, remaining silent. "Hmm?" The big man with a twisted beard looked angry and slapped her. Suddenly, a shadow flashed by, and the big man looked down to see Tian Xiaohu coming from the side, holding his wrist. Your next read is at empire "So, are you determined to fight us to the death?" Tian Xiaohu asked solemnly, word by word. "Hmph, what if I am? Kill them!" the big man with a twisted beard ordered his subordinates. The four words were like icy blades, causing the already tense and oppressive atmosphere in the hall to shatter and fully erupt. The lackeys of the Hei Zhao Gang in the hall, under the order of the big man with a twisted beard, swarmed towards Xiao Zhi and the others. "Xiao Zhi! Protect Uncle and Aunt!" Tian Xiaohu shouted. At this moment, they all realized that the other side never intended to spare them. To survive, they had to fight to the death. As Tian Xiaohu''s voice fell, he moved forward like a dragon emerging from the sea. For the past few months, he had been cultivating the Mixed Element True Technique Shen Qing gave him. Through his diligent practice and the benefit of some elixirs and cultivation techniques, he had successfully stretched and become a martial master, vaguely showing signs of breaking through to the Bone Refining Realm. In such a situation, Tian Xiaohu hesitated not in the slightest, driving his inner qi-blood to the extreme. This ancient Taoist internal cultivation technique stimulated the qi-blood, surging through him vigorously, while the power of the Five Elements circulated endlessly around him. Facing the fierce and relentless offensive of the big man with a twisted beard, Tian Xiaohu was unafraid of death. Not only did he not dodge, but he also used the other''s tactics against him, either anticipating each hit or taking it head-on, then returning it in kind. The mystery of the Mixed Element True Technique lay in the harmony of the Five Elements, using the world as a furnace, the self as a pill, merging with the Dao to form the Mixed Element unity, simulating and countering the opponent''s attack, and dissolving all external forces. It was undoubtedly an excellent martial art, far superior to the Black Claw Skill of the big man with a twisted beard. However, the big man was at the Qi Cultivation Realm, with profound cultivation, much beyond what Tian Xiaohu could achieve. No matter how hard Tian Xiaohu struggled, he couldn''t change the final outcome. As time passed, despite his best efforts, Tian Xiaohu eventually grew tired, his once calm demeanor replaced by exhaustion and heavy breathing. sea??h th§× NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. During an attempt to imitate and counterattack, he revealed a flaw, and the big man''s heavy punch sent him staggering back. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth as he fell to the ground, gravely injured and unable to get up again. Immediately, the battle turned rapidly downhill. Although Xiao Zhi resisted courageously, under the big man''s and his men''s relentless assault, he too was forced to retreat, backed into a corner of the hall, with no room to fight back. The uncle, aunt, and others, facing the greedy and cruel gazes around them, felt despair. "We''re going to die..." Outside the small courtyard of the Shen Family, Shen Qing vaguely heard the commotion inside the house and frowned. "Strange, why is it so lively at home?" Being cautious as always, he didn''t impulsively rush in but used his Eagle Eye ability to survey the situation in the courtyard. When he saw Tian Xiaohu''s desperate attack being countered, sending him flying like a kite with a broken string to crash heavily on the ground, Shen Qing''s expression immediately darkened. He suddenly stepped forward, placing his hand on the door and pushing it open. Creak, bam! The gates swung hard against the walls, making a loud noise. In the courtyard, everyone turned to see Shen Qing appear beyond the threshold, stepping towards the courtyard one step at a time. His gaze was as sharp as a knife, emanating an aura that brooked no intrusion. "May I ask what business you have? Did I, Shen Qing, offend you in some way to cause this commotion?" Although Shen Qing''s voice was not loud, it carried undeniable authority, clearly reaching everyone''s ears and jolting them mentally. "Qingzi/Boss/Brother!" Uncle, aunt, Tian Xiaohu, and the others shouted in unison. They each bore their injuries, struggling to run behind Shen Qing. Eldest sister Shen Fang looked at Shen Qing, tears streaming down her face. "Qingzi, we all thought you..." "It''s okay, I''m back." Shen Qing wiped away the tears from the corner of Shen Fang''s eyes and patted her shoulder. After comforting his uncle and aunt, Shen Qing turned to the guest room, facing the uninvited guests directly. "Good men, you haven''t answered my question. What exactly is your purpose for coming here on this winter day?" With this, the Hei Zhao Gang''s previously arrogant demeanor seemed suppressed by an invisible hand, and even the big man with a twisted beard couldn''t help but be slightly startled. His expression turned uncertain as he asked in an unsure tone, "Are you Shen Qing?" "If there isn''t another Shen Qing here, then it should be me. May I know your names? Never mind, I don''t want to know the names of useless people like you, I might as well just kill you." "Stop pretending!" Most of the Hei Zhao Gang hadn''t seen Shen Qing''s true appearance and believed this person couldn''t be the Shen Chasi of the Guardian Martial Department, a demon slayer. One of the subordinates of the Hei Zhao Gang shouted and rushed towards Shen Qing to find out. "Your courage in the face of death is admirable," Shen Qing said calmly. Pfft! As the opponent rushed over, Shen Qing calmly raised his eyes and, with a grace that seemed detached from the mundane world, slowly extended two slender fingers. The powerful True Qi hidden within Shen Qing surged from his fingertips, transforming into a dazzling crimson ray, slicing through the air, directly targeting the opponent''s chest. The ray contained a scorching aura, leaving visible marks wherever it passed. When the intense true qi struck the opponent''s body, there was no imagined roar or struggle, only an indescribable shockwave suddenly exploded. Under this force, the opponent''s head shattered like fragile porcelain, instantly collapsing, blood and brains splattering everywhere. This scene, so sudden, so brutal, left everyone incredulous, their pupils dilating. The surroundings fell into a deathly silence. "Are you really Shen Qing? You''re not dead?" The big man with a twisted beard recalled Shen Qing''s exploits in the Guardian Martial Department and hurriedly pleaded, "Misunderstanding, this is a misunderstanding, we''ll leave now." Those who had seen Shen Qing''s power lost their fighting spirit, having no courage to continue the fight. "Leave? Who allowed you to leave?" Shen Qing''s lips moved, uttering the chilling words, "I see you are remnants of the Huang Tian Sect, you all deserve to die!" Chapter 73 Which hand did you touch with? Once these words were spoken, the entire venue fell silent.As soon as he finished speaking, an imposing aura burst forth from Shen Qing, his clothes fluttering without a breeze. He gently brought together two fingers, forming a sword with them. A crimson light gathered between the inconspicuous fingertips. Then, with a muffled sound, a brilliant beam of Qi pierced through the air and landed precisely on the chest of one of the Hei Zhao Gang members. A squelching sound followed. The Qi Shen Qing condensed contained intense strength and exploded as soon as it touched the henchman''s chest. The sound of Qi penetrating flesh, bursting, and tearing through came simultaneously. At the spot where the Qi fell, a gaping hole as wide as a bowl appeared on the chest of the Hei Zhao Gang member. The scorching energy passed through it, expanded outward along the blood hole, and burned through his internal organs in one fell swoop. Before the other Hei Zhao Gang members could react, another explosive sound cut through the air. Shen Qing, with his fingers forming a sword, unleashed red Qi beams consecutively. Before the many Hei Zhao Gang members could grasp what was happening, Shen Qing pierced them with a single finger blow, killing them instantly. Each beam of Qi that landed was accompanied by the death of a Hei Zhao Gang member. The strong scent of blood permeated the air. Those arrogant Hei Zhao Gang members, now in utter despair, sought to beg for mercy. However, before they could utter a word of plea, they were silenced by Shen Qing''s Qi beams, silently sent on their way. In no time, a deathly silence enveloped the surroundings. In the main hall, corpses of the Hei Zhao Gang lay scattered in disarray. Shen Qing stood towering, his gaze icy as he fixed his eyes on the lone big man with a twisted beard. A smile played on his lips as he politely said, "Well, it''s your turn." The big man with a twisted beard trembled like a leaf, utterly terrified. He stammered, "Spare me..." "Brother, he touched Elder Sister''s face just now," shouted Shen Xiaoshan loudly, filled with indignation. "I... I..." The big man with a twisted beard stuttered, his face bewildered. Shen Qing''s eyes narrowed as he asked, "Which hand did you use?" The big man''s heart trembled violently, and he instinctively shifted his gaze to his burly right hand. Seeing this, Shen Qing placed his hand on the hilt of his dagger, slowly drew it, and then lightly flicked his wrist. A cold gleam swiftly cut toward the big man''s right arm. Slash. "Ah!" With a scream, the big man''s right arm was severed, blood gushing out like a fountain, staining everything around it. A piercing scream erupted from his throat, his eyes filled with horror and... desperate hope. "Shen Chasi, can you spare me now?" he asked, clutching his severed wrist, inhaling sharply, and trembling. Shen Qing stood firm like a pine, his gaze lowered. In a cold voice, he said, "What do you think?" "If I hadn''t come in time, would you have spared the people in the courtyard?" "..." The big man''s face froze, barking, "You''re not keeping your word..." Shen Qing tightened his grip on the dagger hilt and with a decisive, clean slash, a silvery light mixed with a hint of red swept across the big man''s neck. Squelch! The big man''s eyes widened, filled with reluctance and shock. His head separated from his body with incredible speed, rolling to the ground with a dull thud. A pillar of blood sprayed from the severed neck of the big man. In the hall, the already thick scent of blood became even more intense, faintly carrying the taste of rust, wafting around. "I never promised you anything." Shen Qing swung his dagger, flicking the blood off the blade. He turned and surveyed the Shen Family members, his expression softening significantly. "It''s all over now." Elder Sister Shen Fang walked over, tears welling in her eyes. "Qingzi, what happened these days? Where have you been? They all said you died." "This is a long story, and I''ll explain it to you all later when there''s time." Uncle, Aunt, and Elder Sister were all ordinary citizens with limited insight. Some matters, if told, would only add to their worries. Tian Xiaohu and the others were similar in that regard. They still lacked sufficient strength and couldn''t contribute much, so it wasn''t advisable to disclose too much. Shen Qing glanced around at the bodies in the hall, curious. "Where did these people come from?" Sear?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "They''re from the Hei Zhao Gang." Tian Xiaohu, dealing with various elements in the city, was somewhat familiar with the identities of these people. "The Hei Zhao Gang?" "They''re the gang overseeing Qinghe Square and have been eyeing Xinyi Square lately. They assumed you were dead and made bold moves targeting Shen''s Restaurant." Gang conflicts in Yongzhou City were as numerous as grains of sand. Sometimes, even two people claimed to form a gang, contesting with other forces. It was typical for an impulsive group like the Hei Zhao Gang to act in such a manner. Shen Qing pondered, asking, "Does the Hei Zhao Gang have any backing?" Generally, to gain a foothold in Yongzhou City, a gang would need some background, working under the radar for the high-ranking families. Otherwise, these gangs couldn''t survive in the Inner City. They fed on the Thirteen Lines'' leftovers, far from respectable. Xiao Zhi, recalling, interjected, "I vaguely remember them mentioning they are backed by the Zhou Family." "The Zhou Family? The leader of the Thirteen Lines, Zhou Family?" Shen Qing queried. "Seems like it." Tian Xiaohu stepped forward, asking, "Boss, what do we do next? Should we ask the Zhou Family''s steward to mediate? If you want a connection with the Zhou Family, I know a few people from the Jianghu who have some ties with them." Hearing this, Shen Qing laughed, "They''re gangsters, and I am an official. Have you ever seen a cat afraid of a mouse?" Tian Xiaohu was momentarily taken aback by these words. "So, you want to..." Shen Qing sheathed his long dagger, saying, "Naturally, we eliminate these vermin to prevent them from constantly causing trouble." "I am an official, so it''s only fitting to rid the populace of such threats." With that, Shen Qing walked toward the doorway, supporting himself with the dagger. Halfway there, he paused abruptly and turned back, saying, "Xiao Hu, I don''t know the Hei Zhao Gang''s hangouts; kindly lead the way." "Huh? Sure, sure." Tian Xiaohu snapped back to reality, nodded repeatedly, and clutched his chest, heading toward Shen Qing. "Boss, what about these bodies?" Reaching Shen Qing, Tian Xiaohu asked. Shen Qing nonchalantly replied, "I''ll visit the Military Department later to report this to Lord Huangfu and have them deal with these Huang Tian Sect remnants. They''re just riffraff, not worth sparing. Take that big man''s head!" Seeing how Shen Qing handled matters, Tian Xiaohu no longer questioned. He grabbed the big man''s head and led the way, saying, "This way." Chapter 74 One Step, One Person, I Want Blood to Flow Like a River Here During the day, the sky hung low and sullen, with heavy clouds that seemed ready to burst at any moment.Snowflakes fell sporadically into the old streets and alleys. "This is the place." Tian Xiaohu''s injury had not healed, and he walked with a noticeable limp. After winding through several alleys, he led Shen Qing to the entrance of a hall. Shen Qing looked around and saw a heavy black iron door partly ajar, with two dim lanterns hanging above the lintel. The sky had yet to darken, so the lanterns above the lintel remained unlit, quietly swaying in the wind. Compared to the old streets, the Hei Zhao Gang''s hall was exceptionally lively. Even standing outside, Shen Qing could hear the noise and commotion within. He pushed the door open, and the interior was brightly lit, with large red lanterns hanging high, filling the space with a sense of celebration and prosperity. Without hesitation, Shen Qing stepped inside. A stifling mix of cheap liquor and charcoal greeted him, causing him to frown unconsciously. Shen Qing glanced around at the scene within the Hei Zhao Hall. The hall wasn''t particularly spacious. At its center was a long wooden table polished smooth, with walls adorned with various knives and weapons¡ªfrom sharp daggers to ancient swords¡ªexuding a deadly aura. sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Members of the Hei Zhao Gang sat around the table, some speaking loudly, others whispering confidentially. Their faces bore bright smiles, making the hall incredibly noisy. When Shen Qing stepped inside, the clamor ceased abruptly as if a pause button had been pressed. Everyone''s eyes focused on Shen Qing. Someone broke the silence with a playful voice, "Officer, did you enter the wrong door?" The crowd in the hall sharpened their gazes, staring at Shen Qing intently. Some discreetly tightened their grips on nearby weapons. "Shouldn''t you be very clear about whether I entered the wrong door?" With that, Shen Qing took a bloodied head from Tian Xiaohu and tossed it forward, "Is it clearer now?" The head rolled to a stop before the members of the Hei Zhao Hall. The gang members were taken aback. "Old Hu Zi!" Shen Qing continued forward, drawing the dagger from his waist. He planted his feet firmly and smiled at the group, saying, "I am from the Guardian Martial Department, Fourth Division Dispatch Office, Shen Qing! Here today to slay demons and exorcise evils." In the dim light, Shen Qing''s black robe fluttered in the wind as he introduced himself. His eyes burned with determination, a gleam of unyielding resolve, as an icy chill engulfed his surroundings, making the already cold air even more frigid. The members of the Hei Zhao Gang, aware of their own deeds, were part of the same circle. Today, they planned to seize Shen''s Restaurant, assuming Shen Qing to be dead. Unexpectedly, Shen Qing survived! Their faces showed a hint of terror. Shen Qing refrained from any unnecessary words, lunging forward like a predatory leopard. In a moment''s lapse, he was among the members of the Hei Zhao Gang. The fight erupted instantly. In martial arts, speed was invincible. The same went for using a knife in combat. Killing did not involve excessive showy techniques. As long as you moved faster than your opponent, it meant your blade would cut into them, not theirs into you. A bit more strength meant you could kill an opponent with a single strike. Rushing into the crowd, Shen Qing wielded the dagger in both hands, executing simple swings and slashes with fluid movements, without a moment''s pause. Each swing was accompanied by a spray of blood. Soon, the walls, floor, tables, and benches were stained red, filling the Hei Zhao Hall with a heavy scent of blood. "You dare, I''ll fight you to the death!" Not all members of the Hei Zhao Hall were timid cowards. A burly figure leapt out, locking eyes with Shen Qing, determination and ferocity blazing within them. He roared like thunder, "Die!" Instantly, the profound Qi Cultivation Realm surged like a burst dam, transforming into an invisible tide, sweeping towards Shen Qing with destructive force, enveloping him completely. Faced with this sudden attack, Shen Qing remained calm, his gaze brightening. He lifted one hand leisurely, fingers subtly moving, gathering a powerful energy. "Sky Flipping Seal!" Shen Qing shouted lowly. Enjoy new tales from empire A dazzling light erupted from his palm, forming a golden hand seal that flew forward. With supreme might, the Sky Flipping Seal expanded rapidly, tearing through the encircling force in the blink of an eye. "Boom!" With a deafening explosion. The golden Sky Flipping Seal struck the formidable Hei Zhao Gang member, erupting into a brilliant light and fierce energy waves. The gang member didn''t even have time to scream; he was torn apart in shock, exploding like fireworks. The sight stunned all the members of the Hei Zhao Gang. Shen Qing''s lips curled into a smile as he extended one finger, shooting a beam of light. Splash! A gang member''s head shattered, dying on the spot. Shen Qing advanced relentlessly, either pointing or slashing, killing one person with each step. "Run!" Hei Zhao Gang members fell under his attacks, wailing in despair. "Today, no one leaves. I want rivers of blood here!" Shen Qing spoke with indifference. In the previous life, a great leader once said, "Deliver a powerful punch to avoid a hundred blows." Only by striking fear and ruthlessness into these ruffians would they remember his ferocity and refrain from causing his family harm. A fearsome reputation was not given but earned through battle. Over time, fewer and fewer stood within the Hei Zhao Hall. Shen Qing''s robe was drenched in blood. The large hall, covered in a thick layer of blood, was a gruesome sight. Bearing the dagger, Shen Qing ceased the massacre, slowly approaching the main seat of the Hei Zhao Gang''s boss. He turned, using the dagger as a cane with both hands pressed on it, resting on the ground. He asked the lone surviving Hei Zhao Hall member expressionlessly, "Where is your boss?" Up to this point, Shen Qing hadn''t found the leader among these people, suspecting the Hall Master was not present in the hall. "He... The fifth young master holds a banquet at Baihua Building today, and the boss went to give gifts to the Zhou Family''s fifth young master." A Hei Zhao Gang member replied nervously, with yellow fluid faintly seeping from his crotch. Shen Qing raised a brow, "One managed to slip away, a bit troublesome." He looked up and asked Tian Xiaohu, "I remember you once found many Jianghu Martial Artists to help me patrol. Can you find them again now?" "I should be able to, Boss. Are you planning to?" Tian Xiaohu asked, swallowing nervously as he looked at the corpses strewn about. "Have them help me find someone." Chapter 75 Perfect timing, let me eradicate the problem forever Yongzhou Inner City, Baihua Building.Inside the main hall, the noise was deafening, a cacophony filled the air. Waiters shuttled back and forth, holding menu books, busy recording orders; servants were occupied serving tea and water, welcoming guests, a scene bustling with activity. He Quan from the Hei Zhao Gang, accompanied by two subordinates, strode into the main hall of Baihua Building, heading straight toward a private room at the far end. He wore luxurious clothing, not made of brocade or silk, yet exuded an undeniable aura of significance. Whenever he passed by the waiters and servants, they all nodded and bowed, not daring to slacken. Arriving at the stairs leading to a private room, he paused and slightly bowed to an attendant dressed as a family servant. He cupped his hands and spoke with a respectful tone, "I am He Quan from the Hei Zhao Gang. Lately, I heard that the fifth young Master requires mountain delicacies to aid in his practice. I specially selected a Spiritual Jade Mushroom and an aged ginseng as tokens of my appreciation, hoping the fifth young Master would graciously accept." With that, he gave a signal with his eyes. The two followers behind him respectfully presented the exquisitely boxed Spiritual Jade Mushroom and aged ginseng, their actions natural. The servant seemed to recognize He Quan, silently accepting the two gift boxes with a slight movement of his eyes, "Wait here." Having said that, he turned, opened the door, and entered carefully to report. It wasn''t long before the servant returned. He spoke considerately, "The fifth young Master is aware of your gift and appreciates Boss He''s kindness, but tonight the Sun Family''s heir is hosting a banquet, leaving the fifth young Master unable to meet personally. Boss He should seek another opportunity to converse." Hearing this, He Quan''s mouth curled into an almost imperceptible smile; he retrieved a few heavy Copper Coins from his sleeve and lightly placed them in the servant''s hand, "Thank you, I hope for a few kind words from you in front of the fifth young Master in the future." Being a servant at the bottom of the Great Zhou, this particular servant was of low status. However, it is said to consider the owner even when reprimanding a dog; servants indeed had their ranks. Some servants of high-ranking families sometimes had a status not inferior to those in gangs. The Zhou Family''s servants were such. Sometimes, those in gangs had to look to them for favor and dared not underestimate these servants. He Quan lowered himself, very humble in posture. The Zhou Family servant seemed used to such scenarios; as he weighed the money bag He Quan handed over, a grin spread across his face, "Well said, well said, the fifth young Master has always valued Boss He. Knowing Boss He has sent such a valuable gift, he surely would be pleased." With a face full of smiles, He Quan turned to leave. As he prepared to leave, laughter inside the private room suddenly escalated. He suddenly stopped and turned to look at the dimly lit room, where shadows of young men and women seemed to be joyously conversing. He Quan withdrew his gaze, his smile slowly faded, as he walked out of Baihua Building. "People say dragons give birth to dragons, phoenixes to phoenixes. Must I, He Quan, be born inferior? Someday, I will rise above them." He silently vowed, a resolute gleam flashing in his eyes. Soon, He Quan slightly lowered his eyelids, concealing that fervent longing, and briskly left Baihua Building, heading towards Hei Zhao Hall. From Baihua Building to the Hei Zhao Gang hall was a distance requiring one to pass through Qinghe Square. He Quan and his two subordinates walked on the street like a lion patrolling its territory, seemingly somewhat satisfied. Sear?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. After delivering the gifts, he neither regretted nor urgently sought results; his demeanor appeared relaxed, indifferent. Pointing to several shops on the street, he said, "This is Old Zheng''s storefront, heard his business is good lately; tomorrow his protection fee should go up by twenty percent." "As for Yang Sandao''s, I heard he has two daughters, raise his fee by thirty percent, help him sell his daughters." Experience more on empire "And this one, loans released earlier this year, we need to recover them with interest." "..." Along the way, He Quan "commanded the landscape." His two subordinates behind him took notes continuously. When He Quan roughly estimated, he felt it was about right and said, "That should do; leave the other shops till middle of the year. Focus on who among them has sons or daughters and is living hard; we can lend some funds to help them through tough times." "Our boss is benevolent." "Haha." He Quan laughed heartily. The mountain treasures given to the Zhou Family''s fifth young Master were indeed valuable, but the money came from others. By working the city''s residents a bit harder, he would recover it. In this world, the one with the largest fist got to speak. As long as he didn''t push too far, forcing them into a dead end, chopping the roots, these people would just make do. To He Quan, calling them people was overestimating; they were no more than cattle or horses that could eat, poop, and speak human language. Lost in thought, He Quan approached near Hei Zhao Hall, and suddenly he felt something amiss. "Wait a moment." He reached out to block, a subtle hint of alertness flashing in his eyes, causing his pace to slow significantly, walking more cautiously. "Something''s wrong¡­" he murmured, gently lifting his hand, instructing the subordinates behind, "It''s getting dark, why is the hall still open? One of you, check if something has happened at the hall." Being from a gang background, He Quan had fought and struggled from the bottom; it was common for vendettas to result in bloodshed, so he was sensitive to such situations. Without a bit of wit, he wouldn''t have lived till now. Under his command, a skilled subordinate stepped forward. Probably influenced by He Quan, this subordinate also became cautious, quietly approaching the large door. Before reaching the threshold, a strong smell of blood surged like a tide, overwhelming his senses, making his heart skip a beat. Stationed at the door, he glanced inside the hall, "Dear me!" Corpses were strewn across the hall like hell, terrifying him to the core. Directly ahead, a man dressed in Guardian Martial Department uniform sat quietly in the main seat, his stature upright, a unsettling aura continuously radiating from his body. "Rivals have come to settle scores." He Quan''s subordinate was terrified and intended to flee. Yet Shen Qing flicked his finger, an invisible Qi Force instantly sealed his throat, killing him without form. "What a coincidence, I was wondering how to find you, yet you delivered yourselves." Shen Qing''s voice was icy, tinged with a playful smile, "Perfect timing, allows me to end future troubles." He sprang up, leaping from the main hall, landing swiftly atop the roof. Shen Qing skillfully took down the Cloud Splitting Bow, drew an arrow, aiming at the dumbstruck He Quan below. He Quan felt an intense, penetrating chill surge from his spine, straight to the top of his head. Chapter 76 Lord Huangfu, Ive Caused You Trouble ```Seeing the situation turning unfavorable, He Quan abruptly turned to flee, unleashing the power of his Qi Cultivation Realm. sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Unfortunately, no matter how fast his speed was, it could never surpass the arrows shot from the Hundred Shi Heavy Bow. Thud! A black arrow, carrying an aura of tearing through everything, precisely pierced through He Quan''s chest, nailing him to the ground beneath his feet. The arrowhead penetrated three inches into the earth, the remaining force unspent, as the tail feathers continuously quivered. The powerful energy of the arrow burrowed into He Quan''s internal organs, shredding them to pieces, leaving him utterly dead. With just one arrow, Shen Qing declared He Quan''s fate. The opponent''s life and death seemed to hang on his mere thought. Standing on the rooftop, Shen Qing caught sight of a figure frantically fleeing ahead. The skills from the Hunting Scripture all activated, his form flickering like a phantom, moving swiftly like a rabbit. With a slight tremor in the air, Shen Qing quietly landed in front of a subordinate of He Quan, blocking his escape route. The air was filled with a suffocating sense of oppression. "Master, spare my life. I have the elderly and young to care for..." The subordinate knelt on the ground, trembling all over, his voice tinged with a sob of despair. Tears blurred his vision, but he could still feel the cold murderous intent emanating from Shen Qing. Shen Qing''s gaze didn''t linger on the subordinate''s pleas but slowly turned to the side. He Quan''s body lay on the ground in an unnatural pose, eyes wide open, filled with unwillingness and shock. "What was his role in the Hei Zhao Gang?" Shen Qing''s voice was low, without obvious emotional fluctuation. But in the eyes of He Quan''s subordinate, there was an unavoidable sense of deep, unfathomable authority and scrutiny. "He... he was the leader of our Hei Zhao Gang..." "The leader?" A smile unconsciously appeared at the corners of Shen Qing''s mouth. Judging by He Quan''s well-dressed, luxurious appearance, he was undoubtedly a high-ranking member of the Hei Zhao Gang. The man''s words confirmed his thoughts, clearing his mind considerably. To eliminate the problem altogether, to prevent it from resurging when the spring wind blows again. Shen Qing never liked to leave hidden dangers when he acted. When he made his move, he left no one behind. This shortsighted gang of Hei Zhao Gang had provoked him, and regardless of what backing they had, Shen Qing would never spare them. He slaughtered the entire Hei Zhao Gang earlier, but the figure of their leader was absent. It was like a complete puzzle missing the last piece, always feeling like something was off. Now that he knew he had killed their leader, the final piece of the puzzle fell into place, giving him a sense of satisfaction. Shen Qing put away the Cloud Splitting Heavy Bow, slowly walking past the subordinate of He Quan. Just when this subordinate thought he had escaped a calamity, he suddenly felt a chill at the nape of his neck. Thwack! His whole body collapsed to the ground like a puppet whose strings had been cut, leaning to the side, blood continuously seeping from his mouth and nose. "Seeing how cooperative you are, I''ll give you a quick death." Shen Qing retracted his two fingers, murmuring to himself. These people from the Hei Zhao Gang were certainly not virtuous, their hands stained with untold amounts of blood, committing countless atrocities. Otherwise, how could such a small gang have so much wealth to squander without producing anything? They were simply sucking the lifeblood from the people, truly not worth pitying. Shen Qing returned to the Hei Zhao Hall and waited for a while. Tian Xiaohu, whom he had sent away, returned before dark with two unfamiliar men. Tian Xiaohu stepped forward and said: "Boss, these are Liu Youdao and Liu Youde, two brothers who used to practice martial arts at the Martial Arts Hall, but their family''s fortunes dwindled and now they work in the Outer City. They were in the last patrol. You see, there''s also..." Originally, Shen Qing sought them to inquire about He Quan''s movements and whereabouts, but it seemed they had already recognized He Quan''s corpse in the alley earlier. Shen Qing stepped forward and said: "I''ve already killed the leader of the Hei Zhao Gang, no need to search further. But... it''s quite messy here. You all clean up a bit. I have something else to do." "Yes." The three replied in unison. After speaking, Shen Qing left the door of Hei Zhao Hall in big strides. Although the scoundrels in the Hei Zhao Gang were not worth pitying, and he was a government officer, in the end, Shen Qing was still killing people on the streets in the Inner City. This matter was neither big nor small. To avoid unnecessary trouble later, he thought it best to go to the Huangfu family and seek Huang Furo''s assistance for safety''s sake. ... After crossing the old moat of the Inner City, in the core area of the ancient Yongzhou City stood the Huangfu Mansion. Shen Qing stood at the gate of the Huangfu Mansion, looking up. He saw the mansion''s gate hanging high, the brass rings carved with intricate dragon and phoenix patterns, and two large red lanterns hanging high, exuding grandeur. He took a deep breath, tidied his clothes, and stepped forward to lightly knock on the heavy door. The young gatekeeper slightly opened the door. "Kindly inform, Shen Qing requests to see Lady Huangfu." Shen Qing bowed slightly to the gatekeeper, his voice carrying a hint of respect. The gatekeeper sized up Shen Qing, seeing him dressed in official attire with an unusual demeanor, nodded, "Please wait outside for a moment, I will go and inform the lady." With a bang, the gatekeeper closed the door. Shen Qing patiently waited at the door. Not long after, the gatekeeper returned, with a subtle hint of respect in his tone: "Mr. Shen, please follow me." "Thank you." Shen Qing followed the gatekeeper around the shadow wall, heading towards a guest courtyard. The gatekeeper led Shen Qing to a pavilion building, saying, "Mr. Shen, please wait here, the lady will be here soon." After speaking, he bowed and retreated. After the gatekeeper left, Shen Qing looked around the pavilion building, seeing that every place within sight was intricately carved, exuding a sense of aristocracy. Thinking about it, this was his first time entering the high-ranking gate of the Thirteen Lines. "The Huangfu family, indeed a high ranking gate," Shen Qing couldn''t help but exclaim. "Mr. Shen, you flatter us. The family has declined, long past its prime." Huang Furo''s voice suddenly broke Shen Qing''s thoughts. Shen Qing quickly turned to look back, seeing Huang Furo standing at the end of the corridor, walking over with a calm expression. At this moment, Huang Furo had shed her official attire, wearing a simple and elegant long dress, her hair tied high, exuding a heroic spirit between her eyebrows, completely different from her usual appearance. Shen Qing collected his thoughts, clasped his hands, and responded: "Lord Huangfu is too modest. A starved camel is still bigger than a horse. The Huangfu family, being descendants of a prestigious family, has a heritage no other family can easily compare to." "Mr. Shen, visiting so late at night, surely must have important matters to discuss. Speak, what is it?" Huang Furo led Shen Qing and personally brewed him a cup of tea, pushing it in front of him, addressing the issue directly. Shen Qing didn''t expect Huang Furo to be so straightforward. He quickly adapted, and said directly: "Lord Huangfu, I''m afraid I''ve brought trouble upon you." Huang Furo lifted the teacup, looking at Shen Qing with focused eyes: "Explain, what happened?" Shen Qing took a deep breath and recounted the incident of the Hei Zhao Gang coming to cause trouble. Huang Furo frowned and said: "That''s all?" "That''s all." Huang Furo put down the teacup, indifferently said: "As Mr. Shen said, it should be the remnants of the Yellow Heaven Sect acting insolently. I will have my people deal with it, and this matter will be concluded." Shen Qing asked in surprise: "It''s over just like that?" "Why, what else do you want?" Huang Furo looked at Shen Qing, seemingly smiling, yet not. ``` Chapter 77 Its Comfortable to Lean on a Big Tree for Shade Shen Qing then realized that in Huang Furo''s eyes, a gang was not worth mentioning at all.With the power of the Huangfu family and her military department''s influence, eliminating these lower-level forces was as easy as crushing a few ants. Martial arts indeed equaled authority, without a doubt. Noticing what Shen Qing was thinking, Huang Furo put away her jesting expression and said seriously, "All right, I''ll have someone from the military department take care of loose ends later, it''s a small matter. Also, if everything goes smoothly in the next couple of days, I will temporarily hand over the Guardian Martial Department to you for a period of time. Prepare yourself, and make sure nothing goes wrong." Shen Qing clasped his fists and replied, "Yes, Lord Huangfu, I will do my utmost." "Is there anything else?" "No. I take my leave." With that, Shen Qing slowly turned and left the pavilion, walking out of the gate. The gate of the Huangfu family slowly closed with a deep, prolonged sound. Shen Qing turned back and glanced at it, his mind pondering for a moment before he stopped lingering and strode away. When he returned to the courtyard, he found that the people from the military department had arrived before him, acting very swiftly. Leading them was a dispatcher from the military department, who looked upright. Shen Qing had some impression of the dispatchers from the military department. If he remembered correctly, this person seemed to be an illegitimate child from one of the Thirteen Noble Families. He probably received Huang Furo''s order, nodded at Shen Qing, and silently carried away the corpses of Hei Zhao Gang and others without asking any unnecessary questions, which made Shen Qing extremely relieved. He couldn''t help but sigh, having backing really made a difference. With Huang Furo covering for him, the issue with Hei Zhao Gang was resolved with no trace left. After the people from the military department left, the family gathered together, still feeling a lingering fear, comforting each other with words of intimacy. Shen Qing also recounted his recent experiences, and the atmosphere in the small courtyard gradually became warm, as the family enjoyed harmony and happiness. The earlier fear gradually dissipated. It was then Shen Qing suddenly remembered something, slapped his thigh, and said, "Oh no, these people might have had some things on them, I forgot to search." "Brother, are you talking about these?" Shen Xiaoshan, hearing this, went back inside and brought out a bundle, opening it in front of Shen Qing. Inside, there were scattered pieces of broken silver and golden leaves. Shen Qing even saw a few gold teeth, causing him to pause in surprise. Shen Xiaoshan sheepishly scratched his head, "I saw their mouths glittering, so I just took them off by hand. Dad is even better at it than me." Uncle Shen the Second, who was drinking water, choked and kept coughing. Shen Qing burst into hearty laughter. "Food''s ready." Xiao Zhi, sporting a panda eye, brought in a plate of pickled fish. Tian Xiaohu, who had finished cleaning up the mess, carried a big parcel and arrived just in time for the meal. Shen Qing pulled out a bottle of wine and put it on the table, "Come, friends bring good wine, wolves bring knives and arrows. Today we narrowly escaped death, we ought to celebrate a bit." "Yes, yes, we should celebrate," Uncle Shen the Second said in his usual honest manner. Shen Qing raised his glass high, tilted his head back, and drank it all in one go. The slightly bitter, burning wine spread in his throat, bringing a hint of warmth in this icy winter. After the downfall of Hei Zhao Gang, Shen Qing counted and found he had gained thousands of taels of silver, hundreds of taels of gold, and some other jewelry and elixirs. It could be said that Shen Qing wouldn''t need to worry about money for a while. This event also made Shen Qing realize that he couldn''t keep fighting alone; he must find ways to increase the strength around him. ... On a peak of Huang Tian Sacred Mountain, mist swirled around. Palaces stood among it, towering, appearing and disappearing within the clouds and fog. Though it was winter outside, with everything encased in white snow, making all silent, within these peaks, somehow it avoided the harsh cold and snow. It was like spring all year round, lush with vitality, astonishing to behold. Among the peaks, a young man in luxurious yellow robes stood in an open area behind a palace. He closed his eyes, gathered his thoughts, and gently rubbed his hands. A faint light danced on his fingertips. Suddenly, he uttered a deep spell, and a yellow talisman was conjured. A bright yellow thunder streaked across the sky, its deafening roar echoing. "It''s done!" Shen Xiaohu''s face lit up with uncontrollable joy, his bright eyes gleaming with excitement. At that moment, a burly figure quietly appeared behind him, as stable as a mountain, exuding an indescribable majesty and pressure. Upon seeing this scene, he said approvingly, "Not bad." Hearing the voice, Shen Xiaohu quickly turned around, his eyes full of awe and respect. He bowed and said, "Commander." The Commander nodded slightly, his gaze deep, "Your progress surpassed my expectations. This Yellow Thunder Talisman, even in our sect, not many can cultivate it so quickly. Although you are not good in martial arts, you do have some talent in talismans." Upon hearing this, Shen Xiaohu was even more thrilled, "It''s all thanks to the teachings of the Commander and the envoys." "Just when you''ve grasped some basics, we are preparing to attack Dan Zhou and are short of hands," the Commander said flatly, "You go with others and prepare secretly." Shen Xiaohu''s heart tightened, not daring to refuse, and he agreed with his head bowed. Seeing Shen Xiaohu''s reluctance, the Commander spoke, "Do you know why we must first preach?" Shen Xiaohu shook his head. The Commander laughed and said, "Those who are educated and know the truth mostly serve as officials in the court. So, to counter the Ji Family Court, we must use people who are a bit foolish. To deal with those fools, we absolutely cannot tell them the truth; we must use religion to hypnotize them, making them feel all their actions are justified." "So, ''Heaven is Above'' is just a slogan, just like ''Amitabha.'' The Ji Family, for their martial arts, has always oppressed us and left us no way out, so we must rebel against them." "If we succeed, not only will there be countless silver and women, but also the unattainable path to longevity, allowing us to live as long as heaven." Shen Xiaohu''s eyes lit up as he asked, "So rebelling against the Ji Family Court is to take back our money and women, and pursue longevity, right?" "Are you willing to go?" "I am willing." The Commander of Huang Tian Sect chuckled, "This time, you will go down the mountain to take on the role of the Yellow Angel, prepare to go preach with other envoys." "Yes, Commander." A newfound excitement appeared on Shen Xiaohu''s face. Upon hearing this, he saluted and went back to prepare. He changed into ordinary clothes and packed his bag, ready to join the others. Among a pile of clothes, Shen Xiaohu saw a mirror and stared at it for a moment. After a long while, he sighed deeply. He wondered how his parents were doing. This place was several thousand miles from Yongzhou; with his current capabilities, he couldn''t travel that far. He could only hope for improvement in the future. S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Shen Xiaohu put away his bag and headed down the mountain. Chapter 78 Infamy Spreads Far, Taking Over the Guardian Martial Department The next morning, Shen Qing went to the Military Department Office to check in, just as he usually did.In the case involving Zheng Yuanqiu, the Zhuifeng steed under him was reduced to nothing but bones, forcing him to walk on foot for the time being. Fortunately, after learning the Da Xu Technique, a martial art of the Huangfu family, his Qinggong had greatly improved. With a push of his legs, he turned into a shadowy figure, weaving through the crowd on the street like a nimble fish, moving extraordinarily fast. In the time it took for one incense stick to burn, he arrived at the Guardian Martial Department Office, faster than if he had ridden on horseback. His appearance in front of many officers and dispatch officers caused quite a stir. Ji Youwu, Wang Shouyuan, Liu Yuan, and other officers from the fourth group looked at Shen Qing incredulously, as if seeing him return from the dead. Amid their astonished gazes, Shen Qing checked in with a calm demeanor and then returned to a small room in the courtyard to rest. As Shen Qing noticed Ji Youwu, Wang Shouyuan, and Liu Yuan still looking stunned, he couldn''t help but frown. "Why are you all staring at me?" Ji Youwu, being bolder, swallowed nervously and said, "Sir, you''re not dead?" "By the way you say it, do I have to be dead?" Shen Qing glanced at him and replied. Ji Youwu hastily explained, "No, no, it''s just that Lord Governor was defeated by the snake demon, so seeing you alive was unexpected. The people at the Military Department all said that both you and Lord Huangfu were hit by the snake demon''s tail and left without even bones, and the Huangfu family has already begun quietly preparing for funerals." "Even Lord Governor couldn''t defeat the snake demon?" Shen Qing''s expression suddenly turned grave. Lord Governor was at the Innate Realm in cultivation, undeniably among the top tier in Yongzhou. Shen Qing shifted the topic, asking, "What happened? Tell me." Ji Youwu pondered for a moment and slowly recounted, "On the day you had your incident, the snake demon awoke and rampaged, slithering to the nearby town." "The snake demon had a massive body and a terrifying aura, releasing poisonous fog with just an open mouth, consuming nearly two to three thousand of the town''s people." "Upon hearing the news, Lord Governor immediately led the city''s elite to personally go forth. He, with the cultivation of an Innate Martial Master, fought hard against the snake demon, attempting to slay the demon. However, the snake demon not only had thick skin and tough flesh but also wielded demon arts, making it hard to bear. There were even rumors that this demon was the ruler of various demons from the nearby mountains, with a tendency to transform into a dragon." Reaching this point, Ji Youwu couldn''t help but add a hint of admiration and regret in his voice: "In the battle, Lord Governor fought the snake demon for a long time. Amid fierce struggles, he managed to severely injure the snake demon with his exceptional martial arts, forcing it to retreat, but at an extremely heavy cost, suffering severe injuries, nearly losing his life." "Currently, Lord Governor is retreating to the government office to recover, becoming the most discussed matter within the county office recently." Ji Youwu glanced at Shen Qing and added another explanation: "Such a powerful demon, even Lord Governor was no match. Naturally, we assumed that you and Lord Huangfu were also unfortunately lost..." Hearing these words, Shen Qing fell into a brief silence. He hadn''t expected that there was such a backstory behind all this. At the same time, in another room, Dong Jing, the first group''s dispatch officer, showed surprise upon learning of Shen Qing''s safe return. "Who would have thought that Shen Qing had such luck, surviving in front of such a demon, truly unexpected." "Seeing this, he must have some skills, should I lower myself and befriend him?" At this moment, Dong Jing experienced some internal conflict. Ultimately considering the difference in status, he chose to remain observant. Forget it, forget it. For now, instead of befriending Shen Qing, he had more important matters to attend to. And that was the position of the Chief Officer of the Guardian Martial Department. According to his analysis, there truly weren''t many suitable candidates within the county office to take on this mess, so there was a significant likelihood of promotion within their group of dispatch officers. As the dispatch officer of the first group of the Guardian Martial Department, he had the strongest capabilities, the best background, and the best chance. He needed to seize the opportunity to make things work. The position of Chief Officer of the Guardian Martial Department might not mean much for the legitimate sons of many high-ranking families, but for them, it was a desirable post. He was well aware that although the Huangfu family wasn''t a prominent name within the Thirteen Lines, they still held considerable influence in the court. The position of Chief Officer had close ties with Huang Furo. If he secured this position, he might use it as a stepping stone in the future, rise to power, and achieve great things. Thinking about this made Dong Jing somewhat excited. And inside the Guardian Martial Department, he wasn''t alone in his thoughts among the dispatch officers. Five days flew by in the blink of an eye. The news of Hei Zhao Gang''s annihilation, after brewing over these days, caused quite a stir among Yongzhou''s various gangs. Coupled with Shen Qing''s fierce reputation and his demon-slaying actions, Shen Qing quietly earned the nickname "Yama Shen" among these gangs. Most gangs quietly retracted their claws in Shen Qing''s territory, not daring to make any unruly moves. Suddenly, the area patrolled by Shen Qing became extraordinarily peaceful. However, contrary to the malicious reputation among the gangs, Shen Qing''s demon-slaying and punishing of gang bullies brought applause from the people, leading to considerable prestige among many residents of Yongzhou. On this day, after finishing a day of patrol, Shen Qing returned to the Guardian Martial Department Office with his subordinate officers. sea??h th§× N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. To his surprise, Huang Furo was also unexpectedly present at the Guardian Martial Department Office. Upon seeing him, the latter showed no emotional fluctuation, maintaining a usual expression. The two nodded in acknowledgment. After most of the dispatch officers and officers returned, Huang Furo gathered them in the back hall. Seeing that everyone was present, Huang Furo began, "I''ve gathered everyone here today to announce an important matter." Her voice wasn''t loud but clearly reached everyone''s ears. Huang Furo looked around at everyone and said, "With the betrayal of Zheng Yuanqiu and the Military Department leaderless, such a state will give rise to chaos, so I am here today to temporarily appoint a Vice Director for the Military Department to act as an interim leader." These words caused everyone to straighten up with excitement. Especially those dispatch officers like Dong Jing, who eyed the General of the Army position in the Military Department with great ambition. Huang Furo''s gaze traveled across the faces of the various dispatch officers and stopped on Shen Qing. "I consider that the fourth group''s Shen Qing, Chief Officer Shen, is exceptionally capable and suitable for the role of Vice Director, and the Lord Commander agrees. Therefore, from now on, Chief Officer Shen will act as Vice Director of the Military Department, performing the duties of the General of the Army. I have brought the official document with me to formally announce it." Upon hearing this, all the dispatch officers and officers of the Guardian Martial Department were in shock. Shen Qing? How could it be? Based on what? In Dong Jing''s mind, it was as if a volcano erupted, and he blurted out, "I refuse!" Chapter 79 If thats the case, then you all go on up together! ```In the inner hall, the officers and officials of the Guardian Martial Department simultaneously cast their eyes on Dong Jing. The atmosphere froze. Sitting in the chief seat, Huang Furo exuded an orchid-like grace, facing this sudden change without the slightest panic. She calmly smiled and said, "Dong Chasi, what opinion do you have to share with everyone?" Her clear voice carried an undeniable authority. Facing Huang Furo, Dong Jing had calmed down by this point. The intense emotional turmoil in his heart was soothed by some invisible force, and he quickly adjusted his breath, his gaze lingering briefly on Shen Qing, then puffed out his chest. He pondered briefly, choosing his words carefully as he said, "Lord Huangfu, Shen Chasi has been with the Guardian Martial Department for a short time. What qualifications does he have to hold the position of Vice Director? Wouldn''t such a decision dishearten the veterans in the office?" Sear?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Huang Furo smiled faintly and retorted, "Who told you that positions in the government office rely on qualifications?" Dong Jing''s expression froze. He detected in Huang Furo''s words a hint of her intention to firmly support Shen Qing, which made him feel somewhat discontented. In his view, how was he not better than Shen Qing? Whether in terms of background or cultivation, he surpassed Shen Qing by far. Dong Jing clasped his hands in a salute and looked up directly, "If not based on qualifications, then what does Lord Huangfu think it should be based on? Relationships?" With these words, Huang Furo''s face immediately turned cold. She stood and said, "Of course, it''s based on merit, based on cultivation." "Shen Chasi has only been with our Yongzhou Guardian Martial Department for just over half a year, indeed not long. But during this half a year, he has handled the Baili Village demon case, the Changqiao Town Wolf Demon case, the Inner City Cat Demon case, and most recently, the Zheng Yuanqiu traitor case..." "Frankly speaking, Shen Chasi has eliminated more demons in this half-year than you have in several years." Huang Furo surveyed the officers and officials of the Guardian Martial Department before her, "Isn''t such merit enough? Or are you the real incompetents sitting here?" After her speech, a supreme authority suddenly surged around Huang Furo. The momentum of the Dan Realm erupted at this moment. This power, seemingly tangible, stirred the void into invisible ripples, spreading slowly around, instantly filling the entire inner hall. In the inner hall, everyone felt an irresistible pressure sweeping over them, causing them to take a step back involuntarily. As they looked up, they saw Huang Furo''s clothing fluttering without wind under the influence of this invisible power, her garments swirling, like a fairy in the wind, transcendent and otherworldly. "So what if the merits are enough? A person like that can at most be called a capable official. What really counts is Martial Arts cultivation. The Emperor of Great Zhou has long stated that the court positions now are for the capable. Shen Chasi, being so young and of humble origins, already missed the best time for cultivation advancement. How can he sit steadily in the position of Vice Director? This is a path to disorder." "Indeed, Lord Huangfu''s method is a path to disorder!" Other high-ranking children of officials also stepped forth, besides Dong Jing. They were unwilling to accept a martial master of humble hunter origins climbing above their heads. Even if there were those uninterested in the Chief Officer position, their scarce pride pushed them to make this choice in the face of this pressure. Huang Furo''s eyes revealed a hint of displeasure, and the atmosphere in the inner hall suddenly became tense and confrontational. Shen Qing, as an observer, saw this clearly. Undoubtedly, Huang Furo was on his side, but facing this group of high-ranking disciples, she evidently did not have a better way either. These people could neither be killed nor driven away; it was indeed a difficult matter. If it were him, even if he wanted to kill these people, he''d need to find a cover, secretly finding a way to quietly kill them. However, this didn''t mean he was entirely out of ideas. Shen Qing stepped forward, slightly approaching Huang Furo, then turned around and said to the three officers who had spoken, "How do you suggest we assess Martial Arts cultivation?" "If you can defeat us, your cultivation is higher." "Good, in that case, you can all come at me together!" Shen Qing said calmly. "What arrogance." Sun Ding from the second group was already angry, feeling deeply offended by Shen Qing''s disdain, and he replied angrily, "I don''t need the other two; I alone am enough to subdue you!" Saying that, Sun Ding lunged at Shen Qing swiftly and aggressively, throwing a punch that sounded like a dragon''s roar, directly targeting his opponent''s face. This was the Sun Family''s Dragon Roar Fist, Eight Forms. The essence of this martial art lay in imitating the sound of a dragon''s roar, borrowing the power of the wind and clouds, using the fist technique as a carrier to demonstrate the majestic momentum of the dragon soaring through the Ninth Heaven. Cultivating it to the level of mastery, this martial art could not only overpower the enemy with force but also pressure with momentum; it was a high-level martial art. The ancestor of the Sun Family had established a formidable enterprise in Yongzhou, relying on this fist technique. However, Sun Ding''s status in the Sun Family was not very high, and his mastery of this martial art was not very profound. Boom! As Sun Ding''s fist reached Shen Qing''s face, the air seemed to be suddenly torn apart, emitting a deafening explosion. "Did it work?" Dong Jing and others'' eyes brightened. Yet before they had a chance to rejoice, they saw Sun Ding''s figure, under an irresistible force, fly backward like a kite with a broken line, crashing heavily to the ground, dust flying. Shen Qing stood still, his clothes slightly rustling, his countenance calm, as if all that had just happened was merely a breeze blowing past. He looked around with sharp eyes, his tone carrying not the slightest fear, but rather an undeniable invincible dominance, "Alright, if you wish to come one by one, then come one by one." The surroundings fell silent, with only the sound of Sun Dong''s rapid breathing in response. "His meridians are like jade, he has reached the Yu Luo Realm, I was not mistaken, he has already broken through to the Yu Luo Realm!" Wu Xing from the third group of officers revealed a look of disbelief and exclaimed. The inner hall erupted into uproar. Dong Jing faced this scene with his mouth slightly open, unable to speak. Yu Luo Realm? How was that possible? If he remembered correctly, half a year ago, Shen Qing was at the Qi Hai Realm. That meant this person, after joining the Guardian Martial Department, broke through two major realms in just half a year. Was he still human? If it were before the Qi Hai Realm, he could understand it. It was merely the stage of honing the physical body, where one could quickly compensate for deficiencies through external force. But this was after the Qi Hai Realm. The Great Realm after becoming transcendent. The two weren''t in the same concept at all. "Is there no one?" Seeing Dong Jing and others silent and unresponsive, Shen Qing turned back to Huang Furo, bowing with his hands clasped, "Lord Huangfu, it seems my virtue and martial prowess have already convinced everyone." Huang Furo burst into laughter, quickly deciding, "Does anyone have any objections to Shen Chasi serving as Vice Director of the Guardian Martial Department? If there are no objections, let it be decided as such." Dong Jing''s lips quivered slightly, but he still weakly uttered a single word, "Yes." ``` Chapter 80 Heaven Helps Those Who Help Themselves, Promotion and Advancement in Rank Huang Furo saw that none of the officers and officials in the back hall had any objections and said, "If you have no other matters, you may leave. Vice Chief Shen, please stay behind."The officers and officials in the back dared not act recklessly and retreated quietly. In a flash, the vast back hall was left with just Shen Qing and Huang Furo. At this moment, Shen Qing stepped forward earnestly and said, "Thank you for your favor, Lord Huangfu. I will fulfill my duties to repay your kindness in recognizing my potential." "I knew I didn''t misjudge you. You handled today''s matters very well." Huang Furo had thought it would take some effort to silence these wealthy young masters, but she didn''t expect Shen Qing to be so direct, swiftly silencing them. She looked Shen Qing up and down, increasingly satisfied with him. "If it wasn''t for the opportunity given by you, my lord, I would not have reached this point." Shen Qing, despite their shared experience in the underground, maintained his discretion without overstepping any boundaries. Huang Furo returned to her seat, smiling as she said, "Let''s skip the pleasantries and talk about serious matters." "Please speak, my lord." "You already know the situation in the Guardian Martial Department, so tell me your plan moving forward." Huang Furo poured a cup of tea from the table and said casually. Currently, various institutions in the government office were severely corrupted by high-ranking families, filled with incompetents. Outside Yongzhou City, demons were rising, the Lord Governor was injured and remained behind closed doors. If this continued, problems could easily arise. Therefore, bringing in capable people into the government office was an urgent matter. It just so happened that the Chief Officer position in the Guardian Martial Department was vacant, making Shen Qing, someone with no background, the perfect candidate. Commander Jia Zhiping also thought this. Even if Shen Qing hadn''t taken action today, she would have forced others to comply, albeit with some effort. As for the future, whether he could command the people and revive the Guardian Martial Department depended on Shen Qing''s abilities. As the saying goes, "Heaven helps those who help themselves." Only those who strive and refuse to give up will be favored and assisted by the heavens. Merely relying on others will lead nowhere. This was also why Shen Qing was appointed as Vice Chief and not Chief. If Shen Qing couldn''t organize the Guardian Martial Department and make the government office fulfill its responsibilities, they would find a way to replace him with someone more aligned with their interests. In short, Huang Furo was merely giving Shen Qing an opportunity, keeping the initiative in her hands. Shen Qing pondered for a moment and suggested, "Expand the recruitment!" "Go on." "I checked some records these days. In the past few years, there were records of demons around Yongzhou, but they were often vague, and few involved human deaths. However, since last year, inexplicably, the number of demons increased, even the Snake Demon emerged. With this trend, more demons might appear in Yongzhou, so the Guardian Martial Department must expand its manpower." "Otherwise, these demons cannot be guarded against," Shen Qing said seriously. S§×ar?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "You''re right," Huang Furo agreed deeply, "The Guardian Martial Department needs to expand its recruitment." Shen Qing continued, "I boldly believe that currently, the scale of the Guardian Martial Department urgently needs expansion to nine groups, gathering two hundred martial masters to ensure the safety of Yongzhou. But this must be approached cautiously, steadily, avoiding haste. Otherwise, opportunistic individuals might exploit the situation, causing unnecessary trouble." Huang Furo nodded, "Rest assured, I''ll arrange for the officials room to cooperate with you." Shen Qing then said, "Besides the manpower issue, there''s another matter that caught my attention. But this is a deep matter, and I dare not decide recklessly." "What is it?" Huang Furo asked curiously, her eyebrows furrowing. Shen Qing began, "In the case of Changqiao Town, I discovered someone secretly colluding with demons. I now suspect this isn''t an isolated incident." As he spoke, Shen Qing glanced at Huang Furo, noticing she was as cautious as he expected. Huang Furo lifted her eyelids and said, "Do you have any clues?" Shen Qing nodded silently, lowering his voice, "Last time when I slew the Cat Demon, I found it had vague ties with the Zhou Family. But I have no evidence, merely suspicion. After all, the Zhou Family is a powerful high-ranking clan¡­" Shen Qing didn''t finish his thoughts, but Huang Furo evidently understood his meaning. After the incident with the Snake Demon, he realized the danger posed by demons. Even though the Cat Demon''s "Goddess" hadn''t troubled him yet, it remained a threat, persistently worrisome. Considering various events, Huang Furo seemed reliable, perhaps she could assist in investigating, possibly eliminating this hidden danger. Huang Furo picked up her tea cup, her expression serious, "You haven''t mentioned this to anyone else, have you?" "No." "Don''t mention this to anyone for now. The Zhou Family''s strength is deeper than it appears," Huang Furo warned, "I''ll investigate this matter." Shen Qing nodded heavily. After discussing some details, they didn''t leave until dusk began to fall. Leaving the Guardian Martial Department''s gates, Shen Qing took a deep breath, suddenly feeling refreshed. Having a patron made a difference. ... In the Shen Family courtyard. In the main hall, the light flickered. Before everyone, Shen Qing announced the news of his promotion, causing a stir of exclamations. "Brother, does this mean you''re officially an official?" "Once the official document is confirmed, I will be." Gasp... The people in the main hall couldn''t help but draw a sharp breath. In the Great Zhou, the ranks were: Emperor, noble, official, doctor, martial, farmer, craftsman... Being an official was second only to nobility. Uncle Shen the Second looked at the increasingly accomplished Shen Qing, unsure how to express himself. He felt as though the past one or two years were like a dream. He never imagined the Shen Family could produce such a remarkable person, suddenly reaching a high status. Shen Qing, with a smile on his face, addressed Shen Xiaoshan and Tian Xiaohu, saying, "Next, focus on your training. Soon, I''ll recruit a batch of martial masters into the Guardian Martial Department as officers. Although this position isn''t officially permanent, it''s a rare opportunity for you." Hearing this, Tian Xiaohu and the others were invigorated. Officers weren''t officials, merely martial masters hired under the government''s name, but still part of the Guardian Martial Department, bearing its title. Compared to regular Martial Arts Halls or gangs, this was far superior. Many people sought such opportunities in vain. Hearing Shen Qing''s offer, they couldn''t help feeling excited. Tian Xiaohu and Shen Xiaoshan both nodded and agreed firmly. Chapter 81 Co-optation, Power The lanterns lit up the night, and Yongzhou City was ablaze with lights.In a private room at Shen''s Restaurant, flower lamps were artfully arranged, casting brilliant light and making the entire room as bright as day. The square eight-immortal table was coated with a gleaming red lacquer and carved with patterns, exuding an aura of luxury. Shen Qing sat upright in the main seat on the left, full of vigor and exuding the calmness unique to a superior. He was surrounded by many small merchants. Among these merchants, a burly man with a beefy face stood out. He stood up and loudly declared, "Come, everyone, fill your glasses and let''s toast Vice Chief Shen!" Before he finished speaking, the room was filled with enthusiastic responses, and the crisp clinking of glasses melded into a symphony. With the news spreading, merchants large and small from Xinyi Square gathered at Shen''s Restaurant to celebrate Shen Qing''s promotion. Everyone now knew that there was no Chief Officer position in the Guardian Martial Department, so Shen Qing, as the Vice Chief, was effectively the head of this office. The Guardian Martial Department''s authority was not as great as the Military Department''s, but one could never be sure if a few remnants of the Huang Tian Sect or demons would inexplicably appear in their own homes in the future. These traveling merchants were all sharp-minded. They came after hearing the news to greet and familiarize themselves. Shen Qing originally didn''t want to join in this excitement, but thinking that he was neither alone nor weak, and wanting to expand his influence, he agreed to this drinking session. "Brother Hong, you''re too kind. Thank you all for your favor." Shen Qing''s words were gentle, like a spring breeze that melted rain, making everyone feel waves of goodwill. Previously, the Chief Officer of the Guardian Martial Department, Zheng Yuanqiu, was only concerned with extracting benefits, ignoring everything else, and was insatiably greedy, causing these people much suffering. Whenever there was a need to deal with demons, the dispatch office would randomly frame people, causing countless families to be destroyed. These people had long been full of resentment, and now that there was finally a change in leadership, they sighed in relief while also speculating on the temperament of this Vice Chief Shen. Now it seemed that the new Vice Chief was easy to get along with, which subtly put them at ease. Shen Qing raised his glass and stood up, his gaze sweeping across the seated people, and then he boldly drank it all in one go. "How forthright!" someone praised from among the crowd, with genuine admiration in their voice, "Vice Chief Shen truly has a good nature. Let''s toast the Vice Chief again!" "Very well." Unknowingly, the atmosphere became increasingly lively. In the Great Zhou Country, the status of merchants was not high, only above that of slaves, so without great martial strength, they were basically oppressed and exploited. On one hand, they had to cope with commercial competition from the Thirteen Lines, and on the other, they had to handle extortion from the government and local gangs, so life was not very good overall. Since joining the Guardian Martial Department, Shen Qing had mostly been on the road to slay demons or cultivating, and he rarely extorted these small merchants in his jurisdiction. Additionally, the merchants were well aware of Shen Qing''s massacre of the Hei Zhao Gang, so they held a very good impression of him. After three rounds of drinks, the atmosphere became even more congenial, prompting Hong Tao to bring up the recent demon affairs. "Speaking of which, Lord Shen, have you heard about Lord Governor''s recent injury? This matter has caused quite a stir in the city, and we are all a bit uneasy." Shen Qing pondered briefly, a barely noticeable trace of gravity flashing across his brows, "The Snake Demon incident?" Hong Jingtiao nodded and lowered his voice, "Lord Governor is a dignified Innate Martial Master. His cultivation is profound and possesses the power to move mountains and overturn seas. I heard he battled the Snake Demon and leveled several mountains, yet he was still not a match for that demon? If that demon comes into the city, wouldn''t we all be doomed?" S§×arch* The N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Shen Qing remained silent, as no one present understood the terror of the Snake Demon better than he did. But... Under the watchful eyes of everyone, he picked up a wine cup and said leisurely, "I don''t think so." "What do you mean, Lord Shen?" Unbidden, Shen Qing''s mind recalled what Huang Furo had said, "What do you think of the strength of the Yongzhou Thirteen Lines?" Everyone exchanged glances, "Certainly strong." "Then that''s settled. Have you seen any indication that they''re planning to leave Yongzhou?" Shen Qing slowly guided, "A gentleman doesn''t stand under a precarious wall. They must understand such a simple truth." "If there are no private actions now, it means they''re not anxious and have something to lean on. I don''t think Yongzhou City will fall into chaos anytime soon, so you can rest assured. Only when you see the Thirteen Lines members unable to remain calm should you really start to worry." A merchant responded, "Yes, when the sky falls, the tall ones will hold it up. Why should we worry? I heard that within the Yongzhou Thirteen Lines, many old Undyings are sustained by their family''s spiritual elixirs; each one has Innate Realm cultivation, and demons can''t yet wreak havoc in this city." "Well said," Hong Jingtiao agreed. "Soldiers come to block, water rises to cover; let''s drink and not talk about these troublesome matters!" Upon hearing this, Shen Qing gladly raised his glass, and everyone else also got up. "Lord Shen, I''ve heard that your Guardian Martial Department is going to expand its personnel?" At this moment, a merchant suddenly said a bit nervously. Shen Qing did not intend to hide it and nodded, "There is indeed such a matter? Why, are you looking to join the Guardian Martial Department?" "No, no, I''m too old to endure such hardship." "Then you are?" "I have a son at home who has learned some martial arts. I wonder if it''s convenient for you to give him a chance? Even as an officer would do." Shen Qing touched the rim of his wine cup, showing a hesitant expression. "Lord, rest assured, I understand some of the rules." Shen Qing knew that most of these people were ordinary folks who might have originally been farmers but had been forced into business due to hardships at home. What level of martial arts training could such people achieve? Not everyone was "gifted" like him. However, those high-ranking disciples wouldn''t even spare him a glance, and currently, he really had no one available at hand. With just him, the large Guardian Martial Department was unmanageable. Shen Qing smiled and said, "Let him come and try. If he''s useless, then let him go back where he came from." "Alright, thank you, Lord Shen." Seeing someone take the initiative, several other merchants eagerly spoke up one after another. "Lord, there''s also my¡­" "I have a daughter at home¡­" "..." Shen Qing waved his hand, "Let them come and try. I''ll give suitable ones a chance." "Thank you, Lord Shen, thank you." Thus, the banquet continued for a full Shi Chen before it finally ended. Before leaving, these merchants, knowing Shen Qing''s mount had been damaged in battles, generously pooled money to buy him a fine horse. Shen Qing accepted it graciously. At that moment, he suddenly realized that, after reaching a certain position and gaining some power, there were many more things he could do. ... Previously, Zheng Yuanqiu had focused solely on scheming while in office, leaving the Guardian Martial Department with a mess of accounts. After taking over as Vice Chief of the Guardian Martial Department, Shen Qing found the various accounts and old cases to be utterly chaotic. Fortunately, having lived two lives, he knew a lot of methods, these matters only required effort on his part. Time passed little by little. After a month, Shen Qing finally sorted out the Guardian Martial Department''s income, expenses, and overall demon cases of recent years, making himself well-informed. In his view, if he wanted to fully control the Guardian Martial Department, this was an unavoidable step. Due to immersing himself in dealing with accounts and old cases during this period, the Guardian Martial Department saw no changes, making it seem that he was somewhat unaccomplished. Gradually, the rumor of his "incompetence" began to circulate within the Guardian Martial Department, and these voices grew louder by the day. Chapter 82 Worldly Affairs and Advancement in Cultivation ```"My lord, this is all slander from Sun Ding and his group. Ever since Sun Ding lost to you last time, he''s been speaking ill of you in front of the officers from Group Two. Shall we deal with him?" Officer Liu Yuan from Group Four stood by Shen Qing''s side, speaking with great indignation. Ji Youwu and Wang Shouyuan, who were beside them, also joined in with some righteous anger. Shen Qing glanced at them, feeling a sense of emotion in his heart. The change in people''s minds was truly subtle. He let out a slight laugh and countered, "How do you plan to ''deal with him''? As far as I know, Sun Ding''s cultivation is in the Qi Hai Realm, which is a whole Great Realm above yours." Liu Yuan couldn''t help but pause, his expression faltering. Weren''t subordinates supposed to show loyalty and superiors protect their subordinates in theatrical plays? How come the person in front didn''t follow the conventional rules? Shen Qing continued to ask, "What is it, no ideas? Or were you just saying it offhand to stir trouble between me and other subordinates?" Liu Yuan''s face changed immediately, and he hastily said, "Subordinate dares not, subordinate merely..." "Enough, you don''t need to say more. You should be clear about one thing: Sun Chasi and his team are my direct subordinates. There is a Chasi between you and me. However, I also value old relationships and naturally won''t shortchange my former brothers." After giving them the carrot and stick, Shen Qing continued, "For now, your task is to perform your duties diligently, make sure no issues arise in the defense area. Don''t meddle in other matters." Ji Youwu, Wang Shouyuan, and the other three officers immediately felt a surge of spirit, collecting their thoughts, and replied in unison, "We obey, my lord." Shen Qing waved his hand. The three wisely left the rear hall. Watching their backs, Shen Qing felt it was time to bring Tian Xiaohu and his men in. Not having reliable people around him left him uneasy. In the blink of an eye, it was time for the monthly salary to be distributed. The official who came to settle the salary was an acquaintance of Shen Qing''s¡ªa minor officer from the Military Department Office, Zhao Guanglu. Unlike past encounters, Zhao Guanglu was exceedingly respectful when he saw Shen Qing, unlike his former self. In the rear hall of the Guardian Martial Department, the warm spring light cascaded onto the cold stone steps. The steps of the minor officer, Zhao Guanglu, were hurried, and his face bore an unnatural ingratiating smile, "Lord Shen, it has indeed been a long time. Your mighty deeds have long spread across both departments. Your promotion is well-deserved." Zhao Guanglu''s voice carried a forced warmth, while his eyes darted over Shen Qing, as if trying to discern his thoughts. The person before him was once someone he looked down upon, but now, having latched onto Lord Huangfu, he was no longer someone a minor officer like him could handle. Shen Qing smiled slightly, with a hint of amusement and aloofness in his expression. He was well aware of Zhao Guanglu''s nature, knowing that the current respect was merely a result of being under the eaves, far from genuine esteem. Shen Qing clasped his fist and said, "Mr. Zhao, you''re too kind. We all work under Lord Governor and should support each other. Please!" "Dare not, dare not, please after you." Zhao Guanglu quickly bowed his head, following behind Shen Qing. Upon entering the study, the atmosphere turned subtle. "Is there any issue with this month''s salary for the Guardian Martial Department?" Upon entering the study, Shen Qing wasted no time with pleasantries and directly got to the point. Zhao Guanglu did not hesitate. As the saying goes, a new official applies three fires upon taking office; he had been in the officialdom long enough to understand this and did not wish to court trouble. "No issues, this Guardian Martial Department''s salary has been fully brought over. Here is the account, please take a look." Zhao Guanglu respectfully handed over the salary list, while discreetly observing Shen Qing''s reaction. Shen Qing took the salary list, inspected it carefully, and after confirming there were no problems, called for his Chang Sui. Unlike Zheng Yuanqiu, he didn''t pocket it for himself but instructed Chang Sui to distribute the full salary without docking any amount. Seeing Shen Qing''s actions, Zhao Guanglu inwardly plotted, pretending to mention the silver he had previously "received" from Shen Qing. "Lord Shen, about the past when I acted imprudently and took a bit from you, I hope you''re not too harsh and give me a chance to make amends." As he spoke, Zhao Guanglu presented a stack of silver notes, "I have not dared to use these silver taels. I return them today." Zhao Guanglu''s voice held a tinge of reluctance, but he knew keeping those silver taels could prove troublesome, so he preferred to return them. Such a gesture might possibly leave a retreat path for potential future troubles. After all, caution can always lead to safety. In the governor''s office, social niceties were everywhere, allowing no room for negligence. Shen Qing slightly raised an eyebrow, his gaze lingering momentarily on the silver taels, eyes revealing a thoughtful glint, he ventured, "Mr. Zhao, there''s no need for such formality between us. Since you''ve accepted the silver taels, they are yours now. I''ve always been clear-cut in my dealings. Your help in the past, I remember it well." Hearing this, Zhao Guanglu dared not completely relax his guard, hurriedly bowing in thanks, "Thank you, Lord Shen, for your magnanimity. I will certainly strive to be more diligent in the future, solving your worries and troubles. But I truly feel unworthy of this money, and I hope you''ll take it back." "Mr. Zhao, you''re being too polite." Shen Qing sighed deeply, accepting the silver notes, "In that case, I''ll take them back graciously. I''ll still need the support of the officials room brothers over here in the future." "Please rest assured, my lord. I will certainly give you all-out support, and Lord Huangfu had instructed earlier that nothing will go wrong with your matters." Zhao Guanglu spoke lightly, smiling as he did, selling a favor to Shen Qing. Shen Qing laughed heartily, picked up a pen, and completed some handover procedures with Zhao Guanglu. After the handover, Zhao Guanglu did not linger in the study and soon left the Guardian Martial Department. Shortly after Zhao Guanglu''s departure, the entire Guardian Martial Department was filled with a joyous atmosphere. S§×arch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. For the first time, many officers and subordinates of the Guardian Martial Department received their full salaries and felt extremely satisfied. Unconsciously, Shen Qing''s reputation within the Guardian Martial Department underwent a reversal, gradually rising, and starting to gain some control. He heard the burst of cheers from the courtyard, looked at the stack of silver notes in his hand, and remarked with emotion, "Social relationships, indeed, a good start." Over the next period, Yongzhou City remained peaceful. The demons outside the city seemed to have gone dormant, with no movements. After a period of busyness, Shen Qing found some rare spare time. In the following days, he declined some unimportant banquets and less critical matters within the Guardian Martial Department, focusing all his energy on cultivation. After more than a month of diligent practice, the results did not disappoint Shen Qing. With the help of the Wish Power Pearl and various precious medicines, his cultivation advanced by leaps and bounds. In a little over a month, he pushed his Yu Luo Realm to the late stage. ``` Chapter 83 Burying Ones Head in Intensive Study, Just Like a Fierce Tiger Lying on a Barren Hill That day at the banquet, although Shen Qing told the many merchants that Yongzhou was safe, he understood in his heart that this was not the case.Earlier, when he entered Yongzhou, he heard Wu Sheng mention the complexities of Yongzhou. Now, it seemed everything Wu had said was coming true. Sear?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Yongzhou indeed had problems, but no one deliberately paid attention to them. Once inspected under a magnifying glass, issues were everywhere. Not to mention the snake demon and the goddess at the Zhou Mansion, those formidable demons. Just the fact that the prefectural governor was gravely injured was terrifying upon careful thought. Even among Innate Martial Masters, there were distinctions between strong and weak. Among the Innate Realm, the Yongzhou Governor was the strongest in the court of this state. If he was injured, it meant there was some imbalance between the court and local powers. And the news of the governor''s injury was so openly spread. There had to be someone secretly pushing this from behind. From Shen Qing''s temporary analysis, the most likely instigators were the Thirteen Lines. Shen Qing suspected that Thirteen Lines might take advantage of this period when the governor was injured and the court''s power was at a low point to maximize their own authority and voice in Yongzhou. Once the established facts were created, even if the governor recovered his cultivation later, it would be to no avail. By then, the county office would be hindered in every aspect, and their days as chief officers would definitely be difficult. Plus, lives in this world were as insignificant as grass, and there might even be the danger of losing life. Not to mention there was a group of demons out there eyeing them maliciously. As the saying goes, "A man without long-term consideration will have immediate worries." The situation had not yet decayed, so it was best to seize the time to accumulate strength like a fierce tiger crouching on a desolate hilltop. Thinking of this, Shen Qing became more serious and immersed himself in dedicated cultivation. The path of Martial Arts was vast and boundless. If the path of cultivation was compared to a long, winding river, then the Qi Hai Realm in Martial Arts was the turbulent rapids in this river, marking a deep transformation and divergence in the path of a martial master. Before the Qi Hai Realm, it was all about tempering muscles and bones, increasing Qi-blood, and refining Qi. Every martial master was like a blacksmith forging raw iron, day after day, year after year, tempering their muscles and bones, making the physical body sturdy as rock and Qi-blood surging like mighty tides. During this process, since everyone''s internal vitality and resilience were different, the progress and difficulty of breakthrough varied. However, overall, there were no significant differences between each other, all like small streams converging before reaching the sea, each with its posture, ultimately converging as one. However, when the martial master got a chance and crossed the basic threshold entering the Qi Hai Realm, the path of Martial Arts suddenly cleared, the star river shone brightly, and everything became different. The Qi Sea gathered in the Dantian of the human body became the crucial point of the martial master''s destiny. In this realm, martial masters needed to guide the free True Qi around their body like taming wild horses, into their lower abdomen, and condense it into a Qi Sea. The size of the Qi Sea determined the martial master''s future potential. This was the first major watershed. As the Qi Sea underwent thorough tempering, transforming into liquid spiritual power, it lay dormant, waiting for its eruption, then it became the Yu Luo Realm. The quantity of liquid spiritual power in this realm became another watershed. Above the Yu Luo Realm, condensing "Dan Ying" to achieve the Dan Realm, each martial master had different manifestations in condensing "Dan Ying" based on their bones, temperament, and circumstances. Some "Dan Ying" were gentle like jade, exuding a tranquil and far-reaching aura; some "Dan Ying" were fiery like flames, containing the destructive power of heaven and earth; others were like the rising tide of the blue sea, with boundless spiritual power¡­ varied and unending. And when the "Dan Ying" grew into a person, it could achieve an Innate Body, mysterious and profound. Each step walked in this path was like a slight error leading to a thousand-mile disparity. During this period, Shen Qing had smooth progress in cultivation with the help of the Water Ink Panel, especially after using the Wish Power Pearl, his progress was impressive, gradually reaching the late stage Yu Luo Realm. However, due to the excessively broad scope of his cultivation skills, his energy was spread across various aspects, leading many of his cultivation techniques to not progress as quickly, making it somewhat challenging to break through bottlenecks. Shen Qing calculated carefully, and now, his main cultivation technique, the Sky Flipping Seal, was moving towards the level of mastery. The Heavenly Bow Technique and Six Paths Whale Swallowing Technique, his two auxiliary cultivation techniques, were advancing methodically, and the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill had already reached Great Perfection. However, the progress of the Dragon Roar Armor and Hunting Scripture was gradually lagging. Of these, the Dragon Roar Armor seemed increasingly insufficient after getting the enhancement from the Six Paths Whale Swallowing Technique, which enhanced his physical body. It seemed quite ineffective when facing powerful demons such as the snake demon. As for the Hunting Scripture skill, it primarily required a hunting environment. Only occasionally, when acting as a "Hunter," could it be improved, and it had little use at other times. Plus, he also learned the Da Xu Technique and the Great Void Shifting Technique, both more profound in movement technique than the Hunting Scripture. Thus, this cultivation technique seemed ineffective. The Da Xu Technique and the Great Void Shifting Technique, to some extent, could be categorized together, but without a clear cultivation technique, progress was temporarily slow. Looking at the water ink panel before him, Shen Qing, after comprehensive consideration, made a decision in his heart. He would temporarily take the Sky Flipping Seal and Heavenly Bow Technique as his primary cultivation directions, and use the Six Path Whale Swallowing Technique and Da Xu Technique as auxiliary practices. This way, he could both attack and defend from near and far. "When I have aligned and cultivated these techniques, with the help of the panel, I should be able to smoothly advance to the Dan Realm. By then, even if I encounter demons like the snake demon, I won''t be as embarrassed even if I''m defeated." "Facing some martial masters in the Innate Realm, I might not be able to fight them, but I should be able to outrun them¡­" "I need to find a way to obtain the ''Da Xu Technique''." Shen Qing faintly had some direction and decision. At this time, he realized one more thing. A person''s energy was always limited. Trying to concurrently cultivate four techniques was undoubtedly very difficult. No matter what, a day only had twelve Shi Chen, even if he cultivated all day without eating or drinking, dividing it into four parts wouldn''t seem like much. "Since I can''t increase the cultivation time, I must increase the cultivation efficiency." "Not only the Da Xu Technique needs focus, but I also need to find ways to acquire more elixirs and resources, as the official salary from the Guardian Martial Department is insufficient." Regarding how to obtain the cultivation resources he desired, Shen Qing couldn''t help but think of someone. Wu Sheng. It occurred to him that he met this keenly perceptive person before entering Yongzhou. Since he could even acquire a Wish Power Pearl, something forbidden by the court, most of the cultivation resources would not be a problem for him. It''s heard that this person is from the high-ranking Wu Family, but with little standing, appearing not too conniving at first glance, it might be worth trying to engage. There was a chance, as long as there was enough money, he could acquire a substantial number of Wish Power Pearls from him. Shen Qing''s lips curved slightly, and he gradually formed a plan in his mind. Chapter 84 The Change Is Too Big ``` S§×arch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality."Boss Wu, did you learn anything interesting on your journey to the Capital that you''d like to share with everyone?" Inside the Furui Xiang Restaurant, Wu Sheng, dressed in luxurious clothes, sat surrounded by a group of brothers. He picked up a piece of beef and put it in his mouth, teasing them: "Insights? Of course, there are." These days, for most people, reaching the foot of the Emperor was no small feat. Wu Sheng''s experience naturally piqued everyone''s curiosity. "Don''t keep us in suspense, just spill it. I heard there''s a princess in the Capital who is strikingly beautiful and her martial skills are unparalleled. Is it true?" A man at the table hurriedly stood up and poured Wu Sheng a bowl of wine, speaking anxiously. "You''re talking about Princess Yuzhen?" Wu Sheng lifted his bowl and glanced at the man. "Yes, yes, exactly her." Wu Sheng took a large gulp of wine, savoring it as he said, "It''s quite a coincidence. When I was there, I happened to see Princess Yuzhen returning from her cultivation session at Tianshu Temple, and I caught a glimpse of her from afar. Truly... a beauty out of this world." "Just how unparalleled is she?" "Like a celestial being descended to the mortal realm. Words can''t describe it; if you see her one day, you''ll understand." "I also heard Princess Yuzhen is not married yet. It''s hard to imagine which noble son would be so fortunate. Damn, just thinking about it is exhilarating." Wu Sheng glanced at everyone at the table and laughed: "Look at you all, only thinking with your nether regions, how unambitious. Princess Yuzhen is a Great Grandmaster of the Spirit Void Realm, with extraordinary Sight. Her looks are the least remarkable thing about her. In my opinion, being guided by her in cultivation would be the real fortune." "Heh heh, Great Grandmasters of the Spirit Void Realm have a lifespan starting at three hundred years. We know our limits, how could we even think of such things?" "Drink, drink." After a few bowls of wine, Wu Sheng couldn''t help but sigh with emotion: "Oh, after this trip to the Capital, I realized we''re just frogs in a well... An Innate Martial Master is the pinnacle for us here, but such cultivation is nothing in the Capital. It''s frustrating comparing ourselves to others." Just as Wu Sheng was lamenting, a servant from the restaurant weaved through the bustling crowd and respectfully approached Wu Sheng''s table with a smile: "Sir, there is a distinguished guest in the private room claiming to be the Vice Director of the Guardian Martial Department. He has specifically invited you, saying he has important matters to discuss. Would you be willing to meet him?" The servant''s attitude was extremely sincere, bowing deeply. Hearing this, Wu Sheng frowned slightly, muttering to himself: "The Vice Director of the Guardian Martial Department? I''ve never had any dealings with such a big figure, why the sudden invitation? It''s really strange." He had heard a bit about the Guardian Martial Department after returning to Yongzhou. He knew that the former Chief Officer, Zheng Yuanqiu, was a Huang Tian Sect traitor and had been eliminated. The new Vice Director had been promoted internally from the dispatch office. But even so, the Guardian Martial Department was an office that dealt with demons and traitors, and Zheng Yuanqiu was notoriously greedy, keeping everything for himself. Wu Sheng had no memory of ever interacting with anyone from there. A trace of doubt and exasperation appeared on his brow. He gently put down his wine cup and glanced over the people at the table, noticing their puzzled expressions as well. After a moment, an idea occurred to him. "You can''t afford to offend officials, so it''s best to go and meet this Guardian Martial Department officer and avoid causing trouble for yourself." Wu Sheng stood up, adjusted his clothes, and left a word with his brothers: "You all keep eating, I''ll be back soon." With that, he followed the servant out of the bustling banquet hall. Passing through corridors adorned with carved beams and painted rafters, they arrived in front of a tranquil private room. "Sir, it''s here." "Alright." The servant gently knocked on the door. "Come in." A male voice came from inside the private room, familiar to Wu Sheng. Confused, he pushed open the door and stepped inside. There he saw a person standing with their back to the door, hands behind their back, with an upright posture and impressive presence. As that person slowly turned around, Wu Sheng was greatly astonished, his eyes full of disbelief. "It''s you?!" Wu Sheng blurted out, his voice filled with shock. He never expected that someone he only had a brief encounter with in the past, who came to Yongzhou looking for a livelihood, would now be the Vice Director of the Guardian Martial Department. Wu Sheng remembered clearly that at that time, he had bragged about introducing a job to this person. How long had it been? The change was too great! Truly, one shouldn''t judge a person by appearances, just as the sea cannot be measured by the pot. Shen Qing smiled slightly, a gentle glow in his eyes. He stepped forward slowly and cupped his hands in greeting: "Brother Wu, it has been a while since we last met. I apologize for the impolite invitation today, but I hope you won''t take offense." Wu Sheng hastily returned the greeting, his confusion dissolved, replaced by a sense of discomfort from the shift in status and natural awe towards officials. "No, no, it''s my honor that such a busy official still remembers me." At that moment, he felt somewhat nervous, unsure of why Shen Qing was seeking him. Shen Qing looked at the timid man before him and smiled slightly. If he remembered correctly, when he first arrived in Yongzhou, Wu Sheng hadn''t behaved like this when they met. Life''s changes were indeed unpredictable. "Don''t just stand there, sit!" Shen Qing gestured to a seat and said. Wu Sheng didn''t stand on ceremony and sat back in the chair with his head down. Shen Qing got straight to the point and began slowly: "Brother Wu, I invited you here to ask for your help with something." Hearing this, Wu Sheng seemed flattered, flinching slightly as if shocked, and before he could settle into the chair, he stood up again: "Sir, please tell me, if there''s anything I can do, I will certainly do my best to help." Shen Qing didn''t beat around the bush, going directly to the matter: "I know you have quite a few resources at hand. The Guardian Martial Department has recently been burdened with many tasks, and the demand for cultivation resources is growing. Therefore..." At this point, Shen Qing intentionally paused, his eyes deep as he looked at Wu Sheng, seemingly waiting for his reaction. Upon hearing this, Wu Sheng, though he had some expectations, was still slightly taken aback. It was known that the items he had were procured through officials at the county office and sold outside the Great Zhou system. Typically, it was officials selling and commoners buying. For an official like Shen Qing to come as a buyer was quite uncommon. As Wu Sheng remained silent, Shen Qing gently smiled and took a stack of silver notes from his sleeve, lightly pushing it toward Wu Sheng. "Brother Wu, I am looking for some Wish Power Pearls and Elixirs. Could you, Brother Wu, manage to procure some in the coming period?" Shen Qing''s voice was deep and magnetic, carrying a hint of coldness and an undeniable tone. Wu Sheng looked up, seeing Shen Qing''s piercing gaze fixed on him, sending chills down his spine and causing sweat to pour down like rain. ``` Chapter 85 Unsuccessful Patrol, Punish Accordingly! ```"What, unwilling?" Shen Qing saw Wu Sheng hesitating and said with a slight frown. "No, no. It''s just that the Wish Power Pearl and Elixir are forbidden items within the court, not easily obtainable. Sometimes it depends on opportunity too." Wu Sheng spoke cautiously yet sincerely, "If you truly need it, my lord, I am naturally willing to help. However, this transaction..." Shen Qing suddenly smiled and placed a stack of silver notes on the table, "How about this?" Wu Sheng picked up the silver notes from the table and a trace of surprise flashed in his eyes. He quickly scanned them and found there were as many as three thousand taels. It was hard to imagine that just a year ago, he had fled to Yongzhou like an entire family "escaping disaster," and now he could casually take out such a large sum. Officials made money too quickly! Compared to them, Wu Sheng suddenly felt that his risky way of making money seemed quite unseemly. Besides, seeing those who were once beneath him quickly surpass him, his heart was troubled. He took a deep breath and suppressed his thoughts, maintaining a humble and respectful attitude as he said, "Lord Chief Officer indeed has a grand gesture. In that case, I''ll stick to the previous price, willing to give you four Wish Power Pearls and three bottles of high-grade cultivation-enhancing Elixir." "When can I receive them?" Shen Qing asked with a satisfied smile upon hearing this. "I went to the Capital not long ago and luckily have some stock on hand. I''ll retrieve them at home and arrange for them to be delivered to your residence." "Then it''s settled, I await your message, Brother Wu." Shen Qing stood up and laughed. He walked up to Wu Sheng, patted him on the shoulder, and said, "Don''t worry, this won''t be our last time. If you have other good items like the Wish Power Pearl during this period, keep them for me first." "Yes, my lord." Wu Sheng was a bit puzzled. The Wish Power Pearl was indeed a good thing, but for a martial master in the Qi Hai Realm, refining one Pearl could take nearly a year. Even two or three Pearls were enough for someone in the Yu Luo Realm to refine for half a year. An ordinary person wouldn''t need so many. Why did he want so much cultivation resources at once? Could it be for his family? Wu Sheng couldn''t figure it out. Seeing Shen Qing leave, he breathed a sigh of relief and followed him out of the elegant room. Returning from the elegant room, Wu Sheng sat back in his seat, his expression somewhat cold. "What happened, Boss Wu?" Wu Sheng snapped out of his thoughts, plastered a strong smile on his face, and said, "Nothing much. Come on, drink!" After several gulps of liquor, he asked with about seventy percent unintentional, thirty percent intentional, "Brothers, let me ask you something? Has anything major happened in the Guardian Martial Department recently?" "Boss Wu, what a coincidence. While you were in the Capital, quite a few significant events occurred in Yongzhou, especially in the Guardian Martial Department." "What happened?" The speaking man, imitating Wu Sheng, began to be cryptic. Wu Sheng, losing his temper, kicked the man''s stool aside. The man fell to the ground. "Speak quickly or hold your peace!" "..." The man crawled up sullenly and recounted the events in the Guardian Martial Department during that time. When he heard about Shen Qing slaying the Eagle Demon, annihilating the Wolf Demon, capturing the Cat Demon, and even reporting and arresting Zheng Yuanqiu¡­ Each incident presented left him somewhat dumbfounded, unable to react. Wu Sheng couldn''t help but twitch his face, pretended to drink several bowls of wine, and acted calm. This guy was terrifying! Why on earth did he get involved with such a formidable person back then? It seemed this gray business wouldn''t be easy to continue in the future. Being held by someone like this. Wu Sheng''s face showed bitterness. In the evening, Shen Qing returned home. Wu Sheng indeed kept his promise, delivering the agreed-upon Wish Power Pearls and Elixirs to Shen Qing. Opening the wooden box, Shen Qing carefully checked and found that the Wish Power Pearls and Elixirs were all genuine. "With this initial collaboration, Wu Sheng would probably not refuse future transactions." "In this way, part of the cultivation resources issue would be resolved, allowing me to focus on cultivation." Having resolved one issue, Shen Qing felt much relieved. As for Wu Sheng refusing or being unfaithful in the future, he wasn''t worried at all. S§×ar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. People die for wealth, just as birds die for food. Nobody would avoid profits. Moreover, since the other party was inherently engaged in these shady activities, he, as an official, had even more leverage. ... A few days later. As evening approached. The early summer sunset turned into an orange-red fireball, slowly sinking below the horizon. Bathing the sky in a golden hue. In Xin''an Square, pedestrians hurriedly packed up their stalls and bags to go home, while children played and frolicked, creating a scene of peaceful times. Suddenly, a scream pierced the air. Immediately, the sounds of chaotic footsteps and terrified cries mingled. "Murder!" "Murder!" "Help!" A burly man, with a fanatical gleam in his eyes, wielding a sharp blade under broad daylight, committed murder in the streets, killing several people in succession. Blood stained the stone pavement red. After committing these heinous murders, the burly man not only didn''t flee but raised a Yellow Banner high and shouted, "Heaven below, Yellow Heaven above, the Land of Ultimate Bliss, Taiping is near!" His voice was like a great bell, and the flag flapped loudly in the wind. As soon as he finished speaking, he threw aside the Yellow Banner and vanished among the panicking crowd like a ghost, disappearing instantly at the alley''s end. Shen Qing, who was cultivating at the Guardian Martial Department Office, rushed to the scene with Ji Youwu and his subordinates upon hearing the news. When he arrived, he found the street already crowded with people. The crowd stepped aside to make way as Shen Qing approached. Gazing at the lifeless bodies on the ground, his expression turned as solemn as iron. At this moment, shoving sounds came from behind him. "Make way, make way." "It''s just a few dead bodies. There''s nothing new about death in the city, move aside." Sun Ding, responsible for patrolling Xin''an Square, arrived leisurely with two officers, hiccupping from alcohol as he walked. Under his official authority, the citizens quickly stepped aside, bowing their heads and avoiding the commotion, distancing themselves. When Sun Ding saw Shen Qing already standing at the crime scene, he was dumbfounded. "Lord Shen!" Shen Qing turned to glare at Sun Ding and said, "Sun Chasi, I recall Xin''an Square is your patrol zone, isn''t it?" Sun Ding''s face turned pale, and he replied shakily, "Yes." "It is not yet the end of your shift, and a traitor dared to commit murder in broad daylight, openly challenging the authority of the court. As the patrolling officer, you allowed the murderer to escape, don''t tell me this is your usual way of patrolling?" "I, I, I¡­" Facing the undeniable truth, Sun Ding was at a loss for words. "Ineffective patrol, therefore punished!" Bang! Shen Qing pointed a finger, and a red stream of energy struck Sun Ding''s chest. Before Sun Ding could react, he felt a burning sensation in his chest and fell backward, toppling along with his subordinates. "I give you three days to capture the murderer, or face dismissal! I mean what I say!" Shen Qing''s eyes narrowed, his tone carrying the unyielding authority of an official, his anger intimidating. Sun Ding, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth, quickly scrambled up and kneeled, "Subordinate, subordinate obeys!" ``` Chapter 86 Hidden Mystery, Rumors Abound Shen Qing looked at Sun Ding in front of him, showing some dissatisfaction.Previously, under Zheng Yuanqiu''s administration, there were too many people in the Guardian Martial Department who were just going through the motions, and most of them were of little use. People like Sun Ding were not an exception. "Now that most of the trivial matters have been handled, tomorrow I''ll recruit Tian Xiaohu into the Guardian Martial Department. With Wu Sheng as a channel, given time, I''ll have some foundation and won''t have to rely on these useless people anymore." Shen Qing waved his sleeve and strode away. When night came, Shen Qing returned to the room and informed Tian Xiaohu and Xiao Zhi of his decision. Compared to Tian Xiaohu''s excitement, Xiao Zhi seemed a bit disappointed. Shen Qing asked, "Xiao Zhi, have you found a new chef these days?" During this period, he was busy with government affairs, so he had left the restaurant to his uncle and aunt, elder sister, and Xiao Zhi to manage. He would only review the accounts at the end of the month to draw funds for use. Although the restaurant was not big, its daily income was quite a lot, especially after his promotion to Vice Director, the business became incredibly good. If he could find a good location later and open a larger restaurant, the daily revenue could multiply several times over. Now that he needed a lot of funds to support his faster cultivation speed, this restaurant could provide it, so he couldn''t abandon it. As the head chef, Xiao Zhi naturally couldn''t go to the Guardian Martial Department. Xiao Zhi said, "I already found one last year. This person comes from a family of chefs, learning the trade since his great-grandfather''s time. However, the family''s fortune declined from his father''s generation, and they lost the boss they served, so he''s earning a living here now. I find him reliable and intend to cultivate him." "That''s good, you cultivate him first. If nothing else, you can also use my identity to deter now and then." Shen Qing advised, "This restaurant is quite important to me, and I temporarily need you to support it. Rest assured, even though you can''t enter the Guardian Martial Department, you''ll still receive as much as Tian Xiaohu does every month. I won''t shortchange the old hands around me." Seeing Shen Qing''s serious look, Xiao Zhi''s previously gloomy demeanor suddenly brightened, as if filled with motivation. To be honest, he felt a bit unbalanced hearing that Tian Xiaohu was soon to become an officer while he remained a chef. But Shen Qing''s words eased his feelings, at least showing that Shen Qing still had him in mind. Xiao Zhi vowed, "Boss, rest assured, I will certainly manage the restaurant well and not spoil your business." "You handling things puts me at ease." The next day, Shen Qing brought Tian Xiaohu to the Guardian Martial Department. Under his arrangement, Tian Xiaohu was directly registered and donned the attire of a Guardian Martial Department officer without any obstruction. In the back hall of the Guardian Martial Department, Shen Qing looked at the newly transformed Tian Xiaohu and teased, "Indeed, people rely on clothes as horses rely on saddles. A new outfit has changed your demeanor." Tian Xiaohu said nothing, just grinned foolishly. His ancestors had been hunters in the mountains and never imagined donning an official''s attire. Thinking about it now seemed somewhat unbelievable. "Your cultivation is still too low; it doesn''t stand out in the entire Guardian Martial Department. Next, you need to find ways to enhance your cultivation as much as possible. I still have some elixirs, which I''ll give you later. Train first, and try to break through to the late stage of the Skin Forging Realm before the end of the year, aiming for the Qi Cultivation Realm." sea??h th§× N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Huh? The Qi Cultivation Realm?" Tian Xiaohu was somewhat shocked. He knew that in Yongzhou, the Qi Cultivation Realm was nothing special, but thinking about it being achievable for him was somewhat hard to get used to. In his concept, the Qi Cultivation Realm was already an extraordinary realm, considered prominent in Taiping County. "You have elixir resources and cultivation techniques, no weaker than those rich family scions. To be blunt, I''ve paved the way for you. If you can''t even achieve Skin Tempering and Qi Cultivation, then you should seriously reflect on yourself. The foundation of Zhou Country''s court can''t be compared with those martial halls." "Why else do you think so many people are desperate to get into the court?" Shen Qing raised his eyelids and said. Tian Xiaohu''s expression immediately turned serious. As Shen Qing said, if his cultivation didn''t improve even with such a well-paved path, he indeed would have no face to meet Shen Qing. Shen Qing continued, "However, compared to your cultivation, there are two more urgent matters I''d like you to handle for me; I don''t trust anyone else with them." Hearing this, Tian Xiaohu''s body trembled, and he quickly folded his hands across his chest, bowing deeply and said solemnly, "I will fully commit to whatever orders you give, sir, and will not fail you." Shen Qing glanced at Tian Xiaohu in surprise, realizing his quick wit as he almost immediately adapted to his new identity and changed his tone. He was a smart person. Retracting his gaze, Shen Qing said, "The first thing is that the merchants from Xinyi Square and nearby want to send their children to me. Help me screen them first; those without vision aren''t needed, the unmotivated aren''t needed, and those with poor bones aren''t needed." "After these three tests, recommend the suitable ones to me, as I plan to recruit more officers." These people came from ordinary families, with family members engaged in businesses, living in good conditions, and all from respectable families. They were just right to bolster the team. Tian Xiaohu nodded and said, "Yes, I have noted it." "The second matter," Shen Qing crossed his hands and placed them on the long table, his expression slightly somber, "Investigate yesterday''s Huang Tian Sect traitor incident at Xin''an Square for me, I feel there''s something suspicious about it." Chapter 86 Mystery Lurks, Rumors Abound_2 "Suspicious? What''s so suspicious about it?" Tian Xiaohu asked, pressing for more details.Shen Qing recalled, "That Huang Tian Sect member didn''t seem like someone from the Huang Tian Sect. It was too deliberate, like they were trying to make everyone know they were with the Huang Tian Sect." "Do you remember how the members of the Huang Tian Sect acted back in Taiping County?" Tian Xiaohu reminisced, "As far as I remember, they seemed enthusiastic about spreading their teachings." "So if that person was really from the Huang Tian Sect, instead of secretly preaching, they came out in the open killing people, as if afraid people wouldn''t know they''re a traitor from the Huang Tian Sect. That''s definitely strange. Sun Ding challenged me before and lost. He surely holds a grudge against me. I''m afraid some might exploit this in secret. Do a thorough investigation." Tian Xiaohu quickly realized the hidden risks and promptly agreed. Shen Qing waved his hand, "Get to it quickly, and give me the results as soon as possible." "At your service." Just as Shen Qing predicted. The next day, a rumor spread like wildfire, quickly stirring up within the Guardian Martial Department. "Have you heard? The Vice Director plans to make a move against our Old Sun." An officer in a Guardian Martial Department uniform whispered to another officer beside him. "Ah, what''s going on?" the other officer asked, curious. "What else? Back in the day, our Old Sun attacked the Vice Director right in front of Lord Huangfu. Do you think if you were in charge, you could just let Old Sun off the hook? So many days have passed, and the Vice Director has been secretly preparing. Now''s the time." "The Vice Director is using the Huang Tian Sect traitor incident to violently go after Old Sun, saying he must capture the fierce beasts in three days. How could he manage to find them? It''s as if he''s pushing Old Sun into a dead end!" The person next to him nodded heavily, "Not three days, even thirty days, I doubt they could manage. The Huang Tian Sect moves like shadows. How could you find them in the vast expanse of Yongzhou?" "That''s not even the most outrageous take." "Go ahead." S§×ar?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "I also heard, the rebellion in Xin''an Square regarding the Huang Tian Sect was actually all a conspiracy orchestrated by the Vice Director! His goal is to use it as an opportunity to bring down Sun Ding and gradually clear out the veterans in the Guardian Martial Department to replace them with his own men." A member of the Second Group added mysteriously, with hints of disbelief in his voice. "This... can''t be, right?" "Hard to say. You saw yesterday he recruited a new officer who just refined his bones. Now he''s recruiting new officers openly, so this theory isn''t entirely baseless." Upon hearing this, everyone fell silent. Quickly, these wild rumors became the favorite gossip among the officers over tea and meals, and for a while, a state of unease gripped the Guardian Martial Department. However, Shen Qing seemed exceptionally calm amid the murmurs. He stood before his study in the back hall, watching the vibrant peonies and roses competing to bloom outside the window. "It looks like whoever orchestrated the Xin''an Square case is targeting me." Shen Qing''s brows gradually furrowed. He pondered attentively, wondering if he had offended anyone recently. Did they think he was easy prey? ... In Xinyi Square. In front of the Chen Family''s vegetable stall, a burly man trotted over joyfully, shouting as he ran, "Dad, Dad, I made it, I made it!" Old Chen, busy tidying up the stalls, looked up at his son with puzzlement, "Made what?" "It''s about what you asked me to do, applying to be an officer for the Guardian Martial Department!" "Ah, are you saying that Lord Shen agreed to let you become an officer?" The burly man nodded emphatically. "You good lad, really pulled it off. It wasn''t in vain, your father didn''t work so hard for nothing." Old Chen gazed at his son, tears welled up suddenly in his eyes. "Once you join the Guardian Martial Department, you must do your job properly, sever ties with those gangs, don''t end up like your brother, losing your life to those gangs." The burly man, Chen Guang, stepped forward to comfort him, "If it weren''t for my elder brother teaching me martial arts, how could I have these skills? Don''t worry, Dad. I will surely bring glory to our family and achieve great things. Even if I can''t, my son, my grandson, they will succeed." "Let''s not talk about hypotheticals. From what I see, Lord Shen is a good official. You should follow him diligently and refrain from petty crimes." Chen Guang grinned, "Dad, I know what I''m doing." "Alright, I won''t go on. I have to go on a trip to deliver some vegetables out of the city, if it''s too late, we''ll miss the Shi Chen." Chen Guang asked curiously, "Dad, don''t you usually deliver only to the Dong Family and a few big houses? Why go out of the city today?" "The Dong Family''s young master requested it. He has a house outside the city that needs supplies as well." Looking at the overflowing baskets and the spread of vegetables in front of him, Chen Guang grabbed the carrying pole, "Dad, you lead the way. Today I''ll carry the load for you." Old Chen intended to reclaim it, but facing his martial-trained son, he had no chance and just let it go. "Dad, you go ahead." "You brat. Alright, let your father relax for once. If it gets too heavy, let me know." Chen Guang, having already refined his bones, had hardened and rough skin. Carrying a load wasn''t a challenge for him. Understanding that Old Chen was concerned, he didn''t explain more and simply set off ahead. "Dad, hurry up," Chen Guang said as he steadily carried the hefty load of vegetables. Old Chen smiled briefly, fetching an old cane from behind the door, and catching up to Chen Guang quickly. Together, they passed through the bustling streets, swiftly exiting the city. They walked along a spacious official road for a while before Old Chen led the way, "This way''s closer." With that, he veered off the official road onto a path through the fields. Chen Guang followed closely. Looking around, they saw lush green fields, distant mountains layered with clouds, a scene reminiscent of a tranquil ink wash painting. They forged ahead silently, focusing only on their journey. After a seemingly endless walk, an ancient house came into view. "We''re here." Old Chen stepped forward, pulling the door ring and knocked. Soon, a man dressed as a Jianghu martial artist opened the door. After glancing at Old Chen, he fixed his gaze on Chen Guang behind him. "Who is he?" "My son, helped carry the basket." The martial artist squinted and grumbled, "Bring fewer irrelevant people in the future." "Yes, yes." "Come in." Chen Guang felt a bit confused but refrained from asking, following Old Chen over the threshold. As they entered and passed through the courtyard, lively shouting caught his attention. "Leopard, take it all, hahaha... Hand it over, hand it over." Chen Guang realized instantly, it was a gambling den. He said nothing more and followed his father, Old Chen, to the kitchen area, arranging the vegetables. At that moment, the Jianghu martial artist approached, pulling out a string of large coins, "Here, deliver another fresh batch in three days." Old Chen accepted the string, bowing, "Sure, sure." Pocketing the money, Old Chen turned to leave. Suddenly, Chen Guang felt his stomach cramp and hastily asked, "Gentleman, is there an outhouse here? I need a quick relief." "Behind this house, find it yourself." Chen Guang turned and said, "Dad, wait for me." He then headed to the back, discovering a low-built outhouse, and entered without a second thought. No sooner had he squatted down than footsteps and disgruntled mutters echoed outside. "It''s almost been three days. I''m fed up with this lousy place. When is the young master letting me go?" "Soon, soon." "I''m telling you, I have done everything the young master asked, killed the man, disguised as the Huang Tian Sect, but the promised three hundred liang gold ended up as three little goldfish, all lost gambling with you guys. You have to give me something certain." "Don''t worry, our young master always keeps his word... come, let''s play a few more rounds." After the sound of rushing water ceased, their footsteps gradually faded away. Once confirming they had left, Chen Guang pondered for a moment, quickly stood, and discreetly slipped away. Chapter 87 Summoned to Report a Leak ```Chen Guang exited the latrine without changing expression and found his father waiting in the back kitchen. He whispered urgently, "Dad, we need to leave here immediately and go to the Guardian Martial Department." His voice was low, carrying an undeniable firmness. Chen''s father heard him and was puzzled, "What''s the matter?" "Don''t ask. Just go." Old Chen knew his son''s personality well; he wasn''t one to fabricate stories out of nothing. So, he didn''t ask more questions, his face calming as he picked up a pole and silently followed in Chen Guang''s footsteps. Old Chen had been here before; the gatekeepers in the yard were familiar with him, so they just glanced at the father and son and paid no further attention. With a blank expression, Chen Guang led Old Chen out of the courtyard unhurriedly, quickly heading toward the ridge. The silhouette of the father and son gradually faded until it completely vanished. Once they were far from the manor, and there was no one around, Old Chen finally opened his mouth in curiosity, "What''s really going on?" Chen Guang answered without hesitation, "Someone inside might be related to the case in Xin''an Square. I heard that Lord Shen is ordering a thorough investigation. This could be an opportunity for me." He knew about the Xin''an Square case. A disciple of the Huang Tian Sect killed someone in broad daylight and then disappeared without a trace. For the past few days, the Guardian Martial Department had been searching everywhere for this person. Unexpectedly, the real culprit was hiding here. And it seemed to be related to the young master of the Dong Family. But none of that mattered anymore. For Chen Guang, this lead might be a chance to change his own destiny. He had to grasp it firmly. If he could make a name for himself in front of the Vice Director of the Guardian Martial Department and hold onto Lord Shen''s influence, then, without a doubt, his future days at the Guardian Martial Department would be much better. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. This could even let him turn his life around in the future. After all, the right choice is more important than effort, and being with the right people is far more crucial than working hard blindly. This was the life lesson he learned mixing in the gang and proved countless times. Why did some people with similar cultivation skills eventually make a name for themselves while he did not? It''s simply because they followed the right leader. Once the leader made it, they naturally rose up as well. Those who initially didn''t follow the right person made mistakes at every step, and finding another chance to stand out later was very difficult. In short, this opportunity was one he could not miss no matter what. Right now, Chen Guang was anxious to return, quickening his pace involuntarily. Seeing Old Chen gradually fall behind, he gritted his teeth and directly carried Old Chen on his back, speeding along the way. "I can walk... put me down." "No worries, my martial arts training makes carrying you no problem at all." Chen Guang spent some time persuading his father, Old Chen. Old Chen, reluctantly, stayed on his back and remained silent. With no constraints, his excellent physique as a martial master now showed itself. He flew along the path and reached Yongzhou City in half the time it took to come. ... At the entrance of the Guardian Martial Department. Chen Guang stepped forward, clasping his hands respectfully toward the gatekeepers at the door, "Sirs, I am Chen Guang. I met you both this morning. Now I have an urgent matter and need to meet Lord Shen. I hope you can do me this favor." The gatekeepers eyed them up and down, somewhat remembering Chen Guang, knowing he had become an officer and colleague with them. Naturally, they did not stop him for no reason. However, some procedures for Chen Guang were not yet completed, so he couldn''t be openly admitted into the government office. The two gatekeepers clasped their hands, "Please wait here for a moment. Let me report to him." After speaking, one turned and entered the premises. Before long, the gatekeeper returned, nodded toward Chen Guang, and said, "Lord Shen has invited you in; please follow me." Chen Guang clasped his hands, "Thank you." "Dad, please wait for me at the entrance." Chen Guang instructed once more at the door, then followed the gatekeeper into the office. Passing through a few exquisitely decorated corridors, they arrived in front of a spacious and bright study. Inside the study, Shen Qing was dressed in official attire, sitting upright behind a desk, focused on reviewing the documents laid out before him, an air of authority evident without anger. Upon seeing Chen Guang, Shen Qing''s gaze fell immediately upon them. He gently put down his pen and scrutinized them, "I heard from below you wish to speak with me. What''s the matter?" Chen Guang''s expression grew serious. He quickly stepped forward, bowed, and saluted, "Lord Shen, I apologize for any disturbance my unannounced visit may have caused." He paused briefly before continuing, "I have urgent matters to report." "Please, go ahead," Shen Qing nodded slightly, signaling for him to proceed. "Yes." Chen Guang took a deep breath and recounted the conversation he unexpectedly overheard in the latrine, word for word, to Shen Qing, sounding somewhat urgent. Shen Qing listened quietly, his expression growing more serious. When Chen Guang finished speaking, a barely noticeable shadow gathered at his brow. He gently tapped the tabletop, deep in thought. Chen Guang''s gaze remained firm as he continued, "Lord Shen, I understand the gravity of this matter. That''s why I came here, daring to inform you. I swear that every word I heard in the manor is true. Those two didn''t hide a thing during their discussion. If I have lied in any way, then I deserve a terrible fate." Upon hearing this, Shen Qing thought briefly and then stood up, clasping his hands behind his back. "I understand the situation. You may leave now. Keep this to yourself, and do not speak of it to anyone." "Yes, my lord; I understand." "You are Chen Guang, correct?" Shen Qing said, "After you report tomorrow, you don''t have to rush into joining a group. For now, follow Tian Xiaohu, the agricultural tax officer, and work under him." Chen Guang did not know the internal specifics of the Guardian Martial Department, but he was not foolish; he naturally perceived a tone of ''favor.'' He hurriedly thanked him, "Thank you, my lord." "You may leave now." Once Chen Guang left the study, Shen Qing pondered, "I''ve hardly interacted with the Dong Family, so why are they targeting me with such actions? If not the Dong Family... then it''s..." Shen Qing''s eyebrows knit together, as he thought of someone. "Dong Jing!" When it came down to it, this person initially showed an intention to approach him, but later for unknown reasons, gradually distanced himself. The two didn''t have major conflicts. But as time passed, people''s feelings inevitably changed. At that moment, Shen Qing suddenly remembered, he was present at Dong Jing''s disposal of Guan Yunjian, and he was the one who handled the aftermath, even falling in debt to Dong Jing for it. If recent rumors and gossip combined with this matter and were exposed, his position... Pfft, things might not end well. The matter of killing an officer could be trivial or significant, and if used well, it could completely bring him down. A chill flashed across Shen Qing''s eyes, his mind already about seventy to eighty percent sure. With this in mind, Shen Qing urgently called for Chang Sui, instructing, "Get Dong Chasi here, now." "Yes." Seeing Shen Qing''s stern appearance, Chang Sui promptly followed the order and departed. ``` Chapter 88 Better to Take the Initiative as an Actor ```Inside Baihua Building, laughter filled the air. Dong Jing, wearing an officer''s robe from the Guardian Martial Department, sat surrounded by friends during his patrol, endlessly talking and laughing. The table was laden with exquisite dishes and fine wine, their aroma diffusing everywhere. "Brother Dong, tell us, how does the newly introduced tribute tea, ''Yunding Cuilu,'' compare to the ''Tai Long He Jing'' we drank last year? Which is superior?" A man in a deep blue Cloud Brocade Robe raised his cup invitingly, his eyes full of anticipation. Dong Jing smiled slightly, took a sip from his cup, closed his eyes to savor it, then leisurely said, "Yunding Cuilu, with its jade-green color, enters the mouth crisp and leaves a lingering sweetness, truly exuding a transcendent feeling; whereas Tai Long He Jing resembles a gentle beauty in the misty rain of Jiangnan, delicate and elegant¡ªeach has its own merits, hard to distinguish superiority." As he finished speaking, everyone nodded in agreement, their laughter even more exuberant. "Brother Dong, aren''t you afraid that your new superior will hold you accountable for running out to join our little gathering during your duty?" A woman with a high-tied hairpiece teased while holding a teacup. "Him?" Dong Jing chuckled: "It''s uncertain if he can even keep his position." "Is there a story behind this?" "I''m not at liberty to disclose, just you wait and see," Dong Jing declared confidently. Those at the table exchanged glances, showing a trace of curiosity. A nobleman smiled and said, "I remember you used to think highly of this person, how did your attitude change so dramatically?" "That was then, this is now. After our gathering last year, I figured it out. We have prestigious status, how can we lower ourselves to be in the company of someone of his sort? Trying deliberately to get close makes me seem like I''m currying favor. Though I''m not a direct heir of the Dong Family, I''m still a member. I can''t lose face like that." Dong Jing''s remarks resonated deeply with everyone present. In their view, family background was paramount. Making friends without the right social match was truly a loss of face. A man with a gem-embedded jade belt around his waist set down his teacup, sighed, and said, "To speak of it, I didn''t think much of him at first, never expected he had some competence, breaking through to the Yu Luo Realm in such a short time and now holding the position of Chief Officer. It''s extraordinary, he truly is something." "Indeed, except for his humble origins, he does possess some skills." A woman in a pale yellow long dress said to Dong Jing, "Pardon me for being blunt here, Brother Dong." "Sister Qian, speak." The woman in the pale yellow long dress covered her mouth and laughed, "Given Shen Qing''s current status and position, if you try to approach him now, he might not even pay attention to you." Hearing this, bursts of laughter erupted around the table. "Indeed, indeed, that''s exactly the case." Dong Jing felt his blood energy surge, his ears turned red. Feigning a drink of tea, a deep jealousy and resentment welled up inside him. He approached Shen Qing because he recognized Shen Qing''s potential and to enjoy the glory of having followers. Now Shen Qing had climbed above him. Even ignoring family background, befriending him would mean humbling himself, effectively becoming Shen Qing''s follower. Utterly unjust. The more he thought about it, the more indignant and unfair he felt. As everyone merrily conversed, a Chang Sui dressed in a Guardian Martial Department officer''s attire hurried in, scanning the crowd until his eyes settled on Dong Jing. He respectfully saluted and softly said, "Lord Dong, Lord Shen has summoned you. Please accompany me immediately." With those words, the room was abuzz with surprise, eyes casting curious glances. "How coincidental, just when he was the topic, a message comes." S§×arch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Dong Jing regained composure, stood up, and clasped his fists towards his friends: "Everyone, please stay calm, it seems there''s something needed from us at the government office. Though today''s gathering was brief, there''s always tomorrow. Let''s meet again next time." "Go ahead, we''ll call for you later." Having said that, Dong Jing rose to straighten his attire, nodded slightly at Chang Sui, signaling readiness to depart. As Dong Jing and Chang Sui''s figures gradually disappeared within Baihua Building, lively chatter filled the room once more. ... Guardian Martial Department, rear hall. Incense on the desk curled upward, the subtle sandalwood aroma pervading the study, creating a refreshing atmosphere. "Dong Chasi, Lord Shen has been waiting for some time, please enter." Chang Sui led Dong Jing to the study entrance and stopped. Dong Jing nodded, stepped into the study, letting his gaze swiftly survey the room, and finally settled on Shen Qing''s stern face. He bowed and said, "Lord Shen, subordinate Dong Jing, here by command." Standing before the long table, Dong Jing maintained his usual respectful and calm demeanor, though internally he speculated on Shen Qing''s intention for this summoning. Shen Qing''s gaze lifted from the documents, directly staring at Dong Jing, as he spoke in a deep, powerful voice, "Dong Chasi, do you know why I summoned you?" A knot tightened inside Dong Jing, but he maintained a calm exterior, slightly raising his head to meet Shen Qing''s gaze, "If my lord summons, it must be important. This humble one is not astute, please enlighten me." Shen Qing gave a small smile, though within it rested a trace of barely noticeable coldness: "Dong Chasi, to be honest, when I first joined this office, you were quite accommodating, and I thought you trustworthy. However, lately, I''ve discovered some things that have made me suspect you." He found out? Dong Jing felt his heart skip a beat, turmoil brewing within. He forced himself to remain composed, "My lord''s words make me anxious. What might have caused this misunderstanding? I wish to hear clearly, to prove my innocence." Shen Qing stood up, paced slowly towards Dong Jing, his gaze sharp as a blade, "The Guardian Martial Department has been unrestful lately, and behind every disturbance, your shadow appears. Dong Chasi, did you truly think I, Shen Qing, am blind and deaf?" Dong Jing''s heart pounded. Drawing a deep breath, he endeavored to make his voice more sincere and innocent, "My lord, my loyalty to you is evident as the sun and moon. If there''s any misconduct, it must be a misunderstanding by subordinates, or someone''s deliberate framing. I''m willing to bear the responsibility, but I ask for a chance to investigate and prove my innocence." Shen Qing fixed Dong Jing with his gaze, falling silent. In truth, Tian Xiaohu hadn''t truly clarified the origins of the rumors circulating in the government office these past days, and Shen Qing was merely feigning. But even so, Shen Qing gleaned the information he wanted. After a moment, he sighed softly, his tone gentler, "Seems I misunderstood you." "Humbled and fearful," Dong Jing bowed in flattery, "The Guardian Martial Department admits no secrets, and my lord must have his own difficulties. Rest assured, I will do my utmost to assist you." "Hmm, I trust Dong Chasi''s character." Shen Qing gestured dismissively, "You may go now. I need some solitude." "Yes." Watching Dong Jing''s retreating figure vanish from the study, Shen Qing''s mind whirled with thoughts. He closed his eyes, using the Never Forget skill to meticulously recall Dong Jing''s performance just moments before. He caught the momentary panic Dong Jing exhibited when he thought he''d been "discovered." Indeed, something was amiss. Unexpectedly, this Dong Chasi under his command turned out to be quite the actor. Planning against me? Better to strike preemptively. Shen Qing instructed towards the door, "Bring Tian Xiaohu over, tell him I have matters to attend to." ``` Chapter 89 I Have the Upper Hand, Whats There to Fear ```"Sir, you were looking for me?" Tian Xiaohu, brought in by Chang Sui, said respectfully with clasped fists. Shen Qing responded coldly, "Find a reliable person to keep an eye on Dong Jing. Inform me immediately of any suspicious movement." Tian Xiaohu didn''t ask further and agreed directly, "Alright." "Remember to be discreet in your actions." "Understood." Tian Xiaohu cupped his hands and retreated. Inside a house somewhere in the Inner City. Dong Jing, who had just left the Guardian Martial Department Office, wore a heavy expression. ''I didn''t expect Shen to be so vigilant. He discovered some clues and started to distrust me. It seems I can''t wait for him to deal with Sun Ding and then make a move.'' ''I must act in advance!'' ''The corpses of Guan Yunjian''s two people were handled by me that day. They''re still buried in a mass grave outside the city. Killing his own subordinates, added to some recent rumors, these two things combined should be enough to ruin his reputation, leaving him utterly without authority in the Guardian Martial Department.'' ''If so, I''ll wait a while to see what expression he''ll have when his past is uncovered.'' ''Hmph, having leverage over him, yet he still dares to shout at me. Truly a fool. No matter how formidable he claims to be, it amounts to nothing.'' Dong Jing sneered inwardly, gradually coming to a decision. However, before that, he must bring in the leader of the Huang Tian Sect rebels to bolster his prestige and ensure the plan goes smoothly. He quickly found a servant of the Dong Family and said, "Go find the leader of the Iron Blood Alliance and tell him that the banquet is ready." The servant nodded in agreement and hurried out, running toward the Iron Blood Alliance. Just as this servant exited through the gate, in a certain dark corner, Tian Xiaohu, along with Liu Youdao and Liu Youde, witnessed everything. "You two brothers follow him and see where he''s heading. Report back to me immediately if there''s any news." "Alright, we understand." Liu Youdao and Liu Youde quietly pursued him. S§×ar?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Tian Xiaohu glanced around, adjusted the dagger on his waist, and hurried back to the Guardian Martial Department, appearing calm yet tense. Upon returning to the Guardian Martial Department, he went straight to the back hall without a moment''s delay. "Sir, there''s movement from Dong Jing. He sent a household servant immediately after returning, sneakily up to something." "Alright, I understand." At this stage, from all the signs, there was no reason to hesitate. Shen Qing didn''t delay. He continued to order, "Gather Sun Chasi from Group Two, Dong Chasi from Group One, and several of their officers. Tell them we''ve discovered the traitor''s whereabouts and to come with me out of the city to capture them." "Do we need to call Dong Chasi?" Tian Xiaohu questioned. Wouldn''t bringing Dong Jing along alert the enemy? "Why not?" Shen Qing countered, "Isn''t he an official of the Guardian Martial Department? Isn''t capturing traitors part of his duty?" Stunned, Tian Xiaohu had no response. "Go inform them. I know what I''m doing," Shen Qing said confidently. Immediately, Tian Xiaohu said no more and quickly went to notify the others. Watching Tian Xiaohu leave, Shen Qing curled the corners of his mouth into a slight smile and said, "If he doesn''t go, I can''t get rid of him in the city." When Tian Xiaohu found Sun Ding, he was holding a portrait of the "Yellow Heaven Sect traitor" and was searching for the culprit with his subordinates, completely at a loss. Upon hearing about the mission to capture the traitor, Sun Ding was taken aback. "The Vice Director only said to capture the traitor. You''re to gather quickly, Sun Chasi. Don''t miss the Shi Chen." After delivering the message, Tian Xiaohu hurriedly rushed to the next location. Sun Ding, his expression fluctuating, was uncertain about how things would develop. He pondered for a moment before rolling up the portrait of the traitor and hurrying back to the Guardian Martial Department to assemble. Similarly notified, Dong Jing was equally perplexed but, like Sun Ding, returned to the Guardian Martial Department one after another. In the backyard of the Guardian Martial Department. Shen Qing donned an off-white outfit, equipped with a treasure saber and an arrow quiver, and carried a longbow. His gaze swept across the faces of the assembled individuals. "Everyone''s here. Let''s set off. Chen Guang, lead the way." Chen Guang, chosen by Shen Qing, couldn''t help his eyelids from twitching. His heart pounded like a drum constantly echoing in his ears. But knowing that after he secretly allied himself, there was no turning back. He swallowed to moisten his dry throat and responded solemnly, "Yes!" Without offering explanations to Sun Ding and the others, Shen Qing took the lead, following closely behind Chen Guang out of the Guardian Martial Department''s main gate. At this point, Tian Xiaohu approached Shen Qing and whispered, "The news just came in. The servant went to find the Iron Blood Alliance. Now, their leader is also preparing to leave the city." Iron Blood Alliance? Shen Qing had some knowledge about this gang. They mainly ran gambling businesses and had aligned with the Dong Family. It seemed that after being temporarily deceived, Dong Jing was ready to act. Time was of the essence. Shen Qing called out ahead, "Quickly, pick up the pace." Hearing the call, Chen Guang hurriedly started a brisk jog, a sense of urgency rising within him. Having been entangled in this matter, any misstep before these prominent figures in the city could lead to his utter downfall. With a vigorous push off the ground, his body gracefully leaped forward. Reaching the city gate, he didn''t pause, swiftly passing through the familiar archway and charging outside the city. It was early summer, with a clear sky and lush greenery outside the city. Chen Guang took a deep breath, his Qi-Blood surging as he performed the Qinggong he wasn''t quite adept at. His body curved slightly, his feet lightly tapping the ground, like an arrow released from its string, shooting forward instantly. Within moments, only fleeting shadows and receding scenery were left behind. Shen Qing and the others, not to be outdone, applied their skills, closely following Chen Guang. On the forest path, shadows swiftly passed by. The leaves swayed with the gusts from their rapid movement. Birds perching on treetops were startled by the sudden commotion, fluttering upwards, their calls echoing one after another. Among the crowd, Dong Jing, seeing the increasingly familiar route, suddenly harbored a bad premonition. ''No way, I must be overthinking.'' Dong Jing blended in amidst the group, quietly falling to the rear. After nearly a pot of tea''s worth of time, Chen Guang pointed ahead to the courtyard and shouted, "There it is." "Okay, follow me quickly and ensure no bandits escape." Shen Qing commanded, leading the charge at the forefront. The others dared not delay and followed closely. Shen Qing made a series of dashes, his toes tapping lightly. Then, like a sparrow, he spread his arms and landed steadily in front of the manor''s gate. Closely after him, Sun Ding and the others arrived one after another. Shen Qing turned his head and gestured to Ji Youwu, who immediately understood and stepped forward, kicking directly at the gate. "Bang!" A loud crash. The gate shattered under Ji Youwu''s kick, as fragile as paper, splintering into pieces, with dust rising. "Guardian Martial Department at work, bystanders keep away!" Ji Youwu shouted. ``` Chapter 90 I gave you the chance, but you didnt seize it! As soon as the words were out, Ji Youwu moved with agility, charging ahead into the manor without hesitation. S~ea??h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.Sun Ding and the other officers followed in single file. "Who are you?" Two gatekeeping ruffians stepped forward with a fierce shout to stop them. Their words had barely left their mouths when Ji Youwu and the others drew their knives and attacked. A flash of silver, and heads rolled. Scalding blood spilled all over the ground. Ji Youwu and the others carried their blood-stained knives, stepping over the corpses as they walked into the courtyard. Dong Jing alone remained motionless. Shen Qing turned his head, leisurely saying, "Dong Chasi, why is your face so pale?" Dong Jing, somewhat flustered at the moment, explained, "I ran all the way here in a rush, I''m just a bit tired." "Then you''re quite weak." Shen Qing casually laughed, "In this world, there''s no land that''s been overly tilled, only cows that are worked to death. If you continue like this, you''ll end up worse than your subordinates, the officers." Dong Jing responded in silence, lowering his head to hide the panic on his face. He knew? Impossible. I''ve done it so secretly, the entire Iron Blood Alliance is under the thumb of my Dong Family; there''s no way they''d betray me or leak information. It must be a coincidence. It can''t be what I''m thinking. "Don''t just stand there; let''s go in and take a look." Shen Qing set off, walking inside unhurriedly. Dong Jing collected his thoughts and hurriedly followed. Entering the manor, Shen Qing glanced around, seeing the place brightly lit, filled with a cacophony of voices. Various people at the gambling tables were either joyful or angry, completely immersed in their games, seemingly paying little attention to Ji Youwu and his group abruptly barging in. "Nobody move! The Guardian Martial Department is investigating a case. Violators will be killed without mercy!" Ji Youwu''s voice rang out in the gambling house like thunder, instantly silencing the previously boisterous scene. Everyone cast astonished glances, none daring to move lightly. At this moment, a burly man dressed in brocade and holding a string of jade beads hurried out upon hearing the commotion. Seeing Ji Youwu and the others, he paused for a moment, then quickly put on a smile and said, "Honorable officials, what brings you here today?" "Enough with the nonsense. We''re here on official business," Tian Xiaohu stepped forward fearlessly. As he spoke, he asked Sun Ding for the portrait of the Huang Tian Sect traitor, comparing it to the faces present, his sharp eyesight missing no detail. As he walked, he loudly inquired, "Has anyone seen this person?" The people in the gambling house exchanged looks, shaking their heads in denial. Some showed curiosity, while others were disdainful, clearly not buying into this sudden search. "Haven''t seen him, we''re all honest people here, where would a thief come from?" A gambler shouted loudly, his tone carrying a hint of provocation. The burly man, restraining his temper, smiled warmly, "We''re all about legitimate entertainment here, not traitors. Could it be there''s a mistake, sir?" Saying this, he gestured with his hand. A subordinate beside him immediately handed over a pouch of money. The burly man stuffed the pouch into Tian Xiaohu''s hand, saying, "You''ve come from afar, weary from travel. Here''s a little token of my appreciation. Rest assured, there''s absolutely no rebels here." Tian Xiaohu remained unmoved, his gaze still firm, continually scanning the crowd. The burly man''s hand froze in mid-air, the smile on his face quickly fading. His tone turned icy, "What do you mean by this, officer? Do you know this is Iron Blood Gang territory, the Dong Family''s territory? Don''t refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit. If you provoke us, turn hostile with us, there will be no good outcome for you." "If you won''t consider yourself, you''d better consider your family." "Are you threatening us?" Shen Qing, carrying a bow and with one hand on his sword, walked in. The burly man recognized Shen Qing''s attire at a glance, his pupils contracting slightly. "Lord Chief Officer!" Shen Qing didn''t even bother to look at him as he brushed past, "Perfect timing. I have a young lord from the Dong Family behind me, and your boss is also here. Why not ask his opinion?" Saying this, Shen Qing turned and looked at the burly man, "I''m giving you one more chance. Speak up, and I might spare you from death." The burly man felt a jump in his heart, unsure of the situation. He glanced at Dong Jing, finding no indication from him, then said, "Lord, there''s really nothing here..." His words had not finished. With a muffled thud. A nearby subordinate''s head suddenly exploded like a watermelon, as if hit by a punch. "It seems you have not understood my goodwill." Shen Qing lowered his hand and said, "Chen Guang, share what you witnessed here with everyone." Chen Guang, hiding among the crowd, having been called upon, composed himself, took a deep breath, and walked forward under everyone''s gaze, cupped his hands, saying, "Yes!" Immediately, Chen Guang detailed everything he had seen and heard here for everyone present. The burly man and Dong Jing both showed shock on their faces. The burly man shouted harshly, "Slander! This is slander!" Beads clenched in hand, he swung a fist toward Chen Guang. Chen Guang was scared out of his wits. At the critical moment, before he knew what was happening, he saw the burly man who had just struck letting out a chilling scream and being sent flying backward. Chen Guang glanced over, seeing that the burly man''s right hand had vanished, a bloody stump spraying blood. "I gave you a chance, but you didn''t seize it!" Shen Qing wielded his knife, loudly commanding, "Search the place thoroughly, even if it means digging three feet deep, find the person!" Just then, a faint sound came from a corner of the casino, immediately caught by Sun Ding''s keen ears. His gaze sharpened, and he swiftly rushed toward the source of the sound. At this point, he clearly realized that the Huang Tian Sect traitor was here. This involved his future, not allowing him any sloppiness. Seeing the situation, the others followed suit and dashed over. Shen Qing turned to look at Dong Jing, smiling coldly, "Dong Chasi, who do you think the young lord they mentioned is?" Facing Shen Qing''s dominance and cultivation, Dong Jing knew he had no chance of winning; his face had turned bloodless. But with things not yet reaching the final step, he still held onto a glimmer of hope, gritting his teeth, saying, "Perhaps a cousin within my clan. Rest assured, once I''m back, I''ll bring him to justice." "Oh?!" Shen Qing cast a glance at Dong Jing, detecting a hint of fear from his behavior. Bang, bang, bang... Sounds of fighting echoed from the back of the casino. It sounded like countless pieces of furniture shattering. After an indeterminate time, the noise abruptly ceased. A series of footsteps approached, Sun Ding, looking rather bedraggled, pulling a man with him, throwing him at Shen Qing''s feet like a puppy. He clasped his hands, saying, "The traitor has been captured. Please decide, my lord!" Chapter 91 There Are No Eternal Friends, The Debt of Gratitude Has Been Repaid Long Ago Shen Qing''s figure slightly turned as he looked down.The traitor of the Huang Tian Sect had his arms and legs broken, curling on the ground and groaning. Tian Xiaohu stepped forward timely, gently unfolded the scroll in his hand, and presented it in front of Shen Qing. This was an image drawn based on eyewitness descriptions from that day on the street, a standard for capturing criminals. Shen Qing''s gaze wandered back and forth between the scroll and the traitor on the ground, carefully comparing the depicted visage with the traitor''s face. After observing for several moments, he confirmed without a doubt that this was the person who had committed the crime in the street that day. Shen Qing said with a long, meaningful tone, "To commit murder in broad daylight without regard for law and order, the crime deserves death." The traitor turned pale instantly upon hearing this, despair and panic flashing in his eyes. He lifted his head, only to see Dong Jing behind Shen Qing. Grasping at a straw, he loudly begged for mercy, "Lord, spare me! It was all under the command of Lord Dong, Dong Jing. I was merely following orders, had no choice!" The traitor''s voice trembled with fear, struggling desperately to approach Shen Qing, trying to save his life. Hearing this, Shen Qing''s lips curled into an enigmatic smile. He slowly turned his head to look at Dong Jing, asking, "Dong Chasi, do you have anything to say?" Dong Jing loudly rebuked, "How can a man of a noble family like me collude with the Huang Tian Sect? This is a baseless accusation! Damnable!" Suddenly Dong Jing''s right hand swiftly reached toward his waist, grasped the dagger''s hilt, and with a forceful pull, drew the blade out with a piercing metallic scrape. In the air, silver light flickered, the dagger cut a fierce arc straight toward the traitor''s throat. The move was so swift, it happened almost within a breath, leaving no time for anyone to react. The traitor''s face was filled with shock and horror: "Save me, Lord!" In a critical moment, Shen Qing gently waved his right hand, as his sleeve fluttered, a spiritual power quietly gathered in his palm, transforming into an invisible golden hand seal, falling on Dong Jing''s dagger. Bang! A surging force, like mountains collapsing into the sea, swept from the dagger. Dong Jing could not resist at all, the dagger flew out of his hand, embedding into the ground beside him. Shen Qing sternly asked, "Dong Chasi, what do you mean by this?" Seeing the situation, Dong Jing''s face grew even more sullen, and he said without hesitation, "This person is spreading lies, daring to slander court officials; he should be executed on the spot!" Shen Qing glanced up and down at Dong Jing, realizing he was in a rush! Just now, it was evident he had decided to go all out to eliminate any hidden dangers. "If one is upright, there''s no need to fear a crooked shadow. If it''s really like this, before the truth is revealed, why is Dong Chasi in such a hurry?" Shen Qing said slowly and steadily. At this moment, the traitor suddenly thought of something and shouted, "Lord, I have physical evidence. Lord Dong gave me three ''golden fish'' when instructing me, all engraved with words from the Dong Family Bank. If the lord searches this room, you will surely find them." Discover stories at empire "And, Lord, the reason Dong made me pretend to be a traitor of the Huang Tian Sect was to make trouble for you, to bring you down..." In his desire to survive, the traitor wholly revealed Dong Jing''s plans. Dong Jing shouted, "Nonsense!" At this statement, Sun Ding and others drew their daggers in unison, warily pointing them at Dong Jing. "Dong Chasi, how do you explain this?" "Just the defamation of a mere wanderer; why take it seriously, Lord?" Hearing these words, Shen Qing held his dagger, sternly said, "Both eyewitness and material evidence exist, do you take us for fools? These past days, all the rumors inside the government office appeared to originate from you." In his words, Shen Qing linked the recent events, and the plot''s outline became increasingly clear. At this point, facts had already triumphed over argument. Dong Jing knew well that he had torn his cover with Shen Qing, thus he had few scruples. His face gradually calmed down, he said slowly, "By the way, didn''t the lord owe me a favor before? As we are friends, why not let this matter pass, and today we settle our scores." When speaking, Dong Jing deliberately emphasized the words "favor," as if reminding Shen Qing of something. Shen Qing chuckled, saying, "The favor I owed you was repaid when I met you today; you just didn''t accept it." Dong Jing''s face quickly turned cold, "So, Vice Director, do you really want to go against me? Don''t forget, I have the Dong Family backing me. If I reveal that thing, do you think you''ll come out unscathed?" "You''re threatening me?" Shen Qing took a step forward, "Have you considered that behind me stands the entire Great Zhou Court, allowing no room for your insolence?!" "Fine, if that''s the case, don''t blame me for this; on the day you killed..." Before Dong Jing could finish, he only saw a flash of cold light before his eyes. Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Accompanied by a dull noise, a sharp streak of cold light swept beneath his chin. Splat! A grim wound suddenly tore open on Dong Jing''s neck. Blood gushed out like an unrestrained flood, continuously scattering on the ground. The air quickly filled with a strong scent of blood. Under everyone''s gaze, the wound on Dong Jing''s neck gradually expanded, eventually severing completely. Dong Jing''s head retained a shocked expression as it rolled to the ground. Shen Qing flicked his wrist, gently waving, shaking the blood off the dagger, as naturally as brushing off dust, then sheathed the long blade. His face bore no emotion, deep eyes cold and determined. Shen Qing looked down at Dong Jing, muttering to himself with a sigh, "In this world, there''s no such thing as forever friends. If there are, you are certainly not one." "You killed the Dong Family''s young master, the Dong Family won''t forgive you," a burly man from the casino roared, "You are doomed!" Hearing this, Shen Qing looked and scoffed, "What Dong Family''s young master? Both eyewitness and material evidence are here; this is a traitor of the Huang Tian Sect, slaying him was warranted." He called, "Sun Chasi!" "This subordinate is here." "You''ve done well this time, not only catching the traitor and bringing them to justice, but also capturing an accomplice of the traitor, accomplishing a significant deed. When we return, I will report this to the Chief Officer and Lord Commander, to honor you and reward you." Sun Ding rapidly processed his thoughts, comprehending the deeper meaning in Shen Qing''s words. This was meant to let him claim the ''merit,'' elevating him with the intent to support. Simultaneously, it aimed to use the Sun Family''s power to withstand the Dong Family''s pressure. Dong Jing was only a concubine''s son, his status in the Dong Family not high, comparable to his own. Now with eyewitness and material evidence in hand, if reported to his father and others, they could potentially leverage this to take a piece from the Dong Family, enhancing his standing in his father''s eyes. Weighing the pros and cons, Sun Ding realized this deal not only could be done but profitably so! At that moment, he was wholly impressed by Shen Qing. Working under him in the future might indeed be a beneficial thing. Without further hesitation, Sun Ding excitedly said, "Thank you, Lord, this subordinate will certainly exhaust all efforts, not letting the Lord down." Chapter 92 Kill Them All! ```"My lord... I, I am innocent, truly, I am not a traitor of the Huang Tian Sect." The ''traitor'' on the ground, upon hearing their exchange, felt a sudden pang of dread, sensing something terrible was about to happen. Sun Ding let out a cold laugh. At this moment, whether he was a traitor was not for him to decide. Just then, a deep and powerful male voice suddenly boomed like thunder from outside the casino, surging powerfully through the front door, rolling like waves. "Who dares to intrude in my estate? Are you tired of living?" Everyone looked toward the voice instinctively, only to see a group of fierce men in gray uniforms pouring in like a tide through the entrance. On their chests was a uniform embroidered "Iron" character that gleamed chillingly in the sunlight. It was the Iron Blood Gang! At the forefront of the crowd, a gray-white figure stepped out. He wore a gray robe, the contours of his powerful arms faintly visible. The veins on the back of his hands snaked like dragons beneath his skin, his fingers curved like eagle claws, enveloped with thick calluses. Dry, hard. Shen Qing leaned on his sword, casting his gaze on the leader, continuously observing and scrutinizing him. As the leader of the Iron Blood Gang entered, he had a fierce and evil demeanor. As Shen Qing observed him, he also observed Shen Qing. When he saw Shen Qing''s outfit as a Chief Officer and recognized his identity, his face suddenly changed. The famous Shen Qing, Vice Director of the Guardian Martial Department, was renowned across the gangs of Yongzhou. It was rumored that he had now reached the Yu Luo Realm cultivation, beyond what these Martial Artists of Jianghu could contend with. His heart trembled, silently cursing his misfortune for encountering such a formidable opponent. As he thought about this, he inadvertently glanced down to see the bloody head on the ground, his expression freezing further. Ah, Lord Dong was dead?! The main figure was gone. The leader of the Iron Blood Gang was completely shocked. An immediate desire to retreat arose within his heart, and he quickly bowed his head, "A misunderstanding, a misunderstanding, my lord, please continue, we will leave now." "Oh? A misunderstanding?" Shen Qing''s smile deepened a few degrees, "When did your Iron Blood Gang start acting so cautiously, coming without notice and leaving so easily? Moreover, such a momentum just now echoing through the clouds, and now you say you''re leaving, doesn''t it seem too trivial and impolite?" The leader of the Iron Blood Alliance felt a jolt in his heart, a slight sweat seeping from his forehead. He knew well that today he encountered a tough one, and he gritted his teeth, continuing to negotiate, "The lord''s reprimand is justified. We indeed acted out of line. Please rest assured, my lord. I will personally handle this matter and prepare generous gifts to personally apologize another day." With those words, he turned to leave, his steps hurried, clearly wanting to quickly escape this place of trouble. But how could Shen Qing let him leave so easily? These people came under the instruction of Dong Jing, intricately connected with the Dong Family. Letting them leave would spell unknown consequences. Continue reading at empire Moreover, this Iron Blood Gang operated casinos, secretly working with the Dong Family to make setups. Forcing people into huge debts, selling off their family assets, bolstering the Dong Family''s influence, they were no good either. Better to kill them, once and for all. Saves trouble! Shen Qing''s figure flickered, lightly leaping up, transforming into a swift white shadow landing a dozen feet in front of the Iron Blood leader. An invisible pressure descended, compelling the latter to halt. "Since you are here, why not leave something? No need to wait for later." "Puff!" Shen Qing formed a seal with one hand, fully mobilizing the Spiritual Power within him, and jade-colored veins surfaced on his exposed skin. In the next moment, his Spiritual Power boiled like a volcanic eruption, gathering at his palm, emitting a bright crimson-golden glow. "Sky Flipping Seal!" The terrifying power was restrained within his palm by Shen Qing''s astonishing control, forging a crimson-golden hand that shot forth. An indescribable strange energy emanated from this hand, creating ripples that spread circle upon circle. Wherever it passed, even the air seemed twisted by this force, creating bizarre and colorful visions. Faced with this sudden deadly strike, the leader of the Iron Blood Alliance looked horrified. Concerning life and death, he did not hesitate to push his inner Qi to the extreme, his double claws instantly wrapped in rich black True Qi, like ghost claws, bearing the momentum to tear through all heading towards that crimson-gold glow. The two forces collided in the air. The Sky Flipping Seal hand struck overwhelmingly, like a rushing river, quickly penetrating the Iron Blood leader''s defense, imprinting onto his chest. At that moment, it seemed as if the air was instantly sucked away, leaving only a loud "boom," and the Iron Blood leader''s chest was forcibly caved in underneath the crimson-gold hand. He let out a miserable scream, his whole body like a stringless kite drained of life, helplessly flying back, crashing through the wall, and landing on the open field outside the estate. "Ugh!" The leader of the Iron Blood Alliance spat out a mouthful of filthy blood, unable to rise. "You..." The leader of the Iron Blood Alliance''s legs kicked a few times symbolically, but finally he fell silent, breathing his last. Shen Qing killed the leader of the Iron Blood Alliance with one hand in just two or three breaths, so fast it caught people off guard. "Run!" Not knowing which member of the Iron Blood Alliance reacted, shouted loudly, bringing the people present back from their shock. The once intimidating crowd of gang members became panic-stricken, running in all directions as disaster fell upon them. Shen Qing waved his hand, commanding Tian Xiaohu and the others: "Kill them all! Don''t let anyone escape." "Yes!" Tian Xiaohu, Sun Ding, and others were invigorated, rushing like wolves and tigers into the fleeing crowd, eyes red with killing intent. The gamblers in the casino, seeing this scene, dared not linger, scattering in all directions. Shen Qing had no intention of letting these people go. Learn from mistakes. Some secrets can only be truly kept by the dead. Shen Qing took the bow and arrow from his back, nocking arrows rapidly stringing them, shooting in succession. Each arrow he shot carried the power of heaven and earth, forming a crescent-shaped blade of energy, reaping life. Wherever it passed, no grass grew. All died! The scene descended into chaos. No one knew how much time passed until the noise subsided, the chaotic scene turning quiet once more. Tian Xiaohu and others, drenched in blood, returned to Shen Qing to report. "My lord, the enemies have been executed!" Shen Qing used the [Eagle Eye] skill to survey the area, ensuring nothing was missed before relaxing: "Very well." "Ha, the Dong family won''t let you off with this." Shen Qing glanced back at the burly casino guards, saying nothing more, simply executing a One Finger Seal Throat, indifferent to the so-called high-ranking Dong family. In the past, when I had no official position, I was bullied and watched my face; now, having become an official, do I still have to watch others? What have I become an official for? This bunch of freeloaders has had a good life for too long, it''s time to let them bleed, give the people below some breathing room. ''Colluding with the unscrupulous'' was not his option. "Search inside and see if there''s anything good." Shen Qing beckoned his men as they headed inside the estate. ``` S§×arch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 93 Enhancing the Petty Cash, Expanding Influence ```Manor Front Yard. Shen Qing gazed silently at the row of trembling women and young men before him. This manor wasn''t very large, but it was well-equipped despite its size. Besides the gambling hall, there were plenty of food and entertainment facilities, and even many dedicated prostitutes to serve the gamblers and provide them with leisure. Both men and women were available. The women and youths before him were all young ladies from the city, from ordinary families, with respectable reputations. They had been forced into captivity and sold here by the city''s gangs for various reasons, gradually becoming mere tools for others'' amusement. "Master, what should be done with these people?" Sun Ding stepped forward, drawing his hand across his neck to suggest murder and silence, "Or perhaps..." Shen Qing lifted his chin to signal, "Have them register their information and arrange for our brothers to escort them back home." Sun Ding was momentarily stunned, thinking he had misheard. To him, Shen Qing was known as a decisive and ruthless figure, so why the sudden change of heart? "Are all the things found inside here?" Shen Qing glanced at several large chests behind the prostitutes, changing the subject. Sun Ding came to his senses, saying, "Yes, everything found is here." Shen Qing stepped forward to open one half-human-height wooden chest, discovering neat rows of silver ingots inside. This large wooden chest was half-human-height, one meter in length and width. He roughly estimated that it would take nearly two thousand taels of silver to fill it, and there were five such chests in total. In other words, there were at least ten thousand taels of cash silver just here. It would take Shen''s Restaurant three to five years to earn such an amount. It could indeed be considered a huge sum. Find exclusive stories on empire Besides these five chests filled with cash silver, there were also two slightly smaller wooden chests found at the same time. Shen Qing opened them one by one, finding one filled with various pearls and gemstones, and the other with a variety of gold ingots, worth no less than seven or eight thousand taels. In this little casino, there were twenty thousand taels of large silver. Even Shen Qing, accustomed to witnessing grand scenes, showed a hint of surprise on his face. No wonder many gangs were keen to open casinos. Such a place of indulgence, guarded by force, truly amassed gold daily, ensuring prosperity. Alas, these people lacked finesse and couldn''t safeguard their wealth. Now it all belonged to Shen Qing. Shen Qing bent down, searching through the gold chest, and soon retrieved the three "Little Yellow Fish" the traitor had spoken of. He scrutinized them, noticing indeed as the traitor had said, the inscription of the Dong family''s mark¡ªevidence of their "collusion" with Huang Tian Sect. Shen Qing weighed the three gold ingots in his hand and then tossed them to Sun Ding, "These are evidence. Here, catch." Sun Ding hurriedly reached out to catch them, examined them briefly, and then securely stowed them away. Shen Qing glanced down at the corpses strewn about the ground and suddenly asked his subordinates, "Have you searched all the bodies, leaving nothing behind?" "No...nothing." The subordinates, a bit nervous, thought Shen Qing might be like Zheng Yuanqiu, extracting some from them. Unexpectedly, Shen Qing had no interest in such petty gains. Instead, he selected some silver from the chest, distributed twenty taels of cash silver to each person under his watchful eyes, and then nonchalantly ordered, "Send these chests to my house." Everyone''s faces showed a glimmer of delight. Comparisons are odious among goods, but comparisons among people are worse. Compared to Zheng Yuanqiu''s stinginess, they suddenly felt that Shen Qing was exceptionally generous, unanimously accepting Shen Qing''s embezzlement, replying in unison, "Yes, Master." Seeing that everything here was settled, Shen Qing had no intention to linger and instructed, "Now that the matter here is concluded, everyone, return with me to report." "Master, what about this place? Are we just leaving it as is?" "Burn it to the ground!" Shen Qing replied without hesitation. S~ea??h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Supporting the sword at his waist with one hand, he was the first to walk out of the courtyard. Ji Youwu and the officers hurriedly moved into action, fetching a large amount of firewood from the kitchen, throwing the corpses into the hall, and setting them ablaze. In the roaring flames, the officers guided the bewildered prostitutes back towards Yongzhou City. There were no burdens on the way here, so they traveled quickly, but with silver and prostitutes on the return journey, they couldn''t possibly move fast. It took them over an hour to walk to the city gate. Shen Qing divided his men into two groups, one carrying silver and valuables back to his house, the other escorting the lost prostitutes back home. "Xiao Hu, you take these women home," Shen Qing said, taking out a package and casually tossing it to Tian Xiaohu. "These people have suffered humiliation, and they might not be welcomed back. There''s tens of taels of silver here, give each three taels when you send them home, better than nothing." Tian Xiaohu was evidently surprised by Shen Qing''s actions, quickly praising, "Master, you are righteous!" Shen Qing waved dismissively, not caring much. "Remember, don''t give too much, or else it''s like a child flaunting gold in the market, everyone becomes a demon." Tens of taels, compared to what Shen Qing gained this time, were but one-thousandth, insignificant, but for these ordinary folks, it might be a life-saver. Shen Qing didn''t see himself as an overly kind person, but neither was he an inhumane villain. He simply felt that this world shouldn''t be this way and acted according to his nature. Tian Xiaohu didn''t fully understand but still diligently noted it down. After dealing with the matter of the prostitutes, Shen Qing watched as his subordinates moved the chests back home. After giving a few more instructions to Sun Ding, he dismissed his subordinates. Gazing at the treasure chests filled with gold and silver, he unexpectedly felt a sense of stability in his heart. The day''s work had yielded fruitful results, and his small treasury was enriched. With these savings, in the foreseeable future, he could procure various cultivation resources from Wu Sheng, seeking to enhance his cultivation promptly and not worry about superficial gold and silver concerns. That night, under Shen Qing''s instructions, Sun Ding tortured the "traitor," using coercion and temptation to solidly confirm him as a Huang Tian Sect traitor. At the same time, various pieces of evidence also proved the collusion between the Huang Tian Sect traitor and Dong Jing. Coupled with Zheng Yuanqiu''s previous example, the Yongzhou Government Office became extremely sensitive to the matter, paying it great attention. Following the trail assiduously, continually pressuring the Dong Family. Seizing this opportunity, the Sun Family took the initiative, and with Dong Jing''s disappearance, the Dong Family became highly passive, retreating continuously. Until, finally, forced to spit out some benefits, this turmoil gradually subsided. The Sun Family and some other observing forces gained considerably. Yet this had nothing to do with Shen Qing. With abundant financial resources, Shen Qing acquired another restaurant in a flourishing area of Yongzhou City, becoming a legitimate boss. Four months passed in the blink of an eye. During these four months, Shen Qing recruited troops vigorously, gradually expanding the Guardian Martial Department''s officials from sixty or seventy people to more than one hundred and fifty, becoming powerful and strong. Everything proceeded in an orderly manner. ``` Chapter 94 Removing the ```The officers and the dispatch office recruited by the Guardian Martial Department recently were mostly picked by Shen Qing from respectable families within the neighborhood, as well as fringe members connected to the Thirteen Lines. These individuals were very clean, without any background, and were easy to control. Moreover, these people were chosen by Shen Qing himself after careful selection, which was entirely different from those who had come in relying on personal connections in the past. To put it bluntly, Shen Qing was their common sponsor, and the path they took was all through Shen Qing. They had a relationship with Shen Qing where they prospered together or suffered together. Furthermore, Shen Qing did not have the undesirable habits of Zheng Yuanqiu, never withholding others'' official salaries, and occasionally offering rewards. For a while, the past undesirable atmosphere of the Guardian Martial Department was swept away, with everyone striving to excel. Inside and outside Yongzhou City, the demons that had been raising their heads were once again suppressed by Shen Qing, and outside Yongzhou City became calm and peaceful. Such achievements also caught the attention of many officials in the county office. Military Department. Sear?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Summoned, Shen Qing, dressed in a neat official uniform, walked steadily into the main hall, bowed, and saluted, his voice clear and powerful, "Greetings, Lord Jia, Greetings, Lord Huangfu." In the main hall, Jia Zhiping sat at the head, his demeanor radiating an aura of natural authority without anger. Huang Furo, wearing a plain white attire, stood by Jia Zhiping''s side with her hands clasped. Commander Jia Zhiping examined Shen Qing, nodding with satisfaction. He gently raised his hand, signaling Shen Qing to dispense with formalities. "Vice Chief Shen, do you know why we summoned you here?" "Subordinate is dull and does not know." "Haha, Vice Chief Shen, your recent performance in governance has been clearly seen by both me and Lord Huangfu." Jia Zhiping''s voice was steady and powerful, revealing a high evaluation of Shen Qing, "Today, I have decided to officially promote you to the Chief Officer of the Guardian Martial Department." The admiration in Commander Jia Zhiping''s eyes was undisguised. Standing by, Huang Furo also nodded in agreement and said, "Chief Officer Shen is both wise and courageous, repeatedly achieving great success. Today''s promotion to Chief Officer of the Guardian Martial Department is well deserved." The difference between Chief Officer and Deputy Chief Officer was only one character, but the nature was completely different. With the "Deputy" character removed from the position title, it was somewhat considered as entering the ranks of the Yongzhou elite. Even children from those high-ranking families could not speak loudly in front of him. Shen Qing realized that his actions in recent months had gained recognition from his superiors. But he did not become arrogant or insensible, speaking modestly and calmly, "Thank you, Commander Jia, and Lord Huangfu, for your favor. I, Shen, will certainly live up to expectations, continue to be diligent and responsible, and exert all efforts for the Military Department and the people." "Good, there''s no need for these polite words." Commander Jia Zhiping stood up from his high position and said, "Tomorrow marks the day when the Lord Governor recovers from his injuries and emerges from seclusion. It''s a good opportunity for you to also go with us to meet the Lord Governor." "Humbly obey the order." Shen Qing clasped his fists respectfully and said. Commander Jia Zhiping nodded. After explaining all matters, he quickly walked into the back hall. Huang Furo remained in place and did not leave. After Jia Zhiping''s figure disappeared in the main hall, she took two steps toward Shen Qing and reminded him, "The Lord Governor failed to slay the Snake Demon before and was injured, losing face. With his temperament, he certainly won''t swallow this humiliation easily. Tomorrow, besides our people from the county office, the Lord Governor has also summoned the heads of the Thirteen Lines to jointly discuss the grand plan to slay demons." "The things you did before did not escape the eyes of the Dong Family. They just turned a blind eye and did not dwell on them with you, so don''t provoke them when you see them tomorrow." Shen Qing''s heart tightened. He nodded and said, "Thank you, Lord Huangfu, for the reminder. This subordinate will remember." "Yes, besides this, there is one more thing." Huang Furo looked at Shen Qing with a serious expression and said, "Regarding your previous statement about the Zhou Family being in collusion with demons, I secretly investigated and found some suspicious elements." "What do you mean?" Shen Qing asked eagerly. The day he had slain the Cat Demon, there seemed to be a Great Demon standing behind it. Now the opponent was in the dark, while he was out in the open. The lack of clarity on this matter left a knot in his heart, difficult to untangle. Huang Furo explained gently, "I investigated and found that throughout the past year, the Zhou Family has taken in many servants, far more than in previous years. Among them, there were quite a few martial masters, but strangely, after recruiting so many, the Zhou Family Mansion remained as it was, with no changes in terms of food and clothing or living appearance." "Logically, with more people, food and expenses should increase, but they have not. These people seem to have disappeared into thin air." Shen Qing''s face darkened as he said, "So these people should have been eaten by demons, right?" Huang Furo silently nodded. It was well known that demons had a taste for humans. If the Zhou Family was in collusion with demons, they would certainly provide some people as food, and the disappearance of people would rightly confirm this point. Huang Furo said, "The Zhou Family should be in league with demons, and this demon''s cultivation is likely not low, possibly already transformed." Shen Qing''s expression froze. If transformed, it would at least be comparable to the Dan Realm or even Innate Realm existence. Such a demon, lurking in the shadows, would have little hope of defeating him if it came to kill him. "My Lord, what do you think?" Shen Qing gathered his thoughts and asked. Huang Furo said, "Such a transformed demon already possesses intelligence no different from humans, with its own preferences, and even if it eats people, it wouldn''t do so indiscriminately like other demons. The demon lurking in the Zhou Family only needs its desire suppressed to not reveal itself, making it hard for outsiders to detect." "So a transformed demon lurking in the busy city, within a prestigious family, wouldn''t do so just for some mere food supplies. The Zhou Family''s cooperation must have other purposes." "The urgent task is to find out what they are really after. Otherwise, we will forever guess blindly without an answer." After listening to Huang Furo''s analysis, Shen Qing was thoughtful. At this moment, he suddenly thought of the same Zhou Family in Changqiao Town and the same collusion with demons. Could this be a coincidence?! Shen Qing felt it was unlikely. His intuition told him there was some vague connection here. He thought for a moment and asked, "Lord Huangfu, do you know about the Spirit Mechanism Land?" "Spirit Mechanism Land?" Huang Furo frowned, pondering, "I''ve heard a bit about it. It is said that the Spirit Mechanism Land contains the Supreme Spiritual Mechanism, which can elevate beings beyond the ordinary, and there are even rumors of the Secret of Longevity." "But this is the heretical talk of the Huang Tian Sect, which is strictly banned for dissemination and discussion by the court. Where did you hear about it?" Shen Qing looked directly into Huang Furo''s eyes and said, "I suspect that the Zhou Family''s collusion with demons has something to do with the Spirit Mechanism Land!" ... Upon leaving the Military Department, Shen Qing felt a growing heaviness in his heart. After communicating with Huang Furo, he felt that a dark cloud was looming over Yongzhou''s sky, gradually spreading out without anyone noticing. This was not good news. People who do not plan for the future will be troubled by present worries. With a thought, Shen Qing brought the information on the Water Ink Panel to the surface... ``` Chapter 95 Skills Break Through in Pairs "Just a little bit more."Shen Qing felt an urgency in his push for strength, unwilling to waste any time as he glanced at the information on the Water Ink Panel within his sight. He noticed that it was still early, and there wasn''t much pressing business at the Guardian Martial Department Office at the moment, so he left the Military Department Office and mounted his horse. With a crisp crack of the whip, the horse beneath him shot forward like an arrow from a bow, carrying him towards a valley outside the city amidst neighs and whinnies. In the past four or five months, he often patrolled the area, and after each patrol, he would hunt with a regular bow and arrow to hone his skill. After all these days, he had thoroughly explored the mountains outside the city. Among them, he found several places quite suitable for martial masters to train. Shen Qing rode out of the city, and before long, a tranquil and profound gorge appeared before his eyes. Here, ancient trees towered into the sky, mist curled around, and besides the occasional chirping of birds and roaring of beasts, it was incredibly peaceful. Shen Qing reined in his horse and stopped, gently stroking the smooth mane of his steed beneath him, then lightly leaped off the horse to stand on the ground. He took down the heavy bow from the horse''s back and casually tossed the reins. The horse, as if used to this routine, walked to the small stream and drank the valley water. With steady steps, Shen Qing strode into an open area with his bow and arrow. He stopped, looked around, and then deftly removed the arrow quiver from his back, planting it firmly in the ground with a precise and strong motion. Shen Qing slightly closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and his expression suddenly became unusually serious. The surrounding scenery seemed to subtly change with his mood, becoming clearer and more vivid. Shen Qing slowly drew an arrow from the quiver and placed it steadily on the bowstring, gripping the bow tightly with both hands, muscles taut. With a deep, powerful exhale, Shen Qing suddenly pulled back the bowstring, and strength converged in an instant. He abruptly released it, and the arrow shot forth like lightning, tearing through the sky with an unstoppable force, aiming straight for the distance. The arrow streaked through the air with a whistling sound, leaving a long trail on the ground. Boom! In the distance, an ancient tree was shot in half by Shen Qing. Without pausing, he quickly nocked another arrow following that shot. Thud! The arrow left the string and pierced through the air. Thud, thud... His movements became faster, arrows as dense as raindrops, each shot perfectly precise and powerful as if sweeping away clouds and shocking the heavens. In one go, Shen Qing emptied the entire quiver of arrows. After doing so, he spread his arms and dashed forward, moving nimbly through the mountain forest while continuously launching the Sky Flipping Seal against various strange rocks and ancient trees. Golden rays erupted constantly, accompanied by roaring sounds. In this manner, he destructively made his way to the makeshift "shooting range" he had set up. He carefully gathered the arrows and returned to his original spot to repeat the process. Until the sun set, casting a glowing golden hue over the valley, Shen Qing finally stopped his arduous practice. By then, he felt waves of hunger fill his body, and his Qi Sea became calm and depleted. A sense of satisfaction welled up within Shen Qing. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Feeling this way indicated he had exhausted all the power within his flesh and blood. The energy inside him craved the external world immensely. Shen Qing remained composed, operating the Six Path Whale Swallowing Technique while taking out a Treasure Pill as white as jade. This pill was called Yuye Qionghua Dan, which he had procured from Wu Sheng. It was said that this Yuye Qionghua Dan was a common elixir used by the noble sons of the Capital City during cultivation, providing great assistance in recovery and improving cultivation. Each pill cost ten taels of gold, making it extremely precious. During this period of training, Shen Qing consistently used this pill and found it to be an excellent experience. He tossed the pill into his mouth, allowing it to dissolve into a thin stream as it slid down his throat. In an instant, an unprecedented warm current surged from his Dantian. Shen Qing felt as though countless spiritual powers converged into a sea within him, and the once dry and exhausted Qi Sea became filled with endless vitality and strength at that moment. Every inch of muscle, every bone, seemed to be reforged, bursting forth with vibrant vitality. Shen Qing took a deep breath, savoring the abundant power within him, and could not help but form a faint smile at the corner of his mouth. "It seems about right." In his vision, a drop of water ink fell from the void and, after spreading out, condensed into lines of water ink text. [Skill: Heavenly Bow Technique (Mastery)] [Progress: 801/800 points] [Status: Can be improved] [Note: Learning diligently is like a seedling growing in spring; though not noticeable, it grows daily. Neglecting to study is like sharpening a knife; though not noticeable, it dulls daily. You have not slackened for a moment in your training of the Bow Technique; your ceaseless effort has met the conditions for a breakthrough in the Heavenly Bow Technique. After the breakthrough, there is a certain probability that the "Eagle Eye" skill will evolve, enabling you to awaken Divine Sense and perceive changes within a five hundred meter radius.] [Skill: Sky Flipping Seal (Small Success)] [Progress: 802/800 points] [Status: Can be improved] [Note: Without accumulating small steps, one cannot reach a thousand miles; without accumulating small streams, there can be no rivers or seas. Your continuous practice has pushed the Sky Flipping Seal to a breakthrough state. Refining the Sky Flipping Seal to the level of mastery can harness the power of heaven and earth to evolve into the Sky Flipping Seal, crushing mercilessly, resulting in a shockingly tragic death for those struck, although it consumes a significant amount of spiritual power.] ... Seeing the two Water Ink Panels pop up in his field of vision, Shen Qing let out a long breath in his heart. "After so much cultivation, these two cultivation techniques can finally break through." Without delay, Shen Qing focused his mind: "Heavenly Bow Technique, breakthrough!" "Sky Flipping Seal, breakthrough!" As if sensing Shen Qing''s command, the information on the Water Ink Panel instantly refreshed. [Skill: Heavenly Bow Technique (Small Success)] [Progress: 1/900 points] [Skill: Sky Flipping Seal (the level of mastery)] [Progress: 2/900 points] At the moment the skills information on the panel refreshed, two enormous streams of memories distinctly surged into Shen Qing''s mind. He groaned quietly, enduring the discomfort while slowly processing these vast memories. Soon, the familiar feeling of day and night training in the Heavenly Bow Technique and Sky Flipping Seal surged back to his heart. Shen Qing slowly opened his eyes, scanned his surroundings, and concentrated with a calm mind. In the next moment, his expression showed surprise. Shen Qing realized that with just a little sensing, the wind''s rustling, the chirping of insects and birds within a five hundred-meter radius, and even the faint fluctuations of spiritual power further away were vividly imprinted in his mind, making him feel omniscient. This was precisely the "Eagle Eye" skill transformation brought about by the breakthrough of the Heavenly Bow Technique, allowing him to refine a trace of Divine Sense. Relying on this Divine Sense, his perception transcended the five senses, regardless of distance or visibility. "So this is how it feels to possess Divine Sense, truly amazing." "In the future, if I use this perception combined with every arrow hits the mark, I can kill invisibly, catching others off guard. Even if I can''t kill the opponent, I can withdraw in time, proving greatly useful to me!" Chapter 96 Yongzhou Elites ```"Since the Heavenly Bow Technique is like this, what about the Sky Flipping Seal?" Shen Qing licked his dry lips, unable to help but feel a bit of anticipation. He briefly recalled and mobilized the spiritual power within his body. Under his intentional movement, the Qi Sea turned turbulent, countless strands of spiritual power erupted as if about to break free from the body''s restraints. Shen Qing no longer hesitated; he formed the Sky Flipping Seal with his hands. Instantly, the spiritual power surrounding him boiled over, transforming into a vast force that converged in his palms. He pressed down with both hands, and the power of mastery of the Sky Flipping Seal exploded with a roar. The sky and earth changed color as the force of heaven and earth he invoked formed into a massive Sky Flipping Seal, bearing an apocalyptic momentum as it slammed down into the void. With one strike, it was as if the sky collapsed and the earth overturned, mountains and rivers reversed. A gigantic rock in the distance, the size of Xiao Shan, could not withstand such power and was directly shattered. Countless fragments tumbled down like rain. Shen Qing stared at the scene before him, eyes wide in disbelief. He looked down, dumbfounded, at his own palms. If this Sky Flipping Seal had hit a person''s flesh, the one struck would undoubtedly be shattered to pieces, dying a horrific death. "If I could add the power of Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill, burst forth tenfold, now even facing that snake demon, I wouldn''t be entirely without a chance to retaliate." Shen Qing, slightly pale, had excitement and satisfaction flickering in his eyes. "It''s just a pity that behind this powerful attack, there''s also a high consumption of spiritual power. My current cultivation can''t support such moves. Using it once or twice would leave me exhausted." "I must breakthrough to the Dan Realm quickly." Shen Qing murmured to himself, having made some decisions in his heart. The setting sun was like blood, evening clouds filled the sky. Watching as the sun slowly sunk below the horizon, Shen Qing didn''t linger long in place before mounting his horse to return. S§×arch* The N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Upon arriving home, as usual, he consumed nourishing items and after a medicinal bath, began to meditate, using the Wish Power Pearl to enhance his cultivation. At his current realm, he rarely slept as he once did, with the sleep of ordinary people occurring only occasionally. Most of the time, he meditated instead. Come the next morning, as dawn broke and the sky gradually turned gold, the gentle golden light of the morning sun filtered through the window slats onto Shen Qing''s handsome face, giving it a faint golden glow, adding a transcendent and rarefied aura. Shen Qing slowly exhaled a breath of turbid air and opened his eyes, filled with an unprecedented strength and vitality. Every time he used the Wish Power Pearl to meditate, refining his spiritual power, it invigorated him, leaving him in an unprecedented good state after concluding his meditation. "Almost there, time to prepare to go to the county government." Currently, the Prefectural Governor spoke of leaving retreat, or more plainly, recovering from a major illness. Although he mentioned no grand banquet or elaborate event, as a subordinate, Shen Qing knew better than to show up empty-handed. Thus, he took a Yuye Qionghua Dan from home to bring along. This elixir wasn''t common in Yongzhou, but not extremely rare either. In a bustling place like the Capital City, it was still practical. In terms of value, it was just right for someone like Shen Qing, who stood as a rising power in the aristocracy. Bearing gifts, Shen Qing did not delay and headed straight for the county government. The Prefectural Governor''s residence was located at the very core of Yongzhou, occupying two streets, quite sizeable. When Shen Qing arrived, it was peak time and the area before the government was bustling, reminiscent of a market. Carriages from various households came and went incessantly, each carrying heavy gift boxes, handled with care by servants from these families, transported one by one into the deep gates of the county government. These were evidently vehicles of moguls like the Thirteen Lines and other commercial giants. Shen Qing stood outside this array of carriages, undisturbed by the scene before him. With a calm face, he stepped forward to announce himself to the guards at the gate, his voice clear and strong: "I am the Chief Officer of the Guardian Martial Department, Shen Qing, here to pay respects to Lord Governor upon hearing of his exit from retreat." The guard, upon hearing this, sized up Shen Qing, noticing his extraordinary demeanor, dared not slight him, and promptly informed the Chang Sui. Shortly, a kindly-faced Chang Sui in blue robes hurried over, bowed slightly to Shen Qing, and politely said: "Lord Shen, please follow me." Shen Qing nodded, handing over his gift to the Prefectural Governor''s servant to register his name. Then he followed the Chang Sui, passing through complex courtyards and winding corridors, arriving before a spacious and bright hall. The Chang Sui stopped, speaking softly: "Lord Shen, please wait here while I go announce your presence." With that, the Chang Sui turned and entered the hall. Standing outside, Shen Qing faintly heard murmured conversations within the hall, indicating quite a few people were already present. Inside, these people should be the Family Heads of the Thirteen Noble Families and other prominent dignitaries of Yongzhou City. Here gathered what could be said to be the wealthiest and most powerful of Yongzhou''s cultivators. Shen Qing didn''t have to wait long. Shortly after, the Chang Sui reappeared, smiling, and gestured for Shen Qing to enter: "Mr. Shen, Lord Governor invites you in." Shen Qing tidied his attire, stepped over the hall threshold, and entered with a composed expression. Inside the county office, lights shone brightly. Bai Mu, the Prefectural Governor, was seated at the main seat, his black hair not yet frosted, his complexion slightly pale with a sickly appearance. Yet, his broad shoulders and long arms, even so, with his burly stature emanated an undeniable forcefulness. Below the main seat, two rows of chairs were meticulously arranged, seating the Family Heads of the Thirteen Noble Families and prominent county officials. Shen Qing scanned the area, noticing several seats were unfilled, indicating many had yet to arrive. Among the many seated figures, he caught sight of Huang Furo. Today, she wore official attire with a black belt at the waist, sitting quietly behind a middle-aged man with a stern face. Upon closer inspection, Huang Furo and this middle-aged man bore similarities in appearance. One could easily deduce that this middle-aged man was likely Huangfu Chuan, the Family Patriarch and Huang Furo''s father. Huangfu Chuan seemed to sense Shen Qing''s gaze and smiled slightly, nodding in greeting. Shen Qing nodded back in response. Withdrawing his gaze, he stepped forward, neither obsequious nor arrogant, and cupped his hands in salute: "Subordinate Chief Officer of Guardian Martial Department, Shen Qing, heard you exited retreat and came to pay his respects to you, my lord." Bai Mu, seated at the chief position, lowered his gaze and smiled: "I''ve heard of your deeds during my retreat, a paragon among the young in the county office." Shen Qing quickly bowed his head: "My lord flatters me, I am merely a martial artist, undeserving of such high praise. Grateful for the opportunity to be here today." "Haha, Chief Officer Shen is too modest. You truly are a young talent with a promising future." Shen Qing repeatedly humbly expressed unworthiness. Prefectural Governor Bai Mu laughed heartily and gestured for him to sit: "Take a seat." Shen Qing bowed, indicating to follow, and was led by a servant to a seat at the lower end. Once seated, Shen Qing, with curiosity, began to quietly observe the hall full of Yongzhou''s dignitaries. ``` Chapter 97 Subduing Demons, Tit for Tat Looking across, the noble officials of Yongzhou were not as expected, fat and big-eared, differing greatly from the stereotypes of the secular world.On the contrary, each of them was very refined, with tall and upright postures, appearing with an ethereal and noble presence. Upon closer examination, their spiritual power was not leaking out flamboyantly but was instead cleverly withdrawn into every inch of their meridians, exuding an indescribable spiritual quality, at least at the Yu Luo Realm or even the Dan Realm of cultivation. The Ji family of Dazhou was said to control Martial Mechanism across the land, but it was clear that, for the nobility, their methods were nothing more than a formality. Whenever they desired, the nobles had various means to obtain the cultivation resources they wanted. While Shen Qing was observing the crowd, he keenly sensed a gaze sweeping over him from time to time. He glancingly looked over, released his Divine Sense to check, and found that the end of the gaze was a middle-aged man. The middle-aged man''s face was like it was carved from a blade, his aura steady, wearing a long, wide robe adorned with intricate cloud and water patterns, and the dark patterns at the collar shimmered with gold thread. From the discussions around this man, Shen Qing vaguely discerned his identity. It was the head of the Dong family¡ªDong Wentian. Shen Qing remembered Huang Furo''s warning, lowered his head silently, picked up a teacup, and pretended not to know. After a while, more people gradually arrived in the hall, and the empty seats were all filled. The hall, which had been somewhat quiet, gradually became lively. Shen Qing, whose status was not considered noble, became completely marginalized amidst these people, unnoticed and extremely inconspicuous. However, Shen Qing did not mind. He never liked to stand out. Coupled with the fact that he had recently killed one of Dong Wentian''s sons, this low profile was more to his liking. Lord Governor Bai Mu, seeing that most of the people had arrived, cheerfully said, "Esteemed scholars and gentlemen, it is rare to gather today under one roof. Since everyone is present, let us not have the delicacies wait too long, so as not to dampen everyone''s mood. Servants, let the dishes be served." As soon as he finished speaking, not long after, trained servants from the county government carried in the meticulously prepared delicacies one by one. During the banquet, glasses clinked, and the guests raised their cups, saying, "Congratulations to Lord Governor for being in good health and safely leaving seclusion. It is indeed the good fortune of the people of Yongzhou to have you once again at the helm!" "Haha, no need for courtesy, please." The guests raised glasses with each other, and the atmosphere gradually became warm and congenial. When the atmosphere at the banquet was fully lively, Lord Governor Bai Mu gently stroked the table and let out a long and deep sigh. Zhou Family Patriarch Zhou Xu was the first to ask, "May I know why the Lord sighs? Now that the wise and able of Yongzhou are gathered in this hall, please share so we may discuss together and relieve your worries." Bai Mu, with profound eyes, looked at Zhou Xu, and worriedly said, "Although I am pleased with successfully leaving seclusion, there is one matter that sticks in my throat and cannot go unspoken. Everyone knows that outside Yongzhou City, a snake demon is on the move, continually disturbing the common people, causing much suffering and unrest. If this continues, it will surely become a disaster, and you all will also suffer because of it. As the prefectural governor, I am anxious, hence I sigh." Saying this, Bai Mu scanned the room, paused, and continued, "To be honest, the main reason I invited everyone here today is to join forces with those present to eradicate this calamity to the human world, the snake demon, and restore peace to Yongzhou! How do you gentlemen feel about this?" As soon as these words were spoken, the banquet hall fell into contemplation. Before arriving, many had already heard of Bai Mu''s intention to make use of their help to eliminate demons. After some pleasantries, they finally got to the main point. The Thirteen Lines, being the most flourishing high-ranking families in Yongzhou, had accumulated considerable strength over the years. United, they were no less powerful than the county office. Now even the prefectural governor himself was not a match for the snake demon, and clearly, there was no one else in the county office capable of dealing with the snake demon. There was no other way but to rely on the strength of others. This was something foreseeable by everyone. "Mr. Bai speaks the truth, I''ve heard the snake demon runs rampant outside, always lurking in the dark, with unknown intentions. For the peace of Yongzhou, the extermination of the demon is imperative. Our Zhou Family is the first willing to come forth and join you in eliminating this demon." "Our Dong Family as well." "Our Sun Family¡­" "Our Wu Family¡­" One after another, the high-ranking families stepped forth, expressing their support. Lord Governor Bai Mu laughed heartily, "With your assistance, the snake demon is bound to meet its end. I wonder if the ancestral seniors of the Zhou Family and others are able to lend their hands in this occasion?" Zhou Family Patriarch Zhou Xu helplessly replied, "The elders of our Zhou Family are growing old, and their Qi-Blood is gradually declining. They are now only in seclusion for rest and have long since stopped concerning themselves with worldly matters. This time we can only send our older brothers to support." "Our family elders are in the same state, having already been over two hundred years old, merely lingering with the aid of elixirs. The task of demon extermination can only depend on the younger generation." "Our family elders as well." Bai Mu''s expression was momentarily stunned. The snake demon was akin to a presence at the Innate Realm. If only juniors or other ordinary martial masters went to fight it, what difference would there be from sending them to their end? The reason he asked for their assistance this time was not just for this. S~ea??h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Bai Mu knew that this time he gathered many of the Thirteen Lines high-ranking families not only for their strength but more importantly to have the elders of a few families take action. Partly to ensure a higher probability of slaying the snake demon, and partly also to weaken the strength of these people and wear down their lifespan. These elders were all at the Innate Realm of cultivation. If it were before, it wouldn''t be an issue, as he could suppress them by his cultivation, with no fear. But now, injured by the snake demon, though he had recovered, his strength was still significantly diminished, making it hard to suppress these local tyrants. If he wanted to keep his official position, he had to come up with some strategies. What''s more, the snake demon had dealt him such a heavy blow that, if the grudge was not avenged, he would never be at ease. Thus, this setup came to be. Bai Mu, unwilling to give up, put on a stern face, pressuring them with authority and said, "Gentlemen, this is a major issue pertaining to the safety of Yongzhou. If anyone harbors doubts or believes this act is against justice, feel free to speak frankly. But I hope everyone understands that as long as this demon remains, we will not live in peace for a single day. I urge you all not to hold back at this moment." "Mr. Bai, the obliteration of demons inherently is your responsibility. We are merely assisting. We have already offered people and strength, fulfilling our utmost duty. What more do you want?" Zhou Family Patriarch Zhou Xu coldly retorted, challenging Bai Mu head-on, giving him no face at all. The nobles of the Thirteen Lines caught Zhou Xu''s subtle shift in demeanor, and the hall instantly became silent, with a tense atmosphere spreading within. Chapter 98 Harboring Ulterior Motives, Zhou Familys Test ```The atmosphere in the main hall grew increasingly oppressive. Sitting at the head seat, Bai Mu gazed at the many patriarchs of the Thirteen Lines in front of him, his expression gradually turning somber. He had long heard that during his time secluded for healing, there were many small movements within the Thirteen Lines. Taking advantage of his absence, they slowly encroached on his power, his influence. In his eyes, these people were like wolves circling him, watching him closely. Once they saw his weakness, they all straightened up and approached him. For some reason, a sense of powerlessness suddenly arose in Bai Mu''s heart. Though the court of Great Zhou was strong, it spread thin, and when faced with the local tyrants entrenched for years, they could only bow their heads. Shen Qing, sitting at the far end, couldn''t help but sigh in his heart as he saw Bai Mu''s repressed expression. The Great Zhou officials seemed prestigious on the surface, but beneath they appeared far from worry-free and were even in constant crisis. No one spoke up. The patriarchs and nobles in the hall breathed in Spiritual Energy, their profound aura openly displayed, showing no concession to Bai Mu. Seeing Bai Mu almost pushed to his limit, Zhou Xu''s expression changed, displaying a smile, saying, "Lord Governor, rest assured, we are all citizens of Yongzhou, and it is our unshirkable duty to slay demons. Once you have devised a plan, we will surely fully support you." Seeing the other party offer him a way out, Bai Mu naturally accepted it, with a smile that didn''t reach his eyes, he dejectedly said, "Then in the future, I''ll be relying more on everyone." "Alright, now that we''ve eaten and discussed matters, why not have a little entertainment to liven things up?" At this time, the patriarch of the Dong Family stood up and said. Zhou Xu smiled and asked, "Brother Dong, what sort of entertainment do you have in mind?" Dong Family Patriarch, Dong Pengfei, raised his cup and looked around, saying, "Long have I heard of the court''s martial masters, all exceptional individuals with supreme martial skills, making us martial artists of the Jianghu look up to them as if gazing at the stars. With today''s grand gathering, why not take this opportunity for a martial contest to both enhance our enjoyment and foster exchange. What do you all think?" This remark, like a stone thrown into a lake, stirred waves of ripples. The nobles of Yongzhou whispered among themselves, each showing an expression of expectation. Governor Bai Mu frowned, saying, "Boxing and kicking are blind, if real hostility arises and hurts our harmony, it won''t be good. Let''s choose something else." Among the group, a middle-aged man with a resolute appearance and sharp eyes spoke, "The essence of Martial Arts lies in exchange and actual combat. How can everything in the world go as one wishes? Only through challenges can true strength be revealed. We will watch, stopping when necessary, ensuring nothing goes wrong." "Indeed, martial arts progress through competition." The others in the hall echoed in agreement. Seeing everyone''s enthusiasm, Governor Bai Mu, although unwilling in his heart, had no choice but to agree reluctantly. Dong Family Patriarch, Dong Pengfei, showed a meaningful smile, stood up slowly, turned his gaze to Shen Qing, and said with a smile, "I''ve heard that Shen Qing, Chief Officer Shen, possesses extraordinary skill, having slain countless demons in just a year, rising all the way from the dispatch office to Chief Officer of the Weiwu Division. Why not take this opportunity to spar for a bit?" As soon as these words fell, everyone''s gaze in the hall focused on Shen Qing. Shen Qing''s expression immediately darkened. He understood in his heart, that Dong Pengfei''s spar was a guise, his true intent was to use this chance to deal with him. Though Dong Jing was an illegitimate child of the Dong Family, he still represented a bit of the Dong Family''s face. For an "enemy" like him to stand openly before Dong Pengfei, it was impossible to ignore. If it came to sparring, Dong Pengfei was sure to aim to kill. However, Shen Qing was not afraid of him. From what he knew, Dong Pengfei was in the late stage of the Dan Realm. With his current cultivation, if he used the power of the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill to the fullest, he could kill him. The only trouble was that he was unsure how to handle the aftermath in front of everyone. As Shen Qing pondered his strategy, Huang Furo stood up to interrupt, "Patriarch Dong, hold on, the two of you are a generation apart. If you personally take the stage, it would be taking advantage of junior, which is somewhat inappropriate." After Huang Furo spoke, the Huangfu Family Patriarch, Huangfu Chuan, followed with, "Indeed." Dong Pengfei gave a meaningful glance at Shen Qing, then turned, displeased, to the Huangfu father and daughter, and said, "Since Huangfu Niece is so protective of your subordinate, let''s give you both some face. Chief Officer Shen, when there''s a chance in the future, we''ll spar properly." Saying that, Dong Pengfei sat down expressionlessly, giving Shen Qing another meaningful look. Shen Qing cast a grateful glance at Huang Furo as his eyes narrowed. At this time, Zhou Family Patriarch, Zhou Xu, immediately spoke, "Mr. Huangfu''s earlier comments were indeed reasonable. In my opinion, why not use this opportunity to let the juniors take the stage to spar? This way, it can both brighten the feast and avoid harming our harmony. What does everyone think?" After speaking, his gaze quickly skimmed over the seats, landing on the head seat. Bai Mu didn''t understand Zhou Xu''s intent, so he asked, "Patriarch Zhou speaks sensibly. In that case, let''s follow your words and let the younger generation showcase their talents so that we old folks can witness the extraordinary prowess of youth. However, I wonder which young talents among us you have in mind?" Hearing this, Zhou Xu''s eyes glinted, and he feigned casualness as he smiled, "It seems it''s all fate. My unworthy fifth son happens to be here with me at the county government, and it''s coincidental he can join this elegant affair. Though he usually indulges in play, he has quite the Sight in martial arts and has always admired your eldest son, Lord Governor. Why not let him join in for some fun, spar with the eldest, and let Lord Bai and the esteemed ones assess if he''s up to par?" Upon hearing this, Bai Mu couldn''t help but find it amusing. His eldest son was his prized offspring, already at the Dan Realm, and a leader among the younger generation. If he were to let his eldest son compete, he would rest assured. Bai Mu said meaningfully, "Oh? What a coincidence. Then please have your son join us, so we old folks can soak up some youthful spirit, and experience the remarkable Zhou Family''s style." Saying this, Bai Mu turned and instructed a servant, "Someone, go fetch An Long." "Yes!" A county government servant responded swiftly, hurrying out of the hall. Moments later, a series of footsteps echoed from outside. The doors swung open. A young figure stepped in from outside. On his head rested a white jade crown as gentle as jade, and the beautiful jade hanging from his waist swayed gently with his light steps, producing a delicate and pleasing sound. "Youngster Zhou Xintong greets the elders." Zhou Family Patriarch Zhou Xu laughed heartily, stepping forward to introduce, "This is my son Xintong, fifth in the family, lacking compared to his brothers. However, he has always seen Master An Long as a goal to strive after, and now he has the opportunity to spar and exchange skills." Those present weren''t fools; Zhou Xu''s arrangements were clearly planned. For a moment, they grew curious, unsure of Zhou Xu''s real motive. While everyone speculated, another young man, led by a servant, entered the hall from the back door. Everyone recognized him; he was Bai Mu''s eldest son, Bai Anlong. Bai Anlong walked beside the main seat, bowing respectfully, "Greetings, Father, what is the reason for your summons?" Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Bai Mu smiled slightly, raising his hand slightly to signal Bai Anlong to forgo formalities, and then turned to Zhou Xu, saying, "An Long, your Uncle Zhou has visited today, specially mentioning that your generation should exchange more and progress together. The fifth young Master of the Zhou family has always admired you as a role model, eager for a spar. What do you think?" Hearing this, Bai Anlong turned his gaze to Zhou Xintong, standing to the side. Though bewildered by the situation, he maintained a humble demeanor, "I, Bai Anlong, am just a playboy in the county, privileged by my father and the respected ones to have my current reputation. If the fifth young Master truly has this intention, Anlong would gladly accompany him. Let us use martial arts to make friends, stopping at the right moment?" Upon hearing this, Zhou Xu displayed a calm smile, patting Zhou Xintong''s shoulder, "Xintong, did you hear that? Young Master Bai has a magnanimous heart, make sure to seize this chance, understand?" Zhou Xintong nodded earnestly, stepped forward, and bowed to Bai Anlong, "Young Master Bai, I have long admired your name, and today I am committed to doing my best. I hope you will guide me unreservedly!" Bai Anlong returned the salute, and a confrontational spirit instantly filled the space between them. The surrounding family heads and nobles held their breath in anticipation. By now, they understood. This contest was not merely about the martial prowess of two young talents; it was also a subtle probe between local and courtly forces. "Well then, let''s begin." Bai Mu timely spoke, breaking the brief silence, "Let the match end with control; do not harm the harmony, nor find excuses to cause trouble." "Yes, Father (Sir)!" Bai Anlong and Zhou Xintong responded in unison, then each took a few steps back, assuming a stance. ``` Chapter 99 Losing Face, the County Office as Precarious as a Pile of Eggs "I''m sorry."At that moment, a booming voice resounded through the hall. Bai Anlong''s entire body was suddenly enveloped in Spiritual Power, and an array of jade-colored radiance emerged on the surface of his skin. He looked as if he were carved from jade. With a forceful stomp on the bluestone floor, his feet produced a sharp sound of breaking stone. Using this rebound force, Bai Anlong''s figure transformed into a sharp light shadow, diving forward fiercely. He formed his five fingers into a palm and slapped toward Zhou Xintong''s face, his entire body shrouded in a faint Five Elements luster. Bai Anlong had cultivated the Five Elements Rejuvenation Technique from the Martial Arts Hall in Yongzhou, and the appearance of this five-colored radiance was a testament to his mastery. The Five Elements Unification, strength of a thousand catties. His aura was profound, and his Spiritual Power flowed continuously. With this cultivation technique, Bai Anlong''s endurance left countless martial masters in the dust. Even when facing three to five opponents of the same level simultaneously, he handled it with ease. This was the primary reason Bai Anlong was considered a standout among his peers. Others simply couldn''t outlast him. In a flash, Bai Anlong carried a landslide-like palm strike toward Zhou Xintong. A delicate yet powerful vortex of air swirled around his body, an awe-inspiring spectacle formed by the Five Elements Energy surging within him. His twin palms were like mountain-splitting axes, carrying a destructive force, pounding repeatedly on Zhou Xintong''s chest, echoing with two dull explosive sounds in the air, akin to thunder. Yet, in the face of this overwhelming strike, Zhou Xintong remained immovable, a meaningful smile playing at the corner of his mouth. The next moment, his right hand suddenly lashed out, as fast as a thunderbolt. He gathered all his Spiritual Power into a single punch and thrust it forward without hesitation. At that moment, powerful strength and extreme speed fused perfectly, and the resulting pressure caused the surrounding air to momentarily freeze. Boom!!!! A thunderous noise, resembling a thunderclap in the sky. The ferocious Spiritual Power met Bai Anlong''s unstoppable offensive head-on. The two forces collided fiercely in the air, with an invisible wave of air spreading outward from the two as the center. At the core of the clash between the two forces, even the void showed a hint of distortion and change. Bai Anlong realized something was amiss and immediately held nothing back, delivering a series of palm strikes. His palms came faster and faster, each strike overwhelmingly forceful, all his Spiritual Power surging, clearly giving his all. Remarkably, however, no matter how he attacked, Zhou Xintong was able to receive it without showing any signs of being overwhelmed. A sudden sense of foreboding arose in Bai Anlong''s heart. Bang, bang, bang! The two continued to exchange blows, going through dozens of moves. Even Bai Anlong, known for his endurance, began to breathe heavily, even feeling waves of strain. How could this be? S§×arch* The N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. A surge of overwhelming shock and disbelief rippled through Bai Anlong''s heart, causing his breathing to stumble. "Bang!" "Ah!" In the glow, a figure flew out like a kite with a broken string, tossed by tremendous force, colliding heavily with the main door. With a loud crash, the door shattered into pieces, and the figure lay lifelessly on the ground, their life or death unknown. The scene fell deathly silent. The government office officials, Thirteen Lines elite, and other dignitaries all bore expressions as if they had seen a ghost, stunned and unable to speak. This cultivation¡­ clearly it had already broken through the Yu Luo Realm, reaching the realm of the Dan People. How terrifyingly talented for the fifth son of the Zhou Family to have reached such a realm at such a young age! And this vigorous and robust Spiritual Power was truly remarkable. "Thank you for the fight," Zhou Xintong said, patting his hands lightly and revealing a relaxed expression. "Young Master!" The servants from the county government rushed to the door anxiously, busy pulling Bai Anlong out of his stupor and carrying him aside. They pried open Bai Anlong''s mouth and slipped a Heart Protecting Pill, using True Qi to send it down. Once the elixir reached his internal organs, Bai Anlong''s throat felt a sweetness, "Wah," and he spat out a mouthful of foul blood, regaining consciousness. His face had turned deathly pale as he slowly opened his eyes. A clear confusion was evident in his gaze, and after spitting out another mouthful of foul blood, he tilted his head back and fainted again. "My Lord, something is wrong. The young master has had one of his Dan veins broken!" "What?!" Prefectural Governor Bai Mu leapt to his feet, his face ashen, his hands gripping the armrests of his chair tightly. His grip was so intense that claw marks appeared on the ironwood-crafted armrests. The fracture of a Dan vein meant that further improvements in his cultivation were impossible; even maintaining his current level of cultivation would be considered fortunate. Zhou Xintong had clearly crippled Bai Anlong, crippled his son! He suddenly turned his head to look at Zhou Xu, only to see the old sly fox stroking his beard, giving him a faint smile. Prefectural Governor Bai Mu''s face turned extremely dark, acutely aware that this duel was a trap meticulously arranged by Zhou Xu. He wanted to use today''s opportunity to let his fifth son step over Bai Anlong to climb up, using his son as a stepping stone to carve out a generous path. Clearly, they came prepared. Zhou Xu was unafraid of Bai Mu''s gaze and stepped forward with an apologetic tone, "I am truly sorry, my lord. Xintong was heavy-handed. I will be sure to reprimand him thoroughly when we return." Prefectural Governor Bai Mu slowly swept his gaze over everyone in the hall. He noticed that the Thirteen Lines members were staring at him with bright eyes, while many of his government office subordinates were also from Thirteen Lines and maintained a detached, indifferent attitude. He suddenly felt the desolation of being utterly alone. "Zhou Xu, don''t bully people too much," Bai Mu ground his teeth, feeling suffocated and oppressed. "Accidents are inevitable in duels. How about Lord Governor exchanges a few moves with us?" Prefectural Governor Bai Mu fell silent, closing his eyes and suppressing his emotions. "Someone, take the young master for treatment." Upon his words, even Shen Qing, who usually preferred to stay out of things, couldn''t help but frown. Being bullied to this extent at home, and Bai Mu still showed no intention of resisting, was truly pathetic. To put it bluntly, from this day forward, Bai Mu would be utterly humiliated in Yongzhou, with zero authority or respect, even with the title of a court-appointed Prefectural Governor. Meanwhile, the intimidation of the Thirteen Lines, these Yongzhou nobles, had become public knowledge. With this rise and fall, the county office became even more precarious. Shen Qing''s gaze fell, and his expression grew heavy. In this situation, as government office officials, their futures became uncertain, especially for someone like him who had climbed up from the bottom; it was even more dangerous. "Let''s call it a day. Please see the guests out!" With that, Prefectural Governor Bai Mu turned and left the hall with his servants in disorderly fashion. After his departure, those officials without backgrounds were thoroughly disappointed in Prefectural Governor Bai Mu and hurriedly left one after another, filled with fear and anxiety. Just as Shen Qing was about to leave with them, Huang Furo stepped forward, pulled him back, and said, "You''re coming with us later." Shen Qing immediately realized that Huang Furo was intentionally looking out for him. He did not refuse, nodding slightly and retreating behind Huang Furo. Chapter 100 He Who Strikes First Gains the Advantage, He Who Strikes Late Suffers the Consequence After most of the uninvolved people left, Zhou Xu and the others wore expressions of smug satisfaction."From today''s perspective, being forced to this extent yet still able to endure, Bai Mu must have been seriously injured by the Snake Demon and hasn''t fully recovered." "Indeed," Zhou Xu said, "now that we''ve laid our cards on the table and become enemies with Bai Mu, we should be decisive, cut ties quickly. Besides Bai Mu himself, we should replace the others in the county office who need replacing, win over who we can, and eliminate those we can''t in order to prevent future troubles." "Once we''ve made irreversible changes and turned the Yongzhou County Office into a fortress, even if Bai Mu reports us to the court, the Ji Family won''t be able to touch us. Any Prefectural Governor they send, we''ll sideline." "Yes, that''s how it should be." After some small talk with the others, Zhou Xu turned to Zhou Xintong and said, "Let''s go." Zhou Xintong followed obediently behind Zhou Xu and was the first to leave. Dong Pengfei followed closely. As he passed by Huangfu Chuan, he gave a meaningful glance, his eyes carrying a hint of displeasure. After a while, the others in the hall gradually left as well. The previously bustling hall quickly became desolately quiet. Huangfu Chuan sighed and said, "Let''s go out too." Shen Qing remained silent. sea??h th§× n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The situation in Yongzhou had become somewhat delicate, and as an outsider, he knew little about the movements of these influential figures, feeling waves of unease. So, he silently spread his Divine Sense over the entire county government, observing everyone''s words and actions. In the courtyard of the county government, Dong Pengfei quickened his pace slightly, walking alongside Zhou Xu, and said, "That old lightweight Huangfu Chuan, his attitude remains ambivalent, betting on both sides between us and the county office, utterly clueless." The Zhou Family Patriarch Zhou Xu glanced at Dong Pengfei and said, "The Huangfu family did enjoy prosperity in the past, almost becoming a prominent family. Now, their reluctance to sever ties with the Great Zhou Court is understandable. As long as he maintains neutrality, it might not be a bad thing for us." "Is your opinion of them influenced by what happened to your son?" Dong Pengfei did not respond. Zhou Xu understood and cracked his fingers, saying, "I remember you have... nevermind, you have so many sons, it''s just one concubine''s son who died, why take it so hard?" Dong Pengfei snorted coldly, "It''s easy for you to talk. Let''s see how indifferent you''ll remain if your son dies, like Bai Mu." "Haha." Zhou Xu glanced at Zhou Xintong behind him, feeling proud. "Don''t worry, my son won''t be as useless as yours, causing trouble for the family even after death." "You..." Dong Pengfei was fuming. Zhou Xu chuckled and said, "Just bear with it for now. Once we are firmly established, dealing with a mere Chief Officer like him will be a piece of cake, no need to complicate matters at this point." Dong Pengfei snorted through his nose, showing some dissatisfaction. Trailing behind them, Zhou Xintong chuckled, "Uncle Dong, if you don''t mind, why not leave this matter to me? I''ll take revenge for you." Dong Pengfei gave him a sidelong glance and said, "No need for you, young one, to meddle." With that, he quickened his pace, overtook Zhou Xu, and without looking back, said, "Don''t forget to inform us in advance when you make your move so we can be prepared." Watching Dong Pengfei''s retreating figure, Zhou Xintong scornfully mumbled, "Really thinks he''s something." "Don''t cause any more trouble these days. Instead, consult with your sister-in-law about cultivation, which will help with refining the Rou Ke Ying Pill," Zhou Xu instructed. "You know how you managed to win Bai Anlong today." "I understand, Father." Meanwhile, Shen Qing''s expression grew heavier. Thanks to his Divine Sense, he had heard every word of Dong Pengfei and the others. Due to a matter involving Dong Jing, Dong Pengfei had suffered losses at both his and the Shen Family''s hands, effectively forming a grudge. At first, he thought of following Huang Furo''s advice and keeping a low profile. He planned to let things settle down before seeking a peaceful resolution. But it seemed like the wind wouldn''t stop blowing against the tree. The other side clearly had no intention of letting him go. With a feud established between him and the Dong Family, he had no choice but to strike first, wary of being caught off guard, and eliminate any potential future conflicts. Shen Qing quietly made up his mind. Following behind the Huangfu father and daughter, Huang Furo, unaware of Shen Qing''s thoughts, turned back and advised, "You see how volatile the situation is in Yongzhou now. It''s best to keep a low profile for the time being, to avoid becoming a target, a warning to others." "If you really can''t avoid them, invoke my Huangfu family''s name, and they likely won''t trouble you." "Thank you, Lord Huangfu, for your care." Shen Qing clasped his hands in gratitude and said, "I''ll take my leave." Huang Furo nodded and watched Shen Qing depart. "Do you think this subordinate of yours has great potential?" Huangfu Chuan cast a curious glance at his daughter, saying, "He looks quite ordinary to me, nothing special." Huang Furo replied calmly, "Father, I just think that for someone so young and of humble origins to reach his current position, it''s somewhat remarkable. It would be a shame for someone like him to get lost in these sordid conflicts." "Indeed." Huangfu Chuan sighed, "If your grandfather hadn''t been... well, never mind that. Let''s head back." ... Shen Qing was oblivious to the evaluation by the Huangfu father and daughter. After hastening back home from the county government office without delay, he took down the Heavy Bow and Arrow Quiver hanging on the wall. He donned plain commoner clothing, ripped off a piece of black cloth from the clothes, and covered his face with it. Taking a deep breath, he infused his body with Spiritual Energy, subtly unleashing the Da Xu Technique. His silhouette transformed into shadowy figures flitting through the alleyways like a ghost, even more elusive. Shen Qing swiftly moved toward Dong Pengfei''s carriage, his Divine Sense spreading like an invisible net. Soon, he detected Dong Pengfei''s whereabouts. With a sharp glance, Shen Qing surveyed the area and leapt to a high vantage point. He stood stably, drew an arrow, and nocked it on the bowstring with his fingers resting lightly. The Heavenly Bow Technique was employed to its fullest extent. An aura of red-gold light enveloped the arrow, vibrating steadily. Until: "Whoosh!" With a low yet resolute twang of the bowstring, the arrow shot forth, carrying the fierce intent to kill and an unstoppable majesty, spanning thousands of miles to reach Dong Pengfei. The arrow, as fast as lightning, hit its mark without fail, piercing through the carriage neatly. Boom! The Heaven''s power carried by the arrow erupted, shattering the carriage into pieces that rained down like fallen debris from the sky. Dong Pengfei clutched his chest wound and took to the air with a furious shout of, "Who?!" Shen Qing didn''t stop there; his form continued advancing, executing the Continuous Arrow Technique, loosing arrow after arrow toward Dong Pengfei in a relentless torrent akin to a rainstorm. The unending arrow barrage, each arrow brimming with monstrous might, equivalent to a full-force strike of the Yu Luo Realm, battered Dong Pengfei relentlessly, causing him to shudder in pain. Even though Dong Pengfei, using all his cultivation might, tried to fend off the assault, it proved challenging. Everything within the vicinity¡ªthe servants, horses, and all tangible objects¡ªwas utterly obliterated by the arrows'' power, leaving only bloodstains on the ground. Overwhelmed and fearful, Dong Pengfei was in shock. Soon, Shen Qing expended all his arrows. Under the relentless arrow barrage, Dong Pengfei''s form wavered unstably. Noticing the cessation of arrows, he rejoiced internally and desperately prepared to escape at all costs. Just then, a booming voice thundered, "Die!" Boom! A Sky Flipping Seal forged of red-gold descended from the sky, striking his forehead. With a muffled thud, Dong Pengfei''s entire Spiritual Power collapsed under the force, his brain burst, spilling his entrails. Shen Qing approached and quickly wiped the ground before making a series of swift movements. Midway, he sprinted towards the county government office, ducking into a chaotic alley, where he changed clothes, burned them with a small fire, and tossed them in an abandoned well. Resuming his original attire, he emerged back onto the street, unhurriedly heading back home. Chapter 101 Undercurrents Surge, Responding to Endless Changes with the Unchanging ```When Shen Qing returned home and shut the door, he no longer maintained the calmness he had shown earlier. His expression immediately turned much more serious. From today''s gathering, he had already seen that the powerful families of Yongzhou and the Prefectural Governor were as incompatible as fire and water, teetering on the edge of collapse. However, considering the court''s influence, these people''s actions had not yet turned too ugly and had yet to reach a point of no return. Recently, he had noticed frequent personnel changes within the county office, with many high-ranking officials trying to extend their influence into his Guardian Martial Department. But he had managed to block them. Thus, the Thirteen Lines probably did not have a favorable attitude towards him. Although he had taken preemptive action by killing Dong Pengfei, it did not mean that the current danger was eliminated; it merely removed a hidden threat in advance. Dong Pengfei had formed a deadly feud with him, and it was just a matter of time before things escalated. The fundamental problem had not been resolved. Furthermore, over the years in Yongzhou, his repeated actions had shown that he was skilled with arrows, earning him some reputation. Even if he were cautious today, it wouldn''t remain hidden for long. The Dong Family also had an Innate Ancestor overseeing them, making their overall strength not weak. If the Dong Family Ancestor took action, Shen Qing feared he would find it difficult to resist. Yet, he did not panic; instead, he became even more composed. Shen Qing sat on a chair, lost in thought. After a long time, he slowly formed some conclusions in his mind. In his view, the current situation had not yet reached a point of deep crisis; it was merely a power struggle between both sides. With the court backing him, the Dong Family would not act rashly unless they wanted to become rebels. As the saying went, with the Ji Family Court as a backing, there was no need to fear those Jianghu scoundrels. Yet, to be safe, he quickly summoned his subordinates and secretly moved his uncle, aunt, and elder sister outside the city, planning to adapt to changes without doing anything rash. ... At the Dong Residence. Dressed in fine clothing, the servants began attending to the masters'' living arrangements, bustling around busily. In the study, the Dong Family''s eldest son, Dong Yunlai, sat upright on a carved wooden chair, his posture as straight as a pine tree. On the table was an ancient Dan Vase, emitting a faint medicinal aroma. Dong Yunlai gently opened the Dan Vase, pinched a bead-like Elixir between his fingers, and swallowed it to temper his body. Just then, a servant tumbled into the study. Dong Yunlai''s cultivation was abruptly interrupted. He was furious and slapped the servant. A gust of wind whistled. The servant who had rushed in screamed and flew sideways, crashing heavily against the wall and collapsing like a pile of mud. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth, and he was disoriented. After a moment, as if recalling something, he hurriedly crawled forward and painfully said, "Thank you, young master, for your slap!" "Speak, what''s the matter?" Dong Yunlai asked sternly. The servant, pale-faced and flustered, stammered, "Something terrible happened; the master... the master was killed!" "What!" Upon hearing this, Dong Yunlai nearly fell to the ground, losing his composure. He thought he had misheard and incredulously asked, "What, say that again?" "The master, he... he died!" Boom! Instantly, Dong Yunlai felt as though struck by lightning, turning ashen-faced. "No, go quickly find the uncles, I must see the Ancestor!" For a moment, all his previous composure was gone, and he became at a loss. "Yes." The servant, covering his face, dared not express any complaints and struggled to get up, rushing to find others. In the rear courtyard of the Dong Residence, there was a quiet house. Inside, an elderly man, with hair as white as snow, sat cross-legged on a cushion, his aura completely integrated with the surroundings. Without someone seeing him face to face, it would be hard to detect his existence. Tap, tap, tap. A few sharp knocks sounded at the door. "Ancestor, something happened!" Upon hearing the male voice at the door, the Dong Family Ancestor slowly opened his eyes, "What happened?!" "The Family Head is dead!" For the first time, a ripple of change appeared on the previously calm face of the Dong Family Ancestor, a flash of sharp light in his eyes. The originally closed door suddenly swung open. "Come in and speak!" Dong Yunlai and the others standing at the door, their expressions serious, quickly nodded and responded. Among them, a middle-aged man with a square face said seriously, "Ancestor, news just came from the servant below, Pengfei was killed in the city!" The Dong Family Ancestor remained silent for a moment and asked, "Who did it?" "The assailant was masked, making it hard to identify, but from his arrow techniques, it''s very likely to be Chief Officer Shen Qing of the Guardian Martial Department!" "The Chief Officer of the Guardian Martial Department? Meaning someone on the Prefectural Governor''s side?" "Yes!" The Dong Family''s eldest son, Dong Yunlai, said anxiously, "Ancestor, what should we do?" The Dong Family Ancestor gave him a glance and said calmly, "Seal the news and eliminate anyone who knows about this in secret!" "Ah?" Those standing at the door were bewildered. They couldn''t understand the Ancestor''s intentions and thought they had misheard. Dong Yunlai, agitated, said, "Ancestor, my father was killed by someone from the government office." "So what do you think should be done?" The Dong Family Ancestor, eyes half-closed, asked indifferently. Dong Yunlai said without hesitation, "Of course, kill that Chief Officer of the Guardian Martial Department to avenge him!" "And then?" "Then?" Dong Yunlai hesitated slightly. "You kill a registered court official, and the Prefectural Governor files a memorial in anger. Our Dong Family is seen as rebels by the Ji Family Court and is attacked by the court, allowing other high-ranking families to benefit?" An invisible pressure emanated from his body, making everyone present feel a tremendous weight. The Dong Family Ancestor opened his eyes, staring at Dong Yunlai, and asked, "So, what is your plan, to ruin the Dong Family''s scheme at this critical juncture?" "I... I..." Dong Yunlai''s throat went dry, unsure of what to say. The Dong Family Ancestor withdrew his gaze, closed his eyes again slowly, and said, "Lack of patience disrupts major plans. For now, the family affairs are temporarily entrusted to Xiuzheng until we pass this hurdle. Rest assured, that Chief Officer won''t last long." "Yes." Everyone responded in unison. "Is there anything else?" "No, Ancestor." "Then don''t disturb my cultivation." Sear?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Yes." The Dong Family members dared not linger, quietly leaving the room one after another. The large room became empty again, returning to its tranquility. Meanwhile, at the county government. Prefectural Governor Bai Mu glared angrily at the unconscious Bai Anlong. "Damn it, those old crooks have gone too far! Do they really think I''m made of mud?" Prefectural Governor Bai Mu summoned a servant and said, "Go, call the Lord Commander, I have important matters to discuss." The servant hurried away with the order. After a while, the servant returned and reported, "My lord, the Lord Commander said he is feeling unwell and is currently unable to come." The Prefectural Governor''s face grew despondent, losing its spark. "Damn it, that bastard wants to protect himself!" As the Commander of the troops, he controlled nearly ten thousand soldiers in Yongzhou, possessing absolute military power. Normally, he, as Prefectural Governor, had the authority to dispatch troops. But right now, with the Great Zhou Country under attack by the Yellow Heaven rebels, all regional Commanders were appointed by the court and not directly affiliated with the Prefectural Governor. They had the right to refuse to dispatch troops. Even if he were foolish, he''d know that "feeling unwell" was just an excuse. "No, I can''t sit idly by, must petition the Emperor. Yongzhou has demon rebels causing chaos, beseeching Heavenly Soldiers to clear out the evil!" ``` Chapter 102 The Storm is Coming, Shen Qing is Truly a Monster Just as Shen Qing tensed his nerves and prepared for action, seven or eight days passed in the blink of an eye.During these days, Dong Pengfei''s death became eerily silent, with not a whisper of it leaking out, as if he had vanished from the world without a trace. In light of this situation, Shen Qing felt neither joy nor relief. On the contrary, he was rather unsettled. The absence of problems was the biggest problem! As one of the Yongzhou Thirteen Lines, the Dong Family had been entrenched in Yongzhou for over a century, with considerable strength among many businesses. Was it conceivable for the Dong Family not to react after their patriarch was slain in the street? Completely impossible. Shen Qing did not think his methods were particularly clever. For the Dong Family, locating the murderer and tracing it back to him would not be difficult. Therefore, after killing Dong Pengfei, he deliberately left trails, circling back to the county government, primarily to mislead them into thinking he was directed by the Prefectural Governor, thereby muddying the waters. Now it seemed the Dong Family was uninterested in such things. This indirectly suggested that their ambitions were significant. Shen Qing instantly had a premonition of an impending storm. In the future, it seemed likely that a dozen or more Yongzhou nobles would target the Prefectural Governor. When that day came, he obviously would not be in the same camp as these people. The Dong Family would probably settle new and old scores at once, and they certainly would not spare him. Shen Qing let out a cold breath, as if a boulder was lodged in his heart, suspended in mid-air, unable to be put down. At that moment, he felt a greater thirst for strength. If he had sufficiently strong power, he could instill fear in these people. Or, if by force, he could eliminate them physically, then these problems would cease to exist. At the end of the day, he was not strong enough. He had to seize the time to train further. S§×arch* The ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ... Deep within the Zhou Mansion, a secluded and elegant courtyard lay concealed. Within the courtyard, flowers bloomed in profusion, vibrant and competing for glory, without a hint of early autumn''s desolation. Amidst the flowerbed, a woman in a luxurious robe with a charming and captivating visage strolled leisurely, cuddling a sleek, glossy cat in her arms, a slight smile playing at her lips. The fifth young Master Zhou Xintong followed silently behind her. "Sister-in-law, the elixir you gave me, it''s truly miraculous!" Zhou Xintong''s voice carried excitement as he quickened his pace to walk beside her: "After taking it, I felt my spiritual power surge within, and my cultivation advanced rapidly in just a few days. This kind of wonder is unheard of! The prefect''s son even fell at my hands, all thanks to you." The enchanting woman chuckled softly: "As long as Master Zhou likes it, this elixir is extraordinary, yet it still requires your diligent cultivation. On the path of cultivation, one must avoid seeking quick success and instant gratification." Zhou Xintong replied respectfully, "Thank you for the reminder, sister-in-law. I will remember that." "Has anything interesting happened outside lately?" the charming woman inquired as they walked. "Indeed, there has been," Zhou Xintong replied with feigned mystery. "Oh, what is it?" "The Family Head of the Dong Family, Dong Pengfei, might be dead." "That''s significant. Now that the Dong Family is without a leader, aren''t you planning to take a bite out of them?" "This is just our speculation. These days when my father visited the Dong Family, it was his third brother Dong Xiu handling the receptions, with no sight of Dong Pengfei. The rumors in the streets say he was killed. But the Dong Family remains tight-lipped and denies it, so we are unsure and dare not act rashly. But certainly, there is turmoil within the Dong Family." "Interesting, Yongzhou is becoming livelier," the charming woman nodded, smiling slightly. Beside her, Zhou Xintong''s heart surged with emotion as he gazed upon her in a daze. Fortunately, his mind was resilient, and he quickly disentangled himself from his thoughts, hurriedly saying, "Sister-in-law, you may be busy now. I will visit another day when free." With that, he deeply saluted the enchanting woman and left the courtyard. Outside the courtyard, Zhou Jishan stood with his hands folded across his chest, waiting respectfully. Seeing Zhou Xintong walk out, he silently followed. As he watched their figures gradually vanish in the distance, the cat in the charming woman''s arms immediately tensed, spitting human words: "Why did you give the Blood Pill to him, Goddess? It was painstakingly condensed from several martial masters'' Qi-Blood." The tone carried a hint of complaint. "Vegetables in the field need watering; that''s how the flavor improves. A single crop isn''t good enough, so I gave it some fertilizer. Don''t you find it fascinating when people consume each other? Obtain power at a price." The cat in the enchanting woman''s embrace displayed a human-like bewilderment. "You wouldn''t understand even if I explained it, now go train yourself," the woman said as she pinched the cat''s neck and tossed it aside. The cat landed lightly and, without a word, slipped into the blooming plants. Zhou Xintong wandered aimlessly after stepping out of the courtyard, his demeanor carefree. Following him, Zhou Jishan suddenly spoke up: "Fifth young master, I''ve recently found out about something; I''m unsure if I should tell you?" "Cousin, do say," Zhou Xintong replied, in high spirits, sounding much friendlier. "I''ve heard rumors that the one who killed Dong Pengfei is the Chief Officer of Weiwu Division." Zhou Xintong made a light ''eh'' sound, looking surprised. If he recalled correctly, did this person not just kill Dong Pengfei''s son? And now, he had killed Dong Pengfei, reuniting father and son? Such a disposition... Zhou Xintong found himself at a loss for words. After thinking for a moment, he said, "Seems like the Prefectural Governor took action. Does my father know about this?" "Master likely knows." "That''s alright, let them fight among themselves." Zhou Jishan glanced at Zhou Xintong, lowered his voice, and said, "Master, doesn''t the name Shen Qing sound familiar to you?" Zhou Xintong frowned and fell into thought upon hearing this. "Taiping County, your old servant!" Zhou Jishan reminded. Zhou Xintong abruptly halted, his gaze fixed sharply on Zhou Jishan, recalling in a flash. "Is the Shen Qing from the Guardian Martial Department, him?!" "I investigated, and it''s undoubtedly him." Upon hearing this, Zhou Xintong''s eyes widened, and his pupils constricted, He slowly said, "If I''m not mistaken, he was an ordinary hunter who only trained for a while at the county''s Martial Arts Hall, right? That means in just over a year or two, he went from being a commoner to successively advancing and became a martial artist in the Yu Luo Realm. Not only that, but he also became the Chief Officer of Weiwu Division, now on par with my status?" "Yes," Zhou Jishan confirmed. Inside, Zhou Xintong felt waves of astonishment crashing, unable to settle. Could such a monstrous talent truly exist? Compared to him, the few achievements he made seemed like child''s play in comparison. Moreover, not just him, when Zhou Jishan confirmed this information, he too felt it was unrealistic, as if in a dream. Yet, faced with the irrefutable facts, they had to admit it. Shen Qing was truly a prodigy. Utterly terrifying. "You tell me this now; what are you trying to indicate?" Zhou Xintong''s tone began to turn cold. Zhou Jishan expressed his indignation: "Two from the Zhou Family have already fallen to this person, including the old servant who served you for years. I can''t swallow this grievance. I hope the young master doesn''t let him go, lest he grows stronger and it''s too late. This person is surely not benevolent to us." Chapter 103 Condensing Dan Ying, Breaking Through to Dan Realm "You make a good point," Zhou Xintong pondered before he spoke.Zhou Jishan was delighted to hear this. In his heart, he wished Zhou Xintong would immediately leap out, engaging in a life-and-death struggle with Shen Qing. Now that the Yongzhou County Office was in turmoil, as long as Zhou Xintong chose to make a move, he would definitely become the target of public criticism, and his end would be predictable. After all, a skinny camel is still bigger than a horse. Huang Furo and Jia Zhiping might find it difficult to deal with the Family Head, but dealing with someone like Zhou Xintong was more than manageable. The Zhou Family of Taiping County had their wealth swallowed, and the death of his brother... he hadn''t forgotten all these things. If he could use this opportunity to eradicate Zhou Xintong, it would also comfort the spirit of his brother in heaven, making his and his father''s submission and forbearance worth it. Just as Zhou Jishan was plotting in his heart, Zhou Xintong continued, "But Father doesn''t allow me to stir up trouble right now. I can''t defy his orders." Zhou Jishan was taken aback and said, "Are we just going to let this matter be? That guy Shen has repeatedly humiliated our Zhou Family, clearly not taking us seriously." "Let it be? Since when is our Zhou Family so tolerant?" Zhou Xintong said leisurely, "Rest assured, I will take action. I have already broken through to the Dan Realm, and my cultivation will continue to advance. How can someone like Shen be my opponent?" "Is the Chief Officer of the Yu Luo Realm formidable? In my eyes, he''s already a dead man." Zhou Xintong couldn''t help but think of the Blood Pill his sister-in-law had given him, which was even fiercer than the Wish Power Pearl, making it probably the best supplement in the world. How could Shen Qing possibly compare to him? Zhou Xintong couldn''t help but lick his lips, suddenly feeling a slight itch in his gums and a craving for meat. He didn''t think much of it, assuming it was just a hallucination. Zhou Jishan, observing this, was somewhat frustrated, but ultimately suppressed it, not daring to show it and instead complimented Zhou Xintong obsequiously, "Master, you are wise." Meanwhile, Bai Mu''s report reached the Capital with a fast horse. ... After sending off his uncle, aunt, and elder sister Shen Fang, Shen Qing considered the current situation and dedicated all his mind and heart to cultivation. During this time, with the aid of the Wish Power Pearl and various elixirs, his cultivation progressed rapidly. S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He made significant progress in the Sky Flipping Seal, Heavenly Bow Technique, and Six Path Whale Swallowing Technique, and even the challenging Great Void Shifting Technique showed some progress. It was deep into the night, and stars dotted the sky. Shen Qing stood quietly in the courtyard, surrounded by a gentle halo of faint crimson-gold spiritual light. He closed his eyes and focused his mind, continually operating the now perfected Six Path Whale Swallowing Technique, advancing his cultivation skillfully. Suddenly feeling a sensation, he opened his eyes and quickly summoned the Water Ink Panel. In his vision, lines of text emerged, exuding an ink-like aura. [Skill: Six Path Whale Swallowing Technique (Small Success)] [Progress: 2001/2000 points] [Status: Breakthrough achievable] [Note: Constant chiseling breaks the wood, water droplets pierce the stone. Under your sustained cultivation, the Six Path Whale Swallowing Technique has finally undergone a qualitative change. This breakthrough can awaken the ''Moluo''s Body,'' increasing spiritual power recovery speed by 30%, enhancing the recovery rate of blood and flesh intensity by 10%, and providing benefits for cultivation breakthroughs.] "Moluo''s Body?" It was the first time Shen Qing had heard of such a term, and he looked puzzled. But upon seeing the explanation, he could no longer contain his excitement. Currently, the Six Path Whale Swallowing Technique already provided remarkable recovery for cultivation. If it increased by another 30%, his spiritual power recovery would be astonishingly fast. The Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill would be used without any side effects. What was there to hesitate about? Breakthrough, breakthrough! He focused his mind on the Water Ink Panel. Buzz. Shen Qing felt a brief dazzle before his eyes. The information on the Water Ink Panel refreshed. [Skill: Six Path Whale Swallowing Technique (the level of mastery)] [Progress: 2001/3000 points] [Status: Breakthrough unavailable] [Note: With this breakthrough, you successfully awakened ''Moluo''s Body.'' Spiritual power recovery speed has increased by 30%, and the recovery rate of blood and flesh intensity has increased by 10%.] Shen Qing felt great joy. At that moment, he suddenly thought of something and hastily restrained his exuberance, maintaining his focus. The next moment, a massive stream of memories surged into his mind, impacting his spirit. Fortunately, with his now powerful divine thought, such memory impact no longer posed any substantial negative effect on him. Soon, Shen Qing fully digested the entire memory stream. In the memories, he seemed to become a devoted monk, wholly absorbed in the Six Path Whale Swallowing Technique. He cultivated it for decades, thoroughly understanding this technique and gaining new insights. The spells'' operation route within his body became incredibly skillful. Shen Qing realized that the timing was ripe for a breakthrough in cultivation. Without further hesitation, he activated the technique. As the spell circulated, it was as if rivers and seas surged within Shen Qing''s body and his Spirit Sea roiled. At this moment, the previously disparate and chaotic spiritual power seemed to be gathered by an invisible hand, forming a torrential stream that charged deep into his Qi Sea. The liquid state of Qi in the Qi Sea started to gradually coagulate. At that moment, Shen Qing found that all the spiritual power in his body had been exhausted, yet it was still not enough. His Qi Sea shook violently, and the Six Path Whale Swallowing Technique was pushed to its limits. Suddenly, with every breath, he drew in the spiritual energy of the world, like an old whale in the abyss opening its gigantic mouth, greedily yet orderly devouring all the reachable spiritual energy, leaving nowhere untouched. Shen Qing felt as though a massive force was assailing him, compressing him to the point of crushing every inch of flesh and blood in his body into pieces. Large beads of sweat dripped from his forehead, trickling down his chin to the ground. Shen Qing held his mind steady, enduring the changes. Time passed little by little until the spiritual energy of the world was swallowed to an extreme. Shen Qing heard a solidifying sound from his Qi Sea, reminiscent of ice forming on the water''s surface. He hurriedly entered a meditative state for internal viewing. The Qi Sea''s location had already dried up, with all the spiritual energy coalesced into the form of an infant, its hands forming seals, wearing garments of stars. It stood with closed eyes, surrounded by a faint crimson-gold light, exuding a majestic aura that transcended the mundane, embodying absolute sovereignty. "Dan Ying, this is Dan Ying! I have successfully broken through to the Dan Realm!" Shen Qing screamed inwardly. As the "Dan Ying" gradually took shape, the entire courtyard seemed affected by this newly born power; surrounding plants swayed gently, showing incredible growth, and even weeds sprouted from the cracks in the bricks on the ground. Shen Qing showed an expression of amazement. After the Yu Luo Realm, forming a "Dan Ying" symbolized entry into the Dan Realm. Every martial master''s "Dan Ying" was unique, reflecting their distinctive bone structure and circumstances. His "Dan Ying," with sealed hands and domineering eyes, was extraordinary. Shen Qing formed seals with his hands and cast the Sky Flipping Seal. Visible to the naked eye, the "Dan Ying" within gleamed with a tremor, releasing a rush of powerful spiritual energy without any obstruction. A Sky Flipping Seal condensed instantaneously before him. Shen Qing showed a slight flash of surprise. Chapter 104 The Death of the Prefectural Governor, The Beginning of Chaos ```Looking at the emerging Sky Flipping Seal, which shone with a golden-red light, slowly rotating in the void. It was ancient and majestic, full of awe. Shen Qing found that after he broke through to the Dan Realm, the speed at which he executed the Sky Flipping Seal far exceeded his expectations. Meanwhile, when he used this move, it consumed only about one-tenth of his Spiritual Power, a world of difference from before. Had the Spiritual Power consumption of the Sky Flipping Seal decreased? No, it hadn''t. The Spiritual Power consumption of this Martial Arts had not decreased, but rather his overall Spiritual Power capacity had increased, ten times larger than before. In this situation, if he added the Spiritual Power bonus from the Six Path Whale Swallowing Technique, the Sky Flipping Seal was no longer any burden to him. Shen Qing couldn''t help but clench his fists, feeling much more at ease. With such strong martial power, he had greater confidence to face any future changes. "Although my realm is not comparable to those high-ranking Innate old folks, if I were to fight to the death, I could still have a slim chance of survival, not completely without hope." Shen Qing smiled a bit, feeling a weight lifted from his heart, allowing him to take a deep breath. He turned to look around, letting out a heavy sigh, then smiled as he turned back into the house, lying on the long-missed bed, letting go of all his distracting thoughts, and fell into a deep sleep. Even if he didn''t sleep or rest now, it would not cause any problems, as his spirit was still full. S§×arch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Therefore, these days, he had been cultivating day and night, without truly lying on the bed to rest. Now that he had broken through, he no longer wished to live like this; he wanted to once again enjoy the tranquility of deep sleep, as he had in the past. That night, he slept soundly without any disturbances. More than ten days passed, and everything in Yongzhou was as usual, without any sudden incidents, even the demons that often troubled the surroundings had disappeared. It was truly amazing. However, compared to other people''s optimism, Shen Qing felt that danger was lurking all around, unsure when it might suddenly erupt. In the back hall of the Guardian Martial Department Office, Shen Qing instructed his subordinates Tian Xiaohu, Ji Youwu, Chen Guang, and others with great care. "I don''t care about others'' mindsets, but I forbid any relaxation from you. In the coming period, you must not only patrol strictly but also practice diligently to prepare for the future." Tian Xiaohu and others did not understand why Shen Qing was so serious. Out of natural trust in him, they all agreed one by one. Especially after hearing Tian Xiaohu''s occasional talk about the various experiences of the Chief Officer, they were even more cautious and dared not neglect anything. Just then, a Chang Sui came in from outside, respectfully reporting: "Lord Chief Officer, Lord Huang Furo from the General of the Military Department is here, saying there is something urgent to see you." Huang Furo was here? Shen Qing glanced at Tian Xiaohu and the others. The latter understood. "Lord, your subordinates will withdraw first." After saying that, Tian Xiaohu and the others left the back hall one after another. After all had left, Shen Qing tidied his clothing and personally walked to the door. Upon seeing Huang Furo''s graceful figure, he bowed and invited her in: "Lord Huangfu, what brings you here today? Is there something important? Please, come inside." At this moment, Huang Furo stood tall, her eyebrows exuding a natural aura of might. She turned her head to meet Shen Qing''s gaze, a hint of unusual emotion flashing in her eyes. "Did you really reject all the recommended people from the high-ranking families of Yongzhou?" As she stepped forward, Huang Furo asked softly. Upon hearing this, Shen Qing slightly collected his expression and, after a pause, said, "Yes, it''s true." Huang Furo stood tall, entered the room, turned to glance at Shen Qing, and sighed: "In these troubled times, doing so might put you in a predicament." "What you said is true, Lord. This move of mine may indeed put me in a difficult situation, but inviting trouble is easy. If I open this door now, letting these people in is easy, but getting them out later is hard." Shen Qing earnestly expressed his thoughts and continued, "In time, these people would listen only to their clans, running for the benefit of their families. How can I remain independent and avoid being despised?" "In my view, some things become valuable because of the insistence on bottom lines and maintaining one''s nature. Compromise without limits is no different from drinking poison to quench thirst." Shen Qing''s words resonated powerfully, and the air in the room seemed to condense because of them. Just when he expected Huang Furo to lecture him at length, she instead slightly raised her lips in appreciation, acknowledging his viewpoint: "You are quite right, some things are precious because of persistence." "Lord, you are¡­" Huang Furo said, "I don''t like those people either, but unfortunately, unlike you, I am helpless in the Jianghu¡­" Just as she spoke, they both suddenly felt a violent tremor in the ground, rippling like waves beneath their feet. Huang Furo and Shen Qing, caught off guard, shifted slightly, taking a few steps. They looked up at each other and detected a hint of astonishment in each other''s eyes. "What''s going on?" "Let''s go, quickly check it out." Shen Qing and Huang Furo rushed out from the back hall, looking toward the source of the disturbance in the distance. "That direction¡­ it''s the county government!" Shen Qing blurted out. He quickly called to his officers, commanding: "Hurry, go investigate what''s happening!" The officers hadn''t yet responded when a thunderous explosion rolled in. Along with this thunderous sound came a vigorous old man''s voice: "Bold demon, how dare you assault the county government and kill the Prefectural Governor? Prepare to die!" An alluring voice retorted defiantly: "Come and try to take me down if you can, ha ha ha¡­" "Kill!" In the distance, above the county government, beneath the majestic sky, two figures suddenly appeared. An old martial master, and a Female Demon. With a great shout, the Innate Realm old martial master burned with a fiery battle intent, swung his fist, enveloping an overwhelming force that tore through the void, leaving rips in its wake. The Female Demon was not to be outdone. Boom! The two figures crossed paths like meteors, erupting in a deafening, earth-shattering sound. The dazzling radiance engulfed the two, collapsing the buildings beneath them, which couldn''t withstand the force and rapidly disintegrated, flying outward, rolling, and shifting. The strong gale swept with sand and dust, swirling in all directions. Even Shen Qing couldn''t help but close his eyes, using only his Divine Sense to observe everything in the distance. "Old fool, take your time playing." As the two forces clashed intensely, the woman suddenly withdrew her sharpness, using the immense reactive force to expand her form, transforming into an elusive Rainbow Light phantom, effortlessly weaving through the dense killing intent, leaving a series of dizzying afterimages as she retreated far away. Seeing this, the man''s expression changed drastically, burning with rage. "Where do you think you''re going!" He roared skyward, his voice shaking the land, his aura instantly surging. Following this roar, he charged like a fierce tiger descending the mountain, pursuing recklessly. With every step the old martial master took, thunderous booming accompanied him. Even the clouds above fragmented under the force of this powerful aura. Witnessing this scene, Shen Qing felt a chill run through him. This was no coincidence. The enemy had begun their move; the chaos in Yongzhou had started! ``` Chapter 105 Collusion, A Dance of a Group of Demons ```Shen Qing and the others didn''t have to wait long before an officer, covered in dust, hurriedly rushed in and said, "Lord Shen." Shen Qing asked in a deep voice, "Speak, what''s the situation?" "Lord Chief Officer, the entire family of the Prefectural Governor has been devoured by demons!" The officer took a breath and continued, "Just now, we don''t know when a Great Demon snuck into the county government. The demon''s power was overwhelming, and the Prefectural Governor''s family couldn''t resist at all. Now there are no remains left." At these words, a dead silence instantly fell all around, with only the occasional sound of wind whistling in the courtyard. Shen Qing''s gaze sharpened. Not long ago, the Prefectural Governor had sustained serious injuries in a fierce fight with a Snake Demon and had been in seclusion to heal. On that day, Shen Qing saw clearly that although the Prefectural Governor emerged from seclusion, he was far from fully recovered, and his power was greatly diminished. Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The demon that appeared now was feared to be comparable to the Snake Demon, and with the Prefectural Governor Bai Mu''s current state, he simply couldn''t resist. With the Prefectural Governor''s death, their county office lost a significant force. What was more troublesome was that the county office fell into a state of leaderlessness, and if anyone chose to exploit it, it would surely descend into chaos. Shen Qing clenched his fists, veins bulging, but soon he regained his composure. "Lord Huangfu, we must go to the county government immediately to see what''s really happening." Huang Furo raised her delicate eyebrows, her face gaining an uncommon seriousness, "Okay." Before her words even faded, the two of them shot up to the rooftop like arrows loosed from a bow, propelling their spiritual power to perform Qinggong. Huang Furo''s figure was graceful, like a dragon swimming out to sea, each step covering several yards. Shen Qing followed closely behind. Seeing this scene, Huang Furo, ahead, was slightly taken aback. It must be understood that when she deployed her Da Xu Technique, her speed was exceptionally fast. Before, Shen Qing had been utterly unable to keep up with her. Now, even as she exerted the Da Xu Technique to its utmost, Shen Qing wasn''t trailing far behind, which was a stark contrast to before. She took a closer look at Shen Qing, suddenly thinking of a possibility. "Shen Qing, I noticed your aura is robust and your spiritual power unified. Could it be..." Huang Furo asked with surprise in her voice as they moved. Shen Qing didn''t hide it and directly admitted, "Lord Huangfu, your insights are sharp. Recently, I had a chance encounter, successfully breaking through to the Dan Realm, greatly enhancing my cultivation." Huang Furo involuntarily paused, the shock in her eyes becoming even harder to conceal. What? How long had it been? If she remembered correctly, from the time he joined the Guardian Martial Department and became a dispatch officer, to now had been all of a year and a half. At that time, he was just a Junior Martial Master in the Qi Hai Realm. This meant that in this year and a half, he consecutively broke through two Great Realms. Huang Furo was rocked to her core at the realization. As a martial artist herself, she understood the enormity of this. For most people, it was feasible to quickly break through before the Qi Hai Realm by using court resources, but after reaching the Qi Hai Realm, each breakthrough was nigh impossible, dependent on more than just resources. Many people were stuck at a bottleneck for years, even decades, and this was normal. She''d never heard of anyone breaking through so quickly as Shen Qing had, let alone seen it happen. How on earth did he train to achieve such progress? Huang Furo could no longer articulate her astonishment. However, the matter at hand was urgent; it was no time for idle musings. She quickly composed herself and pressed forward. The county government was three blocks away from the Guardian Martial Department''s office. Usually, it would take over a quarter of an hour to get there, but in their current haste, they reached the vicinity of the county government in just a few breaths'' time. The once-majestic and imposing county government had been reduced to ruins. Soaring walls collapsed into jagged remnants, scattered all around, the main gate lost, leaving only the archway standing forlornly. Shen Qing and Huang Furo exchanged glances, both shocked and discolored by the sight. Suddenly, as if struck by the same thought, they exclaimed in unison, "It''s the Zhou Family!" "It must be them! We had already discovered that the Zhou Family was colluding with demons. For demons to show up so brazenly in the county town and swallow the Prefectural Governor under our noses, only they could achieve such a thing!" "They''re putting on an act!" Shen Qing hurriedly released his Divine Sense, spreading it out in all directions. ... In a nearby corner, A flash of white light burst forth, condensing into a cluster. The white brilliance dispersed like a watery curtain, revealing a captivating and beautiful figure. Shortly after, another radiance descended from the sky. After twirling in the void, it revealed the figure of an old martial artist. His beard and hair were white, yet he was full of spirit. The old martial artist stabilized his form, then stepped down through the void, approaching the seductive woman. The seductive woman smiled broadly, licking her lips, unable to suppress a belch. The old martial artist asked, "Jiuli, our promise of an Innate Martial Master has been fulfilled; now you should honor yours, right?" "Thank you, Elder Zhou, for your hospitality," the seductive woman gracefully curtsied, covering her mouth with a laugh, "Don''t worry, the matter you''re concerned about won''t run away. Today, I''ve already sensed that force getting closer; it won''t be long." "Good, in that case, as per the original plan, you can let your little minions out now." "Who should we deal with first?" "The Qian Family!" "Oh, why the Qian Family? Weren''t we agreed to deal with the county office first?" "The Qian Family has already declined to such an extent, what rank do they hold to sit at the same table as us? It''s time they gave up some space." The seductive woman laughed coquettishly, hiding her mouth, "You''re such a heartless old thing. Dismissing them because they''re no longer useful, intent on wiping them all out. Pretty ruthless, I like it. What about the other four Innates in the county office?" Elder Zhou, hands clasped behind his back, said, "The county office has been infiltrated by us for quite some time. With the Prefectural Governor dead, the rest who don''t comply will be handled by us. If you''re not afraid of trouble, I can invite you for a hearty meal again." "Sure. I never imagined that the flavor of an Innate Martial Master would be so delicious," the seductive woman said, licking her lips, "Let my little ones handle the Qian Family snack then!" She clapped her hands. "Meow!" A white cat leapt onto the roof, letting out a cry. "Let everyone out; it''s time to feast on the Qian Family." "Wonderful, Goddess, everyone''s been holding back for so many days," the white cat said in human speech, excitement evident. With that, it jumped down and disappeared from the rooftop. Suddenly, a Divine Thought swept over the two. The naturally intuitive seductive woman frowned and said, "I think we''ve been discovered!" Elder Zhou''s expression slightly changed, "Hmm?" "Speaking of which, that young girl from the Huangfu family seemed to have someone investigate me. Should I handle it for you?" the seductive woman said gleefully. Elder Zhou pondered for a moment and said, "Much obliged." "Just a couple of youngsters, a trifling matter," the seductive woman turned into a white light, returning in the direction of the county government. Standing at the gate of the county government, Shen Qing''s face changed dramatically, and he shouted, "Run quickly!" ``` Chapter 106 Slaying Demons and Evil, Kill Without Mercy! Huang Furo, standing nearby, hadn''t yet grasped the situation, but upon hearing Shen Qing''s shout, instinctively sidestepped and then exerted her utmost effort to execute the Da Xu Technique and swiftly dart away.In that delicate moment of escape, the sky suddenly split open with a fearsome rift, and a formidable force poured down from the void, emanating an unyielding aura of authority and destruction. Boom! A massive explosion echoed, akin to the primordial roar of the world''s creation, shattering everything around completely. The ground, seemingly unable to bear the immense pressure of this power, collapsed with a thunderous crash, forming a massive vortex-like crater, dust swirling, obscuring the sky and the sun. As the dust slowly settled, the alluring silhouette of a woman suddenly appeared atop the ruins. Her posture was graceful, her beauty mesmerizing, dressed in a shimmering, luxurious garment, stepping as if treading upon the stars with each delicate footfall. With a subtle smile that seemed almost teasing, she captivated anyone who glanced her way. "I didn''t expect you to be so clever!" Shen Qing and Huang Furo exchanged a glance, surprise flashing in their eyes. Standing before this woman, they felt as though they were lone boats adrift on a vast ocean, ready to capsize at any moment. "Split up!" "Okay." Huang Furo responded tersely yet forcefully. She expanded her posture, her spiritual power surging like tides, her robes fluttering with a sharp aura. Shen Qing did the same, taking a deep breath as his spiritual power surged through him like roaring rivers, enveloped by a faint golden glow. The two of them moved almost simultaneously, like meteors cutting through the night sky in opposite directions, moving at speeds nearly beyond the bounds of human perception, leaving only afterimages. "Smart trick." Behind the alluring woman, shadows flickered, and streams of light flowed out from her, gathering beside her. Soon, these streams of light slowly condensed into another woman identical to her. She crafted a double of herself. "Go!" The two figures each transformed into a beam of white light, chasing after them in separate directions. Shen Qing glanced back, his pupils shrinking, only to see a white light at the horizon approaching swiftly, emitting a dread-inducing energy wave. His expression turned solemn like still water; gritting his teeth, he activated "Dan Ying." Within him, the "Dan Ying" extended its arms, causing his internal spiritual power to flood out like a breached river, turbulent and overwhelming. Shen Qing swiftly formed a seal with his hands; instantly, brilliant light burst forth from his palms, coalescing into a formidable "Sky Flipping Seal." Runes swirled upon it, radiating dazzling brilliance. It was the ultimate power he honed with the Sky Flipping Seal. Still unsatisfied, Shen Qing pushed the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill to its limits, amplifying his strength tenfold. "Break for me!" Shen Qing growled lowly. With his command, the Sky Flipping Seal, imbued with ten times its usual terrifying power, collided fiercely with the alluring woman, accompanied by deafening thunder. In the mighty crash, the alluring woman''s lithe body trembled, staggered by the sudden impact, her footsteps faltering, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes. Shen Qing seized this precious opportunity decisively, his body agile as a leopard, transforming into a stream of light, speeding away, frantically activating the Da Xu Technique and Great Void Shifting Technique. sea??h th§× ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. With each step, he traversed seemingly vast distances instantly, widening the gap between himself and the alluring woman. The enchanting woman steadied herself, smiling as she said, "Interesting." As she intended to pursue, a violent energy fluctuation suddenly erupted from somewhere behind her, turning to look. It was the other Innate Martial Masters of the county office making their move. The alluring woman glanced at Shen Qing, then at the distance, pondered for a moment, and couldn''t help but lick her lips as she said, "Innate Martial Masters are a rare delicacy for me not to be missed." She turned and rapidly charged toward the Innate Martial Masters in the distance. Shen Qing had no time to ponder why the alluring woman abandoned the chase midway; he dashed headlong into the courtyard of the Guardian Martial Department office, his footsteps reverberating rapidly on the ground. Upon landing, he headed straight for the back hall study. Upon entering the room, Shen Qing quickly scanned his surroundings, finally locking his gaze on the heavy bow and dagger leaning against the wall. With a motion of his hands, the heavy bow, dagger, and arrows flew into his grasp. Noticing his commotion, several officers and guards hurried to the back hall door. Shen Qing turned to face the rapidly gathering subordinates and declared loudly, "Brothers, demons are rampant, and the people are in peril. Now is the time for us to step forward!" Tian Xiaohu was the first to step out, solemnly clasping his fists, "I vow to follow you to the death!" Shen Qing nodded, spoke solemnly, "Good, everyone follows me to exorcise demons!" "Yes!" With those words, Shen Qing charged out of the room first. The others hurriedly followed. Currently, Yongzhou City was in constant turmoil; even if they were foolish, they knew there was a significant upheaval. Yet, none of them hesitated. Most of these officers in the Guardian Martial Department were personally promoted by Shen Qing from the ground up, lacking any substantial background, but following Shen Qing''s orders without question. Seeing Shen Qing charging ahead, they rushed in unison without complaint. Once outside the Guardian Martial Department office, they saw the streets ablaze, screams echoing continuously. A child ran out of a house, crying and calling for his parents as he ran. Before the child got far, a gigantic white cat demon sprang from an alley, snatched the child in its maw, and began chewing. The child''s cries abruptly ceased. Crimson blood poured from the white cat''s fangs like a waterfall. Suddenly, accompanied by a deafening roar, a flash of cold light appeared. An arrow brimming with unparalleled killing intent descended from the sky, exuding a chilling aura. A flicker of fear passed through the cat demon''s eyes, its cunning pupils momentarily frozen, time seemingly halted under the arrow''s reflection. The fierce arrow, with lightning speed, pierced through obstacles, penetrating the cat demon''s heart. With a piercing wail, the demon''s massive body stiffened instantly, before collapsing with a forceful crash, stirring up clouds of dust, the demon energy dissipating into stillness. The officers and guards fresh from the Guardian Martial Department office, witnessing this scene, subconsciously clenched their fists, nails digging into their palms without feeling any pain. As they looked around, the city seemed overrun with demons. Shen Qing coldly declared, "Execute any demon encountered on the spot!" "Yes, sir!" Shen Qing charged forward into the main street, extending threads of Divine Sense in all directions. Every detail of the surroundings was vividly etched into his mind. A Dog Demon had its way with a woman in front of her husband; a Stone Demon crushed a man into pulp for amusement; other demons tore open a pregnant woman''s belly, devouring the unborn child... "Demons deserve no forgiveness!" Shen Qing''s face was ashen with fury. With a gesture of his hand, the arrows in his quiver were drawn up by an unseen force, slowly hovering in the air. He swiftly pulled out an arrow, poised it on the bowstring. The taut bowstring unleashed an indescribable aura from within. Between self-preservation and aiding the world, he chose a middle path. That is, to do what was within his capacity within the extent of his abilities. Martial Masters or Great Demons, he could not overcome them, but the demons he could, so wherever his gaze landed, he showed no mercy! Shen Qing suddenly released his fingers. Chapter 107 When the Time is Right, Frame Up! In a low chant, the Heavenly Bow Technique operated, resonating with heaven and earth.Shen Qing''s arm swung up, the bowstring stretched to its limits trembled and suddenly snapped straight. Arrows shot out at an astonishing speed. "Whiz!" "Whiz!" "Whiz!" "..." They traced lines through the void, intertwining storm clouds, scattering like a celestial maiden''s flower shower, sweeping down in different directions. Arrows rained down, carrying with them a destructive force. Boom! Boom! Boom! The ground was battered repeatedly by an invisible giant hammer, each roar accompanied by a palpable shock. In the formidable surge of arrows, one after another, the demons committing atrocities hadn''t time to react before being engulfed by the irresistible wave of arrows, letting out wretched screams. In the next moment, the arrows under the Heavenly Bow Technique pierced through the demons'' flesh and blood with a muffled pfft, blasting them into fragments. These screams began, only to vanish swiftly in a very short period. The air gradually filled with the smell of burning and blood. The demons'' severed limbs and bodies scattered with the dust, like autumn leaves swirling down, yet without any life. Many still-living demons around, watching this bloody scene, looked dumbfounded. As if they had seen something terrifying, their bodies trembled uncontrollably. They had lurked in the city eagerly for so long, suppressing their nature and waiting for this day of revelry, thinking that this place was heaven. Now it seemed, this was nowhere near heaven, rather just hell. Many demons wanted to flee this place in haste, but it was already too late. They had barely run away before being pierced in an instant by arriving arrows, their flesh exploding, turning them into fragments. The officers who charged out with Shen Qing were invigorated. In their roars, they joined forces with their colleagues to slay the demons. ... The sky was clear, with no clouds for thousands of miles. At a side courtyard of the Zhou Family, the brilliant sunshine poured over a quaint stone table, the glossy tabletop reflecting Zhou Xintong''s face, slightly twisted with excitement. He sat on a meticulously carved stone chair, listening to the rising and falling chaos from the Inner City, with a carefree laugh. A trace of cunning flickered in Zhou Xintong''s eyes as he turned to look at Zhou Jishan, who was standing silently to the side, with a meaningful smile: "What Brother Jishan said earlier, now can almost be done." At those words, Zhou Jishan''s face appeared calm, but a hint of imperceptible doubt flashed through his eyes. Being in the center of it all, he could already see that the chaos in Yongzhou was the result of high-ranking families colluding with demons. Many Great Demons and Innate Martial Masters were involved, with the help of Zhou Xintong against Shen Qing, undoubtedly increasing the chances of winning. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Yet, this was not the outcome he desired, but it was better than none. He brewed his emotions and pretended to be delighted: "Very well, if so, the enmity against my sister and the master''s old servant can both be avenged. That guy surnamed Shen dared to disrespect my Zhou Family, he should pay an adequate price." "Brother Xintong was right, today I''ll let Shen Qing understand what it means to be a genius, what it means to be of a high-ranking family!" Zhou Xintong''s gaze changed, stood up, and strode outside the courtyard with confidence. He passed through the winding corridors, heading straight for the Zhou Family main hall, full of confidence. At the main hall, the Zhou Family Patriarch, Zhou Xu, sat upright in the main seat, exuding an unyielding aura of authority. "Father/Lord," Zhou Xintong and Zhou Jishan stepped into the hall, saluting in unison. Zhou Xu slightly raised his eyes, his gaze sharp as a torch, instantly noticing the unusual expressions of the two: "What is it?" Zhou Xintong stepped forward: "Father, there''s something I must report." "Speak!" "I''ve now clarified that last year, the old servant I took to Taiping County was killed by the Chief Officer of the Weiwu Division, Shen Qing. Not only that, but my Zhou Family''s cousin also lost her life at his hands." "This man doesn''t regard our Zhou Family at all. If we don''t respond with measures, where does the Zhou Family''s face stand? I hope that father would allow me to eliminate this villain!" As for Shen Qing, Zhou Xu still had some impression, heedless of warnings, even slaying Dong Pengfei, utterly refusing to ally with them. Such a person could not stay within the county office. However, he also knew Shen Qing''s reputation outside. If this matter was not handled properly, it would also affect the Zhou Family''s prestige. Currently, they were not yet at the point of turning against the court. As Zhou Xu was hesitating, a powerful male voice echoed from outside the door. "That person named Shen is going too far now, dispose of him!" Zhou Xu was invigorated: "Yes, Ancestor." Saying this, his gaze was piercing, staring directly at Zhou Xintong: "In that case, Xintong, on behalf of my Zhou Family, ask him why he''s colluding with demons, seek an explanation from Shen Qing, enforce justice. Remember, act prudently, demonstrate the Zhou Family''s might, yet don''t overstep." "Understood!" Zhou Xintong bowed deeply, his eyes shimmering with excitement. Upon finishing his words, he turned his body, spread his arms, and flew into a black shadow towards the outside of the door. Zhou Jishan bit his lip, bowed towards Zhou Xu, and exited the door. Reaching outside the main entrance, he felt somewhat unwilling, desiring to know the outcome immediately. Taking advantage of the absence of others around, he ran in the direction where Zhou Xintong vanished. However, his cultivation was not high, merely relying on his body''s brute strength and movement techniques, unable to keep up. "Damn it, may the fight between them not conclude by the time I arrive, better hope Shen Qing blasts that fool''s brains out for me." Never before had Zhou Jishan wished for Shen Qing to be stronger, stronger still. On the street. Shen Qing, with his men, fought fiercely, unaware of how many demons they had slain, virtually all covered in blood. His Divine Sense was keen, detecting a formidable aura rapidly approaching from a distance. It was an Innate Martial Master. An ancestor from one of the Thirteen Lines. Shen Qing''s expression changed slightly, shouting to the surrounding officers and dispatchers: "Scatter into the city, flee this place, an Innate Martial Master is coming." "Yes." Upon hearing this, the officers and dispatchers'' expressions changed, Innate Martial Masters were too distant for them, possibly being pulverized by just the aftermath. They didn''t dare to linger, scattering in all directions. Shen Qing gestured with a single hand. Arrows covered in mottled blood scattered throughout the street seemed to be drawn by invisible threads, whizzing and seamlessly returning to the arrow quiver at his waist. Now the Inner City was no longer safe, forces entangled together, allies and enemies indistinguishable. The water was thoroughly roiled. Staying here, peril lurked, deeply unwise. A wise man cherishes life. Once the arrows were retrieved, Shen Qing didn''t hesitate a moment, stepping forward, employing the Turtle Breath Technique and movement technique, sprinting towards the city outskirts. He had barely rushed out when a thunderous explosion rolled in. "The Chief Officer of Weiwu Division, Shen Qing, colluded with demons, intending to overthrow the court, guilty beyond doubt!" Shen Qing looked up, seeing the Zhou Family''s fifth young Master, Zhou Xintong, flying over from afar, blocking his path. A fist aimed directly at his head. Chapter 108 Get lost, dont get in my way! Slap to death ```Zhou Xintong''s sudden attack interrupted Shen Qing''s path, preventing him from advancing. The fist wind howled, carrying the sound of breaking through the air as it rushed towards his face. In a hurry, Shen Qing did not retreat but swung his right palm with an astonishing response, meeting the seemingly unbeatable fist, and fiercely collided with the rampant energy. "Boom!" A deafening roar, like the mightiest thunder in the sky, suddenly tore through the air, swallowing all surrounding sounds in this earth-shattering strike. A dazzling light erupted between the two, an invisible wave expanding, kicking up dust around them. Under the backlash of this powerful force, Shen Qing retreated a few steps before stabilizing his stance. Seeing Shen Qing in such a way, Zhou Xintong showed a proud expression, feeling smug. In his view, Shen Qing, the Chief Officer of the Guardian Martial Department, was no more than this, somewhat overrated, unable to even withstand a punch from him, far inferior, hardly a match for him. A country bumpkin from the countryside is just a country bumpkin. How could he compare to those wealthy scions who had been cultivating since they were in their mothers'' wombs? He really could not understand how someone like that managed to ride over their heads, suppressing their peers. Looking around, there truly wasn''t anyone among his peers who could match him. But now it was different. He could already imagine the kind of prestige he would gain among his peers in Yongzhou if he killed Shen Qing. Achieving fame and establishing his name would be today. Thinking of this, Zhou Xintong''s face twisted into a grimace as he approached Shen Qing rapidly once more, constantly accusing, "Shen Qing, as the Chief Officer of the Guardian Martial Department, how dare you collude with demons, causing such a disaster? Do you really think no one can deal with you? Die!" S§×arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Facing Zhou Xintong''s accusations, Shen Qing''s heart remained calm and unruffled, not even producing a single ripple. He had cut through demons all the way here, his whole body covered in blood. Everyone still alive on this street had witnessed it all with their own eyes. This was purely Zhou Xintong making blind accusations; no one would believe him. But Shen Qing also knew what Zhou Xintong was after. In the opponent''s view, the dead would not speak for themselves. As long as he was killed, then under their intimidating might, no one would speak for him. In the end, this mess would naturally fall on his head. And the way to break Zhou Xintong''s plan was very simple. Before Zhou Xintong killed him, he had to kill Zhou Xintong! Seeing Shen Qing say nothing, Zhou Xintong thought he was intimidated by his presence, showing a bit of complacency on his face. Zhou Xintong''s figure became larger and closer in Shen Qing''s vision. Shen Qing released his Divine Sense and detected a strong aura approaching from behind, realizing he couldn''t stay here much longer. Damn it, if it weren''t for this person meddling, he would have left this place long ago and distanced himself from the Innate Martial Master behind him. Now not only had he failed to widen the distance, but due to the delay, he had also missed the best time to escape. It''s all this bastard''s fault! A wave of discontent surged in Shen Qing''s heart, erupting like a volcano. His eyebrows twisted together as he shouted discontentedly, "Get lost, don''t get in my way!" With a single thought, Shen Qing urged the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill to its fullest. In an instant, his Spiritual Power''s meridians reversed ten times, multiplying his strength tenfold. Spiritual Power surged wildly throughout his body, like floodwaters breaking through a dike, sweeping across his entire being. Shen Qing formed seals with both hands, and the Sky Flipping Seal was suddenly conjured by him. Streams of the purest Spiritual Power from heaven and earth gathered in front of him, condensing into a Sky Flipping Seal that seemed to descend from the Nine Heavens. The Sky Flipping Seal was enormous, possessing the steadiness and weight of a mountain, yet also containing the vast force of rivers and seas, carrying a world-destroying might as it roared towards Zhou Xintong''s forehead. Wherever the Sky Flipping Seal passed, it left a series of colorless marks. "Bang!" The immense power poured down unreservedly in front of Zhou Xintong. A trace of disbelief and astonishment flashed in Zhou Xintong''s eyes. He hurriedly turned around, raising his arms to fend off the attack. But Shen Qing, being already at the Dan Realm of cultivation, now with tenfold power added, was comparable to being half a step into the Innate realm. How could Zhou Xintong, only at the Dan Realm, be his opponent? When the Sky Flipping Seal landed on Zhou Xintong''s forehead, the formidable aura and Spiritual Power defense surrounding him crumbled like paper, instantly disintegrating into countless streams of light, dissipating into the void. "How is it possible?" Zhou Xintong''s pupils shrank slightly, filled with disbelief. The power of the Sky Flipping Seal poured onto Zhou Xintong, and despite his best efforts to resist, it was ultimately futile. When the light faded, it revealed Zhou Xintong''s wretched figure. Half of his head had completely collapsed, his clothes were in tatters, and blood flowed from his seven orifices. Shen Qing''s expression remained unchanged as he struck with his palm. The radiance in the void seemed to be captured by his gesture, regathering to form a colossal giant palm, carrying boundless pressure and destructive force, mercilessly descending upon Zhou Xintong. "Bang!" Already heavily injured, Zhou Xintong''s head was dazed, with no reaction at all. By the time he sensed the sharp killing intent, Shen Qing had already crushed him into pulp, splattered against the wall. After delivering a fatal blow, Shen Qing retracted his palm to his chest. Seeing that the obstacle ahead had been removed, he hesitated not for a moment, knowing there was no time to waste, turned and dashed towards the city gate with all his might, running desperately. Not far down the street, Zhou Jishan, who had just arrived, witnessed the previous scene in its entirety. His face froze completely, mouth slightly open, seemingly able to fit an egg inside. But the next moment, waves of joy erupted on his face. "He''s dead! He''s dead! Hahaha... served him right! Spat! Who did he think he was? If it weren''t for being born into a good family, there would be no reason for him to live in this world." Zhou Jishan couldn''t help but spit heavily, cursing furiously, his demeanor wild. "Heaven has eyes, my brother''s vengeance is finally avenged. The grievances of our Taiping Zhou Family have not gone unnoticed." "Only that Shen guy..." After a moment, the exhilaration following revenge released, Zhou Jishan gradually calmed down, his gaze involuntarily turning to the direction where Shen Qing disappeared, becoming contemplative, even a bit fearful. When Shen Qing''s figure combined with the rural environment of Taiping County, it made him feel a sense of unreality. "Such terrifying cultivation talent, I definitely mustn''t provoke, or it will undoubtedly cause trouble." The corners of Zhou Jishan''s mouth turned slightly upward, revealing a smile as he said, "But he killed my cousin before, is also our family''s enemy; I shouldn''t provoke him, but I can push others into the fire pit, heh..." Thinking of this, Zhou Jishan''s mind formed an idea, as his figure slipped into the alleyways, hurrying towards the Zhou Family''s direction. ``` Chapter 109 Nine Bosses Hunt Me, Yet I Fear Not Zhou Family Mansion."Trouble! Master, there''s big trouble!" Zhou Jishan barged into the main hall of the Zhou family, disregarding family etiquette, and knelt down with a plop. His face was pale, his eyes filled with panic, and his voice trembled with fear as he spoke. The family head, Zhou Xu, was seated in the hall, contemplating the current situation and future plans. Hearing Zhou Jishan''s exclamation, he felt a bit dissatisfied and focused his gaze on the trembling Zhou Jishan. He frowned slightly and said, "What has made you so flustered? Speak!" Zhou Jishan, still kneeling on the ground, spoke haltingly due to his fear, "Master... the fifth young Master went to carry out the order to kill the Chief Officer of the Guardian Martial Department, that Shen fellow, but unexpectedly, who would have thought..." At this point, Zhou Jishan''s eyes turned incredibly red, and large tears rolled down from the corners of his eyes, showing his deep sorrow. "Unexpectedly, Shen Qing... he actually killed the young Master in broad daylight!" These words were like a bolt from the blue. Zhou Xu''s face turned a deep shade of blue-black, and an incredulous expression flashed in his eyes as he suddenly stood up. Zhou Xintong''s cultivation had been progressing rapidly, standing out among his many sons. Continue reading on empire For this reason, he intended to nurture him, even leveraging the Bai Mu affair to build him a reputation. Zhou Xintong''s performance did not disappoint him, showcasing impressive combat prowess. He might have even been able to inherit the legacy of the family''s ancestors in the future. And it was such a prodigy, a qilin child, who died just like that?! A surge of anger arose from his heart, rushing to the top of his head. He slammed the tea table beside him, producing a crisp cracking sound. Under the powerful force of the martial master, the seemingly sturdy tea table instantly shattered into pieces, sending splinters flying everywhere. The teacup placed on the table jumped into the air, then, with a "smash," broke into fragments that splattered along with scalding tea. "Shen Qing!" Zhou Xu gritted his teeth, each word squeezed out as if he were spitting fire. His fists clenched tight, emanating a compelling oppressive force. After a while, Zhou Xu''s tightly clenched fists suddenly relaxed, and he laughed in his extreme anger, "Well, well, well, I didn''t expect I misjudged, Lord Shen has hidden depths." "Changhe!" "This old servant is here." "Go and notify the family heads of the other clans, say that there is a faction at the county office beyond our control, and have them come over to resolve this matter." As he spoke, Zhou Xu''s eyes fell on the old servant. "Invite the other family heads? This will cost our family quite substantially..." "Are you questioning me?" The old servant trembled all over, sensing the strong killing intent emanating from Zhou Xu, he hurriedly said, "This old servant wouldn''t dare." "The falcon uses all its might to catch the rabbit¡ªjust do as I say. I do not believe this kid can remain unscathed!" The old servant dared not delay, quickly accepted the order, "This old servant obeys!" With that, he rushed out without any delay. After arranging these matters, Zhou Xu gradually regained his composure. He walked towards the door with his hands clasped behind his back, passing by Zhou Jishan. As Zhou Jishan looked up, a sideways kick sent Zhou Jishan flying. "Wow!" Before Zhou Jishan knew what happened, he flew across the room, crashing into the wall along with his chair. He tasted something sweet in his throat and spat out a mouthful of dirty blood. His chest felt soft and limp. Clearly, a few ribs had been broken. Waves of excruciating pain spread through his body, leaving him drenched in cold sweat and gasping for air. His painful cries were stuck in his throat, unable to escape. Zhou Xu calmly said, "For not protecting the master, you should have died with the master according to the family rules. Considering you are kin, I''ll spare you." Looking at Zhou Xu, Zhou Jishan felt a twinge of hatred. But he didn''t show it, putting on a sycophantic and panicked face, he said, "Thank... thank you, master, for not killing me." "Hmph." Zhou Xu snorted coldly, "Where is Shen Qing now?" "Re...reporting to the master, I saw him heading towards the West City Gate." Zhou Xu offered no further words, his figure flickered like a beam of light, dashing towards the West City Gate, "Have the family heads hurry over." ... On the west side of Yongzhou City, chaos reigned, with many demons bursting in from outside the city gates, the threat of demons growing ever more serious. Shen Qing wielded his dagger relentlessly. It was covered in blood, the blade had chipped in many places, looking quite worn. "This isn''t just a few demon incidents, it''s a demonic surge that requires a military force to completely eradicate¡ªit is far beyond what the Military Department and Guardian Martial Department can handle." Seeing the stream of demons pouring in, Shen Qing''s mood grew heavier. He kept swinging his blade with all his might, cutting down the demons in front of him as he pressed towards the gate, trying to exit the city. As for Tian Xiaohu and the others, with the chaotic situation at hand, he had no time to worry about them. Entering the city gates, Shen Qing unleashed the Sky Flipping Seal, using it to crush and subdue his foes. Each move he made resulted in swathes of demons being squashed into meat paste. Standing beneath the city gate, Shen Qing looked at the guard who had been gnawed by demons down to a pile of bones, but he had no time for sentiment. He gathered strength in his legs, crashing the ground beneath him, sending dust and debris flying wildly. Using the momentum, Shen Qing surged forward like an arrow shot from a bowstring, then executed the still not fully mastered Da Xu Technique, making his silhouette flicker and shift outside the city walls. Shen Qing now sensed the powerful momentum behind him within the Inner City, it was evident that multiple Innate Martial Masters were clashing violently inside. The faint aura leaking out was extremely dangerous. The situation had already spiraled beyond his control and expectations. Slaughter and chaos pervaded the city. Such a danger required intervention by the court or even more powerful forces. It was beyond what he, as the Chief Officer of the Guardian Martial Division, could resolve. Shen Qing collected his thoughts, charging ahead as fast as he could. However, after going a short distance, his temples throbbed, he felt many powerful auras locking onto him from behind. He quickly turned his head to see a man in a brocade robe approaching with malicious intent. S~ea??h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The man seemed to deliberately slow down, not approaching closely, but keeping a distance while trailing him. Shen Qing, being from a hunter''s background, was well familiar with such a scene. This was clearly a tactic hunters used during hunts. With his sharp Divine Sense, Shen Qing noticed more figures gathering towards him from afar. "Old Zhou, you bring us all here for such a person, it seems you are determined to kill him. What kind of enmity do you have with him?" a middle-aged man in a purple robe spoke quickly, keeping pace with Zhou Xu. Zhou Xu, expressionless, said, "This person does not align with us, leaving him alive would bring disaster. Kill him without so many questions." The man in the purple robe paused. Following him, seven more arrived one after another, forming an encirclement around Shen Qing. Seeing these people, Shen Qing recognized a few familiar faces. Nine of the family heads from the Thirteen Lines had come! "It''s about time, everyone, join me in slaying this beast," Zhou Xu said loudly with his hands clasped in salute, "If we succeed, the Zhou family is willing to offer some benefits." "Alright." The nine moved together, charging towards Shen Qing. Facing this scene, Shen Qing''s heart raced with alarm. These family heads were all in the Dan Realm in terms of cultivation, now they were all joining forces to pursue him. Nine Dan Realm martial masters against him, how could he stand a chance to survive? Doubt crept into Shen Qing''s heart. But as he saw the nine getting closer, he hardened his resolve, grabbing the Heavy Bow in his hand. "However many people there are, even if I die, I''ll take one down with me!" The combined force of the nine family heads coming to kill me, I fear not. Chapter 110 Shooting Arrows in Rapid Succession, the Right Time to Kill ```Shen Qing lightly brushed the arrow quiver with one hand and skillfully hooked out an arrow with his pinky finger, placing it deftly on the bowstring. He remembered clearly that on the day he used the heavy bow to kill Dong Pengfei, the first arrow didn''t kill him, and it took several more arrows to seriously injure Dong Pengfei. Each arrow was equivalent to a full-force strike at the Yu Luo Realm. Now that he had broken through to the Dan Realm, the spiritual power he could harness had increased severalfold, and thus, executing the Heavenly Bow Technique now was undoubtedly more powerful than before. However, these family heads had at least Dan Realm cultivation, and Shen Qing couldn''t guarantee this power would be enough to kill them. A distance of several hundred meters wouldn''t hold for long. If the arrow in his hand couldn''t ensure a kill in one shot, he would be in an unfavorable position facing the encirclement. So, he needed to take advantage of the distance and take down a few more before they got close. In other words, the power of his arrows needed to be elevated by several levels. Shen Qing gritted his teeth and pushed the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill to its limit. The "Nascent Soul" in his Qi Sea formed a seal with its hands, stretched its body, and vast spiritual energy surged forth like a river, continuously reversing the flow of spiritual power. With each reversal of the spiritual power, Shen Qing''s aura soared until it reached its peak state. "The Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill is a martial art that breaks limits, concentrating the body''s power to explode in an instant, and can be overlaid with other martial arts for unexpected effects." "The Heavenly Bow Technique is also a martial art; in theory, it can be combined with the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill, which means the power of the arrows in my hand can be further enhanced." Shen Qing quickly deliberated, then decided without hesitation, taking a chance in a desperate situation, and shouted: "Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill, Heavenly Bow Unite!" With a low, powerful roar, Shen Qing concentrated all his strength at one point, unleashing the Heavenly Bow Technique to its fullest extent at that moment. A power ten times stronger than usual accompanied the arrow as it shot through the sky, leaving a dazzling trail. Where it passed, winds rose, clouds surged, flames flickered, and layers of energy rippled. The purple-robed middle-aged man, well aware of Shen Qing''s feats in Yongzhou City, knew he was not an ordinary person. However, in his eyes, there were nine of them encircling Shen Qing together, leaving no room for defeat. Confident in their victory, he took the lead, charging forward among the nine, wanting to monopolize the benefits offered by the Zhou Family. At this moment, an inexplicable pressure swept over, rendering him immobile, as if his feet were glued to the ground. "What is this¡­" The purple-robed middle-aged man looked up. He saw the divine arrow in its majestic glory, with a golden light that blotted out the sun, its destructive power like the arrival of a Golden Crow. The smile on his face instantly froze. Bang! A tearing sound echoed as an invisible rift appeared in the void. An arrow, carrying an unstoppable might, pierced through the purple-robed middle-aged man''s chest. As a blood blossom bloomed reminiscent of a haunting flower, the arrow shot through and slammed into the hard ground with a roar. Boom! Under this sudden force, the ground completely shattered, stone fragments flew, and dust surged, resembling the apocalypse. The purple-robed middle-aged man fell from the void, staggered a few steps, disbelief filling his eyes. He couldn''t understand why an arrow could unleash such terrifying power. "You¡­ Ugh¡­" The purple-robed middle-aged man raised his head, trying to speak, but words choked in his throat were drowned by the blood welling up. Shen Qing''s archery was precise; his chest had already been completely pierced, and even the heart was lost, leaving him without a chance of survival. Blood continually gushed from his lips, and the next moment, as if all strength had been drained from his body, he tilted sideways and fell to the ground, breathless. Zhou Xu and the other family heads were stunned by this unexpected scene, their actions halting, surprise and confusion interweaving on their faces. Shen Qing''s actions shocked them. In fact, this scene not only shocked everyone present but also made Shen Qing himself tremble. He had not expected the Heavenly Bow Technique combined with the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill to be so terrifying. "Don''t panic, everyone! Such a move must consume much energy; now is when he''s most vulnerable," Zhou Xu gritted his teeth and said, "We have grievances with him now. If not eliminated today, he will become a scourge in the future!" The others looked grim, feeling they were dragged into this by Zhou Xu. "Damn, Old Zhou. Once this is over, your Zhou Family must give up thirty percent of the gains!" A boss from a high-ranking family demanded. Without a second''s hesitation, Zhou Xu agreed, deciding to deal with the immediate threat first. The purple-robed middle-aged man''s death didn''t deter them a step. The halted group once again charged at Shen Qing. Though the words of these people reached Shen Qing''s ears thanks to his strong divine sense. Sear?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He realized his strategy could work, his mindset shifting, now filled with confidence, as he activated the Six Path Whale Swallowing Technique. In an instant, the world''s spiritual energy crazily rushed to Shen Qing''s position, like ten thousand rivers returning to the sea, unstoppable. He seemed to transform into the greediest whale between heaven and earth, opening his invisible maw to devour all the surrounding spiritual energy. The consumed spiritual energy was instantly refined by the Six Path Whale Swallowing Technique, transformed into the purest, most refined spiritual power, nourishing every inch of his meridians and muscles. The physical body earlier depleted by the Nine Revolution Mysterious Skill seemed to be infused with endless vitality. His spiritual power surged in an instant. The arrow he had just shot gave him immense confidence. Having tasted success, Shen Qing quickly drew another arrow, placed it on the bowstring, and repeated the maneuver. The same scene played out again. Swoosh! A head of one family was shot off with a single arrow. The headless corpse, carried by momentum, traced a parabolic arc and fell from midair. Shen Qing''s confidence soared. He now realized just how strong he truly was. After releasing each arrow, Shen Qing didn''t stop, continuously drawing his bow and firing arrows. The Whale Swallowing Technique, Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill, and Heavenly Bow Technique achieved perfect harmony within him, making him akin to a tireless beast, unleashing endlessly. Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! He fired three arrows in a rapid burst. Among the bosses of Yongzhou, someone managed to dodge the arrow in front with agile movement technique. His face showed the joy of survival. Continue your journey on empire However, before he could rejoice, another arrow had already arrived ahead of schedule, sealing his throat with a single shot. The arrow he had dodged, was instead heading straight at another person. Due to his obstruction, the person behind did not notice the arrow, so when he stepped aside, in that brief moment, he couldn''t react, getting shot in the head. The head burst like a ripe watermelon. No matter how these people dodged, Shen Qing''s arrows seemed to have eyes, killing one person with each shot. With each arrow released, Shen Qing grew increasingly confident. The bosses who were once high and mighty were now scurrying like stray dogs under his arrows, comically scampering around. Alas, it was all futile. "You forced me to this, you brought it on yourselves." "Whoosh!" "Whoosh!" "Whoosh!" Shen Qing fired his arrows like lightning, shooting a consecutive stream of arrows. The bosses charging in mid-air all fell from the sky one by one. ``` Chapter 111 Slaying the Nine Bosses, Each Family in Mourning Under the boost of the "every arrow hits the mark" skill and the "Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill" martial arts, Shen Qing shot eight arrows in succession, each hitting its mark without fail.The eight people charging forward, regardless of their noble identities and high status in the past, were all equal in front of these arrows. There was no chance of luck. After experiencing brief pain, they began to enjoy the blissful afterlife. Eight of the nine bosses died in one go! From beginning to end, they hadn''t even touched Shen Qing''s clothes, dying in utmost frustration. sea??h th§× N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Witnessing this scene, Zhou Xu was completely dumbfounded. He never imagined that in less than a stick of incense''s time, he would be the only one left. Shen Qing''s arrows defied logic, such bow technique overturned his understanding of archery! He had never seen such arrows, capable of killing Dan Realm martial artists with just one shot. Every arrow was a kill shot, making it impossible for them to evade. Looking at the bodies covering the ground, Zhou Xu felt chills down his spine. Run! He must run! Find your next read on empire As soon as he thought of this, out of the corner of his eye, he saw Shen Qing taking another arrow from the arrow quiver, sensing a huge crisis, his entire body hair stood on end. Zhou Xu saw the arrows Shen Qing shot clearly, the terrifying accuracy and unsettling power left him with no confidence. Although his cultivation was slightly stronger than the heads of the other families, it was obviously not to an extreme degree. That one arrow, he might not be able to defend against it. Zhou Xu observed that after the initial skirmish, the distance between the two sides had been pulled to an incredibly small distance, less than two or three four meters. At such a distance, he only needed to rush a little to reach Shen Qing, while escaping would make him a living target instead. He had clearly fallen into a death trap. Gritting his teeth, Zhou Xu''s face twisted: "When enemies meet on a narrow path, the brave wins, one cannot hope for luck to survive!" Driven to a dead end, Zhou Xu chose to risk everything, intending to engage Shen Qing in hand-to-hand combat. Generally, archers were not skilled in hand-to-hand combat; he might still have a chance to grasp a sliver of hope. "Kill!" Zhou Xu mustered all his strength, using every ounce of effort, and swiftly approached Shen Qing, lunging forward. His temples were covered in disheveled white hair, his face showing a frenzied expression. Seeing this, Shen Qing''s gaze hardened slightly. He realized that the distance in front of him was too close to use an arrow, so he quickly put away his longbow, unfolding his stance like a beast ready to pounce for the kill. With a flicker of thought, Shen Qing''s "Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill" started circulating wildly within him. Spiritual power surged like torrents of water rushing backward again and again. Quickly, his aura multiplied tenfold, reaching an astonishing and horrifying realm. Almost simultaneously, Shen Qing clashed palms with Zhou Xu. "Boom!" A powerful energy surge exploded between the two. Zhou Xu''s face lit up with joy: "There''s hope." Once again, he lunged forward. Seeing Zhou Xu getting closer, Shen Qing, after a brief respite, regained his composure. He formed a seal with his hands, red-gold light filling the space between his arms. A force of world-destroying might burst forth from his palms, quickly forming a massive red-gold Sky Flipping Seal. This Sky Flipping Seal was enormous, like a star falling from the sky, carrying an unstoppable might, crashing down toward Zhou Xu. Seeing this, a fierce glint flashed in Zhou Xu''s eyes. His muscles tensed, roaring as he leaped towards the flipping sky seal like a giant beast. Shen Qing''s Sky Flipping Seal slammed into Zhou Xu''s head, making him see stars and his Qi-blood churned, almost fainting. If not for his solid foundation, he would likely have collapsed on the ground. "How is it possible?!" Zhou Xu was horrified, never imagining that Shen Qing''s physical body was already so frighteningly strong. He couldn''t understand why the same Dan Realm had such a huge gap. In the face of life and death, there was no time for doubt. With no reservations, he resisted with all his spiritual power against the golden brilliance of the sky seal. However, under the tenfold power of the flipping sky seal, Zhou Xu''s physical body could not withstand it. His skull had already been crushed, blood streaming. Zhou Xu relied solely on his last ounce of spiritual power for support. Unfortunately, Shen Qing''s "Whale Swallowing Technique" had achieved some success, with spiritual power flowing endlessly, showing no signs of exhaustion. This filled Zhou Xu with despair. He was facing a monster without any flaws, whether in close combat or at a distance. Boom! The Sky Flipping Seal struck fiercely again, and Zhou Xu could not hold on any longer, being smashed onto the ground alive. "Ah!" Zhou Xu let out a miserable scream. The red-gold light completely engulfed his figure, dust flying, stones splintering. When the light dissipated, the ground was a mess. Zhou Xu lay quietly there, no longer breathing. The esteemed patriarch of the Zhou Family was dead! The world returned to deathly silence. On the ground, traces of blood were everywhere. Looking around, Shen Qing saw that the nine once-imposing bosses had all been slain, with nearly every family now in mourning. Shen Qing found it hard to believe that he had killed the heads of nine of the Thirteen Noble Families in Yongzhou in one go. At that moment, he felt an eerie sense of unreality about these people, as if in a dream. Unknowingly, he had acquired terrifying combat power, standing above these people. "Hahaha." Shen Qing felt an immense joy, his thoughts clear, full of confidence in his power: "This Yongzhou, seems to be just a puppet show, and those incompetent leaders will find it not so easy to seize power." Shen Qing collected his thoughts and walked forward. "These family heads might carry many valuable items, not to be missed." He walked to the corpse of the nearest middle-aged man, crouching down to search through his belongings. While searching, Shen Qing noticed the man''s clothes were luxurious and seemed extremely valuable. But they had been pierced by his arrows, rendered tattered and worthless. Shen Qing showed no interest. His hands kept searching, finding quite a few gold ingots, Wish Power Pearls, and silver notes. Moreover, Shen Qing also found the Refining Pearl Technique they carried with them. Shen Qing was not surprised. The Great Zhou Ji Family''s previously strict guard had long been riddled with holes by these people. "Hmm, what''s this?" Shen Qing unexpectedly found a Jade Token with no carvings. He carefully examined it in his hand, finding no clues or leads. Shen Qing didn''t think much of it and casually stored it. Subsequently, he did not miss checking the others, going through them all, and gained substantial rewards. To his surprise, each person had, without exception, left behind a trace-free Jade Token, leaving him puzzled. "These people are all family heads, with prominent status. Carrying these must have some significance, likely plotting something." Shen Qing speculated internally. Boom! Within Yongzhou City, a strong wave of demonic power surged outward. He stopped speculating, hurriedly stacked all the Jade Tokens, placed them in his chest, glanced around, and dashed towards the west. Chapter 112 Driven into a Corner Yongzhou City.Two figures blurred past in succession. Leading was Huang Furo, her hair disheveled and far from her former elegance, appearing somewhat haggard. Behind her, there was an alluring figure in relentless pursuit. Your next read awaits at empire "Lord Huangfu, why persist in fleeing? I mean no harm," Jiu Li''s voice was very gentle, making one feel a certain warmth. Her stance was graceful, her steps light, and her almond-shaped eyes bore a vague smile. Huang Furo glanced back, sweat trickling down her cheeks. She gritted her teeth and continuously urged on the Da Xu Technique, quickening her pace. "If you mean no harm, why insist on chasing me?" Jiu Li replied with a chuckle, "Sigh... there are some things you shouldn''t know. To be safe, we need to inconvenience you a bit. Sit for a while on our side; once matters in the city settle, you may leave. What do you think?" The words of Great Demon Jiu Li were filled with allure, and as she spoke, she silently quickened her pace, steadily closing the distance to Huang Furo. She suddenly thrust out a hand, releasing a beam of white light, producing a sharp whooshing sound as it rushed toward the back of Huang Furo''s head. Huang Furo''s temples throbbed with pain, and a chill ran down her spine. She hurriedly flashed her form, barely dodging the strike. Huang Furo''s face turned even paler. She knew the pursuer possessed Innate cultivation, far surpassing her own, and the words spoken were nothing but ghostly tales, unworthy of scrutiny. Falling into her opponent''s hands would mean certain doom. With this thought, Huang Furo became more determined to escape. The Da Xu Technique was pushed to its limits. Her figure continuously shifted, dodging and reappearing up ahead. Unfortunately, no matter how hard she tried, Jiu Li seemed to draw ever closer, sinking her heart into despair, fueling her growing fear and unease. Her cultivation was only at the Dan Realm. After prolonged pursuit and resistance, the "Dan Ying" in her Qi Sea appeared wan and fatigued, with Spiritual Power nearly exhausted. In contrast, Jiu Li, with Innate cultivation, remained full of Spiritual Power. At this rate, she feared it would not be long before she was overtaken. As expected. After passing through the city gates, Jiu Li was already close behind, maintaining a mere ten meters between them. Such distance was but a step for a martial master. Huang Furo''s face grew even more unsightly. "Since Lord Huangfu remains so oblivious, don''t blame me then!" Great Demon Jiu Li let out a bell-like laugh, her crimson lips opening slightly, releasing a white streak brimming with an imposing force. Huang Furo''s expression changed, hurriedly drawing the dagger from her waist. Her cultivation might not rival this Great Demon, but she, Huang Furo, was no lamb for the slaughter! With gritted teeth, she let out a furious roar, her blade flashing like a dragon. The silver-white dagger swept across, shattering the incoming white streak. Beneath the blue sky, a metallic clang resounded, erupting into invisible waves of air. Under the force of this strike, Huang Furo''s breath became ragged, causing her to halt and face Jiu Li. Great Demon Jiu Li felt assured of victory, covering her mouth with a smile, saying, "Lord Huangfu, since you''re not my match, why struggle so?" Huang Furo gripped the hilt tightly, sweat beading across her pale forehead, and remained silent. S§×ar?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Fine, for the sake of your Huangfu family showing some discernment, I''ll grant you a swift end, allowing you to become a part of me." Jiu Li licked her lips, "How about it? Do you feel honored?" Though a Dan Realm martial master was not greatly beneficial to her, it was better than nothing, serving as an appetizer before the main meal most satisfactorily. Jiu Li''s eyes sparkled with cold stars, her single hand moving like a blade, sending out streaks of white light, directly targeting Huang Furo''s face. Each streak was dazzling and contained an overwhelmingly fierce momentum. Huang Furo glanced around, finding nothing but emptiness, with no place to leverage. She gritted her teeth, grasping her dagger tightly, urging all remaining Spiritual Power within her, striking repeatedly. Her long blade, like a blooming lotus, continuously cut down the sudden white streaks. Caught off guard, as Huang Furo struggled to defend herself, Great Demon Jiu Li suddenly lunged forward, her figure like a fallen leaf in autumn, hovering before Huang Furo. Bang! Great Demon Jiu Li struck out with a palm. Under the activation of her entire Spiritual Power, her palm was surrounded by white light, exuding a tearing force. Huang Furo glimpsed from the corner of her eye, drawing out the last of her Spiritual Power, concentrating it before her, and met it with a palm of her own. Yet, as she prepared to counter with a palm strike, the clash she expected did not occur. Suddenly, when Jiu Li''s palm was on the verge of touching Huang Furo''s palm, an unforeseen change transpired. Her palm subtly shifted, brushing past Huang Furo''s hand, and then along her arm, landing heavily on her weighted chest. Boom! A heavy muffled sound echoed between the two. Great Demon Jiu Li, being an Innate martial master, was a Great Realm ahead of Huang Furo. Her palm, concentrated with more than half her Spiritual Power, packed a phenomenal force. Huang Furo only felt a dullness in her chest, seemingly losing all sensation. Seizing the slight clarity left in her mind, she utilized the recoil from Jiu Li''s move, pushed with her legs, executed the Da Xu Technique, and soared gracefully like a swallow, hastening her escape. Unfortunately, the previous palm strike had seriously injured her, and her body was drained of Spiritual Power. After covering a short distance, Huang Furo''s figure faltered, ultimately resembling a phoenix with broken wings, plummeting from mid-air with a tragic hue, crashing to the ground, stirring clouds of dust. Even though Huang Furo had a strong physical body, the fall was not light. Dizzy and dazed, she was far from clear-headed. In the face of a dire enemy, with an overwhelming desire to survive, she hesitated not, enduring the pain to rise and, without regard for her image, fled in desperation. But Great Demon Jiu Li''s speed was much faster. "Die!" Huang Furo heard a shout from behind, her face turning as pale as paper. She glanced back, seeing a rainbow light racing towards her. It was over! Huang Furo''s heart sank into despair, closing her eyes, preparing to meet her fate. "Whoosh..." Suddenly, the sky seemed to be cleaved by an invisible blade, as a brilliant golden light burst forth, akin to an ancient Golden Crow breaking free, diving from the Nine Heavens above. A single arrow, wrapped in red-gold light, traversed the void, bringing with it an unparalleled destructive force, heading straight for Great Demon Jiu Li''s face. The alluring woman sensed a massive killing intent, swiftly retreating. Unfortunately, her speed fell short against the arrow. Great Demon Jiu Li urgently crossed her arms in front of her chest, white mist surged from her body, forming a Fog Light Shield. The arrow, like a dragon, slammed fiercely against the Fog Light Shield. Boom! With an earth-shattering roar, the white mist shield before Great Demon Jiu Li shattered like fragile porcelain, disintegrating into countless fragments, vanishing into the void. Meanwhile, Great Demon Jiu Li''s arms, under this unexpected powerful impact, were entirely exposed, her sleeves destroyed, revealing skin underneath mottled with wounds, bleeding profusely. Her eyes flashed with a hint of pain, yet more so with unyielding and fury: "Who is it!" Great Demon Jiu Li shouted angrily, her voice echoing powerfully. "Whoosh..." "Whoosh..." "Whoosh..." Between heaven and earth, her only response was a continuous whistling of arrows. Great Demon Jiu Li looked at the array of arrows in the sky, appearing like rising suns, standing in place in shock. Chapter 113 Shooting the Great Demon As the light intertwined, the air seemed to ignite, emitting a slight crackling sound.Great Demon Jiuli felt waves of shock in her heart, her eyes widened in disbelief. Reflected in the depths of her pupils were those arrows, like a golden net spreading out rapidly towards her position. Great Demon Jiuli had never witnessed such a scene nor such divine and mighty arrows. Her heart pounded like a drum, her blood boiling. Having already suffered from an arrow before, she dared not underestimate them. Jiuli gritted her teeth, her body beginning to undergo subtle changes, demon patterns faintly appearing beneath her skin, white whiskers growing on her face, transforming into a beguiling fox face, and an even more majestic power awakening within her. Her demon body trembled violently, the demon energy around her roared, transforming into white clouds to shield her, forming layers of defense. The next moment, the arrows soaring up struck the clouds condensed by Great Demon Jiuli. Boom! The sound of thunder erupted suddenly. Within the thunder''s roar, ripples of lightning spread from the contact point of the arrows and the clouds, rippling like water waves. These flashes and thunder were not naturally occurring but rather anomalies produced by the collision of the arrows'' power and her demonic power. Great Demon Jiuli''s brows furrowed, as she felt her demon power rapidly depleting. Having blocked this arrow, the remaining arrows surged forth one after another. One arrow! Two arrows! ... Nine arrows! Under the continuous impact of the arrows, Great Demon Jiuli''s defenses shattered layer by layer, like fragile glass incapable of bearing such pressure. With the collapse of the last line of defense, Jiuli''s body was fully exposed under the rain of arrows. She watched helplessly as those Golden Crow-like arrows pierced through her protective demon energy, deeply penetrating and piercing her body, making her experience unprecedented pain and despair. Great Demon Jiuli tried desperately to resist with all her strength, but it was ultimately in vain. Finally, when the last arrow pierced her chest, Great Demon Jiuli sensed her life force reaching its end, and after unleashing a heaven-shaking roar, she suddenly dissolved into layers of white sand, scattering in the wind. This was not Great Demon Jiuli''s true body but merely one of her clones! When everything settled, Huang Furo snapped out of her terror and turned her head, only to see a young figure flying towards her. That figure became increasingly familiar. Who could it be if not Shen Qing? Shen Qing walked up to Huang Furo, slung the heavy bow on his back, and asked with concern, "Lord Huangfu, are you all right?" Huang Furo looked at him, feeling both familiar and strange, opened her mouth, but didn''t know what to say. "Lord Huangfu?" "You are... Chief Officer Shen!" Huang Furo looked at Shen Qing again, licking her lips before speaking. Shen Qing smiled helplessly and said, "It is indeed I." "Are all these your arrows?" Shen Qing smiled indifferently and said, "It''s just a small trick." He beckoned with his hand, emitting waves of pulling force. The arrows scattered in front of him seemed to be pulled back by invisible threads, each returning into his Arrow Quiver. Huang Furo looked at her subordinate, her emotions extremely complicated. She knew Shen Qing was somewhat unusual, but she had never imagined it to such an extent. Shen Qing bent down to help Huang Furo up and said solemnly, "Lord Huangfu, it''s not safe to stay here for long; we should leave as soon as possible." Huang Furo nodded in agreement. She took a deep breath, discovering a burning pain in her lungs, clearly suffering severe internal injuries, and had to rely on Shen Qing''s strength to barely stand. At this moment, Shen Qing noticed something unusual. "Lord Huangfu, do you smell something?" Huang Furo wrinkled her nose in confusion, "What smell?" "Fishy!" Shen Qing, with his keen senses, detected a faint fishy odor, and it grew stronger. He hurriedly released his Divine Sense to investigate, and his expression changed. Two hundred meters away, in the mountains, a shadowy and massive figure stealthily moved. It was a giant python, its body as large as a small hill, its scales shining coldly in the sunlight. It moved swiftly towards Yongzhou, skimming along the path over century-old trees. The old trees groaned as if unable to bear the weight, then crashed down with a loud noise, branches and leaves flying, dust rising. Birds in the forest flew in shock, animals fled. Where the giant python passed, trees broke, chaos ensued, leaving furrows in the ground. S~ea??h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "It''s that Snake Demon! It''s coming!" Shen Qing''s heart skipped a beat. This Snake Demon''s power was formidable, unmatched by the mere clone of Great Demon Jiuli. Having suffered at the hands of this Snake Demon before, neither Shen Qing nor Huang Furo dared to be careless. "Let''s go!" Shen Qing placed Huang Furo over his shoulder, wrapped his arm around her waist, and used the Da Xu Technique to sprint wildly in the opposite direction. In their vision, the scenery of the mountains and forests quickly receded. Shen Qing carried Huang Furo, constantly maneuvering between the mountains. Since childhood, Huang Furo had never been so closely contacted by any other male, feeling somewhat uncomfortable. Experience tales with empire Fortunately, she had practiced martial arts since she was a child and wasn''t as reserved or petite as young ladies, boldly letting Shen Qing take her away. They moved like the wind. Huang Furo discovered that the martial art Shen Qing used to escape was the Da Xu Technique she had taught him. She was surprised once again! If she remembered correctly, she only taught him the basics of the Da Xu Technique, which wasn''t even considered the basics. How could this man, with just that little information, master it to this extent? This Gift... was simply extraordinary. Huang Furo glanced at Shen Qing, not knowing how to describe such a prodigy. Shen Qing continued without stopping, his footsteps swift. Huang Furo noticed that Shen Qing''s use of the Da Xu Technique showed some stagnation, so much so that his speed lagged significantly behind hers. Huang Furo hesitated for a moment but eventually spoke, "The essence of the Da Xu Technique lies in the seamless transformation of ''void'' and ''reality,'' as well as the smooth and easy flow between thoughts and actions." "The void is immeasurable, merging with the light of the sky." With a casual wave, ripples appeared in the void. It was an impromptu demonstration after her deep understanding of the Da Xu Technique, so fast it surpassed the naked eye''s capture, perfectly illustrating "the boundless void, ever-changing in an instant." "Observe my journey, comprehend your path." Shen Qing was quite surprised; he didn''t expect Huang Furo to guide him in practicing the Da Xu Technique. One must know that every family treasured their martial arts, never revealing them to others, let alone teaching them. Huang Furo''s generosity indeed amazed him. Huang Furo glanced at him and said indifferently, "What are you looking at? I''m just trying to increase my chances of survival, don''t overthink it." Shen Qing said nothing, silently refining his technique according to Huang Furo''s guidance. The slow progress of the Da Xu Technique on the Water Ink Panel jumped up a few points. Shen Qing''s initially stagnant movement technique suddenly became smoother. He was overjoyed, diving into the deep forest. Chapter 113 Mountain God Temple, Huang Furos Decision ```"Chief Officer Shen, where are we headed?" Huang Furo watched Shen Qing walk deeper into the forest, away from the Inner City, leaving her somewhat puzzled. She suggested, "Given the current chaotic situation and the rising number of demons, it might be wiser for us to return. Although the Huangfu family has fallen somewhat from grace, we''re not to be trifled with by just anyone. We can at least wait out the storm; other family heads probably won''t trouble you because of your identity." "I''m not worried about the family heads," Shen Qing shook his head and said, "Apart from your Huangfu family and the Qian Family, the heads of other high-ranking families are already dead." "What?" Huang Furo was slightly stunned, "Did you kill them?" Shen Qing didn''t respond, opting to silently confirm instead. Huang Furo gave him a glance, her mouth slightly agape, rendered speechless. Hearing this made everything feel strangely unreal to her. She truly hadn''t expected Shen Qing to be so audacious, killing even the family heads of Thirteen Lines. And not just one or two but nearly wiping them all out, completely tearing apart any relations with Thirteen Lines. But considering how he could even slay demons at the Innate Realm, those family heads, with their mere Dan Realm cultivation, didn''t seem that difficult to kill. Huang Furo had no comment on Shen Qing''s actions. After a moment, seeing Shen Qing still heading towards the deep mountains, she continued, "I heard there are many poisonous insects and fierce beasts in these mountains, and the city''s unrest won''t likely settle anytime soon. We''re empty-handed now, with nothing to eat or drink in the wild; surviving in there seems tough." "No worries, we''ll figure something out," Shen Qing replied calmly, "We''ve arrived." "Arrived?" Just as Huang Furo still had doubts, Shen Qing, who had been racing forward, slowed his pace and stopped before a dilapidated temple. It was a Mountain God Temple, not large, with only one offering hall inside, filled with clay sculptures and wooden carvings. Shen Qing helped Huang Furo into the Mountain God Temple, "Let''s rest here for a few days. Once your injuries are healed, we''ll discuss the rest." Looking around, Huang Furo found the temple wasn''t as dilapidated as expected, neither filled with snakes and rats but rather quite clean, as if someone had tidied it in advance. There was even firewood neatly stacked in a corner that didn''t leak rain. "Sit here first." Shen Qing pulled out a stool from beneath a clay sculpture and set it down carefully for Huang Furo to sit. His movements were so skillful, almost like he was back home, leaving Huang Furo slightly dazed. After settling Huang Furo, Shen Qing jumped onto the clay platform and circled behind the sculpture. Your journey continues on empire Under Huang Furo''s watchful gaze, he appeared like a squirrel, extracting a bag of dried food, two water flasks, salt, rice, and a heap of supplies, including a large iron pot and a thin cotton blanket, from the sculpture''s body. Huang Furo was astonished by the scene, "You... how do you have everything?" "I used to come around here to train frequently, and this was my temporary resting place. Over time, I left more and more stuff here." Shen Qing''s tone was somewhat dismissive. Back when he was a hunter, setting up checkpoints in the mountains was a common practice. The hunters of Hongshan Village would go up the mountain to hunt. If a big hunt took one or two days to complete, they would have to spend the night deep within the forest. Over time, many hunters would make use of the resources in the deep forest, setting up small huts and storing essential supplies for emergencies. This Mountain God Temple was something he stumbled upon by chance, not far from his training ground, and he had coincidently turned it into a temporary outpost, unexpectedly finding a use for it now. Shen Qing placed the retrieved items on the ground, then took several bricks from a corner, arranging them into a makeshift stove, setting the iron pot on top, and adding some dry firewood. He took out a fire stick, blew on it a few times swiftly, and a small flame jumped forth from it. Shen Qing grabbed a handful of dried grass, quickly ignited it, and tossed it under the stove, converting the grass and wood into a roaring flame, heating the iron pot. Shen Qing poured a little water inside and then tore the dried meat into pieces, threw them in, and finally added some rice and salt, cooking a pot of tender, lean meat porridge. His movements flowed like running water, akin to a master chef. Shen Qing''s glance fell upon a cooking reminder in his vision, then dismissed it. A moment later, Shen Qing served a bowl of hot porridge in front of Huang Furo, saying, "I only have one bowl and one pair of chopsticks. If you don''t mind, make do with it." Huang Furo didn''t make a fuss, accepting the bowl and chopsticks with a sincere "Thank you." Not long ago, she had been badly chased by the Great Demon Jiu Li, suffering internal injuries that still faintly ached, hindering her movements. S§×arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. With no immediate danger nearby, she slowly reached into her chest and took out a delicate porcelain gourd, pouring out several small red pills to place on the steaming porridge. And downed them with the porridge. To Huang Furo''s surprise, Shen Qing''s cooking skills weren''t bad. Even this ordinary bowl of white meat porridge tasted remarkable to her. When the porridge and pills settled in her stomach, Huang Furo felt an indescribable warmth rising within her body. The Elixir began to take effect. Gradually, the medicine''s power spread quietly through her body, nourishing her internal injuries like rain on a long-dry desert, soothing and repairing them. Her injuries showed significant improvement, and her pale cheeks gained a touch of rosy glow, making her look radiant. Huang Furo exhaled a slow, turbid breath. "You look much better." After the Prefectural Governor''s incident today, he fought his way through, depleting most of his body''s energy, leaving him famished and needing to fill his stomach. Shen Qing took back the bowl and chopsticks, paying no mind that Huang Furo had used them. He served himself another bowl of meat porridge and began eating it heartily. Born into poverty, he never considered things like male-female differences. Huang Furo evidently didn''t mind either, nodding, "This Blood Restoration Pill is a precious medicine from the Capital City, highly effective for healing internal and external body injuries. After taking it, I''m already alright." Shen Qing let out an "Oh," nodding in response. Huang Furo watched him gobble down the food and couldn''t help but laugh. With nothing pressing at the moment, curiosity about a certain thing welled within her, prompting her to ask, "Chief Officer Shen, how did you manage to learn the Da Xu Technique? I remember not teaching you much of it?" Shen Qing, choosing his words carefully, responded calmly, "I had a good memory since childhood. After watching you perform it a few times, along with the small parts you taught me, I just figured it out on my own." He just figured it out on his own... Huang Furo found herself speechless. The Huangfu family''s Da Xu Technique was a martial art passed down from Ancient Times, extremely ancient and hard to learn. It had been a long time since anyone in the family mastered it. She was merely lucky to have comprehended some of it by chance. In her view, with the thinning of the Huangfu family over a generation or two, no one might be able to learn the martial art, ending its lineage. And yet, this martial art, he could learn by just figuring it out? This struck a blow to Huang Furo''s self-esteem. However, upon reflection, it wasn''t necessarily a bad thing. Martial arts were meant for people to train in. If someone excels at it, the Huangfu family should feel honored. Moreover, Shen Qing had saved her life. Huang Furo''s expression turned serious as she made a decision internally and asked Shen Qing, "Would you like to learn this martial art?" ``` Chapter 114 Breakthrough in Da Xu Technique, Comprehending the Da Xu Hand ```Shen Qing thought he must have misheard. In the past, he had planned to enhance the Great Void Shifting Technique by refining points through the cultivation of the Da Xu Technique. He had coveted this Da Xu Technique for a long time. However, he had never had a good opportunity, and now, unexpectedly, he was given a pillow when he felt sleepy. Shen Qing felt somewhat uncertain: "The Da Xu Technique is a martial art of the Huangfu family, are you sure you want to teach me?" Huang Furo, with a stern face, said, "Don''t misunderstand. Yongzhou City is currently very unstable, with multiple forces in conflict. The Great Demon you just slew was merely a clone; it might come hunting for us at any time." "Right now, I''m no match for it. If you can learn it by the time the Great Demon catches up, it will give me a better chance to escape." "Really?" Shen Qing asked suspiciously. "Just because of that?" Seeing Shen Qing''s wary expression, Huang Furo said in frustration, "Why would I lie to you? Teaching you martial arts, do you think it could harm you?" Shen Qing saw Huang Furo''s earnest demeanor and realized he had been overthinking. He quickly clasped his hands and, with an apologetic look, said, "My apologies, my lord. I was abrupt." For some reason, seeing Shen Qing like this made Huang Furo even more annoyed. "Do you want to learn this or not?" "I do, I do, I hope my lord will be generous in teaching." Only then did Huang Furo feel somewhat better. She gathered her thoughts and, recalling earnestly, said, "The essence of the Da Xu Technique begins with ''emptiness like a valley.'' Within the emptiness, there is substance, and within the substance, there is emptiness. Lead the energy with intent, the energy follows the heart, the heart follows the intent, until it reaches infinity, only then does one achieve Great Freedom..." Huang Furo recited as she explained to Shen Qing, resolving many of his past confusions, allowing him a sudden enlightenment. After listening to Huang Furo''s explanation, Shen Qing found that the Da Xu Jing of the Huangfu family indeed had its unique aspects in terms of movement technique speed. Unfortunately, very few cultivated this martial art over time, so the Huangfu family lacked individuals to continuously innovate, causing its training methods to appear somewhat outdated, yet it still remained a fine martial art. "When the ''Dan Ying'' grows into a person, it purifies the martial master''s physical body to the state of Innate Purity. With an Innate Pure Body nourishing the spirit, the Valley God becomes immortal, existing unyieldingly, nurturing the Primordial Spirit, and ascends from martial to immortal, attaining Great Freedom." Enjoy exclusive chapters from empire Certain parts of the Da Xu Technique involved descriptions of two significant realms, Spirit Void and Primordial Spirit. Although only a few words, they benefited Shen Qing immensely. After explaining everything in the Da Xu Technique, it was already near dusk. "That''s all. Comprehend it carefully. I am tired and will take a rest." sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Thank you, Lord Huangfu." Shen Qing sincerely expressed his gratitude without further words. The setting sun cast its light from the sky, spreading golden brilliance everywhere. In the deep forest, many apes and beasts cried out, adding to the somber atmosphere. After a day of exertion, coupled with injuries, Huang Furo was both physically and mentally exhausted. She took out a thin cotton quilt and chose to sleep soundly like an ordinary person. Shen Qing, on the other hand, walked to the door, gazed up at the starry sky, and found a vacant spot, sat cross-legged, and reflected on the day''s gains, gradually entering into a state. In the following time, Shen Qing immersed himself entirely in cultivation. After fully digesting what Huang Furo had taught, he put it into practice and kept practicing. He remained sleepless all night. By dawn, Shen Qing unexpectedly realized that, without knowing it, he had cultivated the Da Xu Technique to a state ready for a breakthrough. Looking at the Water Ink Panel that appeared in his vision, Shen Qing couldn''t help but smile. [Skill: Da Xu Technique (Entry Level)] [Progress: 101/100 points] [Status: Ready to Upgrade] [Note: Those who accomplish great things in ancient times not only have extraordinary talents but also possess unwavering determination. Through diligent study and hard practice, you have finally reached the threshold of a breakthrough in the Da Xu Technique. By breaking through this martial art, you can comprehend the ''Da Xu Hand'' skill, which allows for ghostly and unpredictable strikes.] ''Da Xu Hand?'' Looking at the reminder on the Water Ink Panel, Shen Qing felt a burst of excitement. "I thought this Da Xu Technique was solely related to movement techniques, but it seems there are some other variations. To some extent, the Great Void Shifting Technique is even more mystical than this Da Xu Technique. If I could break through, I''m afraid the techniques mastered would be even more formidable." Shen Qing looked up, gazing far towards the east. There, on the horizon, a bright incandescent disc was slowly rising. Opposite it, a full moon hung in the sky. Sun and moon coexisted. Taking a deep breath, Shen Qing appeared serious, "Breakthrough!" Buzz! The Water Ink Panel in his vision vibrated, and the skill description for [Da Xu Technique] was swiftly updated. [Skill: Da Xu Technique (Skillfully)] [Progress: 1/200 points] [Status: Not Ready to Upgrade] [Note: You have comprehended the ''Da Xu Hand'' skill, allowing your hand to probe the void, attacking unexpectedly.] Shen Qing clenched his fists, a hint of joy on his face. He habitually held his breath and focused, ready to face the upcoming surge of memories. After gaining Divine Sense, Shen Qing found that the discomfort during breakthroughs had significantly diminished, only causing slight dizziness without becoming utterly confused. This newfound comfort pleased him greatly. After a moment, having fully absorbed all memories from the breakthrough, Shen Qing lowered his gaze and saw that his palms now emitted tiny golden glimmers, a symptom from years of using the Da Xu Hand, with residual spiritual power remaining. His heart couldn''t help but feel eager, wanting to test the power of this Da Xu Hand. Shen Qing looked to where a beautiful bird had landed in the distance, and he stood up. "This bird is quite fat, just right for some stew." Running the Da Xu Technique, Shen Qing reached out with one hand. Sensing danger, the bird spread its wings, attempting to fly away. Suddenly, a large golden hand appeared out of thin air before the bird, grabbing it and crushing its head. The bird dropped powerlessly from mid-air. "This Da Xu Hand is indeed something," Shen Qing thought to himself. "If used for a sneak attack, many martial masters would be caught off guard." "You... you learned the Da Xu Hand?" While Shen Qing was demonstrating the technique, the once soundly asleep Huang Furo awoke and happened to witness it. She stared with bright eyes, shifting her gaze between the bird''s corpse on the ground and Shen Qing, at a loss for words. It was just one night, and he had already reached such a level, which was simply beyond belief. If she hadn''t witnessed it herself, she would have thought it was someone else''s exaggeration. "Just had a bit of an epiphany." Shen Qing responded with a smile. He walked to pick up the fat bird from the ground and returned to the Mountain God Temple, jokingly saying, "Today, I can make some soup for you, my lord, to nourish you." Huang Furo tightened her expression, reverting to her usual aloof demeanor. "How long are we staying here?" "Let''s stay one more day. Once your injuries heal completely, we will head back to the city tomorrow to take a look." Using Spiritual Power, Shen Qing scattered the feathers from the bird with a shake and began gutting it with the dagger, dealing with it directly. "Alright," Huang Furo turned her face away, avoiding the unseemly sight. It has to be said, with the Da Xu Hand, hunting became much more convenient. By noon, Shen Qing had returned from the mountains with a good amount of game, allowing the two to enjoy a hearty meal. The forest''s hardship that Huang Furo expected never materialized, making her doubt whether she had come to the forest for refuge or merely for hunting and leisure. "I''ve always heard that the Huangfu family has some connections in the court. Is there more to that story?" After eating his fill, Shen Qing patted his round belly and curiously asked. ``` Chapter 115 Huangfu Family, Jing Luan Assembly ```Hearing Shen Qing inquire about the Huangfu family, Huang Furo''s face darkened, as if recalling many unpleasant memories. Enjoy new chapters from empire Seeing this, Shen Qing raised an eyebrow and continued, "If it''s inconvenient for you, we can just forget it." With that, he urged his spiritual power, refining the essence of the meat he had just eaten, and exhaled a breath of turbid air. His swollen belly diminished slightly. "It''s nothing much to talk about, just some well-known facts. If you''re interested, you can find out about it," Huang Furo spoke softly. Shen Qing straightened his posture to indicate he was listening. "The Huangfu family entered the court during the reign of the Emperor of the Great Zhou. At that time, talents from our family emerged, quickly excelling in the court. We were valued by the Ji Family''s Emperor, who is now known as the Ji Family''s Patriarch. Later, under the Emperor''s guidance, we led the task of gathering the Martial Mechanisms across the world, serving him tirelessly for many years and achieving great merit." Hearing this, Shen Qing was slightly taken aback. He didn''t expect that the task of gathering the Martial Mechanisms of the world was the work of the Huangfu family. "Our Huangfu family was illustrious for a time, but after the great task was accomplished, the Emperor abdicated to focus on cultivation. Unfortunately, the Crown Prince died suddenly, implicating our ancestors, causing the Huangfu family to fall from grace." "Later, some talented members emerged within the Huangfu family, but unfortunately, they were caught in the Jing Luan Assembly, and only one in ten survived. With the court''s old acquaintances continually falling, our Huangfu family has been reduced to this state." After Huang Furo finished narrating, Shen Qing was not surprised at all. The cunning hare dies, and the hound is cooked. It had always been this way throughout history. Even in this world, it was no exception. "That''s about it. Do you have more questions?" Huang Furo looked at Shen Qing and said. Shen Qing pondered for a moment, grasping a key point, "Lord Huangfu, you mentioned the Jing Luan Assembly. What is it? I''ve never heard of it." "It''s normal if you haven''t heard of it. It''s a rule set by the Emperor, held once every sixty years." "Each time, the top one hundred survivors of the Jing Luan Assembly have the chance to enter the Ji Family Temple, becoming the backbone of the Ji family. It''s an opportunity to rise rapidly and enjoy endless wealth and honor." "If we calculate, it seems there aren''t many years left until the next Jing Luan Assembly," Huang Furo glanced at Shen Qing with a wry smile, "Perhaps you might encounter it." "The top one hundred survivors?" Shen Qing noticed something in Huang Furo''s expression and pressed, "Is there something more to this Jing Luan Assembly?" Huang Furo looked at Shen Qing and said, "You know that with each breakthrough in a martial master''s cultivation, their lifespan increases, correct?" Shen Qing nodded, "Of course, I know that. The Qi Hai Realm can extend lifespan by ten years, Yu Luo Realm by fifty years, and the Spirit Void Realm can extend it by three hundred years. These things are common knowledge." Huang Furo said, "Then have you considered, with unchanged cultivation resources, what happens when these old martial artists remain undying, and new ones keep emerging? Can the Ji Family Temple still sustain its resources for cultivation?" "Are you saying the Jing Luan Assembly is used to manage the martial masters?" Huang Furo gently nodded. At this time, for some reason, a scene appeared in Shen Qing''s mind about the Taiping County Magistrate gathering numerous martial masters to exterminate the tiger demon. The two seemed to be similar in strategy. Huang Furo said, "The Ji Family court limits the rapid growth of martial masters by collecting Martial Arts and screening talents across the world, holding a Jing Luan Assembly every sixty years to control their numbers." S§×ar?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Using the Qi Hai Realm as a threshold, up to the Innate Realm, no noble family member, official''s child, or Jianghu martial artist can avoid it. Each assembly involves no fewer than a hundred thousand participants, but only about one percent survive." Hearing this, a chill ran through Shen Qing, "Isn''t this, in essence, a slaughter among martial masters?" "Indeed," Huang Furo sighed deeply, "But it''s also a grand feast on the Great Zhou Temple where rights are redistributed." Shen Qing remained silent after hearing this. He understood Huang Furo''s implied meaning. Placing martial masters from the Qi Hai Realm to the Innate Realm in one place was inherently unfair competition; those with lower cultivation were basically sent to their death. Yet, for the wealthy families, sending Innate Realm Guardians to support their descendants virtually guaranteed effortless victory, securing temple privileges. The Jing Luan Assembly was a disaster and one-sided slaughter for powerless martial artists, while it was a rare opportunity for power and advantage for the powerful families. "Focus on cultivating and improving your strength," Huang Furo advised solemnly. "Thank you for enlightening me, my lord," Shen Qing clasped his hands respectfully. After talking for a while, he felt thirsty, stepped forward, and took out two water bags, finding them empty. Shen Qing lifted the two water bags, "I''ll fetch some water." He strode out, hanging the water bags at his waist, carrying a bow and a knife, heading towards the forest. The autumn breeze blew gently. In the distance, the layers of mountains, dyed by autumn, stood distinguishably, with shades of green, gold, and fiery red interwoven. Not far behind the Mountain God Temple, a spring trickled, clear to the bottom. A few fallen leaves floated on the water, drifting along the current. Occasionally, squirrels could be seen busily scurrying through the woods, gathering autumn fruits in preparation for the upcoming winter. Shen Qing brushed away the floating leaves, pulled the stopper from the waterskin, and submerged it in the spring. The spring gushed into the waterskin. After a moment, Shen Qing drank his fill from the water bag, then refilled both before preparing to return. While walking along the forest path, he suddenly felt the sky grow dim. Shen Qing let out a light exclamation and looked up into the sky. The sun, hanging in the sky, had already been largely obscured by a black veil without him knowing when, losing its light. In the sky, it seemed as if a great hand had torn a gash, revealing the black abyss within. "What is this..." Shen Qing''s face changed drastically, full of confusion. Not daring to linger, he activated the Da Xu Technique, and with a step, his figure flickered, appearing before the Mountain God Temple. Huang Furo was already aware of the unusual phenomenon and stood at the door, looking skyward. She asked Shen Qing, "What''s happening?" Shen Qing shook his head, about to speak when suddenly, an extremely dazzling radiant light erupted from the bottom of the enigmatic abyss, piercing the darkness, and descended directly. In an instant, the entire world seemed to be illuminated. Boom! The radiant light plummeted into a mountain peak not far away, emitting an earth-shattering roar. The ground trembled violently, stirring up infinite dust and airwaves. The surrounding air seemed distorted by this power. "Be careful!" Huang Furo shouted, instinctively shielding Shen Qing. ``` Chapter 116 Spirit Mechanism Greatly Unleashed, Cultivation Skyrockets ```"Boom!" Huang Furo and Shen Qing were thrown by a cataclysmic force, rolling far away. A gust of wind followed, Shen Qing quickly shielded Huang Furo beneath him, his hands pinned to the ground like nails. "Do not move," Shen Qing shouted loudly, keeping his head low. Huang Furo''s body tensed immediately. The world suddenly fell into darkness, enveloped in blackness. Whistling sounds continuously filled their ears. Shen Qing felt layers of sand constantly piling onto them. Unknown how much time passed, the violent upheaval receded, and the whistling faded, everything returning to calm. Shen Qing vaguely heard the heavy breathing beneath him. "Are we good?" Huang Furo''s cool voice emerged from the darkness. Shen Qing, with a grave expression, did not respond immediately. He released his Divine Sense to scout around, confirming no significant danger remained outside, then affirmed, "It''s fine now." With that, he pushed himself up with force. Stay tuned with empire Heavy sand cascaded off him. Huang Furo, who had her back to Shen Qing, also climbed out of the sand. The two, without prior agreement, gazed forward. S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Before them, all trees in the deep forest inclined outward in one direction. The ancient and abandoned Mountain God Temple now had one corner completely collapsed. Shen Qing and Huang Furo exchanged a glance, saying, "Let''s go have a look." They did not hesitate, swiftly climbing a high peak for a better view. There, the sky radiated with brilliant light, as if the air itself was boiling, the space undulating like waves. The sight left Shen Qing and Huang Furo astonished. "Look over there, something''s happening!" Huang Furo''s keen eyes spotted something unusual, and Shen Qing followed her gaze, looking intently, greatly shocked. It was a wild boar transforming towards the demon. Its strong, dark body wriggled and gradually transformed into a humanoid creature with a boar''s head. "It''s a demon! This is the Spirit Mechanism Land," Shen Qing recognized instantly. Huang Furo murmured, "I never thought the rumors were true." Rumors had long existed publicly, claiming demons emerged because of these Spirit Mechanism Lands. Yet, no one knew their underlying reason. The only certainty was that great opportunities laced these lands, immensely benefiting cultivation. Shen Qing and Huang Furo both realized the Spiritual Energy in this part of the world was far richer than elsewhere, making cultivation significantly more effective. They looked at each other knowingly, seeing a spark of eagerness in each other''s eyes. Opportunities unseized bring regret. Confronted by such a legendary opportunity, they couldn''t afford to miss it. Simultaneously, Shen Qing and Huang Furo activated their Spiritual Power, casting the "Da Xu Technique." Their figures became ethereal, leaving afterimages too fleeting for the naked eye, sprinting towards the land bathed in divine light, at speeds almost imperceptible. As Shen Qing sprinted, he took his Heavy Bow, nocking an arrow, pointing ahead. Numerous demons already surfaced in the Spirit Mechanism Land. Having just gained spiritual wisdom, they remained ignorant, making it the perfect chance to eliminate them. "Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh..." Shen Qing''s arrows flew off the bowstring without pause. Each demon, unaware, was pierced and destroyed, leaving no remains. In the blink of an eye, demons in the Spirit Mechanism Land were completely wiped out. Their speed quickly brought them to the edge of the Spirit Mechanism Land in eight or nine breaths. "The richness of this Spiritual Energy is terrifying." "Indeed, such concentration in Spiritual Energy boosts cultivation hundreds of times beyond the ordinary, reminiscent only of Ancient Times," Huang Furo echoed in amazement. "Ancient Times?" "You haven''t heard of the Ancient Times?" Huang Furo asked, surprised. Shen Qing honestly replied, "I grew up a hunter, lacking exposure." Huang Furo patiently explained, "In Ancient Times, the Human Clan''s Immortal Path flourished, with lifespans over a thousand being common. However, three thousand years ago, a dark upheaval occurred, leading to the mysterious disappearance of many of our great powers, severing legacies and emeritus knowledge. It was then that Martial Arts began to flourish. It''s said that back then, Spiritual Energy was incredibly abundant, unlike today''s scarcity." "My god, there''s a sword blade in the center." Huang Furo cried out, pulling Shen Qing forward, where they discovered a blood-stained Ancient Sword Fragment floating in the air, exuding a sharp Sword Intent that repelled them. "This style looks like a relic weapon from Ancient Times!" Huang Furo, well-versed, recognized at once. Shen Qing sensed the excitement in Huang Furo''s voice. This Ancient Time''s relic weapon was daunting, unlike contemporary artifacts. Their limited power meant they could only gaze longingly from afar. Approaching recklessly would shred them with the chaotic Sword Qi. Shen Qing exhaled, calming himself, he said, "Let''s not concern ourselves with this fragment now. The Spiritual Energy remains abundant, showing no signs of fading, a perfect chance to cultivate earnestly and enhance our cultivation. If missed, such an opportunity rarely returns." "You speak sense. We must protect each other and seize this time to train! Absorb as much as we can." "Alright!" They spoke no more. Huang Furo channeled her family-taught Martial Arts, her whole being aglow with golden light, exuding ethereal grace as she absorbed the surrounding Spiritual Energy. Shen Qing, meanwhile, performed the Six Path Whale Swallowing Technique, transforming into a giant whale in the sea to devour. Instantly, a vortex of Spiritual Energy formed around him, greedily siphoning all nearby energy. It affected Huang Furo, forcing her to distance herself from Shen Qing to continue absorbing Spiritual Energy. "What Cultivation Technique is this, so domineering." Huang Furo recalled and recognized it after a while as the Six Paths Whale Swallowing Technique housed in the Martial Arts Hall at the county office. If memory served, this technique was a high-entry Martial Arts, seldom mastered by martial masters. Yet, not only had Shen Qing mastered it, he had elevated the technique to an advanced realm and level. Truly incredible! But now wasn''t the time for idle thought. Huang Furo hurriedly refocused her mind on cultivation, seizing every chance to boost her cultivation. Shen Qing found that cultivating in this Spirit Mechanism Land accelerated the Martial Arts Progress on his Water Ink Panel by at least a hundredfold. Cultivating here for merely a day equaled months of hard training, even surpassing the Wish Power Pearl, leaving him overjoyed! Observing the panel''s rapidly climbing figures, Shen Qing emptied his mind, immersing himself fully in cultivation. ... In Yongzhou City, demons ran rampant, consuming people, creating a hell on earth. Many lives were lost to these demons. The Qian Family, one of the Thirteen Lines, found themselves specifically targeted in the calamity, entirely slaughtered by the demons. Moreover, hostile officials from the government office opposed to Thirteen Lines were also selectively wiped out by the demons. With most targets eliminated, the Innate Realm ancestors of the Zhou Family, the Dong Family, the Sun Family, and the Xiao Family, along with representatives of other high ranks and county office Innate officials, convened to discuss their next move. ``` Chapter 117 Shen Qing Must be Eliminated, The Four Directions Stir ```"Now that demons are running rampant in the city, we cannot sit idly by and remain indifferent. We need to come up with a plan." S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. On the high platform, Zhou Family Ancestor Zhou Yuguang stood majestically, his voice as resounding as a great bell. Someone agreed, "So, in Senior Zhou''s opinion, what should we do?" Zhou Family Ancestor Zhou Guangyu said seriously, "I see that the invading demons are powerful, not inferior to our cultivation, and perhaps even stronger. Our families and the government office have suffered significant losses, and the matter of demons cannot be ignored." "But as far as I know, the situation in Yongzhou City is due to Shen Qing of the Military Department secretly colluding with the demons." Zhou Family Ancestor Zhou Guangyu pondered and continued, "As the General of the Army, he knowingly broke the law and secretly conspired with the demons, causing chaos in the city. Therefore, we should first execute this villain, then form alliances to eliminate the demons in the city. Otherwise, this will always be a hidden danger that could lead to a major problem." Dong Family Ancestor Dong Changhui followed with agreement, "Indeed, with the Prefectural Governor in trouble and the Qian Family in distress, even when the Family Heads went to catch the culprit, they were all killed. This person is simply lawless and must be removed quickly." "Exactly so." After Dong Changhui spoke, others expressed their agreement. In their original plan, when the chaos of demons reached its peak and the city''s people fell into despair, they would step forward and, together with the government officials, slay the reckless demons, aiding the faltering power. This would establish their prestige in the city. By means of both grace and power, they would both undermine the authority of the government office and elevate their status in Yongzhou. However, when the news that all the Family Heads were killed by Shen Qing came back, everything changed. Shen Qing had already learned of their schemes and completely tore off all pretenses with them, making it impossible to recruit him. Keeping him would be a hidden danger, with no saying when it might explode. If he was not removed, the government officials they had allied with would likely have other thoughts. This might attract the attention of the court and the Ji Family, and the secret of Spirit Mechanism Land could not be kept. Undoubtedly, Shen Qing''s killing of the nine Family Heads had already stirred their fear and anger, making each family realize the seriousness of the issue. Shen Qing became their greatest worry so that they had to temporarily set aside the matter of the demons. As the most powerful among them, Zhou Guangyu nodded and said, "Since everyone thinks this way, we should next take Lord Jia Zhiping as the leader, assist him in eradicating the traitors, and then eliminate the demons. Internal stability must come before external threats! What do you think?" Jia Zhiping, sitting in the main hall, had a serious expression upon hearing this. He was clear that the chaos caused by the demons in Yongzhou City was inseparable from these people. Now they were placing this universally condemned crime onto Shen Qing''s head, absolving themselves. However, what did this have to do with him? If he wanted to achieve political success in Yongzhou, he had to learn to coexist with these powerful figures. This was an unavoidable step. Perhaps with the Prefectural Governor''s death, he could further himself by taking credit for suppressing the demons in Yongzhou and become a significant official in the Great Zhou Court. For him, going along with the flow was all benefits and no harm. It was just a pity for a good seed like Shen Qing. "Lord Jia, as the Commander of the Military, a significant official of the court, holds the military power of Yongzhou. Today, with the chaos in Yongzhou, we must take Lord Jia as the leader. Our Dong Family has no objection." Dong Family Ancestor Dong Changhui supported with clasped hands. "Our Sun Family has no objection either." "We Xiao Family are the same." "..." Soon, one Family Head after another expressed their support. "Good, since this is the case, I will gather the personnel now. Everyone, let''s go outside the West City Gate to eliminate the traitors and give everyone an explanation." Jia Zhiping stood up, clasping his hands, and said indignantly. In the face of absolute interest, the so-called love for talent was thrown aside by him. "Lord Jia is noble!" At this point, someone reminded, "Lord Jia should act swiftly; otherwise, with demons running rampant in the city, dragging on might incite a people''s uprising." Zhou Family Ancestor Zhou Yuguang responded, "Hahaha, you worry too much. The demons entering the city merely wish to devour some people; how many can they eat with their stomachs? A few hundred people in the city would be enough for them to eat for decades. Relax, suffering the people a bit is harmless." "Oh, indeed, I overthought it." Commander Jia Zhiping laughed and said, "Everyone, there''s no time to lose. I''ll prepare first, gather outside the West City Gate after a pot of tea!" "Thank you, Lord Jia. We will also gather personnel to cooperate with Lord Jia." Commander Jia Zhiping cupped his hands and left the main hall in large strides. Following him, the others from the government office gradually took their leave, leaving with Jia Zhiping. In no time, a third of the people in the main hall were gone, with only a few high-ranking families in Yongzhou remaining. "Didn''t that old man Huangfu Chuan come?" Zhou Family Ancestor Zhou Guangyu squinted his eyes, letting out a cold snort, "Even at this time, he is still immersed in the old dreams of the Huangfu family, not realizing that a fallen phoenix is incomparable to a chicken. Despising us now, after this matter concludes, we won''t let the Huangfu family stay in Yongzhou any longer." As his words fell, the sky suddenly darkened. The vast main hall plunged into darkness. Everyone was startled, "What happened?" Continue reading stories on empire Zhou Guangyu seemed to realize something, abruptly got up from his seat, and rushed outside. Moments later, his entire body trembled uncontrollably. "This is... Spirit Mechanism explosion!" Rumble! A deafening roar came from afar, shaking the ground and mountains. ... Deep in a mansion in Yongzhou City, a man dressed in black, with a face twisted to the extreme and eyes wide open. His mouth tore open at an angle beyond human limits, like a gaping abyss, slowly swallowing a live person, filled with primal wildness. The room reeked of an indescribable stench. Moments later, faint chewing sounds emerged in the damp and dark space, making one''s hair stand on end. The man opened his vertical eyes, glowing like two lanterns in the dark, with blood light surging. He mumbled, coughed twice, and spat out a heap of government official uniforms and bones, burping contentedly. "The taste of this Innate Realm martial master is quite good." Bang! The door was forcefully kicked open, revealing a charming silhouette. The man in black exposed two fangs, smiling as he said, "I wondered who it was, turns out to be the Mountain Lord Goddess. What brings you here?" The enchanting woman''s face was full of anger, coldly saying, "Chang Junzi, you and I have always minded our own business. This prey was mine; it''s too much for you to snatch it." "It''s just some rations, why care. Spirit Essence is descending soon, and its spiritual wealth is much stronger than these rations. How about I give you a share then?" The man in black said with a half-smile. ``` Chapter 118 Cultivation Increase, Eight Desolate Annihilation Seal ```"Nicely said, but do you think I''ll believe it?" Demon Jiu Li said coldly. The man in black yawned, speaking lazily like a sly snake, "Then there''s no way around it. Who told you to be less skilled than me?" "You..." Demon Jiu Li was choked with anger. She had not expected her avatar to make a mistake, which weakened her strength and allowed the person in front of her to take advantage, stealing her prey. Saying she was less skilled was not incorrect. But this was precisely the most infuriating fact. Great Demon Jiu Li tried to calm herself, and after a moment, she snorted coldly, saying, "Do you know you''ve devoured an important figure from the government office? I''ve heard this person was one of the big figures sent by the Ji Family Court. Do you think the Ji Family Court will let you go after such rampant devouring?" "It sounds as if they''d let me go if I didn''t eat them. In any case, demons and humans don''t coexist, and they''d come to kill me sooner or later. Rather than waiting for them to kill me, I''d better kill them first, gaining strength in the process." The man in black continued, "Speaking of which, do you think behaving recklessly in Yongzhou City will make them let you go? Don''t let yourself be used as a tool without realizing it." "I didn''t expect this old snake like you to have some brains. My matters naturally don''t need your concern." "I belong to the Dragon Species, different from you foxy demons." The man in black held his head high, showing a trace of pride as he spoke. "Just because I praised you, you think you''re something." Great Demon Jiu Li said, "What you can think of, I can naturally think of as well. But riches and honor come from danger; they''re using me, but am I not using them? I''ve already notified the city''s demons to indulge for a day and then leave immediately; all will be well. If they covet the city''s temptations, then dying is their fate." "The things I''ve obtained in these days are much more than your trifles outside. Once they come to their senses, I''ll flee, seeking Spirit Mechanisms, and what can they do to me?" Great Demon Jiu Li spoke with a strong self-confidence, stunning the man in black for a moment. "You opportunistic snake-rat types will never understand such strategies." "You!" The man in black became infuriated, and black scales began to appear on his neck. Seeing him angry and humiliated, Great Demon Jiu Li felt satisfaction from within. She showed a broad demeanor and said, "I have an idea. Do you want to hear it?" sea??h th§× N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "What idea? Speak!" "Here are just you and me as two great demons; this time, the Spirit Essence descending is enough for us to share. Instead of fighting each other, why not collaborate to eliminate those pesky humans and monopolize this Spirit Essence? Consider the Innate Body as my gesture of goodwill. How about it?" Upon hearing about the Spirit Essence, the man in black calmed down unexpectedly. He pondered for a while and said, "Alright!" Rumble! Suddenly, the earth shook. The two great demons hurriedly dashed out of the big house and looked westward, revealing a few traces of ecstasy upon seeing the glowing clouds filling the sky. "Time is of the essence, let''s go!" Unconsciously, the two demons each summoned and controlled a cloud, one black, one white, dashing away. ... Amidst the glowing clouds of the mountains and forests, Shen Qing was enveloped in countless halos. All around him, multicolored vortices appeared at each of his acupoints, with massive amounts of Spiritual Energy drilling into his body. Shen Qing opened his eyes, observing the rapidly changing numbers on the water ink panel, his eyes filled with an incredulous look. He knew this opportunity was extremely rare and decisively used the Wish Power Pearl. With the stacking power of the Wish Power Pearl, his cultivation speed soared like a rocket. [Skill: Six Path Whale Swallowing Technique (Level of Mastery)] [Progress: 2639/3000 points] [Progress: 2701/3000 points] [Progress: 2781/3000 points] Stay tuned to empire ... In just a few dozen breaths, the progress of the Six Path Whale Swallowing Technique had increased by over a hundred points, a hundred times more than usual. Furthermore, a similar change occurred within his Qi Sea. Shen Qing found that as he continued cultivating, refining the constantly incoming Spiritual Energy, the "Dan Ying" sitting cross-legged in his Qi Sea was visibly growing at an eye-popping speed. From a three-year-old toddler, it turned into a four-year-old, five-year-old, then a seven-year-old boy resembling Shen Qing. At this rate, it wouldn''t be long before he broke through to the Innate Realm. Shen Qing was excited and concentrated even harder on cultivating the Spiritual Energy. After the time of a stick of incense, Shen Qing''s consciousness moved as he called forth the water ink panel. [Skill: Six Path Whale Swallowing Technique (Level of Mastery)] [Progress: 3001/3000 points] [Status: Breakthrough possible] [Note: Observing widely and carefully selecting, building a solid foundation before unleashing potential. Your dedicated cultivation has yielded new rewards. In this breakthrough, your ''Moluo''s Body'' will further strengthen; Spiritual Power absorption and conversion speed increased by 30%, and blood and flesh recovery speed increased by 10%.] Looking at the familiar status bar, Shen Qing did not hesitate and chose to breakthrough. With a low buzzing sound, The water ink panel trembled before quickly refreshing. [Skill: Six Path Whale Swallowing Technique (Great Perfection)] [Progress: 1/4000 points] [Status: Breakthrough impossible] [Note: Your awakened ''Moluo''s Body'' further strengthened; Spiritual Power absorption and conversion speed successfully increased by 30%, blood and flesh recovery speed successfully increased by 10%.] Success! Shen Qing clenched his fists in excitement. Familiar massive memories surged into his mind, his strong Divine Sense remaining composed, expelling all negative effects. After all the memories were absorbed, Shen Qing''s meridians became as smooth as jade, full of resilience, and nurtured a trace of golden blood, which amazed Shen Qing. But he had no time to study it carefully. Such a rare opportunity, he quickly concentrated his mind and eagerly continued with his diligent cultivation. "Now that the Whale Swallowing Technique has been cultivated to Great Perfection, the Sky Flipping Seal and Heavenly Bow Technique should also be quickly improved. These are the fundamental martial arts, and they should progress simultaneously." Shen Qing quickly made up his mind, using the Whale Swallowing Technique as a support, forming a seal with both hands and cultivating this martial art, the Sky Flipping Seal. He closed his eyes and focused, operating the Whale Swallowing Technique. Even when Shen Qing simply carried out the basic operation, with the Six Path Whale Swallowing Technique reaching Great Perfection, the speed at which he absorbed Spiritual Energy was still much faster than before, advancing to a new level. Once the Spiritual Energy was steadily drawn into the Qi Sea, Shen Qing''s arms raised slowly as if lifting a thousand-pound burden, cultivating the Sky Flipping Seal. His hands formed an ancient, mysterious posture, linking finger to finger, creating an invisible "Sky" as Heaven and Earth Essence gathered quietly, embodying the martial essence of overturning the sky and commotion. Shen Qing seemed to transform into an ancient statue, standing immovably in the flow of time, with turbulent currents building strength within him like a volcano about to erupt. The same scene as with the Six Path Whale Swallowing Technique occurred. The progress of the Sky Flipping Seal continued to advance on the water ink panel in his view. [Skill: Sky Flipping Seal (Level of Mastery)] [Progress: 89/900 points] [Progress: 138/900 points] [Progress: 275/900 points] ... After a dozen breaths, the points of the Sky Flipping Seal met the requirement. Shen Qing immediately chose to breakthrough, and since the points required for each realm of the Sky Flipping Seal were not many, he progressed from the Level of Mastery to Great Perfection, and immediately to the Break Limit level. [Skill: Sky Flipping Seal (Break Limit)] [Progress: 18/2000 points] [Status: Breakthrough impossible] [Note: Your Sky Flipping Seal has reached Break Limit. Comprehend the Break Limit skill, Shattering Mountains. Using this skill can increase the power of the Sky Flipping Seal by 10% in an instant.] Shen Qing ignored these reminders, a resolute heart driving him, "With such a divine opportunity, water ink panel, show me your true limit. Time waits for no one; continue advancing!" Buzz! The water ink panel shook. Under Shen Qing''s full cultivation effort, the points above soared. After the time of a stick of incense, The familiar sense of breakthrough made Shen Qing''s eyes shine brilliantly. [Skill: Sky Flipping Seal (Break Limit)] [Progress: 2001/2000 points] [Status: Breakthrough possible] [Note: After playing numerous melodies, you finally understand the sound; after viewing countless swords, you discern the blade. Your Sky Flipping Seal has been cultivated to the utmost limit, and by continuing to improve, you''ll comprehend ''Eight Desolate Annihilation Seal.''"] "Breakthrough!" The water ink panel in Shen Qing''s view quivered with intensity, the skill text for the Sky Flipping Seal blending into a mass of ink dots. Moments later, new information refreshed. [Skill: Eight Desolate Annihilation Seal (Entry Level)] [Progress: 1/5000 points] [Status: Breakthrough impossible] [Note: Perceive the mysteries of the Eight Desolates and comprehend the Dao of birth and death in the universe. You''ve comprehended the ''Eight Desolate Annihilation Seal''; cultivate it to its peak, and with one seal, all things may live or perish at a whim.] "The Eight Desolates" refer to the distant eight directions, representing infinity; "Annihilation Dao," the way of life and death in all things. At the moment this panel information appeared, Shen Qing sensed a tremor from the depths of his soul. An extreme realization exploded in his heart, forcing countless massive memories into his mind, allowing no reaction time. Even with his powerful Divine Sense, this sudden onslaught left Shen Qing somewhat unprepared, rendering him holding his head with a groan of pain. After an indeterminate period, all memories fused into one, and as Shen Qing absorbed and comprehended them, the pain gradually subsided. Shen Qing returned to normal, his arms trembling as if breaking free from shackles, familiar sensations returned. Forming a seal with both hands, a mysterious rune abruptly took shape within his grasp, embracing yin and yang, charged with destructive force, as he slammed it forward with overwhelming might. A brilliant light cleaved the sky, tearing through the void as if creating heaven and earth anew. There was no anticipated violent commotion. Before him, a mountain vanished into nothingness under Shen Qing''s palm, leaving no trace. This was the opening move of the Eight Desolate Annihilation Seal¡ªGenesis. Watching this scene, Shen Qing clicked his tongue in wonder. He did not expect such a technique to wield such terrifying power, akin to an ancient great power. Something he had never thought possible. Shen Qing pondered deeply, soon realizing the crux of the matter. It was due to this Spirit Mechanism Land! The Spirit Mechanism Land was rich with Spiritual Energy, replenishing rapidly after depletion. Leaving this range, utilizing such a technique could drain all his Spiritual Power, leaving him unable to stand. Shen Qing could hardly imagine, if in ancient times, when the world''s Spiritual Energy was this concentrated, what spectacle cultivators would present. He could not help but yearn for it. ``` Chapter 119 Innate Ancestors Gather to Compete for the Spirit Mechanism (Happy Mid-Autumn Festival) ```Outside Yongzhou City, streaks of rainbow light swiftly darted under the azure sky, dazzling onlookers as the sound of gale winds echoed. Originally simple manifestations of rainbow light, under the propulsion of these Innate Realm cultivators, their speed became so swift that the naked eye could scarcely distinguish them, seemingly transcending the mundane constraints, astonishingly fast. After a sequential chase, the Innate Realm Ancestors of the Zhou Family, the Dong Family, the Sun Family, and the Xiao family successively reached the place where the radiance fell and the Spirit Mechanism erupted. A trace of excitement flashed across each of their faces. Having broken through to Innate, their lifespans were merely two hundred years, now nearly exhausted, and their physical bodies and Qi-Blood deteriorated severely. If not for relying on substantial financial resources to buy spiritual elixirs for support, they feared they would decline day by day. The Spirit Mechanism Land, involving secrets of longevity, was a colossal temptation to them, so each was determined to gain it. As the Spirit Mechanism Land drew nearer, the four ancestors subconsciously pulled apart a little. Some even drew their weapons, guarding against each other, without exposing their intentions. "Later, shall we rely on our skills?" The Zhou Family Ancestor, Zhou Guangyu, said with a smile. The Dong Family Ancestor, Dong Changhui, responded, "Let''s do as Brother Zhou says; I have no objections. At that time, how much Spirit Essence each can seize will depend on one''s destiny." The Sun Family and Xiao Family Ancestors said in unison, "Okay." "We have arrived." After a rapid advance, the figures of the four ancestors gradually slowed, hovering in mid-air from four directions centered around the Spirit Mechanism Land, stabilizing their postures. Suspended in mid-air, they sensed a surging spiritual energy, as if their pores relaxed, refreshing their spirits. In an instant, they felt as if they had become several years younger. An indescribable calm and aloof demeanor emanated from their whole bodies, their breath long and stable, showing no sign of the exertion they just experienced. "This feeling..." Someone carefully looked and noticed a shattered sword blade at the core, their eyes blazing, "There is a fragment of an external artifact!" These words incited exclamations from the other three, who all looked over. "Huh?! How come there''s someone there?" Zhou Guangyu, the Zhou Family Ancestor, exclaimed in surprise. Upon his reminder, the others noticed two young figures on the periphery of the Spirit Mechanism Land core. Zhou Guangyu recognized one of them and said, "Looking at that attire and appearance, if I''m not mistaken, that should be the Huangfu family''s young lad." Sear?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "The young lad Huangfu Furo from the Huangfu family?" Dong Changhui of the Dong Family frowned, "Then, who is that young person beside her?" "Wasn''t Huangfu Furo being hunted by that cunning fox? How could she be alive and here?" "There must have been many changes within." "Why concern ourselves with them? Just a mere young girl can be directly subdued. Even if her father, Huangfu Chuan, stood before me, he is still just a junior, not worth speaking to. The Spirit Essence matters more." The Ancestor of the Sun Family was impatient, unwilling to waste time with Spirit Essence at hand, and directly took action. He let out a light hum, and his aura changed abruptly, as if a mountain were about to topple, waves roaring. A massive surge of spiritual power rushed from his body like rivers converging into the sea, his entire body''s spiritual power tumultuous. He abruptly put his palms together, golden spiritual power roiled wildly, finally converging into a colossal hand that blotted out the sky, inscribed with complex runes, fiercely striking towards where Huangfu Furo was. Where the golden hand passed, the gale howled, emitting a low rumble. Situated amid the Spirit Essence, Huangfu Furo was focused on cultivation, suddenly sensing the violent aura overhead, her face changed dramatically. In haste, she hurriedly urged all her spiritual power, immediately surrounding herself with a halo as bright as stars. Then she pointed to the sky; in a rush, she activated the Huangfu family''s inherited Martial Arts, Da Xu Finger. A transparent finger emerged abruptly in the void, clashing with the golden palm. Bang! Huangfu Furo''s methods, under the Innate Realm''s power, were utterly irresistible, appearing precarious. At the critical juncture, a figure suddenly appeared, standing in front of her, launching a palm strike towards the sky without hesitation. Instantaneously, a scarlet-golden giant hand appeared from nowhere, radiating a scorching aura, opposing the golden hand. "Boom¡ª" The two giant hands crashed into each other, emitting an extremely dazzling light. At the point of contact, space seemed squeezed by an invisible hand, distorting and trembling. The air was permeated with the scent of burning, and the surrounding space, unable to withstand the power, began showing slight cracks. Finally, accompanying a more violent explosion sound, the power of the two hands dissipated simultaneously into nothingness. Leaving only the gradually calming airwaves and the upright figure on the ground. At this moment, time seemed frozen. Continue reading stories on empire All present were mesmerized by the commotion caused by these two, watching intently. The four ancestors suspended in the void were visibly moved; they didn''t expect young people to withstand their blow. Standing on the ground, Huangfu Furo felt the same. Her heart pounded violently from the earlier clash, tense to the point of suffocation. Upon seeing the familiar figure before her, the heart that had been hanging suddenly settled, surrounded tightly by a strong sense of security. "You have some skill, young one from which family?" the Sun Family Ancestor curiously asked. Shen Qing looked up, and four middle-aged men descended slowly, hovering over the void, surrounding both of them. Innate Realm cultivation! Shen Qing''s heart skipped a beat, his face turning incredibly grave. Among the Thirteen Lines in Yongzhou City, there were four martial masters of Innate Realm, the ancestors of the Zhou Family, the Dong Family, the Sun Family, and the Xiao Family. Yet these people always led secluded lives, rarely showing themselves, so outsiders weren''t familiar with them. But seeing these four dressed in fine garments, speaking with a bit of Yongzhou''s local accent, who else could they be but the four Innate ones? Shen Qing remained expressionless and silent. Dong Changhui of the Dong Family noticed Shen Qing''s robe bathed in blood, the embroidery nearly concealed by all sorts of bloodstains, barely recognizable. But with careful observation, the Chief Officer Robe of the Guardian Martial Department was identifiable in its pattern. Dong Changhui understood, suddenly laughing heartily, "It''s truly a case of wearing out iron shoes in vain only to find him by chance. If I''m not mistaken, you are Lord Shen Qing, aren''t you?" "What, this young man before us is Shen Qing?" The other three ancestors showed surprise, then simultaneously displayed joy. Zhou Guangyu of the Zhou Family said, "Indeed. If Lord Shen Qing is present, it does save us a lot of trouble." "Then let us act, kill without hesitation!" ``` Chapter 120 Sweeping All Enemies, Slaying "Good!"To the Four Elders, Shen Qing had become a thorn in their eyes, a danger in their side that must be removed. Before they arrived, this decision had already been made. They were about to act but were delayed by the sudden eruption of Spirit Mechanism. Unexpectedly, by a twist of fate, they encountered Shen Qing, this fiend, again at this location. S§×ar?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The four individuals present had crawled up from the depths, all ruthless and decisive, never hesitating to act when necessary. Even if they had no grudge against the Huangfu family, with Huang Furo present, they bore no scruples in disposing of him swiftly. As the words fell, the four Innate Elders of the Zhou, Dong, Sun, and Xiao families simultaneously took action. The four of them stood like towering mountains, with spiritual energy surging. In an instant, the winds stirred and clouds billowed between heaven and earth, an overwhelming pressure descended. Standing on the ground, Shen Qing''s clothes rustled in the wind. Facing the four ultimate beings of the same realm, his heart pounded, feeling immense pressure. Even Huang Furo, who was not the target, had her hair wildly swirling, as if each inch of flesh on her body bore immense weight. An Innate Martial Master was already extraordinary in her eyes, able to manipulate her effortlessly. Let alone four Innate Martial Masters striking simultaneously. What chance did they have of survival? Seeing Shen Qing repeatedly protect her safety, Huang Furo steeled her heart, "Shen Qing, quickly go! I''ll hold them off!" To Huang Furo, her confidence lay in the Huangfu family. Even a broken ship has three pounds of nails; their Huangfu family had not severed ties with other families, and relations were still acceptable. She was willing to gamble that these people wouldn''t do anything to her! "Go? No way." Shen Qing stood beneath the combined might of the Zhou, Dong, Sun, and Xiao families'' Innate Elders, showing not a trace of retreat. Shen Qing knew that his cultivation of the Da Xu Technique was still inadequate. Facing these Innate Martial Masters capable of wielding Rainbow Light, his hope of escaping was slim. Instead of being passive, he might as well take the initiative, maybe even find a slim chance of escape. So what if they were Innate Martial Masters? They were still living beings made of flesh and blood. People could die! "Kill!" With a clear whistle, the Six Path Whale Swallowing Technique frantically operated, and the spiritual power accumulated in his body was completely unleashed. This spiritual power erupted abruptly, and a vast amount of spiritual energy surged out of Shen Qing, comparable to that of an Innate Martial Master. At this moment, the Da Xu Technique was pushed to its limit, and his form became an elusive shadow that immediately flitted away under the watchful eyes of all, creating a substantial distance from the Four Elders like a ghostly apparition. Immediately, Shen Qing reached out, and a phantom palm emerged silently from the void, sticking unnoticed to the back of the Xiao Family Ancestor. "Da Xu Hand?!" The Xiao Family Ancestor instantly detected a piercing killing intent that appeared out of nowhere, catching him off guard, forcing his figure to move instinctively to the side. Holding the Treasure Sword, a fatal flaw appeared in his defense. Shen Qing''s divine sense was acute, capturing that instant of change. His internal spiritual energy boiled, and his hands formed a seal. A destructive aura burst forth from his palms, transforming into an extremely dazzling mark that flowed with the vastness and desolation of the primeval creation of heaven and earth, containing supreme power capable of annihilating all. [Eight Desolate Annihilation Seal] took shape with a roar. The Heaven and Earth Creation Seal condensed in his hands, two yin-yang fish-like lights emerged. Shen Qing launched his palm forward. An ancient mark tore through the sky with an intent to obliterate everything, meeting the astonished eyes of the Xiao Family Ancestor. The moment it touched the Xiao Family Ancestor, it was as if a doomsday light brightened the world. The Xiao Family Ancestor''s expression drastically changed. He hadn''t expected Shen Qing to unleash such astounding power, hurriedly mobilizing his full cultivation to arrange layers of defense in a desperate attempt to block this fearsome seal. However, with the Spirit Mechanism Land''s enhancement, the [Eight Desolate Annihilation Seal] produced terrifying power, far exceeding his expectations. The surrounding space distorted into pieces under the seal''s might, eradicating the Xiao Family Ancestor''s defenses layer by layer until finally, the Xiao Family Ancestor was completely consumed. As the dust settled, there was no longer any trace of the Xiao Family Ancestor in the void. A dignified Innate Martial Master had been worn down to nothing, leaving only a ripple in the void, his bones vanished. This sight horrified the remaining three elders, as they looked at each other in fear. They widened their eyes, scarcely believing as they gazed at Shen Qing, as if seeing a monster, their hearts unable to calm. Shen Qing stood at the spot, his clothes somewhat disheveled, but his aura was even more fierce. His gaze was like electricity, sweeping the surroundings. Killing an Innate Martial Master in the initial exchange gave him immense confidence, birthing an internal sense of unrivaled arrogance. "Come, let me see the true quality of you Innate Martial Masters." "Arrogant brat, don''t be presumptuous!" Zhou Family Ancestor Zhou Guangyu and Dong Family Ancestor Dong Changhui felt a sudden adrenaline rush, fury igniting within them. They hadn''t expected such an outcome. "This boy harbors something unusual, let''s not hold back anymore!" Zhou Family Ancestor Zhou Guangyu shouted. At his reminder, the other two sharpened their focus, each wielding their Treasure Sabers as they charged at Shen Qing. "Very well! No matter how strong you are, I shall sweep away all enemies!" Shen Qing''s voice echoed across the heavens and earth, filled with confidence. In his view, occupying the advantageous Spirit Mechanism Land, he was not inferior to these elderly figures whose Qi-Blood was in decline, surely not destined to lose. The fierce battle spirit radiated from the three Innate Martial Masters as they tightly clenched their Treasure Sabers. The cold gleam shone like meteors cutting across the night sky, carrying an overwhelming force as they swept fiercely toward Shen Qing. Shen Qing''s eyes focused, a force beyond words seemed to surge around him. Your next chapter is on empire His internal True Qi roared like rivers and streams, furiously propelling the Da Xu Technique. The surrounding space seemed to have a rift torn by an invisible hand. In the stunned eyes of the crowd, Shen Qing, unbelievably, slipped through the gaps in the three Innate Martial Masters'' attacks, abruptly appearing dozens of meters away. There, near the fragmented sword, the spiritual energy was several times denser. Sharp Sword Qi continued to radiate from the fragments. Shen Qing steadied his form, a resolute expression flickering on his face. He swiftly drew a longbow from his back, its body shimmering with a faint dark cyan glow. Shen Qing had no hesitation, "Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!" Three arrows were fired simultaneously. While shooting these three arrows, Shen Qing intentionally harnessed the Spirit Mechanism Land''s natural and geographical advantages. The power of the Heavenly Bow Technique was further enhanced. The arrows seemed imbued with a fierce aura, tearing through the air with a deafening sound, shooting swiftly toward the three Innate Martial Masters. Where the arrows passed, they left behind visible white trails to the naked eye. "Boom! Boom! Boom!" Heavenly Bow Arrow Technique, every arrow hit the mark. Each arrow struck before the other three, and the immense power contained in the arrows caused the defenses they had amassed to burst apart spectacularly. Chapter 121 Annihilating the Three Ancestors The arrows, under the blessing of the Heavenly Bow Technique, each matched the full strike of a Dan Realm warrior.In the eyes of others, such power was impressive, yet it meant nothing to the three Innate Martial Masters. It could merely barely break through their defense, failing to inflict any substantial harm on them. Shen Qing looked up at the three of them. Amidst the deafening roar, the three old ancestors were intimidated by the powerful energy imbued in the arrows, and, floating in the void with no external support, were forced back by this force. Unnoticed, they became three isolated islands, able to signal each other but unable to combine their strength, each left to fend for themselves. The corners of Shen Qing''s mouth curled slightly, revealing a bit of a triumphant smile. Facing these top experts of Yongzhou, he wasn''t planning on giving them the slightest chance to catch their breath. The Six Path Whale Swallowing Technique was activated, and colorful vortices appeared around Shen Qing, madly refining the spiritual energy from the heavens and earth. Stay updated through empire He unfolded his body, employing the Da Xu Technique, as if enveloped by endless void, making his figure appear illusory. With a step forward, he left behind dazzling afterimages, seeming as though he vanished into the void, becoming elusive. Without any hesitation, Shen Qing aimed precisely, using the Da Xu Technique to dart in front of the Sun Family Ancestor. "Mushy persimmons should be pinched first." With divine sense, Shen Qing observed that his cultivation was the weakest among them all. He should be the first to be eliminated. The Sun Family Ancestor only saw a blur before his eyes, as Shen Qing suddenly appeared in front of him, sporting a half-amused, half-smiling expression. Before he understood what was happening, a Yin Yang Fish Hand Seal landed on his chest. "Poof..." A dull, muffled sound emerged. A scorching aura erupted abruptly from the Sun Family Ancestor''s chest. It was the unique destructive force of the Eight Desolate Annihilation Seal, resembling a blazing sun falling to the earth, everything turned silent. The Sun Family Ancestor''s eyes widened, trying in an instant to resist the terrifying power of the Eight Desolate Annihilation Seal. S§×arch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. However, against this immense and matchless force, he was like a candle in the wind, instantly devoured, his life force completely extinguished in several breaths. Even more disturbingly, throughout the entire process, the Sun Family Ancestor couldn''t even let out the most basic struggle or wail. Silently, his existence was erased by Shen Qing with a mere thought. Shen Qing stood calmly, landing steadily on the ground, showing an aura of composure throughout his body. Having consecutively slain the ancestors of the Sun Family and the Xiao Family, he felt not the slightest fatigue, and had a clearer understanding of his current power. His gaze lifted lightly, a glint flashed as he looked towards the Zhou Family Ancestor Zhou Guangyu and the Dong Family Ancestor Dong Changhui, and fear was no longer in his eyes. "It seems you all have grown quite old. Even though you surpass me by a Great Realm, you still aren''t my opponents, truly incompetent." Shen Qing spoke lightly. The words fell into the ears of Zhou Guangyu and Dong Changhui, making their faces turn blue and white, extremely unsightly. At this moment, they also began to suspect whether their strength had regressed too much, unable to handle even a Dan Realm Martial Master. Zhou Family Ancestor Zhou Guangyu reacted first, denying, "It''s not that we''re weak, but rather this Chief Officer of the Guardian Martial Department is too strong, disturbing our Dao hearts." "Damn it!" The Zhou Family Ancestor Zhou Guangyu and the Dong Family Ancestor Dong Changhui exchanged glances and chose to attack simultaneously. "Such a move with great power must be his trump card, consuming a vast amount of spiritual power. With his current cultivation, he certainly can''t use it consecutively. We can boldly make a move!" Zhou Family Ancestor Zhou Guangyu reasoned. While speaking, he fell back half a body behind Dong Changhui. Dong Changhui didn''t notice Zhou Guangyu''s cunning, charging at the forefront, approaching with an irresistible momentum, revealing soaring murderous intent. Hearing Zhou Guangyu''s words, Shen Qing suddenly felt like laughing for some reason. He snorted coldly and pushed the Six Path Whale Swallowing Technique to its utmost limit, his entire body''s muscles tightened, swelling like iron blocks. Numerous acupoints in his flesh lit up, resembling stars. His physical body transformed into a vast sea, and whales surfaced in the acupoints around him, continuously swallowing all the spiritual energy contained within the world. In his Qi Sea, the youthful "Dan Ying" showed an intoxicated expression, even spreading open its arms, gathering all the spiritual energy together, quickly refining it, supplementing the deficient spiritual power. Seeing Dong Changhui draw ever closer, Shen Qing held back nothing. With the "Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill" stacking, his spiritual power reversed rapidly. In the span of one breath, it completed nine revolutions, causing a surge in his aura. With a thought, Shen Qing pinched out the Eight Desolate Annihilation Seal with both hands. An immeasurable crimson gold brilliance erupted suddenly from within him, dazzling to the extreme, like the rising sun on the horizon, akin to a pouring galaxy, instantly illuminating the entire realm. These gleams were not mere light but manifested attacks infused with myriad profound spiritual powers. They transformed into a rushing crimson gold river, spanning yin and yang, carrying heaven-destroying, earth-annihilating might, sweeping menacingly towards Dong Changhui. Within that river were dragon roars and tiger cries, stars falling¡ªeach gleam contained terror capable of piercing metal stone and tearing through voids. Dong Family Ancestor Dong Changhui stood at the forefront. Facing this sudden assault, there was no avoiding it. A trace of incredulity and despair finally flashed in Dong Changhui''s eyes. This person was clearly a monster, showing no signs of exhaustion. Cursed Zhou Family old man, you''ve deceived me! Dong Changhui regretted it and wanted to pull back, but it was too late; he bit the bullet and resisted. Regrettably, all struggle and resistance appeared so pale and weak at this moment. That merciless crimson gold river pierced through his defense and engulfed him entirely. With an ear-piercing explosion, as all light vanished and dust settled, Dong Changhui''s figure was no more¡ªonly emptiness and deathly silence remained. No miracle happened with this strike. Dong Changhui, like the others, perished on the spot, leaving not even a chance for struggle. Upon witnessing this scene, Zhou Family Ancestor Zhou Guangyu abruptly halted his assault. Shen Qing''s successive killing of Innate Martial Masters completely extinguished his fantasies, conjuring fear in his heart. Zhou Guangyu looked at Shen Qing, meeting Shen Qing''s wild gaze. He couldn''t help but shiver, without hesitation, he turned and walked away. "Now you decide to leave? Too late!" Shen Qing lightly spun his hands, and that ancient, weighty Heavy Bow, as if pulled by invisible strings, landed precisely in his grip. His eyes instantly sharpened like an eagle''s, exuding unyielding determination and frigidity. Shen Qing''s spiritual power surged within, the surrounding air seemingly igniting, with concentric rings of visible spiritual ripples spreading outward from him. Arrows rose suspended from the Arrow Quiver, aligned in formation, gleaming coldly under the sunlight, poised for action. With a calm expression, Shen Qing extended his ape-like arm, drawing the bowstring to a full moon. The Heavenly Bow Technique was activated. The heavy bowstring vibrated, emitting a deep and lasting hum. Shen Qing locked his arrows on the Zhou Family Ancestor, his fingers released abruptly. "Whoosh!" An arrow shot forth, slicing through the sky, its speed astonishing. The arrow, like a dragon emerging from the sea, dashed towards the Zhou Family Ancestor. Clouds dissipated along its path, leaving streaks of white. Though the Zhou Family Ancestor was an Innate Martial Master, he was flustered now, unsure how to respond to this sudden assault. "Bang!" With a loud crash, the Zhou Family Ancestor''s defenses shattered like glass, light scattering, and the arrow precisely pierced through, striking the vital point. Innate Martial Masters had formidable flesh; after penetrating the defense, the arrow lost its momentum and was slapped away by the Zhou Family Ancestor. Just when Zhou Guangyu thought it was over, another volley of arrows followed. His face froze. Boom boom boom... Deafening roars resounded endlessly as Zhou Guangyu dealt with them, exhausting his entire cultivation to fend off each and every arrow. "Haha, you''re out of arrows!" Zhou Guangyu shouted, disheveled and in tatters. Suddenly, a golden hand materialized from the void, snatching his clothing and dragging him back before Shen Qing. Da Xu Hand! Bang. Chapter 122 As One Wave Subsides, Another Rises ```Zhou Family Ancestor Zhou Guangyu was dead. He died under Shen Qing''s Annihilation Seal, leaving only half his body. Thud. The sound of the corpse hitting the ground pulled Huang Furo back to reality. Her beautiful eyes widened as she stared blankly at Shen Qing. The man, once her subordinate, had just killed four Innate Martial Masters in a short time, leaving her with mixed feelings. Even thinking about it afterward seemed unbelievable. Huang Furo''s petal-like lips trembled slightly, hesitating to speak but ultimately failing to utter a word. Seeing the four formidable enemies slain, Shen Qing''s taut nerves finally relaxed. He looked at the bewildered Huang Furo and curiously asked, "Lord Huangfu, why are you staring at me like that?" "Huh? Nothing," Huang Furo snapped out of her daze and said, "I just didn''t expect you to be... so incredible..." "It''s not me who''s incredible, it''s the Spirit Mechanism Land. If we leave this Spirit Mechanism Land, I fear I''d be no match for those four Innate Martial Masters, only to be crushed." Shen Qing was not being humble. Without this dense Spiritual Energy, his Six Path Whale Swallowing Technique would be useless, and its effectiveness would be greatly reduced. The Eight Desolate Annihilation Seal would never achieve such an effect. Facing the four family ancestors again, even if they were weakened, he would not fare well even if he were undying. Perhaps the transformation was so drastic that it made Huang Furo feel uncomfortable. The scene was silent. "Thank you." Shen Qing''s voice suddenly broke the silence like a spring breeze rippling across a lake. "What?" "I said thank you." Shen Qing repeated. He remembered clearly that when facing the four Innate Ancestors, Huang Furo had stepped forward. She clearly knew what she would face by doing so, yet she did it anyway. Explore more stories with empire Although it didn''t make much difference, putting oneself in that situation, reaching this step was quite remarkable. "Oh." At this moment, Huang Furo''s gaze subtly shifted over him, her heart a mix of emotions. "You... have changed," Huang Furo spoke, her voice carrying a hint of caution. Shen Qing, sensitive to the emotional change in Huang Furo, suddenly smiled and said, "People change, it''s just about whether they change for the better or worse. Who can say what will happen in the future? At least for now, I am your subordinate, aren''t I, Lord Huangfu?" Huang Furo gave a sweet smile and replied, "You''re right, Chief Officer Shen." The autumn breeze carried a refreshing coolness, gently stirring between them. The corners of their clothes fluttered. They exchanged a look and both laughed. After a moment, Shen Qing looked away, turning back to the core area of the Spirit Mechanism Land. An ancient sword fragment stained with blood hovered in the void. He remembered clearly that when the four Innate Martial Masters first arrived, someone had set their sights on this sword fragment. This sword fragment was evidently unusual. He did not act rashly, glanced at the sky, and reminded Huang Furo, "I have found that the area of the Spirit Mechanism Land is shrinking, it might disappear, it''s still early, and no one''s around to disturb us, we should seize this rare opportunity to cultivate." Huang Furo had no objections, "You''re right. There''s a lot of commotion here, it won''t just be the four of them who noticed, others are likely on their way, any improvement we make is worth it." Shen Qing nodded in agreement. Seeing Huang Furo begin her cultivation, he also quickly immersed himself in his training. S§×arch* The Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He wondered if it was a delusion, after the recent battle, Shen Qing suddenly noticed that the "Dan Ying" in his Qi Sea seemed to have grown significantly, becoming increasingly like his own appearance and age. His cultivation had advanced further. A smile appeared in his heart as he focused his attention, wholeheartedly dedicating himself to cultivation. ... In the distance, beneath the gates of Yongzhou City. Commander Jia Zhiping led many officers and soldiers from the Yongzhou Government Office, riding out toward the direction where the ancestral masters had vanished. Seeing the leisurely looks of the riders behind him, he frowned, showing some discontent. Jia Zhiping slapped the horse''s haunch then leapt up, "Dismount and climb the mountain, hurry up!" He realized that something significant must have happened outside Yongzhou City for the Thirteen Lines'' ancestors to rush over. It might be a great opportunity like the Spirit Mechanism Land. Thinking of this, his heart burned with excitement, eager to claim a share. But their slow pace made him anxious, wishing he could arrive there in the blink of an eye, extremely impatient with their speed. Going late might leave nothing but scraps. As for arresting Shen Qing, he had already put that thought aside, with no interest in it. It was all fake anyway, who would really bother? Jia Zhiping''s Rainbow Light flashed, passing over a hill, seeing the distant falling sunset glow, his face lit with excitement. "Hurry up, quick, there might be a secret to immortality inside." Jia Zhiping gritted his teeth, using all his strength, leaving his subordinates behind, sprinting alone. After not walking far, Commander Jia Zhiping suddenly smelled a foul stench, and it grew stronger as if something was rapidly approaching. He froze for a moment, gripping his sword hilt tightly, abruptly looking up, "Above!" Commander Jia Zhiping''s heartstrings trembled, he suddenly looked up to the sky, his gaze piercing through layers of clouds, reaching the heavens above. In an instant, the sky tore apart like a torn canvas, a black and a white beam of light, dazzling like stars, cut through the sky, hurtling toward Jia Zhiping with thunderous momentum. Jia Zhiping stood firm like a pine, gripping his treasure sword, symbolizing authority, loudly questioning, "Who goes there? State your name!" But the response came not in words, but in a shadowy whip lash. Boom! Jia Zhiping crossed his arms in front to block. Suddenly, he felt an overwhelming force emanating from his arms. Already gliding with the wind, there was little around to brace against. Under this immense force, he was helplessly slammed into the ground. The two beams of black and white fell to the ground, transforming into a man and a woman. The man was as black as ink, eyes like cold stars, exuding endless darkness; the woman was as white as snow, radiating a holy yet unapproachable brilliance. "Long time no see, Lord Commander," Jiuli said with a smile. "Cut the nonsense, let''s deal with him quickly and get over there to prevent those old guys from getting all the perks." "Alright, half each?" "Half each. Make it quick." Snake Demon Zhang Junzi sneered, licking his lips, a trace of greed in his eyes. His whole body surged with demonic power, revealing his true form, recklessly coiling towards Jia Zhiping. Jia Zhiping''s face changed drastically. ``` Chapter 123 Twin Demons Join Forces, Quickly Destroy the Innate ```htmlThe true form revealed by the Snake Demon Zhang Junzi was a giant black-backed, white-bellied python, its scales shimmering with kaleidoscopic brilliance. His entire body exuded demon energy, churning like a sea of ink. The overwhelming demonic power surged like a mountain flood, irresistibly wrapping and descending toward Jia Zhiping. Jia Zhiping''s face changed drastically. He hurriedly used the martial arts he had mastered throughout his life, and spiritual power surged from his entire body, forming dazzling curtains of light in front of him in an attempt to block. Such a massive body coupled with that great demonic power would certainly be uncomfortable if entangled, possibly even life-threatening. Continue your journey on empire He couldn''t let it succeed. As he concentrated on laying down layers of defense, the Great Demon Jiuli, standing by, coyly smiled, spitting out a pink mist that spread with the wind, enveloping the front of Jia Zhiping. Before he could react, an invisible chill quietly infiltrated his mind, causing him to fall into brief confusion. In a trance, he seemed to see beauties of unparalleled human world elegance, barely clad, constantly flirting with him. Fragrant, gentle touches brushed through his fingers, making him want to immerse himself in this tender illusion. But the next moment, he sensed a fierce killing intent above his head, involuntarily shivered, and instantly came to his senses. The tender illusion before him shattered like a mirror. Jia Zhiping''s heart skipped a beat, and he suddenly looked up, discovering that the Snake Demon Zhang Junzi had, in that moment of distraction, brought his immense python body down in front of him, wrapping around him tightly like iron chains. Before he could resist, the enormous snake body had already begun to slowly constrict. "Crack," "Crack." Jia Zhiping''s Innate Body appeared frail under the crushing constriction of the giant python. The sound of bones snapping was particularly piercing in the silent forest. Even though his flesh and blood had been tempered many times, it was still insignificant before such vast and mighty power. S~ea??h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Nonetheless, as a Commander, Jia Zhiping had seen great storms and waves. He did not completely panic or lose composure. Faced with an intense survival instinct, a great thirst for life ignited in his heart. Jia Zhiping roared, and at that moment, his entire body''s spiritual power was thoroughly ignited, turning into a scorching flame. He risked everything, using spiritual power as fuel and flesh and blood as the catalyst. The Snake Demon Zhang Junzi felt waves of heat emanating from Jia Zhiping, as if about to erupt at any moment. "Die!" Jia Zhiping shouted, spiritual power surged out. Pale flames, tinged with green light, completely enveloped Jia Zhiping, filled with destructive power. Under this power, the Snake Demon Zhang Junzi could hardly bear it, compelled to temporarily loosen the constriction, retreating several steps back. Turning his head, he yelled at the Great Demon Jiuli, "Why are you just standing there? Hurry up and act!" "I''m coming, I''m coming." To the Snake Demon Zhang Junzi and the Great Demon Jiuli, the Innate Martial Master body in front of them was like a precious medicine. The flesh and blood contained a large amount of spiritual power essence, greatly beneficial to both of them. If they could devour it, their cultivation would undoubtedly advance significantly. Moreover, this Commander was also a competitor for the Spirit Mechanism, so removing him early was a plus. Now the Spirit Mechanism had appeared, time was pressing, and neither demon wanted to delay long here. They set aside their grudges, choosing to collaborate without any reservations. Commander Jia Zhiping, witnessing this scene, suddenly felt his heart sink to the bottom of the abyss. Dealing with either of the two great demons was strenuous for him, let alone both together; the power was beyond his ability to contend. He showed a look of despair. Unfortunately, the two great demons wouldn''t show any mercy because of this. They took turns attacking, using all their strength, gradually pushing Jia Zhiping to the brink of despair. Despite all his efforts, exhausting every means to resist and seek a chance for survival, ultimately, he was no match for four hands with just two fists, gradually exhausting his strength and losing the possibility to escape. The battle was extremely brutal, and the forest was utterly flattened by their struggle, with terrifying waves of energy continually spreading out from where they fought. The county officials and soldiers could not get close, unable to intervene in the battle of the three. "Ah!" As time passed, a miserable scream echoed from the ruins, with blood sprayed. "Boom!" A loud noise resounded in the world, like thunder from a clear sky, deafening. Everything seemed to pause for a moment. In the demon-energy-shrouded forest, Jia Zhiping''s eyes were filled with reluctance as his figure fell to the ground. "Agreed on splitting in half, I won''t be polite then." The Snake Demon Zhang Junzi stepped forward, grabbing Jia Zhiping''s body with brute force, tearing it in half. The essence blood spilled in the void was slurped into his mouth. "Here you go." The Snake Demon Zhang Junzi tossed the other half of Jia Zhiping''s corpse in front of Jiuli, raised his head, and opened his blood-red mouth, swallowing this half of the body in parts. Meanwhile, the Demon Jiuli, unwilling to be outdone, revealed the upper half of its true form and snatched the remaining half of the corpse, putting it in its mouth to chew. "Pugh!" The two great demons spat out indigestible debris like spitting phlegm, revealing expressions of indulgence. It seemed their strength had increased by a margin. "That''s almost it, let''s go." "Okay." In less than a quarter of an hour, everything was settled. Each of the two great demons transformed into a stream of light, rushing towards the Spirit Mechanism Land. Having devoured nearly two Innate Realm Martial Masters, their cultivation increased at least double; even if the four Innate Martial Masters of the Thirteen Lines stood before them, they would be difficult to shake. ¡­ In the Spirit Mechanism Land, the air was filled with gorgeous, colorful clouds. Shen Qing resembled a tranquil statue, sitting cross-legged, surrounded by a faint spiritual light, which beautifully complemented the surrounding rainbow clouds. He held the Wish Power Pearl tightly, diligently cultivating without any slack or distraction. With each breath of Shen Qing, the Wish Power Pearl gently quivered, releasing strands of pure energy, continuously guiding more Spiritual Energy to gradually merge into his body, nourishing each meridian and flesh. Deep in his Qi Sea, the originally small, bean-sized and crystal-clear "Dan Ying," under the dual nourishment of the Wish Power Pearl and the colorful clouds, astonishingly began a remarkable transformation as if given life. It slowly rotated, absorbing the nature''s spiritual energy swirling around, gradually expanding in size and becoming even deeper and brighter in hue. From the youthful form just now, it grew to resemble an exact likeness of Shen Qing, as if another self, quietly suspended in his Qi Sea, exuding a breathtakingly vast power. At that moment, an unprecedented insight surged in Shen Qing''s heart. He seemed to sense the spiritual power in his body boiling, feeling every acupuncture point and every inch of blood and flesh under immense pressure, as if the spiritual power his physical body could bear was reaching an extreme limit. Shen Qing suddenly realized he was on the verge of breaking through to the Innate Realm! ``` Chapter 124 Breakthrough to Innate Realm, Twin Monsters Invade """ Sear?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.Throughout the entire cultivation process of the Dan Realm, everything revolved around the "Dan Ying." The cultivation process of the Dan Realm was essentially a martial master using his own body as a blueprint, continuously absorbing the spiritual power from nature to grow the "Dan Ying," from a baby to a person. When the "Dan Ying" grew into a "Dan People," infinitely approaching the cultivator''s blueprint, it meant the achievement of Great Perfection in the Dan Realm. At this realm, the older martial masters in the Dan Realm needed to nurture the "Dan Ying" to match their blueprint, which required several to even dozens of times more time and effort than younger cultivators, so the advantage of reaching the Dan Realm at a young age was significant. If one failed to break through when young, it would be extremely difficult to do so when older. At the moment, Shen Qing was only seventeen years old. He nurtured the "Dan Ying" from a baby to a person, thus spending much less time and effort. However, he thought it would take at least two to three years, but unexpectedly, due to the Spirit Mechanism Land, the process was greatly accelerated, unexpectedly allowing him to break through already. Shen Qing felt an uncontrollable excitement, joyful and pleasantly surprised. In the Great Zhou Country, once someone reached the Innate Realm, even without holding an official position, one could dominate a region, establish a family line. Not to mention that upon achieving the Innate Realm, one could fly with the wind, perceiving a broader world, holding an indescribable allure for many martial masters, a dream realm for martial masters. Many martial masters cultivated for decades or even hundreds of years without reaching it. Experience new stories on empire Shen Qing took a deep breath, exhaling a few times to calm his heart and focus entirely, wanting to push through to the Innate Realm in one go. He slowly closed his eyes, observing the changes in his Qi Sea with inner sight, his mind clear and serene. With every breath, white air streamed out, colorful whirlpools surrounded him, the spiritual energy in the Spirit Mechanism Land refined by the Six Path Whale Swallowing Technique, converting into pure essence entering his body. With his eyes closed, Shen Qing saw that the "Dan Ying" inside him, after countless days and nights of tempering, was no longer as tiny and immature as before. It had transformed into a lifelike "Dan People," its appearance indistinguishable from his true self, containing extraordinarily pure spirit essence. Clearly, the time to break through to the Innate Realm had matured, and the next step was to merge the "Dan People" with his flesh, reshaping his physical body. At a single thought from Shen Qing, the majestic "Dan People" in his Qi Sea ascended slowly, being drawn upward by his divine sense, expanding. It seemed as if this "Dan People" was infinitely "approaching" his physical body from the void. As the "Dan People" gradually "approached" his physical body, his entire Qi Sea trembled, a powerful and ancient aura spread, his entire body''s spiritual power operated frantically. Shen Qing''s mind shivered violently, his spirit tightened like iron, his skin turned scorching hot. Beads of sweat formed on his forehead, evaporated instantly by the surface temperature. Shen Qing dared not get distracted, focusing entirely, gradually merging with the "Dan People." As time passed, the "Dan People" in his Qi Sea broke free from the void, touching Shen Qing''s flesh. At the moment of contact, the surrounding spiritual energy boiled with this incredible fusion, rushing into his body like rivers joining the sea, intertwining with the "Dan People." Under Shen Qing''s skin, light flowed faintly. At this moment, every drop of blood, every bone, and even every inch of skin on Shen Qing''s body underwent unprecedented transformation and rebirth. The process was not as grueling as imagined; instead, it held a hint of comfort, as if after reaching the extreme, all spiritual power found an outlet to vent. The fist-sized "Dan People" inflated rapidly to the size of Shen Qing''s true form, so much that a vestige of a phantom faintly appeared behind him. "Boom!" With a long and deep rumble, the phantom merged with the physical body, the pure spirit essence contained in the "Dan People" fully merged into the flesh. Shen Qing''s body was reshaped, leaping from a mortal coil to an Innate Body, shedding the shackles of the mundane, becoming crystal-clear and immaculate, pure and powerful, like a newborn baby, achieving a qualitative metamorphosis. Not only that, but due to the transformation into an Innate Body, internal life force greatly enhanced, increasing longevity by hundreds of years. Shen Qing overflowed with joy. He looked down and noticed the calluses on his hands from practicing archery had disappeared, becoming as smooth as jade, emitting a jade-like feel, leaving him somewhat incredulous. Curious, Shen Qing began practicing familiar martial arts. Boom! An explosive sound echoed in Shen Qing''s ears, abundant spiritual power surged out like a river merging into the sea, incessant and overwhelming. With an immaculate Innate Body, he realized his perception and absorption ability of the spiritual energy from nature had reached a new level. "I heard that the Innate Realm allows one to fly with the wind, riding the Rainbow Light, traveling a thousand miles in a day." Shen Qing was quite intrigued, eager to try. With a thought, golden-red light emerged around him, lifting him as if about to soar into the sky at any moment. "This power, how wondrous!" Shen Qing had never experienced such a sensation before, clicking his tongue in amazement. Huang Furo, disturbed by Shen Qing''s movements, turned to see Shen Qing enveloped in golden-red light, greatly surprised. She blurted out, "You¡­ did you break through to the Innate Realm?" "Yes." Shen Qing gently nodded, cheerful, "I just gave it a try, fortunately succeeding." "Gasp¡­" Huang Furo gasped, unable to express in words the innate gift Shen Qing possessed for such cultivation. Breaking through three Great Realms in two years, what kind of prodigy could achieve such a feat? Her throat dried, words faltering. Shen Qing explained nothing, glanced around, suppressing the urge to try, dissipating the glow around him, landing steadily on the ground. He thought for a moment and still felt he should cultivate further in the Spirit Mechanism Land to seize the rare opportunity. "Buzz!" At that moment, two beams of Rainbow Light flew over from the distant sky, descending near the Spirit Mechanism Land. Shen Qing''s divine sense sharply detected them immediately, looking afar. As the Rainbow Light faded in the distance, a man and a woman appeared. They were Chang Junzi and Jiuli, two Great Demons. The demon Chang Junzi licked his lips as if he sniffed a familiar scent, making a slight questioning noise. "Hmm?" "What is it?" The demon Jiuli frowned slightly, asking curiously. The demon Chang Junzi flew a few steps forward, on seeing Shen Qing and Huang Furo alert, eyes coldly fixed on him, showing a peculiar expression. "It really is them!" Jiuli inquired in curiosity, "Do you know these two?" "That day, these two woke me from hibernation; little did I expect they survived and even improved, appearing here," said the demon Chang Junzi as he recalled, "Well, such delicious food could become a snack." As he spoke, he took a step forward. """ Chapter 125 The Strongest Innate Realm, Slaying the Great Demon ```The verdant mountains stretched endlessly, shrouded in mist and clouds. Demon Jiu Li stood atop the winding ridge, her sheer veil billowing in the wind. She slowly swept her gaze across the scene before her. "It seems those old foxes are absent from this gathering of Spirit Essence today." A sly smile played at the corners of Jiu Li''s lips, her voice tinged with a barely perceivable sense of relief, "That means the competition for this rare Spirit Essence is left to this little fellow here. I must say, our luck is extraordinarily good." Great Demon Chang Junzi''s black robe fluttered in the wind. Standing beside Jiu Li, his deep eyes flickered with a complicated light as he looked at her with a cryptic smile, "Since the situation is set, what are you hesitating for? Join me and make the move." Upon hearing this, Jiu Li took a light step forward but immediately, as if realizing something, she retracted. She turned, a brilliant smile blossoming at her lips, and said, "Oh? I''m curious, were you really just plotting to seize the Spirit Essence earlier, or... do you have other intentions, like towards me?" Her words seemed to freeze the air for a moment. Chang Junzi''s expression shifted slightly but soon returned to normal. He laughed softly, his voice deep and magnetic, "Your imagination is truly vivid. I merely wish to conclude this matter swiftly to avoid any unforeseen complications. As for anything else, you might be overthinking it." "Really? I don''t believe it," Jiu Li''s tone carried a hint of playfulness and provocation. Before her voice had faded, she had silently braced herself, Spiritual Power surging around her like a flood about to burst forth, ready for anything. Discover stories at empire Chang Junzi feigned nonchalance, "Stop talking, those two have already noticed us. They''ve taken quite a bit of Spirit Essence, gotta leave their flesh and blood, otherwise, it''d be a real waste." Seeing Jiu Li''s defensive posture, Chang Junzi ceased any further thoughts. His expression turned solemn, and he bolted forward like a blade of icy wind, charging directly towards Shen Qing''s location with such speed that not even a shadow was left. Nearby, Jiu Li''s sharp intuition sensed the change in his intent. With a slight smile, she followed closely, seeming to put aside the earlier discord. In the world of demons, strength reigned supreme, a realm without etiquette or shame, where everything spoke through might. While Chang Junzi harbored intentions toward her, she too wished to strike him down to monopolize this patch of Spirit Essence. But with the Human Clan present, now was not the time. Jiu Li looked ahead at Shen Qing, who stood ready and waiting. For some reason, his gaze unsettled her, as if something ominous was brewing. "I must be overthinking it. A nameless figure from Yongzhou City wouldn''t cause much of a stir." She was well-versed in the elders of Yongzhou City, but the man and woman before her did not match anyone noteworthy from memory. Judging by their attire and age, they seemed to be younger members from a government office. Such people were as insignificant as ants to them, easily crushed without a second thought. "That said, we demons have always been keenly aware of danger. Nothing is absolute. I should be cautious, let that foolish snake scout ahead, and if things go wrong, I''ll retreat. As for the Spirit Mechanism... it''s not more important than my life." Understanding the critical nature of every step taken in the outside world, especially in matters of opportunity where any oversight could result in total loss, she considered carefully. With this in mind, Jiu Li''s figure flickered like a swift swallow skimming the water, slowing her pace slightly to create a strategic distance from Chang Junzi, allowing her a position from which to either advance or retreat. From this vantage point, she could both react promptly to any threat and seize the advantage. As the two great demons, Jiu Li and Chang Junzi, advanced like a dark cloud hanging overhead, a formidable pressure enveloped the area. The fierce wind whipped past, rendering the very air heavy and viscous. Faced with an almost engulfing terror, Huang Fu Rou''s breath quickened. "Crack!" A faint yet distinct sound resonated through the air as the mountain began to fracture under the weight of the terrifying power exuded by the two great demons. Huang Fu Rou clenched her fists tightly, her face whitening with fear evident in her eyes, though it vanished swiftly as her expression hardened. Internally, her Spiritual Power boiled, resonating with the roars of dragons and tigers, readying herself for a desperate fight. Yet such actions appeared laughable in Chang Junzi''s eyes, akin to an ant trying to stop a chariot. "Hmph, mere ants. Do you really think this can stop me? Truly pathetic!" Chang Junzi''s voice was icy as if laced with chilling ice, his eyes glowed with a demonic red light. Behind him, Jiu Li remained silent, merely raising her hands slowly. Her fingertips danced lightly, gathering countless strands of pink demonic power. Shen Qing drew a deep breath, feeling the surging power within him, stepped forward to stand beside Huang Fu Rou. "Leave it to me!" "Let me see what these so-called demons are capable of, and test the worth of my Innate status. True gold needs to be forged in fire!" As his Spiritual Power surged, brilliant streams of light erupted around Shen Qing, propelling him straight towards Jiu Li and Chang Junzi. He unsheathed his dagger, slashing forward. "Kill!" Where the knife light passed, it left a clearly visible crack. Jiu Li and Chang Junzi''s faces changed slightly in shock at the sight. "This power... it''s an Innate!!!" Before they could think further, the light of the blade was upon them. Seasoned in countless battles, Chang Junzi quickly adjusted his status. He swung his arm, transforming into a sweeping black tail that collided with Shen Qing''s blade light. "Boom!" The forces clashed fiercely in mid-air, erupting in deafening roars. Shen Qing''s blade light was swept aside by Chang Junzi''s black tail, falling into the mountains, slicing half of a mountain top away in an instant. Boulders exploded, and the entire mountain seemed engulfed in chaos and destruction, with stones tumbling down continuously. Chang Junzi retracted his arm and looked down only to see a bloodied wound, flesh split open, and blood flowing freely. S§×ar?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The intense pain sparked fury within him, making him erupt in rage. "How dare you, mere foodstuff!" Without any hesitation, Great Demon Chang Junzi''s body twisted, revealing its gruesome true form. His thick body like a massive vat pressed down on Shen Qing, boundless demon energy enveloping the heavens and earth. The Big Snake Demon lunged viciously at Shen Qing, "Die for me!" With a solemn expression, Shen Qing clasped his hands together, channeling all his Spiritual Power at this moment. Gathering it before him, it coalesced into a golden Sky Flipping Seal. In an instant, a dazzling brilliance erupted from his palms, as the Sky Flipping Seal descended like a hanging galaxy, akin to the first light of creation, pressing down on the Snake Demon. Its potent force seemed capable of moving mountains and seas, annihilating everything. Even with the strong physical body of Chang Junzi, he felt the terror of the Fan Seal beneath his scales as it peeled away his forceful aura piece by piece. "Ah!" Chang Junzi let out a wretched scream. The Sky Flipping Seal exploded, its radiance engulfing everything like the sun. The Big Snake Demon''s cries abruptly ceased. As the light faded, only a black Demon Core floated in the air, radiating with a dark brilliance. Once towering above other Innate beings, the Snake Demon was slain by Shen Qing in a single move, leaving it utterly powerless to resist. Seeing this, Jiu Li''s eyes narrowed to pinpoints, rendered speechless. Shen Qing stepped forward, seizing the Snake Demon''s Demon Core. He looked calmly at Jiu Li and smiled, "Alright, you''re next!" ``` Chapter 126 Thoughts Become Clear, Dust Settles In Shen Qing''s every gesture and movement, there lay an aura of transcendent calm, as if nothing in the world could disturb the peace within his heart.Find your next read at empire In truth, though, his inner turmoil was like a storm, turbulent and fierce, difficult to quell. He had never anticipated that once he crossed that seemingly insurmountable threshold to the Innate Realm, his own power would become so unbelievably strong. Such a transformation. He vaguely remembered last winter when he stood powerless against this formidable demon, nearly meeting his end in front of everyone. Not only him, but even the Prefectural Governor, who shared the same Innate Realm, had also been helpless against this demon. He was gravely injured and schemed against unto death. Yet now, with just one Sky Flipping Seal, he had easily shattered that mountain-like demon, reducing it to nothingness. To him, this scene felt like a lifetime ago, dreamlike and surreal. Through this event, Shen Qing gained a clearer understanding of his cultivation after breaking through to the Innate Realm. Powerful! Even if he left this Spirit Mechanism Land, his current cultivation surpassed any Innate Realm martial master he had ever seen, making him the strongest in Yongzhou. Thinking of this, Shen Qing''s thoughts flowed freely, filled with confidence. In this endlessly turbulent world, where survival depended on strength, he clearly now had his place, and no longer needed to walk on egg shells. Shen Qing slowly raised his head, fixing his gaze upon Demon Jiu Li not far away. He had some memory of this demon hidden within the Zhou Family. Huang Furo had conducted an investigation on her, which involved them somewhat. If he wasn''t mistaken, the Zhou Family''s elder learned of Spirit Mechanism Land''s arrival through her and made some preparations. They caused a demon calamity in Yongzhou, using it to eliminate dissenters, seizing land, and claiming the Spirit Mechanism Land. Speaking of it, the local high-ranking families were far more united than those useless officials of the county office; if it weren''t for Shen Qing''s sudden intervention, the Zhou Family''s scheme might have succeeded. But since he was already involved, he decided to take it to the end. Shen Qing exhaled a deep breath, infusing his Spiritual Power within. When he had just slain the Snake Demon, worried about being overpowered, he had used all his might, expending all his Spiritual Power. Previously, he might not have been able to stand, but now, having ascended to the Innate Realm with a pure Physical Body, every acupuncture point throughout his body brimmed with sparkling Spirit Mechanism energy. At present, it flowed out, continually nourishing his flesh and blood. Shen Qing activated the Six Path Whale Swallowing Technique, ravenously swallowing nature''s Spiritual Energy to replenish his Spiritual Power. With his powerful Innate Body combined with the skill attribute of the Six Path Whale Swallowing Technique, Shen Qing plundered the Spiritual Energy into his body like a whale swallowing water, recovering more than half in just a moment. It filled his heart with exhilaration. Across from him, Jiu Li watched Shen Qing appearing as calm as ever, feeling her scalp tingle, involuntarily taking two steps back as silver-white fur grew across her skin. Jiu Li couldn''t understand; she had thoroughly vetted Yongzhou long ago, how could such a person appear? Escape! If she didn''t escape, she would surely die! Driven by an intense survival instinct, Jiu Li resolved to escape, her form transforming into a Rainbow Light in her attempt to flee. However, just at the moment she intended to move, Shen Qing''s silhouette darted like a phantom, taking a leisurely step forward. His right arm extended, gathering Spiritual Power in an instant, conjuring the "Da Xu Hand" from the Huangfu family! The void trembled as a resplendent golden giant hand materialized out of nowhere, imbued with a suppressive majesty. It reached from the void and securely grasped Jiu Li''s streak of Rainbow Light. Unwilling to submit, Jiu Li''s demonic power surged, revealing her true demon form, struggling with all her might. A white fox with fur like snow roared and howled within the golden palm. Jiu Li exerted all her strength, even at the expense of her cultivation, spitting out a trickle of Lifeblood essence in a bid to escape. "Break!" The Lifeblood Essence Jiu Li spat landed on the golden hand, exploding violently, unexpectedly tearing apart the seemingly indestructible Da Xu Hand, reducing it to shimmering gold dust and dispersing in the void. Her face lit up with joy, her heart pounding with post-calamity ecstasy. Jiu Li reassembled her Rainbow Light, intending to ride the wind to escape. Yet, due to the brief delay caused by the Da Xu Hand, Shen Qing''s figure had already shadowed her, closing in until nearly touching distance, robbing her of her last chance to flee. Shen Qing gazed upon the snow-white demon fox before him, a cold smile curling at his lips. His hands formed seals as an ancient and powerful aura flowed from within him, a precious seal coalescing, pressing forward to crush. "Sky Flipping Seal! Kill!" With a thunderous boom, the Sky Flipping Seal descended with an apocalyptic force. Jiu Li had nowhere to retreat, forced to meet it head-on. She shielded herself with her long tail, summoning a pink barrier of light. The Sky Flipping Seal crashed fiercely upon it. Boom!!! At that moment, time seemed to freeze, and the heavens and earth changed colors. "Ah..." Amidst the light, a piercingly tragic scream echoed as Jiu Li''s form staggered, blood spurting from her mouth, the sound of her bones cracking filled with dread. At this moment, her demonic power overflowed yet couldn''t condense any longer. With a muffled thud. Her vibrant life force was swiftly ebbing away. Jiu Li, like a withered flower, tragically despairing under Shen Qing''s gaze, was thoroughly extinguished of life. When all settled, and the light faded, it revealed Jiu Li''s already dead demon form. Understanding his newfound strength, Shen Qing deliberately controlled his Spiritual Power, not allowing Jiu Li''s corpse to be completely obliterated, leaving her body intact. A hunter by birth, he knew that fox fur was truly rare and could fetch a good price. Not to mention such a demon fox as she was, it would be even more valuable. Utterly destroying it would be too much of a pity. Stripped of its support, the fox demon body began to fall. Shen Qing extended one hand, capturing the fox demon body. His expression remained calm, both hands like blades, split open the fox demon body, extracting her Demon Core. This Demon Core, with a deep azure hue, felt smooth and round on its surface. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Shen Qing raised his hand, holding the peculiar bead aloft. As sunlight cascaded down, the Demon Core''s color gradually shed its deep black hue, transforming into a pink, translucent and glistening. Astonishingly, within the core, a faint purple light was faintly visible, shaped like a Spiritual Fox, exceptionally lively. At times it swirled coiling, at others it surged fiercely, impacting the outer part of the pill. Each time the purple light touched the pill''s outer part, that spot would ripple with pink radiance. From the Demon Cores he had acquired in the past, Shen Qing for the first time beheld such profound wonder, a trace of unabashed astonishment flashing in his eyes. Chapter 127 Gathering Spirit Essence, Gaining an Ancient Blade ```It truly was a high-grade Demon Core, greatly beneficial for cultivation. Outside, it would be a priceless treasure, worth far more than any riches. Shen Qing carefully placed this precious Demon Core into the Jade Box he carried, ensuring every strand of demonic power was properly sealed, allowing not a bit to escape. After completing this, he focused his mind to fall to the ground, then walked towards Huang Furo. Since today, Shen Qing''s performance had been increasingly unexpected. Huang Furo was already accustomed to it. For some reason, standing in front of Shen Qing at this moment, she suddenly felt a slight pressure, making her somewhat rueful. Shen Qing stepped forward and said with a smile, "Lord Huangfu, catch." "Hmm?" Before Huang Furo could react, she saw Shen Qing toss over the corpse of a white fox. She scrambled and caught it, staring in surprise. Jiuli''s demonic body was as large as a grown man, far beyond an ordinary fox, its fur capable of being crafted into a complete Fur Coat. In the world, there were countless Fur Coats, but none like this one. If it were circulated, who knew how many powerful dignitaries would go mad for it. Holding Jiuli''s demonic body, Huang Furo realized that Shen Qing didn''t care at all, as he headed towards the core of the Spirit Mechanism Land. That''s when she understood that Shen Qing had given her this invaluable Fox Skin. She called out uncertainly, "Chief Officer Shen, are you..." "It''s for you," Shen Qing waved his hand, unconcerned. In his view, the most important Demon Core was already obtained; it was just a good piece of fur, so he gave it without concern. Since he could hunt this one, surely in the future, he''d hunt two, three, or even more. Huang Furo found it unbelievable and after a moment of silence, suddenly asked, "Do you like me?" Shen Qing paused slightly at her words. He turned to look back, his gaze inadvertently sweeping over Huang Furo''s graceful figure, her curves alluring. In the afternoon sunlight, amidst the vast green mountains, she appeared even more gentle and charming. For some reason, though he originally had no such thoughts, after Huang Furo hinted as she did, an odd emotion surged within him, and he quickly retracted his gaze, saying, "No." Huang Furo stepped closer, staring directly into Shen Qing''s eyes, measuring with thumb and forefinger, suspiciously asking, "Not even a little bit?" Unwilling to continue with this topic, Shen Qing changed the subject, saying, "The Spirit Essence here won''t last long. We should hurry and cultivate. Others might come to investigate soon; this intimacy won''t last." Speaking, Shen Qing quickened his pace forward. Huang Furo squinted her eyes, saying no more. The Spirit Mechanism Land, through the consecutive cultivation of Shen Qing and Huang Furo, had its shrouded area reduced significantly. Despite this, refining all the Spirit Essence here by themselves would still take ten days to a half month. Such commotion, even after killing the Four Great Eastern Families and demons, wouldn''t avoid the covetousness of others. Shen Qing slightly furrowed his brow with a trace of worry. Seeming to see Shen Qing''s concern, Huang Furo approached and asked, "Do you want to take all this Spirit Essence with you?" Shen Qing didn''t deny it, nodding, "With such a piece of Spirit Mechanism Land, how great it would be if we could take it all. Leaving it for others feels unsatisfying." "Actually, it''s not impossible to take it away," Huang Furo said. Shen Qing suddenly looked at Huang Furo: "You have a way?" Huang Furo smiled, revealing two shiny little tiger teeth, and said without much confidence, "There is a way, but it can only take part of it, just part of it." Huang Furo emphasized the last three words "part of it." After speaking, she took out a Jade Token from her bosom, glossy like a mirror, with no information on it: "You can use this." "This was brought back when my father went to the Zhou Mansion for a banquet. It can gather spiritual energy. I tried it several times; with this Jade Token''s capacity, it can take away about one-tenth of the Spirit Essence." "Though a small amount, gaining a bit is better than none; fortune can''t be monopolized..." Huang Furo''s voice grew quieter. Find exclusive stories on empire Because she saw Shen Qing take out nine Jade Tokens and place them in front of her. "In this case, wouldn''t it be enough with yours?" Shen Qing said. Huang Furo was astonished: "How do you have so many?" "I killed several Family Heads and found them on their bodies." Huang Furo was speechless. "Lord Huangfu, how can we use these Jade Tokens?" Shen Qing focused on the Jade Tokens and asked. Huang Furo sighed and said, "I''ll teach you." She stepped forward, withholding nothing, teaching a segment of the spell and the method of channeling Spiritual Power. Shen Qing used the Water Ink Panel, certifying eternally, quickly becoming adept. Shen Qing lightly held a blank Jade Token, his fingertips glowing. His Divine Sense was agile, hands forming seals. S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. As he channeled Spiritual Power, the Spirit Essence dormant in the surroundings seemed to awaken by an invisible force, like streams brushed by a spring breeze, leaping toward the floating Jade Token. A refreshing fragrance filled the air, clearing and brightening the mind. Within mere breaths, the blank Jade Token before Shen Qing began emitting light, becoming radiant and magnificent. More astonishing was a complex and exquisite Jade Talisman quietly emerging on the Jade Token. Shen Qing put away the Jade Token before him, repeated the process, and continued using a Jade Token to collect Spirit Essence. Time ticked away, and after a while, Shen Qing had collected all the Spirit Essence in the area, satisfied. "This Jade Talisman has already formed, representing that the stored spiritual energy is full. If you want to use it again in the future, just reverse the spell," Huang Furo kindly reminded: "Remember not to let court-related people know about these. My father investigated; these Jade Tokens may be related to the Huang Tian Sect. It would not be good for you if people knew." "Good, thank you, Lord Huangfu," Shen Qing said with genuine gratitude. At this moment, only the core area of this Spirit Mechanism Land remained the Broken Blade, lingering. Shen Qing hesitated not and stepped forward. "Fool," Huang Furo muttered in her heart. Shen Qing achieved the Innate level, possessing an Innate Body, and the Sword Intent unleashed by the Broken Blade was no longer mortally dangerous to him. Approaching the Broken Blade, scrutinizing closely, he noticed it was covered in blood, yet not dried, with much vibrant life within. Suddenly, sensing something, Shen Qing hurriedly took out a Three legged Small Furnace, exuding a warm aura, as if alive. "Could there be some connection between these two?" Shen Qing speculated in his heart and directly activated the Great Void Shifting Technique as recorded on the furnace pattern. An unbelievable scene unfolded. The Three legged Small Furnace spun around, its mouth emitting strands of radiance enveloping the Broken Blade, drawing it inside the furnace. "Could this really work?" Shen Qing felt amazed. ``` Chapter 128 Ancient Magic Treasure Amidst the mountains, many creatures instinctively approached the Spirit Mechanism Land, hoping to acquire spiritual wisdom by soaking in its spirit essence.However, by the time they arrived, all the spirit essence had dissipated, leaving only rampant sword qi behind. Amongst all the sword qi, three small furnaces hovered in the air, slowly rotating, their mouths emitting brilliant rays of light, thin as strands. All the fierce sword qi was gradually drawn into these lights, suppressed back into the broken blade. The bloodstains on the mottled broken blade seemed to come alive under the illumination, slowly wriggling. A buzzing sound arose. The broken blade seemed to be pulled by some mysterious force, sinking into the deep and boundless belly of the three-legged furnace. Shen Qing''s eyes narrowed, his mind racing, wanting to regain control of the three-legged furnace, and reclaim it. He operated the Great Void Shifting Technique as he had at the beginning, trying to guide it. However, to his surprise, the three-legged furnace showed no response, as if it had severed its connection with him. Shen Qing frowned, thinking it was due to a lack of spiritual power. He formed hand seals with both hands, exerting all his spiritual power, but his efforts were like a clay ox entering the sea, still not eliciting any reaction. Shen Qing was puzzled, somewhat perplexed. At this moment, an incredible scene unfolded. The three-legged furnace seemed to have gained self-awareness, standing upright autonomously, emitting radiant splendor, floating and rotating gracefully in the void. As Shen Qing stood in astonishment, an unforeseen change occurred within the furnace, where the once-silent broken blade spun furiously, each rotation accompanied by a deep buzzing sound, like ancient war drums, stirring one''s heart. Then, a streak of deep night-like black light suddenly burst forth from the body of the furnace, piercing through the long sky, unstoppably hurtling toward Shen Qing. Shen Qing felt an unprecedented force impacting his divine sense, his body trembling involuntarily. He could not resist this force at all, helplessly watching as the black light entered his physical body. The three-legged furnace followed right after the black light, merging into his forehead, eventually settling steadily in his Qi Sea. The Qi Sea, originally vast and boundless, was empty initially. At this moment, it now had a three-legged, two-eared furnace. The three-legged furnace loomed in the Qi Sea, exuding an indescribable aura of majesty. Its presence caused the whole Spirit Sea to tremble. Shen Qing was greatly shocked, finding it utterly incomprehensible. He remembered that he had obtained this three-legged furnace from the cave of the underground river, supposedly an artifact from the Ancient Times, while the bloodstained broken blade found in the Spirit Mechanism Land was a remnant object from beyond, differing by tens of thousands of miles. Or were the two somehow from the same era, resulting in this reaction? No one could answer him this question. His starting position was too low, the levels he could access were not sufficient, and he knew very little about past matters. Now, he was utterly clueless. Shen Qing lifted his eyes and surveyed the surroundings. After the spirit essence had been absorbed, the area became empty, regaining its tranquility. In places nurtured by the spirit essence, many green plants now appeared, each one lush and vibrant, exuding a medicinal fragrance. Sear?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Around were many creatures attracted by the spirit essence, forming a circle and looking around. There were wolves, insects, tigers, leopards, pheasants, wild rabbits, muntjacs, mice, deer, pigs, and more. With the Spirit Mechanism gone, they now seemed utterly bewildered. Shen Qing stepped forward cautiously, concerned that some creatures in the mountains might develop spiritual wisdom and become demons, posing a threat to them. But before he could take any action, these mountain creatures, especially the herbivores, reacted as if they had seen a ghost, making a few calls and scattering all at once. The carnivores, however, looked bewildered, then became extremely excited when they spotted the game around and rushed forth howling to hunt. The mountain suddenly turned into a great hunting ground. Shen Qing released his divine sense to scan carefully. Seeing that these creatures showed no sign of spiritual wisdom, he finally felt reassured. "Was that the three-legged furnace you discovered in the cave that day?" Huang Furo approached and asked curiously. She had examined the furnace carefully that day; it appeared ordinary. Little did she expect she had underestimated it. Shen Qing did not deny it, nodded, and said, "Yes." He touched his forehead, worriedly remarking, "This thing seems to have quite the history." Huang Furo said, "That furnace resembles a magic treasure from the Ancient Times." "Magic treasure?" Huang Furo continued, "My family elders once mentioned that in the Ancient Times, True Immortals would occasionally prove their Dao and emerge; the Immortal Martial path was prosperous, far beyond what it is today. During that era, the Human Clan did not have martial masters, but there were cultivators who used many Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures to forge various magic treasures to enhance their power and resist the Heavenly Dao." "Some could wield a treasure sword, commanding Nine Heavens Cloud and Thunder; others could use an axe to split mountains and seas..." "At the pinnacle of cultivation, rumors tell of humans who could annihilate worlds with a beam of light or cut through stars with a blade of grass. It was an era where heroes gathered, a time of great prosperity for the Human Clan." "The three-legged furnace in your possession seems reminiscent of relics from that era." The Huangfu family, which came close to becoming the family head of Zhou Country, still retained substantial heritage and considerable knowledge despite its decline. Huang Furo did not withhold from Shen Qing, explaining patiently, benefiting him greatly. Shen Qing curiously asked, "In the Ancient Times, the Human Clan was so flourishing; can''t people nowadays reach the same level? Such magic treasures I''ve never heard of." Discover hidden stories at empire Huang Furo shook her head and said, "They cannot." "Near the end of the Ancient Times and the onset of the near-ancient period, a gap appeared. It seemed that during a certain time, all prominent known heritages and outstanding talents vanished completely." "Even the magic treasure in your hand is rarely unearthed, and it is scarcely found outside the Imperial family." "During that period, no one knew what exactly happened. In any case, afterward, Martial Arts began to emerge, evolving to its current state, still far from the level of the Ancient Times." After listening to Huang Furo''s words, Shen Qing fell into contemplation, no longer speaking. From her words, he sensed that there were many secrets in this world. Huang Furo, eyes wide, revealing two shining little tiger teeth, smiled and said, "The matters of the Ancient Times are too distant from us; you shouldn''t worry too much. Now that you have this magic treasure, it''s beneficial and harmless to you; you should be glad." Shen Qing looked at Huang Furo, also smiling, and said, "You''re right, thinking too much is pointless. We should focus on living well in the present." As he spoke, he glanced at the sky, seeing the sun setting in the west. The red and white sun turned to orange-red, dyeing the mountain golden. Shen Qing said, "It''s getting late; matters here are finished. We should return to Yongzhou City to discuss other things." "Now, with demons causing havoc in Yongzhou City, it must be a chaos." Shen Qing picked up the Heavy Bow slinging it on his back, looked at Huang Furo with a smile on his lips, and said, "As the Chief Officer of the Guardian Martial Department, I can''t sit idly by; I need to return to slay demons and eliminate evil." Chapter 129 Return to Yongzhou City, Purge the Universe "Yongzhou City is now under siege by various families, including the Zhou Family, colluding with demons, leaving the government office in tatters. With the leadership gone, I would estimate the situation is a chaotic mess. What do you plan to do?" Huang Furo asked, her red lips slightly parted.Shen Qing answered decisively without much thought, "Kill them!" "Kill them?" Huang Furo was slightly taken aback by Shen Qing''s response. Shen Qing adjusted the dagger at his waist, speaking with unwavering righteousness, "Demons wreak havoc. These beings should never be spared, and they deserve to be killed! Those high-ranking families are merely merchants who have been operating in Yongzhou for years. With some influence, they''ve colluded with demons, killed the Prefectural Governor and other officials, and seek to overthrow the dynasty, they too deserve to be killed!" "But touching one aspect could affect everything. If you kill them, you might provoke some huge, powerful entities behind them. I know these high-ranking families have been channeling interests back to the Capital City," Huang Furo sincerely advised. "Why not strike a balance, kill some, and spare others, to set an example? This way, the situation might remain under control." "Why spare them? To me, they are nothing more than scoundrels requiring death to appease the public''s anger, death to comfort the people''s hearts," Shen Qing declared with righteous fervor. "As a government officer of the Guardian Martial Department tasked with slaying demons, there''s absolutely no reason for me to let them go. As for future consequences, we''ll deal with them when they come." A celestial unicorn once had a species, how can ants in holes escape! At this moment, Shen Qing clearly understood his own strength. Yongzhou''s pests were nothing to fear. If there was someone behind them, let them come boldly then. Seeing that Shen Qing had made up his mind, Huang Furo didn''t persuade him further. "Let''s go!" "Alright." Shen Qing and Huang Furo stood side by side. Huang Furo, with her light and agile figure, used the Da Xu Technique, constantly flickering and moving through the forest. Through cultivation in the Spirit Mechanism Land, although she hadn''t broken through to the Innate Realm, her cultivation had undoubtedly advanced compared to before. Her speed was much faster than before. Still, to Shen Qing, this speed was somewhat slow compared to the Rainbow Light he rode on the wind, incomparable. He urged his Spiritual Power, as an array of crimson-golden radiance ascended from his feet. With a focused mind, Shen Qing transformed into Rainbow Light, moving with the wind, flying beneath the sky. In moments, he caught up with Huang Furo. Shen Qing stood silently, slowly approaching Huang Furo, extending his hand, "Lord Huangfu, may I offer you a ride?" Huang Furo glanced up and down at him, hesitated for a moment, then took hold of Shen Qing''s wrist, agreeing, "Alright." With a strong pull from his right arm, Shen Qing brought her beside him, his Spiritual Power surging within, releasing strands of radiance wrapping around Huang Furo''s slender and flexible waist. A hint of oddness flickered across Huang Furo''s face, only to vanish in an instant. With a low hum from Shen Qing, the Rainbow Light suddenly burst forth, enveloping them both, slicing swiftly through the sky towards Yongzhou City. The wind howled. Shen Qing and Huang Furo raced along, reaching the city walls of Yongzhou City in mere moments. With a shift of his mind, Shen Qing dispersed the Rainbow Light, landing with Huang Furo atop the city walls. Looking out, the scene that greeted them made their hearts sink heavily. Within Yongzhou City, cries of despair rose and fell. Various demons now roamed the streets and alleys openly, their fierce roars turning the city into their playground, uninhibited, wantonly indulgent. With the Prefectural Governor already dead and leaderless, the news of the Commander being slain by demons returned, causing further panic in the Yongzhou Government Office. The government office, long since penetrated akin to a sieve by the Thirteen Lines, now only cared for its own domain, showing no attempt to cease this calamity. "It seems it''s time to execute some justice." This time, Huang Furo didn''t verbally stop him, standing quietly to the side. After breaking through the Innate Realm, Shen Qing''s Divine Sense strengthened. Closing his eyes, he concentrated, instantly releasing his vast and boundless Divine Sense, covering the entire range of the western city as if an invisible giant net. In the city, the silhouettes of those demons steadily appeared in Shen Qing''s mind. When he opened his eyes again, a sharp brilliance flickered within them. He took a deep breath, an empowering force swelling within his chest, shouted like rolling thunder, "Shen Qing is here, all demons shall perish!" The voice, rolling like clouds, cleaving gold and splitting stones, carried an indisputable majesty and power, spreading throughout every corner of Yongzhou City within breaths, shaking the entire city. Citizens looked up towards the towering figure on the city wall. Under their gaze, Shen Qing spread his form like a great roc spreading its wings, taking the Heavy Bow from his back. Dark light flowed across the bow''s body. S§×arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. With a thought, an arrow levitated, landing on the bowstring, pulled to the limit by him. "Shoo!" With a clear whistle, the arrow transformed into a streak of dark light, flying off the string with supreme majesty. Shen Qing''s hands didn''t stop, his arm moving like an illusion, setting another arrow, repeating, continuously shooting arrows. The arrows shot like a barrage of artillery, each arrow containing Shen Qing''s profound cultivation and endless killing intent. Arrows cut through the sky, carrying sharp whistling sounds, raining down like celestial beauties scattering flowers. Under the locking of Shen Qing''s Divine Sense, every arrow hit the mark accurately, striking each demon precisely. Those demons, under the baptism of the arrow rain, howled in succession, their solid flesh and blood reduced to pools of blood pulp under the heavy pressure of the arrows, dying without a burial place. After exhausting his arrows, Shen Qing didn''t stop. He stood atop the city tower, stepping out into the air. He stepped, spanning the entire city. Enjoy exclusive chapters from empire Shen Qing''s feet hung mid-air, his Divine Sense spreading. With a single hand gesture, an arrow stained with demon blood flew up from the city, captured in his hand. Without any hesitation, he strung the arrow back on the bowstring, continuing to shoot. Shen Qing moved forward, continually recalling scattered arrows from the void, shooting anew, each shot aiming to decisively slay a demon. "Ah, he''s a fiend, even more demonic than us, flee!" Some demons, intimidated by Shen Qing''s aura, lost their courage, howling to escape. But to no avail. Under the Heavenly Bow Technique''s enhancement, Shen Qing''s arrows traveled swiftly, making escape impossible. With a muffled sound. The demon was instantly shattered by an arrow, turning into a shower of blood, cascading down. In Yongzhou City, blood flowers bloomed, perilous and brilliant. Unsure how long it went on, Shen Qing shot and killed all along the way. "Shoo!" Another arrow pierced through space, penetrating a demon''s heart. Shen Qing stepped forward, slowly landing atop the western city wall, stepping onto the solid bluestone ground. Looking back, he saw that from west to east, every demon in his path had been slaughtered. For the moment, the city was silent. Shen Qing gazed afar, eyeing several mansions within the city, murmured softly, "Next, it''s your turn!" Chapter 130 What are We Afraid of? Straighten Up Your Backs! It was clearly a sunny day, but inside Yongzhou City, a sense of oppression permeated the air, filled with tension.In a large mansion of the Zhou Family, the scions of high-ranking families, including those of the Zhou, Dong, and Sun families, gathered together, whispering. "Look quickly, isn''t that Shen Qing? He''s actually alive and returned!" Sun Qingshu, the second young master of the Sun Family, pointed at the familiar figure on the distant city wall, his voice suddenly rising with an incredulous tremor. At these words, everyone couldn''t help but focus all their attention on the city tower in the west. There, a tall figure stood against the wind, with a beauty by his side. "I heard that the Family Heads personally stepped in, how could it be possible?" Dong Wan''er, the lady of the Dong Family, lightly covered her vermilion lips, her beautiful eyes filled with disbelief. Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Suddenly, the surrounding area erupted with noise, the voices of discussion rising and falling like waves rolling in. Find adventures at empire "Hmph, even if he returned alive, what of it? It was mere luck. When the ancestors return, there won''t be any place for him to survive." A young man dressed in luxurious brocade snorted coldly; he was Li Muyun of the Li Family, known for his arrogance and disdain for Shen Qing. "Shen Qing''s life is really hard to end." He looked at the person beside Shen Qing and continued, "If I am not mistaken, isn''t the one standing next to Shen Qing Huang Furo? Associating with someone so lowly as Shen Qing is truly shameless. She has utterly disgraced her Huangfu family." In Li Muyun''s view, they were born with noble clothing and fine food, able to summon the wind and the rain at will. Along with never lacking cultivation resources from a young age and having some talent in martial arts cultivation, they looked down greatly upon someone of Shen Qing''s background. Just as they were deep in their discussions, they saw Shen Qing move. Under their watchful eyes, Shen Qing took a step forward, footsteps on emptiness, supported by Rainbow Light, suspended in mid-air. "Innate... Innate Realm!" In the mansion, numerous young lords and ladies were completely stunned upon witnessing this scene. Sun Qingshu, the second young master of the Sun Family, became especially dazed. Among the peers in Yongzhou, he was most hopeful of breaking through to the Innate Realm, often being labeled as a genius. Currently, his cultivation was at the Yu Luo Realm, and soon he would break through to the Dan Realm, with hopes of reaching the Innate Realm within ten years. However, at this very moment, someone younger than him had broken through to the Innate Realm and appeared before them, making the so-called title of genius seem like a joke. What pained him further was the memory from long ago when the now-deceased Dong Jing had invited Shen Qing to a banquet at Shen Ji. At that time, he sat at the chief seat, and in their eyes, Shen Qing didn''t even have the qualification to sit at the last seat. Now, in the blink of an eye, this person who didn''t even have the qualification to sit at the last seat had become an Innate Realm martial master, akin to their family''s ancestor, greatly wounding his pride. "How could this be? It''s fake, it must be fake." Sun Qingshu was greatly shaken, unwilling to believe the reality, continually denying it, deceiving himself. "So what if he returned alive? After all, he is merely a rustic civilian, hard to shake the foundations of our families." Li Muyun of the Li Family still maintained his arrogant stance, yet there was an unavoidable hint of trepidation regarding Shen Qing''s strength in his words. "Whizz, whizz, whizz!" In Yongzhou City, the sound of arrows tearing through the air continued non-stop. They watched as Shen Qing, like a god of war, continuously released arrows. The city echoed with the anguished cries of demons, countless falling dead in response. Standing at the corner among the group, Zhou Jishan couldn''t help but draw a sharp breath, stunned speechless like the others. He knew Shen Qing had some abilities, but never expected it had reached such a degree, unable to relate it to the matters in Taiping County in his mind. At this moment, some of the young lords and ladies aware of the Family Heads'' schemes had a sudden ominous feeling in their hearts as Shen Qing went on his killing spree, relentlessly slaying demons. ''Weren''t these demons supposed to be exterminated by Father and the others? How did it fall to him? Could it be... impossible...'' A terrifying conjecture appeared in their minds. These young lords and ladies suddenly thought of many things. ''If it truly is this way, then we have formed a mortal feud with this Shen Qing. Once he is done killing the demons in the city, then we are next!!!'' ''What should we do now?'' The young lords and ladies aware of the hidden details exchanged worried glances, all understanding that with Shen Qing''s return, he feared he wouldn''t let them off, placing them in extreme danger. Just then, a servant, dressed in a tidy long robe, quickly walked into the courtyard, urgent footsteps breaking everyone''s thoughts, the servant looking nervous: "Young lords and ladies, the noble ladies have arrived!" At these words, the previously noisy courtyard instantly fell silent. The numerous young lords and ladies swiftly adjusted their attire, standing respectfully to the side. Soon, the matriarchs of the Zhou, Wu, Zheng, and Sun families arrived together. Many of the Thirteen Noble Families had been operating in Yongzhou for many years with deep roots, enjoying intermarriage, and having intricate relationships. Today, in the tumultuous situation in Yongzhou City, the ancestors and Family Heads were handling major affairs, so these matriarchs brought their legitimate sons and daughters together to contribute to the grand event. They were not those traditional women who never stepped beyond their doors and were well aware of what their families needed to do. Upon seeing Shen Qing perfectly fine appearing in Yongzhou City and going on a killing spree, they immediately realized the precarious position of their high-ranking families. If not handled well, the foundations accumulated by their ancestors for generations might be destroyed. Lady Sun of the Zhou Family stepped forward with a stern face, casting a glance at the juniors in the courtyard, discerning their thoughts. She spoke loudly to a few of the obviously pale young lords and ladies, "Why the panic, allowing yourselves to be frightened by a bunch of rustic hunters, what disgraceful behavior?" These chastised young lords and ladies hurriedly bowed their heads, accepting the reprimand, not daring to make a sound. They also understood that the matriarchs of their various families were each martial masters, at least at the Qi Cultivation Realm, second only to the Family Head in their families. "Do you think that Shen would dare to do anything to us? Know that our families have been operating for so many years, even opening doors in the Capital; if he dares to act against us, we will surely show him the might of our families." Lady Sun of the Zhou Family said sternly: "So, why fear? Hold your heads high!" Indeed. Their dozen or so high-ranking families had been operating in the Capital for so many years, knowing numerous bigwigs, why fear this small Chief Officer? For some reason, following the reassurance by Lady Sun of the Zhou Family, these young lords and ladies felt much more relaxed, as if filled with great confidence. When they looked at Shen Qing again, they each became calm and composed. Chapter 131 Commanding with Gestures, Ill Handle What the Court Cant ```Shen Qing stood atop the eastern city tower, his black robe fluttering gently in the wind. The arrow quiver at his waist was soaked with blood, indistinguishable between demon blood and human blood. He had slaughtered demons along the way. Looking around, the entire Yongzhou City was now free of any demon presence. Ignoring the bodies strewn on the ground, Yongzhou City had reverted to its former tranquility and peace. A gentle breeze swept over, and at the distant alleyway entrance, a group of children burst out joyfully like wild horses unrestrained. Their laughter was crisp and melodious, breaking the solemn atmosphere in the city, bringing a bit of life back to the city. "Wow, wow, look! Those terrifying demons have really been wiped out by Lord Shen!" A little girl with pigtails, her face flushed with excitement, pointed at the demon-free street in the distance with delight. "Yes, yes! We don''t have to worry about being snatched away by demons anymore!" Another young boy cheered along, his voice full of excitement and relief, all the fear dissipating with the disappearance of the demons. The surrounding children echoed one another, their laughter intertwining. "No more demons! We can play freely now!" Some children continuously pushed at their parents leaning against the wall, naively shouting, "The demons are dead, the demons are dead, this is great, this is great. Mother, get up and see, get up and see. Father..." These scenes were all taken in by Shen Qing standing atop the city wall, stirring a complicated emotion within his heart. If not for those high-ranking clans acting for their own gain, this unnecessary disaster could have been avoided altogether. Now that the demons were vanquished, those responsible, the high-ranking clans who colluded with the demons, needed to be dealt with. Shen Qing gazed over the whole of Yongzhou City, his sharp eyesight penetrating the bustling streets, landing directly on a certain high-walled deep courtyard. A cold, sharp light flashed in his eyes, his breath like a chilling wind passing through. Expanding his figure, Shen Qing surrounded himself with brilliant crimson gold light, like a divine being descending, soaring into the sky, and then rushing with unstoppable force towards the Zhou Mansion. There, many descendants of the Family Head and Lady Zhou gathered together, saving him the effort of visiting each house. Among the Thirteen Lines, aside from the Huangfu family and the already exterminated Qian Family, the other eleven families, mostly with powerful Family Heads and patriarchs, had been sent to the underworld by Shen Qing. The remaining ones were insignificant in his eyes. Above the Zhou Family Mansion, a resplendent rainbow light split the sky, descending precisely into the courtyard center. As the light faded, Shen Qing''s tall and upright figure was revealed. Shen Qing cast a sharp gaze over the gathered family members in the courtyard. "Everyone, I heard that your family heads secretly colluded with demons, causing chaos in Yongzhou. Were you aware of this?" His voice was deep, like thunder resounding in everyone''s ears. As soon as he said this, there was an uproar in the courtyard. The family heads'' wives and young masters exchanged glances and then started denying it, each in their own fashion. "Lord Shen, my Zhou family has been innocent for generations. How could we associate with demons? What evidence do you have to dare to slander us, noble families like this?" Clad in luxurious attire and adorned with jewelry, Lady Zhou fanned herself with her fan, countering with a deliberate posture. Li Muyun agreed, "Exactly, what evidence do you have to slander us? Do you think we are easy to bully?" Sun Family''s second son, Sun Qingshu, also said in a deep voice, "Everything must be based on evidence, Lord Shen!" Saying the last three words, Sun Qingshu emphasized them heavily, hinting at resentment underneath. Shen Qing curled his lip in a cold smile, never sparing Sun Qingshu a direct glance. This blatant disregard infuriated him further. "Evidence?! If you''re not guilty, why deny so quickly? To be honest, I''ve long had the answer in my heart. Whether you admit it or not, the outcome is the same. I thought you were merely deceived by the family head, and believed you deserved a chance. Now it seems I was wrong!" With this, Shen Qing surged his spiritual power, a supreme authority exclusive to an Innate Martial Master emanating from him, enveloping the entire back courtyard. The family members from all sides saw this and their faces immediately changed colors, but they still barely held on. They were unwilling, pulling out their families'' prestigious backgrounds, attempting to pressure Shen Qing into retreating. "Shen Qing, do you know that our Zhou family is on good terms with the capital''s elite families? If you dare act recklessly, you''re opposing the entire court!" "Our Sun family, furthermore, has close ties with the Imperial family martial arts elite, experts abound. Have you thought of the consequences if you act?" "Then let them come. Some matters the court can''t handle, I will!" Faced with these commanding threats, Shen Qing laughed in anger. It was clear that these so-called innocent families were all the same, still so hard-mouthed at death''s door. Fine then, killing them bore no mental burden indeed. With that, Shen Qing''s spiritual power surged violently, like a raging sea, unstoppable. "How dare you!" Sun Family''s second son, Sun Qingshu, seeing Shen Qing about to strike, roared angrily. Turning silently, Shen Qing cast a disdainful look, as if viewing an ant, at Sun Qingshu. Sun Qingshu''s face flushed, his self-esteem deeply pricked by this gaze. In a moment of heated impulse, he tried to charge forward. Sear?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. However, just as he lifted his foot, not yet touching the ground, a dazzling crimson gold light suddenly shot out from between Shen Qing''s fingers, piercing through Sun Qingshu''s Protective Gang Qi and landed on his chest. At the moment of impact between the light and flesh, a muffled boom sounded. A hint of disbelief flashed in Sun Qingshu''s eyes. He tried to struggle, but the power was too overwhelming, far beyond what he could withstand. His heart was pierced by this beam of light, leaving bloody holes one after another. Shen Qing stood there, his fingers still maintaining the gesture of pointing together, his eyes deep and calm, as if what just happened was trivial, causing unprecedented pressure on everyone present. Retracting his fingers, Shen Qing smiled, "Well, now it''s your turn!" "No! Shen Qing, you cannot do this! We are innocent! If you proceed, the capital will not spare you!" Lady Zhou screamed, her voice filled with fear and despair. Everything before her was completely different from what she had anticipated. Had Shen Qing gone mad? Did he not care about his own life at all, or did he truly believe he could withstand the power from above? Lady Zhou couldn''t make sense of it at all. "Innocent? To be honest, the dog I saw on the roadside was more innocent than you!" Shen Qing''s voice was icy, devoid of any emotion. With raging spiritual power surging within, he formed a seal with his hands. A massive Sky Flipping Seal materialized out of thin air, exuding a powerful aura. Those once prestigious dignitaries, at this moment, turned pale as paper under the seal''s pressure. "Die!" Boom! The Sky Flipping Seal, with a world-destroying momentum, pressed down upon them. "Ah!" As the massive seal face made contact with their bodies, a spray of blood bloomed like roses. ``` Chapter 132 Yongzhous Clear Skies, The Grace of Thousands ```"I don''t want to die!!" Someone didn''t dare to accept their fate, constantly resisting and struggling bitterly, hoping to find a ray of hope, but it proved futile. These descendants of Yongzhou''s great families, who weren''t even at the Dan Realm, couldn''t possibly withstand the might of Shen Qing in the Innate Realm. Puff, puff, puff... Blood flowers bloomed like roses, continuously unfolding. The Sky Flipping Seal crashed to the ground with a thunderous roar, causing the earth to sink, splattering blood all around. The screams abruptly ceased. The vast Zhou Family Mansion returned to its deathly silence. Shen Qing''s robes were stained red with the blood, but he remained indifferent, his gaze calm. With a wave of his hand, the massive crimson-gold seal before him slowly vanished, revealing the formless corpses scattered everywhere, a thick smell of blood permeating the air. "Every time I see so many lives disappear before me, it always saddens me. When will I be able to avoid such situations?" Shen Qing suddenly felt a little melancholic, murmuring to himself. "Next time, I should just shoot them dead from afar. Witnessing it firsthand is too distressing." Shen Qing let out a long sigh and walked alone out of the Zhou Family Mansion. He pushed open the main gate and stood at the entrance. Not far away, Huang Furo descended gracefully from the sky, her knees slightly bent, landing steadily like a cat. She walked towards Shen Qing and from afar caught a whiff of the strong stench of blood. Her brows slightly furrowed as she said, "You killed them all." "Yes!" Huang Furo didn''t blame him but asked calmly, "What are you planning to do next? These people have some connections in the Capital." "First, stabilize Yongzhou City," Shen Qing replied without hesitation. Seeing Shen Qing''s decisiveness, Huang Furo''s brows knitted slightly, feeling a bit worried for Shen Qing''s future. Those in power were not that easy to deal with. Shen Qing glanced at Huang Furo, knowing what she was thinking. So what if they were difficult to deal with? With the Panel at his disposal, he would be ashamed to fear those so-called Capital elites. A true man should not act so cautiously. Shen Qing suddenly raised his voice and shouted, "Citizens, listen carefully! The demon calamity in Yongzhou City today was due to the collusion between the high-ranking families and the demons! They intended to overthrow Yongzhou''s order and bring chaos to the world! Now, the demons are all dead, and those high-ranking families have been executed!" "Yongzhou is safe, the city is at peace!" Exerting his Inner Strength in secret, Shen Qing''s voice boomed like thunder, revealing the collusion between Yongzhou''s elites and the demons to the public. After a moment of silence, Yongzhou Inner City erupted, like water dripping into boiling oil, with people clamoring loudly. "Great, great, we are safe now." Residents of the city wept with joy, hugging their loved ones, while others cheered loudly, caught up in revelry; yet some remained calm, a trace of vitality restoring their once desolate eyes... "Mighty Lord Shen!" "Mighty Lord Shen!" S§×ar?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "..." The rising shouts echoed from within the city, gathering into one and resounding to the heavens, unable to be quelled for a long time. Huang Furo, beside him, glanced at Shen Qing in a daze, noticing the sharpness exuding from him, stirring her emotions slightly. "Where are the officers of the Guardian Martial Department?" On one of Yongzhou City''s streets, Tian Xiaohu was busy picking up demon cores when he heard Shen Qing''s voice. Without hesitation, he stuffed the demon cores into his pocket, wiped the blood from his face, and sprinted towards the Zhou Family''s direction. Likewise, Ji Youwu, Wang Shouyuan, Chen Guang, and the other officers also paused their demon core collection upon hearing the voice and hurried towards the source. At the entrance of the Zhou Family Mansion. Shen Qing gazed at the officers of the Guardian Martial Department, flooding in like waves from all directions, their shadows lengthening under the setting sun, gathering together. In just a moment, these officers stood in formation before him, with an imposing presence, thundering a greeting, "Greetings, Lord Chief Officer, Lord Huangfu!" Shen Qing swept his gaze over the faces before him, secretly calculating in his heart, realizing their numbers had decreased by a third since the beginning. Those who remained in the Inner City had clearly suffered casualties. "You''ve all worked hard." "It was no trouble, all at your command." "Good. This is a time of many affairs, so I''ll cut to the chase." Shen Qing quickly ordered, "The Zhou, Wu, Sun, Xiao, and other high-ranking families colluded with the demons and have been slain by me. However, there might still be some who would stir trouble. You all immediately go to guard the areas near each of the family estates, and if anyone causes disturbances, execute them without mercy." "Yes, sir!" With Shen Qing setting a good example, the officers of the Guardian Martial Department were filled with morale, becoming fierce and formidable. Tian Xiaohu and others stepped forward voluntarily to start assigning posts: "Awu, you and your brothers go to the Sun Family; Chen Guang, you and several other brothers go to the Xiao Family..." The named officers swiftly began to act. Finally, Tian Xiaohu stayed behind voluntarily, leading others to guard the Zhou Family Mansion. Shen Qing turned to Huang Furo and said, "Lord Huangfu, gather some reliable people from your Military Department to maintain order throughout the city as well. The Inner City is without leadership, we''ll get through tonight first." "I''ll arrange it, let your men coordinate with ours." At this moment, stabilizing and restoring order was paramount. Huang Furo understood the priorities and supported him actively. "Thank you, my lord." Shen Qing said, clasping his hands. Huang Furo nodded, her figure flashing as she left with strides. At the entrance of the Zhou Family, only Shen Qing and Tian Xiaohu remained. Shen Qing gestured. Tian Xiaohu looked around and stepped forward, saying, "Boss." Lowering his voice, Shen Qing said, "Take some reliable people and search the estates, take whatever useful things you find." Tian Xiaohu cast a surprised glance at Shen Qing. "What are you spacing out for? We can''t just toil for nothing, can we?" Suddenly, Tian Xiaohu realized Shen Qing''s intent in placing guards at each estate, his expression becoming peculiar. Shen Qing''s rapid change made it difficult for him to keep up initially. Moments later, having processed his thoughts, he said, "I understand. Right, there are demon cores among the demon corpses in the city this time, what about those..." Shen Qing pondered, "How many are there?" "About eleven in total." Shen Qing contemplated, "Handle those as you see fit." Shen Qing already had two Great Demon cores in his possession, so he wasn''t too interested in those scattered around the city. Firstly, their quality wasn''t high, and collecting them one by one was time-consuming and laborious; secondly, if one is too meticulous, resentment will arise, and it''s better to be generous for gaining people''s hearts. It''s more beneficial to search for demon cores with that effort. "Get moving early," Shen Qing reminded, "And remember, don''t touch the Huangfu family''s property." Tian Xiaohu nodded and hurried away. "Ha ha ha, indeed talents emerge with each generation! Our Yongzhou Government Office is indeed a haven of hidden talents. To have such youthful talents is a blessing for the people of Yongzhou, a fortune for our county!" Just after Tian Xiaohu left, a middle-aged man''s voice was heard. Shen Qing squinted, seeing two middle-aged men, donned in county government office uniforms, approaching together. They wore the government office''s dark blue uniforms, shimmering under the setting sun, with steady steps. ``` Chapter 133 Testing Shen Qings Attitude, Reported to the Temple These two men were Prefecture Chief Dou Wenxi and County Supervisor Yan Xushou, the only two remaining Innate Martial Masters among the five in the Yongzhou County Office, high in position and influential, second only to the Prefectural Governor.Now, both men were over a hundred years old, their cultivation stuck in the Innate Realm for seventy to eighty years, their ambition eroded, with little zeal left for advancing in Martial Arts. Moreover, they came from humble origins, without any powerful backers, so after being dispatched to Yongzhou, they had always been in a state of detachment, muddling along without much presence. This time, when such a major event occurred in Yongzhou City, both chose to stand by and watch. Shen Qing''s impression of them was quite mediocre. At this moment, when Dou Wenxi and Yan Xushou came to visit, he was somewhat puzzled, not understanding the purpose of their visit. After Prefecture Chief Dou Wenxi had spoken, County Supervisor Yan Xushou immediately followed up, "Lord Dou is absolutely right. Chief Officer Shen''s decisive actions are fair and impartial, removing harm for the people. To say that he is our Yongzhou''s upstanding great official is no exaggeration at all." County Supervisor Yan Xushou''s words were filled with flattery, playing off Dou Wenxi''s remarks. From many of their words and actions, there seemed to be no ill intentions. Shen Qing couldn''t figure out their motives; he kept his composure and quietly observed, "The two Lords flatter me too much, I am merely fulfilling my duty loyally." "Eh, Chief Officer Shen is still too modest," said Yan Xushou, his chunky cheeks jiggling twice as he pretended to be annoyed. Shen Qing didn''t want to beat around the bush any longer and directly asked, "May I know the purpose of the two Lords'' visit?" "It''s not really any advice," Prefecture Chief Dou Wenxi stroked his goatee, slightly lowering his stance as he said, "With such a major event happening in Yongzhou, we have already reported to the court. If all goes well, in a few days the court will dispatch an envoy to stabilize the situation. During this period, we need to work together, so we came especially to communicate this." County Supervisor Yan Xushou also said with a smile, "Now the county office is riddled with problems. What does Chief Officer Shen intend to do?" After a few exchanges, Shen Qing began to discern their intentions. At the moment, with Yongzhou in turmoil, it was a time filled with trouble; they harbored concerns, and their visit was to probe his stance, seeking to protect themselves. Indeed, just as he had thought, Dou Wenxi and Yan Xushou were genuinely alarmed by Shen Qing''s aggressive tactics, their cultivation not necessarily a match for his. They were worried that Shen Qing, in a fit of passion for so-called justice, would disrupt their stable lives and endanger their lives. So their visit this time was specifically to negotiate with Shen Qing and understand his true intentions. If it was just a token action, and afterwards everyone continued as before without changes, naturally, that would be best and everyone would be happy. If he wanted to use his reputation to cause trouble, strictly regulate the government office, and stretch his hands towards them, then they couldn''t just sit by and wait for death. Shen Qing looked at them, seeing their warm smiles like a spring breeze, treating him extremely well. This made him inwardly cautious, careful in his heart. He thought to himself that although they might not be a match for him, if they were willing to risk their lives, they could still force him to pay a price. Moreover, both were officials dispatched by the court; he didn''t have a particularly good reason to confront them at the moment. As long as they didn''t cause trouble for him, it''s better to address fewer issues than more, and not prudent to recklessly make enemies. Having thought through this, Shen Qing understood in his heart, but kept the same calm demeanor on his face, saying warmly, "Since the two Lords have already reported to the court, the matter should naturally be left for the court to decide. During this period, we should indeed work together with the two Lords, to overcome difficulties and maintain order in the city." Hearing Shen Qing''s words, Prefecture Chief Dou Wenxi and County Supervisor Yan Xushou looked at each other and smiled, their doubts instantly dissipating. They couldn''t help but breathe a sigh of relief, very pleased with this outcome. It was clear that the Chief Officer of the Guardian Martial Department was not so unreasonably tyrannical. "Hahaha, indeed, Chief Officer Shen understands the greater good," Prefecture Chief Dou Wenxi said with delight: "After spending some time together, Lord Shen will definitely see our true nature. We won''t cause any difficulties for Lord Shen." County Supervisor Yan Xushou looked around and said, "Now that the chaos in the city has initially settled, we also have plenty to attend to. After we''ve handled everything in the coming days, we can join you, Mr. Shen, for a drink and a pleasant conversation. We will take our leave first." "Both of you, take care. No need for me to see you out." Watching the departing figures of Prefecture Chief Dou Wenxi and County Supervisor Yan Xushou, Shen Qing noted their lack of any martial artist''s bearing. "It truly is might that speaks in this world. The stronger the martial power, the louder one can talk. Two high-ranking county officials seem to be regarding my words as orders, which is quite lamentable." Shen Qing felt even more disdain towards Prefecture Chief Dou Wenxi and County Supervisor Yan Xushou. As dusk approached, Yongzhou was destined for a sleepless night with bustling noises prevalent throughout the city streets. ... In the vibrant heart of the Capital City stood the imposing and magnificent residence of the Xue Family of Great Zhou. At this moment, a young man of elegant demeanor, dressed in magnificent attire, approached the Xue Mansion with brisk steps. S§×arch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He gave a slight bow to the gatekeeper and said, "Zhou Su of Yongzhou''s Zhou Family has come to visit Old Xue. Please inform him of my arrival." Zhou Su''s voice was clear and his attitude sincere, revealing an extraordinary valor between his brows. Upon hearing this, the gatekeeper dared not delay and quickly bowed before hurrying inside the mansion. Soon, the gatekeeper returned and said, "Lord Zhou, please follow me." "Thank you." Zhou Su lightly swept his sleeve and followed the gatekeeper through the winding corridors, entering a tea room adorned with a simple and scholarly ambiance. After bringing him there, the gatekeeper silently withdrew, leaving Zhou Su alone. He was in no hurry and patiently waited inside the tea room. After a while, a fit young man came out quickly and appeared at the door. When he saw Zhou Su, he joyfully said, "Brother Zhou, what wind has blown you here today?" The Xue Family Patriarch took step by step towards the highest seat, his figure lengthened by the sunlight at the door, with a continuous echo of footsteps in the serene guest hall. Zhou Su looked up to see only a pair of handsome, youthful eyes. This person was none other than the Lord Xue of the Great Zhou''s Xue Family, Xue Bai. "Please have a seat," said Xue Bai. Zhou Su hurriedly bowed his head as he and Xue Bai, the Family Head of the Xue Family, took their respective host and guest seats. Inside, the room was filled with the aroma of tea. Standing up, Zhou Su took the initiative and said, "I''ve come here daringly this time to report an important matter to Lord Xue." "Speak." Zhou Su paused slightly as if bearing a great pressure. He took a deep breath to steady himself, and said, "The Prefectural Governor Bai Mu had sent a memorial to the court, and surely Family Head Xue is already aware of the large number of demons appearing in Yongzhou, bringing disaster to the lives of the people. However, there is one thing the Bai Prefecture Governor has not yet disclosed. The changes in Yongzhou consist of more than this." "Oh? What else has happened in Yongzhou?" Zhou Su''s expression turned solemn as he said, "A Spirit Essence has descended in Yongzhou, its scale no less than that of Jinzhou, and there are even rumors of Outer Domain Treasures appearing. I hope Family Head Xue can decide on this matter!" Chapter 134 Wind Rises in Capital City, with Urgent and Intensive Preparations "Is this really true?""Absolutely!" Zhou Su said solemnly, "This is the latest news I got from home, and it''s correct." Lord Xue, Xue Bai, was excited. An absolute opportunity. S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Now, His Majesty was not only integrating the Martial Mechanism across the realm but also methodically collecting the Spirit Essence from beyond the domains. If this could be done well, it would be a great achievement for the Xue Family and would greatly aid Father''s Martial Arts advancement. Thinking of this, Xue Bai grew more excited. He made up his mind and grabbed Zhou Su''s wrist, saying, "Come, let''s go see my father and tell him about this so that he can decide." Zhou Su hurriedly said, "That''s not possible." Xue Bai was surprised. Zhou Su quickly thought and explained, "It would be impolite for me to see General Xue rashly. Besides, if Lord Xue learns about the matters between you and me, it may not be a good thing." Xue Bai hesitated slightly and said, "You make sense, but..." "You should tell the General directly, my lord," Zhou Su insisted. "I guarantee with my life that it''s absolutely true. If the General wants to advance in Martial Arts and win His Majesty''s favor, this matter cannot wait." "More importantly, if this information comes from you, my young lord, it will certainly earn you newfound respect from the General and solidify your position within the Young Master Mansion." Hearing this, Xue Bai was invigorated, finding Zhou Su''s words very reasonable. "Alright, then there''s no time to delay; I''ll go tell my father right now." Xue Bai hurried out. Explore more stories with empire Watching Xue Bai''s retreating figure, Zhou Su''s expression turned solemn, his hands involuntarily clenching into fists, his thumbnails digging deeply into his flesh, even drawing blood from the force. Early today, he had received shocking and terrible news. The Yongzhou''s Zhou Family was obliterated because of the Chief Officer of the Guardian Martial Department! The Ancestors and the Family Head were all dead, and all the sons and daughters of the family were slain. The moment he heard this news, he felt as if he had fallen into an ice pit, his entire body chilled, nearly fainting. With the Zhou Family gone, and without support from his family, his life in the overpriced Capital City would undoubtedly become extremely difficult, perhaps even unsustainable. He knew he couldn''t just sit and wait for death; he had to act. Over the years, he had consistently delivered substantial sums of money to Xue Bai, solidifying his position as the Princely Heir within the Xue Mansion, thereby opening opportunities for himself. Now, without the support of his family and lacking real scholarship, this relationship would surely become untenable over time, and his influence in the Capital City would diminish. Thus, he must capitalize on these relations before they wore thin to accrue merits for himself and tighten their bonds. Even better would be to kill two birds with one stone, eliminating those responsible for the disaster at Zhou Family, potentially turning the crisis around. He might even have a chance to gather the remaining assets of the Zhou Family, revive and firmly attach himself to the Xue Family. In the Xue Mansion study. The vermilion-painted door creaked as it turned, its sound especially clear in the silent study. Xue Bai rushed into the study in haste, shouting anxiously as he entered, "Father! Something''s happened in Yongzhou! They say there are many demons." Before him sat a man over fifty but still vibrantly vigorous, a middle-aged man. He was sitting at the desk, fiddling with an ancient Jade Pendant, bearing a strong resemblance to Xue Bai. This man was none other than the Great General of Zhou Country, Xue Zhao. "What''s the rush?" Xue Zhao''s expression was composed; he looked up at Xue Bai and calmly said, "Demon affairs have always been occurring. A few days ago, the Yongzhou Governor also reported to the court, and His Majesty is already discussing countermeasures with the Qintian Bureau and Bailu Academy. The results should be out in a couple of days, and it won''t affect our proceedings." Xue Bai stepped forward a few paces, his determination unquestionable, and confidently declared, "But this time it''s different, Father! Over in Yongzhou, not only are there demons, but also a celestial Spirit Essence has appeared, triggering a Spirit Mechanism. It is said that the scene is spectacular, with the entire Yongzhou enveloped in an extraordinary Rainbow Light. This is a rare opportunity for your cultivation!" Hearing this, Xue Zhao''s Jade Pendant involuntarily slipped from his hand, and he stood up abruptly, a flash of shock in his eyes. He asked in a deep voice, "Where did you hear this news?" Just as Xue Bai was about to spill everything, he recalled Zhou Su''s words just now and paused before changing his response, "I am not just idling outside, Father. I have my own sources. In any case, this matter is absolutely true, I have checked it multiple times." Xue Zhao paced back and forth in his study, deep in thought. He held a high position and was privy to many secrets. For some unknown reason, in recent years, Spirit Essences would occasionally fall from beyond this realm, triggering Spirit Mechanisms. These Spirit Mechanisms were immensely beneficial to cultivators, with some even breaking through bottlenecks because of them. Even he had fortuitously encountered one a few years ago. A Spirit Mechanism within a radius of three meters had transformed him entirely, advancing his cultivation significantly. No one understood the benefits of a Spirit Mechanism better than him. Now, having been stuck in the Primordial Spirit Realm for some years, and with the current Martial Mechanism of the court, it was impossible to break through to the Kongyou Realm, let alone achieve the Unity Realm cultivation of Your Majesty. As Spirit Mechanisms appeared more frequently, and demons proliferated, the Huang Tian Heresy also began to take shape. Signs of great chaos loomed, and the future was unpredictable. Like rowing upstream, if one didn''t advance, one would fall back. This opportunity could not be missed. "If this is true, it is indeed no trivial matter," Xue Zhao said gravely. "I must get involved." Seeing this, excitement sparkled in Xue Bai''s eyes, feeling he finally had a place to apply his martial skills and gaining his father''s acknowledgment. "Father, when do you plan to visit Yongzhou?" Xue Zhao replied, "Now that Jinzhou has fallen and the Huang Tian Sect has begun attacking Danzhou, I need to lead the troops there soon to quash the rebels. His Majesty will not allow me to leave the Capital City at this critical time." "But this opportunity for my father..." Xue Bai anxiously said. Xue Zhao smiled slightly and said, "Don''t worry. If I cannot go, I''ll let your third brother take the Spiritual Mechanism Jade and join the envoy. For now, I will go to the palace to discuss strategies with His Majesty and secure your third brother''s place in the delegation." Xue Bai''s expression soured, unprepared that his efforts might end up benefiting someone else. If his third brother gained from the Spirit Essence and his cultivation improved, he wouldn''t be able to catch up even at a gallop, and it was uncertain whether he would have any share in the great family business in the future. "Father, let me go please? I promise I won''t hoard anything for myself and will bring back the Spirit Essence intact for you." "Hmph!" Xue Zhao cast a stern glance at his eldest son and coldly chided, "Tuck away those crooked thoughts, focus on your training. What''s the rush? If I end up at a disadvantage in the battle, His Majesty will likely convene the Jingluan Assembly earlier next year. By then, I will find a way to send several Innate Martial Masters with you. There will be plenty of opportunities." Jingluan Assembly?! At those words, Xue Bai''s heart blossomed with joy. The Jingluan Assembly was a frightening prospect for many, but not for the sons of noble families like them. They were passionate about participating in the Jingluan Assembly. To them, entering the Jingluan Assembly was akin to a precursor to entering the temple hall, and most who participated in the Jingluan Assembly would likely survive and enter the temple hall. Now that his father promised to escort him into the Jingluan Assembly, how could he not be elated? "Thank you, Father." Xue Zhao said nothing further, rising to change his clothes in preparation to enter the palace. "Have someone prepare the sedan." "Yes, Father." Xue Bai hastily went to make arrangements, sending Xue Zhao off in the sedan and watching him enter the palace. His heart couldn''t help but fill with anticipation for the future, and he decided he really must thank Zhou Su. Chapter 135 An Audience with Your Majesty, Dispatching an Envoy Imperial Observatory.Wisps of blue smoke curled up. Vague sounds of various instruments operating could be heard in the background. An elderly man with white hair and beard, dressed in plain long robes, sat on the edge of the rooftop. His hands were crossed, fingers moving slightly, as if he were constantly calculating the unresolved mysteries of the world, with his eyebrows frequently furrowed. Suddenly, as though he had figured something out, a look of disbelief crossed his features. At that moment, rushed footsteps broke through his deep thoughts. The Chief Officer of the Imperial Observatory, with a voice tinged with slight panic, spoke, "Director, His Majesty is on his way here, please come down quickly to receive him." Upon hearing this, a hint of surprise flashed in the old man''s eyes. "Alright, I understand." As soon as his words fell, he moved, displaying none of the frailty of an old man; instead, he was as agile as a young man. The next moment, he stepped out and, in an instant, his figure vanished from the rooftop, leaving only a faint trail of stardust in the air. A short while later, the Emperor of Great Zhou, dressed in his Dragon Robe, his steps steady, strode into the courtyard of the Imperial Observatory. He had an imposing presence, with an imperial air that seemed unquestionable, and he scanned his surroundings with a sharp gaze. Suddenly, as if he had sensed something, his eyes focused, settling on a patch of void before him. Under his watch, specks of starlight gathered together to reveal the white-haired old man. Seeing the Emperor, the latter quickly and respectfully bowed, "This humble Feng Daxun greets Your Majesty." Emperor Ji Zikong had no intention of having an idle chat with the Director of the Imperial Observatory; in a low and authoritative voice, he said, "Director, while observing the celestial phenomena last night, I had a premonition of disturbances far away and have come to seek your advice." Director Feng Daxun bowed slightly, his voice aged yet resonant as he spoke, "Your Majesty is wise. I, too, have noticed it a few days ago. It signifies that nature''s spiritual energy is converging, a sign that a Spirit Essence from beyond has arrived in the territory of Great Zhou, and it is not small in scale." Upon hearing this, a look of urgency crossed Emperor Ji Zikong''s eyes, "If this is the case, I must personally go and seize this Spirit Essence to bring supreme fortune to Great Zhou!" Director Feng Daxun shook his head, his face showing a mix of helplessness and regret, "Your Majesty may not be aware, but Spirit Essence is inherently unpredictable and cannot be forcefully obtained by human intervention. Although I can glimpse into the workings of heaven, I am not omnipotent. I have carefully calculated this Spirit Mechanism and found that it had disappeared on the day it arrived. It''s too late now, which is why I had not reported it to Your Majesty." Emperor Ji Zikong was taken aback upon hearing this and then he sighed deeply, "I see, let it be then. Director, in the future, you must pay close attention and report to me immediately if any anomalies occur." "I understand," responded the Director. S§×arch* The N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "By the way, there is another matter. Have you considered it, Director?" Director Feng Daxun paused slightly before replying, "Your Majesty, the demons differ greatly from the Human Clan. Although they can sense the changes in the Spirit Essence from beyond in advance, plotting with demons is akin to seeking a tiger''s skin¡ªit''s ultimately not a viable solution." "Let''s get past this immediate concern first. With frequent manifestations of Spirit Mechanisms, it is a rare opportunity for us. We must find a way to harness them for the benefit of our Ji Clan," said Ji Zikong. After pondering for a while, Director Feng Daxun bowed and acquiesced, "I shall obey your command." "Very well. I shall not disturb you any longer, Director. Remember to report to me immediately if there is any update." Director Feng Daxun straightened his posture and watched the Emperor of Great Zhou leave with a swirl of his sleeves and hands clasped behind his back. After leaving the Imperial Observatory, Emperor Ji Zikong''s expression was somewhat grim, his dissatisfaction apparent for not having seized this opportunity of the Spirit Mechanism, but he also knew there was no helping it; it wasn''t the fault of the Observatory. With hidden dangers surfacing all around Great Zhou, his conviction that the day of impending disaster spoken of by his ancestors was not merely an absurd myth was growing. Perhaps the Human Clan was truly on the brink of a significant upheaval. The increasing number of demons was a clear and evident sign. With this thought in mind, as the shared ruler of all under heaven, his expression couldn''t help but turn grave. "Your Majesty, the Great General requests an audience, claiming he has urgent matters to report," just as Ji Zikong was lost in his muddled thoughts, the Chief Eunuch by his side hurriedly reported, interrupting his train of thought. He inevitably felt somewhat annoyed and asked offhandedly, "What urgent matter?" "Back to Your Majesty, the Great General did not specify, and I am unaware as well." The Emperor of Great Zhou, Ji Zikong, commanded with an authority that needed no anger to enforce, "Summon the Great General." "This servant obeys." Soon after, the Great General Xue Zhao was brought before Ji Zikong, guided by the Chief Eunuch. "I have seen Your Majesty; long live Your Majesty." Ji Zikong said with a calm demeanor, "My minister, there is no need for such formalities. May I inquire what important matters have brought you to the palace?" "Back to Your Majesty." Imperial Observatory. Thin smoke curled into the air. Faintly, there were sounds of various instruments operating. An old man with completely white hair and beard, dressed in a plain-colored long robe, sat solemnly atop the roof''s eave. His hands were interlocked, fingers subtly moving as if continually calculating the unfathomable mysteries of the world, his brows occasionally furrowing. Suddenly, as if he had calculated something, an incredulous look crossed his features. Just at that moment, a series of rapid footsteps broke his deep concentration. The Chief Officer of the Imperial Observatory spoke with a slightly panicked voice, "Director, His Majesty is on his way here; you must come down quickly to meet him." The old man''s eyes flickered with an unusual light upon hearing this. "Good, I understand." As his voice faded, he moved swiftly, showing no signs of frailty but instead displaying the agility of a young man. The next instant, he stepped forward, and his figure instantly vanished from the rooftop, leaving only a faint stardust afterglow in the air. A moment later, the Emperor of Great Zhou, clad in a Dragon Robe and with a steady stride, walked grandly into the courtyard of the Imperial Observatory. His face was dignified, his brows revealed an undeniable imperial authority, and his sharp gaze swept the surroundings. Enjoy exclusive content from empire Suddenly, as if sensing something, his gaze slowly focused on a void in front of him. Under his watchful eye, specks of starlight gathered together, revealing an old man with snow-white hair and beard. Upon seeing him, the latter quickly bowed respectfully and said, "Your humble servant, Feng Daxun, greets Your Majesty." Ji Zikong had no intention of idly chatting with the Director of the Imperial Observatory. He spoke authoritatively in a low voice, "Director, while observing celestial omens last night, I had a sudden premonition of unusual movement afar. I have come to seek your counsel." Director Feng Daxun bowed slightly, his aged yet forceful voice replying, "Your Majesty is wise. I too have noticed in the past few days. This is a sign that nature''s spiritual energy is converging, indicating that extraterritorial Spiritual Essence has descended upon the territory of Great Zhou, and it is no minor occurrence." Upon hearing this, a look of urgency flashed across Ji Zikong''s eyes, "If that is the case, I should personally set out to seize this Spirit Essence, to add boundless fortune to Great Zhou! Director Feng Daxun shook his head, a mixture of helplessness and regret appearing on his face, "Your Majesty is not aware, the Spiritual Essence of heaven and earth always moves with spirit, beyond the force of human demand. Although I can glimpse the workings of fate, I am not omnipotent. I have carefully calculated this Spirit Mechanism, and it had vanished on the day it arrived; thus, it is too late to pursue now. That is why I have not reported this to Your Majesty." Hearing this, Ji Zikong was taken aback before he let out a long sigh, "I see, so that''s the case. Never mind then. Director, you must pay close attention hereafter. If such an omen reappears, you must report it to me immediately." Chapter 1 The First Person of Yongzhou In the Great Zhou Court, there were three major Martial Departments:the Military Department, the Inner palace Eunuch Department, and the Mountain Sea Department. The Military Department was responsible for warfare and maintaining the peace throughout the land; the Inner palace Eunuch Department had the highest cultivation levels, charged with guarding the safety of the Imperial family; and finally, the Mountain Sea Department excelled in intelligence gathering, exclusively tasked with collecting Martial Arts for the Ji Clan. Shi Wenbo, Cui Jin, and Ji He each came from one of these three Martial Departments. General Ji Zikong''s arrangement for these three individuals to go to Yongzhou together clearly had a deeper purpose¡ªit was a gesture of offering Xue Zhao a sweet date while also covertly keeping a card up his sleeve, not fully trusting this Great General of Great Zhou Country. General Ji Zikong warned, "Great General, the situation in Jinzhou and Danzhou is getting worse and worse, you shouldn''t drag this out anymore. Lead the troops out tomorrow and make sure to eradicate the Thieves from Huang Tian in both Jinzhou and Danzhou. I always feel that they have grand designs on those two states." "Weichen obeys the decree," Xue Zhao said gravely. General Ji Zikong carelessly waved his hand and brushed past Xue Zhao with a close attendant. On their way, General Ji Zikong suddenly spoke, "Chu Daban, I remember isn''t there a descendant of the Huangfu family in Yongzhou?" Chu Yuanfu, the Director of the Inner palace Eunuch Department, stepped forward and replied, "Your Majesty has a good memory. Indeed, a direct descendant of Huang Fafa is in Yongzhou. This old servant also heard that now there is a Huangfu family member serving as the Chief Officer in the Military Department there." Ji Zikong contemplated for a moment and said, "Convey my oral decree, have this Chief Officer from the Huangfu family come to the capital soon to collect the world''s Spirit Mechanism for me in the Mountain Sea Department." The Director Chu Yuanfu was somewhat surprised and asked, "Your Majesty is planning to employ the Huangfu family again?" "The Huangfu family has been suppressed for so long, they must be eager to perform meritorious deeds to change their current situation, and since the Huangfu family is not a renowned and influential clan, even if they gain momentum later, we need not fear losing control. After thorough consideration, they are the most suitable for this task, easy to manipulate," General Ji Zikong said offhandedly. Chu Yuanfu nodded and said, "This servant understands and will arrange it immediately." General Ji Zikong sensed that the Director of the Qintian Bureau was hiding something from him and, though he was uncertain of the other party''s intentions, he disliked that feeling. Comparatively, he preferred having everything under his control, which allowed him to sleep soundly and move freely in any direction. Even the major events of the ancestors'' cultivation were handled the same way. Yongzhou. Three days had passed since the demon incident, and with maintenance by Shen Qing and others, the previously chaotic Yongzhou was gradually returning to calm. Even if it hadn''t regained its former prosperity, they had, at least, triumphed over the demons, which bolstered their confidence immensely. After this event, Shen Qing''s reputation soared, becoming the preeminent figure in Yongzhou, known as Great Qingtian. For a time, his actions became the talk of the neighboring counties after dinner and tea. Many people even traveled far and wide just to witness his elegance. Shen Qing felt a bit of a mix of amusement and embarrassment. He hadn''t expected his actions to lead to such a result. However, compared to these external honors, he valued the tangible gains more significantly. Find more adventures on empire The upheaval in Yongzhou had been truly beneficial to him. Apart from the Huangfu family, the properties of the other eleven of the Yongzhou Thirteen Lines had nearly all fallen into his hands. Numerous wine shops, porcelain kilns, money houses, pawnshops, and more had changed their names overnight, in the blink of an eye, becoming Shen Family assets, blossoming into a new mammoth entity. In addition, untold foundational resources scraped together from various major clans overturned his expectations, making him exceedingly wealthy and freeing him from concern over Cultivation Resources for a long time to come. Knock, knock, knock. A rhythmic knocking at the door echoed. "Come in," said Shen Qing without a second thought. In the rear hall of the Guardian Martial Department Office, a familiar figure pushed the door open and walked in. Tian Xiaohu joined his fists and said, "Lord Shen, Wu Sheng has arrived." "Let him in." "Yes." Tian Xiaohu hurriedly went out and brought in the somewhat haggard-looking Wu Sheng, ushering him before Shen Qing. Shen Qing looked at Wu Sheng with a smile and said, "Brother Wu, we meet again." Wu Sheng, a member of the Wu Family, stood before Shen Qing with mixed emotions. He never would have imagined that the unremarkable foreigner from the past could achieve such an extent, eliminating his Wu Family with a simple lift of a hand or a step of a foot. S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Had he not been traveling as a merchant and avoided the calamity, untangled from the fate of his family, his fate would be uncertain. With a deep bow filled with anxiety and gratitude, Wu Sheng said, "Great fortune it is for Wu to see Lord Shen once more, given Lord Shen''s grace in not discarding me." Shen Qing slightly raised his hand, indicating for Wu Sheng to dispense with formalities: "Your Wu Family was implicated in collusion with demons, by the laws of Great Zhou, guilty parties are punished together, with a penalty extending to three clans; do you understand?" Wu Sheng had just straightened up when his legs softened, and he knelt down, saying in a panic, "Lord, save me." To be truthful, he was merely a marginal relative in the Wu Family, with a low status in the clan, and with his mother having passed away early, he had little affection for the Wu Family itself. The survival or demise of the Wu Family meant little to him, so long as it didn''t implicate him. Now hearing Shen Qing''s words, the threat of collective punishment filled him with fear. His cultivation in front of Shen Qing seemed insufficient, and if he were to be seized, he would have no means to resist. "Hey, what''s all this talk of saving?" Shen Qing quickly helped Wu Sheng up, saying, "Brother Wu, our various fates intertwine, and we are old acquaintances. Even if someone must be punished, I can''t punish you." Hearing these words, Wu Sheng was moved and knelt again, saying, "Lord Shen, should you have any tasks for me, Wu Sheng is willing to plunge through fire and water without hesitation, and offer his humble services like a loyal dog or horse." Chapter 1 The First Person of Yongzhou_2 "brother wu, come to think of it, i do have a favor to ask of you.""lord shen, please speak without hesitation." "i remember you can obtain wish power pearls and elixirs from elsewhere, you have your ways, right?" wu sheng glanced at tian xiaohu, who was sizing him up with an unnoticeable gaze. "lord shen..." shen qing said, "please speak without hesitation, we are all friends here." wu sheng took a deep breath and said solemnly, "unsatisfactory as it is, i indeed have some channels to acquire elixirs and wish power pearls, but what do you wish to do with them, my lord?" shen qing smiled and said, "i wish to use your help to establish a trade route, specifically from the capital, no, around the entire world, to collect wish power pearls and rare elixirs for me. would you be willing to assist me in this?" having consolidated the resources of twelve high-ranking families in yongzhou, he was enormously wealthy. to him, these riches were mere vulgarities; in this disordered world, nothing was as reassuring as the enhancement of his cultivation. in his view, rather than holding on to the money, it would be better transformed into cultivation resources to enhance the cultivation of his subordinates like tian xiaohu. with these cultivation resources, even if the ji family controlled the martial mechanism, he could still find opportunities to carve a different path. after dealing with the demon incident in yongzhou, he had a clear understanding. in this martial arts world where great power was vested in individuals, sometimes, it was impossible to advance alone. when necessary, one needed allies by their side. if tian xiaohu and the others had been exceptionally capable, they might have detected certain clues early on, nipping the danger in the bud instead of being forced into a defensive counterattack. he was lucky this time, having fortuitously achieved innate level. otherwise, he would not have known how to resolve the situation in yongzhou. "lord shen, the elixirs and wish power pearls i have are sourced from the wasteful nobles of the capital and the suffering officials in the court. my lord, how many wish power pearls and elixirs do you desire?" asked wu sheng. "no upper limit. first, gather all the elixirs and wish power pearls you can from the capital. later, you can think of ways to recruit enough personnel to search these miracles throughout the world." upon hearing this, wu sheng involuntarily turned pale as if struck by an unseen force. he had guessed that shen qing''s ambition was substantial, but he had never imagined it to be this immense. didn''t shen qing''s actions amount to creating a civilian version of the mountain sea department on his own? what was he planning? a rebellion? wu sheng''s heart pounded incessantly, his throat dry. "this will likely require a massive expenditure." "money?" shen qing seemed to see through wu sheng''s concerns and chuckled. "do not worry about the silver tael; i will have that handled. just focus on making sure the martial mechanism from the capital can be put to use for us." "don''t you think the world is about to descend into chaos? a wise man does not stand beneath a collapsing wall; we must prepare for the storm ahead." upon hearing this, wu sheng fell silent. he felt there was truth in shen qing''s words. discover more stories at empire however, the clandestine business he currently handled was not of a large scale. if it was as shen qing described, it would require a great effort indeed. as he spoke, shen qing pulled out a jade token and casually tossed it. wu sheng instinctively caught it. shen qing formed a gesture with his hands and activated it. wu sheng immediately felt a surge of immense spiritual energy, refreshing his spirit, and the cultivation bottleneck he had faced for many years began to loosen. just as he was about to immerse himself in it, shen qing snatched the jade token back with a swift grab. "do you know what this is?" "what?" "the spirit mechanism land that appeared outside the city not long ago." "spirit mechanism land?" wu sheng was puzzled. "if you manage well, this jade token will be yours." upon hearing this, wu sheng''s initial shock gradually turned into resolve. he deeply understood that he had embarked on a path of no return, and at the end of this path might well be the glorious future shen qing had depicted. thus, he slowly nodded, his eyes flashing with determination and anticipation: "rest assured, lord shen, i shall fulfill this mission!" wu sheng, upon hearing this, had myriad thoughts swirling in his mind, but faced with shen qing''s undeniable gaze, he knew he had no way out. he pondered back and forth a few times and felt that this might also be an opportunity. having quite a few connections in the capital, he straightened up and said, upon hearing this, shen qing''s lips curved into a faint smile, "good, with brother wu''s help, i must be able to relax a lot more in the future." in his view, rather than keeping the resources, it was better to transform them into cultivation resources to enhance the cultivation of his subordinates like tian xiaohu. with these cultivation resources, even if the ji family controlled the martial mechanism, he could find some opportunities by forging a different path. after the demon incident in yongzhou, he had seen things clearly. in this world of martial arts where power is held by individuals, sometimes climbing up requires more than fighting alone. at times, he needed people by his side. if tian xiaohu and others had exceptional abilities, they might have detected some clues early on, taken action to nip the danger in the bud, and not just react passively in the end. currently, he was fortunate to break through to the innate level; otherwise, facing a situation like yongzhou, he really wouldn''t know how to conclude. "lord shen, the elixirs and wish power pearls i have are from the hands of those pampered descendants of the high-ranking families in the capital and those poor officials from the court. lord, i wonder how many wish power pearls and elixirs you would like?" wu sheng asked. "no cap. first, gather all the elixirs and wish power pearls you can find from the capital, and then think of a way to gather people to go all over the world to collect these martial mechanisms." upon hearing these words, wu sheng couldn''t help but turn pale as if a formidable invisible force had suddenly struck him. he had guessed that shen qing''s appetite was substantial, but he hadn''t expected it to be to this extent. wasn''t shen qing''s action akin to secretly creating a civilian version of the mountain sea department? what is he doing? planning a rebellion? wu sheng''s heart pounded incessantly, his throat dry, "this would require a considerable expense." "money?" shen qing seemed to see through wu sheng''s concerns and said with a light laugh, "don''t worry, the matter of silver taels will be arranged properly by me. you just go ahead and try to make as many martial mechanisms from the capital useful to us as possible." "don''t you think that the world is going to be in great turmoil? a gentleman does not stand under a collapsing wall, under the current circumstances we must prepare beforehand." wu sheng fell silent upon hearing this. he felt that shen qing''s words made sense. however, the underground businesses he currently handled were not large in scale. if it were as shen qing had said, it would require a great effort. while speaking, shen qing took out a jade token and casually tossed it. wu sheng instinctively caught it. sear?h the n?vel?ire.net website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. shen qing formed a hand gesture and activated it. wu sheng immediately felt an overwhelming surge of spiritual energy burst forth, refreshing his spirit as the bottleneck in his cultivation that hadn''t budged for years began to loosen. just as he was about to immerse himself, shen qing grasped with his fingers, and the jade token flew back into his hand. "do you know what this is?" "what?" "the spirit mechanism land that appeared outside the city recently." "spirit mechanism land?" wu sheng looked puzzled. "if you do well, this jade token will be yours." upon hearing this, a swell of shock in wu sheng''s heart gradually transformed into resolve. he deeply knew he had stepped onto a path of no return, and at the end of this road might just be the splendid future that shen qing depicted. thus, he slowly nodded, his eyes shimmering with resolution and anticipation, "lord shen, rest assured, i will not fail the task!" wu sheng, upon hearing this, had myriad thoughts swirling in his mind, but faced with shen qing''s undeniable gaze, he knew he had no way out. he pondered back and forth a few times and felt that this might also be an opportunity. having quite a few connections in the capital, he straightened up and said, upon hearing this, shen qing''s lips curved into a faint smile, "good, with brother wu''s help, i must be able to relax a lot more in the future." Chapter 2 The Capital City Imperial Envoy, Stirring Tremendous Shock shi wenbo, cui jin, and ji he glanced at xue yan but said little, seemingly having anticipated such a situation."the day is getting late; let''s enter the city and quietly gather information to have a clear understanding," ji he began, "as for contacting people from the county, it can wait until later. what do you all think?" "i have no objections." "za family will follow lord ji." "there''s no time to lose, let''s head into the city." nodding to one another, they stepped onto the ancient road and walked towards yongzhou city. before long, the outline of a towering city gate became gradually clear in the distance. on the city gate avenue, crowds bustled and surged, lively and extraordinary, with throngs of passersby. where was there any sign of demons rampaging? the group couldn''t help but stop in their tracks, exchanging puzzled looks, baffled by this tranquility. continue reading at empire a few merchants emerged from the city, carrying items on their shoulders, their faces brimming with joy. two of the merchants, feeling the unusual gaze from the side, glanced sideways, with their gazes briefly sweeping over ji he and his companions. seeing their luxurious and dignified clothing, it was clear they were no ordinary folk. the merchants, now wary, lowered their heads and unconsciously quickened their pace, maintaining distance, wishing to avoid trouble. it was only when these merchants passed by ji he and the others that they took notice of what the merchants were carrying on their backs. it was a thick, furry, human-shaped arm, its skin dark and glistening, all the hair stained with blood, clumps of dried blood congealed among the strands. the arm was so large it far surpassed the size of a human thigh. clearly, it was the remains of some powerful demon. shi wenbo, ji he, and the other four''s faces flashed an instant hint of shock. "there''s been a change inside yongzhou city." shi wenbo stepped forward to directly stop one of the merchants, demanding, "stop!" the merchant''s muscles tensed immediately, but he managed a forced smile, "what can i do for you, sirs?" having traveled extensively, these merchants had developed a knack for recognition, instantly realizing these individuals were wealthy and privileged, far beyond their standing to provoke. "where did you all get these demon remains?" shi wenbo asked sternly. trembling, the merchant replied, "we bought them in the city, sir. it''s said that these demon remains are tremendously beneficial, particularly for enhancing martial arts cultivation, invaluable and highly sought. we all purchased them upon hearing the news." "bought them? do you take me for a three-year-old child? where can one buy demon flesh and blood?" with a bitter expression, the merchant insisted, "i''m not deceiving you, sirs. just go into the city and you''ll see. there''s an abundance of these demon remains in the city. what i have here are just human-like remains, which don''t fetch a high price. the really precious ones are the remains of pig demons, bull demons, sheep demons, and others!" "besides demon flesh and bones, there''s an abundance of various furs, demon cores, and demon blood." hearing this, shi wenbo was utterly stupefied, staring blankly at the merchant. ji he and the others beside him couldn''t react in time either; they were all thoroughly confused. wasn''t this place overrun by demons? wasn''t the city in grave danger? why was everyone looking so delighted, and why were they trading demon remains? what in the world had happened? cui jin''s voice rose, "za... we''re from out of town. didn''t we hear that there were many demons causing trouble here?" the merchants waved their hands dismissively, "not anymore!" "what do you mean gone?" "the demons are all gone! slain cleanly by our great qingtian of yongzhou!" boasted the merchants, puffing out their chests with pride. "great qingtian of yongzhou?" shi wenbo, cui jin, ji he, and xue yan became even more bewildered as they listened. seeing that ji he and his companions were approachable and not the kind to resort to violence at a disagreement, the merchant let down his guard considerably and spoke in a relaxed tone, "forgot you''re not locals. this great qingtian of yongzhou is our lord chief officer of the guardian martial department, shen qing! just three days ago, he single-handedly eliminated all the demons in the city, none of the rampaging demons were spared." "even the rumors among the people say that two great demons with sky-high cultivation were also taken down by lord shen; he''s truly remarkable." ah, that impressive? upon hearing the conclusion, everyone turned their gaze to shi wenbo. as part of the military department, this chief officer named shen qing was technically a subordinate to shi wenbo, according to regulations. shi wenbo shook his head and said, "i have no recollection of this man." "do you sirs have any other questions?" asked the merchant, clutching the demon remnants behind him. shi wenbo, impatiently waved his hand. like receiving a pardon, the merchant hurriedly bowed and took his leave without looking back. s§×ar?h the n??el fire.n§×t website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. the four men exchanged glances and saw confusion in each other''s eyes. from what they''ve gathered so far, the calamity caused by the demons in yongzhou city seemed to have been resolved. but as for what exactly happened, they were completely in the dark. "let''s go and take a look inside the city." shi wenbo beckoned his companions, quickly showing their identities under the city gate, and entered the city. among them, xue yan trailed at the very end, taking one last look at the merchant, his eyes narrowing, and silently followed the others. entering the city, there was none of the expected corpses strewn everywhere, nor was there the anticipated chaos and gruesome fighting. on both sides of the streets, merchants set up their stalls together, colorful canopies fluttering in the wind. they were shouting with an enthusiasm that was beyond ordinary, with an air that was almost celebratory. in the shops, they were all selling demon remains, including furs, meats, and bones. residents stood beside the streets, skillfully dismantling the enormous bodies of demons. Chapter 2 The Capital City Imperial Envoy, All were Shocked _2 their movements were smooth and precise, and in no time, the chopping board was piled with chunks of meat full of texture and strange colors without any signs of spoiling.even the older children playing in the alleys were holding demon fangs and strange bones. shi wenbo, cui jin, and a few others couldn''t believe their eyes. they had seen many demon massacres where humans were always the weaker party. here, however, everything was completely reversed, creating a bizarre scene that left them speechless and uneasy. looking around, the number of demons that had invaded yongzhou was clearly not small. all those demons, all dead! yongzhou could not compare to the capital city, where the eight great families were concentrated and filled with talents. here, even a martial master of the innate realm was considered remarkable. yet, facing such a number of demons, yongzhou had managed to hold on, which was simply incredible. shi wenbo and the others were deeply shocked, and their curiosity about the chief officer of the guardian martial department grew; they couldn''t wait to uncover the secrets behind it. ji he suggested, "i think we should split up and then meet here after dusk to exchange information. how about that?" "sounds good," the three of them said in unison. "then, let''s move." the four of them dispersed in different directions. xue yan saw that shi wenbo and the others had already gone far away, and he immediately turned around and headed straight for the outskirts. outer city area of yongzhou. various low buildings, scattered everywhere. li antai had been in an especially good mood these past few days. since lord shen qing had slain all the demons, he had started a business dealing in demon remains, which had made him a small fortune. he had bought plenty of snacks for his two kids, got several feet of cloth for his wife and elderly mother, and even bought new clothes. he had even purchased a new quilt. life was visibly improving. all thanks to lord shen! with lord shen guarding them, he sometimes even wished for more demon tides. yongzhou special demon products, unmatched by any other! as li antai was gleefully thinking about the future, a figure appeared out of nowhere in front of him, blocking his path. he stopped walking, and on closer inspection, it was one of the gentlemen who had split up earlier. this gentleman was the youngest of the four. li antai remembered that he hadn''t spoken before. li antai was puzzled, uncertain of the other party''s intentions for returning. with a habitual smile, he said politely, "may i know what matter brings you here, specifically seeking me out?" xue yan approached with a smile, "just to ask you a few questions." "please ask, sir. i will spare no detail in my answers," li antai said ingratiatingly, as his impression of these gentlemen had been quite favorable. xue yan asked, "a few days ago, did anything unusual occur here in yongzhou?" "yes!" "oh?" xue yan perked up, "tell me about it." "it was about three days ago, just as the demons had surged into the city, a colorful radiance suddenly descended from the sky, almost blotting out the sun." xue yan excitedly asked, "approximately in which direction?" "just outside the city to the west, in a barren mountain. you can still see it now, sir. several of the surrounding mountains have been leveled, it''s easy to find." "that''s great," xue yan continued to inquire. seeing xue yan''s demeanor, li antai threw cold water on his enthusiasm, "however, sir, that place is just a wasteland now, nothing left. many people, just like you, wanted to try their luck but returned disappointed, empty-handed." xue yan paused slightly. that wasn''t right. if the spirit mechanism had appeared, it would have lasted for a long time, not disappearing so easily. if it had disappeared, there was only one possibility¡ªit had been taken. thinking this, xue yan''s heart sank, a bad premonition forming. "i ask you, how long did this colorful spectacle last?" "about half a day, i guess." half a day? "has anyone explored and encountered anything?" "yes! why wouldn''t there be?" li antai eagerly started, "i heard that all the big bosses in the city have gone there, and some even say that the reason our great qingtian is so formidable is because of the incredible treasures found there." "are you referring to the chief officer of the military department, shen qing?" "yes, yes, yes, lord shen!" li antai chattered, "lord shen really has good fortune, i heard he even developed a better relationship with lord huangfu..." indeed, what a coincidence. xue yan''s heart stirred. "that''s doable." shi wenbo and the other two chorused. "then let''s get moving. let''s go." the four of them dispersed in different directions. seeing shi wenbo and the others had gone far, xue yan immediately turned around and ran towards the city outskirts. yongzhou outer city area. various low-rise buildings, scattered everywhere. li antai has been in particularly good spirits these past few days. since lord shen had slain all the demons, he started doing business with demon remains, making a small fortune, buying plenty of snacks for his two kids, and even purchased several yards of fabric for his wife and old mother and got them new clothes. he even bought a new quilt. life visibly improved. all thanks to lord shen! having lord shen stationed here, sometimes he even wished for more waves of demons. yongzhou''s unique demons, nowhere else to be found! as li antai blissfully pondered the future, he suddenly noticed a figure appearing ahead, blocking his way. he halted, focusing his gaze, and it was one of the gentlemen with whom he had parted ways earlier. this gentleman was the youngest among the four and, in his memory, hadn''t spoken much. li antai was puzzled, unsure of the gentleman''s intention in returning. with a habitual smile, he respectfully asked, "may i know why the gentleman has come all this way? is there anything i can do for you?" xue yan stepped forward and smiled, "just a few questions." "ask away, my young master, i shall reveal all i know," li antai ingratiatingly replied. xue yan inquired, "did anything unusual occur here a few days ago?" "yes!" "oh?" xue yan''s spirit perked up, "tell me more." "it was about three days ago, shortly after the demons flowed into the city. suddenly, a rainbow light descended from the sky, practically covering the sun." xue yan eagerly asked, "where exactly was it?" "right in the wild mountains west of the city. sir, you can still see it now; the surrounding mountains have been flattened. it''s easy to find." "great," xue yan continued. noticing xue yan''s excitement, li antai dampened it by saying, "but sir, it''s just a barren land now. nothing''s left. many people, like yourself, thought to try their luck there, but they returned disappointed, empty-handed." xue yan was momentarily stunned. that''s not right. if the spirit mechanism had appeared, it should have lasted for quite a while, not disappearing so easily. s~ea??h the n??efire.¦Çet website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. if it had disappeared, there was only one possibility¡ªit had been taken. with this thought, xue yan''s heart sank with a bad premonition. "how long did the rainbow phenomenon last?" "about half a day, i think." half a day? "has anyone explored and encountered anything?" "yes! how could they not have?" li antai enthusiastically continued, "i heard that all the major bosses in the city have gone there, and some even say that the reason our great qingtian is so powerful is because he found incredible treasures there." "are you talking about the chief officer of the military department, shen qing?" "yes, yes, lord shen!" li antai rambled, "lord shen is really fortunate. i heard he even developed a closer relationship with lord huangfu..." indeed, what a coincidence. xue yan''s heart stirred. enjoy new stories from empire Chapter 3 First Contact early morning, guardian martial department office.shen qing, as usual, crossed the threshold of the guardian martial department office, ready to start his duty. "lord shen!" a follower in the guardian martial department office, who seemed to have been waiting behind the door early, hurried over when he saw shen qing. he greeted with both hands folded in front of him and respectfully said, "there are several people claiming to be imperial envoys in the elegant room waiting, they say they want to see you." "imperial envoys?" upon hearing this, shen qing felt a shiver in his heart. they had finally come. with such significant disturbances in yongzhou, demons running rampant, the prefectural governor murdered, multiple aristocratic families slaughtered... any single one of these incidents was a major event. it was impossible for the capital city to be unaware; it was merely a matter of time. he just hadn''t expected them to arrive so quickly. however, come what may, shen qing had been mentally prepared for this situation and showed no signs of fear. he planned to play it by ear, adapting to the circumstances as they arose. shen qing regained his composure and slowly said, "please tell them to wait in the main hall; i will be there shortly." "yes." chang sui bowed in response and hurried out to make arrangements. after a while, shen qing checked the imperial envoy''s credentials, confirmed their identities, and saw that it was about time. he then nonchalantly walked into the main hall. upon entering the main hall of the guardian martial department, he saw several men dressed in splendid official robes. they each carried themselves with an imposing air, a natural demeanor of superiority manifesting itself invisibly. among them, three individuals, each radiating spiritual power seamlessly integrated with their cultivation, were evidently beyond the innate realm. s§×ar?h the n?vel?ire.net website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. shen qing observed carefully and saw a middle-aged man sitting in the center, with others deferring to him, presumably he was the imperial envoy appointed by the heaven this time¡ªshi wenbo. the remaining two must be the imperial eunuch cui jin and the chief officer of the mountain sea department, ji he. and the young man beside them was likely the great general''s third son, xue yan. indeed, it was a powerful assembly. while shen qing was sizing them up, shi wenbo, cui jin, ji he, and others also scrutinized shen qing. the morning light was soft, dappled on his resolute face, adding a touch of extraordinary charisma to him, who looked to be no more than eighteen or nineteen. although they had anticipated shen qing''s youth, they were still slightly taken aback upon seeing just how young he was. shen qing stepped forward, performed a formal official salute, and spoke in a neither humble nor haughty tone, "my lords have honored us with your presence, and i, shen, have failed to greet you from afar; please forgive me." shi wenbo set aside his thoughts, smiled slightly, and spoke, "lord shen need not be so formal. we also came here in a hurry due to the suddenness of the matter, it''s normal for you to be unprepared. please do not mind it." after some investigation, shi wenbo found that yongzhou had already stabilized, and many aspects of the situation were quite clear. it was predictable that this mission would be a relatively easy one, not requiring too much exertion. as a result, he was in a good mood, and he harbored no prejudice against shen qing. shen qing did not continue with the pleasantries, but proactively asked, "may i know if the lords have come for the matter of the demons, and if your majesty has other instructions?" "chief officer shen has guessed correctly. your majesty is worried about the matter of the demons in yongzhou, and immediately commanded us to come to yongzhou to thoroughly investigate." shi wenbo''s tone became much more serious, "i heard that lord governor bai also lost his life because of this? what exactly happened, could chief officer shen enlighten us?" hearing this, shen qing furrowed his brows, a trace of solemnity flickering in his eyes. these people seemed to already possess some intelligence and information. the energy that the temple and various aristocratic families in great zhou held exceeded his expectations; if he was not careful, it could result in many unpredictable consequences. however, there was no need to panic. from his experiences thus far, when faced with such situations, the best approach was to be honest and truthful. one must never play clever tricks, as they could easily be exposed. but there was an art to telling the truth. not too much, not everything. the more he said, the more he would lose the initiative. with this in mind, shen qing thought over his wording and truthfully said, "replying to your lordship, lord governor''s death was indeed caused by a demon. he had previously been gravely injured by a snake demon, a major dao practitioner. the lord governor had not yet recovered when another demon targeted him, taking advantage of his weakness to devour him." shi wenbo, cui jin, and ji he, upon hearing this, found shen qing''s account to match the information they had gathered; shen qing had not tried to deceive them. this improved their impression of shen qing somewhat. "does lord shen know why the demon appeared in the city?" shi wenbo pursued, "i remember the guardian martial department specifically handles such matters." shen qing said, "based on various pieces of evidence, it seems to be related to the high-ranking families in the city." "oh, what did these high-ranking families do?" shen qing shook his head and gave a vague response, "the military department is still investigating this matter; it will take some time to sort out the details." in fact, shen qing was well aware that the demon issue was linked to those high-ranking families'' secret plotting for spirit mechanism; they and others wanted to control the yongzhou county office by their actions. however, he could not outright state this. high-ranking families controlling the yongzhou county office was relatively manageable, not involving him personally. but involving the spirit mechanism land was more problematic. he now held a considerable amount of spirit essence; if discovered, it could attract covetous attention, bringing trouble his own way. especially considering the people before him, every word and action had to be cautious. discover more content at empire fortunately, most of the beings, human or demon, who saw him collecting the spirit essence had already been slain by him, turning to corpses. as everyone knows, the dead do not speak. now, only some rumors remained in the city, lacking much referential value. in such a case, the best choice was to say little or let them investigate on their own. following that, ji he continued to ask several more questions. shen qing was honest in his responses. after a series of questions, shi wenbo, cui jin, and ji he reviewed the recent events in yongzhou from start to finish, matching the intelligence they had gathered without any discrepancies, aligning almost perfectly. "truly, a hero from youth! seeing you today, the fame is indeed well-deserved." after all the questions, ji he spoke first. his voice was deep and magnetic, filled with gentleness, "we''ve just arrived and heard of lord shen''s exploits, which we thought might be exaggerated. now, it seems they have understated them." lord ji gives too much credit; the results we have now are due to the unity of the guardian martial department and the county office, not my efforts alone." shi wenbo gently tapped the tabletop, producing a crisp sound, and spoke, "we will stop here for today''s matters, and we still have to make a thorough investigation." shen qing nodded and replied, "i, shen, will do my utmost to cooperate with the lords." Chapter 4 Verification, Confrontation in Person is Most Effective shi wenbo, cui jin, ji he, and others successively walked out from the main hall of the guardian martial department.after walking for a while, xue yan, who was at the rear, suddenly halted his steps and said in a low voice to the few people in front of him, "lords, what do you think of this man?" shi wenbo turned around and saw xue yan asking questions, his brow furrowed with some impatience in his heart. however, when he thought about how xue yan had reached his current position, it had much to do with the support from his father, xue zhao. when leaving the capital city, his father had also instructed him to look after him, so he patiently asked, "i don''t know who my esteemed nephew is referring to?" xue yan said, "naturally, it''s shen qing. i find his speech watertight, and it matches our investigations as well. but don''t you find it all too smooth?" within his words, he implied something. the spirit mechanism matter in yongzhou had initially started by his elder brother, xue bai, but in the end, his father handed over such a crucial matter to him. clearly, his father favored him more, and the position of the xue family''s heir might well fall on his head in the future. therefore, his trip to yongzhou was purposeful¡ªhe had to achieve a result, not simply to tour. from the information gathered thus far, to achieve any result, bypassing shen qing was impossible, and they needed to take action on him. in his original idea, someone of shen qing''s age should have been more conspicuous. contrary to expectations, shen qing managed to keep a low profile, demonstrating great shrewdness. he handled everything flawlessly and managed to deal with shi wenbo and the others, leaving xue yan no room to gain an advantage or maneuver. he was somewhat unwilling to let it go and wanted to guide the discussion again, drawing everyone''s attention back to shen qing to put pressure on him. shi wenbo had not considered this layer. for them, being appointed as imperial envoys to yongzhou was merely a task¡ªless trouble is better than more. shen qing''s cooperation was in line with his wishes and saved him a lot of trouble. shi wenbo said earnestly, "what is bad about it going smoothly? it demonstrates that great zhou is full of talent and that your majesty''s fortune is flourishing. this is indeed a fortunate event." ji he immediately followed, "lord shi speaks sensibly. shen qing is indeed a promising talent to foster." "i also think so." xue yan''s expression paused slightly, and he seemed to realize something. understanding dawned in his heart, and he chose to remain silent forthwith, bowing slightly, "the lords speak sensibly; it was presumptuous of me." ... prefecture chief dou wenxi and county supervisor yan xushou, two figures who usually wielded great influence in the county, now stood nervously like children outside the grand entrance of the guardian martial department. their robes fluttered gently with the wind, their eyes flickering with a subtle unease. "lord dou, how come the imperial envoy went straight to the guardian martial department? logically, he should have first visited the county office," yan xushou asked in a low voice, his brow furrowed, contemplating the deeper implications behind this turn of events. "could it be that your majesty is dissatisfied with us?" dou wenxi, softly stroking his goatee, replied, "i am also unsure. however, since they chose to come here first, they must have their reasons. as local officials, we naturally must treat them with courtesy and assess the situation first. let''s go inside and see." with that, he adjusted his official robes and strode into the guardian martial department office, yan xushou following closely behind. just as they crossed the threshold, they saw shi wenbo and others walking out from the rear hall. dou wenxi and yan xushou exchanged glances, their minds swirling with questions, but they quickly put on smiley faces. "junior officials dou wenxi (yan xushou), respectfully welcome the imperial envoy to yongzhou!" both greeted in unison, their voices filled with utmost respect. shi wenbo had often dealt with various local government offices and was very familiar with their ways. s§×ar?h the n?velfire(.)net website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. he stepped forward with a smile, "lord dou, lord yan, please pardon us. we did not intend to disturb you both." "not at all, not at all," dou wenxi and yan xushou, feeling honored by the words, hastily responded, "being servants to his majesty and coming from afar, it''s our duty as locals to fully cooperate. as it is now noon, i have prepared some modest wine, hoping you could take time out of your busy schedules to attend, so we can provide a feast to greet and refresh the imperial envoys." shi wenbo agreed, "since both of you are so gracious, we shall respectfully comply and join the banquet to share in the camaraderie." "gentlemen, please!" "please!" at this moment, xue yan stepped forward, his face apologetic, "gentlemen, i am feeling a bit overwhelmed and still unwell from the journey. i think i will return to rest and skip this banquet." everyone understood and did not feel his absence was abrupt. after some cordial conversation, shi wenbo and his party left xue yan alone and grandly departed the guardian martial department, heading towards the best tavern in the prefecture. after parting with shi wenbo and the others, xue yan did not return to the inn to rest as he had said but instead rushed straight out of the city. once he was outside the city and found no one around, he took a deep breath, and the spiritual energy within him surged. touching the ground lightly with his toes, his figure became incredibly light, turning into a dark shadow that swiftly disappeared, heading straight for the wild outskirts of yongzhou city. in just a moment, xue yan found himself amid towering mountains and ridges. "it should be here," he muttered. he stopped, looked around, and finally, his eyes settled on a barren spot; his face lit up with excitement as he hurried over. when he looked up to take in the scene before him, his breath caught. in the distance, the once towering mountains had been completely leveled by some unimaginable, great force. the ground had experienced violent upheavals like a dragon turning over, with trenches crisscrossing and fissures intersecting. at the center of the ruins, there were signs of a mysterious force having fiercely impacted the area. xue yan could imagine that at that moment, an indescribable powerful force had radiated outward. it was intangible yet profoundly real, giving him a sense of unprecedented pressure. discover hidden tales at empire looking closely, between the cracks of the broken stones, countless plants stubbornly broke through the soil, lush and vibrant with life. the entire area covered a radius of six to seven hundred meters. a strong impulse surged in xue yan''s heart, "yes, this is the place. the spirit essence from beyond this realm descended here. father, big brother¡ªthey were telling the truth." he cautiously approached and keenly felt the atmosphere. finding that the residual spirit essence in the air had completely dissipated, his expression darkened. xue yan pondered, "such a vast spirit mechanism land must contain massive amounts of spirit essence, which should not have dissipated so quickly. the only explanation is that the spirit essence here was collected by someone using the spiritual mechanism jade or a similar device." "that merchant''s statement could very likely be true; shen qing might indeed have obtained this spirit essence. even if it wasn''t him, he must be closely associated with it." having verified the information he received, xue yan felt more confident. "since that is the case, instead of beating around the bush, confronting him directly would be most effective. however, before doing so, i need to prepare carefully and not act recklessly." Chapter 5 Cultivation Progress, What is the Spirit Void Realm? within the guardian martial department office.shen qing sat upright in the main seat of the back hall, his brows tightly knit. shi wenbo and his entourage had already left. for the time being, there was little evidence to suggest that those people had come for him. those imperial envoys had not yet planned to conduct an in-depth investigation into the demon case in yongzhou or the strange phenomena occurring outside the city. but he did not believe he had just slipped through unnoticed. all this was only just beginning. as for what was to come, no one could say for sure, so it was best to prepare early. "boss." just then, the voice of tian xiaohu, tinged with a hint of hesitation, sounded from outside the door, breaking the quiet inside. "come in." "yes." tian xiaohu pushed the door open and entered with steady steps, cupping his fists and saying, "uncle and auntie are ready, boss, when do you think you will return to the city? or should i go this afternoon..." shen qing gently raised his hand, stopping tian xiaohu''s unfinished words, and slowly began to speak, "wait a bit." previously, considering the chaos in yongzhou city, for their safety, shen qing had moved his uncle and aunt along with his older sister out of the city to a secure location. now that the demon in the city had been pacified, his uncle and aunt were considering moving back, but it seemed somewhat inappropriate at the moment. shen qing faintly sensed that shi wenbo and the others might take other actions next. bringing his uncle and aunt back now would undoubtedly place them in danger, and it would also create vulnerabilities and constraints for himself. upon hearing this, tian xiaohu''s brows slightly furrowed, somewhat puzzled. he was still in the dark about the imperial envoys sent by the court and had not grasped the underlying games being played, a trace of worry flashing across his face, "boss, have you encountered any problems lately?" "nothing much, just trivial matters." seeing that shen qing was unwilling to elaborate, tian xiaohu knew better than to pry further, and said understandingly, "then i know what to do, i will go and make arrangements." "go, and continue to cultivate diligently." continue your story on empire shen qing watched tian xiaohu leave and then sought out chen guang and others, instructing them to keep an eye on shi wenbo and his entourage. after dealing with many such trifles, the time had passed beyond midday. seeing that it was still early, shen qing habitually entered the cultivation room for his daily cultivation practices, which he always approached with strict discipline. within the guardian martial department office, there was a cultivation room that he had specially built, which was very quiet. in the center of the cultivation room stood only a meditation cushion, with nothing else around it, making the room look extremely simple. shen qing pushed open the door and walked in. he took his customary seat on the meditation cushion at the center of the room, his presence exuding a profound stability that went without saying. shen qing''s gaze sharpened, and a wave of divine thought spread out. with a bang, the door of the cultivation room slammed shut, closed by an invisible force. shen qing closed his eyes to calm his mind, and only after the lake within his heart was devoid of any ripples did he slowly open his eyes and took out a smooth jade token from within his clothes. complicated and exquisite symbols were carved onto this jade token, shimmering in the dim light. the touch was warm, not the slightest bit cold, indicative of its extraordinary nature. in the days following the extermination of the demon in yongzhou, affairs within the city had been in complete disarray, and the government office was short-staffed. shen qing had been so busy with official duties that he had hardly had time for much cultivation. strictly speaking, this was the first time he had taken out the jade token for use. "regardless of what exactly shi wenbo and his entourage intend, increasing cultivation and strengthening power is never wrong." the sudden visit from the imperial envoys had given shen qing an uneasy premonition. he decided to temporarily set aside the heavy workload of official duties and devote himself entirely to cultivation in the coming days. shen qing''s hands gently lifted, forming an array of miraculous spells with nimble movements. as he moved, the brilliance on the jade token suddenly brightened, like the brightest star in the night sky, while dense spiritual energy nearly turning to liquid, surged from the jade token, enveloping him, forming a small sea of spiritual energy around him. the concentration of spiritual energy within the whole cultivation room soared to an unprecedented level. immediately after, shen qing took out a softly glowing white wish power pearl from his sleeve. with everything ready, he did not delay further and began to utilize the refining pearl technique. with a thought in his mind, the wish power pearl floated up, glowing brightly, reflecting against the light from the jade token. suddenly, shen qing''s speed of condensing spiritual energy also increased exponentially, as if countless streams were converging into rivers, rushing incessantly into his body. s~ea??h the n?vel(f)ire.n§×t website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. under the refinement of the six path whale swallowing technique, shen qing felt every inch of his skin, every pore greedily absorbing these essences of nature, his aura becoming increasingly profound. in this moment, shen qing seemed to merge with the entire world. every breath, every heartbeat resonated subtly with the surrounding spiritual energy. within the qi sea inside him, a shadow identical to him slowly emerged, gradually solidifying with the nourishment of the spiritual energy. his spirit was now completely immersed in the wonders of cultivation. spiritual energy flowed through his body like fine silk, nourishing both his physical body and his soul. his spiritual power had been tempered and accumulated countless times from its initial coarse strength, becoming light and agile, resonating delicately with the spiritual energy of the outside world. shen qing was surrounded by a faint glimmer, as if the spiritual energy in the cultivation room was called forth and drawn towards him, forming a small vortex. Chapter 5 Cultivation Advancement, What is the Spirit Void Realm?_2 his divine sense at that moment became extraordinarily clear, allowing him to perceive the flow of every thread of spiritual energy within his body, and he could even vaguely capture the subtle changes in the spiritual energy around him in the world.suddenly, a power like none he had ever felt began to stir quietly within him. shen qing knew this was not a sign of a breakthrough but a premonition that his cultivation, built upon the foundation of the innate realm, was about to experience a qualitative leap in spiritual power. after an indeterminable amount of time, the wish power pearl in front of him had been completely refined. sensing the speed at which the spiritual energy had been refined, shen qing slowly opened his eyes, stopped cultivating, and put away the jade token. shen qing noticed that after refinement, the jade token''s glow was subdued, slightly dimmer than before. presumably, it was because the spiritual energy within had been depleted. "now, the natural spiritual energy is not even one percent of that within this jade token¡ªhow lamentable. without this spirit essence, advancing my cultivation with just these meager scraps would indeed be as difficult as ascending to the heavens." "it''s no wonder the ji family of great zhou gathers the world''s martial mechanisms for their own use. in the end, it all comes down to the scarcity of cultivation resources." shen qing sighed wistfully, "one truly wonders what the ancient times were like." "forget it, pondering such things is of no use¡ªi cannot return to the past. better to think more about the present." with a breath of stale air expelled, he muttered to himself, "i remember that above the innate realm should be the spirit void realm. i know very little about this realm and currently don''t have much confidence in confronting it, so it''s time to seek guidance at the martial arts hall." the martial arts hall in yongzhou housed many divine skills and a plethora of martial arts. previously, using his "never forget" ability, he had memorized all the martial arts skills contained within the martial arts hall. to put it bluntly, he still knew the martial arts within the hall like the back of his hand. however, the martial arts hall in yongzhou wasn''t just a place where martial arts were stored. after such a long time, shen qing had gradually realized that the martial arts halls everywhere were also prime venues for discussing martial arts. many people in the world, though their martial arts cultivation might not be high and their training mediocre, were extremely obsessed with delving into martial arts and had a high level of understanding. the great zhou court held martial arts in high regard and would not allow such people to remain outsiders. therefore, there were specialized examinations to recruit these people. after passing these examinations, they could enter the hanlin academy or the mountain sea department and gain an official status, supported by the government. many of them would be assigned to martial arts halls across the land to serve as instructors. shen qing recalled that amongst them, several old coaches were at yongzhou''s martial arts hall. walking out from the offices of the guardian martial department, shen qing visited the military department office. access to yongzhou''s martial arts hall required specific documentation, which not just anyone could enter. previously, it was by slaying a demon and the subsequent reward from commander jia zhiping that he was granted a pass to enter once. stay tuned to empire he still needed a pass to visit the martial arts hall again. however, now that the prefectural governor was dead, and commander jia zhiping as well, his fame was known to everyone in yongzhou. his standing in the county government office was obviously quite extraordinary. obtaining the pass to the martial arts hall would be simple. the officials in the office hardly obstructed him, essentially giving him way as a mere formality. once again entering the martial arts hall, shen qing found that there were quite a few more people there compared to his last visit. they each appeared as obsessed as martial maniacs, engrossed in reading a book, their eyes fervent. most of these people were modestly dressed, evidently from humble backgrounds; likely gaining the opportunity to study in the hall due to their commendable contributions during the recent demon incursion. shen qing didn''t bother with these people; he went straight to an old coach. "instructor, we meet again." i didn''t know how much time had passed, but the wish power pearl before me had been completely refined. shen qing became aware of the speed at which the spiritual energy was being refined and slowly opened his eyes, ceased his cultivation, and withdrew the jade token. shen qing noticed that the jade token, after refinement, had a glow that was more subdued compared to before, having dimmed a bit. it seemed that the spiritual energy it contained had been used up. "now the nature''s spiritual energy isn''t even one hundredth that of this jade token''s spirit essence. it really is frustrating. without this spirit essence, if i wish to progress in my cultivation, relying solely on this meager amount would truly be as difficult as ascending to the heavens." "no wonder the ji family of the great zhou is gathering the martial mechanisms for its own use. when it comes down to it, the resources for cultivation are just too scarce." shen qing heaved a long sigh, "it''s truly beyond me what the ancient times were like." "forget it, pondering these matters is futile. i cannot return to the past, so i better focus on the present." he exhaled a breath of stale air, murmuring to himself, "if i remember correctly, above the innate realm should be the spirit void realm. i know very little about that realm; at present, i lack the confidence. it''s about time i paid a visit to the martial arts hall to seek guidance." yongzhou''s martial arts hall was home to many divine skills and an abundance of martial arts skills. on one occasion, he had used his "never forget" ability to memorize all of the martial arts skills in the martial arts hall. to put it bluntly, even now he knew every martial arts skill that resided within the martial arts hall as if they were engraved in his mind. however, the martial arts hall in yongzhou served more than just as a repository of martial arts. after such a long time, shen qing gradually understood that martial arts halls everywhere were excellent venues for discourse on martial arts. there were many people in the world whose martial arts cultivation might not be high and whose training might be average, but their obsession with delving into martial arts and their insights into them were extraordinary. the great zhou court highly valued martial arts, and certainly, they would not allow such people to remain outside its influence. therefore, there were specific assessments to recruit these people. after passing these assessments, people could join the hanlin academy or the mountain sea department, gaining an official status and support from the officials. some of them would be assigned to martial arts halls across the land to serve as instructors. shen qing remembered that several old coaches resided within yongzhou''s martial arts hall. exiting the guardian martial department office, shen qing made his way to the military department office. the entry into yongzhou''s martial arts hall was not open to just anybody; certain regulations had to be adhered to. previously, shen qing had been rewarded with a pass from commander jia zhiping for slaying a demon. now, if he wanted to return to the martial arts hall, he still needed a pass as proof. however, the current prefectural governor was dead, and commander jia zhiping was also deceased. shen qing''s fame in yongzhou was known to everyone. even inside the county government office, his status was clearly quite extraordinary. getting another pass for the martial arts hall was very simple. the officials of the military department office put up little resistance. they let him pass, merely following the formalities. entering the martial arts hall once again, shen qing found it filled with more people than during his last visit. each one, like a martial arts fanatic, was engrossed and rapt in the reading of a book, their eyes alight with fervor. their attire was mostly plain, indicating that they were likely common folks who, because of their achievements during the demon''s onslaught, earned the opportunity to further their studies in this martial arts hall. shen qing didn''t concern himself with these individuals and went straight to find an old coach. s~ea??h the n?vel(f)ire.¦Çet website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. entering the martial arts hall once again, shen qing found it filled with more people than during his last visit. each one, like a martial arts fanatic, was engrossed and rapt in the reading of a book, their eyes alight with fervor. their attire was mostly plain, indicating that they were likely common folks who, because of their achievements during the demon''s onslaught, earned the opportunity to further their studies in this martial arts hall. shen qing didn''t concern himself with these individuals and went straight to find an old coach. entering the martial arts hall once again, shen qing found it filled with more people than during his last visit. each one, like a martial arts fanatic, was engrossed and rapt in the reading of a book, their eyes alight with fervor. their attire was mostly plain, indicating that they were likely common folks who, because of their achievements during the demon''s onslaught, earned the opportunity to further their studies in this martial arts hall. Chapter 6 I Advise You Not to Be Ignorant of the Rules old coach fang shizhen pondered for a while, brewing his words slowly, "in general, the spirit void realm is a pivotal great realm, situated between the innate realm and the kongyou realm. within this realm, the spiritual power in a cultivator''s body begins to transform from solid to ethereal, gradually resonating with nature''s spiritual energy.""resonating?" shen qing furrowed his brow, clearly intrigued by the term. "exactly," fang shizhen nodded. "the resonance of a martial master''s spiritual power with the weekly spiritual energy allows cultivators to perceive the subtle changes in the surrounding spiritual energy, as well as various fluctuations of aura. this resonance endows martial masters with the ability to manipulate spiritual energy. although it is not as transformative as the ancient divine power, it is nonetheless an indispensable foundation for mastering divine skills later." shen qing listened intently, his eyes gleaming with longing, "then, what is unique about this ethereal spiritual power?" "once the spiritual power within a martial master becomes ethereal, it means that the martial master''s spiritual power is no longer confined within the physical body," fang shizhen explained. "instead, it can break through spatial limitations, establish connections with external spiritual energy, and thereby achieve long-range attacks and defense. some highly cultivated martial masters can slay enemies thousands of miles away with a single sword stroke, which originates from this. it can be said that the spirit void realm is a crucial step for every martial master transitioning from ''martial'' to ''immortal.''" having heard this, shen qing felt suddenly enlightened. he stood up and bowed deeply to fang shizhen, "thank you, coach fang, for illuminating the path. shen qing has greatly benefited from your guidance." fang shizhen smiled kindly in return, "my lord, you are too polite. it is my honor to resolve your doubts. may you step into the spirit void soon and achieve great things." in the teahouse, the fragrance of tea lingered. shen qing''s mind, involuntarily, turned tumultuous, filled with a burning passion. although he had not yet truly entered the spirit void realm, he believed that as long as he persistently exerted himself, with the "panel''s" blessings, breakthrough was a certainty. "this martial arts hall only has methods for cultivating up to the innate realm; to cultivate further, it is said that only the imperial armory of great zhou has them. it seems i must find a way to enter the imperial armory." after chatting idly with old coach fang shizhen for a while longer, and confirming there were no more insights to gain, shen qing left directly. on the way, he observed the cultivators in the martial arts hall, tirelessly devoted to their training. these individuals were fully immersed in martial arts, oblivious and deaf to shen qing''s presence. shen qing felt a pang of sympathy; these talents might have potential, but with the cultivation resources firmly controlled by the ji family, each step forward in their cultivation was exceptionally difficult. for the majority, rising above their current status was almost impossible. regrettably, this was not something he could change or influence at the moment. when shen qing returned to the guardian martial department office from the martial arts hall, it was already evening, the sky turning dusky. as he entered the back hall, an unexpected person stood silently in the center of the hall. upon seeing shen qing, the man silently turned around, corners of his lips slightly lifting, "lord shen, you''ve finally returned." this person was none other than xue yan, the third young master xue. with an impassive face, shen qing was unsure of xue yan''s intentions, internally on guard. he kept his composure and, clasping his hands together, said respectfully yet firmly, "i see third young master xue. may i know the reason for your visit?" xue yan smiled gently, taking slow steps closer. explore more stories with empire his steps were deliberate, the crisp sound echoing in the air, causing the atmosphere to grow tense. xue yan stopped in his tracks and stared into shen qing''s eyes, his expression half-smiling, saying, "lord shen, let''s not beat around the bush. if i''m not mistaken, just a while ago outside yongzhou city, a spirit mechanism descended, and part of its spirit essence is now in lord shen''s hands, right?" after he finished speaking that last word, xue yan''s gaze suddenly sharpened. shen qing''s heart sank, and he continuously calculated his next moves. he knew dealing with this group of imperial envoys would be tough, but he hadn''t expected that it would be this seemingly unassuming third young master xue who would pose the first challenge. thinking it over, this third young master xue in the group of imperial envoys indeed seemed out of place, as if he had been forcibly inserted there. seeing him speak so confidently, shen qing concluded that he must be in possession of considerable information about yongzhou, likely aimed specifically at the spirit mechanism. shen qing maintained a calm expression and said lightly, "mr. xue is indeed well-informed. however, i must confess, this so-called spirit mechanism you mentioned is something i am hearing about for the first time." as he spoke, shen qing put on an innocent expression and feigned ignorance, "it must be a misunderstanding on mr. xue''s part." "a misunderstanding?" xue yan shook his head slightly, his tone carrying an undeniable threat, "lord shen, perhaps you are not aware. concerning the many changes in yongzhou, the zhou family in the capital has reported everything to my father in great detail. they have sought help from my xue family, wanting your life. i specifically came to yongzhou to handle this matter." "as for the matter of the spirit mechanism, i have also investigated it thoroughly. it would be best if lord shen stops feigning ignorance." the zhou family? shen qing''s eyes darkened, not expecting this connection behind the scenes. realizing he had been exposed, shen qing stopped pretending and, straightening his back, said coldly, "lord xue, what exactly do you want?" "i consider that you and i are both court officials and do not wish to escalate the situation. i will give you one day to consider handing over the spirit mechanism, and bygones will be bygones. otherwise, you will have to face the consequences." shen qing''s expression instantly turned stern, and his eyes, deep and unfathomable, glared coldly, "are you threatening me?" at these words, the air around them seemed to freeze at that instant. shen qing, a martial master of the innate realm, released an indescribable aura. xue yan''s face instantly paled, but he quickly stiffened his resolve, his eyes flashing with disdain, "shen qing, understand your situation. i am not threatening you but giving you a choice. you should be aware of the xue family''s power. being our enemy benefits you in no way. i advise you to follow the rules." shen qing coldly watched xue yan, their impalpable power like a massive wave surging between them. regarding the xue family, shen qing was aware. they were one of the eight great families of the great zhou, their ancestors having followed the ji family in their campaigns conquering the world, and through centuries of accumulation, the xue family had produced many talented individuals. today''s head of the xue family was the great general of great zhou, a man of extraordinary status. they were not like the merchant families of yongzhou. s§×ar?h the n?velfire.n§×t website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. if the xue family really wanted to deal with him, even as an innate, squashing him wouldn''t be much harder than killing an ant. nevertheless, shen qing showed no intention of backing down. "xue yan, do you think the xue family''s reputation can make me submit? in this world, power is the ultimate truth. while the xue family is strong, it doesn''t mean you can do whatever you want here." Chapter 7 Lord Xue, are you more sober now? "boom!"as soon as the words were spoken, it was as though thunder had exploded from shen qing''s body, unleashing a force several times mightier than before that swept through the entire hall like a violent storm. caught off guard, xue yan felt an immense pressure bearing down on him like a mountain, causing his knees to buckle, almost dropping him to the ground. his heart raced, and he quickly activated an inheritance jade in his hand. the jade emitted a clear, dazzling light and quickly formed a semicircular shield in front of him, blocking the terrible pressure from reaching him. with the protection of the shield, the pressure on xue yan eased instantly, allowing him to catch his breath. he glared at shen qing, his eyes filled with both shock and anger, "shen qing, don''t scorn the wine offered, and drink the penalty instead. do you realize you are challenging the authority of the xue family?" shen qing looked back coldly at xue yan, a sneer of disdain curling at his lips, "the authority of the xue family? humph, in my eyes, true authority speaks through strength. you''re merely a martial master from the dan realm, and you dare provoke me like this, thinking i am made of clay? i am not afraid to kill you!" s§×arch* the ¦Çov§×lfire .net website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. hearing this, xue yan turned livid, his fists clenched so tight that his fingernails almost embedded into his palms, "shen qing, don''t go too far! do you think you alone can contend against the xue family? if a single hair is harmed on me, believe it or not, my family can make you die without a burial place!" his plans had been thwarted, and he hadn''t anticipated shen qing to be so resolute. facing the immense xue family, shen qing showed not the slightest fear but rather escalated the confrontation, completely shifting his perceptions. shen qing''s eyes were resolute, and he mocked, "contend? no, i never thought to contend with the xue family, but sometimes, when certain blind creatures press down on me, there''s no other choice. some people should not be provoked." saying this, shen qing once again stimulated the strength within his body, and the force intensified once more, causing the winds to howl through the hall as if the very space were tearing apart. the shield in front of xue yan began to tremble violently under this terrifying force, issuing a "buzzing" sound, as if it could shatter at any moment. xue yan was terrified inside, not expecting shen qing''s strength to be so formidable that even the xue family''s jade shield could barely withstand it. today''s decisions had been too rash. he steadied his mind and shouted, "lord shen, we need to talk¡ª" stay updated through empire xue yan''s words were cut short. shen qing gave him no chance to breathe. his figure flashed like a ghost, appearing in front of xue yan, and hurled a punch directly at the shield. "bang!" with a loud crash, the shield shattered instantly, and xue yan, struck hard, was sent flying backward, crashing into the hall''s wall, spitting blood, his face as pale as paper. "lord xue, are you a bit more clear-headed now?" shen qing knew that yielding would only invite further oppression, with endless threats to follow. the person before him was somewhat senseless and needed to be taught a lesson. facing shen qing this time, xue yan was genuinely frightened. in his eyes, he had never before met someone like shen qing, who played by such unorthodox rules. a complete madman. xue yan knew that at this point, the situation was irreconcilable, and begging for mercy would be futile. struggling to stand, he spat out a mouthful of blood and said viciously, "lord shen, you indeed have quite the authority." "i and lord shi, under his majesty''s orders, came to investigate the demon case in yongzhou. ji he and lord ji are from the mountain sea department, gathering martial mechanism for the ji family, and currently, they are still collecting global spirit mechanism. do you think his majesty sent him at this time without any other intentions?" "what do you mean by attacking me, the imperial envoy today? are you planning a rebellion?" as the last words boomed like thunder, shen qing, however, remained expressionless, showing no emotion. "are you done?" he coldly spat out. "huh?" smack! "huh?" xue yan was stunned, still not fully recovered from the prior threat, his face looking somewhat dazed. smack! shen qing moved as swiftly as lightning, delivering a merciless slap across xue yan''s face. xue yan, like a kite with its string cut, violently flew backward, crashing into the wall and then slumping to the ground, curling up in pain, unable to even crawl. the blood trickling from the corner of his mouth and the swelling on his face highlighted his current misery and fear. shen qing slowly approached, his gaze filled with disdain and cold indifference. "remember, don''t try to challenge my limits." xue yan gasped heavily, his eyes filled with a mix of horror and unwillingness. he had never seen such a terrifying person; just a moment ago shen qing was healing him, and the next, he was beating him mercilessly. shen qing pulled out an exquisite elixir from his chest, forced open xue yan''s mouth, and stuffed it in. the elixir melted as soon as it touched his tongue, sending a warm flow quickly traveling through his body, repairing his damaged meridians and flesh. "don''t think i''ll let you off so easily," shen qing said coldly, his voice full of threat, "this elixir is only to temporarily restore you, but your life is still in my hands." feeling his injuries healing rapidly, xue yan didn''t feel relieved at all. he realized he was completely at the mercy of shen qing today. "shen¡­ shen qing, what exactly do you want?" xue yan asked with difficulty, his voice trembling. "i want you to remember today''s lesson, and never let me find you harboring any inappropriate thoughts again. otherwise, it won''t be just a simple slap," shen qing bent down, looking into xue yan''s eyes with a frigid tone. xue yan shuddered, his eyes flickering with deep fear and despair. he knew, from now on, he would be living under the shadow of shen qing. his plan had failed, and he had truly not anticipated shen qing to be so resolute. facing the formidable backing of the xue family, shen qing showed no fear, becoming even more aggressive, completely overturning xue yan''s understanding. shen qing''s gaze was firm as he scoffed, "resist? no, i never thought of contending with the xue family, but sometimes, when some insolent fools tread on my head, i have no choice. some people should not be provoked." with that, shen qing once again activated his inner strength, and his power intensified. suddenly a fierce wind howled through the hall, as if the entire space was about to be torn apart. the shield in front of xue yan began to tremble violently under the terrifying force, emitting a buzzing sound as if it could shatter at any moment. xue yan was terrified, never expecting shen qing''s power to be so formidable, that even the xue family''s jade shield could barely withstand it. his decision today had been too rash. he steadied himself and shouted, "lord shen, we can talk¡­" but xue yan''s words were abruptly halted. shen qing didn''t give him a chance to catch his breath. in a flash, shen qing appeared before xue yan like a ghost, throwing a punch directly at the shield. "bang!" with a loud noise, the shield shattered instantly, xue yan was slammed back violently, crashing into the hall''s wall, spitting blood, his face as pale as paper. Chapter 8 Da Xu Technique Breakthrough, A Dark and Windy Night Perfect for Killing ```[skill: da xu technique (skillful)] [progress: 195/200 points] [status: cannot be improved] [note: a fine steed leaps, but cannot cover ten steps; a workhorse, though slow, can travel a hundred miles with persistence. continuous practice has made you skillfully master the da xu technique, mastering extremely fast speed. after this breakthrough, your understanding of the concept of ''emptiness'' will become even clearer. when you use this martial art, you can traverse space, arrive without a trace, and leave without a clue, eluding capture.] "the da xu technique, after these days of cultivation, is just a little bit away. if all goes well, i''ll be able to break through tonight." shen qing murmured to himself, unintentionally revealing a slight smile. since huang fu rou taught him the complete da xu technique, his progress in this martial art had been increasingly smooth. with the support of spirit essence, in just a few short days, this martial art had almost quietly reached the conditions for a breakthrough. shen qing secretly calculated, "once this martial art breaks through, i can try to kill that xue yan." today''s incident happened suddenly, with xue yan coming here rashly, leaving behind what kind of backup plan, and under broad daylight, who knows how many people saw him coming to the guardian martial department. if he had acted in that moment and killed him, dying within the guardian martial department, he would definitely not be able to escape blame. in other words, as long as third young master xue dies somewhere else, unassociated with him, it would suffice. shen qing quickly made a decision, delved into the cultivation room, took out a jade token, and immersed himself in cultivation without any distractions. he activated the da xu technique and continuously ran around the cultivation room, his figure transforming into streams of phantoms. time ticked away, the night deepened, and the moon hung high in the sky. shen qing seemed to sense something, and suddenly stopped, standing in the middle of the cultivation room. a stream of ink-like text emerged before his eyes. [skill: da xu technique (skillful)] [progress: 201/200 points] [status: can be improved] without hesitation, shen qing said, "breakthrough!" after a brief moment of stillness, a torrent of memories crazily surged into his mind, causing him to feel drowsy and in excruciating pain. prepared for this, shen qing relied on his strong divine sense to guard his mind and suppress the discomfort. a moment later, he completely assimilated and absorbed the memories. in the memories, shen qing repeatedly cultivated the da xu technique, and after persistent and unrelenting training, the profundities of the da xu technique finally became clear in his heart. his comprehension and insight into the da xu technique grew even more penetrating. suddenly, waves of spiritual power fluctuations surged in the cultivation room. shen qing''s heartbeat involuntarily quickened, all the pores on his body seemed to open at this moment, greedily absorbing the nature''s spiritual energy wafting from the jade token. with a deep and powerful roar, the strength inside shen qing''s body seemed to find an outlet for release and exploded in an instant. at this moment, his spiritual power meridians and his memories became completely aligned. after adjusting for a while, shen qing took a long breath and exhaled a puff of turbid air. explore more at empire [skill: da xu technique (small success)] [progress: 1/300 points] [status: cannot be improved] [note: as the heavenly dao rewards the diligent, through continuous cultivation, you have now reached the small success of the da xu technique. your understanding of the concept of ''emptiness'' has deepened, and you are beginning to touch the realm of extreme speed. when you use this martial art, you can traverse space, mastering the ''traceless'' skill.] looking at the reminder that appeared before his eyes, shen qing revealed a knowing smile. "let''s see, after breaking through to small success with this martial art from the huangfu family, just what level i can reach." shen qing stimulated his spiritual power and activated the da xu technique. with a slight sway of his figure, he disappeared in the cultivation room, leaving only a faint blue light flickering in the original spot, as if it were a trace of him crossing through the void. when he reappeared, he was at the other end of the cultivation room, his figure almost blending into the air, achieving true instant displacement. crossing distances, traceless and without sound. "this..." shen qing looked at this scene, quite astonished. with the reminders from the ink-text, he had some mental preparation for the changes in the da xu technique, but when it actually happened, he still found it hard to believe. he realized that the da xu technique at the small success realm was subtly stepping out of the ''martial'' category, beginning to transform towards the tier of the ''immortal''. it was truly a martial art passed down from ancient times. shen qing put aside his thoughts and did not continue to delve deeper. he pushed open the door and looked up to see a bright moon, like a pearl, hanging against the ink-colored canvas of the sky. silver light scattered, covering the silent yongzhou city in a layer of faint, cold blue-white. "a dark moon and high winds make for a good night to kill." shen qing''s mouth curled up with a smirk not easily detected, "third young master xue, it''s your bad luck to have crossed me." he stepped out of the cultivation room and summoned chen guang to ascertain the whereabouts of xue yan and his people. then, he silently left the guardian martial department office and, reaching a deserted place, he took a deep breath as his spiritual energy surged wildly within him. suddenly, his figure became completely blurred in the night, disappearing from the spot, leaving only a faint silhouette perfectly blending with the surrounding shadows. ... in a room of an inn within yongzhou city, candlelight flickered, casting mottled and disjointed shadows. xue yan sat at the table, his figure elongated by the candlelight. after the series of shocks he experienced today, his emotions were tumultuous and restless, like waves whipped up by a storm, impossible to calm. ``` his fists clenched tightly, grinding his teeth in anger. images of shen qing''s detestable condescension kept surfacing in his mind, igniting his fury. with a fierce punch, he struck the table, instantly reducing it to splinters and shards. having vented the emotions in his heart, xue yan stood up and paced back and forth in the room. judging from shen qing''s behavior and actions today, he was clearly a ruthless character who couldn''t stand even a small slight ¨C everything had to go his way. therefore, trying to pressure him with vague and distant threats was utterly ineffective, thwarting his careful plans. this meant that his trip to yongzhou was in vain, leaving him empty-handed with no way to explain himself to his father and the rest. the precious opportunity to prove himself was slipping away, and he couldn''t help but feel deeply resentful. the best option would still be to find someone a bit stronger than shen qing and suppress him face-to-face. xue yan immediately thought of shi wenbo, the imperial envoy who had come to yongzhou. shi wenbo had a close relationship with his family, xue, and his cultivation was on par with shen qing, making him a natural ally. however, the matter of the spirit essence was not so easily broached. s§×arch* the ¦Çovelfire.¦Çet website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. xue yan fell into deep thought, silently refining his words. just then, a knocking sound echoed at the door. xue yan paused and asked, "who is it?" "it''s me," came shi wenbo''s voice from the door. he continued, "nephew, what was the commotion in your room just now? did you run into some trouble?" xue yan was momentarily stunned before he let out a wry smile. he glanced at the shattered remains of the table and said, "it''s nothing, i was just careless and damaged the furniture. thank you for your concern, sir." "alright, if there''s anything you need, do not hesitate to tell me." xue yan respectfully replied, "thank you, sir." listening to the retreating footsteps outside the room, xue yan felt a surge of confidence knowing that shi wenbo was looking out for him. a fierce glint flashed in his eyes, "shen qing, you will pay for everything you''ve done to me today; no one from the xue family shall endure such disgrace!" night deepened, the candlelight grew dim, but the flame of resolve within xue yan burned brighter, his eyes shimmering with determination. realizing the hour was late, xue yan, who had no habit of cultivating at night, made ready to retire and rest. at that moment, a flicker disturbed the candlelight. xue yan was taken aback, his skin prickling with alert. but before he could react, an icy flash of light, swift and silent, streaked through the air. in the blink of an eye, a silver-white mark was left on his neck. xue yan''s complexion changed dramatically; he had barely any time to respond before the icy flash vanished, leaving behind only a faint chill and a slight sting on his neck. a great shock filled his heart as he realized a master was attempting a stealthy assassination! almost instinctively, spiritual power surged within xue yan, and protective gang qi enveloped his body like armor, as he clutched at his neck frantically channeling spiritual power to heal the wound. he had been cultivating since childhood in the lord''s mansion, his body tempered daily with heavenly materials and earthly treasures. thus, his flesh was much more resilient than an average person''s, and a wound of this severity was not fatal to him. the spiritual power stimulated regeneration, and his skin began to show signs of healing. "think you can kill me that easily? whoever you are, sneaking attacks like a coward, you must be weaker than i am, nothing but scum." xue yan thought bitterly, his expression turning fierce. "shi wenbo surely hasn''t gone far; i should enlist his help to catch this villain, to ensure they die without a burial place." xue yan opened his mouth intending to shout loudly. however, as he marshaled all his strength to do so, he found his vocal cords seemingly severed by an invisible force; he could only produce a hoarse "he he," unable to speak a word. xue yan''s eyes widened. his vocal cords had been cut. an inexplicable fear spread through him like ice, xue yan quickly looked around, trying to locate the hidden enemy. but the room was only so big, open and empty ¡ª except for the flickering candlelight and his own shadow, there was no sign of a second person. uncertain and clueless, just as his doubts peaked, a resplendent golden seal, like a meteor from the horizon, crashed down with an irresistible, majestic pressure, engulfing his entire body. xue yan felt an indescribable force slam down. his protective gang qi, feeble before this power, was torn to shreds in an instant. with a "boom!" xue yan''s body, as if struck by a giant hammer, collapsed, dispersing into a mass of indistinct flesh, without a chance to fight back. the room itself trembled under this force. after a few moments, the candle still flickered, but the atmosphere in the room had become icy and silent. shi wenbo, not far off, sensed the disturbance and shook his head silently, finding xue yan''s nighttime activity a bit too much. hearing no response from xue yan, he thought nothing of it and did not consider checking in. in a dim alley behind the inn, a shadow moved, revealing itself within. as the shadow receded, shen qing emerged. he looked back toward the inn with a satisfied smile. shen qing hadn''t expected the night to go so smoothly. after his breakthrough in the da xu technique, he had entered xue yan''s room without alerting anyone and had swiftly ended xue yan''s life, settling a vendetta. this time, he had been extremely discreet; there would be no clues leading back to him. not lingering in the alley, shen qing continued to channel his spiritual power, activating the da xu technique, and disappeared into the shadows of the alley. Chapter 9 Stirring the Water in the inn, a cold wind swept through, and no one spoke, making the atmosphere suddenly much more tense.master shi wenbo''s face showed some impatience, and his gaze became as sharp as a knife, sweeping over every individual until it finally rested on prefecture chief dou wenxi and county supervisor yan xushou, as he said in a cold voice, "gentlemen, as the prefecture chief and county supervisor of yongzhou, do you have any clues or insights?" hearing this, dou wenxi and yan xushou looked at each other simultaneously, and fine beads of sweat involuntarily formed on their foreheads. they both knew their own limitations; with the current case, they had absolutely no direction to proceed. dou wenxi swallowed hard, his eyes flickering uncertainly as he weighed his words and pondered his response, "lord shi, this matter is too sudden. we have only just learned of it and are utterly clueless at the moment. however, general xue didn''t attend the banquet yesterday, there could be other hidden details here, perhaps..." "perhaps what?" master shi wenbo sharply interrupted, his tone already tinged with anger, "lord dou, this is not the time for you to be vague!" seeing this, yan xushou coughed softly, attempting to defuse the situation, "lord shi, please calm your anger, the incident indeed happened abruptly, and we haven''t had the chance to investigate thoroughly. though what lord dou said was not comprehensive, it''s currently all we know. the fact that third young master xue did not attend the banquet yesterday wasn''t due to illness. if we are to investigate, we must start here, looking into where third young master xue has been recently, whom he has met, and what business he was attending to. only then can we begin to find some clues." s~ea??h the n??efire.¦Çet website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "yes, yes, that''s exactly what i meant, we should start from here and investigate further," dou wenxi quickly nodded in agreement. master shi wenbo fell into thought, falling silent. truth be told, he also felt that there was something odd about the situation. this trip to yongzhou, the way general xue zhao inexplicably included his son in the team, indeed seemed to have ulterior motives. "you both speak sensibly, we should start from here and obtain results as quickly as possible. otherwise, should this matter reach the capital city and come to the attention of great general xue, i need not tell you what will become of you, right?" the fleshy faces of prefecture chief dou wenxi and county supervisor yan xushou trembled, and their hearts instantly soared. "lord shi, speaking of which, mr. xue came to the guardian martial department to seek me out yesterday," shen qing suddenly stood out and spoke up at this time. now that prefecture chief dou wenxi and county supervisor yan xushou were planning to investigate xue yan''s movements from the previous day, his visit to the guardian martial department office would certainly not go unnoticed. rather than wait for their investigation to reveal it and be confronted with it passively, it was better to take the initiative to speak out now and keep control in his hands. hearing this, master shi wenbo was shocked and quickly asked, "what did third young master xue seek you for?" shen qing showed some difficulty in broaching the subject. master shi wenbo slammed the table, angrily demanding, "just speak, why are you avoiding the topic?" shen qing hardened his expression and decided to go for it, "third young master xue came to the guardian martial department seeking me not just to inquire about the details of the demons rampant in yongzhou on that day but also said..." "said what?" shen qing lowered his head, "third young master xue also mentioned that several officials were only interested in indulging in pleasures, incapable of achieving much. he didn''t want to be associated with such corruption, wishing to quickly understand the changes in yongzhou and reach out to ''heaven''s ear.''" "the impudent boy!" standing to the side, cui jin''s eyes widened in rage, and his brows furrowed like drawn swords, evidently consumed with anger. the aura around him suddenly erupted, unique to a martial master of the spirit void realm. it was as overpowering as a mountain flood, a surging torrent that instantly filled the entire inn. the air inside the inn seemed to solidify, and the tables and chairs trembled slightly, emitting a faint sound. the people standing in the inn''s main hall showed terrified expressions, retreating backward, fearing to be affected by the terrifying momentum. shen qing became the target of cui jin''s retaliation, with all the energy concentrated on him. he felt an indescribable heavy pressure like a massive boulder bearing down on him, his bones and flesh seemingly losing their original toughness at that moment, creaking in protest. it was the first time he sensed the strength of a martial master from the spirit void realm; his expression turned grave, he clenched his teeth, and struggled to support himself with all his might, but his body still trembled uncontrollably. just at this critical moment, ji he''s figure swept by like a breeze and appeared next to shen qing instantaneously. he waved his hands lightly, and his own energy burst forth in sync, dissolving cui jin''s mountainous energy, lifting the heavy burden off shen qing. "eunuch cui, shen chasi is just stating the facts; why get so angry?" ji he spoke with a calm demeanor. in reality, he understood why cui jin was so agitated. your majesty had specifically arranged for him to come here with shi wenbo, wanting him to act as the emperor''s eyes, to fully understand the situation and uncover certain secrets. yet, xue yan desired to overreach his station and go straight to the heavens with his complaint. this move made him seem useless, potentially worsening his impression before your majesty. for the imperial eunuch, such an act was tantamount to cutting off his future prospects, how could he not be angry? cui jin''s face remained grim, but his imposing aura had receded quite a bit; he let out a cold snort, "if it weren''t for brother ji''s sake, today i would have made him understand the severity of his situation!" shen qing, now awakened from the ordeal, looked towards ji he with gratitude, his voice trembling slightly, "thank you, lord ji, for your assistance." cui jin chuckled and said, "the za family has other matters to attend, so i''ll be leaving first. this issue can be handled by lord shi and the others." with that, cui jin departed from the inn leisurely, evidently not wishing to be involved in the matter any further. "hmph, nothing but a dog eunuch pandering for the sage''s favor," shi wenbo snorted coldly, a hint of disdain flashing in his eyes. he immediately ordered, "send the command down, lock down the entire city this instant. anyone even remotely related to last night''s incident must be brought in for questioning!" prefecture chief dou wenxi and county supervisor yan xushou busily placed their hands together in salute, acknowledging the order. "don''t stand around idling, get moving quickly. regardless of who the perpetrator is, bring me results as soon as possible!" "this subordinate obeys the command." having said this, prefecture chief dou wenxi and county supervisor yan xushou strode out of the inn, with shen qing and others following closely behind them. watching the others leave, shi wenbo turned to ji he and said, "lord ji, what do you make of what chief officer shen said?" "sounds like something third young master xue might say," ji he took a few steps towards the door, speaking to shi wenbo with his back turned, "as far as i know, right now third young master xue and his elder brother xue bai are vying for the xue family heir position. if he doesn''t show some initiative, indeed he won''t make it." "then what do you think about this matter...?" "investigate it. we''ll take it as far as it goes. in any case, this matter doesn''t concern us; the ones who should be worried are those from the yongzhou government office. if the xue family wants to vent their anger, they''ll direct it at them," ji he continued, "what''s most important for us is to ensure we fulfill the task entrusted to us by your majesty." find your next adventure on empire shi wenbo pondered for a moment, then agreed, "lord ji speaks sensibly." Chapter 10 Huang Furo outside the inn on the main street, huangfu rou walked shoulder to shoulder with shen qing.after parting with prefecture chief dou wenxi and county supervisor yan xushou, huangfu rou could no longer contain the worries in her heart and whispered to shen qing, "you were a bit impulsive just now. those words, actually, didn''t need to be said." her tone carried a hint of reproach, yet it also discreetly harbored a scarcely noticeable concern. shen qing gave a bitter smile and said, "i was just telling the truth; i didn''t expect eunuch cui to react so vehemently." a breeze brushed through huangfu rou''s hair as she shook her head lightly and sighed, "you, you''re too honest. in the complex and ever-changing world between jianghu and the court, being too candid often hurts both others and oneself." upon hearing the word "honest," shen qing almost burst into incredulous laughter. if he remembered correctly, huangfu rou had been present when he killed several old fogies from the zhou family and two great demons. no matter how he thought about it, he felt completely unrelated to the word "honest." not to mention, xue yan was indeed killed by him, using martial arts from the huangfu family. he truly didn''t know how the normally clear-headed huangfu rou seemed somewhat thoughtless at this moment. shen qing didn''t bother to explain any further. after a moment of silence, he nodded and said, "lord huangfu is right; i lacked consideration." your journey continues with empire seeing shen qing''s acquiescence, huangfu rou felt an inexplicable touch of pride for some reason. she then pondered deeply, "as for this matter, since the imperial envoys are focused on dou wenxi and yan xushou, let them deal with the headache. we should not get too involved. in my view, these people aren''t united, and this case might just end up as an unclear account." "i understand." "hmm." the two continued to walk side by side along the streets of yongzhou, in silence. ... inside the huangfu mansion. sear?h the n??efire.¦Çet website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. the night had grown late, yet the main hall was still brightly lit. after a busy day, huangfu rou returned home from the military department office. she gently pushed open the door, greeted by a warm and familiar scent. suddenly, she frowned slightly upon seeing servants moving in and out of the main hall, and even the whale-oil candles, rarely used, were lit. to her surprise, she wondered, why were there still visitors in the house? entering the main hall, she saw her father, huangfu chuan, sitting upright with decorum, with a middle-aged man in luxurious official attire beside him¡ªit was the imperial eunuch, cui jin. cui jin''s face bore a serious expression mixed with a hint of a smile, clearly there to discuss important matters. seeing her return, huangfu chuan''s tone conveyed an imperceptible sense of relief as he said, "daughter, you''re back." huangfu rou nodded, her gaze lingering momentarily on cui jin before she asked in confusion, "eunuch cui, for what important matter have you visited so late at night?" cui jin smiled slightly, stood up, and after scanning huangfu rou from head to toe, said, "miss huangfu, his majesty has decreed, summoning you to the capital soon, to join the mountain sea department in gathering the world''s spirit mechanisms for his majesty." upon hearing this, huangfu rou''s heart gave a jolt. she was all too aware of what the mountain sea department implied. the mountain sea department controlled the imperial armory, mastered intelligence, and was also responsible for collecting martial mechanisms for your majesty, having had a very close relationship with their huangfu family in the past. huangfu chuan gently patted his daughter on the shoulder, signaling her to relax, then turned to cui jin, "eunuch cui, this matter is no trifle. may we take a moment to discuss this between father and daughter?" cui jin smiled and nodded, "of course, huangfu family patriarch, please proceed as you wish." huangfu furo and her father stepped aside to converse in a low voice. "father, it''s been some years since our huangfu family has left the court, and i know nothing of the affairs within it. at this time, his majesty suddenly summons us to the capital, and i..." huangfu furo''s voice carried a hint of hesitation, feeling uncertain in her heart. huangfu chuan sighed, his gaze profound, "daughter, i understand what you mean. but the huangfu family is now in decline, and the old acquaintances in the court are also fading away. this opportunity is too important for us at this moment. if we seize it, we might be able to restore our family''s honor. besides, from a young age, you have been exceptionally intelligent and possessed abilities beyond ordinary people. joining the mountain sea department might not be a bad thing." huangfu furo fell silent for a moment, weighing the pros and cons in her heart. indeed, the huangfu family had been dwindling in recent years, and taking this opportunity could be a turning point¡ªan excellent chance for the huangfu family. moreover, deep down, she also aspired to ascend higher. if she had the chance to enter the imperial armory, or to gain the support of some of the ji family''s martial mechanisms, her cultivation might even reach further heights. "father, i understand," huangfu furo finally nodded, her gaze becoming resolute after some deliberation. the two returned to cui jin, and huangfu chuan bowed, "eunuch cui, my daughter and i have come to an agreement. we will comply with his majesty''s decree and allow my youngest daughter to join the mountain sea department." upon hearing this, cui jin''s face showed a satisfied smile, "good, lord huangfu knows the greater good. his majesty will surely be delighted. miss huangfu, after the affairs in yongzhou are concluded in a few days, you will accompany me to the palace to meet his majesty." huangfu furo nodded slightly, "alright." as night deepened, cui jin did not linger too long and took his leave directly. huangfu furo looked at her father''s aged face, her heart filled with mixed emotions. turning her head to shen qing, she noticed he was intently gazing ahead, his eyes deep, seemingly contemplating something. she opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but unable to find the words, ultimately returning to silence. huangfu furo and her father stepped aside to converse in a low voice. "father, it''s been some years since our huangfu family has left the court, and i know nothing of the affairs within it. at this time, his majesty suddenly summons us to the capital, and i..." huangfu furo''s voice carried a hint of hesitation, feeling uncertain in her heart. huangfu chuan sighed, his gaze profound, "daughter, i understand what you mean. but the huangfu family is now in decline, and the old acquaintances in the court are also fading away. this opportunity is too important for us at this moment. if we seize it, we might be able to restore our family''s honor. besides, from a young age, you have been exceptionally intelligent and possessed abilities beyond ordinary people. joining the mountain sea department might not be a bad thing." huangfu furo fell silent for a moment, weighing the pros and cons in her heart. indeed, the huangfu family had been dwindling in recent years, and taking this opportunity could be a turning point¡ªan excellent chance for the huangfu family. moreover, deep down, she also aspired to ascend higher. if she had the chance to enter the imperial armory, or to gain the support of some of the ji family''s martial mechanisms, her cultivation might even reach further heights. "father, i understand," huangfu furo finally nodded, her gaze becoming resolute after some deliberation. the two returned to cui jin, and huangfu chuan bowed, "eunuch cui, my daughter and i have come to an agreement. we will comply with his majesty''s decree and allow my youngest daughter to join the mountain sea department." upon hearing this, cui jin''s face showed a satisfied smile, "good, lord huangfu knows the greater good. his majesty will surely be delighted. miss huangfu, after the affairs in yongzhou are concluded in a few days, you will accompany me to the palace to meet his majesty." huangfu furo nodded slightly, "alright." as night deepened, cui jin did not linger too long and took his leave directly. Chapter 11 Promoted to Two Department Chief "you''re saying that my third brother''s death was shen qing''s doing?" upon hearing zhou su''s response, xue bai felt somewhat puzzled and frowned as he asked.zhou su confirmed, "if not him, who else could it be?" he hurriedly continued, "eldest young master, think about it, was there not a number of matters your third brother needed to handle this time he went to yongzhou?" "there were indeed some matters to handle," xue bai nodded and said. zhou su stretched out one finger and said, "one was to deal with the zhou family matter on my behalf, and the second was to manage the spirit essence matter outside the domain. the first matter, as you know, is inseparably linked to shen qing, and although i am not fully aware of the specifics of the second, it is to my knowledge that shen qing''s cultivation has broken through incredibly fast. it is highly likely that it''s because he obtained the spirit essence." "eldest young master, your third brother was searching for the spirit essence, which would surely have caused conflict with shen qing. both matters repeatedly point towards shen qing, and looking at it this way, it''s highly probable that your third brother was killed by the hand of yongzhou''s chief!" "it must be him!" the more zhou su spoke, the more agitated he became, to the point of almost losing his composure. watching zhou su''s behavior, xue bai felt a hint of suspicion inexplicably arising in his heart. continue reading on empire in the past month or so, he had also gathered some intelligence about yongzhou''s zhou family and knew about what had befallen them. in his view, zhou su''s reckless speculations were clearly an attempt to use the xue family''s hand to seek revenge and profit from it. xue bai considered himself not very smart, but he was not a fool; there were still things he could discern. zhou su quickly clasped his hands together, urging, "eldest young master, shen qing''s achievements in such a short period of time indicate that he is no ordinary individual. if you wish to seek revenge, you must act quickly, otherwise, if you delay, the situation may change." xue bai frowned, seeing zhou su so worked up only further confirmed his thoughts, and he was immediately displeased. no one likes being used as a pawn by others. "brother zhou speaks sense," xue bai said coldly, waving his sleeve, "however, this is a serious matter. i must inform my father and let him make the decision. i cannot come to a hasty conclusion by myself." zhou su suddenly perceived xue bai''s distancing attitude, his heart turned cold, and he realized that he had been too hasty. sear?h the n??efire.¦Çet website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. he hastily tried to make amends, "eldest young master, most of what i''ve said is true, you must believe me." "hahaha, our friendship stands firm here, how could i not believe you? rest assured, i will write to my father immediately and tell him the truth," said xue bai, as he turned to leave zhou su''s residence in haste. zhou su said uneasily, "eldest young master, please take care." xue bai turned back, nodding with a smile. however, once he stepped out of the house, the smile quickly vanished from his face, and he murmured to himself, "it seems i should come here less often from now on." he composed himself and strode forward, not looking back as he left. upon returning to xue mansion, the third concubine''s quarters were still wailing, unable to find peace. concerning his third brother''s death, there were differing opinions in the house, but all shared the unwillingness to let the matter rest. xue bai entered the study, and with xue yan gone, his greatest rival for the position of the princely heir was no more, and the position was almost certainly his. he couldn''t help but think of himself as the princely heir, and he wrote a detailed letter to xue zhao, explaining the current situation and xue yan''s death, waiting for his handling. a few days later, xue mansion successfully received a reply from xue zhao. as the legitimate eldest son, he seized the reply and was the first to read it. after reading it, xue bai''s face flushed red and he said, "good, indeed the older, the wiser. father''s methods are much more clever than what we could come up with." in the letter, xue zhao was not very angry but, surprisingly, calm. xue zhao felt that yongzhou was a thousand miles away, and even if the xue family''s power was overwhelming, it was beyond reach to really clear up the specifics of the situation, which would be too great. instead, it was better to go with the flow and, under the guise of the jing luan assembly, send all yongzhou''s officials and martial masters there. in this way, xue bai, as the legitimate eldest son, could lead the guardian and make sure those people were dead or alive, avenging his brother personally. this would not only avenge his brother and enhance the family''s prestige but also allow for a reshuffling of the government office in yongzhou, thereby extending the xue family''s reach into new territory. the actual perpetrator of xue yan''s murder became less important. ... prefecture chief dou wenxi and county supervisor yan xushou, as slippery as eels in the world of officialdom, used stalling tactics to perfection. every day progress was reported, new leads in the investigation emerged, but no results came, to the extent that shi wenbo and the others lost their patience. furthermore, these capital elites were well-informed and had long been aware of the xue family''s motives, which made them even less driven to pursue these cases. everything was going as huang furo had anticipated; the death of xue yan was being left unresolved. after more than a month of investigation, shi wenbo and the other imperial envoys had clarified the disturbances in yongzhou and no longer lingered, planning to return to the capital to report. in yongzhou prefecture''s council hall. "gentlemen," shi wenbo said with a stable and strong voice, "after this past month, we have finally sorted out the demon disturbances in yongzhou and restored order to the town. now it is time to report back to his majesty. however, before we leave, we still need to properly arrange for the personnel in yongzhou to ensure a smooth transition without further turbulence." shi wenbo''s gaze swept over the assembly and finally settled on shen qing. Chapter 11 Promoted to Two Department Chief_2 "chief officer shen.""your subordinate is here," shen qing stepped forward proactively with his hands clasped in a salute. shi wenbo said, "during this demon disaster in yongzhou, your actions have been witnessed by all the citizens of the city. it''s safe to say that if it weren''t for you, the calamity in yongzhou wouldn''t have ended so swiftly. within the capacity of my authority, i specifically promote you to the position of general of both the military department and guardian martial department, commanding the forces of both departments in yongzhou. i hope you live up to the trust placed in you and safeguard the peace of yongzhou." upon hearing this, a flicker of surprise passed through shen qing''s eyes. if he were promoted to general of the military department, then where would huang furo go? he unconsciously shifted his gaze towards huang furo who stood aside. he saw her looking at him with a smile, her demeanor gentle yet with a trace of firmness, and her eyes devoid of any negative emotions. shen qing immediately understood: she must have a better position awaiting her. without any hesitation, he kneeled on one knee, his voice resonant and forceful, "thank you, my lord, for cultivating me! shen qing will spare no effort and live up to your high expectations to keep yongzhou safe and peaceful!" after arranging matters with shen qing, shi wenbo stood up and said, "well, gentlemen, we still have to get our things in order for we set off for the capital early tomorrow morning. we shall not stay any longer." prefecture chief dou wenxi and county supervisor yan xushou approached with ingratiation, "imperial envoy, since you are leaving tomorrow, why don''t we host a banquet tonight at baihua building to send you off?" "no need, just attend to your own duties." as his words fell, an impassioned aura filled the council hall, making everyone''s heart tighten, and without further words, they watched as shi wenbo and the others left. "where are you planning to go?" "the capital, mountain and sea bureau." "the capital''s mountain and sea bureau is a place of great importance to the court. lord huangfu, this is certainly a promotion, congratulations!" sear?h the n??efire.¦Çet website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. in the county government, sunlight slanted across the cobblestone pathway, stretching the shadows of shen qing and huang furo long as they walked side by side with leisurely steps. a complex emotion flickered in huang furo''s eyes as she sighed, "it''s just serving the court in a different place, that''s all." discover exclusive content at empire shen qing smiled and said, "nevertheless, that''s right at the emperor''s feet; it''s not the same. i''ve heard that the capital''s mountain and sea bureau has access to the imperial armory. with entry into that, lord huangfu''s prospects would be limitless, and your martial arts cultivation will surely advance further." "how do you know that after entering the imperial armory, one''s martial arts cultivation will necessarily improve?" huang furo questioned. shen qing was momentarily taken aback, finding himself at a loss for words. "never mind," huang furo said with a smile, revealing her bright pearly teeth, "i hope that when we meet again, my cultivation won''t lag too far behind yours." shen qing also laughed, half-jokingly saying, "that might be a bit difficult. i am one in ten thousand with a high natural talent for cultivation." "how high?" "about as high as the third or fourth floor." huang furo was slightly stunned, and then she laughed along, her eyes curving into crescents. as they spoke, the two had arrived at the entrance to the prefecture, shen qing stopped walking, his smile fading as he looked intently at huang furo, "lord huangfu, the journey to the capital is long; please take care. i believe that with your talent and wisdom, you will shine at the mountain and sea bureau." huang furo nodded with a resolute glint in her eyes, "i will give it my all. likewise, take care in handling everything in yongzhou." the two exchanged smiles. then they each turned and walked away from the door of the yongzhou county office, each towards different streets. "until we meet again!" ... prefecture chief dou wenxi and county supervisor yan xushou, as seasoned officials, had mastered the art of stalling. there was progress every day, new leads in the case every day, but never a result, wearing down even the patience of shi wenbo and the others. moreover, these nobles of the capital were well-informed and had early knowledge of the xue family''s intentions, further diminishing any motivation to vigorously pursue these cases. everything was as huang furo had predicted: the death of xue yan was beginning to fade into an unresolved case. after more than a month of investigation, shi wenbo and the other imperial envoys had already clarified the disturbances in yongzhou and immediately prepared to leave, planning to return to the capital to report. yongzhou prefecture conference hall. "gentlemen," shi wenbo''s voice was steady and powerful as he spoke, "after more than a month, we have finally clarified the demon disturbance here in yongzhou, restored order to the city, and now it is time to report back to his majesty. however, before we leave, we must properly arrange the personnel matters in yongzhou to ensure that there will be a smooth transition and no more disturbances arise." shi wenbo''s gaze swept over everyone present, finally settling on shen qing. "chief officer shen." "your subordinate is present," shen qing said as he stood up proactively, his hands clasped together. shi wenbo said, "during this demon disturbance in yongzhou, your actions were witnessed by the entire city. it can be said that if it weren''t for you, the calamity in yongzhou might not have ended so quickly. within the scope of my authority, i specially promote you to be the general of the military department and guardian martial department, leading the forces of yongzhou''s two divisions. i hope you live up to the trust placed in you and safeguard the safety of yongzhou." shen qing showed a flash of surprise upon hearing this. if he was promoted to general of the military department, where would huang furo go? he instinctively turned his gaze to huang furo, who stood nearby. she was smiling at him, her gentle demeanor tinged with firmness, and there was no sign of negative emotion in her eyes. shen qing immediately understood; she must have a better opportunity awaiting her. without hesitation, he knelt on one knee, his voice clear and resolute, "thank you for your cultivation, sir! shen qing will do his utmost to not let you down and ensure peace in yongzhou!" after making arrangements for shen qing, shi wenbo then stood and said, "alright, gentlemen, we still need to pack our things, we will set out for the capital early in the morning. i will not stay any longer." prefecture chief dou wenxi and county supervisor yan xushou both stepped forward ingratiatingly, "imperial envoy, since you''ll be leaving tomorrow, why don''t we hold a banquet tonight at baihua building as a farewell to you?" "there''s no need, just attend to your own duties." before the words had ended, a vibrant aura swept through the conference hall, causing everyone to grow solemn and stay silent, watching as shi wenbo and the others departed. "where are you planning to go?" "capital city, to the mountain sea department." "the capital mountain and sea bureau is a critical establishment of the court. lord huangfu, this is a promotion for you, congratulations!" inside the prefecture, sunlight slanted onto the flagstone path, casting long shadows of shen qing and huang furo as they walked shoulder to shoulder, their footsteps slow. a complex emotion flitted through huang furo''s eyes as she sighed, "it''s just serving the court in another place." shen qing replied with a smile, "but that''s under the feet of heaven; it''s different. i''ve heard that the capital mountain and sea bureau has access to the imperial armory, and with your entry, lord huangfu, your prospects are limitless. your martial arts cultivation is sure to advance further." "how do you know that one''s martial arts cultivation will certainly improve after entering the imperial armory?" huang furo asked. shen qing was momentarily taken aback, at a loss for words. "alright," huang furo laughed, revealing her bright canines, "i hope that by the time we meet again, my cultivation hasn''t fallen too far behind yours." shen qing laughed along, jokingly replying, "that might be a bit difficult. i am one in ten thousand, with a high natural talent for cultivation." "how high?" "about as high as a third or fourth floor." huang furo was also momentarily startled, then she too started laughing, her eyes curving into crescents. speaking thus, they had reached the gates of the prefecture. shen qing stopped walking, his smile fading as he looked intently at huang furo, "lord huangfu, the journey to the capital is long; please take great care. i believe that with your talent and wisdom, you will shine brightly in the mountain sea department." huang furo nodded, her eyes gleaming with determination, "i will give it my all. you too, be careful with all matters in yongzhou." the two exchanged smiles. then they turned and walked away from the entrance of the yongzhou county office, heading in different directions down the streets. "we shall meet again!" Chapter 12 Coaxing, People from Taiping County Arrive a flash of surprise flickered through shen qing''s eyes, as he had not expected wu sheng to react so quickly and discern his thoughts.after pondering for a moment, he directly asked, "what kind of martial arts are you interested in?" wu sheng said, "the wu family once had a family martial arts called tongming fist, which is said to have come from the official martial arts. i never had the chance to cultivate it in the wu family. if possible, i would like to learn the relevant martial arts, but i am not sure if you have it?" shen qing couldn''t help but smile. it was indeed a coincidence. he recalled that the martial arts hall in the county town did have such martial arts, and even the names were very similar. "there is a martial arts called tongming mountain shifting fist that primarily focuses on using inner strength to move mountains and shift peaks, condensing fist power to its utmost limit. once executed, it''s like a mountain collapsing, unstoppable. is it similar to the tongming fist you mentioned?" wu sheng''s expression slightly froze; he had just been trying his luck and hadn''t expected shen qing to actually have it and to mention it so readily. he said in surprise, "it''s similar, quite similar." shen qing was not someone who liked to procrastinate. he directly said, "that''s good, then. i''ll give you an imprint copy later. you can study and ponder on it here first, and once you have learned it, return it to be destroyed." wu sheng knelt on one knee in gratitude and said, "thank you, lord, for your generosity." why shen qing had this martial arts and why he was so familiar with it actually made wu sheng somewhat curious, but he only thought of shen qing as being somewhat divinely skilled, without considering the direction of divine sense or never forget. after all, as martial artists, they always focused on qi cultivation and physical training, not on training the mind. "you wait outside for a moment." "yes." wu sheng didn''t know what shen qing was going to do. thinking that there might be other valuable items in the study that weren''t to be shown, he didn''t give it much thought and immediately turned and walked out, closing the door behind him. he stood at the door, watching the snowflakes that fluttered down from the sky, his heart stirred with endless ripples; he felt both anticipation and worry about his fate in the future. the martial arts book he had received today was essentially intended for him by shen qing, and he could guess that shen qing did this to keep him close, to win his heart, and to have him serve. it seemed unlikely that he could easily leave in the future. in the study, after wu sheng had left, shen qing took down the four treasures of the study from the rosewood rack. he took out a piece of fine xuan paper from a stack, spread it out on the table, and held down one side with a paperweight like white jade made of sheep fat. shen qing slowly ground the ink, the ink on the inkstone gradually becoming dense. during the ink grinding process, he closed his eyes and concentrated, repeatedly recalling the details of the tongming mountain shifting fist. after a while, he opened his eyes, took a deep breath, poised his pen above the paper, his gaze exceptionally focused at that moment. he began to imprint the tongming mountain shifting fist. in the study, the soft sound of the pen-tip rubbing against the paper rose. time passed bit by bit; when the final stroke was completed, shen qing flicked his sleeves lightly, a wave of intense spiritual power gushing from his palm enveloped those papers. in an instant, the ink was dried by the spiritual power. with a gesture of his hand, he aligned the papers, pinched them with his fingers, and used spiritual power to bind them into a volume. "come in." standing at the door, wu sheng felt that some time had passed, and he gently pushed open the door, his gaze landing on shen qing''s figure. shen qing did not hesitate; he gently picked up the bound tongming mountain shifting fist secret book from the table and handed it to wu sheng, instructing, "the martial arts are ready. from now on, practice within the mansion. do not take this book outside the mansion, and certainly do not publicize it." wu sheng took the martial arts secret book, his eyes conveying unusual emotions. those precious martial arts secrets that were once so hard to come by now appeared before him so easily, making him feel a sense of unreality. with these martial arts at hand, the spiritual elixirs and wish power pearls also became useful to him, presenting opportunities to break through to the qi hai realm and advance further. he spoke no more, but solemnly said, "wu sheng thanks lord." after speaking, wu sheng, without any hesitation, found a quiet corner in the study, sat cross-legged, opened the secret book, and began to cultivate earnestly. silence returned to the study, broken only occasionally by the low exhalations from wu sheng as he grasped a new move, and the faint sounds of spiritual power circulating within him. shen qing watched silently from the side, feeling a sense of expectation towards wu sheng. amongst those he trusted most, there were none closer than tian xiaohu and xiao zhi. unfortunately, their foundations were too weak, and even with the support of official martial arts resources, they had only reached the level of strengthening, still one step away from the qi cultivation realm. for them to further improve their cultivation would still take some time. there weren''t many he could rely on around him. wu sheng was worldly-wise and, upon his observation, seemed to possess a passable character, making him someone he could nurture and win over. with his assistance, the future looked promising for him and those around him with the addition of cultivation resources¡ªbe it for himself or for people around him. ... outside the gates of yongzhou city, a beggar holding a broken bowl and a well-worn bamboo staff approached the city. despite the cold winter season, he was dressed thinly, his frail body shivering in the cold wind. the beggar''s steps were faltering; he struggled to stop at the city gate, looking up at the mottled city wall with a flash of unnoticeable light in his eyes, murmuring to himself, "finally, i have reached yongzhou..." before he could finish speaking, two lines of tears had quietly fallen. he wiped away the tears. though his clothes were already tattered, he straightened them and walked towards the city gate along with other people. there was no city entrance fee in yongzhou, and the old beggar entered the city unimpeded. once inside, seeing the juxtaposed shops and bustling crowds, he couldn''t help but exclaim, "as expected of a county town, it''s nothing like the small place of taiping county. i can certainly find a foothold here." he walked on, asking people he met, "excuse me, does anyone here need someone to write letters or handle accounts?" sea??h th§× novelfire.net* website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. his voice was hoarse and deep. however, passersby either hurried past or gave him disdainful looks, with no one responding. some shops even boomed him out before he could enter, not to mention giving him a chance. read latest stories on empire just as he was about to give up, he overheard a conversation between two passersby nearby. "did you hear? lord shen''s mansion is hiring servants, and the requirements are not low. do you want to give it a try?" "of course, i''ll try. who doesn''t know that the shen family is thriving? lord shen is young, and his future is boundless. if i can get in now, i could surely secure a livelihood and not starve in the future." "the shen family?" the old beggar''s mind stirred, and for some reason, he remembered a family from his old village. "why not try my luck? even if i can''t be an accountant, being an old servant and eating leftover meals is better than nothing. i''ve already fallen to this point; there''s no room to care about dignity." after reflecting for a moment, the old beggar tucked his broken bowl into his pocket and hurried toward the direction of the shen mansion, inquiring as he went. Chapter 13 Meeting Old Acquaintances, Mixed Feelings the old beggar had asked around and finally arrived in front of the vermilion gate of the shen mansion.he looked up and saw two majestic stone lions in front of the gate, and the gate tower behind them towered solemnly. "is this the shen mansion? it really is extraordinary." just now, he had learned upon asking that many businesses in yongzhou city belonged to the shen family. it could be said that they were the only boss of yongzhou. the so-called four great eastern families of taiping county were simply child''s play in comparison. moreover, he had heard that the shen family''s master was the lord chief officer of the government office, who had recently executed a brutal slaughter in yongzhou, killing a group of demons with overwhelming might. to him, such a significant figure seemed simply heavenly. the old beggar saw a gatekeeper standing outside the main door, and he approached to ask. although the gatekeeper looked disdainful, he still informed him that the shen family was indeed still recruiting servants today, which sparked a glimmer of hope in him. discover stories with empire the old beggar brightened up with spirit, quickly straightened his clothes, and walked confidently towards the recruitment area. when he entered the recruiting space, although the interior was not as grand as the outside, it was clean and tidy, with several people dressed as servants busy reviewing applicants. the old beggar cautiously lined up at the end of the queue, silently praying for an opportunity. finally, it was his turn. a person who looked like a steward raised his head, his eyes scrutinizing, and seeing the old beggar dressed as he was, expressed dissatisfaction, "where did this beggar come from? off you go." "sir, i am no beggar, but a teacher. it''s just that i''ve fallen on hard times. i heard that your mansion is hiring servants, so i came to seek a livelihood." the middle-aged steward asked skeptically, "name? age? any special skills?" the old beggar respectfully answered, "my name is zhang shuyuan, i am over forty years old, skilled in teaching and accounting, and can endure hardship. i am willing to work like a horse or a dog for the shen family." the steward frowned slightly and said disdainfully, "our master requires servants who are agile and skilled in certain areas, not bookkeepers. given your age, i fear it''s not suitable." zhang shuyuan''s heart sank, but he still did not give up and pleaded earnestly, "please make an exception, sir. though i am old, i am of good nature and will put forth my full effort." at that moment, another steward with seemingly more experience interrupted, "our master is kind-hearted and approachable to the ordinary people of the city. if you truly have the desire, you might as well wait at the main gate and try your luck by pleading your case directly to him. however, don''t blame us if anything goes wrong." "not at all," zhang shuyuan felt a surge of inexplicable strength and quickly bowed, "thank you, sir, for your guidance. i will do my best. may i know the name of our shen family master?" "chief officer of the military department, shen qing, lord shen!" boom! zhang shuyuan''s body shook violently, and the broken bowl in his arms almost fell. he muttered the name to himself, his eyes flashing with disbelief, "impossible... impossible... it must be a coincidence." yet he vaguely remembered that a few years ago, the shen qing family was indeed heading towards yongzhou. he hurriedly asked, "is your master from taiping county?" the steward replied impatiently, "you lot, is this beggar getting too cheeky? i showed you the way, and yet you keep asking questions. just go, don''t hold up our work." people in the queue behind also complained about the old beggar''s behavior. zhang shuyuan directly bowed in thanks and then, gritting his teeth, walked straight towards the main gate. at this moment, a mix of emotions surged in his heart: surprise, anxiety, and unease. but having come this far, he decided to try no matter what. zhang shuyuan suppressed the turmoil inside him, found a good spot in a corner, and squatted quietly, staring at the gate of the shen mansion. he kept rubbing his hands together to generate some warmth. time passed slowly, and soon it was evening. the grand entrance of shen mansion was magnificent and brightly lit. just then, he saw a figure flash from not far away and land in front of the shen mansion''s grand door. zhang shuyuan stood in the corner, his expression changing. if not the shen qing he remembered, then who? instantly, his emotions became a mix of different feelings. zhang shuyuan squatted in the alley, hesitated repeatedly, and eventually mustered the courage to dash out. "qingzi..." as soon as he spoke, he immediately felt something was amiss and quickly corrected himself by shouting, "lord shen." shen qing heard the shout and turned around, sizing up the ragged beggar who was rushing towards him with a look of surprise in his eyes. "is that you? how come you are here?" the beggar was none other than zhang shu chi from hong shan village! zhang shuyuan''s body shook violently, nearly dropping the broken bowl in his arms. he muttered the name, disbelief flashing in his eyes, "impossible... impossible... it must be someone with the same name." but he vaguely remembered that a few years ago, indeed, the shen family had moved in the direction of yongzhou. he anxiously asked, "is your master from taiping county?" the manager, somewhat impatiently, said, "are you getting too cheeky, old beggar? i gave you directions, and still, you have questions that never end. go away quickly; don''t hold up our work." people in the queue behind also complained about the old beggar''s behavior. zhang shuyuan bowed in thanks and then, gritting his teeth, headed straight for the front door. at this moment, he felt a complex rush of emotions, filled with both excitement and much trepidation and unease. but at this point, he decided he had to try no matter what. zhang shuyuan suppressed the turmoil inside him and found a corner with a better view to crouch in silence, watching the door of the shen mansion. he rubbed his hands together constantly to generate some warmth. time passed gradually, and soon it was evening. the grand entrance of shen mansion was magnificent and brightly lit. just then, he saw a figure flash from not far away and land in front of the shen mansion''s grand gate. zhang shuyuan stood in the corner, his expression changing. if not the shen qing he remembered, then who? instantly, his emotions became a mix of different feelings. zhang shuyuan squatted in the alley, hesitated repeatedly, and eventually mustered the courage to dash out. "qingzi..." as soon as he spoke, he immediately felt something was amiss and quickly corrected himself by shouting, "lord shen." s§×arch* the n??efire.¦Çet website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. shen qing heard the shout and turned around, sizing up the ragged beggar who was rushing toward him, his eyes filled with surprise. "is that you? how come you are here?" the beggar was none other than zhang shu chi from hong shan village! shen qing heard the shout and turned around, sizing up the ragged beggar who was rushing toward him, his eyes filled with surprise. "is that you? how come you are here?" the beggar was none other than zhang shu chi from hong shan village! Chapter 14 Recruiting an Accountant, The Current Situation in Taiping County zhang shuyuan was still chewing on chicken meat, mumbling unclearly in response, "ahem, this matter has a long story."shen qing replied calmly, "no rush, you can take your time." "uh-huh," nodded zhang shuyuan, like a pecking chick, he swallowed the food in his mouth, his complexion changed, and he suddenly began to thump his chest. in his haste, he grabbed the teacup and drank a large gulp of water, as if only by doing so had he relieved his discomfort, showing none of the dignity of a scholar he used to possess. after a while, zhang shuyuan let out a satisfied belch and became solemn, "taiping county... for some reason, there have been a lot more demons suddenly, the trade routes have also been cut, and times are getting tougher for everyone. i had no choice but to come out and look for opportunities." hearing this, shen qing''s brows furrowed tightly, and he gently set down his teacup, causing a light clinking sound, "demons? i remember taiping county was taken over by the huang tian sect, and their hands were such that the government forces couldn''t attack them for the time being. facing demons, don''t they care?" zhang shuyuan sighed, "hey... let''s not talk about that. after the autumn harvest, the huang tian sect left, and they took quite a few people with them. now taiping county is basically a no-man''s land." uncle shen the second, auntie, xiao shan, and others felt fortunate when they heard what zhang shuyuan said. thankfully they hadn''t stayed there; otherwise, they might have shared the same fate as zhang shuyuan. the old creases on uncle shen the second''s face gathered together, and he couldn''t help but take out a smoking pipe, skillfully filling it with tobacco. the servants behind him quickly and sensibly provided a light. with a "snap" sound, the spark ignited the tobacco, and wisps of blue smoke rose slowly, curling around shen the second''s face. uncle shen the second took a deep breath, and after the smoke swirled within his chest, he slowly exhaled and asked, "what about the big family at the stronghold?" s~ea??h the n?velfire.net website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. zhang shuyuan glanced at shen the second, and an unexpected sense of nobility emanated from him, starkly different from the shen the second he remembered. he recalled during their time in hongshan village, shen the second, dragging his family along, was so stingy he''d try to split a copper coin in two and was loath to indulge in smoking. now he had actually picked up smoking, which zhang found quite astonishing. having this thought, zhang shuyuan couldn''t help but glance at shen qing enviously. their old shen family really produced a remarkable person. this old shen the second was indeed lucky to have such a capable nephew. thinking back, when they were in hongshan village, it was shen qing who came to him to learn how to read and write. later, when they moved to the county town, he also followed to work as an accountant, and their relationship was fairly close. it''s just a pity that his shortsightedness at the time prevented him from anticipating all that would happen, causing him to miss out on everything. regret. he really regretted it. unfortunately, there''s no such thing as a pill for regret in this world. even if he regretted, it was to no avail. zhang shuyuan murmured to himself: ''reflecting on the past cannot change it; knowing the future can be pursued, perhaps the current me still has some opportunities.'' he quickly adjusted his emotions and thoughts, and spoke truthfully, "most of the chen family members, tian family members followed the huang tian sect, some were eaten by demons, and a handful of the old, weak, and sick are barely surviving in the city." "what about the government? after all, taiping county is still under the court''s jurisdiction; surely someone must be in charge?" uncle shen the second inquired. "let''s not talk about that, we have contacted the court, but the court says they''re currently preoccupied with exterminating the traitors of the huang tian sect in jinzhou and dan zhou and cannot spare a moment for us. only after the rebel armies in those two places are dealt with will they consider the small matter of taiping county." uncle shen the second couldn''t help but sigh, "ah... the world is really getting more and more chaotic." as these words came out, everyone present fell silent. explore more adventures at empire after a moment, shen qing broke the silence, "so, sir, what are your plans next? yongzhou is a bit larger than taiping county, but that doesn''t mean the security is necessarily better. demons attack from time to time, leaving many living a precarious existence." with a sigh, zhang shuyuan wiped the grease from the corner of his mouth with his sleeve and said, "i was planning to find a job in yongzhou city and settle down before considering other things." shen qing asked, "are you not planning to find someone in the county office and report the situation in taiping county to save your fellow countrymen?" facing shen qing''s questioning, zhang shuyuan did not feel ashamed, and assertively said, "a gentleman does not save such matters, a sage is unyielding in benevolence. right now, i am in such a dire situation, living day to day, where would i have the capacity to worry about others?" shen qing looked at him with a glint of surprise in his eyes, "sir is truly an interesting person. i, shen, have also settled in yongzhou. if sir doesn''t mind, you could work as an accountant in my estate. regarding the salary, about one tael per month, although it''s not much, it should suffice for a living. what do you think?" he had created the hongshan gang outside the walls of taiping city, and its daily income was managed by zhang shuyuan. in his impression, zhang shuyuan was quite competent at keeping accounts. "no, no, no," zhang shuyuan waved his hands repeatedly, "look at me, i''m just a down-and-out scholar, coming to seek refuge with you is already shameless enough¡ªhow could i take your silver tael too? i''d be eternally grateful just to have a meal and a place to stay." "in that case, in addition to handling some accounts for my estate, you could also help take care of some properties in the city, work as an accountant. my household is in need of someone reliable, as i always feel somewhat uneasy entrusting it to someone else. please do not decline." "this..." zhang shuyuan heard this, a glimmer of joy flashed in his eyes, and he quickly stood up and bowed again. he knew well that such an opportunity was rare; he deeply bowed and said, "thank you, boss, for your great kindness and generosity! i, zhang, hereby express my thanks in advance. i will register myself with your household and from now on, i shall work for you as your long-term worker." Chapter 14 Hiring an Accountant, Current Situation in Taiping County_2 the so-called "registration under patronage" involved placing one''s household registration in the family of the employer one worked for.although this did not equate to being registered as a slave, it still meant that one had assumed a master-servant status and could not simply renege or do anything detrimental to the master''s family. if one did, the master had every right to punish or even kill them without objection. shen qing smiled and waved his hand, "sir, you are too kind. as old acquaintances, we should help each other." "boss is so generous!" after allowing zhang shuyuan to eat for a while longer, shen qing arranged for a servant to guide him in registering within the residence and familiarize himself with the affairs. zhang shuyuan was extremely grateful and thanked him profusely before leaving. once zhang shuyuan had left, uncle shen the second tapped his tobacco pipe and said, "qingzi, aren''t you the chief officer of the two departments? is it possible to dispatch some people to taiping county to deal with those demons? it''s a pity to see taiping county in such a state." shen qing shook his head, "the situation there is a thousand miles away from yongzhou, and we don''t know what''s happening. it''s not appropriate to act rashly. i''ll send some people to investigate before we decide." "alright, i don''t understand these matters. you just take care of it, qingzi." "mm-hmm." shen qing turned to shen xiaoshan and asked, "what level has your cultivation reached now?" shen xiaoshan appeared very confident and earnestly replied, "brother qingzi, i have started stretching exercises." "not bad, you''re almost catching up with xiao hu and the others. later, i will have someone give you more elixirs. practice well and develop some real skill soon." "i understand, brother." shen qing always had the impression that the great zhou seemed on the brink of collapse due to zhang shuyuan''s words, which put him on high alert. after years of experience and communication with many knowledgeable instructors, he was no longer the lowly hunter who knew nothing about the world. there were many great powers within the great zhou temple. even the elders who had swept through many small countries and sects when the great zhou dynasty was first established were still alive in the world. any one of these individuals could destroy an entire city. if one day a great chaos should arise, and such powers emerge, he did not wish to be an ant that they could squash with a flip of the hand. he would have to cultivate diligently, and with the help of elixirs, increase his cultivation level as soon as possible. in the following days, zhang shuyuan was full of vigor and quickly adapted. shen qing also secretly sent several people to taiping county to probe the situation. after some time, they returned from taiping county with much news. in the county office, within the government and the military department offices, shen qing was immersed in handling administrative duties in his private chamber. footsteps approached from outside, finally stopping at the doorway. "my lord, we have returned." the familiar voice of ji youwu came from outside the door. shen qing ceased his work and said, "come in and talk." "yes." the door gently opened, and several figures dressed in guardian martial department uniforms quietly entered. stay connected through empire their faces bore the weariness of their long journey. shen qing lifted his head, his eyes sharp, "what''s the status?" leading ji youwu stepped forward, lowering his voice, "my lord, the situation isn''t good. taiping county has become a demon''s granary, akin to hell on earth. demons run rampant there, barely one in ten households remains." although shen qing had been mentally prepared, his brows still involuntarily furrowed upon hearing the news. yet, he quickly regained his composure. shen qing continued to probe, "are they all little demons?" if they were all ordinary demons, he wouldn''t mind making a trip to execute them on the spot. ji youwu''s expression turned solemn as he said, "sir, the situation in taiping county is somewhat complicated. i heard that a great demon claimed the city as its kingdom, which led to the complete downfall of taiping county. moreover, i''ve also learned that this demon''s power is overwhelming, as it has devoured a martial master from the spirit void realm, which makes its strength terrifying." a demon king? this was an outcome shen qing had never considered. "has this demon ever left taiping county?" ji youwu shook his head and said, "according to our investigation, this great demon and its subordinates have always been entrenched within taiping county and have never left. it seems these demons believe that there may be a tomb from ancient times nearby, which contains great opportunities, and they are waiting for it." sea??h th§× n?vel_fire.¦Çet website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "a tomb from ancient times?" shen qing was quite surprised. he had always lived in taiping county and had never heard of such a thing; his heart was filled with astonishment. ji youwu pressed on, "sir, do we need to prepare to go to taiping county to exterminate the demon?" zhang shuyuan was still chewing on chicken, his response muffled, "cough, this matter is a long story." shen qing spoke calmly, "no hurry, you can take your time." "mm-mm." zhang shuyuan nodded like a pecking chick; he swallowed the food in his mouth, his face changed color, and he suddenly began thumping his chest. in his rush, he grabbed a teacup and drank a big gulp of water as if this was the only way to feel relieved, completely lacking the former grace of a scholar. after a little while, zhang shuyuan belched contentedly, his expression growing solemn again: "taiping county... suddenly, there were many more demons there, the trade routes were also cut off, and everyone''s days became harder and harder. i had no choice but to come out and look for ways out." hearing this, shen qing furrowed his brows, gently set down his teacup, and produced a faint sound: "demons? i remember taiping county was captured by the huang tian sect, and even the government forces couldn''t break through their hold. facing the demons, aren''t they concerned?" zhang shuyuan sighed and said, "alas... let''s not talk about this anymore. the huang tian sect left after the autumn harvest. when they left, they took quite a few people with them, and now taiping county is essentially a lawless land." uncle shen the second, aunt, and xiao shan, and others felt relieved hearing zhang shuyuan put it that way. they were also fortunate they had not stayed there, or else they might have ended up like zhang shuyuan. uncle shen the second''s weathered face furrowed, and he couldn''t help but pull out a smoking pipe, skillfully filling the bowl with tobacco. the servants behind him were very attentive and handed over the fire. with a soft "click" sound, sparks ignited the tobacco, and the wisps of blue smoke slowly rose, swirling around shen the second''s face. uncle shen the second took a deep drag, the smoke whirled inside his chest before he slowly exhaled and asked, "what about the rest of the folks from the village?" zhang shuyuan glanced at shen the second, and a hint of noble air was revealed, utterly different from the shen the second he remembered. he remembered back in hongshan village, shen the second, who would pinch a penny so hard he''d try to split it in two, was reluctant to smoke. yet now he had even learned to smoke, which seemed rather incredulous to him. at this thought, zhang shuyuan couldn''t help but cast a glance at shen qing, secretly envious. the old shen family had produced someone remarkable. this old shen the second also had some luck, having a good nephew. thinking back, when they were in hongshan village, shen qing had come to him to learn to read and write. later on, when he went to the county, he too became an accountant; their relationship was quite close. only regretfully, short-sighted at the time, he did not predict all that would happen later and missed out. regret. he truly regretted it. but unfortunately, there is no elixir for regret in this world. even if he regretted it, it''s useless. zhang shuyuan muttered in his heart, ''understanding what has passed is beyond admonishment, knowing the possibilities of the future can be pursued; perhaps the current me still has opportunities.'' he quickly adjusted his emotions and thoughts and stated truthfully, "most members of the chen family and the tian family left with the huang tian sect, and a portion of the remaining people were eaten by the demons, while some weak and sick survivors are barely clinging to life in the city." "what about the government? after all, taiping county is still under the court''s jurisdiction; they can''t be completely unmanaged, right?" uncle shen the second pursued. "let''s not talk about that. we''ve contacted the court, but the court says they are busy exterminating the rebel armies in jinzhou and dan zhou who joined the huang tian sect and had no time to deal with it. they will consider taiping county, that small place, only after the rebel forces in jinzhou and dan zhou have been dealt with." uncle shen the second couldn''t help but sigh, "ah... the world is becoming more and more chaotic." Chapter 15 Jing Luan Assembly ```in the grand hall of the county government office, voices bubbled like a cauldron. many officials and martial masters from yongzhou were arriving one after another. shen qing followed behind the crowd, stepping into the grand hall. as he scanned the room, he saw officials dressed in their formal attire, some standing, some seated, all with varying expressions. however, they all struggled to conceal their unease and anxiety. at the forefront stood prefecture chief dou wenxi and county supervisor yan xushou. their faces were somber as they looked at the numerous officials in front of them, as expressionless as dark clouds blanketing the sky. "almost everyone is here now. let''s begin," said dou wenxi, gesturing with his hand. the attendants standing outside the hall got the signal and quietly withdrew. with a bang, the doors closed. the discussions among those in the hall gradually subsided. shen qing moved forward and, thanks to his prestige in yongzhou city, the nearby officials gave up their seats, obsequiously seeking his favor. he accepted without hesitation, seated himself, and turned his gaze toward prefecture chief dou wenxi and county supervisor yan xushou, waiting for what would come next. prefecture chief dou wenxi spoke in a clear voice, "i presume everyone here is already aware of why we have gathered?" "is it because of the upcoming jing luan assembly?" someone asked. dou wenxi nodded gravely, "correct, it is due to this matter." shen qing''s brow furrowed slightly in the crowd. he vaguely remembered huang furo mentioning the jing luan assembly. he had said that the court devised this event to exhaust the martial artists of the world by having them fight one another. explore hidden tales at empire however, he had only heard of it in passing and only knew half the story. shen qing stood up, swept his gaze across the audience, and finally it rested on dou wenxi and yan xushou. he raised his fist to his chest and asked, "regarding this so-called jing luan assembly, there is much we do not understand. i wonder if the two of you could clarify our doubts. i''ve noticed some of our younger colleagues are also not very familiar with the matter." "indeed, my knowledge of the jing luan assembly is quite limited. i hope the lords will not hesitate to enlighten us and allow us to comprehend," he added. "we look to the lord for answers." some of the frailer officials hesitated to ask such a question that seemed to be ''common knowledge,'' not wanting to embarrass themselves. but seeing shen qing take the initiative, they echoed his request. shen qing''s question garnered a lot of support. prefecture chief dou wenxi, with a composed countenance, said, "lord shen speaks truthfully. we should indeed explain this matter to everyone." he pondered for a moment before continuing, "the history of the jing luan assembly actually goes back quite a ways." "as you all know, we martial artists, with each breakthrough in our realm, increase our lifespan. the qi hai realm can add ten years, the yu luo realm fifty years, and even the spirit void realm can increase one''s lifespan by three hundred." "after the founding of great zhou, the court was stable, and myriad tasks awaited revival. there were no issues at first, but as time passed, these problems revealed themselves. due to the longevity, the founding ministers continued to control the government, and the struggle for power among the high officials in the court became increasingly intense, almost shaking the very foundation of the nation." ``` "the ji family ancestor thus proposed the establishment of the jing luan assembly to resolve disputes." "at first, the jing luan assembly was located in a place far from the mortal world, aiming to allow the various forces to determine the superior and inferior, to decide victory and defeat, without affecting the stability of the court''s administration. initially, it was merely to resolve individual conflicts, but over time, it gradually formed the scale we see today. each jing luan assembly brings together martial masters from all over the world to discuss who is the true hero through real combat, and only the winner is able to receive the court''s rewards and promotion." "those who die naturally have everything cease and have to give up their positions." dou wenxi continued somberly, "although the jing luan assembly is named ''jing luan,'' in reality, it is also one of the court''s strategies for selecting talents and balancing the power of various factions. every 60 years, tens of thousands of martial masters gather, and in the end, only a hundred can survive. these hundred will be granted abundant rewards and high positions by the court according to their accomplishments in battle." a young official stood up proactively and said, "then in this way, for us, the jing luan assembly is an opportunity, right? isn''t this a good thing?" "hmph, a good thing?" yan xushou coldly snorted and added, "think about it, tens of thousands of martial masters, and in the end, only a hundred survive. how cruel do you think it actually is? do you think it will be you, or the likes of us with no background? noble sons have guardians, magical treasures and elixirs; what do we have besides our lives? do you think we still stand a chance to fight for a spot among the top hundred?" "isn''t entering just a death sentence?" another older official sighed deeply and said, "in fact, everyone is well aware that this is the court''s strategy of wearing down the lower-level martial masters. it''s for this reason that each jing luan assembly is convened, everyone is in a state of panic." sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lfire .net website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. after these words, a brief silence fell upon the great hall. they didn''t catch anything else, but one thing they did understand. that is, this so-called jing luan assembly meant near-certain death for them. prefecture chief dou wenxi surveyed the crowd before him and said, "i''ve already inquired clearly about this jing luan assembly. the reason we have all been conscripted is inseparable from the xue family." "the xue family, what does that have to do with us?" county supervisor yan xushou sighed and said, "let''s not forget, not long ago, the third young master of the xue family died in yongzhou city! to this day, the murderer''s whereabouts are unknown. it''s likely that because of this, the xue family holds a grudge against us and has added us all to the list of participants for the jing luan assembly." a martial master expressed his bewilderment and sorrow, "ah, i was unaware of the death of third young master xue and had no involvement in it." county supervisor yan xushou shook his head and said, "whether we know or not is not important. what''s important is that we have been caught up in this turmoil, and i''m afraid it will be difficult to extricate ourselves." an official burst out in agitation and indignation, "although we hold official positions and have some cultivation, in the jing luan assembly we are nothing more than ants. we serve the court diligently and loyally, only to end up sent to die in the end, to become stepping stones for those in power!" "the xue family is truly lawless, seeking personal revenge under the guise of public interest!" "sigh, saying they seek personal revenge under the guise of public interest isn''t the slightest bit false," prefecture chief dou wenxi said. "i''ve also heard that this time at the jing luan assembly, the xue family will send many guardians to participate, to lay the path for their eldest son, and it seems they will be targeting us." "..." above the great hall, for a time, sighs of lamentation rose and fell. there were also those who said nothing, but if you looked closely, you would see their fists clenched tightly, with nails nearly embedded in their palms, revealing the turmoil within. prefecture chief dou wenxi and county supervisor yan xushou exchanged looks of bitter smiles, their eyes filled with helplessness and despair. they never thought that they too, one day, would become stepping stones for others. shen qing saw the expressions of all the people, and his eyes couldn''t help but flicker with a trace of peculiarity. listening to this, it seemed that the people from yongzhou were conscripted into the jing luan assembly because of his killing of xue yan. shen qing was momentarily at a loss for words. the xue family really prefers to kill wrongly rather than let anyone go! unable to find the murderer, they''ve decided to "kill" all the martial officials from yongzhou. Chapter 16 Sense of Crisis, Hard Cultivation enjoy new chapters from empire s§×arch* the n?velfire.n§×t website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality."sir, this gathering was surely not convened to exchange idle chatter, to undermine our morale, or to sow anxiety, was it?" an official who was well-versed in the history of the jing luan assembly stepped forward and said, "i recall that it hasn''t been 60 years since the last jing luan assembly ended, and now it''s suddenly brought forward. you, sir, being well-informed in the capital, might you know more? if so, please share it all so we all may strategize together." prefecture chief dou wenxi and county supervisor yan xushou exchanged a glance, then reluctantly said, "speaking of which, this matter is again related to the xue family." "not long ago, general xue''s campaign against the huang tian sect was unsuccessful, and his majesty was displeased. that is why the jing luan assembly is convened early, to have us eradicate the huang tian sect." "ah?" county supervisor yan xushou continued, "now, almost a millennium since the founding of great zhou, the jing luan assembly has gradually undergone many changes." "with the increasing scale, the great zhou fourth emperor, emperor taiyuan, felt that such mere slaughter was too wasteful of manpower. thus, from his reign onward, each jing luan assembly was conducted under the pretense of subduing barbarians, used for expanding the frontier. later, whether it be rebellions or the challenging and significant battles against foes, the contemporaneous emperors would seize the opportunity to commence the jing luan assembly." "constrained by the rising development speed of martial masters worldwide, the frequency of initiation still remained at a 60-year interval, sometimes shorter, sometimes longer." one official questioned, "then what if after quelling a rebellion, it results in a great victory with few losses?" "then we continue the conquest, continue the killing. all who enter the jing luan assembly, we are but expendables, until we are completely expended. additionally, do not forget, many noble sons participate aimed at gaining merit; each one of us is a competitor. therefore, you must not only attack the enemy but also guard against your colleagues. surviving is not so simple." the atmosphere in the county office grew increasingly oppressive. everyone listened in silence. county supervisor yan xushou clapped his hands and said, "having heard so much bad news, let''s listen to some good news now." "what good news?" "his majesty has decreed that the one who performs most meritoriously in this jing luan assembly may be appointed as a general and be instantly ennobled." after county supervisor yan xushou finished speaking, a glint of aspiration appeared in some people''s eyes. Chapter 17 Promotion to Spirit Void Realm, Sun Shooting Skill shen qing, as his breath steadily climbed, did not feel much comfort.quite the opposite, he felt waves of pain. at this moment, shen qing''s breathing grew more rapid, his face contorted as if he were struggling to the death against some invisible force. he could sense the spiritual power within his body roaring like torrents, surging tumultuously, operating at its peak. but in the blink of an eye, the capacity of his flesh to absorb spiritual energy had reached its limit. yet, the spiritual energy from the outside world continued to pour into his meridians, converging in the mysterious spirit sea, showing no signs of stopping. shen qing only felt an intense swelling sensation assaulting him, the rampaging aura as if wanting to tear his soul and his physical body to shreds. he endured, relentlessly suppressing this impulse, breaking through his own limits. recently, he had often gone to the martial arts hall to exchange cultivation experiences with the instructors, gaining a deeper understanding of the spirit void realm and beyond. the spiritual energy between heaven and earth, transformed into spiritual power through the cultivation technique for martial masters to use, is by seizing the nature''s spiritual energy, mastering transcendent force. every breakthrough is a qualitative change in power. but this power was too great; if not controlled well, it was easy to become possessed, lose oneself, and suffer backlash. it was like a commoner becoming rich overnight. confronted with sudden wealth, many people squandered it recklessly, ending up poorer than before, or even worse off. the two scenarios followed the same principle. the greater the wealth, the easier it was to become possessed, and the more likely for martial masters to suffer backlash. what if the power was too great and prone to backlash, would a smaller amount suffice? that wouldn''t work either. the spiritual energy that martial masters cultivated was originally just a part of nature, but once it was transformed into spiritual power after cultivation, it showed it had become completely different from the external spiritual energy. having something so different confined inside the martial master''s physical body was not a problem, but if it was used extensively outward, it would inevitably conflict and contend with the external world. if a martial master''s power was too small, once they encountered a bottleneck and faced the world, they would easily be dissipated and fall into confusion. based on this, to safely breakthrough, in addition to grasping the balance of power, countless great powers thought of a compromise, which was to let their own spiritual power fall into a state of nothingness. to create presence in absence, and absence in presence. hence, the realm above the innate realm was called the spirit void realm. discover exclusive tales on empire shen qing ceaselessly formed seals, pressing down on the spiritual power within his body, starting to assault the bottleneck of the spirit void realm. once he reached a certain limit, shen qing could clearly feel a thunderous rumbling sound, like the beating of a drum, continuing to emerge. at a certain moment, shen qing found his spiritual power becoming elusive and ethereal, as if wanting to break free from the physical constraints and merge with the heaven and earth. he had caught that sensation. shen qing''s eyes suddenly opened wide, a bright light burst forth, and he roared lowly, "break for me!" he mobilized all his strength, including the faith force contained within the wish power pearl and the abundant spiritual energy from the jade token, the three combined into a single force, charging towards the bottleneck of the jade void realm. just at that moment, within the cultivation room, winds surged and spiritual energy roared chaotically, as if the void realm itself had emerged with rippling tremors. shen qing''s body was enveloped in a layer of faint crimson-gold light. "boom!" shen qing only felt an enormous sound from within, deafening. the bottleneck of the spirit void realm was finally broken by this tremendous force. all the spiritual energy within his body turned into nothingness, yet this nothingness was closely connected to him. it was mysterious beyond mystery. with a wave of shen qing''s hands, he felt an unprecedented powerful force surging within him, merging seamlessly with the surrounding nature''s spiritual energy. "it''s the spirit void realm! i''ve finally broken through to the spirit void realm!" he couldn''t help but stand up, look up to the heavens, and let out a long howl, his face brimming with ecstatic joy. in all of great zhou, there were very few who could break through to the spirit void realm before the age of twenty, and you could count them on one hand. without a doubt, each one was a cultivation prodigy. now, he, shen qing, was already a bit stronger than most of his peers from the prominent families. "with this in mind, if i enter the jing luan assembly, i will also have some confidence, and perhaps i can contend for a spot in the top hundred." shen qing clenched his fists tightly, filled with self-assurance. the pressing feeling from just a short while ago had been greatly relieved. the timing was just right. shen qing exhaled a breath of stale air lightly, looking spirited. he didn''t give it another thought but continued to bury himself in tough cultivation, seriously preparing for the battle ahead. after his breakthrough in his cultivation realm, shen qing devoted all his energy to mastering skills, particularly the heavenly bow technique that evolved from bow technique. through his relentless effort, he finally filled the entire progress bar. [skill: heavenly bow technique (great perfection)] [progress: 2001/2000 points] [status: breakthrough possible] [note: diligence is life''s reward. through continual and unyielding cultivation, you have finally brought the heavenly bow technique to the brink of a limit break. with this breakthrough, you will master the heavenly bow technique''s limit breaking skill ''sun shooting skill''.] shen qing didn''t hesitate at all and focused his consciousness on the water ink panel to choose the breakthrough. the information on the water ink panel rapidly refreshed. [skill: heavenly bow technique (break limit)] [progress: 1/3000 points] [status: breakthrough not possible] [note: with this breakthrough, you have mastered the heavenly bow technique''s limit breaking skill ''sun shooting skill''. from the depth of your heart, a breath is drawn, which turns to an arrow, as fierce as the sun''s blaze; with one arrow, it shall be shattered!] shen qing, looking at that line of notes, became emotionally stirred. a flood of familiar memories didn''t give him any chance to react, forcefully inserted into his mind, and stirred around a couple of times, causing his whole body to tremble. relying on his ever-strengthening divine sense, shen qing suppressed the unease in his mind completely. soon after, he digested the vast memories. in those memories, he was isolated from the world, immersed in endless cycles of cultivating the heavenly bow technique. sear?h the n?velfire.n§×t website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. day and night, he practiced the heavenly bow technique, shot countless arrows, and finally, a flash of spiritual light sparked in his heart. he had an epiphany and achieved a breakthrough, mastering the heavenly bow technique''s limit breaking skill ''sun shooting skill''. shen qing spread his hands open, and with one glance, a strong sense of familiarity struck him. shen qing casually summoned with his hand. the previous hundred shi heavy bow was drawn into his grasp. he pondered for a moment, then stood up with the bow in both hands, stretched his arms long like those of an ape, and started to operate the heavenly bow technique. a crimson light began to gather on the bowstring, gradually taking the shape of an arrow. as this arrow took form, the atmosphere around it suddenly changed, filled with a deadly aura. shen qing was extremely satisfied, "from within my chest, i condense a breath, turning it into the force of a thousand jun, forging it into an arrow. even if the blazing sun lies ahead, radiating brilliantly, nothing can withstand the power of my single arrow! all can be shattered! hahaha..." he dispersed the cultivation technique and casually tossed the longbow. the hundred shi heavy bow landed perfectly on the wall mount. "this bow is a bit too weak, it seems it can''t withstand my power. thinking about the time, wu sheng should be returning from the capital by now; perhaps there will be news of a treasure bow." shen qing murmured to himself. Chapter 18 Acquiring the Treasure Bow, Troops Head to Dan Zhou shen mansion, in the study.upon learning that he was being forced to attend the jing luan assembly, shen qing had recently cut back on his duties in the administration of the two departments. with the time freed up, he either practiced cultivation or spent time in the study. at this moment, the door to the study was gently pushed open, and a servant brought in news. just as shen qing had estimated, wu sheng, whom he had sent to the capital city to search for the treasure bow, had returned. "let him in." "yes, young master." with a creak, the wooden door opened. wu sheng, his face covered with the dust of travel, carrying a long wooden box on his back, walked in and respectfully made his way to shen qing. "boss, i have returned." shen qing waved towards the entrance. understanding the gesture, the servant at the door closed it for shen qing. shen qing glanced at wu sheng and asked, "well, any results?" wu sheng untied the cloth string around his chest and presented an ancient-looking wooden box that appeared quite heavy. with barely perceptible excitement, he said, "boss, i have fulfilled my duty. in the capital, i found a bow that should meet your requirements." at these words, a glint flashed in shen qing''s eyes. he took the wooden box and lightly caressed the engravings on the lid. the bow he now sought needed to be at least two hundred shi in strength, something impossible for a craftsman to create. although the hundred treasure tower in yongzhou contained some heavy bows, sadly, they were not much different from the heavy bow he already possessed. even if there were larger heavy bows, they were merely mortal bows made from iron embryos, not what he desired. thus, after much contemplation, the only option left was to send wu sheng to search in the capital region. after all, the capital held over a thousand years of great zhou country''s profound heritage; perhaps it could satisfy his needs. shen qing unfastened the lock and lifted the lid of the box. a cold gleam flashed forth. inside the box, an ancient and majestic treasure bow lay quietly, emitting a faint aura of spirit essence, appearing quite extraordinary. "this bow¡­" shen qing could not hide his surprise in his voice. wu sheng stepped forward to explain, "this bow is said to be forged from a treasure embryo left from ancient times, not a mortal bow, and it is quite remarkable." "this treasure embryo, having survived countless ages, was serendipitously found by a master smith who forged it into a bow using supreme divine skills. according to his descendants, this embryo is by no means ordinary; it is a peerless material for making top-tier magic treasures, a rarity in this world. although this treasure bow may not be an ancient artifact, it is close to it and incomparable to any ordinary iron bow." gently caressing the bow, shen qing felt the power within it, an indescribably intense excitement welling up inside him. he took a deep breath and tried to channel his spiritual power into the bow. the bowstring trembled slightly, resonating at the same frequency as his heartbeat, causing a continuous echo in shen qing''s ears. with an effortless pull, shen qing encountered a tremendous resistance. discover exclusive content at empire his expression changed, and he activated his spiritual power, wrapping his hands in it. as the spiritual power surged, shen qing''s arms turned bright, shining like gold as if cast from gold. with a soft shout, shen qing exerted his strength all at once. in his hands, the treasure bow sparked with light, and gradually, shen qing managed to draw it. "four hundred shi!" shen qing gasped, even with his level of cultivation, taken aback by the bow''s strength. it is worth noting that for an ordinary martial artist to pull a hundred shi bow is already remarkable, and yet this treasure bow possessed twice that strength¡ªthe power it could unleash was beyond imagination. shen qing rose to his feet and stepped into the open space in the center of the study, his sharp eyesight focusing on the target''s bullseye. he slowly lifted the treasure bow, the arrow leaping at his fingertips as if it was one with the bow. with a low shout, the arrow left the string with an irresistible momentum, piercing straight through the bullseye and nearly tearing the air apart! "with this treasure bow, my shen family''s archery will surely rise to the next level!" shen qing looked at the arrow deeply embedded in the target''s center, a confident smile curling at the corner of his mouth, his eyes shimmering with boundless anticipation for the future. in the study of shen mansion, since finding out he had to reluctantly participate in the jing luan assembly, shen qing had been reducing his involvement with the governmental affairs of the two departments. the freed-up time was spent either cultivating or in the study. at this moment, the study door was gently pushed open, and a servant conveyed a message. as shen qing had anticipated, wu sheng, whom he had sent to the capital city to look for a treasure bow, had returned. "let him in." "yes, young master." with a creak, the wooden door opened. wu sheng, his face covered with the dust of travel, entered carrying a long wooden box on his back and respectfully approached shen qing: "i''ve seen boss." shen qing waved towards the doorway. the servant at the door, grasping his intention, closed the door for shen qing. shen qing glanced at wu sheng and asked, "how did it go, is there a result?" wu sheng untied the cloth around his chest and presented an ancient wooden box, which appeared weighty. with an understated excitement, he said, "boss, mission accomplished. i have found a treasure bow in the capital that should meet your requirements." upon hearing this, shen qing''s eyes flashed with brilliance. he took the wooden box and lightly caressed the carvings on the lid. the bow he needed now was at least two hundred shi, and having a craftsman forge one was simply impossible. and while there were heavy bows in the hundred treasure tower of yongzhou, unfortunately, they were not much different from the heavy bow he currently possessed. even if there were larger ones, they were merely iron embryonic mortal bows, not what he desired. thus, after much thought, the only option was to send wu sheng to the capital region to search. after all, the capital was bolstered by a thousand years of great zhou country''s heritage; perhaps it could satisfy his needs. shen qing flipped the latch and opened the wooden box. a glimpse of cold light suddenly flashed. inside the wooden box, an ancient and majestic treasure bow lay quietly, radiating a faint spirit essence, appearing somewhat extraordinary. "this bow..." shen qing couldn''t hide his surprise in his voice. wu sheng stepped forward to explain, "this bow is said to be forged from a treasure embryo left over from ancient times and it''s no common bow; it is quite remarkable." "this treasure embryo, after innumerable years, was fortuitously discovered by a master smith and crafted into a bow with supreme divine skills. according to descendants, this embryo is extraordinary, a rare material for making top magic treasure, hard to find in this world. though this treasure bow is not an ancient magic treasure, it comes very close. it''s incomparable to ordinary iron bows." s§×arch* the n?velfire(.)net website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. shen qing gently stroked the bow, feeling the power contained within, and a wave of indescribable excitement surged in his heart. he took a deep breath, trying to infuse his spiritual power into the bow. the bowstring slightly vibrated, resonating silently with his heartbeat in sync, echoing continuously near shen qing''s ears. shen qing pulled casually and found a powerful resistance. his complexion changed, he stimulated spiritual power, wrapping and coiling around his hands. as spiritual power was activated, shen qing''s arms turned as dazzling as gold, as if they were cast from gold itself. shen qing exclaimed, "two hundred shi!" shen qing murmured, his own cultivation notwithstanding, he was still shocked by the bow''s power. it is well known that for ordinary martial artists, being able to draw a hundred shi bow is impressive, but this treasure bow possessed a full two hundred shi of force; one could imagine its formidable power. Chapter 19 Gathering Clouds over Every City, Converging in Dan Zhou the opening of the jing luan assembly did not have a specific date, only a general time frame.the court merely required the summoned officials and martial masters to arrive in dan zhou after the rains and before the start of spring to complete the summoning. s§×ar?h the n?velfire.net website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. spring had just begun, and there was still a period of time until the rains, leaving what seemed like ample time. however, it would still take a considerable amount of time to travel across the country. even though those who were summoned were martial masters with exceptional physical strength and swiftness surpassing that of ordinary people, the military department responsible for leading the way would still issue orders to depart early in order to avoid missing the window. for those in yongzhou, dan zhou was not too far away, so the departure date was actually not that early. cities far from dan zhou had already commenced their journeys a month earlier. prefecture chief dou wenxi and county supervisor yan xushou, upon receiving the orders, did not delay and promptly relayed the summons to all those in yongzhou who were called. many martial masters and officials of lesser renown felt a hint of despair upon hearing the news. their survival on this journey was uncertain. but facing the summons of the great zhou court, they were "listed" and utterly powerless to change their fate. there had been those in the past who resisted, and the outcomes were not good. their entire families were executed. now, they could only resign themselves to their fate. no one could withstand the suppression of the great powers of the great zhou court. when shen qing received the order, he did not hesitate or feel anxious. the next morning, he took out the crystal silk armor that wu sheng had been sent to purchase and wore it underneath his clothing, just in case. this crystal silk armor was not cheap; a single piece was worth thousands of taels. light as it appeared, it was extraordinarily sturdy, and martial masters below the dan realm would struggle to breach its defense. the assembly would have a complex mixture of individuals, and with the crystal silk armor, shen qing could save much effort, freeing him to focus on confronting martial masters of higher cultivation. beyond the crystal silk armor, shen qing also carried many healing elixirs, each costing a significant amount of money. but now was not the time to be frugal. life was of the utmost importance. one only has one life, and when that is gone, no amount of wealth is of any use. after making thorough preparations, shen qing shouldered his treasure bow, hung his dagger at his waist, and donned a grey-green silk robe, looking vibrant and spirited. with the coming of spring, according to the common reckoning in great zhou, shen qing had turned nineteen. since leaving hongshan village, almost five years had passed in the blink of an eye. reflecting upon these five years, time seemed to have flown like an arrow. yet, fortunately, these years had not been wasted, with his stature having changed drastically from the beginning. shen qing knew that all of this stemmed from one word: "struggle." struggle against heaven, struggle against earth, struggle against men, striving to rise above. and now, another struggle loomed ahead. shen qing strode forward. his aunt, uncle, and eldest sister stood outside the door, their eyes brimming with concern. they might lack worldly experience, but they were aware of the happenings outside. uncle shen the second was a man of few words, and at this moment, he persistently puffed on his pipe, smoking non-stop. as for eldest sister shen fang and auntie, both were tearful and distressed. "qingzi¡­" shen qing stepped forward and said, "don''t worry about me. i''ll only be away from home for half a year and will return safely." "alright, we''ll all be waiting for you." shen qing smiled and said, "of course, if i don''t come back, you all should quickly take the savings i''ve prepared for you and leave yongzhou. find a quiet place to live." in this world, it''s a place where might makes right, and connections matter. everything that my aunt and uncle have comes from me. i am their greatest support. if i fall, with their current capabilities, they can''t hold on to everything they have in yongzhou. it would be better to just give up. what i''ve prepared for them should be enough for them to live a carefree life. uncle shen the second, with a worried frown, said, "we understand. just...sigh...be careful in everything you do." experience exclusive tales on empire shen qing laughed heartily, "don''t worry, i won''t die. if aunt and uncle have free time, could you find a good family for my sister? it has been so many years and she''s not yet married, becoming an old maid. hahaha..." saying that, shen qing didn''t look back as he walked towards the gate of the shen mansion. outside the gate, many of the officials and martial masters from the two departments came to see him off. tian xiaohu, xiao zhi, chen guang, ji youwu, and others were all present. shen qing waved his hand and walked straight past them, with his head held high and chest out, without saying much. "i, and the others, will await your triumphant return!" chen guang was the first to raise his fist and say loudly. the rest followed in unison, "we await your triumphant return!" as their voices echoed, shen qing''s figure gradually disappeared into the streets. many officials and martial masters from yongzhou gathered in twos and threes at the entrance of the county government office. the soldiers from the southern domain military department who came to lead the way counted the numbers, and once they confirmed it was correct, without any hesitation, waved their hand and commanded, "move out!" the people of yongzhou set off in a grand procession towards dan zhou in the south. most of them rode horses, but for shen qing, prefecture chief dou wenxi, and county supervisor yan xushou, riding horses wasn''t faster than walking. the three of them rode rainbow light, and traveled with the wind, side by side with the soldiers from the southern domain military department, even slightly ahead or above them, showing a sort of disregard for the rules. the soldiers of the southern domain military department were not annoyed. in past meetings of the jing luan assembly, there were many with higher cultivation levels, far above them. they were no match for them. in their eyes, what they were doing now was just following orders, and there was no need to make trouble without reason or to act as if they owned the place. perhaps these people wouldn''t even live as long as they would, so it wasn''t worth it. as shen qing and the others were on their way to dan zhou, many martial masters and officials summoned by the great zhou had begun moving, heading in unison towards dan zhou. for a moment, great zhou seemed buzzing with activity. every 60 years, the grand scene of tens of thousands of martial masters acting together was slowly unfolding. throughout history, the great zhou expanded vast territories through the jing luan assembly and quelled numerous large and small rebellions. some rose from the bottom to the top, achieving fame and establishing family legacies for generations. however, such people were after all the minority. one general achieves prominence, at the cost of countless lives. most people perished in the continual bouts of slaughter, becoming stepping stones for those who achieved fame, turning into nothing more than a clod of earth. zhou country''s territory is vast, and dan zhou is an important city in the southern part of great zhou. over the years, huang tian sect has emerged from obscurity and become a force in the south, sweeping through the cities. many cities in the southern parts of great zhou had fallen. fortunately, the population of great zhou was concentrated in the north, and most of the south was wildlands. losing some cities in the south was not yet crippling for zhou country. but if this trend were allowed to continue, it would not end well. therefore, the court continued to dispatch large armies to eradicate the traitors and to engage in a prolonged stand-off with huang tian sect. dan zhou was the frontline city contested by both sides. Chapter 20 The Beginning of the Jing Luan Assembly Marks Their Doom danzhou was almost more than two thousand miles away from yongzhou.with the pace of shen qing and his companions, they could arrive in just over ten days by traveling day and night without stopping. as they drew closer to danzhou, they encountered many people along the way, similar to themselves. however, what set them apart was that the number of people from other cities was far fewer than those from yongzhou. at a glance, they had gathered around thirty or forty people, and most of them were jianghu martial artists. in yongzhou alone, there were thirty-six officials dispatched, and together with the martial masters, there were well over a hundred people. among the eight hundred and ten cities of great zhou country, apart from the capital city where the shi families clustered, yongzhou was truly unique in its numbers heading for the future. after seven or eight more days on the road, shen qing and the many martial masters finally arrived near danzhou city. dedicated personnel were counting the numbers of people from each of the southern domain military departments, and once they confirmed the counts were correct, they allowed them to pass, one by one, onto a specially prepared open space to set up camp. when shen qing entered the campsite, he looked around and saw a sea of people, all martial masters. discover more stories at empire he had never seen so many martial masters before and was deeply shaken. it was said that such an army of martial masters, if they united their hearts and combined with military formations, even a great power of the primordial spirit realm wouldn''t be able to win easily. unfortunately, for the great zhou imperial family, stability was above all else. they would rather use up these martial masters internally than organize them properly. they always took the approach of securing the inside before dealing with external troubles. however, shen qing could somewhat understand. what martial masters pursued was the supreme martial arts, the path to longevity. to rally so many martial masters together, ordinary military provisions would not suffice; it was various cultivation resources that were needed. yet, the cultivation resources needed daily by so many martial masters were immense. not to mention, as their cultivation grew, the need for cultivation resources would also gradually increase. such a vast number of martial masters was a bottomless pit that, once stirred, could never be filled. after all, it was because the cultivation resources of this world were so scarce and the spiritual energy so thin that this was the case. sea??h th§× n??elfir§×.net website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "you''re from yongzhou, aren''t you? your rest area is in district d; just walk straight to the end from here." upon entering the camp, a soldier responsible for directing them pointed and spoke to shen qing and the others. while speaking, he reached into a sack and pulled out a dark stone carved with the character "d" and called out, "come, come, come, take a merit stone from me before you go to your area. remember, this is to record your military exploits, keep it safe and don''t lose it." "merit stone?" the crowd was somewhat puzzled. despite their confusion, they stepped forward one by one to receive the stone. "this is yours." shen qing approached the soldier. seeing shen qing''s formidable aura, the soldier realized his cultivation was probably not low. accordingly, the soldier''s attitude was much more respectful than it was with the others. shen qing accepted the merit stone and examined it carefully. the merit stone was black, rather smooth, cool to the touch, with a faint trace of spiritual energy lingering within. at its center was the prominently carved "d" character. the soldier casually explained, "this merit stone can absorb evil qi. the more people you kill, the heavier the evil qi in the stone. the owner''s merit will be that much greater." on the most important general summoning platform, a middle-aged man sat on a grand chair, his gaze overlooking those before him, intimidating everyone. danzhou was almost more than two thousand miles away from yongzhou. with shen qing and his companions'' pace, traveling day and night, it took them just over ten days to arrive. as they drew nearer to danzhou, they encountered many others like themselves on the road. however, unlike them, the people from the other cities were far fewer in number than those from yongzhou. at first glance, they had gathered around thirty or forty people, mostly jianghu martial artists. but yongzhou alone had sent thirty-six officials, and together with the martial masters, there were well over a hundred people. out of the eight hundred and ten cities in the great zhou country, excluding the capital city where families from the shi family were concentrated and heading to the future with numerous people, yongzhou truly stood out. after another seven or eight days of travel, shen qing and the many martial masters finally arrived near danzhou city. designated individuals collaborated with people from the southern domain military department to count and verify numbers before, one by one, allowing entry and moving to a specially prepared open space to set up camp. when shen qing entered the camp, he looked around and saw a throng of people, all martial masters. he had never before seen so many martial masters, and it left him immensely shocked. it was said that if such an army of martial masters were to join forces and combine with military formations, even a great power of the primordial spirit realm would not easily triumph. regrettably, for the great zhou royal family, stability outweighed all else. they preferred to deplete these martial masters internally rather than organize them effectively. they had always followed a strategy where domestic tranquility was prioritized before dealing with external troubles. nonetheless, shen qing could roughly understand why. martial masters pursued the supreme martial arts, the path to longevity. to gather so many martial masters together required more than ordinary provisions; they needed various cultivation resources. yet the amount of such resources required daily by so many martial masters was massive. not to mention, as their cultivation grew day by day, the need for cultivation resources also increased. so many martial masters were like a bottomless pit; once set in motion, they were impossible to fill. ultimately, the scarcity of cultivation resources and the thinness of spiritual energy on this land were to blame. "you''re from yongzhou, right? your rest area is in district d, just follow this path all the way to the end," a soldier at the camp directed shen qing and the others upon their arrival. while speaking, the soldier fished out a black stone marked with the character for "d" from a burlap sack and beckoned, "come, come, take a merit stone from here before you go. remember, this item records your military merits. keep it safe and don''t lose it." "merit stone?" everyone was a bit puzzled. in their confusion, they stepped forward one by one and received the stone. "this is yours." shen qing approached the soldier. realizing shen qing''s robust aura and deducing his high cultivation, the soldier treated him with far more respect than he had others. shen qing accepted the merit stone and examined it closely. the merit stone was black and somewhat rounded, cool to the touch, with a slight residue of spiritual energy within it. at the center sat an impressively large "d" character. on the most important general summoning platform, upon a large chair, sat a middle-aged man whose gaze looked down before him, intimidating everyone present. on the most important general summoning platform, upon a large chair, sat a middle-aged man whose gaze looked down before him, intimidating everyone present. on the most important general summoning platform, upon a large chair, sat a middle-aged man whose gaze looked down before him, intimidating everyone present. on the most important general summoning platform, upon a large chair, sat a middle-aged man whose gaze looked down before him, intimidating everyone present. Chapter 21 Proactively Surrendering county supervisor yan xushou''s words sent a shock through many, making their expressions turn more serious.the martial masters from yongzhou on the outskirts, upon hearing yan xushou''s opinions, subconsciously wanted to draw closer. they feared being isolated and inevitably falling into danger, so everyone instinctively sought to band together. seeing this, prefecture chief dou wenxi and county supervisor yan xushou revealed a knowing smile. this was the outcome they desired. at the moment, everyone was in unfamiliar territory. although their cultivation was at the innate realm, standing out among the many martial masters from yongzhou like a crane amongst chickens, in the grand scheme of the jingluan assembly, there were always higher heavens and higher mountains; many possessed cultivation far exceeding theirs. furthermore, cultivation did not equate to everything. some individuals were formidable fighters, skilled in killing and knowing many techniques to take life. with their ability to turn one part cultivation into two parts strength, slaughtering martial masters advanced than themselves was not impossible. if many joined them, their chances of survival in this jingluan assembly would undoubtedly increase. shen qing stood to one side, quietly observing all this without voicing an opinion and making an effort to reduce his presence. in recent days, he had made quite a name for himself in yongzhou. if he wished, these people from yongzhou would surely look to him for leadership. before he had a clear understanding of the situation here, he did not wish to rashly stand out; otherwise, he might become a target of collective hostility and be targeted by other small groups. though there is strength in numbers, it still depends on the timing. it was not too late to form a group once the situation here became clearer. while shen qing was weighing the pros and cons internally, someone next to him suggested, "my lords, i see many others from different cities who are still alone. why don''t we communicate with them and persuade them to join our ranks? by increasing our allies, won''t we be safer?" "you make a good point," prefecture chief dou wenxi, with eyes lighting up, said, "now is the perfect time to invite these like-minded individuals since the jingluan assembly has not yet fully commenced." "then let''s not delay. we have nothing else to do now, so let''s start moving. let''s recruit as many as we can," an official quickly stood up and said. "okay." after determining their course of action, the people of yongzhou immediately got to work and began to actively recruit others. many martial masters in the vicinity, while feeling at a loss, saw the forming group and did not hesitate to join upon invitation. the stir from yongzhou set off a chain reaction; other cities also had the same idea, each forming their own group or organization. the camp suddenly became bustling with activity. seeing the number of joiners increasing, prefecture chief dou wenxi and county supervisor yan xushou started setting two rules. first, do no harm to one another. before the final stages of the jingluan assembly, they must not slay each other over merit stones; second, obey unified commands and move in sync. the martial masters who joined must follow the directives of dou wenxi and yan xushou without acting on their own. many were at a loss in this newly formed team. they found these two rules reasonable and agreed upon them. "chief officer shen, do you have any suggestions for our small group?" prefecture chief dou wenxi, pleased with the growth of the group and feeling a sense of security, thought the jingluan assembly was not so frightening anymore. looking at shen qing again, he no longer had the same reservations as before. however, considering shen qing''s formidable past achievements, he did not disregard his presence and took the initiative to ask for his opinions. shen qing preferred to keep a low profile and did not wish to stand out too much, so he gave a perfunctory response, "i''m just a rash man who knows only about fighting and killing. it''s better for you, my lords, to decide on such matters." hearing this, prefecture chief dou wenxi''s impression of shen qing improved further. he said with satisfaction, "if chief officer shen has any thoughts, please feel free to share them with us." "of course." once prefecture chief dou wenxi was sure that shen qing had no intention of intervening, he turned and began discussing the next moves within the jingluan assembly with county supervisor yan xushou. just then, a few people in the crowd witnessed the exchange between dou wenxi and shen qing. "who is that man?" the speaker was a woman dressed in black practice clothes with a long sword at her waist, standing tall like a young leopardess, full of agility. upon closer inspection, it was clear that her beautiful face carried an air of practicability and decisiveness. the young man she addressed replied, "boss, just a moment; i''ll ask the people from yongzhou." "alright, make it thorough." moments later, the young man returned and said, "boss, i''ve found out. that man is the chief officer of both the yongzhou guard martial arts bureau and the military department, a ruthlessly efficient man. it''s said he single-handedly slaughtered the demons from the west to the east of the city, without blinking an eye." "without blinking, wouldn''t his eyes get dry?" "uh..." the young man was somewhat perplexed. "never mind, don''t fuss over such trivial matters; let''s go over and greet him. i see those two lords from yongzhou treat this chief officer quite differently." "what''s different?" the woman thought for a while and said, "i see a hint of apprehension in their eyes." "apprehension?" "yes, apprehension." the woman''s eyebrows slightly knit as she said, "he must be very strong. it can''t be bad to make friends with him." experience new stories with empire "boss, whatever you say goes. we''ll listen to you." the woman, leading two subordinates, made her way through the crowd to shen qing, clasped her hands and introduced herself, "i am shao hongling from the chai gang of lu''an prefecture. may i know how to address the lord?" the chai gang of lu''an prefecture? shen qing was somewhat taken aback by this woman who took the initiative to approach him. unsure of her intentions, he casually replied, "from yongzhou, shen qing." "so it''s lord shen in person," shao hongling said. "my apologies for the oversight." shen qing had a good memory. hearing the name lu''an prefecture, he felt it was familiar; he recalled that li linfeng''s hometown was there. his aunt and li linfeng had gone to lu''an prefecture to take refuge years ago. time had flown; it had already been three years, and he wondered how they were faring. he asked shao hongling, "are you from lu''an prefecture?" "indeed. does the lord also know of lu''an prefecture?" sear?h the novel?ire(.)ne*t website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. shao hongling was somewhat surprised. lu''an prefecture was a small city, rather inconspicuous among the eight hundred and ten cities of the great zhou. shen qing continued, neither confirming nor denying, "have you ever heard of a martial master named li linfeng there?" shao hongling shook her head, "perhaps i am not well-informed, but i have not heard of such a person in lu''an prefecture." li linfeng must have changed his and his aunt''s surnames to stay hidden. this reply was within shen qing''s expectations. shao hongling cautiously probed, parting her red lips, "lord shen, life and death are unpredictable in the upcoming jingluan assembly. may i know if my few companions and i could follow your lead?" Chapter 22 Noble Son "with me, you''re either in or out?""yes." shen qing''s eyes flickered with an unusual light upon hearing this, "haven''t you already joined the team? why are you still seeking me out?" sea??h th§× n??el fire.n§×t website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. shao hongling smiled, revealing two adorable dimples as she spoke, "lu''an prefecture is a small place lacking capable people. even if we join this team, no one is likely to take us seriously. we, who come from jianghu, don''t understand many rules, but we know that to protect ourselves, we must find a powerful backer." her statement was straightforward, without any hint of concealment. "so you''ve turned to me as your backer?" "yes, of course. if you are unwilling, we will leave immediately and not bother you further." shen qing pondered for a moment, then asked, "what are your cultivation levels?" seeing that shen qing did not have the intention of distancing herself, shao hongling felt delighted and joyfully said, "i am in the qi cultivation realm. the two behind me are a da and xiao man, who are still in the strengthening realm. i believe they too can be of help to you." their cultivation levels here were quite lowly regarded. shen qing curiously inquired, "you are also quite beautiful. how did a woman like you end up in the jing luan assembly?" female martial artists were not absent in the jing luan assembly, but given it involved warfare, men predominantly filled its ranks, making someone like shao hongling a rare sight. shen qing scrutinized shao hongling''s graceful figure and voluptuous curves; her bosom was particularly hefty, no less than that of a lactating woman. as for her beauty, it was stunning¡ªher brows as if painted, high nose bridge, and naturally red lips. perhaps due to her practicing martial arts, her skin was not overly pale but still fairer than most. her entire body exuded a sense of strength. if comparisons had to be made, she somewhat resembled the fitness women he had seen in his past life. curvaceous. "this affair can only be blamed on myself," shao hongling commented with a hint of helplessness and a wry smile. through her words, shen qing gradually learned that it was exactly because of her beauty that she found herself in the jing luan assembly. the shao family in lu''an prefecture was part of the chai gang, a family of dozens of people¡ªthough not exceedingly wealthy, they managed a peaceful life with some fame locally. had shao hongling been of average looks, perhaps no one would have bothered her. but her striking beauty was her downfall. the local county magistrate coveted her beauty, repeatedly asking for her hand to make her a concubine. but shao hongling, pampered from childhood and stubborn by nature, refused to marry someone old enough to be her father. therefore, she did not sway under the county magistrate''s threats and temptations and chose to remain defiant to death. over time, the annoyed county magistrate made life difficult for the shao family. just then, a vacancy for a martial master opened in lu''an prefecture, and so the county magistrate recommended her to jing luan assembly, leading to her current predicament. "aren''t you afraid i''ll have the same intentions as that county magistrate if you seek me out actively?" shen qing swept his gaze over shao hongling. shao hongling said frankly, "actually, on my way to danzhou, many showed their interest, mostly drawn by my looks, wishing to bed me, but i rejected them. if you wish for the same, i''m afraid i have no strength to resist; i might have to comply. after all, you are a handsome man, a talented individual, i wouldn''t consider it a loss even if it''s before my death." "¡­" the people from the old shen family, not to mention other qualities, certainly did not lack in looks. moreover, now he had cultivated a certain dignity over the years that made him even more outstanding. after shao hongling put it that way, it made it seem as if shen qing was at a disadvantage, leaving him momentarily lost for words. "look up! the sky!" suddenly, an outburst of amazement came from the crowd. shen qing and the others looked up to the heavens. there, myriad dazzling rainbow lights streaked across the sky like divine signs under the firmament. continue reading on empire each ray of rainbow light enveloped a person. this was the rainbow light maneuvered by innate martial masters! every one of them was an innate martial master. what was more shocking was that these powerhouses were not alone; they were collectively escorting an extravagant sedan chair. the sedan chair, ornately carved with intricate patterns and glowing radiantly, was supported by the rainbow light of these innate martial masters as they moved forward together. a flag fluttered behind the sedan chair, embroidered with the vigorous character ''bai''. "they''re from the capital family!" people who knew better instantly recognized the identity of the group. the one sitting inside the sedan was the bai family heir, and those above the rainbow light were his guards, innate realm experts. the main characters of the jingluan assembly, the noble sons, had arrived. the people on the ground, looking at the trails of rainbow light, revealed expressions of envy on their faces. every time the jingluan assembly took place, it was a moment for these individuals to shine. just as everyone was astonished by the display of the bai family heir, another series of whooshing sounds came from the sky. one after another, even grander presences arrived, with beautifully decorated sedans driving up one after the other. each sedan bore a flag, respectively marked with the surnames of major families such as the su family, wang family, zhao family, and xue family. the sky became a stage for these great families to demonstrate their strength, with beams of rainbow light crisscrossing, competing covertly. among the well-known families, it wasn''t just the princely heirs arriving; other talented young lords and ladies also came in groups. for instance, the wang family came in five sedans. that is to say, including the wang family heir, five young masters arrived, representing the pinnacle of their family. the cui family and xie family also arrived in large numbers. each of these young masters had four or five guards assisting them by their side. at first glance, all possessed cultivation not less than that of the innate realm. there were even a few families accompanied by experts from the spirit void realm. the procession was formidable. they descended into the camp. where they landed, without needing guards to clear the way, the martial artists on the ground naturally kept their distance, leaving a large open space. the young lords emerged from the sedans one by one. dressed in splendid brocades, these noble family offspring had an extraordinary presence, followed by their respective guards. this sight made everyone present hold their breath in awe, with a surge of indescribable fear on their faces, not daring to provoke them. as many noble sons entered the camp, the guards, dressed in splendid armor, hastily moved about like hawks, busy registering their lords and ladies, collecting merit stones, and handling other formalities. among the group from the xue family, xue bai wore an elegant long robe, with ancient jade hanging from his waist, his eyes looking disdainful. "well, if it isn''t xue bai, the scholarly young man from the xue family? why are you personally here this time to grab territory for your family?" xue bai looked up to see wang yichen, the fifth young master of the wang family, approaching slowly with a somewhat cynical smile. wang yichen, dressed in brocade and wearing a jade crown, every move he made displayed the extravagance of a noble son, his words carried a hint of mockery. xue bai was slightly displeased, "i come if i want to come, what''s it to you!" wang yichen was momentarily stunned, obviously not expecting xue bai to respond so bluntly, and he snorted and walked away. "relying on the wang family''s numbers to act so arrogantly, you''ll suffer later on." "big young master, i heard that after this jingluan assembly, wang family is aiming to take over forty percent of the positions in various states and counties, we can''t let our guard down." every jingluan assembly, many officials die, leaving many vacancies. this represents a rare opportunity for the major families to reshuffle, and they approach it with strong purpose. "i know," xue bai said seriously, "tell me, have the people from yongzhou arrived yet?" "yes young master, they have arrived, right over there," a guard pointed. xue bai looked in the direction indicated by the guard, seeing many martial artists gathered together, numbering no less than four to five hundred, "why are there more people than we expected?" "big young master, the people from yongzhou have formed a group, uniting with the nearby martial artists." xue bai''s expression darkened. his younger brother had died in yongzhou. this time, the martial artists from yongzhou were the prime target of the xue family''s attention. he said coldly, "the more they gather, the more trouble we''ll have dealing with them later. we must divide them, can''t let them be united." with that, he strode towards the direction of the people from yongzhou. Chapter 23 Estrangement, Individual Choices in the camp, the scions of various noble families shone like stars.their arrival was like a massive stone dropping into a lake, creating waves and ripples. an involuntary layer of frost seemed to encase the hearts of the people from yongzhou, their faces displaying a mix of tension and complexity. everyone present knew that in the upcoming jing luan assembly, these nobles would be the protagonists, with them merely serving as backdrops. once the assembly began, these noblemen would probably not hesitate to strike at them. if they wanted to live, they would have to step over the corpses of these noblemen. but how could that be possible? surrounding the noblemen were none but the strong. your journey continues on empire most of them were jianghu martial artists who traveled around, aiming to ascend swiftly in their paths, while others were protectors from their respective family households. the aura each person exuded was like a moving mountain, daunting and imposing. the atmosphere in the camp suddenly became a lot more oppressive. "miss, what should we do?" a young man named a da, standing behind shao hongling, asked seriously. shao hongling glanced at shen qing, hinting deeply, "with lord shen''s help, we should certainly be fine." shen qing noticed shao hongling''s cautious probe of his stance. seeing shao hongling''s frankness, he responded, "after the assembly begins, stay close to me." in shen qing''s eyes, although the cultivation of the guards around these noblemen was somewhat high, most were still at the innate realm, slightly lower than his. with a few spirit void realm experts, he was confident in his ability to protect himself. bringing one or two people along wouldn''t be an issue for him. upon hearing shen qing''s stance, shao hongling felt a weight lifted off her chest and excitedly said, "thank you, lord. we are willing to serve before and after you, and we swear to follow you to the death." the young ones behind her, a da, and xiao man, couldn''t help but show a bit of joy. at this moment, with numerous people in the camp gathering together, shao hongling''s actions were also seen by several martial masters who had recently joined yongzhou. they regretted not thinking of this layer, having fallen a step behind. seeing the arrival of the noblemen, they feared for their safety and each sought ways to seek protection from the strong. many martial masters casually learned about shen qing''s past and made their way to him. "i, zhang san, have heard of the great lord''s name, resounding like thunder; today, i specifically came to serve under you. i am willing to follow you through the jing luan assembly, facing any dangers with you!" "and us as well, willing to serve before and after you!" shen qing looked at the martial masters in front of him, his eyebrows slightly furrowed. he had not anticipated this outcome. shen qing remained silent, neither affirming nor denying, making no commitments. those martial masters who were more thick-skinned assumed shen qing had agreed and directly moved to stand behind him, and others followed suit. in just a short time, five or six more people gathered around him. after a while, a slight commotion arose among the people of yongzhou, and someone shouted, "look quick, it''s the young master of the xue family coming our way." as these words were uttered, prefecture chief dou wenxi, county supervisor yan xushou, and others from yongzhou looked up and saw xue bai, flanked by two guards, slowly approaching. their expressions changed. some of the faint-hearted even showed fear, their hearts pounding like drums, their faces turning exceedingly pale. xue bai walked up to the yongzhou group and stopped. he looked at the few hundred people, continuously augmented by other martial masters converging there, feeling displeased. these were all martial masters with significant cultivation. if they worked together, it would take quite some effort to deal with them, which would impact the xue family''s gains in the jing luan assembly. xue bai focused, his gaze falling on the people of yongzhou. his eagle eyes identified shen qing standing not too far away. coming to participate in the jing luan assembly, he was not arrogantly dismissive of everyone else. instead, he had made thorough preparations. this influential man from yongzhou was not someone to overlook. indeed, in his view, shen qing, the two department chief of the guardian martial department, was the biggest threat among the yongzhou folk. considering his meteoric rise, his progression was alarmingly fast. coming to the jing luan assembly, unsure of what capabilities he had, keeping him in yongzhou was definitely not a good thing. suddenly, xue bai''s eyes lit up with an excellent idea. he grinned slightly, continually moving forward. wherever he passed, people automatically stepped aside, making way for him. xue bai walked up to shen qing, stopping before him, and spoke condescendingly. "so you are the two department chief of the guardian martial department, shen qing?" shen qing responded calmly, "indeed." s~ea??h the n?vel_fire.¦Çet website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "i''ve long heard of your great name," xue bai smirked coldly, "i''ve even heard of your deeds in yongzhou while i was in the capital city. unless i''m wrong, could it be that my younger brother died by your hand?" shen qing felt a thump in his heart. had the other party found out? no, that''s impossible. he had acted after breaking through with the da xu technique, using the "traceless" skill, and the entire process was very subtle, leaving no trace. even in yongzhou, they found nothing. it was even less likely from thousands of miles away in the capital city. this young master from the xue family was bluffing! shen qing quickly made his assessment, outright denying, "your brother''s matter has absolutely nothing to do with me! young master, without evidence, you shouldn''t slander." "me, slander?" xue bai laughed, "do you think i would confront you without being absolutely sure?" shen qing scoffed, "i say there''s none, so there''s none. lord, if you''re only going to use your words, then whatever you say must be true, right?" Chapter 23 Division, Individual Choices_2 "quite the sharp-tongued one."shen qing didn''t know xue bai''s purpose, but at this moment, he became even more certain that xue bai didn''t have full assurance in his hands. the jing luan assembly had not yet begun, and with great powers of the kongyou realm present at the camp, no one dared to act rashly. if xue bai truly wanted to confirm that he was the one who had killed xue yan, he would probably bring up the matter after the jing luan assembly began. at that time, they would have the opportunity to take his life. sear?h the ¦Çov§×lfire .net website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. in fact, as shen qing had suspected, xue bai had no idea who actually killed xue yan. nor did xue bai want to know. in his view, everyone from yongzhou deserved to die; it no longer mattered who the killer was. he brought it up now for other purposes. xue bai stood upright, puffed out his chest, turned his head to look at prefecture governor dou wenxi and county supervisor yan xushou, and others, and took a deep breath before saying, "i''m sure you all know why you are here today. what if i were to offer you a way out today?" dou wenxi and yan xushou, among others, perked up and said, "we do not know what way out mr. xue is referring to?" "i have now ascertained the real murderer who killed my third brother, and it is none other than shen qing. if today you are willing to distance yourselves from him, once the jing luan assembly begins, i will only kill shen qing. as for you, i will turn a blind eye and spare your lives." after finishing his words, xue bai''s gaze slowly swept across everyone''s faces, seeing each of them with vibrant expressions, he couldn''t help feeling somewhat triumphant. "remember, the jing luan assembly is about to begin, and you don''t have much time left. consider carefully whether your lives are more important, or so-called loyalty. after the assembly begins, give me your answers." with that, xue bai turned on his heel and strode away. prefecture governor dou wenxi and county supervisor yan xushou exchanged a subtle look, along with others, their minds wavered fractionally. in their eyes, their relationship with shen qing had not yet developed to the point of life and death. even if they faced danger in the future, shen qing might not necessarily go out of his way to help them. standing aside, shen qing witnessed it all and instantly the words "drive a wedge" surfaced in his mind. so this was xue bai''s purpose. stay updated through empire he noticed that after seeing so many people gathered from yongzhou, he deliberately acted to sow discord. on the one hand, he made the yongzhou people start to contemplate, and on the other hand, he let those jianghu martial artists and officials who had just joined yongzhou understand the feuds between them and the xue family, prompting a reassessment of the pros and cons. a few sentences, deftly stirring the situation, saved him a lot of trouble. the new supporters like zhang san who had just joined shen qing''s side looked at each other in dismay. they did not expect shen qing to have such a past with the renowned xue family, and they inwardly groaned. this was no strong support; it was clearly a calamity. an especially big calamity they had inadvertently sought out for themselves. the martial master zhang san suddenly remembered, that when they had pledged their support, shen qing had not accepted; it seemed he had grasped something crucial and hurriedly said, "my cultivation is minor, and just now when i offered my support, lord shen remained silent, probably because he looks down on a minor character like myself. since that is the case, i won''t impose any longer. farewell!" zhang san clasped his hands together, bowed, and then departed from shen qing''s side with a face full of disappointment. following his lead, the other martial artists also seemed to have caught onto something significant and quickly followed suit, leaving one after another. in the blink of an eye, the area behind shen qing was once again empty. and from beginning to end, shen qing did nothing to stop them, letting these people leave. ``` a da and xiao man exchanged glances. xiao man stepped forward, unable to resist tugging at shao hongling''s sleeve, lowering his voice to say, "miss..." his intention was clear, he wanted shao hongling to leave with them, and not to invite trouble upon herself. shao hongling remained unaffected and said, "share in blessings, but shirk in adversity; where in the world can such a good deal be found? do you think these people can hide for a moment, but for a lifetime? it''s merely a matter of time." "since that is the case, if we''re all going to die, why bother with trouble? i, shao hongling, have always been straightforward, never treating my sworn promise of allegiance as child''s play. if you wish to leave, then go." "because of me, i already feel guilty, and have no right to ask anything more of you. if you can live a little longer, that would be good." a da and xiao man hurriedly said, "miss has granted us the favor of saving our lives, how can we cling to life so shamefully? wherever miss is, that is where we shall be." shen qing overheard the dialogue between shao hongling and her servants, and couldn''t help but look at shao hongling with newfound respect. he had thought shao hongling was like everyone else, but he hadn''t expected her to have such a temperament. but, of course. if she weren''t this resolute, she wouldn''t have ended up in such a predicament. compared to shao hongling''s determination, dou wenxi, yan xushou, and others nearby were clearly wavering. their expressions changed unpredictably, secretly calculating the pros and cons. dou wenxi cleared his throat and, with a somewhat calculating tone, said, "shen qing hates evil as if it were his personal enemy, and is not to be underestimated. if handed over lightly, one may draw fire upon oneself. moreover, our small group is newly established. if we rashly distance ourselves from him, i fear it may seem too unrighteous of us." "then, in lord dou''s opinion, what should we do?" yan xushou stepped forward and asked in a low voice. dou wenxi said, "before the jing luan assembly commences, we should first stabilize shen qing and the martial masters from the other cities, maneuvering among them. once the jing luan assembly begins, we shall take the role of the good cop first, then secretly find someone to play the bad cop. under such circumstances, we have no choice but to follow the will of the people and distance ourselves from chief officer shen. these actions will stabilize the martial masters and also ensure we do not become enemies with the xue family." "brilliant. just as you say, we must not rush into things. it is a good plan." "let''s go, we''ll find shen qing to mollify him." yan xushou nodded, and with the agreed-upon course of action, he and dou wenxi walked up to shen qing. "lord shen." shen qing lifted his eyelids and said, "have you gentlemen come to sever ties with me?" "how could that be?" dou wenxi hurriedly clasped his hands and said, "although we do not possess great courage, we are certainly not such fickle and untrustworthy people." yan xushou immediately followed, saying, "the words of xue bai are merely his attempt to destroy the trust among us. how could we, who stand with lord shen, falter so easily due to external rumors? we will surely face the adversity together with lord shen, weathering the storm." shen qing''s gaze lingered back and forth on their faces. both had held an indifferent demeanor during the demon threat in yongzhou, and he didn''t believe they would suddenly change their nature after joining the jing luan assembly. "you... truly won''t sever ties with me, as mr. xue claimed?" shen qing said with a sardonic smile, "after all, as he said, the xue family is willing to give you a way out." "whether the words of the xue family are true or false, who can know?" dou wenxi stepped forward, gently placing his hands on shen qing''s shoulders, "we will not be fooled by them, rest assured." shen qing glanced at the hand dou wenxi had placed on his shoulder and, playing along, said with a smile, "the high righteousness of you gentlemen is commendable. the dangers of this jing luan assembly are unprecedented, and no matter what happens, i, shen qing, will certainly do my utmost." "good," said dou wenxi, "lord shen, you must be busy; i will go and appease our fellow comrades." "as you wish, my lord." watching dou wenxi and yan xushou leave, the smile on shen qing''s face gradually faded. he didn''t believe a word they had said. ``` Chapter 24 The Jing Luan Assembly Begins, The Young Master of the Xue Family Is Dead! rustling loudly!at the far end of the camp, a large gate was violently pushed open, revealing the road behind it wide enough for two carriages to pass side by side. on both sides of the road, high cliffs stretched into the distance. two soldiers clad in iron armor stood steadily beside the gate, lifting a grand incense burner. with a dull thud, the incense burner was set down, stirring up clouds of dust. atop the burner, a huge stick of incense as tall as a man stood quietly in the center. the people in the camp, witnessing this scene, wore faces full of confusion and incomprehension, looking at one another. just then, a great power lightly pointed while hovering in mid-air. a surge of extremely hot qi burst forth like a shooting star across the night sky, igniting the huge stick of incense with pinpoint accuracy. flames leapt up, slowly consuming every inch of the incense, a strong fragrance began to permeate throughout the camp. suddenly, a powerful voice echoed through the sky like thunder, "jing luan assembly, officially commences!" "depart from the camp immediately. by the time a stick of incense burns out, anyone still remaining will be killed without question!" at these words, the silence and tension within the camp instantly shattered. a wave of exclamations and panic broke out among the crowd; they were astonished to find the burning speed of the giant incense to be alarmingly fast. no one knew how long this stick of incense would last. thus, the camp turned into a boiling sea, with figures bustling about. like a flock of thousands of birds taking flight, each person displayed their utmost physical agility, soaring into the air, rushing into the canyon road in a frantic attempt to gain an advantage in this trial. "do not panic, everyone, and come with us. no one knows what will happen at the other end of the road. it''s safer to stay together," prefecture chief dou wenxi shouted loudly. the spirits of the people from yongzhou were instantly lifted as they gathered together and pushed forward. some people were unwilling to settle, wanting to take to the air and use the terrain to their advantage to cross the canyon quickly. however, as soon as they ascended, they were hit by streaks of qi, continuously spitting blood, falling into the crowd with their lives in uncertainty. "damn wenches, who allowed you to walk ahead of us?" the wang family guards, carrying a palanquin, stepped through the air, unhappy to see people ahead of them blocking their path, showing their contempt to those who had no sense of etiquette, disdainful of all. with just this one incident, everyone who had burst out of the camp felt a chill, daring not to rush forward recklessly, instead forming tight groups. "follow me closely, let''s go." shen qing''s voice was light, seemingly unafraid, with a touch of calmness and confidence. he did not hesitate too much, following closely behind the people of yongzhou, transforming into a streak of light, joining the surging flow of humanity. the three people behind him, shao hongling among them, followed without hesitation. having just taken a few steps, they unexpectedly found three strands of golden light winding around them like silk, relaxing their forms and increasing their speed several times over. this was shen qing using his cultivation to help them escape. their faces lit up with joy. as time passed, the giant stick of incense placed at the entrance of the camp finally burned out. by then, the camp was empty, leaving behind only spaciousness and silence. the great power floating in mid-air glanced down, checking the timing, he suddenly threw a punch, his fist wind like a dragon, smashing through the void with cracks like shattered mirrors, the booming sound deafening, the heavens and earth changing color. immediately after, the mountains on both sides of the canyon seemed unable to withstand the impact of this force and collapsed thunderously. experience tales at empire massive rocks tumbled down, dust billowed, blotting out the sky. hum! the moment the mountains collapsed, a dazzling golden barrier rose from the tops of the mountain range, reaching into the sky, completely sealing off the retreat path for everyone. sea??h th§× n??efire.¦Çet website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. looking back, they realized there was no turning back, a sense of urgency and crisis the likes of which they''d never felt before arose within them. everyone realized that the real battle was about to begin. shen qing, following the group from yongzhou, rushed out of the deep canyon, and the surrounding scenery suddenly opened up. his heart gave a sudden alert, and he involuntarily slowed his pace. at the end of the passageway was a hilly area, small plains and hills of varying height connected together, undulating into the far distance. and in the open space ahead, an imposing array of martial masters blocked their path. these people were none other than xue bai and his guards. the slanting sun reflected off the weapons sheathed at their waists, casting a chilling gleam, letting the people of yongzhou know that xue bai had no intention of letting them off easily. and shen qing was also well aware. although this jing luan assembly was said to only involve a single city, no one knew how large the area involved would turn out to be. once the crowd penetrated deeper, the likelihood of dispersing due to unexpected events increased, making it difficult to keep the people of yongzhou together. xue bai clearly understood this point, hence he chose this moment to cause trouble while the numbers were still complete. on the faces of the bystanders around, a schadenfreude smirk emerged, both openly and secretly. someone else blocking a shi family''s power was good news for them, as it could relieve a lot of pressure and give them a chance to steer clear of danger and disputes. xue bai, the young master of the xue family, stepped out from his palanquin, looked at the people of yongzhou, and smiled radiantly. Chapter 24 The Jing Luan Assembly Begins, The Young Master of the Xue Family Is Dead!_2 he stared at prefecture chief dou wenxi and county supervisor yan xushou, asking without doubt, "lord dou, lord yan, what do you think of my proposal? i''m truly pressed for time now."at the moment, without a prefectural governor in yongzhou, the two of them held the highest ranks. in xue bai''s view, these two should be the ones calling the shots, with everyone else following their lead. dou wenxi stood tall and straight, with a righteous aura between his brows as he said, "mr. xue, stop harboring any foolish fantasies about this matter. if you want to kill or mutilate, just go ahead and do it." yan xushou was also filled with righteous indignation, echoing, "indeed, we would rather die than commit such acts of treachery and betrayal." "eh?" looking at the outraged expressions of the two men, xue bai was taken aback. the turn of events was somewhat unexpected. he hadn''t anticipated that prefecture chief dou wenxi and county supervisor yan xushou would show such integrity, which was far beyond his expectations. in that case, he would need to waste some effort dealing with these ignorant fools. at that moment, a commotion stirred among the crowd, and a man dressed in grey stepped forward. he mustered his courage and exclaimed loudly, "my lords, this cannot be. please forgive my bluntness, but if you must save shen qing, what place does that leave for the other brothers in the city? they came to you for safety, and if you cannot assure this, then why should they endure hardships with us?" prefecture chief dou wenxi and county supervisor yan xushou wore looks of "difficulty," asking, "is this what you all think?" "exactly. we hope that you will not stray from the right path and put us in danger for the sake of one person." "both lords, we should follow lord xue''s advice quickly and distance ourselves from shen qing. as long as old xue is willing to show leniency and spare us, it gives everyone a better chance to survive." one martial master after another stood up to "advise," making it even more difficult for dou wenxi and yan xushou. dou wenxi paused before finally making a tough decision, "the will of the people is hard to defy, hard to defy indeed. the current situation is beyond our control, and for the safety of the many, we have no choice but to compromise. lord shen, we are truly sorry." he looked up, his gaze landing on xue bai, and said with a heavy, pained voice, "alas, things have come to this. though it is against our wishes, we have no choice but to consider the bigger picture. lord xue, the two of us are willing to cut ties with shen qing, hoping you will keep your promise and spare us a lifeline." it was only at this moment that xue bai finally understood the game dou wenxi and yan xushou were playing. true veterans of the political arena, in their back and forth, they had managed to shake themselves free of blame. at the same time, they had greatly undermined the effectiveness of the discord he had planned to sow. in his original plan, if the people of yongzhou, including dou wenxi and yan xushou, were convinced to abandon shen qing, he needed only to give a few hints, and both the people of yongzhou and other martial masters who had recently joined them would surely become disloyal. if experts like shen qing could be cast aside by dou wenxi and yan xushou, others would doubt their own loyalty if they were honest with themselves. this alone would be enough to turn these people into a disjointed mess. however, he hadn''t expected that dou wenxi, yan xushou, and the others from yongzhou, with their coordinated responses, would dissolve his strategy so easily. having to abandon shen qing for the safety of others was a different matter altogether out of necessity. but it was better than nothing. xue bai''s lips curled into a satisfied smile. he nodded slowly and said, "as the young lord, i will indeed keep my word. as long as you do not side with shen qing, i will ensure your safety." "that is good." dou wenxi and yan xushou turned to shen qing, "lord shen, we are truly sorry. we did not want it to be this way, but we must sacrifice you to save everyone." shen qing, who was among the crowd, was amused by the poor acting of dou wenxi and yan xushou. he could see right through their little ruse. very well. now, without these burdens, he too could let loose and cause a great uproar. shen qing laughed and said, "those who do not share the same path cannot make plans together. my lord, i naturally have no objections to your choice, as long as you are happy." saying this, shen qing silently removed the treasure bow from his back. someone had blocked the power of a shi family for them, which was great news; it could relieve a lot of pressure and allow them to stay away from danger and disputes. the eldest son of the xue family, xue bai, stepped out from his sedan chair and looked towards the people of yongzhou with a smile spreading across his face. he stared intently at prefecture chief dou wenxi and county supervisor yan xushou, asking beyond doubt, "lord dou, lord yan, what are your thoughts on my proposal? my time is very pressing." without a prefectural governor, these two were the highest-ranking officials in yongzhou. in xue bai''s eyes, these two should be the ones calling the shots, with the others following their lead. dou wenxi stood tall and upright, his face exuding righteousness as he said, "mr. xue, you should abandon such wishful thinking. if you want to kill or maim, just come at me boldly." yan xushou also spoke indignantly, "exactly, we would rather die than commit such acts of betrayal and abandonment." "eh?" xue bai''s face showed surprise at their angry demeanor. the turn of events was different from what he had expected; he had not anticipated that prefecture chief dou wenxi and county supervisor yan xushou would show such backbone, which greatly surprised him. in that case, he would have to take some measures to deal with these ignorant fools. continue your journey on empire just then, there was a commotion in the crowd and a man dressed in a grey short robe stepped forward. he mustered his courage and shouted, "sirs, this cannot be done. forgive my frankness, but if you insist on protecting shen qing, then what about your brothers in the city? they came to you for safety, and if you can''t assure them of this, why should they suffer hardships alongside us?" prefecture chief dou wenxi and county supervisor yan xushou showed signs of distress, "do all of you think this way?" "indeed, we plead with you, lords, not to take the wrong path. to put us in danger for one man is not worth it." "both sirs, we should do as lord xue advises and draw a clear line with shen qing quickly. as long as lord xue can spare us, it gives everyone a better chance to survive." one martial master after another stood up to "advise," making it even more difficult for dou wenxi and yan xushou. dou wenxi paused, and finally, with a heavy heart, said, "the will of the people is difficult to defy. the current situation is beyond our control. for the sake of the safety of the many, we must compromise. lord shen, i am sorry." he looked up at xue bai, his voice heavy with pain, "alas, with things as they stand, though it is against our will, we must consider the greater good. lord xue, the two of us are willing to sever ties with shen qing, hoping you will keep your promise and provide us with a way out." it was at this moment that xue bai finally understood the trick dou wenxi and yan xushou were playing. truly old foxes of the officialdom, they managed, between their collaborations, to shake themselves free of blame. at the same time, they also greatly diminished the effectiveness of the discord he had planned to sow among them. in his plan, if the people of yongzhou, including dou wenxi and yan xushou, truly decided to give up on shen qing, just a few suggestive remarks from him would be enough to drive both the people of yongzhou and any new martial masters who had joined their side apart. if such martial masters as shen qing could be abandoned by dou wenxi and yan xushou, others, upon introspection, wouldn''t dare claim they wouldn''t be discarded by them. this alone would have been enough to reduce them to a disorganized mass. but unexpectedly, dou wenxi and yan xushou, along with the others from yongzhou, had sung in chorus and dissipated his ploy. for the safety of the others, out of sheer helplessness, they had to give up shen qing, which was a different matter altogether. s§×arch* the nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. but it was better than nothing. a satisfied smile played upon xue bai''s lips, and he nodded slowly, "this young lord will keep his word. as long as you do not associate yourselves with shen qing, i will ensure your safety." "that''s good." Chapter 25 Kill! The Young Master of the Xue Family is Dead! "How is that possible!"Prefecture Chief Dou Wenxi and County Supervisor Yan Xushou were rendered blank-minded by the scene before them. In their memory, hadn''t Shen Qing just broken through to the Innate Realm not long ago? Why would he break through again in such a short period of time? It should be known that an ordinary martial master would need at least ten years, if not half a lifetime, to break through from the Innate Realm to Spirit Void Realm, even for a noble son of exceptional talent, raised from childhood on elixirs, to make such a breakthrough would be exceedingly difficult. With the help of various external forces, it would take at least two to three years. But what did Shen Qing have? A year ago he was just a minor official in the dispatch office. To achieve this much in such a short time was utterly inconceivable. Not only them, even Xue Bai was shocked by the sudden turn of events before him. He looked at Shen Qing, floating in the void, and met a pair of eyes as wild as a Beast''s, setting off warning bells in his heart and making the hair on his body stand on end. A dense murderous aura spread, causing the temperature of the world around them to plummet considerably, as if winter had suddenly arrived. The current situation made Xue Bai sense a grave crisis, and he shouted sharply, "Kill him, quick, kill him!" The guards commanded to be by his side cast their gazes toward Shen Qing, their hearts sinking. In their eyes, it was the noble sons protecting the Jing Luan Assembly that were their biggest opponents; to gain honor and a prosperous future, they only needed to defeat those nobles. They never imagined that at the very start of the Jing Luan Assembly, they would encounter such an obstacle; Shen Qing''s appearance had completely disrupted their original plans and expectations. "What are you waiting for? Kill him!" With grim faces, urged on by Xue Bai''s bellowing commands, the guards joined forces and shot towards Shen Qing''s direction. They dared not be careless, each bringing out their most powerful techniques. The sky suddenly filled with a burst of multi-colored brilliance, dazzling to behold. The aura of the Innate Realm vibrated through the air. A faint smile appeared on Shen Qing''s face as he held the treasure bow in both hands, drawing it to full bend. In an instant, a blindingly bright beam of light emerged from his fingertips, forming an unparalleled arrow. Countless streams of Spiritual Energy gathered towards him, brilliance intensified, as if all the light in the world was condensed in that spot, making everything else seem dull and colorless by comparison. Shen Qing''s gaze turned fierce, and he suddenly released his tightly clenched fingers. The arrow, infused with abundant Spiritual Energy, traveled with a destructive force and instantly descended upon the five approaching Innate martial masters. Xue Bai''s guards, caught off guard, unfolded their Light Shields, attempting to block this world-shaking arrow. However, their Light Shields shattered like fragile bubbles against the arrow''s impact, offering no resistance at all. "Puchi..." A distinct light sound emerged. After piercing through the Light Shield, the luminous arrow still had force to spare as it pierced through the chest of the foremost martial master. Scorching energy ran rampant within him. The next instant, this once formidable Innate martial master let out a painful roar as his entire body was submerged in the glorious light. The remaining martial masters reacted, turning and shouting, "Run, we''re no match for him!" "Hmph!" Shen Qing snorted coldly, without a pause in action, once again drew the treasure bow, firing arrows in rapid succession. "Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!" Arrow after arrow, condensed from Spiritual Power, shot continuously from the bowstring, forming a sky-full of rain of arrows, each one embodying a terrifying power capable of shaking mountains and rivers. For those guards attempting to flee, amidst this dense storm of arrows, there was simply nowhere to hide. Almost simultaneously, all four were pierced in vital areas, their bodies erupting into splendid sprays of blood, then they fell powerlessly, life extinguished. The scene fell into a deathly silence. Everyone stared, dumbfounded, at Shen Qing, their mouths agape. Especially the people from Yongzhou, it was as if they were seeing the past again, when Shen Qing killed demons in an unbeatable manner. S~ea??h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Eldest Young Master, we must leave." By now, Xue Bai''s face was as pale as paper. He had brought six Innate martial masters with him, yet five had been killed in just one encounter. Read new adventures at empire Only one guard remained by his side. It was over! Xue Bai understood that his Jing Luan Assembly had ended before it even began. Grinding his teeth, he turned and fled. The sole remaining Innate martial master activated all his Spiritual Power, and streams of rosy light surged wildly around him, carrying Xue Bai as they dashed forward. "Now you want to leave? Too late!" Shen Qing activated the Da Xu Technique and with one step covered a hundred meters. In just a few breaths'' time, he caught up to Xue Bai from behind. "Stay!" Shen Qing''s right hand shone with a dazzling golden light, becoming incredibly ethereal as he reached out with the Da Xu Hand. A pair of giant golden hands suddenly appeared in the distant void, grabbing Xue Bai and the others in their palms. The guard, with a look of horror, struggled with all his might. Spiritual Power surged within him, roaring loudly like a raging river. "Ah!" The guard cried out, his whole body glowing. Cracks appeared on the surface of the Da Xu Hand until finally, it exploded loudly. He managed to break free from the ground, dragging Xue Bai with him. But before he could even rejoice, a red-golden arrow had already shot in front of him, accurately piercing his brow, extinguishing his life. His body instantly slumped, losing support and falling from midair, along with Xue Bai. With only the cultivation level of Yu Luo Realm, Xue Bai had not even managed to form his "Dan Ying," let alone fly on his own. Nevertheless, being born into a noble family, his Physical Body was exceptionally well-conditioned; even a fall from such a height onto the ground had not injured him. Chapter 25 Kill! The young master of the Xue Family is dead!_2 ```He scrambled up in a sorry state and made a mad dash through the mountain woods. But it was all in vain. Shen Qing released his Divine Sense and locked onto Xue Bai. He strode forward, instantly appearing in front of Xue Bai, cutting off his escape route. Shen Qing looked him up and down and said, "Running? Weren''t you going to avenge your brother?" Xue Bai squeezed out a smile uglier than crying and said, "I was talking nonsense." Shen Qing grinned and said, "Actually, you were right. It was indeed I who killed your brother." What? Xue Yan was killed by him? How could he be so audacious? Xue Bai''s expression froze slightly, clearly not expecting this outcome. For a moment, his throat was dry, and he found himself at a loss for words. "Forget it, it''s pointless to talk to you. In any case, with the chaos at the Jing Luan Assembly, there''s nothing off-limits, and with your brains, I doubt you''d survive three days anyway. As they say, ''Better early than late.'' I''ve always liked to lend a helping hand, so today, I''ll do you a favor and send you off early." Having finished, Shen Qing lifted a finger, and as he gathered his qi, a sharp light shot toward Xue Bai''s forehead. "No... my father is here... you..." Explore stories at empire Xue Bai cried out, attempting to resist and evade. However, it was futile. At such a short distance, he had no chance to react. A muffled ''put'' sound. The reddish-gold light burst forth from the back of Xue Bai''s head, splattering red and white matter all around, dead beyond any doubt. With a ''thud,'' Xue Bai''s body fell straight backward. Shen Qing took out his Merit Stone and found that, unseen before, a faint blood-colored light enveloped it. This hadn''t been there before. Sure enough, committing murder counted as merit. Shen Qing scrutinized it for a while but couldn''t find the trick to it, so he put the Merit Stone back in his bag. He quickly searched the bodies of Xue Bai and his guards, then transformed into a streak of Rainbow Light and sped away. When he returned to the original gathering place, Shen Qing suddenly found that everyone''s gaze was concentrated on him, the atmosphere subtly shifting. Shao Hongling and others stepped forward, surprise flickering in their eyes, and she cautiously asked, "Lord Shen, they..." "It''s obvious." Shen Qing answered directly and succinctly, "They''re all dead." "Ah..." Shao Hongling''s companions, A Da and Xiao Man, gasped in shock. They could not have imagined that a noble son would be killed so foolishly at the very start of the Jing Luan Assembly. The man before them was just too fierce. "Killing a few people, what''s there to make a fuss about." Shao Hongling subtly gestured to the people from Yongzhou behind her and said, "Just now, some people came over to apologize, Lord Shen, what do you think..." "Apologize for what?" "They wanted to distance themselves from you, Lord Shen, and they would like to apologize for that." "Oh, it''s for that." Shen Qing shook his head and said, "Tell them there''s no need, I didn''t take it to heart." "So, Lord Shen, does that mean you''re willing to accept them?" Shen Qing glanced at Shao Hongling, "Of course not." ... "How can this be?" Prefecture Chief Dou Wenxi and County Supervisor Yan Xushou both had their minds go blank at this sight. In their impression, Shen Qing had only just broken through to the Innate Realm not long ago. How could he break through again in such a short time? It is known that a normal martial master trying to break from the Innate Realm to the Spirit Void Realm would take at least ten years or more, even for a noble son with outstanding talents, brought up immersed in elixirs, breaking through to the Spirit Void Realm is exceedingly difficult. Even with the aid of many external forces, it takes at least two or three years. What does Shen Qing have? Just a year ago, he was a minor official at the dispatch office. To have achieved this level in such a short time is truly beyond comprehension. Not only them, but even Xue Bai was shocked by the sudden turn of events. He looked at Shen Qing, who hovered in the air, and met a pair of eyes that were like those of a Beast, ringing alarm bells in his heart and causing the hairs on his body to stand on end. A dense killing intent spread, causing the temperature in the vicinity to plummet several degrees, as if winter had suddenly arrived. ``` The current situation had made Xue Bai realize the great crisis at hand, and he shouted fiercely, "Kill him, quick, kill him!" The guards, appointed to protect him, looked towards Shen Qing, their hearts inevitably sinking. In their eyes, the noble sons who were bodyguards at the Jing Luan Assembly were their greatest rivals. To make a name and secure a future for their families, all they needed to do was defeat those noble sons. They had never expected that right at the onset of the Jing Luan Assembly, they would hit a snag; Shen Qing''s appearance had completely disrupted their original plans and expectations for the event. "What are you waiting for? Kill him!" sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. With their faces set in determination, spurred on by Xue Bai''s roaring commands, the guards joined forces and launched an assault in Shen Qing''s direction. They dared not take this lightly and each brought out their most powerful skills, hidden as a last resort. The sky was suddenly filled with dazzling and brilliant colors, too quick for the eye to catch. The aura of the Innate Realm kept surging through the air. A calm smile appeared on Shen Qing''s face as he held his treasure bow, pulling it to full draw. In a flash, a radiant and glaring beam of light leaped from his fingertips, solidifying into an unparalleled arrow. Spiritual Energy from all around gathered towards him, the light intensifying as if all the brightness in the world was being drawn there, overshadowing the heavens and the earth. Shen Qing''s gaze became fierce as he suddenly released his fingers. The arrow, loaded with the multitude of Spiritual Energy of the heavens and the earth, flew forth with devastating force, descending upon the five Innate Martial Masters rushing towards him. Xue Bai''s guards hastily opened up their Light Shields in a desperate attempt to ward off this stunning arrow. However, the Light Shields shattered like fragile bubbles under the bombardment of the arrow, offering no resistance whatsoever. "Pfft..." A distinct light sound resonated. After piercing through the Light Shields, the arrow, without losing momentum, pierced through the chest of the leading martial master. Hot energy rampaged inside his body. In the next moment, this once-unrivalled Innate Martial Master howled in agony as his entire body was engulfed in the resplendent light. The remaining martial masters, realizing the futility, turned and shouted, "Run, we are no match for him." "Hmph!" Shen Qing snorted coldly, his movements uninterrupted as he drew the treasure bow again, shooting arrows in rapid succession. "Whiz, whiz, whiz!" With Spiritual Power infused arrows firing continuously from the bowstring, they transformed into a sky-filled rain of arrows, each harboring enough power to shake mountains and rivers. The guards, trying to distance themselves, had no means of escape from this relentless storm of arrows. Almost simultaneously, four were pierced through their vital spots, their bodies bursting into splendid sprays of blood before they collapsed lifelessly. The scene fell silent. Everyone stared at Shen Qing, their mouths agape in shock. Especially the people from Yongzhou, as if they were seeing the past again when Shen Qing had that invincible air as he slew demons. "Big young master, let''s get out of here." Xue Bai''s face was ashen at this moment. He had brought six Innate Martial Masters, but five had been killed after just one encounter. He was now left with only one guard. It was over! Xue Bai knew that his Jing Luan Assembly had ended before it even began. He gritted his teeth and turned to run. The lone remaining Innate Martial Master activated all his Spiritual Power, with bursts of rosy light surging from his body, frantically rushing forward clutching Xue Bai. "Thinking of leaving now? It''s too late!" Shen Qing activated the Da Xu Technique, crossing a hundred meters with a single stride. In just a few breaths, he had caught up to Xue Bai from behind. "Stay!" Shen Qing''s right hand shimmered with golden light and became incredibly ethereal as he reached out with the Da Xu Hand. A pair of golden hands materialized out of the void in the distance, grabbing Xue Bai and his company firmly in their grasp. The guard''s expression was one of horror as he struggled with all his might. His Spiritual Power surged within him, roaring thunderously, as if a great river was raging. "Ah!" The guard screamed, his body shining brightly. Cracks formed on the surface of the Da Xu Hand until, with a loud explosion, it shattered. He wrenched Xue Bai free from the ground. Chapter 26 Shen Xiaohu, Church Envoy Shen The Jing Luan Assembly had just begun when a noble son was lost!Had he not witnessed it with his own eyes, he would have certainly not believed it. Hanging high in the sky, the Martial Master Lan Gongliang from the Kongyou Realm looked toward the distant Shen Qing who was fleeing into the hills, his face revealing a trace of astonishment. It was known that in previous years, the heirs of noble families were surrounded by abundant talents and were akin to clouds of experts. Ordinary lower-tier martial masters couldn''t even begin to compare with them. For a noble son to suffer a loss at the beginning of an event like the Jing Luan Assembly was indeed unprecedented. After all, reaching the Spirit Void Realm in cultivation was considered exceptional in Great Zhou Country, ranking among the forefront. It was as difficult as scaling the heavens for a lower-tier martial master to achieve this level without relying on the court''s resources. Let alone, the age of the opponent appeared so young. Lan Gongliang''s eyes flashed, fixating on the direction Shen Qing had departed, seemingly deep in thought. Within the rolling hills, sensing the sharp gaze on his back, Shen Qing turned around to look, locking eyes with Lan Gongliang, who was suspended in the air at the Kongyou Realm level. Pfft! A stabbing pain, akin to that of a needle prick, surged through Shen Qing''s mind, causing a momentary dazedness to his spirit. Had his Divine Sense not been strong, he may well have fallen backwards. So powerful was the Kongyou Realm. Shen Qing averted his gaze, suppressing the shock in his heart, and quickly led Shao Hongling and the other two away. ... In Dan Zhou, within a mansion''s scripture hall. Incense smoke curled up from the burner, weaving through the intricately carved beams and painted rafters. It mingled with the intermittent chanting coming from deep within the hall. The chanting was uniform and resounding, spreading far and wide over the mansion. At that moment, the mansion''s door gently opened, and a figure dressed as a sect member hurried in, waiting outside the scripture hall for a short while before being granted permission to enter. He looked around and saw that the disciples sat on their cushions in meditation, all with closed eyes, deeply engrossed in their practices. A powerful aura of Belief Energy circulated in the air. At the very center of the scripture hall, a young man, adorned with a Daoist crown and dressed in dark cyan Daoist robes, sat on an ancient cushion. In his hands, he gently held a slightly glowing copy of the "Huang Tian Dao Scripture," sometimes closing his eyes in contemplation, at others revealing a transcendent temperament as he opened them. Stay updated with empire The sect member, clad in coarse linen clothing, took a deep breath, mustered his courage, stepped forward, and spoke softly, "Sect Master Shen." The young man gave a small nod, gesturing for him to wait, and continued to immerse himself in the world of scripture until the waves in his heart gradually calmed. Then he slowly put down the scripture scroll and said, "Why such urgency to see me? There are numerous affairs in the church daily; unless it''s urgent, it can be discussed and resolved with other envoys." If Shen Qing were to see this young man, he would undoubtedly be astonished. This person was none other than Shen Xiaohu who, by a twist of fate, had joined the Huang Tian Sect. After several years of striving, he had quietly risen to become the Church Envoy of the Huang Tian Sect in the Dan Zhou region. Talented and promising. Compared to his past naivety and cluelessness. Several years of experience had clearly made him much more mature and composed. The Sect Member glanced at the many believers in front of Shen Xiaohu with a hesitant expression. Shen Xiaohu, upon seeing this, waved a hand. From his sleeve shot a yellow glow. That was a talisman inscribed with runes. With a single hand forming a spell, the yellow talisman spun in midair with a flicker and burst forth with strands of yellow light, enveloping both him and that disciple of the Huang Tian Sect. The chanting within the hall came to an abrupt halt. "This is a Silence Talisman I specially concocted," said Shen Xiaohu. "It can completely block sound from inside and out. Whatever is said within it won''t be heard outside. You may speak now." "Yes," replied the Sect Member with crossed hands, performing a greeting unique to the Huang Tian Sect, and continued, "Envoy Master Shen, I''ve just received an urgent oral message from the Commander. The Ji Family Emperor has ordered the inception of the Jing Luan Assembly, and his enormous army is rapidly advancing towards Dan Zhou, aiming to swiftly conquer this place. The Commander has specifically instructed in the letter that Envoy Master must hold Dan Zhou for at least one month because, according to secret reports, there may soon be a Spirit Mechanism descending here, which is of utmost importance to our Huang Tian Sect." Shen Xiaohu expressed his surprise, "A Spirit Mechanism is to descend here?" "The Commander has said so, although he was not certain, just that there was a very high probability. Hence, he only asked for you to hold for a month." Shen Xiaohu fell into deep thought. Over the years, the Huang Tian Sect had initially had great success in seizing lands of the Spirit Mechanism, but gradually, the Qintian Bureau and Mountain Sea Department of the Great Zhou Court also set their sights on these lands. Apart from battling demons, they had to be wary of the people from the Zhou Country Court when they wanted to collect Spirit Essence. If a Spirit Mechanism were to descend here, the Qintian Bureau and Mountain Sea Department of Great Zhou would certainly not stand idly by. Thinking this through, the possibility of a Spirit Mechanism land appearing seemed likely, yet the likelihood was probably not very high. "Did the Commander mention anything else?" Shen Xiaohu asked. "Yes, yes, yes," said the Huang Tian disciple, pulling out an object resembling a compass. The compass was studded with yellow flags, with streams of spiritual light continuously flickering from them, becoming dazzling with radiance. "The Commander has also bestowed upon you a mighty killing array," the disciple continued, "said to be powerful enough to refine tens of thousands of martial masters. Should Envoy Master face Great Zhou''s martial masters and find it impossible to resist, this array can be deployed to refine them." Hearing these words, a hint of pleasure flashed in Shen Xiaohu''s eyes. A killing array had been sent as well. That was excellent, as it saved him a great deal of trouble. He gently caressed the scripture scroll in his hand, pondering to himself, "The lands of the Spirit Mechanism are ethereal, something countless martial cultivators dream of. Should one truly appear here, demons would surely arise, and together with the Ji Family Dynasty''s Qintian Bureau and the tens of thousands of Jing Luan Assembly martial masters, my forces here would probably be incapable of defense, to say nothing of Xue Zhao waiting ominously at the sidelines." "But with the killing array, everything changes. Combined with my crafted Flying Charm Martial Mechanism Bombs, it should suffice to defend Dan Zhou for a while." "First, hold out for a month and then see. If it''s not possible, then abandon the city and retreat." After settling his thoughts, Shen Xiaohu instructed, "Issue an order, on the Commander''s command, all Sect Members and the Huang Tian messengers in Dan Zhou are to immediately prepare, strengthen defenses, and concurrently summon the Sect''s elite forces to prepare for the enemy and to set up the killing array in Yongzhou City." "Yes, Envoy Master," replied the disciple. Having received the order, the servitor of the Huang Tian Sect hurriedly left to carry out Shen Xiaohu''s arrangements. Seeing the disciple leave, Shen Xiaohu beckoned with one hand. The talisman hovering in midair and radiating splendor immediately began to rotate, drawn back into his hand. The silence barrier he had established slowly dissipated. Shen Xiaohu looked at the now slightly dimmed runes with a reluctant sigh, seemingly somewhat distressed. He stowed the talisman away in his sleeve and once again closed his eyes, silently reciting scripture in his mind. S§×ar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Within the grand hall, with Shen Xiaohu''s continuous recitations, an intangible power of will slowly gathered above the heads of everyone present. Chapter 27 Dividing the Spoils of War, Hidden Agendas The setting sun was like blood.The vast hills were tinted with a golden hue. Shen Qing and his companions kept moving forward without pause. "Lord Shen," A Da whispered, pointing behind them, "they are still following us." Hearing this, Shen Qing didn''t stop; he just slightly turned his head and saw the figures discreetly trailing them. These martial masters, in groups of twos and threes, maintained a distance as they followed. Every time Shen Qing glanced at them, their eyes carried a tinge of ingratiation. Shen Qing inwardly sneered, fully aware of their intentions. Just moments ago, he had slain Lord Xue with the force of thunder, drawing considerable attention. Having seen his cultivation and capabilities, these people were eager to pledge allegiance to him. Among them, there might be some trustworthy individuals, but Shen Qing had little interest in spending more time and energy to communicate and accept them, as it would only create unnecessary trouble for himself. "Don''t bother with them," said Shen Qing indifferently. A Da nodded silently and said nothing more as he quickened his pace to keep up with Shen Qing. With a thought, Shen Qing decided to shake off these followers. He activated the Da Xu Technique, stirring the spiritual power within his body. Streams of rosy light burst forth from him, weaving into ribbons around Shao Hongling and the other two. Shen Qing soared up with a leap, carrying Shao Hongling and the others as they flew forward with the wind, quickly disappearing into the wilderness. The martial masters trailing behind them looked at each other, their desire gradually replaced by a feeling of unease. "What do we do now?" someone asked in panic. A leader-like martial master''s eyes glittered with reluctance. He murmured, "Hmph, since we''ve come this far, there''s no turning back. We chase after them. Even if we can''t join them, following in his footsteps will certainly be safer." "When the opportunity arises later, we will definitely show him our resolve." "That makes sense. Let''s hurry, or we''ll never catch up." After a low discussion, they quickly pursued. The Jing Luan Assembly had prepared seven routes, all starting from the camp and converging at Dan Zhou. This effectively covered all the areas between the camp and Dan Zhou, a vast region. It provided plenty of geographical space for the numerous participating martial masters to avoid premature conflicts and also allowed the cleaning up of the Huang Tian Sect''s forces near Dan Zhou before converging and attacking the city. It was a strategy that killed two birds with one stone. The route chosen by Shen Qing was an ordinary, long road that required passing through several mountains and numerous towns and villages. These towns and villages were not linearly connected but were scattered along the route. This also reduced their chances of encountering noble sons. Within these towns and villages, there were likely many traces of the Huang Tian Sect, enough for them to establish merit. As the last ray of the setting sun was swallowed by the distant mountains, Shen Qing slowed down. He released his Divine Sense and found a cave. Besides that, he detected no signs of human activity. "We''ve traveled hard all day; let''s rest in this cave tonight," Shen Qing casually said. Shao Hongling and the others looked to Shen Qing for direction, naturally having no objections. After Shen Qing confirmed the location, he spurred his spiritual power and landed at the entrance of the cave. The entrance to the cave was narrow and hidden, only wide enough for a person to stoop through, and appeared quite small. However, upon entering the cave, the scene before them suddenly opened up; the interior space expanded significantly. The high dome and naturally sculpted walls exuded an untamed beastly breath and wildness. Looking around, Shen Qing noticed weeds covering the ground, signifying that some beast had once inhabited the place, though it had since been abandoned. With a single gesture, Shen Qing pointed at the cave ceiling and used his Spiritual Power to form a small pit. He took out a Sunlight Stone and activated his Spiritual Power. In his palm, the ordinary stone emitted a faint white glow, dispelling the darkness within the cave. With a casual toss, the Sunlight Stone embedded itself precisely into the ceiling. "Now that there is no pressing matter, we might as well distribute the items we obtained from the Xue Family," said Shen Qing, echoing through the vast cave. His words were brief, but they resonated like a command, stirring ripples in the hearts of Shao Hongling and the others. "My lord, this¡­ might this be somewhat inappropriate?" Shao Hongling hesitated, clearly surprised by Shen Qing''s suggestion. They had indeed gained a substantial haul from the journey, but it was all thanks to Shen Qing''s efforts; they had no part in it. Even if they were given none, they could hardly complain. However, in Shen Qing''s view, since they had willingly followed him early on with resolute determination, they were his people. Honor given to me is returned tenfold. Offenses against me are repaid threefold. He always distinguished clearly between gratitude and grudges. Shen Qing raised his head and calmly surveyed the three individuals present before saying, "You didn''t come here to die. If there''s an opportunity, you might as well give it your all; you could wind up with riches and honors. I, Shen Qing, never mistreat those by my side." A Da and Xiao Man glanced at Shao Hongling, following his lead and eager to hear what he would say. After a moment of contemplation, Shao Hongling agreed, "Then, I thank you, my lord." Shen Qing opened the bundle on the ground, revealing the spoils from the Xue Family. The Merit Stones, distributed before the Jing Luan Assembly began, were items of utmost importance during the assembly. According to one of the soldiers, even if one''s own Merit Stone lacked sufficient Evil Qi, having enough stones would still be recognized. This meant that a Merit Stone was a sought-after item during the Jing Luan Assembly. There were seven people from the Xue Family, including servants, totaling seven Merit Stones. Shen Qing took four for himself, leaving one for Shao Hongling and the others to share. Since Shao Hongling and the others hadn''t earned any, they naturally had no objections. in addition to the Merit Stones, there were also numerous Desire Power Pearls, various Elixirs, treasure and other valuable items. There were more than forty Desire Power Pearls, over a dozen bottles of Elixirs, seven Refining Pearl Technique Jade Plates, protective treasure armor, and various weapons among other things. Shen Qing selected seventy percent for himself, leaving the rest to be evenly distributed among Shao Hongling and the others. Seeing these treasures, smiles nearly covered the faces of A Da and Xiao Man. Hailing from a humble background, acquiring any one of these items would normally be incredibly difficult for them. Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. During the Jing Luan Assembly where strife was frequent, the Xue Family carried many valuable items for protection; now all those benefits fell into their hands. Even the usually stern Shao Hongling could hardly contain his joy upon seeing these items. A Da suddenly said, "Lord Shen, if we continue slaughtering our way through the Jing Luan Assembly and survive, could the accumulated spoils make us as wealthy as a nation?" Shen Qing smiled and replied, "Any martial master has some resources to their name, and none would hold back this time. If you survive, you can indeed become as wealthy as a nation. Moreover, don''t forget, surviving means you can enter the temple, access the Imperial Armory, obtain Martial Mechanisms, and prove longevity¡ªsuch a fortune is priceless." "Longevity¡­ that''s too distant for us." Shao Hongling stared at the two Merit Stones in her hands, suddenly contemplative. Lord Shen had shown her kindness, and just being under his protection was already a great favor. She felt that she couldn''t take advantage like this. After the Jing Luan Assembly ended, if she were still alive, she planned not to keep any Merit Stones, giving them all to Lord Shen. Perhaps with these Merit Stones, Lord Shen could rank among the top and be granted a marquisate in no time. Chapter 28 Accident in the Woods Deep in the mountains, the lingering twilight intertwined with the rising moonlight, accompanied by the chorus of insects and frogs.Shen Qing and the others each took out some dry provisions they had brought with them and made do with a few bites in the cave. Such were the conditions in the wild mountains and ridges, nothing more to be had. Shen Qing couldn''t help thinking that it would have been nice to have a Storage Bag, so he wouldn''t look so destitute while out in the countryside. Unfortunately, it appeared that the concept of a Storage Bag did not exist in this world, which he found somewhat regrettable. After taking a water bladder and guzzling a few mouthfuls, Shen Qing looked at Shao Hongling and the others and asked, "What are your thoughts on our next move?" A Da and Xiao Man shook their heads self-mockingly and said, "With our level of cultivation, it''s a bit of a stretch to say we can protect ourselves, let alone have any plans. We naturally listen to Lord Shen and the young lady." Shao Hongling pondered for a moment, then pointed to the endpoint on the map and said, "Lord Shen, why don''t we hurry along and reach the intersection of these routes as quickly as possible, then find a concealed place to hide and wait at ease." "The Jing Luan Assembly first looks for the hundred survivors, and only then does it determine ranking by military achievements. So, in my view, as long as we hide among the top hundred, it''s not a loss. And by the time of the final battle, those martial masters who survived will surely have accumulated considerable merits. If we seize the opportunities then, it would be like getting twice the results with half the effort." Shen Qing nodded, agreeing, "You make a lot of sense, and I have the same thought." In his eyes, this Jing Luan Assembly was not much different from his previous life''s "chicken eating" game; it was all a matter of strategy. Now his cultivation had broken through to the Spirit Void Realm. With such cultivation, he couldn''t necessarily do as he pleased in the Jing Luan Assembly, but there were indeed few who could threaten him. If he continued to play it safe, he would surely be in an impregnable position. For him, the Jing Luan Assembly could very well be an excellent opportunity to become a Marquis. "Rest well tonight, and we''ll hit the road tomorrow, heading west." "Yes, my lord." Shen Qing gave some more instructions about the journey, and then the conversation ceased. Shao Hongling and the others gradually drifted to sleep, while Shen Qing cultivated seriously, as usual, refining the Wish Power Pearls he had seized. Spiritual Energy surrounded him. A night passed without incident. When the next day dawned, a ray of golden light streamed into the cave. Shen Qing slowly opened his eyes and exhaled a long breath of turbid air. After a night of cultivation, he felt refreshed and in a better state than ever before. Outside the cave, a large bird with colorful feathers perched on a branch, chirping away. The others awoke, and Xiao Man, surprised to see the bird, commented, "That bird is beautiful." No sooner had he spoken, Thwack! A searing beam of energy shot over his head and struck the fat bird. The bird''s head exploded with a dull sound, and its lifeless body fell to the ground. Shen Qing approached and picked up the bird, noticing it was indeed sizable, about half the size of a chicken. He said with satisfaction, "Not bad at all, you''re in for a treat. We''ll roast it and eat it in a bit." Xiao Man hadn''t expected such a casual remark from him to result in Shen Qing so swiftly killing the bird and was at a loss for words. Even after many years without entering the mountains to hunt, Shen Qing, with his hunter origins, found dealing with such birds almost effortless. Shen Qing quickly set up the fat bird on the skewer, sprinkled some salt, and roasted it. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. After a short wait, a wisp of smoke carrying a tempting aroma began to drift lazily through the air. The fat bird''s skin was roasted to a golden, crispy finish. Shen Qing tore off a piece, the meat inside still maintaining its tenderness. "Eat up," Shen Qing joked. "Consider yourselves lucky. With me here, you won''t go hungry in the deep mountains." Shao Hongling and company woke up and, without any hesitation, tore into the meat and began eating earnestly. It had to be said that Shen Qing''s cooking skills were indeed impressive. A large fat bird was quickly picked clean by them, leaving behind nothing but a skeletal frame. A Da brought some earth to douse the campfire, extinguishing the fire in the mountains. ... In the distant woods, a group of martial masters was desperately running for their lives. Their clothes had long been torn by tree branches, revealing streaks of blood, and their shoes had been lost at some point, forcing them to run barefoot over thorns and jagged stones. "Faster! Move faster!" A man''s shout suddenly erupted in the woods, his tone fraught with urgency. Shang Jin glanced back and saw shadows swarming behind him, relentlessly pursuing him. Continuous pained groans and the dull thuds of bodies hitting the ground came from their party. But Shang Jin showed not a moment''s hesitation or pause, leading the others in a desperate sprint forward. They were from Great Zhou''s Northern Moonlight City. Their original plan was to hide near the starting area, to lay low for a while. However, they had not anticipated the supervision team arriving just as it started to get light, pulling them from their hiding spot. After a fierce battle, their squad suffered heavy losses, with only a few surviving. To make matters worse, after being found by the supervision team, they encountered two more teams one after another. Shang Jin ran, drenched with sweat, completely exhausted from fighting all the way to this point. Despair took hold of his heart. Suddenly, footsteps approached from ahead, causing Shang Jin''s heart to tighten¡ª He stopped quickly and, using the sunlight filtering through the trees, saw three men and a woman blocking their path, their eyes glittering coldly. "Everyone, be careful!" Shang Jin whispered as a warning, while he drew the short knife from his waist, ready for combat. "What should we do next?" someone whispered. Shang Jin was silent for a moment, his mind in turmoil, unable to get a read on these people before him: "I don''t know." Shen Qing sized them up and down, noting their blood-soaked bodies as if they had just returned from a clash. He asked with a frown, "Is there someone else behind you?" Uncertain of Shen Qing''s capabilities, Shang Jin replied, "There are some people." As they spoke, five or six individuals charged over. The leader, upon seeing Shen Qing and his companions, paused briefly, then joyfully exclaimed, "Our luck today is really good; I didn''t expect to run into another group¡ª" Shang Jin quickly interjected, "Be careful. This group is mostly at the Qi Cultivation Realm, and the leader is at the Qi Hai Realm. They''re brutal, and many of our brothers have fallen at their hands." The leader took in Shen Qing''s and others'' attire as well as the bulges at each of their chests, recognizing that they possessed considerable wealth. If they could execute them, there would certainly be a great bounty to claim. Driven by desire, he signaled to his companions with a look. They understood. The leader licked his dry lips, turned silently, and lifted his axe high. The Jing Luan Assembly was a place of constant conflict, where all strangers encountered were walking merits. If they didn''t kill them, they would eventually be killed by them. Might as well take action now. Shen Qing smiled and asked, "Why are you holding your axes so high?" "Nothing much, just killing you, that''s all. Brothers, attack." Chapter 29 Human Lives Are as Trifling as Grass Shen Qing remained impassive.Shang Jin had an ominous premonition and hurriedly shouted a warning, "Be careful!" But in the next moment, before he could grasp what was happening, his vision blurred and he saw Shen Qing had already charged to the front of those men, drawing his dagger at his waist. That dagger was so bright, so fast! There was a muffled thud. The martial master at the forefront felt the world spin suddenly, and in a daze, it seemed as though he saw his own headless corpse. Not just him, but several of his companions'' necks also squirted out columns of blood simultaneously, as three huge heads soared into the air. Before the blood could splatter, Shen Qing''s figure shifted, retreating in time. Gurgle, gurgle. Several huge heads tumbled and rolled on the ground in the forest. Streams of blood-red Evil Qi rose from the bodies and seeped into the Merit Stone nestled in Shen Qing''s chest. The blood-red Evil Qi on the Merit Stone grew a few shades darker. Shen Qing flicked the blood off his dagger''s blade and said nonchalantly to A Da and the others, "Clean up quickly, we need to get ready to leave." A Da and his companion finally snapped to reality and hurriedly advanced to search the corpses. Shen Qing sheathed his long blade, his expression indifferent. He knew that once the Jing Luan Assembly began, human life would be as insignificant as weeds¡ªthere could be no mercy like that of a compassionate woman. If one could kill, they should kill; if one could not, they should flee. Only then could one better survive. Standing to the side, Shang Jin and the others couldn''t help but swallow hard, fixating their gaze on Shen Qing. They never imagined that the martial masters who had been chasing them would be killed by Shen Qing so effortlessly, with no chance to fight back. This man was too strong. His cultivation was likely already at the Innate Realm. An audacious thought arose in their minds. Shang Jin stepped forward, knelt before Shen Qing, and said, "I am Shang Jin, Colonel of the city gate of Moonlight City. If you do not disdain it, Sir, I wish to take you as my master, ready to go through fire and water for you, and to die without regret." The Jing Luan Assembly had not been going on for long, and he had already become so wretched. Having experienced the events of this day, Shang Jin knew that the Jing Luan Assembly was filled with formidable experts, and he was not their match. If more time passed, the thought was unbearable. This person had saved his life; it was better to pledge allegiance to him. Shen Qing had not expected the man before him to be a Colonel of the city gate. He looked at Shang Jin and the others with an expressionless face and said, "Do you know that I have killed the young master of the Xue Family, and made an enemy of the Xue Family? Even if I survive this Jing Luan Assembly and go back, life will not be easy. Do you still wish to follow me?" Shock appeared on the faces of those around Shang Jin. Moonlight City was not far from the Capital City, and the people there were well aware of the Xue Family in the Capital City. The head of the Xue Family, Xue Zhao, was the current Great General, commanding a hundred thousand troops. Having killed his son, was there still a way to live afterwards? Upon hearing this from Shen Qing, the people beside Shang Jin began to waver, fearful of being implicated. But to Shen Qing''s surprise, Shang Jin burst into hearty laughter upon hearing this, elated. sea??h th§× N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "What are you so happy about?" He knelt on one knee, with his hands clasped in a fist before him and said, "Sir, you have saved my life. If it were not for you today, I fear I would have perished here. If because of you, the Xue Family seeks revenge, then I will have a chance to repay my debt. How can I not be happy about such a thing?" Hearing these words, the brothers following Shang Jin on either side all showed shame on their faces and lowered their heads one after another. Shen Qing''s face showed some emotion as he took a good look at Shang Jin. He appeared to have thick eyebrows and big eyes, a broad back and a bear-like waist, with a fierce air exuding from his entire body. "I still don''t know how to address you, my lord. I hope you won''t decline and give me a chance to repay your kindness," he said. Shen Qing thought briefly before replying, "Shen Qing from Yongzhou." Surprised, Shang Jin exclaimed, "You are the Chief Officer from Yongzhou who slaughtered all the demons in the city?" "You''ve heard of me?" Shen Qing didn''t expect the affairs of Yongzhou to have spread so far. There were still over a thousand miles between Moonlight City and Yongzhou City. Shang Jin said, "Heard of you? Your feats have become well-known. Not only do we know, but I fear the entire Yunlu County has heard." "Nowadays, the world is changing, and countless demons have emerged. Each of them possesses high cultivation, and we are unable to defend against them. My lord, you single-handedly killed all the demons in a city; aside from those in the temple capital, there are very few who can achieve this." At the time, Shen Qing felt it was nothing out of the ordinary, but to others, it was astonishing, and he found this quite novel. He didn''t delve deeper into the topic and changed the subject, pointing to the beheaded corpses on the ground, "These people don''t seem very strong. Even if you couldn''t defeat them with your cultivation, you shouldn''t be in such disarray, should you?" Shang Jin, with his head bowed and hesitantly said, "The supervision team arrived." "Supervision team?" This was the first time Shen Qing had heard this term. Shang Jin explained, "The purpose of the Jing Luan Assembly this time is to quell the rebellion of the Huang Tian Sect, and we are all considered to be on military campaign. Hence, there will be a supervision team among us, supervising from behind to prevent any of us from seeking shortcuts." "If we stay in one place for more than a day, we will be punished by the supervision team." Shen Qing was slightly taken aback¡ªit was like the ''safe zone'' in the game ''chicken''. The supervision team was constantly pushing their range towards Dan Zhou, forcing them to engage in battle with the Huang Tian Sect and their own martial masters. "I heard that there are important military figures coming to supervise the army this time, which is not good news for us," Shang Jin said candidly. Shen Qing turned back to Shao Hongling and others and said, "In that case, we should not stay here any longer. Let''s set off as soon as possible." Having said that, he turned his head and added, "You come as well." Shang Jin''s face brightened, and he changed his way of address, "Thank you, my lord." After a brief rest, Shang Jin and his group had regained a considerable amount of strength and were moving without hindrance. Before noon, their party of eight set out along the route toward Dan Zhou. Since Shao Hongling and Shang Jin and the others were not of high cultivation and had not yet reached the ability to ride the wind, the whole group, apart from Shen Qing, ran wildly along the way. ... In the camp where the Jingluan Assembly began, a Deputy General clad in armor burst into a tent with a fierce demeanor. Inside the tent, bodies were laid out, emitting bursts of the stench of death. In the center, one body positioned alone was particularly conspicuous. Looking at the corpse of Xue Bai, the Deputy General suddenly became emotional. He clenched his fists, with veins bulging on his arms, and gritted his teeth, "Who did this? Who killed him?" A Kongyou Realm martial master, Lan Gongliang, slightly raised his eyelids and said, "It was the Two Department Chief from Yongzhou, Shen Qing." "Shen Qing?" The Deputy General muttered a few times, then asked, "Which route did he take?" "The third one." Without any hesitation, the Deputy General immediately stood up and commanded, "Pass down my order for the supervision team to focus on the third route. If they encounter the Two Department Chief from Yongzhou, kill without mercy!" A deep male voice from outside the tent answered, "Yes, my lord." "Also, get ready. I, too, will enter the Jingluan Assembly to personally meet this bold individual, to see if they really have three heads and six arms. Otherwise, if the General learns his eldest son died in the Jingluan Assembly, he might command a bloodbath of everyone involved." Chapter 30 Accidental Encounter with Huang Tian Sect Tick-tock, tick-tock, tick-tock¡­Rain threads cascaded off the ancient village''s eaves, turning into beads that rolled down the tiles and struck the bluestone pavement, emitting a crisp and melodious sound. Xiao Man carefully stacked the dry wood he had just gathered and kindled a bonfire. The flames leaped, illuminating his focused face, a glint of relief in his eyes. "The rain came so suddenly; it was clear just a moment ago, but then dark clouds gathered and it poured forth, almost turning us into drenched chickens." The brothers huddled close to Shang Jin, sitting beside the bonfire and chimed in, "Thank goodness Lord Shen was here, otherwise we really wouldn''t know what to do in the rain." Whenever Lord Shen''s name came up, their tones filled with gratitude. Had Shen Qing not noticed the change in the weather and used his spiritual power to carry them, finding timely shelter, they would probably still be on the muddy mountain paths, in utter disarray. Shen Qing stood at the doorway, silently listening to their conversation without interjecting. He surveyed the surroundings and realized that many of the big and broken items in the house were not very dusty, and many scattered belongings were left inside, indicating that the homeowners had not evacuated long ago. Shen Qing guessed that many villagers had already heard some news and sensed something amiss, choosing to leave early. Now, they had no idea where these people were taking refuge, perhaps in some deep mountain forest, leaving these houses readily available for them. However, Shen Qing felt that hiding was not very effective. With their abilities as martial masters, if they truly searched, they would definitely be able to find these people. If any martial master in the Jing Luan Assembly wanted to accumulate evil qi, these people wouldn''t be able to hide. Shen Qing looked outside the door, saw the dull weather, and rain curtains like drapes enveloping both distant mountains and nearby fields in a haze, feeling a pang of sympathy for these fellow mountain folk. In the past, when he lived in Hongshan Village, he often heard the elders talk about the past, saying, "Bandits comb through, soldiers rake through." In the villagers'' eyes, soldiers were even scarier than bandits. In reality, they, these cultivating martial masters, were far scarier than those soldiers. Soldiers could be resisted to some extent when they hurt people, but for them, killing these ordinary folks was as easy as slaughtering chickens and dogs. Indiscriminate killing was almost inevitable. Shen Qing did not delve deeper. Inside the house, Shao Hongling and Shang Jin each leaned against one side of the wooden hut, closing their eyes and regulating their breaths. After running around for two consecutive days, they had deeply entered the territory controlled by the Huang Tian Sect, and there might be several fierce battles ahead. They needed to conserve their energy in preparation for any surprises. As the sky gradually darkened, Shang Jin''s spirit recovered, and he voluntarily woke up to take over for Shen Qing. "Call us at once if there''s any rustle of wind or movement of grass." "Okay." Shang Jin had climbed up from being a city gate guard step by step to a colonel. Guarding was his professional duty; he was adept at such tasks. He knew the current environment was complex and could not be careless. Under Shen Qing''s reminder, he became even more diligent. After handing over, Shen Qing sat back by the bonfire, listening to the continuous outside rain sometimes mixed with thunder, and the cries of unknown beasts in the distant mountains, silently regulating his breath. S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Hearing the noise, Shao Hongling habitually opened her eyes and ended her meditation. Her cultivation might not be bad in their small place, but she knew very well, in this crouching tiger, hidden dragon Jingluan Assembly, she was not enough. Now, her only reliance was Shen Qing. Luckily, although she was a lady from a prominent family in Lu''an Prefecture, the small place was involved in low-level business, so she didn''t have the delicacy of a real prominent family; she could manage many household chores and miscellaneous tasks. Seeing Shen Qing resting, she took the initiative to prepare food for Shen Qing, doing as much as she could manage. Shen Qing was not resistant, and after back and forth, he also gradually became accustomed to her service, and their relationship grew much closer. Being the only woman among them, and an exceedingly beautiful one at that. Everyone saw the changes in Shao Hongling. Shang Jin and the others hence took careful note internally, avoided any reckless talk, and were very perceptive. The rain was heavy and sudden, lasting an entire night before it barely weakened. After the next day dawned, the rain had completely stopped. At this point, looking around, the distant mountains washed by the rain were lush and vibrant. Vapors hovered among the mountain and countryside. The droplets falling from the eaves struck clear sounds, and the village paths emitted a muddy, earthy smell. But the sky was still overcast, without a glimpse of sunlight. Shen Qing felt the moisture in the air, not likely to rain again soon. They were about two to three hundred miles away from Dan Zhou, and with their speed, it would take approximately two to three more days. He planned to lead everyone to continue on, hoping to reach their destination outside Dan Zhou as soon as possible. Shang Jin and the others naturally followed Shen Qing''s lead, moving forward with him. The group followed the guided route and trekked along a major road. The road after the rain was full of mud, full of footprints. Some of the footprints were even quite fresh. Shen Qing immediately realized that a large group of people had just passed on this road. And judging by the depth of the footprints, there were those among them with high cultivation levels. "Wait a moment." Shen Qing halted, gazing forward, and released his Divine Sense. With the continuous breakthroughs in his Heavenly Bow Technique, Shen Qing''s divine sense had become increasingly sharp and resilient. Within a hundred meters, nothing could escape his perception. Under this cover of divine sense, the surrounding mountain and forest environment was vividly detailed. Each tree, each leaf''s texture was fully detected by him. Shen Qing concentrated and focused his divine sense on the mountain path. Soon, on the muddy path, rows of footprints of varying depths and traces washed by rainwater all clearly appeared in his consciousness. Despite his detailed investigation, within a hundred meters, he found no trace of anyone. What was going on? Shen Qing slightly furrowed his brow. Undeterred, he continued to employ the Tracking Technique, and immediately, footprints of varying colors appeared in his sight. Many of them bore traces of spiritual power. This proved that someone had definitely passed by nearby recently. Something was amiss. "Lord Shen, what''s the matter?" Shang Jin stepped forward to ask. Shen Qing said, "Nothing much, we won''t take this road. Let''s go through the mountains." He had recently broken through to the Spirit Void Realm, and among the many martial masters involved in the Jingluan Assembly, his strength was enough to be ranked near the top. However, he didn''t become arrogant or act recklessly; instead, he was even more cautious. To his knowledge, families like the Cui and Wang had deep roots spanning nearly a thousand years, unlike the newly risen Xue Family which only had decades of history. These families certainly possessed many profound skills; the Xue Family''s weakness did not imply weakness in the others. Shen Qing had noticed signs of people here, but the inability to discern more made him feel uneasy. So, it was better to be more cautious. At Shen Qing''s beckoning, their group entered the forest trail. Raised as a hunter, Shen Qing had roamed these mountains and forests since childhood, not to mention he possessed the Hunting Scripture Martial Arts, making navigating the forest like walking on flat ground for him and leading Shang Jin and the others was effortless. Even more to say, with cultivation, he had become incomparably stronger. He continued to advance cautiously, his spiritual power surging, his figure constantly flashing through the woods. Nowadays, he mastered many martial arts; his primary techniques, the Eight Desolate Annihilation Seal and the Six Path Whale Swallowing Technique, were progressing slowly. Both techniques were nearing the level of the Martial Arts path to the Great Power realm, requiring an understanding of the natural order of heaven and earth, continuously integrating the spiritual energy of the universe to form a primordial spirit in order to breakthrough. The process was rather difficult; in the Great Zhou, no one entering the Primordial Spirit Realm was below a hundred years old; most broke through only around two hundred. If he wanted to break through using these two arts, it would definitely require more dedication and time. On the other hand, Da Xu Technique and Heavenly Bow Technique, which he had been using more frequently recently, were progressing smoothly. These two techniques, one ancient martial art from the Huangfu family and the other a basic bow technique evolved from nothing that doesn''t entail the pathway of the primordial spirit. Once their progress was complete, both could smoothly break through to the next stage. Shen Qing planned to focus his main efforts on these two arts, wanting to see what changes would occur after a breakthrough from a lower-level martial art to its zenith, and also anticipating the potential of the Great Void Shifting Technique refined by the Da Xu Technique. This Jingluan Assembly presented a good opportunity to enhance these two arts. When the time was right, he could leverage the Water Ink Panel to help him break through his current bottleneck, potentially leading to unforeseen results. However, Shen Qing was not in a rush for success; with martial arts, especially, if one blindly seeks progress, it might backfire. After the rain, as Shen Qing led the group along the damp forest path using the Da Xu Technique... Suddenly, deep in the dense forest, a hazy yellow light flickered in and out of visibility like the flame of a candle appearing unusually in the midst of the mist. Shang Jin and others promptly stopped, hiding on the side and whispering curiously, "What is that?" Shen Qing''s expression tightened, and he hastily extended his divine sense to investigate. To his surprise, when his divine sense touched that hazy yellow light, it felt as if it had touched a black hole; all his divine sense was devoured, rendering the space void. Had he not seen it with his own eyes, it would seem as though such abnormality did not exist at all. This greatly astonished Shen Qing. This was, after all, the first time he had encountered such a phenomenon. Shen Qing did not give up; his eyes shone brightly, possessing sharp eyesight. The distant scene appeared to be magnified several times, presenting itself in front of him. Upon a closer look, that beam of light resembled an overturned yellow bowl. Just as he curiously stared, within the yellow light, a ripple emerged, and an individual walked out from the ambiguous yellow light. His arm was wrapped with a yellow cloth strip, and his head was covered with a Yellow Turban. Shen Qing''s expression changed. A Saint! It was someone from the Huang Tian Sect. This was a formation set up by the Huang Tian Sect. They were lying in ambush. Shen Qing''s heart chilled, his eyes narrowing as he scrutinized the figure emerging from the yellow light. The figure had a cold expression, profound eyes, and was enveloped in an indescribable aura. He took the treasure bow from his back, silently signaling his companions to remain vigilant. Chapter 31 Plan Before Action, Spare No One ```Shang Jin cautiously stepped forward, lowered his voice, and asked, "Lord Shen, what should we do? Should we circumvent them?" "Let''s observe first," Shen Qing fixed his gaze ahead. He did not expect to encounter members of the Huang Tian Sect so soon after approaching Dan Zhou''s borders, quite unexpected. This Jing Luan Assembly was originally intended to eradicate these rebels and quell the rebellion. These people before them were, in a way, potential merits for them. They were in the open now, while their side was hidden. If their opponents'' strength was mediocre, Shen Qing thought they might as well seize all the merits altogether. Just as Shen Qing was calculating in his heart, a ripple appeared beneath the pale yellow barrier of the Huang Tian Sect ahead. Another Saint emerged from the formation. He caught up to the person in front, the two hooked arms and walked to a concealed spot, then undid their belts and squatted, revealing their naked rears. A series of crackling sounds. One of the Saints muttered, "Do you think we can really encounter those dog thieves here?" "Commander and the others are incredibly wise, they won''t be wrong, just stay put." "Alright then. My stomach was killing me earlier, I dared not move, nearly soiled my pants." "Hey, all the farts must have been yours then? No wonder it smelled so bad." "Don''t blame me, don''t think I don''t know the smelliest one was yours, I even heard it." The two mocked each other, then after a while finished their business, tore off some flat leaves from the bushes to clean up, and, feeling refreshed, pulled up their pants. Just as they were about to return, suddenly someone circled behind them and covered their mouths and noses. They tried to struggle, their throats rolled with terrified growls, but their mouths were tightly covered, unable to make any sound, only faint whimpering. Despite their dullness, they realized they were in trouble. As they were about to plead for mercy, suddenly their bodies involuntarily lifted off the ground, as if pulled by an invisible rope, and swiftly and strangely dragged towards another hidden grove within the mountains. With a muffled clatter. They staggered and were thrown in front of Shen Qing. Shen Qing waved his hand, Shang Jin and one of his subordinates released the two Huang Tian Sect Saints. Shen Qing curled up a faint smile at the corner of his mouth and slowly said, "No rush, I just have a few questions for you." As his lips parted and closed, a cold aura spread, making the two''s scalp tingle, and their whole body feel like it was being pricked by needles. This cultivation, definitely that of a master! The two Huang Tian Sect Saints turned pale, realizing they might be in a deadly situation today. S§×arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Huang Tian above, thick earth below, you won''t extract any information from us." One of the Saints gritted his teeth, full of integrity, he tried to shout but just as his mouth opened. A scabbard rudely jammed into his mouth, suppressing his voice to his throat. Shen Qing held the scabbard, his face calm, and said, "I didn''t expect that in just a few years, you''ve changed your slogan, much better than before. Since you don''t want to talk now, then don''t." With a force of his wrist, spiritual power seeped through, churning within the scabbard. "Ah..." The Huang Tian Sect Saint roared like a beast, letting out a muffled painful howl. His teeth were all churned by Shen Qing, his mouth full of blood. The intense pain almost made him faint, and his whole body trembled uncontrollably, shaking like a sieve. Shen Qing turned his head to the other one, asking, "He doesn''t want to talk, what about you?" The questioned Huang Tian Sect Saint''s face instantly turned colorless, pale as paper. "How many of you are there in total, and what''s the highest cultivation?" Shen Qing interrogated. The Huang Tian Sect Saint bowed his head, not daring to look at Shen Qing. "Lift his head, pry his mouth." "Yes." A Da and Xiao Man stepped forward, restraining the Huang Tian Sect Saint. Shen Qing drew the sword closer to the opponent''s mouth. The glittering tip slowly inserted into his mouth. The Huang Tian Sect Saint felt the blade''s chill on his tongue, hurriedly saying, "I''ll talk, I''ll talk." Shen Qing withdrew the sword, smiling, "If you''d done this earlier, it''d have saved a lot of trouble." He stood over the Huang Tian Sect Saint, looking down, "Next, answer what I ask, every three breaths without an answer, I''ll cut a finger off each of your hands." "Alright..." The Huang Tian Sect Saint answered weakly. Through a series of inquiries, Shen Qing finally understood that this was a small detachment sent by the Huang Tian Sect, of just over thirty people, led by a Commander of Qi Hai Realm cultivation. They specifically came to assassinate martial masters participating in the Jing Luan Assembly. From the Huang Tian Sect Saint''s mouth, it was learned that this time the "Huang Tian Sacred Mountain" had noticed movements in Dan Zhou and had sent many formations and magical devices. This group had some of them. Although their cultivation wasn''t high, their strength was indeed formidable. After clear interrogation, Shen Qing had a good grasp of this small detachment of Huang Tian Sect rebels. Time to act. "Lord Shen, what about these people?" Shen Qing glanced and nodded slightly. Shang Jin and the others understood. Without hesitation. Swish! With a swift strike, in the surprised gaze of the opponents, two heads were lopped off. ... In the Huang Tian Sect''s formation. Calmly seated at the center of the formation, as the Commander of this small detachment, Hu Yang coldly observed the passageway down the mountain. According to their judgment, many martial masters would pass through here, making it a good spot for an ambush. A Huang Tian Sect Saint came forward, "Commander, two people left the formation earlier and have yet to return." Hu Yang impatiently waved his hand, "They keep passing wind, must be slacking off and defecating, reluctant to return. Send someone over, whether they''re done or not, call them back, don''t let them delay our task." "As you command." The Huang Tian Sect Saint accepted the order and hurried into the formation. Outside the formation, a crunchy sound suddenly resounded. "What''s going on outside?" No one answered him. Hu Yang frowned, assigning two more Huang Tian Sect Saints to investigate. Crunch. The crunchy sound came once more, then nothing followed. An ominous feeling surged in Hu Yang''s heart, he suppressed the unease and stood up. Cautiously walking out from the formation, upon seeing the scene outside, his face changed. Several corpses lay scattered outside the formation, each with a bloody hole in their chest. Their mouths slightly ajar, eyes wide open, dead without peace. Hu Yang''s body hair stood on end, sensing immense danger. "Danger!" Before he could react, a gust of wind suddenly arose. Hu Yang looked towards it, quickly glimpsing a figure concealed under the shadow of trees, holding a bow and arrow. And the terrifying sound of the wind was from that released light arrow. Hu Yang''s heart clenched, instinctively wanting to turn and flee. But the golden light image already outpaced him, landing before him, aiming directly at his face. Hu Yang roared, "Dare!" In a hurry, he pulled out a self-defense talisman, casting it, yellow tunneling light manifested and protected before him. With a puff. The arrow easily pierced through the self-defense talisman he cast, then accurately skewered Hu Yang''s chest and exploded. Hu Yang felt a wave of pain assaulting, his vision went black, body powerless as it fell backward, eyes gradually losing focus, devoid of life. The myriad Huang Tian Sect Saints within the formation sensed something was wrong, immediately dismantling the concealed formation in preparation to deal with this unexpected change. Seeing that the Huang Tian Sect had completely revealed themselves. Shen Qing no longer hesitated, shouting to those beside him, "Leave none alive!" Upon hearing, Shang Jin, Shao Hongling, and others reacted almost instinctively, charging out. "Kill!" The Huang Tian Sect members, originally ambushing others, couldn''t have imagined they were ambushed by others, utterly incredulous. Without the command of Hu Yang, they were utterly fragmented, unable to form a concerted force. Added to the surprise of the occurrence, the result was a one-sided massacre. Shen Qing''s arrows shot incessantly, his Heavenly Bow Technique reaching mastery, every arrow claiming a life. Screams echoed repeatedly. One Huang Tian Sect Saint gritted his teeth, pulling out a wooden box from his arms, extracting a Martial Mechanism Bomb. But unlike what Shen Qing had seen before, this Martial Mechanism Bomb was covered with various runes. The Huang Tian Sect Saint hoisted the Martial Mechanism Bomb, face contorted fiercely, "All of you die." The rune-covered Martial Arts Thunder soared into the air, lunging towards Shen Qing''s position. Shen Qing''s face changed, hurriedly firing an arrow in hand. Boom! The Martial Arts Thunder exploded midair, an invisible shockwave rippling outward. Caught unprepared, A Da, and others were sent flying. Even Shang Jin staggered two steps. Its power was vastly greater than what Shen Qing had previously encountered. No wonder these people were so audacious, even with such cultivation dared to ambush others. Shen Qing''s face remained stern, hands unchecked. Arrows formed by spiritual power shot continuously. The Heavenly Bow Technique was unparalleled. Each spiritual arrow shone like a tiny sun. Anyone caught by these arrows was either dead or injured. Within just a dozen breaths, this group of Huang Tian Sect Saints was completely wiped out, leaving none alive. Shen Qing shouted to Shao Hongling and the others, "Quickly clean up the battlefield, we must leave immediately." The earlier explosion of the Martial Arts Thunder was quite loud. Shen Qing worried it would attract attention from others. Under his deliberate command, everyone ignored their injuries, swiftly stepping forward to scour the bodies of the many Huang Tian Sect Saints. Shen Qing focused on several triangle flags planted in the ground. Quickly gathering them into his arms, once ensuring nothing was left behind, he swiftly retreated. The forest returned to tranquility, only the cold corpses all over the ground and the lingering blood stains silently narrating the tragic fate of this Huang Tian Sect detachment. After a while, following Shen Qing and the others'' departure, a ray of rainbow light descended from the sky. The rainbow light faded, revealing a general clad in armor. He gazed at the devastation before him, thoughtful. ``` Chapter 32 Mastering the Array Formation "Are they from the Huang Tian Sect or Saints?" Deputy General He Xiao''s gaze flickered, sweeping over the bodies scattered through the woods, his mind surprised, "It seems that the Huang Tian Sect has noticed something and has started to make their move."He picked a few bodies, briefly searched them. He found that they had been picked clean. And there were no other martial master''s bodies at the scene, indicating that the Jing Luan Assembly''s martial masters had completely won this battle. "This Jing Luan Assembly seems to be quite spectacular, I hope these martial masters who responded to the call can hold out longer and share some of the pressure with the general." Deputy General He Xiao didn''t stay any longer, he stimulated his spiritual power, his body burst into rainbow light, and the next moment he soared into the sky. So far, he still hadn''t found the whereabouts of the Yongzhou Chief, and needed to continue searching farther afield. He needed to find this person. If he''s alive, kill him and take his head to General Xue. If he''s dead, then take the head from his corpse to General Xue. In any case, alive or dead, they needed proof. ¡­ S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. In the woods, Shen Qing was unaware that someone was searching for him. He and Shang Jin and others rushed through the woods. Once they were far enough from the scene of the incident, Shen Qing used his Divine Sense to make sure there were no dangers or powerful enemies approaching, and then he finally stopped. "There''s a village up ahead, we''ll rest there." "Yes." At Shen Qing''s signal, they lightly touched the tips of their toes and flew forward. Before long, they reached a village. Unlike the last village they encountered, this one had been abandoned for a long time with scarcely any human traces around. Shen Qing and the others found a thatched cottage that was still somewhat intact and went inside. They had just entered the cottage when the gloomy weather began to drizzle. Inside the cottage, dust had accumulated, almost nowhere to step. Shen Qing''s mind moved, his body''s spiritual power surged, and from him as the center, an invisible wave of energy spread out. The debris scattered on the ground was pushed to one side, piling up together. The middle was left clean and tidy. Shen Qing sat down on the ground and said, "Everyone, take a seat and rest, let''s check what we''ve each gained." Hearing this, people gradually sat down beside Shen Qing. The unexpected encounter with the Huang Tian Sect members was almost a giveaway. They hadn''t spent much effort and had completely annihilated them, with no one on their side injured, a total victory. Shen Qing had killed most of the thirty-plus Huang Tian Sect Saints, and the leading Commander had died by his hand. Thus, the Merit Stone in his hand bore the heaviest Evil Qi, the dark stone now showing blood-colored lines, with a denser blood light than before. Apart from him, Shang Jin and Shao Hongling also had some changes in their Merit Stones to a greater or lesser extent. After Shen Qing finished speaking, without any doubt, everyone laid out the items they had taken from the bodies of the Huang Tian Sect, placing them in front of Shen Qing. These people from the Huang Tian Sect mostly came from the lower strata, not carrying much on them. Most of it was just bits and pieces of gold and silver, along with some volumes of the Huang Tian Sect doctrines. Shen Qing briefly glanced at them, having a good idea of their biggest gains this time, probably the twenty or thirty Martial Mechanism Bombs, and the Formation that could conceal their forms. Shao Hongling took out a nameless booklet and flipped through it briefly, then handed it to Shen Qing and said, "Lord Shen, take a look at this." Shen Qing received the nameless booklet, feeling its rough texture in his hands. He bowed his head to flip through it and was overjoyed when he clearly saw its contents. It was like being delivered a pillow just as he needed to sleep; whatever he thought was coming to him. The booklet recorded the cultivation techniques related to activating Array Formations and Martial Mechanism Bombs. No, to be precise, it was more like a "user manual" for Array Formations and Martial Mechanism Bombs. Shen Qing suppressed the thoughts in his mind and inventoried the "spoils of war," distributing them. Since the Huang Tian Sect didn''t have many good items, Shen Qing equally divided them without much fuss. There were exactly twenty-eight Martial Mechanism Bombs; with seven of them together, each person received four. As for the only set of Array Formations, Shen Qing kept it for himself, and nobody made any objections. Seeing there was nothing else around, Shen Qing delved into studying the Array Formations he held in his hands. He had previously studied the art of talismans, which shared many commonalities with this. So, for Shen Qing, learning this wasn''t very difficult. He studied meticulously. Shen Qing had perused all the Martial Arts in the Yongzhou Armory, dabbling in many unconventional methods and knew a bit about them. This method of Array Formation was quite superficial; even a Martial Artist from the Qi Hai Realm could manipulate it with ease, let alone Shen Qing, who was already at the Spirit Void Realm. In just a short time, Shen Qing felt he had achieved Entry Level. He activated his Spiritual Power, grasped two spells in his hand, and casually threw three Array Flags upward. The three Array Flags spun around in the air. The originally droopy banners unfurled stiffly with the wind. Shen Qing felt a connection with the Array Flags. He shaped his hands into sword fingers and pointed downwards; then, the three Array Flags pierced into the ground with a ''poof.'' A pale yellow halo enveloped everyone''s heads. A faint smile graced Shen Qing''s face, showing his happiness. He had successfully activated the Array Formation. Shang Jin and the others couldn''t help but marvel at this sight. He had experienced firsthand how formidable and effective this Array Formation was. "This Array Formation is the Huang Tian Sect''s Concealment Array," Shen Qing said. "Later, when we get close to Dan Zhou, let''s find a better place to settle, use this Array Formation to conceal ourselves, and that might help us avoid detection by the noble sons. If we don''t wish to fight, hiding inside should be fine." Shao Hongling spoke up after a thought, "The Jing Luan Assembly is offering nearly a hundred spots this time. If we hide within the top hundred, wouldn''t it mean riding the east wind directly to advancement?" "You''re very smart, and that is indeed correct. To get through this Jing Luan Assembly, we don''t necessarily have to fight and kill," Shen Qing replied with a smile. After receiving Shen Qing''s affirmative response, Shang Jin and the others looked at each other, seeing hints of joy in their eyes. They felt incredibly lucky to have stumbled upon such a good opportunity. Seeing everyone relax, Shen Qing warned, "Nevertheless, you still can''t be careless. This Jing Luan Assembly is full of hidden threats." Shang Jin and the others responded earnestly, "We understand." Shen Qing nodded and refocused on the Array Formation. According to this "user manual," the Array Formation could advance further by concealing the yellow halo, making it even more undetectable. Outside, the rain continued to pour harder. The footprints Shen Qing and his group left behind in the forest were washed away completely. Chapter 33 Formation Breakthrough ```A few hundred meters above the abandoned village, a rainbow light flickered past. Deputy General He Xiao was enveloped in the rainbow light, his eyes scanning the mountains and forests. As a martial master of the Spirit Void Realm, his five senses were sharp, constantly searching for traces of others. Seeing no signs of activity in this area and unable to sense the aura of any martial masters, he immediately abandoned the search in this region and swiftly moved to other locations. Unintentionally, Shen Qing activated a formation, sparing them from another ordeal. After resting in the dilapidated straw hut for a day, the rain finally ceased the next morning. The sky cleared up. Looking around, the sky was a wash of blue, without a cloud in sight. Shang Jin and his group emerged from the straw hut. Now that they had a way out, the burden in their hearts lifted, and each wore a smile, exhaling a breath of relief. "Let''s go." Shen Qing withdrew the formation and stepped in front of everyone. Shang Jin and the others became even more respectful, uniformly cupping their fists and bowing, "Yes." Shen Qing took the lead, activating the Da Xu Technique, his figure flashing as he leapt dozens of meters in a single step. The others dared not delay upon seeing this, each striding forward, exerting all their strength to keep up, not daring to lag behind. Once again, Shen Qing did not choose the main road but deliberately avoided areas where other martial masters were active, traversing through the mountain forests. It took them two days to reach the vicinity of Dan Zhou, with thrilling but safe encounters along the way. Shen Qing thought their pace was fast enough, but to his surprise, upon arriving near Dan Zhou with Shang Jin and the others, they found traces of noble sons already present. Moreover, other martial masters had also arrived one after another, encircling and attacking the saints of the Huang Tian Sect everywhere. The battle intent was strong. Concealing his aura, Shen Qing walked to the green hills outside Dan Zhou City, watching from afar the aerial palanquins flying in the sky, surrounded by Spirit Void Realm cultivators joining forces to attack the camp. He did not get involved and quietly withdrew. After half a day, Shen Qing found an abandoned village where he took Shang Jin and the others to settle. The village was completely deserted, devoid of any people. With no great expectations in the wilderness, they were content just to find a place to settle. But to Shen Qing''s surprise, upon entering, they found all kinds of household utensils still left inside the houses, even the bedding had not been taken. For a farming family, bedding was considered an important asset. It was not easy for a family to make a set of bedding. It seemed apparent that some reason had caused the villagers to leave the village in a hurry, leading to this situation. While Shen Qing was puzzled, Shang Jin returned from scouting the surrounding area, finally revealing what had happened. There was a broken temple in the northwest direction of the village. The Buddha statue in the main hall had long disappeared, leaving only the framework of a house, with half of the walls already collapsed. However, the two guest rooms at the back were relatively intact, the tiles on the roof slightly reorganized, similar to regular dwellings. Shen Qing saw an unbelievable sight in those two rooms. They were packed with corpses of various men, women, elderly, and children, many of the bodies bearing the marks of beasts'' gnawing, with a foul stench reaching the heavens, making one nauseous. Experience exclusive tales on empire Upon closer inspection, many women were holding children in their arms. The heads of the mothers and children had been smashed with a single punch, leaving them unrecognizable, with red and white matter exposed, continually attracting flies that traversed between the bodies. Judging by their attire, these were village folk. A sharp light flashed in Shen Qing''s eyes as he employed the Tracking skill. In his vision, he saw row upon row of footprints filled with spiritual energy, chaotic and varied. Shen Qing carefully observed and secretly deduced. It seemed the villagers noticed something amiss, hurriedly hid nearby, intending to wait out the storm before returning to the village. Yet unexpectedly, they were discovered by passing martial masters and were slaughtered as battle contributions. These people surely begged for their lives in their final moments, but it was of no avail. Looking at the bloodstains on the walls and ground, anyone with a compassionate heart couldn''t help but feel their scalp tingle. The expressions of those following Shen Qing became heavy, and they remained silent. The only female, Shao Hongling, paled, unable to resist turning away and covering her mouth to vomit. Never having seen such a scene before, she was profoundly shaken. "Let''s go back." Shen Qing turned and headed back, the others maintaining their silence as they gradually left. Shao Hongling glanced at the heap of corpses that resembled a mountain of flesh, feeling an unprecedented horror. She did not understand what had gone wrong in the world, why the powers above always demanded them to fight and kill relentlessly, without a moment''s peace. Human lives were so cheap. Shao Hongling swallowed her nausea and walked out of the broken shrine. Returning to the village, Shen Qing found a wealthy family''s house for them to stay. The house had two entrances and exits, just enough to accommodate them. Once the house was chosen, Shen Qing wasted no time, tossing the formation flag in his hand and activating the formation. Suddenly, a piece of information flashed in Shen Qing''s vision, stirring his heart, and the ink panel appeared before his eyes. S§×arch* The Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. [Skill: Formation (Beginner)] [Progress: 101/100 points] [Status: Upgrade Available] [Remark: Standing tall on a hundred-foot pole is not difficult, diligence makes everything possible, continuous practice can break through the skill progress.] Shen Qing did not expect this skill''s progress to advance so quickly. Without hesitation, he focused his mind, "Breakthrough." A familiar sensation overtook him. Countless strange and intense memories flooded his mind. However, compared to previous skills, the formation technique was relatively simple and did not cause him any discomfort in his current state. After assimilating the memories in his mind, Shen Qing gained a more profound understanding of this formation technique. He formed a seal with his hands, and the formation flag hovering mid-air swayed side to side before staking into three directions of the thatched house. With a clear buzz, an invisible ripple rose slowly from the three directions, encompassing and concealing the thatched house and its yard, expanding the range by twofold. At this moment, the noticeable yellow dazzle also disappeared, turning into a transparent color. Not only that, with the concealment of the formation flag, from the outside it appeared as if the house had become a level ground that seamlessly blended with the surrounding environment, with no trace of the original thatched house, creating an illusion. Shen Qing knew that this was the full capacity of this formation, and the breakthrough had allowed him to fully wield it. Unless someone accidentally stumbled into this place, none would discover their whereabouts. He felt his spirit settle. However, for safety''s assurance, Shen Qing still commanded Shang Jin and the others to rotate on guard duty daily to prevent any unexpected incidents. The group of seven settled down as such. Shang Jin and the others shared a room, Shen Qing occupied a room alone, while Shao Hongling stayed next to Shen Qing, with a small door between their rooms allowing passage. During the days that followed, she managed Shen Qing''s daily activities while cultivating, living a stable life. The sole exception was the haunting image of the "corpse mountain" she had witnessed that often resurfaced in her mind, disturbing her peace. ``` Chapter 34 Essential Course for Becoming a Man In the blink of an eye, seven days had passed.As the supervision team advanced, martial masters concealed in the mountains were driven out. More and more martial masters kept arriving near Danzhou, making the area increasingly bustling. At this time, some powerful martial masters specifically hunted solitary individuals to accumulate war merits. The scene became utterly chaotic. Every day, many people lost their lives. Just then, a noble son saw an opportunity and, under the guise of offering safety, rallied a group of ordinary martial masters to force them to attack Danzhou City. The sounds of battle cries were incessant. Gradually, a force consisting of twenty to thirty thousand martial masters formed, led by the four families of Wang, Cui, Xie, and Yang, continually assaulting the city to snatch war merits. However, though the Huang Tian Sect had little Martial Mechanism and the Disciples'' cultivation was often not high, they were very adept at using talismans and Array Formation. The martial masters of the Jing Luan Assembly, as attackers, hardly gained any advantage and even suffered severe casualties. Regardless of the external chaos, Shen Qing and others, enclosed and isolated by the Formation, remained safe and undisturbed, living a life resembling a utopia, starkly out of place in this turmoil. Even when the supervision team passed through this abandoned village, they could not discover any trace of Shen Qing and his group. Everything developed just as Shen Qing and the others had initially anticipated. A Da and others inadvertently relaxed their vigilance; as for accumulating war merits and competing with those noble sons for rankings, they had no such intentions. Boom! S§×ar?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Being located further south, the weather in Danzhou was always changeable. Just a few days after clear skies, layers of dark clouds rolled in again. That night, heavy rain poured down loudly. Striking the eaves, it made a crackling sound. Boom! Another flash of lightning and thunder exploded in the sky. "Ah!" Sitting cross-legged on the bed, Shao Hongling was startled and let out a low cry. Images of corpses resurfaced in her mind, making her restless, unable to find peace for a long time. Hearing the sound of rain outside, she took a long breath, trying to calm her turbulent mind. Moments later, Shao Hongling stepped down from the bed and walked lightly towards the window. She gently pushed open the window, leaving just a small crack to prevent the rain from splashing in. Through this narrow opening, Shao Hongling gazed at the torrential downpour outside. The rain drizzled down densely, obscuring the distant night, making everything indistinct. Only the sound of the rain was torrential, hitting the window and the eaves, producing bursts of rapid and forceful sound. Shao Hongling''s gaze wandered in the rain curtain, drifting into a daze. At this moment, she thought of her parents and siblings far away in Lu''an Prefecture. She wondered if the county magistrate had made trouble for her family after her departure and if her whole family had been slaughtered like those villagers at the temple. She also wondered about her own fate, whether she could survive and leave this place. Idle, she couldn''t help but let her thoughts run wild, becoming heavy-hearted. Unbeknownst to her, Shen Qing, who had heard some noise from the next room, walked up behind Shao Hongling. Seeing her standing by the window, silent, Shen Qing couldn''t help but ask, "What are you thinking about?" Caught in a trance, Shao Hongling was startled again by the noise behind her, causing her chest to quiver slightly. Now unbound, she became somewhat unrestrained. "Lord Shen, it''s nothing¡­" Shen Qing disliked the pitch-black environment, so he raised his hand and shot out a sizzling breath that swept over the remaining red candles on the table. A faint glow rose up, driving out the darkness in the room. The soft candlelight shone on Shao Hongling''s face, revealing her delicate and appealing features to Shen Qing. At that moment, she looked pitiful, like a lamb with nowhere to lean, afraid to meet Shen Qing''s gaze directly, so she shifted her eyes away. Amidst her movements, there was a slight sway beneath her loose clothing. For some reason, this moment suddenly gave rise to an impulse in Shen Qing''s heart. After so many days of being together, they had grown familiar with each other. Shen Qing did not suppress his thoughts, walked straight up to her, and stretched out his hand to her chin, slightly tilting her face. As Shao Hongling looked confused, Shen Qing''s hands naturally caressed her fair cheeks. "Lord Shen¡­" Shao Hongling murmured softly, her voice almost inaudible, "What¡­ do you want to do¡­" Seeing that Shao Hongling did not resist, Shen Qing''s hand gradually slid down her face toward her fair neck. Shao Hongling seemed to realize something, her face alarmed, and she quickly stepped back two steps. Currently, a young man and woman were alone in a room, and both Shen Qing and Shao Hongling were at a vigorous age, some things were understood without saying. Shao Hongling had imagined this more than once, but now that it was happening, her eyes became inexplicably complex. She had never experienced this before and didn''t know how to handle such emotions. Your adventure continues at empire Shen Qing, having lived two lives, was not unfamiliar with such situations. He took another two steps forward, grasped Shao Hongling''s soft wrist and said, "You should know what I want to do, you seemed to have said it was worth it at the beginning of the Jing Luan Assembly." Shao Hongling remained silent, seemingly caught in an emotional struggle. "If you feel you''re not ready, then forget it, pretend I didn''t say anything," Shen Qing said patiently, showing no signs of hurry. He knew that the major couldn''t be dictated by the minor and needed to maintain constant clarity to avoid making wrong judgments that could bring trouble. Hearing Shen Qing''s words, Shao Hongling looked up and said, shifting her gaze, "Please extinguish the candle." "That would make it impossible to see anything." Shen Qing laughed and approached closer to Shao Hongling, encircling her waist. The rainy night was long. A moan echoed through the room. ¡­ The next morning, just like usual, Shen Qing walked out of the house with an unchanged expression. Rarely, Shao Hongling was still in bed, not even getting up by noon, and did not perform her daily cultivation, which was very unusual. Walking in the courtyard, Shen Qing encountered Shang Jin who looked at him with a somewhat strange expression but did not say much more. To them, it was a matter of time. It was just a matter of happening sooner or later. For A Da and Xiao Man, this meant that their miss had truly been accepted by Shen Qing, which was a good thing for her and indeed a cause for joy. At this moment, when they looked at Shen Qing again, their attitude was somewhat different, treating him truly like a son-in-law, serving him from the heart. Shen Qing had nothing much to say. Shen Qing had not trained himself into an eunuch through martial arts, and meat delivered to his mouth was not to be missed. This was all part of the essential courses of becoming a man. According to last night, Shao Hongling was initially very reserved. But she couldn''t withstand his vigorous performance; by the later part of the night, she was screaming particularly loud, so much so that Shao Hongling, a martial master, eventually grew exhausted. It''s hard to imagine what a normal person would have turned into. Chapter 35 A Turn of Events, The Emergence of an Ancient Ruin In the days following the breaking of that thin barrier of awkwardness, interactions between Shen Qing and Shao Hongling became much more frequent, as they sparred and trained together every few days.For some reason, Shao Hongling always ended up returning defeated. She couldn''t comprehend how Shen Qing, who seemed so gentle and refined, could have such a myriad of techniques, some of which were simply unimaginable. If she hadn''t been practicing martial arts since childhood, possessing sufficient flexibility, she might not have been able to cope. Time flew by, and a month passed in the blink of an eye. During this period, Shen Qing did not just stay in the room, ignoring the world outside. He often sent Shang Jin and others to gather information. He himself would also, relying on his movement technique, conceal himself to observe the battle situation. Overall, the martial masters of the Jing Luan Assembly and the Huang Tian Sect in Dan Zhou fought fiercely enough to lose all sense, with corpses lying all over the countryside and the soil stained a dark red with blood. The city gates were repeatedly contested by both sides, with neither gaining the upper hand. Additionally, the sect members of the Huang Tian Sect infiltrated the mountains and forests, conducting assassinations from time to time, causing significant losses to the martial masters. Judging by this, it''s uncertain whether the tens of thousands of martial masters here will eventually get wiped out in Dan Zhou. Shen Qing also did not know why the Huang Tian Sect valued Dan Zhou so much, refusing to yield an inch. Even the main stronghold of the Huang Tian Sect kept sending strong reinforcements continually, with significant figures arriving one after another. Conversely, it seemed that Great General Xue Zhao was also preparing to muster a great army to surge toward Dan Zhou with great momentum. ... In a camp outside Dan Zhou. Deputy General He Xiao sat in the main seat, his face full of gloom. Up to this moment, the Yongzhou Chief he had been tracking seemed to have vanished from the Jing Luan Assembly, even after ordering the supervision team to search thoroughly, still without any trace. Whether alive or dead, he had no idea at all. He had no idea how to explain this. So many days had passed, and Great General Xue Zhao had already learned about his beloved son''s murder, now enraged to the extreme. He was very pessimistic about his situation afterwards. Just as he was pondering, a small soldier rushed into the large tent and reported, "General He, people from the Qintian Bureau and the Mountain Sea Department have arrived." "The Qintian Bureau and the Mountain Sea Department? What are they doing here during the siege?" Deputy General He Xiao was somewhat puzzled. But these two government offices were direct to the heavens, so he couldn''t afford to be careless, provoking trouble for himself. Deputy General He Xiao instructed, "Quickly invite them in." "Yes, General." Moments later, under the guidance of soldiers, a young man in a white robe and a man wearing mountain sea embroidered clothes walked into the large tent one after another. The leading man in white first cupped his fist to greet, "I am Xie Rui from the Qintian Bureau, greetings to General He." The other, a man dressed in mountain sea embroidered clothes, followed up saying, "I am Li Wenze from the Mountain Sea Department, greetings to General He." Deputy General He Xiao''s gaze flickered, scanning over each of them before asking, "With the frontlines so tense, I wonder what brings you here at this moment?" Xie Rui of the Qintian Bureau stepped forward and said, "General, frankly speaking, Director observed celestial phenomena and detected potential changes here in Dan Zhou, thus personally ordered us to investigate." "Oh, changes? What kind of changes?" Deputy General He Xiao was puzzled. "It should be related to Spirit Essence." Discover more content at empire "Spirit Essence?" "Indeed, our Mountain Sea Department recently discovered demonic movements in the surroundings, vaguely sensing some demons secretly arriving here," Li Wenze from the Mountain Sea Department said gravely. "I suppose the Huang Tian Sect is aware of something, thus refusing to yield Dan Zhou, and our lord is uneasy, so he dispatched me here to investigate." After listening to their account, Deputy General He Xiao raised an eyebrow, never expecting such a change to intrude into the Jing Luan Assembly. "I heard Your Majesty is collecting Spirit Essence everywhere; with a significant change here, surely His Majesty wouldn''t want to miss out. I wonder if you''re here under His Majesty''s orders?" Li Wenze from the Mountain Sea Department shook his head and said, "It''s the order of the Supreme Emperor Ancestor." "Ji Family Ancestor?" Deputy General He Xiao was surprised, not expecting such esteemed attention here. The Ji Family Ancestor is the world-renowned first martial master, with unfathomable cultivation. Since establishing a century-long stable Zhou Country, he chose to abdicate, passing the throne to his descendants, dedicating himself to martial arts cultivation, ignoring worldly affairs for many years. Unexpectedly, such a great figure is concerned with this matter! Just as he was about to inquire further, a sudden loud bang resonated through heaven and earth, causing tremors. "Boom!" They exchanged glances inside the large tent. "What happened?" They hurriedly rushed out of the tent and witnessed an unbelievable scene in the distance. In the distance, among the towering mountains, a vast glow burst forth, dyeing the entire sky a boundless yellow. A corner of an ancient sect relic emerged quietly, gradually manifesting from the mountains. There, shrouded in mist, an ancient palace faintly appeared in the void. "Spirit Essence, Spirit Essence. Our Director calculated correctly, it is indeed here," Xie Rui from the Qintian Bureau said excitedly, taking out a pure jade-crafted compass and made several hand seals. He cast a spell that landed on the compass. Suddenly, the compass emitted dazzling light, with symbols floating on it. Xie Rui calculated repeatedly, saying, "This is an ancient relic sealed here by human hands. Within it may lie inheritances from the ancient times that could help us solve the reasons for the decline of sects thousands of years ago." S~ea??h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Not good, demons have already detected this beforehand and are lurking nearby, taking action. The Huang Tian Sect is also moving. Damn it!" Xie Rui from the Qintian Bureau couldn''t remain calm any longer, ignoring He Xiao and others behind him, and rushed out directly. At the location of the distant relic, various creatures seeking opportunity were gathering. Deputy General He Xiao knew the situation was urgent, hurriedly ordering, "Order the soldiers of the supervision team to follow me to the relic''s location, kill anyone who approaches without mercy." "As ordered." After giving orders, he and Li Wenze from the Mountain Sea Department didn''t delay, quickly pursuing Xie Rui. Upon approaching, they discovered the relic was extraordinary. The hall in front of the building was carved from pure white jade, inscribed with complex, indecipherable symbols, with colorful spirit light flowing, seemingly containing supreme vitality, with immense spiritual power surging within. As He Xiao and others neared, they felt unprecedented pressure. The next moment, from the depths of the ancient sect relic, a deafening roar erupted, with radiant spirit light shooting skyward, like an ancient volcano suddenly awakening, endless spiritual power like raging waves swept all around. Numerous martial masters nearby were flung like fallen leaves in the wind, easily lifted by this force, some caught were instantly torn into nothingness by an invisible power. Chapter 36 Formidable Enemy Strikes, Punch First ```This ancient relic is terrifying; even after thousands of years, the spiritual energy within has not diminished a bit under the erosion of time. Even though the power of the seal has greatly weakened, it still preserves it perfectly. It''s hard to imagine what kind of earth-shattering ability the supreme master who created this sect possessed back then! The existence of True Immortals in the Ancient Era may not just be idle talk. The roaring sound was incessant. A martial master looked horrified; even though he hid in a concealed rock cave far away, he could not escape the impact of this spiritual power storm. The surrounding trees snapped, and huge rocks rolled down. If he hadn''t run fast, he almost would have been buried alive. People around Dan Zhou, be they noble family members, the Huang Tian Sect, or the martial masters and soldiers of the Jing Luan Assembly, all went mad. "Opportunity, opportunity, this is my opportunity! The bottleneck I''ve been stuck at for years will break through today." A Guardian of a noble family member, holding a long sword, the tip slightly quivering. He appeared frantic, his voice unusually clear amid the clamor, yet quickly drowned out by the noise around. And he was not alone. Closely following these noble sons were swarms of Huang Tian believers, who mistook the yellow light in the sky for a divine manifestation, each with expressions of devotion. "This is the Huang Tian Relic. We must not let these outsiders touch it. Prove the Huang Tian Dao, be sacrificed, today, kill!" As time passed, more martial masters from the Jing Luan Assembly and soldiers from the supervision team joined this chaotic battle. The scene was extremely chaotic, with killing everywhere! "For power, for longevity!" A soldier shouted hoarsely, with eyes only for the ancient sect''s ruins ahead. Almost everyone around the relic lost their minds and could no longer distinguish friend from foe. Anything standing in their way would be mercilessly crushed by martial masters surging like a tide. The fight reached a fever pitch. Xie Rui from the Qintian Bureau and Li Wenze from the Mountain Sea Department were well prepared, each bringing a "Fake Magical Treasure" modeled after the Ancient Times, to pave the way and resist the strong aura emanating from the ancient relic. Deputy General He Xiao also benefited by following behind them, approaching the relic. Xie Rui and Li Wenze from the Qintian Bureau and Mountain Sea Department rushed to the front, reaching the entrance of the relic. They didn''t want to wait, fearing more powerful entities would attack and rob them of their chance. Without any delay, the two decisively used their "Fake Magical Treasure." A tattered Seal and a bronze ancient knife were refined by the two, launching toward the ancient sect relic ahead, attempting to open the entrance to the relic and enter early to seize the opportunities inside. Boom! A powerful wave spread rapidly from the relic as the center, extending all around. The momentum was no less than when the ancient relic first emerged. "No wonder it''s an ancient era with immortals; even a nameless sect had such terrible power." Xie Rui and Li Wenze stood firmly, undiscouraged, continuing to unleash, wielding the "Fake Magical Treasures" in their hands, confronting the Prohibition of the ancient relic. Endless spiritual light and the force of the ancient relic continuously spread around, stirring up waves. The two seemed to be constantly hurling massive stones into a lake, with each move raising massive spiritual energy waves, rolling backward. Immediately, under the firmament, chaos reigned everywhere, with brilliant light flickering, and boundless mana surging turbulently. The relic of this ancient sect seemed to be awakening, trembling incessantly. After a while, Xie Rui and Li Wenze urged their spiritual power repeatedly, finally barely blasting a subtle gap in one corner of the ancient relic. "Bang!" Once again working together, with all their might, the two "Fake Magical Treasures" burst into dazzling light, gathering Xie Rui and Li Wenze''s dedication and spiritual power, finally shattering a corner of the ancient relic entirely, revealing a golden crack. "It''s done!" Deputy General He Xiao, standing behind them, was also delighted, urging, "Hurry in!" Without any hesitation, the few rushed in directly. Those from the Huang Tian Sect who hadn''t yet reached the relic, as well as the rapidly approaching noble sons, changed their expressions drastically, using all their strength to dash forward. Xie Rui and the three entered the ancient sect relic through the formation crack, only to spot a plaque inscribed with the two ancient words "Tianxuan" before their eyes. They merely glanced at it, and the glazed brilliance on it flashed like the sun. The three screamed, "Ah, my eyes! My eyes!" Their figures flew backward, flung out from the fissure struck open. A mighty momentum descended, crazily spreading outward. The nearest mountain peak was directly leveled, countless ancient trees uprooted. The aura was overwhelming. Rumble... Massive commotion rolled like thunder. Shen Qing, in the courtyard, hadn''t understood what was happening before he saw the irresistible momentum crush his formation. Three array flags simultaneously emitted a crisp "click" sound, shattering completely. The house he was in also couldn''t bear the load, being overturned. With a thud. At this moment, a figure fell from the sky, crashing heavily into his courtyard, startling Shen Qing. He quickly looked down, seeing the person clad in silver armor, moaning in pain yet struggling to rise from the ground in a sorry state. This attire undoubtedly belonged to someone from the supervision team. Shen Qing never expected that after hiding for so long, he would meet someone from the supervision team in such a manner. He Xiao, clad in armor, shook his dizzy head and looked up, his vision blurred. To his surprise, as he raised his head, he saw a massive fist, glowing red-gold, punch him in the face. "Ah..." The armored He Xiao spewed blood and flew backward. He couldn''t comprehend why he was suddenly and irrationally punched. Moreover, the opponent clearly aimed to kill; he sensed a fiery breath rampaging through his body. "Lord Shen!" Shang Jin and the others rushed to Shen Qing''s side, puzzled by his sudden action. Shen Qing had no intention of explaining. He knew that the supervision team opposed their Jingluan Assembly martial masters, and if he didn''t attack, the other side would act first. Thus, it was better to strike first. Deputy General He Xiao, enduring the injuries, rose and concentrated all his spiritual power in his eyes. sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. His vision cleared quickly, seeing Shen Qing''s appearance, which startled him slightly. Thinking of the others'' address to Shen Qing, he immediately realized that this was the Yongzhou Chief Shen Qing he had searched for so long! Great, truly searching everywhere, only to find him effortlessly. ``` Chapter 37 Clearly you have a guilty conscience, kill first then talk about it ```Deputy General He Xiao''s face was grim. Considering his injuries, he did not act immediately. Shen Qing might not know yet that he was being pursued. If he could express a bit more kindness in his words, perhaps Shen Qing would lower his guard, giving He Xiao a chance and achieving twice the result with half the effort. He smiled and said, "This..." However, before he could finish his sentence, Shen Qing''s figure flickered. He crossed several yards in an instant, charging directly at him without any warning. A dazzling Eight Desolate Annihilation Seal formed in Shen Qing''s hand, carrying a world-destroying force as it crashed towards He Xiao! "Boom! Boom! Boom!" A series of explosions followed one after another. Shen Qing''s attacks were like relentless waves, each strike containing terrifying power capable of shaking mountains and rivers, almost tearing the air apart. He Xiao staggered, dodging left and right, narrowly escaping Shen Qing''s continuous attacks several times. "Boom!" Finally, at a moment when they narrowly missed each other, Shen Qing''s Eight Desolate Annihilation Seal, with an irresistible force, brushed past the corner of He Xiao''s clothes and instantly pulverized a ruined house behind him into dust, with debris flying everywhere. At that moment, the surrounding air seemed to freeze, and all sounds came to an abrupt halt. He Xiao''s forehead was beaded with sweat, his chest heaving violently. Facing him, Shen Qing''s expression was cold, his eyes filled with determination and ferocity, as if he was set on ending He Xiao completely. "You... dare to do this!" He Xiao, still gasping for breath, said with disbelief and anger: "We have no enmity, why such deadly strikes!" He never expected that at their first meeting, Shen Qing would attack him so recklessly, with every move lethal and merciless. If he remembered correctly, this was indeed their first encounter. "Do you take me for a fool? I see your cultivation is not low, yet when I hit you, you weren''t angry, and even smiled at me. Clearly, you have other motives, with ghosts in your heart!" Shen Qing said firmly. Shen Qing snorted coldly and continued: "I''ve been in the government office long enough to know what kind of characters you officials in the temple are." He Xiao was taken aback, feeling that Shen Qing''s words were unexpectedly reasonable. Damn, he was careless. Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. In fact, Shen Qing couldn''t be 100% sure of He Xiao''s malice. But he''d rather kill by mistake than let go; it''s better for the other party to die than himself. Shen Qing''s figure surged again, pushing the Six Path Whale Swallowing Technique to the extreme, with spiritual power surging all around him. He once again formed the Eight Desolate Annihilation Seal. A crimson-gold giant seal manifested, with mysterious runes swirling on it, emitting a heart-palpitating vibration. Realizing he was exposed, a resolute look flashed in He Xiao''s eyes. Knowing he had been discovered, he no longer held back. He gritted his teeth, his spiritual power surging like an unbridled horse. "You killed General Xue''s beloved son, do you think you can leave the Jingluan Assembly alive? Die!" As soon as he finished, He Xiao advanced aggressively. Every attack he made was lethal, with strikes drawing blood, punches hitting flesh, and the air thick with a bloody and murderous aura. Indeed! Shen Qing was secretly relieved. He noticed that this person''s spiritual power had materialized, indicating he was already a martial master of the Spirit Void Realm, perhaps even approaching the half step Primordial Spirit stage. With such a level of cultivation, if this person wasn''t injured and Shen Qing hadn''t struck first, the outcome would be hard to predict. Since that was the case, Shen Qing was also determined. Kill first, talk later! "Bang!" The two continued to exchange blows, each engagement accompanied by deafening roars, ripples of spiritual power colliding, and fierce winds howling. In the blink of an eye, the village, already teetering from the aura of the ruins, was completely leveled by the two. Shang Jin and the others dared not get close, watching from a distance. Terrifying fluctuations kept emanating from between the two. At this moment, star-like sparkles appeared from the acupuncture points all over Shen Qing''s body, spiritual power vortices manifesting one by one, becoming braver with each battle. This was the result of pushing the Six Path Whale Swallowing Technique to the extreme, continuously absorbing the surrounding spiritual energy to strengthen himself, making Shen Qing''s spiritual power as vast as a mighty river, continuous and unending. As time passed, despite He Xiao''s all-out efforts, he gradually became overwhelmed by Shen Qing''s undiminished offensive. His figure began to sway, sweat pouring down like rain, his complexion pale as paper. He Xiao could no longer maintain his previous composure, fear slowly creeping across his face. Just at this critical juncture, two figures sped over from the distant sky, it''s Xie Rui from the Imperial Observatory and Li Wenze from the Mountain and Sea Division. They were rushing toward the ruins. He Xiao, as if grabbing a lifeline, shouted loudly: "Help me!" Hearing the commotion, Xie Rui and Li Wenze quickly looked back, shocked, and urgently shouted: "Stop!" However, Shen Qing seemed to ignore their voices, his eyes focused only on He Xiao. To kill halfway was something he absolutely couldn''t tolerate! Either don''t do it, or do it thoroughly! Shen Qing was fully concentrated, the spiritual power within him surging again to the extreme. He formed seals with his hands, converging into an unstoppable torrent, fiercely striking towards He Xiao''s chest. "No..." He Xiao''s scream was drowned by the overwhelming spiritual power. Shen Qing''s palm descended like a mountain, and under its unstoppable force, He Xiao''s body fell to the ground like a kite with a broken string. With a loud crash, he hit the ground heavily, raising clouds of dust. Blood trickled continuously from He Xiao''s mouth, struggling to lift his head to look at Shen Qing, lifting a blood-stained finger, he struggled to say: "You... General... will not..." With a plop. He Xiao''s body slumped powerlessly, taking his last breath, lifeless. Shen Qing stood coldly in place, surrounded by lingering waves of spiritual power, without any hint of regret or fear in his eyes. This time, he was also lucky. He encountered this person while he was injured, otherwise, it wouldn''t have been so easy. In the air, Xie Rui and Li Wenze looked at each other, disbelief in their eyes. Li Wenze from the Mountain and Sea Division shouted sternly: "You have some nerve, do you know who you just killed? He was Deputy General of General Xue, a high-ranking official of the court!" Shen Qing replied defiantly: "What deputy general, I don''t know. This is the Jingluan Assembly, anyone who breaks in, I can kill as I please!" As he spoke, he noticed the merit stone in his hand heating up slightly. The dense killing aura was absorbed by it. The red lines on the pitch-black stone became thicker and more vibrant. Killing He Xiao increased his merit significantly. "Enough talk, attack!" Xie Rui from the Imperial Observatory directly summoned a broken seal, hurling it towards Shen Qing. The power was overwhelming. Shen Qing''s expression changed, realizing the strength of these two was no less than that of He Xiao, and with the help of this "pseudo-treasure," they were even more formidable. ``` Chapter 38 The Power of Fake Magical Treasure, Refinement Points ```Xie Rui suddenly summoned a Seal, which, despite its battered appearance, exuded an ancient and timeless aura, akin to a towering mountain striking directly toward the top of Shen Qing''s head. Before it even got close, it made him almost unable to breathe. At the same time, Li Wenze did not hesitate. With a flash of cold light, he summoned a silver long blade, slashing across Shen Qing''s front, intending to split him in half. Shen Qing clearly sensed the immense power contained within those two "Fake Magical Treasures," and his expression changed slightly. S§×arch* The N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. This power far exceeded what flesh and blood could withstand. Even though he practiced the Six Paths Whale Swallowing Technique, his mortal body might not withstand it. Shen Qing''s body shifted, the Da Xu Technique operating at its peak, allowing his entire being to veer away at an unbelievable speed and angle, successfully slipping out from between the two magic treasures, narrowly avoiding this terrifying strike. Without looking back, Shen Qing seized the opportunity to pick up an ancient treasure bow inside the room, his figure continuously flickering away. Every step he took spanned hundreds of meters, rapidly widening the distance between him and the two, his speed incredibly fast. Even Xie Rui and Li Wenze, despite their vast experiences, had never seen such a miraculous Martial Art and could not help but show surprise. Boom! The two "Fake Magical Treasures" crashed to the ground, shattering the surface and causing numerous land chunks to rise and spread. The center was smashed, collapsing nearly ten meters deep. Shen Qing steadied himself and turned around to see this scene, his eyelids twitching fiercely. If he hadn''t escaped quickly just now, the terrifying attack would''ve crushed him into a pulp. No flesh could stop it. Seeing the two retrieving their "Magic Treasures," Shen Qing knew it was a rare opportunity. He took a deep breath, inhaling and exhaling to absorb all the Spiritual Energy from the surroundings into his chest. Then the muscles on his arms twisted and knotted like old roots, akin to ancient trees revived with abundant power. Shen Qing did not hesitate, taking up the treasure bow in his hand. The bowstring was slowly drawn open in his hand until it bent into a full moon, and the bow shone with a faint light. With a low growl, Shen Qing furiously operated the Heavenly Bow Technique. The Spiritual Power surged within him like a river bursting its banks, unstoppable as it gathered at his fingertips. Under his gaze, arrows formed purely from Spiritual Power manifested on the treasure bow. Shen Qing turned grim, and his fingers suddenly released. This time, he held nothing back, using all his Spiritual Power to condense the arrows, the power contained far surpassing the past, and the Sun Shooting Skill was simultaneously activated. A dazzling light appeared in the sky, like a sun under the firmament, tearing through the sky, pointing directly at Xie Rui and Li Wenze. Heavenly Bow Technique, every arrow hits the mark! In Shen Qing''s view, the bright arrows shot without any deviation to the front of Xie Rui and Li Wenze. Boom! A thunderous explosion roared, deafening. The light from the arrows engulfed Xie Rui and Li Wenze entirely, an invisible wave of light spreading outwards. ''Did it succeed?!'' Shang Jin and Shao Hongling, thinking Shen Qing had slain the opponent, showed a trace of joy on their faces and cautiously looked forward. But Shen Qing to the side turned pale, looking very serious. With his sharp Divine Sense, even before the light dispersed, he had sensed the Life Force within. Xie Rui and Li Wenze were not dead. The arrow did not harm them. Shen Qing''s face became unusually grim. Without hesitation, he frantically activated the Six Paths Whale Swallowing Technique to restore his Spiritual Power, while he swiftly condensed arrows, continuously shooting them out. Boom, boom, boom. Deafening booming sounds repeatedly appeared in front of him. "Hmph! Just relying on these?" From within the light, a cold snort echoed. The next moment, a blue light shot skyward, slicing the glowing mass into two. Within, Li Wenze held his long blade, smiling as he stared at Shen Qing. The blade in his hand was covered in strange runes. With a slight tremble of the blade tip, Li Wenze wielded the "Fake Magical Treasure," stirring a bone-chilling wind, slashing down. The incoming crimson-golden arrow was easily split in two by his blade, the fierce blade aura deflecting it to both sides, landing on the ground with an earth-shattering light. "Interesting, even this kind of bow you can play to such an extent, truly remarkable." Shen Qing''s whole body''s muscles could not help but tense. Primordial Spirit Realm! These two had the cultivation of the Primordial Spirit Realm! Since Shen Qing began cultivating Martial Arts, he had never encountered such high-level martial masters. He didn''t expect to face two at once this time, with each holding a "Fake Magical Treasure." Thinking of this, his heart sank. The situation was not looking good. "Why waste so many words with him, quickly resolve this person and swiftly enter the relic to seize the opportunity." Upon hearing Xie Rui''s words, Li Wenze looked up, noticing many martial masters taking the chance to rush into the relic gap they opened. Without further delay, he and Xie Rui moved forward to attack. Xie Rui''s summoned Seal, its surface covered with mottled stone patterns, faced with Shen Qing''s incessantly howling arrows, suddenly pushed forward. The Seal whirled in mid-air, growing larger in the wind, transforming into a towering mountain in no time, securely blocking every arrow outside. Shen Qing''s arrows struck against it, only sparking slightly, leaving no trace. The previously unparalleled Heavenly Bow Technique seemed utterly powerless today against these two "Fake Magical Treasures," easily bounced or slashed away, unable to harm Xie Rui and Li Wenze at all. ``` Chapter 38 The Power of Fake Magical Treasure, Refinement Points_2 Facing the relentless pressure from Xie Rui and Li Wenze, Shen Qing realized that if he couldn''t find a way to break the deadlock, he might not escape today''s calamity.Nearby, Shang Jin and Shao Hongling could clearly see this as well. The joy in their eyes gradually faded, replaced by panic. In this battle, Shen Qing was already on the brink of danger. Just at this moment, Shao Hongling bit her lip, showing a hint of determination. With a resolute heart, she faced neither fear nor hesitation, maneuvering all her movement techniques and charged towards the space between Shen Qing and Xie Rui and Li Wenze. "Villains, dare you fight me!" she shouted loudly while sprinting. Shang Jin was shocked upon seeing this. In his view, with Shao Hongling''s level of cultivation rushing forward, it was nothing short of suicide. But to his surprise, closely following Shao Hongling, A Da and Xiao Man also charged forward, determinedly shouting, "Miss!" "Crazy, crazy!" Shang Jin''s face went numb, unable to comprehend these scenes. "What do we do, my lord?" Seeing Shao Hongling and her servants recklessly charging forward, a few brothers beside Shang Jin couldn''t help but ask. Shang Jin spat on the ground and drew the dagger from his waist, saying, "What else can we do, charge! How can we, a group of big men, be inferior to her, a woman?!" Hearing this, Shang Jin''s brothers hesitated. They felt their acquaintanceship with Shen Qing wasn''t that deep, making this adventure seem unworthy. Shang Jin glanced at them, understood their thoughts, and charged forward alone without insisting on them following. Xie Rui and Li Wenze, advancing swiftly, and Shen Qing, with a serious expression, all turned their heads upon hearing the exclamations beneath them. In the ruins, dressed in black tight clothing, Shao Hongling was constantly traversing and leaping, charging forward bravely to stand in front of Shen Qing. She drew her dagger, pointing it at Xie Rui and Li Wenze, and sternly shouted, "I am Shao Hongling, dare you fight me?!" Xie Rui and Li Wenze furrowed their brows. At a glance, they saw that this woman''s cultivation was merely at the Qi Cultivation Realm, not even crossing the Qi Hai Realm. To speak bluntly, killing her would be as simple as crushing an ant for them. Incredibly, this woman dared to provoke them, equal to courting death. Standing behind Shao Hongling, Shen Qing was equally astonished. His surprise wasn''t any less than that of Xie Rui and Li Wenze. He looked down to see Shao Hongling behind her back making gestures, signaling his departure, which made his expression change. Shen Qing gritted his teeth, focused his mind, and the Water Ink Panel appeared before his vision. [Skill: Great Void Shifting Skill (Beginner)] [Progress: 43/100 points] [Status: Cannot be improved] [Note: A secret skill passed down from ancient times within the Shi family. Now with the collapse of great paths, cultivation is extremely difficult. The higher the level reached, the slower the progress. But through hard work comes equal reward. Mastering this martial art to the Perfect Realm allows reversing the river of time, possessing the might of Void Shattering.] [Skill: Da Xu Technique (mastery)] [Progress: 477/500 points] Red Ink reminder: [Detecting similar martial art "Da Xu Technique," would you like to refine and extract its points to fill this martial art?] In Shen Qing''s original plan, he intended to continue cultivating the Da Xu Technique for a while, gathering enough points before refining. Thus, he could elevate the Great Void Shifting Skill to a sufficiently high realm, even to the degree of perfection, achieving the ability to traverse the void freely. However, in this critical moment, he couldn''t afford to worry about so much. Shen Qing did not hesitate: "Refine!" [Da Xu Technique refined successfully, extracting 100+200+300+400+477... totaling 1477 points.] [Would you like to infuse into the Great Void Shifting Skill?] "Yes!" Boom! At the moment Shen Qing made his decision, waves of unusual fluctuations emanated from the depths of the Qi Sea. S§×arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. [Skill: Great Void Shifting Skill (Beginner)] [Skill: Great Void Shifting Skill (Proficient)] [Skill: Great Void Shifting Skill (Minor Accomplishment)] [Progress: 120/1500 points] [Status: Cannot be improved] [Note: Diligence brings prosperity, idleness leads to defeat, such is the truth of a word. Through persistent effort, you have finally cultivated this martial art to the realm of minor accomplishment, with abundant inner spiritual power, capable of maneuvering and shifting within void space, crossing dozens of miles in a step, unimpeded.] Shen Qing looked at the reminder appearing in his vision, his expression exceptionally solemn, as familiar changes surfaced... Xie Rui and Li Wenze, looking into the distance, saw warriors constantly charging into the ruins, grew increasingly furious at Shao Hongling''s provocation, and had no intention of showing mercy. "Since you seek death, I shall fulfill your wish! Get lost!" Li Wenze, with a fierce expression, swung his long blade horizontally. Facing such an insignificant existence as Shao Hongling, he only used thirty percent of his spiritual power, not going all out. Nevertheless, the blade light spread out before him, enveloping the entire world in front of Shao Hongling. Shao Hongling, holding a dagger, found her body unable to move under the means of this Primordial Spirit Realm warrior, only staring helplessly as the blade light overwhelmed her. "Ah!" Two heartrending screams suddenly erupted. In front of Shao Hongling, two flowers of blood bloomed like roses. She never expected that A Da and Xiao Man, unbeknownst to her, had rushed in front of her, using their bodies as shields to block the strike for her. These two had almost frozen to death in the snow years ago and were saved by her from the roadside, now dying this way before her eyes. Even so, Shao Hongling retained the blade across her front, not yielding an inch, her face unchanged. Li Wenze saw this scene and was furious, unable to contain the discontent in his heart. Such insignificant ants were continually obstructing him?! He didn''t hold back anymore, fully mustering his spiritual power for a slash. At this critical juncture, Shen Qing had just finished internalizing all the memories of the Great Void Shifting Skill. He remained expressionless, reaching out with one hand. Shao Hongling, under the blade, inexplicably disappeared and the next moment reappeared beside Shen Qing. Boom! Li Wenze''s blade descended, accompanied by the explosive sound of tearing air, striking directly at the ground. The moment the blade light made contact with the ground, an indescribable wave instantly spread out, and the ground shuddered intensely. The ground, resembling a water puddle, was struck with a stick. Stones splattered, dust billowed, forming a magnificent ring-shaped wave, surging outward. Shen Qing did not hesitate, wrapping an arm around Shao Hongling''s waist: "Go!" Xie Rui and Li Wenze found it hard to accept that Shen Qing could escape under such combined effort. "Chase!" The two transformed into two streaks of rainbow light, flanking Shen Qing from the left and right. Shen Qing, stepping on seven stars, kept maneuvering in the void, crossing several miles in a step. Glancing back on both sides, he noticed the magic treasures in Xie Rui and Li Wenze''s hands shooting towards him unwaveringly, locked onto him. Read exclusive adventures at empire Shen Qing gritted his teeth, activated the Great Void Shifting Skill, a three-legged small cauldron manifested from the depths of the Qi Sea, shot out from his brow, and collided head-on. Boom! Xie Rui and Li Wenze hit what seemed like a wall, letting out a shout and abruptly stopping before being flung back. Shen Qing wasn''t spared either, feeling an unstoppable force from the three-legged cauldron assaulting him. He and Shao Hongling, out of control, charged into the ruins. Witnessing the terror outside the ruins, Shen Qing maintained a thread of clarity, exerting himself to change direction, accidentally rushing into the entrance of the ruins. Bang! After entering, he crashed against the steps of the ruins, unable to suppress the surge of vitality, his face flushed, while Shao Hongling, who rushed in with him, fainted. Shen Qing shook his head, looked around, revealing a peculiar expression. He found the ruins surprisingly vast, with mountains appearing in its depths, much larger than it appeared from outside. He only occupied a corner of the ruins. Not far away, sounds of fighting and killing reached him. Focusing, Shen Qing saw many warriors fighting fiercely at the entrance of the ruins, each striving to be the first to enter, with the door already slightly ajar. On the door''s plaque, the large characters "Tianxuan" stood out, catching his eye. Chapter 39 Collecting Spirit Essence, Seizing the Treasure Blade "Tianxuan?"Shen Qing was very unfamiliar with this name. Despite having read many ancient texts in the Martial Arts Hall, he had never heard of such a sect. From afar, he watched as the jade tablet engraved with "Tianxuan" gradually dimmed, its murderous aura greatly diminished under the sacrifices of numerous martial masters. The majestic gate of the relic had opened a crack, and suddenly, an unstoppable surge of Spiritual Energy gushed out like a tide. "Spirit Essence, there''s a massive amount of Spirit Essence here!" Everyone went mad. They rushed forward recklessly, using all their might to bombard the relic''s gate, eager to break in. Under the relentless attacks of numerous martial masters, the crack in the gate gradually widened. Through the gap, Shen Qing saw a pure white jade-like palace inside. It was spectacular, almost comparable to the Immortal Realm. Shen Qing could hardly believe it. Despite thousands of years, it was extraordinarily well-preserved, undamaged, and radiating a crystal-clear, majestic aura that was truly awe-inspiring. Boom! The gap in the gate of the relic was finally opened wide enough for half a person to pass through, and people continuously streamed in. Disciples of the Huang Tian Sect shouted loudly, "This is a Huang Tian Relic. Those who have not devoted themselves to Huang Tian will surely die if they enter." But no one heeded their nonsense, and everyone continued to file through the gap in the gate. Some, not wanting to be left behind, directly killed the martial masters ahead of them. The fresh, crimson blood almost stained the gate of the relic a bloody red. Shen Qing noticed that the noble sons who had already rushed in did not act rashly. They stood outside the crowd, guarded by Guardians, craning their necks to watch from afar. Shen Qing looked down at Shao Hongling, who was still unconscious, and abandoned the idea of venturing deeper for the time being. This relic, only partially revealed, must have been glorious in Ancient Times, surely containing treasures hard to come by. But correspondingly, there might also be unimaginable dangers inside. Those who rushed in first might seize treasures, but were more likely to die inside. Faced with a world beyond his understanding, Shen Qing felt uncertain and was unwilling to act rashly. At the same time, he did not rashly leave the relic. Li Wenze and the others were still outside the relic, and rushing out might also put their lives at risk. Shen Qing decided to do as the other noble sons did and observe how things unfolded. At worst, he could simply seize the treasures from those who obtained them first. No big problem. Sear?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. With that thought, Shen Qing activated the Great Void Shifting Technique and retrieved the Three-Legged Small Furnace. The Three-Legged Small Furnace spun around, pulling along a trail of dark cyan traces, and floated back in front of him. Not sure if it was an illusion, he noticed that the previously antique bronze small furnace had become much "newer". On its engraved surface, the mottled cyan rust began to fall off, revealing a bright golden light anew. Shen Qing was quite astonished. However, he was very puzzled by this phenomenon. With too few clues at the moment, he could not discern the connections and decided not to continue his patient observation. He activated the Great Void Shifting Technique. A glow of rosy light sprayed from Shen Qing''s brow as the Three-Legged Small Furnace rapidly shrank within the glow, turning into a streak of light that rushed back into his brow. Inside the Qi Sea, the Three-Legged Small Furnace reappeared, returning to its former state. After completing these actions, Shen Qing lifted Shao Hongling horizontally and hid in an inconspicuous corner before sitting down cross-legged. Without hesitation, he took out several blank jade plates and placed them in front of him. These were all spent Spiritual Mechanism Jade plates, perfect for collecting the overflowing Spirit Essence. Although he did not rush in immediately, it didn''t mean he would do nothing. Shen Qing activated the secret method for collecting Spirit Essence, and an indescribable power quietly spread out. His Divine Sense focused on one of the Spiritual Mechanism Jade plates in front of him. Instantly, the plate trembled slightly as if endowed with life, hovering in midair, a faint fluorescence swirling on it. Under Shen Qing''s guidance, the Spiritual Mechanism Jade turned into an abyss-like entity, voraciously devouring the surging Spiritual Energy around it. The Spiritual Energy that emerged from the depths of the relic and aimlessly roamed the void was now drawn in by an invisible force, eagerly flowing into the Spiritual Mechanism Jade and enhancing its increasingly dazzling radiance. Many people wanted to rush in to seize the great opportunities, not realizing that these outflowing Spiritual Energies were also opportunities. Of course, Shen Qing knew well that without Spiritual Mechanism Jade, they could only refine limited amounts of Spiritual Energy with their Physical Bodies, and in this frenzied, chaotic atmosphere, it was already difficult to remain rational, calm down, and meditate. As the Spiritual Energy constantly flowed in, the Spiritual Mechanism Jade gained a layer of faint spiritual light, filled with spirituality. After one Spiritual Mechanism Jade was filled with Spirit Essence, Shen Qing calmly continued to refine the next one, repeating the process. Stay tuned to empire Until he had filled all five pieces of Spiritual Mechanism Jade in his possession. "Uh..." Beside him, Shao Hongling woke up. After all, she was a Qi Cultivation Realm martial master, with a strong physical constitution, not completely unconscious due to the impact. Shao Hongling opened her eyes, looked around, and asked confusedly, "Where is this?" Shen Qing replied, "We''re inside the relic." "The relic?" Shao Hongling''s beautiful eyes widened, somewhat baffled. Shen Qing casually pointed and said, "That''s the entrance to this relic." Following the direction Shen Qing pointed, Shao Hongling looked and saw the vast interior of the relic, secretly astonished. Chapter 39 Gathering Spirit Essence, Seizing the Treasure Blade_2 She raised her eyebrows and suddenly asked, "What is that?" S~ea??h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality."Hmm?" Just then, Shen Qing noticed strange fluctuations emanating from deep within the ruins. A flash of white light appeared, moving incredibly fast. Shen Qing focused intently, activating his "sharp eyesight" Skill. He clearly saw that wrapped within the white light was a silver spearhead, shooting out spiritedly. Someone shouted loudly, "It''s a Magic Treasure!" Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh! Soon, streaks of white brilliance burst forth continuously, and more than a dozen could be seen. Those who had not yet entered the ruins were boiling with excitement. Countless martial masters recklessly fought to seize them. Even the noble sons who had been watching from the sidelines couldn''t stay calm and rushed in, joining the fierce battle for the treasures. However, these "Magic Treasures" were extremely elusive, darting about like fish. They simply couldn''t touch them. Usually composed, Shen Qing, faced with this scene, suddenly felt the urge to try his luck. His gaze locked onto one of the knife-shaped white lights, and he used the Da Xu Hand to grasp the light. Stay updated via empire He got it!!! Shen Qing''s face lit up with joy as he pulled the white light in front of him, holding it tightly. He felt the struggle of the long knife in his hand, trying to break free again. Shen Qing activated the Six Paths Whale Swallowing Technique, continuously suppressing it. Finally, the knife settled down and stopped struggling. Shao Hongling, who was nearby, couldn''t help but feel happy for Shen Qing, "That''s great." Shen Qing looked down and saw the knife lying quietly in his hand, resigned to its fate, docile like a lamb. Gradually, the white brilliance enveloping it dispersed, revealing the true form of the knife. The knife was over three feet long, meticulously forged from cold iron, with intricate and fine cloud and thunder patterns carved on it, displaying a style from the Ancient Times, distinct from the many other knives of the present. The handguard was an irregular polygon, and the blade itself was a deep, tranquil cyan. The spine of the blade was thick, and the edge was as thin as cicada wings, transitioning naturally between the two. Holding it, Shen Qing felt a stable yet violently brutal aura emerge naturally. He held the long knife in front of him and performed a flourish, and faint thunder seemed to rumble in the air, making him click his tongue in wonder. In the sunlight, Shen Qing also noticed a faint blue glow on the blade, as if a Spiritual Snake was moving on it, or like a galaxy pouring down, tremendously beautiful. The words "Thunder Abyss" were faintly visible. "What an excellent blade!" Shen Qing couldn''t help but exclaim sincerely. Boom, boom, boom! Roaring noises came from near the gates of the ruins. Unbeknownst to them, Xie Rui and Li Wenze had already rushed in, using the Seal and the Ancient Blade in their hands to continually capture the Spiritual Treasures. Although these two artifacts were labeled with "Fake" and not considered true Magic Treasures, they still contained astonishing power. As Xie Rui and Li Wenze activated them, ancient patterns on the Seal seemed to come alive. Each gentle tap accompanied a slight tremor in space, suppressing a cluster of Spiritual Treasure. The Ancient Blade, with its radiance fully revealed, did the same. Under the formidable might of these two "Fake Magical Treasures," the lively and fleeing Spiritual Treasures encountered their natural predators, emitting pitiful whimpers and a sense of unwillingness. Many of them failed to escape the capturing force of the two "Fake Magical Treasures." Xie Rui and Li Wenze, with one seal and one blade, coordinated flawlessly, gradually bringing this chaotic secret realm under their control. The ecstatic expressions on their faces said it all: "Hahaha!" Laughter continued to pour out. Just then, several people rushed out from deep within the ruins. They were in a pathetic state, with blood oozing from the corners of their mouths. Upon closer inspection, two of them were guards brought by the noble sons, each one a cultivator at the Innate Realm and the Spirit Void Realm respectively, both among the strongest of the Jing Luan Assembly. As soon as they burst out, they shouted, "Run!" The sound had barely faded when a figure burst forth from the depths of the ruins, like the first light of dawn piercing through the endless ages. It was a flawless woman, who strode forth confidently with a long sword in hand, surrounded by a faint spiritual light. Every movement she made seemed capable of shaking heaven and earth, her strength was to an extreme extent. Under everyone''s watchful eyes, the woman walked to the entrance of the ruins, her gaze sweeping across the people in front of her, one by one. Her face was as cold as frost, devoid of any worldly warmth, and her eyes seemed to hold the eternal ice of ages, inspiring awe with just one glance. Shen Qing had never seen such a perfect woman before. Her beauty transcended the mundane, making everything around her pale in comparison, even the endless treasures within these ancient ruins seemed insignificant under her brilliance. It gave Shen Qing an incredibly surreal feeling. "Ah!" The person who had burst forth let out a terrified scream upon seeing the woman, unable to hold back. Just when everyone was puzzled, the perfect woman moved. She gently lifted her wrist, and the ancient sword in her hand gathered a frigid chill before she brought it down with one slash. The entrance to the ruins immediately became the line between life and death. The sword light left an invisible mark in the void, fleeting, sweeping past many martial masters at the doorway. In the next moment, these martial masters hadn''t even had time to show any expression before they dissolved into nothingness, completely disappearing from time. Even the martial masters of the Spirit Void Realm and Innate Realm were like candles in the wind under this astonishing slash, utterly fragile. Their protective techniques were like thin paper, crumbling upon contact. Both their physical bodies and souls, under this destructive power, persisted for a few moments before completely eroding away into eternal nothingness. Seeing such a scene, everyone was terrified, their souls nearly escaping, and they scrambled to flee outward. Xie Rui and Li Wenze''s expressions changed abruptly, and they hurriedly tried to summon back their "Fake Magical Treasures." But at that moment, they realized they had lost connection with their magic treasures. As they were filled with panic, the woman raised her hand and grabbed. The seal and the ancient blade circulating in mid-air burst apart, and the spiritual treasures they contained broke free, seemingly rejoicing as they circled above the ruins. Xie Rui and Li Wenze turned pale with shock and turned to run. Suddenly, the ruins trembled incessantly. Shen Qing quickly said, "Quick, we need to leave this place now!" A heavy feeling in his heart, he activated the Great Void Shifting Technique, sparing no second, he channeled all his spiritual power and ran madly. At that moment, a powerful binding force appeared within the ruins, making the steps of many martial masters and disciples of the Huangtian Sect heavy and difficult. Shen Qing constantly maneuvered through using the Da Xu Technique. He glanced back at the woman behind him. He wasn''t sure if it was an illusion, but upon seeing Shen Qing''s face, the perfect woman seemed momentarily stunned. A flicker of unusual expression crossed her cold, frost-like face. Boom boom boom! "The seal of the ruins is closing again, run!" The woman was too terrifying, nobody wanted to die here. Tens of thousands of martial masters continuously rushed out of the ruins. Shen Qing moved unhindered, making it to the gap in the seal in one breath, half a step out. Just then, a strange fluctuation came from within the ruins, and the strength of the seal suddenly increased. A force beyond resistance appeared on Shen Qing''s right arm, and Shao Hongling, whom he was holding, screamed in panic, being swept back by the binding force. He wanted to turn back and rescue her, but it was already too late. Boom! The seal suddenly closed. Shen Qing narrowly avoided it. Under everyone''s gaze, out of the corner of the ruins emerged a loud rumbling sound, reminiscent of a sinking, colossal ship slowly descending into the ocean depths. Severe energy fluctuations surged in every direction, and the ground, centered around the ruins, rose up high, forming a circular mountain range. At first glance, it appeared as if the earth''s veins had been pushed upward by some force. Everything finally settled down. All the surviving martial masters, seeing the transformed world, felt as if they had been dreaming. If not for the changed landscape before their eyes, they might have thought themselves in a hurried dream, coming in haste and leaving in haste. Chapter 40 Damn, enemies everywhere! Danzhou City.An ancient and quaint mansion. Inside the room, a young man, wearing a yellow cloth on his head, was seated in the center, closing his eyes to rest. There was no superfluous sound in the hall. "Report..." At this moment, a series of urgent footsteps broke the indoor silence. An ordinary sect member hurried in, looking solemn and said, "Church Envoy, something has changed outside." Shen Xiaohu, the Huang Tian Sect''s Church Envoy, lightly raised his hand at these words, gesturing for the other to continue. His voice was low and magnetic: "Speak." The young Church Envoy hastily reported: "Church Envoy, the dispute over the ancient relics opportunities just outside Danzhou City has heavily cost our Huang Tian Sect, with many brothers and sisters meeting with disaster. The martial masters from the Jing Luan Assembly have faced the same, and now they are all gathered around the relic site." Shen Xiaohu slowly opened his slightly squinted eyes: "What''s the current situation with the ancient relic?" The ordinary sect member of Huang Tian Sect hurriedly replied: "It''s already disappeared." "So fast!" Shen Xiaohu''s face showed surprise, as if he realized something, a cold smile curled at the corner of his mouth: "Good, they are all gathered together; this is indeed a heaven-sent opportunity." He withdrew his hand, slowly stood up, and his robe fluttered. Shen Xiaohu took two steps forward, quickly instructing the sect members in front of him: "Pass the order, secretly mobilize personnel, and arrange the ''Nine Heavens Absolute Kill Array''. Let those dogs of the court see the power of our Huang Tian Sect, never to mistake the mere possession of martial machines for the peace of mind!" "Yes, Church Envoy!" The sect members, upon hearing this, flashed a trace of fervor in their eyes. S§×arch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He bowed to take orders, spread his hands, and devoutly said to the sky: "Huang Tian above, thick earth below." Shen Xiaohu also made the same gesture: "Huang Tian above, thick earth below! May Huang Tian bless us, all things go smoothly!" The sect members turned resolutely and left. Shen Xiaohu''s face couldn''t help but reveal a few traces of joy. The Huang Tian Sect is skilled in talisman and array formation, treading a unique path in the Martial Arts-dominated Great Zhou world. After so many years of development, it has vaguely grown into a massive force capable of rivaling the Ji family of Dazhou. And he has already established a firm foothold in the Huang Tian Sect. Because of this, the upper Commander gave him a killing array named ''Nine Heavens Absolute Kill Array''. With this formation, killing ten thousand martial masters would be no problem. Another major achievement. His luck was indeed excellent. Shen Xiaohu''s face flashed with excitement, hurriedly walking towards the outside to preside over the formation. ... At the same time. At the place where the ancient relics appeared, countless martial masters and Huang Tian Sect Saints were mingled together. Originally, the numbers along with the Huang Tian Sect reached forty to fifty thousand, but now after mutual slaughter on the way and the mishaps behind the relics, less than half remain. Looking around, the martial masters participating from the Jing Luan Assembly are estimated to number less than ten thousand. Most have died within the relics. Now, even the corpses are nowhere to be found. The surviving martial masters of the Jing Luan Assembly are no longer as frenzied as before, having restored much of their rationality, they gathered naturally around each family''s noble sons, depending on each other and ceased their fighting. Meanwhile, the followers of the Huang Tian Sect each quickly searched for their own scattered teams to find their leaders. A clear line naturally divided them from the martial masters of the Jing Luan Assembly, forming two great camps, becoming clearly differentiated. Shen Qing silently walked forward, maintaining a low profile, with no intentions of initiating conflict with anyone. He took two steps forward and suddenly stopped. With the support of the [Hunting Scripture], his eyes were sharp and he spotted two familiar figures not far ahead¡ªXie Rui and Li Wenze. At this moment, the two looked pale, their breaths somewhat disordered, standing together with the still-living supervision team soldiers. When Shen Qing fixed his gaze on them, the two sensed his eyesight and turned to look back, their eyes meeting. Xie Rui and Li Wenze were slightly surprised. So many people died, and with their pursuit, Shen Qing still appears in front of them safe and sound, surprising them inexplicably. They couldn''t understand why this person was so hard to kill. But soon, their gazes unintentionally fell on the dagger in Shen Qing''s hand flickering with a dark glow, and their faces changed subtly. Having collected spiritual treasures from the relics, they recognized the style of this knife, clearly a spiritual treasure from the relics! Why! Why is his luck so good? We consecutively damaged two priceless treasure weapons and got nothing? Why could he, with such cultivation, obtain a treasure from the relics? This is a relic from Ancient Times, rare and unattainable. Gradually, the frozen expressions on Xie Rui and Li Wenze''s faces slowly turned into anger, jealousy... Xie Rui even stepped out, pointing at Shen Qing from afar, shouting: "Look quickly, this person holds the ultimate treasure from the relics! He possesses the relics'' remnants!" His voice was slightly sharp due to excitement, suppressing the surrounding noise. These words were like a massive stone thrown into a calm lake, stirring layer upon layer of ripples. The crowd turned their gazes towards Shen Qing''s location, fixating on the dagger in his hand, eyes keen. "To the finder goes the share, leave the ultimate treasure behind, or you''ll not leave alive today!" In an instant, the emotions of both Jing Luan Assembly''s martial masters and Huang Tian Sect''s followers were ignited by an invisible force, intertwining, transforming into torrents that surged toward Shen Qing''s direction. The air was thick with an explosive tension. The martial master closest to Shen Qing, eyes bloodshot, flew towards Shen Qing. Like a leopard pouncing on prey, he extended sharp claws, attempting to snatch the dagger from Shen Qing''s waist. Shen Qing''s eyes were as calm as water, without any retreat, instead his chest welled up with a surge of defiance. He brandished the knife, the air erupted with thunderous roars and brilliant lightning. Boom! Amidst an extremely sharp wind sound, a splash of blood burst forth in the air like a rose, brilliantly and brutally dispersed. The air was filled with the dense smell of blood. The martial master who recklessly attempted to close in was now split in two, lying in a pool of blood. Facing the masses of martial masters charging towards him, Shen Qing held the knife and fiercely shouted: "If you aren''t afraid to die, just come on!" In that moment, he looked around and found enemies everywhere. Chapter 41 Fight! Huang Tian Sects Absolute Killing Array ```The sky was clear and blue. Shen Qing''s warning was powerful and resonant, spreading far and wide so that everyone present could hear it clearly. However, the sudden appearance of the Ancient Relics this time caught everyone unprepared. As a result, they had put in a tremendous amount of effort in the face of such a great opportunity, only to end up empty-handed, which was extremely frustrating. Now, seeing someone obtaining the great treasure made them feel even more imbalanced. Thus, Shen Qing''s warning failed to shake the martial masters of the Jing Luan Assembly and the Huang Tian Sect in the slightest. People die for wealth, just as birds die for food. They stared intently at the treasure in Shen Qing''s hand, which sparkled with a cold glow, and without hesitation, moved aggressively towards him. In their view, Shen Qing was alone, so no matter how formidable he was, how could he compare to a thousand troops and horses? If they could just seize it, maybe they could get a share of the spoils. Shen Qing''s expression was stern, his gaze locked on the two prime culprits in the distance, Xie Rui and Li Wenze. After escaping from the relics, he tried to keep a low profile, not wanting to clash with anyone. If not for those two talking too much, none of this would have happened. At the moment, the two were sitting back and watching the drama unfold, which infuriated him even more. A martial master from the Jing Luan Assembly holding a long sword could no longer hold back and shouted angrily, charging at Shen Qing like a tiger descending the mountain: "Leave the blade and you will live!" Behind him, the Huang Tian Sect members were also eager to make a move. A Yellow Robed Elder snorted coldly, brandishing Huang Tian Sect talismans upon himself before following suit, surging forth like a mountain flood. In the elder''s palm, a Fourth Grade Red Lotus flowered, accompanied by a whistling wind, aimed straight at Shen Qing''s vital points. Confronting the two who charged first, Shen Qing remained unfazed; his figure unmoving, an invisible pressure emanated from his body. He knew well that this battle was unavoidable. These people had set their sights on the supreme treasure in his hands; if he did not die, they would not let him go. And now they were all inside this Jingluan Assembly; the area around Dan Zhou felt like a Prison, and no one could leave. So, there was only one road left to take. Kill! The Yellow Robed Elder of Huang Tian Sect and the martial master wielding a long sword arrived simultaneously. Shen Qing''s eyes were like torches, and with a single slash of his treasured blade, lightning clashed with the martial master''s sword first. Meanwhile, he used his other hand to deftly unleash the Destruction Seal towards the elder''s vital points. Boom! A faint blue glow circulated from the martial master''s long sword, obviously not an ordinary weapon. He was confident in his high cultivation level, adept at maneuverability, trying to bypass Shen Qing''s assault, opting to seize the spiritual treasure first. Unexpectedly, when Shen Qing''s blade fell, a surge of lightning paralyzed his arm, causing him to lose the initiative in an instant. Moreover, the ''Lei Yuan'' treasured blade in Shen Qing''s hand was an Ancient spirit treasure, forged from unknown contemporary materials, incredibly sharp. With a metallic clash, the martial master''s long sword was severed into two sections instantly. In the martial master''s surprised gaze, the long blade, shimmering with a deep blue glow, did not stop, slicing diagonally down his neck. With a muffled slicing sound. The long blade cut effortlessly into the martial master''s chest, splitting his body into two halves. At the same time, Shen Qing exerted all his spiritual power, and from another palm, unleashed a seal containing apocalyptic might. A scorching aura erupted like a furious volcano, wildly spreading, the golden-red brilliance dazzling to the eye. Where the Eight Desolations Destruction Seal passed, the talismans on the Yellow Robed Elder scattered like fragile paper, shattering into nothingness. With the advantage gained in one move, Shen Qing''s movements did not pause at all. He shifted his grasp, capturing the Yellow Robed Elder''s head. Shen Qing breathed lightly, his arm muscles taut as tumors. A searing aura burst from his palm, precisely striking the elder''s neck. With a muffled sound. Shen Qing, as easily as plucking a wildflower by the roadside, severed the elder''s head from his body. Blood spurted like dazzling fireworks, staining his lapel. Amidst everyone''s gaze, Shen Qing threw back the elder''s head, shouting, "My blade is here; if you''re not afraid of death, come get it!" With that, he soared into the air, activating the Six Paths Whale Swallow method, drawing all surrounding spiritual energy towards him. Golden glows emerged from the acupoints all over his body, radiant and dazzling. sea??h th§× N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Under the relentless exertion of the Six Paths Whale Swallow method, Shen Qing''s aura surged; he channeled all his spiritual energy into the ''Lei Yuan'' treasured blade in one breath. Arcs of electricity leapt off the ''Lei Yuan'' blade. Shen Qing sensed an excited emotion from the blade. Just as he felt puzzled, the electric arcs burst violently into a ten-foot thunderbolt. Shen Qing''s expression momentarily changed as he grasped its meaning, quickly focusing his mind. He swept his gaze below, his eyes cold and sharp as knives. Shen Qing brandished the ''Lei Yuan'' treasured blade, wielding it like a bolt of lightning, commanding the majestic power of heaven to crash down. At this moment, someone recalled the day he decimated the Xue family members. "I remember! He''s the Yongzhou Lieutenant who destroyed the Xue family heir, that Lingxu realm expert!" "Ah!" The Jing Luan Assembly''s members gasped collectively, gazing at Shen Qing''s ruthless figure, a wave of unprecedented fear surged in their hearts. But it was too late! Shen Qing''s blade descended. A deafening roar erupted, the Lei Yuan treasured blade like heavenly punishment falling upon them. In one sweeping slash, where the bolt of lightning passed, the advancing martial masters fell like autumn leaves. Their bodies shattered under the lightning strikes, some even evaporated into nothingness by the electric force. The smell of blood and burnt flesh permeated the air. It was astonishing! All around, whether the followers of Huang Tian Sect or the martial masters of the Jing Luan Assembly, they involuntarily inhaled sharply. They found it unimaginable how Shen Qing had become so terrifying under the empowerment of the spiritual treasure. Xie Rui and Li Wenze exchanged glances, greatly astonished. Feeling somewhat reluctant, they continued to incite, "Don''t panic, everyone, such a technique consumes a lot of energy, he can''t hold on for long." "He may not last, but it''s enough to kill a few more people." Shen Qing held the treasured blade, his face a half-smile: "Do you two want to try? Is the Yuan Shen realm that impressive? I''d like a spar." Xie Rui and Li Wenze''s hearts skipped a beat, sensing something ominous. Just then, the ground trembled. Shen Qing looked up to see a massive killing array suddenly erupting from the ground, like an ancient beast awakening, opening its colossal mouth to engulf all within it. "It''s the Nine Heavens Absolute Kill Array!" The Huang Tian Sect members turned ashen at this, recognizing it as their sect''s killing array. Once activated, heaven and earth lament, even those with high cultivation struggles to escape, inevitable death! ``` Chapter 42 I Want to Kill, No One Can Save Him! ```Boom! The Nine Heavens Absolute Kill Array continuously rose, with yellow radiance filling the sky. Within the array, everyone felt an icy serpent''s tongue slithering around their necks, sending shivers down their spines. An Innate Martial Master, sensing that all was not right, decisively acted before the Nine Heavens Absolute Kill Array fully closed, attempting to escape immediately. He rode on the Rainbow Light, soaring straight to the top of the Formation. This Innate Martial Master concentrated all his Spiritual Power into one punch and struck out. Bang! A yellow beam appeared on the Formation, completely covering the Innate Martial Master. "Ah..." A piercing scream echoed in midair. In an instant, this Innate Martial Master was devoured by the fierce killing intent within the Formation, and his aura extinguished instantly. Witnessing this scene, everyone shuddered, eager to escape this land of death. "Boom..." "Whoosh!" "Thud!" "This Formation is too terrifying!" Even Shen Qing couldn''t help but feel a chill in his heart. His pupils slightly contracted, detecting the myriad of hidden killing intents within the Formation. "We need to go quickly!" a martial master shouted anxiously, his voice filled with undeniable fear and trembling. The surviving martial masters turned into headless flies, desperately seeking a way to break the Formation. No one cared about the Merit Stones or Ancient Spiritual Treasures anymore. The desire to survive made everyone''s goals gradually align. Only Shen Qing, with sharp eyes, firmly targeted Xie Rui and Li Wenze, a strong killing intent quietly growing in his heart. These two had crossed him repeatedly, and he was determined to kill them no matter what! S§×arch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. With a gloomy expression, Shen Qing activated the Great Void Shifting Technique, traversing sideways, step by step closing in on Xie Rui and Li Wenze. At this moment, the Nine Heavens Absolute Kill Array finally "woke up." Golden lights roamed like furious dragons, tearing the space apart, each light containing enough energy to destroy a Spirit Void Realm or even Primordial Spirit Realm. Many martial masters perished within these energies. Seeing Shen Qing approaching, Xie Rui and Li Wenze became intensely nervous. Having lost their "Fake Magical Treasure," injured, and dealing with the Formation''s energies, they couldn''t withstand Shen Qing''s assault. Once in Shen Qing''s hands, they were sure to die. Thus, the two combined their forces, channeling all their Spiritual Energy to break the Formation''s constraints. Suddenly, a thick beam of light descended from the sky, enveloping the area where they stood. As the light flickered, they were pushed back by the Formation''s powerful energies, even emitting a burnt smell from their bodies. They couldn''t shake off the assaults from the Nine Heavens Absolute Kill Array. Elsewhere, several noble sons and their guards and Guardians were desperately attacking the Nine Heavens Absolute Kill Array, seeking a slim chance to break free. However, how could the Nine Heavens Absolute Kill Array be easily shaken by ordinary people? In an instant, countless dense golden lights and flames poured down like a waterfall. Their flesh flew, revealing bones, suffering heavy losses. Among them, the princes and princesses of the Wang Family were the most powerful, with Guardians bringing powerful weapons. At this point, they held nothing back, directly deploying them. It was a Spirit Tower, with the tower door wide open, and the Spiritual Power within pouring out like a river from the Milky Way, blocking the golden energies, creating a stalemate. "We must cooperate if we want a slim chance!" someone shouted urgently. The situation was extremely dire, and only cooperation could avoid the fate of total annihilation. Upon hearing this, many martial masters immediately responded. They quickly gathered around these noble sons, jointly resisting the energies within the Formation. Xie Rui and Li Wenze were no exceptions. Realizing the power of the Nine Heavens Absolute Kill Array, which they couldn''t withstand alone, they put aside their Primordial Spirit Realm pride and actively approached the princely heirs of each major family. At this moment, Shen Qing had already closed in on Xie Rui and Li Wenze. He shouted angrily, his figure rising, slashing out with his blade, the blade glow like a dragon, "Thunder Abyss" wrapped in thunder light, containing violent thunder force, roaring towards Xie Rui and Li Wenze''s vital points. Seeing this, Xie Rui and Li Wenze''s faces changed drastically, hurriedly using their movement technique to dodge the fearsome strike. Yet the previous setbacks had halved their power from its peak, and the ferocity of the "Thunder Abyss" Treasure Blade was too much, and they couldn''t completely dodge. "Boom!" A loud noise erupted as the Thunder Light clashed with their protective Spiritual Power, exploding into dazzling brilliance. Xie Rui and Li Wenze felt a powerful force, involuntarily retreating several steps, their faces turning pale as paper, with blood trickling from the corners of their mouths. "Damn it, how is Shen Qing this strong!" Xie Rui gritted his teeth, his eyes filled with unwillingness and anger. Li Wenze also showed a solemn expression, knowing that unless they gave their all, they might fall to Shen Qing before even the Formation''s energies could finish them. "Brother Xie, don''t hold back, let''s go all out and fight him!" Li Wenze shouted, his figure rising again, channeling all his Spiritual Power into a sword glow, charging straight at Shen Qing''s face. Xie Rui did the same. Seeing this, Shen Qing remained serious. These two were Primordial Spirit Realm experts, full of Spiritual Power, and possessed many mysterious techniques. He dared not be careless. Relying on his movement technique, Shen Qing distanced himself, planning to wield the "Thunder Abyss" Spiritual Treasure again. This Spirit Treasure acquired from an Ancient ruin strangely suited him well. Though each move consumed significant Spiritual Power, with the Six Path Whale Swallowing Technique''s support, it was manageable. Seeing him preparing to strike, Xie Rui and Li Wenze both suddenly opened their mouths, simultaneously uttering a word: "Zha!" Shen Qing suddenly felt his mind sink, as if a thorn had pierced his consciousness deeply. Xie Rui and Li Wenze''s faces lit up with joy upon seeing this. This was their signature Soul Stab after breaking into the Primordial Spirit Realm, capable of affecting a martial master''s consciousness, causing confusion at best, and a stupor at worst. In duals, it often has unexpected effects. They had already noticed that Shen Qing was merely a Spirit Void Realm martial master, his cultivation just one Great Realm below theirs, unable to defend against their Soul Stab. But to their surprise, Shen Qing seemed unaffected, continuing his actions without any hesitation. His blade stance unchanged, the blade glow like lightning, enveloping Xie Rui and Li Wenze in an instant. "Boom!" Thunder and lightning flashed, striking directly at Xie Rui and Li Wenze. Their faces were filled with disbelief, unable to comprehend why their previously invincible Soul Stab had failed. In truth, Shen Qing had developed Divine Sense under the support of his panel. The Soul Stab was negligible on him, even less impactful than the memories surging at each breakthrough. With a mere thought, Shen Qing suppressed the discomfort. "Ah!" Already injured, the two were charred black under the "Thunder Abyss" Spiritual Treasure''s assault, with many parts of their bodies breaking and losing much vitality. Xie Rui and Li Wenze wavered, their last bit of strength nearly exhausted, on the verge of collapse. Just as Shen Qing was about to deal the finishing blow, a crisp feminine voice suddenly rang out: "Lord Shen, wait!" The young lady of the Wang Family, Wang Wan''er, wearing a flowing cloud brocade gown, stepped like a lotus flower, swiftly coming before Shen Qing to stop him. Shen Qing sized up this noble daughter. She stood tall and graceful, with smooth skin, and her almond-shaped eyes were captivating. The Wang Family was a leading clan in the Great Zhou Country, with ancestors who fought alongside the Ji Family''s patriarch, a nearly thousand-year-old family, not to be underestimated. Shen Qing coldly said, "Miss Wang, you wish to interfere in our grudge and protect these two?" Wang Wan''er shook her head and said, "I''m not doing it for them, but for ourselves. Look at the slaughter about to begin with the Huang Tian Sect''s Formation, our lives hang by a thread. These two are Primordial Spirit Realm experts; having their aid means more power, increasing our odds of breaking free." "I''m unaware of the deep grievances between you, but I hope you can set aside personal vendettas for the greater good." "I, Wang Wan''er, am willing to vouch with the Wang Family''s reputation. If you lay down your personal grievances and face the Nine Heavens Absolute Kill Array together, you can settle scores once we break free. Such killing benefits no one." Her words won many nods secretly, agreeing with her point. However, Shen Qing remained indifferent, his gaze showing only endless coldness and determination. "I refuse!" "You!" Wang Wan''er was infuriated. To her, it was clearly beneficial for everyone, but Shen Qing was unreasonably ungrateful. Shen Qing sneered, "Just one question: when martial masters came to kill me, why did none of you stand out? Do you really think I''m easy to bully?" Wang Wan''er didn''t hesitate to say, "That was then. Without this Kill Array, we couldn''t intervene." "So, can I take it to mean my life never mattered to any of you?" Wang Wan''er paused. In fact, initially, they hadn''t considered Shen Qing worth noticing. Though a Spirit Void Realm martial master is formidable, in a millennium-old family, it''s insignificant. Wang Wan''er bit her lip, "Don''t worry, if we manage to escape, the Wang Family will ensure your protection and elevate you highly." "Haha." Shen Qing laughed. Who could guarantee post-escape matters? To Shen Qing, she was merely talking nonsense. "I appreciate Miss Wang''s goodwill," he said, raising his Treasure Blade high, "Today, I intend to kill, and no one can stop me! That''s what I say!" As his words fell, Shen Qing''s "Thunder Abyss" Treasure Blade descended heavily, channeling all his Spiritual Power into one strike, imposing a tremendous force. A flash of cold light, as the blade glow like lightning, instantly engulfed Xie Rui and Li Wenze. Screams erupted abruptly and then ceased. When the blade glow dissipated, the silhouettes of Xie Rui and Li Wenze were gone. The air was saturated with a bloody scent. Wang Wan''er shrieked in terror, unable to believe Shen Qing would be so decisive, ruthlessly killing them before her, without considering her reputation. "You..." Shen Qing sheathed his blade, standing coldly as ice, "In this world, strength dictates everything. Those two were weaker than me, and their survival wouldn''t aid much; they died deservedly." His words were cold and unfeeling, stating an irrefutable fact. Wang Wan''er''s face turned pale, the blood draining, leaving her speechless. The surrounding crowd was abuzz, shocked at Shen Qing''s ruthless decisiveness. "Young Miss!" Wang Family''s guards rushed over, protecting Wang Wan''er, warily watching Shen Qing. "Young man, doing this won''t benefit you; show mercy where possible." An elder Guardian advised Shen Qing earnestly. Shen Qing scoffed, "The Formation''s energies grow stronger; you have time to preach, better focus on protecting your young miss." "Hmph! Hope when this Array drains you to death, you''re still this cocky! Ignorant fool, let''s go!" Wang Wan''er scornfully laughed, leaving directly. Returning to the other noble heirs, she cursed, "This damned hunter, what''s he so arrogant about?" The noble heirs shared information quickly; even before the Incident of Order began, they had insights on certain martial masters participating. They naturally knew of Shen Qing, a hunter by origin. The thought of someone of his background rejecting her made her infuriated. "Never mind this, let''s break the Formation together. Though powerful, if we give it our all, there''s still hope. Once we escape, that obstinate fool can die in the array!" A young man from the Xie Family spoke up. The Xie Family rivaled the Wang Family in stature, both families deeply rooted, now joining forces. "Alright!" Wang Wan''er nodded vigorously. With them at the core, others rallied, continually striking. Boom! Boom! Boom! The Formation intensified. A powerful momentum released within the Nine Heavens Absolute Kill Array. A golden millstone appeared, pressing upon the martial masters within the Formation. Everyone felt an immense pressure, almost immobilizing them. Even Guardians and guards from noble families struggled to resist. A martial master, inadvertently touched, exploded in the millstone''s energy, turning to dust, perishing in the Formation. "Join forces to break the Array!" The Guardian wielding the Spirit Tower shouted sternly, his hair flowing, exuding overwhelming battle intent. Above his head, the Profound Spirit Tower rotated slowly, resisting the Formation''s energies. On his command, other martial masters swiftly joined in rallying the Spirit Tower. The Spirit Tower emitted a chilling aura. All exerted their utmost to break free from the Nine Heavens Absolute Kill Array. Unfortunately, the previously unstoppable magical artifact still couldn''t shake the Array''s foundation to open a path to survival. As time passed, the Formation strengthened, more people failing to withstand it, consumed by its terror, leaving their names here. Shen Qing also sensed the escalating threat, spreading his Divine Sense, constantly seeking weak points in the Formation. He had no way back. Outside the Formation. Shen Xiaohu, after setting up the Nine Heavens Absolute Kill Array, led his subordinates over. He moved to a vantage point outside the Formation, viewing everything inside clearly. Suddenly, Shen Xiaohu spotted a familiar figure, exclaiming, "Brother!" ``` Chapter 43 Escaping the Trap, Slaying Them All ÉòС»¢ was dumbfounded, his eyes suddenly widened, and his face was full of disbelief."How... how is this possible? Brother Qingzi, how could he appear in this place?!" He never expected to encounter Shen Qing in this place. Shen Xiaohu fixed his gaze, only to see Shen Qing struggling desperately within the formidable power of the formation, constantly searching for weaknesses in the array. But Shen Xiaohu knew that the Nine Heavens Absolute Heaven Array laid down by their sect was derived from ancient times, and even they hadn''t fully studied all the flaws, making it impossible to find any, let alone for Shen Qing and his group. sea??h th§× N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. With their cultivation, finding a flaw within it was virtually a pipe dream. Seeing the power of the formation growing stronger, the two streams of energy like grindstones constantly closing in, annihilating everything in their way. Shen Xiaohu couldn''t help but show a bit of nervousness on his face, his heart burning with anxiety, wishing he could directly open the formation and let Shen Qing out. But he also knew that this formation was a large-scale array, the result of everyone''s combined effort, and it couldn''t be stopped or opened just because he said so. To truly let Shen Qing out of the formation, there had to be a suitable reason, something to convince others. As time passed bit by bit, Shen Xiaohu''s expression gradually became serious. His gaze was fixed tightly on Shen Qing, continuously calculating a plan in his mind. When Shen Xiaohu saw Shen Qing approaching the group of Huang Tian Sect disciples, a thought flashed through his mind, and he suddenly had a daring idea. He loudly called to his subordinates next to him, "Men, come here!" A Yellow Angel quickly ran up to Shen Xiaohu, "What orders do you have, Church Envoy, sir?" "Why have you trapped our brothers and sisters inside the formation? What exactly is your intention?" Shen Xiaohu suddenly pointed to a corner of the formation, questioning sternly. The Yellow Angel who was questioned smiled bitterly, "Church Envoy, sir, back then all the brothers and sisters were mixed up with other martial masters of the Jing Luan Assembly. We had no time to notify and distinguish, so we had no choice." The Yellow Angel continued, "Besides, now that we''ve joined the Holy Sect and attained transcendence, even if they die, it''s surely willingly." "Nonsense!" Shen Xiaohu pierced through his hidden thoughts and cursed, "If I told you to let me kill you now, would you damn well be happy and willing?" "Church Envoy, sir." The Yellow Angel became more terrified. "Don''t say these useless things. As a member of the Huang Tian Sect, all compatriots are considered as brothers and sisters, and we must not do such harmful things to each other. Now spread my order, we need to open a corner of the formation and let these brothers and sisters out to help them escape!" "Huh?! Absolutely not." The Yellow Angel hurriedly urged, with an anxious expression, "Once the formation is opened, the martial masters of the Jing Luan Assembly will surely notice, and they might escape through it as well. We would have worked for nothing!" Shen Xiaohu glanced at the Yellow Angel, displeased, and said, "Do you think I haven''t thought of what you''ve thought of?" The Yellow Angel was momentarily stunned and bowed his head, saying, "It is my ignorance..." Shen Xiaohu snorted coldly. He took out a few golden talismans from his bosom and said, "These are Sound Transmission Talismans I refined over the past two days. Later, I will give orders to our brothers and sisters in the Huang Tian Sect, letting them prepare in advance and giving them a moment to escape. In this way, those martial masters of the Jing Luan Assembly will definitely not react in time." Under the gaze of his subordinates, Shen Xiaohu began to refine the talismans in front of his chest. As he continuously activated them, these talismans floated up and hovered in front of Shen Xiaohu, shining brightly with streams of yellow light flowing on them. Shen Xiaohu formed a complex spell with his fingers and lightly drank, "Swift!" Swish... The talismans in front immediately moved with a spirituality, transforming into streaks of golden light, flying all over the sky, dashing into the formation and integrating into it. Under Shen Xiaohu''s deliberate control, all these talismans fell towards the Huang Tian Sect members. However, in an inconspicuous position, a Sound Transmission Talisman overlapped with an Invisibility Talisman, transforming into an invisible light and flew towards Shen Qing''s location. After doing all this, Shen Xiaohu quickly instructed, "Go prepare now, we''re going to open the formation for a brief moment and let our brothers and sisters out safely." He spoke these words with a great sense of righteousness. The many Saints of the Huang Tian Sect behind Shen Xiaohu were all touched upon hearing this. All hearts are flesh. Shen Xiaohu''s concern for their life and death seemed far better to them than other Church Envoys and Commanders. "Yes! Church Envoy, sir." Unknowingly, Shen Xiaohu gathered a large amount of people''s hearts. Under Shen Xiaohu''s orders, the disciples of the Huang Tian Sect became high-spirited and quickly took action. At the same time, Shen Qing in the formation moved around like a trapped beast. His sharp gaze took in all the various details within the formation, even seeing many interwoven runes. These runes were extremely complex, and regardless of how he meticulously observed, the formation appeared seamless, without a hint of flaws or weaknesses. Every attempt he made ended in failure. Watching the grindstones on the formation close in on each other and the energy within the formation growing sharper, Shen Qing''s heart sank into a deep abyss with a sense of ominous foreboding. Could it be that he would die in this formation today? Amidst this despair, an unusual "pop" sound suddenly rang in Shen Qing''s ears. This sudden sound was particularly abrupt in the otherwise silent formation. And following this "pop," a familiar voice clearly entered his ears: "Brother Qingzi, soon, a fleeting flaw will appear in this formation. That''s your chance!" Shen Qing abruptly looked up, a glimmer of disbelief flashing in his eyes. That was Shen Xiaohu''s voice! "Xiao Hu? You... why... are you here..." Shen Qing replied in his heart, filled with surprise and confusion. "Don''t ask too many questions, time is of the essence!" Shen Xiaohu interrupted Shen Qing''s inquiries with an authoritative tone, "Keep an eye on the Huang Tian Sect folks, leave with them." Hearing this, Shen Qing quickly calmed down, understanding it wasn''t the time for catching up. He immediately pressed down the doubts and gratitude in his heart and focused all his attention. Silently, Shen Qing operated the Great Void Shifting Technique, moving with an invisible movement technique to the vicinity of the Huang Tian Sect members, his expression becoming fully focused. Click, click, click! Moments later, after a light mechanical turning sound, the runes around a corner of the formation began to flicker slightly. Shen Qing''s heartbeat accelerated, his entire body tensed to the extreme. The next moment, he clearly caught sight of a subtle crack slowly opening in the formation. Seeing this, Shen Qing didn''t hesitate for a moment and acted according to Shen Xiaohu''s instructions. "Go!" Shen Qing urged his spiritual power, his figure flashing like a ghost, shuttling between the runes and rushing with the Huang Tian Sect people towards the only exit. In the blink of an eye, using the Great Void Shifting Technique, he passed through that crack, escaping the constraints of the formation and regaining freedom. Looking back, Shen Qing found himself standing outside the formation, easily escaping the predicament. "Look, they''ve broken out of the formation!" "What? Quickly, rush over there. Hurry!" The commotion caused by the Huang Tian Sect was massive, almost instantly attracting the attention of many martial masters from the Jing Luan Assembly. Roaring furiously, the belated martial masters of the Jing Luan Assembly charged towards the spot where Shen Qing and the others had escaped. However, the opening of the formation only lasted for a moment, fleeting. When they arrived, the Nine Heavens Absolute Kill Array had already returned to normal. Everyone began to become hysterical. Shen Qing transformed into a beam of rainbow light, soaring into the sky, reigning over the outside of the formation. The Nine Heavens Absolute Kill Array was not a world of its own, the view inside was clear. Many noble sons who were struggling could see Shen Qing appearing outside the formation, their eyes filled with rage and fury. In particular, Wang Wan''er, seeing this scene, was filled with a complex emotions of shock and jealousy, "How is it possible, why did he appear outside the formation and escape?" Wang Wan''er''s mentality was thrown off balance. She found it hard to accept that a low-born hunter, with no backing or background, was living better than her. "Hurry up and give me some strength!" Wang Wan''er screamed almost hysterically, "If we die here, your entire family''s lives will accompany us to the grave!" Hearing this, all the Shi family''s guardians and guards suddenly tensed, sweating profusely. They never expected the usually secure Jing Luan Assembly to turn out like this. The changes in the world had exceeded their imagination. Outside the formation, Shen Qing smiled and made a clasping gesture towards the noble sons inside, further fueling their rage. He laughed heartily, indifferent. Shen Qing''s gaze inadvertently swept towards a certain direction, where he saw another familiar figure gazing at him excitedly. Enjoy new adventures from empire With his keen Divine Sense, he realized it truly was Shen Xiaohu. Unexpectedly, after so many years, he had infiltrated the Huang Tian Sect, and seemingly held a not-low position. Now, Shen Xiaohu had shed his former childlike demeanor, his figure had become much more upright. On him, the original wild aura of a mountain dweller had disappeared, replaced by a scholarly elegance unique to a scholar. In the distance, Shen Xiaohu also noticed Shen Qing. He suppressed his inner excitement, maintaining a calm demeanor as he instructed his subordinates, "Continue to host the formation, I have something to handle." "Yes, sir!" After saving many fellow disciples, Shen Xiaohu silently earned considerable respect from many sect members. There was naturally no doubt about his words. After leaving the multitude of sect members of the Huang Tian Sect, Shen Xiaohu headed to a secluded spot. Confirming there were no pursuers, he produced a Shapeshifting Talisman, transforming into a yellow light traveling swiftly through the mountain forest. Noticing Shen Xiaohu''s actions, Shen Qing didn''t hesitate either, knowing Shen Xiaohu likely wanted to meet him. Thus, Shen Qing also flashed towards Shen Xiaohu''s direction. In a secluded mountain forest, the two brothers finally met, halting their steps. "Brother Qingzi!" Shen Xiaohu called out, eyes brimming with tears. Shen Qing stood firmly, looking directly at Shen Xiaohu, moved, "Xiao Hu, is it really you?" "It''s me, it''s me." Shen Xiaohu nodded. "Why did you join the Huang Tian Sect?" "This is a long story. Brother Qingzi, why are you in the Jing Luan Assembly?" Shen Qing laughed, "That too is a long story." The two brothers exchanged a glance and simultaneously burst into laughter. "How has everyone been all these years?" "Not bad. I am now the Chief Constable of the two divisions of Yongzhou, and Uncle and Aunt live in Shen Mansion, becoming ''Master'' and ''Lady''." Shen Xiaohu widened his eyes, a comical image of his father wearing the long gowns of a ''Master'' flashing in his mind, and he couldn''t help but laugh. But soon, he seemed to notice something. "Wait a minute, brother, you say you are now the Chief Constable of two divisions?" "Yes!" Shen Qing nodded. "Isn''t that specifically against me?" Shen Xiaohu blinked, a bit stunned. Shen Qing replied, "In a certain sense, it is indeed!" "What about those martial masters in the formation, what does Brother Qingzi plan to do with them?" "Just kill them all!" Shen Xiaohu was taken aback. "What''s wrong, isn''t killing these martial masters what you guys were planning to do?" Shen Xiaohu rubbed his nose and said, "I thought Brother Qingzi wanted to save them." "No relation to me, why save them." Just then, tremors and rumblings began to emanate from the formation in the distance. Shen Xiaohu realized something. He took out a mirror and placed it in Shen Qing''s hands, saying, "This is a magic mirror I refined using Huang Tian Sect''s secret method. I''ll teach you a way to activate it, and then we can have a mirror talk." Oh, is there such an artifact? Holding the ordinary-looking mirror, Shen Qing felt a bit bewildered. After quickly teaching Shen Qing a series of manipulation methods, Shen Xiaohu hurriedly said, "I still have some matters to handle; once I''m done, I''ll come to chat with Brother Qingzi." "Okay." Shen Xiaohu once again harnessed talismans to leave. Shen Qing also didn''t stay, climbing a high mountain and watching the distant formation. In that vast Nine Heavens Absolute Kill Array, Shen Qing saw two golden grindstones formed by the energy of the array drawing close to each other. Amid the grindstones, countless martial masters were wailing in despair. Their vitality was swept away like autumn leaves, turning into wisps of blue smoke, dissipating into the formation. Those sons of noble families kept struggling. However, as the grinding momentum surged, the brilliance of the spiritual tower protecting them dimmed immensely. More tragically, many innate martial masters among them were caught between the grinding stones, instantly turning into a mangled mass, then utterly disintegrating without leaving a trace. This formation, fully activated, was suffused with an overwhelming power that could smash everything. Click, click. As the two grindstones closed, the spirit tower refined by the Wang family guardians cracked open, unable to hold any longer. Ultimately, it shattered spectacularly, scattering fragments everywhere. Bereft of the shield of the spirit tower, those noble sons and their guards, despite putting in all their effort and utilizing every means, were powerless in the end. Their bodies, under the pressure of the formation, gradually cracked, with blood gushing like springs, splattering this deathly place and emitting harrowing cries. These martial masters ultimately perished. Chapter 44 Unprecedented, Only One Survives the Jing Luan Assembly ```Deep within the Ancient Relics, a breathtaking jade palace stood, its grand scale comparable to a human city, exuding a soft and gentle luster. Inside the palace, a misty fog swirled, obscuring the view and making it difficult to see clearly. Suddenly, a whisper shattered the silence within the palace. Shao Hongling woke up from this chaotic mist, slowly opening her eyes. When she saw the surrounding scenes, her face immediately froze. She clearly remembered that in the final moment, a powerful force swept through the Ancient Relics, and she was caught up in it. She had no memory of what happened after that. Could it be that she had died, and this was the world after death? Shao Hongling couldn''t be sure. She tried to stand up and looked around, seeing only endless white, as if she was in another world. A wave of fear and helplessness surged from deep within her heart. She couldn''t help but cry for help: "Is there anyone? Is anyone here?" Yet, the only response was the empty echoes, reverberating endlessly from all directions in the mist. Shao Hongling bit her lip and, guided by her intuition, walked forward aimlessly. But all around her was an endless expanse of white, leaving her lost and without direction. She didn''t know how long she wandered, but she never managed to escape. However, as she continued forward, she seemed to sense a mysterious whisper. Shao Hongling''s spirit was jolted awake, and she followed the faint whispering sound. The sound gradually became clearer. Only then did she realize it wasn''t a whisper at all; it was the ringing of a sword. Just as she was perplexed, a graceful figure emerged from the mist. She seemed like a fairy walking out of the mist, each step appearing to align with some rhythm or law. This was a flawless woman, her beauty unparalleled, her temperament transcendent, and her every gesture radiating an indescribable sense of detachment, giving one an extremely unrealistic illusion. Upon clearly seeing the woman''s face, Shao Hongling''s heart tightened sharply. This was precisely the perfect woman who had just appeared among the relics. S§×arch* The n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Shao Hongling couldn''t help but take a few steps back, the shocking scenes of this woman slaughtering all in her path previously in the relics surfacing involuntarily in her mind, leaving her in fear. The perfect woman seemed indifferent to the waves in Shao Hongling''s heart. Her gaze was calm and profound, as she spoke directly, her voice like heavenly music: "Shao Hongling. I have been entrusted to teach you the Ancient Secret Cultivation Method, are you willing?" Shao Hongling was more surprised and incredulous than anything upon hearing this, staring at the woman before her, asking tremblingly: "Who are you, why do you know me?" "Who am I?" A hint of a smile appeared on the perfect woman''s icy, frost-like face: "My name you have all seen, it''s engraved on the great door." Tianxuan? Shao Hongling almost instantly remembered. In the relics, she had a deep impression of the plaque on the door. The perfect woman Tianxuan smiled slightly and continued: "As for why I know your name, you don''t need to ask further. Just know that this is your opportunity, and it won''t do you any harm." With Tianxuan''s words, the chaotic mist within the palace seemed to still, an ancient and powerful force quietly diffusing in the air. Shao Hongling astonishingly found that the mist ahead automatically parted, revealing a passage. At the end of the passage, a sword was planted, white as jade, with a glaze-like glow constantly manifesting. ¡­ Tragic. Extremely tragic. Inside the Nine Heavens Absolute Kill Array, the scene was heartbreaking, as if doomsday had arrived, filled with a thick, bloody aura. Inside, bone fragments and flesh flew everywhere, no complete existence to be seen. Those Innate Martial Masters brought by the noble sons, considered powerful in the Great Zhou, their physical bodies were fragile and shattered under this Absolute Kill Array. Not only these Innate realm martial masters, but even the Spirit Void realm martial masters fell within this ruthless array, leaving behind patches of mottled bloodstains. At this moment, within the Nine Heavens Absolute Kill Array, there were no victorious cheers, no cries of despair from the defeated, only deathly silence, deep and hopeless. Everyone was dead. Shen Qing witnessed all this, feeling a chill and fear. If he hadn''t been lucky enough to meet Xiao Hu, he would certainly be among the mud and blood stains in this array. And it was all due to the rules made by those who ruled this world. In their presence, someone like Shen Qing had no chance of resistance at all. Ultimately, it was because he himself was too weak, his cultivation insufficient. A desire to become stronger surged again from deep within Shen Qing''s heart. The last time he felt such an urge was when passing by a village along the road leaving Taiping County. However, that time he was influenced by the external environment rather than a personal experience, and the intensity was far less than this. Shen Qing gently exhaled a breath of foul air, suppressing the turbulent waves in his heart. Woo woo woo... Shen Qing suddenly noticed a trace of warmth and vibration at his chest. It was the Spirit Communication Mirror that Xiao Hu had given him. He hurriedly took it out, recalled the method Xiao Hu had taught him for refining it, and activated the Spirit Communication Mirror. Moments later, lines of characters appeared on the mirror''s surface, which was clean and smooth as ice. "Brother Qingzi, we are about to withdraw the array. At that time, I will lead my men to clean the battlefield. I will control the time spent cleaning the battlefield, and Brother Qingzi, you can enter the scene then." "The Merit Stones and these external things are useless to us; you can collect them all back." Shen Qing looked at the lines of text and found himself momentarily stunned for some reason. So this is how the Spirit Communication Mirror is used. He truly gained some knowledge. Indeed, the Huang Tian Sect couldn''t be underestimated. After some thought, Shen Qing activated his mental method and replied with two words: "Received." After replying, Shen Qing employed a movement technique to rush down from the mountaintop, continually crossing and traversing to reach near the Nine Heavens Absolute Kill Array. He sat cross-legged on one side, staring at the formation in front while adjusting his breath. In his sight, a group of sect members from Huang Tian Sect joyfully walked out from Dan Zhou and various places, heading towards the formation. Each of them had faces filled with ecstatic triumph, with Shen Xiaohu entering among the crowd''s embrace. It was evident that Shen Xiaohu''s status among these disciples of the Huang Tian Sect had risen, garnering respect and admiration from them. Standing before the formation, Shen Xiaohu gently waved his hand, signaling everyone to quiet down. Thereafter, the Nine Heavens Absolute Kill Array was steadily withdrawn under his command. The light gradually dissipated into nothingness, revealing a devastated battlefield. Shen Xiaohu directed the sect members from Huang Tian Sect to begin the methodical cleanup of the battlefield. Amidst cheers, countless disciples of the Huang Tian Sect plunged into the area of the array, their actions both swift and efficient. Who knows how long it took, Shen Xiaohu took out a token from his bosom, shimmering with a strange light. After sensing it through his brow, his expression turned grave. Shen Xiaohu then conveyed a brief evacuation order to the numerous sect members cleaning the battlefield. Upon hearing this, although the sect members of Huang Tian Sect looked reluctant, they didn''t hesitate and quickly departed under Shen Xiaohu''s lead. As Shen Xiaohu was leaving, Shen Qing even saw Shen Xiaohu throw a knowing glance in his direction, which made him involuntarily chuckle. Soon, the vast battlefield became empty. Shen Qing released his Divine Sense, making sure there was no one else, then boldly walked in. The battlefield was thick with a bloody aura, and even after the cleanup by the sect members of Huang Tian Sect, traces still remained. Shen Qing took a few deep breaths, numbing his sense of smell, then focused on releasing his Divine Sense to search for remnants on the battlefield. With his Divine Sense, he discovered countless scattered items. Most valuables, such as wish-fulfilling pearls and gold and silver, treasures, were taken by the Huang Tian Sect. However, due to the hasty search, many items were left behind. These items naturally didn''t escape his Divine Sense''s detection. The corners of Shen Qing''s mouth curled into a faint smile, maintaining the sharpness of his Divine Sense while passionately mobilizing the spiritual energy within his body. Under his control, vast spiritual energy surged and boiled within him, ultimately converging in his palm, transforming into strands of spiritual energy tendrils. "Go!" Shen Qing, with his powerful Divine Sense manipulation, constantly maneuvered these spiritual energy tendrils across the battlefield, picking up the remnants and gathering them behind him. To outsiders, it would seem like countless treasures flying by themselves, quite mystical. Among them, one by one, dark practice stones leaped up, eventually piling into a small mountain behind Shen Qing. Besides the wish-fulfilling pearls, many treasure fragments, remnants of pills, peculiar minerals, fragments of secret manuals... all piled together. The sheer quantity of these items was such that even with Shen Qing''s extraordinary means, it was momentarily difficult to handle them all, so he scooped them up entirely. Just then, a tremendous soul-shaking aura from the sky surged towards Shen Qing, involuntarily pausing his actions. Alarm bells rang in his heart as he abruptly lifted his head to gaze at the vast sky. Beneath the blue sky, dazzling rosy light tore through it like the first break of dawn, yet more dazzling and brilliant than sunrise. Immediately after, a golden silhouette, moving at an incredible speed, streaked across the sky like a meteor chasing the moon, approaching the forefront of the battlefield in an instant. This golden silhouette''s mere appearance caused the surrounding air to tremble. Another Spirit Void Realm martial master! This was a strand of a Spirit Void Realm martial master''s divine soul. This individual''s cultivated divine soul could already leave his body and exist apart from it. His cultivation level was stronger than that of Xue Rui and the two others. Continue your adventure with empire Shen Qing had a premonition of bad things to come. Gradually, the golden silhouette solidified, transforming into an armor-clad general, surrounded by an unyielding battle intent. The general gazed downward from a high position, fixing his eyes on Shen Qing. Seeing the Merit Stone mound behind Shen Qing, he couldn''t help but pause in surprise. He furrowed his brows, his tone carrying a hint of interrogation: "Youngster, why are these Merit Stones here? Where are the martial masters who participated in the Jing Luan Assembly?" Although Shen Qing''s heart was in turmoil facing this sudden strong presence, he maintained his composure and calmness on the surface. He truthfully said: "As the master saw, they are all dead! With Huang Tian Sect''s interference, the martial masters from the Jing Luan Assembly couldn''t withstand their terrifying power, and now they''ve all fallen. I was fortunate to survive and am here to clean up the aftermath." The golden silhouette hadn''t expected such a result, so he asked: "What is your name?" "I¡­" Shen Qing was about to say his name, but with a thought for his own safety, he suddenly switched his words, cupped his fists earnestly, and declared: "Li Feiyu." "Do you recognize a martial master named Shen Qing?" Shen Qing? Was he looking for me? Shen Qing felt a chill in his heart. Judging by the opposing party''s intimidating demeanor, this couldn''t be anything good. Currently, he wasn''t a match for a Spirit Void Realm martial master. If they targeted him, he wouldn''t have the power to fight back and would surely die. Thinking that far, Shen Qing said decisively: "I don''t know him." The golden silhouette fell silent, contemplating his existence. "General Xue, this is the designated area for the Jing Luan Assembly, why are you here?" Suddenly, the sky split open with a fissure, and a vast ocean-like aura swept forth, accompanied by a deep, resonant male voice that stirred the surrounding clouds. Upon hearing this thunderous voice, Shen Qing couldn''t help but look up towards the firmament. A middle-aged man dressed in a gray-white robe soared through the air, his garments fluttering, appearing like an immortal descending. This was none other than the void-traversing powerhouse, Lan Gongliang. Lan Gongliang''s gaze flickered as he looked directly below, with a tone tinged with both reproach and confusion: "Court laws were long established. No external intervention is allowed in the Jing Luan Assembly. General Xue, are you intending to break the rules?" Xue? General? Currently, there was only one General Xue in the Great Zhou court''s temple. Shen Qing hurriedly looked at the golden silhouette in the sky, studying its appearance closely, noticing it resembled Xue Yan and Xue Bai somewhat. Who else could it be but the head of the Xue family, Xue Zhao? This Xue Zhao was here, likely because of Xue Bai!!! Shen Qing''s heart shook intensely. Immediately, he lowered his head, remained silent, striving to be as inconspicuous as possible. General Xue didn''t notice Shen Qing''s small actions. He looked at Lan Gongliang and said: "Master Lan, there''s no misunderstanding. I am merely passing by to take a look. Besides, the Jing Luan Assembly has only one person left, it is, to some extent, concluded already." As he spoke, the golden silhouette gently quivered, emitting a faint glow that rendered the surroundings harmonious, yet subtly sharp. Lan Gongliang neither approved nor disapproved. He moved slightly, glancing towards Shen Qing. "Young friend," Lan Gongliang appeared near Shen Qing from midair and asked: "From afar, I sensed a powerful energy fluctuation and a tremendous phenomenon, what happened here?" Shen Qing promptly cupped his fists and truthfully recounted the entire series of events. Lan Gongliang''s expression shifted significantly. He never expected such events to unfold. "If things are as calculated, you are the sole survivor of the Jing Luan Assembly. According to the rules, you are the most deserving of glory." Lan Gongliang scanned him up and down, recalling the scene of killing Xue family''s young master at the Jing Luan Assembly''s inception. He asked for confirmation: "If I recall correctly, your name is Shen Qing, right?" Boom! Shen Qing''s scalp tingled with shock¡­ ``` Chapter 45 Hanging by a Thread Seeing Lan Gongliang call out his name, Shen Qing''s mind went blank, and his blood surged within him.He had just realized the danger, having concealed his identity with great difficulty. He had thought it was foolproof, but unexpectedly, such a scenario had unfolded. Now, with Lan Gongliang''s slight hint, he felt as if he had been pushed to the forefront of a storm, tensing every muscle in his body. Xue Zhao was originally out to avenge his son''s murder, stifling a bellyful of fire for not finding the murderer. Finding that the murderer was right under his nose, and that he had almost been deceived, only added fuel to the fire. Shen Qing looked at Lan Gongliang, who seemed delighted by the trouble, "I really ''thank'' you!" "Are you Shen Qing?" Xue Zhao''s manifested Primordial Spirit appeared vividly alive, his face animated with an intense killing intent that surged palpably. "Very well, very well!" Xue Zhao laughed in extreme anger. Before Shen Qing could react, Xue Zhao decisively pressed his palm toward Shen Qing, initiating his attack. The immense pressure of the Primordial Spirit Realm, like mountains collapsing and rivers bursting their banks, surged out from him. In midair, a massive golden palm materialized and mercilessly crushed toward Shen Qing. Each ounce of pressure within this palm was immensely heavy, enough to shatter the physical body of an ordinary martial master. Shen Qing was horrified. Still not fully recovered from the terrifying aura of the Nine Heavens Absolute Kill Array and with his strength greatly diminished, he felt like an ant trying to shake a tree facing this Primordial Spirit powerhouse, completely unable to contend. But he did not just wait to die. Shen Qing clenched his teeth, his Spiritual Power boiling inside him as he exerted all his might to activate the Six Path Whale Swallowing Technique and the Eight Desolate Annihilation Seal. Instantly, spirals of Spiritual Power emerged at the acupoints around his body, gathering the surrounding Spirit Essence like twinkling stars. A simple, crimson golden seal formed in front of him, bursting forth with divine might. These two Martial Arts techniques, the most thoroughly mastered and mightiest in his arsenal, still left him uncertain against Xue Zhao, a powerhouse in the Primordial Spirit Realm. A booming sound erupted. Two completely different auras collided fiercely in the void, like stars falling and the heavens trembling, the aftermath overflowing and distorting the surrounding space. Shen Qing staggered several steps back before stabilizing his stance. His upper body clothing, under the onslaught of this destructive force, turned instantly to dust and scattered with the wind, revealing skin torn by the fierce aura, with corners of his mouth silently spilling out bursts of bright red blood. He looked like someone who had just walked out of a bloodbath, covered in blood. Even so, Shen Qing did not take a single step back, nor did he harbor a trace of desire to beg for mercy. He pushed out all his learned skills with all his might, desperately holding on, and his bent waist slowly straightened again. ''Is this the true power of the Primordial Spirit Realm? Just a strand of Primordial Spirit is so powerful.'' Shen Qing''s eyes emitted a fierce light as he took this opportunity to grasp the aura of a Primordial Spirit Realm powerhouse, continuously resisting, unwilling to yield. Xue Zhao''s strand of Primordial Spirit noticed some changes in Shen Qing, "Hmm?" He snorted coldly and increased the force in his hand. Crack, crack, crack! Under the invisible pressure of the Primordial Spirit Realm, every inch of flesh in Shen Qing''s body suffered immense pressure, and fine cracks began to surface on his skin, sounding like porcelain breaking. Shen Qing ignored these injuries; his blood boiled as he continued to resist, his body seeming to thunder from within. Suddenly, a peculiar scene quietly emerged. Within the cracks appearing all over Shen Qing''s body, a strand of golden light faintly glimmered, ceaselessly roving through his meridians. The so-called Primordial Spirit Realm is the realm where a martial master integrates their own Spirit Essence, condenses the Primordial Spirit, and continuously merges with the heavens and earth. Once the Primordial Spirit merges with the heavens and earth to a certain critical point, it can achieve the level of mastery and roam freely between the heavens and earth. The key to this realm lies firstly in condensation and secondly in merging. Unknown amounts of time had passed when he perceived a layer of charm that subtly merged with the Spirit Essence of the heavens and earth from Xue Zhao''s Primordial Spirit. Light burst forth from his eyes. Immediately afterward, Shen Qing, completely disregarding his injuries, moved his body and grabbed the handle of the Thunder Abyss Blade hanging at his waist. He let out a light shout and swung the Treasure Blade in his hand. At this moment, with Shen Qing exerting all his strength, the blade unleashed an unprecedented, earth-shattering power. With one strike, the heavens and earth changed color! Explore more stories with empire Boom! Blue lightning flickered, slashing toward that golden palm suspended in the void. This palm, manifested by Xue Zhao''s will, held astonishing power, but under the strike of the thunder from the Thunder Abyss, it shattered like fragile foam, splitting in two. The golden light scattered, eventually dissipating into nothingness. After the fierce attack poured out, Shen Qing''s figure trembled slightly, his chest heaving like a bellows, gasping continuously. Every breath he took was accompanied by a thunderous rumble between his bones and muscles; a giant dragon was tumbling inside him. The Six Path Whale Swallowing Technique was frantically circulating within his body. Shen Qing''s body seemed to transform into a black bottomless pit, devouring the Spiritual Power it could touch in this part of the heavens and earth. Under his deliberate control, the accumulated "pouch" burst forth like breached floodwaters, pouring out the immense Spiritual Power accumulated over countless days and nights, without reserve. Under the nourishment of Spiritual Power and the continuous repair by the Six Path Whale Swallowing Technique, the cracked wounds on his body rapidly healed at a visible speed. In the blink of an eye, Shen Qing had returned to his peak condition, radiating a glow of rebirth from fire. Xue Zhao stood not far away, witnessing this miraculous scene, a trace of incredulous surprise flashing across his eyes. A hint of surprise curled at his lips, "What Martial Arts are you practicing? Why have I never seen it before?" To be honest, such speed of injury repair was excessively fast, much faster than most Martial Arts he knew, even a bit faster than the injury repair of his own Primordial Spirit Realm. Shen Qing wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, smiling as he asked, "If I tell you, will you let me go?" "I can make your death a little less painful." Xue Zhao''s Primordial Spirit stood with folded arms, snorting coldly. "Only a fool would tell you." "Hmm?!" Xue Zhao had never expected such a reply and, furious to the point of laughter, said, "I think you''d better just die." Seeing Shen Qing''s irreverent attitude, Xue Zhao felt an unnamed anger rising within him, quickly spreading through his chest. Coupled with his revenge for his beloved son, complex emotions tinted his eyes a shade of blood red. "Die!" Xue Zhao bellowed angrily, the skies flashing with golden light. His entire being, like an arrow released from its bow, transformed into a streak of light, speeding directly towards Shen Qing. S§×ar?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. His speed was so fast it almost surpassed the limits of what the naked eye could capture. Xue Zhao''s figure abruptly appeared in front of Shen Qing, his hands sweeping fiercely, bringing a sharp piercing sound through the air. Xue Zhao gathered all his strength and launched a punch. The powerful punch surged toward Shen Qing, the punch''s wind compressing and distorting the space it passed through. In an instant, a ferocious wind howled, its overwhelming power emitting a deafening roar. The enormous shadow of the fist continuously enlarged in Shen Qing''s pupils until it reached right before him. Shen Qing felt the terrifying force of this punch, his heart pounding fiercely. He couldn''t block this punch! Chapter 46 When Heaven is About to Perish, Monsters Will Arise ```I''m going to die! Shen Qing gritted his teeth, determined to make a desperate effort with all his might, struggling to hold on, unleashing power far greater than usual. S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Enough!" A sharp shout, like a thunderous roar, exploded in Shen Qing''s ears. Lan Gongliang, standing nearby, moved. He stepped forward, his eyes shining brightly, as if two rising suns were hanging high in the sky. In the face of this overwhelming aura, Xue Zhao''s fist momentum was pushed aside like a leaf in a storm. The fist wind he painstakingly gathered dissipated and turned into nothingness. Xue Zhao''s face changed drastically, he stared intently at Lan Gongliang, questioning: "Lan Gongliang, do you really intend to intervene in this matter?" Lan Gongliang reined in his aura and said lightly, "Indeed, I must ensure his safety today! What about it? Do you have any objections?" Every word he spoke echoed like thunder in the air, startling everyone. Upon hearing this, Xue Zhao took a step forward, once again gathering his fist wind: "Lord Lan, I know your cultivation is unfathomable. If you insist on this, then today I will have to experience your high skills!" Having said that, Xue Zhao''s spiritual power surged uncontrollably, like rivers breaching a dam. His hands quickly formed seals, and mysterious runes appeared in the void, shining brightly, illuminating the surroundings. At present, he had already reached the Great Perfection of the Primordial Spirit Realm, just a step away from the Kongyou Realm. A lifetime of battles, he had killed countless people, possessing a body full of evil Qi. Against a martial master of the Kongyou Realm, he might have been able to contend. Besides, it was only a wisp of his primordial spirit, and even if it were to perish, it wouldn''t harm his foundation. Seeing Xue Zhao''s relentless stance, Lan Gongliang snorted coldly, his eyes radiating even more brightly. He did not move, yet another wave of grand momentum surged forth like a tide. "Disperse!" With a low shout, Lan Gongliang unleashed an immense, boundless force from his mouth, transformed into a dazzling beam of light, directly striking Xue Zhao''s wisp of primordial spirit. Under the impact of this force, all the brilliance of Xue Zhao''s primordial spirit was dispersed and turned into nothingness. He tried to regroup and resist vigorously, but it was all in vain. Lan Gongliang''s power was too overwhelming, crushing in an utterly one-sided manner. Xue Zhao shouted angrily: "Lan Gongliang, do you really want to oppose my Xue family?" Lan Gongliang shook his head and said, "I am only doing my duty impartially." With that, he glanced at the distressed Shen Qing, and continued: "Now, there are less than a hundred martial masters left in the Jing Luan Assembly, with only him alone. According to the rules, he deserves the greatest credit and can enjoy the treatment of the temple. I need to bring him back to the capital to meet the Emperor, how can I let you kill him? If there is anyone to blame, blame the current Emperor and all the former kings." Xue Zhao''s expression was stunned, looking at Shen Qing in disbelief, showing a hint of unwillingness. Boom! In the next moment, Lan Gongliang''s aura enveloped Xue Zhao''s primordial spirit, bursting forth in dazzling glory. Under Lan Gongliang''s aura, Xue Zhao''s primordial spirit was continuously obliterated until it vanished completely, leaving no trace behind. "Well, I, Xue Zhao, will not forget your actions today." Lan Gongliang remained unmoved, his face expressionless. As Xue Zhao''s primordial spirit dissipated, the surrounding air returned to calm, as if nothing had ever happened. Lan Gongliang retracted his spiritual power and turned to look at Shen Qing. Gratefully, Shen Qing looked at Lan Gongliang, clasping his fists in thanks: "Thank you, my lord, for saving my life." Lan Gongliang looked Shen Qing up and down, quietly praising him in his heart. A beautiful jade, truly a beautiful jade! His eyes were sharp, able to see that Shen Qing''s actual bone age was only nineteen and that his entire body lacked the frivolity from excessive use of elixirs, surprising him. It meant that through sheer hard work, this person had managed to break through to the Spirit Void Realm before the age of nineteen, which was simply incredible. Throughout the over nine hundred years of the Great Zhou Country, such individuals were hardly more than ten. As far as he knew, those individuals all had extraordinary backgrounds, whereas none were like Shen Qing, who broke through purely relying on talent and diligence. Shen Qing''s cultivation talent was extremely outstanding, almost to the point of being monstrous. Nowadays, the world was in great upheaval, demons were rampant everywhere. Looking around, the south had the rebellion of the Huang Tian Sect, while internally demons were wreaking havoc, painting a picture of a world on the brink of collapse. As the world faces decline, a prodigy must emerge! Lan Gongliang spoke to Shen Qing: "When Xue Zhao suppressed you earlier, I noticed great changes in you. What happened?" Enjoy new adventures from empire Shen Qing lowered his head, clasping his fists respectfully: "Junior merely sensed a trace of ''Harmony'' from his Primordial Spirit Realm, gaining some insight." Lan Gongliang chuckled. Indeed, this young man was extraordinary, able to remain calm and perceptive even in life-and-death situations, possessing a truly remarkable mindset. "Gentlemen seek harmony but not uniformity, whereas petty men achieve uniformity without harmony," Lan Gongliang said meaningfully. "''Harmony'' is merely an expression, what''s more important is for you to find your own essence, otherwise, once you breakthrough to the Primordial Spirit Realm, you''ll be trapped, unable to escape your predicament." Shen Qing straightened up, thoughtfully appreciating: "Thank you, my lord, for your guidance." "I wouldn''t dare call it guidance," Lan Gongliang said. "In the future, your achievements may well surpass mine, at which point I may need your guidance instead. Hahaha..." With that, Lan Gongliang laughed heartily. Shen Qing hastily expressed modesty, saying he dared not. After a moment, Lan Gongliang ceased laughing, looking at the mound of merit stones piled like a small hill behind Shen Qing. He took out a precious pouch embedded with sparkling diamonds from his bosom and said: "This is my Hundred Treasures Pouch, it has a space of ten feet. It''s a magical treasure I acquired from elsewhere and it has accompanied me for many years. Now it''s of no use to me, so I am giving it to you, to store your spoils." With that, Lan Gongliang casually tossed the pouch into Shen Qing''s hand. "This is too precious, I can''t accept it!" Shen Qing wasn''t too familiar with Lan Gongliang''s character, and dared not accept rashly. Even if it was a half magical treasure, it still remained a magical treasure! Lan Gongliang dismissed it, saying, "Just hold on to it as you''re told. Stop with the nonsense." "Later, gather all the merit stones behind you and bring them with you. After we return to the camp, the merits will be assessed and calculated. After the assessment, I will report the events here to the Emperor. Then prepare yourself to accompany me into the capital to meet the Emperor." A hint of excitement flashed in Shen Qing''s eyes. After initially joining the Jing Luan Assembly, he had no great ambitions, merely seeking to protect himself, and if possible, attempt to make it into the top hundred. Unexpectedly, after many changes along the way, he became the sole individual at the Jing Luan Assembly, reaping all of the merit, making it all seem unreal upon reflection. Shen Qing nodded heavily, agreeing: "Thank you, senior." "Come over, I''ll tell you how to activate the pouch." "Yes." ``` Chapter 47 Stay Awake, Return to Camp The Magic Skill passed down by Lan Gongliang wasn''t very complex, and with the enhancement from the panel, Shen Qing quickly mastered it completely."You try it," Lan Gongliang lifted his chin to indicate. Without any hesitation, Shen Qing concentrated fully, stepped forward to activate the Magic Skill, and released a strand of Divine Thought that intertwined around the Hundred Treasure Pouch. Unlike any previous Martial Arts he''d encountered, this skill involved a strand of Divine Sense, which bore some similarities to his Great Void Shifting Technique and carried a hint of the flavor from the Ancient Times. With a thought, the Hundred Treasure Pouch in his palm suddenly burst into a dazzling light. Under the irrigation of Shen Qing''s Spiritual Power, the runes on the surface of the pouch lit up one by one, intertwining into a series of mysterious patterns, emitting waves of powerful fluctuations. "Go!" Shen Qing shouted lightly, tossing the Hundred Treasure Pouch into the void. The pouch swelled against the wind, quickly growing from the size of a palm to a three-foot cloth bag. Its mouth slowly opened, resembling the maw of a gigantic beast, exuding an aura of aggressive capture. The Merit Stones gathered by Shen Qing on the ground, each wrapped in a layer of bright red Evil Qi, were vibrant and dripping. At this moment, drawn by the Hundred Treasure Pouch, they rose into the air in an orderly fashion, as if pulled by invisible threads, converging toward the open mouth of the pouch. Following the Merit Stones, other scattered items were also successively drawn upwards. The Spiritual Energy hovering in the air around the pouch circled and danced, adding an extraordinary and transcendent charm to it. As the last piece was drawn into the Hundred Treasure Pouch, the mouth of the pouch slowly closed, and all the emitted light and fluctuations instantly converged, returning to calm. With a plop, the Hundred Treasure Pouch fell from the void into Shen Qing''s hand. Shen Qing weighed it in his hand and found no significant change in weight, which he found rather astonishing. The mechanism contained within this item involved not just any ordinary Martial Arts but perhaps tied to some aspects of the Tao Immortal Technique from ancient times, beyond his current understanding. Lan Gongliang''s willingness to gift him such a treasure was indeed generous. If it had been anyone else, they would probably already be moved to tears, willingly serving him, but Shen Qing, having experienced many great trials, saw things more clearly. Earlier, when he was contending against a strand of Xue Bai''s Primordial Spirit, Lan Gongliang didn''t step forward immediately; instead, he waited until Shen Qing had resisted twice and couldn''t hold out any longer before taking action. Lan Gongliang clearly had his calculations, wanting to be Shen Qing''s last lifesaver, yearning for him to owe a favor. The world bustles for profit. The reason Lan Gongliang was willing to give so much was that he also sought something from him. According to the rules of the Jing Luan Assembly, as the only survivor, Shen Qing already held a ticket to join the ranks of the top elite of Great Zhou, with a limitless future ahead. Building a good relationship now only had benefits, no drawbacks. Shen Qing had no objections to this kind of association. Having an extra friend was always better than having an extra enemy. However, he had to keep a clear head, always maintaining balance, not to be led by the nose by some moral shackles. Shen Qing secured the Hundred Treasure Pouch well, his expression filled with the joy of acquiring a treasure, and walked up to Lan Gongliang, cupping his hands and saying, "Mr. Zheng, it is done." Lan Gongliang, a smile on his face, nodded gently and said, "That''s mostly it, let''s return to the camp now to evaluate your contribution." As soon as his words fell, Lan Gongliang waved his hand grandly and disappeared from the spot, reappearing in the sky. His figure flickered continuously as he flew towards the camp. Shen Qing was not willing to fall behind, he stimulated his Spiritual Power, transforming into a burst of Rainbow Light that shot into the sky, closely following behind. Lan Gongliang, as a supremely powerful expert of the Kongyou Realm, had already quietly touched the mysterious threshold of the Tao Immortal Technique. His movement technique had reached a transformative state. He streaked across the sky like a dragon riding the wind, each step folding space in wondrous ways. Covering distances of dozens of miles in an instant; he left behind traces in the void. Shen Qing, riding the Rainbow Light, watched helplessly as Lan Gongliang''s figure disappeared from his sight, unable to keep up. With a grave expression, Shen Qing silently operated the Great Void Shifting Technique. Instantly, the Spiritual Power within his body surged like a raging river, all gathering in front of him. Suddenly, his figure also became misty and his speed increased several times over. He tightly followed Lan Gongliang''s trail, chasing ahead. Under the enhancement of his Cultivation Technique, Shen Qing''s entire body was resplendent and eye-catching, like a golden-bronze statue, emitting beams of radiance. Soon, he faintly spotted a small black dot in the distant horizon. Lan Gongliang, sensing the brilliance behind him, couldn''t help but show a hint of surprise in his eyes. He had not expected that Shen Qing, with just the cultivation of the Spirit Void Realm, could burst forth with such astonishing speed without falling behind. Even though he was currently only using three to four tenths of his cultivation, the speed and strength were enough to leave countless powerful beings far behind. Shen Qing''s status in his mind couldn''t help but rise, and his expectations for his future became even greater. The two, one after the other, returned to the camp nearby in less than the time it takes a stick of incense to burn. Lan Gongliang pressed down with a large hand, and the barriers he had previously set up were dismantled one by one. Following Lan Gongliang, Shen Qing crossed over the mountain and re-entered the camp. They had not been away from the camp for very long, so at this moment the camp still maintained the appearance they had left in without much difference. Patrolling soldiers in the camp saw Lan Gongliang''s figure and hurriedly came forward to salute with fisted hands, "Greetings, sir!" Lan Gongliang casually instructed, "The Jing Luan Assembly is already over, have your Leader Zheng come over to measure the merit and report the results to His Majesty." So soon? The patrolling soldier was somewhat surprised; he glanced at Lan Gongliang, said nothing further, and bowed his head to take his command, "Yes, sir." Having said that, he quickened his pace and left. Lan Gongliang called out to Shen Qing, "Come with me." Shen Qing bowed and followed Lan Gongliang''s steps, walking into the most luxurious tent within the camp. Shortly after, a man dressed as a general walked in briskly with a saber, looking at Lan Gongliang and asking, "I heard the Jing Luan Assembly has ended, has sir brought people back?" Stay connected via empire Lan Gongliang nudged his mouth and said, "Just him alone." The general looked at Shen Qing skeptically, "Has it really come down to just this one person from twenty to thirty thousand martial masters in such a short time? Are you joking with me, sir?" "Believe it or not," Lan Gongliang looked at Shen Qing and said, "Shen kid, take out all your Merit Stones, and let Mr. Zheng measure your merit." Shen Qing, still somewhat unfamiliar with this so-called merit measurement of the Jing Luan Assembly, but judging from the interaction between the two, it wasn''t something bad. S§×arch* The ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Yes." He clasped his hands, bowing his head in agreement. Then, Shen Qing brought out the Hundred Treasure Pouch. A flash of brilliant light. A small mountain-like pile of Merit Stones was stacked in front of the general. The general''s eyes, following Shen Qing''s actions, gradually widened to the size of bronze bells, speechless for a long time. Chapter 48 Weighing Contributions, Shock Across the Court and Country The general''s expression showed a hint of confusion.He looked at the Merit Stone as large as a small mountain, his lips moved slightly, but he was at a loss for words. As an Innate Realm martial master, this was already his second time presiding over the Jing Luan Assembly. The result of the last Jing Luan Assembly was nothing this outrageous. Not just the last time, but even looking back over a dozen times before, there was never such a situation. Zheng Yuanqiao realized his lapse and quickly composed himself, curiously asking, "Lord Lan, what exactly happened here?" Lan Gongliang casually said, "Nothing much, just that the rebels from Dan Zhou pulled a big one. They somehow got hold of a Great Killing Array, and everyone was wiped out in the array, except for one survivor." "This..." "What, is this not admissible?" Zheng Yuanqiao clasped his hands in salute, "That''s not it." Lan Gongliang observed his dissatisfaction and conflict on his face and casually added, "I forgot to tell you. He was also within the formation and escaped purely by skill. Nineteen years old, Spirit Void Realm martial master!" Buzz! Zheng Yuanqiao''s spirit was shaken, and his gaze towards Shen Qing instantly changed. Tens of thousands of martial masters perished, yet only he escaped, and a nineteen-year-old Spirit Void Realm martial master at that! Each label thrown out caused a wave of shock in him. The young man before him was very unusual. To the side, Shen Qing could hear that Lan Gongliang was deliberately shaping his image, endorsing him. He couldn''t help but feel speechless. It seemed Lan Gongliang was heavily invested in him. "Can the merits be measured now?!" Zheng Yuanqiao nodded vigorously like a chicken pecking rice, "Yes, yes, I''ll measure right away." Finishing his words, he took out a small, ancient-looking scale from his chest and placed it in front of him, muttering some incantations. The small scale appeared ancient and mysterious, its carvings intricate, as if embodying the principles of heaven and earth. Zheng Yuanqiao closed his eyes lightly, merging his spirit, and as his muttering ceased, he uttered a deep and commanding order, instantly activating the small scale. Suddenly, brilliant light shot out, illuminating the entire tent in a dazzling display. In front of him, the Merit Stone piled as high as a towering hill suddenly clattered loudly, as if urged by some force, responding to a summons. The dense Evil Qi entwined on the surface surged madly like untamed steeds, finally congregating upon the scale''s disk, forming a brick of blood-red and crimson. As soon as this brick appeared, the tent''s temperature seemed to plummet by over a dozen degrees, filled with a daunting wave of aura. Zheng Yuanqiao''s face turned red from exerting his Cultivation Technique fully, sweat dripped like fine rain, soaking his garments. He gritted his teeth and grasped the scale bar tightly, continuously moving the heavy black weight on one end of the scale, each slight movement seemingly engaged in fierce struggle with an invisible force. Discover stories at empire "Hah!" Another deafening roar erupted, Zheng Yuanqiao''s muscles taut to the extreme, finally, at the instant when the weight steadied, the entire space seemed to fall into silence. "Thirty-five thousand catties of Killing Merit!" He announced with labored breath, his voice filled with inescapable exhaustion: "Ranked first in Jing Luan Assembly! No, it''s the first in history!" Upon hearing this figure, Lan Gongliang, unsurprised, nodded, "Then, please trouble Mr. Zheng to report truthfully to the court. When the time comes, I will sort out the incidents from this Jing Luan Assembly and draft a memorial to report to Ji Zikong." "Alright. I''ll report at once." Zheng Yuanqiao replied seriously, collecting the Evil Qi and the small scale before leaving hastily. Lan Gongliang turned to Shen Qing and said, "Stay in the camp for a day or two. Soon, there will be news from the court, and we will make further arrangements." "I comply with all your instructions, my lord," Shen Qing respectfully saluted. ... Capital City. Within the Mountain and Sea Department Mansion, the atmosphere was heavy and solemn. Suddenly, a burst of rapid footsteps shattered the tranquility. A dispatch official in a fitted suit darted through the corridor like a flying swallow, rushed straight to the hall, calling out loudly, "Report!" Mountain and Sea Department Chief Officer in the Capital City, Ji He, sat upright at his desk, clasping a teacup, emanating an aura of commanding presence. He looked up upon hearing the call and asked solemnly, "What is the cause of such urgency?" The dispatch official halted abruptly, then knelt on one knee, presenting a rolled secret missive with a slightly uncontrollable excitement in his voice, "Chief Officer, the results of the Jing Luan Assembly have arrived!" "I recall the Jing Luan Assembly wasn''t initiated long ago, the results are out so quickly?" Ji He received the missive, unfolded it with both hands, scanning through its contents. At first, a slight indifference hung on his face, as if everything was proceeding as expected. However, as his eyes fixed on a certain point, his pupils contracted suddenly, and he stood up abruptly. Displaying an incredulous expression, he murmured to himself, "Thirty-five thousand catties of Killing Merit? How... is this possible!" Ji He raised his head sharply, looking intensely at the dispatch official, his voice quivering slightly, "Have you¡­ confirmed the accuracy?" Seeing this, the dispatch official too was startled, hurriedly nodding with a firm expression, "Chief Officer, the information is perfectly accurate, directly from the frontline with comparison made, there is absolutely no falsity." Upon hearing, Ji He couldn''t help but draw a sharp breath, the missive in his hand trembling slightly. Since ancient times, the highest merit achieved in Jing Luan Assemblies was no more than two hundred catties of Evil Qi. This thirty-five thousand catties of Killing Merit was simply beyond belief. Ji He felt somewhat bewildered. Suddenly, he noticed the name atop seemed familiar. "This is... Shen Qing, Chief Officer of Yongzhou?" Inadvertently, the image of the Yongzhou Chief Officer surfaced in his mind. Quickly recollecting his thoughts, Ji He tightly grasped the missive, striding swiftly towards the palace. Along the way, those ordinarily steady guards of the dispatch office couldn''t help but cast side glances at his demeanor, silently speculating on what had occurred. Ji He sprinted all the way to the palace gates without a pause in his step, entering the palace directly and heading towards the imperial study. Arriving at the entrance of the imperial study, he took a deep breath to calm himself, then entered the room. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Ji He found Ji Zikong sitting on the throne, and in front of him was Feng Daxun, the Director of the Imperial Observatory, standing by quietly, which caught him somewhat by surprise. However, he didn''t dwell on these details. Ji He knelt on both knees, raising the missive high and urgently said, "Your Majesty, the results of the Jing Luan Assembly are in. The leader records thirty-five thousand catties of Killing Merit!" Ji Zikong, upon hearing this, directed a sharp gaze like lightning towards Ji He, his tone deep, "Is this true?" A ruler long accustomed to power radiated an aura of authority, imposing great pressure on Ji He. Ji He nodded repeatedly, his voice firm, "It''s absolutely true. I have verified it repeatedly, and dare not deceive even slightly." Upon hearing this, Ji Zikong couldn''t help but exchange a glance with Feng Daxun, each seeing a hint of surprise in the other''s eyes. He stood up, eagerly declaring, "Present it!" Chapter 49 Breakthrough, Six Paths Reincarnation Technique Chief Eunuch He Yong, upon hearing the words, took over the urgent report and promptly presented it on the imperial desk.Ji Zikong unfolded the urgent report and started to review it in detail. His expression shifted from initial surprise to a solemn concentration, and finally to a profound shock, as if each character on the yellowed pages were heavy hammers striking upon the lake of his heart, stirring ripples layer upon layer. "I never expected such an outcome from the Jing Luan Assembly, that only one person survived," Ji Zikong muttered to himself, his tone laced with complex emotions, "It really surprises me." Chief Officer Ji He of the Mountain Sea Department stepped forward and asked, "Then, Your Majesty, should this Jing Luan Assembly be considered invalid and started over?" S§×arch* The n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Upon hearing this, Ji Zikong glanced at Ji He askance, his ire not needing to assert itself. Ji He felt an invisible pressure mounting on him, making his breathing grow labored. Even with his cultivation in the Spirit Void Realm, he couldn''t withstand it in the slightest. Ji He quickly bowed his head and prostrated himself on the ground, silently awaiting judgment. After a moment, Ji Zikong coldly huffed, "Do you think the martial masters under the heavens can withstand the trials of two Jing Luan Assemblies? While the Jing Luan Assembly does exhaust the martial masters of the world, there must be limits¡ªtoo much, and not enough. If it exhausts too much, it could instead cause turmoil in the current situation." Ji He bowed and flattered, "Your Majesty displays clear insight; it is this servant''s foolishness." "Thirty-five thousand units of Killing Merit," Ji Zikong rose from the Dragon Throne, murmuring, "Ever since the Jing Luan Assembly was established, no one has ever reached this level. A nineteen-year-old martial master of the Spirit Void Realm, impressive indeed." "Transmit my decree, summon this person to the palace immediately. I want to meet this prodigy personally and bestow upon him the rewards he deserves!" Ji Zikong''s voice echoed in the Imperial Study Room, carrying an undeniable authority. "This servant obeys," replied Chief Eunuch He Yong, who was standing by. He quickly said, "I will send the message at once." With that, Chief Eunuch He Yong hurriedly left the Imperial Study Room. After He Yong had left, Director Feng Daxun of the Imperial Observatory spoke, "Your Majesty, I observed the celestial phenomena last night and noticed changes in Dan Zhou. This morning, my subordinates already sent back information, indeed an Ancient Relic has appeared near Dan Zhou. The results of this Jing Luan Assembly might partly be due to the strength of the Huang Tian Sect, but they are probably also not unrelated to this Ancient Relic." Ji Zikong nodded and responded, "Aside from Dan Zhou, I have also heard that an ancient tomb appeared in Taiping County, but it was looted by demons. Over the past few years, demons have been rising, and ancient remnants have been continuously appearing. It seems the day of great changes in the world is drawing nearer." Director Feng Daxun''s gaze was downcast, as if lost in thought. "Let it be, we''ll take it one step at a time. Who knows what the future may hold." The situation had not yet reached its utmost point; the Great Zhou Temple still needed to hold on for some time. ... In the camp, on a vast Martial Arts training ground, Shen Qing stood bathed in the blazing sunlight, standing tall and straight as a pine, grounded between heaven and earth. The sunlight pierced through the clouds like a golden waterfall, cascading over his face, draping him in a layer of faint glow. Shen Qing closed his eyes, assumed a stance training position, and refined the Spiritual Energy in his body. At this time, faint fluctuations of Spiritual Power surrounded him, resonating subtly with the surrounding Spiritual Energy. Each breath he took drove the movement of the surrounding Spiritual Energy, as if he were merging with the universe. As he delved deeper into his cultivation, the numbers on the Water Ink Panel suspended in front of him, indicating the progress in the "Six Path Whale Swallowing Technique," jumped at an astonishing rate. Each leap of the numbers made Shen Qing feel his cultivation advancing further. Swirls of Spiritual Power appeared above his acupoints, greedily devouring the surrounding Spiritual Energy, transforming it into nourishment for his cultivation. Shen Qing could only feel the Spiritual Energy inside him churning incessantly. He held a Wish Power Pearl in his hand, accelerating this process. With his cultivation progress inch by inch, Shen Qing experienced an indescribable sense of satisfaction, which increasingly engrossed him. He didn''t know how long had passed when he was finally enveloped by a delicate heat, as if he were standing in white fog, that he slowly ended his cultivation session for the day. After a session of intense cultivation, although he was covered in sweat, his eyes were exceptionally bright. Suddenly, Shen Qing felt something, a thought emerged, and he summoned the Water Ink Panel. Your next chapter awaits on empire The familiar interface appeared before his eyes. [Skill: Six Path Whale Swallowing Technique (Great Perfection)] [Progress: 4001/4000 points] [Status: Break Limit possible] [Note: The Six Path Whale Swallowing Technique is a Body Cultivation Technique without limit-breaking skill; continuous breakthroughs can transform it directly into the Six Paths Reincarnation Technique.] "Six Paths Reincarnation Technique?" Shen Qing was quite unfamiliar with such Martial Arts. He was somewhat puzzled. But having broken through so many times, Shen Qing knew there were only benefits and no disadvantages. Without any hesitation, Shen Qing chose to break through. Boom! As soon as Shen Qing initiated this thought, the information on the Water Ink Panel instantly refreshed, and a powerful, mysterious force bolstered him. Countless memories appeared in his mind out of nowhere, catching him entirely unprepared. Even with his Spirit Void Realm cultivation, facing such agony, Shen Qing couldn''t help but groan in pain. After a while, Shen Qing slowly woke as if from a deep and prolonged dream, his memory surged like a tide and eventually calmed down, completely digested and absorbed by him. In these memories, another Shen Qing from a different time and space was immersed in the cultivation of the Six Path Whale Swallowing Technique, day and night, through all seasons. After decades, through countless revisions and realizations, he finally comprehended and completely mastered the core of this Martial Arts, integrating all its essence. Furthermore, on this basis, he comprehended the Six Paths Reincarnation Technique. This technique not only inherited the path of the Six Path Whale Swallowing Technique to devour surrounding Spiritual Energy and strengthen oneself but also integrated the supreme Martial Arts philosophy of endless cycles and perpetual life. When cultivated to the extreme, even if severely injured, one could recover rapidly within a very short period of time using the amazing Recovery Power contained in the technique, reborn like a phoenix rising from the ashes. Shen Qing looked up at the Water Ink Panel that had already refreshed, unable to hide the joy on his face. [Skill: Six Paths Reincarnation Technique (Entry Level)] [Progress: 1/5000 points] [Status: Break Limit not possible] [Note: The Six Paths Reincarnation Technique is a supreme Cultivation Technique, which when mastered to the extreme, allows the cultivator''s physical body to be nearly immortal, possessing astonishing Recovery Power and the Power of Rebirth.] Shen Qing stared at the information on the panel for a long time without saying a word. He silently operated the Six Paths Reincarnation Technique, suddenly realizing that each motion filled every muscle and drop of blood with supreme spiritual essence. The strand of golden blood in his veins, previously as thin as a strand of hair, had now thickened to the size of a little finger, roaring and rushing within Shen Qing''s body like a golden dragon. Chapter 50 An Audience with the Emperor in the Capital Shen Qing stood silently, eyes closed, concentrating entirely on the sensations within his body, as a feeling of unprecedented shock and surprise rippled through his heart, almost beyond belief.The Six Paths Reincarnation Technique, compared to the Six Path Whale Swallowing Technique he had practiced before, was like heaven and earth apart, its depth and mystery far surpassing that of the Whale Swallowing Technique. He faintly felt that, even if he should suffer unforeseen calamities in the future, his physical body shattered into pieces, with the power of this Six Paths Reincarnation Technique, he could still find a slim chance of survival and be reborn from the ashes. Not only that, under the tempering of this cultivation technique, Shen Qing also discovered that his physical body had undergone countless refinements, becoming unbreakable and so strong that it could withstand direct clashes with treasures. Shen Qing walked onto the practice field and casually executed a few moves. Water and fire circulated around him without harm; blades and spears struck him without penetrating¡ªhis strength was unparalleled. With this Six Paths Reincarnation Technique, he undoubtedly gained a powerful sense of security that could save his life. At this thought, a radiant smile gradually spread across Shen Qing''s face, his eyes sparkling with brilliance. He finished his practice and returned to the accountant''s office as usual. Stepping into the tent, Shen Qing heard the hearty laughter of Lan Gongliang, resounding like thunder, making even the furniture inside the tent tremble. Lan Gongliang glanced up at Shen Qing, with a meaningful smile on his face, he said, "Haha, you''ve arrived just in time. The court just sent a message¡ªHis Majesty intends to summon you!" "His Majesty wants to summon me?" Shen Qing felt a hint of surprise. He had not expected that his name could reach the ears of the supreme emperor. "That''s right," Lan Gongliang nodded lightly, his expression filled with a touch of admiration, "Although you took some shortcuts in your performance at the Jing Luan Assembly, the rules are established, and the one who made the greatest contribution deserves the appropriate rewards. In this Assembly, you were peerless; no one could compete with you for the spoils, all the rewards and benefits belong to you. Such substantial benefits, naturally, His Majesty will grant them to you personally." Hearing this, Shen Qing immediately understood. Even before his arrival, he knew that the ultimate survivors of the Jing Luan Assembly would not only gain the opportunity to enter the temple halls and rise in rank, but they would also receive a lot of good fortune and rewards. All are related to the secrets of the Martial Mechanism of the court. A rare opportunity indeed. Such rewards are something that even the sons of noble families would vie for, showing their significance. Shen Qing asked, "When do we depart?" "Now!" "Eh?" As soon as Lan Gongliang''s words fell, his strong hands suddenly grabbed Shen Qing''s shoulders, like an eagle seizing a rabbit, and propelled them both towards the vast horizon with immense speed. Two streaks of light cut through the sky, instantly piercing through layers of clouds. "Let''s go, young friend Shen Qing!" Lan Gongliang''s voice echoed in Shen Qing''s ear. Shen Qing, surprised, said, "We''re leaving so suddenly?" "It''s just a matter of one or two Shi Chen." Lan Gongliang''s fingers, clutching Shen Qing''s collar, exerted a slight force, speeding along the clouds with Shen Qing, heading towards the distant and bustling Capital City, riding the winds above the clouds. Shen Qing, feeling the howling wind whizzing by his ears, had a numb expression. He quickly mobilized the spiritual power within his body. A dazzling and eye-catching rainbow light instantly burst forth from within him, enveloping him tightly and forming a solid shield, keeping the fierce winds completely at bay. After a while, Lan Gongliang let go of him, and alone he sped forward across the sky. With his head down, Shen Qing silently operated the Great Void Shifting Technique and followed closely. Time flowed by hastily, like rushing water. In the blink of an eye, a Shi Chen had quietly passed. "We''ve arrived! Follow me down!" Lord Lan''s voice rang out again as his figure leapt through the clouds like a spectral apparition. Shen Qing looked down and saw a majestic expanse of buildings had come into view. It was the Capital City of Great Zhou. The city walls of the Capital soared into the clouds, its palaces and pavilions artfully scattered, creating an imposing and magnificent aura like that of a fairyland on earth. Shen Qing did not delay, and in the blink of an eye, he landed steadily at the entrance of the palace. Standing before Shen Qing, Lord Lan stood erect at the palace gates, radiating an air of unignorable sternness, starkly different from what Shen Qing had seen in the encampment. In a flash, several guards quickly approached with long spears crossed, blocking the way, their expressions solemn. However, when one of the guards caught sight of Lord Lan''s face, a look of surprise flickered in his eyes, and he promptly bowed his head, his voice imbued with reverence, "So it''s Lord Lan!" Lord Lan spoke directly, "I must meet with Your Majesty, please allow me to pass." "Lord Lan, as the Commander of the Military Department, you have the privilege to directly seek an audience with His Majesty. Please proceed!" Lord Lan nodded slightly and without hesitation, he stepped forward, unhindered. Shen Qing hurriedly followed close behind. The two figures walked away, under the respectful gaze of the guards. Passing through the winding paths and by the glittering palaces, Lord Lan and Shen Qing finally arrived in front of the Imperial Study Room. "As per Your Majesty''s command, I have brought back Shen Qing, the sole victor of the Jing Luan Assembly." Outside the Imperial Study Room, two guards in splendid brocade robes stood watch. Upon seeing Lord Lan''s arrival, they quickly stepped forward, gently pushed open the vermilion doors, and reported in a low voice. "Your Majesty, Commander Lord Lan Gongliang of the Military Department seeks an audience." After a moment, a deep and authoritative voice sounded from within the study, bearing an unequivocal imperial command, "Admit him." Lord Lan, leading Shen Qing, entered the Imperial Study Room. The room was suffused with the scent of books, and in its center stood a dragon throne. Seated upon this throne was a middle-aged man in a dragon robe, his brows and eyes exuding a transcendent and extraordinary valor. None other than Ji Zikong, the Emperor of Great Zhou. He held an ancient scroll in his hands, his sword-like eyebrows and eagle eyes radiated an aura of decisiveness. Lord Lan took a step forward, bowed with folded hands, and declared firmly, "Your Majesty, your humble servant has fulfilled his duty and brought the person as instructed." "Ah, Lord Lan, is this the Shen Qing from the Jing Luan Assembly?" Emperor Ji Zikong''s voice resonated in the study. Shen Qing quickly stepped forward, bowed deeply, and tried to fathom what kind of person this Emperor of Great Zhou truly was. Emperor Ji Zikong''s gaze lingered on Shen Qing for a moment before he slightly smiled, as if seeing right through Shen Qing''s thoughts, "Oh? Shen Qing? Raise your head and let Us have a good look at you." Obediently, Shen Qing lifted his head to meet Emperor Ji Zikong''s gaze. sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. A wave of imperial pressure descended on him. In a daze, Shen Qing felt as if he were stranded in a vast sea, with towering waves rising all around him, crashing down relentlessly. It was as though he was experiencing the ultimate terror of life and death. This cultivation was definitely beyond the Kongyou Realm. The man before him, the Emperor of Great Zhou, was an incomparably powerful being of the Unity Realm! Explore more stories with empire Chapter 51 Ten Thousand Wish Power Pearls, Imperial Armory Atop the dragon chair in the Imperial Study Room, Emperor of Great Zhou, Ji Zikong, clad in his dragon robe, exuded authority tinged with a hint of unrestraint.The Emperor had reigned for over a hundred years and was at least a hundred or two hundred years old, yet Ji Zikong appeared very young, looking almost as if he were in his twenties or thirties. Only his eyes, which seemed to have weathered through ages, revealed a sense of twilight. As if he were making a joke with Shen Qing, Ji Zikong suddenly subdued his formidable aura, and with his deep, magnetic voice, he laughed heartily and said, "Indeed a talent." Shen Qing''s demeanor became even more humble, his expression even more submissive, too wary to make any sudden moves. Ji Zikong continued, "I am already aware of most of what transpired at the Jing Luan Assembly. According to the rules of the assembly, the achievements you''ve earned deserve great rewards! I ask you, do you desire anything else in your heart?" Shen Qing looked around at the people beside him, his gaze inadvertently falling on Lan Gongliang at his side. Lan Gongliang added, "This is an extra reward from His Majesty, if there''s something you want, just say it. As long as it''s not too excessive, His Majesty will fulfill it." Upon hearing this, Shen Qing fell into deep thought, recalling that he had heard about the Ji Clan owning the Imperial Armory while he was in Yongzhou. This armory, the Ji Clan had scoured the world for the essence of all Martial Mechanisms, confiscating them and investing a countless effort to build it. It was the ultimate place every martial master aspired to reach. Reportedly, the Martial Arts contained in the Imperial Armory were all of the highest techniques. Even the most inconspicuous one, when cultivated to the ultimate realm, could unleash overwhelming power enough to easily erase a city and cause mountains and rivers to change color. Such things inevitably captured one''s imagination. However, access to the Imperial Armory was extremely strict. According to the court''s regulations, only the noble sons of the Ji Family and high-ranking officials were allowed entry. All others were strictly forbidden. After considering for a while, Shen Qing tentatively said, "Your Majesty, when I practiced Martial Arts, I made a grand vow to one day peruse the finest Martial Techniques in the world, climb to the pinnacle of Martial Arts, and attain enlightenment. If Your Majesty permits, I wish to glimpse the Imperial Armory, to fulfill my long-cherished wish." Upon hearing this, Ji Zikong burst into hearty laughter, his voice booming so loudly it seemed to shake the roof tiles, "I did not expect you to be such a devotee of Martial Arts. I shall fulfill your wish! From today onwards, you may freely enter and exit the Imperial Armory." Shen Qing hadn''t expected Ji Zikong to agree so readily, "Thank you, Your Majesty." "Moreover, according to the rules of the Jing Luan Assembly, I will further grant you ten thousand Wish Power Pearls to aid your cultivation and appoint you as the Southern Chief Officer of the Military Department, hoping you will protect the peace and establish further merits!" Upon hearing this, Shen Qing felt a surge of warmth in his heart. The Military Department of Great Zhou was divided into five regions: East, West, South, North, and Central. Yongzhou was part of the Southern region. He hadn''t expected that in just a few short years, he had already climbed to this position. Continue your adventure at empire The speed was startling. It was no wonder that those noble sons were so enthusiastic about the Jing Luan Assembly, striving to achieve results from it. And ten thousand Wish Power Pearls, at his current position, would require a hundred years of official salary to acquire. The thought alone was astonishing. Everything was going so smoothly that it felt almost unsettling. Yet, faced with the ironclad reality, Shen Qing knew this was not a dream. Shen Qing quickly knelt to express his gratitude, "Your Great Grace, Your Majesty, this humble servant shall do his utmost to meet Your Majesty''s expectations!" sea??h th§× N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Rise." Emperor Ji Zikong waved his hand and said, "Hereafter, you will serve in the Military Department''s government office in the Capital City, assisting Lord Lan with various affairs." "For the remaining handover matters, you can discuss them with Lord Lan. He is your direct superior and will surely settle you in well." "Yes, Your Majesty." Seeing Ji Zikong return to processing his decrees, Lan Gongliang and Shen Qing consciously exited the Imperial Study Room. Upon reaching the door of the Imperial Study Room, Shen Qing felt as if a heavy burden had been lifted, suddenly letting out a sigh of relief. In the Imperial Study Room just then, Ji Zikong''s presence was overwhelmingly strong. Just a slight display was enough to make him feel an immense pressure, as if he were carrying a mountain. "Let''s go," said Lan Gongliang, patting Shen Qing on the shoulder, "What are your plans now?" Shen Qing hadn''t expected the unremarkable middle-aged man before him to suddenly become his immediate superior, seemingly having known all along, as if he had preemptively won over people''s hearts for allegiance. Such deep and calculating schemes. He revealed his thoughts frankly, "I plan to take up my post first, settle down in the Capital, and then go back to Yongzhou to bring my family here." Lan Gongliang nodded, "That is indeed what should be done. The matters on the post are rather straightforward; should you have any uncertainties, you can always come to me. Your official appointment letter should be issued within three to five days; then you can take up your post directly with the document." Shen Qing clasped his hands together and said, "I understand." After speaking, Lan Gongliang did not linger in the palace, swiftly leaving with Shen Qing. The two exchanged pleasantries along the way, and after Lan Gongliang explained some of the unspoken rules of the Capital''s officialdom, they parted ways at the palace gates. As Lan Gongliang''s figure gradually disappeared at the end of his sight, Shen Qing paused slightly, his gaze lingering briefly on the palace gates behind him. Without further thought, he stepped directly into the bustling streets of the Capital. On both sides of the street, prosperity flourished like brocade, with the calls of various vendors rising and falling in succession. Children frolicked and played, the air filled with the enticing scent of wine and freshly baked bread. The street was full of life and festivity. The Capital had seventy-two districts in total, and each district''s main street was spacious enough to allow two carriages to drive side by side. Shen Qing wandered aimlessly along the street for a while, pondering inwardly. He vaguely remembered that Wu Sheng had a secret base in the Capital. The "Never Forget" skill activated. Soon, memories surged in his mind, and he quickly recalled the exact location of that base. Shen Qing weaved through the bustling crowd and arrived in front of an unremarkable-looking tavern. The tavern was doing brisk business, filled with guests. Shen Qing strode in and approached the shopkeeper, asking softly, "Do you have any wine and dishes from Yongzhou here?" The shopkeeper, who was tallying accounts, paused and replied, "We have donkey meat from Yongzhou, how much would you like?" "Three jin, six taels, and five qian." Hearing this, the shopkeeper''s eyes flickered slightly, then calmly led him towards the inner room, "This way, please." Inside the inner room, the lighting was dim. Light filtering through the window lattice fell on a familiar yet slightly weary face. It was Wu Sheng himself. He had just arrived from Yongzhou, his face still bearing the weariness of travel, appearing heavily burdened. Currently, Lord Shen was transferred to the Jing Luan Assembly, faced with great dangers, his life and death uncertain. Moreover, many restless individuals in the city sought to take over the Shen Family''s properties again. If Lord Shen were to fall in the Jing Luan, those from Yongzhou would surely swoop in to ravage their group into oblivion. Now, his fate tied with Shen Qing''s, his situation was honestly quite precarious. While he was lost in his thoughts, a knocking sound came from the door. "What is it?" Wu Sheng asked irritably. The shopkeeper at the door said, "Brother Wu, an acquaintance has come calling." The ''acquaintance'' mentioned by the shopkeeper referred to some of the noble sons in the Capital, exclusively dealing in businesses that couldn''t be exposed to daylight. Wu Sheng''s expression immediately turned serious, "Let him in." "Yes." With a creak, The mottled wooden door opened. Chapter 52 Yongzhou Incident Wu Sheng looked up and saw Shen Qing''s figure, his face full of astonishment as he stuttered, "Boss...""You... weren''t you at the Jingluan Assembly?" Shen Qing strode in and casually said, "The Jingluan Assembly has already ended." "That means..." A trace of joy flashed in Wu Sheng''s eyes as he quickly got to his feet, excitedly saying, "Boss, you won at the Jingluan Assembly?" "Almost," Shen Qing replied calmly. "I should be staying in the Capital City from now on." Overjoyed, Wu Sheng''s eyes immediately lit up as he excitedly said, "Congratulations, Boss. Congratulations." "There''s nothing to congratulate, it was just good luck." Shen Qing walked up to the seat Wu Sheng had been sitting on and asked, "Has everything been alright in Yongzhou since I left?" He remembered that before he left, there were basically no threats left in Yongzhou. Whether it was the Zhou Family or the Sun Family, the big households had been mostly dealt with, leaving only those minor government officers and officials who couldn''t stir up much trouble. Wu Sheng became hesitant to speak. Seeing this, Shen Qing slightly furrowed his brow and asked, "What, did something happen?" Wu Sheng said, "Right after Boss left, a member of the Zhou Family arrived in Yongzhou City the next day." "A Zhou Family member? Who?" Shen Qing was puzzled. He remembered that the Zhou Family''s old ancestor had been killed by him, and most of the remaining members had not escaped. There shouldn''t be any survivors. How could there possibly be a Zhou Family member popping out from somewhere? "His name is Zhou Su," Wu Sheng explained. "He''s similar to me; he was sent by the Zhou Family to the Capital to establish connections. He has some roots in Capital City. It''s like he timed it perfectly; just after you left, he hurried back to Yongzhou." "Once back in Yongzhou, he joined forces with Prefecture Chief Dou Wenxi and County Supervisor Yan Xushou''s men, trying to take back the Zhou Family''s properties. These days, they have been suppressing us, and our situation is not so good..." By the end of his speech, Wu Sheng''s gaze became somewhat evasive. Now that Shen Qing had passed the Jingluan Assembly, he had soared to a high position and entered the political arena; his future was boundless. Yet, with such a situation unfolding in Yongzhou, and him being far away in Capital City, it seemed somewhat "dishonorable." If it caused him to leave a poor impression in Shen Qing''s mind, it would truly be a loss. He felt annoyed within and couldn''t help but curse himself for why he hadn''t persevered a bit longer. Shen Qing glanced at him, fully aware of Wu Sheng''s thoughts, but he understood that nobody was perfect. Everyone has an instinct to seek fortune and avoid disaster, as long as there are no fundamental mistakes, the problem wasn''t too big. Shen Qing pondered for a moment and asked, "Does this Zhou Su have any substantial backing?" Wu Sheng thought and said, "It''s said that Zhou Su is quite close with Lord Xue of the Xue Family." "Lord Xue? Xue Bai?" Shen Qing expressed in surprise. Wu Sheng asked curiously, "Boss, you know him?" Shen Qing calmly stated, "Yes, I''ve met him. I''ve already killed him." S§×ar?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Ah? Killed!" Wu Sheng shrieked in surprise. He had never anticipated this outcome. Shen Qing killing even a member of the Shi family, the Xue Family? That''s fierce. "It''s no wonder I''ve been involved in so many issues with the Xue Family; it seems connected to this Zhou Su." Shen Qing didn''t believe in so many coincidences. Originally, he had planned to establish himself in Capital City before returning to Yongzhou, but now it seemed he needed to move up the timeline. Shen Qing rose from the bench and walked towards the door. "Boss, where are you going?" "Back to Yongzhou to handle some family matters," Shen Qing responded without looking back. "These next few days, find me a residence in Capital City." Experience new tales on empire With that, Shen Qing stomped his foot, his body emitting a burst of rainbow light as he soared into the sky. He did not inquire about Zhou Su''s cultivation. In his view, if Zhou Su had high cultivation, he would not have waited until now. Zhou Family had been destroyed, and he had not appeared to the end, indicating that his cultivation would not be higher than the Innate Realm. Such a martial master was merely easy prey for Shen Qing at the moment. Some people are seeking death, so he couldn''t blame himself for their demise. Yongzhou. Zhou Family''s old courtyard. A group of officials in black robes and a group of men in various colorful brocades gathered together. The young man standing in front of them exuded an air of nobility. This person was none other than Zhou Su, a descendant of the Zhou Family. Having learned that he was listed on the Jing Luan Assembly by Shen Qing, he had prepared to return to Yongzhou to reclaim the Zhou Family''s properties. So, as soon as the Jing Luan Assembly began, Shen Qing had just left Yongzhou, and he entered right afterwards. Leveraging the reputation of the Xue Family and the remaining influence of his own family in Yongzhou, he easily gathered a group of supporters and took back the old Zhou courtyard on the same day. Subsequently, various other Zhou Family businesses fell into his hands smoothly. In the crowd, someone nervously said, "Zhou Family''s young master, are we really going to the Shen Mansion today?" "Otherwise?" Zhou Su snorted coldly, sounding annoyed. "But that''s the Shen Family after all, Shen Qing is too terrifying..." a young man stammered, "Do you think he will really die in the Jing Luan Assembly?" Zhou Su looked down on them contemptuously, "Look at the little spirit you guys have, no wonder you''re only branch family members. Let me tell you honestly, I''ve already secretly notified Lord Xue of the Xue Family. Their group includes several Innate Realm martial masters. Shen Qing won''t have a chance to escape." "Besides, do you think the Jing Luan Assembly is so easy to get through?" Zhou Su continued with a cold huff, "This time, the Capital Families have placed heavy bets, including Spirit Void Realm Guardians. Even if Shen Qing narrowly escapes the Xue Family''s kill, with his immense talent, he will still find it extremely difficult to survive the Jing Luan Assembly, he''s doomed for sure." The crowd''s expressions became excited as they heard this, many of them being branch members of various major families in Yongzhou. After their main families were destroyed by Shen Qing, they had been living cautiously, afraid to stir up trouble. Each of them felt frustrated and stifled inside. "I just want to ask you, are you really willing to do it?" Zhou Su swept his sharp gaze over them and said coldly. "Let''s do it! I don''t believe that Shen Qing can still turn the heaven! He won''t escape this Jing Luan Assembly!" "Yes, I''m in." "Count me in too!" ... Soon, many people continuously responded. Zhou Su finally felt satisfied upon seeing this scene. Alone, he was weak, but rallying these people might be beneficial. The glory of the Zhou Family might be re-established by his hands. "Good. With everyone''s help, that damned Shen Family will undoubtedly fall to us." Zhou Su shouted loudly, "For safety, gentlemen, I''ve specially invited an Innate Master from the Tie Gang of the Capital to guard us here. Senior Lin! Come out and meet everyone." As he finished speaking, a burly man as large as a mountain walked out from the side hall, exuding an immense sense of oppression. The attendees were all shocked and couldn''t help but step back. Senior Lin, the Tie Gang''s strong man, looked down at the crowd and said, "Let''s make it clear beforehand, the payment you offered is only enough for me to take action three times. If you want more from me, you''ll need to pay extra." "I, Zhou Family, always keep our promises; we''ll handle it according to the rules. With so many people here, even if I can''t afford it, everyone can chip in enough for Senior to act several more times." "Ha ha, that''s also true. Let''s not waste time then." Zhou Su nodded, "Over the years, we''ve managed to snatch some manageable properties, but the remaining ones are tough. Let''s deal with that Shen Family first. Have the city gates been secured to prevent them from escaping?" A few officials in black robes replied, "You can rest assured, I''ve already given a heads up to the brothers guarding the city gates." "Good, let''s not delay any further, let''s set off. Go!" Chapter 53 Someone Doesnt Know Good from Bad Shen Mansion was enshrouded in an invisible gloom, the air filled with an aura of stern killing.Every person in the mansion could not help but feel unease in their minds. Auntie Wang and elder sister Shen Fang sat side by side in the hall, with a lively maid standing next to them; the three frequently glanced at the solitary figure outside the door. Shen the Second was sitting on the threshold like a farmer at this moment. He held a dry tobacco pipe tightly in his hands, drawing on it with a clattering noise that sounded particularly grating, betraying an air of irritation. After a while, the mansion''s main gate opened. With a burst of hurried footsteps, Shen Xiaoshan, Tian Xiaohu, and Zhang Shuyuan rushed in quickly. Following that, they almost simultaneously turned around and shut the gate tightly, their movements extremely fast. With a "clack," the bolt was secured. Shen Xiaoshan and Tian Xiaoshu finally felt some sense of security. Shen the Second suddenly stood up, his pipe still dangling from his mouth, and hurried over, staring intently at the two and asked, "How is the situation?" Tian Xiaohu''s face was so somber it looked like it might drip water. He said in a low voice, "The city gates... have secretly been allowed passage, our people can''t get out at all. That Zhou fellow, I don''t know when, but he''s gathered quite a force. The situation... is not optimistic." Shen Xiaoshan chimed in, "Everyone outside is saying that Brother Qingzi is dead." "That can''t be, Qingzi has come so far, he won''t die so easily," Shen the Second firmly denied. Zhang Shuyuan spoke up, "We are certain that the Boss won''t die, but the people outside don''t believe it. The problem lies here now; many have turned and betrayed us." Upon hearing this, Shen the Second''s expression turned even uglier, and he fell silent. Before leaving, Shen Qing had instructed them to evacuate early. They had also been prepared to evacuate, but what they didn''t expect was that these people moved faster than they did. In the short time after Shen Qing''s departure, they began to act, which led to major changes in the situation within the city. They found themselves unable to cope, and even if they wanted to leave, they couldn''t. Their situation had suddenly taken a serious downturn. Seeing this, Tian Xiaohu hurriedly consoled, "However, everyone, don''t worry. I''ve already sent Xiao Zhi on a fast horse to contact Chen Guang and Ji Youwu. They''re all from the Guardian Martial Department; the Boss has been kind to them. With them by our side, we should be able to fight for a chance at survival." "Mhm." Shen the Second was just an ordinary hunter, and with his "bone" grown old, he had no way to deal with this situation; he could only hope that others would. Zhang Shuyuan advised, "At this time, we must keep our composure, there might still be a chance for survival. After all, there''s no firm news of the lord''s life or death; we can use this as a starting point to convince them not to act rashly." "Hard to say, looking at those people, I''m afraid it won''t end well today." Time ticked away bit by bit. Gradually, footsteps approached from outside, and someone knocked on the Shen Mansion''s gate. Tian Xiaohu and the others were jolted alert. "It''s me!" "Xiao Zhi?!" Tian Xiaohu lifted the bolt, opening just a crack in the gate and peered out. Apart from Xiao Zhi at the doorway, there were only Chen Guang, Ji Youwu, and a few others. He asked in astonishment, "Where are the others?" "They all say they''re busied with government affairs, that this doesn''t concern them, and are unwilling to come," Xiao Zhi sighed. Tian Xiaohu understood; this was just an excuse from those people. Seeing that Shen Qing''s situation was more perilous than lucky, they did not want to wade into these troubled waters and preferred to protect their own interests. At that moment, Tian Xiaohu truly realized what it meant when they say "out of sight, out of mind." "Come on in, all of you!" One by one, Xiao Zhi and the others nodded and stepped heavily into the mansion. Tian Xiaohu raised his hand to slide the heavy bolt back into its seat in the threshold with a "clang," fastening the door shut precisely and securely. "Ladies and gentlemen," Xiao Zhi took two steps, stopped, and solemnly said to Tian Xiaohu and the others, "I''ve just learned some information moments ago; I''m afraid our situation has become even more troublesome." "What''s going on?" Everyone clustered around in unison, their gaze filled with anxiety and unease. "I found out that Zhou Su has not only gathered a large group of people but has also secretly enlisted the aid of a martial master from the Innate Realm." "What?!" Tian Xiaohu and the others exclaimed almost in unison, their voices mixed with disbelief and terror. Their hearts felt as if they were being mercilessly clenched by an invisible hand, plummeting into the abyss. Xiao Zhi''s words were like ice, instantly freezing the atmosphere within the room. Now the place was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. To them, a martial master of the Innate Realm was a supremely exalted figure, someone of unfathomable strength, who could overturn life and death with a mere gesture. Facing such an entity, they felt as insignificant and powerless as ants trying to shake a tree. "Let''s go inside and talk," Zhang Shuyuan, not too familiar with martial arts matters, could see from everyone''s looks that things were not good; his deeply wrinkled face showed an added burden of concern. Without further words, they gathered in the main hall. One by one, they unconsciously gripped their dagger handles tighter, their knuckles whitening from the force. Auntie and others close to Shen Qing had their faces even more tightly drawn, as if they were standing at a crossroads of fate, with a vast uncertainty ahead and no way back. For a moment, the main hall fell into a deathly silence. The heavy atmosphere, like an invisible boulder, pressed upon everyone''s nerves, rendering them breathless. Only the occasional sound of wind passing through the windows offered a slight moment of respite for everyone''s tense minds. "Although the people we are facing are strong," Tian Xiaohu struggled to swallow, his voice hoarse, "we must not sit here and wait for death." "Indeed, even if we must die, we''ll take someone down with us." Just when the tension had peaked, a sudden disturbance came from the courtyard: footsteps, as if someone had unexpectedly appeared. "What''s happening?" Everyone''s nerves instantly tensed to the limit, their weapons nearly unsheathing on their own. Ji Youwu and Chen Guang, standing on the outskirts, exchanged glances, perplexed. Stay updated through empire "Let''s go. Let''s check it out." In a flash. The two, as if on cue, drew their daggers and cautiously made their way into the courtyard. When they reached the courtyard and saw the figure there, they stood stock-still, dumbfounded. Behind them, Tian Xiaohu and the others, seeing the abnormal reaction, rushed over hastily, thinking they faced grave danger. But when they saw the figure in the courtyard, they too were disbelieving, their eyes wide and filled with shock. It was none other than Shen Qing himself, who had traveled from the Capital City. Shen Qing, looking at the dumbstruck Tian Xiaohu and the others, asked, "Why are you all staring at me like that?" Shen Xiaoshan swallowed hard, blurting out, "Brother Qingzi, they all said you were dead!" "Not dead, very much alive," said Shen Qing with his hands behind his back, heading for the hall. He glanced at Zhang Shuyuan and commanded, "It''s time for a meal, prepare a banquet!" Zhang Shuyuan was puzzled. Shen Qing smiled and said, "I''ve heard already. It seems we''ll have quite a few people coming over soon to welcom me back, and we must play host, right?" "Yes, yes, yes, I will have the servants prepare immediately." Zhang Shuyuan hurriedly said and dashed towards the kitchen without a moment''s delay. However, no sooner had he left when footsteps and a pounding on the Mansion''s front gate could be heard. Boom, boom, boom! "Ah..." Shen Qing sighed helplessly, "It seems someone doesn''t appreciate the favor and doesn''t want to eat this meal." Bang! The front gate shattered into pieces under a tremendous force... sea??h th§× Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 54 Who gave you the courage to be my enemy? Wood shavings flew in all directions, and dust billowed up.The sudden commotion drew everyone''s attention. Tian Xiaohu and his companions looked over to see a group of people dressed in brocade filing in through the gates. Their faces were filled with arrogance and haughtiness. Seeing the situation, Tian Xiaohu and the others quickly stepped forward, chastising, "Who dares to intrude into Shen Mansion so brazenly? Don''t you know what this place is?" The intruders acted as if deaf, naturally splitting into two sides like a tide to create a wide passage. Then, two figures walked out unhurriedly through this aisle. The one at the back was particularly burly, almost filling the path that the others had made, much like a small mountain. These two were none other than Zhou Su and Tie Gang Lin Heng. The leader, Zhou Su, slowly raised his hand and waved it slightly, and the people behind him immediately fell silent, "Of course, we know where we are, otherwise why do you think we would come here?" As he spoke, his hands resting behind his back, a fierce glint flashed in his eyes, "When your lord killed people from our families, he should have anticipated this day. Be sensible, surrender without a fight, and you might keep your bodies intact. Otherwise, we will slaughter your entire family, leaving not even the chickens or dogs alive!" "You say you''re going to slaughter my entire family, not sparing even the chickens or dogs?" Shen Qing couldn''t stand still any longer upon hearing this. He strode out from the main hall, staring at Zhou Su with a smile that was not quite a smile. Upon his appearance, the complexion of some people present changed abruptly. The deeds Shen Qing had done in Yongzhou were well-known, and his appearance had spread far in Yongzhou, seen by many. Now, someone recognized him, and an involuntary gasp ripped through the crowd. Fear, confusion, and shock mixed, creating a noisy confusion of emotions. "Shen Qing... he''s actually still alive! Weren''t you saying he was doomed to die at the Jing Luan Assembly, destined for the netherworld?" A trembling voice rose from the crowd, filled with disbelief. Upon hearing this, Zhou Su''s gaze fiercely shifted toward Shen Qing. He had never personally witnessed this face before, and a bad premonition surged through his heart. In almost a whisper, he asked someone next to him in a low voice, "He... he is Shen Qing?" After receiving a confirming nod from his companion, Zhou Su felt as if his mind had exploded, as if the entire world were collapsing at that very instant. His heartbeat quickened, his thoughts were in disarray, and for a brief moment, he didn''t know what to do. How could this be? Zhou Su couldn''t understand why Shen Qing was alive. Sear?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. That was the Jing Luan Assembly, where barely one in ten could survive! What were all those guards from the Xue Family, and the noble sons from the Capital Families doing? Couldn''t the Chief Officer of one place take him down? The more Zhou Su thought, the more terrified he became. But the reality was right in front of him, undeniable. He couldn''t help but swallow, the arrogance with which he had entered now gone, his entire body deflating. If Shen Qing had indeed survived the Jing Luan Assembly, then one thing was beyond doubt¡ªhis strength must be unfathomable, far surpassing theirs. Had he come here seeking death? Anxiety prickled at Zhou Su''s heart, a foreboding feeling setting in. "What should we do?" someone nearby inquired in a low voice. What should we do? Who the hell knows what to do? Everything Zhou Su had done was based on the assumption that Shen Qing was dead following the Jing Luan Assembly. Now that he was alive and had walked out, all that Zhou Su had done had painted him into a corner. Faced with Shen Qing''s question, Zhou Su didn''t know whether to respond or to remain silent. Like a man suffering constipation, his face turned beet-red, his mouth moved continuously, yet he uttered not a single word. Lin Heng from Tie Gang glanced at Zhou Su, seeing his indecisive state and growing impatient, finding his actions far too irresolute. He knew very little about Shen Qing. In his eyes, Shen Qing was merely from a county town. Given that the Ji Family had monopolized the Martial Mechanisms, how powerful could someone from a place so far from the Capital City be? Tie Gang Lin Heng took the initiative and directly slapped Zhou Su aside. His towering figure squeezed to the front, and turning his head, he said to Zhou Su with a grin, "It doesn''t matter if he''s Zhang Qing or Li Qing, I can handle it for you. But... it''ll cost you more!" Zhou Su, as if clutching at his last lifeline, asked, "How much more?" "Half of what you''ve earned from behind the scenes in Yongzhou!" Zhou Su''s expression twitched. If he could eliminate Shen Qing and take control of Yongzhou''s industry, the profits would be substantial, comparable to that of a minor noble family. Lin Heng''s demand for half was truly exorbitant. Unfortunately, at this point, he didn''t have much choice. If today he made one misstep and lost everything, nothing would be left to him. Compared to this, retaining half could actually be considered a good outcome. Of the two evils, he chose the lesser. Zhou Su gritted his teeth and said, "Fine, I agree!" "Deal!" Tie Gang Lin Heng tilted his neck and advanced step by step towards Shen Qing. He fixed his gaze on Shen Qing, scanned him from head to toe, and with a threatening smile said, "I am Tie Gang Lin Heng, here to take your life today. I hope in your next life you''ll be reborn into good fortune and avoid troublemakers like me." Before his words had even faded, Lin Heng charged towards Shen Qing with his colossal figure, like a wall, and threw a punch with the momentum of toppling mountains and overturning seas! However, the anticipated scene of Shen Qing being blown away and spitting blood did not happen. Shen Qing remained motionless, simply raising his hand gently, and firmly caught Lin Heng''s fist, strong enough to crush stones and split metal. Boom! A gust of wind exploded between the two of them. It spread outward in all directions, radiating from where they stood. The crowd in the courtyard couldn''t help but stagger backward several steps. Fine cracks appeared on the shadow wall and the roof tiles, making a crisp cracking sound. Tie Gang Lin Heng felt as though his hands were clamped down mercilessly, unable to move. His eyes showed a hint of shock and suddenly widened. He noticed that Shen Qing''s posture was as solid as a rock, without a hint of movement from beginning to end. Shen Qing''s lips curled into a smile, and with a bit of strength, he sent Lin Heng''s fist rebounding back. At the same time, his other hand formed seals with a single hand, and under everyone''s gaze, he rapidly struck, creating afterimages on Lin Heng''s body. Spiritual Power around him transformed into intense beams of energy, effortlessly penetrating through Lin Heng''s Protective Gang Qi and straight into his flesh and blood. "Your Qi-Blood is impure and chaotic, your strength is lax, your steps are disorderly, your perception slow ¨C your punch is like child''s play, utterly devoid of might. With such poor cultivation, you delude yourself into taking my life, Shen Qing? Who gave you the audacity to stand against me?!" Shen Qing spoke swiftly as he struck, each word hammering down on Lin Heng''s heart, turning his face instantly pale. He had never expected his full-force strike to be so easily neutralized by Shen Qing, nor had he anticipated Shen Qing''s strength to be so terrifying. "Die!" Shen Qing''s hand condensed with Spiritual Power. With a pfft sound! "Ah..." Discover stories with empire Tie Gang Lin Heng screamed, his chest exploded with a hole larg§Ö enough to fit an arm through, and his life force was continuously drained away by Shen Qing''s fingers. Tie Gang Lin Heng numbly looked down at the wound, realizing he had been careless today and provoked a force he should not have. Shen Qing''s hands formed a seal, and he pressed down with the Sky Flipping Seal. With a boom, all of Lin Heng''s vitality was extinguished. His body stiffened and then fell backward onto the ground, life completely extinguished. In an instant, the courtyard fell silent as a grave. Chapter 55 Since its here, settle it down Died?!An Innate Martial Master died just like that?! Just like a dog no less. The scene that unfolded in the courtyard shocked everyone. Those with some insight recognized that Shen Qing was even stronger than before. Under the intense visual stimulus, those who had rushed in with a menacing air now stood wilted, like frostbitten eggplants. Particularly, the leader Zhou Su''s face grew even uglier. Shen Qing glanced at the corpse of Tie Gang Lin Heng on the ground with a snort of disdain. This man had practiced "hard skill" and taken a wrong path in his training. Having developed such a bulky body at a great cost, his muscles appeared more of a burden than an asset. He must have used Elixirs to maintain his Qi-Blood and resorted to unusual methods to break through, resulting in a state that was "good-looking but useless." Otherwise, an Innate Martial Master wouldn''t have been killed by Shen Qing so easily. That''s good. The man had blundered in; using him as a scarecrow to intimidate others was suitable indeed. A faint smile hung on Shen Qing''s face as he stepped over Lin Heng''s body and stood before Zhou Su and the rest, saying, "What was it that you came for just now?" "Oh, right, you seemed to have come... to ''visit'' me? However, this manner of ''visiting'' is quite unique, isn''t it? Was it to kill my entire family, perhaps?" As he finished speaking, an indescribable oppressive aura burst forth from within him, causing everyone present to shiver uncontrollably. The cowards in the crowd grew weak in the knees, their eyes flickering, as they began to back away uncontrollably, the thought of escape growing wildly in their minds like weeds. Zhou Su''s face was pale, with beads of sweat on his forehead, as he tried to maintain composure, "Chief Officer Shen, this is a misunderstanding, a pure misunderstanding! We..." "Misunderstanding? I don''t think so. Had I not been here, would you really have wiped out my entire family?" said Shen Qing indifferently. "Since you''re here, settle in. I''ve prepared a feast today; I think it''s best if you all stay for the meal." "Ah!" Someone finally couldn''t bear the invisible pressure, and on the verge of collapsing, let out a hysterical scream, turning to flee. Shen Qing snorted coldly. His hand quickly stroked the Brocade Bag tied to his waist, and a flash of brilliance suddenly erupted. Instantly, a treasure bow quietly appeared in his palm. Shen Qing snorted again as he stretched out his arm and drew the bowstring. He channeled his Spiritual Power, using the Heavenly Bow Technique, to condense the power into an arrow. Whoosh! An arrow was launched. A bright and dazzling light burst forth momentarily, as if a sun had risen slowly in the courtyard, then dimmed to nothing. After the light had faded, everything returned to silence. Looking around, the ground was covered in fresh blood like blooming red spider lilies, staining every inch of soil, with corpses lying about in disarray. Zhou Su, who had seemed invincible just moments ago, had been utterly disintegrated by Shen Qing''s arrow. His large head, with eyes still wide, showed he had died with grievances. His ambitions had ended before they could even begin. After doing all this, Shen Qing slipped the treasure bow back into his Brocade Bag. The brilliant light showed again. The large treasure bow was stored back into his Hundred Treasure Pouch. Continue reading at My Virtual Library Empire "A rabble of nobodies." Shen Qing turned and no longer looked at the stained traces in the courtyard as he walked toward the main hall. As he brushed past Tian Xiaohu and others, he casually ordered, "Have someone clean up these useless things in the courtyard; having the entrance looking so dirty really isn''t proper." Tian Xiaohu and others, as if waking from a dream, rapidly agreed. Shen Qing strode in, heading straight for the main hall. The moment he stepped over the threshold of the main hall, Uncle Shen the Second, Big Sister, and the others, as if drawn by an invisible thread, crowded around with eyes flashing with anxiety and anticipation, asking in unison, "What''s happening outside?" Shen Qing let out a gentle breath and smiled, "Some uninvited guests came, but I took care of them." "Took care of them?" Hearing this, Uncle Shen the Second and the others could not help but show a trace of confusion on their faces. They knew very little about the events outside and did not catch the implied meaning in Shen Qing''s words. Seeing their reaction, Shen Qing had no intention of explaining. He sat down in the main chair of the hall, casually took a teapot, drunk a few sips against his mouth, and put down the teapot, saying, "Speaking of which, I have some good news to tell uncle and aunt." "What good news?" His uncle and aunt were piqued by his words, casting curious glances at Shen Qing. "I''ve seen Xiao Hu." Shen Qing''s words struck Uncle and Aunt like a thunderclap. Huge waves surged instantly in their hearts, and their eyes shimmered with disbelief. Auntie from the Wang Family was so excited that her hands trembled slightly. Almost instinctively, she stepped forward, tightly grasped Shen Qing''s arm, and said with a voice tinged with eagerness and disbelief, "Is...is what you''re saying true?" Shen Qing gently patted the back of her hand and confirmed, "Of course it''s true, auntie. When we parted, he even gifted me a Spirit Mirror, which we can use to contact him. Wait a moment, and I''ll show you." As he spoke, Shen Qing activated his Spiritual Power, formed a Spell with his fingers and took out a plain-looking but faintly glowing mirror from his Hundred Treasure Pouch at his waist. Upon seeing the mirror, Uncle Shen the Second''s gaze froze, and he exclaimed in shock, "This... Isn''t this the mirror I gave auntie all those years ago?" An ordinary mirror? Was it just an ordinary mirror that Shen Xiaohu had managed to transform to such an extent? Was the Huang Tian Sect''s strength so formidable? Shen Qing was stunned, somewhat surprised. "May I take a look?" sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Shen Qing nodded and handed the mirror to Uncle Shen the Second. Uncle Shen the Second took the mirror, gently caressing its surface, examining it closely. Besides the newly added patterns that twinkled with strange light, the rest of the mirror was no different from the one he had given to auntie. Even the cracks and chips were identical. The familiar yet foreign touch brought a complex mix of flavors to his heart. At this moment, Uncle Shen the Second was somewhat convinced by what Shen Qing had said. Auntie from the Wang Family was, by then, teary-eyed and blurred. She covered her mouth tightly, for fear of crying out loud, but the tears still fell like broken pearls, rolling down continuously. She choked out, "Thank the heavens, Xiao Hu is alright, it''s really great." Uncle Shen the Second handed the mirror back to Shen Qing and asked, "Where is he now?" "At the Huang Tian Sect." "Ah... But doesn''t that make him a traitor?" Upon learning this, the joy in Uncle Shen the Second''s heart was immediately halved. Shen Qing reassured, "It''s not a problem. I saw that Xiao Hu is doing well there, and being alive is what matters most. There will always be a solution in the future." Uncle Shen the Second seemed to age many years all at once, sighing, "Ah..." "By the way, besides Xiao Hu''s matter, there''s something else I need to mention." "What''s that?" Big Sister Shen Fang asked curiously. Shen Qing said, "We''ll be heading to the Capital City soon. I''ll be taking up a post there." "Qingzi, you''re no longer the Chief Officer of Yongzhou?" "Yes, His Majesty has appointed me as the General of the Southern Military Department." "His Majesty?" Hearing this, Uncle Shen the Second was visibly surprised. In fact, not just him, Big Sister Shen Fang, Auntie from the Wang Family, and Shen Xiaoshan were all equally astonished. In their eyes, the current His Majesty was an exalted sovereign, and the fact that their nephew could be summoned by His Majesty was a sign of great promise, far beyond their expectations. Chapter 56 Jianghu is Not About Fighting and Killing Shen Mansion, in the main hall.Surrounded by his family members, including his uncle Shen the Second, Shen Qing discussed the events that had happened recently. In particular, his aunt from the Wang Family was incessantly inquiring about Shen Xiaohu''s experiences. When they heard that this once inexperienced Shen Xiaohu had vaguely become the leader of the traitors, everyone in the room felt a mix of emotions and didn''t know what to say. Shen Qing was not surprised by this. In fact, not just them, even Shen Qing was quite astonished when he learned about Shen Xiaohu''s experiences. Since the end of the Jing Luan Assembly, Shen Qing often communicated with this cousin in the Spirit Communication Realm and got to know about Shen Xiaohu''s experiences in the Huang Tian Sect. One could only say that looks can be deceiving, and the depth of the sea unfathomable. Shen Xiaohu''s fate was remarkable; they had misjudged him before. After a while, most of the traces in the courtyard had quietly been erased, leaving only faint dark-red marks on the ground. If it weren''t for the people inside, no one could tell that a bloody scene had just taken place here. Tian Xiaohu and Ji Youwu, among others, approached Shen Qing with serious expressions, "Boss, besides those we killed just now, there have been others in the city involved these days. They have ties with Zhou Su and are itching to make a move, attempting to take advantage of the situation. Should we also..." As he spoke, Tian Xiaohu made a throat-slitting gesture. Shen Qing gently stroked the teapot he was holding and said noncommittally, "There''s no rush, we''ll talk about this later." Seeing this, Tian Xiaohu and the others didn''t say much more. However, what they hadn''t expected was that as they were discussing this matter, a group of people had quietly gathered outside the Shen Family''s door. Moreover, from the end of the road, more figures were continuously arriving, flooding towards the Shen Mansion like a tide, the scene was spectacular. "Excuse me, is this Lord Shen Qing''s residence? We have come specially to visit, hearing of your reputation." A trembling elder with a cane stepped forward and asked the Shen Family''s servant at the door. "Yes, yes, us too. We heard that Lord Shen Qing has returned, so we came today to see him," added a young man in brocade clothes next to him. Seeing this, the Shen Family''s servants were visibly troubled and frantically tried to keep order, but they were somewhat overwhelmed by the number of people. Finally, a clever-looking servant hurried through the crowd, burst into the house, and while running, shouted, "Master, it''s terrible, many people have come outside saying they want to see you; we simply can''t stop them!" "You see, Jianghu isn''t just about fighting; it''s about human relations. Fighting is just a means; instilling fear is the outcome," Shen Qing said to Tian Xiaohu and the others with a smile inside the house. Tian Xiaohu and the others appeared contemplative. Shen Qing continued, "Are all these people saying they are here to visit me?" The servant gasped for breath and nodded repeatedly, "Yes, Master, more and more people are gathering outside, and we really don''t know what to do." "Do you want me to go and drive them away?" asked Xiao Zhi. As a martial master close to Qi Cultivation, dealing with these common people would be incredibly easy for Xiao Zhi, practically effortless. "No need!" Shen Qing''s lips curled into a playful smile, "Let them in. I want to see what these people are really here for." With that, he stood up, straightened his clothes, and walked out of the house with long strides, ready to meet this sudden "visitation wave." Under his orders, a swarm of people crowded into the courtyard. Standing outside the main hall, Shen Qing looked around¡ªthese people were all unfamiliar faces. Whether dressed in splendid attire or with anxious expressions, they invariably carried heavy gift boxes, hustling along. "Lord Shen, we heard that you returned safely from the Jing Luan Assembly, and we were so happy that we took the liberty of coming here to congratulate you; I hope you don''t mind," said an elegantly dressed elder with a smile, his words revealing a hint of trepidation and curiosity. He continually gauged Shen Qing, trying to read his reactions. Shen Qing smiled and replied, "There''s nothing to blame; fellow villagers and elders remembering me is my honor." Upon hearing this, everyone felt as if a heavy burden had been lifted and they collectively breathed a sigh of relief. The elderly man continued sincerely, "Lord Shen, we are at fault." Saying this, he immediately knelt down, hands holding a heavy gift, "I must confess, we have had some dealings with Zhou Su recently. Today, hearing that he intended to commit misdeeds in Yongzhou, we were shocked. We have come today to apologize and ask for your forgiveness, hoping you will show mercy and not blame us." Shen Qing, with his sharp eyesight, scanned the guests in front of him, each harboring their own thoughts, and couldn''t help but smile knowingly, fully aware of what these people were really thinking. He chose not to point it out directly. It wouldn''t be long before he was to take up his post in the Capital City, so Yongzhou was just a temporary stopover for him. Killing too many people would not serve him well. After several upheavals, the population of Yongzhou had significantly decreased, hence it was also not suitable to continue a large-scale slaughter over there. To Shen Qing, it seemed that those who needed to be killed had mostly been dealt with. S~ea??h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. With a slight smile, Shen Qing said, "I''m relieved to see that you have this intention. Let bygones be bygones. In the future, I hope you will think carefully before acting, not letting short-term benefits blind your eyes and offending people you shouldn''t, drawing disasters upon yourselves." As he finished these words, everyone present felt the chilling intention to kill emanating from him. These people trembled inwardly, not daring to be presumptuous anymore; their attitudes became even more respectful. The leading elder hurriedly said, "Thank you for your mercy, Lord Shen. We will definitely serve you well in the future." With that, he turned his head to signal, and one by one, others promptly presented the gifts they had brought. Shen Qing raised his hand, gesturing for the servants to accept the gifts one by one. Seeing that Shen Qing didn''t refuse them, they all felt relieved and showed expressions of joy, bidding their farewells and leaving behind gifts as numerous as a small mountain. "Get these things sorted out and make sure to register them," Shen Qing instructed Zhang Shuyuan. Having said that, he no longer bothered with these details and went back inside the house. In his view, the people of Yongzhou were all very shrewd, well-understanding the benefits of seeking good fortune and avoiding disaster, aligning well with his wishes and saving him a lot of trouble. Read exclusive chapters at My Virtual Library Empire Having just arranged the evening banquet, Zhang Shuyuan immediately went on to register the gifts nonstop. Fortunately, according to Yongzhou''s traditions, the heavy gifts that came with their business seals attached spared Zhang Shuyuan a lot of trouble. After some inventory checking, Zhang Shuyuan found that the gifts received could match half a year''s income of the Shen Family''s property. Most of the notable people from Yongzhou had come. The influence of Shen Qing in Yongzhou was evident; he was in an unassailable position. Chapter 57 Cultivating the Ancient Spirit Essence, Frontline News ```After dealing with a pile of trivial matters, Shen Qing declined the invitations from his subordinates and conversed with a few confidants before starting his daily routine of intense cultivation. This was a habit he had maintained for a long time, even amidst the Jing Luan Assembly. Late at night, the moon was bright and stars sparse. Everything was silent in Yongzhou City. In the backyard of the Shen Mansion, Shen Qing sat cross-legged on his bed, hands gently open, facing the bright moonlight. Find your next adventure on My Virtual Library Empire He constantly practiced breathing techniques, involving a special rhythm, his breathing appearing deep and prolonged. With each breath, wisps of white mist emanated from Shen Qing''s nose and mouth, so dense they seemed almost tangible, flickering with a faint silver sheen under the weak moonlight, appearing quite unusual. As his cultivation progressed, gradually his body seemed to be enveloped by a layer of flowing radiance. Beneath this radiance, his body appeared as if it were cast from bronze, lending him an aura of transcendence. Through many years of training and study, Shen Qing had already developed a very clear understanding of Martial Arts. In today''s world, an ordinary person begins by refining Qi-Blood, moves on to stretching and strengthening, Skin Tempering and Qi Cultivation, before breaking through to the Transcendent, condensing a Qi Sea, reaching the Qi Hai Realm. From the Qi Hai Realm onwards, the cultivation journey becomes vastly different, focusing on spiritual energy cultivation, progressing through the Yu Luo Realm, Dan Realm, Spirit Void Realm, Primordial Spirit Realm, Kongyou Realm, until reaching the Unity Realm, achieving the highest state. Each step of cultivation here is as hard as climbing to the heavens for ordinary martial masters, lacking none of perseverance, opportunity, Sight, and enlightenment. Now, Shen Qing, relying on the Water Ink Panel, has barrelled forward all the way to the Spirit Void Realm. At this step, he is almost halfway onto the doorstep of the Immortal Martial path. If all goes well, he could then use his body''s spiritual power to condense a primordial spirit, thereby breaking free from the constraints of the flesh, casting a Primordial Spirit Avatar, truly making a name for his martial practice, shedding all vulgarity. Further ahead, he would become a Kongyou Great Power, merging with heaven and earth, traveling unimpeded, free from material bonds, nearly an Immortal. At Shen Qing''s current pace of cultivation, without external power aiding, reaching this stage would require at least ten years or even longer. As for the final stage of Martial Arts in this realm, the Unity Realm, it requires time measured in decades. Among the millions in the Great Zhou, only the ancestor of the Ji Family and the current Majesty Ji Zikong have achieved the Unity Realm. Aside from these two, no third person exists. Unfortunately, up to now, no one has ever witnessed either of them in action. To what extent the Unity Realm reaches, no one knows. But there''s no doubt, these two are much stronger than those in the Kongyou Realm and Primordial Spirit Realm. Thus, from another perspective, with the chaos in the south of Great Zhou, demons rampant, rebels rampant, it seems like Ji Zikong and others are intentionally indulging it, as if purposely wearing down the martial masters of the world. The Jingluan Assembly is likewise. But why they are doing this, the underlying reasons, Shen Qing knows very little and has yet no way to understand. Shen Qing exhaled a breath of turbid air and turned his attention to the brocade bag at his waist, taking it off and placing it in front of him. This brocade bag was a treasure given by Lan Gongliang, capable of holding many items, quite mystical. Shen Qing looked down to see the Hundred Treasure Pouch glimmering with a faint spiritual light, like the brightest star in the night sky. He gently raised his fingertip, a stream of pure spiritual energy trickled out from within him, wrapped like a fine thread around the intricate patterns on the bag''s mouth. Under the continuous permeation of spiritual energy, the surface of the Hundred Treasure Bag suddenly rippled in delicate waves, like light breezes brushing across a calm lake, forming an existence akin to a "gate." This "gate" seemed originally to have some form of restriction but had long lost its effect over time. Upon sensing Shen Qing''s spiritual energy aura, the gate opened wide, revealing a peculiar space, approximately several square meters in size, yet seemingly connected to another dimension, with light sparkling inside. Inside lay many sundry items¡ªWish Power Pearls, treasure bows, Weapons, secret books, and various precious Spiritual Materials and Elixirs. Shen Qing did not pick them one by one, rather focused on a few jade tokens among them, took them out one by one, placing them before him. These jade tokens were used by him in the Ancient Relics to absorb Spirit Essence; he looked down and saw each jade token shining brightly, full of spirituality, covered with special patterns, appearing quite extraordinary. Shen Qing took one out, placed it in front of him, and inspected it closely, subconsciously lost in thought. Was it an illusion, he wondered, as he felt that the Spirit Essence in the Ancient Relics was identical to that from the falling essence from beyond, both seemingly no different. Shen Qing sometimes was perplexed, as to why an inconspicuous relic of a sect from the Ancient Era was so formidable. At this moment, the image of the perfect woman surfaced in his mind. Her terrifying power, slaughtering them like ants. A faint worry arose within Shen Qing, doubting that such Ancient Relics were not isolated cases. If such existences appeared again in the future, he wouldn''t stand a chance. With demons continuously emerging everywhere, what the future holds is unpredictable and potentially extremely dangerous. The intense sense of crisis surged back to the forefront of his mind. Shen Qing dismissed these thoughts, avoiding further speculation about these useless concerns; thinking more was of no benefit. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ``` Chapter 57 Cultivating the Spirit Essence of the Ancients, Frontline News_2 ```He silently recited a passage of the Calming Incantation, allowing the lake of his mind to return to tranquility, and then stimulated a trace of Spiritual Power to refine one of the jade tokens. Shen Qing carefully guided a trace of extremely pure Spiritual Power to fall upon the jade token. The ancient-looking jade token seemed to be activated, gently hovering in mid-air, lightly pulsating. In the next moment, the prohibition applied on the jade token showed some looseness. In an instant, like a horse off its reins, it surged out from the jade token, filling the entire room, the air thick with Spirit Essence, even carrying a faint fragrance. Shen Qing took a deep breath, feeling the unprecedented abundance of Spiritual Energy, a flash of fervent light appearing in his eyes. He noticed a pot of orchids on the windowsill, under this Spirit Essence, flaunting their blooms, continuously stretching their bodies, visibly growing, flowering, turning lush and vivid, full of spirituality. No time to delay, Shen Qing quickly took out a Wish Power Pearl from the Brocade Bag, shimmering with faint luminescence, and similarly began refining it with the Refining Pearl Technique. After ensuring everything was prepared, Shen Qing formed a seal with both hands and began circulating the recently broken-through Six Paths Reincarnation Technique. This cultivation technique was extremely profound, several times more mystical than the earlier Six Path Whale Swallowing Technique. As Shen Qing cultivated, all the acupoints in his body lit up, sparkling like stars. Among them, several crucial acupoints shone most brightly, interlinked, forming a peculiar spoon shape, with a glow that fluctuated like his breathing. Under these glows, every trace of Spiritual Energy was meticulously guided by him, flowing along the unique path of the Six Paths Reincarnation Technique within his body, nourishing every inch of his flesh and blood, every thread of his Divine Sense, enhancing his cultivation. In this process, time seemed to lose its meaning, the clamor and changes of the outside world isolated. Time ticked away bit by bit. When the first ray of morning light pierced through the window, spilling over his body, Shen Qing suddenly withdrew from the training state. He raised his eyes and saw, unconsciously, the sky had already broken at dawn. Shen Qing felt the changes in his body, looked again at the Water Ink Panel in his vision; a night of cultivation hadn''t brought about a significant change in his cultivation, the road ahead still long and challenging. He stood up from the bed, slightly stretching his limbs, his spirit full. At this moment, he noticed a faint warmth spreading from his chest. Your journey continues with My Virtual Library Empire Shen Qing frowned, taking a copper mirror from within his robes. With a thought, Spiritual Power circulated within him, entwined around the Spirit Void state. As he willed it, ripples spread across the mirror''s surface, emitting a faint, eerie light. Following that, lines of text leisurely emerged from the mirror. "Brother Qing, how have you been? Have you returned home safely?" Looking at the words appearing in the mirror, Shen Qing''s expression remained calm. All this time, he and Shen Xiaohu had been communicating with each other through the communication mirror every few days, already accustomed to it. After waiting a while, another message from Shen Xiaohu came from the other side: "After the emergence of the Ancient Relics, the Dao Master has sent a message, in one month, our sect will withdraw from Dan Province in batches, returning to the Holy Mountain. Perhaps we''ll enjoy a comfortable period afterward. Tell father and mother not to worry, I am well." Seeing this line of text, Shen Qing''s eyes narrowed slightly, a complex glow suddenly appearing across his face. From Xiaohu''s words, it sounded like the Dao Master of the Huangtian Sect had taken Dan Province solely for the Ancient Relics? If calculated this way, many cities might hold little significance to the Huangtian Sect and could be abandoned at any time, just like Taiping County back then. And once the Huangtian Sect abandoned many cities, the court would achieve their military objectives consequently. Would Xue Zhao still need to continue leading the army to fight? Not necessarily. By then, perhaps Xue Zhao would voluntarily lead the army back to the capital. There was a deadly feud between him and Xue Zhao, a point of nearly irreconcilable hostility. Once Xue Zhao returned to the capital, he would free his hands to deal with him. Now the Great Zhou under the Ji Family''s intentional indulgence, chaos was gradually emerging, a few officials'' deaths couldn''t stir up too much trouble. As a grand general in court, and a martial master at the late Primordial Spirit Realm, dealing with him really would leave no other choice but to surrender. Especially since he was in Yongzhou, far from the capital, making it more convenient for Xue Zhao''s operation. Yongzhou couldn''t be stayed. On the contrary, in the capital, under the Emperor''s watch, and he had been personally appointed by His Majesty as the Chief of the Southern Division of the Military Command, could make Xue Zhao cautious, not daring to act recklessly. Shen Qing looked at the copper mirror''s surface, contemplating deeply. Xiaohu and the others would leave Dan Province in a month, so Xue Zhao could return to the court in as soon as two months'' time. That meant when he went to the capital, he must find a way to stand firm in one or two months'' time. "I fear I might not be by father and mother''s side for a long time, later it''ll be hard on Brother Qing." The message from Shen Xiaohu interrupted Shen Qing''s train of thought. He silently replied: "It''s a duty that must be fulfilled. I will inform uncle and aunt, letting them be at ease, not to worry." Shen Qing cut off the message from the communication mirror and tossed it into the Hundred Treasure Bag, stepping out through the door. In the far east, thin strands of morning light continuously poured down from the horizon, dyeing the skyline a golden hue, full of burgeoning power. At this time, the servants and maids in the Shen Mansion had already begun bustling about preparing meals, dusting, tidying the courtyard. Shen Qing went straight to his uncle and aunt''s residence, planning to tell them about Shen Xiaohu''s situation to put them at ease. He crossed the mist-enshrouded bluestone path, entering a small courtyard. Pushing the half-closed wooden door open, Shen Qing''s gaze swept across the courtyard, finally fixing on his uncle and aunt. Morning light cast on their slightly aged faces, reflecting undeniable worry and unease. They had gotten up early, sitting quietly opposite each other, faces full of concern. Uncle Shen Er kept smoking his pipe, puffing incessantly. "Uncle, aunt, I''m here." Shen Qing walked closer, saying: "There''s news about Xiaohu just this morning." Aunt Wang raised her head at his words, pretending indifference as she said: "What news can there be? After all the things said, he still can''t come back, what''s the use?" "Can''t you make fewer complaints, listen to what Qing has to say." Uncle Shen Er said irritably from beside. Shen Qing''s eyes flickered slightly, catching sight of the handkerchief tightly clutched in his aunt''s hand, already wrung into a tight ball. He knew his aunt''s temperament; her words were entirely different from her true thoughts. Shen Qing smiled: "Uncle, aunt, you don''t need to worry too much. Xiaohu just told me, they are about to withdraw from the front line, leaving Dan Province, and should soon enjoy a peaceful period, at least free from danger." "Really?" Shen Er asked. Shen Qing nodded. Shen Er''s tense face finally relaxed, heaving a sigh of relief: "Shen family ancestors bless. The ancestors of the Shen family bless us." Aunt Wang''s eyes suddenly brightened upon hearing this, but quickly dimmed again, remaining silent. Shen Qing continued: "Uncle, aunt, you should prepare, we might need to prepare to enter the capital in these coming days, and you''ll all join me then." "Huh? So soon?" Aunt said surprised: "We''ve only just settled down here for a few years." "Man strives to ascend, water flows downward." Shen Qing advised: "Aspiring upward always does no harm." Uncle Shen Er said: "Qing, there''s something I forgot to mention to you." "What is it?" "A few people from Taiping County escaped and somehow found me and Zhang Shuyuan, I''ve settled them in the city." "Okay, such small matters uncle can handle as he sees fit. What''s the situation in Taiping County now?" "Taiping County is gone." sea??h th§× Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Gone?" Shen Qing was slightly puzzled. Uncle Shen Er explained: "I heard from those people that a tomb appeared deep in the mountains, with many demons emerging, the city inside out taken over by demons, leaving no space for people to live. What exactly happened there, I''m not sure." A tomb? Shen Qing instinctively felt that this might be the same event related to the Ancient Relics. Clearly, something was changing in this world. ``` Chapter 58 Change in Taiping County, Entering the Capital The demons are becoming more numerous.A few years ago, people still didn''t know what demons were, but now demons have almost become something everyone is familiar with, almost coexisting with humans. But even so, the fall of Taiping County into the hands of the Demon Clan was something Shen Qing had never imagined. Yongzhou is a thousand miles away from Taiping County, which might be very far for ordinary people, but for demons, especially those that have gained power, this distance is nothing at all. In other words, Yongzhou is not very safe anymore either. Shen Qing said to his uncle Shen the Second, "Where are the people who came from Taiping County?" Uncle Shen the Second showed a difficult expression, his face becoming hesitant. Shen Qing noticed his uncle''s difficulty and thought he was going to trouble them, and he hurriedly explained, "Uncle, no need to worry. I just want to ask them some questions." Uncle let out a sigh and said, "I''ll send someone to call them over so that you don''t have to make a trip." "Alright, I''ll return to the study first," Shen Qing nodded and said, "When they arrive, they can come directly to see me." "Okay," replied Shen the Second. After courteously bowing, Shen Qing walked out of the courtyard, intending to return to his study to deal with trifles. As for the government office at the Yongzhou Guard Martial Arts Bureau, Shen Qing didn''t need to go there for the time being. Ji Zikong had already given him a new appointment, so presumably, there was also a suitable candidate here in Yongzhou, leaving him with no worries. In the courtyard of the mansion, the thin morning mist gradually dissipated in the sunlight. Walking on the bluestone path, Shen Qing unexpectedly encountered his elder sister Shen Fang. She and the maid at her side were holding hands, behaving very affectionately. When the elder sister saw Shen Qing, her face changed, and she hurriedly let go of the maid''s hand beside her, with a somewhat startled look. "Qingzi/Sir," the two said in unison. Shen Qing nodded in acknowledgment and brushed past them. After he passed, the elder sister Shen Fang hurriedly dragged the maid away with a guilty conscience. Shen Qing turned back to glance at them, lost in thought. The elder sister Shen Fang was not young anymore, and in this world, she was already considered a spinster, past the age of marriage. If the elder sister expressed the desire, with his current status, many men in Yongzhou would be easily available to her. However, until now, he had not heard anything about his sister wanting to find a good family. If he recalls correctly, that maid is called Huanhuan and is a hunter''s daughter, sold to his family to work as a maid. The previous duration was not long, only about half a year. Thinking back over these past six months, this maid called Huanhuan seemed to always be with the elder sister Shen Fang, inseparable. A possibility suddenly occurred to Shen Qing, leaving him speechless. Never mind, this matter is no longer within his consideration; let them be. Whether it''s his uncle and aunt or his elder sister, they have long passed the age of martial arts cultivation, with limited lifespan. He could only say that he will do his best to show concern while they are still in this world. ... At the study entrance. "Sir, according to Master Shen''s orders, I have brought the people you wanted to see," a servant respectfully reported. From inside the study, Shen Qing''s calm and authoritative voice came through, "Come in." "Yes." The servant answered and then gently pushed open the heavy wooden door. Amidst a somewhat ancient creaking sound, the doors slowly opened, and the servant respectfully said, "Please, all of you, come in." Three people came this time; it was their first time entering the depths of the Shen Mansion, and they had never seen such an imposing setting. Their eyes continuously revealed a trace of apprehension and curiosity as they nodded and bowed, walking in. Stay tuned with My Virtual Library Empire Shen Qing looked up and immediately recognized one of the burly, slightly rugged-faced men as a familiar person from Hongshan Village. This person was the child of a hunter''s family, the same generation as him. Shen Qing directly called out, "Are you... Gousheng?!" The burly man, upon seeing Shen Qing, had a flash of delight in his eyes, but a moment later quickly became deferential, looking down at his feet. After staying in Yongzhou for a while, he had long realized that this peer from his hometown had soared high, incomparable to the past, and he must not be as casual as before. He made a bow, filled with gratitude and respect, and said, "I didn''t expect you still remember me, Sir." Shen Qing stood up and said, "How are your parents and family? Are they well?" S§×arch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Thanks for your concern, Sir, but like others, they have all been eaten by demons," Gousheng said in a calm tone, as if narrating something exceedingly common. While speaking, he couldn''t help but glance at Shen Qing a couple of more times, filled with regret. When Shen Qing left back then, they chose to stay in Taiping County for the sake of stability. If they had been a bit braver and followed Shen Qing, maybe he could, like Tian Xiaohu and the others, get a position in the government office. But alas, there is no medicine for regret in the world. What''s missed is missed, with no second chances. Hearing these words, Shen Qing''s brows furrowed with concern, and he asked in a deep voice, "What exactly happened over in Taiping County? Tell me everything in detail." Now, with demons increasingly appearing and mysterious occurrences arising, it only made his heart more unsettled. He wanted to quickly gather more intelligence and information to feel more secure. Gousheng took a deep breath, trying to calm his emotions. After exchanging a somber look with the two equally serious companions, he said, "About a month ago, outside Taiping County, in a place called Qingniu Mountain, an enormous ancient tomb unexpectedly appeared. It''s as if it emerged out of thin air, suddenly rising from the ground. It''s very strange." Chapter 58 Change in Taiping County, Entering the Capital_2 "From what I heard, that ancient tomb is very strange, from the outside it looks like volcanic lava, turning the sky red.""When this strange tomb appeared, those demons gathered near Taiping County rushed over." "At first, only a few daring demons attempted to assault it. Later, after prolonged attacks failed, a large bird with nine heads led many powerful demons in a relentless assault, cracking open a fissure in the tomb, from which emerged many incredible treasures, significantly boosting the strength of several demons." "Since then, those demons have taken this as their stronghold, staying in Taiping County, acting recklessly." "Now, in the entire Taiping County, people like us have almost become prey in their eyes, like livestock being farmed, a few eaten today, a few more tomorrow. There are deaths daily in the county, and there are not many survivors left." "We also struggled quite a lot to escape from the city." Upon hearing Gousheng''s account, Shen Qing fell into deep thought and asked, "When this ancient tomb appeared, was there any presence of Spirit Essence?" "Spirit Essence?" Shen Qing explained, "Did any unusual phenomena occur around the tomb, such as rapid tree growth?" "Yes, yes." A common man beside Gousheng quickly nodded, "In the beginning, before the demons truly acted, people often went near the site where the tomb appeared to gather herbs. Many aging herbs indeed appeared there." Hearing this, Shen Qing''s heart stirred. It seemed similar to the ancient relics found in Dan Zhou, creations from the Ancient Era. Once could be a coincidence, but such events repeatedly occurring can''t be that simple. Perhaps inside that tomb lies an ancient corpse, like that perfect woman, possessing incomprehensible power. Shen Qing remembered carefully, the first demon he encountered was in the direction of Taiping County, which was a tiger demon. Is this also a coincidence? And now, with so many demons in the world, what exactly are Ji Zikong and the others mulling over? Why haven''t they sent a large army to suppress them? Are they really going to sit idly by as these demons run rampant and become a disaster? Shen Qing did not understand but was deeply shaken. He believed that if things continued like this, it wouldn''t be long before a second, third, or even more cities were seized and overrun by demons. The Great Zhou State is already in a perilous situation. "Sir, do you have anything else to ask?" Seeing Shen Qing remain silent for a long time without saying a word, Gousheng asked. Shen Qing snapped out of it, gently shook his head, and said, "Nothing else to ask, you should head back for now. If you face any difficulties in life, you can come to the mansion to find us at that time." The three of them, Gousheng, expressed joy on their faces, "Alright, alright, thank you, Sir." Shen Qing returned to his seat, his hands resting on the table, fingers tapping rhythmically, a crisp sound resonating, while he muttered to himself: ''The matter of the Imperial Armory cannot be delayed.'' ''No matter how I look at it, there seems to be a major change looming over the world. I heard the Ji family has conscripted martial machines from across the realm, with the Imperial Armory holding a third of it. The Imperial Armory not only has all kinds of supreme techniques but also many treasures and pills to aid Martial masters in their cultivation.'' ''My current cultivation is reasonable down here, but if placed among the upper echelon, it''s far from enough; at least, I can''t contend with Xue Zhao as he stands now.'' ''Perhaps I could use this as an opportunity to quickly enhance my cultivation.'' After contemplating for a long time, Shen Qing decided to expedite his journey to the capital, both to seek martial arts opportunities and for the sake of his family''s safety. After all, a gentleman does not stand beneath a collapsing wall. Shen Qing was not a hesitant person; once he made up his mind, he acted swiftly. Read new adventures at My Virtual Library Empire That very day, he instructed everyone in the mansion to pack up, preparing to move the entire family to the capital. Besides uncles and aunts and other family members, Shen Qing also sounded out the intentions of his associates. Tian Xiaohu, who was alone and had been following him, had nothing much to say, and besides him, Chen Guang, Ji Youwu, and a few others chose to accompany him to the capital. However, Xiao Zhi planned to stay in Yongzhou. A closer inquiry revealed that he secretly had a family and was unwilling to abandon his wife and children to pursue a future alone. Naturally, Shen Qing wouldn''t force it. Fortunately, they needed trusted people to guard and manage the considerable family estate in Yongzhou. After considering comprehensively, Shen Qing finally decided to leave Zhang Shuyuan and Xiao Zhi in Yongzhou to manage and safeguard his estate there. Generally speaking, as long as he didn''t fall from power, others in Yongzhou wouldn''t cause a big stir. Meanwhile, Wu Sheng facilitated exchanges, leaving them as a retreat route. After spending three to five days managing the mess left by Zhou Su, Shen Qing prepared to enter the capital with a few trusted followers and family. Considering the long journey, which would take over a month by foot, and the urgency of the appointment and Xue family''s matters in the capital which couldn''t be delayed for long. Thus, Shen Qing arranged to split his forces; he would travel alone first riding the wind to return to the capital. Tian Xiaohu and the others would escort the uncles and aunts along the official road at a slow pace. Now that Tian Xiaohu and the others were at the Nourishment Realm, and there was no shortage of martial artists at the Qi Sea Realm, they could easily handle small-time thieves and even some demons along the way, ensuring safety on the road. After sending the uncles and aunts off onto the official road and ensuring everything was in order, Shen Qing invoked the Six Paths of Reincarnation technique. He absorbed the purest spiritual energy around him, causing the spiritual power within his entire body to boil, becoming vast and abundant. Soon, this immense spiritual power was suddenly transformed into a brilliant rainbow of light enveloping him. Shen Qing controlled the rainbow light, his toes lightly tapping, instantly bursting forth at an astonishing speed, soaring into the sky, with the sound of breaking through the air deafening, resembling the roars of dragon and tiger. He rushed into the clouds, riding the wind beneath the blue sky. After rushing for over an hour, the rainbow light controlled by Shen Qing descended into the backyard of Wu Sheng''s restaurant in the capital. Wu Sheng happened to be in the courtyard, and upon hearing the commotion, he hurried over to greet. sea??h th§× Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Shen Qing symbolically brushed the dust off himself and directly asked, "Is the residence I asked you to prepare ready?" Wu Sheng solemnly responded, "Sir, it''s ready, the house is on Pingkang Street just outside the palace, close to all government offices." "Take me to see it." "Sure, I''ll prepare horses and carriages immediately to go over." "Let''s walk directly." Shen Qing took the lead, employing the Great Space Shifting Technique, spanning dozens of meters swiftly, his form quickly vanishing before Wu Sheng''s eyes. Wu Sheng, momentarily bewildered, hurriedly brought a fast horse from the stable to chase after him. Pingkang Street, as Wu Sheng described, is right next to one side of the palace, just a short distance from the main gate of the palace. It''s also not far from the military administrative building. Shen Qing surveyed the surroundings and felt quite satisfied with the location. After standing and waiting for a while, Wu Sheng arrived hastily, leading him to a large mansion. The gate of the courtyard looked ordinary with no towering threshold, but upon entering, the space was ample, and the furniture was also fairly new. "This courtyard originally belonged to an official family, but due to offending His Majesty, the entire family was banished from the capital, leaving the house vacant and just right for me to purchase." Wu Sheng introduced, "The neighbors are all capital officials." Shen Qing used his spiritual sense to scan and perceive all the details of the house, finding nothing inappropriate. "Here will do." Wu Sheng relaxed and said, "Alright, I''ll finalize paperwork with the broker today." "You handle it, don''t bother me with such trivial matters." Shen Qing said casually, "If there isn''t enough money, just let me know." Now that he was wealthy, he no longer concerned himself with material wealth. "Alright." In the distance, a figure suddenly appeared, quickly rushing to Shen Qing''s side and stopping, laughing heartily, "Little friend Shen, I''ve finally found you." Shen Qing turned around in surprise, "Lord Lan." "Your appointment documents and the rewards promised by His Majesty are all ready. When you have time, come to the military administrative office to handle them." Chapter 1 Entering the Temple ```Capital City, Military Department. A dispatch officer dressed in brocade stood patiently at the entrance of the government office. Upon seeing Shen Qing, his face lit up with joy, and he quickly ran up to greet him, saying, "Subordinate Yu Hai Bei greets Lord Shen. Lord Lan has already conveyed the message to let me take Lord Shen to receive the Emperor''s reward and assist you with your official appointment." "Thank you for your assistance." "No need, no need, it is my duty." Shen Qing nodded and took the lead in stepping into the Military Department Office. Yu Hai Bei followed a step behind, trailing Shen Qing. The Military Department of the Great Zhou Country is divided into the Five City Military Departments, with five major regions, East, West, South, North, and Central, each with a Chief Officer position, managing the Military and Guardian Martial Departments of the Five Districts of Great Zhou, specifically responsible for national security. Generally speaking, from traitors and demons to thieves and petty thieves, all fall under the jurisdiction of the Military Department. However, there are slight differences between the Capital City''s Military Department and those in other regions. The regional Military Departments mostly focus on local affairs, whereas the Capital City''s Military Department primarily safeguards the Imperial family''s security. The emphasis, therefore, differs slightly based on the task at hand. It is precisely this difference in emphasis that elevates the status of the Capital City''s Military Department above other government offices. "This way, Lord Shen," Yu Hai Bei said with respect, guiding Shen Qing into the Military Department Office. The moment they stepped inside, an indescribable aura of prestige enveloped them. sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Shen Qing cast his eyes around, observing the curved eaves and painted beams, very impressive. Far incomparable to local government offices. The space was enormous, and the number of people was significant too. Shen Qing quickly estimated that in the short distance he walked, the number of officers he encountered already greatly exceeded that of a single office in Yongzhou. It appeared the scale of the Capital surpassed his previous impressions by a good margin. Following behind Shen Qing, Yu Hai Bei introduced each area one by one, "Our Military Department Office is a three-court compound; the first courtyard is where the officers in Kyoto conduct their daily patrols and office work. Since this area belongs to the Imperial City, patrols continue ceaselessly day and night, and thus there are quite a number of officers." Shen Qing thought of Tian Xiaohu and his group, asking, "Are there any requirements for becoming an officer here? What about the official salary?" "One must be a Cultivator, at least at the Qi Cultivation Realm, and have a clean background, a home, and family within the Capital Region to be eligible." Hearing this, Shen Qing couldn''t help but feel a touch of lament. In Taiping County, a cultivation level of Qi Cultivation would be enough to open a Martial Arts Hall, becoming a person of influence, yet in this Capital City, it''s only the threshold for becoming an ordinary officer. To know that officers are somewhat less than ''clerks'' speaks volumes. No wonder this is the heart of the Zhou Country, with experts everywhere. This requirement for family and home bars any fugitives from entering. Calculating like this, if he wanted to bring Tian Xiaohu and his peers in, it might pose some trouble. As if sensing Shen Qing''s thoughts, Yu Hai Bei lowered his voice and said, "If Lord Shen wants to have someone from your side get a position here, you just need to inform a few Chief Officers, and mention it to the constables below, and it should be no problem at all." Shen Qing glanced curiously at Yu Hai Bei, thinking this person was indeed perceptive and adept at reading people. He diverted the topic carelessly, "So, what about the second and third courtyards?" "The second courtyard is where the officers and constables work, and the third courtyard is the office for the five Chief Officers and Lord Commander," Yu Hai Bei guided the way, saying, "Lord, today we are headed to this third courtyard, this way, please." Shen Qing acknowledged with a nod and headed toward the second courtyard. As the surrounding officers noticed this unfamiliar face making his way toward the second courtyard, their attitudes immediately turned respectful, no longer ignoring him as before. Shen Qing couldn''t help but laugh silently. Human hearts are indeed subtle. Passing through a shadow wall to enter the second courtyard, there were noticeably fewer people inside. He counted roughly a dozen or so individuals; some sat cross-legged on the ground cultivating, others stretched and gestured with their fists, while a few, with nothing better to do, sparred with each other. It was evident that these individuals were filled with Great Perfection in blood energy, their aura restrained, and were at the very least of the Qi Sea Realm of cultivation. Randomly setting one loose locally could see them dominate an area. When Shen Qing appeared in the backyard, these constables and officers were evidently perceptive enough to realize that someone with the ability to enter must have an extraordinary identity. A few paused their cultivation, glanced at Shen Qing, and whispered, "Whose son could this be, coming from the back? He looks so young." "I heard a Southern Chief was coming to our office, could it be him?" "How could it be? He looks so young; if he could become Chief, that would be too absurd." While they speculated, Shen Qing, following Yu Hai Bei''s guidance, walked into the third courtyard, leaving those in the second courtyard staring at each other in disbelief. Experience new stories on My Virtual Library Empire The man who had just denied it lightly swallowed down his spit saying, "It really is him." They were each incredulous. Shen Qing''s Divine Sense was sharp, noticing every move these people made. He did not waste time explaining, quickly striding inside. Upon entering the third courtyard, the sight changed once more. The courtyard was filled with various artificial scenic rocks and flowing water, creating a tranquil environment. Additionally, the courtyard''s size compared to the first and second courtyards was only larger, not smaller. Yu Hai Bei guided Shen Qing to the front of a side chamber. "Lord Shen, we have arrived. The Emperor''s rewards and your official appointment documents are prepared, this way, please." "Alright." Shen Qing pushed open the door and strode inside. Upon entering the room, he saw an older middle-aged man sitting lazily in a chair, eyes closed, either resting or in cultivation. Before Shen Qing got close, he sensed a faint searing heat. It was evident that this middle-aged man''s cultivation was not low, at least at the Ling Xu Realm or higher, demonstrating profound cultivation. He hadn''t expected such an existence to be so unassuming within the Military Department, without any presumptuous airs. Yu Hai Bei stepped forward saying, "Lord Wang, this is Lord Shen Qing, who has come today to commence his service and receive the Emperor''s rewards, we hope you could assist." The middle-aged man on the chair lazily opened his eyes, letting out a long yawn, stretching before addressing Shen Qing, "You''re the new Chief, Shen Qing?" Having no knowledge of this middle-aged man''s background, Shen Qing maintained his composure and answered, "Yes." The middle-aged man said nothing but silently produced a Jade Token for Shen Qing, saying, "This is the Beautiful Pattern Jade Token personally bestowed by the Emperor. Holding this token allows you access to the Imperial Armory and to draw ten thousand Wish Power Pearls. It''s also proof of your position as Chief of Kyoto''s Military Department." Shen Qing received the jade token and closely examined it. This item was a translucent jade green, containing an elusive spiritual energy within. The entire jade token was intricately and mysteriously carved with beautiful patterns, under the sunlight outside the room, shimmering with a ghostly green glow. The small seal character ''Shen'' in the center was particularly dazzling. More remarkably, upon touching the object, he felt a faint warmth, quite extraordinary. The middle-aged man explained, "This Beautiful Pattern Jade Token has been imprinted with Divine Skills by a Great Power, equipped with an anti-counterfeiting feature. After taking it back, drip a drop of your essence blood on it, binding it to you. It would be useless in anyone else''s hands." "Thank you, senior." Upon hearing this, Shen Qing immediately adjusted his fingers, using his spiritual energy to puncture his fingertip, squeezing a drop of essence blood onto the Beautiful Pattern Jade Token. The jade token momentarily glowed, absorbing the drop of blood. Instantly, Shen Qing felt a bloodline connection to the jade token, clicking his tongue in amazement. Today, I have witnessed something indeed, no wonder Kyoto, the heart of the empire''s martial capacity, takes such efforts even with a mere token, making it like an artifact. The middle-aged man chuckled, "The last person holding this token insisted on biting his tongue and then spitting onto such a treasured item, making it reek. You''re pretty clever." ''Uh...'' Shen Qing hadn''t considered this either. The middle-aged man then handed a bundle of documents to Shen Qing, "These are your official documents. Now your registration is listed under ''officials,'' within them is also a description of your position, keep them safe." Accepting the official documents, Shen Qing eyed them with surprise. Never expected that upon entering the Capital City, his identity would change from ''martial'' registration to ''officials.'' In Great Zhou Country, the hierarchy is Emperor, Aristocrats, Officials, Physicians, Martial, Farmers, Artisans, Merchants, and Servants. Official registration is only second to the Emperor and Aristocrats, signifying royalty and nobility. In a sense, starting from today, Shen Qing has officially entered the temple, becoming a part of the upper echelons of the Great Zhou Country. And this was just the matter of a decree from Ji Zikong. The middle-aged man remarked, "That''s all there is to it." The difference between what he anticipated about receiving rewards and commencing his service and what happened was stark, leaving Shen Qing somewhat surprised. On the way, he had thought about how he would manage to retrieve thousands of Wish Power Pearls, but it seemed that was a needless concern. Without further ado, he took his items, clasped his hands in a brief bow, and silently retreated. Shen Qing turned to Yu Hai Bei, "Is there anything else that needs completing?" Yu Hai Bei replied respectfully, "There are still some trivial matters remaining, such as official attire and casual clothes. I will collect them for you, Lord, and there''s not much else to worry about." "Alright, then I''ll trouble you to make a trip," Shen Qing said casually. "By the way, today, Lord Commander has specifically gone out to search for you, and he has called back the other Chief Officers as well. If you have no other engagements, you should meet with them. It seems Lord Commander''s intention is to hold a small gathering for you," Yu Hai Bei advised. "Where are they?" "In the hall of the third courtyard," Yu Hai Bei pointed to a location, "I am of low status and it is not convenient for me to go over there; you can proceed on your own, Lord." Shen Qing nodded and proceeded directly in the direction Yu Hai Bei indicated. Before even getting close, Shen Qing already heard laughter from the hall; without any sign of stage fright, he walked right in. All eyes, all four, swept simultaneously toward Shen Qing as soon as he entered. Shen Qing looked up and saw four people seated inside the hall, four men, one woman. Seated at the center was Lan Gongliang, Command of all Military Forces, surrounded on both sides by two men. "So, this is the new Southern Chief, Shen Qing, isn''t it? I heard you''re young, and seeing you today, your potential is indeed promising." The speaker was a man with sharp facial features. His voice was somewhat sharp, face very pale, and his physique differed from the typical warrior, appearing frail, as if a gust of wind could topple him. Lan Gongliang spoke, "There are no outsiders here; you needn''t be so formal. Please, come in." "Yes, my Lord." Shen Qing smiled subtly, walking calmly before the assembled individuals. Lan Gongliang rose, pointing to the individuals before him, introducing them one by one, "This is Wei Chengye, Chief of the Central Region. Amongst everyone, he has served in the Military Department the longest with the most experience. If you have any uncertainties in official duties, you may consult him." Shen Qing''s gaze followed Lan Gongliang''s gesture, noticing the Chief of the Central Region had thick eyebrows and big eyes, leaving an impression of considerable honesty. Acknowledging Shen Qing''s glance, he nodded slightly in acknowledgment. Lan Gongliang then pointed to an ordinary-looking man, "This is Zeng Weifeng, Chief of the Northern Region, a master at catching criminals, descended from Zeng Yaozi. His family''s renowned for numerous high forges. If you wish to forge weapons, he''s the one to seek." Next, he pointed to the only woman, "This is Zhao Lengyan, Chief of the Western Region, a noblewoman from the Zhao family and a descendant of a noble house." "As for the Chief of the Eastern Region, that''s Yang Henshan, the godson of Yang Changshi, the current eunuch officer." Hearing each introduction, Shen Qing couldn''t help but feel a bit amazed. In this room, except for himself, everyone else had significant backgrounds. Each had a backing; he couldn''t help but feel a silent sense of respect. After introducing them, Lan Gongliang said to the rest, "This young man is Shen Qing, the Southern Chief personally appointed by our Emperor. He is the sole survivor of the recent rebellion." Shen Qing stepped forward, neither overbearing nor servile, saying, "I''m Shen Qing from Yongzhou, greetings to my fellow colleagues." As the only female among the Chief Officers, Zhao Lengyan commented, "I heard this recent rebellion had many unexpected turns, even involving ancient relics. Is it true? Does the Huangtian Sect have such capabilities, wiping out so many people with just one formation?" Shen Qing glanced at Zhao Lengyan, his eyes discreetly sweeping over her. Perhaps due to martial practice, her physique appeared somewhat robust, muscles faintly visible. Clad in a black casual robe, she somewhat resembled a man. Often referred to as a tomboy. Shen Qing fabricated a story, "Indeed, there were ancient relics involved. Speaking of which, as these relics surfaced, the situation spiraled into chaos. The Huangtian Sect took advantage of this, setting up a lethal formation, eradicated many martial masters at once. I was simply fortunate to have not participated, barely escaping." In his view, since all the martial masters from the rebellion were mostly deceased, as long as the tale wasn''t too outrageous, no one could verify it. "I see," Zhao Lengyan laughed heartily, with no sign of sadness, "It seems my cousins weren''t lucky this time." Lan Gongliang surveyed the others, saying, "Chief Officer Shen here is a young talent. His joining our Military Department is a great benefit for our handling of demons nationwide. All of you must work together with solidarity." "Yes, my lord," everyone chorused. Speaking of demons, Shen Qing recalled something and approached to inquire, "Lord Lan, do you know that Taiping County has already been overrun by demons?" ``` Chapter 2 Capital City Prosperity, Observations "Taiping County?" Lan Gongliang said calmly, "I''ve heard of it."Shen Qing was quite surprised and puzzled, "Then why don''t we go to exterminate those demons? Isn''t this our duty?" "Exterminate we must." Lan Gongliang looked Shen Qing up and down and said, "But right now, the demon issue is not urgent for the court. The crucial matter is Huang Tian the rebel. Besides, Taiping County is remote and desolate, a tiny place even if it rots won''t matter much, no harm done. We can always go to eliminate the demons later, no hurry." Shen Qing''s heart stirred slightly, showing an enlightened look, "So that''s how it is. Thank you, Lord, for the clarification." Lan Gongliang waved his hand nonchalantly. He glanced at the sky; the sun was dazzling, right at noon. "It''s getting late, and since no one went out today, how about a feast for lunch together." Stay updated with My Virtual Library Empire "Yes, Lord." The government office of the Military Department is located in the bustling center of the Capital, surrounded by lively areas. Stepping out from the back door of the third courtyard, they were greeted by a dusty street. The street was paved with blue stone bricks, each the size of a washbasin, cut perfectly square and very smooth. The street was bustling with people. Many young people dressed in silk sashes and jade, accompanied by women, laughed openly as they strolled. Quickly, they only walked a few steps to reach the back door of a tavern. Shen Qing looked up and saw the black signboard above the tavern''s back door, with four large gilt characters elegantly written: "Ancient Charm, Wine Aroma." "Lord Lan, you''ve arrived! Quickly, please come in. The first-class private room is reserved for you today." A servant at the door greeted them with a knowing smile, as if he had known for a long time that Lan Gongliang and his party would come. Lan Gongliang walked into the tavern without a word, hands behind his back, familiar with the way. The tavern was divided into two floors, with a small pavilion in the middle where an elder and a young girl were performing. The elder held a pipa and sat in a chair; the young girl stood in green attire, her voice melodious, singing tunes Shen Qing had never heard before. From the spoken parts and lyrics, it seemed to be a love story of a destitute man meeting a wealthy girl before achieving success, somewhat similar to "The Romance of the Western Chamber." The grandparent-grandchild duo performed skillfully, with clear recitations and good singing, coupled with the fact that many people from the Outer City were in the Capital City, this underdog story was quite straightforward. Shen Qing glanced and noticed a lot of broken silver scattered on the ground in front of them, as tips for their performance. "Today''s performers at the Yuan Yang Pavilion are quite good." After entering the tavern, Lan Gongliang, led by the servant, entered a private room directly facing the central pavilion with a great view. After sitting down in an empty seat, he couldn''t help but comment casually. "If the Lord enjoys it, how about I invite them over to sing a couple of songs for you, just the two of them?" the servant said sycophantically. Shen Qing took in the scene beside him. It was evident that Lan Gongliang was a valued guest with high status at this tavern. Lan Gongliang waved his hand and said, "We''re just here for a meal, no need for trouble, let''s just have the usual three specialties." "Sure." The servant took the towel from his shoulder, swiftly wiped the table, and said with a smile, "Please wait a moment, honored guests." Lan Gongliang pointed at the vacant seats and said, "Feel free to sit wherever you like." The private room used a separate dining system, with each person having their individual table. The group didn''t stand on ceremony, each finding a seat. There was no particular arrangement or consideration for seating. However, Shen Qing was cautious and chose to sit at the lowest seat. sea??h th§× N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. After they all sat down, five beautiful women and one handsome man entered the private room. The group saluted respectfully, with the five women standing behind Shen Qing and the others, and the only man standing behind Zhao Lengyan. ''This is...'' It was Shen Qing''s first time encountering such a setup, and he was slightly puzzled. But he wisely did not ask questions, only observed quietly. As Shen Qing still held some confusion in his heart, the young woman behind him knelt and began to massage his shoulders and back. "Sir, is this strength alright?" The woman behind Shen Qing, around eighteen years old, exhaled a fragrant breath at his ear. Only then did Shen Qing realize it was a thorough massage service. Fortunately, in his past life, he was quite familiar with such things. Sitting upright, Shen Qing said, "It''s acceptable." "If the strength isn''t comfortable, sir can tell me anytime," the woman said. Shen Qing slightly closed his eyes, choosing not to speak any further, and began to enjoy the gentle touch. "Mm~" Shen Qing hummed lightly. The Capital is truly different; even having a meal comes with so many fancies. Shen Qing quietly glanced at Zhao Lengyan and the others and saw they were entirely accustomed to it. Chief Officer Zeng Weifeng from the North had even quietly placed his hand on the maid''s backside, kneading forcefully. The maid continued to greet him with a smile. After the time it takes to drink a pot of tea, the redwood tables were quickly filled with plates of food and wine. The maid behind obediently served wine and distributed food to Shen Qing and the others. In fact, Shen Qing had never experienced such treatment since practicing Martial Arts. Growing up, it was indeed his first time. Lan Gongliang raised his wine glass and said, "This is the pear blossom white wine from this local tavern, made from the essence of pear blossoms blooming, with a color as white as snow and a pure taste. Such good wine can''t be found outside. Today, as Shen Chief Officer joins us, it''s the perfect occasion to enjoy such exquisite wine, thanks to Shen Chief Officer''s blessing." Chapter 2 Capital City Prosperity, Observations_2 Shen Qing quickly said, "I dare not, I dare not.""Let''s drink, hahaha." Shen Qing raised the Lihuabai and drank it in one gulp. The rich floral fragrance and the clear taste, with a hint of sweetness, made Shen Qing''s eyes brighten. It turns out this world indeed has such wonderful things. The prosperity and luxury of the Capital City had truly opened his eyes today. Shen Qing even thought that it wouldn''t be bad to live such a decadent life every day in the future. However, this thought was soon extinguished by him. Though this world is indeed prosperous, it''s still essentially a world that devours people, and human life is as worthless as grass. In many places, it might be like Taiping County, left to live or die on its own. No one can guarantee that the Capital City won''t become like Taiping County in the future, turning into a hell on earth. At this thought, Shen Qing''s eyes quickly regained clarity, and he couldn''t help but glance at Lan Gongliang seated in the main position. From the beginning of their meeting, Lan Gongliang had been quite good to him, always trying to win him over. Who knows if there are other reasons behind this. As the saying goes, one should not harbor intentions to harm others, but one must be vigilant of others'' intentions. Suddenly, Shen Qing became more cautious, deciding to be more attentive in the future. Lan Gongliang picked up the chopsticks and said, "Don''t be formal. Let''s enjoy the music and eat." After Lan Gongliang started to eat, Shen Qing and the others also picked up their chopsticks and began drinking and eating. Occasionally, they would eat a shrimp or crab peeled by the maid, or a prepared piece of roasted meat. "This dish is jade deer meat, a mountain delicacy that can boost vitality and blood. Outside, it could cost dozens of taels of silver, yet here it''s just an appetizer." Shen Qing murmured to himself as he looked at the plate of meat in front of him. Coming from a hunter''s background, he was most familiar with such mountain delicacies and recognized it at a glance. Today''s meal constantly refreshed his understanding of things. Shen Qing took a piece of jade deer meat, placed it in his mouth, and it melted instantly, incredibly delicious. After eating, he quickly felt his whole body heat up, as the deer meat transformed into pure energy, replenishing his body''s vitality. No wonder. Those born in the Capital have high cultivation. If he were to eat such mountain and sea delicacies every few days, even without cultivating, just eating could bring his vitality to perfection. How could those outside the Capital City compare? After three rounds of drinking, the atmosphere among everyone became much livelier, as they each shared their experiences and stories. Shen Qing didn''t say much, only occasionally mentioning a few hunting experiences from his childhood living in the mountains, brushing off the conversation. His relationship with these people was not deep, so it was not appropriate to speak too much, lest he invite trouble for himself later. Once they had their fill, the servants in the private room removed the dishes from the table and replaced them with a set of new teacups, brewed the tea, and then quietly withdrew. At this moment, Shen Qing took the initiative to ask, "My lords, may I ask if there are many demons and rebels in the Capital? Will we be busy with official duties in the future?" Northern Chief Officer Zeng Weifeng replied, "Not many, after all, it''s the center of the Capital region, and experts are abundant. Even if they sneak in, they wouldn''t dare cause trouble." "So, does this mean we Chief Officers are quite free?" "Not exactly," said Central Chief Officer Wei Chengye. "Not many in the Capital doesn''t mean none, and besides, we have to manage not only the Capital but also deal with personnel arrangements in other cities, which requires some effort from us." "Moreover, the most troublesome in the Capital are not the demons or rebels, but the people living in places like Changle Square, Yongxing Square. You will understand later," said Eastern Chief Officer Yang Henshan. Seeing that the others were unwilling to say more, Shen Qing did not press further. "Everyone seems almost done. We should leave now to not delay official duties." Lan Gongliang was the first to stand, and the others followed suit. As Shen Qing stood up, he saw Lan Gongliang pause next to him and turn to whisper, "The war in Danzhou is nearing its end, and Xue Zhao is expected to return. He won''t let matters rest easily. You better think of a way to handle it soon." After saying this, Lan Gongliang said no more and left the tavern. Shen Qing stood there pondering Lan Gongliang''s intentions, puzzled about what this powerful figure in the Kongyou Realm was up to. Upon returning to the government office, Lan Gongliang called Wei Chengye, the Central Chief Officer, asking him to acquaint Shen Qing with the official duties. Wei Chengye naturally agreed without hesitation, promising on the spot, "Chief Officer Shen, what we do is not troublesome. You''ll understand after you accompany me for a day tomorrow." Shen Qing bowed and said, "I''ll have to trouble Chief Officer Wei then." "It''s all as it should be. Today, you should get to know the personnel and your subordinates in the government office. Take it slow." S~ea??h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Shen Qing walked out from the third courtyard and found Yu Haibei. He heard from Wei Chengye and other Chief Officers that Yu Haibei was a sergeant under him, usually handling miscellaneous matters such as patrols. When Shen Qing found Yu Haibei, he was cultivating in the second courtyard. Judging from his cultivation, he seemed to be at the Yuluo Realm, and his bone age was no more than twenty-five. In Shen Qing''s view, such cultivation was already quite impressive, but unfortunately, it was only considered average in the Capital. Seeing Shen Qing, Yu Haibei quickly stopped cultivating, picked up a bundle, and said, "Lord Shen, this is your official and casual attire that I''ve obtained for you. Please check if the size fits." Shen Qing took the bundle and smiled, saying, "Thank you for your hard work. Besides you, who else do I have under me?" "In response, my lord, besides me, you have eighteen sergeants, one hundred and eight attendants, and one thousand five hundred thirty-two lower ranks under your command." "So many..." Shen Qing was surprised by this number. Calculating it all, the entire Military Department of the Capital had nearly four or five thousand people. And they all held the identity of martial artists, most of whom had reached the Nourishing Energy Realm. This scale made Shen Qing secretly click his tongue in amazement, broadening his horizons. Yu Haibei continued, "Would you like me to call the other sergeants to meet you together?" Seeing everyone would take too much time, Shen Qing shook his head, saying, "Let''s wait until we have time later." "Yes, my lord." "You can go ahead. I''ll walk around by myself." After sending Yu Haibei away, Shen Qing unleashed his entire divine sense, mapping the layout and each room within the Military Department''s premises into his mind. Then he left the Military Department alone, utilized the Great Teleportation Technique, and traversed the streets and alleys. At the same time, he used his divine sense to sense continuously as he moved. It only took half an hour, and he managed to take a quick tour of the entire Capital City. Thanks to his photographic memory, he gained a clear understanding of the city''s layout. Unknowingly, Shen Qing arrived at the entrance of the Shanhai Department''s government office. As one of the three departments in Da Zhou, he had heard a bit about it. The Shanhai Department gathered martial intelligence, spiritual insights, and monitored officials on behalf of the current Majesty¡ªa bit similar to the Jinyiwei from his previous life¡ªand wielded significant power. Not long ago, Huangfu Rou had also come to the Shanhai Department, somewhat stepping to success like him. Without hesitation, Shen Qing walked toward the entrance of the Shanhai Department. The two guards at the gate crossed their halberds to block Shen Qing, asking, "Who are you?" Shen Qing flicked his sleeve, revealing a jade-green token embroidered with patterns, and calmly said, "Shen Qing, Southern Chief Officer of the Military Department, here on important business to see Lord Huangfu. Please announce me." Experience new stories on My Virtual Library Empire The two guards exchanged a quick glance before hastily withdrawing their assessing gazes. With cupped hands, they slightly bowed and said, "So it''s Chief Officer Shen visiting. We apologize for not welcoming you sooner. Please wait, we will immediately inform Lord Huangfu." One of them quickly turned and moved with a hint of urgency, clearly not daring to neglect Shen Qing, the Southern Chief Officer. Chapter 3 Seeing Huang Furo Again, The Secrets of the Ancients Inside the Mountain Sea Department office.Huang Furo sat upright at the desk piled with documents and scrolls, meticulously handling state affairs. "Lord Huangfu, outside there''s a person claiming to be Lord Chief Officer Shen Qing from the Military Department requesting to see you. Do you wish to meet him?" A servant dressed in blue at the door reported softly, his voice tinged with a bit of caution. Upon hearing this, Huang Furo paused slightly with the pen in hand, a drop of ink accidentally splattering on the rice paper, blossoming into an ink flower. He has come? A fleeting look of disbelief and surprise flashed in her eyes, quickly recovering to her usual calm: "Show him in, and don''t be negligent." "Yes, my lord." The servant accepted the order and left. Huang Furo quickly tidied her collar, rose, and stood by the window, gazing at the hurried figure in the courtyard, feeling a mysterious emotion well up inside. Before long, Shen Qing entered the Guardian Martial Department Office. Led by the servant, he arrived in front of a small room. Pushing the door open, Shen Qing stepped inside and saw Huang Furo already waiting. She was dressed in an ivory official robe embroidered with mountains and rivers, her figure graceful. She had already prepared a tea cup, placed on the long table, and upon seeing Shen Qing enter, she smiled slightly and said: "Lord Shen, long time no see." Huang Furo''s voice was as gentle as jade, making one feel as if bathed in a spring breeze. Shen Qing looked up, noticing that Huang Furo''s brows carried a maturity and steadiness. A spontaneous smile appeared on his lips as he walked over leisurely, saying: "It hasn''t been that long, just a few months." Huang Furo was slightly startled; was it really that short? She thought a long time had passed. "Please, have a seat." Without standing on ceremony, Shen Qing sat opposite Huang Furo. With a wave of his hand, the door behind them closed with a sound. Huang Furo''s eyes shone with brilliance: "Lord Shen''s cultivation has improved again?" "You have a keen eye." Shen Qing did not hide it, using his thumb to pinch a small segment of his pinky, indicating as he said: "Previously, I was lucky and managed to break through a little, just a little." Huang Furo laughed immediately: "Your ''just a little'' might leave many in the dust." She could roughly see that when Shen Qing employed spiritual power, it was without the slightest hindrance, clearly indicating he had surpassed the Spirit Void Realm, which was not just a simple breakthrough but clearly above her level. What Shen Qing revealed confirmed her judgment. Seeing Shen Qing''s cultivation progressing so swiftly in such a short time, she felt genuinely happy for him without a trace of jealousy. With such cultivation and Sight, he wasn''t inferior compared to the noble sons of the Capital City. It was a good thing. Huang Furo put away her smile, personally poured a cup of tea, and pushed it in front of Shen Qing, saying: "Has the Jing Luan Assembly ended?" "You already knew?" Shen Qing took the tea, sniffed it, and took a small sip. Huang Furo also held up a cup of tea and said: "I deal with various kinds of intelligence every day in the Mountain River Bureau, how could I not know? Your selection into the Jing Luan Assembly was deliberately arranged by Xue Bai and Xue Zhao. Our department head had informed His Majesty of this discreetly." Shen Qing was slightly surprised, not expecting such matters behind the scenes. The Xue Family had repeatedly targeted him, treating him like a soft target. Huang Furo sincerely said: "Therefore, it really was not easy for you to come out smoothly this time; very impressive." "It was just good luck." Huang Furo knew that now in the Jing Luan Assembly, only one person survived and was honored by His Majesty, entering the Capital Military Department. Now it seemed to be Shen Qing. Although on the surface she seemed calm, deep inside her heart, a tidal wave surged. This time, they sent a Primordial Spirit Realm expert from the Mountain Sea Department, yet even they fell silent. Experience tales at My Virtual Library Empire And Shen Qing accomplished so much alone, which was simply incredible. Putting down her tea cup, Huang Furo asked: "The Qintian Bureau deduced that spirit essences appeared in Dan Zhou during the Jing Luan Assembly. Did you see any?" Shen Qing nodded: "There was indeed an Ancient relic that appeared, and many people died." "So it is." Huang Furo murmured to herself: "It seems those ancient records are true; much of what I found is also accurate." Shen Qing asked curiously: "Why? Is there some secret in the Ancient Era?" "Quite a few." Huang Furo nodded: "Since joining the Mountain Sea Department, I''ve mainly been collecting spirit essences for the Imperial family and have encountered many secrets. From the intelligence gathered so far, all the spirit essences that have appeared within Great Zhou''s borders are from the Ancient Era. Including that fallen object from the sky we encountered, it also originated from the Ancient times." Shen Qing asked in amazement: "But the Ancient Era is untraceable, I thought the records and legacies from that time had already been lost?" "Everything that remains leaves a trace. The events of the Ancient Era are indeed hard to verify due to their antiquity, but the Mountain Sea Department has found quite a few clues." Huang Furo earnestly said: "Recently, around Jinzhou, a spirit essence appeared, and we sent people to investigate. Surprisingly, they discovered an Ancient Cultivator sealed in a whole piece of spirit ore. It was said that when it emerged, you could still hear a heartbeat, which was astonishing. Unfortunately, it was later consumed by a demon, preventing further study." After hearing this, Shen Qing was quite shocked, his voice heavy: "So perhaps many Ancient Cultivators have survived until now." "Did you see any as well?" Huang Furo asked, surprised. "In the relic that appeared in Danzhou City, there was indeed a woman, her cultivation astonishing; I suspect she must also be an Ancient Cultivator," Shen Qing said with concern. sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 3 Seeing Huang Furo Again, The Secrets of the Ancients - Part 2 He was most worried about something that had finally shown some signs.In this world, it seems that in ten out of ten chances, it''s going to be far from peaceful in the future. Shen Qing held a porcelain pot, pressed the lid, and poured a cup of tea for Huang Furo, also pouring himself one. He set the teapot down, picked up his teacup, and said, "You just mentioned that ancient cultivators were discovered being devoured by demons in Jinzhou. Now I''m seeing demons everywhere across Great Zhou. Are these demons related to the Ancient Period? Why is the temple so indifferent about it?" "Currently, there are records of demons from the Ancient Times, and nine out of ten chances, they are indeed related. As for the temple''s indifference to the demons, it''s somewhat complicated." A faint, almost imperceptible weariness showed in Huang Furo''s expression. "What do you mean?" Shen Qing pressed on. Huang Furo sighed and said, "You know that a demon''s Demon Core is greatly beneficial to cultivators in enhancing their cultivation, right?" Shen Qing nodded, "That''s indeed the case." Ever since he killed his first tiger demon, he had obtained a Demon Core and significantly advanced his cultivation because of it. "Are you aware that Your Majesty has been increasingly stringent in consolidating martial mechanisms over the past decade?" Shen Qing''s brow furrowed, sensing there was more to Huang Furo''s words. Your next read awaits at My Virtual Library Empire He looked directly at Huang Furo and said, "I''d like to hear the details." "This is something I only learned after joining the Mountain Sea Department," Huang Furo continued, organizing her thoughts. "Martial mechanism includes various martial arts techniques, elixirs, wish pearls, advancement methods, and other things related to martial arts. Any martial artist wanting to train wouldn''t have any future at all relying solely on their own efforts without martial mechanism." "Once the Imperial Family gathered the martial mechanism, it wasn''t simply collected and stored. From what I know, everything other than the martial arts is consumed by the Imperial Family, and there are rumors that the nation''s martial mechanism sustains one person within the royal family." "Who?" "The ancestors of the Ji family." Shen Qing felt as if he''d touched upon some secret, his eyes lighting up. "He wants to break into the Integration Realm, aiming for the pinnacle of the heavens, to become the only one in this world." Huang Furo said slowly. Achieving one''s success with the resources of the entire world, such ambition. After hearing this, Shen Qing felt a deep shock in his heart. "And how does this relate to the demons?" Shen Qing asked further. Huang Furo replied, "You must understand, it''s not just the Ji family''s ancestor who harbors ambitious goals; those old monsters within the Shi families, from his era, are still alive. They also wish to breach the heavens and attain prolonged lifespan." "But with just the Ji family ancestor blocking the way, naturally these people put their focus on Demon Cores." "If the court eradicates the demons, then the Demon Cores would naturally belong to the court, which is something many lords in the temple do not wish to see. Therefore, they obstruct in numerous ways, and the organization of Guardian Martial Departments across regions keeps getting reduced." Shen Qing, puzzled, asked, "Then does the temple just watch as demons rampage?" "How could that be? In fact, the cities with demons have long since been parceled out by the people in the temple. The demons appearing there are quietly dealt with by people from various families, forming an intricate network of underground dealings. It''s just that we weren''t aware before." Huang Furo, with a gloomy look in her eyes, said, "This time the Xue family targeted you and targeted Yongzhou, also because the Xue family saw the proliferation of demons there and had ideas of meddling. Do you know what they call these demon-infested cities once they take them?" "What?" "A vegetable city!" Huang Furo''s lips parted with cold words: "Turning a city into a vegetable garden, harvesting a batch every so often." Shen Qing was deeply shocked after Huang Furo''s explanation. At this moment, many confusing past events suddenly clarified for him. Why are there so many demons, and Ji Zikong doesn''t eradicate them? Why continuously expend martial artists, preferring to send them to their deaths rather than let them cultivate continuously? ... Shen Qing looked down at the teacup in his hand, and after a moment, he said, "So in some places, demons haven''t been exterminated because someone is raising them to accumulate large Demon Cores?" Huang Furo replied, "Yes, the higher the demon''s rank, the greater the benefit of the Demon Core for them." "So, currently, in the eyes of these people, Yongzhou and Taiping County are quite the goodies," Shen Qing said calmly as he looked up at Huang Furo. Huang Furo fell silent, saying nothing more. Shen Qing lifted his cup, saying, "Let''s drink tea, it''s getting cold." As he drained his cup, Shen Qing felt the bitterness become more apparent. At present, without power or influence, and being in the Military Department, if not for Huang Furo disclosing these things today, should he offend someone and end up fed to a great demon, he might remain oblivious, forever ignorant of these secrets. After all, the higher-ranking the martial artist, the more nourishing they are to demons, full of allure. Huang Furo asked, "What are you planning next?" "I don''t know, take it one step at a time." Huang Furo mused for a while before saying, "According to the information on my end, it won''t be long before Xue Zhao returns to the Capital. Given his vindictive nature, I doubt he''ll let you off. You''d better find someone to rely on in the Capital to avoid being too passive when the time comes, lest you find yourself losing your life confusedly." Shen Qing helplessly said, "Finding a protector like that isn''t so easy." Previously, Lan Gongliang did help him a lot and had the potential to become a protector. But he hasn''t clearly understood Lan Gongliang''s intentions yet, so he dares not take too much risk. S§×ar?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Elsewhere, in the capital, he''s completely in the dark, with no connections at all. "Take it one step at a time." Shen Qing stood up and said, "I''ve drunk the tea and seen the person; I won''t delay Lord Huangfu from handling official duties any longer, I''ll head back first." Huang Furo''s eyes flickered subtly, and she got up as well, saying, "Let me see you off." "Lord Huangfu, no need, there''s always tomorrow; you''ll have plenty of opportunities to see me off in the future. Go ahead and take care of your duties, keep your health in check. From the looks of it, you haven''t worried less these days, worn yourself quite a bit." "I now live on Pingkang Street, you can come to find me if you have time." Finishing his words, Shen Qing waved his hand, turning to stride away. Suddenly, Huang Furo called to him, "By the way, I discovered something interesting lately." Shen Qing paused, turned back, and said, "What is it?" "In ancient times, there was a supreme being of humanity, called the Qing Emperor by the world, the same name as yours." Shen Qing chuckled and said, "Do you think I''m that Qing Emperor or something, hahaha... I didn''t even know I''ve been alive for ten thousand years." Huang Furo also laughed along, her mood considerably brightened. "I''m leaving." Shen Qing left directly. Huang Furo put away her smile, feeling much more cheerful. She sat back down at her long desk, her smile dissipating, and she instantly returned to her usual frosty demeanor. ... The night passed in a flash. The next day, neither early nor late, Shen Qing arrived at the Military Department Office. At this time, Wei Chengye had already arrived. Shen Qing stepped forward and cupped his fist, "I apologize for keeping you waiting, Lord Wei." "I just arrived myself." Wei Chengye led out two horses and said, "Let''s go, I''ll help you get acquainted with the Capital and the responsibilities you''ll need to oversee." "Alright." Shen Qing took the reins and mounted his horse. The two rode side by side down the street. While riding, Wei Chengye introduced, "There are seventy-two wards in the Capital, each with twenty of our people. The Outer City and the Capital''s surroundings have ninety-one wards and townships, and each area has between thirty to forty people." "You are responsible for fourteen neighborhoods in the southern gate section, sixteen wards and townships in the Outer City, as well as numerous affairs of the Military Department in the southern region of Great Zhou." Wei Chengye continued, "Generally, most of these tasks can be delegated to your subordinates, the bailiffs, and the patrols. If nothing major occurs, requiring our personal involvement is unnecessary, allowing you to focus on cultivation without issue." Shen Qing felt this was very much to his liking, understanding Wei Chengye''s words well. Chapter 4 The Eight Great Families On the bustling streets of the Capital City, the voices of peddlers were endless.Wei Chengye led Shen Qing to the area near the southern district of the city gate. "Chief Officer Shen, we have arrived." Shen Qing reined in his horse and stopped. He looked up and saw a low building at the street corner ahead, with a sign reading "Qinglong Square Military Department - Thirty-Seven." Wei Chengye dismounted and said, "This is the southern Qinglong Square, one of your patrol areas. Come, let''s go recognize the place." Shen Qing nodded and dismounted. Wei Chengye swaggered in, loudly declaring, "Is there anyone still breathing inside? Come out to meet me." Moments later, hurried footsteps emerged from the slightly cramped and dim interior of the house. Three minor officials dressed in black quickly rushed out. As soon as they saw Wei Chengye, their faces instantly filled with flattery and obsequiousness, groveling as they said, "Ah, isn''t this Lord Wei! Pardon our failure to greet you earlier!" "Please, my lord, have a seat." The three hastily brought out a few long benches, placed them beside Wei Chengye, and quickly served tea and water with a look of adulation. Meanwhile, Shen Qing surveyed the surroundings and found the space cramped and the furnishings simple, indicating that these officers'' living conditions were not that great. These officers were at least martial masters in the Qi Cultivation Realm and were influential figures back in Taiping County. Yet here in the Capital City, they were treated like lackeys, constantly ordered around, like heaven and earth apart. Witnessing this, Shen Qing couldn''t help but feel a bit rueful. Wei Chengye did not accept the tea or sit on the benches; instead, he stepped aside and introduced Shen Qing to everyone present. "Come, let me introduce you. This is Southern Chief Shen Qing, Lord Shen, who will be your new superior from now on. Get to know him." S§×arch* The ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. With these words, the room''s atmosphere froze; everyone''s gaze focused on Shen Qing, a mix of curiosity, awe, and anticipation. Shen Qing stood there, as immovable as a mountain, his expression solemn. One of the minor officials quickly responded, "Your humble servant, Ma Lingfei, greets you, my lord." "Your humble servant, Shi Yifei." Find more chapters on My Virtual Library Empire "Your humble servant, Ge Wenbin." Wei Chengye directly commanded, "Bring out the files from the past few days." "Yes, my lord." One of the three quickly ran inside, producing a book resembling a ledger and presented it to both Wei Chengye and Shen Qing: "This, my lords, is the file from the past few days. Please review it, my lords." Wei Chengye skimmed through the records and then handed them to Shen Qing: "You take a look as well, to get a feel for it." Shen Qing opened the files and carefully read through them. By virtue of his Academic Pursuit ability, he quickly understood the cases documented in the files. Most were street fights, burglaries, and the like, with the only murder case being an accidental killing involving familial betrayal. Quite different from Yongzhou, where murder and rampant demon activity were common. In other words, life here was quite peaceful. "So, usually, we are not needed much; these officers and constables are more than capable of handling matters," Wei Chengye calmly explained. "You needn''t worry too much." Shen Qing closed the file and said, "I understand." "Your jurisdiction is from thirty to forty-four, all in this area. You can come familiarize yourself with the locations when you have time. Now, let''s head to another location." With that, Wei Chengye was already on his feet, heading outside. After returning the files, Shen Qing also stepped out. The three minor officials escorted them to the door, grinning, "My lords, take care." Outside, Shen Qing and Wei Chengye mounted their horses. Shen Qing inquired, "Are we heading to the next district office?" "Lord Shen, you can take your time meeting those under your jurisdiction later. I will take you to another place," Wei Chengye said, spurring his horse forward, "Let''s go!" Indeed, visiting so many neighborhoods, fourteen garrison points, one by one, would indeed be quite time-consuming. If conditions were largely the same everywhere, it would be unnecessary. Shen Qing did not question and simply followed. Having wandered around yesterday with nothing else to do, he was already quite familiar with the layout of this area. He noticed that Wei Chengye was heading further south. If he remembered correctly, that direction would lead near Qifu Gate. After riding for a while, they arrived at an establishment where Wei Chengye halted, handing the reins to a servant by the door before striding inside. The interior was bustling, with the first floor full of people. Wei Chengye led Shen Qing to the second floor, choosing a window seat. A servant approached, beaming with a smile, "What would you like to eat, sirs?" "Get a pot of Golden Osmanthus Wine, three taels of lamb, a roast chicken, and three side dishes for the wine," Wei Chengye skillfully ordered. The servant quickly noted on a bamboo slip, "All right, esteemed guests, please wait a moment." Shen Qing sat across from Wei Chengye, puzzled, "Lord Wei, is this the place you intended for me to see?" Wei Chengye smiled and pointed, "Look at the street below." Shen Qing leaned out to look at the street below, only seeing hurried pedestrians and rows of shops lining the street. Beyond that, he couldn''t notice any significant differences. "Forgive my lack of insight; I can''t discern anything special." Wei Chengye chuckled, "Do you know which influential families are in the Capital?" "Cui, Wang, Xue, Xie, Zhao, Li, Zhang, Su." "Correct. The stores below belong precisely to the Eight Great Families: the Su family''s gambling house, the Zhang family''s pleasure quarters, the Xie family''s pawnshop... Within your jurisdiction, this area has the most family establishments, so be cautious," Wei Chengye advised with a hint of warning. Chapter 4 Eight Great Families_2 "Capital is swarming with nobility; if you throw a brick, whoever you hit will likely have connections to the court. Picking the wrong target could lead to unnecessary trouble for yourself." S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality."But, as you know, in our line of work, it''s easiest to offend people, which is unavoidable. So, just remember to steer clear of those from the Eight Major Surnames." "You''d better turn a blind eye to some things. The most important area in your jurisdiction is here." Shen Qing calmly said, "So, even though we are officials of the court, do we still have to kneel before the Eight Great Families?" "Don''t make it sound so unpleasant," Wei Chengye said with a smile. "There are plenty of people who want to kneel and can''t even get the chance." Shen Qing asked, "Is there no way to stand?" "There is, if your surname were Ji, no one would dare make you kneel." "Excuse me, gentlemen, your food and drinks are here." At this moment, the servant of the inn came up with plates full of food and drinks, interrupting the two. Wei Chengye said, "Let''s have a drink first." He flipped his fingers, and the seal on the wine pot was effortlessly removed, releasing a strong scent of osmanthus mixed with the aroma of wine. "Lord Shen, try the osmanthus wine here; it''s much better than the overly sweet stuff outside." Shen Qing didn''t question further and raised his cup, saying, "Then I won''t stand on ceremony and will indulge." Glug glug. Shen Qing tossed back his head and swallowed a large gulp of the wine in a hearty manner. The amber liquid flowed down his throat like a torrent, bringing a sense of warmth and satisfaction, as a warm current spread from his stomach. After drinking, the unique fragrance of osmanthus and a hint of sweetness emanated from his tongue. Shen Qing immediately felt that this wine was indeed a bit different. "Brother Shen, how''s the wine?" "Good wine." "Hahaha," Wei Chengye said, "In the Capital, besides many other things, there''s an abundance of wine here. Almost every inn has its unique flower wine. The annual Hundred Flowers Brew competition for the King of Wines is quite lively. In some days, you''ll have the chance to see it." Shen Qing picked up the chopsticks and said, "Then I''ll definitely take a look when the time comes." After a few more sips, Shen Qing suddenly remembered something and asked, "By any chance, does Big Brother Wei know about the affairs between the families and the city of Vegetables?" Wei Chengye''s smile instantly faded, and he asked, "Where did Brother Shen hear about this?" "I overheard those noble brats mention it occasionally during the Rebellion Suppression Meeting," Shen Qing fabricated, pushing the matter onto someone deceased. Wei Chengye sighed, very apprehensively saying, "The waters here are deep, beyond what we can tread into. It''s best you don''t inquire." Seeing Wei Chengye''s evasive demeanor, Shen Qing promptly asked no more questions. Below the inn, an intricately carved carriage slowly stopped, the sound of hooves ceased abruptly, raising a faint cloud of dust. The carriage curtain was lifted gently, revealing first a hand etched with the marks of time, followed by a venerable gentleman with white hair and beard, who slowly disembarked. After alighting, he held the curtain aside and courteously said to someone inside, "Young Master, we have arrived." "Hmm," a youthful voice hummed from the carriage. A lively-eyed, delicate-featured youth emerged from the carriage. He leapt down lightly, landing steadily, appearing clean and agile. He was evidently a martial arts practitioner as well. The innkeeper, Li Fu, was already waiting at the entrance. He kept a keen eye on his surroundings and upon seeing the carriage pull up, hurriedly stepped over the threshold, with a face full of welcoming smiles, jogging forward to greet them, "Ah, Steward Li, Ninth Young Master, you''ve finally arrived; I''ve been waiting a long time!" "Have you prepared everything? Today, I happen to be here to check the accounts of the inn. I noticed that quite a few accounts don''t tally." The innkeeper, Li Fu, broke into a cold sweat and said, "Ninth Young Master, surely you jest. We wouldn''t dare falsify the accounts no matter what." "Let''s check first and talk later." "This way, Ninth Young Master." Under the innkeeper''s escort, the elder and young man slowly entered the inn. Though young, Ninth Young Master Li exuded an imposing presence not to be underestimated. As soon as he stepped into the inn, he drew curious glances from the guests at the sudden air of ceremony. Ninth Young Master Li appeared unflustered, showing no change of expression, composed as ever. They ascended the stairs, and upon reaching the wooden floor of the second level, they encountered two individuals dressed in Military Department official attire: Shen Qing and Wei Chengye. Ninth Young Master Li recognized one of them as the Chief Officer of the Military Department, Wei Chengye. But the other handsome gentleman was unfamiliar. He turned to the elder beside him and asked, "Grandpa Tong, who is the one beside Wei Chengye?" The elder servant gazed over, noticing Shen Qing''s sharp appearance and vibrant eyes, but he couldn''t recognize him either. "Ninth Young Master, this old servant does not know either. I''ll inquire a bit later." Ninth Young Master Li softly acknowledged, then was ushered into a private room by innkeeper Li Fu. Innkeeper Li Fu promptly had the servants prepare fruits and desserts and brought out the accounts, saying, "Ninth Young Master, here''s the inn''s turnover for nearly a year." "Place it on the table. I''ll review them one by one. Meanwhile, you and your men can leave." Innkeeper Li Fu hurriedly retreated. After a while, the elder servant tasked with gathering information returned to the side of the youth, waiting patiently. The youth''s brows knitted tightly as he reviewed the accounts. Continue reading stories on My Virtual Library Empire With a blank face, he closed the accounts and said, "Bring that innkeeper to me." "Yes, Young Master." Innkeeper Li Fu entered, trembling with fear, "Ninth Young Master, you called?" Ninth Young Master Li coldly said, "Grandpa Tong, detach his head." "Ah!" Innkeeper Li Fu was so terrified he nearly rolled over, pleading, "Ninth Young Master, I''ve worked here for so many years. Surely I deserve some credit despite hardships. I beg the Young Master to spare my life..." Splat! Blood spattered. Innkeeper Li Fu''s voice abruptly stopped. His head was forcibly twisted off by the elder servant. "After so many years, with accounts this poorly done, expecting to live?" Ninth Young Master Li snorted coldly, asking the elder servant, "Have you figured out the identity of the newcomer outside?" The elder servant casually tossed the head onto the ground, respectfully replying, "Young Master, the old servant has found out. His name is Shen Qing; he recently survived the Rebellion Suppression Meeting and was appointed as the Southern Chief of the Military Department by His Majesty." "I heard only one person survived the Rebellion Suppression Meeting, which is this man?" Ninth Young Master Li curiously asked. "Yes, indeed." "Coincidentally, he is nominally the chief of our market square." Glancing at the corpse on the floor, Ninth Young Master Li indifferently instructed, "Bring him here. I happen to want to inquire about Third Brother and the others." "The deaths of Third Brother and the others at the Rebellion Suppression Meeting remain unclear, making Father very displeased. If we can pry some information about the Rebellion Suppression Meeting from his mouth to bring back, perhaps Father will feel somewhat relieved." "Understood." The elder servant acknowledged and went straight to Shen Qing and Wei Chengye. At this time, Shen Qing was casually chatting with Wei Chengye when suddenly a stranger stood beside him. He eyed the elder servant, not understanding. The elder servant, in a condescending manner, said, "Chief Officer Shen, my Young Master has questions for you; come along." His tone was disrespectful, displeasing Shen Qing. Seeing Shen Qing so aloof, the elder servant furrowed his brows briefly but then softened his tone humbly, saying, "Chief Officer Shen, my Ninth Young Master is at this inn and wishes to meet Lord Shen. I hope Lord Shen will oblige." Wei Chengye, hearing the elder servant''s identification, was momentarily surprised and said, "Ninth Young Master of the Li Family?" "Exactly." "I have heard the Ninth Young Master of the Li Manor has impressive martial talent among the young generation in the Li family. A pleasure to meet today, truly an honor." Wei Chengye introduced, lowering his voice, "Brother Shen, you might not know, but Young Master Li''s father is the reigning Martial Marquis." The intention was clear for Shen Qing to "bow" and acknowledge the bigger picture. However, Shen Qing wasn''t inclined to comply. Shen Qing seriously put down his wine cup and stated, "Not going!" Chapter 5 Why Look at the Owner When You Beat the Dog? Shen Qing''s words took the old servant by surprise; he even thought he heard wrong.The old servant''s face instantly turned cold, as dark as if it could wring water out, and he said coldly, "Do you even know what you''re saying?" "I said, I am not familiar with your young master, and I will not go." Shen Qing repeated again, speaking with clear enunciation. To him, the other party was arrogant and disrespectful by coming here, and he really didn''t have the patience to cozy up to someone who''s being ungrateful, bending over backward to cater to this unwarranted arrogance. Upon hearing this, the old servant''s expression became even more ferocious, and a cold smile appeared at the corner of his mouth, "Well, well, well, I see you choose to toast punishment instead of drinking respectfully. Within this Capital City, even your Lord Commander has to smile when meeting anyone from the Li Family. Who do you think you are, just a Chief Officer in a mere skin coat, thinking you''re great?" The atmosphere between the two suddenly became tense and confrontational. At this moment, Wei Chengye hurriedly stepped out in a timely manner, "Gentlemen, please refrain from getting angry. Chief Officer Shen may have his inconveniences. Why don''t we sit down and discuss this peacefully?" "Discuss? I see there''s no need for that." A trace of ruthlessness flashed in the eyes of the Li family''s old servant. His dry and skinny right hand suddenly stretched out like an eagle''s claw, reaching straight for Shen Qing''s shoulder, clearly unwilling to waste more words. "Die!" A strong wind rushed toward Shen Qing, causing his clothes to flutter loudly. Experience tales with My Virtual Library Empire Shen Qing''s body remained still, but waves of spiritual power surged around him, and deep spiritual power gushed out like a river, meeting the old servant''s claw. Boom! Their spiritual power collided in the air, exploding in a deafening roar. Around Shen Qing, whether it was the delicate carved window frames or the rustic redwood tables and chairs, they all turned to dust instantly under the force of this power. The air was filled with thick smoke and dust. The Li family servant retreated several steps before stabilizing himself. He squinted his eyes as he sized up Shen Qing, and he realized there was something unusual about this young man. Both being at the Spirit Void Realm, this person''s foundation was even stronger than his. Spiritual power surged continuously, endlessly deep, truly unbelievable. S§×arch* The nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Wei Chengye, seeing the two had started to fight, was startled and quickly grabbed Shen Qing''s arm, apologizing to the Li family''s old servant with a smile, "My Brother Shen is ignorant; please don''t blame him, old steward." After speaking, he lowered his voice and leaned close to Shen Qing, whispering, "Brother Shen, are you crazy? Don''t just see that he''s a mere servant; he''s backed by the Li Family. You know, you don''t have to look at the owner when you beat the dog; if you do this, the Li Family might not let you go." Shen Qing smiled indifferently. Among the Eight Great Families now, he had already offended the Xue Family, not afraid of another one. A mere servant riding on his head to do as he pleased, did he really think he was a clay Bodhisattva without any temper? The old servant clearly did not take Wei Chengye seriously. "Now, wanting to bow your head is too late!" The old servant, having failed his first strike, stomped his foot, and yellow glimmers of light continuously gushed from his Qi Sea, transforming into a golden arrow heading straight toward Shen Qing. His claw, as if forged with golden light, filled with murderous intent, kept pressing towards Shen Qing like a ghost. Each move directly targeted Shen Qing''s vital points. Shen Qing''s mind remained focused, a Divine Sense spread out. The actions and patterns of each move of the old servant clearly manifested in Shen Qing''s mind. He employed the Great Void Shifting Technique, his form graceful, moving as if stepping on clouds like an Immortal, with each dodge perfectly timed. While avoiding Li Huai''s onslaught, he also continually depleted the spiritual power and stamina of the Li family''s old servant, making it seem effortless. Both were powerhouses at the Spirit Void Realm, wherever they passed, tables, screens, vases, all turned to powder under the impact of their spiritual power. This was still the result of both intentionally controlling; they didn''t want to tear the tavern apart and make a huge scene. The guests around the tavern, seeing the two fighting, scattered in all directions to avoid getting caught in the crossfire and losing their lives for nothing. Even the brave ones dared not stick around to watch the excitement. Bang, bang, bang! The two kept exchanging moves; Shen Qing used his physical body to withstand, his whole body glowed with a reddish-gold brilliance. The Li family old servant, the more he fought, the more horrified he became. He hadn''t expected Shen Qing''s cultivation to be so profound, as if playing child''s play in front of him with all his might. Moreover, seeing the opponent''s performance, he was clearly holding back some strength. He saw Shen Qing''s youthful appearance, feeling a huge sense of disparity. This sense quickly turned into supreme fury. After just exchanging dozens of moves, he felt like he was led by the nose. If it weren''t for his "battle-hardened experience," he might have already been defeated and lost his life. The Li family''s old servant, extremely unwilling in his heart. He roared, his whole body surged with spiritual power, fiercely clawing forward, pouring all his lifetime cultivation into this strike. In the void, a golden eagle claw suddenly appeared, clawing toward Shen Qing. Shen Qing showed no fear, waving both hands, facing the difficulty, his hands forming an imprint and throwing it forward. Before Shen Qing''s chest, gentle yet powerful spiritual power surged like a tide, transforming into an ancient great seal, colliding head-on with the golden eagle claw. Boom. In just an instant, he effortlessly resolved the Li family''s old servant''s offensive into nothingness. The golden eagle claw vanished with a bang. "It''s over." Shen Qing gently pointed a finger, a brilliant beam of spiritual power shot from his fingertip, hitting the Li family old servant''s chest accurately. The Li family old servant''s body flew backward like a kite with its string cut, crashing heavily into the tavern''s wall, then sliding down powerlessly, leaving a wall covered in bloodstains. Chapter 5 Do You Need to Look at the Owner When You Beat the Dog?_2 """,As both were martial masters in the Spirit Void Realm, the Li family''s servant was no match. Shen Qing steadied the dagger by his waist and took one step after another, his thumb pressed against the hilt, revealing the silver blade. The dagger at his waist trembled slightly, seeming very spiritual. From the blade, Shen Qing felt a surge of excitement and exhilaration. Shen Qing stood before the old servant of the Li family, looking down at him just as before, his eyes as calm as water, showing no sign of joy or sorrow. The old servant of the Li family struggled to open his eyes caked with blood, breathing heavily. Shen Qing slowly drew the treasure blade from his waist, pointing at the Li family''s servant. "Hold on!" At that moment, a room on the second floor opened, letting out a dim yellow glow that silhouetted a tall and straight young man. He wore a cyan robe embroidered with intricate cloud patterns, stepping out of the room with an undeniable air of nobility in his stride. "Young master Nine..." the old servant struggled to rise. His face was full of grooves, kneeling trembling on the ground, his voice filled with strong self-reproach: "It was my incompetence that offended the esteemed guest. I am... truly undeserving..." The young man continued to step forward, locking eyes with Shen Qing who stood not far away. "Chief Officer Shen," the young man said in a cold tone, imbued with an inherent command as if viewing all from above: "Do you realize that the person before you is a servant of my Li family? Just now Chief Officer Wei said it well, you need to check with the owner before beating the dog. Did you ask my Li family''s opinion before acting?" "The Capital City is not your little county town, nor is it the obscure Taiping County. It''s filled with capable individuals, and not someone a mere Chief Officer can provoke. I advise you to be sensible and stop while you''re ahead." With these words, the young man slightly raised his chin, a touch of arrogance emanating from his very bones. Shen Qing, from afar, vaguely sensed the sense of authority that came from a top family, exuding from the young man. "You overestimate yourselves," Shen Qing''s eyes flickered, suddenly he laughed: "In my view, you don''t have to look at the owner when you beat the dog." As soon as he finished speaking, Shen Qing activated his Spiritual Power, and the Spiritual Treasure Blade in his hand shone brightly. With one swing, the blade light sliced through the air like a dragon, rushing straight toward the old servant''s head with a howling wind. The old servant''s eyes filled with terror, he never thought Shen Qing would completely disregard the Li family''s power and truly aim to take his life. Already injured, he could not evade the sudden slash, only watching helplessly as the blade light approached, his heart flooded with unprecedented fear and despair. "Master, save me!" "Poof!" A soft sound, blood blossomed like a red lotus, instantly dyeing a corner of the inn red. The old servant''s head was swiftly and cleanly severed under the brilliant blade light. From the severed neck, Spiritual Power splattered, attempting to heal the wound, but ultimately could not change the outcome. The Li family''s ninth young master''s face turned pale as paper, filled with disbelief and shock. He never expected there could be someone in the Capital City who completely disregarded the Li family. Shen Qing sheathed his blade and stood, his expression calm, turning to look at the Li family''s ninth young master. The Li family''s ninth young master shivered immediately. Shen Qing glanced past the Li family''s ninth young master, seeing the already decapitated innkeeper inside. He said lightly: "In my jurisdiction, leaving innocent people in ruins, using private punishments indiscriminately, according to law, requires paying with one''s life. Now the murderer is punished, and it''s settled." "You... fine, today I concede." The Li family''s ninth young master, after a brief daze, regained his composure and threatened viciously: "I hope you can maintain this arrogance in the future." After speaking, he strode ahead and left. Shen Qing, however, stood crosswise with his blade, blocking Li Ninth Young Master. "What, you want to kill me?" Li Ninth Young Master said coldly. At this moment, he seemed calm, but inside he was already beating like drums. This Chief Officer before him really didn''t follow the usual way, hard to guarantee he wouldn''t act recklessly. Shen Qing laughed: "Killing you is not my intention, but you know, I don''t like being threatened, especially by a brat like you." "Hmm?" Shen Qing''s left hand formed a seal, connecting with the heavens and earth''s aura, condensing an ancient and mysterious rune seal. This great seal, carrying a thousand tons of force, crashed down, firmly suppressing Li Ninth Young Master in place, unable to move. S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Li Ninth Young Master felt the air around him solidify, an indescribable pressure making it hard to breathe. He found himself unable to break free, panicking and shouted: "What do you intend to do?" "You''re young and learn bad manners, I''ll teach you a lesson for your parents." He grabbed Li Ninth Young Master''s fine collar, as if picking up a helpless cat or dog, and without allowing protest, pressed him onto his knee. At this moment, Li Ninth Young Master''s face flushed red, as if realizing something, with fear and disbelief in his eyes. When had he ever suffered such humiliation? "You... how dare you?!" Li Ninth Young Master''s voice trembled as he tried to resist, but it was ultimately futile. Shen Qing''s lips curled into a playful smile, raising his broad palm, the center of his palm exuding a light wave of Spiritual Power, the air seemed to tremble slightly under this palm. "Smack!" A crisp sound, Shen Qing''s palm landed squarely on Li Ninth Young Master''s buttocks, that sound echoing in the silent air, exceedingly piercing. Following that were several "smack" sounds, each landing with a strange rhythm. "Ah, I''ll kill you!" Wei Chengye, witnessing this scene from the side, his eyes widened in disbelief. He, indeed, was spanking Li Ninth Young Master?!!! No one knew how long it lasted, initially, Li Ninth Young Master was still shouting threats, claiming he would kill him. But for every shout, Shen Qing increased his force. Until the end, Li Ninth Young Master was completely terrified. With only Qi endurance realm cultivation, in Shen Qing''s hands, he was no different from a lamb. At this moment, he was truly feared of being beaten to death. What dignity, what face, he had thrown away everything. The Li family''s ninth young master cried bitterly, shouting: "I dare not, I will never dare again." Shen Qing slapped down with a palm. Smack! "Dare not what?" "I will never talk nonsense again, will never kill servants recklessly, will never wipe nose snot on father''s clothes again..." Under the threat of death, Li Ninth Young Master blurted out many things, even mixing in many strange ones. Wei Chengye watched from the side with a racing heart. He hurriedly stepped forward to persuade: "Chief Officer Shen, enough, going further might cause big trouble." Shen Qing glanced at the young man in front, for once showing a bit of obsequiousness on his usually fierce face. He lost interest, lifted the restraint, and casually tossed him out. Li Ninth Young Master went sprawling, due to Shen Qing''s heavy slap, his buttocks were not lightly injured, each movement brought piercing pain, taking a sharp breath. However, at this moment, he didn''t care about the pain and quickly climbed up, inhaling sharply while hobbling away downstairs, desperately distancing himself. Shen Qing patted the dust off himself, as if doing something insignificant. "Chief Officer Shen, now, now you''ve brought trouble for yourself," Wei Chengye said with worry: "Provoking the Li family like this, there''s no way you''ll have a good ending, might even risk your life." Shen Qing said flatly: "A remarkable person once said. Being a slave is unfortunate, but not frightening, because knowing to struggle, after all, there''s a hope of breaking free; if one finds ''beauty'' in slave life, praises and indulges in it, that''s the point of no return as a slave!" "I fought my way through the mountains of corpses and seas of blood to come to this Capital City as an official, not to kneel down and be someone''s slave." Before, I wasn''t powerful, if someone wanted to mess with me, I would endure it. But now my cultivation has reached the Spirit Void, still continue to endure? Read new chapters at My Virtual Library Empire Endure my ass! Shen Qing steadied his blade and strode away. Wei Chengye, dazed by Shen Qing''s words, quickly followed and asked: "Chief Officer Shen, where are you going now?" "To find Lord Lan to save me." "..." """ Chapter 6 Hurry up and apologize to me ```"Father, I was hit! I was hit!" The Ninth Young Master of the Li Family stumbled into the gates of Marquis Wu''s Mansion in a disheveled state, staggering as he moved. His hands tightly covered his backside, each step comically awkward as if a heavy stone hung from it. Tears and snot ran down his face. This strange yet comical sight drew the attention of the servants and maids, who looked on curiously. In the main hall of the Marquis Wu''s Mansion, a middle-aged man with a stern face sat at the head seat. He wore luxurious attire and was chatting amiably with a scholar in a green robe. Stay updated via My Virtual Library Empire This man was none other than the Military Marquis Li Zhen Tian, the current head of the Li Family. Hearing the commotion from outside, he exuded an aura of authority and disapproval without anger. When he saw Ninth Young Master Li bursting in without courtesy and interrupting his conversation with the guest, his expression turned grim and he bellowed, "What kind of conduct is this?!!" Ninth Young Master Li, having never seen his father so furious, couldn''t help but shudder. The guest, upon seeing Li''s tear-streaked and snot-covered face, wisely stood up, clasped his hands in respect, and said, "It seems the Marquis has family matters to attend to. I should take my leave and not intrude." "My apologies, we can convene at the palace tomorrow to summon the ministers for discussion and then decide." Li Zhen Tian cordially escorted the guest out and turned back to the hall. He stared intently at Ninth Young Master Li, scanning him from head to toe before asking angrily, "Speak, what on earth happened?" Seeing his father''s wrath, Ninth Young Master Li was frightened, but the burning pain from his buttocks reminded him of Shen Qing''s smug face, making it hard to focus on anything else. He fell to his knees with a thud, crying bitterly, "Father, you must seek justice for me!" While sobbing, Ninth Young Master Li narrated the grievances he had just suffered at the "Zuixian Building" in a choked voice. "Father, today I took Grandpa Tong to Zuixian Building to check the accounts and encountered two hooligans from the Military Department. At first, everything was fine, but who knew those two Chief Officers from the Military Department were so rude, shouting at us. I chose not to argue, but who would''ve thought my repeated tolerance would lead them to take advantage of us... Grandpa Tong stood up for me and was beheaded, and I couldn''t escape, ending up like this..." "Father, those Chief Officers of the Military Department truly have no regard for our Li Family, Father!" S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. At this point, Ninth Young Master Li Yi couldn''t hold back his wails, seemingly venting all his grievances. However, after hearing everything, Li Zhen Tian did not react with the rage Li Yi expected, instead letting out a cold laugh. He looked down from above and said, "Little Nine, do you know why your grandfather chose me to inherit the title of Marquis among my uncles?" "What?" "Because I never blindly trust others'' words, especially one-sided stories like yours." Ninth Young Master Li Yi''s face froze, his sobs stuck in his throat. He stared at his father in disbelief. Li Zhen Tian continued, "Though those in the Military Department are often unreasonable and arrogant, they''re not brainless. Do you think your father blind, unable to discern truth from falsehood in what you''ve said today?" "I''ll say this: it''s always you bullying others, not the other way around without reason. Tell me, what really happened?" Li Zhen Tian''s aura of Spiritual Energy trembled, a sharp momentum rising from him, displaying his Primordial Spirit Realm power unmistakably. The color on Ninth Young Master Li Yi''s face shifted from red to white, then to blue. Swallowing, he quickly bowed his head and truthfully confessed, "I heard that the Chief Officer dining at Zuixian Building recently participated in the Jing Luan Assembly, so I sent Grandpa Tong to ask him for some information. Perhaps Grandpa Tong''s words were too harsh, causing offense, and ultimately led to the conflict." Li Zhen Tian pieced together a rough outline of the situation from the description. Surely, he relied on the family''s influence, becoming arrogant and reckless. This is what led to the confrontation, forcing the other to act in desperation. It was consistent with his son''s usual behavior. Li Zhen Tian sighed, disappointment and helplessness evident in his tone. Thinking of the matter involving Jing Luan Assembly, Li Zhen Tian spoke, "Just now you mentioned the Chief Officer you encountered had participated in the recent Jing Luan Assembly?" "Yes, Father. I remember he should be named Shen Qing." Ninth Young Master Li Yi quickly nodded and said, "Many of our family''s brothers and sisters faced misfortune in this Jing Luan Assembly. I''ve seen you often troubled by it, Father, so I wanted to learn more about it to open your mind." Li Zhen Tian glanced at Li Yi, his heart filled with a mix of emotions, unsure of what to say. After pondering for a moment, he slowly responded, "If I recall correctly, only one person survived the recent Jing Luan Assembly. If you''re not mistaken, then the person you encountered today should be him." "This man came from humble beginnings, initially a hunter, with no ancestral privileges. The reason he could enter the power-holding government office like the Capital Military Department, aside from his own capabilities, was mainly because Your Majesty appointed him intentionally." "In other words, perhaps there are deeper intentions from Your Majesty, and you shouldn''t have provoked him." "Ah... Father, should we just let it go?" Ninth Young Master Li Yi asked, unwilling to accept. "Let it go?" With a "slap" sound, Li Zhen Tian slapped Li Yi''s face harshly. ``` Chapter 6 Hurry and Go Apologize_2 The fierce wind rose.Li Yi only felt an irresistible force lift him whole, his body crashing heavily to the ground like a kite with a broken string. Amidst the swirling dust, he coughed up a mixture of blood and saliva, with a tooth knocked loose by the impact. "Cough... cough..." Li Yi propped himself up with his hands, struggling to get up from the ground. His cheek quickly swelled, the imprint of five fingers clearly visible, with traces of dried blood at the corner of his mouth, his eyes full of confusion. "How could it end like this, you hurry and go apologize!" Li Yi trembled as he lightly touched his burning cheek, his gaze turned towards Li Zhen Tian, his voice carrying a hint of disbelief: "Father? Why?" "Why? Do you think being a young master of the Li family allows you to do as you please? Do you think I''ve been indulging you just because of your high Martial Arts talent? Do you believe everyone outside is a fool like you? Hmm?" Li Zhen Tian looked at Li Yi with a disappointed glare, saying, "For our Li family to get where we are today, it''s nothing but the saying: ''Cautious and fearful, treading on thin ice.'' " "When you go out, make more friends and fewer enemies, only then can you thrive. That person surviving single-handedly in the Jing Luan Assembly is no ordinary person. If the Emperor has plans with him, do you realize the kind of disaster you could bring to our family?" The words baffled young master Li Yi, never having considered this angle before. He thought that as an outstanding member of the young generation in the family, blessed with extraordinary talent, even occasional mistakes would be overlooked by his father. He never expected his father to be so furious this time, even resorting to his cultivation to discipline him. "But, father, I..." Li Yi attempted to argue, but the words stuck in his throat. He understood that, at this moment, anything he said would seem powerless and pale. "There''s no ''but''!" Li Zhen Tian cut him off, his tone unyielding, "You go now. If you don''t want to go, I''ll take you with me." Facing Li Zhen Tian''s unarguable gaze, Li Yi finally lowered his head, silently accepting the order. He realized his father''s words were full of truth, that he had been too arrogant and full of himself. "Let''s go!" Li Zhen Tian immediately took a stride forward, walking ahead of Li Yi, ordering the servants to prepare a generous gift to be brought along. ... At the same time, Shen Qing and Wei Chengye also returned to the Military Department. Compared to Shen Qing''s calmness, Wei Chengye was filled with worry, regretting bringing Shen Qing to the Li family restaurant and starting a trouble with people they should not have provoked. "Chief Officer Shen, about today..." Wei Chengye said, "I''m afraid the Li family won''t let this go easily." Shen Qing gently patted Wei Chengye''s shoulder, smiling as he reassured him, "What''s done is done, let''s find Lord Lan and see what decision he makes." In Shen Qing''s view, this was an opportunity to test what exactly Lan Gongliang''s intentions were, whether towards him was good or ill. As the two walked towards the third courtyard, they found no sign of Lan Gongliang. Shen Qing scanned with his Sight but also found nothing. After hurriedly asking some government officials, he learned that Lan Gongliang was out on business and had not returned. "What to do now?" Wei Chengye said darkly: "Since I am with you, my end will probably not be great either." Experience tales at My Virtual Library Empire He paced anxiously back and forth in the government office, his heart filled with unease. "Chief Officer Wei, calm down." Shen Qing interrupted Wei Chengye''s anxiety and said calmly: "Even if the Li family is almighty, they can''t just kill us as they please." Wei Chengye shook his head, saying: "Brother Shen, you are still too young. The Li family has countless ways to deal with you. If they don''t harm you directly, can''t they go after your wife, children, or parents?" "I have no parents, nor have I started a family," Shen Qing stated truthfully. "..." Wei Chengye was momentarily stunned, saying: "Fine, even if you don''t have these family members, can''t they send you on a dangerous mission, using another''s hand to get rid of you?" "That is a possibility." However, Shen Qing was not afraid. With his current cultivation, given little time, his abilities were more than enough to protect his life. "Now that Lord Lan is not at the office, what are you planning to do next?" Shen Qing smiled, saying, "His Majesty granted me the Ribboned Green Jade Command allowing me to visit the Royal Arsenal. Since there''s nothing now, I''m planning to make a trip to the Imperial Palace." Hearing this, Wei Chengye thought to himself, ''Hiding in the Imperial Palace is indeed a good move. Even if the Li family is almighty, they wouldn''t dare create trouble inside the palace. But what about me? If he goes to the palace, won''t the Li family vent all their anger on me?'' Thinking of this, Wei Chengye felt even worse. At this moment, a heavy and hurried set of footsteps approached. A long-accompanying official swiftly jogged up to Shen Qing and Wei Chengye, saying: "Lord Shen, Lord Wei, the Marquis and Ninth Young Master of the Li family are here to see you." Wei Chengye''s mind was a blank. He hadn''t expected their "retaliation" to come so quickly, with the family head personally visiting. A twinge of surprise and tension flashed in Wei Chengye''s eyes. In a low voice, he said to Shen Qing, "How about we leave through the back door and evade the trouble for a bit?" Shen Qing glanced at Wei Chengye and said, "Let''s meet them. In broad daylight, in the government office, they won''t dare try anything, or else they''d be making too much of themselves even under the Emperor''s nose." Shen Qing, resting his hand on his saber around his waist, shouted, "Lead the way." The attendant led in front, silently guiding Shen Qing towards the first courtyard. Watching Shen Qing''s back grow distant, Wei Chengye slapped his own face, remorsefully thinking, ''Damn it, I should have stayed out of this mess from the start.'' He quickly caught up to him. A side room in the first courtyard. "Marquis, Lord Shen and his party have arrived." The attendant lightly knocked on the wooden door at the entrance, respectfully saying. "Come in." A deep, robust middle-aged man''s voice came from inside. As the hinges creaked, the door of the side room slowly opened. Shen Qing, dressed in the uniform of the Military Department, rested his hand on his saber as he stepped into the room. There, a middle-aged man in splendid attire sat in the main seat, exuding the unique authority of a superior. This must be the Marquis of the Li family. Shen Qing''s gaze swept over and caught sight of the Ninth Young Master of the Li family beside him. His expression shifted slightly, a hint of astonishment flickered. The opponent''s face was currently swollen, barely recognizable, worse than when he left the restaurant. After he entered the room, Wei Chengye followed closely behind. The moment he saw Li Zhen Tian, every muscle in his body tensed, the internal energy within surged like a river bursting from a dam, roiling uncontrollably through his body. This was trouble. Shen Qing might suffer even if he didn''t die. I''ll surely be dragged into it too. Rapidly, his mind filled with chaotic thoughts, his heart a mess. "You are Chief Officer Shen?" Li Zhen Tian''s gaze settled on Shen Qing, saying calmly. Shen Qing responded neither humbly nor arrogantly, "That would be me, may I ask for what purpose is the Marquis visiting the office?" "Nothing in particular." Li Zhen Tian stood up, picked up a sandalwood box beside him, and said plainly and candidly: "I heard about the matter between my son and you, and I came specifically to apologize. Xiao Jiu!" Called forth, Li Yi stepped forward with a pig-face expression, cupping the box in both hands, muffled speech: "Chief Officer Shen, I was too rude at the restaurant today, this is an old ginseng pill my father specially prepared for you, please... please accept it." Upon these words, the shock within Wei Chengye''s heart exploded instantly. His eyes widened, staring in disbelief at the scene before him, his mouth agape as if capable of fitting a whole egg. What on earth was going on? The Li family actually willing to lower themselves to apologize? Wei Chengye looked towards Shen Qing, unable to speak a word for a long time. Shen Qing said calmly, "Hmm, finally figured it out?!" Li Yi was infuriated to the point of grinding his teeth. But recalling his father''s prior teachings, he swallowed the grievance again... sea??h th§× N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 7 Accepting Gifts, Imperial Armory ```"To not endure the small pains is to spoil the larger plans." "I am born into a noble family, how could I stoop to the level of a mere commoner? Let him have his moment of pride for now." Li Yi, the Ninth Young Master of the Li Family, kept comforting himself, searching for a reason in his heart. After taking a deep breath and adjusting his emotions, he slowly bowed his head and said, "Lord Shen, if I offended you earlier, please do not take it to heart." Li Yi thought he hid it well, but everyone around could see the subtle restraint in his words. Seeing this, Shen Qing chuckled lightly and didn''t pursue the matter further. He reached out to grab the wooden box raised by his opponent and, under the gaze of a few, gently opened it. Immediately, a rich medicinal fragrance wafted out, invigorating the spirit. Shen Qing looked down into the box. Inside was an Old Ginseng Pill of a grayish soil color, unremarkable yet full of spiritual energy, not a common item. Wei Chengye, standing nearby, exclaimed in a low voice, "What a treasure, what a treasure!" His eyes shining, he continued to praise the Old Ginseng Pill while examining it, "I''ve heard that the Old Ginseng Pill is immensely beneficial for Martial Cultivators in condensing their Primordial Spirit, it truly is a rare precious medicine. Marquis''s sincerity this time is indeed generous." While speaking softly, Wei Chengye couldn''t help but glance at Shen Qing a few more times, thinking his luck was incredible. Killing someone''s people, yet still receiving an apology from them, was indeed unheard of. He couldn''t help but feel a bit jealous, even thinking that if he had been the one to act at that time, perhaps these treasures would have been his. The thought brought a deeper sense of regret. After hearing Wei Chengye''s words, Shen Qing had a good grasp of the value of the Old Ginseng Pill. He closed the wooden box and put it in his arms, his gaze falling on Li Yi again: "Since the Ninth Young Master is so sincere, let''s put this matter behind us. Marquis, having traveled from afar, why not enjoy a cup of tea at the government office before leaving?" The Marquis heard it, understanding Shen Qing was issuing an indirect invitation to leave. He stood up and said, "I have business to attend to today, so no need for tea. There will be other opportunities in the future." Li Zhen Tian seemed to remember something and said, "Oh, Lord Shen, you attended the Jing Luan Assembly not long ago, didn''t you?" "Indeed." It wasn''t a secret matter, one could find out easily, so Shen Qing had no reason to hide it and admitted openly. Li Zhen Tian continued to ask, "During this Jing Luan Assembly, quite a few of my Li family members participated, yet they died mysteriously. I want to ask, did they really die at the hands of the Huang Tian Sect as rumored?" "Yes," Shen Qing confirmed emphatically, "To be precise, within the Huang Tian Sect''s murderous formation." "Good, I trust you." Marquis Li Zhen Tian signaled to Li Yi and said, "Let''s go!" Li Yi quickly followed. Once their figures completely disappeared from the government office of the Military Department, Wei Chengye slumped into a chair, his heart pounding furiously. He felt today was the most terrifying day since he became the General of the Army, and recalling it felt like a dream. Wei Chengye looked at Shen Qing, lost in thought. If he wasn''t mistaken, Marquis Li Zhen Tian''s attention was entirely on Shen Qing earlier, his gaze examining Shen Qing as if trying to see completely through him. Could there be a background behind Shen Qing? For a moment, Wei Chengye''s heart clenched, thinking it was very possible. Lord Lan held him in high regard, and so did the Marquis. Surely, the big figures knew more than he did; this Shen Qing must have something unusual about him. He resolved to be more cautious in the future, never to offend, but to build a good relationship. Shen Qing, unaware of Wei Chengye''s thoughts, stood expressionless in place. He had sensed Marquis Li Zhen Tian''s secret probe with a wisp of Divine Sense, partly stopped by his own Divine Sense. From that single wisp of Primordial Spirit, it seemed Li Zhen Tian''s strength was likely on par with Xue Zhao, far surpassing Qintian Bureau''s Xie Rui and Mountain Sea Department''s Li Wenze. Shen Qing couldn''t help but feel a chill in his heart. He knew well that today''s success was merely luck; although he didn''t know Marquis Li Zhen Tian''s exact thoughts, he surely wasn''t being ''courteous'' for his sake. Should he ever truly take himself seriously, the price would be terrible. Shen Qing quickly regained his clarity of mind, unblinded by this temporary success. He placed his hand on his chest, feeling the raised patterns of the Beautiful Pattern Jade Token, thinking to himself, "With my current strength insufficient, I must visit the Imperial Armory soon." ... Outside the Military Department''s government office. Marquis Li Zhen Tian walked out with Li Yi. Seeing Li Yi''s dejected look, with discontent and resentment not completely extinguished, rather burning like a suppressed flame in the dark, Li Zhen Tian asked, "What, are you discontent?" Li Yi, asked, responded, "Father, not discontent. Father''s decision surely has its reason. It''s just that there''s a pent-up frustration in me not yet released, feeling a bit uneasy." "Feeling uneasy is just right." Li Zhen Tian gazed forward, hands clasped behind his back, walking through the street said, "Currently, your cultivation is inferior to others, your position also inferior to others, without relying on the family, what do you have to compete with?" Li Yi''s complex gaze stirred a ripple in his heart. He understood Li Zhen Tian''s words were truthful. In Li Zhen Tian''s view, though he was born into nobility with outstanding talent, his son was always arrogant and dismissive of others. If he hadn''t suffered a setback this time, he would likely grow even more presumptuous. By then, should he hit a concrete wall, getting past wouldn''t be as easy. Marquis Li Zhen Tian advised sincerely, "A true strongman not only has exceptional strength but also a heart that embraces the world. You are far from it. This time, take Shen Qing as a stepping stone, a lesson. Learn from this mistake, and later resolve to surpass him." "You, a noble son, can''t even surpass a mere hunter? If you remain like this, blame my poor judgment." Marquis Li Zhen Tian''s words left Li Yi shaken, his heart in turmoil. Li Zhen Tian turned and left, leaving Li Yi to face his inner struggle and decisions alone. After a while, Li Yi clenched his fists and earnestly declared, "I will not fail my father''s expectations and, one day in the future, will take Shen Qing as a stepping stone to avenge today''s shame." Li Zhen Tian''s face showed a faint, nearly imperceptible smile. ... In some corner of the royal palace. Shen Qing stood before an unremarkable palace. This palace was low and ancient, even somewhat shabby and dilapidated, forming a stark contrast with the magnificent palace buildings around it. Without guidance from insiders, who would guess that this inconspicuous building was the renowned Imperial Armory. A place gathering the essence of martial arts from all over the world. Shen Qing walked forward with his knife, reaching the palace gate. The gate was slightly ajar, and two armored palace guards stood like sculptures, unmoving. When Shen Qing appeared before them, they each extended their spears to stop him. "Who goes there?" Shen Qing took out the Beautiful Pattern Jade Token, proving his identity, "I am Shen Qing from the Military Department, specially permitted by His Majesty to freely enter and exit the Imperial Armory. I hope you two will grant passage." Find adventures on My Virtual Library Empire The guards took the token, inspecting it carefully, and once confirmed, nodded respectfully. The doors were gently pushed open by the two, and Shen Qing strode in. Upon entering the armory, a potent smell of medicinal herbs mixed with ancient oils and inks greeted him, invigorating his spirit. Shen Qing looked up and surveyed the area, seeing rows of neatly arranged wooden shelves filled with various white porcelain bottles and miscellaneous books. As he approached to look, he saw that these bottles were labeled with names like Blood Replenishing Pill, Qi Recovery Pill, Foundation Building Pill... a plethora of choices. He mentally estimated that just on this floor, there must be thousands of kinds of pills stored, dazzling and overwhelming to behold. Merely ingesting these pills would take no less than three to five years to achieve. Besides these pills, there were also numerous martial arts manuals, all in vast quantity. While Shen Qing marveled at the sight, an elderly man in a splendid robe, with a kindly appearance, approached slowly. Seeing Shen Qing, he cupped his hands and asked, "How should I address Your Excellence?" Shen Qing''s Divine Sense scanned the elderly man, discovering him to be a mighty figure in an Empty Reality Realm, his heart skipped a beat. He didn''t expect such a significant person to willingly oversee affairs in the armory. But upon reflection, it made sense. The Imperial Armory had been painstakingly collected and built by the Zhou royal family over hundreds of years, expending countless efforts. It only made sense for it to be guarded by a notable figure. Shen Qing returned the gesture with cupped hands, "I am Shen Qing, the General of the Army." "Ah, it''s Lord Shen Qing in person, a pleasure to meet you." The elder smiled and introduced himself, "I am Ji Bochu, the governor of this Imperial Armory." "Governor Ji, an honor to meet you." The Armory Governor Ji Bochu smiled, gesturing around, introducing, "This armory holds weapons, magical treasures, techniques, pills, and willpower beads in abundance. What might Lord Shen need?" "I''ve just stepped into this Imperial Armory and am unfamiliar with the surroundings. Could I trouble you, Governor, for an introduction?" Shen Qing asked politely. "Of course." The Armory Governor Ji Bochu smiled, explaining, "The Imperial Armory is divided into five levels. The first and second floors house popular martial arts and pills for strengthening and consolidating cultivation. These pills are for the use of the Ji family. Though His Majesty allowed Lord Shen free access to the Imperial Armory, the removed pills and artifacts are prohibited." Shen Qing was prepared for this, nodding, "Got it." "By the way, you mentioned the Imperial Armory has five levels? It appeared only one story tall from the outside, how come?" "Is there a possibility it''s built underground!" Shen Qing stood stunned, realizing he hadn''t considered this. The Armory Governor Ji Bochu asked, "The first and second floors are all of these items. Is there anything Lord Shen wishes to see?" Shen Qing pondered, glancing at the martial arts shown on the ink panel. These martial arts he had cultivated and transcended, many though ordinary, were enhanced through the ink panel, vastly surpassing typical martial arts. Therefore, the so-called common martial arts on the first floor held no appeal to him. "What about the third and the lower levels?" "The third floor treasures martial art legacies from all schools, more profound and potent than the first two floors, with higher-tier pills targeting martial masters of the Qi Sea Realm and above." S§×ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The elder spoke with a light-hearted tone as he led Shen Qing through the shelves, poised and leisurely. "Similarly, the fourth and fifth floors contain more profound techniques and higher quality pills, with some martial arts directly leading to the Unity Realm, akin to supreme immortal methods." The Armory Governor Ji Bochu smiled, saying, "Moreover, the fifth floor has a spirit eye, training in which for a day equals ten days outside." Shen Qing was awe-struck. He hadn''t expected such depths in the fifth floor of the Imperial Armory, his heart stirred with enthusiasm. The Armory Governor Ji Bochu turned, stating to Shen Qing, "Does Lord Shen plan to directly proceed to the third floor and below, or would you like to explore the first and second floors first?" Shen Qing''s gaze swept among the shelves. He was already at the Grand Void Realm, aiming to break into the Primordial Spirit Realm. Normally, with his ink panel capabilities, any low-tier martial art could continuously elevate to high-tier, benefiting him. However, an advanced martial art could save considerable effort when integrated with the ink panel. As known, the more profound a technique, the easier it is. Notably, the fifth floor has a spirit eye, greatly assisting his practice. However, Shen Qing did not decide immediately, smiling slightly, saying, "Governor Ji, currently, I''m at the Grand Void Realm. Where do you suggest I go? Incidentally, I still don''t know where Governor Ji''s residence is. His Majesty not long ago rewarded me with ten thousand willpower beads, which I ponder how to use, perhaps Governor Ji could assist in spending them?" Ji Bochu was momentarily stunned, swiftly catching Shen Qing''s meaning. He laughed heartily, "Lord Shen is not from the Ji family, hence the armory''s treasures and pills are out of reach. What you need most is a cultivation site, needing external aid, techniques are less crucial. Let''s head to the fifth floor." "Thank you, Governor Ji." "No trouble." Ji Bochu led Shen Qing through a routed staircase, descending continuously. As they delved deeper, the light dimmed, and the air filled with warmth. Through the levels, Shen Qing noticed many young heirs, surely successors of the Ji family. He occasionally encountered older martial masters donned in official attire, likely state-rewarded officers similar to himself. Ji Bochu guided Shen Qing all the way down to the deepest level. "Lord Shen, we''ve arrived." ``` Chapter 8 Immortal Martial Technique "Arrived?"Shen Qing lifted his gaze and saw in the distance pillars completely forged from Wish Power Pearls standing tall before him, each thick enough to require two people to wrap their arms around. Scattered with twinkling jade that emitted luminous glows, they brightened the entire fifth floor. The space of the fifth floor was not large to begin with, and with the addition of these massive pillars, it felt even more cramped. In this confined space, numerous descendants of the Ji Family were seated cross-legged on them. Some held scrolls of yellowed Martial Arts, their minds and bodies fully immersed, having forsaken sleep and food, to the point where their fingers would unconsciously mimic the movements demonstrated within. Others sat still as statues, surrounded by rings of faintly visible Spiritual Energy undulations. Ji Bochu stretched out his hand, calling out, "Lord Shen, please." Shen Qing bowed slightly as a gesture of respect and took the lead in walking forward. As he entered the range of the pillars'' arch, he suddenly felt a sense of clarity and refreshment, as if every pore on his body was smoothly opening up. This was the result of Spiritual Energy gathering. Shen Qing carefully sensed his surroundings and found that the Spiritual Energy here was several times more concentrated than outside, which greatly surprised him. Ji Bochu seemed to sense Shen Qing''s astonishment and said with a smile, "Have you discovered what''s different about this place?" "Is this the Spirit Eye you were talking about?" Ji Bochu nodded and replied, "The entire fifth floor uses these stone pillars as boundaries to gather Spirit Essence and form a Spirit Eye. Cultivation here yields twice the result with half the effort. Many Ji Family descendants do not even have the opportunity to come here. You are lucky to have received His Majesty''s Beautiful Pattern Jade Token; otherwise, you would have been restricted to just the third floor at most." Shen Qing was secretly shocked. He remembered he had never shown the Beautiful Pattern Jade Token to Ji Bochu, yet the other party seemed to have sensed it directly. His Power of Primordial Spirit was very strong. Ji Bochu continued to point around the Spirit Eye and said, "Take a look at these." Shen Qing followed the direction he was pointing and saw several mahogany cabinets arranged in an orderly fashion. At the top of each cabinet, a treasure was displayed. There were jade boxes as smooth as water, weapons emitting a cold gleam, and small, exquisitely made jade bottles, just to name a few. "Inside these nine jade boxes are Immortal Martial Arts, many of which are relics from an Ancient era, profoundly inscrutable. The sealed Magic Treasures are those weapons. As for the jade bottles, they contain supreme precious medicines like Longyin Huxiao Pills, Creation Pills, and the like, showcased here to be nurtured by Spiritual Energy." "Without exaggeration, any one of these items, if leaked, would cause massive upheaval," Ji Bochu said proudly. "With the Beautiful Pattern Jade Token on you, according to the rules, you can peruse any of these Martial Arts. However, you cannot touch the rest." "I understand," Shen Qing said as he looked around at the jade boxes. "How are these Cultivation Techniques different from ordinary Martial Arts?" Ji Bochu earnestly said, "Each and every Technique here is a king-level Cultivation Technique. Any martial master with decent Sight who cultivates seriously will reap some benefits and may even glimpse the Path of Immortality." Immortality? Shen Qing''s expression changed. Anything related to immortality was never simple. Experience more tales on My Virtual Library Empire He became excited. However, Shen Qing considered for a moment that Ji Bochu was perhaps exaggerating on purpose. If these Techniques were truly as powerful as he claimed, then the Ji Family would have long since been as mighty as dragons, not as they appeared today. Moreover, if such powerful Techniques were actually at their disposal, would they be so generous as to show them to others? Shen Qing asked himself if he could be as magnanimous as they were. Just to listen would suffice. He soon calmed down. However, although he thought so, Shen Qing didn''t show it. Pretending to be excited, he said, "The Path of Immortality? Is there really such Martial Arts for longevity in this world?" Ji Bochu enjoyed Shen Qing''s reaction. He smiled and said, "These Martial Arts do touch upon the realm of the ''Immortal'', and even if they don''t grant longevity, cultivating them to our realm could let one live for several hundred years, far surpassing others." Shen Qing bowed and said, "If that''s the case, I''m not very familiar with these Cultivation Techniques, could Lord Ji trouble himself to recommend a suitable Cultivation Technique based on my condition?" Ji Bochu waved his hand and said, "The choice of Cultivation Technique must ultimately fit one''s Bone and temperament. If I act on your behalf, I fear it may violate the principle of adhering to one''s Sight, potentially causing presumption. It would be better if I first outline the essence of these Cultivation Techniques, then you can decide for yourself." "Lord Ji is most considerate." Ji Bochu gave a slight smile, pointed, and said, "Lord Shen, take a look over here." Shen Qing followed his direction and looked closely. It was a Jade Box, its surface carved with small seal script, filled with ancient charm. Ji Bochu walked over, pressed his hand on it, and complex runes flowed across it. "This is the ''Nine Heavens Thunder God Technique'', which can harness the Nine Heavens Divine Thunder. Each strike contains the power to destroy heaven and earth. It''s a dream Cultivation Technique for Martial Artists who pursue ultimate strength. Once one embarks on the proper path of cultivation, there are no more bottlenecks, just a clear way forward." Shen Qing''s heart stirred, and he asked, "Are there any side effects?" S§×ar?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Ji Bochu sighed and said, "Nowadays, the strength of the Physical Body cultivated by people is far less than that of the ancients. Therefore, it may not be possible to withstand the roaring divine thunders with this method. Very few in the Imperial Family have attempted it." "I recall the last elder who tried it was struck dead by a bolt of divine thunder." Shen Qing couldn''t help but be speechless. To think one could actually die from training was simply beyond words. "Lord Ji, let''s move to the next one." "Alright." Then, Ji Bochu''s finger moved to the second book. As his Spiritual Power touched it, a dragon''s roar echoed faintly: "This technique is called ''Azure Dragon Shouting Sky Technique''. It contains the divine charm of the Azure Dragon. Cultivators can borrow the power of the Azure Dragon to shake the heavens and are further protected by the Azure Dragon, impervious to all methods." "The downside is that this technique requires understanding the divine intent of the Azure Dragon, which is profoundly mysterious, making Entry Level extremely difficult." Seeing Shen Qing without a response, Ji Bochu continued to the side. The Jade Box there glowed with a faint golden light, and he gently waved his sleeve, saying: "This Martial Art is the ''Saint Body Great Achievement Technique'', which can forge a Sacred Body, making one''s physical strength comparable to a Magic Treasure. There is no defensive Martial Art in the whole world that can surpass it." "Then if one cultivates this Great Achievement Technique and also the Nine Heavens Thunder God Technique, can both be mastered?" Shen Qing curiously asked. Ji Bochu shook his head and said, "The might of heaven and earth is not something a Physical Body can withstand. No matter how strong your body is, when facing the majestic might of heaven, you can only surrender. After all, how can a human fight against nature?" Shen Qing nodded, showing he understood. Ji Bochu''s finger kept moving and landed on the fourth Jade Box, which blossomed with a bright pink lotus flower, exceptionally vivid. "This technique is the ''Sitting Lotus Longevity Skill''. The so-called Sitting Lotus Technique uses either a female or male as the ''meat lotus'', with daily immersion of the Demon-Subduing Pestle into the meat lotus to draw out its essence for strengthening one''s cultivation. The drawback is that as the skill progresses, one increasingly needs a meat lotus with a higher cultivation level than the cultivator to feed back in order to break through." Shen Qing understood clearly; this was a Dual Cultivation Method, taking an unusual path. If he wanted to cultivate it, he would have to find a woman at the Primordial Spirit Realm to be his ''meat lotus'', which would be hard to find throughout the whole Great Zhou. Ji Bochu was naturally aware of this and quickly moved on: "This is the ''Heaven Burning Technique'', which allows one to use oneself as a catalyst to draw in the fire of heaven and earth, incinerating all, and when cultivated to the extreme, unmatched." "The ''Wind and Thunder Escape Technique'', this technique allows one to command the wind and thunder, instantly covering thousands of miles..." "The ''Ten Thousand Soldiers Taoist Skill''..." After Ji Bochu finished introducing each one, he looked at Shen Qing and said, "I wonder, Lord Shen, which technique would you like to learn?" Chapter 9 Testing the Law, Spirit Eye Hard Cultivation After listening to Ji Bochu''s introduction, Shen Qing fell into deep thought.For some reason, he always felt that these Martial Arts Skills sounded not too different from the few techniques he was currently cultivating. In his view, the Six Paths Reincarnation Technique and Eight Desolate Annihilation Seal, which he had broken through via the panel, also carried a hint of the divine essence found in these Immortal Martial Techniques. Take the Six Paths Reincarnation Technique, for instance¡ªevery time he used this technique to seize nature''s spiritual energy, he felt detached from life and death, in harmony with the world, and the spiritual energy he seized would merge within his body like countless rivers converging into the sea, gathering into streams of vitality, allowing him to grasp a supreme meaning of transcending Samsara and life and death of heaven and earth. The Eight Desolate Annihilation Seal, on the other hand, took the "Annihilate" concept to the extreme. Every time Shen Qing employed the Seal Technique, he felt he was exuding and inhaling the destructive aura of the heavens and the earth in every move, crushing and obliterating everything. These two techniques did not seem out of place here at all. With the panel''s enhancement, there was no doubt about future breakthroughs in realms with these techniques, and with time, success would inevitably come. Upon careful reflection, Shen Qing realized he didn''t hold an intense yearning for these Immortal Martial Techniques before him. As for the other Magic Treasures and Elixirs, he wasn''t very fond of them either. Rather, the Spirit Eye here was a pleasant surprise. Even though he thought such things, Shen Qing did not show it; he tentatively asked: "Lord Ji, may I know which Immortal Martial Technique the current Imperial family is practicing?" "Hahaha..." Ji Bochu laughed and said, "Do you wish to learn the technique of the current Majesty?" Feigning embarrassment, Shen Qing nodded slightly. Ji Bochu shook his head, explaining: "The technique His Majesty practices is the ''Sword Storage,'' one of the few complete lineages from ancient times, a Martial Art that the Imperial lineage primarily practices; it would not be placed in this Imperial Armory." "If it were researched thoroughly by someone, finding flaws in the technique would be detrimental to the Imperial family." Shen Qing caught the implication of his words. In the current Great Zhou Techniques, there might be several excellent Immortal Martial Techniques that have not been shown to others. The ones left here are somewhat flawed, only touted as Immortal Martial Techniques for better sound. If some extraordinarily talented individuals explore many aspects from these techniques, it would be beneficial for the Imperial family, a great thing indeed. Placing Immortal Martial Techniques here seems like a win-win for the Imperial family. Given his deductions, Shen Qing felt this notion even more compelling. Perhaps Ji Zikong noticed his "talent" and gave him the Beautiful Pattern Jade Token to let him "decipher" and perfect these top-tier techniques. Thinking this made him even less interested. However, having come all this way, it would be a pity not to take a copy. Shen Qing extended his hand, saying, "Please, Master, I would like to learn that ''Saint Body Great Achievement Technique.''" Ji Bochu was not surprised, smiling as he said, "Good choice, many Martial Masters who opt for Immortal Martial Arts choose this technique. In reality, apart from being difficult to practice, it has no other drawbacks. Even if practiced moderately, it could prolong life." Saying this, Ji Bochu stepped forward and with a gesture, a Jade Box containing the ''Saint Body Great Achievement Technique'' flew into his hand. He gently caressed the surface of the Jade Box, a fleeting nostalgic look in his eyes before solemnly handing it over to Shen Qing. Receiving it with both hands, Shen Qing felt a warm sensation. The Jade Box emitted a faint golden light, and when he touched it, it became even more vibrant. When he opened the Jade Box, he saw quietly lying inside was a yellowed Sheepskin Scroll, faintly showing the words ''Saint Body Great Achievement Technique.'' Glancing at Ji Bochu as if realizing something, Shen Qing noticed he was too calm. Hurriedly focusing on the words on the Sheepskin Scroll, he forced out waves of excitement on his face. Under Ji Bochu''s gaze, Shen Qing took a deep breath, unfurled the Sheepskin Scroll, and began to study it carefully. Quietly watching Shen Qing read, Ji Bochu secretly thought, "To achieve this realm at such a young age, this person must have great talent in Martial Arts. The Emperor must have sent him to test the technique." "Throughout history, countless talents went insane practicing these Immortal Martial Techniques to their current state. I wonder if this lad can give us some surprise. I hope he can endure longer and not succumb to madness too soon." Using his "Never Forget" and "Erudite in Inquiry" abilities, Shen Qing quickly memorized and fully understood the Martial Arts in its entirety. "Lord Ji, I''ve memorized everything." Saying this, he packed the Sheepskin Scroll back into the Jade Box, intending to return it. Ji Bochu, however, waved it off, "Leave the technique here; no need to rush returning it, just don''t take it out. Conveniently, this fifth level has the Spirit Eye for you to study and enhance your skills." Shen Qing did not expect such thoughtful consideration, igniting suspicion in his heart. To his knowledge, the Great Zhou court kept a strict eye on Martial Arts, wanting to prevent anyone from seeing it. Something strange is always lurking. Is there an issue with the techniques here? Knowing the state of the Great Zhou instilled further skepticism in Shen Qing. Ji Bochu added, "Around that corner on the fifth level is a screen, behind which is a private Spirit Eye; you can study martial arts alone there. I''ll be around the Imperial Armory, so feel free to find me anytime if you need." Hearing this, Shen Qing feigned "delight," exclaiming, "Thank you, Master." "Mm." As Ji Bochu departed, the joy on Shen Qing''s face gradually faded away. He glanced at the position of the screen nearby and entered with the Jade Box in hand. The spot was a secluded and inconspicuous corner, very tranquil. Upon entering, Shen Qing noticed neatly arranged papers, ink, brushes, and inkstones. He chuckled at himself, "Such thorough preparation." Stepping forward, Shen Qing casually tossed the Jade Box aside, seated himself cross-legged. "It''s a rare chance, perfect for cultivating the Six Paths Reincarnation Technique and the Eight Desolate Annihilation Seal, not forgetting to hone the Great Void Technique a bit; cultivating one''s own techniques is safest." Sear?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. With this resolution, Shen Qing quickly entered a meditative state, his breathing steady, enveloped by a faint aurora. "First, practice the Six Paths Reincarnation Technique to fortify myself." With a thought, Shen Qing activated the Six Paths Reincarnation Technique. Instantly his acupoints awoke one by one, illuminating brilliantly, akin to the brightest stars in the sky. Under Shen Qing''s urging, these luminous acupoints gradually transformed into spinning whirlpools of vibrant energy, voraciously devouring the surrounding Spiritual Energy. Here, beneath the Spirit Eye''s protection, the density of Spiritual Energy was astonishing, utterly different from the outside world. Enjoy new stories from My Virtual Library Empire Each thread of Spiritual Energy brimming with rich earthly essence relentlessly streamed into Shen Qing''s body. "Such an extraordinary training environment!" Initiating his practice, Shen Qing distinctly sensed the abundant purity of the Spiritual Energy here, enhancing his training efficacy multiple times, leading him to express his admiration. He vaguely felt that training here equaled, or even exceeded, the speed facilitated by wish beads. Coming here was undoubtedly worth it. Chapter 10 Entering Holiness with a Mortal Body, The Imperial Familys Test Subject ```Time seemed to lose its meaning at this moment, as Shen Qing was completely immersed in cultivation. He was within the Spirit Eye, and with every breath, every flow of Spiritual Energy, his cultivation advanced to a higher realm. His acupoints sparkled like stars, connecting into a constellation, giving him the appearance of being bathed in a galaxy from afar. No one knew how long had passed, but the radiant light from all of Shen Qing''s acupoints gradually dissipated, returning to normal. He opened his eyes, and a gleam flashed in his pupils. Shen Qing slightly circulated the Six Paths Reincarnation Technique, feeling his entire cultivation advance, the Spiritual Power within him surging like the ocean, with every inch of his flesh brimming with vigorous Essence Qi. Even his long stagnant Divine Sense showed minute growth, bringing him joy. "This Spirit Eye is truly extraordinary! Cultivating here for such a short while is equivalent to over a month of work outside!" Shen Qing stood up, carefully experiencing the sensation. Under the blessing of the Spirit Eye, the concentration of Spiritual Energy around him skyrocketed, almost dozens of times that of the external world. These pure streams of Spiritual Energy continuously flooded into his body like tides through the Six Paths Reincarnation Technique, each wave containing endless vitality and power. Using his Divine Sense to look inward, Shen Qing discovered that among the essence blood throughout his body, that thread of golden blood had grown even stronger. This thread of golden blood fused with his flesh, making his physical accomplishment increasingly distinct. Shen Qing ceased his introspection, and his gaze inadvertently fell on the Jade Box before him, a hint of doubt suddenly arising in his heart. He took out the sheepskin scroll inscribed with the Saint Body Great Achievement Technique, placed it before him, and examined it closely once more. Shen Qing clearly remembered that the scroll also spoke of golden blood. The Skill of "Academic Pursuit" activated once again. He began to delve continuously into its knowledge. After a moment, Shen Qing suddenly realized: "So that''s how it is." According to the Ancient Times'' description in this Saint Body Great Achievement Technique, every cultivator''s physique is different, but there is one physique that is innately superior at birth; its skin and flesh are impervious to blades and spears, innately able to suppress and resist all evil, known as the Saint King Body. Such physiques are born with pale gold blood, and the more they cultivate, the more it changes, the blood eventually transforming into dark gold. By then, every drop contains essence spiritual substances comparable to precious medicine. Invincible at the same level in combat strength, unstoppable and unmatched. This so-called Saint Body Great Achievement Technique was developed based on this type of physique. The golden blood appearing within Shen Qing''s body was exactly as described herein. In his mind, under the deduction of "Academic Pursuit," words suddenly emerged: "From a mortal body to sacred." Aided by the Six Paths Reincarnation Technique, Shen Qing did not expect to refine a trace of the Saint King Body''s characteristics. Shen Qing felt a surge of excitement. The Cultivation Technique deduced from the Water Ink Panel surpassed his imagination, perhaps even exceeding those Immortal Martial Techniques. The fifth floor was dimly lit, indistinguishable between day and night. Shen Qing, already full of energy, had no trace of fatigue. Taking advantage of this rare opportunity, he decided to continue concentrating on cultivating the Eight Desolate Annihilation Seal, intending to improve the progress of this technique as well. ... At the same time, in Ningshou Palace. A Mystic Ice Jade Bed emitted a faint cold light. The Emperor of Great Zhou, Ji Zikong, was dressed in a Cloud Brocade Robe embroidered with Dragon Patterns, sitting upright on it, surrounded by faint wisps of ripples, silver frost-colored short swords constantly moving across these ripples, absorbing the surrounding Spiritual Energy. If listening carefully, one could hear the indistinct sound of sword auras. Beside him, the Chief Eunuch, He Yong, with a respectful demeanor and a posture erect as a pine, stood silently by his side. His gaze never left Ji Zikong, his mind a clear mirror observing Ji Zikong''s every move, always prepared to deal with any possible sudden situations. In an instant, Ji Zikong''s breath became steady and long, swords flashing in his eyes. He gently exhaled a turbid breath, a white strip of light flying out from his mouth, like a beam of light that illuminated the palace in an instant. The white strip hit the wall and naturally dispersed to the sides, causing the doors and windows to tremble. Upon seeing this, He Yong knew the Emperor had finished this session of cultivation, and quickly stepped forward, his voice low and respectful: "Congratulations, Your Majesty, on your cultivation progress." The Emperor of Great Zhou, Ji Zikong, was immune to such daily flattery, his face calm and unruffled. He asked: "Has anything been reported recently?" The Chief Eunuch, He Yong, stepped forward and said: "Your servant indeed has something to report." "Speak." "Yes, Your Majesty." The Chief Eunuch, He Yong, respectfully bowed and continued: "Lord Ji from the Imperial Armory responded that the General of the Army who was bestowed the Cui Ying Order by Your Majesty, went to the Imperial Armory today." "Oh, it''s Shen Qing, right? How was it?" Ji Zikong replied as if he had anticipated it: "Did he go to the fifth floor to choose Immortal Martial Arts?" "Yes, Your Majesty, he did." "Which one did he choose?" "The Saint Body Great Achievement Technique." Hearing this, Ji Zikong''s eyebrows twitched slightly and he said: "The Saint Body Great Achievement Technique? I remember this technique; over time, many have chosen it. To what extent has it been perfected now?" "According to Lord Ji, seven or eight tenths have been perfected, only the last two or three tenths need continuous deduction and trials." "I see. Let things proceed as usual. Keep Uncle Ji in observation. If all goes well, after some more years, the Imperial family might have a third complete Immortal Path method." "Your Majesty, from this old servant''s perspective, it seems a pity for someone like Shen Qing, who climbed all the way from the bottom and possesses some aptitude, to serve as a trial worker for the Imperial family." He Yong hinted with a bowed head. "There are so many talented people in the world, what difference does it make with or without him? The main issue is that time left for us is limited. If that day truly arrives, what use is it even if all the world''s talents thrive? Better to utilize them fully now, seizing that shred of hope for us humans." With that, Ji Zikong stood up, hands behind his back, his gaze passing through the heavy curtains of the palace, seemingly penetrating time and space to see a much further future. The Chief Eunuch, He Yong, quickly apologized: "My ignorance." S~ea??h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Ji Zikong, smiling, said: "This Shen Qing, to stand out from so many and attain a breakthrough into the Spiritual Void realm at such a young age without relying on our martial resources, his talent is truly impressive. With his understanding and ability, it won''t be long before he can grasp the Saint Body Great Achievement Technique." "When the time comes, watch over Uncle Ji and observe the changes in him. It''s good that he lacks those family backgrounds, making him perfect as a trial person for refining the technique. Let''s hope he can hold out longer and avoid going astray too soon, for even this contributes to the world''s human race." Ji Zikong''s voice resonated once again, carrying an indisputable authority. He secretly contemplated, should Shen Qing''s growth rate be as astonishing as predicted, this could be a significant turning point for them. Now that demons are increasing and the situation gets more uncontrollable, that anticipated day comes closer. The Chief Eunuch, He Yong, responded quickly: "Your servant obeys." "By the way, how are things with General Xue now? Has my decree reached him?" Ji Zikong asked as if remembering something. The Chief Eunuch, He Yong, bowed lowly and said: "Your Majesty, your decree has been sent to General Xue. It is expected he will return to the capital in a month. General Xue mentioned something unusual in his reply." Ji Zikong, curious, asked: "What''s that?" "General Xue noted that it''s not just the Yellow Heaven Cult rebels in Dan Prefecture; even rebels from other places in Jin Prefecture are returning to the Holy Mountain of Yellow Heaven. It seems something major is happening there." Ji Zikong''s eyes showed a touch of worry: "Have the people below keep a closer watch and report back to me at any sign of disturbance." ... After cultivating for two days and nights in a row, Shen Qing reluctantly stopped. To avoid raising suspicion, he also spent some time practicing the Saint Body Great Achievement Technique, randomly jotting down some of his insights on the paper and inkstone. For someone with the "Academic Pursuit" skill, this was a simple task. Shen Qing exited from the fifth floor of the Imperial Armory, spotting Ji Bochue basking in the sun, playing with a turtle by the entrance on the first floor. Approaching, he bowed and greeted: "Lord Ji." Ji Bochue, half-squinting his eyes, curved his lips into a calm smile and said: "Oh, it''s Lord Shen. How did your cultivation turn out this time, Lord Shen?" A gleam flashed in Shen Qing''s eyes, and after brewing his emotions, he displayed a hint of joy after breaking through his limitations, cheerfully saying: "Thanks to the support from Your Majesty and you, my lord, I have gained some insights into the mysteries of the Saint Body Great Achievement Technique, my cultivation has slightly succeeded." A nearly imperceptible hint of joy appeared in Ji Bochue''s eyes, and he praised: "The Saint Body Great Achievement Technique is one of the top martial arts in the Imperial Armory and renowned in the world. Countless people seek to uncover its secrets. Your achievement is indeed a rare opportunity. On the path of martial arts, one must advance or risk regression¡ªsince you have the Cui Ying Order, feel free to come to the Imperial Armory whenever you wish to progress further." Ji Bochue''s words were like a spring breeze turning rain; Shen Qing respectfully replied: "I will remember, and I am sure to trouble you more often, my lord." With that, Shen Qing bowed deeply again and turned to leave. Ji Bochue remained there, playing with the small turtle in his hands, undisturbed. Continue your journey with My Virtual Library Empire However, after Shen Qing completely departed, he casually tossed the turtle aside, and went directly behind the fifth floor''s screen. He saw the manuscripts Shen Qing left, nodded approvingly, and said with a smile: "It seems he does have some talent. To grasp the essence of this technique in just two days is remarkable, truly remarkable." Ji Bochue could not help but grow more satisfied with Shen Qing''s performance. Yet, he was unaware that Shen Qing''s keen senses captured every detail of his expression. Leaving the palace, Shen Qing wore a somber expression, realizing something was definitely wrong with those Immortal Martial Techniques. Thinking of this, once he left the palace, Shen Qing went straight to the Yam and Hai Department''s office to find Huangfu Rou. "Lord Huangfu, do you have some time today? I have something I wish to ask for your help with." Huangfu Rou put down her pen, crossed her hands under her chin, and looked at Shen Qing with interest, saying: "Alright, let''s hear it, see if I can help." Shen Qing looked around, hesitation marking his face: "It''s not a suitable place to talk here." Sensing Shen Qing''s seriousness, Huangfu Rou got up and said, "Follow me." She led Shen Qing to an elegant room inside, furnished with a table and two chairs, a pot of tea still steaming atop. They sat across from each other. Huangfu Rou asked, "So, what''s happened?" Shen Qing casually set up a barrier formation, learned from the Yellow Heaven Cult, now perfected under the Water Ink Panel. An invisible ripple expanded from him, enveloping both in isolation from the outside. Shen Qing poured himself a cup of hot tea, unceremoniously saying: "Lord Huangfu, are you aware of any non-royal individuals who have entered the Imperial Armory and learned the Imperial family''s Immortal Martial Techniques?" Shen Qing continued: "I was allowed into the Imperial Armory these past two days and was curious, hence the inquiry. I suppose with your Yam and Hai Department''s capabilities, it shouldn''t be difficult, right?" "Give me a moment." Huangfu Rou pondered briefly, then hurried out, returning after a while, evidently having gone to gather intelligence. "Did you find anything?" Shen Qing looked up and asked. Huangfu Rou shook her head: "No, in recent years there are virtually no records." The Yam and Hai Department is specifically tasked with intelligence, and there is no agency under heaven who knows more. Especially in the capital, missing intelligence is impossible. However, they knew nothing about the people who cultivated the Imperial family''s Immortal Martial Techniques in the Imperial Armory. This could only mean someone deliberately erased this part of the information. Hearing this, Shen Qing nearly confirmed that something was indeed wrong with those Immortal Martial Techniques. "I see, thank you." Shen Qing stood to leave. Huangfu Rou regarded Shen Qing''s hurried and matter-of-fact departure with no spare consideration on her face but secretly cursed him a fool in her heart. Watching Shen Qing about to exit, she nonchalantly said: "Shen Qing, next month the chrysanthemums in Beihai will bloom, the Princess Yuzhen plans a Chrysanthemum Appreciation Gathering, do you want to attend?" "Most of the attendees will be from royal families and other high officials and noble families. There might be some gains concerning the Immortal Martial Techniques at the gathering." Shen Qing, not picking up on the subtle nuance in Huangfu Rou''s tone, was still lost in thoughts about the Immortal Martial Techniques. After a moment of contemplation, Shen Qing agreed: "Sure." A full smile conquered Huangfu Rou''s eyes, curving them like crescents, yet she quickly composed herself to appear serious. Time flew like water, quickly slipping away. Fifteen days passed in the blink of an eye. During this time, Shen Qing primarily lived a two-point line life, shuttling between the Imperial Armory and the office. Most days were spent in the Imperial Armory. Throughout this period of cultivation, the Six Paths Reincarnation Technique and Eight Desolate Annihilation Seal advanced at an astonishing speed. Shen Qing focused his mind and summoned the Water Ink Panel. The familiar interface reappeared in his vision, lines of water-ink text presented themselves. [Skill: Six Paths Reincarnation Technique (Entry level)] [Progress: 5004/5000 points] [Status: Breakthrough possible] [Skill: Eight Desolate Annihilation Seal (Entry level)] [Progress: 5001/5000 points] [Status: Breakthrough possible] Seeing the prominent reminders prominently reappear in his vision, a hint of relaxed satisfaction appeared on Shen Qing''s face. "Break through." ``` Chapter 11 Nurturing a Wisp of Primordial Spirit, Overlooking Heaven and Earth ```The moment Shen Qing entertained this thought, the text on the Water Ink Panel immediately updated. [Skill: Six Paths Reincarnation Skill (Mastery)] [Progress: 4/10000 points] [Status: Breakthrough Unavailable] [Note: A saw cuts through wood, and a drip wears away stone. Through years of relentless cultivation, you have gradually grasped the essence of the Six Paths Reincarnation Skill ¡ª the tenacity of the Mortal Path, the vastness of the Heavenly Dao, the combativeness of the Asura Path, the wildness of the Beast Path, the greed of the Hungry Ghost Realm (absorption), and the tribulations of the Hell Path (transformation and rebirth). After the breakthrough, you successfully mastered the Power of the Mortal Path, with both flesh and will further strengthened, and the Saint Blood vastly augmented.] [Skill: Eight Desolate Destruction Seal (Mastery)] [Progress: 1/10000 points] [Status: Breakthrough Unavailable] [Note: The swift horse leaps but cannot maintain pace over ten steps; the slow horse trots relentlessly, its mastery lies in perseverance. Having mastered the Eight Desolate Destruction Seal, you have seized a sliver of the Eight Desolate Natural Energy, capable of manipulating at will the forces of nature such as mountains, earth, wind, rain, thunder, and lightning, incorporating them into your Seal Technique to form various unimaginable attacks and defenses.] Shen Qing''s eyes were firmly fixed on the water ink text that appeared in his sight, and his breathing became heavy. From the notes on these two skills, he felt as if he had vaguely touched the threshold of the "Great Dao." Waves of unfamiliar memories began to surface, not giving him a chance to react, forcefully inserting themselves into his mind. At the same time, a special energy rose from him. Shen Qing instinctively prepared himself, holding his breath and concentrating to handle the impact and changes that were to come. These two skills had taken him nearly a year to cultivate, requiring much more effort than other Martial Arts. Therefore, the memories associated with these two skills were also much more substantial than those of any other skill breakthroughs. Even for him, at the Spirit Void Realm, it was almost too much to bear, and it was extremely uncomfortable. Had it been before, he would have certainly passed out. After a full quarter of an hour, the current Shen Qing gradually came to his senses, regained clarity, and assimilated the vast memories. In those memories, it was as if Shen Qing had lived through a lifetime, spending four to five hundred years in the river of time, tirelessly studying and refining these two Martial Arts, finally achieving success and advancing them to the next realm, akin to Immortal Martial Techniques. Closing his eyes for internal observation, Shen Qing saw that the strand of golden Saint Blood within him was growing at a visible rate, expanding from the size of a strand of hair to the thickness of a little finger, transforming in a groundbreaking way. Whenever he practiced his cultivation, silver light blossomed from the acupoints all over his body, every inch of his flesh becoming crystalline and dazzling with golden light. The burning sensation he had initially cultivated was now thoroughly cleansed, leaving no trace of redness. The same was true for the Eight Desolate Destruction Seal. Merely by entertaining a thought, Shen Qing''s hands began to feel waves of familiarity as if he had practiced millions of times, effortlessly forming a strange yet familiar Seal Technique, causing thunder to roll and space to tremble. A dazzling Sky Flipping Seal slowly took shape before him, imbued with terrifying power. Shen Qing withdrew his gesture, and the visions he had conjured dispersed like scattered stars, vanishing into the void. Thanks to the benefit of the Spirit Eye, his cultivation progress was exceptionally smooth, and sensing the oceanic Spiritual Power within him, he felt content. Discover exclusive tales at My Virtual Library Empire In the blink of an eye, another three days had passed. On the fifth floor of the Imperial Armory, Shen Qing sat cross-legged, surrounded by twinkling stars, bathing in a galaxy. At this moment, in the Sea of Consciousness, it was as if a Spiritual Spring surged, a faint but intensely strong pulse quietly rose, resembling a dragon lurking in the abyss, accumulating energy to burst forth, eager to break free and soar to the skies. This was the sign of the imminent condensation of the Primordial Spirit, the Great Perfection of the Spirit Void Realm. Shen Qing suddenly realized something and decisively ended his cultivation in the Imperial Armory. Then, as usual, he left the Imperial Armory with a composed walk, his expression no different from any other day. He knew such breakthroughs would involve many external changes, and with the undercurrents of the Capital, where many capable individuals emerged, one careless move could easily attract unwanted attention. After some contemplation, Shen Qing discreetly left the Capital and found a dilapidated temple in a desolate suburb. Although the temple was worn by the years, its basic structure remained intact, rarely visited by people, and was most notably quiet. S§×ar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He entered without hesitation, and a scent of aged decay hit him. Inside the temple, dust was everywhere, the light was dim, giving off a sense of desolation and disarray due to years without inhabitants. Shen Qing took a deep breath, raised his hands gently, and Spiritual Power flowed out like a trickling stream from his palms. Clapping his hands together, an invisible whirlwind arose within the temple. Wherever it passed, dust was swept away, and the musty air was cleansed. The temple was completely transformed. Shen Qing smiled satisfactorily, sat down, and enveloped himself in a circle of Spiritual Power. He then took out a few yellow triangular flags from his bosom. Ever since the Jing Luan Assembly ended, he had kept in touch with Shen Xiaohu, and with his understanding of Array Formation, he could now make simple Array Flags. After the last flags were damaged by the relic''s power, he forged a new set using his own knowledge and materials at hand. These flags before him were the result of his leisure-time experiments. Though they seemed rudimentary, they were basically capable of isolation. However, due to the crude materials and craftsmanship, they could only be used as a one-time item and not be reused. ``` Chapter 11 Nurturing a Wisp of Primordial Spirit, Overlooking Heaven and Earth_2 Cultivating his Primordial Spirit was of critical importance to Shen Qing. The formations he cast through incantation gestures were not stable enough, and he did not want to take the risk. Therefore, he decided to take out this Array Flag and use it for a more reliable solution.Shen Qing''s fingers flew with agility, the small flag in his hands moving dynamically. Following his directions, it traced mysterious trajectories in the air, finally settling firmly in every direction around the wilderness temple. As Shen Qing chanted a spell softly, the several small flags emitted a faint luminescence, gradually forming a barrier formation. Once the formation was complete, the entire wilderness temple seemed to be enveloped by an invisible barrier, completely isolated from the outside world. Even those with a high level of cultivation could hardly peek into its secrets unless they had cultivated a Primordial Spirit or Divine Thought. When all was assuredly safe, Shen Qing took out a stick of Guardian Spirit Fragrance. Guardian Spirit Fragrance was part of the official salary given by the Great Zhou Court to its formal officials. Your adventure continues at My Virtual Library Empire Each person was entitled to only one stick per month, which had the effect of calming the mind and stabilizing the soul. Most officials only used it as an aid during their daily cultivation practices. In truth, Guardian Spirit Fragrance could also serve as a focal point during a martial master''s cultivation of the Primordial Spirit or Divine Sense to prevent the artifacts from fluctuating unstably, thus avoiding irreversible damage to the cultivator. After becoming the Yongzhou Chief Officer, Shen Qing had saved some, and he had received another bunch when he left Taiping County. This was the perfect time to use them. Shen Qing took out all the sticks of Guardian Spirit Fragrance, mobilized his Spiritual Power, and planted them around him as the center. The whole wilderness temple inside and out was densely packed with them. Shen Qing snapped his fingers and lit them all without sparing any. In an instant, thin plumes of smoke rose from the incense like Spiritual Snakes, curling up into the air and emanating a fascinating fragrance that refreshed one''s heart and clarified the mind. With the smoke permeating the air, Shen Qing felt as if all the noise and chaos surrounding him were isolated by this mysterious force. His state of mind started to become tranquil and profound, as if he were in an endless sea of calm, undisturbed by any waves. He pondered carefully, allowing the power from the Guardian Spirit Fragrance to guide him in sweeping away all distractions and obsessions, leaving nothing but the purest essence of self. "It''s about time." Having made all the preparations, Shen Qing took out an Old Ginseng Pill. This was a gift from Military Marquis Li Zhen Tian of the Li Family, greatly beneficial in cultivating the Primordial Spirit. To be cautious, Shen Qing had once shaved off the outer layer to feed to cats and dogs; no negative effects appeared, confirming its authenticity. Now, it was also time to use it. There are varieties of strength within the Primordial Spirit realm, and a breakthrough at this moment would determine seventy to eighty percent of it. Seeing that everything was ready, Shen Qing didn''t delay any further. He swallowed the Old Ginseng Pill and entered a state of deep meditation amidst the boundless tranquility. As the Elixir reached his stomach, a warm and powerful force exploded instantly within his body. Shen Qing felt his body and mind enveloped by an endless tranquility, seizing the opportunity to delve wholly into his cultivation, unifying all thoughts into meditation. Under his mental guidance, the Spiritual Power around his body surged like awakened rivers, tumultuously flowing. Shen Qing''s body gradually became enveloped in a faint glow, brimming with vitality. For all the martial masters of this world, the Primordial Spirit realm was the ultimate realm they yearned for in their dreams. Once someone broke through to this realm, they could be called a Great Power. As the name suggests, the Primordial Spirit realm is associated with the Primordial Spirit. A martial master in the Spirit Void Realm is someone who continuously excavates their innate domain, integrating it extensively to integrate with and blend into the profound mysteries of nature and the universe. When a martial master''s Primordial Spirit harmonizes with the universe to a certain indescribable threshold, they could cultivate a strand of Primordial Spirit, achieving Spirit Void Perfection. And once this Primordial Spirit can leave the body, even just an inch, that is the genuine Primordial Spirit realm, detached from the mundane world. sea??h th§× n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. This realm''s breakthrough hinges on the concepts of "condensing" and "merging." To condense is to refine the Spiritual Power within the body to the utmost, so that it transitions from substance to void, reaching a state of resonance with the nature''s Spiritual Energy; to merge is to integrate the Primordial Spirit with all things in the universe, to grow stronger until it can fully manifest and not be dissipated by the stray Spiritual Energy in the world. Once someone breaks through to the Primordial Spirit realm, the cultivator can master all kinds of incredible Divine Powers, as if becoming a True Master themselves, capable of changing heaven and earth with endless transformations. Shen Qing formed a hand seal and guarded his Divine Sense. First was "condensing." Shen Qing gathered his entire body''s Spiritual Power like a trickle of streams, continuously refining it, constructing a framework based on the contours of his own form. In this process, he continuously filled the framework with his true self while also ceaselessly infusing it with Spirit Essence. Under the dual enhancement of the overwhelming power from the Old Ginseng Pill and the tranquil efficacy of the Guardian Spirit Fragrance, Shen Qing''s mind reached an unprecedented level of focus, not daring to slacken or show negligence for even a moment. Finally, after his unremitting efforts, an almost indistinct Primordial Spirit Embryo identical to his appearance quietly took shape and kept improving. When the stage of "solidifying" was achieved, what followed was the even more critical "fusion." Shen Qing took a deep breath, let go of his mind, and allowed that now refined Primordial Spirit Embryo to merge with the nature''s Spiritual Energy of the outside world. At that moment, the stray Spiritual Energy around him seemed to transform into bone-scraping knives, madly assaulting his newly condensed Primordial Spirit Embryo, attempting to tear and destroy it. Shen Qing immediately felt as if he were experiencing it himself. As each part of the Primordial Spirit Embryo was chipped away, he felt as if a piece of his own body was being carved off, enduring the torture of "death by a thousand cuts." It was an indescribably painful and excruciating ordeal. Large beads of sweat kept seeping out from Shen Qing''s forehead. Shen Qing had never thought that condensing the Primordial Spirit would be such a painful process. However, there was no thought of giving up, he kept clenching his teeth and persevering without retreat. This was the inevitable path of condensing the Primordial Spirit, one that could not be skipped. Shen Qing continually used his own Spiritual Power to repair and strengthen the Primordial Spirit. With each piece that was chipped away, he replenished it accordingly, persistently contending with the stray Spiritual Energy of the outside world. It felt like an eternity to him. He didn''t know how much time had passed when, just as Shen Qing felt he could no longer hold on, a thunderous boom echoed within his heart. It was as if some sort of shackle had been completely shattered; at that moment, that wisp of newly born Primordial Spirit burst forth with supreme divine splendor, becoming one with the nature''s Spiritual Energy of the outside world, with no more rejection between the two. All discomfort and pain disappeared without a trace, replaced by an unprecedented sense of power and serenity. "I did it!" Shen Qing felt ecstatic in his heart. He knew he had successfully condensed the Primordial Spirit, reaching the late phase of the Spirit Void Realm, just one step away from the Primordial Spirit Realm. He carefully examined his own Primordial Spirit, like a flawless work of art, feeling completely satisfied. "If that''s the case, why not try to take that step? To nurture a wisp of Primordial Spirit, and look down upon the world." If anyone were here, they would surely think Shen Qing was indulging in fantasy. To gather the Primordial Spirit was already very difficult, and now that the newly condensed Primordial Spirit was extremely fragile, to think of leaving the body was far too risky. But Shen Qing was always a decisive person, uninterested in procrastination. He stimulated the Six Paths Reincarnation Technique, with the power of the Mortal path and his unwavering determination. In the Sea of Consciousness, he recalled the first time he climbed to the peak of Mount Tai, standing at the edge of a cliff. At that time, the sea of clouds churned wildly, and he could look up to see the horizon at sunrise, while looking down made the climbers seem as insignificant as ants. The howling cold wind made his legs go weak. At this moment, Shen Qing imagined himself standing on top of that high mountain, and then he leaped. A violent sense of weightlessness spread through him. Shen Qing felt his whole body lighten as his view suddenly elevated. He looked around, still within the broken temple, without any change. Only when looking down from above, he could see another self. Shen Qing''s expression slightly changed, a rush of elation surged across his face. He rose to the sky, standing between heaven and earth, looking down on all things, instantly feeling a surge of lofty aspirations. "This is, the leaving of Primordial Spirit from the body... I''ve broken through to the Primordial Spirit Realm, I''ve succeeded!!!" Ordinarily, leaving the body by an inch would signify success, but he had plunged from heaven to earth upon his first attempt of condensation. Even though Shen Qing didn''t know how others would manifest their breakthroughs to the Primordial Spirit Realm, he realized his method was too unconventional, likely "different from normal people." Chapter 12 Primordial Spirit Realm, Controlling Objects, Xue Zhao Returns to the Capital ```Before Shen Qing could rejoice for long, a heavy sense of weakness and dizziness quietly enveloped his Primordial Spirit, causing him to panic and feel a sense of foreboding in his heart. The dangers of the Primordial Spirit suddenly leaving the body were far beyond imagination. At this moment, he only felt his Primordial Spirit like a feather, drifting aimlessly in the endless void, free yet helpless. Any carelessness might lead to becoming completely lost in the boundless illusion. Whoosh... Suddenly, a breeze seeped through the cracks in the walls and windows of the abandoned temple. Even though it was a warm day, Shen Qing felt as if he had fallen into an ice cellar, chilled to the bone. The intense cold penetrated every fiber and inch of his body, freezing him so much that he shivered uncontrollably. This coldness was even worse than when he, as a hunter, went out in a soaked, worn-out coat; it was enough to freeze him to death. Shen Qing''s feet left his body, hovering in mid-air, like falling into a vast ocean, with no support in sight. A sense of helplessness surged in his heart, making him feel extremely uncomfortable. Was this the end? Shen Qing desperately wanted to return to his physical shell, leaving only this thought among countless others. However, no matter how he willed it, his Divine Soul would not budge. The prolonged exposure of the Primordial Spirit to the void began to make it weak. Shen Qing hurried to steady his mind. The more critical the situation, the calmer one needs to be. Shen Qing did not give up and constantly reflected on the True Intent of the Six Paths Reincarnation Technique, mastering the tenacity of the Mortal path and mobilizing everything available within him. As he exerted himself, the human nature within his Primordial Spirit was being continuously depleted. The whole process was extremely difficult, like a small boat struggling in a storm, ready to capsize at any moment. Finally, at a certain moment, he seemed to catch a special connection that allowed him to sense the presence of his physical shell. He quickly clung to that connection, drawing closer to his body. Shen Qing looked down to find that at this very moment, the Guardian Spirit Fragrance in the abandoned temple was burning at an extremely fast rate. Boom! Explore stories on My Virtual Library Empire After an unknown amount of time, Shen Qing''s Primordial Spirit finally returned slowly to his physical body. At the instant he returned, it was like coming back from a cold abyss to a warm embrace, all weakness and dizziness instantly dissipated. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Shen Qing gasped heavily, his sweat-soaked collar, looking at the almost completely burnt Guardian Spirit Fragrance around him, unexpectedly finding that its aid to the Primordial Spirit was greater than he had imagined. Without these Guardian Spirit Fragrance, he would have struggled to return, filled with a mix of post-crisis relief and dread. Nevertheless, the rewards from this risky venture were immense, almost allowing him to leap through the late stage of the Spirit Void Realm, breaking through a Great Realm to reach the level of Primordial Spirit Realm. After a while, Shen Qing gradually calmed down. "Since I''ve already condensed the Primordial Spirit, I can now control external objects." Shen Qing''s gaze naturally fell on the dagger at his waist. This Treasure Blade was a weapon from the Ancient Relics, possessing a trace of spirituality, barely qualifying as a "Magic Treasure," suitable for practicing Controlling Objects. Shen Qing did not rush, instead sitting cross-legged to regulate his breath. He planned to continue practicing only after he felt his Primordial Spirit had fully recovered. Concentrating his mind, Shen Qing gently separated a pure strand of his Primordial Spirit. In an instant, a sensation never felt before coursed through his entire being, as if his existence had been wonderfully duplicated. At this moment, he had dual consciousness, dual vision, the two closely connected, sharing information, like twins with a linked mind. Under this peculiar dual perspective, Shen Qing intended to wield the dagger hanging at his waist. He thought of something and stepped forward to draw the dagger, placing it horizontally in front of him. Immediately, a clear clang, a flash of cold light, the Treasure Blade was lightly lifted, leisurely floating in front of Shen Qing''s body. The blade tip trembled slightly, emitting a faint cold glow that reflected his gaze. In the physical body''s perspective, the blade seemed to rise from nothing, without any external force. In the view of the Primordial Spirit, he was holding the Treasure Blade in front of him. The drastically different perspectives gave Shen Qing an incredibly unique sensory experience. Shen Qing thought again, wanting to have the blade circle around him. The blade''s light shifted, its trajectory lively, the Treasure Blade indeed adhering to his will, nimbly moving around him, skimming past his back or circling his neck, each motion precise and flawless, as if it were a living thing, an awe-inspiring sight. At this moment, Shen Qing suddenly realized, understanding that Controlling Objects involved using a strand of one''s Primordial Spirit to maneuver objects. The Primordial Spirit being light, consequently made the Controlling Objects swift. Furthermore, because when maneuvering objects with the Primordial Spirit, if not deliberately manifesting, its formless and intangible nature made it difficult for even adept cultivators to discern its mysteries; they could only witness the object seemingly lifted by an unseen force, moving on its own, assuming it to be artifact manipulation. "So, this is how it is." Experiencing once through the mysterious means perceived by others at the Primordial Spirit Realm, Shen Qing found it to be just as simple. Seeing there was still some strength left, Shen Qing continued with another round of attempts. He stretched out his hand, lightly touching the Treasure Blade that had accompanied him for years with his fingertip. With a thought, a flick of the finger, the Treasure Blade rose into the air, entwined by a strand of the Primordial Spirit, drawing away from its previous place. Initially, everything seemed under his control, the Treasure Blade darting lightly, traversing across the void. But as the distance gradually increased, Shen Qing''s expression grew solemn. He felt that the Treasure Blade in his hand seemed to be pulled by some invisible force, becoming increasingly heavy, until the blade felt as if pressed by a mountain, unbearably heavy, and he could no longer "hold" it. ``` Chapter 12 Primordial Spirit Realm, Controlling Objects, Xue Zhao Returns to the Capital_2 "Thud," a sound fell to the ground.Shen Qing frowned, as if realizing something. The blade was still the same one. It wasn''t that the blade had become heavier; it was just that the power of his Primordial Spirit weakened with the extension of the distance. He wasn''t discouraged and continued to try. Thud. Thud. Thud. ... After countless attempts, Shen Qing finally concluded that the current limit of his Primordial Spirit''s object-taming technique was within the five-meter radius. Within five meters, he could control the Treasure Blade; beyond five meters, he could only look on in despair. Shen Qing felt that this range was a bit small, somewhat dissatisfied, he couldn''t help but long for the Kongyou Realm where swords could slash enemies from a thousand miles away and travel freely in all directions. In reality, what he didn''t know was that other martial masters in the Primordial Spirit Realm would take at least three to five years to reach this five-meter distance, whereas he attained such a level on the first day after breaking through, which was already quite astonishing. Suddenly, Shen Qing noticed something unusual coming from his bosom. It was Xiao Hu sending a message. Shen Qing reached out and took the Spirit Communication Mirror, examining it in front of him. Under his gaze, a few words appeared on the mirror''s surface: "Xue Zhao returns to the capital today." Looking at these words, Shen Qing''s expression involuntarily became solemn. He didn''t expect Xue Zhao to return to the capital so soon. For certain reasons, he had killed two of Xue Zhao''s sons. People like Xue Zhao, experienced in battle and killing countless, at this moment, surely had an uncontrollable desire to kill him. Although there was the awe of imperial power in the capital, the Xue family was also a prestigious family there, with considerable influence. If they truly wanted to kill him, they would find a way. Considering it, it had already been more than a month; his aunt and them should have arrived near the capital. He needed to pick them up and avoid bringing them into the capital for the time being, lest the Xue family uses them to write an article, putting him on the defensive. Better wait until the situation stabilizes before taking action. Time was of the essence, after thinking it through, Shen Qing casually waved his hand, removing the formation. With a cracking sound around him, the disposable array flags he brought turned to dust under the Spiritual Power and dissipated with the wind. Shen Qing walked out of the abandoned temple, soared into the sky, transforming into a Rainbow Light and disappearing into the horizon. ... Under the Danzhou City Wall, as the smoke of gunpowder gradually dissipated, a scene of devastation remained. After capturing the city, Xue Zhao''s army, following ancient custom, allowed the soldiers to raid for three days, ending today. In the depth of the main tent, General Xue Zhao sat solemnly before the desk, surrounded by a strong Evil Qi. This was the result of his long experience in battle and excessive killing. At the moment, he was meticulously arranging the details of the garrison and withdrawal. No one knew how much time had passed, but Xue Zhao finally decided on the matter of returning to the capital. At this time, the tent''s curtain lightly lifted, and a young man silently entered, holding a heavy scroll in his hand as he quickly walked over. This person was Xue Manzi, a trusted confidant of Xue Zhao within the family, brought into the army by him and accumulated significant merit. "Sir, these are all the intelligence regarding Shen Qing." "Bring it over." "Yes." The detailed information about Shen Qing, meticulously sorted, was spread out in front of Xue Zhao by Xue Manzi. Xue Zhao''s gaze slowly swept over those words: Shen Qing, Southern Chief of the Capital Military Department, personally appointed by Your Majesty, with free access to the Imperial Armory, valued by Lan Gongliang... This information, like a cold wind, inadvertently rippled the calm lake in Xue Zhao''s heart. "Shen Qing...this boy..." Xue Zhao softly uttered the name, a complex expression appeared on his face, his eyes reflecting both scrutiny and contemplation: "To earn such trust from Your Majesty, he must not be spared." A scene of Lan Gongliang stopping him flashed in his mind, igniting a trace of anger in his heart. Now, Shen Qing had already gained some reputation, it would not be so easy to eradicate him. Especially with the attention of Ji Zikong, moving against him under the Capital''s presence would be even harder. He needed to find a way to lure him out, away from the Capital, and then deal with him quietly. Last time, Lan Gongliang intervened; this time, if the boy was alone, he could crush him effortlessly. Xue Manzi, hearing this, stood beside Xue Zhao awaiting the next instruction. "Besides matters in the capital, does Shen Qing have anything else?" After a while, Xue Zhao finally asked. "There is, General." As he spoke, Xue Manzi respectfully clutched his fists and said: "I have already investigated thoroughly. Shen Qing was born in Taiping County, a hunter, his parents passed one after another when he was about ten, relying on his elder sister for survival. With the aid of his uncle Shen Er, the siblings lived in the village, later moved to the city to learn martial arts, and somehow obtained appointment documents to enter Yongzhou as an officer. Along the way, he excelled in slaying demons, gaining recognition." "When eliminating a Huangtian Sect traitor, he rendered considerable service, thus being appointed as Chief Officer of both departments, until he participated in a rebel suppression meeting where he killed Young Master Xue Bai, by chance winning the top honor, and returned to the capital." Xue Manzi recited all the information he had gathered about Shen Qing in one breath. "He''s truly a talent; it would be a pity not to kill him," Xue Zhao sincerely remarked and asked: "You mentioned he has family, where are they now?" "I have also checked, General. They left Yongzhou heading to the capital and are now near the capital." Hearing this, Xue Zhao''s eyes brightened, having found a breakthrough, he said: "Just what I needed, they have brought me a reason to draw him out of the capital." "In that case, I won''t hold back." Xue Zhao donned his armor and stood up, patting Xue Manzi on the shoulder, reminding: "The final wrap-up here is yours to oversee." "I obey, sir." After giving orders, Xue Zhao no longer lingered; he tapped his toe, Rainbow Light emerged, enveloping him as he shot out of the tent, racing towards the direction of the capital. ... S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Outside the capital, southwest direction, on the official road eighty miles from the city wall, a convoy of carriages leisurely advanced. At the front of the procession, a banner bearing the "Shen" character swayed in the breeze atop a simply decorated carriage. Inside the carriage, Aunt Wang gently lifted a corner of the carved wooden window, poked her head out, and tiredly asked: "Xiao Hu, can you estimate how far we are from the capital?" Tian Xiaohu, riding a horse, looked back, then rode the horse alongside the carriage, leaning over from the saddle, he said: "Aunt, I asked Yang just now, he said at this speed, we can reach in one or two days at most. Traveling with family and many belongings naturally slows us down. If we traveled light, we could arrive in a day." "Oh." Hearing this, Aunt Wang gently replied, then lowered the curtain, her hand rubbing her sore waist. The long journey had taken its toll on her aging body, her eyes reflecting a trace of helplessness. "Auntie, let me give you a massage." In the carriage, the considerate elder sister Shen Fang volunteered to help Wang with her back. Outside the carriage, Shen Er and Shen Shan, father and son, glanced inside silently. At this moment, someone in the convoy suddenly pointed to the sky, exclaiming excitedly: "Look! There''s a Rainbow Light!" Upon hearing this, everyone raised their heads, looking in the direction he pointed, towards the vast blue sky. They saw a brilliant streak of Rainbow Light cross the sky, rapidly approaching, its speed astonishing. "There seems to be someone in the Rainbow Light!" someone exclaimed, their voice tinged with disbelief. "That person... seems to be heading toward us!" another shouted in amazement. No sooner had the words left his mouth, that Rainbow Light landed right in front of their convoy. "Whoa!!!" Everyone reined their horses to a stop, their eyes locked on that Rainbow Light, filled with vigilance. They saw the Rainbow Light fade, revealing the figure of a middle-aged man fully armored. "Everyone, show your weapons." Clang. People in the convoy unhesitatingly drew their blades, ready for battle. Chapter 13 A Threat from the Primordial Spirit Realm, Fight! ```"I am Yang Feng. I wonder what you intend to do by blocking our path?" Yang Feng, the head of the caravan, rode to the front and said with hands cupped in respect. They were part of Wu Sheng''s trading caravan, traveling between the Capital City and Yongzhou frequently. This time, as the Shen Family was relocating collectively to the Capital City, their group of fifteen people received secret orders to participate in the escort. Yang Feng could see that the armored middle-aged man in front of him could control the rainbow light, indicating his cultivation was at least at the level of an Innate Martial Master. They were no match for him. Instantly, Yang Feng''s heart was in his throat, and he tightly gripped his sword, not daring to breathe. Even so, they did not retreat. They all knew that after Shen Qing entered the Capital City, he advanced rapidly, with unlimited prospects. If they could connect with him through this, it would be greatly beneficial to them. Therefore, they had been extremely diligent and serious throughout this journey. Xue Zhao glanced at Yang Feng without much concern. He looked beyond Yang Feng, his gaze landing on the Shen Character Flag behind him, and asked with a smile, "Are Shen Qing''s family among you?" Yang Feng''s eyebrows twitched, immediately feeling a bad premonition, and he opened his mouth to say something to mislead. However, before he could utter a single word, a powerful and unmatched aura erupted from the middle-aged man in front of him, like a mountain flood, unstoppable. S§×ar?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Yang Feng''s clothes billowed in the wind, making a flapping sound like a flag snapping in the breeze. The horse under him sensed the terrifying pressure, its eyes showing fear as it nervously backed away, instinctively wishing to flee. Had Yang Feng not tightly pulled the reins, it would have already bolted. Witnessing this, Yang Feng looked at Xue Zhao again, his expression slightly shifting, his throat dry. He had seen the stature of an Innate Martial Master before, and the power displayed by this middle-aged man was much stronger than the Innate Realm; his cultivation was definitely above it. While Yang Feng and others were still speculating, Xue Zhao spoke to Yang Feng with a faint smile, saying, "I advise you to tell the truth, otherwise if you deceive me twice, I can''t guarantee I won''t lose my temper and go on a killing spree." Xue Zhao''s threat carried a chilling murderous intent, causing everyone, including Yang Feng, to shiver. "I''ll ask you again, are Shen Qing''s family among you?" Intense fear surged from the depths of Yang Feng''s heart, completely overwhelming his reason and sense of responsibility. He hesitantly uttered, "Yes..." "Very well." Xue Zhao was very satisfied with Yang Feng''s response. He walked forward, speaking as he went. Faced with the extremely powerful Xue Zhao, everyone in the caravan showed fear. This oppressive feeling was like a cloud hanging low, making it hard for anyone to breathe. Many subconsciously made way for Xue Zhao. A martial master from the caravan, unable to watch any longer, showed some disdain for Yang Feng and the others'' actions. He stepped forward without fear, standing in front of Xue Zhao and solemnly shouted, "Stop! We have no grievances with you. Leave at once, or else our employer will not spare you." Upon hearing this, Xue Zhao glanced forward. His face remained calm and collected, without a hint of anger. The martial master standing in front of Xue Zhao caught a glimpse of deep indifference in Xue Zhao''s eyes. His actions seemed laughable to Xue Zhao, like an ant trying to stop a carriage. The martial master felt a surge of hot blood rushing to his head. He drew his sword and shouted, "We are all raised by parents. Who the hell do you think you are? Lord Shen has been kind to us; how can we stand by and let his family fall into this villain''s hands? Attack!" Clamping his steed, he charged forward, sword in hand. Swish! As the martial master charged at Xue Zhao, his sword hadn''t even come down when a cold gleam flashed, and he, along with his mount, was bisected without a sound. Glancing at the unsightly corpses on either side, Xue Zhao coldly remarked, "The courage to seek death is commendable!" A faint smile finally appeared on Xue Zhao''s face. He continued forward, extending his hand to point. Instantly, a wagon in the caravan was torn apart, revealing its contents. "Ah!" Aunt Wang screamed in panic and disarray. Shen Fang and the others were equally terrified. Tian Xiaohu and others gritted their teeth and stood guard by the carriage, cold sweat seeping from their backs in layers. Xue Zhao, upon seeing the few people in the carriage resembling Shen Qing somewhat, knew he had found the right people and nodded in satisfaction. Uncle Shen the Second, steeling himself, looked at Xue Zhao and hesitantly asked, "This lord, we''re strangers. Where have we offended you? I hope you''ll speak clearly. There might be a misunderstanding?" Even if it''s a misunderstanding, so what? It''s just mistakenly killing a few ants, after all. Once they''re dead, they''re mistaken. Better to kill the wrong than to let go! As soon as the words fell, Xue Zhao gently flicked his sleeve. Instantly, the martial masters standing in his way were swept away like leaves in the wind, spewing blood, their bodies flying backward and crashing heavily to the ground. They struggled to stand, but it was in vain. Their bodies trembled, their breaths faint, as if even breathing became exceptionally arduous. Amidst all the astonished gazes, they finally gasped their last breaths, becoming nothing more than corpses. By then, no one in the caravan dared to make a sound. The gap was too great. They stood no chance whatsoever. Tian Xiaohu''s face was pale, beads of sweat uncontrollably streaming down his face, collecting at his chin before dripping to the ground with a faint plop. Closer, closer! Tian Xiaohu watched as Xue Zhao approached leisurely, feeling his heart sink to rock bottom. Was this the end? No, he couldn''t just surrender. How could he face Qingzi after all his guidance? Tian Xiaohu shouted, "Run!" With that, he charged forward, intending to use his body to delay Xue Zhao even a little. "Courting death!" At this critical moment, the sky suddenly cracked open with a brilliant fissure. A golden light streaked down like a meteor slicing through the night sky, transforming into a golden arrow that resembled a spear from the heavens, charging toward Xue Zhao''s position. Xue Zhao''s heart shivered as he sensed a terrifying pressure. Daring not to be careless, his figure instantly became a blur, retreating hundreds of meters, trying to evade the arrow''s lock. Unexpectedly, the golden arrow seemed to possess a spiritual essence, ignoring spatial distance, tightly locking onto Xue Zhao''s aura, closely following him. No matter how much effort he exerted, he could not shake off its pursuit. The arrow traversed the void, swift as lightning, appearing before Xue Zhao in an instant, bringing with it a gust of fierce wind that sent shivers through him. Xue Zhao''s expression changed as he hastily gathered all his spiritual power to form an indestructible blue shield, attempting to block it. A deafening boom resounded, shaking heaven and earth! The golden arrow and the spiritual shield collided, unleashing a dazzling light as bright as the noon sun, illuminating the entire area. The massive shock wave swept through the surrounding caravan like a hurricane, overturning people and horses, raising dust, creating a scene of chaos. "Who dares to launch a sneak attack?!" Xue Zhao''s face turned ashen, his angry shout echoing through the heavens and earth, sensing a terrifying pressure from the arrow, suspecting the opponent wasn''t lower than him in cultivation. No one on the scene answered. Just as he was about to ascend, the opponent responded. Xue Zhao''s eyes widened suddenly. In the distant sky, a dense rain of golden arrows appeared, covering the sky, completely enveloping the area where Xue Zhao stood. Each arrow was like falling stars from the heavens. Boom! The mountains and rivers trembled as the golden arrows rained down like drops. The world shook as the sun-like brilliance slowly rose from Xue Zhao''s position, rumbling. When the last trace of light faded, Xue Zhao''s figure gradually emerged. Having endured a wave of arrow rain, he appeared disheveled, his hair draping down, armor tattered, with numerous bloody wounds exposed. His sharp eyes remained fixated on the eastern sky, where a radiant rainbow light rapidly approached. That familiar figure, if not Shen Qing, who else could it be? A trace of disbelief flashed in Xue Zhao''s eyes, then he laughed, "Good, good, good. I originally planned to use these people to lure you out of the Capital City, but you came out yourself, saving me a lot of trouble." Xue Zhao suddenly soared up like a dragon out of the sea, majestic. His Primordial Spirit concentrated highly, resonating with the heavens and earth, as the scabbard at his waist gently flicked, a long sword containing infinite icy power appeared out of thin air, blue light shimmering, instantly extending to nearly a hundred meters. "Slash!" With a cry, the long sword in front of Xue Zhao cut down like a river of stars from the sky, with fierce murderous intent and ultimate pressure aimed at Shen Qing''s location, slashing down fiercely. Shen Qing''s complexion changed at the sight, a trace of gravity flashing in his eyes. The fierce wind rushed toward him, even before it reached him, he had already sensed the immense power contained within the strike. If hit, regardless of his Six Paths Reincarnation Technique''s powerful physique, it certainly wouldn''t end well. Shen Qing dared not be careless. Controlling the rainbow light, he employed the Great Void Shifting Technique, his figure twisting and folding in the void like a ghost, crossing dozens of meters in an instant, deftly avoiding the strike capable of splitting mountains. The long sword howled down with world-destroying momentum, crashing onto a towering mountain top. Boom... A flash of blue light, splitting the mountaintop with tremendous force, bisecting it, causing the peak to collapse loudly, turning into countless rocks tumbling down, stirring up dust, covering the sun. The entire mountain crumbled into ruins. Shen Qing stood silently, witnessing this. Is this the true power of the Primordial Spirit Realm? No wonder Xue Zhao could stand as an army''s general, his power probably matching thousands of troops. Truly a family with roots, unlike any local tyrant. "Hmm?" Seeing Shen Qing avoid his sword, a hint of surprise flashed in Xue Zhao''s eyes. But the surprise quickly vanished. He stepped forward, hands tightly grasping the long sword, rushing towards Shen Qing with a roar, "Boy, give my son back his life, pay your blood debt today!" A thousand-meter distance was but a step to him. Shen Qing, seeing this, unsheathed his treasured sword, holding it across his chest. Bang! The two swords collided. At that moment, their spiritual energies surged like raging waves, scattering waves that twisted and shattered the surrounding forest. Shen Qing felt a mountain-crushing force surging through his arm, threatening to shatter his bones and meridians. His gaze sharp, his sacred blood boiling, flowing like golden molten iron, granting him unprecedented resilience and power, fiercely resisting Xue Zhao''s terrifying attack. This scene amazed Xue Zhao. The sword in his hand was forged from blood-shadow steel discovered by the Xue Family, cutting iron like mud, perfectly harmonizing with the Primordial Spirit. Now, this supreme weapon was blocked by Shen Qing''s ancient long sword. Even more incredible was Shen Qing''s stand, bearing such immense pressure without yielding a step. In the last encounter, Shen Qing was merely a Void Martial Master, easily crushed under Xue Zhao. Could it be that... Shen Qing advanced to the Primordial Spirit Realm in this short span?!! For a moment, great waves surged in Xue Zhao''s heart. If true, it was too terrifying. Impossible, absolutely impossible. Xue Zhao refused to accept such a fact. Although his strike didn''t kill Shen Qing, his eyes burned fiercer, like two flames. Raising both arms high, he sent the long sword whistling forward like a dragon out of the sea, slashing in succession. Each strike carried mountain-splitting force, crazily chopping downward. "Boom, boom, boom!!" The air burst into deafening roars under the barrage, slicing the surrounding air into tatters with fierce murderous intent like a storm. Shen Qing''s embroidered robe shredded under the force, revealing his skin underneath. Swords clashed, and the battle between the two grew even fiercer, exchanging blows endlessly, each clash sending visible ripples of impact waves. Suddenly, a muffled "swish" sounded. Shen Qing couldn''t dodge, taking a blow. His skin, hard as iron, was easily cut like paper, blood spurting out, staining his clothes, the wound terribly gaping. Yet Shen Qing didn''t panic. Using the Great Void Shifting Technique, he distanced from Xue Zhao, taking a deep breath, closing his eyes, concentrating as the Six Paths Reincarnation Technique activated within him. Instantly, his wounds shimmered with lustrous light, golden radiance spreading, exuding sacred aura. Under the glow, the frightening wounds began healing visibly, new flesh sprouting, quickly restoring as if never harmed. Xue Zhao, being a prominent general, had sharp insight and recognized Shen Qing''s skill as an exceptional divine technique at a glance. Considering Shen Qing''s recent rumors of frequent royal armory visits, perhaps he gained considerable fortune from the armory. If such a skill was obtained by him, it would certainly augment the Xue family, offsetting the loss of his child. Xue Zhao''s heart burned with intent to claim this divine skill, looking down arrogantly, "Your technique is impressive. Hand it over, and I might grant you a dignified death. What say you?" ``` Chapter 14 Are You Also in the Primordial Spirit Realm? Xue Zhao Falls ```"What if I''m not willing?" Shen Qing said calmly. "Then you will die!" As Xue Zhao''s words fell, a brilliant spiritual light suddenly erupted around him, dazzling like the rising sun. At this moment, a wave surged behind him, and a blue Dharma Image, forged by his Primordial Spirit, appeared, wielding the might of a tsunami, and struck towards Shen Qing with a thunderous punch. The fist shadow was enormous, like a bull, carrying immense power and sealing off all of Shen Qing''s escape routes. Facing this terrifying attack, Shen Qing did not retreat. A fierce cold light gathered in his eyes, and his hands moved rapidly, forming seals like phantoms. As he continuously formed seals with his hands, the spiritual energy in his vicinity boiled. The clear sky above suddenly lit up with lightning and thunder. Golden lightning bolts appeared out of nowhere under the sky, appearing extremely abrupt. Under Shen Qing''s gaze, these golden lightning bolts condensed into an ancient Thunder and Light Seal. Lightning danced across it, and the roaring sound was deafening, directly confronting Xue Zhao''s unstoppable Fist Seal. With a loud explosion, the world changed color, and an unprecedented energy storm swept in all directions, its radiance dazzling. The Eight Desolate Annihilation Seal was fully unleashed by Shen Qing at this moment. Rumble! Xue Zhao felt his Primordial Spirit tremble violently, as if struck by lightning. He was astonished to find that the arm of his Dharma Image, condensed from a wisp of Primordial Spirit, dissipated like dust under Shen Qing''s "Seal Technique," leaving only a shocking ruin. S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The Dharma Image''s arm fell into complete numbness, losing all sensation. "Hmm? What Martial Arts is this?" Xue Zhao''s face was filled with astonishment. Today, Shen Qing continuously gave him great surprises and shocks. He clearly saw that this seal technique was also a supreme Martial Art. Could such an achievement really be possible in such a short period in the Imperial Armory? Absolutely impossible. No matter how miraculous and easy to learn an Immortal Martial Technique is, it cannot be mastered overnight. Immortal Martial Techniques are not Demon Skills. Could it be that these techniques were learned before entering the Imperial Armory? The more Xue Zhao thought about it, the more alarmed he became. The reason for Shen Qing''s rapid cultivation advancement might be attributed to these techniques. But how could someone from a humble background, like a hunter, possess such Martial Arts? There''s definitely something peculiar about him, and he likely has some great fortune. When Xue Zhao looked at Shen Qing again, his eyes were filled with greed. He was eager to uncover all of Shen Qing''s secrets. Xue Zhao snorted coldly, closed his eyes to focus, and wisps of deep and pure blue light leisurely emanated from his body, like spiritual snakes exiting their holes, gathering into the towering Dharma Image behind him. Powerful Primordial Spirit waves spread out in layers of blue ripples. The Dharma Image, with one arm lost due to the Thunder Seal, miraculously revived under the nourishment of these Primordial Spirit wisps. At the broken section, a faint blue light emerged, and the obliterated Dharma Image arm actually regenerated at a speed visible to the naked eye, restored completely within just a few breaths. A faint pressure pervaded the air, causing Shen Qing''s expression to turn serious. With a sudden press of his hands, Xue Zhao''s several zhang-high Dharma Image, carrying an unstoppable momentum, descended upon Shen Qing like a collapsing sky. The Dharma Image held immense power, even the void crackled as it passed. Just as the Dharma Image reached Shen Qing''s doorstep, Xue Zhao clasped his hands suddenly: "Ha!" Poof. The blue Dharma Image Xue Zhao conjured shattered abruptly, as if a mother cradling her infant, tightly wrapping Shen Qing within it. The next moment, the Dharma Image began to shrink rapidly, its light converging, transforming into a round bead with a deep blue glow, imprisoning Shen Qing firmly within it. "This is my self-created Dharma Cage, no matter how vast your Divine Skills, don''t expect to escape from this absolute space..." Xue Zhao''s words carried undeniable confidence. However, before he could finish, an abrupt change occurred. On the blue orb, golden cracks suddenly appeared. The cracks spread quickly, their golden light dazzling, contrasting sharply with the orb''s glow. Bang! With a deafening roar, the Blue Orb shattered, turning into scattered blue light, vanishing without a trace. The golden light erupted like a volcanic eruption, ripping the surrounding space to shreds. Shen Qing''s silhouette, in this brilliant golden light, appeared as if reborn from flames, soaring into the Nine Heavens. Xue Zhao''s face changed drastically, as a surge of indescribable power struck back, overwhelming him like massive waves. His body staggered, as if hit by a heavy hammer, his mind dazed, he stumbled back, barely able to stand. The wisp of Primordial Spirit he had sent out was completely destroyed the moment the blue orb shattered, the intense pain connecting back to his own body, causing a backlash. His face instantly turned as pale as paper, a trickle of blood even seeped out from the corner of his mouth, severely injured. Xue Zhao stared intently at Shen Qing, disbelief flooding his eyes: "Primordial Spirit Realm, you''re also in the Primordial Spirit Realm?!" Standing before the Dharma Image, Shen Qing''s lips curled up, generously admitting: "Lucky me, I managed to break through one level." Xue Zhao muttered to himself: "Those two Cultivation Techniques reached such a level in such a short time, truly unheard of, never seen Divine Skills!" "I must obtain these techniques!" Unconsciously, greed flickered strongly in his gaze. ``` Chapter 14 Are You Also in the Primordial Spirit Realm? Xue Zhao Falls_2 "Alright, then let me face you, martial master of the Primordial Spirit Realm."At this moment, Xue Zhao had long since put the death of his son behind him. Years of brutal fights had steeped his heart with intense evil qi, gradually turning his expression manic. All he wanted was to kill Shen Qing and unearth the secrets within him. In his view, Shen Qing had made progress over about a month. Even if he broke through to the Primordial Spirit Realm, it would only be the initial stage and couldn''t possibly match him. In the distant sky, a streak of gold slowly emerged, like the rising sun, warm and dazzling. That golden Dharma Image gradually gathered and expanded in the void, finally forming a majestic figure a hundred meters tall, exuding a pressure that made one''s heart tremble. "It''s my turn." "Kill!" With a thought, Shen Qing''s hands formed Dharma Seals continuously striking towards Xue Zhao. The void roared, smoke and dust arose. Xue Zhao, without fear, charged forward. Both used their Primordial Spirits as a lead, and the sky-reaching Dharma Images they condensed were like ancient deities clashing fiercely. Fist against fist, palm against palm. Continuously exchanging blows. Each move brought deafening booms, sounding like heaven and earth splitting, almost rupturing the eardrums. The powerful aura swept across like a storm, engulfing everything around. The nearby mountain peaks appeared fragile in the face of this terrifying energy, crumbling under the aftershock of their Dharma Images, shattering into flying debris, dust filling the sky. The whole world seemed shrouded by this force, becoming dark and dim. The confrontation between Xue Zhao and his opponent was like the collision of two stars. The power of a martial master in the Primordial Spirit Realm was too terrifying. In the blink of an eye, the entire battlefield was wrecked and devastated. The two were completely entangled in battle. On the ground, Yang Feng and others watched with pounding hearts. They hid in a corner, observing from afar, not daring to get too close for fear of collateral damage. By now, they had long realized Xue Zhao''s formidable background, unknowingly worrying for Shen Qing, continuously cheering for him. They also knew clearly, if Shen Qing died, their fate would be equally tragic. This had already been proven in Yongzhou. Boom, boom, boom... Under the blue sky, the thunderous sound was incessant. Anywhere the two passed, the mountains and rivers they encountered were shattered by their spiritual power and Primordial Spirit treasures. Sear?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The more Xue Zhao fought, the more astonished he became. Shen Qing only defended without attacking, his spiritual power vast like the sea, terrifyingly monstrous. Not only was the spiritual power strong, but the Primordial Spirit he condensed was also immensely solid, his physical body unbelievably powerful. After dozens of exchanges, Xue Zhao felt his soul trembling and clarity waning, unable to withstand it. This despite years of stabilizing his breakthrough to the late Primordial Spirit Realm. If compared to an ordinary Primordial Spirit Realm master, Shen Qing would have already killed them by now. Where on earth did this monster Shen Qing come from? He had initially planned to capture alive, but now it seemed utterly unrealistic. Seeing Shen Qing growing braver in battle, momentum soaring, Xue Zhao gritted his teeth and unleashed his full Primordial Spirit without reservation. Instantly, an ancient and desolate aura surged from his brow. A rusted spear slowly emerged, stained with blood, emanating a chilling killing intent. "Condense!" Xue Zhao growled, pulling out the rusted spear completely. This spear was an ancient weapon he found in a cemetery during battles, stained with a trace of ancient power''s blood, exuding murderous intent. Xue Zhao''s spiritual power boiled, like a breached river, he lightly shouted: "Kill!" The rusted spear turned into a streak of light, aiming straight at Shen Qing. Shen Qing, with keen perception, sensed tremendous danger, his hair standing on end, enveloped by an unprecedented sense of crisis. His nascent Primordial Spirit couldn''t withstand such an attack. So, in an instant, he recalled his Primordial Spirit. Sacred blood surged. Golden light shimmered on Shen Qing''s skin, exuding a holy aura. Boom! The spear shot like lightning, piercing through Shen Qing''s chest effortlessly. Golden blood splattered out. "Haha, I did it!" Seeing this, Xue Zhao shouted excitedly, laughing aloud. But before he could celebrate for long, he saw Shen Qing''s golden holy blood boiling, suppressing the spear''s fierce killing qi, restoring calm. Shen Qing gripped the spear''s handle firmly, expression unchanged, pulling it out from his chest. The Six Paths Reincarnation Technique operated continuously, erasing the residual energy in the wound, replacing it with vibrant vitality, slowly repairing the injury. Soon, the wound healed completely. Shen Qing looked down at the spear in his hand. The spear was rusted, appearing to have weathered countless years, its ancient aura almost tangible. At that moment, the spear trembled, sensing something, trying to break free, full of spirituality. However, Shen Qing wouldn''t let it do as it pleased. Shen Qing snorted coldly, his sacred blood boiling, continuously repressed the spear with holy power, preventing it from escaping. Just then, a soft sound suddenly echoed. A small three-legged cauldron uncontrollably leapt from his brow. Ancient and mysterious patterns flowed on it, identical to those on the spear. The small three-legged cauldron lightly rotated, devouring all the bloodstains on the spear. Then, the cauldron shook sharply; with a crisp cracking sound, the spear was ground to dust under it. Such unexpected changes left Xue Zhao aghast. In Shen Qing''s eyes, a sharp light flashed, seemingly realizing something, hurriedly activating the Great Shift Void Technique. The three-legged cauldron exuded waves of excitement. It crossed the void directly, rushing in front of Xue Zhao. The cauldron opened wide, countless sword energies surged like flooding rivers. These were the absolute sword energies contained in countless sword fragments within the cauldron, each strand capable of slaying innate or even spiritual void realm experts. "Ah!" Xue Zhao screamed tragically. Under this immense sword energy, moving too quickly, he had no defenses. In just a moment, his Primordial Spirit and body were riddled with holes, barely holding on. Seeing this, Shen Qing didn''t hesitate. Taking advantage of his weakness, to claim his life. Shen Qing activated the Eight Desolate Annihilation Seal within him, bombarding Xue Zhao continuously with thunderous seals. Each strike altered the world, thundering mightily. After an unknown period, the bombing gradually ceased. Xue Zhao''s screams halted suddenly as well. He was dead. The last trace of life was extinguished by Shen Qing''s Eight Desolate Annihilation Seal. Only silence remained in the world, along with the lingering metallic scent in the air. With a thought, the three-legged cauldron seemingly with its own spirit returned to Shen Qing''s brow. Everything settled. Stepping into the void, he secured a beige embroidered pouch. This was Xue Zhao''s multi-treasure pouch, which Shen Qing had keenly spotted earlier, reclaiming it for himself. "Boss!" "Qingzi!" Not far away, seeing Xue Zhao dead, Yang Feng and the others from the convoy confirmed the area was safe and all came out with Sister Shen Fang. Shen Qing smiled, quickly crossing over and caring, "Uncles, Aunt, Sister, are you all alright on the way?" Enjoy new adventures from My Virtual Library Empire "All good, all good." They looked at the messy surroundings, hearts lingering with fear. If not for Shen Qing''s presence. They would''ve surely faced doom today. Uncle Shen Er asked with concern, "Who was that big figure? Will you be alright for killing him?" Shen Qing''s face solemn for once, whispered, "This is not a place to talk, let''s go!" The battle just now was quite a commotion. Although it was in the outskirts of the capital, several miles away, you never know if some purposeful eyes had seen it. To avoid unnecessary trouble, it''s best to leave soon. After all, killing the ruling Grand General, head of the Xue family, wouldn''t be a trivial matter in any sense. Chapter 15 Winds Stir, Unrest in Huang Tian Sect ```After a moment. A dozen members of the Mountain Sea Department, the Military Department, and the Qintian Bureau rushed to the edge of the ruins. They stood on a hill and looked into the distance. The land was in chaos as if overturned, mountains collapsed, rivers stopped flowing, causing them all to gasp involuntarily. "What on earth happened here? Did any of you notice anything beforehand?" a dispatch officer of the Mountain Sea Department asked gravely, his brows furrowed, revealing a trace of solemnity. The others shook their heads and said, "We also just noticed the change here and came over immediately." "There''s no time to lose, let''s go take a look." Everyone quickly rushed towards the core of the ruins. What they didn''t expect was that before they even got close, they detected a powerful presence lingering in the ruins, with a faint trace of ancient killing intent. These auras mixed together, piercing through their Protective True Qi like ten thousand tiny needles, causing their skin to sting and their hearts to feel uneasy, like being pricked by needles. The Chief Officer of the Mountain Sea Department questioned, "Could it be that demons have attacked the Capital? Is this left by great demons?" "Impossible, we''ve been patrolling the Capital consistently, and nothing has been missed in the Capital Region. If there were demons, they couldn''t escape our patrols." "That''s strange." The official from the Qintian Bureau stepped forward, circulated his Spiritual Power, captured a wisp of the aura, and closed his eyes to carefully sense it. After a while, he immediately made a judgment and exclaimed, "Primordial Spirit Realm! This is the aura of the Primordial Spirit Realm." "A Great Power of the Primordial Spirit Realm engaged in a fierce battle here, and only beings of their caliber could leave an aura that wouldn''t dissipate in a short time." "This aura feels somewhat familiar..." These people had practiced martial arts for many years and already possessed keen senses. Discover hidden tales at My Virtual Library Empire The Chief Officer of the Mountain Sea Department activated his Spiritual Power, a pale light falling onto the void, making a sizzling sound as it tangled and erased a lingering aura. He carefully comprehended it, and after a while, as if recalling something, he suddenly gasped. "It''s General Xue! His vitality was obliterated by someone else." "Quick, this matter is of great consequence, we must report to Your Majesty immediately!" a dispatch officer of the Military Department shouted loudly. After so many years, someone dared to commit murder near the Capital, and even killed the Great General of the court, making it unbelievable for them. They could foresee what kind of turbulence would follow. ... In the Capital. Shen Qing led his uncle and aunt around a small path and safely returned to his residence in the Capital. "Uncle, Aunt, please look." Shen Qing pointed to the magnificent mansion in front of them and said, "This is my house in the Capital City, and from now on, it will be your home. I will arrange all the servants and staff properly, so you can stay here with peace of mind." Uncle Shen the Second stepped forward, looking at the carved door and the large characters "Shen Mansion," with emotion he said, "The Capital, indeed extraordinary under Heaven''s feet. We, a family of hunters, actually have the fortune to enjoy our remaining years here; it''s like a dream to have such good fortune." "Wonderful, wonderful... Qingzi, you truly have achieved something!" Those who accompanied Shen Qing all the way felt a mix of emotions upon hearing these words. They recalled the days living in Hongshan Village, and thinking about the present, it all felt somewhat incredible. Yang Feng and others in the convoy stood aside and said respectfully, "Lord Shen, we have escorted you from Yongzhou to here as instructed by you, now we need to report to Brother Wu, farewell." Shen Qing smiled and said, "Everyone, you''ve worked hard. Once I''ve settled my family, there will be a generous reward. I will also make sure those brothers who met with misfortune are quickly compensated." "Thank you, my lord." Yang Feng and the others cupped their hands and did not linger in front of Shen Qing. Shortly after they left, a distant bell sound echoed from the sky above the Capital. "This is... the Imperial Bell!" Shen Qing''s expression changed slightly. The Imperial Bell is a Magic Treasure of The Ji Family of Dazhou, struck whenever a major event occurs. The bell''s sound would echo throughout the entire Capital. After tolling three times, any officials not returning to their government offices or respective positions would be executed without exception. Shen Qing did not know why the Imperial Bell was rung at this time. Could it be that his act of slaying Xue Zhao had been discovered? Shen Qing was uncertain. But given his cautiousness at the time, it shouldn''t have been that easily discovered. Moreover, his breakthrough to the Primordial Spirit Realm was outside the city, so no one would associate it with him. S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The second bell tolled. Shen Qing knew he couldn''t delay any longer. After settling his uncle and aunt, he changed into a clean official uniform and made his way towards the Military Department Office. Upon arriving at the Military Department Office, it was already bustling with people inside. Shen Qing did not linger at the first courtyard and went directly to the third courtyard. At this time, Wei Chengye, Zeng Weifeng, Zhao Lengyan, and Yang Henshan, the four Chief Officers, had all arrived. They sat around an old round table, whispering and discussing some major event. Shen Qing gently pushed the door open and entered the room. He glanced at everyone and said, "Gentlemen, I''m not late, am I?" "You came just in time, have a seat," Wei Chengye indicated the empty spot beside him. Shen Qing didn''t stand on ceremony, moved forward, and picked up a chair to sit down. Curiously, he asked, "May I know for what purpose the palace has urgently summoned us this time?" Zeng Weifeng raised his head and said with a heavy tone, "Today, Lord Xue Zhao''s body was found in the outskirts of the city, this matter has alarmed the court, and His Majesty is furious!" ``` Chapter 15 Winds Stir, Unrest in Huang Tian Sect_2 "Ah, is there really such a thing?!" Shen Qing''s face was filled with shock as he exclaimed, "I remember Lord Xue was a martial master of the Primordial Spirit Realm, didn''t he return victorious? How could he just die out of nowhere?"Yang Henshan took over the conversation, saying, "Who knows? Lord Xue''s cultivation was unfathomable, yet he was killed just like that, it''s truly baffling. It''s practically a slap to Your Majesty''s face." "Lord Lan has already entered the palace to meet with His Majesty. The days we have ahead will surely be tough." ... Wanshou Palace. The main door was wide open, sunshine streaming in, illuminating a solemn and grave scene. Officials from the Internal Affairs Department, Military Department, and Mountain Sea Department were urgently summoned here. Each of them bowed their heads in silence, intensifying the oppressive atmosphere in the grand hall. At the front, Ji Zikong, donned in a dragon robe, sat regally on the high dragon throne, an undeniable authority emanating from his brows. His gaze was sharp as he scanned the ministers below, and once everyone was present, he slowly spoke, his voice tinged with suppressed anger, "Beloved ministers, I''ve just received word that Xue Zhao, a key minister of the court, was viciously murdered just outside the Capital, right under my nose. What do you make of this?" "Military Department?" Lan Gongliang stepped forward and said, "Your humble servant is here!" "Any leads?" "Your humble servant... Your humble servant just found out." "Mountain Sea Department, Internal Affairs Department? You were responsible for General Xue''s return to the Capital." "Your humble servant deserves death ten thousand times, I beg Your Majesty for forgiveness!" As the head of the Internal Affairs Department, Chief Eunuch He Yong prostrated on the ground, trembling as he spoke. Following him, Mountain Sea Department Chief Ji Hong also knelt down and pleaded, "Your humble servant deserves death ten thousand times, I beg Your Majesty for forgiveness!" "Hmph! Forgiveness, forgiveness¡­ If everything could be forgiven, what use do I have for you ministers?" Ji Zikong''s face turned livid upon hearing this, his displeasure clear. Suddenly, his imposing aura as the foremost martial hero in the world erupted like a raging storm through the entire grand hall. His control over his power was astounding, not a hint leaked into the surroundings, it was all focused on Ji Hong, Lan Gongliang, and He Yong. This aura felt substantial, heavy as a thousand pounds. Under the pressure of this aura, Ji Hong and the others felt as if a giant mountain was crushing them, making it hard to breathe. He gritted his teeth, exerting all his strength to straighten his back, but his body trembled uncontrollably. Meanwhile, cracks and pops of bones breaking echoed throughout the grand hall. Overwhelmed by Ji Zikong''s aura, Ji Hong and the others felt their bones beginning to fracture. "Investigate for me, at all costs. I want you to provide me a satisfactory answer in the shortest time possible!" The three, drenched in sweat, kowtowed repeatedly, "Your humble servants obey." Ji Zikong withdrew his aura, allowing the three to feel relieved. They immediately adjusted their breathing to heal their internal injuries. In the following days, news of Xue Zhao''s death quickly spread throughout the Capital, causing an uproar. The Military Department, Mountain Sea Department, and the Internal Affairs Department, the three most powerful departments of the Great Zhou, launched a joint operation, turning the Capital Region and its surroundings upside down. As for Shen Qing, the instigator, he was also forced into this storm, leading a group of dispatch officers daily for patrol and catching the real culprit. However, it was destined to be fruitless. After a day of half-hearted efforts, Shen Qing returned to the government office as usual. He hadn''t even gotten comfortable in the Military Department Office when he saw Ji Bochu, the head of the Royal Armory, coming to find him. "Lord Shen." As soon as he entered, Ji Bochu greeted him with a smile, like a smiling Buddha. Shen Qing was somewhat surprised and quickly stood up, clasping his hands in salute, "What brings you here today, Lord Ji? Is there something you need from me?" "Can''t I just come to see you without any reason?" Ji Bochu chuckled. Shen Qing said, "You''re joking, sir. Please, have a seat." Ji Bochu glanced at Shen Qing, noticing his restrained aura and natural presence, clearly indicating an improvement in cultivation, leaving him astonished. He started a conversation box, saying, "Lord Shen, you haven''t visited the Royal Armory for some time, have you? Been busy lately?" Shen Qing let out a long sigh and said thoughtfully, "Lord Ji, you know about the recent events in the Capital. Since His Majesty has issued an edict, we cannot slack off." sea??h th§× Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Ji Bochu nodded in agreement, saying, "It''s indeed a huge matter. There''s nothing you can do. However, I do have some good news for you." "Oh, what good news is that, my lord?" "Recently, His Majesty has gathered another batch of martial arts from across the world, and we are about to organize them. All departments are as busy as headless flies, and I couldn''t find manpower to assist, so I came to request your aid, Lord Shen." Shen Qing said, "Lord Ji, I also have numerous tasks at hand and might be hard-pressed to help." "Ah, Lord Shen, there''s no need to worry. You have the Cuilin Order from His Majesty. As long as you agree, I''ll mention it to His Majesty. At your age, it''s the perfect time for cultivation. If you keep burying yourself in these trivial matters, isn''t it a pity?" "If you come to my place, all you need to do is keep an eye on the fifth floor, and in your spare time, you can use the Spiritual Eye for cultivation." "Moreover, it''s a rare opportunity to make an appearance in front of His Majesty. Even if you gain just a little insight, it''ll benefit you for a lifetime. Don''t you think so?" Upon hearing Ji Bochu''s words, Shen Qing couldn''t help but feel wary for some reason. There are no free lunches in the world. Even if there were, he wouldn''t believe it would fall to him. After a moment''s hesitation, Shen Qing said, "Isn''t that a bit inappropriate?" "What''s inappropriate? If one doesn''t act for oneself, heaven and earth will destroy them." Shen Qing fell into silence. He subtly eyed Ji Bochu, unsure of what trick was up his sleeve. While Shen Qing was amidst his wild speculations, he sensed a slight warmth in front of his chest. It was the Spirit Communication Seal. A message came from Xiao Hu''s side. Shen Qing excused himself, "Lord Ji, please sit for a moment. I need to handle a personal matter, I''ll be right back." Ji Bochu, unperturbed, said, "Lord Shen, go ahead." Seeing Shen Qing leave, a sly glint flashed in Ji Bochu''s eyes. To him, when such a good opportunity falls in his lap, no one could refuse it. Discover hidden content at My Virtual Library Empire In the back hall. Shen Qing took out the Spirit Communication Seal, revealing lines of small text: "Xue Zhao is dead." A few moments later, more lines appeared on the Spirit Communication Seal: "The Dao Master is aware. He believes the Great Zhou''s destiny has ended and has hastened his subordinates'' actions. They''ll attack the Ji family in the Capital, potentially as soon as three to five months, or as long as a year or two." "The Dao Master''s power is boundless. Brother Qingzi, please make preparations." Seeing this message, Shen Qing''s expression changed, not expecting Huang Tian Sect to move so swiftly. In that case, the Capital, no, the entire Great Zhou''s situation was dire. Recalling the deadly formation encountered that day... a strong sense of crisis enveloped his heart. Now, he suddenly thought of Ji Bochu in the living room, contemplating, "Ji Bochu came this time for me, he''s baiting me to do something dangerous, what could it be?" "If the most direct connection to him is the selection of that Immortal Martial art." "Could the problem lie within that Immortal Martial art?" As Shen Qing continued reasoning, he could only think of one possibility. "In that case, I can use this to escape these mundane duties, avoiding capturing myself daily, focusing more on cultivation, and using the royal Spiritual Eye to hasten my training." He thought carefully and found nothing imprudent. Having made up his mind, Shen Qing exited the back hall. Ji Bochu looked at Shen Qing and said, "Lord Shen, what have you decided?" Feigning contemplation, Shen Qing hesitantly said, "Since you''re so gracious, my lord, it would be rude of me to refuse. I''ll be relying on you, Lord Ji." Seeing Shen Qing agree, a sly smile crept onto Ji Bochu''s face. Chapter 16 Gaining Treasure, Dome Splitting Void Absolute Slash The next day, an imperial edict from within the Imperial Palace reached the government office of the Military Department.Just as Ji Bochu had said, Heaven Ji Zikong had granted his request to summon him into the Imperial Armory; the task of finding the culprit no longer required his attention. Seeing how hastily Ji Bochu acted, Shen Qing vaguely felt that the other party seemed rather anxious, as if he couldn''t wait for him to enter the Imperial Armory. An abnormal situation surely sprouted from some evil cause. Shen Qing''s thoughts became even heavier. Night fell. Within the Shen Mansion, candlelight flickered, casting its light around the room. The master bedroom was brightly lit. Shen Qing''s silhouette stretched long under the candlelight, gently swaying and bobbing up and down. Before him, he waved his hand, and three small triangle flags silently flew out from his sleeve, planting themselves around the room. Shen Qing pinched a magic technique with his hand, and the triangle flags fluttered in the wind, emitting a dull yellow glow, forming an inverted bowl shape encompassing him within, completely isolating the inside of the room from the outside. After these days of continuous patrolling with his subordinates and using the abilities found in the "Hunting Scripture," he had cleverly erased all traces of his presence in and around the city on the day of Xue Zhao''s death, both overt and covert, leaving no flaws behind. Even the old hands in the city who had been around for years could not detect that he was the one who had slain Xue Zhao. Looking at the yellow isolation formation, a sense of indescribable peace finally surged in Shen Qing''s heart. At this moment, he took out a delicate and small Hundred Treasure Pouch from his bosom with confidence. This was precisely the spoils of war obtained from the body of Xue Zhao. With many in the Capital City watching closely after Xue Zhao''s death, he had been careful and had not inspected it until now. As the storm gradually settled and he had nothing urgent to attend to, it was a good time to meticulously check the spoils of war inside. Shen Qing inspected the small black Hundred Treasure Pouch in his hand, only the size of a palm, slightly larger than the one Lan Gongliang had given him. He relaxed his mind and touched the Hundred Treasure Pouch with his Divine Sense. Unexpectedly, just as his Divine Thought was about to penetrate the mouth of the pouch, a faint fluctuation blocked it from the outside. The Hundred Treasure Pouch still carried a prohibition left by Xue Zhao. Shen Qing was not in a hurry. For him, who had already broken through to the Primordial Spirit Realm, erasing this prohibition was not a difficult task. His mind moved, and his aura quickly retracted inside him. The next moment, a sharp and incomparable Divine Sense burst forth from his body, wrapping around the prohibition like fine silk threads, swiftly stripping it away. The process was not a simple act of violent destruction but a step-by-step guidance of the energy flow within the prohibition, causing it to lose its original form and dissipate into nothingness, restoring the Hundred Treasure Pouch to its original state. Puff. Shen Qing faintly heard a silent sound in his Divine Sense as the prohibition within the Hundred Treasure Pouch was effortlessly erased. At the instant the prohibition completely lost its effect, the Hundred Treasure Pouch trembled lightly, releasing a faint spiritual light, resonating subtly with the Heaven and Earth Essence Qi from the outside world. The pouch opened wide. Shen Qing''s eyes brightened, and after ensuring there were no other dangers, he immediately activated his Primordial Spirit to control the Hundred Treasure Pouch. Under his guidance, the mouth of the pouch gradually opened, and a brilliant light spilled out, making the entire room shine brightly. Had he not set up the formation in advance, such a spectacle would have been impossible to hide. There must be quite a few good items inside. Shen Qing explored with his Divine Sense and saw that the Hundred Treasure Pouch was filled with all kinds of treasures. There were elixirs that radiated a soft glow, each containing astonishing potency and with a fragrance that assailed the nostrils; there were various kinds of armor that flashed with precious light, circulating with a faint glimmer of bloodlight, revealing a sharp Evil Qi; and there were all kinds of Demon Cores, flickering with strange lights, bodies of demons, and so on. Besides these, there were also common items used for rewards, such as fine silk fabrics, gold and silver treasures, Wish Power Pearls, making Shen Qing marvel. Truly worthy of the Shi families of Great Zhou. Just the items Xue Zhao carried were enough to serve as the foundation of a high-ranking noble family, capable of forging anew a family clan. Even for a prestigious family, it was so, then to what extent had the Ji Family, which had been outstanding for nearly nine hundred years, reached? Shen Qing couldn''t help but draw in a breath of cold air, feeling that he still had a long way to go and dared not harbor the slightest complacency or arrogance. He put aside his thoughts and continued to search and pick through the pile of treasures. "Huh?" Find your next read at My Virtual Library Empire Suddenly, among the pile, Shen Qing spotted a simple and unadorned book. His Primordial Spirit stirred, and he took it out, placing it in the palm of his hand. The cover was engraved with four ancient seal characters ¡ª Dome Splitting Void Absolute Slash. Beyond that, there was no additional information. As Shen Qing flipped open the book, just a glance at the text inside sent a strong shock through him, as if countless sword shadows and sabers were intertwining and colliding in his mind. He calmed his mind and began to read seriously, gradually understanding that the book contained a Blade Technique of astonishing power. Cultivating it, one could cut through mountains and rivers, tearing the sky asunder. At that thought, the scene of Xue Zhao splitting a mountain with a single strike surfaced in Shen Qing''s mind. ''So, the name of that strike he used is this, and the technique he cultivated is this one.'' Upon closer inspection, Shen Qing noticed that the book was very worn, as if it had been read many times over, and it contained many insights and understandings, showing how much Xue Zhao valued this Martial Art. He recalled carefully and realized that he had never seen this Martial Art in the Imperial Armory, and he had no idea where Xue Zhao had acquired it. Looking down, Shen Qing noticed both the style of the recorded text and the handwriting of the notes were from the same person, suggesting that this book was copied together and not an original. After reading through from beginning to end, he realized the uniqueness of this Cultivation Technique. Combined with Xue Zhao''s personal demonstration, the terrifying might of it was somewhat enticing to him, stronger than his current Bow Technique. It just so happened that he was also lacking a short-range combat technique. If he could master it, this "Dome Splitting Void Absolute Slash" might be of great use in the future. After all, having more skills would not be a burden, and having an extra Martial Art wouldn''t be a bad thing. With the Panel to assist, learning even a multitude of Martial Arts wouldn''t be too much of a burden for him. Without much hesitation, Shen Qing decided to cultivate this Martial Art. He immersed his entire mind into the book, carefully feeling every detail and nuance of the Blade Technique. The ''Academic Pursuit'' Skill activated, greatly speeding up his understanding of the technique. In just the time it took to drink a pot of tea, Shen Qing had almost fully grasped the Martial Art. Shen Qing set down the book and took out a Spirit Essence and a Wish Power Pearl from the Hundred Treasure Pouch. He drew the Thunder Abyss Treasure Saber and repeatedly pondered the True Intent, practicing the moves and the mental method. Time passed by bit by bit. Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The Martial Art was of a not-low Grade, progressing from simple to complex, and with many annotations, it wasn''t difficult for him to reach the Entry Level. With a thought from Shen Qing, the Water Ink Panel suddenly appeared in his line of sight. [Skill: Dome Splitting Void Absolute Slash (Entry Level)] [Progress: 874/1000 points] [Status: Can be upgraded] [Note: Time is precious to the ambitious, while the sorrowful find nights intolerably long. You have cultivated a modified version of an Ancient-era Magic Skill, and with your Primordial Spirit Realm already condensed, you take to it like a fish to water, advancing rapidly and capable of continuous breakthroughs.] "A Martial Art from the Ancient period?" Shen Qing was astonished; he had not expected the Martial Art Xue Zhao studied to be a legacy of the Ancient Times. Till now, if he remembered correctly, the Immortal Martial Techniques in the Imperial Armory were basically related to the Ancient times. What exactly happened during the Ancient period that made the latter generations turn out like this? He grew ever more puzzled in his heart. Chapter 17 Harboring Evil Intentions, Fifth Level ```"Breakthrough!" A familiar feeling arrived as expected. Shen Qing was not surprised at all, remaining fully focused. In his vision, the information on the water ink panel jumped and refreshed rapidly. [Skill: Dome Splitting Void Absolute Slash (Small Success)] [Progress: 274/1000 points] [Status: Cannot be improved] Moments later, unfamiliar memories abruptly appeared in his mind. Fortunately, he had already broken through to the Primordial Spirit Realm, and was a different person now, so this amount of memory did not affect him in the slightest. Shen Qing carefully contemplated, digesting all the foreign memories. At this moment, when he grasped the Thunder Abyss Treasure Saber again, he felt as if he had held it millions of times, a strong sense of familiarity welling up within him. He twirled the saber, and suddenly, thunder and lightning flashed as blade light formed from lightning in the void and touched the formation. The fierce saber light instantly shredded the isolating formation into pieces. Shen Qing realized that it only took him a short time to grasp the essence of this martial art, and a trace of satisfaction appeared on his face. He glanced at the sky outside the window, immediately sheathed the saber, gently closed the book, and carefully hid it with Xue Zhao''s Hundred Treasure Pouch. Seeing that there was still some time before dawn, Shen Qing silently adjusted his breathing, and a stream of spiritual power like a clear spring flowed through his meridians, entering the extraordinary meridians and nourishing his muscle and bone that had been tempered all night. His breathing became long and deep, continuously refining nature''s spiritual energy during inhalation and exhalation to replenish himself. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. In the early morning, as the dawn light revealed itself, it was the time when spiritual energy was most abundant. Accompanied by the rising sun, a vigorous vitality was constantly gathering and sublimating within Shen Qing. Stay updated through My Virtual Library Empire Under his mental direction, stars appeared at the acupoints all over his body, transforming into whirlpools, and the surrounding spiritual energy seemed to be invisibly drawn, converging towards him and transforming into warm streams that penetrated his skin and merged into his bloodstream. Finally, it gathered within his Qi Sea, transforming into thick and pure spiritual power. This spiritual power circulated endlessly within him, like a rushing river, nourishing every inch of his muscle and bone and each piece of muscle, silently and steadily elevating his cultivation level. Time quietly passed as Shen Qing immersed himself in cultivation. When the first rays of morning light penetrated the crevice of the cultivation room, spilling onto his face, Shen Qing finally stopped. He exhaled a mouthful of turbid air, showing no fatigue on his face, on the contrary, he was energetic and filled with an indescribable sense of satisfaction. After finishing his breakfast, Shen Qing, following Ji Zikong''s instructions, headed to the Imperial Armory. When he arrived at the Imperial Armory, Ji Bochu was already waiting at the entrance, which surprised him. "Lord Shen." Ji Bochu spoke warmly, revealing his respect and expectation for Shen Qing, clasping his hands in salute: "I have arranged everything for you, just proceed directly to the fifth floor to handle only the martial masters there." As everyone knows, even members of the Imperial Family must have a unique talent to be allowed into the Imperial Armory, if not extraordinary, it is difficult to gain entry. Not to mention the martial masters who are not of the Ji surname, which is even more challenging. Hence, the fifth floor appeared particularly empty, with very few martial masters. Being there was equivalent to having nothing to do. Shen Qing was a bit puzzled, but he wisely didn''t ask more questions, merely nodding slightly and saying, "Thank you, Lord Ji, for taking such a trouble for me. If you have a moment, please visit my residence for a few drinks." "Lord Shen, you are too kind, please!" Ji Bochu gestured for Shen Qing to go ahead. Shen Qing showed an overwhelmed expression, repeatedly declining several times before stepping into the Imperial Armory. Under Ji Bochu''s guidance, Shen Qing proceeded to the fifth floor. Apart from the occasional sound of practice, he could hardly sense the presence of others, it was extremely quiet. Ji Bochu instructed: "Lord Shen, you just need to stay here, and arrange if someone comes. If no one visits, feel free to cultivate yourself as well." Ji Bochu seemed to have thought of something, hinting as he said, "Rest assured, I have made arrangements. There is a Spirit Eye here which is an excellent place for cultivation. Many have achieved success in cultivating Immortal Martial Techniques here. Perhaps you will greatly advance your cultivation too." "This... the kindness of my lord, I, Shen, will never forget." Shen Qing "trembled with excitement," and his speech was somewhat incoherent. Ji Bochu seemed quite pleased with this, patting Shen Qing on the shoulder before leaving confidently. After Ji Bochu left, the "subservient" expression on Shen Qing''s face gradually faded, and he turned around to survey his surroundings. When he looked at the others, the martial masters on the fifth floor hastily averted their gaze. That feeling was as if... they were monitoring him. Shen Qing furrowed his brow, his gaze fell on a screen, and he walked over, fixing his gaze on the Saint Body Great Achievement Technique, pondering. He reached out to pick it up, held it in front of him for a while, and thought to himself, "This technique appears quite remarkable overall, easy to get started with in the early stages, and its subsequent cultivation paths directly point to the Path of Immortality. Judging by various signs, Ji Bochu probably wants me to cultivate this Immortal Martial Technique." However, Shen Qing dared not risk recklessly cultivating it, fearing it might bring misfortune. On the floor of the Imperial Armory. Ji Bochu gave instructions to the attendants on both sides: "By the Emperor''s order, the fifth floor of the Armory shall remain closed for the time being, no one is allowed to enter." "Yes, my lord." After instructing, Ji Bochu nodded in satisfaction, and strode back to the Imperial Armory. Sitting behind the screen, Shen Qing connected the dots with the potential changes in the Capital, anticipating attacks from the Huangtian Sect, the impending storm; he couldn''t afford any lenience. As for what Ji Bochu and the others were really planning to do, he wasn''t very clear yet, so he decided to take one step at a time. Just as well, he took this opportunity to immerse himself in hard cultivation, continuously improving his cultivation, which was never wrong. In the following three days, Shen Qing occasionally found himself alone. He boldly retrieved the Spirit Essence obtained from the Ancient Relics and kept consuming Wish Power Pearls, piling them up to speed up his cultivation. In this constant cultivation, like water eroding stone, his progress was visibly rapid. Recently, Ji Bochu frequently asked about his progress in cultivating the Great Achievement Technique. Fortunately, having practiced the Six Paths Reincarnation Technique and condensed a trace of Saint Blood, which aligned with some descriptions in the Saint Body Great Achievement Technique, combined with his ''Academic Pursuit'' Skill, he was able to handle queries from Ji Bochu each time. Over time, seeing such performance from Shen Qing, Ji Bochu was quite satisfied and gradually let his guard down, visiting less frequently. One day, Shen Qing was seated on a mat, exhaled a turbid breath, ending his arduous practice. He opened his eyes and stretched his muscles, feeling quite comfortable, his Primordial Spirit also becoming more consolidated. Shen Qing thought about his uncle and aunt now in the Capital, realizing that he hadn''t been home for several days, it was time to visit, so he decided to go back. The Shen residence was aglow with lights, servants bustling around, each performing their duties, everything in perfect order. Under his arrangement, his home had gradually become formal and gained some grandeur. Beside him, senior followers like Tian Xiaohu and others rose alongside him. With abundant Wish Power Pearls and various elixirs'' support, their cultivation advanced rapidly. In a short while, each of them had reached the Qi Sea realm, now worthy of his attention. As Shen Qing stepped into the main hall, he saw Tian Xiaohu holding something, cheerfully approaching. In his hand was an exquisite card with gold-leaf edges, depicting dragons and phoenixes. Tian Xiaohu respectfully said in a manager''s demeanor: "Master, this is an invitation sent from Princess Yuzhen''s residence during the day, inviting you to the Chrysanthemum Viewing Festival." ``` Chapter 18 Attending the Meeting Shen Qing took the invitation and opened it to see the flowing, cloud-like calligraphy that read, "Recently, the chrysanthemums in Beihai are in full bloom; I sincerely invite Lord Chief Officer Shen Qing to the gathering to discuss the Path of Immortality. Signed¡ªPrincess Yuzhen."The writing on the invitation revealed a spirited elegance, pleasing to the eye and the heart. "Princess Yuzhen?" Shen Qing closed the invitation, contemplating internally, "Ever since my days in Yongzhou, I had heard of her reputation as ''The Most Beautiful of Great Zhou,'' and at not even thirty years old, she broke through to the cultivation of the Spirit Void Realm. Among the many princes and princesses of the Imperial Family, she is indeed extraordinary and has a good reputation among the elite of Great Zhou." "This Chrysanthemum Viewing Festival will surely have many disciples from notable families participating; they are well-informed, and my participation might lead to unexpected gains." Ji Bochu''s recent actions have left me restless, eager to understand what''s going on. This Chrysanthemum Viewing Festival might just be the rare opportunity I need. As for why Princess Yuzhen would invite me... "Though the Huangfu family has declined, a skinny camel is still bigger than a horse. Plus, the Mountain Sea Department holds a somewhat special position in Great Zhou. This must be the Chrysanthemum Viewing Festival that Huang Furo spoke of; she must have recommended me." Shen Qing quickly made up his mind; he would attend this Chrysanthemum Viewing Festival. He carefully stored the invitation next to his heart and ordered, "Prepare the carriage for tomorrow; I will be attending the banquet." "I understand, Boss." There were rules in the Capital City that forbade martial masters like them from roaming freely, with severe penalties for violators. Although many martial masters like him disregarded this rule, given the troublesome times, he did not wish to draw unnecessary attention to himself. The next morning. Tian Xiaohu, having meticulously prepared, a lavishly decorated carriage stood impressively in front of Shen Mansion''s gates, its presence magnified in the morning light. With the assistance of his servants, Shen Qing, dressed in brocade and fine garb with a Treasure Blade at his waist, walked up to the carriage and sat inside. The carriage was suffused with a light fragrance of sandalwood and incense, refreshing and pleasing to the senses. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Shen Qing gently took his seat and immediately closed his eyes to feign sleep, entering a state of meditation to not waste a single moment. "Giddyap!" The carriage shook. The wooden wheels rolled with a rumble. In no time at all, the carriage entered the bustling street market. It was the early market, and the streets were filled with a cacophony of sound. The calls of the vendors were incessant, and the aroma of pancakes wafted into the carriage... The air was thick with the scent of earthly life. Shen Qing''s luxurious carriage passed through, and pedestrians on the street stepped aside. After the time it took to drink a pot of tea, the noisy sounds of the street came to an abrupt halt. Shen Qing felt a shift in his attention and looked outside to find no vendors on the street, with passersby hurrying past this area. He glanced at the appearance of the street and recognized this place belonged to the Xue Mansion. The carriage rolled swiftly past. As it inadvertently skimmed by the entrance of the Xue Family''s estate, a desolate scene quietly entered his view. Beneath the gate of the Xue Family''s mansion, the white silk still fluttered listlessly in the breeze, swaying gently with a desolate and melancholic air. Where once carriages and horses had thronged a bustling scene, now stood silent emptiness that hinted at decay, her gloomy silence a stark contrast to bygone liveliness. It made sense, after all. The Family Head of the Xue Family had perished not long ago, following the mysterious deaths of two young masters. Such consecutive blows had plunged the Xue Family into silence. However, Shen Qing didn''t believe that the Xue Family would collapse from this adversity. As a grand noble family, even if recently risen, their depths were unfathomable. In the eyes of a martial master, it was likely that many old members of the Xue Family, their longevity yet unspent, were hidden in the shadows. In the dragon''s den that was the Capital City, Shen Qing dared not be the slightest bit careless. He withdrew his gaze, no longer dwelling on it. Beihai was not a true sea, but a man-made lake located outside the Capital City. It was said to be a pit created by a punch from a Unity Realm Great Power during enlightenment, which, over the years, along with human intervention, turned into the vast lake now known as Beihai. Because of its stunning scenery and the stories of Martial Arts cultivation, it was a favored destination among the young masters and ladies of the Capital for discussing their cultivation experiences. By the bank of Beihai, a ship as magnificent as a true dragon was docked at the shore. This was Beihai''s largest boat, and the restaurant atop it, the Tianwai Lou, was renowned throughout the Great Zhou¡ªwhere spending a fortune was an everyday affair. Today, this Tianwai Lou had been reserved by Princess Yuzhen for hosting the Chrysanthemum Viewing Festival, placing diverse chrysanthemums across the entire boat. Young nobles of note, from within and outside the Capital, gathered here, seizing the opportunity to exchange insights on cultivation. Such a high-profile gathering was off-limits to the common populace. Even so, numerous youths eager to cling to power congregated nearby, forming a sizable market in their wake. Some longed for a glimpse of Princess Yuzhen''s beauty, others hoped to catch the eye of the elite with their charms to change their fate, and some spent a small fortune, navigating through connections to board the boat under false pretenses. The atmosphere was lively and bustling. "The Princess loves bustle on regular days and enjoys making connections with the young talents of the land. Today''s Chrysanthemum Viewing is an annual grand event, highly valued by Her Highness¡ªit must not encounter any issues." On the spacious deck of the boat, Su Qiaoqiao, a lady of the Su Family tasked with preparing the event for Princess Yuzhen, was supervising the day''s readiness for the Chrysanthemum Viewing Festival. From the arrangement of refreshments to the order of the main seats, from the staffing for receiving guests to the security patrols, not a single detail could afford to be amiss in external dealings. After all, today''s meeting included individuals from prominent families such as the Cui, Wang, Xie, Zhao, Li, Zhang, and Su, all of significant standing in the Great Zhou. Even Su Qiaoqiao wouldn''t dare offend them lightly. Let alone the fact that this was a grand event specially organized by Princess Yuzhen, gathering distinguished figures¡ªan oversight on any minutiae could lead to unpredictable consequences. Su Qiaoqiao was dressed in a light yellow dress, her porcelain-like arms exposed, and with the swaying of her skirt, a glimpse of shapely legs could intermittently be seen, exuding grace and allure. Her hair, black as a waterfall, cascaded down to her waist, adorned at the forehead with floral ornaments, enhancing her transcendent and beautiful visage. As she moved with light steps, the strings of colored beads dangling from her dress jingled, drawing many gazes. Find your next read at My Virtual Library Empire Su Qiaoqiao entered a room on the boat, where people were busy organizing the guest list and seating arrangements. A steward-like man was continuously directing the staff at work. "First, separate those who received the Princess''s invitation, and rank them by family background, reputation, status, and position." Upon noticing Su Qiaoqiao, he quickly paid his respects, "Su San pays respects to the young lady." "People will arrive shortly; how are the preparations coming along?" Chapter 19 Chrysanthemum Viewing Festival ```Su San respectfully said, "Everything is almost ready. We''re just verifying the seating names and arranging them." In such large gatherings, many detailed issues have to be considered. Particularly, the seating arrangement is of utmost importance. If, by any chance, a humble person is placed in a prominent position, they will surely feel like sitting on pins and needles, at a loss. Likewise, if a noble person is demoted to a humble position, they will inevitably feel resentful and indignant. Consequently, such a well-intentioned banquet would deviate from its purpose, adding countless rifts and unnecessary troubles. This Chrysanthemum Viewing Festival is organized in the name of Princess Yuzhen. Princess Yuzhen usually likes to make friends and values her reputation. If such an incident occurs, it will certainly anger her, and in severe cases, those responsible may even risk their lives. Su Qiaoqiao naturally understood this principle and raised her eyes slightly. Su San, being very observant, took the already drafted list and respectfully presented it with both hands, saying, "Miss, this is our initial draft of the list. Please have a look." Su Qiaoqiao took the list and carefully examined the seating arrangement for this Chrysanthemum Viewing Festival. "Cui Mingxuan''s position seems somewhat remote. He has recently received a proposal from the Wang Family and has also broken through to the Innate level in cultivation. His status is now different and should move forward by two seats," Su Qiaoqiao said softly, her fingers lightly sliding over the list. Su San quickly took out paper and pen, noting it carefully. "What about Xie Wanqing?" Su Qiaoqiao continued to ask, her eyes scanning the next name, "Her position should also be adjusted upward. After all, she is the legitimate daughter of the Xie Family and is extraordinarily talented. We cannot neglect her. Move her up by three seats." "Zhao Yuanlang''s position..." Su Qiaoqiao frowned slightly, "This person has some talent in cultivation but is too ostentatious. His status in the Zhao Family is not high and he hasn''t even secured a minor official position, so move him down by one seat." "As for Li Yi..." Su Qiaoqiao pondered for a moment, "Although he comes from a noble family, his recent reputation is not good, and there are rumors of a rift with Miss Zhang. To avoid embarrassment, place him farther away from the Zhang Family, moving him down two seats." "What about Miss Zhang, Zhang Qingying?" Su San interjected, "She was quite favored by the Princess last year. Should she be given a higher position?" "Of course," Su Qiaoqiao nodded, "Zhang Qingying''s cultivation is outstanding, and I heard she has made some breakthroughs recently. Her father even plans to secure a position for her in the Capital, so move her to the front row to speak with the Princess." Su San nodded in agreement, noting it carefully. Su Qiaoqiao continued reviewing the list, making slight adjustments from time to time. Suddenly, her gaze settled on a familiar name. "Huang Furo..." she murmured, frowning slightly, "I remember the Huangfu family has long ceased to exist. How come they''re on the list this time?" Su San explained, "There are still some descendants of the Huangfu family residing in Yongzhou. Some days ago, they were personally summoned back to the Capital by Your Majesty to join the Mountain Sea Department, responsible for Spirit Essence matters." "What is Huang Furo''s cultivation now?" Explore stories on My Virtual Library Empire "She is at the Dan Realm." "How old is she?" "Twenty-two." "In that case, she still has potential, but most of the elders in the Huangfu family have either left or passed away. It''s difficult for her to make a comeback. Move her position down by five seats." This meant her position was second to last, and Shen san quickly noted it down. "Is there anything else to confirm?" "Indeed, there is." Su San quickly pointed to a name and said, "There''s also this Shen Qing." "Shen Qing?" Su Qiaoqiao felt unfamiliar with the name. According to reason, she should have some impression of the notable young people in the Capital, "What is his background? Is there a big family with the surname Shen in the Capital?" Su San promptly introduced respectfully, "This person entered the temple thanks to the Jing Luan Assembly. Originally, he was a hunter and has served as the Chief Officer in Yongzhou. His participation in Princess Yuzhen''s Chrysanthemum Viewing Festival this time was only made possible by Huang Furo pulling some strings and paying a price." "So, a connection, right?" Such situations happen every year and Su Qiaoqiao was long accustomed to them. She nonchalantly said, "Then lower his seat together with Huang Furo." "Understood." Su Qiaoqiao continued reviewing the list, making slight adjustments from time to time. Suddenly, her gaze settled on a familiar name. "Su Zimo..." she murmured, carrying a bit of personal sentiment, "Although he is a Su Family member, he has been low-profile recently, and his talents in cultivation are quite good. It''s his first participation so he should be encouraged. Move him up five seats, close to me." "I have also heard of Lord Su''s great reputation," Su San chimed in, using an appreciative tone, "He is modest and exceptionally talented. It''s fitting for him to sit in this position." Su Qiaoqiao smiled faintly, finding great satisfaction in Su San''s evaluation. She continued reviewing the list, swiftly confirming the seating for each name. ¡­ Meanwhile, Shen Qing''s carriage arrived at Beihai Pier, stopping beneath the lavish ship. "Boss, we have arrived." S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Shen Qing, seated inside, opened his eyes, grunted softly, and then stepped out of the carriage. Looking at the bustling pier, almost like a grand fair, Shen Qing was a bit surprised. He hadn''t expected the Chrysanthemum Viewing Festival to be such a grand affair. At this moment, he spotted a familiar figure. It was Huang Furo. She was now dressed in her customary white garb, with a black silk belt adorned with a jade gem tightly fastened around her waist, outlining her willow-like waist and prominent bust, adding a touch of indescribable allure. After arranging his carriage with Tian Xiaohu, Shen Qing stepped forward and greeted, "Officer Huangfu." Upon seeing Shen Qing, Huang Furo smiled and said, "Officer Shen, what a coincidence." "Indeed, I didn''t expect to see you just as I arrived." A sly smile flicked across Huang Furo''s eyes, but she spoke as usual, "Let''s go in together. It''s still early, just in time to take a stroll." "Sure." The two walked side by side towards the enormous ship. At the entrance, armored guards stood by. Shen Qing and Huang Furo presented their invitations before being granted entry. Inside, rows of exquisite tea tables and carved wooden chairs were arranged neatly. Some seats were already occupied. Various pots of differently shaped chrysanthemums adorned the tables, interspersed with rolls of poetry and calligraphy. Attendees sat around, speaking in hushed tones, awaiting the start of the banquet. "Come, let''s head to the upper deck; the view is better there," Huang Furo suggested, pointing upward. They passed through winding corridors and exquisite cabin doors, reaching a more expansive open deck. This area had a unique charm, with larger and more luxurious tea tables and seats, surrounded by uniformly dressed servants standing by. Those with higher status appreciated the view from a pavilion on the deck. Shen Qing and Huang Furo walked to one side of the deck. Looking out, they saw Beihai Lake stretching endlessly, almost like the sea. It was hard to imagine such a sight was the result of a single punch. ``` Chapter 20 Ancient Times, Princess Yuzhen The lake breeze gently caressed.The two stood side by side on the shimmering deck. Staring at the boundless lake surface, Shen Qing couldn''t help but doubt the truth behind the legend of Beihai. He couldn''t resist asking, "Regarding the origin of Beihai, there''s a rumor among the people that it was created by Ancient Cultivators. Do you think it''s true?" "Eight or nine times out of ten, it''s true," Huang Furo replied confidently. "Why?" Shen Qing asked curiously. Huang Furo''s gaze penetrated the layers of waves, as if she saw that glorious era that was beyond reach. Slowly she said, "I heard that in Ancient Times, the world was filled with Spiritual Energy. Cultivators could easily pluck stars and seize the moon, and a single technique could change the weather." "Back then, every path under the sun flourished, and a single beam of light could destroy the world, a single blade of grass could cut through stars. The Heavenly Dao was in the grasp of people, and longevity was not unattainable for many cultivators." Between her words, Huang Furo''s eyes shone with endless yearning for the Ancient Period. Shen Qing''s expression turned serious; this was the first time he''d heard of the Ancient Era, and it shocked him. Huang Furo''s recent experiences in the Mountain Sea Department must have unveiled many secrets unknown to those from lower echelons. He asked, somewhat puzzled, "Since the Ancient Times were so powerful, why has it become like this today?" "I don''t know." "You don''t know?" "Yes," Huang Furo sighed deeply and said, "During the Ancient Period, just when the Human Clan was in a brilliant era, the Heavenly Dao suddenly collapsed. Countless sects vanished overnight, and those powers that once stood at the pinnacle of the Cultivation World silently broke their inheritances. Our current paths of cultivation are entirely built on that ruins." Shen Qing frowned slightly, turning his gaze toward the broad lake surface in the distance, and after a long while, he said, "Our ancestors were truly remarkable." "Look at this Beihai, stretching nearly a hundred miles; it''s the mark left by a single punch from Ancient Great Powers, allowing us to feel the might of our ancestors from that era. We are indeed so fortunate." Shen Qing gazed at the lake surface, remaining silent. After a short while, a gong sounded from behind the deck, like a startling cry of a wild goose in autumn, piercing through the tranquility of the lake. Huang Furo gently turned her head and said to Shen Qing, "The Chrysanthemum Viewing Festival is about to start; let''s go in." Saying that, she took the lead in stepping forward and heading inside. Shen Qing had already heard of Princess Yuzhen''s reputation, and deep down, he couldn''t help but feel a bit of anticipation. He closely followed Huang Furo''s steps, the two walking side by side as they headed into the building ship. In the hall of the building ship, the main seats for the Chrysanthemum Viewing Festival were meticulously arranged in the center, surrounded by various chrysanthemums, appearing exceptionally enchanting. The air was filled with a faint scent of chrysanthemum, refreshing the senses. Not only that, besides the chrysanthemum floral arrangements, there was a stunning gown made entirely of assorted chrysanthemums placed prominently in the center. The chrysanthemum-accessorized gown extended more than ten meters and was adorned with many gold, silver, and coral ornaments, extremely luxurious. At this moment, many young gentlemen and ladies had already assembled at the entrance, creating a lively atmosphere. As Shen Qing and Huang Furo arrived at the entrance of the hall, a stunning woman with a hint of scrutiny in her gaze politely stopped them. S§×arch* The nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Distinguished guests, pardon the interruption. I am Su Qiaoqiao, and today I am organizing this event on behalf of Princess Yuzhen. May I have your names so I can arrange seats for you?" Shen Qing and Huang Furo exchanged a glance, Huang Furo lowered her voice and said, "The eldest miss of the Su Family." Discover stories with My Virtual Library Empire Shen Qing was inwardly alarmed; the person before him was indeed the daughter of a prestigious family. He took out an invitation, cupped his fists, and said, "I am Shen Qing, the Southern Chief Officer of the Military Department." "I am Huang Furo, the Chief Officer of the Mountain Sea Department." Huang Furo and Shen Qing took turns introducing themselves. Su Qiaoqiao immediately recalled their identities. She gently took the invitations they handed over, smiling slightly, her demeanor exuding the aura of a noble household. After carefully verifying them without error, she took two exquisite identity cards from the tray held by a maid beside her, handing them to them and said, "So it''s the two esteemed persons; welcome, dear guests. Please take these cards to enter. Please, both of you." Receiving the identity cards and invitations, Shen Qing and Huang Furo brushed past Su Qiaoqiao and stepped into the hall. Inside the hall, young gentlemen and ladies, people of celebrity and refinement had already gathered, laughing and chatting. They used chrysanthemums as a medium to discuss interesting events happening around them. "Forty-one..." Shen Qing, holding his identity card, found his seat in a relatively rear location. This spot was somewhat concealed, not too prominent, perfectly suiting his intention to secretly observe and gather information. Just as he sat down, unexpectedly, Huang Furo followed closely. Shen Qing said in surprise, "You''re sitting here too?" Huang Furo feigned anger and said, "Why, can''t I sit here?" "Haha... Miss Huangfu, although you usually like to put on a cold face, your act of feigned anger is truly unconvincing." Shen Qing''s words pierced through Huang Furo''s little pretense. She bit her silver teeth lightly, not knowing why she found this handsome man before her somewhat annoying. "Honestly," Shen Qing shifted silently inside the seat, smiled at Huang Furo, and said, "I''m honestly glad you''d sit here." The brief flicker of annoyance in Huang Furo''s heart vanished without a trace, and she sat next to Shen Qing with a calm expression, upright and poised. She glanced around, finding the surroundings quiet; only she and Shen Qing were there, perfectly matching her preference. "What are you looking at?" Not far away, Young Master Zhao Liu poked the person next to him, Li Yi, curiously and said, "Staring at someone like that, have you taken a liking to them?" Chapter 20 Ancient, Princess Yuzhen_2 ÀîÒÝ shook his head and said, "I just saw a familiar figure and got a bit curious."The noble young master Zhao Liu chuckled and teased, "But if you ask me, Ninth Young Master, you have a good eye. Huang Furo''s looks and figure aren''t bad, considering the status of their Huangfu family nowadays, you might as well take her as a concubine. After all, you''ve grown up and need someone to teach you the arts of the bedroom. Haha..." "It''s just there''s an eyesore next to her. If you treat me to a drink, how about I get rid of him for you? Just by looking at that row, you know he has no background, taking care of him would be a breeze for me." Shen Qing and Huang Furo both had reached certain levels in their cultivation, with senses far sharper than ordinary people. The conversation of the noble young master was overheard by the two. To speak frankly, such words were indeed somewhat offensive. Shen Qing remained unmoved, while Huang Furo had already grabbed his arm, poured herself a cup of tea, and said calmly, "Let''s have a cup of tea first and talk later." He could sense a trace of displeasure on Huang Furo, but she suppressed it. Shen Qing couldn''t help but look at Huang Furo with higher regard. In the center of the hall, Li Yi, who was seated, glanced at Shen Qing and Huang Furo. Seeing their calm demeanor, he couldn''t help but recall his father''s words. He had been told that as he was now, he was still no match for Shen Qing, and this had left a lingering frustration in his heart to this day. Sear?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. For some reason, Zhao Liu''s words beside him were irking him. You say handling him is a breeze, doesn''t that imply I''m useless? Li Yi said coldly, "Shut your foul mouth, stop talking, no one mistakes you for a mute." The noble young master Zhao Liu thought he had misheard, causing his face to turn cold, "Li Laojiu, what do you mean by that?" "I said shut your foul mouth." Thinking he had misheard, a surge of anger erupted within Zhao Liu. You''re young, Li Yi, still not fully grown, often bullying others, putting on airs. As soon as he stood up, wanting to teach this naive youth a lesson. However, just as he stood up, a large fist had already smashed into his face, his vision darkened, and he flew backward, crashing hard against the wall. The intense pain forced him to hold his nose, letting out a scream. "Ah!" Li Yi, young and vigorous, was brimming with anger. A few days ago, he had suffered at the hands of Shen Qing, further aggravating his annoyance. He couldn''t beat Shen Qing, but this spendthrift he could certainly teach a lesson. He took the initiative and struck first, trying to vent his anger. Su Qiaoqiao, who was welcoming guests at the door, saw this and was momentarily stunned. She rushed over and asked, "What happened?" "Young Master Li suddenly hit Young Master Zhao Liu." Su Qiaoqiao''s scalp tingled instantly. No matter what she anticipated, she never thought that right before the Chrysanthemum Viewing Festival was to start, such trouble would occur. No amount of caution could have prevented this mishap. This is a real problem now. Just as her thoughts raced, seeking a solution. Young Master Zhao Liu staggered to his feet, face covered in blood. He glared at Li Yi, eyes burning with rage, like an enraged beast, gritting his teeth, "Li Jiu, I''m going to kill you!" Boom! At this moment, an indescribable pressure erupted like a mountain flood from the mysterious cabin deep within, silently enveloping the entire hall. The air in the hall seemed to solidify, except for Shen Qing, everyone''s heart felt gripped by an invisible large hand, involuntarily tightening. "Ah!" Find more to read at My Virtual Library Empire Su Qiaoqiao gasped softly, her brows furrowed. Although she had been through many big scenes, the pressure at this moment was unprecedentedly unsettling for her. "Someone, throw this disrespectful Young Master Zhao into the lake, let him sober up." A clear female voice emerged from the cabin, as sweet as the sound of nature, yet carrying undeniable authority. Everyone turned towards the voice. A beautiful woman, adorned with pearls and jade, stepped out of the cabin, surrounded by several maids. Her beauty was unmatched, skin like snow, eyes like paintings, her every movement exuded an ethereal aura, like an earthly fairy. A beam of sunlight shone outside the cabin, falling on her face, making it appear translucent. Features carved like fine jade. Shen Qing was astonished at first sight. If he guessed correctly, this must be the most beautiful girl in Da Zhou, Princess Yuzhen! Li Yi showed a hint of joy upon hearing this, recognizing that Princess Yuzhen too disapproved of Zhao Liu''s rude words, "Her Highness, wise judgment." From a distance, Zhao Liu quivered like a leaf, speechless, devoid of any masculinity. Su Qiaoqiao was the first to react and gestured to the attendant behind her. Understanding her intent, they hurried forward and, without much care, dragged Zhao Liu out like a dead dog. After that, Su Qiaoqiao took a deep breath, suppressing the turmoil in her heart, swiftly stepped forward, and elegantly bowed to Princess Yuzhen, sensibly saying, "It''s due to my poor arrangements. Your Highness, please punish me." Princess Yuzhen gently waved her hand, "No matter, there are always unique birds in a big forest. Your arrangements for this Chrysanthemum Viewing Festival are well done, I''m quite satisfied." After speaking, she raised her hand slightly, signaling the maid beside her to bring out a gong. Princess Yuzhen, her red lips slightly parted, announced to everyone present, "This year''s Chrysanthemum Viewing Festival, let it begin!" As her words landed, the gong was sounded. Melodious music flowed from behind her, quickly permeating the entire hall. Many guests began to relax their tense faces. Huang Furo, who had been holding onto Shen Qing''s hand, finally let go, pretending nothing happened, and picked up her teacup to drink. Shen Qing smiled but said nothing. As Princess Yuzhen announced the start of the Chrysanthemum Viewing Festival, everyone found their seats, gathered around the meticulously arranged and unique chrysanthemums, and began to discuss freely, continually expressing their opinions. At the seat closest to Princess Yuzhen, a lady in yellow stood up first, her gaze was intense as she stared at the ''Hua Fu'' piece, focusing on a prized chrysanthemum named ''Frosty Moon Chrysanthemum'' and evaluated it: "This chrysanthemum should be considered one of the finest among all. Its form stands like a fairy in the frost, its petals distinct. Upon careful observation, it''s clear the cultivator poured much dedication into it. It must be someone who understands and loves chrysanthemums, and with formidable skill, capable of nurturing such a masterpiece with spiritual power." "Miss Zhang''s insight is as sharp as ever. This is indeed a new chrysanthemum patiently cultivated by Her Highness this year," the maid standing beside Princess Yuzhen said with a smile. Zhang Qingying exclaimed in surprise, "No wonder. I was wondering why this chrysanthemum was so well-cultivated." Seated at the head, Princess Yuzhen was quite pleased with Zhang Qingying''s praise, her laughter blooming like flowers, captivating those present with fascination. Next, a young man sitting beside Su Qiaoqiao lightly touched a chrysanthemum named ''Nine Suns Fiery Chrysanthemum'' and appreciated it, "The petals of this chrysanthemum are as radiant as fire, I sense threads of spiritual power within. To me, this chrysanthemum, besides being ornamental, will definitely aid in cultivation if kept at home, it''s an exceptional piece." "If possible, Your Highness, I''ll pay a thousand gold taels for a single petal." Hiss... The crowd present gasped collectively at this. Even Shen Qing, seated in the corner, was secretly amazed. Truly the elite of Da Zhou. All wealthy individuals. Willing to spend a fortune for just a single petal. Though Shen Qing considered himself to have amassed some wealth by now, he was far from living with such luxury. Princess Yuzhen smiled and said, "Young Master Su has a keen eye. This ''Nine Suns Fiery Chrysanthemum'' indeed is special. If you can channel its spiritual essence into your body, it would truly aid your cultivation." What? There really is a chrysanthemum that can aid in cultivation? This statement left everyone in awe. Chapter 21 Discussing the Tao and Resolving Confusions Sitting in the corner, Shen Qing heard the words of Princess Yuzhen and felt a bit surprised, thinking to himself: "I didn''t expect that apart from mountain treasures and Demon Core wonders, there are also human-cultivated Spiritual Objects in the world. It''s truly an eye-opener. I''ve gained some knowledge today."A thought crossed his mind, and he discreetly released his Divine Sense, gently touching and sensing those exotic chrysanthemums. To his astonishment, he discovered that these chrysanthemums indeed contained strands of Spirit Essence, like dewdrops in the morning, refreshing and delightful, prompting him to quietly praise, "Amazing!" Not sure if it was a delusion, but Princess Yuzhen seemed to sense something, her gaze fleetingly sweeping around Shen Qing. She asked the maid beside her, "Who is sitting over there? They look somewhat unfamiliar." The maid apologized, "Your Highness, the ones sitting over there are Lord Huang Furo and Lord Shen Qing." Upon hearing the name Shen Qing, Princess Yuzhen seemed somewhat enlightened, "So it''s him, indeed quite handsome." She cast a casual glance and then withdrew her gaze, no longer interested. Inside the hall. The news of chrysanthemums containing Spiritual Energy spread like a stone thrown into a still lake, causing a ripple of excitement. Everyone present knew that this year''s chrysanthemums were extraordinary. For a while, following Su Zimo of the Su Family, one by one, they lavishly spent fortunes. "I offer one thousand taels for just one petal!" "Hmph, do you think a mere one thousand taels is enough? I bid two thousand taels!" "Three thousand taels, I''m determined to get this flower!" ¡­ Amidst the cacophony of bids, the scene became lively like the buzzing of cicadas in summer. It was merely a chrysanthemum petal, seemingly imbued with supreme magic, that led everyone to compete fiercely. The price skyrocketed from the initial thousand taels to a staggering ten thousand taels. Watching this scene, Shen Qing couldn''t help but click his tongue and say, "Truly wealthy indeed, these noble sons, sparing no expense for a mere spiritual chrysanthemum petal." Huang Furo explained beside him, "To these noble families, gold and silver are useless items, but if they can exchange them for a portion of Spirit Essence, it''s worth it to enhance cultivation and break through bottlenecks. Moreover, establishing a connection with Princess Yuzhen through these flowers is a worthwhile endeavor." "The people here aren''t fools. Even if they don''t buy anything, making a bid and showing their face is still valuable." Shen Qing showed an understanding expression. After some fierce bidding, the twelve petals of the glowing Nine Sun Chrysanthemum each found a buyer among twelve people. Seeing her own brother make the first bid and truly show his face in front of Princess Yuzhen, Su Qiaoqiao was quite pleased, her face beaming with joy. Afterwards, everyone began to continue commenting on the other chrysanthemums in the hall. Shen Qing didn''t have much interest as he was not here for the chrysanthemums today. He picked up the teacup and drank tea, no longer paying attention. Huang Furo curiously asked next to him, "Don''t you want to show your face in front of Princess Yuzhen? You might use this chance to climb the social ladder. It''s a rare opportunity today." "I don''t understand chrysanthemums, nor am I interested in them, so I prefer not to embarrass myself," Shen Qing said, looking at Huang Furo, as if he had thought of something, jokingly saying, "Speaking of which, chrysanthemums have another name where I come from." "What name? Tell me," Huang Furo asked curiously. Shen Qing smiled and said, "In my hometown, chrysanthemums are often used to describe a kind of quirky sparrow." "What kind of sparrow is that?" "Just a special kind of sparrow." Huang Furo wanted to ask more, but Shen Qing was unwilling to say more. Time slowly passed. Continue your adventure with My Virtual Library Empire After almost an hour, dishes began to be served, marking the start of today''s Chrysanthemum Viewing Feast. "Next, let''s all speak freely, discuss ancient and modern topics, and exchange what we have." Princess Yuzhen gently raised the jade cup in her hand, concealing her sleeve, she sipped a cup of Baihua wine, completely igniting the atmosphere in the hall. Guests whispered to each other, making the hall bustling with life and noise. "Your Highness, you''re well-versed; I have a question that I don''t understand and came to seek your wisdom," a young man in a blue robe stood up, cupping his hands, and asked first, "Why do these chrysanthemums contain such unique Spirit Essence this year? In previous years, they did not." "Indeed, they didn''t in previous years, so why this year?" The man clad in a blue robe voiced the doubt in many people''s hearts. Princess Yuzhen smiled gently, carrying a touch of dignified grace in her demeanor, "If I remember correctly, you''re Cui Mingxuan, the second son of the Cui Family?" Cui Mingxuan hurriedly bowed, with a hint of uncontainable tremor, "I didn''t expect Your Highness to remember me, truly an honor." Princess Yuzhen didn''t mind, she said harmoniously, "This matter indeed is a long story." "We all know that we are now at Beihai Lake, its waters vast and boundless. It''s said to have been created by a Great Power from the Ancient Times, who punched it into existence. When we think about it today, it''s indeed somewhat incredible." "But let me tell you, such phenomena were common in the Ancient Times and not surprising at all." Everyone present focused their attention, listening attentively. Sear?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Even Shen Qing, who was not very interested in the Chrysanthemum Viewing Festival, became rare in his seriousness. Princess Yuzhen continued, "In the Ancient Times, the Spirit Essence was ample, and everything had its spirituality. Those without sentient minds, we called them spirit plants or spirit beasts. Once they awakened their sentience, they transformed into demons; if one''s mind fell into imbalance, they might become demons that endanger the world." Chapter 21 Discussing the Tao and Resolving Confusions_2 "Nowadays, demons are gradually appearing in the world, in other words, the Spirit Essence from Ancient Times is gradually revealing itself in the human world.""The chrysanthemums I cultivated have thrived on the Spirit Mechanism collected by the Imperial family over the years, thus becoming this extraordinary Spirit Plant, possessing a trace of Spirit Essence." As Princess Yuzhen finished speaking, the lively atmosphere in the hall gradually turned quiet. Everyone was processing the information revealed by Princess Yuzhen. The attendees, all noble family children, were aware of their family''s "vegetable city" harvesting demons and refining Demon Cores. They believed their families, acting discreetly, were ahead of the Imperial family. Little did they know that the Imperial family had actually kept a massive advantage hidden. The Demon Cores contained numerous violent impurities, which couldn''t compare to the purity of Spirit Essence. Sitting, Shen Qing observed everyone''s reactions and mused to himself: "The intelligence controlled by the Ji family of Great Zhou is significantly more than what others know." "Xiao Hu once confided in me that their Huangtian Sect was also secretly gathering Spirit Essence, which explains their rapid rise in recent years, even rivaling the Ji family." Cui Mingxuan, the second son of the Cui Family, quickly responded, "I see, thank you, Your Highness, for clearing up the confusion." Princess Yuzhen was quite pleased with everyone''s reaction, so she laughed quietly, covering her mouth, and said, "Does anyone else have questions? If they are shareable secrets, I am willing to share them with everyone." Before the words faded, an eager person stepped forward from the crowd, eyes filled with an insatiable desire for cultivation: "Your Highness, you mentioned that in the Ancient Times, Spirit Essence was abundant. So in the current world, how can we effectively cultivate, break through bottlenecks, and explore the mysteries of immortality?" Princess Yuzhen nodded slightly and replied, "The path of cultivation is long and arduous, with perseverance being key. To break through bottlenecks, one must first cultivate the heart; a clear heart mirrors all things. As for immortality... in the present world, it should not be possible." The crowd was in an uproar. To them, reaching the peak of cultivation would allow one to glimpse the mysteries of immortality, which was a consensus among martial artists. But Princess Yuzhen''s words overturned their understanding, causing a storm of turmoil in their hearts that was hard to calm. Shen Qing pondered for a moment and stood up respectfully, asking, "May I ask, Your Highness, I heard of many celestial martial arts techniques stored in the Imperial Armory. It is said that mastering these techniques deeply can reveal immortality; is this not true?" His words were startling, "Or are these techniques perhaps fake?" The other guests in the hall immediately grew unsettled. S§×ar?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. They looked at Shen Qing with incredulity. This was blatant disrespect. However, Huang Furo, sitting quietly beside him, simply watched Shen Qing without saying a word. Seeing Shen Qing so composed, her worries eased, her face remaining calm. When everyone thought Shen Qing would displease Princess Yuzhen, she spoke. Contrary to expectations, Princess Yuzhen didn''t mind and treated him with courtesy, smiling as she said, "Chief Shen has indeed pointed out a key aspect." "Celestial martial arts techniques mostly originate from Ancient methods. As mentioned earlier, the Ancient Spirit Essence is different from today, and the same principles manifest differently in different places. So, saying celestial martial arts can reveal immortality is both correct and incorrect." Shen Qing carefully contemplated Princess Yuzhen''s words, and with the aid of his "scholarly insight," he grasped the crucial point in an instant. Exactly. An unfitting environment would undoubtedly result in different outcomes from the same techniques. So what Princess Yuzhen knows, Ji Bofan could not be unaware of. Knowing this, why did he constantly "encourage" me to enter the fifth level of the Imperial Armory? It must have been to compel me to cultivate! Connecting the paper, ink, and brushes prepared on the scene, he continuously inquired about my cultivation insights and progress, coupled with the untraceable past practitioners of celestial martial arts, and a clear answer emerged. Ji Bofan was using him as a test subject for celestial martial arts experiments. And once cultivated, these unsuitable celestial martial arts would likely lead to undesirable outcomes. Thinking it through, such an action couldn''t be solely orchestrated by Ji Bofan. Perhaps from the beginning, when Ji Zikong gave him the Cuiying Order, this intention already existed. Shen Qing inwardly sighed in relief. Thankfully, he was clever and didn''t rashly engage in cultivation, otherwise, it would truly be unmanageable. He put away these thoughts and sincerely thanked, "Thank you, Your Highness, for enlightening me." A faint, indifferent smile appeared at the corner of Princess Yuzhen''s mouth as she surveyed the surroundings and asked, "Does anyone else have questions?" Seeing Princess Yuzhen''s broad-mindedness, the attendees felt relieved and began asking questions eagerly, exchanging ideas. "Chief Shen mentioned martial arts techniques earlier. I would like to ask Your Highness, given the multitude of martial arts techniques globally, how should one select the most suitable method for themselves, and how to avoid falling into a wrong path?" Princess Yuzhen replied, "Choosing a technique is like drinking water, only you know its warmth and coolness. The key is its alignment with one''s nature; if it fits, it''s a good method. As for wrong paths, they often stem from desire. If the heart is not greedy, all methods are correct." "I have learned a lot." "May I ask Your Highness..." ... Questions kept arising in the hall, making the previously silent atmosphere lively once more. Huang Furo observed covertly for a while longer, seeing Princess Yuzhen had no intent to trouble Shen Qing, she finally felt relieved. Once the free discussions concluded, it was time for contests of poetry, verses, and martial prowess. Shen Qing had no interest in this. Seeing that today''s purpose was mostly fulfilled, he didn''t wish to linger. So, while everyone was engrossed, he quietly stood up to leave when no one was watching. Huang Furo lowered her voice and asked, "Leaving now?" Shen Qing nodded slightly. "Shall we go together then?" "Alright." The two left together, trying not to disturb others. However, their movements caught Su Qiaoqiao''s attention, making her displeased. She had put considerable effort into organizing the gathering and wouldn''t tolerate anyone looking down on it. Adding this to the small incident before the gathering, Shen Qing''s "provocation"... With everything, Su Qiaoqiao wanted to make up for her shortcomings and show herself before Princess Yuzhen. She excused herself, claiming a need to use the restroom, and left to follow Shen Qing and Huang Furo. Outside the cabin, the sun was setting in the west. Radiant glows, like countless fragments of gold foil, scattered across the lake, with magnificent, shimmering golden waves. Upon exiting the lively hall, Shen Qing and Huang Furo immediately felt their spirits lighten. They hadn''t even had a chance to appreciate the scene when a sharp female voice called out from behind, stopping them. "Stop!" Shen Qing turned to see Su Qiaoqiao approaching briskly, full of energy. Continue reading at My Virtual Library Empire Her long white legs and the ornaments on her skirt clashed, creating a jingling noise. Her sharp phoenix eyes glanced Shen Qing up and down, speaking unfriendly, "Why are you two leaving without a word? It''s improper to come and go as you please, isn''t it?" Shen Qing responded casually, "It''s merely that I found the atmosphere too noisy and came out to get some air. Why, is that not allowed?" His relaxed tone made it seem like all this was trivial. But such an indifferent attitude ignited a fire in Su Qiaoqiao''s heart as if sparks had fallen into a pile of wood. She lost her usual calmness and composure, seething, "You just offended the Princess, and though the Princess was magnanimous not to reprimand you, I won''t let you off." Before finishing her sentence, Su Qiaoqiao''s figure flashed, closing in on Shen Qing, with a formidable energy gathered in her palm, striking fiercely. Chapter 22 Slap in the Face, Stunning Everyone ```Su Qiaoqiao''s palm gathered immense power, sweeping towards Shen Qing in the blink of an eye, closing in on Shen Qing''s vital point with astonishing speed. Yet, seeing Shen Qing remaining unfazed, Su Qiaoqiao''s lips curled into a smile. The so-called top fighter of the Jing Luan Assembly is just this much. The move she was using now was the Frost Shadow Palm, which she had cultivated for years. Though it wouldn''t take a life, it penetrates the bone, freezing the opponent''s spiritual power, leaving them at her mercy. It was just right to teach him a lesson, lest he doesn''t know the heights of heaven and the depths of earth. However, just as Su Qiaoqiao''s palm neared within an inch of Shen Qing''s chest, almost touching the warm skin, an unexpected turn of events occurred. Her palm seemed to collide with an invisible yet firm wall, unable to inch forward no matter how much force she applied. That barrier seemed to harbor immense power, completely isolating Su Qiaoqiao''s attack, not budging a bit. This sudden mishap caused a flicker of astonishment to pass through Su Qiaoqiao''s eyes. But being seasoned by countless battles, her shock lasted only for a moment. "Tricks!" Su Qiaoqiao snorted coldly, urging her whole body''s spiritual power into her palm. The palm, originally glistening with a frosty sheen, now shone with dazzling brilliance. Her palm was enveloped in a layer of frost-like hue. She exerted her strength once more, the brilliance flowing, trying to break through the barrier on Shen Qing with even greater force. Continue your story on My Virtual Library Empire The barrier remained unmoved, making her difficult to advance. Su Qiaoqiao was utterly bewildered. In fact, if she had summoned her primordial spirit, she would surely see another "Shen Qing" clasping her wrist firmly before her, rendering her immobile. Shen Qing, a head taller than Su Qiaoqiao, looked down at her and said calmly, "Miss Su, this is not how you treat a guest." "Hmm?" Before Shen Qing''s words fully dissipated, an unprecedentedly strong pressure suddenly descended on Su Qiaoqiao. The pressure was so immense that it made Su Qiaoqiao''s body tremble, even causing her legs to go weak. She felt as if a towering mountain was pressing on her shoulders, forcing them to sink, gradually bowing her head. The strength of this force exceeded her expectations. A surge of unprecedented horror welled up in Su Qiaoqiao''s heart, making her even doubt her own cultivation. She struggled to look up at Shen Qing. The latter was watching her with an unreadable smile, making her scalp tingle. Shen Qing''s fingers moved slightly, an invisible and sharp Soul Stab silently entered Su Qiaoqiao''s Sea of Consciousness. Bang! Su Qiaoqiao gave a muffled groan, as if an invisible sledgehammer had struck her mind, an intense pain exploded from the depths of her soul, sweeping through her body instantly, making everything before her blurred, as if the world was spinning uncontrollably, almost fainting. At this moment, Su Qiaoqiao truly realized how terrifying the man before her was. His cultivation far surpassed hers. Her heart was filled with shock. Su Qiaoqiao quickly bit her tongue, using the pain to regain some clarity, her eyes wide open, she shouted sternly, "How bold, I am a daughter of the Su Family, and you dare to touch me..." "So what, only officials are allowed to set fires while the common people can''t light lamps?" Shen Qing unhesitatingly punched her in the chest. Bang! Su Qiaoqiao''s figure flew back like a kite with a broken string, drawing a long arc, flying several zhang away before heavily crashing to the ground. A pained expression appeared on Su Qiaoqiao''s face. She felt her qi-blood churning in her chest, her throat tasted sweet, and with a loud "wa", a mouthful of fresh blood spewed forth, staining her dress, splattering onto the deck beside her. Su Qiaoqiao was completely stunned, her eyes full of shock and anger, staring at Shen Qing, unable to believe what had just happened. In her understanding, how could someone like Shen Qing, with no background, dare to act against her without considering identities? S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. At that moment, the shock and anger in her heart intertwined, leaving her at a loss for what to do. Shen Qing paid no heed, turning away with Huang Furo. Just then, Su Qiaoqiao, who was lying on the ground, suddenly raised her head, glaring at Shen Qing. Her hair disheveled, she was in a pitiful state, snarling, "Shen, do you know who stands before you? You dare to touch me, do you believe I''ll make you wish for life, but unable to die?" Shen Qing paused, turned to look. Before he could do anything, a crisp slap suddenly echoed in the air between them. Unbeknownst to him, Princess Yuzhen had silently stood in front of him. The just risen Su Qiaoqiao was once again heavily slapped to the ground by Princess Yuzhen, her delicate face pressed tightly against the deck. Princess Yuzhen said coldly, "Today, this princess hosts the Chrysanthemum Viewing Festival, how can you be so rude to my guest?" Su Qiaoqiao was full of astonishment, still in a daze from the sudden slap. Moments later, she quickly gathered herself, disregarding the injury on her face, she hurriedly sat up, explaining, "I... Princess, Shen Qing just tried to leave halfway, and was disrespectful to the princess at the gathering, clearly disregarding your presence." Smack! Another slap landed. With a bang, Su Qiaoqiao''s face slammed heavily against the deck, having an intimate encounter with it. The series of strikes left her completely bewildered, her mind blank, stunned like a wooden chicken. ``` Chapter 22 A Slap in the Face, Shocking Everyone_2 Even the burning pain on his face was completely ignored.The slap''s sound was extremely loud and noticeable, drawing the attention of everyone in the hall. When they saw Su Qiaoqiao lying on the ground like a pig''s head and Shen Qing standing with hands tied, they were momentarily confused and couldn''t grasp the situation. With Princess Yuzhen present, they didn''t dare ask directly, so they began whispering among themselves. At this moment, Princess Yuzhen stepped forward, gracefully bowing to Shen Qing and said, "I apologize, it was my poor control over my subordinates that disturbed you, Master Shen. I have brought you unnecessary trouble, and this is indeed my fault." "What happened? Why is Princess Yuzhen being so courteous to this person?" The people present discussed endlessly, not expecting to encounter such a situation and were left clueless. In front of everyone involved, Shen Qing narrowed his eyes slightly, as if detecting something. He cupped his hands respectfully and said, "Your Highness overestimates me. I am merely a minor official of the military department, unworthy of such honor from the Princess. Attending Her Highness''s banquet today has been an immense benefit." Princess Yuzhen said softly, "Considering this for my sake, how about we let this incident pass?" Shen Qing replied, "We didn''t have any grudges to begin with, so let bygones be bygones." "That''s good." Princess Yuzhen gave Su Qiaoqiao a sidelong glance, "Why aren''t you quickly coming over to thank Master Shen for his magnanimity? If it wasn''t for Master Shen holding back just now, with his cultivation at the Primordial Spirit stage, you would be long dead!" "Ah!" The crowd gasped, sucking in a cold breath. "Primordial Spirit stage, at his age, he''s already at the Primordial Spirit stage of cultivation?" Everyone found it unbelievable. The Great Zhou was a nation that valued martial prowess, and any martial artist who broke through to the Primordial Spirit stage was considered a prominent figure, holding a significant position in the imperial court. It was unimaginable that this young man had already broken through to such a realm at such a young age, truly a remarkable feat. Standing beside Shen Qing, Huang Furo was also extremely shocked, looking at Shen Qing. She knew of Shen Qing''s exceptional martial talent, and since entering the capital, his cultivation had progressed further, but she didn''t expect it to have reached such a level. For a moment, it was as if she was seeing Shen Qing in a new light and didn''t know what to do. Equally shocked was Su Qiaoqiao. Now with her hair disheveled and clothes in disarray. Her face was swollen like a pig''s head, and her eyes were squeezed into slits. Even so, the inexplicable shock in her eyes was still clearly visible. If Shen Qing really didn''t let her go just now, she truly wouldn''t have had any strength to retaliate. Su Qiaoqiao was filled with lingering fear, feeling a sense of having survived a calamity. Now it seemed, Princess Yuzhen''s actions had actually spared her. Su Qiaoqiao no longer felt any grievance in her heart, nor cared about any dignity, quickly crawling on the ground, sincerely saying, "Thank you, Master Shen, I was blind." Shen Qing remained noncommittal. He gazed at Princess Yuzhen''s flawless face and said, "The night is getting late, I still have plenty of duties tonight, so I will take my leave first, hoping for your Highness''s forgiveness." Princess Yuzhen smiled and said, "Master Shen, please proceed." Shen Qing clasped his hands once again, gave a respectful bow, and walked away briskly, no longer staying. On the side, Huang Furo also excused herself and quickly followed. Watching Shen Qing''s departing figure, Princess Yuzhen''s smile grew even more pronounced, thinking to herself, "This Master Shen truly has some courage, remarkable, truly remarkable." "In the family, many brothers and sisters, even with the support of countless spiritual resources, can''t reach his level." "As long as he doesn''t die, his future will be limitless. I can get closer to him, promote him a bit, making good relations in advance won''t be harmful." Seeing Shen Qing''s figure disappear completely from her sight, she withdrew her thoughts, glanced around at everyone, then returned to the hall and said, "Continue the songs and dances." In the evening, the sunset dyed the sky a splendid orange-red like blood, and the afterglow cast on the shimmering lake, draping the vast lake with a golden veil. Shen Qing and Huang Furo walked out of the cabin side by side, their shadows elongated by the sunset. Huang Furo appeared as if she wanted to say something but hesitated. Shen Qing smiled, "Master Huangfu, if you have something to say, just say it, no need to be formal with me." S§×ar?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Huang Furo sighed long, "Master Shen, your cultivation progress can truly be described as advancing by leaps and bounds, making people both astonished and envious." Shen Qing gave a gentle smile, humbly saying, "This is just a coincidence, nothing much." Huang Furo did not take Shen Qing''s modest words seriously, she looked up, gazing at the sunset slowly sinking into the lake, remaining silent. Soon, the two reached their respective carriages. Shen Qing stopped and said, "During this Chrysanthemum Viewing Festival, I obtained quite some crucial intelligence, matters concerning my safety. Thanks a lot." Saying so, Shen Qing pulled out a crystal-clear jade pendant from his bosom. The jade pendant was crystal-clear, emitting a faint spiritual glow. Not allowing Huang Furo to refuse, he gently slipped it into her hands. Huang Furo felt the waves of spiritual power from the jade pendant and realized what it was. "This... this is too valuable. I can''t accept it." "Just keep it, this spiritual essence might be more important for you, and didn''t you say you want to be like me just now?" After speaking, Shen Qing strode towards his carriage, as he boarded, he said, "In the future, let''s meet more often. Goodbye!" Sitting in the carriage, Tian Xiaohu, an old acquaintance of Huang Furo, nodded in greeting, then waved the long whip. "Giddy-up!" The carriage wheels rolled, and sped away quickly. Huang Furo looked at the jade pendant in her hand, suddenly clenched it, murmuring to herself in a voice only she could hear, "If only I could be like you... at least I could help you in some way, not drifting further apart." ... That night, the moon was dark and the wind was high. Inside the Royal Armory, the candlelight flickered, casting shadows on the mottled stone walls. A man, dressed in the attire of an armory official, hurriedly pushed open the door and walked inside. Upon entering the Royal Armory, he didn''t stop, proceeding straight to the fifth floor. There sat Ji Bochuban cross-legged, eyes closed, surrounded by a faint spiritual glow, using his spirit eyes to absorb spiritual energy, enhancing his cultivation. "Lord Ji, there is an urgent matter to report!" the official lowered his voice, but couldn''t hide the urgency in his tone. Ji Bochuban slowly opened his eyes, which gleamed brightly. He slightly tilted his head, signaling the official to come closer. "What is making you so anxious?" Ji Bochuban said, puzzled. The official leaned in close to his ear, whispering, "I just received news, Shen Qing, he... he has already broken through to the Primordial Spirit stage!" Upon hearing this, a look of disbelief flashed across Ji Bochuban''s face, "Is this true?" "This was personally confirmed by Princess Yuzhen, it shouldn''t be false." Ji Bochuban opened his mouth, immediately falling into thought. The Primordial Spirit stage, across the entire Great Zhou, was a rare existence. For Shen Qing to reach it so quickly was truly astonishing. "Could it be..." Ji Bochuban seemed to have thought of something, striding quickly to the screen, where there was a thick pile of cultivation insights and notes. Yes, it must be this. Otherwise, there would be no way to explain how Shen Qing''s cultivation could suddenly advance tremendously. This immortal martial arts method, after numerous trials by heaven''s chosen, had finally been refined to its current state. Perhaps the path was truly opened. Shen Qing must have gained insight from this, greatly advancing his cultivation. After pondering in place for a while, a resolute look flashed in Ji Bochuban''s eyes, he quickly adjusted his attire, muttering to himself, "This matter is of great importance, I should immediately go meet His Majesty, report this to him, and let him decide." Having made up his mind, Ji Bochuban quickly left the Royal Armory. He flashed, turning into a streak of light, sprinting deep into the palace. Chapter 23 The Old Schemer, Promotion and Nobility ```Deep within the Imperial Palace, as night falls and silence prevails, Ji Bochu moves unobstructed, arriving before the Spirit Nourishing Hall. This palace is the place where Ji Zikong usually rests, works, and cultivates. At this late hour, he is usually present here. At present, the Spirit Nourishing Hall remains brightly lit, with two guards from the Eunuch Department standing sentinel at the entrance. The guards recognize Ji Bochu and step forward to greet him, "Chief Ji." Ji Bochu halts and hurriedly says, "I have some matters that are quite urgent and need to report them to His Highness personally. Please inform him." "Please wait a moment, Chief Ji." The guard replies with a smile and turns to enter the grand hall gently. Moments later, the guard emerges from the hall, clasping his hands politely, and says warmly, "Chief Ji, His Highness invites you in." Ji Bochu nods in gratitude, crosses without any hesitation, and steps into the grand hall. Within the grand hall, candles flicker, illuminating the magnificence of the richly decorated dome. A faint fragrance fills the air, calming one''s mind. Ji Bochu''s expression unconsciously becomes solemn. In the depths of the grand hall, there stands an ancient-looking table upon which lie several ordinary objects. Beside the table, Ji Zikong sits poised on a golden-yellow meditation mat, sword light still encircling him like a predator yet to dissociate. His hair cascades freely, his eyes gleam like lightning, sharp and fierce. Chu Yuanfu, the Grand Eunuch, quietly stands by. As the foremost figure in Great Zhou Martial Arts, Ji Zikong''s Qi-Blood is abundant, his spiritual power vast as the sea, his energy vigorous. Ever since achieving his cultivation, he has almost ceased to sleep. His days are spent in matters of state and cultivation, his life anchored in the Spirit Nourishing Hall throughout the years. Upon seeing Ji Bochu enter, Ji Zikong ends his cultivation, exhaling a heavy breath, causing a sudden gust of wind. Under this breath, both Chu Yuanfu and Ji Bochu''s garments flutter noisily. They feel a sharp aura, stinging their skin. "Chief Ji visiting me at such a late hour," Ji Zikong says, radiating authority without anger, "is there pressing business to discuss?" Faced with the formidable presence of a Unity Realm martial master, Ji Bochu feels a bit apprehensive. He quickly steps forward a few paces, bows, and says, "Your Majesty, indeed there is an urgent matter. Recently..." Stopping deliberately, he glances at Chu Yuanfu. Seeing no reaction from Ji Zikong, he resumes speaking after a pause, carefully expressing himself, "I have just received a secret report; that Military Department''s Chief Officer Shen Qing has broken through to the Primordial Spirit Realm." At this, Ji Zikong''s brow remains unruffled, as if already in the know. He glances at Ji Bochu, noting his overjoyed expression, and calmly asks, "Are you implying that it''s because of the Immortal Martial Technique?" Ji Bochu''s eyes blaze with excitement as he nods enthusiastically, "Precisely, Your Majesty. The latest version of the Great Success Saint Body Technique seems to have proven successful." "For our Ji Family, this is indeed wonderful news. With this new Immortal Martial Technique, if the younger generation of the clan competes to cultivate, we might produce an outstanding martial master once more. In the future, when facing that great catastrophe, Your Majesty will stand a better chance." Ji Zikong gently caresses an exquisite teacup on the table, his thoughts seemingly drifting far away. After a while, he slowly asks, "This matter is not urgent, let it rest for now." Ji Bochu seems taken aback. "Has Chief Ji any other matters?" Ji Bochu attempts to argue further, "Your Majesty..." "Chief Ji." Ji Zikong interrupts him first, "Go back and carefully contemplate this matter, and if there are doubts later, come to me." Recognizing the dismissal in Ji Zikong''s words, Ji Bochu does not persist, clasping his hands, "I await your order, Your Majesty." With that, he retreats. Bang. The grand door shuts once more. The vast hall is left with only Ji Zikong and Chu Yuanfu. "Chu Banban!" Ji Zikong''s words break the silence of the hall. Chu Yuanfu bows his head, "This old servant is here." "That Shen Qing is somewhat peculiar." Chu Yuanfu''s brows furrow, Shen Qing''s youthful visage flashing across his mind. "Your Majesty, what''s peculiar about Chief Officer Shen?" Ji Zikong''s expression turns grave, "Do you think someone from a lowly background, lacking the slightest opportunity to temper their muscle and bone through spiritual power to assist cultivation, even with great talent, could break through to the Primordial Spirit Realm in mere years?" "This... Your Majesty, this old servant is poorly learned, truly does not know." Chu Yuanfu quickly apologizes. "Impossible!" Ji Zikong shakes his head, answering himself, "In nine hundred years since the Great Zhou was founded, no such person has emerged. If placed at the end of ancient times, perhaps such a prodigy existed, but in our current climate, absolutely not!" "After learning from Yu Zhen today that this individual has already broken through to the Primordial Spirit Realm, I''ve pondered this matter all day, and this remains my conclusion. Shen Qing must hold some secret I am unaware of, otherwise how could a huntsman have reached this point?" "So, if he has cultivated to the Primordial Spirit Realm, it won''t be due to the Immortal Martial Technique. Perhaps he only used the Spirit Eye within the Imperial Armory for cultivation, never touching that Immortal Martial Technique." Hearing this, Chu Yuanfu''s expression changes, "Wouldn''t this imply he''s guilty of deceiving the Emperor?" "At present, there''s no stipulation requiring someone to cultivate specific Immortal Martial Techniques upon entering the Imperial Armory." Puzzled, Chu Yuanfu asks, "Then what does Your Majesty mean?" Ji Zikong replies, "Given the current grand circumstances, the mediocre have their worth, and geniuses their uses. He is already a Unity Realm martial master; employing him merely as a trial subject is too wasteful. It happens I am in need of a sharp sword." S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ``` Chapter 23 The Old Schemer, Promotion and Nobility_2 Ji Zikong stood up, gazing out the window into the night sky, and said ethereally, "In today''s world, the potential of spiritual martial power is only sufficient for one person to transcend the limits of the heavens and achieve the highest. Even so, there is no certainty of victory against the celestial demons.""In the end, there are just too many martial masters in the world. You grab a little, I grab a little, and the remaining resources are divided up, leaving no one satisfied." "In my view, it would be better if there were half as many martial masters." Chu Yuanfu, standing by, shuddered at these cold words. He promptly said, "Your Majesty, we''ve just gone through a pacification meeting. To continue at this rate might incite a civil uprising, endangering the state." "I know," Ji Zikong said nonchalantly, "That''s why I need a knife to do this bit by bit for me." Chu Yuanfu said, "Your Majesty, in that case, wouldn''t this knife become the target of everyone? A few strikes, and it might already be nicked. Hit a hard stone, and the knife might break." "That''s just right! It becomes the half that''s gone." Ji Zikong indifferently uttered cold words between open and closing lips, "A knife is a consumable; if it breaks, just replace it, it''s no trouble." Chu Yuanfu wisely kept his head down, maintaining silence, not speaking further. After a moment, the Great Zhou Emperor Ji Zikong seemed to think of something and suddenly said, "Speaking of which, I remember that this time, in the pacification meeting, we stripped Shen Qing of the marquisate. Now that he is a martial master in the Primordial Spirit Realm, it''s time to give him some advantages to use him. Also, it''s just right to dig into his secrets, which might be more useful to the Great Dao than those Immortal Martial Techniques." After contemplating for a moment, Ji Zikong instructed, "Tomorrow, have Eunuch He draft a decree for me, conferring Shen Qing as the Marquis of Martial Peace." "Your servant... complies." "It''s late at night, I still need to cultivate and rest, do not disturb me before dawn." Returning to the Imperial Armory, Ji Bochu was filled with many doubts. No matter how much he thought about it, he couldn''t understand why, when Shen Qing had already proven the latest version of the [Great Success Saint Body Technique] was sound, His Majesty did not adopt its cultivation. That is, after all, an Immortal Martial Technique! Any Immortal Martial Technique has an extremely clear path of cultivation, progressing from shallow to deep. In terms of power and speed, its cultivation is far superior to other techniques, not to mention the faint possibility of attaining longevity. Ji Bochu was very puzzled. Since His Majesty did not permit cultivating it, he''d cultivate it himself. When Shen Qing comes over, he will scrutinize the pathways behind this [Great Success Saint Body Technique]. ... Shen Qing knew nothing of what transpired in the palace. He walked into the Imperial Armory as usual, looking calm. After participating in the Chrysanthemum Appreciation Meeting, he had comprehended his situation and the potential issue with the Immortal Martial Techniques. Now entering the Imperial Armory again, his state of mind was entirely different; it was no longer a blur where he couldn''t see clearly. Shen Qing walked to the fifth level of the Imperial Armory, where at a glance he saw Ji Bochu practicing fist techniques on the fifth level. Ji Bochu appeared to be quite aged, Shen Qing guessed he was probably over a hundred years old. Yet despite his age, his punch wind still howled, each punch carried a formidable force akin to a mountain or sea, tearing the surrounding air to shreds, exuding a spirit of indomitable will. Shen Qing smiled, approaching to greet, "Chief Ji." Ji Bochu, sensing him, swept his sleeve and slowly collected his fists, turning to Shen Qing and saying, "Mr. Shen, you''re here so early today?" "Nothing much at home, so I just came straight over." "That''s good, the fifth floor here hosts many Immortal Martial Techniques, and with you absent, I really wouldn''t feel easy. Hahaha..." Shen Qing glanced around. This Imperial Armory was built underground, with no windows and guards above, making what he said just pleasantries. After some small talk, Ji Bochu suddenly said seriously, "Mr. Shen, I just happen to have a favor to ask of you. If convenient." Shen Qing fist in palm, courteously replied, "Chief Ji, you''re too polite. Feel free to speak. If it''s within my ability, I''ll certainly help." "The Great Success Saint Body Technique has been here for quite some time. It''s said that this technique can forge a supreme physique, transcending the mundane. I practiced it in my younger years but found it difficult to train, and it eventually came to nothing." "So I wanted to seek some guidance from Chief Officer Shen. How is this Immortal Martial Technique truly cultivated, is there a unique cultivation method?" He wants to ask me about the cultivation path of the Great Success Saint Body Technique? When it comes to Immortal Martial Techniques, Shen Qing instinctively became wary. He was already aware that Ji Bochu had seen him as a test subject for the Immortal Martial Techniques. It seems Ji Bochu has noticed his cultivation advancements and wants to verify some cultivation methods. That''s perfect, let it go as he wishes. Shen Qing activated the skill [Learning and Seeking the Dao], continuously recalling the cultivation paths within the [Great Success Saint Body Technique] Immortal Martial Technique. After a moment, he organized his words and said, "The Great Success Saint Body Technique is a martial study focusing on the body, and it stands unique in methods of tempering the physique." "Its essence lies in harmonizing the energy of heaven and earth, cultivating inside out, strengthening muscles and bones. Ultimately refining a trace of sacred blood with the body''s essence, which then nourishes the body in return, the other reciprocating, to reach the state of the Great Success Saint Body." Under the enhancement of the [Learning and Seeking the Dao] skill, Shen Qing depicted every detail, every nuance of the "Great Success Saint Body Technique" vividly, leaving nothing out, with self-consistent logic throughout. Three parts falsehood, seven parts truth. Ji Bochu listened intently, nodding at times, furrowing his brow at others, and smiling with delight at others, clearly gaining much. "Mr. Shen, would you be willing to demonstrate a bit? So I can grasp the true meaning." Ji Bochu''s tone held a hint of anticipation. "Naturally." Shen Qing, without hesitation, immediately activated the trace of golden sacred blood within him. Although the Six Paths Reincarnation Method and the Great Success Saint Body Technique have very different paths, they are yet akin, remarkably similar in the art of condensing sacred blood. With sacred blood surging, Shen Qing''s aura dramatically increased. Soon, his muscles gradually swelled, and beneath his skin, a golden sheen faintly emerged, a sign of having achieved a minor success in the Great Success Saint Body Technique by condensing sacred blood. Moments later, Shen Qing''s entire body seemed to become a furnace, waves of heat continually exuding from him, which even moved the onlooking Ji Bochu. It was indeed the Great Success Saint Body Technique. Your journey continues at My Virtual Library Empire He truly mastered and traversed part of the path. Ji Bochu was euphoric inside. This technique''s enhancement on the body was extremely domineering. Once cultivation yields any achievement, the increase in longevity is also very apparent. "The Great Success Saint Body Technique is indeed extraordinary, my eyes have truly been opened today." "Chief Ji flatters me, I''m just fortunate to have attained minor success." Shen Qing continually displayed humility, not daring arrogance. After some more pleasantries, Shen Qing intended to return to cultivation within the Spirit Eye. Just then, footsteps resounded from upstairs. Shortly after, a steward hurried in, with a solemn expression, calling to Shen Qing, "Master Shen Qing, there is an imperial decree, please quickly receive the decree." "An imperial decree? Chief Ji, I''ll be off for a moment." Shen Qing quickly followed behind the steward, silently speculating about the sudden nature of this decree. As he emerged from the Imperial Armory, he immediately saw the head eunuch He Yong standing at the entrance, clad in a python robe, holding the imperial decree. He Yong''s demeanor was calm, wearing a smiling countenance. He took out the decree and called, "Master Shen Qing, receive the decree!" "At your service." Shen Qing knelt on one knee. He Yong''s expression did not change as he unfolded the decree to read aloud, "By His Majesty''s will, Emperor decrees thus: Shen Qing, with exceptional cultivation and merits in safeguarding regions, is specially conferred the title of Marquis of Martial Peace, rewarded with ten thousand wish beads, and a hundred acres of fertile land, to commend his service. So proclaimed!" What, conferred a marquisate? S§×ar?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Shen Qing was truly surprised, for this matter was so sudden, he hadn''t caught any wind of it. Now wasn''t the time to dwell, he restrained his thoughts, accepting the decree: "Your humble servant Shen Qing, thanks His Majesty''s great grace!" Chapter 24 The Seventh Prince Steals Credit, Shen Qing Sets Up His Own Estate The golden silk shimmered with a liquid brilliance under the sunlight.After Shen Qing accepted the Imperial Decree, his gaze quickly scanned the flowing script, his eyes narrowed slightly, becoming all the more solemn. He closed the Imperial Decree and turned his gaze to He Yong, who was waiting by the side. The Chief Eunuch stood straight, his body radiating with vigorous Qi-Blood; just a slight approach would reveal the searing aura emanating from him. Clearly, he was a Martial Arts expert with not low cultivation. Continue your adventure at My Virtual Library Empire If it weren''t for the "One Lotus" official uniform he wore, one could hardly tell he was already castrated. Shen Qing collected his thoughts and approached sincerely, "Lord He, it''s truly laborious for you to personally come and deliver the decree." He Yong cupped his hands in return, with a gentle smile, "Marquis Shen is too kind; it is an honor for this old servant to serve such a pillar of the nation as yourself." Just as He Yong was about to turn and take his leave, Shen Qing seemed to have remembered something. He quickly advanced, slowly pulling out a delicate Jade Bottle from his sleeve, holding onto He Yong, "Lord He, this is the Old Ginseng Pill given to me by the Li Family. A small gift, a token of my respect." With that, he pressed the Jade Bottle into He Yong''s arms. Among the Elixir acquired from Xue Zhao earlier, there were a few Old Ginseng Pills that could be used to cultivate a relationship at this moment. He Yong had intended to refuse several times, but found that he couldn''t push it back regardless, so he had no choice but to relent. He looked down and saw the Jade Bottle, translucent and bright with intricate cloud patterns carved on it, appearing quite extraordinary. He Yong discreetly pushed the cork of the bottle gently, revealing a slit; instantly a faint medicinal fragrance permeated, invigorating one''s spirit. He realized that this was indeed a superb precious medicine. Sear?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Shen Qing smiled, "It is said that the Old Ginseng Pill has the effects of strengthening the foundation and nourishing the root, nourishing the Primordial Spirit. You toil for the state affairs day and night, inevitably damaging your health; this pill might be of some assistance to you." Noticing with his Divine Sense, he discerned that He Yong was at the late stage of the Jade Void Realm, just a step away from the Primordial Spirit Realm. Hence, the Old Ginseng Pill he offered would certainly hit the spot. Sure enough, a hint of delight flickered in He Yong''s eyes, and he hurriedly corked the Elixir Bottle once more, his smile widening. "Marquis Shen is truly too generous; such a precious item¡ªhow could I dare to accept it?" Though he said that, He Yong made no move to return it, clearly understanding the value of this Old Ginseng Pill. "Lord He, please do not refuse; we are both serving His Majesty and ought to look out for each other. Moreover, if you don''t accept it, it would make me, Shen, seem small-minded." Shen Qing laughed a hearty laugh, with a bit of easygoing nonchalance. Upon hearing this, He Yong no longer feigned otherwise, carefully pocketing the Jade Bottle, smiling, "Then I shall respectfully accept. Should Marquis Shen have any needs in the future, just mention them, and I, He, will be sure to help to the utmost." "Speaking of which, I do indeed have a matter to ask for your assistance, Lord He." He Yong was slightly surprised, evidently not expecting Shen Qing to be so forthright, and asked, "Oh? What does Marquis Shen wish this old servant to do?" Shen Qing leaned forward and softly inquired, "I wish to know why His Majesty suddenly conferred the Marquis title upon me; is there any particular reason?" Long before, he had already investigated and discovered that during this Jing Luan Assembly, Ji Zikong felt the rebel forces suffered minimal losses, essentially equating to their own defeat, and even with sufficient "Killing Merit," he was reluctant to fulfill the conferment of Marquis for his achievements. Moreover, he had secretly positioned him as a test subject for the Imperial Armory, essentially dismissing him. Now, suddenly "having a change of heart" seemed rather peculiar. He Yong replied in a sharp voice, "Actually, there''s nothing much; yesterday, didn''t Marquis Shen attend Princess Yuzhen''s Chrysanthemum Viewing Festival?" "You mean... Princess Yuzhen was the reason?" The Chief Eunuch He Yong nodded and said, "Regarding your cultivation, His Majesty has already heard bits from Princess Yuzhen. With Marquis Shen''s level of cultivation, not conferring a Marquis title would make His Majesty seem unimaginative in recognizing talent. After all, our Majesty is known as a seldom-seen wise ruler throughout history; how could he allow a person of your caliber to stagnate? This is merely fulfilling the external promise of the adult''s Jing Luan Assembly." "I see!" Shen Qing feigned enlightenment, speaking softly. In truth, his heart did not agree. Ji Zikong, possessing exceptionally high cultivation, if placed in that position, it would be that those who obey me thrive, and those who oppose me perish. What he says is right is right, what he says is wrong is also right. Initially, Ji Zikong hardly cared for him; how could he alter his decision merely to accommodate the opinions of others? This contradicted all the descriptions of Ji Zikong he recently heard. Unless, there were more important and beneficial factors that made him change his mind. Either the Marquis position comes with immense risks, or there''s something on him that the Emperor covets, seeking to mollify him before later seizing it. Whichever the case, for him, it was not a good thing. His eyes darkened, feeling a tinge of unease deep within. Shen Qing decided not to dwell on it further and wore a radiant smile, cupping his fists, "Thank you, Lord He." The Chief Eunuch He Yong bowed, "If the Marquis has nothing further, this old servant shall take his leave." He Yong cupped his hands, turned, and took his leave. "Safe travels, Lord He." Once He Yong''s figure gradually faded into the distance, Shen Qing''s gaze once again rested on the Imperial Decree in his hand, lost in thought. After standing still for a while, he immediately left the palace to return home. Chapter 24 The Seventh Prince Steals Credit, Shen Qing Establishes His Manor_2 The news of being granted the title of Marquis cannot be concealed for long. I must return and make some preparations, lest the visit of nobility cause a breach of etiquette and unnecessary misunderstandings.On the fifth level of the Imperial Armory, Ji Bochu sat cross-legged in the Spirit Eye, his expression solemn, staring at the Saint Body Completion Jade Box in his hand, a contemplative look in his eyes. A Weapon Repository Manager hurriedly descended the stone steps, heading to Ji Bochu, the Chief of the Imperial Armory. "Chief," the manager reported in a low voice, "Just moments ago, there came an Imperial Decree that His Majesty intends to confer the title of Marquis Wu''an upon Shen Qing." Upon hearing this, Ji Bochu furrowed his brow slightly, and the jade box in his hand trembled lightly. He turned around and looked sharply at the manager, questioning doubtfully, "Is this true?" The manager nodded to affirm, "I saw it with my own eyes, absolutely true. It won''t be long before the news spreads throughout the entire Imperial City." Ji Bochu was silent for a moment, perplexed inwardly by this unfathomable decision of His Majesty. Clearly, Shen Qing was appointed as a test subject, so why the sudden change of mind? The Saint Body Completion Technique was just beginning to show promise. However, he knew that His Majesty never acts without reason. There must be a reason behind Shen Qing being conferred the title of Marquis. "His Majesty''s actions have become increasingly unfathomable these days," Ji Bochu muttered to himself. The manager, hearing this, dared not make presumptions, only standing quietly by, awaiting Ji Bochu''s instructions. After a moment of contemplation, Ji Bochu finally instructed, "Let''s not pursue Shen Qing any further; let''s drop this matter." The manager nodded firmly and withdrew. Just after the manager left, a deep sigh echoed in the empty fifth level. However, as soon as he finished sighing, the manager returned, leaving Ji Bochu slightly speechless. "What now? What else is there?" The manager said, "The Seventh Prince has arrived, wishing to see you, Chief." "The Seventh Prince?" Ji Bochu was slightly startled and somewhat puzzled, "What brings him here?" "I don''t know." Without further thought, Ji Bochu tidied up his appearance and said, "Please invite His Highness in." "Yes." The manager quickly turned away to inform, and moments later, a gentle voice came from the staircase doorway: "Chief Ji, it''s been a long time. I came specially to visit today; I hope you don''t mind." Wearing a yellow brocade robe, the Seventh Prince, with white jade hanging from his waist, approached Ji Bochu with a smile. Ji Bochu, looking at this middle-aged man, felt helpless and, with a gesture, indicated for the manager to leave. Through the vast fifth level, only Ji Bochu and the Seventh Prince remained. The Seventh Prince politely asked, "Chief Ji, I''ve heard that the Saint Body Completion Technique has shown promise. Is it true?" Ji Bochu was somewhat surprised; he hadn''t expected that yesterday, soon after informing His Majesty, the Seventh Prince had already found out. He nodded slightly, responding with a soft hum. "Old Ji, I''ve long yearned for the Saint Body Completion Technique. I wonder if I could study it?" the Seventh Prince asked frankly, without any pretense. S§×arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Ji Bochu, with an official business demeanor, replied, "Seventh Prince, to learn such immortal martial arts, you must obtain His Majesty''s permission; otherwise, I''m afraid I can''t comply." The Seventh Prince seemed to anticipate this, smiled slightly, and took out a small, exquisite jade bottle from his sleeve, placing it gently on the table, "I know Chief Ji is dutiful, reluctant to pass on the technique easily. But I am willing to exchange with a drop of true Xuanwu blood, which I believe shows my sincerity to Chief Ji. Rest assured, I''ll only take a glance, ensuring no difficulty on your part." True Xuanwu blood?! Ji Bochu was moved. He had only heard that nowadays, demons and monsters abound, some being unusually powerful, having awakened a portion of celestial demon blood. This portion of true blood significantly aids in cultivation. If the Seventh Prince merely wanted a glance, it wouldn''t be problematic. Ji Bochu gazed complexly at the jade bottle, weighing the pros and cons in his heart. True blood is exceedingly rare worldwide, an unattainable treasure for them. "Your Highness, the Saint Body Completion Technique, being an immortal martial art, is extraordinary. According to protocol, it can only be practiced with His Majesty''s written permission," Ji Bochu''s voice conveyed hesitation but also a hint of loosening. Seeing this, the Seventh Prince curled his lips into a confident smile, "The Crown Prince has already passed away, and my second and third brothers are getting old. The Saint Body Completion Technique greatly benefits the physique. If we don''t strive upwards, following Father Emperor''s level of cultivation, we might not live to see the day we relieve Father of his burdens. Chief Ji, as a member of the Ji family, surely you can''t bear to see us brothers perish in the palace?" "Rest assured, Chief, I merely wish to take a glance; nothing more. After seeing it, not a word will leak." After a round of considerations, Ji Bochu finally nodded slowly, "Very well, since the Seventh Prince shows sincerity, I''ll make an exception, but I hope you''ll keep your promise." Hearing this, the Seventh Prince''s face blossomed into a satisfied smile, bowing in gratitude, "Thank you, Chief, for accommodating me. I will definitely keep my word." With that, Ji Bochu opened the jade box, taking out the Saint Body Completion Technique and handing it to the Seventh Prince. The Seventh Prince, overjoyed, took the white jade from his waist, placed it in his palm, and eagerly began to scrutinize it, word by word. Meanwhile, in the Spirit Cultivation Hall. Chief Eunuch He Yong stood beside Ji Zikong, reporting back. Ji Zikong toyed with a jade bottle in his hand, pouring out an Old Ginseng Pill with a smile, "Is that how you responded to him?" He Yong replied, "I dare not deceive His Majesty." Ji Zikong returned the Old Ginseng Pill to the jade bottle, tossed it casually to He Yong, and said, "Pretty clever." Read new chapters at My Virtual Library Empire "Your Majesty, next up..." "We''ll worry about it after getting through this hurdle." "Understood." ... Pingkang Street. Shen Qing, holding the Imperial Decree, stepped into his home. His expression was calm, his steps steady. In the outer courtyard, craftsmen, gardeners, and servant boys busily worked in an orderly manner. Nearby, at the Martial Arts training ground, Shen Xiaoshan, Tian Xiaohu, and others were diligently cultivating with the resources Shen Qing provided, their voices occasionally echoing from inside. Shen Qing summoned a servant boy and instructed, "Go call Butler Tian and Master Shen to the grand hall; I have an announcement." "Yes." The servant boy put down the broom and quickly ran to convey the message. Without delay, Shen Qing proceeded directly to the inner residence. Amidst bustling servant women and various maids organizing chores, he summoned a young maid to notify his elder sister Shen Fang and Aunt Wang. After that, Shen Qing returned to the grand hall to wait quietly. Before long, uncles, aunts, and other family members gradually arrived. Uncle Shen Er curiously asked, "Qingzi, why did you call us here?" "To announce something," Shen Qing placed the yellow Imperial Decree on the table and softly spoke, "Uncle, Aunt, His Majesty has conferred upon me the title of Marquis Wu''an." "Ah!" Uncle and Aunt exclaimed, exchanging glances with shock apparent in their eyes. Uncle Shen Er opened his mouth slightly, eyes flickering with disbelief, his voice slightly trembling, yet striving to maintain composure, "Qing''er, is this... is this true?" Others exchanged looks, intensely focusing on Shen Qing, equally astonished. The grand hall was filled with a tremendously subtle atmosphere. Everyone present seemed to be waiting for Shen Qing''s answer during the moment of great joy. Shen Qing held the Imperial Decree in hand and declared, "With His Majesty''s decree here, how dare I deceive you?" Wow! Everyone present was overjoyed. Commotion erupted in the grand hall. For them, a business owner was already a colossal figure, let alone a lofty Marquis. At this moment, Shen Er felt that their Shen family must have some great fortune to experience such honor. The Shen family was genuinely on the path to prominence. "Good, good, good," he looked at Shen Er, saying "good" three times, moved his lips, yet unsure what more to say. When the excitement of the crowd gradually settled, Shen Qing remarked, "Don''t rejoice too soon; my title as a Marquis is nominal without actual fiefdom, far from those genuine Princes and Marquis." Others exchanged looks, unable to grasp the intricacies. Shen Qing gave no further explanation, continuing, "First, instruct the servants to clean the house thoroughly inside and out, and then order a plaque for the ''Marquis Wu''an Mansion'' to hang over the entrance. Once the news of my title spreads, many distinguished guests are bound to visit; the current condition inside is somewhat unsightly." Chapter 25 Marquis Wuan Mansion, Bestowed Marriage ```Two days later, the official edict from the court was issued, formally conferring the title of Duke Wu''an upon Shen Qing. In just these couple of days, the news of Shen Qing''s ennoblement had already spread throughout the Capital. At the same time, the fact of his breakthrough to the Primordial Spirit Realm became known to these people, causing quite a stir among the Capital''s nobles. At the entrance of the residence. Craftsmen carefully hung a plaque draped in red silk above the lintel, the golden words "Marquis Wu''an Mansion" appearing particularly solemn in the sunlight, drawing the attention and discussion of many passersby. "This is the newly conferred Marquis Wu''an Mansion? The house feels so small." "I heard that Shen Qing is promising at a young age. No wonder he was granted this honor and titled a Marquis by His Majesty at such a young age, having already reached the cultivation of the Primordial Spirit Realm." "A true prodigy, the Shen Family has truly brought honor to their ancestors this time." "¡­" Tian Xiaohu and others stood at the entrance, looking up at the brand new plaque overhead, waves of excitement surging in their hearts. They had never thought that they would one day be connected with a marquis of the Great Zhou, changing their status and position so drastically. After a while, Wei Chengye, Zeng Weifeng, Zhao Lengyan, Yang Henshan, and Yu Hai Bei, among other colleagues from the Military Department, arrived one after another. They were not surprised to hear that Shen Qing was made a marquis. After all, under the Great Zhou, there was no Primordial Spirit Realm Martial Artist who remained outside the court''s system. A Primordial Spirit Realm martial master, with tremendous martial prowess capable of commanding an army, had the capital to establish a noble family and posed an unstable factor if not utilized by the court. Thus, it was only a matter of time before Shen Qing, at his young age, was conferred the title of Marquis. Wei Chengye and the others, being government office colleagues with Shen Qing, naturally needed to come to congratulate him and deepen their connections. With Shen Qing at such an age, his future prospects were limitless. In this period, visiting frequently could do no harm. Actually, not just them. Many from the dispatch office in the southern part of the Military Department also came, thick-skinned, and the number was considerable. Seeing the crowd from the Military Department, Tian Xiaohu and others at the entrance very courteously ushered them into the residence one by one. This time, Shen Qing did not send out invitations, but upon learning about his change in status, each noble family had the intent of establishing ties, sending their members to congratulate him. Soon after, a few young disciples dressed in splendid attire with extraordinary demeanor approached the residence''s entrance. All of them hailed from eminent families, exuding an aristocratic aura in their every movement. S§×arch* The N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Li Yi, who had previously had conflicts with Shen Qing, was surprisingly among them. Seeing this impressive lineup, Tian Xiaohu and others guarding the entrance were secretly astonished. They immediately adjusted their demeanor, putting on broad smiles, and bowed to show respect. During this period, Shen Qing had hired a ceremonial teacher to carefully instruct them for several days, ensuring they did not panic when faced with such a scene. The taught content now proved useful one by one. They did their utmost to welcome each esteemed guest, guiding them into the residence, diligently arranging everything to ensure the Shen Family''s propriety was upheld. While carefully checking, Tian Xiaohu and others found that apart from the Xue Family, members from the other seven major families all came with gifts, showing that these families were not arrogant or contemptuous. On the contrary, many families preferred having more friends rather than offending a Marquis in the Primordial Spirit Realm. Near noon, the number of people in the residence increased, creating a lively and bustling atmosphere. As some were conversing in hushed tones or admiring the scenery within the residence, a series of orderly footsteps sounded quietly. Everyone''s attention was drawn to the source, and they saw rows of Imperial guards in splendid armor flooding the mansion''s gate, standing in two lines with overwhelming momentum. Following them, a grand procession slowly approached the center of the guards, finally halting in front of Shen Qing''s residence. In that moment, all eyes involuntarily gathered on the ornate carriage. "Is that... Princess Yuzhen?" someone in the crowd first recognized the carriage, exclaimed, breaking the silence. Stay tuned for updates on My Virtual Library Empire Everyone''s hearts were filled with surging waves of incredulity. Princess Yuzhen''s reputation in the Capital City was known to all. Some even spared no expense, seeking various rare treasures, just to catch a glimpse of her visage. Who would have expected such a person to visit Shen Qing''s residence, truly an unfathomable occurrence. Just as everyone was immersed in shock, the curtain of the carriage gently lifted, and Princess Yuzhen gracefully stepped out. Under the service of her palace maids, she walked step by step into the depths of the residence, her one gentle smile captivating countless hearts. Behind her, Huang Furo, with a treasure blade at her waist and dressed in off-white martial attire embroidered with golden threads, closely followed. Shen Qing, still sitting in inner meditation within the house, was quite surprised to hear of Princess Yuzhen''s arrival. He and Princess Yuzhen only had interactions during the Chrysanthemum Viewing Festival, and their relationship was not deep. Shen Qing for a moment couldn''t grasp Princess Yuzhen''s intentions. "I understand." Shen Qing said lightly, concluding his cultivation, tidied up his attire, and quickly proceeded to the main gate. "The little Marquis respectfully welcomes Your Highness''s grand visit!" Shen Qing stood at the entrance and, upon seeing Princess Yuzhen, bowed and greeted her. "Marquis Shen, there''s no need for so much courtesy. I came uninvited today, hoping Marquis Shen won''t take offense." Princess Yuzhen''s lips curled into a slight smile, a smile that felt like the gentle spring breeze, soothing the soul, her voice crisp and pleasant, naturally endearing. ``` Chapter 25 Marquis Wuan Mansion, Granting a Marriage_2 "While speaking, Princess Yuzhen''s gaze lightly swept over the plaque of "Marquis Wu''an Mansion" and then looked around, saying, "Marquis Shen''s residence seems a bit cramped and somewhat mismatched with Marquis Shen''s status."Before her voice had faded, the Princess gently raised her hand, signaling the attendant beside her to step forward. The maid behind understood Princess Yuzhen''s intention, respectfully presenting a thick stack of property deeds, saying, "Marquis Shen, the Princess has ordered us to buy all the surrounding courtyards for you, making this entire area your new residence." Shen Qing was shocked upon hearing this, but more so, he was puzzled. He didn''t understand Princess Yuzhen''s true motive today, preparing such a lavish gift. In the capital, land is extremely expensive. Pingkang Street, where he resided, was home to many prominent families with intricate ties to numerous officials in the court. Acquiring such residences was not merely a matter of money but required significant connections as well. Princess Yuzhen must have utilized her influence to achieve this. The houses she gifted carried significant meaning. Shen Qing solemnly said, "Your Highness, such a generous gift, how can Shen Qing deserve such great favor?" Everyone exchanged glances, the astonishment evident on their faces. Princess Yuzhen''s generosity towards Shen Qing seemed to exceed their expectations. Seeing this, Princess Yuzhen couldn''t help but chuckle softly, playfully saying, "Could it be that Marquis Shen finds this gift too sudden and won''t even let me in?" Hearing this, Shen Qing quickly apologized, "Your Highness, I dare not! Please, Princess, welcome." With that, Shen Qing personally led Princess Yuzhen and her entourage into the main hall of the residence. As they entered the hall, Princess Yuzhen''s powerful aura naturally spread, making those around instinctively take two steps back, clearing a path wide enough for two to pass. At this moment, superior martial tea was already prepared inside the hall. The fragrance of the tea lingered, calming the spirit. "Please, Your Highness, take the seat of honor." Shen Qing said as he skillfully picked up the teapot and poured a cup of tea for the Princess. Princess Yuzhen took the cup, sipped lightly, and with a hint of praise in her eyes said, "Good tea, Marquis Shen truly understands tea." Setting down the teacup, Princess Yuzhen''s eyes held a flicker of curiosity and admiration as she remarked, "Marquis Shen, I''ve heard of your exceptional martial prowess and incredible talent, rising significantly from a mere local hunter to the notable Duke Wu''an in just a few years. Truly admirable." S§×arch* The Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. With unwavering eyes, Shen Qing responded, "Your Highness exaggerates. It was merely fortune with the Emperor''s favor." Princess Yuzhen smiled slightly, "May I ask if Marquis Shen is married or has someone in mind?" Shen Qing vaguely guessed the purpose of the Princess''s visit, feeling a slight chill in his heart. He was now accomplished in martial arts, capable of self-defense, and was not opposed to matters of the heart. After some thought, he respectfully replied, "In response to Your Highness, I have been dedicated to training and have neither married nor met anyone I admire. Fate has yet to arrive." Satisfied, Princess Yuzhen''s eyes sparkled with a hint of playfulness as she said, "Oh? So it seems Marquis Shen''s red string of fate awaits Yue Lao''s intervention?" "Marriages are traditionally decided by one''s parents and matchmakers. Naturally, I follow the arrangements of my elders." Princess Yuzhen nodded lightly, seemingly pleased with Shen Qing''s answer. She changed the subject, suddenly glancing at Huang Furo: "Speaking of which, I have a fair lady here, not only outstanding in cultivation but also gentle, virtuous, graceful and poised. Would Marquis Shen like to hear her name?" With his keen senses, Shen Qing sensed whom Princess Yuzhen might be referring to. But he maintained his composure, respectfully asking, "Whom does the Princess mean?" Princess Yuzhen smiled faintly, "Naturally, it is Miss Huangfu. She has often praised Marquis Shen''s talents and character in front of me. I recall you two sharing life and death experiences together. Might you be willing?" Standing aside, Huang Furo reacted with surprise. While she had some affection for Shen Qing, she never imagined expressing it in such a manner. Hearing the Princess speak thus, she felt both unexpected and at a loss, with a touch of nervousness as she glanced at Shen Qing. Amidst scrutinizing eyes, Huang Furo struggled to maintain composure, yet if observed closely, one would notice her hand gripping the sword hilt tightly, her knuckles turning pale from exertion. Shen Qing''s confusion deepened. Huang Furo seemed unaware as well. Shen Qing''s mind worked rapidly. So far, his interactions with Princess Yuzhen had been few, never troubled, and even aided by her. He knew her reputation in the capital as very good. Such a person would surely cherish her reputation and refrain from any unscrupulous actions. Could Princess Yuzhen be trying to ally with him due to his promising potential? Weighing the pros and cons, Shen Qing realized with the current conditions and help, his cultivation was advancing rapidly. In perhaps two or three years, he might reach the so-called Fusion State. The main thing he needed now was time. Gaining the favor of Princess Yuzhen could save much trouble, allowing him to cultivate peacefully. Once his skills were elevated, he could handle any turmoil that might arise. Considering the benefits, Shen Qing spoke, "Your Highness, Miss Huangfu is immensely talented and beautiful, for whom I hold great admiration. However, marriage is not merely an individual matter and should be approached with careful consideration, not rushed. This should first be discussed with Miss Huangfu." Carefully weighing his words, Shen Qing tried expressing his thoughts. Princess Yuzhen, seemingly anticipating Shen Qing''s reaction, turned to Huang Furo, "Miss Huangfu, what do you think?" Enjoy exclusive chapters from My Virtual Library Empire Huang Furo kept a cold facade, nonchalantly responding, "It''s up to Your Highness." Princess Yuzhen laughed, "I find you two perfectly matched. Let''s settle this; tomorrow, I''ll have the Emperor grant the marriage!" "This..." Princess Yuzhen sipped her warm tea, placing the cup back on the table with a crisp sound. "So be it." Rising, her elegant gown swayed gently like a blossoming lotus in a celestial realm, untouched by earthly dust, moving towards the door to depart. "Marquis Shen, burdened with affairs, may remain." Shen Qing escorted Princess Yuzhen to the entrance, watching as her maids helped her into the palanquin. The maids quickly drew the curtains, concealing the Princess within. With a soft command from the driver, the wheels turned, and the carriage slowly departed. Shen Qing stood in place, watching until the carriage disappeared into the street before turning back. He suddenly remembered something, glanced around, but did not see Huang Furo. "Sir, Miss Huangfu just left too," Tian Xiaohu whispered nearby. Extending his senses, Shen Qing spotted Huang Furo''s figure joyfully on a nearby street, her usually stern face holding a smile. Shen Qing chuckled in disbelief. In the carriage. Princess Yuzhen, lazily reclining on thick cushions after peering through a curtain slit, appeared relaxed. Her personal maid, curious beside her, asked, "Your Highness, why do you hold him in such regard?" "A hunter living in the mountains for years, reaching such martial heights upon contact. Frankly, I''ve found no one comparable in all my readings. With such potential, would one not befriend rather than oppose him?" Princess Yuzhen said indifferently, "Do good deeds without seeking the future. Who can predict what lies ahead?" Chapter 26 Various Motives, Sending a Concubine to the Door "From what I see, the two of them have had feelings for each other for a long time, but they''ve just never broken the ice. Today, I happened to bring Huang Furo here to give them a little push."Princess Yuzhen closed her eyes to pretend to nap, thoughts circling in her mind, murmuring to herself, "Judging by their behavior today, it should be almost certain. If this goes well, it will be a good marriage, and I''ll have to get Brother to grant them a marriage." Thinking of this, Princess Yuzhen felt her legs growing somewhat weak, so she ordered the servants, "Prepare to return to the palace, I need to see Brother." Unlike Ji Zikong, who relied on strength to dominate with an autocratic style, she preferred to "show kindness and make connections," to win people''s hearts. "Given Brother''s domineering nature, he never wakes up without profit. This time he''s changed his mind to grant him the title of Marquis. I wonder what he wants to gain from it. I hope he can grant me this small favor and help a little." After traveling for about a pot of tea''s time, the carriage entered the Imperial Palace. The sound of wheels rolling over the cobblestones echoed down the empty palace path, stopping near the Spirit Nourishing Hall. The carriage curtain was gently lifted, and Princess Yuzhen stepped down gracefully like a fairy, walking briskly towards the Spirit Nourishing Hall. Upon entering the hall, she saw Ji Zikong sitting upright on the dragon throne, meditating. Beside him, at another table, Chief Eunuch He Yong was buried in handling state affairs. "Greetings, Brother. Yuzhen has come to pay respects," Princess Yuzhen''s voice was as gentle as jade, carrying a sliver of imperceptible respect, softening Ji Zikong''s stern countenance ever so slightly. Looking at Princess Yuzhen, Ji Zikong smiled and asked, "Speaking of which, Yuzhen, you haven''t been here for some time. Is there something you''re requesting of me today?" Princess Yuzhen''s large eyes curved into crescent shapes as she covered her mouth and laughed, "I know that I can''t hide anything from Brother. I did indeed come today not only to pay respects but also to ask for a favor." Ji Zikong raised an eyebrow slightly, seemingly quite interested in what Princess Yuzhen was asking for, "Oh? What matter makes my dear sister so serious?" Princess Yuzhen laughed, "It''s about the marriage between Shen Qing and Huang Furo. Recently, Shen Qing was granted the title of Marquis by Brother, becoming quite distinguished, and Huang Furo is well acquainted with me. Knowing their intentions, I dare to ask Brother to grant them a marriage and let their bond be recognized." Upon hearing this, Ji Zikong frowned slightly, evidently contemplating seriously. Huang Furo was from the Huangfu family, which under his suppression was already on the brink of survival, merely a casual tool at this point. As for Shen Qing, in his eyes, he was merely a hawk or blade used to weaken the martial master group and similar factions. The union of the two was indeed quite fitting. Now Shen Qing had achieved success and fame, and anyone could see that his future was limitless. The only weak part was his familial background. If he was not restricted, and other noble families intended to win him over through marriage, it would be troublesome for him. With the impending chaos, he did not wish to expend too much energy on court affairs. What Princess Yuzhen proposed was indeed in line with his ideas. After a while, Ji Zikong slowly spoke, "Marriage is a big matter and cannot be taken lightly. However, since Sister has requested it, I assume everything has been coordinated well. Then I shall agree and let the Empress handle this matter." Princess Yuzhen, upon hearing this, hurriedly saluted in gratitude, "Thank you, Brother, for making it possible! I thank you on their behalf." "Is there anything else, Sister?" sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "No, may Your Majesty have great fortune, I take my leave." After the feast arranged by Shen Qing concluded, the guests gradually departed with their own thoughts. However, the rumor about Princess Yuzhen matchmaking for Shen Qing quietly spread among the major noble families like a spring breeze. In the Li Family study. Li Yi, dressed in brocade, with a handsome face, stood before the desk, narrating the day''s events in detail to Li Zhen Tian. Li Zhen Tian sat on a Taishi Chair behind the desk, stroking his long beard with a profound gaze. After hearing Li Yi''s account, he furrowed his brows, falling into thought. After a brief silence, he said, "Little Nine, it seems like your stepping stone is getting higher and higher, it might be hard for you to catch up now. Luckily, you took the initiative earlier to make peace and put aside past grievances, otherwise our Li Family would have made a formidable enemy for nothing." Li Yi opened his mouth to defend himself, but the facts were starkly in front of him, and he swallowed his words. He bowed his head sincerely, "Father is wise." Looking at Li Yi, Li Zhen Tian asked sternly, "Do you remember the eight words I told you?" Li Yi solemnly replied, "Be cautious and walk on thin ice." "Correct, for this matter alone, you should engrave these eight words in your mind. Under no circumstances should you act arrogantly." "Your child has learned." Li Yi replied earnestly. Breaking through to the Primordial Spirit Realm under the age of twenty, he knew in his heart he could not do it. At this moment, Li Yi completely let go of his preconceived notions about Shen Qing, accepting the reality with calmness. Li Zhen Tian pondered continuously, muttering to himself, "Shen Qing, this young man, is promising, yet his family background is weak. If we could establish some relationship with him, it would be beneficial for him and our Li Family. However..." Li Zhen Tian paused, pondering over something. Seeing this, Li Yi''s heart stirred, knowing his father heard about Princess Yuzhen''s approach and considered sacrificing a sister from the same generation to win over Shen Qing. "I ask you, do you know what kind of woman Marquis Shen likes?" Discover more stories at My Virtual Library Empire Chapter 26 Various Motives, Sending a Concubine to the Door_2 ```Li Yi carefully recalled and vaguely discovered that when Shen Qing saw Princess Yuzhen and Huang Furo, his gaze would occasionally fall upon their chests and hips. He responded without hesitation, "Big breasts, big hips, good for bearing children, beautiful women." Li Zhen Tian nodded in understanding and instructed, "Find a clan woman closely related by blood and of a similar age to Shen Qing, and select her according to this standard. Ensure she willingly marries Shen Qing as a concubine." "Child will handle it right away." A few days later, an edict issued from the rear palace arrived at the Marquis Wu''an Mansion. Just as Princess Yuzhen had predicted, the Empress formally granted marriage, betrothing Huang Furo to him. Simultaneously, a woman named Li Yuyao from a remote branch of the Li family was also selected. She was as beautiful as a flower, gentle in personality, and well-versed in poetry and books from a young age, with outstanding talent. After carefully dressing up, she was escorted by a competent team to the Marquis Wu''an Mansion. Dusk fell, the moonlight like silk. Explore new worlds at My Virtual Library Empire The rear gate of the Marquis Wu''an Mansion appeared unusually quiet in the night. Li Yuyao, dressed in embroidered finery and adorned with pearls and jade, sat in a carriage surrounded by a group of black-clad, stern-faced guards. Her eyes were filled with unease and fear. Yet Shen Qing stood at the gate, frowning, his eyes full of surprise and confusion. He never expected that Li Yi, a Shi family son who had always had conflicts with him, would send his clan sister to his mansion in the dead of night with such pomp. "Marquis Shen, it''s been a while." Li Yi, approaching on a sturdy warhorse, said, "I apologize for the late-night visit; there is something I wish to ask of you." Shen Qing''s impression of this young man was mediocre, and he replied flatly, "What can''t Master Li say during the day that requires a midnight visit and such a large entourage?" Li Yi chuckled, his gaze shifting between Shen Qing and Li Yuyao, "Marquis Shen, previously I offended you due to my youthful ignorance, and I hope you won''t hold a grudge." "My clan sister is in her prime at twenty-nine, similar in age to you, blessed with a face that could captivate the moon, and has long admired Marquis Shen. My father heard that Master Shen lacks a companion by his side, learned of my clan sister''s feelings, and specially ordered me to bring her here to become your concubine." Upon hearing this, Shen Qing was somewhat surprised. Daughters of the Shi family are very sought-after in the Great Zhou, and many consider it an honor to marry a Shi family woman. How unimaginable that they were willing to offer a clan woman to him as a concubine. The recent series of changes truly made him understand what it meant by "when poor in a bustling city, no one cares; when wealthy in remote hills, distant relatives appear." When one becomes successful, those things previously out of reach become easily within grasp. S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. However, Shen Qing did not become complacent or let it go to his head. With regards to the Li family''s actions, Shen Qing was wary and didn''t readily agree, continuously pondering their intentions. Before he could speak, Li Yi preempted him and said, "Since she''s already here, I won''t disturb the Marquis further, farewell, giddy-up!" After speaking, Li Yi and the family guards left one after another, leaving behind only two carriages and a little maid standing beside them. The scene became silent. Li Yuyao sat nervously in the carriage, clutching her sleeves, her face pale. "Miss, you must alight quickly, the Marquis is about to return to the mansion and leave us here." "Ah!" The sudden turn of events made Li Yuyao cry out, opening the curtain at once and frantically jumping out of the carriage. She saw Shen Qing indeed not giving her a glance, her heart sank, and hastily rushed over with a swift stride, kneeling before Shen Qing. Li Yuyao looked up, her eyes glistening with tears, gazing at Shen Qing with helplessness and pleading: "Marquis Shen, please don''t send Yao''er away. Yao''er knows this trip is abrupt, but it''s a family arrangement, and Yao''er has no choice." "If you turn me away, my parents will surely face death. I beg Marquis Shen to have great virtue, please accept Yao''er. Yao''er will serve you diligently." "Yes, yes, my parents also sent a cart of dowry, and I hope the Marquis will accept it." Shen Qing glanced at the carriage behind, indeed filled with crates of various sizes. The wealth inside was enough for an average family to live for a lifetime. However, for the current Shen Qing, it seemed somewhat unimpressive. As Shen Qing remained unresponsive, Li Yuyao grew increasingly anxious. She tentatively looked up at Shen Qing, and Shen Qing happened to be looking down at her, making her heart hang in suspense. Her big eyes were now red, round tears rolling inside, dropping quietly without a word. Shen Qing asked, "Why do you say your parents will surely die?" "This time I''m here to serve the Marquis as arranged by the clan, my parents disagreed, thus angering the clan, and my coming saved them." Li Yuyao cried, "If the Marquis sends me back, they will certainly kill my parents. I hope the Marquis will be kind and take me in, even as a maidservant." A nearby maid couldn''t hold back anymore, crying pear blossoms in the rain: "Miss..." Shen Qing frowned, having long heard of the strict rules in prominent families, but hadn''t expected it would lead to punishment by death. "Stand up!" Shen Qing said calmly, "I don''t like people kneeling." Li Yuyao was startled, quickly got up, only to see her chest heaving, as if two little white rabbits were bouncing inside, quite lively. Shen Qing looked her up and down; she was fair and clean, quite delightful. Her figure was graceful and slender, both her looks and body met his aesthetic. He asked, "What can you do?" "To answer the Marquis, I have some knowledge of the zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting." "And what else? Have you practiced martial arts?" Li Yuyao answered without confidence, "I''ve practiced... a little." "What is your cultivation?" "Only to the level of stretching muscles and exercising bones." Shen Qing said, "Alright, here, things like zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting won''t be of much use. If you wish to stay, find a way to train in martial arts. I don''t keep people around me who bring no benefit." "You all, find Manager Tian and arrange a room for them." Shen Qing casually instructed. Li Yuyao was momentarily stunned, then realized Shen Qing intended to take her in, immediately expressing her gratitude: "Thank you, Marquis." Shen Qing said no more and turned to return indoors. Time swiftly passed, a month gone, and it was year-end, with the cold wind rising. In a restaurant named "Drunken Immortals'' Abode" in the capital, the aroma of hot dishes and fine wine blended, intoxicating those present. A few foreign men dressed as traveling merchants sat around a corner table by the window, their gazes not resting on the delicious food before them, but frequently sweeping outside, closely observing the patrols of the city guards and the majestic Imperial Palace in the distance. "The capital''s defense, though seemingly tight, is actually full of flaws," one man whispered, "if our Sacred Sect were to launch a strong attack, we could surely break in." "Oh? Brother Zhang, what do you mean by that?" Another man raised an eyebrow slightly. The man named Zhang sipped his wine lightly, sharply analyzing, "Look at the city guard''s patrol routes. They seem erratic but actually repeat every night. As long as we grasp the pattern, we can easily evade them." "And what about the Imperial Palace?" another middle-aged man inquired, evidently more interested in the palace, "That is under the emperor''s feet, heavily guarded." The man surnamed Li smiled faintly, a hint of cunning flickering in his eyes: "Though the Imperial Palace is hard to attack, what business do we have there? This time, it is left to the commander and sect leader to assault the palace, we are not involved in that level of conflict." "For now, our task is to compile the intelligence here, ensuring no mistakes, and leave the rest to them." ``` Chapter 27 A Pear Blossom Overpowers the Crabapple, The Death of Lan Gongliang ```Winter passed, and spring came. In the blink of an eye, March was over. The Marquis Wu''an Mansion was adorned with lanterns and decorations. After the imperial marriage decree, Huang Furo and Shen Qing naturally reached the stage of discussing marriage. After several rounds of discussion, Shen Qing set their wedding date on the thirtieth of the first month. Today was their joyous day. Shen Qing had a calm disposition, and with his shallow roots in the Capital City, he didn''t want to be too extravagant, nor did he want to entangle too many complex relations under the guise of a grand wedding, so he only invited some close friends and family. As a result, the scene with loud gongs and drums that the world expected did not appear, but all the necessary rituals were fully observed, making it more touching than any luxurious display. After many hardships, Shen Qing finally had some peaceful days. The wedding banquet lasted only one day and then ended. In the main hall of the Shen Mansion, Shen Qing was bidding farewell to guests, a smile on his face. Tian Xiaohu walked up to Shen Qing''s side, lowered his voice, and said, "Marquis, someone from the Li Family has come." "Oh? Why are they here?" Shen Qing was somewhat surprised. Under his intentional control, this wedding had no outside participants, and neither the Li Family nor many of the Capital City''s influential families were on the invitation list. Was it because of Li Yuyao? Shen Qing immediately thought of this woman. She was the young lady of the Li Family and must be connected to them. Now it seemed that only the Li Family knew, and they didn''t seem to have any animosity towards him. After suffering a loss once, they frequently showed goodwill, so it was not a big issue. "Let them in," Shen Qing instructed with authority. Tian Xiaohu nodded emphatically: "As you command, Marquis." Moments later, after a slight sound of footsteps, members of the Li Family quietly entered. The leading person was someone Shen Qing knew, the Li Family''s steward, Li Wenxu. He had clearly learned in advance of Shen Qing''s desire for discretion and came low-profile and secretly without attracting other people''s attention. Steward Li Wenxu respectfully presented a congratulatory gift, said a few congratulatory words, and didn''t engage in much small talk with Shen Qing. After handing over the gift to Shen Qing, Li Wenxu and his companions left as quietly as they had come, not disturbing Shen Qing in the slightest. This style of conduct changed Shen Qing''s impression of the Li Family. Late at night. Huang Furo sat on the edge of a newly made bed, with a red veil over her head. A spring breeze slipped through the gap in the window, causing the candlelight in the room to flicker gently, casting her shadow in a wavering pattern. When the spring breeze dissipated, and the candlelight ceased to sway, her shadow seemed to find support and settled down completely. Creak. The door opened. Hearing familiar footsteps, Huang Furo''s body tensed. After her family''s decline, she had been rigorously cultivating, continuously striving upwards. Even as a daughter, she wanted to revive the Huangfu family. She had never thought of the day she would marry. Much less, that the man she married would be her subordinate. Much less, that she would also have affections for this subordinate. The footsteps grew nearer. Huang Furo''s small hands involuntarily clenched the wedding dress on her thighs. Her heart pounded rapidly, making her even more nervous. Shen Qing used a scale to lift the red veil. Even her usually cold, frosty face bore a flush. Even though she had met this man countless times before, she now dared not lift her head to look at him. Standing opposite Huang Furo, Shen Qing was momentarily dazed. So beautiful. Her exquisite features, crimson lips, high chest, and willow-like waist...became exceptionally enchanting under the wedding dress and candlelight. Even Shen Qing, having lived two lifetimes, found himself somewhat nervous about his first wedding. He picked up two cups of turbid wine from the table and brought them to Huang Furo, saying, "Let''s drink the cross-cupped wine together." "Hmm." Huang Furo bashfully accepted the wine cup. The two crossed their arms and drank in one gulp. "Rou''er... I think it''s late now, we should rest." "Husband." Shen Qing waved his large hand, and spirit power gushed from his palm. Whoosh... A strong wind blew through. The red candles placed in the room were extinguished all at once. ... The next morning, the sky was bright. Shen Qing rarely had a good sleep. At this time, he felt much more mature, gazing at Huang Furo, curled up in his arms, with surprise on his face. Discover stories with My Virtual Library Empire Shen Qing didn''t expect Huang Furo to be so gentle and tender, far from the aloof impression she gave. After marriage, with Huang Furo''s support by his side, Shen Qing felt much more at ease. In the days to come, Shen Qing delegated various trivial matters to Huang Furo and a few loyal subordinates like Tian Xiaohu. Tian Xiaohu was steady and capable, handling affairs in an orderly manner, and had followed him since the days at Hongshanzhai, a reliable person to be trusted. As for Huang Furo, there was no need to mention, in the Mountain Sea Department, her ability was outstanding. More importantly, she held quite a bit of intelligence, which informed him about some of the Capital City''s unknown complex relationships, giving him more confidence. With their support, Shen Qing was able to extract himself from mundane daily affairs and devote all his energy to martial arts training. Shen Qing knew well that in the Great Zhou world today, chaos was rife, and the possibility of future instability was increasing. In such circumstances, strength was fundamental. Only with strong cultivation could he protect himself and his family. S§×arch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. So Shen Qing didn''t dare delay for a moment, practicing diligently with the help of the panel, improving his cultivation. ``` Chapter 27 A Pear Flower Overpowers a Crabapple, The Death of Lan Gongliang_2 ```... Zhou Kingdom, outskirts of the Capital City. "Ah!" A shrill scream suddenly echoed from the mountain forest. Birds scattered in terror, flying away in all directions. In the dense forest, Lan Gongliang grabbed the hair of a burly man and twisted his head off alive. "This cult leader from the Huangtian Cult is nothing special." Lan Gongliang, clad in ancient armor, spoke with a tone of cold disdain. Behind him lay the broken bodies of numerous Huangtian Cult members, a scene of utter devastation. Lan Gongliang casually tossed aside the head in his hand. "Speaking of which, these Huangtian Cult members are really quite stupid, rushing in one after another. Who knows how many I''ve already killed, and yet they keep coming, heedless of death." Standing next to Lan Gongliang, Wei Chengye said, "Sir, perhaps it''s not that the members of the Huangtian Cult are stupid, but rather that we moved too swiftly¡ªor maybe Lord Lan is just too powerful." Lan Gongliang replied calmly, "The Huangtian Cult has come aggressively this time and certainly won''t give up easily. We''ve only dealt with some of the front-line soldiers for now, so we must not let our guard down, lest we suffer an unexpected defeat." Wei Chengye agreed, saying, "Understood, sir." His words had barely fallen when suddenly a rainbow light descended from the sky, breaking the tranquility of the forest. Boom! The spot where Wei Chengye was standing exploded with a bang, sending rubble flying. His figure moved like lightning, rolling to one side like a slithering snake, and in an instant, he was far away, shouting, "Who is it!?" Your next chapter awaits on My Virtual Library Empire The rainbow light faded, revealing the image of a burly man. His entire body was covered in mystical symbols, resembling a golden-armored war god. He frowned as he surveyed the scene of devastation and corpses sprawled everywhere before him. Wei Chengye sensed something amiss, and his figure rippled like water, vanishing without a trace. The burly man stared intently at a void, stomped his foot vigorously, and pointed a finger at a certain spot in the void. That finger, imbued with immense spiritual energy, shot a beam of clear light toward a certain point. Bang! Wei Chengye''s figure was forcibly jolted out from the void, staggering and almost falling to the ground. Witnessing this, Lan Gongliang squinted slightly. He looked up to see the burly man with disheveled hair, brimming with spiritual energy that emanated an imposing aura unique to a superior being. Yet, for some reason, even though he stood right there, he felt ethereal, as if he were not a human but an empty shell. Even Lan Gongliang''s cultivation at the ethereal travel realm had not detected that such a person was already there beside him. Something was amiss. Killing intent surged within Lan Gongliang, and he immediately gathered his spiritual energy, enveloping himself in radiant light. With a wave of his hand, a cyan lightning bolt rushed toward the burly man. Rumble! There was no anticipated scene of flesh and blood flying. The burly man merely waved his arm, casually dispersing the bolt of lightning with a single palm. His body remained unscathed, not even the slightest trace left behind. Lan Gongliang grew increasingly astonished. He had never seen such a physique before. "Interesting." "So, you must be Lord Lan, a name I''ve long admired. Since I''ve encountered you today, I must apologize¡ªI need to take your life," the burly man said, his voice scraping like two rusty iron plates, extremely grating. His words had barely ended when he charged at Lan Gongliang like a torrent. As they drew close, Lan Gongliang suddenly sensed an overwhelming pressure, like a violent storm, as if this burly man was not of flesh and blood but an ancient demonic deity, standing firmly before him. As a master of the ethereal travel realm, Lan Gongliang''s soul was consolidated, allowing him to perform various wondrous techniques through his soul. His fingers twitched slightly, and a jade talisman hidden in his sleeve transformed into a stream of light, slicing through the sky toward the burly man with immense oppressive force. This was a talisman comparable to a pseudo-artifact, inscribed with ancient glyphs, and its power was extraordinary. Clang! The jade talisman struck the burly man, producing an ear-piercing sound. Green and golden light surged. An invisible splendor and airwave erupted from the center of their clash, expanding outward. The forest ground appeared plowed by iron, trees toppled. However, the burly man remained steadfast, his muscles as solid as stone. The usually unstoppable jade talisman left not a single mark on his body. Lan Gongliang flickered like a phantom, instantly appearing beside the burly man, weaving to his flank with eerie dexterity. In a flash, he summoned back the jade talisman from mid-air, channeling a torrent of spiritual energy into it, transforming it into radiant green light, and drove it fiercely at the man''s underarm. This was his exclusive technique, "Spirit Snake Probes the Hole," targeting vital points, highly effective in close combat, now even more formidable under the talisman''s power. The burly man seemed to sense something, and his massive body tilted slightly like a falling leaf. Hiss! Yet, the jade talisman seemed to have eyes, striking like a rock, channels of green light piercing the man''s arm, slicing off half his shoulder. Blood gushed forth, forming a mist in the air. The burly man glanced at his wound, showing no pain but only mild surprise and a hint of irrepressible battle intent. He laughed thunderously, "Indeed worthy of a martial master at the ethereal travel realm, your skills can actually breach the body defense of this ancient martial practitioner''s form, truly formidable." The burly man opened his mouth and spat out a golden sheen. Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be a talisman. Before Lan Gongliang understood what happened, a dazzling golden light engulfed him. A blaze like the sun burst forth. Boom! Lan Gongliang seemed somewhat battered. Disregarding the marks left by the talisman''s explosion all over him, he swung his right hand forcefully, mobilizing the surrounding spiritual aura like a tumultuous tide, its fierce momentum terrifying. Thunder rolled through the air. The thick layers of talismans on the burly man rustled like leaves. S~ea??h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ÔÚÀ¶¹«Á¼»¹Î´ÄÜÓÐËù¶¯×÷ʱ, the burly man shouted lightly, transforming into a giant''s form, his hands striking directly at Lan Gongliang. Boom! With a thundering crash, Lan Gongliang was swept away like a leaf in a storm, smashing through mountain tops, collapsing them in ruins. He coughed out fresh blood violently, turning pale as frost, his soul nearly leaving his body. From a distance, the hidden observer Wei Chengye witnessed the scene aghast, his complexion instantly turning ashen. Even Lord Lan at the ethereal travel realm couldn''t defeat him. Could it be... This is the legendary Daoist Master of the Huangtian Cult? The more Wei Chengye thought about it, the more frightened he became, his heart sinking further into despair. "It seems the officials of this kingdom are nothing special after all!" he said, towering over Lan Gongliang as he spoke. Flicking his finger, a talisman stuck onto Lan Gongliang. The talisman shone brightly. With a muffled thud, it shattered Lan Gongliang''s sea of energy. Lan Gongliang''s face showed utter horror, trying to stabilize his injuries. Yet, his body had begun losing vitality, making recovery impossible. Resigning himself, he steeled his resolve, channeling all his spiritual power into his soul, attempting to escape with it. Having reached the ethereal travel realm, his soul could leave the body, traversing the heavens. As long as he found a suitable vessel, even if his body perished, it would be inconsequential, offering a second life. The burly man snorted coldly, raising his right hand, in his palm, lightning shimmered, capturing Lan Gongliang''s soul instantly. With a swift suck, the soul transformed into pure energy, wholly devoured by the man. "No!" Lan Gongliang''s scream ended abruptly. The burly man chewed continuously, then spat out a fresh talisman, hanging it conspicuously on himself. After completing these actions, the burly man turned back toward the distant Capital City, muttering with a grin, "The time should almost be right. This world is too crowded, not enough room for so many people, the Ji family will have to step down and vacate their position for us." "Ah!" Wei Chengye, hidden in the shadows, watched in panic, desperately seeking escape. The burly man did not pursue, merely sneering with disdain. Under his gaze, Wei Chengye''s figure gradually vanished from sight. ``` Chapter 28 Sun Shooting Bow Technique, Seventh Prince Goes Berserk ```plaintextMarquis Wu''an Mansion. In the bedroom, the candlelight ceased flickering. Li Yuyao placed a pillow under her lower back. Shen Qing, accustomed to this sight, sat cross-legged to regulate his breath and cultivate the cultivation technique. In just a moment, a night''s time swiftly passed. When it was by dawn, Shen Qing exhaled the turbid air lingering in his body, concluding his practice. After a night of refining and the nourishment of spiritual energy, he felt extremely refreshed, with a sense of comfort throughout his body. Shen Qing turned his head to glance at the still sleeping Li Yuyao, her long eyelashes lively, like a porcelain doll, very enchanting. During this period, whenever Huang Furo was unavailable, he would stay with Li Yuyao, enjoying a harmonious time akin to having a wife and concubine. Counting it up, this was the most leisurely period since he opened his eyes in Hongshan Village. S~ea??h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. No evildoers, no demons, no bloody battles. He only focused on cultivation, with a wife and concubine, working at sunrise and resting at sunset. Very enjoyable. Through months of diligent practice, his cultivation had once again advanced rapidly. Although far from out-of-body primordial spirit level and travelling the world, he was capable of self-defense against ordinary martial masters in the Kongyou Realm. Shen Qing withdrew his gaze from Li Yuyao''s graceful figure, silently leaving by wielding his spiritual power without waking her. Currently, the Capital is in peace, everything harmonious, and there were not many tasks within the Military Department, offering him a rare amount of free time. Thus, Shen Qing had the opportunity to devote much of his time to refining his bow technique. Leaving the mansion, he headed out of the city into the capital''s desolate outskirts. This was the area where he previously fought with Xue Zhao, filled with ravines and ruins. The original paths had been completely destroyed, preventing ordinary people from venturing into these parts, making it a rare humanless land. Here, he could practice his bow technique without attracting attention. Shen Qing''s figure moved, arriving at a tranquil mountain stream. Here, the stream babbled occasionally, the sound of birds chirping filled the air, bringing a refreshing sense of relaxation. Shen Qing stood amidst the landscape, eyes determined, posture erect. His mind stirred, summoning the Water Ink Panel. [Skill: Heavenly Bow Technique (Break Limit)] [Progress: 2989/3000 points] [Status: Unbreakable] [Note: By persevering tirelessly, a seemingly ordinary archery skill was honed to the highest realm through relentless effort. Continue practicing for a breakthrough and your [Sun Shooting Skill] will evolve into the Sun shooting Technique.] He had read the note at the bottom many times. Each time he read it, he couldn''t help feeling sentimental. Six years passed like yesterday. Unbeknownst to him, the skill he first mastered was about to be cultivated to its peak, a nostalgic feeling indeed. Shen Qing exhaled a breath of turbid air, not dwelling on the thought any longer. His hand brushed over the Hundred Treasure Pouch, pulling out Wish Power Pearls, scattering them at his feet. The dark Wish Power Pearls were crystal-clear, emitting a faint glow, starkly contrasting with the ordinary stones around them. These Wish Power Pearls were forcibly gathered by the Great Zhou Court from the aspirations of common people nationwide, each containing pure, undefiled wish power and faith power; they were an excellent medium for augmenting spiritual power and understanding during cultivation. Using these Wish Power Pearls in practice gave twice the result with half the effort. Previously, due to the Jing Luan Assembly, he had acquired over ten thousand of these Wish Power Pearls, sufficient for extensive use in cultivation. After fetching the Wish Power Pearls, Shen Qing''s fingers continued to move, without ceasing his actions. Next, he produced a Jade Token. He had seized this Spirit Essence from the Ancient Ruins, which conveniently aided his cultivation. As he prepared everything, Shen Qing took a deep breath, Gathering Qi and Focusing the Mind, mobilizing all the spiritual power in his body, accumulating it in his palm. As his spiritual power surged, the Jade Token suddenly emitted a dazzling light, overflowing with an ocean-like spiritual power, enveloping him entirely in radiant halos. The intensity of the spiritual power stunned Shen Qing, causing countless weeds to grow wildly from the cracks in the stones around him, flourishing with vitality. Shen Qing remained unfazed by these changes; his finger lightly flicked, and a Wish Power Pearl floated in front of his chest, spinning continuously, attracting the surrounding nature''s spiritual energy, enhancing the spiritual power''s density and purity. With everything ready, Shen Qing''s eyes sparkled with determination. He pulled out the treasure bow from the Hundred Treasure Bag, gripping it tightly in his hand, drawing the heavy, weighted bowstring with his right hand. Crack-crack-crack... The bowstring gradually tightened, and the spiritual power in Shen Qing''s body began to surge wildly, like a breached river, converging at his fingertips into a radiant arrow under his mind''s guidance. Enjoy more content from My Virtual Library Empire Shen Qing''s fingers suddenly released: "Whoosh!" A crisp sound from the bowstring pierced through the sky. The arrow created by Shen Qing''s spiritual power roared with thunderous sound, tearing through the atmosphere. That arrow not only frightened birds and beasts in the mountain stream but even the distant clouds were shaken by its might, with flashes of lightning appearing, crumbling apart under the arrow''s power. Boom! A rocky mountain ahead shattered, exploding into a cloud of dust rolling outwards. Shen Qing glanced at the Water Ink Panel. [Skill: Heavenly Bow Technique (Break Limit)] [Progress: 2990/3000 points] The progress showed a slight increase. Bang! The Wish Power Pearl in front of his chest rapidly diminished, eventually vanishing into nothingness with a dull sound. ``` Chapter 28 Sun Shooting Bow Technique, Seventh Prince Goes Berserk_2 He was startled, a brand new Wish Power Pearl reappeared, spinning rapidly in front of his chest.Shen Qing did not stop, and instead, seized the opportunity to continue drawing the bowstring, repeatedly shooting out arrows. With each shot, Shen Qing realized his understanding of the Heavenly Bow Technique grew deeper. Gradually, Shen Qing entered a state of selflessness. The arrows he shot became increasingly precise, and their power grew ever more immense, even leaving tiny spatial fissures in the void with each shot. It was unclear how much time had passed when Shen Qing suddenly had an epiphany. [Skill: Heavenly Bow Technique (Break Limit)] [Progress: 3001/3000 points] [Status: Can Breakthrough] Seeing the words popping up in his vision, Shen Qing''s face lit up with joy. "Alright, Water Ink Panel, then let me feel your limits again, breakthrough!" As his mind moved slightly, the Water Ink Panel quickly refreshed and changed. [Skill: Sun Shooting Bow Technique (Novice)] [Progress: 1/5000 points] Immediately following, unfamiliar memories forcibly entered his mind; it took him a stick of incense time to gradually digest them. In these memories, Shen Qing relentlessly practiced day and night, finally mastering the Heavenly Bow Technique martial art, and thereby comprehending the martial art of the Sun Shooting Bow Technique. Shen Qing, who had read extensively about martial arts, knew that martial arts focused on archery were few and far between in the world. It could be said that the Sun Shooting Technique he broke through is the only martial art in the world that has achieved mastery in bow art. Shen Qing eagerly picked up the treasure bow. The moment his fingers touched the bow, a strong sense of familiarity surged throughout his body, revealing the path of his internal energy movements directly. "Let''s test what this Sun Shooting Technique is capable of." Shen Qing used his entire Primordial Spirit as the guide, Spiritual Energy as the arrow, and shot an arrow. Whoosh! A golden light darted out as fast as thunder, shooting towards the sky. In an instant, the world changed color. It seemed as if a new sun appeared in the distant sky. The clouds below the sky evaporated and disintegrated in an instant. Shen Qing stood on the ground, watching as a "sun" fell from the horizon. The next moment, a deafening thunderous sound rolled in, causing the surrounding air to tremble ever so slightly due to the arrow, with the aftershocks spreading, as if the terrifying power of it shook even the space itself. sea??h th§× NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He gazed into the distance at the spot where the arrow fell, and where scorched earth remained, that was the spot where the Sun Shooting Bow Technique''s arrow had landed. "This... is the power of the Sun Shooting Bow Technique?" Shen Qing clicked his tongue in amazement. The Sun Shooting Bow Technique, using spiritual energy as its foundation, achieved explosive power through the arrows, capable of destroying both the mortal body and the Primordial Spirit. Mastered to perfection, even martial masters of the Kongyou Realm might fall to a single arrow. Remarkable! Truly remarkable! Recalling the arrow just now, Shen Qing could still feel the overwhelming power that almost burned both his Primordial Spirit and body together to ashes. The Sun Shooting Bow Technique uses his Primordial Spirit as a guide and spiritual energy as the body, allowing the arrows to continually absorb the world''s spiritual energy while flying, multiplying until reaching a critical point, and explosively unleash a dazzling, sun-like light and destructive power. For ordinary people, this arrow would consume a lot of energy, and he already felt a bit exhausted. Shen Qing silently estimated if it were an ordinary martial master of the Primordial Spirit realm, they''d probably not be able to stand. Without delay, he took out the Jade Token and began operating the Six Paths Reincarnation Technique to refine spiritual power. Soon, his acupoints lit up like stars all over his body. Mild and pure spiritual power seeped in through his pores, nourishing every cell of his. Previously tired from using the Sun Shooting Bow Technique, his Primordial Spirit and physical body began to gradually recover at this moment. Seeing that he had almost recovered, Shen Qing deployed the Great Void Shuttle Technique, moving away from the place. Just as he left, a burly man covered in talismans appeared out of thin air. Read new chapters at My Virtual Library Empire He looked around, frowning, muttering to himself, "Huh? I seemed to feel a powerful aura here just now, was it my imagination?" The burly man was puzzled, reaching into the void and catching a wisp of residual aura. "Why is the aura so unfamiliar, is there another strong warrior from the Kongyou Realm?" Puzzled after investigating for some time without any clues, he decided to give up, "Forget it, be it the Kongyou Realm or the Primordial Spirit realm, they are of no concern to me, hehe..." His figure flickered and disappeared from the spot. Having achieved a breakthrough, Shen Qing returned to the Military Department happily. Upon entering the department, he sensed something was amiss. The place was noisy, bustling with sound. Everyone''s face bore a shade of panic to some extent. Shen Qing felt puzzled and stopped a staff member from the Military Department, asking, "What''s going on?" The staff member, still in shock, said, "Lord Lan has been killed by the leader of the Huang Tian Sect!" "What?" Hearing this news, Shen Qing couldn''t believe it. "Are the other chief inspectors in the bureau?" "They''re all inside, my lord." Shen Qing hesitated no longer and quickly hurried towards the third courtyard. ... At the same time, in a training room within a royal mansion. Seated within was the Seventh Prince, Ji Bo. In the dimly lit room, candles flickered, reflecting his resolute face. His eyes were bloodshot, filled with an endless longing for power. Before Ji Bo lay a nameless booklet, densely filled with small characters. It was a copy he had transcribed from the royal library''s Divine Physique Dafa manuscript. If practiced to perfection, this technique could sanctify the body, extend life, and achieve the pinnacle. Over the past few months, Ji Bo had been diligently practicing it, advancing rapidly. As the technique circulated within him, the spiritual power coalesced into a powerful vortex, washing over his body, every inch of his flesh seemingly imbued with explosive power, becoming resilient, immensely strong. His cultivation thus took a swift leap forward. Having tasted the sweetness of rapid progress, Ji Bo had become enamored with this Divine Physique Dafa, training night and day, almost reaching a state of not resting, sleeping, eating, or drinking. Thunder rumbled, spring rain poured. In the training room, the wind rose. Ji Bo opened his eyes, preparing to break through to the next realm of the Divine Physique Dafa. His fingers glided through the air, and the booklet turned pages automatically. "I have learned the previous content by heart, many have practiced it. The real challenge lies in what''s next." The Divine Physique Dafa was incomplete, with many parts unsuitable to the current environment, a fact well known among the royals. To explore further, many gifted individuals were ruined. Fortunately, the outcome was positive. Finally, someone had tested and verified new, correct insights within it. Ji Bo was eager to try. He practiced diligently as per the technique''s records, smooth at first, but as time went on, an inexplicable fever rose within. Ji Bo, unaware of the anomaly or simply indifferent, continued following the records, pushing his spiritual power to its limits. Suddenly, an indescribable pain surged like a tide, as if thousands of pounds weighed down his spiritual veins, which started breaking inch by inch, emitting a chilling wail. "Ah!" A heart-wrenching scream echoed through the training room as Ji Bo''s body began to twist and deform, veins bulging beneath his skin, his eyes turning a fiery red. The power forged through the Divine Physique Dafa spiraled out of control, wreaking havoc within him. Panic flashed across Ji Bo''s face as he seemed to realize something. There was indeed an issue with this technique!!! The trial practitioner hadn''t cultivated it at all. Only he had foolishly practiced it! Regret washed over him intensely. But it was all too late. Ultimately, with a dull thud, he spewed a mouthful of foul blood, collapsing headlong onto the ground. The candles in the training room extinguished, and silence fell. When the guards hurriedly arrived, they found Ji Bo lying lifeless in a pool of blood, his spiritual veins utterly destroyed, devoid of life. They were in utter shock, "Quick, go to the palace and notify His Majesty, the Seventh Prince is dead!" Chapter 29 Dramatic Changes in the Capital, Intruders Enter the City ```Military Department Office, the third courtyard. Many people gathered together. Shen Qing squeezed in and saw Wei Chengye, who looked terrified. At this moment, he was in bad shape, his face pale, eyes lifeless, as if scared out of his wits. Zeng Weifeng, Zhao Lengyan, and Yang Henshan were all present. When they saw Shen Qing''s arrival, they nodded in acknowledgment. Shen Qing hastily asked, "What... happened here?" Zeng Weifeng, Zhao Lengyan, and Yang Henshan exchanged glances, and after a while, Zeng Weifeng spoke up, "Let me explain." With a solemn expression, he looked at Shen Qing and said, "Lord Zeng just returned, saying he encountered the leader of the Huang Tian Sect, Taoist Huangtian, and Lord Lan was no match for him, killed on the spot." Hearing this, Shen Qing''s face changed. Lan Gongliang was a martial master of the Kongyou Realm; how could he die just like that? What kind of joke is this? Shen Qing''s expression turned grim, "Is this true?" "Eighty to ninety percent chance it is," Zeng Weifeng continued, "Earlier, Lord Lan had already discovered tracks of numerous Huang Tian Sect disciples outside the city, and today he even eliminated a Qu Department. Now, it seems the people sent by the Huang Tian Sect are much more than we thought, with significant intentions." Shen Qing asked, "Has the palace been notified?" Zeng Weifeng nodded heavily, "We have already sent people over, and patrols have been dispatched outside the city. In any case, we must all remain on high alert; if things go wrong, we could be in big trouble." Shen Qing agreed, "Since that''s the case, we shouldn''t linger here. Let''s move quickly, everyone, patrol and set defenses. If something goes wrong in the Capital, we''ll all be in deep trouble." "You''re right, let''s go!" Zeng Weifeng, Zhao Lengyan, and Yang Henshan quickly responded and arranged everything. Shen Qing also promptly summoned Yu Hai Bei, called all the officers and dispatchers, both on duty and off, and sent them out to patrol the southern district of the Capital. It was then that Shen Qing suddenly felt warmth in his bosom. He hurried to a secluded corner and took out the Spirit Communication Mirror. A rare message from the long-missed Shen Xiaohu. "Leave swiftly! Our Holy Sect is attacking the Capital! The Daoist is coming personally!" Seeing these brief words, Shen Qing was shocked, a chill running down his spine. Without any hesitation, he tucked the Spirit Communication Mirror back into his chest and dashed home. The situation came suddenly; Shen Qing held nothing back, disregarding many taboos within the Capital. He directly used the Great Void Shifting Technique, crossing several steps to return home. His aunt and elder sister, Shen Fang, were in the back courtyard, working on shoes and doing needlework. Seeing Shen Qing appear abruptly at home, they were quite surprised. A maid beside them raised her head and said, "Oh, Marquis, why have you returned suddenly?" Without wasting any words, Shen Qing said directly, "Get ready, pack up immediately, and prepare to leave." A while ago, upon receiving a warning from Shen Xiaohu, he had already prepared a hidden estate outside the Capital, specifically for such emergencies. Now it was time to use it. Seeing Shen Qing''s serious demeanor, his aunt and the others asked no questions. Countless prior experiences had proven Shen Qing''s judgment. Thus, everyone obediently and swiftly packed their belongings without a single complaint, as if they were used to it. Moreover, they had already made some preparations before, so under Shen Qing''s orders, everyone in the residence quickly packed up. Three carriages were neatly lined up at the Marquis Wu''an Mansion''s entrance, and everyone boarded the carriages in an orderly manner. Standing in the residence, Li Yuyao was unclear why Shen Qing suddenly required everyone to leave the city. Her bright eyes roamed around thoughtfully. After a moment, she beckoned her maid, Xiao Hong, and whispered, "Go to the Li Residence, tell them what''s happening here, and then head to the city gates to catch up." Her close maid nodded heavily and hurried out when no one was watching. Li Yuyao followed behind everyone, quietly boarding a carriage. "Drive!" The wheels slowly rolled forward, heading toward the city gate. After handling matters at the mansion, Shen Qing hurried to the Mountain River Bureau to inform Huang Furo. As expected, Huang Furo was quite surprised. Being in the Mountain Sea Department, they dealt with various intelligence daily, yet had never heard any news about the Huang Tian Sect planning an attack. She wasn''t clear about many of the details. However, trusting Shen Qing, Huang Furo didn''t doubt him. "Husband, if it''s true, as you say, that the Huang Tian Sect plans to attack the city, you should seek refuge outside the city. The Outer City is under your patrol; going there might breach ethics, but no one can fault your duties." "Compared to establishing merits, your safety is what matters most to me," Huang Furo said tenderly, looking at Shen Qing. Shen Qing raised an eyebrow and asked, "What about you?" "Don''t worry, your wife is not a helpless woman; I do have some means of self-protection," Huang Furo reassured him solemnly. "You needn''t worry about me." Shen Qing squinted slightly, seeing through Huang Furo''s intent. She wanted to seize this opportunity to climb the ranks, to fight for a higher position. Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Seeing through Shen Qing''s thoughts, Huang Furo said, "Husband, were you just thinking of knocking me out and taking me with you?" Your journey continues with My Virtual Library Empire Shen Qing hesitated a bit. Indeed, she had guessed right. He restrained his expression and said, "Leaving you alone here, I can''t help but worry." ``` Chapter 29 Sudden Change in the Capital, Intruders Enter the City_2 "Dear husband, you''re mistaken. If I stay here, it''s the safest. They won''t easily make a move on us."Huangfu Rou said seriously, "According to the intelligence gathered by the Mountain and Sea Division over the years, the Yellow Heaven Sect is not to be underestimated; they are suspected to have obtained ancient heritage." "If they truly concentrate all their efforts to attack the city, it''s hard to say what would happen to the Capital." "Do you think the court will lose?" "Not necessarily." Huangfu Rou continued, "The Ji family''s nine hundred years of accumulated heritage is extremely formidable. We do not know the extent of their power. Even if the Yellow Heaven Sect comes, they may not gain any benefit." "Then what do you mean..." Shen Qing was puzzled. Huangfu Rou said seriously, "My father taught me from a young age that eggs cannot all be placed in one basket. You and I, as husband and wife, are one. If we are both outside the city, and if the court wins in the future, we might have difficulty explaining ourselves. Conversely, if we are both in the city and the Yellow Heaven Sect wins, it would be extremely disadvantageous for us." "The best way is for you and I to each guard a place, so no matter the outcome between the two parties in the future, we will have more room to maneuver." Shen Qing said, "Isn''t this putting you in danger?" The usually unsmiling Huangfu Rou smiled sweetly and said, "If I truly am in danger, wouldn''t you, as my husband, be there?" Shen Qing, being a very decisive person, seeing Huangfu Rou''s resolute manner, did not persuade further. "Alright, if you see things going wrong, I''ll come to take you out of the city." "I understand what is important." Shen Qing turned and left the Mountain and Sea Division, directly finding Yu Haibei, and instructed, "We''re patrolling the Capital day and night, and there is nothing happening within. If there''s an issue, it''s definitely outside the city. Take some reliable brothers and follow me out of the city." Yu Haibei, without any hesitation, organized a group and quickly followed Shen Qing out of the city. Li Mansion. In a pavilion, Li Zhentian, with nothing to do, grabbed and threw handfuls of fish feed into the pond. Under the water, golden and red carp swarmed from all directions, scrambling for food, splashing water everywhere. "You''re saying, the Marquis of Wu''an and his family just left the city?" Li family''s steward, Li Wenxu, bowed and said, "Indeed, it was a maid by the Tenth Miss''s side who specifically came to inform us." Hearing this, Li Zhentian mused, "It shows she is a filial child. Release his parents and siblings. We won''t trouble them in the future." "Yes. Regarding the matter of the Marquis of Wu''an..." Li Wenxu asked with folded hands in a requesting manner. Li Zhentian pondered, "The Marquis of Wu''an is not one to seek trouble and show off. If he''s moving the whole family, he must have caught wind of some incredible news. People move and live by what is best for them. He must have known something unheard by me, indicating a change in the Capital perhaps." "I have a country estate outside the city; make preparations for the young masters and miss to pack up and leave the city, taking some elders and the family''s most valuable items to stay there for a few days." "Do we really need to make such a big fuss?" "It''s better to believe in its existence than its absence. I''d rather go through the trouble than make an error that harms the family." Li Zhentian said with a calm expression. Li Wenxu, having no further thoughts, directly took the order, "Yes, Master. I''ll handle it immediately." After more than half an hour, following the Marquis of Wu''an''s residence, the Li family also dispatched a series of carriages toward outside the city. The crowd on the streets was curious, wondering if today was some special day, seeing such a bustle. ... In the Imperial Palace, inside the Spirit Nourishing Hall. A grand eunuch without a long beard hurriedly rushed in from outside the hall, his face contorted as he said, "Your Majesty, something has happened." Sitting cross-legged on a yellow meditation cushion, Ji Zikong opened his eyes, which were bright as lightning. He said with a face as calm as still water, "What happened?" "The Seventh Prince was found dead at home." sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "What happened?" Ji Zikong''s face changed slightly as he asked. "The servants discovered that the Seventh Prince was practicing the Great Saint Physique Technique, suffered from Qi deviation, and died as his meridians got severed." Ji Zikong frowned, murmuring, "The Great Saint Physique Technique? The one Duke Shen practices?" "Exactly, Your Majesty." Almost immediately, Ji Zikong thought that Shen Qing perhaps bypassed them and hadn''t practiced that legendary Martial technique. He was able to resist the temptation of Martial Arts techniques. Ji Zikong couldn''t help but find this amusing and unconsciously held Shen Qing in higher regard. This young man really is interesting. "Your Majesty, should I summon Lord Shen to the palace for this matter?" Ji Zikong said indifferently, "How did the Seventh Prince get his hands on this Martial Arts technique? I seem to recall not permitting him to practice other Martial techniques?" "This..." The grand eunuch instinctively sensed the implication in Ji Zikong''s words; there wasn''t any intention to target Shen Qing. He brooded over his word choice and said, "As far as the old servant knows, the reason the Seventh Prince obtained this Martial Arts technique was due to Chief Steward Ji''s involvement." "Then summon him to the hall; I need to question how he is managing as Chief Steward." "At once, I will find Chief Steward Ji." Ji Zikong''s lips parted as he uttered chilling words, "Also, the guards around the Seventh Prince failed to protect him; execute them all." "Yes, Your Majesty." The grand eunuch exited the Spirit Nourishing Hall, and no sooner did he leave than an armored, weary-looking official from the Military Department rushed to the front of the Spirit Nourishing Hall. He fell to his knees outside the vermilion doors, alarmed, he said, "Your Majesty, I have an urgent matter of extreme importance that needs reporting!" Inside the Spirit Nourishing Hall, Ji Zikong, sitting on the dragon throne, his gaze as sharp as an eagle, penetrated through layers of obstacles, directly watching the trembling figure below. "What makes you so panicked?" Ji Zikong''s voice came from the depths of the hall, charged with an overwhelming sense of authority. "Reporting to Your Majesty," the official''s forehead was beaded with sweat as he hurriedly said, "Lord Lan of the Military Department... he... his lordship was killed outside the city by the Yellow Heaven Sect..." Read exclusive adventures at My Virtual Library Empire At these words, the entire hall plunged into a dead silence. Emperor Ji Zikong''s expression changed drastically, a flash of disbelief and shock glinted in those profound eyes. He abruptly stood up, as the golden dragon pattern on his robe seemed to leap. "What did you say? Lord Lan... was actually... killed by the Yellow Heaven Sect?" "Yes." In this moment, the entire palace seemed to feel the emperor''s turbulent emotions, with a strong aura held at bay yet surging forth. Even the death of the Seventh Prince hadn''t moved him so. After all, he had many children: even if all currently perished, he could still sow new seeds and father more heirs. But the loss of Lan Gongliang was different. He was truly a Kongyou Realm martial master. Looking across the entire Great Zhou, how many martial masters of his caliber could there be? Just mysteriously dying like this, how could he stay calm? "Pass my decree, summon General Zhao..." Boom! Before Ji Zikong could finish his sentence, a thunderous roar echoed from the sky. Following it, he felt as if the world spun, and the ground began to tremble. "What is going on?" Ji Zikong''s expression was extremely displeased; he strode out of the Spirit Nourishing Hall, and upon seeing the distant horizon, he was rendered speechless with astonishment. The entire world seemed thrown into turmoil by an invisible force, the rumble of roaring chaos crashing upon them like tidal waves. In the western skyline of the Capital, an eerie, unfathomable yellow eerily shimmered, bright as fiery flames. Continuous, thunderous roars echoed from within. This spectacle caused the grand eunuch and others nearby to involuntarily shiver, the hairs on the back of their neck standing on end as if a chill pierced their souls. Even Ji Zikong, the emperor, upon witnessing such a sight for the first time, was taken aback. Raising his gaze, he saw several airships of various shapes and styles, seemingly ancient treasures from time immemorial, floating in mid-air by mystical power, releasing a powerful pressure. Concentrated together, they would surely make mountains shake and extinguish the shining sun and moon. Above them, a flag with the words "Yellow Heaven" fluttered high. The Yellow Heaven rebels had truly invaded the Capital! Chapter 30 Siege, Great Powers Contest Each Other ```Endless yellow light emanated from those flying boats, enveloping the entire sky. The sky over the Capital completely transformed into yellow, resembling the true Yellow Sky. sea??h th§× n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Flags fluttered, and shouts of battle pierced the heavens. "This is..." "The flying boats of the Huang Tian Sect?" People within the Capital City looked up in disbelief, finding it hard to accept the existence of ships that could fly. The foundation showcased by the Huang Tian Sect shocked each of them to their core. On the flying ships, the Holy Priests of the Huang Tian Sect stood solemnly with yellow cloth wrapped around their heads, holding long spears, appearing like Heavenly Soldiers. They stood in neat formations on the ship, exuding a formidable aura of battle. The evening gradually dimmed, and dark clouds gathered. Continue reading stories on My Virtual Library Empire The great army of the Huang Tian Sect had arrived, covering the land with a somber killing intent. The yellow light cast down on the city walls of the Capital, reflecting the bewildered faces of the court''s city guards. They had never witnessed such a formation before, and each couldn''t help but swallow nervously, caught off guard, instinctively gripping their weapons tightly, ready for battle. "Prepare for battle!" With a command from the many officers within the city, the Forbidden Army on the city walls dispersed swiftly, immediately taking combat stance. Outside the city, Shen Qing paused to look back. His gaze fell on the vast, surging army of the Huang Tian Sect, even from a distance, he could feel the unprecedented pressure. "So this is the full force of the Huang Tian Sect?" "What exactly did the Huang Tian Sect do over these years to gather such immense strength?" "Also, why has the Huang Tian Sect decided to bet everything now, focusing its entire strength against the Ji Family? What''s the explanation here?" As he watched the two sides engaging in fierce combat, Shen Qing felt puzzled, with question after question continuously emerging in his mind. He felt as if there was a layer of mist before his eyes, obscuring many truths. Looking at the Huang Tian army in front of him, it seemed somewhat different from the evil cult organization he imagined. Rather than being controlled by some cult leader, it seemed more like a group of desperados gathered for a common goal, struggling to the death. "Not good, they are starting the siege!" Just as Shen Qing was lost in thought, a cry of alarm rang out by his side. It was Yu Hai Bei speaking. Following his gaze, Shen Qing saw one Holy Sect Disciple after another, clad in yellow armor, leaping down from the flying boats like war gods descending from the heavens, landing on the streets of the Capital City. Shen Qing released his Divine Sense, scanning the interior of the city. He saw countless Holy Priests of the Huang Tian Sect, wielding spears plastered with talismans, eyes filled with fanaticism and determination, rapidly advancing towards the Imperial Palace. The crowd surged like a tide, fierce and unrestrained. The Holy Priests of the Huang Tian Sect quickly engaged with the Forbidden Army of the Capital. The cries of battle and the clash of weapons intermingled, echoing high into the sky. The Huang Tian Sect was evidently well-prepared, not only large in number but also each a seasoned elite. The talismans affixed to their bodies were like treasure armor, difficult to penetrate, and the spears in their hands were incredibly formidable. Every one of them was intensely fervent, fearless in the face of death, and confronting the unprepared Forbidden Army of the Capital was like sheep being thrown to wolves, breaking through with unstoppable force. With the continuous joining of the Huang Tian Sect''s Saints from all over, the Forbidden Army began to weaken, their defense line gradually starting to crumble. Seeing this scene, Shen Qing couldn''t help but furrow his brows deeply. He knew well that although the Capital''s Forbidden Army was well-trained, they likely couldn''t hold for long against such fanatical believers. Wave after wave of the Holy Priests of the Huang Tian Sect charged towards the Forbidden Army''s defenses, and as expected, the Forbidden Army retreated step by step. Shen Qing noticed that there were plenty of powerful masters within the Huang Tian Sect. Once they took a position, they would skillfully arrange a defensive formation, securing their foothold, with array flags being deployed as if they cost nothing. This battle had lasted but a short while, and the streets of the Capital were already filled with bodies, blood everywhere. "My lord, what should we do? Just leave it be?" Yu Hai Bei looked towards the city where the sounds of battle reverberated, his expression bewildered. The current situation had already exceeded his expectations. Shen Qing''s face showed no change in expression, and he said softly, "The Military Department''s main duty is precaution, overseeing investigations and maintaining public order. Now that the two sides are at war, it is beyond our jurisdiction, something we cannot intervene in." Yu Hai Bei was taken aback, wanting to say more. But at that moment, he couldn''t help but recall that if he hadn''t left with Lord Shen earlier, perhaps they might already be in deadly clash with these crazed believers of the Huang Tian Sect, with their lives precarious. Finally, words filled his mind, only to condense into one word: "Alright..." Shen Qing glanced at him and said, "With Your Majesty, the greatest Martial Master in the world present, he can single-handedly oppose a nation. He surely has a way. If he can''t, there''s the Ji Family patriarch and other powerful forces from various noble families. As long as these remain undefeated, no matter how rampant the Huang Tian Sect gets, they won''t be able to shake the foundation of the court." Saying this, a cold light flashed in Shen Qing''s eyes, and he murmured in his heart: "If the Huang Tian Sect cannot take down the Ji Family this time, then their end will surely be fading into nothingness, naturally not needing our intervention. Once entangled in such a level of battle, the outcome really is hard to predict." Currently, the battle within the Imperial Palace was intense, affecting many noble families and ordinary residents. Withdrawing his Divine Sense from the city, Shen Qing looked in the direction outside the city, no longer lingering, focusing on urgently escorting his aunt and others to a safe haven. ``` Chapter 30 Siege, The Clash of the Great Powers_2 Approximately half a Shi Chen later, Shen Qing had already safely delivered his relatives.He then stood with Yu Hai Bei and his subordinates outside the city, constantly observing the changes within the Capital. The fierce battle between the Huang Tian Sect and the Forbidden Army of the court gradually intensified, with both sides unknowingly advancing their front line to the front of the Imperial Palace. Throughout the process, the major Shi family members did not take a stance, choosing to observe from the shadows. They each had their own calculations, intending to exploit the chaos for greater benefits. As time went on, the court appeared to be struggling against the frantic assault of the Huang Tian Sect. On the palace walls, arrows fell like rain, unable to halt the fervent steps of the Huang Tian Sect believers. Moreover, there were longbowmen and numerous Holy Sect disciples on the flying boats in the sky. They continuously threw down weapons known as machine thunder. Countless machine thunders descended like raindrops, crashing down from the sky. When they were about to hit the ground, they exploded with a loud bang, turning into spirals of fiery light shooting into the sky. Most of the Forbidden Army had cultivation that was not deep, finding it incredibly difficult to withstand such terrifying might. Each machine thunder claimed the lives of multiple Forbidden Army soldiers. Screams of agony were continuous. In just a moment, the Huang Tian Sect had already breached the Imperial Palace; the defense line was utterly lost. Looking out, the Capital appeared filled with small golden "mushroom" formations scattered throughout the city. The court of the Great Zhou Dynasty seemed to be on the verge of collapse. Shen Qing, stationed outside the Capital, maintained his calm demeanor. In his perception, at least five Void Wandering level and seven Essence Soul Realm martial masters had appeared inside the Imperial Palace. The Ji family had yet to truly act. The struggle had only just begun. sea??h th§× n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Just as he thought this, a few astonishing and formidable auras suddenly erupted from within the palace¡ªmembers of the Ji family, who had been holding back, finally made their move. In the depths of the palace, they transformed into rainbow lights soaring skyward, directly charging at the elite of the Huang Tian Sect. Before the unmatched saints of the Huang Tian Sect on the battlefield, the Ji family''s experts were like autumn leaves swept by the wind, falling one by one. Shen Qing noticed that these individuals all appeared middle-aged, each with robust vitality showing no signs of decline. These people must be part of the Ji family''s retained strength. Over nine hundred years of massive tributary accumulation by the Ji family, there was presumably an unknown number of such individuals. At the thought, Shen Qing inexplicably felt a tingling sensation on his scalp. He very much doubted what courage Huang Tian Sect had to attack the Capital City of Great Zhou, to dare assault the Ji family. Stay updated through My Virtual Library Empire In facing the resistance of the Ji family, the Huang Tian Sect was equally unwilling to show weakness. Shen Qing saw from afar in the sky, nine figures leaping one after another down from the largest nine-story ships. Each of them adorned with yellow talismans, some wielding a simple long sword, some holding a giant hammer, others brandishing a blood-stained spear... Like golden armored war gods descending to the mortal realm, they charged toward the remaining experts of the Ji family. Boom! Boom! Boom! ... As these individuals clashed with the experts of the Ji family, a series of thunderous booms erupted one after another. Each impact accompanied by deafening roars seemed to rip the very fabric of space. Shen Qing watched the scene unfold before him, filled with disbelief. Under his Divine Sense''s scrutiny, he saw one figure from the Huang Tian Sect sever a martial master''s head in the Essence Soul Realm with a single blade, astounding him. Earlier, the once seemingly invincible Grand Powers of the Ji family were now all at a disadvantage. Even those martial masters at the Void Wandering level were no exception. The Huang Tian Sect was too formidable. Whether it was an illusion or not, Shen Qing discovered that these nine Huang Tian Sect figures appeared entirely lifeless, akin to corpses, with no signs of life detectable. Only their grand and boundless divine intent was comparable to his own. At this moment, the concept of puppetry, corpse control surfaced in Shen Qing''s mind. "Kill!" One of the Huang Tian Sect members let out a low chant, swinging his longsword forward. A clear and sharp sword light split the sky, akin to a galaxy pouring down, striking towards the vital points of the Ji family''s great powers. The battle''s aftermath engulfed the entire space above the Imperial City; space twisted, the clouds churned. Below, onlookers could only watch from afar, their hearts shocked beyond words. Puchi. A great power of the Ji family was simply no match, being decapitated with a single strike. The conflict between both sides intensified. Rage had reached an unyielding stage. Rumble! Countless houses surrounding the exchange between the two sides collapsed, many who had no time to escape were caught up and perished. In the end, the Ji family, sacrificing twelve great powers in a life-or-death struggle, managed to eliminate four from the Huang Tian Sect, considered a disastrous defeat. "I said, how could you have dared to attack the city; turns out you''ve already refined corpses from the ancient sacred grounds, no wonder you''re so arrogant." An authoritative voice of a robust man appeared above the palace, its tone filled with dignity: "However, since the Dao Master is present, isn''t it too lacking in courage to hide so?" Within the flying boat of the Huang Tian Sect, an ethereal voice emerged, stirring one''s heart: "So what if that''s the case? As long as we annihilate you, nothing else matters." "You think my Ji family''s centuries of accumulation amounts to just this? You will be soon disappointed. Ancestral forebears, lend me a hand!" With Ji Zi Kong''s words, bands of light gathered from all around the horizon. Mighty presences materialized out of thin air above the Imperial Palace. Shen Qing gazed at the array of figures in the sky, utterly stunned beyond measure. All were martial masters of the Void Wandering and Essence Soul Realm. He swept his gaze slightly, noting their number no less than sixty. The nine-hundred-year accumulation of the Ji family was wholly present here. Especially an elder with extremely white hair, radiating vigor. His aura alone overshadowed everyone present. The Ji family ancestor had emerged! "What rudimentary pests, daring to disturb our profound cultivation, you deserve death!" Speaking, he extended a hand, forming a hand that covered the skies, easily crushing the leading massive ship. Seeing this, the Taoist Lord of Huang Tian showed no anger but instead laughed heartily: "Well done, that''s precisely what we were waiting for." Buzz! With the Taoist Lord of Huang Tian''s words, the originally scattered small formations in the Capital suddenly blazed with light, linking together. A grand and towering formation suddenly surged, akin to an ancient beast awakened from the Nine Nethers, roaring as it tore through space, arising from the ground. In just a few breaths, it had locked all of Ji family''s grand martial masters within its boundless might. "Absolute Killing Formation, activate!" Rumble! A deafening roar abruptly resonated through dusk and earth. Golden runes, like boiling magma, seethed and surged, rapidly condensing into two colossal grinding discs that obscured the sky, carrying terrifying power enough to crush everything, slowly pressing inward, mercilessly erasing all life within the formation. These martial masters, trapped by the formation, who had lived hundreds of years, were among the world''s elite. However, at this moment, faced with an Absolute Killing Formation akin to heaven''s retribution, they appeared so insignificant and helpless. "Ah!" Soon, under the crushing force of the grinding discs, someone''s body collapsed, with their Essence Soul escaping. Before they could feel any solace, the crushing force pursued relentlessly. Even the ethereal formless Essence Soul could not escape the fate of being utterly obliterated. It was ground into wisps of smoke in the void, evaporating into nothingness, completely vanished. Within the span of just a tea time, over half of the great powers of the Ji family had fallen. Witnessing his heirs fading away continuously, the Ji family ancestor instantly realized Huang Tian Sect''s intention. It was all a trap to lure them out. "What audacity!" "Ancestor, do not hold back!" shouted Ji Zi Kong from outside the formation. The Ji family ancestor steeled his heart, extracting a piece of broken blade, sacrificing the remaining blade in hand with a push forward. The fragmented blade, stained with dark red blood, burst outward with an overwhelming menacing aura, suffused with ancient unyielding killing intent, viciously slashing onto the indestructible formation barrier. "Clang!" Like the sound of divine ancient iron breaking, echoing to the heavens. Suddenly, an uprising sword aura soared skyward, brilliance splashing, energy rampant as if severing heavens and earth in two. "Break for me!" Holding the broken blade, the Ji family ancestor effectively hacked the formation apart. Rumble! Centering from the Ji family ancestor, a dazzling radiance extended outward. The complex of palaces and towers, amid this surprising upheaval, crumbled into ruins. Chapter 31 The World is Like a Prison, the Human Clan Will Perish! ```The formation that had left numerous ancestors of the Ji Family helpless was quietly split open with this one sword. The grinding disc above was directly cleaved into two, showing signs of collapse. Bang bang bang... Countless small formations within Capital City that were part of the Absolute Killing Array were also greatly affected at this moment. At this instant, the power bursting out from the Sword Qi crushed down along the formation. The cultivators of the Huang Tian Sect stationed in the small formations were unable to withstand it and were instantly crushed into mists of blood by an unstoppable force. The previously invincible Absolute Killing Array had completely lost control. The surviving great powers of the Ji Family all shouted at this time: "Charge out! Kill!" Among the sixty great powers of the Ji Family, only ten remained under the crushing force of the Huang Tian Sect''s Absolute Killing Array, representing a significant loss. Shen Qing saw this scene with his Divine Sense, and his heart unwittingly tightened. The Huang Tian Sect was too strong. Those were martial masters of the Primordial Spirit Realm, even the Kongyou Realm, yet dozens had just perished like that. Enjoy more content from My Virtual Library Empire With this formation, the Huang Tian Sect''s power rivaled that of the Unity Realm. No, it was stronger than the Unity Realm. "What is this..." "The Huang Tian Daoist?" As Shen Qing was lost in thought, his expression suddenly changed as he felt an extraordinarily powerful aura appear out of thin air, enveloping the entire heaven and earth. Shen Qing felt a slight impact on his Divine Sense, as if it were being squeezed, akin to a fish burrowing into the mud when brewing medicine underwater. He focused intently, discovering that beneath the sky, a middle-aged man in a golden Daoist robe stepped out from the first great boat. This middle-aged man had sharp brows and bright eyes, radiating a dazzling presence. Holding a Golden Bell, he stood at the bow of the ship, overlooking the Great Zhou Capital, his whole being exuding a divine aura. Unity Realm martial master! When the Ji Family saw this scene, their expressions changed drastically. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "It''s the Huang Tian Daoist!" "Quickly join us in slaying him! We mustn''t let him succeed today!" "..." Above the Imperial Palace, the Ji Family patriarch urgently ordered. He had already sensed the terrifying aura emanating from the Huang Tian Daoist, not much weaker than his own. Without any hesitation, the Ji Family patriarch led the other great powers of the Ji Clan, turning into rainbow light, soaring towards the bow of the boat where the Huang Tian Daoist stood. The Huang Tian Daoist''s expression was as calm as water. He looked down with a cold smile, saying, "Old Man Ji, you and your offspring have dominated the martial mechanisms of the world for 900 years, but this is all you amount to. Even so, you still think you can break out of the Prison and face the Heavenly Demons?" "I say, why don''t you give all the martial mechanisms'' heritage to me? Perhaps, I''ll find a way and lead these people to a new path. What do you think?" The Ji Family patriarch''s face sank as he retorted, "Hmph, such boastful words. Things that couldn''t be achieved in Ancient Times, but you''d think just by chance lucking upon some ancient benefits, you can make it out? Foolish delusion!" Boom! As the words fell, the Ji Family patriarch moved like a meteor, arriving instantly above the bow of the Flying Boat. His body was surrounded by a tide-like surge of spiritual energy, like a war god awakened from Ancient Times. He let out a low chant, his fist carrying the force to shatter mountains and rivers, crashing down with a roar. At that moment, the air was torn apart by this punch, resounding with a deafening explosion, aiming to turn everything around into dust. The Huang Tian Daoist remained as calm as water, casually tapping his toe without haste. Instantly, the Flying Boat shone brilliantly as a complex golden rune appeared suddenly, its intricate patterns weaving a golden formation, overturning like a bowl on the Flying Boat, tightly enveloping it within. This formation faintly exuded an aura of suppressing all things. The punch of the Ji Family patriarch, upon touching this layer of formation, dissipated quietly as if sinking into the sea, unable to stir even a ripple. The Ji Family patriarch''s expression changed slightly, surprised by the strength of the formation, causing his figure to hesitate slightly. In the next moment, a hint of ferocity and decisiveness flashed in the Ji Family patriarch''s eyes. He once again summoned the Ancient Sword Fragment, its blade flickering uncertainly amid the dense evil Qi. He took a deep breath as all his spiritual power surged like an upheaving sea, unstoppable. The Ji Family patriarch once again wielded the fragment, the sword tip lightly grazing the void, and a streak of sword light thundered towards the formation. This fragment originated from the Ancient Times, and if complete, its grade would far surpass that of magic treasures. Previously breaking the Absolute Killing Array had consumed much of his spiritual power. Now, as he wielded this sword again, its power was significantly reduced. Yet, even so, the remaining might within the blade was still immense. The intense evil Qi weighed as heavily as mountains. The moment the sword light and the formation contacted, a violent surge of energy erupted. The Imperial Palace was affected, collapsing a large section of the buildings and houses instantly. Many palace maids and eunuchs who couldn''t escape in time were either crushed under the ruins, barely clinging to life, or directly killed by the aura of these two Unity Realm beings. Had these two been fighting fiercely within the Imperial Palace, it would have already turned into complete ruins. The golden formation trembled slightly under the powerful Sword Qi, ultimately collapsing entirely. Along with the dissipating formation was the dreadful sword light. Seeing this, the Ji Family patriarch resolved to use a third sword. Yet, unexpectedly, after the continuous use of two swords, his aging body became incredibly fragile, with some places already cracking and bleeding. It''s important to know that even martial masters who''ve broken through to the Unity Realm have bodies that should be indestructible. ``` Chapter 31 The World as a Prison, The Human Clan Will Perish!_2 The appearance of such injuries is simply unbelievable.Old Man Ji realized it was due to this Broken Blade, consuming too much of his Spiritual Power and spirit. His body swayed slightly, his face pale as paper, and a trace of blood overflowed from the corner of his mouth. Clearly, wielding two consecutive strikes was already the limit of what he could currently perform. Old Man Ji made a decisive decision, put away the Broken Blade, and shouted, "The formation is broken, follow me to kill!" The face of HTaoist uangtian, which had been calm and unruffled, finally showed a slight movement. He gently shook the golden bell in his hand. Surprisingly, the bell was silent. Only invisible ripples, like waves, spread around. Carrying an indescribable oppressiveness, it spread outwards. The five remaining Ancient Corpse Puppets of Huang Tian Sect, as if guided by invisible chains, all soared into the sky, standing in front of HTaoist uangtian. Then, without any fear, they charged toward the members of the Ji Family. "Huang Tian brat, apart from these old tricks, don''t you have any other methods?" Old Man Ji directly confronted, charging up to HTaoist uangtian and confronting him with the strength of his Physical Body. HTaoist uangtian couldn''t avoid it. His sleeve shook slightly, countless talismans flying out from within, continually merging into his body. Immediately, his entire body shone with golden light, glowing brightly, akin to a golden man forged by gold, facing with fists. Gold and yellow auras fiercely collided in the air, with electric arcs appearing out of nowhere. As the fist wind howled, it was as if the sound of mountains and rivers collapsing echoed. Wherever it passed, space seemed to be torn apart by the Fist Power, leaving shocking cracks. Their battle grew faster and more intense, directly soaring into the sky. The clash between the two had transcended the realm of mortal comprehension. To the naked eye, one could only see flashes of light like the sun continuously appearing. Subsequent to earth-shattering explosions also rolled out across the sky. The skies dimmed, and the sun and moon lost their shine. The earth seemed to have a slight tremor. Shen Qing sensed the terrifying aura transmitted from the sky, furrowed his brows, and hastily suppressed his own aura, reducing his presence to the lowest level. If it wasn''t within a hundred meters, it would be difficult to discover his existence. "Is this the power of a Unity Realm master?" Discover stories at My Virtual Library Empire Shen Qing''s Primordial Spirit vibrated, thoroughly feeling the terrifying aura constantly emanating above the Imperial Palace. There seemed to be two fierce beings there, with auras vast and majestic, terrifying to the extreme. Even his Primordial Spirit was faintly trembling. "Strong! So strong it''s suffocating!" "This power has exceeded my imagination!" "With my current self... I simply cannot contend with it!" Shen Qing rubbed his temples with a splitting headache, his eyes filled with shock. From this battle, he gained a clearer understanding of martial masters in the Unity Realm. It was a strength almost despairing, with no hope of victory visible from the Primordial Spirit Realm, struggling even seemed futile. Not to mention, he was standing outside the city, only feeling the afterwaves of the two Unity Realm beings. Above the Imperial Palace, the battle continued without any sign of stopping. His Marquis Wu''an Mansion, close to the Imperial Palace, had also been leveled. If his uncle and aunt were still inside, they would likely be in grave danger by now. Time ticked by. Shen Qing noticed that the previously invincible Huang Tian Sect was gradually falling into a disadvantage. "Huh, why is Ji Zikong still observing from the sidelines, never joining in?" Shen Qing remembered that Ji Zikong was also a martial master in the Unity Realm. With the Imperial Palace battle reaching this extent, countless foundations of the Ji Clan seemed to have been ruined, so how could he still sit back and watch without a care? Could it be that he intended to exhaust the martial masters? That seemed too absurd. Boom! Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. A heavy gap was smashed into the thick clouds above. A figure was violently flung to the ground. It was Old Man Ji. He was defeated. Shen Qing activated his Primordial Spirit, looking down from above. He saw Old Man Ji with blood at the corners of his mouth, eyes unfocused. A golden Primordial Spirit emerged from his physical shell, looking skyward with a poorly expression. Similarly, HTaoist uangtian was not feeling well either. His entire body was in tatters, the glow dim. Countless broken talismans continually emerged from his body, turning to dust. HTaoist uangtian revealed a slight smile and said, "You are strong, but I seem to have the upper hand." With that, he looked toward the battlefield ahead, shaking the bell in his hand once more. The four previously suppressed and damaged Ancient Corpse Puppets transformed into large human-shaped pills, charging into the battlefield. HTaoist uangtian''s hand movements stopped. The previously deafening battle cries in the Capital City suddenly became solemn, even the wind fell silent. In the next moment, those human-shaped pills suddenly released extremely dazzling light, like myriad blazing suns exploding simultaneously, enveloping the entire world in blinding white. This abrupt self-destruction released devastating power, the violent energy waves raging like a furious sea storm. The Ji Family''s Great Powers, still in the heat of battle, hadn''t reacted to this sudden change before being ruthlessly devoured by the unstoppable explosion aftershock. Their figures flickered in the radiant light, like candles in the wind, instantly devastated by this power, their internal qi and blood surging, meridians severed. Even with their profound cultivation and strong Physical Bodies, they couldn''t withstand the divine power contained within the ancient martial cultivation''s flesh. One by one, they spewed blood, falling from the sky, losing all combat ability. After this, HTaoist uangtian finally showed a slight ease, directing all his attention to Ji Zikong in the distance. This current Emperor of the Zhou Kingdom made him somewhat inscrutable. But it didn''t matter, the Ji Clan without teeth now posed no threat. If he could kill one martial master in the Unity Realm, he could kill a second. The face of the leader of Huang Tian Sect grew solemn, his hands forming a seal, pressing toward the Primordial Spirit of Old Man Ji. But just then, a sword light flashed, embedding itself into Old Man Ji before him. Huang Tian Sect Master suddenly raised his head to look at Ji Zikong. Only to see Ji Zikong with a faint and ambiguous expression, step by step approaching him. Old Man Ji turned back, incredulous, asking, "Why..." "Why ask so many times? Naturally, for great freedom." Ji Zikong gestured with his hand, the flying sword embedded in Old Man Ji trembled, releasing a devouring force, gradually consuming Old Man Ji''s Primordial Spirit. "This world is like a great ocean already depleted, transforming into a small pond, and we are all fish living in the sea." "Now this small pond has too many fish crowded in." "I think, if we clear out the other fish, leaving only the strongest fish to leap out of the small pond into another sea, it might open a path for the Human Clan, not necessarily having all fish leap out." "You always said the Human Clan will inevitably not perish, will inevitably break this Prison. So why can''t it be me?" Ji Zikong said as such. He gestured with his hand, the devouring force on the flying sword suddenly intensifying. "Ah!" Old Man Ji''s Primordial Spirit let out a scream, being devoured. Afterward, Ji Zikong didn''t stop, devouring all the Primordial Spirits of the Ji Clan''s Great Powers, adding them to himself. Suddenly, Ji Zikong''s aura surged tremendously. "Marvelous. Hahaha, with the nine hundred-year foundation of the Ji Clan gathered upon me, let''s see how the Heavenly Demon Clan can triumph over me!" Ji Zikong took a step forward, an indescribable invisible oppression surged out like a tidal wave, engulfing the world, tinting the surrounding space with a faint white glow. Above the azure sky, the floating Huang Tian Sect''s Flying Boat seemed to encounter utter disaster, several of the closest shattered simultaneously, disintegrating into pieces falling from the sky. HTaoist uangtian, who seemed assured of victory a moment ago, now couldn''t help but change his expression drastically, his eyes flashing with disbelief. He discovered Ji Zikong''s momentum continued to rise, stronger within moments than even his Old Ancestor. Chapter 32 Huang Tian Sect Retreats, Shen Qing in Danger ```Far outside the Imperial Palace, Shen Qing captured every word of Ji Zikong through his powerful Primordial Spirit and Divine Thought, leaving him with a sense of sudden enlightenment, unable to speak for a long time. According to Ji Zikong''s explanation, in summary, the "ecological system" of Martial Arts in this world is on the brink of collapse and cannot withstand the consumption of too many martial masters. Controlling the number of martial masters is the means to maintain the integrity of this "ecological system." To save this "ecological system," one must break conventions, needing a leader to carve out a path, leading the Human Clan into another cultivation "ecological system" or connecting to another "ecological system." So why does the Ji Family resort to all means to gather all Martial Mechanisms in the world? Why do they ignore the mutual slaughter among martial masters? Why do they also turn a blind eye to the rampage of demons, even intentionally encouraging it? Read new adventures at My Virtual Library Empire All these questions have been answered. In Shen Qing''s view, how sickly is this world. Facing Ji Zikong, whose aura had suddenly changed ahead, the Daoist''s expression turned serious. As he looked ahead, he saw Ji Zikong, who had been standing quietly over the Imperial Palace, reach out and hold the Flying Sword beside him. The sword''s tip was slightly raised, and Ji Zikong thrust forward quickly at the densely clouded Flying Boats of the Huang Tian Sect. This thrust was devoid of the thunderous magnitude generated by the Great Power, nor did it have the turning of the universe when the Ji Family''s ancestors struck, making the sun and moon lose their brilliance. It was merely a long sword, leaving an unobtrusive mark in the void of the air. Light as a feather, yet seemingly heavy as a mountain. However, it was precisely this seemingly casual touch that caused the Daoist''s heart to tense up suddenly. He seemed to see a divine sword that traversed eternal ages, roaring down from the Nine Heavens, severing all things! An unprecedented chill like icy cold pierced to the bone. S§×arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The Daoist''s eyes instantly contracted into needles. He unhesitatingly activated the golden bell in his hand. Immediately, the golden bell in his hand shone brightly, instantly transforming into an indestructible golden light shield, enveloping him tightly within. "Crack!" It was as if cracks appeared on a frozen lake surface, with crisp shattering sounds arising. With a crisp sound, the golden bell in the Daoist''s hand was filled with cracks, trembling uncontrollably, as if about to break at any moment. He hurriedly activated countless talismans, forming a golden light shield across in front of him. "Boom!!!" Suddenly, an awe-inspiring sword light erupted with a thunderous roar, sweeping forward to drown his figure completely. The earth trembled, and dust filled the air. Majestic palace buildings toppled like fragile paper in the face of this earth-shattering force. Countless palace maids, Imperial Guards, were mercilessly buried under the rubble in this sudden catastrophe. More frightening still, the aftermath of this majestic Sword Qi, like a runaway dragon, spread from the Imperial Palace to every corner of the Capital City at a visibly insane speed, turning everything it passed into nothingness. When the dust settled, only devastation remained, the former splendor and riches now reduced to mere ruins. Outside the Imperial Palace, Shen Qing was shocked at this scene, unable to conceal his fear. He scanned with his Divine Thought and found the core zone of the explosion had become a living hell, with countless ordinary palace maids, eunuchs, guards, and Forbidden Army turning to ash in this calamity. It was evident that Ji Zikong was cold-hearted, utterly indifferent to the lives and deaths of those within the Imperial Palace. Otherwise, with his ability, he could completely control this Sword Intent. Inevitably, there would be casualties in the Capital City and the Imperial Palace, but it would certainly not have reached such an extent. He acted completely on impulse, with a reckless abandon. Shen Qing suddenly thought of Huang Furo still in the city. Now that the Huang Tian Sect had played their last cards, facing Ji Zikong''s aggressive advance, victory was no longer possible. The situation was becoming clear. He now had the power to protect himself in the Capital City. Perhaps, he could enter and protect her to some extent. After the explosive sword light in the sky faded, it revealed the Daoist''s desolate figure. Now, his entire body had no intact part, with many areas already deeply reaching the bone, blood continuously flowing. Seeing Ji Zikong so strong, the Daoist squinted his eyes. He stomped heavily, causing the Flying Boat beneath him to shake continuously, reaching the peak of eruption within moments, glowing with dazzling yellow light as it flew outside the city. "Retreat!" The forceful male voice resounded like thunder far away. Those surviving Disciple of the Huang Tian Sect in the city, hearing the command to retreat, hesitated no longer, decisively withdrawing from the city. At the moment when the Huang Tian Sect finally decided to retreat, the yellow glow that had enveloped the sky quietly dissipated, restoring its original colors. At this time, the area around the Shi family mansions in the Capital City suddenly became lively, with explosions and sounds of slaughter ringing ceaselessly. Many young members of the Shi family dispatched from their clans began to fight these disciples of the Huang Tian Sect. They did anything to hinder their retreat. The families in the Capital City had now perceived the direction the situation was heading, each like a bloodthirsty leopard, no longer waiting and hesitating, throwing themselves into this battle, continuously slaughtering the crumbling Huang Tian Sect believers. After all, their foundations were far less robust than the Ji Family''s, and facing the existence of the Daoist was like hitting a rock with an egg for them. However, they felt no pressure in killing these unprotected, fleeing sect members. ``` Chapter 32 Huang Tian Sect Retreats, The Peril of Shen Qing_2 After the defeat of the Huang Tian Daoist, the defenses of the Huang Tian Sect were at their weakest point, making it the perfect time to strike at the fallen enemy. If this opportunity was missed, it would be difficult to clarify their stance later on, and they might risk being held accountable by Ji Zikong, which would not be worth it. Therefore, these families did not hesitate to take a side, directly joining in, seizing this chance to make amends and survive as a mere lapdog. Just moments ago, the Huang Tian Sect seemed to have the upper hand, but with the families joining in, they were quickly defeated like a collapsing mountain. Seeing this, Shen Qing also did not delay, urging his entire spiritual power, performing the Great Void Movement Technique to delve into the Capital City in search of Huang Furo''s whereabouts. He stepped across in one stride, transforming into a shadow, traversing several kilometers swiftly, making it hard to catch. A Huang Tian Sect believer blocked his path, and he simply slapped, turning the obstructing person into a bloody pulp. Even with a talisman in hand, it was to no avail. Boom! Shen Qing heard continuous rumbling from the skies afar, as one Flying Boat after another turned into fireballs, being blasted apart by Ji Zikong on the spot. The scene nearly turned into a one-sided massacre. Just as Ji Zikong was about to catch up with the Huang Tian Daoist, two ancient corpse puppets dormant in the city were awakened. They soared into the sky, tightly embracing Ji Zikong. In the latter''s surprised eyes, they suddenly transformed into a large yellow sphere, tightly enveloping Ji Zikong as if it were a sun forged in flames. The yellow sphere emitted ominous light, with every strand containing terrifying power capable of shaking mountains and rivers. With a deafening explosion, the large yellow sphere''s radiance burst forth, unleashing earth-shattering energy, tearing the surrounding void into pieces. "Ah..." In this destructive explosion, even Ji Zikong''s immensely powerful body was inevitably left with several ghastly wounds, bleeding profusely, revealing deep bones. When the smoke cleared, Ji Zikong''s figure appeared. A cold light flashed in his eyes as he surveyed the surroundings. However, the figure of the Huang Tian Daoist was nowhere to be seen. "Hm?" Suddenly, Ji Zikong unexpectedly saw Shen Qing''s figure and made a light sound of surprise. He noticed that Shen Qing''s Martial Arts were exceptionally unique, surprisingly hinting of the Great Void Dao. "This boy indeed has something peculiar about him." "If I''m not mistaken, he reached the Primordial Spirit realm in just a few short years, which is simply unbelievable." "Thanks to this opportunity with the Huang Tian Sect, I''ve gathered many of the Ji Family''s secrets that maintain the court, which I no longer need. Just as well, I can take a good look at what great secrets my Marquis Wu''an is hiding." With that thought, Ji Zikong pointed towards Shen Qing''s location midair. While still crossing the void, Shen Qing suddenly felt all his hairs stand on end, a strong sense of danger enveloping his heart. He instinctively rolled to the side. Swoosh! A Sword Qi nearly brushed past his cheek, flying by, penetrating the ground. Shen Qing''s heart pounded wildly. If he had been even a little slower just now, he would have been split in two by that Sword Qi. Looking up, Shen Qing saw Ji Zikong watching him from above, a trace of surprise flashing across his face. Calm and steady, he asked, "Your Majesty, what does this mean?" Ji Zikong stepped forward, each step causing invisible stairs to condense out of thin air beneath his feet. As he walked towards Shen Qing, Ji Zikong said, "Marquis Wu''an, tell me. The Saint Body Great Completion Method from the royal armory, have you not cultivated this celestial Martial technique from start to finish?" Shen Qing remained silent, his hand subconsciously gripping the hilt of his sword. Ji Zikong sighed deeply, saying, "My seventh prince, upon hearing that you cultivated the Great Completion Saint Body Method without harm, studied this celestial Martial technique as well, but he unexpectedly went berserk and died." "Because of you, I''ve lost a son," Ji Zikong said, counting on his fingers, "this is the first, the second, the third..." As he counted, he grew a bit impatient, "Forget it, anyway he''s dead, but he can''t die in vain. What do you think I should do?" At this point, Shen Qing finally realized that the monarch of the Great Zhou had turned the table and set his sights on him. "I think, Your Majesty, with your vigorous health, you could easily father another prince." Shen Qing involuntarily took two steps back. Ji Zikong shook his head, saying, "No need to trouble yourself, I have a way to exempt him from punishment." "What?" "Surrender your Primordial Spirit to me, and this matter will be written off." Primordial Spirit?! Shen Qing''s expression instantly darkened. The Primordial Spirit is profound and can be refined by others. Once his Primordial Spirit fell into Ji Zikong''s hands, it would be akin to being at his mercy. Ji Zikong sought to uncover all the secrets of his cultivation. "I''m afraid I cannot comply with Your Majesty''s request!" "Sigh, then I''ll have to do it myself!" Upon saying that, without moving his body, Ji Zikong raised a single finger. Instantly, a long sword imbued with a cold halo shot through the air, bearing immense majesty as it aimed directly at Shen Qing. Shen Qing''s expression hardened, a resolute gleam flashing in his eyes, as he pushed the Six Paths of Reincarnation technique to its utmost, causing the spiritual energy between heaven and earth to completely boil, madly pouring into his body, coalescing into immense power. He abruptly drew the "Thunder Abyss" treasure blade, infusing it with all his spiritual power. The blade emitted intense lightning, transforming into a hundred-zhang-long lightning edge, slashing at Ji Zikong''s long sword. Heaven''s Wrath Void Slash! In this moment of life and death, Shen Qing disregarded everything, directly unleashing the Martial technique he had learned from Xue Zhao. The blade and sword energies intersected in the air, bursting with a heart-wrenching energy fluctuation, resembling a falling star, overturning mountains and rivers. "Treasure!" Staring at the scene before him, Ji Zikong was momentarily stunned. He knew Shen Qing had many secrets; he didn''t expect to be surprised just at the first engagement. Seeing the familiar technique in the void, a playful smile emerged on his face. "Interesting, my Marquis Wu''an is becoming more interesting. Hahaha..." Ji Zikong laughed aloud in the void, his finger continued to point forward, increasing the force. The unmatched Heaven''s Wrath Void Slash, augmented by the Thunder Abyss treasure blade, was tremendously powerful. Yet when facing Ji Zikong''s cold light Flying Sword, it seemed lacking. S§×ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. At the moment of clash, the edge of Heaven''s Wrath Void Slash seemed to melt like ice under a scorching sun, swiftly dissipating, completely defeated in the blink of an eye. Ji Zikong''s spiritual power surged around him; he casually pointed forward, the white Sword Intent transformed into a crescent, sweeping past Shen Qing''s body. Shen Qing had no time to react, only sensing a sudden blur; the Sword Qi severed his body at the waist. Golden and crimson blood splattered out. Shen Qing''s eyes widened, filled with disbelief. He sensed the life force within rapidly draining away, his Primordial Spirit trembling, seemingly compelled to burst out as if sensing the danger within his mortal shell, instinctively fleeing. Stay calm! At this moment, one must stay calm! Shen Qing did not give in, refusing to accept fate. He clenched his teeth and decisively retrieved a jade tablet, fully releasing the spiritual essence hidden within. Moreover, countless elixirs and pills were taken out, consumed in one go. The Six Paths of Reincarnation technique ran frantically. Read new chapters at My Virtual Library Empire Around Shen Qing, crystalline and splendid vortices quietly emerged, like black holes in the deep cosmos, devouring all surrounding spiritual energy. In this life-and-death moment, he suddenly had a special insight into the Path of Hell. Rebirth through transformation, break before establishment! Serenely, Shen Qing seemed to cross a threshold, feeling a roaring in his ears as the Six Paths of Reincarnation technique was pushed to the limit. The golden blood strewn across the void suddenly linked into a sparkling chain of light, miraculously connecting Shen Qing''s severed upper and lower body. Amid the rumbling, his body, like shattered porcelain, began to be reassembled, astonishingly starting to repair and heal. In mid-air, seeing this scene, Ji Zikong''s eyes suddenly changed. Chapter 33 Desperate Fight! Dead End Ji Zikong saw Shen Qing, who was intact as if resurrected, and his spirit was completely exhilarated. Such a technique that could bring the dead back to life, he had never seen nor heard of before. "There is indeed something extraordinary about this child!" "Such a technique in his possession is simply a waste. If I could obtain this technique, then why should I fear the Heavenly Demon?" Ji Zikong eyed Shen Qing, his gaze turning fervent. He couldn''t wait to seize Shen Qing''s Primordial Spirit and extract all his secrets. "Today you have given me too many surprises; it''s time you did your part for the life and death of the Human Clan!" Ji Zikong laughed heartily as he wielded his Treasure Sword, swiftly advancing towards Shen Qing. His cultivation of the Unity Realm was fully unleashed at this moment, concentrating into his sharp sword. This sword was a Magic Treasure passed down in the Ji Family since ancient times, becoming highly spiritual after a millennium of refinement. Sensing Ji Zikong''s emotions and intentions, the sword trembled, its brilliance surged, and its cold glow was fully revealed, sweeping across like a mighty river, unhesitatingly towards Shen Qing. Even an eagle must exert full strength to seize a rabbit. Ji Zikong understood this truth and did not underestimate Shen Qing because of his lower cultivation. The oppressive might of the Unity Realm, tangible as substance, enveloped the skies of the Capital, descending upon Shen Qing along with the sword''s force. At that moment, Shen Qing was at a critical point in healing his injuries; the recently healed wounds instantly ruptured. His entire body was covered in cracks like a piece of porcelain. Bright red blood spurted out, exceedingly gruesome. With a thought, Shen Qing, in a critical moment, instantly activated the Great Void Shifting Technique. In front of him, the void twisted, enveloping him completely. Boom! The Sword Qi struck the ground. Like the splitting of heaven and earth, a trench tens of meters deep appeared in the middle of the Capital, as if to split it in half. Shen Qing narrowly avoided it with the Great Void Shifting Technique. Experience tales with My Virtual Library Empire It was hard to imagine, had that strike hit him, he would have surely been reduced to dust. Unmatched power. Instantly, Shen Qing pushed the Great Void Shifting Technique to its limit, his figure flickering unpredictably to the left and right, back and forth, continuously moving towards the outskirts of the Capital, incomprehensible to onlookers. Ji Zikong''s gaze relentlessly pursued Shen Qing, pressing closely each step. His Sword Qi was relentless, allowing Shen Qing no chance to breathe. Their figures streaked across the sky like shooting stars, spanning great distances in the blink of an eye. "With this movement technique, even with my speed as a Sword Cultivator, I can''t take full advantage. Where in the world did Duke Wu''an learn such skills?" Ji Zikong''s eyes shone brilliantly, growing ever more eager about Shen Qing''s secrets. He had sustained significant injuries due to Taoist Huangtian, with many wounds ferociously bleeding, some even revealing glimpses of his internal organs, weakening his strength. Ji Zikong was blind to these injuries, disregarding them as he merged with his sword, dramatically increasing his speed. The sword light soared like a dragon ascending the Nine Heavens, with an unstoppable momentum covering the area where Shen Qing was. Everywhere it passed, the heavens and earth seemed to be split by this sword, the sky changed color, and the sun and moon darkened. Seeing this, Shen Qing''s eyes widened as Spiritual Power surged violently within him, knowing there was no room for hesitation. He exerted all his strength to wield his Magic Treasure "Thunder Abyss," using its formidable power to counter Ji Zikong''s fearsome strike. Lightning flashed, striking like a flood dragon towards the sword light. Crack. To Shen Qing''s disbelief, the "Thunder Abyss" Treasure Blade could not withstand Ji Zikong''s overpowering Sword Intent. A loud crash echoed, and Thunder Abyss shattered inch by inch under the sword light. Amidst its anguished cries, the power contained within the blade burst forth completely at that moment, transforming into a sea of thunder that filled the entire sky with blue lightning arcs. Intense energy waves spread far and wide. Even Ji Zikong, who was in the Unity Realm, could feel the terror emanating from it. S§×ar?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He had no doubt that even if he were to fall into this sea of thunder right now, it would be unbearable. Shen Qing frantically activated the Six Paths Reincarnation Technique, with dazzling vortexes slowly lighting up at each of his acupoints. They desperately drew in the spiritual energy from the surroundings, quickly healing his injuries substantially. He rapidly pulled out a treasure bow from the Hundred Treasure Pouch and drew the bow to its full extent without hesitation. The spiritual power he had condensed inside his body, every thread and strand, he channeled into the treasure bow, turning them into arrows. "Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh!" The sounds of breaking the air exploded. Nine arrows almost simultaneously streaked across the sky; each one was like the scorching sun, wielding the might to scorch the heavens and boil the oceans, aiming straight for Ji Zikong. It seemed as if rounds of suns were summoned in the sky, radiating vast light. Even Ji Zikong, who had high expectations, could not help but reveal a hint of astonishment on his face at that moment. He could feel the terrifying power contained within these arrows; even though his body was injured, being struck by these arrows wouldn''t kill him, but it would be exceedingly painful. Ji Zikong instinctively dodged. However, to his surprise, even though he had dodged, the arrows, as if possessing eyes, landed precisely on his body without missing. Boom, boom, boom... The nine beams of arrow light burst one after another. Roaring suns lit up, only to extinguish in the blink of an eye. When the light from the nine "suns" gradually dissipated, Ji Zikong''s distressed expression was revealed. At this moment, he stood at the center of heaven and earth, his clothes tattered and his chest dyed mottled with crimson blood. "Good, good, good!" Ji Zikong laughed in rage, his eyes filled with bloodshot. He had never imagined that one day he would be pushed to this point by a martial master from the Primordial Spirit Realm. "Unexpectedly, amongst my subordinates there''s someone like you; I had underestimated you!" Ji''s Primordial Spirit quivered intensely inside him, stirring the surrounding natural spiritual energy to boil like a tide. Suddenly, a gigantic frost-colored sword Qi emerged behind him. The power of the long sword magic treasure, under the urging of his Primordial Spirit, fully manifested its might. "Your physical body shall be buried under my sword, and that shall be your honor." The frost on the blade twinkled, chilling to the bone, carrying an unmatched force as it chopped toward Shen Qing. Before the sword even arrived, the chilling intent had already frosted the ground. Shen Qing was greatly startled, his hands quickly forming a seal. A surge of spiritual power burst forth from within him, transforming into a colossal golden seal, dazzling with golden light, an overwhelming force. He activated the Eight Desolate Annihilation Seal. Primordial Spirit enhanced. The golden seal soared into the sky, confronting the frost-colored sword Qi. The two collided violently in the air, causing deafening booms. Spiritual power overflowed, like terrifying waves sweeping across the surroundings. However, the might of the Unity Realm was tremendous; the frost-colored sword Qi, being pushed to its limits by Ji Zikong, held an incomparable power of the Primordial Spirit. The golden seal gradually cracked under the collision and finally, with a loud "bang", completely shattered, turning into specks of golden light that dissolved into the void. Shen Qing, struck heavily, was involuntarily flung backward, blood gushing from his mouth, his complexion turning as pale as paper in an instant. "Die!" Ji Zikong''s face twisted in ferocity; the sword image remained unchanged behind him as he thrust out with his sword towards Shen Qing. Chapter 34 The Power of Broken Blade, Ji Zikong is Shocked ``` Behind Ji Zikong, the Sword Shadow solidified, as Sword Intent rampaged in all directions, incredibly cold. This Sword Intent, in an instant, resembled dragons in the raging waves, rushing to break through the sea surface. Countless sword lights enveloped Shen Qing, blocking out the sky and sun. Shen Qing saw this scene, his face, already pale as paper, lost its color completely, eyes flashing with an expression of disbelief and horror. Faced with the ocean-like sword light, he had no way out. At this life-and-death moment, he gritted his teeth, hardened his heart, and directly conjured the Three-legged Furnace from his Qi Sea. A flash of black light shimmered between his brows, and an ancient and majestic aura spread out. A Three-legged Ancient Cauldron appeared out of thin air before Shen Qing. The Three-legged Cauldron was only the size of a palm, yet inside it contained overwhelming Sword Intent. This Sword Intent was not sourced from the Three-legged Cauldron, but existed within the Broken Blade inside the cauldron and the scarlet bloodstains. Shen Qing had previously researched that the Broken Blade inside was extremely terrifying, difficult to handle. Every attempt was a risky venture. More troubling was that the tainted blood on the Broken Blade contained a True Intent, and overuse would result in backlash from the Sword Qi within the Broken Blade, with the True Intent pollution damaging even the Primordial Spirit. However, given the current situation, he couldn''t care about those concerns. Shen Qing focused his mind, gritting his teeth, poured all his remaining Spiritual Power into the cauldron. His entire body''s acupoints trembled with light. Instantly, the Three-legged Cauldron soared into the sky, expanding to blot out the sky and sun, tilting forward, unleashing a torrent of overwhelming Sword Intent. The Broken Blade sealed within the cauldron shot out directly, transforming into streams of silver light, clashing head-on with Ji Zikong''s sword intention. Boom! The tainted blood on the Broken Blade shone with a glazed radiance, the Sword Intent becoming incredibly grand. The sound of porcelain shattering echoed between heaven and earth. "How is this possible?" Ji Zikong''s eyes widened in exclamation. He saw his Sword Apparition crumble inch by inch under this mighty Sword Intent. With a muffled bang, His Sword Apparition, condensed by his Primordial Spirit, completely shattered. Invisible spatial ripples spread in all directions. Ji Zikong staggered, retreating a few steps before stabilizing his body. A trickle of scarlet blood seeped from his mouth, his face going utterly colorless. Shen Qing wasn''t doing well either. Even with the formidable Six Paths Reincarnation Technique, he couldn''t completely withstand the Spiritual Power exhaustion from the Broken Blade. "Ugh..." Shen Qing felt a sweetness in his throat, a powerful will imprinted upon his Primordial Spirit. He made a decisive cut, slicing off a wisp of his Primordial Spirit. Seeing Ji Zikong unresponsive, Shen Qing''s eyes flashed determination, his hands moving without pause, activating the Great Void Shifting Technique to escape this place. The Three-legged Cauldron spun, striking at the void before him. Cracks appeared on the void, revealing a pitch-black hole. The Three-legged Cauldron ripped through the spatial barrier, wrapping around Shen Qing, swept him in. "Thinking of leaving? How dare you!" Ji Zikong, disregarding everything, attempted to block Shen Qing. But he was ultimately a step too slow. As he rushed to that hole, Shen Qing had already crossed the void, disappearing without a trace. Moments later, everything settled. Even with Ji Zikong''s exhaustive search, he couldn''t find any trace of Shen Qing, leaving him furious. Ji Zikong, long accustomed to high status, had never lost his composure like this, shedding all imperial dignity. "Ugh!" Ji Zikong suddenly felt Qi-Blood churning, unable to help but spit out a mouthful of tainted blood. He horrifyingly discovered that a will had stealthily integrated onto his Primordial Spirit at some point. "Damn it!" Ji Zikong''s face twisted in rage. To save his life, he directly severed a significant portion of his Primordial Spirit, sustaining severe injury. His uncontrolled body plummeted from mid-air, crashing to the ground. Sitting on the ground, panting, Ji Zikong gradually regained his composure. At this moment, his shock was beyond description. He never imagined that, with his current status, as the world''s foremost Martial Artist, he couldn''t subdue a Primordial Spirit Realm martial master! No one would believe it spread. The more Ji Zikong thought, the more terrified he became. Who on earth was Shen Qing!!! "No matter who he is, there can only be one supreme Martial Arts in the world. No matter what, that person must be me!" Ji Zikong fell into complete madness, eyes focused, wiping away the tainted blood at the corner of his mouth, soaring back into the sky, heading towards the ruins of the Capital City. At this point, might as well go all in, the Eight Great Families have been nurtured long enough, it''s time to reap, to forge oneself! "Let''s go, Your Majesty is mad, we must leave here immediately!" In the outskirts of the Capital City, Huang Furo, at some unknown time, found the resting place of the uncle and others, directly urging them to evacuate. The Emperor''s slaying of family, such treacherous acts already happened, she realized this empire was completely in chaos, staying in the Capital was ominously dangerous. Continue your adventure at My Virtual Library Empire The events to follow were unknown, if they didn''t leave now, it would be too late. Tian Xiaohu and others hid in the manor, only hearing much commotion from outside, but unaware of what precisely happened. At this point, seeing Huang Furo hurriedly urging them to evacuate also puzzled them. "What happened? Didn''t we just evacuate? Why evacuate again?" Huang Furo said, "After the Huang Tian Sect''s assault, His Majesty went mad, killing wantonly, staying here means death for everyone!" "What?!" Uncle Shen the Second and others were shocked. "What about Qingzi, what about him?" Uncle Shen the Second asked anxiously. Huang Furo paused slightly, then feigned calm, replying, "He has his own matters, rest assured, with his cultivation, few in the world could harm him." "No more questions, let''s hurry, it''s now or never." "Alright!" Uncle Shen the Second and others trusted Huang Furo implicitly, said no more, following her to leave immediately. They had only recently relocated, many things were ready-packed, moving was no trouble for Huang Furo. The convoy swiftly set off in a southwestern direction. In the carriage, Aunt Wang, feeling anxious, cautiously asked, "Niece, where are we going?" while eyeing Huang Furo''s sharp presence. Huang Furo, eyes narrowed, answered, "Back to Yongzhou!" S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Just then, she heard screams from the direction of the Capital behind, like thunderclaps repeatedly booming. "Ji family''s child dared such acts, I will not spare you, ah..." ... The screams were harrowing, chilling to the bone. The Shen family in the carriage, upon hearing, stayed utterly silent, trembling in fear. Only Huang Furo instinctively glanced in the direction where Shen Qing vanished, remaining silent. ``` Chapter 35 Jinzhou In the endless chaos, Shen Qing felt everything around him becoming hazy and illusory. After a fierce battle with Ji Zikong, his Spiritual Power had nearly been exhausted, and using the Great Void Shifting Technique became extremely strenuous. Every minute and every second were exceptionally difficult; his body felt heavier and heavier. But he dared not slacken or pause for a moment. He worried that once he slowed down, Ji Zikong would catch up to him. Now extremely weak, he had no strength left to face Ji Zikong''s techniques. Shen Qing''s fingers trembled slightly as he lightly touched the Hundred Treasure Pouch and drew out a Jade Token rich with Spirit Essence. The Spirit Essence contained within was enough to drive many people mad, it was a precious Spirit Mechanism. But at that moment, without any hesitation, Shen Qing took it out, intending to use it. He formed a spell with his hands and began to refine the Jade Token. The smooth Jade Token burst into a gentle glow, like a bright star in this chaotic realm. Dense Spiritual Energy poured forth, infiltrating his body and through the Six Paths Reincarnation Technique, transforming into pure and untainted Spiritual Power that infused his depleted physical body. sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Soon, one Jade Token was used up. Without hesitation, Shen Qing took out a second one. At this critical time, it was not the moment to cherish these external possessions. These precious Jade Tokens could not support his nearly extinguished body indefinitely. As the Spirit Essence of the last Jade Token was depleted, Shen Qing clearly perceived that he had reached his limit and could no longer continue recklessly. Otherwise, he would surely be devoured by the chaos. Shen Qing gathered all his concentration, mobilizing the last bit of strength in his body to activate the Three-legged Furnace. The Three-legged Furnace shuddered, violently breaking free from the confines of chaos. The sky was a clear azure, vast and boundless. Sunlight streamed down, making all things glisten. In this serene and peaceful scene, a stark black rift abruptly appeared in the sky. This rift grew larger and larger until it became as tall as a person. The next moment, a person and a furnace surged out from the crack. It was Shen Qing, who had crossed through the void. At this moment, he was completely drained, having lost all control, his body free-falling towards the earth; the ancient Three-legged Furnace also tumbled down through the air following Shen Qing''s descent. With a thud, Shen Qing crashed heavily onto the ground, rolling several times before finally coming to a stop. The impact shook his Qi-Blood violently, making him feel extremely uncomfortable, and he couldn''t help but spit out a mouthful of foul blood. This was still the result of his strong physical body. Otherwise, an ordinary person falling from such a height would have likely been smashed to pieces. Shen Qing took a deep breath, continuously regulating his breathing, trying to rapidly recover. His whole body was weak, he couldn''t even move a finger. But Shen Qing realized his injuries were too severe. His Primordial Spirit was damaged, and his meridians were also harmed by Sword Qi; regaining Essence Qi was not something that could be done in a short amount of time. This left him feeling quite helpless. Shen Qing turned his head to look around and saw that he was lying on yellow soil; an endless expanse of barren land and wheat fields dyed a ghostly green. "Where is this?" If he remembered correctly, the northwest region of Great Zhou was known for its yellow soil, with the locals mainly living on wheat and tobacco cultivation. The place was approximately three thousand miles away from the Capital City. That is to say, he had traveled three thousand miles in just a few moments by crossing through void space. Shen Qing thought about this and found it even more unbelievable. Time passed by slowly, and Shen Qing circulated the Six Paths Reincarnation Technique, gradually recovering his cultivation. To his surprise, the spiritual energy here was terribly thin, merely one-tenth of that in the Capital City or even in Yongzhou. Such an environment made it very uncomfortable for him, a martial master of the Primordial Spirit Realm. Continue your adventure with My Virtual Library Empire After half an hour, Shen Qing finally regained a bit of mobility, enough to turn his body and move his fingers. At this rate, it looked like it would take a day or half a day of cultivation. Just then, Shen Qing heard the sound of wagon wheels turning in the distance. Following the sound, he saw a dark-skinned little boy driving a donkey cart coming his way. Upon sighting Shen Qing, the boy froze for a moment. He hurriedly jumped down from the cart and grabbed the donkey. The boy looked at Shen Qing with wariness, his large, pitch-black eyes sizing him up continuously, then suddenly focused on the Three-legged Furnace next to him. His eyes lit up, he ran over hastily, grabbed one of the legs of the furnace, and took off running. The donkey behind him couldn''t even keep up with his pace. It left Shen Qing speechless. However, with his movement currently impaired, he couldn''t chase after the boy. He could only watch helplessly as the little boy ran into the distance and vanished from his sight, turning into a black dot. "Forget it, I''ll go find him after I''ve recovered my ability to move. With my Divine Sense and the power of my Primordial Spirit, it won''t be hard to find the boy." Shen Qing murmured to himself, making a plan in his heart, and focused on cultivating to restore his energy. What he hadn''t expected was that, after a while, the little boy returned, accompanied by a few peasant men. Seeing Shen Qing''s outfit, although it was largely torn and smeared with blood, those who had seen a bit of the world recognized it as high-quality golden silk¡ª a luxury not just anyone could afford. He realized Shen Qing''s identity was not ordinary. "What do we do?" "Erdan took his stuff, will he blame us? He can''t seem to move much, should we just finish him off?" "Don''t be rash! I think this man is extraordinary, like a martial artist. I''ve heard that martial masters in the cities can''t even be scratched with a hoe. If we can''t kill him, we''ll just make an irreversible enemy. The village might even get dragged into it." "Then Chen Gouzi, you always have the most ideas, what do you suggest?" After pondering for a moment, a man named Chen Gouzi said, "He looks immobile for now, let''s go and apologize first, see what kind of person he is. If he''s a good man, we''ll save him. If he''s ruthless, we''ll have to finish him off even if our hoes break." "Alright, let''s do as you say!" Chen Gouzi took a deep breath, attempting to stay calm. He called out to Erdan, "Come over here!" The little boy Erdan followed nervously. With Erdan beside him, Chen Gouzi approached Shen Qing and bowed deeply, saying humbly, "Esteemed sir, my child is ignorant and took your possession¡ªplease have a large heart and forgive this offense." With that, he signaled to Erdan. Erdan quickly returned the Three-legged Furnace. Shen Qing observed the group without concern and asked, "Where is this place?" Seeing that Shen Qing didn''t seem too upset, Chen Gouzi answered, "This is Shangao Village." "Jinzhou?" "It''s still a few hundred miles from Jinzhou; this is just a poor rural area." Shen Qing nodded to indicate he understood. Chen Gouzi, relieved to see that Shen Qing wasn''t a terrifying figure, cautiously asked, "Sir, have you run into some trouble? Do you need our help?" Chapter 36 Shangao Village The mottled and colorful yellow earth stretched out under the azure sky, tranquil and vast. Shen Qing lay on the simple wooden cart, gazing at the sky without speaking, his body swaying with the bumps of the donkey cart. Beside him, a group of farmers in coarse cloth surrounded him, walking alongside the donkey cart. The dry yellow earth rose in clouds under their feet, drifting away. "Sir, you look like you''re from the city; that''s rare here!" Li Dazhuang''s rough voice broke the surrounding silence first, and he asked curiously, "Where are you coming from, sir?" The others couldn''t help but perk up their ears, very curious about Shen Qing''s origins. Shen Qing glanced at these weather-beaten men and said sparingly, "The Capital City." "What''s the Capital City?" "A very far place, three thousand li away." "Wow, that''s really far." The others felt that Shen Qing was exaggerating, not quite believing him. In their understanding, walking over three thousand li would probably ruin one''s legs. Even Master Li from the neighboring village, despite practicing martial arts, wouldn''t dare to claim he could walk such a distance. Shen Qing showed no intention of explaining. With demons rampant in the Great Zhou nowadays, and his cultivation not fully restored, being alone in the wilderness was very dangerous. Thus, after careful consideration, he decided to return with these people, as it provided a bit of security. Once he had a stable place to rest for a night, his injuries could recover significantly, making it more prudent to leave afterward. After all, with these people, it was just a casual acquaintance; there was no need for extensive communication. As the donkey cart moved on, the scenery on both sides gradually changed, with more trees appearing, showing traces left by various activities. Before long, they finally arrived at a village nestled in a mountain hollow. The village was small, with one or two dozen scattered households. The old houses built from yellow earth blended almost seamlessly into the hillside, hard to distinguish from a distance without the curling smoke rising. Stay tuned to My Virtual Library Empire "Oh, look, it''s Chen Gouzi and Li Dazhuang coming back!" At the village entrance, a little girl with pigtails excitedly shouted, gripping a potato tightly, her eyes filled with joy. "Wow, it really is them! Coming back so early today?" An old woman nearby responded with a smile, her hands not pausing from her needlework, but her gaze involuntarily shifted toward the donkey cart. "Whoa~" The donkey cart stopped at the village entrance, and Chen Gouzi stepped out from among the people, calling out, "Aunt Li, I''m looking for the village chief to discuss something?" Aunt Li glanced at Shen Qing behind Chen Gouzi and asked softly, "What''s going on here?" "Picked up on the road. Is the village chief still at home?" sea??h th§× ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "I just saw him come back from the fields and didn''t see him leave, should still be inside." "Alright, I''ll go see him." Chen Gouzi instructed the others, "You all wait here for me, I''ll be back in a while." With that, he left in a hurry without waiting for Li Dazhuang and the others to speak. After he left, Shen Qing, using some strength, sat up on the cart. "You can sit up now?" Li Dake remarked in surprise while looking at Shen Qing. Shen Qing replied calmly, "Yes." He looked around at Shangao Village. This village was, in some respects, very poor, even poorer than Hongshan Village where he once stayed. At least in Hongshan Village, they could rely on the surrounding mountains and waters for sustenance, which offered some prospects. But here, the mountainous land was barren, and even water sources were scarce. Shen Qing felt uncomfortable and struggled to adapt even after staying a short while. Li Dazhuang laughed heartily and said, "That''s great! Our village has many fun places; once you recover, you can experience them yourself." Shen Qing smiled in response, nodding in agreement. On the other side, inside a mud-brick house in Shangao Village. Chen Gouzi arrived at the door of the village chief''s house. The weathered wooden door creaked on its hinges. The village chief emerged from inside, calmly seated on the doorstep. The doorstep, worn smooth by years of use, was slightly indented in the middle, making it the perfect place to sit. When he saw Chen Gouzi approaching, the village chief acted as if he hadn''t noticed, looking down as he tamped his pipe. Then, holding his tobacco pipe in one hand, he pulled out strands of golden tobacco from a small pouch with the other hand, filling the pipe. After completing these tasks, the village chief gently took out a firestick from his pocket and gave it a gentle blow. A flame emerged. The village chief brought the pipe close to the flame, lighting the tobacco within. He took a couple of quick puffs, and once the tobacco was alight, he put away the firestick, took a deep draw, and slowly closed his eyes. After a while, he exhaled slowly. Shrouded in smoke, his face looked increasingly serene. The village chief said, "It''s Gouzi, come in and sit for a while; it''s windy outside." His voice was deep, like a cask of aged wine. Chen Gouzi took two quick steps forward, a hint of urgency in his expression, "No need, I came to tell you something. Today, we picked up an outsider, seems like he has a different identity, we brought him back, and I need your advice." Hearing this, the village chief frowned slightly, his expression turning serious. The tobacco pipe in his hand was temporarily put aside, and he said, "Gouzi, what''s going on? Tell me clearly." "Here''s what happened." Chen Gouzi gave a full account of how they incidentally picked up the three-legged cauldron from the outsider, how they apologized, and finally returned to the village together, without hiding anything. After listening, the village chief took another deep draw from his pipe, nodding in approval, saying, "You handled this well. I''ve heard things are chaotic outside, and us ordinary folks without skills can put the entire village at risk if we get involved with the wrong people." "What do you suggest we do..." Chen Gouzi pressed. "Since he''s already here, bring him in. It''s better to have an extra friend than an enemy." The village chief decisively concluded. "Alright. I''ll go over and let them in." "Yes, and bring him to me first for a look?" "Got it." Chen Gouzi turned to leave, and the village chief called out, "Tomorrow the old fox spirit wants to send someone to demand tribute again. This time, the lot fell on your daughter, be prepared." Chen Gouzi paused but continued towards the village gate as if he hadn''t heard. When he reached the village entrance, Li Dazhuang stepped forward and asked, "What did he say?" "The village chief said he wants to meet you first," Chen Gouzi nodded toward Shen Qing and said. Shen Qing straightened his back and said lightly, "Alright, please lead the way, gentlemen." Chapter 37 Hard Times The wagon wheel once again began to turn. Shen Qing, along with several others, entered the village. Shangao Village was secluded, seldom visited by outsiders, especially those who appeared to have a distinguished status. As he walked into the village, other villagers who had heard the news came to see what was going on. "Look how handsome he is! His eyes are truly beautiful." "What material is his clothing made of? It looks all shiny. It''s such a shame that such fine fabric is torn." "..." The villagers gathered together, pointing and discussing Shen Qing. Shen Qing lay on a broken plank, eyes closed, resting his spirit and paying no attention to the villagers. "Village chief, the guest has arrived." The village chief removed the smoking pipe from his lips. The glossy pipe shimmered lightly under the sunlight. He gently caressed the surface of the pipe, shook it under the doorway, and placed it on the stone threshold beside him. After completing these actions, the village chief slowly stood up and walked over to Shen Qing, examining him from head to toe. He had been to Jinzhou Province City and had seen the world a bit. Seeing Shen Qing''s attire and demeanor, he realized that this man was either wealthy or noble and was out of the ordinary. The village chief tentatively asked, "May I have the honor of knowing your distinguished family name?" Shen Qing leaned on the plank and his gaze fell on the old man before him, inspecting him in turn. Although he was slightly injured, his divine sense remained sharp, and he could see that the village chief before him was a common man, his Qi-Blood degenerating, and had never practiced martial arts. Shen Qing smiled slightly, with a mischievous curvature forming at his lips, "I am simply called Shen." "So it is Mr. Shen in person." The village chief was very polite and continued probing, "May I ask from where Mr. Shen has arrived to our modest place, and what brings you here? Is there anything we can assist you with?" Shen Qing, having emerged from a sea of blood on his journey, unintentionally exuded a dominative aura, which made this insightful village chief not take him lightly. The village chief felt the subtle but present aura of Shen Qing and his attitude became even more respectful. "I have come from the Capital City and would like to request a night''s lodging in your village." "Capital City?" The village chief was momentarily stunned; he knew of the place¡ªit was thousands of miles away: "Surely, sir, you jest." These villagers, living in isolation year-round, knew very little of the outside world and could not even recognize all localities. Let alone acknowledge the existence of martial masters with the capabilities of reaching the Primordial Spirit Realm or Kongyou Realm. Such beings were too few and seemed nearly immortal to them. Shen Qing did not elaborate further or enlighten them. Seeing Shen Qing''s composed demeanor, the village chief''s heart skipped a beat, wondering if it could be true? He became somewhat uncertain. The Capital City was a place where only high-ranking officials and nobles could reside. This young gentleman before him might be of high stature. Moreover, observing his movements, which resembled the martial master from the neighboring village, it was clear he had trained in martial arts. For these ordinary folks, he was not someone they could reckon with. Immediately, the village chief respectfully said, "As Mr. Shen has traveled from afar and desires to rest in our village, he is indeed a distinguished guest, and it is naturally our duty to offer hospitality." Find more to read at My Virtual Library Empire sea??h th§× n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Chen Gouzi." The called Chen Gouzi stood out from the crowd, his face blank, unsure of the village chief''s intentions. The village chief said, "Since Mr. Shen came with you, he will stay at your place today. Make sure to take good care of him." Chen Ergou was a bit stunned, about to object, but seeing the serious expression on the village chief''s face, he swallowed his words. "Alright, everyone disperse, go back to your homes," the village chief waved his hand to clear the crowd. The gathered villagers at his doorstep scattered. Following the instructions, a listless Chen Gouzi led the donkey cart, taking Shen Qing toward a direction in the village. Along the road, villagers cast curious glances, some approached to greet him while others stood at a distance and watched silently. Shen Qing ignored them all. After a while, Chen Gouzi brought Shen Qing in front of an old house. "Sir, this is my home." As Chen Gouzi spoke, he hopped off the donkey cart and reached out to assist Shen Qing. Shen Qing rose from the donkey cart and stepped down. Chen Gouzi then shouted into the house, "Old woman, tidy up a room." Upon hearing Chen Gouzi''s call, a dark-skinned village woman came out of the house, followed by a little girl with pigtails, looking to be only three or four years old. Seeing Shen Qing and noticing his gaze, the little girl timidly hid again. The village woman, having pulled him aside, spoke urgently, "That vermin is coming tomorrow, what are we going to do about Niuniu?" As she spoke, her eyes reddened and tears threatened to fall. Chen Gouzi said nothing further, glanced at the little girl behind the woman, and after a moment of silence, he replied, "We''ll talk about it tomorrow." Shen Qing, whose mind was entirely focused on cultivation, had little interest in prying into the domestic affairs of Chen Gouzi and his wife. During the journey here, he had continuously practiced the Six Paths Reincarnation Technique and secretly consumed a spiritual elixir to regain much of his strength, enough to move about, but still insufficient. He still needed some more time. Shen Qing walked toward the house, noticing that Chen Gouzi''s home furnishing was extremely simple; a table and several crooked legged stools made up all the furniture. At the center of the main room, a makeshift altar was built against the wall with yellow clay, atop which sat an incense burner honoring a small yellow flag. Aside from that, the vast space was left with only dim yellow walls, starkly displaying the poverty. It wouldn''t be an exaggeration to say the home was practically bare. "Big brother, are you staying at our house?" The little girl in the main room, with her big dark eyes full of curiosity, asked Shen Qing. Shen Qing lightly nodded, without making a sound. Outside, the woman wiped her tears and returned inside, pulling the girl aside and said, "I''ll go make up a bed for you, sir." "No need, I''ll just sit here for the night." The woman seemed surprised, she continued to ask, "Would you like something to eat then?" "Not needed!" The woman was puzzled by Shen Qing''s behavior. Whenever government officers from the city visited in the past, they wouldn''t leave without having their fill and causing trouble. Sometimes, they''d even keep the prettier women to toy with. She thought Shen Qing would be the same, but he wanted nothing. This was indeed rare. Shen Qing didn''t elaborate further; he found a clean spot, sat down cross-legged, and focused on meditating. Seeing his actions, the woman did not disturb him any further. After a while, the little girl found a meditation cushion somewhere and brought it to Shen Qing, straining under its size. "Here!" The cushion, almost larger than her body, seemed to nearly topple her as she struggled with its weight. Shen Qing looked down at the somewhat tattered but clean cushion, accepted it, and spoke softly, "Thank you." The little girl asked curiously, "Big brother, they say you''re from Capital City. What place is that?" "It''s a very distant place," Shen Qing replied patiently. "Is it fun there?" Shen Qing said, "It''s not very fun, but there''s a lot to eat. If you went there, you could enjoy candied hawthorns, various cakes, and even meat." The little girl''s eyes lit up but dimmed quickly, "I can''t go, I''m going to die tomorrow." Chapter 38 The gentleman does not save, the sage is not reluctant to do what is right "Dead?" Shen Qing looked at the little girl, somewhat puzzled, and said, "You''re fine, why say you''ll be dead tomorrow?" The little girl blinked her bright eyes and said innocently, "I''m going to serve Huang Daxian tomorrow. All the children from the village who went there never came back, so I guess I won''t come back either, which means I''ll be dead." Shen Qing continued to ask, "Huang Daxian? A demon?" "Shh!" The little girl made a hushing gesture, worriedly looking around, and said cautiously, "Huang Daxian doesn''t allow others to talk about it like that." So, it was a demon. Shen Qing understood in his heart. "A Liang said that Huang Daxian likes children. If a village doesn''t send anyone, it gets very angry. Many villages have been completely eaten by it for not sending children. I don''t want my parents to die," the little girl said seriously. Shen Qing looked at the little girl''s innocent face and, after a moment, said, "Aren''t you afraid?" Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The little girl smiled brightly, her eyes curving into crescent moons, "Not afraid. A Liang said that when people die, it''s just like falling asleep; it doesn''t hurt." Shen Qing said, "So you want to die?" The little girl shook her head, "I don''t want to." Shen Qing asked, "Do you want to live?" The little girl hesitated for a moment, then nodded, "Hmm, I want to take care of my parents before dying." Shen Qing said solemnly, "Then don''t go out tomorrow. Stay by my side." The little girl waved her hand, nervously saying, "Tomorrow, Huang Daxian will send someone over. If you stop them, they''ll kill you." "No problem, let them come and kill me," Shen Qing said indifferently. The little girl glanced at Shen Qing, seeing his pale face and somewhat weak appearance, yet somehow feeling reassured by him. She hesitated for a moment, nodded firmly, "Okay. Big brother, you''re like A Liang." Shen Qing asked, "Who is A Liang?" "My big brother." "Where did he go?" "He went to Huang Daxian and died." Shen Qing fell silent. With a creak, the worn wooden door opened. A dark-skinned woman pushed the door open and walked in. She held a basket filled with freshly picked vegetables from the field, exuding an alluring fragrance. "Niuniu, come quickly, there''s your favorite sweet potato," the woman said gently, shaking the basket slightly. The little girl ran excitedly to the woman''s side, "Wow! Great, I want to eat, I want to eat." "Don''t worry, it''s all yours." A mist of tears covered the woman''s eyes, as if she was trying hard not to cry. After a while, the woman came out of the kitchen with a plate of freshly steamed sweet potatoes, steaming hot. The little girl grabbed one and took a big bite, very happy, as if eating a lavish feast. Chen Gouzi and the woman couldn''t bear to watch this scene and went outside. Shen Qing took it all in. A cold light flashed in his eyes, and he looked away, slowly closing his eyes, seriously cultivating to heal his injuries. Shen Qing gently touched his treasure pouch, taking out a golden yellow pill, its rich medicinal fragrance spreading. This was a Revitalizing Pill he had scavenged from Xue Zhao, greatly beneficial for healing and restoring spiritual power. Shen Qing pinched the Revitalizing Pill between two fingers and threw it into his mouth to chew. At that moment, a fresh and fragrant aroma wafted from his mouth. This was the unique medicinal fragrance of the Revitalizing Pill. Shen Qing couldn''t help but think of the chrysanthemums he saw at the Chrysanthemum Festival; amazingly, this pill was comparable, with traces of spiritual essence. As Shen Qing continued to chew, the pill gradually turned into a warm, spiritual liquid, sliding down his throat into his abdomen. Immediately, a warm and powerful force began to spread within him, like countless small streams converging into rivers, flowing ceaselessly. This force was full of vitality, nourishing every inch of his flesh, reviving it anew. Shen Qing closed his eyes, focused, guiding this force through the specific meridian routes of his cultivation technique, first rushing straight up the Governor Vessel, then slowly sinking via the Conception Vessel, permeating every acupuncture point, forming a perfect cycle. In this process, the damaged meridians, muscles, even bones, and primordial spirit within him were visibly recuperating under the nourishment and restoration of this spiritual power. Shen Qing felt his broken bones rejoining, his damaged meridians becoming unobstructed, even the ghastly wounds on his body rapidly scabbing over and falling off, revealing intact skin. Discover stories with My Virtual Library Empire When the last trace of spiritual power integrated into his Qi Sea, and the refinement was complete, Shen Qing exhaled heavily. He felt the previous weakness and powerlessness gradually dissipate, replaced by an unprecedented ease and comfort. This good medicine had been immensely helpful to him. However, the spiritual energy here was sparse. Relying solely on spiritual energy to heal injuries was extremely slow, not to mention the slow refinement of the medicinal power. Shen Qing slowly opened his eyes, seeing the light outside the window, realizing he had unknowingly practiced until late at night. The Chen Gouzi family had already gone to rest. He flexed his fingers, sensing the changes in his spiritual power within, about four to five-tenths of what it was in his peak state. Not enough. Shen Qing then consecutively took out two more pills from his treasure pouch, putting them into his mouth, continuing the refinement and healing process. Time ticked by. The east turned white, the village rooster crowed repeatedly, and many men in the village got up to work while the weather was cool. The household where Shen Qing stayed, Chen Gouzi''s family, also got up early. But unlike others, Chen Gouzi did not go out after getting up early. Instead, he sat dazed at his doorstep. That morning, the little girl wore new clothes, lively and vibrant, shedding much of her unique rustic aura. The woman specially cooked two eggs, peeling one and handing it to the little girl while saying, "Be good when you go to Huang Daxian today, understand?" The little girl nodded heavily, her eyes fixed on the white egg, her legs swinging under the chair, "I got it, mom." "Eat up." The woman handed the egg to the little girl, who sweetly ate it, then suddenly remembered something, picked up the last egg on the table, and offered it to Shen Qing, "Big brother, do you want an egg?" Shen Qing opened his eyes, looking at the lone egg in her hand, feeling a mix of emotions. He wasn''t someone who liked meddling in others'' affairs. But as the saying goes, a gentleman does not save the world, but a sage must act. Some things, he could take charge of. Shen Qing was about to say something when suddenly there was a commotion outside. Chapter 39 Outrage of Both Humans and Gods, Beaten to Death on the Spot ``` Shangao Village, a commotion erupted at the village entrance. A group of disheveled ruffians appeared at the village entrance. A variety of weapons hung at their waists, the leader a brawny man in grey, his face full of menace, bursting with Qi-Blood, clearly a martial master cultivator, not someone to be trifled with. The village women standing at the entrance, frightened at the sight, turned around and ran, eliciting laughter from them. One of them couldn''t help but whistle like a rogue, behaving licentiously. The brawny leader adjusted his belt and walked grandly into the village, shouting, "We are here by the order of Huang Daxian, to demand a young girl or boy as ''practitioners.'' Have you prepared one?" Many in the village, hearing the name "Huang Daxian," were filled with fear. They all knew, Huang Daxian was a Weasel with spiritual wisdom, overflowing with demonic power, lurking nearby, with an insatiable appetite for human flesh and blood. Several villages had already been devoured by it. Now, every two months, a young boy or girl is randomly selected from nearby villages for a tasting feast. If they do not comply, the entire village is slaughtered. No village dared to defy them. Enjoy new stories from My Virtual Library Empire This group of ruffians were the lackeys of "Huang Daxian," roaming street by street, collecting children. It is said that the leading ruffian was favored by "Huang Daxian," and, by a stroke of luck, obtained a Martial Arts cultivation technique, significantly advancing his cultivation. He is now a martial master of the Bone Refining Realm, with astonishing strength. No peasant could possibly rival him. Facing this group of ruffians, the villagers, though resentful, bottled their feelings, fearing that any misstep might provoke them, leading to greater disaster. Upon hearing the shout, they all instinctively hunched their shoulders. The village chief of Shangao Village rushed over, smiling amiably, he said, "Ah, it''s the envoys, sorry for the lack of welcome, please forgive us. This way, please..." "Did you prepare the ''practitioners''?" the brawny leader stared at the village chief. The village chief promptly replied, "It''s ready, it''s ready. This time it''s from Chen Gouzi''s family." "Again from his family? Alright, don''t try any tricks. Xia ao Village on the other side of the mountain didn''t provide the ''practitioners,'' angering ''Huang Daxian,'' and now... there''s no Xia ao Village anymore." The village chief said, "I understand, I understand. We won''t break the rules, I''ll take the envoys right over." "No rush." The group of ruffians appeared relaxed, evidently not in a hurry to complete their ''mission.'' The leader of the ruffians stopped him, smirking, and said, "We''ve been traveling all the way here, and we''re starving, find us a place to rest." The village chief wore a difficult expression. Their village was far from the center of authority, free from oppressive taxes, but the land was barren and harvests were slim, leaving little grain throughout the year. Each household had little surplus, unwilling to give it to these ruffians. "What, reluctant?" The brawny leader raised his brow, dissatisfied, "Looks like you hold ''Huang Daxian'' in no regard, huh?" The village chief tightened his expression, quickly smiling apologetically, "You jest, envoys, how could we not host you when you''ve come such a distance! Please, this way." Reluctantly, the village chief led them to his home. Along the way, when they saw chickens or ducks in someone''s yard, they''d rush in and grab them as if it were their own home. The villagers, angered but silent, could only hide indoors, locking windows and doors, seething with resentment as they listened to the chaos outside. The leading ruffian twisted the chickens and ducks'' necks, killing them on the spot, tossing them to the village chief, instructing, "Quickly make some duck soup, fry a chicken, and get some wine." The village chief grimaced, "Our backwater place is poor, where would we get drinks for you?" "When I tell you to prepare, just prepare, no more nonsense!" "Yes, yes, yes..." The village chief took the chickens and ducks to the kitchen, handing them to the old woman at home to handle. The brawny leader, unrestrained, wandered around the living room for a while, found a long bench, sat down with the other ruffians, and said gleefully, "Speaking of which, two months ago, when I went to the village in the west, there was a family named Zhao, only a young woman at home, her husband died of illness years ago. She was left a widow." "You wouldn''t believe it, that widow was juicy. Splashed all over me." "Ah, really, never heard you mention that!" The other ruffians, curious, pressed for more. "Just a minor deal. The women in this village are no good, wait a couple of months, and if you come with me again, I''ll take you to that village, there''s a couple of savory ones." "Great, great. It''s settled then." "Rest assured, I mean what I say." After a while, hot duck soup and several plates of chicken and duck were brought out. Along with it, a pot of wine and a dish of peanuts were served. "Old man, you know your place," the brawny leader laughed. S§×arch* The nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The ruffians, without a word, started eating, gobbling down with vigor, the scene was spectacular. They squinted, nudged, tussled, eating until they were drenched in sweat, locked in struggle with the chicken and duck bones. In a moment, the plates and cups were empty, a complete mess. After the chicken and duck feast, they all had a ruddy complexion. The brawny leader, half-full, patted his stomach contentedly and said, "Thanks for the meal. Let''s get to business. Lead the way!" ``` Chapter 39 Outrage Among Gods and Humans, Killed on the Spot_2 A few ruffians gradually walked out of the village head''s house, with the village head hunched and expressionless leading them towards Chen Gouzi''s home. At this time, they were full from drink and food and in an extremely pleasant mood, humming all the way. One of the ruffians suddenly paused his steps, stopping in front of a simple earthen house. The wooden door was half-closed, making it hard to see inside. "Old Five, what''s up?" "I just saw a girl, she''s so pretty. Who said the girls in this village aren''t good-looking? Wait for me a moment." A brawny ruffian, with a malicious grin, walked towards the half-closed wooden door. Bang. The wooden door slammed shut. The ruffian, however, laughed instead of getting angry: "I knew there''s a lovely girl living in here." Enjoy more content from My Virtual Library Empire He suddenly crashed into the door, pushing it open and stormed inside with big strides. Inside the house, sunlight streamed through the door onto a young girl. She was so frightened by the sudden change that her face lost all color, terrified, and backed away, trembling: "What are... what do you want?" The ruffian who broke in, leered as he reached out to grab the girl''s wrist and said: "Little lady, don''t be afraid, come have some fun with us." The girl struggled desperately, tears bursting out: "Let go of me. Let go of me!" However, she was just a girl with no strength, being forcibly dragged into the room by the ruffian, towards the bed. "Help!" Her cries were sharp and desperate, carried far away. Unfortunately, the cries seemed to sink into the sea with no response. Although villagers rushed over upon hearing, they all hid at a distance, only daring to gather secretly to peek. Their eyes were filled with anger and helplessness, and no one dared to step forward to stop it. "This bunch of beasts, they''re completely lawless!" Someone in the crowd cursed under their breath, clenching their fists in anger, shaking all over. "Worse than animals!" Another villager replied bitterly: "But what can we do? Even if we could fight them, they have Huang Daxian backing them, and once provoked, none of us can escape, only to die." Meanwhile, Chen Gouzi heard the commotion in the village and knew those ruffians had come, sitting dejectedly at the doorway. Beside him, the woman behind him was heartbroken, holding the little girl tightly, tears streaming down. The little girl blinked her bright eyes, looking exceptionally calm, she comforted in a childish voice: "Dad, Mom, don''t be afraid, big brother will protect me." Chen Gouzi and his wife didn''t take the little girl''s words seriously. In their view, how could such a prestigious person be willing to stand up for them? Just as they were thinking this, Shen Qing, who was meditating on the ground, stood up. After a whole night and half a day''s recuperation, he was able to move freely, with his cultivation restored to about fifty percent. Shen Qing walked straight out the door. "Big brother, where are you going?" the little girl asked curiously. Shen Qing didn''t look back and said: "Going to take care of something, I''ll be back soon, you stay here, don''t go anywhere." The little girl didn''t understand but nodded and agreed: "Okay!" Inside the earthen house, the screams of the girl continued, causing surrounding villagers to feel unbearable. "Look, it''s that young master brought back yesterday, he''s coming over." "What is he trying to do? Is he going in there to rescue San Ni?" "Crazy, definitely crazy! Does this young man think he''s invincible?" "Even if he gets rid of this group of ruffians, what''s the use, with ''Huang Daxian'' behind them, he can wipe out our village with ease!" The villagers whispered, talking amongst themselves. Shen Qing ignored them, walking steadily towards the little earthen house under the villagers'' surprised gazes, step by step. He pushed open the door, and a stale and damp smell hit him in the face. Inside the house, a half-clothed girl was curled up in the corner, eyes full of despair and fear. The ruffian inside, still smirking, was closing in, playing with the girl like a cat and mouse. Noticing Shen Qing''s arrival, the ruffian was stunned for a moment, then sneered: "Where did this stinkin'' beggar come from, dare ruin my fun? Get lost, or else, don''t blame me for being impolite..." Before he finished the last word, Shen Qing expressionless, flashed and was in front of him immediately. Shen Qing reached out, directly grabbing the ruffian by the neck, easily lifting him up. The ruffian was shocked, his legs kicking wildly in the air, hands clawing at Shen Qing''s arm. Unfortunately, no matter how he struggled, it was futile. With a twist of his wrist, Shen Qing directly crushed the ruffian''s throat. The ruffian''s legs went limp, his life ended instantly, and everything returned to calm. "Ah!" The girl screamed in terror. Shen Qing paid no heed. He casually tore off the ruffian''s head and walked out grandly. When Shen Qing appeared in everyone''s sight again, the bloody head in his hand rendered everyone instantly silent. In the sunlight, his gaze was icy like frost, sending an indescribable chill down everyone''s spine present. It seemed like the temperature dropped a few degrees on the scene. Shen Qing tossed the bloody head casually, glanced at the other ruffians, and asked: "Are you the ones wanting to take Niuniu away?" His voice was not loud yet clearly heard by everyone, exuding an aura unique to someone in power. The leader snapped out of it, barking threateningly: "Audacious, do you know who we are?" Shen Qing let out a cold laugh, his eyes icy causing people to shiver with fear: "Of course I know who you are. Don''t doubt it, I came here for you." Now, having broken through to the Primordial Spirit level, his consciousness was sharp. He sensed them as soon as they entered the village. He never planned to let this group go. The leader''s heart sank instantly, with a bad premonition, yet didn''t show much fear, instead laughed heartily: "Coming for us? Look at yourself, we''re numerous and powerful, who do you think you are?" Shen Qing said no more, his figure flickered like a specter appearing before the ruffians. The ruffians were immediately shocked, they hadn''t even seen Shen Qing''s shadow just now. The speed was unexpectedly this fast? A ruffian quickly swung his fist to meet. However, his fist was like a child''s before Shen Qing, without any threat. "Is this all you''ve got?" Shen Qing sneered disdainfully, extending a finger. A golden energy beam flashed by, and the ruffian''s head fell off. The surrounding ruffians let out a scream, faces full of shock and fear, retreating a few steps quickly. He''d never seen such a powerful martial artist, unable to comprehend Shen Qing. "Who...who on earth are you?" the leading ruffian asked nervously. "Who I am doesn''t matter, the dead don''t need to know much." Shen Qing replied in a cold tone, using a finger again. This time, the golden energy beam pierced through another ruffian''s chest, his eyes flashed an unwillingness, desperately trying to save himself. sea??h th§× novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. However, his chest had been penetrated, gushing blood, totally unstoppable. With a thud. This ruffian powerlessly fell to the ground. The remaining few were terrified, fleeing in panic but were too late, no way to escape Shen Qing''s grasps. In a moment, most of these ruffians, usually perpetuating evil deeds, lay in pools of blood, leaving only the leader alone. The scene was deathly silent. Countless villagers looked at Shen Qing standing in front of the wooden house, at the corpses all around, emotions surging within their hearts. "My God, how did he do it?" "It''s over, it''s over, he killed those ruffians, ''Huang Daxian'' definitely won''t let us go, we''re doomed." ... Shen Qing didn''t mind these remarks, walking straight to the lone leader, asking: "Where does Huang Daxian live?" "What do you want to do?" "I want to kill him!" Chapter 40 Massacre The burly man, upon hearing such words, froze with a stunned expression, his mouth agape as if capable of swallowing an egg. He came to his senses and said harshly, "Do you think it''s impressive that you killed a few of us? Brother Huang knows ''Immortal Law,'' which is not something a mere mortal like you can handle." "You''ve provoked us today, which is akin to slapping Brother Huang in the face. He will not let you off easily. If you know what''s good for you, there''s still time to beg for mercy!" "Ah!" Before he could finish speaking, a sudden intense pain shot through his finger. The ruffian looked down to find that, somehow, his left hand had flown off, completely severed by a sharp force. Thick blood plasma gushed continuously from the wound, pooling on the ground. Shen Qing said indifferently, "You''re not the only one who knows where that demon resides. If you spout another word of nonsense, you might as well join your brothers." In his tone, there was a killing intent, barely perceivable yet undeniable. He was, after all, a martial master of the Bone Refining Realm, with exceptionally strong muscle and bone. Yet, he had his hand chopped off in an instant. At that moment, the ruffian felt the hair on his body stand on end. This young man was too terrifying. Severe pain caused his cold sweat to flow continuously; he gritted his teeth and grimaced, yet dared not make any sound. "Unwilling?" Shen Qing''s lips parted, and he said with a cold smile, "Since that is the case..." "I''ll take you there, I''ll take you there. Please don''t kill me!" The ruffian''s face drastically changed as he begged urgently, "Brother Huang has invited a few friends today and is hosting a banquet in a nearby valley." Experience tales with My Virtual Library Empire Hearing this, Shen Qing''s expression darkened, "Lead the way!" He grabbed the ruffian by the collar, transformed into a streak of rainbow light, and soared into the sky, flying towards the south. The villagers of Shangao Village who were watching this scene were petrified. S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "A God! He truly is a God!" They hadn''t expected Shen Qing to be so extraordinary, which shocked them. The village chief said solemnly, "No, not a God, but a martial master." He murmured to himself, "No wonder he could travel thousands of miles from the Capital City to our place; I thought he was bragging, but it seems he was telling the truth after all." The village chief, well-traveled and knowledgeable, had heard that some top martial masters moved as swiftly as the wind, almost like immortals. Perhaps this young master from the Shen Family was of such kind. His throat dry, he realized they might have encountered an extraordinary individual. Between the valleys, the wind howled, and the sun hung high. A group of demons sat around a bonfire, with a huge bronze furnace in the center, from which steam rose and a nauseating stench emitted. Sitting beside the furnace, a large black bear with its legs crossed said leisurely, "Brother Huang, I''m amazed that in this remote valley, you could still gather so many infants; that''s truly commendable." "Haha, the Human Clan has always been deceitful. Just show them a bit of cruelty, instill fear in them, and they will think of ways to please you. Your straightforward method is too harsh, and Dog Brother is too soft." Beside the big black bear, a weasel as tall as a man earnestly spoke. "Brother Huang indeed knows how to control humans." "Stop joking, everyone; the banquet is almost ready. You all must try my culinary skills later." The Weasel Demon, proudly showing off the "delicacies" in the furnace to the other demons, had an excited expression on its sharp-featured face and laughed aloud, "Hahaha, brothers, the flesh and blood of these infants will definitely advance our cultivation!" The group of demons echoed the laughter, filling the valley with chilling sounds. Just then, as if the sky suddenly tore open, a streak of rainbow light like a shooting meteor descended, landing steadily before them. The light dissipated, revealing a tall figure: it was Shen Qing. His eyes piercing, he immediately saw the horrifying scene inside the bronze furnace, his face turning extremely cold. The ruffian being held by him saw the Weasel and other demons, and desperately cried out, "Sir, he killed our brothers..." Pfft! The burly ruffian hadn''t finished his speech when he suddenly fell silent. The Weasel Demon''s expression faltered, then he angrily yelled, "Who are you to lay your hands on my men? Are you tired of living?" To it, those ruffians, though they were no different from mere food, were ultimately its possessions. The fact that Shen Qing killed this ruffian right in front of it was a blatant provocation. "Who am I? The one who kills you." Shen Qing said calmly, cutting straight to the point. He raised his right hand, fingers forming a seal, and a golden Spiritual Power Seal gathered in his palm. Shen Qing''s figure flashed, and he instantly appeared beside a demon, promptly smashing the demon''s head into pieces with his palm. "How dare you!" The demons present were enraged, each brandishing their Magic Treasures and Demon Arts, attacking Shen Qing. The Weasel Demon roared furiously, transformed into a yellow light, and charged directly at Shen Qing. Shen Qing snorted coldly, utterly unconcerned. The group of demons'' assault seemed like child''s play to him, utterly nonthreatening. "Bang, bang, bang!" Shen Qing''s punches roared like thunder. Golden Seal Techniques continued to smash down. The Eight Desolate Annihilation Seal was fully activated. Each golden seal contained terrifying power. The rumbling sound was deafening. Many demons fell under his onslaught as if they were leaves swept away by an autumn breeze. The Bear Demon attempted to withstand the Golden Seal Dharma Form with its brute physical strength, but it was futile. The golden seal was as heavy as a mountain, crushing down on it with immense weight, as if it were bearing a mountain range. Before it could even unleash its demonic power, it was smashed into a pile of mush. Seeing this, the Weasel Demon was shocked. It hadn''t expected Shen Qing''s strength to be so formidable and hastily picked up a yellow, spike-covered wolf tooth club from the ground. "To arms!" The Weasel Demon roared, swinging the wolf tooth club in an airtight manner as it smashed toward Shen Qing. The club, forged from the Human Clan''s fine iron, was incredibly heavy, beyond the resistance of any ordinary mortals. It was with this that it had built a fearsome reputation. Following its lead, the other demons also roared angrily and pounced toward Shen Qing. Shen Qing snorted coldly. Spiritual Power surged around his body, phantom vortices appearing around him. He walked forward step by step, solely with the strength of his Physical Body, striking forcefully. Under Shen Qing''s fists, the demons were like fragile porcelain, shattering upon contact. In merely a moment, most of the demons had fallen dead or injured, the few remaining retreating continuously out of fear, daring not to approach again. Realizing the challenge before it, a glint of wariness and fierceness flashed in the Weasel Demon''s eyes. It knew well that if they couldn''t take down Shen Qing today, these demons would have no place to be buried. "Brothers, don''t fear him! We are many, and together we can surely kill him!" The Weasel Demon shouted loudly. The few remaining demons exchanged glances, their animal instincts erupting as they burst forth, rushing at Shen Qing. "Kill!" Chapter 41 Slaying the Yellow-Skinned Demon, A Bountiful Harvest The demons went mad, each resembling a beast. S§×arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The Weasel Demon lay prostrate on the ground, took a deep breath, puffed up its cheeks, and blew fiercely. Instantly, a violent wind arose, and yellow sand filled the sky. A tornado swept towards Shen Qing, engulfing him in its embrace. Within the tornado, Shen Qing felt the sharpness of the wind. The sharp sand struck his skin, crackling loudly, and sparks even flew from many spots. Had an ordinary person been present, they would certainly have been flayed open, if not reduced to a skeleton. "Ha ha ha, once caught in my yellow wind, death is certain, even copper skin and iron bones would turn into a pile of scrap." "Oh? Is that so?" Shen Qing''s calm voice came from within the tornado. The next moment, a dazzling golden light, like the sun, slowly rose. A supreme golden seal formed. Boom! Golden ripples spread out. The tornado was dispersed with a single surge. The Weasel Demon hadn''t even had time to react before the golden seal appeared above its head and pressed down. "Ah!" The Weasel Demon screamed. The golden seal merged with the earth. The Weasel Demon''s voice came to an abrupt halt. Its life force was completely extinguished by the Six Paths Reincarnation Seal, dying without leaving a trace. The other demons, upon seeing this, were terrified and attempted to flee. "Leaving now? Too late! Better to accept fate!" Shen Qing''s voice was bone-chilling, making the demons shudder without being cold. With a flash, he suddenly held a treasure bow in his hands. Shen Qing''s arms strained, and the bow was drawn fully. One after another, arrows made of condensed spiritual power shot out relentlessly from the bow. The arrows arrived in an instant, the fleeing demons were struck and shattered. The valley echoed with the screams of demons and the sound of Shen Qing''s arrows. The scene was chaotic. In just a moment, no living demon could be seen in the valley; all were killed by him. The valley was filled with the thick scent of blood. The noon sun still could not disperse it. Shen Qing walked on, his eyes cold and icy. Corpses littered the valley; demon bodies and human bones. Each step he took made a dull sound. Shen Qing surveyed his surroundings and saw chaos everywhere, with many human bones scattered in the depths. He noticed fresh bloodstains and vascular patterns on these bones, many of which showed signs of being gnawed, clearly they had not long been dead. The skeletons were all small, revealing that these individuals were young before they died. A hard-to-describe anger flashed in Shen Qing''s eyes. These demons, feeding on humans, especially children, were truly detestable. Even the usually steady Shen Qing felt a wave of unrest within him. Shen Qing closed his eyes, refusing to look further. He spread out his Divine Sense to search for the remains of the demons. Moments later, Shen Qing opened his eyes, having determined his course. He moved swiftly, his figure darting through the valley. Before long, his hands were filled with all manner of precious spiritual medicines, each emitting a faint glow. These demons were all born in a land rich with Spiritual Energy, possessing many precious medicines. Now, they had all fallen into his hands. Stay connected with My Virtual Library Empire Not only that, but Shen Qing also conveniently took out the Demon Cores of those slain demons one by one. These Demon Cores, round and crystalline, glowing with a strange light within, were greatly beneficial to martial masters like them. After examining his gains carefully, Shen Qing found himself in possession of as many as thirteen Demon Cores and over twenty different precious medicine plants¡ªa substantial bounty. Having taken care of this, Shen Qing grabbed the Weasel Demon and several intact demon corpses, soared into the air, and turned into a trail of Rainbow Light, descending toward Shangao Village. Inside Shangao Village, Most of the villagers had gathered at the village chief''s home, the noise was deafening, and the atmosphere was chaotic. "The village chief, it''s getting late, and that person hasn''t returned. What if he never comes back? When Huang Daxian seeks blame, what shall we do then?" "Indeed, Huang Daxian knows Immortal Law, if it comes here, our entire village will be doomed." "..." While everyone was discussing, Niuniu loudly voiced her dissent, "Nonsense! Big brother won''t abandon us!" The other villagers glanced at the little girl but did not take her words seriously. Seeing this, the little girl''s face turned red with urgency. "Village chief, won''t you say something?" Someone urged the village chief, who was puffing away at his pipe. The village chief blew out a puff of smoke and said, "No rush, let''s wait a little longer." "Wait more? If we wait any longer, disaster might befall us!" Just then, the sky suddenly darkened as if a huge cloud had covered the sun. The villagers looked up to see several dark shadows descending from the sky, crashing heavily onto the ground. A billow of dust rose, revealing the gigantic head of a Weasel. The villagers were scared out of their wits. "Ah, no good, Huang Daxian is in the village!" Upon hearing this, the villagers became frantically panicked, running around like headless flies. Even the usually composed village chief stood up in fear, shuddering, considering to flee. "Big brother!" The little girl suddenly cried out, calling out excitedly. Following her shout, the other villagers looked and saw Shen Qing, with his upper body bare, stepping out from behind Huang Daxian. All the villagers were stunned. With all eyes on him, Shen Qing walked slowly to the little girl and, touching the top of her head, he said, "Today, tomorrow, and the days thereafter, you won''t have to die." The little girl was confused, not grasping the deeper meaning of Shen Qing''s words. Chen Gouzi, standing behind her, immediately understood and fell to his knees with a thud, expressing his gratitude, "Thank you, Lord, for your great kindness. I have no way to repay you, except to serve as your ox or horse in my next life." With a casual lift of his hand, Shen Qing raised Chen Gouzi as if an invisible force had gently lifted him. "Live this life well. Whether there''s a next life is another matter," Shen Qing said indifferently. The village chief squeezed through the crowd to approach Shen Qing, choking back his saliva, he asked in astonishment, "Lord, is Huang Daxian dead?" Shen Qing smiled and said, "It''s lying right in front of you." The village chief gasped. The braver villagers went forward to look and saw the Weasel Demon, the size of a man, and gasped in shock. Someone shouted, "It''s dead, it''s dead! The beast is truly dead!" Instantly, the villagers burst into cheers and swarmed over to examine the demon corpse. Shen Qing told the village chief, "Find a clean place, don''t disturb me, I need to rest." The village chief excitedly called out, "Sanlengzi, your house is the cleanest. Stay at your brother''s for a few days and let Lord Shen use it!" The named Sanlengzi happily responded, "Alright, alright, I''ll take my old woman out right away." With that, he ran off, his face brimming with a smile, as if he had done something immensely honorable. Chapter 42 Refining the Demon Core, Future Plans That evening, Shangao Village lit up with bonfires, and the villagers sang and danced around them. In daylight, a furry, robust leg of "Huang Daxian" had been chopped off by the villagers, cut into pieces, and roasted by the fireside. Juices sizzled from the fatty meat. Many villagers gathered around the demon''s carcass, eagerly devouring it with smiles on their faces. The flesh of this demon was rich in essence. Many young people in the village felt their bodies become robust and their strength greatly increase after eating it. Even the village chief looked radiant and spirited. As he ate, the village chief suddenly remembered something and called a young man, "Hurry, take some of this roasted meat to Young Master Shen. We mustn''t hog this all to ourselves and forget our benefactor." Experience tales at My Virtual Library Empire "Hey, Sanlengzi has already taken it. But, you know, he''s an Immortal; he doesn''t care for such trifles and won''t eat them." The village chief was surprised and curiously looked in a particular direction of the village. In Shangao Village, inside a tidy earthen house. On a flat wooden bed, Shen Qing sat cross-legged, his body surrounded by a faint halo of Spiritual Energy. With his eyes closed and concentrating, his hands formed seals, beginning to refine the precious medicine and Demon Core in his hands. Generally, a Demon Core contains many impurities and violent energy, which would need to be neutralized with other medicinal herbs, but for Shen Qing, who had now reached the Primordial Spirit Realm, this was no longer necessary. He could remove these impurities and violent energies with his Primordial Spirit. After purging the impurities, he could directly consume the refined Demon Core to strengthen himself. After a day''s refining, Shen Qing had purified more than a dozen Demon Cores. With a thought, he circulated his Physical and Spiritual Power. The Spiritual Medicines and Demon Cores, one by one, were swallowed into his stomach, transforming into a gentle stream that slowly merged into his body. Each droplet was filled with mighty Life Force and pure energy. As these precious medicines and Demon Cores were refined, Shen Qing''s aura gradually became profound and powerful. Inside him, Spiritual Power continuously travelled through his blood and meridians, following a specific route mapped out by the Six Paths Reincarnation Technique. Bright lights lit up in his acupoints, connecting to form a mottled and complex pathway. Gradually, his skin became translucent, and the surrounding fluctuations of Spiritual Power grew stronger. Nourished by this power, every circulation of Spiritual Power enhanced his cultivation, eased his injuries, and even repaired his damaged Primordial Spirit. After an indeterminate period, Shen Qing emerged from his meditation, returning to lucidity and slowly exhaling a breath of stale air, stirring his Primordial Spirit. Suddenly, another Shen Qing, identical to him, burst from his body and floated in front of him. This Primordial Spirit had many fine cracks on one arm, and upon closer inspection, one could see that it was missing a piece the size of a thumb, a result of forcibly using the Ancient Blade. Repairing it would not be an overnight task. Under Shen Qing''s control, the dazzling golden Primordial Spirit stretched its body, distancing itself from its host. The Primordial Spirit then stood silently on an unnamed barren hill. After about a quarter of an hour there, Shen Qing felt the cold wind slashing at him like knives from the sky, making it difficult to endure. He silently estimated that this time his Primordial Spirit could fly two miles away and last for a quarter of an hour. Compared to before, there was significant Progress, but there was still a vast difference from the true Kongyou Realm, where the Primordial Spirit could become a second life, traversing the heavens and earth freely. At this moment, time and distance had reached the limits that his Primordial Spirit could endure. Shen Qing did not linger outside any longer and returned to his original self. He hurried along, but his mind was preoccupied with planning for the future. Right now, Ji Zikong, by slaughtering a clan member in front of everyone, clearly showed his hand, abandoning his identity as an emperor, wanting to monopolize all the spiritual martial mechanisms to vie for the Great Dao. In addition, various major families deliberately breeding demons had led to demons rampaging everywhere, devouring human lives. Shangao Village was just a part of this. The world had already lost order, and great chaos was imminent. In such chaotic times, being targeted by Ji Zikong, he might be retaliated against at any moment; the slightest carelessness could result in death and the annihilation of his path. "It seems I need to quickly enhance my strength," Shen Qing silently considered, "If I face Ji Zikong again, I should at least be at the Great Perfection of the Kongyou Realm to stand a fighting chance. The cultivation of the Unity Realm is too powerful; such martial masters are very hard to kill." "The spiritual power in Jinzhou is too sparse, unsuitable for cultivation. I''ll have to go somewhere else once my injuries have improved a bit more." Shen Qing thought for a moment and made his decision. Withdrawing his thoughts, Shen Qing continued to sit cross-legged, channeling the Six Paths Reincarnation Technique. The spiritual power inside his body began to surge, continuously moving in the Grand Circulation, making his internal spiritual power increasingly abundant. After an unknown amount of time, Shen Qing suddenly awoke from his cultivation. He opened his eyes, which flashed with sharp light. At this moment, he realized that his body''s injuries had mostly healed and were no longer a major concern. Even the skirmish with Ji Zikong had brought some insights that were beneficial to the advancement of his cultivation. "It''s about time to leave." Shen Qing stood up, feeling the surging spiritual energy within his body, in high spirits. He pushed the door open and saw the little girl Niuniu alone, playing hopscotch by the door. She saw Shen Qing and exclaimed joyously, "Big brother, you''ve finally come out." Shen Qing smiled and said, "You''ve been here this whole time?" Niuniu nodded, innocently saying, "Yeah. Everyone in the village says big brother is a ''True Immortal'' and doesn''t need to eat or drink, but I was worried, so I came to check on you." "Niuniu, have your dad come over, I have some things to ask him." "My dad went out to work; he won''t be back until noon." Shen Qing asked, "Is your village''s chief around then?" The little girl, Niuniu, nodded, "He is; he hasn''t gone out these past two days." "Good, I''ll go to him. You can go back now." Shen Qing took strides toward the village chief''s house. The little girl Niuniu called out to Shen Qing, "Big brother, are you leaving?" Shen Qing paused in his steps but did not answer. When Shen Qing arrived at the village chief''s house, the chief was, as usual, sitting on the threshold smoking his pipe. Upon seeing Shen Qing approaching, the chief quickly stood up, bowing and scraping, "Young Master Shen." "I need to ask you something," Shen Qing began. S§×ar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Shen Qing had killed that yellow skin and saved the entire Shangao Village, a great kindness to their village of dozens of people. Even though the chief might not be the clearest in other matters, he was very clear about such significant matters. He hurriedly said, "Young Master Shen, just ask. I definitely won''t conceal what I know." Shen Qing asked, "I want to ask you if you know about the Huang Tian Sect?" Chapter 43 The Blue Sky is Dead, Huang Tian Shall Rise "Huang Tian Sect?" The village chief carefully recalled, "Previously, there indeed was a group of Taoists carrying the Yellow Banner who came here, mentioning something about believing in Huang Tian. However, they didn''t stay here for long, and everyone later dismissed it as unimportant." S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "What''s the matter, Mr. Shen, why are you asking this all of a sudden?" Shen Qing replied, "Nothing much. I saw the symbol of the Huang Tian Sect in your village, and I was merely curious." When the HTaoist uangtian had attacked the Capital City, the power he demonstrated had astonished Shen Qing. He hadn''t expected that the unprepossessing Huang Tian Sect could be so formidable. Huang Furo had also mentioned to him that the sudden rise of the Huang Tian Sect and its development to this point were due to their inheritance from an Ancient Force. They possessed methods to detect and collect Spirit Essence, and their attacks on cities were largely aimed at acquiring Spirit Essence. This was the case with Taiping County as well. If he remembered correctly, Jinzhou City had once been conquered by the Huang Tian Sect. Maybe the symbols of the Huang Tian Sect appearing in Shangao Village were related to this matter, which was why he wanted to ask. However, the village chief of Shangao Village was just a slightly knowledgeable farmer, with limited understanding. He would hardly grasp the intricate reasons behind this, so there was no need to go into details with him. Experience more tales on My Virtual Library Empire After pondering for a while, Shen Qing continued to ask, "You mentioned those Taoists appeared; did any abnormal phenomenon occur at that time?" "Indeed, there was," the village chief replied, energized. "About half a month before their arrival, one night, a star suddenly fell from the sky. I happened to be up at night and felt the ground shaking." Shen Qing''s mind tensed upon hearing this. It was undoubtedly celestial Spirit Essence! The Huang Tian Sect had come for that extraterrestrial Spirit Essence. "Since that day, have the number of demons in Yongzhou increased?" The village chief was slightly startled. He clearly hadn''t connected this event with the demons. After Shen Qing''s reminder, he realized that it was indeed the case. All incidents involving demons occurred after that day; there had been no mention of them in the past. He hesitantly said, "Mr. Shen, are you saying that the appearance of demons is related to that phenomenon?" Shen Qing neither confirmed nor denied. The village chief looked down at the ground, puffing on his pipe, his expression heavy with thoughts. "By the way, another thing I wanted to ask, apart from here, where else nearby have there been traces of demons?" The village chief sighed, feeling helpless, "Plenty. I''ve heard that many demons have settled down near Jinzhou City, though those demons aren''t conspicuous, and many people in Jinzhou City aren''t aware. Our situation here is relatively better, at least they only prey on the small ones; in other places, they don''t discriminate, devouring entire villages." Hearing this, Shen Qing couldn''t help feeling speechless. What a dreadful world this was. As they were speaking, Shen Qing suddenly felt an anomaly inside his Hundred Treasure Pouch. It was Shen Xiaohu. Over the recent period, he had tried to contact Shen Xiaohu via the Spirit Communication Mirror to understand the situation of the Huang Tian Sect, but every attempt had been met with silence, and he had received no response whatsoever. He had thought that Shen Xiaohu might have encountered some mishap, but it seemed that wasn''t the case¡ªXiao Hu was still alive. Shen Qing took out the Spirit Communication Mirror from the Hundred Treasure Pouch, and saw the words sent by Shen Xiaohu appearing on it. "The Daoist is dead!" What? The HTaoist uangtian is dead? Seeing these words, Shen Qing was shocked, and the memory of the HTaoist uangtian''s past awe-inspiring feats surfaced in his mind. He found it hard to believe that a being capable of contending with a martial master of the Unity Realm could just die like that. Shen Qing asked, "Was it Ji Zikong who chased after him?" "No, it was a true demon from beyond our realm, extremely terrifying." A true demon from beyond their realm? It was the first time Shen Qing had heard of it, and he was very puzzled. He asked, "How are you all faring?" "Our brothers and sisters in the Holy Land are safe for the moment, but as for the future, no one knows what might happen." Shen Qing put down the Spirit Communication Mirror, his expression growing ever more grave. The world was already chaotic enough, and now a true demon from another realm had emerged. What might happen next was truly unpredictable. A thought struck Shen Qing, and he asked, "Has your Huang Tian Sect obtained a lot of Spirit Essence?" "Yes." "Is it still there?" "Some remains." "Have you also received the legacy of an Ancient Force?" "Our Holy Mountain is the site of an Ancient Force." An idea suddenly formed in Shen Qing''s mind, and he asked, "I want to join your Holy Sect, what does Xiao Hu think?" On the other side of the Spirit Communication Mirror, Shen Xiaohu saw this text and thought he had read it wrong. He had never expected that Brother Qingzi, who had become a dispatch officer, would one day want to join their Huang Tian Sect. Now the court of Great Zhou was completely paralyzed, and their Huang Tian Sect wasn''t much better off, being in a nearly lifeless state. Joining their Huang Tian Sect was not a wise decision now. Through the Spirit Communication Mirror, Shen Xiaohu asked, "Brother Qingzi, what is this¡­" "I am impressed by the foundation of your Huang Tian Sect," Shen Qing bluntly said, "I want to use the foundation of your Holy Land to enhance my cultivation." Generally, those in the Spirit Void Realm have a lifespan of three hundred years, while those in the Primordial Spirit Realm have five hundred. As a martial master, he had plenty of time to improve his cultivation. However, Shen Qing felt that five hundred years was too long. With the current unstable state of the world, enhancing his strength quickly was the main concern, and swiftly increasing his strength inevitably required the support of resources. The Huang Tian Sect, having lost its Daoist leader Huang Tian, was a good choice. For some reason, upon reading Shen Qing''s words, Shen Xiaohu at Huang Tian Sacred Mountain suddenly recalled something the Commander had once told him. For most members of the Huang Tian Sect, opposing the Ji Family and the court was about seizing money and women to pursue longevity. His Brother Qingzi indeed seemed to truly embody the ''True Meaning'' of the Huang Tian Sect. Seeing that Shen Xiaohu had not replied, Shen Qing added, "Since I''ve decided to join our Holy Sect, I have a prophetic saying to offer to the elders of the Huang Tian Sect, which you can convey for me." "What prophetic saying?" Shen Qing''s lips curled into a smile as he wrote, "Heaven is dead, and Huang Tian must rise. In the year of Jiazi, all under heaven will be auspicious!" Boom! For some reason, upon seeing this twelve-character prophecy, Shen Xiaohu''s mind buzzed and went blank. Having spent many years in the Huang Tian Sect, he knew the weight of these twelve words. Shen Xiaohu immediately replied, "Come quickly!" Looking at the two characters on the Spirit Communication Mirror, Shen Qing smiled. "All under heaven strive for profit, bustling for personal gain." He knew that his joining the Huang Tian Sect was settled. Shen Qing put away the Spirit Communication Mirror, murmuring to himself, "Come on, Huang Tian Sect! Let''s see what your foundation is truly like, and whether it can help me achieve Unity!" Chapter 44 Slaying Demons and Exorcising Evil Spirits Along the Way, Refining Bow Technique "Sir, are you leaving?" the village chief put down his smoking pipe and asked Shen Qing. Shen Qing put away his belongings from the Spirit Communication Realm and said indifferently, "My injuries have mostly healed now; it''s time for me to leave." The village chief looked at Shen Qing, his expression showing he had something to say but hesitating to speak. Shen Qing took the initiative to say, "Go ahead, is there something you''d like me to do?" The village chief bowed deeply and sincerely said, "Sir, you saved our entire village, you are our great benefactor. It is only right and proper for us to repay you accordingly. I dare not trouble you further, but there''s nothing much in this remote and barren place to entertain someone of your status, I hope you won''t hold it against us." "I do have an unusual request." "Let''s hear it." "Now that our area has been ravaged by demons and the population has dwindled, our village has many women, so I was wondering if it might be possible to ask you, sir, for your noble seed, to bless our descendants." The village chief boldly put forth what was on his mind. In his eyes, Shen Qing was so young yet possessed such power, his lineage was undoubtedly extraordinary. Stay connected via My Virtual Library Empire If they could have even a trace of him here, a talented individual born into this chaotic world could enhance their villagers'' chances to survive, which would be an immense blessing for their village. In Jinzhou, it was common practice for city folks or wandering martial masters to leave offspring in the villages they visited. It had even become a sort of tradition, with many villages taking pride in this. His request wasn''t excessive. At this moment, the village chief realized that Shen Qing was not an ordinary person and likely considered the village women beneath him, so he hurriedly added, "Sir, if there''s any woman or girl in the village you take a fancy to, you can choose. Their husbands won''t say a word about it." Whoosh~~~ Suddenly, the village chief felt a gust of wind in front of him. When he looked up, he found that Shen Qing had already disappeared without a trace. ... Amidst the sea of clouds, Shen Qing was riding the wind. He was enveloped in Rainbow Light, and the cold high-altitude winds didn''t affect him at all. Shen Qing had an excellent memory and knew the exact location of Yellow Heaven Sacred Land. After confirming the direction, he sped off, flying towards the south where Yellow Heaven Sacred Land was located. "Hmm?" Just then, a powerful demon energy surged in the distant sky. The demon energy spread out like dark clouds that blotted out the sun, chilling the hearts of those who felt it. Shen Qing''s gaze sharpened, and his figure shot up in an instant, flying towards the source of the demon energy, soaring through the clouds like an eagle. The world suddenly opened up before his eyes. Below him, the land was scored with ravines that snaked like a mighty dragon, with patches of lush greenery scattered amidst them like stars dropped upon the vast loess plateau, forming a magnificent yet desolate tapestry. At the far end of his sight, a deep canyon was filled with thick demon energy rising to the sky. "Good, this saves me the effort of searching for Cultivation Techniques." As soon as Shen Qing had decided to go to Huang Tian Sacred Mountain, he had been determined to cut down demons along the way and push forward. On this journey, he would cross several counties and pass through many Shi family''s ''Cai City'' territories. This was an excellent opportunity for him to sharpen his bow skills. Speeding along, he soon arrived at a massive valley. The valley was filled with thick demon energy, which made breathing somewhat difficult. At the far end of the valley stood a figure in a black robe, its demonic aura so strong it seemed to consume everything around it like a black hole. Its eyes were like two blood-red pearls, flickering with a bloodthirsty gleam, as it sat on the ground gnawing on a large thigh bone. While eating, it was also continuously refining the Essence Qi from the human flesh and blood. "Who''s there?!" The demon shouted, sensing Shen Qing''s approach; its voice was like thunder, deafeningly loud. Shen Qing looked at the ghastly figure and a trace of disgust appeared on his face. He could tell that the demon was shrouded in a thick evil Qi, and had devoured countless people to have become what it was today. It must be slain! Shen Qing bellowed loudly as he charged at the demon like an arrow released from a bowstring. At the same time, with a thought to his Primordial Spirit, a treasure bow appeared in his hand. He held the bow and shot, fully activating the Sun Shooting Bow Technique. An arrow as dazzling as the sun condensed in his hand and shot towards the demon, carrying an overwhelming might, The demon snorted coldly and waved its hands, summoning two streams of black demon energy to fend off the attack. However, unexpectedly to it, its demon energy melted away upon contact with Shen Qing''s arrow, just as snow does in the blazing sun. To its astonishment, a beam of light arrow fell from the sky, striking its head with unerring accuracy. Body and spirit, both annihilated. Thump. The headless demon''s body fell to the ground. Shen Qing stepped down from the Rainbow Light, landing next to the demon''s body. This was a dog demon that had reached a significant level of cultivation with a large build and fur as glossy as black silk. Scattered around it lay countless bones, among them the innocent bones of infants. Shen Qing reached out and removed the Demon Core from the demon''s body, his face showing no sympathy whatsoever. After taking the Demon Core, he waved his hand and a powerful force disintegrated the demon''s body into a cloud of blood mist. He rubbed with his Divine Sense, extracting the demon''s essence blood, condensing it into a Blood Pill that he carried with him. Having done all this, Shen Qing leaped up and continued on his journey. Unaware, he was already flying above Jinzhou. Shen Qing looked down below him and spread out his Divine Sense, secretly detecting the traces of several more demons. He snorted coldly, his figure in the clouds, bow in hand as he shot again. Suddenly, round after round of sun-like arrows appeared in the sky, raining down upon various locations in Jinzhou. S~ea??h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Outside a certain tavern in Jinzhou City, Several rat demons as large as humans were gnawing on solitary travelers in the kitchen. One rat demon lifted its bloodstained head, sniffing the air nervously as it circled around. A puzzled rat demon asked, "Second Brother, what are you doing?" The nervous rat demon replied, "I think I smell something dangerous." "Ha ha ha, Second Brother, don''t be such a coward..." Boom! Suddenly, a sun-like arrow descended upon their heads. Before they could understand what was happening, a powerful surge of Spiritual Power exploded, enveloping all the rat demons present. Sun Shooting Bow Technique, every arrow hits the mark! The same scene continued to play out around and even within Jinzhou City. Countless demons died under Shen Qing''s bow technique. He didn''t know how many arrows he had released until there were no more demons in his Divine Sense, and only then did Shen Qing finally stop. Shen Qing thought, and the information appeared on his Panel. [Skill: Sun Shooting Bow Technique (Entry Level)] [Progress: 263/5000 points] [Status: Breakthrough Unavailable] [Note: Diligence is the mother of good fortune. Through continuous and uninterrupted practice, your bow technique has made substantial progress. Keep shooting arrows and utilizing the Sun Shooting Cultivation Technique to rapidly improve this skill.] Having taken note of the Panel''s reminder, Shen Qing''s form flickered. He moved from place to place, collecting Demon Cores, and then hurried to the next city to continue slaying demons and exorcising evil. Chapter 45 Sun shooting Bow Technique Breakthrough, Arrival ``` The setting sun was as red as blood, and suddenly countless flocks of birds scattered, startled, from the vast mountain forest. S§×arch* The n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. A black bear demon, as massive as a mountain, fell to the ground with a loud crash, revealing a bloody hole in its chest. Warm blood gushed continuously from the gaping wound. Moments later, a rustling disturbed the underbrush, and a man with a bare chest and holding a treasured bow emerged. It was none other than Shen Qing himself, who had been traveling southward. He looked down at the corpse of the black bear demon and muttered to himself, "I didn''t expect such a remote place to hide a demon like this, devouring all nearby towns. I''ve never seen a sight like this before, where you could go ten miles without hearing a rooster crow or a hundred miles without any sign of life." Shen Qing reached out and retrieved a dark demon core from the corpse. He gazed at the demon core, sensing the violent energy contained within, and smiled faintly. Taking a deep breath, Shen Qing blew on the demon core. Gray impurities were blown away in an instant, and the once dark demon core became as pure as a black pearl. Without hesitation, Shen Qing tossed the demon core into his mouth and chewed it like candy. The familiar pure energy was absorbed into his abdomen, transforming into a gentle stream that coursed through every inch of his flesh and veins. Shen Qing let out a long breath and felt utterly comfortable. On this journey, he had slain countless demons, leaving practically no demon alive wherever he went. The so-called ''vegetable cities'' of various families were entirely reaped by him, benefiting him greatly. Several rounds of this had significantly advanced his cultivation. Shen Qing exhaled a mouthful of turbid air and relaxed his hand, noticing that his physical shell had become more robust, and his spirit had regained some vitality, able to last for two time periods amidst heaven and earth. Continuing like this, it was only a matter of time before he could breakthrough to the Void Roaming Realm. Shen Qing restrained his ocean-like aura and used his qi to cut off the bear''s paw and gall, storing them in his storage pouch. ''This black bear is a treasure from head to toe; it''s a pity I can''t take it all. I can only take away the most valuable items.'' With a leap, he continued to speed southward. Shen Qing, perhaps due to a superstition, felt that the closer he got to the Huangtian Sacred Mountain, the fewer demons he encountered, a stark contrast to the scene under Great Zhou''s rule. Several days later, within five hundred miles of the Huangtian Sacred Mountain, a natural cave began to radiate light among steep mountains. Deep within the cave, Shen Qing sat cross-legged on a green rock, eyes closed, deeply meditative and immersed in cultivation. At that moment, gentle spiritual energy fluctuations surrounded him, making him appear like an ascetic exile. Outside the cave, dark clouds loomed. Silver lightning streaked across the sky, accompanied by deafening thunder, with torrential rain pouring down. At first glance, it seemed as if the Milky Way was hanging upside down, enveloping the entire mountain range in a hazy mist. At that moment, Shen Qing inexplicably felt a wave of agitation in his heart. He opened his eyes suddenly, with sharp light in his gaze, as if two blades pierced through the rain curtain. His aura underwent a dramatic change, and an indescribable power quietly surged out from within him. ''After such a long period of cultivating the Six Paths Reincarnation Technique, I feel myself mastering the profound transformation mystery of the Hell Path. Every time I train in this technique, I feel renewed.'' Shen Qing stretched his body, emitting a crackling sound throughout, which was on par with the thunder outside, impressive and astonishing. ''After more than a month of demon hunting, it seems like the Sun Shooting Bow Technique is almost there as well.'' With a thought, he summoned the Ink Panel. Before him, the martial arts information about the Sun Shooting Bow Technique was fully displayed. [Technique: Sun Shooting Bow Technique (Entry Level)] [Progress: 5015/5000 points] [State: Breakthrough available] The corners of Shen Qing''s mouth slightly lifted. ''Breakthrough!'' A powerful force suddenly enveloped his body. The information about the martial arts technique on the Ink Panel simultaneously refreshed. [Technique: Sun Shooting Bow Technique (Skillfully)] [Progress: 15/7000 points] [State: Not available for breakthrough] Explore new worlds at My Virtual Library Empire [Remark: To retreat in adversity is to regress. In martial arts, perseverance is of utmost value. Through diligent practice, the bow technique you have mastered possesses an ever-changing capability, no longer limited by the state of the arrow, allowing for confident exploration during use.] ''Ever-changing capability?'' Shen Qing''s heart tightened. About a quarter of an hour later, Shen Qing fully absorbed the memories of the breakthrough in the Sun Shooting Technique. Shen Qing suddenly stood up, with a flick of his wrist, retrieving his treasured bow from his storage pouch. Leaping up, he dashed out of the cave, poised in the midst of the rain curtain. The rain poured ruthlessly like columns. Shen Qing manipulated his spiritual power to isolate the rain, remaining serene and unmoved by external objects. His gaze naturally fell on a mountain peak not far away. Taking a deep breath, Shen Qing tensed his arm muscles, pulling the bowstring to its limit. The muscle-bound memory activated at this moment, making the motion feel exceedingly familiar. His vast and mighty spiritual power was infused entirely into the treasured bow. In an instant, the bow shimmered with radiant colors. From its front end, a dazzling golden light blade quietly formed, crescent-shaped, blazing brightly and exuding a menacing sharpness. Shen Qing''s eyes shone with a cold gleam. In a low murmur, he suddenly released his grip. The golden light blade, brimming with limitless spiritual power and before the bow, like the first ray of dawn, broke its constraints, slicing through the skies with destructive force, heading straight for a towering mountain in the distance. Boom! The light blade left a clearly visible fissure in the air as it passed. The once indestructible mountain peak before him, under this force, shattered like fragile porcelain, splitting apart, with boulders tumbling and dust flying, rendering all who witnessed it in awe. Not only that, the golden light blade, after severing the mountain, continued unabated. It pierced through layers of black clouds, scattering the gloom that obscured the sky, as if Shen Qing released a pent-up fury, dispelling long-held oppression. Rumbling... Behind the black clouds, a brilliant long ray appeared like the sun. With the black clouds fading, the downpour ceased abruptly. The long-awaited sunlight eagerly breached the clouds, spilling upon the earth. All things revived, bathed in warm and harmonious light, with golden gleams shimmering across the entire mountain range. Shen Qing watched the scene, a hint of astonishment flashing across his face. This strike was something an ordinary Martial Master in the Primordial Spirit Realm couldn''t easily withstand. He couldn''t help but look forward to the future potential of the Sun Shooting Bow Technique. Collecting his thoughts, Shen Qing flicked his hand. The treasured bow burst into a clear light and was reabsorbed into his storage pouch. After determining the direction, Shen Qing activated his rainbow light and leaped, soaring towards the Huangtian Sacred Mountain. For Shen Qing, the five hundred li distance was nothing more than half a day''s cultivation techniques. After a swift journey, Shen Qing found himself unknowingly standing at the foot of the Huangtian Sacred Mountain. ``` Chapter 46 Welcome the Saint Heir Back to His Place ``` Shen Qing lifted his head leisurely and saw the majestic mountain peaks standing tall amidst the clouds. At the peaks, yellow clouds swirled around like golden silk, with rays of light bursting from the gaps in the clouds, casting a brilliant golden sheen over each peak, dazzling and stunning. At the foot of the mountain, numerous believers with yellow cloths wrapped around their arms knelt devoutly. Each of them had a solemn expression, making the otherwise ordinary square appear particularly solemn. Incense smoke curled, reaching its peak. Wisps of smoke slowly rose towards the unreachable sky, intertwining with the light from the clouds and the yellow clouds atop the mountains, almost giving an impression of divine aura. Shen Qing gently stroked the Hundred Treasure Pouch at his waist and took out a seemingly ordinary mirror. With a light touch of his fingertip on the mirror''s surface, ripples of pale blue spiritual light spread out, gradually reflecting his figure in the mirror. These days, the Spirit Communication Mirror had been continually refined and modified by Shen Xiaohu, and now it possessed the ability for face-to-face communication. Concentrating his mind, Shen Qing followed the method Shen Xiaohu had taught him and said, "Xiao Hu, it''s me. I have successfully arrived at the Huang Tian Sacred Mountain!" His voice was deep and clear, seemingly carrying an irresistible force that traversed the barriers of many mountains and rivers to reach another place. After a moment of silence, the Spirit Communication Mirror displayed Shen Xiaohu''s slightly excited face: "Brother Qingzi?! You''ve arrived? Wait at the mountain foot for a moment; I''ll report to the elders." The image of Shen Xiaohu in the Spirit Communication Mirror suddenly vanished. Shen Qing put away the Spirit Communication Mirror and patiently waited. He noticed it was still early, so he moved through the bustling crowd, walking towards those devoutly kneeling believers. These Huang Tian Sect believers had dark complexions, small and thin bodies, with large knuckles of clasped hands, evidently used to manual labor, not much different from ordinary peasants. They were muttering blessings from Huang Tian, which piqued his curiosity momentarily. Shen Qing approached an old man who had just finished his prayers, stopped him, and earnestly asked, "Old sir, I am a traveler from afar, newly acquainted with the name of Huang Tian Sect, and my heart is filled with curiosity. Could you tell me why you chose to join Huang Tian Sect?" The haggard-faced elder looked up, a trace of helplessness flashing in his eyes. He glanced around and said, "Ah, young man, you may not know. We are just refugees who couldn''t survive. Some can''t bear the heavy taxes from the government, some are displaced by demon attacks... We heard this place is the residence of the Huang Tian immortals, so we came here to seek a way of living." Hearing this, Shen Qing continued to ask, "Then, why choose this place among so many others?" The elder was surprised and said, "Haven''t you heard the prophecy?" Shen Qing had a premonition but still wasn''t sure. He asked, "What prophecy?" "Heaven has fallen, Huang Tian shall rise. In the year of Jiazi, great peace reigns under heaven." The elder sighed, "Look at the world, the government is corrupt, demons run rampant unopposed, the people suffer, and heaven can no longer shelter us. The emergence of Huang Tian Sect is to follow the divine will and replace heaven. Under Huang Tian Sect''s rule, it won''t be long before true peace comes to the world." "The word has spread completely, and everyone firmly believes it. If you don''t come now, it would be too late later." Shen Qing was slightly taken aback; he had anticipated some influence from those twelve words but hadn''t expected it to spread so quickly. At that moment, a young woman took over the conversation, her eyes shimmered with devout light as she said, "You might not know, I heard that after the Daoist''s fall, they have reincarnated and will soon return to their rightful place, and a Saint Heir will come back to lead. Our Huang Tian Sect will undoubtedly prosper." "Saint Heir?" Shen Qing was puzzled, calmly inquiring further: "What Saint Heir?" The woman shook her head, revealing a hint of confusion on her face: "We don''t really know the specifics." Shen Qing''s curiosity grew. As they were talking, the sky suddenly became extraordinarily heavy, as if an invisible force was brewing a dramatic change. Everyone''s gaze was involuntarily drawn to the distant Holy Mountain. The place long regarded as sacred and inviolable by the Huang Tian Sect was undergoing unbelievable changes. Continue your adventure at My Virtual Library Empire The originally lush green mountains were now shrouded by rolling yellow clouds. These weren''t ordinary clouds; they contained indescribable dynamic spiritual energy. Shen Qing''s keen awareness detected pure spiritual energy interspersed within the yellow clouds. As the yellow clouds surged, they descended from the sky like they were alive, spreading along the winding stone steps, painting the entire mountain path with a layer of gold. This sudden anomaly made everyone present hold their breath. S§×ar?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Many devout believers couldn''t help but kneel, continuously pressing their palms together in silent prayers. Just then, from the other side of the Holy Mountain, a solemn and imposing drumbeat resounded, striking at the spirit of each person. Even someone like Shen Qing, at the Primordial Spirit realm, felt his heart thump intensely, pounding vigorously. As the drumbeat intensified, three middle-aged men dressed in yellow robes walked steadily from the mountain gate, stepping along the yellow clouds. Behind them were high-ranking officers of the Huang Tian Sect, holding weapons, expressions solemn, exuding a sense of dignity. Further back were countless followers, wearing uniform yellow garments, holding incense, chanting in whispers. When this grand procession reached Shen Qing, the entire scene fell silent instantly, leaving only the sound of the wind and the distant chirping of birds. ``` Chapter 46 Welcoming the Saint Heir to His Position_2 "Welcome, Saint Heir!" the three elders shouted in unison after exchanging glances. This shout seemed to stir countless emotions in people''s hearts. Behind them, the leaders and followers of the sect also fell to their knees, repeatedly echoing the elders'' shout, their voices reverberating through the valley. Shen Qing stood there, momentarily overwhelmed by the sudden spectacle. The elder and the woman who had been speaking with Shen Qing moments ago were also shocked before expressions of immense joy crossed their faces. They had never imagined that the young man before them was actually the reincarnation of the Holy Son of Huang Tian Dao Master. Many people looked at Shen Qing with curiosity, thinking that he indeed had an impressive and outstanding appearance. As Shen Qing gazed at the many members of Huang Tian Sect before him, the feeling of doubt in his heart deepened. He knew very well that he was not born a saint, nor was he any reincarnation of a Dao Master. The actions of Huang Tian Sect must have had other motives. Silently, Shen Qing took a step back. "I..." A kindly elder with deep eyes interrupted quickly, saying, "The Saint Heir has come guided by the heavens, surely tired from your journey. Please follow us back to the sect''s gate. You are destined by heaven, and everyone in Huang Tian Sect eagerly awaits your return." Noticing the profound meaning in the other''s eyes, Shen Qing understood that they had much to say. Read exclusive content at My Virtual Library Empire Just as well, he also wanted to see what they were really up to. Now that his injuries had mostly healed, he figured these people couldn''t trap him. Calming himself gradually, Shen Qing faced the members of Huang Tian Sect in front of him and nodded, accepting their welcome. "Saint Heir, please!" One of the elders gestured for Shen Qing to proceed. Shen Qing gave a slight smile, returned the courtesy, and then, amid the admiring and reverent gazes of countless followers, ascended the stone steps leading to the sect''s gate alongside the people of Huang Tian Sect. As he stepped onto the yellow cloud, he felt as though the cloud was solid beneath his feet, inching down slightly before gently lifting him up along the stone steps. There was a certain familiarity in this sensation that made Shen Qing smile to himself, "Huang Tian Sect is quite interesting." Following him, the three elders of Huang Tian Sect and other leaders ascended in succession. S~ea??h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Moments later, after passing through the solemn sect gate, the view opened up, revealing the scene of Huang Tian Sect''s Taoist field. It appeared magnificent, shrouded in mist, resembling an earthly paradise. Rows of buildings stood in an orderly manner, their scale nearly matching that of the imperial palace in the capital. Shen Qing found it hard to believe that this was the handiwork of Huang Tian Sect. With sharp eyes, upon closer observation, he discovered these structures bore the marks of age, with many parts showing signs of wear, as if they had endured through time. As it was known, Huang Tian Sect had only emerged in the past ten years or so. Based on such indications, it was impossible for them to have erected it. In the center of the Taoist field, Shen Qing unexpectedly saw his long-lost cousin¡ªShen Xiao Hu. Dressed in the attire of Huang Tian Sect, Shen Xiao Hu had a resolute face, with eyes shining with excitement and reverence. He hurried forward, grabbing Shen Qing''s hand, and said excitedly, "Brother Qing, you finally came! You don''t know, how much I''ve missed you all these years!" Looking at the familiar yet unfamiliar young man before him, Shen Qing couldn''t help but sigh with emotion. Only five or six years had passed, yet Shen Xiao Hu had changed so much. He had indeed inherited the outstanding looks of the Shen family, dignified and full of scholarly air. Such an aura, he had only sensed in Zhang Shuyuan, the bookworm. Taking advantage of the fact that no one around was paying attention, Shen Qing took a step forward and asked in a lowered voice, "Xiao Hu, do you know what''s going on?" "Are you referring to the matter of the Saint Heir?" Shen Qing nodded silently. "This actually relates to the prophecy you told me about. Huang Tian Sect can be said to have caught a breath because of this prophecy." Upon hearing this, Shen Qing was truly taken aback. In a solemn manner, Shen Xiao Hu said, "In any case, it''s not a bad thing." Seeing Shen Xiao Hu behaving so cautiously, Shen Qing began to understand that the position of Saint Heir might not be as he initially thought. While Shen Qing was lost in thought, the three elders of Huang Tian Sect approached. With kindly smiles, they addressed Shen Qing warmly, "Saint Heir, just upon returning to the holy sect, we invite you to Tianji Hall to discuss important matters." Raising his eyes, Shen Qing saw the three elders with semi-smiles. His heart stirred, realizing that the main business was upon them. "Alright." Recalling Shen Xiao Hu''s words, Shen Qing nodded in agreement, following the three elders towards Tianji Hall. He walked silently behind the three elders, spiritual power concealed. In the event of any unforeseen incident, he could react swiftly, relying on the tripod to make a swift escape. Although Shen Xiao Hu mentioned there''s nothing to worry about, it''s best to remain wary. People change over time. Even after so many years, whether Shen Xiao Hu was still the same person, Shen Qing didn''t dare assure himself fully. It''s wise to be cautious. The three elders seemed to notice Shen Qing''s careful intentions but didn''t pay much attention. Shen Qing followed the three elders to ''Tianji Hall,'' one of the core places of Huang Tian Sect. Inside Tianji Hall, the space was vast. In the center hung an exquisite stone wall. It had a large circle inscribed on it, with the middle filled with complex routes, with traces of stars faintly appearing. On the first glance, it could even make someone dizzy, emanating a mysterious aura that struck the heart with awe. Even with Shen Qing''s Primordial Spirit realm cultivation, he dared not look too long, fearing further injury to his barely recovered Primordial Spirit. He quickly averted his gaze, avoiding further looks. Below the stone wall, chairs were arranged in an orderly manner. In the center was one chair, with three on each flanking side. "Please!" The three elders led Shen Qing to a chair on the left side, as they each took a seat, facing each other. "Saint Heir, Heaven evolves in fours and nines, leaving a gap for escape. At the moment of life or death for our Huang Tian Sect, the prophecy you spoke of has brought us a glimmer of hope and change," said the elder with white hair occupying the central chair, beginning the conversation, "It just so happens that we heard from Leader Shen that you wish to join our holy sect, which is fate decreed by destiny." Hearing this, Shen Qing''s eyes flickered. Did what he said in twelve words really cause such a stir? Suspiciously believing, Shen Qing subtly replied, "What does the elder mean by this? Shen Qing is but an ordinary person, what virtue or ability does he possess to bear the name of Saint Heir?" The elder on the right side, with a kindly smile, said, "Saint Heir need not be humble. The prophecy you spoke of has been found to correspond in our sect''s ancient texts. The texts record that after the death of a Dao Master, a Saint Heir will be born, and you perfectly align with the heavenly mandate." "Is that true?" "Of course it''s true." Seeing the three elders'' eyes rapidly changing, Shen Qing decided to stop beating around the bush with them. He straightforwardly said, "Everyone, since there''s no one else here, let''s be frank with each other." "On my path, I, Shen, have never believed there''s a pie falling from the sky. If there ever is, it''s an equivalent exchange. To obtain some things, one must pay an equivalent price." With a pause in his tone, Shen Qing gradually said, "So, what exactly do you want to gain from me?" The three elders exchanged a look and laughed, "The Saint Heir is indeed someone who escaped from Ji Zikong''s hands, truly exceptional." Mobilizing the spiritual power within him, Shen Qing said, "What, do you also want to uncover the secrets in me like that Ji Zikong?" Three elders shook their heads and shifted the topic, "Saint Heir, do you know why Huang Tian Sect emerged suddenly and has reached its current status, even daring to contend with the Ji family?" "I am willing to listen attentively." "In fact, you''ve noticed that none of the buildings on this Holy Mountain were constructed by us at all. This site where the buildings stand was actually the sect place of Tai Xuan Sect from the ancient era, nearly two thousand years ago. Just a little over ten years ago, by a stroke of luck, we discovered it." Chapter 47 I Didnt Know I Was This Strong ``` Shen Qing was not surprised. Long ago, he had already heard some rumors. The reason the Huang Tian Sect rose so rapidly in recent years was precisely because they obtained the Ancient Relics. Now, it''s been confirmed. But... Is the foundation of the Ancient Relics really that deep? Can it actually allow a new force that has only developed for a little over a decade to rival the Ji Family? Shen Qing felt a bit puzzled in his heart. The elder across seemed to have noticed the confusion in Shen Qing''s heart and said, "Saint Heir, you probably don''t know how glorious the Human Clan was during the Ancient Times." Shen Qing''s expression became serious, and he continued to ask, "I often hear many people mention the Ancient Era. I want to know what exactly is in that era that makes all of you yearn for it so much?" "In that era, there were Immortals and the Immortality Technique!" Upon hearing these words, Shen Qing''s expression slightly changed. To speak of it, this was the first time he had heard such resolute words from others. At this moment, the image of that perfect woman inevitably emerged in his mind. "Then why did such an era disappear?" "Because of demons," said the elders of the Huang Tian Sect, "Which is why we sought you." Seeing the virtuous demeanor of the Huang Tian Sect elders, Shen Qing felt even more perplexed. He had too little information, unable to reason out more content from it. S§×ar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. One of the elders from the Huang Tian Sect further explained, "We have all heard of your deeds in Yongzhou, where you slew countless demons. Moreover, this time as you came all the way from Jinzhou, you even wiped out numerous places referred to as ''Cai City.'' It shows you have a heart for slaying demons, which aligns with our goals." "Besides, at such a young age, you have already reached the cultivation of the Primordial Spirit Realm. Your cultivation Sight can be described as monstrous, a height even the Daoist Master has not reached. If you were to join our sect, what reason would we have to refuse?" Shen Qing subconsciously felt a bit bewildered, unsure of himself, and said uncertainly, "So you want me to eliminate demons?" An elder gently shook his head and added, "Not to eliminate demons, but to save the Human Clan. Has the Saint Heir not noticed that the demons in the world today are increasingly more numerous?" Shen Qing carefully recalled and indeed felt this was true. When he lived in Hongshan Village, for generations, no one had ever heard of the term ''demon.'' But since he entered the city, the demons became increasingly numerous, to the point of overflowing in the end. Perhaps the term ''Cai City'' existed in other places long ago, with many Shi families deliberately blocking the news, hence very little was known, which is understandable. But it would never be like this. Hearing the elder''s meaning from the Huang Tian Sect, there is a deeper reason here. Shen Qing grew curious and signaled to continue. One of the elders from the Huang Tian Sect spoke, "Saint Heir, you don''t know, beyond this world, there exist Heavenly Demons from other realms that practically feed on the Human Clan. Each of them is incredibly powerful; even a single wisp of their aura can crush a mountain and transform countless demons. Even humans find it hard to bear their weight." Stay connected with My Virtual Library Empire "Our ancestors of the Human Clan created a Protective Array against these demons. Within this Formation, the external Heavenly Demons cannot get in, and we cannot go out." "However, the nature''s spiritual energy in this world is nearly exhausted after operating the Formation for thousands of years, nearing the point of collapse. The external demon energy is constantly invading this place, thus creating rampant demons." Heavenly Demon Clan, just their demon energy invasion is enough to spawn so many demons? Shen Qing gasped, finding it somewhat unbelievable. Just how powerful would the real Heavenly Demon Clan be? He couldn''t imagine. At this moment, a thought suddenly flashed through Shen Qing''s mind, recalling something Ji Zikong had mentioned before. He asked, "Does the Emperor Ji Zikong of the Great Zhou also know about this matter?" "Yes," said an elder from the Huang Tian Sect, whose hair and beard were both white, "Not only does he know, but the entire Ji Clan knows, preparing for it for over nine hundred years to escape from such a ''Prison''." Another elder supplemented, "Unfortunately, despite all their calculations, they never expected a descendant like Ji Zikong to emerge, taking over the plots of the entire Ji Clan, attempting to achieve personal gain and prove his unique Dao." "As far as we know, Ji Zikong is refining the inheritance of the Ji Family and the major Shi families to break through to the Heaven''s End Realm and confront the Heavenly Demons. After our rigorous assessments, the Immortal Martial Mechanism he possesses is insufficient to support him reaching that point. So, once he breaks through and emerges, he will certainly have to seize the vitality of seventy percent of the people in the world to achieve it." "By that time, the meager foundation of the Human Clan will no longer be able to exit this world. The time left for us is not much." After hearing this, Shen Qing couldn''t help but give them a few more looks, not expecting them to have such grand objectives. "So, what do you want me to do?" "To be honest, we are not temple officials; we are ordinary Jianghu Martial Artists. Given the Martial Mechanism has been taken by the Ji Family, it''s already extraordinary for us old immortals to break through to the Spirit Void Realm. To go further is simply impossible. Reaching our current level is purely due to some external techniques, but you are different." "The foundation of the Tianxuan Sect is vast, and we have only utilized two to three tenths of it. So, we want to entrust this foundation to you, hoping that you reach the peak before the sky collapses and carve a noble path for our Human Clan." ``` Chapter 1 - 1 Hunter The cold wind was piercing. Large goose feather-like snowflakes drifted leisurely down from the sky. After a night of accumulation, it had already passed the height of his calves. Shen Qing, wrapped in a worn "yun" coat, carried a bow, walking on the snow, his footsteps crunching beneath him. The snowflakes landed on him, quickly melting from the heat, seeping into his clothes. The cold wind made them stiffen, leaving him shivering. "I hope I can harvest something today, beg the heavens to grant us a meal, we really can''t continue like this." Shen Qing clasped his hands in his sleeves, his gaze fixed on a clear set of tracks. These footprints deeply imprinted in the snow formed a winding path extending to the sunny slope ahead. From his experience, this should be a young deer. "Ayo, ayo..." The sudden sound of a deer''s cry interrupted Shen Qing''s thoughts. There''s something there! Shen Qing immediately heightened his alertness, carefully taking down his bow and placing a feathered arrow on the string. He hunched his body, cautiously moving forward. As he drew nearer, a young deer came into Shen Qing''s sight, and he moved even more carefully. Suddenly, the young deer seemed to sense something, raising its head sharply. Shen Qing thought, "This is bad." Deer are timid and suspicious by nature, with keen senses, afraid of the "human scent." Any slight disturbance would send them running. Shen Qing hurriedly rushed out, shooting an arrow hastily. Whoosh! The arrow turned into a black streak, shooting into the white snow. But in the blink of an eye, the young deer in sight disappeared into the vast snowy landscape. Missed again. Shen Qing''s face immediately turned a bit grim. "Darn, my arrow!" Shen Qing hurried to the snow, fumbling around. However, as far as the eyes could see, it was all white in the snow¡ªno sign of the arrow. Time ticked away, Shen Qing searched every spot where he recalled the arrow landing, all in vain. The last arrow was gone! ... At the foot of the mountain. A village surviving on hunting nestled there. The village had over thirty households, all earthen huts with straw roofs. Among all the huts, a dilapidated earthen house stood out conspicuously in the wind and snow. Its walls were compacted with a mix of mud and straw, deep yellow with specks of blotches. The roof was covered with thick straw, now blanketed by a layer of snow, making the already fragile house appear on the brink of collapse. Shen Qing easily made his way to the front door of the earthen house, pushed hard, and walked inside. "Sister, I''m back." The interior was furnished extremely simply, with a tattered wooden table, a few chairs missing arms or legs, and a wooden board barely qualifying as a bed as the only furniture. Shen Qing shut the door behind him, taking off his hat and hanging the bow on the wall along with some farm tools and ragged clothes. In the corner of the room, a frail woman quickly stood, looking at Shen Qing, "Why are you back so late today? I thought something happened to you outside." This was Shen Qing''s elder sister, Shen Fang. Since arriving in this world, Shen Qing had depended on her for survival. Shen Qing said, "Today didn''t go well, I lost the arrow on the way, caused some delay." Shen Fang briskly moved to the door, brushing the snow off Shen Qing. The light through the door crack cast on her face, revealing a delicate countenance. However, due to long exposure outside, her skin was somewhat dark and rough, hiding much of her beauty. "Lost is lost, as long as you''re okay. If anything happened to you, I wouldn''t be able to face our deceased parents." After a while, Shen Fang suddenly said, "Today Chen Yuan came by again." While speaking, Shen Fang unconsciously tugged on her sleeve, covering the bruise on her wrist. Shen Qing looked up, "Chen Yuan?" He couldn''t help but furrow his brows. Chen Yuan''s family consisted of three brothers, with their father being the village chief, quite reputable, and having some connections in town. The three brothers, relying on their father''s influence, were arrogant and domineering, with many in the village either fearing or currying favor with their family. Not easy to deal with. "What did they come for?" "They said in the county town someone like me could serve as a maid in a wealthy household, worth five or six taels of silver, asked if I was willing, Qingzi, maybe¡­" Shen Qing interrupted her, "Sister, we have no backing, no one knows where they''d sell you if you self-sell. What if they sell you into a brothel, how would you handle that? Don''t listen to their nonsense." "You''re the only male in our family, and before our parents passed, they advised me to take good care of you, not to end our family line..." Shen Fang said softly. Shen Qing remained silent. All these "mountain drivers" who hunted lived off the mountains, with no land. Women around here could only contribute so much besides housekeeping. "By the way, sister," Shen Qing changed the topic, "Is there any meat left at home?" sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "It''s all gone," Shen Fang hesitantly said, "now there''s only some bran cake left." Shen Qing''s face fell, "... Take it out and eat it first, I''ll think of something else tomorrow." "Alright." Shen Fang stood up, took two pieces of bran cake out from a broken jar, and placed them in Shen Qing''s hands, "Qingzi, don''t worry too much, as long as I''m around, I won''t let you go hungry." "Got it." Shen Qing took the grayish bran cake. He looked down at the bran cake in his hand, its surface uneven, dotted with tiny flecks of bran, resembling a piece of yellow earth eroded by time. Heavy. It didn''t look much different from other cakes. However, when you took a bite, the sensation was indescribable. Unlike ordinary soft and delicate pastries, it was coarser, hard to swallow. Each bite accompanied by a gritty sound, as if chewing sand. The bran rolled in the mouth, bringing about an indescribable foreign sensation. If there was a taste, it would be a faint, slightly bitter, grassy flavor, more of a challenge to the taste buds than actual food. For someone like Shen Qing, used to modern life, it was undoubtedly a torment. Yet for families like Shen Qing''s, as long as it filled the belly, taste wasn''t important. Shen Qing exhaled deeply, forcing it down with snow water. Though the bran cake was hard to eat, once his stomach was full, Shen Qing felt an unprecedented comfort. His tired body gradually warmed, and there was more life in his face. At that moment, gazing at the bare earthen house, Shen Qing''s mind couldn''t help but stir. After over a month in this world, he had figured out where he was now. He was in a village named Hongshan Village, relying mainly on hunting, with roughly thirty households under the jurisdiction of Taiping County. Taiping County had mountains to the north, a large lake to the south, and several tens of thousands of families making a living here. The county had four markets: north, south, east, and west, controlled by the Four Great Eastern Families. People from Hongshan and other mountain drivers, tenants, fisherman''s sons, and woodcutters all relied on the Four Great Eastern Families for a livelihood. However, the Four Great Eastern Families in the county town were not benevolent figures. Each of them was ruthless, not caring about anyone''s well-being. Together with the tax officials from the Great Zhou Government, the local people found it hard to even achieve subsistence. If unfortunately met with natural disasters or calamities, it would lead to the ruin and destruction of families. In such times, the situation could be simply summed up in one word: difficult! Fortunately, reborn in this world, he had not been without support. With a thought, a spark flickered in Shen Qing''s eyes, and an invisible ripple suddenly waved in his vision. A section of inked text unfurled before him like a painting scroll. [Skill: Bow Technique (Entry Level)] [Progress: 98/100 points] [Status: Cannot be upgraded] [Note: The movement of heaven is full of power, so the superior man makes himself strong and untiring! Continuous practice can break through skill progress.] Chapter 2 - 2 Breakthrough! ``` Thump, thump, thump! "Qingzi, are you home? Open the door!" Shen Qing set aside his thoughts. The scroll in his vision disappeared immediately. "Coming, coming." He walked to the door, opened it, and a gust of cold wind rushed in. "Uncle, why are you here?" Although Shen Qing had traveled here without parents, on his father''s side, he had a younger brother and a younger sister. It was thanks to his uncle''s support that he and his sister had survived without being left destitute. Uncle Shen the Second remained silent for a moment, then took a piece of meat from his belt. "This is a hunting crossbow I caught a few days ago. It''s all smoked now. Your uncle doesn''t have much more. You and your sister eat frugally." "This..." "Save your breath." Shen the Second tossed the meat to Shen Qing, who barely had time to brush off the snow before turning to leave. Shen Qing wanted to show some pride, but looking at the meat in his hands, he couldn''t bring himself to let go. When poverty strikes, even ambition gets short. Suddenly, Shen Qing seemed to think of something. He hurriedly gave the hunting crossbow to Shen Fang and rushed out into the wind and snow. "Uncle, uncle, wait a second. I need to ask you something." Shen the Second stopped in his tracks and turned around. "What''s up, Qingzi?" Shen Qing didn''t feel the slightest bit ashamed, bowing his head humbly. "Uncle, I lost an arrow today. Can I borrow one?" Shen the Second glanced at Shen Qing and sighed, "Come with me." Shen Qing quickly responded, "Thank you, Uncle." Uncle Shen the Second''s house was not far from his own place; just front and back yards apart. His house was on a slope, with Uncle Shen the Second''s below it, connected by a small path, just a few steps away. Uncle''s home had two sons and an aunt, with four mouths to feed in total. As an experienced hunter in the village, Uncle hunted in autumn and winter and gathered herbs in spring and summer. Even after the boss from the county town took a cut, he could still earn 50 to 60 wen a day, enough for five pounds of grain. It seemed good enough for subsistence. But in reality, it was far from enough. Salt, iron cost money, cloth, oil, and tea cost money, and replacing hunting gear cost money too. Not to mention the various taxes and levies. Though each expense was small, combined they were enough to overwhelm a person. Walking behind, Shen Qing saw his uncle, who looked thirty-something, now appeared more like in his fifties or sixties, with even a slight hunchback. After a while, the two arrived at an earthen house close by. Compared to Shen Qing''s home, his uncle''s was notably larger and sturdier. "Huzai''s mother, open the door!" Aunt Wang heard the commotion and opened the door. sea??h th§× n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. As a woman from the mountains, Aunt Wang wasn''t very attractive, even a bit ugly. Her dark skin and large frame made her appear almost as strong as a man. "Wife, get an arrow for Qingzi." As soon as the uncle entered, he said directly. Aunt Wang didn''t say much, turned to get an arrow, murmuring to Uncle Shen the Second, "We don''t have many arrows left at home." Aunt Wang took a bamboo tube from the wall, pulled out a handful of feathered arrows, thought for a moment, then added two more. Handing them to Shen Qing, she advised, "Auntie isn''t stingy with these arrows. Qingzi, you know life isn''t easy for your uncle''s family either, so don''t lose them." "Thank you, Auntie." Shen Qing didn''t look closely, pocketing them gratefully. Standing at the door, he peered inside under the dim light. His two cousins were in the main room sharpening hunting gear. Seeing him, they greeted with a smile. "Brother Qingzi, want to come in and sit?" "With such heavy snow, I should get back early. I have to go up the mountain in the morning. Let''s go to town together when the snow stops." "Alright!" Shen Qing turned to say, "Uncle, Auntie, you all carry on. I''ll head back first." After Shen Qing left, Aunt Wang closed the door and said to Shen the Second, "I heard that the little sister is now made a concubine by the head of Linfeng Hall from the Zhao Family?" Shen the Second replied, "That happened recently." Aunt Wang ventured, "Can you ask the little sister to talk to the Martial Arts Hall, let Shanwa join? When Shanwa becomes a martial master, life will be much better for our family. Shanwa is her own nephew, and you''re her elder brother." Shen the Second snorted, "Do you think the Martial Arts Hall is your family business? Enter as you please? I''ve inquired; even entering the outer gate costs ten taels. Even asking for help from the little sister requires at least five or six taels. It''s no small sum." Aunt Wang said, "Today, the Chen family''s son mentioned that some people in town are buying wives, offering five taels. Xiao Fang isn''t young anymore..." Hearing this, Shen the Second instinctively glanced Aunt Wang up and down, saying, "Do you think the Chen family has good intentions? Back then they nearly ate our brother''s family out of existence. If I hadn''t stopped them, they wouldn''t have left a scrap of meat for the siblings. They''re just fooling a naive woman like you." Aunt Wang fell silent, then after a half moment said, with a slightly complaining tone, "With the snow not letting up, don''t just worry about the siblings. Consider Shanwa and Hu Zi more." "I know. I have it in mind." ... Behind Shen Qing''s house was a bamboo forest, pressed to the ground by the heavy snow. On one of the bent large bamboo stalks hung a wooden stake, with a smoothed-out section in the middle. It was riddled with pockmarks. This was where Shen Qing practiced his archery on usual days. Returning home and retrieving the bow, Shen Qing skillfully notched one of the borrowed arrows from Uncle''s home onto the bowstring. Shen Qing drew the bow to its full extent, maintaining a three-foot distance between the bow and his arm. Whoosh! Fifty paces away, the feathered arrow left the bow, embedding itself on the outside of the wooden stake, nearly missing the target. Expressionless, Shen Qing notched another arrow onto the bow. This bow was left by his father, made from elm wood with deer tendons for string. Though not the best bow, it surpassed simple single-piece wood or bamboo hunting bows. At the very least, it could take down wild boars or jackals, whereas the latter could only hunt pheasants or rabbits. A bow like this could fetch one tael silver if sold, one of his few possessions. Whoosh! Another arrow released. Missed the target. Shen Qing continued his archery practice, once, twice, three times... He lost track of how many times he practiced until darkness fell, when he finally stopped. At this point, Shen Qing glanced at the simple panel in his vision, a faint smile appearing on his face. [Skill: Bow Technique (Entry Level)] [Progress: 100/100 points] [Status: Can Be Enhanced] [Note: The course of nature is vigorous; the gentleman should strive ceaselessly! Continuous practice can break through skill progress.] "Finally enough!" Without any hesitation, Shen Qing willed, "Breakthrough for me!" Upon a muffled sound in his mind, the numbers on the progress bar in the simple panel jumped rapidly, reminiscent of the digital readout on the fuel dispenser from his previous life. When the progress numbers hit zero, the panel in his vision suddenly shook. [Current Skill: Bow Technique (Skillful)] [Progress: 0/200] Shen Qing seemed to feel something, staring intently at his hands. His own hands were visibly developing calluses; his arm muscles grew stronger at an unimaginable speed. This feeling was like... like he had truly practiced archery for a long time... In his mind, various archery techniques surfaced. Squinting slightly, Shen Qing drew another feathered arrow, notched it onto the string. With arms long outstretched, the bow fully drawn. Each movement became exceedingly skillful. Thwack! The bowstring vibrated. At a hundred paces, the arrow hit the bullseye, the tail feather quivering! Snow on the large bamboo plopped down with a rustle. The once-bent bamboo slowly straightened its back. Excitedly, Shen Qing slowly lowered the bow in his hand, gazing at the ink-painting-like simple panel in his vision. He realized that this seemingly simplistic panel might just be the foundation for his survival and prospects in this world. ``` Chapter 3 - 3: The Hunt Snowflakes fell to the ground, and there was a rustling sound in the forest. Shen Qing looked up, and in the distance, Shicheng Mountain had become a mere blur under the cover of night. He gathered his thoughts, his face expressionless, and pulled out all the arrows from the wooden stake, storing them neatly in the Arrow Quiver at his waist. Turning away from the bamboo forest in the wind and snow, he departed. Upon returning home, his elder sister, Shen Fang, was already lying in bed. During this season, unless there were important matters, the villagers generally went to sleep as soon as it got dark. Shen Qing took off the bow and arrows from his body, leaned them against the wall, grabbed a handful of straw, and stuffed the three window holes made from broken jars. He then took off his coat and lay down straight on the other end of Shen Fang''s bed. Many families in this village couldn''t afford a new house; even after marrying a wife, they slept on the same bed as their parents. Poor families didn''t worry much about propriety. Moreover, Shen Qing and his sister had been sleeping together since childhood and were already accustomed to it. The quilts at home were filled with hemp and cotton, which didn''t provide much warmth. As Shen Qing nestled into the bed, he felt a wave of warmth. The bed had already been warmed by Shen Fang. Shen Qing lay flat on his back, hands under his head, his eyes fixed on the ink-like text within his vision. As hunters depending on the mountains and waters for sustenance, their regular means of livelihood were hunting beasts, selling skins, and gathering herbs and firewood. But if he wanted to change his situation quickly, he feared this wouldn''t suffice. He needed to hunt some valuable game. Mountain treasures, for example, were best. These items had an excellent effect on strengthening the body, helping to invigorate the Qi-Blood. Martial masters in the county were eager for them. It was said that some mountain treasures could save months of hard work, worth thousands of Qian. They were objects that mountain drivers dreamed of. Before, he didn''t even dare to think about these things, but now, as his Bow Technique steadily improved, maybe in the future, there would be a chance to try his luck. "Tomorrow, I''ll go to the mountains again, solve the food and clothing problem first, then ask Uncle about the mountain treasures, and see if I can get lucky." "Without a windfall, one cannot get rich; without night grass, a horse cannot be fed, merely catching birds and beasts won''t make a fortune." Winter was the season for winter hunting, with no taboos. By spring, hunting would be forbidden by the official. By then, they could only hunt birds and waterfowl. Even if they sneaked into the mountains, the animals there, having endured a winter, would be low on energy, and the quality of the game would not be high, not fetching a good price. Their daily harvest as hunters would undoubtedly be much reduced, and if they were to live well, they would have to rely on this period. He couldn''t afford to let this opportunity slip by. Having made up his mind, Shen Qing''s eyes flashed. The panel within his vision folded up like a scroll as he quickly drifted off to sleep. In Hongshan Village, winter usually stayed dark until the fifth watch. Shen Qing, precisely in tune with his biological clock, woke up punctually. Flipping over on the bed, he reached a nearby jar hole, pulled out the stuffed straw, and glanced outside. The snow in the mountains hadn''t stopped, but it had gotten much lighter. Seeing this, he estimated the snow might stop in a few days. Shen Qing crawled out of the warm bed, the sudden coldness waking him up considerably. Casual from the wall, he grabbed a piece of unfashioned clothing and put it on, then stepped outside and rubbed a handful of snow onto his face, washing it crudely. "Today, I can go to the forest behind the mountain. I shouldn''t return empty-handed." Silently calculating today''s work, Shen Qing''s train of thought was interrupted by Shen Fang''s call from behind: "Qingzi, come and have some porridge." "Coming." Thanks to the hunting crossbows that Uncle sent last night, there was some meat available for the morning. Early in the morning, Shen Fang had torn off a part of the hunting crossbow, then scraped out a bit of rice from the bottom of the rice jar, cooking a bowl of meat porridge. From afar, the aroma of meat within the plain water had floated over. Shen Qing took the bowl Shen Fang handed him, sipping and blowing alternately. The warm porridge slid down his throat into his stomach, making him feel like he was in a hot spring, his whole body comfortable. After gulping down two large bowls and chewing a few pieces of meat, Shen Qing put down the bowl and said, "Sis, you should have some too." Shen Fang, smiling, said, "I already had some before you got up." Knowing Shen Fang''s stubborn nature, Shen Qing didn''t call her bluff and, after finishing, smacked his lips, "I''m heading out now; we''ll have meat together tonight." Worried, Shen Fang cautioned, "Be safe in the mountains, even if you don''t catch anything. If it doesn''t work, I can find Chen Yuan." Shen Qing took down the bow and arrows from the wall, hanging them on himself: "Chen Yuan and the others aren''t good people. Sis, stay home, don''t go around. Wait for me to come back before deciding anything." S§×arch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "I know," Shen Fang nodded. "I''m heading out." "Wait a moment." Shen Fang tore a large piece of dried meat from the meat hanging on the wall and stuffed it onto Shen Qing, advising, "Go slowly on the road. Don''t be reckless if you encounter Black Bear, tigers, or other fierce beasts." Shen Qing stuffed the dried meat into his belongings, "Of course, I won''t take unnecessary risks. Just wait at home for me." With that, he turned and walked out the door. Shen Fang stood at the doorway, watching Shen Qing''s figure gradually vanish into the snow. It was a cold day, and since Shen Qing left relatively early, he hadn''t encountered a single villager on his way. Holding his hands in his sleeves, Shen Qing sighed in his heart, "In such cold weather, everyone with some skill is holed up at home, not lacking meat to eat." "Those slightly worse off, like my cousin''s family, have an uncle to lean on and might even have a chance to go to the county to learn Martial Arts." "Only those like me, alone and unprotected, would go up the mountain so early, relying on themselves for everything." "Without some skill, there''s only freezing to death." "What a miserable place!" Shen Qing glanced at the sky, tightened the hunting bow, and headed towards the back mountain along the path often taken by the hunters in the village. ¡­ According to memory, Shen Qing found the bark he had stripped a few days ago. Every time their hunters went into the mountains, they would cut a section of bark¡ªabout two feet long¡ªfrom a large tree outside the area they had marked, then roll it into a bundle and wedge it on a tree along the path into the forest. Hunters coming in later would see this bundle of bark and know this was someone''s territory, so they wouldn''t go deeper to avoid accidental injury. Shen Qing picked up the bark bundle from the ground, wedged it between a branch, and followed the path into the forest, walking for a while until he reached the outskirts of Shicheng Mountain. Here, trees and thorns covered the ground, overgrown with shrubs. Coupled with the snowy weather, movement was quite cumbersome. Shen Qing trudged through the thick snow, each step alternately deep and shallow in the forest. From past memory, this place had plenty of game. When his father was around, he often worked in this area, managing to catch some game. An hour later. Shen Qing sat in the snow, took out the meat strip Shen Fang tore from his pocket, and began to chew, recovering some energy. Suddenly, his chewing paused, and with caution, he lowered his bow, gently parting the shrubs ahead. A colorful pheasant flew down from the mountain top, landing under an old tree not far away. Hey, there''s something! Shen Qing slowly drew an arrow from the Arrow Quiver, nocking it on the bowstring. He held his breath, almost instinctively adjusting his breathing and posture. Before, he wouldn''t have dared to attempt such a distance, but now... He slowly drew the longbow. The bowstring tightened, the arrowhead aimed directly at the pheasant. Whoosh! The arrow flew like a shooting star, piercing through the stillness of the mountain forest. The pheasant seemed to sense something, but it was already too late. After Shen Qing''s Bow Technique breakthrough, the arrow he shot skillfully pierced right through its body. Chapter 4 - 4 Chen Yuan ``` "Hahaha, got it!" The pheasant''s wings kept flapping as it shook a few times and then collapsed onto the snow. Shen Qing was overjoyed. He sprinted over, grabbed the still-flapping pheasant, and examined it carefully. People in the county loved using these feathers to make decorative crafts, feather fans, and feather headdresses. This pheasant''s feathers were as gorgeous as brocade, with a lush and colorful tail that could fetch a good price. Moreover, pheasant meat, whether stir-fried, boiled, stewed, or roasted, tasted exquisite and was a rare delicacy, enough to fill his sister and him for a day. Finally, he had some success. Shen Qing pinched the pheasant''s neck, twisted with force, breaking its neck, and hung it by his waist. Then he looked up at the sky, finding a hint of brightness beneath the dark clouds, suggesting it was still midday. It was still early, and he could venture a little deeper. Now that his archery had advanced, the bow and arrow in his hand felt as easy to use as an extension of his arm, without the previous awkwardness. Just now, hitting the target from a hundred paces away with one shot was something he never dared to imagine before. Even if a snow wolf appeared before him, he felt he could hunt it down. At this thought, a rare smile appeared on Shen Qing''s face. He took the bow and trudged further into the snow. There were quite a few villages like Hongshan Village near Shicheng Mountain that lived by hunting, with ancestors who had long familiarized themselves with this mountain. This vast mountain stretched nearly a hundred miles, but in actuality, there were only a few dozen suitable hunting spots. Elsewhere was either too dangerous, with demons and wild beasts roaming, or too barren, with few prey. If an inexperienced hunter from elsewhere entered Shicheng Mountain, even after ten days, they would return empty-handed. Managing to hunt a pheasant in half a day''s time today involved not just his bow technique breakthrough but a bit of luck too. As expected, in the following half-day, he didn''t see a single prey. The game in this forest disappeared as if by agreement. Standing in the snow, Shen Qing considered, "Perhaps I''ve hunted too frequently in this spot over the past month; it''s time to find a new place." As he thought this, yesterday''s deer image flashed in his mind. "I''ll try over there tomorrow." Once he made up his mind, Shen Qing turned and left. As he left relatively early, the sky was still bright when he returned to the village. He came across a few fellow villagers from Hongshan Village. Seeing the pheasant hanging from Shen Qing''s waist, they showed surprise. "Qingzi, lucky day for you to return with something." "The pheasant looks good. Want to sell it to me? I''ll trade you five pounds of brown rice for it." "Old Tian, do you think I''m naive? Your five pounds of brown rice for my pheasant? Is your rice made of gold or silver?" Shen Qing laughed, "Rice is about twelve copper coins per pound on the market, so five pounds equals sixty wen. My pheasant would sell for at least 150 wen in the county, don''t try to take advantage." With that, he pushed past them. The poor wilderness often breeds treacherous people. Having lived here for over a month, Shen Qing knew these people would climb further if given the chance. If you conceded an inch, they''d take a mile. The people behind weren''t bothered by Shen Qing''s refusal and dispersed. Passing a few households, Shen Qing soon reached his door and found it open. Inside sat a burly man in a gray cotton suit, face full of flesh. Upon seeing Shen Qing return, a hint of joy flashed across Shen Fang''s face. The man on the chair turned his head towards Shen Qing, surprised, "Oh, Qingzi is back." The man stood up, taller than Shen Qing by a head. S§×ar?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. His strong physique suggested trouble. This was none other than Chen Yuan, the eldest son of the mountain drivers in Hongshan Village. It''s said that Chen Youguang, head of the mountain drivers, had some connections in the county town and obtained a martial arts manual called Nine Skills for his three sons to practice. Among the three brothers, the eldest had the most talent, grasping the basics, far beyond what someone surviving on bran cake could challenge. However, Shen Qing wasn''t someone to shy away from conflict. He quickly calmed down, wore a congenial expression, and said with a smile, "What brings Brother Yuan to this humble abode today?" "It''s cold, just dropping by," Chen Yuan glanced at Shen Qing and walked to the door. As he passed Shen Qing, he looked down, "You had good luck today, that pheasant is quite beautiful." Shen Qing picked up on Chen Yuan''s implication and responded quickly, "It''s a blessing from Heaven. Since you like it, how about I give it to you?" "Haha, I thought Shen the Eldest was so dull, but his son is quite clever," Chen Yuan patted Shen Qing''s shoulder, "I don''t need the pheasant, but once the heavy snow stops, I''ll come by to see your sister. It could be good for both of you." With that, Chen Yuan turned and left. Shen Qing watched Chen Yuan leave, looking displeased. Refusing a high-quality pheasant meant he wanted something more from them. The two siblings had nothing, just an impoverished home. Their only asset was their good looks. The seemingly rustic elder sister, Shen Fang, would transform into a beauty with a little grooming. As for himself, no one in the village could compare. However, beauty to a middle-class family was a gift from heaven, but a curse for those at the bottom. Since the heavy snow began, Chen Yuan eyed Shen Fang more diligently. He must have found some opportunities outside, aiming to take Shen Fang. Shen Qing reckoned that when they hit rock bottom, Chen Yuan intended to milk them dry. "Qingzi... glad you''re back... he kept persuading me, I really don''t know what to do..." Shen Fang, hiding aside, had a hesitant look. Seeing Shen Fang''s demeanor, Shen Qing knew she was indecisive, likely swayed by Chen Yuan''s words. "Don''t pay him too much attention. When our parents left, remember how his family took advantage." "I know," Shen Fang mumbled softly, "But what else can we do?" Her voice was faint, barely audible. Shen Qing looked outside. Snow fell gently. The silver-white world was enveloped in coldness. Cold gusts surrounded Shen Qing and his sister, chilling to the bone. "When I''m not home, Sis, stay at Auntie''s. It might be safer there with Uncle and Aunt around." Shen Qing entered the house, took the pheasant off his waist, and tossed it down, "Slaughter it then." ``` Chapter 5 - 5 Becoming Human The Chen Family''s residence was located at the center of Hongshan Village. Compared to the surrounding villagers'' simple mud and straw homes, the Chen Family''s blue brick structure stood out conspicuously, looking out of place. Chen Yuan, who had hurried back from Shen Qing''s house, pushed the door open and went inside. In the courtyard, the accumulated snow had already been cleared. Chen Tai, the second in the family, and Chen An, the third, were occupied lifting stone locks to train their strength. "Big brother," Chen Tai put down the stone lock and asked, "Did everything go smoothly? Did Shen Fang agree?" "Almost convinced her, but Shen Qing came back unexpectedly and disrupted the plan," Chen Yuan said regretfully as he walked back into the house. The youngest, Chen An, interjected, "If you ask me, why go through so much trouble? We could just tie her up and send her off." "Boss Song and Dong Family, opening a brothel, are in desperate need of women and are willing to pay high prices of thirty taels for beautiful women. Missing this opportunity is like missing the shop at the village." "Shen Fang is quite good-looking, she should be worth that price. Once we get the money, maybe all three of us brothers could enter the Martial Arts Hall, become martial masters, move to the county, and not have to stay cooped up in this mountain lair." Chen Yuan glanced at his younger brother and said, "Hongshan Village is about fifty or sixty li away from the county. Now with heavy snow and strong winds, the roads are difficult. Are you planning to carry her or do you want me to?" "When the snow stops, if the Shen siblings still don''t agree, we can act then. By that time, the traders from the city will be here, and hiring a mule cart or horse carriage to the city will be much easier." "Until then, I''ll try to persuade the siblings. If they act stupid, we would save a lot of trouble." "As long as you have a plan, big brother." Chen An suddenly remembered something and asked, "Big brother, do you still have that Nine Skills of Martial Arts that father gave you?" "It''s still with me. Why?" Chen An said, "I''ve had some insights these past couple of days and want to study it more. If you don''t need it, lend it to me for a couple of days." "Alright, I''ll find it for you later. Since you''ve both started training strength, your consumption of meat is high. If there''s nothing else, remember to go to the mountains tomorrow and bring back some game for a boost. In martial arts, training the body is key." "I understand, big brother. My second brother and I plan to go to the mountains tomorrow," Chen An assured him. Chen Yuan looked around and realized that only their brothers were home. Curious, he asked, "Where''s dad?" Chen Tai, who was lifting the stone lock again, replied, "He said in the morning he''s going on a long trip to meet a friend and probably won''t be back until tomorrow." "Oh." ... Shen Fang cleaned the pheasants thoroughly, plucking all the feathers one by one. She held a pot of meat, reluctant, "My appetite is small, I can''t finish it all. Why don''t we save half of it to dry and eat later?" "It''s just one chicken, how can just half fill the two of us?" Shen Qing, sitting at the stove lighting the fire, said, "We eat bran cake every day, making us constipated. We need something fatty to lubricate our intestines." As she spoke, Shen Fang''s face turned a bit awkward, as if remembering something unpleasant. "Don''t worry. I''ll go up the mountain again tomorrow; I won''t come back empty-handed." In the end, Shen Fang had to relent to Shen Qing. The whole pheasant was prepared by the siblings. A steaming bowl of chicken soup was gently placed on the table by Shen Fang. The golden chicken soup emitted a faint aroma of meat, with a few green onions floating on top. Although only a little salt was added, without any other seasonings, the natural freshness of the ingredients was enough to be unforgettable. The pheasant, cooked for a long time, was tender and juicy. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. With a light tear, the texture of the chicken was clear, and the aroma overflowed. It was much better than the bran cake they ate every day. Shen Qing picked up a bowl of chicken soup and drank it down, feeling a warmth throughout his body, like soaking in a hot spring, bringing a sense of comfort. "Finally, a chance to appease this stomach." In the cold winter, having meat and hot soup to eat. Since coming to this world for over a month, Shen Qing finally felt like a human. He put down the bowl, scooped himself more hot soup, and asked, "Sister, what did Chen Yuan say to you today?" Shen Fang took a sip of chicken soup, warming her hands with the bowl, and recalled, "The same as before, asking if I was willing to sell myself to a big household in the city as a maid." "And what do you think?" "I want to give it a try. If I go, I could earn some money, and you''d live a bit better, little brother." Shen Qing knew Shen Fang''s thoughts were common in Da''an County. Many poor families squeezed into the rich households in the city willing to become servants just to get a bite to eat. For people at their social level, serving wealthy families was a respectable path. If they happened to win the favor of their masters, they might receive rewards and rise in status. At least they wouldn''t starve to death. Shen Qing pondered for a moment and said, "Sister, would you listen to me?" "As the only man in the family, your sister will certainly listen." "In my opinion, even if it means becoming a concubine, you shouldn''t go." In the Great Zhou Country now, people were divided into strict hierarchies. Emperor, nobility, officials, doctors, martial, farmers, craftsmen, merchants, slaves. The so-called ''maid'' was essentially a bonded slave. They, the hunters who lived by the mountains, supported themselves through hunting, considered a bit superior to the itinerant tradesmen but lower than farmers who owned land. On paper, they belonged to the farmer class. As for slaves, they were the lowest class in the Zhou Country, only slightly above prostitutes with no registered status. Once someone became a slave, it meant becoming private property of the master, subject to abuse or killing at will. Their descendants would also be slaves for generations with no escape. Being a maid in a wealthy family might look glamorous but was, in fact, very precarious. An important point that Shen Qing didn''t mention to Shen Fang was that Chen Yuan feared she wouldn''t be sold merely as a maid. Moreover, selling his own sister for money. Shen Qing couldn''t bring himself to commit such a heartless act. Even if he had the money, he''d feel it was burning his hands. "Alright, I''ll listen to you, brother. If Chen Yuan comes again, I will refuse him." Perhaps sensing Shen Qing''s care, Shen Fang, although expressionless, felt genuinely pleased inside. "Hurry and drink the soup, or it''ll get cold." A pot of chicken soup was finished. Their once-starved bodies felt nourished, as if receiving precious rain, revitalized. Both appeared much rosier. After a bit of cleaning, Shen Qing, not delaying, grabbed his bow and arrows and headed into the bamboo forest behind the house, planning to practice his Bow Technique while there was still daylight. Time waited for no one, and he was unwilling to waste too much effort. Perhaps because of the chicken soup, Shen Qing didn''t feel as cold standing in the snow. While Shen Qing was drawing his bow, a shout erupted from the village. "Murder! The Chen Family brothers have killed someone!" The cries quickly spread throughout the village. Shen Qing saw many people emerging from their homes, heading towards the Chen Family''s direction. Chapter 6 - 6 The Worthlessness of Human Life The Chen Family killed someone?! Hearing this news, Shen Qing was startled and immediately stopped what he was doing and ran out from the bamboo grove. He caught Chen Dahe, who was just coming out of the house, and asked, "What''s happening outside?" Chen Dahe, staying at home, had just heard the news himself and, like Shen Qing, was at a complete loss. After a while, Shen Qing saw his cousins Shen Xiaohu and Shen Xiaoshan and quickly went over. "Xiaohu, Shanwa, what''s going on?" Seeing it was Shen Qing calling out, Shen Xiaoshan and Shen Xiaohu didn''t hide anything. Xiaohu panted and said, "Tian Chuan was beaten to death by the second and third of the Chen Family." "I heard that Tian Chuan got caught climbing the wall by the second and third Chen brothers, and they killed him on the spot. Now he''s lying in the snow, with his blood staining a large area red." "The Tian Family people have all gone over there, demanding an explanation." "Brother Qingzi, do you want to come with us?" Shen Xiaoshan and Shen Xiaohu explained the situation bit by bit, allowing Shen Qing to roughly understand what happened. The Tian Family was an outsider, and their status in Hongshan Village was very low, living a twisted life. Tian Chuan''s family was even more so. They had only him as the male member, his parents were both old and frail. The family barely managed to eat and clothe themselves. Unexpectedly, he was beaten to death by the Chen family members. "Wait for me," Shen Qing said, going back into the house to explain a couple of things to Shen Fang, and then closing the door and calling out, "Let''s go!" When Shen Qing and the others arrived, many villagers from Hongshan Village had already gathered around the scene, whispering among themselves. Tian Chuan''s corpse lay stiffly on the ground, with his blood dyeing the snow crimson, a shocking sight. S§×arch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The villagers'' faces were filled with astonishment and regret. Next to Tian Chuan''s body, Chen Tai and Chen An from the Chen Family stood with stern expressions, each holding a stick stained with fresh blood, still dripping. Chen An''s face was full of murderous intent, as if afraid others wouldn''t know it was he who did it. Just then, Tian Chuan''s parents stumbled through the crowd upon hearing the news. Seeing their son''s body, Mother Tian immediately collapsed to the ground, while Lord Tian''s eyes turned vacant, tears streaming down. Mother Tian wailed, "My son, how could you leave us like this?!" Lord Tian, trembling, pointed at the Chen Family Brothers, roaring, "You''ve committed murder!" The voice was shrill and despairing. For a moment, the murmurs of the Hongshan Village''s villagers echoed continuously. "Sigh, Tian Chuan was driven to desperation. This heavy snow sealed the mountains, and his home likely ran out of food." "But sneaking to steal from the Chen Family was still wrong." "Yet, no matter how wrong, it shouldn''t have led to his death, right?" someone said indignantly. After a while, the discussions among the villagers gradually clarified the situation. Tian Chuan, having run out of food at home and unable to bear the hunger, was forced to steal the Chen Family''s preserved meat. Unfortunately, he was caught by Chen Tai and Chen An, leading to a confrontation and a quarrel, during which Chen An, in anger, beat him to death in the snow. By now, other Tian Family members in Hongshan Village had already arrived upon hearing the news, confronting the Chen brothers, accusing them of cruelty. Everyone lived in the mountains, carrying some degree of bad temper. Had no one restrained them, the Tian Family members would have probably brandished their hunting knives as if they wanted to cut the Chen brothers alive. Chen Tai and Chen An stood indifferently on the side, appearing arrogant and scornful. "He was beaten to death. Just a thief," Chen San sneered, "I had no idea he was this fragile." The villagers looked at Tian Chuan''s corpse, then at the Chen brothers'' attitude, feeling an involuntary chill. "Give me back my son, give me back my son!!" Suddenly, Mother Tian, in a fit of rage, lunged at Chen An but was kicked over by Chen Tai, quick-eyed and deft. The scene descended instantly into chaos. Chen the Eldest, Chen Yuan, squeezed in from the crowd. He was tall and imposing, exuding an evil aura that overshadowed even the village''s old hunters, easily subduing them. Chen Yuan surveyed the surroundings and shouted in a deep voice, "Everyone listen here!" "Tian Chuan climbed the wall to steal meat from my house. Although my family has some resources, not just anyone can come and take from it. What''s more, Tian Chuan even had a dagger, intending to harm my two brothers." Chen An flipped Tian Chuan''s arm with the stick, revealing a dagger. Seeing this scene, the villagers instantly burst into an uproar. Amid the crowd, Shen Qing furrowed his brow at Chen Yuan''s words. He had some impression of Tian Chuan. He could believe Tian Chuan was starving and stole meat, but not that he would use a dagger against the Chen brothers. It was highly likely that Tian Chuan was driven to desperation and chose to act. But now, there was nothing left to say. Tian Chuan was already dead. Chen Yuan pointed this out now, clearly trying to make a spectacle of Tian Chuan''s death, with an added layer of establishing dominance. Chen Yuan looked around and stepped forward, continuing in a loud voice, "I have one flaw¡ªbeing overprotective. If anyone touches a hair on my two brothers, whether they''re given a beating or killed on the spot, it''s their just fate. Don''t blame me for not warning in advance." With that, the momentum of Chen Yuan''s entire being suddenly changed. An imposing aura spread out, like a fierce god. Seeing this, coupled with Tian Chuan''s body on the ground, the villagers of Hongshan Village all trembled, becoming like quails. No one dared to speak up for Tian Chuan, only silently empathizing in their hearts. In the crowd, Shen Qing watched Chen Yuan, pondering, "Chen Yuan had practiced martial arts and was quite adept, capable of taking on three people alone. If hundreds of people from the village attacked simultaneously, they might beat him." "Sadly, no one is willing to step forward, to be among those three facing one." It seemed as though Chen Yuan sensed Shen Qing''s thoughts, and he glanced more in Shen Qing''s direction. Shen Qing quickly lowered his head. Faced with the Chen Family''s dominance, the initially indignant Tian Family members lost their previous vigor. Chen An shouted, "On this snowy day, why are you all gathered at my house? Leave, now!" At his commanding shout, the crowd of village folk quickly dispersed. Tian Chuan''s elderly parents, their hair snow-white, dragged their son''s body through the snow with tear-filled eyes, leaving a long trail of blood as they went home. Soon, this bloodstain was covered by snow, becoming a blanket of white, as if nothing had happened. Back home, Shen Xiaohu and Shen Xiaoshan were both indignant. "The Chen brothers are so domineering, and the Tian Family too spineless. If it weren''t for the Chen Family''s collusion with the city bosses, suppressing the prices of hunted goods, Tian Chuan wouldn''t have had nothing to eat." "What good does protesting do? Tian Chuan had no siblings and his parents are both old, frail bones. Who would risk standing up for them? Even reaching out to the government requires connections." "Dead is dead." "People like us have lives worth the least in this world." Shen Qing remained silent, listening quietly without saying a word. Chapter 7 - 7: Back to the Mountain """ Most of the people in Hongshan Village were hunters, making a living by hunting. There were many venomous snakes and fierce beasts in the mountains, and almost every year someone in the village died due to hunting. Deaths were all too common in Hongshan Village. By the next day, the news of Tian Chuan being beaten to death had already been forgotten in Hongshan Village. Everything returned to silence. It was as if this person had never existed in the village at all. Shen Qing woke up early in the morning with dark circles under his eyes. He leisurely walked outside, stretched out his hand to catch the falling snowflakes, and then grabbed a handful of snow tightly pressing it onto his face. The icy, piercing cold was like countless needlepoints stabbing into his skin, making him shiver instantly. This chill seemed to penetrate his bone marrow, yet it also cleared his mind from confusion, bringing an inexplicable refreshment, and he felt unprecedentedly awake. "Brother, the hot porridge is ready. Come and have a sip." "I''m coming," Shen Qing exhaled softly. Shen Qing took the steaming meat porridge from Shen Fang''s hands, blew on it lightly, and carefully sipped it. The warm porridge, with bits of meat, slid down his throat, bringing waves of warmth. This warmth spread from his mouth to his whole body, as if dispelling the winter chill shrouded around him. With the nourishing chicken soup he drank yesterday, his stomach and intestines were nourished, and Shen Qing felt much more energized. "Brother, why do I feel like you''ve grown taller?" When Shen Qing stood up, Shen Fang had an impression, perhaps an illusion, that he seemed a bit more robust. "Maybe it''s because I always liked to hunch before." Shen Qing withdrew the ink-like characters from his sight, placed the bowl aside, and picked up the bow and arrow quiver, hanging them on his shoulder. "I''m heading to the mountains and probably won''t be back by noon. Go spend some time at Aunt''s place. Remember to take the bran cake when you go, so it won''t be difficult for Aunt and them." Shen Qing tidied up while instructing Shen Fang. "I know," Shen Fang lowered her head in a daze, turned to tidy up the bowls and chopsticks, and said no more. At that moment, she suddenly felt Shen Qing was the elder brother, and she was the younger sister. Clearly, she was two years older than him. Shen Qing paid little attention to Shen Fang''s feelings. Braving the wind and snow, he pushed the door open and left. Moments later, he arrived at the spot where he had skinned bark yesterday, surveying the surroundings. "The place we went yesterday has too much human activity; going back today probably won''t yield any gains. I''ll go to the forest where the deer appeared before, as considered yesterday." Generally speaking, deer don''t stay in the same place for long. Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Their instinct for wild living drives them to continually migrate and seek new food sources to avoid resource depletion and predator threats. Going again today, it was likely he wouldn''t encounter the deer seen that day. However, the presence of deer in that forest proved there were lichens, mosses, and unfrozen water sources, which would surely attract other animals. Shen Qing identified the direction, re-skinned the bark, made a mark, and walked straight into the deep mountains. In the snow behind him, a string of deep footprints slowly disappeared in the wind and snow. The Chen Family Mansion. Chen Tai and Chen An dressed in fur, walking out from the family gate with longbows and daggers on their backs, with cold air hitting their faces. Although the heavy snow outside had lessened significantly, it hadn''t stopped, still trickling down. Looking around, Shicheng Mountain was covered in a snow-white blanket. Chen An tightened his coat and complained to Chen Tai beside him: "This snow lasts so long, yet we still have to go to the mountains. Isn''t it better for us to stay at home and train the body?" Chen Tai smiled and said, "Winter prey is plump. Big brother has good intentions. Let''s not say too much. The sooner we go, the sooner we return." Despite his complaints, Chen An''s feet still moved, closely following his second brother''s steps. The two walked side by side, passed through the silent village, and headed towards the back mountain. Before long, Chen An and Chen Tai trod through the thick snow to the edge of the forest where Shen Qing had skinned bark. Chen Tai paused, glanced at the bark Shen Qing had skinned, and said, "Someone''s already here; let''s pick another place." "There''s someone, just as well. It indicates something in there; it saves us the aimless wandering." Regardless of who skinned the bark, Chen An strode directly towards the hunting ground inside. "Isn''t us going in like this not quite right?" Chen Tai hesitated, with worry evident between his brows. Chen An turned his head and said, "Brother, hunting rules are fixed, but people are flexible. Look at the footprints in the snow, at most only one person, what''s there to be afraid of? He hunts his, we hunt ours. This mountain isn''t his alone." Saying that he reached out and firmly grasped Chen Tai''s wrist: "We''re just going in to hunt a little, brother, no need to be so pedantic. No one can do anything to us." Chen Tai glanced at the silent, deserted forest, felt convinced by Chen An''s reasoning, and eventually nodded: "Alright, but we need to be cautious." Upon hearing this, Chen An revealed a proud smile. He pulled Chen Tai, with one behind the other, closely following Shen Qing into that woodland. ¡­ Thud! An arrow shot from afar, pinning the wild rabbit firmly to the ground. Blood seeped slowly from the wound pierced by the arrow, staining the surrounding snow. The wild rabbit''s eyes were filled with terror as it twisted in pain, trying to break free. Each struggle came with intense pain, yet its instinct for survival drove it to continue struggling. Hidden not far away, Shen Qing swiftly approached, grabbed the rabbit''s long ears, and lifted it along with the arrow. With eyes full of joy, he quickly and skillfully drew the dagger from his waist and sliced the rabbit''s carotid artery. Blood sprayed out, staining his sleeves red. The rabbit twitched a few times before going completely still. Shen Qing picked up the dead rabbit and skillfully tied it with a rope, then hung it at his waist. He gently patted the game dangling from his waist, a sense of satisfaction shining in his eyes. "This is the third one; indeed, today wasn''t wasted. It''s just a pity we didn''t encounter bigger game." Shen Qing wiped the dagger on his elbow joint, drying the bloodstains off, and put it back at his waist. Then he squatted down slowly, his gaze fixed on a series of footprints in the snow. These footprints were clear and deep, evidently left not long ago. He reached out, his fingertips gently touching the edge of one of the footprints, feeling the exquisite contours. He could be certain it was the footprint of a deer-like creature. A gleam of light flashed in Shen Qing''s eyes, delight rising secretly in his heart. Unexpectedly, speaking of Cao Cao, and Cao Cao appeared¡ªnot expecting to actually encounter larger game. Following this trail of footprints might lead him to the prey, and this time he was determined not to let it escape. Suddenly, something touched Shen Qing''s mind. His awareness shifted, and a splash of ink unfolded in his vision, with a familiar interface appearing before him, his expression turning into joy. """ Chapter 8 - 8 Small Success in Hunting Skills The ink-like scene opened up in front of his eyes. Under Shen Qing''s watchful gaze, it turned into lines of text. [Skill: Bow Technique (skillfully)] [Progress: 11/200 points] [Status: Cannot be improved] [Note: As the saying goes, heaven rewards persistent effort! Continued practice can break through skill progress.] ... [Skill: Hunting (skillfully)] [Progress: 103/100 points] [Status: Can be improved] [Note: The art of hunting is vast and profound, including skills like tracking, concealment, traps, bait, slaughtering, etc. Continued practice can lead to breakthroughs.] Recently, with Shen Qing frequently hunting, his hunting skills had grown significantly, and unknowingly, he had met the conditions for a breakthrough. Without any hesitation, Shen Qing exclaimed, "Breakthrough!" A familiar sensation suddenly overwhelmed him. S§×ar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Countless hunting techniques surged into his mind relentlessly, rushing in like a tide. His head felt as if it had been hit with a heavy club, swelling faintly. Pit, lasso trap, capture net, Quench Poison, tracking, concealment... Some key points in hunting flashed rapidly through his mind. The complex information left him somewhat dizzy, and it took several deep breaths for him to recover. Once he steadied himself, Shen Qing instinctively glanced at the ink-like text in his vision. [Skill: Hunting (Small Success)] [Progress: 3/200 points] [Status: Cannot be improved] [Note: Continued practice can lead to comprehensive breakthroughs. There is a chance for some skills in hunting to transform.] Shen Qing looked at that note, feeling surprised. It was important to know that the experiences now stored in his mind were things that, without a seasoned teacher passing them on, ordinary people would find difficult to know. With such abilities, he could explore further into the mountains. He hadn''t expected that his hunting skills could still transform. At this rate, even if Providence didn''t favor him, he could probably scour the mountains clean. Shen Qing''s spirits lifted. He glanced down at the footprints beneath him, feeling much more at ease. Shen Qing pondered for a while, and several tracking methods emerged in his mind. He wasted no time, confidently following the footprints. Whether it was due to the breakthrough or not, at the moment he set off, Shen Qing noticed several subtle changes in his body. He clearly moved quickly through the snow, yet there was not a sound, and his figure was incredibly nimble. He also heard the surrounding sounds clearly, his ears and eyes becoming sharp. The hunting skills after reaching Small Success indeed had some merit. Hard work never disappoints the dedicated. After a round of tracking and concealment, Shen Qing spotted a shadow in the forest from afar. It was a strong roe deer, its brown fur gleaming with a charming luster. Shen Qing was overjoyed. Wild roe deer, animals living on small hilly sparse woodlands, were not only delicious but also rich in nutrients, fetching a good price in the county town. Its fur was also a raw material for high-end leather goods. A wild roe deer without injuries could sell for 1,200 wen. Even with injuries, considering diminished fur value, it could still sell for over 800 coins. For them, hunters earning a living in the mountains, it was undoubtedly a windfall. Shen Qing did not dare to be careless. He knew that animals living in the wild were extremely alert, and any slip-up could startle the roe deer, causing it to escape. Shen Qing calmed his mind, held his breath, and quietly approached. The male roe deer was focused on feeding, unaware of the imminent danger. Without alarming the wild roe deer, Shen Qing shortened the distance between them to within a hundred paces, entering the effective killing range of his bow and arrow. Shen Qing sniffed the air, checked the wind direction with his hand, then slowly took out the bow and arrow from his back, gently nocked a feathered arrow, and drew the bowstring discreetly. His gaze, breath, and heartbeat were all in harmony, waiting for the right moment. Then, he suddenly released his hand. Whoosh! The bowstring vibrated. The arrow, like a meteor, sliced through the air, heading straight for the roe deer. After releasing one arrow, Shen Qing did not hesitate. He quickly swiped his arrow quiver, hooked an arrow with his little finger, nocked it, and released another shot. Having fired two arrows consecutively, Shen Qing immediately ran. While running, he continued to nock and string arrows. The roe deer seemed to sense something, but it was too late for it to react. The arrow sped like lightning, reaching its target in a blink. Under Shen Qing''s gaze, it precisely pierced through the roe deer''s body. The strong momentum caused its body to tremble and fall to the ground. Its survival instinct drove it to get up at all costs. But it hadn''t yet had the chance to rise. Whoosh, whoosh. The ensuing arrows followed closely, piercing through its chest and thigh. Bright red, warm blood splattered the ground. The newly risen wild roe deer was pinned to the ground by the arrows once more. It struggled with its limbs, trying to get up, but was already at the end of its strength. A hundred paces, a sprint at full strength was but a matter of seconds. Shen Qing had already caught up, excitedly pulling out a dagger from his waist, firmly pressing down the roe deer''s neck, skillfully driving the blade in, beginning to slaughter. "Slash!" The roe deer''s tough skin was split open, revealing dark red flesh and creating a hole. The pungent, hot blood spurted from the opening, drenching Shen Qing. Seeing this, Shen Qing hurriedly grabbed the arrow quiver, dumped the arrows, and collected the roe deer blood. Roe deer blood could be consumed or sold to city pharmacies for some money. For a bottom-tier hunter like him, nothing could be wasted. Realizing its certain death, the roe deer struggled more fiercely. But with victory at hand, how could Shen Qing allow it to succeed? Using his full body weight, Shen Qing pinned this inexperienced roe deer down until it stopped moving altogether. Moments later, Shen Qing released his sore arms, a joyful expression unconsciously appearing on his face. Catchings like this were rare, even for experienced hunters in the village. Today, he hadn''t expected his luck to be so good, to catch one. Although the fur was damaged, reducing the price, he was content with such a gain. Shen Qing estimated that if this success continued, it wouldn''t be long before his life visibly improved. Once he saved enough money, he could move with his elder sister to the county town. Away from the trouble zones of these rural areas. As Shen Qing dealt with the roe deer, overjoyed, two figures appeared in the nearby forest. "Brother, look, it''s Shen Qing." Chen An''s sharp eyes immediately recognized him. They had been searching the area following footprints, not expecting it was Shen Qing. Chen Tai exclaimed, "A roe deer, this kid really hit the jackpot." At this moment, Chen An, looking at Shen Qing in front, fell silent. After a while, he suddenly said coldly, "Second brother, I heard his sister is indecisive, big brother hasn''t convinced her because of this kid''s interference. If he happened to die in the mountains, do you think his sister would agree to big brother''s proposal?" Chapter 9 - 9: A Good Day to Kill in the Blizzard Snowflakes drifted down, and the cold wind cut sharply. In the silver-clad forest, a sudden air of killing intent emerged. "We''ll have to make a move on those siblings sooner or later; taking action sooner is better than later. After all, in these woods, it''s common for wolves, insects, and leopards to cause a death. A snowstorm is the perfect cover for murder." The snowflakes landed on Chen An''s expressionless face, and his icy stare was intimidating. After hearing Chen An''s words, Chen Tai remained calm but started weighing the pros and cons in his mind. As the elder brother said, if the eldest sister of the Shen Family knew what was best, selling herself into lowly status would indeed be more stable. Their Chen Family dominated Hongshan Village, and killing someone was nothing to them, but the Taiping County''s government office still possessed some authority. Forcing someone into prostitution was no small matter. It was best to avoid it if possible. After careful consideration, Chen Tai''s expression turned ruthless, and he nodded heavily, saying, "Third Brother has a point, a snowstorm is perfect for killing!" Seeing Chen Tai agree, Chen An''s face relaxed, revealing a hint of a smile, and he said, "Then you, Second Brother, go that way, while I''ll go this way to surround him, don''t let him escape." "All right." The two brothers immediately split up. In their eyes, Shen Qing in the snow forest had already become their prey. Shen Qing, who was binding a wild roe deer, frowned slightly and looked toward the forest not far away. Seeing nothing, he withdrew his gaze and continued securing the wild roe deer on his shoulder. At that moment, he removed all the arrows from the wild roe deer. Since the arrow quiver was used to carry roe deer blood, the arrows had been taken out and were now tucked into his belt, while he held the bow in his hand. After roughly confirming the direction, Shen Qing began to head back along the path he had come from. As the Chen brothers crawled in the snow, they exchanged a look. He was indeed very sharp. They had almost been discovered just now. Chen An made a hand gesture, and he and Chen Tai silently advanced in different directions. They watched as Shen Qing carried the wild roe deer, with one foot sinking deep and the other shallow in the snow. Behind them, the dirty blood from the wild roe deer dripped, forming a crooked red line in the snowy forest, starkly visible. Moments later, Chen Tai, who was following behind, found the direction Shen Qing was going in slightly surprising. It seemed that wasn''t the way back to the village. At that moment, the mountain path was covered with snow, making it impossible to discern the original route. It seemed Shen Qing had lost his way. It suited their intentions perfectly. Chen Tai held his breath, cautiously pursuing with his hunting bow. Gradually, the forest ahead became denser. Thick snow clung to the branches. A gust of cold wind arose, swirling tiny snowflakes around, causing their vision to blur. After the wind passed, Chen Tai was surprised to find that Shen Qing had vanished from his sight. Chen Tai narrowed his eyes, staring at the red line of roe deer blood on the ground extending into the depths of the forest, and he signaled to Chen An from a distance to flank from the sides. Seeing Chen Tai''s signal, Chen An knew it was time to act and couldn''t help but lick his lips. "Once we sell the eldest sister of the Shen Family and gain some money, my chances of joining the Martial Arts Hall will greatly increase. By then, I might even have the chance to join the ranks of the county city''s elites." In the midst of his excitement, he suddenly realized that the bright red trail of blood had disappeared in the mountain forest. And Shen Qing was nowhere to be seen either. "What''s going on?" Chen An couldn''t contain himself and rushed forward, searching everywhere. Hot on his heels, Chen Tai also darted out. "Where is he?" They both spoke in unison. Chen Tai was the first to regain his composure and dashed along the previous blood trail, only to find the wild roe deer hung high in a tree. And the blood trail stopped there. Chen An exclaimed in frustration, "Damn it, that kid is really cunning, he actually managed to escape." No sooner had he spoken than he saw Shen Qing, holding a bow and arrow, pointed at them from behind a large tree several dozen steps away. The Chen brothers were caught off guard, a hint of panic showing on their faces. Shen Qing immediately understood that they harbored malicious intentions. Instinctively, Chen An shouted, "Take action!" Whoosh! Shen Qing tightened his expression, swiftly letting go before them. The deer tendon bowstring vibrated gently, accompanied by a low and resonant hum as the arrow dashed out with astonishing speed. The arrow whistled through the air, leaving a silver streak. Thud. The arrow struck Chen An squarely in the chest. At a mere dozen steps'' distance, the combined power of the Elm Wood Bow and the deer tendon string was enough to pierce through Chen An''s chest. Chen An looked down, eyes fixed on the arrow shot by Shen Qing. The pain, along with the cold arrow shaft, made him feel dizzy. His eyes widened in disbelief, his face filled with shock and confusion. Chen An hadn''t expected Shen Qing to be so decisive and faster than he was. "Third Brother!" Chen Tai saw this and was horrified. Chen An broke the arrow in his chest and yelled furiously, "Second Brother, kill him!" Though the arrow had pierced the center of his chest, it wasn''t where his heart was, so it wasn''t immediately fatal. Struggling to breathe, Chen An was still conscious; he knew there was still a glimmer of hope for him. But just as he finished speaking, Shen Qing had already swiftly shot another arrow. Shen Qing''s hand moved so quickly that a black arrow silhouette shot toward Chen Tai. In a life-and-death moment, Chen Tai, to everyone''s surprise, disregarded brotherhood and used Chen An as a human shield. "Thud." Chen An''s body paused, looking down to see blood oozing from his chest, the arrow shaft quivering. He covered the wound, but crimson blood continued to seep through his fingers, staining his hands red. In an instant, his face turned pale, his breathing became rapid, and his eyes flickered with a mix of shock and pain as he fell headfirst onto the snow. Chen Tai hadn''t expected Shen Qing''s Bow Technique to be so precise, another arrow directly hitting the heart. If not for his quick reaction, he would''ve been the one lying there. sea??h th§× n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Damn it!" Realizing something was off with Shen Qing, Chen Tai didn''t hesitate and hid behind a tree for cover, drawing his bow to retaliate. But in his haste, the arrows he shot lacked accuracy, hitting a tree beside Shen Qing. The snow on the tree rustled and fell. Seeing his chance disappear, Shen Qing didn''t linger; he moved laterally, not intending to let Chen Tai off the hook. The cold wind howled. Snowflakes swirled in the forest. Shen Qing, gripping his longbow tightly, moved through the forest like a swift snow leopard, his movements elusive. Chen Tai shot two consecutive arrows, both missing their mark. In contrast, the arrows Shen Qing returned were remarkably accurate. Each time an arrow from Shen Qing flew past him, Chen Tai felt a chill of fear. Chen Tai found it hard to believe that someone almost unknown in the village, barely able to scrape by, possessed such Bow Technique and hunting skills. Such experience was unexpected. In this snow forest, he suddenly felt like he was the prey. Being suppressed by such a small figure, Chen Tai felt deeply humiliated at that moment. In the forest, Shen Qing''s sharp gaze noticed the change in Chen Tai''s expression, knowing he was reaching his limit. He once again drew his longbow fully, aiming at the figure. Suddenly, a cold arrow shot from Chen Tai''s direction, Shen Qing nimbly rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding it. He quickly stood up, his eyes even colder, and without hesitation, released another arrow, then reached for his waist. Shen Qing''s expression froze. His hand came up empty; all the arrows he had brought had been spent! Chapter 10 - 10: Shooting a Leaf at One Hundred Paces Shen Qing looked down at his waist, now empty of any arrows, and his heart sank as his face suddenly changed color. He had just killed Chen An, and now he was in a blood feud with Chen Tai. The two of them were now at the point of no return. Without arrows, he lost his most advantageous weapon against Chen Tai. Whoosh! An arrow shot by from the opposite direction, interrupting his thoughts. Shen Qing cursed inwardly, quickly dodging to one side. After a while, seeing that Shen Qing hadn''t fired a single arrow, Chen Tai, hiding in the forest, immediately realized Shen Qing''s predicament and knew that Shen Qing was out of arrows. The best time for a counterattack had come. A flash of cunning and ferocity appeared in his eyes, "Shen Qing, you''re doomed." Chen Tai emerged from behind a tree, grabbed Chen An''s arrow quiver in his hand, then tightly gripped the bow and quickly nocked an arrow, aiming at Shen Qing. The vibration of the arrow made him feel unprecedented excitement. With a whoosh, The arrow shot forward, heading straight for Shen Qing. Shen Qing hurriedly hid behind a tree. Thunk! A dull sound as the arrowhead embedded into the old tree, stirring a flurry of snowflakes. Shen Qing took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down, quickly thinking of countermeasures, trying to find a sliver of hope. He knew that any panic at this moment could throw him into an irreversible situation. Shen Qing peeked out, glancing around, finding Chen Tai moving around to his side, locking his position. If Chen Tai got to his side, or if Shen Qing stepped out to the side out of fear, he would expose himself to Chen Tai''s view. This was a typical hunting tactic they used as hunters. To stay in place meant only death awaited. Gritting his teeth, Shen Qing dashed out from the old tree, running madly in a random direction. Thanks to the breakthrough in hunting skills, he could now understand Chen Tai''s tactics, preventing him from falling completely into a passive position. The two figures chased each other in the mountain forest. In the vast snow-covered mountains, occasionally winter birds took flight, making the snow-covered forest appear more bustling. Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh! Chen Tai kept shooting arrows. Thud! An arrow brushed past Shen Qing, ripping his arrow quiver. The roe deer blood stored inside burst out, splattering everywhere. Seeing this, Chen Tai thought Shen Qing was injured and couldn''t help but grin, quickening his pace. Unknowingly, Shen Qing was driven to the familiar sunny slope. Here, trees were sparse, leaving few places for cover. Shen Qing intended to change direction, to run to another dense forest. But what he thought of, Chen Tai naturally thought of too. Now that he had forced Shen Qing to this point, Chen Tai would not let him escape, shooting several arrows in succession, blocking Shen Qing''s retreat, driving him toward the sunny slope. Shen Qing''s expression was not good. With no other option, he jumped down the sunny slope. Standing outside the forest, Chen Tai stopped, sneering, pointing his arrow at Shen Qing from afar. With fewer trees to block, the view was excellent. Chen Tai narrowed his eyes, holding the bow tightly, steadily and powerfully drawing the bowstring, placing the arrow on the string. Suddenly, his fingers loosened, the bowstring rebounding with a "zang" sound. The arrow shot like a meteor, tearing through the air, straight at Shen Qing, its speed astonishing. At that moment, Shen Qing felt a sudden chill at the back of his head. As an old hunter, his instincts kicked in, making him react almost subconsciously, diving to the side and rolling over. Barely avoiding Chen Tai''s deadly shot. Chen Tai showed a look of surprise, spat in the snow, secretly cursing Shen Qing''s good luck. Seeing Shen Qing fall to the ground, he calmly pulled out another arrow, nocking it on the bowstring. Among the three brothers, his Bow Technique was the best. While Shen Qing was running, with tricky angles, his skill was hard to apply. Now, with no tree cover, he stood on high ground, with a clear view, facing a fallen target; he couldn''t possibly miss again. This arrow would take his life, avenging his third brother! S~ea??h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Lying on the snowy ground, Shen Qing''s face went pale. He knew he was in a dire situation. What to do? Beans of sweat appeared on his forehead, his back chilled. Just then, his hand felt something hard in the snow. Shen Qing swiftly pulled it out and found it was the very arrow Chen Tai had just shot! Joy surged in his heart immediately. Without hesitation, he turned over, drawing his longbow fully. Once he clearly saw Chen Tai standing still, he did not hesitate, releasing his fingers, focusing all his strength and hope into this one arrow. The arrow shot out like a bullet, accompanied by a whistling sound, aiming straight at Chen Tai. The distance of a hundred steps vanished instantly, the arrow reaching Chen Tai first, precisely piercing through his throat. Blood spurted, Chen Tai staggered, falling heavily to the ground. Chen Tai incredulously touched his neck. His fingers felt something wet and slippery, blood gushing out from his neck. Chen Tai''s eyes widened as he looked at the blood-covered hand, realizing his life was rapidly slipping away, terror and despair intertwining on his face, his eyes filled with disbelief, "How could it be..." Watching Chen Tai fall, Shen Qing relaxed, letting out a sigh, his body feeling drained of all strength. Wasting no time, Shen Qing sat up quickly in the snow, walking over to Chen Tai. At this moment, Chen Tai was already a corpse, his eyes wide open, an arrow piercing his neck, emerging from the other side. The arrow retained blood grooves, crimson blood flowing from the grooves, pooling on the pristine white snow. The warm blood melted the snow around, forming a winding river extending seven steps away. The vibrant red and pure white formed a stark contrast. Shen Qing raised his hands, looking at them. "So... this is what killing feels like..." In the beginning, the situation was urgent, leaving no room for thought. Now, having killed two people, he realized this was his first time killing. For some reason, Shen Qing felt little discomfort. In his view, the world was like this. The tragic sight of Tian Chuan yesterday was still vivid in his mind. If he hadn''t been tough and lucky, he would be the one lying here now. "I don''t want to die; if someone wants to kill me, I have to kill them first!" "Hunting can be for beasts or for people." Shen Qing''s gaze suddenly became determined, free of any psychological burden, adapted to the current situation. Shen Qing looked down at Chen Tai''s body, a hint of a smile in his eyes. Now, after killing the two, the most important thing was to search the bodies! The Chen Family had many good things; they must not be wasted. With this in mind, Shen Qing squatted down, moving swiftly. To save trouble, he took a dagger from his waist, cutting open Chen Tai''s clothing belt. He found a money pouch and some hunting tools. Then, he stripped Chen Tai clean, even packing up his clothes and bow and arrows to take away. After cleaning up, leaving Chen Tai''s naked body, Shen Qing couldn''t help but smile slightly, turning to leave quickly. On another part of the mountain forest lay Chen An''s body, which probably also had many valuable items that Shen Qing could not miss. Chapter 11 - 11: Returning Full, The Opportunity of Martial Arts The forest was blanketed in white snow. Shen Qing treaded through the deep layers of snow, following the traces from his recent chase, and walked to the vicinity of Chen An''s body. From afar, he saw Chen An''s body lying still on the silvery white snow. In just a short while, the body had already been covered by a thin layer of white snow, as though it had become one with the icy world. The thick animal hide draped over him was originally meant to ward off the cold, but now it was mottled with dried blood, seeping into the snow beneath. Shen Qing walked over, crouched down, and found that the blood stains on the chest were no longer bright liquid but had turned dull and congealed, closely adhering the originally rough hide to Chen An''s body. The cold wind blew, bringing tiny particles of snow that covered large patches of red. Shen Qing, disregarding the bloodstains, pulled out an intact arrow from his chest and placed it into his empty quiver. Then he used a dagger to cut open his clothes and carefully searched. From Chen An''s body, he found a money pouch, some beast medicine powder, a short knife similar to a dagger, and other common hunter''s items. "Huh?" Suddenly, Shen Qing felt a hard object on Chen An''s body. It was something wrapped in cloth, square in shape, with many fresh, red blood stains on it. Shen Qing brought it to the front for a closer look. It seemed like a book. Without hesitation, he unfolded the cloth and, indeed, it was a small blue booklet. Three large characters were written on the cover. Shen Qing didn''t recognize many characters of this world, but he recognized the words "Nine" and "Skills." His complexion involuntarily changed, and his heart raced twice. Recently, the people in the village knew that Chen Youguang, the mountain driver of the village, had obtained a martial arts manual in the county for his son to train. If he remembered correctly, that martial art was called "Nine Skills," a martial art used as a foundation for martial masters to temper their qi-blood. Martial masters held a status above that of workers and farmers in Great Zhou. Earlier, when Shen Qing went to the county, he specifically inquired about this kind of news. Today, throughout the world, the Great Zhou Court confiscated spiritual weapons and martial mechanisms, making it no simple task to learn martial arts. They, these country folk, were no match for those noble sons born with golden keys. If they wanted to learn martial arts, they either had to enter the court and become officials, where there were many martial skills available for selection, with special personnel to guide them, or they had to join a martial arts hall to learn some folk martial arts. But either way was very difficult. The former required a local reputation for recommendation, while the latter required a substantial amount of money. The saying "Poor in literature but rich in martial" wasn''t just empty words. Shen Qing estimated that, speaking purely of money, this kind of martial art might cost ten taels silver to buy. Even then, it would depend on relationships. The market was flooded with counterfeit martial arts, a mix of good and bad. A single careless mistake could lead to falling into a trap. If one was lucky, they might just lose some money. If unlucky, they might train themselves to death through qi deviation, with heart veins breaking, and it wasn''t a joke. The Chen Family Brothers had already practiced this "Nine Skills" for a while, and Chen Yuan had already achieved some proficiency. It was undoubtedly a genuine martial art. In this backwater area, such a martial art was unquestionably valuable. Shen Qing gently exhaled a breath to calm his emotions, then carefully tucked the blue booklet recording the "Nine Skills" close to his body. Gathering all the items he had scavenged from the brothers, Shen Qing laid them out before him and began to check them. Two worn-out animal hide jackets and two bows. Shen Qing recognized that these two animal hide jackets were made of wolf skin, and the bows were excellent elm wood bows. Combined, they could fetch quite a bit of silver, but Shen Qing knew he couldn''t take these items with him. In the entire village, only Chen Yuan''s family had the financial ability to use such things. If he took them back, suddenly getting rich would be like a child flaunting gold in Hongshan Village, surely bringing trouble upon himself. What remained were seventy-five wen large coins, a bag of poison powder, scattered hunting gear, and twenty-eight feathered arrows. Almost every household in the village had such items, so taking them wasn''t a big issue. After some consideration, Shen Qing found a hidden place in the forest to stash the animal hide jackets and two good bows, making a mark only he could understand, planning to retrieve them when the opportunity arose. Having done these, Shen Qing retrieved the wild roe deer he had hunted, slung it over his shoulder, and walked briskly down the mountain. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Snowflakes mixed with sporadic snow crystals drifted leisurely from the sky. The mountain forest was draped in silver, with branches glistening with snow beads. After Shen Qing left, the bustling forest returned to its quiet. A snow wolf, having caught the scent of blood, found its way near Chen Tai''s body, surveyed the surroundings cautiously, then approached carefully. After confirming no danger, it opened its blood-filled maw and began to tear at Chen Tai''s corpse. Following after it, seven or eight more snow wolves gathered. In a few moments, they cleaned up Chen Tai''s body. A snow wolf, the last to arrive and of low status within the pack, stuck out its tongue, licked its lips, puffed out warm breath, and sniffed towards another direction... With his spoils in tow, Shen Qing was in high spirits, walking briskly through the forest. When he got to the village entrance, he decided to take a side path for safety, avoiding the main road, and went through a bamboo grove behind his house to avoid the villagers. Just as Shen Qing quickly reached near his home, he happened to encounter Chen Dahe returning from outside. Chen Dahe immediately noticed the wild roe deer on Shen Qing''s shoulder and the arrows at his waist, a hint of surprise flashing across his face. "Shen Qing, where have you been hunting?" Chen Dahe asked curiously. His voice was somewhat resonant, at odds with his hunched appearance. Shen Qing paused, a smile suddenly appearing on his usually expressionless face, pointed to the forest behind him, and said in a casual tone, "Just in that forest. Today was lucky, got this wild roe deer." Chen Dahe stepped forward, took a close look at the prey Shen Qing was carrying, and couldn''t help but praise, "You''ve got real skills, this roe deer looks quite fat." "I put a lot of effort into getting this roe deer. Do you want to buy some to have a feast?" Shen Qing asked with a smile. "Besides this wild roe deer, I also got three hunting crossbows. If you''re interested, they''re twenty wen each." Chen Dahe waved his hand, saying, "No, no. If I want to eat meat, I''ll just go hunting. Why waste the money?" "Hahaha... Alright then, I guess my sister and I won''t finish it anytime soon. If you change your mind, just let me know. I can sell it to you anytime. But once the snow stops, I''ll be taking it to the county, won''t sell it to you then." Chen Dahe touched his deflated money pouch, nodded sheepishly, and with a bit of envy, casually agreed before heading back inside his home. Seeing Chen Dahe return indoors, Shen Qing''s face quickly turned cold, and he kicked open the door, swiftly slipping inside. He finally felt at ease once back home, after putting down the quiver and other items, confirming there was no one outside, and closing the door. Chapter 12 - 12 Learning the Nine Skills, Refining Qi-Blood Fortunately, Chen Dahe did not notice anything unusual. Seeing that there was no sign of Shen Fang inside the house, Shen Qing guessed she must have gone to their aunt''s house. After thinking for a moment, Shen Qing took two hunting crossbows, pulled out a feathered arrow, and walked out. Considering that there was already meat at home, he carefully locked the door before leaving. Shen Qing walked through the snow to his uncle''s house, knocked on the door, and called out, "Uncle, Aunt, are you home?" Moments later, there came the sound of rustling from the door. Creak. The old wooden door opened. Shen Xiaohu, seeing it was Shen Qing, turned around and called into the house, "It''s Brother Qingzi." Hearing that it was Shen Qing visiting, their aunt looked displeased, sitting on a chair doing needlework without even raising her head. "Little brother," Shen Fang, who was helping their aunt with work, sighed with relief when she saw Shen Qing return safe and sound. Shen Qing glanced around the house and asked, "Where is uncle?" Shen Xiaohu replied, "He went up the mountain with Shanwa some time ago. I suppose they should be back soon." Shen Qing acknowledged with a sound and placed the two wild rabbits on the ground, saying, "Today, I hunted a few hares on the mountain and brought them for you, Aunt." "Brother Qingzi, you should take them back. It''s not easy for you and eldest sister, and we have Dad, so we still have food," Shen Xiaohu quickly picked up the wild rabbits on the ground and shoved them back into Shen Qing''s hands. Shen Qing declined, "I hunted quite a few this time, and there''s still more at home. It''s not that valuable." His strength was slightly greater than Shen Xiaohu''s, so Xiaohu couldn''t refuse and had to give up. "At least you have some conscience," their aunt scoffed. "Mom," Shen Xiaohu said with a bit of resentment in his voice. His aunt, Mrs. Wang, rolled her eyes at him but said no more. Shen Qing put the wild rabbits back in place and then took out some arrows from under his arm, handing them to their aunt. "I happened to find the arrows I lost the other day, so I''m returning those I borrowed to you and Uncle." Mrs. Wang bit off the thread and said, "Just put them on the table. I''ll tell your uncle about it later." "Okay," Shen Qing said as he placed the arrows on the table. "If there''s nothing else, I''ve disturbed you for long enough. Eldest sister, let''s go home together." Saying this, Shen Qing was about to turn and leave, but Mrs. Wang stopped him, "Hold on." "What is it, Aunt?" Mrs. Wang placed a mended old coat on Shen Qing and sized him up, saying, "It seems to fit just right." "What''s this about, Aunt?" Mrs. Wang said, "I noticed you''ve been wearing that yun robe for a long time, and many parts are already short. I made a new one using your brothers'' old clothes for you to wear." sea??h th§× N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "This..." "Stop dawdling and go back quickly." Mrs. Wang directly issued a dismissal. Over the time spent together, Shen Qing had come to know his aunt''s temper well, so he didn''t say more and led Shen Fang back home. On the way, Shen Fang complained in a low voice, "Qingzi, just one would have been enough. We don''t have much food either at home. When we have more later, we can give more to Aunt''s family..." Shen Qing did not respond and opened the door, letting Shen Fang inside. As soon as they entered, Shen Fang''s muttering stopped abruptly at the sight of the pile of wild deer inside. Shen Fang''s eyes were filled with disbelief, "Qingzi..." "Just lucky, caught an extra foolish deer," Shen Qing said with a half-smile as he looked back at Shen Fang. "Sister, do you know how to cook deer meat?" ... As it turned out, Shen Fang was not only proper in appearance, but her culinary skills were also commendable. Under her hands, the deer meat became firm and elastic after being smoked with firewood. Each bite revealed the toughness and chew of the meat fibers. A slightly burnt aroma formed on the surface of the smoked meat, which combined with the tender meat. Although primitive, it made Shen Qing eat with great relish. The siblings hadn''t eaten so indulgently in a long time. They ate heartily, devouring the roasted wild deer meat as if it were a feast. Even so, there remained plenty of deer meat, and even after feasting, they had only eaten a small portion. With the leftovers, and winter preventing spoilage, Shen Qing planned to take half to the county to sell for some silver coins. After filling their bellies, Shen Fang conscientiously went about house chores, while Shen Qing, relishing some rare free time, took out the martial arts book "Nine Skills" to study it carefully. This martial art was an entry-level practice, merely refining Qi and Blood to lay the foundation for martial masters to cultivate martial arts. The whole book covered nine stance exercises without any techniques or lethal moves. It was somewhat akin to the longevity martial art, the Eight Sections of Brocade, from his past life. Considering the cultivator''s comprehension, the entire booklet was primarily presented in simple illustrations, easy to follow and practice. However, Shen Qing knew such martial arts appeared easy, but mastering the basics could be quite challenging. Often there were many subtle details easily overlooked, and mastery or failure often lay within these details. After reading through once, Shen Qing understood the general practice methods; he began cultivating the first four stance exercises depicted in the book (Hunyuan Stance, Mao Dun Stance, Tuo Ying Zhuang, and Floating Cloud Stance). He placed the blue booklet on the table, opened it to a page, and stood in the Hunyuan Stance as described. At first, he felt no discomfort, but after just a few breaths, a dull ache emerged beneath his waist and knees, becoming more pronounced. Shen Qing kept a straight face, gritting his teeth to endure. After a while, his entire body''s muscles trembled slightly with each breath, as if an invisible force was circulating within him. As his breathing deepened, Shen Qing''s body began to tremble, and the Qi-Blood beneath his skin began to surge. Suddenly, as if sensing something, Shen Qing focused his mind. Before his eyes, a drop of ink spread, revealing inky characters. [Skill: Nine Skills (Entry Level)] [Progress: 0/100 points] [Status: Cannot be advanced] [Note: A skill for refining Qi and Blood. Continued practice can increase progress, achieving Great Perfection of Qi and Blood with immense strength.] Seeing the ink characters appearing before his eyes, Shen Qing couldn''t help but smile, and the worry in his heart finally settled. It seemed that his Water Ink Panel could enhance not just minor skills like Bow Technique and Hunting, but martial arts as well. Now that he could display the martial art Nine Skills in his line of vision, continued cultivation would ensure constant progress and improvement. Given some time, he could master the Nine Skills to Great Perfection. With this thought, Shen Qing felt invigorated. Even though his forehead was beaded with sweat, he seemed oblivious, fully immersed in his cultivation. Chapter 13 - 13 Chen Family Members The village grew darker as plumes of cooking smoke rose in the air. The occasional sound of barking dogs broke the silence, only to fade back to stillness quickly. Chen Yuan noticed that at this time, there were still no signs of Chen Tai and Chen An returning, which made him feel uneasy. Even the stance training he had mastered for a long time could not be continued at this moment. Their brothers were both experienced, having grown up in the mountains. Even though the youngest loved to play, he should have returned before dark. Suddenly, Chen Yuan had a bad feeling. He glanced at the sky, knowing that going up the mountain now was like asking for death, so he put on a fur coat and stormed out, knocking on his neighbor''s door. Opening the door was a fellow clan member from the Chen family, ranked fifth, known as Chen the Fifth: "What''s up, Chen the Eldest?" Chen Yuan directly asked, "Old Fifth, did you see my two younger brothers on the mountain today?" Chen the Fifth was slightly taken aback but quickly responded, "No, I was on the mountain with some from the main room and didn''t meet anyone else. Why? Haven''t the cousins returned yet?" Chen Yuan shook his head and said, "No, they haven''t." "Wait for me, I''ll call the Chen family''s main room group and ask around house to house." In Hongshan Village, with over thirty households, the Chen family made up ten, making them quite a force. In this desolate place, blood relations became important bonds. One family''s trouble meant help from the entire family. Families like the Tian Family, which had fewer members, often found themselves at a disadvantage in Hongshan Village. With that, Chen the Fifth also put on a worn-out coat and followed Chen Yuan, calling out all the men of the Chen family. In an instant, the quiet Hongshan Village erupted into chaos and noise. "Open the door, open the door." "Old Tian, are you home? We need you for something." "..." The Chen family went door to door asking around, rousing even those who had already gone to bed. In the face of the overbearing Chen family, no one in the village dared to oppose them. In a simple adobe house, Shen Qing was wholeheartedly practicing the Nine Skills. As the cultivation continued, the progress of this cultivation technique visibly fluctuated before his eyes. Each breath Shen Qing took seemed to be devouring the essence of heaven and earth, integrating it into his own qi and blood, causing his skin to glow faintly red, as if filled with qi and blood. [Skill: Nine Skills (Entry Level)] [Progress: 18/100 points] [Status: Cannot be improved] [Note: A refining qi and blood technique, continued practice can improve progress, achieving great perfection in qi and blood, with strength as great as a bull.] "At this rate of cultivation, I''ll be able to break through to the next realm in just a day." After practicing for a while, Shen Qing''s waist and knees felt numb and weak, and his legs ached as if pricked by needles. Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He directly slumped to the ground, panting heavily. Whether it was an illusion or not, after just a bit of practice, he felt that most of the food he had just eaten was digested. His whole body was filled with warmth, feeling no trace of cold, making Shen Qing find the experience exceedingly strange. Shen Qing looked at the small blue book in front of him, feeling a bit regretful. Besides pictures, it also contained some text annotations. He guessed it might be related to some key aspects of realms, but unfortunately, he was illiterate and couldn''t fully grasp their meaning. Having experienced the wonders of martial arts, Shen Qing thought he should take some time to learn how to read and write. His life was gradually improving day by day, and he could afford to take some things to Zhang Shu Chi in the village to learn some characters. Just as Shen Qing made up his mind, he suddenly heard a commotion and noise outside. For some reason, he immediately became alert, calling Shen Fang to hide the things they brought down from the mountain under the bed. "Bang, bang, bang!" "Shen Qing, are you home?" "Coming, coming. Be gentle, don''t break my door." Shen Qing opened the door to see Chen the Fifth. Before Shen Qing could speak, Chen the Fifth had already asked, "Did you see the two Chen Family brothers when you went up the mountain today?" Upon hearing this, Shen Qing''s heart skipped a beat. Luckily, he was extremely calm, and his face showed no abnormality as he replied placidly, "No, I haven''t seen them. People in the village find my hunting skills raw and don''t want to take me. I always go up the mountain alone to hunt." Chen the Fifth scrutinized Shen Qing twice, finding nothing amiss, and instructed, "Today, Chen Tai and his brother still haven''t returned. Keep an eye out if you go up the mountain later." "I will," Shen Qing said, bowing his head. "If I see them, I''ll let you know immediately." "Alright." Without thinking much, Chen the Fifth moved on, knocking on neighboring doors. Watching Chen the Fifth''s departing figure, Shen Qing quietly breathed a sigh of relief, closing the door with a creak. That night, the Chen family kept at their efforts until halfway through the night. All the villagers could do was internally seethe without daring to voice their grievances. Come the next day, the wearied Chen family collectively went up the mountain to search for Chen Yuan and Chen Tai''s whereabouts. It was only then that the villagers pieced together that the brothers had hunted in the mountains overnight and hadn''t returned, their fate unknown. Most people in Hongshan Village relied on hunting in the mountains and knew that in such cases, there was a good chance they perished in the depths of the forest. The mountain teemed with danger, filled with wolves, insects, tigers, leopards, and more. One moment of carelessness could easily lead to trouble. No one expected that the powerful Chen Tai and Chen An from just the day before would suddenly vanish. Tian Chuan''s parents stood at the door upon hearing the news, tearfully thanking the heavens, leaving people with mixed feelings. Since the Chen family members all barged into Shicheng Mountain, it led to a crowded mess. Many hunters refrained from entering the mountain, opting instead to rest at home. Shen Qing did the same. He stayed at home, focusing all his energy on practicing the martial art of Nine Skills. As for the bodies of Chen Tai and Chen An, Shen Qing wasn''t worried about the Chen family finding them. Shicheng Mountain was enormous, and it was snowing. Shen Qing himself had been running around randomly that day, and without any markers, he might not find the spot again, let alone them. By the time they might find it, the bodies would likely have been devoured by beasts. Shen Qing locked himself in his room, repeatedly practicing the four stance exercises: Hunyuan Stance, Mao Dun Stance, Tuo Ying Zhuang, and Floating Cloud Stance. With consistent practice, he felt a fine, thread-like warmth inside him begin to move continuously throughout his body. This warmth grew more substantial the longer Shen Qing maintained the stances. Compared to the initial practice the day before, today the feeling of fatigue and soreness was much reduced. "In the end, this is a proper health cultivation martial art for refining qi and blood. As long as I can push through and make it through the entry level, the practice will become easier and easier." Shen Qing knew that among the martial arts halls in the county, this martial art might not be considered good, but it did not stop him from placing high hopes on it, hoping to use it to pave the way into the martial arts world. Chapter 14 - 14 Enhancing Qi-Blood, Literacy and Understanding Texts ``` After practicing for a while, Shen Qing paused, sat in a chair for a short rest, balancing work and leisure. Taking advantage of the faint light from the small window, Shen Qing picked up the blue booklet that recorded the Nine Skills Brocade Technique and buried himself in its pages. He wanted to ponder some of its meanings and understand the content related to martial arts. Life here was too isolated, information was very scarce, even to the point that they didn''t know if the current ruler was a man or woman. Shen Qing didn''t want to miss any channel through which he could obtain information. Unfortunately... "I know too few characters, the content recorded inside is just bits and pieces, incomprehensible." Having read through the whole book, he could only fully recognize the characters in the illustrated figures. After all, it was an "authentic" book, with every figure vividly drawn, their actions extremely standard. Thanks to his knowledge from a previous life, he could grasp some of the principles. For the Chen Family Brothers, without a martial arts teacher to guide them, merely relying on this to master this martial art was a bit wishful thinking. Seeing he couldn''t decipher the words in the book or figure them out, Shen Qing decided to abandon that, continuing to ponder several times over the illustrated movements, imprinting them in his mind to continue his cultivation progress. As time ticked by, another half a day''s work passed, and Shen Qing''s gaze fell upon the ink-like numbers that kept flickering in his vision, his heart filled with fervor. Until at a certain moment. [Skill: Nine Skills Brocade (Entry Level)] [Progress: 101/100 points] [Status: Can be improved] [Note: A Refining Qi Blood Technique, continued practice improves progress, qi-blood reaches Great Perfection, strength becomes as mighty as a bull.] Shen Qing''s expression lightened up, a day''s hard work finally led to a qualitative breakthrough from quantitative change. The health cultivation martial art Nine Skills Brocade was at the stage where Shen Qing could break through its bottleneck. Shen Qing wore a calm as still water expression, an indescribable majesty surrounding him, as he resolutely improved. At the moment of his breakthrough, Shen Qing''s whole body muscle instantly tightened, as if every fiber of his muscles was injected with infinite power. The warmth inside Shen Qing''s body, originally as thin as a hair, ignited at that moment like a spark, swelling instantly, growing from hair-thin to as thick as a pinky finger. S§×ar?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. This warmth was not a simple blood flow but a representation of rolling qi-blood and accumulating strength within him. As this warmth swelled, Shen Qing''s qi-blood noticeably bolstered, with his complexion turning from pale to rosy, as if some invisible power was surging forth from within him. Shen Qing''s breathing rhythm gradually accelerated, every inhalation seemed to exhale impurities within him. After a deep breath, the stirring penchant finally calmed down. [Skill: Nine Skills Brocade (Skillfully)] [Progress: 1/200 points] [Status: Cannot be improved] [Note: Continued practice improves progress, once qi-blood reaches Great Perfection, strength becomes as mighty as a bull, breath withdrawn like a silk thread.] As the ink-like text appeared in his vision, a gleam of brilliance shone in Shen Qing''s eyes. Chen Tai and Chen An pondered without finding a way, and Chen Yuan expended massive efforts to barely grasp even a thread of the Nine Skills Brocade, yet in Shen Qing''s hands, only after beginning practice, he had broken through another realm of it. Clearly, he was nothing short of a "martial arts genius." After breaking through the martial arts realm, Shen Qing felt waves of strength receding like the tide, his body suddenly empty, an intense fatigue setting in. The qi-blood cultivated by a martial master wasn''t generated out of thin air, it also required the nourishment of external things. Shen Qing glanced under the bed, where Shen Fang had already set aside a portion of wild roe deer meat today. He bent down to take that portion of meat, lighting up a cooking fire nearby. As the flames roasted, the roe deer meat gradually emitted an alluring aroma, and the oil dripped into the fire pit, sparking bursts of fire and smoke. When the roe deer meat was grilled to a golden crisp, Shen Qing called Shen Fang over to share the meal. He eagerly ripped a piece off, the steaming roe deer meat releasing a rich flavor in his mouth. The siblings savored it for a while. Only after consuming more than half, filling his empty stomach, did he stop. "Ah Di, lately everyone''s saying that some fierce beast has come into the mountains, and the Chen Brothers suffered misfortune from their bad luck. For the foreseeable future, don''t go into the back mountains. I learned some sewing from Aunt over the past few days, so I can mend things for others and earn a little for the household." Shen Fang''s face was full of worry, her almond eyes fixated on Shen Qing, afraid he wouldn''t agree, "Aunt isn''t a bad person, just doesn''t speak well." "I know." Squatting by the fire, Shen Qing cautiously cupped a handful of dry grass ash and sprinkled it evenly over the glowing embers. As the ash covered them, the firelight gradually dimmed, leaving only tendrils of blue smoke drifting into the night sky. Shen Qing stood up, lightly dusted off his hands, his gaze lingering on the fire pit for a moment, then said, "For now, I''m mostly wandering familiar places around the back mountain, hunting some crossbows, can''t venture deeper due to lack of skill. You don''t worry." "Okay." Seeing her younger brother so assertive, Shen Fang no longer tried to persuade him further. "I''m heading out for a bit, to the bookworm''s house, I''ll be back soon." Shen Qing pondered and felt he still needed to figure out a way to learn more characters. Not just to comprehend the contents of the Nine Skills Brocade. As he knew, in the city''s various martial arts halls and gangs, the treatment for literate and illiterate martial masters was completely different. If he could learn to read, he would undoubtedly be paid more attention, with greater prospects. As for the government officials, it went without saying, if one couldn''t read, they wouldn''t even be admitted through the doors. In this world, despite its emphasis on martial arts, literary heritage hadn''t broken off. Shen Qing said, carrying the wild rabbit he caught yesterday in hand, as he strode out. Zhang Shu Chi''s house wasn''t far from his home, at most fifty paces away. Shen Qing arrived at the entrance of an earthen house and knocked lightly on the door. Moments later, the wooden door opened. Greeting him was a man in his forties or fifties, hair streaked with gray. Carrying the wild rabbit, Shen Qing smiled amiably and said, "I caught a wild rabbit yesterday, thinking I couldn''t finish it, so I''m bringing it to you, sir, hoping to request a favor from you." "Come in, then." Seeing that Shen Qing brought something, Zhang Shu Chi didn''t make things difficult, stepping aside to let him enter. Once inside, at a glance, Zhang Shu Chi''s house could only be described as bare-bones, but the bookshelves filled with books set him apart from this village, suffused with a musty smell of damp pages. Zhang Shu Chi''s real name was Zhang Shuyuan, originally from Hongshan Village. It''s said that as a child, he was frail and sickly, unlike hunting, but back then his family had some means, so he studied for several years in a private school in the county, gaining some talent. Later, he grew disenchanted with the village''s livelihoods, wanting to settle in the county. But settling in the county was no easy feat. After a decade-long struggle, he remained unsuccessful, impoverished and destitute, eventually having no choice but to return to his hometown. Relying on knowing some characters, he lived by writing couplets, letters, and calculating accounts for others in the village. Because he held a book every day, never stepping out his front door or second door, carrying a book everywhere he went, the villagers called him ''the bookworm.'' "You came to me, asking me to do what? Write a letter or calculate accounts?" Zhang Shuyuan asked, picking up a book again after seating Shen Qing, habitually inquiring. Shen Qing stepped forward, looked Zhang Shuyuan directly in the eyes, and earnestly said, "I want to ask you to teach me to recognize characters and read." ``` Chapter 15 - 15: New Skill ``` The thirty or so households in Hongshan Village primarily focused on hunting. Even those who did not wish to hunt mostly aimed to practice martial arts to aid in hunting. At most, some children would idle away their time, learning to write their names or study arithmetic. As for those who wished to recognize characters and read, Zhang Shuyuan truly hadn''t encountered anyone like that in so many years. He knew of this young man in front of him¡ªthe son of the late Shen family''s eldest son. Aside from having a slightly pleasant appearance, he had no other standout qualities, quite ordinary. Perhaps due to some clumsiness and poor comprehension, his hunting skills were indeed average, often needing his uncle''s assistance. This kind of person suddenly came over to express a desire to learn to recognize characters and read, leading Zhang Shuyuan to think he had misheard. In surprise, he asked, "Why do you suddenly want to learn to read?" Shen Qing, after a moment of consideration, sincerely replied, "The snow is about to stop. I recently hunted some mountain goods and plan to sell them in the county town. The townspeople are quite clever, and I''m worried about being cheated, so I want to learn more words to have more confidence." "My family also said when they were alive that knowing more words would never hurt and would be useful in the future." After hearing Shen Qing''s explanation, Zhang Shuyuan understood. For hundreds of years, the world had valued reading and martial arts as top-notch virtues. To seek progress and ascend to higher social classes, literacy was fundamental, even before practicing martial arts. Unfortunately, the people in this village were too preoccupied with livelihood to concern themselves with other matters. Since someone brought grain, Zhang Shuyuan agreed immediately, "Well, I have nothing to do recently, so I can teach you some." "Get that book from over there, open the first page, and I''ll see how much you know." Shen Qing''s face lit up with joy. He quickly thanked him and went to the bookshelf. The book Zhang Shuyuan asked him to take was at the very bottom, slightly worn, with some mold marks on it. Obviously, it hadn''t been read in a long time. Following Zhang Shuyuan''s instructions, Shen Qing opened the book and read slowly, word by word. The characters he recognized were indeed limited, and he read with difficulty. S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Start... with... the initial... breath... Heaven..." "Alright," Zhang Shuyuan continued, "Write your name and then write the character ''forever'' for me to see." Hearing this, Shen Qing took a branch and scribbled on the ground. Although the characters in this world resembled those from his previous life, they were somewhat different. Moreover, the original body had no understanding of them, so Shen Qing''s writing looked crooked, like a turtle crawling. Zhang Shuyuan glanced at him, observed his reading style and the written characters, and furrowed his brow, gaining a general understanding of Shen Qing''s literacy level. He said to Shen Qing, "I have a book here called ''Thousand Character Classic.'' You can study with me, and learn sixteen characters a day. You can learn until whenever you want, but..." Here, Zhang Shuyuan paused, "If you want to continue learning later, you will have to provide a small fee." Having lived two lives, Shen Qing immediately understood Zhang Shuyuan''s meaning. He was down and out, needing some assistance. Fortunately, his hunting skills had improved significantly, and the small fee was manageable for him. Without hesitation, he agreed on the spot. Seeing Shen Qing so agreeable and not haggling, Zhang Shuyuan breathed a sigh of relief. He pulled out a book and placed it on the table. He instructed Shen Qing to sit in his seat while he stood up, pointed to the first character, and taught, "This is the character for ''Heaven,'' which consists of four strokes and refers to space, opposite to ''Earth.''" "This is the character for ''Earth''..." Zhang Shuyuan was quite patient, teaching character by character. With his foundation from a previous life, Shen Qing was able to sit still and learn quickly, absorbing all that Zhang Shuyuan taught. About an hour later, Shen Qing felt a slight sensation. He saw a drop of ink falling into the water from above, spreading out. Lines of ink characters appeared before his eyes. [Skill: Literacy (Entry Level)] [Progress: 1/100 points] [Status: Cannot Improve] [Note: Mastering this skill grants reading and writing ability. Continued practice may break through realms and has a certain probability of awakening the ''memorize'' talent.] Memorize? Shen Qing was taken aback, pleasantly surprised. He had not expected literacy to be a mastery skill or even have the potential to awaken a talent. He immediately felt that today''s visit had been very rewarding! Shen Qing concealed the smile on his face and straightened his demeanor. Alongside his teaching, Zhang Shuyuan couldn''t help but slightly raise his evaluation of him internally. After practicing for about half an hour, Shen Qing saw that the time was almost up and prepared to take his leave. Before leaving, he borrowed the ''Thousand Character Classic'' under the guise of study, intending to take it back for further learning and progress. As it was only a common book, Zhang Shuyuan did not object, merely reminding him to return the book promptly and to spare time the next day to study for another hour. Shen Qing agreed repeatedly. ... As dusk approached, despite the Chen family mobilizing everyone and thoroughly searching the area behind the mountain, they still failed to find Chen Tai and Chen An, despite spending the entire day. Now, even if Chen Yuan held onto any hope, he knew that his two brothers were likely already dead in the mountains. They had hunted since youth, and the possibility of getting lost in the mountains was minimal. They could have only died there, or else so many people wouldn''t have been unable to find them. In the main hall of the Chen family, family members gathered, whispering to each other, creating a somewhat noisy atmosphere. Looking at a middle-aged man, Chen Yuan said, "Thank you, everyone, for your hard work today; when my father returns, I''ll personally express my gratitude to each of you." "Hey, we are all family; there''s no need for such courtesy." "Maybe they discovered some mountain delicacies and are still deep in the mountains; you shouldn''t overthink it." "..." Many Chen family members threw out words of comfort, and Chen Yuan wearily responded. After most of the Song family members had left, Chen Yuan stopped Chen the Fifth, who was lagging behind, saying, "Old fifth, wait a moment; I have something to ask you." Chen the Fifth had just stepped out but paused his steps, turning to say, "What''s up?" Chen Yuan gestured towards the door with a nod, indicating that it should be closed. Chen the Fifth, curious, complied and did as instructed. With the door closed, Chen Yuan approached and in a lowered voice asked, "Did everyone go around asking today if anyone went up the mountain at around the same time as Er Tai and Xiao An?" Chen the Fifth recalled carefully, "Yesterday, among the thirty plus households in the village, practically every household had someone go up the mountain." "Think carefully, at about the same time." Chen the Fifth furrowed his brow, pondered for a while, and then said, "There were three from our Chen family, two from the Tian family, two from the Zhang family, and from the Shen family... there were probably three; they all went up close to noon, around the same time." "Tian family, Shen family..." Chen Yuan murmured to himself. "Do you think someone made a move in the mountains?" "My two brothers, although not very accomplished in martial arts, are indeed skilled hunters. They would not perish in the mountain. Our Shicheng Mountain may be vast but is honest; there''s nothing wicked in there, and the government office personnel have long searched it." Chen Yuan noncommittally said, "Thinking it through, it seems only someone in the mountains would have had a deceitful thought. My two brothers have always been honest and straightforward; they likely suffered a loss within the mountains. It''s exceedingly difficult to find two dead bodies in the vast mountains." Chen the Fifth sighed, "Who could it be, with such nerve?" Chen Yuan pondered aloud, "We rarely deal with the Zhang family, and the Shen family, with their humble means, wouldn''t have the courage; that leaves¡ª the Tian family!" ``` Chapter 16 - 16: Catching Moles, Breaking Through ``` "Tian Family?" "That''s right." Chen Yuan quickly replied in a very determined tone, "The day before yesterday, Tian Chuan sneaked into my house to steal food, got into a conflict with my two brothers, and was killed by them. They must be harboring resentment and waiting for a chance to seek revenge in the mountains." "How bold!" Chen the Fifth grew increasingly convinced, "We should confront the Tian Family and make them give an explanation!" "Don''t rush, let''s wait for our family elder to return, I''ll ask for his advice." "Alright, just call whenever you need us." "Thank you, Old Fifth, for your hard work today." "No need to be so polite, we''re one family, no need for formalities. It''s getting late, I''ll head back." "Take care." After Chen the Fifth left, Chen Yuan''s expression quickly vanished, becoming emotionless and even a bit resentful. "Stupid third brother, it''s one thing to die in the mountains, but you took the Nine Skills with you. There were many moves and techniques I haven''t fully learned; where am I supposed to find this martial arts manual now?" ... Hongshan Village was covered in silver, with immaculate white snow draping the neatly arranged houses. The heavy snow from the previous day showed signs of stopping, and for once, the sun made a rare appearance in the sky. Due to yesterday''s incident with the Chen Family, many hunters in Hongshan Village didn''t go hunting, and they were all restless. Early in the morning, many villagers either brought out hunting dogs or carried various hunting tools, heading up the mountains in groups of two or three to hunt. Hongshan Village was unusually lively. Children frolicked and played, laughter echoing through the alleys. Though it was freezing cold, there was an unexpected vibrancy, and the atmosphere grew lively. As a poor family child, Shen Qing also got up early, filled his stomach with some meat, and, carrying bran cakes and hunting gear, headed up the mountain ahead of others. Once again, he was alone. Previously, Shen the Second and other clansmen had taken him a few times, but his hunting skills were average; each time they had to share some of their catch with him, and he was somewhat of a burden. Gradually, no one was willing to take him along anymore. So he always went hunting alone. His hunting skills had gradually improved, and now he was capable enough on his own, so he wasn''t worried. With his excellent hunting skills, Shen Qing hadn''t walked for long before he successfully caught a pheasant and two rabbits. "Huh? Is this a raccoon dog?" As Shen Qing searched through the woods, he unexpectedly spotted a raccoon dog''s trail. The fur of this animal had a unique color and high gloss, thick and soft, making it the preferred choice for wealthy families in the county town to create luxurious garments. It could not only be made into warm and status-symbolizing fur robes but also used as scarves, shawls, and other accessories, with exquisite raccoon fur also used for decorations on thrones or to hang on walls. It was invaluable in winter! Generally, it could be sold for six or seven taels of silver, a major target for hunters in winter, second only to foxes and sables. Indeed, it was a great windfall. It seemed this raccoon dog''s trail led into the deep mountains. Seeing it was still early, Shen Qing hesitated for a moment but decided he could try to capture it. "With my skills, I can already fill my elder sister''s and my stomachs. Now that I am well-versed in the Nine Skills, my Qi-Blood has increased, and I can handle some risks." "Might as well be a bit bolder, explore a few spots in the deep mountains, and hunt this raccoon dog." "If I manage to capture one, it might not be a mountain delicacy, but it could make me a fortune worth a few thousand large coins." "We are hunters, relying on the mountains to make a living, relying on skills to earn a living. Even if I occasionally capture one or two, no one will say anything." Shen Qing knew in his heart that for a hunter like him without any backing, suddenly coming into great wealth wasn''t necessarily a good thing. He could get it, but not keep it. But with the Water Ink Panel, sooner or later, he would continue to break through the Nine Skills, reaching the Great Perfection of Qi and Blood realm. It wouldn''t be long before he surpassed Chen Yuan. Then there would be no need to fear anything. "If I can kill a person, why not hunt a raccoon dog?" Shen Qing quickly made up his mind and followed the trail into a wooded area in the deep mountains. His hunting skills had already made a breakthrough, making it easy to identify the tracks left by the raccoon dog and knowing its direction and habits. After about half an hour, Shen Qing suddenly stopped, his gaze sharply fixed on a particular spot, a hint of excitement flashing in his eyes. He discovered a concealed small hole, which was the lair of the raccoon dog. Carefully, Shen Qing took out some thin wires and meticulously set traps. He used the surrounding branches and snow as camouflage, placed some rodents as bait near the hole''s entrance, and gently sprinkled some specially made poison powder. After setting up, Shen Qing hid behind a large tree, waiting quietly. As time ticked by, suddenly, there were rustling sounds from the hole, and a chubby, furry little raccoon dog peeked its head out. It blinked its big watery eyes, curiously observing the surroundings. Seeing the little raccoon dog enter the trap, Shen Qing silently celebrated. Soon, the little raccoon dog was indeed knocked out by the poison powder, softy collapsing into the snow. "Success!" Shen Qing hadn''t expected the Chen Family''s poison to be so potent, allowing him to succeed so smoothly. He quickly ran over, satisfied to pocket the little raccoon dog, grinning widely. "This time, I''ve really stumbled upon a windfall! Even though this raccoon dog is a bit small, it can still sell for five or six thousand large coins, equivalent to the work of our hunter uncles for five or six months. We''re rich!" ... When he returned home, it was still quite early. Shen Qing brought all the day''s catch back home without flaunting it outside. And that raccoon dog, worth thousands of coins, he tied up securely, placed some ice blocks, and stuffed it at the bottom of a vat, without even telling Shen Fang. After handling things a bit, Shen Qing picked up a book, took the pheasant, and went to Zhang Shuyuan''s house with great enthusiasm. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Sir, I''ve come to learn today''s characters." Entering the house, Shen Qing behaved very respectfully, as if genuinely treating Zhang Shuyuan as a guiding teacher. This respect was very much appreciated by Zhang Shuyuan. When Zhang Shuyuan glanced up and saw the large pheasant in Shen Qing''s hand, he couldn''t help feeling a bit surprised. He was very aware of Shen Qing''s situation, and now he brought a whole one over, causing him to surreptitiously pinch himself. This child was already pitiable, and now he took another person''s belongings. Truly despicable. But since he was already here, refusing would be too wasteful. Thus, in the subsequent teaching, Zhang Shuyuan became extremely serious, unlike the careless attitude of the previous day. "Read everything you learned yesterday and write it down once." "Yes." Following Zhang Shuyuan''s instructions, Shen Qing did everything as asked. Shen Qing''s performance exceeded Zhang Shuyuan''s expectations, prompting him to teach the next sixteen characters. After learning for more than an hour, along with his hard work from the previous night and that morning, Shen Qing noticed new changes in the Water Ink words in his sight. [Skill: To recognize characters and read (Entry Level)] [Progress: 101/100 points] [Status: Can be improved] [Note: Mastering this skill can grant reading and writing ability, continued practice may breakthrough realms, with a certain probability of awakening the "memorize" ability.] Shen Qing''s expression remained unchanged, but his heart was slightly pleased. "Breakthrough!" ``` Chapter 17 - 17 Mountain Drivers Shen Qing felt a sudden clarity inside his mind, as if he had just had an epiphany, right after he decided to make a breakthrough. In the dim and damp room, the characters that had seemed incredibly unfamiliar became amiable and familiar. Only after seriously studying them twice, their forms and meanings clearly manifested in his mind. When Shen Qing lowered his head to look again, his fingers gently slid across the pages, and he felt an unprecedented smoothness. [Skill: To recognize characters and read (skillfully)] [Progress: 1/200 points] [Status: Cannot be improved] Zhang Shuyuan did not notice Shen Qing''s unusual behavior, but seeing the value in teaching him, patiently taught Shen Qing once more. "Now you have learned sixteen characters, plus the sixteen characters from yesterday, making a total of thirty-two characters. Close the book and recite them from memory, then write them down for me to see," Zhang Shuyuan said arrogantly, stroking his already shiny goatee like a true old-school tutor. Shen Qing nodded and said, "Okay, teacher." Following the instruction, he closed the book, closed his eyes, and recited loudly, "The heavens are black, the earth is yellow. The universe is vast. The sun and moon wax and wane, stars align. The cold leaves, the heat returns; autumn harvests, winter stores. Leap years add extra days, and musical harmony adjusts the order of nature." Seeing Shen Qing recite fluently without any hesitation, Zhang Shuyuan asked, "Do you know what it means?" Shen Qing thought for a while and said, "Teacher taught yesterday, these words mean the sky is dark blue, and the earth is..." As Shen Qing eloquently continued, Zhang Shuyuan felt this poor family''s son seemed somewhat different. When he first learned this "Thousand Character Classic," he memorized the meanings rigidly, only gradually digesting them later, which was far from the fluency Shen Qing displayed. Zhang Shuyuan took out a withered tree branch, placing it in front of Shen Qing, and said, "Write these thirty-two characters." Shen Qing nodded in agreement, picked up the branch, and started writing on the ground. In just a moment, the thirty-two characters were all written down without missing a single one. If yesterday''s writing was like a tortoise crawling, today it was like a proper tortoise indeed. Ugly, but regular. Zhang Shuyuan subconsciously glanced at Shen Qing again. In just one day, this unremarkable young man had stepped from the threshold outside reading into the realm with one foot. Such understanding, he had never seen in all his years. However, Zhang Shuyuan was not excited or treated Shen Qing differently because of this. In this world, talents were as common as carps crossing the river, but without background or connections, how many could truly stand out? This little show of talent only stirred a brief surprise, and nothing more. Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Zhang Shuyuan saw Shen Qing finish writing and said indifferently, "Not bad, you need to practice more whenever you have time." Shen Qing nodded and said, "Thank you for your guidance, teacher." After Zhang Shuyuan''s examination, Shen Qing practiced a bit more before concluding his character recognition study for the day. Leaving the room, Shen Qing did not linger but hurried home to see the martial arts book again. There were still many characters he couldn''t recognize, but compared to before, he understood more. There was indeed a record of general martial arts knowledge within. He needed to work harder to progress. Shen Qing became filled with motivation. ... Outside Hongshan Village, an old horse pulled a cart slowly into the village. As the mountain driver of Hongshan Village, Chen Youguang sat on the cart, his face beaming with vigor. "Uncle, you''re back!" By the roadside, Chen Dajiang''s wrinkled face bunched up, greeting with a mournful expression. "Yes, I''m back," the village chief responded, nodding to Aunt Zhang who was ahead, "Aunt Zhang, how is your health?" "Still fine, still fine!" Aunt Zhang''s expression became somewhat unnatural when she looked at Chen Youguang, appearing about to speak but stopping. Chen Youguang found it strange. He had only been out for a few days, but the village atmosphere seemed to have turned gloomy. He found it curious, as though someone had lost a son. Children gathered around, curiously watching the cart, and Chen Youguang waved them away. Putting away his smile, Chen Youguang hurriedly returned home with the cart. Upon opening the door, he felt an unusual coldness at home, "Eldest, Second, Third, come out, your father is back." After calling for a long time, only Chen Yuan came out. His stubbly face looked somewhat haggard, "Dad!" "Where are your two brothers?" Chen Youguang took a wine pouch off the cart, raised his head, and drank. "They... they were killed by Tian Family members..." "Pfft..." The mouthful of wine that Chen Youguang had just drunk sprayed out with a loud puff, "What did you say, Second and Third are dead? What exactly happened, tell me quickly." "It happened like this¡­" Chen Yuan recounted everything that had happened over the past two days. After hearing it, Chen Youguang''s face looked unfavorable, his heart sinking straight to the bottom. "Dad, what should we do? Shouldn''t we make the Tian Family..." Chen Yuan made a throat-slashing gesture. "No, killing them is useless apart from venting our anger," Chen Youguang interrupted. Pacing, he looked up and said, "How is your martial arts training now?" "Just got qi sensing, give me a few more months, and I can reach Great Perfection of Qi and Blood." "Good, then there''s a chance," Chen Youguang said, "I went to Shen Shou Sect besides seeing the Song and Dong Family in town. It''s been arranged; come spring, if you reach Great Perfection of Qi and Blood, I''ll gather sixty taels silver, and you''ll be directly admitted into their inner sect." Shen Shou Sect! Chen Yuan''s eyes immediately lit up. This martial arts sect was famous in the town, comparable to those martial arts halls. More importantly, this sect had government connections, besides training martial arts, it also brought additional income. However, joining this martial arts sect required a lot of money, deterring many. Unexpectedly, his father managed to establish such a connection. "The dead are worthless, but the living can be worth a lot in the broker''s hands. You just need that silver, let the Tian Family provide it. If they refuse, force them to agree!" "And what about my two brothers'' grudge..." Chen Youguang lifted his eyelids and said, "I''m still young, make more money, and I''ll marry two more concubines and have you two more brothers." Chen Yuan: "..." "Alright, stop it with these affairs. In a few days, when the snow stops, our family needs to begin purchasing hunting goods for the market." Chen Yuan said, "Dad, why are we doing the purchasing? Didn''t the Song and Dong Families always send someone?" "Heavy snow on the road, their buyer fell in the mountains and died, from now on, our family does the purchasing. We''ll set the purchase prices too. In this Hongshan Village, if anyone doesn''t sell hunting goods to us, we let them walk to the market themselves, no rides to town selling for them." The journey to the town from here was not a short section, walking there, and back in a day was impossible. If unsold, they''d need another overnight stay. Chen Yuan knew, his dad intended to make Hongshan Village his personal preserve, his private hunting ground. Chapter 18 - 18 The Exploitation of the Chen Family ``` Three days passed in a row. As soon as dawn broke, Shen Qing sat up from his warm bed, habitually glancing outside through the small window. The snow that had fallen for so long finally stopped, with not a breath of wind. The sun shone brightly in the sky, a rare good weather day. "Today, there''s an eighty to ninety percent chance the merchants from the boss in the county will come over. By then, for a bit of money, we can take their cart to the county and sell all the stock from these past few days." Thanks to the recent harvests, Shen Qing could hunt close to the mountain behind his house these days, catching some wild rabbits and pheasants to fill his stomach. The rest of the time, he devoted all his energy to practicing martial arts and learning to recognize characters and read, continuously improving in both areas. The results were quite satisfactory. Now he recognized nearly a hundred characters, and he was close to mastering the Nine Brocade Technique. Everything progressed in an orderly manner. Shen Qing habitually washed his face with snow water in the morning, then stayed in the house continuing his stance training, waiting for Shen Fang to make breakfast. Shen Fang, who lived in the house with him, couldn''t help but feel a little worried seeing her brother train from morning to evening in a strange posture every day. She called out, "Qingzi? Are you okay these past two days?" "I heard Auntie can draw charms, maybe let her take a look?" Hearing this, Shen Qing couldn''t help but give a silent laugh. Evidently, he was so busy these days with practicing the Nine Skills and learning to read that he barely stopped. Even hunting had decreased, making him a completely different person from before, leading Shen Fang to think he had encountered something unclean in the mountains. Though his sister was pretty and had regular features, her mind was not very bright, nor did she have much opinion of her own. It wasn''t a good thing for her to know too much about some matters. Shen Qing didn''t explain much, casually making up an excuse, saying, "These are insights I''ve had from reading these days, learned from books, used for strengthening the body. Haven''t you seen how I''ve grown taller recently? I think it might have something to do with this, so I keep practicing." "Oh." Shen Fang, seeing that Shen Qing''s reasoning made sense and didn''t seem like he had entangled with any evil spirits, didn''t think much more. She cooked the porridge and gave it to Shen Qing as usual. This porridge was much better than the grain chaff they used to have as it was exchanged from other households. Shen Qing held the warm porridge in both hands, squatting on the doorstep. He basked in the sun, leisurely skimming a circle of rice porridge along the edge of the bowl, savoring the sweet fragrance of the rice syrup. "Check the situation. If it''s convenient today, we can take out the two animal skin coats left by Chen An and his group and bring them to the county to sell. If not, we''ll wait for the next opportunity." Shen Qing was silently pondering how to handle the items in the mountains when he looked up to see Shen Xiaohu running over from behind his house. He shouted loudly, "Brother Qingzi, something bad has happened!" "What''s happened? Did someone in the village get beaten to death by the Chen family members again?" Shen Qing lifted his eyelids and said. "No!" Shen Xiaohu squatted beside Shen Qing, wearing a miserable expression. "It''s the merchants from the boss in the city; they won''t come here anymore." "The merchants aren''t coming?" Shen Qing''s face also turned a bit more serious. Hongshan Village was fifty to sixty li away from the county. Generally, when the hunters in these villages got their game, they would sell it to the boss''s merchants, saving a trip to the county. Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. According to the unspoken rule, the prices when selling to these merchants were slightly lower than in the county. If they caught high-value game and didn''t want to sell it to the merchants, they could pay a little money to hitch a ride on the merchants'' cart to sell it themselves in the county. The big households, martial arts halls, government offices, and inns in the county all needed their game and wild products. If they wanted to sell, it wasn''t too difficult. How much they could earn depended on their skills. If they encountered thugs or bullies and got robbed, they could only accept their bad luck. "Yes, they won''t come. I heard it loud and clear. My grandpa and the others are talking about it. I guess I won''t be able to go to the county anymore," Shen Xiaohu said, his expression was a bit disappointed and distressed. Shen Qing knew he had always wanted to visit the county. With this situation, his chance to wander the county had become even smaller. He pondered for a moment, then asked, "What about over at Chen Bazi''s place? They are always the most active in dealings with the merchants. What did they say? Are we going to be stuck with all the goods we get?" "Damn it, don''t even mention them. They''re the ones behind this whole thing," Shen Xiaohu swore, "I heard from my grandpa and the others that from now on, all the game in the village has to be sold to their family. They''ll handle the purchases and sell them in the city. If we don''t want to, we''ll have to walk to the city ourselves to sell." After hearing this, two words immediately sprang to Shen Qing''s mind¡ªmonopoly! This Chen Youguang, they had taken the entire Hongshan Village as their "property." The hunters living in this village would work for their family, earning money for them. Even Shen Qing, who usually had a good temper, couldn''t help but cuss silently in his heart. Upon careful thought, their family had really never done any good deeds in the village. "Brother Qingzi, my grandpa and the others, even the Zhang Family member had their complaints, but they tend to accept it. As for the other surnamed families, they are dissatisfied but helpless. The Chen family is numerous and powerful. I''ve heard Chen Yuan knows some martial arts. We can''t fight them." Shen Xiaohu was very downcast. Many hunters, after selling their game, didn''t have much left after deducting their household expenses. For just a little bit, making a trip to the county, possibly having to stay overnight, indeed seemed unwise. Once spring came and the game couldn''t be preserved, the situation would only worsen. Inevitably, families like theirs would struggle even more. Shen Qing couldn''t help but feel troubled. After Shen Xiaohu left, he put down the bowl, firming his resolve to temporarily hold off on taking the Chen Family Brothers'' belongings from the mountains. One must be strong to forge iron. Since he couldn''t hitch a ride to the county for the time being, he decided to continue his practice of the Nine Brocade Technique. It was just a little more. Increasing his power first would be the priority. Two Shi Chen later. Shen Qing alternated between practicing the Hunyuan Stance, Mao Dun Stance, Tuo Ying Zhuang, and Floating Cloud Stance, until his legs were sore and sweat covered his forehead in big droplets. Just when he couldn''t hold on any longer, suddenly his heart trembled, and the ink-like characters appeared slowly in his vision. [Skill: Nine Brocade Technique (Small Success)] [Progress: 203/200 points] [Status: Can Be Enhanced] [Note: Continuous practice can improve the progress. When Qi and Blood are achieved to Great Perfection, strength is as strong as a bull, and breath is as fine as silk.] Great! Shen Qing was overjoyed. After days of hard study and practice, he was finally about to move this martial art to the next realm. With another breakthrough, even if he didn''t achieve the Great Perfection of Qi and Blood, it would be almost enough to walk unopposed in the village. According to his secret inquiries these days, Chen Yuan from the Chen Family hadn''t reached such a realm. ``` Chapter 19 - 19 The Mastery of the Nine Skills ``` "Breakthrough!" Boom! Shen Qing, holding his hands in a circular posture, suddenly felt a shock of energy. At the moment of the breakthrough, he noticed a warm current rising from his Dantian, surging through his meridians. This warm current grew stronger with each Grand Circulation within his body. In the blink of an eye, the warm current turned from the size of a thumb into a continuous flowing stream. Shen Qing felt his Qi-Blood rapidly increasing, his muscles swelling as if inflated, every inch of skin brimming with explosive power. Until a balance was reached, the strange phenomenon gradually subsided. [Skill: Nine Skills (the level of mastery)] [Progress: 3/300 points] [Status: Cannot Upgrade] Shen Qing found a stone strip in the house, grasped it with one hand, and with a fierce exertion, the stone strip shattered with a sound, falling to the ground in pieces of rubble. He was somewhat incredulous, looking at his right hand, a surge of ecstasy rising in his heart. "I''ve succeeded!" With such strength, even Chen Yuan could be easily handled. Although there was still a certain gap compared to true Martial Arts, not being able to match a real martial master. But now, having surpassed Chen Yuan, no one in Hongshan Village had strength that could compare to his. In such a messy environment, having this kind of power made him feel at ease. In the afternoon, a commotion arose in the otherwise peaceful Hongshan Village. Outside the Chen Family''s house. Chen Youguang had gathered many of the village''s elders and young men at his doorstep. Seeing that almost everyone had arrived, he didn''t delay any longer. He and his son, Chen Yuan, stood on either side in front of the cart and loudly announced, "Listen up, everyone!" "Starting today, all hunters in Hongshan Village will sell their goods to the Boss through me. This year, all the villages have had great harvests, and the Boss said the purchase price will be thirty percent lower than before." As soon as these words were spoken, a surge of indignation spread among the assembled elders and young men, causing an uproar. "What? Thirty percent lower? Isn''t this bullying?" A rough hunter said with extreme dissatisfaction, his face full of hostility. "Exactly, originally the game this winter sold well enough, and now the Boss wants to take advantage of us!" "A thirty percent decrease, we''ll have worked all year for nothing, won''t even be able to pay taxes!" A hunter from the Zhang Family waved his fist, full of righteous indignation. Shen Qing, hidden in the crowd, opened his mouth, but ultimately said nothing. Sear?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He glanced toward his Uncle Shen the Second, who had furrowed his brow, apparently also very dissatisfied and surprised by this decision. "How can the Boss do this? Last time they came, the prices were fine, how can they just drop like this, and so much at once!" The villagers were abuzz with discussion, the air filled with voices of discontent and complaint, and the atmosphere became suddenly tense. Chen Youguang observed the villagers'' reactions with a blank expression, as if he had long anticipated this uproar. He silently waited for the villagers'' voices to gradually die down. Then he slowly spoke, his voice steady and powerful, "Everyone, please listen to me. I understand your discontent, as this affects everyone''s personal interests, but please also understand the Boss''s difficulties, with more sellers, the price will inevitably drop." He paused, casting his gaze around, ensuring everyone could hear him, sighed, and said, "However, considering everyone''s hard work, I don''t intend to profit from you. So in conclusion, we only need to reduce by ten percent, which is the biggest concession I can make." Chen Youguang''s words slightly calmed the people in the village. Although lowering the purchase price was still displeasing, Chen Youguang seemed at least to have made a certain compromise. The hunters in Hongshan Village began to whisper, discussing this new proposal. "With just a ten percent decrease, though still disheartening, it''s much better compared to thirty percent," Uncle Shen the Second sighed. "Yes, now all we can do is try to hunt more game to increase our income." Another hunter from the Zhang Family also had to lower his head. In reality, facing the formidable Chen Youguang family, they had no choice. Shen Qing took in all these people. Being someone who had lived two lives, he saw through Chen Youguang''s small scheming clearly, his tactic was nothing more than raising first and lowering after. That abacus was so loud it could be heard from afar. If he guessed correctly, the city Boss never intended to lower the purchase price of game. Lowering it this much was likely just Chen Youguang''s own idea. The profit margin between them was all pocketed by the father and son. What was more terrifying was that their family had just lost two sons at his hands. In recent days, their family had acted as if nothing had happened, and still proceeded with their purchasing business in high spirits. They had eyes only for money. Their family was truly somewhat cold and terrifying. "By the way, there''s one more thing to mention." Chen Youguang glanced around and patted the cart beside him. "My cart is rather small, and can''t take people into town while carrying goods, I hope everyone can understand." Compared to the issue of lowered purchase prices, not taking people into town seemed relatively insignificant. However, some clever hunters in the village started to discern the meaning behind it. Henceforth, unless game like mountain treasures, foxes, or minks¡ªeasy to carry and fetching high prices¡ªwere worth the trip. For the remaining game of average value, it would not be worthwhile to spend half a day walking to town. Chen Youguang, invisibly, increased the cost for independent selling, thereby forcing hunters to hand over their game for him to purchase. It was a blatant, open scheme. Shen Qing''s brows could not help but knit together. The father and son of the Chen Family were a bit unsightly in their actions. "Alright, everyone knows now, right? If anyone has suitable game in hand, come to me for money. If the weather is suitable tomorrow, I will head to town." Chen Youguang wore a faint smile, took out a heavy bag of large coins from his sleeve, hefted it in his hand in front of everyone, making the sound of Copper Coins clashing. "I''ll go." The Chen Family''s fifth son, smiling broadly, brought over a colorful pheasant, feathers and all, and placed it in the cart, happily receiving one hundred wen. After him, a few Chen family members also sold some game. "Anything else?" "I didn''t bring it with me, let me go home and fetch it." "I''ll go home and discuss with my wife." "¡­" The many assembled elders and young men present were no fools, after all, this matter concerned their livelihood, a significant issue, and could not be decided immediately. "Alright then, I shall wait for everyone until tomorrow morning. After tomorrow morning, I''m not sure when I will next go to the county." Chen Youguang said with narrowed eyes, "Everyone in the village knows now, right? Is there any family that hasn''t been informed?" "Not a single Tian Family member showed up!" At this moment, Chen Yuan abruptly interjected from the side. "Hmm?" Chen Youguang glanced around and asked Chen Yuan strangely, "What does their Tian Family mean? Chen Yuan, go and have a look." "Okay, Grandpa." With that, Chen Yuan led the fifth son and several other Chen family members, squeezing through the crowd, heading straight toward the Tian Family''s direction. Amidst the crowd, Shen Qing suddenly had a bad premonition. ``` Chapter 20 - 20: Armed with a Sharp Weapon, the Urge to Kill Arises ``` The people present, both old and young, were extremely curious, wanting to see what medicine the Chen family father and son were trying to sell secretly. Shen Qing glanced at his uncle, Shen the Second, while following behind the others, then joined the crowd running over. By the time they got there, a circle of people had already surrounded Old Tian''s house. They heard a loud bang just in time to see Chen Yuan kicking open the door of Old Tian''s house. Before long, Old Tian and his two sons were thrown out by Chen Yuan and his group. Besides Old Tian''s house, the doors of three other Tian family homes were kicked open by the Chen family members. In one household, a fierce conflict broke out with continuous sounds of fighting and smashing. After a while, a Tian family hunter was dragged out, covered in blood, by three Chen family members working together. "Kneel down!" The three Chen family members had multiple visible injuries, showing that the Tian family hunter fought back fiercely. Chen Yuan intended for the many villagers to witness this scene, stepping forward and asking, "What happened?" "Tian Xiaohu''s family attacked us without a word when we went over, clearly guilty." Tian Xiaohu, covered in blood, suddenly raised his head and shouted in defense, "You started the fight first!" Slap! As soon as the words fell, Chen Yuan slapped him across the face. Already working on refining his Qi-blood, Chen Yuan was nearly stepping into the ranks of martial masters, his strength far above that of ordinary people. This slap knocked out one of Tian Xiaohu''s teeth, making him even more miserable in his already injured state. Face covered in blood, he tried several times but couldn''t manage to get up from the ground. Watching this scene, Shen Qing knitted his brows into a furrow. S§×ar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He recognized Tian Xiaohu, knowing him to be the most capable among the younger generation of the Tian family, a skilled hunter. His late father used to take their family hunting together often. Unexpectedly, Tian Xiaohu was beaten so badly by Chen Yuan. Even with extraordinary hunting skills, against martial artists, he was still no match. At this time, Tian Chuan''s parents and others were also driven out of the house. The Tian family, living in Hongshan Village, was gathered together. Chen Yuan scanned the Tian family members with a cold gaze and said, "Your Tian family killed my two brothers. I wanted peace among the villagers and didn''t trouble you, yet you took our goodwill as a joke. Today, my grandfather summoned everyone in the village, but none of you came. Are you trying to break off relations with us?" "No one informed us at all," a young Tian family hunter hurriedly explained, "And how could we have killed your brother?" "On the first day, my brother accidentally killed Tian Chuan, and he disappeared the next day on the mountain. Are you saying it wasn''t you who killed him but that I killed my brother myself?" Chen Yuan''s eyes blazed with anger, his face filled with killing intent. He turned to Chen the Fifth and asked, "Did you notify the Tian family?" Chen the Fifth bowed slightly and said, "I notified them all, but for some reason, none of the Tian family showed up." "You... liar!" Tian Xiaohu, lying on the ground, stared coldly at Chen the Fifth. If looks could kill, Chen the Fifth would have been killed dozens of times. The spectators found it unbelievable that the weak Tian family would do such a thing and break with the Chen family at this moment. Among the crowd, Shen Qing understood most clearly. It was clearly he who killed the Chen family brothers. What Chen Yuan was doing to the Tian family was nothing but framing. The Tian family, believing themselves to be wronged, opened their mouths to defend themselves, but Chen Yuan gave them no chance, kicking aside anyone from the Tian family who tried to speak. "Still not admitting it, huh?" Chen Yuan lifted his chin and commanded, "Charge in and search!" Upon hearing this, the Chen family members behind him rushed into the Tian family house like wolves, smashing things around. The shared stove of the Tian family was overturned, and the large pots inside were shattered. Cabinets, large jars, and beds were searched thoroughly and then thrown outside. Blood was everywhere, and the Tian family members, beaten and bruised, cried out intermittently. The sounds of smashing from the house left the villagers with a feeling of shared despair. "Chen the Eldest, look what I found!" A Chen family member came out of Tian Xiaohu''s house holding an elm wood bow, handing it to Chen Yuan. Chen Yuan took the bow and examined it before saying, "This is my brother''s bow, how did it end up with you?" Tian Xiaohu looked at the unfamiliar bow and, even if slow, understood, "Chen Yuan, you framed me!!" Chen Yuan''s eyelids lowered, "According to the laws of Great Zhou, anyone who kills will have to pay ten strings of coins for noble status, serve three months of hard labor; twenty strings and stripped of titles for officials; a hundred strings and forced military service for doctors and martial artists. Farmers and craftsmen who kill will pay with their lives, and their families will be enslaved." "You killed my two brothers, and your Tian family will all be sold into slavery." Exposed was Chen Yuan''s real intention. Tian Xiaohu, like a caged, sick tiger, struggled violently, "Chen Yuan, you''ll die badly, your entire Chen family will die badly. You killed my cousin and now are ruining our Tian family. Even as ghosts, we won''t let you go." Chen Yuan ignored Tian Xiaohu''s curse and turned to press the Tian family, "Now, we only found a bow. Do you have any accomplices responsible for harming my brother?" The accused Tian family certainly had no accomplices. Chen Yuan was dissatisfied, "Huh? Speak up!" "Chen the Eldest, I have something to say." At this moment, Chen Dahe seemed to suddenly recall something. "What is it? Speak!" Given the current status of the Chen family in Hongshan Village, they were at the height of their power. As a marginal figure in the Chen family, Chen Dahe felt he needed to align himself with Chen Yuan''s household at all costs. He saw that the Chen family''s revenge was false and their provocation was true. Others might not know, but he did. According to the laws of Great Zhou, only the murderer among farmers and craftsmen would die; there was no need for family punishment. Chen Yuan and his group wanted to sell the Tian family members into slavery to make money. He suddenly remembered Chen Yuan''s recent intentions regarding Shen Fang, so he stepped forward and said, "On the afternoon when Chen Tai and Chen An climbed the mountain, I saw Shen Qing returning from behind the mountain, carrying a deer on his back. His chest was bulging, and he had an extra bow and arrow." "Everyone knows that Shen Qing has always been poor at hunting. How could he have such a large catch? Recently, he''s been giving rabbits and chickens away to the bookworm, something must be strange." "He must have conspired with the Tian family members, killed Er tai and Xiao An, to gain such a bounty." Chen Dahe''s words sent shockwaves through everyone, and all eyes turned to Shen Qing. Shen Qing was equally bewildered. He hadn''t expected to implicate himself by merely being a bystander. Chen Yuan looked at Chen Dahe with some surprise, finding his words quite fitting. He was troubled over the lack of a pretext to drag Shen Qing into the water and then sell his sister. Unexpectedly, an opportunity presented itself. Chen Yuan fixed his gaze on Shen Qing and shouted harshly, "Shen Qing, what do you have to say?" In the crowd, Shen the Second urgently defended, "Impossible, my nephew can''t even hunt rabbits well, how could he kill someone?" "Is that so? Then searching his house will reveal the truth!" Chen Yuan said sinisterly. There was no doubt that Chen Yuan intended to use the same trick to frame him. But there was no need for such framing. Shen Qing walked out from behind his uncle Shen the Second and smiled, "No need. I killed them!" Having achieved the level of mastery in the Nine Brocade Technique, he saw what the Chen family had done and, armed with skill, his murderous intent arose. ``` Chapter 21 - 21: The Killer, Shen Qing! Crash! As soon as Shen Qing spoke, everyone present was stunned. They never expected that, facing the accusations of the Chen family and the tragic situation of the Tian Family, Shen Qing would actually... accept it. Uncle Shen the Second urgently said, "Qingzi, have you gone mad!" After speaking, he quickly stepped forward and explained, "Chen the Eldest, he''s young and immature, just talking nonsense." Standing beside him, Shen Qing glanced at Shen the Second, noticing that when he spoke, his hands were trembling slightly, clearly frightened. But Chen Yuan wouldn''t give up such a rare opportunity so easily. The opportunity from the Shen Shou Sect was right in front of him. It was just a matter of opening the path with silver. He said coldly, "Just because he''s young, doesn''t mean he can''t kill?" "Chen the Eldest, my elder brother only has one son. If he dies, how could I face my elder brother? Be generous, spare Qingzi. I... I''ll make sure to sell my future hunts to your family." Shen the Second knew that from today, he would surely offend Chen Yuan, but at this point, he had no choice but to stand up. The villagers all knew he had always protected his nephew, but when it truly mattered, he became a coward. This was something he absolutely could not accept. He didn''t want to live under the scorn of others. S~ea??h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The surrounding villagers felt a sense of sympathy seeing this. Recently, Chen Yuan had been visiting Shen Qing''s house frequently, and everyone knew his intentions. Today, Chen Yuan seized this opportunity and would certainly not let it go easily. Shen Qing must have realized this, which is why he took the initiative to confess. How pitiful! But knowing all this, at most, they could only offer silent sympathy. No one dared to stand out like Shen the Second. Facing the Chen family, they dared to feel angry but didn''t dare to speak. Shen Qing glanced around, taking in everyone''s reactions. He laughed softly, placing his hands on Shen the Second''s trembling ones, and shook his head, saying, "It''s useless. At this point, how could Chen Yuan let me go?" Uncle Shen the Second opened his mouth, wanting to say more, but saw that Shen Qing was already walking towards Chen Yuan. Though Shen Qing was only fifteen years old, thanks to recent training and meat nourishment, his body had become more robust. He looked directly at Chen Yuan and said with an unfaltering expression, "Do you want to know how your brother died back then?" The expression on Chen Yuan''s face gradually faded, and he narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing Shen Qing. Finding something amiss. Shen Qing was too calm. He showed no sign of fear. It simply didn''t make sense. Not only him, but others also found Shen Qing somewhat unfamiliar as they looked at him. Shen Qing ignored the astonished glances. As he approached Chen Yuan, he said, "Your third brother, Chen An, I shot two arrows through his heart before he could react. His eyes were wide open like copper bells when he died." "Your second brother, Chen Tai, I shot through the throat with an arrow. He couldn''t even scream, and his last breaths were like a broken bellows." As he said this, Shen Qing arrived in front of Chen Yuan, looking him in the eye, "So... what will you do?" The scene fell into deadly silence. The next moment, Chen Yuan felt a surge of anger from his spine to the top of his head, akin to a volcanic eruption, and roared, "You''re asking for death!" Enraged, Chen Yuan threw a punch at Shen Qing, his momentum fierce as wind. Shen Qing''s five fingers clamped around Chen Yuan''s wrist like a vice. Chen Yuan attempted to withdraw his wrist, only to find Shen Qing''s five fingers were like pincers, making it impossible to pull out. Shen Qing''s eyelids lifted slightly, revealing a chill. At that moment, in his eyes, Chen Yuan was no different from regular prey. He suddenly stomped forward. With a dull thud, he kicked Chen Yuan in the stomach. The Qi-Blood surged throughout his body at the moment he struck, pouring fully into his right leg, tightening the muscles on the sides of his thighs with iron-like strength, unleashing a terrifying force. Chen Yuan was lifted off his feet, his whole body airborne. Shen Qing took advantage of the situation, pulling Chen Yuan forward with a twist. Thud. The tall and burly Chen Yuan was laid flat by Shen Qing, crashing heavily onto the ground. Shen Qing twisted his wrist. Crack, crack, crack... Chen Yuan''s wrist bones were thoroughly crushed by Shen Qing, causing him to emit piercing screams. Shen Qing remained indifferent, sitting expressionlessly on Chen Yuan''s back. He grabbed his hair, lifting his face. His sharp eyes caught sight of a broken arrow with an arrowhead among the pile of junk tossed out during the raid by Chen Yuan and the others. Shen Qing quickly snatched it, hesitated not a single heartbeat, and stabbed it into Chen Yuan''s throat as if slaughtering prey. The rusted arrowhead pierced through the other side of Chen Yuan''s neck, a small tip emerging, and blood spurted out like a fountain. "Gh... gh..." Chen Yuan wanted to speak, yet couldn''t utter a word, as blood foamed from his mouth and nose. Shen Qing wiped the blood from his face, finding Chen Yuan not that impressive after all. He couldn''t understand why everyone feared such a person. "Ah, murder! You''ve killed Chen Yuan!" Nearby, Chen Dajiang shouted frantically, snapping everyone present out of their stupor and into chaos. The Chen family clansmen who were restraining the Tian Family exchanged glances, and, facing Shen Qing''s overwhelming presence, they instinctively loosened their hold on the Tian Family, retreating two steps back. They never imagined Shen Qing would dare to use deadly force, killing the mountain driver''s eldest son in front of everyone. Swift and decisive! Without the slightest hesitation. Suddenly, their scalps tingled, and their hearts filled with dread. Some less brave individuals shook so violently they couldn''t even stand. "He really did it!" "I never thought the eldest of the Shen family was so ruthless." "I thought Chen Yuan was trained in Martial Arts, yet he couldn''t even beat Shen Qing. Had I known he was so weak, I''d have fought back that day instead of holding back." All the onlookers were astounded. Uncle Shen the Second was so shocked he could barely speak. In his memory, Shen Qing had always been an honest, obedient child. His skills were mediocre, timid, and not very clever. Because of this, he was always submissive to everyone. But the Shen Qing before him now emanated an ominous aura, brimming with murderous intent. The fierceness he exuded surpassed even that of the village''s veteran hunters, sending a chill through the bones. Shen Qing ignored the crowd and turned his gaze towards Chen Dajiang. Chen Dajiang''s scalp tingled, the chill spreading from his head to his toes. Shen Qing took a deep breath, his Qi-Blood surged, and his face flushed red. The muscles in his thighs swelled, and under the aid of the Qi-Blood, an immense power far surpassing usual was unleashed. He looked directly at Chen Dajiang and said, "I never expected that as a neighbor, you could be so shameless. But do you know, those who stand out first usually die the fastest." "I didn''t do anything, just talking nonsense, let me go..." Just as Chen Dajiang tried to explain, Shen Qing whipped out a leg to strike. Bang! Chen Dajiang, who was standing, let out a miserable cry as both his legs snapped, crumpling to the ground. Clearly, Shen Qing had no intention of sparing him. He was vindictive and small-hearted by nature. Things that could be settled today would never be postponed to tomorrow. Chapter 22 - 22: Attacking the Rich, Devouring the Doomed Households ``` "Qingzi, enough." Uncle Shen the Second hurriedly stepped forward and pulled Shen Qing back, worrying he might act recklessly, and whispered, "Qingzi, you''re too impulsive. The Chen family has over ten households. By killing Chen Yuan in front of everyone today, you''ve made an irreconcilable feud with their family." "If the Chen family reports this to the county government, the murderer will have to pay with their life. You won''t be able to escape this." "You should run first! We''ll hold them off here. Lay low until this blows over." Shen Qing glanced at Uncle Shen the Second and said, "Run? Why should I run? I''m not the one at fault. If I hadn''t killed him just now, it would be my family left in ruin. There''s no reason for the victim to run away." "Ah..." After listening to Uncle Shen the Second, Shen Qing nodded and said, "But, uncle, your words woke me up. If the Chen family stirs up trouble with the county government, I''m definitely dead. They won''t spare me, and I don''t want to live my life on the run." "What are you planning to do?" "We must cut the weeds and dig out the roots," Shen Qing''s lips moved slightly, revealing cold yet straightforward words. "Chen Youguang''s three sons are dead. It doesn''t make sense for him, as their father, not to go join them." Uncle Shen the Second, seeing Shen Qing like this, hurriedly urged, "Qingzi, don''t be rash." But Shen Qing turned a deaf ear, his mind was very clear. The situation had escalated to this point, and he was already at loggerheads with Chen Youguang. The entire Chen family had to die today. No one would be able to stop him today. Shen Qing returned to the house, took out his bow and arrows, and carried them with him. sea??h th§× N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He walked up to Tian Xiaohu, lifted his chin, and said, "Are you coming or not?" Tian Xiaohu, seeing Shen Qing''s calm face, found it inexplicably handsome. He gritted his teeth, wiped the blood off his nose, and said, "I''m in!" With that, he also grabbed his bow and arrows from home, along with a dagger and ropes, and came out. In front of everyone, he slashed Chen Yuan''s still-warm corpse, cutting his throat. Then he said to Shen Qing, "I share in the killing of Chen Yuan!" Shen Qing was slightly taken aback, then immediately understood, "Alright!" "I share as well." "I''m also in." "..." The Tian Family, who had been pushed to the brink of ruin by Chen Yuan, all stood up, some grabbing knives or forks, and each stabbed Chen Yuan''s body once. In the blink of an eye, five or six hunters from the Tian Family stood behind Shen Qing. Shen Qing was overjoyed and laughed heartily, "Since that''s the case, everyone follow me to the Chen family to seize their wealth and finish them off." "Let''s go!" Shen Qing led the five or six members of the Tian Family, charging mightily towards Chen Youguang''s house. The scene was completely out of control. Seeing this, Chen the Fifth was scared out of his wits, trembling, "We''re doomed, we''re doomed, something big has happened!" He hurriedly ran towards the Chen family''s direction. "Huh?" Shen Qing''s sharp eyes spared no words, immediately shooting an arrow, knocking Chen the Fifth to the ground. The speed was so fast that even the Tian family beside him hadn''t reacted. Tian Xiaohu was greatly shocked, "Such quick and precise archery!" He couldn''t help but admire Shen Qing even more. Chen the Fifth was close with Chen Youguang''s family, that much Tian Xiaohu knew. As they passed by Chen the Fifth, he said nothing, and without missing a beat, delivered a swift slash, sending him to his grave. The villagers from other villages and communes, seeing the chaos, all hurried back home to arm themselves and followed Shen Qing, watching from behind. Watching Shen Qing''s departing figure, Uncle Shen the Second was somewhat dazed. He stomped his foot and went home to call Xiaohu and Shanwa, "Hurry, grab your stuff, and head to Chen Youguang''s house." "Grandpa, what''s the matter?" "Don''t ask, just go!" "Oh, okay!" Seeing that Shen the Second had no intention of explaining, Xiaohu and Shanwa didn''t press further, and immediately followed suit upon hearing him. ... The Chen family. Chen Youguang, the leader of the mountain drivers in Hongshan Village, sat on a cart, chatting with the clan''s previous generation leader. "This time I''ll have to trouble you, uncle, to speak with a few families on our behalf, to lead the way in supplying goods. Our family isn''t far removed; we should be more united." Chen Youguang said with a smile, "Once I visit the county, I''ll return the portion owed to your family, and we''ll split the clan''s earnings three to seven." "Agreed." "Then I''ll rely on you for support." Just as Chen Youguang was beaming with satisfaction, a junior from the clan ran over in a panic, "It''s bad, it''s bad, uncle, second uncle..." "Cute Chen, what''s the matter?" Chen An, out of breath and flustered, said, "Shen Qing... Shen Qing... he..." "What about Shen Qing?" "He killed Brother Yuan Chen!" Cute Chen blurted out the rest of the words in one breath. Boom! Suddenly, it was as if Chen Youguang had been struck by lightning. "Say what?" "Shen Qing killed Brother Yuan Chen in front of everyone!" "My son had already been practicing martial arts. In this Hongshan Village, who could possibly kill him?!" Chen Youguang found it difficult to believe that Shen Qing, who couldn''t hold his head high or hunt well, could kill his son. Cute Chen urgently said, "He really is dead. Everyone saw it; Brother Yuan Chen couldn''t beat him at all. Just one encounter, and Shen Qing knocked Brother Yuan Chen to the ground. His body is still there now." Chen Youguang''s eyes immediately filled with blood, turning red, gritting his teeth, "Scofflaw!" He could convince himself about the deaths of Chen An and Chen Tai, but Chen Yuan''s death was something he couldn''t accept. A son with martial talent had a completely different significance to him. The reason he actively amassed wealth and established connections in the county was to pave the way for Chen Yuan. As long as there was a martial master registered in the family''s name, over two or three generations, it might not be impossible to settle in the county and establish a "Chen Family." Now with Chen Yuan''s death, it was akin to uprooting his foundation. Everything he had worked on became meaningless. Chen Youguang''s once rosy complexion turned pale as paper. "Uncle, you must get out quickly. Shen Qing and the Tian Family have united and are coming here to kill us." Chen Youguang suddenly felt his scalp tingle and a shiver ran through him as he hurriedly climbed down from the cart. "Quick, run!" Before he could finish speaking, a feathered arrow shot out with a cold gleam, piercing through Chen An''s temple in the sunlight. Chen An couldn''t even let out a scream as he fell instantly. "Ah!" The Chen family''s great uncle was scared out of his wits. "Run!" Chen Youguang, having been the head of the mountain drivers in Hongshan Village, still had some skill. Seeing the situation turn, he immediately turned around and ran. But he underestimated Shen Qing''s archery skills. Just as Chen An fell, another feathered arrow whistled over, giving Chen Youguang no opportunity to react. The White Feather Arrow reached his chest just as he was finishing his sentence. ``` Chapter 23 - 23: A Complete Family ``` Chen Youguang turned back, his eyes suddenly widening. A flash of cold light passed through his eyes. Splat! The sharp arrowhead instantly tore through the fabric of his chest, piercing the skin. Blood and flesh were torn apart violently, fresh blood gushed out, sprinkling in the air like a blooming, withered flower. The arrow''s momentum was not yet spent, deeply embedding into his chest, and the strong force pushed him, staggering, into the wall. Chen Youguang looked down at his chest in panic, hastily covering it with his hand, the crimson blood seeping continuously through his fingers. In the next moment, intense pain spread throughout his body, making it nearly impossible for him to stand. But a single arrow was not enough to take his life. The old hunter, having crawled and rolled in the mountains for years, quickly calmed down thanks to his strong will to survive. He struggled to muster all his strength, rushing into the yard, hoping to use the courtyard wall as a shield for some breathing space. As if seeing through his intent, Tian Xiaohu accelerated fiercely, reaching the Chen Family''s gate ahead of Shen Qing. Using his entire body''s inertia, he crashed open the courtyard gate of the Chen Family. Behind the door, Chen Youguang, already bleeding and weak, staggered and fell to the ground. Tian Xiaohu''s eyes were fierce, and he pulled out a rope from his body, wrapped it around Chen Youguang''s neck, lifted him up, and then hung him on the lintel. Chen Youguang''s face was full of despair and struggle, his legs kicking frantically in the air. His hands gripped the rough rope tightly, his fingertips turning white from the exertion, faintly uttering "Help." But no one came to rescue him. Quickly, Chen Youguang''s face contorted, his lips pressed tightly, veins bulging on his forehead, his face turning red and purple. But Tian Xiaohu held the rope tightly, showing no sign of letting go. Gradually, Chen Youguang''s body lost its strength, eventually hanging lifelessly in the air. Blood from his chest dripped along his cotton clothes, pants, to his heels, falling drop by drop. "Ah!" Chen Kaijun, the previous patriarch of the Chen Family, was so frightened by the scene that he crawled and rolled, trying to flee. After just a few steps, he saw a pair of worn shoes made of animal skin. Chen Kaijun slowly raised his head to see a dark-skinned, handsome young man, with a bow drawn back fully, the arrow aimed at him. His face turned in horror, just about to speak. S§×arch* The N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. With a muffled thud. Shen Qing released his fingers. The arrow shot like lightning, piercing through Chen Kaijun''s skull. Chen Kaijun''s eyes quickly lost their shine, his body slumping to the ground. Shen Qing stepped expressionlessly over Chen Kaijun''s body and walked towards the Chen Family''s gate. Behind him, the Tian Family member and many villagers who had gathered to watch stopped in their tracks. Seeing Chen Youguang, who had been a powerful figure in Hongshan Village, hanging dead on his doorstep, all were moved. No one had expected Shen Qing and Tian Xiaohu to act so swiftly, with almost no hesitation or delay. At this time, Shen the Second arrived at the Chen Family with Shen Xiaohu and Shen Xiaoshan. He saw the three corpses ahead, his face changed dramatically, and he suddenly stopped. "Father, what do you want us to do?" Shen Xiaohu, not paying attention, bumped into Shen the Second''s back and stopped. Curiously, he and his brother Shen Xiaoshan circled around Shen the Second to look ahead. Seeing the ground full of red blood and the three Chen family corpses, the brothers turned pale with fright. "Grandpa, this... what happened¡­ Why is Brother Qingzi over there¡­" The first time witnessing a murder, Shen Xiaohu stammered, his tongue tied. However, Shen the Second was equally shocked and did not respond. At the Chen Family''s gate, Tian Xiaohu tied the other end of the rope to the lintel and spat viciously at Chen Youguang''s corpse. He cursed gleefully, "Didn''t expect you, old bastard, to have your day, hahaha¡­" Over the years, the Tian Family, as outsiders, had a tough time in Hongshan Village. An important reason was the suppression and exclusion by the Chen Family, led by Chen Youguang. Tian Family member Tian Chuan was killed without a place to seek justice. If not for Shen Qing stepping up today, Tian Xiaohu would likely have faced a grim fate too. So, when killing Chen Youguang, he felt no psychological burden. After cursing, Tian Xiaohu looked at Shen Qing. In his eyes, this once docile young man, after killing the Chen Family, now appeared calm, without a ripple on his face. Though three years older than Shen Qing, he admitted to himself that if it were him, he could never reach such a state. His admiration for Shen Qing grew from the heart. Shen Qing looked back. After the kill, an intense aura emanated from him. In his eyes were traces of ferocity, like a hungry tiger coming down the mountain, chilling to the bone in the winter cold. Anyone who met his eyes involuntarily took a step back. "Why is Shen Family Qingzi so fierce?" "Never saw it before, he kills like hunting, too ruthless." "¡­" Having probed around for days, Shen Qing had realized the cost of learning martial arts in the county was far more than he imagined. It was not something an ordinary family could afford. Apart from the entry-level silver, there were bribes, master''s fees, medicine fees, and a large amount of supplement costs. Easily, hundreds of taels of silver could be spent without making a sound. The saying "poor literati, rich martial artists" was true without a doubt. So, when he saw Chen Youguang trying to monopolize the Hongshan Village''s mountain goods channel, he had a thought. Chen Youguang likely had a stable channel in the county for Chen Yuan''s martial arts. If he seized the channel and had a steady income, his martial arts practice would receive better support. Chen Yuan gave him the opportunity when he intersected with him. He used this to provoke the opponent, successfully wiping out the "mountain drivers." An entire family, all neat and tidy. But it was not enough. The Chen Family in Hongshan Village had more than ten households, with four closely tied to Chen Youguang, forming a clique. Now, having killed Chen Youguang''s whole family, he had, in a sense, encroached on their interests. There was no certainty that some of them weren''t in contact with people in the county. According to the laws of the Great Zhou, a life for a life. If handled according to the law, he''d hardly survive intact. Unlike the Chen Family, he had no connections. If left unchecked, it would be a future threat. While killing Chen Youguang''s entire family was justified, cleansing the remaining Chen Family households posed a problem. The Tian Family wouldn''t strike with him again. However, since the stage was set to this extent, Shen Qing would not let this rare opportunity slip and intended to push further. He plunged into the Chen Family looking around. Soon, he found a box of money. Opening it, Shen Qing saw a pile of copper coins, about twenty or so silver ingots hidden in it. Excitedly, Shen Qing took the largest silver ingots and put them in his pocket. Then, he took the box outside the gate, raising it high. ``` Chapter 24 - 24 Coercion ``` Bang! Under everyone''s gaze, Shen Qing slammed the wooden box onto the ground. The sturdy box shattered into pieces under his strength. Clatter... A large amount of copper coins and silver ingots scattered across the ground, glimmering in the sunlight. The Tian Family members, Shen Family members, and other hunters from Hongshan Village inhaled sharply. They were ordinary people with no connections, always living meagerly. When had they ever seen so much money? At this moment, a box full of money lay before them, giving them a massive shock. Each one of them stared intently, hearts filled with greed. Seeing the timing was right, Shen Qing shouted, full of vigor, "There''s always been a saying with the Chen Family, that if a man dies leaving only orphans and widows, they''d use the funeral as an excuse to throw a feast and eat all their meat and grain dry." "We secretly call this ''eating the orphaned.''" "Now, Chen Yuan''s entire family is wiped out, all the things in this house have become ownerless, and they should be shared by those who find them. We too should eat his orphaned," Shen Qing said in an extremely persuasive voice, "Everyone can come and take." The crowd watching suddenly buzzed with excitement. Shen the Second saw Shen Qing standing calmly at the doorway. For some reason, he found him increasingly unfamiliar. When did someone like this appear in the Shen Family? Seeing that no one dared to move after a while, Shen Qing coldly mocked, "What, no one dares?" Shen the Second couldn''t quite guess Shen Qing''s motive, but he knew that as a Shen Family member, especially as Shen Qing''s uncle, he couldn''t detach himself from today''s matters no matter what. Rather than letting others benefit, it was better for his own family. He gritted his teeth and shouted, "I''ll take it!" Shen the Second ran in front of Shen Qing, directly pocketing the silver ingots in front of everyone. Other Tian Family members exchanged glances and quickly joined the group, frantically collecting money. At this point, those who were observing couldn''t hold back any longer. "All this money was from Chen Youguang sucking us dry, it''s ours from the beginning." "If we don''t take it, it''s wasted!" Once someone took the lead, like a breached dam finding an outlet, everyone rushed forward. Seeing the people behind them rush over, Shen the Second, clutching the silver ingots, ran behind Shen Qing, guarding him tightly. By this time, those at the back saw they couldn''t squeeze in, looked up at the house, bypassed those grabbing money at the doorway, and rushed inside. Others also realized and poured in. These people worried about being a step behind, grabbing nothing, so they took whatever they saw. Some even called their family over, using hoes to dig at the wall base, not even sparing Chen Youguang''s house bricks. The usually peaceful villagers swarmed like locusts, leaving nothing behind. Even though there was some time before the end of the year, Hongshan Village seemed to have already plunged into a frenzy, everyone losing their minds. Boom! With days of joint efforts, the bricks of Chen Youguang''s house collapsed. In the time it takes to drink a pot of tea, the once proper Chen Family had turned into a pile of ruins. If Shen Qing hadn''t stood at the door, these people might have dismantled the Chen Family''s gate entirely. By this point, most of the village had been swept into the matter. Seeing the time was about right. Shen Qing loudly shouted, "Folks, today we''ve taken care of Chen Youguang''s family and split the Chen Family''s wealth. What if Chen Family members who were close to Chen Youguang become dissatisfied and come to the county town to trouble us?" "According to Great Zhou''s law, we have no connections in the county town, everyone might be held accountable." The villagers, initially immersed in a joyful atmosphere, looked at each other, licking their dry lips. Suddenly, someone from the crowd shouted, "We should just finish what we started. If we kill those families too, no one will trouble us." These hunters, long accustomed to living in the mountains, were no easy targets, and under the influence of benefits, their killing intent was aroused. Seeing someone take the lead, Shen Qing smoothly picked up the conversation, "Fine, let''s finish it, everyone follow me to ''eat a few more orphans.''" As he finished speaking, Shen Qing aggressively strode towards several Chen Family members. Shen Qing remembered several Chen Family members who were very close to Chen Youguang, often arrogant in Hongshan Village, with a terrible reputation. Each family had more or less some grievances within. Bang! The crowd smashed open one of the doors and rushed in. Soon, tragic screams were heard. Almost all thirty-odd households in Hongshan Village had hunters, who were extremely vicious when they made a move. Shen Qing stood outside, not entering, watching expressionlessly. "For now, I have not truly cultivated martial arts, not even achieving great perfection in Qi-Blood. If the county town sends a real martial master, I''m no match." "So I must eliminate all dangers in the cradle, uniting the entire Hongshan Village into one, making it impenetrable." "Only then can I be truly safe." "Give me some time, once I master Qi-Blood and find backing in the county town, becoming a true martial master, all these issues will be solved." "Now is not the time for feminine sensibility." Shen Qing''s eyes lowered, looking at everything before him, understanding in his heart, he suppressed the hesitation rising within. With Shen Qing''s implicit guidance, the Hongshan Village hunters had completely let go. S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Almost every household gained some benefits or got involved in murderous deeds. At this point, everyone was in the same boat, no one would betray Shen Qing to outsiders. By late afternoon, after burying Chen Youguang and the bodies of other Chen family members on the back hill, all matters finally settled. Through this event, Shen Qing''s ruthless reputation spread completely throughout Hongshan Village, and his status rose almost linearly. No one dared to look down on him again like before. Returning home. Shen Qing put down his bow and arrows, finally relaxing. After being home for not too long, Shen Qing heard Shen Xiaoshan calling from outside. "Brother, are you home?" "Coming." Shen Qing walked over and opened the door. Seeing Shen Qing, Shen Xiaoshan seemed overwhelmed by an evil energy, instinctively stepping back, showing a hint of unfamiliarity. He seemed to realize his own change, quickly saying, "Grandfather asked you to come over, said he has some questions for you." Shen Qing knew it was most likely about today''s matters. He didn''t refuse, saying, "Alright, I''ll be right there." Just as he was about to leave, Shen Qing remembered something. He went inside to get the padded jacket his aunt had made, put it on, then closed the door behind him and walked out with his head held high. ``` Chapter 25 - 25 The New Leader of Hongshan Village Uncle Shen the Second''s earthen house had its main door slightly ajar. A faint light drifted out from the gap in the door, tinting the white snow with a soft orange glow. Shanwa walked over before Shen Qing, pushing the door open and calling, "Grandfather, Brother Qingzi is here." Immediately, there was the sound of a chair scraping the floor and someone getting up inside the house. Shen Qing followed closely behind Shanwa and stepped inside. When he entered the room, he saw that it wasn''t only Uncle Shen the Second who was present. Several elders from the Shen Family in Hongshan Village, Tian Xiaohu of the Tian Family, Zhang Baqing of the Zhang Family, and other renowned hunters from the village were all there. As they saw Shen Qing enter, they all turned their eyes towards the door, focusing their gaze on Shen Qing, and stood up. Faced with these people, Shen Qing showed no sign of pressure. He met their gaze and walked in without changing his expression. Shen the Second looked at him with a complicated expression and said, "Qingzi, you''ve come?" "Mm," Shen Qing stepped forward curiously and asked, "Today''s matters are almost concluded. I wonder what my uncle wants with me?" "There are some things everyone feels still need discussing. Please, have a seat." Tian Xiaohu, with keen awareness, pulled out a chair and placed it at the head of the table. This detail didn''t escape Shen the Second''s notice, causing a complex mix of emotions in his heart. Shen Qing, without any hesitation, sat openly at the head of the table. S§×ar?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Seeing him seated, the others followed suit, subtly indicating his leadership. No one found this incongruous. Today, they had clearly seen everything Shen Qing did. His fierce demeanor still lingered in their minds with unease. It was precisely this ferocity that transformed Shen Qing from a humble hunter in the village yesterday to a significant figure today, surpassing everyone else. The wick of the oil lamp flickered with the disturbance of the breeze, casting blurry shadows. The shadows of the people around, illuminated by the lamp, swayed gently. Once the shadows in the room steadied, Shen the Second began, "Now that Qingzi is here, let''s get straight to the point." After sweeping his gaze across everyone, he settled it on Shen Qing and said, "The main matter today is the new leader for Hongshan Village. Everyone wants to hear your opinion, Qingzi." "The new leader for Hongshan Village?" Shen Qing furrowed his brows. The so-called hunting leader was the head of all hunters in the village. This position wasn''t of utmost importance, yet it was indispensable. The mountains of this world weren''t safe, and the mountain drivers faced various dangers from time to time. Every hunting village selected a leader to guide them, increasing their survival rate. Don''t be fooled by Chen Youguang, who exploited villagers in Hongshan Village; in his youth, he was actually quite a renowned hunter. He had discovered many safe hunting areas for the villagers and led them to avoid numerous risks. A middle-aged man with thick eyebrows and large eyes looked at Shen Qing earnestly and said, "Chen Youguang used to be the hunting leader of Hongshan Village, and now that he''s dead, this position is naturally vacant. There are many small and large conflicts in this village, so we need someone to take over to prevent major slip-ups." Hearing this, Shen Qing looked over. He remembered this person. It was Zhang Baqing from the Zhang Family. His hunting skills were excellent, often standing up for the Zhang Family, and he was a respected hunter in Hongshan Village. The Zhang Family had largely avoided being targeted by Chen Youguang and others, thanks to his contributions. Shen Qing pondered for a moment and then asked, "Does anyone have a suitable candidate in mind?" In a few exchanges, from everyone''s reactions, he roughly gauged their intentions. The massacre of the Chen Family today was instigated by him. The power he displayed during the process truly shocked them and made them wary. Otherwise, with his experience and standing in the village, the matter of the hunting leader wouldn''t even be discussed with him. Additionally, after slaying the Chen Family, these families had gained some benefits, whether much or little. So, they felt not only fearful but held a certain "respect" for him. That''s why everyone was sitting at the same table so harmoniously. Zhang Baqing showed a friendly smile and said sincerely, "I believe, Qingzi, you are strong enough to take on the position of hunting leader." "What do you all think?" Shen Qing shifted his gaze from Zhang Baqing to the others. "Baoqing makes a good point. Qingzi, I am convinced; I support you as the hunting leader." "I support it too." "..." Others, including Tian Xiaohu, also voiced their support. Shen Qing smiled and refused, "I''m still young and don''t have much reputation in the village. It might be hard for me to convince others." Uncle Shen the Second was surprised by Shen Qing''s decision and advised, "Age isn''t an issue. As long as you are willing, I think everyone will surely support you." "To be honest, while I consider myself strong and capable of killing, I lack the experience to handle village affairs. I wouldn''t know how to manage as the hunting leader." Shen Qing sat in the chair, gently shaking his head, his mind in motion. He needed to practice archery, hunt, and learn to read. Additionally, he planned to enter the city to train in martial arts. These endeavors were already enough to keep him occupied. He didn''t have the energy to take on the role of hunting leader. Moreover, the position, as he saw it, wasn''t worth the effort. Apart from some gains in hunting and a bit of prestige in the village, it offered no substantial benefit. Instead of fussing over village matters, it was better to find a way to earn money, go to the county to learn martial arts, and rise above others. Why waste time, lingering in this mountain hollow, hindered by trivial gains? With a smile on his face, Shen Qing observed for a moment and then said, "Does anyone else have another suitable candidate?" As he spoke, his gaze slowly fell on Zhang Baqing. Having lived two lifetimes, he possessed sharp instincts for interpersonal dynamics. He faintly felt that Zhang Baqing was quite interested in the hunting leader position. Since he didn''t want it, he might as well extend a favor in exchange for something he needed at the moment. The people at the table looked at each other, surprised. Shen Qing''s refusal disrupted their original plans, leaving them unsure of how to respond. Seeing that none of those present spoke, Shen Qing looked at Zhang Baqing meaningfully and said, "I think Uncle Zhang is very suitable. What do you all think?" Sure enough, upon Shen Qing''s suggestion, a look of joy emerged beneath Zhang Baqing''s calm facade. Even though he believed he was hiding it well, Shen Qing caught it. Shen Qing knew his own matter was now almost certainly settled. Chapter 26 - 26: Grow Bigger and Stronger ``` Zhang Baqing''s seniority in the family was similar to Shen the Second and the others. Living in the same village, it was appropriate for Shen Qing to call him Uncle. After Shen Qing spoke, everyone shifted their attention to Zhang Baqing, all looking in his direction. Initially, no one thought much of it, but after Shen Qing''s suggestion, they found it somewhat fitting. Zhang Baqing had lived in the village for many years and had never failed in hunting. He was the breadwinner for his entire family, and his hunting skills were outstanding. Moreover, the seven or eight households of the Zhang Family respected him. He was always good with people in the village, and his prestige was substantial. If Shen Qing did not become the "mountain driver," letting Zhang Baqing take the position would also satisfy the villagers. To be honest, Shen Qing was still too young. Sitting as the "mountain driver" was indeed a bit premature. So, after Shen Qing''s suggestion, a hunter nodded in agreement and said, "Qingzi is right, I also think Baqing is suitable to be our village''s ''mountain driver.''" Uncle Shen the Second, sitting nearby, glanced at Shen Qing. He did not understand why Shen Qing would choose Zhang Baqing, but he knew his nephew was somewhat unusual. As a family member, there was no reason to object, so he agreed, "I do too, I think Baqing is suitable." With several people expressing their opinions, the others naturally had nothing to say. They all followed Shen Qing''s suggestion, allowing Zhang Baqing to become the new mountain driver of Hongshan Village. Zhang Baqing, realizing he unexpectedly gained such a big advantage, could no longer hide his joy, his face fully revealing his happiness. "Then I shall humbly accept and will certainly fulfill my responsibilities, ensuring the safety of Hongshan Village. I will make sure not to end up like Chen Youguang, exploiting the villagers." "You can exploit them too, it doesn''t matter. If you ever become like Chen Youguang, I''ll kill your entire family, just like today," Shen Qing casually added, causing the once joyous face of Zhang Baqing to stiffen abruptly. The atmosphere suddenly turned strange. Shen Qing laughed it off and said, "Alright, don''t be so serious, I was just joking." A joke? Now that''s the real joke. Zhang Baqing laughed awkwardly twice, easing the tension. Shen Qing tapped the table with his finger and said, "Now that the matter of the ''mountain driver'' in the village is settled, I happen to have something that needs everyone''s support." "What is Qingzi talking about?" Uncle Shen the Second asked. "Taking mountain goods to the city." Shen Qing began, speaking solemnly, "Spring isn''t far off, and with this rare good weather, we must quickly sell the village''s mountain goods in the city to prevent further complications." "I''ve recently hunted quite a bit and plan to take Chen Youguang''s old horse and cart to the city, and there''s still plenty of room left on the cart. Should the ''mountain driver'' ask everyone if they want to sell what they have this time?" S~ea??h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. With that, Shen Qing threw the question to Zhang Baqing. Zhang Baqing observed Shen Qing''s ambiguous smile and understood his intention. This was his chance to return the favor. Zhang Baqing pretended to ponder before saying, "Of course, we should sell. What price are you offering?" "I don''t know the situation in the city myself. For now, let''s keep it the same as before; I won''t raise or lower the price. If there''s a loss, I''ll bear it myself." "That''s probably acceptable. Chen Youguang and his people wanted to lower the price so much, but you didn''t drop it at all. Many families will likely agree. I''ll ask around each house tonight and get back to you in the morning." "Okay, then I''ll trouble you, Uncle Zhang." "No problem." Shen Qing had already taken Chen Youguang''s horse and cart, and the people present were tactful enough not to ask more questions. After discussing the major issues, Zhang Baqing and the others politely declined Shen the Second''s invitation and left into the night. Once everyone left the main hall, Aunt Wang, along with her two sons and Shen Fang, emerged from the side chambers. Aunt Wang asked, "Have they all left?" "Yes," Uncle Shen the Second instructed, "Wife, get out that mountain goat I hunted recently and roast it. I''ll have Qingzi stay for a meal." Aunt Wang certainly heard about what happened in the village that day. When she looked at Shen Qing again, her expression clearly changed, with a hint of fear and estrangement. Shen Qing, however, paid it no mind. He grinned and said, "What''s wrong, Auntie? Don''t recognize me?" He tugged at the old coat he wore and said, "The clothes Auntie made for me a while back, I''m wearing them right now." Aunt Wang glanced at Shen Qing''s clothes, and the estrangement in her eyes suddenly melted away completely. People outside talked about how ruthless Shen Qing was. But now, it seemed, he was still the same nephew of hers. "Look at you showing off. One day, I''ll take the clothes off you and take them back," Aunt Wang glared at Shen Qing and headed into the kitchen. Shen Qing chuckled. He dragged a stool over and sat next to Uncle Shen the Second, asking, "How much did you get today?" "I haven''t counted exactly. It''s all silver ingots, definitely six or seven taels, or I wouldn''t have been willing to invite you for mutton." After spending some time together, Shen the Second also let go of his concerns and sighed, "You, boy, are ruthless." "I had no choice. If I hadn''t acted, my sister would''ve surely been sold by them." "Sigh...true, this world is what it is." Shen Qing composed his expression and got to the point, "Uncle, I want to discuss something with you." "In the future, I plan to sell our mountain goods to the city, and I can''t handle it alone. Xiao Hu and Shanwa are growing up; it''s time to spend money on them. Their hunting skills aren''t there yet, and they''re idle at home anyway. Why not let them come help me expand this business?" Shen Qing knew that after his father''s death, the Chen Family robbed a lot from their household. In the cold winter, lacking clothing and food. If it weren''t for Uncle Shen the Second remembering their brotherly bond and sharing some of his family''s grain, The fate of his sister and himself would be uncertain. He had not forgotten this debt of gratitude. In the countryside, there was strong solidarity, with kinship and blood ties being paramount. Many businesses in the county were established by relying on clan kin and fellow villagers. Now that he had some capabilities, finding outsiders still made him uneasy; it was better to involve Uncle''s family, more reliable. Once the mountain goods business stabilized, he could pass it on to his two cousins. He would take only a share for maintaining relations in the city, without needing to shuttle back and forth. The time freed up could be devoted to training, progressing and enhancing his skills. Taking this opportunity to become a martial master and truly establish a foothold in the county. "Uncle, what do you think? Can we do it?" Shen the Second looked at his nephew, noting the clear logic in his words, resembling more a city person than a hunter struggling for a living. Yet, his tenacity surpassed that of many seasoned hunters. He did not immediately respond to Shen Qing, pondering for a while before saying, "I''ll give it some more thought." ``` Chapter 27 - 27 Finalized (Please Follow) ``` Seeing Shen the Second hesitate, both Xiao Hu and Shanwa grew a bit anxious. Shen Xiaohu had longed to go to the city, and now that there was a rare chance, he quickly said, "Grandpa, since Brother Qingzi is going to the city tomorrow, why don''t I go with him? It wouldn''t hurt to give it a try." After pondering for a while, Shen the Second felt there was indeed no harm in it and nodded, "Then go for a trip and see. If you''re not cut out for it, come back and hunt with me in peace." Seeing that Shen the Second did not oppose his plan, Shen Xiaohu beamed with joy and agreed without hesitation. On the side, Shen Xiaoshan, seeing his brother seize the opportunity, couldn''t help but become anxious, opening his mouth to speak. However, just as he opened his mouth, Shen the Second seemed to read his mind and said, "You can go next time." Instantly, Shen Xiaoshan slumped back, replying weakly with an "Oh." "By the way, Uncle, I wanted to ask if there''s anyone else in our village apart from the Chen Family who is familiar with the county?" Shen Qing had never been to the county and was completely clueless about the situation there. S§×ar?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. It would be best to have someone accompany him on this trip to the county. Without thinking, Shen the Second replied, "It''s definitely Zhang Family''s bookworm. He''s spent quite a few years in the county, fear the Chen family members aren''t even as familiar with it as he is." Shen Qing suddenly remembered. He almost forgot about this matter. Zhang Shuyuan had studied in the county and even lived there for several years afterward. It was only when he couldn''t make it that he returned to the village. In terms of familiarity with the village, it was indeed him. "Then when I leave, I should ask him to go with me." At this moment, Shen the Second suddenly recalled something and instructed, "Qingzi, when you go to the city tomorrow, remember to visit Linfeng Hall to see your aunt. I''ll gather some mountain goods from home for you to take." "Anything you want me to say?" Shen Qing asked casually. Almost like his thoughts were exposed, Uncle Shen the Second, a seasoned hunter who made a living in the mountains, showed a rare moment of embarrassment. "Just ask them if Linfeng Hall''s outer gate is accepting disciples. If they are, I''d like Shanwa to give it a try." Initially, given the poor family conditions, he didn''t dare to think about this. But after acquiring six or seven taels of silver from the Chen Family, he gained some confidence. The idea of letting Shanwa practice martial arts became active again. Shen Qing didn''t think much of it and agreed immediately, "Alright." Afterwards, uncle and nephew casually chatted about details, and the matter of selling mountain goods was more or less settled. However, Shen Qing didn''t bring up the division of profits. Until now, Shen Qing was entirely in the dark about the situation in the county and didn''t dare to commit. He had to take one step at a time. He would wait until he figured out the situation in the county to say more. This matter concerned his future plans, and he had to give it thought. From what he knew, most martial masters in the county either ran a martial arts hall or relied on imperial grain. They all had stable sources of income. Otherwise, with no support, constantly worrying about the daily necessities, no martial master could peacefully temper qi-blood and refine physical skills. Even for himself, no matter how talented he was, without stable progress in martial arts, he could hardly establish a foothold in the county. For someone like him, who came from the lower class without any backing, standing firm in the class-divided Taiping County wasn''t just a matter of talking. Taking on disciples, paying respects, buying precious medicine, currying favor, seeking cultivation techniques... Failing in any of these could lead to unfinished success. Shen Qing understood this well. After discussing the main issues, Shen Qing, Uncle Shen the Second, Shen Xiaohu, and Shen Xiaoshan chatted about family matters and recent interesting stories inside and outside the village. The atmosphere gradually became much more lively. Moments later, Aunt Wang had already roasted a rack of lamb and brought it to the table. The goat roasted over the fire turned golden brown on the surface, dripping with oil. A tempting aroma wafted out, a mix of cumin and lamb fragrance. Besides the roasted lamb ribs, Aunt Wang also stir-fried a plate of bamboo shoots and wild vegetables from the mountains. Shen Qing knew that his aunt, who usually refrained from seasoning much, had indeed put in considerable effort and determination. "Auntie''s cooking skills are really amazing. Such delicious food, I''ve only had it during the New Year," Shen Qing couldn''t resist belching, causing everyone to laugh. After the meal, Shen Qing chatted at his uncle''s house for a while before getting up to leave. On the way home, Shen Fang quietly followed behind Shen Qing, becoming silent. ... After a day''s work. That night, Shen Qing slept exceptionally well. At the crack of dawn, he woke up early as usual, stood for stance training, and planned to boost the progress of cultivating Nine Skills. Since achieving the level of mastery in Nine Skills, Shen Qing often felt warm all over, not fearing the harsh winter at all. In the past, such a winter would have kept him from getting out of bed. Shen Qing spread his legs, let his breath sink to the Dantian as described in the book. Soon, his breathing became deep and even, his body seemingly merging with the surrounding air, as a warm current surged, flowing like a gentle stream through his meridians. With the rhythm of his breathing, Shen Qing''s chest rose and fell slightly, with qi-blood circulating within his body. Beneath his skin, a faint red glow emerged, indicating the growth of qi-blood. After cultivating for about half an hour, Shen Qing finally stopped. He exhaled a mouthful of stale air, clenched his fists, and faintly sensed an increase in his physical strength. A trace of delight appeared on Shen Qing''s face. Once the heat dissipated almost completely, he put on a cotton coat. Upon opening the door, he saw a young man about his age standing at the door, with hands tucked in, constantly stomping his feet. The young man Shen Qing came out and rushed over, grinning, "Brother Qingzi, last night my father went door to door, asking everyone. They all said they''re fine with it, and the goods from the mountains will be handed over to you to sell." This young man was Zhang Baqing''s son¡ªZhang Fanglin. Presumably tasked by Zhang Baqing, he came specially for this, standing at the door probably for some time. "Great, thank Uncle Zhang for me. I''ll pack up and then go around collecting." "And this..." Zhang Fanglin took out several paper packets from his chest, "Brother Qingzi, these are medicines my grandpa got from the Chen Family. He said they''re good for nourishing qi-blood and thought you''d find them useful, so he asked me to bring them to you." Zhang Baqing''s actions slightly surprised Shen Qing. It was clear that relinquishing the position of mountain driver was a great favor to him. Shen Qing did not refuse, taking them generously, "Please thank your grandpa for me." "No problem! If that''s all, I''ll head back now." Zhang Fanglin gave a slight bow, tucking his hands into his sleeves, and ran off. Looking at the medicinal herbs in his hand, a faint smile appeared on Shen Qing''s lips. He never thought there''d come a day in the village when he''d be in a position to receive such favors. Shen Qing felt he must quickly find a reliable background in the county to progress in martial arts. In this world, strong power is the foundation of everything! ``` Chapter 28 - 28 Entering the County Town (Please Follow) ``` "Sir, I''m about to head to Taiping County. I''ve never been to the county town, so I''m not very familiar with it. I''ve heard others say that you''ve lived in the county town for many years and know all the rules like the back of your hand." "So, I''d like to ask you to accompany me to the county town and give me some guidance." Shen Qing stood in front of Zhang Shuyuan, speaking very humbly. Zhang Shuyuan, while reading, casually said, "I don''t want to go. It''s so cold, freezing weather, my health has never been good, I can''t handle the ordeal. Besides, it''s been a long time since I''ve been to the county town..." "I''ll pay you." Shen Qing looked at Zhang Shuyuan with a bright smile, eyes sincere. Zhang Shuyuan thought to himself, how could such an insightful child be so worldly? "It''s not about the money, mainly because..." "I''ll give you one hundred wen, with a carriage for transportation." Zhang Shuyuan put down the book and sighed, "Alright, I''ll go with you, but..." "Two hundred wen." "When do we leave?" "In about an hour." "Then I''ll find you in an hour." "Thank you, sir." After Shen Qing left, Zhang Shuyuan let out a long sigh. He had heard about what happened in the village yesterday. But he wasn''t surprised. In the county town, gang fights and similar murders were too common. He was long used to it. So, facing Shen Qing, he remained calm and dared to ask for money. "It''s a disgrace to the literati. But earning money is not shameful, even the old sages need to eat." ... After Zhang Baqing took on the role of mountain driver, he was filled with vigor, handling everything Shen Qing entrusted to him well. With the help of the Shen Family''s Cousin, almost everything was taken care of without Shen Qing needing to intervene. Looking at the cart that was already filled, Shen Qing felt a twinge of emotion. Truly, when poor in a bustling city, no one asks, but when rich in remote mountains, distant relatives come. He had come to understand the cold and warmth of human relationships. Back then, when he had nothing, it was difficult to even borrow a bowl of rice from someone. Now he had only cultivated the Nine Skills, this basic Martial Arts, to the level of mastery, not yet reaching the Great Perfection of Qi and Blood, and it was already like this. He wondered, how formidable must the martial masters who truly stepped into the Martial Arts path in the county town be? Shen Qing put away his reflections, glanced at the sky, took a bow and slung it over his shoulder, and ran straight towards the back mountain. He planned to retrieve the two bows and leather clothing from the Chen Tai brothers and bring them to the city to sell. Now that the Chen family members were gone, these things, even left out in the open, wouldn''t prompt anyone to say anything. After all, it was some income. Following the memories of that day, Shen Qing located the concealment spot from before. He brushed away the snow on top and took out the two bows and two leather coats hidden inside. Shen Qing checked them, finding nothing unusual, and packed them up to carry with him. At that moment, in the distant mountains, a flock of birds suddenly took flight. A low beastly roar echoed out, causing Shen Qing to feel a wave of panic. He didn''t dare linger and quickly descended the mountain with agile movements. Upon reaching the outskirts of the forest, he barely managed to stop, looking back. "If I didn''t hear wrong just now, that should be a tiger''s roar." "When did this area have such a big beast?" Shen Qing found it a bit unbelievable. ... At the village entrance. A nag horse pulled a cart loaded with mountain goods. Shen Qing sat in the central position, with Shen Xiaohu and Zhang Shuyuan sitting on either side. "Giddyup!" Shen Qing held the reins, cracked a whip, and set off along the mountain road towards Taiping County. Taiping County was about fifty to sixty li away from their Hongshan Village. Riding the "carriage," with the weather being acceptable, they could reach in almost less than an hour. On the road, it was Shen Qing''s first time driving, so he didn''t dare to drive too fast. He kept a tight face, fully focused on the horse''s rear, worried it might suddenly lose control. "When driving a carriage, the most important thing is to let the horse feel your presence. When you hold the reins, you need to relax, move them occasionally, and when using the whip, do it gently, avoiding sudden acceleration or deceleration to keep from startling the horse." Beside him, Zhang Shuyuan, wearing a clean long robe, sat on Shen Qing''s cart, speaking eloquently. "Also, rest assured. This is a nag horse, with no bad temper, quite docile." Shen Qing looked at Zhang Shuyuan in surprise. "Sir, you can drive too?" Zhang Shuyuan closed his eyes slightly, not responding again. Shen Qing, perceptively, refrained from asking further and began to practice driving based on Zhang Shuyuan''s instructions. After a while, a thought suddenly stirred in his heart. In his vision, a drop of ink fell from a height, spreading out. Segments of ink words slowly appeared before Shen Qing. [Skill: Driving Skill (Entry Level)] [Progress: 4/100 points] [Status: Cannot be Improved] [Note: The art of driving lies in practice leading to proficiency. Continuous practice can improve skill progress and mastery of driving points. In the future, one can drive steadily and quickly, as if the arms command the fingers with ease.] Seeing the reminder that appeared in his vision made Shen Qing pause in astonishment. He didn''t expect that even walking could yield this skill. Having more skills couldn''t hurt a person. With time to spare, Shen Qing began focusing intently on driving, striving to improve his driving skill. Shicheng Mountain covered a hundred li, quite expansive, but the scenery was rather ordinary. The mountain road''s sides were flanked by low hills, lacking much splendor. As the three of them drove along, after half an hour, the tracks on the mountain road gradually increased. The crisscrossing paths compressed the snow into water, making the mountain road muddy. But after half an hour of practice, Shen Qing had already grasped the main points of driving, and his skill had improved. He held the reins tightly, maintaining a composed face, guiding the little nag horse along the best paths. The little nag horse seemed to understand Shen Qing''s intentions, swaying its rear cooperatively, even making Zhang Shuyuan glance sideways in admiration. This unexpectedly raised Zhang Shuyuan''s evaluation of Shen Qing to a new level. After traveling a little longer, Shen Qing and the others saw the outline of Taiping County. Shen Qing couldn''t help but swing the long whip in his hand, urging the little nag horse to quicken its pace. Before long, a city appeared before Shen Qing and his companions. Taiping County, being the largest city in the surrounding area, had a broad expanse, backed by mountains and bordered by water, making its location quite advantageous. Outside the county town, a solid rammed earth city wall divided Taiping County into the Inner City and Outer City. Inside the wall lay the Inner City, housing martial arts halls, markets, and government offices, with many dignitaries. S§×ar?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Outside the wall was the Outer City, populated by idle people. The Outer City was undoubtedly much larger than the Inner City, but correspondingly, it was the most dilapidated. Looking around, there were densely packed shanties, squalid and messy. Inside were beggars and various lowly residents everywhere. As the three of them entered the Outer City, they were immediately surrounded by all kinds of people, reaching out for food, and even trying to seize the mountain goods on his cart. Instantly, Shen Qing''s face turned fierce as he punched down those with sticky fingers, causing them to restrain themselves due to Shen Qing''s severity. "How is Taiping County such a mess?" Shen Qing frowned. Zhang Shuyuan lifted an eyelid and said, "Why do you think it''s called Taiping County? Wanting what it lacks." Shen Qing was speechless. "Come on, we''re entering the city." ``` Chapter 29 - 29 East District, Make a Small Fortune ``` The road in the Outer City after the snow melted was full of puddles and potholes. The old elm wood wagon wheels rolled into the puddles, splashing dirty water like shattered pearl curtains. The poor residents of the Outer City, barefoot on the muddy water, surrounded the carriage like vultures, moving slowly on the muddy streets. If not for the intimidation of Shen Qing, they would have likely swarmed to rob the goods clean from the carriage. "Brother Qingzi, I''m a bit scared." Shen Xiaohu, coming to the county city for the first time, had never seen such a scene and looked to Shen Qing for help. "Take out your bow, shoot anyone who approaches, kill them." Shen Qing said expressionlessly, "When you have a weapon, there''s nothing to fear." "Ah!" Seeing Shen Xiaohu hesitate, knowing he wasn''t mentally prepared for this, Shen Qing continued, "Treat them like game in the forest, see that long-eared one, doesn''t he look like a mountain hare?" "Yes!" In Shen Xiaohu''s heart, his cousin was impressive, even the big figures in the village respected him. "Then treat him like a hare, if he''s unruly, just kill him." Hearing this, Shen Xiaohu immediately took out the bow and arrows brought from home, drew the bowstring fully, and put on a fierce look. Sure enough, as soon as he did so, the poor residents slowed their advance, gradually increasing their distance. Zhang Shuyuan casually reminded, "It''s your first time here, the bosses in the Outer City haven''t figured you out yet, be careful once they do after a few trips." In fact, even without Zhang Shuyuan''s reminder, Shen Qing was extremely sensitive to the external environment due to his hunting skills. He had already noticed several sharp gazes from the shantytown in the Outer City, belonging to tall and strong practitioner-like figures. sea??h th§× N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "You prepare some money for me, entering the city requires a bribe." Zhang Shuyuan gestured with his chin toward the city gate, indicating the spot. Shen Qing looked ahead. Under the city gate engraved with the word "Taiping," crowds were bustling, with many farmers carrying vegetables and firewood lining up to sell. The city guards held inspection staffs, their indifferent gazes sweeping across their faces one by one. Children''s cries, merchants'' complaints, and the lowing of livestock mingled together, making it particularly noisy. ... After a while, Shen Qing tightened the reins, stopping outside the city gate. On both sides of the gate, several guards leaned lazily against the mottled city walls, their eyes showing a mixture of disdain and indifference. Two guards noticed Shen Qing carrying a load of goods and separately walked over, lazily raising their hands to signal Shen Qing to step down. "Entering the city?" one of the guards snorted, a hint of unhidden greed curling at his lips, "Do you know the rules? One tael Silver for the City Entrance Fee, not a penny less." Shen Qing''s gaze swept over the makeshift vendors and ragged poor residents around him; he saw clearly that they hadn''t paid one tael of silver for the entry fee. At this moment, Zhang Shuyuan jumped down from the cart, walked over with twenty copper coins, weighed them heavily in the guard''s hand, and said with a smile, "I work for the Ruan Pottery Master, please do a fellow brother a favor." The guard weighed the coins, then reluctantly squeezed out a sliver of satisfaction, waved lazily to let them pass, and even allowed them to cut in line. Shen Qing couldn''t help but view the usually serious bookworm from the village in a new light, acknowledging he had indeed seen the world. The money spent on him was truly worthwhile. This city gate trip had already been earned back. Crossing the city gate, Shen Qing immediately felt as if stepping into another world. The streets inside were wide, lined with shops, with shouting and laughter merging into a lively scene, in stark contrast to the shantytown outside. Inside, many well-dressed young masters and ladies strolled the streets jokingly. The farmers in their tattered jackets walking on the same street felt somewhat absurd. Having witnessed the grandeur of the times, Shen Qing felt unfazed, but Shen Xiaohu, seeing such a bustling scene for the first time, couldn''t help but be a bit stunned, his eyes filled with novelty, truly a countryside bumpkin. The main street of the Inner City was paved with bluestone, forming a crossroads in the center that divided the entire county city into four markets, north, south, east, and west. Shen Qing was unfamiliar with this, so he humbly asked Zhang Shuyuan for guidance. "I have done some accounts for Chen Youguang, they sell to the Song Family''s tavern in the East District, turn right at that intersection and you''ll be there." Zhang Shuyuan pointed directionally based on his memory. Following Zhang Shuyuan''s directions, Shen Qing smoothly arrived at the East District. Inside, various taverns, inns, and snack shops were lined up. County city residents in various attires busily passed through. Soon, Shen Qing arrived in front of a tavern named "Wanfeng Building" and stopped, explained his purpose, and a servant led them to the back courtyard of the tavern. When he arrived, he saw various farmers and hunters coming and going from the back door, occasionally hearing some bargaining discussions. Shen Qing waited at the back door for a while before it was his turn. "Outside hunter, come in." Hearing the call, Shen Qing did not delay or neglect, leaving Shen Xiaohu to watch the cart, and went in with Zhang Shuyuan. Once inside, a wave of noise hit him. The back courtyard resembled a food market filled with various fruits, vegetables, poultry, livestock, and quite a few mountain goods laid on the ground. ``` Chapter 30 - 29 East District, Make a Small Fortune_2 ``` A middle-aged man with a gaunt face and a sharp chin was holding an abacus, occasionally looking up to check it. His voice was sharp and stern as he quickly muttered, not letting go of even the smallest mistake, even arguing over half a wen more. S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. When he saw Shen Qing and others walk in, he glanced up and down at Shen Qing and said, "I''ve never seen you before, where are you from?" "Manager, I''m from Hongshan Village," Shen Qing replied truthfully, "May I know your honorable name?" "Hongshan Village? My last name is Wang. Where''s Chen Youguang?" "Back to Manager Wang, he is dead." Shen Qing replied calmly, "A mountain lord came to our place, and his entire family perished." Wang Qiyao, the manager of Wanfeng Building, set the abacus down, his expression startled. Dead? Didn''t that render all previously agreed matters null? Suddenly, Wang Qiyao of Wanfeng Building found himself in a foul mood. Shen Qing continued, "Our village is a small place, not very aware of things. I''m braver and want to try. Can you give me this chance, Manager?" The manager of Wanfeng Building came back to his senses and said, "Let me first look at your items." Saying so, he stepped outside to start picking over Shen Qing''s mountain goods on the cart. Shen Qing said, "These are freshly caught hares, along with wild pheasants, and some newly caught roebuck, all goods from the mountains. Please have a good look, Manager Wang." "These are nothing special. Do you have any mountain delicacies?" Wang Qiyao mentioned casually. Shen Qing replied, "Manager Wang, where are mountain delicacies that easy to come by? In our village, we might not come across them in a whole month." Wang Qiyao from Wanfeng Building said, "Previously, I agreed with Chen Youguang to find some mountain delicacies to nourish Boss Song. Can you find them? If you can, I''ll take all the goods on your cart." Shen Qing was slightly taken aback, hearing the implication behind those words. If he didn''t agree, today''s business might not go through. "Manager Wang, please tell me." Wang Qiyao, in black boots, fixed Shen Qing with a false smile, slowly saying, "I want Blood Bird''s Nest, Jade Deer Tendon, and Tiger King''s Penis." Upon hearing these three items, Shen Qing''s expression immediately became troubled. "Manager Wang, I''ve never even heard of these things, where could I possibly find them for you?" "If you don''t have them, then I won''t accept this cart of goods." Shen Qing looked towards Zhang Shuyuan on the side, lowering his voice for advice, "In the county, can we sell to anyone else besides his family?" Zhang Shuyuan replied, "Do you know what the four great bosses in the county do?" "No, I don''t." "In the county, there are Zhou, Wang, Song, and Li families, dealing in silk garments, pawnshops, inns, and shipping, respectively. It can be said without reservation that the essentials of life in Taiping County, inside and out, depend on these four families." Zhang Shuyuan continued, "This Wanfeng Building is a Song family property. If he says he won''t accept, you won''t be able to sell anywhere else." After hearing Zhang Shuyuan''s explanation, Shen Qing looked a bit upset. He understood that people inside and outside the county relied on the four great families for their livelihoods, but he didn''t realize they were this dominating. Wanfeng Building manager spoke impatiently, "Have you made up your mind? If you''re not willing, don''t waste my time." Shen Qing quickly said, "I am willing. I''ll discuss it with people in the village to ensure we find them for you. Please first look at my cartload of goods, Manager Wang." "By spring, make sure to find them. If not, pay thirty taels of silver as a tribute to Boss," he said. Shen Qing''s heart couldn''t help but jolt, secretly cursing these vampires. Thirty taels of silver was truly no small amount. Even the entire Chen Family''s assets might not be sufficient. But currently, he had no better options to choose from, had to bear it. This hard-gained opportunity cannot be easily abandoned. Some things just cannot be helped when you''re in a tough spot. Before making it big, he could only be patient for now. Facing this manager of Wanfeng Building, just being in this position, he must have relied on the great tree of the Song family, certainly possessing some skills. In this county, to easily finish off a hunter from his village was not something he could handle at that time. But as for the future¡­ "This cart of goods can fetch about ten taels of silver altogether, and that raccoon and some pheasant feathers as well, I''ll give you an extra five taels, totaling fifteen taels." The manager of Wanfeng Building deftly moved his abacus, quoting Shen Qing a price. "Can this price be raised a bit? It''s too cheap." The manager of Wanfeng Building closed the abacus, visibly displeased, dominantly said, "I''ll add another half tael of silver, don''t think about more. If not for Chen Youguang pestering me, the Song family has its merchants go out for purchases, and such good deals wouldn''t get to you." Shen Qing suppressed his thoughts, putting on a smile, "Thank you, Manager Wang, for your consideration, please kindly accept this small tribute." Saying so, Shen Qing casually slipped a string of large coins into the hand of Wanfeng Building manager Wang Qiyao. With that, Wang Qiyao''s face showed a slight improvement, "I can tell you''re clever, I like dealing with smart people." "I''ll be frank with you, asking you for those mountain delicacies is not specifically targeting you, it''s an opportunity from Boss. Several young masters of the Boss'' family have reached critical points in their martial arts training and need these mountain delicacies for nourishment. If you find them, the Boss is sure to reward you." After hearing that, Shen Qing acted very grateful and said, "I see, thank you for informing me, Manager." He tactfully didn''t pursue the reason for the thirty taels demanded by the Boss. He had already guessed a bit of the inner workings. After storing the abacus, Manager Wang Qiyao of Wanfeng Building ordered people to start loading the items from his cart and then had the cashier give Shen Qing fifteen taels of silver, "What''s your name?" After counting the silver taels and ensuring everything was correct, Shen Qing said, "To answer manager, my surname is Shen, just a single character Qing." "Shen Qing, huh?" The manager of Wanfeng Building nodded, "I''ll remember you. In the future, if you have goods, feel free to bring them here. If you do well, I can entrust you with the mountain goods business of seven or eight villages around Shicheng Mountain." Facing the big promise mapped out by Manager Wang, Shen Qing outwardly agreed, earnestly saying, "I''ll do my best." Wanfeng Building manager lazily waved his hand, dismissing, "There is nothing more here." "Then I''ll take my leave." Shen Qing politely said a few words before leaving the backyard. Watching Shen Qing''s departing figure, Wang Qiyao of Wanfeng Building couldn''t help but glance more, wearing a contemplative expression. A servant approached by his side and said to Wang Qiyao, "Manager, should we explain a bit to those outside the city?" "The task given by the Boss is crucial, mountain delicacies cannot be missing, have you explained to all hunters from other villages?" "Manager, rest assured, every hunter family that came was told, definitely won''t mess up your matter." Wang Qiyao''s expression turned serious, instructing, "Whatever means necessary, ensure to have those three mountain delicacies ready by spring. That guy Cai doesn''t get along with me, surely working secretly too. The position of shopkeeper at Wanfeng Building must not be given to him." Servant by the side eagerly flattered, "Manager Cai surely doesn''t have as many connections as Manager Wang, this shopkeeper position will surely be yours in the future." Wang Qiyao waved the servant away, heading to the spot where Shen Qing unloaded the goods, pulling out the raccoon. "This raccoon looks good, should fetch six taels of silver; earned an extra tael, haha." ... Outside the door, Shen Qing carefully assessed today''s takings. In total, he gained fifteen taels of silver. About five and a half came from his own hunting goods; mainly that raccoon accounted for the bulk, bringing substantial profit. The remaining nearly ten taels all came from mountain goods of the entire village. Subtracting the costs, he could net nearly five hundred to six hundred wen. This amount could roughly match what his uncle Shen Ershi would earn in twenty days. Even if he ate refined rice and grain every meal, he could afford it. Importantly, this way didn''t seem like hunting, which was reliant on luck and very stable. No wonder Chen Youguang had such intentions. Together with all the labor earnings, this time he gained close to six taels of silver. Enough to count as a windfall, small fortune earned. The upcoming days could be much better now. Now there was some confidence in pursuing martial arts training. ``` Chapter 31 - 30 Linfeng Hall ``` "Brother Qingzi, my father once sold a raccoon for six taels of silver. It was about the same size as yours, that steward sold it too cheaply." After the three of them had moved away from Wanfeng Building, Shen Xiaohu began to express his dissatisfaction on behalf of Shen Qing. "Hey, you were rather lucky. If they had decided to use force, they wouldn''t have given you a cent, and you''d have nowhere to reason with." Zhang Shuyuan sat leisurely on the cart, at some point having taken out a small booklet, reading it with great interest. Shen Xiaohu exclaimed, "Doesn''t the government care here? We''ve never been short on various taxes every year." "This place is far from the Dragon Court, and the officials sent from above all look to the faces of the Four Great Eastern Families. A strong dragon does not suppress a local tyrant. You''ll understand after you''ve been here struggling for a while. The government here has always been about collecting money without doing anything." Zhang Shuyuan glanced at Shen Xiaohu and said meaningfully, "If you cause trouble for the government, the first thing they do is deal with the troublemaker, which is you." Shen Xiaohu opened his mouth slightly, words stuck in his throat, unable to speak. Although he had never traveled far since childhood, he had seen the state Tian Chuan was in after being beaten to death. He understood these truths. It was just... there was some dissatisfaction in his heart. Nearby, Shen Qing listened to the conversation between the two, remaining silent. Why was it so difficult for people like them at the bottom to rise? Whenever they had any harvest, if they wanted to enter this county, they could not escape the exploitation of the Four Great Eastern Families and the government. Upon entering the city, they were exploited once. When trading, another layer was peeled off. Every year, various pretexts took another layer. For them at the bottom, being able to eat their fill was a luxury. How could they have the energy and capital to rise? Like Zhang Shuyuan said, today he was considered lucky. At the end of the day, he was still too weak. He still needed to practice martial arts and quickly find a way to secure a backing, change his martial arts register. "Sir, do you know where Linfeng Hall is?" Shen Qing asked while holding the reins. ... Shengshi Square. Majestic courtyards were neatly lined on both sides of the street, and as far as the eye could see, the roads were paved with bluestone, clean and sparsely populated. The snow on the ground had been thoroughly cleared, piled on the sides of the street. Shen Qing drove the cart and stopped in front of a courtyard with single-story houses. At the entrance, a pair of stone lions crouched on either side, one paw grasping a ball, another protecting the young, majestic and solemn. Above the doorway flanked by the stone lions hung a black plaque with gold lettering, inscribed with the three large characters "Linfeng Hall." Standing at the entrance, Shen Qing and the others could faintly hear the sounds of exercise and shouting from inside. Little Aunt Shen Xiu was initially sold to a wealthy family in the county. Because of her beauty, her days were passable. When the grandparents were still alive, she could return to visit once a year. Even after the grandparents were gone, they did not lose contact, occasionally sending some items to the Shen Family through others. But without pregnancy over the years, her days in the wealthy family gradually became difficult, making it hard for her to come out and contact them frequently. When his parents died back then, she couldn''t return to the Shen Family either. According to what his uncle said, not long ago, Little Aunt was sold again, this time to the master of Linfeng Hall, becoming a concubine. Since he had come this far, he should visit her, and following his uncle''s instructions, inquire about Shanwa''s entry-level martial arts training. Shen Qing walked up the bluestone steps, clutching the bronze ring on the vermillion gate, knocking three times slowly and steadily. After waiting a while, the vermillion door opened inward, revealing a face with prominent brow bones. "Who are you, and what are you here for?" Shen Qing stepped forward to explain his purpose, "My aunt is Shen Xiu, the concubine of Master Li inside. I have something in the county, and my family asked me to bring some mountain goods for her, please relay the message." "Relatives of Miss Qi''s maiden family? Wait here at the door." As soon as the voice fell, the large door closed with a bang. Shen Qing remained indifferent, waiting patiently at the door. After a moment, the vermillion door opened again, "Come in." "Thank you." Shen Qing, accompanied by Shen Xiaohu, walked in briskly, handing over the cart and carriage to Zhang Shuyuan. Upon entering the courtyard, they were confronted by a dozen or so robust men, each bare-chested, lifting stone locks, their bodies radiating heat. Although it was the middle of winter, the courtyard felt as warm as spring, a sight that was astonishing. Shen Qing paused briefly before being led by the gatekeeper to a side room in the front courtyard, waiting for Aunt Shen Xiu. Master Li Linfeng, the owner of Linfeng Hall, had operated the martial arts hall for many years and had some renown in the county, with many family members. As the family''s estate grew, so did the rules. S§×ar?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Outsiders and men could not enter the inner courtyard or interact with the women without permission. After waiting in the side room for about a quarter hour, a beautiful lady who bore some resemblance to Shen Qing pushed open the wooden door and came in. The Shen Family might not match others in many ways, but in terms of appearance and demeanor, they were second to none. His aunt had skin as delicate as porcelain, thin lips, a high nose bridge, and a pair of almond-shaped eyes filled with liveliness. She was a true beauty, bearing no trace of her hunter''s origins. "Are you Shen Qing? The eldest son of the elder brother''s family? I didn''t expect you''d grown so much, the last time I saw you, you were still just a little kid." Aunt Shen Xiu entered the side room, her steps somewhat cautious, her waist faintly round. She recognized her nephew and spoke with a gentle warmth, her gaze soft. Aunt Shen Xiu found a soft cushion, sat on the chair, and asked, engaging in small talk, "Are Second Brother and his family well?" "Thank you, Aunt, for your concern. Uncle and Aunt are all well." "That''s good. When Elder Brother had his accident, I couldn''t return. Nephew, don''t blame me. I really couldn''t help it." Aunt Shen Xiu''s face darkened, seeming to recall many sad things. Shen Qing quickly said, "How could I blame you, Aunt? The situation of our family, if others don''t know, our own family knows very well." "Alas..." Aunt Shen Fang sighed and asked, "Did something happen at home that made you come to see me?" "Aunt, nothing happened at home." Shen Qing stood up, pulling Shen Xiaohu beside him, and said, "This is Xiao Hu. We rarely have a chance to enter the county, so Uncle asked me to bring some mountain goods and visit you." Aunt Shen Xiu showed several traces of happiness on her face, smiling, "You all are so thoughtful." After Shen Qing finished speaking, he patted Shen Xiaohu on the back. Shen Xiaohu understood, bringing a basket full of mountain delicacies to place at Shen Xiu''s feet. "These are just some Hericium erinaceus, bamboo mushrooms, lamb''s tripe, and the like. Aunt can have the cook make some dishes with flavors from home if you''re free." Aunt Shen Xiu smiled warmly, "It''s been a long time since I''ve tasted the flavors from home. Now I can indulge a little." "As long as Aunt doesn''t mind," Shen Qing said, standing up and bowing slightly, "Besides visiting Aunt, Uncle indeed entrusted something to discuss with you." Aunt Shen Xiu''s face didn''t change, maintaining her gentle tone, "What matter is it? Let me hear it first and see if I can help." Shen Qing''s expression became increasingly respectful, showing a hint of embarrassment in asking for a favor, "Uncle wants to know if you could help us brothers enter Linfeng Hall to train in martial arts?" ``` Chapter 32 - 31 Striving for Improvement Shen Xiaohu gave Shen Qing a peculiar look upon hearing those words. He wasn''t aware of many things, but there were some things he remembered. His father only wanted the younger Shanwa to try martial arts. When had he ever said that the three of them should enter Linfeng Hall? How much silver would that take! But seeing Shen Qing''s "righteous" demeanor, he was somewhat unsure and wondered if his father had given other instructions temporarily. He was not confident in his heart, so he kept his head down and dared not speak. Shen Xiu''s expression became serious as she scrutinized Shen Qing and Shen Xiaohu, her eyes hesitating. She knew very well the capabilities of her family members. Otherwise, her parents wouldn''t have sold her back then, forcing her to live under someone else''s roof and rely on others'' expressions. She didn''t believe her nephews could achieve much. Yet in the backyard, she wasn''t the only concubine of Hall Master Li Linfeng, and the families of the others more or less had some background. Even though she was pregnant, her status wasn''t high. Shen Xiu instinctively touched her lower abdomen. She felt that even if she didn''t consider herself, she should think about the child in her womb now. As an aunt, she should lend a hand to her nephews. If they could enter Linfeng Hall and establish themselves, In the future, they would surely remember her kindness and take care of this unborn sibling. Thinking of this, Shen Xiu couldn''t help but look at Shen Qing. sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. It was the first time Shen Qing had spoken to her so eloquently and methodically after all these years. Unlike the honest Shen Family member she remembered. He wasn''t at all like someone born into a humble hunter''s family. It was worth a try. Having been exposed for a long time in affluent families, she understood the principle of teaching a man to fish. Now her nephews were ambitious. Whether or not they succeeded, as her family, she should lend them a hand. If her family succeeded, they could help her in return. After meditating for a while, Shen Fang spoke, "Master Li indeed has the intention to recruit disciples recently." "Thank you, Aunt," Shen Qing said, a flicker of delight in his eyes. "Don''t be happy too early. I''ll inquire first. Whether it can be done is another matter," Shen Fang said, her almond eyes curving into crescents as she chuckled, "Don''t leave yet; wait for me here." Seeing Shen Fang rise to cross the threshold, Shen Qing quickly hurried over to assist her. His nimbleness drew a slight glance from Shen Fang, further confirming that this nephew of hers was someone who knew how to handle matters. With such cleverness, even if he didn''t enter Linfeng Hall, he would surely fare decently elsewhere. After sending Shen Fang out of the room without delving deeper, Shen Qing saw her off, maintaining the guest''s manners. Just now, he roughly assessed his aunt''s status in Linfeng Hall, probably average. Despite being pregnant, she didn''t even have a maid to serve her. Whether he could train in martial arts at Linfeng Hall was still uncertain. "Brother Qingzi, can we really enter Linfeng Hall to practice martial arts?" Compared to Shen Qing''s calm, Shen Xiaohu seemed restless, as if ants were crawling in his heart. "I don''t know. Let''s see how it goes on Aunt''s side." Shen Qing knew this matter couldn''t be rushed. Seeing some time left, he decided to practice his stance training in the room, advancing his Nine Brocade Technique. Time passed bit by bit. After about a pot of tea''s time, Aunt Shen Xiu entered with a smile crossing the threshold. Shen Qing promptly ceased, suppressing the rising Qi-Blood, and looked at Shen Xiu expectantly. "The Hall Master wishes to see you." As soon as Shen Xiu entered, she made no attempt to keep them guessing and spoke directly. A weight lifted from Shen Qing''s heart, and he quickly expressed gratitude, "Thank you, Aunt." "Follow me." With that, Shen Xiu led Shen Qing and Xiaohu to another compound. Just after stepping through the gate, Shen Qing saw a burly man with a fierce appearance in the courtyard training two young lads in training attire, presumably around twelve or thirteen. "Stand still, the both of you! You''ve barely stood for a moment and are already this way. How can you hope to become anything substantial?" The burly man, his features fierce with flesh, seemed filled with fiery anger, like a dormant volcano ready to erupt. Seeing his aunt lead him toward the burly man, Shen Qing thought, this must be Li Linfeng, the Hall Master of Linfeng Hall. "Are you the nephews of Lady Qi''s family?" Li Linfeng cast a glance at Shen Qing and Shen Xiaohu. His tone was somewhat indifferent, revealing neither dislike nor favor. Shen Qing quickly clasped his hands in salute, "Greetings, Master Li. I am Shen Qing, and he is Shen Xiaohu." "You two, add another couple of rounds to your practice. If you can''t even manage that, don''t think of stepping out for the next three days," Hall Master Li Linfeng casually instructed as he headed toward a nearby pavilion, "Let''s speak over there." "Understood." As Shen Qing walked away, he glanced at the two young lads practicing. One of them, peculiarly muscular in the chest, piqued his curiosity, causing him to glance twice. Sensing his gaze, the young lad turned, glaring fiercely at him with eyes that held a sharp edge. Those features, surprisingly, belonged to a young lady. Shen Qing quickly withdrew his gaze, not daring to look further. Inside the pavilion. Just as Li Linfeng arrived, Aunt Shen Xiu pulled out a tiger-skin-covered chair from under the long table, letting him sit. "Shen Xiu told me earlier. You wish to enter Linfeng Hall to practice martial arts?" Li Linfeng glanced at Shen Qing and spoke. "Yes, Master." With a thud, Shen Qing knelt before Shen Xiu and Li Linfeng. Gritting his teeth, he took out the entire sum of fifteen taels earned today and presented it with both hands. "I hope Uncle will grant this nephew such an opportunity!" Shen Qing believed that such opportunities were truly hard to come by. Outside, countless people vied for a way to learn martial arts. For him to have an exception to meet Li Linfeng, he needed to make a strong impression, strive for progress, and be willing to invest to leave a deep mark on the other side. Losing face was insignificant. Hoping for a rich return without a price wasn''t something possible in this world. In fact, Shen Qing really accomplished it. His actions left Shen Xiaohu bewildered, unsure of what to do, and surprisingly startled both Li Linfeng and Shen Xiu. They imagined Shen Qing might beg persistently or become flustered and fearful, but they never expected him to act this way. In seeking help, he displayed a reasonableness that didn''t evoke annoyance. Yet Li Linfeng, being experienced in life''s storms, quickly regained his composure and scrutinized Shen Qing, "Linfeng Hall indeed intends to recruit disciples lately, but not everyone can enter. Let''s see. You both take two steps forward, and I''ll examine your bone structure. If they''re too poor and you can''t handle this lifestyle, then you shall return from whence you came." "Yes." Shen Qing felt a shiver within and slowly stepped forward. Chapter 33 - 32 Evaluating Potential by Feeling the Bones, Excellent Material for Martial Arts The towering Li Linfeng, with a bear-like back and waist, had already stood up. Nearly one meter ninety in height, he stood a full head above Shen Qing, looking down at him, exerting immense pressure. Shen Qing even had the illusion that what stood before him was not a person, but a wall. Li Linfeng asked in a deep voice, "Have you trained before?" "I''ve practiced some Nine Skills." "To what level?" "I can already feel a warm Qi Sensing in my Dantian." "Really? Have you nurtured Qi-Blood?" Li Linfeng''s gaze swept over Shen Qing, and suddenly, the corners of his mouth lifted into an intrigued smile, as if suddenly interested. He clasped his hands into claws, and in a swift motion, like catching wind or grabbing shadows, he gripped Shen Qing''s arms, pulling outward. The action was so quick, as fast as a storm, that Shen Qing couldn''t react at all. His heart trembled as he felt Li Linfeng gently exerting force with his hands, a gentle yet irresistible power emanating from his arms, like a trickle probing into his body, traveling through his meridians. Involuntarily, Shen Qing stood up straight with Li Linfeng''s movements, his whole body''s muscles exhibiting a subtle tension under invisible force. Shen Qing felt both nervous and excited. "This is what a true martial master is? Incredible!" The surrounding air seemed to solidify, and Shen Qing could only hear his somewhat hurried breathing. He stared at Li Linfeng''s face, thoughts racing, worried that his Bone was not outstanding enough, yet eager for recognition. Time seemed to stretch at this moment, with anticipation and apprehension intertwined in his heart. Seeing Li Linfeng''s brow slightly furrow, Shen Qing''s heart felt like it leapt to his throat. However, just as he was anxiously waiting, he suddenly felt his body lighten, his feet leave the ground, and he turned around in a strange posture. When he landed, he stumbled forward a couple of steps, almost falling to the ground. Within this brief moment, Shen Qing clearly perceived that Li Linfeng had touched his back spine, his waists, and shoulders. A wave of sour numbness surged through his bones, causing Shen Qing to involuntarily take a sharp breath. Li Linfeng''s brows gradually relaxed, and a hint of satisfaction flashed in his eyes. "You''ve indeed nurtured Qi-Blood, more vigorous than most, and your Bone is not bad. You''re a good martial talent." A simple sentence nevertheless struck Shen Qing like a spring thunder, causing the boulder in his heart to crash to the ground, with joy overflowing his expressions. "Thank you, uncle." In Taiping County, which had a population of 300,000, most were lower-level individuals, often unable to eat their fill, let alone have abundant Qi-Blood. Even those with potential were built on poor bases. The better martial talents mostly came from the county''s influential families. These people lacked no channels for martial arts training. It''s said to be difficult to find a sect to join for martial arts, but wasn''t it hard for their Martial Arts Hall to select talents either? Li Linfeng re-evaluated Shen Qing, with a look of satisfaction in his gaze. It''s just a pity that he''s a bit older. So he could only be considered as good martial material, but not a good seedling. However, the issue wasn''t too big. This family member of Miss Qi had a clear background, coupled with such a talent and wits, which had already intrigued Li Linfeng. He asked, "Can you read?" "I can read a bit." Shen Qing turned around and respectfully replied. "That''s good. If you''re to train martial arts here, you must know some words." Li Linfeng casually mentioned. Shen Qing picked up on the implicit agreement in Li Linfeng''s words, realizing that he had been accepted into Linfeng Hall for martial arts training, with excitement flashing in his eyes, joy evident. He had found a support! Without another word, he bent his knees, letting them heavily hit the ground. "Disciple greets Master." Shen Qing extended his hands forward, palms up, forehead touching the ground. "You''re bold, I haven''t agreed to take you as a disciple yet. Stay in the inner courtyard, and there will be a martial master to teach you." Li Linfeng accepted the silver tael Shen Qing offered. "Consider these your tuition." "I''ll do whatever Uncle arranges." Shen Qing''s aunt, Shen Xiu, seeing Li Linfeng was satisfied with Shen Qing, couldn''t help but be delighted as well. If Shen Qing performed well, he could possibly switch to the martial arts register in the future. Finally, someone from her family could emerge, and it could help her too. Li Linfeng glanced towards Shen Xiaohu and said, "There''s another one, let me take a look." Unlike Shen Qing, Li Linfeng didn''t make such large movements, merely grasping Shen Xiaohu''s wrist to feel his Bone. After a moment, he said, "Bone is acceptable, but your Qi-Essence is too weak, training will be tough. Considering you''re from Miss Qi''s family, give seven taels of silver, begin training Qi-Blood at the outer gate for three months, and see if you can nurture Qi-Blood, and we''ll talk later once you do." Shen Xiaohu first revealed a happy expression, then quickly became disheartened. Compared to Shen Qing, he was indeed lagging far behind. However, his family originally didn''t intend for him to train in martial arts, so now having this opportunity was already not easy. He dared not ask for too much, offering clumsy thanks repeatedly. Shen Qing recalled a matter and said, "Uncle, I''m a hunter registered with the farming household, and I still need to hunt in the mountains to pay taxes. I''m wondering, once I start martial arts training, do I have to be in the Martial Arts Hall every day?" To this, Shen Xiu replied on behalf of Li Linfeng, "Being in the Martial Arts Hall every day is the treatment for true disciples. At Linfeng Hall, be it the inner gate or outer gate, you come and go freely; the difference lies merely in the martial masters. How much you practice depends on your self-motivation." "I see." Having grasped the general idea, Shen Qing expressed his intention to leave, "It''s not early, so we should head back to the village soon and not trouble Aunt and Uncle further. I''ll come again in the future." "Alright, off you go then. Next time, find the martial master directly. I won''t see you out." Li Linfeng calmly said. Shen Qing made a courtesy gesture and turned to leave. sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. After Shen Qing and Shen Xiaohu left, Shen Xiu, eyes sparkling, expressed deep gratitude, "Thank you, husband, for giving Qingzi an opportunity. In the future, Qingzi will surely work hard not to let down your favor." Li Linfeng waved a hand, "Just focus on your pregnancy, don''t worry about this." Casually showing concern, he walked out of the small pavilion. Then, he suddenly remembered something. "I forgot to ask which Martial Arts Hall the youngster trained Nine Skills before, surely he put in considerable effort to nurture Qi-Blood." "Never mind, I''ll ask him next time." In martial arts learning, there were many tips and key points. The Nine Skills was a basic martial art primarily aimed at nurturing Qi-Blood, and it''s not difficult to train. However, this didn''t mean practicing haphazardly would yield results. Some key aspects involved would lead to many detours if not pointed out by someone. In his view, Shen Qing must have sought training from someone. Li Linfeng walked down from the small pavilion, stopping after just a few steps. His expression seemed like he was holding something unpleasant. After a moment, Li Linfeng leisurely turned and walked towards the entrance, murmuring to himself: "Today''s task must be completed today. That youngster hasn''t gone far; I''d better ask now rather than wait for next time." Chapter 34 - 33 Picked Up a Treasure Linfeng Hall, front courtyard. Li Linfeng stopped Shen Qing before he could leave. Shen Qing didn''t know why Li Linfeng was looking for him, so he turned back and respectfully said, "Uncle." Li Linfeng calmly asked, "I forgot to ask you earlier, where did you learn the Nine Skills?" Shen Qing thought Li Linfeng was concerned about the difference in schools, and his heart skipped a beat. After much deliberation, Shen Qing still decided to tell the truth: "Uncle, no one taught me. I just practiced by studying the illustrations in the manual, and unexpectedly, I managed to train my Qi-Blood." Li Linfeng, who was always calm and composed, showed a hint of surprise and slight suspicion. The Great Zhou Court collected martial mechanisms, and the true path of martial arts lay with the court. Their cultivation methods were closely guarded and not easily shown to others. As a result, apart from the government and those martial arts halls under its control, there was not much martial arts content available in the market. Even if occasional martial arts content was circulated, there would often be many cryptic phrases or key points known only to martial masters. The Nine Skills was such an entry-level martial art: neither too difficult nor too easy. But without guidance, practicing it well wasn''t an easy task. Li Linfeng glanced up and down at Shen Qing and continued, "So, you bought the Nine Skills manual outside? When you bought this cultivation technique, didn''t the seller teach you any secrets?" "This Nine Skills wasn''t something I bought. I took it from someone else." Shen Qing explained. Li Linfeng''s fleshy face showed a slight astonishment. To train Qi-Blood to this level just by practicing with the book''s illustrations; he was truly at a loss for words. This young man''s understanding might be much higher than he had anticipated. Seeing Li Linfeng not speak, Shen Qing feared he wouldn''t believe him and that the decision on training martial arts would be ruined. He quickly pointed to Shen Xiaohu next to him and said, "I took the Nine Skills from the Chen Family Brothers, and my cousin can testify for me. I definitely didn''t consult with other martial arts halls or have anyone teach me." Shen Xiaohu hurriedly assured, "Yes, yes, that happened eight days ago. The whole village knows and can testify." "Eight days! Self-taught?!!" Even someone as composed as Li Linfeng couldn''t help but have some emotional fluctuations at this moment. He tightly clenched the hand hidden in his sleeve. He knew all too well how rough the Nine Skills was. Some key points in it were a fraction off, leading to a thousand-mile deviation. Without guidance, just any crucial point could get one stuck for three to five months, and they wouldn''t realize it without shedding blood. Such an understanding, it could be called extraordinary. He felt like he had struck gold! "That''s good." Li Linfeng glanced at Shen Qing, deliberated for a moment, then said, "Since you''re already refining Qi-Blood, you should take some medicine to stabilize it. A Fu!" "Master!" In the front yard, the man with the prominent brow bone, who initially opened the door for them, hurriedly ran over when summoned, bowing respectfully in front of Li Linfeng. "He has already joined the inner courtyard. Go fetch some good medicine for supplementing Qi-Blood for him." A Fu nodded repeatedly in agreement, "Yes, Master." After giving these instructions, Li Linfeng didn''t say much more and left with large strides. A Fu turned around and said to Shen Qing, "Young Master, please wait here a moment while I go get the medicine for you." Being called "Young Master" for the first time, Shen Qing suddenly felt a bit uncomfortable. He didn''t know the specific rules here, so he modestly said, "I''m not a Young Master. My name is Shen Qing; you can just call me Qingzi." "Except for direct disciples, our Master has never treated anyone else like this. Those medicines are very precious. Even if not now, you will certainly be a Young Master in the future." A Fu smiled and didn''t explain further to Shen Qing, putting his hands in his sleeves and quickly running to a small room in the front yard. Direct disciple? Shen Qing was stunned for a moment. Seeing this, Shen Xiaohu whispered, "I didn''t expect our Uncle to look so fierce. He''s actually quite kind!" ... When Shen Qing left Linfeng Hall, his head was full of thoughts about being a direct disciple. He hadn''t expected that he could have such an encounter. When he returned to the street, he no longer felt envious of those young gentlemen and ladies dressed in silk. Seeing it was already noon, Shen Qing went to a shop and bought some buns, and the three of them made do with that for lunch. Then he went straight to the market selling miscellaneous goods and sold the two animal skin coats he got from the Chen Family, receiving one and a half silver taels. After doing all that, Shen Qing didn''t linger. He used the money to buy some rice, flour, grains, oils, and a new cotton coat for his elder sister to improve their lives a bit. By this point, all the money was nearly spent, and even the money initially sold in the village was given out. But relatively speaking, Today''s trip to the county was rewarding, securing his future in martial arts. Just for this matter alone, it was worth spending any amount. As for the price each family in the village offered for the hunter''s goods, he thanked the Chen Family''s generosity, as he still had six or seven silver taels to fill that gap. With all this trouble, Shen Qing once again became "utterly penniless," falling into a money shortage. After returning to the village, he needed to think of ways to hunt more in the mountains to increase his income. With a thought, the ink wash characters in Shen Qing''s mind slowly emerged and expanded. [Skill: Hunting (Small Success)] [Progress: 89/200 points] [Status: Cannot be Improved] [Note: Continue practicing to achieve a comprehensive breakthrough. There is a certain probability that some hunting skills will evolve.] There was still some progress to be made. He had to hustle up for the eating skill, grabbing any chance he could. With the collision of the wheels on the rough cobblestone road, Shen Qing swayed as he sat in the bumpy cart, collecting his thoughts. In just a pot of tea''s time, Shen Qing had already leisurely passed through the bustling streets and reached the city gate. Taiping County''s city gates closed five quarters before sundown, around a third quarter of shen Hour, which was about five to six in the afternoon. At this time, the sky was still brightly lit, clearly much earlier than closing time. But Shen Qing didn''t dare delay leaving the city too late. It still took some time to return to Hongshan Village from Taiping County. Sear?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Upon reaching the city gate, Shen Qing stopped, looking seriously at the shabby shantytown outside, his expression gradually turning solemn and furrowed. He thought for a moment, then asked Zhang Shuyuan, "Can you drive the cart for me?" Zhang Shuyuan, already knowing that the two brothers had entered Linfeng Hall, was much more restrained than before, not so lazy: "What do you want to do?" "After leaving the city, you drive." Shen Qing tossed the reins to Zhang Shuyuan. "And what about you?" Shen Qing took out the bow and arrows he obtained from the Chen Family Brothers, tested them, and said, "Xiao Hu and I will each hold a bow to guard. The outer city is chaotic, so I''m not at ease." Recalling the crowd of ragged people who surrounded them when they first arrived, daring enough to touch and grab, if any had ill intent, facing a crowd, they could easily suffer losses. So, being prepared in advance would settle his mind. Shen Qing tested the elm wood bow and arrows in his hand; they were about as well-made as the one at his home, better than the one Xiao Hu had. He didn''t hesitate or feel any reluctance and handed the other bow to Shen Xiaohu, instructing, "When we leave the city later, if anyone approaches with bad intentions, shoot immediately without hesitation. "Make sure to show some toughness." Having witnessed his cousin''s skills, Shen Xiaohu now held Shen Qing in particular esteem, nodding emphatically, "I understand." Shen Qing patted Zhang Shuyuan on the shoulder and said, "Sir, please do a good job driving the cart. Later on, I''ll go hunting in the mountains to reward you." After reassuring them, Shen Qing drew an arrow and nocked it on the string, thus feeling more secure. "Alright, let''s leave the city now." Chapter 35 - 34 Outer City Taiping County''s ancient city gate stood towering, the weak winter sunlight piercing through the thick clouds and casting a dim light within the gateway. A cold wind surged from the open ground outside the gate, continuously seeping into the entrance. As Shen Qing stepped into the gate, the chill of winter rushed toward him, causing both Shen Xiaohu and Zhang Shuyuan to involuntarily hunch their shoulders. Once they exited the ancient city gate, the wind gradually subsided. Familiar sights reappeared before the trio of Shen Qing. The uneven ground, a mix of soil and dark snow¡­ All around, densely packed makeshift shelters made from various materials stretched endlessly. Narrow, muddy paths snaked between the shelters, the running figures of children intermingling with sporadic vendors'' cries, adding a touch of life and chaos to the bleak scenery. It was already afternoon, and the number of people entering the city had decreased significantly. Most of the guards standing under the city gate had nothing to do, and since there were no additional fees for leaving the city, The eyes of those guards lingered briefly on Shen Qing before they quickly retracted their gazes, allowing him to leave. As they reached the shantytown area, Shen Qing immediately became vigilant while sitting on the cart. He turned his head to see Shen Xiaohu with a grave expression, his gaze continuously scanning the surroundings. Finding something amiss, he reminded, "Xiaohu, don''t keep a tense face, or people might think we have something valuable. Just relax a bit, but stay alert." "Okay." Shen Xiaohu was momentarily stunned by the words, realizing he was too tense, and he quickly adjusted his mindset, following the advice. Zhang Shuyuan, holding the reins, glanced at Shen Qing with a smile, "You''re quite sharp. In this outer city, anyone who sets their eyes on you might meet bad luck." sea??h th§× novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure," Shen Qing replied casually, "When you''re out and about in unfamiliar places, a bit of caution never does any harm." Zhang Shuyuan chuckled and waved the whip in his hand, "Giddyup!" The little mule shook its rump and naturally quickened its pace. The cart, made of a few planks, sped up under the mule''s pull, passing by one shelter after another. On the cart, some grains Shen Qing had bought were tied firmly with hemp rope and covered with rough burlap, yet they still drew many eyes. Those moving in and out of the shantytown, whether busy adults or wandering children, couldn''t help but slow their steps and their gazes were instinctively drawn to the cargo piled on the cart whenever Shen Qing passed by. As they ventured deeper into the outer city, the number of people increased. They were watching Shen Qing openly and covertly, whispering among themselves, their eyes flickering with curiosity and greed, as if the cargo were a glimmer of brightness in this chaotic world. A subtle atmosphere gradually spread in the air. A young man, dressed casually with arms crossed, leaned against the threshold of a shelter. As Shen Qing and his companions passed in front of him, he dropped his laid-back expression, turned back into the room, and said to a burly man inside, "A stranger just passed by, Old Ba Zi, shall we go for it?" The burly man named Old Ba Zi tossed aside a mostly eaten chicken leg, and a few boys who had been waiting pounced on it like wild dogs, scrambling for it. One slightly taller boy snatched the chicken leg bone and dashed out through the back door, quickly disappearing from sight. The other children frenziedly chased after him. "Haha." The brawny man wiped his greasy mouth with some satisfaction and said, "Have you figured out who they are? Where are they from, are they related to any of the big figures in the city?" "Old Dog asked someone to inquire earlier when the strangers entered, and the news should be back soon." "Have someone watch them, and whether Old Dog gets any information or not, act when they''re about to leave Seven Turns Alley." "I get it. If they''ve been checked and nothing turns up, they''re definitely rootless too." Old Ba Zi nodded and said, "By the way, Boss Ba sent a message recently, saying the Song and Dong Family are looking for some mountain delicacies to help their young masters break through the Military Pass. Tell the brothers to keep an eye on the hunters coming into the city and see if they have any of those items." "Boss Ba mentioned it." Old Ba Zi showed a bit of longing, "Whoever finds them would be guaranteed wealth and might even get into the Inner City." "Old Ba Zi, tell me, what are the three things?" the young man said in surprise. Old Ba Zi replied unhurriedly, "Blood Bird''s Nest, Jade Deer Tendon, and Tiger King''s Penis." "Alas¡­ I only know about one of them. Never even heard of the others." The young man said, "I''ll inform the brothers about this later." "Yeah, implement it quickly." ... After improving his hunting skills, Shen Qing had become quite adept at tracking and identifying traces, and he was very sensitive to the surrounding environment. While they had been moving and traversing through the shantytown, he constantly felt as if there were intermittent eyes watching them. As a hunter, his intuition told him someone had their sights set on them. In a lowered voice, Shen Qing said to Shen Xiaohu and Zhang Shuyuan, "Let''s speed up, we''re being watched." "Ah!" Shen Xiaohu exclaimed in shock. "Keep it down. Don''t alert the enemy." "Oh, oh." Shen Xiaohu hurriedly calmed himself. Even the usually nonchalant Zhang Shuyuan began to take things seriously for once. "Thwack, thwack, thwack!" Without concern, Zhang Shuyuan landed three heavy lashes on the little mule''s hindquarters, taking no pity. The mule, feeling the sting, suddenly accelerated and galloped forward rapidly. As Shen Qing and his companions sped past a bald-headed man, he summoned a half-grown boy and instructed, "Hurry and tell Old Ba Zi that the fat sheep is about to reach Seven Turns Alley." "Got it." In a shantytown somewhere in the outer city, a half-grown boy wearing straw shoes rushed in, panting, and said, "Old Ba Zi, they''re almost at Seven Turns Alley. The people want to know if you''re in on it?" "Is there any news from Old Dog yet?" Old Ba Zi asked the straw-shod youth beside him. "Not yet." "Doesn''t matter then, inform the brothers to take action." "Alright. There doesn''t seem to be much on their cart. Should we rough them up a bit first and then sell them to the broker for a good profit?" "Do as you see fit, but I want my forty percent afterward." Old Ba Zi''s muscles suddenly tightened, Qi-Blood surged throughout his body, causing his muscles to swell, clinging to him like tumors, exuding an oppressive force. Great Perfection of Qi and Blood! The speaking youth took a step back, quickly saying, "Old Ba Zi, the brothers all know the rules, your share won''t be overlooked." "Reassure the brothers that if something happens, I''ll stand up for them." Old Ba Zi reined in his imposing aura. "Go on!" The half-grown boy nodded heavily and sprinted towards Seven Turns Alley, his figure gradually fading among the myriad shelters. Chapter 36 - 35: Killing is Just the Beginning, Practice Makes Perfect Deep in the shantytown, "Seven Turns Alley" was a narrow lane that barely allowed a single carriage to pass through. The low shanties stood shoulder to shoulder, squeezing the cramped space, turning the sky into a long, thin fissure. Upon entering this alley, where the wide street narrowed, Zhang Shuyuan had no choice but to slow down. Suddenly, Shen Qing, seated on the cart, straightened instantly, fingers gripping the bow tightly, his mind tense like a taut string on a bow, his expression solemn. He sidestepped the protruding eaves and said, "Xiao Hu, draw the bow fully, and stay hidden." "Okay." Seeing Shen Qing''s serious demeanor, Shen Xiaohu quickly nocked an arrow, drew the bow, and stood ready for battle. It was too quiet around here. Shen Qing instantly had a bad premonition. As they rounded the first corner, the cart drawn by an old horse appeared on a short, straight path. At this moment, Shen Qing saw about six or seven young men lounging at their doorways. Behind them rested a few farming implements like hoes. Hearing the sound of hooves, they all raised their heads in unison, exchanging glances and nods. Shen Qing reacted immediately, pulling the bow''s string to its full arc and releasing it instantly. Whizz! An arrow shot through the air like a meteor streaking through the night, leaving only the sharp sound of its flight echoing. A short-haired youth leaning against the doorway jerked violently; having just received the signal to wait, he failed to react before his legs gave way. The arrow pierced deep into his forehead, and blood seeped down instantly, covering his face, freezing the air around. Surprise and disbelief flashed in everyone''s eyes, and one of them reacted immediately: "We''ve been discovered! Don''t wait, attack!" With the leader''s command, six or seven men grabbed their weapons and rushed forward. Shen Qing no longer hesitated and shouted, "Xiao Hu, go!" "Ah... okay..." Shooting someone for the first time, Shen Xiaohu was flustered, and his first shot went astray. As he prepared to nock another arrow, Shen Qing had already released another shot himself. The arrow buried into the opponent''s shoulder, causing him to stagger, fall to the ground, and instantly stain his jacket with blood, immobilizing him. "Damn your mother! They''re hunters, hard to deal with!" The scene devolved into utter chaos. Yelling, the others charged forward. Luckily, there was some distance between them; Shen Qing''s bow and arrows offered a huge advantage, paired with his great archery skills and precision. In an instant, he took down two or three men in front. Seeing this, Zhang Shuyuan hunched his body, whipped the horse furiously. Neigh! The small horse neighed and suddenly accelerated. With a steady posture, Shen Qing remained unaffected and continued to fire arrows. But he lacked experience in shooting from a moving horse; as the small horse picked up speed, his aim faltered somewhat. Swish, swish, swish! Shen Qing shot three arrows by instinct, killing one at last. The two sides got closer; one young man, with a fierce look, lifted a hoe intending to strike Shen Xiaohu''s position, aiming to kill him. Terrified, Shen Xiaohu''s face turned pale, releasing instinctively and blindly. The arrow turned into a swift light, streaking forth. It pierced straight through the man''s chest, causing the hoe to veer slightly, narrowly missing Shen Xiaohu by an inch. If it weren''t for that arrow, surely this strike would have split his head open. Shen Xiaohu''s mind went blank; not thinking much, he hurriedly shot two more arrows. At such a close range, his arrows pierced through the man. The last skinny youth, seeing Shen Qing''s ferocity, lost any thought of continuing, watching helplessly as Shen Qing and the others vanished before his eyes. The surviving skinny youth, filled with lingering fear, swallowed nervously, looking around at the scene of carnage. They used to pretend to be ordinary people, attacking suddenly when these "fat sheep" let down their guard. It never failed. They had done this many times; never had it ended like this. They hadn''t even started, and the other side seemed to have "foreseen" it, attacking cleanly and efficiently. The living skinny youth steadied his nerves and checked the breath of each fallen comrade. All dead. His face changed, hesitating not to take the purses and valuables off his fallen brothers, running quickly toward the core of the shanty town. The situation was severe; he had to inform Old Ba Zi to avenge the brothers. Emerging from Seven Turns Alley, the shantytown became sparse, and the road significantly widened. Zhang Shuyuan let loose, continuously whipping the horse, urging it to gallop madly. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Moments later, the three left the outer city of Taiping County. Until they lost sight of the county''s walls, Zhang Shuyuan slowed slightly. "We''re fine now; they can''t catch up." Shen Qing put away his longbow, sitting cross-legged on the cart, looking somewhat at ease. Seeing Shen Xiaohu''s pale face beside him, he nudged his shoulder: "What, not used to it?" Shen Xiaohu nodded heavily. He hadn''t intended to kill the man initially but was bewildered, firing a few arrows in a heated state. Shen Xiaohu remembered clearly; his arrows hit vital spots; the man wouldn''t survive. He had killed. Shen Qing advised, "It''s just killing. The first time is tough, then it becomes second nature, no different from going up the mountain to hunt. If you hadn''t killed him earlier, he would''ve killed you. That''s the way this world is, don''t overthink it." Looking up at Shen Qing''s calm demeanor, Shen Xiaohu felt a bit envious, reasoning with himself: "Cousin is right; it''s not like I wanted to kill him. He ran into my arrow; it''s his own fault." Thinking this way made him feel slightly better. ... Outer City, Shantytown. A short-haired youth ran in frantically, gasping, "Old Ba Zi, it''s bad, all the brothers in Seven Turns Alley are dead." "What did you say?" Old Ba Zi, sitting in a chair gnawing on chicken feet, stood up abruptly, disbelief in his eyes: "Say that again!" "All dead, the faces we saw today were tough guys, the brothers couldn''t handle them and were all killed, only Little Six escaped to bring the message!" Old Ba Zi''s face turned ugly. In all these years, this was the first time he had encountered such an event. Just then, a youth in straw sandals walked in, announcing, "Old Dog sent word, saying the men we targeted are rootless hunters." Seeing the short-haired youth''s sweaty face as he entered, confused, he asked, "Hey, what are you doing here? Shouldn''t you be over in Seven Turns Alley?" The short-haired youth wiped the sweat from his forehead, replied, "Something happened over there, all the brothers got killed." "Huh?" The straw-sandaled youth exclaimed, looking dazedly at Old Ba Zi. Old Ba Zi slowly sat back in the chair, his face twitching with menace: "Since they''re rootless, I won''t have any concerns." "Tell the brothers to keep an eye out. Next time they enter Taiping County, I''ll personally take action, twist their heads off, and hang them from the rafters. Let them learn the consequences of crossing me, Old Ba Zi!" Chapter 37 - 36: Killing Them Should Solve It, Right? ```html Outside the county town, a rugged mountain path wound upwards, covered by a thin layer of white snow. A seemingly tired nag exhaled clouds of white breath from its nostrils, pulling an old cart slowly along the silent mountain road. The wheels pressed over the snow, emitting a dull creaking sound. Barren tree branches stretched out with a vigorous posture along the way. Occasionally, a cold wind blew through, gently shaking the branches and causing snow to rustle down. "Brother Qingzi, how did you discover them just now?" After a round of self-consolation, Shen Xiaohu had walked away from the initial guilt of killing, feeling much more at ease in his heart. Shen Qing glanced at Shen Xiaohu and answered frankly, "I wasn''t very sure either, so I shot an arrow in advance to test it." "Huh? What if you killed the wrong person?" "If I did, I did," Shen Qing said lightly, without any psychological burden, "Sometimes, if you''re not ruthless enough, you can''t survive in this world. Don''t think too much." In this world, people dying was far too commonplace. Even in their little village, accidents frequently happened, with people getting devoured by beasts. Not to mention a county town with hundreds of thousands, probably dying every day. A person more or less wouldn''t make any impact. If Shen Qing didn''t want to be that person missing, he mustn''t hesitate. Shen Xiaohu fell silent at this, not refuting. Because he knew Shen Qing was telling the truth; this world was just like that. Zhang Shuyuan, who was driving the little nag, heard the conversation between the two brothers and interjected, "You killed them today and dodged a bullet, but next time you go into the town, it may not be so easy." Shen Qing, hearing Zhang Shuyuan seemingly knowing something, cupped his hand and asked, "Is there something about this? I hope the teacher does not withhold any teaching." Zhang Shuyuan seemed enjoyed Shen Qing''s respect and continued, "Those lowly households living in the Outer City don''t fight alone. I see they''ve got someone on lookout and someone making the move, surely led by someone at the top." "They value loyalty highly. If something happens to their brothers below, those leaders will definitely come forward to resolve it, or they''ll become disunited. You won''t escape as soon as you go into the county town." "But the good news is that we live in Hongshan Village. Those leaders can only manage what''s within their three-acre land and can''t reach so far to control us. As long as you don''t go to the county town, it shouldn''t be too much trouble." After listening to Zhang Shuyuan, Shen Qing, involved in the matter, frowned slightly. He had just obtained a martial arts apprenticeship in Linfeng Hall''s inner courtyard, a rare opportunity he couldn''t give up easily. S§×arch* The nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He had to go to the county town. "Are these leaders very strong?" Shen Qing asked further. "Those mingling in the Outer City can''t compare to the true martial masters in the Inner City. Most of them are at the Great Perfection of Qi and Blood realm, with half a foot stuck at the door of Martial Arts. For dealing with us ordinary folks, they''re more than enough." Great Perfection of Qi and Blood? Shen Qing frowned slightly. Though he hadn''t achieved the Great Perfection realm with his Nine Skills cultivation, he wasn''t far off. If that''s the case, killing that leader should do the trick then. Thinking so, Shen Qing let out a long sigh. ... Time passed gradually. When dusk arrived and the sky was still bright. With his skilled driving, Zhang Shuyuan safely brought Shen Qing and Shen Xiaohu to the village. "I troubled you today, sir. Here''s your payment for today." Shen Qing took out the money he had prepared earlier, paid Zhang Shuyuan the agreed two hundred wen in full, and added another twenty wen, "Today, you''ve helped me a lot, so the extra twenty wen is for you." Zhang Shuyuan did not count the money in front of Shen Qing, pocketed it, and said, "Remember not to forget tomorrow to come over and continue learning the Thousand Character Classic." "Alright, I''ll come early tomorrow morning." After seeing off Zhang Shuyuan, Shen Qing glanced at the sky, realizing it wasn''t dark yet, hurriedly heading home, tying up the nag, unloading the cart, kicked open the broken gate, and shouted, "Sis, I''m back." ... At the Shen the Second''s home. Shen Xiaohu who returned to the village with Shen Qing, rushed home after getting off the cart. Once he pushed open the door, he yelled, "Grandpa, Grandma, I can study martial arts at Linfeng Hall! I can study martial arts at Linfeng Hall!" As Shen Xiaohu rushed into the house, his voice choked off as he saw the scene inside, the words stuck in his throat. Inside the house, besides his father Shen the Second, Tian Xiaohu, and Zhang Baqing were also there, appearing to discuss matters. "Ahem, ahem..." Uncle Shen the Second coughed twice, drawing everyone''s attention back, glaring at Shen Xiaohu, "Going to the county town and coming back, why are you so noisy and frivolous? What were you saying just now?" Shen Xiaohu, losing his initial excitement upon entering, lowered his voice a few notches, honestly said, "Grandpa, the Hall Master of Linfeng Hall said my Bone is alright. As long as I give seven silver taels, they''re willing to let me enter the outer gate to study martial arts." Uncle Shen the Second suddenly jumped up from his chair, hurried to Shen Xiaohu, incredulous, "You can study martial arts at Linfeng Hall?! Is it true what you''re saying?" He used to want the child to study martial arts and had put a lot of effort into it, but learning martial arts wasn''t so easy, and he had long lost hope. Unexpectedly it came true, how could he not be thrilled? Shen Xiaohu nodded emphatically, "Uncle-in-law Li Linfeng promised me personally, willing to let me train for three months in the outer gate." "Three months, three months is good too." Uncle Shen the Second examined Shen Xiaohu up and down, very satisfied. Tian Xiaohu and Zhang Baqing, inside the house, exchanged glances, then stood up to congratulate in turn, "Congratulations, Brother Shen. Once your Hu Zi learns martial arts, he might soon change his martial arts register and quickly become a superior person." Uncle Shen the Second was unusually happy, the wrinkled old face showing a delighted smile, "It''s still early for that, still early." Although he said so, Tian Xiaohu and Zhang Baqing could both see the pride on Shen the Second''s face. With Shen Qing ahead and Shen Xiaohu following. It seemed this Hongshan Village might soon belong to the Shen Family. Shen the Second patted Shen Xiaohu''s shoulder and happily said, "How did you smoothly enter Linfeng Hall to practice martial arts this time? Their disciple acceptance is strict. You have to tell Grandpa how you did it." Shen Xiaohu excitedly said, "This is all thanks to Brother Qingzi, you don''t know how incredible he is. Uncle-in-law Li Linfeng personally examined his Bone and directly admitted him to the inner sect. When leaving, they even gave him medicine, and that gatekeeper said it''s the treatment of a direct disciple." Boom! With these words, the room fell silent. Shen the Second, Tian Xiaohu, and Zhang Baqing were all stunned. ``` Chapter 38 - 37 Never Forget County town, Linfeng Hall, inner sect disciple, direct disciple... Each word fell like a thousand-pound boulder into the center of a lake, stirring waves. Their whole lives had been spent in this village, where even martial masters from the county town were considered lofty figures. Even a regular outer court disciple was someone they wouldn''t dare provoke. The Chen Family''s eldest son, Chen Yuan, once, with just a martial art for refining Qi-Blood, could command wind and rain in their village. Not to mention an inner sect disciple or a direct disciple. It seemed the Shen Family was truly going to prosper. Tian Xiaohu and Zhang Baqing couldn''t help but swallow, looking at Shen the Second with envy. If anyone in Hongshan Village benefited most from Shen Qing''s favor, it had to be Shen the Second. In recent observations, Shen Qing, after his parents'' death, walked a bloody path, having a nature that hated evil like an enemy, with a heavy killing aura. Yet, he also was clever and grateful, repaying favors. The family of Shen the Second was destined to be well off in the future. At this moment, looking at the old face of Shen the Second, they secretly felt both glad and regretful. Glad that they hadn''t made enemies with Shen Qing before; they''d interacted a lot with Shen Qing and the Shen Family recently, becoming close in the village. Regretful that they didn''t lend a hand when the siblings were at their lowest. Adding flowers on a brocade pales compared to sending charcoal in snow. Setting aside their chaotic thoughts, Tian Xiaohu and Zhang Baqing quickly came to their senses, developing a great interest in Shen Qing''s experiences in the county town. Under their urging, Shen Xiaohu recounted everything that happened to the three of them in the county town today, detail by detail. After listening, their faces all showed a hint of astonishment. "Blood Bird''s Nest, Jade Deer Tendon, and Tiger King''s Penis, these mountain treasures haven''t been seen in our village for years. But if you really want to find them, you might. However, you made enemies with those in the outer city; that''s troublesome. They have nothing left but a rotten life; if they fight you, the outcome won''t be good. What to do now?" Zhang Baqing, who had received favors from Shen Qing, had been to the county town and had some insight, immediately realizing the seriousness of their problem. This poured cold water on Shen the Second, who was initially excited, making him calm down and anxious as well. ... Just returned home, Shen Qing didn''t yet know that his news of becoming an inner sect disciple of Linfeng Hall had spread within Hongshan Village, known by most. Also, unknown to him was that some villagers close to him were already worrying about his matters in the outer city, thinking of ways to help. Sometimes, indeed, the emperor isn''t anxious, but the eunuchs are. In the shabby cottage. Shen Qing was tidying up the items he bought from the county town. Once he finished these miscellaneous tasks, he eagerly took out a new floral cotton-padded jacket and secretly placed it before his elder sister Shen Fang, saying, "Big sister, the old jacket Mother made for you has been mended over and over; how can it keep you warm? I bought you a new one today at the county town; see if it fits?" Shen Fang was busy putting the grain Shen Qing bought into the rice jar; turning her head, she suddenly saw her brother bought her a new piece of clothing, and she was pleasantly surprised. Like a little girl, she held the new jacket, looking at it all around, her almond eyes curving into crescents. After a while, she straightened her face, shoved the jacket back into Shen Qing''s hands, and said against her will, "I don''t like it. When you go to the county town again, tell the store owner it''s too small and return it. Save the money for getting married in the future." Shen Qing saw through his elder sister''s behavior at a glance, forcibly putting the new clothing on her, saying, "It''s such a hassle going back to the county town. Would the store owner acknowledge it the next time?" Shen Fang bit her lip and stamped her foot, saying, "Why didn''t you consult me before buying it this morning?" "It was a spur-of-the-moment thing." Shen Qing laughed and said, "Besides, my uncle at Linfeng Hall has already said, I''ll be an inner sect disciple of Linfeng Hall. Once I practice martial arts, I''ll afford clothes, so just keep it." "Alright then." Shen Fang didn''t understand the significance of being an inner sect disciple of Linfeng Hall. She only knew that her brother had great prospects. She carefully put away the new clothing Shen Qing handed her, folding it neatly. "Tonight I bought plenty from the county town, sister. Cook something sumptuous; let''s have a good meal together." "Okay." In the evening, Shen Fang cooked two dishes and a soup, both meat and vegetables. She added plenty of seasoning, letting Shen Qing eat with great satisfaction. The next day, Shen Qing took some silver taels he had scavenged from the Chen Family and found Zhang Baqing to settle the money owed by various households. He initially thought it would be troublesome; to his surprise, it proceeded smoothly. Zhang Baqing took care of almost everything; in less than half a day, all accounts were settled before Shen Qing. Whether it was an illusion or not, Shen Qing felt that today, the villagers of the village showed him special respect, even a kind of awe and flattery for someone in a higher position. It left him a bit puzzled. Fortunately, Shen Qing wasn''t someone who liked to get to the bottom of things, not overly concerned with such subtle changes. Finishing his business with the village and setting a time for the next trip to town, he went straight to Zhang Shuyuan''s home to practice reading and writing. Five days later. After practicing the last character required for the day, Shen Qing suddenly sensed something, his mind stirring. In his vision, an ink droplet spread, and sections of ink letters appeared before him. [Skill: Recognize Characters and Read (Skillfully)] [Progress: 203/200 points] [Status: Can be improved] Shen Qing hesitated not at all: "Improve." The next moment, an unprecedented clarity flooded his mind, making him feel as if a certain door had opened, perceiving things around him more clearly. He subconsciously looked at the water ink panel in his vision. [Skill: Recognize Characters and Read (Small Success)] [Progress: 3/300 points] [Status: Cannot be improved] [Note: Awaken new skills, memorize by hearing, never forget.] Shen Qing was instantly filled with joy. He didn''t expect that this time breaking through skills would awaken new abilities, realizing the ability to memorize by hearing, never forgetting. This skill seemed ordinary, but probing deeper, it was remarkable. At least for now, this skill would significantly accelerate his progress in recognizing characters and reading. Shen Qing''s lips curved slightly, walking toward Zhang Shuyuan. He said, "Teacher, I''d like to learn more from the Thousand Character Classic. Can you teach me one more time?" sea??h th§× n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 39 - 38: Ten Days East of the River, Ten Days West of the River Zhang Shuyuan, sitting on the wobbly-legged chair, raised his head in surprise and frowned: "To recognize characters and read, one must understand the principle of not biting off more than one can chew. Even if I tell you all the ways to read, write, and the meanings of the remaining hundreds of characters, you might not remember them. Instead of that, you should consolidate what you learned today, go home early, and come back earlier tomorrow." Zhang Shuyuan noticed that Shen Qing seemed a bit anxious. After all, he was a young man, and five consecutive days had worn down much of his patience. He couldn''t calm his mind and wanted to find shortcuts. He had seen many such people. But how could there be shortcuts in reading and recognizing characters? The knowledge in his stomach had been accumulated bit by bit. Precisely because of these years of study, compared to others, he understood some of the world''s workings, and his frail body didn''t starve to death. If learning were so easy, wouldn''t he have starved long ago? Shen Qing heard a preachy tone in Zhang Shuyuan''s words. He smiled slightly and said, "These days, I have learned a total of eighty-four characters. After understanding their meanings, I can''t help but marvel at the world''s wonders and vastness, thus I am eager to know the content behind this. This desire is purely my own longing to seek knowledge and not for the sake of learning itself." Zhang Shuyuan''s expression froze. He never imagined that Shen Qing would have such thoughts. And this statement hit the nail on the head for him. Learning itself should be for the sake of seeking knowledge, not merely for learning''s sake. Though a brief statement, it contained significant wisdom. Zhang Shuyuan couldn''t help but give Shen Qing a few more glances. This handsome young man was ruthless and merciless when killing, yet gentle as jade when recognizing words. It was hard to imagine two entirely different temperaments coexisting in one person. Truly a singular flower among the mountains. Since the student wanted to seek knowledge, he had absolutely no reason to refuse. Zhang Shuyuan coughed lightly and said, "Bring me the book. I will tell you the rest of the content of the Thousand Character Classic. However, this is not a lesson; I will only say it once, and you just need to listen." "Thank you." Upon hearing this, Shen Qing brought over the already yellowed Thousand Character Classic and placed it in front of Zhang Shuyuan. "Sit next to me, and I''ll teach you one by one," said Zhang Shuyuan, patting the spot beside him. Shen Qing immediately felt a pang of distress in his heart. He didn''t know whether Zhang Shuyuan''s recent meals had improved, but coupled with poor sanitary conditions, he had developed severe bad breath and a tendency to pass gas. And it worsened day by day. Recently, learning to recognize characters beside him had also become a rather painful task. This was also one of the motivations for Shen Qing to quickly finish learning the Thousand Character Classic. At least after finishing the Thousand Character Classic, he wouldn''t have to rely on Zhang Shuyuan''s close-range, hand-in-hand teaching. Shen Qing took a deep breath and sat down beside Zhang Shuyuan. The familiar smell immediately assaulted his nostrils. This scent at first smelled like a fermented product, with a damp and mildewy undertone. Upon further inhalation, it intertwined with a faint sour and rancid odor, relentlessly burrowing into his nose. Shen Qing''s heart surged with discomfort and an urge to escape, but he tried his best to maintain a calm exterior. "Look here, I''ll explain to you sentence by sentence¡­" As Zhang Shuyuan spoke, the odor continuously emanated. Shen Qing kept a tight face, trying to focus his attention on the Thousand Character Classic. With focused concentration, Shen Qing suddenly realized that the feeling of information going in one ear and out the other had vanished. In its place was a magical learning experience. Just by hearing and seeing once, the content on the paper became a deeply ingrained memory in his mind. When he recalled it, it was like carrying an endless library with him, where every detail, every passage, and every hue was as clear as first seen. So, this is what it felt like to be an academic genius? It was truly exhilarating! This wondrous learning experience gradually made Shen Qing forget the harsh environment he was in. Time flew by. In about an hour, Zhang Shuyuan finally explained the last part. "This sentence means that one should dress neatly and dignified, act calmly and have a broad vision. These principles, if not acknowledged, will leave one ignorant, living a life no different from the foolish, and invite ridicule. As for the modal particles in ancient books, they are ''yan,'' ''zai,'' ''hu,'' and ''ye.''" Zhang Shuyuan closed the yellowed book of the Thousand Character Classic and said, "Alright, that''s all there is in the Thousand Character Classic. If you can learn it all, you''ll be able to understand the meaning of most other books in the future." "Thank you, sir, for your teachings." Shen Qing closed his eyes and recollected for a moment. With the Never Forget ability, he discovered that he had already memorized the entire Thousand Character Classic. Adding to that his past life''s knowledge and cognitive abilities, he understood the meanings of all the characters. This ability was truly handy. Shen Qing opened his eyes, a joyful expression emerging on his face. He glanced at the sky through the window, got up, and said, "It''s getting late; I should be going. I''ll come to visit you again when I have time." Zhang Shuyuan found it slightly odd. For the past five days, each time leaving, Shen Qing would say he''d come again tomorrow, but this time he mentioned coming when he had time. It almost seemed like he had learned it and wouldn''t come anymore. There was a subtle difference in this. Zhang Shuyuan assumed he was overthinking it. The Thousand Character Classic, with over a thousand characters in total, was not something easily remembered in a year or two. This should just be Shen Qing''s habitual way of speaking. Zhang Shuyuan waved his hand casually, without any intention of keeping him longer. After leaving Zhang Shuyuan''s house, Shen Qing couldn''t help but take a deep breath, suddenly feeling an incredible sense of relief, as if shedding a shackle. He didn''t linger at the door and headed straight home. Now, brimming with Qi-Blood, even when wearing thin cotton clothes with exposed hands, he didn''t feel cold. "Qingzi, off to the bookworm''s house to recognize words again? When you have time, come by my house for a sit-down. I''ll have my aunt cook you some lamb," On the way, he encountered a clan uncle who greeted him warmly. sea??h th§× Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "No, Uncle Qi, I''m heading home earlier. Eldest sister is preparing dinner," Shen Qing replied with a smile, politely declining. However, after a few steps, a plump village woman stuffed a wild rabbit into his hands: "Qingzi, this is from your nephew from the Zhang family. He insisted on giving it to you, so take it." Before Shen Qing could refuse, the woman turned and fled as if worried he wouldn''t take it. Seeing this scene, Shen Qing couldn''t help but laugh: "When I was destitute, everyone avoided me like a plague. Now, unexpectedly, it''s reversed. Truly a ten-day cycle east of the river, then west." He shook his head and continued, accepting the goodwill of the neighbors along the way, and returned home. The villagers he passed all kept their hands tucked in their sleeves and their necks hunched, appearing completely different from his carefree demeanor. This was the difference between practicing martial arts and not. Shen Qing put the wild rabbit in Shen Fang''s hands, then eagerly took out the Nine Skills booklet he had snatched from Chen An and opened to the first page. Chapter 40 - 39: Cultivating Both internally and Externally, Harmonizing Qi-Blood ``` Shen Qing learned that the martial arts in the county could now be divided into three levels: upper, middle, and lower. The lowest level of martial arts was like the "Nine Skills," which only focused on nourishing and training Qi and Blood. This type of martial arts did nothing more than cultivate Qi and Blood, lacking other techniques or training methods. One could say it was the foundation of the foundations of martial arts. Even so, this martial art was stronger than those flashy but inferior ones. As long as one cultivated enough Qi and Blood to reach the realm of Great Perfection, even a slender person could knock down four or five robust men with one punch. If it didn''t have such power, martial arts wouldn''t be so valuable, and the court wouldn''t be so strict about martial arts practices. Those in high positions feared most that someone local might use martial arts for power, breaking laws with force. Hence, in the martial arts disseminated outward, the court added a lot of cryptic language and hidden meanings to increase the cost of practicing martial arts. Without a sect, one couldn''t even get started. Shen Qing was lucky enough that the "Nine Skills" he had was low-level and mostly consisted of illustrations with minimal text, allowing him to enter the path ingeniously. Otherwise, even with the Water Ink Panel, he might not have successfully started or mastered any results. Now he had already grasped the Thousand Character Classic, and with his previous knowledge, he no longer had obstacles reading it. As soon as he got home, Shen Qing immediately took out the "Nine Skills" martial arts manual to study. Upon opening the first page, it recounted the introduction of the Nine Skills. After reading, Shen Qing realized that this martial art was called Nine Skills because it compiled nine stance training techniques for nourishing and training Qi and Blood, hence the name Nine Skills. Each recorded stance training technique was the most effective verified after much practice across major martial arts schools, making it the best entry method for nourishing and training Qi and Blood. Among them, the nine stance training techniques increased in difficulty from one to nine, and the more challenging the stance training, the better the effects on Qi and Blood. Generally speaking, mastering the first four or five stance techniques, or even practicing just one of them alone, could achieve the Great Perfection of Qi and Blood. As for ultimately training how many techniques, it depended entirely on the practitioner''s preference. At first, he thought this was a complete set of martial arts skills when looking at the album, so he practiced the first four stance techniques intensely and even slightly practiced the last five. Now it seemed he had taken the hardest path. However, it didn''t matter. The nine stance techniques in the Nine Skills were all for nourishing and training Qi and Blood and didn''t conflict, only differing in the paths taken. Ultimately, they all led to the same result. Shen Qing continued reading, and the descriptions of Qi and Blood in the Nine Skills instantly opened new avenues for his practice. So-called Qi and Blood did not refer to Qi and blood individually but to blood perceived as Qi during its flow. In the body, the blood flowed but was very weak. Only occasionally in silence could one hear the pulse or sense the throbbing of the temples. This made it difficult to mobilize the body''s strength. The purpose of stance training was to detect and control the flow of blood like Qi, directing it to where one wanted it to flow. The warm current Shen Qing felt during practice was the perceived route of blood flow. But mere perception was insufficient. To nourish and train Qi and Blood, before practicing, one needed to nurture. Everyone''s blood volume and quality vary, which is improved through medicinal and dietary supplements. In the process of nourishing and practicing simultaneously, cultivating both internally and externally makes one vigorous and energetic. Once reaching a certain level, when the essence blood across the whole body reaches the physical body''s limit, combining Qi and Blood with the mind''s intent could form Qi, attaining a new realm. The Nine Skills referred to this process as¡ªintegrating both internally and externally, harmonizing Qi and Blood. After reading these contents, Shen Qing gained a lot. No wonder during practice he felt a blockage in his Qi, and his progress was slow¡ªit seemed something was missing. It turned out to be the lack of a blood-nourishing process. Lately, he had only been consuming meat, which couldn''t keep up with the internal Qi and Blood refinement. Shen Qing was secretly thankful for his decision to learn to recognize characters and read; without this knowledge, he might have taken a wrong path. He put his thoughts aside and continued reading. The rest included various techniques and key points for practicing different stance training techniques. It involved many cryptic terms such as "running dragon," "An Xue," and "Chong Tian Jiao," which Shen Qing had already mastered during practice. Having read the entire "Nine Skills" from start to finish, he closed the booklet, still unsatisfied. Overall, the martial art of the Nine Skills seemed easy to learn but difficult to master, making reaching Great Perfection very challenging. At that moment, Shen Qing suddenly recalled the medicine gifted by Li Linfeng, which, according to A Fu''s account, was quite valuable and meant for nourishing and training Qi and Blood. When he brought it back, he hadn''t taken it lightly. Now, having understood the essentials of nourishing and training Qi and Blood after reading the Nine Skills, he immediately decided to try it. Shen Qing set aside the martial arts booklet and retrieved the medicine given by Li Linfeng, preparing a medicine pot to brew it. As Shen Fang was busy in the kitchen, she quickly approached upon seeing Shen Qing wanting to brew medicine, volunteering to take on the task and driving him out of the kitchen. Shaking his head helplessly, Shen Qing went to the front gate and focused on practicing his stance techniques. Time passed quickly. When night fell, Shen Fang had already brewed the medicine and brought it to the table, "Qingzi, the medicine is ready, cooling a bit, so drink it early before it gets cold." Hearing her, Shen Qing ended his practice, exhaled a mouthful of foul air, and replied, "Okay, I know." He went back into the house, picked up the bowl of medicine on the table, and glanced at it. The medicine soup was dark brown, with tiny bits of herbal residue floating on the surface, exuding a strong and complex aroma. The dense scents of ginseng and deer antler mixed with other unknown herbal fragrances directly struck his nose. Without hesitation, Shen Qing tilted his head back and drank it in one gulp. The moment it entered his mouth, a bitter taste filled it, causing his facial muscles to twitch involuntarily. Damn, it tasted awful. While Shen Qing was still enduring the bitter sensation, the potent medicinal power suddenly transformed into a series of warm currents, flowing from his abdomen through the Four Meridians and Eight Vessels. The muscle soreness and weakness from practice moments before significantly eased. Moreover, moments later, the excess medicinal power surged into his Dantian. Shen Qing felt heat rising inside him, his Qi and Blood surging, and the previous trickle of warmth grew stronger. Indeed, the effect of potent medicine was immediate. No wonder A Fu said, such medicinal essence was precious. Shen Qing went into the kitchen and said to Shen Fang, "Sis, you didn''t throw away the dregs, right?" "Not yet, why?" "Add some water, boil it again, then make herbal cakes from the dregs for me." With such valuable medicine, who knew when he would get another chance, so Shen Qing couldn''t waste it. S~ea??h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Martial arts were so profound. He wanted to refine his Qi and Blood to Great Perfection quickly, and head to the county. ``` Chapter 41 - 40 Breakthrough in Hunting Skills Taiping County, Outer City, shantytown. "Lord Ba, spare me, spare me, Lord Ba." A young man covered in blood knelt on the ground, constantly begging for mercy. "Spare you? Do you know what trouble you have caused recently?" Old Ba Zi sneered coldly. "I... I... I don''t know..." The young man, sweating profusely, forced an awkward smile, uglier than crying: "The prey on the mountain has been hard to catch lately, so I played the role of a woodcutter, sold some firewood for a meal..." As if recalling something, the young man quickly added, "I didn''t know it was Lord Ba''s wood; I''m to blame, I''m to blame." As he spoke, he struck his face with two hard slaps, then hurriedly pulled a washed-out money pouch from his pocket, smiling apologetically: "This is the money I earned from selling firewood, it''s all here. Lord Ba, please let it go; I promise I''ll never dare again." Old Ba Zi slapped the young man''s money pouch out of his hand to the ground: "Who wants your worthless belongings?" Old Ba Zi grabbed the young man''s collar and pulled him forcefully toward him, asking coldly: "Who did you give the Blood Bird''s Nest you got yesterday to?" Upon hearing the words "Blood Bird''s Nest," the young man''s face changed, then he forced a laugh and feigned ignorance: "Lord Ba, you must be joking. The Blood Bird''s Nest is a rare mountain delicacy, I don''t have such a thing." Old Ba Zi squinted his eyes and said: "Still pretending to be clueless with me?" He grabbed the young man''s wrist, stimulated his Qi-Blood, and instantly bulging veins appeared on his arm, muscles tensed like lumps. "You refuse to drink the toast, you''d rather drink the punishment wine, don''t blame me for being rude, then." As soon as the words fell, Old Ba Zi exerted force on his wrist and squeezed fiercely. "Ah!" A piercing scream tore out from the young man''s throat. His face turned deathly pale, his features contorted in a knot, and his body convulsed involuntarily. Lowering his head to look, the young man discovered his left wrist had been twisted into a pretzel shape, utterly ruined. "Spare me, spare me..." The young man knelt on the ground, constantly begging for mercy, his breath suddenly becoming heavy and laborious. "Have you thought of anything now?" Old Ba Zi released his grip, and the fractured wrist dropped limply, the fingers atop twitching feebly. The young man sucked in gasps sharply, despair and terror washing over his face, knowing he couldn''t escape today. Biting the bullet, he said painfully: "I... really don''t have it..." Yet before he could finish speaking, Old Ba Zi already clutched his right hand, grinning viciously: "You better think carefully before you speak." The young man''s body shook like a sieve, his lips trembled twice: "I... I''ll tell, I sold the Blood Bird''s Nest to Wang Ma." "You should have said that sooner." Old Ba Zi released his hand, patted the young man''s chest, and said: "If you had said it earlier, you wouldn''t have suffered this pain." "Then... Lord Ba... can I leave?" "Of course, I''m not stopping you." With that, Old Ba Zi slightly moved to the side. "Thank you, Lord Ba, thank you, Lord Ba." The young man showed a joyous relief at surviving a disaster and hurried away from the scene. However, after taking just two steps, Old Ba Zi''s sinister voice came over: "But, the entire West City knows I don''t get along with Wang Ma. By giving him the Blood Bird''s Nest, do you have complaints against me?" "Ah?" Startled, the young man turned his head in bewilderment. Bang! A crisp sound of bones breaking echoed. His spine was directly slapped broken by Old Ba Zi''s palm. The young man stared wide-eyed, his body collapsed weakly, and he breathed his last. Old Ba Zi snorted coldly, shouting: "Little Six." "Lord Ba!" A young lad quickly darted inside from outside. Upon seeing the corpse on the ground, he glanced indifferently and then withdrew his gaze, saying: "What do you need from me?" "Tidily clean up here, then go call some men. We''re going to settle accounts with Wang Ma. Damn, he got a copy of Nine Skills and thinks he''s invincible after reaching the Great Perfection of Qi and Blood. He even dared to meddle in my matters." "Okay." Little Six repeated quietly in agreement. He was about to leave when Old Ba Zi stopped him: "Wait a moment, do we have any news about that person who killed so many of our brothers a few days ago?" "None yet, the brothers in the Outer City haven''t encountered him, he should not have entered the city yet." "What about his background?" "The brothers in the city spotted him going to Wanfeng Building. Third Brother hasn''t found anything else; he should be a first-time town-enterer, a small hunter from nearby." Old Ba Zi lifted his chest, saying fiercely: "A hunter from a rundown village dared to attack us, ignoring us like this, it''s outrageous. Make sure to tell all the brothers. I''ve always had a personal vendetta, grievance for a grievance, let them rest easy. Give me a little more time and I''ll definitely avenge my brothers." "The brothers know your nature, Lord Ba; it''s just some private grumbling. Most still support you." So much time had passed, and Old Ba Zi hadn''t yet made a move for revenge. Unavoidably, there were some grumbles among the underlings, and some rumors emerged. Old Ba Zi knew some were eyeing his position, secretly provoking, trying to take advantage of the opportunity to replace him. With his future at stake, he had no choice but to pay attention. ... In the forest. "Snap!" A goat got caught in a trap, struggling frantically. S§×arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Got one!" Not far from the trap, Shen Qing, wearing a gray robe with ragged edges, emerged from the forest, skillfully and deftly approaching. He moved cautiously to avoid provoking more intense resistance from the goat. When he reached in front of the goat, he grasped a reinforced rope in one hand and quickly pulled out a flexible vine with the other, skillfully tying the goat tightly, his actions quick and neat. The tied-up goat''s resistance gradually weakened, only able to look at Shen Qing with anguished eyes, occasionally snorting resentfully. "Goat, goat, don''t blame me. You''ve been destined to be a dish. Depart early this year, and you''ll return sooner next year." Shen Qing patted the goat''s head, appearing to be in good spirits. "I''ve nearly honed my hunting skills proficiency today." A flash of brilliance glinted in Shen Qing''s eyes. In his vision, segments of ink-like text slowly emerged from swirling ink. [Skill: Hunting (Small Success)] [Progress: 202/200 points] [Status: Can be Promoted] [Note: Continued practice can lead to a comprehensive breakthrough. There''s a certain probability that some techniques in hunting will undergo transformation.] It''s ready. Shen Qing focused his mind: "Promote!" Suddenly, countless chaotic memories surged into his mind, and a primal aura permeated his entire body. A slight movement rippled through his muscles, as if tempered countless times, making his muscle lines smoother and more powerful. [Skill: Hunting (Level of Mastery)] [Progress: 2/300 points] [Status: Cannot be Promoted] [Note: The continuous breakthrough in hunting skills has caused a transformation in baiting and concealment skills, awakening new skills: Skillful Baiting, Poison Shadow. Utilizing this skill can greatly increase the success rate of hunting.] Chapter 42 - 41: Great Perfection of Qi and Blood (Request for Continued Reading) ``` "Skillful Baiting, Poison Shadow? It could greatly increase the success rate of hunting?" Shen Qing stared at the description of this text, and couldn''t help but drift into a daze. Then, an indescribable joy welled up in his heart. As the name implies, this skill was an upgraded version of bait setting and tracking. These two skills seemed simple, but in reality, they demanded the most power from a hunter among all hunting skills. Generally, without ten years or so of contemplation, it was impossible to grasp their essence, leaving one to only learn an imperfect version. Unexpectedly, he could directly master it. Now with this skill, he could either use bait or poison powder to lure prey, or he could silently approach them. In the future, when encountering sly and agile prey like foxes or sables, he wouldn''t fail. Perhaps those rare mountain delicacies weren''t out of reach. With time on his hands, he tested it secretly and found that whether he was setting bait or secretly hunting, he did so with more ease and experience than before. Ordinary prey without spiritual wisdom had difficulty detecting his traces. Shen Qing couldn''t help but be in high spirits. After several attempts, Shen Qing gradually became familiar with this change and felt assured in his heart. Then, he hoisted the no longer struggling goat, and his silhouette slowly disappeared into the forest, leaving a series of deep footprints in the snow. Upon reaching a forked path, he stopped and waited. Soon, two half-grown figures emerged from the forest. They were Shanwa and Hu Zi. Seeing the goat Shen Qing was carrying, their eyes lit up, "Brother Qingzi, we really caught it!" "With you following me up the mountain these days, when have we ever come back empty-handed?" Shen Qing smiled. Unlike before, his reputation in the village was now so high it could be described as being in the ascendant, and many wanted to team up with him for hunting trips. But he noticed these people wanted to curry favor, seeking closer ties with him through this means. All had their motives, which made him somewhat uncomfortable. To avoid gossip, he simply took his two cousins, Shen Xiaohu and Shen Xiaoshan, up the mountain with him every time. This way, he could both train his cousins'' hunting abilities and help reduce some burdens for his uncle and aunt''s family. It served two purposes. "Brother Qingzi, if this goes on, I''m afraid you''ll clear out all the game in this mountain, leaving nothing left." "You''re worrying over nothing. Our village has lived at the foot of this mountain for many years, and have you ever seen Shicheng Mountain devoid of game? As long as we''re careful after spring and don''t fish in a dry lake, there won''t be much problem." Shen Qing gestured with his foot, "Let''s go, let''s head back." The two cousins each held a sandalwood bow and followed behind Shen Qing, heading toward Hongshan Village at the foot of the mountain. On the way, Shen Xiaoshan suddenly spoke up, "Brother Qingzi, do you think I can still enter the Martial Arts Hall to practice martial arts?" S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "It might be a bit difficult." Shen Qing knew his uncle''s family wasn''t very well-off and could barely afford for one person to enter the Martial Arts Hall, making it impossible to support another. Now that Shen Xiaohu had fortunately joined Linfeng Hall with him, Shen Xiaoshan was unlikely to have the chance. Shen Xiaoshan had long since known this outcome and asked again out of unwillingness, but the answer was still the same, leaving him somewhat dejected. "Do you really want to learn?" Shen Qing turned back and asked. Shen Xiaoshan replied almost without hesitation, "I do!" "Then when I have time, I''ll teach you some stance training for nourishing and training Qi and Blood." As Shen Qing walked through the forest, he said, "The early stage in the Martial Arts Hall is also about nourishing and training Qi and Blood, which you can practice at home just the same. When you''ve developed your Qi and Blood and when your uncle''s family''s conditions improve, you can then go to the Martial Arts Hall if you want." Hearing Shen Qing''s words, Shen Xiaoshan''s face was immediately filled with joy. "Thank you, Brother Qingzi. This goat must be heavy, let me carry it for a bit." "No need, no need..." The three brothers laughed and joked as they walked toward Hongshan Village at the foot of the mountain. The sunset poured like molten gold, covering the snowy forest and also enveloping the three of them, bathing them in a golden glow. In the distance, at the foot of the mountain, blue smoke rose gently from the village houses, like a thin veil floating slowly in the evening breeze. Time was peaceful and calm. ... Four days later. Shen Qing had eaten all the medicines Li Linfeng gave him, including some supplements he had previously scavenged from the Chen Family, which he had also completely consumed. He secretly calculated that the amount of medicine he consumed would cost no less than five or six taels of silver. Enough to cover nearly half a year''s expenses for an ordinary family. It was said that the literati were poor, while the martial were rich. He had gained some insight into this. But you got what you paid for. After consuming these supplements in recent days, Shen Qing''s progress in stance training and nourishing and training Qi and Blood soared like it was on a cheat mode, at least twice as fast as before. It took him less than ten days to meet the conditions for another breakthrough. [Skill: Nine Skills (the level of mastery)] [Progress: 306/300 points] [Status: Can be improved] Shen Qing licked his dry lips. Breaking through to the Great Perfection of Qi and Blood would undoubtedly make him stronger than he was now. By then, he should be able to handle at least a few of those so-called local tyrants in the Outer City. In the room, the flickering candlelight illuminated Shen Qing''s determined face. He no longer hesitated, "Break it for me!" Boom! Shen Qing felt a dull thud, and the Qi and Blood within him suddenly seemed to boil. Beneath his skin, faintly visible were blood vessels like ignited fuses, glowing with a fiery light, and the perception of Qi and Blood reached unprecedented intensity. An invisible force erupted from Shen Qing''s dantian, like a volcanic eruption, transforming into waves of warm currents washing over every inch of his flesh and blood. As these warm currents swept through, a faint but heart-shaking cracking sound echoed, Shen Qing''s eyes suddenly opened wide, and two beams of light shot out like tangible entities, causing the dim room to seemingly light up. Having never seen such an anomaly, Shen Qing was momentarily taken aback. As time passed, when all signs of the breakthrough in his body settled, Shen Qing began to carefully sense the changes. He was astonished to find that the warm current within had become more robust, almost twice its original size. Moving with his thoughts, it circulated continuously within his body. Shen Qing took a deep breath, feeling immensely invigorated, better than ever before. So this was what reaching the Great Perfection of Qi and Blood felt like. As Shen Qing willed it, descriptions of the Nine Skills appeared in his mind. [Skill: Nine Skills (Great Perfection)] [Progress: 6/400 points] [Status: Cannot be improved] [Note: As the heavens move, so does the gentleman strive unceasingly. Continuous cultivation and the improvement of the cultivation technique''s progress can allow this technique''s limit to be broken.] ``` Chapter 43 - 42 Good News, Old Ba Zi Got Injured ``` "Break Limit?" Shen Qing looked at the ink brush characters in his vision, revealing a look of confusion. As far as he knew, the Nine Skills martial art could basically only be cultivated to the Great Perfection of Qi and Blood. By reaching this step, the qi and blood in the body already hit the limit that the physical body could withstand. No matter how much you continued to cultivate, you couldn''t increase qi and blood or practice strength. It''s like a cup filled with water; if you add more water it will overflow, but the total amount of water hasn''t changed. At this moment, the ink panel suddenly reminded him that the Nine Skills also had a limit breaking technique, which indeed somewhat overturned his newly established martial arts understanding. In fact, through continuous exploration these days, Shen Qing had already discovered the pattern of the ink panel. Generally speaking, once he had Entry Level Skill, the ink panel would log it in. After being logged into the panel, every time he practiced, his progress could increase continuously, deepening his understanding. When hitting a bottleneck point, he could subjectively break through, integrating all the practiced details. Sometimes, it would even trigger some additional changes in skill and talent. Like recognizing characters and reading, practicing daily, deepens wisdom and understanding. Once the quantity changes trigger a quality change, a breakthrough occurs. He unexpectedly awakened the "Never Forget" skill at the same time. Currently, all the skills in the ink panel could mainly be divided into "Entry Level," "Skillfully," "Small Success," "Level of Mastery," and "Great Perfection." It''s the first time he encountered this so-called break limit. "However, this is not a bad thing. Reaching the realm of Great Perfection of Qi and Blood, I already have Half Bull Strength. If I continued to break through and reach the limit breaking, my whole body strength should improve further. Undoubtedly, it should be stronger than those with the same Great Perfection of Qi and Blood." Shen Qing showed a hint of excitement in his eyes. "Since that''s the case, then I shouldn''t be slack. I should persistently practice." Shen Qing spread his legs apart and stood firmly on the ground like a rock. He slowly raised his hands, palms facing the sky, and his aura settled as he began to guide the qi and blood within his body to refine. In a blink of an eye, three days passed. After discovering that the Nine Skills could break limits, Shen Qing devoted most of his energy to cultivating this martial art every day. Through arduous training, Shen Qing pushed the progress of Nine Skills a little further. At this time, there was no significant change in the qi and blood inside his body. However, with the continued practice of Nine Skills, Shen Qing vaguely felt that he seemed to have become more robust, his whole body''s muscles seemed fuller, brimming with strength, and his mental state improved. Shen Qing couldn''t help but look forward to what the scene would be like once Nine Skills broke the limit. After three days of training ended, he walked outside. At this time, the sunny Hongshan Village had not seen snow for many days, and everything was basked in a bright glow. The village''s snow had long melted, with only the thick snow on the mountain remaining. Calculating the time, it was time to make a trip to the county town. Now, having reached the realm of Great Perfection of Qi and Blood, his strength far exceeded ordinary people. Even passing through the outer city''s shantytown area, he had self-defense power. As he was thinking this, Tian Xiaohu came running over with a joyful face, shouting, "Qingzi, Qingzi, I have good news." Shen Qing was puzzled and came out, asking curiously, "What good news?" "A friend of mine went to the county town yesterday." Tian Xiaohu smiled and said, "He told me Old Ba Zi was injured." After hearing this, Shen Qing furrowed his brows, slightly puzzled, "Who is Old Ba Zi?" Tian Xiaohu slapped his thigh and said, "Didn''t you kill quite a few people the last time you went out of town? I found out that those people were all Old Ba Zi''s subordinates." Shen Qing was slightly taken aback, then realized. He didn''t expect that these days, Tian Xiaohu had been secretly helping him investigate this matter, which surprised him. "What happened? Tell me the details." "As soon as you returned last time, Xiao Hu told us about the things along your way. I figured you''d have to go into town again, so I helped you keep an eye on things in the outer city. Then I learned a bit over these past few days." "I heard from a friend that Old Ba Zi fought Wang Mazi with his men a few days ago, seemingly grabbing territory in the West City area. They killed quite a few people. Old Ba Zi was also seriously injured and hadn''t shown up for several days. You should be safe going to the county town for a while." "I see." Shen Qing nodded solemnly and said, "Thank you. If you hadn''t told me, I wouldn''t have known about these things behind the scenes." "My life was saved by you. If it weren''t for you, I might have been killed by that Chen Yuan guy. This little thing is nothing." Tian Xiaohu waved his hand and continued, "Besides, the price you offered last time was very fair. Everyone wants to sell mountain goods to you and keeps asking when you''ll go to the county town. Helping you is helping everyone." "It''s really kind of everyone." Shen Qing pondered for a while and said, "I''ll inform everyone that I''ll go to the county tomorrow." "I''ll go and tell Zhang Bazi in a moment; he''s best at organizing this. Like before, tomorrow everyone could bring the things over to you directly." "Works for me. Sorry to trouble you to run this errand." "No problem. I''ll head back first." After sending Tian Xiaohu off, Shen Qing returned to the house and looked at the bow and arrow hanging on the wall. A sharp gleam flashed in his eyes, his face calm as still water. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Previously, killing Chen Tai brothers, and then killing the whole Chen Yuan family, up to killing that group of lowly people in the outer city¡­ Initially, when he first took action, he appeared a little inexperienced, but the more he killed, the more he became accustomed and adapted to it. That Old Ba Zi must be killed. If he wasn''t killed, according to Zhang Shuyuan''s words, once he healed, there was always the risk of a clash anytime Shen Qing entered the town. Open assaults are easy to dodge but hidden arrows are hard to guard against. Who knew if there was someone above Old Ba Zi? "Here, I''m the only one who can fight. If the other side has backing, some martial master comes along, I''d be in trouble to deal with it." If he wanted to continue the mountain goods business, that Old Ba Zi must be killed; there was no other way! No time like the present. Tomorrow, I''ll do it! To be more secure, Shen Qing pulled out the poison powder he took from the Chen Family Brothers and a dagger, planning to take them when entering the city tomorrow. The night passed without incident. At dawn the next day, under Zhang Baqing''s arrangements, many villagers had already registered their mountain goods. By the time Shen Qing came out, the mountain goods were already starting to be loaded onto carts. Shen Qing didn''t have money at hand now and needed to buy on credit, but the villagers seemed to trust Shen Qing greatly, not even questioning him. The previous penny-pinching attitude had vanished completely, leaving Shen Qing deeply moved. Before long, all the mountain goods in the village were organized. Considering that Shen Xiaohu was young and inexperienced, plus he might want to practice martial arts, Shen Qing called Tian Xiaohu to go with him to Taiping County, having an extra pair of hands to assist along the way. Tian Xiaohu happily agreed, took care of some family matters, and followed along. ``` Chapter 44 - 43 Wang Mazi, you will not die well! ``` Now, more than half of the winter season had passed. It wouldn''t be long before, as the weather warmed, the government officials in the county town would invent excuses to go to each village and supervise the spring hunting ban. Once the hunting ban started, no one would be allowed to go up the mountain. So, before the ban began, the villagers, who were hunters, would all head to the mountains with full force. As a result, this time Shen Qing''s cart was loaded with twice as many mountain goods as last time. Winter morning sunlight pierced the thin mist, slowly illuminating the endless green mountains. The snow-covered peaks gradually revealed patches of green under the caress of the morning light. Golden brilliance shone on the faces of Shen Qing and his companions, making them feel warm and comfortable. Seeing that Shen Xiaohu and Tian Xiaohu were dozing off, Shen Qing, having nothing to do, checked the items he carried with him. A bow, fifteen arrows, a bag of poison powder, and a dagger, making a total of four things. At present, he was most familiar with the bow and arrow, but though the bow and arrow were handy for him, they were only useful against distant opponents. Once engaged in close combat with an opponent, their effectiveness would significantly diminish. Moreover, for someone who had achieved the Great Perfection of Qi and Blood, a regular bow and arrow would not suffice. After all, in the end, the power of the arrow depended entirely on the bow. The Elm Wood Bow was good, but its power was limited to a maximum of two shi, roughly one hundred kilograms. The bow he used had been in use for a long time, and its power had diminished, feared to be less than two shi. "After reaching the Great Perfection of Qi and Blood, I can mobilize it to increase the toughness of my muscles. Such a bow cannot penetrate me. If I go to kill Old Ba Zi, the bow and arrow are not the best options." "Therefore, the best method is still poison and assassination." Shen Qing sat on the cart, listening to the sounds of birds in the surrounding mountains and forests, quietly pondering and weighing his options. From Hongshan Village to Taiping County, it was sixty to seventy li. After the snow melted, the mountain roads became muddy and difficult to traverse. Shen Qing spent nearly an hour, only to have covered half the journey. At this time, there were gradually more carriages on the road. Upon closer inspection, the carts, large and small, were loaded with various mountain goods, all heading towards the county town. Some carts carried young boys and girls, some with eyes still red, evidently having just cried. If Shen Qing''s guess was correct, this should be a broker specializing in human trafficking. Every winter, many families couldn''t get by, falling to the point of selling their children. They intended to sell these children to large households. His little aunt was sold in such a manner years ago. After a while, suddenly two fine horses charged from ahead. Shen Qing hurriedly steered the cart to the side and looked over intently. S§×arch* The n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The two horses charging forward had glossy coats, strong and plump, clearly excellent horses, and the riders were not ordinary people. They wore iron armor, sat upright on the two fine horses, with swords suspended at their waists, their eyes sharp as eagles, carrying an imposing presence. They were government officers from the Guardian Martial Department! With a crisp whip crack, the fine horses galloped with flying hooves, two gusts of strong wind swiftly passing by them. Shen Qing and the others couldn''t help but stare at those two figures until they completely disappeared from sight. After the two government officers had left, Shen Qing gradually heard the discussions of people around him. "There''s been a sighting of the Huang Tian Sect bandits outside the county town, and they''ve sent many people from the Guardian Martial Department to search around." "There are people from the Huang Tian Sect in Taiping County as well?" "It''s hard to say. Recently, the Huang Tian Sect attacked Jinzhou, and the court''s several attempts to suppress them have failed, instead allowing the bandits to grow more numerous. The Huang Tian Sect''s momentum is growing larger. At this rate, it won''t be long before it affects the county town here." "Taiping County is an important town outside the county town, in a strategically advantageous location. If the Huang Tian Sect attacks the county town, Taiping County will likely be the first to bear the brunt. There''s a sign of expansion at the Guardian Martial Department in the county government, as they''ve recruited many martial masters and officers." "I''ll tell my fellow disciples to steer clear of any involvement with the Guardian Martial Department. The Huang Tian Sect is not to be trifled with." The discussions around them gradually faded until they could no longer be heard. Seated on the cart, Shen Qing gradually fell silent. Whatever the Huang Tian Sect, Jinzhou, or the court meant, he didn''t understand. He only knew it seemed chaos was on the horizon again. What a world! "Giddy up!" Shen Qing snapped the whip to urge the mule to trot. An hour later. Shen Qing and the other two arrived at the Outer City of Taiping County. "We''re about to enter the shantytown. Stay alert and keep an eye on the goods. I''m going to relieve myself. Wait here for me." Shen Qing jumped down from the cart, tossed the reins to Tian Xiaohu, and walked towards the nearby bushes. Tian Xiaohu curiously said, "Why does your big brother take a bow and arrow to take a dump?" "I don''t know, maybe for self-defense. It''s quite chaotic here." "Makes some sense." Tian Xiaohu nodded, but still had an uneasy feeling. ... Shantytown. In a cramped small room that could barely fit a bed. Old Ba Zi lay on the bed, his chest wrapped with white gauze, his face somewhat pale. Little Six held a black ointment nearby and said, "Boss, sit up. I''ll change your dressing." Old Ba Zi shook his flabby flesh, sat up with a word, and angrily slapped the bedboard. "Who would''ve thought that filthy Wang Mazi, shameless, would find help, making us suffer such a loss. Once I''m healed, I''ll definitely kill him." "Damn it, be more gentle, will you?" Old Ba Zi kicked Little Six to the side. The latter scrambled back up, put on a smiling face, and continued to change the dressing. "Wait a moment." Old Ba Zi suddenly pricked up his ears to listen, then asked, "Do you feel something''s not right?" Little Six looked confused. "What''s not right?" "Where''s the brother I placed outside? Why is there no sound at all? Go take a look." "Okay." Little Six put down his task and hurried out. After a while, Little Six still didn''t respond. "Little Six, Little Six." Old Ba Zi called twice, but no one answered. He instantly sensed something was wrong, pulled out a shiny long knife from under the bed, tucked it behind him, and cautiously walked over, then stabbed the door open with the knife. There was not a soul outside. Old Ba Zi took a couple of steps, saw some bloodstains on the ground, and followed their direction, immediately horrifying him. All his men had turned into a pile of corpses. Old Ba Zi turned to run, but suddenly his eyes were covered with a cloud of white powder. "Ah!" Old Ba Zi let out a miserable scream, blindly swinging the long knife, slashing around chaotically, then stumbled and crashed through the door back into the room. Just when he thought he was safe. A shadow slowly appeared behind him, holding a dagger, and thrust it fiercely at him. Thud. The dagger went into the flesh. Old Ba Zi, in pain, screamed, and swung his knife in retaliation. Bang! In haste, Shen Qing ducked and punched. Old Ba Zi sensed it and took the punch head-on, responding with a punch of his own. Bang bang bang. All the furniture in the room shattered into pieces under the strength of their blows. "Stance training! Nine Skills! You''re Wang Mazi?!" Old Ba Zi immediately realized, shaking with rage, flabby flesh trembling all over, furiously charging, "I''ll kill you!" The room was too small to wield a bow and arrow, and with Old Ba Zi''s eyes covered, he slashed around wildly. Shen Qing chose not to fight him face to face but silently moved around to Old Ba Zi''s back. He picked up a broken wood stick from the floor and swung it hard. Thud! With a muffled sound, Old Ba Zi was dazed. Right at that moment, the poison from the powder gradually took effect. Old Ba Zi began to lose his balance, swaying side to side. Seizing the opportunity, Shen Qing stabbed Old Ba Zi repeatedly, turning him into a bloody mess. Despite his unwillingness to die, Old Ba Zi, surging with Qi and Blood, roared fiercely, "Wang Mazi, you''ll die a miserable death! Boss won''t spare you!" His voice was loud, carrying far and wide. Shen Qing didn''t waste words, channeled his Qi and Blood, and directly slit Old Ba Zi''s throat, ending his life once and for all. He put away the dagger, rummaged through the room carelessly, found some Silver Taels, and pocketed them. Then, crouching low, he slipped out through the back window, quickly leaving, his figure disappearing into the alleyway. ``` Chapter 45 - 44 Aftermath ``` The slums were densely intertwined. In the uneven alleyways, Shen Qing briskly walked through the muddy water. Occasionally, when he encountered strangers, he would silently lower his head, not letting them see his face. Once he emerged from the slums, Shen Qing started to sprint continuously, and upon reaching a grove outside the city, he leapt into the forest. He was already at the Great Perfection of Qi and Blood, and with the breakthrough in his hunting skills, he had mastered the ability of Poison Shadow. The combination of these skills made him as agile as a fish in water within the forest. He moved swiftly and nimbly through the woods, appearing like fleeting shadows. In less than half an incense stick''s time, he had returned to the bushes from where he had left earlier. Shen Qing hastily changed into the cotton clothes he had taken off before leaving, covering the bloodstains from the fight, and then, with a relaxed expression of relief, he approached the cart by the roadside. At this moment, Shen Xiaohu and Tian Xiaohu were leaning against the cart, vigilantly eyeing the passersby. "I''m ready, let''s go," Shen Qing said casually as he walked over, quickly seating himself on the cart and grabbing the reins. Shen Xiaohu and Tian Xiaohu didn''t say much and got on one after the other. "Giddyup!" Shen Qing cracked the whip. Thud-thud-thud... The dull horse began trotting, and the two wheels of the cart slowly started to turn. On the cart, Tian Xiaohu couldn''t help but glance at Shen Qing again. It hadn''t even been a pot of tea''s time, and he noticed that the bows and arrows Shen Qing had brought along were significantly fewer. More importantly, if he remembered correctly, Shen Qing hadn''t taken any toilet paper when he went to relieve himself. And the place he went to was a bush filled with thorny shrubs, known locally as cat''s claw thorns, which couldn''t be used to wipe. He definitely wasn''t going to relieve himself, Tian Xiaohu was certain of that. As for what he was really doing, since Shen Qing didn''t mention it, he wisely decided not to ask. One horse, one cart, and three people moved along the road outside Taiping City, neither fast nor slow. It was their second time into the city, and Shen Qing was already familiar with the route. A short while later, the three of them entered the slum area and reached the Seven Turns Alley where they had previously passed. At this moment, Shen Xiaohu couldn''t help but tense up. "Brother Qingzi, last time, someone ambushed us here, do we really want to take this route again?" Shen Qing didn''t intend to slow down, staring straight ahead, he said, "I asked the bookworms, and coming from our direction, this is the quickest way into the city. If we don''t take this route, it would mean taking a big detour, which isn''t worth it." "Besides, the people living here are all crafty as ghosts, they won''t give you that many options," Shen Qing cracked the whip sharply, urging the lazy horse, "Don''t worry, it''s fine. Giddyup!" Shen Xiaohu, holding the bow and arrows, broke out in cold sweat and scanned his surroundings with fierce eyes, treading cautiously along the way. But to his surprise, no one even approached them, even those half-grown beggars who surrounded them last time were nowhere to be seen. It was quite odd. After walking for a while and passing through Seven Turns Alley, it suddenly became bustling again, with a large crowd gathered not far ahead in the alley. Shen Xiaohu craned his neck curiously and asked, "What''s going on up ahead?" Shen Qing glanced over and casually said, "No idea." As they passed by, they happened to see bodies being carried out one after another. "Oh my gosh, so many people have died," Shen Xiaohu exclaimed. Hearing this, Shen Qing glanced over and recognized it as the alley where he had just killed Old Ba Zi. He didn''t expect it to be discovered so quickly, attracting so many people. He secretly rejoiced at his decisive escape; had he stayed a bit longer, it would''ve been difficult to get away. The cart drove past two county government officers with shaved heads. At that moment, they were looking at the bodies being carried out, chatting casually and leisurely. As they emerged from Seven Turns Alley, the road wasn''t very wide, with people crowding them from both sides, and the cart was quite close to them. Their conversation echoed into the ears of Shen Qing and the others. "Who would''ve thought Wang Mazi would be so ruthless, being challenged by Old Ba not long ago, and today he directly took action to kill him. Old Ba had barely stabilized his position by holding on to Boss Ba''s thigh but didn''t get to enjoy it for long before he was dead." "Isn''t that the truth? He died a miserable death, almost no intact skin left, practically turned into a porcupine, and the blood sprayed everywhere like a sieve. His screams of unwillingness at the time of death could be heard for miles around." "Even his men were extremely unlucky, all killed with an arrow through the throat. Wang Mazi had no intention of letting them live." "With this mess, even Boss Ba won''t let it slide; there''ll be a show to watch now." "..." The idle chatter of the two government officers reached Tian Xiaohu''s ears, and he was instantly shocked. A flash of lightning crossed his mind, bringing an unbelievable suspicion to the forefront. He looked at Shen Qing in disbelief, opened his mouth, wanting to say a thousand things, yet unsure where to begin. Shen Qing hadn''t gone to relieve himself; he had gone to kill Old Ba Zi. Yes, that must be it. A regular person doesn''t take a bow and arrows to answer nature''s call, and the reason there were fewer arrows was because he had used them. Seeing Shen Qing''s indifferent demeanor, Tian Xiaohu wisely swallowed the words he was about to speak. S~ea??h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. At this moment, a surge of doubt flooded his mind. He couldn''t fathom how Shen Qing killed so many people so quickly. He had heard from friends before that Old Ba Zi had almost achieved the Great Perfection of Qi and Blood, just one step away from becoming a martial master. His notorious reputation in the area was well known, and yet he was killed so easily? Tian Xiaohu found it incredible. He couldn''t help but size up Shen Qing again, scrutinizing him carefully. He had always thought of Shen Qing as a skillless, ordinary little hunter in the village. Silent, honest, and even poor at hunting. But after the events in the village, he had gained a whole new level of respect for Shen Qing. He was ruthless. But now, his understanding of Shen Qing''s ruthlessness had deepened again. Yesterday, he had given Shen Qing the news of Old Ba''s injury, and today he came to the county. After disappearing for a while, Old Ba Zi was dead. More terrifyingly, no one would suspect him except Tian Xiaohu. Such skill, so sophisticated. Old Ba Zi''s death was undoubtedly beneficial to them; they wouldn''t have to live in fear every time they entered the county. If he possessed the ability, he would''ve definitely killed to remove the obstacle too. But there was no way he could make it look as seamless as Shen Qing did. Shen Qing, he would undoubtedly achieve great success in the future! Tian Xiaohu decided to keep everything he saw today and all his thoughts to himself, never to mention them to anyone. "Brother Qingzi, did you hear? Old Ba is dead; no one will bother us anymore," Shen Xiaohu said, jubilant. Shen Qing chuckled and said, "Don''t celebrate too soon. Without Old Ba, there''s still Old Ninth, Old Tenth waiting to pop out. It''d be the same thing then." "Well..." Shen Xiaohu was at a loss for words. "Let''s deal with things as they come," Shen Qing refocused their attention, urging the horse toward the city gate, increasing the speed slightly. Just then, a middle-aged man in a clean robe, accompanied by three or four followers, walked toward them, brushing past Shen Qing and the others. This middle-aged man was robust, with arms extending past his knees. Upon closer inspection, one could see a thick layer of calluses on the sides of his palms near the pinky, clearly indicating he was someone skilled in martial arts, not to be trifled with. As this middle-aged man approached the alley entrance, the two government officers smoothed out their casual expressions and cheerfully said, "Boss Ba is here!" The middle-aged man, bending at the waist, clasped his hands in greeting to the two officers and inquired, "Have the two of you clarified all the matters?" "All inquiries have been made, it''s undoubtedly Wang Mazi," one of the officers calmly replied, "Many people heard it for themselves, and we''ve verified it one by one." "I see, thank you both for your hard work." As he spoke, the man known as Boss Ba took two silver ingots from his sleeve, handing them to the two officers, saying, "This is a little tea money. I hope you can pass my regards to your superior." "Certainly. Feel free to visit the government office for a drink when you have time." "Next time for sure, next time for sure." "Boss Ba, you carry on, we''ll be on our way." Boss Ba courteously clasped his hands and said, "Take care then, I won''t see you off." Watching the two officers leave, the smile on Boss Ba''s face vanished instantly, turning icy as he said coldly, "Go take care of Wang Mazi, he''s broken the rules, he can''t be allowed to stay. Also, investigate if anyone has recently had a feud with those two. We can''t solely rely on others'' reports; we need to verify things ourselves." "Understood, Boss Ba." The two young men standing behind the middle-aged man nodded and hurried away. "This group of people really is troublesome, causing problems at this critical time, they all deserve to die." ``` Chapter 46 - 45 Bullying the Market by Song and Dong Family Shen Qing expertly controlled the reins, blending into the numerous caravans as they made their way to the city gate of Taiping County once again. The arched city gate was wide open, revealing the road behind it. Over the years, the gray-brick paved road had become dark and shiny, with snow water pooling into small puddles in the gaps between the bricks. Upon closer inspection, there were several scattered piles of horse manure on it. The guards, dressed in old-style armor, stood inside the city gate, either leaning against the wall or sitting on simple wooden stools, showing no intention of cleaning up. They let the passing carriage wheels repeatedly crush the horse manure, turning it into green dung water. The guards'' eyes wandered leisurely over the passing pedestrians and goods. Occasionally, they would lazily ask a few questions and routinely inspect the bags before waving people through after receiving the city entrance fee. It was the city''s morning rush hour, with a considerable flow of people. Shen Qing and his party had to wait for nearly two quarters before it was their turn. "Whoa!" Shen Qing stopped the carriage, calmly pulling out the silver taels he had prepared in advance. Without waiting for the guard to speak, he handed them over naturally and fluidly. "Half a tael of silver, I know the rules." Shen Qing smiled faintly, speaking with a hint of experienced nonchalance, "A disciple of Linfeng Hall, brother, please make it convenient." The guard took the twenty wen large coin and was very pleased with Shen Qing''s understanding. He habitually muttered a brief "Go ahead" and lazily waved them through. After paying the entrance fee, Shen Qing drove the horse slowly through the city gate. Since they entered the city early this time, they arrived just in time for the morning market. As soon as they entered the city gate, a tide of noise hit them like a tsunami. Various shouts, hawking calls, and laughter combined to create an exceptionally noisy and bustling scene. The air was filled with the smell of various fried pancakes. There were no nobles or young masters on the street, only vendors setting up stalls, and some woodcutters carrying firewood through the alleys and servants out shopping. Compared to the initial awkwardness and dissatisfaction, having walked through once, Shen Qing was already quite familiar with the routes within the city. He glanced at the location and then led the "two tigers" towards Wanfeng Building. Along the way, Shen Qing casually bought three pancakes, and the group made do with breakfast. After walking for a while, they arrived at the entrance of Wanfeng Building, and after explaining their purpose, they went directly to the back courtyard. It was the peak season for winter hunting, and there were no fewer than seven or eight hunters from other villages in the back courtyard of Wanfeng Building. However, they were mostly individual sellers, with none like Shen Qing who had brought an entire cartload. Even so, seeing the atmosphere, Shen Qing had a bad premonition. He inquired with those around him and learned that the price for purchasing mountain goods had been lowered this time. Shen Qing calculated that at this rate, he would earn almost half of what he expected. Previously, he could make a net profit of about 700 wen, but now it was less than 200 wen, barely breaking even. Wasn''t this obvious exploitation? "A total of 120 wen!" In the back courtyard, Wang Qiyao was holding an abacus, calculating the value of the goods. Next to him was an accountant, holding a brush to record the transaction and prepare to settle the payment in silver taels. "This is a full eighteen wild rabbits, surely worth more than 120 wen?" The hunter was a bit reluctant, wanting to negotiate further. "So you''re not selling it then?" Wang Qiyao glanced at him and walked past, calling out, "Next one." The ignored hunter hurriedly rushed forward, grabbing Wang Qiyao''s sleeve and pleading, "No, no, 120 wen it is." Wang Qiyao shook his sleeve, freeing it from the hunter''s grip, and glanced sideways, "I''m not cheap on purpose, it''s just that this is the best time for you mountain drivers to harvest and you''re all selling to me now, so these mountain goods can''t fetch a high price. When spring arrives, prices will naturally go back up." The hunter''s expression was somewhat disdainful. He knew there was truth to Wang Qiyao''s words, but when spring came, hunting would be forbidden by the mountains. Anyone daring to go then would either have connections or be reckless enough to risk their lives. The county government of Taiping was notoriously good at coming up with charges. If they caught hold of something, they wouldn''t let go until they stripped you clean. When that time came, those without backing who ventured into the mountains might end up with their families ruined, even if they survived barely. The hunter resignedly handed over the mountain goods he had brought, took his 120 wen of payment, and left gloomily. Manager Wang Qiyao of Wanfeng Building seemed accustomed to this. As the hunter was leaving, he casually instructed him about the mountain delicacies and moved on to the next hunter. Shen Qing noticed keenly that the hunter was holding a brightly feathered pheasant with great appearance, which could have sold for 150 wen in the past, but Wang Qiyao only offered 80 wen. The hunter''s face turned from pale to blue, but there was nothing he could do. In the county, only the Song family collected mountain goods. If he didn''t want to sell, his only option was to consume it himself or let the meat rot, with no profit at all. Ultimately, the hunter had no choice but to swallow his anger and accept the deal. At this moment, another hunter regretted and returned wanting to cancel the deal and take back his mountain goods, but the servants at Wanfeng Building stopped him. Wang Qiyao shouted, "Once cleared financially, these goods belong to the boss, they have nothing to do with you anymore. Throw him out." The servants of Wanfeng Building rushed forward, punched him to the ground, then lifted him and tossed him high, throwing him outside the courtyard wall. "My arm, my arm..." Hearing the cries and screams from outside the courtyard wall, Shen Xiaohu and Tian Xiaohu''s faces couldn''t help but change. There was no room for emotion here indeed. Shen Qing saw all this and realized that Wanfeng Building was taking advantage of the supply and demand changes to forcefully lower the prices. Surely, they had dedicated ice cellars to store the mountain goods collected at extremely low prices at this time. When spring came and mountain goods became scarce again, they would sell at high prices. The profits came from these low-level hunters who had no connections. Simply put, the Song and Dong family were engaged in monopolistic practices. While pondering this, it was Shen Qing''s turn for the purchase at Wanfeng Building. Shen Qing put aside these thoughts, approached with a smiling face, and said, "Manager Wang, long time no see, I''m here to trouble you again." "You are..." Wang Qiyao found him vaguely familiar, but with so many people met daily, he didn''t recall Shen Qing clearly. Shen Qing introduced himself, "I''m Shen Qing from Hongshan Village." "Oh, so it''s you." Wang Qiyao immediately remembered and had a vague impression. "Didn''t expect Manager Wang to remember me, please take a look at the mountain goods from our village. We have roe deer, rabbits, goats, pheasants, and rare items like mushrooms and lingzhi. Please kindly calculate the price," Shen Qing said respectfully. S§×ar?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Wang Qiyao picked through them without any emotional expression. He moved the abacus and finally announced a price, "You have quite a lot here, all together worth three taels and five maces." Shen Qing''s expression turned sour. Last time, similar items could fetch ten taels of silver, now just three taels and five maces; the difference was not just a little, it was drastically discounted. "Manager Wang, could you increase the price a bit, this is too cheap." "Cheap? Your cart is full of ordinary mountain goods; our caravan has collected a lot from various villages. I''m already giving you more." Wang Qiyao turned to look at Shen Qing with a confident expression, "Do you want to sell or not?" Chapter 47 - 46: Entering the Inner Courtyard ``` Shen Qing glanced and noticed that Wang Qiyao''s hands lacked calluses, indicating that he hadn''t practiced martial arts before. His cultivation was at most at the realm of the Great Perfection of Qi and Blood. He was so arrogant, surely because of some backing, unafraid of offending people. After pondering for a moment, Shen Qing firmly stated, "I''ll sell it!" Upon hearing this, Manager Wang Qiyao of Wanfeng Building''s expression eased slightly, feeling that Shen Qing finally yielded. But the next sentence made his expression change. "But in that case, the Tiger King''s Penis will be problematic." Wang Qiyao pursued, "What do you mean by that?" "Manager Wang, our village recently spotted traces of the Tiger King during hunting in the mountains. Everyone is interested in this Tiger King and specifically plans to sell some goods this time to buy some hunting equipment for preparation." Shen Qing glanced at Wang Qiyao, whose face was stunned, and said regretfully, "But now that Manager Wang has pressed the price so low, I suppose everyone won''t be as motivated." "..." Shen Qing continued, "Manager Wang, you know, a tiger''s hunting range spans dozens of miles in all directions. Shicheng Mountain is only so big. This opportunity is rare. If we miss it, I... I''ll just have to think of other ways." When Shen Qing spoke, his gaze fixated on Wang Qiyao''s face, observing his expressions for any changes. Earlier, he noticed that Wang Qiyao mentioned mountain treasures to every hunter, showing just how important those three mountain treasures were to Wang Qiyao. It might even affect his future. Now, he tried linking the mountain treasures with his mountain goods, to see if he could loosen Wang Qiyao''s grip and gain some silver. Since you want me to do something, shouldn''t there be some gesture? Shen Qing''s eyes were extremely sincere, looking very "disappointed," causing Wang Qiyao to waver slightly. It was as if he made a significant decision, taking a deep breath and saying, "Seven taels, this is my largest concession." Though it was less than expected, it was certainly better than the initial three taels. Shen Qing smiled and complimented, "Thank you, Manager Wang." Wang Qiyao leaned in, lowering his voice and coldly warning, "I can give you more money, but be sure to inform me about the mountain treasures before spring. Otherwise, it won''t just be as simple as thirty taels. You''re not stupid, you should understand what I mean." Shen Qing put away his smile and glanced at Wang Qiyao. Was that a threat? Vigilance rose instantly in his heart. Wang Qiyao was from the Song family in the county town, with connections and backing, while he had just entered, not even a martial master yet. If he truly wanted to deal with him, it would be all too easy, but... Shen Qing forced a smile and respectfully said, "Understood, understood." "A Wen, give him the seven taels of silver." Wang Qiyao casually ordered and continued on to the next hunter. S§×arch* The N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Shen Qing received the seven taels of silver, inspected the weight to ensure it was correct, and then quietly left the courtyard with Tian Xiaohu. After reaching a secluded spot, Shen Qing took out a tael of silver and handed it to Tian Xiaohu, saying, "Later, Xiao Hu and I will go to Linfeng Hall to practice martial arts. It''s the first day, and I don''t know when it will end. This opportunity is rare, so the three of us will stay in the county for a night and not return. You find us a nearby inn, and with the remaining money, see if there''s something to buy for your family." Tian Xiaohu looked at the tael of silver in Shen Qing''s hand with some hesitation and said, "This... isn''t right." "I have something else I need you to help me investigate." Shen Qing beckoned, signaling Tian Xiaohu to come closer, and whispered instructions. Tian Xiaohu, surprised, asked, "Why are you investigating this?" "Just do as I say and don''t worry about it." Thinking back to Old Ba Zi''s matter earlier, Tian Xiaohu didn''t ask further, "Alright, I understand. I''ll come to Linfeng Hall to find you later." "Okay, be careful on the way." Tian Xiaohu jumped off the cart and quickly walked away in the opposite direction of Shen Qing. ... Shen Qing wandered around the county town and reached Shengshi Square, skillfully finding the main entrance to Linfeng Hall. He stepped forward, grabbed the door knocker, knocked three times lightly, and announced his name. "Coming." The heavy wooden door soon opened inward, revealing A Fu''s familiar face with protruding brow bones. "Come in!" A Fu recognized Shen Qing and Shen Xiaohu, didn''t say much, and let them in, even taking their horses to the stable. After securing the horses, A Fu quickly ran over and said, "The master already instructed last time. If you come, just go inside to practice martial arts. There will be senior and junior brothers guiding you. Junior Brother Shen, go to the inner courtyard, and the young brother goes to the outer courtyard. I''ll take you there." They walked straight along the direction of the stable for a while. Shen Qing and Shen Xiaohu reached the front courtyard. They saw various stone locks of different sizes on the ground, their surfaces smooth from long-time use. People continuously joined in at the position of the stone locks, standing in rows. Around a dozen strong men, under the gaze of Shen Qing and the others, grasped the heavy stone locks firmly. With a deep chant, the men exerted their strength simultaneously, muscles taut, lifting the stone locks high. This process repeated continuously. Every action came with deep breaths and the dull thudding sound of stone locks hitting the ground, creating an immediate urge to practice. A Fu looked at Shen Xiaohu and asked, "Did you bring the money?" "I have it all." Shen Xiaohu hurriedly took out a patched-up money pouch, poured out seven taels of silver, and handed them to A Fu. A Fu, without any courtesy, accepted all the silver and said, "Later, I''ll record it for you. Just head to the last row and start practicing." Shen Xiaohu felt a bit timid but nonetheless forced himself to the last row. The stone locks in this position were the smallest. He struggled to grip two of them, following everyone else, lifting them up, "Hoo, ha!" "Junior Brother Shen, you''re here. Follow me." A Fu pointed to the Outer Gate beside them, leading Shen Qing there, entering the second courtyard. The second courtyard was much more spacious than the front courtyard, but there were only about six or seven people present. Various wooden dummies were placed inside. A Fu pointed to a tall man and said, "That''s the master''s direct disciple, our senior brother Ouyang Tiezhu. He will teach you in the upcoming days. If you have any questions about martial arts, you can ask him. You can figure out the rest of the rules on your own." "Thanks to Senior Brother." A Fu smiled and left the second courtyard. Shen Qing knew that starting today, he would truly begin martial arts cultivation and training. He took a deep breath, walked slowly toward Ouyang Tiezhu, and greeted him, "Hello, Senior Brother, I am the new Shen Qing." Ouyang Tiezhu glanced him up and down and said, "Master mentioned you, said you''re good material for martial arts. Let''s talk over there." Shen Qing responded, following obediently behind Ouyang Tiezhu. Finding a quiet spot, Ouyang Tiezhu looked at Shen Qing and asked, "Junior Brother, do you know why we practice martial arts?" ``` Chapter 48 - 47 Wind Defying Finger Shen Qing said without hesitation, "Become stronger, and then be able to defeat others." Ouyang Tiezhu clapped his hands and laughed, "That''s right, just like that. We practice martial arts to be able to beat others. As long as you can beat others, your martial arts practice isn''t in vain." Ouyang Tiezhu stopped smiling and said, "But do you know what it means to be strong, junior?" Shen Qing frowned, recalling all his past experiences of killing, and said, "In my view, no matter what method you use, as long as you kill the other person before they kill you, then you''re strong." Ouyang Tiezhu couldn''t help but glance at Shen Qing more than once, thinking no wonder the master said he was a natural martial arts talent. Such a mindset. "Exactly. As long as others can''t kill you, and you can kill others, you''re strong," he nodded and smiled in agreement. "Practicing martial arts isn''t child''s play. We practice various skills to kill, using any means to make our physical bodies stronger, then defeat and kill others." Shen Qing raised his head and asked, "So how can one become strong?" Ouyang Tiezhu spoke without reservation, "Going back to what we said, what is strong? Killing others, defeating others is strong. To defeat others and kill them, it''s just three points." Shen Qing''s expression became serious. He perked up his ears and listened intently to Tiezhu''s words. At this moment, he was very curious. What exactly was martial arts in the Great Zhou Dynasty like? Ouyang Tiezhu didn''t hide anything and continued, "These three points are speed, strength, and resilience. As long as you are faster than your opponent, stronger, and more resilient, there''s no possibility of losing." "All the martial arts halls and gangs in the county revolve around these three points, trying all sorts of methods to become faster, stronger, and sturdier." Shen Qing thought the Great Zhou Dynasty''s martial arts had something marvelous but didn''t expect it to be such a straightforward principle. He remembered that the Great Zhou had its own armory, confiscating all the world''s martial mechanisms, so it couldn''t be unrelated to martial arts. When Ouyang Tiezhu talked about martial arts halls and gangs and seemingly avoided mentioning the Great Zhou Government, he curiously asked, "What about the government offices?" "Them? They''re different from us," Ouyang Tiezhu shook his head and said, "Becoming strong is simple in theory, but extremely difficult in practice. We ordinary people have limited energy and cannot cover all areas, so we focus on just one. Achieving any of these three points is already commendable." "Our Linfeng Hall pursues speed, achieving control with a single finger, using speed to break through." "But the Great Zhou Court is different. Since the Grand Ancestor collected all the martial mechanisms, anyone in the court''s offices can use Essence Qi and Refining Body and Returning to Truth. They pursue all three points at once, which we can hardly match." Shen Qing frowned, realizing there was more to it than he had anticipated. Ouyang Tiezhu saw Shen Qing''s expression and thought he was discouraged, so he walked over and patted his shoulder, saying, "Don''t worry too much. Once you''ve mastered the master''s skills, you can participate in the county''s martial examination, get ranked, and obtain a martial title. Then, you''ll naturally be able to be like those officials." Martial title? Shen Qing''s interest piqued, and he clasped his hands, saying, "Thank you, senior brother, for your guidance." "Let''s go; I''ll introduce you to the Wooden Dummy first." Ouyang Tiezhu walked ahead, leading Shen Qing to a Wooden Dummy. He patted the Wooden Dummy and said, "From what I see, you''ve trained your Qi-Blood well, and from here on, just maintaining regular supplements should suffice. Like the other juniors, you can now start practicing the movement technique directly." "Movement technique?" "Do you know what our master''s signature skill is?" Shen Qing shook his head. "Our master''s signature skill is a Finger Skill known as the Wind Defying Finger," Ouyang Tiezhu puffed his chest proudly, "It''s said that many martial masters in the city can''t withstand a single finger from our master." As he spoke, Ouyang Tiezhu''s gaze changed, and he formed his hands into sword fingers, casually pointing forward. Shen Qing saw a shadow flash before his eyes, followed by a dull thud as wood chips scattered from the Wooden Dummy. S§×ar?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Ouyang Tiezhu had directly embedded his finger two inches into the wooden post, with two knuckles fully submerged. Shen Qing''s eyelid twitched. If the wood could be penetrated like this, flesh and blood would likely be pierced through entirely. Ouyang Tiezhu shook his head, somewhat dissatisfied, "The move I used is the master''s Wind Defying Finger. But I haven''t learned it well. If it were the master, even a stone in front would easily be pierced and shattered. His finger is like a sharp sword, indestructible." Shen Qing inhaled sharply, finally obtaining a more concrete understanding of martial arts in this world. "But before practicing the Finger Skill, you still need to train in the movement technique first." Ouyang Tiezhu struck a wooden stick protruding from the Wooden Dummy, causing it and two other sticks to attack from behind. Ouyang Tiezhu moved as if he had eyes in the back of his head, turning steadily to intercept the sticks before they struck. He kicked with his foot, intercepting on the other side, continuously repeating the process with increasing speed. The wooden sticks of the Wooden Dummy almost blurred into afterimages, yet they couldn''t touch Ouyang Tiezhu. Bang! Ouyang Tiezhu abruptly halted the Wooden Dummy in front of him, "Junior brother, give it a try." Hearing this, Shen Qing followed suit, trying to push the Wooden Dummy''s long sticks. Rumble. The Wooden Dummy began to rotate. Leveraging his "Never Forget" skill, Shen Qing recalled the scenes just witnessed and mimicked Ouyang Tiezhu''s movements. Thanks to a previous breakthrough in hunting skills, he had a foundation in movement techniques, so learning now wasn''t too difficult. Bang! Ouyang Tiezhu noted Shen Qing catching the wooden post on his first attempt with a hint of surprise in his eyes. There was indeed some talent. After grabbing the stick, Shen Qing felt a surge of delight and started to emulate Ouyang Tiezhu''s movements, speeding up. Bang, bang, bang, bang-bang, bang-bang, bang-bang-bang... Watching this from the side, Ouyang Tiezhu''s eyes widened, staring at Shen Qing intently with a suddenly tense expression. Reaching a certain speed, Shen Qing failed to follow through on one move, and the rapidly spinning Wooden Dummy hit his shoulder, causing him to cry out in pain. Seeing this, Ouyang Tiezhu seemed to let out a heavy sigh of relief, like a weight had been lifted off his shoulders. He went forward to console him, "It''s always like this the first time. Keep practicing, and you''ll get used to it." "Mm." Shen Qing responded absentmindedly. At this moment, his attention was completely focused on the Water Ink Panel that had just appeared before his eyes. [Skill: Wind Defying Finger (Entry Level)] [Progress: 1/100 points] [Status: Cannot be improved] [Note: Practice in the winter cold, practice in the summer heat; continuous practice can allow mastery of this skill, increasing proficiency.] Suddenly appearing during his attempt to hit the Wooden Dummy, the Water Ink Panel was surprising to Shen Qing. He didn''t expect to have already entered the entry-level of Li Linfeng''s unique skill so quickly. From here on, he just needed to keep practicing. Shen Qing suddenly felt a faint excitement. Chapter 49 - 48 Progress Increase ``` "Junior Brother, today you should practice this movement technique. When you can handle it as easily as I do, I''ll teach you more complex techniques," Ouyang Tiezhu said to Shen Qing with a smile. "I need to take care of other things now. If you have any questions, you can ask the other senior brothers." "Got it, thank you for your hard work, Senior Brother." Ouyang Tiezhu waved and took a few steps away, then suddenly seemed to remember something and came back to Shen Qing, saying: "By the way, after you finish your practice today, let A Fu get you a Shiquan Dabu Decoction." Shen Qing was a bit surprised. Ouyang Tiezhu remarked: "Miss Qi bought it for you earlier, and it''s already paid for." "Okay." Watching Ouyang Tiezhu''s departing back, Shen Qing couldn''t help but sigh. He never expected his aunt, Shen Xiu, to be so kind to him. Now, he owed a lot of favors. After today''s training, he needed to visit his aunt to thank her in person. Shen Qing focused his mind, his expression became solemn, and he practiced on the Wooden Dummy as if no one else was around. Without the distractions of the Water Ink Panel, his attention was intensely focused, and he struck the Wooden Dummy with force. Bang, bang, bang, bang... His speed kept increasing. He continued until he reached his limit, then stopped. "Again." He practiced continuously for nearly two Shi Chen. Shen Qing became more and more skillfully, constantly raising the limits of his interruption threshold. "Huff!" After completing the last move, Shen Qing instinctively protected his shoulder and officially ended today''s practice after taking a hit with a stick. With a thought, Shen Qing''s eyes flashed brightly, creating ripples. The familiar Water Ink Panel appeared in front of him. [Skill: Wind Defying Finger (Entry Level)] [Progress: 18/100 points] [Status: Cannot be improved] Progress had increased. Shen Qing wiped the sweat off his face, feeling that everything was worth it. After an afternoon of training, he felt intense soreness throughout his body, especially in the bruised areas of his back and shoulders hit by blows. There were burning sensations, and any slight touch would intensify the pain. Fortunately, his Qi-Blood was vigorous, and his skin was thick and tough, so it wasn''t too much of a problem. At that moment, A Fu came in and found him, greeting: "Junior Brother, someone outside is looking for you." Shen Qing guessed that it might be Tian Xiaohu and replied: "I''ll be right there." When he reached A Fu, he paused, clasped his hands in salute, and asked: "I heard from Senior Brother Ouyang that my aunt prepared a Shiquan Dabu Decoction. I''m not sure..." Before he could finish his sentence, A Fu interrupted: "I''ve already packed it for you. Let me know when you''re leaving, and I''ll give it to you." "Thank you." Shen Qing repeatedly clasped his hands in thanks: "I want to see my aunt and thank her in person." "Unfortunately, the Hall Master took Miss Qi out, and they haven''t returned yet." "Where did my aunt and the others go?" "They probably went to stay at Jifu Temple for a few days and should be back the day after tomorrow." "Alright, then I''ll find my aunt next time," Shen Qing said no more. "Thank you, Brother A Fu, please give me the medicine. It''s getting late, and I need to leave." "Okay, let''s go together." With that, Shen Qing and A Fu left the second courtyard of the Outer Gate and went to the Outer Court. A Fu deftly went into the pharmacy and handed the Shiquan Dabu Decoction to Shen Qing. "Your cart and horses are over at the stables, you can pick them up then." A Fu pointed to a room in the Outer Court. Shen Qing nodded and quickly thanked him. After sending A Fu off, he went to where Shen Xiaohu was practicing in the Outer Court. He saw Shen Xiaohu looking like a drowned rat, with hair stuck to his scalp, slumped on the ground, appearing completely defeated. Shen Xiaohu saw Shen Qing approaching and struggled to stand, weakly saying: "Brother Qingzi..." "How is your practice going?" Shen Xiaohu regretfully replied: "I... can I get a refund for the Silver I paid this morning?" "Can''t you young people have some ambition, be brave like a man?" "I didn''t... it''s just that..." "Do you want to continue practicing martial arts?" "I do!" "Then keep practicing; otherwise, you''ll never excel. I suspect that with your personality, you''d cry if you''re ever faced with a problem." "Impossible," Shen Xiaohu said, stubbornly, his neck stiffening, his face turning red. "Enough," Shen Qing didn''t continue to chastise Shen Xiaohu, turning around, "Tian Xiaohu should come to pick us up. Let''s go back and rest." Shen Xiaohu quickly followed, unyielding, "I won''t cry if I face problems, it''s just that I''m too tired today, and I''m not used to it yet." Shen Qing didn''t respond. This attitude made Shen Xiaohu feel an urge to prove himself and vowed to practice well in the future to never be looked down upon by Shen Qing. They walked out to the entrance of Linfeng Hall. As expected, Shen Qing saw Tian Xiaohu standing at the door, pacing while waiting for them. Seeing Shen Qing and his brother approaching, Tian Xiaohu''s eyes lit up, and he hurried forward, lowering his voice: "What you asked me to investigate..." Shen Qing responded: "Tell me on the road." "Alright." "Have you booked the inn?" "It''s booked." Tian Xiaohu took out a money pouch, "The inn cost 200 wen per night including food and lodging. I spent some on the task, and there are 500 wen left, all here." At this point, Shen Qing realized Tian Xiaohu was a man of principles. Compared to the villagers in Hongshan Village, who only wanted to take advantage, he was indeed an exception. However, he had already said his words and couldn''t go back on them. Shen Qing jumped onto the cart and said: "Keep it. We may need your help with something in the future." "But it''s so much." "It''s getting late, let''s go, stop hesitating," Shen Qing replied impatiently. Seeing Shen Qing''s attitude, Tian Xiaohu gave up and didn''t insist. He and Shen Xiaohu then got on the cart one after another. "Giddy up!" Shen Qing cracked the whip, and the horse slowly started moving along the street. Once again, Tian Xiaohu approached Shen Qing from the back of the cart, lowered his voice, and began to relay the information he had gathered. After listening, Shen Qing nodded and said: "Alright, I understand." Tian Xiaohu watched Shen Qing''s calm demeanor, unsure of his intentions. After a while, Shen Qing and the others arrived at a district of single-story houses. Following Tian Xiaohu''s directions, they arrived at the entrance of an inn called "Yuelai Inn." A servant at the door recognized Tian Xiaohu and proactively took the horse, leading Shen Qing and the others in. Yuelai Inn was quite ordinary, with just some Eight Immortals tables and chairs inside, sparsely occupied by some customers. Linfeng Hall didn''t provide food and lodging, and Shen Qing and the others hadn''t eaten much all day. After a whole day of practice, they were famished. Upon entering the inn, Shen Qing immediately ordered the waiter to serve all the signature dishes. Shen Qing and Shen Xiaohu devoured the food like starving ghosts reborn, polishing off all the dishes in no time. After eating and drinking to their heart''s content, Shen Qing called for the waiter and asked: "Can your store cook medicine?" The waiter replied: "Yes, yes. Would you like us to cook it, or would you prefer to do it yourself? The former costs ten wen, and the latter five wen." Shen Qing placed five large coins on the table and said: "Take me over. I''ll do it myself." "Alright, this way, please." Taking the medicine, Shen Qing instructed Tian Xiaohu: "You both rest after you finish eating. I''ll come up later." After giving instructions, Shen Qing followed the waiter to the backyard. S§×ar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ``` Chapter 50 - 49 The best way to solve a threat is to kill it ``` The street where Yuelai Inn was located had two Martial Arts Halls, hence it often received disciples from these halls, and brewing medicine was a common occurrence. Yuelai Inn''s backyard had a special shed set aside for brewing medicine. The waiter at the inn pointed inside the shed and said, "Sir, these medicine pots have all been cleaned, and the firewood is stacked to the side. You can use them directly." "Okay." The waiter didn''t give up and tried again, "Sir, our cook is an expert at brewing medicine, fast and good. You just need to pay five cents more, and you can comfortably lie in your room for an hour, and we will bring it to you when it''s ready. Why don''t you give it a try?" "No need. I''ll do it myself," Shen Qing still refused. Traveling outside, he felt it was better to be cautious. Linfeng Hall, for so many years, had no reason to tamper with medicine. But he dared not drink what others brewed carelessly; it was more reassuring to do it himself. Seeing Shen Qing''s insistence, the waiter no longer persuaded him, bowed respectfully, and retreated. An hour later, it was already dusk. The backyard of the inn was dyed a golden hue by the remnants of the sunset. A cold wind gently blew, and various medicinal scents intertwined in the courtyard, making it seem like one was in a medicine hall. Shen Qing picked up a clay-yellow bowl filled with the freshly brewed and cooled Shiquan Dabu Decoction. The medicinal soup, under the waning light of the sunset, glowed faintly gold, emitting a refreshing herbal aroma. Throwing his head back, Shen Qing drank the medicinal soup in one go, the bittersweet taste immediately spreading in his mouth. As the medicinal soup was swallowed, the familiar medicinal power slowly spread within him, turning into warm currents that flowed like silk through his every meridian. The muscle soreness from morning movement technique training gradually eased under this warmth. In no more than the time it took for a stick of incense to burn, after digesting all the medicinal power, the last hint of soreness vanished without a trace. Shen Qing had recovered completely, his whole body was filled with qi-blood, becoming lively and vigorous again. The effects of Shiquan Dabu Decoction amazed him. The last time he took it, he hadn''t trained so much; the soreness was mostly in his lower body, nowhere near today''s extent. Truly, the unique skills of Linfeng Hall were evident here. A delightful surprise. After taking the medicine, Shen Qing, led by the waiter, returned to his lodging. This time, Tian Xiaohu was thorough and booked two rooms. One for himself, and the other for Tian Xiaohu and Shen Xiaohu to share. Not letting Shen Qing spend uselessly or be a sucker. Shen Qing greeted Tian Xiaohu, exchanged a few words, and returned to his guest room, closing the door behind him. When night fully descended, Shen Qing, feigning sleep on the bed, sat up and approached the window. He opened the window, looked at the damp ground outside the inn, the cold wind blew. Shen Qing took a dagger, wrapped a piece of cloth around his face, and leaped out of the window, landing lightly like a cat. He looked around, confirmed that there was no one outside the inn, then dashed forward, quickly disappearing into the alley. ... Inside Wanfeng Building. Being one of the managers, Wang Qiyao finished the day''s chores, massaging his sore wrists, and closed the accounts book. He picked up a cup of tea from the table, sipped it, "Today''s business is mostly done; it''s time to go back." Wang Qiyao stood up, habitually took out a large chunk of the unused reimbursement money, stuffed it into his own pocket. He then placed the remaining money and the accounts book into a wooden box, locked it with a delicate small lock. After tugging to ensure it was securely locked, he left with ease. The business at the restaurant ended quite late, by the time Wang Qiyao walked out of Wanfeng Building, the sky was completely dark. By this time, the number of people in the county had decreased significantly. Many shady affairs emerged at this time. Fortunately, his home was relatively close to Wanfeng Building, it wouldn''t take long to get there. Even though he carried some gold and silver, with the backing of the Song family, no one dared to target him. His home was in a residential area in Pinghe Square, a small courtyard. Standing at his own door, Wang Qiyao noticed that the gate was closed. He pounded on the door and shouted, "Open up!" After a while, the door opened from the inside. A servant inside the house bowed his head respectfully, stepping aside. Wang Qiyao strode in, complaining, "Why so slow?" The servant said nothing, closed the door again, and dropped the door latch. "In the middle of the night, why are the candles in the room still lit? Do you think candles are free?" Wang Qiyao walked into the courtyard, ready to scold. Just as he turned his head... Bang! Wang Qiyao was hit on the head, blood streaming down. "Ah?!" Wang Qiyao cried out, feeling dizzy, unable to stand straight, "How dare you! I''m with the Song and Dong Family, you..." However, all he got in response was a handful of white ash. With the wound on his head getting covered in the ash, it made a sizzling sound, as if Wang Qiyao''s top of the head was suddenly lifted. Intense pain spread from the crown of his head throughout his body. Yet, Wang Qiyao, having practiced martial arts, soon regained some composure. He pointed a finger at the masked ''servant'' in front of him, "Who are you? Do you know who I am? If you harm me, the Song and Dong Family won''t let you off." Earlier, in the dark, he hadn''t noticed; now he realized the one who opened the door wasn''t his servant, but a masked man. This was his home! He never thought anyone would come here to attack him. Unbelievable audacity! Utterly unreasonable! Shen Qing had no intention of replying, ignoring Wang Qiyao''s warning completely. S§×arch* The n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. His eyes were exceedingly cold, as if looking at a beast at its end, fighting its final struggle. Seizing the opportunity, Shen Qing moved one foot forward. With the mastery of Poison Shadow and a day''s practice in Wind Defying Finger movement technique, his actions were swift and precise, as he moved behind Wang Qiyao in the blink of an eye. Wang Qiyao seemed to realize something was amiss and exclaimed, "Spare me!" But it was already too late. Shen Qing didn''t hesitate. A cold light flashed, and he slit Wang Qiyao''s throat with a swift move. Then he quickly stabbed his chest a few times, making sure Wang Qiyao was dead beyond doubt. "Guh, guh..." Wang Qiyao''s eyes widened in disbelief, his mouth spewing blood, soiling himself as he lost control. Shen Qing quickly searched his body, took the already plundered package, and leaping over another courtyard wall, dashed out. Landing in the alley, Shen Qing picked the right route and ran with all his might. In his view, eliminating threats had no room for fancy maneuvers. The best way was to kill them! Once dead, the threat naturally disappeared. ``` Chapter 51 - 50: Windfall, Overnight Wealth He did not choose to act out of rashness. In fact, long before taking action, he had Tian Xiaohu spend a whole day thoroughly investigating Wang Qiyao''s background. Wang Qiyao was an illegitimate son from a distant branch of the Wang family, who had practiced martial arts but lacked talent, leaving his Qi-Blood unfulfilled. His family had been declining since his grandfather''s generation. When he was very young, he managed to get a job at the Song family''s restaurant through one of the few connections his family had, and now, after twenty years, he had become the manager at Wanfeng Building. He was known to be stingy, not generous, bullying the weak and fearing the strong. He didn''t have much clout in the county town, though he had some gang connections. As for his supporters above, at most it was just the shopkeeper of Wanfeng Building, who had no real ties to the Song family. He had been hunting for mountain delicacies recently, aiming to connect with the Song family for a better future. There were six or seven managers at Wanfeng Building, each responsible for different matters. Having one more or one less didn''t matter. In the eyes of the big players, he was just a slightly capable workhorse. Given this, it was hard to blame him. While Wang Qiyao was insignificant to the big figures, to them, the hunters, he was a big shot, with the power to decide their life and death with a word. If he couldn''t procure the so-called mountain delicacies by spring, who knew what tricks someone like Wang Qiyao might pull to climb up? It''s easy to meet the king of hell, but little devils are hard to deal with. It was better to settle it once and for all. When setting up the ambush at his home, Shen Qing also sent his family servants and wife and children on their way in advance. "There is no other way, the only chance to kill Wang Qiyao is like this. If they lived, I would have no way to act. Even if they didn''t recognize me. But what if they did? I''ve killed the pillar of their family; they would undoubtedly follow the trail back to seek revenge, which would be more trouble. Better to eliminate future problems altogether. After all, killing one is killing, killing the whole family is also killing, there is no essential difference between the two. Besides, with someone like Wang Qiyao, if he died, his family''s fate wouldn''t be much better; alive, they were better off dead." Shen Qing thought to himself as he ran swiftly. The streets and alleys around Wang Qiyao''s residence were plentiful, making it easy for Shen Qing to escape. Finding a deserted spot, Shen Qing swiftly changed out of the cloth wrapped around his face and the servant''s attire, throwing them into a dry well. Then, taking advantage of the time before the curfew officially began, he sped through the county town in a quick circle to cover his tracks, before finally returning to the inn. In the inn''s guest room. Shen Qing pulled out a fire stick and lit the candle''s wick. The faint candlelight flickered gently within the guest room. Shen Qing put away the fire stick and retrieved the bundle looted from Wang Qiyao''s house, placing it on the table. Upon opening it, he found silver jewelry, gold notes, gems, silver, and other valuables. Calculating roughly, it amounted to nearly forty taels of silver. To know, in Hongshan Village, an ordinary hunter earned about fifty wen a day. These forty taels were a fortune to Shen Qing. Including what he had robbed from Old Ba Zi earlier in the morning, it added up to sixty taels. He could be said to have become suddenly wealthy in one day. "I never thought my first windfall in life would come in such a way." Shen Qing was quite emotional. The visit to Wang Qiyao''s house was mainly to kill, and time was tight. Thus, the things he pillaged were only part of Wang Qiyao''s family assets. He didn''t have time to loot the rest individually, so he had to let it go. Actually, Shen Qing couldn''t quite figure it out. At first, he only wanted to get rich through hunting labor. He wasn''t sure how things ended up like this. "Sigh¡­" Shen Qing let out a long sigh, packing and organizing all the items before lying down on the bed and sleeping with his head covered. Having toiled all day long, both his body and mind were already very tired. Soon, he fell into a deep sleep, sleeping soundly until dawn. Usually an early riser, he found it was broad daylight when he awakened. Shen Qing stretched comfortably, tidied up a bit, and walked out of the guest room. Tian Xiaohu and Shen Xiaohu had been waiting in the hall for quite some time. The two had already vaguely regarded Shen Qing as their backbone, and they both looked over at him. Shen Xiaohu stood up and asked, "Brother Qingzi, how do we plan today?" "Today we will stay in Linfeng Hall for half the day, and leave in the afternoon during the Shen Hour." Shen Qing finished speaking and looked at Tian Xiaohu, saying, "When we go practice martial arts, I''ll have to trouble you to wander around the city a bit longer and wait for us." sea??h th§× N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Shen Qing had already given quite a bit of money to Tian Xiaohu, so he was in no rush to return to the mountain to hunt and readily agreed. The group left the inn, checked out, and headed towards Linfeng Hall. Considering the bloodstains on him, before entering Linfeng Hall, Shen Qing went alone to the tailor''s shop and had a tailor make him a fitting new garment. As the saying goes, ''Buddhas rely on gold, humans rely on clothes.'' After changing into a new outfit, coupled with Shen Qing''s already good foundation, he seemed like a different person. Both handsome and spirited. Today, Ouyang Tiezhu was not in the inner courtyard, so Shen Qing practiced his movement technique alone with the Wooden Dummy, focusing on gradually improving the proficiency of his cultivation technique. ¡­ After Shen Qing''s brother went to Linfeng Hall to practice martial arts, Tian Xiaohu wandered idly around the city, having little to occupy him. Unintentionally, he found himself near Pinghe Square. At this moment, he saw many government officers from the government office going in and out of Pinghe Square, and vaguely heard the wailing of many women. Tian Xiaohu walked up, curious, and was instantly stunned. Isn''t this the house of Wang Qiyao, the man he investigated yesterday? How come there are so many government people surrounding his house, even the Guardian Martial Department had come? Tian Xiaohu found an old lady nearby and asked, "Auntie, what''s going on here?" An old woman from the neighborhood spoke nervously, "Don''t you know? Yesterday, the manager of Wanfeng Building suffered a revenge attack at home, and the whole family of five was wiped out, exterminated." Tian Xiaohu felt as if his brain exploded like a volcano, suddenly erupting. His throat suddenly felt dry, unable to form words. The old woman from the street continued to babble, "This is bad. His family is all dead, and without any close kin, relatives from the same clan have emerged, pretending to cry for a while." "I saw the shopkeeper of Wanfeng Building came to have a look, said nothing, and left, not knowing how they will handle it later." "Now that such a thing happened in the neighborhood, everyone is very scared¡­" As for the rest of her words, Tian Xiaohu didn''t take in a single one. A chill surged from his coccyx straight to the top of his head. Seeing those government officers, Tian Xiaohu couldn''t help but shrink his neck, feeling a sense of guilt, wanting to leave immediately. But just as he took a step, he suddenly stopped and stared at the government officers ahead, seeming deep in thought. Maybe I should find out more and tell him so he can prepare in advance¡­ If I follow him from now on, maybe I can achieve something. Chapter 52 - 51: Junior Brother, have you practiced the Wind Defying Finger before? ```html Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Linfeng Hall, inner courtyard. Accompanied by the dull echoes of the wooden stakes, more than ten disciples practiced the Linfeng Hall''s movement technique in front of the Wooden Dummy. Shen Qing was also among them. After killing Wang Qiyao''s entire family, he did not carry any psychological burden, behaving as if nothing had happened. At this moment, he was fully engrossed in martial arts training. In the depths of winter, Shen Qing''s whole body radiated heat. To cool off, he removed his jacket, wearing only a newly bought cloth garment as he maneuvered in front of the Wooden Dummy. Originally, his bruised shoulder had fully healed due to the Shiquan Dabu Decoction''s medicinal effects, leaving no trace, but it slowly reddened under a new round of strikes. Pa, pa, pa... The entire process of practicing the Lingfeng Body Technique was very monotonous, simply a constant repetition of dodging stakes and being struck, yet Shen Qing did not find it tiresome or boring. [Skill: Wind Defying Finger (Entry Level)] [Progress: 31/100 points] [Status: Cannot be improved] Watching the skill proficiency continuously increase, Shen Qing felt himself growing stronger, becoming more energetic the more he trained, even immersing completely into a state of oblivion. He didn''t know exactly how long he had been practicing when Shen Qing suddenly sensed that this Wooden Dummy was about to be unable to stop him. "Junior Brother Shen, how''s the training going?" At this moment, Senior Brother Ouyang Tiezhu returned after completing some tasks, and seeing Shen Qing training in the inner courtyard, walked over with interest. Shen Qing was a relative of Seventh Master, her very own nephew. The master also said he had some martial arts talent, and one day might become the master''s direct disciple, joining their ranks. He knew his own background was quite ordinary, gaining some status entirely through his two fists and good relationships. Upon knowing such a person, Ouyang Tiezhu almost immediately decided to proactively take on the task of instructing Shen Qing. For one, he could improve his presence in front of the master, and on the other hand, make a new friend, expanding his future ways. To him, it was a good thing. After their first contact yesterday, he discovered that Shen Qing indeed had certain talent for martial arts. What took others three to five days to enter the state, Shen Qing grasped some nuances in just a short time. This further solidified his intention to befriend him, so the moment he entered the inner courtyard today, he focused on him. At this moment, Shen Qing was fully engrossed in practicing the movement technique, completely oblivious to Ouyang Tiezhu greeting him. He was so focused that everything around him seemed to fall silent, hearing only the beating of his own heart. Suddenly, Shen Qing''s movements accelerated, his figure almost becoming a mere afterimage. Finally, at the last moment. In an instant, he broke through a barrier. Bang! Shen Qing instinctively thrust his hands forward, causing the rapidly spinning Wooden Dummy to abruptly halt, emitting a dull crash sound. He successfully mimicked the movement technique taught by Ouyang Tiezhu from start to finish, with his speed nearly the same. "It''s done." Continuous practice caused sweat beads as large as soybeans to emerge on his forehead, sliding down his sharply defined face and dripping onto the dusty ground. A feeling of joy burned brightly in his heart, prompting his lips to curve upward on both sides. This scene happened to fall into the eyes of Ouyang Tiezhu, not far away. His expression instantly froze, his fists clenched tightly, and the foot he had just lifted stopped mid-air. A moment later, he seemed to snap back to reality, continuing to walk forward woodenly. If he remembered correctly, when he started from scratch, learning this set of movement techniques took him about seven to eight days to perform fluently. To reach the current level, he invested a month of hard day-and-night training. Shen Qing noticed Ouyang Tiezhu, somewhat surprised. He quickly wiped the sweat from his face and walked over, greeting, "Senior Brother!" Ouyang Tiezhu, upon Shen Qing''s call, snapped out of his shock. He stammered for a moment, feeling a bit uneasy, and asked, "Junior Brother, did you train the Wind Defying Finger before?" He wondered if, given Shen Qing was Seventh Master''s nephew, he might have been taught some basics in advance. Under Ouyang Tiezhu''s complex gaze, Shen Qing shook his head, denying, "I was just a small hunter in a mountain village, where would I get the chance to learn such martial arts?" "Your aunt didn''t tell you some Linfeng Hall''s training methods when she returned home?" "Aunt married into the city and hasn''t returned home for many years." Shen Qing glanced at Ouyang Tiezhu, curiously asking, "Senior Brother, why are you asking these things?" Ouyang Tiezhu swallowed a bitter gulp of saliva, forcibly smiling, "You''re learning this movement technique very quickly, just asking casually." Shen Qing glanced at the Water Ink Panel in his sight, flattering, "It''s all thanks to Senior Brother''s good teaching, actually, I''m rather slow at learning other things." Ouyang Tiezhu''s heart seemed eased a bit, and his expression softened significantly. "Senior Brother, I have a question, regarding how long it will take for me to master this movement technique I''m currently practicing?" Shen Qing asked earnestly. Ouyang Tiezhu subdued his mixed emotions and explained, "What you''re practicing now is the most basic Two Stick Wooden Man Stakes, afterwards, there''s the three sticks, and five sticks." "When you reach the level where even five sticks can''t get near you, your whole Qi-Blood achieves Great Perfection and condenses thickly, being controlled at will, then you can start Strengthening Tendons and Bones." Shen Qing pursued further, "So, does it mean that once I reach five sticks, it counts as mastery? Is there no other martial arts realm?" "There naturally are martial arts realms, but right now you haven''t reached that level." Ouyang Tiezhu didn''t hold back information due to Shen Qing''s remarkable performance. Life was long, who knew what might happen in the future. But commit good deeds, regardless of the ensuing outcomes. Since deciding to build a relationship with him, one should follow through, not letting a bit of jealousy spoil it. Ouyang Tiezhu paused, saying, "In our view, generally for martial masters, realms aren''t divided so minutely. The initial stage mainly involves nourishing and training Qi-Blood, achieving great perfection is one realm; after that, training some basics to stimulate blood energy, Strengthening Tendons and Bones is the Second Realm; further up, once muscle and bone are fully trained, merging Qi-Blood within and developing strength, Skin Tempering and Qi Cultivation is the third Great Realm." "Every great realm has two stages, divided into precedence, for instance, the First Realm is first nourishing Qi-Blood, then achieving great perfection; the Second Realm is Strengthening Tendons before Bone Refining, and so on." "Every sect''s martial arts within the three great realms focus on different aspects, leading to varied outcomes. For example, we at Linfeng Hall emphasize Strengthening Tendons in the Second Realm, winning by speed. Whereas the Chen Martial Arts Hall emphasizes the first stage''s Qi-Blood, using strength to counter skill." "Beyond that, there are other realms, but the master advises us not to focus too much on them. Step by step, consolidate the front fundamentals, and the latter will naturally become clear." Ouyang Tiezhu laid out the broad martial arts realms, granting Shen Qing a clear cognition instantly. If calculated this way, he was on the second stage of the First Realm¡ªGreat Perfection of Qi and Blood. With curiosity stirring in his heart, Shen Qing asked, "Senior Brother, what realm is our master at now?" ``` Chapter 53 - 52 Calm and Tranquil "Already in the Qi Cultivation Realm." Ouyang Tiezhu said with a hint of envy. "And you, senior brother?" "I..." Ouyang Tiezhu said, "I just finished Bone Forging and am working towards Skin Forging. The master said if I can''t complete Skin Forging by the age of thirty-five, it will be nearly impossible to cultivate Qi power afterward." "Why?" "The master mentioned that once a person hits thirty, their Qi-Blood starts to decline, with merely a five-year window period. After that, it''s beyond help. If you can''t cultivate power when your blood is strong, you definitely won''t when it''s weak." Ouyang Tiezhu sighed at this point, "I''m already twenty-five this year." Shen Qing acknowledged inwardly. In his past life, he was already aware of the saying that one should stand firm by thirty, and in the workplace, there was the notion of a thirty-five-year threshold, which wasn''t baseless. "Let''s not talk about this anymore." Ouyang Tiezhu patted Shen Qing''s shoulder and said, "By the way, I don''t even know how old you are today, junior brother." Poor families aren''t too concerned about this; most of them muddle through life without paying special attention to birthdays and age. Shen Qing thought for a while before calculating his age, "I should be fifteen after the Li Chun (the beginning of spring)." Fifteen?! Ouyang Tiezhu couldn''t help but show a bit of a smile, as if this age made him feel much better inside, "Junior, to be honest, you''re a bit old for this. In another year, your muscles and bones will fuse, and the difficulty of cultivating the Second Great Realm will increase significantly. If you want to make progress in Martial Arts, you need to put more effort into it." Shen Qing was suddenly taken aback. Does that mean he needed to complete the entire Second Realm within the next year? It seemed like there was... still a bit of time left? Shen Qing was a bit uncertain. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Thank you for your guidance, senior brother." Shen Qing glanced at the sun hanging high in the sky, clasped his hands, and said, "Senior brother, I wonder if you have time now, could you teach me the movement technique of the three sticks and five sticks Wooden Dummy?" Ouyang Tiezhu laughed, "Of course, I can practice them once, just watch." After saying this, Ouyang Tiezhu walked up to a Three Sticks Wooden Dummy, took a deep breath, and gave a light shout. He lightly tapped the ground with his toes, his hands weaving through the three sticks of the Wooden Dummy. Ouyang Tiezhu''s hands alternated between forming palms and fists, moving fluently and powerfully, each strike precisely hitting a different part of the wooden post, making a thumping sound. Throughout the process, his figure was extremely agile, and the three protruding sticks couldn''t even touch his upper arm. With a bang, Ouyang Tiezhu halted the Wooden Dummy and asked Shen Qing, "How was it? Did you remember it?" Equipped with the "Never Forget" ability, Shen Qing had watched carefully, slightly recalling to find all the details neatly memorized, he said, "Senior brother, I''ve remembered everything." Ouyang Tiezhu frowned slightly but seeing Shen Qing so assertive, he didn''t say much. "Then I''ll practice the five sticks once more." Ouyang Tiezhu walked to a Wooden Dummy filled with complexly interlaced long sticks, closed his eyes, concentrated, and started the movement technique. With a sudden widening of his eyes, his agile body began to move through the form. The movement technique Ouyang Tiezhu displayed at this time was more complex, involving the hands, feet, waist, knees, and legs. The skills used were on a whole different level from those used in two sticks and three sticks. His figure moved like a fish through a coral reef, not only skillfully avoiding the long sticks that assaulted from both sides of the stake but also, in a flash, precisely hitting the intended target with fists, elbows, knees, and feet, each crisp strike followed by a subtle sound of the Wooden Dummy being jostled. Forceful and heavy. While striking, he explained the key points, greatly benefiting Shen Qing. After completing the Five Sticks technique, beads of sweat slid down his neck, gradually soaking the back of Ouyang Tiezhu''s shirt. "Junior brother, the Five Sticks movement technique is relatively complex, you don''t need to force yourself too much, just understand the key points. When you practice the Three Sticks, some deliberate practice will also be beneficial." "Alright." Shen Qing clasped his hands and saluted, "Thank you for your hard work today, senior brother." "It was my duty." Ouyang Tiezhu patted the Wooden Dummy and said, "Let''s wrap up for today, I have other matters to attend to. I''ll come find you when I have more time later." "Alright. It''s a bit far from Hongshan Village too, after I practice a little longer, I''ll also head back." "Junior, are you still living in Hongshan Village?" "Yeah, the family is over there." Ouyang Tiezhu tilted his head suggestively, "Once you''ve learned some skills, I''ve got connections. You can work for some ''local tyrant'' in the Outer City for a punch protection fee, save some money, and it might be more convenient to move to the city; you won''t have to commute back and forth like this." "Senior brother has connections in the Outer City?" "Sigh... I have an unaccomplished brother working under a local guy named Wang Mazi, so there are some connections." Saying this, Ouyang Tiezhu seemed to have a hint of resentment for being unable to help his brother succeed, he waved his hand and said, "I have to go." "Take care, senior brother." Watching Ouyang Tiezhu''s back as he disappeared into the inner courtyard, Shen Qing withdrew his gaze and walked to the Three Sticks Wooden Dummy where Ouyang Tiezhu had demonstrated the movement technique, striking it with a palm. The Three Sticks rapidly rolled into motion. "Pop!" ... Shen Qing practiced in Linfeng Hall until the Shen Hour that afternoon before stopping. Since his aunt wasn''t around in the hall, he didn''t intend to stay longer. After taking today''s portion of the Shiquan Dabu Decoction, Shen Qing left Linfeng Hall with Shen Xiaohu, purchased supplies, exchanged some change, and headed straight for the rendezvous location with Tian Xiaohu. After meeting up as scheduled, the three of them sat on the cart, heading toward the west side of the city. As Shen Qing expected, the journey was smooth. The deaths of the entire Wang Qiyao family in the vast Ping''an City hadn''t stirred even a ripple. The three safely reached the West City Gate, swaying as they headed towards the shanty town. Sitting on the cart, Tian Xiaohu seemed to have a heavy burden lifted from his heart, letting out a long sigh of relief. There were many people leaving the city in the afternoon, Mingling into the crowd, Shen Qing pulled the cart deeper into the shanty area. Tian Xiaohu moved closer to Shen Qing and tugged at his sleeve. "What''s up? Is there something?" Tian Xiaohu lowered his voice, "I went to Pinghe Square for a stroll today; there''s something I need to tell you." "What is it?" Shen Qing''s face remained calm. Tian Xiaohu continued in a low voice, "With Wang Qiyao''s entire family dead, without any heirs, their relatives are fighting over his estate, causing a huge ruckus." "The shopkeeper of Fengwei Restaurant just checked in briefly and left, and the government office seems to have categorized the matter as bandit theft; it''s been closed. Additionally, Wang Qiyao''s father-in-law, unsatisfied, wanted to provide clues, and ended up being accused of provoking trouble and was beaten to death on the spot by the county government." Tian Xiaohu relayed everything he knew in one go. "So when we sell mountain goods later, we''ll have to report to a different manager?" "Supposedly, it''s changed to someone named Cai, I''ll find out when I have time." Shen Qing tugged on the reins and acknowledged, "Alright." As for the deaths of Wang Qiyao''s family, they tacitly avoided further mention. "Giddy up!" Chapter 54 - 53: The Death of Wang Mazi (Please Follow) Shen Qing wasn''t worried about Tian Xiaohu betraying him to the government office. The government office in the county city, honestly, was even more corrupt than he was. They would grab any penny they could and avoid any trouble possible. If they couldn''t avoid trouble, they would still grab a penny before taking action, ensuring they weren''t at a loss. As for fairness and integrity, the government office didn''t care at all. As long as they fulfilled their annual tax obligations to the Great Zhou Court, they couldn''t care less if people lived or died. When things went wrong, the Four Great Eastern Families would clean up the mess for them. The Great Zhou Court was not ruling the world alongside these commoners. Apart from that, the relationships in the village were also delicate. They liked to play tough inside the village, but when facing outsiders, they stood extremely united. When one person had trouble, the entire village helped. Anyone who made a name for themselves in the city always had family brothers or fellow villagers around them. Tian Xiaohu and he came from the same village. If he did such a "heinous" thing, the customs and traditions here would teach him a lesson. His family only had him left, and he held no status in the village or connections in the county city. Tian Xiaohu wasn''t a fool, knowing how to choose. In the afternoon, many people were leaving the city, and the streets were bustling. Yet, as they moved away from the city gates, the crowd from the city thinned and scattered. They continued passing through the shantytown for about forty-five minutes, and when they almost reached Seven Turns Alley, Shen Xiaohu suddenly exclaimed, "Look over there!" Hearing this, Shen Qing and Tian Xiaohu looked up in the direction Shen Xiaohu was pointing, their faces showing surprise. In the alley of the shantytown, shadows crisscrossed. A row of bodies hung under the eaves, with ropes creaking as they swayed in the cold wind. The surrounding air seemed frozen, and a bloody stench wafted from the alley. The face covered in pockmarks of the body in the center bore the expression of terror and unwillingness at their last moments. Passersby on the street quickened their pace, afraid of disturbing the scene. Shen Qing glanced at it, realizing this was the alley where he had previously killed Old Ba Zi, suspecting it might be related to him. A shantytown resident passed by on the street, and he reached out and casually grabbed someone to ask, "What''s going on here?" "None of your business..." The person he grabbed was a half-grown boy, who replied impatiently. However, he abruptly shut up as he spoke. Shen Qing, who had killed many, had a piercing gaze filled with an elusive murderous aura. The half-grown boy felt as if even breathing was becoming difficult. Shen Qing''s grip on his wrist tightened as if about to snap his bones, and the intense pain made him hesitate to move. Under his gaze, Shen Qing slowly took out two large coins from his pocket and waved them. The half-grown boy realized he was unlucky today, having encountered a tough customer, and immediately lowered his head, saying, "It was Boss, it was Boss who carried out traditional justice and killed Wang Mazi and his gang." "Boss?" Shen Qing frowned and asked. "He''s a hero in our area. Old Ba Zi and Wang Mazi, those fellows, all lived under Boss''s rule." Shen Qing continued, "What traditional justice did Wang Mazi violate to warrant Boss''s execution?" "Wang Mazi caused the death of Old Ba Zi in an internal fight, which was taboo. Now, among Wang Mazi''s men, the dead are dead and the escaped have fled; most of them ended up here." The half-grown boy nodded toward the row of Wang Mazi''s bodies. "Sir..." The half-grown boy looked at Shen Qing pitifully, hoping for mercy. Shen Qing released his grip and casually tossed the two large coins. Then, he flicked the whip, urging the horse-drawn cart forward while keeping a thoughtful eye on Wang Mazi''s corpse. This Boss was also ruthless, someone to be cautious of when encountered in the future. S§×arch* The ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The newly freed half-grown boy glared at Shen Qing with resentment. Shen Qing''s arrogant demeanor just now had greatly displeased him, causing him to lose face. "The damned bastard, I''ll gather my people and take you down..." He spat thick saliva on the ground, cursed a few times, then bent down to pick up the two large coins from the ground. Whoosh! At that moment, an arrow flew through the air, piercing his hand and nailing it to the ground, making him scream out in pain. "Ah!" Tian Xiaohu stepped down from the cart, approached with a cold expression, and glanced at him indifferently, maintaining a silent and immense pressure that almost drove the half-grown boy to mental collapse. With a thud. The half-grown boy seemed unable to support himself and sat on the ground with a thump. Ignoring the wound on his hand, he pulled out the arrow, threw it aside, and crawled away rapidly. Tian Xiaohu picked up the two large coins from the ground and gently flicked the blood-stained feathered arrow back to Shen Qing. "These people are cheap, they fear power but not virtue. Show them some strength, and they dare open a dyehouse. You have to make them afraid of you." Shen Qing replied with a soft hum, releasing his hand from the bow. He heard everything, and if Tian Xiaohu had not acted, he was ready to shoot an arrow himself. But he wasn''t aiming for the boy''s hand... After leaving the shantytown, there were significantly fewer pedestrians on the official road. Shen Qing hesitated no longer, lifted his hand, and cracked the whip with force. Snap! The crisp sound of the whip echoed behind the old horse. Being whipped, the old horse immediately galloped forward. In the chilly winter of December, the sky after the Shen Hour was leaden gray, and the cold wind cut like a knife. The cart carrying Shen Qing and the two others jolted along the official road, the wheels creaking dully over the frozen ground, racing toward the direction of Hongshan Village, veiled in light snow in the distance. Snowflakes scattered when passing through branches, landing on the three''s brows and coarse cloth garments, quickly turning into cold droplets. Tian Xiaohu and Shen Xiaohu wore bulky cotton robes, clutching the cart''s edges tightly, their knuckles turning pale from the cold. Occasionally, they exhaled white breath, which the cold wind shredded traceless. However, Shen Qing, holding the reins, had a rosy complexion and did not feel the cold. The old horse behaved like an obedient maid in his hands, allowing him to command and maneuver at will. After running for about an hour, the old horse''s stamina seemed depleted, and its speed naturally slowed. Shen Qing felt a stirring, a gleam flashed in his eyes as if ink had dripped into water, rippling with waves. In his vision, a line of ink-like text emerged. [Skill: Driving Skill (Entry Level)] [Progress: 101/100 Points] [Status: Can be Improved] [Note: The art of driving lies in practice makes perfect, continuous practice can enhance skill progression, mastering the driving essentials. In the future, driving can be stable and fast, as effortless as controlling an arm, leaving dust behind.] Shen Qing chuckled softly. Unexpectedly, from driving these past days, he had entirely filled the driving skill progress. Feeling a movement of spirit, Shen Qing chose to break through. Chapter 55 - 54 Hongshan Trading Company (Request for Follow-up Reading) ``` At the moment of deciding to break through, Shen Qing seemed to be immersed in the torrent of time, with countless fragments of driving memories surging into his mind like a tide. These memories encompassed a variety of driving skills from ancient times to the present, from the control of ordinary carriages to the intense races of ancient war chariots. Each image was so vivid and clear as if he had personally experienced it. When these memories gradually merged and converged into a powerful stream of knowledge consumed by Shen Qing, his understanding of cars and horses deepened, instilling a confidence within him. [Skill: Driving Skill (Skillfully)] [Progress: 1/200 points] sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. [Status: Cannot be improved] [Note: The art of driving is not a day''s work; its essence lies in constant practice to achieve skillful mastery. After continuous breakthroughs, you will be able to control with more ease and fluency, achieving unity with the vehicle.] Shen Qing sat calmly in the cart, with the reins seemingly coming to life in his hands, each slight pull containing precise intent. As he gradually approached the range of Hongshan Village, he left the official road, and the mountain terrain began to grow complex. But whether it was steep slopes or narrow bridges, the already breakthrough Shen Qing navigated them with ease. Each turn and acceleration was executed perfectly. Such performance did not go unnoticed by Shen Xiaohu and Tian Xiaohu, who were sitting in the cart. In the blink of an eye, the vehicle seemed even steadier. Shen Qing, gazing at a section of ink text within his sight, recalled something and asked Tian Xiaohu and Shen Xiaohu, "Can either of you drive a cart?" The two exchanged glances, shook their heads, and said, "Not yet." "When there''s time later, I''ll teach you how to drive," Shen Qing said, looking ahead thoughtfully. At present, he had run mountain goods back and forth twice from Hongshan Village, acting as a trader both times. As Shen Qing had calculated carefully, the profits were still considerable without the interference of bosses and outside theft. In Hongshan Village, they hunted in winter, sold herbs and precious plants from the mountains in spring, collected fruits and chopped wood in summer and fall... all of which could be considered income. Each household didn''t contribute much, but when gathered together, it was significant. Once stabilized, when the opportunity was right, they could try to establish a stable trade route from Hongshan Village to the county town. Once the trade route was established, the business could be sustained for a long time. "I do have tens of taels of silver on hand now, but in the future, practicing martial arts, daily expenses, and making friends will all be considerable expenses. The money seems plentiful now, but it won''t last long. We can''t just sit and watch it dwindle to nothing. The Hongshan Village business is a good start. It seems small now, but looking further ahead, the Four Great Eastern Families in the county town built their businesses piece by piece over generations. Who''s to say I can''t achieve such scale in the future and make a name for the Hongshan Trading Company?" Shen Qing was full of confidence. To realize this business, besides establishing a stable trade route, he also needed a strong enough martial force. He had experienced the chaos of Taiping County firsthand. The city was divided into many factions with intricate connections; without strength, one could not stand firm. Shen Qing knew that the foundation he currently had was entirely based on his true skills gained through hard work. In a society where one moves against the current and progresses or regresses, stagnation only makes him a figurehead in Hongshan Village, unable to step out of the great mountain. "Brother Qingzi, why do you suddenly want us to learn to drive carts?" Shen Xiaohu sat up and asked Shen Qing curiously, "Aren''t you pretty good at it? You handle it better than Bookworm." "I had promised Uncle and Aunt before to take you and Shanwa along with this mountain goods business. Now I''ve run it twice, and I''m getting a bit familiar, thinking I could teach you some," Shen Qing turned, glanced at Shen Xiaohu and Tian Xiaohu, and said seriously, "I''ll be spending more time and energy in Linfeng Hall in the future, and might not be able to look after this side. When the time is right, I plan to let you both take care of the mountain goods business. I don''t quite trust anyone else." After pondering for a while, Shen Qing said, "At that time, I can give you a twenty percent share for each trip." "Oh, twenty percent? You''re entrusting such an important business to us?" Shen Xiaohu found it a bit hard to believe. Having followed for a few trips and knowing a bit about the profit, in his eyes, it was no small amount, at least four to five hundred wen. Even with a twenty percent share, each would have forty to fifty wen, equivalent to an adult laborer in the village, and making a single trip could easily bring double that. If they hurried, it wouldn''t even take a day. "What, are you unwilling? Too little?" "No, no, no, this business is something Brother Qingzi started all on your own, how could I be so insatiable, I even feel I''m taking advantage of you." Shen Xiaohu quickly said. Shen Qing looked at Tian Xiaohu and asked, "What about you?" "In the village, I don''t have much to do, so if Qingzi is willing to take me, I''ll be more than happy." Tian Xiaohu replied with a few hints of joy on his face. In their village, opportunities to work outside were not many. Having this source of income during idle times would undoubtedly make life much better. Shen Qing instructed as he looked at Shen Xiaohu, "Hu Zi, you first oversee this. Now that you''ve entered Linfeng Hall, focus on practicing martial arts." "Mm, I got it." "Then let''s set it like this first. When you go back, make it clear to Uncle, Aunt, and Shanwa," Shen Qing advised, "Xiao Hu, you prepare and I''ll bring you along every time we deliver mountain goods." "Mm." It was about fifty to sixty miles from Hongshan Village to the county town, taking over an hour each way, which was quite a waste of time. Plus, mountain goods were only bought and sold once every ten days before the spring. If he went less often, he would practice less. Practicing wrong at home alone would leave no one to correct. Practicing still ought to be in the city. Shen Qing, after all, had limited energy and couldn''t manage everything alone. With Shen Xiaohu and Tian Xiaohu accompanying him for two trips, they should be familiar by now. Their assistance, on one hand, could increase their income, and on the other, could free his own energy, making it a win-win situation. Shen Qing remembered that Ouyang Tiezhu had advised him to do muscle and bone strengthening before age sixteen; if not, it would be difficult once the muscles and bones had hardened. Though looking at the progress from the Water Ink Panel, time seemed sufficient. However, he dared not relax. Shen Qing planned to seize every chance to ride to Linfeng Hall in the county and practice martial arts, at the very least to complete all movement techniques. After another hour, the shadow of Hongshan Village gradually appeared in the vision of Shen Qing and his companions. As Shen Qing raised the whip, it hadn''t even touched the nag''s back before the horse seemed to know in advance and increased its speed. ``` Chapter 56 - 55 You Should Help the Adults More Often in the Future ``` Shen Qing and his companions hurried along, and finally arrived at Hongshan Village by dusk. By this time, most of the villagers who had gone hunting had already descended, and the village was much livelier compared to the daytime. The cart rumbled over the stone path at the village entrance, raising a layer of mud, and passed through the entrance of Hongshan Village. Some villagers dressed in dog skin poked their heads out, spotted Shen Qing and his group, and said, "Hey, isn''t that Qingzi and his crew? Finally back!" With his shout, other villagers, who were idle with nothing to do, also gathered around. "Qingzi, why didn''t you come back yesterday?" a villager teased with a grin, "Everyone was joking, saying you traded the mountain goods for money and stayed in the city to enjoy yourself, never to return." Shen Qing let go of the tied reins, jumped off the cart, and said, "Yesterday, I stayed late practicing martial arts at Linfeng Hall, so I stayed overnight in the city and got delayed." "I just knew it. Qingzi is so righteous. How could he run off? They just wouldn''t believe it. Haha..." Shen Qing knew the little thoughts of the villagers and pointedly said, "Stop chattering, you won''t miss out on your money. Let someone from the Zhang Family come find me." "Alright, alright." Not long after, Zhang Baqing heard of Shen Qing''s return. He hurriedly finished his dinner, wiped his mouth, and ran out. When he reached the village entrance and saw Shen Qing and the others, he immediately called out cheerfully, "Nephew of the Shen Family, you called for me?" "Zhang Batou, I have something for you." In front of everyone, Shen Qing took out a bag containing more than six strings of large coins and handed it to Zhang Baqing, saying, "This time the money from selling goods is all here. Take it with the account book and settle up with the villagers. Pay off the debts." The hunters watching eagerly eyed the large coins in Shen Qing''s hands, each of them rubbing their fists, impatiently wanting to get back their share. This was what they had been working hard for every day. Zhang Baqing patted his chest and promised, "Alright, leave this to me. I know exactly how much each family is owed." Shen Qing continued, "Then inform everyone that after settling this time, I won''t be granting credit next time. It''s cash for goods from now on to avoid confusion." "Ah..." Zhang Baqing said, somewhat surprised, "It''s quite a sum for all the households in the village." "You don''t need to worry about that." Shen Qing''s tone was indifferent as he spoke, creating a slight sense of distance for Zhang Baqing instantly. Zhang Baqing was also well aware that the eldest son of the Shen family had learned martial arts and had achieved some success, potentially becoming a figure in the city in the future, naturally making them different kinds of people. He quietly reminded himself not to get carried away, "Alright, I''ll tell each family today." "Much appreciated, Uncle Zhang." Shen Qing said while taking a candle from the cart and handing it to Zhang Baqing, "It''s slippery on the village roads at night. I have a candle here for you to take for lighting." Candles sold in the city, fine ones, cost about one hundred to four hundred wen each, which was quite expensive. Even cheaper ones, ordinary candles used by common people, cost ten to thirty wen each. For villagers, they were quite a rare treat. So, the villagers would usually light oil lamps at night, and few would be willing to use such precious items as candles. Shen Qing''s gesture was meant as a small incentive for Zhang Baqing, boosting his enthusiasm without letting him work for nothing. Country folks were not as full of formalities and rituals as city folks, and Zhang Baqing casually expressed his thanks and accepted it. Once he had the candle, his face filled with wrinkles turned into a blooming chrysanthemum with smiles, and he diligently set to work for Shen Qing, full of vigor. After dealing with the crowd of villagers, Shen Qing and Tian Xiaohu each went their way home. They rounded a few corners and Shen Qing arrived at a house with earthen walls, its front door wide open. Shen Qing went to the side to tie the horse beside the house. His elder sister, Shen Fang, hearing the commotion outside, hurriedly came out. Seeing Shen Qing in a new set of clothes, she happily exclaimed, "Oh, Qingzi is back!" She quickly stepped forward to help him. Seeing a package on the cart, Shen Fang didn''t think much before picking it up, only to find it quite heavy. "Qingzi, what''s inside? It''s so heavy." "I''ll tell you later." Shen Qing untied the cart from the nag and leaned it against the wall. He brought down a sack of items from the top and followed Shen Fang inside the house. After putting everything down, Shen Qing sat on the edge of the bed, noticing Shen Fang still eyeing the package. He said, "If you want to see it, just open it yourself. Why hesitate?" Suspiciously secretive. Shen Fang murmured inwardly, but quickly unwrapped the package with nimble hands. Rustle! S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The shining silver grains and blocks poured out like a waterfall before her. She was immediately stunned. She had never seen so much money in all her life. Feeling guilty, Shen Fang quickly rewrapped the package and tremblingly asked in a low voice, "Where did you get so much money?" "Helped the city officials with something, they''re kind-hearted and gave it to me," Shen Qing replied with an honest look. Shen Fang found it hard to believe. Shen Qing laughed and said, "Sister, the city officials even use golden chopsticks for eating, this is just pocket change to them." Golden chopsticks for eating? Shen Fang gasped and said, "Then you have to go help them more often, be careful not to make any mistakes. Got it?" Elder Sister Shen Fang, at this moment, was like a nagging old mother, continuously instructing him, appearing quite repetitious, "Once you''ve saved up enough money, buy a house in the county and marry a wife from the city, then you''d be somebody." Shen Qing shook his head helplessly, feeling that marrying him off had become his sister''s obsession, mentioned every few days. "For now, we''re just getting by. It''s still early. But you don''t have to keep scrimping on food and clothes. Eat what you want, wear what you want, drink what you want. Our hardest times are behind us." Seeing Shen Qing''s somewhat frivolous attitude, Shen Fang frowned and said, "Qingzi, this time you can learn martial arts and achieve something in the city, all thanks to Aunt and Uncle. If you ever make it big, you must not forget them. We should be grateful and repay kindness." "I know." Shen Qing sat up on the bed and looked around, "What are we having for dinner tonight?" Shen Fang tied the package securely, handed it to Shen Qing, and said, brushing the dust from her hands, "We still have some lamb at home. I''ll cook noodles for you with the noodles you brought back." "Alright." Shen Qing added with a smile, "I bought quite a bit of spices and salt in the city, remember to use them generously." In the few months he had been in this world, he felt he was living more and more like a true person. Life was starting to become comfortable. ``` Chapter 57 - 56: Passing the Five Person Stance In the following days, Shen Qing stayed mostly secluded, spending most of his time hunting in the mountains and practicing the movement of the Wind Facing Finger. As his Bow Technique and hunting skills continually improved, his hunting abilities grew noticeably stronger. Every time he went up the mountain, he never returned empty-handed, always bringing back small game like rabbits, pheasants, and badgers; once even a muntjac, all piled up at home. But strangely, he couldn''t figure out why the larger game he used to encounter, like wild boars, elk, and goats, were now so rare. Shen Qing even started to wonder if his hunting skills had improved so rapidly that he nearly depleted the resource of Shicheng Mountain. By his calculations, there was less than a month until spring. sea??h th§× N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Shen Qing could only sincerely hope that the small animals in the mountains could hang in there a little longer. Just endure a bit more, and winter would soon be over. ... In the bamboo forest behind the house, Shen Qing crouched down, picked up a stone from the ground, and placed it in his palm, holding it easily. Dressed in light clothes, his bare arms exposed, with veins faintly visible. Shen Qing suddenly exerted force, his muscles tensed on his arms, and veins popped. Cracks appeared on the surface of the stone, and with a "snap" sound, the stone crumbled into pieces in his hand, scattering fragments all around. He clapped his hands and stood up, his gaze steady. "Now that my Qi and Blood have reached Great Perfection, the strength in my arms is far beyond that of ordinary people. Five or six people can''t stop me. I can even crush stones if I exert my strength seriously. So why can''t I pierce a simple wooden board with my fingers?" Shen Qing looked at the broken wooden board full of marks beside him. He had been secretly pondering these days and tried a few times, imitating Ouyang Tiezhu''s style, but without success. Li Linfeng''s hard skill seemed to rely not just on brute force. There was a self-consistent logic and training method within it. Shen Qing had inquired within Linfeng Hall, finding out that Li Linfeng had used this unique technique to counter-kill four martial masters of the Bone Refining Realm, gaining fame after a battle in the county town. And these martial masters of the Bone Refining Realm could easily overpower five or six people like him with Great Perfection of Qi and Blood; even eighteen or nineteen ordinary strong men couldn''t approach these masters. He couldn''t imagine how strong Li Linfeng, now in the Qi Cultivation Realm, must be. Indeed, the county town hid many talents, challenging to underestimate. He had to keep practicing diligently. Shen Qing dismissed his nonsensical thoughts and walked to an old oak tree, treating it as a Wooden Dummy. He took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and recollected the movements of the three-person stance and five-person stance, which he had etched in his mind countless times. Once he was sure he had memorized every detail, he suddenly opened his eyes. Then, his body moved with agility like a released rabbit, practicing a set of fluid, continuous movement techniques around the old tree. His nimble, silent training left almost no trace on the ground as his toes tapped lightly. The air seemed to carry the sound of his clothes fluttering, responding to the cold wind in the bamboo forest. Time passed by bit by bit. Despite the winter season and wearing light clothes, sweat gradually soaked Shen Qing''s back. His breathing became increasingly heavy and powerful over time, and his movements more smooth and swift. Certain areas on the old oak tree''s rough trunk had become polished due to numerous touches and leverage, evidently differing from other parts. Shen Qing practiced tirelessly until he nearly exhausted his stamina. To avoid wasting time, he continued to train with the Nine Skills stance, nourishing and cultivating Qi and Blood, and restoring his energy. Through persistent training, Shen Qing''s understanding of martial arts grew day by day, discovering some misconceptions in the Nine Skills. For instance, the book never mentioned the concepts of stretching and strengthening, or Skin Tempering and Qi Cultivation. It only stated that achieving the bodily limits with essence blood and unifying Qi-Blood with thoughts would lead to Qi formation, which seemed exaggerated and unrealistic. Until now, he hadn''t figured out what this "thoughts" meant. No wonder it was an unknown martial art. Shen Qing even suspected that Chen Yuan and others were conned out of a lot of money when purchasing this martial art back then. But it wasn''t entirely useless either. At the very least, the Nine famous stances recorded in it were indeed beneficial, significantly enhancing his Qi and Blood nourishing and training. Shen Qing didn''t keep this martial art to himself but also taught it to Tian Xiaohu and Hu Zi. All three practiced enthusiastically at home, though they didn''t have his monstrous talent, struggling bitterly at the entry level. After a short adjustment, Shen Qing felt his energy had recovered enough to resume training. With the influence of the Water Ink Panel, each practice session of his movement technique made him more agile and precise than before. In the blink of an eye, seven or eight days passed, and the mountain goods in Hongshan Village had accumulated substantially, marking the time to head to the county town again. In the bamboo forest, Shen Qing slapped the tree trunk, completing the last move, and exhaled gently. He glanced at the Water Ink Panel visible in his sight, a hint of joy appearing on his face. [Skill: Wind Facing Finger (Entry Level)] [Progress: 92/100] [Status: Cannot improve] After continuous practice and the proficiency boost from the Water Ink Panel, Shen Qing could perform the two-person, three-person, and five-person stances smoothly in one go, considering he had cleared a hurdle. Unfortunately, since the old tree wasn''t a Wooden Dummy, some movements differed, making it harder to progress. He thought about seizing the opportunity to visit Linfeng Hall to fill in this last bit of progress and see if he could break through a bottleneck. Shen Qing exhaled the last stale breath, collected his thoughts, and returned home. At this time, his eldest sister Shen Fang had already prepared a tub of hot water for him to wash his body after training. After freshening up, Shen Qing changed into new clothes and went straight to Zhang Shuyuan''s house without delay, asking him for help with some accounting. With his current literacy level, he could do simple accounting and arithmetic himself. But for years, Zhang Shuyuan had been handling the village''s accounts, and the villagers acknowledged only him. If he did it himself, the villagers might not accept it, and it could backfire. So, it was better to stick to a safer, traditional method. When Shen Qing arrived at Zhang Shuyuan''s house and explained his purpose, Zhang Shuyuan agreed right away without pretense or scholarly arrogance, as if afraid Shen Qing would change his mind. As for Shen Qing not continuing his Thousand Character Classic studies for a long time, Zhang Shuyuan didn''t mention it, as if he had forgotten about it. In his view, learning was largely a matter of personal motivation. With Zhang Shuyuan, Shen Qing went to a clearing in the center of Hongshan Village. Tian Xiaohu had already pulled the cart over, waiting early, and other villagers wanting to sell goods also gradually gathered. Shen Qing approached and clapped his hands. The crisp sound instantly drew the villagers'' attention on the ground. Shen Qing shouted, "It''s time to collect mountain goods, folks, quickly." Chapter 58 - 57: The Business Begins to Take Shape ``` Hearing Shen Qing''s call, many villagers from the village rushed over with their wild produce in hand to face Shen Qing. The scene became chaotic. Shen Qing tapped the cart and shouted, "Quiet, line up, one at a time." A straightforward villager squeezed to the front and suspiciously asked, "Qingzi, they all say you''re not taking credit anymore this time, cash only, is that true?" "Of course, it''s true." Shen Qing took out some silver taels from his pocket along with some large coins he had prepared in advance and piled them on the cart, "Today it''s cash transactions only. As long as you have goods, I''ll take them." Shen Qing''s voice was resounding, spreading far and wide, reaching everyone''s ears. Wow! The many villagers craned their necks for a look forward. Seeing Shen Qing take out so much money at once, they exchanged glances, faces filled with surprise. They couldn''t quite understand it. Just over a month ago, Shen Qing was still worrying about making a living, suffering under the oppression of the Chen Family. How did he transform so suddenly into someone so wealthy? In this month, Shen Qing''s skills had first improved, his hunts no longer empty-handed. Then he fiercely quashed the whole Chen Yuan family. After that, he was reading and writing, selling wild produce, practicing martial arts in the city... Each incident appeared in their eyes like reading scriptures or listening to stories. Living in Hongshan Village for so long, growing up, they had never heard of such a person emerging. Was Shen Qing now "making it big"? Most hunters who lived in the mountains for long had rather stubborn tempers and unpleasant speech, but they respected anyone stronger than them. Not long ago, they had witnessed Shen Qing''s fierce resolve when slaughtering the Chen Family, still vivid in their memories. Knowing Shen Qing was a tough character. Now that he had made money, no one dared say anything except that a few felt sour, secretly jealous, thinking he was just lucky. Once Shen Qing proved he had money and wasn''t just boasting, the villagers let go of their last doubts and began selling the wild produce they had on hand. S~ea??h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Someone brought a bunch of freshly collected wild mushrooms and some yellow root and placed them in front of Shen Qing. After weighing them, Shen Qing bought them at the usual price. The man, delighted to have been paid, was relieved to see Zhang Shuyuan noting it down properly and left. After seeing someone get paid, the other hunters'' families stepped forward one by one, selling their wild produce to Shen Qing. Once they received their money, each one was beaming with joy. There were no places to spend money in Hongshan Village, but that didn''t mean there wasn''t a desire to earn it. Come spring, the government office would collect various taxes like the forest tax, household tax, and Leftover Woman Tax from each village. When autumn came, there would be land taxes and various other levies, and money would be needed everywhere. If the county government came to collect taxes and they couldn''t pay, they would be taken to dig rivers and build walls, completing forced labor. If they didn''t die, they would surely suffer. Moreover, even without taxes, villagers would sometimes head to the county town market to purchase necessities. So money was important. A village woman who made some money asked Shen Qing, "Qingzi, are you taking people with you to the county town this time? Can I go with you?" The one speaking was an aunt from the clan''s house. Shen Qing had a faint impression of her, though there hadn''t been much interaction. "Taking people, of course, but Auntie, you probably won''t be able to go with me." Shen Qing stated honestly, "I''ll be practicing martial arts in the county town this time. I won''t be back for at least seven to eight days, maybe ten." The clan auntie was quite disappointed and said, "...I was hoping to catch a ride and give you some fare." She emphasized the word "money" heavily, trying to change Shen Qing''s mind. Shen Qing wasn''t fooled. Having lived in the village for a while, Shen Qing was familiar with the small intrigues of the village women; he wasn''t surprised anymore. This time, he couldn''t possibly take others to the county town. First, there wasn''t enough space. The cart wasn''t big. Once filled with wild produce, he, Shen Xiaohu, and Tian Xiaohu were packed enough, and any more would be cramped. Secondly, it was too much hassle. He wasn''t going to the county just for wild trades; the main goal was to practice martial arts at Linfeng Hall. There wouldn''t be room for anyone else. However, the aunt did give him an idea. While he couldn''t take people, he could certainly make money. Shen Qing thought he could buy up the wild produce and, once villagers had cash, offer to help them procure other items from the county town. Money would circulate, bringing more value. Vaguely, Shen Qing felt the business of the Hongshan Trading Company taking shape. Shen Qing smiled and said, "Aunt, are you looking to purchase something? If you want, I can help you bring some back." "Really? That''s great." Aunt Shen said, "I just want to buy a pair of scissors and some needles and thread for the house. If you see any, bring some for me." "No problem, please have Mr. Zhang note it down. I''ll purchase them in the county town later," Shen Qing advised Zhang Shuyuan. Aunt Shen was immediately delighted. Seeing this, others who felt a bit more comfortable with their money also entrusted Shen Qing to buy items for them in the county, even leaving deposits. Some of the silver tael he had just paid out immediately returned to Shen Qing''s hand. After busily working for about three to four quarters of an hour, the wild produce from the village was fully collected, filling the cart to the brim. Shen Qing took the shopping list from Zhang Shuyuan, and taking advantage of the good morning weather, headed to Taiping County town with Tian Xiaohu. Teaching Tian Xiaohu and Shen Xiaohu to drive delayed them a bit, so while the usual journey took one shi chen, it took nearly one and a half shi chen this time. Fortunately, they set off early and reached the city gates before noon. The journey was uneventful. As usual, after paying the City Entrance Fee, Shen Qing headed directly to the Wanfeng Building. The back courtyard of the Wanfeng Building was still bustling, with hunters, vegetable farmers, and carriers coming and going. The only difference was the manager, a new face. He appeared more upright than Wang Qiyao and seemed younger. The abacus flew in his hands, showing his competence. As it was their first interaction, the manager was strictly business, neither pressing too hard nor giving an inch. One cartload of goods was exchanged for thirteen taels of silver. The silver from his wild produce amounted to about 1,300 wen, and with this trade, he earned about two taels of silver. Not bad at all. Shen Qing took out two hundred wen in large coins, pondered a bit, then walked over to the new manager with a smile, lowered his voice, and hinted, "May I ask for your name, Manager?" Manager Cai glanced down at the hard object Shen Qing handed over, swiped it casually without a trace, and skillfully pocketed it, "Cai Jia Sheng." ``` Chapter 59 - 58: Truly a Material for Martial Arts! ``` "So it''s Manager Cai in person. I am Shen Qing from Hongshan Village. I hope for your guidance in the future." "Hmm." Cai Jia Sheng responded lightly and continued to work. "I''ll let you get to it then, Manager Cai. I''ll disturb you another time. Farewell." Shen Qing didn''t mind and decisively led his people out through the backyard. The future held many possibilities. This was their first transaction, and Shen Qing planned to use a little money to test the waters and see if this manager could be useful. If things didn''t work out or they were incompatible, there would be no other choice but to have the Song family find another. "Xiao Hu, here, take what you''ve earned this time." Stepping outside the courtyard, Shen Qing handed seventy large coins to Tian Xiaohu. After handing over the money, Shen Qing added, "We''ll be training in the county town for a few days. In a bit, you''ll go with me to the market, buy the things from the village, and see if you can take them back with another cart. I''ll settle the money when I return." Tian Xiaohu accepted the seventy large coins without hesitation and nodded seriously, "I''ve noted it. I won''t hold you up." "Hmm, if you have free time when you get back, you can learn some arithmetic from Zhang Shuyuan." "Arithmetic?!" Tian Xiaohu frowned, not expecting to have to learn such things for a job, "So troublesome..." "Do you want to make progress or not? If you do, you need to know these things." "I''ll do as you say." After giving these instructions, Shen Qing and Tian Xiaohu headed to the market, purchasing all the items needed by the villagers for Tian Xiaohu to take back. Fortunately, there weren''t many items this time, and Tian Xiaohu could carry them all alone. After sending Tian Xiaohu off, Shen Qing went to a rouge shop and spent one tael to buy a high-quality rouge. It seemed his aunt Shen Xiu should have returned by now. Just like his sister said, his aunt had helped him a lot, and it was only right to thank her in person. The more significant the gift, the stronger the friendship. Reciprocity was important. Having been to Linfeng Hall many times, Shen Qing and Shen Xiaohu were much more familiar and no longer as reserved as they were on their first visit. Without needing A Fu''s guidance, they effortlessly tied the old horse in the stables and each went to practice martial arts in the courtyard. Inside the inner courtyard, they didn''t see Ouyang Tiezhu, but Shen Qing wasn''t in a hurry to find him. He had already practiced the Wind Defying Finger skillfully up to a level of ninety-two, just eight points away from breaking through the bottleneck. If his estimates were correct, practicing the Wooden Dummy for an hour or two should suffice. He planned to break through the Wind Defying Finger before doing anything else. Shen Qing took off his outer garment, wearing only a short outfit, and approached the Five Person Stance. Most of the seven or eight people in the inner courtyard were practicing movement techniques for a long time and remained at the Three Person Stance level. Only a few people were at the Five Person Stance. This person had sword-like brows, eagle eyes, a decent face, and a slightly round physique. If Shen Qing remembered correctly, this person should be Xiao Zhi, a cook working for the Song and Dong Family''s enterprise. He was about the same age as Shen Qing and had been practicing movement techniques here for over half a year. Before Shen Qing arrived, Xiao Zhi was considered the most talented in martial arts in the backyard. When Xiao Zhi saw Shen Qing walking toward the Five Person Stance, he smiled and greeted, "Junior brother, are you here to practice the Five Person Stance too?" Shen Qing exchanged pleasantries, "Hmm, just practicing casually." Standing before the Five Person Stance, Shen Qing''s expression became serious. He instinctively widened his legs slightly, like an old pine tree firmly rooted in the ground. Without lengthy preparation, Shen Qing suddenly moved. His gaze sharpened, and his body darted like a startled rabbit. The movement technique taught by Ouyang Tiezhu was deeply ingrained in his mind and was flawlessly reproduced at this moment. Unlike Ouyang Tiezhu, Shen Qing''s movements were evidently fiercer. Bang, bang, bang. Shen Qing''s movements were as swift as rain, constantly dodging, kicking, slapping, maneuvering around the dummy... His hands fell like raindrops on different parts of the Wooden Dummy, producing a dull yet powerful sound. Even more impressive, his stance was very stable. Every turn and dodge was as if he were walking on water, barely stirring a ripple. At Hongshan Village, spending about seven or eight days of effort, Shen Qing had mastered this complex movement technique to a high level. Initially, he needed to pause occasionally, adjust his breathing, and think about the transition to the next move. But now, each of his movements became fluid and effortless, as if these techniques had long been integrated into his blood, becoming a part of his body''s instinct. Bang! During the last move of practicing the Five Person Stance, there was still a slight stickiness, and it wasn''t executed perfectly. Shen Qing stopped and started anew. Sweat trickled down his forehead, dripping onto the floor with a crisp sound. Bang, bang, bang! The dull sounds started once again. The Wooden Dummy trembled slightly under Shen Qing''s onslaught, almost seemingly ready to topple at any moment. Having finished his practice, Xiao Zhi couldn''t help but look toward Shen Qing with curiosity, seeing only the overlapping afterimages. There weren''t too many secrets within Linfeng Hall. Early on, after Shen Qing entered the inner courtyard, his matters spread quickly. People knew he was the nephew of Li Linfeng''s Lady Qi and that he had a significant talent for martial arts. They had always heard about him but never interacted directly. S§×arch* The N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Today, with luck on his side, seeing Shen Qing practice the Five Person Stance opened his eyes. If he remembered correctly, Shen Qing had been in Linfeng Hall for hardly ten days and had already reached this level. Truly a martial arts prodigy! A real genius! The disciples in the inner courtyard were all paying to learn skills, their purpose was straightforward. How much they learned relied entirely on their capabilities, without much else on their minds. The commotion on Shen Qing''s side was significant, and his entry into the inner courtyard had already caught the attention of a group of people. At this moment, Shen Qing was wholly immersed in his training, paying no mind to the others watching him. Break through! Break through! Break through! A simple belief, ringing continuously in his mind. After practicing for more than an hour, "Bang!" With the final fierce side kick finished, Shen Qing steadily countered the Wooden Dummy''s onslaught. Suddenly, his eyes revealed immense joy. [Skill: Wind Defying Finger (Entry Level)] [Progress: 100/100 points] [Status: Promotable] [Note: Practice consistently through winter and summer to master and increase proficiency in this skill.] Unknowingly, Shen Qing had practiced this martial art to its first checkpoint, and he couldn''t help but lick his lips, his face full of anticipation. "Wind Defying Finger, break through for me!" With a muffled sound, Shen Qing felt a tremor throughout his body. Suddenly, a warmth surged within him, like melting snow in spring, coursing throughout his body. He felt his Qi-blood surging, his muscles slightly trembling, as if trying to break free from some constraint. Shen Qing couldn''t help but slowly lift his foot, suddenly stepping forward with force. His muscles exploded with astonishing power at that instant, sending dust flying and causing slight cracks to appear on the thick tiles. Just like that step, Shen Qing felt a refreshing sense of breaking free from restraint. Various movement techniques completely fused in his mind. The Wind Defying Finger movement technique had become a reality! ``` Chapter 60 - 59 Aunt Encounters Trouble ``` [Skill: Wind Defying Finger (Skillfully)] [Progress: 0/200 points] [Status: Cannot be improved] To Shen Qing, the breakthrough process seemed to take a long time, but in the eyes of the disciples in the inner courtyard, it was only five or six breaths. In such a short time, they were unaware of Shen Qing''s breakthrough. Most people were just watching the excitement, but a few disciples with keen sight vaguely noticed some subtle changes in Shen Qing. But that was all. These people knew more or less about Shen Qing''s background. Apart from slight surprise and envy, their faces showed some emotion, but they were not shocked. Once Shen Qing finished, the onlookers quickly withdrew their gaze and focused on practicing their movement techniques. The sound of slapping and hitting the Wooden Dummy reappeared in the inner courtyard. Having mastered the movement technique, Shen Qing had no intention to show off. He digested the changes in his physical and mental breakthroughs, gathered his spirit, and quickly walked towards the pharmacy in the Outer Court. What Linfeng Hall called a pharmacy was merely a converted small compartment from a servant''s dwelling. Upon entering, one could see a brick wall with cabinets full of various herbs, emitting a strong medicinal fragrance. Three stoves were placed in the center of the room, each with a pot bubbling with steam, and the bitter medicinal smell constantly entered Shen Qing''s nostrils. A Fu stood by the medicinal pots, occasionally adding some firewood. Noticing the noise at the door, he turned and smiled, "Junior Brother Shen, is there something you need?" Shen Qing cupped his fists and said, "Is Senior Brother in the courtyard today?" Now that he had broken through the Wind Defying Finger movement technique, he definitely needed to practice the subsequent fighting style, stretching and bone strengthening. Since the master entrusted him to Ouyang Tiezhu, if he wanted to learn, he naturally had to find him. A Fu picked up a thin branch, broke it into several pieces, stuffed them under the stove, and added some fire, saying, "Senior Brother went out to handle something for your Seventh Master." Seventh Master? Aunt? Shen Qing frowned with concern, "What''s wrong with Aunt? Hasn''t she been feeling unwell lately?" A Fu sighed, "Last time on the way back from Jifu Temple, we got ambushed by the Mi Gang. She couldn''t keep the child." "What?" Shen Qing was shocked and hurried forward to ask, "What exactly happened?" A Fu finished adding fire to the remaining two stoves, patted his hands, and stood up, saying, "Do you know how many mistresses our master has?" "My aunt is Miss Qi, so there must be seven!" Shen Qing said almost without thinking. "There are now three." Shen Qing looked at A Fu in surprise, "Why only three?" A Fu enjoyed Shen Qing''s expression, "The first mistress died from illness before our master was successful. The second and third mistresses were killed by enemies; the incident also took a young master and a young lady." "The sixth mistress died in childbirth, leaving only the fourth, fifth, and seventh mistresses." Hearing this, Shen Qing didn''t know how to respond. "Your aunt encountered something similar." A Fu, unfazed, said, "Nothing can be done. Our master, from a lowly background, relies solely on martial arts. It''s normal to have enemies while establishing a foothold in the county." Shen Qing asked, "What''s with the Mi Gang?" "It''s a long story." "Make it short." "..." A Fu''s face froze, as if someone grabbed his neck; a bunch of words was shoved back down by a stick. He mumbled a bit, then dejectedly said, "The Mi Gang was just a small city gang, but after the old county magistrate died last year, the court parachuted a new county magistrate in. They connected with the government office and now control part of the grain business in the county, becoming a big gang. It''s like a puppet gang supported by the current government office." "They handle some unspeakable tasks for the government office. Our master used to work for the previous county government, so relations with the new government office are awkward. Plus, our master killed one of the Mi Gang boss''s sons before, so... this happened." Shen Qing got a rough idea of the reasons behind it and asked, "How is the strength of the Mi Gang boss? Can our master defeat him?" "In the past, they were evenly matched with our master, but now they''ve tied up with the government, so it''s hard to say." A Fu said with a few worries in his voice, "The disciples and forces under the Mi Gang are stronger than ours. Sigh... I hear they want to make a move against us. Your aunt''s incident was just a signal." Shen Qing could hear the not-too-favorable situation Linfeng Hall was in. Otherwise, A Fu''s tone wouldn''t be so disheartened. Shen Qing sighed helplessly in his heart. Since you''ve come, settle in. All the Martial Arts Halls and gangs in the county look at money first, then background, and lastly at sight. If he wanted to learn martial arts, there weren''t too many choices, and even if he joined another, the treatment wouldn''t be much better. First, learn the skills diligently before anything else. At this moment, a maid came in from outside, interrupting the two, "Is the medicine ready?" "Yes, I''ve poured it into a meal box for Miss Dongxue to warm." A Fu lifted a square meal box. The maid, Dongxue, took the meal box and intended to leave without lingering. Shen Qing quickly called out, "Sister, please wait." The maid, Dongxue, turned and glanced Shen Qing over, "What is it?" sea??h th§× Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "I''m Miss Qi''s nephew; she is my aunt. I just heard about my aunt''s incident and want to visit the inner courtyard; could you please inform them?" "Wait here; I''ll go check." The maid, Dongxue, said before heading to the Li Family''s inner courtyard. Once the maid, Dongxue, left, Shen Qing hurriedly went to the Outer Court to find Shen Xiaohu and gave him some Silver, asking him to buy some supplements quickly. A moment later, Shen Xiaohu returned with red dates, longan, black sesame, astragalus, brown sugar, and other items beneficial to women, handed them to Shen Qing. It was just in time for the maid, Dongxue, to return, "The master allowed you to visit Miss Qi. Follow me, I''ll take you inside." "Thank you." Shen Qing carried a large bag and followed the maid, Dongxue, toward the inner courtyard. Linfeng Hall had three courtyards in total. Li Linfeng and the women lived in the third courtyard. After a while, Shen Qing was brought to a room''s door. The maid, Dongxue, stepped forward, knocked on the door, and said, "Miss Qi, your nephew is here; he wants to see you." "Come in." From inside came a familiar woman''s voice, sounding somewhat exhausted and weak. The maid, Dongxue, opened the wooden door of the room for Shen Qing, stepping aside. Shen Qing nodded in thanks, stepped over the threshold, and quickly walked in. ``` Chapter 61 - 60: Sparring with Li Linfeng, Learning Fighting Techniques As he entered, Shen Qing saw a burly figure and instinctively paused his steps, lowering his head respectfully and calling out, "Uncle." The light in the room was dim, with only a few weak beams of sunlight streaming in through the half-open window, casting mottled reflections on the rough wooden furniture. His aunt Shen Xiu, who had miscarried more than ten days ago, lay on the bed. Her face was as pale as paper, her eyes devoid of spirit, and her body appeared exceptionally frail. The Hall Master of Linfeng Hall, Li Linfeng, sat by the bedside. He nodded in acknowledgment when he heard Shen Qing''s greeting but said nothing more. A stifling and indescribable tension filled the air. The room was so quiet that only the weak breathing of Aunt Shen Xiu could be heard. Li Linfeng instructed the maid, Dongxue, "The water in the copper basin has cooled. Go and get a warmer batch." "Yes, Master." Only after Dongxue left with the basin and a few blood-stained cloths did Shen Qing slowly step forward. Aunt Shen Xiu noticed Shen Qing and turned slightly to ask, "When did Qingzi come to the city?" Shen Qing placed what he had brought beside the bed and said, "I''ve been here for a while since this morning. When I heard about Aunt''s situation, I came over to check." "Qingzi is thoughtful." Shen Qing moved softly to the bed''s edge, his eyes full of concern, and gently asked, "Aunt, how are you feeling? Would you like me to get you some water?" As he spoke, he leaned forward slightly and, seeing Shen Xiu''s attempt to sit up, hurriedly moved forward, naturally making a gesture to assist. With Shen Qing''s support, Aunt Shen Xiu reluctantly sat up, her eyes filled with fatigue and sorrow. She gently waved her hand, her voice hoarse and weak, "I''m fine, Qingzi, don''t worry." Shen Qing asked, "What exactly happened?" Aunt Shen Xiu parted her lips slightly, trying to say something but ultimately only shook her head weakly, "It''s nothing." Seeing that his aunt didn''t wish to speak, and with Uncle Li Linfeng also present, Shen Qing refrained from saying more. After a while, he spoke again in as gentle and calm a tone as possible, "Aunt, I know you must be feeling down, but what''s done is done, and overthinking won''t help. I came in a rush and didn''t bring much, so I just bought a few things for Aunt to help recover. The days ahead are long; things will get better." sea??h th§× Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. After feeling the concern from her family after so many years, Aunt Shen Xiu''s eyes reddened, and she forced a bitter smile, "Qingzi, thank you. I¡­ just need some time¡­" Shen Qing, not experienced in dealing with such matters, offered some simple words of concern amidst the oppressive atmosphere in the room. As he was about to leave, Uncle Li Linfeng, who had been mostly silent, looked at Shen Qing and asked, "Are you currently learning movement techniques?" Shen Qing cupped his fists and bowed, "Yes." "How far have you gotten?" Shen Qing, without hiding anything, truthfully replied, "I''ve finished learning the Five Person Stance''s movement technique." "Hmm?" Li Linfeng''s expression was exceptionally surprised. He quickly contained his surprise and calmly said, "Come with me." "Yes." Uncle Li Linfeng walked out with both hands behind his back, and Shen Qing nodded towards Aunt Shen Xiu before following him out quickly. Outside, the sun shone brightly. The courtyard outside the room was silent. After walking for a while, Linfeng stopped and turned to stand facing Shen Qing. Li Linfeng''s clothing fluttered lightly in the breeze as he stood still. Without any forewarning, Li Linfeng''s eyes suddenly turned sharp. He exerted force with his foot, and his figure shot towards Shen Qing like a ghost. The speed was incredibly fast. To Shen Qing, it seemed like a beast charging directly at him, leaving him no time to react. Li Linfeng''s palm swiped sharply, sending a swift and fierce stream of air rushing toward Shen Qing. Shen Qing''s pupils contracted, sensing the terrifying power contained in that stream of air. Not daring to be careless, he immediately mobilized all his strength in an attempt to dodge Li Linfeng''s attack. However, the speed of Li Linfeng''s attack was too fast, and its power too strong. Despite Shen Qing''s best efforts to evade, he was still grazed by the stream of air. He felt a tremendous force hit him, instantly losing his balance and staggering back several steps, barely stabilizing himself using the movement technique he had just learned. Shen Qing was shocked. He hadn''t expected Li Linfeng''s casual strike to be so terrifying. Looking up at Li Linfeng, he saw him standing there with a calm demeanor as if the recent attack was nothing more than a casual swing. Li Linfeng, observing Shen Qing''s disheveled state, chuckled and thoughtfully said, "Your reaction speed is quite good, and your stance is stable." With a slight motion of his foot, he shifted to appear before Shen Qing. Li Linfeng placed his two fingers together, aiming toward Shen Qing''s face, then deliberately shifted a few inches to make a sweeping move instead of a poke. Seeing this, Shen Qing was inwardly startled, immediately understanding Li Linfeng''s intention. With little time to think, countless movements seemed etched into his muscles, forming a memory of sorts. He instinctively dodged and barely blocked Li Linfeng''s sweep. This brought a hint of pleasure to the corners of Li Linfeng''s eyes. He truly had mastered it. Afterward, Li Linfeng deliberately held back most of his strength, continually attacking with only one arm and two fingers, yet making Shen Qing struggle. Even employing all the movement techniques he had just learned, Shen Qing could only barely cope with Li Linfeng''s assaults. As if intentionally guiding him, under Li Linfeng''s direction, Shen Qing gradually adapted to the attack rhythm, utilizing all the movement techniques from the Two Person to Five Person Stances. When utilizing them, he didn''t merely stick to the routine but seamlessly integrated each move, dismantling them as they came. Every move happened almost like a reflex in an instant. Once everything was tested, Li Linfeng ceased his attacks. Watching Shen Qing, he looked increasingly satisfied and pleased. He hadn''t misjudged him that day. Having studied martial arts for barely twenty days and stayed at the Martial Arts Hall for only a few days, he had mastered this set of movement techniques and applied them effectively, proving his extraordinary talent. He truly was a natural martial talent. Hearing about his aunt''s miscarriage, he immediately visited and brought over a large amount of nourishing items. Though these things might not mean much in terms of his assets, Li Linfeng understood that Shen Qing''s parents had passed away early, and he had been supporting himself alone by hunting. How much could he save? To him, today''s gift was a significant expenditure. The difference between someone with a hundred giving ten and someone with ten giving eight was evident to Li Linfeng, reflecting Shen Qing''s good character. Given this, Li Linfeng felt he could personally offer some guidance. Just as the storm clouds gathered, it would be beneficial to add more strength to Linfeng Hall. He looked at Shen Qing and said, "You''ve trained well, though your moves are a bit disorganized. Martial Arts are all about pushing boundaries. Starting tomorrow, come find me every morning, and I''ll teach you some fighting methods." Learning fighting methods? A dream come true. Shen Qing''s face lit up with surprise and joy, quickly cupping his fists and saying, "Thank you, Uncle." Chapter 62 - 61 Direct Disciple? ``` Li Linfeng, as the master of Linfeng Hall, was a notable figure throughout Taiping County. Although, considering his own aunt''s favor, he was given an opportunity, plus he had some "innate talent" for martial arts, he might receive special attention in the future. However, he never expected this day to come so soon. As the saying goes, three years of apprenticeship, five years for full proficiency. During this time, a disciple wanting to learn their master''s skills should not even think about it without three to five years of hard work. It''s simply said that one who gains the way receives help from many. Today was indeed a lucky day. "In the future, if you want to visit your aunt, just tell Dongxue, and she will bring you over." "Okay." Shen Qing nodded in agreement. "Now, you may leave, but remember to come find me tomorrow morning." With that said, Li Linfeng placed his hands behind his back and strode out of the courtyard. ... To learn martial arts, on the one hand, requires a lot of meat and medicine to supplement, maintaining a strong physique, on the other hand, it requires a master''s guidance to learn specific training methods. For the bottom-class people who can''t even guarantee three meals a day, either of these was as hard as climbing to the sky. Not to mention that after learning martial arts, if one''s talent was poor and no name was made, the money spent in the early stages might all go down the drain with nothing left. Therefore, in Taiping County, those who could truly become martial masters and get their martial arts register were mostly those with some family background, like Shen Qing, who was purely from the lower class, being quite rare. Shen Qing also knew that getting such an opportunity was very rare. The next day, early in the morning, Shen Qing got up from the inn and waited in front of Li Linfeng''s courtyard. The courtyard''s ground was paved with blue bricks, relatively spacious. After about the time of brewing two cups of tea, the east gradually brightened, and only then did Li Linfeng leisurely walked out of the house. He wore a black training uniform, looking energetic, not at all like a middle-aged man in his forties or fifties. Li Linfeng looked at Shen Qing and solemnly said, "Before you came in, I had already observed your bone structure, which was very good, and your Qi-Blood was abundant, but since you are older and have no basic skills in martial arts, I originally planned to have you serve as an inner courtyard disciple first, temper you for half a year to a year, and then see." Shen Qing bowed his head, listening carefully, fully agreeing with what Li Linfeng said. Real skills are not that easy to learn. In the township, even to become a carpenter, one has to find someone to speak in favor, write a disciple''s entry slip, and establish the rule of three years for becoming a master. Once inside, the disciple first does rough, miscellaneous work. Fetching water, sweeping the floor, sawing, sharpening the plane blade, filing saws, after doing it for about a year, only then would the master call to learn pushing the plane, chiseling holes, and other tasks involving taking action. Later on, they progressively learn to grasp the axe, swing the hatchet, draw lines, and cut materials. Some disciple''s entry slips even stated that if the teacher accidentally injured the disciple, no grievances would be tolerated if something happened. Learning a craft to make a living as a carpenter was already like this, let alone learning martial arts, which involved life and death. It could only be stricter. "Yesterday I noticed that your innate talent for martial arts seemed better than I imagined; I suddenly had a heart to appreciate talent. So, I changed my mind and decided to teach you personally." Li Linfeng circled around Shen Qing, looked at him intently, and said, "You already know that my signature skill is the Wind Defying Finger of this martial art, the basic levels of which are taught in the Outer Court and Inner Courtyard. However, they learn only the superficial, the real skill is in my hands, do you want to learn?" S§×arch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Shen Qing was not a dull person and immediately understood what Li Linfeng meant. Not only to teach him personally but also vaguely hinted at taking him as a direct disciple. Shen Qing came to his senses and planned to kneel to Li Linfeng, performing the apprentice ceremony. However, before he knelt down, Li Linfeng lifted a foot, blocking him, "No rush for this salute, let''s choose a lucky day later. I''ll teach you the Wind Defying Finger techniques first." The dawn broke, and the cold wind whistled. "The Wind Defying Finger, as the name suggests, is like the unseen wind, transcending the unseen." Li Linfeng''s voice was deep and full of energy, as he continued speaking slowly: "This martial art emphasizes gathering the strength of the whole body onto two fingers, attacking with the fingers. It strikes unexpectedly, catching the opponent off guard." As Li Linfeng spoke, he gently lifted his right hand, showing a faint frosty glow around his fingertips. He pointed with his finger. Shen Qing saw nothing but heard a series of cracking sounds, prompting him to look towards the sound urgently. He saw dense cracks emerging on a blue brick beneath his feet, fracturing outward from a central point. Finally, with a "bang," the blue brick shattered completely. All of this happened in an instant, demonstrating Li Linfeng''s powerful finger strength, even though he clearly didn''t use his full power. "Did you see me make a move just now?" Shen Qing shook his head. "That''s right. The goal of the Wind Defying Finger is speed; its techniques, aligned with the stretching and strengthening level, consist of just two moves: the flicking finger and the pointing finger." "These two moves emphasize the fusion of Qi-Blood and finger skill; it''s the art of integrating inner with outer training." Li Linfeng said, "Next, I''ll teach you some flicking finger moves, first to find the path for the Wind Defying Finger to exert force." Shen Qing concentrated intensely, replying earnestly, "Understood." Li Linfeng didn''t delay his words; as he finished speaking, he moved his hands from the sides of his body to his chest, stepping out with his legs, launching his arm from a loose shoulder, wrapping his elbow, thus forming the twin-fingered stance through the arm. He executed the move very slowly, as if deliberately teaching Shen Qing. Shen Qing also watched very carefully. His eyes were fully attentive, engraving each move and style of Li Linfeng into his mind. These moves were not very complex; the entire routine was completed in about a dozen breaths. Li Linfeng finished, exhaled a turbid breath, and said to Shen Qing, "Follow my breathing, go through it once." Shen Qing didn''t hesitate, doing exactly as he was told. With the skillfully gifted "Never Forget" technique, Shen Qing recalled slightly, and all of Li Linfeng''s moves appeared one by one in his mind. He began posturing according to the moves, earnestly imitating, striving to remain consistent with them. Li Linfeng pointed out beside him, "Feel the flow of Qi-Blood, and attempt to focus it on your fingertips during the moves." Shen Qing was determined to follow the instruction, feeling the movement and changes in his Qi-Blood inside his body. Gradually, he felt a warm current surge from his Dantian. Under Shen Qing''s set of moves, it flowed along the meridians to the fingertips. As Shen Qing''s consciousness shifted, ink-stroke characters appeared in his vision, and regarding the Wind Defying Finger, the proficiency abruptly jumped by 2 points. [Martial Skill: Wind Defying Finger (Skillful)] [Progress: 2/200 points] [Status: Cannot be increased] [Note: Continuous practice can lead to achieving the Extreme Speed Finger Technique, killing invisibly, finishing with one move.] Shen Qing''s face showed joy. Having guidance indeed made a difference. Very soon Shen Qing''s movements changed from the initial awkward stiffness to gradually becoming smooth. Watching Shen Qing from the side, Li Linfeng''s face flashed a hint of astonishment: "So fast?" The method he taught was not very profound, but even so, the smartest martial arts prodigy took about three to five days to master it. None had learned it like him, by practicing just once. Never! Ever! Before! Li Linfeng felt this comprehension was astonishingly against the heavens! ``` Chapter 63 - 62 Bosss Invitation Shen Qing immersed himself completely in the martial arts moves taught by Li Linfeng, practicing diligently over and over again. He didn''t know how long it had been until Li Linfeng interrupted him, bringing him out of this state of immersion. "Let''s stop here for today." Upon hearing this, Shen Qing withdrew his posture, exhaled a breath of turbid air, and slowly dissipated the Qi-blood condensed on his fingers. At this moment, Li Linfeng pulled out some pieces of paper filled with words and handed them to Shen Qing, saying, "Can you read?" Shen Qing took them and replied, "Yes, I can." "This is the relaxing muscles and strengthening bones formula. It can aid in your stretching and strengthening. I''ve written some notes and instructions on it. Later, go find A Fu and have him get you some, and take a medicine bath." Li Linfeng instructed seriously. "Thank you, Uncle," Shen Qing expressed his sincere gratitude as he put away the formula. Li Linfeng did not say much more and walked past Shen Qing, leaving the courtyard. Shen Qing maintained the respectful gesture with clasped fists until Li Linfeng''s figure completely disappeared before he lowered his hands. He glanced at the relaxing muscles and strengthening bones formula in his hand. It contained specific herbs, instructions for the medicine bath, and key points for breathing to refine the medicine''s efficacy, all laid out in detail. It was clear that Li Linfeng was not deceiving him. Just as he was about to put away the formula and leave, he didn''t expect Li Linfeng to return. Shen Qing, who had just relaxed, became respectful in his posture once again in a hurried manner. Li Linfeng looked at Shen Qing and said earnestly, "I forgot to mention, the medicine bath costs two taels of silver per session, to be given to A Fu. If you''re short of money, you can keep a record and find a way to settle it later." "Two taels!" Shen Qing was startled in his heart. This price was almost comparable to a family''s two months'' expenses. "Did you remember that?" Li Linfeng repeated. Shen Qing said, "I remembered." Seeing this, Li Linfeng felt a little relieved and left in large strides. Shen Qing looked at the two thin sheets of paper in his hand, feeling them as heavy as a thousand pounds. People often said practicing martial arts consumed a lot of money, and today he had witnessed it firsthand. Fortunately, he brought several taels of silver this time, enough to manage for a while. The family had previously seized thirty to forty taels from Wang Qiyao and Old Ba Zi, and he thought this was quite a sum, but it turned out to be spent quickly. To excel in martial arts, he had to find a way to make money. After leaving the courtyard, Shen Qing wasted no time and went straight to the outer court pharmacy, gave A Fu two taels of silver, and acquired the relaxing muscles and strengthening bones formula. A Fu was slightly surprised at Shen Qing''s casual ability to produce two taels of silver. He had always thought Shen Qing, a little hunter living in the mountains, had tight economic conditions, but it seemed the reality was different. However, A Fu did not delve any deeper, as those practicing martial arts often had some affairs of their own. Soon, he prepared the herbs from the relaxing muscles and strengthening bones formula and boiled hot water, getting ready for Shen Qing''s medicine bath. After practicing for a while, Shen Qing, covered in foul sweat, entered a servant room under A Fu''s guidance upon receiving notification. Inside the room, a large cedarwood tub stood in the center, steam rising from it. As soon as the door opened, the scent of herbs mixed with cedar enveloped him. Shen Qing wasted no words and immersed his bare body into the dark medicine tub. Once inside, he felt a surge of heat rush into his chest, as if countless tiny flames ignited within him, burning fiercely. Shen Qing quickly drove his Qi-blood, trying to guide the medicine''s power into his meridians. Instantly, patches of red appeared on his skin, like a boiled prawn, turning even redder. Shen Qing was surprised at how ferocious and potent the relaxing muscles and strengthening bones formula was. Soaking in the bath felt like facing a thousand cuts; his muscles felt like they were being torn apart. He clenched his jaw, furrowed his brows, and the sweat on his forehead dripped like raindrops, hitting the water''s surface and creating ripples. Shen Qing suddenly let out a muffled groan, a look of intense pain on his face, as if enduring immense suffering. The medicine''s power was too tyrannical, like raging fire dragons rampaging through his meridians, continuously pushing his body''s limits, seemingly tearing and reassembling his muscles. After an unknown span of time, Shen Qing gradually absorbed the medicine''s power within the bath pool, and the dark water lightened significantly. Gradually, Shen Qing''s complexion turned rosy, and his breathing steadied. He slowly opened his eyes, a gleam flashing within, feeling as if he had been reborn. He stood up and moved his limbs, feeling his whole body brimming with strength, his Qi-blood seemingly enhanced, feeling lighter than before. ¡­ The area near the city wall was the best location in the Outer City. Here, it was just a wall away from the Inner City, making the transition between inner and outer cities very convenient. Near the west city gate, amidst the dilapidated shanties, stood a cream-colored mansion that towered above the rest. Its white walls and bright windows sharply contrasted with its forlorn surroundings. Ordinary cotton-clad youths went in and out of the entrance frequently. A burly man threw a young man with a bruised face onto the floor of the main hall. "Boss, I caught another of Wang Mazi''s escaped men. Should we enforce the family law?" As the burly man''s words fell, the young man hurriedly pleaded, "Spare me, Boss, spare me! We really didn''t kill Old Ba Zi. That day, Wang Mazi was with a brothel girl, so he couldn''t have done it. Please, do investigate further!" In the main hall, a robust man sitting at the center spoke, "How many is this now?" He appeared to be in his thirties, nearly six-foot-three, standing like an iron tower, with arms reaching past his knees, unusual for a person. "This is the fourth. They all said Wang Mazi was with a brothel girl that day. So, it appears to be true; he didn''t kill Old Ba." "The dead are dead, whether it''s true or not doesn''t matter anymore," Boss said indifferently. "Did Old Ba Zi have any grudges with anyone before he died?" "He did, but they seemed unrelated." "Who was it?" "A hunter from Hongshan Village," the burly man recalled. "Old Ba Zi tried to take him, but ended up losing a few brothers, and ever since, Old Ba Zi wanted him dead but never found him before he died. His death had nothing to do with the hunter. But..." "But what?" "In my investigation, I found something interesting. This hunter is the direct nephew in the seventh mistress''s family of Li Linfeng, and he recently joined Linfeng Hall, just learning martial arts from Li Linfeng." Boss said with surprise, "If I''m not mistaken, didn''t Mi Gang recently make a move against Li Linfeng?" "Yes, they injured one of his direct disciples, causing his wife to miscarry." Boss drummed his fingers on the chair, saying, "We''ve been trying to connect with the Boss of Mi Gang but never got the chance. This Li Linfeng might be a breakthrough. Go and get someone to bring that hunter to me. Let''s see if there''s a way to plant a mole beside Li Linfeng." S§×ar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Alright," the burly man kicked the young man at his feet and asked, "Boss, what about him?" "Kill him." "Spare me, Boss, spare me! I didn''t do anything, I didn''t do anything! Ah..." The young man''s plea for mercy was abruptly cut off. Chapter 64 - 63: Storm Brewing, Break Limit! Release the Physical Body ``` The practice of martial arts emphasized seventy percent training and thirty percent nurturing. After receiving guidance from Li Linfeng, in the following days, Shen Qing practiced the Wind Defying Finger every morning. In the afternoons, he took medicine and underwent medicinal baths to temper his physical body, living a highly regimented life. Coupled with the hearty meat dishes at the inn every noon, Shen Qing''s spirit and complexion were worlds apart from when he lived in Hongshan Village. In just three days, he had already learned the stance of the Wind Defying Finger to perfection. Even Li Linfeng, who rarely praised others, couldn''t help but say he had talent. Overall, everything was great these days, except that the silver was spent too quickly. Shen Qing calculated privately that to maintain such a lifestyle, his daily expenses were about three taels of silver, and the money he brought was almost used up. If this continued, he would either have to charge it to Li Linfeng or go back to get some silver. He realized the saying that martial arts training was a bottomless pit was true given his experience now. No wonder Li Linfeng managed to maintain such a large martial arts hall solely by opening one, without doing any other business. For some reason, Shen Qing noticed that the Outer Disciples and Inner Disciples practicing martial arts at Linfeng Hall had decreased compared to when he first arrived. Almost every day, one or two wouldn''t come, making the courtyard appear much quieter. Shen Qing was perplexed. Having just arrived in the county town, he was not very familiar with its dynamics. In the inner courtyard, seeing Xiao Zhi practicing the Five Person Stance, Shen Qing approached and asked, "Brother Xiao, what''s been going on lately, why are there fewer people?" "You didn''t know?" Xiao Zhi glanced at Shen Qing and said. "Know what?" Xiao Zhi stopped his actions and said, "The day before yesterday, Senior Brother Ouyang went to settle the last matter with those from the Mi Gang but lost. He''s now recovering at home from his injuries. It''s said that later, the Mi Gang plans to make a move on Linfeng Hall. Everyone here pays to practice martial arts, so there''s no need to risk their lives. That''s why they''ve been laying low lately." "This..." Shen Qing was quite surprised. Li Linfeng had only four direct disciples, and with two injured now, it was not a good sign for Linfeng Hall. Shen Qing''s mind raced with thoughts. No wonder Li Linfeng suddenly wanted to teach him, lowering the standards, and even considering him for a direct disciple. It was probably due to this matter, sharpening the spear at the last moment. There was a sense of an impending storm. After exchanging a few pleasantries with Xiao Zhi, Shen Qing didn''t probe further, immersing himself in his training. Noon came. In the pharmacy, as usual, Shen Qing consumed the Shiquan Dabu Decoction before undergoing the day''s medicinal bath. After several days of nourishing medicinal meals, Shen Qing felt that his entire Qi-Blood had reached the current limits of his physical body. Each time he mobilized his Qi-Blood, it was an immense feeling of swelling, accompanied by a surging impulse wanting to be released, but it seemed blocked by a membrane, difficult to break through. Shen Qing furrowed his brows and concentrated on refining the medicinal power, thinking nothing more. To save effort, even during the medicinal bath these days, he chose to stand in a stance, nourishing and training his Qi-Blood, which was quite comfortable for him. At this moment, submerged in the medicinal bath, Shen Qing suddenly opened his eyes wide. His pupils locked onto a certain void in his line of sight, as the Water Ink Panel slowly emerged. [Skill: Nine Skills (Great Perfection)] [Progress: 401/400 points] [Status: Can be enhanced] [Note: As the heavens move, so should the gentleman strive unceasingly. By continuing your practice, you can enhance the cultivation progress to break the limitation of this technique.] Astonishingly, the proficiency of the Nine Skills had unknowingly been maxed out! A trace of joy flashed across Shen Qing''s face. Without further hesitation, he willed himself to break through. The description of "Great Perfection" of the Nine Skills instantly disappeared from his line of sight, replaced by the words "Break Limit" slowly emerging. Shen Qing only felt the Qi-Blood within him start to circulate wildly, his entire body like a balloon being inflated, skin tightening and heating up. [Skill: Nine Skills (Break Limit)] S~ea??h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. [Progress: 1/500 points] [Status: Cannot be enhanced] [Note: One reaps what one sows. Through relentless practice day and night, you have finally grasped the essence of the Nine Skills and broken the limit. Your physical body has now been further liberated, possessing power and endurance far beyond that of ordinary people.] Shen Qing''s eyes widened, "Liberate the physical body?" This Nine Skills was merely a low-grade martial art, and there were many recorded contents in it likely to be incorrect. The so-called breaking limits, aside from this panel, he had never heard of anywhere else. Shen Qing felt as if everything were a dream. Just then, torrents of Qi-Blood surged throughout his body, causing him to grunt, dropping heavily into the bathtub. His entire Qi-Blood circulated and surged furiously. "Crack!" Shen Qing suddenly heard a crisp crack beside his ear, like ice breaking apart. Boom! The barrier obstructing him was shattered by the powerful Qi-Blood. After about half a moment, the pain throughout Shen Qing''s body gradually diminished, then he noticed some changes in his physique. Compared to before, he had become more solid, stronger, and even his height had shot up a notch. Shen Qing lifted his hand, clenched his fists, and felt that his strength had increased far more than before. "Is this what it''s like to liberate the physical body?" Shen Qing touched the highly bulging muscles, finding the skin had become quite rough, like it had been pounded repeatedly, leaving a thin layer of callus. If not for a closer inspection, it was hardly noticeable. These changes were evident only in the limbs. All of a sudden, Shen Qing had an eager impulse to try. So be it. After refining most of the medicine potency, he swiftly climbed out of the medicinal barrel, dried himself, and changed into his clothes. Thankfully, the clothes he bought earlier were slightly bigger, so he could still fit into them. He re-entered the inner courtyard, found a large boulder used for training, took a deep breath, and struck it with a palm. Crack! The stone emitted a crisp sound, shattering into pieces. Shen Qing was startled. This strength was equivalent to that of a bull. If he were to hit someone, he could definitely kill them with a single punch. Furthermore, after striking the palm just now, he could hardly feel any pain. If a real fight broke out, against those of the same level, his advantage was considerably significant. It was truly impressive. Shen Qing couldn''t help but feel delighted. He gathered his thoughts, turned around, and left, seizing the opportunity of lunchtime to return to the inn. Upon entering the inn, before he even warmed his seat, an unexpected visitor arrived outside, seeking him out by name. Shen Qing opened the door of the inn, assessing the two sturdy young men standing at the entrance, and frowned, "Who are you..." "Boss invites you." "Boss?" Shen Qing''s expression was surprised, as the face of a middle-aged man floated in his mind. He asked in a deep voice, "Are you sure you found the right person?" "It''s you we''re looking for, go with us." The person opposite spoke decisively, leaving no room for negotiation. ``` Chapter 65 - 64: First Weaken the Opponents Strength Partly Shen Qing''s expression instantly turned cold. He had long heard of Boss''s name. The leading figure of the heroes in the East City section of the Outer City, who had reached the realm of strengthening the bones and muscles. Previously, the ones he had killed, Old Ba Zi and Wang Mazi, were this man''s subordinates. Now that he had come to find him, it was clear that it wasn''t for any good intentions. "Kid, I advise you to be honest, please." The two men, seeing Shen Qing remained still, made a gesture of invitation, looking somewhat arrogant. Shen Qing intentionally refused. In his eyes, these two men were just insignificant figures who hadn''t even reached the Great Perfection of Qi-Blood, not even better than Old Ba. To kill them wouldn''t be too difficult. However, he was in an inn in the city, where many eyes were watching. Acting in such a manner would surely bring trouble upon himself. In the end, the city was still under the control of the county government. If he broke the rules of the county government, they wouldn''t let it slide. Shen Qing had no connections in the city and couldn''t dare to hold expectations for the county government. Moreover, the two didn''t seem to have any intent to harm him at the moment. If they truly intended to kill him, they would have ambushed him secretly and taken care of him quietly. Considering everything, Shen Qing decided to wait and see. He cupped his fists and said, "I''ve long heard of Boss''s reputation. Since Boss has invited me, it would be impolite to refuse. But please allow me a moment, I have a cousin here, I should let him know so he doesn''t worry." "You''re full of crap, hurry up." The two grumbled and cursed as they walked toward the inn''s lobby. Seeing the two walk away, Shen Qing retrieved an old dagger from the room and tucked it into his clothes, then took out the rest of the broken silver and knocked on Shen Xiaohu''s door. "Brother Qingzi, what''s going on?" Over the past few days, training under the sun to nourish and train Qi-Blood, Shen Xiaohu''s originally dark face had become even darker. He looked puzzled when he saw Shen Qing knocking on his door with a serious look. "Let''s talk inside." Shen Qing stepped in, and Shen Xiaohu wisely closed the door behind him. Shen Qing turned around and instructed Shen Xiaohu, "Someone from Boss has come. You take this money and go to Linfeng Hall to find some people to go with me to the area outside the west city." As he spoke, Shen Qing handed him some broken silver: "Senior brothers aren''t here, but I know Xiao Zhi in the inner courtyard, you can ask if he''s willing. Otherwise, look in the Outer Court or outside Linfeng Hall." Seeing Shen Qing''s serious demeanor, Shen Xiaohu dared not overlook anything and carefully remembered everything: "Okay." "Also, when you leave, don''t forget to bring the bow and arrow." "Okay." After roughly giving his instructions, Shen Qing pushed open the door with one hand and approached the two young men, casually saying, "Let''s go." The two young men glanced at Shen Qing, a bit annoyed, pouting slightly, and led him toward the West City section, one ahead and one behind. Just after Shen Qing and the others left, Shen Xiaohu hurried to Linfeng Hall. He had originally planned to find people from the Outer Court. Unfortunately, he was a nobody, and with continuous training and expenses, Shen Qing didn''t have much silver. The people from the Outer Court looked down on him, and Shen Xiaohu was so anxious that he spun around in circles. In the end, after much talking and convincing, he found Xiao Zhi. "Since it''s Junior Brother Shen looking for me, I have nothing to do this afternoon. I''ll go with you." Xiao Zhi was a cook, a servant with some insight. He saw that Shen Qing had great potential in martial arts, and he considered it a good chance to make a friendly connection with such a person. In the future, it might come in handy. After calling Xiao Zhi, Shen Xiaohu and he rushed out of Linfeng Hall. They happened to run into two young men. One of them looked exactly like Ouyang Tiezhu. Shen Xiaohu thought he had met Ouyang Tiezhu. Knowing that the senior brother had a decent relationship with Shen Qing, he hurried to call him to join them on the trip. The young man who resembled Ouyang Tiezhu ignored him, saying, "You''ve mistaken me for someone else." Shen Xiaohu thought Ouyang Tiezhu was unwilling to get involved and hastily shouted, "Senior Brother, we''ll pay you." Hearing the mention of money, the young man abruptly stopped and turned to say, "How much?" "Two taels of silver, paid after the fact." Shen Xiaohu gritted his teeth and quickly named a price. The young man happily said, "Alright, we''ll go with you." Shen Xiaohu couldn''t help but breathe a sigh of relief. The young man looked at Shen Xiaohu and said, "And you''ve really mistaken me. My name is Ouyang Tie Niu. I''m Ouyang Tiezhu''s brother." Shen Xiaohu was a bit surprised, opening his mouth as if not knowing what to say. ... Outside the west city. Under the guidance of the two, Shen Qing smoothly walked out of the city gates, heading toward the section near the city wall in the Outer City. The streets here were much wider and cleaner than those in the slums and even had fewer living in poverty. The dirty snow on the roads in the alleys had been cleaned, connecting the paths. If you didn''t look closely, you might think there was no difference from a regular street in the Inner City. After walking for a while, the pedestrians decreased, and the roads became more remote. Shen Qing frowned and asked, "How much further do we need to go?" One of the youths wearing a patched cotton jacket lifted his chin and pointed ahead: "Almost there, see the house up front? That''s where Boss lives." "Oh." Shen Qing continued to ask, "Why does it feel like there''s no one around here?" "Why do you have so many questions? Boss likes peace and quiet, can''t he?" Peace and quiet? Good! Shen Qing pondered, as if brewing something. Perhaps because they were near Boss''s place, the two didn''t seem as vigilant around Shen Qing. The formation of walking one behind the other turned into both of them ahead, leading Shen Qing. The two chatted and laughed. The opportunity was truly rare. Since it was such, he couldn''t be blamed. Walking behind the two, a cold gleam flashed in Shen Qing''s eyes. He suddenly drew the hidden dagger and lunged forward, stabbing it into one man''s neck. Shen Qing''s strength was immense, and with one stab, he severed the man''s spinal cord. Blood spurted out. The man, unaware of what happened, felt a chill on his neck and fell forward. The young man beside him was shocked, instinctively turning to Shen Qing, preparing to block. After successfully striking once, Shen Qing swiftly withdrew the dagger, twisting his body, and skillfully used his movement technique to get behind the young man, covering his mouth and nose and slashing him. He then pulled his head low. S§×arch* The nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The young man, like prey, was bled by Shen Qing, unable to utter a cry. After a moment, seeing that neither moved anymore, Shen Qing released them, kicking both aside. These two were clearly working for Boss. By killing them first, when a real fight occurred inside, there would be two fewer people on the opposing side, increasing his chances. No matter the true reason Boss had called for him, weakening the opponent''s strength was the priority. "Since they''ve come for me, I can''t hide from it. I might as well meet the so-called Boss." Shen Qing wiped the bloodstained dagger on the bodies, cleaning off the blood, then put it away, face resolute. Chapter 66 - 65 Meeting Shen Qing often traveled between Hongshan Village and the county town, and the path he took was precisely under the jurisdiction of this "Boss." If he tried to avoid meeting this "Boss," he could dodge once, but he couldn''t evade forever. Sooner or later, he would have to face him. It''s better to meet now than to wait for another day. Going now would allow him to gauge the opponent''s depths. Otherwise, if he refused today and offended the opponent, leaving no room for reconciliation, it would be difficult in the future. After killing two people, Shen Qing did not linger at the scene. Instead, he quickly got up and left, hiding patiently in the alley nearby. Before long, there was the sound of footsteps on the road, and a group of people passed by the alley. Shen Qing, with his sharp eyes, spotted Shen Xiaohu among them right away. He stepped out of the alley and called, "Xiao Hu." Shen Xiaohu, holding a bow and arrow, came to an abrupt halt. He turned around and looked back, seeing Shen Qing with a puzzled expression, and hurried over to ask, "Brother Qingzi, what are you doing here?" Shen Qing didn''t explain much, casually saying, "Waiting for you." Now that there were no longer people from Boss restricting him, the initiative was in his hands. Shen Qing felt slightly more confident and appeared less urgent. He shifted his gaze from Shen Xiaohu to the people behind him. Seeing the face of "Senior Brother Ouyang Tiezhu," he was somewhat surprised. If he remembered correctly, wasn''t Senior Brother injured? Shen Qing was a bit confused. Sear?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Aside from this Senior Brother, there was another stranger, not someone from Linfeng Hall. He looked to be in his early twenties, with dark skin and a resolute face, dressed in a slightly faded cotton coat, wrapping his lean and strong body. "Who is this...?" Shen Qing asked aloud. "Yang Zhao Ping," the young man in his twenties cupped his hands and introduced himself, speaking quite efficiently. After he spoke, "Senior Brother Ouyang Tiezhu" glanced up and down at Shen Qing, then said, "Are you the employer?" "Hmm?" As soon as this "Senior Brother" spoke, Shen Qing immediately sensed something off. The voice was similar to before, and he looked almost identical, but the tone was completely different, more slick and roguish. He immediately remembered that Ouyang Tiezhu had mentioned he had a younger brother. "You are... Ouyang Tie Niu?" When Shen Qing spoke, he subtly glanced at Shen Xiaohu. Shen Xiaohu quickly explained, "Ran into him at the gate on the way out." Seeing that Shen Qing recognized him, Ouyang Tie Niu did not deny it. He very seriously extended two fingers, waved them in front of Shen Qing, and emphasized, "At first, it was agreed, two taels of Silver, don''t forget!" Shen Qing was momentarily stunned. After reacting, he laughed and said, "Brother Ouyang, you are straightforward indeed. It was not just two taels, if done well, it could be twenty taels." "Really?" Ouyang Tie Niu was somewhat shocked by the amount Shen Qing mentioned, as if it hit home for him. "Of course it''s true, I wouldn''t deceive you with my education," Shen Qing said with a smile. Initially, if he had followed the two subordinates of Boss, he would undoubtedly have had to bow down and be passive, easily yielding to manipulation. But now, it was different. The two subordinates that Boss sent were already killed by him. Now, Shen Xiaohu, along with four others, followed. If they went together, their momentum would be enough, and their confidence strong. Concerning his safety, it was not the time to be stingy with money. Hence, he made a bold promise. In his view, Boss had been running rampant in the Outer City for so long; this amount should be available. It was just a matter of obtaining it. Shen Qing''s words hit right at the heart of Ouyang Tie Niu. What others didn''t know was that since Wang Mazi''s death, he had no livelihood, and what he needed most now was Silver Taels. Today, he came to Linfeng Hall hoping to seek help from his brother. If he could earn money, even if he met the big boss''s boss, he wouldn''t mind putting on a show; if need be, he could just run away if things went sideways. He was familiar with this approach. As they say, "Know thyself, know thy enemy, a hundred battles, a hundred victories." Seeing Ouyang Tiezhu, Shen Qing recalled something and asked proactively, "I remember your brother mentioned you worked under Wang Mazi, which means you were under this Boss. How much do you know about this Boss?" Ouyang Tie Niu thought for a moment and replied, "Boss''s real name is Zhao Ba, who came to earn a living from the county town. When he was young, he challenged numerous heroes from the eighteen neighborhoods of the Outer City, and finally established himself in the West City area." "He has five subordinates. Now, with two dead, only three remain." "What about Zhao Ba''s cultivation level?" Ouyang Tie Niu spoke without reservation, "He practices a kind of Hard Qi Gong called Tongbei Iron Pine Lean, possessing tremendous brute strength. Last year, he just began ''stretching,'' and I estimate now he''s still at the stretching level, not yet at the ''Bone'' strengthening tier." Once he heard Ouyang Tie Niu''s words, Shen Qing felt even more confident. After three or four days of rigorous training, he tirelessly honed the Wind Defying Finger to such proficiency that he also reached the stretching realm and could transmit force effortlessly. Compared to Zhao Ba, he wasn''t far behind. Shen Qing looked around at the group and asked, "Is there anyone among you who excels at Bow Technique?" Seeing no response. Shen Qing felt somewhat helpless, then turned to Shen Xiaohu, seriously stating, "Follow behind us and hide well later. Act when the opportunity arises. Only a hidden arrow is the hardest to defend against." Shen Xiaohu nodded heavily and replied, "Okay." After instructing, Shen Qing cupped his hands towards Xiao Zhi and the others, saying, "I appreciate you accompanying me on this trip." ... In the area outside the West City Gate, within the Outer City. Amidst a low-lying shantytown, stood a striking residence. Its walls were clean, made of blue bricks and tiles, with lush green trees inside, and stone paths leading to a half-open wooden door. It stood in stark contrast to the surrounding simple buildings. Inside the residence, Zhao Ba, the hero of the West City area, was sitting at the main seat in the central hall. He wore a black robe with a stern face, and his hands continuously tapped on the table, making a dull thudding sound. "It''s already this late, why hasn''t that kid come?" After a while, one of his subordinates, growing impatient, began to complain. Zhao Ba picked up the teacup before him, took a small sip, and then set it down, saying in a low tone, "I''ve already sent someone, whether he wants to come or not, they''ll bring him here. In this Taiping County, aside from those officials, no one can wipe my face." "There''s no rush, good things take time. He''s just a little hunter, can''t stir much trouble." Just then, quiet footsteps were heard from outside the door, followed by a knock. Zhao Ba waved his hand, signaling his men to be quiet. "Alright, the people I''ve called for have arrived." One of his subordinates stepped forward, walked to the door, and opened it. They saw Shen Qing, wearing a gray-blue cotton coat, standing at the entrance. Chapter 67 - 66 What if I dont agree? Shen Qing stepped into the room, the first thing that caught his eye was a stretch of bluish-gray brick flooring. The surface of the bricks was somewhat worn, and there were some undulations and twists, obviously due to the passage of time. Besides these, the room had some simple wooden furniture. Though not luxurious, each piece exuded an antique charm. They appeared somewhat out of place, like pieces cobbled together from different sources. Shen Qing withdrew his gaze and took two steps forward, looking up. Zhao Ba was sitting in a tall wooden chair, with a wolf skin gleaming faintly draped over the back, looking at him with a smile that was not quite a smile, exuding a unique sense of pressure an authoritative figure has. Following him, Xiao Zhi felt like a rabbit that had mistakenly entered a tiger''s lair, and the anxiety and unease in his heart arose uncontrollably. He took a deep breath, trying hard to appear calm. However, his demeanor was noticed by someone with a sharp eye, causing them to laugh. Zhao Ba''s gaze swept over the people behind Shen Qing, his eyes deep and sharp. Seeing that Shen Qing was not alone, his eyebrows knitted together. Clearly, he only sent for Shen Qing alone, so why did so many people come at once? Did this not mean many people knew, and how could he place a spy in this mess? A mere small hunter, did he need to win him over? "Two useless fools, can''t even get one person right." Zhao Ba felt dissatisfied, but fortunately, he was a person who had seen big storms and waves, and he quickly adjusted, his voice loud and forceful, "You are Shen Qing?" Shen Qing quickly stepped forward, clasped his fists, and said neither obsequiously nor arrogantly, "Boss, it is indeed me. I wonder what Boss wants from me?" Just at that moment, with his "Never Forget" ability, he caught a slight emotional fluctuation in Zhao Ba when he saw Xiao Zhi and the others. Shen Qing knew he had made the right move by bringing more people. At the very least, his momentum was much stronger than if he had come alone, disrupting the opponent''s original plan and giving himself a slight edge. Zhao Ba motioned for Shen Qing to sit down. Shen Qing glanced at the high chair covered with wolf skin, did not refuse or make a fuss, and cautiously sat on a wooden chair beside it. The people behind him, Xiao Zhi and Ouyang Tie Niu, followed suit. At this moment, Ouyang Tie Niu sensed something was off in the atmosphere here. He initially thought Zhao Ba had merely called Shen Qing for some casual questioning or extortion. Now it seemed much more troublesome than he thought. So many people, it wouldn''t be easy to run. When he circled behind Shen Qing, he murmured heavily in his ear, "You''ve gotten me into deep trouble, gotta get more money!" Shen Qing glared at Ouyang Tie Niu, silently cursing him for being nosy and telling him to shut up. Ouyang Tie Niu ignored him, his eyes darting around, planning his escape route in case of conflict. Zhao Ba picked up a cup of tea, gently blew on it, then slowly drank it down. He put the cup down and cast his gaze towards Shen Qing again, "I heard you are a hunter from Hongshan Village and practice martial arts at Linfeng Hall now. I specifically invited you here today to ask you for a favor." Shen Qing''s heart tightened, knowing that the main topic was about to be introduced. Waves began to surge in his heart, but he calmly said, "Please, Boss, as long as it''s within my capabilities, I will do my best." Zhao Ba asked, "Have you heard about the Mi Gang and Linfeng Hall?" Shen Qing replied without hesitation, "I''ve heard a bit, but I''m not very clear about the specifics, don''t know much." "You don''t need to know much, you just need to know Mi Gang is at odds with Li Linfeng, and Mi Gang is strong, that''s all." Zhao Ba said leisurely, "Recently, Li Linfeng''s first and fourth disciples were injured by Mi Gang, leaving Li Linfeng in quite the predicament. Honestly, in my view, Linfeng Hall won''t hold out much longer." "So, what does this have to do with why Boss called me here today?" Shen Qing vaguely guessed Zhao Ba''s purpose but continued to play dumb, probing further. Zhao Ba spoke in a commanding tone with a hint of condescension, "Though my place is small, it does have some ties with Mi Gang. The medicinal recipes, martial arts, and training methods Linfeng Hall can give you, I can also give you, and you only need to help me with a small task." "Oh, no, it''s not just you." A sly glint flashed in Zhao Ba''s eyes as he continued, "Coincidently, I have two management positions empty in Yihe Square on the west side of the city. If you agree, I don''t mind giving those two positions to you." Upon hearing this, Ouyang Tie Niu, standing behind Shen Qing, became a bit excited and poked Shen Qing''s back, enviously whispering, "Quickly agree, two managerial positions, earning five to sixty taels a year is not an issue. This is Boss showing you favor." But Shen Qing remained unmoved. Instead, upon hearing this, a chill ran through his heart. Since such an enticing condition was offered, what Zhao Ba wanted him to do must be no small matter. Shen Qing pondered for a while, brewing his words, "Boss, what exactly do you want us to do? I''m just an ordinary little hunter, I''m afraid I might not be up to the task." Zhao Ba stood up, walked down from the high chair to the center of the hall, and looked directly at Shen Qing and the others, "What I want you to do is simple. You just need to tell me everything happening inside Linfeng Hall, closely watch Li Linfeng. Later, if the opportunity arises, lure him out or add something to his food. You see, it''s simple, right?" Simple? Simple, my foot! Shen Qing wasn''t a fool, and neither was Li Linfeng. Even if he showed any sign of carrying out these tasks, Li Linfeng would be the first to get rid of him. It also indicated from another angle just how dangerous it was on Linfeng Hall''s side. Shen Qing took a deep, sharp breath of cold air, but his heart was like a turbulent sea. Zhao Ba looked at Shen Qing and the others, relaxed and at ease. If he remembered correctly, Shen Qing had only entered Linfeng Hall for less than a month and was just a greenhorn stepping into martial arts. A small hunter like Shen Qing, who had emerged from nowhere, had no extra options, and would just be manipulated by him. When Zhao Ba felt everything was under control, Shen Qing suddenly stood up and faced him. After a long while, this little hunter said firmly, "What if I don''t agree?" Shen Qing''s words were like a thunderclap, exploding in the small hall. Rejection! S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He actually rejected it! Zhao Ba''s smile instantly froze on his face, becoming furious, "What did you say?" "I said, what if I don''t agree?" Shen Qing repeated, his voice crystal clear to everyone present. Behind Shen Qing, Ouyang Tie Niu anxiously said, "Stop talking, Boss will kill you." Shen Qing remained unmoved. Ouyang Tie Niu had an extremely grim expression, "Crazy, crazy!" "Fine, fine." Zhao Ba, extremely angered, forcefully laughed, "Then don''t blame me for not respecting your wishes." At that moment, Shen Qing shouted towards the outside, "Uncle, take action!" Just as he finished speaking, an arrow flew through the air straight towards Zhao Ba''s back. Zhao Ba was greatly shocked. Chapter 68 - 67 What on Earth is Going on with This Damn Dog? ``` Shen Qing''s uncle in the county was precisely Li Linfeng. Could it be that his plan was discovered by Li Linfeng, and Li Linfeng came? Just when Shen Qing spoke, Zhao Ba thought of many things in an instant, feeling a chill all over. "Li Linfeng was a martial master who had entered the strength level. In front of him, I was like a brothel girl stripped of her clothes, able only to be toyed with. There''s no way I could be his match. If he made a move, I''d surely be dead." In a hurry, Zhao Ba instinctively mustered all his Qi and Blood, activating his Tongbei Iron Pine Lean. At once, every muscle in his body tightened like iron lumps rising high, making his cotton clothes puff up. The originally agile body became even more robust. When the arrow shot towards him, it struck his back with an unusual "dong" sound. His physical body seemed to be wearing a layer of iron clothing, its hardness far surpassing ordinary people. The sharp arrowhead couldn''t pierce Zhao Ba''s flesh, helplessly falling to the ground. "Hmm?" After hardening to take that arrow, Zhao Ba immediately realized he was being tricked. Li Linfeng couldn''t be this weak; he hadn''t come at all! Zhao Ba knew he had been fooled. His eyes burned with rage, and he shouted at Shen Qing, "Courting death!" Poof! However, what responded to him was a cloud of white poison powder. Just now, Shen Qing was playing tricks, attempting to distract Zhao Ba. Cooperating with Shen Xiaohu, they indeed deceived Zhao Ba, causing him a brief distraction. Seizing this fleeting opportunity, Shen Qing took out the poison powder he carried and scattered it. This powder was extremely toxic, something he had tried and tested many times. Even a person who reached the Great Perfection of Qi and Blood could be subdued by this drug. Zhao Ba was a martial master at the Tendon Stretching Level; even if the poison couldn''t kill him, it would make him suffer. It must be said, Shen Qing''s timing in scattering the poison was truly exquisite. The powder spread out just as Zhao Ba roared in anger, with his mouth wide open. Even though he instinctively held his breath, the powder still entered his mouth as he inhaled a large gulp. It was harshly dry with a bit of a fishy taste. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. It made his throat burn painfully, and he couldn''t help but cough. And with the coughing, he inhaled two more gulps. Zhao Ba quickly closed his eyes tightly and retreated rapidly, trying to exit the cloud of poisonous mist. Though fast, he was surprised at Shen Qing''s even swifter speed. With ongoing breakthroughs in his hunting skills, he had the ability to move like a poison shadow attached to Zhao Ba. No fancy techniques. Shen Qing simply flipped his wrist, took out a dagger, and thrust it forward. At this moment, his entire Qi and Blood followed his awareness, surging up, entirely pouring into his arm. Veins on the arm throbbed fiercely, layers of muscles expanded, and the skin stretched tight like iron. Using the Wind Defying Finger''s force technique vividly on the dagger, all the strength converged at the dagger''s edge. Poof! The powerful arm strength combined with speed easily penetrated Zhao Ba''s skin, splitting open the pink flesh beneath, and plunged deep into his abdomen. "Ah!" Zhao Ba''s eyes widened in disbelief. He couldn''t fathom how Shen Qing, an obscure little hunter, could possibly injure him. With a furious roar, Zhao Ba lifted an arm high and chopped at Shen Qing like a guillotine. Shen Qing kept a close watch on Zhao Ba''s hands. As Zhao Ba moved his arms, Shen Qing swiftly let go of the dagger and jumped back with enormous speed. The tip of Shen Qing''s nose felt a chill as he narrowly avoided Zhao Ba''s slash. In the span of just four breaths, the two had already exchanged blows several times, leaving the others in the hall utterly stunned. Not even managing to react. Zhao Ba''s face turned ferocious as he covered his bleeding abdomen, slamming a palm to break the wooden table beside him, and angrily said, "Useless! Are you all eating shit? Get in here!" Zhao Ba''s voice roared like a beast echoing in the hall. His subordinates shivered, frightened by this sudden outburst of rage. After the echo subsided, three lackeys and followers gradually responded, rushing towards Shen Qing and the others like starving wolves. The scene became incredibly chaotic. Ouyang Tie Niu, standing behind Shen Qing, opened his mouth wide, completely dumbfounded. Originally thinking it was a one-tael silver job, he later observed the situation and thought it looked more like a twenty-tael deal. And now he figured out, it was a damn two-hundred-tael job! To kill the local tyrant of the West City! Ouyang Tie Niu had thought about taking down Zhao Ba, but he couldn''t beat him. The first thought flashing in Ouyang Tie Niu''s mind was to run. Zhao Ba practiced martial arts to the Tendon Stretching Level, and no matter how they fought, they couldn''t win. This money was not worth earning. Money was good, but he needed to be alive to spend it. But the people across wouldn''t allow it. They had sealed their escape routes early. "Xiao Hu, shoot the arrows, kill one, and it''s one less to deal with!" At this time, Shen Qing shouted loudly outside, the voice spreading far. As soon as he finished, an arrow shot out. Open attacks were easy to dodge, but concealed arrows were hard to defend. In the hall, Zhao Ba''s men and followers became instantly restrained. "Don''t worry about the people outside; that crappy arrow can''t kill you. Just go, kill them all." Zhao Ba drew out the dagger, twisting it viciously in the wound on his abdomen. The muscular opening moved, tightly twisting together to staunch the bleeding. Under his command, three lackeys seemed resolute, rushing forward heedless of the arrows outside. Yang Zhao Ping, Xiao Zhi, and even the eager-to-flee Ouyang Tie Niu had to brace themselves and step up in such a situation. A chaotic fight unfolded. Tables and chairs in the hall were overturned, cups and plates shattered, a complete mess. "Shen Qing, very well." Zhao Ba glared at Shen Qing, gritting his teeth as he said, "I''ll surely twist your head off and use it as a urinal." Bang! He hadn''t finished his sentence. A massive black shadow closed in, slamming a palm into Zhao Ba''s abdominal wound. Before he knew it, he felt a tremendous force underneath, smashing him with the chair into the wall behind him. "Ugh!" The recently stanched wound reopened with such a jolt, fresh blood gushed from the injury, eliciting severe pain. Just then, the poison powder also began to take effect. Zhao Ba felt the world shaking continuously. At this moment, his heart suddenly panicked. He hadn''t expected Shen Qing to be this difficult, attack upon attack, layer upon layer. Moreover, this strength was clearly above the Great Perfection of Qi and Blood levels. "Damn it, what the hell is this bastard''s background?" Zhao Ba cursed silently in his heart, spat blood, and shouted to his men, "Hurry up and kill him for me." One of Zhao Ba''s men took advantage and sneaked from behind Shen Qing. Sensing a cold wind, Shen Qing quickly sidestepped and evaded, swinging his arm and striking with enough force to sweep the attacker away. Then, without delay, he charged at Zhao Ba again and dropped a fist down. ``` Chapter 69 - 68 Massacre """ Zhao Ba felt a fierce wind rushing toward his face. Even though he was dizzy and disoriented, he sensed the overwhelming killing intent within it. Disregarding his injuries, he forced himself to gather his qi and blood, surging beneath his skin. In an instant, Zhao Ba''s skin turned an intense red, like a searing hot iron, with a faint red glow surrounding him. The hardness of his entire body increased by over thirty percent. "Condense!" Facing Shen Qing''s imposing fist attack, Zhao Ba raised both hands to block. With a muffled bang. Shen Qing''s fist slammed into Zhao Ba''s forearm, producing a dull, crashing sound. Zhao Ba was secretly alarmed. The sheer brute force was terrifying; just one hit had already left his arms numb and weak. One must know his Iron Pine Technique was a Martial Art known for its defense and strength, with muscle, skin, and bone being significantly tougher than that of a regular martial artist. It was hard to imagine what level this person''s brute strength had reached, it was simply illogical. Shen Qing, seeing that a single punch had not broken his defense, showed no displeasure and continued to unleash a barrage of punches without hesitation. His punches had no special techniques. All based on Li Linfeng''s teaching: strike with intent, channel the power where it feels comfortable, unleash it swiftly. Punch after punch battered Zhao Ba like a storm. "Hahaha, exhilarating!" Shen Qing laughed during the fight, his eyes flashing with a frenzied light, as if reveling in the thrill of life-and-death combat. Each punch gave him a sense of satisfaction, with his attacks growing increasingly fierce. Bang, bang, bang, bang... A series of thudding thuds emanated continuously from Zhao Ba''s body. As time passed, under the dual effects of his wounds and the poison powder, Zhao Ba gradually felt powerless. His wounds incessantly seeped fresh blood, and his strength was quickly depleting. Today''s fight was directly aimed at him. "Damn it, I can''t let this continue!" Zhao Ba grew anxious, knowing he needed to end this fight quickly. Otherwise, once his strength was exhausted, both he and his subordinates would face certain death. As he felt his body''s strength nearing its limit, Zhao Ba quickly said, "I surrender, I surrender! I have a lot of money and precious medicine. I will give them to you, just spare my life, and from now on, this area will be yours." Shen Qing stopped his punches, looking down at Zhao Ba, and softly said, "Oh?" "Really?" Zhao Ba thought he had persuaded Shen Qing and was about to continue, "Of course..." Boom! A blood-stained fist suddenly crashed into his face. Zhao Ba''s head sank back, embedding directly into the wall. Moments later, Zhao Ba raised his hand and slowly let it fall, his entire body slumping powerlessly against the wall like a deflated balloon. "If I beat you to death, your belongings become mine, so why would I need you to give them to me." Shen Qing withdrew his blood-stained fist and turned his gaze elsewhere. The air in the hall seemed to solidify. Everyone present stared at him intently, eyes full of shock. Only the sound of breathing and the drip of blood echoed in the hall. Shen Qing looked down at his blood-covered fist. It was impossible to tell if the blood was his or Zhao Ba''s. "So this is what fighting feels like?" In the past, he only used a bow and stealth, never engaging in head-on combat like this. This was the first time. He hadn''t expected the strength of a liberated body to be so powerful when combined with the Wind Defying Finger''s movement and fighting technique, it was so fierce. This overwhelming feeling of crushing an opponent. It could only be said, it felt incredibly satisfying! Speed and power were everything! Shen Qing turned to look at Zhao Ba''s remaining men in the hall, most still alive, although with some suffering injuries. On their side, there were only three people, all quite unremarkable. Two were just picked up halfway, contributing little. Among the three, Xiao Zhi was the most injured, Yang Zhao Ping came next, and Ouyang Tie Niu was the most cunning, with the least injuries. Some of Zhao Ba''s subordinates and thugs reacted, loudly shouting, "Brothers, let''s all attack together, he has fought alone for so long, he must be exhausted, he''s no match for all of us!" Clang... Some waved their cold weapons, and their faces regained a hint of composure from initial panic. "Whoever kills him will own Boss''s territories." "Brothers, whether we get rich depends on today." Huh? There were still so many people who remained obstinate? Thinking about it, it made sense. People risk their lives for wealth, as birds do for food. Now that Zhao Ba was dead, the group was leaderless. The vast West City area lay empty. Such a large piece of treasure was displayed right before them, no one was willing to give it up. They all mixed in these circles for so long, no one there hadn''t taken a few lives. On this path, you''re either killing others or getting killed. They were already prepared. Might as well, it saved a lot of trouble. At this moment, Shen Xiaohu, hiding outside the door, found that he couldn''t see clearly due to the long shooting distance, and with everyone inside in his blind spot, he couldn''t contribute at all. He simply moved near the door, his figure conveniently spotted by Shen Qing. Shen Qing took a few more steps toward the door and called out, "Xiao Hu, give me the bow and arrows!" Shen Xiaohu, who hadn''t hidden yet, was slightly stunned and didn''t know Shen Qing''s plan. But he didn''t think about it at all; almost instinctively, when Shen Qing''s voice fell, he tossed both bow and arrow to Shen Qing. Shen Qing caught the bow and arrows and began to nock the arrow to the bow. "I''ll give you all time to take three breaths. Those who stay, your fate will be like his." As he spoke, he glanced at Zhao Ba. "One." "Don''t be afraid, everyone, charge together!" "Two." "Three." "Time''s about up!" Shen Qing drew the bow to a full moon, his sharp gaze locked onto a thug rushing over in the distance. Whiz! Shen Qing suddenly released his fingers, and the arrow shot forth, ripping through the air in an instant. The arrow accurately pierced through the person''s eye, making blood splatter, causing him to collapse immediately. "Scatter, scatter, serpentine formation, attack!" Shen Qing showed no emotion, skillfully nocking another arrow, and continued releasing, arrows like a bead necklace! sea??h th§× n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Thud! Thud! Thud! The people present, whether ordinary or trained, nearly all got shot in the throat or had their brains pierced by a single arrow. Even with thick clothing or practicing hard skill, serpentine movement was in vain. These people desperately tried to get close, but fell halfway without even touching Shen Qing''s hem. Shen Qing''s Bow Technique was unbelievably precise, instilling fear in everyone. With the killing at this level, Zhao Ba''s subordinates'' already dwindling courage completely collapsed. "Run!" Someone shouted, spitting the words, ready to escape now. They knew staying here only meant death. But by the time a few had finished speaking. Thud sounds again, and they were shot dead by Shen Qing, without any chance to dodge. Looking across the hall filled with bodies lying across the floor, Shen Qing let out a leisurely sigh, "I had indeed given them a chance, what a pity..." """ Chapter 70 - 69: Scouring and Dividing the Spoils ``` After the commotion, the originally neatly arranged tables and chairs in the hall were now scattered, as if swept by a violent storm. Debris lay everywhere, leaving the place in shambles. On the gray brick floor, bodies lay haphazardly. The blood flowing from the corpses formed shocking pools of red, flickering with a chilling light under the dim illumination. The air was thick with the heavy scent of blood. Zhao Ba and his henchmen were all dead. Shen Qing acted decisively, without any hesitation. The gang of Zhao Ba, who had been domineering in the western part of the city, was effortlessly wiped out. Too weak! Or perhaps Shen Qing hadn''t realized his own strength, thinking that he would still have to undergo a tough battle. But thinking back, it made sense. Zhao Ba was old. People like Zhao Ba, who climbed up from the bottom, lived in hunger during their youth, suffering from chronic malnutrition. Even if they had opportunities later, their Qi-blood weakened over time, and they missed the best period for practicing Martial Arts. Their physical condition couldn''t compare to those young people who started training early, let alone those in the Inner City. They could only dominate in these slum areas. Moreover, with age, his Qi-blood weakened further, leading to a comfortable life making him unfit for battle. At this moment, the eyes of Yang Zhao Ping and others were tightly fixed on Shen Qing. The scene fell into a dead silence. Their faces were full of shock. They had never considered that Shen Qing could, by himself, effortlessly kill Zhao Ba, and not leave a single one of his subordinates¡ªroots and all. Shen Xiaohu, on the other hand, was used to his cousin''s ways. Xiao Zhi and Ouyang Tie Niu witnessed this for the first time. In Xiao Zhi''s heart, Shen Qing was just someone with a talent for Martial Arts, usually quiet and well-behaved. In Ouyang Tie Niu''s heart, he was but a country bumpkin, unschooled in worldly matters. Today''s events completely overturned Shen Qing''s image in their hearts, revealing an undisguised sense of awe in their eyes. The seemingly harmless young hunter suddenly showing such a ferocious side even unsettled them, leaving them momentarily unable to adjust. Shen Qing slowly turned around, his gaze sweeping over Ouyang Tie Niu and the others. He casually tossed the bow and arrows in his hand to Shen Xiaohu and said to Xiao Zhi, "Thank you, everyone, for helping eliminate this local tyrant today. Zhao Ba must have left some things in this house. Why don''t we search for them ourselves?" Shen Qing''s sudden words pulled everyone out of their wild thoughts, bringing them back to reality, and they sobered up a bit. Xiao Zhi was here to sell a favor, so he naturally had no objections. Ouyang Tie Niu and Yang Zhao Ping were in it for the money, so they certainly had no objections. So everyone agreed and dispersed, rummaging through the house. This house looked big and grand, but it was a facade, gold and jade on the outside, rotten within. There weren''t many valuable things. S§×ar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Gold and silver treasures, cotton and clothes were only seen in bits and pieces. It paled in comparison to the wealthy families in the Inner City but was better than an average household. "Brother Qingzi, come quickly and see this?" Shen Qing was busy searching corpses when he suddenly heard Shen Xiaohu''s call. He stopped what he was doing and walked over. When he saw the scene in the room, he couldn''t help but shake his head. In one room, three women were chained like dogs to the edge of the bed. When they saw Shen Qing and the others, they instinctively undressed despite the cold, revealing their rough bodies. Their bodies were bruised all over. They lay on the bed, raising their hips, like zombies, allowing themselves to be manipulated. Long-term captivity had emaciated them, eating, drinking, and relieving themselves in the room, far removed from anything beautiful. They could only be said to be women. Having seen countless beauties in his past life, their nudity didn''t interest Shen Qing at all. He walked forward expressionlessly and grabbed the iron collars around their necks. With a forceful pull, he broke them open. Being poorly made, the collars couldn''t withstand Shen Qing''s strength. After a few grating sounds of iron scraping, the collars emitted cracking sounds. In no time, Shen Qing had unfastened all the chains. Shen Qing casually tossed the chains aside, then rummaged through a nearby cabinet, pulling out some old clothes and throwing them over: "Put these on!" After doing this, he didn''t linger in the room and left without any reluctance. It was Shen Xiaohu''s first time seeing such a scene. As a young man full of vitality, he was reluctant to leave, turning his head back every few steps. He looked at the round buttocks, unable to help but gulp. His eyes were glued to them. Shen Xiaohu glanced at Shen Qing, seeing he was not looking, steeled his resolve, and rushed into the room. He reached into one woman''s clothes and gave her breast a squeeze before pulling away. Seeing no one spotted him, he breathed a sigh of relief and stared at his hand, laughing foolishly. ... While some might slack off when working, everyone exerted themselves during looting, working with unprecedented efficiency. After about a pot of tea''s time, the five of them had searched every nook and cranny inside and outside the house. They found about seventy taels of silver, some scattered pearls, stones, and jades, and other items like Weapons, supplements, and cotton clothes, and bedding. Converted into Silver Taels, it was estimated to be worth about two hundred taels. More importantly, regarding his Martial Arts practice¡ªthe Tongbei Iron Pine Lean¡ªthere was not a single word to be found. Shen Qing found it strange, "How could Zhao Ba, having been tyrannical in the slum area for so long, only have this much wealth?" Ouyang Tie Niu, experienced on the street, explained, "This place is just his usual meeting spot with his subordinates for splitting stolen goods and discussing matters. There wouldn''t be too many valuable things here. I''ve heard Zhao Ba has a family home elsewhere. The money and other treasures he''s gotten over the years must be there." Shen Qing paused at this, suddenly feeling he had acted rashly. He shouldn''t have killed Zhao Ba so quickly. He should have extracted some useful information before doing it. Sigh... I was careless. But the dead can''t come back to life. Never mind for now, I''ll think of a way in the future to see if I can find Zhao Ba''s family and then rob it. "Now we''ve almost searched the house, Zhao Ba and his men are dead, and these things are ownerless. Let''s divide them here." Shen Qing collected his thoughts and continued, "Most of them were killed by me, so I should take the most. I''ll take seventy percent. Do you have any objections?" ``` Chapter 71 - 70: Boss, I Want to Follow You! ``` Everyone present knew that it was Shen Qing who was responsible for killing Zhao Ba and wiping out his subordinates. They were merely helpers at best. Let alone sharing thirty percent, even giving them nothing at all would be acceptable to some. S§×ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Shen Qing nodded and said, "Since you have no objections, I''ll take it as your agreement." He looked down at the heap of items on the ground and said, "These things are roughly estimated to be worth around two hundred taels. Let''s round it to two hundred, with each of you three getting ten taels. The silver is just enough, each of you take twenty taels." As he said this, Shen Qing looked at Ouyang Tie Niu with a meaningful expression and said, "Brother Ouyang, I''ve given you the twenty taels I promised." Twenty taels were enough to support an ordinary farmer''s family for a year. Even if the city had a higher cost of living, these twenty taels were still a substantial amount for a street thug, enough for a fair period of indulgence. Shen Qing''s eyes weren''t blind; he had clearly seen Ouyang Tiezhu pretending to work, but barely putting in any effort. But for the sake of Senior Brother Ouyang Tiezhu''s face, he gave it anyway. After all, it was an unexpected fortune; he didn''t care about this small sum. Senior Brother did not hold back anything in his teaching; they would likely have frequent dealings in the future, so it''s better to establish a good relationship. In dealing with people, one should have more friends and fewer enemies, not make oneself uncomfortable, and should be willing to give when necessary. Ouyang Tie Niu stared blankly at the gleaming silver on the ground, his face incredibly conflicted, unable to control his hand as it reached forward, grabbed a silver ingot, and slowly moved it towards his bosom. Shen Qing slightly furrowed his brows, puzzled by why Ouyang Tie Niu was taking the silver as begrudgingly as if constipated. Suddenly, Ouyang Tie Niu seemed to make a big decision, putting the silver back. Watching him, everyone saw him kneel on one knee with a loud thud, cupping his fists to Shen Qing, and said with robust energy, "Boss, I want to follow you!" "Hmm?" Being called "Boss" by someone a few years older, Shen Qing found it somewhat awkward. "Why do you want to join me?" "Now that Zhao Ba''s gang is gone, West City here is without a leader, the position is open. Boss, you can take advantage of this to bring this area under your command and earn wealth daily without a problem." Ouyang Tie Niu thumped his chest and said enthusiastically, "More importantly, with this as a foundation, you can hitch a ride with the bigwigs, maybe even rise above others one day. I hope you give me a chance to serve under your command." He had been contemplating one thing just now. That was, after Zhao Ba''s demise, who would take charge of this area. The Outer City Twelve Blocks was full of mountains and local tyrants. If nothing unexpected happened, creatures would definitely come to divide the spoils. Unfortunately, he didn''t know them and had no connections. The Outer City was full of street thugs like him trying to make a name for themselves, even a big brother''s identity wasn''t very useful here. Everything boiled down to strength. Since Shen Qing could kill Zhao Ba, it proved he had the strength to be a boss here. Distant water couldn''t quench immediate thirst; recognizing the trend was vital. Instead of vying for elusive things, it was better to pledge loyalty now. Choosing was more important than striving. As long as he followed the right person, he might eventually stand out. Standing beside Ouyang Tie Niu, Yang Zhao Ping, seeing his decisive action, also deliberated briefly before kneeling down and saying, "I hope to serve under your command as well." Shen Qing did not immediately agree. He kept weighing the pros and cons in his heart, furrowing his brows, deep in thought. Ouyang Tie Niu recalled something and continued, "Boss, I also know the whereabouts of a mountain treasure. If you''re interested, you can take it this time too, it''s in this district." "A mountain treasure?" "Yes, it''s the Blood Bird''s Nest obtained by Wang Mazi from a hunter. There was a thug who took the Blood Bird''s Nest amidst the chaos when Zhao Ba sent people to raid. I happened to see it. The young master of the Song Family wants to break through the Qi Cultivation Realm and urgently needs these mountain treasures. If Boss can get it and build a good relationship with the Song Family, the benefits would be immense." Shen Qing considered everything and shook his head, saying, "The Outer City is a mixed bag and the waters are deep. I, a little hunter from a remote place, should not venture in. I''ll wait until I have the strength, but I do have some interest in the Blood Bird''s Nest." He wasn''t swayed by momentary flattery. With Zhao Ba dead, who knew what kind of powerful figures might emerge? If he inadvertently provoked a big shot, it wouldn''t be something he could handle. It was better to watch and see. Stockpile resources, delay claiming kingship. Remain unchanged to respond to changes. Seek stability in all. In a while, after improving his progress in martial arts and gaining more strength, it wouldn''t be too late to take them. By then, one-by-one claiming the benefits would suffice. Ouyang Tie Niu was a bit surprised by Shen Qing''s decision but did not give up, resolutely said, "Even if you don''t become the boss here, I will still follow you and call you Boss in the future." "Me too." Shen Qing was at a loss, silently sighing in his heart, resigned to let them have their way. "Do as you please." Seeing Shen Qing accept them, Ouyang Tie Niu and Yang Zhao Ping exchanged glances, jubilant. Ever since Wang Mazi died, they had drifted aimlessly until now, finally finding someone to rely on. Ouyang Tie Niu looked at Xiao Zhi, put his arm around his shoulders, and said, "Brother, what do you think, do you want to join too?" Xiao Zhi glanced at Shen Qing, then shook his head and said, "Not for me. I''m just a cook, planning to open a restaurant in the future, don''t intend to get into this line." "That''s a pity," Ouyang Tie Niu lamented, "I saw your strength in a fight, was hoping to fight alongside you in the future." "Haha... We''ll see; maybe we will in the future, who knows," Xiao Zhi said, somewhat disappointedly. "Now, do you still want to take this money?" Shen Qing raised his chin and asked the group. Xiao Zhi thought it over, cupped his fists, and said, "I came to help for the sake of a junior brother; taking money wouldn''t be right. I''ll pass on the money." He had thought it through. Since he intended to offer a favor, he shouldn''t be coy, taking money would spoil it. Being straightforward about it was for the better. Ouyang Tiezhu said, "As little brothers, it''s only right to help the Boss. We won''t take it either." "Indeed." Seeing their firm stance, Shen Qing didn''t persuade further, "Alright, then later I''ll take you to a restaurant for a good meal to celebrate. These broken weapons don''t sell well, check if there''s anything you need, and take one." "Great." These people weren''t of high status, just a few weapons among them, all ordinary, nothing much to pick from. They casually picked a suitable weapon, tidied up the scene, leaving the corpses behind, and walked out of the house. Shen Qing stepped out and looked at Ouyang Tie Niu, saying, "Later at the restaurant, tell me more about the mountain treasure." "Sure, Boss." ``` Chapter 72 - 71 Blood Birds Nest and Song family Taiping County Inner City. Many people from outside the city who came for the market had already left, but the streets remained crowded with people. A closer look revealed quite a few young men and women dressed in silk and satin. This hour was neither too early nor too late, with few rural people around, making it the ideal time for many wealthy individuals to go out. Merchants, hawkers, and shop workers were all shouting with enthusiasm. The aroma of fried snacks, pastries, and wine and meals mingled together, freely drifting down the street. Located in the bustling area of Taiping County, the vermilion doors of the Fengwei Restaurant looked exceptionally grand from afar. As one of the high-end restaurants in the county, Fengwei Restaurant was very famous. Earlier, Shen Qing had just returned to the inn when he was summoned by Zhao Ba''s men, not even having time to eat, and now he was a bit hungry. If it had been in the past, he certainly would have been reluctant to come here, but after a visit to Zhao Ba, he had gained quite a fortune and his financial situation had immediately eased. With newfound confidence, after returning from the Outer City, Shen Qing chose this place to eat. Shen Qing, with Xiao Zhi and others, walked into Fengwei Restaurant, and immediately a faint scent of sandalwood mixed with the aroma of meat and wine hit his nose. Looking around, the decor inside the main hall of Fengwei Restaurant was elegant. Golden carved screens, paintings by famous artists hung on the walls, dripping with ink. The floor was paved with top-quality bluestone tiles, while luxurious brass chandeliers hung from the ceiling, creating a dazzling scene. It was mealtime now, and the diners came in an endless stream, creating a noisy atmosphere. Most of the tables in the hall were occupied by diners, all dressed decently, toasting and drinking, having a great time. They appeared at least a notch above Shen Qing''s group in terms of demeanor. Shen Xiaohu, having never seen such a scene from childhood, was momentarily stunned. A servant standing by the door noticed Shen Qing and the others and quickly ran over to greet them: "Are you gentlemen here for a meal?" Contrary to expectations, there was no snobbishness. On the contrary, the waiter''s attitude at Fengwei Restaurant was excellent, treating Shen Qing and the others fairly without belittling them because of their attire. "Get me a private room," Shen Qing said calmly, his every movement exuding a unique composure that made Shen Xiaohu, who followed, feel ashamed. He couldn''t quite understand why, having grown up in the same place, there was such a vast difference between his cousin and him. "Here, gentlemen, this way." The waiter at Fengwei Restaurant led them. The waiter went ahead, clearing a path for Shen Qing''s group, and led them to a private room on the second floor. sea??h th§× NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Inside the private room on the second floor, wooden carved tables and chairs were neatly arranged, with sunlight streaming through the window lattice, making the interior bright and warm. "Please be seated, gentlemen." The waiter removed a cloth and diligently wiped every chair: "What would you like to eat?" "Bring me a serving of all your specialties, make sure the portions are generous, and bring two jars of good wine." Shen Qing casually placed a few silver beans on the table: "Arrange it well, this is your tip." "Alright, please take your time, gentlemen, I will arrange it right away." The waiter wiped the tables and chairs once over, poured tea for each of Shen Qing''s group, and then, after finally taking the silver beans from the table, withdrew. Seeing the waiter leave, Shen Xiaohu, who had been tense all this time, breathed a sigh of relief: "I thought the waiters here would be arrogant, but they''re actually quite nice." Xiao Zhi laughed and explained: "Hahaha¡­ Young brother is probably coming here for the first time and doesn''t yet know how fierce the guards at Fengwei Restaurant are. Those who come to freeload or cause trouble are either sold into the mines or beaten to death, gaining a fearsome reputation. Nowadays, those who come here are genuine diners, paying silver; naturally, their attitude is better." Ouyang Tie Niu chimed in: "Nowadays, quite a few people who suddenly became rich overnight come to the city for leisure. The waiters here have seen it all and aren''t that snobbish. It''s those places of just average quality that might secretly mutter about us." Their conversation made Shen Xiaohu understand a lot more. The serving speed at Fengwei Restaurant was very fast. In less than a quarter-hour, dish after dish was served. Ouyang Tie Niu, being very considerate, calmly filled a bowl of wine for Shen Qing before others could react. Shen Qing didn''t say much, raised his bowl, and said: "Fill up, everyone, we''ve been busy until now, time to drink." "Cheers!" Shen Qing raised his head and drank. Compared to the strong spirits of the older generation, the wine here was much milder, and it was all rice wine, with a bit of sweetness, very refreshing. After a few cups, the atmosphere at the table suddenly became more relaxed. Aside from Shen Xiaohu, who was focused on eating, everyone''s relationships had gotten a lot closer. Shen Qing asked Ouyang Tie Niu: "Tell me about the Blood Bird''s Nest." As a hunter, Shen Qing knew something about this mountain delicacy Blood Bird''s Nest. This kind of bird''s nest was crimson red like blood, clear and transparent. It was a nest built on cliffs by a bird called Flying Sky Swallow, using its essence blood, saliva, and a rare red herb. For ordinary people, this mountain delicacy Blood Bird''s Nest had the effect of nourishing the body, enhancing beauty, and boosting Qi-Blood, making the body strong and prolonging life if consumed. But for those practicing martial arts, Blood Bird''s Nest was an even rarer treasure. Not only could it increase the Qi-Blood of a martial master, but it could also solidify one''s internal essence, making the physical body stronger. When breaking through bottlenecks, it gave more confidence, a coveted item for martial artists. Such a mountain delicacy could easily fetch hundreds of taels on the market without any difficulty. If hunters could obtain one, it could provide their family with a good life for several years. Therefore, when Ouyang Tie Niu mentioned Blood Bird''s Nest, Shen Qing immediately became interested. Ouyang Tie Niu pondered for a moment and said: "Does the boss know about the sons of the Song and Dong Family''s Song Gongming? This matter starts with them." "Tell me!" Shen Qing picked up a piece of tender beef with his chopsticks, dipped it in some spicy sauce, and began chewing. "Song Gongming has seven sons and five daughters, but the most capable are the third son and the youngest son. These two, one twenty years old, the other seventeen, already have cultivation at the Qi Cultivation Realm." "To help his two sons break through the Qi Cultivation Realm sooner and prosper the family in the court in the future, Song Gongming thought of acquiring some mountain delicacies to assist their early breakthrough. This interest in mountain delicacies originates from them." Hearing this, Shen Qing was somewhat shocked. He swallowed the beef he was chewing and discreetly took a sip of wine. If he remembered correctly, his uncle Li Linfeng also only had cultivation at the Qi Cultivation Realm, while the Song family''s two sons were so young and already had such cultivation; it was truly terrifying. Shen Qing asked: "How strong is the Song family actually?" "Not entirely sure, but I heard that among the Four Great Eastern Families in the county, they have martial masters above the Qi Cultivation Realm, and many in the family practice martial arts. Even the County Magistrate here gives them a certain respect and dares not provoke them lightly." Chapter 73 - 72 Pledge Shen Qing lowered his head and poured himself another bowl of wine. He stared at the bowl brimming with liquor in his hand, silent and speechless. He now vaguely understood why the Four Great Eastern Families could monopolize business in the county town for so many years, making the tens of thousands of households in Taiping County rely on them for their livelihood. The county town''s four great families had strong foundations, complex relationships, and mutual protection, along with powerful martial masters overseeing them. No one could challenge them. sea??h th§× N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Children born into these families came into the world with a silver spoon in their mouths, a far cry from what mud-dwellers like them could compare to. Who knows, they might have even been nourished with various great supplements to strengthen their Qi-Blood while still in their mother''s womb. There was no need to say more once they were born. The precious medicine and spirit plants they rarely saw were commonplace for them. For these big family children, the path of Martial Arts cultivation was undoubtedly smooth. Rolling in the hills children like them could never even reach one of their toe. However, Shen Qing didn''t feel discouraged. No matter how mighty they were, they couldn''t compare to someone with cheats. Shen Qing raised the bowl in his hand, downed the drink, and said, "Who has the Blood Bird''s Nest now?" "It''s in the hands of a rascal named Kong Tiantu, a farmer''s son from Jinzhou, strong and skilled with farming tools," Ouyang Tie Niu said, taking a sip of wine to moisten his throat before continuing, "He''s a smart guy; Wang Mazi trusts him a lot. When the hunter gave Wang Mazi the Blood Bird''s Nest, he was there. When that incident happened, he took the Blood Bird''s Nest amidst the chaos, and I secretly saw it." "Where does he live?" "Right between Wang Ma and Old Ba''s shacks, and he''s not running now." Shen Qing frowned and said, "So much time has passed now; the Blood Bird''s Nest is probably not in his hands anymore, is it?" "It should still be," Ouyang Tie Niu said softly, "Just yesterday, I heard some whispers." "What whispers?" "The other big Eastern Families, not wanting Song Gongming''s sons to break through so easily, secretly offered high prices for any of these mountain treasures, each price higher than the last. Kong Tiantu will surely wait for the highest bid and will not sell it quickly." Shen Qing nodded, without continuing the topic, and diverted the conversation, "Eat, drink." The food at Fengwei Restaurant wasn''t seasoned with MSG or modern condiments, and in Shen Qing''s eyes, the taste was only average. But he had to admit, this was the most satisfying meal he''d had since his crossing into this world. Shen Xiaohu, Xiao Zhi, and the others all ate until their stomachs were round. When it was time to pay, Shen Qing found that the meal had cost him eleven taels of silver, which made him click his tongue. It indeed wasn''t cheap. After leaving Fengwei Restaurant, Shen Qing did not make an excessive effort to linger, parting ways with Ouyang Tie Niu and the others as they each went their way. At this time, he had no real intention of recruiting Ouyang Tie Niu as subordinates. In his view, if he were to take subordinates, it would be more reliable to find them in Hongshan Village. They were all from the same village and could be trusted. Outsiders were always unreliable. After Shen Qing left Fengwei Restaurant, he did not linger in the Inner City, taking Shen Xiaohu directly back to Linfeng Hall. Previously, with little silver on hand, he planned to return to Hongshan Village to fetch some money. Now, having obtained a sum from Zhao Ba, enough to cover two or three months of expenses, he didn''t need to rush back. ... Ouyang Tie Niu and Yang Zhao Ping left Fengwei Restaurant and walked towards the direction of the Outer City. After a while, Ouyang Tie Niu''s face was full of worry. He regretted being too cautious at noon today, not standing out enough, and telling Shen Qing a lot of things he shouldn''t have said. During the meal at noon today, he could see that Shen Qing did not trust him at all. Though he acted very politely, in reality, he maintained control over the distance and caused him some concern. Thinking it over, Ouyang Tie Niu said to Yang Zhao Ping, "What do you think about Shen Qing?" "Very strong, with savvy and composure beyond his age, quite decisive," Yang Zhao Ping answered without hesitation, adding, "Not an easy person to get close to." "That''s what I thought too," Ouyang Tie Niu continued, "Now, what do you plan to do?" Yang Zhao Ping had been following Ouyang Tie Niu for a long time and knew what he was referring to. "Right now, we don''t have a good place to go. I suggest sticking with him for now. Your brother seems to have a good relationship with him, and trust can be built over time. You must keep in mind that we are not the same as those lowly, petty rascals in the Outer City. We are rascals who uphold virtue and must have some ambition. We can''t be fickle." "You''re right," Ouyang Tie Niu nodded, "Should we go grab the Blood Bird''s Nest then?" Yang Zhao Ping was taken aback and leaned in, saying, "Are you talking about a pledge?" Ouyang Tie Niu put his arm around Yang Zhao Ping''s shoulder, pulling him closer, and whispered, "Shen Qing doesn''t have a good impression of us right now. If we present a pledge, undoubtedly, it would be better. The Blood Bird''s Nest is a chance." After considering for a moment, Yang Zhao Ping finally agreed, "Right, we can''t just think about enjoying the fruits of others'' labor. That won''t take us far. I''ll do this with you!" "Good brother, come with me. I know where Kong Tiantu lives." ... The shantytown of the Outer City comprised mostly houses made of simple brick, tiles, and wooden planks, dilapidated due to years of neglect. Kong Tiantu''s home was particularly inconspicuous amidst this decay. The tiles on the roof were uneven, with some broken, revealing the wooden beams underneath. Inside the house, apart from a tattered bed and a few chairs, there was hardly any furniture. At this moment, the unkempt Kong Tiantu walked in from outside, rummaged under the bed, and tightly hugged a wooden box. The box looked unremarkable, just some wooden blocks pieced together, barely forming a box shape. But seeing the box intact relieved Kong Tiantu''s heart of a heavy stone. He stared at the wooden box, his eyes full of anticipation and longing. Carefully, Kong Tiantu opened the box, revealing its contents. A blood-red, crystal-clear Blood Bird''s Nest lay quietly inside, exuding a tempting fragrance. "Fortunately, I held back and didn''t sell it. The Zhou family outside has already offered a hundred and twenty taels. The Zhou family''s steward has promised me; whether I can make a fortune and live above others depends on this." As he indulged in his thoughts, a large rock was suddenly thrown through the window, landing on the bed and startling him. He hurriedly closed the wooden box and hugged it to his chest, shouting, "Who''s there?" Kong Tiantu leaned against the door, peeking outside through a three-inch-wide gap. There was nothing outside. It was likely a prank by a mischievous local child. Just as he thought this, a sharpened wooden stick suddenly thrust through the gap into his eye. "Ah!" A shrill scream burst from Kong Tiantu''s throat. Chapter 74 - 73 Turbulent Undercurrents ``` Kong Tiantu covered his bleeding eyes with both hands, his body involuntarily leaning backward. The pain almost made it impossible for him to stand. He immediately realized that these people were here for the Blood Bird''s Nest and wanted to steal his Blood Bird''s Nest. A deep hatred surged continuously from his heart. Standing outside the door, Ouyang Tie Niu and Yang Zhao Ping exchanged a glance, knowing they had succeeded. Ouyang Tie Niu raised his foot and fiercely kicked the dilapidated wooden door. With a loud "bang," the wooden door collapsed under Ouyang Tie Niu''s foot. Without hesitation, the two rushed in through the dust. "It''s you!" Kong Tiantu recognized Ouyang Tie Niu and Yang Zhao Ping. "Kong Tiantu, we finally caught you!" Ouyang Tie Niu, holding the knife snatched from Zhao Ba, swung it directly at Kong Tiantu. Kong Tiantu, being somewhat skilled in farming techniques, managed to react despite losing an eye. In a hurry, he rolled to the side, avoiding the fierce blow. "Get him together, kill him." A look of ferocity flashed across Ouyang Tie Niu''s face as he pounced on Kong Yutian, with Yang Zhao Ping following closely after hearing the call. The few pieces of furniture left in the room were not very sturdy in the first place and collapsed completely into rotten wood amidst their struggle. S§×ar?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Kong Tiantu''s two fists were no match for four hands, let alone with weapons involved. After several rounds, he was overwhelmed, turning into a bloody figure within moments, groaning as he fell to the ground, dying with his eyes open. Blood flowed from his body, dripping down along his arm, staining the gray wooden box in his arms as if with a layer of red paint. Kong Tiantu held the wooden box very tightly, and it took Yang Zhao Ping quite an effort to finally take it out. Excitedly, he opened the wooden box and saw the crystal-clear Blood Bird''s Nest inside. Yang Zhao Ping closed the wooden box, exchanged a look with Ouyang Tie Niu, and made a silent agreement. "Let''s go!" However, as they were about to turn around and leave the alley, they saw a man in a gray robe walking towards them, blocking their way. Ouyang Tie Niu said irritably, "Good dogs don''t block the road. Get out of the way." "I''m no dog. I have a name; I''m human." Having just committed murder and anxious to leave, Ouyang Tie Niu and Yang Zhao Ping, their bodies exuding murderous intent, said viciously, "I don''t care what your name is, just move, or don''t blame us for being rude!" "Alright then. With Heaven below and Yellow Heaven above, since you two are in a hurry to leave, I won''t take up your time." With that, the man in the gray robe shot out his hand from his sleeve like a dragon emerging from the sea, striking Ouyang Tie Niu and Yang Zhao Ping''s chests twice. A shudder went through Ouyang Tie Niu and Yang Zhao Ping. A force penetrated their skin, passed through their flesh, and made their hard bones instantly collapse. The two, like kites with broken strings, slammed into the wall hard, spitting blood from their mouths. "A skin-forging master..." Ouyang Tie Niu looked at the gray-robed man, eyes filled with disbelief. At this moment, his whole body felt disjointed, with his heart and lungs pierced by his broken ribs, breathing more out than in. Under the gaze of Ouyang Tie Niu and Yang Zhao Ping, the gray-robed man casually walked forward and took the Blood Bird''s Nest from Yang Zhao Ping''s arms. The gray-robed man opened the box, glanced at it, and said with some satisfaction, "Not bad, the quality isn''t too poor." He closed the wooden box, bowed slightly, and said, "Thank you for the trouble." With that, the gray-robed man swaggered out of the alley under the despairing eyes of Ouyang Tie Niu and Yang Zhao Ping. Ouyang Tie Niu and Yang Zhao Ping lay in pools of blood, faces pale as sheets. They realized that their strength was ebbing away, just like Kong Tiantu. All their years of effort and ambitions to rise to the top had turned into nothing at this moment. Using his last bit of energy, Ouyang Tie Niu let out an aggrieved growl and finally, like Yang Zhao Ping, kicked his legs and died. ... Linfeng Hall. After returning from the restaurant, Shen Qing immediately devoted himself to rigorous training, practicing some combat techniques he learned from Li Linfeng. Without any shortcuts, he practiced each move and stance extremely diligently. Time passed bit by bit, and soon it was almost evening. Shen Qing glanced at the sky, thinking, "It''s almost time. I need to go and return early." He went to the outer court to say goodbye to Shen Xiaohu, telling him to return to the inn early, while he went alone towards the city outskirts. Shen Qing planned to check out the Blood Bird''s Nest that Ouyang Tie Niu mentioned. Approaching evening, both the Inner City and Outer City had fewer people, and there were only a few pedestrians. Shen Qing walked with his head down among the people, looking inconspicuous. The location Ouyang Tie Niu mentioned wasn''t difficult to recognize, and after asking around a bit, Shen Qing arrived in front of a broken shanty. Standing not far from the door, Shen Qing saw that the wooden door had been smashed open, immediately sensing something was wrong. He quickly entered, finding the place in complete disarray with traces of a fight and blood all over the floor. A stripped body lay silently on the ground. He had been hacked to death. After dying, his clothes were stripped off completely. At this point, Shen Qing knew he was too late. Someone had come to take the Blood Bird''s Nest before him. Yet Shen Qing didn''t seem too disappointed or anxious, thinking, "Ouyang Tie Niu and the others are more familiar with these Outer City affairs. I could ask them if I have time tomorrow." The house was almost see-through at a glance due to its dilapidated condition. Plus, the nearby residents had already looted the place, so there was nothing more worth searching for. Shen Qing didn''t stay at the entrance for long and turned around to leave through another exit. However, after taking just a few steps, he froze. Another stark-naked corpse lay right in front of him. This was... Yang Zhao Ping! He was actually dead! Shen Qing bent down to look closely and found that Yang Zhao Ping''s chest had caved in. He had been killed instantly, and the attacker was at least a master in skin-forging. Taking another look at the position where Kong Tiantu lay, Shen Qing could roughly guess that they had all been silenced over the Blood Bird''s Nest affair. People who were alive and kicking in the afternoon were now just cold corpses by evening, leaving Shen Qing with a sigh and an unexpected sense of shared sorrow. He remembered that Yang Zhao Ping and Ouyang Tie Niu often hung out together, calling each other brothers. The Blood Bird''s Nest affair was also proposed by Ouyang Tie Niu. Now that Yang Zhao Ping was dead, Ouyang Tie Niu probably met a grim fate too. The sky gradually darkened, with sunset painting the sky half-yellow. Shen Qing carefully recalled that, so far, he hadn''t been involved in the Blood Bird''s Nest affair, as he just came to take a look and shouldn''t have left any trace for others to notice. He breathed a sigh of relief, straightened his chest, and walked past Yang Zhao Ping''s body, leaving the alley. As he walked, suddenly Shen Qing heard footsteps approaching this way from nearby. Many people. Shen Qing quickly moved, hiding in a dark corner for concealment, and turned sideways to look forward out of curiosity. Not far away, two groups of ordinary civilians with yellow cloth strips wrapped around their arms were following a burly man, each holding a stick of incense, walking unhurriedly. As they walked, they mouthed words, and their faces were very devout. "Heaven below, Yellow Heaven above, Pure Land of Bliss, Taiping in sight." From beginning to end, these people''s mouths constantly muttered this phrase, with a rhythm that was so compelling that Shen Qing even had the urge to recite it with them. Shen Qing hurriedly closed his mouth tightly. He recognized it. The yellow cloth strip, the phrasing. They were people from the Huang Tian Sect! Why were members of the Huang Tian Sect appearing in Taiping County, preaching in the Outer City? Weren''t they in Jinzhou? Rustling... These people passed by one by one at Shen Qing''s alley entrance. When Shen Qing saw the person leading them, his eyes widened suddenly. He knew that person¡ªit was Manager Cai from Wanfeng Building! ``` Chapter 75 - 74 Huang Tian Sect, Three Precious Mountain Delicacies ``` In the management of the Song and Dong Family''s restaurant, there was someone from the Huang Tian Sect. Shen Qing was truly shocked by this scene. No matter what, he would never have thought that the seemingly ordinary manager had such an identity behind him. Fortunately, he came over this time, or else he would still be completely in the dark, never knowing the hidden secret. Regarding the Huang Tian Sect, ever since he overheard news about them on his way into the county town for the first time, he had made a point to inquire about them in the city. Only after inquiring did he realize how formidable this Huang Tian Sect was. In recent years, they had been gaining ground in the southern territories of the Great Zhou Dynasty, gradually growing like a wildfire reaching new heights, and they had recently captured the northern Jinzhou, gaining significant momentum. There were even rumors that the Huang Tian Sect had its secret method to gather spirit essence scattered outside the Great Zhou Court, amassing bit by bit, forming a substantial force. They gradually held the potential to rival the Great Zhou Court, regarded as a significant threat to the heart of the Great Zhou Court. These days, the main task of the Guardian Martial Department in various cities was to suppress this Huang Tian Sect. Whenever they encountered disciples of the Huang Tian Sect, they were to kill them on the spot without any room for negotiation. The Huang Tian Sect advocated that "Yellow Heaven is above, all beings are equal" as their creed, aiming to lead believers to transcendence and sainthood, mastering the great power of heaven and earth, pursuing immortality, and the great power of ancient immortal Daoist methods. Their main altar was established atop the mist-covered "Huang Tian Sacred Mountain," presided over by a Huang Tian True Master with unfathomable strength. The evangelists of the Huang Tian Sect were known as "Yellow Angels," dressed in yellow robes, crowned with yellow hats, holding yellow banners, traveling throughout the territories of the Great Zhou, spreading their doctrine and performing acts of charity, deemed a yellow peril by various local government offices. In the Outer City, so many people taking risks to join the Huang Tian Sect could be seen. It showed that this Great Zhou Dynasty, which had stood for nine hundred years, seemingly prosperous and grand, was actually decaying from within, starting to head towards a period of decline. The lower-class people in the Outer City would rather risk their lives to join the Huang Tian Sect than live under the governance of the Great Zhou. Shen Qing stretched out his neck for a careful look and noticed that the disciples of the Huang Tian Sect following behind Cai Jia Sheng were all gaunt and rarely robust. Even with their pallid faces, they all exuded devotion, with their occasionally opened eyes shining brightly. Shen Qing did not look any further and withdrew his gaze. If he guessed correctly, this area seemed to have already been absorbed by the Huang Tian Sect, becoming a region they were secretly developing. Therefore, they dared to hold such a blatant ceremony in broad daylight. He had stumbled into the Huang Tian Sect''s nest. "In this case, that Cai Jia Sheng was the Yellow Angel of this Outer City, and he might have already gained some influence here." Shen Qing actually wanted to rush over just now and kill this Cai Jia Sheng as he had done to Wang Qiyao. As the Yellow Angel, Cai Jia Sheng might have the Blood Bird''s Nest on him. But he dared not act recklessly against Cai Jia Sheng. Even though Cai Jia Sheng appeared to be ordinary, without any particular temper and showing no martial prowess, both Ouyang Tie Niu and Yang Zhao Ping may have fallen at his hands; one couldn''t rule out the possibility of him being a martial master in the Skin Forging Realm. Currently, he had just barely entered the level of strengthening, being far from Skin Forging Realm. Not to mention, the depth of the Huang Tian Sect was unknown; how many people like Cai Jia Sheng were lurking, Shen Qing did not know at all. If he acted, whether he could obtain the Blood Bird''s Nest was uncertain, but it would certainly stir up the hornet''s nest of the Huang Tian Sect. "In that case, forget it. Although rare treasures are hard to come by, they aren''t worth such a dangerous risk. If faced with such a master, I can''t be sure I can kill him." Just when Shen Qing was preparing to leave, he suddenly sensed two more people approaching his direction. He hurriedly held his breath and concealed himself again in a dark corner. The two people nearing him were also disciples of the Huang Tian Sect, but their physiques were obviously more robust than those ordinary disciples. Even when they spoke, their voices were full of energy. "Unexpectedly, the last rare treasure turned out to be in our area, that man named Kong really hid it well. If it weren''t for two guys making a fuss, we wouldn''t even know." "Indeed, and it just so happened that our Yellow Angel was here, saving us a lot of effort. Tough luck for those two guys." "Don''t mind them. If they are not people of the Holy Sect, they aren''t our brothers and sisters; dead, they are just dead. Perhaps this is all arranged by destiny, giving us these rare treasures." "Heaven below, Yellow Heaven above." As they got to this point, the two people consecutively chanted devoutly, and after finishing, one of them continued speaking. "Now with these rare treasures in the Yellow Angel''s hands¡ªthe Blood Bird''s Nest, Jade Deer Tendon, and Tiger King''s Penis¡ªcan we proceed with the next step of our plan?" "Yes, I heard the Yellow Angel wants to trade these three rare treasures to the Song family for a position as a restaurant shopkeeper; by then, our Holy Sect would have a foothold in the Inner City too, reducing the casualties of our brothers and sisters when Huang Tian descends in the future." "Sigh... It''s a real deal for the Song family." "Even if the young masters and ladies of the Song family get the rare treasures, they wouldn''t break through too quickly. Perhaps by the time we take over the county town, they still wouldn''t have used them." "True, let''s consider it temporarily deposited with them..." The voices of the two people gradually faded away. When their footsteps completely vanished from the alley, Shen Qing slowly emerged from the dark spot. Shen Qing, who possessed the skill of "Poison Shadow," was very well-hidden. Even after two groups from the Huang Tian Sect passed by, they couldn''t detect his presence. Sear?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Once he stepped out of the alley, Shen Qing did not linger but turned left and right in the alley. After ensuring no one was following him, he safely returned to the main street. From the conversation he heard just now, Shen Qing realized that the development of the Huang Tian Sect in Taiping County had likely exceeded everyone''s expectations. It wouldn''t take long for chaos to erupt in Taiping County, making it essential to make some preparations in advance. What delighted him even more was that, without much notice, Cai Jia Sheng already possessed three rare treasures. The last two were exceedingly more precious than the Blood Bird''s Nest. If it were just a single Blood Bird''s Nest, it wouldn''t be worth the risk, but added with the Jade Deer Tendon and Tiger King''s Penis, it was worth trying. From his experience over this period, robbing was a much quicker way to amass wealth than honestly selling mountain goods. No man enriches without windfall profit, no horse fattens without night grazing. This time, it depended on whether he could seize this windfall. Shen Qing lowered his head and walked briskly. When he reached the city gate, it was just about to close. With a swift stride, Shen Qing slipped inside, quickly slipping a dozen large coins to smooth the way, and darted into the city. ``` Chapter 76 - 75 Manager Cai, You Wouldnt Want Others to Know, Right? ``` After entering the inner city, Shen Qing casually returned to the inn where he usually stayed. As usual, he called Shen Xiaohu and ordered some random food. Since they had a hearty meal at noon, neither of them was very hungry come evening. As the number of guests in the main hall dwindled, Shen Xiaohu moved his stool closer to Shen Qing and said, "Brother Qingzi, something happened." Shen Qing picked up a peanut with his chopsticks and tossed it into his mouth, cluelessly asking, "What happened?" "Ouyang Tie Niu died. Not long after you left, when Senior Brother Ouyang was still recovering from his injuries, he came once, donned in mourning attire, to invite our Hall Master uncle to preside over the funeral." Shen Qing almost lost his grip on the chopsticks in his hand, exclaiming in surprise, "Ah, Ouyang Tie Niu died? We had just eaten together at noon, how could it be so soon?" "Who could have thought, I didn''t expect him to die so quickly either." Shen Xiaohu lowered his voice, regrettably continuing, "You don''t know, when our Hall Master uncle left, his face was quite unsightly. Now everyone in the outer gate is saying that the Hall Master''s enemies have come. Everyone is very scared, and I guess a few more people might not come tomorrow." Shen Qing was silent for a moment, not saying anything more. Shen Xiaohu sighed, "In truth, Ouyang Tie Niu is fortunate, for he has a brother who can take care of his body. Poor Yang Zhao Ping, he has no one at home, and if he were to die, no one would collect his body." Shen Qing changed the subject, asking, "Are there not many disciples at the outer gate now?" "Not many," Shen Xiaohu replied honestly, "Do you remember when we first came, there were about thirty people, now there are only a dozen each day, and even those don''t come every day. They all say our Hall Master uncle is in danger, and this time, he may not be able to withstand it." "Focus on practicing your skills, don''t worry about too much. With fewer people, maybe you can stay in the outer gate longer and learn more." "I know that. We are all here because of our aunt. If we left now, it would be even harder for her. We are family, and we can''t do anything that would let them down," Shen Xiaohu said seriously, "A single chopstick is easy to break, but a bunch of chopsticks is hard to snap, we must stand united." Shen Qing looked at Shen Xiaohu and asked, "Where did you learn all this?" "My mom taught me." "Aunt taught you well." After dinner, Shen Qing and Shen Xiaohu each returned to their rooms. The inn''s room fee here was quite cheap, only sixty to seventy wen per night for a room. For Shen Qing''s current financial situation, it was as negligible as a drizzle. Shen Xiaohu, though young, snored thunderously at night. With the room''s lodging fee so low, there was no need to share a room with Shen Xiaohu. The room, which cost sixty to seventy wen, was simply furnished. Just a table, a bed, and a chair. The oil lamp, the size of a soybean, flickered in the night wind, as if about to go out at any moment. Shen Qing sat on the worn wooden chair, concentrating. A glint of brilliance flashed in his eyes, and a stroke of water ink fell in his vision, forming line after line of ink text. [Skill: Hunting (Mastery)] [Progress: 300/300 points] [Status: Can be elevated] [Note: The awakened skills Skillful Baiting and Poison Shadow accompanying this skill significantly increase the success rate of hunting. Constant progression breakthroughs have a chance to further transform and advance awakened skills.] Shen Qing hadn''t neglected his core skills during this time, persistently training to increase progress. With today''s continuous use of the hunting skill, he had unwittingly fulfilled the breakthrough condition. Whenever he broke through a bottleneck in the past, his body would exhibit some unusual changes. Now, with no one around, it was a perfect moment for a breakthrough and adaptation. Shen Qing took a deep breath, focused his mind, and broke through. At this moment, the skill level of hunting on the water ink panel abruptly shifted from [Mastery] to [Great Perfection]. All progress was reset to zero. Boom! As the realm information shifted, Shen Qing''s entire body jolted, his muscles and aura undergoing incredible changes. A torrent of memories flooded into his mind. In a fleeting moment, Shen Qing seemed to have passed through decades of time, meticulously honing his hunting skills. Finally, at a certain instant, he comprehended a new skill¡ªTurtle Breathing Technique. [Skill: Hunting (Great Perfection)] [Progress: 0/400 points] [Status: Cannot be elevated] [Note: Your continued practice has made hunting skills persistently breakthrough, further transforming and advancing the skills Skillful Baiting, and Poison Shadow, awakening the Turtle Breathing Technique. Using this skill, you can conceal yourself to the extreme, so common prey cannot detect your presence.] Shen Qing looked at the lines of ink information in his vision, almost jumping out of bed in excitement. Turtle Breathing Technique! It was the Turtle Breathing Technique! Great. With this skill, his survival ability was greatly enhanced. No one would be able to find him. Late into the night. sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Near the outer city gate, at a corner, came the sound of bricks rubbing against one another. A series of crisp taps sounded. Several clay bricks were pulled out from the inside by a hand. Moments later, a dog hole, big enough for one person to pass through, gradually emerged at the foot of the city wall. Dressed in cotton clothes, Cai Jia Sheng painstakingly squeezed his way out little by little from the dog hole. Once he managed to push out a bit, he suddenly sprang out like stuffed meat bursting from a pressed seam, with his upper body emerging from the dog hole. Delighted, Cai Jia Sheng used his strong arms to brace against the city wall, freeing his lower body effortlessly from the hole. Once on the ground, he cautiously glanced around, not seeing anyone else. Cai Jia Sheng swiftly turned around and restored the removed green bricks. "This hole is still too small, every time I pass through, it''s a struggle. Thin people can manage, but if they''re bulkier than me, they probably can''t even squeeze in. I''ll have to find someone to fix it up later." After covering up the traces, Cai Jia Sheng glanced around, avoiding the night watchmen''s patrol routes, and skillfully passed through several alleys, returning to his small courtyard. Inside the house, the candlelight gradually rose again. Cai Jia Sheng placed the wooden box he acquired today on the table, while fetching two more wooden boxes from beneath his bed and arranging them in a row. He opened them one by one, revealing the three delicacies inside¡ªthe Blood Bird''s Nest, Tiger King''s Penis, and Jade Deer Tendon. Staring at these three mountain treasures, Cai Jia Sheng''s face lit up with a satisfied smile, "Finally, all three are collected, truly Yellow Heaven''s blessing. With the inexplicable death of Wang Qiyao, my position as shopkeeper should now be secure." "Knock, knock, knock!" Just then, there came a series of knocking sounds from the door. "Who is it?" Cai Jia Sheng quickly closed the three wooden boxes. "Who I am is not important, but who you are is," came a low voice from outside the door, causing Cai Jia Sheng''s face to turn pale, "Manager Cai, you wouldn''t want others to know you''re an envoy of the Huang Tian Sect, would you?" ``` Chapter 77 - 1 Sir, I want to report something! ``` Hearing the four words "Yellow Angel," Cai Jia Sheng could no longer maintain his composure. Now that the Huang Tian Sect in Jinzhou was in full swing, it had almost alerted the surrounding districts. The Guardian Martial Department in Taiping County was currently searching for clues about the Huang Tian Sect throughout the area. Once his identity as a Yellow Angel was exposed and known to the Guardian Martial Department in the city, there was no escaping death. Although he was only responsible for a small part, there were other brothers and sisters of the Sect in the city. If he died, it would somewhat affect the plans of the Holy Sect. This was something he absolutely could not tolerate. "Probably during today''s Huang Tian revelation, when that group of brothers and sisters was on guard, someone took advantage of a loophole, allowing some unrelated people to stumble upon it. This person is probably trying to mystify, likely not a person of much importance." Having figured it out, Cai Jia Sheng immediately had an idea, his face turned fierce as he shouted angrily, "Looking for death!" As soon as the words fell, he tightened the muscles in his legs, slapped the door open with one hand, and suddenly punched outward. Accompanied by the whistling wind, Cai Jia Sheng threw a punch but hit nothing. The small courtyard outside the door was empty, with no sign of anyone. Cai Jia Sheng''s heart skipped a beat, and he looked around. Even though he had already begun to brew Qi Force and his senses were sharp, he couldn''t catch any trace of a presence nearby. It was as if no one had ever been outside the door. This time, his face turned ugly. Whoosh! A sound of wind breaking suddenly appeared. It was extraordinarily clear in the quiet night. Cai Jia Sheng only felt a twinge between his eyebrows, his head instinctively tilted. A sharp arrow skimmed past his cheek, slicing the hair at his temple into two sections. If he had been a step slower in evading just now, it wouldn''t have just cut his hair. It would have pierced his eyeball! What precise archery. People like him, a martial master of the Skin Forging Realm, had skin as tough as cowhide, impervious to ordinary weapons, but some weak spots remained. This person understood well, not someone of little significance. An open attack is easy to dodge, a hidden arrow is hard to defend against. Cai Jia Sheng calmed down and said in a cold voice toward the direction the arrow came from, "I have no grudge with you these days, and no enmity in the past. Did you come tonight just for my identity as a Yellow Angel?" "What do you want?" There was no response. Cai Jia Sheng''s face suddenly turned uncertain. At this moment, in the dark corner of the courtyard, facing a martial master of the Skin Forging Realm, Shen Qing used the Turtle Breathing Technique skill to conceal his entire aura well. Even though his Qi-Blood was boiling, and his limbs were tense and swollen to their optimal state, he did not reveal a sliver. Even the tension in his heart was masked by this Turtle Breathing Technique. Cai Jia Sheng couldn''t detect any of it. Shen Qing''s eyes narrowed, changed the direction of his arrow, and suddenly let go of it. Pfft. The candle flame in the room was extinguished immediately. Shen Qing didn''t delay any longer and immediately used the movement technique of the Wind Defying Finger, quickly slipping into the house like a shadow. Before he came, he had already observed secretly and knew the table was set with mountain treasures. Shen Qing rushed to the side of the Eight Immortals Table, swiped his hand, and quickly packed the three wooden boxes on the table into his arms, taking out the mountain treasures inside. Cai Jia Sheng suddenly turned his head, hearing the commotion in the house and looked toward the sound. In the fleeting moment when the lamp went out, he saw a figure holding a hard bow flashing by. Cai Jia Sheng''s eyes narrowed. He realized that if it weren''t for the person''s action, he wouldn''t have noticed at all. Even if this person stood in front of him, it still felt unreal. As if what was there wasn''t a person, but a mere plant or tree. No aura. Upon seeing this, Cai Jia Sheng''s face couldn''t help but become serious, and he realized that tonight this person might be difficult to deal with. But whether difficult or not, he couldn''t let this person go. The three pieces of mountain treasures in the house were not easily acquired; how could he let them be taken away? Seeing the person already rushed into the house, he made no hesitation, suddenly charged forward with all his strength. "Die!" Boom! A surge of force exploded behind Shen Qing. Now the house was pitch dark, and with Shen Qing''s Turtle Breathing Technique concealing his aura, Cai Jia Sheng couldn''t sense Shen Qing''s existence. He was hitting wildly based on instincts. Shen Qing''s movement was agile, and he had retreated to the side when Cai Jia Sheng started to act. Crash! The furniture inside the house was smashed into fragments under Cai Jia Sheng''s Qi Force. Shen Qing grabbed the three mountain treasures into his arms, relying on the Hunter''s perception, shot several arrows repeatedly at Cai Jia Sheng''s position. Arrows shot like beads on a string, accompanied by a whistling sound, rushing straight at Cai Jia Sheng''s face. However, because Cai Jia Sheng had already stirred up his Qi Force and deliberately closed his eyes, The arrows shot at his eyelids and were blocked. Taking advantage of this moment, Shen Qing already rushed out the door, quickly jumped over the courtyard wall, and ran wildly in one direction. At this time, Shen Qing''s heart pounded like a big drum. Rob and run, it was really thrilling. Especially snatching things from a martial master of the Skin Forging Realm, it was even more exhilarating. Cai Jia Sheng pinched his fingers, and the candlelight in the room lit up again. Seeing the three pieces of mountain treasures on the Eight Immortals Table had vanished, leaving only three empty boxes on the ground, his face turned extremely unsightly. The other party came for his three pieces of mountain treasures. That was alright. At worst, after the mountain treasures were robbed, he could gather them again later. The most troublesome issue was that the person knew his identity, which was a huge hidden danger that could not be left unchecked. She must be killed. Cai Jia Sheng didn''t know why, although he hadn''t seen the other person''s face clearly, the voice gave him a sense of familiarity. As if he had heard it somewhere before. He furrowed his eyebrows tightly, unable to recall. The impression didn''t match with any known person. "Never mind, capture him first and talk later. Sacrifice to honor the Yellow Heaven." Without delay, Cai Jia Sheng fetched a small sandalwood box from a cabinet at home. He carefully opened it, took out a yellow talisman. Cai Jia Sheng bit his tongue, spat out a mouthful of essence blood, murmured incantations, and chanted softly, "Rise!" An unbelievable scene unfolded. The talisman in front of him burst into yellow light, folding itself into a golden glowing paper crane. Under Cai Jia Sheng''s gaze, the golden paper crane seemed to gain life, starting to flap its wings. Cai Jia Sheng was delighted, thinking, "The Daoist''s talisman technique is truly magical." Without delay, he pressed his hands together, visualized the appearance of the figure three times in his mind, then took out the empty boxes on the ground. The yellow paper crane landed on the empty wooden box, tapping it a few times as if a butterfly was sipping nectar. That should do it. Cai Jia Sheng pinched his fingers in a gesture, shouting, "Hurry!" At the word of command, The yellow paper crane turned into a yellow light, shooting out of the house. Cai Jia Sheng quickly followed it. ... In the alley, Shen Qing''s figure sprinted rapidly like a leopard. He glanced down at his bulging chest; the three pieces of mountain treasures were now in his embrace. Shen Qing hadn''t expected that in this operation, the Turtle Breathing Technique paired with the movement technique of the Wind Defying Finger, along with infallible archery, yielded unexpected results. It was surprisingly smooth. "From start to finish, I only said one sentence and did not show my face, he probably wouldn''t know who I am." Shen Qing murmured in his heart, "However, nothing is absolute. It''s obvious why the Huang Tian Sect is regarded as a major threat by the Great Zhou Court." "The opponent is a martial master of the Skin Forging Realm, better safe than sorry." Robbing Cai Jia Sheng of the three mountain treasures would easily fetch one to two thousand taels. The other party couldn''t swallow the insult without retaliating. Moreover, just now, to make him have scruples, he pointed out his identity as a Yellow Angel. If it were him, he wouldn''t let himself go either. In conclusion, "Tonight, he must be killed." Shen Qing showed a serious expression. However, Cai Jia Sheng''s cultivation was of the Skin Forging Realm, and he had just entered the stage of strengthening, not even having obtained a martial title yet. sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Even with assassination, poison, or various other methods, it might not be possible to kill him. However, killing him didn''t necessarily mean doing it himself. Shen Qing twisted his footsteps and sprinted rapidly in another direction. That direction was toward the county government office of Taiping County. He decided to report to the Guardian Martial Department! Now that the Guardian Martial Department was collecting Huang Tian Sect''s clues everywhere, wasn''t Cai Jia Sheng just a piece of the Huang Tian Sect on a platter? Reporting would be justified and legitimate! Just as Shen Qing had left, a yellow paper crane followed closely. The yellow paper crane paused slightly, then changed direction, and chased after Shen Qing. "Oh, it changed course? Didn''t expect it to be not only fast but also quite smart." Cai Jia Sheng followed behind the yellow paper crane, leaping forward, quickly catching up. His urge to kill this person grew stronger. ... The main gate of the county office was tightly shut, and two weathered stone lions silently crouched at the entrance. The dim light seeping through the door''s crack cast a cold gleam on the blue stone slabs. Two government officers, clad in uniforms and holding long spears, stood straight on either side of the office gate. The cold wind howled by, bringing a chill that made them instinctively huddle. "This damn weather is bone-chillingly cold," complained the officer on the left, his voice echoing in the open night with a touch of helplessness. He pulled out a hard biscuit from his chest, taking a couple of bites. The officer on the right nodded, taking a deep breath of the cold air, and responded, "Yeah, this winter seems especially long. But, in just over twenty days, it''s the beginning of spring, and the weather should warm up." The officer on the left sighed, tightened his cloak, and gazed into the distance, suddenly spotting a figure sprinting toward the office from the shadows. He rubbed his eyes and jabbed the officer beside him with his spear, saying, "Lao Liu, do you see someone running towards us in the front?" "Who would be bored enough to come to the office this late at night?" "No, there really is someone." "Huh?" At his companion''s behest, he focused keenly, indeed seeing someone hurrying to the office. The two government officers hadn''t had a chance to speak before they heard the person shout from the front, "Sir, I want to report!" ``` Chapter 78 - 2 Kill the Yellow Angel The deep night''s silence was shattered by this loud shout. The speaker was none other than Shen Qing, who rushed here. He hurriedly dashed to the front of the government office, breathlessly shouting, "I want to report! I have something important to tell the officer!" Two government officers were disturbed by the sudden noise, and they looked at the newcomer with displeasure. The officer on the left frowned impatiently, waving his hand, "Go away, don''t cause trouble here in the middle of the night. Whatever it is, speak tomorrow." "..." Shen Qing was momentarily taken aback, the familiar demeanor hitting him like a slap. This was a matter of life and death, and Shen Qing didn''t leave, but continued to anxiously explain, "Gentlemen, this matter is really urgent! I saw with my own eyes someone colluding with the Huang Tian Sect in secret with malicious intent! It''s extremely urgent, my lord!" The officer on the right glared at Shen Qing, speaking coldly, "Just because you say it''s the Huang Tian Sect doesn''t make it so. How do we know if it''s true or not? Besides, it''s late, and the officials need to rest. Whatever it is, come back first thing in the morning; don''t disturb their rest." Seeing this attitude from the officers, Shen Qing knew that being polite wouldn''t work, so he angrily cursed, "Such a major issue, and you both are so unconcerned? Aren''t you afraid of a calamity?" The two officers exchanged a glance, responding angrily, "Hey, you brat! You''re out past curfew, and we''re not blaming you, yet you''re blaming us? Looks like you''re tired of living." "We can''t handle the Huang Tian Sect, but we can handle you!" The two officers brandished their spears, raising their voices, "If you don''t leave, we''ll treat you as disturbing the peace and throw you into jail!" Seeing this, Shen Qing was angered by their inaction. He planned to slip past them into the Guardian Martial Department and inform their people. Just then, a streak of yellow light flashed outside the office. A yellow paper crane quietly landed on Shen Qing''s shoulder as the three watched intently. With a soft puff. The yellow paper crane turned into a blank yellow talisman, slowly drifting to the ground. "What is this?" One of the government officers curiously bent down to pick it up. Suddenly, Shen Qing felt a chill down his spine, instinctively dodging to one side of the office door. Just as he steadied himself, a figure crashed into the office door. Bang! "Wow!" One of the officers at the door crumpled to the ground like a pancake, lifelessly slumping to the floor. Blood streamed from his seven orifices, frothing at the mouth; he was clearly beyond saving. The other officer was terrified, shouting, "Enemy..." The word was stuck in his throat, as a fist had already slammed into his face. Shen Qing watched clearly from the side. The officer''s face caved in like dough, teeth spattering from the wound, hitting the door with a bang. Bright red blood sprayed onto the county government door, radiating in a linear pattern, red and white splattering everywhere. That officer was dead beyond any doubt. "Glad I made it." Cai Jia Sheng sighed in relief, having arrived before Shen Qing could reveal his secret. He looked at Shen Qing by the office door, grimacing with a sinister smile. It was all because of this person today. Now, he just needed to kill him and snatch back the three mountain treasures, and there wouldn''t be so many troubles left. The situation was urgent, leaving him no time to think. After killing the two officers, Cai Jia Sheng had no hesitations, turning and swinging a punch toward Shen Qing. The sound of wind being broken filled the air as the fierce fist wind rushed towards Shen Qing''s face. What to do? What to do? At that moment, Shen Qing''s mind went blank. Cai Jia Sheng''s fist enlarged infinitely in his eyes. At this moment, survival instincts drove Shen Qing''s Qi-Blood, using the Nine Skills and various movement techniques learned recently, transforming into a shadow that narrowly grazed Cai Jia Sheng''s fist at his chest. With his hands formed like two fingers, driven by intention, he struck twice at Cai Jia Sheng''s abdomen. Wind Defying Finger! Bang! Cai Jia Sheng was jolted by the force of this strike, stumbling back a few steps, looking incredulous. He clearly hadn''t expected Shen Qing to dodge his punch and even land a hit. Staring at Shen Qing''s face, memories surfaced of seeing him at Wanfeng Building, realizing he was a hunter from Hongshan Village. He hadn''t expected this nobody to withstand his attack. Fortunately, the move relied solely on physical strength without any special force; otherwise, it wouldn''t have been as simple as an aching abdomen. Cai Jia Sheng''s eyes gleamed with a hint of ruthlessness, as he rushed forward with both fists once more. Just at this critical juncture, the government office door suddenly swung open, and two Guardian Martial Department martial masters rushed out, "Who''s causing a commotion?" Without a word, the two struck at Cai Jia Sheng''s shoulders from the left and right. Faced with the dual assault, Cai Jia Sheng had to shift his focus, countering with a punch and a move. Boom! Both sides instantly separated upon contact. Seeing the Guardian Martial Department had intervened, Cai Jia Sheng knew he couldn''t take down Shen Qing, glaring at him with hatred before making his escape. Seeing this, Shen Qing hastily called out to the Guardian Martial Department, "My lord, he''s a Yellow Angel of the Huang Tian Sect!" "What?" The two martial masters, who had just rushed out, quickly pursued him. They had been searching for clues about the Huang Tian Sect for days without success. Now, an opportunity had presented itself, and it was a ready-made merit. The martial masters acted swiftly, extending their stride to catch up with Cai Jia Sheng, engaging in combat. Cai Jia Sheng''s attack was relentless, like a raging storm, not giving them any chance to catch their breath. The two martial masters could only give their all to hold Cai Jia Sheng. Taking a deep breath, Cai Jia Sheng gathered all his strength, unleashing his tightly clenched fists, colliding fiercely with the two martial master''s palms. Upon impact, a deafening sound erupted, resonating through the air as if solidifying it. Shen Qing only felt a gale, as fierce as a landslide and tsunami. Just as the two martial masters were struggling, a chilling light descended from the sky. Like a silver waterfall, it flowed over Cai Jia Sheng, then gathered at a person''s feet. Sear?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Cai Jia Sheng, who had previously appeared menacing, halted his actions, his hands drooping powerless. Red blood beads trickled from his forehead, trailing down to his chest. With a muffled pouf. Cai Jia Sheng glared, falling forward helplessly. Blood continued to pool beneath him, eventually forming a small pool. "You fools, you couldn''t even take down a martial artist without Qi cultivation." A woman, dressed in plain clothes, suddenly appeared at the office entrance. She sheathed her sword and reprimanded the two. The pair exchanged looks, limping over and explaining, "We came in a rush and didn''t have time to bring our weapons." "Excuses, if you''re outmatched, you''re outmatched." The Guardian Martial Department woman kicked her ankle, twirling her sword into her arms. She turned, walking towards the office entrance, glancing at Shen Qing, asking, "I heard you say he''s a Yellow Angel; what''s going on?" Shen Qing looked up. He saw a bright woman in plain clothes standing in front of him, looking down at him. Her light blue outfit hugged her graceful figure beautifully, especially the two grand principles she carried, exuding composure and confidence. Calming himself, Shen Qing recounted everything he witnessed in the Outer City today. However, he changed his role in the attempted theft of the mountain treasures to being chased by Cai Jia Sheng. "I had no escape on earth or in heaven, so I fled here out of desperation, and my lord knows the rest...." Shen Qing mixed truth and falsehood in his story, maintaining logical consistency. Upon hearing this, a rare hint of gravity appeared on the Guardian Martial Department woman''s graceful face. She furrowed her brow, quickly issuing an order, "Hurry and gather the men, head to the Outer City at once." "Yes." Rushing out, the two Guardian Martial Department martial masters fully opened the office doors, causing chaos within. Seeing they were all busy inside, and no one paying him any mind, Shen Qing prepared to slip away, not intending to linger at the office entrance. Just as he was about to turn and leave, the female martial master suddenly called out, "Wait a moment." Shen Qing paused, quickly bowing and asking, "My lord, is there something you need?" The female martial master sized him up, then asked, "What''s that bulging in your chest?" "It''s just some pancakes, my lord. We work outside, and the boss provides food, so I bring some extra for my family." Saying so, Shen Qing pulled out a half-eaten pancake from his chest. "Alright, you may go." "Thank you, my lord." Seeing that the Guardian Martial Department did not intend for him to guide them, Shen Qing wasted no time leaving quickly. Reaching a deserted place, he pulled all the pancakes from his chest. They were half-eaten, smeared with quite a bit of blood. Shen Qing casually tossed the pancakes into a beggar-filled alley, gradually disappearing into the dark street. When he returned to the inn, it was already past midnight. He left by climbing out the window, so he returned the same way, alerting no one. In his room, he lit an oil lamp, retrieving the three mountain treasures he had hidden in his chest, laying them out. Under the lamp''s oil light, each one shone brilliantly, with a glassy sheen, appearing extraordinary. "These three mountain treasures are quite rare, worth a fortune in the market, even for hunters who spend years in the mountains. It''s fate to obtain all three at once." "If I remember correctly, these treasures can be used in medicine, greatly benefiting cultivation." The wavering light projected shadows of Shen Qing''s face in the room, fluctuating in length and form. Shen Qing exhaled gently, carefully storing the mountain treasures, reflecting on the night''s events. Other than some inconsistencies faced with the female martial master, everything else was without significant flaws. As for further considerations, he wouldn''t dwell on them. The incident sprung upon him too suddenly, leaving no time for detailed planning. Future matters would be addressed in the future. Shen Qing extinguished the oil lamp, lying down on the bed and falling into a deep sleep. Chapter 79 - 3: After the Event, Laying Low He slept very deeply. Because of Shen Qing''s practice of the Nine Skills, his whole body was filled with Qi-Blood, so even when he occasionally stayed up all night, he didn''t feel tired. So, as usual, he woke up at about the right time, mentally alert. Morning. Shen Qing and Shen Xiaohu habitually squatted at the threshold of the inn''s backyard. Each held a large bowl, sipping porridge along the rim. After taking a big gulp of plain porridge, Shen Qing said to Shen Xiaohu, "Let''s pack up our things today. We''ll head back to the village this afternoon." "Why are we leaving so soon? Shouldn''t we stay a bit longer?" Shen Qing replied, "We haven''t been back in a long time, and I''m a bit worried about my sister. Also, spring is just around the corner, so we need to go up the mountain to hunt early, lest we have nothing to rely on after spring starts." Shen Xiaohu teased, "Brother Qingzi, with all the money you have now, do you still care about those small game from hunting?" He had personally been involved in the matter of Zhao Ba, and he knew how much money Shen Qing had taken, hundreds of taels, which was not a small amount. "How long do you think this money will last me for training? What if I run out of money someday and my survival skills become rusty? What would I do then? By that time, it would be too late for regrets." "Oh." Shen Xiaohu lowered his head and didn''t say anything further. Shen Qing took another sip of porridge, his eyes flickering. In reality, he was in a hurry to return, mainly to lie low for a while. After killing Zhao Ba and getting involved with the Huang Tian Sect, with three pieces of mountain treasures in hand, nowhere in the city felt safe. It would be better to hide for a while in Hongshan Village. He would wait until things calmed down here. Another reason was to practice more hunting and the Bow Technique before the spring ban, to improve his progress. These two skills might prove very useful in the future. Of course, he could only keep these thoughts to himself and not share them with Shen Xiaohu. Sear?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. After finishing breakfast, Shen Qing packed up the things in the room and headed to Linfeng Hall with Shen Xiaohu. When he entered Linfeng Hall once more, he didn''t know if he was being overly sensitive, but it felt like the atmosphere inside had become much heavier. But he couldn''t quite say why. In short, it was not good. Neither the senior brother nor the Hall Master uncle had returned. Shen Qing simply buried his head, practicing the techniques taught by Li Linfeng before. After pondering over it last night, today''s practice seemed much smoother to Shen Qing, even the progress in proficiency increased significantly. Shen Qing recalled the pointing technique he used last night, reflecting on it carefully. Cai Jia Sheng was undoubtedly a martial master in the Skin Forging Realm, skilled in using fist techniques. From his current perspective, Cai Jia Sheng''s fist techniques were actually quite crude, with many flaws, definitely not as meticulous as the Wind Facing Finger. He relied solely on his realm and full-body Qi to confront enemies. That was why, when Cai Jia Sheng made small moves, Shen Qing subconsciously caught the flaws, leading to the subsequent events. Thinking of this, Shen Qing gradually understood why Li Linfeng emphasized the basics, speed, and simultaneously increasing strength. Because only then could there be fewer flaws, tighter defense, and strike faster than the opponent, killing the opponent with one move. At that time, if he had been a little stronger or had trained his Qi, he could surely have taken Cai Jia Sheng down with a single point. Shen Qing refocused his thoughts and continued practicing hard. At this time, Xiao Zhi, who was also in the inner courtyard, quietly came over and said, "Shen Qing, did you hear about Tie Niu''s death yesterday?" "I heard about it," Shen Qing replied noncommittally, "Sigh... we were just having dinner together yesterday." "Ah, you don''t need to be sad. There''s no helping it, the outside is just so chaotic, especially in the Outer City," Xiao Zhi continued mysteriously, "Did you know that Tie Niu''s death was connected to the Huang Tian Sect?" "Ah? Is that so?" Shen Qing exclaimed, "I really didn''t know." "I''m telling you, last night the Huang Tian Sect attacked the government office. The Guardian Martial Department acted overnight and went to the Outer City. It caused quite the commotion. Now the whole city is on edge." Shen Qing asked casually with a deeper intent, "Did the county government deal with the Huang Tian Sect?" "It won''t be long before the county posts an announcement, saying that all the heretical sect criminals have been captured. You know how our county government operates, don''t you? Who really knows how far they''ve gotten?" "True." "We should make the most of our time and hone our skills." Shen Qing agreed with a few words, and the two didn''t say much more. When the afternoon came and the time was about right, Shen Qing went to the backyard, took care of his aunt, and prepared to head back to the village. Leaving his aunt''s room, Shen Qing once again encountered the young master with the unusually developed chest muscles. She had a square face, looking somewhat similar to the Hall Master uncle. In the Great Zhou, there was no concept of favoring males over females. As long as one had Sight, regardless of gender, they could learn martial arts and, upon mastering it, could also hold positions in court. However, women eventually had to marry, and physiologically they were not on par with men. Therefore, few women made names for themselves in martial arts. According to occasional mentions by his aunt, this was Hall Master uncle''s fourth daughter, Li Lingchan, who showed some talent in martial arts and thus was a key child nurtured by Hall Master uncle. "What are you looking at?" The tomboy Li Lingchan glared at Shen Qing with displeasure in her eyes. Shen Qing had no intention of causing trouble for himself, so he lowered his head, diverted his gaze, and passed by her without looking again. He caught a glimpse of the tomboy''s broad back, sturdy and muscular, like that of a man. No wonder she had some martial talent. "Coward." Shen Qing ignored Li Lingchan''s sneer. By the afternoon, he had left Linfeng Hall with Shen Xiaohu. As usual, He bought some necessities on the street before heading straight for the city gate. It seemed that due to the Huang Tian Sect, the guards at the city gate had become much stricter. Fortunately, these guards still remembered Shen Qing, so they didn''t give him a hard time. Besides, leaving the city wasn''t lucrative, and the guards just checked casually before letting them through. This time, with Zhao Ba dead and the Guardian Martial Department involved, the shantytown area by the West City Gate was much more peaceful than before. Hardly anyone gathered around; even few beggars were in sight. As they walked on, Shen Qing noticed black smoke rising from afar in the shantytown. It seemed a big fire had occurred there, with embers still smoldering. "Move aside, move aside." Suddenly, five or six government officers appeared on the main street, pushing pedestrians to the sides. Behind them, they led a group of a dozen or twenty people on a rope, heading toward the city. These people, like prisoners, had their hands bound by a rope and a rope binding their mouths, being dragged forward by the officers. Someone in the crowd recognized their neighbors and began to whisper. "Aunt Wang turned out to be with the Huang Tian Sect. She hardly spoke usually." "And that little tailor too. I''ve even asked him to mend my pants." "..." Familiar faces were recognized, causing a stir in the crowd. As these people passed by Shen Qing, he noticed their eyes were bright, showing no fear, and he faintly heard them whispering, "The blue sky below, the Yellow Heaven above..." It brought a strange sense of unease. Shen Qing watched them move away in silence, hitched up the cart again, and headed toward the direction of Hongshan Village. Chapter 80 - 4: Bone Refining Realm, Transformation of Cultivation Technique """ Time flew by. In the blink of an eye, twenty days had passed, reaching the time of Li Chun. The snow in Hongshan Village gradually melted, with occasional scattered snowflakes mixed with rain that could no longer settle. Despite this, the warm spring was still far from coming, and the weather remained uncomfortably cold. "Snap!" In the bamboo forest, Shen Qing brought his fingers together, his arms snapping forward like a whip. With a crisp sound, Shen Qing''s two fingers pierced directly into the lush green bamboo. He withdrew his fingers, leaving two dark holes in the bamboo, as if a beast''s fangs had bitten through. Shen Qing looked down at his fingers, feeling somewhat incredulous. "So this is the power of the Bone Refining Realm." Shen Qing murmured to himself with a touch of delight in his heart. After handling mundane affairs during his last return to Hongshan Village, Shen Qing had not gone to the county town for twenty consecutive days. The business of hunting in the mountains was entrusted to Tian Xiaohu. He devoted himself entirely to martial arts training. Through consistent and rigorous practice, he finally progressed the "Wind Defying Finger" to the realm of Small Success, mastering all its techniques along with tendon stretching skills. During this process, his muscles, bones, and flesh were thoroughly stretched. Now, he could control his strength freely and effortlessly. The techniques of the Wind Defying Finger had already gained some mastery. At this point, he had achieved Great Perfection in the Tendon Stretching Realm and became a martial master in the Bone Refining Realm. Next, he needed to continually increase the strength of his bones throughout his body, reaching the so-called realm of "Unyielding and Indestructible," enhancing the lethality of his techniques. Otherwise, the firmness of flesh and blood could never match those of hard stones and iron. Besides, another matter caught his attention, as the Nine Skills he had been practicing underwent new changes. With a thought, Shen Qing summoned the Water Ink Panel before his eyes. [Skill: Nine Skills (Break Limit)] [Progress: 501/500 points] S§×ar?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. [Status: Upgradeable] [Note: Through continuous effort, your understanding of this martial art has reached a new realm. Continue to break through, and you will gain new martial arts skills.] "New martial arts." Among all his skills, the Nine Skills was the first he practiced to the extent of breaking the limit. Since it was a basic martial arts skill with no thresholds, he often practiced it, unexpectedly achieving such effects. This gave him a new understanding of the Water Ink Panel. With no one around, Shen Qing licked his lips without any hesitation. "Breakthrough!" The status of the Nine Skills on the Water Ink Panel soon changed anew. A brand-new martial art name appeared in his sight. [Skill: Blood Dominance Technique (Entry Level)] [Progress: 1/600 points] [Status: Not Upgradeable] [Note: You have derived new martial arts from the Nine Skills, possessing vast qi-blood and breaking through the physical body''s limits, thus having immense strength with a wound healing speed far surpassing ordinary people, and possessing a strong physique.] Buzz! Shen Qing suddenly shuddered, and memories regarding the Blood Dominance Technique flooded into his mind, causing him to clutch his head in pain. As fragmented memories merged, Shen Qing experienced a blurry moment, feeling as if his thoughts had stopped, except for the memory of practicing the Nine Skills cycling repeatedly. Uncertain of how many cycles transpired, he finally comprehended a method to further strengthen the physical body from it. The nine stance trainings he practiced merged into a unified state. This cultivation technique elevated his physical strength and qi-blood limit by eighty to ninety percent, which was extremely terrifying. After a mere ten breaths, Shen Qing felt the pain in his entire body gradually diminish. His muscles began to ripple, and a familiar sensation arose in his legs. Looking down, Shen Qing was stunned to discover that his legs had undergone significant changes, becoming exceptionally robust. Muscles bulged like iron blocks, pushing up his clothes and pants. Even his height seemed to have increased by a noticeable margin. Shen Qing stretched his legs, then kicked out fiercely, breaking a thick old tree with a single strike, without feeling any pain. "Is this the power of the Blood Dominance Technique?" Shen Qing found it hard to believe. He extended two fingers, aligning them like a sword, and walked toward the old tree. The tree was a solid pine, rather hard, far surpassing bamboo in toughness. Shen Qing exerted his fingers forcefully, poking at the pine tree''s trunk. Thud. A dull sound rang out. Shen Qing found his fingers embedded in the pine tree like nails, the entire finger joint sunk in. Waves of piercing pain surged from his fingers swiftly. Shen Qing appeared unaffected, calmly withdrawing his fingers. Under his gaze, the two fingers swelled rapidly. Utilizing the Blood Dominance Technique, his strength reached or even surpassed, but currently, he had only completed the fusion of muscles, bones, and flesh, without an increase in bone hardness, not keeping up in time. This led to his fingers getting injured. However, Shen Qing remained unfazed. He didn''t resort to such "self-harm" on a whim. Silently activating the Blood Dominance Technique, Shen Qing focused entirely on his two fingers. A miraculous scene unfolded. The swollen fingers quickly returned to normal, restored to their original state in the blink of an eye. Shen Qing flexed his fingers without any abnormality. "Good, I feel like I might be slightly stronger than Senior Brother." Observing his fully functional fingers, Shen Qing displayed a satisfied expression. He hastily tidied up and turned to leave. At home, his elder sister Shen Fang busied herself with needlework, intending to make Shen Qing a few new pairs of shoes and some clothes. Originally, Shen Qing had asked her not to do these tasks, suggesting she buy what she wanted with money. But, on reflection, there wasn''t much else for the village women to do, so he let her be. "Hmph!" Suddenly, the rumbling of wheels rolling sounded outside. Shen Qing held a bowl, poured himself a cup of coarse tea, gulped it down, set the bowl aside, and went out. Just then, Tian Xiaohu, whom he had sent to the town to sell mountain goods, returned. Shen Qing patted the horse''s back and asked, "How''s the town nowadays?" "A bit chaotic. After the incident, the Guardian Martial Department rooted out a few Huang Tian Sect members at Wanfeng Building. The Song family couldn''t conduct business anymore and had to shut down for rectification. If they don''t make a significant effort, the government office won''t easily let it go." Tian Xiaohu stepped down from the cart and continued, "Fortunately, we didn''t have much mountain produce, so it could be sold at the market, albeit the Huang Tian Sect affair led to poor business, meaning the mountain goods fetched lower prices." Shen Qing mused silently, questioning why prey in the mountains was increasingly hard to hunt. He felt his "Hongshan Trading Company" might end before it even started. Apparently, he wasn''t suited for business; better to focus on martial arts for wealth. "What about the government office?" "Same old, hunting down Huang Tian Sect. They''re nearing the end, and it''s wrapping up soon." "Roar!" At that moment, a beastly roar resounded from behind the mountain, echoing far and wide. """ Chapter 81 - 5 Trace of the Demon Tiger ``` Hearing the roar, Shen Qing and Tian Xiaohu exchanged glances. Being in constant contact with various beasts in the deep mountains, Shen Qing and Tian Xiaohu recognized it as the roar of a fierce tiger. Was there actually a fierce tiger in Shicheng Mountain? "Let''s go, take a look outside." Shen Qing led Tian Xiaohu outside the house, looking toward the direction of the animal''s roar behind the mountain, and was instantly stupefied. In the sky above Shicheng Mountain, a huge hole was pierced through thick dark clouds. From a distance, it looked as if a great power of celestial gods had hurled a massive stone from the sky. Blue sky and sunshine poured through the hole, appearing extraordinarily astonishing. Such a spectacle made others in the village run out of their homes. Everyone whispered to each other, creating a somewhat noisy scene. Shen Qing knew that fierce tigers and black bears existed in Shicheng Mountain, though they were rarely seen daily. However, he had never encountered a tiger with such a roar. "I remember people are still hunting in the mountains, aren''t they?" Shen Qing turned to Tian Xiaohu and asked. Though it was indeed Li Chun, the tax officials in the city hadn''t come yet, so the villagers naturally ignored any spring hunting bans. They all wanted to seize the last opportunity to make some money. Tian Xiaohu said without raising his head, "Yes, everyone is there now; the harvests have been poor lately, so everyone''s desperately hunting in the mountains." "Good, then we can ask them what''s happening in the mountains at that time." "Hmm." As they were talking, there was a commotion at the village entrance, as if many people were rushing back into the village desperately. "The mountain drivers are back!" Someone exclaimed, drawing everyone''s attention. Hearing this, Shen Qing looked and saw Zhang Baqing leading a group of panicked hunters into the village. Each one was terrified, as if they had seen a ghost. Shen Qing stepped forward to stop Zhang Baqing, shook his shoulder, and asked, "Zhang Bazi, what happened on the mountain? Why are you all running?" Zhang Baqing''s face was full of terror; his whole body trembled as he stammered, "Demon... tiger!" Shen Qing frowned, "A tiger is just a tiger, what demon tiger?" "We... we... saw that tiger speak... human words!" "What?!" With these words, everyone in Hongshan Village was shocked. Cries of surprise rang out one after another. "I''ve lived this long... never... never seen such a strange thing..." Shen Qing doubted, "Could you be mistaken?" "It''s not just me; everyone heard and saw it, and Chen Dacong was even swept away by a demonic wind," Zhang Baqing said with a very sure tone. Shen Qing remained silent. Zhang Baqing''s character in their village was well-known; he wouldn''t speak nonsense. There really was a demon tiger in Shicheng Mountain. Shen Qing immediately said, "Zhang Batou, we don''t know what''s happening in the mountains now; first calm down. Tonight, organize men over twelve years old in pairs of young and old, each with a gong, to patrol and keep watch around the village." "Let''s observe first, and I''ll go to the city to find the government office for help in a day or two," Shen Qing said logically. His calmness made Zhang Baqing seem as if he had found his backbone, and he soon calmed down as well, hurrying to make arrangements. Shen Qing and the hunters in Hongshan Village had only heard of spiritual foxes in the mountains for generations, never about demons in this world. The anxiety spread like wildfire. The entire village was shrouded in a somber atmosphere, feeling as if a disaster was looming. Each hunter living in Hongshan Village was pushed to tension, placing hunting bows and daggers under their pillows at night. Prepared to react at any moment to possible sudden changes. That night, Shen Qing lay in bed, unable to sleep. His mind kept thinking about the demon tiger. At that moment, it seemed like the world he knew so little of was slowly revealing a mysterious corner to him. The night passed silently. Come early morning, Shen Qing woke up early. His eldest sister, Shen Fang, prepared breakfast as usual, showing no sign of disturbance on her face. Shen Qing brushed his teeth with willow twig and green salt, washed his face with hot water, then donned thick cotton clothes as he headed towards Zhang Shuyuan''s house. Knock knock knock. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He knocked on the door lightly and said, "Is Mr. Zhang home? I have something to ask." "Come in." Zhang Shuyuan''s lazy voice came from inside. Without much thought, Shen Qing walked in, seeing Zhang Shuyuan still shrunk under the covers, only struggling to sit up halfway as Shen Qing entered. "Coming over early morning, is it about the demon tiger yesterday?" "It''s hard to hide from you, sir; indeed, it''s about this matter." Shen Qing didn''t beat around the bush and asked directly, "I want to ask, sir, is there really any such thing as demons in this world?" "Demons? How could there be? You must''ve read too many stories. I''ve grown up and read lots of books without ever hearing of any place where there were demons," Zhang Shuyuan shook his head. "If you insist on being particular, you might find a few fragments about demons in ancient times, but that era is too long ago, somewhat unreliable." Shen Qing held a reserved attitude toward Zhang Shuyuan''s words. Zhang Baqing and the others had indeed seen it with their eyes; a talking demon tiger couldn''t be false. "If there are no demons, are there celestial beings?" Shen Qing continued to ask. "Yes, but since the founding of the Great Zhou Dynasty, only one appeared." "Who?" "The founding emperor of the Great Zhou, now the nine-hundred-year-old ancestor of the Ji Family." "He''s still alive?" Shen Qing was amazed, never imagining someone could live that long. "Don''t act like you''ve never seen the world; it''s common knowledge among us literati. The founding emperor of the Great Zhou entered the realm of immortality through martial arts, lived a second life, and is the only martial immortal of the era." "However, because it involves the Imperial family''s ethics, it''s been kept secret, hidden from ordinary folk. Otherwise, why do you think the Ji Family has ruled the world for nine hundred years, standing unshakable?" Zhang Shuyuan''s words made Shen Qing''s scalp tingle. He didn''t remember much else, but one cue stuck: entering the realm of immortality through martial arts. This world indeed had celestial beings. Previously, he had been ignorant. Shen Qing continued to ask about other trivial details and then asked, "Sir, do you have any records about the history and culture of this region? I''d like to take a look." "You haven''t even fully learned the characters, so even if I told you, you wouldn''t understand." Upon hearing this, Shen Qing silently stepped forward, placing three silver beans on the table. The sound of each silver bean was extraordinarily pleasing. Lying in bed, Zhang Shuyuan sighed softly, came out from his warm covers, then took two books from the shelf and handed them to Shen Qing, saying, "You read these first; if you don''t understand, come ask me." Shen Qing cupped his hands, thanked him, and said, "Sorry to bother you, sir; I''ll be leaving." "What''s the point of reading without knowing the characters? Forget it, as the old scholar said, ''Make no social distinctions in teaching,'' let him read more books; it''s not bad." Zhang Shuyuan nonchalantly swept the silver beans into his pouch, then nestled back into his covers. ``` Chapter 82 - 6 Tax Officials Enter the Village, Harsh Governance as Ferocious as a Tiger Shen Qing walked out of the house and took a look at the book Zhang Shuyuan had given him. The yellow cover had been worn out, and on it were four large characters, "Mountain and River Chronicles." Shen Qing flipped through it and roughly understood that it was a geographic chronicle with numerous introductions to cultural and historical stories. Some records could be traced back five thousand years. Although a bit vague and exaggerated, for someone like Shen Qing, it was perfect for broadening one''s horizons. It was a good book. Besides this book, Zhang Shuyuan had also given him a novel storybook. Inside were chapters involving many supernatural stories about martial masters fighting evil. It had a bit of the feel of Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio. There were also many small illustrations. For this type of storybook, Shen Qing inexplicably developed a great interest. Just as he was about to read, a clang interrupted his thoughts. Immediately followed by a shrill scream. Shen Qing put away the two books and rushed in the direction of the sound without thinking. Silhouettes flashed in the village, and by the time he reached the source of the sound, many villagers had already arrived. Shen Qing recognized this as the home of the village hunter, Chen Yixiang. At this point, one wall of his clay house had collapsed, and the ground was covered with blood. Upon closer inspection, half a length of intestine was trailing on the ground. "What happened?" The hunter holding the gong said with a pale face, "I just saw six or seven wolves rush in together and took away Chen Yixiang''s whole family. That wolf was as big as a calf... I''ve never seen such a wolf before, its expression was like a human''s... I almost thought I was going to die..." A strange wind appeared on the distant mountain, causing the trees to rustle. The villagers instantly became as skittish as startled birds, each pulling out the bows and arrows they carried. The atmosphere was solemn. After waiting for a while, seeing no further signs, everyone slowly let out a sigh of relief. An experienced elder, still apprehensive, said, "Dragon follows Cloud, Tiger follows Wind. The tiger is the king of beasts, it must be that demon tiger causing the trouble." "The demon tiger is here!" As soon as these words were spoken, they stirred waves of panic. Sear?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The ominous tidings loomed over Hongshan Village like a dark cloud. The hunters still living in Hongshan Village were even more terrified. Zhang Baqing saw Shen Qing was present, hurried over, and asked, "Qingzi, what do you think about this matter, what should we do?" Shen Qing replied, "I''ll go to the county town immediately and ask Hall Master Linfeng and the county government to decide. This matter is obviously beyond what we can handle." Now he had already stepped into the Bone Refining Realm, his whole body''s Qi-Blood surged like rivers. Even if a dozen or twenty hunters in the village teamed up, they were no match for him. Despite this, facing such a strange matter, he still felt uncertain and did not intend to take risks personally. "Alright." Zhang Baqing sighed and said, "That''s the only way." At this moment, the sound of hooves suddenly came from the village entrance. Shen Qing looked up to see two tax officials from the county town riding two large donkeys, barging into the village aggressively. They wore official attire and headcloths, with an air of arrogance. The villagers hurriedly stepped aside. "Whoa..." The two tax officials reined in their donkeys as they reached the villagers, looking down upon them. One of the tax officials took a tiger head knife from the donkey''s back, held it in his arms, and shouted, "Where''s Leader Chen, come out and talk." These two were tax officials. Familiar faces, they came to collect taxes every year, to plunder. Seeing the two of them made all the hunters in the village realize that the spring prohibition had started and it was time to pay the spring tax. In the past, these matters were always handled by Chen Yuan''s family. The village information was closed, and the two tax officials were evidently unaware of the demise of Chen Yuan''s family. At Shen Qing''s suggestion, Zhang Baqing braced himself and stepped forward, trying to be as courteous as possible, and said, "Leader Chen''s family met with an accident in the mountains." "All dead?" The two tax officials exchanged glances, each seeing disbelief in the other''s eyes, "Who is in charge of Hongshan Village now?" Zhang Baqing instinctively glanced at Shen Qing, who timely averted his gaze. He understood and said, "I am a humble man, entrusted by the people in the village to take up some responsibility." "Good, then by the old rules, lead the way." The two tax officials dismounted, leading their donkeys as they walked forward. Passing by the gathered villagers, one of them curiously asked, "What are you all looking at?" A hunter saw it as a good opportunity and quickly stepped forward, saying, "There''s a demon tiger in the mountain, it took away Chen Yixiang''s whole family. Honored officials, please think of some solutions, or else everyone in our village won''t be able to live peacefully." "Hahaha..." The two tax officials laughed heartily, "You call yourselves hunters, if there''s a tiger on the mountain, shouldn''t you be happy? A tiger is full of treasures, enough for you all to live well." "But... that''s a demon tiger, sirs!" "Enough, stop this nonsense. Do you think with this trick you won''t have to pay taxes? A tiger is just a tiger, not a demon tiger..." The two tax officials evidently did not believe the villagers'' words. Traveling on tax collection duties, they had encountered all sorts of tactics. Some jumped into cesspits, played crazy, or acted foolish. Some claimed to have plagues. Some said their village was haunted, and a sow climbed trees. Some even castrated themselves, selling their wives. The list was endless. They had long since grown used to such antics. They had come out with great difficulty, relying on this moment to make their earnings. How could they believe these ghost stories? Zhang Baqing dared not say more and hurried to invite the two tax officials into his wooden house, where he lit a fire and boiled water. Then he instructed the village to prepare good food and wine to entertain them. However, the two tax officials showed no gratitude. They looked around with dissatisfaction. "Is this your home?" one tax official pointed at the shabby wooden house and sneered, "What a shabby place! Looks like you folks in Hongshan Village will need to pay more taxes this year." Zhang Baqing felt a sudden tightness in his heart, knowing these two tax officials were starting to make things difficult. He suppressed his anger, forced a smile, and said, "Honored officials, my house can''t compare to the connections of the Chen Yuan family, please forgive us." The two tax officials ignored him, chatting amongst themselves. Zhang Baqing did not dare to interrupt. Anyone from the official court had nourishment from the Martial Mechanism, making them martial masters with generally high realms. They were not people small households like them could provoke. After a while, each household contributed, and a decent spread of food and drink was arranged. Shen Qing was not stingy either, providing some of his own for them. The two tax officials saw the food and beverages on the table, but their brows furrowed. Zhang Baqing watched their expressions and explained, "This year''s harvest wasn''t good, we''ve done our best." The tax officials remained unmoved. They snorted coldly and began eating. Zhang Baqing stood by, smiling apologetically, probing, "Sirs, there really is a demon tiger in our village, everyone is in a panic. Does the government office have any way to manage it? If not, the little hunting we do won''t make much, soon there''s the spring prohibition, and we still have to pay taxes. This can''t keep on, we have no way to live." "This matter is simple. Besides the forest tax, household tax, leftover woman tax... you just need to pay a tiger tax." "The tiger tax doesn''t need to be much, one tael silver will do." Chapter 83 - 7 One-Hit Kill ``` "What? Are you two joking, sirs? One tael of silver... For our entire family, even during a bountiful harvest, not eating or drinking for a month would only bring in one tael of silver." "Are you questioning us?" A tax official suddenly drew a tiger head knife and pressed it against Zhang Baqing''s neck, "I don''t care what method you use, but you must pay this one tael of silver. In addition, you must also pay the Yellow Peril Tax." Zhang Baqing was completely bewildered, "What kind of tax is this?" "Haven''t you noticed how exhausting it is for the County Magistrate these past few days, eliminating the remnants of the Huang Tian Sect every single day? To ensure the safety of you common people, we set out early and return late without a moment''s rest, so you should show some compassion for us." One of the tax officials sheathed the knife from Zhang Baqing''s neck. Zhang Baqing opened his mouth to ask, "Sirs, then... How much is the total spring tax this time?" "Two and a half taels of silver per household." "What..." Zhang Baqing was left speechless upon hearing this, thinking he must have heard wrong. "Forest tax two hundred cents, household tax three hundred cents, Leftover Woman Tax one hundred cents, road tax one hundred cents, canal tax two hundred cents, property tax one hundred cents, broken window tax fifty cents, a discount on the tiger tax for you, nine hundred fifty cents, Yellow Peril Tax five hundred fifty cents." "All of this is clear and straightforward," the two tax officials said impatiently, "Any questions? Quickly go and collect. Otherwise, we will have to spend the night here today, and you''d have to add an overnight tax." Zhang Baqing was filled with indescribable anger and shock. This was just the spring tax alone. It was already far beyond their capacity to bear. But looking at the two officials'' tiger head knives, Zhang Baqing dared not protest further. Oblivious to the frigid weather, these two government officers only wore thin uniforms, their faces were red with health. Their martial prowess was certainly stronger than Chen Yuan and the likes of Shen Qing. Might was right, he simply couldn''t match them. He just felt oppressed. Zhang Baqing took a deep breath and sighed, "I''ll go urge for the payments." Watching Zhang Baqing''s departing figure, the two officials commented dismissively, "This bunch. They won''t move without a whipping and have the brains of a blockhead." "Be thankful. To have something to eat and drink in these deep mountain forests is already a blessing." "What''s gotten into the County Magistrate, to suddenly demand so much?" "Isn''t it because of the endless battle against the Yellow Bandits every year, hikes are happening everywhere in the country, not just our county? Besides, no matter how much is collected, our rule remains¡ªSanctuary keeps thirty percent, the County Magistrate takes thirty percent, and the remaining thirty percent is ours. The rest depends on our own capability." "Mm, that''s right." ... "Two and a half taels, so much?" Upon hearing the spring tax suddenly demanded two and a half taels of silver, Shen Qing found it hard to believe. The taxes had reached astronomical levels. Zhang Baqing sheepishly stayed silent. After pondering for a moment, Shen Qing said, "Zhang Bazi, wait for me a moment." With that, Shen Qing returned to his room and took out eight taels of silver, placing them on the table, "Zhang Batou, here are eight taels of silver. Consider it for my family, my uncle''s family, and Tian Xiaohu''s three families'' spring tax. Here''s also five hundred large coins, see who needs it and help them out." Zhang Baqing was amazed, seeing Shen Qing with a casual wave of his hand produce eight taels of silver, leaving him speechless. He didn''t expect such a significant change in Shen Qing, nodded several times while praising, and took the money out. Shen Qing wasn''t too distressed about the money; as long as the issue could be resolved with money, he didn''t want to bother further. Those two tax officials, if Shen Qing remembered correctly, were both martial masters of the Bone Refining Realm. Fewer troubles were better than more. Because of the tax collection, the village was thrown into chaos. It was not easy for Zhang Baqing, who finally managed to collect some from each household, handing it to the two tax officials. sea??h th§× n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The officials checked the amount, frowning, "Why is it so little?" "Sirs, some households only have the old and weak left, they are truly struggling. I hope you can show leniency," Zhang Baqing pleaded sincerely. One tax official took out a roster and said, "Your Hongshan Village has a total of thirty-six households, you should have collected ninety taels of cash, but there''s not even sixty taels here¡ªdo you take me for a fool?" "Sirs, our village now only has twenty-nine households, the Chen family has lost seven." "Are you stupid, or do you think I am? The roster clearly states thirty-six households; could all the remaining ones have died?" Zhang Baqing mumbled, "They are all dead!" Bang! As soon as he finished speaking, he felt a massive force in his abdomen. He flew through the air and crashed into the wall under a tax officer''s kick. Struggling to open his eyes, he felt the figures ahead were wavering. "Have everyone come forward. I will check each one. I don''t believe they''ve all died," the tax officer said fiercely. Many may become concealed households to evade taxes¡ªit takes some effort¡ªbut this blatant tax evasion was something they were witnessing for the first time. "Yes, yes." Bowing his back, Zhang Baqing nodded and bent over. Dong dong dong! The sound of gongs echoed, gathering many villagers. As the time felt right. One of the tax officials held the roster and looked at the crowd, "Hongshan Village has thirty-six households. Now you claim seven households are all dead? I''ve never heard something so outrageous. Whoever can explain these people''s whereabouts clearly, I''ll allow a reduction of three hundred tax cents for them." "Reporting, sir, they are indeed all dead." "Yes, they are dead." The gathered villagers agreed, living in the village with little exposure to the outside world. Regarding the incident with the Chen family, they had participated more or less, very worried about facing punishment under the Great Zhou''s laws, so they dared only to speak half-truths. Hidden among the crowd, Shen Qing observed the scene closely, feeling that these people, at least, understood the weight of the matter, not being foolish. The tax official, growing impatient, didn''t want to waste more time, "Since that''s the case, the spring tax for those seven households will be divided among you all, adding six hundred cents per household." "Whoa..." The tax official''s words were like a drop of water in boiling oil, inciting outrage among the people. They were dissatisfied with the tax official''s arrogance and tyranny. An old hunter, in particular, spoke angrily, "To gather this tax money, we can''t even afford to eat. And now you want more?" Hearing this, the tax officials not only didn''t relent but became even more arrogant. They drew their tiger head knives and coldly questioned, "Do you have an issue?" "I not only have one but a big one!" The old hunter, accustomed to roaming the mountains, exuded a wild aura. "Good, very good, excellent," said one of the officials, stepping forward with a cold demeanor, saying "good" several times. As he finished the last word, light flashed in his hand. Thud. The old hunter didn''t understand what happened before his head was lopped off with a single stroke. Blood spurted out, spreading across the scene. The tax official turned to look at the crowd, "Does anyone else have issues?" All the villagers of Hongshan Village remained silent. The other tax official closed the roster and said, "If you can''t gather enough tax money, see if there are siblings nearby¡ªin the city, there is a current shortage of forced labor, and you can use labor to offset taxes." Forced labor? Hearing these words, everyone shivered. Those who served as forced laborers rarely returned alive. "Good, I see everyone''s silence means no issues; so that''s how it will be." "I have something to say." Among the crowd, Shen Qing slowly stepped forward and approached the two tax officials. "What is it?" "Sir, how much is your life worth?" "Hmm? How dare you!" Thud! The tax official hadn''t finished. Shen Qing brought his fingers together, striking at lightning speed toward the officer''s throat, deeply piercing it. Wind Defying Finger. A deadly strike. "Ho ho ho... you¡­" ``` Chapter 84 - 8: All Shall Be Killed, I, The Troublesome People! The other tax official standing nearby was stunned by this scene. He had never imagined that someone in the village would dare to attack these tax officials. They were not like those officers; they were legitimate "officials," living off the government''s provisions. Even during the Great Zhou Dynasty''s martial arts training, they could partake in it, considered as minor officials of the ninth rank. At the very least, they had the cultivation of the Bone Refining Realm. They represented the face of the officials, with the Great Zhou Court as their backing. This was their confidence to be so arrogant outside. Otherwise, how could ordinary citizens dare to be so presumptuous? The tax official immediately snapped out of it and screamed: "Bold, looking for..." Thud! Before he could finish his sentence, and barely half drawing his tiger head knife, Shen Qing''s two fingers struck first. Before the tax official''s astonished gaze, Shen Qing''s fingers slipped along his jaw and pierced his throat. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. After the enhancement of the Blood Dominance Technique, Shen Qing''s arm strength was already terrifying, and combined with the technique of the Wind Defying Finger, he achieved a more than twofold result. The tax official''s throat was like tofu, his fingers easily pressed in. Without a hint of hesitation. The scene suddenly fell into an eerie silence. "Gurgle, gurgle..." The two tax officials'' windpipes were blocked by Shen Qing''s fingers, rendering them speechless. Blood surged up their throats. With a cold expression, Shen Qing twisted his fingers inside and then hooked them out. From the throats of the two tax officials, he pulled out a segment of red tubular objects. Blood gushed out like a faucet, constantly spraying. The two tax officials clutched their necks, glaring at Shen Qing, retreating step by step. Under the watchful eyes of Shen Qing and the villagers of Hongshan Village, they both fell to their knees with a thud, collapsed face-first to the ground. Like worms, they convulsed, then stopped moving. Their blood pooled together, forming a small puddle of blood. The rich smell of blood was continuously spreading, filling everyone''s nostrils. With a solemn face, Shen Qing casually threw the tubular segments on the ground, turning and looking at everyone. An elder from the Shen Family in the village, trembling with fear, asked hesitantly, "Qing... Qingzi, how could you do this? They are officials, not officers?" Officers were those hired from martial arts halls by the government office for work. Working one day earned a day''s pay. Many were mixed with gang elements, with uneven skills, often doing hard and tiring work. Even if they died, it wasn''t particularly serious. But these "officials" were different. Killing them would stir up trouble. Shen Qing glanced at the Shen Family elder and said calmly, "I am just a troublemaker, why can''t I?" "Ah!" "If you kill these two officials, it will only attract more officials, in the end, none of us will escape, and we''ll all die!" Shen Qing replied coldly, "So, should we let them exploit us, oppress us, kill us, and let them ravage our brothers and sisters? Now that there''s a demon tiger in the mountain, should we still pay this spring tax, do you think we still have a way to survive?" "If we''re going to die killing, and die not killing, then wait for death? We might as well kill them and have someone accompany us in death, why not?" The villagers remained silent. Because everything Shen Qing said was the truth. Just now, before their eyes, an old village hunter was killed as a warning. Why could the two tax officers kill, but they couldn''t? There was no such logic in the world. Everyone''s expressions began to fluctuate, with anger, fear, hatred, and even spiteful delight. Shen Qing surveyed the crowd, noting their expressions, his mouth curving into a smile. He hadn''t killed the two officials on impulse. Witnessing the tax officer kill the village''s old hunter made him immediately realize it was a good chance to win people''s hearts. The county government hadn''t stepped in, but with just two tax officials, people from Hongshan Village were willing to hand over money. Why? Because of fear! Fear that not paying would result in the tax officials, the government office, not sparing them, leaving them no way out. What was hidden within that fear? Rage! Shen Qing stood out, rooting out the anger in their hearts. For his use. Shen Qing wasn''t afraid they would report him. Because, given the county government''s conduct, even with accusations, clearing oneself, the government wouldn''t lightly punish them, it wouldn''t benefit them. It might even lead to harsher penalties. Moreover, the village tradition of common hatred against the enemy meant such actions were purely self-destructive, bringing no benefits. With ill officials ahead, demonic tigers in the mountain. It wasn''t him being cornered. Just as Shen Qing anticipated, his words received much approval. Two and a half silver taels wasn''t a small sum. After paying this spring tax, what about the summer tax, the autumn tax, the winter tax? The appetites of those in the government office were insatiable! If they hadn''t killed the Chen family members before, dividing quite a bit. They probably couldn''t amass the money for this spring tax either. "Qingzi is right! We''ll die killing, and die not killing, why wait for death?" Among the villagers, a youthful, vigorous hunter excitedly exclaimed, "Now most of the mountain prey fill that demon tiger''s belly, my father and I hunt all day in the mountains, can''t earn fifty copper coins." "After paying this spring tax, my family won''t even have a half grain of food left, these evil officials just want us dead!" Tian Xiaohu shouted, "Good kill, I''m a troublemaker too, if the government wants to arrest me, let them come. These two officials were killed by me! Not related to Qingzi!" "Include me, unrelated to Qingzi!" Another stood out, righteously shouting. "Include me!" "I..." The scene suddenly turned lively. After seeing enough, Shen Qing, hands behind his back, said earnestly, "No need to argue, the people are dead, who killed them doesn''t matter anymore. We need to think about what to do next?" Others quickly agreed, "Yes, yes, what do we do next?" Shen Qing paced back and forth, pondering for a while, then said, "Nowadays, with the mountain''s demon tiger unchecked, we''re barely gaining anything here, living well is very difficult. The best solution is to move elsewhere." Zhang Baqing asked, "Move where?" "The world doesn''t want us to live, we''ll seek a living in the city!" Shen Qing revealed his ultimate idea. "To the city?!" Everyone exchanged glances. They never thought Shen Qing would propose such a method. "But it''s not easy entering the city, what will we do for a living there?" The Great Zhou Country tightly regulated citizens'' identities. Those with different backgrounds had to fulfill assigned roles and uses. Being hunters, if they went to the city, without a place to settle, or a proper job, they''d soon become jobless drifters, losing their status. For them, it was undeniably risky. However, Shen Qing thought otherwise. Chapter 85 - 9 Enter the City! Enter the City! Demon Tiger Blocks the Way! A while ago, Zhao Ba was killed by him. After that, the issue with the Huang Tian Sect arose, and the shantytown in the West City area was basically cleared out. Now that area in the West City had no leader, it was the perfect time to fish in troubled waters. Bringing some people over, they might soon be able to open up a new situation. These people were all fellow villagers and neighbors, undoubtedly more reliable. Things were different now. Back then, he did not have such thoughts, but now the mountain goods business couldn''t be done. Along with the demon tiger and evil officials assisting, he had no reason not to give it a try. "Fellow villagers and neighbors, to be honest, recently Taiping County recently cleared out a batch of remnants from Huang Tian Sect. A large part of the outer city''s shantytown is now empty, perfect for us to settle." "Everyone here is in the hunting business, why not broaden our horizons? The prey isn''t just in the mountains; the outer city can be considered our hunting ground as well." "Qingzi... do you mean... you want us to rob?" a young hunter said straightforwardly. Shen Qing smirked and said, "Rob what? We''re hunting, fair and square, just the prey is different." Although Shen Qing''s words were a bit roundabout, they still understood. It was indeed robbing! Robbing was great. It was much better than struggling to catch rabbits in these deep forested mountains. Some of the more adventurous hunters licked their lips, suddenly eager to try. Shen Qing continued, "I''ll be upfront with everyone. The Hall Master of Linfeng Hall, who is also my uncle, intends to take me as a direct disciple. We have connections to rely on in the county town. If you trust me, I will definitely make sure you establish roots in the county town." His gaze swept across as he picked up a roster from the ground, "And in the county town, the roster is checked and replaced at least once every six months. When the time comes, if within those six months anyone regrets and wants to scrape by, they can return as an escape route." "Anyway, it''s better than now, what do you say? Are you willing?" Tian Xiaohu, a solitary person, had long seen Shen Qing''s methods. He firmly trusted his judgment and was the first to agree, "Of course I''m willing, I''ll go with you." "I''m willing too." Shen Xiaohu immediately stood up. Shen Xiaoshan followed closely. Uncle Shen the Second, standing aside, knew that the money for this spring''s tax was all given by Shen Qing. He didn''t know what had happened to his nephew during this time. But to come up with such an amount of money in such a short time, he clearly had some skill. As life became untenable, based on trust in Shen Qing and the desire for a shot, Shen the Second also agreed. Zhang Baqing had the same idea. Gradually, nearly twenty households in Hongshan Village mostly agreed to go to town with Shen Qing. These households were mainly young people. The rest were either old or weak, or Chen family members who were not on good terms with Shen Qing. Everyone had their own ambitions, and Shen Qing didn''t force them. "Alright, the tax money you''ve each paid, take it back." Shen Qing said, "My share can go to Uncle Wang''s family." The Uncle Wang mentioned by Shen Qing was the old hunter killed by the tax officials. Two and a half silver taels were given just like that. Everyone instantly felt that Shen Qing was noble and righteous. Shen Qing announced, "Time is of the essence, those who agreed to go with me, pack up early. We''ll leave after brunch." "Alright." The village''s many villagers started to take action. Shen Qing approached Tian Xiaohu and Shen the Second, reminding, "Uncle, Xiaohu, don''t forget to take back your tax money." Uncle Shen the Second and Tian Xiaohu exchanged a glance simultaneously. Their tax money was all given by Shen Qing. Now being told to take it back, wasn''t it being given to them? Shen the Second was deeply moved, further convinced that his nephew was a person who repaid kindness. Tian Xiaohu felt the same, feeling more confident in his choice. Returning to the house, Shen Qing didn''t delay and called his elder sister, planning to pack up and move valuables to the outer city. Shen Fang was somewhat reluctant, "Are we really moving?" "Trees move and die, people move and live. People live on the water and grass, there''s nothing worth missing about these rundown dirt houses." "Alright then." Shen Fang said no more and started packing immediately. In the twenty days since Shen Qing brought things back from the city, they had almost used them all up. There wasn''t much to pack. Quickly, they were ready to go. As Shen Qing was packing, Zhang Shuyuan, who heard about the move, came to visit. "Sir, is this?" Shen Qing asked curiously. "I want to use your cart to move some books." Zhang Shuyuan said straightforwardly. S§×ar?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Shen Qing didn''t expect that Zhang Shuyuan, who had been silent, also wanted to move. He laughed, "Sir, it''s a small matter, just move them as you like." Zhang Shuyuan cupped his hands and said, "Thank you." Outside, Zhang Shuyuan couldn''t help but sigh, "With most people moving, if I don''t, those left won''t care if I live or die, I''d starve." "If I starve, old master''s literary legacy will have one less person to pass it on to, that can''t happen, I have to go with them." ... By noon, many people were already packed, with families standing at the village entrance ready to enter the city with Shen Qing. Some families who didn''t want to go were seeing them off at the village entrance. A hunter from the Chen family earnestly said, "Qingzi, sorry, we won''t go with you this time. But rest assured, we won''t utter a word about you killing the tax officials. If you hear a whisper outside, may I die a horrible death." Shen Qing shook his head, said seriously, "You''re wrong, these two tax officials weren''t killed by us; they were killed by the demon tiger in the mountains!" "We found a demon tiger in the village, and the two lords died doing their duty tracing its tracks, unfortunately killed by it... it had nothing to do with us. Isn''t that right, everyone?" Those present were not fools; they soon understood. Shen Qing was framing the blame. Now the bodies of the two tax officials had been thrown into the deep mountains. One has to admit, this was logical! "Yes, Qingzi is right, it was the demon tiger in the mountains, I saw it with my own eyes." "I saw it too, that demon tiger was red-yellow all over and spoke like a human, it had become a spirit." "What''s more? The demon tiger had a pack of wolves with it, I reckon it was already ruling the mountain." "..." Everyone spoke up, turning a non-existent story vivid and believable. The scene suddenly became ridiculous and amusing. "Folks, we''re going ahead to scout the way. Once things settle, if you regret it, it''s not too late to come over." "Alright, waiting for your good news, safe travels." "Farewell." Shen Qing waved, and the horse and donkey carts slowly started, about twenty families with their belongings, leaving the village with a bit of reluctance, moving towards Taiping County. After they were far, the few remaining families quickly replaced their reluctant and awkward expressions with sneers. "The city isn''t as easy as they think, they''ll know once they hit a wall." "And the matter of killing tax officials is all Shen Qing''s doing, nothing to do with us. Those people, they''re too easy to deceive." "Let''s go, now that they''re gone, we can choose any house to stay in. It doesn''t matter if we use their place to do our business, haha..." "True, makes sense." Just then, gusts of wind unexpectedly blew down from the mountain. A forest crisp with crackles, as if swayed by the wind. Chapter 86 - 10: Becoming a Tigers Accomplice, Slaughtering the Village It was noon. The early spring sun carried a trace of warmth, dispelling the lingering cold of many days. Sunlight dappled its way through the dense forest of Shicheng Mountain. Amidst the interplay of light and shadow, a sense of forbidding silence lingered. "Creak..." A faint sound of breaking branches emerged from deep within the forest, followed by the slow appearance of a massive, white-eyed tiger. Its fur showed a profound yellow, interspersed with black stripes, and its eyes gleamed with a lively sparkle. Wherever it passed, the wind howled. "Master, this way." A ghostly voice resonated beside the white-eyed tiger. It slightly turned its head, speaking in a human tongue: "How far is it to your village?" As the tiger finished speaking, a figure quietly appeared behind it. It was a thin, pallid Ghost. Clad in a hunter''s attire, his empty eyes glowed with an eerie red light. The Ghost bowed his head and respectfully replied, "Master, just beyond this dense forest is ahead." "Good, as long as you bring me a hundred people, I''ll let you go." The tiger demon''s eyes gleamed with a fierce brilliance, its voice deep and commanding. "All at your command, Master," the gaunt Ghost replied expressionlessly. The tiger demon nodded slightly, then took a sturdy step forward. Its tail swayed gently, stirring up a gust of wind, rustling the leaves. The Ghost followed closely, his ethereal form sticking tightly behind the tiger demon, occasionally raising his head to glance at the tiger demon''s commanding back, a complex emotion flickering in his eyes. Soon, they arrived at the entrance of Hongshan Village. The white-eyed tiger''s mouth curved upward in a human-like smile. "You truly didn''t deceive me, haha¡­ Just the place for me to have a feast and enhance my cultivation. I hadn''t expected that human flesh and blood could benefit me so much." The Ghost spoke with an expression devoid of joy or sorrow, "If it helps you, Master, then better." "Good, follow me into your village for a stroll. If suitable, I might stay here for a while." A glint of cruelty flashed in the tiger demon''s eyes as it quickened its pace toward Hongshan Village. It stopped briefly before the village gate, took a few steps back, then charged forward. The not-so-tall village gate was no obstacle for the bull-sized white-eyed tiger; with a light leap, it agilely jumped inside. The white-eyed tiger, with the Ghost, entered Hongshan Village. It opened its blood-red mouth, letting out an earth-shaking roar, while in this roar, the Ghost''s form became increasingly ethereal, as if it might dissipate into the wind at any moment. "Roar!" ... Shen Qing had some history with the Chen Family, but did not trouble the remaining members and even showed them some care. However, Chen Jinzhong and the others were not appreciative of Shen Qing''s kindness. After all, their surname was Chen, and they shared the same bloodline. It was impossible for them to remain indifferent when their kin were killed. Moreover, they did not trust Shen Qing''s words, even blaming him for being too impulsive. Whatever the tax officials asked for should have been given. If the money was sufficient, these troubles would not have ensued. In their eyes, it was all Shen Qing''s problem, unrelated to them. Thus, paths that diverged should not converge. When Shen Qing suggested going to the county with the village folks, they refused to go, not wanting to seek discomfort. They preferred to live separately, without interference. Apart from their Chen family, four other households with few members remained. After sending the villagers accompanying Shen Qing away, Chen Jinzhong and others gathered the remaining folks to discuss upcoming trivial matters. Such as whether to repair the village walls, if the mountain fields needed more clearing, or whether to share cooking equipment... These matters were crucial to their future welfare and required cautious attention. Just as they gathered and were about to speak, a tiger''s roar echoed. "What''s going on?" The faces of Chen Jinzhong and everyone turned pale with panic. "Grab your weapons and take a look outside." "Okay." Led by Chen Jinzhong, who picked up a hunting knife, they went out. Each person took some kind of weapon, following behind. They pushed open the door cautiously, a group of men who lived off the mountain, scanning the surroundings. With most of the Hongshan Village hunters gone, the village seemed cold and desolate, making everyone feel more uneasy. The earlier roar seemed to come from the village entrance, but whatever it was, there were enough of us to take it down, even a mountain tiger. Chen Jinzhong''s call encouraged everyone''s spirits. However, after walking only a few steps, they saw something ahead that made them feel plunged into an ice cellar, immobilized as if under a spell, unable to move another step. A cow-sized tiger strolled leisurely through the village, followed by a Ghost, walking step by step towards them. "Chen... Dacong..." "Tiger..." The white-eyed tiger halted, watching them curiously, "Didn''t you say your village had over ninety people, why so few?" "I... I don''t know either." Chen Dacong, now a Ghost, looked even paler. S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The white-eyed tiger showed displeasure, "Hmph, then you stay inside." With one swift motion, it swallowed the terrified Ghost Chen Dacong, turning its eyes toward Chen Jinzhong and the others, "Slightly fewer, but enough to get by." "Don''t be afraid¡­" Before Chen Jinzhong could finish, he was swept up by a demon wind, caught by the white-eyed tiger, and had his spine snapped in one bite. Witnessing this, the others were terrified, fleeing in all directions in panic. Unfortunately, against this dreadful demon, all their efforts were in vain. The white-eyed tiger leaped forward, easily biting into one''s shoulder and ripping it apart. A living person was torn into two. His intestines and organs spilled forth. One hunter came to his senses, rushed into a house to grab a hunting bow, and shot an arrow. But the usually reliable arrow was impeded by the demonic wind, landing on the white-eyed tiger, causing no harm. "Roar!" With a roar, the white-eyed tiger unleashed a scarlet wind, sweeping the hunter forward. One flick of its tail sent his head flying. The rest, facing such a tiger demon, lost all will to fight, turning the scene into a one-sided massacre. They wielded farm tools, trying to resist the terrifying demon, but their efforts were futile. The tiger demon''s power was beyond their imagination. Even sturdy houses could be easily demolished. In that moment, they regretted not leaving with Shen Qing at noon, avoiding such a disaster. But regrets led nowhere. With a final scream, the last remaining villager in Hongshan Village perished in the tiger''s jaws. All villagers were dead. Chapter 87 - 11 No Way Out, Settling in the Outer City "The physical bodies of the Human Clan are really too weak, yet such a weak race is regarded as the leader of all spirits, which is truly unfair. Now, in this age of great competition, I have awakened spiritual wisdom and should seize the initiative, to change the master of this world." The massive tiger with drooping eyes walked up to a villager who had fallen to the ground, one of his legs still intact. Its eyes were indifferent as it opened its bloody maw and tore off the entire leg, then sat down slowly and began to lick the leg, savoring the meal. Each lick of its tongue scraped off a layer of meat, producing a hissing sound. A strong scent of blood and a demonic odor filled the village. "How pleasant... I''ve heard that the Human Clan also likes my whip, saying it''s a delicacy. Someday I''ll catch some people and see if they really do like it..." ... On the mountain path, many villagers leaving Hongshan Village walked with bewildered faces. Some villagers regretted leaving just after departing. "The child''s father, maybe we shouldn''t go? The more I think about it, a golden nest or silver nest isn''t as good as our own kennel. Haven''t the government officials arrived yet? If they do come and hold us accountable, it won''t be too late to flee into the mountains." A woman in the crowd said to her man. The man beside her, weighed down with the heavy family possessions, kept silent. "Say something." "We''ve left, we''re not going back." "..." Without the pressure of the external environment, many people''s thoughts began to change, and similar doubts arose among other households. "Roar..." Just as everyone''s resolve began to waver, a tiger''s roar sounded from afar. The roar was overwhelming, with rolling waves of sound like thunder reverberating as if the howl of an ancient beast echoed in their ears, making their hearts tremble. Everyone stopped and turned back to look. "It seems to have come from our Hongshan Village." Someone recognized the direction of the roar, looking puzzled. Shen Qing, at the head of the group, called Tian Xiaohu over and said, "Take a few people and go back to the village to see what''s happening, be careful." "Alright, you two come with me." Tian Xiaohu put down the family belongings he carried out, grabbed only a bow, randomly selected two Tian Family young men, and hurriedly headed back toward Hongshan Village. Shen Qing found a suitable spot to rest on the spot. They hadn''t been away from Hongshan Village for long, only traveling two or three miles. With Tian Xiaohu and the others'' speed, it took less than a moment for them to be back at the entrance of Hongshan Village. "The smell of blood is very strong, something''s not right. We won''t enter the village, we''ll go into the mountains and check the village''s condition from a high point." Tian Xiaohu''s nose was very sensitive, and he became alert upon sensing something unusual. The few people followed Tian Xiaohu to a high point in the forest. Here, the view was wide, allowing them to overlook the entirety of Hongshan Village, a spot where they often rested while hunting. Reaching the position and parting the branches, Tian Xiaohu saw the bloody scene in the village, his face suddenly horrified. Not only him but the few Tian Family youths with him were also terrified. They clearly saw a massive tiger with drooping eyes holding a leg, savoring it with relish. All the remaining people in the village were dead. Seeing a human figure floating behind the giant tiger, they were even more frightened out of their wits. Good heavens! It really was a demon tiger! At this moment, waves of relief surged in their hearts. If they hadn''t left earlier, then it would have been them lying in pools of blood. "Let''s go back quickly and tell Qingzi about this." Tian Xiaohu withdrew his gaze and said frantically. The Tian Family youths with him dared not stay longer, hastily leaving. In fear of disturbing the demon tiger, Tian Xiaohu carefully took a detour, avoiding the village. After spending more time, they dashed onto the mountain path and sprinted all the way. Tian Xiaohu, panting heavily, exclaimed, "The demon tiger came, everyone left in the village is dead!" The dreadful news thundered in the villagers'' ears of Hongshan Village like a bolt from the blue. They were even more terrified, increasingly feeling their decision to leave the village was a wise and timely one, validating Shen Qing''s suspicions. Those villagers who had just been clamoring to return now cowered like quaking quails. Despite their lucky escape, they all knew clearly that there was no going back, their retreat was cut off entirely. The place occupied by the tiger demon was no longer suitable for hunters like them. The atmosphere on the mountain path suddenly turned oppressive. At the front of the group, Shen Qing did not offer any comforting words, maintaining his composure. After everyone digested the news, he said just one thing: "Enter the city." His words were not heavy, nor even loud. Despite this, the words acted like a hook, pulling everyone toward Taiping County. The wheels on the carts and donkey carts began to turn again, creaking along. The people of Hongshan Village walked forward soullessly. The weather today was very nice. The sky was crystal clear, cloudless. In the past, Shen Qing would take about an hour by cart to reach there. But with people in tow, their pace slowed significantly. From before noon they walked until dusk, taking about three hours to reach the outskirts of Taiping County''s Outer City. Most of the villagers from Hongshan Village had rarely traveled far, seldom visiting Taiping County. They were very unfamiliar with this place. Instinctively, they all looked to Shen Qing. At the forefront, Shen Qing shouted, "Everyone, take out your bows and weapons, hold them outside. Let the women and children walk inside the group, I''ll lead you to find a place." There was no objection or doubt. The group made a racket, as hunters rummaged through their belongings for suitable weapons. After some time, they managed to stand in a rough order as Shen Qing had arranged. Seeing the preparations were about adequate, Shen Qing led the sixty to seventy villagers from Hongshan Village, grandly heading toward the Outer City. Gathered together like this, with weapons in hand, they looked fierce and hard to provoke. Many onlookers were curious but dared not approach to inquire. Passing through familiar Seven Turns Alley, they reached a shantytown alley. After confirming the location, Shen Qing walked straight in. The others followed closely behind. This area used to be the den of the Huang Tian Sect, housing many people. sea??h th§× Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Because of the Yellow Angel incident, the people living here were disrupted by the officials, with many killed or fled, leaving many empty houses. Perfect for their settlement. Shen Qing went inside to check, finding many houses had been looted, leaving only empty sheds. Over twenty days had passed, with some houses taken by homeless wanderers or neighbors, though most were still empty. They could squeeze in to live. After settling down, the rest could be handled slowly. Now was not the time to be picky. The villagers of Hongshan Village were very pleased, not expecting there to be a place to settle upon arrival. Without Shen Qing needing to worry, they busied themselves. This time, as Shen Qing led the people of Hongshan Village into the shantytown, it caused quite a stir, and he anticipated some trouble might not be far behind. However, he didn''t expect it to come so quickly. That night, just as he settled and tidied up, someone under the command of a person claiming to be Brother Biao kicked open his door. Chapter 88 - 12 The killing of the chicken to scare the monkey, the hunting moment begins The gates of the shantytown were cobbled together with wooden planks, inherently fragile. With one kick, they shattered into several pieces, scattered all over the ground. Inside the house, Shen Qing and Shen Xiaohu had just made the bed and tidied up a bit, when they saw a sturdy man standing at the doorway. "Newcomers, do you know the rules? Settling in here without Brother Biao''s permission, are you tired of living?" "Brother Biao?" Shen Qing and Shen Xiaohu exchanged glances, unfamiliar with the name. In the past twenty days, every time Tian Xiaohu entered the city to sell mountain goods, Shen Qing would ask him to gather information about the city. He paid attention to the West City area as well. He knew that ever since Boss was killed by him, many new faces had appeared in the West City area, intending to form new gang forces. There were two struggles he had heard about. But he had no impression of this so-called Brother Biao. He must be an insignificant leader in the West City area. Truly lacking in insight. There were so many of them with knives and sticks, just at a glance you could tell they weren''t to be messed with, yet they came over to provoke, weren''t they courting death? Shen Qing touched the bow and arrows that hadn''t been hung on the wall yet, sighed deeply, and showed a look of regret. He really didn''t want to leave a bad impression on the neighbors right after arriving. "Who is Brother Biao, I don''t know, and I don''t want to know." Shen Qing''s gaze locked on the sturdy man at the door, his wrist giving a twitch, and the bow was instantly drawn to full. With a whoosh, the bowstring trembled, and the arrow left the bow. Shen Qing moved as swiftly as thunder, in a pleasing, seamless manner. No flashy movements, just a precise, faultless strike. The arrow transformed into a line, hitting the sturdy man''s throat directly. The sturdy man was pierced by the arrow, blood gushed out instantly. He stared wide-eyed in astonishment, attempted to cover the wound with his hands, to no avail. The sturdy man never expected the young man inside the house to be so decisive and straightforward, resorting to action without a word. Under Shen Qing''s gaze, with a thud, the sturdy man slumped sideways to the ground. His neck stuck on the threshold, blood trickling down continuously from it. The sturdy man''s body trembled a few times in the pool of blood, then lay still. Shen Qing retracted his gaze, eyes falling onto the bow in his hand. With his current strength, he could at least open a heavy bow of twenty stones. This bow had no more than five stones of strength, to him it was like a child''s toy, too weak. It could only deal with some ordinary people. Faced with some powerful martial masters, such a bow would be of no use at all. He needed to make a new bow. Just as he was contemplating the matter of the bow and arrow, Shen Qing suddenly heard a commotion outside the house. He furrowed his brows, took over a dozen arrows, and went out. Seeing all over the outside with shadows bustling about, it dawned on him. They actually came in one breath with nearly forty people. The one who barged into his house just now was merely a hapless guy, not specifically targeting him. Though it seemed like many people were with them this time, in reality, excluding the women, the elderly, and the weak, there were only twenty-three real hunters, including him. The opponents were nearly twice their number. No wonder they were so arrogant. No wonder they were so foolish, daring to come to provoke. The night was as dark as ink. At this moment, the quiet shanty town streets had been broken by this sudden uproar. The lights in the shantytown were dim and flickering, illuminating the ferocious faces of more than forty gang members. They held clubs, some had short knives gleaming with cold light at their waists, and they surged into this newly moved commune aggressively. The villagers from Hongshan Village were busy tidying up their belongings, interrupted by this unexpected chaos. Many women and children screamed in fright, terrified. Leading the gang members was a sturdy man with a full face of flesh and a big belly. He glared viciously at the villagers, shouting loudly, "This place is my territory, Tang Biao''s territory. You moved here without notifying me, didn''t you?" "These houses were originally empty, how is it your territory?" The hunters from Hongshan Village never liked to suffer losses and confronted him directly. "If I say it is, then it is." Tang Biao''s face flesh trembled, his entire Qi-Blood surged, suddenly rushing forward like a wild boar, crashing into a villager. That villager flew back like a kite with a broken string, crashing onto the shack. The simple shack shattered in an instant. The villager painfully rolled on the ground. This was someone who had practiced martial arts. These hunters were no match for him. A ferocious smile flashed on Tang Biao''s face. Once someone practiced martial arts, they could easily overpower three or five people with just strength, running rampant in the village. Sear?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. His Great Perfection of Qi and Blood was certainly stronger than those who had just begun martial training. Before, when Zhao Ba was around, his Great Perfection of Qi and Blood could only bow down, tucking his tail between his legs. Now Zhao Ba was dead, the gang leaderless, just the moment for him to display his prowess. He had to secure a place in this chaotic shantytown. These people dared to rudely occupy his territory without even a word. Even if he didn''t want to act, his men would keep urging him on. Otherwise, everyone would think he was timid, and the forty people he had just rallied might disperse by half in no time. Everyone living here talked about loyalty, but never adhered to it. Whoever had the bigger fists could seize the best and richest territory in West City. Tang Biao wasn''t very clear about these people''s details. He was simply taking a gamble. If he won, suppressing these people, he could both expand his forces and win people''s hearts, solidifying his position further. If he lost, well, then dead men tell no tales. Trying to mix in the gang, it was no use if you were scared of this. Tang Biao''s eyes flashed with cold light, shaking the fat on his body, pressing step by step towards the villager in front. He planned to make an example by dealing with this villager as the chicken to be slaughtered. "Die!" Tang Biao clasped his hands together and hammered downwards. An arrow shot with a strange angle straight towards his waist. His face changed, stepping aside an inch. The arrow just pierced into his abdomen. Sharp pain continuously transmitted from the lower abdomen. Tang Biao abruptly looked in the direction of the arrow, seeing a young man swiftly draw another arrow, setting it on the bow. His face twisted as he said viciously, "Get rid of him for me." Shen Qing looked at the surrounding ruffians, his face showed no panic, but a hint of excitement. He licked his lips and said, "Ladies and gentlemen, the hunting time has come, it''s time for us to hunt!" Whoosh! Shen Qing suddenly released the arrow, like pearls on a string. The rushing ruffians, without any warning under the night sky, fell backward one by one, life or death unknown. As soon as Shen Qing finished speaking, Tang Biao suddenly felt the atmosphere here getting a bit eerie. Rustling sounds kept emerging around. Those villagers, already unafraid of death, suddenly flashed with crimson fierce light in their eyes under the night sky. As if... as if they were hungry wolves! Chapter 89 - 13 From now on, we call the shots here ``` Tang Biao suddenly felt a sense of foreboding. These people were more troublesome than he had imagined. However, it had already come to this. Once the bow was drawn, there was no turning back. Tang Biao viciously said, "Finish them, their whole families are relocating, they must have a lot of valuables, take as much as you can." Regardless of where these people came from, they were definitely not a benevolent sort. On his territory, sooner or later, there would be a battle. After all, territory could not be moved, and he did not want to give up what he had eaten. Might as well take advantage of their current strength and push through in one go. Before they could establish themselves, press them down. "Kill, kill ruthlessly!" The scene was utter chaos. Shen Qing used up all the dozen feathered arrows beside him in one breath, his archery in the night was frighteningly accurate. Almost every arrow took down a person or horse, creating a vacuum zone. Tang Biao realized that Shen Qing''s archery was already at a masterful level and couldn''t let him continue. He yanked out the arrow stuck in his belly, bringing out bits of yellow fat. Tang Biao broke the arrow, threw it on the ground, and charged madly at Shen Qing, raising a gust of howling wind. Shen Qing squinted his eyes, noticing the power in Tang Biao''s charge. Facing Tang Biao''s fierce collision, he took a deep breath and tossed aside his bow, now devoid of arrows. The Blood Dominance Technique he had practiced for many days was pushed to its limit. Suddenly, his inner Qi-Blood surged, and an invisible force began to flow in his veins. Bang, bang, bang. A series of strange sounds continuously emerged from Shen Qing''s body. With these odd noises, his muscles swelled up, infused with endless power. His stature also stretched under this force, appearing even more robust and imposing. Seeing this, Tang Biao was startled, he hadn''t expected Shen Qing to be so unusual. "But I''ve trained in hard skills for pure strength, even martial masters with stretching skills might not be stronger than me, watch me crash you to death. Kill!" Tang Biao exerted all his strength, thinking it enough to knock Shen Qing away, but realized he was entirely wrong. Boom! With a strange sound. Shen Qing clasped his hands together and firmly caught the charge, his lower body as stable as a rock. His fists clenched, veins bulging, he could almost hear the sound of blood coursing through his body. Tang Biao was shocked, finding it hard to believe Shen Qing had such strength. One hit failed. He tried to adjust his breathing, aiming to use his size advantage to press down again. But in this instant, Shen Qing moved. "Strength is impressive, but how about this?" "Heh!" Shen Qing let out a light shout, his arms suddenly exerted force. The veins on his arms bulged high, his muscles like iron lumps, clinging to his arms. In Tang Biao''s astonished gaze, Shen Qing tightly wrapped his arms around him, lifted him high, and slammed him to the ground. Bang! The whole ground seemed to shake slightly, with faint cracks appearing. Shen Qing used tremendous force, leaving Tang Biao disoriented. "Not so tough after all." Shen Qing joined his fingers together and swiftly pointed downward. Before Tang Biao could raise his arms to defend, Shen Qing''s fingers already landed on his throat. Like a snake bite, Shen Qing''s finger "pecked" lightly at Tang Biao''s throat, piercing a bloody hole. Tang Biao only felt a coldness spreading from his neck, as if his life gate was being strangled, his body went rigid. He touched his neck, finding it covered in blood. Tang Biao''s mind was in chaos. At this moment, he realized he had kicked an iron plate today. He had become the chicken to be killed as a warning to others. Shen Qing frowned, looking at Tang Biao beneath him with some dissatisfaction. He was too fat, all oil, a finger couldn''t go deep enough to kill. So, he could only poke a few more times. Shen Qing joined his fingers together, using the technique of the Wind Defying Finger, his hands turned into shadows, landing on Tang Biao like a storm. In an instant, Tang Biao was poked full of holes. Blood and oil mixed, filling the holes poked into him. Faced with Shen Qing''s rapid movements, Tang Biao had no defense, only watching helplessly as Shen Qing pierced his body. Spludge! The last strike, Shen Qing''s finger landed on Tang Biao''s chest, piercing deep, puncturing his heart with a bloody hole. Tang Biao coughed twice, spitting out the blood foam accumulated in his chest cavity, his head tilted, and he became still. Throughout the process, he was entirely in a suppressed state. Shen Qing stood up, sweeping a sharp gaze around, making Tang Biao''s subordinates palpitate with fear. In their eyes, it was just a flash, Shen Qing killed their boss with a few finger strikes, it was terrifying. "Pull out, pull out!" Shen Qing snorted coldly, "Now you want to leave, isn''t it a bit too late?" He hooked the longbow on the ground with his foot, catching it in hand, then walked forward. As he passed the ruffians he had shot dead, Shen Qing pulled out the arrows stuck in their bodies, notching his bow and rapidly shooting. He shouted loudly, "Don''t let a single one escape. Once we kill them and establish dominance, we''ll have a foothold here, from now on, this area will be under our control." "Roar roar!" The villagers of Hongshan Village, already filled with anger, seeing Shen Qing had dealt with the most troublesome martial master, had no scruples against the remaining ones. It had to be said, these hunters were born killers. Once they started, each killed more proficiently than the last. Some kept watch, some blocked roads, some threw traps, others specialized in hacking and killing... Here turned completely into a hunting ground for Hongshan. All the ruffians inside were their prey. Horrendous screams echoed endlessly. It only took two moments, for all the ruffians who had stormed in to be wiped out. Blood thoroughly stained the dirt red. Shen Qing spat disdainfully, "Cut off all their heads and pile them up into a Corpse Pile at the alley entrance to deter the lawless. So that none will dare disrupt our peace in the future." "Alright." While cleaning the scene, all the hunters wore bright smiles. "Hey, I found sixty copper coins, more than I make working in the village for a day," one hunter shouted happily. "I found some too, and this piece of leather, it''s worth quite a bit too." "This dagger isn''t bad either..." "..." S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The joy of harvesting could be heard repeatedly. The hunters were full of enthusiasm, searching every corpse. Shen Qing walked to Tang Biao''s side and searched, finding a money pouch. He poured it out, three golden leaves fell out, making him smile with joy. After enough searching, The villagers of Hongshan Village chopped a huge head, piled it as requested by Shen Qing at the alley entrance. Then each went back indoors, sleeping without any discomfort. ``` Chapter 90 - 14: Consolidate Peoples Hearts, Stabilize Your Foothold After killing those reckless hooligans, the alley returned to its tranquility. The old hunters from Hongshan Village carried on with their eating and sleeping as usual. After all, it wasn''t their first time killing someone, and everyone seemed to feel a bit at ease. Inside the house. After taking care of everything, Shen Qing called Shen Xiaohu and Tian Xiaohu over. "Brother Qingzi, why did you call us over this late? Are we going to kill someone else?" Tian Xiaohu asked cheerfully as soon as he entered. He had been lucky in the earlier fight, finding three to four hundred wen on a few bodies. Although this money couldn''t compare to what Shen Qing got each time, he was still quite happy since he earned it himself. Shen Qing took out a knife, wiped it, and said, "We need to go to Tang Biao''s place. He practices martial arts, so he must have some savings. I didn''t find much on him; it''s probably all at his house. We should go check." "Alright, Brother Qingzi, whatever you say," they responded. "No time to waste. Let''s go now then." Shen Qing strapped the cleaned knife to his waist and left with the two tigers. Once out of the alley, Shen Qing approached a sturdy-looking shack, knocked on the door, and said, "Neighbor, we''re new here, and we want to ask you something." "I don''t know, I don''t know, we know nothing," came a scared, trembling voice from inside. Shen Qing frowned, clearly annoyed, and glanced at Tian Xiaohu. Tian Xiaohu understood and kicked open the door. "Ah!" A scream echoed from inside the house, where a family of four huddled in a corner. The man leading the family held a long wooden stick, looking at Shen Qing and his companions in fear. The sounds of the killings in the alley earlier had truly terrified them. Shen Qing stood at the door without entering. He spoke gently, "We''re from Hongshan Village. Tang Biao has some grudges with us; I want to know where he lives. Just tell me where." The man inside had no choice and said, trembling, "His place is in... Liu Li Lane... there''s a big rock behind the door... turn right from here, and at the end turn left and you''ll see.... the biggest house there." "Alright." Shen Qing cupped his hands and left with Shen Xiaohu and Tian Xiaohu. After walking a couple of steps, he turned back, causing the relieved man inside to tense again. Under their watchful eyes, Shen Qing took out ten large coins, stacked them, and left them on their doorstep. "Thanks." Only then did he smile at them and truly leave. "They''ve really gone, right?" "I''ll go check." The man inside gripped the long stick tightly as he cautiously stepped to the door, peeking outside to find no one there. "Really gone?" He looked down at the ten large coins on the doorstep, which shimmered in the bright moonlight. ... "This is it?" Following the directions from the neighbor, Shen Qing stopped in front of a shack. This house stood out among the surrounding ones, despite its simplicity, and seemed to have the makings of a proper home. The light was still on inside. Shen Qing quickly approached, knocked on the door, and urgently shouted, "Something happened to Brother Biao." Clattering sounds came from inside before the door was opened. "What happened to him?" A concerned-looking woman opened the door. Seeing the unfamiliar faces of Shen Qing and his companions, she instantly sensed something was amiss and tried to shut the door again. Shen Qing held the door open with one hand. "What''s the rush?" Shen Qing pushed his way in, nudging the woman aside. The house was well-lit, with just this ordinary woman inside. Tian Xiaohu and Shen Xiaohu followed him in. Shen Qing sat on a chair and asked, "Tang Biao is dead. Give me something from the house." "I don''t know what you''re talking about," the woman said through gritted teeth. Shen Qing took out a golden leaf, showed it to the woman, and said, "You recognize this, right? He must have hidden some more in the house. I''m giving you a chance, don''t make me angry. If we really start searching, you won''t have any say in it." Seeing the golden leaf, the woman fell silent, her face changing as she seemed to resign herself to fate. She lifted a floorboard and pulled out a box. "It''s all in here." Shen Qing grabbed the box, feeling a pull. He glared at the woman, who reluctantly let go. Shen Qing opened the box to find it filled with numerous silver beans, silver fish, and some large coins, but no more golden leaves. He weighed it in his hand, estimating there were fifty or sixty taels. "Alright then." Shen Qing closed the box, stood up quickly. The woman, frightened, stepped back two paces, her hands shaking as she hastily said, "Don''t kill me, I''ll do anything. I can sleep with you." Shen Qing looked her up and down. She wasn''t ugly but wasn''t particularly attractive either. She probably ate decently which gave her a bit of fullness. Shen Qing ignored her offer, glanced around the room, and asked, "Tang Biao didn''t have a son, did he?" "No." "What about a daughter or son-in-law?" "None of those either. He came from elsewhere, and his family sank with a ship." "That saves us some trouble. You''re pretty sensible, so I won''t make it hard for you. We''re leaving." Shen Qing said no more, calling Shen Xiaohu and Tian Xiaohu to leave. As they were leaving, Shen Xiaohu couldn''t help but sneak a glance at the woman''s chest. So big, so round. He quickly stole another glance before reluctantly following Shen Qing and the others out. Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. On the way, Shen Qing took out four silver taels and gave them to the two, saying, "You both take these, then head back and call the men from each house." "Okay." Tian Xiaohu and Shen Xiaohu readily agreed, accepting the silver without fuss. "How''s your practice with the Nine Skills going recently?" Tian Xiaohu and Shen Xiaohu exchanged glances and sighed, "Not great, haven''t figured out the knack yet." "Don''t worry. Your training time has been short, focus on honing your bodies first. Times are unsettled, and for us to establish ourselves outside, it''s crucial to get our martial arts going." "We understand." Shen Qing didn''t say much more. He actually understood well. The Nine Skills is a basic cultivation technique, demanding high aptitude and difficult to train. It''s not easy to grasp its essentials. That being the case, it might be better to have more people in the village practicing it. Perhaps with enough attempts, someone might eventually make something of it. Today isn''t like the past, hoarding knowledge isn''t a good strategy. Back in the alley, his aunt was in his house talking to his elder sister Shen Fang about her grievances. Seeing Shen Qing and the others return, his aunt didn''t stop talking, leaving with her muttering. Shen Qing realized his aunt was afraid his elder sister would be alone and frightened in the unfamiliar place, so she came over to keep her company. "Sister, go to Aunt''s house for a bit; I have some things to discuss here." Shen Qing put the box on the table, looking at his aunt''s departing figure, and told his sister. "Okay." Shen Fang didn''t think much of it, tidying the house before following her aunt. After waiting in the house for a while, all the men from the different houses were called over. The shed Shen Qing chose was big enough, just fitting the twenty or so men inside. His uncle Shen the Second sat beside Shen Qing, looking at his increasingly accomplished nephew with some pride. He, usually a bit hunched, subconsciously straightened his back. The men who came in looked at Shen Qing, waiting for him to speak. Shen Qing didn''t notice his uncle Shen the Second''s thoughts, and lightly tapped the wooden box on the table. "Back in the village, when we hunted big prey together, everyone got a share. I just went to Tang Biao''s place and found some silver taels; I''m not keeping it for myself, so let''s share it today." "However, fair is fair, I''ll take half for myself." Upon hearing about the silver taels to be shared, the men in the room all smiled broadly. A lot of the people outside were killed by Shen Qing, but he hadn''t asked them for anything, so they felt like they got a good deal. Now there was extra money to share, which was a pleasant surprise. Even if Qingzi kept it all for himself, they wouldn''t have any complaints. "We''re just country bumpkins who''ve never seen the world, Qingzi. Whatever you say goes." Once someone broke the silence, others quickly chimed in agreement. "Alright, thanks for your trust. Let''s divvy it up; those injured in this ''hunt'' will get a bit more." Shen Qing decisively made up his mind and started distributing the money. In his view, the authority of a leader comes half from the fear of his power and half from their pursuit of benefits. Shen Qing didn''t expect that once they were in the county city, people would stick together as they did back home. Everyone is quite pragmatic. There are too many temptations outside. On the way, Shen Qing had also called over the village''s only scholar, Zhang Shuyuan, to count and tally. After about half an hour, each of the hunters returned home with one tael of silver, proudly recounting the event to their families, creating an atmosphere more jubilant than a festival. The more they all felt that choosing to follow Shen Qing was the right decision. After seeing off the village hunters, Shen Qing grabbed his uncle, Shen the Second, who was about to leave. "Uncle, wait a moment." "What''s up, Qingzi?" Shen Qing took out three more silver coins and put them in his uncle''s hand, saying, "The outer city is unlike the village, you need money for food, clothing, and everything else, even firewood has to be bought. Don''t be fooled by thinking one tael of silver is a lot, it doesn''t really go far. Take this, Uncle; our family needs a little extra care." Shen Qing spoke logically, with a certain decisiveness. They were all straightforward people, not wrapped up in formalities. Uncle Shen the Second glanced at the silver coins without saying much, tucked them into his pocket, and said, "Okay, your two cousins may not have much else, but they have some muscle. Whatever you need to do in the future, just use them! Our family may be poor, but we aren''t afraid of dying." Despite his words, Shen Qing was clever enough to hear the worry in Uncle Shen the Second''s heart. "Uncle, here''s what I''m thinking. Xiaohu has gotten quite familiar with things with me these days, so he can continue following me. As for Xiaoshan, he''s younger; he can stay in for now. Later, when things are better, we''ll find him a wife. What do you think?" "Agreed!" Uncle Shen the Second smiled slightly, "I''ll head back, let''s talk more tomorrow if there''s anything else." Shen Qing didn''t hold him any longer and saw him off. Despite a full day of bustling about that would leave others exhausted, Shen Qing still felt vibrant. He took out a book borrowed from Zhang Shuyuan''s home and started reading with great interest. Chapter 91 - 15: The Rise of the Hongshan Gang, Becoming a Direct Disciple ``` "So this world is truly mystical. There''s even a Prefectural Governor who punched out a lake to build channels, benefiting the people in the region." After reading the Mountain and River Chronicles, Shen Qing couldn''t help but express his admiration. Initially, he thought this world was an ancient world where martial arts flourished, but after reading this book, he realized it was not entirely the case. This world was actually a majestic realm where the immortal and mundane coexisted, far more formidable than he had imagined. According to the records in the book, martial masters could live for hundreds of years, even achieving immortality through martial arts, possessing the power to move mountains and seas. Although somewhat exaggerated, it also showed that martial arts in this world were not limited to mere fists and feet. In this small, isolated place, without reading this book, he indeed would not have had such vision and perception. "Ordinary people, once they have tempered their physical bodies, seek martial arts registration, hoping to secure a position in the court. Only by joining the court can one access more comprehensive cultivation methods and transcend beyond the mundane." "I am different from them. With the Water Ink Panel, I can continuously break through and find my own path, but this is not the way to achieve the Immortal Martial Art''s grand path." "Therefore, to go further, I must enter the court in the future. First, it''s safe and stable, and second, I can grasp the opportunity for Immortal Martial Arts." "No wonder everyone is eager to practice martial arts." Shen Qing muttered to himself as he closed the Mountain and River Chronicles. It was already midnight, so Shen Qing stopped reading, extinguished the oil lamp, and fell asleep. Having moved into a new home with two beds, Shen Qing could finally have one to himself and no longer had to squeeze in with his elder sister, Shen Fang. A night without dreams. The next day. The Corpse Pile stacked at the alley entrance stirred a wave in the shanty town in West City. Everyone knew someone not to be trifled with had arrived in the neighborhood. Some inquisitive people looked into their background, discovering they all came from Hongshan Village. The reputation of the Hongshan People and the Hongshan Gang spread quickly in West City. By noon, all the families that came from Hongshan Village had mostly finished shopping and tidying up, leaving many idle. Once idle, trouble ensued. Shen Qing knew many ways to make money, but in a world where great power resided with individuals, it was difficult to fully realize those ways. After some thought, he decided to use the most reliable method, instructing these people to start collecting ''security fees'' from various places. This task didn''t require much skill, as it was a common practice for all major gangs, and the returns were quite substantial. However, even when collecting protection fees, Shen Qing thought they should be unique. "Other gangs charge five hundred large coins per household per month. Since we''re new here, we''ll charge less, only two hundred large coins per household per month." "If we encounter families in real hardship, we won''t sell their children or force them, letting them slide for now." "In return, we can''t do nothing with the money we receive. Like when we guarded the village against tigers, divide into groups with experienced ones leading the young, and patrol in turns. Anyone with ill intentions, regardless of reason, should be dealt with like prey." "If we can''t assure anything else, the ''security fee'' should be worth its name." Shen Qing issued several instructions, scanning the crowd and asking, "What do you all say?" "How are the ''security fees'' split?" a hunter asked. Without hesitation, Shen Qing replied, "As we agreed yesterday, I take half, and the rest is shared among everyone, with the bookworm keeping accounts. If no one has objections, we''ll set the rules: those who disobey face punishment, while those who contribute are rewarded, and the reward money comes from me." "Fine, I have no objections." Saying so, Shen Qing took out the Martial Arts book, the Nine Skills, and handed it to Tian Xiaohu, saying, "We''re all in this together. Those younger than fifteen can practice when they''re free. Xiao Hu, you teach them first. If there are any questions, you can come to me." Others didn''t expect Shen Qing to be so generous, even willing to teach them martial arts. Thinking that both Chen Yuan and Shen Qing practiced it, everyone''s eyes lit up with excitement, imagining themselves attaining success and social recognition, making them eager to try. Perhaps influenced by the ''Corpse Pile'', most of the chaotic area of the shantytown bowed their heads, willing to pay. Those who truly couldn''t pay adhered to Shen Qing''s request, and the hunters didn''t force them. After collecting the money, under Shen Qing''s arrangement, they genuinely started patrolling the paid areas day and night, looking halfway decent in their efforts. Residents of the shantytown felt that a new order quietly took shape. After staying in the shantytown for a few more days and seeing everything fall into place, Shen Qing tidied up and headed to the Inner City Linfeng Hall, delegating miscellaneous tasks to Zhang Baqing. Residents in the nearby alleys seemed to notice that his status was somewhat different among the crowd. As Shen Qing passed by them, they nodded and bowed, their attitudes noticeably good-natured. For a moment, Shen Qing found this somewhat unsettling. Linfeng Hall. After twenty days or so, Shen Qing returned and found things unchanged, neither hot nor cold. It even seemed to be on a mild decline. Shen Qing did not concern himself too much with this. He had reached the Bone Refining Realm many days ago and planned to inform Li Linfeng, hoping to learn the next killing technique of the Wind Defying Finger to accelerate his progress. Shen Qing remembered that the senior brother, Ouyang Tiezhu, reached Bone Refining Realm Great Perfection at twenty-five. Yet, since practicing the Wind Defying Finger, he''d broken through to the Bone Refining Realm in just about two months. Without being told, he knew his speed was indeed fast. He wondered what kind of talent the remaining direct disciples of the Hall Master''s brother-in-law would have. Judging from the time, the Hall Master''s brother-in-law Li Linfeng should be in his study at this hour. After informing a maid, Shen Qing headed to Li Linfeng''s study. Not only was Li Linfeng inside, but his four direct disciples and one son and daughter were also in the study, appearing to be discussing something. The study door was open. Glancing inside, Shen Qing saw senior brother Ouyang Tiezhu, whom he hadn''t seen in several days. Yet, in just over a month, Ouyang Tiezhu had strands of gray in his temples and seemed despondent. Besides him, one person had a hand in a sling, silently keeping his head down. The atmosphere was somber. As soon as Shen Qing arrived, Li Linfeng noticed him. At this moment, Li Linfeng''s heart was heavy; two of his four direct disciples were injured, and outside, the Mi Gang was eyeing them covetously. He had been trying to find a path through the higher-ups in recent times, but it wasn''t working, leaving him restless and sleep-deprived, his face gloomily shrouded with a cloud. He knew Linfeng Hall was now facing a disconnect between the old and new, becoming precariously fragile. The senior disciple Ouyang Tiezhu had just been defeated, and his family faced a setback, demoralizing him. Moreover, at twenty-five, he barely touched the threshold of Skin Forging, making it difficult to break through to the Qi Cultivation Realm. Under Linfeng Hall''s current situation, few could help. The fourth disciple had good talent and, at a young age, was already in the Skin Forging Realm, but he had lost an arm. Now completely demoralized, unsure of when he''d recover. The second and third disciples, one in Skin Forging Realm, the other in Bone Refining Realm, were promising, progressing step by step. It wasn''t a matter of poor qualifications; they just needed more time. Finally, there were his daughter and son. Both had passable talent, but they were ultimately too young. With enough time, he could surely cultivate them into talents. Unfortunately, the problem was the lack of time. He was now desperate for someone who could stand firm. Not expecting someone comparable to the court''s government office and the four great families'' scions, but at least someone who could suppress gangs like the Mi Gang. Only then could he vaguely protect the assets he had accumulated throughout his life. One must admit, the Mi Gang was truly ruthless. Bluntly cutting flesh, precisely targeting, slowly tightening the noose around his neck while he remained powerless. Shelving these annoyances, Li Linfeng asked Shen Qing at the door, "Are you looking for me?" Shen Qing cupped his fists respectfully, "Yes. I have already¡­" The troubled Li Linfeng interrupted, "Wait outside until I''m finished, then talk to me." Seeing they were indeed discussing important matters, Shen Qing felt it was inappropriate to interrupt. So he left his words unsaid and nodded. S§×ar?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Li Linfeng, watching his four close disciples and his son and daughter, wanted to speak but didn''t know how to begin. Sighing internally, he once more called outside to Shen Qing, "Forget it, just tell me what you wanted." Shen Qing was slightly stunned, wondering why Li Linfeng changed his mind, and said honestly, "Hall Master Uncle, I have already broken through to the Bone Refining Realm and wanted to learn the Wind Defying Finger''s subsequent training method from you." "Ah!" Upon hearing this, Li Linfeng sprang to his feet, extremely exhilarated. He knew Lady Qi''s nephew had some cleverness and talent, and he intended to nurture him, but he never imagined Shen Qing could break through so fast. Counting all together, Lady Qi''s nephew had only been practicing martial arts for a little over two months. Just over two months! What concept is that? In his impression, only high-ranking officials'' families had such talent. Born in high-ranking families, with various means for tempering from a young age, such achievements weren''t unjustified. But what did Shen Qing, a small village boy, have? This talent was truly remarkable. Li Linfeng felt both astonished and delighted. Fortunately, he cherished talent that day and took the initiative to teach him. Otherwise, it was uncertain when such a genius would emerge. In an instant, all of Li Linfeng''s frustrations vanished. An old ship still has three thousand nails. He wasn''t down yet, and the Boss of Mi Gang, Hong Xingwen, was at the same realm, daring not act rashly. If he trained Shen Qing well, at this speed, Shen Qing might just support him. "Good boy." Li Linfeng beamed with pride, walked over from the table, gripped Shen Qing''s shoulders, examining him from top to bottom with satisfaction. "I mentioned before that I''d choose a good day to accept you as a direct disciple. Today is as good as any. What do you think?" "I''ll leave it all to Hall Master Uncle to decide." Shen Qing said neither here nor there. Verified through experience, the Water Ink Panel''s progress was much faster with guidance, and as he came seeking to learn the killing technique, he naturally wouldn''t refuse. ``` Chapter 92 - 16 Fellow Disciples ``` The other fellow disciples and Li Linfeng''s two children were stunned, all filled with astonishment. Shen Qing, this guy from a remote mountain village, had reached the Bone Refining Realm so quickly? This speed was incredibly fast. Li Linfeng circled around Shen Qing once more, his eyes growing increasingly satisfied. He had taught countless people and could usually gauge their exact realm with just a glance. Earlier, he had felt Shen Qing''s muscle and bone, further confirming that Shen Qing was telling the truth. "Alright then. Tiezhu, bring me a cup of tea," Li Linfeng casually called out to Ouyang Tiezhu behind him. Ouyang Tiezhu was still in shock, but quickly responded, "Yes." After a while, Ouyang Tiezhu brought over a cup of tea. Shen Qing, always quick on the uptake, promptly stepped forward to take the teacup, then knelt before Li Linfeng and respectfully said, "Master, please accept my bow." This sharpness made the corners of Li Linfeng''s eyes reveal a hint of satisfaction. He accepted the teacup naturally, took a sip, and placed it aside, then helped Shen Qing up with one hand. "According to tradition, to show respect for the teacher''s path, one should have incense, offerings, perform three kneels and nine bows, and there should be many witnesses. But the situation inside and outside Linfeng Hall is rather complicated right now, so let''s keep it simple." Shen Qing wasn''t interested in these formalities, preferring simplicity, so he found Li Linfeng''s arrangements acceptable. S§×arch* The N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Li Linfeng observed all of this and couldn''t help but raise his evaluation of Shen Qing twofold. To be honest, he was a bit scared now. The Mi Gang had repeatedly targeted those around him, leaving two out of four disciples almost crippled. Having finally discovered a promising student, he feared drawing too much attention, lest they become a target. There would be no place to cry if that happened. So it was better to remain low-key, at least for the time being, to let things settle. Shen Qing''s non-confrontational and steady temperament suited such an arrangement well. Li Linfeng grabbed Shen Qing''s arm and pulled him into the study. This place was considered his private domain, where even those close to him rarely got to enter. Now that he had pulled Shen Qing into the room, it was clear that he had accepted him. "Let me introduce you to your senior brothers." Li Linfeng pointed to those in front of him, introducing them one by one: "This is your eldest senior brother Ouyang Tiezhu, your second senior brother Niu Daping, your third senior brother Dong Zizhuang, your fourth senior brother Wushili, whose family is in business." "And these two, they are my second son and fourth daughter. When Qi Niang had trouble, they both worried a lot," Li Linfeng said sternly, "Ling Chan, Hongyang, meet your junior brother." Li Lingchan and Li Hongyang clasped their fists politely, "Hello, Junior Brother Shen." "Young Master, young lady, hello." "No need to be so formal, you''re older than they are. In the future, just call them by their names." Li Linfeng returned to his seat and said to Ouyang Tiezhu and the others, "Now you all have one more junior brother. Look out for him; he''s new to the city and unfamiliar with many things, so it''s easy to be taken advantage of." "Yes, we will definitely take good care of our junior brother," Ouyang Tiezhu and the others all replied. "Alright, off you go. We''ll end things here today." After giving a few more instructions, Li Linfeng seemed a bit disinterested, "Shen Qing, I''ll teach you some deadly techniques tomorrow." "Yes, Master." Li Linfeng waved his hand, signaling everyone to leave. The others did not linger, bowing their heads in salute before exiting the room one by one. Once outside, Ouyang Tiezhu threw an arm around Shen Qing''s neck, warmly saying, "You''re really amazing. I didn''t expect your talent to be this strong. It hasn''t been long and you''ve reached the Bone Refining Realm. At this rate, you might have a chance to break through to the Qi Cultivation Realm." "Even if you can''t break through, you''ll surely become a Skin Forging Realm martial master, get on the martial arts register, and become a small official; eating official meals makes you a person of status." Shen Qing was no longer Wu Xia A Meng; he knew that in Great Zhou, reaching the Skin Forging Realm was the minimum threshold to obtain a martial title. For people from humble beginnings, reaching this level was already considered prestigious and exceedingly challenging. Second Senior Brother Niu Daping chimed in, "I heard from Master that Junior Brother Shen came from outside the city?" Shen Qing, unashamed, replied truthfully, "Yes, I used to live near Shicheng Mountain; I now live in the Outer City." "Shicheng Mountain? That''s quite a distance." Second Senior Brother Niu Daping invited, "The Outer City is a mix of all kinds, with many gangs frequently fighting, making it very unsafe. My family has two vacant rooms; why not stay with us for a while, Junior Brother?" "No need, I''ve settled in the Outer City, and for now it seems okay, not too chaotic," Shen Qing declined, shaking his head. "Alright, just let me know if you ever need a place to stay." "Thank you, Second Senior Brother." Shen Qing clasped his fists in gratitude. After Second Senior Brother Niu Daping spoke, Third Senior Brother Dong Zizhuang smiled, "Junior Brother, now that you''ve become adept in the Bone Refining Realm, you could become a squad leader in many gangs. Even the Inner City Four Families would vie for you, and though you might only be a guard or instructor, it''s far better than being an average person." "For martial artists like us, the expenses are high. The herbs we use here, those elixirs for training, they all cost money¡ªnone of it''s free. From the looks of it, you don''t seem very wealthy. Interested in helping me out? While not as good as those bosses, I offer quite a generous treatment for martial masters." "Third Senior Brother, your debt recovery line of work is too risky. He''s new here, unfamiliar with people and situations; sending him could easily cause trouble," Ouyang Tiezhu interjected. Dong Zizhuang chuckled, "The rougher the seas, the more expensive the fish! Besides, we are all fellow brothers. Would I make Junior Brother Shen risk his life?" His Dong family lived under the financial hold of the Wang family''s bank, and the connections they had were beyond Ouyang Tiezhu''s imagination. Seeing how much Li Linfeng valued Shen Qing showed that his talent was exceptional. If he could win over such a talented figure early on, it would be greatly beneficial for his family. "Ultimately, it''s up to Junior Brother." Outside, a round sun hung high, exuding a warm aura, giving the courtyard a sense of warmth. Shen Qing paused, contemplating. Now that he had a foothold in the Outer City, he shouldn''t be too short of money in the future. So, he smiled and declined, "As Eldest Senior Brother said, I''m new here and unfamiliar with everyone. I''d better get acquainted with the city first to avoid offending anyone accidentally. If I lack money later, I''ll definitely seek help from Third Senior Brother." His reasoning was sound. Dong Zizhuang agreed, nodding, "Very well, the door to my house is always open for you." "Thank you, Third Senior Brother." "Let''s go." Dong Zizhuang, after exchanging gestures with the others, left the courtyard without further persuasion. As for Fourth Senior Brother Wushili, he nodded to Shen Qing after they exited but left without turning back, as though in a sulk. "What''s up with Fourth Senior Brother?" Shen Qing asked curiously. Ouyang Tiezhu couldn''t help but lament, "Among the four of us, Fourth Junior Brother is the youngest and most promising, always smooth sailing. Recently, he got injured by a skilled hand from the Mi Gang, and hasn''t been able to overcome it." ``` Chapter 93 - 17 Aftermath of the Tiger Demon ``` "Oh." Shen Qing didn''t ask further. Ouyang Tiezhu patted Shen Qing''s shoulder, his mood evidently much better, "Really don''t know how you did it, breaking through so quickly. Now you''re officially my junior brother, how about we go out for a drink to celebrate?" From the beginning, he had heard about some of Shen Qing''s talents from Li Linfeng, so he volunteered to get close. Now Shen Qing had taken off just as he had predicted. Among the many junior brothers, he had established a relationship first, which could be seen as gaining an advantage. In the future, he might even benefit a bit from it. Shen Qing knew that Ouyang Tie Niu had died not long ago, and Senior Brother Ouyang Tiezhu surely hadn''t fully come to terms with it yet. Seeing as he was rarely in the mood, Shen Qing didn''t decline. "Well then, let''s go to Fengwei Restaurant," Ouyang Tiezhu said with a smile, "Junior brother might not know, but Fengwei Restaurant is a high-end tavern inside the Inner City. A single meal can easily cost hundreds of taels of silver. It''s one of the favorite restaurants of the bosses'' sons." "Today, to celebrate master accepting you into the fold, we''ll break the rule and go once." Fengwei Restaurant? Shen Qing remembered he had gone there for a meal not long ago. The taste was very average, and it was very expensive, somewhat unnecessary. "Senior brother, we can just find any place to have some drinks and meat. That place isn''t worth it. When I break through the Qi Cultivation Realm, it''ll be more appropriate to go." Shen Qing spoke with a sincere tone. Ouyang Tiezhu thought about his own wallet and didn''t insist, "Fine, I''ll owe you this meal first, and make it up later." Seeing Ouyang Tiezhu like this, Shen Qing understood that this senior brother really was running low on funds. Due to his prideful behavior, Shen Qing was at a loss for words. They left Linfeng Hall, coinciding with mealtime, so they found a small tavern nearby that looked clean and tidy, ordered some food and drinks, and sat down. At this moment, inside the tavern, people were chatting and laughing, the atmosphere filled with harmony. Ouyang Tiezhu couldn''t help but sigh, "Indeed, only the Inner City of Taiping County looks decent; other places are in chaos. Sometimes, it''s hard to know if it''s just Taiping County being like this or if it''s the same all over Great Zhou." Shen Qing asked, "Has senior brother been to other places?" Ouyang Tiezhu shook his head, "Just around Taiping County. I was born in the Outer City. I used to wander about with others; you have no idea how chaotic it is outside Taiping County. There''s constantly fighting and killing." "Even if you want to make a legitimate living, you need connections, find a gang for support; otherwise, it won''t be long before various forces suck you dry." "In the end, safety in Taiping County is invaluable." "In the Inner City, with safety, business can thrive, bosses can earn more money, then hire more martial masters for protection, and the government office can remain stable, so if you want to get ahead, you have to practice Martial Arts. Just getting by won''t achieve much." Ouyang Tiezhu muttered, "I knew this all along, but he just refused to listen." Shen Qing realized that Ouyang Tiezhu was venting complaints, so he wisely prompted, "Who doesn''t listen, senior brother?" "My foolish brother," Ouyang Tiezhu sighed, "Forgive me, junior brother. Originally, I wanted to find you a gang job in the Outer City, but it''s not possible now." "I heard about it, senior brother. My condolences," Shen Qing said calmly. "Let''s not talk about the past, let''s drink, come on." "Alright, bottoms up." Both of them filled a cup with rice wine, tilted their heads back, and drank it down. Ouyang Tiezhu wiped his mouth and said, "Refreshing!" He picked up his chopsticks, tapped the table, picked up a peanut and tossed it into his mouth, chewing contentedly. "By the way, junior brother, have you heard about the tiger demon recently?" "Tiger demon?" Shen Qing''s heart skipped a beat. Casually picking up his chopsticks, he said, "How can there be such nonsense? There''s no such thing as demons." Ouyang Tiezhu leaned in seriously, "It''s true, just near your Shicheng Mountain. Haven''t you heard?" "No," Shen Qing flatly denied, "I did hear about tiger tracks in the mountains." "Exactly, that''s the tiger demon," Ouyang Tiezhu said mysteriously, "Someone saw the tiger demon speaking, it''s truly become a spirit. The Guardian Martial Department rushed over to catch it. I heard quite a few people were injured, some tax officials even died in the tiger''s mouth." "Is that so?" "Just in the last few days, now the county government is discussing with the Four Great Eastern Families about capturing the tiger demon. It probably won''t be long before they take action." Shen Qing asked, "Does this have anything to do with us?" "Hard to say. In a way, Linfeng Hall is under the government office. If they ask for our support, we can''t refuse." Shen Qing frowned, "We can''t refuse?" "There''s no way around it. The Inner City isn''t easy to enter. If you come here, you have to follow their rules." "Just us?" "Not just us, basically everyone practicing Martial Arts in the Inner City might get called up. Who they call depends on who''s got better connections." "Makes sense. When the sky falls, those taller will hold it up. It''s not for us to worry about." "Exactly." Shen Qing and Ouyang Tiezhu each drank another bowl of wine, then started on the roasted lamb ribs that had just been brought out. After three rounds of drinking. Sear?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Shen Qing asked, "Senior Brother Ouyang, now we''re master''s direct disciples. Is there any benefit? Tell me about it." "Master teaching you personally isn''t a big enough benefit? You should be grateful. Many people would beg for such an opportunity." Ouyang Tiezhu continued, "Don''t think you can learn just by having a Martial Arts secret manual. How do you know it doesn''t have any typos, or if there were any errors during transcription and printing? Sometimes, one wrong character can make you lose your way." "If you have a respectable master teaching you, it''s different; you can avoid many detours." Shen Qing nodded in agreement, "I also know that some Martial Arts have many terms that are incomprehensible, let alone learning them. Just trying to understand more." "Ah... you didn''t come at the best time. In earlier years, master was quite influential in the Inner City, commanding respect from everyone, but now, with the county government changing, master''s connections have weakened." "But master''s foundation is still there. Not to mention, master has quite a few Martial Arts, he''s practiced them all, his vision is extensive. When he teaches you killing techniques, you''ll understand. A single finger can take a life, truly no joke." Hearing this, Shen Qing''s eyes lit up. He didn''t expect Li Linfeng to have such skills. Perhaps he could acquire more cultivation techniques from him and give them a try. Just the combination of Blood Dominance Technique and Wind Defying Finger already produced unexpected results. If he could use the Water Ink Panel to break through more Martial Arts, who knows what he would become? ``` Chapter 94 - 18 Killing Technique? Kill Ordinary Bone Upon returning from the tavern, Shen Qing informed everyone about what he had heard regarding the tiger demon. When they heard that the government believed the tiger demon had killed the tax officials, everyone secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Now that everyone had tasted the benefits, they were determined to follow behind Shen Qing. The last thing they wanted was for something to happen to him. With the tiger demon taking the blame for them, the final hidden danger was eliminated. Everyone who knew that Shen Qing had killed the tax officials was gathered together. That night, everyone took a solemn oath in front of Shen Qing, swearing that if anyone spoke out of turn, they would be cursed with a son born without an anus, dying a miserable death. ¡­ The next morning. It was another beautiful day. In the sky above the shanty town, the golden sun slowly emerged from the east, casting its brilliant rays and gradually illuminating the entire east. From a distance, the white clouds danced lightly, the sky was a deep blue, like a flowing painting. As the golden light spilled into the room, Shen Qing, who was practicing the Blood Dominance Technique, slowly finished and then headed to Zhang Baqing''s house. Everyone in the village was in the Outer City. As a key figure, he had to maintain the most basic control. After a period of acclimatization, the neighbors around them were aware of their existence, and with the attitude they showed, they gradually integrated into the shanty town. Shen Qing immediately decided to have those unsightly corpses and heads disposed of, restoring the usual order. Having received the first batch of security fees, he distributed the proceeds that day, ensuring that the hunters who came with him from Hongshan Village received tangible benefits. Everyone felt that life was much better than before in the village, becoming increasingly stable. Shen Qing calculated that his efforts had not been in vain, as he earned a total of twenty taels a month, which was much more profitable than selling mountain goods. The Hongshan Trading Company he envisioned hadn''t materialized, but he managed to generate income in this way, making him sigh with mixed emotions. "Now everyone patrols day and night and knows this shanty town is a lawless zone. Those with connections can ask government officers from the city to handle things, while those without rely on their fists." "So here, there''s no need to be soft-hearted. If we run into troublemakers, don''t bother talking, just kill them. Got it?" Shen Qing instructed the men in the room one by one. "We understand now. Killing strangers is not hard. Our ancestors fled to the forest after seeing blood. We''ve killed in the village; we know what we''re doing." "Good, start practicing the Martial Arts I taught you early. Although it might not yield much, practicing more won''t hurt." "Alright." After addressing numerous issues, the smart and resourceful ones went with Shen Qing to buy living supplies while the men patrolled, and the women stayed home sewing, sharpening knives, and tidying up the place. Peaceful times. After handling most of the trivial matters, Shen Qing took Shen Xiaohu directly to Linfeng Hall. Benefiting from Shen Qing, even though Shen Xiaohu''s talent was mediocre, he was still kept there. Knowing that being kept there was not easy, Shen Xiaohu practiced martial arts with great diligence, putting in a lot of effort. Shen Qing had no leisure to focus on Shen Xiaohu. He walked into the inner courtyard and went straight to Li Linfeng''s study without much pause. According to what Li Linfeng said yesterday, today he would teach him the killing technique of the Wind Defying Finger, which was also the specific training method for the Bone Refining Realm. Sear?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. When it came to Martial Arts, he was very attentive. When he found Li Linfeng, he happened to discover that Aunt Shen Xiu was also there. At this moment, the Hall Master, his uncle, was supporting Aunt Shen Xiu, taking a walk in the courtyard, displaying rare affection. After a month or two of recuperation, Aunt Shen Xiu''s complexion had fully recovered, not much different from a normal person. She even looked slightly plumper. When Aunt Shen Xiu saw Shen Qing''s arrival, her eyes lit up, and she joyfully called out, "Qingzi, come here quickly." "Aunt, Master." Shen Qing walked over and greeted them voluntarily. Aunt Shen Xiu grasped Shen Qing''s hand, concerned, "I heard you moved to live in the Outer City, it''s chaotic there, can you still manage?" "It''s alright, the place I chose is quite safe, and I''ve gotten used to it for now," Shen Qing replied truthfully. Aunt Shen Xiu nodded, saying, "Alright then. Today at noon, don''t go anywhere, you and Xiao Hu can stay and have lunch here." "Sure, Aunt." After exchanging a few pleasantries, Aunt Shen Xiu released his hand, saying, "You two can chat now, I won''t hold you up." Saying this, Aunt Shen Xiu understandingly walked out of the courtyard. As she left, she gave Shen Qing a meaningful glance, with a few hints of fortunate expression on her face. Shen Xiu hadn''t expected her nephew to have some ability, enough for her husband to accept him as a direct disciple. Even without children, with this relationship, her life in the inner courtyard was much better. Her husband, Li Linfeng, was not bad to her usually, but she sensed that since yesterday, he was evidently more attentive. She wasn''t foolish, she knew what the reason behind this was. After Shen Xiu completely departed, the Hall Master, Uncle Li Linfeng, without any intention of holding back, after a few pleasantries, began to teach the killing technique of the Wind Defying Finger and the related training methods of the Bone Refining Realm. "Bones are the framework of the physical body, supporting our flesh and organs. At the beginning of Bone Refining, focus on the flexibility and hardness of the skeleton." "But Bone Refining is not merely hammering the skeleton; it is deep cultivation of every inch of the body''s texture." "Imagine your bones as hard as steel, while your muscles are as flexible as willow twigs. Thus, when you receive a heavy blow, you can dissipate the impact with flexibility and resist destruction with hardness. This is the goal of Strengthening Tendons and Bones, to make the body both hard and soft, strength following the heart." "At this stage, when your bones and muscles achieve perfect coordination, you''ll be able to fully explore the potential of your physical body and aspire to the next realm." Li Linfeng''s explanation was straightforward, making it easy for Shen Qing to understand. "To achieve the ideal progress, next you must change the medicinal soup and practice the killing techniques." Shen Qing''s spirit lifted. Regarding Martial Arts techniques and killing techniques, he had long heard about them. He knew these were important parts that distinguish ordinary Martial Arts from others. "The so-called killing techniques, besides the type you''re familiar with, the important one is also known as ''Bone Killing.''" "Bone Killing?" Shen Qing heard a new concept and couldn''t help but become highly attentive. "Exactly." Li Linfeng continued, "A martial master''s bone is critically important. It can be said that it determines the future upper limit of Martial Arts. Yet, the ordinary physical body''s bones can''t bear the power of Martial Arts, so Bone Killing is necessary. Kill the mundane bones, replace them with Martial Bones." "I remember you can read, right?" Shen Qing quickly replied, "I can." "That''s good." Li Linfeng took out a stack of yellowish thick papers and placed them in front of Shen Qing, "This contains the framework and acupressure points for Bone Killing with the Wind Defying Finger and some specific methods. Memorize it first. After you remember it, come find me, and I''ll teach you how to practice." Shen Qing took the thick stack of papers and started reading intently. The papers recorded various acupressure points of the human body and specific breathing techniques and annotations, which were easy to understand. Seeing Shen Qing''s absorbed reading, Li Linfeng chuckled and turned to leave. However, as he took the first step, a voice came from behind, "Master, I''ve memorized it, teach me how to practice now!" Chapter 95 - 19 Deliberate Matchmaking ``` "Hmm?" Li Linfeng thought his ears had deceived him. Shen Qing carefully folded the yellowed stack of papers again and repeated, "Master, I have memorized them. Please teach me the killing technique." Li Linfeng gave Shen Qing a doubtful look. He knew Shen Qing wasn''t a frivolous person; on the contrary, in his impression, Shen Qing was a steady and reserved individual. For Shen Qing to suddenly say he had memorized everything, could it be that he really had? Li Linfeng wasn''t someone who liked to make hasty decisions; he didn''t say much and casually pulled out a yellowed piece of paper to ask, "Which are the most important points on the abdomen?" "There are four major points on the abdomen: The Qi Hai Acupoint, located about an inch and a half below the navel on the middle line of the abdomen; the Guan Yuan point, located three inches below the navel; the Zhongji point, located on the front midline, four inches below the navel; the Shen Que point, located in the center of the navel, and the Tianshu point located two inches beside the navel." With the ability to "Never Forget," Shen Qing only had to vaguely recall, and all the contents recorded on the stack of papers would automatically appear clearly in his mind. Li Linfeng was completely astonished. He found it hard to believe and immediately tested Shen Qing on other key terms and meanings used in Bone Refining. These terms were all fabricated by him, and only he knew their meaning, so Shen Qing couldn''t have known them in advance. Unexpectedly, Shen Qing still recited them fluently, answering without any hesitation. At this moment, Li Linfeng was past the point of being merely surprised. He could only say, incredible! No wonder Shen Qing had such remarkable insight; this was natural intelligence! In such a short time, Shen Qing gave him too many surprises, leaving Li Linfeng unsure of how to respond. Shen Qing handed the folded stack of papers back to Li Linfeng and said, "Master." A short silence enveloped the scene. After a while, after the initial shock, Li Linfeng finally digested the fact that Shen Qing had memorized everything. He calmly accepted the yellowed papers Shen Qing handed back and said, "Since you have memorized it all, let A Fu prepare the medicinal bath, and I''ll teach you the killing technique." "Alright, thank you, Master." ¡­ During this medicinal bath, Li Linfeng used some unknown ingredients, causing Shen Qing immense pain. Soaking in the medicinal concoction felt like being in boiling hot oil, with powerful medicinal properties seeping into every inch of his body, torturing him to the bone marrow. In the end, Shen Qing was in unbearable pain, with sweat pouring down his body like soybean grains. Fortunately, Li Linfeng was beside him, guiding him on some refining techniques to help absorb the medicinal properties and remold his entire skeleton. Otherwise, Shen Qing truly doubted whether he could endure it. "When you no longer feel any pain and your bones are as strong as steel, your Bone Refining is complete, and you will have developed Martial Bone," Li Linfeng said leisurely beside Shen Qing. "This training method isn''t cheap; from now on, take the medicinal bath twice daily, each costing two taels of silver." Becoming a direct disciple and practicing martial arts required paying for medicine. Li Linfeng teaching his signature skills and charging a fee was justified, and this was the norm in all of Taiping County, with nothing to criticize. Shen Qing didn''t complain much. In the following days, Shen Qing went in and out simply, going to Linfeng Hall daily to learn the Wind Defying Finger killing technique. Li Linfeng held nothing back in his teaching, treating Shen Qing as his own. With time, Shen Qing''s progress in the Wind Defying Finger training increased rapidly, several times more than expected. [Skill: Wind Defying Finger (Small Success)] [Progress: 201/300 points] [Note: Continuous practice may awaken the "One Finger Seal Throat" skill, killing invisibly in one move.] At such a speed, it wouldn''t take a month for Shen Qing to master the Wind Defying Finger at a grand level. Shen Qing couldn''t help but look forward to it internally. After practicing until dusk, Shen Qing, as usual, bid farewell to his aunt Shen Xiu and Li Linfeng and left Linfeng Hall to head to the Outer City. After seeing Shen Qing off, Aunt Shen Xiu noticed Li Lingchan coming over to discuss martial arts with Li Linfeng, and a thought suddenly sprang to her mind. If she remembered correctly, Shen Qing was about fifteen, and Li Lingchan was fourteen. The two were about the same age. Shen Qing came from a humble background with no family wealth but had great capability. Li Lingchan was from a good family, had a solid background, and was relatively good-looking. It happened to be a time when Linfeng Hall lacked young talents; if the two could become a pair, it would be a beautiful thing. She restrained her thoughts and, after Li Lingchan left, said casually to Li Linfeng, "Master, you have many connections externally; do you know any young lady of good standing ready for marriage?" Li Linfeng didn''t pay much attention, casually replying, "Why? Are you planning to propose for someone?" Shen Xiu walked to Li Linfeng''s side, wrapped her arm around his sturdy one, and said, "My nephew is all grown up, with no elders at home to worry about him. I want to find someone for him to focus on his work." "I''ll take a good look when I have time; there are a few chores to deal with right now," Li Linfeng replied with a nod. Shen Xiu lowered her voice and said, "Master, what do you think of Ling Chan?" "Ling Chan?" Li Linfeng raised his head abruptly, looking at Shen Xiu. Shen Xiu, undeterred, met Li Linfeng''s gaze and said, "They''re about the same age, and my nephew is your direct disciple; wouldn''t their union be a double blessing?" Li Linfeng thought for a moment and suddenly found it quite fitting. He was in need of talent now, and Shen Qing was beginning to shine and very gifted. If he became his son-in-law, undoubtedly, he would be even more attentive in nurturing him, and he might even succeed him one day. This was something that could be done. But thinking about his daughter''s temperament, Li Linfeng frowned and said, "Tomorrow, when they come, I''ll ask their opinions. If Ling Chan doesn''t agree, we''ll drop it, and I''ll find another match for your nephew." "This matter is up to you, dear." "Hmm." In fact, Shen Xiu''s words opened up Li Linfeng''s mind. He felt that even if his daughter didn''t agree, it would be good to have an external alliance; marriage was a good strategy. ¡­ sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Late night. In the shantytown, the hunters from Hongjiazhai patrolled according to their usual route. Two of them patrolled, an elder and a youth, each holding a small gong. "Niu Dan, how are you finding your first patrol?" asked the hunter, carrying a bow and arrow, with a smile. The young man named Niu Dan laughed, "Of course, I''m used to it. Don''t underestimate me; I used to follow my dad hunting in the mountains." "This is different from hunting in the mountains. Prey fears humans; here, it doesn''t..." Before he finished speaking, a dark figure rushed from the shadows, stabbing a knife into his heart, blocking his words in his throat, and his figure stopped abruptly. The young man ahead, sensing something off, turned his head in alarm. He hurried to sound the gong, but quickly a skinny hand reached out from the darkness, grasping his neck and lifting him high. "I heard a Hongshan Gang came here, ferocious, huh? Were these their men? Hang them up, send a message, telling them to prepare one hundred taels by midday tomorrow and yield the territory. Or my Eagle will show them what a river of blood means." Crack! With a simple squeeze, the man''s hand effortlessly snapped the young man''s neck. ``` Chapter 96 - 20 I Just Want to Send Him to Heaven In the darkness of the night, the screams ended before they had even begun. After a series of rustling noises, peace returned to the alleys of the shantytown. The sky gradually brightened. As usual, Wang Jia, who lived in the shantytown, went out to the city for labor. He had been sleeping soundly lately. Ever since the arrival of the Hongshan Gang, with people patrolling at night, petty thefts had disappeared. For several days, he hadn''t fought any thieves, and he truly hoped every day could be like this. With these thoughts in mind, Wang Jia stepped into the alley, and the happy smile on his face abruptly stopped. Before him, two bodies, one large and one small, were hung high, swaying slowly in the cold wind, stiff like a wooden post. Two gongs hung on their chests, with a bright red "dead" character written in blood. He recognized them as members of the Hongshan Gang. "It''s bad, it''s bad, something happened!" Wang Jia retreated urgently, shouting loudly with a pale face. ... Shen Qing was immersed in practicing the Wind Blade Finger Killing Technique. After instructions from Li Linfeng, his execution of the moves was no longer crude, appearing more orderly. The beauty of the Wind Blade Finger lay not only in its extraordinary power but also in its shapelessness and formlessness, a move beyond moves. Every confrontation required an adjustment of the angle and speed of attack to directly take the opponent''s life, based on their strength and characteristics. What Li Linfeng taught him as so-called deadly moves involved using moves from different martial arts schools, continuously feeding moves to him, and in actual combat, observing his personal rhythm of killing techniques. These days, with the Never Forget skill, Shen Qing had repeatedly recalled and practiced the moves Li Linfeng used on him, becoming thoroughly familiarized, advancing rapidly. Just as Shen Qing finished practicing a response move and exhaled a breath of turbid qi, his home door was knocked. "Who is it?" "Qingzi, something happened." It was his uncle, Shen the Second, speaking. Shen Qing folded his stance and went to open the door. At that moment, Uncle Shen the Second''s expression was tightly drawn, as though a layer of dark clouds loomed over his brows. "What happened?" Shen Qing asked. "You should go and see." Shen Qing frowned, waved his hand, "Let''s go." When he arrived, a crowd had already gathered in front. "Qingzi is here, Qingzi is here." sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Seeing him arrive, someone willingly made way, allowing him in. Inside, lay two bodies, one large and one small, while two families surrounded them with sad faces, crying silently. He recognized both deceased; the larger one was a hunter from the Zhang Family, and the younger was a young man from the Wang Family, with just a faint layer of fuzz on his lip. "The bodies were found by others in the shantytown," Zhang Baqing said on the side, pulling out a letter. "Qingzi, take a look at this." Shen Qing took it and saw it was from a thug named Eagle, bearing brazen threats. In summary, there were three demands: 1. They must submit and yield; 2. Hand over a hundred taels of gold; 3. Cede the shantytown territory here. If these three demands weren''t met, people would be killed daily. Today''s events, they claimed, were just an appetizer. After reading, Shen Qing''s face betrayed no emotion as he asked, "Who is this Eagle?" "Recently, I''ve had someone explore the surrounding situation. He''s a thug from the North City, connected with the Zhou Family, and has frequently emerged in the West City over the past month, often bullying the area. It''s said his Kung Fu Training is outstanding, and he''s already mastered stretching." Zhang Baqing hadn''t been idle these days, often walking around the shantytown, gathering intelligence, which was now proving useful. "Qingzi, maybe we should make contact and probe for more details about the other side?" Shen Qing stepped forward and closed Niu Dan''s eyes, giving him a glance, "They''ve already stabbed knives up your backside, and you still want to probe further?" "I''m a person who always believes in an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. If someone kills my people, they should be prepared to be killed in return," Shen Qing stood up and said, "Tell me where he lives?" Zhang Baqing wanted to say a few more words of persuasion. Shen Qing, however, glared at him, "Immediately, right now!" Zhang Baqing swallowed his words back, honestly saying, "He should be in Yanwei Lane right now." "Alright, I''ll handle this." Shen Qing returned to his room, took his bow and a long knife, and strapped them to himself, disappearing from everyone''s sight under their watchful eyes. He didn''t believe, with the combined support of the Turtle Breath Technique, Blood Dominance Technique, and Wind Blade Finger, that he couldn''t kill a martial master proficient in stretching. These local tyrants below had no idea how many there were, let alone how many more could be underneath; they couldn''t be completely eradicated. In such a situation, the best solution was to deal with the ones who surfaced first. Eliminate this Eagle first, send him to the afterlife. After Shen Qing left, the atmosphere became exceptionally heavy and oppressive. The now-awareness-awakened Tian Xiaohu hurriedly grabbed his bow and knife, following along too. Uncle Shen the Second and Shen Xiaohu followed closely behind. At this time, even the families of the two slain households said nothing, silently picking up their knives and bows. This triggered a chain reaction, as other hunters also silently took out hunting gear and sharpened knives, following in the direction where Shen Qing disappeared. In the alley, Shen Qing seemed like a leading wolf, his eyes filled with a fierce glow, advancing slowly. Behind him, others followed like a pack of wolves, arriving one after another. Where they passed, a murderous aura filled the air. People living in the alleys hurriedly shut their doors tightly, only daring to peek cautiously through windows, watching from a distance. Yanwei Lane was a slight distance from Shen Qing''s position, luckily within the same area. After about the time it would take to drink a pot of tea, Shen Qing arrived at Yanwei Lane. A one-entry courtyard stood before him. The vermilion door was closed. Outside, two little thugs sat at the entrance, playing dice, laughing heartily. Shen Qing stood outside the alley, utilizing the Turtle Breathing Technique, silently approaching the two. When the two sensed something odd and looked up, they found Shen Qing already standing in front of them, startling them. Shen Qing calmly asked, "Does Eagle live here?" "What''s it to you?" One thug rolled his eyes and said, "Walking silently in broad daylight, scaring the hell out of me." "As long as he lives here." "Hmm?" While the two were still unsure of what Shen Qing meant, they suddenly felt a rush of wind from in front. With nearly a precise angle, Shen Qing''s fingers pierced both of their throats. His control of position was precise, his two fingers pinched both of their windpipes and vocal cords perfectly, preventing any sound from escaping. Hearing footsteps behind, Shen Qing glanced back and found Tian Xiaohu and the others arriving. Shen Qing tossed the two off casually. Tian Xiaohu and Uncle Shen the Second caught their meaning, covering the mouths and slitting the throats, sending them off to the afterlife. Chapter 97 - 21: In the Mix, Its All About Being Ruthless The people kept coming in increasing numbers. In no time, about twenty hunters rushed over, which took Shen Qing by surprise. Since that was the case, today was the perfect opportunity to go all out. Shen Qing made a gesture, and the old hunters instantly understood. They moved like they were hunting in the mountains, skillfully splitting up, crouching, and surrounding the yard. Especially at the entrances and exits, they set up numerous traps and snares. Seeing that everything was ready, Shen Qing pushed the Turtle Breath Technique to its limit, then slightly bent his knees, and flipped over the courtyard wall with ease. He made no sound at all. After entering the courtyard, Shen Qing did not see anyone else. He faintly heard the mocking sounds of women inside the house, along with the noise of people drinking, eating, and playing cards, making it very noisy. Shen Qing was highly perceptive, vaguely detecting several lascivious noises of heavy breathing from inside. These people were engaged in group activities and hadn''t stopped all night. Shen Qing walked to the main gate, gently unlatched the door, and let Tian Xiaohu and the others in. After a few people tiptoed into the yard, Shen Qing looked around and found an inconspicuous window in a corner. Without hesitation, Shen Qing slipped in like a nimble cat. Inside the house, a group of lackeys surrounded several women kneeling on the ground, taking turns. Many others were jeering nearby. "Da Lei, can you do it or not? The loser drinks three cups." "I can! Of course I can! A man should last for one Shi Chen, ah!" "Hahaha..." "Drink up, drink up!" Eagle found the antics of his subordinates quite amusing. The shirtless man sitting next to him said, "We''re targeting the Hongshan Gang like this tonight, won''t that be trouble? I heard that the one named Tang took fifty or sixty people and they all fell into their hands. We''ve got so few people..." Eagle dismissed it, saying, "Out in the world, it''s all about being ruthless. If you''re not ruthless, you can''t stand your ground. If they''re strong, does that mean I can''t deal with them? I just want to test their mettle and see what they''re made of." The shirtless man was still uneasy and asked, "These people appeared out of nowhere, and you act without checking?" "Do you think I''m as foolish as Tang? I''ve been checking it out. They came from Hongshan Village, the only two who learned martial arts joined Linfeng Hall two months ago." Eagle turned his head and smiled, "You don''t think two months could produce anything impressive, do you?" "Logically, that''s true... but better safe than sorry..." Eagle interrupted, "I know what you mean. Here, take a look at this..." Saying this, Eagle pulled out a long rectangular box from his bosom. "This is..." Eagle lowered his voice and said, "This is the Martial Mechanism Bomb the government office seized from the Huang Tian Sect. With one blast, even martial artists in the Bone Refining Realm can''t withstand it, and if they''re not dead, they''re crippled. It''s extremely easy to activate. If I can''t win, I''ll just drop this on them, and they''ll have no idea how they died." "So impressive?" A surprised voice emerged next to Eagle, inappropriately asking. "Of course, can''t be deceiving you guys." Eagle turned his head and saw an unfamiliar face, frowning suspiciously, "Who are you? Why do you look unfamiliar?" "Me? Didn''t you think it through when you acted yesterday?" Eagle''s eyes widened as if he realized something, his face changed abruptly, and he reached for the box. But Shen Qing was even faster. As Eagle reached out, Shen Qing''s two fingers, like a sword, had already pointed at his wrist. Eagle''s flesh was like tofu, easily pierced by Shen Qing''s two hands. A scream of agony echoed. Eagle''s wrist, in pain, loosened, and the Martial Mechanism Bomb fell, caught steadily by Shen Qing. "Attack!" After landing a successful blow, Shen Qing shouted loudly. Outside the door, Tian Xiaohu and the others, who had been ready for action, suddenly slammed open the doors and rushed in. At such a short distance, bows and arrows were no longer effective, so they all engaged in hand-to-hand combat. Fortunately, the people in the room who knew martial arts were not many; most were ordinary people. Facing the hunters from the deep mountains and forests, they were only on the receiving end. Seeing the situation turn unfavorable, Eagle withdrew his wrist, his entire body muscles bulged, and he punched toward Shen Qing. Head-on collision? Shen Qing''s movement technique was agile; he merely moved slightly, letting Eagle''s fist miss. Boom! Eagle''s fist landed on the Eight Immortals table, instantly shattering it to pieces. S§×ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Bang, bang, bang... The sound of Shen Qing and Eagle''s fight echoed continuously inside the house, like rolling thunder. Eagle''s whole body was covered in Kung Fu training, muscles knotted like cast bronze and iron, each punch carrying a whistling that tore through the air. He endured the pain in his hand, overlapping shadows of fists, resembling a towering mountain range, continually punching towards Shen Qing. The furniture inside the house crashed under the impact of this air wave, breaking into a chaotic mess. Despite everything, Eagle did have some skills and, after a brief moment of distraction, found an opening, blocking Shen Qing''s movement technique and punching him. "Die! When it comes to hard skill, no one in West City can beat me!" Eagle roared fiercely, his face full of ferocity. Faced with no other choice, Shen Qing struck out with his palm, colliding with Eagle''s fist. "Bang!" A loud explosion. Waves of air rippled out; the surrounding air seemed to be torn by this force. Shen Qing''s arm inflated at a highly exaggerated speed, his clothes stretching up high, the exposed hand with veins popping, like earthworms, sinuous and powerful. Eagle''s expression froze. The hard qi martial arts he was proud of was stopped by the opponent. "With this bit of strength, you dare brag like that?" Shen Qing didn''t expect the opponent to be so weak; he gave a mocking smile and pushed the Blood Dominance Technique to its fullest. He turned his body, fingers combined, a sharp stream of air gathered at his fingertips, stabbed fiercely towards Eagle. "Whiz¡ª" The finger wind tore through the air, sharp and piercing, seemingly able to penetrate any obstacle. A flash of fear crossed Eagle''s eyes; he hadn''t expected Shen Qing to have such a sharp killing move. However, he was, after all, a strong fighter with Kung Fu training, reacted swiftly, trying to retreat and dodge this deadly strike. Would Shen Qing give him this chance? The Hunting Physical Technique closely pursued, aiming directly for Eagle''s throat. With a roar, Eagle swung his fist to meet it. "Puff!" Having reached the Bone Refining Realm, Shen Qing''s bone was hard and his movement technique outstanding. Coordinated with the force of the Blood Dominance Technique, he easily bypassed Eagle''s fist with his two fingers. Like a sword, the two fingers pierced through his throat. Blood gushed like a spring. Eagle''s figure swayed a few times before collapsing with a thud. "You were right, out here, it''s all about ruthlessness. But it''s a pity you weren''t as ruthless as I am." Shen Qing swept a cold gaze around, saying chillingly, "No one in this room leaves alive!" Chapter 98 - 22: Five Secret Books, Zhou Family Member Shen Qing gave a command, and the room instantly erupted into chaos. Seeing their leader killed in the blink of an eye, the subordinates of the Eagle desperately tried to escape using all their might. Unfortunately, the hunters guarding the door had already set a trap, and they ran straight into it. The sound of traps snapping shut echoed continuously inside and outside the courtyard, mingling with screams, one after another. Shen Qing shook the blood off his hand and strolled leisurely inside the room. Anyone who lacked awareness and came too close to him was killed with a single touch. Shen Qing''s speed and ruthlessness in killing made the ruffians in the room shiver in fear. In their eyes, killing people was no different from slaughtering chickens. No, it was even simpler than slaughtering chickens. There was no twist in this massacre. Shen Qing and his group mercilessly slaughtered all of the Eagle''s subordinates. Shen Xiaohu wiped the bloodstain off his face, walked up to Shen Qing, and said, "Brother Qingzi, it''s all done." "Mm." Shen Qing glanced at the now very grown-up Shen Xiaohu, then turned his gaze to the Martial Mechanism Bomb, inspecting it in front of him. One end of the Martial Mechanism Bomb''s box had a pull ring-like trigger, and the other end was wrapped in iron. After examining it for a while and understanding its mechanism, Shen Qing couldn''t help but laugh silently. Unexpectedly, this world had created something akin to a wooden-handled grenade. From what he gathered, martial masters below the Qi Cultivation Realm couldn''t withstand the power of this Martial Mechanism Bomb with just their flesh and blood. Conversely, for those at or above the Qi Cultivation Realm, this Martial Mechanism Bomb posed no threat. Martial Arts training in depth did have some merit. Shen Qing tucked the Martial Mechanism Bomb into his arms, and seeing that the Eagle''s gang was all executed, a faint smile appeared on his face. It was time for the crowd''s favorite looting segment. He wondered what he might find this time. Shen Qing summoned everyone to start ransacking the room. The owner of the house was already dead, so they had no qualms, smashing boxes and dismantling chests wherever they found them. The Eagle''s stronghold was thoroughly searched inside and out, almost tearing off the roof. There were indeed quite a few good things. Seven golden leaves, a short dagger, and countless other silver taels and copper coins. According to their old rules, it would be a fifty-fifty split. Shen Qing took five shares alone, while the remaining five shares were divided among the others. Everyone was quite satisfied, having earned a tidy sum. "Qingzi, come and take a look at this." Just as everyone was about to leave, Tian Xiaohu squatted on the Eagle''s bed, lifted the quilt, and tapped the bedboard, calling out to Shen Qing. Shen Qing walked over and curiously asked, "What''s up?" Tian Xiaohu said seriously, "The sound is hollow, and there are gaps around it." "Are you saying there''s something inside?" Tian Xiaohu nodded heavily and said, "But it''s stuck tight, and I can''t open it." Shen Qing looked down and tapped upwards with his finger. Pop! With a muffled sound, Shen Qing directly poked a hole and easily flipped over a small wooden board. Tian Xiaohu''s face twitched, momentarily speechless. He leaned forward to take a look inside. Inside the compartment were books of Martial Arts Skills. Upon closer inspection, there were as many as five. Illusion Breaking Fist, Netherworld Ghost Steps, Eight Extremities Collapse, Wuji Tiangang Kick, Dragon Roar Armor. "This is..." Tian Xiaohu suddenly became excited. It was known that any Martial Arts Skill on the market would cost at least tens of taels, and more profound ones could reach hundreds. If a profound Martial Arts Skill came with annotations, it would be priceless. Unexpectedly, there were five here. "Qingzi, look at this..." Shen Qing remained calm, not as excited as Tian Xiaohu. Truly good Martial Arts were preserved through lineage, rarely seen outside. There was no way to decipher the coded language within, nor any way to ensure the accuracy of the transcribed text. With Martial Arts Skills, a single wrong word could lead you astray by miles. Shen Qing calmly said, "These Martial Arts can''t be that good. Otherwise, the Eagle wouldn''t be so weak." His cold splash of water quickly calmed Tian Xiaohu. Indeed. If the Martial Arts here were so formidable, how could the Eagle be so weak? The Great Zhou Country was not lacking in wise people who diligently studied various Martial Arts. The more outstanding the Martial Arts, the more practitioners there were, making it easier to summarize patterns, rendering them more accessible and less demanding on innate abilities. Only low-level Martial Arts would be difficult to practice, requiring comprehension and talent. The reason everyone aspired to enter the government office was the abundant opportunities for practicing Martial Arts within. As long as they entered the government office and reached the court of the Great Zhou, regardless of age or comprehension, they stood a chance to soar and pursue enlightenment. Unlike them, who had to plead for favors everywhere. Shen Qing took out the Martial Arts one by one and said, "But we shouldn''t be disheartened. My uncle, the Hall Master, is well-informed and knowledgeable in many Martial Arts. I''ll take these Martial Arts to him tomorrow for inspection, to see if they are practicable and how to practice them." "Alright, I''ll trust you." Tian Xiaohu nodded heavily. "Let''s go." Shen Qing jumped down from the bed and walked out of the hall with Tian Xiaohu. At this point, they saw Shen Xiaohu squatting on the ground, staring intently at a few women. These women remained motionless in the corner. No one paid them any attention during the fight. A few young hunters had some ideas, but upon seeing others looting and splitting money, they temporarily restrained themselves. Shen Qing went over and nudged Shen Xiaohu, saying, "Seems you can''t move once you spot women. Last time at the Tang''s, you kept staring at the widow''s chest. I''ll make sure to tell Second Uncle when we return; he needs to find you a wife." Shen Xiaohu plopped back onto the ground, complaining, "I''m not doing anything wrong. Brother Qingzi, look closely. They seem strange." "What strange?" "Their gazes are so dull, and their faces are still flushed." Shen Qing looked along and found there was indeed something not quite right. These women seemed like wooden figures, as if they could be manipulated at will, lacking the aura of living people. One of them wasn''t particularly attractive but had smooth, tender skin. She was noticeably different from the other three. Tian Xiaohu whispered, "They''ve been drugged." "Drugged?" "It''s just some dirty trick," Tian Xiaohu said. "Like the way those kidnappers do it. A bit of potion over the mouth and nose can make a person lose consciousness. These women were probably kidnapped from who knows where." Shen Qing sighed, "Well, there''s nothing we can do. Let''s go and have them handed over to the government office." Though he was ruthless, he wasn''t at the point of indiscriminately killing. These women had no enmity with him, and it wasn''t worth the effort to go out of his way to kill them. Since they were unrelated, delivering them to the government office was already doing them a favor in his book. Shen Xiaohu reluctantly followed Shen Qing and Tian Xiaohu outside. However, after taking a couple of steps, he suddenly stopped and shouted, "Wait a minute." Shen Qing and Tian Xiaohu stopped and looked back. Shen Xiaohu said seriously, "Did you hear someone among them talking?" Shen Qing listened carefully, and with Shen Xiaohu''s reminder, he indeed heard the faint murmuring. The sound was very soft. If one didn''t listen attentively, it would be easy to miss it. S§×arch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Even for someone as keen as Shen Qing, he wouldn''t notice it without purposely listening. "Zhou Family... Send me back to the Zhou Family... I''m of the Zhou Family... Miss... My father... won''t let you... get away..." Chapter 99 - 23 Promise of High Profits "The Zhou Family?" Upon hearing this term, Shen Qing''s expression changed. Among the Four Great Eastern Families of Taiping County, there was one family with the surname Zhou. In other words, among those with the surname Zhou in Taiping County, only those from the Zhou Family dared to call themselves "Miss." Shen Qing couldn''t think of any other Zhou daring to do so. The men under the Eagle had captured Miss Zhou from the Zhou Family, and even had their way with her? That was quite bold! Shen Qing found it difficult to believe. But it wasn''t impossible. Shen Qing said to Tian Xiaohu, "Is there a way to wake them up?" Tian Xiaohu shook his head and said, "No particularly good way; either wait here or force-feed them golden liquid to induce vomiting. Usually, the effects last one or two Shi Chen." Shen Qing turned to look at Shen Xiaohu, nodding his chin in indication. "Xiaohu." "Huh?" Shen Xiaohu responded, "I don''t have any now." "I didn''t ask you to use your own. Go to the latrine at the back and get some." "Oh, oh." Shen Xiaohu quickly understood and rushed off. A moment later, he returned with a bowl filled with golden liquid. The already dim and stinky hall became even more putrid with the golden liquid, to the point it was indescribable. Shen Qing held his breath and said, "Pour it!" Shen Xiaohu did as told. He gently lifted the head of the mumbling woman, pinched her mouth open, and unhesitatingly poured the golden liquid into her mouth. A strong stench immediately filled the air, suffocating. The golden liquid slowly trickled down her throat, stirring up waves of nausea. The woman, lost in a comatose state, seemed to feel the strange stimulus; her brows furrowed, and her body began to tremble slightly. The taste of the golden liquid stimulated her nerves, triggering her instinctive reactions. Not long after, the woman suddenly opened her eyes wide, her pupils filled with fear and confusion. Immediately afterward, a strong urge to vomit surged within her; she coughed violently, spewing out the golden liquid that had just been poured into her mouth. "Ugh!" "Ugh!" "Ugh!" The already foul room became even more unbearable, plunging the woman into utter misery. However, having been unconscious for so long, her bodily strength and reactions were much diminished, muddled with dizziness, leaving her unable to escape. Seeing this, Shen Xiaohu quickly turned her head to the side to prevent her vomit from soiling herself. After a while, using almost all the strength she had, the woman finally expelled all the golden liquid from her mouth, accompanied by a fit of violent coughing and dry heaving. After vomiting, the woman felt a sense of collapse; her body slumped weakly against the wall, panting heavily, her expression full of pain and anger. "Get me water..." Shen Xiaohu did as requested, bringing a basin of water over. The woman wordlessly used her hands to scoop the water, rinsing her mouth, and without minding the cold, hurriedly wiped the golden liquid from her face, hands, and body. In the brief moment she''d waited for the water, she''d noticed she was half-naked and realized what had happened. Glancing around at the bodies filling the room, with Shen Qing and the others waiting patiently, she began to make calculations in her heart. Even though she knew she had just choked down golden liquid, almost on the brink of it taking effect, she managed to suppress it in the face of danger. "Who are you?" she said, wiping the yellowish water stains from the corners of her mouth in her first words. Shen Qing grabbed a coat from the floor and tossed it over, saying, "Quite cold, cover up before speaking." The woman silently took the garment, draping it over herself to cover her exposed body. "A member of the Zhou Family?" The woman nodded, her almond eyes fixed on Shen Qing, "I''m a daughter born to a maid in the fifth branch of the Zhou Family." "Raised by a maid?" Shen Qing was taken aback. Having lived here for so long, he had learned some terms of this world. Generally speaking, in large families, the legitimate daughters of the maternal family as part of a dowry were called Concubine Teng. If the main wife passed away, the Concubine Teng would be legitimized to maintain alliance and interests with the maternal family. Below the Concubine Teng were concubines, side chambers, lesser rooms, noble concubines, concubines from lowly status, etc. Among these, concubines from lowly status usually had origins in the lowly status of Great Zhou, holding very low positions. In a sense, they were like property, freely transferable by the masters. Naturally, the children born to such concubines wouldn''t hold high status. Upon hearing she was a maid-raised daughter, Shen Qing could sort of understand why the Eagle''s men dared to do such a thing. "How did you end up kidnapped here?" The woman replied calmly, "Last night, I just stepped out of the house to dump some waste, and then I knew nothing else." "Okay, it sounds pretty convoluted in between; I have no interest in hearing your lousy story. Now that you''re awake, go back on your own." Shen Qing said casually, planning to leave with Shen Xiaohu and Tian Xiaohu. Just a maid-born daughter. In this chaotic county, even if someone killed her, no one would care. Disappointment. "Wait." The woman stood hurriedly, "If you take me back, I can give you hundreds of taels of gold. If you don''t want gold, I can offer you a government martial arts technique and an elixir." "Hmm?" Hearing this, Shen Qing turned sharply, eyeing the woman intently. "Are you joking with me? I don''t think a maid-born daughter of the Zhou Family can grant me such things." S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "That''s because you''re ignorant of the Zhou Family''s resources." The woman met his gaze, unafraid, "What you consider unattainable is at the fingertips of the Zhou Family. Among the Four Great Eastern Families, saying ''Zhou ranks first'' doesn''t come lightly." Shen Qing had never interacted with the Four Great Eastern Families but had vaguely heard civilians mention that each family had golden halls and jade horses, possessing unimaginable wealth. Shen Qing squinted and said, "Just taking you to the Zhou Family is all?" "Yes, as long as you send me back to the fifth branch of the Zhou Family." The woman said decisively, "I stand by my words." After a brief consideration, Shen Qing agreed, "Alright, I''ll take you." "Fine, then it''s settled. Mainly, the Outer City is too chaotic; without protection, it''s hard for me to get out." The woman sighed as if relieved. Shen Qing looked her over and said, "You haven''t fully recovered yet. Rest for a quarter-hour, and then we''ll leave." The woman remained silent, agreeing without words. Shen Qing led Tian Xiaohu and Shen Xiaohu outside and said, "Xiaohu, tell the others to discard these bodies, and this area will belong to us in the future. Once done, everyone can head back." "Yes, sir." Shen Xiaohu nodded, "A small matter." Shen Qing continued, "Xiaohu, stay with me, take the remaining women to the government office later. I''m taking this woman to the Zhou Family." "Are you really going? Should I go with you?" "No harm, if I''m not back by dark, go to Linfeng Hall with Xiaohu and find Li Linfeng to ask him to look for me at the Zhou Family." As far as he knew, government martial arts techniques mostly included realms above Qi Cultivation. Easy to train in, yet powerful. Moreover, the government''s elixirs were probably rare and valuable items. Even if it involved some risk, it was worth a trip. After dealing with the miscellaneous matters around, it was already two quarter-hours past. Shen Qing returned to the house, where the woman from the Zhou Family had found and put on her clothes. Her face looked calm, revealing no hint of joy or sorrow. "It''s about time, let''s go." Shen Qing approached and asked. The woman from the Zhou Family nodded and said, "I''ve never been here; I don''t know the way, please lead me." Chapter 100 - 24 Above the Qi Cultivation Realm Shen Qing smiled at the woman and said, "You should go ahead. I''ll guide from behind." "..." Leaving his back to a stranger, Shen Qing would never do such a foolish thing. Shen Qing said, "Is that okay?" The woman from the Zhou Family took a deep breath and said, "Then I''ll have to trouble you." Shen Qing signaled with his eyes, "Let''s go." The Zhou Family woman nodded, her hands folded inside her sleeves, and walked out beside Shen Qing. Shen Qing turned back to Tian Xiaohu and said, "I''ll leave the rest to you." "Mm, don''t worry," Tian Xiaohu stepped forward and whispered, "Qingzi, I feel that woman is hiding something from you." "You feel that way too? Seems I''m not overthinking." Shen Qing glanced at Tian Xiaohu and said, "Alright, I get it." "Mm." Finishing the conversation, Shen Qing turned and caught up with the woman from the Zhou Family. "Turn left at the alley ahead, then turn right and walk straight," Shen Qing reminded as they exited the courtyard. The Zhou Family woman, hearing his words, lowered her head and walked in the direction Shen Qing pointed. Standing behind, Shen Qing tilted his head and glanced at the pile of bodies in the corner of the wall, then looked again at the Zhou Family woman. His eyes narrowed into a long line. He increasingly felt this woman was not ordinary. Ordinarily, a woman who saw such a scene full of corpses and blood would have collapsed, unable to walk. But this woman acted as if nothing had happened. This meant either she was unusually brave, Or she was often exposed to such scenes and had grown accustomed. Otherwise, it couldn''t be explained. What''s more frightening was that this woman, being a member of the Zhou Family, had experienced such a drastic change and yet hadn''t emotionally collapsed, acting like it was nothing. Such behavior was too conspicuous. Shen Qing silently widened the distance from her a bit. The two walked in silence, the clear sound of footsteps echoing between them. After a while, the Zhou Family woman in front seemed unable to bear the cold atmosphere and asked, "Hero, what is your name?" "Li Feiyu." "And Qingzi is?" "My nickname." Shen Qing deflected the topic, "And you? What''s your name?" The Zhou Family woman spoke up, "Zhou Qiaoji." Seeing the conversation was opened, Shen Qing directly asked, "I heard the Zhou Family Boss started with the shoe and silk business and came from the county town. Can you tell me about your family?" Zhou Qiaoji did not evade and said with a slight smile, "Which aspect do you want to hear about?" "How many people are in the Zhou Family, and who is the most powerful in cultivation?" These were not secrets and held no value in being concealed. Zhou Qiaoji began, "Definitely over a hundred, but I haven''t counted exactly. The direct line of the Zhou Family alone consists of nine people, including two sons and three grandsons. The eldest young master married the legitimate daughter of the County Magistrate, and the second young master married Miss Li. Recently, it''s been rumored that the eldest young master might manage the Zhou Family''s enterprises in the future." "As for cultivation, the most powerful is, of course, Old Master Zhou, who achieved the Qi Hai Realm ten years ago. Next is the second young master, who broke through the Qi Cultivation Realm last year. Other than this, in the Zhou Family Mansion, there''s also a martial master slightly above the second young master in the Qi Cultivation Realm, but he''s a practitioner invited by the master, not a Zhou." S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. After listening, Shen Qing asked, "Is there a realm above the Qi Cultivation Realm?" "Yes, afterward, there are the Yu Luo Realm, Dan Realm, and Innate Realm, several realms in total. However, in our small county, these significant figures wouldn''t come here. Masters like ours already reach the sky." Zhou Qiaoji''s words suddenly broadened Shen Qing''s vision, making his heart race. Shen Qing asked, "I heard the martial masters in the Martial Arts Hall say they all aim for the Qi Cultivation Realm, and no one ever thinks of reaching higher. Why is that?" "Because the chasm between the Qi Cultivation Realm and the Qi Hai Realm requires the court''s means to cross," Zhou Qiaoji said leisurely, "Despite the similarity in names, Qi Cultivation Realm and Qi Hai Realm have a vast difference. Crossing it involves mastery as a cultivator, whereas failing to do so leaves one as an ordinary martial master." As she spoke, Zhou Qiaoji paused in her steps and turned her head, "Our Zhou Family has been operating here for years and naturally has ways to acquire breakthroughs from the court. As for you heroes... reaching the Qi Cultivation Realm makes you someone, and those Martial Arts Hall masters understand that." Zhou Qiaoji''s words carried an air of condescension, making Shen Qing slightly uncomfortable. But he also knew that what Zhou Qiaoji said was the truth. From this, it seemed like those who weren''t integrated into the Great Zhou''s system, no matter how hard people like them from the lower tier worked, breaking their social class would be incredibly difficult. At the very least, it would require three generations of effort. One generation to accumulate wealth, the second to enhance their strength through martial arts, and the third to attain positions of influence. Throughout this process, there couldn''t be any squanderers; each step needed to be methodical. "Wondering if I use the Water Ink Panel, can I cross the chasm she mentioned?" Shen Qing considered silently. Through his ongoing practice, the Water Ink Panel could continuously increase skill mastery and cultivate various techniques. With repeated training, skills would become almost like art, and with further discipline, art could become nearly like the Dao. He could try it in the future. Shen Qing put away these thoughts and continued to ask, "And what about the other bosses?" "You mean the Wang Family, Song Family, and Li Family?" "Mm." "They''re all more or less the same. Among the four families, the Wang Family is the most low-key, the Li Family is the strongest, and the Song Family is the weakest and most anxious." "In what way?" Zhou Qiaoji resumed walking and continued, "You all heard recently how the Song Family has been looking everywhere for rare mountain treasures to lay a foundation for their third young master and young master, didn''t you?" Hearing this, Shen Qing''s face suddenly showed an amused expression. Who couldn''t have heard? The three pieces of rare mountain treasure were in his hands as of now. "Yes, there was such a thing," Shen Qing repressed his humor and spoke in a flat tone. "They''re so anxious purely because their old ancestor died and they have no Qi Hai Realm status to maintain," Zhou Qiaoji said indifferently. Hearing this, Shen Qing suddenly had a realization. "No wonder." The two continued chatting sporadically. In no time, they found themselves on the main road, passed through the city gates, and entered the Inner City. After walking in the Inner City for a while, spending nearly an hour, Zhou Qiaoji led Shen Qing near the Zhou Family Mansion. From a distance, the grand main entrance to the Zhou Family came into view, majestic and imposing. On the lintel hung a golden plaque with the words "Zhou Family," written with vigorous and powerful strokes, exuding extraordinary momentum. On either side of the door, two exquisitely intricate stone lions were placed, looking even more impressive than the many Shen Qing had seen. The Zhou Family Mansion covered extensive ground, with deep courtyards and numerous buildings within. For the first-timer Shen Qing, it felt somewhat novel. Zhou Qiaoji said, "The fifth house is in the West Entrance Courtyard. We need to take this street and loop to another street." Shen Qing, unfamiliar with the area, said, "Since you recognize it, you lead the way. When I send you in, just fulfill your promise." Zhou Qiaoji replied, "Rest assured, our Zhou Family is most committed to promises and will not go back on our word. Let''s go." Saying this, Zhou Qiaoji headed toward the other side of the Zhou Family Mansion. Shen Qing lagged a few steps behind, following her. Chapter 101 - 25: Minor in Indiscretion, Major in Reputation ``` Zhou Qiaoji led Shen Qing onto another street and into an alley. On both sides of the alley, various hawker stalls were lined up, displaying a dazzling array of goods. From fresh vegetables to exquisite handicrafts and mouth-watering snacks, it had everything one could desire. Warm buns, aromatic pancakes, crispy deep-fried dough sticks¡ªthe air was filled with the scent of various snacks, and the sound of vendors shouting their wares echoed continuously. Children darted and frolicked in the alley, their laughter and play intertwining with the vendors'' calls, creating a lively atmosphere. After passing through this alley and continuing towards Sezhou''s Family Mansion, the shadows of the trees on both sides gradually grew taller and deeper. The number of vendors also suddenly decreased. It was as if a boundary had been crossed, and beyond that line, not a single vendor could be seen. The light slanted at the end of the alley. Soon, Zhou Qiaoji led Shen Qing to a vermilion wooden door. With no one around, Shen Qing''s steps were slightly hesitant, his internal Qi-Blood surging incessantly, loose on the outside yet tense within. Zhou Qiaoji appeared much more composed. She gently knocked on the wooden door, producing a deep and rhythmic sound. Before long, the wooden door creaked open, and a gatekeeper dressed in a green robe poked his head out. The gatekeeper''s gaze lingered brie?y on Shen Qing, but upon seeing Zhou Qiaoji, his expression froze, and he hurriedly bowed with respect: "Miss twelfth, you have returned?" Zhou Qiaoji nodded slightly and said to the gatekeeper, "Go and ask Chang Guanshi to come out, tell him I have something to discuss." The gatekeeper acknowledged and left, while Shen Qing''s gaze remained fixed on the gatekeeper''s departing figure, staying silent. Dressed in a long robe, Chang Guanshi came quickly, his voice arriving before his person, "Miss twelfth, where have you been? I was worried sick." When he saw Shen Qing, he paused momentarily, but soon returned to normal. "This matter is a long story, I''ll explain later." Zhou Qiaoji ascended a step and turned back, asking Shen Qing, "What do you desire? Cultivation Technique and Elixir or a hundred taels of gold?" Shen Qing did not expect Zhou Qiaoji to be so straightforward, with no fuss whatsoever. On the way, he had already heard of various Martial Arts realms and learned some key points. After a brief contemplation, he replied calmly, "Cultivation Technique and Elixir, please." "Very well." Zhou Qiaoji instructed, "Chang Guanshi, go retrieve the copy of Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill that I obtained from my second brother, and also bring the Qi Refining Pill." Chang Guanshi said with a peculiar expression, "The eldest young master took the Qi Refining Pill when he saw you weren''t around." Zhou Qiaoji felt a pang in her chest but maintained a composed face, saying, "Then bring a hundred silver notes instead." "Alright, Miss, I''ll be right back." Chang Guanshi nodded, bowed, and hurried back to fetch the items. Zhou Qiaoji turned to Shen Qing and said, "Lord Li, please remain patient, I will soon bring the items to fulfill my promise. However, the Zhou Family is quite large, and retrieving the items will take some time. Would Lord Li care to wait patiently with me in a quiet place?" Shen Qing refused, "I am just a mere rural bumpkin; how could I defile the Zhou Family''s gate? Besides, I''m only here for the items, not to be considered a guest, so I won''t go in." "Lord Li, you are truly humble, very well. As you wish." Zhou Qiaoji did not insist further. After about a pot of tea''s time, Chang Guanshi arrived carrying a wooden box and said, "Miss twelfth, everything is here." Zhou Qiaoji opened the box, inspected it, and confirmed, "Everything''s correct." Then she held the small wooden box and approached Shen Qing, saying, "The Martial Arts Skills are inside, but the Elixir I promised you is unavailable, so I converted it into one hundred silver notes for you." Shen Qing took the box, extracted the Cultivation Technique, and then in front of Zhou Qiaoji, began flipping through it page by page. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. As he did so, he explained, "Allow me to carefully examine the Cultivation Technique, lest there be any errors or missing pages; I would suffer in silence." At this moment, Zhou Qiaoji''s face showed a hint of impatience, but she quickly concealed it, "Lord Li speaks rightly; do take your time, we''re not in a rush." "Mm." It took the time of half an incense stick, but Shen Qing finally finished examining it. After confirming everything was intact, he said, "No problem." "That''s good." "Miss Zhou is indeed benevolent." Shen Qing took the silver notes from the box, clasped his fists, and said, "Thus, we are even. Farewell!" Zhou Qiaoji said, "Lord Li, take care." Seeing Shen Qing''s figure disappear into the alley, Zhou Qiaoji suddenly felt a weight lift from her heart, her expression changed abruptly, and she gnashed her teeth. "Miss¡­" Chang Guanshi, noticing something amiss, approached and asked with concern, "What''s the matter¡­?" "Uncle Chang, I''ll need to trouble you later." Zhou Qiaoji''s eyes turned sharp. Chang Guanshi asked curiously, "Miss, what do you want me to do?" "Kill that person who was just here!" "The eldest young master has already instructed us not to kill randomly, as it would make things difficult for his father-in-law; please give this old servant a reason." Zhou Qiaoji''s eyes reddened as she said, "I was deceived by that vile person." "Hmm?" Zhou Qiaoji choked up as she recounted her recent ordeals. However, she omitted a few details. "Ah¡­ such a thing happened? That wretched giant eagle, it''s fortunate he died early; otherwise, if the Old Master were to be enraged, he''d make him wish for death." Zhou Qiaoji''s emotions became slightly agitated. In reality, she was not called Zhou Qiaoji, but Zhou Yu, a daughter of a concubine from the fifth house, one of the daughters Old Master Zhou was rather fond of. She was astute, even capable of some martial arts. Facing Shen Qing, she dared not reveal her true identity, for fear of tarnishing her name, hence she used an alias. After a moment, Chang Guanshi''s expression turned solemn, "Given the circumstances, a loss of chastity is minor; reputation is critical, this person must not remain." "Not just him, but also the three women they sent to the government office, as well as that group of people in their shanty town, they all must be killed. As long as they all are eradicated, no one will know about this, and the matter can be covered up." As Zhou Yu spoke, her words became somewhat fervent. At this moment, her hatred towards Shen Qing was boundless, wishing to chop him into a thousand pieces. The so-called golden liquid was nothing but fecal water! Being forced to drink ''golden liquid'' was, for a noble Zhou Family Miss, worse than death. No matter what, that person must be killed! The hooligans living in the Outer City, if they die, they die, no one would care. "Excuse me, you two." Just then, an unexpected voice appeared in Zhou Yu and Chang Guanshi''s ears, startling them both. Their eyes darted around, and they saw Shen Qing had returned without them noticing, walking without any sound. Zhou Yu suppressed her feelings and asked, "What is it?" "I reconsidered and decided I don''t want the Martial Arts Skill; please exchange it for a hundred gold taels instead." As he spoke, Shen Qing held out the Martial Arts Skill with both hands. Zhou Yu glanced at Chang Guanshi, and although she didn''t understand why Shen Qing suddenly wanted to exchange the skill, she thought it didn''t matter; he couldn''t possibly memorize anything in such a short time. Besides, since he was bound to die, whatever was given could be taken back. Zhou Yu instructed, "Guanshi, bring the gold notes." "Yes, Miss." This time, Zhou Yu was wise enough not to speak any further, for fear of a slip of the tongue. Soon, Chang Guanshi brought the gold notes, "Count them to make sure?" Shen Qing took the gold notes at once, without counting, "I trust you all." With that, he handed over the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill, saying, "Here''s the Cultivation Technique." Chang Guanshi looked at Zhou Yu, who indicated that he should wait and act outside, to avoid making the matter public. Chang Guanshi understood and dutifully accepted the Cultivation Technique handed over by Shen Qing. Yet, as he grabbed it, there was a rectangular box beneath. "Farewell." Just as Chang Guanshi was puzzled, Shen Qing had quickly left. He frowned and pulled out the rectangular box from beneath, curious, "What''s this thing?" As soon as he finished speaking. Boom! A violent blaze erupted from the long box, producing a sound like thunder, and a tremendous fireball engulfed both Chang Guanshi and Zhou Yu in an instant. ``` Chapter 102 - 26 They all died in an explosion The eye-catching blaze in the courtyard shot up into the sky, faintly mixed with yellow lightning, like a sleeping fire dragon suddenly awakened, tearing wildly around. Then, a thunderous explosion echoed, the sound deafening. The vermilion gate in the backyard shattered instantly under the blast wave, and even the courtyard wall didn''t escape unscathed. The sturdy blue stone bricks collapsed at one corner under the explosion''s power, with shattered stones and flames bursting out together. When the firelight vanished, countless fragments of stone fell down. The air was filled with the acrid and intense smell of scorched earth and gunpowder. Having just stepped outside the courtyard gate, Shen Qing watched the scene unfold, somewhat surprised, "This power is much greater than I thought it would be." Shen Qing glanced around quickly, rushed back in, brushed the dust in the air with his hand, and scanned the surroundings. Moments later, he discovered amidst the rubble the bodies of Zhou Yu and Chang Guanshi, too dead to be any more dead, along with a gatekeeper turned to charcoal. The three corpses'' faces were unrecognizable, their features blurred by the explosion''s impact, twisted, with limbs unnaturally extended, and their tattered clothing covered in dust and bloodstains. If Shen Qing hadn''t seen the two just before, it would''ve taken others a while to identify them. "Hurry, hurry, hurry, check what''s going on in the fifth house." Around him came urgent footsteps. Upon hearing the explosion, Zhou Family members rushed over immediately. Shen Qing confirmed the people inside were dead and didn''t need more attention, so he used the Turtle Breath Technique, pushed off with his foot, and darted into an alley, swiftly leaving the scene before the Zhou Family members arrived. He continued running until he reached the bustling streets, blending into the crowd before slowing his pace. S§×arch* The N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Escorting Zhou Yu back to the Zhou Family Mansion, Zhou Yu promised him a Cultivation Technique and Elixir and a hundred gold taels. Both were good things. But a fish and a bear''s paw you can''t have both. Zhou Yu wanted him to choose one or the other. This made Shen Qing so conflicted, troubled all the way. It wasn''t until he reached the gate of Zhou Family''s backyard, after much thought, that he finally made up his mind. Children make choices. He wanted the Cultivation Technique and Elixir and the hundred gold taels. So he first asked for the Cultivation Technique, used his "Never Forget" ability to memorize it after one look in his mind, then said he changed his mind and returned it, claiming the hundred gold taels instead. In this way, he got the Cultivation Technique and the gold. He managed to take both. To avoid suspicion, Shen Qing waited until they saw him leave, then used the Turtle Breath Technique to return, intending to return the Martial Arts. Unexpectedly, he caught them off guard and overheard some fragmented conversations. The two were plotting to harm him! All along, Shen Qing felt something off about that woman, so he kept a wary eye on her. The Martial Mechanism Bomb he got from the Eagle was always hidden in his sleeve, ready to use. Upon hearing that, Shen Qing decided to go all out and took both the Martial Mechanism Bomb and the Cultivation Technique to them. Then with a boom, he blew them both to pieces! This grudge, barely budding... No, it hadn''t even started before he avenged it. He wasted no time. Shen Qing carefully recounted that in the backyard just now, only the gatekeeper, Chang Guanshi, and Zhou Yu were present. When he returned, he was cautious and didn''t let anyone see him. Now that those who saw him were dead. Plus, with Zhou Yu''s intentional cover-up, even if the Zhou Family wanted to investigate, they''d probably not pin it on him. Safe. It was still early. After all today''s mess, he had gathered a lot of blood stench on him. Shen Qing found a clothing store to change into brand-new clothes, then went to the bathhouse to wash away the grime. He wandered around the city, burned his old clothes in a secluded place, and then strolled leisurely toward Linfeng Hall. Upon returning to Linfeng Hall, Shen Qing found Tian Xiaohu pacing at the entrance, looking like he wanted to go in but didn''t. Shen Qing approached and called out. Tian Xiaohu raised his head sharply, and upon seeing Shen Qing, finally seemed to sigh with relief, setting his mind at ease. "The Zhou Family didn''t make things difficult for you, did they?" "No," Shen Qing said with a calm smile, "The Zhou Family was quite righteous, they gave me what they owed me. I even got along famously with them, we''re familiar now." "That''s good. The Zhou Family, after all, is a big boss; if you can establish a connection with them, it would be highly beneficial for you." "That''ll be something for later, let''s talk about it later." Shen Qing patted his shoulder and said, "Thanks for your hard work, I''m going in to ask my hall master uncle, see how our five Martial Arts Secret Manuals are doing." "Alright, you go take care of your business, I''m heading back too." Tian Xiaohu cupped his fist in a salute, didn''t linger, and strode away. Inside Linfeng Hall. Many people were still practicing their skills in the courtyard. Most of them didn''t know that Shen Qing had been accepted as a direct disciple, only that he was Miss Qi''s nephew and that being favored by Qi Niang, he was regarded with special attention by Li Linfeng, who personally instructed him. When Shen Qing entered, most people''s eyes were filled with envy, though a few looked on with slight jealousy and disdain. Shen Qing didn''t mind, he greeted familiar faces like Xiao Zhi and others in the yard before walking straight into the backyard. Now having been appointed as a direct disciple by Li Linfeng, he no longer required servant girls or others in the house to announce his arrival. Except for the private quarters of family women, he could come and go freely everywhere else. He enjoyed much more freedom compared to before. Entering the room, Shen Qing saw the three senior brothers, and Li Lingchan and Li Hongyang sparring with each other. Li Lingchan still dressed in her male attire, with her chest somewhat puffed up. After all, practicing martial arts would be inconvenient in skirts and hairpins. Ouyang Tiezhu, with his usual indifferent demeanor, sparred with the third senior brother, "Third Junior Brother, have you been frequenting brothels lately? Your waist seems to lack strength, and your reactions have slowed. I remember you invented a Finger Skill; brothel girls are quite impressed. Heh heh..." "My reactions are slow? First Senior Brother, be careful." Whoosh! Third Senior Brother Dong Zizhuang pointed a couple of times fiercely to the void in front of him. However, First Senior Brother Ouyang Tiezhu was nimble in his movement technique, easily dodging to the sides. Seeing the arrival of Shen Qing nearby, Ouyang Tiezhu retreated swiftly, evading Dong Zizhuang''s attack range, "Junior Brother''s here, let''s stop." Upon hearing this, Dong Zizhuang looked over, paused his actions, and then stopped. Ouyang Tiezhu approached Shen Qing, eyed him up and down, and exclaimed, "Junior Brother, how do I feel you''ve shot up again?" Shen Qing had indeed changed a bit after putting on a more well-fitting new outfit. After several months of Martial Arts training and nourishing both from various ingredients and herbs, his body had grown like a bamboo shoot, changing almost daily. Now, he had grown from nearly over a meter seventy to close to a meter eighty, his whole physique had become much more robust. Shen Qing laughed, "After training under Master, eating well and sleeping well, I''ve grown a bit; life was too harsh before." Chapter 103 - 27: Competition, Martial Examination ``` Ouyang Tiezhu thought it made some sense. He didn''t think much and said, "Are you here to find Master?" "Yes, is Master here?" Shen Qing nodded. "He just went to the back room, should be back soon." Shen Qing said, "Alright, I''ll wait here for Master." "We still have some time, how about we spar for a bit, Junior Brother? It''s crucial to practice killing techniques." Ouyang Tiezhu smiled and gestured to Shen Qing. Shen Qing glanced at the study; the door was open, and Li Linfeng was indeed not inside. "Alright, let''s practice." As soon as Shen Qing finished speaking, Ouyang Tiezhu dashed forward like an arrow, pointing towards Shen Qing''s chest. This was a common initiation style of the Wind Defying Finger, used to break open the opponent''s ''gate.'' Shen Qing didn''t hesitate, spinning on his heel to dodge the strike, while also pointing a finger in return. His Qi-blood was exceptionally robust, bolstered by constant stimulation from precious medicine and the training of the Blood Dominance Technique. Even though he was at the Bone Refining Realm, facing Ouyang Tiezhu, he wasn''t at a disadvantage, even moving slightly faster than Ouyang Tiezhu. Ouyang Tiezhu, being experienced, slapped away Shen Qing''s attack with one hand. He had already completed Bone Refining and was advancing towards the Skin Forging Realm. In theory, his strength and speed should surpass Shen Qing. But the reality made him doubt his cultivation level. Ouyang Tiezhu found he couldn''t suppress this young junior brother who was only at the Bone Refining Realm. They exchanged blows continuously, the dust on the ground stirring with their movements. In an instant, they exchanged dozens of moves. Ouyang Tiezhu flicked a finger onto Shen Qing''s shoulder, causing Shen Qing''s whole body to go numb, forcing him back several steps. Both of them were holding back, not fighting seriously. Otherwise, that finger would''ve made Shen Qing bleed. Indeed, fighting someone experienced was different from fighting ordinary people. "Again." Shen Qing calmed down, carefully observing Ouyang Tiezhu''s habits and moves. Previously, when Li Linfeng taught him, he would often say the most important thing in combat with others was observation. Understanding the opponent''s strength and finding their weaknesses allowed one to catch them off guard for better results. Ouyang Tiezhu let out a "Hey" and charged forward. In Shen Qing''s eyes, his movements seemed somewhat familiar. After breaking through the Bone Refining Realm, Shen Qing''s senses became incredibly sharp, one level above ordinary people. With his skill of never forgetting, he quickly dismantled Ouyang Tiezhu''s movements and found his habitual points. There was a flaw. Shen Qing crouched down, sidestepped to the right, easily dodging Ouyang Tiezhu''s strike. Then, he quickly moved behind Ouyang Tiezhu and lightly tapped him on the back. Ouyang Tiezhu suddenly felt like he''d been electrocuted, stumbling forward uncontrollably. If his movement technique wasn''t stable, he might have fallen flat on his face. Everyone else stared at Shen Qing in amazement, as if witnessing something incredible. He actually defeated the senior brother. How long did he practice martial arts? This sight was too extraordinary! Shen Qing quickly stepped forward, grabbed Ouyang Tiezhu, and cupped his fist, saying, "Senior Brother, my apologies." Ouyang Tiezhu showed a broad-minded demeanor, clapping his hands and saying, "It''s alright, it''s my skill that''s inferior. Junior Brother, your progress is rapid, no wonder Master said you''re a martial arts prodigy, several of me combined can''t match you." "I''m just fortunate to have a good master teaching me," Shen Qing said modestly, lowering his head. Ouyang Tiezhu said, "Your current abilities surpass even the average martial master. You could probably beat many ordinary people. Going to any of the four bosses as a manager, guarding the house, you could earn quite a lot per month." "The matter of earning money, let it wait. For now, I need to focus on honing my martial skills." As they were talking, footsteps echoed in the corridor. "Master is here." Shen Qing cupped his fist to Ouyang Tiezhu, saying, "I''ll go see Master first, we can talk in detail later, Senior Brother." With that, Shen Qing followed behind Li Linfeng into the study. After Li Linfeng took his seat, Shen Qing stepped forward and respectfully called, "Master." "What do you need?" Li Linfeng asked, looking at Shen Qing steadily. Shen Qing retrieved five martial arts secret manuals taken from Eagle and said, "Master, I found some basic martial arts elsewhere. I hope you can take a look and tell me what kind of martial arts they are." Finishing, Shen Qing pulled out five martial arts secret manuals from his pocket and placed them on Li Linfeng''s desk. "Illusion Breaking Fist, Netherworld Ghost Steps, Eight Extremities Collapse, Wuji Tiangang Kick, Dragon Roar Armor." Li Linfeng spread out the five secret manuals, glanced over them. He picked one at random and began to read it carefully. After a while, he finished one and moved on to the next. As he read, he would take a pen and make notes on them. Spending several hours, Li Linfeng finished reading and correcting all five manual. He stacked them up, pushed them in front of Shen Qing, with no intention of keeping them: "They''re essentially correct cultivation techniques, no major issues. I also spotted some errors and made corrections for you." Shen Qing''s face lit up with joy, and he quickly said, "Thank you, Master." "These techniques aren''t particularly profound, except for the Eight Extremities Collapse, which has some merit. In terms of power, it''s somewhat similar to my Wind Defying Finger. You can study it for inspiration, but the others aren''t worth it." Li Linfeng waved his hand and said, "The biggest fear in martial arts is being broad but not proficient. At this stage, focus on refining one martial art, so you don''t spread yourself thin and waste your effort." "I understand." Shen Qing nodded, pulling the corrected manuals towards him and flipping through them, roughly skimming through. Seeing the annotations on each sentence, Shen Qing knew that coming to Li Linfeng was the right decision. This saved him a lot of trouble. Thinking of this, Shen Qing fetched paper and pen, and from memory, transcribed a martial arts book, then whispered, "Master, please take another look at this." S§×ar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill given by Zhou Yu, he didn''t dare practice directly. The best way was to have someone knowledgeable go over it to eliminate hidden dangers. Li Linfeng looked at the direct disciple he had only recently accepted with a peculiar expression. He couldn''t figure out how he suddenly had so many martial arts manuals. And even transcribed one on the spot. Did his family run a martial arts wholesale business? But he was a well-mannered person and knew this disciple was extraordinary, so he didn''t say much. Li Linfeng took the martial arts manual Shen Qing placed on the table and began to examine it closely. Seeing the still-wet ink, Li Linfeng furrowed his brow slightly. He patiently flipped to the first page and read carefully; it seemed to make some sense. Flipping to the second page, oh, so that''s how Qi-blood could be cultivated. Upon reaching the third page, he couldn''t sit still. This cultivation technique was very straightforward, almost with a flavor of simple directness. Undoubtedly, from his perspective, this was a legitimate technique, and moreover, it was well-organized, a book of True Martial Arts, truly a good cultivation technique. Li Linfeng was engrossed, flipping through to the last page before suddenly waking up, feeling a sense of loss. He looked at Shen Qing and asked sternly, "Where did you get this martial arts manual?" ``` Chapter 104 - 28: Get Stronger! Get Stronger! Shen Qing knew that if he were to seek guidance from Li Linfeng, he could not avoid this question. sea??h th§× n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He had killed three members of the Zhou family in one blow, and such a significant event was sure to draw connections. If any whispers leaked out from Li Linfeng, and trouble came knocking, it would not be something he could withstand. One should not harbor intentions to harm others, but must always guard against them. The Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill originating from the Zhou family was something he absolutely could not reveal. Shen Qing began to deliberate on his words. Having lived two lives, he was acutely aware that lying was the worst choice at this moment. A lie often required countless others to cover it up. Especially in front of someone with higher social status, lying was even more problematic. Because you never knew at which level the other person''s understanding lay. Perhaps an unnoticed detail would be a flaw, allowing the other person to see through your little thoughts, causing unforeseen losses. Therefore, when facing such people, honesty was the ultimate weapon, with no need for concealment, just expressing your true thoughts. Of course, if encountering someone who was jealous and suspicious, one couldn''t be so direct. After observing these past days, this uncle Hall Master was not a narrow-minded person and did not like to nitpick. Shen Qing made up his mind, clasped his hands in a salute and bent forward, saying, "Master, there''s something a bit complicated about this... it''s not very convenient to disclose..." As he had anticipated, Li Linfeng indeed did not press further. In Li Linfeng''s eyes, this cultivation technique was most likely something Shen Qing had acquired through "murder and robbery," with a dubious origin. However, in Taiping County, people fought over cultivation techniques every day; Shen Qing''s situation was also quite normal. Compared to that, Shen Qing''s ability to transcribe an entire cultivation technique was even more peculiar. Li Linfeng withdrew his gaze, gave a faint "hmm," and said, "Your handwriting is a bit ugly." Shen Qing''s expression froze, and he replied with embarrassment, "I didn''t have the best upbringing at home, it''s embarrassing for the Master to see." In his previous life, he always used hard pens, not calligraphy brushes, and if he hadn''t acquired the skill of recognizing characters and reading from the panel, he might not have been able to write these words at all. "Practice more in your free time." Li Linfeng closed the book and looked at Shen Qing, half-smiling, asked, "What do you want to ask by showing me this cultivation technique?" Shen Qing sighed in relief, knowing he had successfully sidestepped the question concerning the source of the cultivation technique, he respectfully said, "Master, I mainly want to know if this martial arts cultivation technique is genuine, if it can be practiced, and what its quality is." Li Linfeng pondered for a moment, "I carefully considered it, this martial arts technique from nourishing and training Qi and Blood all the way to Qi Cultivation has a basis, logically consistent, it should be a genuine martial art, and its quality is quite high." "Obviously much more superior to the techniques we cobble together, and many parts are straightforward. Whether it can be practiced, I''m not too sure. Your transcribed martial art is somewhat incomplete, it should have accompanying technique diagrams and training method diagrams." Hearing this, Shen Qing finally put his mind at ease, the cultivation technique given by the Zhou family was not flawed, and he could attempt to practice it. As for the technique diagrams Li Linfeng mentioned, those of the original version existed. He simply couldn''t draw them and so hadn''t transcribed them. A hint of joy unconsciously flashed across Shen Qing''s face, and he gratefully said, "Thank you for Master''s guidance." "Guidance is too strong a word," Li Linfeng said amiably, "This cultivation technique is considerably superior to my Wind Defying Finger, if you have the complete technique, you could indeed give it a try. But remember, as the old saying goes, one cannot be greedy in learning martial arts. After all, a person''s energy is limited, learning more of this martial art means learning less of others. I''m not familiar with this technique, I can''t teach you much, make your own decisions wisely." "Disciple understands. Since I''ve become Master''s disciple, I am certainly to focus on learning Wind Defying Finger, not someone who changes constantly," Shen Qing replied with his head bowed. Seeing Shen Qing acknowledged his martial arts, Li Linfeng couldn''t help but feel a bit gratified. But after a thought, he straightened his face and said, "A wise bird chooses the tree to perch on, a man pursues water and grass to inhabit. If I were you, with a more complete, advanced martial arts, of course, I''d go learn it without hesitation. Did your senior brother ever tell you why we practice martial arts?" Shen Qing recalled, "He did." "What did he say?" "We practice martial arts to become stronger, to be able to defeat others," Shen Qing replied without hesitation. "Exactly. The philosophy of learning martial arts here is simply to become stronger, stronger, continuously stronger! And to become stronger, one shouldn''t be pigheaded. Holding oneself in a little puddle is the act of a fool." Li Linfeng sincerely said, "I am the Hall Master of Linfeng Hall, some things are inappropriate to say outright, gauge it yourself. In any case, you are my direct disciple, I will assist as much as I can. But if it''s beyond my capability, then there''s nothing I can do." Shen Qing was genuinely surprised by Li Linfeng''s openness and broad-mindedness. He wasn''t a fool, he naturally understood the implication of Li Linfeng''s words, and vaguely, there seemed to be an encouragement to study the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill. He looked at Li Linfeng with a wooden expression, unsure of how to respond momentarily. Li Linfeng stood up and tossed the transcribed Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill back to Shen Qing, saying, "Don''t leave at noon, stay here for a meal." Due to Aunt Shen Xiu''s influence, after becoming a direct disciple, Shen Qing often stayed here for meals, so without thinking much, he agreed immediately. After stepping out of the study, for some reason, Shen Qing felt somewhat complex. Half an hour later, it was time for the Li Family''s midday meal. In the boudoir of the backyard, the maid Dongxue approached Li Lingchan''s room, knocked on the door, and said, "Miss, the master is calling you to join for a meal." Having just finished practicing, Li Lingchan was a bit surprised. Generally, unless during special seasons, it was the concubines who dined with their father, the younger generation did not have the privilege to dine with them. Today was just an ordinary day, neither a grand festival nor anyone''s birthday, why would Father invite her to dine together? Li Lingchan did not dwell on it and agreed, "I''ll be right over." Dongxue continued, "The master also said, Miss, don''t wear the training clothes anymore." "Hmm?" Li Lingchan asked curiously, "Is there an important guest at home?" "No," Dongxue shook her head. Li Lingchan slightly frowned her brows and said, "Alright, I understand." Having delivered the message, Dongxue made a formal curtsy and withdrew. The noon sunlight slanted over the blue bricks and black tiles of the Li family''s backyard, as if coating the tiles with a faint layer of golden shimmer. The main hall of the Li family was located in the middle of the backyard, exuding an air of ancient elegance. The interior of the hall was furnished with a classic, antique taste, and exquisite porcelain, jade, calligraphy, and paintings were neatly arranged. At this moment, in the center of the main hall, a wide mahogany Eight Immortals table was laden with an array of delicacies and fine wines, emitting a tempting aroma. The first to enter was Shen Xiu. After days of recuperation, she looked much rosier, and today, she especially dressed up, appearing radiant. Shen Xiu, supported by the maid Dongxue, quietly took her seat. "Dongxue, check if my makeup is smudged?" Dongxue examined carefully and said, "Miss Qi, it''s fine." "Lingchan''s temperament is somewhat prideful, I must present well, lest I displease her," Shen Xiu said anxiously. "She won''t, Fourth Miss isn''t the type to get upset easily. Besides, Miss Qi, you are so beautiful, everyone in the courtyard likes you." Shen Xiu couldn''t help but cover her mouth and laugh, feeling happy. While chatting and laughing, Shen Qing stepped over the threshold and came in. Chapter 105 - 29 Matchmaking Once Shen Qing entered the main hall, he immediately noticed that today''s dinner spread differed from usual, appearing quite lavish. Seeing Shen Xiu seated on the left, he asked in confusion, "Auntie, don''t we usually eat in your side chambers? What''s the occasion today?" "A family meal," Shen Xiu said, patting a chair and motioning for Shen Qing to sit beside her. At her words, Shen Qing moved to sit down. Shen Xiu eyed her nephew, satisfaction gleaming at the corners of her eyes. Say what you will about the Shen Family, but their bone structure was impeccable. After days of care and with a new fitted outfit, Shen Qing truly embodied a fine young man. Broad where he needed to be broad, slim where he needed to be slim, and solid where he needed to be solid. Using the family''s dialect, Shen Xiu asked, "Have you settled well in the Outer City? Is anyone bothering you?" Bothering me? Most who tried are dead now. Shen Qing chuckled and said, "The Outer City is always chaotic, and there are some bullies, but it''s nothing serious. I''ve picked up some martial arts, and with my uncle backing me, nobody dares to do much." "If it''s too dangerous outside, it might be wiser to save more money and move to the Inner City," Shen Xiu suggested with a frown. Shen Qing considered. He had just acquired a hundred gold taels from the Zhou Family. His total assets, converted to silver, amounted to about one thousand five hundred taels, which was enough to buy a house in the Inner City. But buying wasn''t as good as renting; the saved money could be better spent on martial arts training. Shen Qing replied indifferently, "Yeah, there''s no rush, let''s discuss it later." Soon, another person entered from outside. It was Li Lingchan. Today, she wore a plain white long dress with a hairpin in her hair, looking entirely different from usual. Li Lingchan, inheriting Li Linfeng''s build, appeared somewhat broad. This was evident in her martial arts attire, but the long dress made her seem like a girl next door. With some rouge applied, her fine features already stood out, making her appear radiant. She brought with her a fragrant breeze, embodying the essence of a noble lady. Upon entering the main hall and seeing Shen Qing seated, Li Lingchan was a bit surprised. This was traditionally where the Li Family hosted guests, and even if Shen Qing had become a direct disciple, he had no seat here. She had a flicker of doubt in her eyes, but didn''t ask questions, quietly sitting down on the guest seats to the right. After a while, Li Linfeng arrived with a woman dressed in opulent attire. Shen Xiu pulled Shen Qing up quickly, bowing in respect, "Master, Fifth Madam." "Father, Mother!" Li Lingchan''s confusion grew, and she was about to ask when Li Linfeng interrupted. "We''re all family, sit down, sit down," Li Linfeng invited them to sit. There were five people at the table, including Shen Qing, while the rest were Li Linfeng''s family. "No need to just sit idly, start eating." As Li Linfeng picked up his chopsticks and helped himself to a piece of meat dipped in sauce, the others began eating as well. The atmosphere at the table was still cold and somewhat tense. Everyone seated was eating in silence. Women were often more perceptive in these matters. Li Lingchan noticed her mother''s eyes frequently darting between Shen Qing and herself during dinner. Her heart skipped a beat, suspecting something unpleasant. After eating for a bit, Li Linfeng picked up a large bowl of wine, drinking a few gulps with a heavy clink as he set it back down, creating a sharp sound. Shen Qing and the others, who were busy eating, all looked toward Li Linfeng in unison. With both hands resting on the table, Li Linfeng glanced between Shen Qing and Li Lingchan. After a moment, he withdrew his hands and resumed eating leisurely, "Shen Qing, how old are you this year?" "Replying to Master, fifteen." "Fifteen, huh. It''s about time for you to start a family and establish yourself," Li Linfeng said with a look at Shen Qing, "Do you have anyone in mind?" Shen Qing glanced at Li Lingchan. Even as dense as he was, he understood why Li Linfeng had invited him to this meal. He intended to match him with his fourth daughter. In the Great Zhou Dynasty, it was customary for men to marry at fifteen, so it wasn''t pushing it too much. Shen Qing replied truthfully, "Not yet." Li Linfeng continued, "What do you think of my daughter? She''s a year older than you, has a straightforward nature, and knows some martial arts. If you two were together, you''d be well-matched." Li Lingchan overheard these words and, although she had expected it, still felt a rush of embarrassment and anger. Her naturally rosy complexion turned beet red as if set ablaze. "Father, I still want to serve you for a few more years," Li Lingchan quickly interjected. Li Linfeng glanced at his daughter and said, "Getting married doesn''t stop you from serving your parents." Hearing this, Li Lingchan bit her lip and knelt on the ground, "Father, I always aspired to achieve something in martial arts. Now is a critical time for my progress. If I marry and have children, it will undoubtedly hinder my martial path. Besides¡ª" Li Lingchan lifted her head to look at Shen Qing, "Even if I were to marry, it should be to a man of enterprise, like you, Father, and Junior Brother Shen is not my type." Sitting by the side, Shen Qing saw Li Lingchan''s resolve and assessed the situation. He noticed Li Lingchan''s pride in her nature, and although she didn''t show it, she somewhat looked down on him. Even if he agreed, it would be a forced union that wouldn''t benefit him. More importantly, Li Lingchan was not to his taste. Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. She was indeed beautiful, but her waist was not slim, her chest was small, and her hips weren''t full. He preferred women with slender waists, large bosoms, and ample hips. In addition, he wished for a gentle, virtuous nature with stable emotions¡ªsomething Li Lingchan''s impulsive nature didn''t match. As she spoke up so directly, she needed a more patient kind of man. Unhurried, he stood and followed with, "Thank you, Master, Mistress, and Auntie''s goodwill. I''m just dull-witted and have no home to offer, so even if I marry Senior Sister, she''d have no place to rest, and it''d harm her. Furthermore, I don''t have any romantic feelings towards Senior Sister, and I hope Master will revoke this decision." "Is that so?" Li Linfeng, seeing their attitudes, felt disappointed. He really liked Shen Qing. He had talent, was aware of social graces, and could adapt to situations, daring to speak and act. In his view, as long as Shen Qing didn''t die, he was bound to make a mark and build a career. To have him as a son-in-law would be fortuitous. Li Linfeng shot a glance at Fifth Miss, seemingly reprimanding for not understanding a good match and thwarting his plan. Fifth Miss shrank back, not daring to speak. Realizing that neither party was interested, Li Linfeng sighed deeply and reluctantly gave up, "Let''s eat." Li Lingchan stood up and glanced sideways at Shen Qing, holding back her emotions. "Shen Xiu was a concubine bought from another family, later given to my father as a side chamber wife, her origins quite lowly. Shen Qing, her nephew, shares that same humble background and doesn''t even have a martial arts register." "If I were to marry him, wouldn''t I end up as low as he is? I''m not expecting to marry into nobility or officialdom, but at least someone with a martial arts register; what is Father thinking? He''s making such a rash decision just because Shen Qing has some aptitude for martial arts." "In the Great Zhou, many have higher martial talents than he does; he''s only exceptional here. Fortunately, he understands this, and hasn''t tried to push his luck." Looking at Shen Qing and Shen Xiu again, she felt a frustrating irritation she couldn''t quite pin down. After this event, the already chilly atmosphere grew colder. Li Linfeng only ate a few more bites before he stopped, making some courteous remarks and exiting the dining area with Fifth Madam. Shen Qing stood up to see them off, maintaining a calm demeanor without a trace of discontent or frustration. Seeing this, the fire of indignation in Li Lingchan burned hotter for reasons she couldn''t fathom. Shen Qing, whom she found agreeable before, now seemed insufferable. This inexplicable surge of emotion even puzzled her. "So arrogant after slight success, truly overestimating himself. My father must be a fool. The world is so chaotic, it''s uncertain if he''ll even survive; he''s so casual about my future, just letting me marry someone with no foundation." Blinded by anger, Li Lingchan even harbored some grievances against Li Linfeng. Rising, she said coldly, "Miss Qi, please enjoy your meal. I''m leaving." Li Lingchan departed without looking back, her vigorous stride causing her hairpin to jingle. After everyone left, Shen Xiu deflated like a wilted eggplant, losing her spirit. Shen Qing, unbothered, poured himself a bowl of wine, grabbing handfuls from the table as if nothing had happened. "Qingzi, are you alright?" Shen Qing laughed, "Why wouldn''t I be? I''m fine. There''s all this good food here, and since I''m already here, why not enjoy it? Burp..." Shen Xiu''s expression soured. "Qingzi, don''t be discouraged. If Fourth Miss isn''t interested, we can look elsewhere. I''ve talked to your uncle; he''ll help you find someone else." "Um..." Shen Qing suddenly felt like his aunt misunderstood his intentions. Chapter 106 - 30: Decision Making "After a whole morning of tossing around, Shen Qing was already famished, and this time the banquet prepared by Li Linfeng particularly suited his taste. After the others left, he ate without reservation, a departure from his usual manner. This gave his aunt, Shen Xiu, some other associations. However, Shen Qing couldn''t be bothered to explain further, fearing that the more he explained, the more confused it would become. After eating and drinking to his satisfaction, Shen Qing patted his full belly and said, "Aunt, I''ll head back first." "Hmm." Aunt Shen Xiu, who had lost interest, replied, "Today''s matter was my oversight. You must not let this affect your mindset, focus on your martial arts practice." "I know." Shen Qing smiled slightly, striding out of the main hall, while a soft sigh came from behind him. Li Linfeng''s act of matchmaking for Shen Qing was done relatively discreetly and wasn''t publicized, hence not many knew about it. Though somehow, some interested parties still found out about it. "Junior Brother, I heard that Master introduced Little Junior Sister to you and you turned her down?" Ouyang Tiezhu, having just exchanged a move with Shen Qing, asked curiously. Shen Qing frowned, "You all know?" "There are just that many people in the yard, and Little Junior Sister didn''t come by in the afternoon. A little inquiry was enough to find out, it''s not particularly hard." Shen Qing did not deny, saying, "It did happen, but it was merely Little Junior Sister finding me unworthy." "I see. Master''s Little Junior Sister, how to say this? Raised by Master since young, with a high vision indeed, not someone who would easily take a liking to you." Ouyang Tiezhu patted Shen Qing on the shoulder, "I know a few families with daughters, how about getting acquainted? Rest assured, they''re from decent families, some even in business, and quite pretty. Now that you''ve reached the Bone Refining Realm with some skills, it''s indeed time to consider this." "Uh¡­" Shen Qing waved his hand, "I don''t have any intention of settling down yet, let''s talk about it later." "Alright, anyway I''ll keep an eye out for you, just let me know when you have the thought. You''re still young with a limitless future, which makes finding a match easier. Otherwise, if you wait till you''re older, even if you have a career, finding a good father-in-law won''t be easy, best to plan early." Shen Qing nodded, "Alright. If I change my mind, I''ll let you know immediately." "By the way, I have to remind you, today the Zhou Family was bombed by the Huang Tian Sect, and the county government is rounding up Huang Tian Sect remnants, be careful when going out." Shen Qing guessed it was likely due to the Martial Mechanism Bomb, having Huang Tian Sect take the blame for him. The more the better, Huang Tian Sect could take this extra burden. They could bear the brunt once more. "Again with the Huang Tian Sect?" Shen Qing said helplessly, "It''s becoming endless." "Anyway, be careful." "Much appreciated, Senior Brother Ouyang." ¡­ The little episode of Li Linfeng linking Shen Qing with Li Lingchan stirred ripples among the senior brothers in the backyard. But it came and went quickly. Most men in Linfeng Hall were not particularly concerned with such gossip. They felt it was more practical to spend idle time practicing punches to enhance strength. By the Shen Hour. After exchanging moves dozens of times with his brothers, Shen Qing returned to the Outer Court pharmacy, his whole body aching, he removed his clothes to find large bruises all over his body. These were from being occasionally outmatched by his brothers in sparring. In actual combat, if the brothers released the full power of the Wind Defying Finger, he would have faced more than just bruises, potentially life-threatening injuries. "In actual combat, defense must be considered. As long as no one kills me in one move, I have a chance to counter-kill. If killed in one move, then it''s all over, no follow-up matters. My body''s resistance is still insufficient." Shen Qing put away his thoughts, immersing himself in a medicinal bath as usual, tempering his flesh, and hardening his muscle and bone. By evening, Shen Qing ended a day''s practice, taking Shen Xiaohu to leave the city for their Outer City residence. Near the roadside to the left, a shop''s door was tightly closed, inside faint sounds of smashing and screams could be heard. Passing by, the door suddenly burst open. Sear?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. A middle-aged man, covered in blood, stumbled out, trying to escape. However, he had not gotten far before a hooligan grabbed his hair from behind, dragging him back in. The door slammed shut, leaving only bloodstains on the ground. Shen Qing and Shen Xiaohu were shocked to witness this. In his impression, the Inner City was always stable, and usually, gang fights took place in the Outer City, rarely did anyone dare to be so publicly blatant in combat. "Who are they to be so arrogant in the Inner City?" After a while. The screams inside abruptly stopped. The door opened again. A sturdy man, clearly not to be trifled with, came out. He loosened his muscle and bone, sweeping a glance over the gathered onlookers, shouting, "Mi Gang in action, bystanders stay clear." The man''s sound was overwhelmingly loud. With his harsh shout, the crowd dispersed in a clamor. "So they''re from Mi Gang?" Shen Qing squinted slightly, discreetly glancing at the man. He knew Mi Gang had some vendetta with Li Linfeng, now Mi Gang had cozied up to the government office, their aggressive style was not a good sign for Linfeng Hall. "Let''s go." Shen Qing and Shen Xiaohu no longer lingered, leaving quietly. Walking down the street. Perhaps an illusion, but Shen Qing noticed far fewer people on the street. Some shops had even moved out, appearing empty. The Inner City seemed somewhat desolate. Shen Qing returned to the slums, inquiring about today''s new sector situation. Seeing nothing unusual, he asked no more. At night, Shen Qing had some modest food, setting aside all trivial matters, he laid out the Martial Arts Secret Manuals acquired today on the table. "Li Linfeng told me today that one''s energy is limited, martial arts should not be practiced excessively, even mastering one more is the limit, one must choose wisely. But with the Water Ink Panel, I don''t need to." After days of practice, Shen Qing knew his Water Ink Panel allows perpetual improvement, advancing without regression. Learning multiple martial arts skills isn''t a burden. "I have twelve Shi Chen in a day, leaving two or three Shi Chen for training Wind Defying Finger, two to three Shi Chen for rest, and calculating the remaining time, I can still learn two more martial arts skills and one non-martial skill. Proficiency can be increased through application, no need for separate practice." "So the next question is, which two martial arts should I train?" Shen Qing lowered his gaze to the martial arts skills he had laid in front of him." Chapter 107 - 31: More is Beautiful, Bigger is Better ``` The early spring nights were no longer as biting as the winter chill, yet still carried a hint of cold. A gentle breeze slipped through the gap of the main door, causing the dim oil lamp on the table to flutter, casting dappled and kaleidoscopic shadows on the simple furniture. Shen Qing''s complexion was illuminated with a mix of light and shadow. The worn wooden table, its edges smoothed over time, held five yellowing books and a stack of new paper filled with writing. Shen Qing sat by the table, his brow furrowed, eyes flickering with a complex light. His fingers repeatedly traced over the five martial arts secret manuals: "Illusion Breaking Fist, Netherworld Ghost Steps, Eight Extremities Collapse, Wuji Tiangang Kick, Dragon Roar Armor, Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill..." The smoke from the oil lamp rose slowly, with the sound of the burning crackling echoing in the empty room. "Illusion Breaking Fist, Netherworld Ghost Steps, Wuji Tiangang Kick, these three martial arts are each specialized in a single category. Illusion Breaking Fist focuses on fist techniques, breaking through illusions with fists, emphasizing self-cultivation to dispel inner deceptions. According to Li Linfeng''s critique, it''s merely a third-rate martial art, with little to commend in real combat techniques or killing methods. I can learn it, but the Water Ink Panel could also continuously break through it. However, for my current situation, the return ratio is not high, and investing too much time and effort isn''t worthwhile." Shen Qing picked up the Illusion Breaking Fist and placed it to the left. "Netherworld Ghost Steps and Wuji Tiangang Kick are both focused on the legs, although one enhances the whole body''s speed through the legs, while the other uses the legs as weapons to defeat the enemy. In deep practice, one could leave no traces on snow and break stones with a kick. I have hunting skills involving footwork, combined with the Wind Defying Finger involving movement technique, there''s some overlap with these two martial arts. Besides, neither is profound, both are difficult to learn and master." After considering, Shen Qing placed both Netherworld Ghost Steps and Wuji Tiangang Kick to the left. "What''s left are these three: Eight Extremities Collapse, Dragon Roar Armor, Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill." Shen Qing brought the Eight Extremities Collapse closer: "Eight Extremities Collapse mainly masters the strength of inner training, with the real power showing during the Qi Cultivation Realm, cultivating Eight Extremes Qi, enhancing the power of the Qi in harmony with the Wind Defying Finger. Li Linfeng also suggested I learn this martial art." Flipping through the yellowing martial arts technique, it was filled with dense annotations. It was evident that Li Linfeng still cared relatively much about this martial art. After skimming through this martial art, Shen Qing placed it to the right. Then, he picked up the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill. "This is a martial art spread from the Great Zhou Court; I suspect it''s not very profound within the Great Zhou Court, otherwise, it wouldn''t have ended up in the hands of the Zhou Family. But even so, this martial art is very precious for rogue practitioners like us." "The training principle of Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill is to repeatedly reverse one''s Qi-Blood meridians, taking a path of accumulation. Every revolution doubles the martial master''s entire body''s strength, reaching the Perfect Realm, and the nine revolutions can stack nine times the power effect, unmatched in strength." "The only flaw is that each operation of this technique exhausts the body''s functions, causing a certain degree of weakness. In this period of weakness, the martial master''s aspects are at least thirty percent weaker compared to their usual status." "Even so, the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill can produce unexpected effects in combat; such a technique should be cultivated." Shen Qing placed Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill at the top. "There''s only one martial art left." Shen Qing picked up Dragon Roar Armor, this martial arts technique. As the name suggests, it is a primarily defense-focused martial art. It abandons the usual routes of Strengthening Tendons and Bones, from start to finish continuously tempering Qi-Blood, and muscles, eventually making the entire body''s muscles and skin as hard as iron, with Qi-Blood deep as a mountain, cultivated to the extreme, impervious to blades and spears, invincible to water and fire. Shen Qing pondered now; his Wind Defying Finger focused on killing, hunting skills on footwork and concealment, learning Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill would be an outburst. What he lacked now was a defensive martial art. Shen Qing opened this martial arts technique, glanced through it, and saw Li Linfeng made some summary on this technique. "More is beautiful, bigger is good." Shen Qing''s expression couldn''t help but pause. In fact, he knew Li Linfeng wasn''t wrong. Dragon Roar Armor¡ªthe entire style is wild and bold, consistently increasing the thickness of Qi-Blood and muscle strength, making them bigger and more substantial until the confrontation could produce a resonant dragon roar, resisting all impacts. Everything else is ignored. I must say, this martial art is quite wild. Shen Qing put down this martial art, his gaze constantly shifting between Eight Extremities Collapse and Dragon Roar Armor. Eight Extremities Collapse is fine, but it isn''t what I urgently need now; what''s most suitable for my current situation is Dragon Roar Armor. After I cultivated Blood Dominance Technique, my Qi-Blood is already substantial; now, I lack a correct guide for practice, which Dragon Roar Armor can solve, complementing Blood Dominance Technique to enhance my physical defense. Quickly, Shen Qing made a choice. Deciding to concurrently practice Dragon Roar Armor and Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill in the upcoming time. Seeing that it was getting late, he gathered the remaining techniques and locked them in a box before going to sleep. Early the next morning, Shen Qing woke up early and began practicing Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill and Dragon Roar Armor. Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill, worthy of being martial arts summarized over the years by the Great Zhou Court, was quite easy to grasp. Practicing along the path felt like driving on a highway, rapid and smooth, easier to master than other martial arts. Just within a moment, a drop of ink appeared in his vision, with lines of ink text emerging. [Skill: Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill (Entry Level)] [Progress: 1/100 points] [Status: Unable to improve] [Note: Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill, each revolution is stronger than the last, continuous practice can increase cultivation progress.] So fast. As expected from the official path, unlike wild routes, there were no obstacles during cultivation. According to this progress, it might only take three to five days to master [First Transformation] and burst out twice the power. Shen Qing felt a surge of joy in his heart. After practicing for a while, Shen Qing ate some pancakes prepared by his elder sister Shen Fang and hurried towards Linfeng Hall with Shen Xiaohu. He didn''t see Li Lingchan in the backyard. The senior brothers said she went to a separate courtyard to spar with Fourth Senior Brother Wushili. This was exactly to Shen Qing''s liking. Now, he only wanted to practice martial arts; without Li Lingchan, the backyard seemed quieter. After four days of hard practice, just as Shen Qing expected, he had maxed out the proficiency of the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill. [Skill: Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill (Entry Level)] [Progress: 101/100 points] [Status: Can be improved] Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Shen Qing did not hesitate: "Breakthrough." ``` Chapter 108 - 32 Power ``` At the moment Shen Qing conceived this thought, the text on the Water Ink Panel in his sight immediately changed. The status of the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill jumped from Entry Level to [Skillfully/First Transformation]. Shen Qing sat cross-legged, a grave expression on his face, feeling his entire body''s Qi-Blood rapidly circulating in a special rhythm, causing his whole body to heat up. Soon, the attribute information on the Water Ink Panel was fully updated. [Skill: Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill (Skillfully/First Transformation)] [Progress: 1/200 points] [Status: Non-upgradable] [Note: You reap what you sow; continuous practice can hasten the cultivation progress, improve the cultivation technique realm, and stimulate Qi-Blood potential.] "This Imperial Martial Arts breakthrough is quick, but it''s a bit of a pity not to have awakened other skills." Just when Shen Qing thought the breakthrough had ended, he suddenly perceived a slight fluctuation of energy erupting deep within his body. His whole Qi-Blood instantly became like wild horses running loose, suddenly rampaging through his body and reversing the original circulation path. Shen Qing couldn''t help but moan in pain, collapsing onto the bed. "The first energy reversal of the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill?!" After the Qi-Blood reversal, Shen Qing only felt torrents of heat surging within, like a river bursting its banks, growing fiercer with each wave. His meridians began to emit faint tremors under the wash of this power. Beads of sweat trickled down Shen Qing''s forehead. "Just endure a bit more, it should be over soon." Shen Qing immersed his mind, feeling the reversal of Qi-Blood and the sorting of meridians within his body. Finally, at a certain moment, an unprecedented power erupted within Shen Qing. This power, like a raging flood beast, pushed his body to its limits, and Shen Qing felt his meridians were about to be torn apart, unbearably painful. "Ah! Damn it..." Even with Shen Qing''s resilient nature, he couldn''t suppress a moan of agony: "There''s no free lunch under the sun." Shen Qing gritted his teeth, clenched his fists, guarding his mind against the impact of this force. Soon under the wash of this power, Shen Qing''s meridians, after the first energy reversal, gradually toughened and bloomed with unprecedented vitality and vigor. After the time of a pot of tea, the pain in his body gradually subsided. Shen Qing gently exhaled a turbid breath, lowered his head to inspect himself, and found no change in his flesh. But when he slightly circulated the Mysterious Skill, he found the Qi-Blood''s speed within him was indeed faster, more nimble, and not much was unusual during the reversal. The pain from the first circulation had vanished. Shen Qing pondered for a moment, then slowly stood up, pointing abruptly into thin air, a faint pop echoed in the air. A trace of excitement flashed through him. "There seems to be some change, different from before." Shen Qing realized this should be the power enhancement brought about by the first transformation breakthrough of the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill, though he didn''t know to what extent this power could reach. He took a deep breath, urging the first transformation of the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill to the extreme, and the Qi-Blood within him began reversing madly once more. Shen Qing felt his body, as the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill''s reversal spurred on, seemed to transform into a gigantic furnace, incessantly refining his potential. A power stronger than before was congregating within. When the power reached its peak, two beams of sharp light shot from Shen Qing''s eyes; he let out a low shout, flicking a finger, a deafening explosion resounded in the air, as if thunder burst. At the point his finger touched, fragments of wood flew from the wall, with thick wooden boards easily pierced into deep holes. Not only that, but wisps of scorched smoke rose from the holes he pierced, as if they were burned, covered in a layer of char. Shen Qing looked at his seemingly ordinary fingers, feeling somewhat incredulous. His fingers were at most three inches long, yet under the support of the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill, they could penetrate wooden boards deeper than this, an utterly impossible feat before. Additionally, there was even a burning effect. And this was before he had mastered entering the energy to train strength. If he had, with one finger he might obliterate someone. Shen Qing''s eyes shone with satisfaction, silently assessing in his heart. Even if his cultivation was at the Bone Refining Realm, he could likely kill a martial master in the Skin Forging Realm who had entered the energy. "Now that the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill has progressed, it''s time to practice the Dragon Roar Armor martial art more, to enhance muscle strength and defense." Shen Qing collected his thoughts. He grabbed a few stalks of straw from the kitchen, kneaded them into a ball, and conveniently plugged the holes he''d made. Feeling bouts of weakness, Shen Qing hurried to climb into bed to rest. Time flew by, in the blink of an eye, it was already February. The weather in Taiping County gradually warmed, willows by the pond sprouted green buds, becoming full of spring vitality. During this period, Senior Brother Ouyang Tiezhu seemed particularly interested in helping Shen Qing find a bride. In the backyard, Shen Qing sat on a bench to rest after practice. Ouyang Tiezhu commented beside him: "Junior Brother Shen, I find you become more formidable. At this rate, I won''t be your match any longer. Are you about to refine bone and proceed to skin forging?" "A few more days." Shen Qing shook his head and said: "Master said, only when the bone becomes like iron, and two bones striking each other emit a clear iron sound, is the bone refined. I haven''t achieved such change yet." Saying so, Shen Qing clenched his fists, bumping them together, producing only a dull odd sound. Ouyang Tiezhu was momentarily speechless. If he remembered correctly, that odd sound took him over a year to practice achieving. Shen Qing reaching such a state in just over a month made him lose face. Ouyang Tiezhu did not dwell on these matters. In his view, Shen Qing was the most talented in the entire Linfeng Hall, so being outmatched by him was normal. He pulled a few sheets of rolled-up xuan paper from his pocket, spread them before Shen Qing, each depicting lively young women. Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Junior Brother Shen, what do you think of this girl? Her family runs a butcher shop, they have a house in the Inner City, a respectable family." "Then this one, her family runs a boat business, she''s very pretty." "And this one..." Watching the eager Ouyang Tiezhu, Shen Qing smiled wryly: "Senior Brother, I haven''t thought about settling down just yet." Ouyang Tiezhu gathered the xuan paper: "So none caught your eye, Little Junior Brother?" "No, I just haven''t..." Shen Qing opened his mouth to speak, but was interrupted by Ouyang Tiezhu''s raised hand: "Junior Brother, inexperienced and thin-skinned, I understand. I was like you back then, unable to bring myself to take a step, later learned after indulging with a few girls." Ouyang Tiezhu rolled up the papers in his hand, saying: "With your martial arts talent, Junior Brother, you must disdain these ordinary girls. I''ll inquire more for you." Shen Qing sighed helplessly, pondering inwardly that next time if he brought this up, he''d have to randomly pick someone agreeable to get by. ``` Chapter 109 - 33: The Tiger Problem Intensifies, Custom Heavy Bow ``` The security situation in the western city area had noticeably improved thanks to the daily patrols by the many hunters from Hongshan Village. In addition to Shen Qing''s previous fierce style of handling things, for a time, no one dared to cause trouble. After a month or two, the dozens of Hongshan Village families who came over each made quite a bit of money. Inside the house. Shen Qing sat at an eight-immortal table with Zhang Baqing and several other families, discussing recent issues. "Uncle Zhang''s family moved to the Inner City?" Shen Qing picked up a ceramic bowl, took a sip of coarse tea, and asked. Zhang Baqing didn''t beat around the bush, directly saying, "The family just moved yesterday. These days, everyone''s made some money, and many have thoughts of moving to the Inner City. My cousin''s family was urged by his wife, so they hurriedly moved in. But I instructed them not to delay the patrol duties here." While speaking, Zhang Baqing glanced at Shen Qing, as if worried about making him unhappy. Shen Qing put down the ceramic bowl and said in a calm tone, "It''s nothing, people aim higher, and water flows lower, so it''s understandable. The Inner City is safe and bustling, living inside isn''t a bad thing." After several endeavors, Shen Qing had accumulated a lot of Silver, enough to cover his martial arts expenses. Money was no longer the most pressing concern for him. The protection fees in this shantytown area were substantial, but not overly high. Shen Qing didn''t put much thought into them. He believed that people''s hearts would always change. S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. These people hadn''t seen much of the world, initially clinging together when arriving in a new place and relying on him. But as time passed and they gained footing, each would develop personal interests. At that time, thinking of being as united as initially was impossible. Shen Qing had anticipated this. So from the start, he focused on making quick money. Once his cultivation improved, he would have many avenues to earn money and wouldn''t need to cling to an old, nearly decaying tree. Zhang Baqing, noticing that Shen Qing showed no dissatisfaction, couldn''t help but breathe a sigh of relief and relaxed. "I knew you, Qingzi, were kind-hearted, and everyone following you would certainly have great prospects." "Has there been anything significant happening in Taiping County recently?" Shen Qing continued asking. Another villager hunter at the table said, "Just yesterday, something big happened, somewhat related to us." "What is it?" "Do you remember that demon tiger?" Tian Xiaohu paused slightly. No one was more familiar with that demon tiger than the people of Hongshan Village, so he asked, "I remember. What''s up?" "I heard that all the officers sent to eliminate it were killed, and even several people from the Guardian Martial Department were lost. Several villages near Shicheng Mountain were wiped out." "What? How did we not know of such a big event?" Shen Qing was also a bit puzzled. He hadn''t heard a word about it in Linfeng Hall. "After dealing with the Yellow Heaven Sect''s troubles unsuccessfully, now there''s a tiger calamity. The County Magistrate feared impeachment and unrest, so he deliberately sealed off the news. If not for someone I knew stumbling upon it, I wouldn''t know either." "Sigh... When will this world ever be stable?" Shen Qing remained silent. If the tiger calamity continued, the county government would sooner or later recruit martial masters in the city. Those who do not consider the future must soon have immediate worries, so it''s better to prepare early. Shen Qing glanced at the bow and arrow hanging on the wall; its power was too little. With his constantly progressing cultivation, it was like a child''s toy. He needed to customize a Heavy Bow as a precaution. After chatting about some domestic trifles, everyone dispersed. It was still early. Being someone who acted spontaneously, Shen Qing headed straight for the Inner City. Only a few master craftsmen in Taiping City could make heavy bows and weapons. Ruan Pottery Master, living in the east of the city, was among them and known for his excellent craft skills. This Ruan Pottery Master''s kiln was relatively remote and wasn''t easy to find. After asking along the way, Shen Qing finally found the path leading to Ruan Pottery Master''s dwelling. "Ruan Pottery Master in the east of the city is a renowned craftsman within a hundred miles. His skills are unrivaled. Time is tight; he must quickly make me a Heavy Bow." "If I end up on the mountain to deal with the tiger demon, it''ll be good for protection." Shen Qing muttered to himself, stepping onto the path, the soil beneath his feet sticky and making a slight squeaky sound. Walking through sparse alleys, Shen Qing found trash everywhere, uncared for. It shouldn''t have been this way within the Inner City''s range. "It''s really fallen into disrepair..." Compared to the vibrant season, Taiping County seemed a bit unsettling at the moment. Without further thought, Shen Qing focused on the road and soon arrived before Ruan Pottery Master''s kiln shop. The shop door was half-open; the furnace''s firelight escaping through the gap shone on Shen Qing''s face. He pushed open the door, hit with a wave of heat, accompanied by the crisp sound of a hammer striking metal. "Ruan Pottery Master, I am Shen Qing, here to visit." Shen Qing bowed, his voice echoing in the empty kiln shop. "Shen Qing?" a loud voice came from beside the furnace. The speaker was a burly middle-aged man with a full beard. He lifted his head, his eyes flashing with sharp light, "What do you want from me?" Shen Qing, straightforwardly, said, "I want to ask the kiln master to make me a Heavy Bow." "Heavy Bow? How heavy?" "I want fifty shi." Ruan Pottery Master''s expression froze. Fifty shi? One shi equals one hundred and twenty jin. Fifty shi equals six thousand jin. A fifty shi bow requires six thousand jin of arm strength to pull. Ordinary people could not manage it. Ruan Pottery Master eyed him up and down, asking, "Practicing martial arts?" Shen Qing nodded indifferently. Ruan Pottery Master didn''t ask more, frankly saying, "For a fifty shi bow, I don''t have other special materials here; only an iron bow embryo can meet your requirement. Such a bow horn needs to be made of buffalo horn, the string needs Mountain Treasures'' tendon, and the glue needs fish bladder from a sea gem fish. It would take me at least six months to find these materials, cure the glue on the bow for two months, and adjust and improve it for a month... Troublesome." "Six months?" Shen Qing''s brows furrowed, "No, I want it in a month!" Ruan Pottery Master''s forging stopped; he glared at Shen Qing, "Are you messing with me?" "I''ll pay more." "Uh..." Ruan Pottery Master''s expression softened immediately, turned to pick up a piece of dark iron, looked at Shen Qing, and said, "One and a half months, 200 taels. If you can accept it, I''ll do it; if not, forget it." Two hundred taels?! Shen Qing was taken aback. Such a price could buy a nice house in the Inner City. After brief consideration, Shen Qing agreed without missing a beat, "Okay." Ruan Pottery Master tossed the dark iron into the furnace, "Leave a deposit of fifty taels here, come back in a month and a half." Shen Qing suspiciously glanced at Ruan Pottery Master. "Young man, I''ve been in this business for many years; I wouldn''t cheat you of that bit of money." Shen Qing didn''t think more, took out the prepared Silver Taels, and placed them on a nearby table, "I hope Master Ruan will do a good job." "Don''t worry, I won''t let you down." ``` Chapter 110 - 34: Overcast Clouds ``` With the assurance from Master Ruan, Shen Qing finally put his mind at ease. He cupped his hands and said, "I''ll come back in a month and a half. I''ll trouble Master Ruan to make some more handy arrows for me." Ruan Pottery Master turned his head to glance at him and said, "Fifty wen each." How expensive. This price was equivalent to a day''s hard work for an ordinary hunter. However, fortunately, this amount wasn''t much for Shen Qing now. "Then please make twenty," Shen Qing said, placing a tael of silver on the table and departed with a bow. As he walked out, Shen Qing encountered a young girl in a blue dress. Her hair was pinned up with a hairpin, and her chest had begun to show the gentle hills of maturity, much like misty hills in the morning, suggesting she had reached womanhood. Though her appearance was ordinary with a few freckles on her face, she bore some resemblance to Master Ruan. The girl in the long dress slightly moved aside to make way for Shen Qing. Shen Qing nodded politely and left at a leisurely pace. The girl in the long dress gave Shen Qing''s retreating figure another glance or two before entering the house. She carried a pot of coarse tea to Master Ruan and quietly asked, "Father, who was that just now?" Ruan Chengbao put down the hammer in his hand, took the teapot, and said, "Someone who came to commission a bow." "Oh, do you know where he lives or what his name is?" the girl asked curiously. "I''ve never seen such a handsome person before." "Why, are you, young lady, having romantic inclinations?" Ruan Chengbao teased with a half-smile. The girl remained silent, quietly accepting the teapot Ruan Chengbao handed over. Ruan Chengbao chuckled and said, "He''ll come to pick up the bow and arrows in a month and a half. I''ll ask for you then." "Alright, it''s all up to you, Father." Ruan Chengbao said no more. He took out the heated dark iron he had just thrown in and placed it on the anvil, then swung the large hammer in his hand down on it. With a clang, sparks flew. ¡­ In a desolate hill outside Taiping County, Zhou Family Patriarch Zhou Dingwen stood with his eldest son Zhou Jishan, second son Zhou Congwu, and a group of servants in front of a newly erected grave. Nearby, a paper house for the spirits and other paper offerings crafted for the deceased were being piled up by the bustling servants. Each of these paper-crafted items was lifelike. From residences to everyday items like scissors, everything was included. There were even a dozen or so paper figures dressed as servants standing outside the paper house. Shortly after, a man who seemed like a butler approached Zhou Dingwen and respectfully said, "Master, everything is ready." "Then burn them all for Xiaoyu. She spent most of her time indoors since she was young, reluctant to leave home. Today marks her journey in the afterlife; we can''t let her suffer down there," Zhou Dingwen''s eyes filled with tears. Eldest son Zhou Jishan stepped forward to console him, "Father, don''t be too sad. The matter of our twelfth sister is already over. The dead cannot come back to life." Zhou Dingwen exhaled lightly, calming his agitated heart, and slowly said, "Have you found out yet? Was it the Huang Tian Sect?" Eldest son Zhou Jishan said softly, "I investigated carefully. Our twelfth sister had no connections with the Huang Tian Sect, nor have we had any conflicts with them. It doesn''t seem to be their doing." "Then who did this, daring to make a move in our Zhou Family compound in broad daylight?" Zhou Dingwen''s gaze turned sharp, "Our Zhou Family has always been low-key. Do they all think our Zhou Family is weak and easily bullied?" Eldest son Zhou Jishan replied honestly, "I haven''t found out yet, but for now, it seems connected to... the Seventh Household. The day before twelfth sister died, she was out all night. The last place she went was the Seventh Household..." Bang! Zhou Dingwen''s palm slapped fiercely on the tombstone in front of the new grave, causing it to sink three inches into the ground, producing a muffled sound. His face was filled with rage, "Investigate thoroughly, better kill wrongly than let it go." "Yes, I will investigate thoroughly." At this time, a cluster of firelight flickered from a section of paper offerings, slowly spreading outwards. Zhou Dingwen gazed at the flame, his eyes full of sorrow. As the fire licked the edges of the paper-crafted buildings, carriages, and figures, the edges began to curl and blacken, making a faint crackling sound. The fire grew more intense, the flames dancing and tumbling in the wind like a writhing fire serpent. As the heat rose, the paper offerings quickly turned to ash in the flames, sending up wisps of blue smoke. Until everything was completely burned to ashes. sea??h th§× Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Let''s go back," Zhou Dingwen said with lackluster interest as he waved his hand and walked down the mountain. Eldest son Zhou Jishan followed closely. As he took a step forward, Zhou Congwu pulled at his sleeve and said, "Big brother, I remember you found out that someone else returned with our twelfth sister last? This matter is surely related to that person. Why didn''t you tell Father?" "I already investigated that person long ago, only to find out it''s a young man. Other than that, I know nothing. To actually find him would be like searching for a needle in a haystack. It''s better to focus on more certain matters. The Seventh Household has become increasingly arrogant recently. Let''s discuss the rest later." Zhou Congwu was momentarily stunned and then said no more. ¡­ After returning from the kiln of Master Ruan, Shen Qing resumed his usual dedicated practice. During the day, he diligently practiced the Wind Defying Finger in Linfeng Hall and occasionally practiced the Dragon Roar Armor. At night, he practiced the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill, practically filling his entire day. In the backyard of Linfeng Hall, Shen Qing''s muscles tensed, and his skin took on a dark red hue. "Just a little more, the Dragon Roar Armor is a lot harder to practice than I had anticipated." Shen Qing focused his mind and glanced at the water ink panel in his vision, where the information about the Dragon Roar Armor appeared before him. [Skill: Dragon Roar Armor (Entry Level)] [Progress: 92/100 points] [Status: Cannot improve] [Note: When Heaven assigns a great task to someone, they must first endure hardships and strain their muscles and bones. Constantly refining qi-blood and honing flesh and blood can increase the progression of this martial art, significantly enhancing physical body strength.] Compared to the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill, a martial art of the court, the Dragon Roar Armor lacked a systematic approach to its practice; its training methods were rather crude and simplistic. As a result, Shen Qing stumbled and stalled in his training progress. This was even with the aid of the Blood Dominance Technique; otherwise, the progress would have lagged further behind. It''s hard to imagine how difficult it would be for someone with no foundation to train in martial arts in the Great Zhou Dynasty, especially after collecting the Martial Mechanism by the Great Zhou Dynasty. "Hoo... Hah..." Shen Qing exhaled a breath of hot air, and his taut muscles relaxed, a layer of hot sweat beading on his dark skin. As always, he sat on a stone bench for a short rest. Meanwhile, his gaze drifted outside. Recently, for some reason, the number of people coming to Linfeng Hall to practice martial arts had decreased by another twenty percent, making the large courtyard seem much quieter. Furthermore, the "security fee" he collected in the shantytown area of the Outer City had decreased compared to the past. The number of people living in the shantytown was decreasing. This wasn''t a good sign. Shen Qing looked up, noticing that the sky over Taiping County had unknowingly become densely covered with dark clouds. ``` Chapter 111 - 35 Matchmaking A gentle breeze blew by. The bamboo leaves in the backyard swayed lightly, making a rustling sound. At this moment, Ouyang Tiezhu crossed through the courtyard gate, and upon seeing Shen Qing, he happily hurried over, saying, "Junior Brother, it''s perfect that you''re here. I''ve found out about a few more girls. Would you like to take a look?" Shen Qing sighed helplessly. He didn''t understand why Ouyang Tiezhu had suddenly become so concerned about his marital prospects, collecting a few girls for him every now and then. No idea where he got all this information. Shen Qing didn''t oppose the idea of marriage. For men and women, marriage was an age-old tradition, uncontroversial. But getting married shouldn''t be random. It had to be with someone he could connect with. Otherwise, marrying an unworthy wife would cause endless trouble, better to remain single. Ouyang Tiezhu sat beside Shen Qing, skillfully took out a stack of portraits of women, and said, "Come, come, take a look at these." "This is a daughter from a branch of the Wang Family. Though her status is a bit low, she is at least related to the Boss of the Wang Family, considered a large household. Marrying her would certainly spare you many years of struggle." Ouyang Tiezhu sincerely praised as he pointed to a slightly plump girl. Shen Qing frowned, as this girl indeed didn''t suit his taste. Ouyang Tiezhu could see that Shen Qing seemed to care a lot about a woman''s appearance, so he simply spread all the portraits out in front of Shen Qing, saying, "Just see if any of these catch your eye, and I''ll inquire for you." Helpless, Shen Qing scrutinized the portraits in front of him one by one, finally pointing casually at a girl who looked rather pretty: "Her, then." Ouyang Tiezhu took a look and grinned, "Junior Brother, you really have a good eye. This girl is the daughter of the leader of Taiping Escort Agency. She can fight and calculate, and she''s quite pretty. I''ll go ask for you right away." Shen Qing said casually, "Thank you, Senior Brother." Taiping Escort Agency had been operating in the county for many years, gradually gaining some fame, no longer just a small household. The leader of the agency, surnamed Tang with a single name You, was a straightforward person, often interacting with major Martial Arts Halls while escorting goods. Sometimes when the martial masters from various halls had tight finances, they would seek a living with him. Because of this, Ouyang Tiezhu had also interacted with Taiping Escort Agency and knew that the agency had a young lady waiting for marriage, so he introduced her to Shen Qing. The young lady he introduced was named Tang Wanrou. At thirteen, she had already been escorting goods with Tang You, witnessing many ups and downs along the way. Though her name suggested weakness, her character was bold and fiery. The hall of Taiping Escort Agency was located relatively close to the city center, in a rather lively area. When Tang Wanrou received the message, she was practicing her martial arts in her courtyard. "Miss, Young Master Ouyang from Linfeng Hall sent word through someone, wishing to propose a marriage for you." The maid from the escort agency rushed over, cheerfully saying. Tang Wanrou, who was nearby, punched a wooden stake, producing a dull sound. She moved her fist away, revealing a dent in the wooden stake. Tang Wanrou stopped her practice and turned her head, puzzled, "Ouyang from Linfeng Hall? Li Linfeng''s direct disciple?" The maid nodded emphatically, "Yes." Tang Wanrou frowned as she recalled, clearly having some impression. She took a towel prepared nearby, dipped it in water, wrung it out, and said, "Tell me, what kind of person is he?" "He introduced his junior brother, a direct disciple of Li Linfeng. A handsome young man not often seen." "A handsome young man?" Tang Wanrou asked curiously, "Just how handsome?" "Young Master Ouyang also sent a portrait. Miss can take a look." The maid unfolded a scroll conveniently. Tang Wanrou''s eyes lit up, "He really isn''t bad-looking." She walked over to scrutinize more closely, her phoenix eyes showing some satisfaction. Her long black hair billowed up behind her. "Since he''s a direct disciple of Master Li, his Sight must not be poor. Do you know his current cultivation realm?" Tang Wanrou herself was engaged in martial arts, and since her family ran an escort agency, she was very concerned about Martial Arts. Appearance was important, but in the current world and city landscape, martial arts cultivation was fundamental for survival, not to be taken lightly. "The messenger made it clear to us. At fifteen, he''s already reached the Bone Refining Realm." "Just a little weaker than me, but still fine. At his age, he can still advance further, which is enough for our escort agency," Tang Wanrou nodded and then asked, "What about his family background and character?" "Young Master Ouyang introduces him as Shen Qing, the nephew of Linfeng Hall Master''s Seventh Aunt. His character is rather mild-mannered, and he''s currently of farmer origin. Besides training at the martial arts hall, he seems to mix with a gang in the Outer City." Hearing this, Tang Wanrou furrowed her brow slightly. "I remember Linfeng Hall Master''s Seventh Aunt used to be a concubine sent over, right?" "That''s indeed the case." sea??h th§× n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "It seems he''s of humble origin. Mixing with a gang in the Outer City is nothing significant, just small-time stuff that can''t make it to the stage. With Linfeng Hall''s current instability, getting into the martial arts register with his background might be challenging." "So should we decline, Miss?" Tang Wanrou glanced at the scroll in her hand, hesitated for a moment, and said, "Ask if he''s willing to marry into our family. If he''s willing, then I might consider marrying him. As for me marrying out... I''m not so desperate as to marry just anyone. Even if his status is a bit low, his cultivation should at least be stronger than mine." Recently, with the turbulent situation, the escort agency''s business had plummeted. Yet, a dead camel is still larger than a horse. Although Shen Qing had some Sight and his cultivation wasn''t bad, it wasn''t quite suitable given their different social standings. The maid nodded, "Alright, Miss. I''ll inform Young Master Ouyang." "Okay." After the maid left, the sound of practicing punches echoed again in the backyard. The next day. Ouyang Tiezhu told Shen Qing about marrying into the family, and Shen Qing refused without a second thought. In the Great Zhou, the status of a husband marrying into his wife''s family was only slightly higher than a slave. Many forced labor jobs prioritized looking for such husbands. Having managed on his own for so many years, he wasn''t in a rush to lower his status to find a woman for mere comfort. Ouyang Tiezhu felt this wasn''t very fair, so he didn''t press and took the message back. On the other hand, Tang Wanrou, upon learning she was refused, didn''t mind either. To her, three-legged toads were hard to find, but three-legged men were aplenty, and she had no lack of someone like Shen Qing. After this matter was settled, both sides stopped mentioning it and let it go. Chapter 112 - 36: Double Breakthrough, Substantial Enhancement of Strength Ouyang Tiezhu had a conflict with the Mi Gang last time and got injured. Even though he had already recovered, there were still lingering issues. He wasn''t mindful of nurturing his body during regular training, so now every time it rained, he felt a dull ache in his joints. Ouyang Tiezhu knew that under such circumstances, making progress in martial arts would be difficult. It''s often said that without distant worries, one must have immediate concerns. Now, his brother was dead, his parents were gone, and his background wasn''t extraordinary. If he couldn''t excel in martial arts, living a good life in the chaotic Taiping County as he grew old was nearly impossible. In the last competition, he lost a move to Shen Qing and realized if Shen Qing didn''t die, he''d surely do better in the future. So, intentionally or not, he sought to form a connection with Shen Qing. By introducing potential matches to him, he hoped to deepen their bond. If his matchmaking succeeded, he would at least be Shen Qing''s matchmaker and have some security in hard times. Unfortunately, despite introducing many girls and dealing with the Taiping Escort Agency, he found Shen Qing didn''t seem interested in marriage. Gradually, his thoughts on this matter faded. Three to five days passed in the blink of an eye. In a house within the shantytown area. Beside a simple bed, Shen Qing planted himself in a horse stance, throwing punches, sweat pouring off him. Suddenly, Shen Qing felt something: "Breaking through the Blood Dominance Technique yesterday greatly enhanced my Qi-Blood thickness, making the practice of Dragon Roar Armor much easier, and now the progress seems... sufficient." "I wonder to what extent this cultivation technique can enhance my physical body." After taking a deep breath and withdrawing his fists, Shen Qing sat down on a chair, his gaze becoming vacant. As his consciousness stirred, lines of information from the Water Ink Panel appeared before his eyes. [Skill: Dragon Roar Armor (Entry Level)] [Progress: 101/100 points] [Status: Can Improve] "The progress is full. Since that''s the case, let''s go, breakthrough!" The information on the Water Ink Panel in his view quickly changed, and Dragon Roar Armor refreshed from Entry Level to skillfully. Shen Qing steeled his mind to brace for the upcoming impact. But even though he was somewhat mentally prepared, the changes from the Dragon Roar Armor breakthrough still exceeded his expectations. Shen Qing''s vision went black, and a severe dizziness overwhelmed him. A sense of weakness, emptiness, and hunger like a tsunami rapidly engulfed him. He almost fell off the chair, his eyes seemed to sparkle with dizziness. This was a situation he had never encountered in previous breakthroughs. Shen Qing knew this deficiency was due to practicing the Dragon Roar Armor. Dragon Roar Armor was a martial art focused purely on the physical body. Since practicing it, his physique strengthened daily, leading to a huge increase in appetite. He needed to continually absorb external Essence Qi to replenish the energy needed for flesh and blood enhancement. The breakthrough just crossed a major threshold in his blood and flesh, which his body couldn''t immediately keep pace with, causing dizziness. Shen Qing didn''t have time to prepare anything, immediately pulling out a wooden box from under the bed. He twisted the lock open, lifting the lid. Inside lay three mountain treasures from Cai Jia Sheng of the Huang Tian Sect. He originally planned to use these mountain treasures to consolidate his cultivation when reaching the Skin Forging Realm or Qi Cultivation Realm. But now, lacking Essence Qi energy, he couldn''t care less. Among the three mountain treasures, the Blood Bird''s Nest was the least valuable, so Shen Qing grabbed it and devoured it without hesitation. Crunch, crunch, crunch! sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The crystal-clear Blood Bird''s Nest, resembling a jade bowl, made crisp sounds as Shen Qing bit into it. The chewing and swallowing resonated in the room. Soon, the palm-sized Blood Bird''s Nest was entirely consumed by Shen Qing. Once in his stomach, the abundant Essence Qi within began to diffuse, spreading throughout his body and infusing his flesh. Mountain treasures were great supplements. The Essence Qi contained in one mountain treasure far exceeded ordinary daily foods. Sitting on the chair, Shen Qing''s somewhat pale face visibly reddened, and he felt a slight heating sensation throughout his body. Every inch of his flesh greedily absorbed every essence trace from the Blood Bird''s Nest. In moments, the weakness subsided and soon disappeared. Shen Qing spread his strong arms, noticing the thick green veins pulsating beneath his skin, and his muscles swelled with explosive power. Moreover, Shen Qing found that after breaking through Dragon Roar Armor, his slightly dark skin had become more delicate, with a faint transparent film on the surface. Under light, it shimmered with a crystalline sheen. "Is this the state after mastering Dragon Roar Armor?" Shen Qing grinned, swinging his right fist, creating a series of short, sharp wooshes in the air. "Excellent. This feeling of being enveloped in muscle and dense Qi-Blood is incredibly comforting, giving me an unprecedented sense of security." Glancing at the Water Ink Panel again, Shen Qing noted: [Skill: Dragon Roar Armor (skillfully)] [Progress: 5/200 points] [Status: Cannot Improve] [Note: Mastering this martial art improves the strength of blood and flesh and thickness of Qi-Blood, while also forming tendons that cover your physical body as if donned in an Iron Cloth Shirt, greatly enhancing resistance to blows; ordinary weapons can''t harm you.] Reading the Water Ink characters, Shen Qing tightened his fists, sensing the powerful surge of physical strength. "Hmm?" Shen Qing suddenly felt something unusual and thought, "Well, that''s surprising." With a mental command, the Water Ink Panel''s text information reappeared, now showing the progress of the Wind Defying Finger. [Skill: Wind Defying Finger (Small Success)] [Progress: 303/300 points] [Status: Can Improve] [Note: Continued practice may awaken the ''One Finger Seal Throat'' skill, killing invisibly, ending life in one move.] "Unexpected, after breaking through Dragon Roar Armor, the Wind Defying Finger''s progress also reached the improvement threshold." Shen Qing was genuinely surprised: "Double breakthroughs indeed potentiate commendable progress." After Wind Defying Finger advanced to Small Success, progress slowed, especially since he allocated part of his time to other martial arts, slowing the progress. He originally thought it would take another two or three days to max out proficiency to reach the improvement requirement. Now the progress exceeded his expectations. Shen Qing guessed it was likely due to the mountain treasures. The Essence Qi in mountain treasures was highly supplemental to a martial master, with one treasure equaling a month of martial master''s hard cultivation. Just now, consuming the Blood Bird''s Nest changed his muscle and bone, reflecting in the Wind Defying Finger. Chapter 113 - 37 Promotion to the Skin Forging Realm ``` The fact was indeed so. Not only had the progress of the Wind Defying Finger advanced, but other Martial Arts like the Blood Dominance Technique, the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill, and the Dragon Roar Armor all showed more or less progress. It was just that the Wind Defying Finger happened to be on the brink of a breakthrough, which resulted in such a performance. "Then let''s break through right now." Shen Qing licked his dry lips, without any intention of pausing. In his previous life, he often read novels where many protagonists would stop when their cultivation advanced too quickly. The reason was nothing more than rapid advancement affecting future achievements due to insufficient Qi-blood or unstable foundations. To him, these were sheer nonsense. Now that he cultivated multiple skills simultaneously, he realized that these basic Martial Arts were all about excavating and enhancing the physical body''s potential. The Qi-blood used was the same set, without conflict or instability. Even if there was, his Water Ink Panel could overcome it. At this moment, Shen Qing firmly believed Li Linfeng''s notation: Quantity is beauty, and size is strength. As long as the speed was fast enough, the power large enough, and the defense solid enough, he could still kill even if his realm was a bit lacking. Shen Qing gathered his thoughts, his expression formal: "Water Ink Panel, breakthrough for me!" The information on the panel quickly refreshed. [Skill: Wind Defying Finger (Mastery Level)] [Progress: 3/400 points] [Status: Cannot be improved] [Note: You have used the Wind Defying Finger multiple times to pierce throats and thus gained the "One Finger Seal Throat" skill. With this skill, you can swiftly seize an opponent''s fatal spot, kill invisibly, and end lives with one move.] With a buzzing sound. All of a sudden, Shen Qing held his head, feeling a sharp pain. Strangers yet familiar experiences and memories appeared abruptly in his mind. It was as if he had killed countless people with the Wind Defying Finger and finally realized the lethal move "One Finger Seal Throat" at some moment. After a good while, the pain gradually subsided. Shen Qing combined his two fingers into a sword, and suddenly a highly familiar way of striking emerged in his mind. "It seems I''ve found another way to kill in the future." Shen Qing glanced at the Water Ink Panel, where the Wind Defying Finger had already achieved mastery. He just got out of that brain-fogged state. His mind had not had time to relax when he felt a warm current slowly rising from the Dantian, quickly circulating along the meridians to his fingertips. The warm flow became increasingly intense, like a flame dancing at his fingertips, scorching yet full of power. Shen Qing knew this was the sign of the Qi-blood surging and the indication of condensing Qi-sensing after the breakthrough to mastery of the Wind Defying Finger. The Wind Defying Finger was a highly exquisite Finger Skill that emphasized directing the finger with Qi, making the finger wind like a blade. Once cultivated to Great Perfection and reaching the Qi Cultivation Realm, it could gather powerful Qi. With one finger, it swept away everything, breaking all obstacles. Before the Qi Cultivation Realm, the Skin Forging Realm was the beginning of strength nurturing and Qi refining. In other words... Shen Qing''s eyes were filled with incredulousness. He clenched his fists and suddenly brought them together. Clang! A crisp iron sound came from Shen Qing''s fists. He knew this wasn''t a real iron sound but a bone sound produced as his bones reached sufficient hardness. "It''s Bone Refining! I''ve succeeded in Bone Refining!!! I''ve now advanced to the Skin Forging Realm." Shen Qing''s heart soared with joy. He did not know the cultivation journey of those high-ranking officials in the court and how his talent compared to theirs. But undoubtedly, compared to the lower-tier martial masters, his cultivation speed was absolutely astonishing. He completed in just over a month what took lower-tier martial masters a year or even several years to finish. Calling it monstrous wouldn''t be an exaggeration. The changes within his body continued, and Shen Qing dared not relax. He immediately adjusted his breathing and focused all his mind on his fingertips. The warm current gathered at the fingertips, gradually coalescing into a thin, initial strand of Qi. This strand of Qi was initially very weak, like a spark on the prairie that could be extinguished at any moment. During this month-long practice, he sought advice from other senior brothers on some matters related to Qi, knowing some key points. Shen Qing quickly refocused his mind, not daring to be careless, striving to stabilize that transformation. Gradually, this initial strand of Qi became more solid and sharper. Until finally, Shen Qing could clearly feel the Qi jumping at his fingertips. "Stabilized." Shen Qing''s eyes shone with excitement. He stood up, combined his hands into a sword, and pointed forward. The Qi surged out, following his intent, slicing through the air, leaving a clear trajectory and making a subtle whistling sound, hitting the wall and dissipating. A look of joy appeared on his face. After trying it several times, Shen Qing stopped his actions and murmured, "The Qi-sensing is still quite weak now, mainly relying on the physical body''s force to launch it. There''s not much use discharging it externally. The best way is to maintain the same combat method as before." Shen Qing condensed the Qi-sensing to entwine around his two fingers and pointed fiercely at the chair. "Bang!" A muffled sound echoed. The wood on the chair directly shattered. At the spot where Shen Qing pointed, a hole as thick as a wrist burst open. "The power is much greater than before. I originally could only point out a hole with one finger, but now I can burst open a sizeable gap." Shen Qing combined his hands into sword fingers, placed them before his eyes, and examined them closely. "So if I superimpose the power of the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill, what would happen?" [Skill: Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill (Skillful/Second Transformation)] [Progress: 13/300 points] "Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill, reverse the Qi-blood." Shen Qing uttered lightly, pointing at the chair in front of him. "Boom!" A blast echoed through the room. The previously intact chair instantly exploded into pieces, scattered across the room. Upon closer inspection, the edges of each fragment of the wooden board were charred, emitting what appeared like burn marks. "This..." Shen Qing dumbly stared at the scene before him, bewildered. If this move were to hit a flesh-and-blood body, it would likely shatter them to pieces, wouldn''t it? He suddenly felt incredibly strong. After using this move, Shen Qing quickly felt waves of weakness. This was the aftereffect on the body caused by the reversal of Qi-blood. It hadn''t been very noticeable during the First Transformation, but now after breaking through to the Second Transformation, it felt different. Shen Qing sat on the edge of the bed, wordlessly regulating his breathing. After over ten breaths, he finally recovered. "Now that I''ve broken through to the Skin Forging Realm, I should seek the next stage of training methods from the Hall Master Master, to quickly advance to the Qi Cultivation Realm." After regulating his breathing and ensuring his body was fine, Shen Qing quickly left the room and headed towards the Inner City Linfeng Hall. The journey took about two moments, and Shen Qing reached the entrance of Linfeng Hall. Without a word, as soon as A Fu opened the door, he headed straight for Li Linfeng''s study. It just so happened that Li Linfeng was still in the study, not having gone elsewhere. Shen Qing knocked on the door: "Disciple Shen Qing requests an audience." "Come in." In the study, Li Linfeng closed an account book and said, "What matter?" Shen Qing entered, cupping his fists with both hands: "Master, I wish to seek guidance on the training method of the Skin Forging Realm." "Hmm?" Li Linfeng, looking troubled, suddenly raised his head. His sharp eyes firmly fixated on Shen Qing. ``` sea??h th§× N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 114 - 38 I Might Be Very Strong Now "You''ve already completed Bone Refining?" Shen Qing heard this, and without hiding anything, he skillfully clenched his fists in front of Li Linfeng, making a deliberate crisp iron sound. "Iron bones." Li Linfeng''s face slightly changed. Shen Qing openly cupped his fists and said, "Master, I have been studying diligently every day lately and finally had some insights, and luckily completed it." Li Linfeng had already known that the nephew of Miss Qi was somewhat extraordinary, but finishing Bone Refining in just over a month was still quite unimaginable. It far exceeded his expectations. In his view, even if Shen Qing had great talent, as a "wild practitioner" martial master, it should take three to five months. In some wealthy families, one and a half months was considered rare. And those wealthy families never lacked food, medicine plants, and had esteemed teachers guiding them since childhood to achieve such feats. Shen Qing reached this level just by methodical cultivation here, and Li truly didn''t know how to describe it. Sitting in the chair, Li Linfeng remained silent for a long time, then looked at Shen Qing with a very complex gaze. "It seems that besides having excellent perception and bone structure, your disposition and perseverance far surpass ordinary people." Shen Qing deeply agreed after hearing this. The level he reached now was all due to his own effort. Although the Water Ink Panel was somewhat powerful, without his exceptional gift, superior skills, and extraordinary insight, it was just a dead object that wouldn''t allow for any breakthroughs. You reap what you sow. If he were lazy and indifferent, the Water Ink Panel wouldn''t have any changes. After all, at the end of the day, the Water Ink Panel was just a proficiency panel and wouldn''t increase his cultivation out of thin air. Seeing Shen Qing''s calmness, this composure made Li Linfeng nod positively, further confirming his own thoughts. In Great Zhou, practicing martial arts was a very difficult task, and coupled with the large investment in the early stages, typical families would just choose one Martial Arts Hall and stay there. If you did well, you became part of the Martial Arts Hall; if not, you''d be mediocre at best, so besides the slightly high threshold, testing the disciples'' aptitude and disposition, there wasn''t any saying like "teaching apprentices starves the master." "Since you''ve already completed Iron Bone, next you should move on to Skin Forging." Li Linfeng stood up and said without reservation, "Do you know why we forge the skin?" "Disciple is dull, please enlighten me, Master." Li Linfeng spoke eloquently, "You know above the Skin Forging Realm is the Qi Cultivation Realm, which cultivates Qi. What is Qi? Qi is the fundamental of martial artists, different from ordinary people, like the roots of a tree, deeply rooted in the body, born from the essence of flesh and blood." "Once Qi is cultivated, it can give your fists and feet, every move and form, tremendous explosive power, extraordinary from common forms." "It is precisely because of the power of Qi, with its violent destructive force, that the body as a container to endure is not easy, requiring the Great Perfection of Qi and Blood, tendon stretching, Bone Refining, and Skin Forging." "Qi first arises from the bone, then condenses in the flesh, finally emanating to the skin. You have now refined your tendons, flesh, and bone structure, and can withstand the strength of power, but still lack the final layer of Skin Forging to perfect your physical body." Shen Qing asked further, "Then how should I proceed with Skin Forging?" "Eat!" Li Linfeng only said one word. Shen Qing was puzzled, "Eat?" Li Linfeng continued, "The body''s flesh energy comes from external intake, and by the time a martial master reaches your step, the energy the body can bear is already at its limit. You must eat various energy-supplementing substances, allowing the body''s energy to overflow through the skin, gradually transforming the skin, until it becomes as thick as cowhide and as tough as iron." What Li Linfeng said was very straightforward, and Shen Qing understood with a little thought, "Are there any other supplementary means besides eating?" "There is also grinding!" Li Linfeng said, "Our martial masters coming from humble origins have devised a clumsy way for Skin Forging, using strong medicine to stimulate and temper the skin, allowing the skin to constantly sustain damage and repair as the Essence Qi disperses, to accelerate the progress." "I see." Suddenly, doubts arose in Shen Qing''s mind, "Earlier, I heard senior brothers say that one can already condense Qi at this stage. Without completing Skin Forging, is it impossible to use it?" "Of course not. At this stage, you are just beginning to condense Qi, barely sensing it. Trying to mobilize it is a difficult matter. Even if you use it, when the Skin Forging is incomplete, and the Qi is barely drawn to the surface, not yet released, the skin will feel a tearing ache. Forcing its use would only damage oneself more." Shen Qing was stunned. S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. His Skin Forging Realm seemed to be different from what Li Linfeng described. He not only transported Qi to the surface of the body, but he also activated and could even launch it at a distance. Shen Qing speculated that this might have a lot to do with the Blood Dominance Technique and Dragon Roar Armor. These two martial arts unintentionally combined, making his skin, even if not yet forged, abnormally tough. He was probably very strong now! Far exceeding his peers in the same realm. Li Linfeng was increasingly satisfied with Shen Qing''s steady demeanor, developing more appreciation for talent in his heart. He stepped forward and said, "From now on, as you practice martial arts here, all prescriptions and various tonics won''t cost you a monthly fee anymore. Train freely." Shen Qing felt a surge of gratitude and hurriedly expressed his thanks. Li Linfeng, worried that Shen Qing might become arrogant, warned, "But don''t get too complacent. My Wind Defying Finger martial arts are not profound and not very difficult to learn. You must remember that beyond the sky there is always a higher one, and beyond people, there are always others. In Great Zhou, there are countless talents like you, so there''s a long way to go ahead." "The master''s lesson is right." Shen Qing had no impatience on his face, appearing even more respectful. At this moment, A Fu rushed in and said, "Master, someone from the Guardian Martial Department in the government office has come, saying they have an urgent matter to discuss." "The Guardian Martial Department? What are they doing here?" Li Linfeng asked in surprise. A Fu replied, "I heard it''s about the demon tiger. They not only came to our Martial Arts Hall, but it seems they also went to other major Martial Arts Halls and sects." "Oh?" Li Linfeng pondered for a while before instructing, "Invite them to wait in the hall for a moment, I''ll be there soon." "Okay, Master." Shen Qing watched A Fu''s back thoughtfully. It seemed that the demon tiger was quite formidable. Li Linfeng lifted his legs and walked out of the study, casually saying to Shen Qing, "Tell your four senior brothers to come as well." "Yes." Shen Qing agreed and asked, "Master, should I also go?" "No need." After Li Linfeng left a sentence, his figure quickly disappeared from the study door. Shen Qing narrowed his eyes, seeming to understand that Li Linfeng didn''t intend to involve him in the demon tiger affair this time. This suited his intentions, as he could focus on cultivation. Shen Qing vaguely felt that the Skin Forging Realm might well be just a formality for him, the easiest realm to master. Chapter 115 - 39: Such Big Talk Linfeng Hall''s main hall was spacious and bright. In the center of the hall was a large chair, behind which hung a calligraphy piece, with the single character "Martial" written in a bold, flowing style, exuding a sharp and efficient aura. Below the large chair, eighteen types of weapons, such as swords, spears, knives, and halberds, were arranged on either side behind four chairs, glinting coldly. At this moment, the four chairs were occupied, with a woman sitting at the head. She wore a plain white outfit, which made her particularly eye-catching. "What brings Team Leader Wang here today?" A hearty laugh from Li Linfeng was heard from outside the door. Soon, he entered the hall surrounded by Ouyang Tiezhu and other disciples. The people seated on the chairs all stood up, cupping their fists in greeting. Leading them, Wang Yanjun spoke, "Matters concerning the peace of Taiping County compelled me to trouble Master Li." Li Linfeng glanced at this female team leader from the Guardian Martial Department. Her posture was impressive, with a straight back exuding an aura of vitality and heroism. The exquisite ID card hanging from her waist denoted her official status, and the treasure sword and rope she carried made her seem rather formidable. In today''s world, Great Zhou did not prohibit women from learning martial arts. However, due to their natural constitution, along with childbirth and monthly matters, they tended to have a deficit in Qi-Blood. It was not easy for them to excel in martial arts. Wang Yanjun came from the Wang Family, the same family as the Wang in the county city, and at a young age, she had already honed considerable skills. Through certain maneuvers, she finally entered the court''s Guardian Martial Department. In just a few years, utilizing the court''s martial arts resources, she had cultivated to the Qi Cultivation Realm. In Taiping County, she was also a remarkable figure. Li Linfeng withdrew his gaze, sat in the main seat, and said, "I wonder what exactly Team Leader Wang is referring to?" Wang Yanjun maintained a poised demeanor and said, "Master Li, have you heard about the demon tiger in Shicheng Mountain?" "I''m slightly aware," Li Linfeng replied, picking up a cup of tea brought in by a maid. "What is the situation now?" Wang Yanjun''s eyes were deep and bright, and she stated plainly, "To be frank with Master Li, from the reports from our subordinates, the ten or so hunting villages near Shicheng Mountain have all fallen victim to it, nearly a thousand people are dead or injured, and now Shicheng Mountain has basically become uninhabited." "This..." Li Linfeng knew that the tiger was difficult to deal with, but he hadn''t expected it to be this troublesome. Wang Yanjun fixed her gaze on Li Linfeng and, in a stern tone, said, "If we let this demon tiger continue to grow, there is a possibility that the entire Taiping County will face great disaster. We''ve attempted several sieges, suffering heavy losses, so I''m here to ask for Master Li''s help, to allocate some manpower to assist us in eliminating this monster tiger." Li Linfeng asked, "Is this the intention of the County Magistrate?" Wang Yanjun nodded and said, "We''ve already notified the Shen Shou Sect, Blood Gang, and Feiying Pavilion. Everyone understands the urgency of the situation and is willing to lend a hand. Now, we are just waiting for Master Li''s decision." Amidst her words, Wang Yanjun''s lips curled slightly, with a barely perceptible smile. Li Linfeng gestured to the maid by his side and said, "Don''t just stand there, go refill the tea." Two maids nervously lowered their heads and hurried over to refill tea and water for Wang Yanjun and the officials and officers from the Guardian Martial Department. Originally, Wang Yanjun''s accumulated momentum was easily interrupted by the maids'' actions. She furrowed her eyebrows, feeling a bit displeased. However, the displeasure quickly vanished without showing any outward signs. S§×arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Li Linfeng sincerely said, "Since it is the County Magistrate''s command, as citizens under Great Zhou, we ought to support it. However, there''s one thing I find puzzling, it''s just a tiger, why has it reached this level?" Before Wang Yanjun could speak, an official from the Guardian Martial Department beside her stood up, cupped his fists, and said, "Master, you may not know, we''re not exaggerating, this tiger is not an ordinary tiger but a genuine demon tiger." "This tiger can speak human language, understands human nature, and can even control ghosts. It''s utterly incredible. In all my life, I''ve never seen such a demon beast. That''s why we''ve struggled for so long without success, and we are seeking help." "Is there such a thing?" Li Linfeng was very surprised. Wang Yanjun nodded and said, "This matter is too strange, the County Magistrate is worried about causing unnecessary panic and has already sealed the news, only saying it''s a tiger to the public. It''s quite normal that Master Li isn''t aware." Li Linfeng''s face still showed an expression of disbelief, as the concept of an animal speaking like a human overturned his understanding. "If I hadn''t heard it from you, I would have thought it was a story." A male official from the Guardian Martial Department said solemnly, "Back to the point, how many people is Master Li willing to provide this time?" Li Linfeng knew the serious matter had arrived, and he became fully attentive. The Guardian Martial Department came with aggressive intent, refusing to leave without achieving their goal. Moreover, his relationship with the current County Magistrate was not particularly close, so doing this for the officials would likely yield no rewards. After pondering for a long while, he said, "This time, I''ll provide three inner courtyard disciples, ten outer courtyard disciples, and additionally, one direct disciple to cooperate with you, how about that?" Though Linfeng Hall didn''t have many disciples, after years of operation, it had quite a foundation. If given sufficient benefits, many people could still be summoned. It all depended on the amount of the benefits. "Not enough, too few." Wang Yanjun said with an indifferent expression. "Then how many does Team Leader Wang want?" Li Linfeng countered, his tone becoming much colder. "I want four direct disciples, ten inner courtyard disciples, and thirty outer courtyard disciples." Whoosh! Li Linfeng suddenly stood up, "Team Leader Wang sure has a lot of nerve, are you joking with me?" Currently, he publicly claimed to have only four direct disciples, and she wanted to summon them all. Not only that, but she also wanted ten inner courtyard disciples and thirty outer courtyard disciples. These inner and outer courtyard disciples, at most, had a master-disciple relationship through financial transactions. To trouble them meant actually giving rewards. Either waive tuition and medicine fees, or straightforwardly, give money. According to Wang Yanjun''s estimate, at least one to two thousand taels of silver would be needed to cover the basic costs, with no upper limit. In case of accidents, it would deplete the foundation he had accumulated over the years. Taiping County wasn''t inherently a kind place. If his power weakened, other gangs and martial halls would definitely have ideas about him. Wang Yanjun''s demand was indeed excessive. The atmosphere in the hall suddenly became tense. The Guardian Martial Department''s Wang Yanjun seemed to anticipate this. She held her sword''s scabbard, pushing open slightly to reveal a sliver of the silver blade, and with a smile, she said, "I''m not joking with Master Li. If that''s unfeasible, Master Li could personally intervene. With Master Li''s participation, we would be more confident in eliminating the tiger. What does Master Li think?" Chapter 116 - 40 Excessive Bullying ``` Crash! The direct disciples in front of him, Ouyang Tiezhu, Niu Daping, Dong Zizhuang, and Wushili, all stepped forward simultaneously, glaring angrily. The already tense atmosphere became even more fraught with tension. Wang Yanjun was confident, pushing the sword hilt upward with his thumb: "Master Li, a wise man submits to circumstances." Li Linfeng''s expression turned icy as a surge of anger rose from deep within him. Just as this anger was about to erupt, his years of dealings with the government instilled some sense of reasoning, gradually suppressing the fury. Li Linfeng knew that Wang Yanjun was not just any head of the Guardian Martial Department, but someone backed by the Great Zhou Court, with County Magistrate Chu Yiwu, a martial master of the Qi Hai realm, as their support. He was someone Li Linfeng could not afford to provoke. Moreover, Wang Yanjun''s Qi Cultivation realm was on par with his own. No matter how aggrieved he felt, he could only endure it. Li Linfeng''s glaring eyes gradually calmed, and his tone became more peaceful: "On my side, we can support you with at most two direct disciples, five from the inner courtyard, and fifteen outer disciples." Once he finished speaking, Li Linfeng''s gaze turned sharp, emanating an air of cold severity. Seeing that he had gotten what he wanted, Wang Yanjun sheathed his long sword with a kind smile and clasped his hands in salute: "Master Li, you are indeed righteous. On behalf of the county''s people, I thank you in advance. Since everything is decided, we will await the heroes of Linfeng Hall outside the West City Gate at Mao hour tomorrow morning to head up the mountain together with vigor." Li Linfeng, his face expressionless, dismissed them: "Does the head have any other business? If not, I will see you off." Wang Yanjun was indifferent, sheathing the sword at his waist, and left grandly with the other officers from the Guardian Martial Department: "Thank you for your trouble, Master Li." "Too bullying." Once Wang Yanjun and his people left, the usually hot-tempered Dong Zizhuang and the others felt indignant, unable to hold back their curses. But he also knew that being under someone else''s roof, one had to bow their head. Facing the powerful Zhou Dynasty Court, they could do nothing. Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. An arm cannot twist a thigh. After everyone calmed down, Li Linfeng addressed the group: "Ouyang and Xiao Wu were injured recently; this time, Daping and Zizhuang, you two take people there." "The road might be dangerous, so both of you take handy weapons. Once this is over, there''s no need for future tributes, no more need to offer them." Niu Daping and Dong Zizhuang exchanged a glance, each agreeing: "Yes, Master." The next day. When Shen Qing returned to Linfeng Hall, he found the entire courtyard deserted, with only a few people practicing their moves listlessly inside. A quick inquiry led him to hear from Ouyang Tiezhu about the events in the hall the previous day. "They really don''t see us as anything," Ouyang Tiezhu said indignantly, his finger pointing at a wooden dummy, "Despicable!" Shen Qing said nothing, keeping his head down. He knew complaining was useless. In this world, only skills spoke for themselves. Wang Yanjun had skills, and the county government was powerful, so naturally, they had a strong backbone. In contrast, Li Linfeng lacked backing and was on a lower cultivation realm, so he had little confidence. Seeing Shen Qing''s silent demeanor, Ouyang Tiezhu felt it uninteresting and left the inner courtyard after a deep sigh. In the following days, even with the challenges facing Linfeng Hall, Li Linfeng delivered on his promise to Shen Qing. Shen Qing almost daily consumed a nourishing feast, soaked in valuable medicinal baths, and saw his cultivation progress visibly advance. Over a month passed in the blink of an eye. During this time, Shen Qing''s training in various martial arts advanced rapidly. The Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill had already been cultivated to the third transformation, which was remarkably swift. Each time his Qi-Blood reversed, his moves became noticeably more heated, with even a hint of red light, showing traces of ignition. If controlled well, the side effects could be suppressed to within two breaths. The Blood Dominance Technique, Dragon Roar Armor, and Wind Defying Finger martial arts were equally impressive, making his muscles as formidable as a small mountain. A knock on the door sounded. Shen Qing stopped training and called: "Come in." Tian Xiaohu stood outside, holding a cloth bag, walked in and said: "This is the monthly fee collected this month." Shen Qing took it and frowned: "So little?" He felt its weight briefly, sensing it was at most ten taels silver, much less than before, despite their protection rackets expanding. Tian Xiaohu sighed: "Recently, for some reason, many people either find ways to move into the inner city or leave Taiping County. There are far fewer residents in the slum area than a few months ago, so naturally, we collect less money." The situation in Taiping County seemed worse. Shen Qing asked: "Are many of us from Hongshan Village also moving to the inner city?" "About half have moved there." Tian Xiaohu replied truthfully. Shen Qing pondered and said: "In the next few days, look around the city for a suitable house, and we can move in too. After all, the inner city''s walls are taller and thicker, offering more safety. Make sure to rent, not buy. Taiping County is a bit unstable now, and property prices are unsteady, so buying is not worthwhile." "Sure, I''ll go check it out later." Tian Xiaohu agreed without hesitation. "Go ahead, and after all this, focus on your training." Tian Xiaohu nodded and withdrew. Shen Qing calculated the time; it had been almost a month and a half, and the fifty shi bow he commissioned Ruan Pottery Master to forge should be almost ready. He took the prepared silver and golden leaves from home, placing them in his chest, and left the slum area. Walking along the main street of the inner city, Shen Qing noticed that there were at least thirty percent fewer pedestrians than before, and the usual hustle and bustle had diminished. The surrounding area was filled with the unpleasant smells of feces, urine, and sweat. Glancing down, he saw a fresh puddle of waste on the road ahead, dirty and spreading across the street. He had to jump across it to avoid stepping in the mess. Some people, unaware, stepped right into it, leaving a long trail of footprints in the dirt, intensifying the already rank odor. Just as Shen Qing held his breath, trying to avoid these footprints, he was completely oblivious to someone else watching him. A simply dressed man passed by, brushing against him, and Shen Qing suddenly felt an emptiness at his chest. The silver he brought from home was gone. Shen Qing snapped out of his thoughts, reacting swiftly. Before the other could pull away, he grabbed the man''s wrist, his hand clamping down like iron on the man''s arm. "Good sir, did you take something of mine?" ``` Chapter 117 - 41: Killing on the Road, Seizing the Bow On the bustling street, Shen Qing preferred to avoid conflict with others. It was better to have fewer complications than more, so he offered the other party a way out, hoping to turn big issues into small ones and small issues into nothing. As long as the silver tael was returned, he didn''t mind letting the other person go. Unfortunately, the other party clearly misunderstood his intentions, taking him for an easy target. The man caught by Shen Qing laughed slyly, "Oh, I''m really sorry. I accidentally bumped into a big tree like you. I promise I''ll watch my way next time. Please don''t take offense, I''ll return your things right away." Shen Qing remained expressionless, planning to let go. A flash of viciousness crossed the man''s face, and with his other hand, he slyly reached for his waist, drawing out a dagger to stab fiercely toward Shen Qing. In Taiping County, few pickpockets or people in such shady professions were of a good nature. For them, money was more important than life. When pushed to the edge, they acted without hesitation, going for the kill immediately. They made their living by this brutal edge. Shen Qing had already acutely noticed the unusual nature of the man before him. His entire Qi-blood surged, instinctively triggering the Dragon Roar Armor. His whole body''s muscles suddenly tensed like iron, and his skin was covered with a transparent membrane. Clang! A crisp sound emerged from Shen Qing''s skin. The pickpocket looked at his knife, astonished to find its tip curled, leaving him momentarily dumbfounded. He realized that today he had provoked a tough character and hurriedly withdrew his hand, trying to escape. Unfortunately, his arm seemed to be fixed in place by Shen Qing, unable to move despite his struggles. Panic hit the pickpocket''s heart. He seemed to smell the scent of death, his scalp tingling. Shen Qing grinned and said, "I clearly gave you a chance, why push me?" "Huh?" Shen Qing struck with a finger, and the Wind Defying Finger was instantly activated. Bang! The back of his shirt exploded, bursting into a mist of blood. The pickpocket looked down in disbelief, only to see a basin-sized hole blown out of his chest under Shen Qing''s finger. Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. There wasn''t any blood gushing from the wound. Because it was already cooked. The pink flesh inside curled up, trapping white and yellow on it, completely sealing the blood vessels. Just as the pickpocket was about to let out an ear-piercing scream, Shen Qing quickly covered his mouth and nose, stifling his voice in his throat. Then he hooked the pickpocket''s neck, dragged him to an alley, and threw him there. The pickpocket gasped heavily, exhaling more than inhaling, gradually falling silent like a dead rat. Seeing another vibrant life disappear before him, Shen Qing heaved a heavy sigh, "Every time I see people like you, I always feel an inexplicable sadness." Shen Qing surveyed his surroundings, ensuring no one overly curious followed him or alerted the authorities. He promptly retrieved what the pickpocket had stolen and safely returned to the avenue. Then, he walked on the bustling street as if nothing had happened. As he left the street and reached a secluded area, he opened his chest and looked down at the spot where the pickpocket had stabbed him earlier, without a trace of blood. Perfectly intact. "Judging from his strength, that person was probably a martial master, but his training wasn''t thorough, only reaching the stage of refining some Qi-blood. Even so, he couldn''t harm me in the slightest. Although the Dragon Roar Armor is difficult to train, the rewards it brings are considerable." Shen Qing mused to himself, "Coupled with the Wind Defying Finger and Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill''s might, killing such people is almost effortless. I just don''t know what it will be like facing martial masters of the same tier." For some reason, he felt an impulse in his heart to try it out. Putting away these impractical thoughts, Shen Qing followed the path in his memory to Ruan Pottery Master''s shop. Ruan Family Kiln. The old shop''s facade was half-open. Before reaching the Ruan Family Shop, Shen Qing could distinctly hear the clear and forceful sound of hammer striking an anvil from afar, "dang dang." He quickened his pace, pushed open the door, and walked into the shop, immediately greeted by waves of heat and the heavy smell of iron rust and burning charcoal. At this moment, the flames in the furnace danced, illuminating the entire shop in red. The middle-aged craftsman was sweating profusely, swinging a large hammer in his hand, his every move showing ease, blending seamlessly with this world of iron and fire. Several apprentices struggled with a bellows beside him, assisting with the tasks. Shen Qing stepped forward and cupped his fists, "Master Ruan, has my fifty shi bow been forged?" Hearing the commotion, Ruan Chengbao glanced at Shen Qing and called into the room, "Girl, bring out that bow and the arrows that were made." Before long, a freckle-faced girl, whom Shen Qing had seen last time, emerged with a bow and arrows in her arms. She walked up to Shen Qing, her bright eyes sizing him up closely, "Here, your bow and arrows, they''re a bit heavy." Shen Qing looked down. The fifty shi heavy bow the girl held was robust, entirely black and polished, forged entirely from dark iron. On both sides of the bow arms, the inlaid ox horn and intricate patterns were clearly visible, exuding an air of exquisite craftsmanship. At first glance, Shen Qing found it exceptionally satisfactory. He reached out to take it. The heavy bow made of dark iron felt no different in weight from other bows in his hand. Shen Qing knew it wasn''t a problem with the bow but rather the result of his cultivation improving over the last month, significantly enhancing his strength. Excited, he grabbed the arrows the girl handed and asked Ruan Chengbao, "Master Ruan, do you have a place to practice archery?" "Go try it in the backyard." Shen Qing strode directly to the backyard. An apprentice poked his head out and asked, "Do you think he can pull that bow? It''s a fifty shi heavy bow, and none of us could move it." "Let''s watch and find out." A bold apprentice, putting down his work, followed. "Master¡­" Ruan Chengbao placed the hammer aside, rotated his wrist, and said, "I''m tired after working for so long. Perfect time to stretch my muscles and bones." He then followed them to the backyard. The rest of the hesitant apprentices eagerly rushed toward the yard. The girl beside them bit her lip, moved her steps, and silently followed behind the group. The backyard of Ruan Family Shop was a large open space, roughly only thirty meters from front to back. Ahead was a simple wooden target set in front of the courtyard wall, likely Ruan Chengbao''s usual bow testing setup. Shen Qing stood in front of the target, his figure towering and steady like a silent mountain. Ruan Chengbao, with several apprentices, watched the scene, arms crossed. "Look, he''s about to draw the bow." As everyone watched, Shen Qing gripped the fifty shi heavy bow made of dark iron, drew a dark iron arrow, and placed it on the bowstring. He took a deep breath, his arm muscles tensed, and veins popped like tiny dragons coursing through his muscles. Creak, creak, creak! Shen Qing began to draw the bowstring, which made a sound like tightened steel wire. "He''s pulling it, he''s pulling it!" Ruan Chengbao and the apprentices exclaimed. The fifty shi arm bow was effortlessly drawn open by him. "His cultivation must be quite advanced." As the bowstring tightened, the air around seemed to solidify, with a powerful aura emanating from Shen Qing, making everyone shiver. Finally, as the bowstring was drawn to its fullest extent, Shen Qing suddenly released his fingers, and the bowstring shot the arrow with a "buzz." The arrow whistled through the air with a sharp sound, heading straight for the distant target. With a "whoosh," the arrow hit dead center on the target, causing the wooden target to burst apart in splinters. The arrow didn''t stop, blasting into the courtyard wall with a bang. Boom! A section of the courtyard wall collapsed entirely, sending rubble flying everywhere, dust rising into the air. The commotion startled everyone present. Silence descended over the scene. The power of that fifty shi bow surprised even Shen Qing. He turned to find Ruan Chengbao''s face darkened. "You''ll pay for the wall repairs." He then yelled to the nearby apprentices, "What are you all doing here? Got nothing to do?" The apprentices who''d come to watch scattered in shock. The remaining girl''s gaze when looking at Shen Qing filled with a hazy emotion. She blushed, lowered her head, and quietly left. At that moment, Shen Qing felt something and showed a trace of delight. [Skill: Bow Technique (Small Success)] [Progress: 303/300 points] [Status: Upgradeable] [Note: As the heavens move forward with strength, so should a gentleman relentlessly strive! Continuous practice can break through skill progress, with a certain chance to awaken a bow technique talent.] Chapter 118 - 42 One Senior Brother Died, Another Crippled Shen Qing stared at the Water Ink Panel in his vision, momentarily lost in thought. Unexpectedly, just after acquiring the fifty shi bow, his bow technique was on the verge of breaking through. It was truly like receiving a pillow when drowsiness struck, right on time. Without any hesitation, Shen Qing chose to make the breakthrough. The information on the Water Ink Panel refreshed simultaneously. [Skill: Bow Technique (the level of mastery)] [Progress: 3/400 points] [Status: Cannot advance] [Note: Through continuous practice, your bow technique has steadily improved, grasping the "Eagle Eye" Sight, greatly enhancing your perception and spatial construction ability, allowing you to survey the overall situation like an eagle, with keen eyesight.] "Eagle Eye?" Shen Qing hadn''t yet recovered when his whole body trembled suddenly. Memories of practicing bow technique surged in his mind continuously. He looked down at the heavy bow in his hands, noticing an inexplicable sense of familiarity and muscle memory which was becoming increasingly clear. After a moment, when this strange sensation passed, Shen Qing''s arm muscles tensed, and with a flick of his little finger, the dark iron arrow was notched onto the string. He stretched his long arms like an ape, drawing the bow into a full moon. The whole set of movements flowed smoothly like a cloud and water, as if he had practiced it a million times. "Incredible." Shen Qing put down the bow and arrow, a bright glint flashing in his eyes: "Just a moment ago I was still somewhat unskilled with this heavy bow, and yet in the blink of an eye, I''m using it without a hitch." "And this Eagle Eye..." Shen Qing closed his eyes, then suddenly opened them. The "Eagle Eye" skill activated. Immediately, city east scenes appeared in his mind. The mottled and ancient city walls, the orderly low-rise buildings, the messy labyrinth of alleys, and chimneys of varying heights... These scenes continuously combined, gradually forming a bird''s eye view. Shen Qing willed his consciousness, and the perspective descended. A certain spot in the city east continued to enlarge, finally fixing in a small courtyard. This courtyard had one wall already collapsed. In the center of the courtyard stood a small figure holding a bow and arrow. Pop! The images in his mind shattered like bubbles. Shen Qing awoke from the trance, his face filled with disbelief. "This..." The "Eagle Eye" skill experience was incredibly magical, giving him a powerful feeling of overseeing the whole situation. "Based on my earlier judgment, with the heavy bow in my hands, the effective shooting range could reach thousands of steps. If using the ''Eagle Eye'' skill in conjunction with this heavy bow, I can strike preemptively, wouldn''t it mean I can slay gods and demons alike?" Shen Qing lowered his gaze to the heavy bow in his hands, but quickly dismissed the thought. "Not quite, this world has Immortal Martial Arts, those accomplished in martial arts possess incredible defense, the fifty shi''s killing power may still be insufficient, and as for those emerging demons, they probably can''t be killed in one shot either, but against others... it''s enough." "At that time, if one shot doesn''t succeed, then try a few more. Once my arm strength grows, I''ll attempt a hundred shi heavy bow, thousand shi bows, ten thousand shi bows... eventually, there''ll be a time when I can shoot them all down." Shen Qing laughed heartily, put his thoughts aside, and then walked toward the collapsed courtyard wall to retrieve the arrows he had shot. The dark iron crafted arrows were incredibly sturdy. Even after enduring such great force, they remained intact. "It seems Master Ruan didn''t skimp on materials, the bow and arrows crafted are very solid." Once Shen Qing had collected his bow and arrows, he turned and walked outside the courtyard. Everyone in the shop had witnessed his astonishing arm strength; when he appeared inside the shop, all eyes naturally turned to him. Shen Qing didn''t feel any discomfort, facing it calmly. He approached Ruan Chengbao, took out a silver note with a smile: "Thank you, Master Ruan. I am very satisfied with this heavy bow. Here is the remaining one hundred fifty taels of bow money." Now that the Great Zhou had circulating silver notes, withdrawals were easy at money houses. However, redemption couldn''t occur between different money houses and regions, possessing certain limitations, but at least one didn''t need to lug around a heavy bag of silver everywhere. Ruan Chengbao accepted it without any hesitation, generously took it, and gestured with his thumb toward the yard behind, saying: "And the rest?" Shen Qing wasn''t annoyed, immediately taking out a small money pouch containing around fifteen taels of silver from his breast, saying: "This is to repair the courtyard wall and forge the arrows." Ruan Chengbao accepted and opened the money pouch, glancing inside, feeling content. He pulled the ends of the pouch''s string, tightened it, and stated: "In the future, if you need other items made, feel free to find me here, fair and honest business." "Master Ruan''s craftsmanship is excellent, in the future, when I need other items crafted, I will surely come." Ruan Chengbao tucked the money pouch into his breast and, without further words, picked up the iron hammer and began seriously forging other iron blanks. Shen Qing tactfully turned and left. A young girl in the kiln shop watched Shen Qing leave, reluctantly stomping her foot beside Ruan Chengbao: "Dad, he''s gone." "I know." Ruan Chengbao clamped the nearly forged iron blank with iron tongs and placed it into the water. Sizzling, the water surface boiled, emitting a plume of white steam. The girl appeared puzzled. Ruan Chengbao glanced at his daughter and said: "You aren''t suited for him. I see he effortlessly draws a fifty shi heavy bow at such a young age; just arm strength alone is not that of an ordinary martial master, at the least he''s in the Skin Forging Realm, possibly even in the Qi Cultivation Realm." "What kind of woman wouldn''t such a Lord Wu desire? Although we have some family wealth, we''re ultimately a small family, and he won''t fancy it. Later, I will find another handsome young man for you." The iron blank cooled, Ruan Chengbao tapped the iron slag off and threw it back into the fire to continue forging. He looked at the gradually reddening iron piece, seemingly speaking to himself: "To be human, the most important thing is to have self-awareness." The young girl bit her lip, her eyes misted over, rendered speechless. ... Currently, in Taiping County, deaths were daily occurrences both inside and outside the city, and Shen Qing had moved to Taiping County where he''d already been involved in several fights. Having killed his share, nobody from the county government troubled him. He gradually understood that the county government largely turned a blind eye to killing. Hence, he grew bolder. Having previously killed someone publicly, now with the bow on his back, he walked through the main street, unafraid. S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Instead, some people on the street, seeing his towering and imposing figure, with a dark black longbow on his back, knew not to provoke him and made way. "Junior Brother Shen?" As Shen Qing passed by a tavern, he suddenly heard someone call him. He promptly halted, looking around, finally seeing Xiao Zhi at the entrance of a small tavern. "Brother Xiao?" Shen Qing looked up at the tavern, the Xilai Building. He recalled that Xiao Zhi was a cook, and this must be where he worked. Xiao Zhi said in surprise: "You''re still here?" "What''s wrong?" Shen Qing was somewhat bewildered. "I just got word that a direct disciple of Linfeng Hall got into trouble, and many brothers have gone there." Shen Qing hesitated, understanding, then clasped his hands in gratitude: "Thank you, Brother Xiao, for the information. I''ll head back to check on it." "If there''s any situation, let me know right away, I''ll come after I finish today''s meals..." Before Xiao Zhi could finish his words, he watched Shen Qing run briskly along the main street, quickly disappearing into the crowd. After about a pot of tea later, Shen Qing arrived at Shengshi Square. Ahead, the entrance of Linfeng Hall had many people gathered, noisy. More people continuously converged toward Linfeng Hall. Shen Qing reached Linfeng Hall''s vicinity, grabbed someone, and asked: "What happened inside?" The man he grabbed frowned in annoyance, planning to retort. Upon seeing Shen Qing''s imposing stature, his mouth moved but he immediately softened, smiling apologetically: "Not sure, I heard Li Linfeng''s two direct disciples encountered trouble dealing with a tiger demon, major trouble." "Second Senior Brother Niu Daping, Third Senior Brother Dong Zizhuang? They''ve had an accident?" Shen Qing''s heart stirred, he quickly pushed through the crowd to reach the entrance, knocking on the door. A Fu peeked out, and upon seeing Shen Qing, immediately let him in. Bang. Once Shen Qing entered, A Fu hurriedly closed the door, as if worried others would rush in. "Is Master inside?" "Everyone is." "What exactly happened?" A Fu hesitated, sighing deeply: "Sigh... see for yourself." Taking A Fu''s words, Shen Qing spoke no more, striding swiftly toward the main hall. Approaching the main hall of Linfeng Hall, the sound of weeping emanated from within, surrounded by old and new disciples of Linfeng Hall, an impressive sight. Shen Qing moved forward, seeing placed in the hall''s center a corpse, it was Second Senior Brother Niu Daping. Half his body was missing, his face gruesomely mangled, where faintly visible were white bones and attached pink tendons. Second Senior Brother Niu Daping''s family had already arrived upon hearing the news, throwing themselves on him, wailing in sorrow. Off to the side, Third Senior Brother Dong Zizhuang who went to fight the tiger demon too, fared no better. He was pale as paper, trembling uncontrollably, appearing soulless. His right eye socket was hollow, missing an eye. Many families of the brothers were arriving from the rear, their cries unceasing. Linfeng Hall seemed as if the sky was falling. Previously hard-to-encountered Li Lingchan and other Linfeng Hall members were all gathered in the hall, their expressions grim. Bang! Li Linfeng slammed the table, standing up: "Your Guardian Martial Department owes me an explanation." In the hall, a sergeant dressed in black rushed to lower his posture, respectfully clenching his hands: "Master Li, please calm down. This was really because that tiger demon was too cunning, and the ghostly minions too difficult to handle, leading to such severe losses, causing the incident for our two juniors." Li Linfeng said angrily: "Not just the two of them, our outer and inner sect disciples none survived. I''ve inquired about other officials, none suffered as we did; is your Guardian Martial Department deliberately targeting my disciples?" "Master Li, there is a misunderstanding, this is purely an accident. We divided into several teams, each with specific tasks. This time, our Linfeng Hall brothers were unfortunate enough to encounter the tiger demon, and by the time we went to support, it was already too late." The sergeant''s attitude was exceedingly sincere, and after saying this, he became even more submissive: "Our County Magistrate is aware of the hall master''s substantial loss, so an exception has been made. If we send some disciples to eliminate the tiger demon, all expenses will be borne by us, the government office, and those with contributions will be upgraded to a martial title." Having said this, the sergeant raised his head, cautiously observing Li Linfeng, as if fearing his words might annoy him. Chapter 119 - 43 The Bigger the Waves, the Pricier the Fish ``` "Martial title?" As soon as these words were spoken, the hall erupted in an uproar. It was well-known that changing one''s status in the Great Zhou was a difficult task. Generally, whatever status the people of Great Zhou were born with, they would die with, barring any exceptional circumstances. To change status, one must either serve in the military, earning merit on the battlefield, or pass the civil or martial exams to become an officer or general. However, for most ordinary people without connections, either path was nearly impossible. Many social intricacies were involved, and it wasn''t simply about one''s cultivation; ordinary people were at a disadvantage. Likewise, once one''s status changed to martial, it meant gaining an opportunity to enter the Great Zhou Court, becoming a person of significance, and acquiring a degree of fame and social status. It didn''t guarantee a lifetime of wealth, but at the very least, it provided critical social resources, ensuring a prosperous life for three generations. Someone as formidable as Li Linfeng hadn''t acquired a martial title in his lifetime. Now, with the government clerk presenting the martial title, it was no surprise that everyone was taken aback. After hearing the clerk''s words, everyone felt the county magistrate was demonstrating considerable sincerity. However, unlike others, the same words fell on Li Linfeng''s ears like a weight, causing his heart to sink as he sensed something amiss. He realized that the words of the Guardian Martial Department''s clerk were directed at him. The clerk''s words were polished, seemingly respectful, yet they had cornered him. sea??h th§× n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. If he refused, he would oppose the court and seem ungrateful, which would end badly; if he hindered the disciples'' path to advancement, he''d meet resistance all around. But if he agreed, his lifelong efforts in Linfeng Hall would likely be halved. Originally, he planned to train four or five direct disciples and focus on three for special cultivation. One disciple to manage, one to act as a strategist, and one for martial prowess, thereby expanding and strengthening Linfeng Hall. Even if he didn''t have the martial title, his descendants could benefit from his legacy. Now, after the tiger demon incident, one of his five direct disciples was dead, and another was crippled. Among the three remaining, two had hidden injuries due to conflicts with Mi Gang. The last one was fine, extraordinarily gifted, yet his reputation was not established, so he was in a period of accumulating strength. Under these circumstances, the government still demanded he dispatch some disciples, essentially digging up his foundation. Did he have the means to refuse? No! The government loomed like a mountain in front of him, immovable and insurmountable. Li Linfeng''s fists clenched tightly in his sleeves, his knuckles turning white. The clerk dressed in black, wearing an id card, glanced at Li Linfeng and continued: "Our lord knows that Master Li has a hard time regarding his disciples, being a rare and good teacher, but we also hope Master Li takes into account the overall situation and shows some consideration for the city''s people." Li Linfeng exhaled and took two steps forward, staring directly at the official of the Guardian Martial Department, speaking with a smile: "You can have my disciples, but I require the treatment for each to be doubled, twenty taels per person. If injured or killed, the compensation should be eighty taels, and for direct disciples, it should be doubled again." "If you can agree, I will arrange it. If not, then let''s drop it. Compared to the city''s people, I should consider my disciples more." Li Linfeng set a high price, and given the government''s typically stingy ways, they would surely refuse. Thus, he could use this to decline the government''s summon while solidifying support within his hall. However, unexpectedly, the Guardian Martial Department agreed! "Fine, Master Li indeed treats his disciples like his own children. Before I came, the County Magistrate stated clearly, as long as Master Li''s demands aren''t excessive, we can agree. I find Master Li''s terms quite reasonable." Not only that, the clerk of the Guardian Martial Department upped the ante, taking a stack of silver notes from his bosom and placing them on the table: "This is a token of appreciation from the County Magistrate prepared beforehand, please accept it." Then, he took out a porcelain bottle: "I also have Qi Blood Pills, twenty in total, issued by the court to consolidate qi and blood and increase cultivation progress. I hope Master Li won''t make it difficult for me." "Our county government is determined to exterminate the tiger demon and hopes Master Li will support us. We''d be eternally grateful." Qi Blood Pill? Li Linfeng''s expression changed, knowing this was part of the Zhou Country Court''s martial mechanism salary, comparable to a powerful tonic. Outside, one pill was worth between one to five taels. The Guardian Martial Department had indeed put in a lot. With matters reaching this point, Li Linfeng knew he had no room to maneuver. He couldn''t fight back, nor could he escape. What else could he do? Li Linfeng slowly unclenched his fists hidden in his sleeves. "How many do you need this time?" A smile flashed across the clerk''s face as he quickly said: "Considering the heavy losses Master Li has suffered, you only need to send one more direct disciple, five inner courtyard disciples, and ten outer courtyard disciples. If the tiger demon is slain, the greatest contributor can obtain a martial title." "Alright, I understand." The Guardian Martial Department''s clerk cupped his hands and said: "Then we meet tomorrow at Mao Hour under the West City Gate. Since the matter is settled, I won''t disturb Master Li further, farewell." "Take care, no need to see me off." The clerk turned to leave, and the disciples gathered at the entrance of the hall parted to make way. After he left the inner hall, Li Linfeng called Ouyang Tiezhu and Wushili over, saying: "Get some silver from A Fu and take care of your brothers'' affairs. I''ll handle the second one''s matters myself." "Yes, Master," Ouyang Tiezhu stepped forward, "Then who goes this time?" Li Linfeng looked at Ouyang Tiezhu, then at Wushili. In the tiger demon incident, even the two seemingly unscathed disciples, Niu Daping and Dong Zizhuang, met with misfortune. These two had recently recovered from injuries, and if sent again, they''d likely face dire consequences. As he struggled with the decision, his peripheral vision caught sight of Shen Qing standing outside, and with a sigh of resignation, he said: "Send your junior disciple." Ouyang Tiezhu and Wushili exchanged a glance: "The junior disciple has not been practicing martial arts for long. Even if he is extraordinarily gifted, his combat experience is lacking. If sent, it might be a life-and-death situation." Li Linfeng reluctantly said: "Ask your junior disciple''s opinion first." Saying this, he motioned for Shen Qing to come over. Shen Qing understood, approached, and cupped his hands: "Master, you called for me?" Li Linfeng said: "I intend to send you this time. Are you willing? If not, then forget it." Shen Qing glanced at everyone, weighing the pros and cons in his mind. After continuous cultivation, his real combat strength might be approaching the Qi Cultivation Realm, coupled with his archery skills, who could say. Moreover, with the Turtle Breathing Technique, Eagle Eye, and the Dragon Roar Armor, if he couldn''t win, he could at least ensure his safety. The greater the risk, the greater the reward! Opportunities to obtain a martial title were rare. It was also a chance to gauge how powerful he truly was after mastering so many martial arts and skills. With this in mind, Shen Qing agreed: "I am willing, Master." ``` Chapter 120 - 44: Ghost Descends the Mountain, No Taboos Whatsoever ``` Linfeng Hall, study room. A wisp of pale blue smoke slowly rose from a golden bronze incense burner, exuding the lingering scent of sandalwood. Suddenly, the smoke was disturbed. Shen Qing walked in from outside the main door: "Master, did you call for me?" Li Linfeng turned from his desk, holding a neatly folded golden vest in front of Shen Qing. "What is this?" "A Golden Silkworm Armor, impervious to water and fire. Wear it for protection." Shen Qing accepted the Golden Silkworm Armor, finding it thin as gauze and cool to the touch. The golden threads woven together were extraordinarily fine, emitting a golden sheen, clearly not an ordinary item. His uncle, the Hall Master, was unexpectedly generous in giving it to him, leaving Shen Qing somewhat surprised. Shen Qing did not hesitate, accepted it gratefully, and said, "Thank you, Master." Following this, Li Linfeng took out two porcelain bottles and handed them to Shen Qing: "This one contains Qi Blood Pills from the government office, which can strengthen Qi-Blood and enhance your cultivation. There are twenty pills in total, and I kept five for you; the other bottle is Heart Returning Pills, which can save your life in critical moments. Take them as well." Shen Qing knew that Linfeng Hall was currently not well-off financially, so giving these items was quite difficult. But one could never have too many good things. Shen Qing accepted them one by one. Li Linfeng, somewhat disinterested, said, "Things are complicated within the hall right now, and my energy is limited, so I can''t help you much. Take care of yourself." "I understand." Li Linfeng waved his hand, showing signs of fatigue, and sat back down. Shen Qing clasped his hands in respect and exited the study. Linfeng Hall had gone through a lot recently, and everything was in disarray. Shen Qing could not help much here, so he decided to return to his place and make some preparations for the mountain ascent in the morning. As he walked into the inner courtyard, he happened to see Li Lingchan, whom he hadn''t seen for a long time. Dressed in warrior attire, she was busy alongside others, handling the aftermath for fellow disciples. Li Lingchan seemed to sense something and glanced at Shen Qing. But she quickly withdrew her gaze, as if afraid that looking too long might cause a misunderstanding. Without any excess emotion, Li Lingchan buried her head back into her work. Shen Qing smiled slightly, not minding at all. As the sun gradually set, the clouds turned from golden to orange-red. The night slowly descended, enveloping the world in darkness. The day passed in the blink of an eye. His elder sister, Shen Fang, knowing Shen Qing was going on a long journey for several days, prepared plenty of dry food and arranged a change of clothes, packing them into a bundle and placing it in Shen Qing''s room, nagging about many things. Shen Qing patiently agreed to everything without any irritation. Taking the time, he went over the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill and Dragon Roar Armor several times, increasing his cultivation progress. Until midnight, Shen Qing exhaled a deep breath and walked to the Eight Immortals Table in the living room. On the table were fish, meat, lingzhi, ginseng, and even a treasure soup made from the Tiger King''s Penis and Jade Deer Tendon. Since Li Linfeng told him that Skin Forging Realm required eating to cultivate, Shen Qing had consumed all sorts of supplements without interruption. He even added a nighttime snack. As a result, his cultivation has visibly improved rapidly during this time. "Lately, after each cultivation, I feel hungry, which means my strength is increasing faster than the essence I''m absorbing. The hungrier I am, the faster my strength grows." "But I am spending money too quickly, spending nearly one hundred taels just on food. I must find ways to earn more money and gain more influence in the future." Shen Qing picked up an unknown animal leg and gnawed at it fiercely. Moments later, the entire table of food was finished. Shen Qing felt as though he was soaked in hot springs, his whole body warm, with streams of essence permeating from the inside out, turning his skin red. He quickly practiced his martial arts once more, appreciating the rapidly increasing value on the Water Ink Panel, and then rested contentedly. ... Meanwhile, dozens of miles away on Shicheng Mountain. In an unknown dense forest, shadows flickered with a blood-red glow. Upon closer look, there were pairs of eyes drifting within the forest. In the midst of these shadows lay a large, spotted tiger, exhaling heavily. Its breathing was rhythmic: long, long, long, short, repeating cyclically, covered faintly by moonlight. Unclear how much time passed, the large, spotted tiger opened its eyes and spoke like a human: "Devouring humans continuously, my cultivation seems to have improved quite a bit again. Truly, on the path of becoming a demon, eating humans is the best cultivation method." With that, it tore a human arm from behind with its claw and tossed it into its mouth. The crackling of bones and flesh resonated through the woods, sending a chill down one''s spine. Gurgle. The large spotted tiger extended its neck to swallow, eyes glowing with eerie green light, exuding a satisfied, human-like expression, its fur reflecting a metallic sheen under the moonlight. After a while, the tiger stood up, opened its bloody maw, and roared arrogantly, a sound like thunder, exploding in the night. An invisible shockwave centered around it spread like ripples. As the shockwave passed, leaves rustled, and branches shook violently as if enduring a fierce storm. Hundreds of Ghosts in the forest covered their ears, showing looks of pain. Their faces were filled with fear, eyes flashing with terror. Under the shockwave, their bodies wavered, as if they might scatter any moment. After a while, the tiger satisfactorily ceased its roar and headed down the mountain. "Things are getting lively at the foot of the mountain lately, time for a little feast. Hopefully, I''ll find a woman with high cultivation, their meat is tender and firm, quite delicious." The calf-sized spotted tiger scanned the multitude of Ghosts, growling deeply and authoritatively: "From today onwards, I want more food, more, more! This mountain lord now lifts your restrictions, bring me people, anyone who shows up empty-handed will feed my stomach." Its gaze swept over the Ghosts, and every Ghost touched by its gaze felt a chill rise from their hearts. "Yes, mountain lord!" All the drifting Ghosts in the forest lowered their heads before the spotted tiger in fear and agreement. "Ghosts descending the mountain, with no taboos!" The spotted tiger let out a low growl, and the red light in the eyes of hundreds of Ghosts dimmed somewhat. With the whistling wind, the Ghosts surged mightily down the mountain like a flood, disappearing into the night. At the foot of the mountain, in a village already destroyed by the tiger demon. Amidst the ruins, numerous martial masters sent to exterminate the tiger lit bonfires and gathered in a circle. The night wind howled, making the flames flicker unstably, shadows dancing constantly across their faces. Martial Master Bao Renliang poked the bonfire with a stick, making the tightly packed flames burn brighter. The others sat nearby, chatting idly. While they chatted idly, most of their conversations were complaints. "This village used to have probably thirty or forty tiger families; now, not a single person is left, all eaten by the tiger demon. I really don''t understand what the County Magistrate is thinking, why haven''t they taken action?" Martial Master Bao Renliang threw a half-dry, damp piece of wood into the bonfire, mumbling under his breath. Another martial master with a bushy beard placed his index finger on his lips for silence, gesturing inside with his chin, indicating: "Someone from the Guardian Martial Department is inside, keep it down." "I don''t fear him damn it." The bushy-bearded martial master lowered his voice: "I heard that the County Magistrate had some issues with his cultivation recently and wants to use this as an excuse to reduce the power of local gangs and Martial Arts Halls, to prevent any disturbances." Martial Master Bao Renliang showed a hint of surprise in his eyes: "Is that really so?" S§×ar?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The bushy-bearded martial master continued: "I also heard this; I am not sure if it''s true, just take it as a rumor. I also heard the County Magistrate spent a lot to ensure no mishaps during this term, almost guaranteeing a transfer to a more prosperous place." "Damn corrupt official." The bushy-bearded martial master was about to say more when a few white shadows flickered from a distance, a cold wind whistled through, and he shivered involuntarily. He looked back, suddenly feeling a chill on his nose. A pale and twisted human face stared at him, close enough to touch. His heart seemed to be gripped by a hand, while his feet felt nailed in place, unable to move. The bushy-bearded martial master flailed his hands wildly behind him but to no avail, as he was quickly dragged into the darkness, screaming. Only a piercing echo was left, reverberating over the silent village. And then, silence resumed. The rest of the martial masters were left dumbstruck by this sudden turn of events, drawing their weapons and vigilantly watching their surroundings. But apart from the howling night wind and swaying firelight, there were no other unusual signs. Where the bushy-bearded master vanished, only drag marks remained. "What was that?" "Old Wang''s cultivation is one of the best among us, how did he vanish in the blink of an eye?" Bao Renliang maintained his composure, walking to the drag marks. Under the watchful eyes of others, he squatted down, staring intently into the pitch-black distance. Just as he concentrated, a bloody and mutilated pale face suddenly lunged out. "It''s a Ghost¡­ It''s the tiger demon''s Ghost coming!" Bao Renliang fell on his rear in shock, his face changed dramatically: "Get inside quickly!" He had not finished speaking. A scream echoed from behind. Another martial master was grabbed by a Ghost, being dragged into the darkness, disappearing in an instant. "Die!" A martial master rushed forward, punching at the shadow. But the shadow seemed non-existent, passing through him. In his moment of astonishment, the Ghost floated behind him, pulling out his heart with a hand. The martial master''s body was like paper, with a fresh heart extracted by the Ghost. "Get inside, only Qi can harm these Ghosts, have the government officers handle it." The rest grabbed torches and filed into the house. The last person hardened his heart and tossed the torch far away. The light dispelled the darkness. In a fleeting glance, they saw, the two martial masters dragged away had their insides pulled out, blood everywhere. There were no fewer than ten white shadows around, eyes glowing with bloody light, staring intently at them, sending a chill up their spines. "Ah!" All the Ghosts pounced. Moments later, the mountain village returned to stillness. ``` Chapter 121 - 45: Distrust ``` Mao Hour, under the West City Gate. Shen Qing, fully prepared, arrived at the West City Gate with his heavy bow and package as promised. When he got there, several officials from the Guardian Martial Department and some martial masters from other factions had already arrived. Among everyone present, Shen Qing noticed a familiar figure. That familiar figure was none other than Xiao Zhi, someone he was relatively acquainted with. He walked over and said, surprised, "Senior Brother, you''re going too?" Hearing Shen Qing''s greeting, Xiao Zhi turned his head, equally surprised, and said, "Did Master send you this time?" Shen Qing nodded and said, "Yes, our eldest brother and fourth brother both have hidden injuries, and you know about the matters with the second and third brothers. Besides me, there are no other suitable direct disciples." Xiao Zhi was aware of the events in Linfeng Hall, and he could only sigh helplessly, saying, "Ah... indeed, there are no other suitable people." "Why are you going this time as well?" S§×ar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Xiao Zhi smiled and said, "Of course, to fight for a future. If we can successfully defeat the tiger this time, I might get a martial arts register status. A gamble that benefits three generations, this business is worth doing." Shen Qing looked him up and down, as if seeing him anew. Unexpectedly, this unremarkable chef had a bit of "ambition." While the two were chatting idly, a total of five inner courtyard disciples including Xiao Zhi and one direct disciple including Shen Qing from Linfeng Hall gradually arrived. As far as Shen Qing knew, every year Linfeng Hall had disciples leave due to lack of talent or financial means. These people didn''t necessarily lose contact with Linfeng Hall. As former disciples of Linfeng Hall, they occasionally took on tasks from the hall to supplement their household income. So among those who came, some were known to Shen Qing, while others, who were no longer in the hall, he had no impression of. Seeing that most people had arrived. The five officials from the Guardian Martial Department ticked off the roster, ensured there were no issues, and shouted, clearing their throats, "It''s getting late, let''s set off." Shen Qing cast a glance at the crowd. Besides their sixteen from Linfeng Hall, other forces also sent around the same number, bringing the team''s total close to fifty. All martial masters. Such teams had been organized in several batches. The tiger demon entrenched in Shicheng Mountain might be more challenging than he had imagined. On the official road, five officials from the Guardian Martial Department were divided into front and rear sections of the team in the numbers of two-one-two, heading toward Shicheng Mountain. People from different forces spontaneously found their groups, clustered together to form small parties. "May I ask, Sir, how will we arrange everyone?" On the road, a martial master in his thirties approached and asked the officer from the Guardian Martial Department. Yu Xiaoruo, the officer from the Guardian Martial Department, turned to glance, seeing that this martial master was tall and had a resolute face, a stranger. Without concealing anything, he said, "We will form five teams, each stationed in villages near Shicheng Mountain, to search for traces of the demon tiger, and once found, join forces to eliminate it." "Are there others in the villages now?" "Of course, we''re going to supplement the manpower they''ve lost." "I see." The martial master in his thirties clasped his fists and said, "May I know your name, Sir?" "Speak quickly if you have something to say!" "Sir, my name is Chang Yinfa, I learned for a year under Master Li the year before last, here is a small token of appreciation." Yu Xiaoruo discreetly accepted and asked, "What do you want?" Chang Yinfa smiled and said, "Could you possibly transfer me to a stronger team?" "Why? You don''t trust your Linfeng Hall?" "Well... the direct disciples of Master Li are dead or crippled, although the direct disciple sent this time has some Sight, he''s only learned for half a year and lacks practical experience. We need to consider our own safety, right?" Chang Yinfa had a smile on his face and handed over more silver, "Please, Sir, make an exception." The Guardian Martial Department''s Yu Xiaoruo pointed to the side and said, "Go to that team." Following Chang Yinfa, many new and old disciples of Linfeng Hall stepped forward, handing silver to people from the Guardian Martial Department. Shen Qing squinted slightly and asked Xiao Zhi beside him, "What are they doing?" Xiao Zhi, having interacted with these people, understood the situation. He hesitated a bit but still said, "They''re rearranging teams." "Rearranging teams?" Shen Qing immediately understood. This tiger elimination operation promised substantial rewards from the county government to Linfeng Hall, enticing some to muddy the waters and try their luck. These people didn''t trust him and sought a safer place. "Should we stop them?" Shen Qing said, "No, let them be." In his view, such people, even if brought in, wouldn''t offer much help. Soon, under Shen Qing''s deliberate laissez-faire, the original team of sixteen from Linfeng Hall dwindled to seven. These people, besides Xiao Zhi who trusted him, stayed either because they had no money or didn''t value money, or because they were confident in their own strength and too lazy to move. People from other forces, seeing this, couldn''t help but feel a bit sorry for Shen Qing. When the team reached a fork in the road, Yu Xiaoruo, the officer from the Guardian Martial Department, had everyone stop and arranged, "There are two villages nearby. Linfeng Hall brothers, your station is this Shiqiao Village; Feiying Pavilion brothers go this way, uphill to Heshan Village. If you spot the tiger demon, signal with fireworks. Understood?" "Understood." Everyone responded in unison and went their separate ways. Each team had someone from the Guardian Martial Department accompanying them. Accompanying Shen Qing was a government officer named Lian Bing from the Guardian Martial Department, who seemed simple and honest. As he passed by Shen Qing, he glanced at him discreetly, his expression unpleasant. As if bringing Shen Qing was particularly unlucky. After a long walk, they finally arrived at the so-called Shiqiao Village. The entire mountain village was in ruins. A small stone bridge spanned the mountain stream, overgrown with weeds. At the village entrance, a few houses appeared old and abandoned for many years. Among the group, an old disciple from Linfeng Hall looked around and said, "This village seems abandoned not by the tiger demon''s influence; it looks earlier." "Life in the mountains is tough. There are many such villages around Shicheng Mountain," Lian Bing said indifferently, "We have over a dozen people stationed here, let''s meet up with them first." Following Lian Bing, they ventured deeper into Shiqiao Village. The village was empty and lifeless, and everyone sensed something was amiss. Lian Bing sternly said, "Stay alert." Everyone''s expressions turned serious as they followed Lian Bing to a relatively intact building. The strong smell of blood emanated from inside the building. Lian Bing''s face looked grim. "Kick open the door, let''s see inside." A burly man said nothing, stepping forward to kick the door. "Charge!" Lian Bing led the way in, and the rest followed suit. Once the area was deemed safe, Shen Qing quietly joined them inside. When he saw the scene in the room, his brows furrowed tightly. There were no people in the room, or rather, no complete bodies. Eyes with tendons attached and gnawed skull fragments... The devoured human remains were scattered all around. Lian Bing crouched by the remains, examining carefully. He touched the bloodstains with his hand, rubbed them between his fingers, and found the blood had not yet dried, indicating it had happened recently. "This is troublesome..." ``` Chapter 122 - 46 Our Hunt Begins The people in the room stirred. All eight of them possessed some courage, showing little fear or cowardice. Some were here to establish themselves, eager to try. A senior brother from Linfeng Hall with a square face and an aura of determination stepped forward and asked: "Officer Lian, is this the work of the tiger demon?" As a constable and martial artist for the Guardian Martial Department, Lian Bing stood up, surveyed the surroundings, and said: "From our current information, the tiger demon in the mountains has a taste for human flesh. Although there are no signs of wild beasts here, it''s most likely connected to it." The senior brother asked: "So, the tiger demon is nearby?" Lian Bing nodded, then shook his head and said: "Not necessarily. This tiger demon moves like the wind, its whereabouts are unpredictable and it might have already left." After saying this, he ordered gravely: "Search the area to see if there are any traces." "Yes." The seven people from Linfeng Hall, including Shen Qing, dispersed around the house under Lian Bing''s orders. Xiao Zhi, having witnessed Shen Qing''s skills, instinctively moved closer to Shen Qing out of trust: "Junior brother, shall we go together?" "Sure." Seeing Shen Qing agree, Xiao Zhi felt relieved and whispered: "Junior brother, if the tiger demon appears, remember not to rush forward. If you can, grab some credit, but if the situation is bad, run immediately. Life is important." Shen Qing glanced at Xiao Zhi''s sly demeanor, unexpectedly finding some wisdom in him. All right. If he couldn''t differentiate between priorities, it would be troublesome. Shen Qing smiled and said: "Thank you for the advice, senior brother." Xiao Zhi waved his hand and began searching for clues around Shen Qing. But after searching for a long time, they found not a single tiger hair. "Junior brother, do you think this counts as a clue?" Xiao Zhi pushed aside the grass and pointed somewhere. Upon hearing this, Shen Qing walked over and saw a small clearing behind the parted grass. On the clearing was a piece of feces. Human excrement. Not yet decomposed. Shen Qing was left speechless and said: "If this were tiger dung, it would count as a clue. Unfortunately, it''s human, which doesn''t prove anything." "True¡­" At this moment, someone shouted from nearby: "Come quickly, there''s someone here." Shen Qing and Xiao Zhi exchanged a glance: "Let''s go take a look." The two followed the direction of the shout. By the time they arrived, a crowd had already gathered in the thicket, leaving no space. According to the outermost person, they had found an officer from the Guardian Martial Department in the bush, still alive with a faint breath. Everyone lifted the officer out, made room, and laid him on the ground. Lian Bing quickly took out a small blue pill and fed it to him with water. A moment later, the rescued officer''s face turned rosy, and he coughed violently, slowly opening his eyes and regaining some spirit. Seeing Lian Bing, he grabbed his collar and said emotionally: "Quickly, quickly, there are still people alive. Go rescue them, and we found the tiger demon''s tracks¡­" The rescued officer spoke a lot in one breath. Lian Bing''s face changed, and he asked: "A Lin, what exactly happened?" "No time, save the people first. I''ll explain slowly after saving them¡­" The rescued officer caught his breath, sat up, and said quickly: "You carry me, I''ll guide you!" Lian Bing frowned, pointed randomly at someone in the crowd: "Come carry him." "Me?" Shen Qing was slightly taken aback, about to ask when Lian Bing didn''t explain further. He then said loudly to the others: "Be ready, let''s go save the people. The tiger demon might be where they are." Clamor! Everyone became alert, preparing to move. Lian Bing, seeing Shen Qing still not coming, glared at him: "Hurry up." Shen Qing, unable to avoid it, showed a bit of helplessness on his face. He begrudgingly walked to the rescued officer, squatted down, and gestured for him to climb on. The rescued officer apologized: "Sorry for the trouble." Unexpectedly, Shen Qing scrutinized him twice and said nothing further. The rescued officer lay on Shen Qing''s back, who felt almost no weight and stood up easily. "Move out!" After pointing in a direction, Lian Bing quickly led the group. Soon, guided by the rescued officer, they all rushed into the dense forest. In the forest, Lian Bing and others indeed found traces of blood and entrails, making them look grimmer. After several more detours, they went deeper. "Why are you falling behind, little brother?" The rescued officer complained: "You know I need to guide." "I practice finger techniques, my leg skills aren''t good, naturally slower than the others," Shen Qing calmly said. "You can just shout to guide." "Okay." The rescued officer stopped speaking and asked: "Little brother, what''s your name?" "Shen Qing!" "Oh, you seem quite young." "I''m only sixteen." "Pretty young indeed." At the very front, Lian Bing grew impatient as they hadn''t reached their destination: "How much further?" "It''s nearby, we''re here!" shouted the rescued officer, the sound echoing afar. "Hmm?" The rescued officer saw Shen Qing stopping and asked dully: "Why did you stop?" Shen Qing said: "You''re too heavy. My feet are sore, can''t walk anymore." The rescued officer was speechless. But seeing they were this far, he didn''t mind. At this moment, the rescued officer''s face seemed to melt like a burning candle, changing into an unfamiliar one. He grinned fiercely and tried to stab Shen Qing in the back. However, just as he raised his hand, Shen Qing already grabbed his arm. "What are you doing?" The officer''s expression froze, Shen Qing had surprised him. He then shouted: "Fellows, the hunt begins!" "Hunt?" Upfront, before people could react, shadows appeared from the dark woods, numbering no less than twenty, surrounding Lian Bing and others. Seeing them, Lian Bing felt his scalp tingle: "Ghosts???" "Kill!" As if receiving an order, all the ghosts lunged. Lian Bing shouted: "Don''t be afraid! They shift between reality. Fear them and you''ll fail to catch them, certain death!!!" Unfortunately, someone turned pale from the sudden shock. A ghost entered his body, bursting out, causing screams of pain, many martial masters falling victim, unable to contend. The officer sighed deeply: "You''re clever, avoiding the trap, but the mountain lord likes tender ones like you. Pity! Die!" He lunged at Shen Qing. Seeing the sharp fingers nearing, Shen Qing drew a breath. The black nails looked sinister. Who knew the consequences of their touch. Facing a ghost for the first time, his pupils dilated, face muscles twisted. At that moment, Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill, Wind Defying Finger, Blood Dominance Technique, and other martial arts pushed to the limit. Shen Qing''s body crackled, veins bulged, muscles surged. Both hands pointed, pivoted, pointing at the officer. Boom! A hot aura and explosive force erupted together. The ghost understood nothing before its smile froze, disintegrating into ashes in an instant. Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 123 - 47 Destroying Such Ghosts with a Single Finger Shen Qing was stunned. He hadn''t expected that a single flick of his finger would completely obliterate the ghost, leaving not even a trace behind. In the dense forest ahead, the ghosts continuously emerged from all directions, each with a hideous face, red eyes, and a cruel smile at the corners of their mouths. They had once been human, but after being harmed by the tiger demon, they had turned into vengeful spirits and lost their humanity. At this moment, they were baring their fangs and claws, continuously closing in on Lian Bing and the others. Lian Bing and his group''s surroundings were completely locked down by the ghosts, with no way to escape. The apparitions moved erratically and at astonishing speed. Due to the sudden turn of events, many were gripped with fear, and their martial techniques and weapons couldn''t harm the ghosts at all. Blood splattered everywhere, and the sound of screams echoed through the depths of the woods. Those who were pounced on by the ghosts were instantly enveloped by darkness, leaving only a series of heartrending wails. Lian Bing appeared somewhat experienced against the ghosts, managing to injure a few with his formidable strength, but that was the extent of it. After joining forces with another martial master to slay one ghost, the two were already showing signs of exhaustion, their faces reflecting despair. If even a single ghost posed such a challenge, they had no hope of survival with so many remaining. Behind the group, Xiao Zhi, keeping a sense of vigilance, saw the situation turn unfavorable and took off running. He saw the dazed Shen Qing and hurriedly shouted: "Run quickly! There are too many ghosts here; we''re no match for them." The ghosts in the mountain forest, hearing the commotion, raised their heads and chased after Xiao Zhi. One ghost leaped towards Xiao Zhi with a ferocious grin. Xiao Zhi felt a chill spread through his body. He was doomed! Xiao Zhi was utterly panic-stricken and closed his eyes, wildly lashing out behind him. After a moment of no movement and no sensation of being hurt, he cautiously opened his eyes, suddenly realizing an arm had somehow appeared before him, with sword fingers extended in front of him. The ghost that had leaped at him earlier had already vanished without a trace. Turning back, Xiao Zhi saw Shen Qing looking at him with a smile. "Help me grab the bow and arrow." Shen Qing took the bow and arrow off his back and tossed them to Xiao Zhi. Caught off guard, Xiao Zhi managed to catch the heavy bow and dark iron arrows amidst his fluster. With Xiao Zhi''s astonished, blank look, Shen Qing rolled up his sleeves and walked forward. After killing two ghosts, Shen Qing seemed to have gained some understanding of his own strength. These ghosts, he could destroy one with a single finger! Shen Qing silently walked to an open space, where the dappled sunlight filtered through the dense leaves, falling upon him and the moist ground. From a distance, he appeared like a fearsome and awe-inspiring deity. His sharp, murderous gaze fixed ahead, tinged with a touch of bloodthirsty madness. Even the ghosts had a hint of spiritual wisdom, recognizing Shen Qing''s formidable nature after seeing him easily kill one of their kind. "So, you do know fear! I thought you ghosts were devoid of emotion. Seeing it this way, you''re not so different from us." Shen Qing stepped forward, exuding an indescribable aura. With every step he took, the ghosts retreated a step. Surviving Lian Bing and another square-faced martial master, witnessing this unbelievable scene, felt waves of admiration crash within their hearts. At this moment, Shen Qing''s authoritative and cold voice echoed through the deep forest. "In that case, I will show no mercy. If you don''t want to die, try and stop me with all your might!!" The moment the words left his mouth, Shen Qing suddenly charged at the ghosts in front of him, plunging into their midst. Wind Defying Finger was an art renowned for its speed, combined with the enhanced movement technique from hunting skills. Shen Qing practically reached them in the blink of an eye. "Die!" Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill and Wind Defying Finger continuously combined, and Shen Qing extended his hands in sword fingers, transforming into a shadow falling on one ghost. With a soft "puff," the ghost was struck by the finger wind, instantly dissipating into black smoke without even a scream. "Weak, weak, weak, so weak! Not even enough to use thirty percent of my power, pathetic!" Shen Qing''s face turned frenzied. He attacked continuously, each strike precisely landing on a ghost. The ghosts, unable to resist the finger wind, dissolved into black smoke one after another. Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Pathetic, pathetic, pathetic!" Driven by resentment, the remaining ghosts screamed and howled, baring their claws and fangs as they surged towards Shen Qing, but it was all in vain. With a muffled thud, Shen Qing pointed at the last ghost in front of Lian Bing, and the powerful qi obliterated it into dust. In the awestruck gaze of Lian Bing, Shen Qing halted his actions, slowly retracting his hand. The scene returned to silence. Amidst the terror-induced breaths held in, there was now a transition to heavy panting. "All pathetic!" Shen Qing''s mouth curled slightly as he said, "Officer Lian, are you all right?" Lian Bing couldn''t help but swallow hard and stammered, "N-n-no¡­" "That''s good to hear." Shen Qing surveyed his surroundings, observing the four fallen peers, somewhat puzzled. Why did they die to such pitiful ghosts? "Perhaps it''s not that they''re too weak, but that I''m too strong?" Shen Qing muttered to himself, somewhat uncertain. Meanwhile, around Shicheng Mountain in Nanshan Village, Chang Yinfa led a few senior disciples from Linfeng Hall into the village with Yu Xiaoruo from the Guardian Martial Department. They set up camp there. "Mr. Yu, why is this village so quiet, not a single person around?" Chang Yinfa asked nervously. Yu Xiaoruo from the Guardian Martial Department glanced at him indifferently and said, "During the day, everyone must go up the mountain hunting tigers; they wouldn''t just stay at the base. Let''s go in and have a look to find out." Chang Yinfa nodded in realization, "Oh!" The group walked into the village. Yu Xiaoruo from the Guardian Martial Department patted the nearby door and called out, "We''re here; may I ask where are our brothers from the Guardian Martial Department?" No one responded. Yu Xiaoruo from the Guardian Martial Department furrowed his brows, sensing something amiss. "Mr. Yu, listen, it sounds like something." "Hush, everyone be quiet." Yu Xiaoruo cocked his head slightly, listening carefully, and indeed heard some noises. The sounds resembled the slurping noises of pigs feeding. "This way." Someone quickly followed the sounds. When they reached the source of the noise, everyone''s face turned ghostly pale, unable to utter a word. In front of them, a large, striped tiger sat on the ground, gnawing a Guardian Martial Department martial master''s corpse. Around it, seven or eight ghosts flanked it, their pale faces all staring at them. Chang Yinfa''s throat seemed to be caught on something, and he struggled to say, "T-tiger demon¡­" The tiger, as big as a calf, lifted its head and fixed its gaze on them, laughing human-like: "Oh, more people came to bring me snacks!" Yu Xiaoruo from the Guardian Martial Department turned and ran without saying a word. "Run!" The others came to their senses and scattered in panic. The tiger demon''s laugh faded, discarding the human leg it was holding, and straightened its body. At that moment, the ghosts beside it seemed to know its intentions, each turning into a shadow and pursuing them. "What a rare treat to have a few mice stumble in; I might as well play with them to pass the time." Just as it was about to step forward, the tiger''s steps halted. Its massive head turned towards another part of the forest, wearing a puzzled expression: "What''s going on? Why are so many of my little ghosts being wiped out at once?" It pivoted its body, shook its head, and suddenly dashed into the forest, heading towards the sensed direction. Chapter 124 - 48 Skin Forging Great Perfection, Qi Cultivation Realm In the dark forest, four corpses lay scattered haphazardly, like discarded dolls. Their faces were twisted, frozen in expressions of terror at the moment of death. The blood, under the sunlight, appeared a strange dark red, pooling on the ground in small streams, winding like a river. The air was filled with the stench of iron rust mixed with the rotting leaves. Occasionally a gentle breeze blew through, but it couldn''t disperse the thick, bloody smell. Lian Bing and the other two, still alive, had their gazes fixed tightly on Shen Qing, their eyes filled with astonishment and doubt. They looked as if they were seeing some indescribable monster. Lian Bing opened his mouth to ask something, but in this deathly still forest, he found that the countless words he wanted to say simply wouldn''t come out. He glanced down at Shen Qing, letting the shock seep into his heart. After a while, under the gaze of the few people present, Shen Qing bent down and slowly fiddled with the corpses, taking the silver and Qi Blood Pills from their hands and unceremoniously stuffing them into his own pockets. Lian Bing and the others did not stop him, as if it were only natural. After ensuring he hadn''t missed anything, Shen Qing poured out a ruby-red Qi Blood Pill, placing it in the palm of his hand. He walked up to Lian Bing and asked, "Officer Lian, is this Qi Blood Pill truly effective?" Lian Bing snapped back to reality, hurriedly clasped his fists respectfully, and honestly responded, "This is a common elixir in the official salary we receive from the government office. One Qi Blood Pill contains more Essence Qi than a bowl of nourishing soup. We usually consume one before our training sessions to speed up cultivation. After exhausting battles outside, we also use one to rejuvenate ourselves." "I see. I just went through a battle and expended quite a bit, so it''s perfect for replenishment." Shen Qing looked at the Qi Blood Pill with interest for a moment, then threw it into his mouth, crunching it loudly. The taste was somewhat like a calcium tablet, with a slight sweetness to it. Gulp! Shen Qing swallowed it in a single gulp, quietly feeling its effects. At first, there was nothing unusual, but after a moment, he suddenly felt a burst of vitality. It happened! Shen Qing sensed a faint herbal aroma spreading in his mouth, the Essence Qi from the marrow merging with the Essence Qi from the pill, surging outwards from within. The massive flood of Essence Qi now rampaged like an unbridled horse through his meridians, continuously washing over his flesh and skin. Shen Qing noticed that the membrane on his arms, refined by the Dragon Roar Armor, became even clearer and brighter, keeping the surging Essence Qi locked within. His skin was turning visibly redder, looking from afar like a boiled shrimp. Shen Qing knew this was the effect of the Qi Blood Pill. With joy bubbling up inside him, he guided the pill''s energizing spirit through his meridians, repeatedly washing over his body. The effects of a single Qi Blood Pill lasted a mere half an incense stick''s time before dissipating completely. Just when he began to feel the effects, it stopped. Shen Qing frowned slightly, feeling a bit unsatisfied. He did not hesitate, immediately taking out another Qi Blood Pill and swallowing it. At this moment, Shen Qing sensed his skin starting to grow tight, hardening, seeming as if he was touching a barrier, constantly shifting. He understood this was the result of his cultivation advancing rapidly under the influence of the Qi Blood Pill. The initial consumption of a Qi Blood Pill provided an extraordinary benefit. After consuming two consecutively, Shen Qing still felt a hunger within his flesh, nowhere near the limit. "In that case..." Shen Qing swallowed the remaining seven Qi Blood Pills in one go. Watching this scene, Lian Bing couldn''t help but be flabbergasted. He had never seen such a fierce method of consumption before. Having eaten too many at once, a large amount of Essence Qi escaped from his mouth. Shen Qing quickly covered his mouth and nose, continuously refining. Time ticked away, and in a moment... Shen Qing suddenly heard a dull roar in his ear, as if in an instant, he had suddenly broken through an obstruction layer. Within his flesh and skin, something shattered and broke apart. Immediately, the muscle groups attached to his bones began to wriggle, slowly expanding. The red hue on his skin faded away like tidewater, absorbed back into it, and all anomalies abruptly ceased. Shen Qing raised his hand to touch, feeling the icy and hard texture. "Have I, have I completed Skin Forging? Have I advanced to the Qi Cultivation Realm?" His eyes sparkled with a hint of delight. He clenched his fists and moved his muscles and bones, realizing that each of his actions was brimming with incredible power. The skin all over his body was thick like cowhide, hard as iron. "Just as I expected, the Skin Forging Realm is indeed the easiest realm for me to break through." Shen Qing whispered inwardly, "With such strength, plus the Dragon Roar Armor''s membrane, I estimate my defense is at a terrifying level." He withdrew his fist, stood with hands clasped, and looked around, his face filled with immense confidence. Lian Bing and Xiao Zhi were unaware of the internal changes in Shen Qing, only noticing his aura subtly becoming different, seemingly more... powerful. Just then, a blast echoed from the distant mountains and forests. Shen Qing and the others all turned their heads toward the sound. Lian Bing sprang up and blurted, "Someone has found traces of the tiger demon." A trace of panic flickered across his face. Previously unaware of the horror of the tiger demon, having seen how hard ghosts were to handle, the mention of a tiger demon made him jump in fright like a startled bird. Shen Qing glanced at Lian Bing but said nothing. He turned his head to look at an ancient tree with a trunk as wide as a person''s embrace next to him, then kicked off with both legs, climbing up to the tree''s canopy. He peered into the distance where the fireworks exploded, his eyes narrowing, "Eagle Eye!" Buzz! A series of images appeared repeatedly in Shen Qing''s mind, combining to form an overhead view. He clearly saw birds startled into flight in some mountain spots. A huge, tiger-like beast the size of a calf raced through the woods toward him. Shen Qing licked his lips and shouted to Xiao Zhi, "Give me the bow and arrow!" Upon hearing the call, Xiao Zhi hurriedly threw the heavy bow with arrows up into the tree. Shen Qing caught it smoothly. He hooked his foot around a branch, finding his footing in the tree. Amidst the lush green mountains, under the hot sun, Shen Qing slowly raised the heavy bow in his hands. His long arms stretched like a tree limb, with muscles bulging as if ready to explode, the lines sleek and filled with explosive power. Shen Qing took a deep breath, nocking a heavy arrow onto the bowstring, pulling it taut. When the bowstring was fully drawn to the shape of a full moon, a momentary silence fell in the forest. Shen Qing suddenly released his grip, the bowstring thunderously releasing. The dark iron arrow tore through the sky, carrying a whistling wind and ferocious momentum, shooting in a perfect arc toward a spot in the distant mountains and forests. The huge, majestic tiger was rushing, unaware of a thing, suddenly sensing a lethal intent, was startled, with its fur bristling. Before understanding what was happening, it saw a dark ray descending from the sky, aiming straight at its head. Boom! The moment the dark ray hit it, it seemed as if the entire forest trembled from the impact. S§×ar?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 125 - 49 Tiger Demon Appears ``` The immense impact radiated from the tiger demon, instantly spreading outwards and toppling the surrounding trees, raising a cloud of dust that filled the air. As the smoke gradually cleared, it revealed the tiger demon''s disheveled state. It lay heavily smashed to the ground, creating a deep pit in the hard earth beneath it. Its originally golden fur was now covered with dust and debris. Even more terrifying was the dark iron arrow imbedded in its massive haunch, exposing a gaping wound. Waves of intense pain continually emanated from its haunch. The tiger demon''s eyes, as large as copper bells, were now filled with fear and unwillingness. Ever since it began devouring humans, its cultivation had improved considerably. Its body had long become impervious to blades and arrows. The hunter''s arrow could not harm it in the least. The martial artists who ascended the mountain to hunt it lately found their swords and blades merely scratched its tiger fur. Over time, its ambition grew, and it gradually held the humans in disdain, hunting them voraciously as prey. In its opinion, the so-called human martial artists were nothing more than that. But now, having been wounded by an unremarkable iron arrow, how could it accept this? The tiger demon struggled to lift its head, looking toward the direction from which the dark light had shot. Its eyes narrowed slightly, gathering vitality, finally making out the distant figure of a young man standing on the treetops holding a bow and arrows. "Good, very good, excellent. Such powerful humans, surely with more Essence Qi in their flesh. This mountain lord, after consuming him, will increase my cultivation greatly." The tiger demon turned its head, biting down on the dark iron arrow lodged in its haunch, and with a jerk of its neck, was about to pull it out, images of devouring that man constantly crossing its mind. Just then, another dark light shot toward it. Tiger demon: "What the hell..." Boom! Another cloud of dust spread in the air. Shen Qing, standing on the treetop, retrieved his longbow, his gaze sharp. Utilizing his eagle sight ability, he continually discerned the tiger demon''s position. After confirming the tiger demon had not moved, Shen Qing immediately shouted to Xiao Zhi below him, "Give me the rest of the arrows!" Without any delay, Xiao Zhi quickly threw the remaining dark iron heavy arrows into Shen Qing''s hands. Shen Qing reached out and grabbed the arrows just in time. Without any hesitation, Shen Qing fired arrows in rapid succession, one after another, from his hands. Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh! In an instant, arrow after arrow gleamed coldly under the sunlight as they whistled toward the tiger demon. A sharp sound of breaking through the air accompanied them. The arrows wove an intricate net in mid-air, binding the tiger demon tightly within. The tiger demon, with two arrows embedded in its haunch, just regained its senses, only to be dazed by this onslaught of arrows. Boom, boom, boom... The arrows pierced through the tiger demon''s fur, embedding into its flesh and causing fresh blood to spray. "I''ll kill you... roar!" The tiger demon let out a piercing howl that echoed far and wide. Humm! A blood-colored brilliance erupted from the tiger demon. The arrows that followed were momentarily stopped by this thick blood-colored brilliance, creating invisible ripples. However, upon piercing through the blood-colored aura, the arrows lost momentum and could not embed into the tiger demon''s body. At this time, the tiger demon''s body was pierced by six or seven arrows, staining the ground with blood. "Roar!" Furious and exasperated, the tiger demon opened its bloody maw and roared. Regardless of the arrows lodged in its body, it surged with waves of bloody wind, sprinting toward the position where Shen Qing stood. In the forest, Xiao Zhi and the others heard the increasingly close roar of the tiger and their faces turned deathly pale. Seeing the tiger demon was now on guard, Shen Qing understood that his current heavy bow could no longer take it by surprise, so he opted not to waste his energy. He stowed the heavy bow and leaped down from the treetop, landing steadily on the ground. Shen Qing handed the heavy bow back to Xiao Zhi, saying, "The tiger demon is coming, you all should find a place to hide." "What about you?" Xiao Zhi asked. Shen Qing smiled and said, "Of course, I''m going to try killing it!" Xiao Zhi, knowing he was not capable enough to help here, clasped his fist in salute, turned, and left. Then Shen Qing looked toward Lian Bing and his round-faced senior brother, "What about you?" The round-faced senior brother gave a bitter smile, "My Qi and Blood surged injuring my meridians while fighting the ghost, I can''t run far. I''ll stay here; maybe I can act as bait." Lian Bing followed, "I''m about the same, I''ll stay here. Hope I won''t get in your way." Seeing this, Shen Qing did not say anything further. He stood in place, breathing slowly, until his body was in optimal condition. The mountain forest was silent but for the occasional unwilling cries of insects and birds. A faint scent of blood drifted from the forest. In the distance, the sounds of the tiger demon grew closer. Lian Bing and his round-faced senior brother''s hearts leaped into their throats, their eyes fixed on the direction of the tiger demon. A heavy and rhythmic sound of tiger steps reverberated through the forest. Rustling. A massive figure pushed the trees and thorns aside. Suddenly, an intense pressure rolled forth. Lian Bing and his round-faced senior brother saw the tiger demon''s true form and it was as if their throats were gripped, rendering them speechless. Their hearts pounded like war drums, beating incessantly in their ears. It was huge! The tiger''s size was as enormous as an ox, with large, copper-bell-like eyes full of feral wildness. At this time, Shen Qing had already pushed the Dragon Roar Armor to the extreme, the membrane covering his entire body becoming increasingly translucent and shiny. Under the sunlight, it emitted bits of gloss, looking as though he was clad in a transparent armor. Suddenly, a breeze swept through the mountain forest. S§×arch* The ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Shen Qing looked up and saw the tiger demon, its body pierced full of arrows, and a trace of unnoticeable joy appeared on his face. "Unexpectedly, this tiger demon brought back all the arrows. It''s no easy task to find arrows in such a vast forest." Despite its massive size, the tiger demon appeared extremely agile. Its lower half twisted a few times amongst the trees before it easily disentangled itself, standing fully before Shen Qing. The tiger demon fixed its gaze on Shen Qing, baring its fangs and speaking in human words, "Out of all these days, you''re the first to injure me. You have a wonderful and strong aroma on you. To thank you specially, I''ve decided to lick your flesh off piece by piece." As it spoke, the tiger demon opened its bloody maw, revealing its barbed tongue and licking its face. "Oh, a talking tiger, truly the first I''ve seen." Shen Qing suddenly spoke. The tiger demon was slightly taken aback, the fear or plea for mercy it expected did not happen. Shen Qing''s words momentarily left it at a loss for what to say. At this moment, Shen Qing looked upon the tiger demon, a corner of his mouth lifted in a calm and indifferent smile, as he took step by step forward. Suddenly, his pace quickened, the muscle in his outstretched right arm rapidly swelling. Accompanied by a fierce whooshing sound, Shen Qing''s hand suddenly jabbed toward the tiger demon... ``` Chapter 126 - 50: Killing The tiger demon, which had been thwarted repeatedly, was clearly on guard. Facing Shen Qing''s sudden attack, it let out a furious roar. A blood-colored light shield instantly formed in front of it, like a sea of blood. Shen Qing''s two fingers deeply pierced into the blood shield, as if stabbing into warm, tender flesh. His proud Wind Defying Finger was blocked. A sizzling sound continuously emanated from it. The blood shield had a corrosive force, constantly eroding Shen Qing''s skin. If it wasn''t for the transparent film attached to the Dragon Roar Armor, his flesh would definitely have been corroded away. However, the corrosive force of the blood shield could only wear down that layer of film, leaving Shen Qing without any pain. He had never seen such a Magic Skill, so he frowned slightly. The tiger demon grinned hideously, opening its blood-filled mouth wide and attempted to bite Shen Qing. "Die!" However, before its tiger head could reach Shen Qing, a burst of explosive, scorching aura erupted from the tip of Shen Qing''s finger. Boom! The fierce aura of the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill combined with the explosive power of the Wind Defying Finger merged and exploded within the blood shield, blasting straight toward the tiger demon''s face. The tiger demon''s freshly extended head and just opened mouth were struck by the formidable power before it understood what was happening, sending its body sprawling sideways into a tree. A tree as thick as a bowl was snapped in half at the waist. Unfortunately, the trunk happened to strike the tail end of an arrow, and the strong inertia drove the arrow another length into flesh. This made the tiger demon let out a tragic cry and leap up fiercely. Having reached Great Perfection of the Skin Forging Realm and promoted to the Qi Cultivation Realm, Shen Qing found that using his internal Qi posed no hindrance and could completely unleash his inner strength. Testing his own depth, Shen Qing, seeing the tiger demon''s strength, spared not a single effort. His muscles tensed as he leapt towards the tiger demon''s location. The Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill was pushed to its utmost, carrying terrifying heat as Shen Qing relentlessly thrusted at the tiger demon''s body. Thud thud thud thud... Muffled sounds continuously rang out from the tiger demon''s body. Human and demon became entangled in a fierce battle. Wherever they went, trees and shrubs were all smashed to pieces by their strength. Besides his extremely fast strikes, each of Shen Qing''s moves contained formidable power. Bang! Bang! Bang! The strength contained within Shen Qing''s body shot out through his fingers, continuously targeting the same spot on the blood shield. Finally, the tiger demon''s blood shield could no longer hold up and completely collapsed. "Roar!" The tiger demon bellowed in rage. At this point, its entire body, which was previously shiny, now bore burn marks, making the whole tiger look like it had been pulled from a pit of fire. It suddenly clawed at Shen Qing''s chest. Shen Qing couldn''t avoid it. With a tearing sound, that claw shredded all of Shen Qing''s clothing, revealing the golden gleam of his silkworm clothes beneath. The tiger demon was stunned, and in that moment of surprise, it was slapped by Shen Qing, sent flying, and landed in a dizzy heap. Fear and shock filled the tiger demon''s face, giving it a human-like expression of dread. It realized that it was struggling to cope with just this initial encounter. At that moment, it suddenly felt fear. This person before it was different from any martial artist it had encountered. This person was too terrifying, too strong¡ªit couldn''t win! Unfortunately, reaching this point, whether it could escape was no longer up to it. Shen Qing abruptly charged forward, ramming his shoulder into the tiger demon''s spine and lifted it up. Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill, Wind Defying Finger, Blood Dominance Technique, and numerous Martial Arts were pushed to the extreme by Shen Qing as he continuously thrust his fingers. With the blood shield gone, not even the tiger demon''s copper skin and iron bones could stop Shen Qing in the slightest. Besides, having been hit by many arrows and sustained some injuries, its strength was affected, leaving the tiger demon showing increasing signs of distress. Shen Qing had pierced bloody holes in its tiger skin, from which steam rose. The tiger fur surrounding the blood holes had been completely incinerated by the fierce heat at Shen Qing''s finger, leaving them blackened and scorched. sea??h th§× n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Shen Qing''s gaze turned sharp, gathering all his remaining energy and Qi onto his right finger. The exhausted tiger demon watched as Shen Qing''s finger, glowing crimson, pierced into its body with a soft squelch and huge impact. The tiger demon felt a sharp pain in its chest and, understanding what had happened, grabbed at Shen Qing with its four claws. Shen Qing''s transparent film was scratched, leaving red marks, as he felt the sting. "Damn you!" Shen Qing''s face turned stern; the scorching aura of the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill he accumulated, along with his last remaining strength, violently spread and exploded at his fingertips. Wherever it passed was left yellow and cracked. A huge muffled sound resonated from within the tiger demon. In the mountain forest, Lian Bing and the square-faced senior brother who hadn''t left stared in disbelief, their eyes glued to Shen Qing who had pierced the tiger demon''s chest with his hand. "It seems like the tiger demon wasn''t much after all." Shen Qing withdrew his blood-stained, steaming hand, with a hint of disappointment on his face. The tiger demon''s breath came in gasps, sounding like an old diesel engine starting up. From the deep wound in its chest, blood gushed out like a fountain. "You¡­ what kind of person are you really¡­" "Me?" Shen Qing responded, "Hong Shan, Shen Qing!" Bang. The massive body of the tiger demon swayed a few times and finally collapsed, causing the ground to tremble with the impact. In that moment, its mind couldn''t help but reflect on its life experiences. It remembered back when it was just a cub, running carefree through the jungle, chasing butterflies and playing in the stream. Back then, it didn''t know what a demon was or what humans were. Until one night, when a meteor streaked across the sky, it gradually realized it was different. Its strength was extraordinary, and its intelligence far surpassed its kin, eventually even figuring out its own cultivation method. From then on, it walked the path of a demon beast, reigning supreme in the forest. Gradually, it became unsatisfied with being confined to its small mountain and wilderness, beginning to interact with people, attempting to understand human emotions and intelligence. Unfortunately, humans only sought to hunt it. Once, by chance, it killed and ate a human, and it was like opening the door to a new world. Unable to stop, it spiraled out of control. Just as it thought it was reaching the pinnacle of its demonic existence, everything abruptly came to an end. Now, lying in a pool of its own blood, as its last thread of Life Force dissipated, the light in the tiger demon''s eyes gradually faded. Shen Qing looked at the already deceased tiger demon, giving it a cursory glance, a hint of satisfaction on his face. So far, this tiger demon was the most formidable creature he had encountered. He had to exert all his strength just to face it. "If I remember correctly, even martial masters in the Qi Cultivation Realm would struggle against this tiger demon. My strength must have reached the Great Perfection of Qi Cultivation Realm." Shen Qing gently exhaled a mouthful of turbid air, and his taut muscles gradually relaxed. Sensing the two abnormal gazes behind him, Shen Qing turned to see Lian Bing and the square-faced senior brother staring dumbstruck. Realizing Shen Qing''s gaze, they fumbled awkwardly, unsure how to deal with the current Shen Qing. "Lord¡­ Lord Shen¡­" Chapter 127 - 51: Demon Core, Great Perfection of Wind Defying Finger ``` "Lord Shen?" Suddenly being called "Lord," Shen Qing was a bit unaccustomed. At this moment, after a massacre, he was drenched in sweat, his hair sticking to his scalp. His breathing became somewhat rapid, and there were traces of fatigue on his face. Yet, his posture remained as upright as a mountain. Having just slain a tiger demon, there was an inexplicable aura of pressure around him, which even Shen Qing himself hadn''t noticed. He didn''t pay much attention to the change in how Lian Bing and the others addressed him, turning his head slightly, focusing on the tiger demon. As a hunter by birth, he knew that every part of a fierce tiger was a treasure. Especially tiger skin, tiger bone, and tiger penis, which were the most valuable. Not to mention a tiger demon. A beast that had gained wisdom carried powerful Essence Qi in its flesh and blood, making these valuable parts even more priceless. Shen Qing looked down, searching the ground, and quickly found a knife. In the presence of his senior brother and Lian Bing, he skillfully opened the tiger demon''s belly, then reached inside, rummaging for a while. Before long, Shen Qing''s hand touched a round, hard object, and he exclaimed with delight, "There really is one." He pulled it out, revealing a Blood Pearl. The Blood Pearl exuded a reddish glow, emanating waves of heat. During the earlier fight, Shen Qing noticed the tiger demon used a Blood Shield, and red brilliance appeared from its abdomen, which was astonishing. Shen Qing guessed that this should be the ''Demon Core'' that the tiger had refined after becoming a demon; it was the tiger treasure. Indeed, it was fortunate. "I wonder how this Demon Core should be refined and used. I''ll ask Hall Master Uncle or check the records when I return." Shen Qing securely stored the Demon Core, felt a stirring within, and summoned the Water Ink Panel. A droplet of ink fell before his vision, gradually gathering into lines of text. [Skill: Wind Defying Finger (Mastery)] [Progress: 401/400 points] [Status: Can be upgraded] ''Full progress?'' ''I didn''t expect the progress of the Wind Defying Finger to be filled during the battle with the tiger demon, so then...'' ''Upgrade!'' The status on the Water Ink Panel suddenly refreshed. [Skill: Wind Defying Finger (Great Perfection)] [Progress: 1/500 points] [Status: Cannot be upgraded] [Note: Out of the blue, you have surpassed it. Through continuous cultivation, you have brought this martial art to the Great Perfection Realm. Continued practice to master the Wind Riding Force can break the limit of this martial art.] Shen Qing shuddered, the Sea of Consciousness echoed with tearing pain. Fortunately, he was already accustomed to this feeling, calming his mind, suppressing the pain, and sensing the transformations. In an instant, memories of painstakingly practicing the Wind Defying Finger kept surfacing in his mind. He had practiced this martial art thousands of times. Until the final moment, he fully comprehended the essence of the Wind Defying Finger that Li Linfeng taught him. Familiar sensations coursed through his fingers. The dull feeling in his mind vanished. Shen Qing''s mood lifted tremendously. ''Practice through actual combat is indeed the best way.'' "Lord Shen, should we inform the others?" Lian Bing''s attitude was humble, completely different from before. Having maneuvered within the Guardian Martial Department for a long time, Lian Bing knew without being told. Shen Qing, who slew the tiger demon, would undoubtedly rank among the top in Taiping County. Even the County Magistrate would treat him with respect, which was beyond what a junior officer like him could provoke. Shen Qing nonchalantly said, "You handle it yourself." Lian Bing hesitated a bit, then decided to take the fireworks he carried with him, raised it above his head, and pulled the bottom cord. A puff of blue smoke shot from the brown cylinder in his hand, soaring into the sky. ... In an unknown village in Shicheng Mountain, Team Leader Wang Yanjun of the Guardian Martial Department slapped a ghost to disperse it, a hint of impatience on her face. "Hurry up, don''t delay the master''s big event!" Behind her, a few middle-aged men dressed as Jianghu Martial Artists worked together, killing a ghost with a punch, and said, "Don''t worry, it won''t." Bang! Another ghost was slain. Wang Yanjun was a bit irritable, being tangled with these ghosts. Just as she was about to slap a ghost, the wandering ghosts around suddenly halted, all looking towards a certain spot in the mountain forest. Then waves of joy flashed across the ghosts'' faces. In the astonished eyes of Wang Yanjun and the others, they scattered and disappeared completely, leaving them baffled. "Team Leader Wang, should we chase them?" A burly martial master with iron rings wrapped around his arms grinned. Wang Yanjun didn''t hesitate, "First go up the mountain, resolve that tiger demon, and then talk." "Alright then." Just as she finished speaking, they heard a loud "boom" from another direction. Without any hesitation, Wang Yanjun leaped, rushing towards where the fireworks appeared in the forest. After a month or two of raids, the forces within Taiping County that defied control and didn''t align with the county government had been significantly weakened by the County Magistrate using the tiger demon''s hand. Even the Four Great Eastern Families suffered a bit of loss. Basically, no significant trouble could arise anymore. Next, as long as they represented the county government and slew the tiger demon, the County Magistrate''s prestige could rise another level. Even if their strength was diminished, they could rest easy for a while. The people following her were experts at the Qi Cultivation Stage, summoned by the County Magistrate. No matter how powerful the tiger demon was, it couldn''t withstand their combined strength. The only worry was if the tiger demon fled deep into the mountains, finding its trace again would be laborious. Wang Yanjun spread her arms, leaping and bounding, navigating the dense forests, rushing forward, fearing the tiger demon might escape. After traveling the time of two incense sticks, Wang Yanjun suddenly smelled blood. She abruptly halted, instinctively reaching for the sword hanging at her waist, her face growing serious. "Be prepared." Wang Yanjun''s face showed no fear, and with the few remaining people, she rushed directly towards the direction where the fireworks appeared. In just a moment, Wang Yanjun led the group through numerous trees, arriving at a clearing, the sight before them unobstructed. At this time, on the clearing ahead, a young man sat cross-legged beside the tiger demon''s corpse. His clothes were tattered, quietly adjusting his breath, while Lian Bing and the others dared not breathe too loudly, obediently staying aside. Suddenly, seeing the already dead tiger demon, her expression froze. Dead! The tiger demon they were supposed to kill was dead! Wang Yanjun treaded forward vacantly, eyes wide, asking, "Did you kill it?" Shen Qing looked at Wang Yanjun, his gaze pausing slightly at her features, then smiled, "I killed it. I wonder if the County Magistrate''s promise of martial arts register counts?" ``` S~ea??h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 128 - 52 The Polite Government Officers ``` It really was him who killed it! Wang Yanjun''s mind was suddenly blank. She looked at Lian Bing beside her as if she couldn''t believe it. Lian Bing, as a member of the Guardian Martial Department, noticed Wang Yanjun''s gaze and glanced at Shen Qing. The latter''s eyes were filled with sharpness, intentionally or unintentionally sweeping over him. Lian Bing nodded stiffly and said, "Boss, it was all Lord Shen''s hard work that killed the demon tiger, ridding Taiping County of a menace. From beginning to end, it was all handled by Lord Shen alone. His contribution is immense." Wang Yanjun fell into silence. After their many days of observation, the tiger demon''s strength was definitely higher than that of the Qi Cultivation Realm. If she remembered correctly, none of the Guardian Martial Department officials and officers stationed in Shiqiao Village were at the Qi Cultivation Realm, making it impossible for them to stand against the tiger demon. Now that the tiger demon was dead, it was likely killed by this unknown young man in front of her. Wang Yanjun stared at Shen Qing''s face, her eyebrows slightly furrowed, feeling his face was somewhat familiar. She calmed her amazement and asked, "Have we met before, Lord Shen?" Shen Qing deeply remembered two things about Wang Yanjun. On that day, she had killed the Yellow Angel in front of the government office for him. If she hadn''t intervened then, he surely would have suffered. Thinking for a moment, Shen Qing grinned at Wang Yanjun and said, "No, we haven''t." Wang Yanjun was taken aback, a trace of doubt flashing across her pretty face. But then she thought, she had seen that person only three or four months ago. At that time, the person''s aura was completely different from the one displayed by the person in front of her. It seemed she had remembered incorrectly. Wang Yanjun clasped her hands into fists and asked spiritedly, "What do people call this hero?" "Shen Qing!" "Since you have slain the demon tiger, naturally the County Magistrate will keep his promise, and you will surely receive the martial arts register without fail," Wang Yanjun said. Her attitude became more respectful, and her tone was gentle and humble. In actuality, Wang Yanjun had self-awareness. She asked herself, and knew she couldn''t single-handedly kill the tiger demon. Even with a group, it would take considerable effort. The fact that Shen Qing could slay the tiger demon singlehandedly showed his martial strength far exceeded theirs. They couldn''t afford to be disrespectful. Wang Yanjun''s main purpose in this trip was to eliminate the tiger demon. Now that the tiger demon was dead, even if it wasn''t at their hands, it was still dead. It just meant the county government had to incur a little more cost, which was no different for them. Thus, there was no need to initiate a conflict with the person in front and make things unpleasant for themselves. When traveling, if you can''t gain more friends, at least don''t make more enemies. Being polite costs nothing and doesn''t mean losing face. Shen Qing, seeing Wang Yanjun''s convincing manner, had all his last reservations disappear. He looked at the tiger demon''s corpse, seemingly thinking of something, then asked, "What do you intend to do with this fierce tiger''s body?" "The tiger demon''s slaying naturally belongs for you to handle, Hero Shen," Wang Yanjun replied honestly. "If Hero Shen is willing, you may sell the tiger demon''s body to the County Magistrate, and he will surely purchase it at a high price." "Alright, the County Magistrate is straightforward," Shen Qing patted the tiger demon''s body and stood up. This tiger demon sounded intimidating, but in essence, there wasn''t much difference between it and these martial masters. It was all flesh and blood. As long as the strength was strong enough, even arrows could shoot it to death. The only real difference was the tiger demon had a crimson blood aura that could kill ordinary flesh upon contact, and its tough hide and flesh were somewhat troublesome. However, before great power, such issues were easily resolved. In other words, even killing a tiger demon didn''t mean his strength was at an unreasonable level needing to be concealed. Shen Qing stood up boldly and said, "Pack everything up, the tiger demon is gone, let''s prepare to head back." Wang Yanjun looked at the sky and said, "It''s already past noon. If we return now, the city gate may be closed by then. How about we rest here for a night, I''ll gather some manpower, and we head back early tomorrow?" Shen Qing thought for a moment. The place was nearly seventy miles from the county city, not close at all. Indeed, traveling back from here would take some time, and carrying the tiger demon would take even more. So he nodded in agreement with Wang Yanjun''s suggestion. Wang Yanjun looked at Lian Bing and the square-faced senior brother and asked, "Can you still move?" Lian Bing quickly replied, "Boss, they''re minor injuries, walking isn''t a problem." "Then let''s not delay, let''s quickly descend the mountain." As if Wang Yanjun had a fiery personality, she made a decision and immediately acted upon it. The square-faced senior brother of Linfeng Hall glanced at the scattered corpses on the ground and hesitated before asking, "Chief of the Guardian Martial Department, what about these corpses?" Wang Yanjun gave him a side glance and plainly said, "They died here due to insufficient strength. It''s not the fault of others. We don''t have the time to find them a good burial place. The beasts in the mountain will handle them. If you want to bury them, go dig a hole." The senior brother from Linfeng Hall was stunned and dejectedly said, "I was just asking." "Let''s go!" Shen Qing called out without further ado, "Come on, lend a hand, and carry this tiger demon down." The martial masters who came with Wang Yanjun exchanged glances, gathered some tree trunks as thick as arms, and used them as poles. Four men carried the tiger demon''s corpse and proceeded downwards. The square-faced senior brother looked around at the chaotic corpses, sighed regretfully, and hurried to catch up with the group. S§×arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Following the path they came by, they walked for a while. In a grove, they saw a figure hiding. Shen Qing''s sharp eyes instantly recognized it was Xiao Zhi who had walked away earlier. "Brother Xiao!" Shen Qing shouted. Xiao Zhi shuddered all over, cautiously poked his head out, and looked forward. He saw Shen Qing and the group carrying a large, colorful tiger, slowly moving through the forest, and was startled: "My goodness!" After a long while, when the group got closer, and he could see clearly, he finally relaxed and boldly came out of the thicket. He rushed to Shen Qing, excitedly asking, "You''re okay?" "Yes." Shen Qing called others over to take his burden and walked over to Xiao Zhi, reclaiming his heavy bow and arrow quiver. Xiao Zhi''s eyes were glued on the carried tiger demon, swallowing hard. When he left, the tiger demon had almost pounced, and only Shen Qing remained unharmed in the forest. Now the tiger demon was dead, and Shen Qing was unscathed. Either someone else helped, or Shen Qing fought and killed it alone. The latter seemed unlikely, almost absurd. But recalling Shen Qing''s invincible aura when killing the Ghost, he was inexplicably more inclined to believe the latter. Xiao Zhi quietly confirmed with Shen Qing, "You killed this tiger demon, didn''t you?" "Yes." Boom! Suddenly, Xiao Zhi felt a rush of blood to his head. When he looked at Shen Qing again, it seemed like he was glowing. After a long time, he seemed to regain his senses, slowly raising a thumbs up, "You''re really amazing!" ``` Chapter 129 - 53: A Fierce Character Capable of Slaying Even a Demon Tiger The mountain forest here was rarely frequented by humans, the towering ancient trees lush and green. The group followed the traces they had made earlier, winding their way out of the mountains. Soon, an ancient and dilapidated village gradually appeared before them. The decrepit houses were scattered unevenly on the hillside, with vines and moss crawling up the walls, and tiles missing from the rooftops. Some houses had doors and windows tightly shut, as if no one had lived there for a long time, while others were half-open, occasionally showing signs of beasts and people inside. The group walked into the village, and Lian Bing stepped forward, pointing to one of the houses: "Team Leader, this village was ravaged by the tiger demon, it''s no longer suitable for living. Shall we pick this clean house?" Saying this, Lian Bing glanced at Wang Yanjun, scrutinizing her expression. He knew Wang Yanjun was a person with a cleanliness obsession; if she encountered anything dirty, she would surely fuss for a long time. Right now, with his qi-blood surging and his body exhausted, he just wanted to find a place to rest well and didn''t want any more trouble. "Is this the only clean house?" Wang Yanjun''s face showed a trace of dissatisfaction: "Are there any other houses?" "In this wild mountain, having a place to stay is already good enough, Team Leader Wang, don''t be picky. Let''s gather some people to tidy up tonight, so we can head back early tomorrow." Shen Qing walked over from the side and said. Seeing Shen Qing had spoken, Wang Yanjun pondered for a moment and let it go, pushing open the half-open door in front of her. Immediately, dust rose into the air. Wang Yanjun couldn''t help but wave her sleeve to sweep it away, holding her breath. Looking around, the house was covered with a thick layer of dust. But fortunately, apart from the dust, there was nothing else messy. Wang Yanjun sighed helplessly and said to everyone: "We''ll rest here for the night." "Lian Bing, gather the nearby people and inform them to meet here, we''ll return together in the morning." "Yes!" ... In an unknown mountain forest. Chang Yinfa and Yu Xiaoruo fled desperately, even losing their way in panic. The clothes on their bodies were ripped by various thorns during the run, making them appear extremely battered. "Hurry, hurry, hurry!" Yu Xiaoruo kept urging, his face still showing lingering fear. Chang Yinfa panted: "Mr. Yu, it seems the tiger demon and the Ghost did not pursue us, we are safe." Yu Xiaoruo looked back, and only when he confirmed there was no movement did he feel slightly reassured, no longer running around like a headless fly. Chang Yinfa plopped down on the ground, panting heavily, his face full of the terror of narrowly escaping death. Dead, they were all dead. The strength of that group of Ghosts was terrifying, each not weaker than a Bone Refining Realm martial master, and with their unpredictable movement technique speed, almost all his fellow disciples suffered misfortunes. Had it not been for his quick wit, following Yu Xiaoruo closely to escape, he would probably have faced the same fate as them. This tiger demon was more terrifying than the rumors. The two of them sat on the ground, unconcerned about their image, not saying a word. Yu Xiaoruo took out a Qi Blood Pill and popped it into his mouth, chewing it with crunching sounds to restore his energy. Seeing this, Chang Yinfa couldn''t help but swallow his saliva, a look of envy in his eyes. After a while, both of them had almost adjusted their breath, regaining some energy. Chang Yinfa asked: "Mr. Yu, where do we go next?" Yu Xiaoruo exhaled a breath of turbid air, thought for a while and said: "Let''s go¡­" Boom! Boom! Boom! He hadn''t finished speaking when sudden explosions from afar interrupted him. Yu Xiaoruo turned his head towards the sound, only to see three plumes of green smoke rising in the east, soaring into the sky, gradually dispersing in the wind and blending into a cloud. sea??h th§× Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He suddenly sat up, his eyes full of surprise: "That''s the signal from Team Leader to gather everyone!" After hesitating for a moment, Yu Xiaoruo said: "Go, hurry over there." With that, Yu Xiaoruo hurried towards the direction of the signal. Chang Yinfa glanced at the distant mountain peak, reluctantly following along. The two of them scrambled through the underbrush and, after crossing a mountain peak, finally rushed into Shiqiao Village. The ancient stone bridge at the village entrance, weathered by wind and frost, had a pockmarked bridge body and moss and weeds growing on the bridge surface, indicating it had been abandoned for a long time. However, before the two even entered the village, they heard a cacophony of exclamations, as if the place was teeming with people. Chang Yinfa and Yu Xiaoruo exchanged a glance, confused, and quickly rushed inside. By then, other people had already started gathering in the village, forming a circle with constant discussions emanating from within. Chang Yinfa and Yu Xiaoruo, driven by curiosity, squeezed into the crowd, stretching their necks forward, only to take a sharp breath when they saw the colossal creature lying on the ground. "Hiss¡­" It was unmistakably the tiger demon they had encountered! The tiger demon they had feared, run from, and dreaded to provoke¡­ was dead! Yu Xiaoruo stared at the tiger demon''s massive body, as large as an ox, covered in arrow wounds, and couldn''t help but ask the person next to him: "Who killed this tiger demon?" A female martial artist with a face like it was carved from stone turned her head, somewhat impatiently. But noticing Yu Xiaoruo''s government officer attire, the impatient look faded, and she replied in a slightly respectful tone: "I just heard, it was a martial master named Shen Qing who single-handedly slew it." Yu Xiaoruo pursued: "Shen Qing? It sounds familiar. Which faction is he from?" "It''s from Linfeng Hall, Li Linfeng''s newly accepted direct disciple." "They say he''s already at the Qi Cultivation Realm, truly terrifying." Upon hearing this, Chang Yinfa, who was listening at the side, looked dumbfounded, his mouth agape as if it could hold an egg. Yu Xiaoruo glared at Chang Yinfa with annoyance. If he remembered correctly, it was Chang Yinfa who deemed Shen Qing unreliable and brought along other disciples to bribe and join him instead. As it turned out, the man was a ruthless character capable of slaying a tiger demon. The fact that you couldn''t even figure out your own Martial Arts Hall''s situation is just pathetic! He had let a great achievement, a great opportunity, slip away for nothing. Chang Yinfa also felt wronged. He didn''t know his sect had accepted such a prodigy. At this moment, he felt like mud falling down his pants; whether it was mud or something worse, he was full of frustration. He clearly saw Shen Qing still looking ordinary, yet by noon, everything changed! The junior martial brother accepted by his master, how could he be so adept at concealing his talents. I truly have eyes but fail to recognize Mount Tai. No, I should seek favor. Today''s monster-killing return to the city will certainly make him famous. With the relationship from the same sect, I might also be able to gain some advantage. Chang Yinfa''s eyes shifted, ignoring Yu Xiaoruo, he quietly retreated from the crowd, inquiring about Shen Qing''s address, then hurried over. But when he arrived, the doorway was already crowded, and the gate was closed tight. Chapter 130 - 54: Triumphant Return to the City, Crisis at Linfeng Hall ``` "Junior Brother, there are so many people outside clamoring to see you, aren''t you really going to meet them?" Xiao Zhi peered through the door crack, teasing as he spoke. Shen Qing had already changed into clean clothes and lay lazily on the cleared mud kang, indifferent: "They''re just a bunch of people seeking to climb the social ladder. If you meet them, they''ll pester you day and night. It''s better not to see them." "True." Xiao Zhi agreed deeply: "When I was working in the tavern, I saw many such sycophants. They are all fair-weather friends, completely useless. If you ask to borrow money, they instantly disappear." As he spoke, he sat naturally beside Shen Qing. Compared to those outside who shrink back, he could be close to this ruthless person who had killed a tiger demon. Such different treatment made him visibly pleased for a moment. As if remembering something, Xiao Zhi asked: "Junior Brother, that Ghost impersonated a person so well, even the Guardian Martial Department''s Officer Lian couldn''t identify them. How did you discover it?" Shen Qing glanced at Xiao Zhi and said: "He said something to me, and from his attitude, I immediately felt something was amiss." "What did he say to you?" Xiao Zhi asked with curiosity all over his face. Shen Qing said: "He actually told me ''Sorry for the trouble''." Xiao Zhi was slightly stunned, his whole face scrunched up: "That... there''s really nothing wrong with that, right?" Shen Qing chuckled and said: "When have you ever seen anyone from the government office be polite to us?" "Um..." Xiao Zhi was at a loss for words, realizing Shen Qing made a lot of sense. The government office in the county town was notoriously arrogant. Shen Qing continued: "Then I saw the way he eagerly pointed the direction, just like when I used to hunt on the mountain and guided prey into traps, there was definitely something wrong." "Junior Brother, I now find that you''re not only gifted in martial arts, but also very clever." Xiao Zhi praised sincerely. ... By the next morning, at the break of dawn, Wang Yanjun and the group had already awakened. Everyone here was a martial master, vigorous and alert, even those who hadn''t slept all night showed no signs of fatigue. After a brief tidy-up and preparation, Wang Yanjun''s voice broke the silence: "Back to the city!" Responding to Wang Yanjun''s rallying call, many martial artists came forward, some helping carry the tiger demon''s corpse, others supporting their injured comrades as the group headed majestically towards the official road back to Taiping County. Originally over fifty martial masters, now only half remained. Linfeng Hall was especially unfortunate, reduced from over ten people to just three. However, when they saw the Linfeng Hall disciple walking at the forefront, everyone''s face showed varying degrees of respect. Shen Qing ignored the gazes behind him, focused solely on the journey. He disregarded anyone trying to cozy up, including Chang Yinfa, whose attempts to get close ended without result. When the first rays of dawn reached the vast earth, Shen Qing and the others had already arrived on the official road. The sun shone brightly in a cloudless sky. Due to recent disruptions from the tiger demon, the surrounding villages of Taiping County had suffered greatly, leaving merchants too afraid to venture out freely. So much so that the usually bustling city gates in the morning now appeared deserted, with only a few people at the entrance. Inside the gate, the county guards were drowsy and yawning. Suddenly, a strong scent of blood rushed in, snapping them to attention, as they looked curiously ahead. In the next moment, the massive corpse of a tiger demon, as big as a cow, was carried on the shoulders of people entering their vision. S§×ar?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The tiger demon''s bloody mouth was deliberately propped open with two sticks, its body sprawled across several planks, appearing lifelike as if still alive. "Tiger... tiger demon..." The guards were startled, stepping back a few paces in a panic, drawing the daggers from their waists, and fixating intently on the people ahead. Starting from the Mao Hour, they traveled for an hour. By the time the sun was high in the sky, Shen Qing and the group finally walked beneath the city gates of the county. "It''s Team Leader Wang..." Someone recognized Wang Yanjun, exclaiming. Beside her, walking alongside, Shen Qing''s gaze was calm, scanning the guards. The contained essence and evil qi within made them involuntarily shiver all over. Wang Yanjun stepped forward, speaking sternly to the guards: "Quick, notify the County Magistrate and say that the tiger demon has been slain by us, the slayer being Shen Qing of Linfeng Hall." Upon hearing this, the guards at the door were filled with shock, instinctively glancing at the man beside Wang Yanjun, and hurriedly responding: "Yes!" After saying this, he rushed into the city, untethered a government horse, mounted it, and galloped towards the government office. The remaining guards automatically made way, allowing Wang Yanjun and the others to enter the city smoothly. At this time, the inner city was already bustling, the streets bustling with people. Upon hearing that the tiger demon had been slain, people poured in from all directions to see the commotion. Seeing the tiger demon''s ferocious appearance, everyone gasped. Instantly, the street buzzed with excitement, the crowd growing larger. Shen Qing, walking in the group, frowned slightly, displeased with this way of entering the city. "Brother Qingzi, Brother Qingzi!" Just then, Shen Qing heard a familiar voice from the crowd. He looked around. "Here, over here!" "Xiao Hu?" Shen Xiaohu squeezed his way to Shen Qing''s front, panting, urgency written all over his face. "Why are you here?" Shen Qing asked curiously. Shen Xiaohu quickly said: "Something happened, something happened in the Hall. Mi Gang came to provoke, Senior Brother Wu has been killed right in front of the Hall Master''s uncle!" "What?" Shen Qing realized the seriousness of the matter upon hearing this and, without even notifying the others, dashed out of the group. Linfeng Hall. The usually quiet inner courtyard was now crowded. A sharp-looking man in short clothes sat leisurely on the Taishi Chair, enjoying tea with a face of contentment. In front of him, Senior Brother Wu Shili lay on the ground, blood oozing from the corners of his mouth, lifeless, dying with unresolved grievances. "Master, I didn''t expect Linfeng Hall''s direct disciple to be so weak. I hadn''t even exerted my strength, yet he died." Beside the sharp-dressed man, a man with a fierce face spoke in a sinister tone. As he spoke, he glanced mockingly at the people of Linfeng Hall in front. Even the usually good-natured Li Linfeng couldn''t restrain his anger at this moment. He stood up and said: "Sun Tiangai, grievances have origins, face me directly as you''d like!" "In the sparring between disciples, punches and kicks are without eyes, some injuries and deaths are inevitable." Boss of Mi Gang, Sun Tiangai, lightly placed the tea cup on the table, smiled, and said: "Besides, back then you killed my son, now I kill your disciple, it''s even." "What exactly do you want?" Sun Tiangai said: "Just challenging the Hall! Why so agitated, Master Li?" At these words, Li Lingchan, Ouyang Tiezhu, and others behind Li Linfeng turned pale. In the courtyard, the Mi Gang brought no fewer than five disciples in the Bone Refining Realm, and one disciple whose natural strength had reached the Qi Cultivation Realm. Now, with many of Linfeng Hall''s disciples out slaying the tiger, the direct disciples were all useless, the Hall''s strength greatly reduced, they had no way of countering the aggressive Mi Gang. This time, Mi Gang aimed to destroy Linfeng Hall. "Who''s next?" the fierce-faced martial master asked, surveying the crowd. ``` Chapter 131 - 55: The Danger of Family Annihilation, Decisive Action The whole place was silent, and everyone in Linfeng Hall lowered their heads, with no one responding. Boss Sun Tiangai of the Mi Gang took in the gloomy scene of the people in Linfeng Hall and couldn''t help but feel a bit satisfied. In fact, Li Linfeng probably didn''t know that half of the trouble with the tiger demon this time was caused by humans. The reason this issue persisted for a month was that the county magistrate intentionally allowed it. It was a strategy to weaken and suppress those slightly powerful Martial Arts Forces below him. The Mi Gang, under his leadership, boarded the county magistrate''s ship, avoiding this calamity. The martial arts halls and gangs in other counties were not so fortunate. Basically, the forces within them were halved, not to mention Linfeng Hall, which had a poor relationship with him. With his deliberate and unintentional promotion and promises of heavy benefits, Li Linfeng''s years of accumulated foundation were almost thoroughly exhausted, resulting in the current situation. Coincidentally, a few years ago, he took in a final disciple, a natural martial talent. Even without training his internal Qi-Blood and brute strength, he was already comparable to a martial master in the Great Perfection of Qi and Blood. After a few years of training, his combat power alone was not weaker than his own. This time, he brought him here, intending to use Li Linfeng and his people as stepping stones, allowing this final disciple to make a name for himself and establish the Mi Gang as the biggest gang in Taiping County. Boss Sun Tiangai of the Mi Gang pretended to be angry, saying, "Meng De, do not be presumptuous. At the very least, this is someone else''s place, you need to be polite." Sear?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Meng De, with a face full of horizontal flesh, showed a teasing expression, saying, "Master, the key is that everyone in this big Linfeng Hall is a bunch of cowards, it''s really boring. If you ask me, this Linfeng Hall is not living up to its name and should have closed long ago." "You..." Hearing this, Li Lingchan, standing behind Li Linfeng, blushed with anger and couldn''t help but want to rush out, only to be held back by Ouyang Tiezhu. Meng De glanced at Li Lingchan and said, "I heard that Master Li has a tomboy at home with some aptitude for martial arts. It should be you, right? Tsk tsk tsk... Indeed, just a coward." "You want to die!" Li Lingchan shouted violently, broke free from Ouyang Tiezhu, and rushed toward Meng De, pointing at him. With a smack. Li Lingchan''s finger pointed at Meng De''s chest. To her surprise, the man with the face full of horizontal flesh had skin as hard as real iron, and her finger did not break through at all. Meng De''s face showed a mocking expression as he said, "Too weak!" He slapped her with the palm of his hand. With a slap. A loud sound appeared in the inner courtyard. Li Lingchan hadn''t figured out what happened yet and suddenly felt herself spinning, flying back. She collided with Ouyang Tiezhu before stopping completely. At this moment, her hair was messy and scattered down, she was bleeding from her mouth and nose, looking utterly baffled. After a few breaths, feeling the swollen face, Li Lingchan realized something, her beautiful eyes completely dazed. Li Linfeng knew that this time Sun Tiangai was targeting him. He suddenly stepped forward, "Since that''s the case, why don''t I have a round with your junior, don''t blame me for bullying the young if he dies." The opponent''s challenge was originally a sparring between peers. If he intervened, it would be too humiliating if word spread, but now there was no other way. Linfeng Hall had been forced to this degree, continuing like this would be inevitable disaster. Face and dignity were no longer important. As long as there was life, there was hope for the future. First survive, then plan again. At worst, if they couldn''t make it in Taiping County, they could switch places and start over. As soon as he finished speaking, Li Linfeng fiercely pointed forward with both fingers. To his slight surprise, upon seeing him attack, Boss Sun Tiangai of the Mi Gang did not show any anxiety or anger. Instead, he picked up his teacup, as if watching a joke. His reaction suddenly gave Li Linfeng an ominous premonition. Boom! Meng De laughed fiercely, then his large fan-like palm suddenly slapped forward, and a crisp sound appeared in the void. He actually slapped away Li Linfeng''s Qi. Then, under Li Linfeng''s surprised gaze, he suddenly lunged forward like an arrow, reaching Li Linfeng in an instant. Meng De was not only big, but his speed in changing moves was also extremely fast. Bang bang bang bang! Meng De, with a face full of horizontal flesh, continuously threw more than a dozen punches, each punch stable and full of strength. After more than a dozen moves, even Li Linfeng felt his arms going a bit numb. Wind Defying Finger was not known for defense and strength, and the opponent''s skin was far harder than his. Watching the fight, Boss Sun Tiangai of the Mi Gang clapped and laughed, "Master Li has gotten old and frail over the years, it''s unexpected how much strength you''ve actually lost. You can''t even defeat my final disciple." Li Linfeng''s face grew more and more unpleasant, remaining silent, his mood also grew increasingly restless. By now, he could see that Meng De''s defense was at an absurd level, an inborn trait of thick skin. After years of martial arts training, he was even more terrifying. Past techniques to break stone and split tablets utterly failed against him. Realizing this, Li Linfeng''s speed in pointing became incredibly fast, gradually leaving only afterimages. Yet even so, he was still helpless against Meng De. "Is this the famous Wind Defying Finger martial art of Master Li?" Meng De taunted, "Master Li, you have to use your all, no need to hold back against a junior, a junior can take it." The more Meng De fought, the more energetic he became, one punch after another, seemingly never tiring. Bang! A sound of metal collision abruptly erupted in the inner courtyard square, sending invisible ripples disseminating in all directions. Li Linfeng embarrassingly retreated several steps before finally stopping, his face flushed. His throat gurgled, as if he forcefully swallowed something. "Seems like you as a master are useless too." Meng De taunted. He glanced at everyone behind Linfeng Hall and, seeing Li Linfeng''s family standing behind him, turned his head and said to Sun Tiangai, "Master, I think Master Li''s wives and daughters are not bad. I''m willing to lower myself to take Master Li''s family as concubines. I hope you will show mercy and spare Li Linfeng." Saying this, he showed a sly smile, seemingly glancing at Li Linfeng intentionally or otherwise. The sarcastic tone of the master and disciple duo made Li Linfeng, who had been suppressing his Qi-Blood, unable to control the sweetness in his throat, and he spat out a mouthful of foul blood. "Father!" "Master!" "..." The people in Linfeng Hall scrambled in a panic, their faces pale as paper. However, those at the back who originally came to pay and learn martial arts at the outer gate exchanged glances with each other. They already knew that from today on, Linfeng Hall was completely done for. Just as they were planning to seek another path, a figure stepped on the Wooden Dummy, suddenly flipping and appearing in front of everyone. His figure was surprisingly as tall as Meng De. However, unlike Meng De, his muscles were more restrained. "Junior Brother Shen!" Ouyang Tiezhu immediately recognized him, not expecting Shen Qing to have returned. Seeing Li Linfeng''s embarrassing appearance, Shen Qing frowned and said, "Master, this disciple has returned! Master, take a rest for a while, let me handle this matter." Meng De looked him up and down and said, "You handle it? Who are you, what big words!" Shen Qing stepped forward, walking on the inner courtyard''s floor tiles, and said calmly, "I am Shen Qing, a direct disciple of Linfeng Hall!" Chapter 132 - 56 This is the Direct Disciple I took on not long ago Shen Qing announced his name, and the people in the inner courtyard of the Mi Gang began to whisper among themselves. "Shen Qing? Who is that?" "Never heard of him." "I remember Li Linfeng only had four direct disciples: Ouyang Tiezhu, Niu Daping, Dong Zizhuang, and Wushili. Ouyang Tiezhu is here, Niu Daping and Wushili are dead, and Dong Zizhuang is now one-eyed. Where did this Shen Qing come from?" The inner courtyard suddenly became as noisy as a marketplace. Amidst the numerous discussions, Shen Qing remained unperturbed, his expression calm and indifferent. Sun Tiangai, seated on the Taishi Chair, silently set his teacup down, his eyes narrowing slightly. A few months ago, he had vaguely heard that Li Linfeng had accepted a new direct disciple. However, this disciple was a relative from Lady Qi''s family, suggesting some level of nepotism. Moreover, Li Linfeng''s Lady Qi also came from a humble background, with nothing noteworthy in her family. What kind of martial talent could be nurtured in such an environment? There wasn''t even enough to eat. He paid no mind to it. Knowing Shen Qing''s background, Sun Tiangai leaned back again, his eyes watching Shen Qing like a spectator at a show. Li Linfeng, returning to his senses, glanced around, realizing the situation was beyond saving. He sighed deeply and said to Shen Qing, "Step back. This is not something you can handle." The opponent was a martial master of the Qi Cultivation Realm, and even Li Linfeng was no match for him, let alone Shen Qing, who had barely finished Skin Forging. They were simply not on the same level. The recent death of Wushili was a bloody lesson. Now, if Shen Qing went up against Meng De, he would most likely end up dead. Shen Qing looked down at Wushili, who lay dead on the ground, eyes wide open, and decided against heeding Li Linfeng''s words. He raised his head to meet Meng De''s gaze and asked, "Did you kill him?" "Indeed, I also didn''t expect him to be so weak. I went all out, and he just fell. Sorry about that. I''ll be more careful next time," Meng De said, his face full of coarse muscle twitching, speaking jokingly. Even while apologizing, his eyes and the twitches of his facial muscles were filled with disdain and mockery. "Do you find this funny?" Shen Qing stood quietly in the center of an open space, his silhouette appearing upright under the sun''s glare. Meng De restrained his smile and asked, "What''s that?" "I mean, I hope you keep that smile as we continue," Shen Qing said, a grin forming on his lips, a hint of excitement in his voice. "I''m wondering if your flesh and blood are stronger than a demon tiger''s." Suddenly, a gentle breeze rose quietly behind Shen Qing. The wind was not strong, but as it blew softly, it seemed to freeze the surrounding air. As the breeze spread, an invisible pressure radiated from Shen Qing like ripples. The once bustling and noisy inner courtyard fell silent under this pressure. Those from the Mi Gang who were arguing and skeptical felt as if an invisible force gripped their throats, causing everyone to shut their mouths, not daring to make a sound. The inner courtyard became silent. Li Linfeng, as well as the disciples of Linfeng Hall, felt an unprecedented sense of oppression. This invisible pressure, silent and weightless, pressed like a thousand-pound burden on their chests, stifling them. "Good, good, good! That''s the feeling I want... Linfeng Hall is full of worthless people, but finally, there''s someone worth noting. I hope you won''t disappoint me." Standing in the inner courtyard, Meng De sensed the oppressive power emanating from Shen Qing, but he didn''t feel a shred of fear. On the contrary, his eyes shone with a fervent light. His chest heaved heavily, his whole aura rising as his muscles tensed, throwing a punch. "Die!" Meng De''s voice was hoarse and low, echoing over the inner courtyard. He stomped forward, the stone floor beneath his feet shattering instantly, fragments scattering. Meng De clenched his fist, accompanied by a fierce gust of wind, and struck straight at Shen Qing''s chest. At that moment, Meng De completely unleashed his power with no restraint at all. He had one thought: to flatten this arrogant guy with one punch! To make him kneel and beg for mercy. To pretend to spare him, only to kill him again with one punch! Hahaha! His eyes were laced with blood-red threads, and his whole body''s Qi and blood gathered on his fist. He felt immensely powerful. His fist seemed endowed with unprecedented strength and heat. Every muscle, every drop of blood in his body, activated under this power. As the wind of his fist howled, Meng De felt he had finally integrated years of martial arts practice and strength, gaining a new understanding. But just as he thought he would beat his opponent half to death, he suddenly realized the young man standing opposite him was gone. Boom! His fist struck the empty space, exploding with an ear-shattering roar. A powerful wave of energy spread out from the center surrounding the two men, causing everything around them to shudder under this power. Yet Meng De felt no joy. Instead, he sensed an unprecedented crisis, an intense sense of murder looming over him from behind. He turned to look back. Unaware of when Shen Qing had already maneuvered behind him. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Pop! Suddenly, Meng De felt a sharp pain in his back. "What''s happening?" Shen Qing''s two fingers, enclosed in flames and intense heat, thrust into his back. He activated the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill, Blood Dominance Technique, and Wind Force to their extremes, penetrating Meng De''s flesh with his fingers. Bang! Scorchingly hot and sharp, two streams of energy burst within Meng De''s body, leaving a fist-sized hole in his chest. Meng De looked down, touching the hollow cavity and the warm blood, and suddenly seemed to understand something. A look of terror appeared on his face as he slowly looked towards Sun Tiangai, his trembling mouth uttering, "Master... save me..." Sun Tiangai sprang up from the Taishi Chair. Before he could say anything, there was a bang, and Meng De''s bulky body crashed to the ground. Shen Qing slowly withdrew his stance, smiling as he addressed Sun Tiangai, "My apologies, I momentarily lost control of my strength. No hard feelings, Sun Gang Leader." The inner courtyard was utterly silent. One move, just one move. Everyone was too shocked to close their mouths. They couldn''t imagine that the once invincible Meng De was killed by Shen Qing in a single move. The emotions in Linfeng Hall were like a roller coaster, experiencing drastic highs and lows. Li Linfeng was the first to react, asking excitedly yet with disbelief, "Did you break through to the Qi Cultivation Realm?" "Fortunately, yes!" Hiss... Li Linfeng drew a cold breath, unable to imagine his apprentice''s fierce prowess. He took a long while to recover from his shock. A moment later, he burst into laughter, as if dispelling all his vexations, and announced heavily to the Mi Gang members, "I forgot to tell everyone, this is my newly accepted direct disciple, Shen Qing!" Chapter 133 - 57 The Rightest Thing Ive Ever Done in My Life In the inner courtyard, Li Linfeng''s voice was sonorous and powerful, deafening. With Shen Qing''s clean and swift move, a surge of immense pride reignited in his chest, and the expression of pride on his face was completely unchecked. At this moment, he felt that the best decision he had ever made in his life was not to reject Shen Qing on that day due to his background, his foundation, or any of his shortcomings. Instead, he graciously gave him the opportunity to practice martial arts. After taking him into the sect, he did not neglect Shen Qing, treating him equally even when the sect faced challenges. Moreover, he personally decided to accept him as a direct disciple, even considering marrying his daughter to him... It was precisely because of these past benevolence that today they reaped the rewards. If at that time he had been slightly more discerning and overlooked Shen Qing, perhaps today Linfeng Hall would have been utterly defeated under the challenge from the Mi Gang. Li Linfeng wanted to retort the previous ridicule from Sun Tiangai, but unexpectedly, he felt a moment of dizziness and his body wobbled slightly. Ouyang Tiezhu, standing behind him, noticed Li Linfeng''s unsteadiness with a sharp eye and quickly stepped forward to support Li Linfeng from the back subtly, preventing him from embarrassing himself in front of everyone again. Li Linfeng threw a grateful glance at Ouyang Tiezhu, concealing his expression, and therefore ceased speaking further. Standing behind Li Linfeng, Li Lingchan bit her lips gently, her gaze towards Shen Qing turning extraordinarily complex, overwhelmed with mixed emotions. In contrast to the satisfaction and joy on the Linfeng Hall''s side, the members of the Mi Gang were all wearing grim expressions. Especially Sun Tiangai, the Boss of Mi Gang, whose face was marvelous to behold. They had almost crushed Linfeng Hall completely, but suddenly the situation reversed dramatically. He watched helplessly as his proud disciple was killed with just one move, with their momentum even suppressed beneath him. At this moment, he sat in the Taishi Chair, his face appeared pale and twisted in the shadows, his eyes flickering with indescribable anger and pain, his body trembling slightly, fists tightly clenched with whitened knuckles due to the force. Shen Qing scanned the members of the Mi Gang, slowly focusing his gaze on Sun Tiangai. "I presume this must be Sun Tiangai, the leader of the Mi Gang. I am Shen Qing. Greetings to Sun Gang Leader. I heard that there is a bit of misunderstanding between Sun Gang Leader and my master. Could we possibly settle this matter today for the sake of this junior?" Shen Qing spoke neither humbly nor arrogantly. Sun Tiangai thought that Shen Qing feared their numbers and didn''t dare to be too presumptuous, thus deciding to back down when the situation was favorable. His anger slightly diminished. However, seeing that Shen Qing, a junior, was so audacious, a deep discontent surged in his heart, transforming into waves of resentment, replacing the accumulated anger within. "Settle? I wonder how this young nephew intends to settle this matter?" Sun Tiangai said in a cold voice. Shen Qing smiled and said, "It is quite simple. Sun Gang Leader shall compensate Linfeng Hall with five thousand taels for emotional distress and promise that we will not interfere with each other''s domains in the future. Then, this matter can be concluded." "You mean to say, you killed my men and now want me to compensate you?" Sun Tiangai felt as if he had suffered a great humiliation and stood up to stare straight at Shen Qing, saying, "This doesn''t seem reasonable, does it?" Shen Qing smiled and said, "The fact that I can defeat you is the reason. What does Sun Gang Leader think? You don''t seem as strong as I had imagined." This statement landed like a heavy hammer on the hearts of the Mi Gang members. At that very moment, they all realized that the outstandingly attractive man before them was not as harmless and courteous as he appeared; underneath lay a fierceness. The shaky and crumbling image of Linfeng Hall was instantly pulled back and even elevated somewhat by him. "Such arrogance. Do you think defeating Meng De proves anything? Before you, he had already defeated your master and several of your senior brothers, consuming a lot of his energy. You merely took advantage of his weariness." It was Jing Yuanzhong, a martial master of the Bone Refining Realm from the Mi Gang, who spoke. He had seen it clearly earlier. The strike that Shen Qing used was swift as the wind and extraordinarily powerful. When it landed on Meng De''s back, the Qi Force erupted with even a scorching sensation mixed in. Such power consumed a tremendous amount of strength, and the Wind Defying Finger was a martial arts technique known for speed, which was quite average in terms of defense and stamina. He was certain that this man before him was not as strong as imagined, and he was merely putting on a facade. Thinking of this, Jing Yuanzhong gained some confidence and said without hesitation, "I am Jing Yuanzhong from the Mi Gang. I would like to learn a thing or two from this young brother." Shen Qing cast a glance at Jing Yuanzhong, who had already stepped forward, and with a smile at the corner of his mouth, pointed to the two beside him, saying, "Why not come at me all at once, to save some trouble." Hearing this, Jing Yuanzhong''s heart skipped a beat. He realized this disciple of Linfeng Hall was not feigning, and suddenly a slight desire to retreat sprouted in his heart. "Then, it''s better to obey than to be courteous!" The named member of the Mi Gang showed no fear, took a deep breath, and stepped forward, throwing a direct and fierce punch without any flashy techniques. Immediately after him, another member of the Mi Gang also threw a punch. These people were all at the Bone Refining Realm, their whole bodies'' punch power fierce and vigorous. Both their muscles seemed to be drawn by an invisible force, rapidly tensing, with green veins protruding on their skin, like slumbering dragons moving across their exterior. Shen Qing lightly slid a foot forward, adopting a ready posture. He infused this opening move with some Bagua Yin Yang steps, giving it an elegant, profound look. He exhaled lightly, gathering all his strength at his fingertips. The next moment, Shen Qing''s form flashed into a shadow, the Wind Defying Finger arrived ahead of time, mixed with crimson flames, and precisely aimed at the armpit of the closest attacking member. "Bang!" A muffled sound echoed as the charging member''s body seemed like it had been pierced, his chest''s lungs scorched into cooked meat by the fiery force. The entire person flailed like a broken kite, sketching a parabola in the air before crashing heavily to the ground. He clutched his throat in desperation, his face flushed, unable to draw breath, finally suffocating to death. After killing one with one move, the second person had already arrived. He also struck with both fists, replicating the same punching style as the first. However, his punch was slightly steadier, showing a more solid foundation. Shen Qing''s eyes were sharp as he laughed nonchalantly without any superfluous actions. His figure shifted, a powerful Qi Force erupted from within him, dual fingers lashing out like a storm towards his opponent. His opponent''s complexion slightly changed, evidently not expecting Shen Qing to have such formidable Inner Strength. He was about to swing his fists again when he suddenly felt a sharp pain in his neck. A muffled explosion reverberated. His vision blurred, and his head involuntarily flew off. The scene fell into dead silence. Shen Qing''s eyes shifted, fixing on Jing Yuanzhong, and he smiled eerily, "It''s your turn!" "Ah!" Jing Yuanzhong was terrified out of his wits in an instant. sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Was this any sign of exhaustion? It was a complete misjudgment on his part. Intense fear engulfed his whole body, causing him to tremble uncontrollably. The Boss of Mi Gang, Sun Tiangai, could no longer bear it and shouted, "Enough! I will pay!" Chapter 134 - 58: Putting an End to It All is the Best Respect for Him The moment these words left his mouth, an uproar erupted among the inner courtyard crowd. Especially those from Linfeng Hall; they never expected that the once arrogant Boss of Mi Gang, Sun Tiangai, would suddenly give in and bow his head. At this moment, Sun Tiangai struggled to maintain a calm demeanor. Initially, he, like Jing Yuanzhong, thought Shen Qing was merely using brute force to take advantage of Meng De''s weakness, flaunting temporary bravado. He even planned to personally deal with him. But now, it seemed he was gravely mistaken. The closed disciple of Linfeng Hall hadn''t merely taken advantage; clearly, he had not exerted his full strength and still managed with ease! Thinking of this, Sun Tiangai felt a tinge of fear. Had he misjudged the situation earlier and acted impulsively, the consequences would have been unimaginable. His cultivation was only somewhat superior to Meng De''s, relying more on combat technique. Facing someone like Shen Qing, he couldn''t be certain of the outcome. One careless move could land him in the same predicament as Li Linfeng. He was now backed by the county magistrate, with his career thriving¡ªif he were defeated publicly, those beneath him would certainly lose loyalty and morale. The flourishing state Mi Gang painstakingly built might crumble apart. This was something he absolutely could not accept. A true man could bend or stretch. Rather than forcefully clashing, it was better to temporarily humble oneself and wait for another chance to seek revenge later. Shen Qing raised an eyebrow and said, "Oh, has Sun Gang Leader come to an understanding?" "I have understood; foes should be reconciled, not formed. Since Brother Shen shows such goodwill, how could I not appreciate it?" With these words, Sun Tiangai waved his large hand and said to his followers, "Search what you have on you¡ªhow much money do you carry? Hurry and give it to Brother Shen in gratitude for his mercifulness." A clatter sounded! Everyone reached into their pockets, taking out all their money, and threw it onto the ground. Copper coins, broken silver, gold beans... everything was there. Their swift action left Shen Qing momentarily stunned. Sun Tiangai took out a silver note from his bosom, speaking with utmost sincerity, "This is one thousand taels of silver, my token of respect to Brother Shen. The remaining four thousand taels, I will return later. Farewell!" With that, Sun Tiangai displayed an air of calmness, a certain grandeur of a leader. Seeing the Mi Gang members leaving with their tails between their legs, Linfeng Hall''s people stood up, cheering and applauding, echoing throughout the entire hall. "Shen Qing! Shen Qing!" Amidst the cheers, Shen Qing''s name was shouted repeatedly. Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. At this moment, Li Linfeng took a deep breath, looked at Shen Qing, and felt a sense of honor and luck. Shen Qing''s arrival might genuinely change the fate of Linfeng Hall. As Sun Tiangai, walking ahead, heard the celebrating voices behind him, his formerly calm face with a hint of flattery instantly turned cold. He thought viciously, "Shen Qing, is it! Wait till I report back to the county magistrate and bring some experts to send you to join your senior brothers." Amid the inner courtyard''s cheers, Shen Qing focused on Sun Tiangai''s retreating back, maintained his expression, and called out, "Xiao Hu!" Hearing Shen Qing''s summons from within the crowd, Shen Xiaohu hurried out, asking, "Brother, you called?" Shen Qing didn''t speak; he extended a hand to him. Shen Xiaohu recognized this as Shen Qing''s habit of asking for arrows. He quickly returned the heavy bow and arrows that Shen Qing had asked him to manage before their arrival. As Shen Qing took the heavy bow, under everyone''s gaze, he drew it like a full moon, placing a shiny dark arrow onto it. Li Linfeng hurriedly said, "What are you going to do?" "Master, weed out the roots, or the grass grows again in the spring breeze," Shen Qing''s lips moved, his words coldly indifferent, "Exterminating them is the highest respect!" "..." Under Li Linfeng''s shocked gaze, the bowstring released suddenly. Whoosh! The dark iron arrow, propelled by the fifty-shi heavy bow''s power, shot forward like a cannonball, carrying the sound of a whistling wind. Its speed was so swift and power so immense that it was mesmerizing. At the moment Shen Qing acted, Sun Tiangai''s whole body felt a chill, sensing intense danger. Too close, he barely had time to react, quickly organizing a Qi defense hastily. Unfortunately, such Qi was feeble under the fifty-shi heavy bow. Bang! A loud noise reverberated as the dark iron arrow struck Sun Tiangai''s chest, easily tearing through his defense, piercing his flesh. Under the impact''s force, Sun Tiangai''s body flew backward, slamming against the wall, pinned helplessly. Sun Tiangai looked at the wound on his chest, disbelief etched across his face, eyes filled with terror and despair. Struggling to stand, the excruciating pain left him powerless. Even martial masters of their level were still flesh and blood, lacking the Immortal Martial techniques of the Imperial family that revive the dead. A pierced heart was certain death. "No... impossible..." Boss of Mi Gang, Sun Tiangai, muttered incredulously, looking at Shen Qing, "I had already... agreed to your terms..." "But I had not agreed with you!" Shen Qing stated, calmly, without a trace of emotion. "Grr... grr..." Dark red, pungent blood gushed from Sun Tiangai''s throat, blocking his voice, rendering him speechless. His struggles weakened. Shen Qing paid no mind to Sun Tiangai''s desperation, standing silently in place with deep, cold eyes. In moments, Sun Tiangai''s gaze lost focus, his limbs slackened, dying against the wall. "Ah!" Members of Mi Gang screamed in terror, frantically rushing for the exit, fearing a similar fate as Sun Tiangai. Shen Qing''s hand remained active, arrows flew like beads. Each shot claimed several lives. In the blink of an eye, the inner courtyard lay empty of standing Mi Gang members. Only a few insignificant ones managed to flee. Gazing at the scattered bodies, Shen Qing put away the heavy bow, turning respectfully toward the thoroughly stunned Li Linfeng and saying, "Now, Mi Gang shouldn''t trouble Master anymore." Only then did Li Linfeng realize that this disciple he had taken in wasn''t just a martial talent, but a born natural killer. Yet with matters as they were, Li Linfeng didn''t feel Shen Qing did anything wrong. He was old, with family, his sharpness dulled, cautious in action. If memory served, at Shen Qing''s age, he was just as fierce. Li Linfeng nodded in definite approval, "Nothing! You''ve done well, very rightly!" Behind him, numerous Linfeng Hall disciples, besides their previous admiration, now looked at Shen Qing with an added measure of awe, refraining from casual familiarity. "Don''t just stand there; clean up the courtyard." Li Linfeng gestured, instructing Linfeng Hall''s disciples. Reacting, they quickly responded, "Yes!" A short while later, the inner courtyard was tidied up to some extent. An officer, clad in a black uniform, armed with a treasure saber, walked in. Noting the courtyard filled with corpses and the heavy scent of blood, his expression faltered, quickly retreating and reconfirming he was indeed at Linfeng Hall, then reentered. "What brings you here, officer?" Linfeng Hall''s steward, A Fu, hurried forth to inquire. The officer cupped his hands politely, saying, "Is Young Master Shen here?" "Looking for Shen Qing, Junior Brother Shen?" A Fu replied in confusion, "He''s in the courtyard. Just call him." The officer nodded, stepped forward, and loudly announced, "Young Master Shen, for your noble slaying of the tiger demon, Lord County Magistrate has prepared a small celebratory banquet, specially inviting Hero Shen to join." Slaying a tiger demon! These words caused Linfeng Hall''s courtyard disciples to turn their gazes towards Shen Qing, who was sipping tea not far away. Tilting the teapot, Shen Qing said indifferently, "Understood, I''ll head over soon." Chapter 135 - 59: Everyones Shock! Keeping the Appointment! ``` Gululu! Shen Qing tilted his mouth and drank a large gulp of cold tea, feeling refreshed. The government officer who came to deliver the message turned towards the sound and spotted Shen Qing, showing a hint of surprise on his face. He hadn''t expected that the person who had slain the tiger demon was so young. He looked like he wasn''t even twenty! Definitely promising great prospects in the future. The officer''s face broke into a smile, eagerly stepping forward, smiling amiably as he said, "Young Master Shen, the banquet is set to start around noon at the government office. Lord County Magistrate has called upon the town''s bosses to join and hopes Young Master Shen will attend on time." Shen Qing glanced at the officer and discovered a hint of ingratiation in his eyes, making Shen Qing ironically aware of reality. It was just a small success in martial arts, and some accomplishments, and already people were starting to curry favor. Truly a hero is never asked of their origins, poor in a bustling city no one cares, rich in deep mountains distant relatives appear. Fortunately, Shen Qing was a sober person, not letting this make him giddy with success, nor taking the other seriously. He knew that no matter how unimpressive, the officer in front of him still wore the skin of the Great Zhou Court. They say there''s no better shade than under a big tree, and this officer''s rank was indeed "higher" than his grassroots status. In the county, every trade had to pay him some respect. Seeing the other repeatedly remind him, Shen Qing steadily placed his teacup aside, stood up, and cupped his hands politely, "Thank you, sir, for informing me, Shen Qing will be there on time." The officer''s face lit up with joy, finding that Shen Qing was easy to get along with, he harbored a thought of making friends and took the initiative to say, "I am Quan Helin, serving in the strong class at the government office. If Young Master Shen needs any assistance in the future, feel free to find me." Perceiving Quan Helin''s intentions, Shen Qing neither refused nor put on airs. In his view, having one more friend was one more path, and there was nothing wrong with that, so he happily cupped his hands, "Good." Quan Helin said, "Since I''ve delivered the message, I won''t disturb you here any longer. Farewell." "Take care, no need to see off!" After Shen Qing watched Quan Helin leave, the smile on his face gradually faded. At this moment, he suddenly felt that the previously bustling noise from the inner courtyard had disappeared, becoming somewhat silent, which puzzled him. Shen Qing turned his head and saw that numerous Linfeng Hall disciples in the inner courtyard were looking at him with a look as if he was a monster. After a long while, Ouyang Tiezhu walked out from among the crowd, somewhat unsure, and said, "Junior Brother Shen, the officer said you are invited to a banquet at the County Magistrate''s place. What kind of banquet is that?" "Oh, probably a celebration by the magistrate because I killed the demon tiger." Shen Qing answered honestly, without much thought. "You said... you killed... the tiger demon?!!" "Yes, I fortunately killed it." Wow! With these words, Linfeng Hall''s inner courtyard erupted like a drop of water into hot oil, suddenly abuzz with noise. Many people began whispering, and the yard resounded with discussions. Still recuperating in the inner courtyard, Li Linfeng heard this news, and his Qi-Blood surged, already somewhat recovering in color and spirit, he couldn''t help but sit up, staring straight at Shen Qing. He hadn''t completely come to terms with the fact that Shen Qing had shot dead the boss of Mi Gang, and now he heard about Shen Qing slaying the demon tiger, causing a storm in his heart. The occurrence of two major events one after another made Shen Qing''s image in his mind grow even more grand. He subconsciously glanced at the Fifth Miss and Li Lingchan beside him, feeling more saddened by their unfortunate situation and angered by their lack of ambition. If it was true as the officer said that Shen Qing slew the tiger demon, then his merit would undoubtedly be distinguished, and he certainly couldn''t miss a "martial arts register" status. Hereafter in Great Zhou, he would belong truly to those with standing, no longer a vagabond. Even when going out, someone would address him as "sir." All because of his daughter''s short-sightedness, he missed a perfect son-in-law. For a while, Li Linfeng became dispirited and called out to Shen Xiu, "Miss Qi, help me back to the room to rest." "Yes, sir." Shen Xiu stepped forward to support Li Linfeng, though her gaze occasionally glanced at Shen Qing, her nephew. Residing in the back courtyard, she knew little about outside affairs and thus understood her nephew only superficially. She merely knew that her nephew had some talent in martial arts and was accepted by her husband as a direct disciple, which made her happy for quite some time. But besides this, she knew nothing about Shen Qing''s specific progress in cultivation. Until today, when she saw Shen Qing effortlessly taking down those overbearing opponents, and even shooting the Mi Gang boss dead with the final arrow as easily as slaughtering chickens and dogs. She realized fully that her nephew was far from being as simple as it seemed on the surface. The power he harbored far exceeded her imagination. Moreover, just now she clearly heard, it was Shen Qing who slew the demon tiger! Seeing the respectful attitude the government officer held towards him, she was so excited she could barely speak. Finally, someone from the Shen Family achieved success. No one would ever comment on her background again. At this thought, as Shen Xiu passed by Fifth Miss and others, she unconsciously straightened her back, her face filled with pride and arrogance. S§×arch* The n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Others pursed their lips, said nothing, and had to lower their heads silently. Shen Qing did not pay attention to these people''s thoughts, still sitting by the railing, sipping cold tea. Once he was sure it was about time, he tidied up his appearance and walked out of Linfeng Hall with large strides. Outside Linfeng Hall, A Fu had early been instructed by Li Linfeng to prepare a carriage, waiting. Shen Qing asked unexpectedly, "Senior Brother A Fu, what''s this?" A Fu said, "Master instructed that Junior Brother Shen wouldn''t have face going out without a carriage, so he specifically sent me to give you a ride." Shen Qing gave a warm smile and graciously approached the carriage, "Thank you, Senior Brother, for the trouble." At the side, A Fu, with quick eyes and deft hands, proactively helped Shen Qing onto the carriage. Once Shen Qing was seated, A Fu whipped the horse, heading towards the government office. Inside the carriage, there was a layer of soft carpet, exuding a faint fragrant aroma. Shen Qing sat on it, feeling quite comfortable. The carriage moved at a moderate pace through the streets. As the carriage entered the bustling market area, Shen Qing, sitting inside, gradually heard quite a bit of music and dance. Curious, he used the back of his hand to lift the curtain slightly, peering through the small carriage window, seeing the townspeople celebrating the slaying of the tiger demon with song and dance, full of joy. Shen Qing chuckled softly, quietly lowering the curtain, sitting cross-legged inside the carriage, and closing his eyes. He heard the noise outside, a barely perceptible faint smile hanging at the corners of his mouth. After a while, with the carriage swaying gently, it suddenly came to a stop. "Whoa! Junior Brother Shen, we''ve arrived." A Fu reined in the horse and stopped the carriage. Sitting inside, Shen Qing silently opened his eyes, "Okay." He responded, stepping out of the carriage, and stood at the entrance of the government office. ``` Chapter 136 - 60 First Meeting with the Taiping County Magistrate The towering vermilion gate stood solemnly, with a gilded plaque hanging above the lintel, engraved with the two characters "Government Office" in bold, strong strokes. At this moment, the two heavy wooden doors were tightly shut, with bronze animal-head knockers showing their fangs. On either side of the entrance, a pair of imposing stone lions stood guard. As if aware that Shen Qing had arrived, the doors slowly opened. Behind the doors stood a middle-aged man in official attire, his face adorned with a smile. His face was rugged, exuding a steady and restrained aura like jade, with eyes as deep as a pond and brows conveying an inherent authority. This person was none other than the County Magistrate of Taiping County, Du Yuntong. County Magistrate Du Yuntong had been waiting for some time inside the government office, and upon seeing Shen Qing''s figure, his eyes revealed admiration for Shen Qing. He personally walked out from inside the gate, descended the steps, and looked Shen Qing up and down, full of praise as he said, "Young Master Shen, truly a young talent!" While Du Yuntong was surveying him, Shen Qing was also constantly evaluating Du Yuntong. Du Yuntong''s posture was upright, appearing particularly tall. At this moment, he wore a dark blue official robe, embroidered with intricate patterns, with gold thread edging on the cuffs and collar, and a wide jade belt at the waist inlaid with several gleaming gemstones. At a glance, he seemed exceptionally wealthy and possessed the demeanor of a king. However, Shen Qing knew that the elegantly dressed middle-aged man before him was not merely putting on a fa?ade, but was one of the few Martial Artists in the Qi Hai Realm in Taiping County, with cultivation reaching the heavens. Not even the Boss of Mi Gang could lift a finger in front of him. Shen Qing collected his thoughts and humbly replied, "Lord County Magistrate flatters me, eliminating harm for the people is the duty of those in the Jianghu." County Magistrate Du Yuntong laughed heartily, patting Shen Qing''s shoulder, and said, "Young Master Shen, you are modest. That demon tiger wreaked havoc for months, causing countless suffering among the surrounding people. Today, you slew the demon tiger and relieved the siege on the county town. How could this official not acknowledge such a feat? I have already ordered a banquet to be prepared. If the young master does not mind, why not come in for a few drinks?" "In that case, I''d better accept your kind invitation." "Please!" "Please!" Shen Qing stepped aside to let County Magistrate Du Yuntong pass, this perceptiveness elevating Du Yuntong''s impression of him. County Magistrate Du Yuntong led Shen Qing into a serene and elegant rear hall. This was Du Yuntong''s special reception area, reserved for distinguished guests. Upon entering the main hall, Shen Qing smelled faint sandalwood lingering in the air. The floor made of blue bricks was covered with a soft carpet, with a round table made of rosewood placed in the center. On the table, exquisite tea sets and snacks were already laid out, with two guests seated at their places. They wore luxurious clothing and had extraordinary dispositions, leisurely sipping tea and conversing. Behind them, two maids with delicate features, dressed in elegant garments, stood quietly, exuding well-trained deference in their demeanor. The entire hall, aside from the subtle sound of tea being poured into cups and the occasional conversation of the guests, was devoid of other noise, appearing especially tranquil. While the two were chatting, they heard the movement and looked towards Shen Qing, standing up, "Oh, the main guest has arrived." County Magistrate Du Yuntong stepped forward, unabashedly sat in the main seat, and gestured for the two to sit down. "Young Master Shen, sit over here." Shen Qing took a seat at the guest seat upon hearing this. His gaze wandered over the two middle-aged men opposite him and found that the aura of these two was surprisingly on par with Du Yuntong. Shen Qing''s heart involuntarily tensed, not daring to be presumptuous. Du Yuntong pointed to the middle-aged man on the left, who wore embroidered clothing and had a rounded figure, and said, "This is the Family Head of the Wang Family, Wang Sanbao." Is this one of the Four Great Eastern Families, Boss Wang? Shen Qing was somewhat surprised. The Wang Family in Taiping County operated pawnshops and banks, holding several money houses. It was also rumored that this person had already achieved Qi Hai Realm cultivation, dominating Taiping County. Unexpectedly, County Magistrate Du Yuntong had invited him to accompany the reception today. Wang Sanbao had a warm smile on his face, exuding kindness, without a hint of mercantile sense. He was dressed in a richly embroidered robe, adorned with complex patterns, appearing both luxurious and dignified. He cupped his hands towards Shen Qing and said, "Mr. Shen, a pleasure to meet you." Du Yuntong then pointed to the middle-aged man on the far right, who wore a blue robe and had a tall, majestic figure, and introduced, "This is the Family Head of the Li Family, Li Heqing." Li Heqing''s face was rugged, with a heroic spirit between his brows, akin to a seasoned General. He cupped his hands and greeted Shen Qing loudly, "Mr. Shen, renowned for a long time, seeing you today confirms that heroes emerge from the young!" Is this the Li Family, specializing in maritime transport? Shen Qing''s expression remained unchanged, but his heart rippled with waves. Another Martial Artist in the Qi Hai Realm. County Magistrate Du Yuntong pointed to Shen Qing and said to the two middle-aged men, "These two, this is the hero who slew the tiger today, Young Master Shen Qing." Shen Qing cupped his hands in acknowledgment, humbly saying, "Not at all, it is all due to the wise guidance of the lords." "Enough polite words, Wang, bring up the tiger demon! Let''s see what kind of demon this tiger is," County Magistrate Du Yuntong called out to the door. As soon as he finished speaking, Wang Yanjun and other members of the Guardian Martial Department brought the tiger demon''s corpse to the entrance of the hall, surrounded by the crowd. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The enormous body, even in death, still exuded an intimidating presence that sent shivers down the spine. The maids in the hall couldn''t help but stir uneasily, stepping back, their faces pale. Family Head Li Heqing got up and walked over to inspect it, exclaiming, "Tsk tsk, I''ve seen countless tigers while traveling, but such a large one is a first." Wang Sanbao laughed heartily, "Otherwise, why call it a demon tiger?" "Lord County Magistrate, do you know how you plan to deal with this tiger demon?" Li Heqing patted the tiger demon''s body and asked. County Magistrate Du Yuntong replied noncommittally, "Since this demon was hunted by Young Master Shen, the decision for its disposition should be left to him." Shen Qing, having lived two lives, understood Du Yuntong''s hint. Although his strength was now considerable, it was still far from meeting the standards of these prominent figures. Claiming ownership of the tiger demon was impossible. Besides, he had already obtained the most important tiger treasure, giving it away wouldn''t be a loss. As they say, knowing the times makes one a hero. Shen Qing quickly bowed his head respectfully and said, "This area being under the jurisdiction of the Lord County Magistrate means that any valuable discoveries rightly belong to the Lord County Magistrate." Seeing Shen Qing so insightful, County Magistrate Du Yuntong smiled and said, "I never expected such eloquence at your young age. Let it be this way, this tiger is unique, and since you slew it, let the two Heads see what they desire from this tiger, and compensate Young Master Shen accordingly." Chapter 137 - 61 The Wondrous Uses of the Demon Core ``` "Convert it into cash for me?" Shen Qing was genuinely surprised, not expecting County Magistrate Du Yuntong to have no intention of embezzlement. However, upon reconsideration, he thought this might be Du Yuntong''s means to win over the people''s hearts. Sear?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Shen Qing glanced at Wang Sanbao and Li Heqing and, seeing their smiling faces, became even more certain. Although Du Yuntong said he wanted Wang Sanbao and Li Heqing to purchase the tiger demon and convert it into cash for him, with the cunning minds of two old foxes, they certainly wouldn''t foolishly buy it and take it back, risking displeasure from Du Yuntong. After all, the tiger demon was rarely seen, and every bit of it was a treasure that anyone would covet. The two, though called bosses, were no more than merchants with little status in Great Zhou, and to survive in Taiping County, they couldn''t be unaware of the importance of having strong backing. Most likely, the two of them would buy it and then, under various pretexts, present it again to County Magistrate Du Yuntong. At this moment, Wang Sanbao looked at Shen Qing and asked, "Does Young Master Shen have a residence in the Inner City?" "I am currently staying in the Outer City, and I do not have a house in the city," Shen Qing replied truthfully with a smile. Wang Sanbao laughed, "We Wang Family have a vacant small courtyard in the Inner City. If Young Master Shen does not mind, I would like to exchange this tiger demon''s tiger bone for it, along with 300 taels." Normally, tiger bones have the effect of dispelling winds and promoting circulation, strengthening muscles and bones, and are a rare delicacy, highly effective for martial masters in solidifying their cultivation. This tiger demon''s efficacy might be even more exceptional. Wang Sanbao recognized the value, knowing that a house in the Inner City averaged about three to four hundred taels, so together it''s merely six to seven hundred taels, not much expense. Shen Qing knew that although he appeared to be the main character today, he was actually there to support others, so he didn''t haggle more and said, "Then I''ll follow the Boss''s lead." "Good," Wang Sanbao immediately took out the prepared house deed and placed it on the table, saying, "Young Master Shen, you only need to sign and press your seal, and the house in the east of the city will be yours." Shen Qing, keeping a calm demeanor, glanced at the house deed he held and sensibly didn''t question why Wang Sanbao brought the deed to the feast or why even the government office''s seal was already arranged on it... Seeing nothing wrong, he straightforwardly signed his name, pressed his hand seal, and placed it in his bosom. He then cupped his hands and said, "Thank you, Boss Wang." After Wang Sanbao''s transaction, Li Heqing stepped forward and said, "Since Brother Wang took the tiger bone, then I will take the tiger skin and tiger penis. I noticed that Young Master Shen does not have a good horse, so why don''t I gift you a treasured steed, along with 300 taels?" As soon as he finished speaking, he clapped his hands. Outside, a servant led in a prized steed. Shen Qing gazed upon it and saw a black horse standing in the courtyard. Its body was as black as ink, with smooth, mirror-like fur, the horse''s mane was flowing, and its limbs were strong and powerful. Even if Shen Qing was not knowledgeable about horses, he could tell this black horse was extraordinary, truly a fine steed. A good horse was exactly what he needed, and Shen Qing beamed, "Then I shall accept graciously." "Hahaha, Young Master Shen, talented and promising, it is this horse''s honor to be your mount," Li Heqing laughed. In just a few actions, they quickly divided the entire tiger demon. County Magistrate Du Yuntong said, "Zhang Zao Yi, call some people to skin and debone this tiger demon for the two bosses." "Yes, Lord County Magistrate." Outside, officials came forward and carried the entire tiger demon to the side chambers for butchering. As the tiger demon was carried away, the bloody smell in the hall slowly dissipated until it disappeared. County Magistrate Du Yuntong gestured to everyone and said, "Alright, the chores are done, come over and drink, Team Leader Wang, join us too." Wang Yanjun''s face was calm, without many words, and after saluting with clasped hands, she sat beside Shen Qing. After all, she was a female martial artist with a good foundation, Wang Yanjun''s figure was excellent. She sat upright in the chair with a graceful posture, dressed in a martial outfit, drawing unconcealed glances. "Come, everyone, raise your glasses. Removing this demon from Taiping County is a great joy," County Magistrate Du Yuntong said loudly while raising his glass. Everyone respectfully picked up their respective glasses with both hands, joyfully saying, "Let''s celebrate together!" Putting down his glass, Du Yuntong picked up his chopsticks to serve himself. As the parental official of Taiping County, he essentially held the power of life and death like a powerful lord, with a pool of talent under him. Within this Taiping County, he could decide life and death with a word. Hence, even though he appeared approachable and casual, only after he made the first move with his chopsticks did everyone else dare to start eating, not daring to overstep. After three rounds of drinks, Du Yuntong sighed, "It''s a pity, this tiger demon is a bit lacking; otherwise, if it had refined a Demon Core, it would be a top treasure for us practitioners." A Demon Core? Shen Qing''s eyes lit up. Pretending to be puzzled, he asked, "What''s the significance behind this?" Du Yuntong glanced at Shen Qing and said, "To be honest, Taiping County is not the first place where monsters have appeared." "What?" Du Yuntong continued, "About thirty years ago, when a comet fell from the sky, records of monsters began to appear across Great Zhou. However, they were relatively weak and were quickly subdued." "During this process, the court discovered that some cultivated spirits and demons contained Demon Cores. These cores could be brewed with medicinal soup to enhance Qi and solidify the Qi Sea, comparable to or even better than the spiritual elixirs brewed by the court. Some noble families already know about this and secretly purchase demon cores. Regardless of quality, a demon core''s starting price is thousands of taels." "Starting at thousands of taels?" Shen Qing''s heart skipped a beat, feeling the red-hot inner core in his bosom become somewhat scorching. This price was far more precious than those rare mountain delicacies. Wang Sanbao and the others were also hearing this for the first time, secretly stunned in their hearts. After a moment, Li Heqing asked again, "Lord County Magistrate, do you know why such abnormalities like these monsters are occurring in today''s world?" "I am not entirely clear on this; the court''s Tian Ji Shu is investigating. Rumor has it that a cosmic fall caused it, and our world has been tainted by extraterrestrial demons, though the truth is uncertain. We should strive to cultivate diligently lest future calamities befall us, and we lack the strength to protect ourselves," County Magistrate Du Yuntong said, giving a few meaningful glances at the crowd, then smiled. "Come, if the sky falls, the tall ones will hold it up. Let''s drink." "As you please, Master, we will finish ours." After a few more cups, the atmosphere heated up a bit. At this moment, the officers of the government office who had already dismantled the tiger demon walked in and said, "Gentlemen, we have processed your items." Wang Sanbao stepped forward, received a wooden box, glanced inside, and then walked to County Magistrate Du Yuntong with a smile, saying, "Lord County Magistrate, there is a lot of tiger bone, why not take some for yourself?" ``` Chapter 138 - 62: Changing the Martial Arts Register, the First Step to Becoming Superior to Others County Magistrate Du Yuntong lowered his eyelids and said, "These are all items bought by Mr. Wang, why give them to me?" Wang Sanbao pushed the tiger bone forward and said, "As Young Master Shen mentioned, the Lord County Magistrate is the provider for Taiping County. Everyone and everything here rely on your grace. I wish to express gratitude on behalf of the people of Taiping County. How could I indulge alone?" Li Heqing, sitting nearby, seized the opportunity to place the tiger skin beneath County Magistrate Du Yuntong and said with a smile, "Indeed, I share the same thought, and I hope sir will not refuse." After repeatedly declining a few times, County Magistrate Du Yuntong finally "reluctantly" accepted the tiger demon''s treasures. Shen Qing watched this scene and fully understood in his heart. Just as he had predicted. After such a roundabout way, although slightly troublesome, Du Yuntong obtained the desired treasures from the tiger demon. The two bosses only used a small price to enhance their relationship with the county government, and he, in turn, gained some Silver Taels, a situation where everyone was pleased. Moreover, Du Yuntong even earned a good reputation, winning the heart of this emerging martial master. Had Shen Qing been an impulsive young man, he might have been so moved to bow down in loyalty at that moment. Those in high positions not only had profound cultivation but also had a talent for manipulating people''s hearts. Shen Qing remained silent, his gaze calm, appearing like a naive youngster who could not comprehend what was unfolding. After declining a few times, County Magistrate Du Yuntong casually reminded, "With both of you present, I might as well inform you. In some time, officers from the Guardian Martial Department in the county town will come to investigate the tiger demon incident and hunt down the remaining members of the Huang Tian Sect. I heard that accompanying them will be members of the Zhou Family to oversee their branch enterprises." "The Zhou Family is a prominent family in the county town, and since your businesses deal frequently with the town, it would be wise to exercise caution in the coming days." Wang Sanbao and Li Heqing exchanged a glance, a hint of relief flashed on their faces, and they said, "Thank you, Lord County Magistrate, for the advice." "It''s a minor matter." County Magistrate Du Yuntong said this as he glanced at Shen Qing and then looked at Wang Yanjun, "Did I previously mention that the person who renders the greatest service in slaying the tiger demon would be awarded a martial title?" "Lord County Magistrate, indeed you did." Wang Yanjun replied. County Magistrate Du Yuntong nodded, "A word once spoken cannot be retracted. As the parental official of the county town, I must keep my promises and fulfill prior commitments." Saying this, County Magistrate Du Yuntong turned and signaled to the maid behind him. The attendants promptly stepped forward, presenting the prepared items one by one. An antiqued Book of Registration Certificate and heavy silver coins promised by two bosses. "Young Master Shen, these belong to you." County Magistrate Du Yuntong handed the Book of Registration Certificate to Shen Qing, his tone full of sincerity. Shen Qing accepted the Book of Registration Certificate, flipping it open to see his registration identity as a martial title. In that moment, Shen Qing was filled with emotion. The people of the Great Zhou were ranked in grades. Emperor, Noble, Official, Physician, Martial, Farmer, Worker, Merchant, Slave. Hunters belonged to the lowly people without land, although classified under farming registration, they were still looked down upon. According to the common customary regulations of the Great Zhou, people like them had no privilege to purchase land, could not marry those with property, and were barred from entering the court as officials, even finding a position as an officer was out of reach. Today, with the change to martial registration, his status was elevated, completely removing him from the ranks of lowly people, a transformation to grandeur. Do not underestimate this small elevation, for many strive their whole lives yet may never achieve it. Changing to a martial registration meant he was no longer confined to one place. He could travel across the entire Great Zhou. Furthermore, having a martial registration also opened opportunities to enter the court in pursuit of an official position. Frankly speaking, this was the first step to rising above others. Many people trained in martial arts for this very reason. If he had not had this opportunity, obtaining a martial title would have been an arduous task. Not to mention the cost, just finding the channels might take a year or half. Once all relations were smoothly handled, then there would be sponsorship and martial exams, where only one out of ten were selected. This process would require countless financial resources and a few years at least. Now, obtaining it without much effort truly relieved his heart. "Thank you, Lord County Magistrate! I, Shen, will cherish this reward as my life and will not disappoint your expectations!" Shen Qing gratefully said, putting away the Book of Registration Certificate in his hand. County Magistrate Du Yuntong smiled and nodded, praising once more, "Young Master Shen, talented in youth, your future is bound to be promising. I look forward to your greater contributions to the county town." "Certainly, certainly." Shen Qing replied with a smile full of delight. Now with the martial title in hand, whether to contribute to the county town depended on his own desires. In the next moment, Shen Qing already dismissed Du Yuntong''s words from his mind. County Magistrate Du Yuntong suddenly spoke, "By the way, Young Master Shen, you are not yet married?" "I have not settled down yet." Shen Qing said calmly. County Magistrate Du Yuntong laughed, "I recall Team Leader Wang is also a bachelor. Maybe you two could make a match, it seems quite apt to me. You two suit each other well." Beside him, Wang Yanjun glanced at County Magistrate Du Yuntong without saying a word. Shen Qing immediately grew wary and replied firmly, "Lord County Magistrate, I am still young and have no plans to marry yet. Besides, marriage is no child''s play; I am just an ordinary young man, how could I aspire to marry Team Leader Wang?" "Haha, you make some fair points, mainly you are unfamiliar with each other. If you spent more time, feelings would naturally develop," County Magistrate Du Yuntong remarked. "It''s a pity there''s no vacant position within the government office for now, or else you two could get to know each other." "¡­" Shen Qing only felt there was underlying meaning in County Magistrate Du Yuntong''s words, that he was being strung along. "It is simply my bad luck, not at all your fault, Lord County Magistrate." "Come, drink," County Magistrate Du Yuntong casually changed the subject. An hour later, the feast was finally concluded. Shen Qing, who could not ride a horse yet, temporarily tied the horse to the carriage, which A Fu drove back together. After everyone had left, an officer dashed in and whispered a few words in Du Yuntong''s ear, causing his expression to change slightly but then quickly calm down. Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Wang Yanjun said, "Lord County Magistrate, what happened?" "The Boss of Mi Gang is dead, killed by Shen Qing." Du Yuntong wiped his hands with a silk handkerchief and casually said. Wang Yanjun furrowed her brows and said, "Does that mean, sir, you''ve lost a support?" "No matter, a mere dog," Du Yuntong replied indifferently. "So many people in Taiping County are vying for position, my hands will never lack workers. A few one or two are of little consequence." "If the Mi Gang cannot do it, we''ll replace them with someone capable." "What do you think of Shen Qing, can he be of use to me?" "Just a fledgling, undoubtedly your measures today have already won his admiration." Du Yuntong nodded, "It''s just unfortunate he didn''t take the bait in the end, otherwise, to marry you, he would certainly have served me to the utmost." Wang Yanjun bowed her head without speaking. "Let''s leave it for now and prepare for the officers from the Guardian Martial Department in the county town." Du Yuntong casually discarded the silk handkerchief and turned to leave the main hall. Wang Yanjun lowered her head further, watching him depart. Chapter 139 - 63: Becoming Lord Shen, There is Now a Tragic Thick Barrier ```html The entrance of the government office, Shen Qing boarded the carriage. The carriage had just started moving when A Fu stopped it. "Whoa!" "What''s wrong?" Shen Qing''s questioning voice came from inside the carriage. A Fu replied in a puzzled tone, "Someone from the Wang Family said they want to take you to see a house, junior disciple." Shen Qing remembered the house deed gifted by Wang Sanbao and replied, "Let him lead the way then." A Fu was slightly surprised. He hadn''t expected Shen Qing to have formed connections with the county''s influential people. Suppressing his thoughts, after a brief whispered conversation with the other party, the carriage started again. Returning to the bustling area, the noise outside the carriage increased significantly. Perhaps it was because he had obtained a martial title, but Shen Qing found these noisy sounds somewhat pleasant. After traveling the time it takes to burn a stick of incense, A Fu drove the carriage to a four-sided courtyard. "Lord Shen, we''ve arrived." Outside the carriage, a stranger''s voice reached Shen Qing''s ears, bringing him out of his leisurely state. Hearing the address, he couldn''t help but smile. He hadn''t realized that he had unknowingly been elevated to such a status. Shen Qing collected his thoughts and stepped out of the carriage, standing in front of a residence, squinting at it. The four-sided courtyard seemed somewhat aged, with some parts of the black doors showing peeling paint, revealing the wood beneath. However, the beautifully carved auspicious beasts and clouds on the door lintel gave this courtyard some degree of specification. "Here is the key to the main door." The Wang Family''s servant respectfully offered a set of keys with both hands. Shen Qing reached out to take them, aligning the key with the keyhole and inserting it. Click. The copper lock opened. Shen Qing pushed open the door and, surrounded by the Wang Family''s servant, stepped into the courtyard. A wave of ancient §Õ§å§ç hit him in the face. Shen Qing looked around, seeing a spacious courtyard with a strict layout, with the main house, side houses, inverted houses, and ear rooms arranged in an orderly fashion. In the center of the courtyard stood an old locust tree, lush and green, with several stone tables and stools placed beneath it, creating a very charming and lively atmosphere. The Wang Family''s servant said, "Lord Shen, this used to be a residence of a distant disciple of the Wang Family. Now that they''ve moved out of town, no one lives here. They left without tidying up, leaving many things behind. A humble one checked, and most of it can still be used." Shen Qing strolled leisurely around the courtyard for a few laps and found that, although it was not far from the city center, the environment was still very peaceful, to his satisfaction. "Lord Shen, what do you think?" the Wang Family''s servant said, observing Shen Qing''s expression. Shen Qing replied, "Not bad." "That''s good then. My name is San''er, and I live in the alley up ahead. If Lord Shen needs anything in the future, just call, and I''ll be here at your service." "Is this the wish of the Wang Family?" San''er smiled and said, "This is my wish, my lord." Shen Qing glanced at this San''er, bowed respectfully with folded hands under Shen Qing''s gaze, and then retreated with an overflowing smile. He hadn''t expected that people had already started currying favor with him. Truly, things were very different from before. If he continued to climb, reaching the pinnacle, who knows what the scenery would be like. Shen Qing couldn''t help but feel even more hopeful. He walked around the courtyard a bit, reassured that there were no problems, then locked the door and said to A Fu, "A Fu, my brother, let''s go." A Fu, who was organizing the carriage, showed a slightly awkward expression, moved his lips but didn''t speak. After a long pause, he slowly said, "Lord Shen..." Lord Shen? Shen Qing couldn''t help but tug at the corner of his mouth, as A Fu, seeing the respectful demeanor of the Wang Family''s servant, had already discerned some changes in his status. He knew there was already a sad thick barrier between them. "Where are we heading now?" Shen Qing sighed helplessly and said, "Let''s head to the Outer City first. I''m planning to move my home." From the start, Shen Qing had Tian Xiaohu keep an eye on houses in the city, thinking about moving. He just hadn''t found a suitable one yet. Now that Wang Sanbao had gifted him a residence, he might as well move in. A Fu didn''t say much, obediently driving the carriage toward the Outer City. As the day passed the afternoon, in late spring and early summer, Taiping County appeared somewhat hot. The Outer City''s shanty town was enveloped in a layer of golden light, lying over the cramped, dark streets and alleys, making the dilapidated shanty town appear a bit more glamorous. A Fu drove the carriage slowly, the wheels bouncing on the uneven cobblestone road, producing a rhythmic "rumble," and drove into the deep alley of the shanty town. Shen Qing''s residence in the shanty town wasn''t too remote, allowing for carriage passage. As he passed through, many low-class residents in the shanty seen turned their heads. It wasn''t that the carriage was particularly luxurious but that the dark horse trailing behind it glistened with scales in the sunlight, dazzlingly bright. The carriage stopped in front of a large gate. Gathered in the shanty town, Zhang Baqing, Shen the Second, and others who were playing Liu Bo saw the carriage and stopped, vigilantly staring, instinctively reaching for their bows and arrows beside them. Just when they thought some great figure came for trouble, A Fu jumped off the carriage and respectfully opened the curtain. Inside the carriage, Shen Qing slowly stepped down. "Qingzi?" Zhang Baqing, Shen the Second, and the others were all slightly stunned. "What are you doing?" Shen Qing smiled and said, "The Boss Wang gave me a house in the Inner City. I''m planning to tidy up and move there." "Huh?" Everyone found it hard to believe that the big boss in the county actually gave Shen Qing a house. "And this horse..." "Oh, Boss Li gifted it." "Hiss..." Everyone gasped, realizing Shen Qing might have risen to prominence. Shen Qing''s gaze swept across familiar faces, taking in their looks of surprise and joy. Without explaining further, he withdrew his gaze and calmly walked toward his place of residence. After he left, Zhang Baqing and other hunters from Hongshan Village gathered around A Fu to learn more. Not hiding anything, A Fu told them everything he knew. When they heard that Shen Qing had slain the tiger demon, had been received by the County Magistrate, had formed connections with two big bosses, and had obtained the martial title... Piece by piece, everything left all the hunters in Hongshan Village completely stunned. They could never have imagined that the young boy, who had lost both parents and almost been left destitute, could one day achieve such accomplishments. Everyone looked toward Shen the Second with envious eyes. The Shen Family truly had someone who had made it. In the shanty town, a shuttered, broken wooden door was opened. sea??h th§× Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Qingzi, you''re back!" A familiar and excited voice called out. Shen Qing looked up and saw his eldest sister, Shen Fang, standing in the main room, her eyes slightly red as she looked at him. Shen Fang had heard about the dangers of the tiger demon, and for the past two days, she had been anxious and uneasy, now seeing her brother appear safely before her. The stone that had been weighing on her heart finally settled. "Father and mother''s blessing, father and mother''s blessing." Shen Fang prayed to the heavens with clasped hands, as if believing that all of this was due to the attention of their deceased parents. Shen Qing understood that this was Shen Fang''s spiritual solace, waiting patiently beside her until she finished her prayers. He then smiled and said, "Big sister, tidy up. In a little while, we''ll move to the Inner City. I have a house there now, big enough for our whole family." ``` Chapter 140 - 64: Moving into the Inner City, Li Lingchans Backbone "Ah?" Eldest Sister Shen Fang was somewhat incredulous, "Where did you get a house in the Inner City?" Though her brother did have some abilities, acquiring a house in the city was not an easy feat. In her memory, the Inner City was a place where only officials and nobles lived, and a single house would cost hundreds of taels. It was far beyond the dreams of their humble mountain-dwelling family. "The officials in the city gifted it to me, so don''t worry about it," Shen Qing did not explain further and continued, "There are many rooms there, you should tell Aunt to move in with us so we can all live together." Seeing the determined look on her brother Shen Qing''s face, Shen Fang wisely refrained from asking more and nodded in agreement. After making a few arrangements, Shen Qing took care of his valuables and some savings, leaving the rest of the trivial matters to be handled by his elder sister Shen Fang. Having nothing else to do, he stepped out from the house. Upon stepping out, Shen Qing noticed that the attitude of the village and hunter folks at the door had finally become respectful, and they were clearly calling, "Master!" No one dared to call him by his first name anymore. Uncle Shen the Second, looking at his nephew who had made a name for himself, had a complex expression. Shen Qing was now accustomed to this change in status and accepted it openly. "Uncle, I just asked Eldest Sister to pack up, and I informed Aunt, we will move to the Inner City together later," Shen Qing said to Shen the Second. Uncle Shen the Second nodded woodenly without uttering a word, his thoughts seemed deep. Shen Qing said nothing more and began to look around. Over the months, many hunters from Hongshan Village had struck it rich, quietly renting houses in the Inner City, each with their own plans. Shen Qing did not have the energy to keep them tied together as a unit. Moreover, now that he had been registered in the martial arts register and gained fame in Taiping County after slaying the tiger demon, With fame, money naturally was not a big problem anymore. The scattered protection fees from the slum neighborhoods no longer interested him. So Shen Qing simply took his relatives to move into the Inner City, and left the rest to Zhang Baqing and them to handle. Given his current reputation, it was expected that no one in the Outer City would dare provoke them anymore. After some time, Eldest Sister Shen Fang, accompanied by their aunt, had packed up the household items. Zhang Baqing and other hunters from Hongshan Village, being perceptive, stepped up to help load the items onto the carriage. Once everything was loaded, Shen Qing left the address of the new residence in the Inner City and headed there with his family. Aunt Wang Family, sitting in such a carriage for the first time, had a tense face, appearing somewhat anxious. However, the young Shanwa beside her could see clearly that his mother was overjoyed inside. Before leaving, amid the flattering words of the neighboring women, she appeared as proud as a white swan, holding her neck high. Compared to Aunt Wang Family, Uncle Shen the Second''s face wrinkles all gathered, still not quite regaining his composure. S§×ar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He had not learned martial arts, and except for noticing that Shen Qing had grown stronger, he felt no other changes. Now, seeing that Shen Qing had unknowingly slain the demon tiger and been registered in the martial arts, he realized how extraordinary and different his nephew was. Uncle Shen the Second looked at Shen Qing leaning against the carriage, wanting to say something but refraining, "Qingzi... you..." Hearing this, Shen Qing looked over and said, "Uncle, what about me?" "Nothing," Uncle Shen the Second sighed deeply and said, "If only your father and mother were still alive to see how much you''ve accomplished." After a long silence, Shen Qing slowly said, "Yes, it would be good if they were still alive." The group soon arrived at Shen Qing''s courtyard house in the city. Pushing open the door, Uncle Shen the Second and Aunt Wang Family were struck silent by the sight of green tiles and blue bricks, as if in a dream. They had never seen such a courtyard, and everything seemed fascinating to them. They poked and prodded around, unable to stop. Shen Qing simply let them be. At the same time, in Linfeng Hall, Li Lingchan''s boudoir. "Fifth Miss." The maid attending to Li Lingchan saw Fifth Miss entering from outside and quickly bowed, retreating. Fifth Miss looked at Li Lingchan, who was resting on the bed, showing a few signs of heartache, and said, "Lingling, are you alright?" Li Lingchan''s face had yet to recover from being slapped by Mi Gang''s Meng De. Additionally, Meng De had used some clever strength, causing Li Lingchan''s internal meridians to tremble violently, making her appear somewhat listless. Li Lingchan sat up from the bed and said, "I have already taken some of the medicine prescribed by the doctor, and I''m feeling much better now." "That''s good, but you mustn''t act impulsively in the future." Fifth Miss expressed concern, "Your father can shield you if anything happens, but if he can''t, rushing in won''t help." "I understand, but I am just so angry..." "Sigh..." Fifth Miss heaved a deep sigh. In reality, both of them knew that today''s danger had been a narrow escape from ruin. The mother and daughter fell silent and did not speak again for a long time. After a long time, Fifth Miss looked at Li Lingchan and tentatively asked, "Lingling, what do you think of Shen Qing?" "Him?" Li Lingchan feigned ignorance with her head down and said, "Why does mother suddenly ask about him?" Fifth Miss gathered her spirits and advised, "Your father wanted to matchmake you with Shen Qing that day, and Shen Qing surely knew it. His willingness to come suggests he had some intention towards you. I''ve thought it over, and if I go and plead with your father again, maybe Shen Qing will still agree to your marriage." "I never thought that he''s so skilled at such a young age, his talent is exceptional, in the future, he will certainly..." "Mother!" Li Lingchan, who was lying on the bed, interrupted her angrily and shamefully, "Let''s drop this matter, a good horse never looks back. I didn''t fancy him back then, and going to him now would only invite ridicule, which I cannot bear. I believe that even without marrying Shen Qing, I can make a path for myself." Miss Wu saw Li Lingchan''s proud demeanor and, with a displeased expression, continued, "What''s the big deal about lowering your head? As women, don''t we all have to watch others'' expressions?" "Mother, stop it." Li Lingchan snorted coldly and said, "He just cultivated quickly, but he''s still just a commoner with no land. There''s nothing remarkable about him. Mother, don''t overestimate him." As they were speaking, a maid standing outside the door excitedly ran in and joyfully shouted, "Miss, Madam, there''s good news at Linfeng Hall." Fifth Miss and Li Lingchan stopped their conversation and asked, "What good news?" "Senior Brother Shen Qing has been invited by Lord County Magistrate, and has acquired a martial arts title. It''s spreading in the hall now. Our Hall Master has taught someone who has attained a martial arts title." The maid cheered happily. Upon hearing this, Li Lingchan''s face momentarily froze, turning pale and flushed alternately. Fifth Miss stared blankly at Li Lingchan. "Get out, all of you!" The maid was stunned and looked confused, "Miss..." "Get out!" Chapter 141 - 65: The Ambitious Shanwa, The Forgotten Xiao Hu ``` "Get your hot flatbread and steamed buns!" "Get your hot flatbread and steamed buns!" The next morning, the sky was clear, and sunlight filtered through the clouds to illuminate the land. The shops in Taiping County gradually became lively, with bustling pedestrians and constant cries of vendors. The courtyard where Shen Qing lived was not far from the bustling city, and early in the morning, he was awakened by the sounds outside the yard. He sat up in bed, stretched lazily, and felt a long-lost comfort and peace. Shen Qing grabbed his clothes from the foot of the bed and draped them over himself, then opened the door and walked out. Outside the house, his uncle Shen the Second and aunt were already awake, each doing chores. Compared to their excitement upon arriving for the first time yesterday, both were much calmer now, even showing a bit of boredom. This was unavoidable; settling into a new environment naturally led to such feelings. Shen Qing pondered whether he should find something for his uncle and aunt to do in the future, like selling baked goods as a livelihood. "Qingzi, you''re awake?" Uncle Shen the Second sat on a stone chair, a whetstone on his lap, sharpening arrowheads. Shen Qing smiled and said, "Uncle, did you sleep well last night?" "Very well." Uncle Shen the Second, with a notably good complexion, glanced at his aunt instinctively. "We''ve grown so much and never lived in such a good house. Shanwa even has his own bed now, no longer needing to squeeze in with us. It''s quite comfortable." "That''s good. Where''s Shanwa?" Shen Qing asked as he looked around. "He fed your horse this morning. Now we have two horses in the house; the fodder is somewhat insufficient. Do you want to sell your nag?" Uncle Shen the Second asked, looking up. Shen Qing replied, "Let''s not sell it for now; it might be useful later." At the moment, he was not short of money and could afford to keep the two horses. Shen Qing went to the stable and saw Shanwa skillfully brushing the horse''s mane, his small figure shorter than the horse. He asked in surprise, "Shanwa, since when did you learn to take care of horses?" Shanwa paused his actions and said, "Brother, you''re up?" "I learned this from an old master over in the Outer City. I heard he was a stableman, very skilled in horse care. I asked him for advice when he was taking care of old nags." He walked outside the stable and earnestly said to Shen Qing, "Brother Qingzi, this black horse of yours is excellent. It can probably run a thousand miles a day without issue. Such a horse can''t just eat fodder; it needs eggs, soybean meal, salt, and nearly a stone of millet every day." "Wow, I didn''t expect you to know so much." Shen Qing looked at Shanwa, who was four years younger, in surprise. "If you understand these things, I''ll give uncle some money later, and you can go to the market to buy some." "Alright, I''ll make sure to get your horse in top shape, Brother Qingzi." Back when they lived in Hongshan Village, everyone struggled to eat, and Shanwa was malnourished, looking weak. S§×arch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. But after Shen Qing''s rise, the conditions of his uncle''s family visibly improved, and Shanwa''s body gradually became robust, no longer looking like a twig. Shen Qing smiled and asked, "How''s your martial arts training going?" "I don''t know, I just feel a sense of qi inside me, and I''m a lot stronger," said Shen Xiaoshan, lowering his head to feel it. Shen Qing said, "You''ve sensed Qi-Blood. Keep practicing, eat well, and drink well. It won''t be long before you''ve reached the Great Perfection of Qi and Blood and become a real martial master." Shen Xiaoshan''s eyes lit up, "Really?" "Of course. When you feed the horse, also buy some fine grains and meat at the market. You''re welcome to eat all you want. Your brother can afford this." Good horses are fed with premium grains; sometimes they eat better than people, which is why stableman positions are often sought after by wealthy families. Shen Xiaoshan was ambitious. Perhaps seeing his elder brother Shen Xiaohu starting to gain prominence, he was unwilling to lag behind and wanted to make a name for himself. Early in the morning, he ran to feed the horses, likely aiming to train himself secretly by eating horse feed. He even studied and learned the art of horse care in secret, working hard to acquire a skill instead of relying on Shen Qing. Such a mindset was rare to find in a poor village like Hongshan Village. Shen Qing greatly admired this. Seeing Shanwa''s intentions, he naturally wouldn''t stop him. Not only did he not stop him, but he also wanted to support him more. Now that he had some resources, he might bring back some supplements to nourish Shanwa and quicken his Qi-Blood refining process. Once these brothers grew up in the future, they would be of great assistance to him. After all, they were blood relatives, more reliable than others in this world. At this thought, Shen Qing suddenly realized a problem. Where was Xiaohu? They had forgotten to inform him about the move. Where did he go to rest last night? Shen Qing''s expression became odd. He quickly washed up and stepped out of the room. Watching Shen Qing leave, Uncle Shen the Second glanced at Aunt Wang, saying, "Dear, once the kids are asleep tonight and there''s no one else in the house, let''s have a chat?" Aunt Wang glared at Uncle Shen the Second, "Look at you. If you''re so bold, do it now." Uncle Shen the Second cautiously glanced over to the stable and glared back at Aunt Wang. "Moving to a new house has made you refined," Aunt Wang teased, grabbing Uncle Shen the Second''s arm, "Come, follow me inside." Bang! In broad daylight, the door to the side room slammed shut. Navigating through familiar alleys, Shen Qing arrived at Linfeng Hall and strode in. Upon entering, he saw Shen Xiaohu standing in the Outer Court, in a horse stance, brow furrowed, and occasionally looking into the distance, clearly worried about something. Seeing that nobody was lost, Shen Qing secretly sighed in relief. He quickened his pace, approached Shen Xiaohu, and asked softly, "Xiaohu, what''s wrong? You look worried." Hearing Shen Qing''s voice, Shen Xiaohu turned abruptly, surprise flashing in his eyes. He quickly grabbed Shen Qing''s arm, his voice trembling, tears welling up: "Brother Qing, you''re here! Something big happened!" Shen Qing was infected by Shen Xiaohu''s anxious expression and felt tense. He patted Shen Xiaohu''s hand, signaling him to calm down: "Don''t rush, take your time, what happened?" Shen Xiaohu took a deep breath, steadied his emotions, then whispered, "Last night, when I got home, I found that Dad, Mom, Shanwa, and Sister Fang were all gone! The house was empty! They must have been harmed by bad people." Unable to hold back a laugh, Shen Qing suddenly felt a bit sorry for this child. "Brother, what''s wrong with you? Say something!" Shen Qing said, "Xiaohu, you''re not a child anymore. Can you stop crying when something happens?" ``` Chapter 143 - 67: Rising Reputation, Taiping Escort Agency Sending Invitations After coming out of the study, Shen Qing''s gaze passed through the familiar corridor and finally settled on the half-open wooden door. He walked over slowly and pushed it open to go inside. This was the small courtyard where Ouyang Tiezhu and his senior brothers practiced and sparred with him. In the past, at this time, the senior brothers would have gathered early and started training inside, honing their skills. But today, the courtyard was unusually quiet. After the incident with the Mi Gang, second senior brother Niu Daping, third senior brother Dong Zizhuang, and fourth senior brother Wushili all faced mishaps¡ªsome died, and some were left crippled. The once lively scenes in the courtyard, full of shouts during practice, the crisp sound of weapons clashing, and the camaraderie of laughter and jest, could no longer be recreated. Shen Qing walked to the center of the courtyard, took a deep breath, slowly assumed a stance, and closed his eyes. Thanks to his ability to "Never Forget," the moves Li Linfeng just taught him and the key points kept surfacing in his mind. Puch... Shen Qing''s body churned with Qi, muscle and bone strengthening, erupting from his skin through his fingers. Accompanied by a whistling sound, this Power burst out of his body, striking the tiles on the ground, causing a cracking sound, and creating many tiny cracks. "When my Qi burst out of my body before, it would dissipate upon hitting the wall. Now, it can crack the tiles. It''s indeed a significant improvement, stronger than before. But this level is still far from enough." Shen Qing remembered clearly that Li Linfeng''s Wind Defying Finger could already create a pit in the tiles with his Qi. He simply couldn''t do it yet. Not to mention those martial artists whose bodies were as tough as steel walls. With just a bit of power, it was impossible to hurt them. To some extent, the Wind Riding Force condensed in the physical body could harm some experts, while the Wind Riding Force bursting out could only harm ordinary people. "This is still not enough." Shen Qing thought deeply, instinctively bringing up the Water Ink Panel, where the relevant progress information for the Wind Defying Finger appeared before him. S§×arch* The Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. [Skill: Wind Defying Finger (Great Perfection)] [Progress: 16/500 points] [Status: Cannot be improved] [Note: Blue surpasses the blue. After continuous training, you have reached the Great Perfection of this martial art. Continued practice and mastering Wind Riding Force can break its limit.] "According to the note on the Water Ink Panel, there are still areas for improvement in the Wind Defying Finger, capable of breaking its limit. Since it''s nearly impossible to open the Qi Hai Realm now, it''s better to focus all energy on martial arts training and cultivate each one to perfection while cultivating Qi." Shen Qing looked around the empty small courtyard, reflecting: "In this chaotic world, where life is as fragile as grass, having more strength brings more peace of mind." He made up his mind and immediately resumed training, first fully mastering the Power moves Li Linfeng taught him. Focused on training, Shen Qing felt that in a blink, it was already afternoon. Seeing the time was about right, he went to Linfeng Hall''s pharmacy to get some medicine. Inside a servant''s room in the Outer Court, A Fu was busy when he saw Shen Qing walk in and greeted him politely: "Lord Shen, you''re here. Are you here to pick up the medicine?" As the steward of Linfeng Hall, once Shen Qing obtained his martial title, A Fu had consciously lowered his stature and no longer dared to address Shen Qing as a peer. Shen Qing didn''t demand any changes, nodding: "Yes, I want to get some." A Fu replied respectfully: "The master instructed that, in this room, Lord Shen can take any medicine you need without paying silver." In Shen Qing''s eyes, Li Linfeng was a capable person. Making such arrangements was within his expectations. He smiled: "Then I won''t stand on ceremony and get it myself." "Lord Shen, help yourself. I will go attend to other matters." A Fu knew that some medicine formulas were top-secret and shouldn''t be known to others. He tactfully left the room, leaving Shen Qing alone. Once he was alone, Shen Qing took out the fundamental medicine formula given by Li Linfeng and gathered several prescriptions by comparing with it. Then he picked up some Shiquan Dabu Decoction to brew for Shanwa and Xiaohu to strengthen their bodies. After handling these errands, Shen Qing took Shen Xiaohu, who was already itching to go, back to the courtyard. Shen Xiaohu felt a bit down, realizing the family had moved to the big house but left him out. Shen Qing, walking behind, patted Shen Xiaohu''s head: "What, you have a room to yourself and still aren''t happy? Stop dithering like a woman, and go inside." Saying this, Shen Qing pushed the door open and went inside. Shen Xiaohu followed blankly. "Qingzi, you''re back." As soon as they entered, Uncle Shen the Second hurried forward eagerly. "Uncle, what''s the matter?" Uncle Shen the Second pulled Shen Qing to the stone table, pointing to a stack of invitations and a wooden box: "After you left this morning, many came looking for you. They wanted to leave this... what''s it called... yes, an invitation, insisting on leaving it here. Each family left some gifts, saying it was to congratulate you on moving to the Inner City. I didn''t understand, so I put them here. Take a look." "Invitations?" Shen Qing surmised that people in the city had heard of his feats of slaying demons and dealing with the Mi Gang and had come to visit. Shen Qing put the medicine he was carrying on the table and opened one of the invitations to read it carefully. "Shen Shou Sect..." He roughly browsed through it. The gist was that Shen Shou Sect was hosting a banquet at Wanfeng Building to entertain him and promising substantial benefits if he joined them. Shen Qing set that invitation down and picked up another. "Feiying Hall." "Kuai Dao Gang." "Hong Men." "..." One by one, Shen Qing quickly browsed through the invitations. The contents were mostly similar, basically all aiming to win him over. "Hmm? Taiping Escort Agency." Among the many invitations, Shen Qing found a familiar name. He had some impression of this Taiping Escort Agency. Before Linfeng Hall''s incident, senior brother Ouyang Tiezhu had once found him a marriage prospect. To get by, he chose a miss from Taiping Escort Agency. If he remembered correctly, that young lady''s name was Tang Wanrou. Shen Qing looked down at the signature¡ªTang You. The Chief of Taiping Escort Agency. It was indeed their family. Shen Qing opened the invitation and glanced at it. The content was similar to other sects, inviting him to become an escort master and promising ten gold coins per journey. Such a small amount of money no longer enticed him. Shen Qing shook his head, set the invitation aside, and opened the wooden box. Inside, neatly lay fifty or sixty silver ingots. Shen Qing pushed the silver to Uncle Shen the Second, saying, "Uncle, Shanwa mentioned that the horse feed at home isn''t good. Take him to the market to buy some." Seeing the box pushed his way, Uncle Shen the Second''s expression froze, and his breathing gradually became rapid. This was tens of taels silver. Back in the village, he would have to toil for three to five years to get this much, yet Shen Qing gave it to him without batting an eye. "Qingzi, this is too valuable, I... I..." Shen Qing smiled: "Uncle, you helped us siblings a lot during hard times. Now it''s my turn to repay you. Take the money; there''s no harm in it. If it''s not enough, just tell me. If it makes you uncomfortable, call upon Zhang Shu Chi and let him bill me, how about that?" After a while, Uncle Shen the Second''s old eyes narrowed into slits as he smiled, seemingly gratified, nodding vigorously: "Alright!" Chapter 144 - 68: Chaos Arises, Rapidly Increasing Strength Taiping Escort Agency. Tang Wanrou relentlessly punched and kicked at a wooden stake before her. The stake seemed like a boat adrift on a stormy sea, finally collapsing with a dull thud. "Miss, have some lotus seed and white fungus soup to calm down," a maid offered, bringing a bowl of crystal-clear lotus seed soup to Tang Wanrou. Tang Wanrou retracted her fists and feet, staring solemnly at the fallen stake as she panted. At this moment, her face was flushed, beads of sweat rolling down. If one looked closely, one would see deep worries and helpless frustration in her eyes. Since the demon tiger was slain last month, she thought the escort agency''s business would improve, and Taiping Escort Agency would rise again. However, unexpectedly, while business did improve, the situation outside worsened. Additionally, due to the demon tiger incident, the capable martial masters in Taiping County greatly decreased, leading to escort masters of varying abilities. They lost several consignments in one go, compensating much, worsening the already struggling Taiping Escort Agency''s situation. If things continued like this, their business at Taiping Escort Agency would fail, forcing them to close down. Faced with such a predicament, the always strong-willed Tang Wanrou couldn''t find a solution, becoming increasingly frustrated, leading to pent-up feelings inside her. After calming her breath, Tang Wanrou said, "Ping''er, what do you think we should do to change the current situation at the escort agency?" The maid, Ping''er, comforted her, "Miss, there will always be a way. Aren''t the master and others actively seeking solutions outside? Maybe a turning point will come one day." Actively seeking solutions? Tang Wanrou no longer held much hope for her father. If he were ten years younger, full of vitality and still fighting, perhaps others might give him some respect. Now that many sects and gangs are struggling themselves, coupled with her father''s decline, far from his prime, who would lend a helping hand? The currently unstable Taiping Escort Agency would consider itself fortunate if no one took advantage of its downfall. As if remembering something, Tang Wanrou asked, "Last month, did you deliver the invitation to Martial Master Shen Qing?" "Delivered it. I went with Brother Yuan," the maid, Ping''er, confidently replied. "No news yet, I guess he didn''t take a liking," Tang Wanrou said despondently. Seeing Tang Wanrou in this state, the maid, Ping''er, placed the lotus seed and white fungus soup aside on a table and, after some thought, quickly consoled, "Not necessarily. Miss, remember Master Shen earlier sent someone to propose marriage, surely interested in you. Just lower your stance a bit, and Master Shen might still marry you." "With no reply now, perhaps he received too many visitors, and our invitation was overlooked. We should write another one and send it again, maybe then he''ll see it." "Given that Martial Master Shen, who slew the tiger demon and achieved martial arts register, has connections with both the Wang Family and the Li and Dong Family, even some with Lord County Magistrate, if he were willing to help, the problems within the escort agency could be easily resolved." Tang Wanrou shook her head with a bitter smile and said, "It''s not that simple. I never imagined someone of such a humble origin could achieve such accomplishments. If delayed by a month or two, I''d agree to anything. Regrettably now... it wasn''t meant to be." "Why?" the maid, Ping''er, pursued further. Tang Wanrou was silent for a while, sat down, and said, "You don''t understand how formidable Master Shen is. I''ve already inquired: though he has trained in martial arts for only four months, he surpassed others, ascending to the Qi Cultivation Realm, with capabilities even beyond mine." "What''s terrifying is that not only did he slay the tiger demon, but he also, almost effortlessly, killed the Boss of Mi Gang, a feat many Qi Cultivation Realm martial masters could not accomplish." "Such a person, having already reached high status, could have any woman he desires. How would he have an interest in me? Now, the associates he makes are prominent figures of different families; what does our escort agency mean to him?" "Furthermore, the idea of him marrying into our family seemed quite unreasonable then. If I were he, I wouldn''t spare a glance either." Tang Wanrou''s face displayed a tinge of bitterness, "Honestly, I somewhat regret it. Back then, had I lowered my stance a bit, it would''ve been better." "Miss..." The maid, Ping''er, suddenly didn''t know how to console her. "Let it be, what''s past is past, no use thinking about it. For now, let''s focus on the escort agency," Tang Wanrou said, her eyes drifting toward the courtyard gate, showing a hint of determination in her gaze. "Miss! Miss!" At that moment, an escort master wearing a grey tunic rushed in, shouting excitedly. "There''s good news!" "What good news?" "We''ve secured a big job," the escort master said joyfully, "The master has accepted a series of consignments from the inner city to the outskirts, totaling twenty to thirty trips." "Really? Are you serious?" Tang Wanrou stood up and asked. "Would I deceive you?" The master has already made arrangements with the clients." "That''s wonderful!" Tang Wanrou exclaimed, relieved, "We''re quite familiar with the outskirts of Taiping County; there shouldn''t be any problems. With this business, we can finally catch a break." "Indeed, indeed," the young escort master suddenly remembered something, "Also, a major incident happened in our city today." "What major incident?" "The Boss of the Song and Dong Family died!" Sear?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ... "The Boss of the Song Family died?" Shen Qing, who was practicing martial arts, was quite surprised by the news, "How did he die?" Ouyang Tiezhu replied, "How do we know? Some say it was illness, others say poisoning, and some claim he was assassinated. Overall, it was quite a mysterious death." Shen Qing remained silent. For some reason, it seemed that over the past month, Taiping County was becoming more and more uneasy. Previously, the county government and major families in the inner city could still maintain some order. But since the incident with the tiger demon, the relationships among the major families have become somewhat tense, competing covertly, leading to some turbulence in the inner city''s order. In the city, a variety of bold and aggressive, bullying entities were emerging, with several gangs becoming more daring as well. Now that the weakest Boss of the Song and Dong Family had died, several other bosses and the government would be very interested in their industries, sure to fight over them. Life in Taiping County was likely to become even more difficult. Shen Qing collected himself and said, "This matter doesn''t concern us; we''d better continue practicing. Senior Brother, want to spar a move or two? I''ll go easy on you." Ouyang Tiezhu''s face stiffened, showing a trace of fear, "I just remembered I have some matters to attend to. You go ahead and practice," he said and hastily left as if escaping. Shen Qing felt somewhat helpless, realizing that as his cultivation improved, fewer and fewer people could defeat him. His gaze shifted, and the Water Ink Panel appeared in his vision. [Skill: Wind Defying Finger (Great Perfection)] [Progress: 490/500 points] ... [Skill: Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill (Small Success/Fourth Transformation)] [Skill: Blood Dominance Technique (Small Success)] [Skill: Bow Technique (Great Perfection)] [Skill: Dragon Roar Armor (Small Success)] ... "Wind Defying Finger is almost there, let''s seize the time for practice, endeavor to master this martial arts skill in the coming days," Shen Qing thought, sensing the vigorous Qi within him, striking out with a finger as the air shattered. His various strengths rapidly soared. Chapter 145 - 69: Flicking Finger, The Terrifying Qi Three days passed in the blink of an eye. In the small courtyard, Shen Qing wore a black short outfit. In front of him on a stone stove, a three-legged medicine pot was gurgling with steam, and the amber-colored medicinal liquid inside emitted a strange herbal fragrance. If one looked closely, they could see a crimson Demon Core floating up and down within the liquid, emitting a faint red glow, as if divine brilliance seeped out, merging into the medicine. As time went on, the liquid in the pot began to undergo a marvelous transformation, becoming more translucent, and the fragrance grew more intense. "Almost ready." Shen Qing wiped his hand over the pot, using his Qi to capture the Demon Core into his hand. The now scorching Demon Core fell into his hand, yet he felt no discomfort whatsoever. With the continuous improvement of Dragon Roar Armor, the membrane covering his flesh became more crystalline. Whenever he circulated his Qi-Blood, this membrane would become clearly visible, as if he donned a layer of crystal armor, shielding him from the heat. Holding the now considerably smaller Demon Core, Shen Qing murmured to himself, "According to Du Yuntong and the others, this Demon Core can be as potent as a spiritual elixir, beneficial in brewing and consuming with other medicines to aid in opening the Qi Sea. Over the past month, my daily consumption combined with the fundamental medicine my uncle, the Hall Master, gave has clearly enhanced my Qi." "My Qi even feels inexhaustible, truly a priceless treasure." Shen Qing found a clean porcelain bowl and poured the prepared medicinal liquid into it. Once the liquid cooled, he tilted his head back and swallowed it. Immediately, a warm stream slid down his throat, rapidly spreading throughout his body. The potent medicinal power rushed into his limbs and bones like a torrent, as if countless flames were burning and exploding within him. Shen Qing''s skin turned extremely red, his Qi and blood surging. Moments later, the explosive warmth gradually subsided, akin to a cool spring in the mountains, bringing an unparalleled comfort. The flush on his skin quickly faded away, returning to normal. Shen Qing slightly closed his eyes, sensing the medicine''s power nourishing his meridians, muscles, and bones. As the medicinal power spread and was absorbed, Shen Qing felt his Qi growing stronger. The Qi, initially condensing and flowing slowly within him, seemed infused with new vitality, becoming turbulent and powerful. It roared like a mighty river through his meridians, bringing an unprecedented feeling of exhilaration. Unconsciously, his Qi grew a bit stronger. Shen Qing slowly opened his eyes and glanced at the Water Ink Panel in his view, a slight smile forming on his lips. [Skill: Wind Defying Finger (Great Perfection)] [Progress: 510/500 points] [Status: Upgradeable] "Perfect, the progress is enough." "Come on, Water Ink Panel, show me what level the Break Limit Wind Defying Finger can reach." "Upgrade!" The status of Wind Defying Finger on the Water Ink Panel swiftly refreshed, changing from the Great Perfection state to the [Break Limit] state. [Skill: Wind Defying Finger (Break Limit)] [Progress: 10/600 points] S§×arch* The nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. [Status: Cannot Upgrade] [Note: Through your relentless practice day and night, you''ve surpassed your predecessors, comprehending the Break Limit technique ''Flicking Finger,'' within ten meters, your power pierces gold and cracks stone into flying ashes.] "''Flicking Finger,'' in just a flick, turning to ashes? What a humble name..." Before Shen Qing could gather his thoughts, a torrent of memories invaded like rivers and lakes, causing him to clutch his head and groan in pain. In these memories, he tirelessly practiced the Wind Defying Finger day and night, continuously honing this martial art. Finally, in a moment of unexpected breakthrough, he exceeded his own limits, mastering the state of externalizing his power, achieving an ideal state, and gaining a Break Limit technique called ''Flicking Finger.'' This Break Limit technique allowed him to concentrate and externalize his power, causing a massive destructive effect upon impact, surpassing the original Wind Defying Finger''s power by fifty to sixty percent. After about a stick of incense, the odd sensation in his mind gradually faded, and the pain subsided. Shen Qing raised his arm and noticed that the muscles on his arm had become firmer, and the two fingers on his right hand were more agile. With a slight circulation of power, a familiar feeling emerged, as if he had practiced this martial art thousands of times. Shen Qing turned his head, gradually fixing his gaze on an old locust tree in the courtyard. The distance from where he stood to the tree was approximately ten meters. "No one is in the courtyard, I can try out this so-called Break Limit technique." Shen Qing raised his hand, flicking his fingers. An invisible, sharp force shot out from his fingers, piercing through the air, and landed on the trunk of the old locust tree with a whistle. With a swoosh. The tree, about fifty to sixty centimeters in diameter, was pierced through directly, leaving a hole as thick as two fingers. "Hmm?" A hint of delight appeared in Shen Qing''s eyes. "Li Linfeng''s Wind Defying Finger disperses power in multiple directions, so the impact point is always in a state of fragmentation, with limited range. By concentrating the power on one point like this, both the range and penetration capability are notably strong." "In this case, if I add the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill, what would the outcome be?" Shen Qing''s gaze once again fell on the old locust tree before him, his mind focused. He mobilized all his power and then added the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill. "First Revolution, Second Revolution, Third Revolution... Fourth Revolution!" Shen Qing pushed the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill to its limits in one go, causing the muscles in his arm to tighten and veins to bulge, concentrating all his power between two fingers. At this moment, strong currents of Qi began to swirl around his body, circling around him. "Hoo¡ª" With a low shout, Shen Qing''s power burst forth between his fingers. A powerful wave of Qi emanated from him, spreading outward. The invisible force, mixed with red light, drew a long trajectory in the air, whistling away. Wherever it passed, the air tore open, emitting sharp whistles. Boom! A muffled sound. The force instantly struck the locust tree, releasing a dazzling blaze, followed by a deafening explosion. This old locust tree, which had stood firm through countless storms, was now abruptly severed by the overwhelming force. The trunk split open, breaking in half and crashing to the ground, scattering shattered branches and pieces everywhere. The break in the trunk was blackened, with wisps of smoke rising. Standing there, Shen Qing looked down at his fingers, a trace of awe appearing on his face. How terrifying was that power. Within ten meters, with just a flick, everything truly did turn to ashes. Anyone in the Qi Cultivation Realm or below would struggle to withstand such a fearsome strike from a martial master''s flesh and blood. Chapter 147 - 71: The Taiping Escort Agency Suffers Annihilation, The Huang Tian Sect Appears The sound of arrows piercing through the air was sharp and piercing, startling countless birds in the forest to scatter and fly away. Faced with this sudden turn of events, the people from the Taiping Escort Agency were terrified, trying to scatter and escape, but the sheer number and speed of the arrows left them with nowhere to run. All the escort masters who came along were martial masters below the Skin Forging Realm, their flesh and skin still fragile, only slightly stronger than ordinary people, and they were utterly defenseless against the heavy crossbow arrows. Thud, thud... The dull sound of arrowheads piercing flesh constantly appeared. The heavy arrows, endowed with extreme speed and a powerful momentum, mercilessly penetrated the flesh and blood of these escort masters. Screams rang one after another. The escort masters who came along fell to the ground like wheat, more than half of them were dead or wounded in the blink of an eye, The thick scent of blood spread out to the surrounding area. Tang You''s whole body shook as he deflected the arrows, turning back to witness this scene and was furious. These people were the full-time escort masters of their agency, the backbone of their escort agency. Far more important than those martial masters temporarily recruited. If all these were dead, their escort agency would be as good as non-existent. "How dare you!" Tang You shouted, his eyes burning with rage. A burly man stood outside the range covered by the arrows, quietly observing everything. Just after a wave of arrow rain, these ordinary escort masters of the agency barely survived, and such an effect brought a hint of joy to his face. "No wonder it''s the heavy crossbow of the dog emperor''s family, the power is stronger than I anticipated," the burly man thought happily as he looked at the few surviving people, Tang You and Tang Wanrou. The reason he had the Taiping Escort Agency transport these military prohibited goods this time was that the agency was on the brink of life and death, easily manipulable. By using them for escort as a cover, he could secretly achieve his goal while avoiding those spies in the city. Besides, he could also let those reckless men from the agency test their weapons and tactics. Killing two birds with one stone. As for the reward? The dead don''t need any reward. The burly man stared at Tang You and the others, a trace of ruthlessness flashing across his face, "Since these people have seen our traces, they can''t be left alive and must be killed entirely, otherwise the leaked information would be troublesome." "It''s just that your luck is bad." Tang You, who traveled in the Jianghu all year round, quickly regained his composure and glanced at the two escort masters on his sides. These two were also veteran escort masters from the Taiping Escort Agency, having roamed the Jianghu for many years, with abundant experience, and their cultivation had reached the Skin Forging Realm, allowing them some self-protection under the rain of arrows. "Old Huang, Old Gao, wait for my command later, and then the three of us will attack together, take down this man before us first, kill him and then we split and run." "Alright." "Wanrou, when we make our move, don''t look back, find an opportunity to run immediately, go back to the county and inform Lord County Magistrate, let him make the call. This matter is already beyond our capability to handle." Tang Wanrou''s face was solemn, knowing the urgency of the situation, she immediately agreed. Outside Zhangzi Forest, a gentle breeze passed through the treetops, causing the leaves to rustle. Just as the people from the Taiping Escort Agency were discussing countermeasures, the burly man''s figure suddenly surged forward, resembling a hunting leopard, his speed was so fast that no one could react. Bang! A dull impact accompanied by the sound of bones cracking rang out. Followed by, bright red blood splashed out like a fountain from the neck of an old escort master beside Tang You, staining the surrounding grass. The escort master''s body was heavily smashed to the ground by the burly man, his head shattered, blood mixed with brains flowed everywhere. This scene unfolded so quickly that even Tang You standing beside almost couldn''t react. He stood there in a daze, quickly turning his head, eyes fixedly staring at this burly man, his heartbeat pounding like a drum, a chill rising from his spine to his scalp. Tang You and the other old escort master couldn''t believe it, they were utterly defeated so easily. The opponent was a martial master of the Qi Cultivation Realm! "Who on earth are you!?" Tang You, intimidated by the burly man''s aura, tried hard to stabilize his emotions, yet his voice still trembled almost inaudibly. "The dead don''t need to know too much." The burly man glanced at Tang You and the others, a slight sneer on his face. "Big brother, you all go quickly, I''ll hold him off." After speaking, the escort master beside Tang You dashed out like lightning, his fist wrapped in the sound of breaking through the air, directly targeting the burly man''s face. The burly man had already noticed, his eyes slightly narrowed, his muscles tensed like steel, seemingly converging like two small mountains. "Boom!" Fist and palm collided, producing a deafening explosion. Invisible Qi spread around, causing the surrounding leaves to tremble. The escort master from the Taiping Escort Agency felt as if he had been struck by lightning in this strike, feeling an extremely sharp power drilling into his arm, tearing his meridians to shreds. His whole body swayed slightly, his face instantly turned red, and a mouthful of fresh blood burst forth. "Old Gao!" A hint of fear flashed in Tang You''s eyes, he suddenly turned and slapped Tang Wanrou''s shoulder: "Run!" Tang Wanrou also reacted, using the palm strike''s force, leaping up and swiftly vanishing into the forest. The burly man seeing this growled: "You''re asking for death!" Before he could act, Tang You was already one step ahead, raising his fist directly targeting the burly man''s vitals. Yet the burly man remained composed, a trace of disdain flashed in his eyes as he slightly waved his hand in the air, precisely grasping Tang You''s arm. "Ah!" Tang You''s muscles swelled in an attempt to break free from the grip, but the burly man''s strength was as solid as a mountain, making it impossible for him to move an inch. The burly man coldly glanced at Tang You, swiftly extending his other hand, seizing the ankle of another escort master beside him and then pulling it forcefully, slamming it heavily onto the ground. "Die!" Boom! The ground shook. In the forest, a crisp sound like bones cracking echoed as if ice were breaking. "Cough, cough!" Tang You bled from his seven orifices, his vision covered in a bloody hue, his consciousness muddled. "Why... why..." He muttered, filled with unwillingness. He couldn''t understand, he just wanted to honestly escort the goods, why did it lead to such an end? "Because you are weak!" The burly man stood over Tang You, looking down at him, one foot pressed on his chest, "The world governed by the dog emperor of Zhou Country is a world where the strong prey on the weak." "To hell with... this damned... world!" Tang You let out a desperate roar, as the burly man increased the pressure with his foot, silencing his voice permanently. Right after the burly man killed Tang You and the others, over a hundred well-equipped men rushed out from the forest, gathering around the burly man. Each of them had a Yellow Cloth tied on their arms, their faces expressionless. "Yellow Angel, what should we do next?" "A rat has escaped, I''ll go after it. You all follow the commander''s arrangement, continue to set up." "Yes." After dropping a sentence, the burly man directly pursued into the forest. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 148 - 72: The Encounter, A Strike to Kill! ``` Zhangzi Forest was already filled with dense trees, and it was now spring and summer, making the foliage even more lush. Sunlight from the sky could not penetrate the ground, leaving the forest dark and shadowy. Within the forest, a lithe figure moved agilely like a panther, weaving through the woods constantly. This person was none other than Tang Wanrou, who had escaped with her life. At present, her face was full of panic, as if a massive stone weighed on her heart. The sudden calamity left her disoriented and unable to recover. "Damn it... this cursed world!" The voice of Tang You reached her ears from outside the forest, abruptly stopping, causing her heart to skip a beat. Tang Wanrou looked back, realizing something, and tears welled up at the corners of her eyes. Hurriedly, she increased her speed, not daring to pause for even a moment. Those people were too ruthless, acting without giving them a chance to explain, killing them as easily as squashing an ant. If she were caught, death would be certain. Clenching her teeth, Tang Wanrou used all her strength to run wildly, kicking up soil and fallen leaves underfoot. At this moment, she had only one thought in her mind¡ªescape! Smuggling military weapons was a grave crime, but if she could escape back to the county and report this to the government office, the authorities would surely seek justice for the escort agency. ... A black steed dashed across the trail outside the forest like a bolt of lightning. Hooves pounded rhythmically on the solid surface with a "clack, clack" sound. Shen Qing sat on the horse''s back, his posture straight, as the strong wind howled past his face, blowing his long hair behind him. The mountain scenery on both sides swiftly receded from his view. "It sounds like arrows." Seated on horseback, Shen Qing furrowed his brows slightly. He was familiar with arrows and recognized the sound well. "It sounds like there are quite a lot of arrows, at least over a hundred." Shen Qing looked in one direction, seeing only the vast forest stretching out before him. "Could it be bandits?" Shen Qing shook his head inwardly. He had traveled this forest trail countless times and never discovered any signs of bandits. As he pondered, numerous cries of agony followed. Especially at the end, the desperate yells, even if he didn''t intentionally listen, could still be faintly heard. A sense of curiosity surged within Shen Qing. He immediately tightened the reins, and the steed let out a whinny, raising its front hooves high before coming to a steady halt on the trail. Interrupted in its joyful run, Zhuifeng seemed somewhat displeased and snorted. Shen Qing gently patted the horse''s neck, signaling it to calm down. After a moment, he stared ahead, tilting his head slightly to listen, trying to discern the source of the sounds. Unfortunately, the tragic sounds did not occur again. A strong wave of curiosity swept over Shen Qing as he took a deep breath and steadied himself, focusing his thoughts. "Eagle Eye!" At the moment he entertained this thought, images of the surrounding forest began to appear continuously in his mind. Gradually, these fragmented images formed a bird''s-eye view, as if he were a hawk soaring above. In this vision, Shen Qing clearly saw, on the other side of the mountain, outside Zhangzi Forest near the main road, numerous bodies lay in disarray, with blood nearly staining the ground red. This wasn''t the main concern. The crucial point was that many people stood outside the forest, with yellow bands tied to their arms. Abruptly, Shen Qing''s eyes opened wide with disbelief: "People of the Huang Tian Sect! What are they doing here?" After his past experiences, Shen Qing had consciously and unconsciously inquired about the Huang Tian Sect and wasn''t entirely ignorant about them. The Huang Tian Sect included regular believers and those specifically trained for combat. Earlier, he saw that all the Huang Tian Sect believers in the group wore yellow bands on their arms, indicating they were Saints of the Huang Tian Sect. sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. In various places, the conquests of the Huang Tian Sect were all carried out by these Saints. The earlier disturbances were caused by this group of believers. This wasn''t a place to linger any longer. In this desolate mountain wilderness, he was alone, and the number of the other party was unknown. If they noticed him and thought he was sabotaging their plans, it could spell trouble. Shen Qing had only intended to take his horse out for a run and wasn''t interested in trouble. He took a deep breath, gently stroked the horse''s mane to soothe its unease, then gradually nudged its head, turning it back toward the city. "Hyah!" Zhuifeng seemed to perceive Shen Qing''s intent, shook its head, showing a bit of discontent. Still, seeing Shen Qing''s persistent urging, it shook off the dust from its body, then took nimble strides, turning back quickly toward the city gate from which they came. However, not far into their journey, Shen Qing sensed something, abruptly turning his gaze towards the side of the forest ahead. He noticed a figure in the forest ahead, dodging branches and vines continuously in its path. The figure drew closer, and Shen Qing gradually saw clearly. It was a woman running. In the forest, Tang Wanrou sensed something, looking ahead with a surge of hope. Someone, with a horse! As long as the person helped, she could escape the danger. With that thought, she mustered all her strength, rushing out of the forest, breathlessly halting on the path: "Hero, wait a moment!" The forest trail was already narrow, and with Tang Wanrou blocking it like this, there was almost no way forward except plunging into the forest. Quickly reining in his horse, Shen Qing shouted: "What do you think you''re doing? Don''t you fear death?" Tang Wanrou had no time to explain, and swiftly said: "This hero, I am Tang Wanrou from the Taiping Escort Agency. I urgently need to return to the county to report to Lord County Magistrate. It''s a matter of life and death, please help me and take me along. There will surely be a generous reward." Taiping Escort Agency, Tang Wanrou?! Sitting on horseback, Shen Qing examined her with surprise, recognizing that aside from her disheveled appearance, she matched the image shown to him by Ouyang Tiezhu. She was indeed a striking woman. Tang Wanrou''s anxiety grew, just about to speak. Suddenly, she sensed a fierce murderous aura emanating from within the forest. Startled, she looked up to see a burly man standing not far away, coldly staring at her. "Didn''t expect you, little mouse, to be quite the runner." Tang Wanrou''s heart sank instantly, not expecting her pursuers to catch up so quickly. Resolutely, she positioned herself in front of Shen Qing and said: "Leave this to me. You must inform Lord County Magistrate that someone is smuggling military wares outside the city. Have him send a team to investigate." She knew today''s outcome seemed grim, as the person before her had a Qi Cultivation Realm. She wasn''t a match. Her hope was just to delay a while, allowing the person behind her to relay the message. That way, perhaps the escort agency''s siblings'' deaths could be avenged. "Hahaha¡­ Your father and the others weren''t my match. Do you think you can stop me?" The burly man laughed loudly, stepping out from the forest. "Rest assured, none of you will leave here today." Looking at Shen Qing, the burly man sighed: "You seem like a noble young master. What a pity, your luck is bad today to appear by chance. To keep this secret, I''m afraid you''ll have to die." Sitting on horseback, Shen Qing looked down at the burly man, realizing his aura was formidable, a powerful Qi swirling continuously, nearly spilling out. He didn''t want to cause more trouble and said: "I assure you I won''t speak a word. I know nothing. Can you let me go?" "What do you think?" The burly man''s body was taut like a drawn bow, his muscular lines distinct in the sunlight, like a sculpture ready to burst. "Die!" With these words, the ground around the burly man''s feet erupted as the force surged from within, creating tiny waves of dirt expanding outward. He charged forward like an arrow released from a bow, the air catching a faint whistling sound from the rapid movement. It was only a few meters between them, a distance the burly man could cover in just a few breaths. Tang Wanrou hurriedly shouted: "Run! He''s a Qi Cultivation martial master. You''re dead if he touches you!" Qi Cultivation martial master?! Damn, that''s dangerous. Shen Qing''s expression turned serious immediately; instinctively, he drove the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill to its peak, the force within his body surging rapidly, concentrated on his fingertips. Whirr! A crisp sound shot from between Shen Qing''s two fingers, with a scorching Qi hurtling towards the burly man like lightning, reaching his fist first. "Bang!" A loud explosion ensued. Under that force''s impact, the burly man''s fist was instantly shattered, his entire arm reduced to chunks of flesh under that power, scattering about. "What?!" A devastating scream erupted from the burly man''s throat: "My hand, my arm! Ah¡­" Stumbling, he collapsed to the ground, terror filling his gaze as he looked once more at Shen Qing. Now he realized the seemingly ''noble young master'' before him was a being far beyond his own strength. Standing nearby, Tang Wanrou gaped, shock etched across her face. Her gaze upon Shen Qing altered completely. Shen Qing retracted his fingers quietly, saying with resignation: "You can''t blame me; you forced my hand." The burly man felt a shiver down his spine, desperately retreating with his legs. But just as he got up, a blazing aura shot toward him. Bang! His head exploded like a watermelon hit by a bullet, utterly shattered, undeniably dead. "Alright, now that he''s dead, you''re safe," Shen Qing said to Tang Wanrou from atop his horse. Tang Wanrou quickly regained her composure, facing Shen Qing, clasping her fists together, and said with reverence: "May I ask for this gentleman''s esteemed name? For your life-saving grace, I''ll surely repay generously." "You don''t know me?" Shen Qing asked, puzzled. Tang Wanrou looked baffled. Should I know you? "My name is Shen Qing." Boom! Tang Wanrou''s mind felt like a suddenly erupted volcano, bursting open, completely blank. ``` Chapter 150 - 74 Nowadays there are many troubles, lets first get through the present ```html Tang Wanrou, having gone through a series of ordeals, appeared pale. However, after Shen Qing agreed to help her, a faint hint of color returned to her face. She walked to Zhuifeng''s side and was steadily pulled onto the horse''s back by Shen Qing, sitting in front of his chest. "Hyah!" Zhuifeng seemed to sense his owner''s urgency. Without waiting for the whip, it spontaneously began to gallop, following the winding path towards Taiping County. The sound of horse hooves was crisp and powerful, echoing through the mountains and forests, startling the birds that perched along the way, sending them flapping into the sky with a series of clear chirps. Shen Qing, racing with Tang Wanrou, took two quarters of an hour to reach the towering city gate of Taiping County successfully. As they approached the city gates, Shen Qing hurriedly tightened the reins, slowing Zhuifeng down. He then habitually pulled out twenty copper coins from his pocket and tossed them to the guard at the gate. The soldier guarding the gate, recognizing Shen Qing on a tall horse with a noble demeanor, deduced he wasn''t someone to be trifled with and hurriedly stepped aside to allow passage. Shen Qing then rode into the city, heading for the Taiping Escort Agency. Looking around, he noticed that the bustling streets of the past were no more. Only the sporadic cries of vendors and the haggling of a few passersby broke the silence. Both Shen Qing and Tang Wanrou were preoccupied with their respective concerns and had no time to pay attention to their surroundings. "Hyah!" Upon entering the Inner City, Shen Qing gave the whip a swift flick. Zhuifeng, accelerating like a gust of wind, left only a hurried afterimage on the streets. Within moments, Shen Qing and Tang Wanrou saw the imposing front gate of the Taiping Escort Agency. Tang Wanrou realized that Shen Qing had brought her to the entrance of the Taiping Escort Agency and not to the government office. She understood his intentions. This powerful direct disciple of Linfeng Hall did not want to get involved in the troubles of the Taiping Escort Agency. Tang Wanrou did not complain or say much. She dismounted deftly, demonstrating agility uncommon to a young lady, displaying more of the forthrightness found among people of the Jianghu. "Mr. Shen, please wait for me." With that, Tang Wanrou ascended the steps leading to the gate and knocked. Soon, a gatekeeper opened the door, and upon seeing Tang Wanrou, exclaimed, "Young lady, aren''t you?" "Greet Mr. Shen. I''m going to retrieve something." "Yes, young lady." The gatekeeper stepped aside, and Tang Wanrou rushed inside. After a stick of incense time, Tang Wanrou returned, pulling out a stack of silver notes from her pocket, and offered them with both hands, saying, "Our Taiping Escort Agency has gone through such upheaval, and we''re strapped for cash. Please accept these five hundred taels, young man. Once we recover, we will reward you generously." Shen Qing, observing Tang Wanrou''s solemn expression, responded calmly, "No need. If I didn''t kill him, that man would want to take my life too, and I''m not doing this just to save you. This money might be crucial for your escort agency and giving it to me would be a pity. Keep it for now, and we''ll discuss it later." Tang Wanrou, surprised by Shen Qing''s response, looked up at him in astonishment. Not wanting to elaborate further, Shen Qing said, "Miss Tang, if there''s nothing else, I''ll take my leave. Farewell!" With that, Shen Qing tugged firmly on the reins in his hand. Zhuifeng let out a light neigh, and under Tang Wanrou''s complex gaze, galloped away. Watching Shen Qing''s silhouette gradually recede, Tang Wanrou slowly lowered her raised arm, letting out a self-mocking laugh. "Heh, back then, I didn''t fancy him, and now he doesn''t fancy me. Truly, fate toys with people." A deep sense of loss surged through her heart. "However, relying solely on others won''t accomplish anything. I still bear a deep-seated grudge, and now is not the time for self-pity." "Even without him, can''t I avenge this grudge? I refuse to believe that." Soon, determination reignited in Tang Wanrou''s eyes, and she steadied herself. She composed her thoughts and called inside to an old servant, "Call Housekeeper Chen over and bring some silver and golden leaves. Follow me to the government office." ... At the entrance of Taiping County''s government office. Tang Wanrou hurriedly made her way towards the imposing gates of the county government, her furrowed brows conveying an unequivocal resolve. The old servant from the Taiping Escort Agency followed closely behind her. She directly approached the gatekeeper, laying her cards on the table, saying, "Please report, I am Tang Wanrou, the eldest daughter of the Taiping Escort Agency in the city. I have an urgent matter that requires immediate audience with the Lord County Magistrate." The gatekeeper glanced at her with a hint of disdain, raising his chin, and said, "Do you see the petition drum at the gate? Knock on it if you wish. If the County Magistrate hears it, he will naturally summon you." Tang Wanrou couldn''t afford to wait. The entire city knew about this petition drum. Even after knocking, there was no guarantee that the County Magistrate would see her. As the saying goes, it''s easier to meet the King of Hell than to deal with his little devils. Today, she had experienced this firsthand. The gatekeeper controlled the opening and closing of the government office''s main gate, determining who could enter and leave. He was responsible for announcing visitors to the official in charge, deciding whether they could enter the office. Although his position was lowly, the power in his hands was not insignificant. He could choose whether to report the visitor, thereby influencing the visitor''s fate to some degree. "Just a small token, not much to show respect. This matter concerns your master''s future, and it''s urgent. I hope you will report it." The gatekeeper accepted the bribe, his eyes dazzled by the silver. His attitude immediately became more attentive, "Ah, Miss Tang, please wait a moment. I''ll report it straight away." A moment later, the gatekeeper returned, allowing Tang Wanrou in and leading her to another chamber. Tang Wanrou had no choice but to repeat the process, making additional arrangements. Thus, at each hurdle, Tang Wanrou distributed over a hundred taels of silver, as if they were flowing water. Finally, after a series of "please wait" and "make an exception," she was led to a study room, simple in decoration yet imposing in presence. The door gently pushed open, and a steady aura enveloped the space. County Magistrate Du Yuntong sat solemnly behind his desk, eyes sharp as a torch. "This humble woman, Tang Wanrou, has urgent business to report to the Lord!" Without waiting for an introduction, Tang Wanrou stepped inside, her voice clear and penetrating. County Magistrate Du Yuntong lifted his gaze, scrutinizing Tang Wanrou. He had already received a ''report'' from his subordinates before her arrival. sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Oh? What matter is so urgent, Miss Tang?" County Magistrate Du Yuntong''s voice was low and powerful, conveying a certain authority. "Lord, someone is smuggling military supplies!" Tang Wanrou enunciated, her words heavy with urgency, her voice resonating through the study. County Magistrate Du Yuntong''s expression turned grave in an instant. He stood and slowly paced to Tang Wanrou, saying, "This is no small matter. Do you have solid evidence?" "The evidence is conclusive. Our escort today..." Tang Wanrou stood firm, meeting the County Magistrate''s gaze with determination as she recounted the day''s events. Each word was a vow, resolute: "This humble woman is willing to stake her life and family as a guarantee. Please, Lord, order an immediate thorough investigation! The bandits are in Zhangzi Forest now; if you send troops immediately, you''ll find them." County Magistrate Du Yuntong pondered briefly before nodding, "Very well, I''ve understood. I will immediately gather personnel and go with you to verify. If this proves true, they will be punished severely!" Tang Wanrou was so overjoyed that she shed tears, "Thank you, Lord County Magistrate!" "You may wait in the rear chamber for a moment while I make arrangements," County Magistrate Du Yuntong ordered an officer, "Take Miss Tang to the rear hall to rest for a while." "Yes." An officer stepped up and escorted Tang Wanrou away. After seeing Tang Wanrou off, County Magistrate Du Yuntong paced back and forth in his study, contemplating. "Agents from the Guardian Martial Department in the county town will arrive soon to handle the tiger demon and Huang Tian Sect affairs. It''s not wise to draw attention at this juncture. A single misstep, and my official position could be at risk." "Given these tumultuous times, it''s better to deal with the immediate issue first," County Magistrate Du Yuntong decided. "Once the Guardian Martial Department from the county city arrives, if possible, I''ll pass this matter onto them." "Since that''s the case, this Taiping Escort Agency cannot stay..." ``` Chapter 151 - 75: Song Familys Strategy, Colluding with Huang Tian Sect The next day. In the Song Family Mansion. A few withered yellow vines entwined the broken rock garden stones, and the once splendid and flourishing courtyard garden was overgrown with weeds, appearing desolate and bleak. Eldest Young Master Song Chen and Third Young Master Song Yu sat witheredly in the living room, their gazes slowly shifting to the center of the room. There, a solitary memorial tablet was placed, inscribed with "In Memory of Our Late Father, Song Gongming." Song Chen and Song Yu both rose in succession, each taking three sticks of incense and lighting them on a white candle. The brothers stood side by side, pressing the three sticks of incense to their foreheads, then humbly knelt down, kowtowing thrice with resounding bangs. The incense was placed by the two in the incense burner before the memorial tablet. Several wisps of blue smoke spiraled upward. The silent main hall began to be filled with the scent of sandalwood. "When Father was alive, the Song family was so glorious, but now it has fallen into decline just like that..." Song Yu''s voice was deep, tinged with a hint of reluctance, "Brother, the family business is losing one after another, and the other families are relentlessly pressing us. How long can we hold on?" The only response he received was the same heavy sigh from his brother, Song Chen, "I don''t know. If things carry on like this, the Song family won''t exist by the end of this month." "Are we just going to sit here and wait for death?" At that moment, the sound of hurried footsteps shattered the silence of the courtyard. The young master of the Song family, Song Xuan, hurriedly dashed into the hall, followed by a man dressed simply yet exuding an extraordinary aura. Both of them were taken aback by this and immediately looked up at the Taoist. The man had a lean face, deep eyes, and a sturdy build. They instantly recognized him as a practitioner. "Who might this be?" The Taoist stepped forward, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth, and said, "I am Taoist Wei Yushan, serving under Commander Liu of the Huang Tian Sect. I have troubled the Song family much in the past. Today, upon hearing about the Song family''s plight, I wish to offer my humble assistance." In his words, there was an indescribable pride and a unique aura of someone in a superior position. Upon hearing Wei Yushan introduce himself, Song Chen and Song Yu exchanged glances, seeing the astonishment in each other''s eyes. Everyone knew that the Huang Tian Sect was deemed a traitor by the Great Zhou Court. What did the youngest, Song Xuan, mean by bringing someone from the Huang Tian Sect into the house? Could it be he intended for them to join the traitors of the Huang Tian Sect? In their hearts, Song Chen and Song Yu felt a storm surge, finding their youngest brother''s actions too bold. Seeing his elder brothers in such a state, Song Xuan knew what they were thinking, and hurriedly stepped forward, saying, "My two brothers, we have thought of every possible solution by now and still have no progress. Now that Taoist Wei from the Huang Tian Sect is willing to help us, isn''t this a great thing?" The Huang Tian Sect, after all, was traitorous. Song Chen and Song Yu suddenly fell silent, their expressions tense, finding it hard to act out in front of Wei Yushan. Seeing this, Song Xuan''s somewhat childish face bore a layer of indignation. He had put in great effort to bring Wei Yushan here, yet Song Chen and Song Yu were ungrateful. Song Xuan''s expression changed, speaking angrily, "Now that Father died so unjustly, are you still going to be cowards waiting to die? Our family business, built over twenty years, is going to be handed over like this, are you willing?" Eldest Young Master Song Chen and Third Young Master Song Yu were hit with such scolding from Song Xuan, feeling quite uncomfortable for a moment. Song Yu''s breathing became heavier, hands clenched into fists, the joints cracking loudly. Song Xuan continued, "Since that Dog County Magistrate is unrighteous, we should not blame ourselves. If he could do it at the beginning of the month, we can do it by the fifteenth. Anyway, this county town will fall sooner or later, so why not seize the opportunity for a great future?" "What do you mean by that?" Third Young Master Song Yu suddenly raised his head to look at Wei Yushan of the Huang Tian Sect and asked Song Xuan. Wei Yushan smiled and replied, "It''s literally what it means. Our Commander, under the orders of the Daoist, will soon lead hundreds of thousands to attack Taiping County." "What?!" Hearing this news for the first time, Song Chen and Song Yu were both shocked to their core. The Huang Tian Sect was about to attack Taiping County; was there going to be a war? Song Chen and Song Yu''s expressions were horrified. Song Yu glanced at Wei Yushan and suddenly said, "Aren''t you afraid I''ll report you for telling us something so critical?" "Hahaha." Wei Yushan laughed, as if he had heard something amusing, and said, "Report if you must. Taiping County now has slack military defenses. Let alone our hundreds of thousands of followers, even just a few thousand could not be held back by the county office. Your report won''t change the outcome. Besides, our Commander has long reached the Innate Realm, enough to suppress the scoundrels in this county city." Wei Yushan stepped forward, directly facing Song Chen and Song Yu, speaking with subtle seduction, "Now we are all speaking frankly, no need to beat around the bush. Your Song family, after all, has been the boss of the county town, familiar with Taiping County''s situation." "Once we take down the city, we need someone to manage Taiping County for us. There couldn''t be anyone better than the Song family. Would joining us be worse than your current situation?" Song Xuan anxiously supported from the side, "Advance uncertainly brings life, retreat definitely brings death. Brother, Third Brother, what''s there to hesitate about?" Third Young Master Song Yu pondered for a while and asked, "If we join, what would you have us do?" "We don''t require the Song family to do much. Just open the gates for us during our siege and lend us a helping hand." "That simple?" "Yes, just that simple." After a long while, Third Young Master Song Yu glanced at Eldest Young Master Song Chen and saw some meaning in his gaze. Indeed, the Song family couldn''t possibly be worse off. He made up his mind, nodding heavily, "We''ll join you." Wei Yushan said happily, "Good. With the addition of you righteous people from the Song family, our siege on Taiping County will surely be smooth, sparing the lives of many brothers and sisters. I thank the righteous men of the Song family on their behalf." Saying this, Wei Yushan bowed earnestly, making Song Yu, Song Chen, and Song Xuan all feel quite flattered. Song Yu asked in a low voice, "When is Commander planning to make a move? I will have to prepare." Wei Yushan said, "It was originally planned for the fifteenth of next month, but there was a change yesterday, so our Commander intends to move earlier, within these few days. If quickly, in three days. If slowly, about five days." "So soon?" "Quick cuts swiftly unravel tangled cords." "Alright, we await your message at any time, Taoist." Their Song family was targeted by the government office because the restaurant was found to be connected with the Huang Tian Sect. Song Yu didn''t have much fondness for this sect adept at inciting the masses. But who would have thought that one day, they would take the initiative to collaborate with the Huang Tian Sect? Truly, the times change and fortunes play tricks on people. Song Yu didn''t know if this was good or bad for them. ... At the same time, on the official road outside Taiping County, dust filled the air. A luxuriously decorated carriage sped along from a distance, its wheels rolling and kicking up clouds of dust. On the carriage, the triangle flag fluttering in the wind was particularly eye-catching, with the word "Zhou" shining with golden brilliance like the rising sun, radiating splendid light. As the carriage entered the shantytown area of the Outer City, the people living there recognized the unusualness of the carriage and dared not be insolent, automatically making way for a wide path. "It''s the Zhou Family from the county town coming, make way quickly." The usually imposing guards at the city gate recognized the identity of the carriage owner at a glance and now looked humble, not daring to act presumptuously, watching the carriage pass by. The carriage smoothly turned through a few streets and alleys, stopping steadily before the grand mansion of the Zhou Family. "Fifth Young Master, we have arrived." The door of the carriage opened slightly, the crisp sound of bells accompanied by the faint scent of incense wafted out. A man of about twenty, wearing a cloud-patterned archer''s sleeve, slowly stepped out. His skin was fair, and he had delicate features. He wore a crown of white jade on his head, with beautiful jade hanging from his waist. His whole body exuded an indescribable majesty and nobility. "Isn''t anyone from our family here to welcome me, the old thing Zhou Dingwen?" S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 152 - 76 Yongzhou County Thirteen Trading Houses, A Visitor from the Zhou Family ``` "It''s truly a countryside place, not even receiving prior notice, lacking in etiquette." An old servant, appearing as a middle-aged steward, jumped down from the carriage and walked to the young man''s side, comforting him. The young man said with dissatisfaction, "If it weren''t for the great grandfather''s sentimentality, we wouldn''t care about their lives or deaths. In my view, it''s better to let them fend for themselves." "Although Zhou Dingwen is a son of a concubine, he is still the great grandfather''s son. Now, with impending trouble in Taiping County, the great grandfather surely won''t be at ease with his family. The great grandfather entrusts such an important task to the young master because he values your talent." The young man snorted coldly and ascended the steps. The old servant, who followed him, stepped forward and knocked heavily on the door knocker: "People from Yongzhou''s Zhou Family are here, Lord Zhou, open the door." The servant''s voice was loud and powerful. Even from a distance, it was heard clearly. As soon as the old servant finished speaking, the Zhou Family''s main door was opened moments later. A gatekeeper poked his head out, cautiously glancing a few times, and asked, "Might I know the names of the two honorable guests? Do you have an invitation?" The young man, not annoyed, said with his hands behind his back: "Zhou Xintong from Zhou Family''s main house, report my name, your master will naturally know." Zhou Family''s main house?! The gatekeeper''s spirit lifted. Yongzhou''s Zhou Family was one of the Yongzhou County Thirteen Trading Houses. Their silk weaving business reached into the Dragon Court, making them one of the foremost prominent families in Yongzhou County. This Taiping County''s Zhou Family was a branch of Yongzhou''s Zhou Family, separated over thirty years ago. Like the household registry of the Zhou Dynasty, the prominent families in civilian society of Great Zhou were also hierarchically distinct, with clear relationships of status and inferiority. Apart from the main house branch inheriting the Zhou Family''s estate, the other branches, to put it bluntly, were only slightly higher in status than the Zhou Family''s servants. The Taiping County Zhou Family could call the shots within this county, but in the eyes of Yongzhou''s Zhou Family, they were nothing. The gatekeeper was well aware of this, hurriedly bowed, and respectfully said, "Young Master, please come in. Please wait a moment in the living room, I will notify the master immediately." After saying so, the gatekeeper hurriedly opened the main door, bypassed a screen wall, and led Zhou Xintong and his servant into the living room. Zhou Xintong sat boldly in the main seat and reminded, "I have important business on this visit, let your master hurry up." The gatekeeper promptly bowed, acknowledged, and then hurriedly made his way towards the rear garden. ... In the rear garden of the Zhou Family, there was a pond of emerald water, shimmering with light. Zhou Dingwen, the Zhou Family Patriarch of the Taiping County, dressed in an elegant Confucian robe, stood by the fish pond. He held a handful of fish food in his hand, occasionally tossing it down, attracting countless big carp to scramble for it. The jade-green water suddenly became much livelier. A faint smile of calmness gradually appeared on Zhou Wenwang''s face. "Master, something''s wrong, people from Yongzhou are here!" Just then, a servant hurriedly arrived, breathless, breaking the serenity. "Who came from Yongzhou?" Zhou Dingwen looked at the servant calmly and said steadily. The servant bowed his head and said, "The fifth young Master of the main house, Zhou Xintong, has come!" Upon hearing this, Zhou Dingwen''s hand trembled suddenly, and the fish food in his hand scattered like fine rain, falling in large swathes into the pond, startling the fish to scatter in all directions, causing ripples on the water''s surface. He turned around, eyebrows tightly knitted, and looked sharply at the servant, his voice tinged with a hint of unnoticeable tension: "Yongzhou''s main house has come? What are they here for?" The servant bowed and replied, "Master, they did not disclose specific matters, only mentioned that the situation is urgent and requested you to go to the front hall immediately." Hearing this, Zhou Dingwen felt a bit uneasy. Yongzhou was the residence of the main house of the Zhou Family, with the most prominent power and status. His branch was not even fit to carry their shoes in comparison to the main house. This time he received no prior notice; their sudden visit suggested a change of circumstance, and it was unlikely to be a good thing. "Understood, you may withdraw, I will be there shortly," Zhou Dingwen instructed. Although his tone was calm, his speaking speed involuntarily quickened a bit. He tossed all the fish food into the pond, patted his hands, tidied himself up, and immediately proceeded towards the front hall. The Zhou Family''s front hall exuded a luxurious aura amidst carved beams and painted rafters. Zhou Xintong, seated on the mahogany main seat, meditated with closed eyes, his breathing was steady, three short and one long. Upon closer inspection, there was a faint white mist around his nostrils, appearing and disappearing, strangely mystic. S§×arch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Then, this rhythmic breathing was soon broken by a series of swift and strong footsteps. "Fifth young Master, long time no see." Zhou Dingwen''s voice was transmitted from the entryway outside. His presence not yet seen, but his voice was already heard. Zhou Xintong leisurely opened his eyes and looked towards the door. Zhou Dingwen stepped into the hall, his steps steady, and upon seeing Zhou Xintong seated in the main seat, a trace of displeasure flashed in his eyes, which soon transformed into a warm smile. "What a rare guest indeed! I recall the last time I saw you in Yongzhou, you were just celebrating your tenth birthday. Time flies, and now you''ve grown so much." Zhou Xintong stated calmly, "Lord Jiu, now is not the time for nostalgia. Disaster looms over Taiping County, and my great grandfather specifically instructed me to come and escort your family back to Yongzhou to temporarily avoid this unforeseen calamity." Zhou Dingwen paused his stride in the center of the Zhou Family''s front hall. He looked up at Zhou Xintong, a flicker of surprise and confusion in his eyes, quickly replaced by gravity. "Oh? What does the fifth young Master mean by this? Taiping County has always been peaceful. How could disaster suddenly strike?" Faced with this sudden news, Zhou Dingwen found it hard to accept. He even suspected that Zhou Xintong had other schemes in mind with this visit. Zhou Xintong spoke with an irrefutable tone, "This matter is lengthy to explain, but one thing is certain it is no falsehood. The great grandfather is worried that this force might affect our Zhou Family, hence decided to have the clan members withdraw temporarily for safety." "You need to swiftly liquidate the properties here. In three days, our Zhou Family''s tower ship will sail upstream along the Yanshui River, mooring at the ferry terminal outside Taiping County. At that time, you will depart with me." Zhou Dingwen''s eyebrows were locked tight, a hint of skepticism flashed in his eyes: "Taiping County is protected by the government, having been peaceful for decades. Our Zhou Family has deep roots here; what threat could possibly endanger us?" "The world''s affairs are unpredictable; who can say for sure what will happen next?" Zhou Xintong shook his head, his tone carrying more of an undeniable element: "The great grandfather''s notion is that safety comes first; better to believe than to dismiss. You know he values the family above all, and we cannot afford the slightest mishap." "Furthermore, I am informing you, not soliciting your opinion. If Lord Jiu is unwilling to abandon the wealth and comfort here, then I, as a junior, shall take care of it on your behalf." "The assets of the Zhou Family, even those of a side branch, are not something just anyone can touch." Zhou Dingwen''s face turned beet red, wanting to protest and refuse, but upon seeing the visible aura around Zhou Xintong, his spirit deflated. He remained silent for a moment, seemingly weighing the pros and cons, and finally nodded slowly. "Alright, given it''s the great grandfather''s arrangement, I, as a member of the Zhou Family, will naturally adhere to the family''s decisions. I will promptly arrange for the liquidation of assets these days, and have the household pack up and prepare for departure." "Thank you, Lord Jiu, for your understanding." Zhou Xintong''s face showed a hint of gratified smile, "I will arrange everything outside the residence to ensure you and your family''s safe arrival in Yongzhou." Zhou Xintong seemed to recall something and added, "By the way, I heard that I had a cousin who died at home at the hands of the Huang Tian Sect? " ``` Chapter 153 - 77: Great Perfection of Qi Cultivation Realm! ``` Zhou Dingwen felt a thud in his heart. He never expected that even the Zhou family of Yongzhou, thousands of miles away, had learned of Zhou Yu''s death in an explosion. Was there a hidden member of the Zhou family around him? Zhou Dingwen suddenly felt a chill all over his body. He squinted his eyes slightly and questioned: "Where did the Third Young Master hear about this?" "So it''s true, then?" Zhou Xintong''s tone was indifferent. He stood up and stared at Zhou Dingwen, exuding an almost intangible aura. As a member of the main branch with outstanding talent, he had been pampered all his life, and no one had ever dared to oppose him. Seeing Zhou Dingwen showing signs of resistance at this moment, dissatisfaction welled up in his heart. He thought of simply killing him with one strike and then personally managing the Zhou family''s estate before taking it back. In fact, according to the usual practice of the main branch, once a branch was separated, it had little to do with the main Zhou family. Someone like Zhou Dingwen from the side chambers, even as the son of the head of the family, wouldn''t receive even a glance, let alone be spoken to kindly. But recalling the repeated instructions of the head of the family, he held back. Similarly, Zhou Dingwen, being the boss of the Zhou family in Taiping County, was considered influential, although he wasn''t quite like a god. He was used to being overbearing, but when facing the main branch, he seemed to have no status, feeling inferior in every aspect. His heart was filled with bitterness. The two stared at each other with disapproval. After a long silence, Zhou Dingwen gritted his teeth and said, "There is indeed such a thing." Zhou Xintong expressed some dissatisfaction: "Have you found out who did it and whether it is related to the Huang Tian Sect?" "It''s a family scandal not to be revealed." "Hmm?" Zhou Xintong''s face grew stern: "I think Lord Jiu should think carefully before answering." Zhou Xintong stood tall in front of Zhou Dingwen, exuding a cold aura like an insurmountable mountain, which seemed to freeze the very air around them. His words were light yet heavy, each syllable resounding with weight. Zhou Dingwen stood a few steps away, his face suddenly turning uncertain. He felt unprecedented pressure as if bound tightly by an invisible force. Sweat silently seeped from Zhou Dingwen''s forehead, slid down his cheeks, and dripped onto the bluestone, making a faint noise. He took a deep breath and said, "It has nothing to do with the Huang Tian Sect." "That''s good. I remember that this matter was investigated by Uncle from start to finish, right? Let Uncle come here." Zhou Dingwen was shocked. The main family in Yongzhou even knew who had investigated; how did they know? Could it be that... over the years... around him... Suddenly, Zhou Dingwen felt as if his heart was being clenched and then released by an invisible hand. In an instant, he lost the courage to face this younger member of the main branch and quickly nodded in agreement. Soon, Zhou Jishan was called up by the servants. Zhou Xintong wasn''t in the mood for pleasantries with this uncle. He slowly took a step forward, instantly closing the distance between them, and the forceful presence almost suffocated Zhou Jishan. "I want to ask, who was responsible for Cousin''s death by explosion, and is it related to the Huang Tian Sect?" Zhou Jishan quickly said, "It has been confirmed to be unrelated to the Huang Tian Sect, but rather... rather... the seventh side chamber of the family was involved..." Zhou Xintong suddenly interjected, "Then was the person who sent Cousin back also from the seventh side chamber?" Zhou Jishan was suddenly shocked; how did they know about this? "I..." "Haven''t you investigated clearly? Then check again. This matter can be big or small, but you must give me an explanation in three days." Zhou Jishan glanced at his already withered father, unsure of what to do for a moment. "Hurry and tidy up a courtyard for me. I''ve been rushing all day, and now I''m tired." Zhou Xintong casually threw out a sentence and sat back in the main seat. "Yes." Zhou Dingwen and his son dared not stay in the front hall and quickly retreated. Watching the two men''s backs disappear through the door, Zhou Xintong showed a disdainful expression: "Our Lord Jiu is truly incompetent, unable to understand even minor family matters that an outsider like me can figure out. I don''t know why the head of the family insisted on my coming here to stir up trouble." "The old servant thinks it might involve the Huang Tian Sect, and the gentlemen are strategizing to enter the court, so they have to be cautious." Zhou Xintong nodded in agreement. "Fortunately, our main family has not eased the monitoring of various branches over the years. Otherwise, it would not have been easy to bluff them today. In the future, when I become the family head, I won''t bother with such trouble. Whoever disobeys will be killed directly." ... In the courtyard where Shen Qing lived in the county city, it seemed somewhat empty. The old locust tree originally planted in the courtyard had been cut down, leaving only a stump about half a meter high. Shen Qing sat on the stump, holding a bowl of medicinal soup, and drank it all in one go. As the soup went down his throat, initially bitter and hard to swallow, a warm flow soon rose from his Dantian, swiftly spreading through his limbs and bones. Wherever it passed, it felt as if countless tiny pinpricks were gently stimulating every inch of skin and bone, bringing an indescribable tingling and comfort. Under Shen Qing''s guidance, the surging force gradually calmed, transforming into a warm and powerful Qi that filled his body. After an unknown period of time, Shen Qing could clearly feel that after many days of night and day practice and drinking medicinal tonics, his internal Qi had reached an unprecedented fullness at that moment. Clearly, the remaining medicinal power could no longer be absorbed and transformed into Qi. It seemed to have reached some kind of physical threshold. "Great Perfection of Qi Cultivation Realm..." Shen Qing silently repeated in his heart. Thinking of something, a hint of undisguisable joy flashed in his eyes. He clearly remembered Li Linfeng telling him that the so-called Qi Cultivation Realm involved cultivating Qi through precious medicine. In this realm, the physical body was a vessel for Qi, and when the Qi filled the vessel completely, it signified the Great Perfection of Qi Cultivation Realm. By Shen Qing''s calculation, this process had taken him about a month and a half, which was remarkably fast. As the medicinal power was fully absorbed, Shen Qing slowly stood up, his posture erect like a pine, exuding an indescribable aura in his every move. Over the past month and with the tempering and supplementing of the Tiger Demon Pill, he secretly estimated that the Qi within him was about five times that of an ordinary Martial Artist in the Qi Cultivation Realm. With the combination of the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill and several martial arts techniques, even Shen Qing himself couldn''t say for sure what level he had reached. Though he hadn''t yet broken through to the Qi Hai Realm, Shen Qing vaguely felt that Martial Artists in the Qi Hai Realm might not necessarily be his match. The real estimate could only be made after a fight. "Qingzi, there seems to be something wrong outside," murmured his uncle, Shen the Second, as he returned from outside. S§×ar?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Shen Qing asked, "What''s wrong?" "Today, for some reason, the Zhou family started selling fields, houses, and buildings like crazy. Other bosses were overjoyed, and even the county government began accepting the Zhou family''s properties. Now everyone is saying that Boss Zhou has gone mad." Shen Qing frowned; why was the Zhou family suddenly selling off their assets? When something seemed unusual, it usually meant trouble. He called Shen Xiaohu and instructed, "Go and find Tian Xiaohu for me; I have something to ask him." Seeing Shen Qing so serious, Shen Xiaohu quickly nodded and dashed out. Soon after, Tian Xiaohu, who was idly wandering the streets, was brought back inside by Shen Xiaohu. "Qingzi, you were looking for me?" Shen Qing nodded and said, "I feel something strange is happening in the Inner City. Please help me find out what exactly is going on with the Zhou family, and if there are any other peculiarities in the city besides theirs." For a moment, Shen Qing had a sense of foreboding. It seemed as though it was no longer safe to stay in Taiping County. ``` Chapter 154 - 78: A Gentleman Does Not Stand Under a Dangerous Wall In this period, as Shen Qing slew the tiger demon and shot the Boss of Mi Gang dead, he unknowingly began to gain some fame in the county town. Tian Xiaohu, under Shen Qing''s banner, also made quite a few shady friends in the county town, making it very convenient to gather information. Spending roughly half a day, Tian Xiaohu managed to get a rough idea of many things happening in the Inner City. "You mean to say that the Zhou Family is not only selling off their assets in the city but also preparing carriages and horses for seemingly leaving Taiping County?" Shen Qing sat by the octagonal table in the living room, listening to the news Tian Xiaohu brought. Tian Xiaohu nodded and said, "I have a friend who often visits the Zhou Family. He says that now the Zhou Family is packing up, sending away the servants who don''t wish to follow, as if they intend to evacuate." "Where are they planning to go?" "Yongzhou County." Shen Qing fell into contemplation, his brows tightly knit, his hand resting on the table, and his fingers tapping rhythmically on the surface. His brow slightly furrowed, he asked the question that concerned him the most, "The Zhou Family was fine before, so why the sudden move to Yong City? Did you find anything about that?" "I''m not entirely clear on the details, but I heard it might be because people from Yongzhou''s Zhou Family came and asked them to move," Tian Xiaohu replied honestly. "Yongzhou''s Zhou Family? Which kind of deity are they?" Tian Xiaohu asked, "Qingzi, have you heard of the thirteen giants of Yongzhou?" "No. What is this about?" "I heard that over in Yongzhou County, thirteen high-ranking families control thirteen industries, even the county government is in their hands. The Zhou Family is one of them and is said to be the strongest, with an Innate Ancestor within the family." Tian Xiaohu leaned closer to Shen Qing and continued, "The Zhou Family here in Taiping County is a branch of Yongzhou''s Zhou Family. Boss Zhou Dingwen is the concubine-born son of this Ancestor." After hearing this, Shen Qing said, "So you''re saying someone from the main family came to have Zhou Dingwen''s branch return?" "Seems so." Shen Qing got up, paced around, and fell into deep thought. After a while, he shook his head and said, "No, no. If I were Zhou Dingwen, I definitely wouldn''t agree to go back to the main family. Here, I have everything I want, like a local emperor. Going back, I''d have nothing and have to look at others'' faces. It''s just asking for trouble. Only someone out of their mind would agree, unless..." Tian Xiaohu replied, "Unless what? Did Zhou Dingwen really lose his mind?" Shen Qing glanced at Tian Xiaohu and said, "Unless staying in Taiping County is more terrifying than having nothing." "Huh?" What could be more terrifying than that? At this time, Shen Qing couldn''t help but think of Tang Wanrou''s matter. Currently, at this special time, the Fang Jun Saints of the Huang Tian Sect appeared outside the city and acquired the county town''s military armory''s crossbows. There''s a great possibility that Huang Tian Sect plans to attack Taiping County. Shen Qing''s entire being shuddered at the thought, feeling more and more that it was the case. Only if Huang Tian Sect attacked the city, would Taiping County be in such turmoil, causing Zhou Dingwen to be so frantic. Huang Tian Sect was indeed real traitors, consisting entirely of common people. Once they seized Taiping County, they would undoubtedly target these wealthy bosses. By then, it wouldn''t be just about having nothing but a threat to their lives, which was why Zhou Dingwen had the motive to leave Taiping County. Shen Qing''s face suddenly became serious. "Besides the Zhou Family, have there been any other incidents in the county town recently?" Tian Xiaowen thought for a moment and said, "Aside from the Zhou Family, the Song family is also acting a bit abnormal." "What happened to them?" "Previously, when Song Gongming died, the other families were eager to split the Song family''s industry, and the Song family was resisting desperately. But these few days, the Song family has been quite quiet, without any sign of resistance." "Have they resigned to fate, or have they found some backing and are keeping a low profile?" Shen Qing didn''t know why, but he also linked this change in the Song family with Huang Tian Sect, feeling there was some connection. "Also, the Taiping Escort Agency in the Inner City went bankrupt and dissolved. Leader Tang and his family have disappeared, likely leaving the county town," Tian Xiaohu said casually. Hearing this, Shen Qing was taken aback and couldn''t help but feel contemptuous of County Magistrate Du Yuntong. If his predictions were right, what happened to the Taiping Escort Agency should be Du Yuntong''s orchestrations. Previously, he used the tiger demon incident to eliminate dissidents and weaken the martial masters'' strength in the county town. Faced with issues, he would just cover them up. If Huang Tian Sect truly intended, as he predicted, to attack the county town, Shen Qing had no faith in this kind of County Magistrate. "What I found out, that''s about it." Shen Qing stood at the door for a long while, as though he had made a decision, and then turned around and said, "Xiaohu, have you ever thought about going to the county town?" "To the county town?" "Yes." Shen Qing did not hide anything and said frankly, "I feel this county town isn''t a place to stay anymore; I want to move to a new place." A gentleman does not stand under a dangerous wall. He saw that Huang Tian Sect was no benevolent group, and since he knew they intended to attack Taiping County, staying here was unwise. It just so happened that he had a post from the Yongzhou Military Department, which allowed him to join the court, obtain higher martial arts knowledge there, and strengthen himself. Now, in this troubled world, to move against the current, you must advance; he had to constantly climb upwards. Otherwise, there would be a threat to his life at any moment. He might not even know how he died. Upon hearing Shen Qing''s words, Tian Xiaohu was filled with surprise, unable to quite understand. Having just moved from Hongshan Village to the Outer City, then from the Outer City to the Inner City, all within less than half a year. sea??h th§× N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Now, just settled, and again moving to a new place, he only felt that Shen Qing was quite the troublemaker. However, recalling everything Shen Qing had done, where every decision he made was incredibly correct, That day, he decided to follow Shen Qing and should trust his own choice. With just a slight consideration, Tian Xiaohu agreed. "My family, it''s just me; I''m unattached. Wherever you say to go, I''ll go, Qingzi." Shen Qing said, "Then go back and pack up, and keep an eye on the Zhou Family. We''ll leave when they leave." "All right." After Tian Xiaohu left, Shen Qing didn''t delay any further and went straight to Linfeng Hall. Although many of the judgments were his speculations, he was seventy to eighty percent confident in his heart. In sentiment and reason, he should inform the Hall Master and his uncle. If he wished, they could leave together; if not, he had fulfilled his duty as a disciple. Perhaps influenced by Shen Qing, Nowadays, many newcomers came to practice martial arts at Linfeng Hall, and the Outer Court flourished once more. When Shen Qing found Li Linfeng, he was having a small gathering with a few old friends in the backyard. Seeing Shen Qing''s figure, Li Linfeng subtly ended the gathering early and then walked to Shen Qing''s side and said, "Let''s go to the study." "Alright." Li Linfeng, who knew his own abilities, also saw that Shen Qing''s current strength was even greater than his own when he was young, which had changed his attitude, no longer posing as before. In the study, he even offered Shen Qing a seat, engaging him in a conversation as equals. However, Shen Qing still showed respect as a disciple, which gave Li Linfeng an extremely favorable impression of him. "What do you want to see me about?" Shen Qing got straight to the point, "Master, I''ve felt the Inner City has become uneasy over the past couple of days, and I want to go to Yongzhou County. I wonder what Master thinks?" "You noticed too?" What does ''too'' mean? Shen Qing was quite surprised. Chapter 155 - 79 Breakthrough in Hunting Skills, the Hunting Scripture! Sharp Eyesight "Master, what do you mean?" Li Linfeng said, "I have many old friends in the city. When Linfeng Hall was in decline, I didn''t interact much. But thanks to your fame, Linfeng Hall has flourished again. These old friends have become lively with me once more." "From their words, I learned about some changes in the city. They all feel that something big will happen in the Inner City soon. Conveniently, my family has sent a letter, requesting to renovate the ancestral graves. In a few days, I plan to take my family back to Lu''an for a while." Shen Qing reevaluated Li Linfeng; it seemed this Hall Master knew better than himself when to adapt. He smiled and said, "When do you plan to leave, Master?" "It''s not decided yet." Shen Qing smiled and said, "Then why not leave the city with us, Master? It''s just on the way to Yongzhou County and Lu''an." "That works too. When do you plan to leave?" Li Linfeng nodded without refusal. "When the Zhou Family leaves, I''ll leave. Seeing how they''re selling off family assets at a low price, it seems like it''ll be within a day or two." Li Linfeng looked Shen Qing up and down, laughing, "Alright, traveling with you makes me feel at ease as well." Shen Qing chuckled softly. "What do you plan to do with the Martial Arts Hall once you leave, Master?" Li Linfeng laughed, "I''ll let Senior Brother Ouyang manage it for a while. I expect to be back in a month or so." In Shen Qing''s eyes, returning later might not be easy. However, since Linfeng Hall was Li Linfeng''s possession, Shen Qing didn''t have a say and stopped pressing. "As long as you''ve made arrangements, Master." Shen Qing exchanged a few words with Li Linfeng and then left the study. As he walked to the inner courtyard, he saw some familiar people practicing movement techniques and stopped to watch. When people noticed Shen Qing''s arrival, their attitudes changed abruptly, each becoming extremely respectful, even more so than toward Li Linfeng. Now, who in Taiping County wasn''t aware of Shen Qing''s formidable reputation? He had slain the tiger demon and wiped out the Mi Gang. Neither task was something ordinary people could achieve, which greatly impressed them. Many had joined Linfeng Hall to practice martial arts because of him. Shen Qing spotted the familiar Xiao Zhi, hooked his arm over his shoulder, and said, "Let''s go talk on the side." "Huh?" The sudden enthusiasm from Shen Qing left Xiao Zhi slightly overwhelmed. The two walked to a corner of the courtyard, and Shen Qing said, "I plan to go to the county town in a few days. Do you want to come with me?" "You''re leaving?" Xiao Zhi asked, "Aren''t you doing well in the Inner City?" Shen Qing said, "Don''t you want to?" Xiao Zhi was silent for a while and said, "Let me think about it." Shen Qing released his shoulder and said, "Then you''d better decide soon. I might leave in a few days." "So soon?" Xiao Zhi exclaimed. Shen Qing just smiled and said nothing more, striding away. ... In the courtyard. Uncle Shen the Second sneaked back into the house, slipped into the side room, and startled Wang Family, who was stitching shoes with Shen Fang. She scolded, "Old ghost, what are you up to, sneaking around?" Shen the Second chuckled and said, "Wife, come over here for a moment." Auntie Wang Family put down her needlework and followed Shen the Second aside, impatiently saying, "Speak quickly if you have something to say." Uncle Shen the Second was not annoyed, as if performing a magic trick, he pulled a brand new copper mirror from his bosom and presented it to Wang Family, saying, "Here, wife, it''s for you." "This!" Auntie Wang Family exclaimed in surprise, carefully examining it. As a girl from a poor family, it was her first time seeing a copper mirror, and she found it fascinating. The new copper mirror had a smooth surface and intricately carved cloud and water patterns along the edges, making it quite attractive. She carefully held it with both hands, as if receiving the most precious treasure, gently accepting the copper mirror. The coolness of the copper spread through her palm, exciting her even more. Auntie Wang Family slowly raised the mirror to face herself. At this moment, time seemed to freeze. It was her first time seeing herself so clearly. She realized she was so dark, with so many wrinkles, and her appearance so unattractive. Her initial excitement and joy quickly faded. Auntie Wang Family tossed the copper mirror back to Uncle Shen the Second, "I don''t want this thing. Take it away." Uncle Shen the Second caught the mirror, looking puzzled. He had saved up enough money to buy it; why was it turning out like this? Watching Wang Family refocus on her shoe stitching, Uncle Shen the Second suddenly found the copper mirror somewhat hot to the touch, unsure of what to do next. By evening. While the family was having dinner, Shen Qing announced that they would move to the county town. Everyone, including Uncle Shen the Second and Shen Xiaohu, was quite surprised by the news. "Brother, we''ve just gained a foothold in the Inner City. Why do we have to move again?" Shen Xiaoshan asked, surprised. Shen Qing, while holding a bowl and using chopsticks to pick up food, said, "The city is no longer safe; we have to leave. Even the Hall Master and Uncle are leaving too." "But..." Shen Qing took two mouthfuls of rice, finishing the bowl clean, and then stated in an unquestionable tone, "Prepare early. I''ve already made my decision. You all will come with me too. Taiping County will soon be anything but peaceful." With that, Shen Qing put his bowl on the table and quietly left the main seat, without explaining too much. Given their current level of understanding, knowing too much was not a good thing. The living room quickly fell silent. However, under Shen Qing''s strong demeanor, Uncle Shen the Second''s family, along with Shen Fang, all agreed and began packing their belongings. The next day, Shen Qing looked for Zhang Baqing and others, asking if they wanted to come with him to the county town. Unfortunately, these people had grown accustomed to life in Taiping County, living quite comfortably under his name, and had no intention of leaving. S§×arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. They even tried to persuade Shen Qing to stay. Shen Qing then gave up and said no more to them. In the blink of an eye, another two days passed. The expected signs from the Huang Tian Sect never appeared. The anticipated depression did not manifest either; instead, due to the Zhou Family''s massive sell-off of assets, spreading much wealth around, the Inner City became livelier. Even so, Shen Qing remained firm in his judgment, not relaxing his guard in the slightest. He instructed Tian Xiaohu to closely monitor the Zhou Family''s actions daily. "Hm?" At that moment, standing in the backyard, Shen Qing sensed something, quickly bringing up the water ink panel. Ink droplets fell into his vision, spreading into evenly sized words. [Skill: Hunting (Great Perfection)] [Progress: 401/400 points] [Status: Can be improved] [Note: The skill has been honed to near perfection. Through continuous progress, you can master new skills.] "A new skill?" Shen Qing was momentarily stunned. He was originally a hunter; to him, hunting skills seemed entirely too ordinary. But he didn''t expect this seemingly ordinary skill could still break through, and it didn''t look bad at all. Curious about what the newly advanced skill would be like, Shen Qing hesitated no longer and chose to improve it. The ink words in his vision seemed to merge with water, turning into blobs of ink. Quickly they reassembled into new ink-text attributes before his eyes. When Shen Qing saw the words clearly, his expression changed. [Skill: Hunting Scripture (Entry Level)] [Progress: 1/500 points] [Status: Cannot be improved] [Note: The hunting path is vast and profound. In its ultimate form, everything can be hunted. Through continuous practice, you have fused all hunting skills into one. Your five senses will further enhance, awakening the ''sharp eyesight'' skill.] Before Shen Qing could fully comprehend, a cool sensation melded into his eyes. With this coolness flowing in, Shen Qing found his vision becoming incredibly clear, as if it had been recalibrated. He raised his head and gazed into the distance. The scenery seemed to magnify repeatedly in his perception, allowing him to see even ants a hundred meters away clearly. His mind shook intensely. Shen Qing quickly averted his gaze, a wave of joy radiating from his face. This perception... was too powerful. Paired with Eagle Eye and his Heavy Bow, it was a perfect match! Chapter 156 - 80: Harboring Ulterior Motives, Establishing Authority! ``` "Be careful, be careful, this is the master''s favorite vase." "The box is too heavy, come lend a hand." "Hey you, go fetch a horse quickly." At the entrance of the Zhou Family Mansion, the servants busily moved back and forth, some carrying heavy luggage on their shoulders or with their hands, while others carefully transported exquisite porcelain and paintings, constantly moving them onto the convoy at the entrance of the mansion. ... Among the many carriages, one made of sandalwood and inlaid with silver threads stood out conspicuously. Zhou Xintong sat inside, dressed in an elegant brocade robe, his gaze occasionally peeking through the half-open curtain. "Is everything arranged properly?" The old servant standing outside the carriage smiled and said, "Fifth young master, everything is ready now." "Then let''s not delay, let''s go," Zhou Xintong said, pulling up the curtain. The old servant stepped forward and shouted, "The fifth young master has given the order, let''s depart!" At his command, the entire Zhou Family, as if driven by an invisible force, began moving majestically towards the city gate. The wheels rumbled over the bluestone road, making a dull, rhythmic sound. Zhou Dingwen gazed at the grand mansion he had worked so hard to build, feeling a mix of emotions in his heart. "Father, are we really leaving Taiping County?" Zhou Jishan, sitting beside Zhou Dingwen, said begrudgingly. "You think I want this?" Zhou Dingwen replied, gently patting his son''s hand. "You have no idea of the Zhou Family''s power in Yongzhou. Either of your uncles can crush our entire family with a single move. We dare not defy the orders of the main family." "Moreover, with Huang Tian Sect about to attack, staying here will leave us with nothing. It''s better to go to Yongzhou and keep our lives. Once things settle here, we can return." Zhou Jishan still showed great dissatisfaction on his face, his gaze drifting toward the carriage at the front, filled with resentment. If it weren''t for his meddling, in another few years he would have taken over the Zhou Family in Taiping County, wielding influence in the Inner City. But now, with this incident, everything had turned into a mirage. The family''s assets had been sold, and servants dismissed. This incident alone had caused them to shrink by more than a third. Zhou Jishan wasn''t a fool; he knew that by moving to Yongzhou, they would be leaving their homeland to live under someone else''s roof, and the days ahead would surely be hard. As the convoy moved farther away, the Zhou Family Mansion gradually disappeared from Zhou Dingwen''s sight. Taiping County was backed by mountains and faced the Yanshui River. The Yanshui River, like a jade belt, encircled Taiping County from the outside. The morning sun poured like molten gold over the not-so-wide river, making its surface shimmer. At this time, a huge towered ship was docked at a somewhat old ferry terminal on the banks of the Yanshui River. S§×arch* The N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Its deck was wide, and its eaves extended skyward, resembling a palace on the water, forming a sharp contrast with the modest fishing boats around it. On the deck of the towered ship, Zhou Hao, the manager of the Zhou Family, suddenly became serious and instructed the servants beside him, "Hurry and get ready, the fifth young master has arrived." At his command, the servants, all dressed in uniform brocade attire, swiftly disembarked from the ship, standing neatly at the dock''s edge, each with a solemn expression. Manager Zhou Hao also disembarked and stood respectfully before the servants. The Zhou Family''s departing convoy came closer and soon arrived beneath the towered ship. Zhou Hao quickly stepped up to the unique carriage and bowed, saying, "Everything is ready for the young master." "Thanks to Manager Zhou for assisting Lord Jiu''s family. Moving the entire family back to the county town will surely be hectic." "Yes, fifth young master, I will certainly do my utmost to assist." The carriage began to move again, and under the arrangement and accompaniment of the servants, it was directly led into the towered ship. "The rest of you help Lord Zhou move the luggage onto the ship." Under Zhou Hao''s orders, the usually quieter terminal was particularly bustling today. On the towered ship, Zhou Xintong navigated his way into a third-floor private room with ease. The private room was only ten paces wide, yet it was filled with all kinds of fruits, pastries, books, classical texts, stone locks, bows and arrows, and treasured swords, all complete. Zhou Xintong sat behind a long table, lit an incense burner, and instructed the old servant, "Uncle Tai, please run an errand to bring Zhou Jishan and Uncle Zhou Congwu here." The old servant asked nothing and leapt off the ship building with a swift move, finding the Zhou brothers, and said, "My fifth young master invites you both up." Zhou Congwu''s eyelid twitched, feeling a sudden unease, and said, "I don''t know what the fifth young master wants with us?" The old servant chuckled and said, "How would a servant like me know the master''s affairs?" "Please," Zhou Jishan said, stepping forward and pulling his brother''s wrist. "Let''s go." After Uncle Tai left, Zhou Jishan said to his brother Zhou Congwu, "I don''t know what the fifth young master wants with us. Just stick to the plan and don''t say anything unnecessary." "Okay." The two of them went up together, walked into the private room, and saw Zhou Xintong savoring tea. Zhou Jishan stepped forward and asked, "Fifth young master, did you call for us?" Zhou Xintong set down his teacup and said to Zhou Jishan, "Uncle, three days have passed. Have you found out what you promised me?" Zhou Jishan''s expression changed, and he explained, "The matter of the Twelfth Sister has long passed. At the time, we had already investigated and found out it was the family that secretly interfered." As a member of the main family''s eldest branch, Zhou Xintong stared directly at Zhou Jishan and said, "Didn''t you follow up on the clues I provided?" "I..." Zhou Xintong sneered and said, "It seems my words don''t carry much weight with you, Uncle Tai." Before he finished speaking, the old servant standing behind Zhou Congwu moved with astonishing speed. His five fingers spread open like iron pincers, suddenly striking the back of Zhou Congwu''s head. Bang. A crisp sound. Zhou Congwu''s eyes instantly widened, full of confusion and shock, but this emotion quickly vanished, replaced by emptiness and bewilderment. His body seemed drained of all strength, collapsing forward like a rag doll, his gaze scattered, gradually losing life. He died right in front of Zhou Jishan. Zhou Xintong picked up the teacup again, his gaze not lingering on Zhou Jishan for even a second, as if he was only savoring the aroma of the tea: "Now, Uncle, have you remembered to find out anything?" The sudden change left Zhou Jishan ashen-faced, his lips trembling slightly. His fingers clenched tightly, knuckles distinct, as if he was striving to control his emotions. Zhou Jishan could see that the person before him didn''t consider him as a fellow clansman at all. Instead, they treated his branch as subordinate servants, intending to swallow their family''s foundation. They deliberately chose to act not earlier, not later, but right after they boarded the ship. It was clearly premeditated, using his brother''s life as a warning! Investigating the murderer was just an excuse! Zhou Jishan had already found out that the fifth young master of the main family, even at his young age, had already reached the Yu Luo Realm in cultivation, capable of absorbing nature''s spiritual energy, and had indeed embraced the path of Martial Arts Dao. He was no match against him. A trace of despair flashed in Zhou Jishan''s eyes. ``` Chapter 157 - 81: Leaving the City! ``` "Uncle, think carefully again, don''t say I didn''t give you a chance." What did he want? Zhou Jishan was drenched in sweat, his heart began to struggle continuously. He looked up at Zhou Xintong''s smirking expression and paused. Right. Attitude. The truth wasn''t important. What he wanted was my submissive attitude. After figuring this out, Zhou Jishan swallowed dryly and said, "My twelfth sister was previously taken away by the Eagle, and then I found out that the Eagle was killed by Shen Qing. My sister''s death is probably connected to him." This was something he had already discovered, but as for whether Zhou Yu was actually killed by Shen Qing, there were no clues or evidence at all. But at this moment, he couldn''t care about that anymore, so he brought out a scapegoat first. "What is this Shen Qing''s background?" "A hunter from a village, who recently killed a tiger demon and gained the favor of the County Magistrate." That meant he was someone without a backing. Zhou Xintong''s lips curled, realizing his uncle understood what he wanted. He gently put down his teacup, made a slight sound, but it seemed like a heavy hammer struck Zhou Jishan''s heart. Zhou Xintong slowly stood up, walked to Zhou Jishan, and said, "Uncle, the death of Twelfth Aunt pains me deeply. Although Lord Jiu and the others are not from the main family, they still represent the Zhou Family''s face. Not everyone can touch them. It''s good to find out the truth now. Uncle Tai, sorry for the trouble, please make a trip." "Yes, Young Master." The old servant silently left the elegant room and disembarked from the pagoda boat. The elegant room immediately quieted down. "Ever since Uncle Wu suffered a sudden heart attack and passed away, I have felt deep sorrow. I hope that you can mourn, Uncle. Yongzhou''s Zhou Family is large and powerful, and I still anticipate joining hands with you to create a great enterprise. Please don''t let me down, Uncle." Zhou Xintong patted Zhou Jishan on the shoulder and walked out of the elegant room. After Zhou Xintong left, Zhou Jishan felt as if all his strength had been drained, leaving him in a daze. He looked at the corpse of his brother and his face suddenly turned expressionless, void of any emotion. In the Great Zhou Country, cultivation resources leaned heavily towards the main family. The martial arts cultivation of the main family had always been far superior to the branches. Martial power was equivalent to authority. Unless someone with exceptional talent for cultivation emerged from the branches, carefully nurtured to uphold the name of the branch. Otherwise, these people from the branches were destined to be inferior to the main family members, with no chance of turning the tables. After this harsh blow from Zhou Xintong, Zhou Jishan accepted his fate. Not only he accepted it, but his father Zhou Dingwen, and indeed their entire branch would accept it as well. Zhou Jishan bent down to lift his brother''s corpse and left the elegant room with a wooden expression. ... In the courtyard. "Has the Zhou Family left already?" "They''ve left. I watched their convoy leave with my own eyes." "There''s no time to lose, get ready, we should set off too." Shen Qing said to Tian Xiaohu. Tian Xiaohu pointed to the bundle at the door and said, "I''ve already brought everything over. I can leave right away." Shen Qing smiled and said, "I didn''t expect you to move so fast. Xiaohu, go notify the Hall Master at Linfeng Hall. We''ll be leaving the city in an hour." "Got it, brother." Shen Xiaohu put down what he was doing and dashed out. Although Shen Qing had risen quickly during this time, in reality, apart from some money, he hadn''t accumulated much foundation. And his uncle''s family even less so, aside from pots, bowls, and bedding, there was even less. Shen Qing bought a carriage from the city, along with a donkey cart, and both vehicles could just fit the people and belongings. Under Shen Qing''s arrangement, Tian Xiaohu and Shen Xiaoshan led the packhorse and donkey out, each harnessed with reins. Tian Xiaohu had learned to drive, so he volunteered to sit at the horse carriage''s front to drive the horse. Uncle Shen the Second drove the donkey. The two took turns cracking the whip. With a crisp whip sound, the packhorse began to trot. Shen Qing placed the heavy bow on the horse''s back and rode Zhuifeng, leading the way. After passing through a street alley, they arrived at the agreed location and successfully met up with Li Linfeng. Li Linfeng had quite a number of family members. This time returning to his hometown, he brought along many people: there were three carriages in total. At that moment, Shen Qing spotted a familiar person among them. This familiar person was none other than Xiao Zhi. He rode forward, approached Xiao Zhi''s side, and smilingly asked, "Brother Xiao, have you made up your mind?" Xiao Zhi scratched his head and replied, "Lately, for some reason, the shopkeeper hasn''t been fond of me. I figured there''s no point in staying here, so I might as well venture with you to the county town. You guys could probably use a cook for the journey." "Hahaha, we were just worried about this. With you, we''ll likely suffer less along the way." "As long as you don''t mind my cooking being terrible." Xiao Zhi chuckled and sat on Shen Qing''s donkey cart. After greeting Li Linfeng and his aunt, Shen Qing joined Li Linfeng''s convoy heading toward the city gate. "Lord Shen, where are you headed?" As they approached the city gate, Shen Qing heard someone call out. He looked in the direction of the voice. Remembering the person''s appearance, he realized this was the official who had brought him a message from County Magistrate Du Yuntong. They had met once, and the official was quite enthusiastic. He glanced at the convoy ahead, not wanting any complications, and hurriedly replied, "My master is returning to the hometown to tend to the ancestral graves, and I''m accompanying them." Quan Helin suddenly realized, as if reminded of something, "By the way, Lord Shen, it''s been a while since you''ve visited the government office to see Lord County Magistrate. He has some words about you, so it''s best if you find some time to see him." Shen Qing looked apologetic, "Thank you for the reminder, my lord. I''ve been immersed in cultivation lately and forgot about this matter. After accompanying my master today, I will definitely visit Lord County Magistrate." "As long as you remember, Lord Shen." "I won''t hold you up any longer, I''m off now. Farewell." Meanwhile, inside the carriage, Lady Wang was rummaging through her luggage. "Mom, what are you looking for?" Shen Xiaohu, also in the carriage, asked curiously. S§×arch* The N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "A mirror." "A mirror?" "Oh, I distinctly remember bringing it along. Did I leave it in the house?" Auntie frowned. That was the rare item Shen the Second had given her for the first time in years. That day, even though she said she didn''t like it, her heart was filled with joy. Now that it was lost, her face turned glum, and she felt deeply disappointed. Shen Xiaohu observed everything and said, "Mom, we haven''t gone far yet. How about I go back and get it for you?" "Never mind. We shouldn''t delay your brother''s journey over a little vanity item." Shen Xiaohu knew his mother''s personality well; she loved saying the opposite of what she meant. "It''s nothing. I''ve been practicing martial arts for a while now, and I''ve reached Qi-Blood level, so I''m practically a martial master, and I run pretty fast. Just let brother and them know, move a bit slower, and I''ll catch up after I grab the mirror." Without waiting for Lady Wang to respond, he jumped off the back of the carriage and dashed away. Lady Wang poked her head out of the carriage and informed Tian Xiaohu that Shen Xiaohu had gone to retrieve the mirror. Tian Xiaohu called out to Shen Qing, unconsciously slowing down a bit. After quite a while, Li Linfeng''s convoy had left them far behind, but Shen Xiaohu''s figure was still nowhere in sight. Given the distance, he should have been back even if he walked. Shen Qing tugged on Zhuifeng''s reins and said to the others, "Catch up with my master, I''ll go check on him and be right back." "Hyah!" Shen Qing snapped the whip and turned back towards Taiping County. ``` Chapter 158 - 82: Huang Tian Sect Attacks the City, Chaos Ensues Taiping County, at the entrance of the government office. Two gatekeepers chatted softly about today''s trivial news, their faces relaxed. Suddenly, a series of urgent footsteps accompanied by a panicked shout emerged. "A major incident has occurred, I need to see Lord County Magistrate!" Not far away, a young man with slightly disheveled clothing and an anxious expression rushed to the front of the government office like a gust of wind. The smiles on the faces of the two gatekeepers gradually faded, and exchanging a meaningful glance, one of them stepped forward and asked in a low voice, "What happened with your Cang long Gang that has you in such a panic?" They recognized the wolf head embroidered on the young man''s chest. He was a member of the Cang lang Gang. Not long ago, this gang had pledged loyalty to their County Magistrate and was working for him. In a way, they were on the same side. It''s just that they were officials, drawing a salary, while the gang members earned their future by risking their lives. For the sake of belonging to the same group, they gave him a friendly face. The disciple had not yet caught his breath, his eyes filled with terror, as if he had just escaped from the edge of hell: "No, it''s not¡­ it''s over near the county town¡­ the officials from the Guardian Martial Department dispatched from the county town, they were¡­ they were all killed!" As soon as these words were spoken, the air seemed to freeze. The faces of the two gatekeepers immediately changed. "Are you telling the truth?" "I saw it with my own eyes¡­" The two gatekeepers had long heard that recently, the county town would be sending officials from the Guardian Martial Department here to investigate the tiger demon and the Huang Tian Sect. They hadn''t expected that they would end up dying on the way, within Taiping County''s jurisdiction. A major incident had certainly occurred! Taiping County was under the jurisdiction of the county town, and now with this mysterious death situation, if the county town held them accountable, their Lord County Magistrate would be in serious trouble. If the Lord County Magistrate faced difficulties, their days would definitely be harder. The two gatekeepers instantly realized that this concerned the stability of the government office in Taiping City, and they didn''t bother with the delivery package; they quickly stepped aside and loudly reported inwards, "Report to the Lord County Magistrate swiftly, there''s an urgent matter!" With the echo of the report, a wave of chaos swept inside the government office. In the rear hall of the office. County Magistrate Du Yuntong was lazily lying on a delicate couch, resting with his eyes closed. A maid tenderly placed his legs on her lap, massaging them carefully while gently waving a fan. Suddenly, urgent footsteps were heard outside, and the County Governor and Chief Clerk rushed into the rear hall almost simultaneously, their expressions grave and anxious. The County Governor exclaimed in a panic, "Milord, a major mishap has occurred!" County Magistrate Du Yuntong, reveling in the maid''s service, feeling entirely at ease, lazily opened his eyes and said, "Why are you so anxious again? What happened to make you so flustered, devoid of any decorum." S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "A major incident has occurred." The County Governor''s voice was somewhat hoarse due to desperation. He strode to Du Yuntong and shouted, "Broad daylight, the Guardian Martial Department from the county town was fully murdered outside the county, no one survived!" Du Yuntong sat up abruptly, shock flashing in his eyes: "What did you say?" "Guardian Martial Department in the county town was attacked, no survivors." The County Governor repeated, his tone heavy, "This is the absolute truth, it has already been confirmed." Moments later, Du Yuntong quickly regained his composure and decisively ordered, "Lock down the county, intensify patrols to ensure safety. At the same time, assemble the personnel and follow me to investigate the truth outside the city." "Understood." Under County Magistrate Du Yuntong''s orders, the government office quickly became busy, with summoned officials hurrying over. In just a pot of tea time, even the officials on outside duties rushed back hastily. Du Yuntong donned his official robes, his expression serious, as he stood by the desk, keenly surveying each attending official. "Everyone¡­" "Boom!" Before Du Yuntong could finish his sentence, a loud explosion was heard outside the office, as if even the ground trembled. The government office was in a daze. Du Yuntong''s expression changed, "What happened? What''s going on outside?" The many officials in the main hall looked at each other, equally puzzled. Among the crowd, Wang Yanjun hurriedly called a subordinate to investigate. Moments later, this subordinate returned, accidentally fell to the floor, scrambling and shouting, "It''s bad, it''s really bad, there are a large number of Huang Tian Sect disciples inside and outside the city, they are attacking the city!" "Ah!" This statement caused an uproar in the hall. County Magistrate Du Yuntong''s face instantly turned as white as a sheet, his hands unconsciously falling on the desk, fingers flexing and stretching, his fingers turning slightly white with exertion. "Milord, what should we do?" County Magistrate Du Yuntong said calmly, "Team Leader Wang, take the Guardian Martial Department to the city wall and city gate, defend the gate. County Governor, go to the garrison and call Lord Wang to prepare militia, the rest of you notify the Song family and Li family bosses and various gangs, instructing them to organize defense teams. Hurry!" "Understood." As Du Yuntong issued one command after another, the entire government office sprang into action swiftly. The office was engulfed in an atmosphere of urgency and tension. "Sir, your body hasn''t fully recovered yet, shall we find some people to protect you? After all, they even killed the Guardian Martial Department from the county town, we can''t be unprepared." At this moment, the Chief Clerk seemed to remember something and reminded him. Du Yuntong reacted quickly and called out to Quan Helin, "Go to Linfeng Hall and call Shen Qing to the government office." Quan Helin''s expression suddenly became peculiar, "Milord, I just saw Shen Qing and Li Linfeng leaving the city¡­" Du Yuntong immediately realized, they were fleeing. He slammed the table, "I knew this brat was unreliable! All my kindness was for nothing." "Not just them, I also saw the Zhou Family members leaving today¡­" Du Yuntong''s expression froze, the next moment enraged with a murderous air. So they all knew the Huang Tian Sect was going to attack the county town today, and only he was kept in the dark? "Rebels, rebels, they are all with the Huang Tian Sect." In his heart, Du Yuntong labeled these people as rebels, completely oblivious to the fact that he had ignored all the signs. For a time, chaos reigned in Taiping County. In the streets and alleys, many disciples of the Huang Tian Sect suddenly emerged, instigating the townsfolk to loot and create chaos everywhere. Song Family Mansion. Song Chen, Song Yu, and Song Xuan, the three brothers of the Song family, stood before their father''s memorial tablet, their expressions solemn. Eldest brother Song Chen said, "It''s about time, we should do the big deed." Song Yu and Song Xuan remained silent, each took out a prepared yellow cloth and tied it on their foreheads. The three brothers shouted in unison, "Heaven below, Yellow Heaven above. Today, the three of us assist the Huang Tian Immortal in eliminating the wicked, if unsuccessful, then martyrdom it shall be." After speaking, they took out talismans previously given to them by the Huang Tian Sect Taoist Wei Yushan, whispered incantations under their breath, then bit their fingertips, smearing it on the talismans. An incredible scene unfolded. The talismans in their hands flashed yellow and disappeared into their chests. Instantly, they looked as though donning Yellow Armor, their muscles swelled, appearing as if they were Yellow Armored Warriors. "Let''s go, kill all those evil wealthy." "Alright!" The three brothers bent their knees and kicked off from the ground, rushing out of the dilapidated Song Family Mansion directly towards the city gate. They had already arranged for Holy Sect disciples from the Huang Tian Sect, who already led a large number of townsfolk nearby, creating chaos, making the vicinity of the city gate utterly chaotic, rendering the garrison unable to hold it. They had no choice but to take action against the townsfolk, causing screams and cries. Without another word, the Song brothers plunged into the crowd, punching and killing the gate guard. Together with the Huang Tian Sect disciples, they opened the city gate from within... Chapter 159 - 83 You despicable servant, you deserve to die! ``` "Tap, tap, tap!" Shen Qing slung the heavy arrow onto his back, spurred his horse, and charged into the city. The sound of the horse''s hooves echoed on the street, sharp and urgent. Looking ahead, Shen Qing saw that the once bustling shops were now in chaos. Shopkeepers wore panicked expressions; some were frantically rolling up their bedding, while others hurriedly stuffed goods from the shelves into wagons. Everywhere, women whispered anxiously and men labored heavily. An ominous premonition filled the air. "I heard the Huang Tian Sect is coming. They burn, kill, and loot, committing all kinds of atrocities. They just killed all the officials of the Guardian Martial Department in the county town. We should escape quickly to save our lives!" "Yes, yes, yes, if we don''t leave now, it''ll be too late." ... Several well-dressed merchants gathered and whispered together. The street was noisy, and their voices weren''t loud, but Shen Qing, who was passing by, heard them. He couldn''t help but furrow his eyebrows, his nerves tense. Shen Qing knew the Huang Tian Sect would come, but he hadn''t expected them to arrive so quickly. He had to find Xiao Hu as soon as possible and take him away. Delaying could lead to disaster. He dared not delay for a moment, tightened his grip on the horse''s abdomen, and quickened its pace, heading straight for the courtyard. Along the way, Shen Qing encountered many raggedly clad people, dragging their weary bodies through the crowd, begging for food or shelter. Unfortunately, the passersby were in a hurry and paid them no attention. After rounding a few streets, Shen Qing finally arrived near the familiar courtyard. The gate was half-open, and he quickly dismounted the horse, tying the reins casually to an old locust tree outside, and rushed into the courtyard in a few strides. Once inside, Shen Qing halted his steps, his gaze quickly locking onto the center of the courtyard. There stood an old man in gray short attire, looking like a servant. Bloodstains were all over his body, and his eyes, hidden within wrinkles, glimmered with a sinister light, indicating he meant harm. "Are you Shen Qing, Mr. Shen?" "Who are you?" Shen Qing''s voice was low and wary, filled with vigilance. He looked around, discovering that besides this uninvited guest, the courtyard was empty, with no trace of Shen Xiaohu, and his heart sank immediately. The old man slowly raised his head, a smile curling the corner of his mouth, and said calmly, "An old servant under the fifth young Master of Yongzhou''s Zhou Family, ordered by the Master to take Mr. Shen''s life." Having achieved the "Never Forget" ability, Shen Qing''s mind held no impression of this Zhou Family fifth young Master. He replied coldly, "I have no acquaintance with your Master, no grievances in recent days, nor enmity in the past. I wonder what I have done to offend your Master that he wants to take my life?" "No need for a grudge. My Master just wants to borrow Mr. Shen''s head. If you agree, this old servant can give you a swift death." As soon as his voice fell, the old servant''s clothes fluttered without wind. Shen Qing''s eyes immediately narrowed, reflecting the faint cyclone swirling around the old servant. The servant before him could freely circulate and emit Qi from his body, forming a protective barrier, indicating his cultivation had reached at least the Qi Cultivation Realm or he was partly in the Qi Sea Realm. Such ability ranked him as a top expert in Taiping County, yet he willingly served the Zhou Family as a mere servant. What exactly was the background of Yongzhou''s Zhou Family? Shen Qing took a deep breath, calming the turmoil inside, and said indifferently, "I want to ask you something." "Oh? What is it? Speak." "Have you seen my younger cousin? What did you do to him?" The old servant glanced at the bloodstain beneath him, "Earlier, I killed a few young men about your age near your home. Now that I think about it, one of them did bear some resemblance to you..." "Then you, dog servant, surely deserve to die!" Shen Qing''s entire body shook, and he suddenly attacked. Qi gathered at his fingertips with a muffled sound, turning into a sharp Qi Force that shot directly towards the old servant. The old servant''s eyes widened in shock. In haste, he gathered all his Qi, forming an invisible barrier in front of him, causing the air to warp. Bang! Shen Qing''s Qi Force hit the old servant, causing him to stumble backward. The barrier he had formed wavered and dissipated. Fear filled the old servant''s face. "Qi Cultivation Realm. You are also a martial master of the Qi Cultivation Realm?" His heart instantly lost its composure. He had worked diligently for years in the Zhou Family, acquiring a high-level Martial Arts skill through years of toil and some Elixirs, only reaching this level. Even so, it was the envy of many. Yet the young man before him, a hunter by birth, trained martial arts in a place like Linfeng Hall, certainly didn''t have his resources. Bluntly speaking, even a crumb of cultivation resources from the Zhou Family was something Linfeng Hall could never amass in eight lifetimes. How did he achieve this? Impossible, absolutely impossible; it must be an illusion. With a steely expression, the old servant decided to hold nothing back. Twisting his foot, his body swayed as he charged toward Shen Qing, throwing punch after punch. "Die!" Bang, bang, bang. Shen Qing transformed his fingers into a palm, clashing with the old servant''s fists, producing dull collision sounds. The opponent''s fists were like the wind, each carrying the might to move mountains, penetrating deeply, and extremely fast. Even the Wind Defying Finger, known for speedy movement, struggled to cope. Shen Qing took several solid punches. Fortunately, he had trained in the Dragon Roar Armor, and with the Golden Silkworm Armor on, the old servant''s strength seemed fierce but didn''t even break the skin''s defense. The more the old servant fought, the more alarmed he became; the opponent''s Qi Force seemed endless, with an unusually terrifying defense. Despite striking with full force multiple times, the opponent appeared unfazed. Continuing this way, he would soon exhaust all his Qi. Was this fellow even human? They exchanged blows rapidly in the courtyard, each dull explosion echoing constantly. sea??h th§× N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The old servant''s fist winds were fiercer, striking continuously, yet Shen Qing''s entire body was like an unbreakable wall, blocking his Qi Force outside. "Is this all you''ve got? And you dare come to kill me, who gave you the courage?" "Hmm?" The old servant suddenly looked up, meeting Shen Qing''s eyes. The other''s eyes were filled with a beast-like ferocity, glaring brightly, causing him to shiver. "You..." Whoosh! In an instant, Shen Qing extended two fingers, pointing at the old servant''s chest. With a fierce whistling, they landed on the old servant with incredible speed. "Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill, Fourth Transformation: Congeal!" A surge of scorching and fiery Qi erupted from between Shen Qing''s fingers. Violent Qi Force exploded at the old servant''s chest, detonating from a single point. Bang! Screaming, the old servant was struck by the Qi Force, flying like a broken kite, slamming hard against the courtyard wall. His heart trembled violently. No, I must leave, or I''ll die here. Gritting his teeth, the old servant leaped onto the roof, using Qinggong to flee desperately. Shen Qing narrowed his eyes. He took down the heavy bow on his back, setting a dark iron heavy arrow. With sharp eyesight, he activated his skill. Shen Qing''s senses magnified greatly, his gaze locking onto the old servant, tracking his movement trajectory in an instant. Focusing all his power in his right hand, the bow drew to a full moon. In the next moment, Shen Qing abruptly released the string. With a "whoosh," the dark iron heavy arrow shot out like a bolt of lightning, tearing through the sky with a roar, heading straight for the old servant. Sensing the threat of the arrow, the old servant was utterly shocked. Turning his head, he saw the heavy arrow rapidly enlarging in his pupils. Finally, with a "thud," it pierced through his chest. The old servant''s body stiffened in mid-air, a trickle of blood at his mouth, his eyes losing their luster, falling powerlessly from the sky like a bird. ``` Chapter 161 - 85: Guarding the Stump Waiting for Rabbits, Turmoil Outside the City As the forces of the Huang Tian Sect invaded, the government office''s military camp and the remaining Wang and Li family bosses became primary targets of attack. Inside and outside the county town, chaos erupted. Faced with such a situation, County Magistrate Du Yuntong and his subordinates had no intention of resisting. They charged recklessly through the chaotic streets, broke through the east gate, and fled directly, much to the astonishment of everyone. The guards, who still had the heart to resist, saw County Magistrate Du Yuntong and others had already fled. Their morale collapsed instantly, and they surrendered on the spot. Various parts of Taiping County quickly fell one by one. In the inner city, flames soared into the sky, and the air was thick with the stench of smoke and blood. The cries and despairing pleas of the people rose and fell. Shen Qing''s expression grew more severe. He continuously whipped Zhuifeng''s flanks. He saw on the water ink panel in his vision that the progress of his Riding Skill jumped bit by bit at a speed visible to the naked eye. The steed Zhuifeng seemed to sense Shen Qing''s urgency and determination, galloping through the chaos and forcibly forging a path. Upon reaching the east gate, Shen Qing squeezed the horse''s flanks, and Zhuifeng charged out of the city gate like a wild horse, leaving the chaos and despair far behind. After running continuously for one or two miles until he was far from that chaos, Shen Qing slowly reined in, allowing the horse to catch its breath. He couldn''t help but look back in the direction of Taiping County. At this moment, Taiping County seemed to be shrouded in a heavy haze. The sky was no longer the usual blue but had turned a heart-stopping earthy yellow. The yellow light seemed to drift from the far southwest, layer upon layer, carrying a sense of oppression. The yellow light continued to spread, and some of its edges had already extended over Shen Qing''s head. Shen Qing gazed at the county town shrouded in yellow light, and his heart sank. This was obviously not a method of martial arts, but more akin to the way of Dao. The Huang Tian Sect might be stronger than he had imagined. Shen Qing took a deep breath, suppressed the turmoil in his heart, patted Zhuifeng''s neck, and signaled it to continue. He still needed to catch up with his master and aunt quickly. Sear?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Giddyup!" The steed Zhuifeng raised its head, let out a loud whinny, and galloped away with renewed speed. ... On the official road ahead, considering that Shen Qing was looking for someone, Li Linfeng and Uncle Shen the Second, along with a convoy of nearly twenty people, slowly advanced. Driving the carriage, Tian Xiaohu occasionally looked back at the official road behind them, appearing heavy-hearted. By now, Taiping County was no longer visible, but when he saw the sky over Taiping County turn yellow, his face suddenly became grim. Something had indeed happened in Taiping County. Along the way, he had heard that the Huang Tian Sect was attacking the county town, which sent a shiver down his spine. He knew in his heart that with his meager ability, hoping to survive in such chaos was just wishful thinking. Fortunately, he had made the right choice once again. Boom, boom, boom. Suddenly, a thunderous sound came from the clear sky, surprising everyone in the convoy, and they looked up. The sun still hung high, and its golden rays pierced through the sparse clouds, intertwining with the occasional flashes of silver lightning, creating a bizarre scene. Inside the carriage, Elder Sister Shen Fang was startled by the thunder. She gently lifted the curtain of the carriage and peeked out. Faced with such strange weather, Elder Sister Shen Fang''s face filled with concern, and she asked Xiao Zhi and Tian Xiaohu, "Has Qingzi returned?" Tian Xiaohu looked back along the official road a few more times and shook his head, saying, "Haven''t seen him yet, but he should be back soon." "Whoa..." The convoy of Li Linfeng and others suddenly halted, causing the distracted Tian Xiaohu to hastily pull the reins in a hurry. The horse stopped in its tracks immediately, avoiding a collision with the front. Kneeling and stretching her head, Elder Sister Shen Fang, due to the momentum, lurched forward. If it hadn''t been for Xiao Zhi''s quick reaction, she might have fallen off the carriage. "Why did it suddenly stop up ahead?" Tian Xiaohu handed the reins to Xiao Zhi and said, "Don''t move; I''ll go ahead and have a look." Tian Xiaohu jogged to the front of the convoy. The further he went, the thicker the smell of blood in the air. At the front of Li Linfeng''s convoy, shadows flickered. When Tian Xiaohu arrived, the area was already surrounded by Li Linfeng and others. Tian Xiaohu squeezed through and, upon seeing the scene in front of him, froze like wood, with fear constantly creeping up his face. Corpses lay haphazardly, their faces twisted. Some heads were tilted to one side, with hollow eyes staring at the sky, others with tightly clenched fists, their fingertips deeply embedded in the soil. Most of them had holes in their bodies, as if pierced by arrows. The air was thick with the stench of blood and rust. This wasn''t important; what was important was the attire on these people, as they belonged to the Guardian Martial Department! Rustle, rustle. Suddenly, from the shadows of the bushes on both sides of the convoy''s rear, came the sound of footsteps and the clash of metal. Disciples of the Huang Tian Sect, each dressed in characteristic attire, emerged from the bushes. They wielded heavy crossbows, pointing them at Li Linfeng and others, leaving everyone in the convoy horrified. Among these disciples stood a towering man, seven feet tall. The Huang Tian Sect members around him automatically made way for him. This man''s status in the Huang Tian Sect was not low. The uncle, aunt, and the others, who had never encountered such situations, were terrified, quickly huddling together with Li Linfeng and others. Li Linfeng, realizing they might be in big trouble today, quickly approached, and with respectful hands, he addressed the leading man: "Good sir, we are just ordinary folks passing by. I hope you can be generous." The leading man scrutinized Li Linfeng from head to toe, his face revealing unexpected delight: "The commander told us to lie in ambush here to prevent those corrupt officials from escaping and ruining our major affairs. I didn''t expect that the first arrivals would be you fat sheep." Li Linfeng''s heart sank. From what it sounded like, these people were not going to let them go today. He was about to argue for himself, intending to spend money to avert disaster, when suddenly someone from the other side ran over, shouting: "General, the city officials and their entourage are charging towards us with a big group of subordinates. What should we do?" The leading man, showing a hint of displeasure, said without thinking: "Get the brothers and sisters ready quickly, and kill those Ji family lackeys." "And these?" "Kill them first!" "General, there''s not enough time. The officials from Taiping County are riding fast horses and will arrive in no time." The bearded man took a glance at Li Linfeng and others, cursed under his breath: "Consider yourselves lucky. Assign a few brothers to watch them. The rest, follow me and get ready to ambush those damn officials. We mustn''t let a single one escape today." "Yes." The thirty to forty Huang Tian Sect members behind the convoy swiftly and efficiently redirected their heavy crossbows forward and entered ambush positions. Thud, thud, thud... The sound of horse hooves grew nearer. Just as they settled into their ambush, County Magistrate Du Yuntong, with Wang Yanjun and others, charged headlong into the Huang Tian Sect''s ambush. "Kill!" Chapter 162 - 86: Ambush, Encounter an Attack ```html On the official road leading to Yongzhou County, the sound of galloping hooves was urgent and powerful. County Magistrate Du Yuntong, who had already escaped the Inner City, rode swiftly without daring to pause. Behind him, a group of disheveled officials followed closely. Riding beside County Magistrate Du Yuntong, Wang Yanjun shouted, "Lord County Magistrate, we have broken through the county seat. Where shall we head next? There''s a post station forty li ahead; should we rest there for a while?" County Magistrate Du Yuntong slightly turned his head, his eyes resolute as he said, "No, we cannot! Taiping County has fallen into the hands of traitors; this place is no longer safe. We must reach the county town as soon as possible to report the situation to the county government." His voice was not loud, yet every word was forceful. His long-standing position of power unintentionally exuded an aura of authority, calming the hearts of the officials following him. In truth, despite his calm demeanor, County Magistrate Du Yuntong was inwardly in turmoil. He knew that with the fall of the county seat, as the county officer, he could not escape punishment. Losing his position would be the least of his worries. A single moment of carelessness, and he might even face severe punishment. Fortunately, he had been secretly making offerings to the county governor over the years, amounting to no less than ten thousand taels. If he could evade some responsibility, the governor might grant him a way out, given his past services. In the future, at the right opportunity, he could restore his ties and perhaps make a comeback. Therefore, what mattered most was reaching the county town as quickly as possible. As County Magistrate Du Yuntong was thinking, a sudden shout erupted from ahead, "Kill!" Without any hesitation or preliminaries. As soon as they entered the range, the Cult Members of the Huang Tian Sect lying in ambush took action decisively. "Protect Lord County Magistrate!" Wang Yanjun, as the leader of the Guardian Martial Department, roared, leading his subordinates to quickly form a defensive formation, tightly protecting Du Yuntong in the center. Along with the rebel army''s roar, a heavy killing intent pervaded the air. Arrows rained down like droplets, arriving in the blink of an eye. The many martial masters around Du Yuntong circulated their Qi-Blood, lying low on their horses to dodge the arrows. Unfortunately, the arrows were too dense to avoid entirely. "Whiz whiz whiz." The arrows came down in a flurry. The skin of the martial masters in the Skin Forging Realm had become as hard as cowhide, but against the arrows shot by the Huang Tian Sect, their flesh was still pierced. "Crossbows! They''re using crossbows!" The ordinary officials and martial masters coming together were shocked. The many horses, already large and muscular, nearly couldn''t escape under this impenetrable rain of arrows, with over half of them hit. "Neigh!" The warhorses let out a series of mournful cries, collapsing with their riders in a cloud of dust, leaving those thrown from their steeds'' backs in unknown states. Du Yuntong held the reins tightly, surveying the surroundings before calming down and shouting to the remaining people, "In this situation, hesitating is death! Follow me and charge through!" County Magistrate Du Yuntong, mainly focused on profit as a magistrate, was no fool to hold this position. Faced with a sudden ambush, he quickly responded appropriately. Wang Yanjun, being the head of the Guardian Martial Department, had cultivation just below County Magistrate Du Yuntong in the Qi Cultivation Realm, After noticing a brief gap in the opponent''s crossbow fire, she drew her blade and charged forward at the forefront. "A general?" The burly man in the lead spread his arms to block, "A female martial artist in the Qi Cultivation Realm from the county seat, that''s rare. Let''s test her mettle." He casually drew a blade from a nearby Holy Sect Disciple and leaped forward. With a low command, the two simultaneously struck with their blades. The blade light, like a dragon, collided fiercely with their respective intentions. Bang! A deafening roar exploded in the void, scattering airwaves and kicking up dust and fallen leaves. Wang Yanjun felt an indescribable force travel from the hilt, instantaneously spreading through her body, causing excruciating pain in her wrist. Looking closely, she saw her hand had small cracks opening at the wrist, with blood seeping out, dripping along the blade''s hilt. No matter how much she tried to stay calm, she couldn''t conceal the slight tremble of her wrist. "This strength¡­" Wang Yanjun inwardly marveled, "Qi Hai Realm!!!" However, her move this time was not to determine life and death with the opponent. After forcing the opponent back with a strike, Wang Yanjun didn''t stay and instead used the blade as a whip, striking the horse''s rear, charging towards the Huang Tian Sect, attempting a breakthrough. The burly man from the Huang Tian Sect curved a faint smile at the sight, pulling out a talisman and sticking it on himself. Yellow light burst forth, enveloping him. With a powerful kick, he shot forward like an arrow, reaching Wang Yanjun swiftly. In Wang Yanjun''s startled gaze, the long blade rose once again, slicing through a horse''s legs. Boom. Under the powerful inertia, Wang Yanjun was thrown off her horse, rolling several times. Before she could regain her footing, in that brief breath, a fierce killing intent suddenly arose from behind. Wang Yanjun''s heart tightened, instinctively wanting to turn, but the long blade behind had already followed. A gleaming long blade, whistling through the air, descended at an astonishing speed. Wang Yanjun, relying on years of combat instinct, raised her blade abruptly to meet the strike from behind. The metallic clang was deafening, sparks flying. The opponent''s force, concentrated in this strike, exceeded Wang Yanjun''s expectations. She felt an unusual force course through her, as if hit by tidal waves, her innards seemed displaced. Pain washed over her like a tide, nearly suffocating her into unconsciousness. Li Linfeng, witnessing this scene, was greatly shaken. He knew Wang Yanjun''s cultivation was similar to his, both being martial masters in the Qi Cultivation Realm. Yet against this General of the Huang Tian Sect, she had no chance to retaliate. Facing him would also mean no chance of victory. He gritted his teeth and quickly made a decision. Channeling Qi throughout his body, he swiftly moved towards several Holy Sect Disciples, shouting, "Go!" The others, realizing the situation, acted without hesitation, climbing onto the carriages, cracking the whip. Crack! S~ea??h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Onward!" Li Linfeng led two carriage teams in a rapid charge. The remaining Huang Tian Sect Cult Members intended to encircle, but found the government officials also charging through in retreat. The General of the Huang Tian Sect looked coldly at Wang Yanjun, swung his blade without a word. Wang Yanjun''s fragile body, like tofu, was easily decapitated, her head crashing heavily to the ground. "Ignore these, eliminate those fleeing officials. Leave none alive." ``` Chapter 163 - 87 The Arrow That Descends from the Sky "Kill!" County Magistrate Du Yuntong and the others understood that these traitors of the Huang Tian Sect would not spare them, each one of them fighting back ferociously, willing to fight to the death. Both sides engaged in close combat. On the official road, the sounds of killing shook the heavens, deafeningly loud. The Huang Tian Sect General held a long knife, his face calm and composed. After killing Wang Yanjun, he glanced over at the many officials without hesitation, his figure burst forth like a ferocious tiger descending from the mountain, and he charged directly into the chaotic battle. Wherever he went, no one could withstand his might. Those like the County Governor who were caught in strenuous combat couldn''t hold him off at all. Usually so authoritative in the county government, County Magistrate Du Yuntong now looked ashen, gathering all his Qi Force, he roared angrily, "You scoundrel, how dare you!" "Hmm?" The Huang Tian Sect General pivoted on his foot, swinging his knife directly. The blade''s light was like a streaking comet, tearing through the void, carrying a force like tearing everything apart, charging straight at Du Yuntong. Du Yuntong''s expression changed as he leaped down from horseback. Then, clenching his fists tightly, a vast amount of Qi Force surged within him, weaving into an impenetrable web in midair, forcibly blocking the blade light of the Huang Tian Sect General. The Huang Tian Sect General unexpectedly shouted, "Hmm? Qi Hai Realm! Are you Taiping County Magistrate Du Yuntong?!" He recognized at a glance the cultivation of the person before him; only after opening the Qi Sea could one achieve such a boundless outwards free level of Qi Force. And as far as he knew, only County Magistrate Du Yuntong in the Taiping County government''s office had reached that level. Truly, what a big fish he had caught! Seeing Du Yuntong, the face of the Huang Tian Sect General displayed great joy, "I never thought I''d encounter such a big achievement, taking you back, the Commander will definitely reward me handsomely. Since it''s like this, I won''t be polite." With these words, he burst forth, his whole body''s Qi Force exploding outwards, condensing around the knife, relentlessly slicing down towards Du Yuntong. Du Yuntong hurriedly met knife with fist. His skin had been tempered over years to be as hard as steel, and with the help of Qi Force, he could actually resist the other''s knife force with his flesh. Bang bang bang bang... The long knife and the invisible Qi Force collided continuously, the two exchanged blows in rapid succession, the deafening dull explosions ringing out. At this moment, Du Yuntong cursed in his mind. A few months ago, his eager rush in training led to an accident injuring his meridians, his cultivation not only failed to advance but regressed. Now, with his injuries yet to heal, after consecutive moves, his Qi Force gradually waned. He really couldn''t understand why, after the Great Zhou Dynasty captured the Martial Mechanism, the Huang Tian Sect still had so many martial masters, even Qi Hai Realm martial masters. Unwilling to accept death, Du Yuntong shouted angrily, "Do you think that capturing the county city means you can rest easy? Killing Yongzhou''s officials, the Prefectural Governor and the others won''t let you off, they''ll certainly lead an army to retaliate, leaving you no place to bury your bodies." "If I die, I will ascend to the Yellow Heaven and achieve the immortal position, there''s no need for you to worry about me!" The Huang Tian Sect General charged again fiercely. Just when he thought he had the victory in his grasp, Du Yuntong suddenly noticed a small flaw in his opponent. His eyes focused, his Qi Force boiled to the peak, his fists swung violently, two brilliant streaks of Qi Force slashed through the void like lightning, whistling straight towards the opponent''s chest. The Huang Tian Sect General saw this, his expression changed greatly, wanting to swing the knife with all his strength to block it. But he was ultimately a step too late, one streak of Qi Force pierced through his clothes, harshly hitting his chest, sending his entire body flying, hitting the ground heavily. Du Yuntong stood there panting, his eyes filled with surprise, "It''s done, let''s go." However, what he didn''t expect was that before he could get on the horse, the opponent had taken out a golden Elixir and swallowed it. The next moment, as if nothing had happened, he stood up again, shouting, "Want to leave? It''s not that easy, I haven''t fought enough!" His whole body''s Qi Force erupted furiously, condensing on the blade, then lunged forward. The Huang Tian Sect General turned into a yellow light, rushing to stand before Du Yuntong, slashing down with the knife, Qi Force bursting out. With a muffled thud, accompanied by a scream. Du Yuntong, who was nearly exhausted, had one arm chopped off by the opponent''s slash, blood splattering out like a fountain. Immediately afterward, the Huang Tian Sect General''s big hands suddenly turned into a black shadow, as fast as lightning, grabbing his head directly. County Magistrate Du Yuntong hadn''t reacted yet, only feeling his scalp tighten, and then the whole person was like fallen leaves swept up by a fierce wind, completely losing control. "Bang!" S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. With a heavy muffled sound, the county magistrate was slammed to the ground by the Huang Tian Sect General. Dust rose up, and the surrounding air seemed to quake. Under this powerful impact, all of County Magistrate Du Yuntong''s Qi Force instantly collapsed, he felt as if his internal organs were displaced, seeing stars dance wildly before his eyes, even breathing became exceedingly difficult. He struggled to get up but found he couldn''t move a single finger, his mouth barely open, only able to let out weak groans, unable to form a complete sentence. "Did you ever think of today when you held your high position?" the Huang Tian Sect General said, staring at County Magistrate Du Yuntong with a deep, powerful voice. "All of you are of the same ilk, the sins on you, I fear, are countless." County Magistrate Du Yuntong raised his head, his eyes full of fear. The Huang Tian Sect General sneered, "Rest assured, I won''t kill you just yet, alive you''re worth more than dead." With that, he looked around, seeing that these officials, some dead, some injured, couldn''t stir up any trouble. Thus, the Huang Tian Sect General looked into the distance, "A few small fry got away, from their looks they must have considerable wealth, best to catch up." He grabbed Du Yuntong by the collar, casting a talisman, with one hand forming a spell seal. The talisman gleamed golden, landing at his feet to lift him up. Next moment, he transformed into a yellow light, landing directly in front of Li Linfeng and the others, who had just fled. Bang! The Huang Tian Sect General slapped his palm on the head of the lead carriage. The galloping horses suddenly stopped, as if an immense force blocked their way, their tails high in the air before they crashed heavily to the ground, forcibly brought to a halt, unable to rise again. Everyone sitting in the carriage fell out one by one, tumbling on the ground. When they looked up, they saw the Huang Tian Sect General, as golden as a war god, and then saw Du Yuntong''s miserable state, their faces turned ashen. The Huang Tian Sect General casually tossed Du Yuntong to the ground, saying with a blank expression, "Leaving without saying goodbye, isn''t that a bit impolite?" Li Linfeng, who had seen many great storms, had no idea how to respond to this scene. In the time they delayed, many Huang Tian Sect disciples who had finished cleaning up the aftermath already rushed over. Although some had been lost, there were still nearly twenty, all bathed in blood and fiercely murderous. The Huang Tian Sect General cast his gaze down, scanning Li Linfeng and the others coldly, saying, "I''ll give you two choices, die lying down or die standing!" Li Linfeng opened his mouth to say something, but found he couldn''t utter a single complete sentence. If even he was like this, there was no need to mention the others. In the carriage, Shen Fang, aunt, and others huddled together, trembling. "It seems you all want to lie down and die!" The Huang Tian Sect General, hearing no response for a long time, made the decision for them. He took a step forward, raising the knife in his hand. At this moment, an ebony light suddenly descended from the sky, its speed incredibly fast, whistling straight at the Huang Tian Sect General... "Hmm? What''s this?" Chapter 164 - 88: Power of a Thousand Jun, Divine Shot! The dark light tore through the air with a piercing whistle, arriving in an instant. It moved so fast that no one could react in time. In the blink of an eye, the Huang Tian Sect General twisted his wrist. The long blade glimmered under the sunlight, like a dragon soaring through the Nine Heavens, unleashing an unstoppable power upwards. Boom! The dark light struck the long blade, producing a thunderous explosion. An invisible force, like a raging sea, swept through, the air swirling and raising clouds of dust, enveloping the Huang Tian General in chaos. As the wind died and the dust settled, sunlight pierced through, revealing the disheveled Huang Tian Sect General. He appeared staggered, his clothes in disarray, his face covered in dust. Before him was an arrow made of dark iron, like a divine weapon from ancient times, embedded in the ground. The surrounding ground cracked under the weight of the force, revealing a meter-wide deep pit, the strength tremendous. Li Linfeng and the others were shocked, finding the arrow surprisingly familiar. The Huang Tian Sect General stood firm like a pine tree, his expression stern as he shouted forward: "Who are you? How dare you cause trouble here?" His voice was deep, like thunder blasting across the sky, spreading far and wide, carrying an unmatched authority, resonating through the clouds. S§×arch* The N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Swish, swish, swish... In response came a series of rapid, sharp sounds cutting through the air. From the distance, dark trails shot up from the ground, slicing through the sky, targeting the many Huang Tian Divine Sect disciples behind the convoy. A heavy bow of fifty shi was not something the crossbows could rival, and the arrows it shot were extraordinarily powerful. Within a range of two hundred steps, those below the Skin Forging Realm were like paper in front of these arrows. "Ah!" Screams echoed one after another. More than half of the Holy Sect disciples were hit and fell to the ground. Some with insufficient cultivation were torn apart by the power of the heavy arrows, unable even to scream. These Huang Tian disciples displayed expressions of extreme fear, retreating constantly. Looking ahead, they saw a young man on a fast horse emerging from the winding official road in the deep mountains, his back straight, drawing his bow to a full moon. The young man squinted, his fingers suddenly loosening, and another dark iron Heavy Arrow shot out with a crash. Swish! The dark arrowhead glimmered in the sunlight, landing in front of the Huang Tian Sect followers. This arrow was incredibly accurate, piercing through five people in one breath, stopping only when it pinned the last person to the ground, with just a touch causing injury. "Godly shot, godly shot!" The surviving Huang Tian Sect followers were utterly terrified upon seeing this and fled into the mountain forest in panic. On the official road, chaos dissipated in an instant, the obstacles swept away by the might of Shen Qing''s arrows. Shen Qing did not stop his offensive, lowering himself close to the horse''s back, muscles taut, urging the steed Zhuifeng to gallop forward. The next moment, he charged directly to the front of the Huang Tian Sect General. Holding a Heavy Bow, Shen Qing wielded it like a weapon, sweeping with a mighty wind and an unquestionable domineering aura. The Huang Tian General''s expression was grave, his long blade like a dragon emerging from the sea, stretched across his chest. Then, he quickly conjured a yellow talisman, which hovered in front of him, transforming into a yellow Light Shield, forming a protective barrier. Boom! The moment the Heavy Bow collided with the Light Shield, a deafening sound erupted, stirring the surrounding air, forming visible waves. "Wow!" The Huang Tian Sect General flew backward like a kite with a broken string, gusts of wind trailing him, crashing into a large ancient tree. The tree snapped with a sound, branches and leaves fluttering, dust rising. The combined force of Shen Qing and his steed was unimaginable, a force surging along the blade before him, even making the talisman-transformed Light Shield hard to withstand. The Huang Tian Sect General barely managed to stabilize himself with all his strength. Hiss... The talisman floating in the air spontaneously ignited like a struck match, turning to ash and dispersing with the wind. The Huang Tian Sect General was hit by Shen Qing''s strike, feeling as though his insides were twisted, his entire body numb. "I am Hongshan Shen Qing!" Shen Qing stated calmly from horseback. Upon hearing the familiar name, County Magistrate Du Yuntong, lying on the official road, struggled to lift his eyelids to glance at Shen Qing, his eyes lighting up with surprise. ''Good! Hope he can hold on for a stick of incense, half a tea''s time, allowing me to recover some strength and escape into the forest... perhaps I might have a chance of survival.'' As for whether Shen Qing could deal with the Huang Tian Sect General, it was not even in his considerations. Even his Qi Hai Realm cultivation was no match. How could a mere Qi Cultivation Realm withstand him? As long as Shen Qing did not die too quickly, it would be commendable. Gaining some time for him to escape was enough. Shen Qing slid off his horse, strolling over to Tian Xiaohu and Li Linfeng, noticing Li Linfeng stained with blood and frowning. "Shen Qing? The hero who slew the demon tiger?" Shen Qing remained silent. He hadn''t expected this Huang Tian Sect punisher, meeting for the first time, to recognize him. The Huang Tian Sect General, with an appreciative gaze, said: "With skills like yours, I see you''re not aligned. Why not join our Holy Sect and share in the divine bliss?" Shen Qing laughed in response. From his recent encounters, he found the Huang Tian Sect''s ways somewhat extreme, a madness willing to do anything to achieve its goals. Just now, if he hadn''t arrived in time, his uncles, the Hall Master, and Tian Xiaohu might have already fallen under their blade. Shen Qing had a very poor opinion of them. "No need, I have no interest in joining your so-called Holy Sect, I''m not a believer." The Huang Tian Sect General was not angered: "Then what are you interested in?" "I''m very interested in killing you. Would you graciously do me the favor of taking your own life in front of me?" The Huang Tian Sect General was momentarily stunned, then burst into laughter, as if hearing the funniest thing: "Hahaha... I admit you have some skill, but you''re still a long way from killing me, it seems I have to cut down your arrogance." So far, the only true expert Shen Qing had encountered was the Zhou Family''s old servant at the Great Perfection of Qi Cultivation Realm. Even that only required forty percent of his strength. How much effort could this person require? "Understanding still feels shallow; to truly know one must act. Some things need trying." "If you seek death, then don''t blame me." Before the words were fully spoken, the Huang Tian Sect General lightly raised his left hand, an ancient talisman rising from his palm, radiating brilliant light, instantly enveloping him. The talisman did not dissipate; instead, it transformed into a stream of light, merging into the chest of the Huang Tian Sect General. Instantly, his aura changed dramatically. All his muscles swelled like mountain ridges, each inch of flesh seeming to contain explosive power, making the Huang Tian Sect General a massive figure. A menacing aura radiated. The Huang Tian Sect General exhaled a hot breath, snarling: "Alright then, kill!" His eyes flared with anger, a sharp gaze locking onto Shen Qing, abruptly swinging his blade. An aura of killing intent spread. In the Huang Tian Master''s hand, the long blade sliced through the air with a whistling sound, like a silver lightning bolt, striking toward Shen Qing''s chest at lightning speed. Chapter 165 - 89: Killed, Talisman, Register of Huang Tian Sect Spies Under this astonishing transformation, that seemingly plain long blade in the hand of the Huang Tian Sect General exploded with a terrifying and shocking might. Around the blade, Qi swirled like dragons, layer upon layer, causing one''s hair to stand on end, permeating a soul-stirring oppression. Although it seemed like a casual slash, it left Shen Qing feeling as though he was in the midst of a storm, with no way to evade. Shen Qing took a deep breath, his muscles tense. The Dragon Roar Armor was driven to its peak by him. A warm stream surged violently from his Dantian, quickly spreading throughout his body. In the next moment, the membrane originally covering his skin due to the breakthrough with the Iron Cloth Shirt became crystal clear and more solid under his urging, closely wrapping him like armor. "Bang!" The long blade landed on Shen Qing''s chest, producing a metallic slicing sound. The Golden Silkworm Armor, which was originally impervious to blade and spear, was neatly cut open by this one strike, and the blade landed on the transparent membrane on Shen Qing''s chest. The crisp sound of metal friction and blazing light spilled out. Driven by instinct in battle, Shen Qing couldn''t help but take two steps back to avoid the momentum of the long blade. Once he dodged the excess blade, he quickly lowered his head to look and found a thick white mark left on his chest, as if a solid block of ice had been cut. Aside from that, there was no discomfort. A look of surprise appeared on Shen Qing''s face, and he immediately regarded the Martial Arts of the Dragon Roar Armor in a new light and gained a clearer understanding of the crystalline membrane. "How is this possible?" In contrast to Shen Qing''s calm, the Huang Tian Sect General looked as though he had seen a ghost. Others might not have known, but he was clear in his heart just how strong that slash was. With the talisman''s blessing, saying it was his strongest strike would not be an exaggeration. Even if a martial master of the Qi Hai Realm stood before him, it would have been enough to inflict severe damage. But this martial master in the Qi Cultivation Realm, who had not yet learned the skill of external Qi manifestation to condense Qi into formidability, blocked it with just his flesh and blood, which overturned his understanding. Realizing the frightening defense of the Dragon Roar Armor, Shen Qing instantly felt immense confidence, and a slight smile appeared at the corner of his mouth. "As a martial master of the Qi Hai Realm, is this what you''re capable of?" he suddenly spoke, staring at his opponent. The Huang Tian Sect General instinctively met his gaze, only to see a pair of eyes like those of a beast awakening, flickering with a bloodthirsty gleam that made one''s heart tremble, leaving him stunned. "You..." Before he could finish speaking, he saw, with a roar, a pair of fingers rapidly piercing his chest with an ear-piercing sound. "Poof!" A pale yellow and semi-transparent Light Shield and runes suddenly appeared in front of the Huang Tian Sect General, blocking these sudden fingers. The Huang Tian Sect General could no longer remain calm; he swung his long blade horizontally, the sharp blade transforming into a silver ray aimed at Shen Qing''s neck: "Die!" "Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill, Fifth Transformation!" At this moment, the blazing aura of the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill and fierce Qi melded together, erupting between Shen Qing''s two fingers like a volcanic eruption, rushing out. Boom! An earth-shattering explosion, heat waves and gusts scattered, and the massive body of the Huang Tian Sect General was violently thrown out under the impact of this force, emitting a heart-wrenching scream. Shen Qing was momentarily stunned, the power of the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill''s Fifth Transformation exceeded his imagination. Feeling a swirl of dizziness, Shen Qing instinctively operated the Blood Dominance Technique to replenish the reversed deficiency in Qi-Blood. He glanced at the Huang Tian Sect General, his expression fierce. Kick him while he''s down. Shen Qing leaped, carrying an oppressive and scorching aura, and his fingers landed unerringly on the Huang Tian Sect General''s chest once more. Boom! The Huang Tian Sect General''s barely supported body, clumsily climbing up, was instantly struck back into the ground by Shen Qing''s force. Under this powerful impact, a two-meter-wide deep pit was forcibly hollowed out in the ground, with dust swirling in all directions. The semi-transparent Light Shield, supported by the talisman, was shattered instantly. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Losing the talisman''s power, his body visibly shrank, restoring to its original state. "Ah!!!" The eyes of the Huang Tian Sect General were filled with disbelief and fear: "My power." "It seems that''s all you are." Shen Qing looked down loftily at the Huang Tian Sect General, a hint of disappointment on his face. He thought the person before him would at least bring him some surprises, but he didn''t expect that even using 80% of his power did not push him to his limits. Since that''s the case... then die! Shen Qing activated the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill again, pointing both fingers at the Huang Tian Sect General. Accompanied by an exceedingly blazing aura, the air around his fingers was distorted by the high temperature. Realizing the immense danger, the Huang Tian Sect General screamed: "Spare... spare me..." But before he could finish speaking, he saw the red light burst from Shen Qing''s fingers, piercing through his chest. A harrowing pain surged like a tide, instantly engulfing his whole body. The scorching Qi that Shen Qing added burned through his heart with terrifying force. At that moment, the Huang Tian Sect General seemed to be suddenly bound by an invisible force, turning into a statue, losing all movement. His hollow eyes stared blankly at the sky, faintly showing a trace of despair. On the official road, there was suddenly a dead silence. Only the faint sound of the wind rustling through the mountain forest could be heard. At this moment, Li Linfeng and others were filled with disbelief, staring at Shen Qing in stunned silence. Even County Magistrate Du Yuntong, who was discarded on the ground, became dumbstruck. Qi Hai Realm! That was a martial master of the Qi Hai Realm after all. Few and far between in Taiping County, yet you killed him like a dog!!! "Are you really Shen Qing?" As Shen Qing''s master, Li Linfeng, who initially had the foresight to take him as a disciple, now spoke with a slightly trembling voice, tinged with a bit of nervousness. Upon hearing this, Shen Qing curled his lips into a smile and said: "Master, who else could I be but Shen Qing? I''m not any big figure in Taiping County, who would impersonate me?" Li Linfeng, with his vast experience and deep understanding of Martial Arts, recognized the martial skills Shen Qing used, aside from the Wind Defying Finger, including Dragon Roar Armor, Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill, and some martial arts he didn''t comprehend. An expression of shock was hard to hide in his eyes. It''s hard to imagine so many martial arts gathered in one person and all being practiced to perfection. After a moment, the tension on Li Linfeng''s face slowly turned into a look of excitement, even his body trembled uncontrollably. The same martial art would manifest differently in different hands. He never expected, in his lifetime, that he could teach such a monstrosity. It was worth it! Incredibly worth it! Aside from Li Linfeng, others were also unable to recover for a long time. Seeing everyone''s expressions, Shen Qing couldn''t help but let out a silent laugh. Not caring about these people''s gazes, he quickly walked to the side of the Huang Tian Sect General and stooped down. This person held a high position in the Huang Tian Sect, worth searching. Shen Qing''s fingers quickly searched the clothing on the corpse, and with the nimble flipping of his fingers, a stack of talismans emitting a faint spiritual light quietly appeared before him. With a rough glance, there seemed to be seven or eight of them. Having witnessed the Huang Tian Sect General''s methods, one glance at these talismans revealed their extraordinariness. Shen Qing accepted them joyfully. Moments later, he also found a small triangular flag, a purse, and a thin book. The small book had no text on the outside, and Shen Qing, upon opening it, found it recorded some people''s lives and information, somewhat resembling a directory. There was also a letter tucked inside the small book. Shen Qing did not examine it carefully and quickly collected these items together. Chapter 166 - 90: He is an Unprecedented Martial Arts Genius Shen Qing thoroughly searched the Huang Tian Sect General and confirmed that nothing was left behind, then led the horse back to the caravan under everyone''s watchful eyes. As Shen Qing walked back, there was a brief silence on the official road, followed by whispers among the caravan. Shen Qing approached Li Linfeng with concern and asked, "Master, are all of you okay?" Li Linfeng gathered his scattered thoughts. As he looked at Shen Qing, his direct disciple, a complex expression appeared on his face after regaining his calm. In his eyes, it was already remarkable for a person to practice two martial arts; mastering them to any significant degree was even more rare, and even more would be impossible. Yet, he recognized that Shen Qing had mastered three martial arts, and there were some he couldn''t even identify. Simply learning them was one thing, but all these martial arts were cultivated to very high realms. Even the Wind Defying Finger was mastered to the point that it left him, the creator of the cultivation technique, utterly astonished, not knowing how to evaluate it. If he had to give a conclusion, his direct disciple before him possessed martial arts talent that was the strongest Taiping County had seen since its founding, bar none! An unprecedented martial arts genius, such talent was unseen in his entire life! Li Linfeng opened his mouth and said, "We... we are all okay..." S~ea??h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "That''s good," Shen Qing replied calmly. "Now that the roadblock has been nearly cleared, Master can have everyone gather their things and prepare to set off again. I''ll ride ahead when the time comes." For some reason, Li Linfeng found enormous reassurance in Shen Qing''s words, and a sense of peace welled up within him. He immediately agreed with a smile. After a few words with Master Li Linfeng, Shen Qing walked step by step to stand before his Uncle Shen the Second and Aunt Wang, his face suddenly showing some guilt and hesitation. Moments later, he said, "Uncle, Aunt, I didn''t bring Hu Zi back; I couldn''t find him." He made no attempt to hide anything from his family, nor did he make excuses for himself, saying it directly. Uncle Shen the Second and Aunt Wang couldn''t help but darken their expressions, their eyes filled with an indescribable sadness and grief. Aunt Wang''s eyes even turned red, filled with guilt. Uncle Shen the Second, a hunter from the mountains, furrowed his brow, remaining silent and keeping his thoughts to himself. In this world, people died every day. Death was already a familiar concept to them, these hunters from the lower strata of society. Uncle Shen the Second sighed, patted Shen Qing''s shoulder, and said, "Let''s gather our things and prepare to set off in a while." Looking at the back of his uncle as he turned away, for some reason, he suddenly seemed much older. Shen Qing did not say much, calling Tian Xiaohu and Xiao Zhi and others to help organize and tidy up the caravan. At this moment, when Tian Xiaohu and Xiao Zhi looked at Shen Qing, they clearly showed more respect and uncertainty about how to approach him. They had clearly seen the previously invincible Huang Tian Sect General. The strongest county magistrate was no match for him and was easily subdued by him. But such a formidable person couldn''t gain the upper hand against Shen Qing and was constantly suppressed in battle. Finally, Shen Qing relied on two fingers to beat him to death. Undoubtedly, Shen Qing was Taiping County''s strongest martial master. After practicing martial arts for less than a year, he had reached this level. If given more time, who knew to what heights he would ascend? Neither dared to think too much. Tian Xiaohu suppressed his barrage of questions and shock, opened his mouth slightly, and whispered, "Qingzi, what about those things?" Following Tian Xiaohu''s pointing finger, Shen Qing saw that he was referring to the scattered crossbows on the ground. To be honest, such things were no longer impressive in his eyes. However, for many ordinary people, they could be deadly. If Tian Xiaohu used these crossbows, he might challenge and even kill martial artists at the Skin Forging Realm and below. Besides, these items were ownerless, scattered in the wilderness, which indeed was a pity. Shen Qing said, "Let''s pick them up together and keep the ones still intact." Tian Xiaohu nodded and followed Shen Qing into the pile of corpses. The bodies of the Huang Tian Sect leader and county officials, along with the previous corpses of the Yongzhou Guard Martial Arts Bureau, were scattered along the official road. Dark red blood pooled on the uneven ground, forming large patches of crimson. The air was thick with the scent of blood. Shen Qing and his companions ignored these corpses, focused on picking up the crossbows and arrows on the ground. Moreover, Shen Qing had no intention of leaving the corpses unscoured; he began searching them while picking up the crossbows and arrows. Strangely, the act of searching these bodies felt to Shen Qing like picking mushrooms in the mountains after a sunny day. Every time he cleaned out a corpse, he felt a sense of fulfillment, a subtle and indescribable sensation. As he continued this process, Shen Qing''s face was adorned with a radiant smile. The items on the Holy Sect disciples of the Huang Tian Sect were sparse, mostly Taiping Scriptures and loose Copper Coins. In contrast, the officials of the Taiping Government Office who died on the road yielded him some Jade Pendants, Silver Ingots, golden leaves, Wish Power Pearls, and other items, providing him with some gain. As he passed by a buxom female corpse, his steps paused, recognizing it as the body of Wang Yanjun, feeling somewhat sorrowful. ''What a pity for these two great principles; if Xiao Hu were here, he would be sad for a long time...'' ''Sigh!'' Shen Qing clapped his hands and stood up from beside the corpse. Seeing that both caravans were already organized, he carried the items he collected in his arms, walked toward his family''s caravan, and placed the crossbows and other items on the donkey cart, covering them with a burlap sack. Since these items were forbidden by the Great Zhou Dynasty, they couldn''t be flaunted publicly and needed to be concealed. After dealing with these, Shen Qing asked his eldest sister Shen Fang to comfort his aunt, then walked forward to bring out Zhuifeng, positioning himself at the forefront of the caravan. "Huh?" Standing near Li Linfeng''s carriage, Shen Qing noticed Li Linfeng and his family cramped inside one carriage, with a few even forced to walk. Shen Qing clearly saw that there was another carriage ahead, with a horse that wasn''t injured. "Master, why are you all sharing one carriage?" Li Linfeng said helplessly, "Lord County Magistrate was injured and needed a private space to heal. He thought my carriage was good, so he commandeered it. Being a court official, we had no choice but to comply..." County Magistrate? That Dog County Magistrate Du Yuntong? Shen Qing had no good impression of this high-and-mighty County Magistrate. He couldn''t help but think of the Taiping Escort Agency and Tang Wanrou, feeling immediately dissatisfied. Shen Qing changed his steps and headed straight to the front carriage. Chapter 167 - 91: Assassinating the Officer! You Seem to Really Hate Me The carriage, County Magistrate Du Yuntong boarded, sat upright on the cushion, seizing the time to close his eyes and adjust his breath. Just now, the scene of Shen Qing fiercely battling the Huang Tian Sect General left his heart unsettled for a long time. The shock in his heart was no less than that of Li Linfeng and others. In his eyes, Shen Qing was merely a rustic fellow with a slight gift for martial arts, gaining some fame purely by chance. Du Yuntong inwardly despised people like Shen Qing, who came from such backgrounds. Generally speaking, in his past experiences, with a little kindness, he could summon such martial masters at will. Yet, he never imagined this lad could slay such a great general of the Huang Tian Sect, achieving astonishing cultivation. In terms of combat prowess alone, he had already climbed above him, making it hard for him to accept for a moment. "Lord County Magistrate?" At this moment, the curtain of the carriage was pulled open. Du Yuntong saw Shen Qing''s face with a smiling expression, and his cheek twitched as if startled. He hurriedly forced a smile: "Mr. Shen, what is it?" Now injured, his cultivation greatly diminished, and with no subordinates at his disposal, he was left alone. Facing someone as formidable as Shen Qing, he had no chance of winning, and willingly lowered his stature. Always possessing a strong sense of pride and holding a high position for a long time, Du Yuntong suddenly felt a sense of resentment. His hands hidden in his sleeves tightly grasped his knees, slightly trembling, as if restraining something. Shen Qing bowed respectfully and said, "Lord County Magistrate, the carriage you are sitting in belongs to my master''s family. By occupying it like this, my master and his family can only walk on foot, so I''d like to ask the Lord County Magistrate to give the carriage back to my master and his family." "My donkey cart still has vacant seats, how about the Lord County Magistrate ride on my donkey cart?" Du Yuntong was somewhat different from the officials he had encountered before; he was a legitimate official. Although he couldn''t shirk his responsibility for the fall of Taiping County this time, his position was indeed high enough. Even if he had many grievances in his heart, he couldn''t arbitrarily kill him in broad daylight. Therefore, Shen Qing also adjusted his attitude. He felt he was respectful enough, but to County Magistrate Du Yuntong''s ears, it was a stark sarcasm. "A donkey cart? This insignificant commoner''s cart isn''t worthy of being sat in by an official? He actually thinks I deserve only a donkey." County Magistrate Du Yuntong felt a surge of anger, unable to even maintain a faint smile. Unfortunately, he was forced to lower his head, being under the eaves. He tightened his face, opened his clenched fists, and silently descended from the carriage. "Mr. Shen, where is your donkey cart?" County Magistrate Du Yuntong didn''t even notice that his tone suddenly exuded some assumed superiority, unconsciously revealing the unique sense of superiority from a higher position. This scene fell into Shen Qing''s eyes and displeased him greatly. Shen Qing casually pointed and said, "Right over there behind?" County Magistrate Du Yuntong followed Shen Qing''s indication and saw that simple donkey cart, his face turning ashen. He said nothing, cast an involuntary glance at Shen Qing, then hobbled towards the donkey cart. Shen Qing rode over to Li Linfeng and said, "Master, you should go back. After my persuasion, the County Magistrate agreed to switch to the donkey cart. I see you were quite frightened too; you can rest well inside the carriage." "Shen Qing, offending the County Magistrate like this isn''t a wise move. Though his power is lost now, there''s mutual protection among officials within the Great Zhou Court. He might have connections and could regain power one day, and it won''t be good then if he causes trouble for you." Li Linfeng continued earnestly, "We have practiced some martial arts, so traveling isn''t much of an issue." "He has to go to the county town, and you are heading to Lu''an Prefecture. When the road splits, he might requisition your carriage, and you''ll have to walk all the way back." Li Linfeng fell silent, thinking about the point. But what could be done? "I haven''t done anything to him; after all, I saved his life, so Master, don''t worry about this matter." Shen Qing narrowed his eyes, staring at Du Yuntong. Just as Du Yuntong reached the donkey cart, preparing to climb up. His hand felt the crossbow, and his expression froze. Privately possessing a crossbow?! According to the law, crossbows were military supplies of the Great Zhou, strictly prohibited for private ownership. This matter could be either big or small. Staring at the crossbow, a bold idea suddenly popped into Du Yuntong''s mind. In that case, after I regain my power, you''ll pay dearly for it. He displayed a sinister smile and was about to climb when suddenly a figure appeared behind him. Du Yuntong hurriedly turned back, only to see Shen Qing, who had approached unknowingly, with a cold face. "Sir, I suddenly thought of something. My master and I are heading to Lu''an Prefecture, unlike your path to the county town. We cannot escort you there. How about staying here for a while and waiting for the reinforcements, then make plans?" "You..." Du Yuntong realized Shen Qing was shaming him. However, faced with Shen Qing''s beast-like gaze, he instantly lost his momentum and had to follow the word. Du Yuntong shot a deadly glare at Shen Qing, snorted coldly, left the convoy, and sat alone on the official road, nurturing his essence. Shen Qing ignored him, raised his hand, and marshaled the entire convoy into action. He cast a meaningful glance at Du Yuntong, who was meditating on the ground, fiddled with the reins, and rode away. Riding all the way to the front, Shen Qing showed no intention of stopping, instead, spurred his horse faster, shouting, "I''m going ahead to scout. Hyah!" Ahead of the official road was an almost right-angled bend. Shen Qing sped along the curve, vanishing from the group''s sight. The caravan hadn''t gained speed and was left far behind by Shen Qing. An incense stick later, the convoy, following Shen Qing, entered the bend. Once all figures disappeared from the official road, Du Yuntong suddenly opened his eyes, furiously yelling: "You lout. Today you dare to humiliate me like this; I won''t let you off." "Sir, you seem to hate me very much!" Just as Du Yuntong''s voice dropped, a familiar voice suddenly emerged behind him, startling him. Ignoring his injuries, he rolled aside and looked up to see Shen Qing grinning at him, sending chills down his spine. In this short time, Shen Qing returned, circling back. In fact, Shen Qing had already sensed Du Yuntong''s displeasure toward him, realizing that keeping him was a hidden danger, he immediately had the thought of killing the official. Hearing the other side''s words, he firmly embraced his idea. "In that case, I''ll give you a gift, sir." Shen Qing pulled out a Martial Mechanism Bomb, activated it, and hurled it at Du Yuntong. In an instant, there was a loud explosion. sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Du Yuntong didn''t comprehend what had happened yet. Overwhelming flames engulfed him. "Ah!" An anguished scream emerged from the flames. The flames were red with purple, along with streaks of lightning interspersing, cutting wildly. Du Yuntong''s body was torn apart in an instant, shredded to pieces. "The Lord County Magistrate was killed by the Huang Tian Sect traitor..." Shen Qing smiled, leaped into the forest. After breaking through the Hunting Scripture, entering the forest was like a fish in water and, using his nimble movement techniques, easily passed through the forest. Before the caravan arrived, he was back on Zhuifeng''s horse. Shen Qing glanced back, smiled, and said, "In broad daylight, it''s not easy to kill you, but that doesn''t mean I don''t dare. Hah, spit~" Chapter 168 - 92: Poor Xiao Hu, Forced to Join the Huang Tian Sect "These wealthy families are cruel and unkind, and they deserve the wrath of the Yellow Heaven. All brothers and sisters, charge in and kill these damn rich folks. Charge!" At the entrance of the Wang Family Mansion, a person dressed as a Huangtian Sect Envoy kept waving flags and shouting. He wore a Yellow Crown on his head, a Yellow Robe, and held a large yellow flag in his hand, his face was full of excitement. With his shouts, the crowd of commoners and disciples of the Huangtian Sect merged together as if they were infused with endless energy. Under the yellow sky, a faint yellow glow covered everyone''s eyes. "Charge!" Suddenly someone shouted madly, leading the charge to the gate of the Wang Family Mansion, crashing into it! The others followed closely behind. Bang! The gate was forcefully pushed open, revealing the Wang Family''s servants inside, holding crossbows. The Wang Family''s servants were thrown into chaos. "Shoot them!" the steward shouted. One by one, arrows were mercilessly unleashed from their bows. Thud! Thud! Thud! The incoming people fell backward like wheat blown down by the wind. But this did not stop the crowds from following closely at the entrance. They seemed not to know what fear was, stepping over the corpses of their "brothers and sisters" on the ground, charging forward regardless. When had the Wang Family''s servants ever faced such a scene? They became flustered amidst the chaos. Lacking daily training, they couldn''t even reload new arrows properly and were scattered and disorganized by the charging cult members and civilians in an instant, losing all courage, fleeing with their hands over their heads. Even though the steward wanted to stop and fight back, it was impossible. "They are no match for us, enter the mansion and kill these rich folks, Yellow Heaven has descended, we are like gods. Kill!" The shouts rose again. The disciples of the Huangtian Sect and the commoners who rushed in became completely frenzied, their eyes filled with yellow bloodshot veils, fearlessly charging into every corner of the Wang Family Mansion. "How dare you, do you think my Wang Family has no one?" Just then, Family Head Wang Sanbao, dragging his corpulent body, stormed into the crowd, slaughtering like a wolf in a flock of sheep. He attacked with both hands in rapid succession, Qi surrounding him, inflicting injuries on all the disciples of the Huangtian Sect and commoners who touched him, rendering them incapacitated. However, despite his brutal slaughter, the people in front of him showed no fear at all. Their numb faces uniformly turned towards him, charging continuously, causing his face to darken. "The evil path should be punished! Prepare to die!" Wang Sanbao roared, his Qi surging like a furious dragon, gathering invisibly on his hands. He pulled both hands back under his arms, suddenly striking out in mid-air, the invisible Qi palm print swept towards the civilians and the disciples of the Huangtian Sect. Suddenly, the sky changed dramatically, as if torn apart, a brilliant divine thunder descended with overwhelming might, striking directly on top of Wang Sanbao''s head with a roar. "Ah!" Wang Sanbao''s body hurtled backward, the lightning struck him charred black, his Qi completely scattered. Before he could recover, a golden flash appeared before him. "Mortal ant, you dare to go against the heavens? Die for me." The Huang Tian Sect Commander shouted fiercely. Wang Sanbao''s face was shocked, he struggled to stand tall, pushing his internal strength to the limit. "Kill!" The two collided, an astonishing momentum erupted in the confined space of the Wang Family Mansion. No one knew how much time passed, but blood gushed like a spring, dyeing the blue stone ground of the Wang Family Mansion red. Wang Sanbao''s figure slowly fell under the watchful eyes of everyone in the courtyard, becoming a corpse. Many Wang Family''s servants lost their will to resist upon witnessing this, fleeing in panic, carelessly. In the courtyard, Shen Xiaohu pounced with a rock and smashed it onto a servant''s head, the heavy force completely crushing the servant''s skull. Bright red blood splattered on his face, awakening him as if from a dream. Shen Xiaohu looked around, his face suddenly filled with confusion, completely unaware of why he was there. "Didn''t I leave the city? Why am I here?" Shen Xiaohu seriously tried to remember, but his mind was blank, unable to recall any memories. He stood up, looked into the distance, and saw in the twilight, earth flying, and the firelight seemingly painting half the sky red. The once prosperous courtyard was now a complete mess, the shouts of the Wang Family and the cheers of the Huang Tian Sect creating utter chaos. Shen Xiaohu staggered through the crowd, his clothes tattered, his eyes filled with bewilderment. "No, I need to leave the city, I need to find Brother Qingzi and the others." Shen Xiaohu touched a mirror hidden in his chest, suddenly as if he remembered something. He started to run. "Stop! You kid, you seem to have some skills." Shen Xiaohu''s body trembled, looking towards the voice, only to see a burly Huang Tian Sect Angel in a Yellow Robe stopping in front of a male martial master. The martial master''s face tightened, forcing a bitter smile: "Sir, I am just an ordinary person, what skills could I have?" "Hmph, stop pretending, my eyes are not blind." The Huang Tian Sect Angel approached the ordinary man''s front, circling and scrutinizing him. "Yellow Heaven has descended, our Huang Tian Sect is now recruiting talents, are you willing to join our Holy Sect?" In his words, the tone of the Huang Tian Sect Envoy carried an undeniable authority. "I...I am of low status, not someone who can join a sect." "So, you''re refusing?" The martial master''s face showed a slight hesitation, contemplating his words, just about to speak. Swish! A silver light flashed. The Huang Tian Sect Angel directly drew the dagger from his waist, one slash, and chopped off the man''s head. "Insolent fool." The Huang Tian Sect Envoy sheathed his knife and turned, catching sight of Shen Xiaohu standing nearby. He gripped the long knife in his hand, his expression changing unpredictably. Shen Xiaohu looked around, surrounded by disciples of the Huang Tian Sect. He resolutely knelt on one knee and clasped his fist, stammering: "Sir, I am a hunter from Hongshan Village, know a bit of fighting, I''ve long admired the Huang Tian Sect, I, I want to join the Huang Tian Sect." The Huang Tian Sect Envoy paused for a moment, removing his hand from the dagger, looking at Shen Xiaohu: "Very well, when this is over, you will come with me to listen to the teachings and join our Huang Tian Sect. What is your name?" "Shen Hu!" Shen Xiaohu felt bitter inside, knowing he probably wouldn''t be able to leave the city today and couldn''t reunite with his parents, Shen Qing, and the others. His current circumstances forced him to join the Huang Tian Sect to ensure his survival. "The chaotic times are coming, joining our Huang Tian Sect is the wisest choice, this will be your blessing, you will know in the future." Although Shen Hu didn''t agree in his heart, even feeling somewhat sad, his expression was firm: "I am willing to go through fire and water for the Huang Tian Sect." The Huang Tian Sect Envoy withdrew his gaze, his face indifferent. S§×arch* The N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He took the Yellow Cloth from his body and threw it to Shen Hu: "Put it on." "Yes." Shen Hu glanced at the other cult members, without any hesitation, he tied it around his arm. Chapter 169 - 93 Farewell, The Blue Mountains Remain Unchanged, The Green Waters Flow Ever On ``` Boom! On the official road, Li Linfeng and the caravan were gradually picking up speed when suddenly a huge explosion sounded behind them, causing everyone to look at each other in confusion. "What happened back there?" "I don''t know, let''s move quickly," Li Linfeng said urgently. To be honest, he was already a bit scared. The events today were beyond what he could handle, threatening his very life, keeping him on edge. He had no intention of finding out more now. Ahead, at the foot of the mountain, Shen Qing was straddling his fine horse, intentionally slowing down Zhuifeng, waiting for Li Linfeng and the others. After a while, Shen Qing heard the sound of rolling wheels and the faint tapping of hooves approaching from afar, knowing they were near. Shen Qing gently pulled the reins, causing Zhuifeng to halt slowly. As the caravan drew near, dust rose lightly. The caravan passed swiftly in front of him. Shen Qing tugged at the reins and squeezed his legs against the horse''s flanks. Underneath, Zhuifeng broke into a fast gallop to catch up. Li Linfeng sat at the front of the carriage, his brows tightly knitted, revealing a hint of unease in his eyes. "Master." Noticing Li Linfeng''s unusual demeanor, Shen Qing asked, "The road seems fine now, without any peculiarities. Are you rushing because something happened?" Li Linfeng, hearing this, looked at Shen Qing with concern, "Shortly after you left, I heard thunderous explosions behind us, probably someone from the Huang Tian Sect has caught up." Astonishment flashed across Shen Qing''s face, "Ah, this quickly?" "Let''s hurry and leave." The journey ahead remained peaceful, allowing Li Linfeng to breathe a heavy sigh of relief, and the tense nerves of everyone relaxed. As they moved further away from Taiping County, the official road grew narrower and the ground became increasingly poor. After traveling about five more miles, they found themselves entirely in the wilderness. The official road ahead branched off, one path winding east, the other stretching west. S§×ar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The county town of Yong City was east of Taiping County, where Shen Qing needed to head. Lu''an Prefecture lay to the west, so Li Linfeng and the others had to go that way. As the sun set in the west, the surroundings were cloaked in twilight. The caravan involuntarily slowed down, while Li Linfeng, sitting in the carriage, hesitated between the two roads, feeling a mix of emotions. He knew the time for farewell had come. Shen Qing reined in his horse and stopped, as did the caravan quietly behind him. An indescribable heaviness permeated the air. Shen Qing turned to Li Linfeng and the others, saying, "Master, we''ll have to go our separate ways." Faced with such a scene, Li Linfeng, not being eloquent, could only sigh long after. He gazed at Shen Qing, his direct disciple, with increasingly complicated eyes. Now, sitting on his horse, Shen Qing had grown to the point that he needed to look up to him, which was both a blessing and a misfortune for his master. The blessing was having brought such a prodigy into Martial Arts, proving his good judgment. The misfortune was that his disciple''s cultivation only highlighted his own mediocrity and inability. Realizing the moment of parting was near. Shen Qing''s aunt, Shen Xiu, voluntarily stepped out from the carriage, accompanied by Li Lingchan. Compared to the former''s simple reluctance, the latter''s emotions were much more complicated. Even with her stubbornness, Li Lingchan couldn''t dispute the iron fact before her¡ªshe had missed out on a young man with limitless potential. Saying she didn''t regret it would be a lie. But Shen Qing no longer cared. With his increased strength and broadened horizons, such minor incidents no longer stirred any emotions in him. After a simple nod to Li Lingchan, Shen Qing approached his aunt Shen Xiu, saying sincerely, "Without my aunt''s support, I wouldn''t be who I am today. Aunt, this debt of gratitude, your nephew will surely remember." Aunt Shen Xiu pulled him close, saying, "No need for that. We are family. If I didn''t help you, I would feel ashamed to face my brother and sister-in-law in the afterlife. Save your thanks." It was nearly a thousand miles from Taiping County to Yongzhou, and about the same distance from Taiping County to Lu''an Prefecture. If Shen Qing''s cultivation didn''t reach the level of flying, it was foreseeable that they wouldn''t meet for a long time. Shen Qing chatted warmly with his aunt Shen Xiu and uncle Shen the Second for a long time. Touched by the emotions, aunt Shen Xiu and uncle Shen the Second couldn''t help but cry bitterly, hugging each other tightly. Seeing that it was about time, Li Linfeng broke into a bitter but determined smile and said, "Let''s go." "Master, mountains do not change, and rivers continue flowing. If fate allows, we will meet again," Shen Qing, sitting on the horse, shouted loudly. With a heavy snort from the horse, the caravan slowly started moving. Shen Qing watched as Li Linfeng and the others gradually disappeared into the distance on the road. He stood there for a long time without moving. After a long while, Shen Qing mounted his horse and shouted, "Let''s go! Giddy up!" With a crack of the whip, Zhuifeng galloped swiftly. Facing east, Shen Qing saw the world ahead gradually enveloped by darkness with the setting of the sun. ... "Look ahead, there''s a village." Sitting in the carriage, Tian Xiaohu pointed to a spot and shouted, "We can camp near that village tonight." Shen Qing followed Tian Xiaohu''s direction, gazing into the distance, discovering a small village of four or five households beside the official road ahead. One household had two red lanterns hanging, their red glow like dripping blood in the night. "Eagle Eye!" Shen Qing''s face remained calm as water as he activated his Eagle Eye skill. Scenes around him continuously appeared in Shen Qing''s mind. Moments later, these scenes began to assemble into an aerial view map. Shen Qing then used the "sharp eyesight" skill to carefully observe the village. In the dim light of the evening, with a gentle breeze blowing, the village was shrouded in a light mist, making it unclear to see. However, after a thorough examination, he didn''t notice any abnormalities. Tian Xiaohu said to Shen Qing, "We can go and see if there''s any suitable food and water. If there is, it would be best to replenish. It''s over a thousand miles to Yongzhou from here, and it''ll take us about ten days. We''ll need plenty for both the people and the horses." Retracting his gaze, Shen Qing nodded in agreement, "Let''s check it out." The carriage rolled down the deserted official road as they gradually approached the solitary village. This village lay beside the road, and as Shen Qing and the others reached it, they were overcome by an inexplicable sense of desolation and solitude. "I''ll give it a try." Tian Xiaohu jumped off the carriage and shouted from outside the wall surrounding the village, "Is anyone there? Can we rest in your village while passing through?" The village was enclosed by a wall, usually erected by villagers to prevent wild beast attacks. It appeared relatively new, not like it had been long neglected. After calling for a long time with no response, Tian Xiaohu found it odd. "Where is everyone?" Just when they presumed the place was empty, the door with the red lanterns opened. A middle-aged farmer cautiously stepped out, glancing at Shen Qing and the others, and with a fierce look, barked, "Who are you, where are you from, and what''s your business?" ``` Chapter 170 - 94 Monster! Monster! Monster! Tian Xiaohu obviously hadn''t expected such an attitude from the other side, thinking that the old man mistook them for troublemakers. He stepped forward and quickly explained, "We''re not bad people. There''s been war in Taiping County, and we''re heading to the county town to seek refuge. Could you please help us, old man? We won''t freeload." The middle-aged man impatiently shouted, "Go, go, go! I don''t care who you are. If you need to rest, find somewhere else. You''re not welcome here. Get out!" "You old fool, I''m speaking to you kindly, what kind of attitude is that? Do you think we''re easy to bully?" Even a clay Bodhisattva has a bit of anger, not to mention someone like Tian Xiaohu, a hunter from humble beginnings making a living in the mountains. It was only out of respect for Shen Qing that he restrained himself a little. Otherwise, he would have long since jumped up and started a fight with such a rude person. "There''s a happy occasion at home, sir, why act like this? Why not invite these gallants inside for a cup of celebratory wine? On such a late night, kicking people out like that is too heartless, no?" At the moment the man was pushing Shen Qing and the others away, a girl in a red new dress walked out from the gate, warmly saying, "Everyone, my grandpa has a bad temper, please forgive him." The girl revealed a cheerful smile and opened the gate of the village wall, "It''s already dark, please come inside first. I''ll talk with a few villagers later about vacating a room for you." Seeing the understanding and considerate girl from the village, Tian Xiaohu''s face instantly improved a lot. He shot a glance at the old man with a stiff expression and adjusted his attitude, happily saying, "Thank you, young lady." Tian Xiaohu turned back to Shen Qing and the others, shouting, "They agreed, we can stay in the village tonight." "That''s great, we don''t have to sleep outside tonight." Xiao Zhi and Shen Xiaoshan and the others couldn''t help but feel a sense of joy, quietly thinking they were lucky. "Let''s go. They''ve opened the wall, let''s go in." Tian Xiaohu led the cart, guiding everyone into the village. sea??h th§× NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Shen Qing dismounted, silently falling a step behind, holding the reins and following behind Tian Xiaohu. As he passed by the old farmer and the girl, he couldn''t help but take a second look. The girl wasn''t particularly beautiful; her skin was tanned and rough, her features somewhat aged, like a village girl living in the countryside. At that moment, she wore a bright red dress, contrasting sharply with the dim mist surrounding them in the nighttime. The previously aggressive old farmer stood quietly by her side, saying nothing, watching Shen Qing and the others with a complicated expression, as if he wanted to say something but refrained. Shen Qing only found it somewhat strange. Once everyone had entered the quiet little village, the girl in red slammed the enclosing gate shut. She led Shen Qing and the others to a big open area in the village, saying, "This threshing ground is spacious, just park the cart here. People can go into my home for a cup of celebratory wine." "We''ve brought a lot of stuff, we have to leave some people here to watch it." Shen Qing smiled slightly, pointing to Tian Xiaohu and Xiao Zhi, saying, "How about this, the three of us will go in first, and after we''ve eaten, we''ll switch with the others." "Do as you please, then." The girl in red said nothing further, with no expression on her face. "We have other things to do, make yourselves comfortable. Grandpa, let''s go back." She took the old farmer by the hand and returned to the house, head down. Once the girl and the old farmer''s figures disappeared from the door, Shen Qing whispered to Tian Xiaohu and Xiao Zhi, "Prepare your weapons, and stand behind me in a moment." Tian Xiaohu was taken aback, "You think something''s off here?" Shen Qing nodded. "Then we should leave quickly." "We probably can''t." Shen Qing glanced around, noticing the mist gathering near the village had become thicker, like a white beast crawling on the ground, slowly closing in on them. Tian Xiaohu and Xiao Zhi felt a chill rise up their spines, shooting straight to their hearts. "Let''s go in and take a look." Tian Xiaohu didn''t say much, heading to the cart and pulling out a heavy crossbow loaded with arrows, holding it in his hand. Xiao Zhi followed suit. Once the two were ready, Shen Qing casually walked to the front door and pushed it open. The creaking of the wooden door sounded particularly piercing in the silent night. As Shen Qing pushed the door open, he saw the cramped, dark, and damp thatched hut entirely filled with a strange, dark red hue. Upon closer inspection, it was the same color as congealed blood, even splattering entire walls in some places. The weak moonlight seeped through broken window sills, making the scene inside the house even clearer. The living room table was piled high with human flesh, dismembered and chaotically scattered. Arms were arms, legs were legs, rib bones were rib bones. Various organs stringed on straw hung by the table, with warm blood still dripping from them. Though Tian Xiaohu and Xiao Zhi had killed people and seen bloody scenes, compared to the sight before them, those were nothing. Shen Qing''s gaze skipped over the gore, landing on the edge of a bed in the room, his face changing. In the bedroom with a slightly festive decor, he saw three dog demons looking half-human and half-dog. They appeared like dogs but sat like humans on the bed, their sizes immense. One dog demon had fur dark as ink, its eyes glowing with a ghostly green light. "You two did quite well this time. I''ve decided... to make it quick for you." The massive black dog reached into the shadows with its paw. A muffled thud sounded, and it pulled out a fresh, red heart and liver. The girl in red standing in the shadows stared wide-eyed, but felt no pain or screamed, looking like a puppet, motionless. Nearby, the old farmer''s face was ashen, trembling all over but not daring to act. The black dog demon held the heart and liver with its paw, licking and gnawing intently. Here, Tian Xiaohu and Xiao Zhi''s hearts pounded, and their legs felt as heavy as lead, wanting to turn and leave, but finding their bodies bound by an invisible force, unable to move. Fear washed over them like a tide. What to do? What to do? The two instinctively looked at Shen Qing, finding his face unusually calm, which settled their minds. Each drew their crossbows, aiming at the dog demons. Shen Qing''s mouth slowly curved upwards, revealing those sharp, white teeth, "I wondered what was in here, turned out to be just three mutts!" The three old dogs sitting on the bed froze mid-action, staring wide-eyed at Shen Qing as if they were sculptures. "You seem a bit reckless." The Black Dog Demon on the outermost edge swallowed the tender heart whole, baring its teeth as it spoke. Drool constantly dripped from its mouth, sizzling as it hit the ground. Chapter 171 - 95 Ah, This Dog-Eat-Dog World The Dog Demon had just finished speaking when it sensed a strange wind in front of it. Shen Qing, at some unknown point, had already appeared in front of it. It immediately felt a chill in its chest. One of Shen Qing''s fingers had already pierced into its chest. The violent Qi within its chest erupted with a resounding boom, rapidly spreading outward and forcefully blasting a hole open. The black Dog Demon finally reacted, struggling violently as it clawed randomly at Shen Qing. White scratches appeared on Shen Qing''s body, but the membrane of the Dragon Roar Armor, as tough as steel, rendered the demon''s claws useless, merely tearing his clothes to shreds. The Dog Demon instantly realized this person was different from those it had encountered before! Shen Qing withdrew his finger and slapped it hard! The black Dog Demon, its heart shattered, had no power to resist and was sent flying by the slap, crashing against the wall like a heap of mud. "Third brother!" The remaining two Dog Demons shouted in unison: "How dare you, die!" Whizz, whizz! Two arrows shot from afar, landing on the two Dog Demons. Thunk, thunk! The heavy fat and fur of the Dog Demons were pierced by the arrows, causing them pain and making them even more furious. "Roar!" The eyes of the two Dog Demons turned red as they opened their bloody maws and bit down on Shen Qing''s arms, behaving like crazed fiends. The sharp fangs scraped against the membrane on Shen Qing''s skin, producing an ear-piercing screech like nails on a chalkboard, causing teeth to ache. "You want to eat me?" The two Dog Demons appeared massive, but for Shen Qing, with his strength, they were no different from ordinary evil dogs. A cold light flashed in Shen Qing''s eyes. He lifted his arms and flipped them to pin the two Dog Demons against the wall. "You like eating people, don''t you? Here, have a taste!" Shen Qing pressed his arm deeper into the mouths of the two Dog Demons, increasing the force in his hand. Snap, snap, snap! The violent Qi overflowed, directly snapping their fangs. Shen Qing''s arm slid forward, firmly wedging in the jaws of the Dog Demons. The demons realized something was amiss and began struggling wildly. Dense mist rose from behind the Dog Demon, swirling into invisible threads in the air that landed on Shen Qing. Shen Qing noticed a force of resistance emerging within his body. "Puppet Demon Technique?" The Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill in Shen Qing''s body ran from the First Transformation, continuously increasing the turns. Finally, it surged to the Third Transformation. The scorching, fiery Qi within his body burst forth, transforming into a tangible heatwave, with invisible ripples spreading outward from Shen Qing''s center. Wherever it passed, the very space seemed to slightly distort. The cloud threads entangled in the heatwave instantly disintegrated. A trace of shock flashed in the eyes of the two Dog Demons as they began to whimper and plead for mercy. "You still want to eat, don''t you? You enjoy eating people so much, and I delivered it right to your mouths. Don''t be so ungrateful..." "Whimper, whimper..." The two Dog Demons could only make whimpering sounds, their throats blocked by Shen Qing. "Hmm? You don''t think I''m good enough to eat? How about I cook myself for you?" Shen Qing increased the pressure in his hand, while the scorching Qi of the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill converged on his arm, becoming hotter and emitting a sizzling steam sound. The commotion on his arm grew larger, causing the heads of the two Dog Demons to begin to deform under Shen Qing''s pressure. Finally, at a certain critical point, the scorching Qi exploded. Bang! The two Dog Demons ceased their struggle, their bodies collapsing limply. Their heads were completely blasted apart by the Qi. Red and white matter sprayed across the wall, slowly sliding down. Shen Qing withdrew his hand expressionlessly, silently gazing at the two Dog Demons. Initially, he had thought the situation was more peculiar, but upon seeing three Dog Demons, he felt disappointed. Before setting out, he had already sensed that the aura of these three Dog Demons was much weaker than that of the tiger demon. Back then, he had been able to slay the tiger demon with his Skin Forging Realm cultivation. Now, having enhanced himself with multiple martial arts and reached the Qi Cultivation Realm, dealing with these Dog Demons was no problem at all. The main issue was how to decide their way of death. Standing behind Shen Qing, Xiao Zhi and Tian Xiaohu exchanged glances. They had not anticipated that this "fierce battle" would conclude like this. These Dog Demons possessed a bit of intelligence, but not much. Beasts were simply beasts. "Good, good, what a death! Hahaha..." In the darkness, the middle-aged farmer''s emotions grew extremely agitated as he saw the three dead Dog Demons on the ground, laughing heartily. Shen Qing''s brow furrowed slightly. He recalled how the middle-aged farmer had strongly opposed their entry into the village. Perhaps it wasn''t out of baseless hostility or indifference but because he knew about the situation with the Dog Demons inside the house and didn''t want them to waste their lives. Moments later, the farmer restrained his laughter and knelt before Shen Qing, sobbing with joy: "Thank you, sir, for avenging my village. I have nothing to repay you with except to pledge in the next life as an ox or a horse to repay your kindness." "No need for that, old man." Shen Qing helped the farmer up, surveying his surroundings, "What exactly is going on?" The farmer wiped his tears, his lips trembling: "Today, my son was getting married, and we invited the neighbors. Three scourges rushed out of the mist, biting and eating anyone they saw. Our family has farmed here for generations and don''t know how we provoked these three scourges." "If they hadn''t seen me being old with little meat, I fear I wouldn''t be alive now either." S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Xiao Zhi and Tian Xiaohu couldn''t help but falter, asking, "Did everyone in the village die?" "They''re all dead; now it''s just me left." Everyone fell silent. The old man asked, "Are you all from Taiping County?" "We are." "They mentioned something about a formidable tiger demon appearing over there?" "It''s true," Shen Qing replied, "Did the Dog Demons come from the direction of Shicheng Mountain?" The farmer''s face showed some numbness as he shook his head, "I don''t know." "No one is left in the village now, but each household still has some surplus grain. I can''t finish it all alone, so feel free to take some as gratitude for your help." The farmer glanced at the house, solemnly saying, "The house is in disarray now and not suitable to host you. Please rest outside for a while, and I''ll tidy up inside first." Shen Qing did not think much of it and said to Tian Xiaohu and Xiao Zhi, "Let''s head out." With that, he led the two of them out of the hut. Uncle Shen the Second approached after seeing Shen Qing emerge and asked, "What''s the situation inside? It sounded a bit noisy." "Nothing much." Shen Qing replied, "We''ll sleep in the rice field tonight; there''s no need to go in." Seeing Shen Qing''s reluctance to elaborate, Shen the Second wisely refrained from asking further, arranging for the others to rest where they stood. After a while, Shen Qing noticed nothing happening inside the house. Suddenly, he had a bad feeling and walked towards the house. When he entered, the first thing that greeted his eyes was a leg hanging in mid-air. Shen Qing''s expression shifted slightly, and when he looked up, his eyes turned complex. The village farmer was dead. After they had left, he had chosen to hang himself. His entire village had been slaughtered by demons, leaving no family behind, and given his old age, living in these desolate mountains left him with little hope for survival. Apart from suicide, there seemed no better way to continue living. "What a hell of a world!" For some reason, at that moment, Shen Qing felt a pang in his heart, as if a thought was sprouting like bamboo shoots in spring. Since leaving Hongshan Village, most actions he had taken were for self-preservation, without any other intentions. Killing the Chen Family Brothers, Old Ba Zi, Cai Donglai, and Wang Qiyao¡ªall were for self-preservation. Now that he seemed to have gained some ability to protect himself, he suddenly wanted to do something for ordinary people like the farmer. Taking out the appointment document from his breast pocket, Shen Qing seemed to find direction; his gaze became resolute: "If I wish to do so, I must become stronger, stronger than everyone else in this world! Strong enough to subdue everything!" Chapter 172 - 96 Blood Dominance Technique Mastered, Talisman and List Next day. The sky was adorned with twinkling stars, and the first light of dawn appeared in the east. Lying on the cart, Shen Qing leisurely opened his eyes. He sat up, looked around, and gradually gathered light in his bleary eyes. In the distance, the morning fields were gently covered by a thin layer of mist. The rice paddies swayed with the wind, full of life, and the croaking of frogs and the drone of cicadas came in waves. Shen Qing took a deep breath, catching the fresh scent of earth and flowers in the air, which relaxed him. After firming his belief, the events of the previous night no longer bothered him, and his thoughts became clear and untroubled. Knowledge is not difficult, only action is. A gentleman should be slow in speech but swift in action. In Shen Qing''s view, since he had already decided and had a goal, the next step was to put it into action. Sear?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He quietly got off the cart, not disturbing Shen the Second and the others beside him, and walked over to Tian Xiaohu, who was on guard, saying, "I''ve rested. You go get some sleep. We''ll set off at first light." The events of the previous night had left Tian Xiaohu and the others uneasy, prompting them to insist on keeping watch to be ready to respond to any unforeseen incidents. Though Tian Xiaohu had trained in martial arts, and even after a sleepless night remained energetic, showing little sign of fatigue. However, he knew the journey was arduous, required conserving strength, and not indulging in momentary bravado. Tian Xiaohu nodded, "I''ll lie down for a while; call me when you''re ready to go." He found a corner, laid a layer of straw, and slept in his clothes, soon snoring. The others, including the uncle and aunt, showed no signs of waking, and Shen Qing had no intention of rousing them. He quietly walked to the side and began practicing the Blood Dominance Technique. Without elixirs or various training media, practicing the Blood Dominance Technique was suitable. He spread his legs, standing like an old pine, inhaling and exhaling the morning glow of heaven and earth. He continued training until the east was fully bright, and the sun rose like fire, then reluctantly stopped. Shen Qing focused his mind, summoning the Water Ink Panel. [Skill: Blood Dominance Technique (Small Success)] [Progress: 801/800 points] [Status: Ready to Improve] [Note: This is a new martial art you comprehended from the Nine Skills, showing significant progress through continuous practice, aided by demon cores and formulas. Your strength is gradually increasing, your physique growing more robust, continually breaking physical limits.] "Phew... finally mastered it." As a limit-breaking technique of the Nine Skills Realm, with no one to guide him and no martial arts skills to refer to, he had to rely on exploration. This made the progress of this martial art consistently slow, much slower than other martial arts skills. With the progress value required for limit-breaking martial art accumulating, Shen Qing could only advance gradually, bit by bit. Fortunately, after the earlier phase of continuous cultivation, this martial art finally met the conditions for a breakthrough. Shen Qing cleared his mind and centered himself, then focused on breakthrough. Suddenly, the progress information on the Water Ink Panel regarding the Blood Dominance Technique began to refresh. [Skill: Blood Dominance Technique (the level of mastery)] [Progress: 1/900 points] As the panel information refreshed, new streams of qi-blood suddenly permeated from all parts of his flesh. It was as if squeezing water out of a sponge, merging into a stream, flowing throughout his qi-blood. Shen Qing''s already immense qi-blood volume grew more abundant, his muscles becoming more resilient, receiving some enhancement. "After achieving the level of mastery in Blood Dominance Technique, my body now feels even more robust. Before stepping into the Qi Hai Realm, if Blood Dominance Technique continues to improve, it might elevate my qi-blood to an astonishing level." "With such a physique, breaking through to the Qi Hai Realm will certainly be remarkable." Feeling stronger again, Shen Qing was satisfied, returning to the village''s rice ground, full of energy. As the day brightened, those resting in the rice ground began awakening one after another. After waking, no one seemed idle. Shen Xiaoshan cut lots of grass, mixed with some hay and grains, to feed two horses and a donkey. Xiao Zhi, the cook, set up a pot to prepare breakfast. Everyone performed their duties, creating a lively scene. After breakfast, Shen Qing led the others through each household, gathering all the grain, meat, eggs, and salt they could take. These had become ownerless, so Shen Qing and the others felt no guilt in taking them. Xiao Zhi even used the firewood from these homes to fry a whole bag of rice for rations. Once all chores were completed, Shen Qing skinned the three dog demons and took the demon cores, then set fire to the entire village. These village houses, made of thatch or wood, caught fire quickly. The villagers'' bodies within were gradually consumed by the blaze. "Let''s go." Shen Qing said little, and the others asked no questions. In the raging flames, Shen Qing led the group towards the rising sun with resolute steps. ¡­ With Zhuifeng''s pace, the thousand-mile journey from Taiping County to Yongzhou took about two days. But with Shen Qing bringing family and such, plus past experiences, they no longer casually accepted villagers'' goodwill, choosing instead to rest mostly in the wilds, moving slowly on the road. Suddenly, after seven days of travel, they finally reached the borders of Yongzhou safely. Seeing the gradually increasing signs of people, Shen Qing and the others breathed a slight sigh of relief. They continued onward, reaching a rundown temple by afternoon. The temple had several rotten planks hanging loosely in the doorway, with moss and weeds all over the threshold, seemingly abandoned for a long time. Luckily, the temple''s overall structure remained intact, providing shelter from wind and rain. Shen Qing swept his gaze inside, finding several extinguished campfires and some burnt food remnants. The burn marks varied in age. It appeared frequently used as a temporary resting spot. After traveling in the wild, resting for so long, their bodies reeked. The men managed, however, the aunt and big sister Shen Fang, were almost unable to endure any longer. Even living in Hongshan Village, they had never been in such disarray. After using the Eagle Eye ability to confirm no danger around, Shen Qing decided to settle here. This instantly lifted the spirits of aunt and big sister Shen Fang. Traveling far during their inconvenient times was simply torture. The temple had a well, perfect for getting freshwater to wash up. It was still early. While guarding outside the temple for his sister and aunt, Shen Qing took out a thin booklet to read. He had found it on the Huang Tian Sect General. He had merely glanced at it before, but now free, he had the time to scrutinize for valuable information. This small book seemed like a directory, with no text on the outside cover. Shen Qing opened the first page. "Yun Yinfeng, male, thirty-two, from Yanyu Town. Orphaned from a young age, adopted and taught martial arts by a martial master from Jianghu. In the third year of Tian Guang, joined our Holy Sect, assigned as a messenger. Skilled at lurking among the common folk, disguising as a merchant, scholar, or beggar..." The entire page detailed the life of Yun Yinfeng. Shen Qing had no impression of this person, flipping to the next page. "Qiao Lan, female, nineteen, from Taifeng County. Born in a martial arts family, but her family was implicated in a sudden political upheaval, hence joined the Holy Sect. Beautiful, highly skilled in martial arts, reliable." "Zhang Biao, male, twenty..." As Shen Qing browsed, it contained details on individuals with certain statuses in the Huang Tian Sect, describing their abilities, either in detail or briefly. Inside the book, a letter that had been opened was tucked. Shen Qing removed the letter, laid it open, and felt surprised. It was a letter from the Yongzhou Government Office, noting the departure time, route, and number of Yongzhou Guardian Martial Department forces. Someone within the Yongzhou Government Office, secretly affiliated with the Huang Tian Sect, had been leaking the Office''s martial department''s movements to them. No wonder the Huang Tian Sect could successfully ambush and wipe out the Guardian Martial Department from Yongzhou County en route; it appeared to be due to an inside man. The waters within the Yongzhou Government Office ran deep indeed. Shen Qing''s expression turned serious as he silently and meticulously stored the book and letter. These might prove useful in the future. Storing away the directory, he then pulled out a stack of yellow talismans and a triangular flag. These were also obtained from the Huang Tian Sect General. Shen Qing remembered clearly how formidable these talismans were in the general''s hands, capable of delivering various effects comparable to multiple Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skills. Moreover, they seemed very convenient to use, seemingly requiring no rigorous practice, just activation through rituals. Shen Qing carefully examined them. The talismans were about ten inches long, three fingers wide, edged with a fine red line. The talisman surfaces displayed complex and intricate designs in varying shades of ink. They depicted dragon and phoenix motifs, cloud formations, and other figures, ultimately categorized into three types. These seven or eight yellowed talismans presumably represented three categories. However, Shen Qing was unversed in talisman arts and could not decipher their specific meanings. Holding one talisman between his fingers, Shen Qing shook it, attempting activation. After several tries without any results, he temporarily decided to give up, focusing on the triangular array flag instead. His limited knowledge offered no insights into its mysteries. At that moment, Shen Qing heard carriage noises in the distance outside the temple. He hurriedly packed away the talismans, array flag, and looked out. Ahead, a group appeared with a large flag, marked with "Wu," approaching the rundown temple. Shen Qing called back, "Aunt, sister, hurry, people are coming outside the temple." "Ah..." Panic ensued inside the temple. Shen Qing ignored them, signaling to Tian Xiaohu and Xiao Zhi. They quickly drew their crossbows, staying alert on the carriage, eyeing the approaching group. The leading man from the escort agency, riding a tall steed, was surprised to see Shen Qing and others at the temple entrance. "Whoa!" He halted the horse, briefly deliberated, then dismounted and walked towards the temple entrance alone. Chapter 173 - 97 Yongzhou Thirteen Lines, Wu Sheng "Folks, we''re a merchant caravan from the Wu Family in Yongzhou, returning to the city. We usually rest here each time. Would it be convenient for you to let us join you in this dilapidated temple for the night?" The speaker was a man with a square face, around his mid-twenties. He was dressed well, suggesting a certain status, not appearing as an ordinary person. Being on the road, Shen Qing didn''t want any trouble. He calmly said, "This is just an abandoned temple, make yourselves comfortable." "Thank you." The man in his twenties glanced at Shen Qing and said with a smile, "From your accent, you don''t sound local to Yongzhou. Are you from elsewhere?" "From Taiping County." "Oh!" The man''s face showed a moment of realization and he said slowly, "Things haven''t been peaceful there recently." Shen Qing was taken aback, not expecting the man before him to know about Taiping County''s situation. In these times, they''d traveled close to a thousand miles, if not that, at least seven or eight hundred. For ordinary people, their range of activity was generally within dozens of miles, making information quite closed off. Most ordinary people knew nothing of matters beyond a hundred miles. The man before him sure had a keen sense for news. He probably had some skills too. At the very least, he was a martial master, and his cultivation realm was not low. But then again, without some skills, he couldn''t be running around this desolate place with a group of people. The square-faced man cupped his hand in greeting and gestured to his companions behind him, signaling they could come over normally. After receiving the man''s signal, these people hesitated not, and led the horse carts gradually toward the dilapidated temple. Shen Qing glanced around briefly, seeing about a dozen men in total, all burly and not to be trifled with. "Everything has a first come, first serve. The temple''s only so big, and we''re taking advantage of you guys. If you run into trouble, you can ask for our help too." Shen Qing remained cautious, and seeing the other party so polite, exchanged a few formal words, saying, "Sure, just don''t blame us for bothering you when the time comes." "Hahaha... Brother, you have a good temperament." The square-faced man laughed and said, "Brother, my surname is Wu, with the single given name Sheng. How should I address you?" "Shen Qing!" "Where are you heading on this journey?" "We''re planning to go to Yongzhou County." "What a coincidence, we''re getting ready to head back too. It''s still a day and a half to Yongzhou from here. How about we travel together?" Shen Qing hesitated for a moment. Wu Sheng said, "Brother, there''s no need to worry. We''re from the Wu Family of the Yongzhou Thirteen Lines. The Wu Family is strict, upholding ''honesty'' as their foundation, always settling debts. Once you get to the county town, asking a little bit will confirm it. We''re not bad people." Shen Qing pondered for a while and said, "Then I''ll trouble you." "Great, it''s settled, we''ll leave together in the morning." Wu Sheng called his companions and brought their belongings into the temple, making the already small temple crowded. Elder Sister Shen Fang and Aunt had hurriedly finished washing up, dressed, and came out of the temple, seeing so many more people, hesitantly and cautiously returned to Shen Qing''s side. "Qingzi, who are they?" Elder Sister Shen Fang asked softly. Shen Qing signaled Tian Xiaohu and Xiao Zhi behind him to relax, reassuring, "They''re people from the Yongzhou Wu Family, sharing the temple with us." "Oh." Elder Sister Shen Fang''s bright eyes flickered as she curiously glanced at the Wu family members in front of her. After Shen Qing took up martial arts, their life greatly improved. Not only did he grow robust, but the once frail elder sister Shen Fang also became plumper. With her naturally good features, she became even more outstanding with some nurture. Having just bathed, appearing in front of everyone, she inevitably garnered a few more glances. "Quickly tidy up the goods, if anything''s missing, the boss won''t spare you." Wu Sheng was keen, noticing this point, kicked one of them hard, scolding, breaking everyone''s distraction. These sturdy men all looked away and got busy, avoiding further glances. Shen Qing thought for a bit, then said to Tian Xiaohu and others, "I''ll take the night watch tonight, you all rest early." For these many days, it was mainly Xiao Zhi and Tian Xiaohu taking turns watching, occasionally helped by Shen Xiaoshan. To conserve energy, Shen Qing seldom performed patrols. But seeing that tonight''s crowd seemed a bit unusual, Shen Qing thought it safer to replace them for tonight. The setting sun dyed the verdant hills in gold and crimson, eventually sinking bit by bit into the mountains'' embrace, dropping below the horizon. A starry night sky emerged, accompanied by the chorus of frogs around. Two groups of campfires gradually rose in the dilapidated temple, with Shen Qing''s and Wu Sheng''s sides beginning to prepare their respective meals and arrange personal belongings. Comparing with Shen Qing''s group, surviving on fried rice, hard pancakes, and other dry foods, Wu Sheng''s people''s fare was evidently better, with jerky, buns, and even liquor. Wu Sheng noticed Shen Qing sitting by the entrance, took a wineskin, and approached Shen Qing, gesturing, "Want some?" Seeing Shen Qing hesitate, Wu Sheng uncorked it and took a few sips himself, smiling, "Not poisoned." Shen Qing replied a bit apologetically, "I''ve never drunk before, afraid of getting drunk and making mistakes." "Never drank? Alright then." Wu Sheng sat beside Shen Qing, proactively chatting, "Brother Shen, what plans do you have for Yongzhou this time?" Shen Qing wasn''t familiar with Wu Sheng, the meeting being their first. S~ea??h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. In his view, the initial acquaintance was hardly the time for deep revelations. "Haven''t decided." Faced with Wu Sheng''s inquiry, Shen Qing had no intention to divulge. He sighed, saying reluctantly, "Brother Wu, you might already know Taiping County''s situation. We''re off to Yongzhou looking for a livelihood, but it''s uncertain what we''ll do, or what we can do." "When faced with disasters, common people like us really lack means to cope. But seeing Brother Shen''s fine steed, still young, you might well find a place in Yongzhou." Wu Sheng extended a sincere invite, "If Brother Shen truly encounters troubles in Yongzhou, don''t hesitate to come to me. My position in the Wu Family isn''t high, but I can arrange some tasks, at least not letting you starve." Hearing Wu Sheng''s tone genuine, Shen Qing realized it wasn''t mere recruitment but a heartfelt offer. "Thank you, Brother Wu, if I really can''t find my way, I''ll definitely come to bother you." "Hahaha, it''s a minor matter." Wu Sheng said, sipping his drink, "It''s a pity though. If only you came earlier, Yongzhou might''ve been fine, but now... sigh..." "Oh, Brother Wu, is there any inside story in the county town?" Shen Qing knew Wu Sheng had a knack for news, certain he knew quite a bit. He didn''t miss the chance to inquire further. Chapter 175 - 1 Yongzhou County, Arrival! ``` The next morning, Shen Qing chose to travel with the Wu Family''s caravan, merging both groups into one. Because the Wu Family caravan frequently traveled this road, they were very familiar with it, making their journey much faster. What should have been a day and a half''s journey only took about one day to reach Yongzhou County. Outside the West City Gate of Yongzhou County, Wu Sheng and Shen Qing''s two groups paused outside the city gate. As Wu Sheng needed to go back to hand over this trade route and had other matters to attend to, he couldn''t continue traveling with Shen Qing and chose to part ways at the city gate. "Brother Shen, on this journey, I felt an instant bond with you, and we got along very well. Once you settle down in Yongzhou City, come find me at the Wu Family when you''re free. I''ll show you around this great city of Great Zhou." Wu Sheng spoke sincerely. If he didn''t know that Wu Sheng also engaged in other businesses, Shen Qing might have truly believed that this person considered him a real friend, more amiable than any top-tier real estate agent he had encountered in his past life. Regardless of Wu Sheng''s motives for befriending him, Shen Qing learned a lot about Yongzhou from him. In view of the valuable information, Shen Qing''s face also beamed with a smile as he cheerfully said, "Certainly, certainly, I hope Brother Wu won''t find me troublesome at that time." sea??h th§× N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Haha, how could that be? When we meet again, I will surely prepare a feast for Brother Shen." Wu Sheng clasped his hands and said, "I will go ahead now, till we meet again." "Farewell for now." "Hyah!" Wu Sheng mounted his horse, leading his group proudly into the city. Watching Wu Sheng and his companions leave, Shen Qing then looked up, taking a good look at the city named Yongzhou. As the county town of Yunlu County, Yongzhou had a population of eight million, and if including those who arrived and had not yet registered, potentially exceeding ten million. His Qi Cultivation Realm cultivation was considered top tier in Taiping County, but in Yongzhou City, it wasn''t much; he was merely ordinary. According to Wu Sheng''s boast, anywhere you threw a brick in Yongzhou City, you could hit a martial master in the Qi Cultivation Realm. Though exaggerated, it certainly affirmed that the overall cultivation level of martial masters in Yongzhou was far ahead of Taiping County. The city surely had as many aspiring individuals as a swarm. The sky was approaching dusk, and Yongzhou City began to light up, while the official road outside still bustled with traffic. Scanning casually, Shen Qing saw monks in robes, Taoists with an immortal aura, young noblemen and ladies in elegant clothing, and gang martial artists with swords at their waists or long knives on their backs... and the list went on. There were, of course, more peddlers carrying goods, pushing wheelbarrows, and ordinary people working in the city. Compared to Taiping County, the people living in Yongzhou seemed to be living in far better conditions, at least without the lifeless numbness of Taiping County. As the sky darkened, Shen Qing, riding his tall horse, took the lead, moving to the front. The gray carriage behind followed him, the wheels clattering over the cobblestone road. Upon reaching the city gate, Shen Qing was stopped by the gate guards to verify his identity. Shen Qing did not act rashly, presenting his Registration Certificate honestly. To Shen Qing''s surprise, the guards merely checked it over and, finding no issue, allowed them entry without concocting reasons to charge a so-called City Entrance Fee as in Taiping County. Truly, each city had its own way of life. Entering Yongzhou City, Shen Qing saw the world''s splendor for the first time. Taiping County, to him, was but a bustling large village with nothing too astonishing. But this Yongzhou City was different. The streets were entirely paved with bluestone slabs, flanked by teahouses and wine shops lined in rows, bustling with people and hustle. Even as night fell, it was still lively and bustling. All sorts of lanterns hung high on the streets, ablaze with lights. Merchants'' cries echoed, and a variety of goods were on display, from exquisite silks and satin to rough iron tools and farming equipment, from sweet pastries to spicy street snacks¡ªit was all-encompassing. It truly opened the eyes of Shen Qing and his companions. Heard there were twelve markets in Yongzhou City, each with its own characteristics. Shen Qing couldn''t help but feel some anticipation for his upcoming life. Casually, he found an inn to stay with his companions. Seeing their travel-worn, disheveled appearance, the innkeeper didn''t refuse them, merely quietly raising the room prices by thirty percent as he welcomed them in. Shen Qing, unaware of Yongzhou City''s prices, immediately felt the accommodation was unusually expensive. Their group had just taken three rooms, costing him three taels of silver. This instantly gave Shen Qing a rough idea of Yongzhou''s cost of living. The days of travel, combined with the mental tension, had left Shen Qing a bit weary. After checking into the inn, he finally relaxed and felt an unprecedented sense of peace. After washing up, Shen Qing fell right to sleep. He slept a dreamless night. Waking up refreshed after a sound sleep, Shen Qing was brimming with energy. After breakfast, Shen Qing inquired about the location of the Military Department Office and hurried over. The Yongzhou Military Department Office stood tall and imposing. Two gatekeepers stood on either side of the entrance with an air of authority. Calming himself, Shen Qing approached the gatekeepers, explaining his purpose, and considering Yongzhou''s cost of living, handed them each a generous "Delivery Package." The gatekeepers, pleased at this, graciously allowed Shen Qing into the Military Department Office. Successfully entering the office, Shen Qing, aware of the bureaucratic ways of Great Zhou, paved his way with coins, taking only the time of a stick of incense to find the officials responsible for personnel transfers within the Military Department. Presenting his appointment document to the attending official, he patiently waited alongside. After checking the document''s authenticity, the official didn''t hesitate to escort him to a side chamber for a proper welcome. "Your timing is perfect. Our Military Department has several officer vacancies¡ªif all goes well and you meet the requirements, you could start within a few days." Shen Qing found this somewhat unbelievable, feeling the Military Department Office was surprisingly easy to enter. Maintaining a cautious attitude, he replied with a hint of excitement, "So soon?" "Haha, not too soon, the key is to ensure everything goes smoothly. Later, I''ll take your appointment document and Registration Certificate to the Chief Officer''s Office and explain your situation, waiting to see how Lord of the General Supervisor''s Office arranges for you," The official, with his yellowing teeth, said warmly, deliberately emphasizing "go smoothly." Shen Qing immediately understood, gave him his Registration Certificate with a golden leaf pressed on it, and handed it to the official before him: "Then I''ll have to trouble you, sir." The official''s eyes lit up, smiling as he accepted the golden leaf, promising, "I''ll head over first. Please wait here patiently for my news." ``` Chapter 177 - 3 Join! Join the Guardian Martial Department ``` For Huang Furo, if it were an appointment from the Military Department, she might have gone to see, but the Guardian Martial Department had its own Commander to handle matters, so it did not require her attention. She merely left it to the officials in the Personnel Office. Over at the Prefectural Governor''s side, it was merely a "routine procedure," and not worth her effort. The small official from the Personnel Office, having received the orders, was surprised when he saw that Huang Furo did not take Shen Qing''s position away, a glimmer of joy crossed his face as he strove to maintain composure: "Yes, my lord. Subordinate will make the official certificate for him now, and have him report to the Guardian Martial Department in three days." Huang Furo buried her head in handling her official duties and did not speak further. S~ea??h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The small official from the Personnel Office bowed with his hands clasped in front, wisely retreating out. Once he had walked out of the government office, he turned back cautiously for a glance, unable to suppress the joy in his heart. Such fortune was truly incredible this time. With just a few words he had gained a thousand taels effortlessly. In the past, when wealthy disciples competed with family backgrounds, he might not have had such opportunities. Even if he got the position, he would have to give up a large portion. It was by chance that Shen Qing was an outsider, newly arrived without any background, just perfect for him to manipulate. Upon returning to the officials room, he saw Shen Qing standing straight in the courtyard, neither rushed nor idle. He couldn''t help but take a second look. "This lad truly has a good temperament. Given so much money, if I were him, I''d be as anxious as an ant on a hot pan." The small official from the Personnel Office approached, taking Shen Qing by the arm, his eyes squinted happily: "Little brother, it''s done." "It''s done?" Shen Qing said with a bit of suspicion: "Are you serious, my lord?" The official pretended to be annoyed: "Could I lie to you? Our Lord of the General Supervisor''s Office has already personally promised to make the official certificate." Saying so, he lowered his voice mysteriously: "Do you think what you gave me, it''s all for myself? As long as it can be delivered out, it means the matter is done." Seeing the official''s demeanor as though afraid he would regret it, Shen Qing felt speechless. To him, as long as he could get a position in the department, spending some money didn''t matter at all. With power, money would naturally not be an issue. Shen Qing did not expose him, playing along: "It''s all thanks to your efforts, my lord." "I dare not claim credit, do not dare to claim credit." The official laughed: "We over here are making the official certificate for you; you just come back in three days to take it and report to the Guardian Martial Department." Startled, Shen Qing found it strange. He recalled his appointment letter stating his position was in the Military Department, how did it become the Guardian Martial Department? Shen Qing asked, puzzled: "My lord, why do I have to report to the Guardian Martial Department? My appointment letter''s position was in the Military Department." "Ah, don''t worry. The Military Department or the Guardian Martial Department, they are both under the Lord of the Chief Officer''s Office. The latter is spun off from the Military Department, specifically to handle demons and the remnants of the Huang Tian Sect, the two are part of one whole. The Military Department had no vacancies, but the Guardian Martial Department had, you naturally take a position there upon coming." The official gave a casual explanation and consoled: "Don''t overthink it." Shen Qing''s mind whirled, suspecting it to be because in the middle of the situation, the County City Guardian Martial Arts Department was ambushed by the Huang Tian Sect, leaving many positions vacant. Hence he was transferred from the Military Department to the Guardian Martial Department by sheer coincidence. At this moment, Shen Qing thought of one important question, he couldn''t help but ask: "May I ask you, my lord, is there any difference in treatment between the County City Guardian Martial Arts Department and the Military Department currently?" "Theoretically it is the same from the court, but..." The official hesitated: "You''ll know once you report to the Guardian Martial Department, I could tell you but you won''t really understand." Shen Qing''s gaze darkened, showing a maturity unusual for someone his age, thoughtfully pondering his words. "That''s it for today, remember to come back in three days." Shen Qing snapped back, clasping his hands in respect: "May I ask for your name, my lord?" "My surname is Zhao, Zhao Guanglu." "So it is Mr. Zhao. I hope you will take extra care of my matters, my lord." "Don''t mention it." Seeing Zhao Guanglu''s intention to send him off, Shen Qing did not linger at the Military Department longer; he clasped his hands together courteously before leaving the Military Department Office. Returning to the inn, Shen Qing informed his uncle and others about joining the Guardian Martial Department. Seeing Shen Qing''s position settled, they, too, were completely at ease. With a few days before he needed to report to the government office, having nothing else to do, Shen Qing, along with Tian Xiaohu and Xiao Zhi, went to find a broker, and after two days of effort, spent a thousand taels purchasing a small house in the same neighborhood as the Guardian Martial Department Office. According to the broker, the house''s owner used to be an officer of the Guardian Martial Department; unfortunately, he was later killed by demons, and the family lost their livelihood, thus his wife and children had to sell it. The house was considerably smaller than the one on the side of Taiping County, but enough for their whole family to live together, just right to settle down. After spending another day, Shen Qing and the others moved out of the inn, procured household utilities, and moved into the small house before nightfall. In total, Shen Qing spent another three hundred taels to get the household adequately set. This left him with a mere two hundred taels. Unless there were major expenses, this money would probably only be enough for their family''s living expenses for half a year. His two horses alone might consume half of it. In the future, he would still have to find ways to open up some money-making channels. Saying so, Shen Qing could not help but set his sights on Xiao Zhi, a thought suddenly sprouting in his mind. But he quickly suppressed this idea. ''There''s no rush; I should secure a foothold in the Guardian Martial Department first, and then plan gradually for money-making ventures.'' The next day, now that things had settled down, his aunt planned to take his elder sister Shen Fang to shop and the whole family followed them out. Tian Xiaohu and Xiao Zhi did not idle either, using the pretense of shopping to go out and gather information, while Shen Qing, as requested by Zhao Guanglu, went to the Military Department Office to retrieve the official certificate. Guardian Martial Department Office. On either side of the main gate stood two stone lions, looking majestic. In the center of the vermilion gate beams, a gilt plaque glistened under the moonlight. It bore the engraved three large characters "Guardian Martial Department," the script vigorous, the spirit powerful, exuding an aura of inherent authority. At the gate, the gatekeeper, seeing Shen Qing with the official certificate, did not make things difficult for him, letting him enter the Guardian Martial Department Office directly. Compared to the large and comprehensive Military Department Office, the Yongzhou Military Department Office appeared more cramped. Looking ahead, the front courtyard paved with bluestone was only about ten meters deep, with rows of disorderly weapon racks standing empty, save for a few wooden sticks vaguely perched atop. It was somewhat shabby. On either side of the courtyard stood rows of small houses. At this moment, in each house sat clusters of officers, long knives hung at their waists, using old bowls to sip crude tea inside. A middle-aged officer, seeing Shen Qing walk in, came up actively, clasping his hands: "You must be Officer Shen Qing, right?" Shen Qing raised his brows slightly: "Do you recognize me?" "Officer Shen, your red decree arrived in Chief Officer Zheng''s hands yesterday. The Chief personally ordered me to wait here for you, sir." Shen Qing knew the Chief he referred to was the Chief Officer of the Guardian Martial Department, a position nominally equal to the General of the Military Department, yet in actuality slightly lower. "Thank you for leading the way." The middle-aged officer, head bowed, hurried to say he dared not, leading Shen Qing through the front courtyard and into the main hall. Centered in the main hall was a broad desk, piled high with documents and scrolls, but no one was behind it. The middle-aged officer called out loudly: "Lord Chief Officer, Officer Shen is here." ``` Chapter 178 - 4 Have your problems been solved now? ``` The sound of the middle-aged officer reverberated throughout the main hall. After a while, a man leisurely emerged from the back of the main hall. Yawning, he sat down behind the desk, stretched his neck, and with eyes closed, he said, "Are you Shen Qing?" Shen Qing stepped forward and said, "Indeed." "I''ve reviewed your identity documents. From now on, you will lead Lao Liu and the Sixth Group." The Chief Officer of the Guardian Martial Department stopped nodding his head and opened his eyes to say, "Lao Liu, you''ve been with the Guardian Martial Department for a long time and have considerable experience. Shen Chasi is new here and unfamiliar with many aspects; assist him to help him get acquainted with the department''s affairs quickly." "Yes, my lord." "Alright, get familiarized then." The pot-bellied Chief Officer waved his hand dismissively. The officer, Lao Liu, clasped his fists respectfully and retreated. Shen Qing glanced at the desk in front of him without saying much and followed suit, retreating as well. After leaving the main hall, Lao Liu led Shen Qing to a side chamber and said, "Shen Chasi, please show your official certificate and collect your duty token. Thereafter, every day at the Mao Hour, you must switch your duty token and return again during the Xi Hour in the evening." Isn''t this just clocking in and out for work every day? Shen Qing asked, "What if one forgets to switch the duty token?" "Forgetting once a month isn''t a big deal, but forgetting twice results in a one-day salary deduction. Three times, half is deducted, and if it''s four or five times, the entire salary is deducted. In severe cases, it leads to dismissal." Shen Qing''s face immediately turned serious; dismissal meant being fired. It seemed that being an official was not an easy task. The officer, Lao Liu, seeing Shen Qing take the duty token, continued, "Here in the county town, the Guardian Martial Department has six groups responsible for twelve districts and seventy-two towns in dealing with demons and malevolent matters. Occasionally, they have to deal with traitors and assist the Military Department with maintaining security. In short, the tasks are varied and numerous. You''ll have to follow the directives of the Lord Chief Officer." "If it''s about security, does it mean night shifts are required?" "Typically, this is handled by the Military Department; we don''t do night duty." Shen Qing responded, "I see." "Shen Chasi, let me introduce you to the people in the Sixth Group. We''re all under your command by name, and since everyone is here today, get acquainted first." "Alright." Shen Qing pondered for a moment and asked, "Lao Liu, the Guardian Martial Department in our county town is divided into six groups; are there differences among them?" "There... there are indeed..." Lao Liu hesitated in his speech. "Feel free to speak." Lao Liu sighed and said, "Within the Guardian Martial Department, the order of the groups is, in fact, based on strength ranking." Shen Qing raised his eyebrows and said, "So, the Sixth Group is the weakest?" "Yes..." Lao Liu said with an awkward expression on his old face, "Shen Chasi is unaware; the officers of the other five groups all hail from high-ranking families in the county town. Although not closely related in direct lineage, they have some abilities, and their officers are meticulously selected, with ties to them, to enjoy the imperial grain." "Then our Sixth Group''s officers..." Lao Liu candidly explained, "Are all those unwanted by the other groups, kicked out, and ordinary martial masters." Shen Qing was at a loss for words: "Let''s have a look first." Lao Liu led Shen Qing out of the side room, passing row after row of houses, finally stopping at a corner house: "Shen Chasi, we''re here." "Let''s go in." Lao Liu led him directly through the door. "Everyone, be alert, the Lord Officer is here." As Shen Qing entered, three people, two men and one woman, stopped their conversation and stood up. They examined Shen Qing and were surprised by his youth and appearance. Lao Liu stepped forward to introduce them, "Shen Chasi, this is Jiang Dacong, Guan Yunjian, and Uncle Shu, the officers of the Sixth Group." "This is our new officer, Shen Qing, Shen Chasi." The three of them clasped their fists in unison, "Greetings, Shen Chasi." "There''s no need for formalities." Shen Qing stepped forward, noting down their appearances and names. Jiang Dacong was a tall woman, with somewhat sallow skin and acne scars on her face, not conventionally attractive. Guan Yunjian and Uncle Shu appeared not to be young either, around thirty years old, their faces weathered. And these people would be his subordinates from now on. Officers were different from chasi. Chasi were non-ranking minor officials, while officers were essentially "temporary workers" for the government office. These people, barring any mishaps, would spend their lives as officers, muddling through at the bottom tier. Even if they didn''t say it, Shen Qing could sense it from their demeanor. Having lived two lives, Shen Qing felt no stage fright. His gaze swept over their faces and he said, "Everyone, I''m new here and unfamiliar with many things. I will need your assistance..." At that moment, Guan Yunjian and Uncle Shu exchanged a glance, and Guan Yunjian stepped forward, interrupting, "Shen Chasi!" Instantly, everyone''s gaze in the room focused on Guan Yunjian. Shen Qing frowned, somewhat displeased, "What''s the matter?" Guan Yunjian bowed, his hands clasped, and said, "I heard Shen Chasi is from Taiping County and is currently in the Qi Cultivation Realm. Is this true?" Shen Qing detected a hint of hostility in Guan Yunjian''s words. He narrowed his eyes and said, "What if it''s true?" "To be truthful with Shen Chasi, all three of us are also in the Qi Cultivation Realm. During the absence of a chasi, we managed the affairs of the Sixth Group in an orderly manner. You don''t come from a high-ranking family, nor is your cultivation higher than ours. If Shen Chasi were to interfere recklessly in the future, causing trouble that leads to punishment for everyone, it wouldn''t be good for the Sixth Group." Uncle Shu added, "Shen Chasi is so young yet able to become an officer, there must be some means, so how can you voice your opinions here?" Lao Liu, standing at the door, had a gloomy expression, intending to step forward and scold them, but Shen Qing stopped him. He could tell these people were discontented with him, an outsider. Moreover, seeing his youth, they probably thought he was easy to manipulate. Did they really think he was a pushover? If so... Shen Qing was not at all angry; he smiled and said, "I''m just an ordinary person, what means could I have? Yunjian makes a valid point; what do you think I should do then?" "This matter isn''t difficult. As long as Shen Chasi doesn''t issue commands recklessly and listens to our arrangements, it''ll be fine. I''m sure Shen Chasi is a smart person who knows how to choose." Shen Qing thought for a moment, shook his head, and said, "Sorry, I''m quite dull, and I''ve never liked multiple-choice questions." S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Usually, when faced with a problem I can''t solve, I first deal with the person who brought up the problem." "Hmm?" Boom! In an instant, Shen Qing''s clothes fluttered as he charged swiftly towards Uncle Shu and Guan Yunjian, hands jabbing forcefully. Their pupils contracted as they hastily swung their arms, attempting to block Shen Qing''s sudden onslaught. However, Shen Qing''s speed far exceeded theirs. The Wind Defying Finger descended upon them with overwhelming might. At the moment of contact with their clothes, the third transformation of the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill activated. A scorching aura and rampant Qi exploded between them, generating a deafening roar. In face of such terrifying strength, Uncle Shu and Guan Yunjian staggered back, their bodies slammed into the wall, barely coming to a stop. The two couldn''t hold on, blood spewing uncontrollably from their mouths as they fell to their knees, faces as pale as paper. Lao Liu and Jiang Dacong''s expressions changed drastically; none of them expected Shen Qing to be so fierce, striking as soon as he intended. "You..." Uncle Shu and Guan Yunjian couldn''t help but tremble as they spoke. Their previous mockery and frivolity vanished, replaced by undeniable fear and unease. A faint smile hung on Shen Qing''s lips, "Are your issues resolved now?" The bodies of Uncle Shu and Guan Yunjian were taut to the extreme, cold sweat trickling down like a fine rain, yet they dared not utter a sound. Moments later, the two couldn''t support themselves anymore and lay prostrate, submitting to Shen Qing, "We were blind to your eminence, Shen Chasi. We hope the Lord Chasi will not hold our past mistakes against us. Henceforth, we will follow you wholeheartedly." "Since you knew this was inevitable, why persist earlier?" Shen Qing withdrew his killing intent and sat at the main seat, pouring himself a cup of tea, "Rise; from now on, the tasks of the Sixth Group will need your attention." "Yes." At this moment, everyone in the room gazed at Shen Qing with changed eyes, no longer carrying their previous frivolity. Uncle Shu and Guan Yunjian couldn''t even withstand a single move from Shen Chasi, his strength likely far surpassed the Qi Cultivation Realm. Shen Qing understood that being new here and having no one trustworthy under his command, these people couldn''t be disposed of yet, only kept for now. He drank a bowl of tea, feeling somewhat displeased. "Damn, this tea''s really bitter." ``` Chapter 179 - 5: Entering the Dao Through Martial Arts, Condensing Supreme Divine Skills! ``` "I''ve always preferred to win people over with virtue. Surely, you''ve all witnessed that," Shen Qing calmly set down the teacup in his hand and looked up at the crowd, speaking slowly. "I don''t know how you interacted with the last officer, but here, this is how I do things. If you''re not accustomed to it, you''d better start getting used to it from now on." At this moment, Uncle Shu and Guan Yunjian were as pale as paper, devoid of any color. When Shen Qing''s gaze swept over them, they hurriedly lowered their heads, not daring to meet his eyes. A complex mix of struggle and unwillingness flashed in their eyes, but ultimately, they resigned themselves to fate and kept silent. They were martial masters who had climbed up from the bottom, unlike those decorative pillows outside. With their Qi Cultivation Realm level and hard skills, although they admitted they couldn''t win every fight, they were confident that their hard skills alone enabled them to advance and retreat with ease. However, Shen Qing''s actions were too swift, arriving almost instantaneously, leaving them no time to react. With just one move, they were forced to face an attack. The power that crushed toward them was like a mountain collapsing, containing a violent and fiery aura, comparable even to a Qi Hai Realm martial master. They couldn''t even withstand a single move. They even felt that the new officer before them had held back when he struck, thinking they were useful and thus didn''t kill them. This young officer in front of them was far from being as harmless as he looked. They had no idea where this freak had come from. If they continued to oppose him, their own fates couldn''t be guaranteed. Thinking of this, Uncle Shu and Guan Yunjian both couldn''t help but feel a chill in their hearts. "Starting today, I will officially take over the matters of our Sixth Group. Does anyone have any objections or agree?" "Subordinate greets Lord Officer." Lao Liu was the first to speak, immediately replying loudly. Following him, Jiang Dacong, Guan Yunjian, and Uncle Shu also successively called out. Shen Qing was very satisfied with everyone''s performance, "Now I''m still getting familiar with the affairs, so everything remains as usual for you. I won''t say more for now, as there''s plenty of time in the future for us to gradually adjust." "Go about your business now. Lao Liu, stay behind for a moment." Guan Yunjian and Uncle Shu hobbled after Jiang Dacong out of the room, even closing the door for Shen Qing as gently as lambs. Shen Qing took in this scene with satisfaction at his decisive actions earlier. Most martial arts practitioners tend to have a certain rebellious arrogance. If he didn''t subdue them and show his strength, they wouldn''t submit. Over time, they would step all over him, being undermined by his subordinates. This is why, since ancient times, when a new official takes office, they make three fires to assert dominance, lessons summarized by their predecessors. Only by establishing authority, can he proceed freely with his undertakings. Fortunately, Guan Yunjian and Uncle Shu were two naive youngsters who didn''t know his background, and voluntarily offered themselves up, providing him an opportunity to establish authority. Otherwise, he truly wouldn''t know how to act. Having witnessed Shen Qing''s strength, the old officer Lao Liu''s already respectful attitude became even more reverent. He waited quietly for Shen Qing to speak. "Lao Liu, what''s your real name?" Officer Lao Liu laughed, "Just a lowly name, Lord Officer. You can just call me Lao Liu." "You still need to tell me your real name." "I''m the third in my family, full name Liu Sangui." Officer Liu Sangui, unable to refuse Shen Qing, reported his real name, and then asked, "What does Lord Officer want to ask by keeping me?" Shen Qing nodded and said, "There''s indeed something I want to ask you." "Please ask, my lord." "I wish to know how to advance my cultivation in the court, and if it''s any different from training at an outside Martial Arts Hall." Shen Qing asked a question he was very concerned about. It was well known that the Great Zhou Court had collected the world''s Martial Mechanism. Profound martial arts and various efficient methods for cultivating were in their hands. He joined the court largely for these martial way opportunities. Liu Sangui pondered for a while, arranging his words, "My lord, we receive our official salary every month. Besides the usual Silver Taels, it includes various Qi Blood Pills and other spiritual elixirs for martial arts practice, aiding cultivation. The elixirs distributed depend on your cultivation realm. For example, those below the Qi Hai Realm receive mostly Qi Blood Pills, while those in and above the Qi Hai Realm receive Gathering Spirit Pills." "These elixirs can enhance your cultivation. Most importantly, there''s the Wish Power Pearl distributed annually, which is an indispensable tool for advancing your cultivation." Shen Qing narrowed his eyes and asked, "What exactly does the Wish Power Pearl do?" "It can help you gather the scarce spiritual energy of heaven and earth, assisting you in entering the Martial Arts Dao and refining supreme Divine Skills!" Liu Sangui quickly explained. Martial Arts Dao, refining supreme Divine Skills? Shen Qing''s expression changed. "Of course, specifically, we as officers have never seen it. However, if Lord Officer wants to break through to the Qi Hai Realm, you''ll need to use the Wish Power Pearl." "Why?" "Humans are nurtured by heaven and earth, but the spiritual energy contained in their flesh and blood is ultimately limited. If one desires further cultivation, one must seize spiritual energy from heaven and earth to strengthen oneself. The Wish Power Pearl is the best method to seize energy." Shen Qing suddenly gained much knowledge and continued to ask, "I heard that using the Wish Power Pearl also requires the Refining Pearl Technique?" Liu Sangui nodded, "It does. But there''s no need for Lord Officer to worry. Typically, once you''ve been at the government office for three months, after registering in the Ministry of Personnel of the court, the Chief Officer will tell you the Refining Pearl Technique." Only three months, that''s manageable. "One more thing," Shen Qing said, "There are many profound martial arts in the court. How can I obtain them?" "That''s simple. In our government office, we have a dedicated Martial Arts Hall with some cultivation magic skills. Lord Officer can exchange elixirs or silver for reading access. In our county town, martial arts up to the Innate Realm are stored. For more profound ones, only the Royal Armory in the capital has them." Liu Sangui asked respectfully, "Does Lord Officer have any other questions?" "No more. You can go back to your work." "If Lord Officer needs anything, you can call on me at any time. First, familiarize yourself with our Human Government Office''s environment. This afternoon, I''ll take Lord Officer to patrol our Sixth Group''s defense zone. I''ll take my leave now." As Liu Sangui was about to exit the dwelling, Shen Qing thought of something and hurriedly said, "Wait a moment." Liu Sangui paused, asking, "What''s the matter, my lord?" "I forgot to ask, what is our Chief Officer''s name?" Shen Qing asked with a smile. It was important to know about his superior; it would be disrespectful not to know their name. Liu Sangui replied, "Our Chief Officer is surnamed Zheng, Zheng Yuanqiu." Shen Qing''s heart trembled, and a page of imagery unconsciously appeared in his mind... ``` Sear?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 180 - 6: Bow Technique Break Limit, Every Arrow Hits the Mark! ``` Shen Qing, who possessed the "Never Forget" skill, remembered very clearly everything he read in books, even if he just glanced at them briefly. That day, he read a roster taken from the Huang Tian Sect General, and he distinctly remembered a page that mentioned a person named "Zheng Yuanqiu." "Zheng Yuanqiu, thirty-five, fat, fond of money, cultivation at the Dan Realm. He acts swiftly, accurately, and ruthlessly, is prone to suspicion, and only acts when completely certain of success. Joined the Holy Sect in the second year of Tian Guang, deemed trustworthy." Could it be that this Chief Officer of the Guardian Martial Department was actually a messenger of the Huang Tian Sect? This was too far-fetched. However, if he were the Chief Officer, sitting in that position would indeed allow him to master the movements of his subordinates and secretly pass on information to Taiping County. Thinking about it carefully, this possibility couldn''t be completely ruled out. "Lord officers, what''s the matter?" Shen Qing withdrew his thoughts, and with a calm expression said, "Nothing." "Then, if there''s nothing, I''ll get busy now." After speaking, Liu Sangui didn''t linger in the room any longer and withdrew. After sending Liu Sangui off, Shen Qing pondered in the house for a while but still couldn''t confirm anything. After spending about a stick of incense''s time there, he pushed the door open and went out alone. When he walked into the courtyard, he noticed a few faint glances from the houses on either side of the courtyard scanning over him. Shen Qing looked around and noticed a few rooms with open doors, where clerks in the customary outfits of the Guardian Martial Department were curiously glancing at him. But they only glanced a few times before withdrawing their gaze, continuing to joke with their subordinates. There was neither disdain nor adulation, as if they didn''t care about Shen Qing. Shen Qing didn''t mind and began to stroll idly around the government office of the Guardian Martial Department, familiarizing himself with the various rooms and departments. The Guardian Martial Department did not have six main departments, only left a few clerks responsible for handling miscellaneous tasks like documents and archives. As Shen Qing passed by, he happened to see a clerk of the Guardian Martial Department sorting through the documents. His thoughts stirred, and he entered unobtrusively, pretending to wander. Some noticed him and dismissed their presence under the pretense of him being a new clerk familiarizing himself with the department. Shen Qing''s eyes darted around and finally found what he was looking for among a pile of documents¡ªZheng Yuanqiu''s handwriting. Seizing a moment when others weren''t watching, he discreetly picked it up, glanced at it quickly, and then put it back, walking out with his hands behind his back leisurely. Upon exiting the official room, Shen Qing''s expression couldn''t help but darken. Confirmed. Zheng Yuanqiu''s handwriting was identical to that on the letter. He really was a spy for the Huang Tian Sect! His superior actually turned out to be a mole of the Huang Tian Sect, indicating how deep the waters were in this Guardian Martial Department. However, after knowing Zheng Yuanqiu''s identity, Shen Qing had no intention of acting rashly. He had just joined the Guardian Martial Department and hadn''t gained a firm foothold; exposing Zheng Yuanqiu''s identity would not benefit him at all. No one would believe it even if he spoke out. It was better to keep this matter in his heart, stay aware of it, and then act when the time was right. ... Time flew by like an arrow. In the blink of an eye, a month had passed. During this period, Shen Qing had completely adapted to life in the Guardian Martial Department. He donned the exclusive black beast attire of the Guardian Martial Department, reported for duty, and patroled daily. Aside from catching a few petty thieves, everything was peaceful. During this period, Tian Xiaohu and Xiao Zhi also figured out the situation in Yongzhou, and overall the Thirteen Lines had strengths and weaknesses; the strong ones like the Zhou Family reached the emperor''s ears. The weak ones like the Qian Family had unworthy descendants and were constantly causing trouble, showing signs of decline. The whole situation wasn''t as perilous as Wu Sheng had said. In Xinyi Square, Shen Qing, carrying a heavy bow on his back, a long knife, and an arrow quiver at his waist, walked down the street accompanied by Liu Sangui and four others, looking impressive. Ordinary people saw him and quickly avoided him, not daring to be disrespectful. As usual, after patrolling Xinyi Square, it was soon the hour to clock out. Shen Qing refused Liu Sangui''s and others'' drinking invitation, rode the Zhuifeng Horse, and left the city before dark, heading into a deserted mountain forest. With gurgling stream water, far from the clamor. Shen Qing slid off the horse and patted Zhuifeng, who snorted and lowered its head to wander leisurely in the stream. Shen Qing skillfully took down the familiar heavy bow and carried the arrow quiver to an open space. He pulled out a standard arrow, aimed at a rock wall ahead, his eyes becoming exceptionally focused. The cramped city space was unsuitable for practicing archery. Now that life had settled down, he found a tranquil and suitable spot in the mountain forest outside the city to train his bow technique daily or practice other martial arts. Shen Qing drew the bow, aimed, and fired in one smooth motion. With a muffled thud, stone chips flew as the iron-tipped arrow deeply embedded itself into the rock wall. Shen Qing remained expressionless, drawing another arrow for repeated practice. The sound of arrows whistling through the air constantly resounded in the forest. Not knowing how many times he practiced, when Shen Qing once again wielded the heavy bow, a change flitted through his eyes. [Skill: Bow Technique (Great Perfection)] [Progress: 502/500 points] [Status: Upgradeable] [Note: Through continuous hard practice, your bow technique has improved once again. Upon further enhancement, you can break through the conventional limits of bow technique and comprehend the Limit breaking Technique of bow technique.] Finally, it happened. After countless repetitions of drawing the bow and shooting arrows, Shen Qing finally maxed out the progress of his bow technique, meeting the conditions for another enhancement. He licked his lips and, without any hesitation, placed his consciousness on the bow technique column, "Upgrade." When he initiated this thought, the brush-ink text regarding bow technique began to refresh and change. S§×ar?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. [Skill: Bow Technique (Break Limit)] [Progress: 2/600 points] [Status: Not Upgradeable] [Note: Heavenly Dao rewards diligence. Each bit of effort brings its harvest. After continuous practice, your bow technique has broken through the limits, comprehending the Limit breaking Technique "Every Arrow Hits the Mark," where every arrow unfailingly hits its target.] "Every Arrow Hits the Mark?" Shen Qing looked at the information above, his entire body shuddering involuntarily. His fully drawn heavy bow could pierce iron and penetrate stone within two hundred paces, tear sinews, and fracture bones within five hundred paces. If he could achieve "Every Arrow Hits the Mark" even beyond his line of sight, that would indeed be terrifying. As he thought this, a familiar feeling surged over him again, with countless strange memories flooding in. Fortunately, after such a long period of tempering, both his physical body and his Divine Sense had become much more solid, and the previous dizziness did not appear again. Enduring the discomfort, Shen Qing slowly digested the memories in his mind. After a stick of incense''s time, he opened his eyes. At this moment, he seemed to have an epiphany, suddenly sensing an indescribable harmony between himself and the bow, as though the bow had become a part of his body, operating seamlessly at his will. Shen Qing''s gaze shifted slightly, activating the "sharp eyesight" skill, discovering a wild mountain goat five hundred paces away. He nocked an arrow on the string without any hesitation or aiming preparation. Almost like eating or breathing, he instinctively released an arrow. "Whoosh!" The arrow flew off the string accompanied by a sharp whistle, transforming into a dark light, piercing through the void straight toward the mountain goat five hundred paces away. "Snap!" While the goat lowered its head to graze, unprepared, the arrow arrived in an instant, precisely piercing its heart, with enough force to knock it to the ground. In the distance, the night fell, with the last trace of sunset on the horizon gradually devoured by the greedy night. Shen Qing dashed over, looking at the dying goat at his feet with a smile, "Tonight, I can feast." ``` Chapter 181 - 7 Huang Tian Sects Plot, Spirit Mechanism Land ``` "You group go this way, the rest go up the mountain over there." Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Outside of Taiping County, a man with a yellow cloth on his head loudly ordered. With his command, dozens of believers of the Huang Tian Sect in front of him split into two groups, entering the deep mountains. Among the many Huang Tian Sect members searching the mountain, Shen Xiaohu, who was forced to join the sect, was conspicuously present. The two teams quickly disappeared into the vast mountains. The sun shone brightly, and the light scattered through the trees. A team of Huang Tian Sect followers snaked through the forest, searching all around. As they ventured further, the surroundings gradually became desolate. They walked for an unknown amount of time, and as the sun grew hotter, many were exhausted and panting. Even Shen Xiaohu, who had practiced some martial arts, felt his whole body aching from fatigue. Sweat dripped down his tanned face, hitting the ground and instantly being absorbed without a trace. "What is this damn weather making us look for?" A believer in the group couldn''t help but complain, his voice echoing in the empty valley. The eldest brother of the group stopped, turned to the complaining believer, his eyes flickering, and his expression suddenly became serious as he questioned: "Junior brother, are you dissatisfied with the True Master of Huang Tian? Dissatisfied with the Huang Tian Sect?" The complaining follower''s face changed, seeing the sharp look in the other''s eyes, he hurriedly explained: "I... I was just speaking nonsense because of the heat, I have no disrespect for the Holy Sect." "Hmph..." The elder brother snorted coldly and said, "You are fortunate to enter the sect, knowing past and present lives, breaking confusion, this is a great blessing, you must not harbor evil thoughts or have any slackness." "Since the Commander sent us here, there must be a reason. Perhaps there is an opportunity for our longevity and ascension in this, your chance is here, seize it well." The complaining follower nodded repeatedly: "Thank you for the reminder, elder brother." The elder brother glanced around at the people, noticing that the many followers who had come along looked visibly fatigued after climbing mountains and scouring the forest. He thought it necessary to rest then and there. Just as he was about to speak, a sharp-eyed team member suddenly spotted a spring and exclaimed, "Look, there''s a spring ahead." Following his pointing hand, the others looked and indeed saw a spring bubbling with clear water. The crowd was overjoyed, and without needing any prompting, they rushed over, greedily drinking the sweet nectar from nature. Shen Xiaohu was not to be outdone, pushing through the crowd, he crouched down, scooping up the spring water and gulping it down. The spring water went down, a coolness instantly spreading throughout his body, making him feel refreshed. "Is the spring water good?" "Yes, it''s sweet." A Huang Tian Sect follower with a yellow cloth on his arm looked up and saw a hunter-like man watching him with a half-smile, making his skin crawl. "Who are you? How come I''ve never seen you?" "Hehe... you''ll know who I am soon enough." In the follower''s confusion, the hunter-look man slowly revealed blood-red eyes, and a few tiger whiskers sprouted from his face, then abruptly pounced forward, diving straight into the other''s body. After a moment''s shake, he transformed into a wisp of light and came out again. The Huang Tian Sect follower trembled all over, his face drained of color, and his expression became frozen. Moments later, he fell to the ground, startling the surrounding people. "Hey, what''s wrong with you?" Suddenly, just as the words were spoken, they noticed someone else standing nearby, prompting them to look up. "Who are you..." "Ah!" A scream rang out from the crowd. Shen Xiaohu, who was drinking from the spring, was drawn by the scream and quickly turned to look. In a hurry, he saw a familiar figure, and his face changed dramatically: "Chen Fu!" Shen Xiaohu clearly remembered, when they moved away from Hongshan Village, many hunters had not left. In the end, those who didn''t leave all fell victim to the tiger demon. Chen Fu was among those people. He clearly was dead, so why was he appearing in this desolate mountain? Seeing Chen Fu''s ghostly, flickering figure, Shen Xiaohu was terrified and instantly understood, shouting, "Run, there''s a ghost!" As soon as he finished speaking, he ran for it, not caring about the others. "Hmm?" Chen Fu was very cautious, but he didn''t expect to be discovered. Seeing that he was already exposed, as others were still in confusion, he no longer hid his form and began killing mercilessly, crudely devouring these people''s essence qi. Soon others caught on, shouting frantically as they scattered in all directions. Leading the escaping pack, Shen Xiaohu frantically ran through the forest, heedless of direction. Breaking through countless thorns, just as Shen Xiaohu was at his wits'' end, the forest ahead suddenly opened up. An unprecedented scene unfolded before his eyes. Ancient towering trees, lush and vibrant plants danced with spirituality, and a faint fragrance permeated the air, invigorating the spirit. Shen Xiaohu''s face lit up with joy, could this be the Spirit Essence Land the Commander wanted them to find!!! "Who are you? How did you come to our land?" Before him, an ethereal voice appeared out of nowhere, startling Shen Xiaohu. "Who, who''s speaking?" "I asked you first, who are you?" a small squirrel descended a tree, its eyes full of curiosity, constantly turning its head to size up Shen Xiaohu. "Demon!" Shen Xiaohu jumped with fright and quickly pulled out a yellow paper crane from his chest, which flapped desperately, trying to escape. As he let go, the yellow paper crane transformed into a streak of light, shooting across the sky like a meteor. The former government office in Taiping County had been taken over by the senior Huang Tian Sect members. A man with thick hair and beard sat on high, saying, "Though we''ve repelled many waves of attacks from the Ji Family''s hounds, they surely won''t give up. I must hold on a bit longer. At the very least, we must find the Spirit Mechanism Land and collect Heavenly Qi." "Commander, we''ve already taken the wealth from the wealthy in Taiping County, distributed the official stores and granaries, morale is high, even if those hounds come again, we''ll surely repel them." "Indeed." Whoosh! Just then, a yellow paper crane flew in, landing on the Huang Tian Sect Commander''s shoulder, whispering something. The Huang Tian Sect Commander stood up abruptly, excitedly saying, "The Spirit Mechanism Land has been found, everyone, come with me quickly." Saying so, he formed a hand sign, and the yellow paper crane, as if with its own spirit, led the way, flying out of the office. The Huang Tian Sect Commander concentrated, surround himself with surging True Qi, then transformed into a rainbow light, eagerly following the crane, and disappeared. The other Huang Tian Sect members in the office were also excited and hurriedly followed. After about a pot of tea''s time. As Shen Xiaohu stood anxiously, facing off against the squirrel demon and worrying about the ghost, the Huang Tian Sect Commander suddenly appeared beside him. The commander appeared as if out of thin air, startling him, causing him to fall back onto the ground. Seeing it was the commander, Shen Xiaohu quickly steadied his nerves, calming his pounding heart, he knelt on the ground: "Greetings, Commander." The Huang Tian Sect Commander couldn''t hear Shen Xiaohu at all, his eyes fixed on the spiritual plants in front of him, excitedly saying, "This thriving spiritual energy, it''s the Spirit Mechanism Land! I knew this demon couldn''t appear out of nowhere, there must be a Spirit Mechanism descending here. Hahaha, with this, even leaving Taiping County won''t be a loss." ``` Chapter 182 - 8: The Aura of the Vault of Heaven, The Trace of Monsters Reappears ```html The Commander of the Huang Tian Sect looked at Shen Xiaohu, who was kneeling on the ground, and said happily, "Did you find this?" Shen Xiaohu had never faced such an important figure before and became very nervous. At this moment, the image of Shen Qing involuntarily flashed in his mind. In his impression, Shen Qing could remain calm no matter who he faced or what he encountered, showing no emotion, as if he had everything in his hands. Compared to him, Shen Xiaohu realized there was quite a gap. However, with Shen Qing as a role model, Shen Xiaohu also found a bit of strength within himself. He controlled his inner unease and replied, "I discovered it by chance." "Not bad, not bad. Others have searched for ages but couldn''t find it, yet you did, indicating you have great fortune," the Commander of the Huang Tian Sect said, calculating with his fingers, smiling, "This is an auspicious sign. You are destined to be with our Huang Tian Sect. From today on, you will become a Saint of our Sect, and after some time, you will return with me to the Huang Tian Sacred Mountain to study and cultivate our teachings." Shen Xiaohu was surprised; he never expected the Commander of the Huang Tian Sect to think so highly of him. Originally, he had planned to quietly leave Taiping County after safely departing the mountains to find his parents and siblings in Yongzhou. If he were taken to some place like the Huang Tian Sacred Mountain, who knows when he would see his parents again. Seeing Shen Xiaohu''s hesitant expression, the Commander of the Huang Tian Sect said, "What, you don''t want to?" The innate martial master''s authoritative presence immediately overwhelmed Shen Xiaohu, causing him to prostrate on the ground. Shen Xiaohu''s face turned pale, realizing his hesitation had displeased the other party, he hastily spoke, "I''m willing, I''m willing. My nature is dull, stunned by this news, and not knowing how to reply, which is why I hesitated. I hope Commander will forgive me..." The Commander of the Huang Tian Sect withdrew the pressure from his heart and his expression slightly improved. His gaze shifted, looking at the trembling squirrel demon. The latter, seeing the Commander staring at it, fluffed up its fur and quickly scrambled up a tree, muttering quietly as it ran, "Going to die, going to die, this person is terrifying." The Commander did not bother with the insignificant little demon, his eyes falling on the scene before him. Moments later, the high-ranking members of the Huang Tian Sect in Taiping County arrived successively. Upon seeing the abnormal forest before them, they could not help but show excitement. The Commander of the Huang Tian Sect waved his hand and said, "There''s no time to lose, let''s quickly gather the Heavenly Spirit of this place to prevent any changes." "Alright." The others did not delay either, as if they had rehearsed many times, each one''s figure flashed into position forming a seven-star array. Each closed their eyes in concentration, forming a seal with their hands, chanting mysterious and obscure spells, surrounded by a great yellow light resonating with the Heaven and Earth Essence around them. Seeing the timing was about right, the Commander of the Huang Tian Sect pulled out a stack of talismans and tossed them upwards. Dozens of talismans assembled into a spherical shape as if drawn by some invisible force. "Heaven above, Yellow Heaven below, open!" With a unified shout from everyone. It seemed as though an invisible force tore the space apart, producing a fine but distinctly visible crack slowly appearing before them, gathering in the center of the talisman-formed sphere. From afar, it looked like the eye of a deity slowly opening. In an instant, a pure and majestic aura seeped out from the crack, transcending the mundane, known as the "Heavenly Qi." The eyes of the Huang Tian Sect members gleamed with spirit as they stared intently at the strands of pure and majestic aura. When this aura appeared, all the plants in the vicinity seemed reborn, growing at a speed visible to the naked eye. The squirrel hiding in the treetops and all surrounding animals instinctively absorbed this aura. Even Shen Xiaohu, standing outside the crowd, inadvertently inhaling a few breaths, felt filth seeping out from his pores, leaving his body feeling lighter. The Commander of the Huang Tian Sect quickly mobilized all his cultivation, unleashing a jade talisman, using the Huang Tian Sect''s unique "Qiankun Storage Skill," slowly guiding the precious Heavenly Qi into this specially crafted artifact. He fixed his gaze on the floating jade talisman. Soon, as the Heavenly Qi was continuously gathered, the space''s tear slowly closed. Once the space''s fissure closed, all the talismans turned to dust with a muffled hiss. Everything returned to its previous state. Shen Xiaohu and all other living beings seemed to awaken from a dream. The Commander of the Huang Tian Sect reached out, taking the jade talisman, feeling the immense power within, his heart surged with indescribable excitement. "Ladies and gentlemen, the Heavenly Qi is the key to our Holy Sect''s future rise. Now that we have gathered this strand of Heavenly Qi, we are one step closer to longevity." Numerous exhausted high-ranking members of the Huang Tian Sect rejoiced wildly. "The Taiping County has been thoroughly scoured by us, and the Heavenly Qi has been collected. If this place can be held, then hold it; if not, we retreat and prepare to return to the Holy Mountain." "We are at the Commander''s command." "Good, let''s go." The Commander of the Huang Tian Sect grabbed Shen Xiaohu by the collar, transformed into a Rainbow Light, and soared into the sky. After he had left, a moment later, the lush and verdant grass below shook their bodies, pulling their roots from the soil, transforming into legs, and ran wild, disappearing in an instant. Following the grass, each towering ancient tree began to move as well, waving branches, traveling across the ground. In the blink of an eye, this Spirit Mechanism Land became barren, devoid of any vitality or Spirit Essence. In the forest. With a miserable scream, Chen Fu finished devouring an entire person''s Essence Qi, displaying a satisfied expression. Since freeing himself from the tiger demon''s control, he inexplicably enjoyed consuming human Essence Qi. With each devour, he felt increasingly free, as if capable of anything. "Once I return and rest in that grove, digesting what I consumed today, my cultivation will surely advance rapidly." Chen Fu, full of satisfaction, cheerfully headed back. As a Ghost, his figure was elusive, soon returning to his familiar place of cultivation. Upon his return, he was dumbfounded. The ground before him looked as if it had been plowed multiple times, with overturned soil, void of any vitality. Chen Fu, as a ghost, was completely stunned. What on earth happened? "Dispatch office, there''s demon activity." In Yongzhou County, the Bow Technique improved once more, as Shen Qing patrolled with Guan Yunjian, Uncle Shu, and Jiang Dacong as usual. Soon after they set out, Liu Sangui hurriedly came running to find Shen Qing and the group. "Now the Lord Chief Officer orders us to return quickly to receive instructions." Shen Qing raised his eyebrows; upon hearing about the demon incident, he dared not be negligent or procrastinate. He hurriedly called out to the others, "Let''s go." Shen Qing couldn''t help but quicken his pace with the group. When he returned to the Guardian Martial Department Office, the first squad of officers and officers was already all in attendance. ``` S§×ar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 183 - 9: The Baili Village Tragedy Shen Qing glanced at the Guardian Martial Department''s First Group gathered in the courtyard, his eyes falling on a young man among them. He was surrounded by many officers, like stars around the moon. This person was indeed the First Group''s Officer of the Guardian Martial Department, an illegitimate son of Yongzhou''s high-ranking Dong Family, Dong Jing. Rumor had it that this person had broken through to the Qi Hai Realm at just sixteen years old, and it wouldn''t be long before he would condense the Yu Luo. Such cultivation talent was considered among the best even within his peers in the Dong Family. However, due to his background, even with his cultivation, he could neither inherit the family business nor seek an official position elsewhere, so he became an officer at the Guardian Martial Department to find a way out. As if sensing Shen Qing''s gaze, he glanced over indifferently, as casually as one looks at a stranger, then retracted his gaze. Shen Qing lowered his head and led his team across the threshold into the Guardian Martial Department Office''s courtyard, maintaining a low profile. Due to the Sixth Group''s background and relatively weaker strength, they were not favored by other patrol teams at the Guardian Martial Department. Shen Qing led his team to stand quietly at the very end according to the formation order. During this period, Shen Qing observed that the other five patrol teams within the Guardian Martial Department formed cliques and silently excluded the Sixth Group. After a month of joining the Guardian Martial Department, Shen Qing had hardly interacted with them, appearing almost invisible in their eyes, without any presence. S§×arch* The n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Fortunately, Shen Qing had a clear goal and maintained the proper mindset, not letting the environment affect his state of mind. Otherwise, working in such an environment would indeed be somewhat oppressive. After a while, the other patrol teams gradually arrived. The previously quiet courtyard became bustling. The courtyard of the Guardian Martial Department wasn''t large, and these people had no intention of avoiding speaking openly. The conversation among the attendees was clearly overheard by Shen Qing. "Something happened at Baili Village outside the city, and many people died." "Was it that demon?" "You guessed it?" "Sigh, lately, it''s the most rampant demon inside and outside." Listening to the discussion, Shen Qing frowned and asked Liu Sangui, "Baili Village sounds familiar, is that our patrol area?" Liu Sangui replied with a pained expression, "Yes, it''s the patrol area outside the city for our Sixth Group. We generally patrol once a month; I didn''t expect such an incident." As soon as he finished talking, the faces of Jiang Dacong, Guan Yunjian, and Uncle Shu all turned grim. For some reason, demons were becoming increasingly clever. In the hands of demons, they had suffered many losses, often returning without success. Thinking of a troublesome demon appearing in their patrol area, their mood turned sour. After a while, Chief Officer Zheng Yuanqiu, with a big belly, came out. He glanced at everyone before him and asked, "Is everyone here?" Officer Dong Jing of the First Group clasped his hands and bowed, saying, "Reporting to Lord Chief Officer, all seven members of the First Group are present." "Second Group..." "Sixth Group, five members are present." Zheng Yuanqiu''s expression slightly softened; he planned to keep it brief, giving a succinct order, "A report came from below, there was a murder case at Baili Village due to demons. I remember that area belongs to the Sixth Group''s jurisdiction. You are given three days to capture this demon. If you fail to complete it, your official salary for this month will be halved." Upon hearing this order, Liu Sangui and the others seemed to have anticipated it, showing a ''as expected'' expression. "The other groups will assist the Sixth Group in solving the case." Zheng Yuanqiu''s gaze suddenly sharpened as he scanned everyone, releasing an invisible oppressive aura. He raised his voice abruptly, "Did everyone hear clearly?" "Clearly!" The people in the courtyard responded haphazardly. Zheng Yuanqiu barked fiercely, "If it''s clear, why are you still standing here? Hurry up and investigate for me!" Shen Qing felt a bit upset but chose not to confront Zheng Yuanqiu, echoing with the others, "Understood." The Guardian Martial Department''s courtyard fell into chaos, with everyone squeezing towards the gate, quickly dispersing. Officers rushed out of the Guardian Martial Department''s county government gate. Looking back to see that Chief Officer Zheng Yuanqiu had left, they sighed in relief, joking with arms around each other''s shoulders as they departed. They did not take Zheng Yuanqiu''s orders seriously. In their view, since the demon appeared in the Sixth Group''s jurisdiction, naturally, it should be handled by the "lowly skins" of the Sixth Group¡ªit was their urgency. Anyway, it wasn''t their patrol area, the docked salary wasn''t theirs, it had nothing to do with them. Shen Qing walked behind them, watching their departing backs, unsurprised at all. From ancient times, each swept the snow from his own doorstep, ignoring the frost on his neighbor''s roof. He had no relation to these high-ranking disciples, so naturally, they wouldn''t be kind enough to help him. After a moment of silence, Shen Qing spoke to Liu Sangui, "Is our Lord Chief Officer always this way, deducting our salary at every turn?" Liu Sangui chuckled bitterly, "Shen Chasi might not know, but our Chief Officer has a well-known vice." "What vice?" "Avarice and lust." Liu Sangui lowered his voice, "Our Chief Officer is getting older now, and his interest in women has diminished considerably, so only greed remains. If we fail in tasks, the docked salaries end up in his pocket. This is an unwritten rule in the Guardian Martial Department; everyone''s long been accustomed to it." "Sir, if you stay longer, you''ll naturally understand." After hearing this, Shen Qing formed a clearer impression of Chief Officer Zheng Yuanqiu. "Let''s go, to Baili Village to see what''s going on there?" With that, he went to the stable, led his prized steed, while Liu Sangui and the others handled some procedures inside the stable. Liu Sangui and the others didn''t have their own horses. They generally used the Guardian Martial Department''s official horses for business trips. These horses were aged nags, unable to run fast, but still serviceable. After seeing everyone ready, Shen Qing mounted his fine horse, determined the direction, and led his team galloping towards Baili Village. Officer Dong Jing from the First Group was the last to leave the Guardian Martial Department, instructing his men, "Inform the brothers, get ready, we''re going to Baili Village." The officers behind him were puzzled, "Officer Dong Chasi, are we going to help that newcomer?" "Hmm? Just get ready when I say so, why so much nonsense!" Dong Jing''s face turned cold, "Do you want me to listen to you?" The reprimanded officer shrank his neck and didn''t dare speak further, hastily getting others to prepare. Others might not know, but Dong Jing was quite clear. He had long heard that the new Commander, unlike the county government''s incompetent ones, was a decisive and fair person, especially having a deep-seated hatred for demons. If he found out that the Chief Officer failed to eliminate the demon, he would undoubtedly erupt in fury, and the Chief Officer likely wouldn''t escape the consequences. This was his chance. If he could achieve something, it would undoubtedly turn the situation around in the Chief Officer''s favor, earning him a good face in front of the two superiors, greatly aiding his career development. He knew that, as an illegitimate child, despite the apparent glamor, he couldn''t hope for a share in the Dong Family''s assets because of his mother''s low status. To avoid a miserable future, he needed to seek more opportunities and strive for advancement. With the Commander being an Innate Realm Martial Artist, if he was willing to lend him a hand, it would undoubtedly be a significant advantage. Shortly after Shen Qing, Dong Jing led his officers, also racing towards Baili Village. Outside Yongzhou City. A five-person team charged past. The leader carried a black Heavy Bow and an Arrow Quiver, riding proudly in front. "Officer Shen Chasi, ahead is Baili Village, we''re almost there!" From afar, Shen Qing seemed to smell a strong scent of blood, causing his expression to turn severe, and he swung his whip forcefully, "Hyah!" Chapter 184 - 10: Punishment Baili Village, as the name suggests, is a village settlement located a hundred li away from Yongzhou. This "hundred li" is not exactly an accurate measure. In terms of actual distance, it''s about seventy li, which is approximately thirty kilometers in modern terms. Shen Qing rode swiftly, reaching the vicinity in two or three moments. The air was thick with the almost overwhelming scent of blood. Shen Qing''s brow twitched, and he couldn''t help but urge his subordinates to quicken their pace. "Whoa!" Shen Qing halted his horse, peering ahead carefully. At the roadside, a corpse had been carelessly tossed on the ground. The body lay face down, and on its back was an outline of an eagle without wings, as if carved by sharp claws. The skin on both sides had been cut open, and the ribs inside were broken, with the chest bones splayed outward like a pair of wings about to take flight. These bloody bone wings and the earlier carving created the gruesome image of a "Blood Eagle." Liu Sangui and the others, upon seeing the corpse, paled and recognized it immediately: "This is troublesome, it''s really it!" Hearing this, Shen Qing turned his head and asked, "Who is this ''it'' you speak of?" "A matured Eagle Demon." "Eagle Demon?" Jiang Dacong, Guan Yunjian, and Uncle Shu also turned pale at the sight of the body. "Lord officers, you may not be aware, but this Eagle Demon has caused trouble here more than once or twice. Every time it strikes, it leaves a corpse like this. After eating people, it spreads its wings and flies into the deep mountains. It''s extremely difficult to deal with. The Guardian Martial Department is powerless against it." Shen Qing listened quietly, pondering inwardly. As Guan Yunjian and the others said, if it were a flying demon, they surely had no means to deal with it. "Let''s first take a look." Shen Qing, with a solemn expression, tightened his legs against the horse''s belly and led the way into Baili Village. Baili Village consisted of about a few dozen households, larger than a typical village, with numerous taverns and stalls catering to passing merchants. However, many roofs had been upturned, walls had collapsed, and beams had fractured, turning the place into ruins. "Stay close, be careful, everyone," Liu Sangui cautioned from behind. Jiang Dacong, Guan Yunjian, and Uncle Shu instinctively tightened their grips on their weapons, following closely. As Shen Qing entered Baili Village, he was met with a field of debris. The monster was indeed man-eating. Looking around, Shen Qing couldn''t find a single intact corpse, even the internal organs had been devoured clean. Only large patches of dark red bloodstains and signs of struggle marked the ground. Upon closer inspection, one could find numerous claw marks and pecking signs on the remains, and even an infant with its skull cap pried open, leaving an empty cavity. Shen Qing couldn''t help but recall the scene he witnessed once in the village, eerily similar. As Shen Qing and his group moved deeper, the devastation unfolded further. More and more body fragments appeared. If one looked closely, scattered eyeballs and ears could be found on the ground. With patience, it might even be possible to piece together a whole human body, with many crucial parts left uneaten. This indicated that the Eagle Demon initially hunted humans for food, but once satiated, it continued killing purely for sport. Shen Qing couldn''t help but develop a deep hatred for this Eagle Demon. Guan Yunjian and the others gazed at the strewn corpses, having grown accustomed to such sights, their hearts remained unshaken. Only one concern caused their brows to furrow in worry. "If it''s the Eagle Demon, Lord Chief Officer ordered us to capture it within three days. The Guardian Martial Department couldn''t handle it, so how are we supposed to kill it? Our monthly salary is bound to be cut in half again." "Why don''t we stick to the old method?" S§×ar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "What old method?" Shen Qing turned his head to ask. Uncle Shu casually replied, "We don''t mention the Eagle Demon, who''s to know it did this? Conveniently, I know a few hooligans; we kill them and claim they did it. Wouldn''t that solve everything?" After listening, Shen Qing, with an expressionless face, said, "Is that how you always handle such matters?" "It''s not often, but we have experience with such cases. Then we burn the place to eliminate evidence, and no one will know. If the Eagle Demon strikes again, as long as it''s outside our jurisdiction, others can deal with it." With a look of pride, Uncle Shu seemed reassured by this solution. "You seem proud to kill the innocent for merit?" Shen Qing glanced at Uncle Shu, questioning. "Hmm?" Seeing Shen Qing''s look, Uncle Shu shivered involuntarily, his brows tightening. Before he could respond, a forceful Qi struck his lower abdomen. The overwhelming strength exploded in his stomach, causing Uncle Shu to fall heavily to the ground like a ragdoll flung by a gale, stirring dust around him. Witnesses like Guan Yunjian and Jiang Dacong shrieked in surprise. Shen Qing slowly retracted his hand, coldly warning, "If you attempt such actions in my presence again, a mere injury will be the least of your worries." Uncle Shu''s eyes blazed with fury, his rage verging on eruption. "I offered you a suggestion, and you attack me? What kind of phony are you?" Just as Uncle Shu was about to retaliate, Guan Yunjian rushed forward to help him up, pinching his arm sharply. Recollecting himself, Uncle Shu glanced at Guan Yunjian, quickly understanding, forcing down his inner fury. Uncle Shu stood up, clasped his hands, and joined the others in unison to acknowledge, "Yes, Lord officers." Liu Sangui stepped forward and inquired, "Sir, what do we do next?" Mounting his horse, Shen Qing asked, "Where does the Eagle Demon usually reside?" "I know of a place." Liu Sangui eagerly offered, "Let me lead the way." "Good." Liu Sangui quickly mounted his horse and sped forward. Shen Qing followed closely. Watching Shen Qing''s figure gradually fade into the distance, Jiang Dacong couldn''t help but blurt out, "He''s not planning to confront the Eagle Demon, is he?" "Just him?" Uncle Shu rubbed his abdomen, his eyes filled with disdain for Shen Qing, "Damn it, what an act. If he''s the good guy, does that make us the Evil Officials? Bah, wait until he encounters the cunning Eagle Demon. Then he''ll understand true despair! Let''s see if he''s still as smug." The Eagle Demon, always in Concealment within the towering mountains, even if found, could easily escape by flight. How could they hope to catch it? Moreover, the Eagle Demon bore grudges; if it targeted someone, they would suffer dearly. "We should cease this chatter; hurry over," Jiang Dacong urged. She mounted her horse and followed suit. With a spit full of contempt, Uncle Shu mounted his horse in hatred, "I''ll see just what kind of storm you, Shen Chasi, can stir. Hyah!" Chapter 185 - 11: Bending the Bow to Shoot the Eagle Demon, a Heavy Arrow Determines the Universe! ``` "Was that the group from the Sixth Group just now?" On a government road outside the city, Dong Jing saw Shen Qing and the others flash by in the distance, feeling puzzled. "Yes, those wretches." The officer behind him stepped forward and replied obsequiously. Dong Jing contemplated for a moment and ordered, "A few of you go to Baili Village to check the situation, the rest come with me." "Yes." Dong Jing tugged the reins and pursued in the direction of Shen Qing in the distance. No matter what, the Sixth Group had gone to investigate the Baili Village massacre, and they must have found some clues they wanted to check. If I follow them, there might be something to gain. ... Shen Qing galloped along the way, guided by Liu Sangui to an old desolate temple nearby. From the temple''s vantage, towering peaks surrounded the area, piercing the clouds. A rushing river meandered through the valleys. "Lord Officer, this is the place." Liu Sangui pointed behind a cliff ahead and said, "Locals used to frequently see that Eagle Demon here, but after several attacks, people stopped coming. Now we don''t know if the Eagle Demon is still around." Shen Qing remained silent, mounted on his horse, squinting as he gazed around. Under the blue sky, a few scattered clouds floated, seemingly empty. At that moment, the sound of hooves approached from behind as Jiang Dacong and the others caught up. Guan Yunjian and Uncle Shu exchanged a glance, seeing Shen Qing''s aimless scanning, and showed a look of schadenfreude. "That Eagle Demon is elusive, how could we be so lucky to encounter it? Do you really think it''s that easy to find?" No sooner had they thought this than a shadow cut across the sky, accompanied by an eagle''s cry, instantly drawing everyone''s attention. Under the blue sky, a creature neither entirely human nor eagle hovered above them. This Eagle Demon stood over a zhang tall, its body shrouded in feathers as black as ink, densely layered. Its extended wings spanned three zhang wide, like a cloud eclipsing the sun. Guan Yunjian and Uncle Shu''s faces froze. Could it be they actually encountered the Eagle Demon here? Everyone focused their gaze, spotting the sharp, curved beak still stained with fresh blood. The Eagle Demon had already noticed them, its eagle-like features bizarrely blended with human contours, sketching a mischievous grin as if toying with prey. Guan Yunjian and Uncle Shu snapped back, feeling indignant, "Even if we''re lucky enough to spot the Eagle Demon, so what? We have not reached Innate, cannot navigate Rainbow Light, and still have no means to handle this creature. If the Prefectural Governor and other officials from the government office intervened, there might be a chance." Compared to the tense Guan Yunjian, Uncle Shu, and the others, Liu Sangui, having weathered countless storms, appeared immensely calm. He involuntarily turned to Shen Qing. The man who had been their officer for just over a month showed a faint excitement on his face. "As the saying goes, better to be timely than early. This saves me quite some effort." Shen Qing spoke as he retrieved the heavy bow and dark iron arrow from his horse''s back, silently nocking the arrow. He exerted his arms, drawing back the heavy bow to full draw, aiming skyward. The Eagle Demon hovering above eyed Shen Qing with a mockingly human-like sneer and laughed. "With this pitiful bow and arrows, you think you can kill me? Truly wishful thinking." The Eagle Demon turned, wings gathered, stirring up a black whirl of demon winds, plunging into the forest below and vanishing without a trace in a blink. "It ran!" Guan Yunjian and Uncle Shu shouted upon seeing the Eagle Demon leave, "Lord Officer, the Eagle Demon is gone. We should hurry to report to Lord Chief Officer and let him decide. We can''t handle this demon." "Leave?" Shen Qing sneered, "Did I allow it to leave?" [Eagle Eye] skill activated. Instantly, images of surrounding peaks emerged in Shen Qing''s mind. Rushing rivers, embracing ancient trees, mottled rocks... Fragmented scenes assembled, gradually forming a full aerial view. Shen Qing''s gaze suddenly plunged, as the sharp eyesight skill engaged. Mingming, it seemed he accurately captured a fleeting shadow deep in the forest. A slight curve lifted at Shen Qing''s lips. In one instance, his eyes tightened, and fingers abruptly released. The tense bowstring vibrated to its limit, emitting a clear and thrilling explosion. A dark iron Heavy Arrow shot forth like thunder, splitting the air, targeting a specific void. The Eagle Demon flitting through the forest felt contented. Since mastering its innate ability to harness the wind, it roamed unfettered, freely arriving near Yongzhou County Town. These weak humans couldn''t possibly harm it. The external human settlements appeared in its eyes only as granaries, ready for plunder. "Once I devour enough flesh, my cultivation will certainly improve. How could those four-legged demons compare to me? The position of King of Demons is mine for sure." With these thoughts, the Eagle Demon burst with excitement, wanting to cry out to the sky. It soared up abruptly, launching from deep within the forest with unmatched momentum. Pfft! As it emerged from the forest, a shrill whistle of an arrow cut through the air. Clancing to the side, it saw a dark iron Heavy Arrow barreling towards it with unparalleled might. Bow Technique Limit Breaking Technique, every arrow hit its mark! At a distance of three hundred meters, the Heavy Bow''s deadly range unleashed its power. With no hesitation or obstruction, before the startled eyes of the Eagle Demon, that Heavy Arrow pierced through its iron-like feathers, ripping through with a dreadful sound of flesh tearing. The dark iron Heavy Arrow, unstoppable, passed through the Eagle Demon''s body, leaving behind a trail of blood and broken bones, revealing a ghastly hole. Disbelief flickered in the Eagle Demon''s eyes as its massive frame convulsed, emitting a painful scream echoing across the skies. "Mere human, you ought to die. I''ll devour you alive!" The demon''s Life Force was immensely robust. Even pierced through by an arrow, the Eagle Demon did not lose its life or its ability to move. Sear?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. It flapped its wings, charging towards Shen Qing, hoping to tear the human to shreds. But before it could cover much ground, several more dark iron Heavy Arrows followed swiftly, predicting its actions. The Eagle Demon''s pupils contracted as it suddenly realized it misjudged something, fear overwhelming it. Pfft, pfft, pfft... Several dark iron Heavy Arrows successively skewered its demon body, leaving it riddled with holes. Eyes downcast, it glimpsed its body riddled with bloody holes, "Mercy..." "Mercy? Now?" Shen Qing nonchalantly nocked another heavy arrow, glancing ahead, "Too late!" The heavy arrow shot forth, blasting the Eagle Demon''s skull. Crimson blood sprayed continuously from the sky, like a downpour. The headless Eagle Demon, its massive body plummeted from the air, crashing near Shen Qing, kicking up a cloud of dust. All around fell silent. Shen Qing, his expression indifferent, rehung the heavy bow on his horse''s back, turning to Guan Yunjian and Uncle Shu with a flat tone, "Must I do all the dirty work?" The shocked Guan Yunjian and Uncle Shu and the others awoke as if from a dream, scarcely believing their eyes. They could not comprehend how the demon most troublesome for the Guardian Martial Department, the Eagle Demon, could be so easily slain by Shen Qing. At this moment, Dong Jing arrived nearby, coincidentally witnessing Shen Qing shooting down the Eagle Demon, also gaping in astonishment. They had grown too familiar with this Eagle Demon, almost making it a nightmare haunting their Guardian Martial Department. And now, that nightmare was effortlessly resolved by Shen Qing. His precise archery even sent a chill through him. He suddenly felt this new officer was truly a bit terrifying... ``` Chapter 186 - 12 Returning Fully Loaded Outside Yongzhou City, on an unnamed small mountain. Looking at the scene before him, Dong Jing felt a dryness in his throat. He initially thought Shen Qing only had some clues, but he never expected to witness such a sight. "If I''m not mistaken, this new officer came from another county town. What is his background? I can''t recall any renowned family with the surname Shen around here." Dong Jing fell into contemplation, still gaining no insights after a long while. After some time, the officers he sent to Shi li Village rushed back on horseback, pulling up beside Dong Jing, and stopped, saying, "Officer Dong, we just went to Baili Village to check. It was indeed the work of that Eagle Demon we encountered before." "Lord Officers..." Seeing Dong Jing not respond, the officer found it strange and followed Dong Jing''s gaze forward, his expression slightly stiffening. He clearly saw ahead, the Sixth Group was dragging a creature that was neither human nor fully eagle toward a young man. They were all too familiar with that creature; it was indeed the Eagle Demon. As if realizing something, a tremor went through his heart. Could it be? The members of the Sixth Group actually killed the Eagle Demon?! Dong Jing immediately ordered, "Let''s head back, get to the Guardian Martial Department before they do." Now that Shen Qing and the others had slain the Eagle Demon, the demon case in Baili Village was considered solved. They didn''t have much room to intervene. The only thing to do was to report that the investigation of the Eagle Demon in Baili Village was completed to the Chief Officer before the Sixth Group did. Trying to earn some recognition points in his presence. If one wants to progress, doing something is better than doing nothing. The officers from the First Group didn''t quite understand Dong Jing''s intentions and followed him closely, rushing towards the Guardian Martial Department. Meanwhile, Shen Qing and his group had noticed Dong Jing''s actions but paid little attention to them. At that moment, Liu Sangui and the others were diligently dragging the Eagle Demon''s corpse to Shen Qing. Shen Qing deftly dismounted, his gaze locked onto the majestic figure before him. Initially, when the Eagle Demon soared across the sky, its size seemed slightly grand, but he hadn''t expected it to be this enormous. Even prostrate on the ground, the Eagle Demon was as tall as a person. The Eagle Demon''s body was covered in pitch-black wings, edged with a bluish glow. Even in death, the corpse exuded an extraordinary aura. A dense demon energy even permeated the air around the Eagle Demon''s body. It was certain that, given time, this Eagle Demon would have become formidable. Shen Qing reflected that this was his first time battling such a demon. The previous encounter with the Tiger Demon, though it had some spiritual wisdom, was still an animal, something tangible and visible. In essence, it was only comparable to a Martial Artist in the Qi Cultivation Realm. The Eagle Demon was different. With its thirty feet wide wingspan, a Martial Artist in the Qi Cultivation Realm would have no way of dealing with it and would only be on the defensive on the ground. If the Eagle Demon attacked from above, one might not survive. Even with a bow and arrow, considering the distance, an Eagle Demon of such speed and agility would not be easy to hit; it would be a delusion. Sear?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. A mere Qi Cultivation Realm Eagle Demon was already so troublesome. Who knows how many demons lurked around Yongzhou and how many innocent people might perish because of them? Reflecting on it now, Shen Qing thought what Wu Sheng mentioned wasn''t entirely unfounded. He didn''t know enough about Yongzhou. Shen Qing refocused his thoughts and directed his gaze on the Eagle Demon''s corpse. The sharp eyesight skill activated. The various abnormalities on the Eagle Demon''s body could not escape his keen eyes. As if discovering something, Shen Qing drew the long knife from his waist and plunged it into the Eagle Demon''s corpse, making a swift incision. Warm blood sprayed out. Shen Qing knelt down, disregarding the bloodstains, he reached into the incision and pulled out a fist-sized Demon Core. The Eagle Demon''s Demon Core differed in color from the Tiger Demon''s Core. The Tiger Demon''s Core was reddish overall, while the Eagle Demon''s Core was a dark greenish-blue. Within this Eagle Demon''s Core, Shen Qing noticed it contained more potent energy than the Tiger Demon Core. If used to enhance cultivation, it would indeed be powerful! Shen Qing flicked his wrist, shaking off the bloodstains on the Demon Core, and unhesitatingly put it in his pocket. Then he noticed some feathers among the Eagle Demon''s plumage that appeared mystical and decided to pluck them and store them in his pouch as well. Liu Sangui leaned over and whispered, "Officer Shen, our Lord Chief Officer has a fondness for collecting rare treasures, including a liking for Demon Cores. If you take it away like this, it might provoke his displeasure." Shen Qing glanced at him and said, "I''m aware." The slaying of the Eagle Demon cost him quite a lot of dark iron Heavy Arrows. Every arrow was money. What''s the big deal about plucking some feathers and extracting a Demon Core? At worst, he''ll play it by ear later; if it can''t be kept, then so be it. Shen Qing surveyed the people and said, "That''s enough. You clean up this carcass and let''s all head back." Guan Yunjian couldn''t help but step forward and ask Shen Qing, "This Eagle Demon is so large. We don''t have a cart, how will we move it back?" "You still come to me for this kind of thing?" Shen Qing responded with a stern face, "Can''t you use the official horses you brought? Haul it back with your horses." Uncle Shu and Guan Yunjian were left speechless. Using their official horses to carry the Eagle Demon meant they''d have to walk back to Yongzhou. Shen Chasi was clearly using them as labor. "What are you staring at me for? Hurry up and get to work!" Shen Qing sheathed his Dagger and slung it across his body. Then he mounted his horse, coldly glaring at Uncle Shu and Guan Yunjian, who lowered their heads in surrender and worked without another word. With the help of Liu Sangui and Jiang Dacong, Uncle Shu and Guan Yunjian loaded the gigantic Eagle Demon''s body onto the backs of two official horses. They used a few sticks to make a simple framework for the horses. "Let''s go, back to the Guardian Martial Department Office." Shen Qing tightened the reins and shouted, "We''ve clarified the Baili Village case. Take the Eagle Demon''s body back and report it. It''s a good opportunity to show the privileged in the yard that our Sixth Group isn''t weak and isn''t inferior to them. Ya!" Uncle Shu and Guan Yunjian, reduced to laborers, couldn''t care less about Shen Qing''s inspiring words and were even disdainful. However, Liu Sangui and Jiang Dacong, who had no quarrel with Shen Qing, were quite excited by his words. They hurriedly followed closely behind Shen Qing. "Those two lagging behind, pick up the pace. Make sure to get back to the city before dark!" Uncle Shu and Guan Yunjian, leading their horses, gritted their teeth and said, "Yes! Lord Officers!" The last four words were uttered with emphasis. ... Yongzhou City. Clad in strenuous attire, Huang Furo and a bearded middle-aged man each rode a tall steed, galloping to the Guardian Martial Department Office''s entrance and reining in their horses. "Whoa!" Huang Furo asked, "Lord Commander, is this the location of the Guardian Martial Department Office? Shall we go in?" "Yes, we should. The trace of demons outside the city must be resolved swiftly. With Great Zhou in internal and external crises, since I stand guard here, eating the lord''s grain, loyal to the lord''s duties, bearing the lord''s concerns, I will not allow a mishap in the matters I oversee." The middle-aged man didn''t hesitate, dismounting quickly and entering the Guardian Martial Department Office, with Huang Furo closely following. Chapter 187 - 13: Shen Qing, Fortunate to Have Fulfilled the Mission ``` Outside the gate of Yongzhou City, the official road was bustling with people. Suddenly, a suffocating scent of blood swept through the air. The pedestrians on the road quickly covered their noses, showing expressions of disgust, and curiously looked toward the source of the stench. They saw a group of officers dressed in the Guardian Martial Department attire, unhurriedly heading towards the city gate. On the horse behind them was a huge demon corpse. It seemed neither human nor eagle, grotesque and terrifying. All the bloodthirsty scent originated from this demon''s body. Everyone who witnessed this scene widened their eyes, shocked and pale. They hurriedly stepped aside, automatically making way for Shen Qing and his group. Leading the group, Shen Qing sat tall and proud on his steed, one hand on his sword, the other on the reins, exuding an aura of authority. "Who is that? He looks so imposing, full of righteousness." "Is he a high-ranking disciple?" "Why are you all staring at him? Quickly, look at that demon corpse; if I''m not mistaken, it''s an Eagle Demon!" "What? An Eagle Demon! Didn''t they say only figures in the Innate Realm could subdue such demons? Did someone from the Innate Realm intervene?" "Wishful thinking, how would an Innate Realm figure bother with such trivial matters!" "Bah, demons are trivial, and so are bandits. I really don''t know what counts as a big deal for those officials! I think there''s nothing significant in Yongzhou at all." "Nonsense, collecting taxes is a big deal!" "..." S§×ar?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The Sixth Group people listened to the discussions, feeling that Shen Qing was being a bit too ostentatious. But come to think of it, although rumors about demons had been circulating outside the city lately, no government office in Yongzhou had ever actually dealt with any. Shen Qing bringing a demon corpse back to the city was unprecedented. Even if he wanted to be low-profile, he couldn''t. Their expressions became complex and baffling. At the city gate, the guards on duty saw Shen Qing and the others returning after slaying a demon, and they couldn''t help but feel a sense of respect, quickly making way for them. As they entered Yongzhou, they attracted countless eyes, making the usually humble officers of the Sixth Group extremely uncomfortable. Thus, escorted by the crowd, they walked all the way to the Guardian Martial Department Office. ... In the main hall of the Guardian Martial Department Office, "Lord Chief Officer, that''s how things are." Dong Jing stood before Chief Officer Zheng Yuanqiu of the Guardian Martial Department, seriously reporting. Chief Officer Zheng Yuanqiu frowned, "Are you sure the Baili Village case was the work of the Eagle Demon?" "Absolutely. The methods of eating and killing are exactly the same as before." Chief Officer Zheng Yuanqiu''s facial muscles twitched twice, as if holding back a joyful expression, and he said worriedly, "This is troubling." Trouble was good! The more trouble, the more chaotic Yongzhou would become, furthering the Holy Sect''s cause. More importantly, if his subordinates failed to complete their tasks, he could justifiably dock their official salaries and tighten his control over them. If the demons were too weak or his subordinates too effective, it wouldn''t be as advantageous. Dong Jing did not perceive Chief Officer Zheng Yuanqiu''s ulterior motives, nor did he reveal that Shen Qing had already slain the Eagle Demon. He hinted without overplaying his hand, to avoid creating trouble for himself. Just then, the Guardian Martial Department''s attendant hastily ran in, saying anxiously, "Lord Chief Officer, Lord Huangfu is here." "Eh, she''s here." Chief Officer Zheng Yuanqiu''s eyes lit up. In the entire Yongzhou government office, Huang Furo was the most striking woman in terms of figure. Curvaceous in all the right places, truly captivating. Moreover, what was even more impressive was that Huang Furo was not only well-figured but also had the looks, background, and skills to match. He thought, if he could marry this woman, he would be willing to shave decades off his life. "Quick, quick, quick, is there anything wrong with my appearance?" Chief Officer Zheng Yuanqiu happily gestured. The attendant wiped the sweat from his forehead, hastily continuing, "Lord Chief Officer, I haven''t finished. Accompanying Lord Huangfu, there''s another gentleman." A man? Chief Officer Zheng Yuanqiu''s face sank, his joy replaced quickly by displeasure, "Who?" "The Lord Commander!" "The Lord Commander?" Dong Jing quietly reminded, "Not long ago, didn''t we have an Innate Realm military commander arrive in Yongzhou?" Chief Officer Zheng Yuanqiu was astonished, "It''s him!" This was clearly the superior of his superior, an official sent by the court! "Why is he coming here out of nowhere?" "What, can''t I come if there''s nothing?" Before Chief Officer Zheng Yuanqiu could finish speaking, a strong male voice echoed in from afar, causing the fat on Chief Officer Zheng Yuanqiu''s body to tremble. He quickly rose from his seat, walking meticulously to the door, and respectfully said, "This subordinate greets the Lord Commander." "Hmph!" Commander Jia Zhiping snorted coldly, his face unhappy as he swept past him, swaggering to the main seat. Following behind him, Huang Furo also crossed the threshold, deliberately keeping some distance from Zheng Yuanqiu, walking around to the side of Commander Jia Zhiping. Zheng Yuanqiu''s face showed no dissatisfaction or anger, and he laughedly approached, asking, "I wonder what brings the Lord Commander here, any instructions?" Commander Jia Zhiping directly asked, "Have you heard about the Baili Village matter?" Chief Officer Zheng Yuanqiu nodded, "Replying to the Lord Commander, this subordinate is aware and has sent people to handle it." As he spoke, he couldn''t help but glance at Dong Jing, giving him a look of appreciation before saying to Jia Zhiping, "My subordinates have now discovered that the Baili Village case was indeed the work of the Eagle Demon." "Eagle Demon?!" Commander Jia Zhiping frowned. Chief Officer Zheng Yuanqiu lamented, "Your Excellency may not know, this Eagle Demon is very troublesome. It''s incredibly fast; every time after it''s done slaughtering and eating people, it spreads its wings and disappears before we even arrive. Although this demon''s cultivation isn''t deep, killing it is harder than climbing the heavens; we have suffered greatly because of it." "But rest assured, Your Excellency, we will not slack off. We will surely eradicate this evil!" Commander Jia Zhiping glanced at Huang Furo, "Lord Huangfu, is this Eagle Demon really as troublesome as Lord Zheng says?" Although Huang Furo disliked Zheng Yuanqiu, she didn''t want to cause trouble on this matter, "Indeed, this Eagle Demon is a real thorn, as everyone in both our departments knows. If this continues, we were even thinking of asking Lord Governor to intervene." Commander Jia Zhiping drummed his fingers on the table, pondering for a moment before deciding, "In that case, I will handle the Eagle Demon. This matter can''t be delayed." "With your intervention, Your Excellency, the Eagle Demon will surely be captured effortlessly. Many will express gratitude for your benevolence." Chief Officer Zheng Yuanqiu flattered. Suddenly, outside the main hall, chaotic footsteps echoed. Along with exclamations rising and falling, the Guardian Martial Department Office became as noisy as a marketplace. The clamor grew increasingly louder. Chief Officer Zheng Yuanqiu shouted discontentedly, "What''s going on outside, who''s making a racket?!" The attendant stumbled in, stammering, "Sir, demon, demon, demon..." "What demon?" "The Eagle Demon." Following the attendant, Shen Qing confidently strode into the main hall. Seeing Zheng Yuanqiu standing below, and a middle-aged man and a beautiful woman seated above, he paused briefly. Shen Qing quickly realized these must be other high-ranking officials in the county town, whom he happened to encounter. He cupped his fists and addressed the people in the hall with a powerful voice, "Subordinate Shen Qing, fortunate not to have failed the mission, has slain the Eagle Demon, resolving the Baili Village demon case. Awaiting your verdict, my lord!" Upon hearing this, the hall fell silent, and the scene became so quiet one could hear a pin drop. Besides Dong Jing, everyone in the hall turned their eyes to him in unison. ``` Chapter 188 - 14 Very good! Such a role model, how can one not reward? ``` Shen Qing? Huang Furo vaguely remembered the name. If he wasn''t mistaken, this was the foreigner who came to the Military Department seeking a job a month ago. At that time, due to the shortage of positions in the Military Department, he had her arrange him to the Guardian Martial Department. Unexpectedly, he turned out to have such abilities. Huang Furo unconsciously gave Shen Qing a few more glances. Speaking of which, this was her first time seeing this foreigner. She had to admit, this person was quite handsome. After a while, Commander Jia Zhiping, who sat in the main seat, instinctively leaned forward and squinted, asking, "You said you killed the Eagle Demon?" "Yes!" Shen Qing cupped his fists with both hands, becoming increasingly respectful, "The Eagle Demon''s corpse has been brought over, I hope you will review it, my lord." Commander Jia Zhiping glanced at Chief Officer Zheng Yuanqiu, distrustful, "Go take a look." He suddenly stood up and walked quickly towards the inner courtyard of the Guardian Martial Department Office. The inner courtyard of the Guardian Martial Department had already become bustling. As soon as the people approached the courtyard, they smelled the pervasive scent of blood in the air. Many officers who hadn''t gone outside gathered involuntarily, forming small circles, pointing and whispering about a demon''s corpse. "Tsk, tsk, tsk, looking at the size of this Eagle Demon, I fear its wings could cover half the sky! It''s much larger than we imagined." "Isn''t it? With such a size, even if it doesn''t run away and stands in front of me, I don''t think I could be its match. No wonder, we''ve repeatedly been defeated by this Eagle Demon before." "I didn''t expect it to finally fall into the hands of our Guardian Martial Department." "This new Sixth Group officer has some skills." ... Just as the officers were discussing intensely, a series of steady and powerful footsteps approached, interrupting everyone''s conversation. Everyone followed the sound and saw Jia Zhiping, Huang Furo, and other important figures from the government office entering the courtyard with steady steps and serious expressions, hurrying to be silent. They consciously moved to the sides, automatically making way. And through this path, a large Eagle Demon corpse came into their view. The Eagle Demon corpse lay quietly on the ground, motionless. The essence blood on its wounds had dried, and its wings had lost their sheen, no longer radiant. However, looking at its sharp beak, massive size, and talons, one could still imagine its majestic figure soaring the skies while alive. "Is this the Eagle Demon you mentioned?" Jia Zhiping''s voice wasn''t loud, yet it penetrated into everyone''s ears, carrying an undeniable authority. Chief Officer Zheng Yuanqiu stared at the Eagle Demon, his face puzzled, feeling a bit stuck in a difficult situation. He had just mentioned how difficult the Eagle Demon was to deal with, and Huang Furo had confirmed that dealing with it would require an Innate Martial Master. Now, here it was, the officer under him had already slain the Eagle Demon that required an Innate Martial Master to be dealt with, the corpse lying before the Commander. What did this mean? Previously, this demon calamity had repeatedly appeared, unresolved. And this Military Commander, as soon as he arrived, it was swiftly slain? Such coincidence? Wasn''t this person simply justifying his incompetence? Chief Officer Zheng Yuanqiu scanned the Eagle Demon''s corpse, contemplation flashing in his eyes, and after a moment he slowly said, "Reporting to the Commander, this is indeed the Eagle Demon. This demon committed numerous wrongdoings; being executed now truly brings great relief to people''s hearts." Commander Jia Zhiping questioned, "Didn''t you just say this demon was hard to handle, requiring an Innate Martial Master?" "Hahaha." Zheng Yuanqiu laughed heartily, "This is all due to Lord Huangfu." "Me?" Huang Furo''s eyes were filled with confusion. "Commander, you may not know. Officer Shen was recommended by Lord Huangfu. I immediately saw his remarkable ability. When the demon incident occurred at Baili Village today, I sent Officer Shen first thing, and sure enough, he didn''t disappoint. Officer Shen is extremely capable, slaying the troublesome Eagle Demon in just one day." "Honestly, I was also taken aback by Officer Shen''s efficiency in slaying the demon today." With this one sentence, Zheng Yuanqiu managed to praise both Jia Zhiping and Huang Furo, making it hard for anyone to nitpick. This Eagle Demon was very troublesome, but I recognized talent and employed it well, unexpectedly slaying the Eagle Demon. It was the first time I realized, I was also surprised. I didn''t say a single false word. After Zheng Yuanqiu''s explanation, Commander Jia Zhiping found some logic, readily accepting it without further contemplation. In his view, the process wasn''t important, the result sufficed. Jia Zhiping intently looked Shen Qing up and down, noting that Shen Qing was only in the Qi Cultivation Realm, not yet even having gathered a Qi Sea. He asked, smiling, "How did you hunt the Eagle Demon?" Shen Qing, hearing the words "Commander," already guessed the identity of the middle-aged man before him to be the newly appointed Military Commander of Yongzhou by the Great Zhou Court. An Innate Realm Martial Master. One of the top figures in Yongzhou City. He dared not slack, stepping forward with cupped fists and respectfully saying, "My cultivation is average, but I am skilled in archery. I have a Heavy Bow, which draws fifty shi, perfectly countering these aviary-transformed demons. Thus, I was fortunate to slay the Eagle Demon." "Good, good, good!" Commander Jia Zhiping rejoiced, "How can such an example go unrewarded?" Shen Qing stepped back and said, "It''s all thanks to the lord''s excellent command. I dare not take credit." "Rest assured, I always reward merit," Commander Jia Zhiping said with his hands behind his back, "Achievements must be rewarded." Shen Qing kept his head down and did not speak. Jia Zhiping looked at Shen Qing and said, "Since you haven''t yet broken through to the Qi Hai Realm, as a reward for slaying the demon, I''m allowing you to observe in the Martial Arts Hall for three days and learn a martial art without needing an Elixir or Silver Tael. Furthermore, your official salary for this month will be doubled." Shen Qing quickly expressed his gratitude, "Thank you, my lord." Jia Zhiping was pleased to see his subordinates work so efficiently. The Great Zhou''s grassroots needed such capable officials. Such officials I must have under control. Jia Zhiping gave Shen Qing a lookover, remembering his face and name thoroughly, planning to promote him more in the future. "Lord Huangfu, bring some personnel with me to Baili Village to check things over, verify some matters, and clean up the scene." "Yes, Commander." "Let''s go." Seeing Jia Zhiping and others about to leave, Shen Qing went over to Zheng Yuanqiu, lowered his voice and said, "Chief Officer, isn''t the Eagle Demon''s corpse a valuable item? Shouldn''t we give some to the Commander?" Zheng Yuanqiu immediately reacted. S§×ar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Had Shen Qing not mentioned it, he might have forgotten. Zheng Yuanqiu hurriedly said, "Commander, the Eagle Demon corpse is of no use to me, why don''t you take it?" Jia Zhiping remained silent and continued towards the exit without a word. Zheng Yuanqiu understood his intentions, reluctantly instructing the attendants, "Immediately prepare to move this Eagle Demon corpse to the Commander''s residence." The many attendants in the Military Department promptly agreed. Leading the way, Huang Furo glanced back at Shen Qing. Shen Qing sensed it and met her gaze. Huang Furo retracted her gaze silently, not saying more, and left the Guardian Martial Department in strides. After these people left, Zheng Yuanqiu breathed a sigh of relief; this time it was a narrow escape. He patted Shen Qing''s shoulder, happily saying, "Well done." Shen Qing kept his head low, humbly not taking credit. This behavior greatly pleased Zheng Yuanqiu. In reality, he didn''t know, Shen Qing was also very pleased. Now that Zheng Yuanqiu gave the Eagle Demon corpse to the Commander, anything like the Demon Core had nothing to do with him anymore. Even if Jia Zhiping discovered something amiss, Zheng Yuanqiu would take the blame. It wouldn''t be related to him. The items obtained from the Eagle Demon could now be kept openly and righteously. Perfect. ``` Chapter 189 - 15: The Path Less Traveled, Making Something of It After sending off Huang Furo and the others, the matter of slaying the Eagle Demon came to a close. Shen Qing watched as Zheng Yuanqiu, with a pained expression, instructed Chang Sui to clean up the demon''s corpse, and did not stay long at the Guardian Martial Department Office. He bid farewell to Zheng Yuanqiu, changed his duty token, and slowly walked toward the small house he had bought in Yongzhou. Currently, there were still many demons around Yongzhou, but from Shen Qing''s observations, most of them were stealthily hiding in the shadows, occasionally eating a few people, yet hadn''t reached the point of openly contending with the county government office. After all, behind the county stood the Great Zhou Court, with countless experts. Those demons that gained intelligence could easily find out how terrifying it was by inquiring outside. High-profile man-eating demons like the Eagle Demon were actually rare. If there were no disturbances from the Huang Tian Sect in the upcoming period, it promised to be a peaceful and relaxing time. As night fell. Sear?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Shen Qing leisurely led his horse to the doorstep, just in time to see Shen Xiaoshan carrying a sack home. "Brother! You''re back." Shen Xiaoshan shouted as he noticed Shen Qing nearby. While greeting him, he put down the bulging sack and carried it single-handedly to the door. Shen Qing looked him up and down, and asked, "Have you made progress in your cultivation recently?" "With the good food I eat at your place every day, how could I not make progress?" Shen Xiaoshan chuckled, "Now I have quite the strength. This bag of soybeans, I can carry it with one hand, no problem." "It seems you do have some talent for martial arts." "Oh, I don''t have any talent; it''s all just random practice. Brother, you don''t have to flatter me." "I''m telling the truth, not flattering you. Practice well, and you''ll make something of yourself." Shen Qing patted his shoulder and opened the door. Shen Xiaoshan, perceptive as ever, took the reins from Shen Qing''s hands, and with the other hand carrying the bag of beans, he entered the house alongside Shen Qing. In the courtyard, there was an Eight Immortals table, and the eldest sister Shen Fang, wearing an apron, was carrying plates of hot dishes. When she saw Shen Qing, a flash of joy crossed her face: "Qingzi is back. Brother Xiao just finished cooking, so we don''t have to wait. Let''s eat while it''s hot." Shen Qing untied the long knife from his waist, took off the black official uniform of the Guardian Martial Department, placed it on the cabinet by the door, and walked to the table, craning his neck to look closely, "So many dishes?" "Brother Xiao came back early today. He didn''t have much to do, so he made a few more dishes. I''m not sure if they''ll suit your taste." Eldest sister Shen Fang explained simply. "Brother Xiao''s culinary skills are unmatched. If he opened a restaurant, it would certainly do well." Shen Qing loosened his wrist and said, "It''s late. Call Uncle and Aunt over for dinner." "I''ll go get them." Moments later, Uncle Shen the Second, Aunt Wang Family, and others came out of the kitchen. As usual, Shen Qing let them sit at the head of the table, and he sat in the second seat. Even though Shen Qing repeatedly emphasized that he didn''t mind these things, Shen Xiaoshan, Xiao Zhi, Tian Xiaohu, and the eldest sister still refused to sit at the head. Despite Shen Qing''s assurances, these people adhered to the rules here, so he no longer insisted. It must be said that Xiao Zhi''s cooking was excellent, and this meal was no worse than those in restaurants. Shen Qing thoroughly enjoyed the meal. He even took out a jug of wine to drink with Uncle Shen the Second. If this world were without demons, and those troublesome calamities, Shen Qing could not help but feel that life would be quite pleasant. After a few rounds of drinks, Shen Qing noticed Uncle Shen the Second hesitating several times as if wanting to speak, prompting him to ask, "Uncle, is there something you want to say to me? We''re all family, no need to hold back." Uncle Shen the Second let out a long sigh and said, "It''s nothing major, just that everything our family eats and uses is supported by you alone, and it feels a bit unfair." "Hahaha, I wondered what it was." Shen Qing laughed, poured a full cup of wine, and said, "Back at Hongshan Village, wasn''t our whole family supported by you, Uncle? Now that I don''t have parents, it''s only right for me to support Uncle and Aunt." Currently, although the amount of Silver Tael he had wasn''t much, he still had three pieces of Dog Demon skin, an Eagle Demon Pill, and several eagle feathers. There were other miscellaneous items that could be exchanged for money anytime, and his official salary from his position would soon be issued. In general, managing to support the family''s livelihood was still sufficient. Uncle Shen the Second looked at Shen Qing with a comforting expression but still shook his head and said, "It''s different. Back then, you and your sister were still young. Without relying on others, we would have perished in the deep mountains and wilderness. Now we have hands and feet. It''s uneasy just sitting idly every day." "Don''t blame your Uncle for nagging, but supporting so many people isn''t a small expense. It''s not a solution to rely on you forever." Shen Qing took a small sip from his wine cup. He gradually understood Uncle Shen the Second''s meaning. This situation was similar to rural parents being brought to the city by their children in his previous life, finding themselves in a state of boredom due to adapting to a new environment. The best solution was still to find something for them to do. Of course, what Uncle Shen the Second said made sense. Relying on one person to support everyone wasn''t viable. Now, with a large family and a significant business, the expenses weren''t trivial. If he wanted to continue making progress in his cultivation, the expenses would be even greater. Shen Qing couldn''t help but glance at Xiao Zhi, standing not far away, and suddenly had an idea. He called over Xiao Zhi and asked, "Brother Xiao, if I teach you a few dishes, do you think we could open a restaurant?" "Junior Brother Shen can cook?" "I can''t cook, but I know how to make some dishes." Shen Qing set down his wine cup and said, "I''ll write them down for you. If it works, you can help out, and it might even be useful for gathering information, which would also benefit my work at the Guardian Martial Department. It''s better than wandering aimlessly." Xiao Zhi did not immediately agree nor refuse: "I will take a look at what dishes Junior Brother is talking about. This place is not like Taiping County, where restaurants have many varieties; the taste must be good to succeed." "I''ll write it down for you tonight," Shen Qing nodded and said. That evening. Under the oil lamp, Shen Qing combined his memories of the local customs and carefully wrote down several classic dishes from his previous life, which he handed over to Xiao Zhi the next day. Xiao Zhi did not hesitate, and quickly prepared them. Xiao Zhi tasted a bit, and found the flavors to be extraordinary, with dishes he had never seen before. Bear in mind, he had gone through great lengths in the past to learn even part of a dish''s recipe. Here, with Shen Qing, these would be family recipes for others, yet he shared them freely. For a moment, Xiao Zhi was astounded. "What do you think?" Shen Qing asked. "With the dishes Junior Brother Shen provided: steamed pork with rice flour, roast duck, nine-turn large intestine, sweet and sour carp, and Sichuan boiled beef," Xiao Zhi said confidently, "these few dishes are enough to sustain a restaurant." Shen Qing clapped his hands and said, "That''s great. Let''s have Xiaohu pick a spot, and we can start small as a trial. After all, sitting idle won''t help." "Okay, I''ll go look with Xiaohu then." "The two of you can decide and let me know afterward. However, our funds are limited, so we can''t open a large one." "We understand the importance." Shen Qing nodded and didn''t delve further into the matter. After all, this sort of business was minor, and it could be left to Xiaohu and the others. Chapter 190 - 16: Becoming the Boss, Shens Restaurant! "Why is there so little?" In the blink of an eye, it was the day for the Guardian Martial Department to distribute salaries. Shen Qing arrived at the department''s government office as promised, looking at the six taels of patterned silver in his hand and a porcelain bottle containing five Qi Blood Pills, with a puzzled expression. "I remember Lord Commander saying my salary would double this month, right?" The official in charge turned his head, glared at him, and ignored Shen Qing. Liu Sangui, standing nearby, saw this scene and voluntarily pulled Shen Qing aside to explain, "Shen Chasi, you may not know, but there is always a loss when we receive our salaries from the government office. Losing about one or two tenths is normal." Shen Qing was stunned when he heard this. He had heard of loss during tax and grain collection before, but this was the first time he heard that officials received salaries with losses too. It was simply ridiculous. "In any case, none of us really rely on this bit of salary to get by," Liu Sangui said meaningfully. Shen Qing was speechless, realizing that the county town''s government office was just as corrupt as Taiping County''s¡ªthe same bird. He had hoped to rely on his salary to support his family, but it seemed indeed difficult now. The cost of living in the county town was much higher than in Taiping County and was gradually rising. The restaurant business had to be launched, or else they would run out of resources over time. "Shen Chasi, this is the token for the Martial Arts Hall. You can use it to freely enter and exit the hall when the time comes." At this moment, the official in charge handed Shen Qing a gold and red copper token. Shen Qing knew that this was the Commander fulfilling his promise, allowing him to watch martial arts at the Martial Arts Hall for three days. "Thank you." ¡­ "This restaurant''s location is decent. However, as the shopkeeper poorly managed it, he plans to sell or lease it." Tian Xiaohu and Xiao Zhi brought Shen Qing in front of a restaurant and introduced, "Coincidentally, it comes with tables, chairs, and benches, which the shopkeeper let us use. What do you think?" Shen Qing observed carefully and found that the surrounding foot traffic was acceptable. The restaurant was neither too large nor too small¡ªit was manageable. Most importantly, the restaurant was in Xinyi Square, within his jurisdiction, where he could exert influence. "How much did you settle on for the price?" "We''ve agreed on approximately one hundred taels for half a year in rent, which is quite reasonable." Shen Qing weighed it in his mind, noticing that he had just enough money at hand, so he nodded and said, "I think it can work. Let''s go with this place." "What should we call it?" Without thinking, Shen Qing replied, "Keep it simple, let''s call it Shen''s Restaurant!" "Shen''s Restaurant?!" Tian Xiaohu nodded and took note. "Should we prepare for an auspicious day to open?" "Five days from now is an auspicious day. Let''s tidy up and open then. I''ll invite some colleagues from the government office to support us." Shen Qing wasn''t one to hesitate and made the decision immediately. "Alright." Five days wasn''t too long, nor too short. Xiao Zhi, having been a head chef in a restaurant before, was familiar with many aspects of restaurant operation, so he organized things efficiently. With concerted efforts from everyone, Shen''s Restaurant was nearly ready. On the auspicious day, the whole family rose early. Auntie and the elder sister even boiled a pot of water to allow everyone to wash up properly. Being hunters from the mountains, they were accustomed to roaming the mountains and had no habit of bathing. Over time, their bodies carried a peculiar smell. Shen Qing was better off. Once conditions allowed, he started paying more attention to his hygiene. However, the others were less commendable, turning a basin of clear water into dark water. "Brother, with Shen''s Restaurant opening today, won''t many people come?" Shen Xiaoshan, having changed into a new set of clothes, asked with excitement, looking full of spirit. "It''s hard to say. I don''t have much of a foundation in the county town. It might just be us having some fun. I mainly want to make an appearance to bolster our restaurant''s image, preventing any trouble from uninterested parties." Through more than a month''s patrols, Shen Qing had come to know that there were some martial arts groups in the county town. Their means of livelihood were violence, monopolizing small businesses, doing shady business, or forcefully buying and selling, collecting. His restaurant, being new, would be hard to fend off these troublemakers without some backing. Shen Xiaoshan said, "It''s true. This world respects the one with the bigger fist, no matter where you are." "Since you know, train hard." Shen Qing took out a porcelain bottle from his pocket and said, "Take this. Swallow one when you are at the end of cultivation to enhance your Qi-Blood and speed up your training." Shen Xiaoshan asked, "What is this...?" "Qi Blood Pill." Shen Qing placed the porcelain bottle in Shen Xiaoshan''s hands and walked out of the room with large strides. Now nearing the Great Perfection of the Qi Cultivation Realm, he found that the Qi Blood Pill didn''t have much effect on him after trying one. Rather than wasting it by keeping it himself, it was better suited for someone else. Shen Xiaoshan silently put the Qi Blood Pill close to his body. Outside Shen''s Restaurant. Shen Qing, dressed in the official attire of the Guardian Martial Department, stood at the entrance. At this moment, with a belt tied around his waist, he cut a tall and striking figure, exuding extraordinary aura in his every step. S§×arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. What surprised him was that the entrance of Shen''s Restaurant was crowded with people, quite a number having gathered. Many small vendors of Xinyi Square, laborers, and idle citizens eagerly thronged around to join in the excitement. They had unexpectedly heard that this restaurant was opened by the Chasi of their neighborhood, who had recently slain a demon. As the news spread, more and more people gathered. Compared to these people just here for fun, only Liu Sangui and Jiang Dacong, whom Shen Qing knew well, came over. Liu Sangui, with a strange look on his face, whispered in Shen Qing''s ear, "Guan Yunjian said his wife is having a baby at home, and someone else said he hurt his leg, so they can''t come." Shen Qing simply responded with a hum, saying nothing more, evidently aware that the two had some grievance against him. He would observe further. If they continued to resist him and there was an insubordinate subordinate around him, there would be no choice but to get rid of them. At this moment, a clamor of gongs and drums sounded from afar. It was Dong Jing bringing two lion dance teams over to offer congratulations. "Congratulations, Lord Shen, on your prosperous business." Shen Qing was genuinely surprised upon seeing Dong Jing; he believed he wasn''t that acquainted with these high-ranking compatriots in the Guardian Martial Department. Unexpectedly, Dong Jing took the initiative. "Lord Shen, your restaurant is opening today, I came uninvited, I hope it''s not too intrusive?" Dong Jing said, looking at Shen Qing with a big laugh. Lord Shen? Shen Qing noticed that his title had unknowingly changed once again. With a brilliant smile, he said, "How could that be? It''s my pleasure to welcome you, Dong Chasi. Please come inside and take a seat." "Please." Dong Jing, along with his attendants and subordinates, confidently walked into the restaurant. Shen Qing''s smile gradually faded as he watched Dong Jing''s back, lost in thought. Noticing that the Shi Chen was about right, Shen Qing faced the crowd and generously declared, "Dear elders, compadres, and respected guests, today marks the grand opening of our humble establishment after much preparation. To commemorate this occasion, we have prepared a modest offering of wine and delicacies as a token of gratitude. We invite everyone to enjoy freely and make this day a memorable celebration. Welcome!" Chapter 191 - 17: The Heart of Making Friends, the Petty Person is Like a Ghost ``` Colorful flags fluttered in front of the restaurant, and the air was filled with the chatter of the bustling crowd. Amidst the deafening sound of firecrackers, Shen''s Restaurant officially opened. With a creak, the large doors of Shen''s Restaurant slowly opened, and the enticing aroma of the dishes inside spread instantly, making everyone''s mouths water. Among the crowd, a bystander acted deliberately: "I heard the culinary skills at Shen''s Restaurant are exceptional, with many fresh dishes that are unavailable elsewhere." "Really? How could I miss such a good thing! Besides, this Lord Shen oversees Xinyi Square; if a demon were to appear here, we must rely on him. I must go in to show my support and taste some delights." A hint of anticipation flashed in the speaker''s eyes, and he slowly moved forward with the crowd. In the blink of an eye, the restaurant was already filled to capacity, with no empty seats. Seeing that the onlookers at the entrance had dispersed, Shen Qing turned and walked into the restaurant. Spotting Dong Jing, who stood out in the crowd, Shen Qing hesitated for a moment before approaching and exchanging pleasantries: "I didn''t expect Lord Dong to grace us with his presence today. I am truly honored." Dong Jing turned with a smile and said, "Haha, I came uninvited today. I hope I haven''t disturbed Lord Shen." "Not at all, not at all. Your presence brings great honor to our humble establishment! Please take a seat and try our special dishes from Shen Ji." Shen Qing hurriedly stepped forward to personally lead him to a reserved private room. "Then I will humbly accept," Dong Jing, clad in fine clothing, followed Shen Qing into the room, with several subordinates trailing behind. Inside, Dong Jing and his subordinates seated themselves in turn, "I heard there are some unique new dishes at Lord Shen''s restaurant?" "Yes, there are a few. They''re rustic dishes from the mountain areas of Taiping County, not sophisticated enough for your esteemed palate," Shen Qing modestly smiled, "You might find them amusing." Long before the opening, Shen Qing had spread word of the novel dishes through certain channels, and Dong Jing was evidently aware of them. Dong Jing laughed and said, "We''ll try these rustic dishes of yours today. Since we are many, let''s have a portion of each of your specialties, Lord Shen." "I''ll inform the kitchen right away. I still have some matters to attend to; please enjoy your meal." "Please, Lord Shen, attend to your business." Shen Qing clasped his hands together in respect and exited the room. After Shen Qing left, a subordinate officer asked in confusion: "Boss, why do you hold such a high opinion of this lowly Lord Shen? Isn''t he just a lucky outsider?" Dong Jing slowly poured a cup of tea and said, "My eyes aren''t often wrong. Our Lord Shen is no ordinary person. His heavy bow skills are unmatched by others. In future, I don''t want to hear terms like ''lowlife,'' especially in front of Lord Shen." sea??h th§× N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Is his... archery really deserving of such praise from you, Boss?" "It is," Dong Jing said resolutely. A man who came from the war-torn Taiping County with his family, settled in the county town, secured a position, and even managed to handle the Eagle Demon that troubled us for long. Shen Qing must have something unique about him. Forming a good relationship with him, in my view, can only bring benefits without any harm. Dong Jing raised a teacup to his lips, taking a small sip. Hmm, this tea was ordinary. After a while, a series of signature dishes were brought in by the waiter. Looking at the array of dishes, Dong Jing and the others were somewhat surprised. Coming from a high-ranking family, he had seen many banquets, but the dishes at Shen Qing''s restaurant were indeed novel to him. Originally, as Shen Qing had mentioned, he thought they would be unsophisticated dishes, but that was not the case. "Everyone, dig in and have a taste." Dong Jing picked up his chopsticks, first taking a piece of sweet and sour carp, placing it in his mouth, his eyes lit up instantly, and he praised, "This dish is perfectly balanced between sweet and sour, with tender meat. There''s something special here." Hearing this, the other subordinates also took their chopsticks and tried a bite, echoing: "Indeed, it is quite delicious." Dong Jing eagerly grabbed his chopsticks again, trying the braised intestines and found himself pleasantly surprised. Half an hour later, the table was cleaned of all dishes, with Dong Jing and his subordinates all having eaten their fill. He walked out of the private room, looking at Shen Qing busy in the hall, his expression serious. This person puzzled him somewhat. Once the lunchtime rush was over, Shen Qing and others tallied the noon revenue, which came close to ten taels, with a profit of about six or seven taels. Looking at such a "fortune," Tian Xiaohu and others were thrilled. "This restaurant is still too small. If it were bigger with more tables, we could make even more." Xiao Zhi, with a hint of joy on his face, said, "Our business is successful." "Don''t celebrate too soon; this is just the beginning. If in the future someone becomes envious and learns our dishes, we might not earn as much," Shen Qing said calmly. "What?" Xiao Zhi stared wide-eyed: "Don''t worry, Boss. No one can steal the dishes you''ve taught me. If they manage to learn even a fraction, I''ll take responsibility." Shen Qing chuckled and said, "Starting tomorrow, let''s double the price of our signature dishes, make the initial profit first. Once we''ve earned enough, I''ll find ways to buy you all something useful. In these times, without some skills, we can''t hold onto wealth; words alone won''t suffice." ... In Yongzhou City, a residential house. An ancient stone table held a pot of tea; Guan Yunjian and Uncle Shu sat across each other at the stone table. Guan Yunjian lifted the teapot, pouring a cup of tea for Uncle Shu: "This tea was a gift from a tea merchant; it''s a rare good tea. Have a taste." Uncle Shu took a sip from his cup, smacking his lips: "Indeed, it''s good. Today, the Shen family opened a restaurant; aren''t we going a bit too far by not showing up?" "When he first arrived, we treated him offensively enough. Not showing up doesn''t count as anything," Guan Yunjian said indifferently: "When he slew the Eagle Demon, I realized that he and we are not on the same path. If we remain under his command, we won''t fare well." Uncle Shu sighed, "In hindsight, we shouldn''t have been so impulsive that day." "It''s already happened, and lamenting doesn''t help. We should rather think about what to do next." Uncle Shu asked, "You didn''t call me here just for tea, did you? Do you have a plan?" "I have a bit of an idea." "What is it?" "Change allegiance." Uncle Shu said, "Explain further." Guan Yunjian continued calmly, "We should find a way to transfer under other supervisors or gain their secret protection for a while. As the saying goes, ''everyone stumbles at times,'' and that Shen will make a mistake eventually. When the time is right, we can end him. In Yongzhou, there are plenty of capable people. He''s only a Martial Master in the Qi Cultivation Realm, after all, don''t you think?" Guan Yunjian pondered for a moment, nodded, and said, "Makes sense." "Uncle Jiu, if we lean towards other supervisors, do you have anyone in mind?" Guan Yunjian sipped his tea, expressing contentment. "I don''t have anyone specific in mind; they''re all similar." "Who do you think we should lean towards, then?" "Naturally, we should lean towards the strongest. The first group under Dong Jing, Lord Dong." "Great minds think alike," Guan Yunjian lifted his teacup. Uncle Shu, understanding his gesture, lifted his cup as well and clinked it gently with Guan Yunjian''s. The two burst into laughter together. ``` Chapter 192 - 18 Never Forget, Rolling Up All the Martial Arts Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, three more days had passed. Shen''s Restaurant''s business gradually got on track, netting a profit of several taels of silver daily. Although this was just a small profit for many high-ranking families, in Shen Qing''s eyes, it was a good start. In the future, with gradual development, it wouldn''t be impossible for Yongzhou to have a high-ranking family with the surname Shen. Taking advantage of these few days, Shen Qing pawned some of the useless items he had on hand, exchanging them for tens of taels of silver coins for daily expenses. As for the demon core of the eagle demon, he decided to keep it for future use to enhance his cultivation. ... County Office, Martial Arts Hall. Shen Qing held an ancient copper token as he walked to the entrance. The guard was a martial master instructor with a head full of white hair. Though his body''s qi-blood had waned, his eyes remained sharp as he scrutinized Shen Qing and said, "Who goes there?" Shen Qing slightly bowed, his voice steady and powerful, "I am Shen Qing, a dispatch officer of the Guardian Martial Department. Not long ago, I received the grace of Commander Jia, who specially allowed me to come to the Martial Arts Hall to learn martial arts to advance my cultivation." "Do you have proof?" Shen Qing respectfully handed over the copper token, saying, "Please have a look, senior." The old instructor took the copper token, scrutinized it carefully for a moment, a hint of surprise in his eyes before returning to calm. He handed the copper token back to Shen Qing, his tone became more amiable, "So it is Officer Shen. Previously, Commander Jia had already sent someone to inform me, you may enter the Martial Arts Hall for three days to view all martial arts books. Please, follow me." With that, the old instructor turned to lead the way, passing through several winding corridors, eventually arriving in front of a spacious and bright study room, pushing the door and entering. "Please, come in." The air in the Martial Arts Hall''s study was filled with the scent of ink and paper. As soon as Shen Qing stepped inside, these two scents intertwined and wafted into his nostrils. Looking around, the study was lined with bookshelves, each filled with a variety of books, some yellowed and old, others elaborately bound, evidently newly received editions. The study room wasn''t very large, roughly about a hundred square feet, Shen Qing estimated, containing nearly a thousand martial arts books. Merely selecting a suitable cultivation technique might take a day or two. "Officer Shen, this is where our county office''s Martial Arts Hall stores martial arts books. Each one can be considered well-refined through countless people. Among them are many martial arts essences taken from the Imperial Armory. You can choose any book here to study, and if you don''t understand anything, you may ask me at any time. But remember, the path of martial arts values persistence. Don''t bite off more than you can chew." The old instructor earnestly advised. Shen Qing nodded, with a hint of gratitude, responding, "Thank you for the guidance, senior." "By the way, senior, do you know where the martial arts for after the Qi Cultivation Realm are located?" "Starting from here, the third row and back," the old instructor said, pointing. "Thank you." Following the old instructor''s guidance, Shen Qing walked to the third row of bookshelves, his gaze wandering among the dazzling array of martial arts secret manuals. He casually pulled out one of the scrolls, holding it in front of him for a glance. "Cloud Flipping Sword Technique." Opening the first page, the first things to catch his eye were illustrations of sword moves, breaking down each move vividly. Even the meridian paths for circulating true qi were meticulously recorded, so detailed that even Shen Qing, who didn''t understand the Sword Dao, found it insightful. "The sword moves gracefully, changing unpredictably like drifting clouds..." As Shen Qing read softly, he increasingly felt that the sword moves documented here were exquisite, each carrying the ultimate truths of heaven and earth. The chance to see such martial arts secret manuals was rare, and Shen Qing completely immersed himself, flipping through the pages rapidly. Unconsciously, these martial arts secret manuals were memorized by Shen Qing using the skill "Never Forget." Spending the time of a stick of incense, Shen Qing had read through the "Cloud Flipping Sword Technique" martial arts secret manual in its entirety. "Good, the next one." Shen Qing pulled out this martial arts manual, curiously looking at the name of the cultivation technique on it. "Joyous Zen Great Harmonious Flesh Lotus Technique." He opened the book and found it to be another remarkable Buddhist martial art. As stated in the book, by studying Joyful Buddhist Dharma with women and collecting the essence of the women''s flesh lotus each day, one could rapidly increase one''s qi-blood and qi, achieving breakthroughs. Moreover, once this technique was cultivated, a great desire for the opposite sex would be produced, and the body would emit a Buddhist fragrance. Any targeted opposite sex, upon smelling this fragrance, would feel a sense of reverence, granting wishes. The only requirement was that one needed to have a foundation in Buddhist practice to cultivate; otherwise, it would be difficult to master. Shen Qing noted that this technique''s realm wasn''t high, its achievements limited, and wasn''t very suitable for him. But since he was already there, Shen Qing still memorized this martial art. Just before, after finishing reading the first sword technique, Shen Qing suddenly had a bold idea. He wanted to use the "Never Forget" skill to memorize all the martial arts here, completely. Even if he never practiced these martial arts, copying them could earn money. Selling each martial arts secret manual for ten taels of silver, the thousand or so martial arts secret manuals here could fetch ten thousand taels. Shen Qing licked his lips, his mood suddenly becoming excited. He decided to act immediately. Gathering his thoughts, Shen Qing diligently returned to reading. "Mixed Element Profound Technique..." "Returning Different Aspects to Their Original State..." "Blood Piercing True Essence Scripture..." Shen Qing surprisingly found that as he continually read the martial arts secret manuals, his usually stagnant "Skill: Recognize Characters and Read" began to improve at a visible pace. Time ticked away. Shen Qing spent almost half a day, after nearly finishing reading close to three or four hundred martial arts secret manuals. Sear?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. It must be said, the Great Zhou Court''s foundation in martial arts was indeed profound. Every single martial art here was more astute than the ones he learned at the martial arts hall. Many entry points for practice were classic, with near-effortless effects. This day of reading benefited Shen Qing immensely, allowing him to understand the concept of qi energy transformation needed to break through to the Qi Hai Realm, enabling him to prepare in advance. Shen Qing glanced at the sky; it was nearing evening. He set down the martial arts manual in his hand and walked out of the study room. Outside the study, the old instructor was poking at an ant nest. Seeing Shen Qing come out, the old instructor said without raising his head, "Did you find anything that catches your eye?" Shen Qing shook his head and replied, "Not yet. I plan to go through everything before making a decision." "That''s fine. You''d better decide by tomorrow so that I can offer you some guidance in the remaining time." "Remember, the martial arts in this Martial Arts Hall are not allowed to be taken outside, or you''d be violating a court taboo, leading to big trouble," the old instructor admonished seriously. Shen Qing nodded and smiled, "I understand." Chapter 193 - 19 Annotations on Talismans, Sky Flipping Seal ``` The next day. Shen Qing, having finished inspecting the defense area and ensured there were no errors, once again arrived at the Martial Arts Hall. After yesterday''s efforts, there were still a few hundred martial arts books left in the study of the Martial Arts Hall. He planned to take advantage of these two days to memorize them all in his mind. "Shen Chasi is here?" The instructor at the door, upon seeing Shen Qing once more, became much friendlier and even skipped the basic checks: "You''re here a bit late today." Shen Qing replied with a smile, "While martial arts are important, one''s duties must still be done well. Otherwise, if a mistake were made and demons caused trouble, it would be a hassle." "You''re quite right." The old instructor looked at Shen Qing and stepped aside willingly: "You can go in yourself. I won''t guide you." Shen Qing cupped his hands in respect and followed yesterday''s route into the study of the Martial Arts Hall, looking at the rows of bookshelves with determination. "I finished reading the martial arts from this side yesterday. Today, I''ll finish off the rest too. Knowledge is power, and time is money. Let''s get started!" Shen Qing walked to the bookshelf, pulled out the first martial arts book, and began reading. As he continued to read, the progress of his skill in "recognizing characters and reading" rose steadily, and his speed in "imprinting" martial arts into his brain quickened. Time slipped by, and Shen Qing managed to read through most of the remaining martial arts. Among these books, Shen Qing unexpectedly found two that caught his interest. One was an old book long forgotten, untouched for ages; the other seemed ordinary on the outside but had profound connections with him, a martial arts secret manual. Shen Qing picked up the old book before him and examined it carefully. When he pulled this book out, he found it had become damp and mottled, with many pages even moldy and stuck together. If not for the four clear ancient characters "Annotations on Talismans" on the cover, he would have thought it was some martial master''s diary written casually. The reason Shen Qing found this old book interesting was not its age, but the rare content inside. The book contained annotations on long-lost talismans, and Shen Qing even discovered a few familiar talismans within it. "If the content of this book is correct, then the three talismans in my possession should be the Divine Power Talisman, Featherweight Talisman, and Revitalizing Talisman." "But it''s a pity it only talks about usage, not how to craft talismans. This lineage must have declined." Sear?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Shen Qing, with a solemn face, carefully memorized the contents of this book and then put it back in its place. He then turned to the other martial arts secret manual. On the cover, a simple outline of an ancient seal was sketched, with the bold title "Sky Flipping Seal" in extravagant characters, exuding an extraordinary aura. Shen Qing reached out and picked it up, his expression complex. The reason this martial arts manual resonated with him was that he noticed the shadow of the Wind Defying Finger in some of its techniques. At first, he thought he must have been mistaken, but after another careful look, he found that some moves indeed mirrored those of the Wind Defying Finger. He was almost certain that the Wind Defying Finger originated from this court martial art titled Sky Flipping Seal. The reason for this connection was lost to time. Perhaps a martial master learned the Sky Flipping Seal long ago, and by chance, it became Li Linfeng''s Wind Defying Finger. Or perhaps it was stolen and then passed on to Li Linfeng. Both possibilities were entirely plausible. Shen Qing wasn''t interested in the transmission path, but he was very interested in the martial art itself. According to the descriptions in this Sky Flipping Seal, mastering this martial art to its highest realm was said to shake the heavens and earth, reverse nature, and with a single thought, change the landscape, leaving the sun and moon in shadow. Shen Qing remained skeptical about such claims, suspecting exaggeration from its authors, but believed that achieving the peak could at least allow one to cause landslides and earthquakes with a single palm strike, if not cast away the sunlight and moonlight. Undoubtedly, this martial art was much more complex and sophisticated than the Wind Defying Finger, which was merely one move from it at best. If the Wind Defying Finger were a child, the Sky Flipping Seal would be a robust adult. There was no comparison. Furthermore, importantly, the Sky Flipping Seal included a Training Method for the Qi Hai Realm, which suited his current situation. Shen Qing reread it several times, making sure nothing was overlooked or wrong, and committed it to memory before putting it down. Then, he finished "imprinting" the rest of the martial arts, ending his task. After putting down the last book, he felt an obsessive-compulsive satisfaction, like seeing building blocks perfectly fit into a slot. Stepping out of the study, the old instructor, who was playing with clay, glanced at him and smiled: "Shen Chasi, do you know which martial art you plan to choose?" Shen Qing thought for a moment and said, "Sky Flipping Seal." The old instructor paused, surprised: "You want to learn that one?" "Is there something inappropriate?" Shen Qing asked. "Shen Chasi, let me give you some advice. You''d better choose another martial art." Shen Qing asked in confusion, "Why, is this martial art fake?" "Not fake, just hard to practice," the old instructor said. "The Sky Flipping Seal is immensely powerful, but such strength isn''t easily achieved. Mastering this martial art requires exceptional talent, determination, and luck. Most who try get stuck midway, unable to progress or retreat, wasting years in vain. So, I suggest you pick another martial art." Shen Qing humbly inquired, "Do you have any recommendations for good martial arts?" The old instructor replied, listing them as if counting his fingers: "Burning Sky Technique, Three Elements Body Refining Technique, Mixed Element True Technique¡ªthese are all decent martial arts." Shen Qing noted them down earnestly and thanked the instructor: "Thanks for the guidance. However, I still believe the Sky Flipping Seal is more suitable for me." "Uh... everyone has their own ambitions. If you like it, it''s your choice." The old instructor showed no sign of sarcasm, only feeling that he might have wasted his words with Shen Qing. After all, he had only met Shen Qing twice, and they had no real friendship. A mere gatekeeper, he didn''t care to meddle in others'' affairs, and his earlier pointers were already more than enough. Shen Qing cupped his hands in respect: "Thank you for your time, I shall take my leave." The old instructor merely nodded slightly and didn''t pay further attention to Shen Qing. Shen Qing strode out, leaving the Martial Arts Hall. Standing at the entrance, he glanced back inside. Now that he had memorized all the martial arts in the hall, he need not return for the rest of the day, freeing up time for other priority tasks. Retracting his gaze, Shen Qing marched forward. Suddenly, he felt a jolt, as if aware of something. He quickly summoned the Water Ink Panel. ``` Chapter 194 - 20 Refining Points! Theres No Martial Arts Too Difficult for Me to Master A drop of ink dripped from Shen Qing''s sight, like ink falling into water, swirling into a mass, then slowly converging into lines of text. [Skill: To Recognize Characters and Read (Great Perfection)] [Progress: 502/500 points] [Status: Can be enhanced] [Note: Filled with knowledge, you will naturally shine. After a long period of study, you have accumulated enough knowledge, and quantity has triggered a qualitative change. Once you enhance and break through again, you will comprehend the path of literature and master a new skill of literary lineage.] Shen Qing felt joy in his heart as he gazed at the information before him. He hadn''t expected to skillfully advance the skill of [To Recognize Characters and Read] after just two days of arduous study. Shen Qing chuckled, letting his consciousness settle on the Water Ink Panel: "Enhance!" At the moment he initiated the breakthrough consciousness, the text on the Water Ink Panel rapidly refreshed. [Skill: Academic Pursuit (Entry Level)] [Progress: 2/600 points] [Status: Cannot be enhanced] [Note: Abandon and persist, even rotten wood won''t snap; adhere and endure, gold and stones can be engraved. With continuous learning, you have moved beyond the stage of recognizing characters and reading, beginning your academic pursuit. Now, you can not only memorize what you have learned simply but also integrate and articulate it seamlessly.] "Integrate and articulate seamlessly?!" Shen Qing''s heart trembled. He remembered something, hurriedly guarding his mind. The next moment, a torrent of memory rushed into his mind without giving him any chance to react. Fortunately, he was already familiar with such scenarios, and after feeling a bout of dizziness in his head, Shen Qing calmed down. After a while, Shen Qing gradually digested the experience and memory of his diligent quest for knowledge, and his consciousness became increasingly clear. At this moment, he realized that all the martial arts he had learned in the Martial Arts Hall over the past two days were entirely within his grasp. No need for pen and paper, nor deliberate recollection, all the martial arts he had seen were readily at hand. Shen Qing was instantly overjoyed. This trip to the Martial Arts Hall was definitely worth it, with its exquisite martial arts that he could teach to Tian Xiaohu and the others upon returning. Helping them avoid detours and quickly improve their strength, they could become somewhat capable of self-protection in the future. It was said that in the Capital City, there was also the Imperial Armory, which housed supreme martial arts that could unravel illusions and accomplish the Path of Immortality. He wondered what wonderful things would happen if he learned and memorized all the armory''s teachings. Shen Qing gathered these thoughts of idle reverie and walked home with joy. Upon arriving home, he found the autumn day still bright. Shen Qing used the fundamental medicine formula left by Li Linfeng earlier, combined with the Eagle Demon''s core, to concoct a medicinal soup. When night fell and all was silent, as Shen Qing concentrated his spirit. He quietly got out of bed, leaned against the window, gently pushed, and the ancient window lattice opened with a sound. A breeze blew in from outside. Outside the window, a bright autumn moon hung high in the sky. Silver light bathed everything, and the moonlight flowed quietly over Shen Qing, adding an ethereal and extraordinary aura to him. "At the hour of Zi, when yin and yang converge, the moonlight reaches its peak, making it a good time for practicing the initial chapter of the Sky Flipping Seal." Shen Qing was slightly puzzled about the timing required for practicing the Sky Flipping Seal. All the martial arts he had previously practiced focused only on the tempering of qi and blood, never having such strange requirements, but he still followed the advice. Seeing everything was ready, Shen Qing swallowed the prepared medicinal soup. He took a deep breath, and as the medicine''s power unfolded, his qi and blood began to surge, with warm currents flowing and circulating within his body. As recorded in the Sky Flipping Seal, Shen Qing slowly lifted his hands, awkwardly forming various hand seals. He chanted incantations, directing the inner Qi to move along specific trajectories, converging in his palms. As time passed, Shen Qing became increasingly skillful in forming the hand seals. Gradually, he seemed to sense a subtle force in heaven and earth responding to his call, echoing with his Qi. Outside the window, the moonlight seemed to sense Shen Qing''s training aura too, its glow becoming more bright and clear, silently enveloping Shen Qing, like draping him in a magnificent cloak. Shen Qing was immersed in the world of cultivation, completely forgetting everything around. Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. His every move and every breath matched the rhythm of the moonlight, as if he had merged into the vastness of heaven and earth. Who knows how much time had passed, Shen Qing suddenly woke up, and familiar water ink text appeared in his vision. [Skill: Sky Flipping Seal (Entry Level)] [Progress: 1/400 points] Shen Qing''s eyebrow twitched; he found that the experience points required for the Sky Flipping Seal were higher, many times over, than any skill he had learned before. This meant he would have to spend more effort and time to enhance this martial art, breaking through its bottleneck. The difficulty of practicing the Sky Flipping Seal was now evident. "So it''s like this, huh?" Just at that moment, Shen Qing noticed a red ink reminder on the Water Ink Panel: [Detected similar martial art "Wind Defying Finger," would you like to refine, extract its martial arts points to fill a new martial art?] "Refine points, fill?!" Shen Qing''s eyes widened, staring at this line of water ink text, continuously confirming several times before realizing this wasn''t an illusion. To Shen Qing, the term "refine" wasn''t unfamiliar. Simply put, it meant to refresh, to change attributes anew. Unexpectedly, his Water Ink Panel that enhanced proficiency actually had such a capability. Shen Qing suppressed his excitement, licked his lips, and immediately had a determined thought. [Wind Defying Finger refined successfully, extracting 100+200+300+400+500+312... 1812 points.] [Fill into Sky Flipping Seal?] Fill! Fill! Without any hesitation, Shen Qing allocated all the refined points entirely to the Sky Flipping Seal''s ancestor. "Come, Water Ink Panel, show me your limits?" Just after Shen Qing had the last thought, the numbers for the Sky Flipping Seal on the Water Ink Panel jumped like a gas pump screen, eventually stabilizing. [Skill: Sky Flipping Seal (Small Success)] [Progress: 12/800 points] [Status: Cannot be enhanced] [Note: Those who accomplished great things in ancient times not only possessed talents beyond the ordinary but also unwavering perseverance. Your past persistent practice was not wasted, you grasp the essence entirely, and now you have cultivated this art to the Small Success Realm, capable of drawing a certain amount of Heaven and Earth Essence for personal use, defeating formidable foes.] Succeeded?! My Golden Finger turned out to be this powerful! This way, for me, as long as I use it properly, there''s no martial art in this world that''s hard to practice! None! Boom! While Shen Qing was ecstatic, his consciousness felt like it was struck by a heavy hammer, causing him to groan in pain while clutching his head. Careless, he was just overjoyed and forgot this one detail. Segments of strenuous cultivation memories continuously emerged. It took an entire stick of incense''s time for this strangeness to gradually fade away. Shen Qing, feeling the memories in his mind, his expression gradually grew serious. "The power of the Sky Flipping Seal is immense. My cultivation in the Qi Cultivation Realm is somewhat insufficient. I must find a way to advance to the Qi Hai Realm as soon as possible." Chapter 195 - 21: Demon Traces, Secret Martial Training ``` "Did you hear? There''s been a demon sighting in the Inner City too?" "I just came back from there, how come I didn''t know?" "Huh? What happened?" "A family was devoured in their sleep by a cat demon, I heard it even started eating from the heart outward... The scene was really... Ah, let''s not talk about it anymore, it''s enough to lose your appetite." ... Shen Qing walked into the courtyard of the Guardian Martial Department and found that the usually bustling yard had taken on a different appearance today, filled with an unusual aura of seriousness. Officers who were usually scattered about doing various chores were surprisingly not out today, instead gathering in small groups for intense discussions. Shen Qing couldn''t help but raise an eyebrow. "Officer Shen, you''re here. Have some tea to refresh yourself," Liu Sangui''s voice called from inside the courtyard. He was all smiles, discarding the melon seed shells in his hands, and poured a bowl of bitter tea, greeting Shen Qing with a grin. The gathered crowd consisted mostly of officers from the second and third groups, while those like Liu Sangui who were not part of these groups formed a large circle around them, straining their necks to listen, looking rather unsightly. Shen Qing walked over calmly and sat down in front of Liu Sangui, his eyes scanning the cluster of people. Then he took a small sip of the bitter tea and lifted his chin, asking, "What''s going on? What is everyone talking about?" Liu Sangui, seeing this, said seriously, "The city is in an uproar! There''s news of a cat demon entering the city and eating an entire family, and that''s what everyone is talking about." Hearing this news, Shen Qing was surprised. The county town had both the Guardian Martial Department and the Military Department offices, which were powerful enough to control demons, traitors, gangs, and various underground activities. Even for small things like brawls between gangs or petty thefts, the Military Department could rush to the scene quickly and resolve them, incomparable to a place like Taiping County. If it were said that the forces outside the city were weak, leading to rampant demons, that would be one thing, but how could there be one inside the city too? Where did this cat demon come from? Shen Qing pondered privately, unable to figure it out. He asked, "What did the Chief Officer say?" S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "The usual, sent the fourth group to handle the patrol where the incident happened," Liu Sangui said mysteriously, "Officer Shen, you might not know this. Because of this incident, many of the high-ranking officials who kept cats are trying to kill or abandon them. I saw lots of cats on the streets today, and the fourth group is really having a headache over this, making the city''s people all the more anxious." After a moment of silence, Shen Qing reminded, "Then you need to be more careful when you go out." After staying for a while in the Guardian Martial Department, Shen Qing noticed that besides Jiang Dacong, Guan Yunjian, and Uncle Shu were still nowhere to be seen. "Where are Guan Yunjian and Uncle Shu?" Liu Sangui said, "Maybe they had something at home, so they were late today?" Seeing Shen Qing''s displeased expression, Liu Sangui and Jiang Dacong kept silent. After a long wait, Shen Qing looked at the sky, finished his bowl of bitter tea, and said, "Let''s go for the patrol, no need to wait for them." Just as Shen Qing was about to step out, Guan Yunjian and Uncle Shu emerged from outside the Guardian Martial Department gate, smiling apologetically, "Officer Shen, we just got a message from below, spotting traces of a wolf demon in our patrol area, so we were delayed a bit." Below? Shen Qing raised an eyebrow. He glanced at the two and said, "What happened?" Uncle Shu stepped forward, cupping his fists, and explained, "It''s like this. Early morning today, a woodcutter from Changqiao Town went missing and reported it to the county office. The locals say it''s a wolf demon. The Military Department sent people to investigate, but there are no conclusions yet." "Then let''s wait for news from the Military Department before making any decisions. Anything else?" "No." "If there''s nothing else, don''t just stand around idly." Shen Qing did not give the two a friendly glance, striding out. Uncle Shu and Guan Yunjian exchanged a helpless look with each other. They could tell Shen Qing was increasingly dissatisfied with them. But they truly were being wronged; they had indeed received some news about the wolf demon, which delayed them today. Walking at the rear, Uncle Shu and Guan Yunjian exchanged a low conversation, "What should we do?" "This might be an opportunity." "You mean..." Guan Yunjian nodded, saying, "Prepare. His impression of us is worsening. The longer we wait, the more likely he''ll turn against us first. Maybe it''s best to deal with him during the wolf demon incident, lest we have prolonged troubles." Uncle Shu said, "You''re right; then let''s prepare." "Hmm." The two fell silent, following quietly. During the following period, no more cat demon incidents occurred in the county town, but Shen Qing dared not take it lightly. Come evening, after Shen Xiaoshan and Tian Xiaohu finished their work in the restaurant, he called the three into the living room. "Bang!" Just as Xiao Zhi was the last to enter, Shen Qing quietly stepped forward and closed the door. Only the three of them remained in the living room. Tian Xiaohu, puzzled, asked, "Boss, what''s so urgent to gather us so late?" Nowadays, Tian Xiaohu and the others no longer dared call Shen Qing by his childhood nickname from Hongjiazhai, addressing him as Boss to show respect. Shen Qing said, "The county town is not as peaceful as we think; relying solely on the Martial Arts Hall teachings from Taiping County is insufficient." "So... I''ve decided to teach you new martial arts." Hearing this, Tian Xiaohu and the others couldn''t help but feel invigorated. They weren''t fools. They knew that not long ago, Shen Qing had gone to the Martial Arts Hall to learn Imperial Martial Arts, and now saying he''d teach meant he''d teach them those. This was entirely different from the two or three skills they learned outside. Xiao Zhi, having spent much of his life around taverns, had some insight. He knew that teaching Imperial Martial Arts outside was forbidden, and according to the laws of Great Zhou, breaking this rule could lead to banishment or even death. Xiao Zhi voiced, "Isn''t this inappropriate? What if someone finds out..." Shen Qing firmly stated, "So do not tell anyone about this tonight." "But if someone accidentally finds out or discovers some clue?" Shen Qing replied without hesitation, "Just say you bought it from Wu Sheng of the Wu Family." Tian Xiaohu and the others exchanged looks of confusion. "Didn''t you hear clearly?" Shen Qing said, "A man does what needs to be done without fussing over trifles; why hesitate about such a great opportunity right before you?" "Yes, we''ve struggled for a chance like this; we should seize it. If the government discovers and targets me, Boss, rest assured I won''t breathe a word involving you," Tian Xiaohu vowed firmly. "Same here." "Me too." "Just be cautious usually, maintain discretion, and if you slip up, just say it was bought from Wu Sheng. They''ll surely understand," Shen Qing continued. "Once we are strong enough, it won''t matter even if the government finds out. Ultimately, skills in your hands provide true security." Shen Qing knew all too well that the county''s Thirteen Lines nearly treated the county office like their own home. He didn''t believe that those high-ranking families didn''t secretly learn the Imperial Martial Arts. It was just that the Prefectural Governor turned a blind eye to it. Even Wu Sheng''s dealings would likely involve a lot of people. His private teaching of martial arts could either be a small or a big issue, depending on how shrewdly the people involved handled it. Teaching his family members posed little risk and was manageable. ``` Chapter 196 - 22: Acquiring the Refining Pearl Technique Shen Qing''s gaze swept across the faces of Shen Xiaoshan and the other two, saying, "I have three martial arts here, and each of you will learn one." Shen Qing planned to teach them the martial arts he had extracted from the old coach''s mouth, the essence of three books from the Martial Arts Hall: Burning Sky Technique, Three Elements Body Refining Technique, and Mixed Element True Technique. After the old coach''s reminder, he examined these three martial arts carefully several times and found them indeed extraordinary. The Burning Sky Technique was a mental method. When cultivated to a deep level, it could absorb the fire element of heaven and earth into the body, forming the Burning Sky Intense Flame Palm. With a single strike, everything could turn to ash, an incredible power. However, this cultivation technique was known for its ferocity; the practitioner needed an indomitable will to master it. The Three Elements Body Refining Technique, on the other hand, was a body refining skill. It integrated the principles of heaven, earth, and human, using Qi, blood, and bone as the foundation, tempering the physical body to the state of being indestructible like diamond. After cultivation, one would possess copper tendons and iron bones, with Qi-blood flowing abundantly like rushing rivers, endlessly sustaining life. When Qi, blood, and bone combined as one, it could form a strong inner strength, suitable for both offense and defense, making it a flawless martial art. The last one, Mixed Element True Technique, originated from the internal cultivation methods of the Taoist sect. It emphasized the balance of yin and yang and the harmony of the Five Elements, using the universe as the furnace and oneself as the elixir, aligning with the Dao and forming the mixed element Qi. When cultivated to profound levels, the True Qi within the body became pure and flawless, encompassing all things, capable of simulating opponents'' attacks and dissolving any external forces. It advocated for governance through inaction. Shen Qing introduced each of the three martial arts in detail, making the three people''s eyes light up. "Which one do you want to learn?" "I''ll learn the Burning Sky Technique. I''m a cook, and learning such martial arts suits me just right. Even in the kitchen, I can practice while cooking and won''t delay my work." Xiao Zhi laughed heartily as he spoke. Tian Xiaohu said, "I''ll learn the Mixed Element True Technique." S~ea??h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Shen Xiaoshan looked around and said, "I... I guess I''ll learn the Three Elements Body Refining Technique." "Once you get the cultivation techniques, just focus on your practice. Don''t worry about your bone issues," Shen Qing said. "Certainly, bone is important, but since we are backed by the court, the Zhou Country Court''s resources are enough to transform a mediocre person. Your job is to practice diligently and wait for the opportunities to come." Upon hearing Shen Qing''s words, their expressions were filled with excitement, and they all nodded one after another, awaiting further instructions. "Next, remember what I''m going to tell you. Do not leave any traces." Shen Qing sat in the main seat, possessing the ability to speak eloquently. In front of the three of them, he recited all the cultivation techniques verbatim. Such astonishing memory left the three stunned, momentarily taking him for a prodigy. The content covered by the three martial arts was extensive. It was only past midnight when the three had grasped the basics. Shen Qing waved his hand and said, "You remembered most of it. The rest is up to your practice. If there''s anything you don''t understand, come and ask me." Reluctantly, the three got up without lingering and left one after another. As they left, their eyes on Shen Qing bore more respect. Shen Qing, whose mouth was parched, picked up his cup and took a sip of water to moisten his throat. With days of observation and interaction, he had already recognized that Guan Yunjian and Uncle Shu were not on the same path as him. Keeping them around would only be a burden. In the future, when a suitable opportunity arose, he would eventually expel them. Currently, he had already carved out a situation in the county town. In order to gain a foothold within this county town dominated by the thirteen high-ranking families, relying solely on himself was insufficient. He needed reliable people by his side. Tian Xiaohu and the others were brought along by him, enough to be trusted. Only their strength was lacking. He just hoped that the martial arts from the Martial Arts Hall wouldn''t disappoint him, so that the three of them could make significant progress in their skills. Outside a civilian house in Yongzhou. Uncle Shu walked to the door and knocked. Moments later, the door opened a crack. Uncle Shu whispered, "It''s me." The door opened, allowing Guan Yunjian to let him in, asking, "Did you get everything done on your side?" Uncle Shu nodded, saying, "Almost. I''ve visited the twelve Martial Arts Halls in the Outer City one by one, and a total of nine hall masters are willing to lend a hand. How about you?" "I found three old undyings on my side, and one is willing to meddle in our affair." Uncle Shu clapped his hands, saying, "That''s great. So we have nine martial masters in the Qi Cultivation Realm and one in the Qi Hai Realm, a total of ten people. Even if that Shen fellow had three heads and six arms, he wouldn''t escape doom. When should we make our move?" "Tomorrow will do. There''s wolf demon activity spotted around Changqiao Town. We can lead him there and act. Then we can lay the blame on the wolf demon and approach Dong Chasi, ensuring no one will suspect." Uncle Shu nodded with excitement, "Even though our sacrifices might be a bit too big now, it will all be worth it if we can eliminate that Shen fellow. His tavern will also be ours." "Ha-ha, indeed, that''s exactly what I''m thinking." ... "Shen Chasi, a message came from the Capital City just now. Your registration is now recorded in the Ministry of Personnel. It''s not time to distribute the Yuan Stones yet, but this Linked Pearl Technique can be given to you first." Just about to leave, Shen Qing received the message from the Military Department Office and hurried over. Seeing it was the Refining Pearl Technique intended for him, even his usually steady nature couldn''t help but feel somewhat excited. Zhao Guanglu handed over a wooden box with a smile, saying, "This box contains the Refining Pearl Technique, for your eyes only. Please have a look." Shen Qing accepted the wooden box and opened it to find a jade token lying quietly inside. "May I ask Mr. Zhao how to use this?" Zhao Guanglu looked at Shen Qing, smiling without saying a word. Shen Qing immediately caught on, "Oh, my memory! Mr. Zhao lost his purse, and I found it but forgot to return it." As he spoke, he pulled out his own purse and placed it in Zhao Guanglu''s hand. Zhao Guanglu felt its weight in his palm, extremely surprised. He promptly changed his demeanor, smiling warmly, "This item is simple to use. Just place it over your Dantian, and you''ll know the specifics of the Pearl Linking Method. Once a person uses this jade token for the first time, it will be exclusively theirs thereafter. When you refine the Wish Power Pearl later, you''ll find out." "Thank you, sir, for the guidance." "It''s nothing. If there''s nothing else, Shen Chasi, you may go. That''s all I have here." Shen Qing closed the wooden box and said, "Thank you, sir. Goodbye." With that, he quickly walked out of the Military Department, his expression showing a bit of impatience. He had been stuck at the Qi Cultivation Realm for a long time, like a balloon inflated to its limit, just one step away from breaking through. Luckily, he had a Wish Power Pearl at hand, obtained from the Taiping County Magistrate, which had not been used. Now, with the Linked Pearl Technique, he could use it to advance to the Qi Hai Realm. Just then, as Shen Qing reached the door, he saw a familiar silhouette and stopped promptly, cupping his hands and bowing: "Greetings, Lord Huangfu." In front of him stood a beautiful woman, entering from outside. This was no other than Huang Furo, the General of the Army. Upon seeing Shen Qing, Huang Furo glanced at him up and down, softly acknowledging him, and brushed past without any pause. Shen Qing didn''t mind. She was the General of the Army, from a high-ranking family with formidable cultivation, whereas he was merely a foreigner newly post-ed as an officer in the county town. Such demeanor was perfectly normal. Watching Huang Furo''s graceful figure disappear at the doorway, Shen Qing mounted his horse and headed straight home. With all the accumulated Qi-blood and strength over time, Shen Qing couldn''t help but feel eager anticipation for this breakthrough to the Qi Hai Realm. Chapter 197 - 23: Breaking Through the Qi Hai Realm The bedroom door was tightly closed. Shen Qing sat like a pine tree, his form upright on the bed. He gently pinched a smooth, white pearl in front of him with two fingers. This was the Wish Power Pearl he had obtained from Du Yuntong. It seemed ordinary and unremarkable. If you weren''t part of the court system or a noble family, you wouldn''t know that this pearl was worth five hundred taels, enough to exchange for a small house. For ordinary people in Great Zhou, they couldn''t earn such an amount in a lifetime. "Almost there." Shen Qing furrowed his brows tightly, opened the wooden box, took out the Jade Token inside, and examined it for a few moments. "Is it okay to just place this Jade Token on the Dantian?" Shen Qing expressed some doubt, but he silently placed the Jade Token on the skin of his Dantian. "Hiss... so cold." Aside from the icy sensation, there was no change. Just as Shen Qing was about to let it go, the Jade Token affixed to his Dantian began to grow colder, and the chill spread rapidly throughout his body from the Dantian as the center. The Wish Power Pearl pinched in Shen Qing''s hand seemed to be activated, becoming crystal clear, slowly emitting a soft white glow, and gently floating up to hover in front of his chest. Under Shen Qing''s watchful eye, the Wish Power Pearl began to spin slowly, its glow flickering like a heartbeat. In a trance, Shen Qing seemed to hear countless whispers beside his ear, unsettling his mind and gradually making his emotions irritable. Just when Shen Qing thought he was about to go mad and wanted to stop cultivating, the pervasive chill on his body seemed to form an invisible hand, pressing down all the chaotic whispers. Buzz! The rotation speed of the Wish Power Pearl became faster, reaching a critical point and releasing wave after wave of ripples. These ripples spread swiftly, like the guiding beacon in the deep sea, pulling in the almost imperceptible thin spiritual energy between heaven and earth. In a moment, the wayward spiritual energy outside seemed to be drawn by invisible strings, all converging here, filling the entire room and surrounding him. Shen Qing felt extremely amazed. "Is this... spiritual energy?" Under the guidance of the Wish Power Pearl, these spiritual energies gradually became rich and pure, adhering to Shen Qing''s skin, permeating into his body through the apertures and along with his breathing, merging with his bloodline, nourishing every inch of skin, every bone. Shen Qing felt as if his entire body was being pricked by needles, the discomfort seeping into his very bones and flesh, omnipresent. A moment later, the strength he had accumulated through days of hard practice expanded and boiled like a blazing fire under the infusion of this powerful spiritual energy. They collided and merged, producing roars as if a galloping multitude of horses were running wildly within him, becoming ever more intense, shaking his spirit immensely. "Here it comes!" Shen Qing''s heart tightened, ready for action. He had been practicing martial arts for more than half a year, and together with the "studies" at the Martial Arts Hall in recent days, he had gained sufficient insight into the trajectory of martial arts. From his cultivation experience in Taiping County, from Great Perfection of Qi and Blood to Stretching and Bone Refining, from Strengthening Tendons and Bones to Skin Tempering and Qi Cultivation, it all remained within the stage of training muscles and bones, which was the method of the Jianghu. In the whole world, most Jianghu martial artists without proper footing were also concentrated at this stage. If one could explore and reach the Qi Cultivation Realm, they would be considered a notable figure in small places. But for the dignitaries of Great Zhou, this was just the beginning. Beyond Qi Cultivation Realm, there were Qi Hai Realm, Yu Luo Realm, Dan Realm, Innate Realm, Spirit Void Realm, and Primordial Spirit Realm, the six great realms. This six great realms constituted the true path of cultivation. Sear?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Among them, the Qi Hai Realm was a major watershed for martial masters. Crossing it meant true transcendence, granting at least ten more years of life. There was even a saying among the court''s martial arts, "Only upon achieving the Qi Hai Realm, are you one of us." To step into the Qi Hai Realm required transforming Qi energy into True Qi, metamorphosing all the strength cultivated in the body under the blessing of nature''s spiritual energy into True Qi, casting the Spirit Sea, and accommodating the heavens and rivers. Shen Qing was undergoing this process now. Thinking of this, ripples surged in his heart, growing ever more excited as time passed. He didn''t know how much time had passed. Finally, at a certain moment, all the Qi energy seemed to find a breakthrough, converging into a torrent that fiercely assaulted the seemingly insurmountable barrier within Shen Qing. With a low and long roar, the barrier shattered violently, and the Qi energy instantaneously transformed into purer and stronger True Qi! Shen Qing was enveloped in a radiance of heavenly glow, wisps of brilliance flowing through all corners of the room. Right after his True Qi metamorphosis, countless spiritual energies continuously poured into his body. A gleam flashed in Shen Qing''s eyes, and his face became immensely excited. He clearly felt that as the True Qi surged and converged, an unprecedented warmth and sense of fulfillment emerged in his Dantian. There, a vast ocean seemed to be quietly forming. Shen Qing closed his eyes, immersing his mind in the Dantian. The True Qi flowed endlessly like rivers, surging and mighty, continuously rushing through. The roaring of waves echoed in his ears as if he were seeing an ocean formed of True Qi. Above this ocean, True Qi began to spread like morning mist, gently winding and interweaving with the meridians throughout his body. With a low and long rumbling, this newly formed Qi Sea completely stabilized, boundless as far as the eye could see. After a moment, Shen Qing noticed that the odd discomfort throughout his body quickly receded like the tide, replaced by the gentle roaming of True Qi within him instead of strength. "It''s done!" Shen Qing opened his eyes, clenched his fist, and felt his whole body brimming with surging power. Just with a casual move, the True Qi ocean inside roared to life, and the aura it emitted made the surrounding space tremble. Shen Qing looked at his hand, indescribable joy showing on his face, unable to resist a long shout. Considering it might not be entirely appropriate, he held back, but his mouth still curled into a smile, unable to hold back laughter. Shen Qing glanced outside the window and saw the sunset had completely sunk below the horizon, and night had quietly descended. Yongzhou City was already immersed in darkness, yet he, seemingly the only firefly in the night, was glowing all over. After officially breaking through to the Qi Hai Realm, he now possessed the capital to continue climbing. Shen Qing put away his thoughts and removed the Jade Token from his Dantian, instantly letting the chill fade. The Wish Power Pearl, which was floating in front of him, also fell. Shen Qing reached out to catch it and was surprised to find that after his refining, the Wish Power Pearl had shrunk by a circle. At this rate, it would be completely exhausted after two or three more uses. Shen Qing felt the consumption was somewhat high. Generally, the Wish Power Pearl was only issued once a year; it shouldn''t deplete this quickly. However, with no one to compare to, Shen Qing didn''t know if his situation was normal. He put the Wish Power Pearl, now refined by a third, into his bosom, planning in his heart, "Once I receive my Wish Power Pearl salary at the end of the year, I might try consulting the old coach at the Martial Arts Hall a few times to see if this is normal." The Wish Power Pearl he used for this breakthrough was acquired from the County Magistrate of Taiping County, from a source not quite upstanding, quietly and inexplicably. If known by those with malicious intent, it might cause trouble. In a county town where talents abound, it would be wise to remain cautious. It would be best to wait until my own Wish Power Pearl is granted before seeking advise from others¡ªit''s more secure. Shen Qing set his heart on his decision, stopped thinking any further, and fell into a deep sleep. Chapter 198 - 24: Going Out of the City to Catch Demons, The Newcomer Means No Good The next day. Shen Qing energetically walked out of his room, striding with the grace of a dragon and the strength of a tiger. As he passed by Tian Xiaohu, Tian Xiaohu couldn''t help but glance sideways. Tian Xiaohu instinctively nudged Xiao Zhi lightly with his elbow and whispered, "Hey, don''t you think the boss seems a bit different today?" Xiao Zhi, hearing this, snapped back from the thoughts engulfing him and slowly raised his head, his gaze landing on Shen Qing. Shen Qing appeared with an upright posture, surrounded by a faint aura of radiance. It was an inner radiance exuding a mesmerizing transformation, inspiring awe in others. Xiao Zhi nodded in agreement, "Indeed, the boss seems to have acquired an otherworldly charm, as if overnight, his Essence Qi and spirit have reached a state of Great Perfection. Even the aura he exudes has changed remarkably. Truly strange." The two whispered among themselves, baffled. Shen Qing didn''t seem inclined to explain, striding out as usual, heading towards the Guardian Martial Department. When he arrived at the Guardian Martial Department, many officers were also arriving, like him, to change their duty tokens. After changing his duty token, Shen Qing habitually returned to their dispatch office''s resting room, waiting for his subordinates like Liu Sangui. However, he hadn''t waited long when a Chang Sui came in and conveyed, "Officer Shen, Lord Chief Officer would like to see you." Shen Qing sipped his tea, pondering internally, "Zheng Yuanqiu looking for me at this time is almost certainly related to demons." After all, Zheng Yuanqiu was undoubtedly a "notorious rebel," unlikely to target Huang Tian Sect remnants, leaving only the matter of demons. Shen Qing put down the teacup, wiped his mouth, and said, "I''m coming." With that, Shen Qing recalled Tian Xiaohu and the others'' reactions when he left the house, keeping a wary mind as he quietly used his hunting skills to conceal some of his aura. He walked to the back hall and said aloud, "Lord Chief Officer, you wanted to see me?" In the main hall, Chief Officer Zheng Yuanqiu was at the moment gripping the long desk, his face stern as if suppressing some matter. Seeing Shen Qing enter, he looked up and said, "Just now, the Military Department sent a message over, stating that the wolf demon is in Changqiao Town. Take your men and make a trip. If it is confirmed to be the wolf demon, resolve it on the spot. I believe with your abilities, it shouldn''t be difficult." Shen Qing had heard about the wolf demon earlier, so learning that he was to investigate demons was not too surprising. He cupped his hands and said, "As you command. I''ll take my men over immediately." "Go ahead." Hmm? Shen Qing detected an urgency in Zheng Yuanqiu''s tone, almost as if he wanted him to leave immediately. His gaze involuntarily fell upon the long desk and noticed rhythmic tremors occurring on it. Seeing Shen Qing still not leaving, Zheng Yuanqiu impatiently said, "What is it, do you have something else to attend to?" Shen Qing seemed to have realized something, felt disdain, and cupped his hands, "No, I take my leave." Once Shen Qing left, the trembling of the long desk grabbed by Zheng Yuanqiu intensified. Zheng Yuanqiu flushed crimson, cursing with a chuckle, "You little seductress!" ... In the courtyard''s small room, Liu Sangui and Jiang Dacong had already arrived. Seeing Shen Qing enter, the two hurriedly stood up, cupping their fists and saluting, "Officer Shen." Shen Qing instructed, "Both of you prepare yourselves. Shortly, we''ll make a trip to Changqiao Town." Liu Sangui and Jiang Dacong were slightly startled, exchanged a glance, and each agreed. After waiting a while more, Guan Yunjian and Uncle Shu belatedly arrived. Shen Qing didn''t bother with them, and seeing everyone was present, wasted no time and commanded, "There are demons appearing in Changqiao Town, we''re heading over today to take a look." "Yes." "Let''s go." Changqiao Town was located outside Yongzhou City, built on mountains, encircled by water. Overlooking the town, three sides were surrounded by emerald peaks, the verdant hue as if about to drip, one side surrounded by clear water, shimmering, like a jade belt lightly brushing by, presenting a breathtaking scene. Due to many forests in Changqiao Town, many people in and around the town made their living by logging. Over half of Yongzhou City''s firewood was supplied by Changqiao Town, one of the major towns under Yongzhou. Riding fast with urgent hoofbeats, Shen Qing and his group quickly approached Changqiao Town. The fifty-mile distance took them no more than two quarters, arriving outside Changqiao Town. A hundred-meter-long stone bridge stretched across the clear water, blocking the path of Shen Qing''s group. The bridge deck was mottled with bluestone, the water below murmuring. The small boats of fishermen docked by the shore had a hint of elegance. The name Changqiao Town originated from this very bridge. Just then, Guan Yunjian and Uncle Shu exchanged a look. Understanding the signal, Guan Yunjian suddenly tightened his reins and called out to Shen Qing and the others, "Slow!" "Whoa!" Shen Qing turned to look, asking, "What''s wrong?" Guan Yunjian said, "Something''s not right, Officer Shen, Uncle Shu and I will go ahead and scout the path." Shen Qing looked around but didn''t find anything unusual, squinted at the two. He didn''t trust them, unsure of their intentions. Shen Qing had no intention of letting them go off alone, "No need, let''s all go and take a look!" "Officer Shen, no need, we''ll go ourselves." Guan Yunjian insisted urgently. "Strange, truly strange." Shen Qing stared at Guan Yunjian, a glint in his eyes, and questioned, "What are you so eager to leave for, planning something untoward?" Guan Yunjian''s face changed, exchanging a glance with Uncle Shu. Uncle Shu decided swiftly, shouting, "Damn it, Shen, don''t refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit, take action!" "Huh?" As Uncle Shu spoke, suddenly, several shadows burst from the darkness on the seemingly calm long bridge, as swiftly as ghosts, astonishing everyone. At the front of the team, Jiang Dacong hadn''t yet reacted before he felt a sharp pain in his chest, and the whole person flew back like a kite with a broken string, landing heavily on the ground, life or death unknown. "Dacong!" Liu Sangui''s shocked cry rang from the team, hastily drawing the dagger from his waist. Shen Qing''s eyes narrowed, quickly surveying the surroundings, finding themselves surrounded by a group of ten martial masters. Guan Yunjian clasped his hands, "Today, I request your assistance, and once this matter is completed, I promise the rewards will be delivered promptly to your residences without fail." "Hahaha, sure. Rest assured, just one person, the ten of us will make sure to handle the task beautifully." Among the ten, an elder with crane-like white hair and youthful features laughed and said. Shen Qing''s face darkened, leaping directly from horseback towards Guan Yunjian and Uncle Shu. sea??h th§× N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "How bold." Before the elder''s words could finish, his figure swayed like an ancient pine tree, sleeves inflating, seemingly containing the power of mountains and rivers, suddenly delivering two powerful palms. Two invisible gusts of strength roared like dragons, sweeping toward Shen Qing. Bang! A deafening blast resounded like heavenly thunder, the two''s palm winds fiercely clashing in mid-air, visible ripples of spiritual power spreading wildly from their center, tearing the surrounding air asunder. Shen Qing''s figure swayed slightly, his feet lightly tapping the void, leveraging to dissipate the overwhelming force. "A Qi Hai Realm martial master!" Liu Sangui''s face turned ashen at the sight. "Go!" With the elder as a barrier in front, Guan Yunjian and Uncle Shu acted decisively, separating left and right, quickly escaping the team, silently merging into the shadows around. Watching the two leave, Shen Qing remained unhurried, calmly dismounting, his gaze sweeping across everyone, asking evenly, "Who exactly are you people? Why are you swayed by the mere words of two officers? Do you think you will survive if the county office finds out you killed an officer?" "That''s no concern of yours. I don''t enjoy exchanging unnecessary words with the dead." "And you think you can definitely take me down? So far, I still don''t know how strong I am after my breakthrough! You may find yourselves lacking." Shen Qing glanced at the clear river beneath the bridge, grinning, "The scenery here is beautiful, how about I bury you all here?" Chapter 199 - 25 The Tuition Fees at the County Towns Martial Arts Hall Are Likely to Increase ``` "Such arrogance!" Among the ten people encircling, a martial master sneered, "Do you really think we can''t handle a mere little dispatch officer like you?" These people all owned Martial Arts Halls in the county town, with businesses and families, and wouldn''t act on impulse alone. Before coming to hunt down Shen Qing, they had already secretly investigated Shen Qing''s background. An outsider from Taiping County, not from a prominent family, sixteen years old, at the Qi Cultivation Realm. Seemed somewhat impressive. But they had brought nine Qi Cultivation Realm Martial Arts Hall masters and an old martial master at the Qi Hai Realm. With such a lineup, if they couldn''t take Shen Qing down, they might as well quit. At this moment, their gazes towards Shen Qing were as if they were looking at a dead man, and some martial masters even showed hints of regret on their faces. Truly a pity. At such an age, from such a background, to achieve such feats, it was enough to prove his excellence. Especially his martial arts Sight, which they regarded highly. In normal times, several parties might compete for such a promising talent, but now they were bound by promises. Such a good seed could only be killed. "Ah, I recognize them, these are the owners of the Outer City Martial Arts Halls, Li Xunfeng of Shadow Trace Hall, ''Iron Fist'' Zhang Batian, ''Sword Shadow'' Liu Chengyan... and this is the old vagabond Yun Yichen, one of the Jianghu Martial Artists in the Outer City to break through to the Qi Hai Realm." Liu Sangui looked around, gradually identifying these individuals, his gaze fixed on the elder, his face suddenly turning ashen. Martial Arts Hall masters? Guan Yunjian truly spent a lot to annihilate me. Shen Qing smiled slightly, "Why don''t you give it a try then?" Although Shen Qing''s voice wasn''t loud, it was heard clearly by everyone. "Brat, you deserve death!" Just as those words were spoken, Shen Qing''s figure expanded, instantly appearing before ''Iron Fist'' Zhang Batian. Zhang Batian met Shen Qing''s beast-like eyes, his heart trembled, and he hastily threw a punch. Shen Qing, however, showed no intention to dodge, and with a low shout, he formed a hand seal with his hands, and a vast and unmatched True Qi surged from within him, transforming into a dazzling light that struck Zhang Batian''s chest with a boom. The Sky Flipping Seal erupted, turning the world upside down, unstoppable. Boom! The surrounding dust was lifted by the force''s aftershock, forming swirling currents, as if the bridge surface itself trembled. Faced with this sudden blow from Shen Qing, a hint of horror flashed in Zhang Batian''s eyes. In a split second, he had no time to react as he was completely engulfed by the overwhelming power of the Sky Flipping Seal. Accompanied by a heart-wrenching scream, Zhang Batian''s body was thrown into the air like a kite with its string broken and crashed heavily to the ground. A closer look revealed his chest was caved in as if struck by a massive hammer, with blood gushing from his seven orifices. "You... how could..." Zhang Batian''s voice was weak and trembling, each word seemed forced through clenched teeth, filled with reluctance and astonishment. Finally, with a "wah," he spat out a mouthful of foul blood and died. The air froze, and silence reigned over the scene. Shen Qing withdrew the hand seal, disappointed, "With all the big talk earlier, I thought there''d be some skill. It seems you''re just an embroidered pillow." His words were not truly sarcastic; he genuinely felt disappointed. In this move just now, he had used only about thirty percent of his power, not even half his strength. This grindstone had not served its purpose. "You might as well all come at me together." Shen Qing looked up and said. A thick murderous aura immediately filled the air. Bold! Too bold. Even though they hadn''t expected Shen Qing''s power to reach such heights, he shouldn''t be so presumptuous. Instantly, they realized that the young man in front of them, elegant yet fierce, wasn''t merely a Qi Cultivation Realm martial master, but someone who had long since broken through to the Qi Hai Realm. We were deceived by his concealed prowess! S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Despicable coward! Damn him! "Attack together, kill him." With an order, it was as if a cold wind arose. Eight peak Qi Cultivation Realm martial masters, ghost-like, simultaneously surged forward, leaping towards Shen Qing. Qi burst from them, gathering forcefully, pressing down towards Shen Qing, intending to completely wipe him out. Faced with the impending onslaught, Shen Qing not only remained unafraid but even smiled, steady as he said, "Good timing!" After speaking, though his body didn''t move, his hands quietly formed a seal. This gesture resonated with the condensed Qi Sea, stirring up a monstrous tidal wave. A vast and boundless True Qi erupted from within him, gathering before him, forming an intangible seal. As Shen Qing slowly turned his palms, the seal instantly enveloped the eight martial masters. Space seemed to subtly twist, light flickered, and an indescribable pressure descended, solidifying the surrounding air. "Capture!" Shen Qing''s unleashed "Sky Flipping Seal" reached its peak, and the True Qi-formed seal suddenly expanded, like a giant beast opening its mouth wide, engulfing the eight Qi Cultivation Realm martial masters whole. The horrified eyes of the eight Martial Arts Hall martial masters barely had time to fully express before they were completely suppressed by this force. Their bodies burst, like blooming roses in the air. Beautifully tragic screams echoed in the vast sky, lingering endlessly. Shen Qing withdrew his hands, and these martial masters became lifeless bodies, falling like rain to the ground. This scene shook Liu Sangui to an unprecedented degree. Shen Qing, with his own strength, upheaved the clouds and rain, slaughtering eight martial masters, his methods so fierce, completely overturning Liu Sangui''s understanding. Liu Sangui couldn''t help but tug at his collar, feeling hot all over, his throat parched, unable to utter a single word. For some reason, a strange thought popped into his mind at this moment. Starting today, nine Martial Arts Halls in the county town would go bankrupt, and the cost of learning martial arts would probably rise. "Interesting, interesting, truly interesting. I didn''t expect to meet such a freak like you on this trip." The old man Yun Yichen clapped his hands and laughed heartily. Shen Qing turned around, raising an eyebrow. Could it be this old fool''s brain was broken? His companions were dead, yet he still laughed. Yun Yichen stopped laughing, staring earnestly at Shen Qing as he said, "I''ve lived for over eighty years, stuck at the Qi Hai Realm for over thirty years, unable to progress. I feel I''m just missing an opponent with just the right strength. Too strong, and I''ll be beaten to death, too weak and it''s useless. You make me feel you could be my stepping stone to achieve a major breakthrough between life and death." "My time to break through has come." ``` Chapter 200 - 26 The Despicable Outsider! Hearing what Yun Yichen said, Shen Qing''s expression couldn''t help but turn serious. He sensed an indescribable aura emanating from the old undying man before him, unlike that of ordinary Qi Cultivation Realm martial masters, which compelled him to give his utmost attention. This was his first time dueling against a Qi Hai Realm expert, and he dared not show any negligence. The elder Yun Yichen let out a cold sneer. As his voice fell, True Qi surged in his right palm, radiating brilliant light, like the first break of dawn, with countless rays of golden light converging into a single beam, carrying a force capable of destroying the earth and sky, and striking toward Shen Qing. Shen Qing''s face changed drastically. He felt Yun Yichen''s move, as if a mountain was pressing down on him, a slight carelessness leading to eternal damnation. A mix of fear and excitement flashed through his heart, a complex emotion. As the rapidly approaching Yun Yichen saw the trace of dread on Shen Qing''s tense face, he felt satisfied with Shen Qing''s reaction. "Good!" "I hope you won''t disappoint me!" The distance between them sharply decreased, strong winds assailing the face. Shen Qing took a sharp breath, his pupils contracting. He had already realized the terrible power contained within that magnificent light. "So strong!" "So terrifying!" "If I take this strike, I will certainly die!" "I don''t want to die." "So, make sure to kill him!" Shen Qing''s face suddenly contorted with ferocity. At that moment, he discarded all distractions and fully activated the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill. The Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill, originated from the martial art of the Great Zhou Court, was ingenious, able to layer and multiply the body''s strength. Hum! As soon as Shen Qing entertained the thought of operation, he had driven the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill to its extreme, with Qi Sea churning vigorously, his True Qi raging like rivers and seas inside him. It was as if numerous true dragons were overturning rivers and seas within, turning the place thoroughly topsy-turvy. Each reversal of the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill would double the strength. Under Shen Qing''s operation, the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill reversed five times in one breath, multiplying his entire strength by five. Shen Qing seemed like a war god incarnate between heaven and earth, surrounded by True Qi nearly materialized, with an imposing aura. With a thunderous roar, Shen Qing clasped his palms together without any reservations, using all his strength, he vaulted the Sky Flipping Seal. sea??h th§× n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. All his worries and panic dissipated at that moment, as the Sky Flipping Seal was unleashed into the sky. The True Qi surged wildly like a giant dragon emerging from the sea, with the might of overturning mountains and seas, directly colliding with Yun Yichen''s dazzling light palm. At the moment of collision, the sound of thunder and roars merged into one, as if the heavens and earth changed color. Standing on the ground, Liu Sangui seemed unstable from the raging winds of the aftermath, nearly being blown away if not for using a knife to anchor himself. The calm river underneath the bridge suddenly surged with waves ten feet tall. A look of incredulous shock flashed in Yun Yichen''s eyes; he had never anticipated Shen Qing could burst forth with such astounding strength. "How is it possible?! This power... Ah... You despicable... outsider!" Bang! The unstoppable force of the Sky Flipping Seal pierced through Yun Yichen''s radiant palm, enveloping his body. Moments later, the dust settled, and Yun Yichen was struck, his body shattered, leaving only half intact. Disheveled, he stood on the ground, continuously spewing foul blood from his mouth. Yun Yichen lifted his head to look at Shen Qing, wanting to curse out with all his last breath, yet the blood choking his throat rendered him speechless. He fixed his gaze on Shen Qing, filled with unwillingness. Under Shen Qing''s watchful eyes, he slowly toppled, his eyes wide open, as he breathed his last. "Ah?" "Dead?!" Shen Qing panted heavily, staring blankly at the scene before him, then couldn''t help but lower his head to look at his own palm, a sense of speechlessness overcoming him. He never expected even Yun Yichen, who was at the Great Perfection of Qi Hai Realm, couldn''t withstand his full-powered strike. In this regard, he reckoned even a Yu Luo Realm martial master would find a worthy opponent in him. Now, he roughly gauged his own combat strength. Shen Qing''s mouth curled upward, covering his face with a joyful laugh. At this moment, a strong wave of weakness and the wrenching pain in his Dantian surged like a tide. The Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill''s aftereffects came forward. This time was somewhat different from before. With the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill reversing all his True Qi, five times indeed, his meridians and Qi Sea were twisted into a mess. There was still not a significant breakthrough or progress in the cultivation of Blood Dominance Technique, temporarily only strengthening Qi-Blood, not quite enough to reverse the depletion from True Qi reversal. So he needed to bear it toughly. Luckily he had built a solid foundation while breaking through Qi Hai Realm, with an extremely strong physical body, not incapacitating him. Thus, Shen Qing stood quietly, regulating his breath, gently capturing the spiritual energy between heaven and earth. Watching the scene before him, Liu Sangui was slightly stunned. At this moment, Shen Qing seemed like a celestial demon descending from the Nine Heavens, proudly standing amidst the scattered corpses around, with a faint circle of light surrounding him, carrying a transcendent quality, leaving him speechless for a while. After an uncertain period, Shen Qing regained some strength, turned around, quickly searched the bodies on the ground, and then leaped on his horse. Liu Sangui, as if awakening from a dream, said, "Lord officers, where are you going?" Even Liu Sangui hadn''t realized that now when facing Shen Qing, his tone was much more respectful than before. Shen Qing picked up the reins and commanded flatly, "To handle a small issue. After you tidy up here, go ahead to Changqiao Town to gather information, see what the situation is, I''m coming soon." "Giddyup!" Shen Qing cracked the whip and rode off majestically. Coming to the land of Yongzhou, considering many talents here, he restrained his temperament, not causing trouble. Also, Guan Yunjian and his two companions had a special status, being stewards'' men, so he left them alone, waiting to deal with them later. Now, it seemed they were more impatient than himself. Since that''s the case, don''t blame me. He always favored returning enmity for enmity, and grievance for grievance. Sitting on horseback, Shen Qing activated the Eagle Eye Technique with a thought. In an instant, the surrounding scenes materialized in his mind. Shen Qing saw, toward the direction of the city, two figures wildly galloping, raising clouds of dust behind them. "Heading back to the city?!" Shen Qing''s face turned cold, and he immediately chased up. Beneath Yongzhou City Gate. Guan Yunjian and Uncle Shu arrived in haste, spurring their steeds. "Whoa!" Guan Yunjian halted his horse, looking at the city tower ahead, contentedly said, "By the time we calculate, that boy surnamed Shen''s body should be tossed into the river feeding fish by now?" "Even if he didn''t feed the fish, presumably not far from it. Before so many martial masters, even if he had three heads and six arms, he wouldn''t stand a chance," Uncle Shu said with a smile, "Let''s not mind these for now. We should go find Dong Jing and Dong Cha quickly, see if he''s willing to take us in." "Indeed, let''s go." The two exchanged a few words, each urging their horses into the city. Chapter 201 - 27 Seeking Support ``` In Changhe Square, a clear river meandered through. The water flowed gently, shimmering with light and reflecting the pavilions and towers on both banks in a pleasing pattern. Among these architectural marvels, the Dong Mansion of the Yongzhou Thirteen Lines was located here. The Dong Mansion was grand in scale, its gates carved from ancient redwood. Above the gate, a gilt signboard gleamed brilliantly, inscribed with the words "Dong Residence," exuding an air of nobility. Guan Yunjian descended the steps of the Dong Mansion''s entrance and shook his head at Uncle Shu, saying: "Dong Chasi is not in the mansion." Uncle Shu replied: "Then where is he now?" Guan Yunjian glanced at the scorching sun high in the sky and said: "It''s noon, the time for a meal. Dong Chasi hasn''t returned home; he should be dining at Zuihua Building outside the city. Let''s go and check there." The two of them immediately headed to Baihua Building. The back-and-forth efforts delayed them quite a bit. Upon reaching Baihua Building, they entered the tavern to see the pavilions and towers arranged artfully, with rockeries and ponds complementing each other, rare flowers and exotic plants competing in beauty, blooming year-round. Inside, the corridors wound intricately, with elegant rooms from which, through ornate carved windows, one could faintly see the figures of dignitaries within, playing instruments and reciting poems, savoring tea and playing chess, or jesting with women and playing with their delicate hands. The place was saturated with an air of extravagance and opulence. Dong Jing was a frequent visitor to Baihua Building, and with a brief inquiry to a waiter, Guan Yunjian and Uncle Shu found his location. Standing at the door, a servant in charge of this suite gently knocked and said: "Dong Chasi, there are two officers looking to see you," Inside, Dong Jing, who was guessing wine rules and smiling with beauties, furrowed his eyebrows slightly upon hearing this. Why would the people from the county office seek him at this time? He gestured for his subordinates to restrain themselves a bit: "Let them in." Creak. The suite''s door opened. "Greetings to Dong Chasi." Uncle Zheng and Guan Yunjian simultaneously cupped their fists in salutation. Dong Jing glanced at the two and recognized them as officers from the Sixth Group, subordinates of Shen Qing. What brought them here? Dong Jing was temporarily puzzled. He straightened up and asked: "Weren''t the two of you supposed to accompany Shen Chasi to Changqiao Town? Why have you returned to the city and come to me?" Guan Yunjian spoke with a deeply pained tone: "Dong Chasi might not know, but the Wolf Demon in Changqiao Town has gained power and is very troublesome. Our Shen Chasi, unfortunately... was unfortunately harmed by the Wolf Demon..." Hearing Guan Yunjian say Shen Qing was harmed by the Wolf Demon left Dong Jing with a trace of shock on his face. Seeing Shen Qing, who seemed very capable in his eyes, did he die so easily? Dong Jing found it somewhat unbelievable. But he quickly calmed down, squinting his eyes at Guan Yunjian and Uncle Shu. Dong Jing noticed there were no signs of fighting or distress on the two men, which seemed strange to him. S§×arch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He asked in a deep voice: "So what do you want from me?" Guan Yunjian smiled and said: "We came seeking Dong Chasi''s aid." As he spoke, Guan Yunjian and Uncle Shu glanced meaningfully at the group of officers seated at the table. Dong Jing understood and knew they had other matters to discuss with him privately. So, he waved his subordinates off, saying: "You''ve had your meal; now go on your patrols." The group of officers glared at Guan Yunjian and Uncle Shu, reluctantly responding: "Yes." They stared at the two standing at the door, then each got up and left. Dong Jing also dismissed the maids accompanying him. In the blink of an eye, the large suite was left with only Dong Jing, Guan Yunjian, and Uncle Shu. "Now, what exactly do you want with me?" Dong Jing took a sip from his cup, drained it, and stood. His hand rested on his waist, touching the Dagger of the Chasi. "The ancients said, ''He who understands the times is a wise man, and birds choose good trees to perch on.''" Guan Yunjian said with a smile: "Dong Chasi, Shen Chasi is already dead. We want to pledge our allegiance to you and serve you faithfully." Seeing their demeanor, Dong Jing withdrew his gaze, having formed a general guess in his mind. He said with a hint of a smile: "Shen Chasi didn''t die at the hands of the Wolf Demon but yours, didn''t he?" Guan Yunjian and Uncle Shu, when their secret was exposed, didn''t show any signs of anger or disgrace. They remained composed and calm. They had been with the Guardian Martial Department for many years. Many officers and Chasi from humble beginnings didn''t end well, and situations like Shen Qing''s were not uncommon. As long as the benefits were substantial enough, even if the Chief Officer drowned tonight, someone would pinch their nose and accept it. However, some decorum still needed to be maintained. Guan Yunjian pretended not to understand, shaking his head and saying: "Dong Chasi, you must be joking; we wouldn''t dare. We''re simply seeking a better position and turning to you, Lord Dong, for shelter." "Of course, we don''t want to make things difficult for Lord Dong. Over the years, we''ve accumulated some wealth ourselves. If Lord Dong is willing, we''re ready to offer a thousand taels of cash annually, to show our respect." They knew Dong Jing was a concubine''s child; although he flaunted his authority before them, within the Dong Family, he had to keep a low profile, and his finances weren''t ample. A thousand taels might not be much for high-ranking legitimate sons, but for Dong Jing, it was significant enough to persuade him, and this business was unlikely to be a loss for them. Shen Qing had a house in Yongzhou, valued at nearly a thousand taels alone. In recent years, despite the surrounding turmoil, Yongzhou stood firm. Many wanted to move into the city to make a living, causing house prices to rise yearly, making them hard currency. Besides this house, Shen Qing also owned a tavern; if they could get hold of the recipe, they could earn a fortune in the future. Thinking of this, Guan Yunjian couldn''t help but feel a swell of pride almost crossing his face. However, in Dong Jing''s eyes, it didn''t appear the same way. Guan Yunjian and Uncle Shu were both veterans of the Guardian Martial Department, yet his past reviews of them amounted to just four words: overly ambitious with little talent. Otherwise, they wouldn''t have remained in the Sixth Group for years without achieving anything. In contrast, Shen Qing was not someone to be underestimated; he had talent. These two being manipulated by Shen Qing seemed more plausible. A thousand taels a year, while not insignificant to him, weren''t especially large either. However, he did not intend to make a decision too soon before things became clear. At this point, outside Baihua Building. Shen Qing, riding hard, had arrived, seeing the familiar official horses outside the door, he knew Guan Yunjian and Uncle Shu were in the building. He dismounted and charged into Baihua Building. "Waiter, I''m looking for two officers." Shen Qing summoned a servant and explained his purpose. After some description, the servant understood and inquired before leading Shen Qing to Dong Jing''s suite door. The servant spoke respectfully: "Sir, I will knock." "No need." Shen Qing stepped forward and kicked the door. Bang! The door of the suite was kicked open. ``` Chapter 202 - 28 Why do people need to interfere in what I, Shen Qing, do? ``` In the elegant room of Baihua Building, After hearing Guan Yunjian propose a condition, Dong Jing silently picked up his chopsticks, slowly picked up a piece of food, took a sip of wine, and showed an expression of enjoyment, as if leaving the two aside. Looking at Dong Jing''s demeanor, Guan Yunjian and Uncle Shu secretly cursed Dong Jing for being overly composed. Guan Yunjian stepped forward with a smile, saying, "We sincerely want to follow Dong Chasi. Is it because our price isn''t satisfactory to Dong Chasi?" Dong Jing put down the wine glass in his hand, continued picking up food as he said, "It''s not a matter of money. It''s just that your words are not credible. Now, suddenly saying you want to join me and follow me, if Chief Shen finds out, he might think I''m deliberately snatching his people." "Hahaha," Uncle Shu laughed confidently, "I wondered what Dong Chasi was worried about, turns out it''s this. Dong Chasi, rest assured, Shen must be dead, we all saw it with our own eyes." This time, they gathered the Masters of nine Martial Arts Halls, and an old Qi Sea martial master. Shen Qing was merely a Qi Cultivation Realm martial master. Facing such a situation, he really couldn''t think of any way Shen Qing could survive. Even though they left a little early and didn''t actually see it, the outcome was already predictable. To them, it was not wrong to say it in advance. However, right at this moment, there was a dull thud at the door. Bang! "Are you saying that I am destined to die?!" Hearing the familiar voice, Guan Yunjian and Uncle Shu spun around in shock. They saw Shen Qing standing at the door, his figure as upright as a pine tree. The two were as if struck by lightning, their bodies trembled violently, as though they had seen a ghost. "You... how could you..." Guan Yunjian''s voice trembled, each word squeezed out with difficulty from between his teeth, full of disbelief and hidden fear. Uncle Shu was the same, his face pale as paper, eyes wide open, almost unable to speak. Seeing the two in the elegant room, Shen Qing''s lips curled into a faint smile. He glanced back at the servant behind him and said, "Thank this young brother for kindly closing the door." After speaking, he strode across the threshold and boldly stood in front of Guan Yunjian and Uncle Shu. The servant at the door noticed the people in the room wearing official attire and dared not neglect, hurriedly closing the door for Shen Qing. Without looking back, Shen Qing knocked his waist dagger backward, latching it onto the door bolt with a click. Sitting at the main seat, Dong Jing glanced at Shen Qing and then at the dumbstruck Guan Yunjian and Uncle Shu, the corners of his mouth raised. Just as he expected, Shen Qing would not be easily manipulated by such people. S§×arch* The ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Now, there was a good show to watch. While Dong Jing was assessing them, Shen Qing discreetly sized up Dong Jing. After a moment, he smiled slightly and said, "I wondered where you all went, turns out you came to find Dong Chasi. May I ask, why did you come to see Dong Chasi?" Faced with Shen Qing''s questioning, Guan Yunjian and Uncle Shu realized they might have misjudged their chasi. Suddenly, their minds were in turmoil, fear grew like wild grass, uncontrolled, as the sound of their rapid heartbeats echoed in their ears. "We..." Guan Yunjian and Uncle Shu became hesitant, worlds apart from their previous self-assured demeanor. Dong Jing, still taking pleasure in the spectacle, added for them, "They said you were dead and wanted to join me for protection." Upon hearing this, Guan Yunjian and Uncle Shu staggered, nearly collapsing. A team. They were a team. Guan Yunjian no longer concealed his shady dealings, suppressing his fear, he said, "Shen, what did you do to those people?" Shen Qing laughed and said, "What else? Of course killed them. To be honest, the people you found were fundamentally unskilled, too weak." Guan Yunjian turned pale. He could not imagine that the heads of the Martial Arts Halls in the Outer City would be deemed unskilled by Shen Qing and completely wiped out. "Impossible, impossible..." This action pushed the two to the brink of life and death; it''s either him or me. Now that Shen Qing stood here, it also meant they were doomed. In the face of a powerful survival instinct, Guan Yunjian''s expression grew frenzied, almost hysterical. Suddenly, as if grabbing a lifeline, he coldly said, "We may be officers of low status, but after all, we belong to the Guardian Martial Department. You can''t kill us. Otherwise, there''s no explaining to the Chief Officer, and Lord Huangfu. Now, why not each take a step back and pretend this never happened?" "Pretend this never happened? You really can say that. Haven''t you thought up the reasons for me to kill you?" "What? "Nowadays, monsters run rampant in Yongzhou City, a few officers dying is normal, isn''t it?" Shen Qing slightly turned his body, taking steady steps toward Guan Yunjian and Uncle Shu. As he walked, he drew his waist dagger. When the long knife was fully unsheathed, he stood in front of the two, holding his long knife with a smile, "Moreover, Shen Qing does things without the need for a dead man''s advice. Today, I just want to kill you both, and no one can stop me! I said so." With the last word out of Shen Qing''s mouth, he swiftly wielded his knife, his movements almost beyond the limits of the naked eye. The moment he drew his knife, his True Qi surged around him like a river burst, forming visible ripples expanding outward, causing the air to quake. In Guan Yunjian''s eyes, only the dazzling white light remained. Where Shen Qing''s long knife passed, the space seemed cleaved apart with a whistling tear. Before reacting, Guan Yunjian''s body was swallowed whole by the white light. With a splattering sound. Before even getting a chance to act, Guan Yunjian was slashed open from head to chest by Shen Qing, unable to even scream. Watching all this, Uncle Shu was frozen and cold all over. His legs turned weak, trembling all over, his teeth chattered, uttering broken pleas interspersed with sobs, "This... was all... Guan Yunjian''s idea... nothing to do with me... I even tried to persuade... him!" Shen Qing''s eyes showed not the slightest ripple, laughing coldly, "Do you think I would believe such a poor excuse?" Uncle Shu gritted his teeth, hastily drew his waist dagger, and swung it horizontally at Shen Qing. However, Shen Qing didn''t even show any intention to dodge. The Dragon Roar Armor covered his skin, and he directly caught Uncle Shu''s slashing blade bare-handed. "Mm?" A trace of confusion flashed in Uncle Shu''s eyes. Shen Qing''s arm flickered, and he slashed down again without hesitation. The blade light flashed by, accompanied by Uncle Shu''s final muffled scream, as scarlet blood sprayed from his neck. He stared, covering his neck, staggering back a few steps before collapsing to his knees, then fell forward. Killing in the most effective way often employs the simplest method. For Shen Qing, dispatching Guan Yunjian and Uncle Shu took only two horizontal slashes. Wiping the blood from his knife with his arm, he turned to the ever-composed Dong Jing and said, "Sorry for disturbing Dong Chasi''s elegant mood today." "No problem," Dong Jing smiled, "Has Shen Chasi had lunch yet?" "Not yet." Dong Jing used his chopsticks to gesture toward the table''s food and wine, "Then why not join me?" "Alright! Just in time, I was hungry from chasing demons. I shall humbly accept." Seeing Dong Jing''s manners, Shen Qing sheathed his knife, walked over with the grace of dragons and tigers, and sat to the right of Dong Jing. ``` Chapter 203 - 29: I Owe You a Favor ``` Shen Qing ignored the blood and dirt on his body and raised his cup for a drink. After dealing with the menaces of Guan Yunjian and Uncle Shu, a sense of relief and ease showed on his face. "Great wine!" "Brother Shen, what courage you have. If it''s good wine, shouldn''t you drink more?" Dong Jing didn''t mind Shen Qing''s disheveled appearance and even offered to pour wine for him. As for the thousand taels mentioned by Guan Yunjian and Uncle Shu, he had long forgotten. Shen Qing stopped the cup, saying, "The taste of wine is enough. Drinking too much spoils the pleasure." "If not wine, perhaps a bite to eat?" Dong Jing said without anger, "This Baihua Building is renowned in Yongzhou. Though its cooking can''t match your Shen Ji, it''s tasty enough. You just arrived a bit late, so it''s mostly leftovers." Shen Qing laughed heartily, "How many in Great Zhou could even eat these leftovers? Besides, I came to kill, not to dine." "Indeed," Dong Jing laughed along. Shen Qing showed no formality, diving into the meal voraciously. The prolonged upheaval had indeed left him ravenous and eager to eat. Dong Jing sipped from his cup, glancing at Shen Qing devouring his meal and then at the bodies beside them. Guan Yunjian and Uncle Shu stared lifelessly at Shen Qing, who nonchalantly feasted with gusto, astonishing Dong Jing. "I wonder what those two did to offend Shen Chasi today?" Dong Jing asked. Shen Qing narrated, "They somehow found nine martial masters to take my life, angered me, so I came here." "Nine martial masters?" "Just inferior goods, no match for me." Shen Qing, not considering his friendship with Dong Jing deep, didn''t fully trust him, keeping details of the Qi Hai Realm to himself. Moreover, while speaking, he subtly placed his hand on the hilt of his sword, watching Dong Jing intently. If Dong Jing exhibited any odd behavior, he wouldn''t hesitate to strike him down, sending him to join Guan Yunjian and the others. After all, to him, killing two or three made no difference. Dong Jing, surprised, said, "They truly spent lavishly this time. I heard Guan Yunjian mingled with many people using the identity of Guardian Martial Department over the years. Clearly, rumors are not unfounded. Now that you acted privately, what''s your plan?" Shen Qing countered, "Any insights from Brother Dong?" Dong Jing didn''t expect Shen Qing to throw the question back at him. He considered for a moment and said, "No great insight. I think Shen Chasi should simply watch the situation unfold. Dead men tell no tales, and no one would speak up for the dead. In my view, they just coasted on the Guardian Martial Department and are likely to die in vain." Shen Qing agreed completely. The status of two minor officers was indeed insignificant. After observing days, Chief Officer Zheng Yuanqiu seemed only interested in women and wealth, surely unconcerned with this matter. Seeing Dong Jing composed, with no interest in making any move against him, Shen Qing felt a measure of assurance. At least for now, he wasn''t an enemy. "Exactly, that''s my thought too." Shen Qing ate quickly, wiping out the table full of dishes in no time. He grabbed a towel to wipe his oily hands and said to Dong Jing, "Thanks for the treat, Brother Dong. I have a matter I need your help with." "What is it?" Shen Qing pointed to the two corpses not far away, saying, "I''m rushing to investigate the Wolf Demon case and am short on time. I hope Brother Dong can help me deal with them. I''ll owe you a favor." Friends who frequently killed knew disposing of bodies was harder than killing them. Even in a world where lives were cheap, murder on the street was a grave offense, and the Military Department wouldn''t ignore it. Moreover, Shen Qing had killed two officers, almost officials, further complicating matters. If any traces were discovered, it wouldn''t be a threat to his life, but it wouldn''t be good either. Shen Qing thought it a difficult task, but Dong Jing seemed unconcerned and said, "Just a small matter." Dong Jing clapped his hands. Soon, a servant of Baihua Building came to the door, knocking, "Dong Chasi, you called?" "I had a little blood spilled here, get some laborers to clean up the backyard," Dong Jing said casually. "Yes." It didn''t take long before two robust laborers, each holding a burlap sack, arrived. They showed a hint of surprise upon seeing the two officer corpses. Neither spoke, expertly bagged the bodies, and even a servant came with a water bucket and cloth to clean the bloodstains, bowing, "Dong Chasi, take your time." After speaking, he quietly closed the door as if nothing had happened. The assistance was so skillful Shen Qing was momentarily speechless. Dong Jing smiled, "This Baihua Building is owned by the Dong Family. Some disrespect our taboos here, so we have plenty of experience handling bodies. Shen Chasi needn''t be shocked. From today, no one will ever find those two no matter how hard they look." Shen Qing finally came to half-realization. The Yongzhou Thirteen Lines were colossal in the county town, no less than the county government office. Killing and disposing of bodies was a common task for them. "Thank you, Dong Chasi," Shen Qing moved to the window''s position and said, "Now that I''ve eaten and drunk, after I finish this busy period, I''ll come with a good meal and drink. Brother, please don''t decline. I''ll take my leave now." sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Off you go." Shen Qing''s clothes were stained with blood, unsuitable for a grand exit through Baihua Building. He leaped from the window, employing some Hunting skills, Concealment tactics hiding himself in the elegant room. Watching Shen Qing''s disappearing silhouette, Dong Jing fell into deep thought. "It seemed his True Qi emerged just now. He has clearly broken through to the Qi Hai Realm." "Hiss¡­" Dong Jing drew in a sharp breath. "A Qi Hai Realm martial master at sixteen, an extraordinary talent even among the noble families. Given time, his potential seems boundless." "If so, why not let this favor grow bigger? Helping all the way, I''ll deal with this for him. Maybe I''ll need to trouble him someday." ``` Chapter 204 - 30: Wolf Demon Sighted ```html Leaping out from the window of Baihua Building, Shen Qing lightly spread his arms. His figure was as agile as a cat, silently landing on the ground. He turned back to look at Baihua Building. Since the matter with Guan Yunjian and the others had concluded, the next task was to deal with the threat of the Wolf Demon. This was his duty as a Guardian Martial Department officer. Failure to do well could lead to severe consequences. He had delayed here long enough. Shen Qing covered his tracks, then directly found his prized steed and left swiftly, heading straight for Changqiao Town. ... On the roadway outside Yong City. A black shadow whistled past like an arrow breaking through the wind. Originally a fine steed, Zhuifeng had improved its stamina under the careful care of Shen Xiaoshan. It had made several journeys back and forth without any sign of exhaustion or deceleration. After spending about another two quarters of an hour, Shen Qing once again arrived at Qinghe outside Changqiao Town. At this time, where he had originally fought outside Changqiao, only faint traces of blood could be seen on the ground; the corpses had long since vanished. Liu Sangui must have dealt with them. Shen Qing lightly reined in the bridle and let the glossy, well-conditioned Zhuifeng steed slow its pace as it stepped onto the bridge of Changqiao Town. The hooves lightly tapped the bridge surface, creating crisp, clear sounds. After a bout of galloping, Zhuifeng''s chest heaved slightly with heavy breaths, but its pace remained steady and methodical. Amidst the rhythmic hoofbeats, Shen Qing unwittingly entered Changqiao Ancient Town. Three huge memorial arches stood outside the ancient town, spanning the road, with golden rice fields stretching on both sides of the path. When Shen Qing appeared there, many villagers bending over their work straightened up to look at this officer of the Guardian Martial Department riding on horseback. While binding rice stalks, they sized up Shen Qing. On their numb faces, there was a hint of fear. To them, the officials from Yongzhou City were no different from demons bringing disaster. Both were man-eaters. The difference was only that demons ate people in a few bites, while the officials of Yongzhou City consumed for decades, generations even. As they saw Shen Qing walking along the road, many villagers avoided him like avoiding snakes and scorpions, not daring to stand on the same path as him. Even the woodcutter carrying firewood threw the firewood aside, jumped into the fields with the others, and watched him leave with trembling fear. Once they could no longer see him, they seemed to breathe a sigh of relief and returned to the main road. Seeing these scenes, Shen Qing couldn''t help but feel a touch of despondency in his heart. He hadn''t expected the officials of Great Zhou to be so unpopular. He didn''t walk long before entering the labyrinthine residential area of Changqiao Town. Simple thatched cottages stood interspersed before Shen Qing. Amidst them, an elegant manor was unusually conspicuous. On the outskirts of the residential area, a servant in plain clothing suddenly appeared in Shen Qing''s view. He frequently looked around, pacing back and forth at the gate. Upon seeing Shen Qing''s figure, his face immediately showed a hint of joy. He hurriedly stepped forward and grabbed Shen Qing''s reins. The servant smiled apologetically, "Officer, our master specifically instructed me to wait here for you." "Who is your master?" "The village chief here." The village chief was the town chief here. Shen Qing said expressionlessly, "Lead the way!" "Yes." Shen Qing had killed someone not long ago, carrying a faint but palpable evil qi that almost made the servant shiver in mind and body, not daring to delay. Under the servant''s respectful guidance, passing through the stone-paved path, Shen Qing was brought close to a manor. The grand entrance of the manor stood impressively; stone lions on both sides were imposing. Before Shen Qing could step across the threshold, a hearty and expectant laugh had already penetrated through the door, receiving him warmly. "Haha, Chief Officer, we''ve been eagerly awaiting your arrival!" A middle-aged man dressed in luxurious attire and exuding an extraordinary demeanor hurriedly came to the door upon hearing the commotion to personally greet him. Shen Qing dismounted and said, "I am Shen Qing of the Guardian Martial Department, sent by the Chief Officer to subdue the demon." "So it is Shen Chasi in person." The village chief quickly stepped forward, clasping his fists and bowing deeply in salute. "May I ask the village chief''s noble surname?" "The humble surname is Zhou." Shen Qing asked, "A member of the Zhou Family of Yongzhou?" "The ancestors were; by my generation, they had long been out of the family register and had no dealings with the Zhou Family of Jun City. But still, there was some benefit from the family name." The village chief Zhou Baoyin candidly said, "My lord, please come inside and have a seat. I''ve already prepared a feast, please!" "Forget the feast, it''s more urgent to eliminate the demon." Shen Qing gazed into the distant green hills and said, "Where is my subordinate?" Zhou Baoyin was momentarily stunned and said, "In response, sir, he arrived not too long ago and has already gone up the mountain to investigate the werewolf''s clues." Shen Qing frowned, wondering when Liu Sangui had become so responsible for demon hunting. S§×arch* The n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. In his view, although Liu Sangui usually put on a facade of diligence, he was actually quite cunning, the type who avoided unnecessary trouble whenever possible. He wouldn''t rush to investigate the demon without waiting for him. A bit strange. Shen Qing glanced at Zhou Baoyin again and asked, "Tell me, what''s going on with this werewolf?" Zhou Baoyin read the expression and became serious. He clasped his fists, slightly bowed, and respectfully said, "Reporting to the lord, this matter most likely began a month ago." "There is a woodcutter in our town named Zhang, who, as usual, went to chop wood and make charcoal, but unexpectedly..." Saying this, Zhou Baoyin paused, a trace of imperceptible fear flashing in his eyes, and continued, "The last time he went up the mountain, he did not return for several days. When I found him, only a skeleton remained, gnawed beyond recognition." "Since then, the woodcutters entering the mountain have often heard strange low growls coming from the forest, unlike ordinary beast sounds, and people have occasionally gone missing, causing panic." "Some even claimed to have seen a giant wolf. Now, with increasingly strange happenings in the woods, it''s said to be the werewolf''s doing. We have no solution, so we came to seek help from the lord." "Awooo!" While they were speaking, a wolf''s howl came through. Shen Qing seemed to sense something, his gaze slowly turning to a small hill outside the town. He utilized his sharp eyesight skill and fixed his eyes to observe carefully. A massive wolf with eyes glowing a ghostly green was baring its fangs and growling fiercely. Zhou Baoyin''s body trembled, pointing, and shouting, "Ah, it''s the werewolf, that very werewolf." "My lord, because of the werewolf, many woodcutters in the town have dared not go up the mountain for days, and their families are struggling to survive. We hope the lord can decide for us." The wolf appeared just at the right time? Shen Qing felt slight hesitation. But since it had appeared, it saved him the trouble of slowly searching in the mountains. Shen Qing directly took the Heavy Bow hanging on his horse''s back, drew out a dark iron arrow, and placed it on the bowstring. He drew the bow fully, extended his arm like an ape, and aimed the arrow into the blue-green forest ahead. "What is the master trying to do? Does he think a single bow and arrow can bring the werewolf down?" The servant standing by Zhou Baoyin took a few steps forward and whispered into his ear in a low voice. Zhou Baoyin squinted his eyes and said, "No rush, let''s watch and see." ``` Chapter 205 - 31: The Heavy Arrow Kills the Wolf Demon, Its Too Fast! Shen Qing''s fingers relaxed abruptly. In an instant, the sound of air being torn apart erupted. A swift and icy cold glimmer shot through like electricity, darting straight towards the Wolf Demon standing in the woods, tracing a barely visible trajectory through the void. The distance of merely four hundred meters was covered in a flash. The newly emerged Wolf Demon seemed to sense an immense danger; its fur stood on end, and a wave of human-like emotion flashed through its ghostly green eyes. Without any hesitation, it hastily dodged to the side. The Bow Technique''s "Every arrow hits the mark" skill activated, making everything feel as if it were predestined. Just as the Wolf Demon attempted to dive aside, the arrow, tearing through the air, hit it with perfect precision. With a muffled "thud," the sharp arrow struck its wolf body with unfailing accuracy, the powerful inertia tearing through its flesh and piercing through from its abdomen. Accompanied by a heartrending howl, the Wolf Demon''s massive body crashed to the ground, and the demon energy surrounding it suddenly became chaotic. Like remnants of clouds swept up by a fierce wind, it instantly lost the majesty befitting a Wolf Demon. A trace of shock flashed in its eyes, unable to fathom why it was injured by a mere human arrow. Previously, human clan''s arrows were like mere tickles to it, unable to cause any substantial harm, let alone the fact that it had attempted to avoid that arrow! Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh! Three arrows whistled down from the sky, sealing off almost all its escape routes. Before it had time to stand up and defend itself, the three arrows, as if they had eyes, successively embedded into its fur and flesh. They pinned it dead against the ground with almost no room for resistance. Blood oozed from the Wolf Demon''s mouth as its wolfish eyes fiercely locked onto Shen Qing standing in the distance with his bow, realizing that everything the Wolf King had told it was utterly different. Gradually, this Wolf Demon felt its body growing heavier and heavier... Its bristled fur slowly lay flat until, in just several dozen breaths, it completely lost consciousness and took its last breath. Standing at the manor''s entrance, Village Chief Zhou Baoyin and the servants widened their eyes, incredulously watching this scene before focusing their gaze on Shen Qing. Their hearts pounded wildly, clearly never having expected Shen Qing to possess such extraordinary means. Especially the Village Chief, Zhou Baoyin''s face turned notably grim, even breaking into beads of cold sweat as his heart drummed like thunder. To kill a demon with just a few arrows, this was too fast! Shen Qing laid down the bow and arrow in his hand, skeptically inquiring: "Is this the Wolf Demon that''s troubled your town for days?" He felt that this so-called Wolf Demon was almost no different from the Dog Demon he encountered earlier. Too weak! Could a place as large as Changqiao Town really not handle such a weak demon? Leaving aside the common folk, farmers, and woodcutters, with the Zhou Family''s influence and the court''s resources, he couldn''t believe Zhou Baoyin wouldn''t have practiced Martial Arts or lacked the capacity to slay demons. Even if his aptitude was terribly poor and his cultivation inferior, a family as prosperous as his, with many offspring, would surely have some standouts if they had the resources. A Little Demon like this should be easily handled. Shen Qing discreetly examined Village Chief Zhou Baoyin, noting his vigorous Qi-Blood, clearly indicating some level of training. This made him even more baffled and seemed quite incongruous. Shen Qing temporarily set aside his confusion and said, "The Wolf Demon has been subdued, I''ll check its body to see if there are any other omissions." With that, Shen Qing''s form expanded abruptly, transforming into a streak of light and soaring swiftly toward the forest hundreds of meters away. On the way, the treetops swayed. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. As he moved, the birds perched on the branches, startled by the disturbance, flapped their wings in a panic and soared into the sky. The movement Shen Qing displayed at this moment wasn''t some advanced Martial Art, just a movement technique from hunting skills, instinctively propelling him forward. Yet, this basic movement skill, under the nurturing and activation of Qi Hai Realm''s rich True Qi, manifested astonishing speed and agility. Moments later, Shen Qing leaped down from a height, landing close to the Wolf Demon''s corpse, the surrounding leaves quivering violently from his air current. Shen Qing narrowed his eyes, intensely staring at the Wolf Demon''s corpse in front of him, his gaze becoming profound and keen. Three arrows were deeply embedded under the Wolf Demon''s sturdy fur, and around the arrows, the blood had already clotted into dark stains, but the huge wound in its abdomen was still oozing dark blood. Upon closer inspection, aside from being far larger than its peers, this Wolf Demon bore no other differences from ordinary wolves. Shen Qing drew the dagger from his waist, slit open the Wolf Demon''s belly, and pried open its stomach. Inside, apart from vaguely discernible rabbit remains, there were no human body fragments. Shen Qing distinctly remembered Village Chief Zhou Baoyin mentioning that people in their town occasionally disappeared due to this Wolf Demon, implying it should have fed on humans. Now it seemed either another Wolf Demon plagued the town, or Zhou Baoyin was lying. Slaying this Wolf Demon alone wouldn''t end the town''s troubles. Shen Qing raised an eyebrow, extracted the arrows from the ground, and returned them to the Arrow Quiver before lifting the Wolf Demon''s body with one hand and heading back. Bang! Shen Qing tossed the large Wolf Demon''s body before Village Chief Zhou Baoyin and the others, stirring up a layer of dust. Village Chief Zhou Baoyin immediately responded, raising his thumb in fervent praise: "Shen Chasi, what remarkable marksmanship! Never imagined the Wolf Demon troubling us for so long could be vanquished so effortlessly by you!" "I will be sure to report this to the county office so that the Prefectural Governor and others are made aware of your benevolence." "Since you exerted so much effort, I must offer some token of appreciation." With that, he signaled with his eyes. The servant behind him understood immediately and brought a tray of Silver Ingots before Shen Qing. Village Chief Zhou Baoyin cupped his hands and said, "The demon issue here is resolved. This small token is nothing grand, but I hope Shen Chasi won''t refuse." Shen Qing stepped forward, took a Silver Ingot, and weighed it in his hand: "The Village Chief is indeed generous. Pack it up for me." "Certainly," Zhou Baoyin turned and rebuked his servant: "Shen Chasi has spoken, hurry up, will you?!" The servant quickly nodded with a bow and rushed off to handle it. "Now that this matter is concluded here, Shen Chasi, do you think..." "Why the rush?" Shen Qing glanced at Zhou Baoyin and said, "Weren''t you just preparing a banquet table? Leaving it untouched is wasteful; I might as well go over there. Meanwhile, I can wait for my subordinates." Zhou Baoyin''s complexion changed slightly, quickly smiling apologetically: "It was presumptuous of me. Shen Chasi, please come this way." Shen Qing stepped over the manor''s threshold and walked into the estate. After only a few steps, he suddenly recalled something and instructed Zhou Baoyin''s servant: "Oh, and remember to skin the Wolf. It''s quite valuable in town; I need to take it back." Chapter 206 - 32 Are you hiding something from me? ```html Upon hearing this, Village Chief Zhou Baoyin''s face turned pale. However, considering Shen Qing''s status, he couldn''t lose his temper. He quickly waved his hand, instructing those below to comply. Shen Qing paid no mind to these thoughts. Surrounded by Zhou Baoyin, he stepped into the grand courtyard of his house. If he had some suspicion when he slew the Wolf Demon, then Zhou Baoyin''s eagerness to send him off just now almost confirmed that Zhou Baoyin was definitely hiding something from him. So far, Liu Sangui hadn''t appeared, not leaving the slightest trace, giving him an even worse premonition. There was an eighty to ninety percent chance that Liu Sangui had met a foul end. Even though he thought this, Shen Qing''s face didn''t reveal any emotion, maintaining his usual calmness. Changqiao Town was located at the foot of a mountain by a river, not very convenient for coming and going with the outside world except for a single canal port. In a way, it was like gathering ten or so Hongshan Villages together. Broken, old. Clusters of thatched huts, cramped and oppressive. But upon entering Zhou Baoyin''s house, it was a different scene altogether. Just as he entered, the elegant yet luxurious atmosphere characteristic of a high-ranking household came rushing toward him. The stone path paved with blue stones was spotless, and the flower beds on either side were lush and vibrant. Every time a gentle breeze blew, the fragrant scent became more intense, refreshing one''s mind and spirit. The eaves of the main hall tilted upwards, and at first glance, famous calligraphy and paintings hung on the inner walls, showcasing the grandeur of mountains and rivers, the finesse of flora, fauna, and insects. Everything around created a strong sense of disconnection from the overall appearance of Changqiao Town. Shen Qing collected his thoughts and walked shoulder to shoulder with Zhou Baoyin into the main hall. As soon as he entered, the servants successively brought steaming hot dishes to the large table. Steam rising, fragrant scents wafting, making one''s mouth water. Zhou Baoyin trailed closely behind, stepping forward enthusiastically, "Lord Shen, your presence in my humble abode truly brings glory! Though the dishes prepared aren''t rare delicacies, they are the best my family can offer. I hope you won''t mind." Hearing this, Shen Qing smiled, "Village Chief, you''re too kind. I haven''t yet tasted the local dishes here. Today is a good chance to try them." "Lord Shen, this way, please!" Village Chief Zhou Baoyin invited Shen Qing to sit at the guest seat, while he himself took the main seat. It was already past noon. Careful calculation suggested it was between the end of Wei Hour and early Shen Hour. This time was obviously past meal time. Shen Qing wasn''t hungry, but as a martial master, his consumption was large. After more than an hour, his stomach had emptied quite a bit, so he could still eat some. The sun was blazing, and the bright sunlight illuminated the four walls brilliantly. Zhou Baoyin personally filled Shen Qing''s glass with fine wine, raising his glass, "Lord Shen, I toast you, thanking you for ridding Changqiao Town of the wicked Wolf Demon and ensuring peace. Please!" Shen Qing also raised his glass, saying aloud, "Village Chief, you flatter me. Eliminating demons and safeguarding truth is our duty." Then he and Zhou Baoyin clinked glasses lightly, producing a crisp sound, and the two drank it all in one go. Shen Qing ate heartily, engaging in constant small talk with Zhou Baoyin. Originally a hunter, he understood the affairs of the mountains and forests quite well. With his academic pursuit skills, he spoke eloquently at the wine table, leaving Zhou Baoyin repeatedly amazed. After three rounds of drinks, the atmosphere grew increasingly lively. Zhou Baoyin couldn''t help but let his guard down. At this time, Shen Qing got to the point, abruptly asking, "Village Chief, is it just this one Wolf Demon that appeared in your town?" Zhou Baoyin, drunk, replied, "In our deep mountains and forests, how could we know? So far, we''ve only seen that one Wolf Demon." Shen Qing said, "So, if I''ve killed that Wolf Demon, the demon menace here is resolved?" "Of course, it''s resolved." "I feel it''s not right. Wolves usually travel in packs. If this Wolf Demon is strong among the wolf pack, surely a pack would follow. If it''s weak in the pack, that means there''s a stronger Wolf Demon. If it''s the former, well, I suppose your skills as Village Chief could handle it. If it''s the latter, it''s troublesome." Shen Qing said with deep meaning, "The demon threat here isn''t completely eradicated, is it?" "Then what does the Lord Shen want?" Zhou Baoyin thought Shen Qing was after a bribe and asked probingly. All he wanted now was to send Shen Qing off quickly, free of charge, before causing any more trouble. Shen Qing picked up his glass, looked into Zhou Baoyin''s eyes, and said with a faint smile, "As a Guardian Martial Department''s official, it''s my duty to slay demons and uphold justice. I need to clear all these up, right?" In Zhou Baoyin''s heart, a chill coursed through. This official was trickier than he had imagined. "Haha, I understand," Zhou Baoyin laughed it off, "So, how much does the Lord Shen want?" Shen Qing shook his head. Zhou Baoyin''s heart sank, feeling that Shen Qing''s appetite was a bit too large. You''re a mere official, aren''t you afraid of biting off more than you can chew? Under Zhou Baoyin''s gaze, Shen Qing downed his drink in one go, saying, "Money is secondary. I just wonder, Village Chief, are you hiding something from me?" Zhou Baoyin tensed up, feigning calmness, "Official, you must be joking. What could I be hiding from you?" "Did you have Liu Sangui killed?" S~ea??h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. A flicker of panic crossed Zhou Baoyin''s eyes. His hand trembled as he tried to remain calm, "Official Shen, what are you talking about? I don''t understand." "If not you, what about the demon?" Zhou Baoyin said, "Official Shen, what do you mean by this?" "Just what it says," Shen Qing glanced at Zhou Baoyin, "Don''t want to talk?" Swish! Shen Qing suddenly drew his dagger. The cold light flashed, and the Guardian Martial Department''s sword, with a whistling sound, accurately came to rest before Zhou Baoyin''s throat. The previously heated atmosphere in the main hall suddenly turned icy. "Official Shen, do you know what you''re doing? Killing an official is a serious crime." For some reason, facing Shen Qing''s challenge, Zhou Baoyin''s agitated mood was instead dispelled, becoming calm and composed. Shen Qing''s eyes were cold as ice, "Shouldn''t I ask you that, Village Chief? Aren''t you hiding a lot from me?" Zhou Baoyin''s tone suddenly turned icy, "Official Shen, I kindly advise you to stop while you''re ahead and not to stir up this trouble. If you refuse to see reason, don''t blame us then." "Hmm?" Bang! Just as Shen Qing was puzzled, a muffled sound came from the door, like a burlap sack being heavily dropped to the ground. "Lord Zhou, how did my son die so suddenly and inexplicably? Now you''ve skinned him and put his hide in your courtyard. You better give me an explanation. Otherwise, don''t blame me for not following the old rules." A strong male voice came from the door. Shen Qing turned to look, and a burly werewolf holding a servant''s severed head walked in step by step. Zhou Baoyin downed his drink in one go, "Official Shen, I already told you to stop while you''re ahead. Now it seems you didn''t understand my meaning." Pfft! Shen Qing''s hand trembled, strength passing through the blade. The cold light flashed, slicing across Zhou Baoyin''s neck. Zhou Baoyin''s eyes were full of disbelief, his pupils contracting in shock. He covered his neck with his hand, blood seeping through his fingers. His chest heaved like a broken bellows, gasping incessantly, producing a huffing sound. "Village Chief, it seems you didn''t understand my meaning either." Shen Qing, holding the dagger, stood up and slowly looked toward the approaching werewolf. From the blade''s tip, crimson blood dripped onto the ground, making a rhythmic tapping sound. ``` Chapter 207 - 33 Is This Your Strength? ``` Clap, clap, clap! "Interesting, truly interesting." The werewolf standing at the door clapped and laughed, "He always told me not to act, saying it might attract the attention of the court. I didn''t expect you to kill him so cleanly and efficiently." "Hey, you killed an official of your court. According to your court''s law, you''re supposed to be executed, aren''t you?" "Did anyone see me kill him?" Shen Qing glanced around suspiciously, "Nope." The smile on the werewolf''s face froze. Shen Qing stepped forward slowly, his face wearing a slight smile, "As I see it, wasn''t it obviously you, this wolf demon, who killed Lord Zhou?" The werewolf''s mouth twitched twice involuntarily. It had never seen someone as shameless as Shen Qing. "Looks like you still want to kill me?" "What else? Murder must be paid for with life. Just because you''re a demon doesn''t mean you''re an exception." "Alright, alright." The wolf demon''s face turned a shade of green, "Since you want to die, I''ll grant your wish. If you make me happy, maybe I''ll leave your body intact so you can remain half-corpse." The werewolf casually threw the head it held in its hand. The fresh, blood-soaked head rolled to Shen Qing''s feet. Shen Qing looked down and recognized it as the servant he had sent to skin the wolf earlier, who unfortunately met the wolf demon and was killed on the spot. He looked away, fearlessly stepping over the head scattered on the ground. Shen Qing held a knife in his right hand, standing in front of the half-man, half-demon wolf demon. "Want to try?" The wolf demon was tall, standing more than half a foot higher than Shen Qing. Its whole body was covered with mottled gray fur and its eyes were blood-red. The corners of its mouth on the wolf''s head split to the roots of its ears, revealing two rows of sharp fangs, glistening coldly, and saliva slowly dripped from between the fangs, emitting a nauseating stench. This wolf demon was completely different from the one Shen Qing had slain, giving him an extremely dangerous instinct. Shen Qing gripped his knife tighter, without another unnecessary word to the wolf demon. He suddenly stomped on the ground, his figure burst forth, and his muscles surged and tightened like inflating balloons as he charged straight for the wolf demon. In the wolf demon''s surprised gaze, the tip of the long knife pierced into its chest silently and without a trace. "Plop!" A light sound suddenly rang out between the human and the demon. The air was suddenly filled with the thick scent of blood. It all happened too abruptly, too fast for anyone to respond. It wasn''t until Shen Qing gently exhaled a breath of pent-up foul air from his chest that the werewolf at the door was suddenly woken by the sudden bloody aura. Its body trembled violently, then erupted in a deafening roar. The sound rolled out like thunder, instantly filling the entire town, causing hearts to quake. The wolf demon''s massive body shook violently with rage and unwillingness, and beneath drooping eyelids, eyes shadowed with darkness revealed a fierce light. "You seek death!" The wolf demon''s low growl rolled in its throat. The next moment, the wolf demon''s majestic body seemed to be ignited by blood-red flames, blossoming with dazzling and eerie light. The originally hideous wound on its chest writhed and healed with incredible speed under the blood light, returning to flawlessness. Then it leapt skyward, its gigantic form almost blocking half the hall''s space, dimming the light inside. The wolf demon''s demon energy surged all around, and it swung its giant claws, with the momentum of splitting mountains and breaking peaks, ferociously reaching for Shen Qing! Shen Qing''s face turned grim, and he hurriedly executed the movement technique from the [Hunting Scripture]. With the continuous support of true qi, Shen Qing exhibited the movement technique in the [Hunting Scripture] to the extreme, continuously flipping and maneuvering in the air, skillfully evading what seemed like a fierce move. From a distance, it looked as if a hunter was teasing his prey. The wolf demon''s first strike missed, and its previous arrogance was instantly replaced by rage. It couldn''t help but howl to the sky, its voice filled with unwilling fury. Amidst its angry howl, the wolf demon''s heavy punch, wrapped in a scarlet fierce qi like a stormy sea, surged out, sealing all of Shen Qing''s retreats. With no way to dodge, Shen Qing hastily gripped his long knife, holding it horizontally in front of him. The blade''s light colliding intensely with the fierce qi erupted with deafening roars. Shen Qing''s form seemed torn by invisible giant force. Even the long knife in his hand couldn''t withstand the terrifying power, shattering instantly, scattering everywhere. Bang! Shen Qing''s form was struck back violently by this force, like a kite with a broken string, sliding six or seven meters back before barely stabilizing his stance. His rear foot hit the floor tiles to unload the force, shattering the tiles and raising a cloud of dust. A cruel yet dissatisfied smile involuntarily curled at the wolf demon''s lips on its grim face. "I said, is this your strength?" The wolf demon was slightly stunned, "What?" As the dust cleared, it revealed Shen Qing''s upright figure. After the exchange just now, Shen Qing became clear in his heart. The wolf demon before him had already attained a certain cultivation, and mere physical force was futile. S§×ar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. His mind slightly stirred, mobilizing his Qi Sea. In an instant, the Qi Sea roared, true qi surged like a river, rushing through the meridians, rapidly condensing into a brilliant light film on his body surface, making him appear crystalline and luminous, radiating multicolored light. Shen Qing released the half-broken knife handle. "I said, is this your full strength?" As soon as the words fell, without any hesitation, Shen Qing''s hands quickly formed a seal, and he charged toward the wolf demon. A Sky Flipping Seal, containing the force of overturning rivers and seas, took shape suddenly, with a destroying force, crashing fiercely onto the wolf demon''s massive body! Boom! A loud crash in the hall, like heaven and earth collapsing. The demon energy swirling around the wolf demon, along with surrounding furniture and broken wood, was torn to pieces. "Argh!" The wolf demon couldn''t help but spurt vile blood from its lips. It never imagined being pushed to this extent by a mere human, genuine fury sparking in its heart. "Mere food, daring such!" The wolf demon''s lips curled into a grimace, its entire body muscles bulging like mountains, an even more intense and nearly tangible Evil Qi burst from its body, instantly filling the entire hall. "Hmm?" Shen Qing felt within it a bloodthirsty, self-destructive impulse. He realized it was the wolf demon''s Sight. He immediately fully activated the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill! True Qi reversed! First transformation! Second transformation! ... Fifth Transformation! "Break!" A tremendous loud noise! A scorching aura, like the noon sun, rippled between them like giant waves! The Sky Flipping Seal, with fivefold power, reached a terrifying level, rendering the wolf demon''s defense extremely fragile in the face of this force. Its organs were completely shattered, and even the Demon Core suffered a severe blow. "Come on! This is flavorful! Let me see, how much more surprise can you bring me!" Shen Qing''s entire true qi surged wildly, once again forming the Sky Flipping Seal... ``` Chapter 208 - 34 Next, I Ask and You Answer ``` The Wolf Demon let out a piercing scream, its body flung sideways by Shen Qing''s formidable strength, crashing into the yard with no power to fight back. It was completely bewildered! At this moment, the demon''s resolve had shattered under the relentless assault from this seemingly ordinary officer, its previous ferocity vanished without a trace. Watching Shen Qing step out of the main hall, it was terrified, its very soul nearly fled, as it hastily turned to flee. Disregarding its image and internal injuries, it maintained a four-legged posture and sprinted desperately toward the main gate. Having forcibly endured two consecutive strikes of the Sky Flipping Seal from Shen Qing, with a quintuple boost, the internal condition of the Wolf Demon had turned into a complete mess. It was solely relying on the formidable physical strength of the Demon Clan and its innate gifts that it preserved a few gasps, avoiding sudden death. A few more strikes and there would be no chance of survival. Escape! Not escaping meant certain death! "Hmm?" As Shen Qing emerged from the main hall, a sudden wave of dizziness emanated from within, making him feel unbelievably weak. Shen Qing knew it was the side effect of the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill. He cast a glance at the escaping Wolf Demon, steadied his mind, then exhaled a gentle breath, activating the Blood Dominance Technique, gradually recovering from the depletion caused by the reversal of True Qi. After regaining his Divine Sense, Shen Qing returned to the house, grabbed his heavy bow and arrows, and strode towards the main gate. The fight between Shen Qing and the Wolf Demon had alerted the people of Changqiao Town. At this moment, many brave souls stuck their heads out, curiously looking in the direction of Shen Qing. They saw a young officer wearing the uniform of the Guardian Martial Department, holding a heavy bow of dark black hue, with an arrow quiver at his waist, calmly walk out from the house. His posture was upright, only the sleeves had sparse traces of blood. He seemed almost unchanged from when he arrived. In front of him, a colossal Wolf Demon the size of a bull, stumbled and fell, awkwardly fleeing towards the mountain, like an Old Dog. The brave men of the town were left in disbelief seeing such a scene. In their eyes, the demon in the town was immensely strong, invincible. If the demon attacked, they would only be waiting for their doom. When had they ever seen a demon in such a wretched state? The Wolf Demon clearly had some prowess, as it had already recovered much of its strength in such a short time under the influence of its innate gifts. By the time Shen Qing reached the gate, the Wolf Demon had unknowingly widened the gap by a hundred meters. "You really know how to run. I thought you had more backbone." "That''s about enough." Shen Qing took a deep breath; after the brief adjustment, he had mostly recovered from the effects brought by the reversal of True Qi. He narrowed his eyes, looking at the staggering, fleeing Wolf Demon in the distance, and pulled out a dark iron Heavy Arrow from his arrow quiver, placing it on the bowstring. Without any hesitation. Shen Qing''s fingers, hooked on the bowstring, suddenly released. Whoosh! The arrow shot off the string with a piercing sound. In just a hundred-meter distance, every arrow hit the mark. The dark iron Heavy Arrow was like black thunder, cleaving through the void, landing on the Wolf Demon''s hind leg. Boom! The power of the fifty shi Heavy Bow burst forth when the arrowhead contacted the Wolf Demon''s hind leg. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. That wolf leg, after all, still flesh and blood, exploded into a cloud of blood mist under the immense force. The hind leg disappeared into thin air. The Wolf Demon that had already been struggling to move could no longer hold its form and collapsed onto the ground. At this moment, the Wolf Demon looked back at the approaching Shen Qing, finally revealing a look of terror on its face. Shen Qing, unhurriedly, strung another arrow. Whoosh! It was as if thunder resounded across the heavens and the earth; the Wolf Demon''s body, not yet stabilized, was lifted by the terrifying force embedded within the arrow. The other hind leg exploded into a cloud of blood mist, vanished without a trace. The pupils of the Wolf Demon were filled with despair, watching helplessly as Shen Qing walked up to it. Shen Qing didn''t stand on ceremony, sitting directly on top of it. The searing pain from below nearly suffocated it, yet it dared not show any anger. "My lord... have mercy... I won''t dare again..." The Wolf Demon''s expression turned to flattery, looking very much like a dog. Shen Qing paid no heed to the Wolf Demon''s plea for mercy, saying, "I''m going to ask you a few questions. Answer me when I do." Without caring whether the Wolf Demon agreed, Shen Qing directly asked, "What about the officers who came before me?" The Wolf Demon''s body trembled. "Speak!" "They were¡­ eaten by my¡­ children." Shen Qing seemed to already expect this result, feeling a heaviness in his heart, he appeared expressionless. "What about the Wolf Demon that showed up before you?" "It was my child¡­ I sent it to¡­ lure you¡­ wanted to¡­ devour your flesh and blood¡­ you martial artists'' flesh and blood¡­ are very nourishing for us." "Zhou Baoyin seems not to permit it?" The Wolf Demon remained silent, seemingly regretting. Shen Qing ignored its emotions, continuing to ask, "Tell me, what''s going on between you and Zhou Baoyin?" The Wolf Demon replied, "It was him who found me¡­ allowed us to reside in the town¡­ we¡­ fed on humans¡­ very carefully, it''s¡­ someone¡­ who leaked information¡­" Shen Qing''s previously calm face darkened, instinctively pressing harder. "Ah!" The Wolf Demon let out a heartrending scream. "Why?" Shen Qing questioned. "It''s the Spirit Mechanism, he wanted to find the Spirit Mechanism Land with us." The Wolf Demon quickly responded. Shen Qing frowned and asked, "Spirit Mechanism Land? What is it?" "It''s the reason for our Demon Clan''s birth. Each piece of Spirit Mechanism Land contains a Supreme Spiritual Mechanism, which can elevate any creature to transcendence, and rumored to even hold the Secret of longevity." "Our Demon Clan can sense the connection in Mingming, that''s why Zhou Baoyin found us¡­" Shen Qing''s heart trembled, never expecting such a hidden truth. Involving longevity! In this world, martial masters could wield the mighty power of heaven and earth through cultivation and maneuver fearlessly. It seemed infinitely glorious, but in terms of extending life through cultivation, it was stingy. Each time they cultivated and broke through, it only added a tiny bit. Even the strongest of the current age, the Ji Family ancestor from the founding of Zhou Country, known as the martial immortal, was rumored to have lived nine hundred years, yet his current status was uncertain. This made it conceivable the unimaginable temptation longevity held for anyone in the current age. Shen Qing''s expression grew more severe. He gradually realized this world might not be as simple as just Martial Arts. "My lord¡­ I''ve said all that needs to be said¡­ spare me¡­" Shen Qing glanced at the Wolf Demon beneath him, pressing two fingers on its head. Scorching True Qi blasted from Shen Qing''s two fingers like molten lava. It spread along the contact points between him and the Wolf Demon, burning the Wolf Demon''s skin red, as if even the air boiled at that moment. The Wolf Demon suddenly snapped back, letting out a heart-wrenching scream. Its voice brimming with despair and unwillingness, its head struggled violently, attempting to escape Shen Qing''s two light fingers. Unfortunately, it was to no avail. Boom! A dull explosion sounded from the Wolf Demon''s head, turning into pieces of flesh, shooting all around. Shen Qing withdrew his fingers, standing up from the headless wolf corpse, looking condescendingly and saying, "When did I ever promise to let you go?" ``` Chapter 209 - 35: Uncontainable Anger ``` In the distant mountains and fields, birds and beasts were startled into flight. Outside the Zhou Family''s Manor, the head of the Wolf Demon exploded, its fragmented corpse scattered, and the red and white matter sprayed the ground in a radial pattern. Crimson blood seeped into the dry soil, blossoming like a vivid red rose. Shen Qing glanced briefly at the two dark iron Arrows next to the Wolf Demon''s corpse. He reached out and grabbed one, exerting force suddenly. The heavy dark iron Arrow seemed to be drawn by an invisible force, tearing itself from the earth, its arrowhead gleaming with a cold light under the scorching sun. Shen Qing, expressionless, transformed the arrow into a blade. A flash of dark light passed as the sharp arrowhead sliced open the Wolf Demon''s chest. Instantly, the air was filled with a faint, bloody aroma and a strange fluctuation of demon energy. Shen Qing reached his hand inside, extracting a round and full Demon Core imbued with rich demonic power. The surface of this Demon Core shimmered with a faint dark green glow, like jadeite. Its quality was even better than the Eagle Demon Core he had once slain, making it more than sufficient for refining medicine for him and even Shen Xiaoshan. Shen Qing gazed at the Demon Core, a trace of joy flickering in his eyes as he discreetly tucked it into his robe. At this moment, the braver townspeople, seeing there was no movement, cautiously stepped out of their homes and began to gather towards Shen Qing. Upon seeing the enormous Wolf Demon''s corpse and Shen Qing standing proudly beside it, their expressions turned solemn, casting reverent looks at him. The others, noticing the area was safe, were driven by strong curiosity to approach one after another. When Shen Qing moved away from the Wolf Demon''s remains, the crowd gradually snapped out of their initial shock, their faces filled with disbelief and complex emotions. Moments later, they began to whisper among themselves, and the scene became unusually noisy. "My God, how... how did he do that?" A woodcutter in coarse linen was the first to speak, his voice trembling with excitement, "So many of us fell at its hands..." A middle-aged woman, part of the woodcutter''s family, listened and wiped the corners of her eyes with her sleeve, recalling many misfortunes with a sour heart. "Who would''ve thought this officer is even more formidable than the young Boss Zhou in town! If our town had this officer''s protection, we''d never fear those demons'' harassment again." ... For a time, many townspeople of Changqiao Town were engrossed in animated discussions. Shen Qing did not overly involve himself. He walked slowly back to the gate of the Zhou family''s manor, noticing that the servants who had fled in fear of the Wolf Demon had reappeared from somewhere. Among them, there were a few familiar faces from just moments ago. Shen Qing looked at the highest-ranking servant among them and asked, "Do you know about your master''s collusion with the Wolf Demon?" The servant trembled all over, remaining silent. Shen Qing pointed a finger at him and said, "I''ll give you one more chance. One, two..." With a thud. The servant, named by Shen Qing, fell to his knees, kowtowing and pleading for mercy, "Spare me, officer. Spare me, please. I was forced by the master... If we didn''t comply, the master would sacrifice us to the demons. Spare me, officer." Following him, the other servants also knelt, begging for mercy. Shen Qing retracted his two fingers and said, "I heard your master keeps several demons in town. There should be a few left, take me there!" The kneeling servants immediately focused their gaze on a fair-skinned servant. Realizing he couldn''t evade it any longer, the servant stood up with trembling voice, "This way, please, my lord... I''ll take you there..." "Lead the way!" Shen Qing slung the Heavy Bow over his back, hung the Arrow Quiver at his waist, and followed leisurely behind the servant. The servant lowered his head, hurrying nervously toward a remote corner outside the town. Shortly, this servant of Village Chief Zhou led him to an old house. "My lord, this is the place." The servant said with a pale face, keeping his head down. Shen Qing noticed the mottled bloodstains on the ground and couldn''t help but arch an eyebrow, taking a few steps forward. As he advanced, the stench grew increasingly potent. When Shen Qing stood before the wooden door of the shabby room, the stench felt tangible, almost unbearable in its intensity. Shen Qing suppressed the churn in his stomach and his physical discomfort, maintaining a calm demeanor as he slowly pushed open the wooden door. With a creak, the door opened. When Shen Qing saw the interior scene, his expression became extremely grim. The interior was dimly lit, the few rays of thin light seeping through the broken window barely revealing the patches of crimson throughout the room. It was all blood that had splattered and then dried, leaving stains. If one looked closely, the ground was scattered with gnawed-clean red human bones. Plop. A small wolf emerged from the dim room, gnawing playfully on a thigh bone. Upon seeing Shen Qing, it dropped the bone and bared its teeth, growling lowly. S§×arch* The nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. At that moment, an arm covered in gray fur extended from the darkness, grabbing the small wolf by its neck and tossing it backward. "Why are you so late today? Where is the fresh flesh you promised?" A large Mother of Wolf Demon sat in the dim room. Its eyes glowed a ghostly green, and it held a hand, bloody and indistinct, in its claws. As it spoke, it tore into the flesh expressionlessly, its piercing gaze fixed on Shen Qing, "If my little progeny starve, I won''t care about that hide of yours, I''ll devour you alive." Shen Qing scrutinized the hand the Wolf Demon was gnawing on, finding it familiar. His gaze swept across the room, spotting the scattered uniform of the Guardian Martial Department and a dagger dropped on the ground. "Why aren''t you answering me?" The Mother of the Wolf Demon stopped chewing, dissatisfied with Shen Qing, baring its fangs. Shen Qing could even see the strands of meat dangling from its teeth; he suppressed his displeasure and said calmly, "There won''t be any fresh flesh today, maybe you should try a change of taste." With that, Shen Qing raised his right hand, extending two fingers. The fingertips moved slightly, and a faint True Qi began to gather at his finger interval, suddenly shooting out. The Mother of Wolf Demon had no time to react before the gathered flicking finger exploded on its eye. "Ah!" The Mother''s eye was blown away by Shen Qing''s True Qi, leaving only two empty sockets, with streams of blood tearlessly cascading from them. "I''m going to kill you!" Shen Qing, expressionless, swiftly formed a seal, surging True Qi focusing on his hands. With a low roar, his hand seal, imbued with unsurpassed True Qi, pressed sharply onto the Mother of Wolf Demon''s gray-yellow fur. The luminous shine from his palm intensified like a blazing sun breaking through clouds, piercing layer upon layer of defense, reaching its flesh. The Mother of Wolf Demon''s body shuddered violently, as if seared by an intangible flame, with pain and fear intertwining, a trace of undisguised terror appearing in its empty eyes. Shen Qing calmly removed his hand from the Mother''s fur, bending to pick up the dagger on the ground, unsheathing the blade bit by bit. His expression grew grim, filled with rage. Suddenly, his entire strength concentrated into his right arm, delivering a clean, decisive slash at the Mother''s neck, without any hesitation. "Demons, all must die!" ``` Chapter 210 - 36: The Hope of Living The Mother of Wolf Demon''s head rolled to the ground, landing in front of Shen Qing. Shen Qing twisted his wrist, skillfully cutting open the abdomen of the Wolf Demon, extracting another Demon Core. This Demon Core was much smaller and of lower quality than the last one, but at least it was better than nothing. Shen Qing tucked the Demon Core into his chest and walked slowly towards the depths of the house. He glanced around, his gaze involuntarily freezing. In front of him, among the dried bones, was a bone bed, upon which a group of wolf pups huddled together, numbering seven or eight. Some curled up, others warily scanned their surroundings. Sensing his movement, they began to bare their teeth, emitting low growls. In the corner among this group of Wolf Demon pups, three people were huddled together. Two adults and a child, a family of three. The three were in ragged clothing, their backs pressed tightly against the corner''s wall. The frail child in the middle clenched their chapped lips, striving to suppress their inner fear and unease, their small body trembling silently, tightly nestled in their parents'' embrace. Their faces appeared unusually pale in the dim light, their eyes vacant and numb, as if they had endured all the world''s suffering and despair, losing the proper response to any external stimulus. A suffocatingly oppressive atmosphere permeated the air. These people were probably sent here by Zhou Baoyin, only to coincidentally encounter the matter with Liu Sangui. The flesh filled with Essence Qi from the martial master had attracted the Wolf Demon, which was why they had luckily escaped becoming the Wolf Demon''s feed. Shen Qing looked at the family, and asked the servant behind him in a deep voice, "What''s going on with them?" The servant behind responded fearfully, "They''re... tenants of Master''s family, unable to pay the rent, so... they were sent here by the Master." Shen Qing''s already gloomy face grew even darker. He stepped forward a few paces and halted. S~ea??h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Looking at the pitch-black family, the image of an old man he had seen in the village resurfaced in Shen Qing''s mind, and suddenly mixed emotions churned in his heart. Seeing Shen Qing remain still, one of the adults holding the child cautiously asked, "Officer, have you come to save us?" Her eyes were as bright as the stars in the sky, sparkling with lively radiance in the dim room. Shen Qing leaned down, reaching out to pat her head, a hint of softness unconsciously appearing between his brows. "Yes, I''ve killed the Wolf Demon, you''re safe now." A look of surprise appeared on Little Ni''er''s face, she cheerily shook the two and exclaimed, "Dad, Mom, we''re alright now, we''re safe, the officer came to save us." The couple in the corner suddenly displayed a touch of emotion in their previously numb and scattered gaze, eyes gradually focusing as they stared at Shen Qing. Upon noticing the blood-spattered uniform of the Guardian Martial Department on Shen Qing, a trace of doubt appeared on their faces. "Awhoo!" One wolf pup bared its fangs and attempted to bite Shen Qing''s pant leg. Shen Qing glanced down and waved his long saber, swiftly cutting through the wolf pup. A cold glint appeared suddenly. The wolf pup''s body was split into two. Shen Qing held his saber and said, "How long do you intend to stay here? Don''t you want to leave?" At this moment, the family in the room finally truly realized they had been rescued, a spark of hope for survival emerged on their faces. A surge of strength seemed to flood into the couple, as they slowly got up, supporting themselves against the wall. Then, under Shen Qing''s watchful gaze, their eyes turned red, their bodies stooped, and they limped out of the dark room while repeatedly bowing to express their gratitude. Shen Qing turned his attention to the wolf den beside him, his expression growing colder. These wolf pups obviously had not been born long ago, yet to develop much intelligence, not much different from ordinary wild wolves. But having eaten human flesh and developing a taste for it, combined with their demonic origins, it was possible they might grow into new demons. Shen Qing had no intention of sparing these wolf pups. He held his saber, walking slowly towards the wolf den, and mercilessly slashed at them. After a while, Shen Qing wiped the blood off his saber, and when passing by the Mother of Wolf Demon''s body, his hand grabbed it, carrying it to the doorway. He instructed the servant, "Bring all the wolf pups from inside the house." Leaving behind these words, Shen Qing dragged the massive body of the Wolf Demon towards Changqiao Town in front of him. Dirty blood from the Wolf Demon''s corpse continued to drip as Shen Qing dragged it, leaving a long blood-red trail along the path. ... In Changqiao Town, at the Zhou Family Mansion, The death of Zhou Baoyin finally alerted many Zhou Family members. Especially Zhou Baoyin''s three sons, they knew well the underhanded deeds their father engaged in, and understood clearly that the Wolf Demon, at least at this stage, would not harm their father. Adding to that the bloody knife wound on his neck. It was obvious in one glance that this was a deed done by that officer of the Guardian Martial Department. "Intolerable, how dare that mere officer disregard the law, he cannot be let off," proclaimed Zhou Dazhi, the eldest legitimate son of Zhou Baoyin, stepping forward angrily. His voice rang out powerfully, echoing through the disorderly main hall. With Zhou Baoyin''s death, Zhou Dazhi nominally became the head of the household, obliged to shoulder the family''s responsibilities. Looking at the weeping family members, he swiftly regained his composure. Zhou Dazhi earnestly instructed his brother, "Little brother, you must immediately travel to Jun City Zhou Family and inform the patriarch of what transpired here. Although we are a collateral branch, we are ultimately still members of the Zhou Family." "Officers of the Guardian Martial Department daring to do such things clearly are running roughshod over the Zhou Family. The family patriarch surely won''t tolerate it. We should at least inform them, if we encounter trouble due to this, we can''t let them sit by idly." "Okay. Big Brother, I will go now." Zhou Dazhi nodded and said, "The rest of you family members, follow me to confront that officer face-to-face, demand justice, and teach him a lesson. This Changqiao Town is not a place where he can act recklessly as an officer. Let''s go!" After speaking, Zhou Dazhi marched out grandly with numerous Zhou Family members towards the entrance. He noticed his younger brother standing dumbfounded at the doorway, and asked, "What''s wrong, why are you standing there?" Zhou Family''s second son swallowed nervously and said, "Big Brother, that officer has returned." "Huh?" Upon hearing this, Zhou Dazhi looked forward, seeing a figure slowly walk into view. A man dressed in a blood-stained uniform of the Guardian Martial Department. He was dragging a headless Wolf Demon, striding step by step in their direction, his steps steady. When Zhou Dazhi met the beast-like gaze of the approaching man, his heart quivered involuntarily, his mind went blank, as if he had forgotten his next move. Not until Shen Qing tossed the Wolf Demon''s corpse at their feet did he return to his senses. Chapter 211 - 37: Kill Them All and Have a Cup of Tea Zhou Dazhi remained calm and said, "What an imposing figure you are, sir." He steadied his mind, exuding the authority befitting the head of a family, and stepped forward to question, "Just as well, I need to ask if you killed my father?" "Why would I kill the village chief?" Shen Qing denied firmly and said with a hint of meaning, "Without evidence, do not speak recklessly. Otherwise, it might lead to trouble." "You still deny it. Who else but you?" Zhou Dazhi said harshly. Shen Qing asked, "I''m curious, why do you all suspect me? Couldn''t it have been a demon?" "Impossible. It must have been you who killed my father!" Zhou Dazhi asserted, "You, as a dispatcher, killed a court official, breaking the law, deserving of even greater punishment." Shen Qing laughed. The bystanders, who had gathered out of curiosity, had not dispersed; they slowly gathered around, watching them with interest, whispering among themselves. Shen Qing looked around and then asked, "Are you so sure it was me because you are aware of the collusion with demons?" Upon hearing this, Zhou Dazhi and the others exchanged glances, their tone deepened as they spoke, "We don''t understand what you''re talking about. After committing murder, do you now intend to throw mud on us?" Shen Qing''s lips curved into a slight smile, and he said, "I think you''ve misunderstood something." "What?" Shen Qing stepped over the Wolf Demon''s corpse while drawing the dagger from his waist. As the long blade was fully unsheathed, he stood right in front of the Zhou Family members. Shen Qing grinned and said, "Your father was a court official, but you are not. I see your collusion with demons marks you as rebels, deserving of death!" The last word fell, and Shen Qing''s body emanated a chilling killing intent. Without giving them a chance to react, Shen Qing moved abruptly. The blade in his hand glinted coldly as he channeled True Qi, driving it toward Zhou Dazhi''s chest at an astonishing speed amidst the swooshing sound. Thud. The sharp blade silently pierced Zhou Dazhi''s chest. Shen Qing expressionlessly withdrew the dagger, leaving a bloody hole from which blood gushed forth like a spring. Having now advanced to the Qi Sea Realm, his True Qi was vigorous. Zhou Dazhi had no chance to defend; even with copper skin and iron bones, he stood no chance against Shen Qing. Zhou Dazhi never imagined Shen Qing would act so swiftly and recklessly, even in public, without any scruples. He staggered back a few steps and collapsed into the arms of the Zhou Family members, raising a trembling finger at Shen Qing and stammering, "You... you..." Bang! Shen Qing flicked his finger, sending a burst of blazing True Qi that struck Zhou Dazhi''s throat, causing his neck to explode like a blooming rose. The hand pointing at him fell lifelessly. "Ah, murder! The dispatcher committed murder!" The Zhou Family members descended into chaos. Someone shouted, "You killed a Zhou Family member in front of so many people for no reason, do you think our Zhou Family in Jun City will let you off?" "Then let them come." Shen Qing quickly replied, "Do you think, if I were to wipe you all out, would the Zhou Family in Jun City stand up for you dead ones? If you''re secretly colluding with demons, endangering the Great Zhou, do you think the Zhou Family in Jun City would risk getting involved?" Shen Qing held up his blade, chest high, and said, "Rest assured, I''ve got experience with wiping out entire families." The Zhou Family members were dumbstruck! Shen Qing turned his head to the throng of onlookers and said, "Ladies and gentlemen, I am Shen Qing of the Guardian Martial Department, here to investigate the matter of the Wolf Demon in Changqiao Town. Upon investigation, the Changqiao Zhou Family secretly bred demons using the residents of the town in pursuit of longevity. According to the laws of the Great Zhou, such heinous acts warrant the extermination of three clans." Upon hearing this, the crowd gasped. "What?! The Wolf Demon was brought here by the Zhou Family, and they even kept it in the town?!" The Zhou Family members turned pale as paper, "Nonsense! This is just an excuse for murder!" Shen Qing, unfazed, said, "If the crowd doesn''t believe me, I invite you to take a look at a small house on the mountain over there, and you''ll naturally see the truth. Otherwise, where do you think this Wolf Demon came from?" Shen Qing''s voice suddenly rose several pitches, "Do any of you Zhou Family members have the eyes for justice? Do the laws even exist in your eyes?" The Zhou Family wanted to argue further, but suddenly a farmer in the crowd shouted, "Exactly them. Old Third Liang''s family returned, they were all forcibly taken by your Zhou Family to feed the demons, they told me!" The Zhou Family knew deep down if they had colluded with demons. With all the evidence presented, they couldn''t utter a word. Shen Qing glanced at the trembling Zhou Family members, then looked at the angry yet hesitant townspeople of Changqiao. He knew he only needed to nudge a bit more. From his experience, as long as the current interests of these bystanders weren''t harmed, Whoever wins, they will support! With this in mind, Shen Qing raised the knife and shouted, "I am Shen Qing, ordered to eliminate demons! Today, with the Zhou Family in Changqiao colluding with demons, the entire family should be killed! Kill!" Shen Qing''s voice was strong, like a giant wave of the deep sea, filling the entire space. "Ah!" Screams echoed endlessly. Faced with Shen Qing, who had now risen to the Qi Sea Realm, those from a small town, even if trained in martial arts, couldn''t compare to him. The scene turned into a one-sided slaughter. After Shen Qing killed the three Zhou Family young masters and a group of martial masters, the situation became clear. The onlookers began to stir, finally rushing towards the Zhou Family Mansion, claiming justice, as if a dam had burst. Watching this, Shen Qing felt a sense of d¨¦j¨¤ vu. After everyone had rushed into the estate, Shen Qing lagged a step behind, walking in leisurely. Upon entering the Zhou Family estate, it had become chaotic, with its former grandeur gone. He consciously searched for Zhou Family members in the courtyard, intending to give them a proper ending. When Shen Qing reached a room, he unexpectedly found a delicate-skinned woman kneeling and begging for mercy upon seeing him. Seeing the woman''s submissive demeanor aroused Shen Qing''s suspicion. He thought she might intentionally be found to protect her child, so to be safe, he searched the room thoroughly. As expected, he found a bewildered boy in a cabinet. Filled with compassion and unable to bear such scenes of separation, Shen Qing reunited them. After bustling for over half a Shi Chen, and taking some silver notes and taels, ensuring no hidden threats remained, Shen Qing skinned two Wolf Demons and mounted his horse. He had already muddled the matter of Zhou Baoyin; barring unforeseen incidents, none would speak for these dead ones. In fact, from what he knew, their dispatch office often caused others to meet ruin, only this time, he went a bit further. Shen Qing glanced back at the flaming estate indifferently. He would leave the rest to his colleagues in the Military Department, they understood the rules. "Giddy up!" Shen Qing spurred his horse, riding out of Changqiao Town, heading home. Not far from town, he saw a frail little girl in tattered clothes joyfully running towards him, holding a chipped porcelain bowl and looking bright, "Officer, have some tea." Shen Qing reined in his horse and asked, "You waited for me?" "Yes, my parents said you''re our family''s savior, sent me to see you off." The girl dug out two warm eggs from her pocket, "My mom cooked these, officer, take them for the road." Looking at the innocent, pure girl, Shen Qing, after a brief silence, suddenly laughed heartily, taking the bowl and drinking it all, "Great tea!" At this moment, he felt a sense of clarity and joy. S§×arch* The N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Returning the bowl to the girl, Shen Qing pocketed the eggs and galloped off. "Thank your parents for me, giddy up!" The little girl unexpectedly found two gold beans in her bowl, shining under the sunset. Looking up hurriedly, watching Shen Qing''s departing figure, she murmured, "This officer is really nice." Chapter 212 - 38: Reporting Back ``` The mountains stretched endlessly, draped in the sky''s crimson sunset like a brocade, painting the horizon a vibrant orange. The setting sun, as red as blood, slowly sank among the undulating mountains. A steed, like a black streak of lightning, raced down the winding path, its hooves clattering sharply and breaking the mountain''s silence. Shen Qing dressed in a tight, muscular outfit, his clothes fluttering in the wind. He gripped the reins tightly with one hand, his face showing a touch of dusty ruggedness. At this moment Shen Qing''s gaze changed, he noticed a drop of ink falling from above in his vision, spreading into lines of text, popping up a skilled reminder. [Skill: Riding (Small Success)] [Progress: 301/300 points] [Status: Can be Improved] [Note: After continuous practice, your understanding of riding has been further enhanced. After mastering riding, your riding speed can increase by up to 100%, and you will learn the "technique of concealing oneself while stepping."] "Huh? Riding speed increases by 100%, the technique of concealing oneself while stepping?" "An increase in speed means I can travel further with less time, and the ''technique of concealing oneself while stepping'' could confuse the perception of ordinary people, not bad." Shen Qing murmured to himself. Seeing that the conditions for upgrading were met, he crouched on the horse''s back, without hesitation, he focused his consciousness on the Water Ink Panel, "Riding, Upgrade!" The familiar process occurred once more. As soon as Shen Qing had this thought, the information on the Water Ink Panel refreshed immediately. [Skill: Riding (the level of mastery)] [Progress: 1/400 points] [Status: Cannot be Improved] [Note: Your riding has reached the level of mastery. You can ride your steed more skillfully, with a maximum predicted speed increase of 100%, and proficiently perform the "technique of concealing oneself while stepping."] Riding reached the level of mastery. Shen Qing skillfully collected his thoughts, holding his breath. As usual, a vast amount of memories flooded into his brain, making his head instantly heavy. Shen Qing quickly took a deep breath, steadying his mind. In the additional memories, he practiced day after day, gradually gaining a deeper understanding of the horse''s capability and mastering more advanced riding techniques. Once all discomfort in his head vanished, Shen Qing slowly sat up, realizing that riding had become even smoother for him without knowing it. He turned back towards Changqiao Town, now out of sight, and took a warm egg from his bulging chest pocket. Sitting on horseback, he leisurely peeled the eggshell and took a bite. He stuffed the remaining egg white into his mouth and ate one more. Shen Qing''s face showed a hint of satisfaction, with a slight smile. "Giddy-up!" Unconsciously, Shen Qing tightened his grip on the horse''s belly, Zhuifeng shot like a black arrow released from a bow. After spending two moments, by the time the night fell and all was silent, Shen Qing finally arrived in front of Yongzhou''s majestic city gates. By this time, the entry hours to Yongzhou had passed, and the city gates were closed. A few lanterns hanging under the city gates swayed in the wind, casting fragmented and variegated shadows. The guards, who were carrying long spears, noticed the sound of horse hooves, immediately fell silent, and shouted, "Who goes there?" Shen Qing pulled the reins to slow down and approached the city gate. He retrieved a token from his chest and showed it to the city gate guards: "Guardian Martial Department dispatch office, Shen Qing. I am here under orders to investigate the demon havoc in Changqiao Town, delaying my entry time. I hope you brothers will do me a favor and open the gate." The guards quickly exchanged glances; then one of them stepped forward, respectfully took the token, carefully inspected it, and immediately signaled the others with a wave to let him through. The heavy city gate slowly opened with a low creaking sound. One had to admit, Yongzhou was indeed a county town; entering the city didn''t involve so many trifling rules. Shen Qing smiled slightly, nodded to the guards in thanks, and then rode into the city smoothly. At this hour, many offices in the county town had already finished duties for the day. Yet, as many demons liked to cause trouble late at night, the Guardian Martial Department, like the Military Department, had someone on duty even late at night. Shen Qing didn''t want to leave any excuse for talk, so he went directly to the Guardian Martial Department to report back, changing today''s duty token. County City Guard Martial Arts Department Office. Compared to the day''s busyness and noise, the Guardian Martial Department appeared much quieter at night. Only a dim candlelight glowed from the duty room, indicating there were still people on duty within the Guardian Martial Department. The night was like ink, all was silent. Shen Qing walked briskly through the empty courtyard, sounding rhythmic footsteps. He stepped into the side chambers, and the weak airflow he stirred made the candlelight flicker within, with the light and shadow scattered. A minor official inside was leaning against the table, engrossed in reading a yellowed magazine. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Sensing someone entering, the minor official promptly put down the book and, seeing Shen Qing, complained: "Shen Chasi, why did you return so late today? The Chief Officer said he was waiting for your report." Hearing this, Shen Qing chuckled, pulling out his duty token and handing it over, saying: "When did our Lord Chief Officer become so diligent?" "Isn''t it all because of the Lord Commander?" The minor official took the duty token, saying, "Now, for some reason, the demons around Yongzhou seem to be increasing, and the Lord Commander gave our Lord quite a bit of pressure, leaving the Chief Officer no choice. But since it''s quite late, you can report back tomorrow. It won''t matter." Shen Qing lightly patted the minor official''s shoulder, smiled, and said, "I''ll handle it myself." After dealing with the duty token, Shen Qing hurried away from the side chambers, returned to his horse, picked up the three Wolf Skin sheets, and headed straight to the Chief Officer''s room. He knew his superior was quite suspicious, plus the superior''s affiliation with the Yellow Heaven Sect, he didn''t know what tricks might be at hand, so he had better not provoke them to avoid trouble later. He should just carry out his dispatch office duties step by step. If told to report back, he would report back without giving anyone any pretext. The inner chamber of the Chief Officer was brightly lit. Shen Qing stood at the door, planning to knock, but paused as he heard the sounds of female company inside, deciding to stand quietly outside. He heard the actions inside growing bolder. After about less than a stick of incense, following a climactic sound, everything abruptly ceased. Shen Qing frowned, feeling our Chief Officer seemed a bit weak. He stood outside for a while longer, confirming all was quiet, before stepping lightly forward and knocking on the carved wooden door, the clear sound ringing suddenly in the silent air. "Your subordinate Shen Qing, tasked with thoroughly investigating the Wolf Demon issue in Changqiao Town, has come to report." His voice was not loud, but clear enough to be heard inside the room, reaching the ears of those within. Inside, a slight and hurried movement arose, seemingly because the unexpected message caused some panic amongst the people inside. After a while, the rustling gradually subsided, and a low yet authoritative male voice floated out from inside: "Come in." Hearing this, Shen Qing gently pushed open the wooden door. Stepping over the threshold, Shen Qing''s gaze swiftly surveyed the room''s furnishings, finally settling on Chief Officer Zheng Yuanqiu in an azure robe, whose face showed dissatisfaction. At this moment, Zheng Yuanqiu was seated at the table before him, candlelight flickering, casting his plump silhouette long against the mottled wall. Shen Qing took a step forward, bowed, and said, "My lord, fortunately, I did not fail you; I have investigated the Wolf Demon matter of Changqiao Town." Zheng Yuanqiu looked up and asked, "Tell us, what exactly is the situation?" ``` Chapter 213 - 39 Greedy and Insatiable ``` "Yes." On the way back to report, Shen Qing had already pondered his wording carefully. He paused for a moment, then slowly began to recount the story of the Zhou Family in Changqiao Town colluding with demons. In his narration, he conveniently attributed the deaths of Guan Yunjian and others to the Wolf Demon, ensuring no one could dispute it. Shen Qing speculated in his mind that as a hidden member of the Huang Tian Sect, Zheng Yuanqiu probably wished for nothing more than the deaths of his subordinates, as chaos in Yongzhou would suit him just fine. After all, the officers were merely regular Martial Artists to the Guardian Martial Department, and losing a few was hardly a concern. Martial Artists were plentiful outside. Just as he had speculated, Zheng Yuanqiu showed no concern for the death of the officers. "Outrageous!" After hearing Shen Qing''s story, Zheng Yuanqiu slapped the table and stood up, "As a local village chief, to dare collude with demons and wreak havoc, death is too light a punishment." Seeing Zheng Yuanqiu''s righteous stance, if he hadn''t known his identity beforehand, Shen Qing would have thought he was a truly upright official. Now, Shen Qing merely thought his acting was excellent. He stepped forward and said, "My Lord, they''ve heard that the village chief of Changqiao Town is a branch of the Zhou Family. I wonder..." Zheng Yuanqiu waved his hand and said, "The Zhou Family is large and prosperous. Who knows how many branches they have? The Changqiao Zhou Family left the main family so many years ago. Our Great Zhou has its laws, and since they colluded with demons, this act is enough to conclude their case according to reason." With feigned delight on his face, Shen Qing said, "With your words, my Lord, I am relieved." Zheng Yuanqiu gave a cold snort and said, "Don''t be too happy just yet." Hearing this, a barely discernible vigilance flashed in Shen Qing''s eyes, as he quietly awaited the continuation. "I said ''according to reason''... There are so many trivial matters in this government office that sometimes even the temperature of a bowl of tea can affect the progress of a case, let alone matters involving prominent figures like the Thirteen Lines." Chief Officer Zheng Yuanqiu lightly caressed the intricately carved Jade Pendant at his waist. His gaze subtly lingered on Shen Qing, carrying a few hidden meanings: "This matter can be big or small; it all depends on whether the Zhou Family wants to make it a big deal. If they decide to pursue it, I can''t say whether you''ll live or die." Shen Qing had an inkling of Zheng Yuanqiu''s intentions, and with a somber expression, he asked, "What does my Lord think I should do?" Zheng Yuanqiu wasn''t very satisfied with Shen Qing''s performance. He had said so much, yet Shen Qing still didn''t get it. "We need to take preventative measures and make arrangements with the Zhou Family in advance, establishing good relations." He tapped the table, speaking with a worldly and sly tone: "Don''t you know the rules of our government office?" S§×ar?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. His gaze intentionally or unintentionally skimmed over Shen Qing''s money pouch, the meaning in his eyes unmistakable. Shen Qing understood in his heart¡ªhe was asking for money! He had long heard from other colleagues that Zheng Yuanqiu had a special fondness for amassing wealth, as mentioned in the Huang Tian Sect''s secret ledger. Today, he witnessed it firsthand, openly asking for it without any pretense. Shen Qing, grasping the nuances, said, "The Chief Officer makes a valid point." Saying this, he took out a bundle of silver notes from his bosom and presented them with both hands: "To the Lord, these are the silver notes and gains I confiscated from the Zhou Family. I hope they bring you joy." Zheng Yuanqiu''s fingers formed a slight cup. Shen Qing only felt a force pulling the silver notes from his hands into Zheng Yuanqiu''s grasp with a rustling sound. "I recall you mentioned you also slew three Wolf Demons?" Zheng Yuanqiu asked with a hint of anger in his voice. Shen Qing nodded, "To the Chief Officer, there were indeed three Wolf Demons. I''ve stripped their pelts and left them outside." "What about the Demon Cores? Do you intend to keep them?" Zheng Yuanqiu''s voice wasn''t loud, but every word carried an undeniable authority. As he finished speaking, a mighty presence surged from within Zheng Yuanqiu, filling the space like an invisible wave. More accurately, it fell upon Shen Qing. Instantly, Shen Qing''s face changed dramatically. He felt an indescribable weight descend from the heavens, as if ten thousand mountains pressed down upon his shoulders, causing his spine to groan under the immense burden, bending slowly. Shen Qing''s feet sank deeply into the ground''s stone slabs, which couldn''t withstand the force and emitted faint, clear cracking sounds. He gritted his teeth, clenching his fists tightly as his nails dug into his palms, with all his True Qi involuntarily circulating to resist the mighty force. The candlelight on the long table flickered violently, as if it might extinguish at any moment, and a tense atmosphere of ready conflict pervaded the space. Shen Qing knew Zheng Yuanqiu''s strength was formidable. Already at the Dan Realm, his True Qi had taken form, becoming a True Elixir, far beyond what he could contend with. He hadn''t expected the man to turn hostile so suddenly. Shen Qing took a deep breath, looking gravely at Zheng Yuanqiu, and after some deliberation, he tremblingly took out two Demon Cores, offering them in his hands: "To the Chief Officer, here are the Demon Cores." As he spoke, Shen Qing slowly opened his palm, where a faint glow gathered¡ªa Demon Core obtained from slaying two Wolf Demons. Zheng Yuanqiu saw this and finally looked satisfied. He nodded slightly, the oppressive force that enveloped Shen Qing dissipating as if it had never existed. "Shen Chasi indeed knows what''s important." Zheng Yuanqiu''s voice returned to its usual calmness: "You''re just an ordinary civilian, incomparable to those sons and daughters of nobles. You have only me to rely on. In the future, you must be more self-aware, understand the rules, and don''t force me to be so blatant with you. It makes things difficult for both you and me." "Yes, my Lord, I shall remember." Shen Qing carefully raised the Demon Cores with both hands, and Zheng Yuanqiu waved a sleeve to take them. "Rest assured, I won''t take your things for nothing. In the future, when facing these prominent figures, you need not be anxious; I will bear the burdens for you." Unable to bear it, Shen Qing inwardly mocked, that''s only if I survive, right? He had no real interest in Zheng Yuanqiu''s empty promises, but he maintained his subordinate''s instincts, appearing "grateful" and saying, "Thank you, my Lord." "It''s getting late. Do you have any other matters?" "No, I don''t." Zheng Yuanqiu said, "Then you may leave. I''ll compensate you for the matter of your officers another day. For now, manage on your own." "Yes, thank you, my Lord. I take my leave." "Leave the Wolf Demon pelts outside." Shen Qing nodded in agreement, bowing out the door with large steps. "Truly ungrateful," Zheng Yuanqiu grunted coldly at Shen Qing''s departing figure, "At least, he''s someone without a background and easy to handle. If he were one of those high-ranking family sons, I would have to waste more effort." ... Under the night sky, Shen Qing''s expression gradually turned cold, remaining silent. "Zheng Yuanqiu is truly insatiable. Other people have high-ranking family support to cope, but I have no one and must rely on myself. With such an appetite, I fear peace will elude me under him." "Moving forward, I must focus on progressing my Martial Arts cultivation. With strength to rely on, I will be secure." ``` Chapter 214 - 40: Big officials embezzle much, small officials embezzle less Three days later at the Guardian Martial Department Office. At this time, it was noon, and many officers who had gone out for patrol had already returned to the Guardian Martial Department courtyard to rest. When Shen Qing walked in from outside, the other group officers lounging in their rooms glanced at him repeatedly. Recently, the news that all of his subordinates had been wiped out had spread throughout the Guardian Martial Department Office, unsurprisingly becoming a topic of gossip during meals among the department. The already weak Sixth Group was left with only a commanding officer, and Shen Qing had even earned the nickname "Lone Rider." However, these colleagues from the Guardian Martial Department merely discussed it in private, making jokes during idle time, without deliberately mocking or jeering at Shen Qing as novels might depict. After all, along with the nickname "Lone Rider," the news of him slaying the Wolf Demon and exterminating the whole Changqiao Zhou Family had also spread. They knew he was a ruthless and decisive character. Therefore, when they met with Shen Qing, they generally kept a certain distance from him, not wanting to get too close and bring trouble upon themselves in the future. Shen Qing was gradually becoming isolated by other officers of the Guardian Martial Department. "Officer Shen, are you free? Come over for a cup of tea?" Shen Qing hadn''t walked far into the courtyard of the Guardian Martial Department Office when he suddenly heard a familiar voice. He looked in the direction of the sound and saw Dong Jing sitting in a small room, raising a cup to invite him. Without much thought, Shen Qing turned around, walked over, and sat down facing Dong Jing. The officers of Group One felt somewhat dissatisfied as they saw their leader being so courteous to Shen Qing. In their view, Group One was the strongest, Dong Jing''s cultivation was the highest, so what merit did Shen Qing, a poor outsider, bring to be able to sit on equal footing with their leader? But Dong Jing held considerable authority among them, and since their boss behaved this way, they had no complaints. Once Dong Jing waved his hand, these officers sensibly dispersed. Shen Qing did not mind and unabashedly picked up a bowl, poured himself a bowl of tea, and drank in large gulps. The amber-colored tea overflowed from the corners of his mouth. Within a single breath, he emptied the big bowl of cool tea. "Now that I patrol so many squares alone, I''m a bit parched," Shen Qing said with a laugh, placing the empty bowl on the table. "I hope Officer Dong won''t mind." Unconcerned, Dong Jing refilled his bowl and said, "This is tea from home. Officer Shen, drink as much as you like, there''s plenty here." "I was wondering why the tea over here tasted different from the one in my room. It turns out Officer Dong brought his own stash," Shen Qing said, lifting the bowl again, drinking a bit more slowly this time. Dong Jing chuckled and said, "Was the Chief Officer extorting you heavily when you came back from Changqiao Town?" Shen Qing was surprised: "You all know?" "Fatty Zheng''s greed and lechery are well known in our office. Except for Officer Yang from the Fifth Group, whom he favors, who among us hasn''t been extorted by him?" With a hint of displeasure in his voice, Dong Jing complained, "The group of officers who died in Taiping County before us went through the same thing. He just had to give us some face due to our family backgrounds, so it wasn''t as outrageous." Shen Qing feigned ignorance: "I thought it was just me." Then, he pondered for a moment and said while calculating, "If I count it carefully, the Chief Officer took seven hundred taels of silver notes, two Demon Cores, and three pieces of Wolf Skin from me. That amounts to nearly all my spoils from Changqiao Town." "Hiss..." Even Dong Jing couldn''t help but wince on behalf of Shen Qing. A single Demon Core had a starting price of nearly one thousand taels, which was even more expensive than those treasures from Baoyu Mountain. And while treasures from Baoyu Mountain were common, Demon Cores were not. Rarity drives up the price. Judging by the market in Yongzhou now, the price could only be higher, not lower. Calculating it this way, Fatty Zheng extorted nearly three thousand taels from Shen Qing in a single swoop. Such an amount, even in the eyes of someone from a high-ranking background like him, was a large fortune. "It seems our Chief Officer took advantage of your lack of backing to extort you heavily. According to the rules, we''re supposed to turn over half," Dong Jing concluded. "Your future days might be tough." Shen Qing let out a long sigh and said with a tone of resignation, "That''s the way of the world, there''s nothing I can do about it. I''ll just have to take it one step at a time." Yesterday, he accidentally learned that Zheng Yuanqiu had secretly sent people along with the Military Department to wrap up the matter with the Wolf Demon in Changqiao Town, sorting everything out thoroughly. Upon knowing that Shen Qing hadn''t kept anything for himself, Zheng indeed handled the Zhou Family affair personally. It was somewhat unexpected for Shen Qing. This hidden agent from the Huang Tian Sect had managed to rise to the position of General of the Army, not purely by luck¡ªhe was somewhat capable. Yongzhou contained hidden talents, and Shen Qing, lacking strength, dared not act rashly for now. Seeing Shen Qing''s sentiment, Dong Jing said nothing more. The state of affairs in Great Zhou was such that everyone aspired to climb higher. Once someone ascended and gained control over Great Zhou''s Martial Mechanism, they wouldn''t have to worry about any spiritual elixirs or the Yuan Pearl Technique. Besides wealth and glory, their Martial Arts Cultivation would improve, and they''d gain rare longevity. Even the small Dragon Court of the Capital City was almost filled with aristocratic families. If they were like that, what more of the lower-level officials? High-ranking officials took much, and lower-ranking ones took little. There wasn''t much choice. Dong Jing remembered something and said, "Officer Shen, I remember the tavern in Xinyi Square, Shen Ji, is your business, right?" "That''s my property, what''s up?" "It''s just a coincidence. I heard your dishes are quite unique. Tonight there''s a gathering, and my friends and two colleagues from the office plan to host a table there." Dong Jing offered, "I wonder if Officer Shen could join us for a drink?" Facing Dong Jing''s invitation, Shen Qing sank into contemplation. His desire for such social engagements wasn''t strong. In his view, spending too much time on these ineffective social interactions was less worthwhile than spending effort to improve his cultivation. However, after thinking it over, he decided to accept. S~ea??h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Dong Jing was from the Dong Family of the Thirteen Lines, and his friends were certainly either rich or noble. Such private gatherings weren''t open to just anyone in Yongzhou. With a bit of luck, he might overhear some information and intelligence that was otherwise difficult to learn about from outside. "Sure. I have heavy duties now, so I might finish late at night, and I could be a bit late when I come." "No worries. We''re starting late too. After the night shift, I''ll meet you, and we''ll go together." Shen Qing finished the remaining cool tea in one gulp, cupped his hands at Dong Jing and said, "Thank you for the hospitality, Officer Dong. We''ll talk later." "Busy yourself, Officer Shen." "By the way, the matter at Baihua Building has been taken care of already. No one will trace it back," Dong Jing added. Shen Qing''s expression turned serious; he cupped his hands solemnly in thanks and then turned to leave. Chapter 215 - 41 Thirteen Lines Rich Young Masters Circle As evening approached, Shen Qing, after completing his patrol of his section, returned to the government office. After handing over his duty token, he followed Dong Jing, and the two headed towards Xinyi Square. Dong Jing and Shen Qing rode side by side on their horses. "Brother Shen, do you know how we as officers can aim higher?" "I''m not quite sure," Shen Qing replied, shaking his head. In Yongzhou, with no backing or roots, no one guided him, and he acted solely on his instincts. Despite joining the Guardian Martial Department for three or four months and doing much work, he still felt restrained, with seemingly no progress. Currently, the Guardian Martial Department and the Military Department operated in parallel. One had the General of Military Department, the other the Commander of the Military Guard, each overseeing several officers, who in turn managed several patrol officers. Among them, the power of the General of Military Department was somewhat greater, compared to the Commander of the Military Guard, overseeing not just officers but also clerks, ledgers, and patrol officers. It was said that initially, both departments combined had over a thousand people. After personnel losses, they were never fully staffed again. In other words, there was still significant room for advancement. This was precisely what Dong Jing wanted to know. "Frankly speaking, our Guardian Martial Department doesn''t have so many twists and turns. The main thing is to look at each person''s cultivation progress, not just how many achievements they have." Shen Qing was taken aback, "Cultivation progress?" Dong Jing elaborated, "That''s right. In fact, it''s not just our Guardian Martial Department. Most of the Great Zhou Court operates this way. Consider this, if you achieve many merits and get promoted, gaining many Wish Power Pearls and spiritual elixirs, what if you are just a martial inept?" "If given so many resources for cultivation, yet you can''t even reach the Qi Cultivation Realm, wouldn''t that become a joke? If you don''t cultivate at all, and still get so many resources, what would happen?" Shen Qing thought of Wu Sheng''s business and frowned, "Would you sell it off or leave it for the next generation?" "Exactly. Regardless of whether it''s sold or left for descendants, both shake the foundation of the Ji Family and hinder their ancestral industries. So, advancement is still judged by the level of one''s Martial Arts cultivation." "The level of Martial Arts cultivation is the most direct measure. You either have it, or you don''t, and it''s clear at a glance." "So we must focus on Martial Arts first, achievements second; merely working hard won''t do," Dong Jing added with some depth, "You are just starting out; don''t seem too impatient, for rigidity easily breaks." Shen Qing frowned slightly, seemingly enlightened. He realized that Dong Jing was intentionally giving him pointers before he attended gatherings. "I appreciate the guidance," Shen Qing said with his hands cupped in respect. "We''ve arrived," Dong Jing remarked, looking at the crowded Shen''s Restaurant ahead, "Your business is booming. I had to book a spot three days in advance and even then had to raise the price." "Next time, if you folks come, just give me a heads-up. I can''t make decisions elsewhere, but here, my word carries some weight." The two arrived at the entrance, where a waiter, recognizing Shen Qing, respectfully came forward, "Boss, you''ve arrived." Shen Qing handed the reins to the waiter and led Dong Jing through the restaurant''s main entrance. Passing through the lobby, they went straight to a private room on the second floor. At this time, several figures were seated inside, chatting quietly. All dressed elegantly, even without engagement, it was evident they belonged to noble families. Shen Qing followed behind Dong Jing to the side of these people. Dong Jing stepped forward and introduced Shen Qing to the group one by one. In the room, there were a total of three men and two women who had arrived early. Among them, four were surprised to learn Shen Qing owned the restaurant and also worked at the Guardian Martial Department. A woman wearing a hairpin remarked, "If I remember correctly, there are no major Shen families in Yongzhou, right?" The man beside her nodded, "Perhaps there were long ago, but not anymore." At these words, Shen Qing immediately sensed that their interest in him waned significantly. In the Great Zhou, one''s status and family lineage had become ingrained prejudices. Despite holding a martial arts register and being an official, he was still deemed unworthy by these prominent family members. Like a nouveau riche lacking refinement, he remained looked down upon by other proprietors. Shen Qing''s expression remained calm as if he had somewhat anticipated this. After some casual chatter, three more individuals arrived shortly after. Among them was someone Shen Qing recognized: Xi Shaoqin from the fourth group. The latter showed slight surprise upon seeing him, then smiled and nodded. Dong Jing said, "Since everyone is here, why not take a seat and order? I''ve heard that Brother Shen''s restaurant serves dishes that can''t be found elsewhere, a rarity that we should definitely try today." "Haha, we came here today precisely for the unique dishes, so let''s find our seats quickly." These people were familiar with each other, and each took their seats in order of arrival. Shen Qing found himself silently placed at the end, with Xi Shaoqin from the fourth group similarly situated towards the back next to him. The man at the head of the table looked at Shen Qing, "Since it''s Lord Shen''s restaurant, why not let Lord Shen order for us, to see what''s special?" Shen Qing smiled, "I''m not particularly knowledgeable about the dishes; my family just uses my name. How about we go with the signature dishes for everyone to try? I find them quite good." "Then it''s decided; bring out each of the signature dishes." Shen Qing called a servant over and gave the order for the dishes. Before the dishes arrived, there was idle time, and the group began chatting in clusters. Sitting at the end for the first time, Shen Qing found no one intending to engage him. Once finished with other conversations, Xi Shaoqin noticed this. He asked Shen Qing, "Is this your first time attending such a gathering, Officer Shen?" Shen Qing had not expected Xi Shaoqin to initiate conversation. At the government office, they merely acknowledged each other, speaking perhaps only three sentences in total. Unsure of Xi Shaoqin''s intentions, he replied, "I haven''t attended before." "No wonder," Xi Shaoqin glanced surreptitiously at the man at the head of the table, "Do you know who he is?" "I don''t." "That''s the second in the Thirteen Lines, the legitimate young master of the Sun Family. At merely twenty, he has already reached the Yu Luo Realm, extraordinarily gifted. Everyone believes he might become a future innate of the Sun Family." A martial master at twenty and of the Yu Luo Realm? Shen Qing raised his eyes to scrutinize the young master of the Sun Family, noticing his sharp brows, eagle-like eyes, and graceful demeanor. He wore a deep blue Cloud Brocade Robe, a jade belt inlaid with gems at the waist, his hair tied up high with a jade hairpin. He indeed seemed extraordinary. "And then there are the Wu Family, Zhao Family, Qian Family, Dong Family... each one either a young master or a young lady, of noble birth, mostly hovering around the edges of the Yu Luo Realm, and at worst, at the Great Perfection of the Qi Sea Realm." Shen Qing suddenly realized he seemed to be the one with the lowest cultivation and the least privileged background among them. Xi Shaoqin keenly observed Shen Qing''s expression change, feeling slightly satisfied. This young officer, climbing from a small place to reach here, had indeed slain multiple demons and was quite remarkable, but compared to them, still fell short. He didn''t want Shen Qing to disrupt the atmosphere at the government office, causing trouble, and intended to use this to temper his arrogance. Not long after, the dishes were served, with the guests continuously toasting each other. "Oh, these dishes are really wonderful. I''ve never had such unique flavors. Lord Shen genuinely has something special." Shen Qing obliged with a smile, "As long as you all enjoy them." After a few more drinks, the atmosphere became more lively. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Knowing each other well, the group engaged in animated conversations in pairs and trios. Shen Qing noticed he seemed to be forgotten, left unnoticed. He increasingly found the gathering dull and a total waste of his time. Devoting this time to cultivation might have moved him along in his progress. Shen Qing griped to himself internally but chose not to disrupt the others'' enjoyment and ultimately decided to leave the gathering quietly. Xi Shaoqin, who was mingling cheerfully nearby, glanced at him but paid no mind and continued to joke with the others. Chapter 216 - 42 Refining the Blood Dominance Cultivation Technique Shen Qing had just left his seat when Dong Jing and Young Master Sun, after having their fill, suddenly remembered and looked toward the end of the table. The end of the table was empty, and Shen Qing''s trace had long disappeared. Dong Jing walked to Xi Shaoqin''s side, lowered his voice, and asked, "Where''s Shen Chasi?" "He, ah, left a while ago," Xi Shaoqin replied indifferently. Dong Jing''s intoxicated face sobered up a bit, "I was the one who invited him today. In our gathering, I should have involved him more. Ignoring him like this makes me appear somewhat rude." Xi Shaoqin raised his eyebrows slightly. He was born into the Xi family of Yongzhou, not of the direct lineage, but still from a high-ranking family. He had attended many such gatherings. In his eyes, such gatherings were not suited for someone like Shen Qing, from a humble background. He already had reservations about Dong Jing inviting Shen Qing, and being so attentive made him even more displeased. "Do you think highly of him, and secretly have a good relationship with him?" asked a young woman sitting nearby, taking the initiative to speak up as she noticed the subtle atmosphere. The young woman was in her early twenties, with shoulders as if carved, a waist as if it had been planned, and her legs as straight as chopsticks, revealing a well-trained elegant curve. "No, not really," Dong Jing shook his head and said, "I see him as someone without parents, an outsider who managed to settle in the county town and even squeezed into the government office. He''s got some skill, and I want to make his acquaintance." "What''s so good about associating with someone like that? Even if he becomes a Chasi, with that scant official salary, he can''t compare with us in cultivation resources. The gap in cultivation will only widen, and he''s not destined to be like us." "Exactly. If you ask me, why bother trying to associate with someone like that? When you advance in your cultivation and ascend to success, he will naturally come to fawn over you. There''s no need for you to be so attentive." Xi Shaoqin had long admired the two young ladies from the Wu family and the Qian family. Both were not lacking in martial arts skills and appearance. If he could deepen his connection, it could possibly lead to further development and significantly benefit his ascension. Seeing one of them speak, he chimed in, drawing the approval of many. Sitting at the head of the table, Young Master Sun spoke, "Xi Chasi makes a lot of sense. I used to know someone with good sight but a humble background. Initially, when interacting with him, he was very aloof, indifferent to me, and even sneered at my status. Later, upon seeing my cultivation continuously breaking through and surpassing his, he changed his attitude and wanted to get close to me." "From that point on, I realized that people from such origins fear power, not virtue, have small courtesies but lack righteousness. You must train them like training dogs. Never let them take an inch further." "That''s true," everyone nodded, "After all, our preferences and habits have been different from theirs since childhood. Forcing associations, surpassing them in cultivation, easily incites envy. Cultivation lower than theirs makes them secretly despise us. Difficult to please." "Yes, yes," another woman added, "I have a relative just like you, fond of associating with people of humble origins. At first, the two got along well, but later, due to neglect of cultivation, fell behind that acquaintance. As a result, during an outing, he was ridiculed. My relative couldn''t endure it and started a quarrel, eventually losing his life. Truly lamentable." "..." Seeing his friends bringing up real-life examples after another sobered Dong Jing greatly. Having climbed and crawled in the Guardian Martial Department for a while, he had seen many people and events and knew not everything they said was false. Many from humble beginnings had perspectives completely different from theirs and often became agitated over minor matters, not aligning with their worldviews. But from his observations, Dong Jing found Shen Qing slightly different from the bottom-level people they had met. If his guess was right, Shen Qing had quietly broken through to the Qi Hai Realm with some technique from somewhere, and his cultivation speed clearly was catching up with theirs. Such a relationship being abruptly severed would be too unfortunate. Seeing Dong Jing''s hesitant look, Young Master Sun laughed and said, "If Dong Cha doesn''t want to cut ties like that, just reduce interactions in the future, give him some benefits occasionally to maintain it. After some time, when your cultivation advances, he''ll naturally come to you. No need to burden yourself." Dong Jing glanced at everyone and then outside the private room. On one side were long-time friends, and on the other was a "Lone Rider Chasi" with a humble origin. There was almost no comparison between the two. In an instant, Dong Jing made his decision, poured himself a full glass, and laughed loudly, "Let''s not talk about that ''Lone Rider Chasi.'' Let''s drink." "Come on, cheers." When curfew time approached, the gathering wrapped up. S§×ar?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Waiter, come here to settle the bill," Dong Jing shouted with a big gesture. In a moment, a servant came running with a beaming smile and said, "Gentlemen, our boss is treating everyone for the sake of Dong Cha''s friendship." "Friendship?!" Dong Jing was slightly stunned. ... "Qingzi, you''re back?" After the gate of the small courtyard was opened, Shen Qing stepped in from outside. He turned around and closed the gate again, saying casually, "Sister, didn''t you go to the restaurant to help today?" "There''s uncle and aunt at the restaurant, they don''t need me. If there''s no one at home, there''s no one to look after you when you return, so they let me come back." Elder sister Shen Fang sat on a chair, embroidering by the light of a lantern. As she embroidered, she asked, "Have you eaten? If not, I''ll heat some food for you." "I ate at the restaurant, take a rest," Shen Qing walked over, lowered his head for a look, and found that Shen Fang was embroidering a pair of mandarin ducks, surprisingly lifelike, "Sister, when did you master this embroidery skill?" Shen Fang blushed, "Hey, don''t worry about that." Seeing Shen Fang''s blushing ears in the candlelight, Shen Qing stopped teasing. Counting the days, his elder sister was already twenty years old. In these parts, that''s considered an advanced age. Could this be a little romantic thought? Shen Qing refrained from asking more and turned to his own room. Tonight''s gathering hadn''t felt that pleasant, but it wasn''t entirely fruitless. "I still have to focus on advancing my cultivation to tread the right path." With a thought, a drop of ink fell from the top of Shen Qing''s vision, forming lines of text. [Skill: Blood Dominance Technique (Mastery)] [Progress: 403/900 points] [Status: Cannot be advanced] The Blood Dominance Technique was a cultivation method obtained by breaking the limit of nine kinds of stance training, primarily to strengthen Qi-Blood and restore physical strength. Before reaching the Qi Hai Realm, one must say this technique was quite good, as it offset the side effects of using the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill. But after breaking through to the Qi Hai Realm, it seemed somewhat lacking, unable to repair True Qi, making it a bit pointless. Perhaps it was time to find a related technique beneficial for True Qi, to reforge the points from the Blood Dominance Technique. Shen Qing began to ponder, considering and weighing his options. Chapter 217 - 43: Six Paths Whale Swallowing Technique, True Qi Surges! ``` Without much hesitation, Shen Qing quickly made a decision. To him, a useless cultivation technique was as good as nothing; keeping the points in it was a waste. It was better to cleanse these points and apply them where they could be useful. The Blood Dominance Technique originated from the Nine Skills, but even the Nine Skills were not considered mainstream in the Martial Arts of the Martial World. Reaching such a degree was already beyond his expectations; it was time for a change. "Huh..." Shen Qing took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and used the "Never Forget" ability to recall all the martial arts he had learned in the Martial Arts Hall that day. Then, using the "studying and inquiring, integrating and understanding" ability, he quickly made a choice, selecting three martial arts somewhat related to the Nine Skills. These three martial arts could significantly enhance True Qi and had some foundational links with the Nine Skills'' stance training, making them suitable for cleansing the Blood Dominance Technique. Shen Qing considered the three martial arts, ultimately choosing one called the "Six Paths Whale Swallowing Technique." This martial art emphasized "True Qi swallowing like a whale, rapid refinement, recovery like tides, and perpetual life." Cultivating this technique enabled one to absorb nature''s spiritual energy from the surrounding environment like a whale swallowing the ocean, refining it at speeds several or even tens of times faster than ordinary people. It could greatly shorten the recovery time, allowing the cultivator to rapidly replenish True Qi during combat. Furthermore, thanks to its unique cultivation pathway, when cultivated to the extreme, it, combined with a robust ability to refine nature''s spiritual energy, allowed one to self-heal from both external and internal injuries at an astonishing speed. In life-and-death struggles, this was almost like having a second life. It was quite profound. The only significant drawback was its difficulty in practice. You must know that the martial arts of the Zhou Country Court were already the culmination of wisdom from countless martial masters, simplifying them for easier entry. If a martial art was said to be difficult in the court, it meant that it was truly difficult, and not just a little bit challenging. But then again, this martial art being part of the Zhou Country''s armory, becoming a part of the Martial Mechanism, meant it had genuine value, not like those Martial Arts of the Martial World, hard to practice and devoid of power. For Shen Qing, since he could learn the difficult Sky Flipping Seal, this martial art was naturally within his reach. Difficulty wasn''t a problem; with the Panel on his side, he just needed to allocate points. Shen Qing committed all the essentials of the Six Paths Whale Swallowing Technique to memory, then opened his eyes and began Entry Level training. He took a deep breath, then exhaled slowly in two long and one short breath. A solid stream of breath formed a white thread in the void. Time passed bit by bit, nearing midnight. Shen Qing sat cross-legged on the bed, gradually surrounded by a faint glow, a sign of gradual Entry Level in the Six Paths Whale Swallowing Technique. Shen Qing closed his eyes, concentrating as he silently recited the obscure incantation, trying to guide the surrounding nature''s spiritual energy into his body, slowly refining it according to the Six Paths Whale Swallowing Technique''s circulation route. However, this very first step was exceedingly difficult. Shen Qing only felt an invisible barrier across his flesh, obstructing this unique circulation route. As time passed, sweat gradually seeped from Shen Qing''s forehead, and his face paled. He could feel that the True Qi, which should have submitted gently to him, was now as hard as stubborn stones, ignoring him. Each attempt to guide it felt like trying to pry a giant rock with a fine needle, not only ineffective but also further exhausting his spirit. After an unknown period, relying on the vast amount of refined True Qi, Shen Qing forced a tiny shift, barely circulating it a complete cycle before dawn. Just this one circulation felt like running a marathon to Shen Qing, utterly exhausting, truly befitting a difficult technique. [Skill: Six Paths Whale Swallowing Technique (Entry Level)] [Progress: 1/500 points] [Status: Cannot be improved] [Note: Difficult for those who cannot, easy for those who can. This is an extremely difficult martial art, but perseverance brings mastery, constant practice must yield results.] "Entry Level?" Just as Shen Qing let out a long breath, the Water Ink Panel immediately sent a Red Ink reminder: {Detected similar martial art "Blood Dominance Technique," cleanse, extract, and allocate these points to fill the new martial art?} "Yes!" {Blood Dominance Technique cleansing successful, extracted 100+200+300+400+500+600+700+800+403... totaling 4003 points.} {Allocate to the Six Paths Whale Swallowing Technique?} Without hesitation, Shen Qing chose {Allocate}. Boom! The instant Shen Qing made the decision, a peculiar wave came from deep within the Dantian. With a low rumble, like a giant machine awakening from sleep, it slowly began to operate. In his field of vision, the points related to the Six Paths Whale Swallowing Technique continuously climbed, the status jumping from Entry Level to skillfully, then to Small Success. [Skill: Six Paths Whale Swallowing Technique (Small Success)] [Progress: 1003/2000 points] [Status: Cannot break through] [Note: Through relentless practice day and night, you finally reached Small Success with this technique. In the process, you comprehended the concept of "pouch," doubling your True Qi capacity without changing your body''s size.] "Pouch?" Shen Qing didn''t think much more, quickly calming his mind. Soon, countless memories of practice surged forth. This time, the memory was much more substantial than before, making Shen Qing feel as though he had practiced this technique for thirty to fifty years, leaving him mentally overwhelmed. As the memories surged, waterdrop-like blue marks appeared around Shen Qing''s Dantian, shining brightly, and his internal meridians underwent changes accordingly. A cold but pure True Qi surged out like a tide, directly rushing along the previously circulated pathway. Crack! S§×arch* The nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Suddenly, the invisible barrier across his flesh was shattered, allowing True Qi to flow unhindered, charging like an unbridled horse. Ignoring his mental fog, Shen Qing gritted his teeth, focusing all his energy, hurriedly grasping a trace of the True Qi''s rhythm and pace. Following this rhythm, he gently guided the rushing True Qi within his body. By dawn, Shen Qing quietly mastered this surging True Qi. At that moment, he seemed to hear the roaring sound of mighty True Qi flooding within him, experiencing an unprecedented power coursing through his body. The brilliance of dawn shone through the window onto Shen Qing''s face, making it appear translucent. After a night of relentless practice, he successfully mastered this martial art. A slight smile appeared on his lips as he suddenly activated the Six Paths Whale Swallowing Technique, instantly depleting the surrounding spiritual energy in a few breaths, causing a sudden surge of True Qi within. At this moment, Shen Qing discovered that the "pouch" around the Dantian began to shimmer with radiance, becoming ever more mystical, and his body started undergoing subtle changes... ``` Chapter 218 - 44: Transformation in Body Size, Xi Shaoqin Dies ``` After practicing the Six Paths Whale Swallowing Technique, Shen Qing''s muscles, which swelled like mountains, seemed to come alive and began to squirm under the stimulation of True Qi. His physique also underwent subtle changes amidst the squirming. This transformation was unlike the simple swelling and piling up he experienced when practicing the Blood Dominance Technique or the Wind Defying Finger. Instead, it began to refine and reshape. Shen Qing''s swollen muscles started to compress inward, becoming like cast bronze with smooth lines, and the power also seemed more restrained. After about ten breaths, this change finally ceased. Shen Qing looked down to examine himself, finding that his clothes had become loose and baggy. He knew that it was not the clothes that had grown larger, but that his physique had shrunk slightly and was no longer as robust and sturdy as before. Shen Qing sat up from the bed and raised his arm to clench his fist. He discovered that the explosive power hidden within his flesh and blood had not weakened in the slightest. Instead, it had been unprecedentedly strengthened during this transformation. Generally speaking, being more robust was not always better for a martial master, nor were bigger muscles preferable. Larger muscles meant more energy needed for daily maintenance, higher consumption, and therefore more difficulty improving one''s cultivation. Most people practicing Martial Arts did not rigidly train their muscles, aiming only for size. Some martial masters, upon reaching depths of their practice, would deliberately reduce their physique to conserve True Qi and energy. Shen Qing hadn''t expected that the Small Success of the Six Paths Whale Swallowing Technique would directly bring his body to such a status. It was an unexpected joy. A slight smile appeared on his face. At that time, the eastern sky brightened, and the courtyard was bustling with activity. Having not slept all night, Shen Qing did not feel the slightest bit tired. On the contrary, he felt better than ever, energetic, as if he had boundless strength. He pushed the door open and walked into the courtyard, as usual, to instruct Tian Xiaohu and the others in Martial Arts. During this period, after he provided them with Imperial Martial Arts, the three progressed swiftly in their cultivation. Xiao Zhi had begun Skin Forging, Tian Xiaohu was at Bone Refining, and even Shen Shan, who learned martial arts the latest, was at the Great Perfection of Qi-Blood and could stretch and strengthen his bones at any moment. In the serene courtyard bathed in the first light of dawn, the three rose early and practiced diligently facing the morning glow. Upon seeing Shen Qing, the three, as usual, began to take turns consulting him about their cultivation puzzles. "Boss, in my practice of the Mixed Element True Technique, which emphasizes the unity of the inner and outer, with True Qi circulating freely, I find an obstruction in my True Qi since Bone Refining. Do you know why?" Shen Qing''s figure stood as a gentle jade in the morning glow of the courtyard. Hearing this, he smiled faintly and said, "Xiaohu, the Mixed Element True Technique is profound, and True Qi obstruction might be due to an unsettled mind. Before practicing, you might try calming your mind in meditation, bringing your soul to peace, like a still lake, then True Qi can flow freely." Tian Xiaohu realized the truth upon hearing that. "Do you have anything else to ask?" "No." The three shook their heads in response. Shen Qing directed Tian Xiaohu, "Xiaohu, I''ve been patrolling several districts alone recently and am quite busy. Go into the city to see if you can find a reliable person to patrol the districts under my jurisdiction and inform me immediately of any signs of trouble." In recent days, he found that Zheng Yuanqiu had no intention of restructuring his subordinates, so he had to figure out a way during this gap period. Tian Xiaohu''s expression became stern as he replied, "Got it, I''ll take care of it today." Shen Qing reminded, "Money isn''t the issue, but the person must be reliable and not ruin things." Tian Xiaohu nodded heavily in agreement. ... In the following days, Shen Qing returned to his usual life of patrols and practice, living simply and steadily. However, beneath this serene life, Shen Qing keenly noticed that since that gathering, Dong Jing seemed to distance himself, intentionally or otherwise, from him and was no longer as enthusiastic as he had been. On ordinary occasions, when they met in the government office, it was always just polite nods and maybe a few formal exchanges at most. At first, he was puzzled, but upon hearing that Dong Jing now excluded him from gatherings with Xi Shaoqin and others, it became clear to him what was happening. He did not mind. People have their own aspirations, and relationships come and go¡ªit''s the norm. Different circles need not force integration. Instead of being caught up in the whirlpool of human warmth and coldness, he focused on enhancing his cultivation. Shen Qing quickly put the matter aside and devoted all his energy to practice. In no time, November arrived, and the weather grew colder. After completing his patrol, Shen Qing walked back to the Guardian Martial Department Office in warm cotton clothes and a large cloak, intending to hand over his duty token and leave. As he entered the office, he noticed a large group of people gathered in the courtyard, gesturing at something. Curious, he grabbed the arm of an officer and asked, "What''s going on?" The officer initially wanted to lose his temper, feeling a bit impatient, but upon seeing Shen Qing, he swallowed his complaints. "The officer of the fourth group died." Shen Qing''s expression changed: "You mean Xi Shaoqin, Officer Xi died? How did he just die like that?" "I''m not sure either. Everyone says it was the Cat Demon," the officer replied, pointing ahead. "The body is right here in the courtyard. Officer Shen can see for yourself. Do you have anything else, Officer Shen?" S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Shen Qing released his grip, his expression grave. The officer, released, cupped his hands and quickly departed. "Excuse me, let me through," Shen Qing said as he pushed forward, looking ahead, his face changing. The scene before him was startling and somewhat horrifying. The person who had recently sat beside him now lay on a makeshift wooden board in an indescribably gruesome posture. His innards had almost been entirely removed, leaving a hollow emptiness with only a large intestine hanging out. His entire body appeared to have been chewed up by something, with his face being almost unrecognizable, truly a pitiful sight. The assembled officers and colleagues of the Guardian Martial Department were all shocked by this tragic sight, filled with surprise, fear, conjecture, and bewilderment. For a time, discussions were rampant among the crowd. "How did Lord Xi end up this way?" an elderly officer asked in a trembling voice, disbelief filling his eyes. "Yes, I heard he was fine last night, so how did he end up like this overnight?" another colleague chimed in, his eyes wandering over Xi Shaoqin''s body. "Could it really be... that the Cat Demon harmed him?" "Nonsense! How can there be demons in this city? Besides, Officer Xi''s cultivation was strong; it must have been a person!" "... " Shen Qing stood among the crowd, saying nothing, observing coldly. Yongzhou no longer seemed as peaceful as before. "What do you think, now that the fourth group lacks an officer, what will happen? Will they promote from within or recruit someone from outside?" "That''s for the Chief Officer to decide; how would we know?" As they discussed, a underling came forward, found Shen Qing, and said, "The lord requests Officer Shen to come over." "The Chief Officer wants me?" Shen Qing recognized the underling as someone under the Chief Officer Zheng Yuanqiu. He did not slack off and directly cupped his hands, saying, "Lead the way." The underling nodded, "Officer Shen, please follow me." ``` Chapter 219 - 45: I Became the Leader of Group Four Guardian Martial Department''s main hall, usually the office of Chief Officer Zheng Yuanqiu. Chang Sui walked in with Shen Qing one after the other. As Shen Qing stepped into the back hall of the Guardian Martial Department, the heavy wooden door slowly closed behind him. Chang Sui stepped forward and said, "Shen Chasi, please. The master has been waiting in the inner room for some time." "Thank you." Shen Qing cupped his hands. He adjusted his tunic and strode toward the quiet room. Upon entering the quiet room of the main hall, Shen Qing immediately saw the calm and dignified face of Zheng Yuanqiu. At this moment, he was sitting upright at the desk, with sharp eyesight and furrowed brows, deep in thought. Shen Qing stepped forward and said steadily, "Lord Chief Officer, Shen Qing of the Sixth Group reports as ordered." Zheng Yuanqiu slightly raised his head, his gaze lingering on Shen Qing for a moment before he spoke: "Shen Qing, do you know why I summoned you urgently?" Shen Qing met Zheng Yuanqiu''s eyes without any hesitation, "I am not very clever, but I suspect it is related to the death of Xi Shaoqin, Xi Chasi." "Yes, you are somewhat perceptive." Zheng Yuanqiu nodded lightly, his tone becoming more serious: "After all, Xi Chasi was one of our Guardian Martial Department''s people, a legitimate official of the court. The Military Department has already taken over this matter." "But I heard that Xi Chasi''s death was related to a demon. If so, we can''t remain uninvolved; we still need to investigate thoroughly. Exterminating demons is our Guardian Martial Department''s duty." "You are decisive and exceptional in your actions on ordinary days. I intend to entrust this heavy responsibility to you. How about the position of Chasi for the Fourth Group, are you interested?" Making me the head of the Fourth Group? Upon hearing this, waves of unrest surged in Shen Qing''s heart. His first reaction was not of fortune but of the suspicion that there was something dodgy in this matter. Since his Sixth Group was depleted, Zheng Yuanqiu had never replenished the establishment and let him act as a "Lone Rider." Coincidentally, now Xi Shaoqin of the Fourth Group died, leaving a Chasi position vacant, and he was to fill this gap. Wouldn''t that mean the establishment of the Sixth Group is just being removed? Shen Qing remembered that the Chief Officer in front of him was a member of the Huang Tian Sect, and a few months ago, the Guardian Martial Department''s people who went to Taiping County were betrayed and killed by him. Now reducing the establishment felt like Zheng Yuanqiu was deliberately or unintentionally weakening the Guardian Martial Department, making it a feeble government office. It was known that apart from exterminating demons, the newly established Guardian Martial Department was responsible for seeking out and destroying rebels like the Huang Tian Sect. Was the Huang Tian Sect planning new moves? This is not ruled out. Moreover, the Cat Demon had been hiding in the Inner City for some time. Xi Shaoqin and his Fourth Group investigated for so long without any clues. It was an extremely troublesome adversary. He wasn''t confident he could resolve this matter. It was evidently a mess, and woe to whoever accepted it. In an instant, Shen Qing thought of many things, yet his face remained as calm as water, showing no expression. After a while, Shen Qing bent down, cupped his fists, looked at the ground, and said, neither humble nor overbearing: "Sir, I believe I am inadequate for this weighty task; I hope you can choose another talent." "I think Dong Jing, Dong Chasi of the First Group, and Xie Zongyong, Xie Chasi of the Second Group, are quite impressive; they should be able to handle this..." As Shen Qing spoke, he suddenly felt a shadow before him. He stopped talking and looked up. Only to see Zheng Yuanqiu, at some point, stood up from the chair and walked in front of him. "Do you refuse to accept?" Zheng Yuanqiu''s eyes were like a cold pool, deep and icy, those four words squeezed out from between his teeth, carrying a trace of questioning. Shen Qing looked up with unusually firm eyes; his Qi Sea within began to surge. The Six Paths Whale Swallowing Technique activated automatically, driving a vast amount of True Qi. He took a deep breath and continued: "Mr. Zheng, it is not that I refuse intentionally, but I truly have limited capability..." Before the words were finished, there seemed to be a subtle fluctuation in the air. An overwhelming pressure surged from Zheng Yuanqiu, enveloping Shen Qing. Shen Qing only felt his whole body like trapped in a swamp, even his breath turning heavy. Sear?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "You had better think carefully before answering," Zheng Yuanqiu said with a faint smile. Shen Qing squinted his eyes, itching to expose his secrets. But seeing that Zheng Yuanqiu hadn''t used his full strength, after a comprehensive consideration, he bowed his head and said: "Given your trust, sir, I ought to do my utmost to uncover the truth." The pressure surrounding him suddenly disappeared. Shen Qing immediately felt a lightness throughout his body. Zheng Yuanqiu smiled as he patted Shen Qing''s shoulder earnestly and said, "Good, I knew I hadn''t misjudged. As of today, you are now the Chasi of the Fourth Group of our Guardian Martial Department, leading all officers of the Fourth Group, and tasked with thoroughly investigating Xi Shaoqin''s related demon issues." Shen Qing took the command with a blank expression. "The rumor of the Cat Demon is increasingly rampant now. You have one month to clear up this demon, either slay it on the spot or capture it. Remember, no matter who is involved, investigate thoroughly without sparing. If you can''t manage it, you should resign voluntarily. Now get out and get busy!" Shen Qing opened his mouth, silently cupped his hands, and retreated. Once outside the main hall, the usually composed Shen Qing couldn''t help but show a trace of anger on his face. Fine, fine, fine, thinking that I have no background and am easy to bully, huh. Shen Qing took out from his pocket the incriminating letter Zheng Yuanqiu had written to the Huang Tian Sect, his face turning fierce. Hope you don''t blame me when the time comes. He kept the letter close, putting away those thoughts. ... In the courtyard of the Guardian Martial Department, Shen Qing sat at the main seat, summoning the former Fourth Group''s officers over. They had received the order and knew this young man before them was to be their next Chasi, whom they would work under. Shen Qing looked at these people, they mostly had indifferent expressions, with eyes somewhat disdainful, which he had anticipated. Although not from aristocratic families like the Thirteen Lines, they weren''t purely from the lower class, so naturally, they wouldn''t show any friendly faces to this outsider. Shen Qing did not care about this; he had no expectations from them. "Lord Chief Officer has ordered us to find the demon behind Xi Chasi''s murder within a month. If we fail to do so, all of us shall be dismissed. Henceforth, you must be extremely diligent and strive to investigate. Do you understand?" As these words fell, there was a slight reaction on everyone''s face, and they responded sparsely. "Haven''t eaten?" Shen Qing shouted, True Qi surged through him, revealing a sharp momentum. The Fourth Group officers in the room immediately felt a chill in their hearts. This cultivation level was the Qi Hai Realm!!! They suddenly realized that Shen Qing seemed different from the image of Chasi they had imagined. Some quick-thinking officers immediately changed their attitude, responding repeatedly, "Understood!" "Understood, now go investigate," Shen Qing said with a sharp gaze. The group exchanged glances, then successively left to investigate the demons in the city. Chapter 220 - 46: Investigation, Deadlocked ``` "Boss, it''s here." Shen Qing stood in front of a residential building with an officer. "The first carpenter in the city to die at the hands of a demon died in this house," the officer said respectfully. This officer''s name was Ji Youwu, a small merchant''s son from Yongzhou City. Since childhood, he practiced martial arts and mingled with gangs, and he eventually paid a sum to secure a position in the Guardian Martial Department as an officer, which allowed him to eat official food. Among the many officers in the fourth group, his background was not impressive, nor was his cultivation high, but he was known for his cleverness. After Shen Qing became their Xi Chasi of the fourth group, Ji Youwu didn''t resist much and continued to energetically investigate cases as instructed. After several trials, Shen Qing found him handy and handed over many clues to him for tracking. "Let''s go in and take a look." Shen Qing took a step forward and lightly placed a hand on the door, giving it a gentle push. The door was unlocked, and as it creaked open to both sides, a layer of white dust fell off. Inside the house, it was deathly silent. At first glance, the interior was covered in a thick layer of dust, and the light from outside filtered through dense cobwebs, casting dappled shadows on the ground. It seemed as though it had been uninhabited for a long time, the air heavy with a damp, musty smell that made Shen Qing involuntarily wrinkle his nose. He held onto his long knife and entered first, Ji Youwu following closely behind. The clean official boots stepped on the ground, stirring up circles of dust that floated in the beams of light coming through the windows. "The carpenter died here about two months ago, right?" Shen Qing asked as he investigated the surroundings. Ji Youwu replied, "Specifically, seventy-eight days ago. This carpenter died after having his heart and liver removed. The demon must have cut open his belly while he was still alive, then ate from the inside out, until only half of his body remained." "So, this person watched himself being eaten alive?" "More or less." Shen Qing looked around. The room wasn''t large; a quick glance and everything came into view. Apart from the cobwebs and dust, there was nothing else¡ªabandoned for a long time. However, a dry bloodstain on the floor was quite conspicuous. Shen Qing walked towards the bloodstain, examining it closely. He saw that there was only one bloodstain and no large splatters, indicating that the carpenter was either hanging or standing while being eaten. There were no other footprints on the ground, which suggested that the demon either had high-level spiritual wisdom to cover its tracks or had the means to float. Either scenario indicated that this demon in the city was an extremely troublesome character. "Whose house is this?" "It''s the Zhou family''s." Shen Qing raised an eyebrow, immediately alert. "Specifically, this was a place under the main house''s steward of the Zhou family. After the steward died last year, the house has been vacant ever since," Ji Youwu explained in detail. Shen Qing asked, "Did this carpenter have any connection to the Zhou family?" "No," Ji Youwu replied. "The carpenter was just a lowly worker living in the Outer City, unlikely to have any ties to the Zhou family, who were at the top of the Thirteen Lines." "Have you investigated how the Cat Demon rumor started?" "During the recent demon cases in the city, we secretly found that each time a murder happened, people around heard an eerie cat sound. So everyone thinks the demon is a Cat Demon." Shen Qing remained silent, seriously observing the room again before saying, "Let''s go ask this carpenter''s family if there''s anything unusual." "Yes." ... In the Outer City. Shen Qing rode a tall horse, surveying the continuous view of the Outer City streets. Compared to Taiping County''s Outer City, Yongzhou''s was similarly rundown and cramped, but seemingly more orderly. He and Ji Youwu walked to a somewhat noisy street area, the air thick with the market smell of mixed cakes and rotten cabbage leaves. People were either wrapped in heavy coats or tucked their necks, moving hazily through the rising smoke. Shen Qing, in his official robe and cloak, stood out somewhat awkwardly in this market scene. Soon, they led their horse into a dining venue. "Boss lady, two bowls of noodle soup and a plate of offal, please." Shen Qing tossed the reins to Ji Youwu and chose an empty seat to sit down. After tying up the horse, Ji Youwu sat beside Shen Qing. After a while, a half-grown child followed a woman, both bringing the braised offal and noodle soup to Shen Qing. Smiling apologetically, the woman said, "Enjoy your meal, sirs." Shen Qing nodded slightly, drawing out his chopsticks to eat the hot soup noodles. Nowadays, he managed his energy consumption better, needing less food, and with the refinement of True Qi, his demand for common grains decreased greatly. Ordinarily, he preferred foods or medicinal soups containing vital essence to maintain or enhance his cultivation. However, occasionally he indulged in small eateries to satisfy his taste cravings. Shen Qing looked up and noticed the dining venue seemed rather somber. Not that there were no people¡ªit was noon, and many came to eat¡ªbut it was unusually quiet, distinct from the lively scene in Yongzhou Inner City. The people here just ate quietly, neither sad nor joyful, displaying an apathetic demeanor. With his presence and their knowledge of his Guardian Martial Department status, people were even more silent. Some timid ones hastily ate, left some copper coins on the table, and quickly departed. After finishing his meal, Shen Qing turned back and called to the woman, "Boss lady, come here, let me ask you something." The woman, busy behind the stall, looked at him with a start and, exchanging glances with the man beside her, walked over nervously and said, "Is there something we''re lacking, officer?" "Your food is good, that''s not what I''m asking," Shen Qing said, turning to her. "I want to ask about your former husband. Did anything seem unusual before he died?" "You are¡­" the woman said, surprised. "Investigating why your husband died." Before coming, Shen Qing had learned from Ji Youwu that the carpenter''s wife and children had remarried and were now the wife and son of the dining stall owner. In Great Zhou, those on the lower rungs lived precariously and did not hold chastity in high regard; remarriage was common. S§×arch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Seeing that Shen Qing wasn''t there to trouble her, the woman breathed an unspoken sigh of relief and considered before saying, "Nothing unusual happened the day my husband died. He left for the city as usual that morning to look for work. I waited all day, and when he didn''t return, I learned of his death the next day." Recalling this, the woman couldn''t help but redden her eyes. "Anything else?" "No, I''ve yet to see his body." "Alright, thank you." Shen Qing stood up, pulled out a few pieces of broken silver, and tossed them on the table. He said to Ji Youwu, "There''s no clue here. Let''s go check the scene at Xi Chasi." Ji Youwu rose and followed. Over the next ten days, Shen Qing visited various crime scenes in efforts to investigate the Inner City demon case, yet achieved no progress. There were hardly any clues, stalling the demon case entirely. The date Zheng Yuanqiu had set for him was already halfway past. ``` Chapter 221 - 47: Breakthrough in Hunting Scripture, Tracking As the days passed, news that Zheng Yuanqiu had given Group Four a month to investigate the demon began to spread within the Guardian Martial Department. A tense atmosphere loomed over Group Four. Some officers, hoping to keep their jobs, began maneuvering secretly, looking for ways to transfer to other groups to ensure their safety. "Brother Li, I heard you''ve arranged everything on your end?" whispered an officer in a gray outfit, leaning close to his companion, his eyes filled with urgency and envy. The officer, called Brother Li, paused his hand slightly, a subtle trace of pride flashing in his eyes, then curled his lips into a helpless smile, saying, "Spent a lot of silver, just got it done." "Can you also show us a way? Over here with Shen, for so many days now, we haven''t even found a decent clue. If we, the subordinates, stay here, we''ll definitely be implicated by him, and we must find a way out." "Each pit fits only one radish; it''s not that easy. I had to spend this amount to get things sorted." Brother Li extended five fingers, signaling. The officer in gray was slightly stunned: "Five hundred taels?" Brother Li nodded with a grim expression. A brief silence descended between them. After a while, the officer in gray suddenly had a moment of insight and said, "Brother Li, our Lord Chief Officer is known to love money like life itself. What if we gather some from among our brothers to give to the Lord Chief Officer? Do you think he might spare us?" "Hard to say, but I think it should work. If Shen fails, we push all the blame onto him; the Lord Chief Officer probably won''t make things difficult for small fish like us." "Then I''ll go and ask the brothers, see who''s willing to join in." "If you decide, act quickly. Otherwise, a few days later, you might no longer appease the Lord Chief Officer, and you won''t even be able to give the silver." "I understand." ¡­ Shen Qing was not deaf to these thoughts from his subordinates, but he had no intention to stop them. When the sky was about to rain and a mother wanted to remarry, let them be. Skill was more precious than quantity. He had more important things to do. "Alright, done with the search, let''s head to the next place," Shen Qing said to Ji Youwu. By this time, even someone as temperate as Ji Youwu couldn''t hold back, saying anxiously, "Lord officers, we''ve been looking for clues everywhere these days, for twenty-eight days now, and found nothing. The Lord Chief Officer ordered us to capture the demon within a month; we''re almost at the deadline!" Shen Qing stopped and asked, "Any good ideas?" "The Lord Chief Officer favors beauty and money. Lord officers, maybe think of a way to buy a beauty or prepare some money for the Lord Chief Officer; maybe there''s still a chance." "In short, just give money and women?" Ji Youwu hurriedly said, "Though it doesn''t sound good, it''s indeed a viable method." "No need, let''s just focus on investigating, we''re close." Ji Youwu looked at Shen Qing, who seemed calm and confident, feeling very confused: "What do you mean by ''close''?" Shen Qing didn''t explain much. At that moment, he seemed to have sensed something, a trace of joy appearing on his face. His mind stirred, and an ink droplet fell from the void, spreading in his sight. [Skill: Hunting Scripture (Entry Level)] [Progress: 500/500 points] [Status: Can be upgraded] [Note: The path of hunting is vast and profound. Master it, and everything can be hunted. By applying and practicing the Hunting Scripture, this breakthrough can awaken the skill ''tracking,'' rendering all traces of prey visible to you.] Through these days of investigating, Shen Qing unexpectedly discovered that the slow progress of the [Hunting Scripture] skill was showing rapid improvement. At this point, he suddenly realized that catching demons was also a part of hunting for him. Upon realizing this, he no longer felt anxious, investigating and enhancing his hunting skill progress while practicing martial arts and cultivation daily. The days were extraordinarily fulfilling. Unintentionally, after raising the [Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill] to the Seventh Transformation, the [Hunting Scripture] skill had also met the breakthrough standard. Shen Qing wasted no time, choosing to breakthrough. [Skill: Hunting Scripture (skillfully)] [Progress: 0/600 points] [Status: Cannot be upgraded] [Note: Through prolonged practice and application, you''ve mastered the skill ''tracking.'' Every trace left behind will become visible to you when you use this skill, regardless of how long ago it was left, leaving nowhere to hide.] Shen Qing felt a surge of excitement, hurriedly steadying his mind. The next moment, massive hunting memories surged into his mind. Within moments, Shen Qing only felt as if he had been hunting for countless springs and autumns, his understanding of hunting reaching a profound depth. After a while, Shen Qing exhaled deeply, allowing his muddled mind to gradually regain clarity. A wave of confidence filled his face, and he mounted his horse, "Hyah!" Ji Youwu shouted, "Lord officers, where are you going?" "To the place where Xi Shaoqin perished." Upon hearing this, Ji Youwu nearly lost his mind. Returning to where Xi Shaoqin had died for the second time, Shen Qing was well-versed in the way. He quickly maneuvered his horse to an alley behind a tavern in Tian Dou Square. Xi Shaoqin met his end in this very alley. sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Sitting on horseback, Shen Qing looked down at the alley below. [Tracking] activated. With a thought in his mind, every inch of stone wall in the alley from his vantage seemed to come alive. On the walls, those tiny traces usually hidden among dust and shadows now lit up one by one like stars, creating a faint string of footprints with a hidden pattern. Some footprints were crystal clear, while others were so faint they seemed to disappear with a light touch. A surge of indescribable excitement welled up within Shen Qing. He could really see them. These footprints were small, extending from the walls to the rooftops, traversing the narrow, deep alley, not resembling human tracks. "It''s undoubtedly the demon, after so many days, finally a bit of progress." "Whoa!" Behind him, Ji Youwu rushed forward on horseback. Increasingly puzzled by Shen Qing''s action, Ji Youwu became even more pessimistic about his future. "Lord officers¡­" Suddenly, Shen Qing turned around and smiled, "You''re just in time, join me in catching the demon!" "Ah!" Ji Youwu looked even more distressed. Crazy, absolutely crazy. With no clue whatsoever, how could there be a demon to capture, and where to capture it? Shen Qing showed no intention of explaining. He gently tightened the reins, galloping swiftly in the direction the footprints pointed. Ji Youwu followed with a look of despair. In Shen Qing''s vision, as the tracking deepened, the footprints grew denser. Finally, they entered a private residence and abruptly stopped. "After so many days, finally caught you." Shen Qing''s heartbeat quickened, a mix of anticipation and tension bubbling within. Ignoring the puzzled looks from those around and Ji Youwu, he dismounted, walking forward while drawing the dagger from his waist, holding it in his hand, stopping at the main door. Suddenly, he kicked the door open with force. "Guardian Martial Department catching demons, bystanders move aside!" Chapter 222 - 48: The Demon Transforms, Slaying Demons and Exorcising Evil! The battered old wooden door burst into fragments under Shen Qing''s kick. Shen Qing, wielding his dagger, strode into the unassuming home. Inside the house, on a bed where light and shadows intertwined, lay an unusually large black cat, its fur as dark as the night, lazily curled up on an ancient wooden bed. sea??h th§× n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. This black cat was as large as an adult wolfhound, its body shrouded in an indescribably thick demon energy, almost substantial. Shen Qing noticed that the visible footprints in his sight abruptly ended on this demonic creature''s body. It was undoubtedly the demon that had killed Xi Shaoqin. "Finally, I''ve found you." Ji Youwu, following behind Shen Qing, turned pale at the sight. He glanced at the demon on the bed, then at Shen Qing, his mind buzzing, tangled in chaos. He couldn''t comprehend how Shen Qing had managed to track down the demon''s whereabouts during his search. Yongzhou County had over a million households, with millions of people. Finding the hiding place of the demon without any clues was like searching for a needle in a haystack. Shen Qing seemed to have already known where this demon was hiding, heading straight for this location. How did he do it? This method overturned his understanding and knowledge of investigation. It was too miraculous! Since he couldn''t figure it out, Ji Youwu decided not to dwell on it any longer. Now that they had found the demon''s whereabouts, the next step was to either kill or capture it, and their task would be considered complete. Even the Lord Chief Officer couldn''t complain. His fighting spirit reignited as he cast aside his prior speculations. The peace in the room was shattered by Shen Qing''s intrusion. The black cat demon, who had been sleeping soundly, suddenly opened its eyes, revealing narrow pupils. It stared at Shen Qing and Ji Youwu as an invisible aura of majesty surged from its body, creating ripples in the air. The hair of Shen Qing and Ji Youwu flew wildly in the gusts like dancing demons. Ji Youwu, standing behind Shen Qing, felt as though he was facing a formidable enemy. His muscles tensed like steel as he hastily drew the dagger from his waist. The feline demon on the bed arched its body, propping itself up on its front paws as if stretching. "It seems that the people of the Guardian Martial Department are not all useless. You''ve actually found me here." It recognized Shen Qing and Ji Youwu''s identities without any panic. Its voice carried a subtle yet undeniable sense of authority and confidence, echoing in the empty room. This scene made Ji Youwu, who had never witnessed such before, tense up, even revealing a hint of fear on his face. Shen Qing calmly retracted the "Tracking" skill, as the conspicuous traces gradually faded, leaving his vision much clearer. He looked up, gripping the dagger in his hand tightly, and met the demon''s gaze, speaking in a deep voice, "So you''re the one who killed our Xi Chasi?" "Xi Chasi? You''re talking about that martial master dressed like you." The demon, having finished its stretch on the bed, stepped down lightly, saying, "That was over a month ago. The only thing I remember is that his heart and liver tasted quite good, rich without being greasy, full of Essence Qi. It''s different when they''re trained in martial arts. Eating these people is as nourishing to me as you humans eating ginseng. Wonderful!" A human-like, indulgent expression appeared on the demon''s face. "Oh, it seems we''ve found the right one, then." Shen Qing''s expression was neither joyful nor sorrowful as he slowly raised his dagger. The large cat demon, sitting on the clean floor tiles, licked its paws to wash its face. "Haha, to be honest, I''ve been very careful. I didn''t expect you''d still find me, but since you''re here¡­" At this point, its paw paused. Its gaze and tone turned much colder, "Then letting you go would be a real waste of this heaven-sent opportunity. To be honest, I really don''t like that look in your eyes." With those words, the cat demon opened its large, mystical eyes, and under Shen Qing and the others'' watchful gaze, its body underwent an astonishing transformation. Its body gradually elongated, muscles subtly appearing under the light from outside the window, limbs growing long and sturdy, until it completely shed its feline form, transforming into a bizarre man with a grotesque face, covered in black fur. Cat head, human body. It had long, flowing black hair, eyes deep as pools, and a cold smile at the corner of its mouth. "In honor of your efforts, I''ve decided to savor your taste." Bang! An invisible force surged through the air. The cat demon acted on its words. With a flash, it charged at Shen Qing at incredible speed. Its sharp claws swept a glowing arc through the air, suddenly pouncing towards the two of them. Shen Qing and Ji Youwu, both seeing a demon shape-shift for the first time, couldn''t help feeling some astonishment. As the cat demon attacked, Shen Qing, with swift reflexes, grabbed Ji Youwu by the collar and pulled him aside. The cat demon''s claws struck the ground, instantly shattering the floor tiles into fragments, which, under the demon''s power, turned completely to powder, scattering in the air with a crackling noise. Seeing this, Ji Youwu''s pupils shrank. If those claws landed on his flesh, even if not fatal, it would be unbearable. At that moment, Ji Youwu noticed Shen Qing standing in front of him, dagger in hand, openly facing the shape-shifted cat demon. "Don''t get in the way here." Shen Qing threw these words to Ji Youwu with resolute firmness, then sprang into action. Dagger in hand, he charged forward, slashing towards the cat demon''s heart. The cat demon''s face turned cold. Like a ghost, at the critical moment, it twisted and dodged at an incredible angle, barely avoiding the deadly blow, though the residual wind from the dagger still made its fur tremble, revealing a hint of distress. "This officer is unusual." The cat demon was not a mindless beast. After exchanging blows with Shen Qing, it was shocked and couldn''t help but turn serious. It detected a hint of danger. This was something it hadn''t felt from the previous officer. Shen Qing twirled his dagger, calmly stating, "If you want to eat me, I feel like you don''t have the ability." The cat demon''s chest heaved violently as it bared its teeth in a hideous snarl, summoning all its demon energy. Suddenly, the demon energy around its body surged, forming nine whip-like shadows that crashed down on Shen Qing. Shen Qing showed no sign of panic. This cat demon seemed mighty, but to the old hunter''s eyes, it was uncoordinated and full of flaws. It was like it relied on its "cat" instinct, attacking randomly, all full of vulnerabilities. Bang bang bang! The two exchanged blows frequently in the void, Qi continually emanating. The cat demon clasped its hands, enveloping Shen Qing in the whip shadows formed by its condensed demon energy. "It''s done!" "Is that all you''re capable of?" Shen Qing''s cold voice penetrated the layers of whip shadows. In the cat demon''s puzzled gaze, a golden light burst forth from the demon energy enveloping him. Sky Flipping Seal! Boom! In an instant, all the demon energy vanished without a trace. Chapter 223 - 49: Cats Have Nine Lives? Good, Then Ill Kill You Nine Times! Facing this sudden anomaly, a trace of astonishment and terror flashed in the Cat Demon''s eyes. Before it could react, it found a palm gently landing on its chest. An immense golden radiance burst forth instantly, surging like a tide and thoroughly engulfing it. It let out a piercing and despairing roar. The wall plaster trembled and fell from the deafening roar. Not long after, when the brilliant golden radiance gradually dissipated, everything returned to calm. Under the power of the Sky Flipping Seal and the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill, the Cat Demon before Shen Qing was no match. The once arrogant Cat Demon was now utterly silent. Shen Qing stood holding a knife in front of the Cat Demon and instructed Ji Youwu, who was behind him: "Get ready to pack up, let''s report back." "Ah? Okay!" Ji Youwu was startled out of his reverie and only then came to his senses. When he looked at Shen Qing again, his gaze was completely different. In the past, they all thought Shen Qing was nothing much, but now it seemed that they were dreadfully wrong. This Cat Demon, which he had seen clearly, had obviously taken form and was much stronger than the demons he knew, and such a demon was simply not his opponent. Their dispatch office was far stronger than anyone had imagined. He truly did not know how Shen Qing had trained to such a level. Putting away all sorts of thoughts, Ji Youwu hurriedly stepped forward, preparing to deal with the Cat Demon''s corpse. Suddenly, he paused, pointing in surprise at the Cat Demon''s body and said: "Lord officers, look!" Hearing this, Shen Qing looked over and saw that the Cat Demon, which had just been silent, stood up bizarrely, let out a sinister smile, and once again burst with life force. "You think... that you can kill me like this?" The Cat Demon slowly lifted its head, a gleam flickering in its eyes. In the astonished gaze of Shen Qing and Ji Youwu, its enormous form involuntarily shook. On closer look, they noticed nine shadows appearing behind it, one of which fell off, turning into a wisp of green smoke on the ground, forming a Cat Demon corpse. Along with the falling of this shadow, the Cat Demon instantly returned to its prime state. In their astonished eyes, the Cat Demon''s body suddenly expanded, and like an arrow released from a bowstring, it lunged at Shen Qing, its claws whistling as they fell with precision. Shen Qing''s reaction was swift. Relying on deep cultivation, he rapidly used his arms as a shield to block this deadly strike. Even so, the terrifying power contained in the Cat Demon''s claws still made Shen Qing feel a tsunami-like force, causing him to involuntarily fly backward and crash heavily into the furniture behind. The furniture shattered into pieces under Shen Qing''s tremendous impact, sawdust flying. Shen Qing steadied himself, looked down, and found his clothes torn with several gashes, exposing the taut muscles underneath and faintly visible white claw marks. This strike, though not fundamentally harmful, surely made him suffer. A sly expression appeared on the Cat Demon''s face: "Sorry, I forgot to tell you, I actually have nine lives. If you really want to kill me completely, you''ll have to do it nine times!" The expected fear did not appear on Shen Qing''s face. "Finished talking?" "Hmm?" The Cat Demon looked up at the sound, seeing nothing but determination in Shen Qing''s deep-clear eyes, without the slightest emotional fluctuation, only unwavering killing intent and a hint of mockery. "Cat has nine lives? Fine, then I''ll kill you nine times!" "Bang!" A loud bang. Before the Cat Demon could react, a golden palm shadow, carrying a scorching aura, crashed onto its chest. Muffled thuds continued to emit from the Cat Demon''s chest. The dense demon energy gathered at its chest, blocking Shen Qing''s palm firmly. Unprecedented fear appeared on the Cat Demon''s face as it grabbed Shen Qing''s arms with its claws, gnawing and even extending its neck in an extremely bizarre gesture to bite Shen Qing''s arm. But it only bit through a shimmering transparent film, leaving just a layer of white marks with its claws and teeth, unable to cause the slightest harm to Shen Qing. "Had enough biting?" S~ea??h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Die already!" the Cat Demon roared. Suddenly, a scorching aura burst forth from Shen Qing''s palm. After cultivating the Six Paths Whale Swallowing Technique, Shen Qing''s body held an immensely terrifying amount of True Qi. The vast amounts of True Qi reversed by the third transformation of the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill were all unleashed by Shen Qing. The golden light, mixed with threads of crimson, reduced the pitiful demon energy on the Cat Demon''s chest to nothing. The Cat Demon let out another miserable cry, not understanding what happened before it crashed into the table behind, hitting the wall. Its body was left with a frail skeleton, sliding down against the wall. "You''ve lost your second life." Shen Qing quietly withdrew his palm. Ji Youwu, witnessing all of this from the side, was dumbstruck, involuntarily swallowing hard. Our Lord officers are terrifying. "Ahem, ahem!" The same scene quickly appeared on the Cat Demon again, the second shadow fell, revealing a new Cat Demon corpse. The Cat Demon''s look toward Shen Qing changed utterly, from the initial confidence to lacking assurance. It gritted its teeth, seemingly to bolster itself: "I don''t believe you won''t exhaust your energy, kill!" This time, the Cat Demon learned its lesson, no longer wasting words with Shen Qing and directly acted after recovery, fighting fiercely. It howled skyward, black energy encircling its body, growing larger, as bloodthirsty glints shone in its eyes, charging at Shen Qing. Shen Qing remained calm, invoking the Six Paths Whale Swallowing Technique serenely. Centered on him, countless Spiritual Energy in the void was drawn in, merging into his body, filling the previous True Qi depletion instantly. "Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill, Fourth Transformation! Kill!" Bang! The scorching aura and demon energy collided, causing waves that shook the entire space. "Wow!" The Cat Demon''s figure fell from midair like autumn leaves. Maintaining his striking posture, Shen Qing declared: "Good, now your third life is gone!" The newly revived Cat Demon, having lost four lives, was now desperate. Angry and anxious, it roared: "I must devour you, ah!" Bang! "Fourth life..." "Fifth life..." "Sixth life..." Having its seventh life taken consecutively, the Cat Demon was utterly stupefied. The man before it seemed to have inexhaustible True Qi, showing no signs of depletion. It saw no hope of victory. An unspeakable terror spread from deep within its heart, expanding. Escape! To flee with its remaining life at any cost. The survival instinct made it forget its earlier bold words entirely. It mobilized demon energy, compressing its demon body. In the blink of an eye, it shrank to the size of a regular house cat, transforming into a black flash, and dashed madly toward the exit. However, as if anticipating this, Shen Qing pointed a finger. Pfft. Intense Essence Qi shot out with precision, hitting the Cat Demon, flipping its small body onto the ground. Before it could react, a golden fingerprint silently landed on it. "There, you have one life left!" The newly revived Cat Demon hastily pleaded for its life: "My lord, spare me... if you kill me, the Goddess won''t let you off." "Goddess?" Shen Qing frowned. The Cat Demon anxiously said: "My Goddess is the Young Madam of the Zhou Family, with the Zhou Family''s power; she can kill you with just a word." "The Goddess you speak of is a demon, isn''t it?" Shen Qing suddenly questioned. The Cat Demon faltered, unsure why Shen Qing asked, but in the face of life and death, it couldn''t think much: "Our Goddess is a Great Demon who attained a human form." "So, the Zhou Family collaborates with you demons?" Shen Qing''s expression turned somber: "Do you know what I hate the most?" Without waiting for the Cat Demon''s answer, Shen Qing declared: "I hate demons like you the most, never satisfied with just eating humans, wanting to imitate them too!" Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill, Sixth Transformation. Bang! Shen Qing delivered a punch. The Cat Demon''s ninth life was gone! Chapter 224 - 50: Killing Nine Demons, Return to the Government Office Tian Dou Square, Main Street. Liu Yuan, an officer of the Guardian Martial Department''s fourth team, felt somewhat restless at the moment. Chief Officer Zheng had held the position of Chief Officer of the Guardian Martial Division for some years, never missing a chance to exploit any opportunity that could benefit them. This had made the entire Guardian Martial Department dare not voice their grievances. Now, it was said that they had one month to capture the demon that killed Xi Chasi and bring it to justice; not an extra day was allowed. As the deadline given by the Chief Officer approached, he had lost all hope in Shen Qing. He had to save himself. Currently, there were seven people in their fourth team; three of them had already found new positions, leaving only four, including him, without any prospects. He reckoned he would have to bleed a little, and it had better be a lot, to get past this obstacle. As for resistance? Even though Chief Officer Zheng was lecherous and greedy, his cultivation was at the Dan Realm, a notable status in Yongzhou City. Moreover, all the government offices in the county town were in collusion, and small arms like theirs couldn''t twist big legs like theirs. His position as an officer had not come easily. He could only resign himself to fate. Lost in such chaotic thoughts, he suddenly saw a colleague from the same team ahead and said in surprise, "Shouyuan? What are you doing here?" Each officer of their fourth team had a designated patrol area, and unless there were exceptions, they wouldn''t cross patrols. Encountering another officer in Tian Dou Square certainly meant something was up. "I just got a message from a colleague in the Military Department saying there''s demon activity in Tian Dou Square; I''m going to check it out." Wang Shouyuan said quickly, out of breath. Upon hearing there was demon activity, Liu Yuan immediately perked up and followed behind Wang Shouyuan: "I''ll go with you." Since they discovered a demon, regardless of whether it was the one that killed Xi Chasi, they needed to account for it. Thinking of this, he became a bit impatient, worried the demon would escape. Seeing Wang Shouyuan''s slow-moving technique ahead, he wished he could give him a slap and urged, "Shouyuan, where exactly?" The officer named Wang Shouyuan casually pointed, "Over there." Following the direction Wang Shouyuan pointed, Liu Yuan immediately stopped waiting and used his movement technique to rush forward. Familiar with the streets in Tian Dou Square from patrolling, and due to his excellent movement technique, he left Wang Shouyuan behind in just a few breaths. Not long after, Liu Yuan arrived in front of a residential house. At this time, the house''s entrance was crowded with heads, and layers of people surrounded it inside and out. Wisps of faint blood scent wafted into his nose. Liu Yuan''s face changed, and he placed his hand on his dagger, gripping the hilt tightly, and shouted, "Guardian Martial Department handling a case! Move aside!" The ordinary people watching, hearing the shout, looked over and, seeing Liu Yuan in official attire, quickly made way to the sides. Liu Yuan felt a tightness in his chest, and his hand gripping the hilt started sweating coldly. Recently, the city had seen several demon-related human-eating cases, each scene extremely bloody and horrifying. Before charging in, the grisly scene of blood gushing had already replayed in his mind. Causing him considerable discomfort and fear. He had always been afraid of these scenes by nature. But knowing his officer position hadn''t come easily, the opportunity before him was not to be missed. So, he took a deep breath, gritting his teeth, and rushed straight into the house. As soon as he entered, his actions suddenly froze. In his line of sight, Liu Yuan saw cat demon corpses all over the floor, each with varying death poses, demon blood splattered everywhere, staining the house''s green bricks a dark red. A strong bloody smell permeated the entire house. Shen Qing was sitting with a knife, resting on a partially broken chair, eyes closed, while Ji Youwu was busy cleaning up the demon corpses on the ground. "Shen Chasi, you... you are here? Where''s the demon?" Shen Qing opened his eyes and looked around, "They''re all here." Liu Yuan stood silently in shock. There was no anticipated bloody scene, nor the expected fierce battle. The demon that had caused them so much anxiety for so long ended so absurdly. Shen Qing stood up and said, "Don''t just stand there; come give a hand. With so many demon corpses, Youwu can''t manage alone." Wang Shouyuan, a step behind Liu Yuan, also arrived then and was similarly speechless, dumbfounded at the scene in the house. Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Oh, just in time, another one. You three take the corpses and follow me back to the government office for the report." With help on hand, Shen Qing immediately strode forward out of the house with dragon and tiger-like steps. The three hurriedly cupped their hands respectfully, solemnly agreeing. Even they didn''t realize their attitude had unconsciously become much more respectful. As Shen Qing and the others carried and dragged the demon corpses out, a white cat on the roof quietly leaped down from the courtyard wall, quickly darting into an alley. ... Zhou Family Courtyard. Though it was early winter, the courtyard remained vibrant with flowers in bloom, birds singing, and fragrant air, creating a world of its own. A round table was meticulously placed beside a flower bush, filled with a variety of delicate pastries, irresistible to the eyes. A stove sat on the table, and a white-clothed young woman was brewing tea with a teapot. "Young Madam, the fifth young Master has arrived." The young woman''s eyes were full of laughter as she calmly said, "Invite the fifth young Master over; I just brewed a cup of hot tea, just right to warm him up." "Yes, Young Madam." "Hahaha, I''m coming over, no invitation needed." Zhou Xintong''s hearty laughter came from outside the courtyard, "It''s been a long time since I visited sister-in-law; today, I have nothing to do and came to sit with you." The young woman stood gracefully, giving a respectful salute: "Greetings to the fifth young Master." Zhou Xintong looked at this woman, his heart warming, feeling a bit dry in his mouth. "Sister-in-law is too polite." Zhou Xintong sat on the stone chair opposite the woman, face filled with infatuation. Truly, his elder brother was lucky. Behind him stood Zhou Jishan, who had returned to the main family from Taiping County, now just like a servant follower, standing behind Zhou Xintong, his face looking somewhat numb. "Fifth young Master, have some tea." The woman delicately brewed a cup of tea and handed it to Zhou Xintong. Zhou Xintong only felt an aroma envelop him, enjoyed immensely. He took the tea offered by the woman, momentarily dazed, secretly thinking his elder brother was indeed lucky. If he could marry such a woman, he''d happily give up ten years of his life. "Good tea, sister-in-law''s craftsmanship is amazing." Zhou Xintong lightly sipped, feeling all his pores relaxing, unusually comfortable. He put down the cup and said, "I just got word from my father; elder brother might be busy outside again and won''t be back for a while." "I''ve already gotten used to it." "Elder brother is often out; you two see each other so little it bothers even me as a brother. I recently vacated a room and filled it with all sorts of curios; if sister-in-law gets bored here, feel free to visit my courtyard more often." "Sure." The woman readily agreed, pleasing Zhou Xintong immensely. "Meow!" Just then, a white cat emerged from the courtyard flowers, jumping into the woman''s arms. Chapter 225 - 51: Turbulent Undercurrents, Intimidating the Crowd The woman''s eyes flashed with a strange light as she looked at the cat curled up on her body. "The fifth young Master, forgive me for a moment while I lock up the cat in the room," the woman said apologetically to Zhou Xintong. "As you wish, sister-in-law." The young woman stood up gracefully, bowed slightly, and returned to her boudoir with her maid. The maid opened the door, and the woman quickly entered. S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Once inside, the young woman turned her head, pink light flickering in her eyes, and coldly instructed, "Stand guard outside. Do not let anyone come in." The maid lifted her head, and pink light also appeared in her eyes as if she were a puppet, "Yes, Goddess." Creak. The door closed again. "Why seek me at this moment?" The woman''s cold voice echoed in the room. The white cat in her arms sprang to the ground, speaking human words in a panic, "Something''s wrong, Xiao Hei has been killed." "What happened?" "A month ago, Xiao Hei ate a dispatch officer from the Guardian Martial Department. We thought it was no issue, but just moments ago, the Guardian Martial Department somehow found Xiao Hei." "Are you sure you didn''t see it wrong?" the young woman said, "Xiao Hei was born with nine lives, not easy to kill." "I saw clearly, all nine of Xiao Hei''s lives are gone. When they left, I counted, there were nine Xiao Heis." The young woman was silent for a moment, then said, "Recently, you should stay out of trouble. If you want to eat blood food, just tell me, and I''ll have the Zhou Family provide you with some servants." "I understand, Goddess," the white cat raised its head and asked, "Goddess, what about Xiao Hei''s matter?" "What do you mean, what do we do?" "Should we avenge him?" "That''s human clan''s custom, but we demons don''t adhere to that. Right now, we should focus on the opportunity appearing in Yongzhou soon. I have a premonition, it won''t be long. This time the Spirit Mechanism eruption might be even more intense, possibly as strong as the one in Yun Meng County." "Ah, really?" "Don''t provoke the Guardian Martial Department anymore, and keep your mouth shut to prevent leaks. Dealing with the Ji Family is already enough for us. Anything else?" "No more." "If there''s nothing, stay in the room today. I''ll send someone over tonight, and we''ll eat together." "Great. I want a tender child." "Understood." The young woman turned calmly and opened the door with a casual wave of her right hand, and walked back into the courtyard. Gazing at Zhou Xintong''s overflowing Essence Qi, the young woman couldn''t help licking her lips. "If it weren''t for the agreement with your patriarch, I''d love to drain you dry. Alas, for now, I can only look." She displayed a helpless look of disappointment, once again smiling and approaching. ... Guardian Martial Department, the quiet room. Zheng Yuanqiu inquired, "How are things in Taiping County?" The fifth officer''s dispatch officer, Xu Changle, stood up and said, "The Ji Family has failed multiple castle attacks, and the Commander and his men have held the line." "That''s good. What are the True Master''s next instructions? Do we need to take Yongzhou?" The fifth officer''s dispatch officer, Xu Changle, said, "The True Master instructed not to rush Yongzhou, but there''s another matter that requires our attention." "What is it?" "The True Master observed the celestial phenomena at night and sensed a new Spirit Mechanism might arrive in Yongzhou." "A new Spirit Mechanism?" Zheng Yuanqiu responded with rare seriousness, "I understand. I''ll make arrangements." "Okay. We''ll exchange notes when the time comes." "Mm." At that moment, Xu Changle recalled something and said, "You previously told the fourth officer''s dispatch to investigate the demon matter within a month, there are two days left now, what do you plan to do?" Zheng Yuanqiu replied indifferently, "Of course, as per the old rule, grinding down to the bone, this time it''s not just their silver I want." Xu Changle curiously asked, "What else do you want?" "Heh, I want their concubines," Zheng Yuanqiu shamelessly said, "You don''t know, those women have a unique taste." "Be mindful of the limits," Xu Changle glanced at him and said, "Two officers from the fourth group came to me, and seeing they brought quite a bit of Silver Tael, I plan to take them into my group. Just letting you know in advance." "Do as you see fit." With that, he didn''t wait for Zheng Yuanqiu''s response and silently left the quiet room. Outside, having just left and before taking a couple of steps, he encountered Shen Qing, who was reporting back. The two exchanged glances, each averting their gaze as they passed by each other. Shen Qing''s eyebrow arched. He knew the fifth group''s defense area was peaceful recently, why did Xu Changle come? The dead fat man in the room, they couldn''t avoid enough. No clues. Shen Qing thought no more, adjusted his appearance, and approached the quiet room''s door, respectfully saying, "Subordinate Shen Qing seeks an audience with the Lord Chief Officer." "What is it?" Zheng Yuanqiu''s voice came from inside the room. "It''s about the killing of Xi Chasi by the demon," Shen Qing continued, "Sir, fortunately, I did not fail you. I''ve slain the demon and reported back to you, Lord Chief Officer." Zheng Yuanqiu, lounging on a chair in the quiet room, hearing yet again ''fortunately did not fail,'' instantly jumped from the table. He walked to the door, stared at Shen Qing, suppressing his voice, "What did you say?" Shen Qing raised his head, meeting Zheng Yuanqiu''s gaze, and replied, neither servile nor overbearing, "My lord, the demon that killed Xi Chasi has been apprehended." A shadow came over Zheng Yuanqiu''s face, feeling the silver and women he was to receive vanished into thin air, and an unprovoked anger arose, he asked irritably, "Where''s the demon''s body, take me to see it." Shen Qing calmly stepped aside, saying, "This way, my lord." Holding back dissatisfaction, Zheng Yuanqiu followed Shen Qing to the courtyard. They saw nine corpses of cat demons, as big as mastiffs, piled together, appearing as though they had been dead for some time, with dark red blood and fur matted together. The stench was overwhelming. Faced with indisputable evidence, Zheng Yuanqiu was momentarily speechless. Other officers, including those from the fourth group, arrived in the courtyard one after another upon hearing the news. When they saw the pile of demon bodies stacked like a hill, they gasped and were too shocked to speak. Especially those officers who had already arranged an escape route, regretted their choices deeply. They never thought Shen Qing would actually slay the demon within the deadline. With this, the fourth group of the Guardian Martial Department was secure. The effort spent on preparing an exit strategy and overpaying Silver Taels was in vain. Worse, they were at a loss whether they proceeded or not. Glaring at Shen Qing, they silently cursed, "Damn, that Shen bastard." Chapter 226 - 52 Breakthrough in Bow Technique, Heavenly Bow Technique ``` "Hahaha. Well, I knew I didn''t misjudge the person. Shen Chasi, you truly are an expert at demon slaying." Facing the crowd of officers and dispatch office officials, Zheng Yuanqiu quickly regained his composure and spoke with a laugh. Having been in a high position for many years, he had long learned to pick things up and put them down. Although Shen Qing had dashed some of his plans, there would be plenty of opportunities in the future. For now, he needed to protect his identity and avoid doing things that did not suit his status, lest he reveal his true colors. The position of Chief Officer of Weiwu Division still had its uses. Shen Qing was not aware of Zheng Yuanqiu''s specific thoughts, but he did sense some psychological changes in him. He clasped his hands together and complimented, "This was all due to Lord officers'' efforts." "Shen Chasi, you have worked hard. Take this demon to the forensic doctor and check if the traces left at past crime scenes match this demon. If they do, the case is considered solved," Zheng Yuanqiu concluded. Shen Qing quickly put on a surprised look, hesitated, and said, "Lord Chief Officer, there is one more thing I need to report." "What is it?" "Lord Chief Officer, this Cat Demon inexplicably appeared in the county town. I suspect someone in the city is colluding with demons." At this point, Shen Qing recalled the "Goddess" mentioned by the Cat Demon before its death and intentionally brought it up. Zheng Yuanqiu replied indifferently, "Alright, I know. Is there anything else?" Just knowing? Shen Qing glanced at Zheng Yuanqiu and saw that he had no intention of getting involved, and he realized the situation. The Guardian Martial Department was indeed unreliable; he had to rely on himself. Shen Qing collected his thoughts and calmly said, "No." "If there''s nothing else, let''s consider this case closed," Zheng Yuanqiu waved his sleeve and turned to leave. Shen Qing straightened up, his face turning cold. At that moment, after Zheng Yuanqiu''s departure, the courtyard suddenly became noisy. Everyone shifted their gaze to Shen Qing. They realized that since this Shen Chasi had come to the Guardian Martial Department, he alone had slain more demons than the entire division had in a year. If not for him, they would not have even known there were so many demons in Yongzhou. It made no sense. For a moment, everyone was astonished. Shen Qing''s image in the Guardian Martial Department naturally grew taller, his status rising by several levels, and no one dared to underestimate him. That day, under the forensic doctor''s confirmation, many features of the Cat Demon slain by Shen Qing matched the traces left at the crime scene, confirming it was indeed the demon responsible for the recent murders. Zheng Yuanqiu smoothly concluded this demon case, while the Demon Core was naturally taken by him. After this matter ended, the three officers who had originally prepared an escape route ultimately joined Xu Changle of the fifth group. Shen Qing did not block them at all and allowed them to leave. The remaining four officers, who had no way out at the time, were left behind. Worrying that Shen Qing might hold a grudge against them, each worked more diligently, much to Shen Qing''s satisfaction. Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, a month had passed, and it was another frigid winter. During this month, Shen Qing, to be safe, had Tian Xiaohu spend money to hire many Jianghu Martial Artists to watch over the Zhou Family. He also strengthened the defense of Xinyi Square. What surprised him was that after he slew the Cat Demon, the so-called "Young Madam" of the Zhou Family made no moves, as if she had forgotten about him. This made Shen Qing''s heart sink. So far, most of the demons he had slain were not the type to be patient; they always acted on impulse, yet the so-called Young Madam of the Zhou Family was unexpectedly composed. This indicated that her motives were significant. Perhaps something was brewing secretly in Yongzhou City, and it was not a good thing. Shen Qing felt an increasing urgency to enhance his strength. ... Outside the city, in a deserted area. Shen Qing stood with a bow in hand, and with a thought, the Water Ink Panel appeared in his vision. [Skill: Bow Technique (Break Limit)] [Progress: 601/600 points] [Status: Can be improved] [Note: "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step; a vast domain begins with a tiny mote." Through long-term diligent practice, the ordinary Archery Skill you have been training has reached its peak, and breaking through will transform it into a new skill.] Shen Qing looked at the information appearing in his vision, and his lips curled slightly. The days of diligent practice had finally paid off. Shen Qing took a deep breath, "Improve!" As soon as he entertained this thought, the skill information about Bow Technique on the Water Ink Panel immediately refreshed. [Skill: Heavenly Bow Technique (Entry Level)] [Progress: 1/700 points] [Status: Not improvable] [Note: "Art undergoes a hundred refinements, approaching the way." Your years of practicing archery have led you to combine Martial Arts insights, leading to the Heavenly Bow Technique. Having learned this technique, you can now draw the Hundred Shi Bow, releasing an arrow that can change the wind and clouds, causing thunder and rain to assist its might, with power shocking the heavens.] "Hundred Shi Bow, changing the wind and clouds?!" At the sight of these words, even the usually calm Shen Qing couldn''t help his facial change. He wasn''t sure what the "changing the wind and clouds" meant in the Heavenly Bow Technique, but he could calculate the Hundred Shi Bow. One Shi equals 120 jin, so a Hundred Shi is twelve thousand jin. With such tremendous power, what flesh and blood could withstand it? Even a martial master in the Yu Luo Realm would likely be shot dead by his arrow?! Shen Qing detected the anomaly in his mind and quickly regained his composure, ceasing further thoughts. A flood of new memories poured into his mind. Shen Qing grimly endured the throbbing headache and dizziness, gradually absorbing the newly emerged memories. After a while, he completely assimilated the newfound memories. The memories of specializing in archery for decades had merged with his current self. The bow technique he had developed, comparable to Martial Arts, was now completely under his mastery. Shen Qing opened his eyes, a sharp glint flashing within them. He suddenly drew the Heavenly Bow, the bowstring taut and emitting a "hum" that caused the surrounding air to tremble. Shen Qing''s entire True Qi concentrated on his right arm, passed through the bow, and ultimately focused on the arrow tip. In that moment, the arrow seemed to come alive, shimmering brightly, reflecting and merging with the surrounding wind and clouds. The surface of the dark iron Heavy Bow lit up with a scarlet-golden radiance. sea??h th§× n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Whoosh! With a deafening twang, the arrow shot forth like lightning across the sky, leaving the string in an instant, tearing through the air with a whistling sound, and soaring into the clouds. Its speed was astonishingly fast. Along its path, the previously calm sky suddenly stirred, with clouds rolling and the sky seeming to grow dimmer. The clouds were torn apart, forming a straight fissure that pointed into the distance. The power far exceeded Shen Qing''s expectations. Yet he hadn''t even had time to rejoice. Bang! Shen Qing unexpectedly discovered that the bowstring of his bow and the Xuantian Arrow in the sky couldn''t withstand the power in his hand and broke one after another. ``` Chapter 227 - 53: Hundred Shi Bow: Cloud Splitter Shen Qing looked at the heavy bow in his hand. This bow was crafted from dark iron in the town of Taiping County. S§×ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. To some extent, it was a fine bow, but only limited to that. Now that his bow technique had broken through, it was time to replace it with a new Hundred Shi Heavy Bow. Shen Qing hung the heavy bow with the broken string on his horse and turned back to the city. After handling his daily duties, Shen Qing did not delay and went straight to the most renowned Bai Bing Hall in Yongzhou City. Yongzhou City had always been a hub of transportation and prosperity, a place where people and goods gathered in abundance. Thus, unlike in Taiping County, Shen Qing did not need to find a specific blacksmith to customize a heavy bow but could purchase one directly. Among the various shops, Yongzhou''s Bai Bing Hall was the most famous, with a full array of weapons. It was said in Bai Bing Pavilion that as long as you had a court permit and sufficient silver, there was no weapon you couldn''t buy. After Shen Qing finished his duties, he headed straight to Bai Bing Hall. Upon entering Bai Bing Hall, the subtle scent of iron rust and pine resin wafted into his nostrils. Inside the shop, an array of various weapons shone coldly, dazzling to the eyes. Shen Qing glanced around and saw an elder with white hair and beard sitting behind the counter, carefully polishing a long sword, his eyes hinting at an obsession with weapons. "Senior, I am Shen Qing. I''ve come to Bai Bing Hall to find a heavy bow capable of bearing the strength of a Hundred Shi. Does your esteemed shop have such weapons?" Shen Qing stepped forward and asked respectfully. "A Hundred Shi Heavy Bow? That''s quite rare." The elder heard this, looked up at Shen Qing, a trace of surprise in his eyes: "To draw a Hundred Shi Bow, one would need to be at least a martial master of the Yu Luo Realm. Those with ordinary strength can''t even pull the bowstring. You look unfamiliar and young; are you sure you want to buy a Hundred Shi Bow?" "I have twenty shi, thirty shi, and fifty shi here. Would you like to try them?" Shen Qing caught the meaning behind his words, smiled, and said, "Thank you, senior, but I only want the Hundred Shi Bow. I wonder if you have it here?" "There is indeed one. Never mind, bring out your credential for me to check." The elder finished polishing the sword, sheathed it, and looked up. Shen Qing was not surprised. Although the Great Zhou Court did not prohibit weapons, not everyone could casually purchase them. According to the laws of the Great Zhou, court officials could wear swords and daggers, martial masters from registered martial arts halls could purchase them, but any other weapon purchases were considered illegal. However, this rule was largely ineffective in many places of the Great Zhou, where people found many ways to acquire various weapons. But Bai Bing Hall was conducting business and was not familiar with Shen Qing, so they naturally followed the rules. Shen Qing was not offended and took out his ID card from the Guardian Martial Department. The elder inspected the ID card and found that Shen Qing was indeed an officer of the Guardian Martial Department, and he was a bit surprised. Having resided in Yongzhou for many years, he hadn''t heard of an official with the surname Shen. He didn''t ask much. Seeing no issues with the process, he stood up and said, "Follow me, I happen to have a ready-made Hundred Shi Heavy Bow in Bai Bing Hall." Shen Qing said nothing more, took back his ID card, and honestly followed the elder. Bai Bing Hall was large. When Shen Qing entered the inner part of Bai Bing Hall, he felt an atmosphere that was both ancient and solemn. The weaponry within was dazzling, leaving him overwhelmed. The elder''s gaze quickly scanned across the rows of weapon racks, finally settling on a specially-made display. "There it is." A remarkable Hundred Shi Heavy Bow lay quietly, its body crafted from an unknown black metal, emanating a faint cold light. The taut bowstring, upon closer inspection, shimmered with rainbow-colored glows, appearing extraordinary. Shen Qing was delighted, stepped forward quickly, and carefully examined the heavy bow. He gently touched the bow and picked it up. He discovered that although the bow appeared cumbersome, it was heavy but not unwieldy, and holding it in his hand required no effort at all. Shen Qing carefully examined it, seeing two flying dragons etched upon the bow, the entire bow seemingly containing immense power, and he couldn''t help but nod in acknowledgment. Shen Qing turned to the shopkeeper of Bai Bing Hall standing beside him and said, "Is there anything special about this heavy bow?" The elder stroked his beard and smiled, "This bow is called ''Cloud Splitter,'' and it was acquired by Bai Bing Hall by chance many years ago. Who exactly forged it is unknown. If you want to buy it, Officer, you''re welcome to take it." Hearing this, Shen Qing withdrew his gaze and said, "May I try it?" "Of course, but do not dry-draw the bow, as it can damage the bow. I have an arrow here that you can try in the back courtyard of Bai Bing Hall." The elder then took out an ordinary bow and arrow and handed it to Shen Qing. Shen Qing took the arrow and went to the backyard. The back courtyard of Bai Bing Hall had many wooden posts, bearing numerous marks left over from weapons testing. Shen Qing gently placed the arrow upon the taut bowstring, his eyelids slightly lowered, a sharp gleam flickering in his eyes. In the elder''s astonished eyes, Shen Qing took a deep breath, his shoulders slightly sank, and effortlessly drew the bow to its full moon form: "Such formidable arm strength." At that moment, Shen Qing suddenly released his grip. The arrow sliced through the air, producing a sharp whistle as it shot toward the wooden target. Bang! When the arrow struck the solid wood, instead of embedding deeply as expected, a deafening explosive sound rang out, and splinters flew. The arrow and the wood simultaneously shattered into fragments. The elder beside him had his mouth slightly open, showing an expression of disbelief. "This Hundred Shi bow named ''Cloud Splitter'' is nice, I''ll take it," Shen Qing said with a smile. Earlier, he hadn''t used the true Heavenly Bow Technique but merely wielded the bow with his inherent strength. For some reason, this bow felt incredibly comfortable to use and very much to his liking. "I wonder how much the shopkeeper wants?" The elder glanced at Shen Qing, pondered for a while, and said, "I see you are so fated with this bow; I won''t charge you much, just 1,200 taels." 1,200 taels? Shen Qing couldn''t help but click his tongue. He knew bows weren''t cheap, but he didn''t expect them to be that expensive. Previously, the fifty shi heavy bow had cost him nearly two hundred taels, yet this Hundred Shi bow was more than six times that. This shopkeeper saw him as an easy mark. "Four hundred taels," Shen Qing named a price and said. "Are you teasing me?" The elder showed no leniency in price: "At most, a thousand taels." "Five hundred taels. If you want to sell it, sell it; otherwise, forget it. I can have a craftsman make such a bow; it would just take some time." "Eight hundred taels, not a bit less." "It seems you''re not sincere," Shen Qing feigned to leave. "Six hundred taels, no less, or I''ll not sell it. Go find a blacksmith to create one then." Shen Qing pretended to ponder, weighed it for a moment, and said, "Alright, six hundred taels then. Thank you, senior, for accommodating." For Shen Qing, six hundred taels was not a small amount, but he could afford it. After settling the transaction, Shen Qing also took seven Purple Gold Heavy Arrows from the shop before leaving contentedly. Chapter 228 - 54: Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill Breaks Limit, Tenfold Strength Stacks ``` As the year-end approached, Yongzhou experienced its first snowfall of the winter. The thick, goose-feather snowflakes drifted down gently. Everywhere in sight was wrapped in silver white. On the streets paved with bluestone, a layer of white snow had accumulated. In such cold weather, if there was no pressing matter, most people in the city preferred to stay indoors all day rather than go out. In the past, the bustling streets of the city now appeared much quieter. The workload of various government officials in the county also decreased significantly. In this way, Shen Qing found himself with a lot of free time after handling his official duties for the day. With nothing else to tend to, he unsurprisingly dedicated all this time to cultivation, becoming even more diligent than before. In the wild forests of Green Mountain, Shen Qing wore only a short garment as he stood firm between heaven and earth, practicing the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill. Not knowing how much time had passed, he slowly opened his eyes and looked at the emerging Water Ink Panel: "Almost there." [Skill: Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill (Great Perfection/Nine Revolutions)] [Progress: 802/800 points] [Status: Can be upgraded] [Note: The key to martial arts cultivation lies in continuously breaking through one''s limits and defying conventions. After years of training, you have finally honed the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill to the utmost. A further breakthrough will grant you the ''Heaven defying Style,'' capable of unleashing tenfold strength in an instant.] Tenfold strength! Shen Qing''s heart quickened as he looked at the reminder on the panel, and he couldn''t help but feel his throat dry. Such power was truly astonishing. He took a deep breath and chose to upgrade without hesitation. The information on the Water Ink Panel rapidly refreshed. [Skill: Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill (Break Limit - Heaven defying Style)] [Progress: 2/900 points] Boom! The moment the status changed on the Water Ink Panel, Shen Qing felt a powerful force and a flood of memories pouring into his body. Suddenly, all his pores seemed to open up, frantically absorbing the spiritual energy between heaven and earth. This spiritual energy surged through him like a river, merging with the original true qi in his dantian, forming an unprecedented force that kept climbing. Soon, a dragon''s roar and a tiger''s roar echoed within him. Shen Qing even fell into an illusion as if the true qi flowing through his Qi Sea was no longer merely moving but circulating in a semi-gaseous, semi-liquid state within his meridians, with each cycle bringing indescribable comfort and strength. "What is this??" Shen Qing suddenly widened his eyes, clearly sensing that the quality of his true qi had reached a new height. His cultivation had undergone an unprecedented improvement. At this rate, it seemed that he was only one step away from the Yu Luo Realm. Shen Qing resisted the physical and mental discomfort, striving to digest the sudden change. After the time it took for a pot of tea, all the abnormalities on Shen Qing''s body faded away, and he exhaled heavily. At this moment, Shen Qing found that the true qi within him was surging, his skin slightly reddened, and despite the thin clothing, he felt no coldness at all. The next moment, he focused his mind, pushing the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill to its peak. A sharp light burst from his eyes, and an overwhelming aura erupted from him, soaring into the sky. Around him, the space seemed to warp with heat like flames, causing transparent distortions. "There''s no one around right now, just the right time to test how strong my power really is." Shen Qing locked his gaze on a towering small mountain not far away, suddenly urging the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill to its extreme while softly lowing and stacking the Mountain Embrace Seal. "Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill, Heaven defying Style! Tenfold overlay, open for me!" The true qi within Shen Qing surged like a dike-breaking river, gathering at his fist, and with one palm he struck! The already potent Mountain Embrace Seal, enhanced by the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill, had its power increased tenfold in an instant! Accompanied by a thunderous boom, a blinding light erupted from his palm like a rising sun, illuminating half the sky. Wherever it passed, the air was torn, and the space seemed to distort, with all obstructing trees and barriers disintegrated into dust by this palm. When the light met the small mountain, there was no buffer or transition. The mountain''s surface was immediately enveloped in golden light. Then came an earsplitting collapse. Stones flew, dust filled the sky, and half the small mountain collapsed with a crash, turning into a ruin. Shen Qing stood in the void, looking at the scene he caused, a hint of shock flashing in his eyes. Tenfold strength was so formidable that even with this one palm strike, it was enough to rival a martial master of the Yu Luo Realm, even contending with a martial master of the Dan Realm. "Not bad, not bad." Shen Qing showed a few signs of satisfaction. Just as Shen Qing was feeling pleased, an unprecedented sense of weakness suddenly washed over him; however, to his surprise, this weakness lasted only for a fleeting moment. He seemed to have thought of something, looked down at his dantian, and found that the "nacelles" surrounding his dantian had all extinguished, becoming dim. "This is the Six Paths Whale Swallowing Technique. In this case, I can use the Heaven defying Style of the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill at most twice." Shen Qing calculated inwardly: "That should be enough." "Tomorrow is the year-end, and the Guardian Martial Department Office will issue the annual salary. I will receive a Wish Power Pearl. With this pearl, I should be able to break through to Yu Luo. I imagine that in the Yu Luo Realm, using the Heaven defying Style should handle most situations." Shen Qing gradually gained confidence, smiled smugly. He glanced at the sky, took down the cloak from his horse, draped it over his shoulders, and mounted the horse to return to the city. After a while, three to five figures of varying builds gathered, standing in front of the collapsed small mountain. The remnants of the aura Shen Qing had just unleashed still lingered over the crumbled peak. All present felt a faint warmth from it as if it were springtime, each showing an unusual expression. A man with a pair of large bull horns asked a charming woman, "Lady Bai, you were the first to arrive here. Did you see who collapsed this mountain?" "No. As soon as I heard the commotion, I rushed over but saw nothing." "The one here just now was at least a Yu Luo Realm expert from the Human Clan, possibly even Dan Realm. At this point, has someone important in the city discovered something?" "I have a grasp of who''s at this cultivation level in Yongzhou City. This aura feels so unfamiliar, I''ve never encountered it." "Is it a martial master newly dispatched to Yongzhou from the Ji Family of the court?" S§×arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Upon hearing this, everyone''s heart tightened. A middle-aged man with two protruding teeth and shifty eyes stepped forward: "It shouldn''t be. We have been very careful, and except for Lady Bai, none of us have left any trace in the city. No one would know." "But in any case, to be cautious, we ought to inform the mountain lord." ``` Chapter 230 - 56: I Cant Take It Anymore, Im Laying My Cards on the Table! "He went to do what? He''s not going to confront Fatty Zheng, is he?" "Looks like it!" "Is he really that bold?" "The Wish Power Pearl got snatched. If it were me, I wouldn''t let it go that easily either." "But even a fool wouldn''t just confront him like that. Heh, this is going to be a good show, Fatty Zheng isn''t so easy to deal with." The people in the courtyard were already accustomed to Zheng Yuanqiu''s extortion and knew perfectly well why Shen Qing didn''t have the Wish Power Pearl. At this moment, they all held a sense of watching for entertainment, pointing and discussing Shen Qing''s back. The myriad tasks of distributing official salaries seemed unaffected by the event and continued to be distributed in an orderly manner as annual salaries. "Fourth group of officers, Ji Youwu." The named Ji Youwu hastily withdrew his gaze, glanced at Shen Qing, and walked towards the myriad task officer, blending into the discussion, his face complex. Dong Jing, standing nearby, also looked at Shen Qing with a complicated state of mind. He always thought Shen Qing was not someone impulsive, someone who wouldn''t put himself in danger, but now it seemed he was wrong. Fortunately, he had listened to his friends and hadn''t associated too closely with him. Otherwise, he surely would''ve been dragged down by him. Ignoring the discussions around him, Shen Qing walked towards the back hall, calm and composed without any joy or sorrow on his face. As it was the time for annual salary distribution, the back hall had no clerks around, with only a few Chang Sui passing by hastily. Shen Qing had been to this back hall many times, and he was familiar with the way. He walked to the door of the quiet room and, without any warning, pushed it open and walked in, closing the door behind him. Inside the quiet room, Zheng Yuanqiu was engrossed in his account books. Startled by the commotion, he felt like a thief with a guilty conscience and shivered slightly as if afraid of being caught. When he saw it was Shen Qing who barged in, he felt played with, becoming enraged and embarrassed: "Can''t you knock? Who taught you to enter like this?" Shen Qing stared at Zheng Yuanqiu, a smirk on his face, seven parts jest, three parts excitement. Ignoring Zheng Yuanqiu''s words, he gripped his sword and stepped toward him. Zheng Yuanqiu realized that the officer before him seemed different from usual. It was clear something was up. He snapped the book shut, feigning calmness. "What does Officer Shen intend to do?" Zheng Yuanqiu said coldly, like ice beneath the first snow of winter, crisp and resolute. With his words, an indescribable aura erupted from within him. Though unmoving, an invisible wind seemed to swirl around him, causing his clothes to flutter. A faint halo appeared around him, the unique aura of a strong practitioner in the Dan Realm pressing toward Shen Qing. Shen Qing paused, momentarily stunned. He felt as though a giant hand grasped his surroundings, the pressure bearing down upon him. Unfazed, Shen Qing''s mind stirred. The vast True Qi of the Qi Hai Realm surged through his meridians, counteracting the aura Zheng Yuanqiu exerted on him. Shen Qing resumed his steps, unhurriedly moving in front of Zheng Yuanqiu, the corners of his lips curving into a composed smile. Looking Zheng Yuanqiu in the eye, he calmly said, "The reason I''m here, Lord Chief Officer, you should know very well, right?" "¡­" Of course, Zheng Yuanqiu knew why Shen Qing was there. It was for the Wish Power Pearl he had embezzled. But to think Shen Qing dared to barge into the quiet room to confront him over this Pearl face to face; such bravery. He''d seen countless people, yet he''d never met someone so¡­ impulsive. Suddenly, he laughed. "Hahaha... Do you know what you''ve just said? Do you think just because you''re an officer I can''t touch you? I may not kill you, but don''t forget, I can make you wish you were dead." "I think it''s you who doesn''t understand the situation," Shen Qing continued to smile softly. He pulled a letter from his chest, waving it before Zheng Yuanqiu: "Doesn''t this letter look familiar to you, Lord Chief Officer?" "Lord Chief Officer, what do you think would happen if I handed this letter over?" Zheng Yuanqiu''s laughter abruptly stopped. Shen Qing grinned, every bit the rascal: "So, are you ready to talk about our matters now?" Feigning calm, Zheng Yuanqiu said, "Haha, I don''t know what you''re talking about." Shen Qing tucked the letter back, fearlessly reciting, "Zheng Yuanqiu, thirty-five, overweight, greedy, Dan Realm cultivation. Quick, precise, ruthless in actions, suspicious by nature, never acts unless absolutely certain. Joined the Holy Sect in the second year of Tian Guang, trustworthy..." He narrated while observing Zheng Yuanqiu. Shen Qing noticed with each sentence, Zheng Yuanqiu''s face grew paler until it was ashen like paper. Indeed, by now, he could no longer tolerate the spy from the Huang Tian Sect and decided to lay his cards on the table. It was time to deal with him decisively. After Shen Qing revealed all his cards, he even sensed deep fear in Zheng Yuanqiu''s trembling gaze. Zheng Yuanqiu struggled to maintain composure, his breathing heavy, his eyes on Shen Qing filled with killing intent. "He knows, he knows it all." "He knows I''m with the Huang Tian Sect, knows I secretly leaked the official movements to Taiping County¡­ This boy cannot be allowed to live! He''d be disastrous." "He must be killed." Presently, not considering the various family heads and masters from the Thirteen Lines, the Prefectural Governor and the newly appointed Commander were already beyond his handle, and should his identity be discovered, he''d have no way to survive. With this in mind, he didn''t hesitate to make a move, delivering a palm strike toward Shen Qing. S§×ar?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. As a Dan Realm powerhouse, Zheng Yuanqiu''s True Qi was finely honed, shaping it and gathering it as he struck. Upon acting, mist-like True Qi enveloped him, flowing like a cascading river of stars. Facing Zheng Yuanqiu''s terrifying might, Shen Qing didn''t retreat but instead allowed his True Qi to boil. The Sky Flipping Seal combined with the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill''s Heaven Defying Style, launched instantly. Massive amounts of True Qi from within surged forth like a breached dam. With the Heaven Defying Style''s support, Shen Qing''s strength exponentially increased, reaching ten times its original magnitude. Like an awakened ancient beast, he clasped his palms into an imprint to meet Zheng Yuanqiu''s strike. Boom! The two forces clashed explosively in mid-air, akin to celestial bodies detonating, sending waves of heat surging. Everything around them was instantly ignited; the room''s tables, chairs, furniture, bricks, and wooden windows were swept up by the energy, compressed to one side, exposing bare ground. For the first time, Zheng Yuanqiu''s face showed surprise¡ªhe hadn''t expected a mere Qi Hai Realm Shen Qing to unleash such astonishing combat power, almost shaking his strike. His expression changed, with a light cry, he increased the force in his hand. Bang! In the next moment, Shen Qing flew backward under the lingering power of Zheng Yuanqiu''s palm. Flipping several times mid-air, adjusting his posture, he planted his feet heavily, his legs sinking deep into the ground, stones scattering. Using the legs'' reactive force to slow his backward flight, he finally came to a staggered but determined stop at the doorway. In front, two deep ravines marked the magnitude of the impact he had withstood. Unharmed, Shen Qing nonchalantly dusted himself off and smiled, "Lord Chief Officer, now can we properly discuss my matters?" Chapter 231 - 57: Not a single thing can be taken away from me Shen Qing''s chest heaved violently, each breath accompanied by sharp pain, but he had no time to worry about this. His gaze was firmly locked on Zheng Yuanqiu. At this moment, Shen Qing noticed that Zheng Yuanqiu''s face was extremely pale, alternating between blue and white. His mouth was slightly open, filled with shock. He couldn''t understand why Shen Qing had obtained his secret message, and even more so, why he couldn''t kill this person with a single palm strike. What the hell, is this a dispatch officer? What the hell, is this a Qi Cultivation Realm martial master? No, somehow this guy had gotten hold of a Wish Power Pearl and had already broken through to the Qi Hai Realm. But even so, it was still astonishing that he, a Dan Realm martial master, couldn''t take down a Qi Hai Realm dispatch officer. His hand slightly raised, and the murderous intent in his eyes did not diminish. Shen Qing, who had taken a palm strike from Zheng Yuanqiu, felt the True Qi inside him surge, nearly displacing all his internal organs. If it weren''t for the Six Paths Whale Swallowing Technique secretly repairing him, he would have already collapsed. The power of a Dan Realm martial master was no joke. With his current strength, if Zheng Yuanqiu struck again, death would be certain. However, with the situation this far revealed, there was no reason to retreat. Shen Qing frantically activated the Six Paths Whale Swallowing Technique, stabilizing his internal injuries, and feigned a calm demeanor, continuing to threaten: "Lord Chief Officer, the current situation is clear. If you can''t kill me with one strike, then you''ve lost. Think about it, what will happen if I escape from here?" "Are you threatening me?" Zheng Yuanqiu felt a sense of suffocation and gritted his teeth. Shen Qing replied, "What else? Do you think I''m joking with you for fun? You''re not a dog." "You...," Zheng Yuanqiu struggled to suppress his anger. He analyzed the situation and realized that it was indeed as Shen Qing said. If he couldn''t kill this bothersome thing with one blow and wasn''t sure of a critical strike, it would be him who lost. Pushing him into a corner and letting him escape would also have unimaginable consequences. From that earlier strike, he sensed that this person had some skill and couldn''t be easily killed. Now, he truly didn''t have many options. Zheng Yuanqiu sneered, "I misjudged. I didn''t expect in this small Guardian Martial Department Office, I would find a true dragon like you. Just say what you want." "My demands are simple." Shen Qing pulled his legs out of the ground earnestly, "I don''t want much, just return to me everything you took without missing a bit. I mean not a single coin should be lacking." Hearing this, Zheng Yuanqiu''s face showed immense pain. To him, losing anything was more painful than cutting his flesh. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. But he also knew that if this matter wasn''t resolved, he wouldn''t have peace. Of two evils, choose the lesser. Suppressing his inner torment, Zheng Yuanqiu agreed, "Fine, I promise you. But how can you guarantee that you''ll keep your mouth shut?" "Do you really have a choice, my Lord Chief Officer?" "You..." Seeing Zheng Yuanqiu about to erupt, Shen Qing knew not to provoke him further and assured him, "Rest assured, I''m a person who keeps my word. I''m not interested in your affairs. Had you not provoked me, today''s incident wouldn''t have happened. Give me back my things, and I won''t speak out of turn." Zheng Yuanqiu remained expressionless after hearing this. He knew that now he was on the chopping block, and Shen Qing had the upper hand. He truly had no other choice and warned, "Fine, I''ll trust you this once." With that, Zheng Yuanqiu rummaged through the ruins, found a box intertwined with iron and jade, and after some selecting, placed items into a money pouch. "I took from you a total of three Demon Cores, seven hundred taels in silver notes, and a Wish Power Pearl. I''ve already used the Demon Core, so I''ll compensate with a Wish Power Pearl. Other consumables and losses amount, converted, to one thousand taels for you." "Master Zheng, did you get it wrong? You clearly took five Wish Power Pearls from me?" Zheng Yuanqiu''s eyes almost popped out in rage, "Fine, fine, fine." He suppressed his temper, added four more Wish Power Pearls, totaling six, into the money pouch, and threw it to Shen Qing. Shen Qing took the money pouch, glanced inside, confirmed there were no issues and said, "Thank you, Lord Chief Officer, for your generosity. Now that our matters are settled, I won''t disturb you any longer. Goodbye." Saying this, Shen Qing clasped his hands in salute and withdrew. Zheng Yuanqiu watched Shen Qing silently, his face icy cold. After stepping out from the rear hall, Shen Qing couldn''t hold back a sweet taste in his throat, with a trickle of blood at the corner of his mouth. A Dan Realm martial master. Stronger than he had imagined. For now, he couldn''t deal with him lightly. Shen Qing composed his mind, focusing on activating the Six Paths Whale Swallowing Technique to repair his internal injuries. This cultivation technique was one he had carefully chosen, exhibiting immense potential when he fully activated it. Every meridian began to bulge, and each inch of skin and flesh glowed with a crystalline sheen. His injuries healed at a speed visible to the naked eye. Shen Qing looked at the money pouch hanging from his waist and felt satisfied. As the saying goes, you must enter the tiger''s lair to catch the tiger cub. To gain more, you must take some risks. There''s no such thing as a free lunch in this world. Today''s venture seemed risky but was mostly within his plan, not too far gone. Everything in this pouch was rightfully his. "Look, Shen Chasi is coming out." When Shen Qing reached the backyard, all eyes instantly focused on him. As an officer of the fourth group, Ji Youwu hurried forward and asked anxiously, "Are you alright?" Shen Qing replied calmly, "What could possibly happen to me?" "The Lord Chief Officer didn''t make things difficult for you?" "It was merely a misunderstanding. I always rely on virtue to win people over. After my explanation, Mr. Zheng gave me the Wish Power Pearl, nothing too troublesome." "Ah... Did I hear that right?" Exclamations of disbelief echoed through the courtyard, full of incredulity. When had Fatty Zheng become so agreeable? Shen Qing didn''t bother to explain further to them. In his view, the situation had escalated to a point where it was him or Zheng Yuanqiu. Zheng Yuanqiu had to die; otherwise, he wouldn''t find peace. Since he couldn''t kill Zheng Yuanqiu himself, he would find someone who could. Shen Qing left the Guardian Martial Department Office unhurriedly, heading straight for the Military Department. He planned to report it! "Hyah!" After Shen Qing left, the already noisy backyard became abuzz, discussing the truth of Shen Qing''s words and speculating about what had happened between him and Zheng Yuanqiu. Amidst the crowd, Dong Jing found himself somewhat dumbfounded. He realized he was getting more and more perplexed by Shen Qing. At that moment, a Chang Sui rushed over and informed the officer in charge of the fifth group, Xu Changle, "Xu Chasi, the Lord Chief Officer requests your presence." "Alright, I''m on my way." Xu Changle cast a glance at the doorway, then followed the Chang Sui into the rear hall. Upon entering the quiet room and seeing the mess, Xu Changle''s expression changed drastically. Facing Zheng Yuanqiu, he asked, "What happened here?" "Our identities have been exposed." Buzz! In an instant, Xu Changle''s mind went blank. Realizing something, he blurted out, "Is it Shen Qing?" Zheng Yuanqiu nodded and remained silent. "How did he find out?" "There''s no point in chasing that now. The priority is to find an opportunity to kill Shen Qing immediately. We can''t delay even a moment, or we''ll be in big trouble," Zheng Yuanqiu said sternly. Recognizing the gravity of the situation, Xu Changle responded quickly, "I''ll handle it right away." "By the way," Just as Xu Changle was about to leave, Zheng Yuanqiu recalled something and asked, "What is Shen Qing doing now?" "When I came, he had just left the government office." As soon as those words were spoken, the two exchanged a glance, detecting a trace of fear in each other''s eyes. "I''ll go after him right away." Without hesitation, Xu Changle dashed out of the quiet room. Zheng Yuanqiu angrily punched the wall and gritted his teeth, "That rascal! I will never forgive you." Chapter 232 - 58: Those Who Block Me Shall Die, Kill Them All! Xu Changle emerged from the quiet room, his mind already in turmoil. He and Zheng Yuanqiu had been lurking in Yongzhou for many years, using the Guardian Martial Department''s connections to secretly do many unsavory deeds for the Holy Sect. If their identities were exposed, there was no doubt they would die without a burial place. Thinking of this, his steps became more urgent, eager to catch up with Shen Qing immediately and nip the danger in the bud. As he reached the courtyard of the Guardian Martial Department, Xu Changle ignored the gazes around him and continued walking, heading straight to the stables to retrieve his horse, galloping toward the direction of the Military Department and the county government. Seated on horseback, Xu Changle took out five yellow paper talismans from his bosom and placed them in his palm, pressing his hands together and rubbing twice. Instantly, five lifelike paper cranes appeared in his palm. "Order all parties to surround and kill the Chief Officer of the Guardian Martial Department''s fourth group, Shen Qing! Quickly! Go!" Xu Changle tossed his palm upward, and the five yellow paper cranes turned into five streaks of yellow light, vanishing into the void. ... Above Yongzhou City, the heavy snow fluttered down again like goose feathers. In such a large city, there were few pedestrians, the streets appearing empty. Shen Qing rode his horse toward the Military Department, one hand holding his dagger and the other the reins. The Military Department was quite a distance from the county office and the Guardian Martial Department, and with many alleys in between, it would take nearly a stick of incense''s time for him to reach, even on horseback. Zheng Yuanqiu had been operating within the Guardian Martial Department for many years, surely with many spies inside; his departure would be hard to conceal from Zheng Yuanqiu. As long as Zheng Yuanqiu wasn''t foolish, he would surely guess Shen Qing''s intentions were dishonorable. He didn''t have much time left. Shen Qing rode his horse, turning into a street. Suddenly, a flash of yellow light passed above his head and disappeared into a house ahead. Just as Shen Qing was puzzled, the previously fleeting yellow light returned and charged straight at him. He found the yellow glow strangely familiar, scrutinizing it closely. Wasn''t this a Yellow Paper Crane from the Huang Tian Sect? He instantly became vigilant, almost instinctively using the "Deng Li Cang Shen" from his Riding Skill, slipping to one side of his horse. At that very instant, a fierce arrow shot across the horse''s back, closely following the yellow paper crane. Shen Qing squinted, looking up. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He saw at the end of the street, a man in a cotton jacket crouched, aiming a bow at him. A member of the Huang Tian Sect. If Shen Qing hadn''t reacted quickly, even if he wasn''t injured, he would have at least suffered. Lying on the side of his horse, Shen Qing''s expression turned cold as he grabbed the reins with both hands, sat back on the saddle, and drew the bow hanging from the horse''s back. His eyes suddenly congealed into two cold stars, his movements fluid as he nocked an arrow and drew the bowstring. With subtle adjustments in his breathing, Shen Qing''s entire body''s strength swiftly gathered into his arms, then flowed to his fingertips, as he nocked the arrow, drew the bow, and activated the Heavenly Bow Technique. The whistling sound grew around him, swirling up snow and frost, shrouding Shen Qing within. In the instant the opponent''s arrow left the string, Shen Qing released his grip. The Purple Gold Heavy Arrow, made from solid material, thundered with an unstoppable force straight toward the opponent. The thick layer of snow on the ground was swept away by the arrow''s force, revealing the clean, straight blue brick beneath. Thud! An unimaginable scene unfolded. The arrow Shot by Shen Qing hit the opponent''s arrow squarely. The powerful snowstorm arrow shredded the opponent''s arrow to pieces. The momentum of Shen Qing''s arrow was undiminished, growing even stronger. With a howling snowstorm, it pierced through the opponent''s chest like a bamboo moving through the wind, leaving a large, bowl-sized blood hole. Blood splattered, nearly turning the white snow on the ground red. Shen Qing galloped past. As he passed the corpse of the Huang Tian Sect''s spy, he reached down, snatching back the Purple Gold Heavy Arrow without looking back. After not much distance, Shen Qing noticed more yellow paper cranes flying overhead and frowned slightly. "Zheng Yuanqiu and his crew respond quickly, already reacting in such a short time. But¡­ it''s too late." Shen Qing''s expression turned solemn, without hesitation, as he strung the previously used arrow once more. [Activate Eagle Eye!] Suddenly, countless images flooded his mind, composing an overhead map of the street. On the snow-covered street, a black steed galloped, spraying snow in all directions. Ahead of the horse, three figures converged toward his location. Shen Qing remembered their positions, wasted no words, and began firing arrows rapidly toward three positions. Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh. Three arrows shot forth, the wind and clouds shifted. The snowstorm engulfing the area was cleared by the three arrows, whistling unimpeded toward the three Huang Tian Sect spies. The three Huang Tian Sect spies hadn''t realized what was happening before the arrows penetrated their hearts. The powerful momentum nearly split them in half, leaving them undeniably dead. The air was thick with the scent of blood and the chill of impending death. Shen Qing put away the Cloud Splitting Heavy Bow, his face expressionless: "Is there one more?" He saw another martial master emerging from a narrow alley, taking a shortcut. Now they were too close for the use of arrows to be convenient. Shen Qing simply drew his dagger from his waist, holding it horizontally before him. He tightened his grip around his horse''s belly, urging his horse to charge and slash. "Those who block me shall die!" Even an eagle gives its all when attacking a rabbit. [Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill, Ninth Transformation] Shen Qing''s eyes focused, channeling True Qi within him, concentrating it onto his dagger. Blade facing blade. With a crisp snap, under this shocking strike from Shen Qing, the opponent hadn''t even had time to react before the long sword he wielded was shattered by Shen Qing''s strike. Slosh! Shen Qing''s hand movements were relentless, severing the opponent''s head with one strike. Blood gushed, splattering Shen Qing''s clothes on one side. Thus, the temporary reinforcements sent by the Huang Tian Sect were all dead! Shen Qing wasted no time, casually flinging the blood from his dagger with a flick of his sleeve, then sheathing it calmly. The snow previously cleared by the force of his arrows began to flutter down once more. All was as usual. Not far ahead, Shen Qing saw the gates of the Military Department Office. Before the appearance of demons and the Huang Tian Sect, the Military Department was in charge of maintaining law and order with considerable power. Later, due to the emergence of the Huang Tian Sect and demons, the Guardian Martial Department split from the Military Department; in a sense, the Guardian Martial Department was part of the Military Department. Hence, their superior was naturally the Commander of the Military Department. With a spy appearing in the Guardian Martial Department, the Commander''s responsibility was undeniable, while Shen Qing, dealing with Zheng Yuanqiu, was already cultivated enough. "Who goes there?" When Shen Qing arrived at the military governor''s office, the guards were alarmed, seeing Shen Qing half-covered in blood, instinctively flashing their weapons. Shen Qing quickly said: "I am Shen Qing from the Guardian Martial Department''s dispatch office, I have urgent matters to report to Lord Commander. This matter is extremely urgent, please immediately inform him." Chapter 233 - 59: Breaking Through the Yu Luo Realm ¿¤ÑÃÃÅ¿Ú,º®·çÖèÆð. Shen Qing wore the cotton uniform of the Guardian Martial Department. The hem was edged with fine blood-colored ice crystals, and even one side of his cheek bore a bloodstain. Anyone could see that he had just killed someone. The two gatekeepers standing at the entrance dared not let him in casually. "We ask that you show your identity card," one of the gatekeepers said, his hands tucked into his sleeves as he held his weapon, exposing only a red nose and a pair of wary eyes. Shen Qing retrieved a finely carved jade token from his pocket, with his name and official position engraved on it, and handed it over. The gatekeeper took the jade token and carefully examined it in the dim light by the door, his expression gradually becoming more respectful. "So it''s Lord Shen, Lord Officer Shen. My apologies." Shen Qing took back his identity card and tightened his cloak, asking, "May I ask, where are the Lord Military Commander and the Lord of the General Supervisor''s Office at the moment?" The gatekeeper stomped his feet and, with a troubled expression, explained, "Lord Shen, unfortunately, the Lord Military Commander and the Lord of the General Supervisor''s Office went out early this morning to inspect the city defenses. They said they wanted to personally check the fortifications outside the city and are expected to return in the afternoon. Would you like to leave a message, or wait a while until they return?" Hearing this, Shen Qing frowned slightly, knowing that his visit was of great importance and time was of the essence, yet he hadn''t expected the two main officials to be absent. "In that case, I''ll go inside and wait," he said. Currently, he had completely fallen out with Zheng Yuanqiu, and outside, it might not be as safe as the county office here. As long as Zheng Yuanqiu hadn''t figured out the situation here, he wouldn''t dare act recklessly. Otherwise, if something went wrong, everyone would assume the worst, and it would be hard to explain. The gatekeeper quickly put down his long spear, bowed, then swiftly stepped forward to push open the heavy county office doors for Shen Qing. As Shen Qing stepped into the county office, the warmth instantly provided a stark contrast to the bitter cold outside. Saying this, Shen Qing pulled out one ingot of silver from his pocket and slipped it into the gatekeeper''s hand, saying, "Please, brother, keep an eye out. Inform me immediately when they return." "Rest assured, Lord Shen, I''ll do my utmost," the gatekeeper promised quickly. He then led Shen Qing to a warm room nearby to wait and ordered someone to prepare hot tea and snacks to ward off the winter chill. Seated in the warm room, watching the snow fluttering outside, Shen Qing''s mind was filled with countless thoughts. It was nearing the end of the year; any necessary inspections should have been completed long ago. Why would there suddenly be so many inspections to do now? Why check now instead of earlier or later? If he wasn''t mistaken, nine times out of ten, they went out to socialize. They should be back around noon if things went as expected. In the prefectures and counties, Shen Qing could finally relax his tense mind a little. He took out the purse he had obtained from Zheng Yuanqiu. Shen Qing poured it into his hand. Six Wish Power Pearls rolled into his palm. They received just one Wish Power Pearl each per year, so if his position didn''t change, it would take him six years to earn these six pearls. Shen Qing estimated silently that among these six Wish Power Pearls, one was originally his, four were likely Zheng Yuanqiu''s original official salary, and one might have been taken from the deceased Xi Shaoqin''s allotted share. Now they all benefitted him. Confronting Zheng Yuanqiu face-to-face had been a risky move, but it was somewhat worth it in the end. He had been stuck in the Qi Hai Realm for four or five months. After continuous nourishment with medicinal meals and an increase in his panel abilities, he was now only a step away from advancing from the Qi Hai Realm to the Yu Luo Realm. The so-called Yu Luo Realm was when martial masters, through continuous cultivation, further compressed their True Qi into liquid that filled their entire body''s meridians, transforming the Qi Sea into a True Sea. Once reaching this realm, when martial masters circulated their True Qi, a crystal light would appear along their meridians, resembling real jade, hence the name Yu Luo Realm. In the Yu Luo Realm, True Qi throughout the body was refined and one could glide with Qi. Though not quite as advanced as the innate Rainbow Light control, it was still above the ordinary. Even within the entire Great Zhou Country, one would be considered a prominent figure within a city in a prefecture. Seeing it was still early with nothing to do, Shen Qing, having witnessed the terrifying power of the innate realm, didn''t want to waste this downtime opportunity and planned to use the Wish Power Pearls to break through the bottleneck of the Yu Luo Realm. He felt a bit insecure at the moment. Even a slight advancement could offer him some peace of mind. So, he decided to act. Shen Qing stored the extra Wish Power Pearls back in the purse, leaving only one out. Gazing at the milky white pearl in his hand, Shen Qing could faintly sense the immense Desire Power contained within. He took a deep breath, took out the Refining Pearl Technique he carried with him, placed it over his Dantian, and gently lifted the Wish Power Pearl with both hands. With a thought, the Refining Pearl Technique automatically activated, and his True Qi surged like a river, converging between his hands and resonating subtly with the Wish Power Pearl. The Wish Power Pearl''s surface gradually emitted a soft glow, intertwining and merging with Shen Qing''s True Qi to form a vast power. The Spiritual Energy of heaven and earth gathered towards where Shen Qing sat. His pores opened wide, greedily absorbing this energy. As the energy entered, the True Qi within his Qi Sea began to spin and compress madly, as if guided by an invisible force, condensing into a liquid form, exuding a warm, jade-like luster. ... On the street. Xu Changle hastily followed the location indicated by the paper crane. S~ea??h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. His face grew increasingly grim as he came across one corpse after another. These people were experts in the Qi Cultivation Realm secretly cultivated by their Huang Tian Sect, following the martial path. Yet they didn''t even possess the capability to hold Shen Qing back! At that moment, Xu Changle realized that Shen Qing was somewhat out of the ordinary and challenging to deal with. But he was not without options. Up to now, his own identity remained undisclosed. This meant he could still get close to Shen Qing, and with his cultivation in the Qi Hai Realm, if he made a move at the right moment, he had a seventy percent chance of succeeding. Once he acted and killed him, he could fabricate any reason later on, resolving any crisis naturally. Judging from the situation with Chief Officer Zheng, this Shen was very skilled at manipulating human nature. At that time, he must not engage in any unnecessary interactions and should act decisively. Xu Changle quietly warned himself as he headed towards the county office. Soon, he arrived at the entrance, providing a reason unhurriedly, verified his identity, and proceeded inside without any obstructions. He asked, in a tone part casual, part deliberate, "I just saw Shen Chasi arrive before me, where is he now?" "Lord Shen? He is in the warm room," the gatekeeper replied without much thought. "Oh, that''s perfect. I have some business with him," Xu Changle said nonchalantly. "You can go about your work; I''ll find him on my own." "Alright, I won''t disturb you," the guard replied. Once he got the gatekeeper out of the way, Xu Changle''s face instantly turned cold as he quickly made his way toward the warm room. Inside the warm room. Shen Qing sat in the chair, enveloped by a vortex of Spiritual Energy around him, continuously entering his body. Boom! Finally, the True Qi within him reached a critical point. With a clear, resounding boom, Shen Qing''s Qi Sea underwent a complete transformation into a True Sea, vast and unfathomable. His meridians were also filled at that moment with the liquified True Qi, crystalline and translucent, seemingly carved from jade, shimmering with a radiant glow. Shen Qing slowly opened his eyes, radiating energy and exuding an indescribable aura. "Success!" Shen Qing''s face was filled with an incredible joy, he knew he was just a step away from the Yu Luo Realm, but he hadn''t expected, aided by the Wish Power Pearl, to break through to the Yu Luo Realm so effortlessly!!! He stood up, feeling the surge of new power within him, and his mouth curled into a confident smile, feeling much more at ease. "Very well. Now, I may not be able to kill Zheng Yuanqiu, but at least I won''t be in such a miserable state as before." At that moment, footsteps sounded outside the warm room, and someone pushed the door open, interrupting his thoughts. Chapter 234 - 60: Better to Kill by Mistake Than to Miss One ¿¤Ñà courtyard''s snow curtain was as dense as a woven fabric, but inside the warm room, the fire crackled warmly, like spring. Xu Changle wore a heavy brocade robe, stepping with a light snow sound, he walked up to the warm room and pushed open the carved wooden door. In an instant, the cold air from the courtyard found its outlet and rushed into the warm room. Snowflakes were carried by the cold wind into the warm room, falling to the ground and turning into ice water. Xu Changle stepped inside, his gaze as sharp as an eagle''s, scanning the surroundings. Soon, his sight landed on Shen Qing''s figure. At this moment, in the vast warm room, there was only Shen Qing. Xu Changle''s lips curled into an imperceptible cold smile. This was good. Xu Changle closed the door with a backward motion of his hand. The howling wind at the door abruptly stopped. With a hint of deliberate intimacy, he said, "Oh, I didn''t expect to find you here, Shen Chasi?" Shen Qing sat calmly on a chair, looking up at Xu Changle with a face full of surprise, he asked, "Xu Chasi? It''s a coincidence you came to the county office too. Is there something important?" Xu Changle''s smile grew brighter, a sly glint flickering in his eyes as he said, "In this heavy snow, what important matters could there be? I just happened to pass by, thinking the New Year is near, and came specifically to get acquainted with Lord Commander and Lord Chief Officer." Commander Jia Zhiping and Chief Officer Huang Furo''s positions could be considered as superiors of the Guardian Martial Department. To climb higher, one could not bypass these two people. Therefore, at the end or beginning of each year, the Military Department and Guardian Martial Department saw many ambitious officials trying various means to connect with the two. Simultaneously, the high-ranking families behind these officials often wanted a foot in the door. Although Shen Qing hadn''t experienced this, he had heard of the custom and understood another layer of meaning in Xu Changle''s words. This was undoubtedly one of the main reasons that Jia Zhiping and Huang Furo became increasingly busy as the year-end approached. "Oh, so that''s how it is..." Shen Qing slowly stood up, putting on a smile as he walked towards Xu Changle. S§×arch* The ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He didn''t seem distant or cold, but rather hooked Xu Changle''s shoulder with a smile: "Brother Xu, do you have any experience to share with me? I also want to advance but have no way." Seeing this, Xu Changle was delighted and did not resist. He was worrying about how to approach Shen Qing and didn''t expect him to deliver himself. Heh heh, there''s a path to heaven you don''t take, but you break into the doorless hell. Don''t blame me then. His hand moved towards the dagger at his waist as he said, "Haha, there''s no secret, just three words." "Oh, which three words?" Shen Qing showed a look of earnest listening, instinctively placing his other hand on Xu Changle''s chest, his eyes growing purer. There was a slightly more smile on Xu Changle''s face, scrutinizing Shen Qing, his heart filled with ecstasy. He was about to succeed. He twisted his wrist on the knife handle, about to speak, when he suddenly felt an intense heat in his chest. Boom! Abruptly, a volcano-like surge erupted from Shen Qing''s palm, and an unprecedented burning torrent burst forth. At this moment, the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill was running at its peak, with the scorching Qi it contained interwoven with the dominant might of the Sky Flipping Seal, exploding on Xu Changle''s chest. Xu Changle''s face changed drastically, emitting a sharp scream. He was thrown sideways by an irresistible force like a leaf caught in a hurricane, slamming hard against the warm room wall. The wall behind him cracked like a spider web rapidly spreading as he crashed against it. Xu Changle spat out a mouthful of fresh blood, looking extremely haggard and frail. He raised his head to see Shen Qing, noticing the jade-colored patterns emerging on his body, revealing a look of disbelief as a monstrous wave surged in his heart. Yu Luo Realm! He was actually a martial master of the Yu Luo Realm! He clearly remembered when this Shen Qing had just joined the Guardian Martial Department, his cultivation was only at the Qi Cultivation Realm, not even reaching the Qi Hai Realm. Had this Shen fellow broken through two Great Realms in just half a year? How could it be? The Guardian Martial Department, after so many years of establishment, how could such an individual emerge? In an instant, many thoughts ran through his mind. Xu Changle said, "Shen Chasi... you... what does this mean?" "Nothing, just that I want to kill you." Shen Qing''s tone was cold, without any emotional fluctuation. He had noticed this Xu Changle several times by chance, closely interacting with Zheng Yuanqiu, and even if not collaborating with Zheng, they must have some other connection. He had barely left the Guardian Martial Department for the county office when this person followed. Moreover, seeing the blood on him, this man wasn''t surprised, almost like he already knew he had killed someone. Ninety percent sure he was targeting him. Even though he didn''t have any evidence at hand now. But rather kill mistakenly than let go!!! At this moment, how could he show mercy? It''s better for someone else to die than himself. Xu Changle had never seen anyone as ruthless as Shen Qing, who acted so decisively that he had no defense at all. Seeing Shen Qing approaching step by step with no intention of sparing him, he felt as if he had fallen into an ice cellar, his face gradually filled with fear. He started to struggle, trying to muster his entire True Qi to resist, but now almost all his meridians were shattered by Shen Qing''s palm, leaving him with no strength. The strong desire to survive drove him to ignore his injuries, painfully sticking to the wall and trying to get up, warning Shen Qing: "Shen Chasi... do you know... what you are... doing? Are you trying... to kill an official... this is the county..." Before Xu Changle could finish his words. There was a flash of cold light, and a shiny steel knife was plunged into his chest. "What official? You are clearly a traitor, a Huang Tian Sect traitor." "Huh! You... have... no proof... huh!" "Dead men don''t need proof." Xu Changle''s pupils suddenly widened. With a squelch. As soon as the words fell, Shen Qing''s blood-stained dagger, in Xu Changle''s despairing gaze, sliced across his throat. Hot blood splattered everywhere, the thick stench of blood rising in the warm room. "Huh... huh..." Xu Changle''s throat sounded like a bellows with leaks, continuously rasping. Shen Qing wiped his dagger on Xu Changle''s clothes, removing the blood from the blade, then sheathed it. He returned to the chair, placing the long knife across his legs, and took a sip of warm tea. Shen Qing replaced the tea cup onto the table with a clink. At the same time, the deceased Xu Changle slumped to sit before toppling over to the ground. The crimson blood slowly spread from beneath him. Inside the warm room, the fire continued to crackle. Shen Qing glanced at Xu Changle and withdrew his gaze, his expression calming as he regulated his breath silently. Chapter 235 - 61 Report! ``` After a brief adjustment of his breath, Shen Qing calmed the side effects of the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill. It suddenly occurred to Shen Qing that he hadn''t yet searched the corpse, so he hurried to Xu Changle''s body and began to search it carefully. Seeing that there was no one around, he searched meticulously and successfully found a bulging money pouch on the body. Shen Qing opened the pouch and counted the contents, discovering a Wish Power Pearl and several taels of Silver Tael. Xu Changle had just received his annual salary today and hadn''t had the chance to use it, leaving it on him. It was all to Shen Qing''s benefit now. Not to mention, that Wish Power Pearl was quite a rare find. Today''s gain utterly exceeded his expectations. Shen Qing unhesitatingly tucked the money pouch into his robe with practiced ease. He casually pushed open the window and glanced at the sky. It looked like it had just reached noon, and there was still some time before Huang Furo and the others would return. He had to keep waiting. Shen Qing settled back into the chair, patiently regulating his breath as he waited. Time passed slowly, and soon it was late noon. Shen Qing sat quietly in the chair, his eyes slightly closed, surrounded by a faint ripple of spiritual energy, engrossed in regulating his inner breath, oblivious to anything happening outside. Just then, the gatekeeper opened the door to the warm room and loudly said, "Shen Chasi, the Chief Officer and the others have returned..." He hadn''t finished speaking when his gaze involuntarily fixed on one side of the warm room, his pupils suddenly contracted. There lay a corpse quietly on the cold ground, its blood already dried. On closer inspection, he noticed the distorted face and disheveled clothing of the corpse, clearly indicating a fierce struggle. The gatekeeper was overcome by a sense of foreboding and became terribly frightened. His face turned pale, and he pointed at the corpse, his voice trembling as he asked, "Shen Chasi, this... this is..." The gatekeeper recognized it as the dispatch officer of the Guardian Martial Department who had entered earlier! Shen Qing had killed him? This Shen had blatantly killed an official of the Guardian Martial Department in the county office? Was this Shen Qing insane? Upon hearing the disturbance, Shen Qing slowly opened his eyes, which flashed with a sharp glint. He gently exhaled a deep breath, calming the surging energy within. "No need to worry too much. This person was a spy from the Huang Tian Sect. I discovered his identity and had no choice but to act. Quickly inform the Chief Officer and the others to come here. I need to report this in person. This matter is of critical importance! Hurry!" Shen Qing''s voice, though soft, carried an undeniable firmness. The gatekeeper''s heart skipped a beat upon hearing this. He glanced at Shen Qing, then back at the corpse on the ground, realizing the gravity of the situation, promptly agreeing and rushing off to inform them. After the gatekeeper left, Shen Qing''s demeanor gradually became colder and much more serious. Shen Qing didn''t have to wait long. Soon, a series of steady and forceful footsteps echoed outside the warm room. Commander Jia Zhiping and Chief Officer Huang Furo pushed open the door and entered the room one after the other. As soon as they entered, their eyes were instantly drawn to the corpse on the ground, both stunned and speechless. Clearly, neither had expected someone would kill another official within the county office. Jia Zhiping''s voice carried a hint of irrefutable authority as he sternly asked, "What in the world happened here? You''d better have a good explanation for me." Jia Zhiping, thickly bearded and stout, exuded composure and strength with every step, resembling a triumphant general, fixing a severe gaze on Shen Qing. The aura of an Innate Martial Master was naturally evident in him. Under this aura, every hair on Shen Qing''s body stood on end, feeling immense pressure. He hurriedly activated the true qi from his True Spirit Sea, a faint jade radiance appearing over his body, covertly resisting this imposing force. Shen Qing had vaguely heard that this Commander of the Military Department had a character that abhorred evil, with a fiery temperament. Not daring to delay, Shen Qing took a stack of letters from his sleeve, stepped forward, and respectfully presented them before Jia Zhiping, saying in a deep voice, "These are correspondences between Zheng Yuanqiu and the Huang Tian Sect that I discovered during my investigation. I request your review, My Lord." Jia Zhiping gave them a sweeping glance, his eyes twitching twice before handing them over to Huang Furo next to him after reading. Huang Furo took the letters and began to read them quickly, her expression becoming increasingly gravely as she delved into the contents. Each word in the letters revealed the Huang Tian Sect''s schemes and ambition and the evidence of Zheng Yuanqiu''s collusion with them. A trace of cold light flashed in Huang Furo''s beautiful eyes. She asked, "Where did you get this letter?" Shen Qing replied half-truthfully, "I discovered it on my way to the prefectures and counties. I never dared to be sure until today when the annual salaries were distributed, and I accidentally witnessed Chief Officer Zheng''s handwriting. It was identical to that in the letter, which is why I rushed over to report it." After speaking, he casually pointed to Xu Changle''s corpse on the ground and continued, "This person and Zheng Yuanqiu were both spies sent by Huang Tian Sect. He discovered my purpose for coming here. In desperation, like a cornered beast, he chased me all the way here. But fortunately, my cultivation was slightly superior, and I killed him in return." "I ask the Lord to discern the truth!" sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Huang Furo was not entirely convinced by Shen Qing''s unilateral account. She held the letter, pondered for a while, and immediately summoned Chang Sui to retrieve past official documents from Zheng Yuanqiu received at the county office. She carefully compared the handwriting on the documents with that in the letters. Finding the styles to be identical, she realized it was the work of the same person. Huang Furo''s expression suddenly changed, "Zheng Yuanqiu, so he really is with the Huang Tian Sect!" Jia Zhiping lowered his gaze, seemingly and imperceptibly glancing at Huang Furo. Huang Furo immediately realized her negligence in supervision, allowing such a huge oversight. She clasped her hands together and pleaded, "My Lord, this is entirely my failure in oversight. I request your punishment." Jia Zhiping''s face remained expressionless, but even the unfamiliar Shen Qing could sense the fury in his eyes. A prestigious Chief Officer of the Guardian Martial Department turned out to be the leader of the bandits. If this reached the court, reputations would be ruined, and there would be no end to the consequences for him. However, he knew now was not the time for punishment. Jia Zhiping quickly regained his composure, calmly issuing orders, "Close the city gates, place the entire city under curfew, and ensure that the remnants of the Huang Tian Sect are completely eradicated. I will personally go to capture this chief bandit." Huang Furo and Shen Qing immediately agreed. Under their gaze, Jia Zhiping''s entire body shone brilliantly, then transformed into a rainbow light soaring into the sky, swiftly heading toward the government office of the Guardian Martial Department, moving at an exceptionally fast pace. In the blink of an eye, he vanished into the horizon. Huang Furo returned to her senses and quickly said to Shen Qing, "You will follow me now to defend the entire city and capture the remnants of the Huang Tian Sect." "Yes!" Shen Qing promptly agreed. The two swiftly followed Jia Zhiping out the door. Huang Furo quickly issued commands, summoning all two to three hundred members of the Military Department to guard each town. Nearing the year''s end, the previously peaceful Yongzhou City suddenly erupted into chaos. ``` Chapter 236 - 62 Missed by One Step ``` Above the Guardian Martial Department, the dark clouds were as thick as ink. A sudden rainbow-colored light cut through the sky and descended, landing steadily in the rear hall of the Guardian Martial Department. As soon as this streak of light touched the ground, it dissipated like fireworks, revealing the stern face of Jia Zhiping. Unlike the usual bustle, Jia Zhiping found the rear hall to be unusually quiet at this moment. His heart tensed suddenly, as if realizing something, and he quickly surveyed his surroundings. The vast rear hall was empty, with not even a trace of many servants. Jia Zhiping strode quickly into the quiet room at the back hall, only to see chaos all around, with no sign of Zheng Yuanqiu. This person had realized something was amiss and fled ahead of him. Damn it! Jia Zhiping''s expression turned extremely grim. He angrily swept his sleeve and swiftly left the Guardian Martial Department in a hurry. Meanwhile, As Commander Jia Zhiping rushed to the Guardian Martial Department, Huang Furo, after issuing a few orders in succession, brought Shen Qing along and hurried toward Changhua Street. Changhua Street belonged to Anshan Square, located in the southeast part of Yongzhou City, a place of prosperity. Zheng Yuanqiu''s residence was here. The distance between Changhua Street and the government office of the Military Department was not far, and Huang Furo, bringing Shen Qing and a few subordinates, took only half a moment to reach the "Zheng Mansion." The majestic courtyard had its front gate tightly shut. Without hesitation, Huang Furo gracefully raised her hand, striking the door with the force of thunder. Accompanied by a deafening "bang," the wooden door exploded instantly, splintering apart with shards flying everywhere. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The air was filled with the mingling dusty scent of wood and earth. Huang Furo''s face was cold as frost, expressionlessly retracting her hand before propelling herself forward like an arrow released from a bowstring, entering without a moment''s hesitation. Shen Qing, witnessing this scene from the side, was momentarily stunned. Huang Furo''s actions were truly like those of a man, rudely forceful, without consideration. No time to ponder further, Shen Qing quickly collected his thoughts. Following Huang Furo, he and other officers from the Military Department rushed in one after another. The numerous servants in the courtyard, engrossed in their tasks, were startled by their forceful arrival. A steward stepped forward, shouting, "This is the residence of Lord Chief Officer of the Guardian Martial Department. What are you doing?" "Search!" Huang Furo''s voice was cold and powerful, echoing in the empty house, ignoring the steward. She knew that every second was crucial and that she must find Zheng Yuanqiu''s whereabouts quickly. Otherwise, delays could lead to unexpected changes. If this matter went unresolved, it would be impossible to account for it. "You!" The Zheng Mansion steward, seeing these people act so rudely, glared angrily. Huang Furo stepped forward and questioned, "Let me ask you, where is your master now?" The Zheng Mansion steward looked closely, seeing that this was none other than Huang Furo, the Commander of the Military Department, and eldest daughter of the Huangfu family, who had eyebrows like distant ink strokes and wore beige attire exuding the aura of a high-ranking person. Having spent years with Zheng Yuanqiu and seen much, he immediately recognized the incredibly beautiful woman before him. Even if his master were present, he would show due respect to someone like her. He dared not act rashly, and his arrogance quickly subsided. The Zheng Mansion steward, unable to grasp the situation, answered honestly to Huang Furo''s questioning, "The master is always busy with official duties and is elusive. How would we servants know?" "Then when was the last time you saw him today?" "Earlier today, it was around noon when the master returned briefly, took some things, and left in a hurry." Hearing this, Huang Furo''s heart skipped a beat, realizing that Zheng Yuanqiu might have already fled far away. "Sir, there''s no trace of Mr. Zheng in the house." "None here either." "..." The subordinates reported in succession. "Take these people back for questioning. You two, come with me." Huang Furo was not surprised by such a result. She pointed out Shen Qing and another officer from the Military Department, then hurried towards the door. "Yes." Shen Qing and the other officer responded in unison, ignoring the chaos behind and swiftly following. Once out of the Zheng Mansion, Huang Furo rushed straight to the nearest city gate without any hesitation. When the three of them arrived at the city gate, they found that Jia Zhiping was already waiting there for some time. Huang Furo stepped forward and spoke first: "Sir, how''s the situation?" Jia Zhiping said in a deep voice: "It seems Zheng Yuanqiu was well prepared. I''ve asked at all the city gates, and none have discovered any trace of his departure. It seems he''s been building back routes for himself during his time at the Guardian Martial Department." Huang Furo gritted her teeth, her expression turning grim. Jia Zhiping scanned the surroundings, his gaze firm, and said: "Immediately deploy the city''s forces to seal all the main exits, and at the same time strengthen the patrols within the city. We must find Zheng Yuanqiu''s trail." Hearing this, the assembled officers quickly followed orders and moved into action. Commander Jia Zhiping said calmly, "Now, Lord Huangfu, control the situation while I promptly meet the Prefectural Governor to report this matter." "Subordinate, at your command." Huang Furo clasped her hands, her expression becoming more solemn. As the seconds and minutes passed, to everyone''s surprise, Zheng Yuanqiu seemed to have vanished into thin air. Even if they searched every nook and cranny, they were unable to find any trace. Facing such a situation, Shen Qing''s heart sank. At this moment, he suddenly felt extremely insecure. Now that he had torn relations with Zheng Yuanqiu and had become mortal enemies, with a Dan Realm martial master hidden in the shadows, he could not rest easy if not killed. Jia Zhiping and his forces, contrary to what he had thought, were not omnipotent; their efforts had reached a stalemate. When he was clueless and troubled, he happened to walk past the street where he had previously shot down the disciples of the Huang Tian Sect. The image of a yellow paper crane flashed through his mind. Shen Qing paused, frowning slightly. In the "Annotations on Talismans," a method named the tracking talisman surfaced in his mind. He focused his mind, revealing a line of ink-washed text. [Skill: Talisman Making Skill (Skillfully)] [Progress: 115/200 points] [Status: Cannot be upgraded] [Note: Talismans are the divine skills of ancient immortals. Now that the great path has declined, it takes ten thousand efforts to achieve even a bit. With relentless practice, one can achieve the slightest success.] After learning the annotations on talismans, Shen Qing had practiced secretly out of curiosity for some time. During his practice, he found that this skill required great effort for little gain and was extremely difficult to train. Without the right techniques, it was hard to utilize and could only produce minor results. As a result, this skill was gradually sidelined, and he left its progress at a skillful level before setting it aside. Now, the matter of the yellow paper crane reminded him that among the many talismans, the tracking talisman was the most basic, conveniently within his range of creation. Perhaps he could try out this talisman. ``` Chapter 237 - 63: Learn Now, Act Now, Catch Them Off Guard ``` Once said, immediately done. Shen Qing didn''t hesitate at all. He whipped his horse and rushed home without stopping. "Qingzi, you''re back. What''s happening outside? It''s almost the New Year, why is it so chaotic?" Inside the house, his aunt was idly stitching a shoe with his elder sister Shen Fang, and casually asked when she saw Shen Qing suddenly rush back. Shen Qing didn''t have time to chat with them, so he casually replied, "It''s nothing major, just some thieves in the city. It''s better if you don''t go out for the next few days." "Ah, thieves?" His aunt and elder sister Shen Fang were both somewhat alarmed. They wanted to ask more, but saw Shen Qing had already slipped into his room, leaving them staring at each other. Inside his room, Shen Qing rummaged through his cabinets, finding a pile of scattered talisman materials. A Lang Brush, a stack of yellow lamination paper, and a handful of cinnabar. Shen Qing casually pulled out a sheet from the yellow lamination paper and spread it on the table. This type of talisman paper was usually made from processed mulberry bark, bamboo pulp, and other materials to form a resilient paper, tougher than regular white paper. According to the "Annotations on Talismans," to make higher-grade talismans, one would use silk, but this yellow lamination paper was only suitable as a base for lower-grade talismans. The Tracking Talisman''s quality was not high, and using this yellow lamination paper was more than adequate. Shen Qing exhaled a murky breath, closed his eyes, calmed his mind, slowly adjusted his breathing, and recalled some Meditation Techniques and rituals from the annotations. Once his breathing was steady, he meticulously repeated the complex ritual three times as described in the book, and prepared the cinnabar and other tools. When his mental state calmed completely and was as clear as an undisturbed lake, he took a deep breath, picked up the Lang Brush, lightly dipped it in the cinnabar, and began to draw on the yellow lamination paper. Shen Qing''s wrist turned lightly, and True Qi, like a fine thread, leaped out from the palm of his hand, falling on the tip of the Lang Brush. His movements were extraordinarily smooth, as if he had already repeated this process thousands of times, appearing highly proficient and natural. Just as he felt he was about to complete a Tracking Talisman, an unexpected event occurred! "Boom!" After a subtle explosion, a small flame unexpectedly leaped up from the center of the talisman paper. Shen Qing, accustomed to such occurrences, casually pinched his fingers to extinguish the rising flame. A wisp of blue smoke spiraled up from his fingers. Shen Qing then discarded the failed talisman and unemotionally began his second attempt. Having advanced his Talisman Making Skill to a skillful level, his success rate for crafting such simple Tracking Talismans was quite high. After the first failure, his success rate sharply increased, successfully crafting two in a row. Gazing at the two finished Tracking Talismans, Shen Qing fell into contemplation. After pondering for a moment, he placed the two Tracking Talismans in his bosom and hurriedly left. Zheng Yuanqiu''s cultivation was powerful, and it would be somewhat risky to go alone. It would be best to find some people to go along. After all, the affair had been stirred up to such a degree that capturing and killing Zheng Yuanqiu was no longer just his personal matter. With the stage set, he had to learn to leverage others'' strength. As he thought of this, Shen Qing didn''t delay, immediately mounted his horse, and headed straight for the Military Department''s meeting hall to explain his purpose to Huang Furo. "Are you saying you can find Zheng Yuanqiu''s whereabouts?" Huang Furo eyed Shen Qing up and down, somewhat skeptical. "Yes," Shen Qing nodded and replied, "Although I can''t directly locate Zheng Yuanqiu, I have two Tracking Talismans which might trace his movement. It''s worth a try." In the meeting hall, Huang Furo, with a few other officers, looked serious and said, "You also know the Talisman Making Skill?" "A little." After speaking, Shen Qing took a Tracking Talisman from his bosom and affixed it to the purse that Zheng Yuanqiu had once given him, lightly blowing on it. Under his gaze, the talisman seemed to come alive, floating up and emitting a faint glow. Huang Furo subconsciously glanced at Shen Qing. If she remembered correctly, this officer before her wasn''t local and his rank wasn''t high. She had heard about his feats in repeatedly slaying demons at the Guardian Martial Department. In her eyes, he was a capable official. Yet, she had never imagined he possessed such skill. "Sir, shall we perhaps give it a try to see if we can find something?" Shen Qing earnestly said. "Sure," Huang Furo nodded and said, "There''s no time to waste, activate the talisman." "Alright." Shen Qing quickly formed a seal with his fingers and muttered incantations. Moments later, the Tracking Talisman suddenly transformed into a streak of light, shooting through the window and disappearing from everyone''s sight. "Sir, let''s go." Seeing this, Huang Furo swiftly ordered, "You few accompany Shen Chasi and me. Chief Wang, you inform the Lord Commander. We will leave markers along the way for you and the Lord Commander to follow for assistance. Without delay, move out." "Understood!" They all replied in unison. Huang Furo''s figure flickered as she chased after Shen Qing''s silhouette. S§×arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Although the others still had doubts in their hearts, seeing Shen Qing so confident, they hesitated but then followed under Huang Furo''s orders. ... Outside Yongzhou City. The wind and snow subsided gradually, and silence reigned. The world was a vast expanse of white, with nothing in sight except for the snow-covered ground and mountains, seemingly untouched by dust. Deep in the scenery, a seemingly ordinary forest hid a wooden house. Inside, the fireplace was blazing bright, and a slightly stout man sat cross-legged on the ground, leisurely sipping tea with a contented expression. This man was none other than Zheng Yuanqiu, who had escaped from Yongzhou City ahead of time. When Xu Changle had failed to report back for a long time, he acutely sensed a whiff of danger. Without any hesitation, he quickly returned to pack his valuables and, without alarming anyone, quietly left the city and came to this place. This small house was one of several bases he had prepared outside Yongzhou City. Though not large, it was equipped with all necessary living tools, enough to sustain him for a month or two. Judging by the information that had been returned from the True Master earlier, it seemed that Yongzhou would have significant Spirit Mechanism activity in the coming days. This was a rare opportunity for him. Although his identity was now exposed, he still had many cards hidden in the city, providing a chance to seize such an opportunity. The only loss was his identity as Chief Officer of the Guardian Martial Department, unable to live as freely as before. Thinking of this, Zheng Yuanqiu''s eyes turned fierce, and anger welled up in him. "It''s all Shen Qing''s fault. If it weren''t for him, how would I have ended up like this?" "Since you showed no mercy, don''t blame me for being ruthless." "I''m curious to see your expression when you watch your loved ones die one by one in front of you." Zheng Yuanqiu tightened his right fist, the knuckles turning pale from the force. Just then, there came a subtle yet strange sound of something breaking through the air outside the house. With a crack. It sounded like something had hit the door. Zheng Yuanqiu squinted suspiciously, sensing for any abnormalities, but found nothing amiss outside. He placed his teacup gently on the table, stood up, walked to the door, and cautiously opened a narrow crack. Peering through the gap, he saw nothing outside. Strange. Did I hear wrong? Just as Zheng Yuanqiu was about to close the door, his eyes inadvertently swept over the ground by the entrance, spotting an inexplicable yellow talisman. The talisman sparkled with radiant colors. Zheng Yuanqiu''s head suddenly snapped up, a flicker of surprise and alertness on his face. His eyes widened with determination, and he abruptly threw open the wooden door, with no hesitation, preparing to dash into the forest like an arrow released from a bowstring. But just as he turned, an unparalleled sharpness pierced the sky, tearing the air with a deafening roar and endless wind and snow, aiming directly at his back. Zheng Yuanqiu felt an overwhelming aura of destruction, blaring alarms in his mind. Spiritual Power within him surged instantly, forcing his body to twist in the air at an inconceivable angle, turning around. Then, gathering brilliant light in his palm, he unleashed it with a thunderous blow, directly confronting the incoming arrow head-on. "Boom!" A deafening explosion erupted, the arrow shattered in the air, scattering into bits of cold brilliance, stirring a circle of visible ripples in the snow. Riding the momentum, Zheng Yuanqiu''s figure soared higher, spotting a figure in the distance holding a bow, his complexion horrified. "So it''s you, brat!!!" ``` Chapter 238 - 64: Driven into a Corner Zheng Yuanqiu''s eyes widened in disbelief when he saw Huangfu Rou and the others behind Shen Qing, an indescribable panic welling up in his heart. He was sure he had been cautious enough, leaving no traces behind, so why had he still been found? Zheng Yuanqiu couldn''t figure it out no matter how much he thought. But now was clearly not the time to ponder this. Shen Qing and Huangfu Rou had discovered his trail, and if they captured him, the consequences would be unimaginable. To pry open the secrets in his mouth, they would only make his life a living hell. He had to leave. Upon realizing his predicament, Zheng Yuanqiu''s eyes flashed with decisiveness as he intended to use the cover of the snowy forest to slip into the vast mountains. At that moment, Shen Qing already saw through his intentions, raising the Cloud Splitting Bow with his right hand, his eyes shining brightly. He secretly operated the Heavenly Bow Technique, channeling Supreme True Qi through his hands onto the arrows. The surrounding air seemed drawn by this power, coalescing into a barely visible vortex of Spiritual Power, swirling around the tip of the arrows he held. "Swish, swish, swish!" Three arrows with a chilling gleam released almost simultaneously, cutting through the air and leaving indelible scars in their wake. Boom, boom, boom! Thundering explosions erupted continuously from the deep mountain, blasting open walls of snow several meters high, perfectly sealing all of Zheng Yuanqiu''s escape routes. The powerful force carried by the arrows compelled Zheng Yuanqiu to retreat backward continuously. Witnessing this, Huangfu Rou couldn''t help but feel a surge of astonishment. She had long heard of Shen Qing''s unparalleled archery skills, but seeing it firsthand, she was still left speechless; she had never seen anyone hone their bow technique to such an extent. "What a ''Heavenly Net and Earthly Web'' archery!" Huangfu Rou, filled with admiration, quickened her pace, employing Qinggong movement technique, sprinting towards Zheng Yuanqiu''s position. Zheng Yuanqiu, thwarted, found Huangfu Rou and the others already closing in on him, his expression turning grim. He fixed his eyes on Shen Qing, showing deep-seated hatred. "You caught my weakness, you reported me in secret, you found me, and finally, you blocked my retreat¡­" S~ea??h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Damn it! It''s never-ending." "I originally intended to let you live a few more days, but since you''re so eager to die, I''ll oblige!" Seeing that he had no time to escape, a vicious glint flashed in Zheng Yuanqiu''s eyes. Suddenly, the Spiritual Power within him surged wildly as he turned and charged towards Shen Qing. With undeniable killing intent, Zheng Yuanqiu''s figure moved like lightning, instantly crossing the distance between them, unleashing a fierce palm strike aimed at Shen Qing''s vital point. Shen Qing''s muscles instantly tensed, activating the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill to its peak in a split second. The Zheng Yuanqiu before him, after all, had the cultivation of the Dan Realm, a whole Great Realm above him, unlike those he had faced before. He had to be cautious. However, at that moment, Huangfu Rou''s figure expanded, stepping in front of Shen Qing. "Zheng Yuanqiu, your opponent is me!" Huangfu Rou shouted coldly as Spiritual Power surged from within her, launching a palm strike. A cool, pale blue glow radiated from her palm, landing in front of Zheng Yuanqiu. The powerful Spiritual Power surged like a torrent, tearing through the surrounding space, causing it to tremble slightly under the impact. Huangfu Rou and Zheng Yuanqiu, both strong in the Dan Realm, had equivalent cultivation levels, matching each other strike for strike. Both were forced back several steps under the other''s moves before stabilizing themselves. "Huangfu Rou, you have remarkable courage. I didn''t expect you to stand up for a lowly dispatch officer," Zheng Yuanqiu sneered at Huangfu Rou with a grim smile. He had long been familiar with the nature of Yongzhou''s officials, who pursued results over the lives of their subordinates. Someone like Huangfu Rou was indeed unusual. "I, Huangfu Rou, do not need a traitor like you to comment on my actions." Huangfu Rou''s response was succinct and powerful. With that, her brows furrowed like swords, exuding a commanding presence, surrounded by a brilliant spiritual light, akin to dawn breaking. Then, Huangfu Rou summoned all her Spiritual Power, and with a soft chant, a blue brilliance materialized out of thin air. Instantly, the space seemed torn apart by an invisible hand, and Huang Fuqi''s form gradually blurred under the astonished gazes, ultimately transforming into a radiant blue light, darting towards Zheng Yuanqiu. This was the secret technique passed down through the Huangfu family ¡ª the Da Xu Technique. It allowed one to shift form and attack unexpectedly, catching the opponent off guard. Faced with this sudden change, Zheng Yuanqiu''s anger surged, yet it also sparked unprecedented fighting spirit. His form burst forth like a lone boat braving raging seas, directly meeting the blue light. As they clashed, the void trembled violently, light scattering in all directions. Each collision between them stirred destructive waves of power. The snow atop the surrounding forest was instantly melted under their pressure, revealing the grayish, decayed soil beneath. Countless trees were destroyed in an instant. After exchanging dozens of moves, at a certain moment, Zheng Yuanqiu''s actions subtly lagged. His entire Gang Qi finally showed signs of instability under Huangfu Rou''s fierce onslaught. In a moment of brilliance, Huangfu Rou seized the fleeting flaw, delivering a heavy strike, akin to a falling star, utterly destroying Zheng Yuanqiu''s defense. All the light dispersed, revealing Zheng Yuanqiu''s figure. His face flushed red, unable to stop a spurt of murky blood from escaping his lips. "This woman is tougher than I imagined. If this drags on, who knows what reinforcements will come next. I must go!" Zheng Yuanqiu shouted fiercely, lunging forward, unleashing a forceful punch. Huangfu Rou dared not take it lightly, meeting it with both palms. Boom! A tremendous explosive force erupted between them. Zheng Yuanqiu''s lips curled into a grin as he used the explosion to retreat violently, turning to flee. The punch was merely a feint, a ploy to retreat through advance. Just as he thought he had successfully escaped, a blazing aura suddenly emerged. During their battle, Shen Qing had silently maneuvered behind them in the forest using the Hunting Scripture technique. Seeing through Zheng Yuanqiu''s plan, Shen Qing decisively attacked. The Heaven Defying Style of the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill and the Mountain Embrace Seal were launched in unison, sweeping towards Zheng Yuanqiu. The "Heaven Defying Style" and "Mountain Embrace Seal" interlaced, combining to unleash tenfold power. "Boom!" With a deafening roar, the Mountain Embrace Seal crashed onto Zheng Yuanqiu''s back like a towering mountain. The defensive Gang Qi Zheng Yuanqiu painstakingly maintained shattered like thin ice beneath a scorching sun, torn apart in an instant. The searing True Qi flooded into his internal organs. "Bleh!" Zheng Yuanqiu spat out a mouthful of foul blood mixed with fragments of his organs, his face turning deathly pale. His body, like a kite with a broken string, plummeted heavily to the forest''s rotten soil, splattering a wave of mud. Chapter 239 - 65 The Damn Ants ``` "You..." Zheng Yuanqiu never expected Shen Qing to seize the opportunity so well. This strike hit precisely at his vulnerable point, dispersing a breath of his inner vitality, worsening his injuries. Staring at Huang Furo and the others, who were waiting in formation, Zheng Yuanqiu realized that today''s situation was a dead end. The surroundings fell into a deathly silence. After a moment, his laughter suddenly echoed through the open mountain forest. "Haha, what a twist of fate!" Zheng Yuanqiu''s sharp gaze fixated on Shen Qing, not far away, that unremarkable officer. "Shen Qing, oh Shen Qing, I never imagined I, Zheng Yuanqiu, would fall to a lowly officer like you. You''ve truly hidden your talents well." Shen Qing''s expression remained unchanged as he righteously stated, "Every action leaves traces. You, as an official of the Zhou Dynasty, had malicious intentions and were bound to be exposed sooner or later. I just happened to be in the right place at the right time." Upon hearing this, Zheng Yuanqiu''s mouth curled into a faint smile, which contained endless hatred and unwillingness, "Didn''t expect you to be sharp-tongued, either. I truly misjudged, I misjudged..." Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He gazed at the dark sky, sighed deeply with regret, and said, "I truly regret not having the determination to destroy everything back then, hoping for luck, and failing to eliminate you, this minor figure, only to create a great disaster." Huang Furo snorted coldly, her voice chill, "There is no cure for regret in this world. There''s still one chance left before you. If you confess, maybe I can give you a swift end." "Hehe!" Zheng Yuanqiu glanced at everyone and said, "At this point, no matter what is said, it is futile. But don''t underestimate me. I, Zheng Yuanqiu, am not ordinary, even in death, I can take you with me!" Zheng Yuanqiu''s maniacal laughter echoed through the forest. His eyes turned red, and he suddenly clasped his fingers together, thrusting them into his chest without hesitation, twisting to the right as if manipulating something. Blood spurted from between his fingers. Zheng Yuanqiu, face crazed, exclaimed, "Die with me!" Suddenly, a strange power surged around Zheng Yuanqiu, and rune-like patterns appeared incessantly over his chest. Shen Qing recognized the patterns, realizing suddenly they were from the Detonator. "Get out of the way!" Shen Qing shouted loudly. Unfortunately, the entire process was completed in a matter of one or two breaths, leaving no time for anyone to react. Zheng Yuanqiu''s fat figure suddenly shrank, becoming incredibly thin, with only a skeleton remaining in an instant. In the next moment, like a long-repressed volcano finally erupting at the last moment. "Die!..." Zheng Yuanqiu roared, the light before his chest suddenly intensified, and the destructive power exploded from his body with fierce intensity. Boom! Boom! The forest seemed like a sudden sunrise, engulfing everything around. The corrupted soil mixed with melted snow rapidly dried out, cracked, and was peeled away layer by layer by the formidable force, turning to dust, dissipating into the void. The immense power crushed everything around. The wind howled, the earth trembled, as if an apocalyptic scene unfolded. It was unknown how long it took before everything gradually returned to silence. Where Zheng Yuanqiu once stood, a pit ten feet in radius was left, like a scar on the earth. "Cough, cough!" There was a disturbance of dry mud within the pit, soon revealing a human face, followed by two hands. With both hands supporting, a figure sat up from the soil. He shook his head, quickly regaining clarity. "Are you alright?" Shen Qing turned to see the disheveled Huang Furo. Her hair was in disarray, her clothes torn, and there was a trace of blood at the corner of her mouth, clearly indicating a significant injury. "I''m fine, I won''t die." Shen Qing circulated the Eight Desolate Whale Swallowing Technique, illuminating streams around the Dantian. The previously stored True Qi flowed out continuously, repairing the injuries in his body. After resting for a dozen breaths, Shen Qing stood up from the soil, silently observing the chaotic scene around. It was unexpected how formidable Zheng Yuanqiu''s final "destroy everything" card was. In this unexpected disaster, only he and Huang Furo, with their exceptional wit and profound cultivation, barely found a sliver of life at the explosion''s edge. The others were not so fortunate; even their remains were never found. Shen Qing looked at the barren scene before him, feeling a sense of dread. Fortunately, years of easy living had dulled Zheng Yuanqiu''s resolve. Otherwise, such a deadly attack on Yongzhou City would have unimaginable consequences. A single misstep could have disastrous consequences for those around him. "What should we do now?" Shen Qing, in tattered clothing, asked Huang Furo after calming his breath. Huang Furo said, "Wait for Lord Commander and the others to arrive, let''s discuss... " Suddenly, her words were cut short, and the sudden ground tremor changed her expression dramatically. Shen Qing and Huang Furo quickly reacted, leaping out of the pit, and looked toward the source of the tremor. Boom! Boom! In front of them, a mountain peak collapsed, revealing a bottomless cavern. From the cavern, two massive, lantern-like objects swayed, glowing with red light. At first glance, the lanterns were as large as a person, appearing slender. Even a brief glance sent chills through their bodies. "What are those things?" "I don''t know." As they speculated wildly, a gigantic black snakehead emerged from the dust. They realized instantly that those two lanterns were the giant eyes of a massive snake. Under their gaze, a snake as thick as a vat and as huge as a mountain revealed its true form. The snake''s pink forked tongue flickered in the air, carrying a strong, stinking odor in the wind. "It''s a demon! Retreat quickly!" Shen Qing shouted decisively. "So you were the ones causing the commotion earlier." The big snake spoke in a human voice, "Daring to disturb my slumber, you ants shall face punishment!" The big snake demon''s voice was as cold as it was authoritative, filled with an undeniable force. Awakened from its hibernation, the demon snake was utterly furious. The big snake demon angrily swung its massive tail, aiming its destructive force at Shen Qing and Huang Furo. Wherever it passed, whether mountains or forests, everything was leveled. Neither Shen Qing nor Huang Furo had ever witnessed such terrifying power, and they dared not resist, turning to flee madly. However, the speed of the giant tail surpassed all expectations. In the blink of an eye, the giant tail had already caught up with them. Despite their best efforts, they could not avoid being swept up by that terrifying power. Huang Furo and Shen Qing''s vision went dark, feeling as if the bones in their bodies were being shattered by that force. In a daze, they lost control of their bodies, swept into the cavern by the irresistible force. ``` Chapter 240 - 66 Demons Lair """ The sky seemed to be stained with ink, leaving only darkness. The vast forest had been plowed flat, with pristine snowflakes intertwining with black rubble and mud, creating a striking black and white contrast. In between this world, the enormous body of a giant python slowly writhed, its lower half coiled together, raising its massive head high. Then, a jaw-dropping scene unfolded. A dark light burst from the Snake Demon, enveloping its entire body. In the blink of an eye, the dark light gradually shrank, and the enormous Snake Demon transformed into a handsome man dressed in a black robe. He stood tall, his eyes as deep as abysses, pupils vertically slit, gleaming with a soul-stirring light, an indescribable aura of majesty permeated the air. "Hmph, how annoying, being disturbed by mere ants," the black-robed man''s voice was deep and magnetic. He gently flicked his long, slender tongue, expressing his extreme dissatisfaction. "Since the hibernation is broken, and I can''t fall asleep for the moment, with idle time on my hands, I might as well enjoy hunting some blood food." A hint of a smile appeared at the corner of the black-robed man''s eyes, revealing a longing for prey, as he thought joyfully, "This will also help improve my cultivation, and increase my chances of seizing future opportunities." As soon as he finished speaking, the black-robed man pointed his toes lightly, instantly transforming into a wisp of dark light, slicing through the sky, his figure disappearing beyond the horizon. Winters darkened faster than other seasons. S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. It had only just reached the Xi hour, yet the night had already descended upon Yongzhou. Above, the sky was starless and moonless, everything was dead silent. Two marks after the black-robed man''s departure, Commander Jia Zhiping led forces from the Military Department and the Guardian Martial Department, following the traces left by Huang Furo and others, and pursued all the way here. When they saw the scene of devastation before them, everyone was struck dumb, unable to utter a word for a long time. ... In the dark underground cave. After being struck by the Snake Demon''s tail, Shen Qing felt his entire body collapse like a city disassembled, in excruciating pain, unable to muster much strength. He only felt a sharp wind in his ears, as his body fell uncontrollably downwards. Just when he thought he was about to be smashed into pieces, a sliver of fortune befell upon him. The bottom of the cave wasn''t as unfathomable as he imagined, nor was it solid rocks, but instead, it was a Clear Water Pool. With two muffled splashes. Shen Qing and Huang Furo fell into the Clear Water Pool one after the other, splashing up large amounts of water. Being winter, as soon as Shen Qing touched the pool water, he felt an icy chill seeping in. Strangely enough, even though he was at the Yu Luo Realm, with his Qi-blood vast as the sea, he couldn''t ward off the cold in the slightest, causing him to shiver involuntarily, instantly waking him up. For martial masters with True Qi and Spiritual Power within, holding their breath underwater was very easy, capable of lasting several marks of time at once. Dan Realm people, once underwater, were no different from fish, able to temporarily substitute breathing with surrounding Spiritual Power, capable of living underwater for even a month without issue. Shen Qing gathered all his focus to avoid panic, then used the natural buoyancy of the water to suspend himself in the pool, allowing his broken bones to relax. He held his breath, circulated his True Qi to stimulate the Whale Swallowing Technique, refining the Spirit Essence around him, to heal his injuries. Unaware whether it was the peculiarity of the pool water or some other reason, Shen Qing only felt that the concentration of Spiritual Energy in the pool was significantly higher than outside. After about half a mark, Shen Qing finally regained some strength and slowly opened his eyes. The pool water was unfathomably deep and pitch black, invisible beyond his fingers. Shen Qing gradually sensed the pool''s cold penetrating to his bones, actually eroding his True Qi. He dared not linger, instinctively swimming upwards. With a loud splash. He emerged from the water, taking deep breaths, and after calming his breath slightly, opened his heavy eyelids. Upon seeing the scene before him, he paused in disbelief. Shen Qing discovered he was in a confined and damp space, surrounded on three sides by rough rock walls, with the high cavern ceiling seemingly within reach. However, the only side without a rock wall was a flat cave space stretching far away, and sloping, the space gradually becoming extremely spacious. Amazingly, the seemingly ordinary cave ahead hung with peculiar stalactites, emitting a soft, cold light. The light was very faint, yet just enough to dispel the cave''s darkness, illuminating the entire space rather brightly. Shen Qing focused his eyes and saw a familiar figure on the cave''s shore ahead, causing him to pause slightly. At some point, Huang Furo had already swum out ahead of him. At this moment, she was entirely soaked, with her colorful embroidered robe clinging tightly to her graceful figure, outlining curves hard to avert one''s eyes from. Most likely also significantly injured, Huang Furo was sitting on a dry rock, her legs crossed, hands gently folded over her Dantian, eyes closed, focusing on regulating her breath. Her breathing was long and even, the fabric on her trembling chest rising and falling with her breaths. Shen Qing didn''t think much further, enduring the excruciating pain of his fractured bones, swimming forward. A subtle and sudden sound broke the surrounding silence, instantly putting Huang Furo on high alert. She suddenly opened her eyes, a gleam of vigilance and wariness in her eyes, hands instinctively formed in a defensive posture. The abrupt movement instantly aggravated her injuries, pain flooding her like a tide, draining her face of color, turning it paper white. "Who''s there..." Her voice was deep and tense. No sooner had she spoken than she saw a familiar figure swimming rapidly towards her. As that figure became clearer, her sudden tension and defensive stance dissipated instantly. Shen Qing swam near Huang Furo, not far away, causing a splash as he laboriously climbed from the pool into the cave. He sat on a rock beside Huang Furo without thinking, his garments moving with the motion, scattering water droplets. Shen Qing glanced at Huang Furo, and their gazes met in the air. Huang Furo''s wet hair clung to her scalp and cheeks, a few loose strands lightly hanging on her forehead, droplets sliding slowly down the tips, or dripping onto her fair neck, adding a touch of allure to her. "Lord Huangfu, it''s I." Shen Qing quickly diverted his gaze, surveying the surroundings as he asked, "My lord, do you know where we are?" "I''m not entirely sure, but this place is pungent and damp, I think it should be the Snake Demon''s lair," Huang Furo ventured her guess. "So, this should be the giant demon''s dwelling?" "More or less." Shen Qing inquired, "Lord Huangfu, do you know why we ended up here, and is there a way out? I remember we fell into a deep pool, why did we end up here after surfacing?" Huang Furo replied, "I observed when I arrived, the pool ahead connects with an Underground River, we were swept here by chance. As for a way out, let me recover first and then we''ll discuss it." """ Chapter 241 - 67 Big Snake Shedding ``` With those words, both of them in the cave fell silent instantly. In each of their minds, they couldn''t help but recall the terrifying presence of that shadow, revealing expressions of lingering fear. "And you? How are your injuries?" Huang Furo asked. Shen Qing heard this and felt helpless in his heart. Despite his True Qi exceeding that of others, Zheng Yuanqiu''s cultivation of the Dan Realm, combined with his terrifying final attack, had wearied him. After constant torment, all of his True Qi was nearly exhausted. When finally facing the Big Snake Demon, he relied almost solely on his physical body to hold on. Being able to survive relied heavily on his solid foundation. "All my True Qi is depleted, and my injuries are quite severe..." Shen Qing replied with a hint of a bitter smile. sea??h th§× n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Huang Furo was not surprised by this result. From her observations, Shen Qing''s entire body showed no signs of True Liquid condensation, indicating his cultivation was at the early Yu Luo Realm. As for the Big Snake Demon today, its cultivation was feared to press close to the Innate Realm. She struggled against it herself and nearly perished, not to mention the ordeal with Zheng Yuanqiu before. Shen Qing''s ability to withstand everything and stay alive had already surprised her greatly. "Lord Huangfu, how are your injuries?" Huang Furo shook her head and said, "I''ve broken ten ribs, and my meridians were damaged by the Snake Demon''s immense force. Without three to five days of rest, it''d be tough to recover." "Looking at it that way, we might be stuck here for a while," Shen Qing said with a self-deprecating laugh. "Not necessarily," Huang Furo encouraged him. "I left a mark when I came, and the Lord Commander should make his way over. If we''re lucky, they might find us earlier, and we can escape this trap." "Although the hope isn''t great, it''s not non-existent. Besides, even if they don''t find us, once we''re healed, breaking free won''t be a problem for us." In a desperate situation, you can lose everything, except hope. Huang Furo said earnestly, "So the urgent matter now is to heal our injuries quickly." Shen Qing nodded and replied, "Understood." After a brief exchange, they silently agreed not to speak further. They each found a place away from each other and began to silently regulate their breathing, repairing the injuries within their bodies. Time passed gradually. Sitting cross-legged on a stone platform alone, Shen Qing slowly activated the Six Paths Whale Swallowing Technique and discreetly took out a Wish Power Pearl to refine it. Suddenly, Shen Qing felt as though a giant whale had awoken inside him. Upon awakening, this giant whale opened its boundless mouth and greedily devoured every inch of Spiritual Power it could touch around him. Not only that, the Wish Power Pearl and the Six Paths Whale Swallowing Technique resonated together, seemingly drawing the purest Spiritual Energy of this world into his body. With the infusion of this power, whirlpools of delicate Spiritual Energy began to envelop Shen Qing, spinning gracefully as they refined and purified the surrounding thin spiritual energies, gently permeating into his damaged meridians and flesh, turning into pure True Qi. After a while, Shen Qing felt as if his entire body was soaking in a warm spring, each breath allowing him to absorb unprecedented Spiritual Power. The once exhausted True Qi within him began to slowly recover and even gradually exceeded previous levels, growing thick and liquid-like, continuously flowing through his body. Ultimately, the Six Paths Whale Swallowing Technique was truly profound. The powerful speed at which it refined nature''s spiritual energy made Shen Qing quickly rejuvenate. The injuries to his flesh and blood began to heal at a pace visible to the naked eye, and his broken bones started to regenerate. It was unclear how long had passed before Shen Qing slowly opened his eyes. When he opened them, he suddenly discovered that his injuries had mostly healed, and even his face had regained its blood color, becoming radiant again. While his injuries had not yet fully healed, they were far better than before. Shen Qing noticed his cold clothing, channeling the abundant True Qi within him to the surface of his body. In the next moment, a scorching aura emanated from his body. Instantly, the soaked clothes began to emit wisps of vapor, akin to the light mist drifting over a lake in the early morning. Before long, the clothes were dry again. "That''s much better." Shen Qing looked up and saw that not far in front of him, Huang Furo was similarly cultivating with a Wish Power Pearl, her entire body enveloped in a circle of blue light. Yet Huang Furo''s injury seemed to recover slower than his, as she still had her brows tightly knit. Shen Qing chose not to disturb her. He stood up and glanced toward the depths of the cave, feeling a sudden curiosity. He narrowed his eyes and said, "Eagle Eye!" Suddenly, countless scenes from the cave appeared in his mind, forming an three-dimensional image. The once vast cave appeared empty, with a huge shadow lurking in the depths, devoid of any signs of life. Shen Qing''s heart sank. Being unable to escape now, he needed to understand what lay inside to truly comprehend his predicament, and potentially make new discoveries. He took a deep breath and turned to walk into the cave, intending to investigate further. Initially, the narrow passage could barely allow six or seven people to walk side by side, but gradually, the space began to expand in a fantastic manner, vast and deep, naturally making one feel insignificant. Above, stalactites radiating gentle light suddenly became sparse, some even crudely severed, leaving jagged edges, indicating a mysterious event had occurred here. With the loss of the stalactites, light became increasingly scarce amidst the boundless darkness. Shen Qing had to tread even more cautiously. At that moment, he paused, seemingly drawn by an invisible force. His gaze pierced through the heavy darkness ahead, locking onto a daunting scene. A field of skeletal remains lay before him, the bones varying in size. Upon the bones rested an enormous snake skin, silently settled atop them. Its grand dimensions made it imposing, even when compared to Shen Qing''s not-so-small stature. The snake skin''s surface was covered with fine scales, which under the faint light, appeared to shimmer with a subtle glow. Shen Qing held his breath involuntarily, a sense of unspeakable awe surging in his heart. There was no doubt about it, this was the Big Snake Demon''s shedding! And not just one, but layers of shed skins, totaling two or three. This was likely not the snake''s lair, but a site dedicated to its molting. Shen Qing approached slowly and lightly touched the cold snake skin. The tactile sensation confirmed it was indeed the Big Snake''s shedding. It was widely known that snake shed could dispel wind and fright, detoxify and reduce swelling, acting as a medicinal material. In this world, the more rare the snake, the higher its value as a medicinal guide. The Great Demon''s snake skin, being this enormous, had inestimable value. Especially such a powerful demon, its snake skin... Shen Qing''s heart suddenly skipped a beat. ``` Chapter 242 - 68 Three-Legged Furnace No doubt, the snake skins before his eyes were an invaluable treasure. However, when Shen Qing thought about his current predicament, it was as though a bucket of cold water had been poured over him, instantly dousing the fire that had just flared up. What use were so many snake skins? They couldn''t solve his problems, nor could they fill his stomach. Even if they wanted to exchange them for wealth, it would have to wait until they restored their cultivation and could escape from here. If they couldn''t escape, then no matter how many snake skins were before them, they would be nothing but worthless dead skin. With a sigh in his heart, Shen Qing continued to explore further inside. He placed his hands on the cold stone walls, feeling around but finding not a single crevice, leaving him extremely disappointed. "Is there really no other way out besides that green pond?" Shen Qing mused to himself. He carefully proceeded along the winding stone wall, his palms gently gliding over the icy surface. Suddenly, his steps halted. A strange sensation came from beneath his feet, as if he had stepped on something round and bulging. A faint glimmer of stalactite light happened to fall nearby. Using this dim light, Shen Qing slowly lowered his head and spotted a hint of metallic luster amid the scattered bones. Among the scattered remains, a small Ancient Cauldron, the size of two palms, was partially buried. He let out a slight exclamation and squatted down slowly, nudging it for a closer look. The cauldron had two ears and three legs, bearing an ancient and solemn form. Its surface was dull, covered in green rust, and intricate patterns were carved on the body. It resembled intertwining cloud motifs and racing mythical creatures. Shen Qing hesitated for a moment, then carefully reached out to touch the small cauldron. The moment Shen Qing''s fingers lightly touched the cauldron''s body, he felt an indescribable warmth from it. This warmth did not come from the outside, but emanated from within the cauldron. In disbelief, Shen Qing realized that this Ancient Cauldron was no ordinary artifact, perhaps harboring some incredible power, but having limited knowledge, he could not grasp its mysteries at the moment. He took a deep breath, trying to use True Qi to sense the world inside the cauldron, only to find his True Qi being blocked by an invisible force, unable to penetrate at all. After researching for a while without any leads, Shen Qing was not in a hurry and quietly pocketed the small cauldron before continuing to explore along the stone wall. Finding no other exit, Shen Qing did not linger and turned around to return to his original meditation spot. By the flat area beside the pond, Huang Furo gently parted her red lips, closed her eyes, and concentrated, as if surrounded by a gentle but vast Spiritual Power. As her thoughts flowed, the pure, unmatched Spiritual Power surged through her meridians, transforming into delicate, silky warm streams that gently traversed every inch of her skin. A faint mist gradually permeated the air. It was the water stains on her damp clothes rising and condensing under the effect of the Spiritual Power, then fading away into the void. As her garments lightly fluttered, the wet clothes clinging to her body seemed to be gently smoothed by an invisible hand, restoring Huang Furo''s attire to its original state. Huang Furo slowly opened her eyes, inadvertently meeting Shen Qing''s gaze, feeling waves of astonishment. She hadn''t expected Shen Qing to recover faster than herself. This little dispatch officer before her seemed to be enveloped in a mist, delicate as silk, appearing and disappearing, making him increasingly inscrutable to her. Seeing Huang Furo''s significant recovery, Shen Qing stepped forward and asked, "Sir, how do you feel now?" "Some strength is restored, a bit better," Huang Furo deflected the topic and asked, "I saw you wandering around earlier, did you find anything?" "This seems to be the snake demon''s shedding place; I saw many snake skins inside," Shen Qing truthfully said, choosing not to hide, "In addition, I also discovered this cauldron." "A cauldron?" Shen Qing took out the three-legged furnace from his arms and placed it between them. In Shen Qing''s view, this cave wasn''t that large, and since they would be spending several more days together, many things couldn''t be hidden well. Being open and honest rather than being guarded and defensive might yield better results. Perhaps given Huang Furo''s background and experience, she might recognize the origins of this small cauldron. Huang Furo took the small cauldron, glanced at it a few times, and then returned it. She noticed it was merely an ancient-style burial ritual cauldron, ordinary, without any peculiar features. "Sir, do you recognize the origin of this cauldron?" Shen Qing asked when he saw Huang Furo''s response. "It is just a common burial item, nothing extraordinary." A common burial item? "Sir, did you not feel any warmth when touching this cauldron?" "No, it felt like cold bronze," Huang Furo shook her head and replied. Shen Qing looked astonished. Now, when he touched the cauldron, it was warm to the touch, radiating layers of heat, leaving no room for mistake. Why did Huang Furo not detect it? He was puzzled. At that moment, Huang Furo interrupted and asked, "Besides the snake skins and this cauldron, did you find any other exits while checking inside?" Shen Qing returned to himself and pointed helplessly at the green pond before them, saying, "The cave''s end is a stone wall, a dead-end. If we want to get out, we still have to find a way through this pond." Huang Furo paused after hearing this, then nodded, saying, "It seems we still have to stay here for a few more days and talk about other things once we''ve recovered some cultivation." Shen Qing let out a long sigh and said, "Quite so." Huang Furo scanned Shen Qing up and down, asking, "Shen Chasi, is your family by any chance a Han Sect?" A Han Sect referred to a fallen ancestral clan with some legacy. Even when such clans fell, they often had some remnants of legacy. In her impression, there were no prominent Shen families in Yongzhou or the surrounding areas. Shen Qing''s quick recovery suggested he might be from a Han Sect, possessing some family inheritance. Unaware of Huang Furo''s thoughts, Shen Qing flatly denied it, "To my lord, before coming to Yongzhou, I lived at the foot of Shicheng Mountain in Taiping County, and my family has been hunters for generations, nothing like a so-called Han Sect." A hunter?! Huang Furo''s eyes flashed with extreme surprise. She guessed that this person likely relied on his own abilities, building up little by little, but never thought he was just a small hunter initially. However, with this new understanding, her doubts deepened. S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Since this boy was a hunter, why did he recover so quickly, even matching her pace, or perhaps even quicker? Chapter 243 - 69: Great Void Shifting Technique ``` Huang Furo was not someone without experience. In her heart, she knew very well that her cultivation could be considered among the top of her peers in the entire Yongzhou, one of the best. When she was in her mother''s womb, her mother had already started taking various precious medicines to temper her muscles and bones. Even now, it had never stopped. After she was born, she received the guidance of various renowned martial masters, which was why her cultivation progressed rapidly and her physical body was strong enough. With all this, she wasn''t swept to death by that Snake Demon''s tail, and later, she had the capacity to recover from her injuries. And Shen Qing, despite his background, managed to reach such a level, how could she not be shocked? In her view, even if Shen Qing didn''t die, he should have been lying here for at least ten days to half a month. She was even prepared to help this "burden" leave, in case his injuries hadn''t recovered. Unexpectedly, in the blink of an eye, his recovery was better than hers, which struck a blow to her self-esteem. It was as if she had cultivated in vain for twenty-one years. "Sir, why are you asking this?" Shen Qing curiously asked. Huang Furo said casually, "Oh, nothing, just asking." Shen Qing was confused but didn''t ask further. He bowed and went to one side, and continued to bury himself in studying the small three-legged furnace in his hand. Huang Furo said this was just an ordinary burial artifact, but Shen Qing clearly disagreed, maintaining his own thoughts. He was seen sitting cross-legged under the glowing stalagmite, holding the furnace with both hands, his eyes sparkling. A warm sensation continually came from the furnace as if it were still sitting on fire, burning. An ordinary burial artifact wouldn''t have such wonder. Shen Qing''s mind stirred slightly, activating the skill "sharp eyesight." Instantly, beams of light flashed through his eyes. In his view, the details of the three-legged furnace were magnified, with even the smallest details appearing before him. On the body of the furnace, amid the cloud patterns, were carvings of birds and beasts, lifelike in their depiction. Each one had its wings slightly spread, hooves lifted, seemingly poised to break through the sky at any moment. Gradually, Shen Qing could vaguely decipher some bewildering inscriptions from these engraved patterns. These engraved characters were not the current script used today and, judging by their rhythms, should belong to the Ancient Era. Counting them in his mind, there were eighteen characters inside the furnace and thirty-six outside. Each character was ancient and profound, like the trajectory of stars, yet naturally formed. Before he knew it, Shen Qing was deeply attracted by these peculiar symbols. With his gaze fixed, these characters seemed to come alive, dancing in his eyes, making him suddenly feel a sense of ancient and enduring aura. The cave was quiet. The only sound Shen Qing heard was the beating of his own heart. S~ea??h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Gradually, the rhythm of the ancient characters on the three-legged small furnace synchronized with his heartbeat. In that instant, Shen Qing felt as though he had established a subtle connection with the furnace. Shen Qing''s divine sense trembled. In his vision, a drop of ink fell from the void, forming a line of calligraphic text. "Skill: Great Void Shifting Skill (Beginner)" "Progress: 1/100 points" "Status: Cannot be improved" "Note: A family secret skill circulating during the Ancient Times. Nowadays, with the collapse of the great path, cultivation is extremely difficult. The higher one attains, the slower the progress becomes, but the more you sow, the more you reap. When this Martial Art is cultivated to the Perfect Realm, it can reverse the river of time, possessing the power to shatter the void with martial might." Upon seeing the note at the bottom, Shen Qing was suddenly stupefied. Reverse the river of time, is it really that powerful? Such Martial Arts Skills suddenly broke through his realm of understanding. He had never thought that Martial Arts Skills could reach such a level. Shen Qing''s breathing became somewhat rapid, his eyes widened. As if realizing something, he quickly glanced at Huang Furo, noticing she wasn''t paying him any attention. Shen Qing secretly breathed a sigh of relief. To her, this small three-legged furnace wasn''t anything unusual; he was overthinking it. Subduing his excitement, Shen Qing carefully observed the inscriptions on the three-legged small furnace. Since there was a response on the panel, and given he had nothing else to do, this opportunity couldn''t be missed to enhance his skill cultivation. In the mountain, there was no Sixty Years, unaware of the passing of time. In the dim cave, Shen Qing completely lost his sense of time. After who knew how long of cultivation, the points for the Great Void Shifting Skill finally reached 3 points. Shen Qing was at a loss for words. This divine skill from the Ancient Era was indeed harder to cultivate than he had anticipated. "I''ve seen you hold that furnace for three days. It''s just a burial artifact with Ancient Era patterns, even if you stare at it to death, you won''t understand anything," Huang Furo''s voice suddenly emerged in the cave, interrupting Shen Qing''s thoughts. He lifted his eyes, looking at Huang Furo somewhat surprised and said, "How do you know it''s been three days?" Having spent these days together, the two had gradually become familiar, and unknowingly, Shen Qing dropped the formalities, which didn''t seem improper to Huang Furo. "I counted the heartbeat to calculate it." "..." Shen Qing was slightly stunned. Calculating time by heartbeat, he hadn''t thought of that. Shen Qing roughly calculated and said, "If it''s been three days, then it''s already the start of spring." "Yeah, how are you now? You''ve probably almost recovered, right?" Huang Furo asked. Shen Qing nodded, "Basically fine." "Then it''s about time we dive through the pond to leave," Huang Furo said seriously. "Although we martial masters have much better physical bodies than ordinary people, we''re still far from reaching the stage where we don''t need food. Three to five days without eating or drinking is fine, but if it drags on any longer, it won''t be good, so it''s better to leave early." Shen Qing deeply agreed. This pond in front, who knew why, had nothing in it. Even if they wanted to find some fish to eat, it wasn''t possible. If they stayed any longer, indeed, it might cause a big problem. Shen Qing asked, "Shall we leave now?" "If you''re ready, let''s go." Shen Qing thought of something and said, "Wait a moment; I need to pack some things." After speaking, Shen Qing ran into the depths of the cave. Huang Furo curiously followed to take a look. She saw Shen Qing rolling up a few snake skins inside and stuffing them into his chest. Because the snake skins were enormous, even when rolled up, they took up a lot of space. After rolling up just two snake skins, Shen Qing couldn''t fit any more in, so he had no choice but to give up. Watching this, Huang Furo laughed. Shen Qing, with his bulging chest, walked up to Huang Furo and said, "Alright. Let''s go." Huang Furo nodded, "Okay." The two walked side by side to the edge of the green pond. Huang Furo suddenly said, "I remember when I came, this water was unfathomably deep, coupled with an underground river. Just relying on some Water Techniques might not be enough. I''ll teach you some of our Huangfu family''s martial techniques so that when you get in the water, you can use them and follow me." Seeing Huang Furo so thoughtful, Shen Qing couldn''t help but be a bit surprised. He didn''t think much and nodded. "Next, I''ll speak and you remember." ``` Chapter 244 - 70: Astonishing Aptitude, Escape from Trouble! ``` "Our Huangfu family''s ultimate technique is called the Da Xu Technique, a high-grade martial art emphasizing movement technique. While I cannot teach you the deeper aspects of this knowledge, I can teach you some of the application techniques involved," Huang Furo said lightly, her tone carrying an undeniable gravity. Shen Qing, upon hearing this, showed a slight surprise and gratitude in his eyes. The Ji family of Dazhou and the various prestigious families have always been stingy with martial arts, and someone as generous as Huang Furo is indeed rare. Such an opportunity for martial arts guidance was hard to come by. Shen Qing bowed respectfully and sincerely said, "I am extremely grateful for your generosity, Chief Officer Huangfu." Huang Furo had a good impression of Shen Qing. She smiled slightly, thought nothing of it, and continued, "What I will teach you is the essence of applying force, hidden within eight key words. These words are ''Mind leads Qi, and strength arises from the heart.''" "These words sound simple, but they hold the highest realm in movement martial arts. By using the intention to lead the entire body and then following the movement of the heart, there is no place you cannot reach. Until strength emanates from the heart, born from the heart, you can release and retract freely, with the body moving as the mind directs." As she spoke, she began to demonstrate slowly, her figure moving subtly. A blue light appeared around her, merging with the surrounding void. Every move was executed perfectly. Shen Qing watched her every movement intently, pondering deeply in his heart. Thanks to the "Never Forget" skill, every move and style of Huang Furo was almost imprinted in his mind, easily recallable with a simple memory. After Huang Furo finished her demonstration. Shen Qing closed his eyes again, recalling Huang Furo''s detailed explanation. From breath control to True Qi perception, from movement adjustments to power usage, every detail replayed clearly and thoroughly in his mind. The "Academic Pursuit" skill was activated. Soon, Shen Qing had comprehended the key points. Until it was internalized in the heart, externalized in action. [Skill: Da Xu Technique (Entry Level)] [Progress: 3/100 Points] [Status: Unable to Upgrade] [Note: There is no difficulty in the world that cannot be overcome by effort. You have gained initial insight into the Da Xu Technique through practicing some of its techniques. Further complete martial arts will accelerate the cultivation progress of this art.] "..." Shen Qing stared at the martial arts panel appearing in his vision, bewildered. Was this possible? He gave Huang Furo a peculiar look. The other party probably did not expect that her casual teaching would let an outsider like him gain initial insight into her family''s martial arts. It wasn''t over yet. Just as Shen Qing was at a loss for words, a line of red-ink text appeared, making his heart skip a beat. Red Ink Reminder: [Detected similar martial art "Great Void Shifting Technique," would you like to refine and extract points from this martial art to fill the new martial art?] "This..." Shen Qing instantly realized that the Great Void Shifting Technique and Da Xu Technique might have a special connection. He was vexed by the difficulty of practicing the "Great Void Shifting Technique," and the next moment, the similar martial art was detected. It really was a case of drowsiness leading to a pillow, coming just at the right time! Based on his past experiences, there was no difference in points between similar martial arts. This meant he could reverse refine points from the Da Xu Technique to fill the Great Void Shifting Technique. Observing Huang Furo, the Da Xu Technique should not be more difficult to practice than the Great Void Shifting Technique. This method was feasible. The only trouble was, obtaining the Da Xu Technique of the Huangfu family would be somewhat challenging. But as the note stated, there is no difficulty in the world that cannot be overcome by effort. With direction, solutions would eventually follow. Shen Qing collected his scattered thoughts and carefully pondered according to the key points taught by Huang Furo. As the points on the panel increased, his proficiency grew. Huang Furo observed all this, increasingly astonished by Shen Qing''s performance. The techniques she taught were not difficult, but mastering them wasn''t exactly easy either. Even she took a day to grasp the basics back then. And how long did Shen Qing take? Probably less than a quarter of an hour. She thought long and hard and concluded that there was only one possibility. That this subordinate of humble origin must possess a high cultivation talent with astonishing comprehension. Otherwise, it wouldn''t be possible to reach this level no matter how hard one tried. Huang Furo subconsciously placed more importance on Shen Qing, this subordinate. As the explanation delved deeper, an unspoken understanding grew between the two. After a while, Shen Qing stopped his actions, slowly exhaled a breath of impure air, "I''ve learned it." Huang Furo lightly said, "Are you ready?" Her soft voice was especially clear in the quiet air. Shen Qing nodded, took a deep breath, and adjusted his state. "Almost." "Alright, let''s go." "Okay." With two splashes. The two leapt into the water, surrounded by a piercing cold in an instant. The pool was not only unfathomably deep but also unusually cold, devoid of any fish, seeming strange. Upon entering the water, both didn''t dare to be careless, hurriedly circulating their Qi-blood throughout their bodies to stay warm, lest all their muscles froze and they lost mobility. Shen Qing clenched his teeth and, according to the martial arts techniques taught by Huang Furo, quickly adjusted his breathing, making his body gradually adapt to the cold environment, like a fish swimming, keeping up with Huang Furo ahead. In the deep pool, the light was dim. The two gradually felt an undercurrent surging underwater. Shen Qing guessed that this might be the underground river, the culprit leading them into the cavern. Right now, they needed to traverse the underground river upstream to find the exit. The pool was intensely cold, and if ordinary people were there, they might have long lost mobility, their blood even freezing. Fortunately, Shen Qing''s Qi-blood was vigorous, and with the Three-legged Small Furnace he carried releasing warmth, dispelling the cold surrounding him, he felt less chilly, more composed than when he first arrived. As the water depth increased, the light became even dimmer. Shen Qing could only rely on the faint glow emitted by Huang Furo to determine direction, but eventually even this light grew faint. At that moment, in the dimness, Shen Qing suddenly saw Huang Furo extend a hand toward him. Shen Qing didn''t hesitate, True Qi surged, and his legs propelled. Like walking in the void, he moved to Huang Furo''s side, grasping her cold, soft hand. The underwater world was silent, no sound of fish playing, only the bubbles from their breathing slowly rising, breaking the deathly silence. Huang Furo led the way, carefully recalling the direction from before as she moved forward lightly. At this moment, a current flowed between them. Holding each other, they avoided being swept away by the undercurrent. "Shen Qing, watch your step, the undercurrent might appear at any time," Huang Furo''s voice was transmitted clearly to Shen Qing underwater. Shen Qing nodded in understanding, carefully avoiding the undercurrents and whirlpools that might hide dangers. They didn''t know how much time had passed, but after stealthily navigating through the cold and silent waters for a quarter of an hour, they finally saw a glimmer of light ahead on the water''s surface. S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Without any hesitation, Shen Qing and Huang Furo leapt from the water, emerging out of the surface. ``` Chapter 246 - 72: They are just remnants of the Huang Tian Sect, kill them! "Despicable!" The big man with a twisted beard was indifferent. He walked forward confidently, pinched Shen Xiu''s chin, and said, "You''re quite pretty too. How about this, spend a night with me, and I can let you all live." Shen Xiu brushed away the dirty hand of the big man with a twisted beard, her face resolute, remaining silent. "Hmm?" The big man with a twisted beard looked angry and slapped her. Suddenly, a shadow flashed by, and the big man looked down to see Tian Xiaohu coming from the side, holding his wrist. "So, are you determined to fight us to the death?" Tian Xiaohu asked solemnly, word by word. "Hmph, what if I am? Kill them!" the big man with a twisted beard ordered his subordinates. The four words were like icy blades, causing the already tense and oppressive atmosphere in the hall to shatter and fully erupt. The lackeys of the Hei Zhao Gang in the hall, under the order of the big man with a twisted beard, swarmed towards Xiao Zhi and the others. "Xiao Zhi! Protect Uncle and Aunt!" Tian Xiaohu shouted. At this moment, they all realized that the other side never intended to spare them. To survive, they had to fight to the death. As Tian Xiaohu''s voice fell, he moved forward like a dragon emerging from the sea. For the past few months, he had been cultivating the Mixed Element True Technique Shen Qing gave him. Through his diligent practice and the benefit of some elixirs and cultivation techniques, he had successfully stretched and become a martial master, vaguely showing signs of breaking through to the Bone Refining Realm. In such a situation, Tian Xiaohu hesitated not in the slightest, driving his inner qi-blood to the extreme. This ancient Taoist internal cultivation technique stimulated the qi-blood, surging through him vigorously, while the power of the Five Elements circulated endlessly around him. Facing the fierce and relentless offensive of the big man with a twisted beard, Tian Xiaohu was unafraid of death. Not only did he not dodge, but he also used the other''s tactics against him, either anticipating each hit or taking it head-on, then returning it in kind. The mystery of the Mixed Element True Technique lay in the harmony of the Five Elements, using the world as a furnace, the self as a pill, merging with the Dao to form the Mixed Element unity, simulating and countering the opponent''s attack, and dissolving all external forces. It was undoubtedly an excellent martial art, far superior to the Black Claw Skill of the big man with a twisted beard. However, the big man was at the Qi Cultivation Realm, with profound cultivation, much beyond what Tian Xiaohu could achieve. No matter how hard Tian Xiaohu struggled, he couldn''t change the final outcome. As time passed, despite his best efforts, Tian Xiaohu eventually grew tired, his once calm demeanor replaced by exhaustion and heavy breathing. During an attempt to imitate and counterattack, he revealed a flaw, and the big man''s heavy punch sent him staggering back. S§×ar?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth as he fell to the ground, gravely injured and unable to get up again. Immediately, the battle turned rapidly downhill. Although Xiao Zhi resisted courageously, under the big man''s and his men''s relentless assault, he too was forced to retreat, backed into a corner of the hall, with no room to fight back. The uncle, aunt, and others, facing the greedy and cruel gazes around them, felt despair. "We''re going to die..." Outside the small courtyard of the Shen Family, Shen Qing vaguely heard the commotion inside the house and frowned. "Strange, why is it so lively at home?" Being cautious as always, he didn''t impulsively rush in but used his Eagle Eye ability to survey the situation in the courtyard. When he saw Tian Xiaohu''s desperate attack being countered, sending him flying like a kite with a broken string to crash heavily on the ground, Shen Qing''s expression immediately darkened. He suddenly stepped forward, placing his hand on the door and pushing it open. Creak, bam! The gates swung hard against the walls, making a loud noise. In the courtyard, everyone turned to see Shen Qing appear beyond the threshold, stepping towards the courtyard one step at a time. His gaze was as sharp as a knife, emanating an aura that brooked no intrusion. "May I ask what business you have? Did I, Shen Qing, offend you in some way to cause this commotion?" Although Shen Qing''s voice was not loud, it carried undeniable authority, clearly reaching everyone''s ears and jolting them mentally. "Qingzi/Boss/Brother!" Uncle, aunt, Tian Xiaohu, and the others shouted in unison. They each bore their injuries, struggling to run behind Shen Qing. Eldest sister Shen Fang looked at Shen Qing, tears streaming down her face. "Qingzi, we all thought you..." "It''s okay, I''m back." Shen Qing wiped away the tears from the corner of Shen Fang''s eyes and patted her shoulder. After comforting his uncle and aunt, Shen Qing turned to the guest room, facing the uninvited guests directly. "Good men, you haven''t answered my question. What exactly is your purpose for coming here on this winter day?" With this, the Hei Zhao Gang''s previously arrogant demeanor seemed suppressed by an invisible hand, and even the big man with a twisted beard couldn''t help but be slightly startled. His expression turned uncertain as he asked in an unsure tone, "Are you Shen Qing?" "If there isn''t another Shen Qing here, then it should be me. May I know your names? Never mind, I don''t want to know the names of useless people like you, I might as well just kill you." "Stop pretending!" Most of the Hei Zhao Gang hadn''t seen Shen Qing''s true appearance and believed this person couldn''t be the Shen Chasi of the Guardian Martial Department, a demon slayer. One of the subordinates of the Hei Zhao Gang shouted and rushed towards Shen Qing to find out. "Your courage in the face of death is admirable," Shen Qing said calmly. Pfft! As the opponent rushed over, Shen Qing calmly raised his eyes and, with a grace that seemed detached from the mundane world, slowly extended two slender fingers. The powerful True Qi hidden within Shen Qing surged from his fingertips, transforming into a dazzling crimson ray, slicing through the air, directly targeting the opponent''s chest. The ray contained a scorching aura, leaving visible marks wherever it passed. When the intense true qi struck the opponent''s body, there was no imagined roar or struggle, only an indescribable shockwave suddenly exploded. Under this force, the opponent''s head shattered like fragile porcelain, instantly collapsing, blood and brains splattering everywhere. This scene, so sudden, so brutal, left everyone incredulous, their pupils dilating. The surroundings fell into a deathly silence. "Are you really Shen Qing? You''re not dead?" The big man with a twisted beard recalled Shen Qing''s exploits in the Guardian Martial Department and hurriedly pleaded, "Misunderstanding, this is a misunderstanding, we''ll leave now." Those who had seen Shen Qing''s power lost their fighting spirit, having no courage to continue the fight. "Leave? Who allowed you to leave?" Shen Qing''s lips moved, uttering the chilling words, "I see you are remnants of the Huang Tian Sect, you all deserve to die!" Chapter 247 - 73: Which hand did you touch with? Once these words were spoken, the entire venue fell silent. As soon as he finished speaking, an imposing aura burst forth from Shen Qing, his clothes fluttering without a breeze. He gently brought together two fingers, forming a sword with them. A crimson light gathered between the inconspicuous fingertips. Then, with a muffled sound, a brilliant beam of Qi pierced through the air and landed precisely on the chest of one of the Hei Zhao Gang members. A squelching sound followed. The Qi Shen Qing condensed contained intense strength and exploded as soon as it touched the henchman''s chest. The sound of Qi penetrating flesh, bursting, and tearing through came simultaneously. At the spot where the Qi fell, a gaping hole as wide as a bowl appeared on the chest of the Hei Zhao Gang member. The scorching energy passed through it, expanded outward along the blood hole, and burned through his internal organs in one fell swoop. Before the other Hei Zhao Gang members could react, another explosive sound cut through the air. Shen Qing, with his fingers forming a sword, unleashed red Qi beams consecutively. Before the many Hei Zhao Gang members could grasp what was happening, Shen Qing pierced them with a single finger blow, killing them instantly. Each beam of Qi that landed was accompanied by the death of a Hei Zhao Gang member. The strong scent of blood permeated the air. Those arrogant Hei Zhao Gang members, now in utter despair, sought to beg for mercy. However, before they could utter a word of plea, they were silenced by Shen Qing''s Qi beams, silently sent on their way. In no time, a deathly silence enveloped the surroundings. In the main hall, corpses of the Hei Zhao Gang lay scattered in disarray. Shen Qing stood towering, his gaze icy as he fixed his eyes on the lone big man with a twisted beard. A smile played on his lips as he politely said, "Well, it''s your turn." The big man with a twisted beard trembled like a leaf, utterly terrified. He stammered, "Spare me..." "Brother, he touched Elder Sister''s face just now," shouted Shen Xiaoshan loudly, filled with indignation. "I... I..." The big man with a twisted beard stuttered, his face bewildered. Shen Qing''s eyes narrowed as he asked, "Which hand did you use?" The big man''s heart trembled violently, and he instinctively shifted his gaze to his burly right hand. Seeing this, Shen Qing placed his hand on the hilt of his dagger, slowly drew it, and then lightly flicked his wrist. A cold gleam swiftly cut toward the big man''s right arm. Slash. "Ah!" With a scream, the big man''s right arm was severed, blood gushing out like a fountain, staining everything around it. A piercing scream erupted from his throat, his eyes filled with horror and... desperate hope. "Shen Chasi, can you spare me now?" he asked, clutching his severed wrist, inhaling sharply, and trembling. Shen Qing stood firm like a pine, his gaze lowered. In a cold voice, he said, "What do you think?" "If I hadn''t come in time, would you have spared the people in the courtyard?" "..." The big man''s face froze, barking, "You''re not keeping your word..." Shen Qing tightened his grip on the dagger hilt and with a decisive, clean slash, a silvery light mixed with a hint of red swept across the big man''s neck. Squelch! The big man''s eyes widened, filled with reluctance and shock. His head separated from his body with incredible speed, rolling to the ground with a dull thud. A pillar of blood sprayed from the severed neck of the big man. In the hall, the already thick scent of blood became even more intense, faintly carrying the taste of rust, wafting around. "I never promised you anything." Shen Qing swung his dagger, flicking the blood off the blade. He turned and surveyed the Shen Family members, his expression softening significantly. "It''s all over now." Elder Sister Shen Fang walked over, tears welling in her eyes. "Qingzi, what happened these days? Where have you been? They all said you died." "This is a long story, and I''ll explain it to you all later when there''s time." Uncle, Aunt, and Elder Sister were all ordinary citizens with limited insight. Some matters, if told, would only add to their worries. Tian Xiaohu and the others were similar in that regard. They still lacked sufficient strength and couldn''t contribute much, so it wasn''t advisable to disclose too much. Shen Qing glanced around at the bodies in the hall, curious. "Where did these people come from?" "They''re from the Hei Zhao Gang." Tian Xiaohu, dealing with various elements in the city, was somewhat familiar with the identities of these people. "The Hei Zhao Gang?" "They''re the gang overseeing Qinghe Square and have been eyeing Xinyi Square lately. They assumed you were dead and made bold moves targeting Shen''s Restaurant." Gang conflicts in Yongzhou City were as numerous as grains of sand. Sometimes, even two people claimed to form a gang, contesting with other forces. It was typical for an impulsive group like the Hei Zhao Gang to act in such a manner. Shen Qing pondered, asking, "Does the Hei Zhao Gang have any backing?" Generally, to gain a foothold in Yongzhou City, a gang would need some background, working under the radar for the high-ranking families. Otherwise, these gangs couldn''t survive in the Inner City. They fed on the Thirteen Lines'' leftovers, far from respectable. Xiao Zhi, recalling, interjected, "I vaguely remember them mentioning they are backed by the Zhou Family." "The Zhou Family? The leader of the Thirteen Lines, Zhou Family?" Shen Qing queried. "Seems like it." Tian Xiaohu stepped forward, asking, "Boss, what do we do next? Should we ask the Zhou Family''s steward to mediate? If you want a connection with the Zhou Family, I know a few people from the Jianghu who have some ties with them." Hearing this, Shen Qing laughed, "They''re gangsters, and I am an official. Have you ever seen a cat afraid of a mouse?" Tian Xiaohu was momentarily taken aback by these words. "So, you want to..." Shen Qing sheathed his long dagger, saying, "Naturally, we eliminate these vermin to prevent them from constantly causing trouble." "I am an official, so it''s only fitting to rid the populace of such threats." With that, Shen Qing walked toward the doorway, supporting himself with the dagger. Halfway there, he paused abruptly and turned back, saying, "Xiao Hu, I don''t know the Hei Zhao Gang''s hangouts; kindly lead the way." sea??h th§× ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Huh? Sure, sure." Tian Xiaohu snapped back to reality, nodded repeatedly, and clutched his chest, heading toward Shen Qing. "Boss, what about these bodies?" Reaching Shen Qing, Tian Xiaohu asked. Shen Qing nonchalantly replied, "I''ll visit the Military Department later to report this to Lord Huangfu and have them deal with these Huang Tian Sect remnants. They''re just riffraff, not worth sparing. Take that big man''s head!" Seeing how Shen Qing handled matters, Tian Xiaohu no longer questioned. He grabbed the big man''s head and led the way, saying, "This way." Chapter 248 - 74: One Step, One Person, I Want Blood to Flow Like a River Here During the day, the sky hung low and sullen, with heavy clouds that seemed ready to burst at any moment. Snowflakes fell sporadically into the old streets and alleys. "This is the place." Tian Xiaohu''s injury had not healed, and he walked with a noticeable limp. After winding through several alleys, he led Shen Qing to the entrance of a hall. Shen Qing looked around and saw a heavy black iron door partly ajar, with two dim lanterns hanging above the lintel. The sky had yet to darken, so the lanterns above the lintel remained unlit, quietly swaying in the wind. Compared to the old streets, the Hei Zhao Gang''s hall was exceptionally lively. Even standing outside, Shen Qing could hear the noise and commotion within. He pushed the door open, and the interior was brightly lit, with large red lanterns hanging high, filling the space with a sense of celebration and prosperity. Without hesitation, Shen Qing stepped inside. A stifling mix of cheap liquor and charcoal greeted him, causing him to frown unconsciously. Shen Qing glanced around at the scene within the Hei Zhao Hall. The hall wasn''t particularly spacious. At its center was a long wooden table polished smooth, with walls adorned with various knives and weapons¡ªfrom sharp daggers to ancient swords¡ªexuding a deadly aura. Members of the Hei Zhao Gang sat around the table, some speaking loudly, others whispering confidentially. Their faces bore bright smiles, making the hall incredibly noisy. When Shen Qing stepped inside, the clamor ceased abruptly as if a pause button had been pressed. Everyone''s eyes focused on Shen Qing. Someone broke the silence with a playful voice, "Officer, did you enter the wrong door?" The crowd in the hall sharpened their gazes, staring at Shen Qing intently. Some discreetly tightened their grips on nearby weapons. "Shouldn''t you be very clear about whether I entered the wrong door?" With that, Shen Qing took a bloodied head from Tian Xiaohu and tossed it forward, "Is it clearer now?" The head rolled to a stop before the members of the Hei Zhao Hall. The gang members were taken aback. "Old Hu Zi!" Shen Qing continued forward, drawing the dagger from his waist. He planted his feet firmly and smiled at the group, saying, "I am from the Guardian Martial Department, Fourth Division Dispatch Office, Shen Qing! Here today to slay demons and exorcise evils." In the dim light, Shen Qing''s black robe fluttered in the wind as he introduced himself. His eyes burned with determination, a gleam of unyielding resolve, as an icy chill engulfed his surroundings, making the already cold air even more frigid. The members of the Hei Zhao Gang, aware of their own deeds, were part of the same circle. Today, they planned to seize Shen''s Restaurant, assuming Shen Qing to be dead. Unexpectedly, Shen Qing survived! Their faces showed a hint of terror. Shen Qing refrained from any unnecessary words, lunging forward like a predatory leopard. In a moment''s lapse, he was among the members of the Hei Zhao Gang. The fight erupted instantly. In martial arts, speed was invincible. The same went for using a knife in combat. Killing did not involve excessive showy techniques. As long as you moved faster than your opponent, it meant your blade would cut into them, not theirs into you. A bit more strength meant you could kill an opponent with a single strike. Rushing into the crowd, Shen Qing wielded the dagger in both hands, executing simple swings and slashes with fluid movements, without a moment''s pause. Each swing was accompanied by a spray of blood. Soon, the walls, floor, tables, and benches were stained red, filling the Hei Zhao Hall with a heavy scent of blood. "You dare, I''ll fight you to the death!" Not all members of the Hei Zhao Hall were timid cowards. A burly figure leapt out, locking eyes with Shen Qing, determination and ferocity blazing within them. He roared like thunder, "Die!" Instantly, the profound Qi Cultivation Realm surged like a burst dam, transforming into an invisible tide, sweeping towards Shen Qing with destructive force, enveloping him completely. Faced with this sudden attack, Shen Qing remained calm, his gaze brightening. He lifted one hand leisurely, fingers subtly moving, gathering a powerful energy. "Sky Flipping Seal!" Shen Qing shouted lowly. A dazzling light erupted from his palm, forming a golden hand seal that flew forward. With supreme might, the Sky Flipping Seal expanded rapidly, tearing through the encircling force in the blink of an eye. "Boom!" With a deafening explosion. The golden Sky Flipping Seal struck the formidable Hei Zhao Gang member, erupting into a brilliant light and fierce energy waves. The gang member didn''t even have time to scream; he was torn apart in shock, exploding like fireworks. The sight stunned all the members of the Hei Zhao Gang. Shen Qing''s lips curled into a smile as he extended one finger, shooting a beam of light. Splash! A gang member''s head shattered, dying on the spot. Shen Qing advanced relentlessly, either pointing or slashing, killing one person with each step. "Run!" Hei Zhao Gang members fell under his attacks, wailing in despair. "Today, no one leaves. I want rivers of blood here!" Shen Qing spoke with indifference. In the previous life, a great leader once said, "Deliver a powerful punch to avoid a hundred blows." Only by striking fear and ruthlessness into these ruffians would they remember his ferocity and refrain from causing his family harm. A fearsome reputation was not given but earned through battle. Over time, fewer and fewer stood within the Hei Zhao Hall. Shen Qing''s robe was drenched in blood. The large hall, covered in a thick layer of blood, was a gruesome sight. Bearing the dagger, Shen Qing ceased the massacre, slowly approaching the main seat of the Hei Zhao Gang''s boss. He turned, using the dagger as a cane with both hands pressed on it, resting on the ground. sea??h th§× n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He asked the lone surviving Hei Zhao Hall member expressionlessly, "Where is your boss?" Up to this point, Shen Qing hadn''t found the leader among these people, suspecting the Hall Master was not present in the hall. "He... The fifth young master holds a banquet at Baihua Building today, and the boss went to give gifts to the Zhou Family''s fifth young master." A Hei Zhao Gang member replied nervously, with yellow fluid faintly seeping from his crotch. Shen Qing raised a brow, "One managed to slip away, a bit troublesome." He looked up and asked Tian Xiaohu, "I remember you once found many Jianghu Martial Artists to help me patrol. Can you find them again now?" "I should be able to, Boss. Are you planning to?" Tian Xiaohu asked, swallowing nervously as he looked at the corpses strewn about. "Have them help me find someone." Chapter 249 - 75: Perfect timing, let me eradicate the problem forever Yongzhou Inner City, Baihua Building. Inside the main hall, the noise was deafening, a cacophony filled the air. Waiters shuttled back and forth, holding menu books, busy recording orders; servants were occupied serving tea and water, welcoming guests, a scene bustling with activity. He Quan from the Hei Zhao Gang, accompanied by two subordinates, strode into the main hall of Baihua Building, heading straight toward a private room at the far end. He wore luxurious clothing, not made of brocade or silk, yet exuded an undeniable aura of significance. Whenever he passed by the waiters and servants, they all nodded and bowed, not daring to slacken. Arriving at the stairs leading to a private room, he paused and slightly bowed to an attendant dressed as a family servant. He cupped his hands and spoke with a respectful tone, "I am He Quan from the Hei Zhao Gang. Lately, I heard that the fifth young Master requires mountain delicacies to aid in his practice. I specially selected a Spiritual Jade Mushroom and an aged ginseng as tokens of my appreciation, hoping the fifth young Master would graciously accept." With that, he gave a signal with his eyes. The two followers behind him respectfully presented the exquisitely boxed Spiritual Jade Mushroom and aged ginseng, their actions natural. The servant seemed to recognize He Quan, silently accepting the two gift boxes with a slight movement of his eyes, "Wait here." Having said that, he turned, opened the door, and entered carefully to report. It wasn''t long before the servant returned. He spoke considerately, "The fifth young Master is aware of your gift and appreciates Boss He''s kindness, but tonight the Sun Family''s heir is hosting a banquet, leaving the fifth young Master unable to meet personally. Boss He should seek another opportunity to converse." Hearing this, He Quan''s mouth curled into an almost imperceptible smile; he retrieved a few heavy Copper Coins from his sleeve and lightly placed them in the servant''s hand, "Thank you, I hope for a few kind words from you in front of the fifth young Master in the future." Being a servant at the bottom of the Great Zhou, this particular servant was of low status. However, it is said to consider the owner even when reprimanding a dog; servants indeed had their ranks. Some servants of high-ranking families sometimes had a status not inferior to those in gangs. The Zhou Family''s servants were such. Sometimes, those in gangs had to look to them for favor and dared not underestimate these servants. He Quan lowered himself, very humble in posture. The Zhou Family servant seemed used to such scenarios; as he weighed the money bag He Quan handed over, a grin spread across his face, "Well said, well said, the fifth young Master has always valued Boss He. Knowing Boss He has sent such a valuable gift, he surely would be pleased." With a face full of smiles, He Quan turned to leave. As he prepared to leave, laughter inside the private room suddenly escalated. He suddenly stopped and turned to look at the dimly lit room, where shadows of young men and women seemed to be joyously conversing. He Quan withdrew his gaze, his smile slowly faded, as he walked out of Baihua Building. "People say dragons give birth to dragons, phoenixes to phoenixes. Must I, He Quan, be born inferior? Someday, I will rise above them." He silently vowed, a resolute gleam flashing in his eyes. Soon, He Quan slightly lowered his eyelids, concealing that fervent longing, and briskly left Baihua Building, heading towards Hei Zhao Hall. From Baihua Building to the Hei Zhao Gang hall was a distance requiring one to pass through Qinghe Square. He Quan and his two subordinates walked on the street like a lion patrolling its territory, seemingly somewhat satisfied. After delivering the gifts, he neither regretted nor urgently sought results; his demeanor appeared relaxed, indifferent. Pointing to several shops on the street, he said, "This is Old Zheng''s storefront, heard his business is good lately; tomorrow his protection fee should go up by twenty percent." "As for Yang Sandao''s, I heard he has two daughters, raise his fee by thirty percent, help him sell his daughters." "And this one, loans released earlier this year, we need to recover them with interest." "..." Along the way, He Quan "commanded the landscape." His two subordinates behind him took notes continuously. When He Quan roughly estimated, he felt it was about right and said, "That should do; leave the other shops till middle of the year. Focus on who among them has sons or daughters and is living hard; we can lend some funds to help them through tough times." "Our boss is benevolent." "Haha." He Quan laughed heartily. The mountain treasures given to the Zhou Family''s fifth young Master were indeed valuable, but the money came from others. By working the city''s residents a bit harder, he would recover it. In this world, the one with the largest fist got to speak. As long as he didn''t push too far, forcing them into a dead end, chopping the roots, these people would just make do. To He Quan, calling them people was overestimating; they were no more than cattle or horses that could eat, poop, and speak human language. Lost in thought, He Quan approached near Hei Zhao Hall, and suddenly he felt something amiss. "Wait a moment." He reached out to block, a subtle hint of alertness flashing in his eyes, causing his pace to slow significantly, walking more cautiously. "Something''s wrong¡­" he murmured, gently lifting his hand, instructing the subordinates behind, "It''s getting dark, why is the hall still open? One of you, check if something has happened at the hall." Being from a gang background, He Quan had fought and struggled from the bottom; it was common for vendettas to result in bloodshed, so he was sensitive to such situations. Without a bit of wit, he wouldn''t have lived till now. Under his command, a skilled subordinate stepped forward. S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Probably influenced by He Quan, this subordinate also became cautious, quietly approaching the large door. Before reaching the threshold, a strong smell of blood surged like a tide, overwhelming his senses, making his heart skip a beat. Stationed at the door, he glanced inside the hall, "Dear me!" Corpses were strewn across the hall like hell, terrifying him to the core. Directly ahead, a man dressed in Guardian Martial Department uniform sat quietly in the main seat, his stature upright, a unsettling aura continuously radiating from his body. "Rivals have come to settle scores." He Quan''s subordinate was terrified and intended to flee. Yet Shen Qing flicked his finger, an invisible Qi Force instantly sealed his throat, killing him without form. "What a coincidence, I was wondering how to find you, yet you delivered yourselves." Shen Qing''s voice was icy, tinged with a playful smile, "Perfect timing, allows me to end future troubles." He sprang up, leaping from the main hall, landing swiftly atop the roof. Shen Qing skillfully took down the Cloud Splitting Bow, drew an arrow, aiming at the dumbstruck He Quan below. He Quan felt an intense, penetrating chill surge from his spine, straight to the top of his head. Chapter 250 - 76 Lord Huangfu, Ive Caused You Trouble ``` Seeing the situation turning unfavorable, He Quan abruptly turned to flee, unleashing the power of his Qi Cultivation Realm. Unfortunately, no matter how fast his speed was, it could never surpass the arrows shot from the Hundred Shi Heavy Bow. Thud! A black arrow, carrying an aura of tearing through everything, precisely pierced through He Quan''s chest, nailing him to the ground beneath his feet. The arrowhead penetrated three inches into the earth, the remaining force unspent, as the tail feathers continuously quivered. The powerful energy of the arrow burrowed into He Quan''s internal organs, shredding them to pieces, leaving him utterly dead. With just one arrow, Shen Qing declared He Quan''s fate. The opponent''s life and death seemed to hang on his mere thought. Standing on the rooftop, Shen Qing caught sight of a figure frantically fleeing ahead. The skills from the Hunting Scripture all activated, his form flickering like a phantom, moving swiftly like a rabbit. With a slight tremor in the air, Shen Qing quietly landed in front of a subordinate of He Quan, blocking his escape route. The air was filled with a suffocating sense of oppression. "Master, spare my life. I have the elderly and young to care for..." S§×arch* The nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The subordinate knelt on the ground, trembling all over, his voice tinged with a sob of despair. Tears blurred his vision, but he could still feel the cold murderous intent emanating from Shen Qing. Shen Qing''s gaze didn''t linger on the subordinate''s pleas but slowly turned to the side. He Quan''s body lay on the ground in an unnatural pose, eyes wide open, filled with unwillingness and shock. "What was his role in the Hei Zhao Gang?" Shen Qing''s voice was low, without obvious emotional fluctuation. But in the eyes of He Quan''s subordinate, there was an unavoidable sense of deep, unfathomable authority and scrutiny. "He... he was the leader of our Hei Zhao Gang..." "The leader?" A smile unconsciously appeared at the corners of Shen Qing''s mouth. Judging by He Quan''s well-dressed, luxurious appearance, he was undoubtedly a high-ranking member of the Hei Zhao Gang. The man''s words confirmed his thoughts, clearing his mind considerably. To eliminate the problem altogether, to prevent it from resurging when the spring wind blows again. Shen Qing never liked to leave hidden dangers when he acted. When he made his move, he left no one behind. This shortsighted gang of Hei Zhao Gang had provoked him, and regardless of what backing they had, Shen Qing would never spare them. He slaughtered the entire Hei Zhao Gang earlier, but the figure of their leader was absent. It was like a complete puzzle missing the last piece, always feeling like something was off. Now that he knew he had killed their leader, the final piece of the puzzle fell into place, giving him a sense of satisfaction. Shen Qing put away the Cloud Splitting Heavy Bow, slowly walking past the subordinate of He Quan. Just when this subordinate thought he had escaped a calamity, he suddenly felt a chill at the nape of his neck. Thwack! His whole body collapsed to the ground like a puppet whose strings had been cut, leaning to the side, blood continuously seeping from his mouth and nose. "Seeing how cooperative you are, I''ll give you a quick death." Shen Qing retracted his two fingers, murmuring to himself. These people from the Hei Zhao Gang were certainly not virtuous, their hands stained with untold amounts of blood, committing countless atrocities. Otherwise, how could such a small gang have so much wealth to squander without producing anything? They were simply sucking the lifeblood from the people, truly not worth pitying. Shen Qing returned to the Hei Zhao Hall and waited for a while. Tian Xiaohu, whom he had sent away, returned before dark with two unfamiliar men. Tian Xiaohu stepped forward and said: "Boss, these are Liu Youdao and Liu Youde, two brothers who used to practice martial arts at the Martial Arts Hall, but their family''s fortunes dwindled and now they work in the Outer City. They were in the last patrol. You see, there''s also..." Originally, Shen Qing sought them to inquire about He Quan''s movements and whereabouts, but it seemed they had already recognized He Quan''s corpse in the alley earlier. Shen Qing stepped forward and said: "I''ve already killed the leader of the Hei Zhao Gang, no need to search further. But... it''s quite messy here. You all clean up a bit. I have something else to do." "Yes." The three replied in unison. After speaking, Shen Qing left the door of Hei Zhao Hall in big strides. Although the scoundrels in the Hei Zhao Gang were not worth pitying, and he was a government officer, in the end, Shen Qing was still killing people on the streets in the Inner City. This matter was neither big nor small. To avoid unnecessary trouble later, he thought it best to go to the Huangfu family and seek Huang Furo''s assistance for safety''s sake. ... After crossing the old moat of the Inner City, in the core area of the ancient Yongzhou City stood the Huangfu Mansion. Shen Qing stood at the gate of the Huangfu Mansion, looking up. He saw the mansion''s gate hanging high, the brass rings carved with intricate dragon and phoenix patterns, and two large red lanterns hanging high, exuding grandeur. He took a deep breath, tidied his clothes, and stepped forward to lightly knock on the heavy door. The young gatekeeper slightly opened the door. "Kindly inform, Shen Qing requests to see Lady Huangfu." Shen Qing bowed slightly to the gatekeeper, his voice carrying a hint of respect. The gatekeeper sized up Shen Qing, seeing him dressed in official attire with an unusual demeanor, nodded, "Please wait outside for a moment, I will go and inform the lady." With a bang, the gatekeeper closed the door. Shen Qing patiently waited at the door. Not long after, the gatekeeper returned, with a subtle hint of respect in his tone: "Mr. Shen, please follow me." "Thank you." Shen Qing followed the gatekeeper around the shadow wall, heading towards a guest courtyard. The gatekeeper led Shen Qing to a pavilion building, saying, "Mr. Shen, please wait here, the lady will be here soon." After speaking, he bowed and retreated. After the gatekeeper left, Shen Qing looked around the pavilion building, seeing that every place within sight was intricately carved, exuding a sense of aristocracy. Thinking about it, this was his first time entering the high-ranking gate of the Thirteen Lines. "The Huangfu family, indeed a high ranking gate," Shen Qing couldn''t help but exclaim. "Mr. Shen, you flatter us. The family has declined, long past its prime." Huang Furo''s voice suddenly broke Shen Qing''s thoughts. Shen Qing quickly turned to look back, seeing Huang Furo standing at the end of the corridor, walking over with a calm expression. At this moment, Huang Furo had shed her official attire, wearing a simple and elegant long dress, her hair tied high, exuding a heroic spirit between her eyebrows, completely different from her usual appearance. Shen Qing collected his thoughts, clasped his hands, and responded: "Lord Huangfu is too modest. A starved camel is still bigger than a horse. The Huangfu family, being descendants of a prestigious family, has a heritage no other family can easily compare to." "Mr. Shen, visiting so late at night, surely must have important matters to discuss. Speak, what is it?" Huang Furo led Shen Qing and personally brewed him a cup of tea, pushing it in front of him, addressing the issue directly. Shen Qing didn''t expect Huang Furo to be so straightforward. He quickly adapted, and said directly: "Lord Huangfu, I''m afraid I''ve brought trouble upon you." Huang Furo lifted the teacup, looking at Shen Qing with focused eyes: "Explain, what happened?" Shen Qing took a deep breath and recounted the incident of the Hei Zhao Gang coming to cause trouble. Huang Furo frowned and said: "That''s all?" "That''s all." Huang Furo put down the teacup, indifferently said: "As Mr. Shen said, it should be the remnants of the Yellow Heaven Sect acting insolently. I will have my people deal with it, and this matter will be concluded." Shen Qing asked in surprise: "It''s over just like that?" "Why, what else do you want?" Huang Furo looked at Shen Qing, seemingly smiling, yet not. ``` Chapter 251 - 77: Its Comfortable to Lean on a Big Tree for Shade Shen Qing then realized that in Huang Furo''s eyes, a gang was not worth mentioning at all. With the power of the Huangfu family and her military department''s influence, eliminating these lower-level forces was as easy as crushing a few ants. Martial arts indeed equaled authority, without a doubt. Noticing what Shen Qing was thinking, Huang Furo put away her jesting expression and said seriously, "All right, I''ll have someone from the military department take care of loose ends later, it''s a small matter. Also, if everything goes smoothly in the next couple of days, I will temporarily hand over the Guardian Martial Department to you for a period of time. Prepare yourself, and make sure nothing goes wrong." Shen Qing clasped his fists and replied, "Yes, Lord Huangfu, I will do my utmost." "Is there anything else?" "No. I take my leave." With that, Shen Qing slowly turned and left the pavilion, walking out of the gate. The gate of the Huangfu family slowly closed with a deep, prolonged sound. Shen Qing turned back and glanced at it, his mind pondering for a moment before he stopped lingering and strode away. When he returned to the courtyard, he found that the people from the military department had arrived before him, acting very swiftly. Leading them was a dispatcher from the military department, who looked upright. Shen Qing had some impression of the dispatchers from the military department. If he remembered correctly, this person seemed to be an illegitimate child from one of the Thirteen Noble Families. He probably received Huang Furo''s order, nodded at Shen Qing, and silently carried away the corpses of Hei Zhao Gang and others without asking any unnecessary questions, which made Shen Qing extremely relieved. He couldn''t help but sigh, having backing really made a difference. With Huang Furo covering for him, the issue with Hei Zhao Gang was resolved with no trace left. After the people from the military department left, the family gathered together, still feeling a lingering fear, comforting each other with words of intimacy. Shen Qing also recounted his recent experiences, and the atmosphere in the small courtyard gradually became warm, as the family enjoyed harmony and happiness. The earlier fear gradually dissipated. It was then Shen Qing suddenly remembered something, slapped his thigh, and said, "Oh no, these people might have had some things on them, I forgot to search." "Brother, are you talking about these?" Shen Xiaoshan, hearing this, went back inside and brought out a bundle, opening it in front of Shen Qing. Inside, there were scattered pieces of broken silver and golden leaves. Shen Qing even saw a few gold teeth, causing him to pause in surprise. Shen Xiaoshan sheepishly scratched his head, "I saw their mouths glittering, so I just took them off by hand. Dad is even better at it than me." Uncle Shen the Second, who was drinking water, choked and kept coughing. Shen Qing burst into hearty laughter. "Food''s ready." Xiao Zhi, sporting a panda eye, brought in a plate of pickled fish. Tian Xiaohu, who had finished cleaning up the mess, carried a big parcel and arrived just in time for the meal. Shen Qing pulled out a bottle of wine and put it on the table, "Come, friends bring good wine, wolves bring knives and arrows. Today we narrowly escaped death, we ought to celebrate a bit." "Yes, yes, we should celebrate," Uncle Shen the Second said in his usual honest manner. Shen Qing raised his glass high, tilted his head back, and drank it all in one go. The slightly bitter, burning wine spread in his throat, bringing a hint of warmth in this icy winter. After the downfall of Hei Zhao Gang, Shen Qing counted and found he had gained thousands of taels of silver, hundreds of taels of gold, and some other jewelry and elixirs. It could be said that Shen Qing wouldn''t need to worry about money for a while. This event also made Shen Qing realize that he couldn''t keep fighting alone; he must find ways to increase the strength around him. ... On a peak of Huang Tian Sacred Mountain, mist swirled around. Palaces stood among it, towering, appearing and disappearing within the clouds and fog. Though it was winter outside, with everything encased in white snow, making all silent, within these peaks, somehow it avoided the harsh cold and snow. It was like spring all year round, lush with vitality, astonishing to behold. Among the peaks, a young man in luxurious yellow robes stood in an open area behind a palace. He closed his eyes, gathered his thoughts, and gently rubbed his hands. A faint light danced on his fingertips. Suddenly, he uttered a deep spell, and a yellow talisman was conjured. A bright yellow thunder streaked across the sky, its deafening roar echoing. "It''s done!" Shen Xiaohu''s face lit up with uncontrollable joy, his bright eyes gleaming with excitement. Sear?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. At that moment, a burly figure quietly appeared behind him, as stable as a mountain, exuding an indescribable majesty and pressure. Upon seeing this scene, he said approvingly, "Not bad." Hearing the voice, Shen Xiaohu quickly turned around, his eyes full of awe and respect. He bowed and said, "Commander." The Commander nodded slightly, his gaze deep, "Your progress surpassed my expectations. This Yellow Thunder Talisman, even in our sect, not many can cultivate it so quickly. Although you are not good in martial arts, you do have some talent in talismans." Upon hearing this, Shen Xiaohu was even more thrilled, "It''s all thanks to the teachings of the Commander and the envoys." "Just when you''ve grasped some basics, we are preparing to attack Dan Zhou and are short of hands," the Commander said flatly, "You go with others and prepare secretly." Shen Xiaohu''s heart tightened, not daring to refuse, and he agreed with his head bowed. Seeing Shen Xiaohu''s reluctance, the Commander spoke, "Do you know why we must first preach?" Shen Xiaohu shook his head. The Commander laughed and said, "Those who are educated and know the truth mostly serve as officials in the court. So, to counter the Ji Family Court, we must use people who are a bit foolish. To deal with those fools, we absolutely cannot tell them the truth; we must use religion to hypnotize them, making them feel all their actions are justified." "So, ''Heaven is Above'' is just a slogan, just like ''Amitabha.'' The Ji Family, for their martial arts, has always oppressed us and left us no way out, so we must rebel against them." "If we succeed, not only will there be countless silver and women, but also the unattainable path to longevity, allowing us to live as long as heaven." Shen Xiaohu''s eyes lit up as he asked, "So rebelling against the Ji Family Court is to take back our money and women, and pursue longevity, right?" "Are you willing to go?" "I am willing." The Commander of Huang Tian Sect chuckled, "This time, you will go down the mountain to take on the role of the Yellow Angel, prepare to go preach with other envoys." "Yes, Commander." A newfound excitement appeared on Shen Xiaohu''s face. Upon hearing this, he saluted and went back to prepare. He changed into ordinary clothes and packed his bag, ready to join the others. Among a pile of clothes, Shen Xiaohu saw a mirror and stared at it for a moment. After a long while, he sighed deeply. He wondered how his parents were doing. This place was several thousand miles from Yongzhou; with his current capabilities, he couldn''t travel that far. He could only hope for improvement in the future. Shen Xiaohu put away his bag and headed down the mountain. Chapter 252 - 78: Infamy Spreads Far, Taking Over the Guardian Martial Department The next morning, Shen Qing went to the Military Department Office to check in, just as he usually did. In the case involving Zheng Yuanqiu, the Zhuifeng steed under him was reduced to nothing but bones, forcing him to walk on foot for the time being. Fortunately, after learning the Da Xu Technique, a martial art of the Huangfu family, his Qinggong had greatly improved. With a push of his legs, he turned into a shadowy figure, weaving through the crowd on the street like a nimble fish, moving extraordinarily fast. In the time it took for one incense stick to burn, he arrived at the Guardian Martial Department Office, faster than if he had ridden on horseback. His appearance in front of many officers and dispatch officers caused quite a stir. Ji Youwu, Wang Shouyuan, Liu Yuan, and other officers from the fourth group looked at Shen Qing incredulously, as if seeing him return from the dead. Amid their astonished gazes, Shen Qing checked in with a calm demeanor and then returned to a small room in the courtyard to rest. As Shen Qing noticed Ji Youwu, Wang Shouyuan, and Liu Yuan still looking stunned, he couldn''t help but frown. "Why are you all staring at me?" Ji Youwu, being bolder, swallowed nervously and said, "Sir, you''re not dead?" "By the way you say it, do I have to be dead?" Shen Qing glanced at him and replied. Ji Youwu hastily explained, "No, no, it''s just that Lord Governor was defeated by the snake demon, so seeing you alive was unexpected. The people at the Military Department all said that both you and Lord Huangfu were hit by the snake demon''s tail and left without even bones, and the Huangfu family has already begun quietly preparing for funerals." "Even Lord Governor couldn''t defeat the snake demon?" Shen Qing''s expression suddenly turned grave. Lord Governor was at the Innate Realm in cultivation, undeniably among the top tier in Yongzhou. Shen Qing shifted the topic, asking, "What happened? Tell me." Ji Youwu pondered for a moment and slowly recounted, "On the day you had your incident, the snake demon awoke and rampaged, slithering to the nearby town." "The snake demon had a massive body and a terrifying aura, releasing poisonous fog with just an open mouth, consuming nearly two to three thousand of the town''s people." "Upon hearing the news, Lord Governor immediately led the city''s elite to personally go forth. He, with the cultivation of an Innate Martial Master, fought hard against the snake demon, attempting to slay the demon. However, the snake demon not only had thick skin and tough flesh but also wielded demon arts, making it hard to bear. There were even rumors that this demon was the ruler of various demons from the nearby mountains, with a tendency to transform into a dragon." Reaching this point, Ji Youwu couldn''t help but add a hint of admiration and regret in his voice: "In the battle, Lord Governor fought the snake demon for a long time. Amid fierce struggles, he managed to severely injure the snake demon with his exceptional martial arts, forcing it to retreat, but at an extremely heavy cost, suffering severe injuries, nearly losing his life." "Currently, Lord Governor is retreating to the government office to recover, becoming the most discussed matter within the county office recently." Ji Youwu glanced at Shen Qing and added another explanation: "Such a powerful demon, even Lord Governor was no match. Naturally, we assumed that you and Lord Huangfu were also unfortunately lost..." Hearing these words, Shen Qing fell into a brief silence. He hadn''t expected that there was such a backstory behind all this. sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. At the same time, in another room, Dong Jing, the first group''s dispatch officer, showed surprise upon learning of Shen Qing''s safe return. "Who would have thought that Shen Qing had such luck, surviving in front of such a demon, truly unexpected." "Seeing this, he must have some skills, should I lower myself and befriend him?" At this moment, Dong Jing experienced some internal conflict. Ultimately considering the difference in status, he chose to remain observant. Forget it, forget it. For now, instead of befriending Shen Qing, he had more important matters to attend to. And that was the position of the Chief Officer of the Guardian Martial Department. According to his analysis, there truly weren''t many suitable candidates within the county office to take on this mess, so there was a significant likelihood of promotion within their group of dispatch officers. As the dispatch officer of the first group of the Guardian Martial Department, he had the strongest capabilities, the best background, and the best chance. He needed to seize the opportunity to make things work. The position of Chief Officer of the Guardian Martial Department might not mean much for the legitimate sons of many high-ranking families, but for them, it was a desirable post. He was well aware that although the Huangfu family wasn''t a prominent name within the Thirteen Lines, they still held considerable influence in the court. The position of Chief Officer had close ties with Huang Furo. If he secured this position, he might use it as a stepping stone in the future, rise to power, and achieve great things. Thinking about this made Dong Jing somewhat excited. And inside the Guardian Martial Department, he wasn''t alone in his thoughts among the dispatch officers. Five days flew by in the blink of an eye. The news of Hei Zhao Gang''s annihilation, after brewing over these days, caused quite a stir among Yongzhou''s various gangs. Coupled with Shen Qing''s fierce reputation and his demon-slaying actions, Shen Qing quietly earned the nickname "Yama Shen" among these gangs. Most gangs quietly retracted their claws in Shen Qing''s territory, not daring to make any unruly moves. Suddenly, the area patrolled by Shen Qing became extraordinarily peaceful. However, contrary to the malicious reputation among the gangs, Shen Qing''s demon-slaying and punishing of gang bullies brought applause from the people, leading to considerable prestige among many residents of Yongzhou. On this day, after finishing a day of patrol, Shen Qing returned to the Guardian Martial Department Office with his subordinate officers. To his surprise, Huang Furo was also unexpectedly present at the Guardian Martial Department Office. Upon seeing him, the latter showed no emotional fluctuation, maintaining a usual expression. The two nodded in acknowledgment. After most of the dispatch officers and officers returned, Huang Furo gathered them in the back hall. Seeing that everyone was present, Huang Furo began, "I''ve gathered everyone here today to announce an important matter." Her voice wasn''t loud but clearly reached everyone''s ears. Huang Furo looked around at everyone and said, "With the betrayal of Zheng Yuanqiu and the Military Department leaderless, such a state will give rise to chaos, so I am here today to temporarily appoint a Vice Director for the Military Department to act as an interim leader." These words caused everyone to straighten up with excitement. Especially those dispatch officers like Dong Jing, who eyed the General of the Army position in the Military Department with great ambition. Huang Furo''s gaze traveled across the faces of the various dispatch officers and stopped on Shen Qing. "I consider that the fourth group''s Shen Qing, Chief Officer Shen, is exceptionally capable and suitable for the role of Vice Director, and the Lord Commander agrees. Therefore, from now on, Chief Officer Shen will act as Vice Director of the Military Department, performing the duties of the General of the Army. I have brought the official document with me to formally announce it." Upon hearing this, all the dispatch officers and officers of the Guardian Martial Department were in shock. Shen Qing? How could it be? Based on what? In Dong Jing''s mind, it was as if a volcano erupted, and he blurted out, "I refuse!" Chapter 253 - 79: If thats the case, then you all go on up together! ``` In the inner hall, the officers and officials of the Guardian Martial Department simultaneously cast their eyes on Dong Jing. The atmosphere froze. Sitting in the chief seat, Huang Furo exuded an orchid-like grace, facing this sudden change without the slightest panic. She calmly smiled and said, "Dong Chasi, what opinion do you have to share with everyone?" Her clear voice carried an undeniable authority. Facing Huang Furo, Dong Jing had calmed down by this point. The intense emotional turmoil in his heart was soothed by some invisible force, and he quickly adjusted his breath, his gaze lingering briefly on Shen Qing, then puffed out his chest. He pondered briefly, choosing his words carefully as he said, "Lord Huangfu, Shen Chasi has been with the Guardian Martial Department for a short time. What qualifications does he have to hold the position of Vice Director? Wouldn''t such a decision dishearten the veterans in the office?" Huang Furo smiled faintly and retorted, "Who told you that positions in the government office rely on qualifications?" Dong Jing''s expression froze. He detected in Huang Furo''s words a hint of her intention to firmly support Shen Qing, which made him feel somewhat discontented. In his view, how was he not better than Shen Qing? Whether in terms of background or cultivation, he surpassed Shen Qing by far. Dong Jing clasped his hands in a salute and looked up directly, "If not based on qualifications, then what does Lord Huangfu think it should be based on? Relationships?" With these words, Huang Furo''s face immediately turned cold. She stood and said, "Of course, it''s based on merit, based on cultivation." "Shen Chasi has only been with our Yongzhou Guardian Martial Department for just over half a year, indeed not long. But during this half a year, he has handled the Baili Village demon case, the Changqiao Town Wolf Demon case, the Inner City Cat Demon case, and most recently, the Zheng Yuanqiu traitor case..." "Frankly speaking, Shen Chasi has eliminated more demons in this half-year than you have in several years." Huang Furo surveyed the officers and officials of the Guardian Martial Department before her, "Isn''t such merit enough? Or are you the real incompetents sitting here?" After her speech, a supreme authority suddenly surged around Huang Furo. The momentum of the Dan Realm erupted at this moment. This power, seemingly tangible, stirred the void into invisible ripples, spreading slowly around, instantly filling the entire inner hall. In the inner hall, everyone felt an irresistible pressure sweeping over them, causing them to take a step back involuntarily. S§×arch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. As they looked up, they saw Huang Furo''s clothing fluttering without wind under the influence of this invisible power, her garments swirling, like a fairy in the wind, transcendent and otherworldly. "So what if the merits are enough? A person like that can at most be called a capable official. What really counts is Martial Arts cultivation. The Emperor of Great Zhou has long stated that the court positions now are for the capable. Shen Chasi, being so young and of humble origins, already missed the best time for cultivation advancement. How can he sit steadily in the position of Vice Director? This is a path to disorder." "Indeed, Lord Huangfu''s method is a path to disorder!" Other high-ranking children of officials also stepped forth, besides Dong Jing. They were unwilling to accept a martial master of humble hunter origins climbing above their heads. Even if there were those uninterested in the Chief Officer position, their scarce pride pushed them to make this choice in the face of this pressure. Huang Furo''s eyes revealed a hint of displeasure, and the atmosphere in the inner hall suddenly became tense and confrontational. Shen Qing, as an observer, saw this clearly. Undoubtedly, Huang Furo was on his side, but facing this group of high-ranking disciples, she evidently did not have a better way either. These people could neither be killed nor driven away; it was indeed a difficult matter. If it were him, even if he wanted to kill these people, he''d need to find a cover, secretly finding a way to quietly kill them. However, this didn''t mean he was entirely out of ideas. Shen Qing stepped forward, slightly approaching Huang Furo, then turned around and said to the three officers who had spoken, "How do you suggest we assess Martial Arts cultivation?" "If you can defeat us, your cultivation is higher." "Good, in that case, you can all come at me together!" Shen Qing said calmly. "What arrogance." Sun Ding from the second group was already angry, feeling deeply offended by Shen Qing''s disdain, and he replied angrily, "I don''t need the other two; I alone am enough to subdue you!" Saying that, Sun Ding lunged at Shen Qing swiftly and aggressively, throwing a punch that sounded like a dragon''s roar, directly targeting his opponent''s face. This was the Sun Family''s Dragon Roar Fist, Eight Forms. The essence of this martial art lay in imitating the sound of a dragon''s roar, borrowing the power of the wind and clouds, using the fist technique as a carrier to demonstrate the majestic momentum of the dragon soaring through the Ninth Heaven. Cultivating it to the level of mastery, this martial art could not only overpower the enemy with force but also pressure with momentum; it was a high-level martial art. The ancestor of the Sun Family had established a formidable enterprise in Yongzhou, relying on this fist technique. However, Sun Ding''s status in the Sun Family was not very high, and his mastery of this martial art was not very profound. Boom! As Sun Ding''s fist reached Shen Qing''s face, the air seemed to be suddenly torn apart, emitting a deafening explosion. "Did it work?" Dong Jing and others'' eyes brightened. Yet before they had a chance to rejoice, they saw Sun Ding''s figure, under an irresistible force, fly backward like a kite with a broken line, crashing heavily to the ground, dust flying. Shen Qing stood still, his clothes slightly rustling, his countenance calm, as if all that had just happened was merely a breeze blowing past. He looked around with sharp eyes, his tone carrying not the slightest fear, but rather an undeniable invincible dominance, "Alright, if you wish to come one by one, then come one by one." The surroundings fell silent, with only the sound of Sun Dong''s rapid breathing in response. "His meridians are like jade, he has reached the Yu Luo Realm, I was not mistaken, he has already broken through to the Yu Luo Realm!" Wu Xing from the third group of officers revealed a look of disbelief and exclaimed. The inner hall erupted into uproar. Dong Jing faced this scene with his mouth slightly open, unable to speak. Yu Luo Realm? How was that possible? If he remembered correctly, half a year ago, Shen Qing was at the Qi Hai Realm. That meant this person, after joining the Guardian Martial Department, broke through two major realms in just half a year. Was he still human? If it were before the Qi Hai Realm, he could understand it. It was merely the stage of honing the physical body, where one could quickly compensate for deficiencies through external force. But this was after the Qi Hai Realm. The Great Realm after becoming transcendent. The two weren''t in the same concept at all. "Is there no one?" Seeing Dong Jing and others silent and unresponsive, Shen Qing turned back to Huang Furo, bowing with his hands clasped, "Lord Huangfu, it seems my virtue and martial prowess have already convinced everyone." Huang Furo burst into laughter, quickly deciding, "Does anyone have any objections to Shen Chasi serving as Vice Director of the Guardian Martial Department? If there are no objections, let it be decided as such." Dong Jing''s lips quivered slightly, but he still weakly uttered a single word, "Yes." ``` Chapter 254 - 80: Heaven Helps Those Who Help Themselves, Promotion and Advancement in Rank Huang Furo saw that none of the officers and officials in the back hall had any objections and said, "If you have no other matters, you may leave. Vice Chief Shen, please stay behind." The officers and officials in the back dared not act recklessly and retreated quietly. In a flash, the vast back hall was left with just Shen Qing and Huang Furo. At this moment, Shen Qing stepped forward earnestly and said, "Thank you for your favor, Lord Huangfu. I will fulfill my duties to repay your kindness in recognizing my potential." "I knew I didn''t misjudge you. You handled today''s matters very well." Huang Furo had thought it would take some effort to silence these wealthy young masters, but she didn''t expect Shen Qing to be so direct, swiftly silencing them. She looked Shen Qing up and down, increasingly satisfied with him. "If it wasn''t for the opportunity given by you, my lord, I would not have reached this point." Shen Qing, despite their shared experience in the underground, maintained his discretion without overstepping any boundaries. Huang Furo returned to her seat, smiling as she said, "Let''s skip the pleasantries and talk about serious matters." "Please speak, my lord." "You already know the situation in the Guardian Martial Department, so tell me your plan moving forward." Huang Furo poured a cup of tea from the table and said casually. Currently, various institutions in the government office were severely corrupted by high-ranking families, filled with incompetents. Outside Yongzhou City, demons were rising, the Lord Governor was injured and remained behind closed doors. If this continued, problems could easily arise. Therefore, bringing in capable people into the government office was an urgent matter. It just so happened that the Chief Officer position in the Guardian Martial Department was vacant, making Shen Qing, someone with no background, the perfect candidate. Commander Jia Zhiping also thought this. Even if Shen Qing hadn''t taken action today, she would have forced others to comply, albeit with some effort. As for the future, whether he could command the people and revive the Guardian Martial Department depended on Shen Qing''s abilities. As the saying goes, "Heaven helps those who help themselves." Only those who strive and refuse to give up will be favored and assisted by the heavens. Merely relying on others will lead nowhere. This was also why Shen Qing was appointed as Vice Chief and not Chief. If Shen Qing couldn''t organize the Guardian Martial Department and make the government office fulfill its responsibilities, they would find a way to replace him with someone more aligned with their interests. In short, Huang Furo was merely giving Shen Qing an opportunity, keeping the initiative in her hands. Shen Qing pondered for a moment and suggested, "Expand the recruitment!" "Go on." "I checked some records these days. In the past few years, there were records of demons around Yongzhou, but they were often vague, and few involved human deaths. However, since last year, inexplicably, the number of demons increased, even the Snake Demon emerged. With this trend, more demons might appear in Yongzhou, so the Guardian Martial Department must expand its manpower." "Otherwise, these demons cannot be guarded against," Shen Qing said seriously. "You''re right," Huang Furo agreed deeply, "The Guardian Martial Department needs to expand its recruitment." Shen Qing continued, "I boldly believe that currently, the scale of the Guardian Martial Department urgently needs expansion to nine groups, gathering two hundred martial masters to ensure the safety of Yongzhou. But this must be approached cautiously, steadily, avoiding haste. Otherwise, opportunistic individuals might exploit the situation, causing unnecessary trouble." Huang Furo nodded, "Rest assured, I''ll arrange for the officials room to cooperate with you." Shen Qing then said, "Besides the manpower issue, there''s another matter that caught my attention. But this is a deep matter, and I dare not decide recklessly." "What is it?" Huang Furo asked curiously, her eyebrows furrowing. Shen Qing began, "In the case of Changqiao Town, I discovered someone secretly colluding with demons. I now suspect this isn''t an isolated incident." As he spoke, Shen Qing glanced at Huang Furo, noticing she was as cautious as he expected. Huang Furo lifted her eyelids and said, "Do you have any clues?" Shen Qing nodded silently, lowering his voice, "Last time when I slew the Cat Demon, I found it had vague ties with the Zhou Family. But I have no evidence, merely suspicion. After all, the Zhou Family is a powerful high-ranking clan¡­" Shen Qing didn''t finish his thoughts, but Huang Furo evidently understood his meaning. After the incident with the Snake Demon, he realized the danger posed by demons. Even though the Cat Demon''s "Goddess" hadn''t troubled him yet, it remained a threat, persistently worrisome. Considering various events, Huang Furo seemed reliable, perhaps she could assist in investigating, possibly eliminating this hidden danger. Huang Furo picked up her tea cup, her expression serious, "You haven''t mentioned this to anyone else, have you?" "No." "Don''t mention this to anyone for now. The Zhou Family''s strength is deeper than it appears," Huang Furo warned, "I''ll investigate this matter." Shen Qing nodded heavily. After discussing some details, they didn''t leave until dusk began to fall. Leaving the Guardian Martial Department''s gates, Shen Qing took a deep breath, suddenly feeling refreshed. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Having a patron made a difference. ... In the Shen Family courtyard. In the main hall, the light flickered. Before everyone, Shen Qing announced the news of his promotion, causing a stir of exclamations. "Brother, does this mean you''re officially an official?" "Once the official document is confirmed, I will be." Gasp... The people in the main hall couldn''t help but draw a sharp breath. In the Great Zhou, the ranks were: Emperor, noble, official, doctor, martial, farmer, craftsman... Being an official was second only to nobility. Uncle Shen the Second looked at the increasingly accomplished Shen Qing, unsure how to express himself. He felt as though the past one or two years were like a dream. He never imagined the Shen Family could produce such a remarkable person, suddenly reaching a high status. Shen Qing, with a smile on his face, addressed Shen Xiaoshan and Tian Xiaohu, saying, "Next, focus on your training. Soon, I''ll recruit a batch of martial masters into the Guardian Martial Department as officers. Although this position isn''t officially permanent, it''s a rare opportunity for you." Hearing this, Tian Xiaohu and the others were invigorated. Officers weren''t officials, merely martial masters hired under the government''s name, but still part of the Guardian Martial Department, bearing its title. Compared to regular Martial Arts Halls or gangs, this was far superior. Many people sought such opportunities in vain. Hearing Shen Qing''s offer, they couldn''t help feeling excited. Tian Xiaohu and Shen Xiaoshan both nodded and agreed firmly. Chapter 255 - 81: Co-optation, Power The lanterns lit up the night, and Yongzhou City was ablaze with lights. In a private room at Shen''s Restaurant, flower lamps were artfully arranged, casting brilliant light and making the entire room as bright as day. The square eight-immortal table was coated with a gleaming red lacquer and carved with patterns, exuding an aura of luxury. Shen Qing sat upright in the main seat on the left, full of vigor and exuding the calmness unique to a superior. He was surrounded by many small merchants. Among these merchants, a burly man with a beefy face stood out. He stood up and loudly declared, "Come, everyone, fill your glasses and let''s toast Vice Chief Shen!" S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Before he finished speaking, the room was filled with enthusiastic responses, and the crisp clinking of glasses melded into a symphony. With the news spreading, merchants large and small from Xinyi Square gathered at Shen''s Restaurant to celebrate Shen Qing''s promotion. Everyone now knew that there was no Chief Officer position in the Guardian Martial Department, so Shen Qing, as the Vice Chief, was effectively the head of this office. The Guardian Martial Department''s authority was not as great as the Military Department''s, but one could never be sure if a few remnants of the Huang Tian Sect or demons would inexplicably appear in their own homes in the future. These traveling merchants were all sharp-minded. They came after hearing the news to greet and familiarize themselves. Shen Qing originally didn''t want to join in this excitement, but thinking that he was neither alone nor weak, and wanting to expand his influence, he agreed to this drinking session. "Brother Hong, you''re too kind. Thank you all for your favor." Shen Qing''s words were gentle, like a spring breeze that melted rain, making everyone feel waves of goodwill. Previously, the Chief Officer of the Guardian Martial Department, Zheng Yuanqiu, was only concerned with extracting benefits, ignoring everything else, and was insatiably greedy, causing these people much suffering. Whenever there was a need to deal with demons, the dispatch office would randomly frame people, causing countless families to be destroyed. These people had long been full of resentment, and now that there was finally a change in leadership, they sighed in relief while also speculating on the temperament of this Vice Chief Shen. Now it seemed that the new Vice Chief was easy to get along with, which subtly put them at ease. Shen Qing raised his glass and stood up, his gaze sweeping across the seated people, and then he boldly drank it all in one go. "How forthright!" someone praised from among the crowd, with genuine admiration in their voice, "Vice Chief Shen truly has a good nature. Let''s toast the Vice Chief again!" "Very well." Unknowingly, the atmosphere became increasingly lively. In the Great Zhou Country, the status of merchants was not high, only above that of slaves, so without great martial strength, they were basically oppressed and exploited. On one hand, they had to cope with commercial competition from the Thirteen Lines, and on the other, they had to handle extortion from the government and local gangs, so life was not very good overall. Since joining the Guardian Martial Department, Shen Qing had mostly been on the road to slay demons or cultivating, and he rarely extorted these small merchants in his jurisdiction. Additionally, the merchants were well aware of Shen Qing''s massacre of the Hei Zhao Gang, so they held a very good impression of him. After three rounds of drinks, the atmosphere became even more congenial, prompting Hong Tao to bring up the recent demon affairs. "Speaking of which, Lord Shen, have you heard about Lord Governor''s recent injury? This matter has caused quite a stir in the city, and we are all a bit uneasy." Shen Qing pondered briefly, a barely noticeable trace of gravity flashing across his brows, "The Snake Demon incident?" Hong Jingtiao nodded and lowered his voice, "Lord Governor is a dignified Innate Martial Master. His cultivation is profound and possesses the power to move mountains and overturn seas. I heard he battled the Snake Demon and leveled several mountains, yet he was still not a match for that demon? If that demon comes into the city, wouldn''t we all be doomed?" Shen Qing remained silent, as no one present understood the terror of the Snake Demon better than he did. But... Under the watchful eyes of everyone, he picked up a wine cup and said leisurely, "I don''t think so." "What do you mean, Lord Shen?" Unbidden, Shen Qing''s mind recalled what Huang Furo had said, "What do you think of the strength of the Yongzhou Thirteen Lines?" Everyone exchanged glances, "Certainly strong." "Then that''s settled. Have you seen any indication that they''re planning to leave Yongzhou?" Shen Qing slowly guided, "A gentleman doesn''t stand under a precarious wall. They must understand such a simple truth." "If there are no private actions now, it means they''re not anxious and have something to lean on. I don''t think Yongzhou City will fall into chaos anytime soon, so you can rest assured. Only when you see the Thirteen Lines members unable to remain calm should you really start to worry." A merchant responded, "Yes, when the sky falls, the tall ones will hold it up. Why should we worry? I heard that within the Yongzhou Thirteen Lines, many old Undyings are sustained by their family''s spiritual elixirs; each one has Innate Realm cultivation, and demons can''t yet wreak havoc in this city." "Well said," Hong Jingtiao agreed. "Soldiers come to block, water rises to cover; let''s drink and not talk about these troublesome matters!" Upon hearing this, Shen Qing gladly raised his glass, and everyone else also got up. "Lord Shen, I''ve heard that your Guardian Martial Department is going to expand its personnel?" At this moment, a merchant suddenly said a bit nervously. Shen Qing did not intend to hide it and nodded, "There is indeed such a matter? Why, are you looking to join the Guardian Martial Department?" "No, no, I''m too old to endure such hardship." "Then you are?" "I have a son at home who has learned some martial arts. I wonder if it''s convenient for you to give him a chance? Even as an officer would do." Shen Qing touched the rim of his wine cup, showing a hesitant expression. "Lord, rest assured, I understand some of the rules." Shen Qing knew that most of these people were ordinary folks who might have originally been farmers but had been forced into business due to hardships at home. What level of martial arts training could such people achieve? Not everyone was "gifted" like him. However, those high-ranking disciples wouldn''t even spare him a glance, and currently, he really had no one available at hand. With just him, the large Guardian Martial Department was unmanageable. Shen Qing smiled and said, "Let him come and try. If he''s useless, then let him go back where he came from." "Alright, thank you, Lord Shen." Seeing someone take the initiative, several other merchants eagerly spoke up one after another. "Lord, there''s also my¡­" "I have a daughter at home¡­" "..." Shen Qing waved his hand, "Let them come and try. I''ll give suitable ones a chance." "Thank you, Lord Shen, thank you." Thus, the banquet continued for a full Shi Chen before it finally ended. Before leaving, these merchants, knowing Shen Qing''s mount had been damaged in battles, generously pooled money to buy him a fine horse. Shen Qing accepted it graciously. At that moment, he suddenly realized that, after reaching a certain position and gaining some power, there were many more things he could do. ... Previously, Zheng Yuanqiu had focused solely on scheming while in office, leaving the Guardian Martial Department with a mess of accounts. After taking over as Vice Chief of the Guardian Martial Department, Shen Qing found the various accounts and old cases to be utterly chaotic. Fortunately, having lived two lives, he knew a lot of methods, these matters only required effort on his part. Time passed little by little. After a month, Shen Qing finally sorted out the Guardian Martial Department''s income, expenses, and overall demon cases of recent years, making himself well-informed. In his view, if he wanted to fully control the Guardian Martial Department, this was an unavoidable step. Due to immersing himself in dealing with accounts and old cases during this period, the Guardian Martial Department saw no changes, making it seem that he was somewhat unaccomplished. Gradually, the rumor of his "incompetence" began to circulate within the Guardian Martial Department, and these voices grew louder by the day. Chapter 256 - 82: Worldly Affairs and Advancement in Cultivation ``` "My lord, this is all slander from Sun Ding and his group. Ever since Sun Ding lost to you last time, he''s been speaking ill of you in front of the officers from Group Two. Shall we deal with him?" Officer Liu Yuan from Group Four stood by Shen Qing''s side, speaking with great indignation. Ji Youwu and Wang Shouyuan, who were beside them, also joined in with some righteous anger. Shen Qing glanced at them, feeling a sense of emotion in his heart. The change in people''s minds was truly subtle. He let out a slight laugh and countered, "How do you plan to ''deal with him''? As far as I know, Sun Ding''s cultivation is in the Qi Hai Realm, which is a whole Great Realm above yours." Liu Yuan couldn''t help but pause, his expression faltering. Weren''t subordinates supposed to show loyalty and superiors protect their subordinates in theatrical plays? How come the person in front didn''t follow the conventional rules? Shen Qing continued to ask, "What is it, no ideas? Or were you just saying it offhand to stir trouble between me and other subordinates?" Liu Yuan''s face changed immediately, and he hastily said, "Subordinate dares not, subordinate merely..." S§×ar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Enough, you don''t need to say more. You should be clear about one thing: Sun Chasi and his team are my direct subordinates. There is a Chasi between you and me. However, I also value old relationships and naturally won''t shortchange my former brothers." After giving them the carrot and stick, Shen Qing continued, "For now, your task is to perform your duties diligently, make sure no issues arise in the defense area. Don''t meddle in other matters." Ji Youwu, Wang Shouyuan, and the other three officers immediately felt a surge of spirit, collecting their thoughts, and replied in unison, "We obey, my lord." Shen Qing waved his hand. The three wisely left the rear hall. Watching their backs, Shen Qing felt it was time to bring Tian Xiaohu and his men in. Not having reliable people around him left him uneasy. In the blink of an eye, it was time for the monthly salary to be distributed. The official who came to settle the salary was an acquaintance of Shen Qing''s¡ªa minor officer from the Military Department Office, Zhao Guanglu. Unlike past encounters, Zhao Guanglu was exceedingly respectful when he saw Shen Qing, unlike his former self. In the rear hall of the Guardian Martial Department, the warm spring light cascaded onto the cold stone steps. The steps of the minor officer, Zhao Guanglu, were hurried, and his face bore an unnatural ingratiating smile, "Lord Shen, it has indeed been a long time. Your mighty deeds have long spread across both departments. Your promotion is well-deserved." Zhao Guanglu''s voice carried a forced warmth, while his eyes darted over Shen Qing, as if trying to discern his thoughts. The person before him was once someone he looked down upon, but now, having latched onto Lord Huangfu, he was no longer someone a minor officer like him could handle. Shen Qing smiled slightly, with a hint of amusement and aloofness in his expression. He was well aware of Zhao Guanglu''s nature, knowing that the current respect was merely a result of being under the eaves, far from genuine esteem. Shen Qing clasped his fist and said, "Mr. Zhao, you''re too kind. We all work under Lord Governor and should support each other. Please!" "Dare not, dare not, please after you." Zhao Guanglu quickly bowed his head, following behind Shen Qing. Upon entering the study, the atmosphere turned subtle. "Is there any issue with this month''s salary for the Guardian Martial Department?" Upon entering the study, Shen Qing wasted no time with pleasantries and directly got to the point. Zhao Guanglu did not hesitate. As the saying goes, a new official applies three fires upon taking office; he had been in the officialdom long enough to understand this and did not wish to court trouble. "No issues, this Guardian Martial Department''s salary has been fully brought over. Here is the account, please take a look." Zhao Guanglu respectfully handed over the salary list, while discreetly observing Shen Qing''s reaction. Shen Qing took the salary list, inspected it carefully, and after confirming there were no problems, called for his Chang Sui. Unlike Zheng Yuanqiu, he didn''t pocket it for himself but instructed Chang Sui to distribute the full salary without docking any amount. Seeing Shen Qing''s actions, Zhao Guanglu inwardly plotted, pretending to mention the silver he had previously "received" from Shen Qing. "Lord Shen, about the past when I acted imprudently and took a bit from you, I hope you''re not too harsh and give me a chance to make amends." As he spoke, Zhao Guanglu presented a stack of silver notes, "I have not dared to use these silver taels. I return them today." Zhao Guanglu''s voice held a tinge of reluctance, but he knew keeping those silver taels could prove troublesome, so he preferred to return them. Such a gesture might possibly leave a retreat path for potential future troubles. After all, caution can always lead to safety. In the governor''s office, social niceties were everywhere, allowing no room for negligence. Shen Qing slightly raised an eyebrow, his gaze lingering momentarily on the silver taels, eyes revealing a thoughtful glint, he ventured, "Mr. Zhao, there''s no need for such formality between us. Since you''ve accepted the silver taels, they are yours now. I''ve always been clear-cut in my dealings. Your help in the past, I remember it well." Hearing this, Zhao Guanglu dared not completely relax his guard, hurriedly bowing in thanks, "Thank you, Lord Shen, for your magnanimity. I will certainly strive to be more diligent in the future, solving your worries and troubles. But I truly feel unworthy of this money, and I hope you''ll take it back." "Mr. Zhao, you''re being too polite." Shen Qing sighed deeply, accepting the silver notes, "In that case, I''ll take them back graciously. I''ll still need the support of the officials room brothers over here in the future." "Please rest assured, my lord. I will certainly give you all-out support, and Lord Huangfu had instructed earlier that nothing will go wrong with your matters." Zhao Guanglu spoke lightly, smiling as he did, selling a favor to Shen Qing. Shen Qing laughed heartily, picked up a pen, and completed some handover procedures with Zhao Guanglu. After the handover, Zhao Guanglu did not linger in the study and soon left the Guardian Martial Department. Shortly after Zhao Guanglu''s departure, the entire Guardian Martial Department was filled with a joyous atmosphere. For the first time, many officers and subordinates of the Guardian Martial Department received their full salaries and felt extremely satisfied. Unconsciously, Shen Qing''s reputation within the Guardian Martial Department underwent a reversal, gradually rising, and starting to gain some control. He heard the burst of cheers from the courtyard, looked at the stack of silver notes in his hand, and remarked with emotion, "Social relationships, indeed, a good start." Over the next period, Yongzhou City remained peaceful. The demons outside the city seemed to have gone dormant, with no movements. After a period of busyness, Shen Qing found some rare spare time. In the following days, he declined some unimportant banquets and less critical matters within the Guardian Martial Department, focusing all his energy on cultivation. After more than a month of diligent practice, the results did not disappoint Shen Qing. With the help of the Wish Power Pearl and various precious medicines, his cultivation advanced by leaps and bounds. In a little over a month, he pushed his Yu Luo Realm to the late stage. ``` Chapter 258 - 84 The Change Is Too Big ``` "Boss Wu, did you learn anything interesting on your journey to the Capital that you''d like to share with everyone?" Inside the Furui Xiang Restaurant, Wu Sheng, dressed in luxurious clothes, sat surrounded by a group of brothers. He picked up a piece of beef and put it in his mouth, teasing them: "Insights? Of course, there are." These days, for most people, reaching the foot of the Emperor was no small feat. Wu Sheng''s experience naturally piqued everyone''s curiosity. "Don''t keep us in suspense, just spill it. I heard there''s a princess in the Capital who is strikingly beautiful and her martial skills are unparalleled. Is it true?" A man at the table hurriedly stood up and poured Wu Sheng a bowl of wine, speaking anxiously. "You''re talking about Princess Yuzhen?" Wu Sheng lifted his bowl and glanced at the man. "Yes, yes, exactly her." Wu Sheng took a large gulp of wine, savoring it as he said, "It''s quite a coincidence. When I was there, I happened to see Princess Yuzhen returning from her cultivation session at Tianshu Temple, and I caught a glimpse of her from afar. Truly... a beauty out of this world." "Just how unparalleled is she?" "Like a celestial being descended to the mortal realm. Words can''t describe it; if you see her one day, you''ll understand." "I also heard Princess Yuzhen is not married yet. It''s hard to imagine which noble son would be so fortunate. Damn, just thinking about it is exhilarating." S§×ar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Wu Sheng glanced at everyone at the table and laughed: "Look at you all, only thinking with your nether regions, how unambitious. Princess Yuzhen is a Great Grandmaster of the Spirit Void Realm, with extraordinary Sight. Her looks are the least remarkable thing about her. In my opinion, being guided by her in cultivation would be the real fortune." "Heh heh, Great Grandmasters of the Spirit Void Realm have a lifespan starting at three hundred years. We know our limits, how could we even think of such things?" "Drink, drink." After a few bowls of wine, Wu Sheng couldn''t help but sigh with emotion: "Oh, after this trip to the Capital, I realized we''re just frogs in a well... An Innate Martial Master is the pinnacle for us here, but such cultivation is nothing in the Capital. It''s frustrating comparing ourselves to others." Just as Wu Sheng was lamenting, a servant from the restaurant weaved through the bustling crowd and respectfully approached Wu Sheng''s table with a smile: "Sir, there is a distinguished guest in the private room claiming to be the Vice Director of the Guardian Martial Department. He has specifically invited you, saying he has important matters to discuss. Would you be willing to meet him?" The servant''s attitude was extremely sincere, bowing deeply. Hearing this, Wu Sheng frowned slightly, muttering to himself: "The Vice Director of the Guardian Martial Department? I''ve never had any dealings with such a big figure, why the sudden invitation? It''s really strange." He had heard a bit about the Guardian Martial Department after returning to Yongzhou. He knew that the former Chief Officer, Zheng Yuanqiu, was a Huang Tian Sect traitor and had been eliminated. The new Vice Director had been promoted internally from the dispatch office. But even so, the Guardian Martial Department was an office that dealt with demons and traitors, and Zheng Yuanqiu was notoriously greedy, keeping everything for himself. Wu Sheng had no memory of ever interacting with anyone from there. A trace of doubt and exasperation appeared on his brow. He gently put down his wine cup and glanced over the people at the table, noticing their puzzled expressions as well. After a moment, an idea occurred to him. "You can''t afford to offend officials, so it''s best to go and meet this Guardian Martial Department officer and avoid causing trouble for yourself." Wu Sheng stood up, adjusted his clothes, and left a word with his brothers: "You all keep eating, I''ll be back soon." With that, he followed the servant out of the bustling banquet hall. Passing through corridors adorned with carved beams and painted rafters, they arrived in front of a tranquil private room. "Sir, it''s here." "Alright." The servant gently knocked on the door. "Come in." A male voice came from inside the private room, familiar to Wu Sheng. Confused, he pushed open the door and stepped inside. There he saw a person standing with their back to the door, hands behind their back, with an upright posture and impressive presence. As that person slowly turned around, Wu Sheng was greatly astonished, his eyes full of disbelief. "It''s you?!" Wu Sheng blurted out, his voice filled with shock. He never expected that someone he only had a brief encounter with in the past, who came to Yongzhou looking for a livelihood, would now be the Vice Director of the Guardian Martial Department. Wu Sheng remembered clearly that at that time, he had bragged about introducing a job to this person. How long had it been? The change was too great! Truly, one shouldn''t judge a person by appearances, just as the sea cannot be measured by the pot. Shen Qing smiled slightly, a gentle glow in his eyes. He stepped forward slowly and cupped his hands in greeting: "Brother Wu, it has been a while since we last met. I apologize for the impolite invitation today, but I hope you won''t take offense." Wu Sheng hastily returned the greeting, his confusion dissolved, replaced by a sense of discomfort from the shift in status and natural awe towards officials. "No, no, it''s my honor that such a busy official still remembers me." At that moment, he felt somewhat nervous, unsure of why Shen Qing was seeking him. Shen Qing looked at the timid man before him and smiled slightly. If he remembered correctly, when he first arrived in Yongzhou, Wu Sheng hadn''t behaved like this when they met. Life''s changes were indeed unpredictable. "Don''t just stand there, sit!" Shen Qing gestured to a seat and said. Wu Sheng didn''t stand on ceremony and sat back in the chair with his head down. Shen Qing got straight to the point and began slowly: "Brother Wu, I invited you here to ask for your help with something." Hearing this, Wu Sheng seemed flattered, flinching slightly as if shocked, and before he could settle into the chair, he stood up again: "Sir, please tell me, if there''s anything I can do, I will certainly do my best to help." Shen Qing didn''t beat around the bush, going directly to the matter: "I know you have quite a few resources at hand. The Guardian Martial Department has recently been burdened with many tasks, and the demand for cultivation resources is growing. Therefore..." At this point, Shen Qing intentionally paused, his eyes deep as he looked at Wu Sheng, seemingly waiting for his reaction. Upon hearing this, Wu Sheng, though he had some expectations, was still slightly taken aback. It was known that the items he had were procured through officials at the county office and sold outside the Great Zhou system. Typically, it was officials selling and commoners buying. For an official like Shen Qing to come as a buyer was quite uncommon. As Wu Sheng remained silent, Shen Qing gently smiled and took a stack of silver notes from his sleeve, lightly pushing it toward Wu Sheng. "Brother Wu, I am looking for some Wish Power Pearls and Elixirs. Could you, Brother Wu, manage to procure some in the coming period?" Shen Qing''s voice was deep and magnetic, carrying a hint of coldness and an undeniable tone. Wu Sheng looked up, seeing Shen Qing''s piercing gaze fixed on him, sending chills down his spine and causing sweat to pour down like rain. ``` Chapter 259 - 85: Unsuccessful Patrol, Punish Accordingly! ``` "What, unwilling?" Shen Qing saw Wu Sheng hesitating and said with a slight frown. "No, no. It''s just that the Wish Power Pearl and Elixir are forbidden items within the court, not easily obtainable. Sometimes it depends on opportunity too." Wu Sheng spoke cautiously yet sincerely, "If you truly need it, my lord, I am naturally willing to help. However, this transaction..." Shen Qing suddenly smiled and placed a stack of silver notes on the table, "How about this?" Wu Sheng picked up the silver notes from the table and a trace of surprise flashed in his eyes. He quickly scanned them and found there were as many as three thousand taels. It was hard to imagine that just a year ago, he had fled to Yongzhou like an entire family "escaping disaster," and now he could casually take out such a large sum. Officials made money too quickly! Compared to them, Wu Sheng suddenly felt that his risky way of making money seemed quite unseemly. Besides, seeing those who were once beneath him quickly surpass him, his heart was troubled. He took a deep breath and suppressed his thoughts, maintaining a humble and respectful attitude as he said, "Lord Chief Officer indeed has a grand gesture. In that case, I''ll stick to the previous price, willing to give you four Wish Power Pearls and three bottles of high-grade cultivation-enhancing Elixir." "When can I receive them?" Shen Qing asked with a satisfied smile upon hearing this. "I went to the Capital not long ago and luckily have some stock on hand. I''ll retrieve them at home and arrange for them to be delivered to your residence." "Then it''s settled, I await your message, Brother Wu." Shen Qing stood up and laughed. He walked up to Wu Sheng, patted him on the shoulder, and said, "Don''t worry, this won''t be our last time. If you have other good items like the Wish Power Pearl during this period, keep them for me first." "Yes, my lord." Wu Sheng was a bit puzzled. The Wish Power Pearl was indeed a good thing, but for a martial master in the Qi Hai Realm, refining one Pearl could take nearly a year. Even two or three Pearls were enough for someone in the Yu Luo Realm to refine for half a year. An ordinary person wouldn''t need so many. Why did he want so much cultivation resources at once? Could it be for his family? Wu Sheng couldn''t figure it out. Seeing Shen Qing leave, he breathed a sigh of relief and followed him out of the elegant room. Returning from the elegant room, Wu Sheng sat back in his seat, his expression somewhat cold. "What happened, Boss Wu?" Wu Sheng snapped out of his thoughts, plastered a strong smile on his face, and said, "Nothing much. Come on, drink!" After several gulps of liquor, he asked with about seventy percent unintentional, thirty percent intentional, "Brothers, let me ask you something? Has anything major happened in the Guardian Martial Department recently?" "Boss Wu, what a coincidence. While you were in the Capital, quite a few significant events occurred in Yongzhou, especially in the Guardian Martial Department." "What happened?" The speaking man, imitating Wu Sheng, began to be cryptic. Wu Sheng, losing his temper, kicked the man''s stool aside. The man fell to the ground. "Speak quickly or hold your peace!" "..." The man crawled up sullenly and recounted the events in the Guardian Martial Department during that time. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. When he heard about Shen Qing slaying the Eagle Demon, annihilating the Wolf Demon, capturing the Cat Demon, and even reporting and arresting Zheng Yuanqiu¡­ Each incident presented left him somewhat dumbfounded, unable to react. Wu Sheng couldn''t help but twitch his face, pretended to drink several bowls of wine, and acted calm. This guy was terrifying! Why on earth did he get involved with such a formidable person back then? It seemed this gray business wouldn''t be easy to continue in the future. Being held by someone like this. Wu Sheng''s face showed bitterness. In the evening, Shen Qing returned home. Wu Sheng indeed kept his promise, delivering the agreed-upon Wish Power Pearls and Elixirs to Shen Qing. Opening the wooden box, Shen Qing carefully checked and found that the Wish Power Pearls and Elixirs were all genuine. "With this initial collaboration, Wu Sheng would probably not refuse future transactions." "In this way, part of the cultivation resources issue would be resolved, allowing me to focus on cultivation." Having resolved one issue, Shen Qing felt much relieved. As for Wu Sheng refusing or being unfaithful in the future, he wasn''t worried at all. People die for wealth, just as birds die for food. Nobody would avoid profits. Moreover, since the other party was inherently engaged in these shady activities, he, as an official, had even more leverage. ... A few days later. As evening approached. The early summer sunset turned into an orange-red fireball, slowly sinking below the horizon. Bathing the sky in a golden hue. In Xin''an Square, pedestrians hurriedly packed up their stalls and bags to go home, while children played and frolicked, creating a scene of peaceful times. Suddenly, a scream pierced the air. Immediately, the sounds of chaotic footsteps and terrified cries mingled. "Murder!" "Murder!" "Help!" A burly man, with a fanatical gleam in his eyes, wielding a sharp blade under broad daylight, committed murder in the streets, killing several people in succession. Blood stained the stone pavement red. After committing these heinous murders, the burly man not only didn''t flee but raised a Yellow Banner high and shouted, "Heaven below, Yellow Heaven above, the Land of Ultimate Bliss, Taiping is near!" His voice was like a great bell, and the flag flapped loudly in the wind. As soon as he finished speaking, he threw aside the Yellow Banner and vanished among the panicking crowd like a ghost, disappearing instantly at the alley''s end. Shen Qing, who was cultivating at the Guardian Martial Department Office, rushed to the scene with Ji Youwu and his subordinates upon hearing the news. When he arrived, he found the street already crowded with people. The crowd stepped aside to make way as Shen Qing approached. Gazing at the lifeless bodies on the ground, his expression turned as solemn as iron. At this moment, shoving sounds came from behind him. "Make way, make way." "It''s just a few dead bodies. There''s nothing new about death in the city, move aside." Sun Ding, responsible for patrolling Xin''an Square, arrived leisurely with two officers, hiccupping from alcohol as he walked. Under his official authority, the citizens quickly stepped aside, bowing their heads and avoiding the commotion, distancing themselves. When Sun Ding saw Shen Qing already standing at the crime scene, he was dumbfounded. "Lord Shen!" Shen Qing turned to glare at Sun Ding and said, "Sun Chasi, I recall Xin''an Square is your patrol zone, isn''t it?" Sun Ding''s face turned pale, and he replied shakily, "Yes." "It is not yet the end of your shift, and a traitor dared to commit murder in broad daylight, openly challenging the authority of the court. As the patrolling officer, you allowed the murderer to escape, don''t tell me this is your usual way of patrolling?" "I, I, I¡­" Facing the undeniable truth, Sun Ding was at a loss for words. "Ineffective patrol, therefore punished!" Bang! Shen Qing pointed a finger, and a red stream of energy struck Sun Ding''s chest. Before Sun Ding could react, he felt a burning sensation in his chest and fell backward, toppling along with his subordinates. "I give you three days to capture the murderer, or face dismissal! I mean what I say!" Shen Qing''s eyes narrowed, his tone carrying the unyielding authority of an official, his anger intimidating. Sun Ding, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth, quickly scrambled up and kneeled, "Subordinate, subordinate obeys!" ``` Chapter 260 - 86: Hidden Mystery, Rumors Abound Shen Qing looked at Sun Ding in front of him, showing some dissatisfaction. Previously, under Zheng Yuanqiu''s administration, there were too many people in the Guardian Martial Department who were just going through the motions, and most of them were of little use. People like Sun Ding were not an exception. "Now that most of the trivial matters have been handled, tomorrow I''ll recruit Tian Xiaohu into the Guardian Martial Department. With Wu Sheng as a channel, given time, I''ll have some foundation and won''t have to rely on these useless people anymore." Shen Qing waved his sleeve and strode away. When night came, Shen Qing returned to the room and informed Tian Xiaohu and Xiao Zhi of his decision. Compared to Tian Xiaohu''s excitement, Xiao Zhi seemed a bit disappointed. Shen Qing asked, "Xiao Zhi, have you found a new chef these days?" During this period, he was busy with government affairs, so he had left the restaurant to his uncle and aunt, elder sister, and Xiao Zhi to manage. He would only review the accounts at the end of the month to draw funds for use. Although the restaurant was not big, its daily income was quite a lot, especially after his promotion to Vice Director, the business became incredibly good. If he could find a good location later and open a larger restaurant, the daily revenue could multiply several times over. Now that he needed a lot of funds to support his faster cultivation speed, this restaurant could provide it, so he couldn''t abandon it. As the head chef, Xiao Zhi naturally couldn''t go to the Guardian Martial Department. Xiao Zhi said, "I already found one last year. This person comes from a family of chefs, learning the trade since his great-grandfather''s time. However, the family''s fortune declined from his father''s generation, and they lost the boss they served, so he''s earning a living here now. I find him reliable and intend to cultivate him." "That''s good, you cultivate him first. If nothing else, you can also use my identity to deter now and then." Shen Qing advised, "This restaurant is quite important to me, and I temporarily need you to support it. Rest assured, even though you can''t enter the Guardian Martial Department, you''ll still receive as much as Tian Xiaohu does every month. I won''t shortchange the old hands around me." Seeing Shen Qing''s serious look, Xiao Zhi''s previously gloomy demeanor suddenly brightened, as if filled with motivation. To be honest, he felt a bit unbalanced hearing that Tian Xiaohu was soon to become an officer while he remained a chef. But Shen Qing''s words eased his feelings, at least showing that Shen Qing still had him in mind. Xiao Zhi vowed, "Boss, rest assured, I will certainly manage the restaurant well and not spoil your business." "You handling things puts me at ease." The next day, Shen Qing brought Tian Xiaohu to the Guardian Martial Department. Under his arrangement, Tian Xiaohu was directly registered and donned the attire of a Guardian Martial Department officer without any obstruction. In the back hall of the Guardian Martial Department, Shen Qing looked at the newly transformed Tian Xiaohu and teased, "Indeed, people rely on clothes as horses rely on saddles. A new outfit has changed your demeanor." Tian Xiaohu said nothing, just grinned foolishly. His ancestors had been hunters in the mountains and never imagined donning an official''s attire. Thinking about it now seemed somewhat unbelievable. "Your cultivation is still too low; it doesn''t stand out in the entire Guardian Martial Department. Next, you need to find ways to enhance your cultivation as much as possible. I still have some elixirs, which I''ll give you later. Train first, and try to break through to the late stage of the Skin Forging Realm before the end of the year, aiming for the Qi Cultivation Realm." "Huh? The Qi Cultivation Realm?" Tian Xiaohu was somewhat shocked. He knew that in Yongzhou, the Qi Cultivation Realm was nothing special, but thinking about it being achievable for him was somewhat hard to get used to. In his concept, the Qi Cultivation Realm was already an extraordinary realm, considered prominent in Taiping County. "You have elixir resources and cultivation techniques, no weaker than those rich family scions. To be blunt, I''ve paved the way for you. If you can''t even achieve Skin Tempering and Qi Cultivation, then you should seriously reflect on yourself. The foundation of Zhou Country''s court can''t be compared with those martial halls." "Why else do you think so many people are desperate to get into the court?" Shen Qing raised his eyelids and said. S§×arch* The n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Tian Xiaohu''s expression immediately turned serious. As Shen Qing said, if his cultivation didn''t improve even with such a well-paved path, he indeed would have no face to meet Shen Qing. Shen Qing continued, "However, compared to your cultivation, there are two more urgent matters I''d like you to handle for me; I don''t trust anyone else with them." Hearing this, Tian Xiaohu''s body trembled, and he quickly folded his hands across his chest, bowing deeply and said solemnly, "I will fully commit to whatever orders you give, sir, and will not fail you." Shen Qing glanced at Tian Xiaohu in surprise, realizing his quick wit as he almost immediately adapted to his new identity and changed his tone. He was a smart person. Retracting his gaze, Shen Qing said, "The first thing is that the merchants from Xinyi Square and nearby want to send their children to me. Help me screen them first; those without vision aren''t needed, the unmotivated aren''t needed, and those with poor bones aren''t needed." "After these three tests, recommend the suitable ones to me, as I plan to recruit more officers." These people came from ordinary families, with family members engaged in businesses, living in good conditions, and all from respectable families. They were just right to bolster the team. Tian Xiaohu nodded and said, "Yes, I have noted it." "The second matter," Shen Qing crossed his hands and placed them on the long table, his expression slightly somber, "Investigate yesterday''s Huang Tian Sect traitor incident at Xin''an Square for me, I feel there''s something suspicious about it." Chapter 261 - 86: Mystery Lurks, Rumors Abound_2 "Suspicious? What''s so suspicious about it?" Tian Xiaohu asked, pressing for more details. Shen Qing recalled, "That Huang Tian Sect member didn''t seem like someone from the Huang Tian Sect. It was too deliberate, like they were trying to make everyone know they were with the Huang Tian Sect." "Do you remember how the members of the Huang Tian Sect acted back in Taiping County?" Tian Xiaohu reminisced, "As far as I remember, they seemed enthusiastic about spreading their teachings." "So if that person was really from the Huang Tian Sect, instead of secretly preaching, they came out in the open killing people, as if afraid people wouldn''t know they''re a traitor from the Huang Tian Sect. That''s definitely strange. Sun Ding challenged me before and lost. He surely holds a grudge against me. I''m afraid some might exploit this in secret. Do a thorough investigation." Tian Xiaohu quickly realized the hidden risks and promptly agreed. Shen Qing waved his hand, "Get to it quickly, and give me the results as soon as possible." "At your service." Just as Shen Qing predicted. The next day, a rumor spread like wildfire, quickly stirring up within the Guardian Martial Department. "Have you heard? The Vice Director plans to make a move against our Old Sun." An officer in a Guardian Martial Department uniform whispered to another officer beside him. "Ah, what''s going on?" the other officer asked, curious. "What else? Back in the day, our Old Sun attacked the Vice Director right in front of Lord Huangfu. Do you think if you were in charge, you could just let Old Sun off the hook? So many days have passed, and the Vice Director has been secretly preparing. Now''s the time." "The Vice Director is using the Huang Tian Sect traitor incident to violently go after Old Sun, saying he must capture the fierce beasts in three days. How could he manage to find them? It''s as if he''s pushing Old Sun into a dead end!" The person next to him nodded heavily, "Not three days, even thirty days, I doubt they could manage. The Huang Tian Sect moves like shadows. How could you find them in the vast expanse of Yongzhou?" "That''s not even the most outrageous take." "Go ahead." "I also heard, the rebellion in Xin''an Square regarding the Huang Tian Sect was actually all a conspiracy orchestrated by the Vice Director! His goal is to use it as an opportunity to bring down Sun Ding and gradually clear out the veterans in the Guardian Martial Department to replace them with his own men." A member of the Second Group added mysteriously, with hints of disbelief in his voice. "This... can''t be, right?" "Hard to say. You saw yesterday he recruited a new officer who just refined his bones. Now he''s recruiting new officers openly, so this theory isn''t entirely baseless." Upon hearing this, everyone fell silent. Quickly, these wild rumors became the favorite gossip among the officers over tea and meals, and for a while, a state of unease gripped the Guardian Martial Department. However, Shen Qing seemed exceptionally calm amid the murmurs. He stood before his study in the back hall, watching the vibrant peonies and roses competing to bloom outside the window. "It looks like whoever orchestrated the Xin''an Square case is targeting me." Shen Qing''s brows gradually furrowed. He pondered attentively, wondering if he had offended anyone recently. Did they think he was easy prey? ... In Xinyi Square. In front of the Chen Family''s vegetable stall, a burly man trotted over joyfully, shouting as he ran, "Dad, Dad, I made it, I made it!" Old Chen, busy tidying up the stalls, looked up at his son with puzzlement, "Made what?" "It''s about what you asked me to do, applying to be an officer for the Guardian Martial Department!" "Ah, are you saying that Lord Shen agreed to let you become an officer?" The burly man nodded emphatically. "You good lad, really pulled it off. It wasn''t in vain, your father didn''t work so hard for nothing." Old Chen gazed at his son, tears welled up suddenly in his eyes. "Once you join the Guardian Martial Department, you must do your job properly, sever ties with those gangs, don''t end up like your brother, losing your life to those gangs." The burly man, Chen Guang, stepped forward to comfort him, "If it weren''t for my elder brother teaching me martial arts, how could I have these skills? Don''t worry, Dad. I will surely bring glory to our family and achieve great things. Even if I can''t, my son, my grandson, they will succeed." "Let''s not talk about hypotheticals. From what I see, Lord Shen is a good official. You should follow him diligently and refrain from petty crimes." Chen Guang grinned, "Dad, I know what I''m doing." "Alright, I won''t go on. I have to go on a trip to deliver some vegetables out of the city, if it''s too late, we''ll miss the Shi Chen." Chen Guang asked curiously, "Dad, don''t you usually deliver only to the Dong Family and a few big houses? Why go out of the city today?" "The Dong Family''s young master requested it. He has a house outside the city that needs supplies as well." Looking at the overflowing baskets and the spread of vegetables in front of him, Chen Guang grabbed the carrying pole, "Dad, you lead the way. Today I''ll carry the load for you." Old Chen intended to reclaim it, but facing his martial-trained son, he had no chance and just let it go. "Dad, you go ahead." "You brat. Alright, let your father relax for once. If it gets too heavy, let me know." Chen Guang, having already refined his bones, had hardened and rough skin. Carrying a load wasn''t a challenge for him. Understanding that Old Chen was concerned, he didn''t explain more and simply set off ahead. "Dad, hurry up," Chen Guang said as he steadily carried the hefty load of vegetables. Old Chen smiled briefly, fetching an old cane from behind the door, and catching up to Chen Guang quickly. Together, they passed through the bustling streets, swiftly exiting the city. They walked along a spacious official road for a while before Old Chen led the way, "This way''s closer." With that, he veered off the official road onto a path through the fields. Chen Guang followed closely. Looking around, they saw lush green fields, distant mountains layered with clouds, a scene reminiscent of a tranquil ink wash painting. They forged ahead silently, focusing only on their journey. After a seemingly endless walk, an ancient house came into view. sea??h th§× N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "We''re here." Old Chen stepped forward, pulling the door ring and knocked. Soon, a man dressed as a Jianghu martial artist opened the door. After glancing at Old Chen, he fixed his gaze on Chen Guang behind him. "Who is he?" "My son, helped carry the basket." The martial artist squinted and grumbled, "Bring fewer irrelevant people in the future." "Yes, yes." "Come in." Chen Guang felt a bit confused but refrained from asking, following Old Chen over the threshold. As they entered and passed through the courtyard, lively shouting caught his attention. "Leopard, take it all, hahaha... Hand it over, hand it over." Chen Guang realized instantly, it was a gambling den. He said nothing more and followed his father, Old Chen, to the kitchen area, arranging the vegetables. At that moment, the Jianghu martial artist approached, pulling out a string of large coins, "Here, deliver another fresh batch in three days." Old Chen accepted the string, bowing, "Sure, sure." Pocketing the money, Old Chen turned to leave. Suddenly, Chen Guang felt his stomach cramp and hastily asked, "Gentleman, is there an outhouse here? I need a quick relief." "Behind this house, find it yourself." Chen Guang turned and said, "Dad, wait for me." He then headed to the back, discovering a low-built outhouse, and entered without a second thought. No sooner had he squatted down than footsteps and disgruntled mutters echoed outside. "It''s almost been three days. I''m fed up with this lousy place. When is the young master letting me go?" "Soon, soon." "I''m telling you, I have done everything the young master asked, killed the man, disguised as the Huang Tian Sect, but the promised three hundred liang gold ended up as three little goldfish, all lost gambling with you guys. You have to give me something certain." "Don''t worry, our young master always keeps his word... come, let''s play a few more rounds." After the sound of rushing water ceased, their footsteps gradually faded away. Once confirming they had left, Chen Guang pondered for a moment, quickly stood, and discreetly slipped away. Chapter 262 - 87 Summoned to Report a Leak ``` Chen Guang exited the latrine without changing expression and found his father waiting in the back kitchen. He whispered urgently, "Dad, we need to leave here immediately and go to the Guardian Martial Department." His voice was low, carrying an undeniable firmness. Chen''s father heard him and was puzzled, "What''s the matter?" "Don''t ask. Just go." Old Chen knew his son''s personality well; he wasn''t one to fabricate stories out of nothing. So, he didn''t ask more questions, his face calming as he picked up a pole and silently followed in Chen Guang''s footsteps. Old Chen had been here before; the gatekeepers in the yard were familiar with him, so they just glanced at the father and son and paid no further attention. With a blank expression, Chen Guang led Old Chen out of the courtyard unhurriedly, quickly heading toward the ridge. The silhouette of the father and son gradually faded until it completely vanished. Once they were far from the manor, and there was no one around, Old Chen finally opened his mouth in curiosity, "What''s really going on?" Chen Guang answered without hesitation, "Someone inside might be related to the case in Xin''an Square. I heard that Lord Shen is ordering a thorough investigation. This could be an opportunity for me." He knew about the Xin''an Square case. A disciple of the Huang Tian Sect killed someone in broad daylight and then disappeared without a trace. For the past few days, the Guardian Martial Department had been searching everywhere for this person. Unexpectedly, the real culprit was hiding here. S~ea??h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. And it seemed to be related to the young master of the Dong Family. But none of that mattered anymore. For Chen Guang, this lead might be a chance to change his own destiny. He had to grasp it firmly. If he could make a name for himself in front of the Vice Director of the Guardian Martial Department and hold onto Lord Shen''s influence, then, without a doubt, his future days at the Guardian Martial Department would be much better. This could even let him turn his life around in the future. After all, the right choice is more important than effort, and being with the right people is far more crucial than working hard blindly. This was the life lesson he learned mixing in the gang and proved countless times. Why did some people with similar cultivation skills eventually make a name for themselves while he did not? It''s simply because they followed the right leader. Once the leader made it, they naturally rose up as well. Those who initially didn''t follow the right person made mistakes at every step, and finding another chance to stand out later was very difficult. In short, this opportunity was one he could not miss no matter what. Right now, Chen Guang was anxious to return, quickening his pace involuntarily. Seeing Old Chen gradually fall behind, he gritted his teeth and directly carried Old Chen on his back, speeding along the way. "I can walk... put me down." "No worries, my martial arts training makes carrying you no problem at all." Chen Guang spent some time persuading his father, Old Chen. Old Chen, reluctantly, stayed on his back and remained silent. With no constraints, his excellent physique as a martial master now showed itself. He flew along the path and reached Yongzhou City in half the time it took to come. ... At the entrance of the Guardian Martial Department. Chen Guang stepped forward, clasping his hands respectfully toward the gatekeepers at the door, "Sirs, I am Chen Guang. I met you both this morning. Now I have an urgent matter and need to meet Lord Shen. I hope you can do me this favor." The gatekeepers eyed them up and down, somewhat remembering Chen Guang, knowing he had become an officer and colleague with them. Naturally, they did not stop him for no reason. However, some procedures for Chen Guang were not yet completed, so he couldn''t be openly admitted into the government office. The two gatekeepers clasped their hands, "Please wait here for a moment. Let me report to him." After speaking, one turned and entered the premises. Before long, the gatekeeper returned, nodded toward Chen Guang, and said, "Lord Shen has invited you in; please follow me." Chen Guang clasped his hands, "Thank you." "Dad, please wait for me at the entrance." Chen Guang instructed once more at the door, then followed the gatekeeper into the office. Passing through a few exquisitely decorated corridors, they arrived in front of a spacious and bright study. Inside the study, Shen Qing was dressed in official attire, sitting upright behind a desk, focused on reviewing the documents laid out before him, an air of authority evident without anger. Upon seeing Chen Guang, Shen Qing''s gaze fell immediately upon them. He gently put down his pen and scrutinized them, "I heard from below you wish to speak with me. What''s the matter?" Chen Guang''s expression grew serious. He quickly stepped forward, bowed, and saluted, "Lord Shen, I apologize for any disturbance my unannounced visit may have caused." He paused briefly before continuing, "I have urgent matters to report." "Please, go ahead," Shen Qing nodded slightly, signaling for him to proceed. "Yes." Chen Guang took a deep breath and recounted the conversation he unexpectedly overheard in the latrine, word for word, to Shen Qing, sounding somewhat urgent. Shen Qing listened quietly, his expression growing more serious. When Chen Guang finished speaking, a barely noticeable shadow gathered at his brow. He gently tapped the tabletop, deep in thought. Chen Guang''s gaze remained firm as he continued, "Lord Shen, I understand the gravity of this matter. That''s why I came here, daring to inform you. I swear that every word I heard in the manor is true. Those two didn''t hide a thing during their discussion. If I have lied in any way, then I deserve a terrible fate." Upon hearing this, Shen Qing thought briefly and then stood up, clasping his hands behind his back. "I understand the situation. You may leave now. Keep this to yourself, and do not speak of it to anyone." "Yes, my lord; I understand." "You are Chen Guang, correct?" Shen Qing said, "After you report tomorrow, you don''t have to rush into joining a group. For now, follow Tian Xiaohu, the agricultural tax officer, and work under him." Chen Guang did not know the internal specifics of the Guardian Martial Department, but he was not foolish; he naturally perceived a tone of ''favor.'' He hurriedly thanked him, "Thank you, my lord." "You may leave now." Once Chen Guang left the study, Shen Qing pondered, "I''ve hardly interacted with the Dong Family, so why are they targeting me with such actions? If not the Dong Family... then it''s..." Shen Qing''s eyebrows knit together, as he thought of someone. "Dong Jing!" When it came down to it, this person initially showed an intention to approach him, but later for unknown reasons, gradually distanced himself. The two didn''t have major conflicts. But as time passed, people''s feelings inevitably changed. At that moment, Shen Qing suddenly remembered, he was present at Dong Jing''s disposal of Guan Yunjian, and he was the one who handled the aftermath, even falling in debt to Dong Jing for it. If recent rumors and gossip combined with this matter and were exposed, his position... Pfft, things might not end well. The matter of killing an officer could be trivial or significant, and if used well, it could completely bring him down. A chill flashed across Shen Qing''s eyes, his mind already about seventy to eighty percent sure. With this in mind, Shen Qing urgently called for Chang Sui, instructing, "Get Dong Chasi here, now." "Yes." Seeing Shen Qing''s stern appearance, Chang Sui promptly followed the order and departed. ``` Chapter 263 - 88: Better to Take the Initiative as an Actor ``` Inside Baihua Building, laughter filled the air. Dong Jing, wearing an officer''s robe from the Guardian Martial Department, sat surrounded by friends during his patrol, endlessly talking and laughing. The table was laden with exquisite dishes and fine wine, their aroma diffusing everywhere. "Brother Dong, tell us, how does the newly introduced tribute tea, ''Yunding Cuilu,'' compare to the ''Tai Long He Jing'' we drank last year? Which is superior?" A man in a deep blue Cloud Brocade Robe raised his cup invitingly, his eyes full of anticipation. Dong Jing smiled slightly, took a sip from his cup, closed his eyes to savor it, then leisurely said, "Yunding Cuilu, with its jade-green color, enters the mouth crisp and leaves a lingering sweetness, truly exuding a transcendent feeling; whereas Tai Long He Jing resembles a gentle beauty in the misty rain of Jiangnan, delicate and elegant¡ªeach has its own merits, hard to distinguish superiority." As he finished speaking, everyone nodded in agreement, their laughter even more exuberant. "Brother Dong, aren''t you afraid that your new superior will hold you accountable for running out to join our little gathering during your duty?" A woman with a high-tied hairpiece teased while holding a teacup. "Him?" Dong Jing chuckled: "It''s uncertain if he can even keep his position." "Is there a story behind this?" "I''m not at liberty to disclose, just you wait and see," Dong Jing declared confidently. Those at the table exchanged glances, showing a trace of curiosity. A nobleman smiled and said, "I remember you used to think highly of this person, how did your attitude change so dramatically?" "That was then, this is now. After our gathering last year, I figured it out. We have prestigious status, how can we lower ourselves to be in the company of someone of his sort? Trying deliberately to get close makes me seem like I''m currying favor. Though I''m not a direct heir of the Dong Family, I''m still a member. I can''t lose face like that." Dong Jing''s remarks resonated deeply with everyone present. In their view, family background was paramount. Making friends without the right social match was truly a loss of face. A man with a gem-embedded jade belt around his waist set down his teacup, sighed, and said, "To speak of it, I didn''t think much of him at first, never expected he had some competence, breaking through to the Yu Luo Realm in such a short time and now holding the position of Chief Officer. It''s extraordinary, he truly is something." "Indeed, except for his humble origins, he does possess some skills." A woman in a pale yellow long dress said to Dong Jing, "Pardon me for being blunt here, Brother Dong." "Sister Qian, speak." The woman in the pale yellow long dress covered her mouth and laughed, "Given Shen Qing''s current status and position, if you try to approach him now, he might not even pay attention to you." Hearing this, bursts of laughter erupted around the table. "Indeed, indeed, that''s exactly the case." Dong Jing felt his blood energy surge, his ears turned red. Feigning a drink of tea, a deep jealousy and resentment welled up inside him. He approached Shen Qing because he recognized Shen Qing''s potential and to enjoy the glory of having followers. Now Shen Qing had climbed above him. Even ignoring family background, befriending him would mean humbling himself, effectively becoming Shen Qing''s follower. Utterly unjust. The more he thought about it, the more indignant and unfair he felt. As everyone merrily conversed, a Chang Sui dressed in a Guardian Martial Department officer''s attire hurried in, scanning the crowd until his eyes settled on Dong Jing. He respectfully saluted and softly said, "Lord Dong, Lord Shen has summoned you. Please accompany me immediately." With those words, the room was abuzz with surprise, eyes casting curious glances. "How coincidental, just when he was the topic, a message comes." Dong Jing regained composure, stood up, and clasped his fists towards his friends: "Everyone, please stay calm, it seems there''s something needed from us at the government office. Though today''s gathering was brief, there''s always tomorrow. Let''s meet again next time." "Go ahead, we''ll call for you later." Having said that, Dong Jing rose to straighten his attire, nodded slightly at Chang Sui, signaling readiness to depart. As Dong Jing and Chang Sui''s figures gradually disappeared within Baihua Building, lively chatter filled the room once more. ... Guardian Martial Department, rear hall. Incense on the desk curled upward, the subtle sandalwood aroma pervading the study, creating a refreshing atmosphere. "Dong Chasi, Lord Shen has been waiting for some time, please enter." Chang Sui led Dong Jing to the study entrance and stopped. Dong Jing nodded, stepped into the study, letting his gaze swiftly survey the room, and finally settled on Shen Qing''s stern face. He bowed and said, "Lord Shen, subordinate Dong Jing, here by command." Standing before the long table, Dong Jing maintained his usual respectful and calm demeanor, though internally he speculated on Shen Qing''s intention for this summoning. Shen Qing''s gaze lifted from the documents, directly staring at Dong Jing, as he spoke in a deep, powerful voice, "Dong Chasi, do you know why I summoned you?" A knot tightened inside Dong Jing, but he maintained a calm exterior, slightly raising his head to meet Shen Qing''s gaze, "If my lord summons, it must be important. This humble one is not astute, please enlighten me." Shen Qing gave a small smile, though within it rested a trace of barely noticeable coldness: "Dong Chasi, to be honest, when I first joined this office, you were quite accommodating, and I thought you trustworthy. However, lately, I''ve discovered some things that have made me suspect you." He found out? Dong Jing felt his heart skip a beat, turmoil brewing within. He forced himself to remain composed, "My lord''s words make me anxious. What might have caused this misunderstanding? I wish to hear clearly, to prove my innocence." Shen Qing stood up, paced slowly towards Dong Jing, his gaze sharp as a blade, "The Guardian Martial Department has been unrestful lately, and behind every disturbance, your shadow appears. Dong Chasi, did you truly think I, Shen Qing, am blind and deaf?" Dong Jing''s heart pounded. Drawing a deep breath, he endeavored to make his voice more sincere and innocent, "My lord, my loyalty to you is evident as the sun and moon. If there''s any misconduct, it must be a misunderstanding by subordinates, or someone''s deliberate framing. I''m willing to bear the responsibility, but I ask for a chance to investigate and prove my innocence." Shen Qing fixed Dong Jing with his gaze, falling silent. In truth, Tian Xiaohu hadn''t truly clarified the origins of the rumors circulating in the government office these past days, and Shen Qing was merely feigning. But even so, Shen Qing gleaned the information he wanted. After a moment, he sighed softly, his tone gentler, "Seems I misunderstood you." "Humbled and fearful," Dong Jing bowed in flattery, "The Guardian Martial Department admits no secrets, and my lord must have his own difficulties. Rest assured, I will do my utmost to assist you." "Hmm, I trust Dong Chasi''s character." Shen Qing gestured dismissively, "You may go now. I need some solitude." "Yes." Watching Dong Jing''s retreating figure vanish from the study, Shen Qing''s mind whirled with thoughts. He closed his eyes, using the Never Forget skill to meticulously recall Dong Jing''s performance just moments before. He caught the momentary panic Dong Jing exhibited when he thought he''d been "discovered." Indeed, something was amiss. Unexpectedly, this Dong Chasi under his command turned out to be quite the actor. Planning against me? Better to strike preemptively. Shen Qing instructed towards the door, "Bring Tian Xiaohu over, tell him I have matters to attend to." S§×ar?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ``` Chapter 264 - 89: I Have the Upper Hand, Whats There to Fear ``` "Sir, you were looking for me?" Tian Xiaohu, brought in by Chang Sui, said respectfully with clasped fists. Shen Qing responded coldly, "Find a reliable person to keep an eye on Dong Jing. Inform me immediately of any suspicious movement." Tian Xiaohu didn''t ask further and agreed directly, "Alright." "Remember to be discreet in your actions." "Understood." Tian Xiaohu cupped his hands and retreated. Inside a house somewhere in the Inner City. Dong Jing, who had just left the Guardian Martial Department Office, wore a heavy expression. ''I didn''t expect Shen to be so vigilant. He discovered some clues and started to distrust me. It seems I can''t wait for him to deal with Sun Ding and then make a move.'' ''I must act in advance!'' ''The corpses of Guan Yunjian''s two people were handled by me that day. They''re still buried in a mass grave outside the city. Killing his own subordinates, added to some recent rumors, these two things combined should be enough to ruin his reputation, leaving him utterly without authority in the Guardian Martial Department.'' ''If so, I''ll wait a while to see what expression he''ll have when his past is uncovered.'' ''Hmph, having leverage over him, yet he still dares to shout at me. Truly a fool. No matter how formidable he claims to be, it amounts to nothing.'' Dong Jing sneered inwardly, gradually coming to a decision. However, before that, he must bring in the leader of the Huang Tian Sect rebels to bolster his prestige and ensure the plan goes smoothly. He quickly found a servant of the Dong Family and said, "Go find the leader of the Iron Blood Alliance and tell him that the banquet is ready." The servant nodded in agreement and hurried out, running toward the Iron Blood Alliance. Just as this servant exited through the gate, in a certain dark corner, Tian Xiaohu, along with Liu Youdao and Liu Youde, witnessed everything. "You two brothers follow him and see where he''s heading. Report back to me immediately if there''s any news." "Alright, we understand." Liu Youdao and Liu Youde quietly pursued him. Tian Xiaohu glanced around, adjusted the dagger on his waist, and hurried back to the Guardian Martial Department, appearing calm yet tense. Upon returning to the Guardian Martial Department, he went straight to the back hall without a moment''s delay. "Sir, there''s movement from Dong Jing. He sent a household servant immediately after returning, sneakily up to something." "Alright, I understand." At this stage, from all the signs, there was no reason to hesitate. Shen Qing didn''t delay. He continued to order, "Gather Sun Chasi from Group Two, Dong Chasi from Group One, and several of their officers. Tell them we''ve discovered the traitor''s whereabouts and to come with me out of the city to capture them." "Do we need to call Dong Chasi?" Tian Xiaohu questioned. Wouldn''t bringing Dong Jing along alert the enemy? "Why not?" Shen Qing countered, "Isn''t he an official of the Guardian Martial Department? Isn''t capturing traitors part of his duty?" Stunned, Tian Xiaohu had no response. "Go inform them. I know what I''m doing," Shen Qing said confidently. Immediately, Tian Xiaohu said no more and quickly went to notify the others. Watching Tian Xiaohu leave, Shen Qing curled the corners of his mouth into a slight smile and said, "If he doesn''t go, I can''t get rid of him in the city." When Tian Xiaohu found Sun Ding, he was holding a portrait of the "Yellow Heaven Sect traitor" and was searching for the culprit with his subordinates, completely at a loss. Upon hearing about the mission to capture the traitor, Sun Ding was taken aback. "The Vice Director only said to capture the traitor. You''re to gather quickly, Sun Chasi. Don''t miss the Shi Chen." After delivering the message, Tian Xiaohu hurriedly rushed to the next location. Sun Ding, his expression fluctuating, was uncertain about how things would develop. He pondered for a moment before rolling up the portrait of the traitor and hurrying back to the Guardian Martial Department to assemble. Similarly notified, Dong Jing was equally perplexed but, like Sun Ding, returned to the Guardian Martial Department one after another. In the backyard of the Guardian Martial Department. Shen Qing donned an off-white outfit, equipped with a treasure saber and an arrow quiver, and carried a longbow. His gaze swept across the faces of the assembled individuals. "Everyone''s here. Let''s set off. Chen Guang, lead the way." Chen Guang, chosen by Shen Qing, couldn''t help his eyelids from twitching. His heart pounded like a drum constantly echoing in his ears. But knowing that after he secretly allied himself, there was no turning back. He swallowed to moisten his dry throat and responded solemnly, "Yes!" Without offering explanations to Sun Ding and the others, Shen Qing took the lead, following closely behind Chen Guang out of the Guardian Martial Department''s main gate. At this point, Tian Xiaohu approached Shen Qing and whispered, "The news just came in. The servant went to find the Iron Blood Alliance. Now, their leader is also preparing to leave the city." Iron Blood Alliance? Shen Qing had some knowledge about this gang. They mainly ran gambling businesses and had aligned with the Dong Family. It seemed that after being temporarily deceived, Dong Jing was ready to act. Time was of the essence. Shen Qing called out ahead, "Quickly, pick up the pace." Hearing the call, Chen Guang hurriedly started a brisk jog, a sense of urgency rising within him. Having been entangled in this matter, any misstep before these prominent figures in the city could lead to his utter downfall. With a vigorous push off the ground, his body gracefully leaped forward. Reaching the city gate, he didn''t pause, swiftly passing through the familiar archway and charging outside the city. It was early summer, with a clear sky and lush greenery outside the city. Chen Guang took a deep breath, his Qi-Blood surging as he performed the Qinggong he wasn''t quite adept at. His body curved slightly, his feet lightly tapping the ground, like an arrow released from its string, shooting forward instantly. Within moments, only fleeting shadows and receding scenery were left behind. Shen Qing and the others, not to be outdone, applied their skills, closely following Chen Guang. On the forest path, shadows swiftly passed by. The leaves swayed with the gusts from their rapid movement. Birds perching on treetops were startled by the sudden commotion, fluttering upwards, their calls echoing one after another. Among the crowd, Dong Jing, seeing the increasingly familiar route, suddenly harbored a bad premonition. ''No way, I must be overthinking.'' Dong Jing blended in amidst the group, quietly falling to the rear. After nearly a pot of tea''s worth of time, Chen Guang pointed ahead to the courtyard and shouted, "There it is." "Okay, follow me quickly and ensure no bandits escape." S§×ar?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Shen Qing commanded, leading the charge at the forefront. The others dared not delay and followed closely. Shen Qing made a series of dashes, his toes tapping lightly. Then, like a sparrow, he spread his arms and landed steadily in front of the manor''s gate. Closely after him, Sun Ding and the others arrived one after another. Shen Qing turned his head and gestured to Ji Youwu, who immediately understood and stepped forward, kicking directly at the gate. "Bang!" A loud crash. The gate shattered under Ji Youwu''s kick, as fragile as paper, splintering into pieces, with dust rising. "Guardian Martial Department at work, bystanders keep away!" Ji Youwu shouted. ``` Chapter 266 - 91: There Are No Eternal Friends, The Debt of Gratitude Has Been Repaid Long Ago Shen Qing''s figure slightly turned as he looked down. The traitor of the Huang Tian Sect had his arms and legs broken, curling on the ground and groaning. Tian Xiaohu stepped forward timely, gently unfolded the scroll in his hand, and presented it in front of Shen Qing. This was an image drawn based on eyewitness descriptions from that day on the street, a standard for capturing criminals. Shen Qing''s gaze wandered back and forth between the scroll and the traitor on the ground, carefully comparing the depicted visage with the traitor''s face. After observing for several moments, he confirmed without a doubt that this was the person who had committed the crime in the street that day. S~ea??h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Shen Qing said with a long, meaningful tone, "To commit murder in broad daylight without regard for law and order, the crime deserves death." The traitor turned pale instantly upon hearing this, despair and panic flashing in his eyes. He lifted his head, only to see Dong Jing behind Shen Qing. Grasping at a straw, he loudly begged for mercy, "Lord, spare me! It was all under the command of Lord Dong, Dong Jing. I was merely following orders, had no choice!" The traitor''s voice trembled with fear, struggling desperately to approach Shen Qing, trying to save his life. Hearing this, Shen Qing''s lips curled into an enigmatic smile. He slowly turned his head to look at Dong Jing, asking, "Dong Chasi, do you have anything to say?" Dong Jing loudly rebuked, "How can a man of a noble family like me collude with the Huang Tian Sect? This is a baseless accusation! Damnable!" Suddenly Dong Jing''s right hand swiftly reached toward his waist, grasped the dagger''s hilt, and with a forceful pull, drew the blade out with a piercing metallic scrape. In the air, silver light flickered, the dagger cut a fierce arc straight toward the traitor''s throat. The move was so swift, it happened almost within a breath, leaving no time for anyone to react. The traitor''s face was filled with shock and horror: "Save me, Lord!" In a critical moment, Shen Qing gently waved his right hand, as his sleeve fluttered, a spiritual power quietly gathered in his palm, transforming into an invisible golden hand seal, falling on Dong Jing''s dagger. Bang! A surging force, like mountains collapsing into the sea, swept from the dagger. Dong Jing could not resist at all, the dagger flew out of his hand, embedding into the ground beside him. Shen Qing sternly asked, "Dong Chasi, what do you mean by this?" Seeing the situation, Dong Jing''s face grew even more sullen, and he said without hesitation, "This person is spreading lies, daring to slander court officials; he should be executed on the spot!" Shen Qing glanced up and down at Dong Jing, realizing he was in a rush! Just now, it was evident he had decided to go all out to eliminate any hidden dangers. "If one is upright, there''s no need to fear a crooked shadow. If it''s really like this, before the truth is revealed, why is Dong Chasi in such a hurry?" Shen Qing said slowly and steadily. At this moment, the traitor suddenly thought of something and shouted, "Lord, I have physical evidence. Lord Dong gave me three ''golden fish'' when instructing me, all engraved with words from the Dong Family Bank. If the lord searches this room, you will surely find them." "And, Lord, the reason Dong made me pretend to be a traitor of the Huang Tian Sect was to make trouble for you, to bring you down..." In his desire to survive, the traitor wholly revealed Dong Jing''s plans. Dong Jing shouted, "Nonsense!" At this statement, Sun Ding and others drew their daggers in unison, warily pointing them at Dong Jing. "Dong Chasi, how do you explain this?" "Just the defamation of a mere wanderer; why take it seriously, Lord?" Hearing these words, Shen Qing held his dagger, sternly said, "Both eyewitness and material evidence exist, do you take us for fools? These past days, all the rumors inside the government office appeared to originate from you." In his words, Shen Qing linked the recent events, and the plot''s outline became increasingly clear. At this point, facts had already triumphed over argument. Dong Jing knew well that he had torn his cover with Shen Qing, thus he had few scruples. His face gradually calmed down, he said slowly, "By the way, didn''t the lord owe me a favor before? As we are friends, why not let this matter pass, and today we settle our scores." When speaking, Dong Jing deliberately emphasized the words "favor," as if reminding Shen Qing of something. Shen Qing chuckled, saying, "The favor I owed you was repaid when I met you today; you just didn''t accept it." Dong Jing''s face quickly turned cold, "So, Vice Director, do you really want to go against me? Don''t forget, I have the Dong Family backing me. If I reveal that thing, do you think you''ll come out unscathed?" "You''re threatening me?" Shen Qing took a step forward, "Have you considered that behind me stands the entire Great Zhou Court, allowing no room for your insolence?!" "Fine, if that''s the case, don''t blame me for this; on the day you killed..." Before Dong Jing could finish, he only saw a flash of cold light before his eyes. Accompanied by a dull noise, a sharp streak of cold light swept beneath his chin. Splat! A grim wound suddenly tore open on Dong Jing''s neck. Blood gushed out like an unrestrained flood, continuously scattering on the ground. The air quickly filled with a strong scent of blood. Under everyone''s gaze, the wound on Dong Jing''s neck gradually expanded, eventually severing completely. Dong Jing''s head retained a shocked expression as it rolled to the ground. Shen Qing flicked his wrist, gently waving, shaking the blood off the dagger, as naturally as brushing off dust, then sheathed the long blade. His face bore no emotion, deep eyes cold and determined. Shen Qing looked down at Dong Jing, muttering to himself with a sigh, "In this world, there''s no such thing as forever friends. If there are, you are certainly not one." "You killed the Dong Family''s young master, the Dong Family won''t forgive you," a burly man from the casino roared, "You are doomed!" Hearing this, Shen Qing looked and scoffed, "What Dong Family''s young master? Both eyewitness and material evidence are here; this is a traitor of the Huang Tian Sect, slaying him was warranted." He called, "Sun Chasi!" "This subordinate is here." "You''ve done well this time, not only catching the traitor and bringing them to justice, but also capturing an accomplice of the traitor, accomplishing a significant deed. When we return, I will report this to the Chief Officer and Lord Commander, to honor you and reward you." Sun Ding rapidly processed his thoughts, comprehending the deeper meaning in Shen Qing''s words. This was meant to let him claim the ''merit,'' elevating him with the intent to support. Simultaneously, it aimed to use the Sun Family''s power to withstand the Dong Family''s pressure. Dong Jing was only a concubine''s son, his status in the Dong Family not high, comparable to his own. Now with eyewitness and material evidence in hand, if reported to his father and others, they could potentially leverage this to take a piece from the Dong Family, enhancing his standing in his father''s eyes. Weighing the pros and cons, Sun Ding realized this deal not only could be done but profitably so! At that moment, he was wholly impressed by Shen Qing. Working under him in the future might indeed be a beneficial thing. Without further hesitation, Sun Ding excitedly said, "Thank you, Lord, this subordinate will certainly exhaust all efforts, not letting the Lord down." Chapter 267 - 92: Kill Them All! ``` "My lord... I, I am innocent, truly, I am not a traitor of the Huang Tian Sect." The ''traitor'' on the ground, upon hearing their exchange, felt a sudden pang of dread, sensing something terrible was about to happen. Sun Ding let out a cold laugh. At this moment, whether he was a traitor was not for him to decide. Just then, a deep and powerful male voice suddenly boomed like thunder from outside the casino, surging powerfully through the front door, rolling like waves. "Who dares to intrude in my estate? Are you tired of living?" Everyone looked toward the voice instinctively, only to see a group of fierce men in gray uniforms pouring in like a tide through the entrance. On their chests was a uniform embroidered "Iron" character that gleamed chillingly in the sunlight. It was the Iron Blood Gang! At the forefront of the crowd, a gray-white figure stepped out. He wore a gray robe, the contours of his powerful arms faintly visible. The veins on the back of his hands snaked like dragons beneath his skin, his fingers curved like eagle claws, enveloped with thick calluses. Dry, hard. Shen Qing leaned on his sword, casting his gaze on the leader, continuously observing and scrutinizing him. As the leader of the Iron Blood Gang entered, he had a fierce and evil demeanor. As Shen Qing observed him, he also observed Shen Qing. When he saw Shen Qing''s outfit as a Chief Officer and recognized his identity, his face suddenly changed. The famous Shen Qing, Vice Director of the Guardian Martial Department, was renowned across the gangs of Yongzhou. It was rumored that he had now reached the Yu Luo Realm cultivation, beyond what these Martial Artists of Jianghu could contend with. His heart trembled, silently cursing his misfortune for encountering such a formidable opponent. sea??h th§× n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. As he thought about this, he inadvertently glanced down to see the bloody head on the ground, his expression freezing further. Ah, Lord Dong was dead?! The main figure was gone. The leader of the Iron Blood Gang was completely shocked. An immediate desire to retreat arose within his heart, and he quickly bowed his head, "A misunderstanding, a misunderstanding, my lord, please continue, we will leave now." "Oh? A misunderstanding?" Shen Qing''s smile deepened a few degrees, "When did your Iron Blood Gang start acting so cautiously, coming without notice and leaving so easily? Moreover, such a momentum just now echoing through the clouds, and now you say you''re leaving, doesn''t it seem too trivial and impolite?" The leader of the Iron Blood Alliance felt a jolt in his heart, a slight sweat seeping from his forehead. He knew well that today he encountered a tough one, and he gritted his teeth, continuing to negotiate, "The lord''s reprimand is justified. We indeed acted out of line. Please rest assured, my lord. I will personally handle this matter and prepare generous gifts to personally apologize another day." With those words, he turned to leave, his steps hurried, clearly wanting to quickly escape this place of trouble. But how could Shen Qing let him leave so easily? These people came under the instruction of Dong Jing, intricately connected with the Dong Family. Letting them leave would spell unknown consequences. Moreover, this Iron Blood Gang operated casinos, secretly working with the Dong Family to make setups. Forcing people into huge debts, selling off their family assets, bolstering the Dong Family''s influence, they were no good either. Better to kill them, once and for all. Saves trouble! Shen Qing''s figure flickered, lightly leaping up, transforming into a swift white shadow landing a dozen feet in front of the Iron Blood leader. An invisible pressure descended, compelling the latter to halt. "Since you are here, why not leave something? No need to wait for later." "Puff!" Shen Qing formed a seal with one hand, fully mobilizing the Spiritual Power within him, and jade-colored veins surfaced on his exposed skin. In the next moment, his Spiritual Power boiled like a volcanic eruption, gathering at his palm, emitting a bright crimson-golden glow. "Sky Flipping Seal!" The terrifying power was restrained within his palm by Shen Qing''s astonishing control, forging a crimson-golden hand that shot forth. An indescribable strange energy emanated from this hand, creating ripples that spread circle upon circle. Wherever it passed, even the air seemed twisted by this force, creating bizarre and colorful visions. Faced with this sudden deadly strike, the leader of the Iron Blood Alliance looked horrified. Concerning life and death, he did not hesitate to push his inner Qi to the extreme, his double claws instantly wrapped in rich black True Qi, like ghost claws, bearing the momentum to tear through all heading towards that crimson-gold glow. The two forces collided in the air. The Sky Flipping Seal hand struck overwhelmingly, like a rushing river, quickly penetrating the Iron Blood leader''s defense, imprinting onto his chest. At that moment, it seemed as if the air was instantly sucked away, leaving only a loud "boom," and the Iron Blood leader''s chest was forcibly caved in underneath the crimson-gold hand. He let out a miserable scream, his whole body like a stringless kite drained of life, helplessly flying back, crashing through the wall, and landing on the open field outside the estate. "Ugh!" The leader of the Iron Blood Alliance spat out a mouthful of filthy blood, unable to rise. "You..." The leader of the Iron Blood Alliance''s legs kicked a few times symbolically, but finally he fell silent, breathing his last. Shen Qing killed the leader of the Iron Blood Alliance with one hand in just two or three breaths, so fast it caught people off guard. "Run!" Not knowing which member of the Iron Blood Alliance reacted, shouted loudly, bringing the people present back from their shock. The once intimidating crowd of gang members became panic-stricken, running in all directions as disaster fell upon them. Shen Qing waved his hand, commanding Tian Xiaohu and the others: "Kill them all! Don''t let anyone escape." "Yes!" Tian Xiaohu, Sun Ding, and others were invigorated, rushing like wolves and tigers into the fleeing crowd, eyes red with killing intent. The gamblers in the casino, seeing this scene, dared not linger, scattering in all directions. Shen Qing had no intention of letting these people go. Learn from mistakes. Some secrets can only be truly kept by the dead. Shen Qing took the bow and arrow from his back, nocking arrows rapidly stringing them, shooting in succession. Each arrow he shot carried the power of heaven and earth, forming a crescent-shaped blade of energy, reaping life. Wherever it passed, no grass grew. All died! The scene descended into chaos. No one knew how much time passed until the noise subsided, the chaotic scene turning quiet once more. Tian Xiaohu and others, drenched in blood, returned to Shen Qing to report. "My lord, the enemies have been executed!" Shen Qing used the [Eagle Eye] skill to survey the area, ensuring nothing was missed before relaxing: "Very well." "Ha, the Dong family won''t let you off with this." Shen Qing glanced back at the burly casino guards, saying nothing more, simply executing a One Finger Seal Throat, indifferent to the so-called high-ranking Dong family. In the past, when I had no official position, I was bullied and watched my face; now, having become an official, do I still have to watch others? What have I become an official for? This bunch of freeloaders has had a good life for too long, it''s time to let them bleed, give the people below some breathing room. ''Colluding with the unscrupulous'' was not his option. "Search inside and see if there''s anything good." Shen Qing beckoned his men as they headed inside the estate. ``` Chapter 268 - 93 Enhancing the Petty Cash, Expanding Influence ``` Manor Front Yard. Shen Qing gazed silently at the row of trembling women and young men before him. This manor wasn''t very large, but it was well-equipped despite its size. Besides the gambling hall, there were plenty of food and entertainment facilities, and even many dedicated prostitutes to serve the gamblers and provide them with leisure. Both men and women were available. The women and youths before him were all young ladies from the city, from ordinary families, with respectable reputations. They had been forced into captivity and sold here by the city''s gangs for various reasons, gradually becoming mere tools for others'' amusement. "Master, what should be done with these people?" Sun Ding stepped forward, drawing his hand across his neck to suggest murder and silence, "Or perhaps..." Shen Qing lifted his chin to signal, "Have them register their information and arrange for our brothers to escort them back home." Sun Ding was momentarily stunned, thinking he had misheard. To him, Shen Qing was known as a decisive and ruthless figure, so why the sudden change of heart? "Are all the things found inside here?" Shen Qing glanced at several large chests behind the prostitutes, changing the subject. Sun Ding came to his senses, saying, "Yes, everything found is here." Shen Qing stepped forward to open one half-human-height wooden chest, discovering neat rows of silver ingots inside. This large wooden chest was half-human-height, one meter in length and width. He roughly estimated that it would take nearly two thousand taels of silver to fill it, and there were five such chests in total. In other words, there were at least ten thousand taels of cash silver just here. It would take Shen''s Restaurant three to five years to earn such an amount. It could indeed be considered a huge sum. Besides these five chests filled with cash silver, there were also two slightly smaller wooden chests found at the same time. Shen Qing opened them one by one, finding one filled with various pearls and gemstones, and the other with a variety of gold ingots, worth no less than seven or eight thousand taels. In this little casino, there were twenty thousand taels of large silver. Even Shen Qing, accustomed to witnessing grand scenes, showed a hint of surprise on his face. No wonder many gangs were keen to open casinos. Such a place of indulgence, guarded by force, truly amassed gold daily, ensuring prosperity. Alas, these people lacked finesse and couldn''t safeguard their wealth. Now it all belonged to Shen Qing. Shen Qing bent down, searching through the gold chest, and soon retrieved the three "Little Yellow Fish" the traitor had spoken of. He scrutinized them, noticing indeed as the traitor had said, the inscription of the Dong family''s mark¡ªevidence of their "collusion" with Huang Tian Sect. Shen Qing weighed the three gold ingots in his hand and then tossed them to Sun Ding, "These are evidence. Here, catch." Sun Ding hurriedly reached out to catch them, examined them briefly, and then securely stowed them away. Shen Qing glanced down at the corpses strewn about the ground and suddenly asked his subordinates, "Have you searched all the bodies, leaving nothing behind?" "No...nothing." The subordinates, a bit nervous, thought Shen Qing might be like Zheng Yuanqiu, extracting some from them. Unexpectedly, Shen Qing had no interest in such petty gains. Instead, he selected some silver from the chest, distributed twenty taels of cash silver to each person under his watchful eyes, and then nonchalantly ordered, "Send these chests to my house." Everyone''s faces showed a glimmer of delight. Comparisons are odious among goods, but comparisons among people are worse. Compared to Zheng Yuanqiu''s stinginess, they suddenly felt that Shen Qing was exceptionally generous, unanimously accepting Shen Qing''s embezzlement, replying in unison, "Yes, Master." Seeing that everything here was settled, Shen Qing had no intention to linger and instructed, "Now that the matter here is concluded, everyone, return with me to report." "Master, what about this place? Are we just leaving it as is?" "Burn it to the ground!" Shen Qing replied without hesitation. S§×arch* The n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Supporting the sword at his waist with one hand, he was the first to walk out of the courtyard. Ji Youwu and the officers hurriedly moved into action, fetching a large amount of firewood from the kitchen, throwing the corpses into the hall, and setting them ablaze. In the roaring flames, the officers guided the bewildered prostitutes back towards Yongzhou City. There were no burdens on the way here, so they traveled quickly, but with silver and prostitutes on the return journey, they couldn''t possibly move fast. It took them over an hour to walk to the city gate. Shen Qing divided his men into two groups, one carrying silver and valuables back to his house, the other escorting the lost prostitutes back home. "Xiao Hu, you take these women home," Shen Qing said, taking out a package and casually tossing it to Tian Xiaohu. "These people have suffered humiliation, and they might not be welcomed back. There''s tens of taels of silver here, give each three taels when you send them home, better than nothing." Tian Xiaohu was evidently surprised by Shen Qing''s actions, quickly praising, "Master, you are righteous!" Shen Qing waved dismissively, not caring much. "Remember, don''t give too much, or else it''s like a child flaunting gold in the market, everyone becomes a demon." Tens of taels, compared to what Shen Qing gained this time, were but one-thousandth, insignificant, but for these ordinary folks, it might be a life-saver. Shen Qing didn''t see himself as an overly kind person, but neither was he an inhumane villain. He simply felt that this world shouldn''t be this way and acted according to his nature. Tian Xiaohu didn''t fully understand but still diligently noted it down. After dealing with the matter of the prostitutes, Shen Qing watched as his subordinates moved the chests back home. After giving a few more instructions to Sun Ding, he dismissed his subordinates. Gazing at the treasure chests filled with gold and silver, he unexpectedly felt a sense of stability in his heart. The day''s work had yielded fruitful results, and his small treasury was enriched. With these savings, in the foreseeable future, he could procure various cultivation resources from Wu Sheng, seeking to enhance his cultivation promptly and not worry about superficial gold and silver concerns. That night, under Shen Qing''s instructions, Sun Ding tortured the "traitor," using coercion and temptation to solidly confirm him as a Huang Tian Sect traitor. At the same time, various pieces of evidence also proved the collusion between the Huang Tian Sect traitor and Dong Jing. Coupled with Zheng Yuanqiu''s previous example, the Yongzhou Government Office became extremely sensitive to the matter, paying it great attention. Following the trail assiduously, continually pressuring the Dong Family. Seizing this opportunity, the Sun Family took the initiative, and with Dong Jing''s disappearance, the Dong Family became highly passive, retreating continuously. Until, finally, forced to spit out some benefits, this turmoil gradually subsided. The Sun Family and some other observing forces gained considerably. Yet this had nothing to do with Shen Qing. With abundant financial resources, Shen Qing acquired another restaurant in a flourishing area of Yongzhou City, becoming a legitimate boss. Four months passed in the blink of an eye. During these four months, Shen Qing recruited troops vigorously, gradually expanding the Guardian Martial Department''s officials from sixty or seventy people to more than one hundred and fifty, becoming powerful and strong. Everything proceeded in an orderly manner. ``` Chapter 269 - 94: Removing the ``` The officers and the dispatch office recruited by the Guardian Martial Department recently were mostly picked by Shen Qing from respectable families within the neighborhood, as well as fringe members connected to the Thirteen Lines. These individuals were very clean, without any background, and were easy to control. Moreover, these people were chosen by Shen Qing himself after careful selection, which was entirely different from those who had come in relying on personal connections in the past. To put it bluntly, Shen Qing was their common sponsor, and the path they took was all through Shen Qing. They had a relationship with Shen Qing where they prospered together or suffered together. Furthermore, Shen Qing did not have the undesirable habits of Zheng Yuanqiu, never withholding others'' official salaries, and occasionally offering rewards. For a while, the past undesirable atmosphere of the Guardian Martial Department was swept away, with everyone striving to excel. Inside and outside Yongzhou City, the demons that had been raising their heads were once again suppressed by Shen Qing, and outside Yongzhou City became calm and peaceful. Such achievements also caught the attention of many officials in the county office. Military Department. Summoned, Shen Qing, dressed in a neat official uniform, walked steadily into the main hall, bowed, and saluted, his voice clear and powerful, "Greetings, Lord Jia, Greetings, Lord Huangfu." In the main hall, Jia Zhiping sat at the head, his demeanor radiating an aura of natural authority without anger. Huang Furo, wearing a plain white attire, stood by Jia Zhiping''s side with her hands clasped. Commander Jia Zhiping examined Shen Qing, nodding with satisfaction. He gently raised his hand, signaling Shen Qing to dispense with formalities. "Vice Chief Shen, do you know why we summoned you here?" "Subordinate is dull and does not know." "Haha, Vice Chief Shen, your recent performance in governance has been clearly seen by both me and Lord Huangfu." Jia Zhiping''s voice was steady and powerful, revealing a high evaluation of Shen Qing, "Today, I have decided to officially promote you to the Chief Officer of the Guardian Martial Department." The admiration in Commander Jia Zhiping''s eyes was undisguised. Standing by, Huang Furo also nodded in agreement and said, "Chief Officer Shen is both wise and courageous, repeatedly achieving great success. Today''s promotion to Chief Officer of the Guardian Martial Department is well deserved." The difference between Chief Officer and Deputy Chief Officer was only one character, but the nature was completely different. With the "Deputy" character removed from the position title, it was somewhat considered as entering the ranks of the Yongzhou elite. Even children from those high-ranking families could not speak loudly in front of him. Shen Qing realized that his actions in recent months had gained recognition from his superiors. But he did not become arrogant or insensible, speaking modestly and calmly, "Thank you, Commander Jia, and Lord Huangfu, for your favor. I, Shen, will certainly live up to expectations, continue to be diligent and responsible, and exert all efforts for the Military Department and the people." "Good, there''s no need for these polite words." Commander Jia Zhiping stood up from his high position and said, "Tomorrow marks the day when the Lord Governor recovers from his injuries and emerges from seclusion. It''s a good opportunity for you to also go with us to meet the Lord Governor." "Humbly obey the order." Shen Qing clasped his fists respectfully and said. Commander Jia Zhiping nodded. After explaining all matters, he quickly walked into the back hall. Huang Furo remained in place and did not leave. After Jia Zhiping''s figure disappeared in the main hall, she took two steps toward Shen Qing and reminded him, "The Lord Governor failed to slay the Snake Demon before and was injured, losing face. With his temperament, he certainly won''t swallow this humiliation easily. Tomorrow, besides our people from the county office, the Lord Governor has also summoned the heads of the Thirteen Lines to jointly discuss the grand plan to slay demons." "The things you did before did not escape the eyes of the Dong Family. They just turned a blind eye and did not dwell on them with you, so don''t provoke them when you see them tomorrow." Shen Qing''s heart tightened. He nodded and said, "Thank you, Lord Huangfu, for the reminder. This subordinate will remember." "Yes, besides this, there is one more thing." Huang Furo looked at Shen Qing with a serious expression and said, "Regarding your previous statement about the Zhou Family being in collusion with demons, I secretly investigated and found some suspicious elements." "What do you mean?" Shen Qing asked eagerly. The day he had slain the Cat Demon, there seemed to be a Great Demon standing behind it. Now the opponent was in the dark, while he was out in the open. The lack of clarity on this matter left a knot in his heart, difficult to untangle. Huang Furo explained gently, "I investigated and found that throughout the past year, the Zhou Family has taken in many servants, far more than in previous years. Among them, there were quite a few martial masters, but strangely, after recruiting so many, the Zhou Family Mansion remained as it was, with no changes in terms of food and clothing or living appearance." "Logically, with more people, food and expenses should increase, but they have not. These people seem to have disappeared into thin air." sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Shen Qing''s face darkened as he said, "So these people should have been eaten by demons, right?" Huang Furo silently nodded. It was well known that demons had a taste for humans. If the Zhou Family was in collusion with demons, they would certainly provide some people as food, and the disappearance of people would rightly confirm this point. Huang Furo said, "The Zhou Family should be in league with demons, and this demon''s cultivation is likely not low, possibly already transformed." Shen Qing''s expression froze. If transformed, it would at least be comparable to the Dan Realm or even Innate Realm existence. Such a demon, lurking in the shadows, would have little hope of defeating him if it came to kill him. "My Lord, what do you think?" Shen Qing gathered his thoughts and asked. Huang Furo said, "Such a transformed demon already possesses intelligence no different from humans, with its own preferences, and even if it eats people, it wouldn''t do so indiscriminately like other demons. The demon lurking in the Zhou Family only needs its desire suppressed to not reveal itself, making it hard for outsiders to detect." "So a transformed demon lurking in the busy city, within a prestigious family, wouldn''t do so just for some mere food supplies. The Zhou Family''s cooperation must have other purposes." "The urgent task is to find out what they are really after. Otherwise, we will forever guess blindly without an answer." After listening to Huang Furo''s analysis, Shen Qing was thoughtful. At this moment, he suddenly thought of the same Zhou Family in Changqiao Town and the same collusion with demons. Could this be a coincidence?! Shen Qing felt it was unlikely. His intuition told him there was some vague connection here. He thought for a moment and asked, "Lord Huangfu, do you know about the Spirit Mechanism Land?" "Spirit Mechanism Land?" Huang Furo frowned, pondering, "I''ve heard a bit about it. It is said that the Spirit Mechanism Land contains the Supreme Spiritual Mechanism, which can elevate beings beyond the ordinary, and there are even rumors of the Secret of Longevity." "But this is the heretical talk of the Huang Tian Sect, which is strictly banned for dissemination and discussion by the court. Where did you hear about it?" Shen Qing looked directly into Huang Furo''s eyes and said, "I suspect that the Zhou Family''s collusion with demons has something to do with the Spirit Mechanism Land!" ... Upon leaving the Military Department, Shen Qing felt a growing heaviness in his heart. After communicating with Huang Furo, he felt that a dark cloud was looming over Yongzhou''s sky, gradually spreading out without anyone noticing. This was not good news. People who do not plan for the future will be troubled by present worries. With a thought, Shen Qing brought the information on the Water Ink Panel to the surface... ``` Chapter 270 - 95: Skills Break Through in Pairs "Just a little bit more." Shen Qing felt an urgency in his push for strength, unwilling to waste any time as he glanced at the information on the Water Ink Panel within his sight. He noticed that it was still early, and there wasn''t much pressing business at the Guardian Martial Department Office at the moment, so he left the Military Department Office and mounted his horse. With a crisp crack of the whip, the horse beneath him shot forward like an arrow from a bow, carrying him towards a valley outside the city amidst neighs and whinnies. S§×ar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. In the past four or five months, he often patrolled the area, and after each patrol, he would hunt with a regular bow and arrow to hone his skill. After all these days, he had thoroughly explored the mountains outside the city. Among them, he found several places quite suitable for martial masters to train. Shen Qing rode out of the city, and before long, a tranquil and profound gorge appeared before his eyes. Here, ancient trees towered into the sky, mist curled around, and besides the occasional chirping of birds and roaring of beasts, it was incredibly peaceful. Shen Qing reined in his horse and stopped, gently stroking the smooth mane of his steed beneath him, then lightly leaped off the horse to stand on the ground. He took down the heavy bow from the horse''s back and casually tossed the reins. The horse, as if used to this routine, walked to the small stream and drank the valley water. With steady steps, Shen Qing strode into an open area with his bow and arrow. He stopped, looked around, and then deftly removed the arrow quiver from his back, planting it firmly in the ground with a precise and strong motion. Shen Qing slightly closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and his expression suddenly became unusually serious. The surrounding scenery seemed to subtly change with his mood, becoming clearer and more vivid. Shen Qing slowly drew an arrow from the quiver and placed it steadily on the bowstring, gripping the bow tightly with both hands, muscles taut. With a deep, powerful exhale, Shen Qing suddenly pulled back the bowstring, and strength converged in an instant. He abruptly released it, and the arrow shot forth like lightning, tearing through the sky with an unstoppable force, aiming straight for the distance. The arrow streaked through the air with a whistling sound, leaving a long trail on the ground. Boom! In the distance, an ancient tree was shot in half by Shen Qing. Without pausing, he quickly nocked another arrow following that shot. Thud! The arrow left the string and pierced through the air. Thud, thud... His movements became faster, arrows as dense as raindrops, each shot perfectly precise and powerful as if sweeping away clouds and shocking the heavens. In one go, Shen Qing emptied the entire quiver of arrows. After doing so, he spread his arms and dashed forward, moving nimbly through the mountain forest while continuously launching the Sky Flipping Seal against various strange rocks and ancient trees. Golden rays erupted constantly, accompanied by roaring sounds. In this manner, he destructively made his way to the makeshift "shooting range" he had set up. He carefully gathered the arrows and returned to his original spot to repeat the process. Until the sun set, casting a glowing golden hue over the valley, Shen Qing finally stopped his arduous practice. By then, he felt waves of hunger fill his body, and his Qi Sea became calm and depleted. A sense of satisfaction welled up within Shen Qing. Feeling this way indicated he had exhausted all the power within his flesh and blood. The energy inside him craved the external world immensely. Shen Qing remained composed, operating the Six Path Whale Swallowing Technique while taking out a Treasure Pill as white as jade. This pill was called Yuye Qionghua Dan, which he had procured from Wu Sheng. It was said that this Yuye Qionghua Dan was a common elixir used by the noble sons of the Capital City during cultivation, providing great assistance in recovery and improving cultivation. Each pill cost ten taels of gold, making it extremely precious. During this period of training, Shen Qing consistently used this pill and found it to be an excellent experience. He tossed the pill into his mouth, allowing it to dissolve into a thin stream as it slid down his throat. In an instant, an unprecedented warm current surged from his Dantian. Shen Qing felt as though countless spiritual powers converged into a sea within him, and the once dry and exhausted Qi Sea became filled with endless vitality and strength at that moment. Every inch of muscle, every bone, seemed to be reforged, bursting forth with vibrant vitality. Shen Qing took a deep breath, savoring the abundant power within him, and could not help but form a faint smile at the corner of his mouth. "It seems about right." In his vision, a drop of water ink fell from the void and, after spreading out, condensed into lines of water ink text. [Skill: Heavenly Bow Technique (Mastery)] [Progress: 801/800 points] [Status: Can be improved] [Note: Learning diligently is like a seedling growing in spring; though not noticeable, it grows daily. Neglecting to study is like sharpening a knife; though not noticeable, it dulls daily. You have not slackened for a moment in your training of the Bow Technique; your ceaseless effort has met the conditions for a breakthrough in the Heavenly Bow Technique. After the breakthrough, there is a certain probability that the "Eagle Eye" skill will evolve, enabling you to awaken Divine Sense and perceive changes within a five hundred meter radius.] [Skill: Sky Flipping Seal (Small Success)] [Progress: 802/800 points] [Status: Can be improved] [Note: Without accumulating small steps, one cannot reach a thousand miles; without accumulating small streams, there can be no rivers or seas. Your continuous practice has pushed the Sky Flipping Seal to a breakthrough state. Refining the Sky Flipping Seal to the level of mastery can harness the power of heaven and earth to evolve into the Sky Flipping Seal, crushing mercilessly, resulting in a shockingly tragic death for those struck, although it consumes a significant amount of spiritual power.] ... Seeing the two Water Ink Panels pop up in his field of vision, Shen Qing let out a long breath in his heart. "After so much cultivation, these two cultivation techniques can finally break through." Without delay, Shen Qing focused his mind: "Heavenly Bow Technique, breakthrough!" "Sky Flipping Seal, breakthrough!" As if sensing Shen Qing''s command, the information on the Water Ink Panel instantly refreshed. [Skill: Heavenly Bow Technique (Small Success)] [Progress: 1/900 points] [Skill: Sky Flipping Seal (the level of mastery)] [Progress: 2/900 points] At the moment the skills information on the panel refreshed, two enormous streams of memories distinctly surged into Shen Qing''s mind. He groaned quietly, enduring the discomfort while slowly processing these vast memories. Soon, the familiar feeling of day and night training in the Heavenly Bow Technique and Sky Flipping Seal surged back to his heart. Shen Qing slowly opened his eyes, scanned his surroundings, and concentrated with a calm mind. In the next moment, his expression showed surprise. Shen Qing realized that with just a little sensing, the wind''s rustling, the chirping of insects and birds within a five hundred-meter radius, and even the faint fluctuations of spiritual power further away were vividly imprinted in his mind, making him feel omniscient. This was precisely the "Eagle Eye" skill transformation brought about by the breakthrough of the Heavenly Bow Technique, allowing him to refine a trace of Divine Sense. Relying on this Divine Sense, his perception transcended the five senses, regardless of distance or visibility. "So this is how it feels to possess Divine Sense, truly amazing." "In the future, if I use this perception combined with every arrow hits the mark, I can kill invisibly, catching others off guard. Even if I can''t kill the opponent, I can withdraw in time, proving greatly useful to me!" Chapter 271 - 96 Yongzhou Elites ``` "Since the Heavenly Bow Technique is like this, what about the Sky Flipping Seal?" Shen Qing licked his dry lips, unable to help but feel a bit of anticipation. He briefly recalled and mobilized the spiritual power within his body. Under his intentional movement, the Qi Sea turned turbulent, countless strands of spiritual power erupted as if about to break free from the body''s restraints. Shen Qing no longer hesitated; he formed the Sky Flipping Seal with his hands. Instantly, the spiritual power surrounding him boiled over, transforming into a vast force that converged in his palms. He pressed down with both hands, and the power of mastery of the Sky Flipping Seal exploded with a roar. The sky and earth changed color as the force of heaven and earth he invoked formed into a massive Sky Flipping Seal, bearing an apocalyptic momentum as it slammed down into the void. With one strike, it was as if the sky collapsed and the earth overturned, mountains and rivers reversed. A gigantic rock in the distance, the size of Xiao Shan, could not withstand such power and was directly shattered. Countless fragments tumbled down like rain. Shen Qing stared at the scene before him, eyes wide in disbelief. He looked down, dumbfounded, at his own palms. If this Sky Flipping Seal had hit a person''s flesh, the one struck would undoubtedly be shattered to pieces, dying a horrific death. "If I could add the power of Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill, burst forth tenfold, now even facing that snake demon, I wouldn''t be entirely without a chance to retaliate." Shen Qing, slightly pale, had excitement and satisfaction flickering in his eyes. "It''s just a pity that behind this powerful attack, there''s also a high consumption of spiritual power. My current cultivation can''t support such moves. Using it once or twice would leave me exhausted." "I must breakthrough to the Dan Realm quickly." Shen Qing murmured to himself, having made some decisions in his heart. The setting sun was like blood, evening clouds filled the sky. Watching as the sun slowly sunk below the horizon, Shen Qing didn''t linger long in place before mounting his horse to return. Upon arriving home, as usual, he consumed nourishing items and after a medicinal bath, began to meditate, using the Wish Power Pearl to enhance his cultivation. At his current realm, he rarely slept as he once did, with the sleep of ordinary people occurring only occasionally. Most of the time, he meditated instead. Come the next morning, as dawn broke and the sky gradually turned gold, the gentle golden light of the morning sun filtered through the window slats onto Shen Qing''s handsome face, giving it a faint golden glow, adding a transcendent and rarefied aura. Shen Qing slowly exhaled a breath of turbid air and opened his eyes, filled with an unprecedented strength and vitality. Every time he used the Wish Power Pearl to meditate, refining his spiritual power, it invigorated him, leaving him in an unprecedented good state after concluding his meditation. "Almost there, time to prepare to go to the county government." Currently, the Prefectural Governor spoke of leaving retreat, or more plainly, recovering from a major illness. Although he mentioned no grand banquet or elaborate event, as a subordinate, Shen Qing knew better than to show up empty-handed. Thus, he took a Yuye Qionghua Dan from home to bring along. This elixir wasn''t common in Yongzhou, but not extremely rare either. In a bustling place like the Capital City, it was still practical. In terms of value, it was just right for someone like Shen Qing, who stood as a rising power in the aristocracy. Bearing gifts, Shen Qing did not delay and headed straight for the county government. The Prefectural Governor''s residence was located at the very core of Yongzhou, occupying two streets, quite sizeable. When Shen Qing arrived, it was peak time and the area before the government was bustling, reminiscent of a market. Carriages from various households came and went incessantly, each carrying heavy gift boxes, handled with care by servants from these families, transported one by one into the deep gates of the county government. These were evidently vehicles of moguls like the Thirteen Lines and other commercial giants. S§×arch* The ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Shen Qing stood outside this array of carriages, undisturbed by the scene before him. With a calm face, he stepped forward to announce himself to the guards at the gate, his voice clear and strong: "I am the Chief Officer of the Guardian Martial Department, Shen Qing, here to pay respects to Lord Governor upon hearing of his exit from retreat." The guard, upon hearing this, sized up Shen Qing, noticing his extraordinary demeanor, dared not slight him, and promptly informed the Chang Sui. Shortly, a kindly-faced Chang Sui in blue robes hurried over, bowed slightly to Shen Qing, and politely said: "Lord Shen, please follow me." Shen Qing nodded, handing over his gift to the Prefectural Governor''s servant to register his name. Then he followed the Chang Sui, passing through complex courtyards and winding corridors, arriving before a spacious and bright hall. The Chang Sui stopped, speaking softly: "Lord Shen, please wait here while I go announce your presence." With that, the Chang Sui turned and entered the hall. Standing outside, Shen Qing faintly heard murmured conversations within the hall, indicating quite a few people were already present. Inside, these people should be the Family Heads of the Thirteen Noble Families and other prominent dignitaries of Yongzhou City. Here gathered what could be said to be the wealthiest and most powerful of Yongzhou''s cultivators. Shen Qing didn''t have to wait long. Shortly after, the Chang Sui reappeared, smiling, and gestured for Shen Qing to enter: "Mr. Shen, Lord Governor invites you in." Shen Qing tidied his attire, stepped over the hall threshold, and entered with a composed expression. Inside the county office, lights shone brightly. Bai Mu, the Prefectural Governor, was seated at the main seat, his black hair not yet frosted, his complexion slightly pale with a sickly appearance. Yet, his broad shoulders and long arms, even so, with his burly stature emanated an undeniable forcefulness. Below the main seat, two rows of chairs were meticulously arranged, seating the Family Heads of the Thirteen Noble Families and prominent county officials. Shen Qing scanned the area, noticing several seats were unfilled, indicating many had yet to arrive. Among the many seated figures, he caught sight of Huang Furo. Today, she wore official attire with a black belt at the waist, sitting quietly behind a middle-aged man with a stern face. Upon closer inspection, Huang Furo and this middle-aged man bore similarities in appearance. One could easily deduce that this middle-aged man was likely Huangfu Chuan, the Family Patriarch and Huang Furo''s father. Huangfu Chuan seemed to sense Shen Qing''s gaze and smiled slightly, nodding in greeting. Shen Qing nodded back in response. Withdrawing his gaze, he stepped forward, neither obsequious nor arrogant, and cupped his hands in salute: "Subordinate Chief Officer of Guardian Martial Department, Shen Qing, heard you exited retreat and came to pay his respects to you, my lord." Bai Mu, seated at the chief position, lowered his gaze and smiled: "I''ve heard of your deeds during my retreat, a paragon among the young in the county office." Shen Qing quickly bowed his head: "My lord flatters me, I am merely a martial artist, undeserving of such high praise. Grateful for the opportunity to be here today." "Haha, Chief Officer Shen is too modest. You truly are a young talent with a promising future." Shen Qing repeatedly humbly expressed unworthiness. Prefectural Governor Bai Mu laughed heartily and gestured for him to sit: "Take a seat." Shen Qing bowed, indicating to follow, and was led by a servant to a seat at the lower end. Once seated, Shen Qing, with curiosity, began to quietly observe the hall full of Yongzhou''s dignitaries. ``` Chapter 272 - 97: Subduing Demons, Tit for Tat Looking across, the noble officials of Yongzhou were not as expected, fat and big-eared, differing greatly from the stereotypes of the secular world. On the contrary, each of them was very refined, with tall and upright postures, appearing with an ethereal and noble presence. Upon closer examination, their spiritual power was not leaking out flamboyantly but was instead cleverly withdrawn into every inch of their meridians, exuding an indescribable spiritual quality, at least at the Yu Luo Realm or even the Dan Realm of cultivation. The Ji family of Dazhou was said to control Martial Mechanism across the land, but it was clear that, for the nobility, their methods were nothing more than a formality. Whenever they desired, the nobles had various means to obtain the cultivation resources they wanted. While Shen Qing was observing the crowd, he keenly sensed a gaze sweeping over him from time to time. He glancingly looked over, released his Divine Sense to check, and found that the end of the gaze was a middle-aged man. The middle-aged man''s face was like it was carved from a blade, his aura steady, wearing a long, wide robe adorned with intricate cloud and water patterns, and the dark patterns at the collar shimmered with gold thread. From the discussions around this man, Shen Qing vaguely discerned his identity. It was the head of the Dong family¡ªDong Wentian. Shen Qing remembered Huang Furo''s warning, lowered his head silently, picked up a teacup, and pretended not to know. After a while, more people gradually arrived in the hall, and the empty seats were all filled. The hall, which had been somewhat quiet, gradually became lively. Shen Qing, whose status was not considered noble, became completely marginalized amidst these people, unnoticed and extremely inconspicuous. However, Shen Qing did not mind. He never liked to stand out. Coupled with the fact that he had recently killed one of Dong Wentian''s sons, this low profile was more to his liking. Lord Governor Bai Mu, seeing that most of the people had arrived, cheerfully said, "Esteemed scholars and gentlemen, it is rare to gather today under one roof. Since everyone is present, let us not have the delicacies wait too long, so as not to dampen everyone''s mood. Servants, let the dishes be served." As soon as he finished speaking, not long after, trained servants from the county government carried in the meticulously prepared delicacies one by one. During the banquet, glasses clinked, and the guests raised their cups, saying, "Congratulations to Lord Governor for being in good health and safely leaving seclusion. It is indeed the good fortune of the people of Yongzhou to have you once again at the helm!" "Haha, no need for courtesy, please." The guests raised glasses with each other, and the atmosphere gradually became warm and congenial. When the atmosphere at the banquet was fully lively, Lord Governor Bai Mu gently stroked the table and let out a long and deep sigh. Zhou Family Patriarch Zhou Xu was the first to ask, "May I know why the Lord sighs? Now that the wise and able of Yongzhou are gathered in this hall, please share so we may discuss together and relieve your worries." Bai Mu, with profound eyes, looked at Zhou Xu, and worriedly said, "Although I am pleased with successfully leaving seclusion, there is one matter that sticks in my throat and cannot go unspoken. Everyone knows that outside Yongzhou City, a snake demon is on the move, continually disturbing the common people, causing much suffering and unrest. If this continues, it will surely become a disaster, and you all will also suffer because of it. As the prefectural governor, I am anxious, hence I sigh." Saying this, Bai Mu scanned the room, paused, and continued, "To be honest, the main reason I invited everyone here today is to join forces with those present to eradicate this calamity to the human world, the snake demon, and restore peace to Yongzhou! How do you gentlemen feel about this?" As soon as these words were spoken, the banquet hall fell into contemplation. Before arriving, many had already heard of Bai Mu''s intention to make use of their help to eliminate demons. After some pleasantries, they finally got to the main point. The Thirteen Lines, being the most flourishing high-ranking families in Yongzhou, had accumulated considerable strength over the years. United, they were no less powerful than the county office. Now even the prefectural governor himself was not a match for the snake demon, and clearly, there was no one else in the county office capable of dealing with the snake demon. There was no other way but to rely on the strength of others. This was something foreseeable by everyone. "Mr. Bai speaks the truth, I''ve heard the snake demon runs rampant outside, always lurking in the dark, with unknown intentions. For the peace of Yongzhou, the extermination of the demon is imperative. Our Zhou Family is the first willing to come forth and join you in eliminating this demon." "Our Dong Family as well." "Our Sun Family¡­" "Our Wu Family¡­" One after another, the high-ranking families stepped forth, expressing their support. Lord Governor Bai Mu laughed heartily, "With your assistance, the snake demon is bound to meet its end. I wonder if the ancestral seniors of the Zhou Family and others are able to lend their hands in this occasion?" Zhou Family Patriarch Zhou Xu helplessly replied, "The elders of our Zhou Family are growing old, and their Qi-Blood is gradually declining. They are now only in seclusion for rest and have long since stopped concerning themselves with worldly matters. This time we can only send our older brothers to support." "Our family elders are in the same state, having already been over two hundred years old, merely lingering with the aid of elixirs. The task of demon extermination can only depend on the younger generation." "Our family elders as well." Bai Mu''s expression was momentarily stunned. The snake demon was akin to a presence at the Innate Realm. If only juniors or other ordinary martial masters went to fight it, what difference would there be from sending them to their end? The reason he asked for their assistance this time was not just for this. Bai Mu knew that this time he gathered many of the Thirteen Lines high-ranking families not only for their strength but more importantly to have the elders of a few families take action. Partly to ensure a higher probability of slaying the snake demon, and partly also to weaken the strength of these people and wear down their lifespan. These elders were all at the Innate Realm of cultivation. If it were before, it wouldn''t be an issue, as he could suppress them by his cultivation, with no fear. But now, injured by the snake demon, though he had recovered, his strength was still significantly diminished, making it hard to suppress these local tyrants. If he wanted to keep his official position, he had to come up with some strategies. What''s more, the snake demon had dealt him such a heavy blow that, if the grudge was not avenged, he would never be at ease. Thus, this setup came to be. Bai Mu, unwilling to give up, put on a stern face, pressuring them with authority and said, "Gentlemen, this is a major issue pertaining to the safety of Yongzhou. If anyone harbors doubts or believes this act is against justice, feel free to speak frankly. But I hope everyone understands that as long as this demon remains, we will not live in peace for a single day. I urge you all not to hold back at this moment." "Mr. Bai, the obliteration of demons inherently is your responsibility. We are merely assisting. We have already offered people and strength, fulfilling our utmost duty. What more do you want?" Zhou Family Patriarch Zhou Xu coldly retorted, challenging Bai Mu head-on, giving him no face at all. The nobles of the Thirteen Lines caught Zhou Xu''s subtle shift in demeanor, and the hall instantly became silent, with a tense atmosphere spreading within. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 273 - 98: Harboring Ulterior Motives, Zhou Familys Test ``` The atmosphere in the main hall grew increasingly oppressive. Sitting at the head seat, Bai Mu gazed at the many patriarchs of the Thirteen Lines in front of him, his expression gradually turning somber. He had long heard that during his time secluded for healing, there were many small movements within the Thirteen Lines. Taking advantage of his absence, they slowly encroached on his power, his influence. In his eyes, these people were like wolves circling him, watching him closely. Once they saw his weakness, they all straightened up and approached him. For some reason, a sense of powerlessness suddenly arose in Bai Mu''s heart. Though the court of Great Zhou was strong, it spread thin, and when faced with the local tyrants entrenched for years, they could only bow their heads. Shen Qing, sitting at the far end, couldn''t help but sigh in his heart as he saw Bai Mu''s repressed expression. The Great Zhou officials seemed prestigious on the surface, but beneath they appeared far from worry-free and were even in constant crisis. No one spoke up. The patriarchs and nobles in the hall breathed in Spiritual Energy, their profound aura openly displayed, showing no concession to Bai Mu. Seeing Bai Mu almost pushed to his limit, Zhou Xu''s expression changed, displaying a smile, saying, "Lord Governor, rest assured, we are all citizens of Yongzhou, and it is our unshirkable duty to slay demons. Once you have devised a plan, we will surely fully support you." Seeing the other party offer him a way out, Bai Mu naturally accepted it, with a smile that didn''t reach his eyes, he dejectedly said, "Then in the future, I''ll be relying more on everyone." "Alright, now that we''ve eaten and discussed matters, why not have a little entertainment to liven things up?" At this time, the patriarch of the Dong Family stood up and said. Zhou Xu smiled and asked, "Brother Dong, what sort of entertainment do you have in mind?" Dong Family Patriarch, Dong Pengfei, raised his cup and looked around, saying, "Long have I heard of the court''s martial masters, all exceptional individuals with supreme martial skills, making us martial artists of the Jianghu look up to them as if gazing at the stars. With today''s grand gathering, why not take this opportunity for a martial contest to both enhance our enjoyment and foster exchange. What do you all think?" This remark, like a stone thrown into a lake, stirred waves of ripples. The nobles of Yongzhou whispered among themselves, each showing an expression of expectation. Governor Bai Mu frowned, saying, "Boxing and kicking are blind, if real hostility arises and hurts our harmony, it won''t be good. Let''s choose something else." Among the group, a middle-aged man with a resolute appearance and sharp eyes spoke, "The essence of Martial Arts lies in exchange and actual combat. How can everything in the world go as one wishes? Only through challenges can true strength be revealed. We will watch, stopping when necessary, ensuring nothing goes wrong." "Indeed, martial arts progress through competition." The others in the hall echoed in agreement. Seeing everyone''s enthusiasm, Governor Bai Mu, although unwilling in his heart, had no choice but to agree reluctantly. Dong Family Patriarch, Dong Pengfei, showed a meaningful smile, stood up slowly, turned his gaze to Shen Qing, and said with a smile, "I''ve heard that Shen Qing, Chief Officer Shen, possesses extraordinary skill, having slain countless demons in just a year, rising all the way from the dispatch office to Chief Officer of the Weiwu Division. Why not take this opportunity to spar for a bit?" As soon as these words fell, everyone''s gaze in the hall focused on Shen Qing. Shen Qing''s expression immediately darkened. He understood in his heart, that Dong Pengfei''s spar was a guise, his true intent was to use this chance to deal with him. Though Dong Jing was an illegitimate child of the Dong Family, he still represented a bit of the Dong Family''s face. For an "enemy" like him to stand openly before Dong Pengfei, it was impossible to ignore. If it came to sparring, Dong Pengfei was sure to aim to kill. However, Shen Qing was not afraid of him. From what he knew, Dong Pengfei was in the late stage of the Dan Realm. With his current cultivation, if he used the power of the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill to the fullest, he could kill him. The only trouble was that he was unsure how to handle the aftermath in front of everyone. As Shen Qing pondered his strategy, Huang Furo stood up to interrupt, "Patriarch Dong, hold on, the two of you are a generation apart. If you personally take the stage, it would be taking advantage of junior, which is somewhat inappropriate." After Huang Furo spoke, the Huangfu Family Patriarch, Huangfu Chuan, followed with, "Indeed." Dong Pengfei gave a meaningful glance at Shen Qing, then turned, displeased, to the Huangfu father and daughter, and said, "Since Huangfu Niece is so protective of your subordinate, let''s give you both some face. Chief Officer Shen, when there''s a chance in the future, we''ll spar properly." Saying that, Dong Pengfei sat down expressionlessly, giving Shen Qing another meaningful look. Shen Qing cast a grateful glance at Huang Furo as his eyes narrowed. At this time, Zhou Family Patriarch, Zhou Xu, immediately spoke, "Mr. Huangfu''s earlier comments were indeed reasonable. In my opinion, why not use this opportunity to let the juniors take the stage to spar? This way, it can both brighten the feast and avoid harming our harmony. What does everyone think?" After speaking, his gaze quickly skimmed over the seats, landing on the head seat. Bai Mu didn''t understand Zhou Xu''s intent, so he asked, "Patriarch Zhou speaks sensibly. In that case, let''s follow your words and let the younger generation showcase their talents so that we old folks can witness the extraordinary prowess of youth. However, I wonder which young talents among us you have in mind?" Hearing this, Zhou Xu''s eyes glinted, and he feigned casualness as he smiled, "It seems it''s all fate. My unworthy fifth son happens to be here with me at the county government, and it''s coincidental he can join this elegant affair. Though he usually indulges in play, he has quite the Sight in martial arts and has always admired your eldest son, Lord Governor. Why not let him join in for some fun, spar with the eldest, and let Lord Bai and the esteemed ones assess if he''s up to par?" Upon hearing this, Bai Mu couldn''t help but find it amusing. His eldest son was his prized offspring, already at the Dan Realm, and a leader among the younger generation. If he were to let his eldest son compete, he would rest assured. Bai Mu said meaningfully, "Oh? What a coincidence. Then please have your son join us, so we old folks can soak up some youthful spirit, and experience the remarkable Zhou Family''s style." Saying this, Bai Mu turned and instructed a servant, "Someone, go fetch An Long." "Yes!" A county government servant responded swiftly, hurrying out of the hall. Moments later, a series of footsteps echoed from outside. The doors swung open. A young figure stepped in from outside. On his head rested a white jade crown as gentle as jade, and the beautiful jade hanging from his waist swayed gently with his light steps, producing a delicate and pleasing sound. "Youngster Zhou Xintong greets the elders." Zhou Family Patriarch Zhou Xu laughed heartily, stepping forward to introduce, "This is my son Xintong, fifth in the family, lacking compared to his brothers. However, he has always seen Master An Long as a goal to strive after, and now he has the opportunity to spar and exchange skills." Those present weren''t fools; Zhou Xu''s arrangements were clearly planned. For a moment, they grew curious, unsure of Zhou Xu''s real motive. While everyone speculated, another young man, led by a servant, entered the hall from the back door. Sear?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Everyone recognized him; he was Bai Mu''s eldest son, Bai Anlong. Bai Anlong walked beside the main seat, bowing respectfully, "Greetings, Father, what is the reason for your summons?" Bai Mu smiled slightly, raising his hand slightly to signal Bai Anlong to forgo formalities, and then turned to Zhou Xu, saying, "An Long, your Uncle Zhou has visited today, specially mentioning that your generation should exchange more and progress together. The fifth young Master of the Zhou family has always admired you as a role model, eager for a spar. What do you think?" Hearing this, Bai Anlong turned his gaze to Zhou Xintong, standing to the side. Though bewildered by the situation, he maintained a humble demeanor, "I, Bai Anlong, am just a playboy in the county, privileged by my father and the respected ones to have my current reputation. If the fifth young Master truly has this intention, Anlong would gladly accompany him. Let us use martial arts to make friends, stopping at the right moment?" Upon hearing this, Zhou Xu displayed a calm smile, patting Zhou Xintong''s shoulder, "Xintong, did you hear that? Young Master Bai has a magnanimous heart, make sure to seize this chance, understand?" Zhou Xintong nodded earnestly, stepped forward, and bowed to Bai Anlong, "Young Master Bai, I have long admired your name, and today I am committed to doing my best. I hope you will guide me unreservedly!" Bai Anlong returned the salute, and a confrontational spirit instantly filled the space between them. The surrounding family heads and nobles held their breath in anticipation. By now, they understood. This contest was not merely about the martial prowess of two young talents; it was also a subtle probe between local and courtly forces. "Well then, let''s begin." Bai Mu timely spoke, breaking the brief silence, "Let the match end with control; do not harm the harmony, nor find excuses to cause trouble." "Yes, Father (Sir)!" Bai Anlong and Zhou Xintong responded in unison, then each took a few steps back, assuming a stance. ``` Chapter 274 - 99: Losing Face, the County Office as Precarious as a Pile of Eggs "I''m sorry." At that moment, a booming voice resounded through the hall. Bai Anlong''s entire body was suddenly enveloped in Spiritual Power, and an array of jade-colored radiance emerged on the surface of his skin. He looked as if he were carved from jade. With a forceful stomp on the bluestone floor, his feet produced a sharp sound of breaking stone. Using this rebound force, Bai Anlong''s figure transformed into a sharp light shadow, diving forward fiercely. He formed his five fingers into a palm and slapped toward Zhou Xintong''s face, his entire body shrouded in a faint Five Elements luster. Bai Anlong had cultivated the Five Elements Rejuvenation Technique from the Martial Arts Hall in Yongzhou, and the appearance of this five-colored radiance was a testament to his mastery. The Five Elements Unification, strength of a thousand catties. His aura was profound, and his Spiritual Power flowed continuously. With this cultivation technique, Bai Anlong''s endurance left countless martial masters in the dust. Even when facing three to five opponents of the same level simultaneously, he handled it with ease. This was the primary reason Bai Anlong was considered a standout among his peers. Others simply couldn''t outlast him. In a flash, Bai Anlong carried a landslide-like palm strike toward Zhou Xintong. A delicate yet powerful vortex of air swirled around his body, an awe-inspiring spectacle formed by the Five Elements Energy surging within him. His twin palms were like mountain-splitting axes, carrying a destructive force, pounding repeatedly on Zhou Xintong''s chest, echoing with two dull explosive sounds in the air, akin to thunder. Yet, in the face of this overwhelming strike, Zhou Xintong remained immovable, a meaningful smile playing at the corner of his mouth. The next moment, his right hand suddenly lashed out, as fast as a thunderbolt. He gathered all his Spiritual Power into a single punch and thrust it forward without hesitation. At that moment, powerful strength and extreme speed fused perfectly, and the resulting pressure caused the surrounding air to momentarily freeze. Boom!!!! A thunderous noise, resembling a thunderclap in the sky. The ferocious Spiritual Power met Bai Anlong''s unstoppable offensive head-on. The two forces collided fiercely in the air, with an invisible wave of air spreading outward from the two as the center. At the core of the clash between the two forces, even the void showed a hint of distortion and change. Bai Anlong realized something was amiss and immediately held nothing back, delivering a series of palm strikes. His palms came faster and faster, each strike overwhelmingly forceful, all his Spiritual Power surging, clearly giving his all. Remarkably, however, no matter how he attacked, Zhou Xintong was able to receive it without showing any signs of being overwhelmed. A sudden sense of foreboding arose in Bai Anlong''s heart. Bang, bang, bang! The two continued to exchange blows, going through dozens of moves. Even Bai Anlong, known for his endurance, began to breathe heavily, even feeling waves of strain. How could this be? A surge of overwhelming shock and disbelief rippled through Bai Anlong''s heart, causing his breathing to stumble. S§×arch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Bang!" "Ah!" In the glow, a figure flew out like a kite with a broken string, tossed by tremendous force, colliding heavily with the main door. With a loud crash, the door shattered into pieces, and the figure lay lifelessly on the ground, their life or death unknown. The scene fell deathly silent. The government office officials, Thirteen Lines elite, and other dignitaries all bore expressions as if they had seen a ghost, stunned and unable to speak. This cultivation¡­ clearly it had already broken through the Yu Luo Realm, reaching the realm of the Dan People. How terrifyingly talented for the fifth son of the Zhou Family to have reached such a realm at such a young age! And this vigorous and robust Spiritual Power was truly remarkable. "Thank you for the fight," Zhou Xintong said, patting his hands lightly and revealing a relaxed expression. "Young Master!" The servants from the county government rushed to the door anxiously, busy pulling Bai Anlong out of his stupor and carrying him aside. They pried open Bai Anlong''s mouth and slipped a Heart Protecting Pill, using True Qi to send it down. Once the elixir reached his internal organs, Bai Anlong''s throat felt a sweetness, "Wah," and he spat out a mouthful of foul blood, regaining consciousness. His face had turned deathly pale as he slowly opened his eyes. A clear confusion was evident in his gaze, and after spitting out another mouthful of foul blood, he tilted his head back and fainted again. "My Lord, something is wrong. The young master has had one of his Dan veins broken!" "What?!" Prefectural Governor Bai Mu leapt to his feet, his face ashen, his hands gripping the armrests of his chair tightly. His grip was so intense that claw marks appeared on the ironwood-crafted armrests. The fracture of a Dan vein meant that further improvements in his cultivation were impossible; even maintaining his current level of cultivation would be considered fortunate. Zhou Xintong had clearly crippled Bai Anlong, crippled his son! He suddenly turned his head to look at Zhou Xu, only to see the old sly fox stroking his beard, giving him a faint smile. Prefectural Governor Bai Mu''s face turned extremely dark, acutely aware that this duel was a trap meticulously arranged by Zhou Xu. He wanted to use today''s opportunity to let his fifth son step over Bai Anlong to climb up, using his son as a stepping stone to carve out a generous path. Clearly, they came prepared. Zhou Xu was unafraid of Bai Mu''s gaze and stepped forward with an apologetic tone, "I am truly sorry, my lord. Xintong was heavy-handed. I will be sure to reprimand him thoroughly when we return." Prefectural Governor Bai Mu slowly swept his gaze over everyone in the hall. He noticed that the Thirteen Lines members were staring at him with bright eyes, while many of his government office subordinates were also from Thirteen Lines and maintained a detached, indifferent attitude. He suddenly felt the desolation of being utterly alone. "Zhou Xu, don''t bully people too much," Bai Mu ground his teeth, feeling suffocated and oppressed. "Accidents are inevitable in duels. How about Lord Governor exchanges a few moves with us?" Prefectural Governor Bai Mu fell silent, closing his eyes and suppressing his emotions. "Someone, take the young master for treatment." Upon his words, even Shen Qing, who usually preferred to stay out of things, couldn''t help but frown. Being bullied to this extent at home, and Bai Mu still showed no intention of resisting, was truly pathetic. To put it bluntly, from this day forward, Bai Mu would be utterly humiliated in Yongzhou, with zero authority or respect, even with the title of a court-appointed Prefectural Governor. Meanwhile, the intimidation of the Thirteen Lines, these Yongzhou nobles, had become public knowledge. With this rise and fall, the county office became even more precarious. Shen Qing''s gaze fell, and his expression grew heavy. In this situation, as government office officials, their futures became uncertain, especially for someone like him who had climbed up from the bottom; it was even more dangerous. "Let''s call it a day. Please see the guests out!" With that, Prefectural Governor Bai Mu turned and left the hall with his servants in disorderly fashion. After his departure, those officials without backgrounds were thoroughly disappointed in Prefectural Governor Bai Mu and hurriedly left one after another, filled with fear and anxiety. Just as Shen Qing was about to leave with them, Huang Furo stepped forward, pulled him back, and said, "You''re coming with us later." Shen Qing immediately realized that Huang Furo was intentionally looking out for him. He did not refuse, nodding slightly and retreating behind Huang Furo. Chapter 276 - 101: Undercurrents Surge, Responding to Endless Changes with the Unchanging ``` When Shen Qing returned home and shut the door, he no longer maintained the calmness he had shown earlier. His expression immediately turned much more serious. From today''s gathering, he had already seen that the powerful families of Yongzhou and the Prefectural Governor were as incompatible as fire and water, teetering on the edge of collapse. However, considering the court''s influence, these people''s actions had not yet turned too ugly and had yet to reach a point of no return. Recently, he had noticed frequent personnel changes within the county office, with many high-ranking officials trying to extend their influence into his Guardian Martial Department. But he had managed to block them. Thus, the Thirteen Lines probably did not have a favorable attitude towards him. Although he had taken preemptive action by killing Dong Pengfei, it did not mean that the current danger was eliminated; it merely removed a hidden threat in advance. Dong Pengfei had formed a deadly feud with him, and it was just a matter of time before things escalated. The fundamental problem had not been resolved. Furthermore, over the years in Yongzhou, his repeated actions had shown that he was skilled with arrows, earning him some reputation. Even if he were cautious today, it wouldn''t remain hidden for long. The Dong Family also had an Innate Ancestor overseeing them, making their overall strength not weak. If the Dong Family Ancestor took action, Shen Qing feared he would find it difficult to resist. Yet, he did not panic; instead, he became even more composed. Shen Qing sat on a chair, lost in thought. After a long time, he slowly formed some conclusions in his mind. In his view, the current situation had not yet reached a point of deep crisis; it was merely a power struggle between both sides. With the court backing him, the Dong Family would not act rashly unless they wanted to become rebels. As the saying went, with the Ji Family Court as a backing, there was no need to fear those Jianghu scoundrels. Yet, to be safe, he quickly summoned his subordinates and secretly moved his uncle, aunt, and elder sister outside the city, planning to adapt to changes without doing anything rash. ... At the Dong Residence. Dressed in fine clothing, the servants began attending to the masters'' living arrangements, bustling around busily. In the study, the Dong Family''s eldest son, Dong Yunlai, sat upright on a carved wooden chair, his posture as straight as a pine tree. On the table was an ancient Dan Vase, emitting a faint medicinal aroma. Dong Yunlai gently opened the Dan Vase, pinched a bead-like Elixir between his fingers, and swallowed it to temper his body. Just then, a servant tumbled into the study. Dong Yunlai''s cultivation was abruptly interrupted. He was furious and slapped the servant. A gust of wind whistled. The servant who had rushed in screamed and flew sideways, crashing heavily against the wall and collapsing like a pile of mud. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth, and he was disoriented. After a moment, as if recalling something, he hurriedly crawled forward and painfully said, "Thank you, young master, for your slap!" "Speak, what''s the matter?" Dong Yunlai asked sternly. The servant, pale-faced and flustered, stammered, "Something terrible happened; the master... the master was killed!" "What!" Upon hearing this, Dong Yunlai nearly fell to the ground, losing his composure. He thought he had misheard and incredulously asked, "What, say that again?" "The master, he... he died!" Boom! Instantly, Dong Yunlai felt as though struck by lightning, turning ashen-faced. "No, go quickly find the uncles, I must see the Ancestor!" For a moment, all his previous composure was gone, and he became at a loss. "Yes." The servant, covering his face, dared not express any complaints and struggled to get up, rushing to find others. In the rear courtyard of the Dong Residence, there was a quiet house. Inside, an elderly man, with hair as white as snow, sat cross-legged on a cushion, his aura completely integrated with the surroundings. Without someone seeing him face to face, it would be hard to detect his existence. Tap, tap, tap. A few sharp knocks sounded at the door. "Ancestor, something happened!" Upon hearing the male voice at the door, the Dong Family Ancestor slowly opened his eyes, "What happened?!" "The Family Head is dead!" For the first time, a ripple of change appeared on the previously calm face of the Dong Family Ancestor, a flash of sharp light in his eyes. The originally closed door suddenly swung open. "Come in and speak!" Dong Yunlai and the others standing at the door, their expressions serious, quickly nodded and responded. Among them, a middle-aged man with a square face said seriously, "Ancestor, news just came from the servant below, Pengfei was killed in the city!" The Dong Family Ancestor remained silent for a moment and asked, "Who did it?" "The assailant was masked, making it hard to identify, but from his arrow techniques, it''s very likely to be Chief Officer Shen Qing of the Guardian Martial Department!" "The Chief Officer of the Guardian Martial Department? Meaning someone on the Prefectural Governor''s side?" "Yes!" The Dong Family''s eldest son, Dong Yunlai, said anxiously, "Ancestor, what should we do?" The Dong Family Ancestor gave him a glance and said calmly, "Seal the news and eliminate anyone who knows about this in secret!" "Ah?" Those standing at the door were bewildered. They couldn''t understand the Ancestor''s intentions and thought they had misheard. Dong Yunlai, agitated, said, "Ancestor, my father was killed by someone from the government office." "So what do you think should be done?" The Dong Family Ancestor, eyes half-closed, asked indifferently. Dong Yunlai said without hesitation, "Of course, kill that Chief Officer of the Guardian Martial Department to avenge him!" "And then?" "Then?" Dong Yunlai hesitated slightly. "You kill a registered court official, and the Prefectural Governor files a memorial in anger. Our Dong Family is seen as rebels by the Ji Family Court and is attacked by the court, allowing other high-ranking families to benefit?" sea??h th§× n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. An invisible pressure emanated from his body, making everyone present feel a tremendous weight. The Dong Family Ancestor opened his eyes, staring at Dong Yunlai, and asked, "So, what is your plan, to ruin the Dong Family''s scheme at this critical juncture?" "I... I..." Dong Yunlai''s throat went dry, unsure of what to say. The Dong Family Ancestor withdrew his gaze, closed his eyes again slowly, and said, "Lack of patience disrupts major plans. For now, the family affairs are temporarily entrusted to Xiuzheng until we pass this hurdle. Rest assured, that Chief Officer won''t last long." "Yes." Everyone responded in unison. "Is there anything else?" "No, Ancestor." "Then don''t disturb my cultivation." "Yes." The Dong Family members dared not linger, quietly leaving the room one after another. The large room became empty again, returning to its tranquility. Meanwhile, at the county government. Prefectural Governor Bai Mu glared angrily at the unconscious Bai Anlong. "Damn it, those old crooks have gone too far! Do they really think I''m made of mud?" Prefectural Governor Bai Mu summoned a servant and said, "Go, call the Lord Commander, I have important matters to discuss." The servant hurried away with the order. After a while, the servant returned and reported, "My lord, the Lord Commander said he is feeling unwell and is currently unable to come." The Prefectural Governor''s face grew despondent, losing its spark. "Damn it, that bastard wants to protect himself!" As the Commander of the troops, he controlled nearly ten thousand soldiers in Yongzhou, possessing absolute military power. Normally, he, as Prefectural Governor, had the authority to dispatch troops. But right now, with the Great Zhou Country under attack by the Yellow Heaven rebels, all regional Commanders were appointed by the court and not directly affiliated with the Prefectural Governor. They had the right to refuse to dispatch troops. Even if he were foolish, he''d know that "feeling unwell" was just an excuse. "No, I can''t sit idly by, must petition the Emperor. Yongzhou has demon rebels causing chaos, beseeching Heavenly Soldiers to clear out the evil!" ``` Chapter 277 - 102: The Storm is Coming, Shen Qing is Truly a Monster Just as Shen Qing tensed his nerves and prepared for action, seven or eight days passed in the blink of an eye. During these days, Dong Pengfei''s death became eerily silent, with not a whisper of it leaking out, as if he had vanished from the world without a trace. In light of this situation, Shen Qing felt neither joy nor relief. On the contrary, he was rather unsettled. The absence of problems was the biggest problem! As one of the Yongzhou Thirteen Lines, the Dong Family had been entrenched in Yongzhou for over a century, with considerable strength among many businesses. Was it conceivable for the Dong Family not to react after their patriarch was slain in the street? Completely impossible. Shen Qing did not think his methods were particularly clever. For the Dong Family, locating the murderer and tracing it back to him would not be difficult. Therefore, after killing Dong Pengfei, he deliberately left trails, circling back to the county government, primarily to mislead them into thinking he was directed by the Prefectural Governor, thereby muddying the waters. Now it seemed the Dong Family was uninterested in such things. This indirectly suggested that their ambitions were significant. Shen Qing instantly had a premonition of an impending storm. In the future, it seemed likely that a dozen or more Yongzhou nobles would target the Prefectural Governor. When that day came, he obviously would not be in the same camp as these people. The Dong Family would probably settle new and old scores at once, and they certainly would not spare him. Shen Qing let out a cold breath, as if a boulder was lodged in his heart, suspended in mid-air, unable to be put down. At that moment, he felt a greater thirst for strength. If he had sufficiently strong power, he could instill fear in these people. Or, if by force, he could eliminate them physically, then these problems would cease to exist. At the end of the day, he was not strong enough. He had to seize the time to train further. ... Deep within the Zhou Mansion, a secluded and elegant courtyard lay concealed. Within the courtyard, flowers bloomed in profusion, vibrant and competing for glory, without a hint of early autumn''s desolation. S§×arch* The ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Amidst the flowerbed, a woman in a luxurious robe with a charming and captivating visage strolled leisurely, cuddling a sleek, glossy cat in her arms, a slight smile playing at her lips. The fifth young Master Zhou Xintong followed silently behind her. "Sister-in-law, the elixir you gave me, it''s truly miraculous!" Zhou Xintong''s voice carried excitement as he quickened his pace to walk beside her: "After taking it, I felt my spiritual power surge within, and my cultivation advanced rapidly in just a few days. This kind of wonder is unheard of! The prefect''s son even fell at my hands, all thanks to you." The enchanting woman chuckled softly: "As long as Master Zhou likes it, this elixir is extraordinary, yet it still requires your diligent cultivation. On the path of cultivation, one must avoid seeking quick success and instant gratification." Zhou Xintong replied respectfully, "Thank you for the reminder, sister-in-law. I will remember that." "Has anything interesting happened outside lately?" the charming woman inquired as they walked. "Indeed, there has been," Zhou Xintong replied with feigned mystery. "Oh, what is it?" "The Family Head of the Dong Family, Dong Pengfei, might be dead." "That''s significant. Now that the Dong Family is without a leader, aren''t you planning to take a bite out of them?" "This is just our speculation. These days when my father visited the Dong Family, it was his third brother Dong Xiu handling the receptions, with no sight of Dong Pengfei. The rumors in the streets say he was killed. But the Dong Family remains tight-lipped and denies it, so we are unsure and dare not act rashly. But certainly, there is turmoil within the Dong Family." "Interesting, Yongzhou is becoming livelier," the charming woman nodded, smiling slightly. Beside her, Zhou Xintong''s heart surged with emotion as he gazed upon her in a daze. Fortunately, his mind was resilient, and he quickly disentangled himself from his thoughts, hurriedly saying, "Sister-in-law, you may be busy now. I will visit another day when free." With that, he deeply saluted the enchanting woman and left the courtyard. Outside the courtyard, Zhou Jishan stood with his hands folded across his chest, waiting respectfully. Seeing Zhou Xintong walk out, he silently followed. As he watched their figures gradually vanish in the distance, the cat in the charming woman''s arms immediately tensed, spitting human words: "Why did you give the Blood Pill to him, Goddess? It was painstakingly condensed from several martial masters'' Qi-Blood." The tone carried a hint of complaint. "Vegetables in the field need watering; that''s how the flavor improves. A single crop isn''t good enough, so I gave it some fertilizer. Don''t you find it fascinating when people consume each other? Obtain power at a price." The cat in the enchanting woman''s embrace displayed a human-like bewilderment. "You wouldn''t understand even if I explained it, now go train yourself," the woman said as she pinched the cat''s neck and tossed it aside. The cat landed lightly and, without a word, slipped into the blooming plants. Zhou Xintong wandered aimlessly after stepping out of the courtyard, his demeanor carefree. Following him, Zhou Jishan suddenly spoke up: "Fifth young master, I''ve recently found out about something; I''m unsure if I should tell you?" "Cousin, do say," Zhou Xintong replied, in high spirits, sounding much friendlier. "I''ve heard rumors that the one who killed Dong Pengfei is the Chief Officer of Weiwu Division." Zhou Xintong made a light ''eh'' sound, looking surprised. If he recalled correctly, did this person not just kill Dong Pengfei''s son? And now, he had killed Dong Pengfei, reuniting father and son? Such a disposition... Zhou Xintong found himself at a loss for words. After thinking for a moment, he said, "Seems like the Prefectural Governor took action. Does my father know about this?" "Master likely knows." "That''s alright, let them fight among themselves." Zhou Jishan glanced at Zhou Xintong, lowered his voice, and said, "Master, doesn''t the name Shen Qing sound familiar to you?" Zhou Xintong frowned and fell into thought upon hearing this. "Taiping County, your old servant!" Zhou Jishan reminded. Zhou Xintong abruptly halted, his gaze fixed sharply on Zhou Jishan, recalling in a flash. "Is the Shen Qing from the Guardian Martial Department, him?!" "I investigated, and it''s undoubtedly him." Upon hearing this, Zhou Xintong''s eyes widened, and his pupils constricted, He slowly said, "If I''m not mistaken, he was an ordinary hunter who only trained for a while at the county''s Martial Arts Hall, right? That means in just over a year or two, he went from being a commoner to successively advancing and became a martial artist in the Yu Luo Realm. Not only that, but he also became the Chief Officer of Weiwu Division, now on par with my status?" "Yes," Zhou Jishan confirmed. Inside, Zhou Xintong felt waves of astonishment crashing, unable to settle. Could such a monstrous talent truly exist? Compared to him, the few achievements he made seemed like child''s play in comparison. Moreover, not just him, when Zhou Jishan confirmed this information, he too felt it was unrealistic, as if in a dream. Yet, faced with the irrefutable facts, they had to admit it. Shen Qing was truly a prodigy. Utterly terrifying. "You tell me this now; what are you trying to indicate?" Zhou Xintong''s tone began to turn cold. Zhou Jishan expressed his indignation: "Two from the Zhou Family have already fallen to this person, including the old servant who served you for years. I can''t swallow this grievance. I hope the young master doesn''t let him go, lest he grows stronger and it''s too late. This person is surely not benevolent to us." Chapter 278 - 103: Condensing Dan Ying, Breaking Through to Dan Realm "You make a good point," Zhou Xintong pondered before he spoke. Zhou Jishan was delighted to hear this. In his heart, he wished Zhou Xintong would immediately leap out, engaging in a life-and-death struggle with Shen Qing. Now that the Yongzhou County Office was in turmoil, as long as Zhou Xintong chose to make a move, he would definitely become the target of public criticism, and his end would be predictable. After all, a skinny camel is still bigger than a horse. Huang Furo and Jia Zhiping might find it difficult to deal with the Family Head, but dealing with someone like Zhou Xintong was more than manageable. The Zhou Family of Taiping County had their wealth swallowed, and the death of his brother... he hadn''t forgotten all these things. If he could use this opportunity to eradicate Zhou Xintong, it would also comfort the spirit of his brother in heaven, making his and his father''s submission and forbearance worth it. Just as Zhou Jishan was plotting in his heart, Zhou Xintong continued, "But Father doesn''t allow me to stir up trouble right now. I can''t defy his orders." Zhou Jishan was taken aback and said, "Are we just going to let this matter be? That guy Shen has repeatedly humiliated our Zhou Family, clearly not taking us seriously." "Let it be? Since when is our Zhou Family so tolerant?" Zhou Xintong said leisurely, "Rest assured, I will take action. I have already broken through to the Dan Realm, and my cultivation will continue to advance. How can someone like Shen be my opponent?" "Is the Chief Officer of the Yu Luo Realm formidable? In my eyes, he''s already a dead man." Zhou Xintong couldn''t help but think of the Blood Pill his sister-in-law had given him, which was even fiercer than the Wish Power Pearl, making it probably the best supplement in the world. How could Shen Qing possibly compare to him? Zhou Xintong couldn''t help but lick his lips, suddenly feeling a slight itch in his gums and a craving for meat. He didn''t think much of it, assuming it was just a hallucination. Zhou Jishan, observing this, was somewhat frustrated, but ultimately suppressed it, not daring to show it and instead complimented Zhou Xintong obsequiously, "Master, you are wise." Sear?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Meanwhile, Bai Mu''s report reached the Capital with a fast horse. ... After sending off his uncle, aunt, and elder sister Shen Fang, Shen Qing considered the current situation and dedicated all his mind and heart to cultivation. During this time, with the aid of the Wish Power Pearl and various elixirs, his cultivation progressed rapidly. He made significant progress in the Sky Flipping Seal, Heavenly Bow Technique, and Six Path Whale Swallowing Technique, and even the challenging Great Void Shifting Technique showed some progress. It was deep into the night, and stars dotted the sky. Shen Qing stood quietly in the courtyard, surrounded by a gentle halo of faint crimson-gold spiritual light. He closed his eyes and focused his mind, continually operating the now perfected Six Path Whale Swallowing Technique, advancing his cultivation skillfully. Suddenly feeling a sensation, he opened his eyes and quickly summoned the Water Ink Panel. In his vision, lines of text emerged, exuding an ink-like aura. [Skill: Six Path Whale Swallowing Technique (Small Success)] [Progress: 2001/2000 points] [Status: Breakthrough achievable] [Note: Constant chiseling breaks the wood, water droplets pierce the stone. Under your sustained cultivation, the Six Path Whale Swallowing Technique has finally undergone a qualitative change. This breakthrough can awaken the ''Moluo''s Body,'' increasing spiritual power recovery speed by 30%, enhancing the recovery rate of blood and flesh intensity by 10%, and providing benefits for cultivation breakthroughs.] "Moluo''s Body?" It was the first time Shen Qing had heard of such a term, and he looked puzzled. But upon seeing the explanation, he could no longer contain his excitement. Currently, the Six Path Whale Swallowing Technique already provided remarkable recovery for cultivation. If it increased by another 30%, his spiritual power recovery would be astonishingly fast. The Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill would be used without any side effects. What was there to hesitate about? Breakthrough, breakthrough! He focused his mind on the Water Ink Panel. Buzz. Shen Qing felt a brief dazzle before his eyes. The information on the Water Ink Panel refreshed. [Skill: Six Path Whale Swallowing Technique (the level of mastery)] [Progress: 2001/3000 points] [Status: Breakthrough unavailable] [Note: With this breakthrough, you successfully awakened ''Moluo''s Body.'' Spiritual power recovery speed has increased by 30%, and the recovery rate of blood and flesh intensity has increased by 10%.] Shen Qing felt great joy. At that moment, he suddenly thought of something and hastily restrained his exuberance, maintaining his focus. The next moment, a massive stream of memories surged into his mind, impacting his spirit. Fortunately, with his now powerful divine thought, such memory impact no longer posed any substantial negative effect on him. Soon, Shen Qing fully digested the entire memory stream. In the memories, he seemed to become a devoted monk, wholly absorbed in the Six Path Whale Swallowing Technique. He cultivated it for decades, thoroughly understanding this technique and gaining new insights. The spells'' operation route within his body became incredibly skillful. Shen Qing realized that the timing was ripe for a breakthrough in cultivation. Without further hesitation, he activated the technique. As the spell circulated, it was as if rivers and seas surged within Shen Qing''s body and his Spirit Sea roiled. At this moment, the previously disparate and chaotic spiritual power seemed to be gathered by an invisible hand, forming a torrential stream that charged deep into his Qi Sea. The liquid state of Qi in the Qi Sea started to gradually coagulate. At that moment, Shen Qing found that all the spiritual power in his body had been exhausted, yet it was still not enough. His Qi Sea shook violently, and the Six Path Whale Swallowing Technique was pushed to its limits. Suddenly, with every breath, he drew in the spiritual energy of the world, like an old whale in the abyss opening its gigantic mouth, greedily yet orderly devouring all the reachable spiritual energy, leaving nowhere untouched. Shen Qing felt as though a massive force was assailing him, compressing him to the point of crushing every inch of flesh and blood in his body into pieces. Large beads of sweat dripped from his forehead, trickling down his chin to the ground. Shen Qing held his mind steady, enduring the changes. Time passed little by little until the spiritual energy of the world was swallowed to an extreme. Shen Qing heard a solidifying sound from his Qi Sea, reminiscent of ice forming on the water''s surface. He hurriedly entered a meditative state for internal viewing. The Qi Sea''s location had already dried up, with all the spiritual energy coalesced into the form of an infant, its hands forming seals, wearing garments of stars. It stood with closed eyes, surrounded by a faint crimson-gold light, exuding a majestic aura that transcended the mundane, embodying absolute sovereignty. "Dan Ying, this is Dan Ying! I have successfully broken through to the Dan Realm!" Shen Qing screamed inwardly. As the "Dan Ying" gradually took shape, the entire courtyard seemed affected by this newly born power; surrounding plants swayed gently, showing incredible growth, and even weeds sprouted from the cracks in the bricks on the ground. Shen Qing showed an expression of amazement. After the Yu Luo Realm, forming a "Dan Ying" symbolized entry into the Dan Realm. Every martial master''s "Dan Ying" was unique, reflecting their distinctive bone structure and circumstances. His "Dan Ying," with sealed hands and domineering eyes, was extraordinary. Shen Qing formed seals with his hands and cast the Sky Flipping Seal. Visible to the naked eye, the "Dan Ying" within gleamed with a tremor, releasing a rush of powerful spiritual energy without any obstruction. A Sky Flipping Seal condensed instantaneously before him. Shen Qing showed a slight flash of surprise. Chapter 279 - 104: The Death of the Prefectural Governor, The Beginning of Chaos ``` Looking at the emerging Sky Flipping Seal, which shone with a golden-red light, slowly rotating in the void. It was ancient and majestic, full of awe. Shen Qing found that after he broke through to the Dan Realm, the speed at which he executed the Sky Flipping Seal far exceeded his expectations. Meanwhile, when he used this move, it consumed only about one-tenth of his Spiritual Power, a world of difference from before. Had the Spiritual Power consumption of the Sky Flipping Seal decreased? No, it hadn''t. The Spiritual Power consumption of this Martial Arts had not decreased, but rather his overall Spiritual Power capacity had increased, ten times larger than before. In this situation, if he added the Spiritual Power bonus from the Six Path Whale Swallowing Technique, the Sky Flipping Seal was no longer any burden to him. Shen Qing couldn''t help but clench his fists, feeling much more at ease. With such strong martial power, he had greater confidence to face any future changes. "Although my realm is not comparable to those high-ranking Innate old folks, if I were to fight to the death, I could still have a slim chance of survival, not completely without hope." Sear?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Shen Qing smiled a bit, feeling a weight lifted from his heart, allowing him to take a deep breath. He turned to look around, letting out a heavy sigh, then smiled as he turned back into the house, lying on the long-missed bed, letting go of all his distracting thoughts, and fell into a deep sleep. Even if he didn''t sleep or rest now, it would not cause any problems, as his spirit was still full. Therefore, these days, he had been cultivating day and night, without truly lying on the bed to rest. Now that he had broken through, he no longer wished to live like this; he wanted to once again enjoy the tranquility of deep sleep, as he had in the past. That night, he slept soundly without any disturbances. More than ten days passed, and everything in Yongzhou was as usual, without any sudden incidents, even the demons that often troubled the surroundings had disappeared. It was truly amazing. However, compared to other people''s optimism, Shen Qing felt that danger was lurking all around, unsure when it might suddenly erupt. In the back hall of the Guardian Martial Department Office, Shen Qing instructed his subordinates Tian Xiaohu, Ji Youwu, Chen Guang, and others with great care. "I don''t care about others'' mindsets, but I forbid any relaxation from you. In the coming period, you must not only patrol strictly but also practice diligently to prepare for the future." Tian Xiaohu and others did not understand why Shen Qing was so serious. Out of natural trust in him, they all agreed one by one. Especially after hearing Tian Xiaohu''s occasional talk about the various experiences of the Chief Officer, they were even more cautious and dared not neglect anything. Just then, a Chang Sui came in from outside, respectfully reporting: "Lord Chief Officer, Lord Huang Furo from the General of the Military Department is here, saying there is something urgent to see you." Huang Furo was here? Shen Qing glanced at Tian Xiaohu and the others. The latter understood. "Lord, your subordinates will withdraw first." After saying that, Tian Xiaohu and the others left the back hall one after another. After all had left, Shen Qing tidied his clothing and personally walked to the door. Upon seeing Huang Furo''s graceful figure, he bowed and invited her in: "Lord Huangfu, what brings you here today? Is there something important? Please, come inside." At this moment, Huang Furo stood tall, her eyebrows exuding a natural aura of might. She turned her head to meet Shen Qing''s gaze, a hint of unusual emotion flashing in her eyes. "Did you really reject all the recommended people from the high-ranking families of Yongzhou?" As she stepped forward, Huang Furo asked softly. Upon hearing this, Shen Qing slightly collected his expression and, after a pause, said, "Yes, it''s true." Huang Furo stood tall, entered the room, turned to glance at Shen Qing, and sighed: "In these troubled times, doing so might put you in a predicament." "What you said is true, Lord. This move of mine may indeed put me in a difficult situation, but inviting trouble is easy. If I open this door now, letting these people in is easy, but getting them out later is hard." Shen Qing earnestly expressed his thoughts and continued, "In time, these people would listen only to their clans, running for the benefit of their families. How can I remain independent and avoid being despised?" "In my view, some things become valuable because of the insistence on bottom lines and maintaining one''s nature. Compromise without limits is no different from drinking poison to quench thirst." Shen Qing''s words resonated powerfully, and the air in the room seemed to condense because of them. Just when he expected Huang Furo to lecture him at length, she instead slightly raised her lips in appreciation, acknowledging his viewpoint: "You are quite right, some things are precious because of persistence." "Lord, you are¡­" Huang Furo said, "I don''t like those people either, but unfortunately, unlike you, I am helpless in the Jianghu¡­" Just as she spoke, they both suddenly felt a violent tremor in the ground, rippling like waves beneath their feet. Huang Furo and Shen Qing, caught off guard, shifted slightly, taking a few steps. They looked up at each other and detected a hint of astonishment in each other''s eyes. "What''s going on?" "Let''s go, quickly check it out." Shen Qing and Huang Furo rushed out from the back hall, looking toward the source of the disturbance in the distance. "That direction¡­ it''s the county government!" Shen Qing blurted out. He quickly called to his officers, commanding: "Hurry, go investigate what''s happening!" The officers hadn''t yet responded when a thunderous explosion rolled in. Along with this thunderous sound came a vigorous old man''s voice: "Bold demon, how dare you assault the county government and kill the Prefectural Governor? Prepare to die!" An alluring voice retorted defiantly: "Come and try to take me down if you can, ha ha ha¡­" "Kill!" In the distance, above the county government, beneath the majestic sky, two figures suddenly appeared. An old martial master, and a Female Demon. With a great shout, the Innate Realm old martial master burned with a fiery battle intent, swung his fist, enveloping an overwhelming force that tore through the void, leaving rips in its wake. The Female Demon was not to be outdone. Boom! The two figures crossed paths like meteors, erupting in a deafening, earth-shattering sound. The dazzling radiance engulfed the two, collapsing the buildings beneath them, which couldn''t withstand the force and rapidly disintegrated, flying outward, rolling, and shifting. The strong gale swept with sand and dust, swirling in all directions. Even Shen Qing couldn''t help but close his eyes, using only his Divine Sense to observe everything in the distance. "Old fool, take your time playing." As the two forces clashed intensely, the woman suddenly withdrew her sharpness, using the immense reactive force to expand her form, transforming into an elusive Rainbow Light phantom, effortlessly weaving through the dense killing intent, leaving a series of dizzying afterimages as she retreated far away. Seeing this, the man''s expression changed drastically, burning with rage. "Where do you think you''re going!" He roared skyward, his voice shaking the land, his aura instantly surging. Following this roar, he charged like a fierce tiger descending the mountain, pursuing recklessly. With every step the old martial master took, thunderous booming accompanied him. Even the clouds above fragmented under the force of this powerful aura. Witnessing this scene, Shen Qing felt a chill run through him. This was no coincidence. The enemy had begun their move; the chaos in Yongzhou had started! ``` Chapter 280 - 105: Collusion, A Dance of a Group of Demons ``` Shen Qing and the others didn''t have to wait long before an officer, covered in dust, hurriedly rushed in and said, "Lord Shen." Shen Qing asked in a deep voice, "Speak, what''s the situation?" "Lord Chief Officer, the entire family of the Prefectural Governor has been devoured by demons!" The officer took a breath and continued, "Just now, we don''t know when a Great Demon snuck into the county government. The demon''s power was overwhelming, and the Prefectural Governor''s family couldn''t resist at all. Now there are no remains left." At these words, a dead silence instantly fell all around, with only the occasional sound of wind whistling in the courtyard. Shen Qing''s gaze sharpened. Not long ago, the Prefectural Governor had sustained serious injuries in a fierce fight with a Snake Demon and had been in seclusion to heal. On that day, Shen Qing saw clearly that although the Prefectural Governor emerged from seclusion, he was far from fully recovered, and his power was greatly diminished. The demon that appeared now was feared to be comparable to the Snake Demon, and with the Prefectural Governor Bai Mu''s current state, he simply couldn''t resist. S§×arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. With the Prefectural Governor''s death, their county office lost a significant force. What was more troublesome was that the county office fell into a state of leaderlessness, and if anyone chose to exploit it, it would surely descend into chaos. Shen Qing clenched his fists, veins bulging, but soon he regained his composure. "Lord Huangfu, we must go to the county government immediately to see what''s really happening." Huang Furo raised her delicate eyebrows, her face gaining an uncommon seriousness, "Okay." Before her words even faded, the two of them shot up to the rooftop like arrows loosed from a bow, propelling their spiritual power to perform Qinggong. Huang Furo''s figure was graceful, like a dragon swimming out to sea, each step covering several yards. Shen Qing followed closely behind. Seeing this scene, Huang Furo, ahead, was slightly taken aback. It must be understood that when she deployed her Da Xu Technique, her speed was exceptionally fast. Before, Shen Qing had been utterly unable to keep up with her. Now, even as she exerted the Da Xu Technique to its utmost, Shen Qing wasn''t trailing far behind, which was a stark contrast to before. She took a closer look at Shen Qing, suddenly thinking of a possibility. "Shen Qing, I noticed your aura is robust and your spiritual power unified. Could it be..." Huang Furo asked with surprise in her voice as they moved. Shen Qing didn''t hide it and directly admitted, "Lord Huangfu, your insights are sharp. Recently, I had a chance encounter, successfully breaking through to the Dan Realm, greatly enhancing my cultivation." Huang Furo involuntarily paused, the shock in her eyes becoming even harder to conceal. What? How long had it been? If she remembered correctly, from the time he joined the Guardian Martial Department and became a dispatch officer, to now had been all of a year and a half. At that time, he was just a Junior Martial Master in the Qi Hai Realm. This meant that in this year and a half, he consecutively broke through two Great Realms. Huang Furo was rocked to her core at the realization. As a martial artist herself, she understood the enormity of this. For most people, it was feasible to quickly break through before the Qi Hai Realm by using court resources, but after reaching the Qi Hai Realm, each breakthrough was nigh impossible, dependent on more than just resources. Many people were stuck at a bottleneck for years, even decades, and this was normal. She''d never heard of anyone breaking through so quickly as Shen Qing had, let alone seen it happen. How on earth did he train to achieve such progress? Huang Furo could no longer articulate her astonishment. However, the matter at hand was urgent; it was no time for idle musings. She quickly composed herself and pressed forward. The county government was three blocks away from the Guardian Martial Department''s office. Usually, it would take over a quarter of an hour to get there, but in their current haste, they reached the vicinity of the county government in just a few breaths'' time. The once-majestic and imposing county government had been reduced to ruins. Soaring walls collapsed into jagged remnants, scattered all around, the main gate lost, leaving only the archway standing forlornly. Shen Qing and Huang Furo exchanged glances, both shocked and discolored by the sight. Suddenly, as if struck by the same thought, they exclaimed in unison, "It''s the Zhou Family!" "It must be them! We had already discovered that the Zhou Family was colluding with demons. For demons to show up so brazenly in the county town and swallow the Prefectural Governor under our noses, only they could achieve such a thing!" "They''re putting on an act!" Shen Qing hurriedly released his Divine Sense, spreading it out in all directions. ... In a nearby corner, A flash of white light burst forth, condensing into a cluster. The white brilliance dispersed like a watery curtain, revealing a captivating and beautiful figure. Shortly after, another radiance descended from the sky. After twirling in the void, it revealed the figure of an old martial artist. His beard and hair were white, yet he was full of spirit. The old martial artist stabilized his form, then stepped down through the void, approaching the seductive woman. The seductive woman smiled broadly, licking her lips, unable to suppress a belch. The old martial artist asked, "Jiuli, our promise of an Innate Martial Master has been fulfilled; now you should honor yours, right?" "Thank you, Elder Zhou, for your hospitality," the seductive woman gracefully curtsied, covering her mouth with a laugh, "Don''t worry, the matter you''re concerned about won''t run away. Today, I''ve already sensed that force getting closer; it won''t be long." "Good, in that case, as per the original plan, you can let your little minions out now." "Who should we deal with first?" "The Qian Family!" "Oh, why the Qian Family? Weren''t we agreed to deal with the county office first?" "The Qian Family has already declined to such an extent, what rank do they hold to sit at the same table as us? It''s time they gave up some space." The seductive woman laughed coquettishly, hiding her mouth, "You''re such a heartless old thing. Dismissing them because they''re no longer useful, intent on wiping them all out. Pretty ruthless, I like it. What about the other four Innates in the county office?" Elder Zhou, hands clasped behind his back, said, "The county office has been infiltrated by us for quite some time. With the Prefectural Governor dead, the rest who don''t comply will be handled by us. If you''re not afraid of trouble, I can invite you for a hearty meal again." "Sure. I never imagined that the flavor of an Innate Martial Master would be so delicious," the seductive woman said, licking her lips, "Let my little ones handle the Qian Family snack then!" She clapped her hands. "Meow!" A white cat leapt onto the roof, letting out a cry. "Let everyone out; it''s time to feast on the Qian Family." "Wonderful, Goddess, everyone''s been holding back for so many days," the white cat said in human speech, excitement evident. With that, it jumped down and disappeared from the rooftop. Suddenly, a Divine Thought swept over the two. The naturally intuitive seductive woman frowned and said, "I think we''ve been discovered!" Elder Zhou''s expression slightly changed, "Hmm?" "Speaking of which, that young girl from the Huangfu family seemed to have someone investigate me. Should I handle it for you?" the seductive woman said gleefully. Elder Zhou pondered for a moment and said, "Much obliged." "Just a couple of youngsters, a trifling matter," the seductive woman turned into a white light, returning in the direction of the county government. Standing at the gate of the county government, Shen Qing''s face changed dramatically, and he shouted, "Run quickly!" ``` Chapter 281 - 106: Slaying Demons and Evil, Kill Without Mercy! Huang Furo, standing nearby, hadn''t yet grasped the situation, but upon hearing Shen Qing''s shout, instinctively sidestepped and then exerted her utmost effort to execute the Da Xu Technique and swiftly dart away. In that delicate moment of escape, the sky suddenly split open with a fearsome rift, and a formidable force poured down from the void, emanating an unyielding aura of authority and destruction. Boom! S§×arch* The n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. A massive explosion echoed, akin to the primordial roar of the world''s creation, shattering everything around completely. The ground, seemingly unable to bear the immense pressure of this power, collapsed with a thunderous crash, forming a massive vortex-like crater, dust swirling, obscuring the sky and the sun. As the dust slowly settled, the alluring silhouette of a woman suddenly appeared atop the ruins. Her posture was graceful, her beauty mesmerizing, dressed in a shimmering, luxurious garment, stepping as if treading upon the stars with each delicate footfall. With a subtle smile that seemed almost teasing, she captivated anyone who glanced her way. "I didn''t expect you to be so clever!" Shen Qing and Huang Furo exchanged a glance, surprise flashing in their eyes. Standing before this woman, they felt as though they were lone boats adrift on a vast ocean, ready to capsize at any moment. "Split up!" "Okay." Huang Furo responded tersely yet forcefully. She expanded her posture, her spiritual power surging like tides, her robes fluttering with a sharp aura. Shen Qing did the same, taking a deep breath as his spiritual power surged through him like roaring rivers, enveloped by a faint golden glow. The two of them moved almost simultaneously, like meteors cutting through the night sky in opposite directions, moving at speeds nearly beyond the bounds of human perception, leaving only afterimages. "Smart trick." Behind the alluring woman, shadows flickered, and streams of light flowed out from her, gathering beside her. Soon, these streams of light slowly condensed into another woman identical to her. She crafted a double of herself. "Go!" The two figures each transformed into a beam of white light, chasing after them in separate directions. Shen Qing glanced back, his pupils shrinking, only to see a white light at the horizon approaching swiftly, emitting a dread-inducing energy wave. His expression turned solemn like still water; gritting his teeth, he activated "Dan Ying." Within him, the "Dan Ying" extended its arms, causing his internal spiritual power to flood out like a breached river, turbulent and overwhelming. Shen Qing swiftly formed a seal with his hands; instantly, brilliant light burst forth from his palms, coalescing into a formidable "Sky Flipping Seal." Runes swirled upon it, radiating dazzling brilliance. It was the ultimate power he honed with the Sky Flipping Seal. Still unsatisfied, Shen Qing pushed the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill to its limits, amplifying his strength tenfold. "Break for me!" Shen Qing growled lowly. With his command, the Sky Flipping Seal, imbued with ten times its usual terrifying power, collided fiercely with the alluring woman, accompanied by deafening thunder. In the mighty crash, the alluring woman''s lithe body trembled, staggered by the sudden impact, her footsteps faltering, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes. Shen Qing seized this precious opportunity decisively, his body agile as a leopard, transforming into a stream of light, speeding away, frantically activating the Da Xu Technique and Great Void Shifting Technique. With each step, he traversed seemingly vast distances instantly, widening the gap between himself and the alluring woman. The enchanting woman steadied herself, smiling as she said, "Interesting." As she intended to pursue, a violent energy fluctuation suddenly erupted from somewhere behind her, turning to look. It was the other Innate Martial Masters of the county office making their move. The alluring woman glanced at Shen Qing, then at the distance, pondered for a moment, and couldn''t help but lick her lips as she said, "Innate Martial Masters are a rare delicacy for me not to be missed." She turned and rapidly charged toward the Innate Martial Masters in the distance. Shen Qing had no time to ponder why the alluring woman abandoned the chase midway; he dashed headlong into the courtyard of the Guardian Martial Department office, his footsteps reverberating rapidly on the ground. Upon landing, he headed straight for the back hall study. Upon entering the room, Shen Qing quickly scanned his surroundings, finally locking his gaze on the heavy bow and dagger leaning against the wall. With a motion of his hands, the heavy bow, dagger, and arrows flew into his grasp. Noticing his commotion, several officers and guards hurried to the back hall door. Shen Qing turned to face the rapidly gathering subordinates and declared loudly, "Brothers, demons are rampant, and the people are in peril. Now is the time for us to step forward!" Tian Xiaohu was the first to step out, solemnly clasping his fists, "I vow to follow you to the death!" Shen Qing nodded, spoke solemnly, "Good, everyone follows me to exorcise demons!" "Yes!" With those words, Shen Qing charged out of the room first. The others hurriedly followed. Currently, Yongzhou City was in constant turmoil; even if they were foolish, they knew there was a significant upheaval. Yet, none of them hesitated. Most of these officers in the Guardian Martial Department were personally promoted by Shen Qing from the ground up, lacking any substantial background, but following Shen Qing''s orders without question. Seeing Shen Qing charging ahead, they rushed in unison without complaint. Once outside the Guardian Martial Department office, they saw the streets ablaze, screams echoing continuously. A child ran out of a house, crying and calling for his parents as he ran. Before the child got far, a gigantic white cat demon sprang from an alley, snatched the child in its maw, and began chewing. The child''s cries abruptly ceased. Crimson blood poured from the white cat''s fangs like a waterfall. Suddenly, accompanied by a deafening roar, a flash of cold light appeared. An arrow brimming with unparalleled killing intent descended from the sky, exuding a chilling aura. A flicker of fear passed through the cat demon''s eyes, its cunning pupils momentarily frozen, time seemingly halted under the arrow''s reflection. The fierce arrow, with lightning speed, pierced through obstacles, penetrating the cat demon''s heart. With a piercing wail, the demon''s massive body stiffened instantly, before collapsing with a forceful crash, stirring up clouds of dust, the demon energy dissipating into stillness. The officers and guards fresh from the Guardian Martial Department office, witnessing this scene, subconsciously clenched their fists, nails digging into their palms without feeling any pain. As they looked around, the city seemed overrun with demons. Shen Qing coldly declared, "Execute any demon encountered on the spot!" "Yes, sir!" Shen Qing charged forward into the main street, extending threads of Divine Sense in all directions. Every detail of the surroundings was vividly etched into his mind. A Dog Demon had its way with a woman in front of her husband; a Stone Demon crushed a man into pulp for amusement; other demons tore open a pregnant woman''s belly, devouring the unborn child... "Demons deserve no forgiveness!" Shen Qing''s face was ashen with fury. With a gesture of his hand, the arrows in his quiver were drawn up by an unseen force, slowly hovering in the air. He swiftly pulled out an arrow, poised it on the bowstring. The taut bowstring unleashed an indescribable aura from within. Between self-preservation and aiding the world, he chose a middle path. That is, to do what was within his capacity within the extent of his abilities. Martial Masters or Great Demons, he could not overcome them, but the demons he could, so wherever his gaze landed, he showed no mercy! Shen Qing suddenly released his fingers. Chapter 282 - 107: When the Time is Right, Frame Up! In a low chant, the Heavenly Bow Technique operated, resonating with heaven and earth. Shen Qing''s arm swung up, the bowstring stretched to its limits trembled and suddenly snapped straight. Arrows shot out at an astonishing speed. "Whiz!" "Whiz!" "Whiz!" "..." They traced lines through the void, intertwining storm clouds, scattering like a celestial maiden''s flower shower, sweeping down in different directions. Arrows rained down, carrying with them a destructive force. Boom! Boom! Boom! The ground was battered repeatedly by an invisible giant hammer, each roar accompanied by a palpable shock. In the formidable surge of arrows, one after another, the demons committing atrocities hadn''t time to react before being engulfed by the irresistible wave of arrows, letting out wretched screams. In the next moment, the arrows under the Heavenly Bow Technique pierced through the demons'' flesh and blood with a muffled pfft, blasting them into fragments. These screams began, only to vanish swiftly in a very short period. The air gradually filled with the smell of burning and blood. The demons'' severed limbs and bodies scattered with the dust, like autumn leaves swirling down, yet without any life. Many still-living demons around, watching this bloody scene, looked dumbfounded. As if they had seen something terrifying, their bodies trembled uncontrollably. They had lurked in the city eagerly for so long, suppressing their nature and waiting for this day of revelry, thinking that this place was heaven. Now it seemed, this was nowhere near heaven, rather just hell. Many demons wanted to flee this place in haste, but it was already too late. They had barely run away before being pierced in an instant by arriving arrows, their flesh exploding, turning them into fragments. The officers who charged out with Shen Qing were invigorated. In their roars, they joined forces with their colleagues to slay the demons. ... The sky was clear, with no clouds for thousands of miles. At a side courtyard of the Zhou Family, the brilliant sunshine poured over a quaint stone table, the glossy tabletop reflecting Zhou Xintong''s face, slightly twisted with excitement. He sat on a meticulously carved stone chair, listening to the rising and falling chaos from the Inner City, with a carefree laugh. A trace of cunning flickered in Zhou Xintong''s eyes as he turned to look at Zhou Jishan, who was standing silently to the side, with a meaningful smile: "What Brother Jishan said earlier, now can almost be done." At those words, Zhou Jishan''s face appeared calm, but a hint of imperceptible doubt flashed through his eyes. Being in the center of it all, he could already see that the chaos in Yongzhou was the result of high-ranking families colluding with demons. Many Great Demons and Innate Martial Masters were involved, with the help of Zhou Xintong against Shen Qing, undoubtedly increasing the chances of winning. Yet, this was not the outcome he desired, but it was better than none. He brewed his emotions and pretended to be delighted: "Very well, if so, the enmity against my sister and the master''s old servant can both be avenged. That guy surnamed Shen dared to disrespect my Zhou Family, he should pay an adequate price." "Brother Xintong was right, today I''ll let Shen Qing understand what it means to be a genius, what it means to be of a high-ranking family!" Zhou Xintong''s gaze changed, stood up, and strode outside the courtyard with confidence. He passed through the winding corridors, heading straight for the Zhou Family main hall, full of confidence. At the main hall, the Zhou Family Patriarch, Zhou Xu, sat upright in the main seat, exuding an unyielding aura of authority. "Father/Lord," Zhou Xintong and Zhou Jishan stepped into the hall, saluting in unison. Zhou Xu slightly raised his eyes, his gaze sharp as a torch, instantly noticing the unusual expressions of the two: "What is it?" Zhou Xintong stepped forward: "Father, there''s something I must report." "Speak!" "I''ve now clarified that last year, the old servant I took to Taiping County was killed by the Chief Officer of the Weiwu Division, Shen Qing. Not only that, but my Zhou Family''s cousin also lost her life at his hands." "This man doesn''t regard our Zhou Family at all. If we don''t respond with measures, where does the Zhou Family''s face stand? I hope that father would allow me to eliminate this villain!" As for Shen Qing, Zhou Xu still had some impression, heedless of warnings, even slaying Dong Pengfei, utterly refusing to ally with them. Such a person could not stay within the county office. However, he also knew Shen Qing''s reputation outside. If this matter was not handled properly, it would also affect the Zhou Family''s prestige. Currently, they were not yet at the point of turning against the court. As Zhou Xu was hesitating, a powerful male voice echoed from outside the door. "That person named Shen is going too far now, dispose of him!" Zhou Xu was invigorated: "Yes, Ancestor." Saying this, his gaze was piercing, staring directly at Zhou Xintong: "In that case, Xintong, on behalf of my Zhou Family, ask him why he''s colluding with demons, seek an explanation from Shen Qing, enforce justice. Remember, act prudently, demonstrate the Zhou Family''s might, yet don''t overstep." "Understood!" Zhou Xintong bowed deeply, his eyes shimmering with excitement. Upon finishing his words, he turned his body, spread his arms, and flew into a black shadow towards the outside of the door. Zhou Jishan bit his lip, bowed towards Zhou Xu, and exited the door. Reaching outside the main entrance, he felt somewhat unwilling, desiring to know the outcome immediately. Taking advantage of the absence of others around, he ran in the direction where Zhou Xintong vanished. However, his cultivation was not high, merely relying on his body''s brute strength and movement techniques, unable to keep up. "Damn it, may the fight between them not conclude by the time I arrive, better hope Shen Qing blasts that fool''s brains out for me." Never before had Zhou Jishan wished for Shen Qing to be stronger, stronger still. On the street. Shen Qing, with his men, fought fiercely, unaware of how many demons they had slain, virtually all covered in blood. His Divine Sense was keen, detecting a formidable aura rapidly approaching from a distance. It was an Innate Martial Master. An ancestor from one of the Thirteen Lines. Shen Qing''s expression changed slightly, shouting to the surrounding officers and dispatchers: "Scatter into the city, flee this place, an Innate Martial Master is coming." "Yes." Upon hearing this, the officers and dispatchers'' expressions changed, Innate Martial Masters were too distant for them, possibly being pulverized by just the aftermath. They didn''t dare to linger, scattering in all directions. Shen Qing gestured with a single hand. Arrows covered in mottled blood scattered throughout the street seemed to be drawn by invisible threads, whizzing and seamlessly returning to the arrow quiver at his waist. Now the Inner City was no longer safe, forces entangled together, allies and enemies indistinguishable. The water was thoroughly roiled. Staying here, peril lurked, deeply unwise. A wise man cherishes life. Once the arrows were retrieved, Shen Qing didn''t hesitate a moment, stepping forward, employing the Turtle Breath Technique and movement technique, sprinting towards the city outskirts. He had barely rushed out when a thunderous explosion rolled in. "The Chief Officer of Weiwu Division, Shen Qing, colluded with demons, intending to overthrow the court, guilty beyond doubt!" Shen Qing looked up, seeing the Zhou Family''s fifth young Master, Zhou Xintong, flying over from afar, blocking his path. A fist aimed directly at his head. sea??h th§× N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 283 - 108 Get lost, dont get in my way! Slap to death ``` Zhou Xintong''s sudden attack interrupted Shen Qing''s path, preventing him from advancing. The fist wind howled, carrying the sound of breaking through the air as it rushed towards his face. In a hurry, Shen Qing did not retreat but swung his right palm with an astonishing response, meeting the seemingly unbeatable fist, and fiercely collided with the rampant energy. "Boom!" A deafening roar, like the mightiest thunder in the sky, suddenly tore through the air, swallowing all surrounding sounds in this earth-shattering strike. A dazzling light erupted between the two, an invisible wave expanding, kicking up dust around them. S§×ar?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Under the backlash of this powerful force, Shen Qing retreated a few steps before stabilizing his stance. Seeing Shen Qing in such a way, Zhou Xintong showed a proud expression, feeling smug. In his view, Shen Qing, the Chief Officer of the Guardian Martial Department, was no more than this, somewhat overrated, unable to even withstand a punch from him, far inferior, hardly a match for him. A country bumpkin from the countryside is just a country bumpkin. How could he compare to those wealthy scions who had been cultivating since they were in their mothers'' wombs? He really could not understand how someone like that managed to ride over their heads, suppressing their peers. Looking around, there truly wasn''t anyone among his peers who could match him. But now it was different. He could already imagine the kind of prestige he would gain among his peers in Yongzhou if he killed Shen Qing. Achieving fame and establishing his name would be today. Thinking of this, Zhou Xintong''s face twisted into a grimace as he approached Shen Qing rapidly once more, constantly accusing, "Shen Qing, as the Chief Officer of the Guardian Martial Department, how dare you collude with demons, causing such a disaster? Do you really think no one can deal with you? Die!" Facing Zhou Xintong''s accusations, Shen Qing''s heart remained calm and unruffled, not even producing a single ripple. He had cut through demons all the way here, his whole body covered in blood. Everyone still alive on this street had witnessed it all with their own eyes. This was purely Zhou Xintong making blind accusations; no one would believe him. But Shen Qing also knew what Zhou Xintong was after. In the opponent''s view, the dead would not speak for themselves. As long as he was killed, then under their intimidating might, no one would speak for him. In the end, this mess would naturally fall on his head. And the way to break Zhou Xintong''s plan was very simple. Before Zhou Xintong killed him, he had to kill Zhou Xintong! Seeing Shen Qing say nothing, Zhou Xintong thought he was intimidated by his presence, showing a bit of complacency on his face. Zhou Xintong''s figure became larger and closer in Shen Qing''s vision. Shen Qing released his Divine Sense and detected a strong aura approaching from behind, realizing he couldn''t stay here much longer. Damn it, if it weren''t for this person meddling, he would have left this place long ago and distanced himself from the Innate Martial Master behind him. Now not only had he failed to widen the distance, but due to the delay, he had also missed the best time to escape. It''s all this bastard''s fault! A wave of discontent surged in Shen Qing''s heart, erupting like a volcano. His eyebrows twisted together as he shouted discontentedly, "Get lost, don''t get in my way!" With a single thought, Shen Qing urged the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill to its fullest. In an instant, his Spiritual Power''s meridians reversed ten times, multiplying his strength tenfold. Spiritual Power surged wildly throughout his body, like floodwaters breaking through a dike, sweeping across his entire being. Shen Qing formed seals with both hands, and the Sky Flipping Seal was suddenly conjured by him. Streams of the purest Spiritual Power from heaven and earth gathered in front of him, condensing into a Sky Flipping Seal that seemed to descend from the Nine Heavens. The Sky Flipping Seal was enormous, possessing the steadiness and weight of a mountain, yet also containing the vast force of rivers and seas, carrying a world-destroying might as it roared towards Zhou Xintong''s forehead. Wherever the Sky Flipping Seal passed, it left a series of colorless marks. "Bang!" The immense power poured down unreservedly in front of Zhou Xintong. A trace of disbelief and astonishment flashed in Zhou Xintong''s eyes. He hurriedly turned around, raising his arms to fend off the attack. But Shen Qing, being already at the Dan Realm of cultivation, now with tenfold power added, was comparable to being half a step into the Innate realm. How could Zhou Xintong, only at the Dan Realm, be his opponent? When the Sky Flipping Seal landed on Zhou Xintong''s forehead, the formidable aura and Spiritual Power defense surrounding him crumbled like paper, instantly disintegrating into countless streams of light, dissipating into the void. "How is it possible?" Zhou Xintong''s pupils shrank slightly, filled with disbelief. The power of the Sky Flipping Seal poured onto Zhou Xintong, and despite his best efforts to resist, it was ultimately futile. When the light faded, it revealed Zhou Xintong''s wretched figure. Half of his head had completely collapsed, his clothes were in tatters, and blood flowed from his seven orifices. Shen Qing''s expression remained unchanged as he struck with his palm. The radiance in the void seemed to be captured by his gesture, regathering to form a colossal giant palm, carrying boundless pressure and destructive force, mercilessly descending upon Zhou Xintong. "Bang!" Already heavily injured, Zhou Xintong''s head was dazed, with no reaction at all. By the time he sensed the sharp killing intent, Shen Qing had already crushed him into pulp, splattered against the wall. After delivering a fatal blow, Shen Qing retracted his palm to his chest. Seeing that the obstacle ahead had been removed, he hesitated not for a moment, knowing there was no time to waste, turned and dashed towards the city gate with all his might, running desperately. Not far down the street, Zhou Jishan, who had just arrived, witnessed the previous scene in its entirety. His face froze completely, mouth slightly open, seemingly able to fit an egg inside. But the next moment, waves of joy erupted on his face. "He''s dead! He''s dead! Hahaha... served him right! Spat! Who did he think he was? If it weren''t for being born into a good family, there would be no reason for him to live in this world." Zhou Jishan couldn''t help but spit heavily, cursing furiously, his demeanor wild. "Heaven has eyes, my brother''s vengeance is finally avenged. The grievances of our Taiping Zhou Family have not gone unnoticed." "Only that Shen guy..." After a moment, the exhilaration following revenge released, Zhou Jishan gradually calmed down, his gaze involuntarily turning to the direction where Shen Qing disappeared, becoming contemplative, even a bit fearful. When Shen Qing''s figure combined with the rural environment of Taiping County, it made him feel a sense of unreality. "Such terrifying cultivation talent, I definitely mustn''t provoke, or it will undoubtedly cause trouble." The corners of Zhou Jishan''s mouth turned slightly upward, revealing a smile as he said, "But he killed my cousin before, is also our family''s enemy; I shouldn''t provoke him, but I can push others into the fire pit, heh..." Thinking of this, Zhou Jishan''s mind formed an idea, as his figure slipped into the alleyways, hurrying towards the Zhou Family''s direction. ``` Chapter 284 - 109: Nine Bosses Hunt Me, Yet I Fear Not Zhou Family Mansion. "Trouble! Master, there''s big trouble!" Zhou Jishan barged into the main hall of the Zhou family, disregarding family etiquette, and knelt down with a plop. His face was pale, his eyes filled with panic, and his voice trembled with fear as he spoke. The family head, Zhou Xu, was seated in the hall, contemplating the current situation and future plans. Hearing Zhou Jishan''s exclamation, he felt a bit dissatisfied and focused his gaze on the trembling Zhou Jishan. He frowned slightly and said, "What has made you so flustered? Speak!" Zhou Jishan, still kneeling on the ground, spoke haltingly due to his fear, "Master... the fifth young Master went to carry out the order to kill the Chief Officer of the Guardian Martial Department, that Shen fellow, but unexpectedly, who would have thought..." At this point, Zhou Jishan''s eyes turned incredibly red, and large tears rolled down from the corners of his eyes, showing his deep sorrow. "Unexpectedly, Shen Qing... he actually killed the young Master in broad daylight!" These words were like a bolt from the blue. Zhou Xu''s face turned a deep shade of blue-black, and an incredulous expression flashed in his eyes as he suddenly stood up. Zhou Xintong''s cultivation had been progressing rapidly, standing out among his many sons. For this reason, he intended to nurture him, even leveraging the Bai Mu affair to build him a reputation. Zhou Xintong''s performance did not disappoint him, showcasing impressive combat prowess. He might have even been able to inherit the legacy of the family''s ancestors in the future. And it was such a prodigy, a qilin child, who died just like that?! A surge of anger arose from his heart, rushing to the top of his head. He slammed the tea table beside him, producing a crisp cracking sound. Under the powerful force of the martial master, the seemingly sturdy tea table instantly shattered into pieces, sending splinters flying everywhere. The teacup placed on the table jumped into the air, then, with a "smash," broke into fragments that splattered along with scalding tea. "Shen Qing!" Zhou Xu gritted his teeth, each word squeezed out as if he were spitting fire. His fists clenched tight, emanating a compelling oppressive force. After a while, Zhou Xu''s tightly clenched fists suddenly relaxed, and he laughed in his extreme anger, "Well, well, well, I didn''t expect I misjudged, Lord Shen has hidden depths." "Changhe!" "This old servant is here." "Go and notify the family heads of the other clans, say that there is a faction at the county office beyond our control, and have them come over to resolve this matter." As he spoke, Zhou Xu''s eyes fell on the old servant. "Invite the other family heads? This will cost our family quite substantially..." "Are you questioning me?" The old servant trembled all over, sensing the strong killing intent emanating from Zhou Xu, he hurriedly said, "This old servant wouldn''t dare." "The falcon uses all its might to catch the rabbit¡ªjust do as I say. I do not believe this kid can remain unscathed!" The old servant dared not delay, quickly accepted the order, "This old servant obeys!" With that, he rushed out without any delay. After arranging these matters, Zhou Xu gradually regained his composure. He walked towards the door with his hands clasped behind his back, passing by Zhou Jishan. As Zhou Jishan looked up, a sideways kick sent Zhou Jishan flying. "Wow!" Before Zhou Jishan knew what happened, he flew across the room, crashing into the wall along with his chair. He tasted something sweet in his throat and spat out a mouthful of dirty blood. His chest felt soft and limp. Clearly, a few ribs had been broken. Waves of excruciating pain spread through his body, leaving him drenched in cold sweat and gasping for air. His painful cries were stuck in his throat, unable to escape. Zhou Xu calmly said, "For not protecting the master, you should have died with the master according to the family rules. Considering you are kin, I''ll spare you." Looking at Zhou Xu, Zhou Jishan felt a twinge of hatred. But he didn''t show it, putting on a sycophantic and panicked face, he said, "Thank... thank you, master, for not killing me." "Hmph." Zhou Xu snorted coldly, "Where is Shen Qing now?" "Re...reporting to the master, I saw him heading towards the West City Gate." Zhou Xu offered no further words, his figure flickered like a beam of light, dashing towards the West City Gate, "Have the family heads hurry over." ... On the west side of Yongzhou City, chaos reigned, with many demons bursting in from outside the city gates, the threat of demons growing ever more serious. Shen Qing wielded his dagger relentlessly. It was covered in blood, the blade had chipped in many places, looking quite worn. "This isn''t just a few demon incidents, it''s a demonic surge that requires a military force to completely eradicate¡ªit is far beyond what the Military Department and Guardian Martial Department can handle." Seeing the stream of demons pouring in, Shen Qing''s mood grew heavier. He kept swinging his blade with all his might, cutting down the demons in front of him as he pressed towards the gate, trying to exit the city. As for Tian Xiaohu and the others, with the chaotic situation at hand, he had no time to worry about them. Entering the city gates, Shen Qing unleashed the Sky Flipping Seal, using it to crush and subdue his foes. Each move he made resulted in swathes of demons being squashed into meat paste. Standing beneath the city gate, Shen Qing looked at the guard who had been gnawed by demons down to a pile of bones, but he had no time for sentiment. He gathered strength in his legs, crashing the ground beneath him, sending dust and debris flying wildly. Using the momentum, Shen Qing surged forward like an arrow shot from a bowstring, then executed the still not fully mastered Da Xu Technique, making his silhouette flicker and shift outside the city walls. Shen Qing now sensed the powerful momentum behind him within the Inner City, it was evident that multiple Innate Martial Masters were clashing violently inside. The faint aura leaking out was extremely dangerous. The situation had already spiraled beyond his control and expectations. Slaughter and chaos pervaded the city. Such a danger required intervention by the court or even more powerful forces. It was beyond what he, as the Chief Officer of the Guardian Martial Division, could resolve. Shen Qing collected his thoughts, charging ahead as fast as he could. However, after going a short distance, his temples throbbed, he felt many powerful auras locking onto him from behind. He quickly turned his head to see a man in a brocade robe approaching with malicious intent. The man seemed to deliberately slow down, not approaching closely, but keeping a distance while trailing him. Shen Qing, being from a hunter''s background, was well familiar with such a scene. This was clearly a tactic hunters used during hunts. With his sharp Divine Sense, Shen Qing noticed more figures gathering towards him from afar. "Old Zhou, you bring us all here for such a person, it seems you are determined to kill him. What kind of enmity do you have with him?" a middle-aged man in a purple robe spoke quickly, keeping pace with Zhou Xu. Zhou Xu, expressionless, said, "This person does not align with us, leaving him alive would bring disaster. Kill him without so many questions." The man in the purple robe paused. Following him, seven more arrived one after another, forming an encirclement around Shen Qing. Seeing these people, Shen Qing recognized a few familiar faces. Nine of the family heads from the Thirteen Lines had come! "It''s about time, everyone, join me in slaying this beast," Zhou Xu said loudly with his hands clasped in salute, "If we succeed, the Zhou family is willing to offer some benefits." "Alright." S§×ar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The nine moved together, charging towards Shen Qing. Facing this scene, Shen Qing''s heart raced with alarm. These family heads were all in the Dan Realm in terms of cultivation, now they were all joining forces to pursue him. Nine Dan Realm martial masters against him, how could he stand a chance to survive? Doubt crept into Shen Qing''s heart. But as he saw the nine getting closer, he hardened his resolve, grabbing the Heavy Bow in his hand. "However many people there are, even if I die, I''ll take one down with me!" The combined force of the nine family heads coming to kill me, I fear not. Chapter 285 - 110: Shooting Arrows in Rapid Succession, the Right Time to Kill ``` Shen Qing lightly brushed the arrow quiver with one hand and skillfully hooked out an arrow with his pinky finger, placing it deftly on the bowstring. He remembered clearly that on the day he used the heavy bow to kill Dong Pengfei, the first arrow didn''t kill him, and it took several more arrows to seriously injure Dong Pengfei. Each arrow was equivalent to a full-force strike at the Yu Luo Realm. Now that he had broken through to the Dan Realm, the spiritual power he could harness had increased severalfold, and thus, executing the Heavenly Bow Technique now was undoubtedly more powerful than before. However, these family heads had at least Dan Realm cultivation, and Shen Qing couldn''t guarantee this power would be enough to kill them. A distance of several hundred meters wouldn''t hold for long. If the arrow in his hand couldn''t ensure a kill in one shot, he would be in an unfavorable position facing the encirclement. So, he needed to take advantage of the distance and take down a few more before they got close. In other words, the power of his arrows needed to be elevated by several levels. Shen Qing gritted his teeth and pushed the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill to its limit. The "Nascent Soul" in his Qi Sea formed a seal with its hands, stretched its body, and vast spiritual energy surged forth like a river, continuously reversing the flow of spiritual power. With each reversal of the spiritual power, Shen Qing''s aura soared until it reached its peak state. "The Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill is a martial art that breaks limits, concentrating the body''s power to explode in an instant, and can be overlaid with other martial arts for unexpected effects." "The Heavenly Bow Technique is also a martial art; in theory, it can be combined with the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill, which means the power of the arrows in my hand can be further enhanced." Shen Qing quickly deliberated, then decided without hesitation, taking a chance in a desperate situation, and shouted: "Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill, Heavenly Bow Unite!" With a low, powerful roar, Shen Qing concentrated all his strength at one point, unleashing the Heavenly Bow Technique to its fullest extent at that moment. A power ten times stronger than usual accompanied the arrow as it shot through the sky, leaving a dazzling trail. Where it passed, winds rose, clouds surged, flames flickered, and layers of energy rippled. The purple-robed middle-aged man, well aware of Shen Qing''s feats in Yongzhou City, knew he was not an ordinary person. However, in his eyes, there were nine of them encircling Shen Qing together, leaving no room for defeat. Confident in their victory, he took the lead, charging forward among the nine, wanting to monopolize the benefits offered by the Zhou Family. At this moment, an inexplicable pressure swept over, rendering him immobile, as if his feet were glued to the ground. "What is this¡­" The purple-robed middle-aged man looked up. He saw the divine arrow in its majestic glory, with a golden light that blotted out the sun, its destructive power like the arrival of a Golden Crow. The smile on his face instantly froze. Bang! A tearing sound echoed as an invisible rift appeared in the void. An arrow, carrying an unstoppable might, pierced through the purple-robed middle-aged man''s chest. As a blood blossom bloomed reminiscent of a haunting flower, the arrow shot through and slammed into the hard ground with a roar. Boom! Under this sudden force, the ground completely shattered, stone fragments flew, and dust surged, resembling the apocalypse. The purple-robed middle-aged man fell from the void, staggered a few steps, disbelief filling his eyes. He couldn''t understand why an arrow could unleash such terrifying power. "You¡­ Ugh¡­" The purple-robed middle-aged man raised his head, trying to speak, but words choked in his throat were drowned by the blood welling up. Shen Qing''s archery was precise; his chest had already been completely pierced, and even the heart was lost, leaving him without a chance of survival. Blood continually gushed from his lips, and the next moment, as if all strength had been drained from his body, he tilted sideways and fell to the ground, breathless. Zhou Xu and the other family heads were stunned by this unexpected scene, their actions halting, surprise and confusion interweaving on their faces. Shen Qing''s actions shocked them. In fact, this scene not only shocked everyone present but also made Shen Qing himself tremble. He had not expected the Heavenly Bow Technique combined with the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill to be so terrifying. "Don''t panic, everyone! Such a move must consume much energy; now is when he''s most vulnerable," Zhou Xu gritted his teeth and said, "We have grievances with him now. If not eliminated today, he will become a scourge in the future!" The others looked grim, feeling they were dragged into this by Zhou Xu. "Damn, Old Zhou. Once this is over, your Zhou Family must give up thirty percent of the gains!" A boss from a high-ranking family demanded. Without a second''s hesitation, Zhou Xu agreed, deciding to deal with the immediate threat first. The purple-robed middle-aged man''s death didn''t deter them a step. The halted group once again charged at Shen Qing. Though the words of these people reached Shen Qing''s ears thanks to his strong divine sense. He realized his strategy could work, his mindset shifting, now filled with confidence, as he activated the Six Path Whale Swallowing Technique. In an instant, the world''s spiritual energy crazily rushed to Shen Qing''s position, like ten thousand rivers returning to the sea, unstoppable. He seemed to transform into the greediest whale between heaven and earth, opening his invisible maw to devour all the surrounding spiritual energy. The consumed spiritual energy was instantly refined by the Six Path Whale Swallowing Technique, transformed into the purest, most refined spiritual power, nourishing every inch of his meridians and muscles. The physical body earlier depleted by the Nine Revolution Mysterious Skill seemed to be infused with endless vitality. His spiritual power surged in an instant. The arrow he had just shot gave him immense confidence. Having tasted success, Shen Qing quickly drew another arrow, placed it on the bowstring, and repeated the maneuver. The same scene played out again. Swoosh! A head of one family was shot off with a single arrow. The headless corpse, carried by momentum, traced a parabolic arc and fell from midair. Shen Qing''s confidence soared. He now realized just how strong he truly was. After releasing each arrow, Shen Qing didn''t stop, continuously drawing his bow and firing arrows. The Whale Swallowing Technique, Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill, and Heavenly Bow Technique achieved perfect harmony within him, making him akin to a tireless beast, unleashing endlessly. Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! He fired three arrows in a rapid burst. Among the bosses of Yongzhou, someone managed to dodge the arrow in front with agile movement technique. His face showed the joy of survival. However, before he could rejoice, another arrow had already arrived ahead of schedule, sealing his throat with a single shot. Sear?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The arrow he had dodged, was instead heading straight at another person. Due to his obstruction, the person behind did not notice the arrow, so when he stepped aside, in that brief moment, he couldn''t react, getting shot in the head. The head burst like a ripe watermelon. No matter how these people dodged, Shen Qing''s arrows seemed to have eyes, killing one person with each shot. With each arrow released, Shen Qing grew increasingly confident. The bosses who were once high and mighty were now scurrying like stray dogs under his arrows, comically scampering around. Alas, it was all futile. "You forced me to this, you brought it on yourselves." "Whoosh!" "Whoosh!" "Whoosh!" Shen Qing fired his arrows like lightning, shooting a consecutive stream of arrows. The bosses charging in mid-air all fell from the sky one by one. ``` Chapter 286 - 111: Slaying the Nine Bosses, Each Family in Mourning Under the boost of the "every arrow hits the mark" skill and the "Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill" martial arts, Shen Qing shot eight arrows in succession, each hitting its mark without fail. The eight people charging forward, regardless of their noble identities and high status in the past, were all equal in front of these arrows. There was no chance of luck. After experiencing brief pain, they began to enjoy the blissful afterlife. Eight of the nine bosses died in one go! From beginning to end, they hadn''t even touched Shen Qing''s clothes, dying in utmost frustration. Witnessing this scene, Zhou Xu was completely dumbfounded. He never imagined that in less than a stick of incense''s time, he would be the only one left. Shen Qing''s arrows defied logic, such bow technique overturned his understanding of archery! He had never seen such arrows, capable of killing Dan Realm martial artists with just one shot. Every arrow was a kill shot, making it impossible for them to evade. Looking at the bodies covering the ground, Zhou Xu felt chills down his spine. Run! He must run! As soon as he thought of this, out of the corner of his eye, he saw Shen Qing taking another arrow from the arrow quiver, sensing a huge crisis, his entire body hair stood on end. Zhou Xu saw the arrows Shen Qing shot clearly, the terrifying accuracy and unsettling power left him with no confidence. Although his cultivation was slightly stronger than the heads of the other families, it was obviously not to an extreme degree. That one arrow, he might not be able to defend against it. Zhou Xu observed that after the initial skirmish, the distance between the two sides had been pulled to an incredibly small distance, less than two or three four meters. At such a distance, he only needed to rush a little to reach Shen Qing, while escaping would make him a living target instead. He had clearly fallen into a death trap. Gritting his teeth, Zhou Xu''s face twisted: "When enemies meet on a narrow path, the brave wins, one cannot hope for luck to survive!" Driven to a dead end, Zhou Xu chose to risk everything, intending to engage Shen Qing in hand-to-hand combat. Generally, archers were not skilled in hand-to-hand combat; he might still have a chance to grasp a sliver of hope. "Kill!" Zhou Xu mustered all his strength, using every ounce of effort, and swiftly approached Shen Qing, lunging forward. His temples were covered in disheveled white hair, his face showing a frenzied expression. Seeing this, Shen Qing''s gaze hardened slightly. He realized that the distance in front of him was too close to use an arrow, so he quickly put away his longbow, unfolding his stance like a beast ready to pounce for the kill. With a flicker of thought, Shen Qing''s "Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill" started circulating wildly within him. Spiritual power surged like torrents of water rushing backward again and again. Quickly, his aura multiplied tenfold, reaching an astonishing and horrifying realm. Almost simultaneously, Shen Qing clashed palms with Zhou Xu. "Boom!" A powerful energy surge exploded between the two. Zhou Xu''s face lit up with joy: "There''s hope." Once again, he lunged forward. Seeing Zhou Xu getting closer, Shen Qing, after a brief respite, regained his composure. He formed a seal with his hands, red-gold light filling the space between his arms. A force of world-destroying might burst forth from his palms, quickly forming a massive red-gold Sky Flipping Seal. This Sky Flipping Seal was enormous, like a star falling from the sky, carrying an unstoppable might, crashing down toward Zhou Xu. Seeing this, a fierce glint flashed in Zhou Xu''s eyes. His muscles tensed, roaring as he leaped towards the flipping sky seal like a giant beast. Shen Qing''s Sky Flipping Seal slammed into Zhou Xu''s head, making him see stars and his Qi-blood churned, almost fainting. If not for his solid foundation, he would likely have collapsed on the ground. "How is it possible?!" Sear?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Zhou Xu was horrified, never imagining that Shen Qing''s physical body was already so frighteningly strong. He couldn''t understand why the same Dan Realm had such a huge gap. In the face of life and death, there was no time for doubt. With no reservations, he resisted with all his spiritual power against the golden brilliance of the sky seal. However, under the tenfold power of the flipping sky seal, Zhou Xu''s physical body could not withstand it. His skull had already been crushed, blood streaming. Zhou Xu relied solely on his last ounce of spiritual power for support. Unfortunately, Shen Qing''s "Whale Swallowing Technique" had achieved some success, with spiritual power flowing endlessly, showing no signs of exhaustion. This filled Zhou Xu with despair. He was facing a monster without any flaws, whether in close combat or at a distance. Boom! The Sky Flipping Seal struck fiercely again, and Zhou Xu could not hold on any longer, being smashed onto the ground alive. "Ah!" Zhou Xu let out a miserable scream. The red-gold light completely engulfed his figure, dust flying, stones splintering. When the light dissipated, the ground was a mess. Zhou Xu lay quietly there, no longer breathing. The esteemed patriarch of the Zhou Family was dead! The world returned to deathly silence. On the ground, traces of blood were everywhere. Looking around, Shen Qing saw that the nine once-imposing bosses had all been slain, with nearly every family now in mourning. Shen Qing found it hard to believe that he had killed the heads of nine of the Thirteen Noble Families in Yongzhou in one go. At that moment, he felt an eerie sense of unreality about these people, as if in a dream. Unknowingly, he had acquired terrifying combat power, standing above these people. "Hahaha." Shen Qing felt an immense joy, his thoughts clear, full of confidence in his power: "This Yongzhou, seems to be just a puppet show, and those incompetent leaders will find it not so easy to seize power." Shen Qing collected his thoughts and walked forward. "These family heads might carry many valuable items, not to be missed." He walked to the corpse of the nearest middle-aged man, crouching down to search through his belongings. While searching, Shen Qing noticed the man''s clothes were luxurious and seemed extremely valuable. But they had been pierced by his arrows, rendered tattered and worthless. Shen Qing showed no interest. His hands kept searching, finding quite a few gold ingots, Wish Power Pearls, and silver notes. Moreover, Shen Qing also found the Refining Pearl Technique they carried with them. Shen Qing was not surprised. The Great Zhou Ji Family''s previously strict guard had long been riddled with holes by these people. "Hmm, what''s this?" Shen Qing unexpectedly found a Jade Token with no carvings. He carefully examined it in his hand, finding no clues or leads. Shen Qing didn''t think much of it and casually stored it. Subsequently, he did not miss checking the others, going through them all, and gained substantial rewards. To his surprise, each person had, without exception, left behind a trace-free Jade Token, leaving him puzzled. "These people are all family heads, with prominent status. Carrying these must have some significance, likely plotting something." Shen Qing speculated internally. Boom! Within Yongzhou City, a strong wave of demonic power surged outward. He stopped speculating, hurriedly stacked all the Jade Tokens, placed them in his chest, glanced around, and dashed towards the west. Chapter 287 - 112: Driven into a Corner Yongzhou City. Two figures blurred past in succession. Leading was Huang Furo, her hair disheveled and far from her former elegance, appearing somewhat haggard. Behind her, there was an alluring figure in relentless pursuit. "Lord Huangfu, why persist in fleeing? I mean no harm," Jiu Li''s voice was very gentle, making one feel a certain warmth. Her stance was graceful, her steps light, and her almond-shaped eyes bore a vague smile. Huang Furo glanced back, sweat trickling down her cheeks. She gritted her teeth and continuously urged on the Da Xu Technique, quickening her pace. "If you mean no harm, why insist on chasing me?" Jiu Li replied with a chuckle, "Sigh... there are some things you shouldn''t know. To be safe, we need to inconvenience you a bit. Sit for a while on our side; once matters in the city settle, you may leave. What do you think?" The words of Great Demon Jiu Li were filled with allure, and as she spoke, she silently quickened her pace, steadily closing the distance to Huang Furo. She suddenly thrust out a hand, releasing a beam of white light, producing a sharp whooshing sound as it rushed toward the back of Huang Furo''s head. Huang Furo''s temples throbbed with pain, and a chill ran down her spine. She hurriedly flashed her form, barely dodging the strike. Huang Furo''s face turned even paler. She knew the pursuer possessed Innate cultivation, far surpassing her own, and the words spoken were nothing but ghostly tales, unworthy of scrutiny. Falling into her opponent''s hands would mean certain doom. With this thought, Huang Furo became more determined to escape. The Da Xu Technique was pushed to its limits. Her figure continuously shifted, dodging and reappearing up ahead. Unfortunately, no matter how hard she tried, Jiu Li seemed to draw ever closer, sinking her heart into despair, fueling her growing fear and unease. Her cultivation was only at the Dan Realm. After prolonged pursuit and resistance, the "Dan Ying" in her Qi Sea appeared wan and fatigued, with Spiritual Power nearly exhausted. In contrast, Jiu Li, with Innate cultivation, remained full of Spiritual Power. At this rate, she feared it would not be long before she was overtaken. As expected. S§×arch* The N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. After passing through the city gates, Jiu Li was already close behind, maintaining a mere ten meters between them. Such distance was but a step for a martial master. Huang Furo''s face grew even more unsightly. "Since Lord Huangfu remains so oblivious, don''t blame me then!" Great Demon Jiu Li let out a bell-like laugh, her crimson lips opening slightly, releasing a white streak brimming with an imposing force. Huang Furo''s expression changed, hurriedly drawing the dagger from her waist. Her cultivation might not rival this Great Demon, but she, Huang Furo, was no lamb for the slaughter! With gritted teeth, she let out a furious roar, her blade flashing like a dragon. The silver-white dagger swept across, shattering the incoming white streak. Beneath the blue sky, a metallic clang resounded, erupting into invisible waves of air. Under the force of this strike, Huang Furo''s breath became ragged, causing her to halt and face Jiu Li. Great Demon Jiu Li felt assured of victory, covering her mouth with a smile, saying, "Lord Huangfu, since you''re not my match, why struggle so?" Huang Furo gripped the hilt tightly, sweat beading across her pale forehead, and remained silent. "Fine, for the sake of your Huangfu family showing some discernment, I''ll grant you a swift end, allowing you to become a part of me." Jiu Li licked her lips, "How about it? Do you feel honored?" Though a Dan Realm martial master was not greatly beneficial to her, it was better than nothing, serving as an appetizer before the main meal most satisfactorily. Jiu Li''s eyes sparkled with cold stars, her single hand moving like a blade, sending out streaks of white light, directly targeting Huang Furo''s face. Each streak was dazzling and contained an overwhelmingly fierce momentum. Huang Furo glanced around, finding nothing but emptiness, with no place to leverage. She gritted her teeth, grasping her dagger tightly, urging all remaining Spiritual Power within her, striking repeatedly. Her long blade, like a blooming lotus, continuously cut down the sudden white streaks. Caught off guard, as Huang Furo struggled to defend herself, Great Demon Jiu Li suddenly lunged forward, her figure like a fallen leaf in autumn, hovering before Huang Furo. Bang! Great Demon Jiu Li struck out with a palm. Under the activation of her entire Spiritual Power, her palm was surrounded by white light, exuding a tearing force. Huang Furo glimpsed from the corner of her eye, drawing out the last of her Spiritual Power, concentrating it before her, and met it with a palm of her own. Yet, as she prepared to counter with a palm strike, the clash she expected did not occur. Suddenly, when Jiu Li''s palm was on the verge of touching Huang Furo''s palm, an unforeseen change transpired. Her palm subtly shifted, brushing past Huang Furo''s hand, and then along her arm, landing heavily on her weighted chest. Boom! A heavy muffled sound echoed between the two. Great Demon Jiu Li, being an Innate martial master, was a Great Realm ahead of Huang Furo. Her palm, concentrated with more than half her Spiritual Power, packed a phenomenal force. Huang Furo only felt a dullness in her chest, seemingly losing all sensation. Seizing the slight clarity left in her mind, she utilized the recoil from Jiu Li''s move, pushed with her legs, executed the Da Xu Technique, and soared gracefully like a swallow, hastening her escape. Unfortunately, the previous palm strike had seriously injured her, and her body was drained of Spiritual Power. After covering a short distance, Huang Furo''s figure faltered, ultimately resembling a phoenix with broken wings, plummeting from mid-air with a tragic hue, crashing to the ground, stirring clouds of dust. Even though Huang Furo had a strong physical body, the fall was not light. Dizzy and dazed, she was far from clear-headed. In the face of a dire enemy, with an overwhelming desire to survive, she hesitated not, enduring the pain to rise and, without regard for her image, fled in desperation. But Great Demon Jiu Li''s speed was much faster. "Die!" Huang Furo heard a shout from behind, her face turning as pale as paper. She glanced back, seeing a rainbow light racing towards her. It was over! Huang Furo''s heart sank into despair, closing her eyes, preparing to meet her fate. "Whoosh..." Suddenly, the sky seemed to be cleaved by an invisible blade, as a brilliant golden light burst forth, akin to an ancient Golden Crow breaking free, diving from the Nine Heavens above. A single arrow, wrapped in red-gold light, traversed the void, bringing with it an unparalleled destructive force, heading straight for Great Demon Jiu Li''s face. The alluring woman sensed a massive killing intent, swiftly retreating. Unfortunately, her speed fell short against the arrow. Great Demon Jiu Li urgently crossed her arms in front of her chest, white mist surged from her body, forming a Fog Light Shield. The arrow, like a dragon, slammed fiercely against the Fog Light Shield. Boom! With an earth-shattering roar, the white mist shield before Great Demon Jiu Li shattered like fragile porcelain, disintegrating into countless fragments, vanishing into the void. Meanwhile, Great Demon Jiu Li''s arms, under this unexpected powerful impact, were entirely exposed, her sleeves destroyed, revealing skin underneath mottled with wounds, bleeding profusely. Her eyes flashed with a hint of pain, yet more so with unyielding and fury: "Who is it!" Great Demon Jiu Li shouted angrily, her voice echoing powerfully. "Whoosh..." "Whoosh..." "Whoosh..." Between heaven and earth, her only response was a continuous whistling of arrows. Great Demon Jiu Li looked at the array of arrows in the sky, appearing like rising suns, standing in place in shock. Chapter 288 - 113 Shooting the Great Demon As the light intertwined, the air seemed to ignite, emitting a slight crackling sound. Great Demon Jiuli felt waves of shock in her heart, her eyes widened in disbelief. Sear?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Reflected in the depths of her pupils were those arrows, like a golden net spreading out rapidly towards her position. Great Demon Jiuli had never witnessed such a scene nor such divine and mighty arrows. Her heart pounded like a drum, her blood boiling. Having already suffered from an arrow before, she dared not underestimate them. Jiuli gritted her teeth, her body beginning to undergo subtle changes, demon patterns faintly appearing beneath her skin, white whiskers growing on her face, transforming into a beguiling fox face, and an even more majestic power awakening within her. Her demon body trembled violently, the demon energy around her roared, transforming into white clouds to shield her, forming layers of defense. The next moment, the arrows soaring up struck the clouds condensed by Great Demon Jiuli. Boom! The sound of thunder erupted suddenly. Within the thunder''s roar, ripples of lightning spread from the contact point of the arrows and the clouds, rippling like water waves. These flashes and thunder were not naturally occurring but rather anomalies produced by the collision of the arrows'' power and her demonic power. Great Demon Jiuli''s brows furrowed, as she felt her demon power rapidly depleting. Having blocked this arrow, the remaining arrows surged forth one after another. One arrow! Two arrows! ... Nine arrows! Under the continuous impact of the arrows, Great Demon Jiuli''s defenses shattered layer by layer, like fragile glass incapable of bearing such pressure. With the collapse of the last line of defense, Jiuli''s body was fully exposed under the rain of arrows. She watched helplessly as those Golden Crow-like arrows pierced through her protective demon energy, deeply penetrating and piercing her body, making her experience unprecedented pain and despair. Great Demon Jiuli tried desperately to resist with all her strength, but it was ultimately in vain. Finally, when the last arrow pierced her chest, Great Demon Jiuli sensed her life force reaching its end, and after unleashing a heaven-shaking roar, she suddenly dissolved into layers of white sand, scattering in the wind. This was not Great Demon Jiuli''s true body but merely one of her clones! When everything settled, Huang Furo snapped out of her terror and turned her head, only to see a young figure flying towards her. That figure became increasingly familiar. Who could it be if not Shen Qing? Shen Qing walked up to Huang Furo, slung the heavy bow on his back, and asked with concern, "Lord Huangfu, are you all right?" Huang Furo looked at him, feeling both familiar and strange, opened her mouth, but didn''t know what to say. "Lord Huangfu?" "You are... Chief Officer Shen!" Huang Furo looked at Shen Qing again, licking her lips before speaking. Shen Qing smiled helplessly and said, "It is indeed I." "Are all these your arrows?" Shen Qing smiled indifferently and said, "It''s just a small trick." He beckoned with his hand, emitting waves of pulling force. The arrows scattered in front of him seemed to be pulled back by invisible threads, each returning into his Arrow Quiver. Huang Furo looked at her subordinate, her emotions extremely complicated. She knew Shen Qing was somewhat unusual, but she had never imagined it to such an extent. Shen Qing bent down to help Huang Furo up and said solemnly, "Lord Huangfu, it''s not safe to stay here for long; we should leave as soon as possible." Huang Furo nodded in agreement. She took a deep breath, discovering a burning pain in her lungs, clearly suffering severe internal injuries, and had to rely on Shen Qing''s strength to barely stand. At this moment, Shen Qing noticed something unusual. "Lord Huangfu, do you smell something?" Huang Furo wrinkled her nose in confusion, "What smell?" "Fishy!" Shen Qing, with his keen senses, detected a faint fishy odor, and it grew stronger. He hurriedly released his Divine Sense to investigate, and his expression changed. Two hundred meters away, in the mountains, a shadowy and massive figure stealthily moved. It was a giant python, its body as large as a small hill, its scales shining coldly in the sunlight. It moved swiftly towards Yongzhou, skimming along the path over century-old trees. The old trees groaned as if unable to bear the weight, then crashed down with a loud noise, branches and leaves flying, dust rising. Birds in the forest flew in shock, animals fled. Where the giant python passed, trees broke, chaos ensued, leaving furrows in the ground. "It''s that Snake Demon! It''s coming!" Shen Qing''s heart skipped a beat. This Snake Demon''s power was formidable, unmatched by the mere clone of Great Demon Jiuli. Having suffered at the hands of this Snake Demon before, neither Shen Qing nor Huang Furo dared to be careless. "Let''s go!" Shen Qing placed Huang Furo over his shoulder, wrapped his arm around her waist, and used the Da Xu Technique to sprint wildly in the opposite direction. In their vision, the scenery of the mountains and forests quickly receded. Shen Qing carried Huang Furo, constantly maneuvering between the mountains. Since childhood, Huang Furo had never been so closely contacted by any other male, feeling somewhat uncomfortable. Fortunately, she had practiced martial arts since she was a child and wasn''t as reserved or petite as young ladies, boldly letting Shen Qing take her away. They moved like the wind. Huang Furo discovered that the martial art Shen Qing used to escape was the Da Xu Technique she had taught him. She was surprised once again! If she remembered correctly, she only taught him the basics of the Da Xu Technique, which wasn''t even considered the basics. How could this man, with just that little information, master it to this extent? This Gift... was simply extraordinary. Huang Furo glanced at Shen Qing, not knowing how to describe such a prodigy. Shen Qing continued without stopping, his footsteps swift. Huang Furo noticed that Shen Qing''s use of the Da Xu Technique showed some stagnation, so much so that his speed lagged significantly behind hers. Huang Furo hesitated for a moment but eventually spoke, "The essence of the Da Xu Technique lies in the seamless transformation of ''void'' and ''reality,'' as well as the smooth and easy flow between thoughts and actions." "The void is immeasurable, merging with the light of the sky." With a casual wave, ripples appeared in the void. It was an impromptu demonstration after her deep understanding of the Da Xu Technique, so fast it surpassed the naked eye''s capture, perfectly illustrating "the boundless void, ever-changing in an instant." "Observe my journey, comprehend your path." Shen Qing was quite surprised; he didn''t expect Huang Furo to guide him in practicing the Da Xu Technique. One must know that every family treasured their martial arts, never revealing them to others, let alone teaching them. Huang Furo''s generosity indeed amazed him. Huang Furo glanced at him and said indifferently, "What are you looking at? I''m just trying to increase my chances of survival, don''t overthink it." Shen Qing said nothing, silently refining his technique according to Huang Furo''s guidance. The slow progress of the Da Xu Technique on the Water Ink Panel jumped up a few points. Shen Qing''s initially stagnant movement technique suddenly became smoother. He was overjoyed, diving into the deep forest. Chapter 289 - 113: Mountain God Temple, Huang Furos Decision ``` "Chief Officer Shen, where are we headed?" Huang Furo watched Shen Qing walk deeper into the forest, away from the Inner City, leaving her somewhat puzzled. She suggested, "Given the current chaotic situation and the rising number of demons, it might be wiser for us to return. Although the Huangfu family has fallen somewhat from grace, we''re not to be trifled with by just anyone. We can at least wait out the storm; other family heads probably won''t trouble you because of your identity." "I''m not worried about the family heads," Shen Qing shook his head and said, "Apart from your Huangfu family and the Qian Family, the heads of other high-ranking families are already dead." "What?" Huang Furo was slightly stunned, "Did you kill them?" Shen Qing didn''t respond, opting to silently confirm instead. Huang Furo gave him a glance, her mouth slightly agape, rendered speechless. Hearing this made everything feel strangely unreal to her. She truly hadn''t expected Shen Qing to be so audacious, killing even the family heads of Thirteen Lines. And not just one or two but nearly wiping them all out, completely tearing apart any relations with Thirteen Lines. But considering how he could even slay demons at the Innate Realm, those family heads, with their mere Dan Realm cultivation, didn''t seem that difficult to kill. Huang Furo had no comment on Shen Qing''s actions. After a moment, seeing Shen Qing still heading towards the deep mountains, she continued, "I heard there are many poisonous insects and fierce beasts in these mountains, and the city''s unrest won''t likely settle anytime soon. We''re empty-handed now, with nothing to eat or drink in the wild; surviving in there seems tough." "No worries, we''ll figure something out," Shen Qing replied calmly, "We''ve arrived." "Arrived?" Just as Huang Furo still had doubts, Shen Qing, who had been racing forward, slowed his pace and stopped before a dilapidated temple. It was a Mountain God Temple, not large, with only one offering hall inside, filled with clay sculptures and wooden carvings. Shen Qing helped Huang Furo into the Mountain God Temple, "Let''s rest here for a few days. Once your injuries are healed, we''ll discuss the rest." Looking around, Huang Furo found the temple wasn''t as dilapidated as expected, neither filled with snakes and rats but rather quite clean, as if someone had tidied it in advance. There was even firewood neatly stacked in a corner that didn''t leak rain. "Sit here first." Shen Qing pulled out a stool from beneath a clay sculpture and set it down carefully for Huang Furo to sit. His movements were so skillful, almost like he was back home, leaving Huang Furo slightly dazed. After settling Huang Furo, Shen Qing jumped onto the clay platform and circled behind the sculpture. Under Huang Furo''s watchful gaze, he appeared like a squirrel, extracting a bag of dried food, two water flasks, salt, rice, and a heap of supplies, including a large iron pot and a thin cotton blanket, from the sculpture''s body. Huang Furo was astonished by the scene, "You... how do you have everything?" "I used to come around here to train frequently, and this was my temporary resting place. Over time, I left more and more stuff here." Shen Qing''s tone was somewhat dismissive. Back when he was a hunter, setting up checkpoints in the mountains was a common practice. The hunters of Hongshan Village would go up the mountain to hunt. If a big hunt took one or two days to complete, they would have to spend the night deep within the forest. Over time, many hunters would make use of the resources in the deep forest, setting up small huts and storing essential supplies for emergencies. This Mountain God Temple was something he stumbled upon by chance, not far from his training ground, and he had coincidently turned it into a temporary outpost, unexpectedly finding a use for it now. Shen Qing placed the retrieved items on the ground, then took several bricks from a corner, arranging them into a makeshift stove, setting the iron pot on top, and adding some dry firewood. He took out a fire stick, blew on it a few times swiftly, and a small flame jumped forth from it. Shen Qing grabbed a handful of dried grass, quickly ignited it, and tossed it under the stove, converting the grass and wood into a roaring flame, heating the iron pot. Shen Qing poured a little water inside and then tore the dried meat into pieces, threw them in, and finally added some rice and salt, cooking a pot of tender, lean meat porridge. His movements flowed like running water, akin to a master chef. Shen Qing''s glance fell upon a cooking reminder in his vision, then dismissed it. A moment later, Shen Qing served a bowl of hot porridge in front of Huang Furo, saying, "I only have one bowl and one pair of chopsticks. If you don''t mind, make do with it." Huang Furo didn''t make a fuss, accepting the bowl and chopsticks with a sincere "Thank you." Not long ago, she had been badly chased by the Great Demon Jiu Li, suffering internal injuries that still faintly ached, hindering her movements. With no immediate danger nearby, she slowly reached into her chest and took out a delicate porcelain gourd, pouring out several small red pills to place on the steaming porridge. And downed them with the porridge. To Huang Furo''s surprise, Shen Qing''s cooking skills weren''t bad. Even this ordinary bowl of white meat porridge tasted remarkable to her. When the porridge and pills settled in her stomach, Huang Furo felt an indescribable warmth rising within her body. The Elixir began to take effect. Gradually, the medicine''s power spread quietly through her body, nourishing her internal injuries like rain on a long-dry desert, soothing and repairing them. Her injuries showed significant improvement, and her pale cheeks gained a touch of rosy glow, making her look radiant. Huang Furo exhaled a slow, turbid breath. "You look much better." After the Prefectural Governor''s incident today, he fought his way through, depleting most of his body''s energy, leaving him famished and needing to fill his stomach. Shen Qing took back the bowl and chopsticks, paying no mind that Huang Furo had used them. S§×arch* The n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He served himself another bowl of meat porridge and began eating it heartily. Born into poverty, he never considered things like male-female differences. Huang Furo evidently didn''t mind either, nodding, "This Blood Restoration Pill is a precious medicine from the Capital City, highly effective for healing internal and external body injuries. After taking it, I''m already alright." Shen Qing let out an "Oh," nodding in response. Huang Furo watched him gobble down the food and couldn''t help but laugh. With nothing pressing at the moment, curiosity about a certain thing welled within her, prompting her to ask, "Chief Officer Shen, how did you manage to learn the Da Xu Technique? I remember not teaching you much of it?" Shen Qing, choosing his words carefully, responded calmly, "I had a good memory since childhood. After watching you perform it a few times, along with the small parts you taught me, I just figured it out on my own." He just figured it out on his own... Huang Furo found herself speechless. The Huangfu family''s Da Xu Technique was a martial art passed down from Ancient Times, extremely ancient and hard to learn. It had been a long time since anyone in the family mastered it. She was merely lucky to have comprehended some of it by chance. In her view, with the thinning of the Huangfu family over a generation or two, no one might be able to learn the martial art, ending its lineage. And yet, this martial art, he could learn by just figuring it out? This struck a blow to Huang Furo''s self-esteem. However, upon reflection, it wasn''t necessarily a bad thing. Martial arts were meant for people to train in. If someone excels at it, the Huangfu family should feel honored. Moreover, Shen Qing had saved her life. Huang Furo''s expression turned serious as she made a decision internally and asked Shen Qing, "Would you like to learn this martial art?" ``` Chapter 290 - 114 Breakthrough in Da Xu Technique, Comprehending the Da Xu Hand ``` Shen Qing thought he must have misheard. In the past, he had planned to enhance the Great Void Shifting Technique by refining points through the cultivation of the Da Xu Technique. He had coveted this Da Xu Technique for a long time. However, he had never had a good opportunity, and now, unexpectedly, he was given a pillow when he felt sleepy. Shen Qing felt somewhat uncertain: "The Da Xu Technique is a martial art of the Huangfu family, are you sure you want to teach me?" Huang Furo, with a stern face, said, "Don''t misunderstand. Yongzhou City is currently very unstable, with multiple forces in conflict. The Great Demon you just slew was merely a clone; it might come hunting for us at any time." "Right now, I''m no match for it. If you can learn it by the time the Great Demon catches up, it will give me a better chance to escape." "Really?" Shen Qing asked suspiciously. "Just because of that?" Seeing Shen Qing''s wary expression, Huang Furo said in frustration, "Why would I lie to you? Teaching you martial arts, do you think it could harm you?" Shen Qing saw Huang Furo''s earnest demeanor and realized he had been overthinking. He quickly clasped his hands and, with an apologetic look, said, "My apologies, my lord. I was abrupt." For some reason, seeing Shen Qing like this made Huang Furo even more annoyed. "Do you want to learn this or not?" "I do, I do, I hope my lord will be generous in teaching." Only then did Huang Furo feel somewhat better. She gathered her thoughts and, recalling earnestly, said, "The essence of the Da Xu Technique begins with ''emptiness like a valley.'' Within the emptiness, there is substance, and within the substance, there is emptiness. Lead the energy with intent, the energy follows the heart, the heart follows the intent, until it reaches infinity, only then does one achieve Great Freedom..." Huang Furo recited as she explained to Shen Qing, resolving many of his past confusions, allowing him a sudden enlightenment. After listening to Huang Furo''s explanation, Shen Qing found that the Da Xu Jing of the Huangfu family indeed had its unique aspects in terms of movement technique speed. Unfortunately, very few cultivated this martial art over time, so the Huangfu family lacked individuals to continuously innovate, causing its training methods to appear somewhat outdated, yet it still remained a fine martial art. "When the ''Dan Ying'' grows into a person, it purifies the martial master''s physical body to the state of Innate Purity. With an Innate Pure Body nourishing the spirit, the Valley God becomes immortal, existing unyieldingly, nurturing the Primordial Spirit, and ascends from martial to immortal, attaining Great Freedom." Certain parts of the Da Xu Technique involved descriptions of two significant realms, Spirit Void and Primordial Spirit. Although only a few words, they benefited Shen Qing immensely. After explaining everything in the Da Xu Technique, it was already near dusk. "That''s all. Comprehend it carefully. I am tired and will take a rest." "Thank you, Lord Huangfu." Shen Qing sincerely expressed his gratitude without further words. The setting sun cast its light from the sky, spreading golden brilliance everywhere. In the deep forest, many apes and beasts cried out, adding to the somber atmosphere. After a day of exertion, coupled with injuries, Huang Furo was both physically and mentally exhausted. She took out a thin cotton quilt and chose to sleep soundly like an ordinary person. Shen Qing, on the other hand, walked to the door, gazed up at the starry sky, and found a vacant spot, sat cross-legged, and reflected on the day''s gains, gradually entering into a state. In the following time, Shen Qing immersed himself entirely in cultivation. After fully digesting what Huang Furo had taught, he put it into practice and kept practicing. He remained sleepless all night. By dawn, Shen Qing unexpectedly realized that, without knowing it, he had cultivated the Da Xu Technique to a state ready for a breakthrough. Looking at the Water Ink Panel that appeared in his vision, Shen Qing couldn''t help but smile. [Skill: Da Xu Technique (Entry Level)] [Progress: 101/100 points] [Status: Ready to Upgrade] [Note: Those who accomplish great things in ancient times not only have extraordinary talents but also possess unwavering determination. Through diligent study and hard practice, you have finally reached the threshold of a breakthrough in the Da Xu Technique. By breaking through this martial art, you can comprehend the ''Da Xu Hand'' skill, which allows for ghostly and unpredictable strikes.] ''Da Xu Hand?'' Looking at the reminder on the Water Ink Panel, Shen Qing felt a burst of excitement. "I thought this Da Xu Technique was solely related to movement techniques, but it seems there are some other variations. To some extent, the Great Void Shifting Technique is even more mystical than this Da Xu Technique. If I could break through, I''m afraid the techniques mastered would be even more formidable." Shen Qing looked up, gazing far towards the east. There, on the horizon, a bright incandescent disc was slowly rising. Opposite it, a full moon hung in the sky. Sun and moon coexisted. Taking a deep breath, Shen Qing appeared serious, "Breakthrough!" Buzz! S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The Water Ink Panel in his vision vibrated, and the skill description for [Da Xu Technique] was swiftly updated. [Skill: Da Xu Technique (Skillfully)] [Progress: 1/200 points] [Status: Not Ready to Upgrade] [Note: You have comprehended the ''Da Xu Hand'' skill, allowing your hand to probe the void, attacking unexpectedly.] Shen Qing clenched his fists, a hint of joy on his face. He habitually held his breath and focused, ready to face the upcoming surge of memories. After gaining Divine Sense, Shen Qing found that the discomfort during breakthroughs had significantly diminished, only causing slight dizziness without becoming utterly confused. This newfound comfort pleased him greatly. After a moment, having fully absorbed all memories from the breakthrough, Shen Qing lowered his gaze and saw that his palms now emitted tiny golden glimmers, a symptom from years of using the Da Xu Hand, with residual spiritual power remaining. His heart couldn''t help but feel eager, wanting to test the power of this Da Xu Hand. Shen Qing looked to where a beautiful bird had landed in the distance, and he stood up. "This bird is quite fat, just right for some stew." Running the Da Xu Technique, Shen Qing reached out with one hand. Sensing danger, the bird spread its wings, attempting to fly away. Suddenly, a large golden hand appeared out of thin air before the bird, grabbing it and crushing its head. The bird dropped powerlessly from mid-air. "This Da Xu Hand is indeed something," Shen Qing thought to himself. "If used for a sneak attack, many martial masters would be caught off guard." "You... you learned the Da Xu Hand?" While Shen Qing was demonstrating the technique, the once soundly asleep Huang Furo awoke and happened to witness it. She stared with bright eyes, shifting her gaze between the bird''s corpse on the ground and Shen Qing, at a loss for words. It was just one night, and he had already reached such a level, which was simply beyond belief. If she hadn''t witnessed it herself, she would have thought it was someone else''s exaggeration. "Just had a bit of an epiphany." Shen Qing responded with a smile. He walked to pick up the fat bird from the ground and returned to the Mountain God Temple, jokingly saying, "Today, I can make some soup for you, my lord, to nourish you." Huang Furo tightened her expression, reverting to her usual aloof demeanor. "How long are we staying here?" "Let''s stay one more day. Once your injuries heal completely, we will head back to the city tomorrow to take a look." Using Spiritual Power, Shen Qing scattered the feathers from the bird with a shake and began gutting it with the dagger, dealing with it directly. "Alright," Huang Furo turned her face away, avoiding the unseemly sight. It has to be said, with the Da Xu Hand, hunting became much more convenient. By noon, Shen Qing had returned from the mountains with a good amount of game, allowing the two to enjoy a hearty meal. The forest''s hardship that Huang Furo expected never materialized, making her doubt whether she had come to the forest for refuge or merely for hunting and leisure. "I''ve always heard that the Huangfu family has some connections in the court. Is there more to that story?" After eating his fill, Shen Qing patted his round belly and curiously asked. ``` Chapter 291 - 115: Huangfu Family, Jing Luan Assembly ``` Hearing Shen Qing inquire about the Huangfu family, Huang Furo''s face darkened, as if recalling many unpleasant memories. Seeing this, Shen Qing raised an eyebrow and continued, "If it''s inconvenient for you, we can just forget it." With that, he urged his spiritual power, refining the essence of the meat he had just eaten, and exhaled a breath of turbid air. His swollen belly diminished slightly. "It''s nothing much to talk about, just some well-known facts. If you''re interested, you can find out about it," Huang Furo spoke softly. Shen Qing straightened his posture to indicate he was listening. "The Huangfu family entered the court during the reign of the Emperor of the Great Zhou. At that time, talents from our family emerged, quickly excelling in the court. We were valued by the Ji Family''s Emperor, who is now known as the Ji Family''s Patriarch. Later, under the Emperor''s guidance, we led the task of gathering the Martial Mechanisms across the world, serving him tirelessly for many years and achieving great merit." Hearing this, Shen Qing was slightly taken aback. He didn''t expect that the task of gathering the Martial Mechanisms of the world was the work of the Huangfu family. "Our Huangfu family was illustrious for a time, but after the great task was accomplished, the Emperor abdicated to focus on cultivation. Unfortunately, the Crown Prince died suddenly, implicating our ancestors, causing the Huangfu family to fall from grace." "Later, some talented members emerged within the Huangfu family, but unfortunately, they were caught in the Jing Luan Assembly, and only one in ten survived. With the court''s old acquaintances continually falling, our Huangfu family has been reduced to this state." After Huang Furo finished narrating, Shen Qing was not surprised at all. The cunning hare dies, and the hound is cooked. It had always been this way throughout history. Even in this world, it was no exception. Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "That''s about it. Do you have more questions?" Huang Furo looked at Shen Qing and said. Shen Qing pondered for a moment, grasping a key point, "Lord Huangfu, you mentioned the Jing Luan Assembly. What is it? I''ve never heard of it." "It''s normal if you haven''t heard of it. It''s a rule set by the Emperor, held once every sixty years." "Each time, the top one hundred survivors of the Jing Luan Assembly have the chance to enter the Ji Family Temple, becoming the backbone of the Ji family. It''s an opportunity to rise rapidly and enjoy endless wealth and honor." "If we calculate, it seems there aren''t many years left until the next Jing Luan Assembly," Huang Furo glanced at Shen Qing with a wry smile, "Perhaps you might encounter it." "The top one hundred survivors?" Shen Qing noticed something in Huang Furo''s expression and pressed, "Is there something more to this Jing Luan Assembly?" Huang Furo looked at Shen Qing and said, "You know that with each breakthrough in a martial master''s cultivation, their lifespan increases, correct?" Shen Qing nodded, "Of course, I know that. The Qi Hai Realm can extend lifespan by ten years, Yu Luo Realm by fifty years, and the Spirit Void Realm can extend it by three hundred years. These things are common knowledge." Huang Furo said, "Then have you considered, with unchanged cultivation resources, what happens when these old martial artists remain undying, and new ones keep emerging? Can the Ji Family Temple still sustain its resources for cultivation?" "Are you saying the Jing Luan Assembly is used to manage the martial masters?" Huang Furo gently nodded. At this time, for some reason, a scene appeared in Shen Qing''s mind about the Taiping County Magistrate gathering numerous martial masters to exterminate the tiger demon. The two seemed to be similar in strategy. Huang Furo said, "The Ji Family court limits the rapid growth of martial masters by collecting Martial Arts and screening talents across the world, holding a Jing Luan Assembly every sixty years to control their numbers." "Using the Qi Hai Realm as a threshold, up to the Innate Realm, no noble family member, official''s child, or Jianghu martial artist can avoid it. Each assembly involves no fewer than a hundred thousand participants, but only about one percent survive." Hearing this, a chill ran through Shen Qing, "Isn''t this, in essence, a slaughter among martial masters?" "Indeed," Huang Furo sighed deeply, "But it''s also a grand feast on the Great Zhou Temple where rights are redistributed." Shen Qing remained silent after hearing this. He understood Huang Furo''s implied meaning. Placing martial masters from the Qi Hai Realm to the Innate Realm in one place was inherently unfair competition; those with lower cultivation were basically sent to their death. Yet, for the wealthy families, sending Innate Realm Guardians to support their descendants virtually guaranteed effortless victory, securing temple privileges. The Jing Luan Assembly was a disaster and one-sided slaughter for powerless martial artists, while it was a rare opportunity for power and advantage for the powerful families. "Focus on cultivating and improving your strength," Huang Furo advised solemnly. "Thank you for enlightening me, my lord," Shen Qing clasped his hands respectfully. After talking for a while, he felt thirsty, stepped forward, and took out two water bags, finding them empty. Shen Qing lifted the two water bags, "I''ll fetch some water." He strode out, hanging the water bags at his waist, carrying a bow and a knife, heading towards the forest. The autumn breeze blew gently. In the distance, the layers of mountains, dyed by autumn, stood distinguishably, with shades of green, gold, and fiery red interwoven. Not far behind the Mountain God Temple, a spring trickled, clear to the bottom. A few fallen leaves floated on the water, drifting along the current. Occasionally, squirrels could be seen busily scurrying through the woods, gathering autumn fruits in preparation for the upcoming winter. Shen Qing brushed away the floating leaves, pulled the stopper from the waterskin, and submerged it in the spring. The spring gushed into the waterskin. After a moment, Shen Qing drank his fill from the water bag, then refilled both before preparing to return. While walking along the forest path, he suddenly felt the sky grow dim. Shen Qing let out a light exclamation and looked up into the sky. The sun, hanging in the sky, had already been largely obscured by a black veil without him knowing when, losing its light. In the sky, it seemed as if a great hand had torn a gash, revealing the black abyss within. "What is this..." Shen Qing''s face changed drastically, full of confusion. Not daring to linger, he activated the Da Xu Technique, and with a step, his figure flickered, appearing before the Mountain God Temple. Huang Furo was already aware of the unusual phenomenon and stood at the door, looking skyward. She asked Shen Qing, "What''s happening?" Shen Qing shook his head, about to speak when suddenly, an extremely dazzling radiant light erupted from the bottom of the enigmatic abyss, piercing the darkness, and descended directly. In an instant, the entire world seemed to be illuminated. Boom! The radiant light plummeted into a mountain peak not far away, emitting an earth-shattering roar. The ground trembled violently, stirring up infinite dust and airwaves. The surrounding air seemed distorted by this power. "Be careful!" Huang Furo shouted, instinctively shielding Shen Qing. ``` Chapter 292 - 116: Spirit Mechanism Greatly Unleashed, Cultivation Skyrockets ``` "Boom!" Huang Furo and Shen Qing were thrown by a cataclysmic force, rolling far away. A gust of wind followed, Shen Qing quickly shielded Huang Furo beneath him, his hands pinned to the ground like nails. "Do not move," Shen Qing shouted loudly, keeping his head low. Huang Furo''s body tensed immediately. The world suddenly fell into darkness, enveloped in blackness. Whistling sounds continuously filled their ears. Shen Qing felt layers of sand constantly piling onto them. Unknown how much time passed, the violent upheaval receded, and the whistling faded, everything returning to calm. Shen Qing vaguely heard the heavy breathing beneath him. "Are we good?" Huang Furo''s cool voice emerged from the darkness. Shen Qing, with a grave expression, did not respond immediately. He released his Divine Sense to scout around, confirming no significant danger remained outside, then affirmed, "It''s fine now." With that, he pushed himself up with force. Heavy sand cascaded off him. Huang Furo, who had her back to Shen Qing, also climbed out of the sand. Sear?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The two, without prior agreement, gazed forward. Before them, all trees in the deep forest inclined outward in one direction. The ancient and abandoned Mountain God Temple now had one corner completely collapsed. Shen Qing and Huang Furo exchanged a glance, saying, "Let''s go have a look." They did not hesitate, swiftly climbing a high peak for a better view. There, the sky radiated with brilliant light, as if the air itself was boiling, the space undulating like waves. The sight left Shen Qing and Huang Furo astonished. "Look over there, something''s happening!" Huang Furo''s keen eyes spotted something unusual, and Shen Qing followed her gaze, looking intently, greatly shocked. It was a wild boar transforming towards the demon. Its strong, dark body wriggled and gradually transformed into a humanoid creature with a boar''s head. "It''s a demon! This is the Spirit Mechanism Land," Shen Qing recognized instantly. Huang Furo murmured, "I never thought the rumors were true." Rumors had long existed publicly, claiming demons emerged because of these Spirit Mechanism Lands. Yet, no one knew their underlying reason. The only certainty was that great opportunities laced these lands, immensely benefiting cultivation. Shen Qing and Huang Furo both realized the Spiritual Energy in this part of the world was far richer than elsewhere, making cultivation significantly more effective. They looked at each other knowingly, seeing a spark of eagerness in each other''s eyes. Opportunities unseized bring regret. Confronted by such a legendary opportunity, they couldn''t afford to miss it. Simultaneously, Shen Qing and Huang Furo activated their Spiritual Power, casting the "Da Xu Technique." Their figures became ethereal, leaving afterimages too fleeting for the naked eye, sprinting towards the land bathed in divine light, at speeds almost imperceptible. As Shen Qing sprinted, he took his Heavy Bow, nocking an arrow, pointing ahead. Numerous demons already surfaced in the Spirit Mechanism Land. Having just gained spiritual wisdom, they remained ignorant, making it the perfect chance to eliminate them. "Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh..." Shen Qing''s arrows flew off the bowstring without pause. Each demon, unaware, was pierced and destroyed, leaving no remains. In the blink of an eye, demons in the Spirit Mechanism Land were completely wiped out. Their speed quickly brought them to the edge of the Spirit Mechanism Land in eight or nine breaths. "The richness of this Spiritual Energy is terrifying." "Indeed, such concentration in Spiritual Energy boosts cultivation hundreds of times beyond the ordinary, reminiscent only of Ancient Times," Huang Furo echoed in amazement. "Ancient Times?" "You haven''t heard of the Ancient Times?" Huang Furo asked, surprised. Shen Qing honestly replied, "I grew up a hunter, lacking exposure." Huang Furo patiently explained, "In Ancient Times, the Human Clan''s Immortal Path flourished, with lifespans over a thousand being common. However, three thousand years ago, a dark upheaval occurred, leading to the mysterious disappearance of many of our great powers, severing legacies and emeritus knowledge. It was then that Martial Arts began to flourish. It''s said that back then, Spiritual Energy was incredibly abundant, unlike today''s scarcity." "My god, there''s a sword blade in the center." Huang Furo cried out, pulling Shen Qing forward, where they discovered a blood-stained Ancient Sword Fragment floating in the air, exuding a sharp Sword Intent that repelled them. "This style looks like a relic weapon from Ancient Times!" Huang Furo, well-versed, recognized at once. Shen Qing sensed the excitement in Huang Furo''s voice. This Ancient Time''s relic weapon was daunting, unlike contemporary artifacts. Their limited power meant they could only gaze longingly from afar. Approaching recklessly would shred them with the chaotic Sword Qi. Shen Qing exhaled, calming himself, he said, "Let''s not concern ourselves with this fragment now. The Spiritual Energy remains abundant, showing no signs of fading, a perfect chance to cultivate earnestly and enhance our cultivation. If missed, such an opportunity rarely returns." "You speak sense. We must protect each other and seize this time to train! Absorb as much as we can." "Alright!" They spoke no more. Huang Furo channeled her family-taught Martial Arts, her whole being aglow with golden light, exuding ethereal grace as she absorbed the surrounding Spiritual Energy. Shen Qing, meanwhile, performed the Six Path Whale Swallowing Technique, transforming into a giant whale in the sea to devour. Instantly, a vortex of Spiritual Energy formed around him, greedily siphoning all nearby energy. It affected Huang Furo, forcing her to distance herself from Shen Qing to continue absorbing Spiritual Energy. "What Cultivation Technique is this, so domineering." Huang Furo recalled and recognized it after a while as the Six Paths Whale Swallowing Technique housed in the Martial Arts Hall at the county office. If memory served, this technique was a high-entry Martial Arts, seldom mastered by martial masters. Yet, not only had Shen Qing mastered it, he had elevated the technique to an advanced realm and level. Truly incredible! But now wasn''t the time for idle thought. Huang Furo hurriedly refocused her mind on cultivation, seizing every chance to boost her cultivation. Shen Qing found that cultivating in this Spirit Mechanism Land accelerated the Martial Arts Progress on his Water Ink Panel by at least a hundredfold. Cultivating here for merely a day equaled months of hard training, even surpassing the Wish Power Pearl, leaving him overjoyed! Observing the panel''s rapidly climbing figures, Shen Qing emptied his mind, immersing himself fully in cultivation. ... In Yongzhou City, demons ran rampant, consuming people, creating a hell on earth. Many lives were lost to these demons. The Qian Family, one of the Thirteen Lines, found themselves specifically targeted in the calamity, entirely slaughtered by the demons. Moreover, hostile officials from the government office opposed to Thirteen Lines were also selectively wiped out by the demons. With most targets eliminated, the Innate Realm ancestors of the Zhou Family, the Dong Family, the Sun Family, and the Xiao Family, along with representatives of other high ranks and county office Innate officials, convened to discuss their next move. ``` Chapter 293 - 117 Shen Qing Must be Eliminated, The Four Directions Stir ``` "Now that demons are running rampant in the city, we cannot sit idly by and remain indifferent. We need to come up with a plan." On the high platform, Zhou Family Ancestor Zhou Yuguang stood majestically, his voice as resounding as a great bell. Someone agreed, "So, in Senior Zhou''s opinion, what should we do?" Zhou Family Ancestor Zhou Guangyu said seriously, "I see that the invading demons are powerful, not inferior to our cultivation, and perhaps even stronger. Our families and the government office have suffered significant losses, and the matter of demons cannot be ignored." "But as far as I know, the situation in Yongzhou City is due to Shen Qing of the Military Department secretly colluding with the demons." Zhou Family Ancestor Zhou Guangyu pondered and continued, "As the General of the Army, he knowingly broke the law and secretly conspired with the demons, causing chaos in the city. Therefore, we should first execute this villain, then form alliances to eliminate the demons in the city. Otherwise, this will always be a hidden danger that could lead to a major problem." Dong Family Ancestor Dong Changhui followed with agreement, "Indeed, with the Prefectural Governor in trouble and the Qian Family in distress, even when the Family Heads went to catch the culprit, they were all killed. This person is simply lawless and must be removed quickly." "Exactly so." After Dong Changhui spoke, others expressed their agreement. In their original plan, when the chaos of demons reached its peak and the city''s people fell into despair, they would step forward and, together with the government officials, slay the reckless demons, aiding the faltering power. This would establish their prestige in the city. By means of both grace and power, they would both undermine the authority of the government office and elevate their status in Yongzhou. However, when the news that all the Family Heads were killed by Shen Qing came back, everything changed. Shen Qing had already learned of their schemes and completely tore off all pretenses with them, making it impossible to recruit him. Keeping him would be a hidden danger, with no saying when it might explode. If he was not removed, the government officials they had allied with would likely have other thoughts. This might attract the attention of the court and the Ji Family, and the secret of Spirit Mechanism Land could not be kept. Undoubtedly, Shen Qing''s killing of the nine Family Heads had already stirred their fear and anger, making each family realize the seriousness of the issue. Shen Qing became their greatest worry so that they had to temporarily set aside the matter of the demons. As the most powerful among them, Zhou Guangyu nodded and said, "Since everyone thinks this way, we should next take Lord Jia Zhiping as the leader, assist him in eradicating the traitors, and then eliminate the demons. Internal stability must come before external threats! What do you think?" Jia Zhiping, sitting in the main hall, had a serious expression upon hearing this. He was clear that the chaos caused by the demons in Yongzhou City was inseparable from these people. Now they were placing this universally condemned crime onto Shen Qing''s head, absolving themselves. However, what did this have to do with him? If he wanted to achieve political success in Yongzhou, he had to learn to coexist with these powerful figures. This was an unavoidable step. Perhaps with the Prefectural Governor''s death, he could further himself by taking credit for suppressing the demons in Yongzhou and become a significant official in the Great Zhou Court. For him, going along with the flow was all benefits and no harm. It was just a pity for a good seed like Shen Qing. "Lord Jia, as the Commander of the Military, a significant official of the court, holds the military power of Yongzhou. Today, with the chaos in Yongzhou, we must take Lord Jia as the leader. Our Dong Family has no objection." Dong Family Ancestor Dong Changhui supported with clasped hands. "Our Sun Family has no objection either." "We Xiao Family are the same." "..." Soon, one Family Head after another expressed their support. "Good, since this is the case, I will gather the personnel now. Everyone, let''s go outside the West City Gate to eliminate the traitors and give everyone an explanation." Jia Zhiping stood up, clasping his hands, and said indignantly. In the face of absolute interest, the so-called love for talent was thrown aside by him. "Lord Jia is noble!" At this point, someone reminded, "Lord Jia should act swiftly; otherwise, with demons running rampant in the city, dragging on might incite a people''s uprising." Zhou Family Ancestor Zhou Yuguang responded, "Hahaha, you worry too much. The demons entering the city merely wish to devour some people; how many can they eat with their stomachs? A few hundred people in the city would be enough for them to eat for decades. Relax, suffering the people a bit is harmless." sea??h th§× ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Oh, indeed, I overthought it." Commander Jia Zhiping laughed and said, "Everyone, there''s no time to lose. I''ll prepare first, gather outside the West City Gate after a pot of tea!" "Thank you, Lord Jia. We will also gather personnel to cooperate with Lord Jia." Commander Jia Zhiping cupped his hands and left the main hall in large strides. Following him, the others from the government office gradually took their leave, leaving with Jia Zhiping. In no time, a third of the people in the main hall were gone, with only a few high-ranking families in Yongzhou remaining. "Didn''t that old man Huangfu Chuan come?" Zhou Family Ancestor Zhou Guangyu squinted his eyes, letting out a cold snort, "Even at this time, he is still immersed in the old dreams of the Huangfu family, not realizing that a fallen phoenix is incomparable to a chicken. Despising us now, after this matter concludes, we won''t let the Huangfu family stay in Yongzhou any longer." As his words fell, the sky suddenly darkened. The vast main hall plunged into darkness. Everyone was startled, "What happened?" Zhou Guangyu seemed to realize something, abruptly got up from his seat, and rushed outside. Moments later, his entire body trembled uncontrollably. "This is... Spirit Mechanism explosion!" Rumble! A deafening roar came from afar, shaking the ground and mountains. ... Deep in a mansion in Yongzhou City, a man dressed in black, with a face twisted to the extreme and eyes wide open. His mouth tore open at an angle beyond human limits, like a gaping abyss, slowly swallowing a live person, filled with primal wildness. The room reeked of an indescribable stench. Moments later, faint chewing sounds emerged in the damp and dark space, making one''s hair stand on end. The man opened his vertical eyes, glowing like two lanterns in the dark, with blood light surging. He mumbled, coughed twice, and spat out a heap of government official uniforms and bones, burping contentedly. "The taste of this Innate Realm martial master is quite good." Bang! The door was forcefully kicked open, revealing a charming silhouette. The man in black exposed two fangs, smiling as he said, "I wondered who it was, turns out to be the Mountain Lord Goddess. What brings you here?" The enchanting woman''s face was full of anger, coldly saying, "Chang Junzi, you and I have always minded our own business. This prey was mine; it''s too much for you to snatch it." "It''s just some rations, why care. Spirit Essence is descending soon, and its spiritual wealth is much stronger than these rations. How about I give you a share then?" The man in black said with a half-smile. ``` Chapter 294 - 118: Cultivation Increase, Eight Desolate Annihilation Seal ``` "Nicely said, but do you think I''ll believe it?" Demon Jiu Li said coldly. The man in black yawned, speaking lazily like a sly snake, "Then there''s no way around it. Who told you to be less skilled than me?" "You..." Demon Jiu Li was choked with anger. She had not expected her avatar to make a mistake, which weakened her strength and allowed the person in front of her to take advantage, stealing her prey. Saying she was less skilled was not incorrect. But this was precisely the most infuriating fact. Great Demon Jiu Li tried to calm herself, and after a moment, she snorted coldly, saying, "Do you know you''ve devoured an important figure from the government office? I''ve heard this person was one of the big figures sent by the Ji Family Court. Do you think the Ji Family Court will let you go after such rampant devouring?" "It sounds as if they''d let me go if I didn''t eat them. In any case, demons and humans don''t coexist, and they''d come to kill me sooner or later. Rather than waiting for them to kill me, I''d better kill them first, gaining strength in the process." The man in black continued, "Speaking of which, do you think behaving recklessly in Yongzhou City will make them let you go? Don''t let yourself be used as a tool without realizing it." "I didn''t expect this old snake like you to have some brains. My matters naturally don''t need your concern." "I belong to the Dragon Species, different from you foxy demons." The man in black held his head high, showing a trace of pride as he spoke. "Just because I praised you, you think you''re something." Great Demon Jiu Li said, "What you can think of, I can naturally think of as well. But riches and honor come from danger; they''re using me, but am I not using them? I''ve already notified the city''s demons to indulge for a day and then leave immediately; all will be well. If they covet the city''s temptations, then dying is their fate." "The things I''ve obtained in these days are much more than your trifles outside. Once they come to their senses, I''ll flee, seeking Spirit Mechanisms, and what can they do to me?" Great Demon Jiu Li spoke with a strong self-confidence, stunning the man in black for a moment. S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "You opportunistic snake-rat types will never understand such strategies." "You!" The man in black became infuriated, and black scales began to appear on his neck. Seeing him angry and humiliated, Great Demon Jiu Li felt satisfaction from within. She showed a broad demeanor and said, "I have an idea. Do you want to hear it?" "What idea? Speak!" "Here are just you and me as two great demons; this time, the Spirit Essence descending is enough for us to share. Instead of fighting each other, why not collaborate to eliminate those pesky humans and monopolize this Spirit Essence? Consider the Innate Body as my gesture of goodwill. How about it?" Upon hearing about the Spirit Essence, the man in black calmed down unexpectedly. He pondered for a while and said, "Alright!" Rumble! Suddenly, the earth shook. The two great demons hurriedly dashed out of the big house and looked westward, revealing a few traces of ecstasy upon seeing the glowing clouds filling the sky. "Time is of the essence, let''s go!" Unconsciously, the two demons each summoned and controlled a cloud, one black, one white, dashing away. ... Amidst the glowing clouds of the mountains and forests, Shen Qing was enveloped in countless halos. All around him, multicolored vortices appeared at each of his acupoints, with massive amounts of Spiritual Energy drilling into his body. Shen Qing opened his eyes, observing the rapidly changing numbers on the water ink panel, his eyes filled with an incredulous look. He knew this opportunity was extremely rare and decisively used the Wish Power Pearl. With the stacking power of the Wish Power Pearl, his cultivation speed soared like a rocket. [Skill: Six Path Whale Swallowing Technique (Level of Mastery)] [Progress: 2639/3000 points] [Progress: 2701/3000 points] [Progress: 2781/3000 points] ... In just a few dozen breaths, the progress of the Six Path Whale Swallowing Technique had increased by over a hundred points, a hundred times more than usual. Furthermore, a similar change occurred within his Qi Sea. Shen Qing found that as he continued cultivating, refining the constantly incoming Spiritual Energy, the "Dan Ying" sitting cross-legged in his Qi Sea was visibly growing at an eye-popping speed. From a three-year-old toddler, it turned into a four-year-old, five-year-old, then a seven-year-old boy resembling Shen Qing. At this rate, it wouldn''t be long before he broke through to the Innate Realm. Shen Qing was excited and concentrated even harder on cultivating the Spiritual Energy. After the time of a stick of incense, Shen Qing''s consciousness moved as he called forth the water ink panel. [Skill: Six Path Whale Swallowing Technique (Level of Mastery)] [Progress: 3001/3000 points] [Status: Breakthrough possible] [Note: Observing widely and carefully selecting, building a solid foundation before unleashing potential. Your dedicated cultivation has yielded new rewards. In this breakthrough, your ''Moluo''s Body'' will further strengthen; Spiritual Power absorption and conversion speed increased by 30%, and blood and flesh recovery speed increased by 10%.] Looking at the familiar status bar, Shen Qing did not hesitate and chose to breakthrough. With a low buzzing sound, The water ink panel trembled before quickly refreshing. [Skill: Six Path Whale Swallowing Technique (Great Perfection)] [Progress: 1/4000 points] [Status: Breakthrough impossible] [Note: Your awakened ''Moluo''s Body'' further strengthened; Spiritual Power absorption and conversion speed successfully increased by 30%, blood and flesh recovery speed successfully increased by 10%.] Success! Shen Qing clenched his fists in excitement. Familiar massive memories surged into his mind, his strong Divine Sense remaining composed, expelling all negative effects. After all the memories were absorbed, Shen Qing''s meridians became as smooth as jade, full of resilience, and nurtured a trace of golden blood, which amazed Shen Qing. But he had no time to study it carefully. Such a rare opportunity, he quickly concentrated his mind and eagerly continued with his diligent cultivation. "Now that the Whale Swallowing Technique has been cultivated to Great Perfection, the Sky Flipping Seal and Heavenly Bow Technique should also be quickly improved. These are the fundamental martial arts, and they should progress simultaneously." Shen Qing quickly made up his mind, using the Whale Swallowing Technique as a support, forming a seal with both hands and cultivating this martial art, the Sky Flipping Seal. He closed his eyes and focused, operating the Whale Swallowing Technique. Even when Shen Qing simply carried out the basic operation, with the Six Path Whale Swallowing Technique reaching Great Perfection, the speed at which he absorbed Spiritual Energy was still much faster than before, advancing to a new level. Once the Spiritual Energy was steadily drawn into the Qi Sea, Shen Qing''s arms raised slowly as if lifting a thousand-pound burden, cultivating the Sky Flipping Seal. His hands formed an ancient, mysterious posture, linking finger to finger, creating an invisible "Sky" as Heaven and Earth Essence gathered quietly, embodying the martial essence of overturning the sky and commotion. Shen Qing seemed to transform into an ancient statue, standing immovably in the flow of time, with turbulent currents building strength within him like a volcano about to erupt. The same scene as with the Six Path Whale Swallowing Technique occurred. The progress of the Sky Flipping Seal continued to advance on the water ink panel in his view. [Skill: Sky Flipping Seal (Level of Mastery)] [Progress: 89/900 points] [Progress: 138/900 points] [Progress: 275/900 points] ... After a dozen breaths, the points of the Sky Flipping Seal met the requirement. Shen Qing immediately chose to breakthrough, and since the points required for each realm of the Sky Flipping Seal were not many, he progressed from the Level of Mastery to Great Perfection, and immediately to the Break Limit level. [Skill: Sky Flipping Seal (Break Limit)] [Progress: 18/2000 points] [Status: Breakthrough impossible] [Note: Your Sky Flipping Seal has reached Break Limit. Comprehend the Break Limit skill, Shattering Mountains. Using this skill can increase the power of the Sky Flipping Seal by 10% in an instant.] Shen Qing ignored these reminders, a resolute heart driving him, "With such a divine opportunity, water ink panel, show me your true limit. Time waits for no one; continue advancing!" Buzz! The water ink panel shook. Under Shen Qing''s full cultivation effort, the points above soared. After the time of a stick of incense, The familiar sense of breakthrough made Shen Qing''s eyes shine brilliantly. [Skill: Sky Flipping Seal (Break Limit)] [Progress: 2001/2000 points] [Status: Breakthrough possible] [Note: After playing numerous melodies, you finally understand the sound; after viewing countless swords, you discern the blade. Your Sky Flipping Seal has been cultivated to the utmost limit, and by continuing to improve, you''ll comprehend ''Eight Desolate Annihilation Seal.''"] "Breakthrough!" The water ink panel in Shen Qing''s view quivered with intensity, the skill text for the Sky Flipping Seal blending into a mass of ink dots. Moments later, new information refreshed. [Skill: Eight Desolate Annihilation Seal (Entry Level)] [Progress: 1/5000 points] [Status: Breakthrough impossible] [Note: Perceive the mysteries of the Eight Desolates and comprehend the Dao of birth and death in the universe. You''ve comprehended the ''Eight Desolate Annihilation Seal''; cultivate it to its peak, and with one seal, all things may live or perish at a whim.] "The Eight Desolates" refer to the distant eight directions, representing infinity; "Annihilation Dao," the way of life and death in all things. At the moment this panel information appeared, Shen Qing sensed a tremor from the depths of his soul. An extreme realization exploded in his heart, forcing countless massive memories into his mind, allowing no reaction time. Even with his powerful Divine Sense, this sudden onslaught left Shen Qing somewhat unprepared, rendering him holding his head with a groan of pain. After an indeterminate period, all memories fused into one, and as Shen Qing absorbed and comprehended them, the pain gradually subsided. Shen Qing returned to normal, his arms trembling as if breaking free from shackles, familiar sensations returned. Forming a seal with both hands, a mysterious rune abruptly took shape within his grasp, embracing yin and yang, charged with destructive force, as he slammed it forward with overwhelming might. A brilliant light cleaved the sky, tearing through the void as if creating heaven and earth anew. There was no anticipated violent commotion. Before him, a mountain vanished into nothingness under Shen Qing''s palm, leaving no trace. This was the opening move of the Eight Desolate Annihilation Seal¡ªGenesis. Watching this scene, Shen Qing clicked his tongue in wonder. He did not expect such a technique to wield such terrifying power, akin to an ancient great power. Something he had never thought possible. Shen Qing pondered deeply, soon realizing the crux of the matter. It was due to this Spirit Mechanism Land! The Spirit Mechanism Land was rich with Spiritual Energy, replenishing rapidly after depletion. Leaving this range, utilizing such a technique could drain all his Spiritual Power, leaving him unable to stand. Shen Qing could hardly imagine, if in ancient times, when the world''s Spiritual Energy was this concentrated, what spectacle cultivators would present. He could not help but yearn for it. ``` Chapter 296 - 120: Sweeping All Enemies, Slaying "Good!" To the Four Elders, Shen Qing had become a thorn in their eyes, a danger in their side that must be removed. Before they arrived, this decision had already been made. They were about to act but were delayed by the sudden eruption of Spirit Mechanism. Unexpectedly, by a twist of fate, they encountered Shen Qing, this fiend, again at this location. The four individuals present had crawled up from the depths, all ruthless and decisive, never hesitating to act when necessary. Even if they had no grudge against the Huangfu family, with Huang Furo present, they bore no scruples in disposing of him swiftly. As the words fell, the four Innate Elders of the Zhou, Dong, Sun, and Xiao families simultaneously took action. The four of them stood like towering mountains, with spiritual energy surging. In an instant, the winds stirred and clouds billowed between heaven and earth, an overwhelming pressure descended. Standing on the ground, Shen Qing''s clothes rustled in the wind. Facing the four ultimate beings of the same realm, his heart pounded, feeling immense pressure. Even Huang Furo, who was not the target, had her hair wildly swirling, as if each inch of flesh on her body bore immense weight. sea??h th§× n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. An Innate Martial Master was already extraordinary in her eyes, able to manipulate her effortlessly. Let alone four Innate Martial Masters striking simultaneously. What chance did they have of survival? Seeing Shen Qing repeatedly protect her safety, Huang Furo steeled her heart, "Shen Qing, quickly go! I''ll hold them off!" To Huang Furo, her confidence lay in the Huangfu family. Even a broken ship has three pounds of nails; their Huangfu family had not severed ties with other families, and relations were still acceptable. She was willing to gamble that these people wouldn''t do anything to her! "Go? No way." Shen Qing stood beneath the combined might of the Zhou, Dong, Sun, and Xiao families'' Innate Elders, showing not a trace of retreat. Shen Qing knew that his cultivation of the Da Xu Technique was still inadequate. Facing these Innate Martial Masters capable of wielding Rainbow Light, his hope of escaping was slim. Instead of being passive, he might as well take the initiative, maybe even find a slim chance of escape. So what if they were Innate Martial Masters? They were still living beings made of flesh and blood. People could die! "Kill!" With a clear whistle, the Six Path Whale Swallowing Technique frantically operated, and the spiritual power accumulated in his body was completely unleashed. This spiritual power erupted abruptly, and a vast amount of spiritual energy surged out of Shen Qing, comparable to that of an Innate Martial Master. At this moment, the Da Xu Technique was pushed to its limit, and his form became an elusive shadow that immediately flitted away under the watchful eyes of all, creating a substantial distance from the Four Elders like a ghostly apparition. Immediately, Shen Qing reached out, and a phantom palm emerged silently from the void, sticking unnoticed to the back of the Xiao Family Ancestor. "Da Xu Hand?!" The Xiao Family Ancestor instantly detected a piercing killing intent that appeared out of nowhere, catching him off guard, forcing his figure to move instinctively to the side. Holding the Treasure Sword, a fatal flaw appeared in his defense. Shen Qing''s divine sense was acute, capturing that instant of change. His internal spiritual energy boiled, and his hands formed a seal. A destructive aura burst forth from his palms, transforming into an extremely dazzling mark that flowed with the vastness and desolation of the primeval creation of heaven and earth, containing supreme power capable of annihilating all. [Eight Desolate Annihilation Seal] took shape with a roar. The Heaven and Earth Creation Seal condensed in his hands, two yin-yang fish-like lights emerged. Shen Qing launched his palm forward. An ancient mark tore through the sky with an intent to obliterate everything, meeting the astonished eyes of the Xiao Family Ancestor. The moment it touched the Xiao Family Ancestor, it was as if a doomsday light brightened the world. The Xiao Family Ancestor''s expression drastically changed. He hadn''t expected Shen Qing to unleash such astounding power, hurriedly mobilizing his full cultivation to arrange layers of defense in a desperate attempt to block this fearsome seal. However, with the Spirit Mechanism Land''s enhancement, the [Eight Desolate Annihilation Seal] produced terrifying power, far exceeding his expectations. The surrounding space distorted into pieces under the seal''s might, eradicating the Xiao Family Ancestor''s defenses layer by layer until finally, the Xiao Family Ancestor was completely consumed. As the dust settled, there was no longer any trace of the Xiao Family Ancestor in the void. A dignified Innate Martial Master had been worn down to nothing, leaving only a ripple in the void, his bones vanished. This sight horrified the remaining three elders, as they looked at each other in fear. They widened their eyes, scarcely believing as they gazed at Shen Qing, as if seeing a monster, their hearts unable to calm. Shen Qing stood at the spot, his clothes somewhat disheveled, but his aura was even more fierce. His gaze was like electricity, sweeping the surroundings. Killing an Innate Martial Master in the initial exchange gave him immense confidence, birthing an internal sense of unrivaled arrogance. "Come, let me see the true quality of you Innate Martial Masters." "Arrogant brat, don''t be presumptuous!" Zhou Family Ancestor Zhou Guangyu and Dong Family Ancestor Dong Changhui felt a sudden adrenaline rush, fury igniting within them. They hadn''t expected such an outcome. "This boy harbors something unusual, let''s not hold back anymore!" Zhou Family Ancestor Zhou Guangyu shouted. At his reminder, the other two sharpened their focus, each wielding their Treasure Sabers as they charged at Shen Qing. "Very well! No matter how strong you are, I shall sweep away all enemies!" Shen Qing''s voice echoed across the heavens and earth, filled with confidence. In his view, occupying the advantageous Spirit Mechanism Land, he was not inferior to these elderly figures whose Qi-Blood was in decline, surely not destined to lose. The fierce battle spirit radiated from the three Innate Martial Masters as they tightly clenched their Treasure Sabers. The cold gleam shone like meteors cutting across the night sky, carrying an overwhelming force as they swept fiercely toward Shen Qing. Shen Qing''s eyes focused, a force beyond words seemed to surge around him. His internal True Qi roared like rivers and streams, furiously propelling the Da Xu Technique. The surrounding space seemed to have a rift torn by an invisible hand. In the stunned eyes of the crowd, Shen Qing, unbelievably, slipped through the gaps in the three Innate Martial Masters'' attacks, abruptly appearing dozens of meters away. There, near the fragmented sword, the spiritual energy was several times denser. Sharp Sword Qi continued to radiate from the fragments. Shen Qing steadied his form, a resolute expression flickering on his face. He swiftly drew a longbow from his back, its body shimmering with a faint dark cyan glow. Shen Qing had no hesitation, "Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!" Three arrows were fired simultaneously. While shooting these three arrows, Shen Qing intentionally harnessed the Spirit Mechanism Land''s natural and geographical advantages. The power of the Heavenly Bow Technique was further enhanced. The arrows seemed imbued with a fierce aura, tearing through the air with a deafening sound, shooting swiftly toward the three Innate Martial Masters. Where the arrows passed, they left behind visible white trails to the naked eye. "Boom! Boom! Boom!" Heavenly Bow Arrow Technique, every arrow hit the mark. Each arrow struck before the other three, and the immense power contained in the arrows caused the defenses they had amassed to burst apart spectacularly. Chapter 297 - 121: Annihilating the Three Ancestors The arrows, under the blessing of the Heavenly Bow Technique, each matched the full strike of a Dan Realm warrior. In the eyes of others, such power was impressive, yet it meant nothing to the three Innate Martial Masters. It could merely barely break through their defense, failing to inflict any substantial harm on them. Shen Qing looked up at the three of them. Amidst the deafening roar, the three old ancestors were intimidated by the powerful energy imbued in the arrows, and, floating in the void with no external support, were forced back by this force. Unnoticed, they became three isolated islands, able to signal each other but unable to combine their strength, each left to fend for themselves. The corners of Shen Qing''s mouth curled slightly, revealing a bit of a triumphant smile. Facing these top experts of Yongzhou, he wasn''t planning on giving them the slightest chance to catch their breath. The Six Path Whale Swallowing Technique was activated, and colorful vortices appeared around Shen Qing, madly refining the spiritual energy from the heavens and earth. He unfolded his body, employing the Da Xu Technique, as if enveloped by endless void, making his figure appear illusory. With a step forward, he left behind dazzling afterimages, seeming as though he vanished into the void, becoming elusive. Without any hesitation, Shen Qing aimed precisely, using the Da Xu Technique to dart in front of the Sun Family Ancestor. "Mushy persimmons should be pinched first." With divine sense, Shen Qing observed that his cultivation was the weakest among them all. He should be the first to be eliminated. The Sun Family Ancestor only saw a blur before his eyes, as Shen Qing suddenly appeared in front of him, sporting a half-amused, half-smiling expression. Before he understood what was happening, a Yin Yang Fish Hand Seal landed on his chest. "Poof..." A dull, muffled sound emerged. A scorching aura erupted abruptly from the Sun Family Ancestor''s chest. It was the unique destructive force of the Eight Desolate Annihilation Seal, resembling a blazing sun falling to the earth, everything turned silent. The Sun Family Ancestor''s eyes widened, trying in an instant to resist the terrifying power of the Eight Desolate Annihilation Seal. However, against this immense and matchless force, he was like a candle in the wind, instantly devoured, his life force completely extinguished in several breaths. Even more disturbingly, throughout the entire process, the Sun Family Ancestor couldn''t even let out the most basic struggle or wail. Silently, his existence was erased by Shen Qing with a mere thought. Shen Qing stood calmly, landing steadily on the ground, showing an aura of composure throughout his body. Having consecutively slain the ancestors of the Sun Family and the Xiao Family, he felt not the slightest fatigue, and had a clearer understanding of his current power. His gaze lifted lightly, a glint flashed as he looked towards the Zhou Family Ancestor Zhou Guangyu and the Dong Family Ancestor Dong Changhui, and fear was no longer in his eyes. "It seems you all have grown quite old. Even though you surpass me by a Great Realm, you still aren''t my opponents, truly incompetent." Shen Qing spoke lightly. The words fell into the ears of Zhou Guangyu and Dong Changhui, making their faces turn blue and white, extremely unsightly. At this moment, they also began to suspect whether their strength had regressed too much, unable to handle even a Dan Realm Martial Master. Zhou Family Ancestor Zhou Guangyu reacted first, denying, "It''s not that we''re weak, but rather this Chief Officer of the Guardian Martial Department is too strong, disturbing our Dao hearts." "Damn it!" The Zhou Family Ancestor Zhou Guangyu and the Dong Family Ancestor Dong Changhui exchanged glances and chose to attack simultaneously. "Such a move with great power must be his trump card, consuming a vast amount of spiritual power. With his current cultivation, he certainly can''t use it consecutively. We can boldly make a move!" Zhou Family Ancestor Zhou Guangyu reasoned. While speaking, he fell back half a body behind Dong Changhui. Dong Changhui didn''t notice Zhou Guangyu''s cunning, charging at the forefront, approaching with an irresistible momentum, revealing soaring murderous intent. Hearing Zhou Guangyu''s words, Shen Qing suddenly felt like laughing for some reason. He snorted coldly and pushed the Six Path Whale Swallowing Technique to its utmost limit, his entire body''s muscles tightened, swelling like iron blocks. Numerous acupoints in his flesh lit up, resembling stars. His physical body transformed into a vast sea, and whales surfaced in the acupoints around him, continuously swallowing all the spiritual energy contained within the world. In his Qi Sea, the youthful "Dan Ying" showed an intoxicated expression, even spreading open its arms, gathering all the spiritual energy together, quickly refining it, supplementing the deficient spiritual power. Seeing Dong Changhui draw ever closer, Shen Qing held back nothing. With the "Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill" stacking, his spiritual power reversed rapidly. In the span of one breath, it completed nine revolutions, causing a surge in his aura. With a thought, Shen Qing pinched out the Eight Desolate Annihilation Seal with both hands. An immeasurable crimson gold brilliance erupted suddenly from within him, dazzling to the extreme, like the rising sun on the horizon, akin to a pouring galaxy, instantly illuminating the entire realm. These gleams were not mere light but manifested attacks infused with myriad profound spiritual powers. They transformed into a rushing crimson gold river, spanning yin and yang, carrying heaven-destroying, earth-annihilating might, sweeping menacingly towards Dong Changhui. Within that river were dragon roars and tiger cries, stars falling¡ªeach gleam contained terror capable of piercing metal stone and tearing through voids. Dong Family Ancestor Dong Changhui stood at the forefront. Facing this sudden assault, there was no avoiding it. A trace of incredulity and despair finally flashed in Dong Changhui''s eyes. This person was clearly a monster, showing no signs of exhaustion. Cursed Zhou Family old man, you''ve deceived me! S§×arch* The ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Dong Changhui regretted it and wanted to pull back, but it was too late; he bit the bullet and resisted. Regrettably, all struggle and resistance appeared so pale and weak at this moment. That merciless crimson gold river pierced through his defense and engulfed him entirely. With an ear-piercing explosion, as all light vanished and dust settled, Dong Changhui''s figure was no more¡ªonly emptiness and deathly silence remained. No miracle happened with this strike. Dong Changhui, like the others, perished on the spot, leaving not even a chance for struggle. Upon witnessing this scene, Zhou Family Ancestor Zhou Guangyu abruptly halted his assault. Shen Qing''s successive killing of Innate Martial Masters completely extinguished his fantasies, conjuring fear in his heart. Zhou Guangyu looked at Shen Qing, meeting Shen Qing''s wild gaze. He couldn''t help but shiver, without hesitation, he turned and walked away. "Now you decide to leave? Too late!" Shen Qing lightly spun his hands, and that ancient, weighty Heavy Bow, as if pulled by invisible strings, landed precisely in his grip. His eyes instantly sharpened like an eagle''s, exuding unyielding determination and frigidity. Shen Qing''s spiritual power surged within, the surrounding air seemingly igniting, with concentric rings of visible spiritual ripples spreading outward from him. Arrows rose suspended from the Arrow Quiver, aligned in formation, gleaming coldly under the sunlight, poised for action. With a calm expression, Shen Qing extended his ape-like arm, drawing the bowstring to a full moon. The Heavenly Bow Technique was activated. The heavy bowstring vibrated, emitting a deep and lasting hum. Shen Qing locked his arrows on the Zhou Family Ancestor, his fingers released abruptly. "Whoosh!" An arrow shot forth, slicing through the sky, its speed astonishing. The arrow, like a dragon emerging from the sea, dashed towards the Zhou Family Ancestor. Clouds dissipated along its path, leaving streaks of white. Though the Zhou Family Ancestor was an Innate Martial Master, he was flustered now, unsure how to respond to this sudden assault. "Bang!" With a loud crash, the Zhou Family Ancestor''s defenses shattered like glass, light scattering, and the arrow precisely pierced through, striking the vital point. Innate Martial Masters had formidable flesh; after penetrating the defense, the arrow lost its momentum and was slapped away by the Zhou Family Ancestor. Just when Zhou Guangyu thought it was over, another volley of arrows followed. His face froze. Boom boom boom... Deafening roars resounded endlessly as Zhou Guangyu dealt with them, exhausting his entire cultivation to fend off each and every arrow. "Haha, you''re out of arrows!" Zhou Guangyu shouted, disheveled and in tatters. Suddenly, a golden hand materialized from the void, snatching his clothing and dragging him back before Shen Qing. Da Xu Hand! Bang. Chapter 298 - 122: As One Wave Subsides, Another Rises ``` Zhou Family Ancestor Zhou Guangyu was dead. He died under Shen Qing''s Annihilation Seal, leaving only half his body. Thud. The sound of the corpse hitting the ground pulled Huang Furo back to reality. Her beautiful eyes widened as she stared blankly at Shen Qing. The man, once her subordinate, had just killed four Innate Martial Masters in a short time, leaving her with mixed feelings. Even thinking about it afterward seemed unbelievable. Huang Furo''s petal-like lips trembled slightly, hesitating to speak but ultimately failing to utter a word. Seeing the four formidable enemies slain, Shen Qing''s taut nerves finally relaxed. He looked at the bewildered Huang Furo and curiously asked, "Lord Huangfu, why are you staring at me like that?" "Huh? Nothing," Huang Furo snapped out of her daze and said, "I just didn''t expect you to be... so incredible..." "It''s not me who''s incredible, it''s the Spirit Mechanism Land. If we leave this Spirit Mechanism Land, I fear I''d be no match for those four Innate Martial Masters, only to be crushed." Shen Qing was not being humble. Without this dense Spiritual Energy, his Six Path Whale Swallowing Technique would be useless, and its effectiveness would be greatly reduced. The Eight Desolate Annihilation Seal would never achieve such an effect. S§×ar?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Facing the four family ancestors again, even if they were weakened, he would not fare well even if he were undying. Perhaps the transformation was so drastic that it made Huang Furo feel uncomfortable. The scene was silent. "Thank you." Shen Qing''s voice suddenly broke the silence like a spring breeze rippling across a lake. "What?" "I said thank you." Shen Qing repeated. He remembered clearly that when facing the four Innate Ancestors, Huang Furo had stepped forward. She clearly knew what she would face by doing so, yet she did it anyway. Although it didn''t make much difference, putting oneself in that situation, reaching this step was quite remarkable. "Oh." At this moment, Huang Furo''s gaze subtly shifted over him, her heart a mix of emotions. "You... have changed," Huang Furo spoke, her voice carrying a hint of caution. Shen Qing, sensitive to the emotional change in Huang Furo, suddenly smiled and said, "People change, it''s just about whether they change for the better or worse. Who can say what will happen in the future? At least for now, I am your subordinate, aren''t I, Lord Huangfu?" Huang Furo gave a sweet smile and replied, "You''re right, Chief Officer Shen." The autumn breeze carried a refreshing coolness, gently stirring between them. The corners of their clothes fluttered. They exchanged a look and both laughed. After a moment, Shen Qing looked away, turning back to the core area of the Spirit Mechanism Land. An ancient sword fragment stained with blood hovered in the void. He remembered clearly that when the four Innate Martial Masters first arrived, someone had set their sights on this sword fragment. This sword fragment was evidently unusual. He did not act rashly, glanced at the sky, and reminded Huang Furo, "I have found that the area of the Spirit Mechanism Land is shrinking, it might disappear, it''s still early, and no one''s around to disturb us, we should seize this rare opportunity to cultivate." Huang Furo had no objections, "You''re right. There''s a lot of commotion here, it won''t just be the four of them who noticed, others are likely on their way, any improvement we make is worth it." Shen Qing nodded in agreement. Seeing Huang Furo begin her cultivation, he also quickly immersed himself in his training. He wondered if it was a delusion, after the recent battle, Shen Qing suddenly noticed that the "Dan Ying" in his Qi Sea seemed to have grown significantly, becoming increasingly like his own appearance and age. His cultivation had advanced further. A smile appeared in his heart as he focused his attention, wholeheartedly dedicating himself to cultivation. ... In the distance, beneath the gates of Yongzhou City. Commander Jia Zhiping led many officers and soldiers from the Yongzhou Government Office, riding out toward the direction where the ancestral masters had vanished. Seeing the leisurely looks of the riders behind him, he frowned, showing some discontent. Jia Zhiping slapped the horse''s haunch then leapt up, "Dismount and climb the mountain, hurry up!" He realized that something significant must have happened outside Yongzhou City for the Thirteen Lines'' ancestors to rush over. It might be a great opportunity like the Spirit Mechanism Land. Thinking of this, his heart burned with excitement, eager to claim a share. But their slow pace made him anxious, wishing he could arrive there in the blink of an eye, extremely impatient with their speed. Going late might leave nothing but scraps. As for arresting Shen Qing, he had already put that thought aside, with no interest in it. It was all fake anyway, who would really bother? Jia Zhiping''s Rainbow Light flashed, passing over a hill, seeing the distant falling sunset glow, his face lit with excitement. "Hurry up, quick, there might be a secret to immortality inside." Jia Zhiping gritted his teeth, using all his strength, leaving his subordinates behind, sprinting alone. After not walking far, Commander Jia Zhiping suddenly smelled a foul stench, and it grew stronger as if something was rapidly approaching. He froze for a moment, gripping his sword hilt tightly, abruptly looking up, "Above!" Commander Jia Zhiping''s heartstrings trembled, he suddenly looked up to the sky, his gaze piercing through layers of clouds, reaching the heavens above. In an instant, the sky tore apart like a torn canvas, a black and a white beam of light, dazzling like stars, cut through the sky, hurtling toward Jia Zhiping with thunderous momentum. Jia Zhiping stood firm like a pine, gripping his treasure sword, symbolizing authority, loudly questioning, "Who goes there? State your name!" But the response came not in words, but in a shadowy whip lash. Boom! Jia Zhiping crossed his arms in front to block. Suddenly, he felt an overwhelming force emanating from his arms. Already gliding with the wind, there was little around to brace against. Under this immense force, he was helplessly slammed into the ground. The two beams of black and white fell to the ground, transforming into a man and a woman. The man was as black as ink, eyes like cold stars, exuding endless darkness; the woman was as white as snow, radiating a holy yet unapproachable brilliance. "Long time no see, Lord Commander," Jiuli said with a smile. "Cut the nonsense, let''s deal with him quickly and get over there to prevent those old guys from getting all the perks." "Alright, half each?" "Half each. Make it quick." Snake Demon Zhang Junzi sneered, licking his lips, a trace of greed in his eyes. His whole body surged with demonic power, revealing his true form, recklessly coiling towards Jia Zhiping. Jia Zhiping''s face changed drastically. ``` Chapter 299 - 123: Twin Demons Join Forces, Quickly Destroy the Innate ```html The true form revealed by the Snake Demon Zhang Junzi was a giant black-backed, white-bellied python, its scales shimmering with kaleidoscopic brilliance. His entire body exuded demon energy, churning like a sea of ink. The overwhelming demonic power surged like a mountain flood, irresistibly wrapping and descending toward Jia Zhiping. Jia Zhiping''s face changed drastically. He hurriedly used the martial arts he had mastered throughout his life, and spiritual power surged from his entire body, forming dazzling curtains of light in front of him in an attempt to block. Such a massive body coupled with that great demonic power would certainly be uncomfortable if entangled, possibly even life-threatening. He couldn''t let it succeed. As he concentrated on laying down layers of defense, the Great Demon Jiuli, standing by, coyly smiled, spitting out a pink mist that spread with the wind, enveloping the front of Jia Zhiping. Before he could react, an invisible chill quietly infiltrated his mind, causing him to fall into brief confusion. In a trance, he seemed to see beauties of unparalleled human world elegance, barely clad, constantly flirting with him. Fragrant, gentle touches brushed through his fingers, making him want to immerse himself in this tender illusion. But the next moment, he sensed a fierce killing intent above his head, involuntarily shivered, and instantly came to his senses. The tender illusion before him shattered like a mirror. Jia Zhiping''s heart skipped a beat, and he suddenly looked up, discovering that the Snake Demon Zhang Junzi had, in that moment of distraction, brought his immense python body down in front of him, wrapping around him tightly like iron chains. Before he could resist, the enormous snake body had already begun to slowly constrict. "Crack," "Crack." Jia Zhiping''s Innate Body appeared frail under the crushing constriction of the giant python. The sound of bones snapping was particularly piercing in the silent forest. Even though his flesh and blood had been tempered many times, it was still insignificant before such vast and mighty power. Nonetheless, as a Commander, Jia Zhiping had seen great storms and waves. He did not completely panic or lose composure. Faced with an intense survival instinct, a great thirst for life ignited in his heart. Jia Zhiping roared, and at that moment, his entire body''s spiritual power was thoroughly ignited, turning into a scorching flame. He risked everything, using spiritual power as fuel and flesh and blood as the catalyst. The Snake Demon Zhang Junzi felt waves of heat emanating from Jia Zhiping, as if about to erupt at any moment. "Die!" Jia Zhiping shouted, spiritual power surged out. Pale flames, tinged with green light, completely enveloped Jia Zhiping, filled with destructive power. Under this power, the Snake Demon Zhang Junzi could hardly bear it, compelled to temporarily loosen the constriction, retreating several steps back. Turning his head, he yelled at the Great Demon Jiuli, "Why are you just standing there? Hurry up and act!" "I''m coming, I''m coming." To the Snake Demon Zhang Junzi and the Great Demon Jiuli, the Innate Martial Master body in front of them was like a precious medicine. The flesh and blood contained a large amount of spiritual power essence, greatly beneficial to both of them. If they could devour it, their cultivation would undoubtedly advance significantly. Moreover, this Commander was also a competitor for the Spirit Mechanism, so removing him early was a plus. Now the Spirit Mechanism had appeared, time was pressing, and neither demon wanted to delay long here. They set aside their grudges, choosing to collaborate without any reservations. Commander Jia Zhiping, witnessing this scene, suddenly felt his heart sink to the bottom of the abyss. Dealing with either of the two great demons was strenuous for him, let alone both together; the power was beyond his ability to contend. He showed a look of despair. Unfortunately, the two great demons wouldn''t show any mercy because of this. They took turns attacking, using all their strength, gradually pushing Jia Zhiping to the brink of despair. Despite all his efforts, exhausting every means to resist and seek a chance for survival, ultimately, he was no match for four hands with just two fists, gradually exhausting his strength and losing the possibility to escape. The battle was extremely brutal, and the forest was utterly flattened by their struggle, with terrifying waves of energy continually spreading out from where they fought. The county officials and soldiers could not get close, unable to intervene in the battle of the three. "Ah!" As time passed, a miserable scream echoed from the ruins, with blood sprayed. "Boom!" A loud noise resounded in the world, like thunder from a clear sky, deafening. Everything seemed to pause for a moment. In the demon-energy-shrouded forest, Jia Zhiping''s eyes were filled with reluctance as his figure fell to the ground. "Agreed on splitting in half, I won''t be polite then." The Snake Demon Zhang Junzi stepped forward, grabbing Jia Zhiping''s body with brute force, tearing it in half. The essence blood spilled in the void was slurped into his mouth. "Here you go." The Snake Demon Zhang Junzi tossed the other half of Jia Zhiping''s corpse in front of Jiuli, raised his head, and opened his blood-red mouth, swallowing this half of the body in parts. Meanwhile, the Demon Jiuli, unwilling to be outdone, revealed the upper half of its true form and snatched the remaining half of the corpse, putting it in its mouth to chew. "Pugh!" The two great demons spat out indigestible debris like spitting phlegm, revealing expressions of indulgence. It seemed their strength had increased by a margin. "That''s almost it, let''s go." "Okay." In less than a quarter of an hour, everything was settled. Each of the two great demons transformed into a stream of light, rushing towards the Spirit Mechanism Land. Having devoured nearly two Innate Realm Martial Masters, their cultivation increased at least double; even if the four Innate Martial Masters of the Thirteen Lines stood before them, they would be difficult to shake. ¡­ In the Spirit Mechanism Land, the air was filled with gorgeous, colorful clouds. Shen Qing resembled a tranquil statue, sitting cross-legged, surrounded by a faint spiritual light, which beautifully complemented the surrounding rainbow clouds. He held the Wish Power Pearl tightly, diligently cultivating without any slack or distraction. With each breath of Shen Qing, the Wish Power Pearl gently quivered, releasing strands of pure energy, continuously guiding more Spiritual Energy to gradually merge into his body, nourishing each meridian and flesh. Deep in his Qi Sea, the originally small, bean-sized and crystal-clear "Dan Ying," under the dual nourishment of the Wish Power Pearl and the colorful clouds, astonishingly began a remarkable transformation as if given life. It slowly rotated, absorbing the nature''s spiritual energy swirling around, gradually expanding in size and becoming even deeper and brighter in hue. From the youthful form just now, it grew to resemble an exact likeness of Shen Qing, as if another self, quietly suspended in his Qi Sea, exuding a breathtakingly vast power. At that moment, an unprecedented insight surged in Shen Qing''s heart. He seemed to sense the spiritual power in his body boiling, feeling every acupuncture point and every inch of blood and flesh under immense pressure, as if the spiritual power his physical body could bear was reaching an extreme limit. S§×ar?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Shen Qing suddenly realized he was on the verge of breaking through to the Innate Realm! ``` Chapter 300 - 124: Breakthrough to Innate Realm, Twin Monsters Invade """ sea??h th§× N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Throughout the entire cultivation process of the Dan Realm, everything revolved around the "Dan Ying." The cultivation process of the Dan Realm was essentially a martial master using his own body as a blueprint, continuously absorbing the spiritual power from nature to grow the "Dan Ying," from a baby to a person. When the "Dan Ying" grew into a "Dan People," infinitely approaching the cultivator''s blueprint, it meant the achievement of Great Perfection in the Dan Realm. At this realm, the older martial masters in the Dan Realm needed to nurture the "Dan Ying" to match their blueprint, which required several to even dozens of times more time and effort than younger cultivators, so the advantage of reaching the Dan Realm at a young age was significant. If one failed to break through when young, it would be extremely difficult to do so when older. At the moment, Shen Qing was only seventeen years old. He nurtured the "Dan Ying" from a baby to a person, thus spending much less time and effort. However, he thought it would take at least two to three years, but unexpectedly, due to the Spirit Mechanism Land, the process was greatly accelerated, unexpectedly allowing him to break through already. Shen Qing felt an uncontrollable excitement, joyful and pleasantly surprised. In the Great Zhou Country, once someone reached the Innate Realm, even without holding an official position, one could dominate a region, establish a family line. Not to mention that upon achieving the Innate Realm, one could fly with the wind, perceiving a broader world, holding an indescribable allure for many martial masters, a dream realm for martial masters. Many martial masters cultivated for decades or even hundreds of years without reaching it. Shen Qing took a deep breath, exhaling a few times to calm his heart and focus entirely, wanting to push through to the Innate Realm in one go. He slowly closed his eyes, observing the changes in his Qi Sea with inner sight, his mind clear and serene. With every breath, white air streamed out, colorful whirlpools surrounded him, the spiritual energy in the Spirit Mechanism Land refined by the Six Path Whale Swallowing Technique, converting into pure essence entering his body. With his eyes closed, Shen Qing saw that the "Dan Ying" inside him, after countless days and nights of tempering, was no longer as tiny and immature as before. It had transformed into a lifelike "Dan People," its appearance indistinguishable from his true self, containing extraordinarily pure spirit essence. Clearly, the time to break through to the Innate Realm had matured, and the next step was to merge the "Dan People" with his flesh, reshaping his physical body. At a single thought from Shen Qing, the majestic "Dan People" in his Qi Sea ascended slowly, being drawn upward by his divine sense, expanding. It seemed as if this "Dan People" was infinitely "approaching" his physical body from the void. As the "Dan People" gradually "approached" his physical body, his entire Qi Sea trembled, a powerful and ancient aura spread, his entire body''s spiritual power operated frantically. Shen Qing''s mind shivered violently, his spirit tightened like iron, his skin turned scorching hot. Beads of sweat formed on his forehead, evaporated instantly by the surface temperature. Shen Qing dared not get distracted, focusing entirely, gradually merging with the "Dan People." As time passed, the "Dan People" in his Qi Sea broke free from the void, touching Shen Qing''s flesh. At the moment of contact, the surrounding spiritual energy boiled with this incredible fusion, rushing into his body like rivers joining the sea, intertwining with the "Dan People." Under Shen Qing''s skin, light flowed faintly. At this moment, every drop of blood, every bone, and even every inch of skin on Shen Qing''s body underwent unprecedented transformation and rebirth. The process was not as grueling as imagined; instead, it held a hint of comfort, as if after reaching the extreme, all spiritual power found an outlet to vent. The fist-sized "Dan People" inflated rapidly to the size of Shen Qing''s true form, so much that a vestige of a phantom faintly appeared behind him. "Boom!" With a long and deep rumble, the phantom merged with the physical body, the pure spirit essence contained in the "Dan People" fully merged into the flesh. Shen Qing''s body was reshaped, leaping from a mortal coil to an Innate Body, shedding the shackles of the mundane, becoming crystal-clear and immaculate, pure and powerful, like a newborn baby, achieving a qualitative metamorphosis. Not only that, but due to the transformation into an Innate Body, internal life force greatly enhanced, increasing longevity by hundreds of years. Shen Qing overflowed with joy. He looked down and noticed the calluses on his hands from practicing archery had disappeared, becoming as smooth as jade, emitting a jade-like feel, leaving him somewhat incredulous. Curious, Shen Qing began practicing familiar martial arts. Boom! An explosive sound echoed in Shen Qing''s ears, abundant spiritual power surged out like a river merging into the sea, incessant and overwhelming. With an immaculate Innate Body, he realized his perception and absorption ability of the spiritual energy from nature had reached a new level. "I heard that the Innate Realm allows one to fly with the wind, riding the Rainbow Light, traveling a thousand miles in a day." Shen Qing was quite intrigued, eager to try. With a thought, golden-red light emerged around him, lifting him as if about to soar into the sky at any moment. "This power, how wondrous!" Shen Qing had never experienced such a sensation before, clicking his tongue in amazement. Huang Furo, disturbed by Shen Qing''s movements, turned to see Shen Qing enveloped in golden-red light, greatly surprised. She blurted out, "You¡­ did you break through to the Innate Realm?" "Yes." Shen Qing gently nodded, cheerful, "I just gave it a try, fortunately succeeding." "Gasp¡­" Huang Furo gasped, unable to express in words the innate gift Shen Qing possessed for such cultivation. Breaking through three Great Realms in two years, what kind of prodigy could achieve such a feat? Her throat dried, words faltering. Shen Qing explained nothing, glanced around, suppressing the urge to try, dissipating the glow around him, landing steadily on the ground. He thought for a moment and still felt he should cultivate further in the Spirit Mechanism Land to seize the rare opportunity. "Buzz!" At that moment, two beams of Rainbow Light flew over from the distant sky, descending near the Spirit Mechanism Land. Shen Qing''s divine sense sharply detected them immediately, looking afar. As the Rainbow Light faded in the distance, a man and a woman appeared. They were Chang Junzi and Jiuli, two Great Demons. The demon Chang Junzi licked his lips as if he sniffed a familiar scent, making a slight questioning noise. "Hmm?" "What is it?" The demon Jiuli frowned slightly, asking curiously. The demon Chang Junzi flew a few steps forward, on seeing Shen Qing and Huang Furo alert, eyes coldly fixed on him, showing a peculiar expression. "It really is them!" Jiuli inquired in curiosity, "Do you know these two?" "That day, these two woke me from hibernation; little did I expect they survived and even improved, appearing here," said the demon Chang Junzi as he recalled, "Well, such delicious food could become a snack." As he spoke, he took a step forward. """ Chapter 301 - 125 The Strongest Innate Realm, Slaying the Great Demon ``` The verdant mountains stretched endlessly, shrouded in mist and clouds. Demon Jiu Li stood atop the winding ridge, her sheer veil billowing in the wind. She slowly swept her gaze across the scene before her. "It seems those old foxes are absent from this gathering of Spirit Essence today." A sly smile played at the corners of Jiu Li''s lips, her voice tinged with a barely perceivable sense of relief, "That means the competition for this rare Spirit Essence is left to this little fellow here. I must say, our luck is extraordinarily good." Great Demon Chang Junzi''s black robe fluttered in the wind. Standing beside Jiu Li, his deep eyes flickered with a complicated light as he looked at her with a cryptic smile, "Since the situation is set, what are you hesitating for? Join me and make the move." Upon hearing this, Jiu Li took a light step forward but immediately, as if realizing something, she retracted. She turned, a brilliant smile blossoming at her lips, and said, "Oh? I''m curious, were you really just plotting to seize the Spirit Essence earlier, or... do you have other intentions, like towards me?" Her words seemed to freeze the air for a moment. Chang Junzi''s expression shifted slightly but soon returned to normal. He laughed softly, his voice deep and magnetic, "Your imagination is truly vivid. I merely wish to conclude this matter swiftly to avoid any unforeseen complications. As for anything else, you might be overthinking it." "Really? I don''t believe it," Jiu Li''s tone carried a hint of playfulness and provocation. Before her voice had faded, she had silently braced herself, Spiritual Power surging around her like a flood about to burst forth, ready for anything. Chang Junzi feigned nonchalance, "Stop talking, those two have already noticed us. They''ve taken quite a bit of Spirit Essence, gotta leave their flesh and blood, otherwise, it''d be a real waste." Seeing Jiu Li''s defensive posture, Chang Junzi ceased any further thoughts. His expression turned solemn, and he bolted forward like a blade of icy wind, charging directly towards Shen Qing''s location with such speed that not even a shadow was left. Nearby, Jiu Li''s sharp intuition sensed the change in his intent. With a slight smile, she followed closely, seeming to put aside the earlier discord. In the world of demons, strength reigned supreme, a realm without etiquette or shame, where everything spoke through might. While Chang Junzi harbored intentions toward her, she too wished to strike him down to monopolize this patch of Spirit Essence. But with the Human Clan present, now was not the time. Jiu Li looked ahead at Shen Qing, who stood ready and waiting. For some reason, his gaze unsettled her, as if something ominous was brewing. "I must be overthinking it. A nameless figure from Yongzhou City wouldn''t cause much of a stir." She was well-versed in the elders of Yongzhou City, but the man and woman before her did not match anyone noteworthy from memory. Judging by their attire and age, they seemed to be younger members from a government office. Such people were as insignificant as ants to them, easily crushed without a second thought. "That said, we demons have always been keenly aware of danger. Nothing is absolute. I should be cautious, let that foolish snake scout ahead, and if things go wrong, I''ll retreat. As for the Spirit Mechanism... it''s not more important than my life." Understanding the critical nature of every step taken in the outside world, especially in matters of opportunity where any oversight could result in total loss, she considered carefully. With this in mind, Jiu Li''s figure flickered like a swift swallow skimming the water, slowing her pace slightly to create a strategic distance from Chang Junzi, allowing her a position from which to either advance or retreat. From this vantage point, she could both react promptly to any threat and seize the advantage. As the two great demons, Jiu Li and Chang Junzi, advanced like a dark cloud hanging overhead, a formidable pressure enveloped the area. The fierce wind whipped past, rendering the very air heavy and viscous. Faced with an almost engulfing terror, Huang Fu Rou''s breath quickened. "Crack!" A faint yet distinct sound resonated through the air as the mountain began to fracture under the weight of the terrifying power exuded by the two great demons. Huang Fu Rou clenched her fists tightly, her face whitening with fear evident in her eyes, though it vanished swiftly as her expression hardened. Internally, her Spiritual Power boiled, resonating with the roars of dragons and tigers, readying herself for a desperate fight. Yet such actions appeared laughable in Chang Junzi''s eyes, akin to an ant trying to stop a chariot. "Hmph, mere ants. Do you really think this can stop me? Truly pathetic!" Chang Junzi''s voice was icy as if laced with chilling ice, his eyes glowed with a demonic red light. Behind him, Jiu Li remained silent, merely raising her hands slowly. Her fingertips danced lightly, gathering countless strands of pink demonic power. Shen Qing drew a deep breath, feeling the surging power within him, stepped forward to stand beside Huang Fu Rou. "Leave it to me!" "Let me see what these so-called demons are capable of, and test the worth of my Innate status. True gold needs to be forged in fire!" As his Spiritual Power surged, brilliant streams of light erupted around Shen Qing, propelling him straight towards Jiu Li and Chang Junzi. He unsheathed his dagger, slashing forward. "Kill!" Where the knife light passed, it left a clearly visible crack. Jiu Li and Chang Junzi''s faces changed slightly in shock at the sight. "This power... it''s an Innate!!!" Before they could think further, the light of the blade was upon them. Seasoned in countless battles, Chang Junzi quickly adjusted his status. He swung his arm, transforming into a sweeping black tail that collided with Shen Qing''s blade light. "Boom!" The forces clashed fiercely in mid-air, erupting in deafening roars. Shen Qing''s blade light was swept aside by Chang Junzi''s black tail, falling into the mountains, slicing half of a mountain top away in an instant. Boulders exploded, and the entire mountain seemed engulfed in chaos and destruction, with stones tumbling down continuously. Chang Junzi retracted his arm and looked down only to see a bloodied wound, flesh split open, and blood flowing freely. The intense pain sparked fury within him, making him erupt in rage. "How dare you, mere foodstuff!" Without any hesitation, Great Demon Chang Junzi''s body twisted, revealing its gruesome true form. His thick body like a massive vat pressed down on Shen Qing, boundless demon energy enveloping the heavens and earth. The Big Snake Demon lunged viciously at Shen Qing, "Die for me!" With a solemn expression, Shen Qing clasped his hands together, channeling all his Spiritual Power at this moment. Gathering it before him, it coalesced into a golden Sky Flipping Seal. In an instant, a dazzling brilliance erupted from his palms, as the Sky Flipping Seal descended like a hanging galaxy, akin to the first light of creation, pressing down on the Snake Demon. Its potent force seemed capable of moving mountains and seas, annihilating everything. Even with the strong physical body of Chang Junzi, he felt the terror of the Fan Seal beneath his scales as it peeled away his forceful aura piece by piece. "Ah!" Chang Junzi let out a wretched scream. The Sky Flipping Seal exploded, its radiance engulfing everything like the sun. The Big Snake Demon''s cries abruptly ceased. As the light faded, only a black Demon Core floated in the air, radiating with a dark brilliance. Once towering above other Innate beings, the Snake Demon was slain by Shen Qing in a single move, leaving it utterly powerless to resist. Seeing this, Jiu Li''s eyes narrowed to pinpoints, rendered speechless. S§×ar?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Shen Qing stepped forward, seizing the Snake Demon''s Demon Core. He looked calmly at Jiu Li and smiled, "Alright, you''re next!" ``` Chapter 302 - 126: Thoughts Become Clear, Dust Settles In Shen Qing''s every gesture and movement, there lay an aura of transcendent calm, as if nothing in the world could disturb the peace within his heart. S§×ar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. In truth, though, his inner turmoil was like a storm, turbulent and fierce, difficult to quell. He had never anticipated that once he crossed that seemingly insurmountable threshold to the Innate Realm, his own power would become so unbelievably strong. Such a transformation. He vaguely remembered last winter when he stood powerless against this formidable demon, nearly meeting his end in front of everyone. Not only him, but even the Prefectural Governor, who shared the same Innate Realm, had also been helpless against this demon. He was gravely injured and schemed against unto death. Yet now, with just one Sky Flipping Seal, he had easily shattered that mountain-like demon, reducing it to nothingness. To him, this scene felt like a lifetime ago, dreamlike and surreal. Through this event, Shen Qing gained a clearer understanding of his cultivation after breaking through to the Innate Realm. Powerful! Even if he left this Spirit Mechanism Land, his current cultivation surpassed any Innate Realm martial master he had ever seen, making him the strongest in Yongzhou. Thinking of this, Shen Qing''s thoughts flowed freely, filled with confidence. In this endlessly turbulent world, where survival depended on strength, he clearly now had his place, and no longer needed to walk on egg shells. Shen Qing slowly raised his head, fixing his gaze upon Demon Jiu Li not far away. He had some memory of this demon hidden within the Zhou Family. Huang Furo had conducted an investigation on her, which involved them somewhat. If he wasn''t mistaken, the Zhou Family''s elder learned of Spirit Mechanism Land''s arrival through her and made some preparations. They caused a demon calamity in Yongzhou, using it to eliminate dissenters, seizing land, and claiming the Spirit Mechanism Land. Speaking of it, the local high-ranking families were far more united than those useless officials of the county office; if it weren''t for Shen Qing''s sudden intervention, the Zhou Family''s scheme might have succeeded. But since he was already involved, he decided to take it to the end. Shen Qing exhaled a deep breath, infusing his Spiritual Power within. When he had just slain the Snake Demon, worried about being overpowered, he had used all his might, expending all his Spiritual Power. Previously, he might not have been able to stand, but now, having ascended to the Innate Realm with a pure Physical Body, every acupuncture point throughout his body brimmed with sparkling Spirit Mechanism energy. At present, it flowed out, continually nourishing his flesh and blood. Shen Qing activated the Six Path Whale Swallowing Technique, ravenously swallowing nature''s Spiritual Energy to replenish his Spiritual Power. With his powerful Innate Body combined with the skill attribute of the Six Path Whale Swallowing Technique, Shen Qing plundered the Spiritual Energy into his body like a whale swallowing water, recovering more than half in just a moment. It filled his heart with exhilaration. Across from him, Jiu Li watched Shen Qing appearing as calm as ever, feeling her scalp tingle, involuntarily taking two steps back as silver-white fur grew across her skin. Jiu Li couldn''t understand; she had thoroughly vetted Yongzhou long ago, how could such a person appear? Escape! If she didn''t escape, she would surely die! Driven by an intense survival instinct, Jiu Li resolved to escape, her form transforming into a Rainbow Light in her attempt to flee. However, just at the moment she intended to move, Shen Qing''s silhouette darted like a phantom, taking a leisurely step forward. His right arm extended, gathering Spiritual Power in an instant, conjuring the "Da Xu Hand" from the Huangfu family! The void trembled as a resplendent golden giant hand materialized out of nowhere, imbued with a suppressive majesty. It reached from the void and securely grasped Jiu Li''s streak of Rainbow Light. Unwilling to submit, Jiu Li''s demonic power surged, revealing her true demon form, struggling with all her might. A white fox with fur like snow roared and howled within the golden palm. Jiu Li exerted all her strength, even at the expense of her cultivation, spitting out a trickle of Lifeblood essence in a bid to escape. "Break!" The Lifeblood Essence Jiu Li spat landed on the golden hand, exploding violently, unexpectedly tearing apart the seemingly indestructible Da Xu Hand, reducing it to shimmering gold dust and dispersing in the void. Her face lit up with joy, her heart pounding with post-calamity ecstasy. Jiu Li reassembled her Rainbow Light, intending to ride the wind to escape. Yet, due to the brief delay caused by the Da Xu Hand, Shen Qing''s figure had already shadowed her, closing in until nearly touching distance, robbing her of her last chance to flee. Shen Qing gazed upon the snow-white demon fox before him, a cold smile curling at his lips. His hands formed seals as an ancient and powerful aura flowed from within him, a precious seal coalescing, pressing forward to crush. "Sky Flipping Seal! Kill!" With a thunderous boom, the Sky Flipping Seal descended with an apocalyptic force. Jiu Li had nowhere to retreat, forced to meet it head-on. She shielded herself with her long tail, summoning a pink barrier of light. The Sky Flipping Seal crashed fiercely upon it. Boom!!! At that moment, time seemed to freeze, and the heavens and earth changed colors. "Ah..." Amidst the light, a piercingly tragic scream echoed as Jiu Li''s form staggered, blood spurting from her mouth, the sound of her bones cracking filled with dread. At this moment, her demonic power overflowed yet couldn''t condense any longer. With a muffled thud. Her vibrant life force was swiftly ebbing away. Jiu Li, like a withered flower, tragically despairing under Shen Qing''s gaze, was thoroughly extinguished of life. When all settled, and the light faded, it revealed Jiu Li''s already dead demon form. Understanding his newfound strength, Shen Qing deliberately controlled his Spiritual Power, not allowing Jiu Li''s corpse to be completely obliterated, leaving her body intact. A hunter by birth, he knew that fox fur was truly rare and could fetch a good price. Not to mention such a demon fox as she was, it would be even more valuable. Utterly destroying it would be too much of a pity. Stripped of its support, the fox demon body began to fall. Shen Qing extended one hand, capturing the fox demon body. His expression remained calm, both hands like blades, split open the fox demon body, extracting her Demon Core. This Demon Core, with a deep azure hue, felt smooth and round on its surface. Shen Qing raised his hand, holding the peculiar bead aloft. As sunlight cascaded down, the Demon Core''s color gradually shed its deep black hue, transforming into a pink, translucent and glistening. Astonishingly, within the core, a faint purple light was faintly visible, shaped like a Spiritual Fox, exceptionally lively. At times it swirled coiling, at others it surged fiercely, impacting the outer part of the pill. Each time the purple light touched the pill''s outer part, that spot would ripple with pink radiance. From the Demon Cores he had acquired in the past, Shen Qing for the first time beheld such profound wonder, a trace of unabashed astonishment flashing in his eyes. Chapter 303 - 127: Gathering Spirit Essence, Gaining an Ancient Blade ``` It truly was a high-grade Demon Core, greatly beneficial for cultivation. Outside, it would be a priceless treasure, worth far more than any riches. Shen Qing carefully placed this precious Demon Core into the Jade Box he carried, ensuring every strand of demonic power was properly sealed, allowing not a bit to escape. After completing this, he focused his mind to fall to the ground, then walked towards Huang Furo. Since today, Shen Qing''s performance had been increasingly unexpected. Huang Furo was already accustomed to it. For some reason, standing in front of Shen Qing at this moment, she suddenly felt a slight pressure, making her somewhat rueful. Shen Qing stepped forward and said with a smile, "Lord Huangfu, catch." "Hmm?" Before Huang Furo could react, she saw Shen Qing toss over the corpse of a white fox. She scrambled and caught it, staring in surprise. Jiuli''s demonic body was as large as a grown man, far beyond an ordinary fox, its fur capable of being crafted into a complete Fur Coat. In the world, there were countless Fur Coats, but none like this one. If it were circulated, who knew how many powerful dignitaries would go mad for it. Holding Jiuli''s demonic body, Huang Furo realized that Shen Qing didn''t care at all, as he headed towards the core of the Spirit Mechanism Land. That''s when she understood that Shen Qing had given her this invaluable Fox Skin. She called out uncertainly, "Chief Officer Shen, are you..." "It''s for you," Shen Qing waved his hand, unconcerned. In his view, the most important Demon Core was already obtained; it was just a good piece of fur, so he gave it without concern. Since he could hunt this one, surely in the future, he''d hunt two, three, or even more. Huang Furo found it unbelievable and after a moment of silence, suddenly asked, "Do you like me?" Shen Qing paused slightly at her words. He turned to look back, his gaze inadvertently sweeping over Huang Furo''s graceful figure, her curves alluring. In the afternoon sunlight, amidst the vast green mountains, she appeared even more gentle and charming. For some reason, though he originally had no such thoughts, after Huang Furo hinted as she did, an odd emotion surged within him, and he quickly retracted his gaze, saying, "No." Huang Furo stepped closer, staring directly into Shen Qing''s eyes, measuring with thumb and forefinger, suspiciously asking, "Not even a little bit?" Unwilling to continue with this topic, Shen Qing changed the subject, saying, "The Spirit Essence here won''t last long. We should hurry and cultivate. Others might come to investigate soon; this intimacy won''t last." Speaking, Shen Qing quickened his pace forward. Huang Furo squinted her eyes, saying no more. The Spirit Mechanism Land, through the consecutive cultivation of Shen Qing and Huang Furo, had its shrouded area reduced significantly. Despite this, refining all the Spirit Essence here by themselves would still take ten days to a half month. Such commotion, even after killing the Four Great Eastern Families and demons, wouldn''t avoid the covetousness of others. Shen Qing slightly furrowed his brow with a trace of worry. Seeming to see Shen Qing''s concern, Huang Furo approached and asked, "Do you want to take all this Spirit Essence with you?" Shen Qing didn''t deny it, nodding, "With such a piece of Spirit Mechanism Land, how great it would be if we could take it all. Leaving it for others feels unsatisfying." "Actually, it''s not impossible to take it away," Huang Furo said. Shen Qing suddenly looked at Huang Furo: "You have a way?" Huang Furo smiled, revealing two shiny little tiger teeth, and said without much confidence, "There is a way, but it can only take part of it, just part of it." Huang Furo emphasized the last three words "part of it." After speaking, she took out a Jade Token from her bosom, glossy like a mirror, with no information on it: "You can use this." "This was brought back when my father went to the Zhou Mansion for a banquet. It can gather spiritual energy. I tried it several times; with this Jade Token''s capacity, it can take away about one-tenth of the Spirit Essence." "Though a small amount, gaining a bit is better than none; fortune can''t be monopolized..." Huang Furo''s voice grew quieter. Because she saw Shen Qing take out nine Jade Tokens and place them in front of her. "In this case, wouldn''t it be enough with yours?" Shen Qing said. Huang Furo was astonished: "How do you have so many?" "I killed several Family Heads and found them on their bodies." Huang Furo was speechless. "Lord Huangfu, how can we use these Jade Tokens?" Shen Qing focused on the Jade Tokens and asked. Huang Furo sighed and said, "I''ll teach you." She stepped forward, withholding nothing, teaching a segment of the spell and the method of channeling Spiritual Power. Shen Qing used the Water Ink Panel, certifying eternally, quickly becoming adept. sea??h th§× n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Shen Qing lightly held a blank Jade Token, his fingertips glowing. His Divine Sense was agile, hands forming seals. As he channeled Spiritual Power, the Spirit Essence dormant in the surroundings seemed to awaken by an invisible force, like streams brushed by a spring breeze, leaping toward the floating Jade Token. A refreshing fragrance filled the air, clearing and brightening the mind. Within mere breaths, the blank Jade Token before Shen Qing began emitting light, becoming radiant and magnificent. More astonishing was a complex and exquisite Jade Talisman quietly emerging on the Jade Token. Shen Qing put away the Jade Token before him, repeated the process, and continued using a Jade Token to collect Spirit Essence. Time ticked away, and after a while, Shen Qing had collected all the Spirit Essence in the area, satisfied. "This Jade Talisman has already formed, representing that the stored spiritual energy is full. If you want to use it again in the future, just reverse the spell," Huang Furo kindly reminded: "Remember not to let court-related people know about these. My father investigated; these Jade Tokens may be related to the Huang Tian Sect. It would not be good for you if people knew." "Good, thank you, Lord Huangfu," Shen Qing said with genuine gratitude. At this moment, only the core area of this Spirit Mechanism Land remained the Broken Blade, lingering. Shen Qing hesitated not and stepped forward. "Fool," Huang Furo muttered in her heart. Shen Qing achieved the Innate level, possessing an Innate Body, and the Sword Intent unleashed by the Broken Blade was no longer mortally dangerous to him. Approaching the Broken Blade, scrutinizing closely, he noticed it was covered in blood, yet not dried, with much vibrant life within. Suddenly, sensing something, Shen Qing hurriedly took out a Three legged Small Furnace, exuding a warm aura, as if alive. "Could there be some connection between these two?" Shen Qing speculated in his heart and directly activated the Great Void Shifting Technique as recorded on the furnace pattern. An unbelievable scene unfolded. The Three legged Small Furnace spun around, its mouth emitting strands of radiance enveloping the Broken Blade, drawing it inside the furnace. "Could this really work?" Shen Qing felt amazed. ``` Chapter 304 - 128 Ancient Magic Treasure Amidst the mountains, many creatures instinctively approached the Spirit Mechanism Land, hoping to acquire spiritual wisdom by soaking in its spirit essence. However, by the time they arrived, all the spirit essence had dissipated, leaving only rampant sword qi behind. Amongst all the sword qi, three small furnaces hovered in the air, slowly rotating, their mouths emitting brilliant rays of light, thin as strands. All the fierce sword qi was gradually drawn into these lights, suppressed back into the broken blade. The bloodstains on the mottled broken blade seemed to come alive under the illumination, slowly wriggling. A buzzing sound arose. The broken blade seemed to be pulled by some mysterious force, sinking into the deep and boundless belly of the three-legged furnace. Shen Qing''s eyes narrowed, his mind racing, wanting to regain control of the three-legged furnace, and reclaim it. He operated the Great Void Shifting Technique as he had at the beginning, trying to guide it. However, to his surprise, the three-legged furnace showed no response, as if it had severed its connection with him. Shen Qing frowned, thinking it was due to a lack of spiritual power. He formed hand seals with both hands, exerting all his spiritual power, but his efforts were like a clay ox entering the sea, still not eliciting any reaction. Shen Qing was puzzled, somewhat perplexed. At this moment, an incredible scene unfolded. The three-legged furnace seemed to have gained self-awareness, standing upright autonomously, emitting radiant splendor, floating and rotating gracefully in the void. As Shen Qing stood in astonishment, an unforeseen change occurred within the furnace, where the once-silent broken blade spun furiously, each rotation accompanied by a deep buzzing sound, like ancient war drums, stirring one''s heart. Then, a streak of deep night-like black light suddenly burst forth from the body of the furnace, piercing through the long sky, unstoppably hurtling toward Shen Qing. Shen Qing felt an unprecedented force impacting his divine sense, his body trembling involuntarily. He could not resist this force at all, helplessly watching as the black light entered his physical body. The three-legged furnace followed right after the black light, merging into his forehead, eventually settling steadily in his Qi Sea. The Qi Sea, originally vast and boundless, was empty initially. At this moment, it now had a three-legged, two-eared furnace. The three-legged furnace loomed in the Qi Sea, exuding an indescribable aura of majesty. Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Its presence caused the whole Spirit Sea to tremble. Shen Qing was greatly shocked, finding it utterly incomprehensible. He remembered that he had obtained this three-legged furnace from the cave of the underground river, supposedly an artifact from the Ancient Times, while the bloodstained broken blade found in the Spirit Mechanism Land was a remnant object from beyond, differing by tens of thousands of miles. Or were the two somehow from the same era, resulting in this reaction? No one could answer him this question. His starting position was too low, the levels he could access were not sufficient, and he knew very little about past matters. Now, he was utterly clueless. Shen Qing lifted his eyes and surveyed the surroundings. After the spirit essence had been absorbed, the area became empty, regaining its tranquility. In places nurtured by the spirit essence, many green plants now appeared, each one lush and vibrant, exuding a medicinal fragrance. Around were many creatures attracted by the spirit essence, forming a circle and looking around. There were wolves, insects, tigers, leopards, pheasants, wild rabbits, muntjacs, mice, deer, pigs, and more. With the Spirit Mechanism gone, they now seemed utterly bewildered. Shen Qing stepped forward cautiously, concerned that some creatures in the mountains might develop spiritual wisdom and become demons, posing a threat to them. But before he could take any action, these mountain creatures, especially the herbivores, reacted as if they had seen a ghost, making a few calls and scattering all at once. The carnivores, however, looked bewildered, then became extremely excited when they spotted the game around and rushed forth howling to hunt. The mountain suddenly turned into a great hunting ground. Shen Qing released his divine sense to scan carefully. Seeing that these creatures showed no sign of spiritual wisdom, he finally felt reassured. "Was that the three-legged furnace you discovered in the cave that day?" Huang Furo approached and asked curiously. She had examined the furnace carefully that day; it appeared ordinary. Little did she expect she had underestimated it. Shen Qing did not deny it, nodded, and said, "Yes." He touched his forehead, worriedly remarking, "This thing seems to have quite the history." Huang Furo said, "That furnace resembles a magic treasure from the Ancient Times." "Magic treasure?" Huang Furo continued, "My family elders once mentioned that in the Ancient Times, True Immortals would occasionally prove their Dao and emerge; the Immortal Martial path was prosperous, far beyond what it is today. During that era, the Human Clan did not have martial masters, but there were cultivators who used many Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures to forge various magic treasures to enhance their power and resist the Heavenly Dao." "Some could wield a treasure sword, commanding Nine Heavens Cloud and Thunder; others could use an axe to split mountains and seas..." "At the pinnacle of cultivation, rumors tell of humans who could annihilate worlds with a beam of light or cut through stars with a blade of grass. It was an era where heroes gathered, a time of great prosperity for the Human Clan." "The three-legged furnace in your possession seems reminiscent of relics from that era." The Huangfu family, which came close to becoming the family head of Zhou Country, still retained substantial heritage and considerable knowledge despite its decline. Huang Furo did not withhold from Shen Qing, explaining patiently, benefiting him greatly. Shen Qing curiously asked, "In the Ancient Times, the Human Clan was so flourishing; can''t people nowadays reach the same level? Such magic treasures I''ve never heard of." Huang Furo shook her head and said, "They cannot." "Near the end of the Ancient Times and the onset of the near-ancient period, a gap appeared. It seemed that during a certain time, all prominent known heritages and outstanding talents vanished completely." "Even the magic treasure in your hand is rarely unearthed, and it is scarcely found outside the Imperial family." "During that period, no one knew what exactly happened. In any case, afterward, Martial Arts began to emerge, evolving to its current state, still far from the level of the Ancient Times." After listening to Huang Furo''s words, Shen Qing fell into contemplation, no longer speaking. From her words, he sensed that there were many secrets in this world. Huang Furo, eyes wide, revealing two shining little tiger teeth, smiled and said, "The matters of the Ancient Times are too distant from us; you shouldn''t worry too much. Now that you have this magic treasure, it''s beneficial and harmless to you; you should be glad." Shen Qing looked at Huang Furo, also smiling, and said, "You''re right, thinking too much is pointless. We should focus on living well in the present." As he spoke, he glanced at the sky, seeing the sun setting in the west. The red and white sun turned to orange-red, dyeing the mountain golden. Shen Qing said, "It''s getting late; matters here are finished. We should return to Yongzhou City to discuss other things." "Now, with demons causing havoc in Yongzhou City, it must be a chaos." Shen Qing picked up the Heavy Bow slinging it on his back, looked at Huang Furo with a smile on his lips, and said, "As the Chief Officer of the Guardian Martial Department, I can''t sit idly by; I need to return to slay demons and eliminate evil." Chapter 305 - 129: Return to Yongzhou City, Purge the Universe "Yongzhou City is now under siege by various families, including the Zhou Family, colluding with demons, leaving the government office in tatters. With the leadership gone, I would estimate the situation is a chaotic mess. What do you plan to do?" Huang Furo asked, her red lips slightly parted. Sear?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Shen Qing answered decisively without much thought, "Kill them!" "Kill them?" Huang Furo was slightly taken aback by Shen Qing''s response. Shen Qing adjusted the dagger at his waist, speaking with unwavering righteousness, "Demons wreak havoc. These beings should never be spared, and they deserve to be killed! Those high-ranking families are merely merchants who have been operating in Yongzhou for years. With some influence, they''ve colluded with demons, killed the Prefectural Governor and other officials, and seek to overthrow the dynasty, they too deserve to be killed!" "But touching one aspect could affect everything. If you kill them, you might provoke some huge, powerful entities behind them. I know these high-ranking families have been channeling interests back to the Capital City," Huang Furo sincerely advised. "Why not strike a balance, kill some, and spare others, to set an example? This way, the situation might remain under control." "Why spare them? To me, they are nothing more than scoundrels requiring death to appease the public''s anger, death to comfort the people''s hearts," Shen Qing declared with righteous fervor. "As a government officer of the Guardian Martial Department tasked with slaying demons, there''s absolutely no reason for me to let them go. As for future consequences, we''ll deal with them when they come." A celestial unicorn once had a species, how can ants in holes escape! At this moment, Shen Qing clearly understood his own strength. Yongzhou''s pests were nothing to fear. If there was someone behind them, let them come boldly then. Seeing that Shen Qing had made up his mind, Huang Furo didn''t persuade him further. "Let''s go!" "Alright." Shen Qing and Huang Furo stood side by side. Huang Furo, with her light and agile figure, used the Da Xu Technique, constantly flickering and moving through the forest. Through cultivation in the Spirit Mechanism Land, although she hadn''t broken through to the Innate Realm, her cultivation had undoubtedly advanced compared to before. Her speed was much faster than before. Still, to Shen Qing, this speed was somewhat slow compared to the Rainbow Light he rode on the wind, incomparable. He urged his Spiritual Power, as an array of crimson-golden radiance ascended from his feet. With a focused mind, Shen Qing transformed into Rainbow Light, moving with the wind, flying beneath the sky. In moments, he caught up with Huang Furo. Shen Qing stood silently, slowly approaching Huang Furo, extending his hand, "Lord Huangfu, may I offer you a ride?" Huang Furo glanced up and down at him, hesitated for a moment, then took hold of Shen Qing''s wrist, agreeing, "Alright." With a strong pull from his right arm, Shen Qing brought her beside him, his Spiritual Power surging within, releasing strands of radiance wrapping around Huang Furo''s slender and flexible waist. A hint of oddness flickered across Huang Furo''s face, only to vanish in an instant. With a low hum from Shen Qing, the Rainbow Light suddenly burst forth, enveloping them both, slicing swiftly through the sky towards Yongzhou City. The wind howled. Shen Qing and Huang Furo raced along, reaching the city walls of Yongzhou City in mere moments. With a shift of his mind, Shen Qing dispersed the Rainbow Light, landing with Huang Furo atop the city walls. Looking out, the scene that greeted them made their hearts sink heavily. Within Yongzhou City, cries of despair rose and fell. Various demons now roamed the streets and alleys openly, their fierce roars turning the city into their playground, uninhibited, wantonly indulgent. With the Prefectural Governor already dead and leaderless, the news of the Commander being slain by demons returned, causing further panic in the Yongzhou Government Office. The government office, long since penetrated akin to a sieve by the Thirteen Lines, now only cared for its own domain, showing no attempt to cease this calamity. "It seems it''s time to execute some justice." This time, Huang Furo didn''t verbally stop him, standing quietly to the side. After breaking through the Innate Realm, Shen Qing''s Divine Sense strengthened. Closing his eyes, he concentrated, instantly releasing his vast and boundless Divine Sense, covering the entire range of the western city as if an invisible giant net. In the city, the silhouettes of those demons steadily appeared in Shen Qing''s mind. When he opened his eyes again, a sharp brilliance flickered within them. He took a deep breath, an empowering force swelling within his chest, shouted like rolling thunder, "Shen Qing is here, all demons shall perish!" The voice, rolling like clouds, cleaving gold and splitting stones, carried an indisputable majesty and power, spreading throughout every corner of Yongzhou City within breaths, shaking the entire city. Citizens looked up towards the towering figure on the city wall. Under their gaze, Shen Qing spread his form like a great roc spreading its wings, taking the Heavy Bow from his back. Dark light flowed across the bow''s body. With a thought, an arrow levitated, landing on the bowstring, pulled to the limit by him. "Shoo!" With a clear whistle, the arrow transformed into a streak of dark light, flying off the string with supreme majesty. Shen Qing''s hands didn''t stop, his arm moving like an illusion, setting another arrow, repeating, continuously shooting arrows. The arrows shot like a barrage of artillery, each arrow containing Shen Qing''s profound cultivation and endless killing intent. Arrows cut through the sky, carrying sharp whistling sounds, raining down like celestial beauties scattering flowers. Under the locking of Shen Qing''s Divine Sense, every arrow hit the mark accurately, striking each demon precisely. Those demons, under the baptism of the arrow rain, howled in succession, their solid flesh and blood reduced to pools of blood pulp under the heavy pressure of the arrows, dying without a burial place. After exhausting his arrows, Shen Qing didn''t stop. He stood atop the city tower, stepping out into the air. He stepped, spanning the entire city. Shen Qing''s feet hung mid-air, his Divine Sense spreading. With a single hand gesture, an arrow stained with demon blood flew up from the city, captured in his hand. Without any hesitation, he strung the arrow back on the bowstring, continuing to shoot. Shen Qing moved forward, continually recalling scattered arrows from the void, shooting anew, each shot aiming to decisively slay a demon. "Ah, he''s a fiend, even more demonic than us, flee!" Some demons, intimidated by Shen Qing''s aura, lost their courage, howling to escape. But to no avail. Under the Heavenly Bow Technique''s enhancement, Shen Qing''s arrows traveled swiftly, making escape impossible. With a muffled sound. The demon was instantly shattered by an arrow, turning into a shower of blood, cascading down. In Yongzhou City, blood flowers bloomed, perilous and brilliant. Unsure how long it went on, Shen Qing shot and killed all along the way. "Shoo!" Another arrow pierced through space, penetrating a demon''s heart. Shen Qing stepped forward, slowly landing atop the western city wall, stepping onto the solid bluestone ground. Looking back, he saw that from west to east, every demon in his path had been slaughtered. For the moment, the city was silent. Shen Qing gazed afar, eyeing several mansions within the city, murmured softly, "Next, it''s your turn!" Chapter 306 - 130: What are We Afraid of? Straighten Up Your Backs! It was clearly a sunny day, but inside Yongzhou City, a sense of oppression permeated the air, filled with tension. In a large mansion of the Zhou Family, the scions of high-ranking families, including those of the Zhou, Dong, and Sun families, gathered together, whispering. "Look quickly, isn''t that Shen Qing? He''s actually alive and returned!" Sun Qingshu, the second young master of the Sun Family, pointed at the familiar figure on the distant city wall, his voice suddenly rising with an incredulous tremor. At these words, everyone couldn''t help but focus all their attention on the city tower in the west. There, a tall figure stood against the wind, with a beauty by his side. "I heard that the Family Heads personally stepped in, how could it be possible?" Dong Wan''er, the lady of the Dong Family, lightly covered her vermilion lips, her beautiful eyes filled with disbelief. Suddenly, the surrounding area erupted with noise, the voices of discussion rising and falling like waves rolling in. "Hmph, even if he returned alive, what of it? It was mere luck. When the ancestors return, there won''t be any place for him to survive." A young man dressed in luxurious brocade snorted coldly; he was Li Muyun of the Li Family, known for his arrogance and disdain for Shen Qing. "Shen Qing''s life is really hard to end." He looked at the person beside Shen Qing and continued, "If I am not mistaken, isn''t the one standing next to Shen Qing Huang Furo? Associating with someone so lowly as Shen Qing is truly shameless. She has utterly disgraced her Huangfu family." In Li Muyun''s view, they were born with noble clothing and fine food, able to summon the wind and the rain at will. Along with never lacking cultivation resources from a young age and having some talent in martial arts cultivation, they looked down greatly upon someone of Shen Qing''s background. Just as they were deep in their discussions, they saw Shen Qing move. Under their watchful eyes, Shen Qing took a step forward, footsteps on emptiness, supported by Rainbow Light, suspended in mid-air. "Innate... Innate Realm!" In the mansion, numerous young lords and ladies were completely stunned upon witnessing this scene. Sun Qingshu, the second young master of the Sun Family, became especially dazed. Among the peers in Yongzhou, he was most hopeful of breaking through to the Innate Realm, often being labeled as a genius. Currently, his cultivation was at the Yu Luo Realm, and soon he would break through to the Dan Realm, with hopes of reaching the Innate Realm within ten years. However, at this very moment, someone younger than him had broken through to the Innate Realm and appeared before them, making the so-called title of genius seem like a joke. What pained him further was the memory from long ago when the now-deceased Dong Jing had invited Shen Qing to a banquet at Shen Ji. At that time, he sat at the chief seat, and in their eyes, Shen Qing didn''t even have the qualification to sit at the last seat. Now, in the blink of an eye, this person who didn''t even have the qualification to sit at the last seat had become an Innate Realm martial master, akin to their family''s ancestor, greatly wounding his pride. "How could this be? It''s fake, it must be fake." Sun Qingshu was greatly shaken, unwilling to believe the reality, continually denying it, deceiving himself. "So what if he returned alive? After all, he is merely a rustic civilian, hard to shake the foundations of our families." Li Muyun of the Li Family still maintained his arrogant stance, yet there was an unavoidable hint of trepidation regarding Shen Qing''s strength in his words. "Whizz, whizz, whizz!" In Yongzhou City, the sound of arrows tearing through the air continued non-stop. Sear?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. They watched as Shen Qing, like a god of war, continuously released arrows. The city echoed with the anguished cries of demons, countless falling dead in response. Standing at the corner among the group, Zhou Jishan couldn''t help but draw a sharp breath, stunned speechless like the others. He knew Shen Qing had some abilities, but never expected it had reached such a degree, unable to relate it to the matters in Taiping County in his mind. At this moment, some of the young lords and ladies aware of the Family Heads'' schemes had a sudden ominous feeling in their hearts as Shen Qing went on his killing spree, relentlessly slaying demons. ''Weren''t these demons supposed to be exterminated by Father and the others? How did it fall to him? Could it be... impossible...'' A terrifying conjecture appeared in their minds. These young lords and ladies suddenly thought of many things. ''If it truly is this way, then we have formed a mortal feud with this Shen Qing. Once he is done killing the demons in the city, then we are next!!!'' ''What should we do now?'' The young lords and ladies aware of the hidden details exchanged worried glances, all understanding that with Shen Qing''s return, he feared he wouldn''t let them off, placing them in extreme danger. Just then, a servant, dressed in a tidy long robe, quickly walked into the courtyard, urgent footsteps breaking everyone''s thoughts, the servant looking nervous: "Young lords and ladies, the noble ladies have arrived!" At these words, the previously noisy courtyard instantly fell silent. The numerous young lords and ladies swiftly adjusted their attire, standing respectfully to the side. Soon, the matriarchs of the Zhou, Wu, Zheng, and Sun families arrived together. Many of the Thirteen Noble Families had been operating in Yongzhou for many years with deep roots, enjoying intermarriage, and having intricate relationships. Today, in the tumultuous situation in Yongzhou City, the ancestors and Family Heads were handling major affairs, so these matriarchs brought their legitimate sons and daughters together to contribute to the grand event. They were not those traditional women who never stepped beyond their doors and were well aware of what their families needed to do. Upon seeing Shen Qing perfectly fine appearing in Yongzhou City and going on a killing spree, they immediately realized the precarious position of their high-ranking families. If not handled well, the foundations accumulated by their ancestors for generations might be destroyed. Lady Sun of the Zhou Family stepped forward with a stern face, casting a glance at the juniors in the courtyard, discerning their thoughts. She spoke loudly to a few of the obviously pale young lords and ladies, "Why the panic, allowing yourselves to be frightened by a bunch of rustic hunters, what disgraceful behavior?" These chastised young lords and ladies hurriedly bowed their heads, accepting the reprimand, not daring to make a sound. They also understood that the matriarchs of their various families were each martial masters, at least at the Qi Cultivation Realm, second only to the Family Head in their families. "Do you think that Shen would dare to do anything to us? Know that our families have been operating for so many years, even opening doors in the Capital; if he dares to act against us, we will surely show him the might of our families." Lady Sun of the Zhou Family said sternly: "So, why fear? Hold your heads high!" Indeed. Their dozen or so high-ranking families had been operating in the Capital for so many years, knowing numerous bigwigs, why fear this small Chief Officer? For some reason, following the reassurance by Lady Sun of the Zhou Family, these young lords and ladies felt much more relaxed, as if filled with great confidence. When they looked at Shen Qing again, they each became calm and composed. Chapter 307 - 131: Commanding with Gestures, Ill Handle What the Court Cant ``` Shen Qing stood atop the eastern city tower, his black robe fluttering gently in the wind. The arrow quiver at his waist was soaked with blood, indistinguishable between demon blood and human blood. He had slaughtered demons along the way. Looking around, the entire Yongzhou City was now free of any demon presence. Ignoring the bodies strewn on the ground, Yongzhou City had reverted to its former tranquility and peace. A gentle breeze swept over, and at the distant alleyway entrance, a group of children burst out joyfully like wild horses unrestrained. Their laughter was crisp and melodious, breaking the solemn atmosphere in the city, bringing a bit of life back to the city. "Wow, wow, look! Those terrifying demons have really been wiped out by Lord Shen!" A little girl with pigtails, her face flushed with excitement, pointed at the demon-free street in the distance with delight. "Yes, yes! We don''t have to worry about being snatched away by demons anymore!" Another young boy cheered along, his voice full of excitement and relief, all the fear dissipating with the disappearance of the demons. The surrounding children echoed one another, their laughter intertwining. "No more demons! We can play freely now!" Some children continuously pushed at their parents leaning against the wall, naively shouting, "The demons are dead, the demons are dead, this is great, this is great. Mother, get up and see, get up and see. Father..." These scenes were all taken in by Shen Qing standing atop the city wall, stirring a complicated emotion within his heart. If not for those high-ranking clans acting for their own gain, this unnecessary disaster could have been avoided altogether. Now that the demons were vanquished, those responsible, the high-ranking clans who colluded with the demons, needed to be dealt with. Shen Qing gazed over the whole of Yongzhou City, his sharp eyesight penetrating the bustling streets, landing directly on a certain high-walled deep courtyard. A cold, sharp light flashed in his eyes, his breath like a chilling wind passing through. Expanding his figure, Shen Qing surrounded himself with brilliant crimson gold light, like a divine being descending, soaring into the sky, and then rushing with unstoppable force towards the Zhou Mansion. There, many descendants of the Family Head and Lady Zhou gathered together, saving him the effort of visiting each house. Among the Thirteen Lines, aside from the Huangfu family and the already exterminated Qian Family, the other eleven families, mostly with powerful Family Heads and patriarchs, had been sent to the underworld by Shen Qing. The remaining ones were insignificant in his eyes. Above the Zhou Family Mansion, a resplendent rainbow light split the sky, descending precisely into the courtyard center. As the light faded, Shen Qing''s tall and upright figure was revealed. Shen Qing cast a sharp gaze over the gathered family members in the courtyard. "Everyone, I heard that your family heads secretly colluded with demons, causing chaos in Yongzhou. Were you aware of this?" His voice was deep, like thunder resounding in everyone''s ears. As soon as he said this, there was an uproar in the courtyard. The family heads'' wives and young masters exchanged glances and then started denying it, each in their own fashion. "Lord Shen, my Zhou family has been innocent for generations. How could we associate with demons? What evidence do you have to dare to slander us, noble families like this?" Clad in luxurious attire and adorned with jewelry, Lady Zhou fanned herself with her fan, countering with a deliberate posture. Li Muyun agreed, "Exactly, what evidence do you have to slander us? Do you think we are easy to bully?" Sun Family''s second son, Sun Qingshu, also said in a deep voice, "Everything must be based on evidence, Lord Shen!" Saying the last three words, Sun Qingshu emphasized them heavily, hinting at resentment underneath. Shen Qing curled his lip in a cold smile, never sparing Sun Qingshu a direct glance. This blatant disregard infuriated him further. S~ea??h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Evidence?! If you''re not guilty, why deny so quickly? To be honest, I''ve long had the answer in my heart. Whether you admit it or not, the outcome is the same. I thought you were merely deceived by the family head, and believed you deserved a chance. Now it seems I was wrong!" With this, Shen Qing surged his spiritual power, a supreme authority exclusive to an Innate Martial Master emanating from him, enveloping the entire back courtyard. The family members from all sides saw this and their faces immediately changed colors, but they still barely held on. They were unwilling, pulling out their families'' prestigious backgrounds, attempting to pressure Shen Qing into retreating. "Shen Qing, do you know that our Zhou family is on good terms with the capital''s elite families? If you dare act recklessly, you''re opposing the entire court!" "Our Sun family, furthermore, has close ties with the Imperial family martial arts elite, experts abound. Have you thought of the consequences if you act?" "Then let them come. Some matters the court can''t handle, I will!" Faced with these commanding threats, Shen Qing laughed in anger. It was clear that these so-called innocent families were all the same, still so hard-mouthed at death''s door. Fine then, killing them bore no mental burden indeed. With that, Shen Qing''s spiritual power surged violently, like a raging sea, unstoppable. "How dare you!" Sun Family''s second son, Sun Qingshu, seeing Shen Qing about to strike, roared angrily. Turning silently, Shen Qing cast a disdainful look, as if viewing an ant, at Sun Qingshu. Sun Qingshu''s face flushed, his self-esteem deeply pricked by this gaze. In a moment of heated impulse, he tried to charge forward. However, just as he lifted his foot, not yet touching the ground, a dazzling crimson gold light suddenly shot out from between Shen Qing''s fingers, piercing through Sun Qingshu''s Protective Gang Qi and landed on his chest. At the moment of impact between the light and flesh, a muffled boom sounded. A hint of disbelief flashed in Sun Qingshu''s eyes. He tried to struggle, but the power was too overwhelming, far beyond what he could withstand. His heart was pierced by this beam of light, leaving bloody holes one after another. Shen Qing stood there, his fingers still maintaining the gesture of pointing together, his eyes deep and calm, as if what just happened was trivial, causing unprecedented pressure on everyone present. Retracting his fingers, Shen Qing smiled, "Well, now it''s your turn!" "No! Shen Qing, you cannot do this! We are innocent! If you proceed, the capital will not spare you!" Lady Zhou screamed, her voice filled with fear and despair. Everything before her was completely different from what she had anticipated. Had Shen Qing gone mad? Did he not care about his own life at all, or did he truly believe he could withstand the power from above? Lady Zhou couldn''t make sense of it at all. "Innocent? To be honest, the dog I saw on the roadside was more innocent than you!" Shen Qing''s voice was icy, devoid of any emotion. With raging spiritual power surging within, he formed a seal with his hands. A massive Sky Flipping Seal materialized out of thin air, exuding a powerful aura. Those once prestigious dignitaries, at this moment, turned pale as paper under the seal''s pressure. "Die!" Boom! The Sky Flipping Seal, with a world-destroying momentum, pressed down upon them. "Ah!" As the massive seal face made contact with their bodies, a spray of blood bloomed like roses. ``` Chapter 308 - 132: Yongzhous Clear Skies, The Grace of Thousands ``` "I don''t want to die!!" Someone didn''t dare to accept their fate, constantly resisting and struggling bitterly, hoping to find a ray of hope, but it proved futile. These descendants of Yongzhou''s great families, who weren''t even at the Dan Realm, couldn''t possibly withstand the might of Shen Qing in the Innate Realm. Puff, puff, puff... Blood flowers bloomed like roses, continuously unfolding. The Sky Flipping Seal crashed to the ground with a thunderous roar, causing the earth to sink, splattering blood all around. The screams abruptly ceased. The vast Zhou Family Mansion returned to its deathly silence. Shen Qing''s robes were stained red with the blood, but he remained indifferent, his gaze calm. With a wave of his hand, the massive crimson-gold seal before him slowly vanished, revealing the formless corpses scattered everywhere, a thick smell of blood permeating the air. "Every time I see so many lives disappear before me, it always saddens me. When will I be able to avoid such situations?" Shen Qing suddenly felt a little melancholic, murmuring to himself. "Next time, I should just shoot them dead from afar. Witnessing it firsthand is too distressing." Shen Qing let out a long sigh and walked alone out of the Zhou Family Mansion. He pushed open the main gate and stood at the entrance. Not far away, Huang Furo descended gracefully from the sky, her knees slightly bent, landing steadily like a cat. She walked towards Shen Qing and from afar caught a whiff of the strong stench of blood. Her brows slightly furrowed as she said, "You killed them all." "Yes!" Huang Furo didn''t blame him but asked calmly, "What are you planning to do next? These people have some connections in the Capital." "First, stabilize Yongzhou City," Shen Qing replied without hesitation. Seeing Shen Qing''s decisiveness, Huang Furo''s brows knitted slightly, feeling a bit worried for Shen Qing''s future. Those in power were not that easy to deal with. Shen Qing glanced at Huang Furo, knowing what she was thinking. So what if they were difficult to deal with? With the Panel at his disposal, he would be ashamed to fear those so-called Capital elites. A true man should not act so cautiously. Shen Qing suddenly raised his voice and shouted, "Citizens, listen carefully! The demon calamity in Yongzhou City today was due to the collusion between the high-ranking families and the demons! They intended to overthrow Yongzhou''s order and bring chaos to the world! Now, the demons are all dead, and those high-ranking families have been executed!" "Yongzhou is safe, the city is at peace!" Exerting his Inner Strength in secret, Shen Qing''s voice boomed like thunder, revealing the collusion between Yongzhou''s elites and the demons to the public. After a moment of silence, Yongzhou Inner City erupted, like water dripping into boiling oil, with people clamoring loudly. "Great, great, we are safe now." Residents of the city wept with joy, hugging their loved ones, while others cheered loudly, caught up in revelry; yet some remained calm, a trace of vitality restoring their once desolate eyes... "Mighty Lord Shen!" "Mighty Lord Shen!" "..." The rising shouts echoed from within the city, gathering into one and resounding to the heavens, unable to be quelled for a long time. Huang Furo, beside him, glanced at Shen Qing in a daze, noticing the sharpness exuding from him, stirring her emotions slightly. "Where are the officers of the Guardian Martial Department?" On one of Yongzhou City''s streets, Tian Xiaohu was busy picking up demon cores when he heard Shen Qing''s voice. Without hesitation, he stuffed the demon cores into his pocket, wiped the blood from his face, and sprinted towards the Zhou Family''s direction. Likewise, Ji Youwu, Wang Shouyuan, Chen Guang, and the other officers also paused their demon core collection upon hearing the voice and hurried towards the source. At the entrance of the Zhou Family Mansion. Shen Qing gazed at the officers of the Guardian Martial Department, flooding in like waves from all directions, their shadows lengthening under the setting sun, gathering together. In just a moment, these officers stood in formation before him, with an imposing presence, thundering a greeting, "Greetings, Lord Chief Officer, Lord Huangfu!" Shen Qing swept his gaze over the faces before him, secretly calculating in his heart, realizing their numbers had decreased by a third since the beginning. Those who remained in the Inner City had clearly suffered casualties. "You''ve all worked hard." "It was no trouble, all at your command." "Good. This is a time of many affairs, so I''ll cut to the chase." Shen Qing quickly ordered, "The Zhou, Wu, Sun, Xiao, and other high-ranking families colluded with the demons and have been slain by me. However, there might still be some who would stir trouble. You all immediately go to guard the areas near each of the family estates, and if anyone causes disturbances, execute them without mercy." "Yes, sir!" With Shen Qing setting a good example, the officers of the Guardian Martial Department were filled with morale, becoming fierce and formidable. Tian Xiaohu and others stepped forward voluntarily to start assigning posts: "Awu, you and your brothers go to the Sun Family; Chen Guang, you and several other brothers go to the Xiao Family..." The named officers swiftly began to act. Finally, Tian Xiaohu stayed behind voluntarily, leading others to guard the Zhou Family Mansion. Shen Qing turned to Huang Furo and said, "Lord Huangfu, gather some reliable people from your Military Department to maintain order throughout the city as well. The Inner City is without leadership, we''ll get through tonight first." "I''ll arrange it, let your men coordinate with ours." At this moment, stabilizing and restoring order was paramount. Huang Furo understood the priorities and supported him actively. "Thank you, my lord." Shen Qing said, clasping his hands. Huang Furo nodded, her figure flashing as she left with strides. At the entrance of the Zhou Family, only Shen Qing and Tian Xiaohu remained. Shen Qing gestured. Tian Xiaohu looked around and stepped forward, saying, "Boss." Lowering his voice, Shen Qing said, "Take some reliable people and search the estates, take whatever useful things you find." Tian Xiaohu cast a surprised glance at Shen Qing. "What are you spacing out for? We can''t just toil for nothing, can we?" Suddenly, Tian Xiaohu realized Shen Qing''s intent in placing guards at each estate, his expression becoming peculiar. Shen Qing''s rapid change made it difficult for him to keep up initially. Moments later, having processed his thoughts, he said, "I understand. Right, there are demon cores among the demon corpses in the city this time, what about those..." Shen Qing pondered, "How many are there?" "About eleven in total." Shen Qing contemplated, "Handle those as you see fit." Shen Qing already had two Great Demon cores in his possession, so he wasn''t too interested in those scattered around the city. Firstly, their quality wasn''t high, and collecting them one by one was time-consuming and laborious; secondly, if one is too meticulous, resentment will arise, and it''s better to be generous for gaining people''s hearts. It''s more beneficial to search for demon cores with that effort. "Get moving early," Shen Qing reminded, "And remember, don''t touch the Huangfu family''s property." Tian Xiaohu nodded and hurried away. "Ha ha ha, indeed talents emerge with each generation! Our Yongzhou Government Office is indeed a haven of hidden talents. To have such youthful talents is a blessing for the people of Yongzhou, a fortune for our county!" Just after Tian Xiaohu left, a middle-aged man''s voice was heard. Shen Qing squinted, seeing two middle-aged men, donned in county government office uniforms, approaching together. They wore the government office''s dark blue uniforms, shimmering under the setting sun, with steady steps. ``` sea??h th§× N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 309 - 133 Testing Shen Qings Attitude, Spreading to the Capital City ``` These two men are Prefecture Chief Dou Wenxi and County Supervisor Yan Xushou, the only remaining two Innate Martial Masters of the Yongzhou County Office, with high positions and power, second only to the Prefectural Governor. Now, both are over a hundred years old, and their cultivation has been stuck in the Innate Realm for seventy to eighty years, their ambition worn away, and they have little drive to advance in the Martial Arts. After being assigned to Yongzhou, they have always been in a laid-back state, getting by, without much presence. When such a big incident happened in Yongzhou City, both of them stood by and watched. Shen Qing had a rather ordinary impression of the two. As Dou Wenxi and Yan Xushou approached, he was somewhat puzzled, not understanding their purpose for coming. After Prefecture Chief Dou Wenxi finished speaking, County Supervisor Yan Xushou immediately followed, echoing Dou Wenxi: "What Lord Dou said is absolutely right. Chief Officer Shen, with your thunderous methods, just and selfless, eradicating harm for the people¡ªcalling you the righteous lord of Yongzhou is more than fitting." County Supervisor Yan Xushou''s words were filled with flattery. From their many words and actions, no malice was detected. Shen Qing couldn''t quite grasp their intentions, so he observed quietly and calmly: "Both lords give me too much credit. I am merely fulfilling my duty." "Ayy, Chief Officer Shen is still too modest." County Supervisor Yan Xushou''s face shook with feigned indignation. Shen Qing did not beat around the bush with them and directly asked: "I wonder what instructions you have for coming here today?" "It''s not really any instructions," Prefecture Chief Dou Wenxi stroked his goatee, lowered his stance slightly, and said: "With such a major incident happening in Yongzhou, we have already reported it to the court. It won''t be unexpected if, in a few days, the court sends envoys to stabilize the situation. During the interim, it requires us to work as one, hence our visit to brief you." County Supervisor Yan Xushou also smiled and said: "Now the county office is in shambles; I wonder what Mr. Shen plans to do?" Through several exchanges, Shen Qing gradually understood their intentions. At present, Yongzhou is in turmoil, a time of trouble, and they are worried. They came to probe his attitude and seek self-preservation. Indeed, just as he suspected, both Dou Wenxi and Yan Xushou were genuinely startled by Shen Qing''s decisive actions. With such cultivation, they might not even be his match. They worried that if Shen Qing acted impulsively for so-called justice, he might disrupt their peaceful life and endanger their lives. Therefore, they came specifically to negotiate with Shen Qing, to understand his real intentions. If it was merely a matter of just addressing the issue, then returning to normal would naturally be best, leaving everyone happy. If he wanted to cause trouble and extend the hand of the Suzheng Government over them, they couldn''t just sit idly by. S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Shen Qing gazed at the two, observing their warm smiles, like a pleasant spring breeze, treating him with an excellent attitude. This made him secretly wary and cautious inside. He contemplated silently; although they might not necessarily be his match, if they were willing to risk everything, they might make him pay a price. Moreover, they were still officials dispatched by the court, and he didn''t have any particularly good reasons to act against them. As long as they didn''t create chaos for him, it''s better to have fewer troubles than unnecessary enemies. With this in mind, Shen Qing understood and said naturally: "Since both of you have already reported to the court, then naturally this matter will be decided by the court. During this time, we shall unite with both of you, work through difficult times together, and maintain order in the city." Hearing this, Prefecture Chief Dou Wenxi and County Supervisor Yan Xushou exchanged a glance and smiled, and their doubts vanished. They were quite pleased with such an outcome. It was evident that this Chief Officer of the Guardian Martial Department was not so unreasonable and domineering. "Hahaha, it turns out Mr. Shen understands the greater righteousness." Prefecture Chief Dou Wenxi said gleefully: "After some time working together, Lord Shen will know our nature, and there won''t be any difficulties with you." County Supervisor Yan Xushou glanced around and then said: "Now that the city''s chaos is nearly settled, we still have many matters to attend to, and after a few busy days, we''ll drink to our hearts'' content with Mr. Shen. We shall take our leave first." "Take care, my lords." Watching the portly backs of Prefecture Chief Dou Wenxi and County Supervisor Yan Xushou, who lacked the aura of martial masters, he mused. "This world indeed speaks with force; with high martial power, one speaks louder. Two officials of the county office seemingly imply following my lead, truly... interesting." Shen Qing felt a bit more contemptuous toward Dou Wenxi and Yan Xushou. ... In the vibrant heart of the Capital City, where one of the eight great families of the Great Zhou, the Xue Family, resided, the grand and majestic Xue Mansion stood quietly. At the gate of the Xue Mansion, a young man dressed in brocade with an imposing demeanor approached the vermilion gate with brisk steps. Bowing slightly before the gatekeeper, he said: "Zhou Su of the Zhou Family in Yongzhou, here to see Lord Xue, please announce me." Zhou Su''s voice was clear and sincere, with a heroic spirit showing between his brows. Hearing this, the gatekeeper dared not neglect, quickly bowing and hurried into the mansion. Soon, the gatekeeper returned and said: "Lord Zhou, please follow me." "Thank you." Zhou Su lightly waved his sleeve and followed behind the gatekeeper, passing through winding corridors, entering a tea room decorated with elegance and filled with the fragrance of books. After guiding him there, the gatekeeper quietly withdrew, leaving Zhou Su alone. He wasn''t in a hurry, waiting patiently in the tea room. After a moment, a nimble young man appeared at the door, his face lighting up upon seeing Zhou Su: "Brother Zhou, what brings you here today?" Zhou Su looked up, seeing a handsome young man. This person was none other than the first young master of the Xue Family, Xue Bai. The eldest young master of the Xue Family walked step by step to the highest seat, his figure elongated by the sunlight at the door. He grasped Zhou Su''s hand and said: "Sit down, sit down!" Zhou Su quickly lowered his head, and the two, Zhou Su and Xue Bai, took their respective seats. Inside, the aroma of tea filled the room. Zhou Su stood up and took the initiative to speak: "I came this time to inform the young master of an important matter, which might be an opportunity for him." Xue Bai, curious, asked: "Oh, what is it?" Zhou Su smiled and said: "Previously, Bai Mu, Prefectural Governor Bai, sent a report. Lord Xue must already know about the massive appearance of demons in Yongzhou, causing great suffering to the people. But in fact, there is one thing that Prefectural Governor Bai did not explicitly mention¡ªwhat is happening in Yongzhou far exceeds this." With a solemn expression, Zhou Su lowered his voice, saying: "There is Spirit Essence descending in Yongzhou, on a scale not less than Jinzhou, and there are even rumors of an Outer Domain Treasure appearing!" "Ah?" ``` Chapter 310 - 134: Wind Rises in Capital City, with Urgent and Intensive Preparations "Is this really true?" "Absolutely!" Zhou Su said solemnly, "This is the latest news I got from home, and it''s correct." Lord Xue, Xue Bai, was excited. An absolute opportunity. Now, His Majesty was not only integrating the Martial Mechanism across the realm but also methodically collecting the Spirit Essence from beyond the domains. If this could be done well, it would be a great achievement for the Xue Family and would greatly aid Father''s Martial Arts advancement. Thinking of this, Xue Bai grew more excited. He made up his mind and grabbed Zhou Su''s wrist, saying, "Come, let''s go see my father and tell him about this so that he can decide." Zhou Su hurriedly said, "That''s not possible." Xue Bai was surprised. Zhou Su quickly thought and explained, "It would be impolite for me to see General Xue rashly. Besides, if Lord Xue learns about the matters between you and me, it may not be a good thing." Xue Bai hesitated slightly and said, "You make sense, but..." "You should tell the General directly, my lord," Zhou Su insisted. "I guarantee with my life that it''s absolutely true. If the General wants to advance in Martial Arts and win His Majesty''s favor, this matter cannot wait." "More importantly, if this information comes from you, my young lord, it will certainly earn you newfound respect from the General and solidify your position within the Young Master Mansion." Hearing this, Xue Bai was invigorated, finding Zhou Su''s words very reasonable. "Alright, then there''s no time to delay; I''ll go tell my father right now." Xue Bai hurried out. Watching Xue Bai''s retreating figure, Zhou Su''s expression turned solemn, his hands involuntarily clenching into fists, his thumbnails digging deeply into his flesh, even drawing blood from the force. Early today, he had received shocking and terrible news. The Yongzhou''s Zhou Family was obliterated because of the Chief Officer of the Guardian Martial Department! The Ancestors and the Family Head were all dead, and all the sons and daughters of the family were slain. The moment he heard this news, he felt as if he had fallen into an ice pit, his entire body chilled, nearly fainting. With the Zhou Family gone, and without support from his family, his life in the overpriced Capital City would undoubtedly become extremely difficult, perhaps even unsustainable. He knew he couldn''t just sit and wait for death; he had to act. Over the years, he had consistently delivered substantial sums of money to Xue Bai, solidifying his position as the Princely Heir within the Xue Mansion, thereby opening opportunities for himself. Now, without the support of his family and lacking real scholarship, this relationship would surely become untenable over time, and his influence in the Capital City would diminish. Thus, he must capitalize on these relations before they wore thin to accrue merits for himself and tighten their bonds. Even better would be to kill two birds with one stone, eliminating those responsible for the disaster at Zhou Family, potentially turning the crisis around. He might even have a chance to gather the remaining assets of the Zhou Family, revive and firmly attach himself to the Xue Family. In the Xue Mansion study. The vermilion-painted door creaked as it turned, its sound especially clear in the silent study. Xue Bai rushed into the study in haste, shouting anxiously as he entered, "Father! Something''s happened in Yongzhou! They say there are many demons." Before him sat a man over fifty but still vibrantly vigorous, a middle-aged man. He was sitting at the desk, fiddling with an ancient Jade Pendant, bearing a strong resemblance to Xue Bai. This man was none other than the Great General of Zhou Country, Xue Zhao. "What''s the rush?" Xue Zhao''s expression was composed; he looked up at Xue Bai and calmly said, "Demon affairs have always been occurring. A few days ago, the Yongzhou Governor also reported to the court, and His Majesty is already discussing countermeasures with the Qintian Bureau and Bailu Academy. The results should be out in a couple of days, and it won''t affect our proceedings." Xue Bai stepped forward a few paces, his determination unquestionable, and confidently declared, "But this time it''s different, Father! Over in Yongzhou, not only are there demons, but also a celestial Spirit Essence has appeared, triggering a Spirit Mechanism. It is said that the scene is spectacular, with the entire Yongzhou enveloped in an extraordinary Rainbow Light. This is a rare opportunity for your cultivation!" Hearing this, Xue Zhao''s Jade Pendant involuntarily slipped from his hand, and he stood up abruptly, a flash of shock in his eyes. He asked in a deep voice, "Where did you hear this news?" Just as Xue Bai was about to spill everything, he recalled Zhou Su''s words just now and paused before changing his response, "I am not just idling outside, Father. I have my own sources. In any case, this matter is absolutely true, I have checked it multiple times." Xue Zhao paced back and forth in his study, deep in thought. He held a high position and was privy to many secrets. S§×arch* The Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. For some unknown reason, in recent years, Spirit Essences would occasionally fall from beyond this realm, triggering Spirit Mechanisms. These Spirit Mechanisms were immensely beneficial to cultivators, with some even breaking through bottlenecks because of them. Even he had fortuitously encountered one a few years ago. A Spirit Mechanism within a radius of three meters had transformed him entirely, advancing his cultivation significantly. No one understood the benefits of a Spirit Mechanism better than him. Now, having been stuck in the Primordial Spirit Realm for some years, and with the current Martial Mechanism of the court, it was impossible to break through to the Kongyou Realm, let alone achieve the Unity Realm cultivation of Your Majesty. As Spirit Mechanisms appeared more frequently, and demons proliferated, the Huang Tian Heresy also began to take shape. Signs of great chaos loomed, and the future was unpredictable. Like rowing upstream, if one didn''t advance, one would fall back. This opportunity could not be missed. "If this is true, it is indeed no trivial matter," Xue Zhao said gravely. "I must get involved." Seeing this, excitement sparkled in Xue Bai''s eyes, feeling he finally had a place to apply his martial skills and gaining his father''s acknowledgment. "Father, when do you plan to visit Yongzhou?" Xue Zhao replied, "Now that Jinzhou has fallen and the Huang Tian Sect has begun attacking Danzhou, I need to lead the troops there soon to quash the rebels. His Majesty will not allow me to leave the Capital City at this critical time." "But this opportunity for my father..." Xue Bai anxiously said. Xue Zhao smiled slightly and said, "Don''t worry. If I cannot go, I''ll let your third brother take the Spiritual Mechanism Jade and join the envoy. For now, I will go to the palace to discuss strategies with His Majesty and secure your third brother''s place in the delegation." Xue Bai''s expression soured, unprepared that his efforts might end up benefiting someone else. If his third brother gained from the Spirit Essence and his cultivation improved, he wouldn''t be able to catch up even at a gallop, and it was uncertain whether he would have any share in the great family business in the future. "Father, let me go please? I promise I won''t hoard anything for myself and will bring back the Spirit Essence intact for you." "Hmph!" Xue Zhao cast a stern glance at his eldest son and coldly chided, "Tuck away those crooked thoughts, focus on your training. What''s the rush? If I end up at a disadvantage in the battle, His Majesty will likely convene the Jingluan Assembly earlier next year. By then, I will find a way to send several Innate Martial Masters with you. There will be plenty of opportunities." Jingluan Assembly?! At those words, Xue Bai''s heart blossomed with joy. The Jingluan Assembly was a frightening prospect for many, but not for the sons of noble families like them. They were passionate about participating in the Jingluan Assembly. To them, entering the Jingluan Assembly was akin to a precursor to entering the temple hall, and most who participated in the Jingluan Assembly would likely survive and enter the temple hall. Now that his father promised to escort him into the Jingluan Assembly, how could he not be elated? "Thank you, Father." Xue Zhao said nothing further, rising to change his clothes in preparation to enter the palace. "Have someone prepare the sedan." "Yes, Father." Xue Bai hastily went to make arrangements, sending Xue Zhao off in the sedan and watching him enter the palace. His heart couldn''t help but fill with anticipation for the future, and he decided he really must thank Zhou Su. Chapter 311 - 135 Meeting Your Majesty and Dispatching an Imperial Envoy ``` Qintian Bureau. Faint sounds of various instruments in operation could be heard. An elderly man with white hair and beard, dressed in a plain long robe, sat upright on the edge of a rooftop. His hands were interlaced, fingers moving slightly, as if calculating the unresolved mysteries of the world, his brows occasionally furrowing. Suddenly, as if he had calculated something significant, disbelief crossed his brow. At that moment, the hurried footsteps interrupted his contemplation. The Chief Officer of the Qintian Bureau spoke in a slightly panicked voice, "Director, Your Majesty is coming here; you should come down quickly to meet him." Upon hearing this, a peculiar glint appeared in the old man''s eyes. "Alright, I understand." As soon as he finished speaking, he moved gracefully, showing no signs of age, but instead the agility of a young man. With a single step, he disappeared from the rooftop, leaving only a faint stardust afterglow in the air. At this moment, the Emperor of Great Zhou, dressed in a Dragon Robe, walked steadily into the courtyard of the Qintian Bureau. His expression was stern, and the imperious aura of an emperor was undeniable in his gaze as it scanned the surroundings sharply. Suddenly, as if sensing something, his eyes focused on an empty space in front of him. Under his scrutiny, starlight gathered little by little, revealing an elderly man with a white beard and hair. Upon seeing him, the latter hurriedly bowed and said respectfully, "Your humble servant Feng Daxun greets Your Majesty." Ji Zikong had no intention of idle chit-chat with the Qintian Bureau Director; he spoke with authoritative gravity, "Director, I observed the celestial phenomena by night and felt something amiss thousands of miles away. I came specifically to seek your advice." Director Feng Daxun slightly bowed and in a voice that was both aged and full of vigor, said, "Your Majesty is wise. A few days ago, I also sensed it. This is a sign of nature''s Spiritual Energy conglomeration, suggesting that foreign Spirit Essence has descended upon our Great Zhou territory, and its scale is not small." S§×arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Upon hearing this, Ji Zikong''s eyes flashed with urgency: "If that is the case, I shall go personally to seize this Spirit Essence and add supreme fortune to our Great Zhou!" Director Feng Daxun shook his head, a trace of helplessness and regret appearing on his face: "Your Majesty is unaware that nature''s Spirit Essence is always ethereal and elusive, beyond human force. Although I can glimpse heavenly secrets, I am not omnipotent. This Spirit Mechanism, I calculated carefully¡ªit vanished the very day it descended. It is too late now, which is why I did not report it to Your Majesty." Upon hearing this, Ji Zikong was momentarily stunned: "I see, let it be. Director, I require your attentive observation in the future. Should anomalies reappear, you must report them to me immediately." "I understand." "By the way, there''s another matter I wonder if the Director has considered?" Director Feng Daxun solemnly replied, "Your Majesty, demons are vastly different from our Human Clan. Although they can sense changes in foreign Spirit Essence early, colluding with demons is like seeking a tiger''s skin¡ªultimately, not a solution." "Let''s first get through the current situation. All the frequent Spirit Mechanisms present a rare opportunity for our Ji Clan; we must find a way to harness these Spirit Mechanisms for our own use." Director Feng Daxun pondered for a moment and then bowed in agreement: "I shall obey." "Alright, I will not disturb the Director any further. Remember to report to me anytime something arises." Director Feng Daxun stood solemnly as the current Emperor of Great Zhou flicked his long sleeves and left with his hands clasped behind his back. After leaving the Qintian Bureau, the Emperor of Great Zhou, Ji Zikong, appeared a bit displeased at not having captured this Spirit Mechanism, but he knew there was no helping it and that it was not the Qintian Bureau''s fault. Now, hidden threats abound in Great Zhou, and he increasingly felt that the doomsday warnings from the ancestors were not unfounded. Perhaps a great change was indeed imminent for the Human Clan. The increasing presence of demons seemed like undeniable proof. With these thoughts, as the ruler of the world, his expression grew grim. "Your Majesty, the Great General requests an audience; he says he has urgent matters to report." As Ji Zikong was lost in thought, the Chief Eunuch reported urgently, interrupting his pondering. Feeling inevitably irked, he asked, "What urgent matters?" "Your Majesty, the Great General did not specify, and I do not know." The Emperor of Great Zhou, Ji Zikong, demanded with an unangered authority, "Bring him in." "At once, Your Majesty." Soon, the armored Great General Xue Zhao was led before Ji Zikong by the Chief Eunuch. "Your humble servant Xue Zhao pays respects to Your Majesty, long live the Emperor." Ji Zikong''s face was as calm as water: "Rise, my dear subject. What urgent matters bring you here?" His tone was neither warm nor cold, but carried an undeniable authority. Upon hearing this, Xue Zhao straightened up, his eyes bright as he looked at Ji Zikong, and said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, it concerns the Spirit Mechanism in Yongzhou." "Oh?" Ji Zikong''s expression changed at the mention of Spirit Mechanism. Xue Zhao continued, "Recently, I received confidential information that in addition to rampant demons, there''s been unusual activity in the Spirit Mechanism in Yongzhou, potentially involving the security of the nation, which must be urgently reported to Your Majesty." Upon mentioning this, Ji Zikong recalled the report from Bai Mu, the governor of Yongzhou, about the demon infestation. He had discussed this with the Qintian Bureau and planned to send personnel there but had not expected the matter to include a Spirit Mechanism. Suddenly, as if realizing something, Ji Zikong looked back at the Qintian Bureau. ''The Director surely knows about this; he deliberately didn''t mention the Spirit Mechanism of Yongzhou. He is deceiving me!'' Ji Zikong''s brows furrowed, and his gaze sharpened instantly. "What is he trying to do?" The Director was someone his ancestors appointed personally and had served three reigns; he wouldn''t harm the Ji family''s state affairs, which made it difficult to comprehend. After a swift mental calculation, Ji Zikong said to Xue Zhao, "Explain clearly what is happening." Xue Zhao took a deep breath and relayed the information obtained from Xue Bai meticulously and sincerely. "Your Majesty, we should dispatch an envoy promptly: firstly, to support the governor suppressing demons; secondly, to investigate the Spirit Mechanism matter¡ªneither should be overlooked." After Xue Zhao''s report, Ji Zikong remained silent for a moment, the space between them quiet enough for the occasional birdsong to be heard. He stared into the distance, deep in thought, seemingly weighing a significant decision. "What you say is right; the matter in Yongzhou cannot be underestimated. I shall immediately order an envoy to investigate this matter thoroughly." Ji Zikong quickly made a decision: "As for the selection, let Shi Wenbo go." Xue Zhao''s eyes lit up, as Shi Wenbo was one of his family''s men. "However, Your Majesty, sending only one person might not be enough." Ji Zikong''s gaze swept over Xue Zhao, as though seeing through his intentions. Seeing this, Xue Zhao was pleased but remained composed, waiting for Ji Zikong''s follow-up. "I recall your son, Minister Xue, being exceptionally intelligent and valiant. Let him accompany the envoy this time to gain experience and assist as needed." Hearing this, Xue Zhao smiled and quickly knelt to express gratitude: "Your Majesty is wise. I thank Your Majesty on behalf of my son. He will not fail Your Majesty''s trust and will assist the envoy." "Additionally, let Cui Jin and Ji He go as well." Xue Zhao''s expression faltered. One was their family''s arch-enemy, and the other was a loyalist of the royal family. "Yes, Your Majesty." Xue Zhao''s expression composed as he replied. ``` Chapter 312 - 1 The First Person of Yongzhou ``` Within the Great Zhou Court, there are three major martial departments. The Military Department, the Inner palace Eunuch Department, and the Mountain Sea Department. The Military Department focuses on attack and defense, maintaining peace throughout the land; the Inner palace Eunuch Department excels in cultivation, responsible for safeguarding the Imperial family; the last, the Mountain Sea Department, is renowned for intelligence, currently managing the royal arsenal and has close ties with Yunlu Academy. Shi Wenbo, Cui Jin, and Ji He hail from these three martial departments respectively. Ji Zikong''s arrangement for these three to go to Yongzhou clearly holds deeper meaning, giving Xue Zhao both a carrot and a stick, subtly withholding complete trust in this Great General of the Great Zhou Country. Ji Zikong reminded, "Great General, the situation in Jinzhou and Dan Zhou is becoming increasingly dire, you should not delay any longer. Tomorrow, take the army and set out, striving to expel the Thieves from Huang Tian from Jinzhou and Dan Zhou completely. I always feel that they have significant ambitions in those two regions." "As you command, Your Majesty," Xue Zhao replied solemnly. Ji Zikong waved indifferently and passed by Xue Zhao with his personal eunuch. Along the way, Ji Zikong suddenly spoke, "Chu Daban, I remember there are descendants of the Huangfu family in Yongzhou, aren''t there?" Standing next to Ji Zikong, the chief eunuch of the Inner palace Eunuch Department, Chu Yuanfu, stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty has a good memory. Indeed, the direct descendants of Huangfu Fafa resided in Yongzhou. I also heard that currently, a descendant of Huangfu is serving as the Chief Officer in the local Military Department." Ji Zikong pondered for a while and said, "Convey my decree, instruct that this Chief Officer from the Huangfu family should come to the capital soon, to organize the world''s Spirit Mechanism for me in the Mountain Sea Department." Chu Yuanfu was somewhat surprised and said, "Is Your Majesty planning to reactivate the Huangfu family?" "The Huangfu family has been suppressed for so long, they must be eager to make meritorious achievements to change their situation. Plus, since the Huangfu family is not a prestigious clan, even if they rise to power, we do not need to fear losing control. The more I think about it, the more suitable they seem for this task, easy to handle," Ji Zikong replied casually. Chu Yuanfu nodded, "I understand, I will make the arrangements right away." Ji Zikong sensed that the Director of the Qintian Bureau was hiding something from him, and although he wasn''t sure of the other party''s intentions, he very much disliked this feeling. In contrast, he preferred to have everything under his control, so he could sleep soundly and proceed freely. Even matters as major as the ancestor''s cultivation were no exception. Yongzhou. Three days had passed since the demon incident, and thanks to the efforts of Shen Qing and others, the previously chaotic Yongzhou gradually returned to calm. Although it hadn''t restored its former prosperity, having defeated the demons filled them with confidence, and a sense of joy permeated both inside and outside the city. Through this event, Shen Qing''s reputation soared, becoming the foremost figure in Yongzhou, known as the Great Qingtian. For a time, his deeds became a topic of conversation during meals in the surrounding counties. Many even traveled from afar, just to witness his style. Shen Qing found it both amusing and exasperating. He hadn''t expected his actions would lead to such results. Yet despite these external accolades, he valued concrete gains more. The turmoil in Yongzhou brought him considerable benefits. Of Yongzhou Thirteen Lines, aside from the Huangfu family, the assets of the other eleven families almost entirely fell into his hands. Numerous taverns, porcelain kilns, money houses, pawn shops, etc., were renamed overnight, becoming properties of the Shen Family, giving rise to a new colossus. Moreover, the riches scavenged from various family backings were innumerable, overturning his understanding, making him extremely wealthy, and ensuring he would not worry about cultivation resources for a long time. Knock, knock, knock. Rhythmic knocking sounded at the door. "Come in," Shen Qing said without hesitation. At the back hall of the Guardian Martial Department Office, a familiar figure pushed the door open and walked in. Tian Xiaohu clasped his hands in salute and said, "My lord, Wu Sheng has arrived." "Let him come in." "Yes." Tian Xiaohu hurriedly stepped out, bringing in a somewhat haggard Wu Sheng, leading him before Shen Qing. Shen Qing looked at Wu Sheng and said with a smile, "Brother Wu, we meet again." As a Wu Family member, Wu Sheng stood before Shen Qing, with mixed emotions in his heart. He hadn''t expected that the unimpressive outsider from before could achieve such heights and sweep away the Wu Family he belonged to with just a wave of his hand. Had it not been for being away on business, evading disaster, and not being implicated, the outcome for him would have been uncertain. Wu Sheng bowed deeply, with anxiety and gratitude in his voice, "I am fortunate to see you again, Lord Shen, for I owe my life''s fortune to your grace." Shen Qing raised his hand slightly, indicating Wu Sheng not to bow, "Your Wu Family was involved in collusion with demons, according to the laws of the Great Zhou, the crime warrants the eradication of three clans, do you understand?" Wu Sheng had just straightened his body when he immediately collapsed to his knees, panic-stricken as he said, "My lord, save me." To be honest, he was merely a collateral member of the Wu Family, with a low status and having lost his mother early, he held little affection for the Wu Family. Whether the Wu Family lived or perished, as long as it did not involve him, he could care less. Now hearing Shen Qing possibly sentencing him to collective punishment, filled him with terror. His cultivation level was insignificant before Shen Qing; if captured, he had no means to resist. sea??h th§× Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Ah, don''t speak of saving," Shen Qing hurriedly helped Wu Sheng up and said, "Brother Wu, we have met through various fateful encounters and are old acquaintances. Even if others are to be punished, I cannot implicate you." ``` Chapter 313 - 1 The First Person of Yongzhou_2 ``` Hearing this, Wu Sheng felt moved and knelt down again, saying, "Lord Shen, should you have any orders, Wu Sheng will go through fire and water, without hesitation. I am willing to be at your service." "Brother Wu, actually, there is something I would like to ask of you." "Please feel free to tell me, my lord." "I remember you have ways to obtain Wish Power Pearls and elixirs from other places, right?" Wu Sheng glanced at Tian Xiaohu beside him, who was subtly observing him. "Lord Shen..." Shen Qing said, "Speak freely, we are all on the same side." Wu Sheng let out a sigh of relief and said solemnly, "To not hide from Lord Shen, I do have some channels to acquire elixirs and Wish Power Pearls. What does my lord intend to do?" Shen Qing laughed, saying, "I wish to borrow your strength to establish a trade route, dedicated to gathering Wish Power Pearls and rare elixirs for me from not only the Capital but the whole world. Would you be willing to assist me in this matter?" He was currently consolidating the wealth accumulated by the twelve high-ranking families of Yongzhou, and possessed immense riches. To him, these were mere earthly possessions, far less reassuring than enhancing his cultivation in these chaotic times. In his view, rather than keeping wealth in hand, it would be better to convert it into cultivation resources to improve the skills of subordinates like Tian Xiaohu. With the aid of these cultivation resources, even if the Ji Family controls the Martial Mechanism, he could find alternative opportunities. Through the incident with Yongzhou demons, he had seen clearly. Sear?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. In this world where great power belongs to individuals in Martial Arts, sometimes striving alone just won''t cut it. At necessary times, one requires help from others. If this time Tian Xiaohu and they were exceptionally capable, they might have discovered some clues early on, curbing danger in the bud rather than having to react passively. This time he was lucky, fortunately breaking through to the Innate stage. Otherwise, in the face of such a situation in Yongzhou, he really wouldn''t know how to resolve it. "Lord Shen, the elixirs and Wish Power Pearls I have come from the hands of those degenerate offspring of Capital families, as well as struggling officials in the court. Lord, how much of these Wish Power Pearls and elixirs do you want?" Wu Sheng asked. "There is no upper limit. First gather all the elixirs and Wish Power Pearls you can from Capital, then think of ways to recruit staff to search for these Martial Mechanisms across the world." Upon hearing this, Wu Sheng was astonished, as if hit by an invisible force. He speculated Shen Qing''s appetite might be large, but didn''t expect it to be to this extent. Shen Qing''s actions seemed like secretly creating a grassroots version of the Mountain Sea Department. What was he trying to do? Rebel? Wu Sheng''s heart pounded, throat dry, "But this would probably require immense resources." "Money?" Shen Qing seemed to see through Wu Sheng''s concern, chuckling slightly, "Don''t worry, the matter of Silver Taels, I will arrange properly. You just go all out, and find a way to make all the Martial Mechanisms that can emerge from this Capital be used by us." "Surely you''ve realized, the world is about to plunge into chaos. A wise man stays away from danger, and in the current situation, we must also plan ahead." Hearing this, Wu Sheng fell silent. He felt Shen Qing was not unreasonable. However, those unsavory businesses at hand now, their scale wasn''t large. If it were as Shen Qing said, it would require a great deal of effort. As Shen Qing spoke, he took out a jade token, tossing it casually. Wu Sheng instinctively caught it. Shen Qing formed a hand seal, activating it slightly. Immediately, Wu Sheng felt a surge of immense spiritual energy wash over him, refreshing his mind, and the cultivation bottleneck that had not budged for years began to loosen. Just as he was about to immerse himself, Shen Qing grasped with five fingers, retrieving the jade token to his hand. "Do you know what this is?" "What?" "The spiritual essence from the Spirit Mechanism Land outside the city not long ago." "Spirit Mechanism Land?" Wu Sheng was puzzled. "If you can perform well, this jade token will be yours. In the future, such opportunities might be more frequent, don''t you want to give it a try?" Hearing this, faced with Shen Qing''s resolute gaze, Wu Sheng faintly sensed that the world was indeed about to change, perhaps offering an opportunity as well. Knowing he had no retreat, he quickly made up his mind, declaring firmly, "Thank you, Lord Shen. I will not disgrace the mission!" ... Outside the majestic walls of the Capital, a broad and long official road stretched out. Travelers crowded the road. Under the city gate, a team of individuals wearing soft armor and equipped with treasured swords emerged from inside the city. Pedestrians on the official road quickly made way for this group. Leading this group was an extraordinary man, appearing to be in his thirties. This man was Shi Wenbo, the Commander of the Five City Army. He gently tightened the reins, looking deeply into the distance, speaking in a low voice, "The land of Yongzhou has always been a thriving place, who knew it would fall under the ravages of demons. This time, I fear the people will suffer greatly." "Back then, His Majesty carved out the Wei Wu Department from your Army specifically to deal with demons. Over these years, the Weiwusi''s manpower hasn''t dwindled, yet the demons are only increasing. What kind of logic is that?" said a young eunuch with a sharp voice following behind Shi Wenbo. Shi Wenbo coldly snorted, "Without the Weiwusi, there might be even more demons in this land, with Huang Tianjao rebels surely reaching the Capital''s gates long ago. And you, eunuch, meddling here?" "You..." Cui Jin was rendered speechless with anger. A refined and courteous young man walked out from between the two, attempting to mediate: "Enough, His Majesty sent us this time because he must have sensed something, and it''s not just about the demons. The two of you should remain calm and work together to get the job done properly." Shi Wenbo nodded slightly at these words, following up, "Indeed, from the memorials reported by Yongzhou recently, there''s a subtext implying a hidden agenda. As imperial emissaries, we should dispel the clouds and see the bright sky for His Majesty." "I won''t shirk His Majesty''s matters." Ji He smiled and said, "Both your arguments are sound. In that case, let''s hurry and be on our way." "We should. Who among us will take him first?" The three looked back at the young man behind them¡ªXue Yan, the third son of the Xue family. Seeing the three''s gaze fix on him, Xue Yan replied with trepidation, "Esteemed gentlemen, I apologize for being the one to slow you down." Among the four, three had cultivation at the Spirit Void stage, able to ride the arc of light to cover a thousand miles a day. Only he was at the Elixir Person stage, having to rely on foot power, delaying everyone''s journey. However, none of the three complained. Currently, as Xue Zhao leads the army outside, His Majesty''s intention of sending his third son along with them must contain deeper implications, unfit for them to speculate. "I''ll go first, five hundred miles per shift." Ji He made a seal with his hands, unleashing a dazzling arc of light, with strands of brilliance wrapping Xue Yan like ribbons. Then, spreading his body within the rainbow light, Ji He rose towards the vast sky: "Let''s go!" Saying this, the arc of light brightened was seen dashing across the sky. Shi Wenbo and Cui Jin exchanged a glance, promptly utilizing their inner spiritual energy, pressing their palms together. In an instant, two dazzling arcs of light, one green, one red, enveloped them, swiftly rising following Ji He and Xue Yan, soaring towards the sky. Their speed was extremely fast, heading straight to Yongzhou. On the way, the howling wind was kept at bay outside the halo. Leaving only the magnificent landscape ahead. In about half an hour, Ji He called out, "Catch!" With that, he tossed Xue Yan like a sack toward Shi Wenbo. During his airborne moment, Xue Yan screamed in fright. Just as he sensed a weightless feeling, a cerulean light caught him, guiding him steadily forward. "Commander Shi, you must hold me tightly," Xue Yan said, his face pale. Shi Wenbo didn''t respond, silently quickening his pace. The group continually utilized the rainbow light to travel. After a brief adjustment, they finally arrived at Yongzhou by the following evening. "We''ve arrived." The three looked at the city walls below, swiftly descended with the pale-faced Xue Yan, withdrew the rainbow light, and stood at Yongzhou''s gates. ``` Chapter 314 - 2: The Capital City Imperial Envoy, Stirring Tremendous Shock ``` Shi Wenbo, Cui Jin, and Ji He glanced at Xue Yan and didn''t say much, as if they had anticipated such a situation long ago. "The sky is getting dark. Let''s enter the city first to quietly understand the situation, gather intelligence, and get an overall picture." Ji He was the first to speak: "As for contacting the people in the county, we can do that a bit later. What do you all think?" "I have no objections." "The Za Family follows Lord Ji." "There''s no time to lose, let''s enter the city." The few nodded their heads and stepped onto the ancient road, heading towards Yongzhou City. Before long, the imposing outline of a city gate became clearer up ahead. On the avenue leading to the city gate, the crowd surged, bustling and lively, pedestrians bustling about, showing no signs of being overrun by demons. Everyone couldn''t help but pause, looking at each other, quite puzzled by it all. Where are the demons? A few merchants walked out of the city, carrying their goods on their shoulders, their faces filled with joy. Among them, two merchants seemed to sense the strange gaze from the side. Casually glancing over, they noticed Ji He and his group, their attire luxurious and solemn, clearly not ordinary people. These merchants became wary, lowered their heads, and subconsciously quickened their pace, keeping their distance, not wanting any trouble. As these merchants passed by Ji He and others, Ji He saw the goods they were carrying on their backs. It was a furry, thick human-shaped arm, with black skin, covered in bloodstains, with clotted blood among the fur, much larger than a human thigh. Evidently, this was the remnant of some powerful demon. The faces of Shi Wenbo, Ji He, and the group flashed a moment of shock. "There''s a change in Yongzhou City," Shi Wenbo stepped forward and directly stopped one of the merchants and shouted, "Stop!" The merchant''s muscles tensed, smiling ingratiatingly, "What do you gentlemen need?" Having been in external trade for years, he had developed the skill to identify people at a glance; these were clearly wealthy or noble individuals he couldn''t afford to upset. "Where did all these demonic remnants come from?" Shi Wenbo sternly questioned. The merchant trembled all over, saying, "Bought them from the city, sir. Everyone outside says these demonic remnants are great supplements, very beneficial for Martial Arts Cultivation, highly sought after. We bought them based on the news." "Bought? Do you take me for a three-year-old child? Where can one buy demon flesh and blood?" The merchant said with a bitter face, "I''m not lying to you gentlemen, sir, just go into the city and see. There are many demonic remnants in the city, and what I have here is human-shaped, so it''s not even the best quality. Those Pig Demon, Bull Demon, Sheep Demon remnants in the city are the real treasures!" "Apart from the flesh and blood remnants of demons, there are also various furs, Demon Cores, demon blood, lots of them." Hearing this, Shi Wenbo was totally confused, staring blankly at the merchant in front of him. Ji He and others on the side also couldn''t comprehend it; they were almost baffled. Wasn''t it that demons were rampant? Wasn''t the city on the brink of destruction? Why is everyone in high spirits and even started trading in demonic remnants? What on earth happened? Cui Jin said sharply, "We... we''re all from out of town, we heard there were many demons causing chaos here?" The merchants waved their hands and said directly, "No more!" "No more of what?" "The demons are all gone! Slain clean by our Great Qingtian of Yongzhou!" The merchants puffed their chests, saying proudly. "Great Qingtian of Yongzhou?" Shi Wenbo, Cui Jin, Ji He, and Xue Yan listened and became even more confused. Seeing Ji He and his group''s friendly attitude, not the kind of high and mighty that would kill over a disagreement, the merchant relaxed a lot and said in a light tone, "Forgot you were foreigners. The Great Qingtian of Yongzhou is our Lord Chief Officer of the Guardian Martial Department. Three days ago, he single-handedly, by his own power, slew all the demons in the city. Not one of those rampant demons was left." "There''s even a rumor among the public that two great demons with top cultivation were also slain and driven out by Lord Shen. He''s quite something." Wow, so formidable? After hearing this, everyone couldn''t help but look at Shi Wenbo. The Guardian Martial Department falls under the Military Department, so this Shen Qing, the Chief Officer of Weiwu Division, according to protocol, is also Shi Wenbo''s subordinate. Shi Wenbo shook his head and said, "I have no impression of this person." "Do any of you gentlemen have any other questions?" The merchant asked, tightening his hold on the demonic remnants behind him. Shi Wenbo waved his hand impatiently. The merchant, as if granted amnesty, hurriedly bowed, paying respects, and left without looking back. The four of them exchanged glances, seeing much confusion in each other''s eyes. From what they had understood so far, it seemed that the horror of the demons in Yongzhou City was resolved. S§×ar?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. But what exactly had happened, they were at a complete loss. "Let''s go, enter the city and take a look," Shi Wenbo called, quickly showing their identities at the city gate, entering the city. Among them, Xue Yan lingered at the back, glanced back at the merchant, squinted his eyes, and silently followed the group. Entering the city, there were no corpses strewn everywhere as expected, nor the expected chaos and fierce battles. On either side of the streets, the stalls of merchants were set up together, colorful awnings flapping lightly in the wind. Each merchant was shouting enthusiastically, with a flavor almost like a festive celebration. All the shops sold demonic remnants, whether fur, meat, or bone. Some residents stood by the street, skillfully slicing up the massive bodies of demons. ``` Chapter 315 - 2: The Capital City Imperial Envoy, All were Shocked _2 ``` Their movements were fluid and precise. Soon, the cutting board was piled with pieces of meat, plump and uniquely colored, showing no signs of spoilage. Even the children playing in the alleys held demonic fangs and strange bones in their hands. Shi Wenbo, Cui Jin, and several others were in disbelief. They had witnessed many demon massacres, where the human race was always on the weaker side. Yet here, the situation was completely reversed, forming a bizarre scene that left them all uneasy. Looking around, it was clear that the number of demons that invaded Yongzhou was not small. So many demons, all dead! Yongzhou was not like the Capital City, where the Eight Great Families were gathered, rich with talents. Here, even a martial master at the Innate Realm was considered remarkable. Faced with such a number of demons, it was incredible that Yongzhou managed to withstand it, no matter how one thought about it. In their hearts, Shi Wenbo and the others were more curious about this Chief Officer of the Guardian Martial Department, eager to uncover the secrets within. Ji He suggested, "I propose we split up, gather here after dark to exchange our findings, shall we?" "Agreed," the three of them said in unison. "Then let''s move out." The four of them dispersed in different directions. Seeing the figures of Shi Wenbo and the others fade into the distance, Xue Yan immediately turned and headed straight out of the city. Sear?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Yongzhou Outer City Area. Various low-rise buildings rose and fell. Li Antai had been in exceptionally good spirits these past few days. After Lord Shen Qing had slain all the demons, he started a business dealing in the demon remnants, earning quite a sum. He bought snacks for his two children, some fabrics for the old woman and his elderly mother, and even a new set of clothes. He even bought a new quilt. Life visibly improved. It was all thanks to Lord Shen! With Lord Shen overseeing, he even hoped for a few more waves of demons. Yongzhou''s demon specialty, unmatched! As Li Antai happily contemplated the future, a figure inexplicably appeared ahead, blocking his path. He stopped, looked closely, and saw it was one of the lords who had just parted ways. This lord was the youngest among the four, and to his recollection, had not spoken a word. Li Antai felt puzzled and uncertain about the reason for his return. He put on a habitual smile and flattered, "I wonder why you personally came here, is there something I can do for you?" Xue Yan approached with a smile, "I just want to ask you a few things." "Feel free to ask, I''ll tell you everything I know," Li Antai said, not having much caution based on his impression of these lords. Xue Yan inquired, "Have there been any anomalies in Yongzhou in the past few days?" "There have!" "Oh?" Xue Yan perked up, "Tell me." "Just about three days ago, right when the demons were rushing into the city, a colorful light suddenly descended from the sky, almost blotting out the sun." Excited, Xue Yan asked, "Approximately where?" "In an abandoned mountain west of the city, my lord, you can still find it now. The surrounding mountains have been flattened, it''s easy to find." "Excellent," Xue Yan continued to delve. Noticing Xue Yan''s excitement, Li Antai poured cold water over the conversation, "But my lord, it''s just deserted land now, nothing remains. Many, like you, went hoping for luck, only to return disappointed and empty-handed." Xue Yan paused at these words. No, if the Spirit Mechanism appeared, it would linger for a long time, not vanish easily. If it disappeared, it could only mean one thing: it was taken. With that thought, Xue Yan''s heart sank, a bad premonition arising. "How long did this colorful anomaly last?" "A little more than half a day, I''d say." Half a day? "Did anyone explore it, encounter anything?" "Of course! How could they not?" Li Antai started talking, "I heard all the Bosses in the city went, not just them, even our Great Qingtian went. I heard his immense power came from obtaining something incredible inside." "The Great Qingtian you''re referring to is that Chief Officer of the Guardian Martial Department, Shen Qing?" "Exactly, Lord Shen!" Li Antai prattled on, "Lord Shen is truly blessed; I heard he even established ties with Lord Huangfu..." Xue Yan stopped listening to Li Antai''s chatter, an idea flickering across his mind as his lips curved slightly upwards. What a coincidence indeed. The name Shen Qing was mentioned by his elder brother before he left the Xue residence. His brother said this person ran rampant in Yongzhou, seizing much of the Zhou family''s properties. His brother was on good terms with the descendants of the Zhou family in Yongzhou and wanted him to assist the Zhou family. Unexpectedly, this person was involved with the Spirit Mechanism as well. This time, his father had sent him to Yongzhou primarily for the Spirit Mechanism. Initially, he planned to deal with this person casually, but now he realized he had to handle it seriously. "My lord, is there anything else you wish to know?" Li Antai placated. Xue Yan laughed, "You seem quite clever. You know a lot." Li Antai fawned, "As long as it''s useful to you, my lord, it''s good." Seeing through Li Antai''s thoughts, Xue Yan smiled, "You''ve been quite helpful, I should thank you properly. Come, I''ll give you something." "My lord, I couldn''t possibly..." Li Antai waved his hands in refusal. "Here, take it!" Swish! A silver light flickered, and something flashed by Li Antai''s neck. Li Antai looked horrified, "You... you..." His hand released, and the demon remnants on his shoulder fell to the ground with a thud, as his hands clutched his neck. Blood gushed out from his neck like a fountain. Li Antai felt his body grow heavier and heavier, his vision went dark as he fell to the ground, his breath weakening. Moments later, his eyes dimmed, losing all life. "You talk too much," Xue Yan flicked the blood off the sword blade, stepped over Li Antai''s corpse, and muttered to himself, "I can''t trust you." He sheathed the sword and departed briskly. Killing someone was as insignificant as squashing an ant. As night fell and the lights began to illuminate the city. Xue Yan returned to the city as agreed, patiently waiting. After a while, Shi Wenbo, Cui Jin, and Ji He returned one after another. They found an inn to stay in, exchanging the intelligence they each gathered. After sharing, Ji He couldn''t help but let out a long sigh, marveling, "This Chief Officer of the Guardian Martial Department is truly talented, at such an age, with such a background, achieving so much, a natural genius indeed." "Indeed. Such a person seems a bit wasted in a small place like Yongzhou," Cui Jin added, "When we return, we must speak well of him to the Emperor, to be of service to His Majesty." "Technically, this Chief Officer Shen is under my command, isn''t he? If anyone is to make a recommendation, it should probably be me, Cui Eunuch, aren''t you overstepping?" Shi Wenbo countered. Ji He hurried to interject, "Gentlemen, it seems the demon issue in Yongzhou is resolved, and everything has become much clearer. When do you all plan to return to the Capital?" Shi Wenbo replied, "Once we''ve reorganized and restored the local government structure, we can discuss leaving." Ji He nodded, this time he also bore the responsibility of seeking the celestial fate of the Spirit Mechanism, leaving too soon would be troublesome. This was for the best. "Then we''ll follow Lord Shi''s arrangements. Let''s stop here for today, tomorrow we can meet the rumored Great Qingtian of Yongzhou. Honestly, I can''t wait to meet such a young hero," Ji He laughed heartily. ``` Chapter 316 - 3 First Contact Early morning, Guardian Martial Department Office. Shen Qing, as usual, crossed the threshold of the Guardian Martial Department Office, ready to start his duty. "Lord Shen!" A follower in the Guardian Martial Department Office, who seemed to have been waiting behind the door early, hurried over when he saw Shen Qing. He greeted with both hands folded in front of him and respectfully said, "There are several people claiming to be imperial envoys in the elegant room waiting, they say they want to see you." "Imperial envoys?" Upon hearing this, Shen Qing felt a shiver in his heart. They had finally come. With such significant disturbances in Yongzhou, demons running rampant, the Prefectural Governor murdered, multiple aristocratic families slaughtered... Any single one of these incidents was a major event. It was impossible for the Capital City to be unaware; it was merely a matter of time. He just hadn''t expected them to arrive so quickly. However, come what may, Shen Qing had been mentally prepared for this situation and showed no signs of fear. He planned to play it by ear, adapting to the circumstances as they arose. Shen Qing regained his composure and slowly said, "Please tell them to wait in the main hall; I will be there shortly." "Yes." Chang Sui bowed in response and hurried out to make arrangements. After a while, Shen Qing checked the imperial envoy''s credentials, confirmed their identities, and saw that it was about time. He then nonchalantly walked into the main hall. Upon entering the main hall of the Guardian Martial Department, he saw several men dressed in splendid official robes. They each carried themselves with an imposing air, a natural demeanor of superiority manifesting itself invisibly. Among them, three individuals, each radiating Spiritual Power seamlessly integrated with their cultivation, were evidently beyond the Innate Realm. Shen Qing observed carefully and saw a middle-aged man sitting in the center, with others deferring to him, presumably he was the imperial envoy appointed by the Heaven this time¡ªShi Wenbo. The remaining two must be the Imperial Eunuch Cui Jin and the Chief Officer of the Mountain Sea Department, Ji He. And the young man beside them was likely the Great General''s third son, Xue Yan. Indeed, it was a powerful assembly. While Shen Qing was sizing them up, Shi Wenbo, Cui Jin, Ji He, and others also scrutinized Shen Qing. The morning light was soft, dappled on his resolute face, adding a touch of extraordinary charisma to him, who looked to be no more than eighteen or nineteen. Although they had anticipated Shen Qing''s youth, they were still slightly taken aback upon seeing just how young he was. Shen Qing stepped forward, performed a formal official salute, and spoke in a neither humble nor haughty tone, "My lords have honored us with your presence, and I, Shen, have failed to greet you from afar; please forgive me." Shi Wenbo set aside his thoughts, smiled slightly, and spoke, "Lord Shen need not be so formal. We also came here in a hurry due to the suddenness of the matter, it''s normal for you to be unprepared. Please do not mind it." After some investigation, Shi Wenbo found that Yongzhou had already stabilized, and many aspects of the situation were quite clear. It was predictable that this mission would be a relatively easy one, not requiring too much exertion. As a result, he was in a good mood, and he harbored no prejudice against Shen Qing. Shen Qing did not continue with the pleasantries, but proactively asked, "May I know if the lords have come for the matter of the demons, and if Your Majesty has other instructions?" "Chief Officer Shen has guessed correctly. Your Majesty is worried about the matter of the demons in Yongzhou, and immediately commanded us to come to Yongzhou to thoroughly investigate." Shi Wenbo''s tone became much more serious, "I heard that Lord Governor Bai also lost his life because of this? What exactly happened, could Chief Officer Shen enlighten us?" Hearing this, Shen Qing furrowed his brows, a trace of solemnity flickering in his eyes. These people seemed to already possess some intelligence and information. The energy that the temple and various aristocratic families in Great Zhou held exceeded his expectations; if he was not careful, it could result in many unpredictable consequences. sea??h th§× n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. However, there was no need to panic. From his experiences thus far, when faced with such situations, the best approach was to be honest and truthful. One must never play clever tricks, as they could easily be exposed. But there was an art to telling the truth. Not too much, not everything. The more he said, the more he would lose the initiative. With this in mind, Shen Qing thought over his wording and truthfully said, "Replying to your lordship, Lord Governor''s death was indeed caused by a demon. He had previously been gravely injured by a Snake Demon, a major Dao practitioner. The Lord Governor had not yet recovered when another demon targeted him, taking advantage of his weakness to devour him." Shi Wenbo, Cui Jin, and Ji He, upon hearing this, found Shen Qing''s account to match the information they had gathered; Shen Qing had not tried to deceive them. This improved their impression of Shen Qing somewhat. "Does Lord Shen know why the demon appeared in the city?" Shi Wenbo pursued, "I remember the Guardian Martial Department specifically handles such matters." Shen Qing said, "Based on various pieces of evidence, it seems to be related to the high-ranking families in the city." "Oh, what did these high-ranking families do?" Shen Qing shook his head and gave a vague response, "The Military Department is still investigating this matter; it will take some time to sort out the details." In fact, Shen Qing was well aware that the demon issue was linked to those high-ranking families'' secret plotting for Spirit Mechanism; they and others wanted to control the Yongzhou County Office by their actions. However, he could not outright state this. High-ranking families controlling the Yongzhou County Office was relatively manageable, not involving him personally. But involving the Spirit Mechanism Land was more problematic. He now held a considerable amount of Spirit Essence; if discovered, it could attract covetous attention, bringing trouble his own way. Especially considering the people before him, every word and action had to be cautious. Fortunately, most of the beings, human or demon, who saw him collecting the Spirit Essence had already been slain by him, turning to corpses. As everyone knows, the dead do not speak. Now, only some rumors remained in the city, lacking much referential value. In such a case, the best choice was to say little or let them investigate on their own. Following that, Ji He continued to ask several more questions. Shen Qing was honest in his responses. After a series of questions, Shi Wenbo, Cui Jin, and Ji He reviewed the recent events in Yongzhou from start to finish, matching the intelligence they had gathered without any discrepancies, aligning almost perfectly. "Truly, a hero from youth! Seeing you today, the fame is indeed well-deserved." After all the questions, Ji He spoke first. His voice was deep and magnetic, filled with gentleness, "We''ve just arrived and heard of Lord Shen''s exploits, which we thought might be exaggerated. Now, it seems they have understated them." Lord Ji gives too much credit; the results we have now are due to the unity of the Guardian Martial Department and the County Office, not my efforts alone." Shi Wenbo gently tapped the tabletop, producing a crisp sound, and spoke, "We will stop here for today''s matters, and we still have to make a thorough investigation." Shen Qing nodded and replied, "I, Shen, will do my utmost to cooperate with the lords." Chapter 317 - 4: Verification, Confrontation in Person is Most Effective Shi Wenbo, Cui Jin, Ji He, and others successively walked out from the main hall of the Guardian Martial Department. After walking for a while, Xue Yan, who was at the rear, suddenly halted his steps and said in a low voice to the few people in front of him, "Lords, what do you think of this man?" Shi Wenbo turned around and saw Xue Yan asking questions, his brow furrowed with some impatience in his heart. However, when he thought about how Xue Yan had reached his current position, it had much to do with the support from his father, Xue Zhao. When leaving the Capital City, his father had also instructed him to look after him, so he patiently asked, "I don''t know who my esteemed nephew is referring to?" Xue Yan said, "Naturally, it''s Shen Qing. I find his speech watertight, and it matches our investigations as well. But don''t you find it all too smooth?" Within his words, he implied something. The Spirit Mechanism matter in Yongzhou had initially started by his elder brother, Xue Bai, but in the end, his father handed over such a crucial matter to him. Clearly, his father favored him more, and the position of the Xue Family''s heir might well fall on his head in the future. Therefore, his trip to Yongzhou was purposeful¡ªhe had to achieve a result, not simply to tour. From the information gathered thus far, to achieve any result, bypassing Shen Qing was impossible, and they needed to take action on him. In his original idea, someone of Shen Qing''s age should have been more conspicuous. Contrary to expectations, Shen Qing managed to keep a low profile, demonstrating great shrewdness. He handled everything flawlessly and managed to deal with Shi Wenbo and the others, leaving Xue Yan no room to gain an advantage or maneuver. He was somewhat unwilling to let it go and wanted to guide the discussion again, drawing everyone''s attention back to Shen Qing to put pressure on him. Shi Wenbo had not considered this layer. For them, being appointed as imperial envoys to Yongzhou was merely a task¡ªless trouble is better than more. Shen Qing''s cooperation was in line with his wishes and saved him a lot of trouble. Shi Wenbo said earnestly, "What is bad about it going smoothly? It demonstrates that Great Zhou is full of talent and that Your Majesty''s fortune is flourishing. This is indeed a fortunate event." Ji He immediately followed, "Lord Shi speaks sensibly. Shen Qing is indeed a promising talent to foster." "I also think so." Xue Yan''s expression paused slightly, and he seemed to realize something. Understanding dawned in his heart, and he chose to remain silent forthwith, bowing slightly, "The lords speak sensibly; it was presumptuous of me." ... Prefecture Chief Dou Wenxi and County Supervisor Yan Xushou, two figures who usually wielded great influence in the county, now stood nervously like children outside the grand entrance of the Guardian Martial Department. Their robes fluttered gently with the wind, their eyes flickering with a subtle unease. "Lord Dou, how come the imperial envoy went straight to the Guardian Martial Department? Logically, he should have first visited the county office," Yan Xushou asked in a low voice, his brow furrowed, contemplating the deeper implications behind this turn of events. "Could it be that Your Majesty is dissatisfied with us?" Dou Wenxi, softly stroking his goatee, replied, "I am also unsure. However, since they chose to come here first, they must have their reasons. As local officials, we naturally must treat them with courtesy and assess the situation first. Let''s go inside and see." With that, he adjusted his official robes and strode into the Guardian Martial Department office, Yan Xushou following closely behind. Just as they crossed the threshold, they saw Shi Wenbo and others walking out from the rear hall. Dou Wenxi and Yan Xushou exchanged glances, their minds swirling with questions, but they quickly put on smiley faces. "Junior officials Dou Wenxi (Yan Xushou), respectfully welcome the imperial envoy to Yongzhou!" Both greeted in unison, their voices filled with utmost respect. Shi Wenbo had often dealt with various local government offices and was very familiar with their ways. He stepped forward with a smile, "Lord Dou, Lord Yan, please pardon us. We did not intend to disturb you both." "Not at all, not at all," Dou Wenxi and Yan Xushou, feeling honored by the words, hastily responded, "Being servants to His Majesty and coming from afar, it''s our duty as locals to fully cooperate. As it is now noon, I have prepared some modest wine, hoping you could take time out of your busy schedules to attend, so we can provide a feast to greet and refresh the imperial envoys." Shi Wenbo agreed, "Since both of you are so gracious, we shall respectfully comply and join the banquet to share in the camaraderie." "Gentlemen, please!" "Please!" At this moment, Xue Yan stepped forward, his face apologetic, "Gentlemen, I am feeling a bit overwhelmed and still unwell from the journey. I think I will return to rest and skip this banquet." Everyone understood and did not feel his absence was abrupt. After some cordial conversation, Shi Wenbo and his party left Xue Yan alone and grandly departed the Guardian Martial Department, heading towards the best tavern in the prefecture. After parting with Shi Wenbo and the others, Xue Yan did not return to the inn to rest as he had said but instead rushed straight out of the city. Once he was outside the city and found no one around, he took a deep breath, and the spiritual energy within him surged. Touching the ground lightly with his toes, his figure became incredibly light, turning into a dark shadow that swiftly disappeared, heading straight for the wild outskirts of Yongzhou City. In just a moment, Xue Yan found himself amid towering mountains and ridges. "It should be here," he muttered. He stopped, looked around, and finally, his eyes settled on a barren spot; his face lit up with excitement as he hurried over. When he looked up to take in the scene before him, his breath caught. In the distance, the once towering mountains had been completely leveled by some unimaginable, great force. The ground had experienced violent upheavals like a dragon turning over, with trenches crisscrossing and fissures intersecting. At the center of the ruins, there were signs of a mysterious force having fiercely impacted the area. Xue Yan could imagine that at that moment, an indescribable powerful force had radiated outward. It was intangible yet profoundly real, giving him a sense of unprecedented pressure. Looking closely, between the cracks of the broken stones, countless plants stubbornly broke through the soil, lush and vibrant with life. The entire area covered a radius of six to seven hundred meters. A strong impulse surged in Xue Yan''s heart, "Yes, this is the place. The Spirit Essence from beyond this realm descended here. Father, big brother¡ªthey were telling the truth." Sear?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He cautiously approached and keenly felt the atmosphere. Finding that the residual Spirit Essence in the air had completely dissipated, his expression darkened. Xue Yan pondered, "Such a vast Spirit Mechanism Land must contain massive amounts of Spirit Essence, which should not have dissipated so quickly. The only explanation is that the Spirit Essence here was collected by someone using the Spiritual Mechanism Jade or a similar device." "That merchant''s statement could very likely be true; Shen Qing might indeed have obtained this Spirit Essence. Even if it wasn''t him, he must be closely associated with it." Having verified the information he received, Xue Yan felt more confident. "Since that is the case, instead of beating around the bush, confronting him directly would be most effective. However, before doing so, I need to prepare carefully and not act recklessly." Chapter 318 - 5 Cultivation Progress, The Five Great Realms After Innate ``` Inside the Guardian Martial Department Office. Shen Qing sat upright at the head position of the back hall, his brow furrowed. Shi Wenbo and his party had already left. For now, there wasn''t much evidence to suggest that this group was targeting him. These imperial envoys had not yet decided to delve deeply into the demon case in Yongzhou and the anomalies outside the city. However, he didn''t believe he could pass this off so easily. All of this was just the beginning. No one could say for sure what would happen next, so it''s wise to prepare early. "Boss." At this moment, Tian Xiaohu''s voice, tinged with hesitation, sounded from outside the door, breaking the silence in the room. "Come in." "Yes." Tian Xiaohu pushed the door open and entered, walking steadily. He clasped his hands and said, "The arrangements are ready on Uncle and Aunt''s side, Boss, when do you think you will bring them back to the city? If not, I can do it this afternoon..." Shen Qing gently raised his hand, stopping Tian Xiaohu''s unfinished words, and slowly spoke, "Let''s wait for now." Previously, considering the chaos in Yongzhou City and for their safety, Shen Qing had moved Uncle, Aunt, and Big Sister outside the city to settle in a secured place. Now that the demon in the city had been subdued, Uncle and Aunt intended to return, but it still seemed inappropriate now. Shen Qing vaguely sensed that Shi Wenbo and others might have other actions soon. Bringing Uncle and Aunt back now would undoubtedly place them in danger and would also give him additional weaknesses and constraints. Tian Xiaohu hesitated upon hearing this, slightly puzzled. He still didn''t know about the court sending imperial envoys, nor did he understand the underlying power struggles; a trace of concern flashed across his face as he asked, "Boss, did something happen recently?" "Nothing much, just minor matters." Seeing Shen Qing''s unwillingness to say more, Tian Xiaohu wisely did not inquire further: "Got it, I''ll make arrangements now." Shen Qing watched Tian Xiaohu leave, and then sought out Chen Guang and others, instructing them to monitor the whereabouts of Shi Wenbo and his group. After handling many such trivial matters, it was already past noon. Seeing that the day was still early, the always disciplined Shen Qing habitually walked into the Cultivation Room for his daily practice. Within the offices of the Guardian Martial Department, there was a specially crafted Cultivation Room, very quiet, with only a meditation cushion placed at the center and nothing else, appearing extremely simple. Shen Qing opened the door and walked inside. He sat cross-legged on the meditation cushion in the center of the room with ease, surrounded by an indescribably calm aura. His gaze focused as a stream of Divine Thought spread out. With a sound, the door of the Cultivation Room slammed shut under an unseen force. Shen Qing closed his eyes to calm his mind, and only after all disturbances in his heart settled did he slowly open his eyes, retrieving from his clothes close to the skin a Jade Token, smooth as jade. Complex and exquisite Jade Talismans were inscribed on the token, shimmering under the faint light. Shen Qing noticed a warm sensation in his hand, without a trace of coldness, exuding an extraordinary aura. S§×arch* The n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Ever since slaying the demon in Yongzhou a few days ago, the myriad affairs in the city had been a tangled mess, while the government office lacked manpower. He had been preoccupied with these affairs, leaving no time for much cultivation. This was the first time he took out the Jade Token for use. "I''m not sure of Shi Wenbo''s group''s intentions. Boosting my cultivation and enhancing our strength is certainly wise." The unexpected visit of the imperial envoys gave Shen Qing some foreboding feelings. He decided to set aside the burdensome administrative duties for the time being, intending to fully immerse himself in cultivation. Shen Qing''s hands moved nimbly, forming one mysterious spell after another. As he moved, the brilliance of the Jade Token suddenly flared up, like the brightest star in the night sky; dense Spiritual Energy, almost liquefied, surged forth from the token, enveloping him and forming a small sea of Spirit Energy. The Spiritual Energy density in the entire Cultivation Room rose to an unprecedented level in an instant. Immediately, Shen Qing took out a Wish Power Pearl emitting a gentle white glow from his sleeve. Seeing everything was ready, he did not delay further, initiating the Refining Pearl Technique. With a thought, the Wish Power Pearl floated upward, radiating light, complementing the glow of the Jade Token. Instantly, Shen Qing''s speed of condensing spirit energy multiplied, as if numerous streams converging into a river, continuously flowing into his being. Under the refining of the Six Path Whale Swallowing Technique, Shen Qing felt every inch of his skin and every pore greedily absorbing the essence of heaven and earth, his aura became increasingly stable. At this moment, Shen Qing seemed to merge with the entire world. Every breath, every heartbeat, resonated subtly with the surrounding Spirit Energy. In his Qi Sea, an identical phantom slowly emerged, becoming more solid with the nourishment of Spiritual Energy. At this time, Shen Qing''s mind had fully immersed into the mystical world of cultivation. Nature''s spiritual energy flowed through his body''s meridians like fine threads, nourishing his physical body and spiritual consciousness. The Spiritual Power within him, through countless cycles of refinement and accumulation, had gradually transformed from its initially rough and robust state to one light and agile, sensing the external Spiritual Energy. A faint glow flickered around Shen Qing as the Spirit Energy in the Cultivation Room seemed to be summoned and driven, surging toward him and forming a small vortex. His Divine Thought became exceptionally clear at this moment, able to perceive every trace of Spirit Energy''s flow within and even vaguely capture the subtle changes in the surrounding nature''s spiritual energy. ``` Chapter 319 - 5 Cultivation Progress, The Five Great Realms After Innate_2 Suddenly, an unprecedented power quietly surged within his body, causing his whole being to become much lighter. Shen Qing knew that this was not a sign of a breakthrough, but rather a precursor to a qualitative leap in his cultivation, based on his foundation in the Innate Realm. It was unknown how much time had passed, but the Wish Power Pearl in front of him had been completely refined. Sensing the speed at which the spiritual energy was being refined, Shen Qing slowly opened his eyes, stopped his cultivation, and put away the Jade Token. Shen Qing noticed that the Jade Token, after being refined, was now dimmer compared to before. It seemed the loss of spiritual energy was the reason for it. This was within reason. "Now the spiritual energy of nature is not even one percent of the Spirit Essence in this Jade Token, which is truly frustrating. Without this Spirit Essence, it would be nearly impossible to advance my cultivation with just these scraps at hand." "No wonder the Ji Family of Great Zhou wanted to collect all the Martial Mechanisms for their own use. Ultimately, it''s because the resources for cultivation are too scarce." Shen Qing sighed deeply, "I truly don''t know what kind of era the Ancient Times were." "Forget it, thinking too much about these things is useless. I cannot return to the past, so it''s better to focus on the present." Exhaling a deep breath, Shen Qing murmured to himself, "I remember that above the Innate Realm should be the Spirit Void Realm. I know very little about this realm, and there is not much information available. I should take a trip to the Martial Arts Hall to seek guidance." Yongzhou''s Martial Arts Hall contains many Divine Skills and numerous Martial Arts Techniques. During a previous visit, he utilized his Never Forget ability to memorize all the Martial Arts Skills in the Martial Arts Hall. Frankly speaking, even now, he is still well-acquainted with the Martial Arts within the Martial Arts Hall. But Yongzhou''s Martial Arts Hall is not just a place for housing martial arts. After such a long period of understanding, he gradually realized that Martial Arts Halls across various regions are also excellent venues for martial arts discussions. There are many people in the world whose Martial Arts Cultivation may not be high, and their cultivation may be ordinary, but their passion for the study of martial arts is unparalleled, and they have a profound understanding and expertise in martial arts. The Great Zhou Court places great importance on martial arts and would not leave these people wandering outside. Therefore, there are specific exams to gather these individuals. After passing the exams, these individuals can join either the Hanlin Academy or the Mountain Sea Department, gaining official status and receiving support from the court. Some of them are assigned to Martial Arts Halls across the world to serve as instructors. Shen Qing recalled that Yongzhou''s Martial Arts Hall had several old instructors within, individuals with sufficient knowledge and very good teaching targets. Exiting the Guardian Martial Department Office, Shen Qing went to the Military Department Office. Yongzhou''s Martial Arts Hall is not a place just anyone can enter; it requires certain protocols. Previously, Shen Qing was rewarded with an entry token after slaying a demon under the orders of Commander Jia Zhiping. To enter the Martial Arts Hall again now, he still needed proof with a token. However, currently, the Prefectural Governor is dead, Commander Jia Zhiping is dead too. Shen Qing''s reputation in Yongzhou is such that he is known by everyone, and even within the county office, his position is somewhat extraordinary. Obtaining this Martial Arts Hall token was very simple. The officials in the office offered little resistance, passing him through without obstruction, effectively making it a mere formality. Once again entering the Martial Arts Hall, Shen Qing noticed that compared to his last visit, there were now many more people present. They were like martial arts fanatics, each holding a book and reading with rapt attention, their eyes burning with passion. These people mostly dressed simply, likely ordinary disciples, who, due to their meritorious deeds during the recent demon invasion, had the opportunity to enter the Martial Arts Hall for further training. They knew how rare this opportunity was, so when they obtained martial arts texts, they cherished them dearly, becoming fully engrossed in their study. Many of them, while studying, instinctively used their fingers as swords to draw invisible trajectories in the air, silently deducing the intricacies of swordsmanship. sea??h th§× N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Even when Shen Qing approached, it did not stir any ripple. They were completely absorbed, unaware of everything around them. Shen Qing ignored these people and went straight to an old instructor, the same person who had received him during his first visit to the Martial Arts Hall and who held the highest status within it. With hands clasped, Shen Qing said, "Old instructor, we meet again." The old instructor glanced at Shen Qing, somewhat surprised, not expecting Shen Qing to come to this place. He lived a secluded life within the Martial Arts Hall, with little knowledge of the affairs outside. But the recent upheavals in Yongzhou were too significant for him to remain unaffected, thereby learning about the changes. Without a doubt, in this upheaval, the most prominent figure in Yongzhou was the person standing before him, the chief of the Guardian Martial Department, Shen Qing, Lord Shen. The old instructor, Fang Shizhen, responded neither humbly nor arrogantly, "I wonder what brings Lord Shen here? Do you have the relevant token?" The old instructor, Fang Shizhen, was puzzled. As he knew, this chief of the Guardian Martial Department was already at the Innate Realm, and the martial arts collections of the county Martial Arts Hall only went up to the Innate Realm. What business did he have coming to the Martial Arts Hall again? "Of course," Shen Qing replied, smiling as he took out his token for verification. After the verification confirmed there were no issues, it was handed back to him. Shen Qing put away the token and said, "Old instructor, may we speak in private?" "This way, Lord Shen," although full of curiosity, Fang Shizhen showed no outward sign of it. He led Shen Qing through winding corridors and finally stopped before a carved wooden door, gently pushing it open to usher Shen Qing into a simple and elegant tea room. A fragrant aroma of tea lingered, the room quiet and serene. Shen Qing stepped in, scanned the room, and sat down directly at a simple round table. Fang Shizhen followed closely, skillfully poured two cups of hot tea, placed one in front of Shen Qing, and lifted the other for himself, but did not immediately drink it, waiting silently for Shen Qing to speak. After taking a small sip of tea, Shen Qing set the cup down and directly said, "Instructor Fang, I came this time to seek your advice on some cultivation questions." When Fang Shizhen heard this, his expression became serious, "Please feel free to speak, my lord." "I want to ask what realms come after the Innate Realm?" Shen Qing inquired, looking directly at Fang Shizhen. This... Is he on the verge of breaking through again? Fang Shizhen''s eyes flickered with surprise at Shen Qing''s words but soon calmed. In his view, with Shen Qing''s swift progression to the Innate Realm, he must be exceptionally talented. Such a person would not be content with the current state, and further breakthroughs were only a matter of time. Fang Shizhen sipped his tea and, after pondering for a while, said, "Above the Innate Realm, there exist four major realms." "What are these four major realms?" "Spirit Void Realm, Primordial Spirit Realm, Void Travel Realm, Unity Realm." Fang Shizhen continued, "Beyond the Innate Realm is the Spirit Void Realm. In this realm, the spiritual power within the body transforms from solid to void, resonating with the spiritual energy of nature. It is a critical period for entering the immortal path through martial arts and condensing the Primordial Spirit. When a warrior''s Primordial Spirit strengthens to the point it can separate from the body, it is the Primordial Spirit Realm. Cultivators at this realm can grasp magical abilities and perform spells." Shen Qing''s eyes grew increasingly fervent, and he took a deep breath, unable to resist asking further, "Then what is the Void Travel Realm like?" Fang Shizhen shook his head, "I don''t know." "Don''t know?" "The Void Travel Realm, Unity Realm, these are fields beyond our reach. Cultivators who enter these realms have transcended the category of warrior, nearing immortality. We know very little about them. I''ve heard that beyond the Unity Realm lies the pinnacle of martial arts, but this is only a legend. For hundreds of years, no one has truly reached this realm." Shen Qing''s heart was filled with a sense of foreboding. "What else does Lord Shen wish to ask?" Shen Qing pondered for a while before asking, "Could I trouble you to explain thoroughly about the Spirit Void Realm?" Chapter 320 - 6 I Advise You Not to Be Ignorant of the Rules Old Coach Fang Shizhen pondered for a while, brewing his words slowly, "In general, the Spirit Void Realm is a pivotal Great Realm, situated between the Innate Realm and the Kongyou Realm. Within this realm, the spiritual power in a cultivator''s body begins to transform from solid to ethereal, gradually resonating with nature''s spiritual energy." "Resonating?" Shen Qing furrowed his brow, clearly intrigued by the term. "Exactly," Fang Shizhen nodded. "The resonance of a martial master''s spiritual power with the weekly spiritual energy allows cultivators to perceive the subtle changes in the surrounding spiritual energy, as well as various fluctuations of aura. This resonance endows martial masters with the ability to manipulate spiritual energy. Although it is not as transformative as the Ancient Divine Power, it is nonetheless an indispensable foundation for mastering Divine Skills later." Shen Qing listened intently, his eyes gleaming with longing, "Then, what is unique about this ethereal spiritual power?" "Once the spiritual power within a martial master becomes ethereal, it means that the martial master''s spiritual power is no longer confined within the physical body," Fang Shizhen explained. "Instead, it can break through spatial limitations, establish connections with external spiritual energy, and thereby achieve long-range attacks and defense. Some highly cultivated martial masters can slay enemies thousands of miles away with a single sword stroke, which originates from this. It can be said that the Spirit Void Realm is a crucial step for every martial master transitioning from ''Martial'' to ''Immortal.''" Having heard this, Shen Qing felt suddenly enlightened. He stood up and bowed deeply to Fang Shizhen, "Thank you, Coach Fang, for illuminating the path. Shen Qing has greatly benefited from your guidance." Fang Shizhen smiled kindly in return, "My lord, you are too polite. It is my honor to resolve your doubts. May you step into the Spirit Void soon and achieve great things." In the teahouse, the fragrance of tea lingered. Shen Qing''s mind, involuntarily, turned tumultuous, filled with a burning passion. Although he had not yet truly entered the Spirit Void Realm, he believed that as long as he persistently exerted himself, with the "Panel''s" blessings, breakthrough was a certainty. "This Martial Arts Hall only has methods for cultivating up to the Innate Realm; to cultivate further, it is said that only the Imperial Armory of Great Zhou has them. It seems I must find a way to enter the Imperial Armory." After chatting idly with Old Coach Fang Shizhen for a while longer, and confirming there were no more insights to gain, Shen Qing left directly. On the way, he observed the cultivators in the Martial Arts Hall, tirelessly devoted to their training. These individuals were fully immersed in Martial Arts, oblivious and deaf to Shen Qing''s presence. Shen Qing felt a pang of sympathy; these talents might have potential, but with the cultivation resources firmly controlled by the Ji Family, each step forward in their cultivation was exceptionally difficult. For the majority, rising above their current status was almost impossible. Regrettably, this was not something he could change or influence at the moment. When Shen Qing returned to the Guardian Martial Department Office from the Martial Arts Hall, it was already evening, the sky turning dusky. As he entered the back hall, an unexpected person stood silently in the center of the hall. Upon seeing Shen Qing, the man silently turned around, corners of his lips slightly lifting, "Lord Shen, you''ve finally returned." This person was none other than Xue Yan, the Third Young Master Xue. With an impassive face, Shen Qing was unsure of Xue Yan''s intentions, internally on guard. S~ea??h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He kept his composure and, clasping his hands together, said respectfully yet firmly, "I see Third Young Master Xue. May I know the reason for your visit?" Xue Yan smiled gently, taking slow steps closer. His steps were deliberate, the crisp sound echoing in the air, causing the atmosphere to grow tense. Xue Yan stopped in his tracks and stared into Shen Qing''s eyes, his expression half-smiling, saying, "Lord Shen, let''s not beat around the bush. If I''m not mistaken, just a while ago outside Yongzhou City, a Spirit Mechanism descended, and part of its Spirit Essence is now in Lord Shen''s hands, right?" After he finished speaking that last word, Xue Yan''s gaze suddenly sharpened. Shen Qing''s heart sank, and he continuously calculated his next moves. He knew dealing with this group of imperial envoys would be tough, but he hadn''t expected that it would be this seemingly unassuming Third Young Master Xue who would pose the first challenge. Thinking it over, this Third Young Master Xue in the group of imperial envoys indeed seemed out of place, as if he had been forcibly inserted there. Seeing him speak so confidently, Shen Qing concluded that he must be in possession of considerable information about Yongzhou, likely aimed specifically at the Spirit Mechanism. Shen Qing maintained a calm expression and said lightly, "Mr. Xue is indeed well-informed. However, I must confess, this so-called Spirit Mechanism you mentioned is something I am hearing about for the first time." As he spoke, Shen Qing put on an innocent expression and feigned ignorance, "It must be a misunderstanding on Mr. Xue''s part." "A misunderstanding?" Xue Yan shook his head slightly, his tone carrying an undeniable threat, "Lord Shen, perhaps you are not aware. Concerning the many changes in Yongzhou, the Zhou Family in the capital has reported everything to my father in great detail. They have sought help from my Xue Family, wanting your life. I specifically came to Yongzhou to handle this matter." "As for the matter of the Spirit Mechanism, I have also investigated it thoroughly. It would be best if Lord Shen stops feigning ignorance." The Zhou Family? Shen Qing''s eyes darkened, not expecting this connection behind the scenes. Realizing he had been exposed, Shen Qing stopped pretending and, straightening his back, said coldly, "Lord Xue, what exactly do you want?" "I consider that you and I are both court officials and do not wish to escalate the situation. I will give you one day to consider handing over the Spirit Mechanism, and bygones will be bygones. Otherwise, you will have to face the consequences." Shen Qing''s expression instantly turned stern, and his eyes, deep and unfathomable, glared coldly, "Are you threatening me?" At these words, the air around them seemed to freeze at that instant. Shen Qing, a Martial Master of the Innate Realm, released an indescribable aura. Xue Yan''s face instantly paled, but he quickly stiffened his resolve, his eyes flashing with disdain, "Shen Qing, understand your situation. I am not threatening you but giving you a choice. You should be aware of the Xue Family''s power. Being our enemy benefits you in no way. I advise you to follow the rules." Shen Qing coldly watched Xue Yan, their impalpable power like a massive wave surging between them. Regarding the Xue Family, Shen Qing was aware. They were one of the Eight Great Families of the Great Zhou, their ancestors having followed the Ji Family in their campaigns conquering the world, and through centuries of accumulation, the Xue Family had produced many talented individuals. Today''s head of the Xue Family was the Great General of Great Zhou, a man of extraordinary status. They were not like the merchant families of Yongzhou. If the Xue Family really wanted to deal with him, even as an Innate, squashing him wouldn''t be much harder than killing an ant. Nevertheless, Shen Qing showed no intention of backing down. "Xue Yan, do you think the Xue Family''s reputation can make me submit? In this world, power is the ultimate truth. While the Xue Family is strong, it doesn''t mean you can do whatever you want here." Chapter 321 - 7 Lord Xue, are you more sober now? ``` "Boom!" With the words just spoken, it was as if thunder exploded from Shen Qing''s body. A power several times stronger than before suddenly burst forth, like a storm sweeping across the entire hall. Caught off guard, Xue Yan felt a mountain-like pressure strike down abruptly. His knees weakened, and he almost fell to the ground. He was shocked and hurriedly activated an Inheritance Jade in his hand. The jade emitted a clear and dazzling light, quickly forming a semi-circular Shield in front of him, isolating that terrible pressure outside. With the Shield''s protection, the pressure on Xue Yan''s body lightened instantly, allowing him to catch his breath for a moment. He glared at Shen Qing, his eyes filled with both shock and anger: "Shen Qing, you are refusing a toast only to drink a forfeit. Do you realize you are challenging the dignity of my Xue family?" Shen Qing looked at Xue Yan coldly, with a disdainful smile at the corner of his mouth: "The dignity of the Xue family? Hmph, in my eyes, true dignity speaks with strength. You are merely a Martial master of the Dan Realm, yet you dare provoke me like this, truly thinking I am soft clay and won''t dare to kill you!!!" Upon hearing this, Xue Yan''s face turned deathly pale, his fists clenched so tightly that his nails almost embedded into his palm''s flesh. His plan had collapsed; he hadn''t expected Shen Qing to be so unyielding. Facing the formidable Xue family he brought up, there wasn''t a trace of fear in Shen Qing; instead, he was aggressively overbearing, completely reshaping Xue Yan''s understanding. "Shen Qing, don''t be too excessive! Do you think that with your strength alone, you can contend with the Xue family? Should a single hair on my body be harmed, do you believe my Xue family can render you without a place to be buried dead or alive?" Shen Qing''s eyes were firm, and he sneered: "Contend? No, I''ve never thought of contending against the Xue family, but sometimes, when something blind insists on oppressing me, there''s no other way. Some people simply can''t be provoked." Speaking, Shen Qing once again stirred the power within his body, that force surged once more, causing the hall to suddenly fill with roaring winds, as if the entire space was about to be torn apart. Under this terrible power, the Shield in front of Xue Yan started to tremble violently, emitting a "buzzing" sound, seemingly on the verge of shattering at any moment. Xue Yan''s heart was filled with boundless terror; he hadn''t imagined Shen Qing''s strength to be so formidable, even the Xue family''s Jade Shield was struggling to withstand it. Today''s decision was too rash. He steadied his mind and shouted: "Lord Shen, let''s talk about this..." Xue Yan''s words abruptly came to a halt. Shen Qing gave him no chance to catch his breath. He moved like a ghost, appearing before Xue Yan in a flash, and punched directly at the Shield. "Bang!" A loud noise echoed as the Shield shattered instantly. Xue Yan, as if struck hard, was sent flying backward, slamming into the hall''s wall, and spat blood, his face as pale as paper. "Lord Xue, are you a bit more clear-headed now?" Shen Qing knew that yielding would only bring about more coercion, and endless threats would follow. The person in front of him was somewhat oblivious to good and evil, unsure of the gravity of the situation, so it was necessary to jolt him awake. Xue Yan struggled to stand, spat out a mouthful of blood, and stared daggers at Shen Qing. He had never encountered someone like Shen Qing who defied convention in such a manner. However, he also knew that at this moment, a point of no return had been reached between them, and begging for mercy wouldn''t have the slightest effect. He viciously said: "Lord Shen, what an impressive show of might you have." "I, along with Lord Shi and others, was ordered by Your Majesty to investigate the demon case in Yongzhou. Ji He, Lord Ji, hails from the Mountain Sea Department, collecting Martial Mechanism information for the Ji Family, and they are still quietly gathering Spirit Mechanism matters throughout the world. Do you think Your Majesty has other intentions by having him come at this time?" "You dare to assault me, an imperial envoy¡ªwhat does this mean? Do you wish to rebel?" The final words exploded like thunder. Sear?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. However, Shen Qing remained expressionless, without a ripple in his demeanor. "Have you finished talking?" he coldly uttered one sentence. "Hmm?" Xue Yan was stunned, not having fully recovered from the previous threats, his expression confused. Slap! Shen Qing''s slap landed mercilessly on Xue Yan''s face with lightning speed. Xue Yan''s entire body was like a kite with a broken string, sent flying, crashing heavily against the wall, then sliding down, curling up into a ball in pain, unable to get up. The blood trickling from his mouth and the swelling on his face were a stark contrast to his current pathetic and terrified state. A madman, a complete madman! Shen Qing stepped toward him, gripping Xue Yan''s hair and dragging him up, saying: "Remember, I have never liked being threatened by others in my life. Besides, this is my territory; the strong dragon cannot or shouldn''t suppress the local snake. You ended up in such a state, I can only say you picked the wrong opponent." Xue Yan gasped heavily, fear filling his eyes; he had never met someone so terrifying. He stammered: "Do you know... you''ve offended... my Xue family... won''t let you... nor will Your Majesty..." "Who said I''ve offended you?" Shen Qing, with a look of surprise, leaned closer to Xue Yan''s ear and lowered his voice: "If I''m not mistaken, you came here alone, right? Did anyone see?" "You¡­" Xue Yan had never met someone so shameless. Just then, Shen Qing pulled out an exquisite Elixir from his bosom and forcefully stuffed it into Xue Yan''s mouth. The Elixir melted on his tongue, a warm current quickly coursing through Xue Yan''s body, repairing his damaged meridians and flesh. In just a moment, the bruises and injuries on Xue Yan''s body vanished without a trace. Xue Yan, struggling to speak, with a voice full of tremors, asked: "What did you make me eat?" "It''s a miraculous medicine that repairs external injuries." Shen Qing stood up and said: "Now that you walk out, no one will see any conflict between us. You are a smart person, you should know what to do." "If I hear a single word about today from outside, believe that I''ll make sure you don''t walk out of Yongzhou City alive? I might not deal with the Xue family, but can''t I handle you, Lord Xue the third son?!" Threats, blatant threats! Xue Yan never expected such an outcome when he arrived. He had intended to threaten Shen Qing, and now the tables were completely turned. He understood that today, he had wholly fallen into Shen Qing''s hands, and his plan had utterly collapsed. "Are you healed?" Shen Qing looked down on Xue Yan from above and said: "If you''re healed, then get lost!" Xue Yan shivered all over, fear and desperation flashing in his eyes. Under Shen Qing''s gaze, he unhesitatingly got up, and without a word, left the rear hall of the Sea Affairs Department. Shen Qing murmured to himself: "With Xue Yan keeping an eye on me, and such a big event happening today, the matter between us cannot end peacefully, so he must die." "But, as he said, he has the backing of the Xue family and came alongside the imperial envoy; he can''t openly die by my hands." With that in mind, Shen Qing''s mind stirred, and a passage of text from the ink panel floated before his eyes, displayed plainly. ``` Chapter 322 - 8: Da Xu Technique Breakthrough, A Dark and Windy Night Perfect for Killing ``` [Skill: Da Xu Technique (Skillfully)] [Progress: 195/200 points] [Status: Cannot be enhanced] [Note: "A steed''s leap cannot cover ten paces; a slow horse''s continuous steps achieve the goal." Continuous practice has made you more adept at the Da Xu Technique, mastering its high-speed execution. After this breakthrough, your understanding of the concept of ''Xu'' deepens¡ªthis martial art allows you to traverse space, appearing and disappearing tracelessly, elusive as the wind.] "Just a bit more practice with the Da Xu Technique, and it should break through tonight if all goes well." Shen Qing muttered to himself, a slight smile appearing on his face. Ever since Huang Furo had fully imparted the Da Xu Technique to him, his cultivation in this martial art had become increasingly smooth. With the added enhancement of Spirit Essence, in just a few days, this martial art was quietly nearing the conditions needed for a breakthrough. Shen Qing thought to himself, "Once this martial art breaks through, I can attempt to kill that Xue Yan." The events of the day came suddenly. Xue Yan''s abrupt arrival was unexpected, leaving unknown tactics behind, and in broad daylight at the Guardian Martial Department, who knew how many had seen him. Had he attacked earlier and killed him, within the Guardian Martial Department, there was no denying responsibility. In other words, letting this Third Young Master Xue die elsewhere without any connection to himself would be ideal. With this in mind, there was nothing more to say. Shen Qing quickly came to a decision and headed into the Cultivation Room, pulling out a piece of Jade Token, fully focused and immersed in cultivation. He practiced the Da Xu Technique, running continuously within the Cultivation Room, his form transforming into numerous fleeting shadows. Time passed by little by little, the night deepened, and the moon hung high in the sky. Shen Qing did not know how long he''d been running when he suddenly sensed something, abruptly stopping in the Cultivation Room, seeing floating ink-black characters appear in his vision. [Skill: Da Xu Technique (Skillfully)] [Progress: 201/200 points] [Status: Can be enhanced] Without hesitation, Shen Qing said, "Breakthrough!" Hum. Shortly after a moment of stillness, a massive influx of memories surged violently into his mind, making him dizzy and pained. Shen Qing, already prepared, used his strong Divine Sense to maintain his mind, suppressing the discomfort. Moments later, he had completely absorbed and digested this wave of memories. In his memory, Shen Qing repeatedly practiced the Da Xu Technique, and after continuous hard training, the technique''s essence finally became crystal clear in his heart. His understanding and insight into the Da Xu Technique became increasingly transparent. The next moment, a surge of Spiritual Energy erupted within the Cultivation Room. Shen Qing''s heart raced, every pore in his body seemed to open at that moment, greedily absorbing the surrounding nature''s spiritual energy that escaped from the Jade Token. With a dull, yet powerful roar, the force within Shen Qing''s body seemed to find a vent, exploding instantly. At this time, the structure of Spiritual Energy within him became completely consistent with his memories. After adapting for a bit, Shen Qing exhaled a long breath of turbid air. [Skill: Da Xu Technique (Small Success)] [Progress: 1/300 points] [Status: Cannot be elevated] [Note: "Heaven rewards diligence." After constant practice, you''ve broken through to Small Success in the Da Xu Technique, allowing you to touch on the realm of extreme speed. With this martial art, you can traverse space and master the ''Traceless'' skill.] Looking at the reminders appearing in his vision, Shen Qing let out a knowing smile. "Let''s see what extent this Huangfu family martial art reaches after achieving Small Success." Shen Qing mobilized all his Spiritual Energy, activating the Da Xu Technique. With a slight flicker, he vanished from the Cultivation Room, leaving only a faint trace of blue light in place, as if marking his passage through the void. Upon reappearing, he was on the opposite side of the Cultivation Room, his form nearly merging with the air, achieving true teleportation. Crossing distances, traceless. "This..." Shen Qing looked at the scene in shock. Although the ink-black text reminders had given him some mental preparation for the changes in the Da Xu Technique, the actual realization was still somewhat unbelievable. He sensed that the Da Xu Technique, upon reaching ''Small Success'' realm, vaguely surpassed the realm of ''Martial'' and started transitioning into the tier of ''Immortal.'' This ancient martial art handed down from Ancient Times was unique. Shen Qing restrained his thoughts and did not delve further. He opened the door, looking up to see a bright moon hanging like a pearl in the ink-black sky. The silver glow poured down, casting a layer of faint, cold blue-white over the still Yongzhou City. "The night of a dark moon and high winds is the perfect time for killing." Shen Qing hesitated no longer, saying, "Third Young Master Xue, it''s just your bad luck to cross me." He left the Cultivation Room, summoned Chen Guang to find out Xue Yan''s whereabouts, and then silently departed the Guardian Martial Department Office. Once in a solitary place, he took a deep breath, Spiritual Energy surging wildly within him. Instantly, his figure blurred completely in the night, abruptly vanishing in place, leaving only a faint shadow perfectly merging with the surrounding darkness. ... In a room of a certain inn in Yongzhou City, candlelight flickered, casting mottled light and shadows. Xue Yan sat by the table, his figure elongated by the candlelight. After a series of blows today, his emotions were turbulent like a storm-swept sea, difficult to calm. His fists clenched tightly, teeth grinding, constantly recalling Shen Qing''s disdainful expression, stirring his anger. Suddenly, Xue Yan slammed his fist on the table, shattering it instantly into pieces. After venting his emotion, Xue Yan stood up and paced back and forth, pondering strategies. Given Shen Qing''s actions today, it''s evident he''s a ruthless person, intolerant of imperfection, and focused solely on the present. So using vague backgrounds to pressure him is pointless, making his schemes fall completely short. If things continued this way, he would return to Yongzhou empty-handed and would have no way to explain to his father. The hard-earned opportunity to prove himself was about to be wasted, leaving him extremely indignant. The best solution was still to find someone slightly stronger than Shen Qing to suppress him face-to-face, offering a glimmer of hope. Xue Yan immediately thought of the Imperial Envoy Shi Wenbo, who had also come to Yongzhou. This person was close to his Xue family and had cultivation superior to Shen Qing¡ªan innate ally. However, the matter of Spirit Essence was not easy to articulate. Xue Yan fell into deep thought, considering how to convince Shi Wenbo to press and act against Shen Qing. Just then, there was a knock at the door. Xue Yan paused and asked, "Who is it?" "It''s me," came Shi Wenbo''s voice from outside the door, continuing, "Nephew, what happened in your room just now? Are you in any trouble?" Xue Yan was taken aback, then laughed silently. Glancing at the shattered remnants of the table, he said, "Nothing serious, just broke some furniture in a foul mood. Sorry for troubling you, Sir." "Alright, if there''s anything you need, feel free to let me know." Xue Yan said respectfully, "Thank you, sir." Listening to the receding footsteps outside, Xue Yan felt reassured by Shi Wenbo''s attention and care. A glint of vicious determination flashed in his eyes, "Indeed, heaven helps me. Shen Qing, everything you did to me today will cost you dearly someday. My Xue family will not suffer humiliation in silence!" As night deepened and the candlelight dimmed, the flames of Xue Yan''s resolve burned even stronger, his eyes gleaming with firm determination. Seeing it was getting late, Xue Yan, without the habit of night training, prepared to sleep and rest. At that moment, the candle in the room wavered slightly. Xue Yan was puzzled, adrenaline surging as his body tensed with heightened vigilance. But before he could react, a gleaming light of extreme coldness silently sliced through the air. In the blink of an eye, it left a silvery mark on his neck. Xue Yan''s expression drastically changed, barely registering the attack before the cold gleam vanished without a trace, leaving only a whisper of chill and a faint pain on his neck. Horrified, he immediately realized a master was ambushing him in the shadows! Instinctively, Xue Yan''s Spirit powered up violently, Protective Gang Qi enveloping him like armor, while clutching his neck to channel Spirit Energy, hastily healing the wound. Having trained intensively since youth, regularly hardened by various Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, his flesh was far stronger than common folk, making such injury not fatal to him. Urging his Spirit, signs of flesh mending could be discerned. "Killing me isn''t so easy! Only sneaky cowards must be weaker than me." Xue Yan thought maliciously, his face growing vicious. "Shi Wenbo surely hasn''t wandered far; I have to rally him to unearth this scoundrel, leaving them no burial place." Xue Yan opened his mouth to shout loudly. However, the moment he gathered strength to call out, he found his vocal cords suddenly, invisibly constricted, releasing only hoarse "Ha ha" sounds, incapable of forming words. Xue Yan''s eyes widened. His vocal cords had been severed. A nameless fear spread like ice through his heart¡ªhe must flee immediately. Xue Yan urgently scanned the surroundings, seeking the hidden enemy, trying to deduce an escape path. However, the room was so small and empty, apart from the swinging candlelight and his own shadow, there was no trace of a second person''s presence. In his panic, a resplendent golden seal, like a meteor from the sky, crashed down with overwhelming might, enveloping his entire body. Xue Yan felt an indescribable force bearing down on him, ripping through his Protective Gang Qi as if mere parchment, instantly shredded. "Boom!" With a deafening crash, Xue Yan''s entire body crumbled like clay under a sledgehammer, reduced to a mass of formless pulp, leaving not a hint of struggle. Under this force, the entire room quivered slightly. Moments passed, and everything settled. Candlelight flickered still, but the room''s atmosphere turned cold and deathly silent. Not far away, Shi Wenbo, noticing the commotion, shook his head in silence, feeling that, awfully late at night, Xue Yan''s actions were a bit excessive. Seeing no response from Xue Yan, he thought nothing of it and refrained from checking further. In a dark alley behind the inn, a flickering shadow revealed itself. As the shadow receded, Shen Qing''s figure emerged from hiding. Looking back toward the inn, a delighted smile spread across Shen Qing''s face. He hadn''t expected such smooth success tonight. After the Da Xu Technique''s breakthrough, he managed to infiltrate Xue Yan''s room unnoticed, killing him in just two moves, resolving a significant worry. This time, he''d done it discreetly, leaving no trace to lead back to him. Not lingering in the alley for long, Shen Qing continued to propel his Spirit, deploying the Da Xu Technique, vanishing from sight. Returning to his courtyard, he resumed calm and focused cultivation. The night passed without incident. Early the next morning, a Military Department officer rushed to his home, shouting anxiously, "Lord Shen, Lord Shen! Something''s wrong!" Shen Qing extricated himself from his meditative state. The abrupt interruption of his training left him somewhat displeased. With a flicker of his form, Shen Qing appeared behind the courtyard gate, swinging it open, disgruntledly asking, "What has happened that makes you so frantic?" The Military Officer swallowed nervously, saying, "Xue Yan, Young Master Xue, is dead! This is no small matter, our Lord Huangfu has summoned all the other lords." "What? Something like that happened?" Shen Qing feigned disbelief, saying, "Quick, take me there!" "Follow me this way, my lord." Leading the way, the Military Department officer moved swiftly, his pace brisk. After roughly an incense stick''s worth of time, Shen Qing was led before an inn. "Lord Shen, it''s inside here." Without hesitation, Shen Qing crossed the threshold, striding swiftly inside. Once inside, he saw the innkeeper kneeling before Shi Wenbo, crying out his innocence, "Sir, I''m innocent, I really don''t know who the killer is, this has nothing to do with me. Please see clearly, Sir!" "Humph, just because you say it doesn''t concern you doesn''t mean it doesn''t. The person died here, you can''t escape involvement." With that, Shi Wenbo casually swiped, delivering a blow to the innkeeper''s face. The innkeeper''s head burst like a watermelon, scattering its contents everywhere. Shi Wenbo casually flexed his wrist, unfazed. In the main hall, Huang Furo, Dou Wenxi, Yan Xushou, Ji He, and others were all present, each wearing deeply displeased expressions. Shen Qing tactfully stepped forward, cupping his fists and asking, "Sir, what exactly happened?" "Sigh...Lord Shen, see for yourself upstairs." Dou Wenxi sighed deeply. Shen Qing cupped his fists again, entering Xue Yan''s room to witness the scene of chaos. Xue Yan''s mangled remains were stuck to the floor. Shen Qing was taken aback. Perhaps he had gone too far last night. Third Young Master Xue died a horrific death. Sear?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Regaining his composure, Shen Qing returned quietly to the hall, standing silently beside Huang Furo. Shi Wenbo scanned the room, sternly stating, "In Yongzhou, for someone to attack our imperial envoy, what do you all make of this?" ``` Chapter 323 - 9 Stirring the Water In the inn, a cold wind swept through, and no one spoke, making the atmosphere suddenly much more tense. Master Shi Wenbo''s face showed some impatience, and his gaze became as sharp as a knife, sweeping over every individual until it finally rested on Prefecture Chief Dou Wenxi and County Supervisor Yan Xushou, as he said in a cold voice, "Gentlemen, as the Prefecture Chief and County Supervisor of Yongzhou, do you have any clues or insights?" Hearing this, Dou Wenxi and Yan Xushou looked at each other simultaneously, and fine beads of sweat involuntarily formed on their foreheads. They both knew their own limitations; with the current case, they had absolutely no direction to proceed. Dou Wenxi swallowed hard, his eyes flickering uncertainly as he weighed his words and pondered his response, "Lord Shi, this matter is too sudden. We have only just learned of it and are utterly clueless at the moment. However, General Xue didn''t attend the banquet yesterday, there could be other hidden details here, perhaps..." "Perhaps what?" Master Shi Wenbo sharply interrupted, his tone already tinged with anger, "Lord Dou, this is not the time for you to be vague!" Seeing this, Yan Xushou coughed softly, attempting to defuse the situation, "Lord Shi, please calm your anger, the incident indeed happened abruptly, and we haven''t had the chance to investigate thoroughly. Though what Lord Dou said was not comprehensive, it''s currently all we know. The fact that Third Young Master Xue did not attend the banquet yesterday wasn''t due to illness. If we are to investigate, we must start here, looking into where Third Young Master Xue has been recently, whom he has met, and what business he was attending to. Only then can we begin to find some clues." "Yes, yes, that''s exactly what I meant, we should start from here and investigate further," Dou Wenxi quickly nodded in agreement. Master Shi Wenbo fell into thought, falling silent. S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Truth be told, he also felt that there was something odd about the situation. This trip to Yongzhou, the way General Xue Zhao inexplicably included his son in the team, indeed seemed to have ulterior motives. "You both speak sensibly, we should start from here and obtain results as quickly as possible. Otherwise, should this matter reach the Capital City and come to the attention of Great General Xue, I need not tell you what will become of you, right?" The fleshy faces of Prefecture Chief Dou Wenxi and County Supervisor Yan Xushou trembled, and their hearts instantly soared. "Lord Shi, speaking of which, Mr. Xue came to the Guardian Martial Department to seek me out yesterday," Shen Qing suddenly stood out and spoke up at this time. Now that Prefecture Chief Dou Wenxi and County Supervisor Yan Xushou were planning to investigate Xue Yan''s movements from the previous day, his visit to the Guardian Martial Department Office would certainly not go unnoticed. Rather than wait for their investigation to reveal it and be confronted with it passively, it was better to take the initiative to speak out now and keep control in his hands. Hearing this, Master Shi Wenbo was shocked and quickly asked, "What did Third Young Master Xue seek you for?" Shen Qing showed some difficulty in broaching the subject. Master Shi Wenbo slammed the table, angrily demanding, "Just speak, why are you avoiding the topic?" Shen Qing hardened his expression and decided to go for it, "Third Young Master Xue came to the Guardian Martial Department seeking me not just to inquire about the details of the demons rampant in Yongzhou on that day but also said..." "Said what?" Shen Qing lowered his head, "Third Young Master Xue also mentioned that several officials were only interested in indulging in pleasures, incapable of achieving much. He didn''t want to be associated with such corruption, wishing to quickly understand the changes in Yongzhou and reach out to ''Heaven''s Ear.''" "The impudent boy!" Standing to the side, Cui Jin''s eyes widened in rage, and his brows furrowed like drawn swords, evidently consumed with anger. The aura around him suddenly erupted, unique to a martial master of the Spirit Void Realm. It was as overpowering as a mountain flood, a surging torrent that instantly filled the entire inn. The air inside the inn seemed to solidify, and the tables and chairs trembled slightly, emitting a faint sound. The people standing in the inn''s main hall showed terrified expressions, retreating backward, fearing to be affected by the terrifying momentum. Shen Qing became the target of Cui Jin''s retaliation, with all the energy concentrated on him. He felt an indescribable heavy pressure like a massive boulder bearing down on him, his bones and flesh seemingly losing their original toughness at that moment, creaking in protest. It was the first time he sensed the strength of a martial master from the Spirit Void Realm; his expression turned grave, he clenched his teeth, and struggled to support himself with all his might, but his body still trembled uncontrollably. Just at this critical moment, Ji He''s figure swept by like a breeze and appeared next to Shen Qing instantaneously. He waved his hands lightly, and his own energy burst forth in sync, dissolving Cui Jin''s mountainous energy, lifting the heavy burden off Shen Qing. "Eunuch Cui, Shen Chasi is just stating the facts; why get so angry?" Ji He spoke with a calm demeanor. In reality, he understood why Cui Jin was so agitated. Your Majesty had specifically arranged for him to come here with Shi Wenbo, wanting him to act as the Emperor''s eyes, to fully understand the situation and uncover certain secrets. Yet, Xue Yan desired to overreach his station and go straight to the heavens with his complaint. This move made him seem useless, potentially worsening his impression before Your Majesty. For the Imperial Eunuch, such an act was tantamount to cutting off his future prospects, how could he not be angry? Cui Jin''s face remained grim, but his imposing aura had receded quite a bit; he let out a cold snort, "If it weren''t for Brother Ji''s sake, today I would have made him understand the severity of his situation!" Shen Qing, now awakened from the ordeal, looked towards Ji He with gratitude, his voice trembling slightly, "Thank you, Lord Ji, for your assistance." Cui Jin chuckled and said, "The Za Family has other matters to attend, so I''ll be leaving first. This issue can be handled by Lord Shi and the others." With that, Cui Jin departed from the inn leisurely, evidently not wishing to be involved in the matter any further. "Hmph, nothing but a dog eunuch pandering for the Sage''s favor," Shi Wenbo snorted coldly, a hint of disdain flashing in his eyes. He immediately ordered, "Send the command down, lock down the entire city this instant. Anyone even remotely related to last night''s incident must be brought in for questioning!" Prefecture Chief Dou Wenxi and County Supervisor Yan Xushou busily placed their hands together in salute, acknowledging the order. "Don''t stand around idling, get moving quickly. Regardless of who the perpetrator is, bring me results as soon as possible!" "This subordinate obeys the command." Having said this, Prefecture Chief Dou Wenxi and County Supervisor Yan Xushou strode out of the inn, with Shen Qing and others following closely behind them. Watching the others leave, Shi Wenbo turned to Ji He and said, "Lord Ji, what do you make of what Chief Officer Shen said?" "Sounds like something Third Young Master Xue might say," Ji He took a few steps towards the door, speaking to Shi Wenbo with his back turned, "As far as I know, right now Third Young Master Xue and his elder brother Xue Bai are vying for the Xue Family Heir position. If he doesn''t show some initiative, indeed he won''t make it." "Then what do you think about this matter...?" "Investigate it. We''ll take it as far as it goes. In any case, this matter doesn''t concern us; the ones who should be worried are those from the Yongzhou Government Office. If the Xue Family wants to vent their anger, they''ll direct it at them," Ji He continued, "What''s most important for us is to ensure we fulfill the task entrusted to us by Your Majesty." Shi Wenbo pondered for a moment, then agreed, "Lord Ji speaks sensibly." Chapter 324 - 10 Huang Furo ``` Outside the inn, on the main street, Huang Furo and Shen Qing walked side by side. After parting ways with Prefecture Chief Dou Wenxi and County Supervisor Yan Xushou, Huang Furo finally couldn''t hold back her anxiety and whispered to Shen Qing, "You were a bit impulsive just now. Those words, there really was no need to say them, they do you no good." Her tone carried a slight hint of reproach, yet also subtly concealed a trace of unnoticeable care. This matter was something Shen Qing did intentionally, but it was a matter that could only be kept in his heart. He couldn''t tell anyone, or it would surely bring trouble upon himself. Naturally, Huang Furo would not know the reason behind it. Shen Qing sighed with a bitter smile and said, "I just spoke the truth, I didn''t expect Eunuch Cui to react so strongly." A gentle breeze brushed through Huang Furo''s hair as she gently shook her head, sighed, and said, "You, you''re too honest. In this ever-changing Jianghu and court, being too candid often harms both oneself and others." Hearing the word "honest," Shen Qing almost burst into laughter. If he hadn''t remembered incorrectly, Huang Furo was present when he killed several of the old relics of the Zhou Family and the two great demons. No matter how he thought about it, the word "honest" had nothing to do with him. Not to mention, it was indeed Xue Yan whom he killed, and he did it using the martial arts of the Huangfu family. He really didn''t know how the usually clear-headed Huang Furo could be a bit brainless at this moment. Shen Qing didn''t plan to explain unnecessarily. He remained silent for a moment and then nodded, saying, "Lord Huangfu is right; it was my lack of consideration." Seeing Shen Qing being so compliant made Huang Furo feel a bit proud, for some reason. She continued thinking deeply, "This matter, the imperial envoy has their eyes on Dou Wenxi and Yan Xushou, so let''s leave them to handle it and not get too involved. In my opinion, they aren''t entirely united, and this matter might end up as a confused mess in the end." "I understand." "Hmm." They continued to walk shoulder to shoulder on Yongzhou''s main street, remaining silent all the way. ... Inside the Huangfu Mansion. The night was already deep, but the main hall was still brightly lit. Having been busy at the Military Department Office all day, Huang Furo returned home. She gently pushed open the door, and a warm and familiar scent greeted her. Suddenly, she frowned slightly, noticing that servants were coming and going in the main hall, and they were using whale oil candles that were rarely used, which puzzled her. Why were there still visitors at home? Entering the main hall, she saw her father, Huangfu Chuan, sitting upright, with a middle-aged man dressed in luxurious official robes beside him. It was none other than Eunuch Cui Jin. A serious yet slightly smiling expression was on Cui Jin''s face, indicating that he had important matters to discuss. "Daughter, you''re back." Huangfu Chuan''s voice held a slight, almost imperceptible ease upon seeing his daughter return. Huang Furo nodded, her eyes pausing on Cui Jin for a moment, and she asked perplexedly, "Eunuch Cui, visiting so late, is there something urgent?" Cui Jin smiled slightly, stood up, and after scanning Huang Furo up and down, said, "Miss Huangfu, His Majesty has an order, commanding you to head to the capital soon, to gather the world''s Spirit Mechanism for His Majesty at the Mountain Sea Department." Huang Furo was shocked upon hearing this. She knew all too well about the Mountain Sea Department. The Mountain Sea Department, which oversaw the Imperial Armory, gathered intelligence and was responsible for collecting Martial Mechanisms for His Majesty. Its predecessor had deep ties with the Huangfu family. Seeing this, Huangfu Chuan gently patted his daughter''s shoulder, signaling her to remain calm, then turned to Cui Jin, "Eunuch Cui, this matter is of great significance. Could you allow us father and daughter to discuss it for a moment?" Cui Jin nodded with a smile, "Of course, Huangfu Family Patriarch, please go ahead." Huang Furo and her father retreated to the side, speaking in low tones. "Father, our Huangfu family has been away from the temple for some years, and we know nothing about the happenings in the court. His Majesty suddenly summoning us to the capital at this time, I¡­" Huang Furo''s tone held some hesitation, unsure of her own footing. Huangfu Chuan sighed, his gaze profound, "Daughter, I understand your thoughts. But the Huangfu family is now in decline. The old people of the court are gradually fading away, and this opportunity is crucial for us. If we seize this chance, we might restore our family''s honor. Moreover, you''ve always been exceptionally intelligent and possess abilities beyond ordinary people. Joining the Mountain Sea Department might not be a bad thing." Huang Furo was silent for a moment, weighing the pros and cons in her heart. Indeed, the Huangfu family had been declining in recent years, and if they could turn things around with this opportunity, it would be a perfect chance for the family to rise again. Plus, deep down, she had always wanted to climb higher and was not content with stagnating in such a small county. If there was a chance to enter the Imperial Armory or receive some support from the Ji Family''s Martial Mechanisms, her cultivation might advance further. "Father, I understand." Weighing her options, Huang Furo finally nodded, her gaze turning firm. The two returned to stand before Cui Jin. Huangfu Chuan cupped his hands and said, "Eunuch Cui, my daughter and I have discussed this and are willing to obey His Majesty''s decree and let the young lady join the Mountain Sea Department." sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Upon hearing this, Cui Jin showed a satisfied smile: "Good, Lord Huangfu is truly understanding of the greater good. His Majesty will surely be pleased. Miss Huangfu, once the matters in Yongzhou are settled, you shall follow me to the palace to meet His Majesty." Huang Furo slightly bowed, "Very well." As the night deepened, Cui Jin didn''t linger longer and promptly took his leave. Huang Furo watched her father''s aging face, noticing his gaze was fixed ahead, deep in thought, which left her with mixed emotions. She opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but didn''t know what to say, ultimately returning to silence. Days went by, and in the blink of an eye, a month had passed. Dou Wenxi and Yan Xushou had been investigating, tracing Xue Yan''s movements in Yongzhou City, even uncovering his secret murder of a merchant. However, they could not find out who killed Xue Yan. If truth be told, Shen Qing was highly suspicious of the murder, but he cooperated with communication and investigation proactively, leaving no evidence. Coupled with his prestige in Yongzhou, and being in the same camp as Dou Wenxi and Yan Xushou. Dou Wenxi and Yan Xushou dared not speak out or make any accusations; they could only continue investigating with gritted teeth. As they investigated and stalled, the time gradually dragged on until Shi Wenbo and others needed to return to the capital to report. Through their relentless efforts, Xue Yan''s death became like a stone cast into a lake, causing waves but eventually calming down. The Xue family in the capital, under Shi Wenbo and others'' deliberate control, only just learned about Xue Yan''s death and received his body. Immediately, the Xue residence was in upheaval. However, Xue Bai, upon hearing the news, showed no sorrow; instead, he was pleased to have lost a powerful competitor, and he quickly shared this news with Zhou Su. Zhou Su was dumbfounded. With an almost instinctive reaction, he said, "Young Master, it''s Shen Qing. This matter must be related to Shen Qing." ``` Chapter 325 - 11: Promoted to Two Department Chief "You mean my third brother''s death was caused by Shen Qing?" Hearing Zhou Su''s response, Xue Bai was somewhat puzzled and frowned as he asked. Zhou Su replied with certainty, "Who else could it be if not him?" He paused and asked, "Young master, do you think your third brother went to Yongzhou this time to handle some matters?" Xue Bai nodded and said, "He did have some matters to handle. What''s the relevance?" Zhou Su extended a finger and said, "Young master, your third brother had two tasks to accomplish: one was to handle matters for the Zhou Family on my behalf, and the second was to deal with the affair of the Spirit Essence from outside the region. The first matter is known to the young master and is inseparable from Shen Qing. Although I am unaware of the specifics of the second matter, I know that Shen Qing''s cultivation has progressed rapidly, likely because he acquired the Spirit Essence." "Your third brother, young master, would have inevitably clashed with Shen Qing while seeking the Spirit Essence. Both matters point to Shen Qing; considering it all together, your third brother was very likely the one targeted by the Yongzhou Chief and killed by him!" "It must be him!" Zhou Su became increasingly agitated as he spoke, to the point of losing composure. Seeing Zhou Su''s behavior, Xue Bai felt a sense of doubt arise within his heart. He considered himself not particularly intelligent, but not a fool either. He could distinguish certain things. Over the past month, he had roughly gathered some intelligence on Yongzhou''s Zhou Family, knowing about their plight. In his view, Zhou Su seemed to be making wild guesses to incite the Xue Family to seek revenge on his behalf, ultimately benefiting himself. Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Zhou Su hurriedly clasped his hands together and urged, "Young master, Shen Qing managed to achieve such results in such a short time. Clearly, he is no ordinary person. If the young master wants revenge, it needs to be swift, otherwise, things might change." No one likes being used as a tool by others. Xue Bai furrowed his brow. Seeing Zhou Su''s agitation further confirmed his suspicions, he felt displeasure. "Brother Zhou makes a fair point," Xue Bai waved his sleeve coldly and said, "However, this is a grave matter. I must inform Father and let him decide. I cannot make a conclusion easily on my own." Zhou Su suddenly sensed Xue Bai''s intention to distance himself, and his heart sank, realizing he had been too hasty. He quickly tried to remedy the situation, saying, "Young master, nine out of ten things I''ve said are true. You must believe me." "Hahaha, the friendship between us is here. How could I not believe you? Rest assured, I shall write to my father truthfully." With that, Xue Bai hurriedly turned to leave from Zhou Su''s residence. Zhou Su said anxiously, "Walk slowly, young master." Xue Bai turned back, smiled, and nodded in acknowledgment. However, as he stepped out of the room, the smile on his face vanished, and he muttered to himself, "It seems I should visit here less often in the future." Collecting his thoughts, he walked briskly away without looking back. Upon returning to the Xue Mansion, the third madam''s room was still filled with incessant wailing, leaving no peace. Regarding Xue Yan''s death, opinions in the Xue Mansion were divided, but they all shared one thing in common: unwillingness to let it rest. Xue Bai entered the study, and after Xue Yan''s death, his greatest rival was gone, making the position of Princely Heir basically within his grasp. Inwardly, he began to assume the identity of the Heir, meticulously detailing the situation he knew and Xue Yan''s death in a letter to Xue Zhao, waiting for him to handle it. A few days later, the Xue Mansion smoothly received Xue Zhao''s reply. As the legitimate eldest son in the family, he seized Xue Zhao''s letter and was the first to read it. After finishing, Xue Bai''s face turned red as he said, "Well, indeed, experience always triumphs over youth. Father''s methods are much more sophisticated than what we devised. Since the matter has occurred, let us maximize the benefits." In the letter, Xue Zhao wasn''t very angry but unexpectedly calm. Xue Zhao believed that Yongzhou, a thousand miles away, was beyond their reach, even with the Xue Family''s immense power. To thoroughly investigate the specifics would be too costly. It was better to go with the flow and later use the pretext of the Jing Luan Assembly to send all Yongzhou''s officials and martial masters inside. In this way, Xue Bai, the legitimate eldest son, could participate in the Jing Luan Assembly with the Guardian, ensuring these people meet their demise inside, allowing him to personally exact revenge on his foes. Thus, it would not only avenge his brother and accrue family prestige but also reshuffle the government offices of Yongzhou, allowing the Xue Family to extend their influence and open a new scene. The actual murderer of Xue Yan seemed to become less important instead. ... Prefecture Chief Dou Wenxi and County Supervisor Yan Xushou, two seasoned veterans of the officialdom, wielded the tactic of ''delaying'' masterfully. They advanced each day, always finding new leads in the investigation, but never reached a conclusion, leaving Shi Wenbo and others exasperated. Moreover, with the circles of the Capital''s nobility well-informed, Shi Wenbo had long been aware of the Xue Family''s plans, making him less inclined to delve deeper into these cases. Everything happened as Huang Furo foresaw; Xue Yan''s death began to fade away without resolution. And after more than a month of investigation, Shi Wenbo and the other envoys had cleared up the changes in Yongzhou, planning to return to the Capital to report the mission. Yongzhou Prefecture Courthouse, council hall. "Gentlemen," Shi Wenbo''s voice resonated with stability and strength, "After over a month, we have finally clarified the demonic upheavals in Yongzhou and restored order to the city. Now it''s time to report back to Your Majesty. However, before leaving, we must properly arrange the personnel in Yongzhou to ensure a smooth transition and prevent further disturbances." Chapter 326 - 11: Promoted to Two Department Chief_2 Shi Wenbo''s gaze swept over everyone present and finally rested on Shen Qing. "Chief Officer Shen." "I am here," Shen Qing proactively stepped forward, cupping his hands. Shi Wenbo said, "Regarding the recent demonic turmoil in Yongzhou, your actions have been witnessed by all the citizens of the city. It could be said that without you, this calamity in Yongzhou would not have ended so swiftly. Within my authority, I hereby promote you to Chief Officer of both the Military Department and the Guardian Martial Department, commanding both forces in Yongzhou. I hope you will live up to this trust and safeguard Yongzhou''s peace and security." Upon hearing this, Shen Qing''s eyes flashed with surprise. If he was promoted to General of the Military Department, then where would Huang Furo go? He instinctively turned his gaze towards Huang Furo, standing to the side. She was looking at him with a smile, a gentle toughness in her eyes, without any hint of negative emotions. Shen Qing instantly speculated that she probably had a better opportunity elsewhere. He did not hesitate any longer and said in a firm voice, "Thank you, sir, for your guidance! I, Shen Qing, will do my utmost to fulfill your high expectations and ensure the peace of Yongzhou!" After settling matters with Shen Qing, Shi Wenbo stood up and said, "Alright, gentlemen, we still have to pack our things. We''ll depart for the Capital early tomorrow morning. We won''t stay any longer." Prefecture Chief Dou Wenxi and County Supervisor Yan Xushou stepped forward ingratiatingly, "Imperial Envoy, since you''re leaving tomorrow, why not let us host a farewell banquet for you tonight at Baihua Building?" "No need, just do your duties well." Before he finished speaking, a surge of vigorous energy rippled through the assembly hall, causing everyone to pause and remain silent as they watched Shi Wenbo and his entourage leave. Once Shi Wenbo and his party departed, the others also gradually left the assembly hall. "Where are you planning to go?" "The Capital, Mountain Sea Department." "The Capital''s Mountain Sea Department is a critical area of the court. Lord Huangfu, you consider this a promotion, congratulations, congratulations!" In the prefecture, the sunlight slanted across the bluestone path, casting long shadows as Shen Qing and Huang Furo walked side by side, taking slow steps. A complex emotion flashed in Huang Furo''s eyes as she sighed, "It''s just a change of place to serve the court." Shen Qing said with a smile, "But after all, it''s under the feet of Heaven, it''s different. I heard the Capital''s Mountain Sea Department has access to the Imperial Armory. If Lord Huangfu enters, the prospects are limitless, and future Martial Arts cultivation will surely advance greatly." "How do you know that entering the Imperial Armory will necessarily enhance Martial Arts cultivation?" Huang Furo asked. Shen Qing found himself at a loss for words momentarily. "Alright," Huang Furo smiled, revealing two shining tiger teeth, "I just hope that when we meet again, my cultivation won''t lag too far behind yours." Shen Qing laughed along, half-jokingly saying, "That might be a bit tough. I''m one in a million, with very high cultivation talent." "How high?" "Already three, four floors high." Huang Furo was momentarily stunned, then her eyes curved into crescent moons. As they spoke, the two had reached the entrance of the prefecture. Shen Qing stopped and looked at Huang Furo with deep eyes, withdrawing his smile, "Lord Huangfu, this journey to the Capital is long and arduous, please take care." Huang Furo nodded, her eyes shining with a determined light, "I will do my utmost. You, too, be careful of everything in Yongzhou." S§×arch* The Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. They exchanged a smile. Then they each turned around and walked in different directions from the entrance of Yongzhou County Office. ... The next day, Shi Wenbo and his party took the lead to leave in a radiant light, while Huang Furo, after a few days of transition with Shen Qing, soon followed with some attendants and several swift horses, heading eastward and northward. At this time, after experiencing such a grand upheaval and transformation, Yongzhou seemed to be reborn, revitalized, and restored to peace and prosperity. The past stagnation and ailments were swept away by the turmoil, replaced by peace and flourishing. Every day, travelers and merchants from all around flocked into the city, making both the inner and outer city vibrant and prosperous. Among this, the Shen family seemed to rise to fame overnight, with numerous enterprises under the Shen family emerging like bamboo shoots after the rain. As the head of the Shen family and also Chief Officer of the Two Departments, Shen Qing had undeniably become a newly rising power in Yongzhou, with countless people looking up to him. Shen Qing estimated that the daily income from his current businesses was already over a thousand taels, astonishingly enough to satisfy his cultivation needs. However, compared to these external possessions, he was more concerned with the actual power in his hands. After taking over the two departments, he quickly positioned reliable confidants, such as Xiao Zhi and others, into the Military Department. Thanks to his reputation, the process went smoothly, and with Huang Furo''s full support before she left, he quickly gained de facto control over the Military Department. Everything was developing positively. Seeing the city stable, Shen Qing immediately moved his uncle, aunt, elder sister, and others into the inner city. Given his significantly elevated status, Shen Qing acquired a Shen family residence in Yongzhou''s central area. Upon entering the residence, his Uncle Shen Er and others were served like a master and mistress by the maids and servants, which made them very uncomfortable and often resulted in amusing mishaps as they struggled to adapt to the change in status. Shen Qing let them have their fun. In the blink of an eye, half a month passed, and winter arrived, with snowflakes drifting down. In the Shen family residence, amidst the silver-clad courtyard, servants occasionally passed by in haste, their breaths forming puffs of white mist that dissipated in the cold air. "Master, Wu Sheng is here to request an audience," a servant respectfully stood outside Shen Qing''s study and said. Shen Qing put down his pen and raised his head slightly. A few days ago, he had sent Wu Sheng out to acquire cultivation resources, and after such a long period, he must have some results. Shen Qing put away his writing brush, ignoring the ink''s reminder in his vision, and casually said, "Let him in." "Yes, Master." The servant responded and withdrew. Not long after, Wu Sheng entered the study. He wore a thick cotton coat, with traces of wind and frost on his face, but his eyes shone with excitement. "Greetings, Master." Shen Qing rose to meet Wu Sheng and motioned for him to sit while personally pouring him a cup of hot tea, saying calmly, "Brother Wu, how was your journey?" Wu Sheng took the teacup, holding it with both hands as warmth spread from his palms, filling his heart with a warm current. He happily said, "Master, this trip to the Capital yielded much. I followed your instructions and procured many rare pills and elixirs, hard to find in the market. Besides, I specifically acquired some wish beads." Upon hearing this, Shen Qing''s eyes flashed with delight. Pills and elixirs have great effects on enhancing cultivation and healing, while wish beads are extremely precious and beneficial for practice, the more the better. Shen Qing said with a smile, "You truly did not disappoint me." Wu Sheng put down the tea cup and quickly took out a small jade box from his pocket, gently opening it to reveal seven or eight white jade pearls emitting a faint glow. Surely, they were wish beads. Shen Qing took the jade box, carefully inspecting these precious pearls, and revealed a satisfied smile. "Wu Sheng, you''ve done well, these things are very useful to me indeed." Shen Qing''s words carried gratitude and praise: "Is there anything you wish for? Let me see if I have it here." "Thank you, Master, for nurturing me! It''s my honor to serve you, Master. I wouldn''t ask for any other reward." Wu Sheng immediately bowed in gratitude and said with a beaming smile. Shen Qing slightly frowned; in his view, what comes free is often the most costly. As a seasoned traveler, Wu Sheng quickly realized he had misspoken, hastily correcting himself, "If I must say, I hope Master can grant me an official martial arts manual to practice. I hope Master would fulfill this wish." Chapter 327 - 12: Coaxing, People from Taiping County Arrive A flash of surprise flickered through Shen Qing''s eyes, as he had not expected Wu Sheng to react so quickly and discern his thoughts. After pondering for a moment, he directly asked, "What kind of Martial Arts are you interested in?" Wu Sheng said, "The Wu Family once had a family Martial Arts called Tongming Fist, which is said to have come from the official Martial Arts. I never had the chance to cultivate it in the Wu Family. If possible, I would like to learn the relevant Martial Arts, but I am not sure if you have it?" Shen Qing couldn''t help but smile. It was indeed a coincidence. He recalled that the Martial Arts Hall in the county town did have such Martial Arts, and even the names were very similar. "There is a Martial Arts called Tongming Mountain Shifting Fist that primarily focuses on using inner strength to move mountains and shift peaks, condensing fist power to its utmost limit. Once executed, it''s like a mountain collapsing, unstoppable. Is it similar to the Tongming Fist you mentioned?" Wu Sheng''s expression slightly froze; he had just been trying his luck and hadn''t expected Shen Qing to actually have it and to mention it so readily. He said in surprise, "It''s similar, quite similar." Shen Qing was not someone who liked to procrastinate. He directly said, "That''s good, then. I''ll give you an Imprint copy later. You can study and ponder on it here first, and once you have learned it, return it to be destroyed." Wu Sheng knelt on one knee in gratitude and said, "Thank you, Lord, for your generosity." Why Shen Qing had this Martial Arts and why he was so familiar with it actually made Wu Sheng somewhat curious, but he only thought of Shen Qing as being somewhat divinely skilled, without considering the direction of Divine Sense or Never Forget. After all, as Martial Artists, they always focused on Qi Cultivation and physical training, not on training the mind. "You wait outside for a moment." "Yes." Wu Sheng didn''t know what Shen Qing was going to do. Thinking that there might be other valuable items in the study that weren''t to be shown, he didn''t give it much thought and immediately turned and walked out, closing the door behind him. He stood at the door, watching the snowflakes that fluttered down from the sky, his heart stirred with endless ripples; he felt both anticipation and worry about his fate in the future. The Martial Arts book he had received today was essentially intended for him by Shen Qing, and he could guess that Shen Qing did this to keep him close, to win his heart, and to have him serve. It seemed unlikely that he could easily leave in the future. In the study, after Wu Sheng had left, Shen Qing took down the four treasures of the study from the rosewood rack. He took out a piece of fine xuan paper from a stack, spread it out on the table, and held down one side with a paperweight like white jade made of sheep fat. Shen Qing slowly ground the ink, the ink on the inkstone gradually becoming dense. During the ink grinding process, he closed his eyes and concentrated, repeatedly recalling the details of the Tongming Mountain Shifting Fist. After a while, he opened his eyes, took a deep breath, poised his pen above the paper, his gaze exceptionally focused at that moment. He began to imprint the Tongming Mountain Shifting Fist. In the study, the soft sound of the pen-tip rubbing against the paper rose. Time passed bit by bit; when the final stroke was completed, Shen Qing flicked his sleeves lightly, a wave of intense Spiritual Power gushing from his palm enveloped those papers. In an instant, the ink was dried by the Spiritual Power. With a gesture of his hand, he aligned the papers, pinched them with his fingers, and used Spiritual Power to bind them into a volume. "Come in." Standing at the door, Wu Sheng felt that some time had passed, and he gently pushed open the door, his gaze landing on Shen Qing''s figure. Shen Qing did not hesitate; he gently picked up the bound Tongming Mountain Shifting Fist secret book from the table and handed it to Wu Sheng, instructing, "The Martial Arts are ready. From now on, practice within the mansion. Do not take this book outside the mansion, and certainly do not publicize it." Wu Sheng took the Martial Arts secret book, his eyes conveying unusual emotions. Those precious Martial Arts secrets that were once so hard to come by now appeared before him so easily, making him feel a sense of unreality. With these Martial Arts at hand, the spiritual elixirs and Wish Power Pearls also became useful to him, presenting opportunities to break through to the Qi Hai Realm and advance further. He spoke no more, but solemnly said, "Wu Sheng thanks Lord." After speaking, Wu Sheng, without any hesitation, found a quiet corner in the study, sat cross-legged, opened the secret book, and began to cultivate earnestly. Silence returned to the study, broken only occasionally by the low exhalations from Wu Sheng as he grasped a new move, and the faint sounds of spiritual power circulating within him. Shen Qing watched silently from the side, feeling a sense of expectation towards Wu Sheng. Amongst those he trusted most, there were none closer than Tian Xiaohu and Xiao Zhi. Unfortunately, their foundations were too weak, and even with the support of official Martial Arts resources, they had only reached the level of strengthening, still one step away from the Qi Cultivation Realm. For them to further improve their cultivation would still take some time. There weren''t many he could rely on around him. Wu Sheng was worldly-wise and, upon his observation, seemed to possess a passable character, making him someone he could nurture and win over. With his assistance, the future looked promising for him and those around him with the addition of cultivation resources¡ªbe it for himself or for people around him. ... Outside the gates of Yongzhou City, a beggar holding a broken bowl and a well-worn bamboo staff approached the city. Despite the cold winter season, he was dressed thinly, his frail body shivering in the cold wind. The beggar''s steps were faltering; he struggled to stop at the city gate, looking up at the mottled city wall with a flash of unnoticeable light in his eyes, murmuring to himself, "Finally, I have reached Yongzhou..." Before he could finish speaking, two lines of tears had quietly fallen. S~ea??h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He wiped away the tears. Though his clothes were already tattered, he straightened them and walked towards the city gate along with other people. There was no city entrance fee in Yongzhou, and the old beggar entered the city unimpeded. Once inside, seeing the juxtaposed shops and bustling crowds, he couldn''t help but exclaim, "As expected of a county town, it''s nothing like the small place of Taiping County. I can certainly find a foothold here." He walked on, asking people he met, "Excuse me, does anyone here need someone to write letters or handle accounts?" His voice was hoarse and deep. However, passersby either hurried past or gave him disdainful looks, with no one responding. Some shops even boomed him out before he could enter, not to mention giving him a chance. Just as he was about to give up, he overheard a conversation between two passersby nearby. "Did you hear? Lord Shen''s mansion is hiring servants, and the requirements are not low. Do you want to give it a try?" "Of course, I''ll try. Who doesn''t know that the Shen Family is thriving? Lord Shen is young, and his future is boundless. If I can get in now, I could surely secure a livelihood and not starve in the future." "The Shen Family?" The old beggar''s mind stirred, and for some reason, he remembered a family from his old village. "Why not try my luck? Even if I can''t be an accountant, being an old servant and eating leftover meals is better than nothing. I''ve already fallen to this point; there''s no room to care about dignity." After reflecting for a moment, the old beggar tucked his broken bowl into his pocket and hurried toward the direction of the Shen Mansion, inquiring as he went. Chapter 328 - 13: Meeting Old Acquaintances, Mixed Feelings ``` The old beggar inquired all the way and finally arrived in front of the Zhu red gates of the Shen Mansion. He looked up and saw two majestic stone lions at the gate and the tall gate tower behind them, exuding a solemn aura. "So this is the Shen Mansion? Truly extraordinary." Only after just inquiring did he learn that many of the industries in Yongzhou City belonged to the Shen Family. It could be said to be the only dominant family in Yongzhou. Compared to it, the so-called Four Great Eastern Families of the past in Taiping County were like child''s play. He also heard that the Shen family head was a Lord Chief Officer of the government office, who had recently executed many demons in Yongzhou, displaying unmatched power. To him, such a grand figure was akin to a deity. The old beggar saw a gatekeeper standing outside the gate and went forward to inquire. Although the gatekeeper showed disdain, he still informed him that the Shen Family was indeed recruiting new servants today, which gave him a glimmer of hope. The old beggar straightened up, tidied his clothes, and walked with a dignified poise towards the recruitment area. Upon entering the recruitment area, he found the interior, though not as luxurious as outside, was clean and tidy. Several people in servant attire were busy reviewing applicants. Cautiously, the old beggar joined the end of the line, silently praying for an opportunity. Finally, it was his turn. A steward-like person looked up, his gaze scrutinous, and dissatisfied, he said, "Where did this beggar come from? Go, go." "Sir, I am not a mere beggar but a teacher fallen on hard times. I heard your esteemed house is hiring servants, so I came to seek employment." The middle-aged steward asked suspiciously, "Name? Age? Any special skills?" The old beggar respectfully replied, "My name is Zhang Shuyuan, over forty years old, skilled in teaching and bookkeeping, hardworking and willing to serve the Shen Family." Hearing this, the steward frowned slightly, with a tone of disdain, "Our master requires servants who are nimble and skilled, the young, not bookkeepers. You''re too old; it''s not suitable." Zhang Shuyuan felt his heart sink, yet he did not give up, earnestly saying, "Please, sir, grant me some leniency. Though I''m aged, I am sincere and will serve wholeheartedly." At this moment, another steward, seemingly more experienced, interjected, "Our master is kind and always approachable to the common folk in the city. If you''re earnest, you could wait at the gate and try your luck by appealing directly to him. Just remember, don''t blame us if anything goes wrong." "No blame, no blame." Zhang Shuyuan felt a surge of indescribable strength, quickly bowing, "Thank you, sir, I will do my best. May I know the esteemed name of the Shen family master?" "Military Department, Guardian Martial Department Chief Officer, Shen Qing, Lord Shen!" Boom! Zhang Shuyuan''s body trembled fiercely, nearly dropping the broken bowl from his arms. He muttered this name repeatedly, his eyes flashing with disbelief, "Impossible¡­ Impossible¡­ It must be a name coincidence." Yet he vaguely remembered that a few years ago, Shen Qing and his family indeed headed in the direction of Yongzhou. He quickly asked, "Is your family master from Taiping County?" The steward, slightly impatient, said, "Old beggar, are you getting ahead of yourself? We show you the way and you go on and on; get lost now, don''t hold us up." Someone in the line behind also began to complain, dissatisfied with the old beggar''s actions. After a brief bow of gratitude, Zhang Shuyuan gritted his teeth and walked directly to the gate. At this moment, an indescribable emotion surged in his heart, filled with excitement, yet with much anxiety and unease. But having come this far, he decided to try no matter what. Suppressing his inner turmoil, Zhang Shuyuan found a good vantage point in a corner to crouch quietly, staring at the gate of the Shen Mansion. He kept rubbing his hands to build up some vigor. Time passed slowly, and soon it was evening. Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The gates of the Shen Mansion stood grandly, lit up gloriously. At that moment, he saw a figure flash from a distance and land in front of the Shen Mansion gate. Standing in the corner, Zhang Shuyuan''s expression changed when he recognized the person, and his mind went completely blank. Who else could it be if not the Shen Qing of his memory? Suddenly, a mix of emotions overwhelmed him, shock attacking his very soul. After much hesitation, Zhang Shuyuan finally mustered the courage and dashed forward. "Qingzi¡­" The moment he spoke, he felt it inappropriate and quickly corrected himself, "Lord Shen." Upon hearing the shout, Shen Qing turned, scrutinizing the ragged beggar rushing over, and after a pause, recognized him. This beggar was none other than Zhang Shu Chi from Hongshan Village! This person had once taught him, and later helped him manage business in Taiping County. At that time, when departing, the other party seemed unwilling to leave, hence remained in Taiping County. He was visibly astonished, "Is it you? How come you''re here?" Seeing this familiar face, Zhang Shuyuan burst into tears, saying, "Didn''t expect it''s really you, so good, truly so good." Shen Qing responded serenely, "Let''s talk inside." "Yes, yes, okay." Zhang Shuyuan nodded repeatedly. With a gentle sweep of his sleeve, Shen Qing led Zhang Shuyuan into the mansion. Inside the mansion, carved beams and painted walls, splendid in gold and jade. Upon crossing the threshold, Zhang Shuyuan glanced around, his eyes flashing with surprise, marveling at Shen Qing''s transformation over the years. No matter how he tried, he couldn''t imagine in such a short span of one or two years, Shen Qing could become a city dignitary and reach such heights. Having read many books, he knew well how difficult it was for people of their lowly origin to rise up. Naturally, Shen Qing noticed Zhang Shuyuan''s thoughts, saying softly, "Having come all this way, you must be hungry. Freshen up first, then I''ll summon Uncle and Aunt, and we''ll dine together." Meeting Shen Qing, Zhang Shuyuan felt somewhat flattered, quickly agreeing, "Alright, alright." Very soon, Shen Qing summoned a servant to take Zhang Shuyuan to freshen up, and also called for uncle, aunt, and elder sister Shen Fang. Uncle Shen Er, upon learning Zhang Shuyuan had come to Yongzhou and found the mansion, was quite surprised, "How did he manage to come?" In these times, traveling such distances wasn''t easy. Shen Qing shook his head, also puzzled, "We''ll ask him later." In about two quarters of an hour, a newly refreshed Zhang Shuyuan was seated at an ornate round table. Shen Qing and the elders were all present. The table was laden with hot, fragrant dishes. Looking at this feast, Zhang Shu''s throat couldn''t help but move. He looked at Shen Er in his fine attire, filled with envy. Zhang Shuyuan wanted to maintain his dignity with some backbone. However, his stomach betrayed him, growling incessantly. "Teacher, would you like to eat first?" Zhang Shuyuan bowed slightly, ignoring the etiquette, and devoured a chicken leg. After a while, as Zhang Shuyuan slowed down his eating, Shen Qing picked up a cup of tea and curiously asked, "Teacher, why did you come to Yongzhou suddenly? How''s everyone in Taiping County?" ``` Chapter 329 - 14 Recruiting an Accountant, The Current Situation in Taiping County Zhang Shuyuan was chewing on chicken, his cheeks puffed out, and he mumbled, "Ahem, this matter is a long story." Shen Qing''s tone was calm and amiable, "No rush, you can take your time to speak." "Um, um..." Zhang Shuyuan nodded like a little chicken pecking at grain. He swallowed the food in his mouth, and suddenly his face changed, frantically pounding his chest. In his haste, he grabbed the teacup on the table, gulped down a large mouthful of water, and seemed to feel a bit more comfortable, showing not the slightest decorum of a scholar. Zhang Shuyuan kept rubbing his chest, regulating his breathing, and couldn''t help but burp. He let out an embarrassed smile. After a while, once he calmed down, Zhang Shuyuan''s expression became grave, and as he recalled, he said, "Taiping County... ever since you all left two years ago, everyone''s days there have been getting harder and harder. Last month, for some unknown reason, many demons suddenly surged in, cutting off the trade routes outside the city. The current situation, in general, is not very good." Upon hearing this, Shen Qing frowned deeply, gently setting down the teacup in hand, which made a slight sound, "Demons? I remember Taiping County was taken over by the Huang Tian Sect, right? While in their hands, the government forces couldn''t breach it for a long time. Facing demons, do they not care?" Zhang Shuyuan sighed, "Sigh... don''t mention it. Huang Tian Sect left before the demons arrived, and they took many people with them when they left. Now, to put it bluntly, Taiping County is a no-man''s-land." Uncle Shen the Second, Aunt, Xiao Shan, and others felt fortunate hearing Zhang Shuyuan''s account. They were also lucky not to have stayed there; otherwise, who knows, they might have ended up like Zhang Shuyuan. The wrinkles on Uncle Shen the Second''s face furrowed together, and he couldn''t help but take out a smoking pipe, skillfully filling it with tobacco. The servants behind him, with a keen sense of propriety, handed over the fire. With a soft "click," the spark ignited the tobacco, and wisps of blue smoke rose slowly, swirling around Shen the Second''s face. Uncle Shen the Second took a deep breath, the smoke swirling in his chest, then slowly exhaled, asking, "What about the folks in the village?" Zhang Shuyuan glanced at Shen the Second, surprisingly seeing traces of dignity leaking through, quite different from the Shen the Second he remembered. He recalled that in Hongshan Village, this Shen the Second would split even a copper coin in half to spend, not even knowing what tobacco was. Now he had learned to smoke, which seemed unbelievable to him. Thinking of this, Zhang Shuyuan accidentally glanced at Shen Qing, feeling a secret envy in his heart. The Shen Family had produced someone formidable. This Old Shen er had some luck, having a good nephew. Back in the days at Hongshan Village, Shen Qing even sought him to learn reading and writing. When going to the county town later, he followed as an accountant, maintaining a close relationship. It''s just a pity that at the time, he was short-sighted, unable to foresee everything that happened later, making him miss all this. Regret. He truly regretted. But in this world, there is no medicine for regret. No use regretting. Zhang Shuyuan murmured in his heart, ''Repenting past wrongs, knowing what can be pursued in the future; perhaps I still have a chance now.'' He quickly adjusted his mood and thoughts, trying his best to recall and speak out everything he knew, "Most Chen family members, Tian Family members went with Huang Tian Sect, and the remaining were partially eaten by demons, leaving the old, weak, sick, and disabled to struggle in the city." "What about the government? After all, Taiping County is still under the court, surely someone cares?" Uncle Shen the Second pursued. "Some of us contacted the court, but the court said they were busy quelling the Jinzhou and Dan Zhou traitors alongside the Huang Tian Sect and couldn''t spare any attention, only considering that small place of Taiping County after the rebel army there is exterminated." Upon hearing this, everyone present fell silent. S~ea??h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. What Zhang Shuyuan said sounded like court behavior. Uncle Shen the Second couldn''t help but sigh, "Sigh... the world is getting more and more chaotic." A moment later, Shen Qing asked, "What thoughts do you have next, sir? Yongzhou, though slightly bigger than Taiping County, also isn''t necessarily any safer, with frequent demon invasions, many people unable to see past tomorrow, and without a reliable place to be, life won''t be easy." Zhang Shuyuan sighed, wiped the grease at the corner of his mouth with his sleeve, and said, "I originally planned to find a job in Yongzhou City, settle down first, and then talk about other things." "Sir, do you not plan to find someone in the county office and report the situation in Taiping County to save the folks there?" Facing Shen Qing''s questioning, Zhang Shuyuan felt no shame, and rightfully said, "A nobleman doesn''t save, and a saint doesn''t hesitate to help. When I''m reduced to such a state, unable to see beyond tomorrow, how can I still have the ability to care for others?" After hearing this, Shen Qing''s eyes flashed with an indescribable color, "I, Shen, have also settled down in Yongzhou, if sir does not mind, you can be a bookkeeper in my house. As for the Silver Tael, about one tael a month, though not much, it should be enough for sir to live on, what do you think?" The daily income of the Hongshan Gang he founded outside Taiping County was managed by Zhang Shuyuan. In his impression, Zhang Shuyuan''s bookkeeping was quite adequate. "No, no, no." Zhang Shuyuan waved his hands repeatedly, saying, "You see, I''m no more than a down-and-out scholar, coming to seek refuge with you is already shameless, how can I still take your Silver Tael? Just need you to give me a meal and a place to rest, that would be more than enough gratitude." "Then how about this, you handle some household accounts and help manage the city''s businesses for me, be an accountant. My house also temporarily lacks reliable people, handing over to others makes me feel somewhat uneasy. Sir, please don''t decline." Chapter 330 - 14: Hiring an Accountant, Current Situation in Taiping County_2 "Ah..." Zhang Shuyuan heard, a trace of joy flashed in his eyes, he quickly stood up, and cupped his hands again. He deeply understood that such an opportunity was rare, and he bowed deeply and said, "Thank you for your great kindness, Boss! I, Zhang, thank you in advance. I will register my residency here and serve you as a long-term worker." To register one''s residency meant placing one''s registration in the employer''s household. Though it did not mean becoming a slave, it established a master-servant relationship, which could not be easily reneged upon, and one must not do anything detrimental to the master''s household. Otherwise, it would be reasonable for the master''s household to punish or even kill at will. Shen Qing smiled and waved his hand: "You overstate it, sir. As fellow townspeople, it is only right to help each other." "Boss is so righteous!" After keeping Zhang Shuyuan for another meal, and once he was full with wine and food, Shen Qing arranged for the servants to register him and familiarize him with things at the residence. Zhang Shuyuan was extremely grateful, repeatedly thanked, and then withdrew. After Zhang Shuyuan left, Uncle Shen the Second tapped his pipe and said: "Qingzi, since you''re the Two Department Chief, can''t you dispatch some people to Taiping County to deal with those demons? It feels rather regretful that Taiping County has fallen to this state." Shen Qing shook his head and said, "That place is a great distance away from Yongzhou, and we don''t know the situation. It''s unwise to act hastily. I''ll send some people to investigate first, then make a decision." "Alright, these matters I don''t understand, Qingzi, you arrange it as you see fit." "Okay." Shen Qing turned to Shen Xiaoshan and asked, "What stage is your cultivation at now?" Shen Xiaoshan became very confident and earnestly said, "Brother Qingzi, I''ve started stretching now." "Not bad, that progress is catching up with Xiao Hu''s group. Later, I''ll have someone give you some elixir, practice hard, and show some results soon." "I know, brother." Hearing Zhang Shuyuan''s words, Shen Qing always felt that the Great Zhou seemed somewhat shaky, giving him a sense of crisis. After such a long period of training, along with exchanges with many knowledgeable instructors, he was no longer the bottom-tier hunter who knew nothing. Nowadays, many in the Great Zhou Temple are of Great Power. Even when the Great Zhou Court was first established, many small countries were swept away, and the veterans of sects and forces still exist in the world. These people, one of them could annihilate a city. If turmoil truly erupts one day, and such mighty beings appear, he does not wish to be a mere ant to be crushed under their hand. Therefore, he must diligently train, enhance his cultivation quickly with the aid of elixirs. In the following days, Zhang Shuyuan was full of energy and soon got into status. Shen Qing also quietly dispatched several people to Taiping County to ascertain the truth. After some time, they returned from Taiping County, bringing back a lot of news. At the county office, within the Two Departments Office. Shen Qing was buried in handling administrative matters within his own small pavilion. There was the sound of footsteps outside, and several people approached, stopping at the door. "Sir, we are back." Ji Youwu''s familiar sound came from outside. Shen Qing halted his work and said, "Come in and report." "Yes." The door was gently pushed open, and a few figures dressed in the Guardian Martial Department uniforms entered silently. Each of their faces bore the exhaustion of a long journey. Shen Qing looked up, his sharp eyesight scrutinizing as he asked, "What is the situation?" S§×ar?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Ji Youwu stepped forward, lowered his voice, and said: "Sir, it''s not good. Taiping County has turned into a warehouse for demons, akin to a hell on earth. Demons run rampant everywhere, and the number of households remaining is not even one out of ten." Although Shen Qing was mentally prepared, by hearing it for real, his brow couldn''t help but knit together, though it quickly returned to normal. "Be more specific," Shen Qing continued to query, "Is it just Little Demons causing trouble?" If they were all ordinary demons, he wouldn''t mind going personally and killing them on the spot. It was not difficult for him. Ji Youwu''s expression turned solemn and he said: "Sir, the situation in Taiping County is more complicated. It''s said that a Great Demon has occupied the city as king, which caused the complete fall of Taiping County. Moreover, I heard that this demon has demonic power unmatched, once swallowed a martial master in the Spirit Void Realm, terrifying strength." A Demon King? This was an outcome Shen Qing had never anticipated. "What''s the origin of this demon, and why did they come to Taiping County?" Ji Youwu shook his head and replied, "According to our investigation, this Great Demon and its subordinates have been entrenched in Taiping County never leaving. It seems these demons believe there might be an Ancient Times cemetery near Taiping County, hiding a great opportunity, and have been waiting." "An Ancient Times cemetery?" Shen Qing was even more surprised. He had lived in Taiping County since youth, and never heard of such things. Ji Youwu hurried to ask, "Sir, do you need us to prepare to go to Taiping County and eliminate the demons?" He knew Shen Qing was from Taiping County, and suddenly inquired about the situation there. Ji Youwu speculated that maybe there were old connections in the city Shen Qing wanted to act for. Shen Qing lightly tapped the tabletop, making rhythmic sounds, and after a moment of silence said: "Let''s hold off for now." Ji Youwu was astonished. It was different from what he had speculated. Shen Qing instructed: "You''ve all worked hard, coming back, you can rest and take three days off, a good rest." "Yes, Sir." Ji Youwu put away his thoughts and stopped guessing Shen Qing''s intentions, then he left the room with the remaining officers from the Guardian Martial Department. Shen Qing stood up, looking through the window toward the distant blue sky and earth, suddenly recalling Zhang Shuyuan''s words¡ªA wise man does not rush into dangerous waters. "A Great Demon in Taiping County can devour martial masters of the Spirit Void Realm, its strength is perhaps formidable; it''s no wonder the court hasn''t deployed forces to reclaim Taiping County. Under these circumstances, I should not rashly act, putting myself in danger." "As for the Ancient Times cemetery, I am currently unable to explore it." "Power, it''s all about power. If I were stronger, perhaps I wouldn''t have to be so constrained." Shen Qing clenched his fists, his expression solemn. He waved his sleeve, and the documents on the desk behind him closed, then he took large strides into the training room. In the training room, Shen Qing sat cross-legged on a mat, focusing his mind, and summoned the inkstone panel. Lines of ink-like text appeared in his sight. [Skill: ??Heavenly Bow Method (Mastery)] [Progress: 921/2000 points] [Skill: Eight Desolate Annihilation Seal (Beginner)] [Progress: 3885/5000 points] [Skill: Six Paths Whale Swallowing Technique (Mastery)] [Progress: 2247/4000 points] [Skill: Great Void Art (Accomplished)] [Progress: 377/500 points] ... During this time with the blessing of the wish-fulfilling pearl and spiritual essence, his martial arts progressed steadily and rapidly. And the bottleneck of the Innate Realm faintly showed a slight loosening. Following this progress, it shouldn''t take long for his level to break through once more. "The next step depends on whether the panel functions well." In the blink of an eye, a month passed, entering the depth of winter, when everything stilled. A disturbance occurred in the Great Zhou Court. General Xue Zhao''s military campaign was unfavorable, and the army of one hundred thousand lost a third, neither Jinzhou nor Dan Zhou was conquered. The current emperor, Ji Zikong, was greatly displeased and decided to advance the start of the Chaos Suppression Meeting, setting the venue in Dan Zhou. For a while, many noble families and dignitaries began rubbing their palms in anticipation of this feast, arranging for the clan''s younger generations and enemies to participate, hoping to distinguish themselves in life and death at the Chaos Suppression Meeting. Unlike the excitement of these prestigious families, the ordinary people being summoned were each like they lost their parents, with faces full of despair. To Shen Qing''s surprise, his name was also unexpectedly on the list for the Chaos Suppression Meeting. Not only that, but every official whose name resounded in Yongzhou was on the roster. Chapter 331 - 15 Jing Luan Assembly ``` In the grand hall of the County Government Office, voices bubbled like a cauldron. Many officials and martial masters from Yongzhou were arriving one after another. Shen Qing followed behind the crowd, stepping into the grand hall. As he scanned the room, he saw officials dressed in their formal attire, some standing, some seated, all with varying expressions. However, they all struggled to conceal their unease and anxiety. At the forefront stood Prefecture Chief Dou Wenxi and County Supervisor Yan Xushou. Their faces were somber as they looked at the numerous officials in front of them, as expressionless as dark clouds blanketing the sky. "Almost everyone is here now. Let''s begin," said Dou Wenxi, gesturing with his hand. The attendants standing outside the hall got the signal and quietly withdrew. With a bang, the doors closed. The discussions among those in the hall gradually subsided. Shen Qing moved forward and, thanks to his prestige in Yongzhou City, the nearby officials gave up their seats, obsequiously seeking his favor. He accepted without hesitation, seated himself, and turned his gaze toward Prefecture Chief Dou Wenxi and County Supervisor Yan Xushou, waiting for what would come next. Prefecture Chief Dou Wenxi spoke in a clear voice, "I presume everyone here is already aware of why we have gathered?" "Is it because of the upcoming Jing Luan Assembly?" someone asked. Dou Wenxi nodded gravely, "Correct, it is due to this matter." Shen Qing''s brow furrowed slightly in the crowd. He vaguely remembered Huang Furo mentioning the Jing Luan Assembly. He had said that the court devised this event to exhaust the martial artists of the world by having them fight one another. However, he had only heard of it in passing and only knew half the story. Shen Qing stood up, swept his gaze across the audience, and finally it rested on Dou Wenxi and Yan Xushou. He raised his fist to his chest and asked, "Regarding this so-called Jing Luan Assembly, there is much we do not understand. I wonder if the two of you could clarify our doubts. I''ve noticed some of our younger colleagues are also not very familiar with the matter." "Indeed, my knowledge of the Jing Luan Assembly is quite limited. I hope the lords will not hesitate to enlighten us and allow us to comprehend," he added. "We look to the lord for answers." sea??h th§× n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Some of the frailer officials hesitated to ask such a question that seemed to be ''common knowledge,'' not wanting to embarrass themselves. But seeing Shen Qing take the initiative, they echoed his request. Shen Qing''s question garnered a lot of support. Prefecture Chief Dou Wenxi, with a composed countenance, said, "Lord Shen speaks truthfully. We should indeed explain this matter to everyone." He pondered for a moment before continuing, "The history of the Jing Luan Assembly actually goes back quite a ways." "As you all know, we martial artists, with each breakthrough in our realm, increase our lifespan. The Qi Hai Realm can add ten years, the Yu Luo Realm fifty years, and even the Spirit Void Realm can increase one''s lifespan by three hundred." "After the founding of Great Zhou, the court was stable, and myriad tasks awaited revival. There were no issues at first, but as time passed, these problems revealed themselves. Due to the longevity, the founding ministers continued to control the government, and the struggle for power among the high officials in the court became increasingly intense, almost shaking the very foundation of the nation." ``` "The Ji Family ancestor thus proposed the establishment of the Jing Luan Assembly to resolve disputes." "At first, the Jing Luan Assembly was located in a place far from the mortal world, aiming to allow the various forces to determine the superior and inferior, to decide victory and defeat, without affecting the stability of the court''s administration. Initially, it was merely to resolve individual conflicts, but over time, it gradually formed the scale we see today. Each Jing Luan Assembly brings together martial masters from all over the world to discuss who is the true hero through real combat, and only the winner is able to receive the court''s rewards and promotion." "Those who die naturally have everything cease and have to give up their positions." Dou Wenxi continued somberly, "Although the Jing Luan Assembly is named ''Jing Luan,'' in reality, it is also one of the court''s strategies for selecting talents and balancing the power of various factions. Every 60 years, tens of thousands of martial masters gather, and in the end, only a hundred can survive. These hundred will be granted abundant rewards and high positions by the court according to their accomplishments in battle." A young official stood up proactively and said, "Then in this way, for us, the Jing Luan Assembly is an opportunity, right? Isn''t this a good thing?" "Hmph, a good thing?" Yan Xushou coldly snorted and added, "Think about it, tens of thousands of martial masters, and in the end, only a hundred survive. How cruel do you think it actually is? Do you think it will be you, or the likes of us with no background? Noble sons have guardians, Magical Treasures and Elixirs; what do we have besides our lives? Do you think we still stand a chance to fight for a spot among the top hundred?" "Isn''t entering just a death sentence?" Another older official sighed deeply and said, "In fact, everyone is well aware that this is the court''s strategy of wearing down the lower-level martial masters. It''s for this reason that each Jing Luan Assembly is convened, everyone is in a state of panic." After these words, a brief silence fell upon the great hall. They didn''t catch anything else, but one thing they did understand. That is, this so-called Jing Luan Assembly meant near-certain death for them. Prefecture Chief Dou Wenxi surveyed the crowd before him and said, "I''ve already inquired clearly about this Jing Luan Assembly. The reason we have all been conscripted is inseparable from the Xue Family." "The Xue Family, what does that have to do with us?" County Supervisor Yan Xushou sighed and said, "Let''s not forget, not long ago, the Third Young Master of the Xue Family died in Yongzhou City! To this day, the murderer''s whereabouts are unknown. It''s likely that because of this, the Xue Family holds a grudge against us and has added us all to the list of participants for the Jing Luan Assembly." A martial master expressed his bewilderment and sorrow, "Ah, I was unaware of the death of Third Young Master Xue and had no involvement in it." County Supervisor Yan Xushou shook his head and said, "Whether we know or not is not important. What''s important is that we have been caught up in this turmoil, and I''m afraid it will be difficult to extricate ourselves." An official burst out in agitation and indignation, "Although we hold official positions and have some cultivation, in the Jing Luan Assembly we are nothing more than ants. We serve the court diligently and loyally, only to end up sent to die in the end, to become stepping stones for those in power!" "The Xue Family is truly lawless, seeking personal revenge under the guise of public interest!" "Sigh, saying they seek personal revenge under the guise of public interest isn''t the slightest bit false," Prefecture Chief Dou Wenxi said. "I''ve also heard that this time at the Jing Luan Assembly, the Xue Family will send many guardians to participate, to lay the path for their eldest son, and it seems they will be targeting us." "..." Above the great hall, for a time, sighs of lamentation rose and fell. There were also those who said nothing, but if you looked closely, you would see their fists clenched tightly, with nails nearly embedded in their palms, revealing the turmoil within. Prefecture Chief Dou Wenxi and County Supervisor Yan Xushou exchanged looks of bitter smiles, their eyes filled with helplessness and despair. They never thought that they too, one day, would become stepping stones for others. Shen Qing saw the expressions of all the people, and his eyes couldn''t help but flicker with a trace of peculiarity. Listening to this, it seemed that the people from Yongzhou were conscripted into the Jing Luan Assembly because of his killing of Xue Yan. Shen Qing was momentarily at a loss for words. The Xue Family really prefers to kill wrongly rather than let anyone go! Unable to find the murderer, they''ve decided to "kill" all the martial officials from Yongzhou. Chapter 332 - 16 Sense of Crisis, Hard Cultivation ``` "Gentlemen, you''re not gathering us here today just to engage in idle chatter, undermine our confidence, and create anxiety, are you?" An official knowledgeable about the history of the Jingluan Assembly stepped forward and said, "I remember that the last Jingluan Assembly concluded less than 60 years ago, and now it''s suddenly come early. You officials in the Capital are well-informed; do you know anything more? If so, please share everything with us so we can think of countermeasures together." Prefecture Chief Dou Wenxi and County Supervisor Yan Xushou exchanged a glance and said helplessly, "Speaking of it, this matter is indeed related to the Xue Family." "Recently, General Xue''s campaign against the Huang Tian Sect was unsuccessful, and because of this, His Majesty was displeased, which is why the Jingluan Assembly was called early to destroy the Huang Tian Sect." "Isn''t it about mutual slaughter? How did it involve the Huang Tian Sect?" County Supervisor Yan Xushou explained, "Nowadays, the Great Zhou Country has existed for nearly a millennium, and the Jingluan Assembly has gradually undergone many changes." "With the increasing scale, the Great Zhou Fourth Emperor Taiyuan Emperor found such pure slaughter too wasteful of manpower. Thus, starting with him, every Jingluan Assembly was done under the guise of crusading against barbarian tribes, used to expand borders. Later, for all rebellious, enemy suppressions, and other difficult, larger wars, the contemporary emperor would choose to initiate the Jingluan Assembly." "Constrained by the development speed of martial masters worldwide, the frequency of opening is still controlled around a full cycle, sometimes shorter, sometimes longer." An official questioned, clinging to a sliver of hope, asked, "Then if after quelling the rebellion, it ends in great victory, with minimal losses, what then?" "Then we continue to conquer and continue to kill. Once you enter the Jingluan Assembly, we are just expendables until completely exhausted. Additionally, don''t forget that many noble sons aim for meritorious service, and everyone is a competitor. So besides attacking enemies, you must also guard against colleagues. Surviving is not that easy." The atmosphere in the county office became increasingly oppressive. After listening, everyone remained silent. County Supervisor Yan Xushou clapped his hands and said, "After hearing so much bad news, let''s listen to some good news." "What good news?" "His Majesty has issued a decree. It is said that the one with the greatest merit in this Jingluan Assembly can be appointed as a general and made a marquis, which is akin to ascending to the heavens in a single step." After County Supervisor Yan Xushou finished speaking, a glimmer of light appeared in the eyes of some present. "If all goes well, the Jingluan Assembly will be initiated shortly before spring, which is in a month or two. We are to make our way to Dan Prefecture. Currently, we have sufficient time, which is perfect for us to discuss strategies. Everyone, if you have any insights, feel free to speak your minds." At this moment, a middle-aged official stepped forward and said, "There are thirty-six of us being conscripted this time; perhaps we could try forming a team to cooperate with each other and advance and retreat together." The officials present nodded in agreement, believing such words made sense. After all, in the chaotic domain of the Jingluan Assembly, an individual''s strength is ultimately limited. Coming from the same place, they could trust and cooperate with each other, which would, in turn, increase their survival chances. "What Lord Li said is absolutely right. I think among us, Lord Shen is the most outstanding. His achievements in slaying demons are well-known; we should take him as the leader." "Indeed, Lord Shen has extraordinary cultivation skills and should lead us." The officials present were discussing fervently, focusing their gaze on Shen Qing. Shen Qing looked around, gazing at everyone. He found that most of these people were officials from the county city, with almost none being his confidants or subordinates. Such a group seemed highly capable in appearance, but in reality, they only cared about their own survival, thus making it hard to coordinate. If he stood at the forefront, upon entering the battlefield, he might be used as a shield. This was certainly not a good thing. Shen Qing thought for a moment and still refused, saying, "I merely possess some martial skills and truly don''t understand the art of leading troops. I can fight, but I''m afraid leading men is not for me, unlike Lord Dou and Lord Yan. Today''s affair is hosted by the two lords, and they are also well-informed. Why not let them lead instead?" Shen Qing''s suggestion made Dou Wenxi and Yan Xushou''s eyes light up. S§×arch* The n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Even though they had never harbored any ambition, facing power so easily within reach tempted them. In reality, during this gathering of everyone, deep down they couldn''t help but have some thoughts. Dou Wenxi gently stroked the sparse beard on his chin, revealing a hint of longing in his eyes, and feigned humility, "Eh? Compared to Lord Shen''s bravery, our little skills are nothing." "Although we both have a heart, we fear we won''t have the strength. It''s still better for Lord Shen to lead us." Seeing this, Shen Qing guessed their intentions even more. He continued, sincerely saying, "Lord Dou, Lord Yan, it''s not that Shen Qing is shirking responsibility, but I know my limitations. With the two of you, we can truly exert strength. Colleagues, what do you think?" The officials present saw nothing wrong with this and found no difference for them, so they all agreed as well. After a moment of silence, Dou Wenxi and Yan Xushou took a deep breath and said excitedly, "Since everyone trusts us so much, we will no longer be modest. Brother Yan, let us take up this responsibility for now, and we''ll discuss other matters when the time is ripe." "Alright." After shaking off the leadership responsibility, Shen Qing and everyone discussed the upcoming strategies. This continued until late evening when it finally ended. Upon returning to his residence from the county office, Shen Qing became increasingly worried. Having learned some details about the Jingluan Assembly, he felt a great sense of urgency. ''Time waits for no one, I must quickly improve my skills. There''s a month left, I must strive to break through to the Spiritual Void Realm. Additionally, the Great Evade Art for escaping and archery skills for long-range attacks both need to be strengthened.'' Shen Qing secretly had a direction and decision in mind. In the following time, he delved deeply and emerged sparingly, investing all his energy into cultivation, and using the resources available to enhance his martial arts. Besides, he also sent Wu Sheng to the Capital to purchase two hundred of the finest bows, just in case. Time flew by, and a month passed in the blink of an eye. Inside the training room of the Shen residence. Shen Qing sat on an ancient meditation mat, eyes shut in concentration, breathing long and deep. In front of him, a Wish Power Pearl and a jade talisman floated, glowing brilliantly. The lines inscribed on the jade talisman continuously emitted radiance, with endless spirit energy gushing out. The Wish Power Pearl contained countless devotees'' sincere beliefs, like streams converging continuously, drawing the surrounding spirit energy into his body. With each breath Shen Qing took, the spirit energy around was drawn by an invisible force, transforming into strands entering his body through pores, circulating along meridians, nurturing every inch of flesh and bone. His aura began to climb incessantly. ``` Chapter 333 - 17: Promotion to Spirit Void Realm, Sun Shooting Skill Shen Qing, as his breath steadily climbed, did not feel much comfort. Quite the opposite, he felt waves of pain. At this moment, Shen Qing''s breathing grew more rapid, his face contorted as if he were struggling to the death against some invisible force. He could sense the spiritual power within his body roaring like torrents, surging tumultuously, operating at its peak. But in the blink of an eye, the capacity of his flesh to absorb spiritual energy had reached its limit. Yet, the spiritual energy from the outside world continued to pour into his meridians, converging in the mysterious Spirit Sea, showing no signs of stopping. Shen Qing only felt an intense swelling sensation assaulting him, the rampaging aura as if wanting to tear his soul and his physical body to shreds. He endured, relentlessly suppressing this impulse, breaking through his own limits. Recently, he had often gone to the Martial Arts Hall to exchange cultivation experiences with the instructors, gaining a deeper understanding of the Spirit Void Realm and beyond. The spiritual energy between heaven and earth, transformed into spiritual power through the Cultivation Technique for martial masters to use, is by seizing the nature''s spiritual energy, mastering transcendent force. Every breakthrough is a qualitative change in power. But this power was too great; if not controlled well, it was easy to become possessed, lose oneself, and suffer backlash. It was like a commoner becoming rich overnight. Confronted with sudden wealth, many people squandered it recklessly, ending up poorer than before, or even worse off. The two scenarios followed the same principle. The greater the wealth, the easier it was to become possessed, and the more likely for martial masters to suffer backlash. What if the power was too great and prone to backlash, would a smaller amount suffice? That wouldn''t work either. The spiritual energy that martial masters cultivated was originally just a part of nature, but once it was transformed into spiritual power after cultivation, it showed it had become completely different from the external spiritual energy. Having something so different confined inside the martial master''s physical body was not a problem, but if it was used extensively outward, it would inevitably conflict and contend with the external world. If a martial master''s power was too small, once they encountered a bottleneck and faced the world, they would easily be dissipated and fall into confusion. Based on this, to safely breakthrough, in addition to grasping the balance of power, countless Great Powers thought of a compromise, which was to let their own spiritual power fall into a state of nothingness. To create presence in absence, and absence in presence. Hence, the realm above the Innate Realm was called the Spirit Void Realm. Shen Qing ceaselessly formed seals, pressing down on the spiritual power within his body, starting to assault the bottleneck of the Spirit Void Realm. Once he reached a certain limit, Shen Qing could clearly feel a thunderous rumbling sound, like the beating of a drum, continuing to emerge. At a certain moment, Shen Qing found his spiritual power becoming elusive and ethereal, as if wanting to break free from the physical constraints and merge with the heaven and earth. He had caught that sensation. Shen Qing''s eyes suddenly opened wide, a bright light burst forth, and he roared lowly, "Break for me!" He mobilized all his strength, including the faith force contained within the Wish Power Pearl and the abundant spiritual energy from the Jade Token, the three combined into a single force, charging towards the bottleneck of the Jade Void Realm. Just at that moment, within the Cultivation Room, winds surged and spiritual energy roared chaotically, as if the Void Realm itself had emerged with rippling tremors. Shen Qing''s body was enveloped in a layer of faint crimson-gold light. "Boom!" Shen Qing only felt an enormous sound from within, deafening. The bottleneck of the Spirit Void Realm was finally broken by this tremendous force. All the spiritual energy within his body turned into nothingness, yet this nothingness was closely connected to him. It was mysterious beyond mystery. With a wave of Shen Qing''s hands, he felt an unprecedented powerful force surging within him, merging seamlessly with the surrounding nature''s spiritual energy. "It''s the Spirit Void Realm! I''ve finally broken through to the Spirit Void Realm!" He couldn''t help but stand up, look up to the heavens, and let out a long howl, his face brimming with ecstatic joy. In all of Great Zhou, there were very few who could break through to the Spirit Void Realm before the age of twenty, and you could count them on one hand. Without a doubt, each one was a cultivation prodigy. Now, he, Shen Qing, was already a bit stronger than most of his peers from the prominent families. "With this in mind, if I enter the Jing Luan Assembly, I will also have some confidence, and perhaps I can contend for a spot in the top hundred." Shen Qing clenched his fists tightly, filled with self-assurance. The pressing feeling from just a short while ago had been greatly relieved. The timing was just right. Shen Qing exhaled a breath of stale air lightly, looking spirited. He didn''t give it another thought but continued to bury himself in tough cultivation, seriously preparing for the battle ahead. After his breakthrough in his cultivation realm, Shen Qing devoted all his energy to mastering skills, particularly the Heavenly Bow Technique that evolved from Bow Technique. Through his relentless effort, he finally filled the entire progress bar. [Skill: Heavenly Bow Technique (Great Perfection)] [Progress: 2001/2000 points] [Status: Breakthrough possible] [Note: Diligence is life''s reward. Through continual and unyielding cultivation, you have finally brought the Heavenly Bow Technique to the brink of a Limit Break. With this breakthrough, you will master the Heavenly Bow Technique''s Limit Breaking Skill ''Sun Shooting Skill''.] Shen Qing didn''t hesitate at all and focused his consciousness on the Water Ink Panel to choose the breakthrough. The information on the Water Ink Panel rapidly refreshed. [Skill: Heavenly Bow Technique (Break Limit)] [Progress: 1/3000 points] [Status: Breakthrough not possible] [Note: With this breakthrough, you have mastered the Heavenly Bow Technique''s Limit Breaking Skill ''Sun Shooting Skill''. From the depth of your heart, a breath is drawn, which turns to an arrow, as fierce as the sun''s blaze; with one arrow, it shall be shattered!] Shen Qing, looking at that line of notes, became emotionally stirred. S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. A flood of familiar memories didn''t give him any chance to react, forcefully inserted into his mind, and stirred around a couple of times, causing his whole body to tremble. Relying on his ever-strengthening Divine Sense, Shen Qing suppressed the unease in his mind completely. Soon after, he digested the vast memories. In those memories, he was isolated from the world, immersed in endless cycles of cultivating the Heavenly Bow Technique. Day and night, he practiced the Heavenly Bow Technique, shot countless arrows, and finally, a flash of spiritual light sparked in his heart. He had an epiphany and achieved a breakthrough, mastering the Heavenly Bow Technique''s Limit Breaking Skill ''Sun Shooting Skill''. Shen Qing spread his hands open, and with one glance, a strong sense of familiarity struck him. Shen Qing casually summoned with his hand. The previous Hundred Shi Heavy Bow was drawn into his grasp. He pondered for a moment, then stood up with the bow in both hands, stretched his arms long like those of an ape, and started to operate the Heavenly Bow Technique. A crimson light began to gather on the bowstring, gradually taking the shape of an arrow. As this arrow took form, the atmosphere around it suddenly changed, filled with a deadly aura. Shen Qing was extremely satisfied, "From within my chest, I condense a breath, turning it into the force of a thousand jun, forging it into an arrow. Even if the blazing sun lies ahead, radiating brilliantly, nothing can withstand the power of my single arrow! All can be shattered! Hahaha..." He dispersed the Cultivation Technique and casually tossed the longbow. The Hundred Shi Heavy Bow landed perfectly on the wall mount. "This bow is a bit too weak, it seems it can''t withstand my power. Thinking about the time, Wu Sheng should be returning from the Capital by now; perhaps there will be news of a treasure bow." Shen Qing murmured to himself. Chapter 334 - 18: Acquiring the Treasure Bow, Troops Head to Dan Zhou Shen Mansion, in the study. After learning that he was forced to participate in the Jing Luan Assembly, Shen Qing recently reduced his involvement in the affairs of the two offices. During the free time, he would either cultivate or stay in the study. At this moment, the door of the study was gently pushed open, and a servant delivered a message. As Shen Qing had estimated, Wu Sheng, whom he had sent to the Capital to seek the treasure bow, had returned. "Let him in." "Yes, young master." With a creak, the wooden door opened. Covered in dust, Wu Sheng carried a long wooden box on his back and respectfully walked up to Shen Qing: "Greetings, Boss." Shen Qing gestured toward the doorway. The servant standing at the door understood the signal and closed the door for Shen Qing. Shen Qing glanced at Wu Sheng and asked, "How is it? Any results?" Wu Sheng untied the cloth rope at his chest and presented an ancient-looking wooden box with his hands, appearing quite heavy. He said with barely concealed excitement, "Boss, fortunately, I was not disgraced; I found a treasure bow in the Capital that should meet your requirements." Hearing this, Shen Qing''s eyes flashed with a sharp light. He took the wooden box, his fingers gently caressing the carvings on the lid. The bow he wanted now required at least two hundred shi, and asking a craftsman to forge it was simply impossible. And the heavy bows in the Hundred Treasure Tower in Yongzhou were unfortunately not much different from the heavy bows he currently had; even the larger ones were no more than iron embryo mortal bows, not what he desired. After much thought, it seemed only Wu Sheng could search the Capital Region. After all, the Capital City had the thousand-year foundation of the Great Zhou Country, which might satisfy his needs. Shen Qing unlocked and opened the wooden box. A glint of cold light appeared. Inside the wooden box, a treasure bow of ancient majesty lay quietly, emitting a faint aura of spiritual energy, appearing quite extraordinary. "This bow..." Shen Qing''s voice was filled with undisguised surprise. Wu Sheng stepped forward to explain, "This bow is said to be forged from a treasure embryo left over from the ancient era, not a mortal bow, and is quite remarkable." "This treasure embryo, through countless ages, was discovered by a forging master and crafted into a bow with supreme divine skills. According to his descendants, this treasure embryo is extraordinary, an unparalleled material for creating top-tier magic treasures, rarely found in the world. Although this treasure bow is not an ancient-era magic treasure, it gets pretty close and is unmatched by ordinary iron bows." Shen Qing gently stroked the bow''s body, feeling the power within, a surge of indescribable excitement rising in his heart. He took a deep breath, attempting to inject his own spiritual power into the bow, and the bowstring trembled slightly, quietly resonating with his heartbeat, maintaining the same rhythm, constantly echoing beside Shen Qing''s ears. Shen Qing casually pulled it and found there was a strong resistance. His expression changed, and he wielded his spiritual power, wrapping his hands around it. Under the stimulation of spiritual power, Shen Qing''s arms turned a dazzling gold, as if cast in gold. Shen Qing gave a light shout, his arms abruptly exerting force. The treasure bow in his hand flashed with light, gradually being drawn by Shen Qing. "Four hundred shi!" Shen Qing called out lowly, even with his cultivation, he couldn''t help but be shocked by the power of this treasure bow. To know that an ordinary heavy bow with a hundred shi is already rare, and this treasure bow actually had a force of four hundred shi. Such an arrow placed on the bow must have a fearsome power. Shen Qing stood up, his mind moved, and he suddenly disappeared from the place. He operated the Great Void Technique, constantly shifting, and appeared outside the city in the blink of an eye. With his sharp eyesight, he focused on the distant horizon. He slowly raised the treasure bow and operated the Heavenly Bow Technique. A brilliant light arrow gathered on the bowstring. With a low shout, the arrow flew off the string, carrying an overwhelming momentum, piercing straight through the sky. With a roar, a dazzling radiance exploded under the scorching sun, like fireworks at the ultimate of the sky, instantly covering the entire sky, swallowing all the surrounding light. At a glance, it seemed as if the sun exploded. "Sun Shooting Technique, Sun Shooting Technique, truly impressive." Shen Qing looked at the sun gradually restoring its light under the sky, a slight smirk on his lips, revealing a hint of satisfaction. After testing the bow, he did not linger. Shen Qing moved his foot, his figure transforming, flying back toward the Shen Mansion. In less than the time it takes to burn half an incense stick, Shen Qing returned, back in the study, standing in front of Wu Sheng. Wu Sheng, seeing Shen Qing''s mysterious comings and goings, immediately stiffened, his expression growing even more respectful. Shen Qing''s gaze fell on the treasure bow in front of him and asked, "I''m very satisfied with the bow you found, does it have a name?" Wu Sheng respectfully replied, "That forging master''s descendant didn''t mention a name for the bow, it should be nameless." "Indeed, a bow is just a bow, doesn''t need a name, as long as it''s useful." Shen Qing returned the treasure bow to the wooden box, storing it away once more. He looked up and said to Wu Sheng, "You must be tired from the journey, take a good rest for a few days. There probably won''t be much need to trouble you for a long while on my end." Wu Sheng remarked in surprise, "Sir, you also have to participate in the Jing Luan Assembly?" "You heard about it too?" "I heard some nobles mention it in the Capital, the disciples of the Eight Great Families are all participating, about seventy people, each family has sent quite a few guardians to assist, it''s quite a commotion." Wu Sheng now understood why Shen Qing was anxious to find the treasure bow, there was this reason behind it. "Sir, you..." "It''s fine, give it a try, maybe there''s wealth for me." Shen Qing smiled. For some reason, he felt no fear, instead, he was faintly expected it. ... Winter passed into spring. Yongzhou''s winter had quietly gone, yet the air still carried a trace of chill. In such a season, the sound of horse hooves broke the usual tranquility outside the city. A team dressed in luxurious embroidered official attire rode into the city with an awe-inspiring presence. These people were officers from the Southern Region Troops Ministry. Without any hesitation, they headed straight for the Yongzhou County Official''s Mansion. The doorkeeper at the county mansion''s entrance shouted, "Who goes there? Report your name!" "We are special envoys from the Southern Region Troops Ministry, commanded by the court to execute important duties, report immediately." As he spoke, the leader raised his hand slightly, releasing the unique aura of a master, which unavoidably oppressed the doorkeeper at the mansion''s entrance. Not daring to delay, they hurriedly reported. Inside Yongzhou Mansion, having received the news, the Prefect Dou Wenxi and County Supervisor Yan Xushou, as the top officials of the county, hurried over, politely asking, "Esteemed lords have come from afar, what might it be for?" The leader of the Troops Ministry retrieved a yellow silk-bordered list from his bosom, saying, "Acting on the imperial decree, our mission is to escort the Yongzhou officials and martial artists participating in the Jing Luan Assembly to Dan Zhou to quell the rebels." sea??h th§× n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Prefect Dou Wenxi and County Supervisor Yan Xushou glanced over the list quickly, finding it unchanged from prior confirmation. The leading envoy, in an unquestionable tone, said, "The rise and fall of the nation, every man bears responsibility. Serving the country is our martial artist''s honor. Please understand and support; don''t let personal feelings hinder state affairs. We give you a day to prepare, depart by noon tomorrow." "We comply!" Dou Wenxi and the others had no choice but to nod helplessly, instructing their subordinates to start preparing for the march to Dan Zhou. Chapter 335 - 19: Gathering Clouds over Every City, Converging in Dan Zhou The opening of the Jing Luan Assembly did not have a specific date, only a general time frame. The court merely required the summoned officials and martial masters to arrive in Dan Zhou after the rains and before the Start of Spring to complete the summoning. Spring had just begun, and there was still a period of time until the rains, leaving what seemed like ample time. However, it would still take a considerable amount of time to travel across the country. Even though those who were summoned were martial masters with exceptional physical strength and swiftness surpassing that of ordinary people, the Military Department responsible for leading the way would still issue orders to depart early in order to avoid missing the window. For those in Yongzhou, Dan Zhou was not too far away, so the departure date was actually not that early. Cities far from Dan Zhou had already commenced their journeys a month earlier. Prefecture Chief Dou Wenxi and County Supervisor Yan Xushou, upon receiving the orders, did not delay and promptly relayed the summons to all those in Yongzhou who were called. Many martial masters and officials of lesser renown felt a hint of despair upon hearing the news. Their survival on this journey was uncertain. But facing the summons of the Great Zhou Court, they were "listed" and utterly powerless to change their fate. There had been those in the past who resisted, and the outcomes were not good. Their entire families were executed. Now, they could only resign themselves to their fate. No one could withstand the suppression of the Great Powers of the Great Zhou Court. When Shen Qing received the order, he did not hesitate or feel anxious. The next morning, he took out the Crystal Silk Armor that Wu Sheng had been sent to purchase and wore it underneath his clothing, just in case. This Crystal Silk Armor was not cheap; a single piece was worth thousands of taels. Light as it appeared, it was extraordinarily sturdy, and martial masters below the Dan Realm would struggle to breach its defense. The assembly would have a complex mixture of individuals, and with the Crystal Silk Armor, Shen Qing could save much effort, freeing him to focus on confronting martial masters of higher cultivation. Beyond the Crystal Silk Armor, Shen Qing also carried many healing Elixirs, each costing a significant amount of money. But now was not the time to be frugal. Life was of the utmost importance. One only has one life, and when that is gone, no amount of wealth is of any use. After making thorough preparations, Shen Qing shouldered his treasure bow, hung his Dagger at his waist, and donned a grey-green silk robe, looking vibrant and spirited. With the coming of spring, according to the common reckoning in Great Zhou, Shen Qing had turned nineteen. Since leaving Hongshan Village, almost five years had passed in the blink of an eye. Reflecting upon these five years, time seemed to have flown like an arrow. Yet, fortunately, these years had not been wasted, with his stature having changed drastically from the beginning. Shen Qing knew that all of this stemmed from one word: "struggle." Struggle against heaven, struggle against earth, struggle against men, striving to rise above. And now, another struggle loomed ahead. Shen Qing strode forward. His aunt, uncle, and eldest sister stood outside the door, their eyes brimming with concern. They might lack worldly experience, but they were aware of the happenings outside. Uncle Shen the Second was a man of few words, and at this moment, he persistently puffed on his pipe, smoking non-stop. As for eldest sister Shen Fang and auntie, both were tearful and distressed. "Qingzi¡­" Shen Qing stepped forward and said, "Don''t worry about me. I''ll only be away from home for half a year and will return safely." "Alright, we''ll all be waiting for you." Shen Qing smiled and said, "Of course, if I don''t come back, you all should quickly take the savings I''ve prepared for you and leave Yongzhou. Find a quiet place to live." In this world, it''s a place where might makes right, and connections matter. Everything that my aunt and uncle have comes from me. I am their greatest support. If I fall, with their current capabilities, they can''t hold on to everything they have in Yongzhou. It would be better to just give up. What I''ve prepared for them should be enough for them to live a carefree life. Uncle Shen the Second, with a worried frown, said, "We understand. Just...sigh...be careful in everything you do." Shen Qing laughed heartily, "Don''t worry, I won''t die. If aunt and uncle have free time, could you find a good family for my sister? It has been so many years and she''s not yet married, becoming an old maid. Hahaha..." Saying that, Shen Qing didn''t look back as he walked towards the gate of the Shen Mansion. Outside the gate, many of the officials and martial masters from the two departments came to see him off. Tian Xiaohu, Xiao Zhi, Chen Guang, Ji Youwu, and others were all present. Shen Qing waved his hand and walked straight past them, with his head held high and chest out, without saying much. "I, and the others, will await your triumphant return!" Chen Guang was the first to raise his fist and say loudly. The rest followed in unison, "We await your triumphant return!" As their voices echoed, Shen Qing''s figure gradually disappeared into the streets. Many officials and martial masters from Yongzhou gathered in twos and threes at the entrance of the county government office. The soldiers from the Southern Domain Military Department who came to lead the way counted the numbers, and once they confirmed it was correct, without any hesitation, waved their hand and commanded, "Move out!" The people of Yongzhou set off in a grand procession towards Dan Zhou in the south. Most of them rode horses, but for Shen Qing, Prefecture Chief Dou Wenxi, and County Supervisor Yan Xushou, riding horses wasn''t faster than walking. The three of them rode Rainbow Light, and traveled with the wind, side by side with the soldiers from the Southern Domain Military Department, even slightly ahead or above them, showing a sort of disregard for the rules. The soldiers of the Southern Domain Military Department were not annoyed. In past meetings of the Jing Luan Assembly, there were many with higher cultivation levels, far above them. They were no match for them. In their eyes, what they were doing now was just following orders, and there was no need to make trouble without reason or to act as if they owned the place. Perhaps these people wouldn''t even live as long as they would, so it wasn''t worth it. As Shen Qing and the others were on their way to Dan Zhou, many martial masters and officials summoned by the Great Zhou had begun moving, heading in unison towards Dan Zhou. For a moment, Great Zhou seemed buzzing with activity. Every 60 years, the grand scene of tens of thousands of martial masters acting together was slowly unfolding. Throughout history, the Great Zhou expanded vast territories through the Jing Luan Assembly and quelled numerous large and small rebellions. Some rose from the bottom to the top, achieving fame and establishing family legacies for generations. However, such people were after all the minority. One general achieves prominence, at the cost of countless lives. Most people perished in the continual bouts of slaughter, becoming stepping stones for those who achieved fame, turning into nothing more than a clod of earth. Zhou Country''s territory is vast, and Dan Zhou is an important city in the southern part of Great Zhou. Over the years, Huang Tian Sect has emerged from obscurity and become a force in the south, sweeping through the cities. Many cities in the southern parts of Great Zhou had fallen. Fortunately, the population of Great Zhou was concentrated in the north, and most of the south was wildlands. Losing some cities in the south was not yet crippling for Zhou Country. But if this trend were allowed to continue, it would not end well. S~ea??h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Therefore, the court continued to dispatch large armies to eradicate the traitors and to engage in a prolonged stand-off with Huang Tian Sect. Dan Zhou was the frontline city contested by both sides. Chapter 336 - 20 The Beginning of the Jing Luan Assembly Marks Their Doom µ¤ÖÝ is about two thousand li away from Yongzhou. At the pace Shen Qing and his group are traveling, journeying day and night, it would take just over ten days to get there. As time passed day by day, as they progressed, they neared Dan Zhou, encountering many people like themselves on the road. However, unlike them, the other cities had far fewer people than those from Yongzhou. At a glance, other cities seemed to have gathered about thirty to forty people, mostly comprised of Jianghu Martial Artists. In contrast, Yongzhou alone dispatched thirty-six officials, alongside martial masters, totaling over a hundred. Among the eight hundred and ten cities of the Great Zhou Country, apart from those clustered together by Shi families in the Capital City, where people go for opportunities, Yongzhou truly stands out. After another seven to eight days of journeying, Shen Qing and many martial masters finally arrived near Danzhou City. There were dedicated personnel and people from various Southern Domain Military Departments tallying the numbers, and once confirmed, they passed one by one to set up camp in a designated open space prepared for them. Entering the camp, Shen Qing looked around and saw the place bustling with martial masters. He had never seen so many martial masters, and his heart was filled with awe. It is said that such a martial masters'' army, if united, when combined with military formations, even a Primordial Spirit Realm Great Power cannot easily win. Unfortunately, for the Great Zhou Royal Family, stability is paramount. They prefer to let these martial masters deplete themselves internally rather than properly organizing them. They have always adhered to the principle of ensuring internal stability before external concerns. However, Shen Qing could understand that. What martial masters pursue is the supreme Martial Arts, the path to longevity. To mobilize so many martial masters is not something that can be fulfilled with ordinary rations but requires various cultivation resources. However, with so many martial masters, the daily requirement for cultivation resources is enormous. Not to mention with the continual growth of cultivation, the need for cultivation resources also gradually increases. So many martial masters form an insatiable void, which cannot be filled once activated. Ultimately, it is because the cultivation resources in this world are too scarce, and Spiritual Energy is too thin that it has come to this. "Are you guys from Yongzhou? Your resting area is in District D, just walk all the way from here," said a designated soldier pointing to Shen Qing and others as they entered the camp. While speaking, the soldier took out a piece of dark stone etched with the character "D" from a burlap sack and beckoned, "Come, before you go past, collect the Merit Stones from me. Remember, these record your military merits, so take care of them and absolutely don''t lose them." "Merit Stone?" Everyone felt a bit baffled. In their puzzlement, they stepped forward one by one to take the stone. "This is yours." Shen Qing walked up to the soldier. Seeing Shen Qing''s robust aura, the soldier realized that his cultivation might be not low. Hence, compared to others, his demeanor became much more respectful. Shen Qing accepted the Merit Stone and examined it closely. S§×arch* The N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The Merit Stone was black, somewhat smooth, with a cool touch, and contained traces of thin Spiritual Energy. At its very center was engraved a large "D" character. The soldier casually explained, "This Merit Stone can absorb Evil Qi. The more people you kill, the heavier the Evil Qi in this Merit Stone becomes, and the more merits you have. The Jing Luan Assembly measures merits with these Merit Stones." The soldier chuckled suddenly, adding pointedly, "Of course, even if the Evil Qi in your Merit Stone isn''t heavy, having a lot of them is still acceptable." Having many? Shen Qing instantly grasped the implied meaning of the soldier''s words. Everyone is assigned one, but if you have many, you can only snatch them from others. As for how to snatch them? Shen Qing surmised that in this Jing Luan Assembly, it is likely that you kill the other party to seize their Merit Stones. Holding back his thoughts, he slightly bowed his hands and proceeded towards District "D" as indicated by the soldier. As Shen Qing passed by the center of the camp, he noticed a high platform built there, with a large chair placed on it, and a middle-aged man sitting in the chair. His gaze was condescending, intimidating without anger. As Shen Qing observed the middle-aged man above, the man inadvertently glanced at him. A powerful force enveloped his body, causing him to tremble all over. Just from that look, Shen Qing felt as if his consciousness was being torn apart. This cultivation, clearly, was that of a Great Power in the Void Wandering Realm!!! For the Jing Luan Assembly, the court even dispatched a Great Power in the Void Wandering Realm here! No wonder no one dared to act recklessly in the camp. With such a figure on guard, anyone with malicious intentions would be courting death. Shen Qing''s heart was pounding. Immediately, he quickly retracted his gaze, not daring to look any longer. He obediently proceeded to the "D" area of the camp, found an empty spot, and sat down to meditate. Soon, others from Yongzhou also gradually arrived, gathering together and sitting down cross-legged. After traveling a long distance, these people all appeared dusty and travel-worn, looking very disheveled. The conditions in the camp were far from good, essentially non-existent. Scattered tents and raised houses were mostly privately owned, occupied by some people with guards outside. The rest were all empty spaces. There wasn''t even a single blade of grass, trampled until it was clean. When it was noon, each person was given a bun, as hard as a rock, biting into it might knock out a tooth, leaving one speechless. As the camp became more crowded, most people had emotionless faces, taut expressions, looking like misfortunate souls. The many officials from Yongzhou felt pressured seeing so many martial masters. Gathering around County Chancellor Dou Wenxi and County Supervisor Yan Xushou as initially discussed, they asked, "What should we do next, esteemed sirs?" County Chancellor Dou Wenxi responded with a somber face, "Just now, when everyone received their Merit Stones, you all heard; this thing can absorb Evil Qi; the more people you kill, the stronger the Evil Qi. However, the soldier never said who you are supposed to kill¡­" Upon hearing this, the officials from Yongzhou contemplated briefly and all looked disturbed. County Chancellor Dou Wenxi''s implication was clear: for battle merits, you could kill the Yellow Heaven Sect traitors, or you can kill our own people too; the key is a no-holds-barred approach. "If we can think of this point, so can others. Therefore, we must absolutely not fall into disarray at this time. Although we seem unfortunate, having many people here, is it not an advantage for us?" After hearing this, the others nodded in agreement. "That''s the logic; many hands make light work; a single chopstick breaks easily, but a bundle of chopsticks is not easily broken." County Supervisor Yan Xushou gestured to the surrounding martial masters, stating, "Look at those scattered groups from other cities, to put it bluntly, the opening of the Jing Luan Assembly marks their death day. In such chaotic circumstances, being alone is a grave mistake!" Chapter 337 - 21 Proactively Surrendering County Supervisor Yan Xushou''s words sent a shock through many, making their expressions turn more serious. The martial masters from Yongzhou on the outskirts, upon hearing Yan Xushou''s opinions, subconsciously wanted to draw closer. They feared being isolated and inevitably falling into danger, so everyone instinctively sought to band together. Seeing this, Prefecture Chief Dou Wenxi and County Supervisor Yan Xushou revealed a knowing smile. This was the outcome they desired. At the moment, everyone was in unfamiliar territory. Although their cultivation was at the Innate Realm, standing out among the many martial masters from Yongzhou like a crane amongst chickens, in the grand scheme of the Jingluan Assembly, there were always higher heavens and higher mountains; many possessed cultivation far exceeding theirs. Furthermore, cultivation did not equate to everything. Some individuals were formidable fighters, skilled in killing and knowing many techniques to take life. With their ability to turn one part cultivation into two parts strength, slaughtering martial masters advanced than themselves was not impossible. If many joined them, their chances of survival in this Jingluan Assembly would undoubtedly increase. Shen Qing stood to one side, quietly observing all this without voicing an opinion and making an effort to reduce his presence. In recent days, he had made quite a name for himself in Yongzhou. If he wished, these people from Yongzhou would surely look to him for leadership. Before he had a clear understanding of the situation here, he did not wish to rashly stand out; otherwise, he might become a target of collective hostility and be targeted by other small groups. Though there is strength in numbers, it still depends on the timing. It was not too late to form a group once the situation here became clearer. While Shen Qing was weighing the pros and cons internally, someone next to him suggested, "My lords, I see many others from different cities who are still alone. Why don''t we communicate with them and persuade them to join our ranks? By increasing our allies, won''t we be safer?" "You make a good point," Prefecture Chief Dou Wenxi, with eyes lighting up, said, "Now is the perfect time to invite these like-minded individuals since the Jingluan Assembly has not yet fully commenced." "Then let''s not delay. We have nothing else to do now, so let''s start moving. Let''s recruit as many as we can," an official quickly stood up and said. "Okay." After determining their course of action, the people of Yongzhou immediately got to work and began to actively recruit others. Many martial masters in the vicinity, while feeling at a loss, saw the forming group and did not hesitate to join upon invitation. The stir from Yongzhou set off a chain reaction; other cities also had the same idea, each forming their own group or organization. The camp suddenly became bustling with activity. Seeing the number of joiners increasing, Prefecture Chief Dou Wenxi and County Supervisor Yan Xushou started setting two rules. First, do no harm to one another. Before the final stages of the Jingluan Assembly, they must not slay each other over Merit Stones; Second, obey unified commands and move in sync. The martial masters who joined must follow the directives of Dou Wenxi and Yan Xushou without acting on their own. Many were at a loss in this newly formed team. They found these two rules reasonable and agreed upon them. "Chief Officer Shen, do you have any suggestions for our small group?" Prefecture Chief Dou Wenxi, pleased with the growth of the group and feeling a sense of security, thought the Jingluan Assembly was not so frightening anymore. Looking at Shen Qing again, he no longer had the same reservations as before. However, considering Shen Qing''s formidable past achievements, he did not disregard his presence and took the initiative to ask for his opinions. Shen Qing preferred to keep a low profile and did not wish to stand out too much, so he gave a perfunctory response, "I''m just a rash man who knows only about fighting and killing. It''s better for you, my lords, to decide on such matters." Hearing this, Prefecture Chief Dou Wenxi''s impression of Shen Qing improved further. He said with satisfaction, "If Chief Officer Shen has any thoughts, please feel free to share them with us." "Of course." Once Prefecture Chief Dou Wenxi was sure that Shen Qing had no intention of intervening, he turned and began discussing the next moves within the Jingluan Assembly with County Supervisor Yan Xushou. Just then, a few people in the crowd witnessed the exchange between Dou Wenxi and Shen Qing. "Who is that man?" The speaker was a woman dressed in black practice clothes with a long sword at her waist, standing tall like a young leopardess, full of agility. Upon closer inspection, it was clear that her beautiful face carried an air of practicability and decisiveness. The young man she addressed replied, "Boss, just a moment; I''ll ask the people from Yongzhou." "Alright, make it thorough." Moments later, the young man returned and said, "Boss, I''ve found out. That man is the Chief Officer of both the Yongzhou Guard Martial Arts Bureau and the Military Department, a ruthlessly efficient man. It''s said he single-handedly slaughtered the demons from the west to the east of the city, without blinking an eye." "Without blinking, wouldn''t his eyes get dry?" "Uh..." The young man was somewhat perplexed. "Never mind, don''t fuss over such trivial matters; let''s go over and greet him. I see those two lords from Yongzhou treat this Chief Officer quite differently." "What''s different?" The woman thought for a while and said, "I see a hint of apprehension in their eyes." "Apprehension?" "Yes, apprehension." The woman''s eyebrows slightly knit as she said, "He must be very strong. It can''t be bad to make friends with him." "Boss, whatever you say goes. We''ll listen to you." The woman, leading two subordinates, made her way through the crowd to Shen Qing, clasped her hands and introduced herself, "I am Shao Hongling from the Chai Gang of Lu''an Prefecture. May I know how to address the lord?" The Chai Gang of Lu''an Prefecture? Shen Qing was somewhat taken aback by this woman who took the initiative to approach him. Unsure of her intentions, he casually replied, "From Yongzhou, Shen Qing." "So it''s Lord Shen in person," Shao Hongling said. "My apologies for the oversight." Shen Qing had a good memory. Hearing the name Lu''an Prefecture, he felt it was familiar; he recalled that Li Linfeng''s hometown was there. His aunt and Li Linfeng had gone to Lu''an Prefecture to take refuge years ago. Time had flown; it had already been three years, and he wondered how they were faring. He asked Shao Hongling, "Are you from Lu''an Prefecture?" "Indeed. Does the lord also know of Lu''an Prefecture?" Shao Hongling was somewhat surprised. Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Lu''an Prefecture was a small city, rather inconspicuous among the eight hundred and ten cities of the Great Zhou. Shen Qing continued, neither confirming nor denying, "Have you ever heard of a martial master named Li Linfeng there?" Shao Hongling shook her head, "Perhaps I am not well-informed, but I have not heard of such a person in Lu''an Prefecture." Li Linfeng must have changed his and his aunt''s surnames to stay hidden. This reply was within Shen Qing''s expectations. Shao Hongling cautiously probed, parting her red lips, "Lord Shen, life and death are unpredictable in the upcoming Jingluan Assembly. May I know if my few companions and I could follow your lead?" Chapter 338 - 22 Noble Son "With me, you''re either in or out?" "Yes." Shen Qing''s eyes flickered with an unusual light upon hearing this, "Haven''t you already joined the team? Why are you still seeking me out?" Shao Hongling smiled, revealing two adorable dimples as she spoke, "Lu''an Prefecture is a small place lacking capable people. Even if we join this team, no one is likely to take us seriously. We, who come from Jianghu, don''t understand many rules, but we know that to protect ourselves, we must find a powerful backer." Her statement was straightforward, without any hint of concealment. "So you''ve turned to me as your backer?" "Yes, of course. If you are unwilling, we will leave immediately and not bother you further." Shen Qing pondered for a moment, then asked, "What are your cultivation levels?" Seeing that Shen Qing did not have the intention of distancing herself, Shao Hongling felt delighted and joyfully said, "I am in the Qi Cultivation Realm. The two behind me are A Da and Xiao Man, who are still in the strengthening realm. I believe they too can be of help to you." Their cultivation levels here were quite lowly regarded. Shen Qing curiously inquired, "You are also quite beautiful. How did a woman like you end up in the Jing Luan Assembly?" Female martial artists were not absent in the Jing Luan Assembly, but given it involved warfare, men predominantly filled its ranks, making someone like Shao Hongling a rare sight. Shen Qing scrutinized Shao Hongling''s graceful figure and voluptuous curves; her bosom was particularly hefty, no less than that of a lactating woman. As for her beauty, it was stunning¡ªher brows as if painted, high nose bridge, and naturally red lips. Perhaps due to her practicing martial arts, her skin was not overly pale but still fairer than most. Her entire body exuded a sense of strength. If comparisons had to be made, she somewhat resembled the fitness women he had seen in his past life. Curvaceous. "This affair can only be blamed on myself," Shao Hongling commented with a hint of helplessness and a wry smile. Through her words, Shen Qing gradually learned that it was exactly because of her beauty that she found herself in the Jing Luan Assembly. The Shao Family in Lu''an Prefecture was part of the Chai Gang, a family of dozens of people¡ªthough not exceedingly wealthy, they managed a peaceful life with some fame locally. Had Shao Hongling been of average looks, perhaps no one would have bothered her. But her striking beauty was her downfall. The local County Magistrate coveted her beauty, repeatedly asking for her hand to make her a concubine. But Shao Hongling, pampered from childhood and stubborn by nature, refused to marry someone old enough to be her father. Therefore, she did not sway under the County Magistrate''s threats and temptations and chose to remain defiant to death. Over time, the annoyed County Magistrate made life difficult for the Shao family. Just then, a vacancy for a martial master opened in Lu''an Prefecture, and so the County Magistrate recommended her to Jing Luan Assembly, leading to her current predicament. S§×ar?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Aren''t you afraid I''ll have the same intentions as that County Magistrate if you seek me out actively?" Shen Qing swept his gaze over Shao Hongling. Shao Hongling said frankly, "Actually, on my way to Danzhou, many showed their interest, mostly drawn by my looks, wishing to bed me, but I rejected them. If you wish for the same, I''m afraid I have no strength to resist; I might have to comply. After all, you are a handsome man, a talented individual, I wouldn''t consider it a loss even if it''s before my death." "¡­" The people from the old Shen Family, not to mention other qualities, certainly did not lack in looks. Moreover, now he had cultivated a certain dignity over the years that made him even more outstanding. After Shao Hongling put it that way, it made it seem as if Shen Qing was at a disadvantage, leaving him momentarily lost for words. "Look up! The sky!" Suddenly, an outburst of amazement came from the crowd. Shen Qing and the others looked up to the heavens. There, myriad dazzling rainbow lights streaked across the sky like divine signs under the firmament. Each ray of rainbow light enveloped a person. This was the Rainbow Light maneuvered by Innate Martial Masters! Every one of them was an Innate Martial Master. What was more shocking was that these powerhouses were not alone; they were collectively escorting an extravagant sedan chair. The sedan chair, ornately carved with intricate patterns and glowing radiantly, was supported by the Rainbow Light of these Innate Martial Masters as they moved forward together. A flag fluttered behind the sedan chair, embroidered with the vigorous character ''Bai''. "They''re from the Capital Family!" People who knew better instantly recognized the identity of the group. The one sitting inside the sedan was the Bai Family Heir, and those above the Rainbow Light were his guards, Innate Realm experts. The main characters of the Jingluan Assembly, the noble sons, had arrived. The people on the ground, looking at the trails of Rainbow Light, revealed expressions of envy on their faces. Every time the Jingluan Assembly took place, it was a moment for these individuals to shine. Just as everyone was astonished by the display of the Bai Family Heir, another series of whooshing sounds came from the sky. One after another, even grander presences arrived, with beautifully decorated sedans driving up one after the other. Each sedan bore a flag, respectively marked with the surnames of major families such as the Su Family, Wang Family, Zhao Family, and Xue Family. The sky became a stage for these great families to demonstrate their strength, with beams of Rainbow Light crisscrossing, competing covertly. Among the well-known families, it wasn''t just the Princely Heirs arriving; other talented young lords and ladies also came in groups. For instance, the Wang Family came in five sedans. That is to say, including the Wang Family Heir, five young masters arrived, representing the pinnacle of their family. The Cui Family and Xie Family also arrived in large numbers. Each of these young masters had four or five guards assisting them by their side. At first glance, all possessed cultivation not less than that of the Innate Realm. There were even a few families accompanied by experts from the Spirit Void Realm. The procession was formidable. They descended into the camp. Where they landed, without needing guards to clear the way, the martial artists on the ground naturally kept their distance, leaving a large open space. The young lords emerged from the sedans one by one. Dressed in splendid brocades, these noble family offspring had an extraordinary presence, followed by their respective guards. This sight made everyone present hold their breath in awe, with a surge of indescribable fear on their faces, not daring to provoke them. As many noble sons entered the camp, the guards, dressed in splendid armor, hastily moved about like hawks, busy registering their lords and ladies, collecting Merit Stones, and handling other formalities. Among the group from the Xue Family, Xue Bai wore an elegant long robe, with Ancient Jade hanging from his waist, his eyes looking disdainful. "Well, if it isn''t Xue Bai, the scholarly young man from the Xue Family? Why are you personally here this time to grab territory for your family?" Xue Bai looked up to see Wang Yichen, the fifth young master of the Wang Family, approaching slowly with a somewhat cynical smile. Wang Yichen, dressed in brocade and wearing a jade crown, every move he made displayed the extravagance of a noble son, his words carried a hint of mockery. Xue Bai was slightly displeased, "I come if I want to come, what''s it to you!" Wang Yichen was momentarily stunned, obviously not expecting Xue Bai to respond so bluntly, and he snorted and walked away. "Relying on the Wang Family''s numbers to act so arrogantly, you''ll suffer later on." "Big young master, I heard that after this Jingluan Assembly, Wang Family is aiming to take over forty percent of the positions in various states and counties, we can''t let our guard down." Every Jingluan Assembly, many officials die, leaving many vacancies. This represents a rare opportunity for the major families to reshuffle, and they approach it with strong purpose. "I know," Xue Bai said seriously, "tell me, have the people from Yongzhou arrived yet?" "Yes young master, they have arrived, right over there," a guard pointed. Xue Bai looked in the direction indicated by the guard, seeing many martial artists gathered together, numbering no less than four to five hundred, "Why are there more people than we expected?" "Big young master, the people from Yongzhou have formed a group, uniting with the nearby martial artists." Xue Bai''s expression darkened. His younger brother had died in Yongzhou. This time, the martial artists from Yongzhou were the prime target of the Xue Family''s attention. He said coldly, "The more they gather, the more trouble we''ll have dealing with them later. We must divide them, can''t let them be united." With that, he strode towards the direction of the people from Yongzhou. Chapter 339 - 23: Estrangement, Individual Choices The noble family heirs in the camp were as dazzling as stars. Their appearance was like a boulder dropping into a lake, stirring up waves. A thin layer of frost involuntarily settled on the hearts of the people from Yongzhou, with tense and complex expressions crossing their faces. Those present were well aware that in the upcoming Jing Luan Assembly, these heirs would be the main players, while they would merely serve as the backdrop. Once the Jing Luan Assembly commenced, these noble heirs would certainly attack them without hesitation. If they wished to survive, they would need to step over the bodies of these heirs. But how could that be possible? There wasn''t a single weakling surrounding the noble heirs. Most of them were Jianghu martial artists traveling the world, aiming for great achievements, or they were Protectors from their familial backgrounds. The momentum each person carried was like mountains in motion, making it difficult for others to keep up. Attempting to defeat these guards with their cultivation was merely wishful thinking. The atmosphere in the camp suddenly became much more oppressive. "Miss, what shall we do?" A Da, the young man behind Shao Hongling, said seriously. Shao Hongling glanced at Shen Qing with implied meaning and said, "With Lord Shen''s assistance, we won''t be in trouble." Shen Qing sensed Shao Hongling''s cautious probing of his attitude. Seeing Shao Hongling''s candidness, he replied calmly, "When the Jing Luan Assembly begins, stay close to me." In Shen Qing''s view, although the guards by these noble heirs'' sides had somewhat high cultivation, most were still at the Innate Realm, which was inferior to him. There were a few Spirit Void Realm experts, but he was confident he could protect himself. Taking one or two people with him posed no problem. Shao Hongling, seeing Shen Qing''s attitude, felt a weight lifted from her heart and said excitedly, "Thank you, sir. We are willing to serve you faithfully and follow you to the end." A Da and Xiao Man behind her couldn''t help but show some joy as well. Many people had gathered in the camp, and Shao Hongling''s actions were also noticed by several martial masters who had just joined from Yongzhou. They regretted not thinking of this earlier and falling behind. Seeing the arrival of the noble heirs, they worried about their own safety and also wanted to seek shelter from the strong. Some martial masters, having inquired about Shen Qing''s past, came to his side. "I, Zhang San, have long heard of your great name, sir. Today, I come to pledge my allegiance and wish to follow you through the thick and thin in this Jing Luan Assembly!" Sear?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "We are the same, willing to serve you faithfully!" Shen Qing looked at the martial masters in front of him and furrowed his brow slightly. He hadn''t expected such a result. He maintained silence, neither agreeing nor making any promises. Some martial masters, being thick-skinned, assumed Shen Qing agreed and stood directly behind him, with others following suit. In a mere moment, there were five or six more people around him. Suddenly, a commotion arose among the Yongzhou crowd, and someone shouted, "Look, the young master of the Xue Family is coming toward us." With these words, Prefecture Governor Dou Wenxi, County Supervisor Yan Xushou, and others from Yongzhou looked up to see Xue Bai approaching slowly with two guards, and their expressions changed immediately. Some timid folks turned pale with fear, their hearts pounding like drums. Xue Bai stood before Yongzhou, looking at the hundreds of people there and more martial masters gathering continuously, feeling displeased. These were martial masters with cultivation; if they united, it would be quite troublesome to deal with them, impacting the Xue Family''s gains in the Jing Luan Assembly. Xue Bai focused, fixing his gaze on the Yongzhou crowd. He keenly spotted Shen Qing standing not far away. Participating in the Jing Luan Assembly this time, he hadn''t been arrogant or dismissive, but made ample preparations. Regarding the prominent figure from Yongzhou, he couldn''t possibly overlook him. In his eyes, Shen Qing, the Two Department Chief, was the greatest threat among the people from Yongzhou. His rapid rise was remarkably monstrous. This time at the Jing Luan Assembly, who knows what kind of ace Shen Qing might have up his sleeve? Leaving him in Yongzhou was not a good thing. However, he had already devised a brilliant plan for these people, his smile widening as he approached. Wherever he passed, people moved aside automatically, clearing a path. Xue Bai stopped in front of Shen Qing, speaking condescendingly, "You are Shen Qing, the Two Department Chief of the Guardian Martial Department, right?" Shen Qing replied calmly, "Yes." "I''ve long admired your great name." Xue Bai''s lips curled into a sneer and he said, "I''ve heard of your deeds in Yongzhou even from far in the Capital. If I''m not mistaken, was my third brother killed by you?" Shen Qing''s heart skipped a beat. Had the other party already found out? No, that''s impossible. I acted after breaking through with the Da Xu Technique, utilizing the Traceless Skill, and was very careful without leaving any traces. Yongzhou itself couldn''t uncover anything. It''s even more impossible for the Capital, thousands of miles away. This Xue Family young master is trying to test me! Shen Qing quickly made his judgment, vehemently denying, "The matter concerning your brother has absolutely nothing to do with me! Without evidence, young master, please don''t make baseless accusations!" "I''m making baseless accusations?" Xue Bai laughed, "Do you think I would have approached you if I weren''t fully confident?" Shen Qing snorted coldly, "I said there''s no connection, so there''s none. If your assurance is just mere talk, then you might as well say whatever you wish." Chapter 340 - 23 Division, Individual Choices_2 "Truly a sharp tongue." Shen Qing didn''t know Xue Bai''s purpose, but at this moment, he was more certain that Xue Bai didn''t have a complete grasp of the situation. The Jing Luan Assembly hasn''t started yet, and with a Great Power presiding in the camp, no one dares to act recklessly. If Xue Bai were truly sure that he was the one who killed Xue Yan, he would wait until after the Jing Luan Assembly starts to mention it. At that time, they could act and seize the opportunity to take his life. Bringing it up now would only alert him and make him more prepared. And indeed, just as Shen Qing thought, Xue Bai didn''t actually know who killed Xue Yan. Nor did Xue Bai want to know. In his view, everyone from Yongzhou must die, and who killed whom was no longer important. He had another purpose in pointing it out now. Xue Bai straightened his back, stood tall, and turned to look at Prefecture Chief Dou Wenxi and County Supervisor Yan Xushou, among others, and said loudly, "I presume you all know the reason you''re here today. Today, I can show you a path to survival, how about it?" Dou Wenxi and Yan Xushou''s eyes lit up as they asked, "What path to survival does Mr. Xue speak of?" "I have found out that the real murderer of my third brother is none other than Shen Qing. If today you are willing to take the initiative to cut ties with him, then after the Jing Luan Assembly begins, I will only kill Shen Qing. And you, I will spare." After saying this, Xue Bai''s gaze slowly swept over each person''s face, seeing their varied expressions, feeling somewhat smug. "The Jing Luan Assembly is about to commence, you don''t have much time. Consider carefully whether life is more important or so-called honor. When the time comes, after the Jing Luan Assembly begins, give me your answers." With that, Xue Bai turned sharply and walked away. Prefecture Chief Dou Wenxi and County Supervisor Yan Xushou exchanged a glance, and like the others, couldn''t help but feel some hesitance. To them, their relationship with Shen Qing was not one of life-and-death solidarity. Even if there were difficulties in the future, Shen Qing might not definitely help them. If they could secure a way out, wouldn''t that be better? On the side, Shen Qing witnessed everything, and in his mind, the words "sow discord" immediately came to mind. So this was the purpose. This young master of the Xue family deliberately stirred trouble after seeing so many people gathered here in Yongzhou. On the one hand, it made the people of Yongzhou hesitate, and on the other hand, made those Jianghu martial artists and officials from other counties newly associated with Yongzhou aware of the grudge between Yongzhou and the Xue family, prompting them to reassess the pros and cons. With just a few words, he skillfully shifted the balance, saving them much trouble. A clever trick. Zhang San and the others who had just joined Shen Qing looked at each other. S§×ar?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. They hadn''t expected Shen Qing to have such a history with the renowned Xue family, lamenting in their hearts. This was no reliable backing, but clearly a calamity. And this great calamity was something they sought out themselves. Martial artist Zhang San recalled how Shen Qing hadn''t accepted him when he pledged allegiance, and he hurriedly said, "My cultivation is lowly, and earlier when I sought refuge, the lord remained silent, surely thinking little of someone like me. In that case, I won''t impose myself. Farewell!" Zhang San clasped his fists and, with a look of loss, distanced himself from Shen Qing. With him taking the lead, other martial artists quickly followed suit, each finding similar excuses to leave. In the blink of an eye, Shen Qing was once again left with no one behind him, the rapid change leaving one stunned. A Da and Xiao Man exchanged a glance. Xiao Man couldn''t resist tugging on Shao Hongling''s sleeve, whispering, "Miss..." His meaning was clear, hoping Shao Hongling would leave and not court trouble. Shao Hongling remained unmoved, saying, "Sharing in good fortune, not in hardship, where in the world is such a good deal? Do you think these people can hide forever? It''s just a matter of time." "If we are all to die, why trouble ourselves? When I, Shao Hongling, say one thing, I mean one thing; I''ve pledged my life and won''t take it lightly. If you want to leave, then go." "Since I implicate you, I already feel guilty, and I''m not in a position to demand anything. If you can live a few more days, that''s good too." A Da and Xiao Man''s expressions became anxious, quickly saying, "The young lady saved our lives, how can we live on with our heads hung low? Wherever the young lady is, we are there." Shen Qing, hearing the conversation between Shao Hongling and her servants, couldn''t help but look at Shao Hongling with newfound respect. He thought Shao Hongling would be like the others, but she turned out to be of such temperament. But of course. If she weren''t of such a steadfast character, she wouldn''t have ended up in this plight. In contrast to Shao Hongling''s firmness, Dou Wenxi and Yan Xushou were clearly wavering. Dou Wenxi coughed lightly, speaking with a calculating tone, "Shen Qing is no ordinary man, and to give him up easily might bring disaster upon us. Moreover, our small group is just forming, and if we hastily cut ties with him, it might make us appear disloyal." "So, what does Lord Dou think we should do?" Yan Xushou asked quietly, stepping forward. Dou Wenxi said, "Before the Jing Luan Assembly begins, we should first stabilize Shen Qing and the martial artists from the other cities, maneuvering in the middle. Once the assembly starts, we can play the good cop, then secretly find someone to play the bad cop. We can claim to ''follow the will of the people'' and cut ties with him. This way, we can stabilize the martial artists without making enemies with the Xue family." "Wonderful. This approach is indeed not to be rushed. A good strategy." "Then let''s go, we shall seek out Shen Qing and offer reassurances." Yan Xushou nodded, and with their plans set, he and Dou Wenxi walked over to Shen Qing together. "Lord Shen." Shen Qing lifted his eyes and said, "Are you two here to cut ties with me?" "How could that be?" Dou Wenxi quickly clasped his hands, saying, "Though we have no grand ambitions, neither are we such heartless and unscrupulous people." Yan Xushou followed closely, saying, "Xue Bai''s words are merely meant to break our trust. How could we, having traveled with Lord Shen, be shaken by mere rumors? We are determined to weather the storm with Lord Shen, through thick and thin." Shen Qing''s gaze drifted between the two men''s faces. During the demon incident in Yongzhou, both had taken a detached stance as if it didn''t concern them. He couldn''t believe they had changed their nature after joining the Jing Luan Assembly. "You two... truly won''t sever ties with me as the young master of the Xue family suggests?" Shen Qing asked with a half-smile, "After all, as he said, the Xue family is willing to offer you a way out." "Who can say if the Xue family''s words are true?" Dou Wenxi stepped forward, lightly placing his hands on Shen Qing''s shoulders, "We will not fall for their tricks. Rest assured." Shen Qing''s eyes flickered to Dou Wenxi''s hands on his shoulders as he played along with a smile, "Your generosity is commendable; this Jing Luan Assembly is perilous. Whatever happens, I, Shen Qing, will do my utmost." "Good." Dou Wenxi said, "Lord Shen, attend to your matters; I will console the others." "Do as you wish." Watching Dou Wenxi and Yan Xushou leave, the smile on Shen Qing''s face gradually faded, not believing a word they said, treating it as nonsense. Time passed day by day, and in the blink of an eye, another seven days went by. Martial artists from all around gradually stopped arriving. At this time, each person was given a simple map, inscribed with various routes leading directly to Danzhou and those cities seized by the Huangtian Sect. According to the soldiers distributing the maps, the people in the camp could choose different routes to advance and engage, until only a hundred remain as the final count. At that time, the record stones in the hands of the survivors will emit a pillar of light, signaling the imperial court to fetch them. Boom! The Great Power sitting in the middle of the camp leaped into the air, with a blinding light emerging in the sky. Everyone''s hearts surged; they knew the Jing Luan Assembly was about to begin. The oppressive atmosphere in the camp reached its peak. Out of tens of thousands of martial artists, only a hundred would remain; no one knew whether they''d survive. Chapter 342 - 24: Opening of the Jing Luan Assembly, One Arrow Slays the Innate_2 """ He looked directly at Prefecture Chief Dou Wenxi and County Supervisor Yan Xushou, asking assertively, "Lord Dou, Lord Yan, how have you both considered my proposal? My time is extremely tight right now." Currently, without a Prefectural Governor in Yongzhou, the two held the highest rank. In Xue Bai''s view, these two people should have a say, and others should follow their lead. Dou Wenxi stood tall, with a righteous look between his eyebrows, he said, "Mr. Xue, don''t delude yourself about this; if you want to kill or maim, just go ahead." Yan Xushou also expressed righteous indignation, echoing, "Indeed, even at the cost of our lives, we will not commit such acts of betrayal." "Huh?" Seeing the indignant expressions of the two, Xue Bai''s face showed a trace of surprise. The development of the situation was somewhat different from his prediction; he had not expected Prefecture Chief Dou Wenxi and County Supervisor Yan Xushou to be so principled, completely beyond his expectations. In that case, he would have to use some effort to deal with these people who did not know their place. This made him inexplicably annoyed, generating dissatisfaction within him. At this moment, there was a commotion in the crowd, and a man in a gray short outfit stood out. He mustered his courage and shouted loudly, "My lords, don''t. I beg your pardon, if you insist on saving Shen Qing, what position will that leave the other brothers in the city? They come to you for safety, and if you can''t assure that, why should they endure hardships with us?" Dou Wenxi and Yan Xushou showed difficulty: "Is this what you all think?" "Exactly, I hope my lords do not stray from the path and put us into danger for just one person." "My lords, let us cut ties with Shen Qing as Lord Xue said. If Lord Xue can be lenient and spare us, then everyone will have a better chance of survival. Why should we live or die with Shen Qing?" One martial master after another stood out to "advise," making Dou Wenxi and Yan Xushou even more "troubled." S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Seeing that "the tide of sentiment could not be reversed," Dou Wenxi paused, eventually made a hard decision saying, "It is difficult to go against public opinion, it is difficult indeed. The current situation is beyond what we can reverse, and for the safety of more people, we have no choice but to compromise. Lord Shen, we are sorry." He raised his head, looked at Xue Bai, and said with a heavy, painful voice: "Things have come to this point, although we are unwilling, we must consider the greater good. Lord Xue, we are willing to cut ties with Shen Qing, just hoping you can keep your promise and spare us." At this moment, Xue Bai finally understood what game Dou Wenxi and Yan Xushou were playing. They truly lived up to their reputation as seasoned officials; between their performance, they managed to clean their hands of him completely. Simultaneously, it also ruined much of the effectiveness of his plan to sow discord. In his plans, if Dou Wenxi, Yan Xushou, and others in Yongzhou confirmed to abandon Shen Qing, then with just a bit of his guidance, those in Yongzhou, as well as the martial masters newly joined here, would definitely turn against each other. Just imagine, if people like Shen Qing were abandoned even by Dou Wenxi and Yan Xushou, would others dare say they wouldn''t be discarded by them either? This alone would make these people end up as a scattered mess. Unexpectedly, Dou Wenxi, Yan Xushou, and others from Yongzhou dissolved his plot between their back-and-forth. Forced by the safety of others, having no other choice but to abandon Shen Qing, it became a completely different matter. But better than nothing, eliminating Shen Qing is not bad either. Xue Bai''s mouth showed a satisfied smile, he nodded slowly and said, "I, as the young master, will keep my promise. As long as you don''t side with Shen Qing, I, as the young master, will ensure your safety." "That''s good." Dou Wenxi and Yan Xushou looked at Shen Qing and said, "Lord Shen, we''re sorry, we don''t want this either but we have to sacrifice you to protect everyone." Shen Qing, standing among the crowd, found Dou Wenxi and Yan Xushou''s poor acting amusing. He saw through this little trick very clearly. That was fine. Without these burdens, he could freely create havoc. Shen Qing chuckled, "Since we aren''t on the same path, I don''t mind. Choose whichever way makes you happy." As he spoke, Shen Qing silently removed the treasure bow from his back. When Dou Wenxi, Yan Xushou, and others from Yongzhou saw Shen Qing being so calm, they couldn''t help but feel surprised. They thought Shen Qing was being too arrogant. The Xue family had six innate martial masters, how could he counter them alone? Shao Hongling and the others exchanged glances, drawing their swords and standing by Shen Qing. "My lord..." Xue Bai glanced Shen Qing up and down, seeing him calm and collected, he clapped his hands, "Chief Inspector Shen''s reputation really precedes him. Seeing him today, truly extraordinary." "I didn''t expect the Xue family to be skilled in such divisive tactics either, but today I''ve witnessed it firsthand." Shen Qing said with a smile, holding up the bow. Xue Bai paused in his actions, sneering at Shen Qing holding the bow, "Send Lord Shen on his way, give him some dignity." "Yes, young master." Among the many guards of the Xue family, a middle-aged martial master stepped forward, declaring his name, "I am Guan Canghai, here to claim Lord Shen''s head. It might hurt a bit, I ask for your understanding, Lord Shen." After saying this, a brilliant light burst from his body, dazzling like the first light on the horizon. Then, with a sweep of his sleeve, a green, emerald-like treasure sword flew from his sleeve, which he grabbed. He leapt, riding the gale, rushing towards Shen Qing. The overwhelming pressure unique to innate experts spread out, rolling down towards the surroundings. The spectators around were all dumbfounded. Dou Wenxi, Yan Xushou, and others from Yongzhou thought it would be hard for Shen Qing to escape death this time. This Guan Canghai''s cultivation was not just at the innate level, he might well be at the peak of innate stage, possibly stepping into the Spiritual Void realm. The strength of the Xue family left them all in fear. However, facing the terrifying power of Guan Canghai, Shen Qing merely smiled calmly, without a trace of panic. After all, it was only the innate level and couldn''t be compared to the Spiritual Void realm. Shen Qing stretched his arms like a monkey climbing a branch, the spiritual power in his body surging, activating the ultimate limit-breaking Archery Technique of the Heaven Bow [Shooting the Sun]. In an instant, the treasure bow shone brilliantly, like the awakening of an ancient deity. As Shen Qing slowly drew the bowstring, the spiritual energy of heaven and earth gathered around him, gradually condensing into a red-gold arrow, radiantly dazzling. "Kill!" Shen Qing gave a low shout, releasing his fingers lightly. The red-gold arrow emitted a domineering power, shooting towards Guan Canghai. Guan Canghai''s face showed shock, his expression frozen. He felt like his entire body was locked by a powerful aura, unable to move, watching helplessly as the golden arrow got closer and closer to him. At the last moment, the brilliance intensified, completely engulfing him. Boom! A deafening explosion sounded in mid-air. The treasure sword broke. The arrow, unstoppable, pierced through Guan Canghai''s chest, exploding in his chest. Just a moment ago, a living person was shattered into pieces, leaving no remains. Silence. Deathly silence. Everyone present was stunned, unable to believe their eyes. This single arrow upended all their understanding and judgments. When did the world have such a terrifying archery technique that could kill an innate expert with one shot? No one could fathom it. Shen Qing stood holding the bow, "So weak, I thought you had a great ability, didn''t expect you couldn''t even withstand the strength of one arrow from me, still talking about taking my head, really boasting." Xue Bai panicked, overawed by Shen Qing''s aura, "You... how could this be?" "Maybe you''re not used to me shooting down one of your guards. Don''t worry, I''ll shoot a few more now, you''ll get used to it." Shen Qing rose into the air, stepping on the breeze, activating the Whale Devour Technique, spiritual energy surged, forming vortices of spiritual energy hovering in front of him. "This spiritual power... it''s the cultivation of the Spiritual Void realm!" someone shouted. """ Chapter 343 - 25 Kill! The Young Master of the Xue Family is Dead! "How is this possible!" Prefecture Chief Dou Wenxi and County Supervisor Yan Xushou were left in a daze, their minds blank, unable to process what they had just witnessed. In their memory, Shen Qing had only recently broken through to the Innate Realm. How could he have broken through again in such a short time? To know, a typical martial master would take at least a decade to break through from the Innate Realm to the Spirit Void Realm. Even for exceptionally talented noble sons, who grew up immersed in medicinal baths, breaking through to the Spirit Void Realm was exceedingly difficult. With the assistance of numerous external factors, they would still need at least two to three years. And this was a privilege only afforded to those from exceedingly influential backgrounds with outstanding gifts. What did Shen Qing have? Just a year ago, he was nothing more than a mere dispatch officer. Even in their presence, he was someone not worth noting. To have achieved such heights in such a short time was utterly unbelievable. Not only were they, even Xue Bai was shocked by the sudden turn of events. He looked at Shen Qing, suspended in midair, meeting eyes as fierce as a beast''s, causing alarm bells to ring in his mind, his hair standing on end. The intense killing intent permeated, causing the temperature of the world to plummet as if winter had suddenly descended. Feeling the immense danger, Xue Bai shouted harshly, "Kill him, quickly, kill him!" The guards at his side looked at Shen Qing and couldn''t help but feel a heavy weight in their hearts. In their eyes, the noble family protectors in the Jingluan Assembly were the greatest opponents; to make a name for themselves and be rewarded, all they had to do was defeat these noble sons. Never did they expect, at the commencement of the Jingluan Assembly, before they even encountered those noble sons, they''d run into solid ground. Shen Qing''s appearance had thoroughly disrupted their original expectations and plans for the Jingluan Assembly. "What are you waiting for? Kill him! Or do I have to wait for my father to come and twist off your heads before you come to your senses?" With a fierce determination on their faces, encouraged and spurred by Xue Bai''s roar, the guards charged towards Shen Qing together. They dared not be careless, each bringing out their most hidden skills. The sky was suddenly painted with brilliant colors, captivating the eye. The aura of the Innate Realm continuously reverberated from the sky. sea??h th§× N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. A calm smile appeared on Shen Qing''s face, with no hint of fear. Holding the treasure bow in both hands, he drew it to a full moon. In an instant, a dazzling beam of light leapt from his fingertips, forming into an unparalleled arrow. Countless spiritual energies gathered around him, the light growing intensely bright, as if all the world''s radiance was gathered here, dimming the heavens and earth. Seeing the moment was right, Shen Qing''s gaze sharpened, and he decisively released the taut bowstring. The arrow, imbued with heavenly spiritual power, burst forth from the bowstring with a world-shattering force, descending upon the five charging Innate Martial Masters. The gust howled in the wind. Xue Bai''s guards hurriedly deployed Light Shields to defend against the fearsome arrow. However, the Light Shields crumbled under its impact, like fragile bubbles, utterly powerless. "Poof..." A distinct light sound echoed. The light arrow burst through the shield, continuing its path unimpeded, piercing the chest of the frontmost martial master. Scorching energy wreaked havoc within him. The next moment, the conceited Innate Martial Master outside let out a painful howl. The light arrow exploded, engulfing the entire body of the martial master in a radiant light. The remaining martial masters became aware of the terrifying power contained within Shen Qing''s arrow, realizing and shouting, "Run quickly, we are no match for him." "Hmph! Isn''t it a bit too late to flee now?" Shen Qing snorted coldly, his actions unceasing as he once again drew the treasure bow, firing shots consecutively. "Whizz whizz whizz!" Arrows formed from spiritual power shot continuously from the bowstring, transforming into a rain of arrows, each containing a force capable of shaking mountains and rivers. In this dense storm of arrows, the guards trying to flee had no place to hide. All four were simultaneously pierced through their vital points, their bodies erupting into vibrant blooms of blood, falling powerlessly and utterly lifeless. The scene fell into a deathly silence. Everyone stared at Shen Qing in stunned disbelief, mouths slightly agape. Especially those from Yongzhou, as if seeing again the domineering image of Shen Qing slaughtering demons. "Younger Master, let''s go quickly." Xue Bai''s face had turned deathly pale as he stood on the ground. He had brought six Innate Martial Masters, yet in a single encounter, five were dead. Only one guard remained by his side. It''s over! Xue Bai realized that his Jingluan Assembly had ended before it even began. Moreover, they had provoked a deity of slaughter, posing a grave threat to their lives. He dared not linger, gritting his teeth and turning to flee. The last remaining Innate Martial Master activated all his spiritual power, cascading rays of light erupting from around him, carrying Xue Bai as they dashed forward. "Earlier you promised to avenge your brother! Where are you going now?" Shen Qing activated the Da Xu Technique, stepping forward a hundred meters in a single bound. Within a few breaths, he reached Xue Bai''s back. "Stay here!" Shen Qing''s right hand shone with a brilliant gold, becoming supremely illusory as he extended it, unleashing the Da Xu Hand. In the distant void, a pair of golden hands appeared and seized Xue Bai and his companions firmly within their grasp. The guard, terrified, resisted with all his might. The spiritual power within him surged, rumbling like a mighty river in furious flow. Chapter 344 - 25 Kill! The young master of the Xue Family is dead!_2 "Ah!" The guard shouted, his entire body glowing. Cracks appeared on the surface of the Da Xu Hand, until finally, it shattered with a boom. He broke free from the ground with Xue Bai. However, before he could rejoice, a crimson-gold arrow had already shot right in front of him, piercing through his forehead with precision, extinguishing his life force. His body instantly seemed to lose its support, falling powerlessly with Xue Bai from midair. Xue Bai''s cultivation was no more than the Jade Link Realm; he hadn''t even condensed a "Dan Ying," so he definitely couldn''t fly. But he was born into a noble family, and his physical foundation was very well established, so even falling from such a height to the ground didn''t harm him. He crawled up in a mess, disregarding everything else, and fled desperately through the mountain forest. Unfortunately, this was destined to be a futile struggle. Shen Qing released his Divine Sense, locking onto Xue Bai, and swiftly crossed over to land in front of him, blocking his path. Shen Qing looked him up and down and said, "Why are you running? Don''t you want to avenge your brother?" Xue Bai forced a smile that was uglier than crying and said, "I was just talking nonsense. How could it be you who killed my brother?" Shen Qing grinned and said, "Actually, you weren''t wrong. I did kill your brother." Xue Bai''s expression froze for a moment, clearly not expecting this outcome. For a moment, his throat went dry, not knowing what to say. "Forget it, talking more with you is pointless. Anyway, given the chaos of the Jing Luan Assembly now, I doubt you''d survive three days with that brain of yours. As they say, ''early death, early transcendence,'' dying sooner is better than later. I''ve always been one to help others, so I''ll send you to the afterlife today." With that, Shen Qing raised a finger, gathering Qi to form a sharp light that shot toward Xue Bai''s forehead. "No... my father is here... you..." Xue Bai shouted, trying to resist and evade. But at such a short distance, with his meager cultivation, he didn''t even have time to react. With a muffled sound. The crimson-gold light burst from the back of Xue Bai''s head, countless red and white things exploding out, splattering all over the ground, undeniably dead. With a thud. Xue Bai''s body fell straight backward. Shen Qing remained emotionless, pulling out his Merit Stone, discovering an indistinct blood-red glow surrounding it. This was something that hadn''t been there before. Indeed, killing seemed to tally merit. Shen Qing studied it for a while but found no secrets, so he put the Merit Stone back in his pouch, directing his gaze toward Xue Yan and others. He quickly rummaged through Xue Bai and his guard, then transformed into a Rainbow Light and swiftly vanished. Returning to the original gathering place, Shen Qing suddenly noticed that everyone''s attention was focused on him, the atmosphere subtly changing. Shao Hongling and others approached, a glimmer of surprise in their eyes, cautiously asking, "Lord Shen, they..." "As you can see," Shen Qing responded straightforwardly, "they''re all dead." "Ah..." A Da and Xiao Man behind Shao Hongling gasped in astonishment. They couldn''t have imagined that as soon as the Jing Luan Assembly began, a noble son died so arbitrarily. The lord before them was indeed formidable. Shen Qing dispassionately remarked, "It''s just a few kills, what''s the big deal? Everyone dies in the end." A Da signaled to the other Yongzhou group, saying, "Earlier those people came over wanting to apologize, Lord Shen, what do you think..." "Apologize for what?" "They wanted to cut ties with you earlier, now they want to apologize for it." "Oh." Shen Qing shook his head, "Tell them there''s no need, I never took it to heart." "Are you accepting them back then?" "Of course not." Shen Qing gave A Da and Xiao Man a glance, "I meant, from beginning to end, I didn''t care about them. Their life or death is irrelevant to me, let''s go!" As Shen Qing turned to leave, Prefecture Chief Dou Wenxi and County Supervisor Yan Xushou, along with the Yongzhou crowd, hurriedly ran over, calling out while running, "Lord Shen, Lord Shen." They stopped Shen Qing in his tracks. Shen Qing paused, calmly asking, "What do you mean by this, gentlemen?" Prefecture Chief Dou Wenxi clasped his fists, speaking with extreme politeness, "Lord Shen, you see, with all the Xue Family members dead, no one to provoke matters anymore, why doesn''t Lord Shen rejoin our group so we can tackle the Jing Luan Assembly together? Surely more people mean better odds?" Shao Hongling couldn''t bear it any longer, stepping forward and sneering, "You really have no shame to say that. It was you who wanted to cut ties with Lord Shen initially, and now you''re shamelessly begging him back? What, do you treat Lord Shen like a subordinate to be summoned at will? Ridiculous. You''ve managed to outdo yourselves in both good and bad deeds." After Shen Qing had slain the Xue Family almost effortlessly, these people saw benefits and began to curry favor, their previously haughty and now humble attitude disgusted her. "We had no choice, it''s hard to go against public will." County Supervisor Yan Xushou quickly added, "Moreover, we didn''t do anything difficult to Lord Shen, in the end, he didn''t have any trouble killing the Xue family, right?" "So by this logic, you abandoning him should be something Lord Shen is grateful for?" Shao Hongling stared wide-eyed, "Honestly, I''ve never seen such shameless people!" Yan Xushou''s face reddened, too embarrassed to speak. Shen Qing calmly said, "I, Shen, prefer a little peace. For the sake of our colleagueship, I won''t make things difficult for you. Take care of yourselves." Seeing Shen Qing''s firm attitude, Yan Xushou and Dou Wenxi deflated like punctured balloons, returning dejectedly to their group. As soon as they returned, a middle-aged man stepped forward and asked, "What did he say? Did he agree?" Yan Xushou shook his head. Someone complained, "Sigh... we shouldn''t have acted so hastily." "Who could have guessed he had such hidden depths, reaching this level of cultivation in no time?" "What do we do next?" "Let''s leave this place first," Yan Xushou suggested, "I don''t think it''ll be long before the supervisory troops arrive; it''s not safe to stay here." "Supervisory troops as well?" Yan Xushou explained, "In a normal Jing Luan Assembly, we only need to fight; there wouldn''t be so many routes. But this year''s is focused on rebellion suppression, so there will be supervisory troops to enforce combat against the Huangtian Sect. In other words, right now, we''re no different from soldiers on the battlefield, just without military constraints." "Once the supervisory troops arrive, we might not risk our lives, but it won''t be pleasant. Look, the noble families'' teams have already left early." "Is it really like that?" Looking around, they saw it was indeed so. "This time, only by killing enough Huangtian Sect rebels will merit and achievements stand out; they must be well-informed." "Let''s leave quickly." sea??h th§× N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Yan Xushou and others looked at Shen Qing and his group, who were looting the corpses, feeling regretful. They all knew they had missed a valuable opportunity. "They''ve gone," Xiao Man remarked. "Hmm." Shen Qing gathered all the spoils from the Xue family, including numerous Willpower Orbs and pills. He bundled them up and handed them to Shao Hongling, saying, "Let''s go as well." "Which way should we go?" "Any route will do." Shen Qing carefully recalled the contents of the map, realizing every route had noble sons choosing it, meaning they would inevitably encounter other noble sons regardless of their choice. "Let''s go." Shen Qing waved his large hand, leading Shao Hongling and the three swiftly away, heading toward the hills ahead. Once they left, several small martial masters without roots followed in Shen Qing''s direction, seemingly wanting to seek refuge. Chapter 345 - 26 Shen Xiaohu, Church Envoy Shen The Jing Luan Assembly had just begun when a noble son was lost! Had he not witnessed it with his own eyes, he would have certainly not believed it. Hanging high in the sky, the Martial Master Lan Gongliang from the Kongyou Realm looked toward the distant Shen Qing who was fleeing into the hills, his face revealing a trace of astonishment. It was known that in previous years, the heirs of noble families were surrounded by abundant talents and were akin to clouds of experts. Ordinary lower-tier martial masters couldn''t even begin to compare with them. For a noble son to suffer a loss at the beginning of an event like the Jing Luan Assembly was indeed unprecedented. After all, reaching the Spirit Void Realm in cultivation was considered exceptional in Great Zhou Country, ranking among the forefront. It was as difficult as scaling the heavens for a lower-tier martial master to achieve this level without relying on the court''s resources. Let alone, the age of the opponent appeared so young. Lan Gongliang''s eyes flashed, fixating on the direction Shen Qing had departed, seemingly deep in thought. Within the rolling hills, sensing the sharp gaze on his back, Shen Qing turned around to look, locking eyes with Lan Gongliang, who was suspended in the air at the Kongyou Realm level. Pfft! A stabbing pain, akin to that of a needle prick, surged through Shen Qing''s mind, causing a momentary dazedness to his spirit. Had his Divine Sense not been strong, he may well have fallen backwards. So powerful was the Kongyou Realm. Shen Qing averted his gaze, suppressing the shock in his heart, and quickly led Shao Hongling and the other two away. ... In Dan Zhou, within a mansion''s scripture hall. Incense smoke curled up from the burner, weaving through the intricately carved beams and painted rafters. It mingled with the intermittent chanting coming from deep within the hall. The chanting was uniform and resounding, spreading far and wide over the mansion. At that moment, the mansion''s door gently opened, and a figure dressed as a sect member hurried in, waiting outside the scripture hall for a short while before being granted permission to enter. He looked around and saw that the disciples sat on their cushions in meditation, all with closed eyes, deeply engrossed in their practices. Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. A powerful aura of Belief Energy circulated in the air. At the very center of the scripture hall, a young man, adorned with a Daoist crown and dressed in dark cyan Daoist robes, sat on an ancient cushion. In his hands, he gently held a slightly glowing copy of the "Huang Tian Dao Scripture," sometimes closing his eyes in contemplation, at others revealing a transcendent temperament as he opened them. The sect member, clad in coarse linen clothing, took a deep breath, mustered his courage, stepped forward, and spoke softly, "Sect Master Shen." The young man gave a small nod, gesturing for him to wait, and continued to immerse himself in the world of scripture until the waves in his heart gradually calmed. Then he slowly put down the scripture scroll and said, "Why such urgency to see me? There are numerous affairs in the church daily; unless it''s urgent, it can be discussed and resolved with other envoys." If Shen Qing were to see this young man, he would undoubtedly be astonished. This person was none other than Shen Xiaohu who, by a twist of fate, had joined the Huang Tian Sect. After several years of striving, he had quietly risen to become the Church Envoy of the Huang Tian Sect in the Dan Zhou region. Talented and promising. Compared to his past naivety and cluelessness. Several years of experience had clearly made him much more mature and composed. The Sect Member glanced at the many believers in front of Shen Xiaohu with a hesitant expression. Shen Xiaohu, upon seeing this, waved a hand. From his sleeve shot a yellow glow. That was a talisman inscribed with runes. With a single hand forming a spell, the yellow talisman spun in midair with a flicker and burst forth with strands of yellow light, enveloping both him and that disciple of the Huang Tian Sect. The chanting within the hall came to an abrupt halt. "This is a Silence Talisman I specially concocted," said Shen Xiaohu. "It can completely block sound from inside and out. Whatever is said within it won''t be heard outside. You may speak now." "Yes," replied the Sect Member with crossed hands, performing a greeting unique to the Huang Tian Sect, and continued, "Envoy Master Shen, I''ve just received an urgent oral message from the Commander. The Ji Family Emperor has ordered the inception of the Jing Luan Assembly, and his enormous army is rapidly advancing towards Dan Zhou, aiming to swiftly conquer this place. The Commander has specifically instructed in the letter that Envoy Master must hold Dan Zhou for at least one month because, according to secret reports, there may soon be a Spirit Mechanism descending here, which is of utmost importance to our Huang Tian Sect." Shen Xiaohu expressed his surprise, "A Spirit Mechanism is to descend here?" "The Commander has said so, although he was not certain, just that there was a very high probability. Hence, he only asked for you to hold for a month." Shen Xiaohu fell into deep thought. Over the years, the Huang Tian Sect had initially had great success in seizing lands of the Spirit Mechanism, but gradually, the Qintian Bureau and Mountain Sea Department of the Great Zhou Court also set their sights on these lands. Apart from battling demons, they had to be wary of the people from the Zhou Country Court when they wanted to collect Spirit Essence. If a Spirit Mechanism were to descend here, the Qintian Bureau and Mountain Sea Department of Great Zhou would certainly not stand idly by. Thinking this through, the possibility of a Spirit Mechanism land appearing seemed likely, yet the likelihood was probably not very high. "Did the Commander mention anything else?" Shen Xiaohu asked. "Yes, yes, yes," said the Huang Tian disciple, pulling out an object resembling a compass. The compass was studded with yellow flags, with streams of spiritual light continuously flickering from them, becoming dazzling with radiance. "The Commander has also bestowed upon you a mighty killing array," the disciple continued, "said to be powerful enough to refine tens of thousands of martial masters. Should Envoy Master face Great Zhou''s martial masters and find it impossible to resist, this array can be deployed to refine them." Hearing these words, a hint of pleasure flashed in Shen Xiaohu''s eyes. A killing array had been sent as well. That was excellent, as it saved him a great deal of trouble. He gently caressed the scripture scroll in his hand, pondering to himself, "The lands of the Spirit Mechanism are ethereal, something countless martial cultivators dream of. Should one truly appear here, demons would surely arise, and together with the Ji Family Dynasty''s Qintian Bureau and the tens of thousands of Jing Luan Assembly martial masters, my forces here would probably be incapable of defense, to say nothing of Xue Zhao waiting ominously at the sidelines." "But with the killing array, everything changes. Combined with my crafted Flying Charm Martial Mechanism Bombs, it should suffice to defend Dan Zhou for a while." "First, hold out for a month and then see. If it''s not possible, then abandon the city and retreat." After settling his thoughts, Shen Xiaohu instructed, "Issue an order, on the Commander''s command, all Sect Members and the Huang Tian messengers in Dan Zhou are to immediately prepare, strengthen defenses, and concurrently summon the Sect''s elite forces to prepare for the enemy and to set up the killing array in Yongzhou City." "Yes, Envoy Master," replied the disciple. Having received the order, the servitor of the Huang Tian Sect hurriedly left to carry out Shen Xiaohu''s arrangements. Seeing the disciple leave, Shen Xiaohu beckoned with one hand. The talisman hovering in midair and radiating splendor immediately began to rotate, drawn back into his hand. The silence barrier he had established slowly dissipated. Shen Xiaohu looked at the now slightly dimmed runes with a reluctant sigh, seemingly somewhat distressed. He stowed the talisman away in his sleeve and once again closed his eyes, silently reciting scripture in his mind. Within the grand hall, with Shen Xiaohu''s continuous recitations, an intangible power of will slowly gathered above the heads of everyone present. Chapter 346 - 27: Dividing the Spoils of War, Hidden Agendas The setting sun was like blood. The vast hills were tinted with a golden hue. Shen Qing and his companions kept moving forward without pause. "Lord Shen," A Da whispered, pointing behind them, "they are still following us." Hearing this, Shen Qing didn''t stop; he just slightly turned his head and saw the figures discreetly trailing them. These martial masters, in groups of twos and threes, maintained a distance as they followed. Every time Shen Qing glanced at them, their eyes carried a tinge of ingratiation. Shen Qing inwardly sneered, fully aware of their intentions. Just moments ago, he had slain Lord Xue with the force of thunder, drawing considerable attention. Having seen his cultivation and capabilities, these people were eager to pledge allegiance to him. Among them, there might be some trustworthy individuals, but Shen Qing had little interest in spending more time and energy to communicate and accept them, as it would only create unnecessary trouble for himself. "Don''t bother with them," said Shen Qing indifferently. A Da nodded silently and said nothing more as he quickened his pace to keep up with Shen Qing. With a thought, Shen Qing decided to shake off these followers. He activated the Da Xu Technique, stirring the spiritual power within his body. Streams of rosy light burst forth from him, weaving into ribbons around Shao Hongling and the other two. Shen Qing soared up with a leap, carrying Shao Hongling and the others as they flew forward with the wind, quickly disappearing into the wilderness. The martial masters trailing behind them looked at each other, their desire gradually replaced by a feeling of unease. "What do we do now?" someone asked in panic. A leader-like martial master''s eyes glittered with reluctance. He murmured, "Hmph, since we''ve come this far, there''s no turning back. We chase after them. Even if we can''t join them, following in his footsteps will certainly be safer." "When the opportunity arises later, we will definitely show him our resolve." "That makes sense. Let''s hurry, or we''ll never catch up." After a low discussion, they quickly pursued. The Jing Luan Assembly had prepared seven routes, all starting from the camp and converging at Dan Zhou. This effectively covered all the areas between the camp and Dan Zhou, a vast region. It provided plenty of geographical space for the numerous participating martial masters to avoid premature conflicts and also allowed the cleaning up of the Huang Tian Sect''s forces near Dan Zhou before converging and attacking the city. It was a strategy that killed two birds with one stone. The route chosen by Shen Qing was an ordinary, long road that required passing through several mountains and numerous towns and villages. These towns and villages were not linearly connected but were scattered along the route. This also reduced their chances of encountering noble sons. Within these towns and villages, there were likely many traces of the Huang Tian Sect, enough for them to establish merit. As the last ray of the setting sun was swallowed by the distant mountains, Shen Qing slowed down. He released his Divine Sense and found a cave. Besides that, he detected no signs of human activity. "We''ve traveled hard all day; let''s rest in this cave tonight," Shen Qing casually said. Shao Hongling and the others looked to Shen Qing for direction, naturally having no objections. S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. After Shen Qing confirmed the location, he spurred his spiritual power and landed at the entrance of the cave. The entrance to the cave was narrow and hidden, only wide enough for a person to stoop through, and appeared quite small. However, upon entering the cave, the scene before them suddenly opened up; the interior space expanded significantly. The high dome and naturally sculpted walls exuded an untamed beastly breath and wildness. Looking around, Shen Qing noticed weeds covering the ground, signifying that some beast had once inhabited the place, though it had since been abandoned. With a single gesture, Shen Qing pointed at the cave ceiling and used his Spiritual Power to form a small pit. He took out a Sunlight Stone and activated his Spiritual Power. In his palm, the ordinary stone emitted a faint white glow, dispelling the darkness within the cave. With a casual toss, the Sunlight Stone embedded itself precisely into the ceiling. "Now that there is no pressing matter, we might as well distribute the items we obtained from the Xue Family," said Shen Qing, echoing through the vast cave. His words were brief, but they resonated like a command, stirring ripples in the hearts of Shao Hongling and the others. "My lord, this¡­ might this be somewhat inappropriate?" Shao Hongling hesitated, clearly surprised by Shen Qing''s suggestion. They had indeed gained a substantial haul from the journey, but it was all thanks to Shen Qing''s efforts; they had no part in it. Even if they were given none, they could hardly complain. However, in Shen Qing''s view, since they had willingly followed him early on with resolute determination, they were his people. Honor given to me is returned tenfold. Offenses against me are repaid threefold. He always distinguished clearly between gratitude and grudges. Shen Qing raised his head and calmly surveyed the three individuals present before saying, "You didn''t come here to die. If there''s an opportunity, you might as well give it your all; you could wind up with riches and honors. I, Shen Qing, never mistreat those by my side." A Da and Xiao Man glanced at Shao Hongling, following his lead and eager to hear what he would say. After a moment of contemplation, Shao Hongling agreed, "Then, I thank you, my lord." Shen Qing opened the bundle on the ground, revealing the spoils from the Xue Family. The Merit Stones, distributed before the Jing Luan Assembly began, were items of utmost importance during the assembly. According to one of the soldiers, even if one''s own Merit Stone lacked sufficient Evil Qi, having enough stones would still be recognized. This meant that a Merit Stone was a sought-after item during the Jing Luan Assembly. There were seven people from the Xue Family, including servants, totaling seven Merit Stones. Shen Qing took four for himself, leaving one for Shao Hongling and the others to share. Since Shao Hongling and the others hadn''t earned any, they naturally had no objections. in addition to the Merit Stones, there were also numerous Desire Power Pearls, various Elixirs, treasure and other valuable items. There were more than forty Desire Power Pearls, over a dozen bottles of Elixirs, seven Refining Pearl Technique Jade Plates, protective treasure armor, and various weapons among other things. Shen Qing selected seventy percent for himself, leaving the rest to be evenly distributed among Shao Hongling and the others. Seeing these treasures, smiles nearly covered the faces of A Da and Xiao Man. Hailing from a humble background, acquiring any one of these items would normally be incredibly difficult for them. During the Jing Luan Assembly where strife was frequent, the Xue Family carried many valuable items for protection; now all those benefits fell into their hands. Even the usually stern Shao Hongling could hardly contain his joy upon seeing these items. A Da suddenly said, "Lord Shen, if we continue slaughtering our way through the Jing Luan Assembly and survive, could the accumulated spoils make us as wealthy as a nation?" Shen Qing smiled and replied, "Any martial master has some resources to their name, and none would hold back this time. If you survive, you can indeed become as wealthy as a nation. Moreover, don''t forget, surviving means you can enter the temple, access the Imperial Armory, obtain Martial Mechanisms, and prove longevity¡ªsuch a fortune is priceless." "Longevity¡­ that''s too distant for us." Shao Hongling stared at the two Merit Stones in her hands, suddenly contemplative. Lord Shen had shown her kindness, and just being under his protection was already a great favor. She felt that she couldn''t take advantage like this. After the Jing Luan Assembly ended, if she were still alive, she planned not to keep any Merit Stones, giving them all to Lord Shen. Perhaps with these Merit Stones, Lord Shen could rank among the top and be granted a marquisate in no time. Chapter 347 - 28: Accident in the Woods Deep in the mountains, the lingering twilight intertwined with the rising moonlight, accompanied by the chorus of insects and frogs. Shen Qing and the others each took out some dry provisions they had brought with them and made do with a few bites in the cave. Such were the conditions in the wild mountains and ridges, nothing more to be had. Shen Qing couldn''t help thinking that it would have been nice to have a Storage Bag, so he wouldn''t look so destitute while out in the countryside. Unfortunately, it appeared that the concept of a Storage Bag did not exist in this world, which he found somewhat regrettable. After taking a water bladder and guzzling a few mouthfuls, Shen Qing looked at Shao Hongling and the others and asked, "What are your thoughts on our next move?" A Da and Xiao Man shook their heads self-mockingly and said, "With our level of cultivation, it''s a bit of a stretch to say we can protect ourselves, let alone have any plans. We naturally listen to Lord Shen and the young lady." Shao Hongling pondered for a moment, then pointed to the endpoint on the map and said, "Lord Shen, why don''t we hurry along and reach the intersection of these routes as quickly as possible, then find a concealed place to hide and wait at ease." "The Jing Luan Assembly first looks for the hundred survivors, and only then does it determine ranking by military achievements. So, in my view, as long as we hide among the top hundred, it''s not a loss. And by the time of the final battle, those martial masters who survived will surely have accumulated considerable merits. If we seize the opportunities then, it would be like getting twice the results with half the effort." Shen Qing nodded, agreeing, "You make a lot of sense, and I have the same thought." In his eyes, this Jing Luan Assembly was not much different from his previous life''s "chicken eating" game; it was all a matter of strategy. Now his cultivation had broken through to the Spirit Void Realm. With such cultivation, he couldn''t necessarily do as he pleased in the Jing Luan Assembly, but there were indeed few who could threaten him. If he continued to play it safe, he would surely be in an impregnable position. For him, the Jing Luan Assembly could very well be an excellent opportunity to become a Marquis. "Rest well tonight, and we''ll hit the road tomorrow, heading west." "Yes, my lord." Shen Qing gave some more instructions about the journey, and then the conversation ceased. Shao Hongling and the others gradually drifted to sleep, while Shen Qing cultivated seriously, as usual, refining the Wish Power Pearls he had seized. Spiritual Energy surrounded him. A night passed without incident. When the next day dawned, a ray of golden light streamed into the cave. Shen Qing slowly opened his eyes and exhaled a long breath of turbid air. After a night of cultivation, he felt refreshed and in a better state than ever before. Outside the cave, a large bird with colorful feathers perched on a branch, chirping away. The others awoke, and Xiao Man, surprised to see the bird, commented, "That bird is beautiful." No sooner had he spoken, Thwack! A searing beam of energy shot over his head and struck the fat bird. The bird''s head exploded with a dull sound, and its lifeless body fell to the ground. Shen Qing approached and picked up the bird, noticing it was indeed sizable, about half the size of a chicken. He said with satisfaction, "Not bad at all, you''re in for a treat. We''ll roast it and eat it in a bit." Xiao Man hadn''t expected such a casual remark from him to result in Shen Qing so swiftly killing the bird and was at a loss for words. Even after many years without entering the mountains to hunt, Shen Qing, with his hunter origins, found dealing with such birds almost effortless. Shen Qing quickly set up the fat bird on the skewer, sprinkled some salt, and roasted it. After a short wait, a wisp of smoke carrying a tempting aroma began to drift lazily through the air. The fat bird''s skin was roasted to a golden, crispy finish. Shen Qing tore off a piece, the meat inside still maintaining its tenderness. "Eat up," Shen Qing joked. "Consider yourselves lucky. With me here, you won''t go hungry in the deep mountains." Shao Hongling and company woke up and, without any hesitation, tore into the meat and began eating earnestly. It had to be said that Shen Qing''s cooking skills were indeed impressive. A large fat bird was quickly picked clean by them, leaving behind nothing but a skeletal frame. A Da brought some earth to douse the campfire, extinguishing the fire in the mountains. ... In the distant woods, a group of martial masters was desperately running for their lives. Their clothes had long been torn by tree branches, revealing streaks of blood, and their shoes had been lost at some point, forcing them to run barefoot over thorns and jagged stones. "Faster! Move faster!" A man''s shout suddenly erupted in the woods, his tone fraught with urgency. Shang Jin glanced back and saw shadows swarming behind him, relentlessly pursuing him. Continuous pained groans and the dull thuds of bodies hitting the ground came from their party. But Shang Jin showed not a moment''s hesitation or pause, leading the others in a desperate sprint forward. They were from Great Zhou''s Northern Moonlight City. Their original plan was to hide near the starting area, to lay low for a while. However, they had not anticipated the supervision team arriving just as it started to get light, pulling them from their hiding spot. After a fierce battle, their squad suffered heavy losses, with only a few surviving. To make matters worse, after being found by the supervision team, they encountered two more teams one after another. Shang Jin ran, drenched with sweat, completely exhausted from fighting all the way to this point. Despair took hold of his heart. Suddenly, footsteps approached from ahead, causing Shang Jin''s heart to tighten¡ª He stopped quickly and, using the sunlight filtering through the trees, saw three men and a woman blocking their path, their eyes glittering coldly. "Everyone, be careful!" Shang Jin whispered as a warning, while he drew the short knife from his waist, ready for combat. "What should we do next?" someone whispered. Shang Jin was silent for a moment, his mind in turmoil, unable to get a read on these people before him: "I don''t know." Shen Qing sized them up and down, noting their blood-soaked bodies as if they had just returned from a clash. He asked with a frown, "Is there someone else behind you?" Uncertain of Shen Qing''s capabilities, Shang Jin replied, "There are some people." As they spoke, five or six individuals charged over. The leader, upon seeing Shen Qing and his companions, paused briefly, then joyfully exclaimed, "Our luck today is really good; I didn''t expect to run into another group¡ª" Shang Jin quickly interjected, "Be careful. This group is mostly at the Qi Cultivation Realm, and the leader is at the Qi Hai Realm. They''re brutal, and many of our brothers have fallen at their hands." The leader took in Shen Qing''s and others'' attire as well as the bulges at each of their chests, recognizing that they possessed considerable wealth. If they could execute them, there would certainly be a great bounty to claim. Driven by desire, he signaled to his companions with a look. They understood. The leader licked his dry lips, turned silently, and lifted his axe high. The Jing Luan Assembly was a place of constant conflict, where all strangers encountered were walking merits. If they didn''t kill them, they would eventually be killed by them. Might as well take action now. Shen Qing smiled and asked, "Why are you holding your axes so high?" "Nothing much, just killing you, that''s all. Brothers, attack." Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 348 - 29: Human Lives Are as Trifling as Grass Shen Qing remained impassive. Shang Jin had an ominous premonition and hurriedly shouted a warning, "Be careful!" But in the next moment, before he could grasp what was happening, his vision blurred and he saw Shen Qing had already charged to the front of those men, drawing his dagger at his waist. That dagger was so bright, so fast! There was a muffled thud. The martial master at the forefront felt the world spin suddenly, and in a daze, it seemed as though he saw his own headless corpse. Not just him, but several of his companions'' necks also squirted out columns of blood simultaneously, as three huge heads soared into the air. Before the blood could splatter, Shen Qing''s figure shifted, retreating in time. Gurgle, gurgle. Several huge heads tumbled and rolled on the ground in the forest. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Streams of blood-red Evil Qi rose from the bodies and seeped into the Merit Stone nestled in Shen Qing''s chest. The blood-red Evil Qi on the Merit Stone grew a few shades darker. Shen Qing flicked the blood off his dagger''s blade and said nonchalantly to A Da and the others, "Clean up quickly, we need to get ready to leave." A Da and his companion finally snapped to reality and hurriedly advanced to search the corpses. Shen Qing sheathed his long blade, his expression indifferent. He knew that once the Jing Luan Assembly began, human life would be as insignificant as weeds¡ªthere could be no mercy like that of a compassionate woman. If one could kill, they should kill; if one could not, they should flee. Only then could one better survive. Standing to the side, Shang Jin and the others couldn''t help but swallow hard, fixating their gaze on Shen Qing. They never imagined that the martial masters who had been chasing them would be killed by Shen Qing so effortlessly, with no chance to fight back. This man was too strong. His cultivation was likely already at the Innate Realm. An audacious thought arose in their minds. Shang Jin stepped forward, knelt before Shen Qing, and said, "I am Shang Jin, Colonel of the city gate of Moonlight City. If you do not disdain it, Sir, I wish to take you as my master, ready to go through fire and water for you, and to die without regret." The Jing Luan Assembly had not been going on for long, and he had already become so wretched. Having experienced the events of this day, Shang Jin knew that the Jing Luan Assembly was filled with formidable experts, and he was not their match. If more time passed, the thought was unbearable. This person had saved his life; it was better to pledge allegiance to him. Shen Qing had not expected the man before him to be a Colonel of the city gate. He looked at Shang Jin and the others with an expressionless face and said, "Do you know that I have killed the young master of the Xue Family, and made an enemy of the Xue Family? Even if I survive this Jing Luan Assembly and go back, life will not be easy. Do you still wish to follow me?" Shock appeared on the faces of those around Shang Jin. Moonlight City was not far from the Capital City, and the people there were well aware of the Xue Family in the Capital City. The head of the Xue Family, Xue Zhao, was the current Great General, commanding a hundred thousand troops. Having killed his son, was there still a way to live afterwards? Upon hearing this from Shen Qing, the people beside Shang Jin began to waver, fearful of being implicated. But to Shen Qing''s surprise, Shang Jin burst into hearty laughter upon hearing this, elated. "What are you so happy about?" He knelt on one knee, with his hands clasped in a fist before him and said, "Sir, you have saved my life. If it were not for you today, I fear I would have perished here. If because of you, the Xue Family seeks revenge, then I will have a chance to repay my debt. How can I not be happy about such a thing?" Hearing these words, the brothers following Shang Jin on either side all showed shame on their faces and lowered their heads one after another. Shen Qing''s face showed some emotion as he took a good look at Shang Jin. He appeared to have thick eyebrows and big eyes, a broad back and a bear-like waist, with a fierce air exuding from his entire body. "I still don''t know how to address you, my lord. I hope you won''t decline and give me a chance to repay your kindness," he said. Shen Qing thought briefly before replying, "Shen Qing from Yongzhou." Surprised, Shang Jin exclaimed, "You are the Chief Officer from Yongzhou who slaughtered all the demons in the city?" "You''ve heard of me?" Shen Qing didn''t expect the affairs of Yongzhou to have spread so far. There were still over a thousand miles between Moonlight City and Yongzhou City. Shang Jin said, "Heard of you? Your feats have become well-known. Not only do we know, but I fear the entire Yunlu County has heard." "Nowadays, the world is changing, and countless demons have emerged. Each of them possesses high cultivation, and we are unable to defend against them. My lord, you single-handedly killed all the demons in a city; aside from those in the temple capital, there are very few who can achieve this." At the time, Shen Qing felt it was nothing out of the ordinary, but to others, it was astonishing, and he found this quite novel. He didn''t delve deeper into the topic and changed the subject, pointing to the beheaded corpses on the ground, "These people don''t seem very strong. Even if you couldn''t defeat them with your cultivation, you shouldn''t be in such disarray, should you?" Shang Jin, with his head bowed and hesitantly said, "The supervision team arrived." "Supervision team?" This was the first time Shen Qing had heard this term. Shang Jin explained, "The purpose of the Jing Luan Assembly this time is to quell the rebellion of the Huang Tian Sect, and we are all considered to be on military campaign. Hence, there will be a supervision team among us, supervising from behind to prevent any of us from seeking shortcuts." "If we stay in one place for more than a day, we will be punished by the supervision team." Shen Qing was slightly taken aback¡ªit was like the ''safe zone'' in the game ''chicken''. The supervision team was constantly pushing their range towards Dan Zhou, forcing them to engage in battle with the Huang Tian Sect and their own martial masters. "I heard that there are important military figures coming to supervise the army this time, which is not good news for us," Shang Jin said candidly. Shen Qing turned back to Shao Hongling and others and said, "In that case, we should not stay here any longer. Let''s set off as soon as possible." Having said that, he turned his head and added, "You come as well." Shang Jin''s face brightened, and he changed his way of address, "Thank you, my lord." After a brief rest, Shang Jin and his group had regained a considerable amount of strength and were moving without hindrance. Before noon, their party of eight set out along the route toward Dan Zhou. Since Shao Hongling and Shang Jin and the others were not of high cultivation and had not yet reached the ability to ride the wind, the whole group, apart from Shen Qing, ran wildly along the way. ... In the camp where the Jingluan Assembly began, a Deputy General clad in armor burst into a tent with a fierce demeanor. Inside the tent, bodies were laid out, emitting bursts of the stench of death. In the center, one body positioned alone was particularly conspicuous. Looking at the corpse of Xue Bai, the Deputy General suddenly became emotional. He clenched his fists, with veins bulging on his arms, and gritted his teeth, "Who did this? Who killed him?" A Kongyou Realm martial master, Lan Gongliang, slightly raised his eyelids and said, "It was the Two Department Chief from Yongzhou, Shen Qing." "Shen Qing?" The Deputy General muttered a few times, then asked, "Which route did he take?" "The third one." Without any hesitation, the Deputy General immediately stood up and commanded, "Pass down my order for the supervision team to focus on the third route. If they encounter the Two Department Chief from Yongzhou, kill without mercy!" A deep male voice from outside the tent answered, "Yes, my lord." "Also, get ready. I, too, will enter the Jingluan Assembly to personally meet this bold individual, to see if they really have three heads and six arms. Otherwise, if the General learns his eldest son died in the Jingluan Assembly, he might command a bloodbath of everyone involved." Chapter 349 - 30 Accidental Encounter with Huang Tian Sect Tick-tock, tick-tock, tick-tock¡­ Rain threads cascaded off the ancient village''s eaves, turning into beads that rolled down the tiles and struck the bluestone pavement, emitting a crisp and melodious sound. Xiao Man carefully stacked the dry wood he had just gathered and kindled a bonfire. The flames leaped, illuminating his focused face, a glint of relief in his eyes. "The rain came so suddenly; it was clear just a moment ago, but then dark clouds gathered and it poured forth, almost turning us into drenched chickens." The brothers huddled close to Shang Jin, sitting beside the bonfire and chimed in, "Thank goodness Lord Shen was here, otherwise we really wouldn''t know what to do in the rain." Whenever Lord Shen''s name came up, their tones filled with gratitude. Had Shen Qing not noticed the change in the weather and used his spiritual power to carry them, finding timely shelter, they would probably still be on the muddy mountain paths, in utter disarray. Shen Qing stood at the doorway, silently listening to their conversation without interjecting. He surveyed the surroundings and realized that many of the big and broken items in the house were not very dusty, and many scattered belongings were left inside, indicating that the homeowners had not evacuated long ago. Shen Qing guessed that many villagers had already heard some news and sensed something amiss, choosing to leave early. Now, they had no idea where these people were taking refuge, perhaps in some deep mountain forest, leaving these houses readily available for them. However, Shen Qing felt that hiding was not very effective. With their abilities as martial masters, if they truly searched, they would definitely be able to find these people. If any martial master in the Jing Luan Assembly wanted to accumulate evil qi, these people wouldn''t be able to hide. Shen Qing looked outside the door, saw the dull weather, and rain curtains like drapes enveloping both distant mountains and nearby fields in a haze, feeling a pang of sympathy for these fellow mountain folk. In the past, when he lived in Hongshan Village, he often heard the elders talk about the past, saying, "Bandits comb through, soldiers rake through." In the villagers'' eyes, soldiers were even scarier than bandits. In reality, they, these cultivating martial masters, were far scarier than those soldiers. Soldiers could be resisted to some extent when they hurt people, but for them, killing these ordinary folks was as easy as slaughtering chickens and dogs. Indiscriminate killing was almost inevitable. Shen Qing did not delve deeper. Inside the house, Shao Hongling and Shang Jin each leaned against one side of the wooden hut, closing their eyes and regulating their breaths. After running around for two consecutive days, they had deeply entered the territory controlled by the Huang Tian Sect, and there might be several fierce battles ahead. They needed to conserve their energy in preparation for any surprises. As the sky gradually darkened, Shang Jin''s spirit recovered, and he voluntarily woke up to take over for Shen Qing. "Call us at once if there''s any rustle of wind or movement of grass." Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Okay." Shang Jin had climbed up from being a city gate guard step by step to a colonel. Guarding was his professional duty; he was adept at such tasks. He knew the current environment was complex and could not be careless. Under Shen Qing''s reminder, he became even more diligent. After handing over, Shen Qing sat back by the bonfire, listening to the continuous outside rain sometimes mixed with thunder, and the cries of unknown beasts in the distant mountains, silently regulating his breath. Hearing the noise, Shao Hongling habitually opened her eyes and ended her meditation. Her cultivation might not be bad in their small place, but she knew very well, in this crouching tiger, hidden dragon Jingluan Assembly, she was not enough. Now, her only reliance was Shen Qing. Luckily, although she was a lady from a prominent family in Lu''an Prefecture, the small place was involved in low-level business, so she didn''t have the delicacy of a real prominent family; she could manage many household chores and miscellaneous tasks. Seeing Shen Qing resting, she took the initiative to prepare food for Shen Qing, doing as much as she could manage. Shen Qing was not resistant, and after back and forth, he also gradually became accustomed to her service, and their relationship grew much closer. Being the only woman among them, and an exceedingly beautiful one at that. Everyone saw the changes in Shao Hongling. Shang Jin and the others hence took careful note internally, avoided any reckless talk, and were very perceptive. The rain was heavy and sudden, lasting an entire night before it barely weakened. After the next day dawned, the rain had completely stopped. At this point, looking around, the distant mountains washed by the rain were lush and vibrant. Vapors hovered among the mountain and countryside. The droplets falling from the eaves struck clear sounds, and the village paths emitted a muddy, earthy smell. But the sky was still overcast, without a glimpse of sunlight. Shen Qing felt the moisture in the air, not likely to rain again soon. They were about two to three hundred miles away from Dan Zhou, and with their speed, it would take approximately two to three more days. He planned to lead everyone to continue on, hoping to reach their destination outside Dan Zhou as soon as possible. Shang Jin and the others naturally followed Shen Qing''s lead, moving forward with him. The group followed the guided route and trekked along a major road. The road after the rain was full of mud, full of footprints. Some of the footprints were even quite fresh. Shen Qing immediately realized that a large group of people had just passed on this road. And judging by the depth of the footprints, there were those among them with high cultivation levels. "Wait a moment." Shen Qing halted, gazing forward, and released his Divine Sense. With the continuous breakthroughs in his Heavenly Bow Technique, Shen Qing''s divine sense had become increasingly sharp and resilient. Within a hundred meters, nothing could escape his perception. Under this cover of divine sense, the surrounding mountain and forest environment was vividly detailed. Each tree, each leaf''s texture was fully detected by him. Shen Qing concentrated and focused his divine sense on the mountain path. Soon, on the muddy path, rows of footprints of varying depths and traces washed by rainwater all clearly appeared in his consciousness. Despite his detailed investigation, within a hundred meters, he found no trace of anyone. What was going on? Shen Qing slightly furrowed his brow. Undeterred, he continued to employ the Tracking Technique, and immediately, footprints of varying colors appeared in his sight. Many of them bore traces of spiritual power. This proved that someone had definitely passed by nearby recently. Something was amiss. "Lord Shen, what''s the matter?" Shang Jin stepped forward to ask. Shen Qing said, "Nothing much, we won''t take this road. Let''s go through the mountains." He had recently broken through to the Spirit Void Realm, and among the many martial masters involved in the Jingluan Assembly, his strength was enough to be ranked near the top. However, he didn''t become arrogant or act recklessly; instead, he was even more cautious. To his knowledge, families like the Cui and Wang had deep roots spanning nearly a thousand years, unlike the newly risen Xue Family which only had decades of history. These families certainly possessed many profound skills; the Xue Family''s weakness did not imply weakness in the others. Shen Qing had noticed signs of people here, but the inability to discern more made him feel uneasy. So, it was better to be more cautious. At Shen Qing''s beckoning, their group entered the forest trail. Raised as a hunter, Shen Qing had roamed these mountains and forests since childhood, not to mention he possessed the Hunting Scripture Martial Arts, making navigating the forest like walking on flat ground for him and leading Shang Jin and the others was effortless. Even more to say, with cultivation, he had become incomparably stronger. He continued to advance cautiously, his spiritual power surging, his figure constantly flashing through the woods. Nowadays, he mastered many martial arts; his primary techniques, the Eight Desolate Annihilation Seal and the Six Path Whale Swallowing Technique, were progressing slowly. Both techniques were nearing the level of the Martial Arts path to the Great Power realm, requiring an understanding of the natural order of heaven and earth, continuously integrating the spiritual energy of the universe to form a primordial spirit in order to breakthrough. The process was rather difficult; in the Great Zhou, no one entering the Primordial Spirit Realm was below a hundred years old; most broke through only around two hundred. If he wanted to break through using these two arts, it would definitely require more dedication and time. On the other hand, Da Xu Technique and Heavenly Bow Technique, which he had been using more frequently recently, were progressing smoothly. These two techniques, one ancient martial art from the Huangfu family and the other a basic bow technique evolved from nothing that doesn''t entail the pathway of the primordial spirit. Once their progress was complete, both could smoothly break through to the next stage. Shen Qing planned to focus his main efforts on these two arts, wanting to see what changes would occur after a breakthrough from a lower-level martial art to its zenith, and also anticipating the potential of the Great Void Shifting Technique refined by the Da Xu Technique. This Jingluan Assembly presented a good opportunity to enhance these two arts. When the time was right, he could leverage the Water Ink Panel to help him break through his current bottleneck, potentially leading to unforeseen results. However, Shen Qing was not in a rush for success; with martial arts, especially, if one blindly seeks progress, it might backfire. After the rain, as Shen Qing led the group along the damp forest path using the Da Xu Technique... Suddenly, deep in the dense forest, a hazy yellow light flickered in and out of visibility like the flame of a candle appearing unusually in the midst of the mist. Shang Jin and others promptly stopped, hiding on the side and whispering curiously, "What is that?" Shen Qing''s expression tightened, and he hastily extended his divine sense to investigate. To his surprise, when his divine sense touched that hazy yellow light, it felt as if it had touched a black hole; all his divine sense was devoured, rendering the space void. Had he not seen it with his own eyes, it would seem as though such abnormality did not exist at all. This greatly astonished Shen Qing. This was, after all, the first time he had encountered such a phenomenon. Shen Qing did not give up; his eyes shone brightly, possessing sharp eyesight. The distant scene appeared to be magnified several times, presenting itself in front of him. Upon a closer look, that beam of light resembled an overturned yellow bowl. Just as he curiously stared, within the yellow light, a ripple emerged, and an individual walked out from the ambiguous yellow light. His arm was wrapped with a yellow cloth strip, and his head was covered with a Yellow Turban. Shen Qing''s expression changed. A Saint! It was someone from the Huang Tian Sect. This was a formation set up by the Huang Tian Sect. They were lying in ambush. Shen Qing''s heart chilled, his eyes narrowing as he scrutinized the figure emerging from the yellow light. The figure had a cold expression, profound eyes, and was enveloped in an indescribable aura. He took the treasure bow from his back, silently signaling his companions to remain vigilant. Chapter 350 - 31 Plan Before Action, Spare No One ``` Shang Jin cautiously stepped forward, lowered his voice, and asked, "Lord Shen, what should we do? Should we circumvent them?" "Let''s observe first," Shen Qing fixed his gaze ahead. He did not expect to encounter members of the Huang Tian Sect so soon after approaching Dan Zhou''s borders, quite unexpected. This Jing Luan Assembly was originally intended to eradicate these rebels and quell the rebellion. These people before them were, in a way, potential merits for them. They were in the open now, while their side was hidden. If their opponents'' strength was mediocre, Shen Qing thought they might as well seize all the merits altogether. Just as Shen Qing was calculating in his heart, a ripple appeared beneath the pale yellow barrier of the Huang Tian Sect ahead. Another Saint emerged from the formation. He caught up to the person in front, the two hooked arms and walked to a concealed spot, then undid their belts and squatted, revealing their naked rears. A series of crackling sounds. One of the Saints muttered, "Do you think we can really encounter those dog thieves here?" "Commander and the others are incredibly wise, they won''t be wrong, just stay put." "Alright then. My stomach was killing me earlier, I dared not move, nearly soiled my pants." "Hey, all the farts must have been yours then? No wonder it smelled so bad." "Don''t blame me, don''t think I don''t know the smelliest one was yours, I even heard it." The two mocked each other, then after a while finished their business, tore off some flat leaves from the bushes to clean up, and, feeling refreshed, pulled up their pants. Just as they were about to return, suddenly someone circled behind them and covered their mouths and noses. They tried to struggle, their throats rolled with terrified growls, but their mouths were tightly covered, unable to make any sound, only faint whimpering. Despite their dullness, they realized they were in trouble. As they were about to plead for mercy, suddenly their bodies involuntarily lifted off the ground, as if pulled by an invisible rope, and swiftly and strangely dragged towards another hidden grove within the mountains. With a muffled clatter. They staggered and were thrown in front of Shen Qing. Shen Qing waved his hand, Shang Jin and one of his subordinates released the two Huang Tian Sect Saints. Shen Qing curled up a faint smile at the corner of his mouth and slowly said, "No rush, I just have a few questions for you." As his lips parted and closed, a cold aura spread, making the two''s scalp tingle, and their whole body feel like it was being pricked by needles. This cultivation, definitely that of a master! The two Huang Tian Sect Saints turned pale, realizing they might be in a deadly situation today. "Huang Tian above, thick earth below, you won''t extract any information from us." One of the Saints gritted his teeth, full of integrity, he tried to shout but just as his mouth opened. A scabbard rudely jammed into his mouth, suppressing his voice to his throat. Shen Qing held the scabbard, his face calm, and said, "I didn''t expect that in just a few years, you''ve changed your slogan, much better than before. Since you don''t want to talk now, then don''t." With a force of his wrist, spiritual power seeped through, churning within the scabbard. "Ah..." The Huang Tian Sect Saint roared like a beast, letting out a muffled painful howl. His teeth were all churned by Shen Qing, his mouth full of blood. The intense pain almost made him faint, and his whole body trembled uncontrollably, shaking like a sieve. Shen Qing turned his head to the other one, asking, "He doesn''t want to talk, what about you?" The questioned Huang Tian Sect Saint''s face instantly turned colorless, pale as paper. "How many of you are there in total, and what''s the highest cultivation?" Shen Qing interrogated. The Huang Tian Sect Saint bowed his head, not daring to look at Shen Qing. "Lift his head, pry his mouth." "Yes." A Da and Xiao Man stepped forward, restraining the Huang Tian Sect Saint. Shen Qing drew the sword closer to the opponent''s mouth. S§×arch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The glittering tip slowly inserted into his mouth. The Huang Tian Sect Saint felt the blade''s chill on his tongue, hurriedly saying, "I''ll talk, I''ll talk." Shen Qing withdrew the sword, smiling, "If you''d done this earlier, it''d have saved a lot of trouble." He stood over the Huang Tian Sect Saint, looking down, "Next, answer what I ask, every three breaths without an answer, I''ll cut a finger off each of your hands." "Alright..." The Huang Tian Sect Saint answered weakly. Through a series of inquiries, Shen Qing finally understood that this was a small detachment sent by the Huang Tian Sect, of just over thirty people, led by a Commander of Qi Hai Realm cultivation. They specifically came to assassinate martial masters participating in the Jing Luan Assembly. From the Huang Tian Sect Saint''s mouth, it was learned that this time the "Huang Tian Sacred Mountain" had noticed movements in Dan Zhou and had sent many formations and magical devices. This group had some of them. Although their cultivation wasn''t high, their strength was indeed formidable. After clear interrogation, Shen Qing had a good grasp of this small detachment of Huang Tian Sect rebels. Time to act. "Lord Shen, what about these people?" Shen Qing glanced and nodded slightly. Shang Jin and the others understood. Without hesitation. Swish! With a swift strike, in the surprised gaze of the opponents, two heads were lopped off. ... In the Huang Tian Sect''s formation. Calmly seated at the center of the formation, as the Commander of this small detachment, Hu Yang coldly observed the passageway down the mountain. According to their judgment, many martial masters would pass through here, making it a good spot for an ambush. A Huang Tian Sect Saint came forward, "Commander, two people left the formation earlier and have yet to return." Hu Yang impatiently waved his hand, "They keep passing wind, must be slacking off and defecating, reluctant to return. Send someone over, whether they''re done or not, call them back, don''t let them delay our task." "As you command." The Huang Tian Sect Saint accepted the order and hurried into the formation. Outside the formation, a crunchy sound suddenly resounded. "What''s going on outside?" No one answered him. Hu Yang frowned, assigning two more Huang Tian Sect Saints to investigate. Crunch. The crunchy sound came once more, then nothing followed. An ominous feeling surged in Hu Yang''s heart, he suppressed the unease and stood up. Cautiously walking out from the formation, upon seeing the scene outside, his face changed. Several corpses lay scattered outside the formation, each with a bloody hole in their chest. Their mouths slightly ajar, eyes wide open, dead without peace. Hu Yang''s body hair stood on end, sensing immense danger. "Danger!" Before he could react, a gust of wind suddenly arose. Hu Yang looked towards it, quickly glimpsing a figure concealed under the shadow of trees, holding a bow and arrow. And the terrifying sound of the wind was from that released light arrow. Hu Yang''s heart clenched, instinctively wanting to turn and flee. But the golden light image already outpaced him, landing before him, aiming directly at his face. Hu Yang roared, "Dare!" In a hurry, he pulled out a self-defense talisman, casting it, yellow tunneling light manifested and protected before him. With a puff. The arrow easily pierced through the self-defense talisman he cast, then accurately skewered Hu Yang''s chest and exploded. Hu Yang felt a wave of pain assaulting, his vision went black, body powerless as it fell backward, eyes gradually losing focus, devoid of life. The myriad Huang Tian Sect Saints within the formation sensed something was wrong, immediately dismantling the concealed formation in preparation to deal with this unexpected change. Seeing that the Huang Tian Sect had completely revealed themselves. Shen Qing no longer hesitated, shouting to those beside him, "Leave none alive!" Upon hearing, Shang Jin, Shao Hongling, and others reacted almost instinctively, charging out. "Kill!" The Huang Tian Sect members, originally ambushing others, couldn''t have imagined they were ambushed by others, utterly incredulous. Without the command of Hu Yang, they were utterly fragmented, unable to form a concerted force. Added to the surprise of the occurrence, the result was a one-sided massacre. Shen Qing''s arrows shot incessantly, his Heavenly Bow Technique reaching mastery, every arrow claiming a life. Screams echoed repeatedly. One Huang Tian Sect Saint gritted his teeth, pulling out a wooden box from his arms, extracting a Martial Mechanism Bomb. But unlike what Shen Qing had seen before, this Martial Mechanism Bomb was covered with various runes. The Huang Tian Sect Saint hoisted the Martial Mechanism Bomb, face contorted fiercely, "All of you die." The rune-covered Martial Arts Thunder soared into the air, lunging towards Shen Qing''s position. Shen Qing''s face changed, hurriedly firing an arrow in hand. Boom! The Martial Arts Thunder exploded midair, an invisible shockwave rippling outward. Caught unprepared, A Da, and others were sent flying. Even Shang Jin staggered two steps. Its power was vastly greater than what Shen Qing had previously encountered. No wonder these people were so audacious, even with such cultivation dared to ambush others. Shen Qing''s face remained stern, hands unchecked. Arrows formed by spiritual power shot continuously. The Heavenly Bow Technique was unparalleled. Each spiritual arrow shone like a tiny sun. Anyone caught by these arrows was either dead or injured. Within just a dozen breaths, this group of Huang Tian Sect Saints was completely wiped out, leaving none alive. Shen Qing shouted to Shao Hongling and the others, "Quickly clean up the battlefield, we must leave immediately." The earlier explosion of the Martial Arts Thunder was quite loud. Shen Qing worried it would attract attention from others. Under his deliberate command, everyone ignored their injuries, swiftly stepping forward to scour the bodies of the many Huang Tian Sect Saints. Shen Qing focused on several triangle flags planted in the ground. Quickly gathering them into his arms, once ensuring nothing was left behind, he swiftly retreated. The forest returned to tranquility, only the cold corpses all over the ground and the lingering blood stains silently narrating the tragic fate of this Huang Tian Sect detachment. After a while, following Shen Qing and the others'' departure, a ray of rainbow light descended from the sky. The rainbow light faded, revealing a general clad in armor. He gazed at the devastation before him, thoughtful. ``` Chapter 351 - 32 Mastering the Array Formation "Are they from the Huang Tian Sect or Saints?" Deputy General He Xiao''s gaze flickered, sweeping over the bodies scattered through the woods, his mind surprised, "It seems that the Huang Tian Sect has noticed something and has started to make their move." He picked a few bodies, briefly searched them. He found that they had been picked clean. And there were no other martial master''s bodies at the scene, indicating that the Jing Luan Assembly''s martial masters had completely won this battle. "This Jing Luan Assembly seems to be quite spectacular, I hope these martial masters who responded to the call can hold out longer and share some of the pressure with the general." Deputy General He Xiao didn''t stay any longer, he stimulated his spiritual power, his body burst into rainbow light, and the next moment he soared into the sky. So far, he still hadn''t found the whereabouts of the Yongzhou Chief, and needed to continue searching farther afield. He needed to find this person. If he''s alive, kill him and take his head to General Xue. If he''s dead, then take the head from his corpse to General Xue. In any case, alive or dead, they needed proof. ¡­ In the woods, Shen Qing was unaware that someone was searching for him. He and Shang Jin and others rushed through the woods. Once they were far enough from the scene of the incident, Shen Qing used his Divine Sense to make sure there were no dangers or powerful enemies approaching, and then he finally stopped. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "There''s a village up ahead, we''ll rest there." "Yes." At Shen Qing''s signal, they lightly touched the tips of their toes and flew forward. Before long, they reached a village. Unlike the last village they encountered, this one had been abandoned for a long time with scarcely any human traces around. Shen Qing and the others found a thatched cottage that was still somewhat intact and went inside. They had just entered the cottage when the gloomy weather began to drizzle. Inside the cottage, dust had accumulated, almost nowhere to step. Shen Qing''s mind moved, his body''s spiritual power surged, and from him as the center, an invisible wave of energy spread out. The debris scattered on the ground was pushed to one side, piling up together. The middle was left clean and tidy. Shen Qing sat down on the ground and said, "Everyone, take a seat and rest, let''s check what we''ve each gained." Hearing this, people gradually sat down beside Shen Qing. The unexpected encounter with the Huang Tian Sect members was almost a giveaway. They hadn''t spent much effort and had completely annihilated them, with no one on their side injured, a total victory. Shen Qing had killed most of the thirty-plus Huang Tian Sect Saints, and the leading Commander had died by his hand. Thus, the Merit Stone in his hand bore the heaviest Evil Qi, the dark stone now showing blood-colored lines, with a denser blood light than before. Apart from him, Shang Jin and Shao Hongling also had some changes in their Merit Stones to a greater or lesser extent. After Shen Qing finished speaking, without any doubt, everyone laid out the items they had taken from the bodies of the Huang Tian Sect, placing them in front of Shen Qing. These people from the Huang Tian Sect mostly came from the lower strata, not carrying much on them. Most of it was just bits and pieces of gold and silver, along with some volumes of the Huang Tian Sect doctrines. Shen Qing briefly glanced at them, having a good idea of their biggest gains this time, probably the twenty or thirty Martial Mechanism Bombs, and the Formation that could conceal their forms. Shao Hongling took out a nameless booklet and flipped through it briefly, then handed it to Shen Qing and said, "Lord Shen, take a look at this." Shen Qing received the nameless booklet, feeling its rough texture in his hands. He bowed his head to flip through it and was overjoyed when he clearly saw its contents. It was like being delivered a pillow just as he needed to sleep; whatever he thought was coming to him. The booklet recorded the cultivation techniques related to activating Array Formations and Martial Mechanism Bombs. No, to be precise, it was more like a "user manual" for Array Formations and Martial Mechanism Bombs. Shen Qing suppressed the thoughts in his mind and inventoried the "spoils of war," distributing them. Since the Huang Tian Sect didn''t have many good items, Shen Qing equally divided them without much fuss. There were exactly twenty-eight Martial Mechanism Bombs; with seven of them together, each person received four. As for the only set of Array Formations, Shen Qing kept it for himself, and nobody made any objections. Seeing there was nothing else around, Shen Qing delved into studying the Array Formations he held in his hands. He had previously studied the art of talismans, which shared many commonalities with this. So, for Shen Qing, learning this wasn''t very difficult. He studied meticulously. Shen Qing had perused all the Martial Arts in the Yongzhou Armory, dabbling in many unconventional methods and knew a bit about them. This method of Array Formation was quite superficial; even a Martial Artist from the Qi Hai Realm could manipulate it with ease, let alone Shen Qing, who was already at the Spirit Void Realm. In just a short time, Shen Qing felt he had achieved Entry Level. He activated his Spiritual Power, grasped two spells in his hand, and casually threw three Array Flags upward. The three Array Flags spun around in the air. The originally droopy banners unfurled stiffly with the wind. Shen Qing felt a connection with the Array Flags. He shaped his hands into sword fingers and pointed downwards; then, the three Array Flags pierced into the ground with a ''poof.'' A pale yellow halo enveloped everyone''s heads. A faint smile graced Shen Qing''s face, showing his happiness. He had successfully activated the Array Formation. Shang Jin and the others couldn''t help but marvel at this sight. He had experienced firsthand how formidable and effective this Array Formation was. "This Array Formation is the Huang Tian Sect''s Concealment Array," Shen Qing said. "Later, when we get close to Dan Zhou, let''s find a better place to settle, use this Array Formation to conceal ourselves, and that might help us avoid detection by the noble sons. If we don''t wish to fight, hiding inside should be fine." Shao Hongling spoke up after a thought, "The Jing Luan Assembly is offering nearly a hundred spots this time. If we hide within the top hundred, wouldn''t it mean riding the east wind directly to advancement?" "You''re very smart, and that is indeed correct. To get through this Jing Luan Assembly, we don''t necessarily have to fight and kill," Shen Qing replied with a smile. After receiving Shen Qing''s affirmative response, Shang Jin and the others looked at each other, seeing hints of joy in their eyes. They felt incredibly lucky to have stumbled upon such a good opportunity. Seeing everyone relax, Shen Qing warned, "Nevertheless, you still can''t be careless. This Jing Luan Assembly is full of hidden threats." Shang Jin and the others responded earnestly, "We understand." Shen Qing nodded and refocused on the Array Formation. According to this "user manual," the Array Formation could advance further by concealing the yellow halo, making it even more undetectable. Outside, the rain continued to pour harder. The footprints Shen Qing and his group left behind in the forest were washed away completely. Chapter 352 - 33: Formation Breakthrough ``` A few hundred meters above the abandoned village, a rainbow light flickered past. Deputy General He Xiao was enveloped in the rainbow light, his eyes scanning the mountains and forests. sea??h th§× NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. As a martial master of the Spirit Void Realm, his five senses were sharp, constantly searching for traces of others. Seeing no signs of activity in this area and unable to sense the aura of any martial masters, he immediately abandoned the search in this region and swiftly moved to other locations. Unintentionally, Shen Qing activated a formation, sparing them from another ordeal. After resting in the dilapidated straw hut for a day, the rain finally ceased the next morning. The sky cleared up. Looking around, the sky was a wash of blue, without a cloud in sight. Shang Jin and his group emerged from the straw hut. Now that they had a way out, the burden in their hearts lifted, and each wore a smile, exhaling a breath of relief. "Let''s go." Shen Qing withdrew the formation and stepped in front of everyone. Shang Jin and the others became even more respectful, uniformly cupping their fists and bowing, "Yes." Shen Qing took the lead, activating the Da Xu Technique, his figure flashing as he leapt dozens of meters in a single step. The others dared not delay upon seeing this, each striding forward, exerting all their strength to keep up, not daring to lag behind. Once again, Shen Qing did not choose the main road but deliberately avoided areas where other martial masters were active, traversing through the mountain forests. It took them two days to reach the vicinity of Dan Zhou, with thrilling but safe encounters along the way. Shen Qing thought their pace was fast enough, but to his surprise, upon arriving near Dan Zhou with Shang Jin and the others, they found traces of noble sons already present. Moreover, other martial masters had also arrived one after another, encircling and attacking the saints of the Huang Tian Sect everywhere. The battle intent was strong. Concealing his aura, Shen Qing walked to the green hills outside Dan Zhou City, watching from afar the aerial palanquins flying in the sky, surrounded by Spirit Void Realm cultivators joining forces to attack the camp. He did not get involved and quietly withdrew. After half a day, Shen Qing found an abandoned village where he took Shang Jin and the others to settle. The village was completely deserted, devoid of any people. With no great expectations in the wilderness, they were content just to find a place to settle. But to Shen Qing''s surprise, upon entering, they found all kinds of household utensils still left inside the houses, even the bedding had not been taken. For a farming family, bedding was considered an important asset. It was not easy for a family to make a set of bedding. It seemed apparent that some reason had caused the villagers to leave the village in a hurry, leading to this situation. While Shen Qing was puzzled, Shang Jin returned from scouting the surrounding area, finally revealing what had happened. There was a broken temple in the northwest direction of the village. The Buddha statue in the main hall had long disappeared, leaving only the framework of a house, with half of the walls already collapsed. However, the two guest rooms at the back were relatively intact, the tiles on the roof slightly reorganized, similar to regular dwellings. Shen Qing saw an unbelievable sight in those two rooms. They were packed with corpses of various men, women, elderly, and children, many of the bodies bearing the marks of beasts'' gnawing, with a foul stench reaching the heavens, making one nauseous. Upon closer inspection, many women were holding children in their arms. The heads of the mothers and children had been smashed with a single punch, leaving them unrecognizable, with red and white matter exposed, continually attracting flies that traversed between the bodies. Judging by their attire, these were village folk. A sharp light flashed in Shen Qing''s eyes as he employed the Tracking skill. In his vision, he saw row upon row of footprints filled with spiritual energy, chaotic and varied. Shen Qing carefully observed and secretly deduced. It seemed the villagers noticed something amiss, hurriedly hid nearby, intending to wait out the storm before returning to the village. Yet unexpectedly, they were discovered by passing martial masters and were slaughtered as battle contributions. These people surely begged for their lives in their final moments, but it was of no avail. Looking at the bloodstains on the walls and ground, anyone with a compassionate heart couldn''t help but feel their scalp tingle. The expressions of those following Shen Qing became heavy, and they remained silent. The only female, Shao Hongling, paled, unable to resist turning away and covering her mouth to vomit. Never having seen such a scene before, she was profoundly shaken. "Let''s go back." Shen Qing turned and headed back, the others maintaining their silence as they gradually left. Shao Hongling glanced at the heap of corpses that resembled a mountain of flesh, feeling an unprecedented horror. She did not understand what had gone wrong in the world, why the powers above always demanded them to fight and kill relentlessly, without a moment''s peace. Human lives were so cheap. Shao Hongling swallowed her nausea and walked out of the broken shrine. Returning to the village, Shen Qing found a wealthy family''s house for them to stay. The house had two entrances and exits, just enough to accommodate them. Once the house was chosen, Shen Qing wasted no time, tossing the formation flag in his hand and activating the formation. Suddenly, a piece of information flashed in Shen Qing''s vision, stirring his heart, and the ink panel appeared before his eyes. [Skill: Formation (Beginner)] [Progress: 101/100 points] [Status: Upgrade Available] [Remark: Standing tall on a hundred-foot pole is not difficult, diligence makes everything possible, continuous practice can break through the skill progress.] Shen Qing did not expect this skill''s progress to advance so quickly. Without hesitation, he focused his mind, "Breakthrough." A familiar sensation overtook him. Countless strange and intense memories flooded his mind. However, compared to previous skills, the formation technique was relatively simple and did not cause him any discomfort in his current state. After assimilating the memories in his mind, Shen Qing gained a more profound understanding of this formation technique. He formed a seal with his hands, and the formation flag hovering mid-air swayed side to side before staking into three directions of the thatched house. With a clear buzz, an invisible ripple rose slowly from the three directions, encompassing and concealing the thatched house and its yard, expanding the range by twofold. At this moment, the noticeable yellow dazzle also disappeared, turning into a transparent color. Not only that, with the concealment of the formation flag, from the outside it appeared as if the house had become a level ground that seamlessly blended with the surrounding environment, with no trace of the original thatched house, creating an illusion. Shen Qing knew that this was the full capacity of this formation, and the breakthrough had allowed him to fully wield it. Unless someone accidentally stumbled into this place, none would discover their whereabouts. He felt his spirit settle. However, for safety''s assurance, Shen Qing still commanded Shang Jin and the others to rotate on guard duty daily to prevent any unexpected incidents. The group of seven settled down as such. Shang Jin and the others shared a room, Shen Qing occupied a room alone, while Shao Hongling stayed next to Shen Qing, with a small door between their rooms allowing passage. During the days that followed, she managed Shen Qing''s daily activities while cultivating, living a stable life. The sole exception was the haunting image of the "corpse mountain" she had witnessed that often resurfaced in her mind, disturbing her peace. ``` Chapter 353 - 34: Essential Course for Becoming a Man In the blink of an eye, seven days had passed. As the supervision team advanced, martial masters concealed in the mountains were driven out. More and more martial masters kept arriving near Danzhou, making the area increasingly bustling. At this time, some powerful martial masters specifically hunted solitary individuals to accumulate war merits. The scene became utterly chaotic. Every day, many people lost their lives. Just then, a noble son saw an opportunity and, under the guise of offering safety, rallied a group of ordinary martial masters to force them to attack Danzhou City. The sounds of battle cries were incessant. Gradually, a force consisting of twenty to thirty thousand martial masters formed, led by the four families of Wang, Cui, Xie, and Yang, continually assaulting the city to snatch war merits. However, though the Huang Tian Sect had little Martial Mechanism and the Disciples'' cultivation was often not high, they were very adept at using talismans and Array Formation. The martial masters of the Jing Luan Assembly, as attackers, hardly gained any advantage and even suffered severe casualties. Regardless of the external chaos, Shen Qing and others, enclosed and isolated by the Formation, remained safe and undisturbed, living a life resembling a utopia, starkly out of place in this turmoil. Even when the supervision team passed through this abandoned village, they could not discover any trace of Shen Qing and his group. Everything developed just as Shen Qing and the others had initially anticipated. A Da and others inadvertently relaxed their vigilance; as for accumulating war merits and competing with those noble sons for rankings, they had no such intentions. Boom! Being located further south, the weather in Danzhou was always changeable. S§×arch* The ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Just a few days after clear skies, layers of dark clouds rolled in again. That night, heavy rain poured down loudly. Striking the eaves, it made a crackling sound. Boom! Another flash of lightning and thunder exploded in the sky. "Ah!" Sitting cross-legged on the bed, Shao Hongling was startled and let out a low cry. Images of corpses resurfaced in her mind, making her restless, unable to find peace for a long time. Hearing the sound of rain outside, she took a long breath, trying to calm her turbulent mind. Moments later, Shao Hongling stepped down from the bed and walked lightly towards the window. She gently pushed open the window, leaving just a small crack to prevent the rain from splashing in. Through this narrow opening, Shao Hongling gazed at the torrential downpour outside. The rain drizzled down densely, obscuring the distant night, making everything indistinct. Only the sound of the rain was torrential, hitting the window and the eaves, producing bursts of rapid and forceful sound. Shao Hongling''s gaze wandered in the rain curtain, drifting into a daze. At this moment, she thought of her parents and siblings far away in Lu''an Prefecture. She wondered if the county magistrate had made trouble for her family after her departure and if her whole family had been slaughtered like those villagers at the temple. She also wondered about her own fate, whether she could survive and leave this place. Idle, she couldn''t help but let her thoughts run wild, becoming heavy-hearted. Unbeknownst to her, Shen Qing, who had heard some noise from the next room, walked up behind Shao Hongling. Seeing her standing by the window, silent, Shen Qing couldn''t help but ask, "What are you thinking about?" Caught in a trance, Shao Hongling was startled again by the noise behind her, causing her chest to quiver slightly. Now unbound, she became somewhat unrestrained. "Lord Shen, it''s nothing¡­" Shen Qing disliked the pitch-black environment, so he raised his hand and shot out a sizzling breath that swept over the remaining red candles on the table. A faint glow rose up, driving out the darkness in the room. The soft candlelight shone on Shao Hongling''s face, revealing her delicate and appealing features to Shen Qing. At that moment, she looked pitiful, like a lamb with nowhere to lean, afraid to meet Shen Qing''s gaze directly, so she shifted her eyes away. Amidst her movements, there was a slight sway beneath her loose clothing. For some reason, this moment suddenly gave rise to an impulse in Shen Qing''s heart. After so many days of being together, they had grown familiar with each other. Shen Qing did not suppress his thoughts, walked straight up to her, and stretched out his hand to her chin, slightly tilting her face. As Shao Hongling looked confused, Shen Qing''s hands naturally caressed her fair cheeks. "Lord Shen¡­" Shao Hongling murmured softly, her voice almost inaudible, "What¡­ do you want to do¡­" Seeing that Shao Hongling did not resist, Shen Qing''s hand gradually slid down her face toward her fair neck. Shao Hongling seemed to realize something, her face alarmed, and she quickly stepped back two steps. Currently, a young man and woman were alone in a room, and both Shen Qing and Shao Hongling were at a vigorous age, some things were understood without saying. Shao Hongling had imagined this more than once, but now that it was happening, her eyes became inexplicably complex. She had never experienced this before and didn''t know how to handle such emotions. Shen Qing, having lived two lives, was not unfamiliar with such situations. He took another two steps forward, grasped Shao Hongling''s soft wrist and said, "You should know what I want to do, you seemed to have said it was worth it at the beginning of the Jing Luan Assembly." Shao Hongling remained silent, seemingly caught in an emotional struggle. "If you feel you''re not ready, then forget it, pretend I didn''t say anything," Shen Qing said patiently, showing no signs of hurry. He knew that the major couldn''t be dictated by the minor and needed to maintain constant clarity to avoid making wrong judgments that could bring trouble. Hearing Shen Qing''s words, Shao Hongling looked up and said, shifting her gaze, "Please extinguish the candle." "That would make it impossible to see anything." Shen Qing laughed and approached closer to Shao Hongling, encircling her waist. The rainy night was long. A moan echoed through the room. ¡­ The next morning, just like usual, Shen Qing walked out of the house with an unchanged expression. Rarely, Shao Hongling was still in bed, not even getting up by noon, and did not perform her daily cultivation, which was very unusual. Walking in the courtyard, Shen Qing encountered Shang Jin who looked at him with a somewhat strange expression but did not say much more. To them, it was a matter of time. It was just a matter of happening sooner or later. For A Da and Xiao Man, this meant that their miss had truly been accepted by Shen Qing, which was a good thing for her and indeed a cause for joy. At this moment, when they looked at Shen Qing again, their attitude was somewhat different, treating him truly like a son-in-law, serving him from the heart. Shen Qing had nothing much to say. Shen Qing had not trained himself into an eunuch through martial arts, and meat delivered to his mouth was not to be missed. This was all part of the essential courses of becoming a man. According to last night, Shao Hongling was initially very reserved. But she couldn''t withstand his vigorous performance; by the later part of the night, she was screaming particularly loud, so much so that Shao Hongling, a martial master, eventually grew exhausted. It''s hard to imagine what a normal person would have turned into. Chapter 354 - 35: A Turn of Events, The Emergence of an Ancient Ruin In the days following the breaking of that thin barrier of awkwardness, interactions between Shen Qing and Shao Hongling became much more frequent, as they sparred and trained together every few days. For some reason, Shao Hongling always ended up returning defeated. She couldn''t comprehend how Shen Qing, who seemed so gentle and refined, could have such a myriad of techniques, some of which were simply unimaginable. If she hadn''t been practicing martial arts since childhood, possessing sufficient flexibility, she might not have been able to cope. Time flew by, and a month passed in the blink of an eye. During this period, Shen Qing did not just stay in the room, ignoring the world outside. He often sent Shang Jin and others to gather information. He himself would also, relying on his movement technique, conceal himself to observe the battle situation. Overall, the martial masters of the Jing Luan Assembly and the Huang Tian Sect in Dan Zhou fought fiercely enough to lose all sense, with corpses lying all over the countryside and the soil stained a dark red with blood. The city gates were repeatedly contested by both sides, with neither gaining the upper hand. Additionally, the sect members of the Huang Tian Sect infiltrated the mountains and forests, conducting assassinations from time to time, causing significant losses to the martial masters. Judging by this, it''s uncertain whether the tens of thousands of martial masters here will eventually get wiped out in Dan Zhou. Shen Qing also did not know why the Huang Tian Sect valued Dan Zhou so much, refusing to yield an inch. Even the main stronghold of the Huang Tian Sect kept sending strong reinforcements continually, with significant figures arriving one after another. Conversely, it seemed that Great General Xue Zhao was also preparing to muster a great army to surge toward Dan Zhou with great momentum. ... In a camp outside Dan Zhou. Deputy General He Xiao sat in the main seat, his face full of gloom. sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Up to this moment, the Yongzhou Chief he had been tracking seemed to have vanished from the Jing Luan Assembly, even after ordering the supervision team to search thoroughly, still without any trace. Whether alive or dead, he had no idea at all. He had no idea how to explain this. So many days had passed, and Great General Xue Zhao had already learned about his beloved son''s murder, now enraged to the extreme. He was very pessimistic about his situation afterwards. Just as he was pondering, a small soldier rushed into the large tent and reported, "General He, people from the Qintian Bureau and the Mountain Sea Department have arrived." "The Qintian Bureau and the Mountain Sea Department? What are they doing here during the siege?" Deputy General He Xiao was somewhat puzzled. But these two government offices were direct to the heavens, so he couldn''t afford to be careless, provoking trouble for himself. Deputy General He Xiao instructed, "Quickly invite them in." "Yes, General." Moments later, under the guidance of soldiers, a young man in a white robe and a man wearing mountain sea embroidered clothes walked into the large tent one after another. The leading man in white first cupped his fist to greet, "I am Xie Rui from the Qintian Bureau, greetings to General He." The other, a man dressed in mountain sea embroidered clothes, followed up saying, "I am Li Wenze from the Mountain Sea Department, greetings to General He." Deputy General He Xiao''s gaze flickered, scanning over each of them before asking, "With the frontlines so tense, I wonder what brings you here at this moment?" Xie Rui of the Qintian Bureau stepped forward and said, "General, frankly speaking, Director observed celestial phenomena and detected potential changes here in Dan Zhou, thus personally ordered us to investigate." "Oh, changes? What kind of changes?" Deputy General He Xiao was puzzled. "It should be related to Spirit Essence." "Spirit Essence?" "Indeed, our Mountain Sea Department recently discovered demonic movements in the surroundings, vaguely sensing some demons secretly arriving here," Li Wenze from the Mountain Sea Department said gravely. "I suppose the Huang Tian Sect is aware of something, thus refusing to yield Dan Zhou, and our lord is uneasy, so he dispatched me here to investigate." After listening to their account, Deputy General He Xiao raised an eyebrow, never expecting such a change to intrude into the Jing Luan Assembly. "I heard Your Majesty is collecting Spirit Essence everywhere; with a significant change here, surely His Majesty wouldn''t want to miss out. I wonder if you''re here under His Majesty''s orders?" Li Wenze from the Mountain Sea Department shook his head and said, "It''s the order of the Supreme Emperor Ancestor." "Ji Family Ancestor?" Deputy General He Xiao was surprised, not expecting such esteemed attention here. The Ji Family Ancestor is the world-renowned first martial master, with unfathomable cultivation. Since establishing a century-long stable Zhou Country, he chose to abdicate, passing the throne to his descendants, dedicating himself to martial arts cultivation, ignoring worldly affairs for many years. Unexpectedly, such a great figure is concerned with this matter! Just as he was about to inquire further, a sudden loud bang resonated through heaven and earth, causing tremors. "Boom!" They exchanged glances inside the large tent. "What happened?" They hurriedly rushed out of the tent and witnessed an unbelievable scene in the distance. In the distance, among the towering mountains, a vast glow burst forth, dyeing the entire sky a boundless yellow. A corner of an ancient sect relic emerged quietly, gradually manifesting from the mountains. There, shrouded in mist, an ancient palace faintly appeared in the void. "Spirit Essence, Spirit Essence. Our Director calculated correctly, it is indeed here," Xie Rui from the Qintian Bureau said excitedly, taking out a pure jade-crafted compass and made several hand seals. He cast a spell that landed on the compass. Suddenly, the compass emitted dazzling light, with symbols floating on it. Xie Rui calculated repeatedly, saying, "This is an ancient relic sealed here by human hands. Within it may lie inheritances from the ancient times that could help us solve the reasons for the decline of sects thousands of years ago." "Not good, demons have already detected this beforehand and are lurking nearby, taking action. The Huang Tian Sect is also moving. Damn it!" Xie Rui from the Qintian Bureau couldn''t remain calm any longer, ignoring He Xiao and others behind him, and rushed out directly. At the location of the distant relic, various creatures seeking opportunity were gathering. Deputy General He Xiao knew the situation was urgent, hurriedly ordering, "Order the soldiers of the supervision team to follow me to the relic''s location, kill anyone who approaches without mercy." "As ordered." After giving orders, he and Li Wenze from the Mountain Sea Department didn''t delay, quickly pursuing Xie Rui. Upon approaching, they discovered the relic was extraordinary. The hall in front of the building was carved from pure white jade, inscribed with complex, indecipherable symbols, with colorful spirit light flowing, seemingly containing supreme vitality, with immense spiritual power surging within. As He Xiao and others neared, they felt unprecedented pressure. The next moment, from the depths of the ancient sect relic, a deafening roar erupted, with radiant spirit light shooting skyward, like an ancient volcano suddenly awakening, endless spiritual power like raging waves swept all around. Numerous martial masters nearby were flung like fallen leaves in the wind, easily lifted by this force, some caught were instantly torn into nothingness by an invisible power. Chapter 355 - 36: Formidable Enemy Strikes, Punch First ``` This ancient relic is terrifying; even after thousands of years, the spiritual energy within has not diminished a bit under the erosion of time. Even though the power of the seal has greatly weakened, it still preserves it perfectly. It''s hard to imagine what kind of earth-shattering ability the supreme master who created this sect possessed back then! The existence of True Immortals in the Ancient Era may not just be idle talk. The roaring sound was incessant. A martial master looked horrified; even though he hid in a concealed rock cave far away, he could not escape the impact of this spiritual power storm. The surrounding trees snapped, and huge rocks rolled down. If he hadn''t run fast, he almost would have been buried alive. People around Dan Zhou, be they noble family members, the Huang Tian Sect, or the martial masters and soldiers of the Jing Luan Assembly, all went mad. "Opportunity, opportunity, this is my opportunity! The bottleneck I''ve been stuck at for years will break through today." A Guardian of a noble family member, holding a long sword, the tip slightly quivering. He appeared frantic, his voice unusually clear amid the clamor, yet quickly drowned out by the noise around. And he was not alone. Closely following these noble sons were swarms of Huang Tian believers, who mistook the yellow light in the sky for a divine manifestation, each with expressions of devotion. "This is the Huang Tian Relic. We must not let these outsiders touch it. Prove the Huang Tian Dao, be sacrificed, today, kill!" As time passed, more martial masters from the Jing Luan Assembly and soldiers from the supervision team joined this chaotic battle. The scene was extremely chaotic, with killing everywhere! "For power, for longevity!" A soldier shouted hoarsely, with eyes only for the ancient sect''s ruins ahead. Almost everyone around the relic lost their minds and could no longer distinguish friend from foe. Anything standing in their way would be mercilessly crushed by martial masters surging like a tide. The fight reached a fever pitch. Xie Rui from the Qintian Bureau and Li Wenze from the Mountain Sea Department were well prepared, each bringing a "Fake Magical Treasure" modeled after the Ancient Times, to pave the way and resist the strong aura emanating from the ancient relic. S§×ar?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Deputy General He Xiao also benefited by following behind them, approaching the relic. Xie Rui and Li Wenze from the Qintian Bureau and Mountain Sea Department rushed to the front, reaching the entrance of the relic. They didn''t want to wait, fearing more powerful entities would attack and rob them of their chance. Without any delay, the two decisively used their "Fake Magical Treasure." A tattered Seal and a bronze ancient knife were refined by the two, launching toward the ancient sect relic ahead, attempting to open the entrance to the relic and enter early to seize the opportunities inside. Boom! A powerful wave spread rapidly from the relic as the center, extending all around. The momentum was no less than when the ancient relic first emerged. "No wonder it''s an ancient era with immortals; even a nameless sect had such terrible power." Xie Rui and Li Wenze stood firmly, undiscouraged, continuing to unleash, wielding the "Fake Magical Treasures" in their hands, confronting the Prohibition of the ancient relic. Endless spiritual light and the force of the ancient relic continuously spread around, stirring up waves. The two seemed to be constantly hurling massive stones into a lake, with each move raising massive spiritual energy waves, rolling backward. Immediately, under the firmament, chaos reigned everywhere, with brilliant light flickering, and boundless mana surging turbulently. The relic of this ancient sect seemed to be awakening, trembling incessantly. After a while, Xie Rui and Li Wenze urged their spiritual power repeatedly, finally barely blasting a subtle gap in one corner of the ancient relic. "Bang!" Once again working together, with all their might, the two "Fake Magical Treasures" burst into dazzling light, gathering Xie Rui and Li Wenze''s dedication and spiritual power, finally shattering a corner of the ancient relic entirely, revealing a golden crack. "It''s done!" Deputy General He Xiao, standing behind them, was also delighted, urging, "Hurry in!" Without any hesitation, the few rushed in directly. Those from the Huang Tian Sect who hadn''t yet reached the relic, as well as the rapidly approaching noble sons, changed their expressions drastically, using all their strength to dash forward. Xie Rui and the three entered the ancient sect relic through the formation crack, only to spot a plaque inscribed with the two ancient words "Tianxuan" before their eyes. They merely glanced at it, and the glazed brilliance on it flashed like the sun. The three screamed, "Ah, my eyes! My eyes!" Their figures flew backward, flung out from the fissure struck open. A mighty momentum descended, crazily spreading outward. The nearest mountain peak was directly leveled, countless ancient trees uprooted. The aura was overwhelming. Rumble... Massive commotion rolled like thunder. Shen Qing, in the courtyard, hadn''t understood what was happening before he saw the irresistible momentum crush his formation. Three array flags simultaneously emitted a crisp "click" sound, shattering completely. The house he was in also couldn''t bear the load, being overturned. With a thud. At this moment, a figure fell from the sky, crashing heavily into his courtyard, startling Shen Qing. He quickly looked down, seeing the person clad in silver armor, moaning in pain yet struggling to rise from the ground in a sorry state. This attire undoubtedly belonged to someone from the supervision team. Shen Qing never expected that after hiding for so long, he would meet someone from the supervision team in such a manner. He Xiao, clad in armor, shook his dizzy head and looked up, his vision blurred. To his surprise, as he raised his head, he saw a massive fist, glowing red-gold, punch him in the face. "Ah..." The armored He Xiao spewed blood and flew backward. He couldn''t comprehend why he was suddenly and irrationally punched. Moreover, the opponent clearly aimed to kill; he sensed a fiery breath rampaging through his body. "Lord Shen!" Shang Jin and the others rushed to Shen Qing''s side, puzzled by his sudden action. Shen Qing had no intention of explaining. He knew that the supervision team opposed their Jingluan Assembly martial masters, and if he didn''t attack, the other side would act first. Thus, it was better to strike first. Deputy General He Xiao, enduring the injuries, rose and concentrated all his spiritual power in his eyes. His vision cleared quickly, seeing Shen Qing''s appearance, which startled him slightly. Thinking of the others'' address to Shen Qing, he immediately realized that this was the Yongzhou Chief Shen Qing he had searched for so long! Great, truly searching everywhere, only to find him effortlessly. ``` Chapter 356 - 37: Clearly you have a guilty conscience, kill first then talk about it ``` Deputy General He Xiao''s face was grim. Considering his injuries, he did not act immediately. Shen Qing might not know yet that he was being pursued. If he could express a bit more kindness in his words, perhaps Shen Qing would lower his guard, giving He Xiao a chance and achieving twice the result with half the effort. He smiled and said, "This..." However, before he could finish his sentence, Shen Qing''s figure flickered. He crossed several yards in an instant, charging directly at him without any warning. A dazzling Eight Desolate Annihilation Seal formed in Shen Qing''s hand, carrying a world-destroying force as it crashed towards He Xiao! "Boom! Boom! Boom!" A series of explosions followed one after another. Shen Qing''s attacks were like relentless waves, each strike containing terrifying power capable of shaking mountains and rivers, almost tearing the air apart. He Xiao staggered, dodging left and right, narrowly escaping Shen Qing''s continuous attacks several times. "Boom!" Finally, at a moment when they narrowly missed each other, Shen Qing''s Eight Desolate Annihilation Seal, with an irresistible force, brushed past the corner of He Xiao''s clothes and instantly pulverized a ruined house behind him into dust, with debris flying everywhere. At that moment, the surrounding air seemed to freeze, and all sounds came to an abrupt halt. Sear?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He Xiao''s forehead was beaded with sweat, his chest heaving violently. Facing him, Shen Qing''s expression was cold, his eyes filled with determination and ferocity, as if he was set on ending He Xiao completely. "You... dare to do this!" He Xiao, still gasping for breath, said with disbelief and anger: "We have no enmity, why such deadly strikes!" He never expected that at their first meeting, Shen Qing would attack him so recklessly, with every move lethal and merciless. If he remembered correctly, this was indeed their first encounter. "Do you take me for a fool? I see your cultivation is not low, yet when I hit you, you weren''t angry, and even smiled at me. Clearly, you have other motives, with ghosts in your heart!" Shen Qing said firmly. Shen Qing snorted coldly and continued: "I''ve been in the government office long enough to know what kind of characters you officials in the temple are." He Xiao was taken aback, feeling that Shen Qing''s words were unexpectedly reasonable. Damn, he was careless. In fact, Shen Qing couldn''t be 100% sure of He Xiao''s malice. But he''d rather kill by mistake than let go; it''s better for the other party to die than himself. Shen Qing''s figure surged again, pushing the Six Path Whale Swallowing Technique to the extreme, with spiritual power surging all around him. He once again formed the Eight Desolate Annihilation Seal. A crimson-gold giant seal manifested, with mysterious runes swirling on it, emitting a heart-palpitating vibration. Realizing he was exposed, a resolute look flashed in He Xiao''s eyes. Knowing he had been discovered, he no longer held back. He gritted his teeth, his spiritual power surging like an unbridled horse. "You killed General Xue''s beloved son, do you think you can leave the Jingluan Assembly alive? Die!" As soon as he finished, He Xiao advanced aggressively. Every attack he made was lethal, with strikes drawing blood, punches hitting flesh, and the air thick with a bloody and murderous aura. Indeed! Shen Qing was secretly relieved. He noticed that this person''s spiritual power had materialized, indicating he was already a martial master of the Spirit Void Realm, perhaps even approaching the half step Primordial Spirit stage. With such a level of cultivation, if this person wasn''t injured and Shen Qing hadn''t struck first, the outcome would be hard to predict. Since that was the case, Shen Qing was also determined. Kill first, talk later! "Bang!" The two continued to exchange blows, each engagement accompanied by deafening roars, ripples of spiritual power colliding, and fierce winds howling. In the blink of an eye, the village, already teetering from the aura of the ruins, was completely leveled by the two. Shang Jin and the others dared not get close, watching from a distance. Terrifying fluctuations kept emanating from between the two. At this moment, star-like sparkles appeared from the acupuncture points all over Shen Qing''s body, spiritual power vortices manifesting one by one, becoming braver with each battle. This was the result of pushing the Six Path Whale Swallowing Technique to the extreme, continuously absorbing the surrounding spiritual energy to strengthen himself, making Shen Qing''s spiritual power as vast as a mighty river, continuous and unending. As time passed, despite He Xiao''s all-out efforts, he gradually became overwhelmed by Shen Qing''s undiminished offensive. His figure began to sway, sweat pouring down like rain, his complexion pale as paper. He Xiao could no longer maintain his previous composure, fear slowly creeping across his face. Just at this critical juncture, two figures sped over from the distant sky, it''s Xie Rui from the Imperial Observatory and Li Wenze from the Mountain and Sea Division. They were rushing toward the ruins. He Xiao, as if grabbing a lifeline, shouted loudly: "Help me!" Hearing the commotion, Xie Rui and Li Wenze quickly looked back, shocked, and urgently shouted: "Stop!" However, Shen Qing seemed to ignore their voices, his eyes focused only on He Xiao. To kill halfway was something he absolutely couldn''t tolerate! Either don''t do it, or do it thoroughly! Shen Qing was fully concentrated, the spiritual power within him surging again to the extreme. He formed seals with his hands, converging into an unstoppable torrent, fiercely striking towards He Xiao''s chest. "No..." He Xiao''s scream was drowned by the overwhelming spiritual power. Shen Qing''s palm descended like a mountain, and under its unstoppable force, He Xiao''s body fell to the ground like a kite with a broken string. With a loud crash, he hit the ground heavily, raising clouds of dust. Blood trickled continuously from He Xiao''s mouth, struggling to lift his head to look at Shen Qing, lifting a blood-stained finger, he struggled to say: "You... General... will not..." With a plop. He Xiao''s body slumped powerlessly, taking his last breath, lifeless. Shen Qing stood coldly in place, surrounded by lingering waves of spiritual power, without any hint of regret or fear in his eyes. This time, he was also lucky. He encountered this person while he was injured, otherwise, it wouldn''t have been so easy. In the air, Xie Rui and Li Wenze looked at each other, disbelief in their eyes. Li Wenze from the Mountain and Sea Division shouted sternly: "You have some nerve, do you know who you just killed? He was Deputy General of General Xue, a high-ranking official of the court!" Shen Qing replied defiantly: "What deputy general, I don''t know. This is the Jingluan Assembly, anyone who breaks in, I can kill as I please!" As he spoke, he noticed the merit stone in his hand heating up slightly. The dense killing aura was absorbed by it. The red lines on the pitch-black stone became thicker and more vibrant. Killing He Xiao increased his merit significantly. "Enough talk, attack!" Xie Rui from the Imperial Observatory directly summoned a broken seal, hurling it towards Shen Qing. The power was overwhelming. Shen Qing''s expression changed, realizing the strength of these two was no less than that of He Xiao, and with the help of this "pseudo-treasure," they were even more formidable. ``` Chapter 357 - 38: The Power of Fake Magical Treasure, Refinement Points ``` Xie Rui suddenly summoned a Seal, which, despite its battered appearance, exuded an ancient and timeless aura, akin to a towering mountain striking directly toward the top of Shen Qing''s head. Before it even got close, it made him almost unable to breathe. At the same time, Li Wenze did not hesitate. With a flash of cold light, he summoned a silver long blade, slashing across Shen Qing''s front, intending to split him in half. Shen Qing clearly sensed the immense power contained within those two "Fake Magical Treasures," and his expression changed slightly. This power far exceeded what flesh and blood could withstand. Even though he practiced the Six Paths Whale Swallowing Technique, his mortal body might not withstand it. Shen Qing''s body shifted, the Da Xu Technique operating at its peak, allowing his entire being to veer away at an unbelievable speed and angle, successfully slipping out from between the two magic treasures, narrowly avoiding this terrifying strike. Without looking back, Shen Qing seized the opportunity to pick up an ancient treasure bow inside the room, his figure continuously flickering away. Every step he took spanned hundreds of meters, rapidly widening the distance between him and the two, his speed incredibly fast. Even Xie Rui and Li Wenze, despite their vast experiences, had never seen such a miraculous Martial Art and could not help but show surprise. Boom! The two "Fake Magical Treasures" crashed to the ground, shattering the surface and causing numerous land chunks to rise and spread. The center was smashed, collapsing nearly ten meters deep. Shen Qing steadied himself and turned around to see this scene, his eyelids twitching fiercely. If he hadn''t escaped quickly just now, the terrifying attack would''ve crushed him into a pulp. No flesh could stop it. Seeing the two retrieving their "Magic Treasures," Shen Qing knew it was a rare opportunity. He took a deep breath, inhaling and exhaling to absorb all the Spiritual Energy from the surroundings into his chest. Then the muscles on his arms twisted and knotted like old roots, akin to ancient trees revived with abundant power. Shen Qing did not hesitate, taking up the treasure bow in his hand. The bowstring was slowly drawn open in his hand until it bent into a full moon, and the bow shone with a faint light. S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. With a low growl, Shen Qing furiously operated the Heavenly Bow Technique. The Spiritual Power surged within him like a river bursting its banks, unstoppable as it gathered at his fingertips. Under his gaze, arrows formed purely from Spiritual Power manifested on the treasure bow. Shen Qing turned grim, and his fingers suddenly released. This time, he held nothing back, using all his Spiritual Power to condense the arrows, the power contained far surpassing the past, and the Sun Shooting Skill was simultaneously activated. A dazzling light appeared in the sky, like a sun under the firmament, tearing through the sky, pointing directly at Xie Rui and Li Wenze. Heavenly Bow Technique, every arrow hits the mark! In Shen Qing''s view, the bright arrows shot without any deviation to the front of Xie Rui and Li Wenze. Boom! A thunderous explosion roared, deafening. The light from the arrows engulfed Xie Rui and Li Wenze entirely, an invisible wave of light spreading outwards. ''Did it succeed?!'' Shang Jin and Shao Hongling, thinking Shen Qing had slain the opponent, showed a trace of joy on their faces and cautiously looked forward. But Shen Qing to the side turned pale, looking very serious. With his sharp Divine Sense, even before the light dispersed, he had sensed the Life Force within. Xie Rui and Li Wenze were not dead. The arrow did not harm them. Shen Qing''s face became unusually grim. Without hesitation, he frantically activated the Six Paths Whale Swallowing Technique to restore his Spiritual Power, while he swiftly condensed arrows, continuously shooting them out. Boom, boom, boom. Deafening booming sounds repeatedly appeared in front of him. "Hmph! Just relying on these?" From within the light, a cold snort echoed. The next moment, a blue light shot skyward, slicing the glowing mass into two. Within, Li Wenze held his long blade, smiling as he stared at Shen Qing. The blade in his hand was covered in strange runes. With a slight tremble of the blade tip, Li Wenze wielded the "Fake Magical Treasure," stirring a bone-chilling wind, slashing down. The incoming crimson-golden arrow was easily split in two by his blade, the fierce blade aura deflecting it to both sides, landing on the ground with an earth-shattering light. "Interesting, even this kind of bow you can play to such an extent, truly remarkable." Shen Qing''s whole body''s muscles could not help but tense. Primordial Spirit Realm! These two had the cultivation of the Primordial Spirit Realm! Since Shen Qing began cultivating Martial Arts, he had never encountered such high-level martial masters. He didn''t expect to face two at once this time, with each holding a "Fake Magical Treasure." Thinking of this, his heart sank. The situation was not looking good. "Why waste so many words with him, quickly resolve this person and swiftly enter the relic to seize the opportunity." Upon hearing Xie Rui''s words, Li Wenze looked up, noticing many martial masters taking the chance to rush into the relic gap they opened. Without further delay, he and Xie Rui moved forward to attack. Xie Rui''s summoned Seal, its surface covered with mottled stone patterns, faced with Shen Qing''s incessantly howling arrows, suddenly pushed forward. The Seal whirled in mid-air, growing larger in the wind, transforming into a towering mountain in no time, securely blocking every arrow outside. Shen Qing''s arrows struck against it, only sparking slightly, leaving no trace. The previously unparalleled Heavenly Bow Technique seemed utterly powerless today against these two "Fake Magical Treasures," easily bounced or slashed away, unable to harm Xie Rui and Li Wenze at all. ``` Chapter 358 - 38: The Power of Fake Magical Treasure, Refinement Points_2 Facing the relentless pressure from Xie Rui and Li Wenze, Shen Qing realized that if he couldn''t find a way to break the deadlock, he might not escape today''s calamity. Nearby, Shang Jin and Shao Hongling could clearly see this as well. The joy in their eyes gradually faded, replaced by panic. In this battle, Shen Qing was already on the brink of danger. Just at this moment, Shao Hongling bit her lip, showing a hint of determination. With a resolute heart, she faced neither fear nor hesitation, maneuvering all her movement techniques and charged towards the space between Shen Qing and Xie Rui and Li Wenze. "Villains, dare you fight me!" she shouted loudly while sprinting. Shang Jin was shocked upon seeing this. In his view, with Shao Hongling''s level of cultivation rushing forward, it was nothing short of suicide. But to his surprise, closely following Shao Hongling, A Da and Xiao Man also charged forward, determinedly shouting, "Miss!" "Crazy, crazy!" Shang Jin''s face went numb, unable to comprehend these scenes. "What do we do, my lord?" Seeing Shao Hongling and her servants recklessly charging forward, a few brothers beside Shang Jin couldn''t help but ask. Shang Jin spat on the ground and drew the dagger from his waist, saying, "What else can we do, charge! How can we, a group of big men, be inferior to her, a woman?!" Hearing this, Shang Jin''s brothers hesitated. They felt their acquaintanceship with Shen Qing wasn''t that deep, making this adventure seem unworthy. Shang Jin glanced at them, understood their thoughts, and charged forward alone without insisting on them following. Xie Rui and Li Wenze, advancing swiftly, and Shen Qing, with a serious expression, all turned their heads upon hearing the exclamations beneath them. In the ruins, dressed in black tight clothing, Shao Hongling was constantly traversing and leaping, charging forward bravely to stand in front of Shen Qing. She drew her dagger, pointing it at Xie Rui and Li Wenze, and sternly shouted, "I am Shao Hongling, dare you fight me?!" Xie Rui and Li Wenze furrowed their brows. At a glance, they saw that this woman''s cultivation was merely at the Qi Cultivation Realm, not even crossing the Qi Hai Realm. To speak bluntly, killing her would be as simple as crushing an ant for them. Incredibly, this woman dared to provoke them, equal to courting death. Standing behind Shao Hongling, Shen Qing was equally astonished. His surprise wasn''t any less than that of Xie Rui and Li Wenze. He looked down to see Shao Hongling behind her back making gestures, signaling his departure, which made his expression change. Shen Qing gritted his teeth, focused his mind, and the Water Ink Panel appeared before his vision. [Skill: Great Void Shifting Skill (Beginner)] [Progress: 43/100 points] [Status: Cannot be improved] [Note: A secret skill passed down from ancient times within the Shi family. Now with the collapse of great paths, cultivation is extremely difficult. The higher the level reached, the slower the progress. But through hard work comes equal reward. Mastering this martial art to the Perfect Realm allows reversing the river of time, possessing the might of Void Shattering.] [Skill: Da Xu Technique (mastery)] [Progress: 477/500 points] Red Ink reminder: [Detecting similar martial art "Da Xu Technique," would you like to refine and extract its points to fill this martial art?] In Shen Qing''s original plan, he intended to continue cultivating the Da Xu Technique for a while, gathering enough points before refining. Thus, he could elevate the Great Void Shifting Skill to a sufficiently high realm, even to the degree of perfection, achieving the ability to traverse the void freely. However, in this critical moment, he couldn''t afford to worry about so much. Shen Qing did not hesitate: "Refine!" [Da Xu Technique refined successfully, extracting 100+200+300+400+477... totaling 1477 points.] [Would you like to infuse into the Great Void Shifting Skill?] "Yes!" Boom! At the moment Shen Qing made his decision, waves of unusual fluctuations emanated from the depths of the Qi Sea. [Skill: Great Void Shifting Skill (Beginner)] [Skill: Great Void Shifting Skill (Proficient)] [Skill: Great Void Shifting Skill (Minor Accomplishment)] [Progress: 120/1500 points] [Status: Cannot be improved] [Note: Diligence brings prosperity, idleness leads to defeat, such is the truth of a word. Through persistent effort, you have finally cultivated this martial art to the realm of minor accomplishment, with abundant inner spiritual power, capable of maneuvering and shifting within void space, crossing dozens of miles in a step, unimpeded.] Shen Qing looked at the reminder appearing in his vision, his expression exceptionally solemn, as familiar changes surfaced... Xie Rui and Li Wenze, looking into the distance, saw warriors constantly charging into the ruins, grew increasingly furious at Shao Hongling''s provocation, and had no intention of showing mercy. "Since you seek death, I shall fulfill your wish! Get lost!" Li Wenze, with a fierce expression, swung his long blade horizontally. Facing such an insignificant existence as Shao Hongling, he only used thirty percent of his spiritual power, not going all out. Nevertheless, the blade light spread out before him, enveloping the entire world in front of Shao Hongling. Shao Hongling, holding a dagger, found her body unable to move under the means of this Primordial Spirit Realm warrior, only staring helplessly as the blade light overwhelmed her. "Ah!" Two heartrending screams suddenly erupted. In front of Shao Hongling, two flowers of blood bloomed like roses. She never expected that A Da and Xiao Man, unbeknownst to her, had rushed in front of her, using their bodies as shields to block the strike for her. These two had almost frozen to death in the snow years ago and were saved by her from the roadside, now dying this way before her eyes. Even so, Shao Hongling retained the blade across her front, not yielding an inch, her face unchanged. Li Wenze saw this scene and was furious, unable to contain the discontent in his heart. Such insignificant ants were continually obstructing him?! He didn''t hold back anymore, fully mustering his spiritual power for a slash. At this critical juncture, Shen Qing had just finished internalizing all the memories of the Great Void Shifting Skill. He remained expressionless, reaching out with one hand. Shao Hongling, under the blade, inexplicably disappeared and the next moment reappeared beside Shen Qing. Boom! Li Wenze''s blade descended, accompanied by the explosive sound of tearing air, striking directly at the ground. The moment the blade light made contact with the ground, an indescribable wave instantly spread out, and the ground shuddered intensely. The ground, resembling a water puddle, was struck with a stick. Stones splattered, dust billowed, forming a magnificent ring-shaped wave, surging outward. Shen Qing did not hesitate, wrapping an arm around Shao Hongling''s waist: "Go!" Xie Rui and Li Wenze found it hard to accept that Shen Qing could escape under such combined effort. "Chase!" The two transformed into two streaks of rainbow light, flanking Shen Qing from the left and right. Shen Qing, stepping on seven stars, kept maneuvering in the void, crossing several miles in a step. Glancing back on both sides, he noticed the magic treasures in Xie Rui and Li Wenze''s hands shooting towards him unwaveringly, locked onto him. Shen Qing gritted his teeth, activated the Great Void Shifting Skill, a three-legged small cauldron manifested from the depths of the Qi Sea, shot out from his brow, and collided head-on. Boom! Xie Rui and Li Wenze hit what seemed like a wall, letting out a shout and abruptly stopping before being flung back. Shen Qing wasn''t spared either, feeling an unstoppable force from the three-legged cauldron assaulting him. He and Shao Hongling, out of control, charged into the ruins. Witnessing the terror outside the ruins, Shen Qing maintained a thread of clarity, exerting himself to change direction, accidentally rushing into the entrance of the ruins. Bang! After entering, he crashed against the steps of the ruins, unable to suppress the surge of vitality, his face flushed, while Shao Hongling, who rushed in with him, fainted. Shen Qing shook his head, looked around, revealing a peculiar expression. He found the ruins surprisingly vast, with mountains appearing in its depths, much larger than it appeared from outside. He only occupied a corner of the ruins. Not far away, sounds of fighting and killing reached him. Focusing, Shen Qing saw many warriors fighting fiercely at the entrance of the ruins, each striving to be the first to enter, with the door already slightly ajar. On the door''s plaque, the large characters "Tianxuan" stood out, catching his eye. S§×ar?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 359 - 39: Collecting Spirit Essence, Seizing the Treasure Blade "Tianxuan?" Shen Qing was very unfamiliar with this name. Despite having read many ancient texts in the Martial Arts Hall, he had never heard of such a sect. From afar, he watched as the jade tablet engraved with "Tianxuan" gradually dimmed, its murderous aura greatly diminished under the sacrifices of numerous martial masters. The majestic gate of the relic had opened a crack, and suddenly, an unstoppable surge of Spiritual Energy gushed out like a tide. "Spirit Essence, there''s a massive amount of Spirit Essence here!" Everyone went mad. They rushed forward recklessly, using all their might to bombard the relic''s gate, eager to break in. Under the relentless attacks of numerous martial masters, the crack in the gate gradually widened. Through the gap, Shen Qing saw a pure white jade-like palace inside. It was spectacular, almost comparable to the Immortal Realm. Shen Qing could hardly believe it. Despite thousands of years, it was extraordinarily well-preserved, undamaged, and radiating a crystal-clear, majestic aura that was truly awe-inspiring. Boom! The gap in the gate of the relic was finally opened wide enough for half a person to pass through, and people continuously streamed in. Disciples of the Huang Tian Sect shouted loudly, "This is a Huang Tian Relic. Those who have not devoted themselves to Huang Tian will surely die if they enter." But no one heeded their nonsense, and everyone continued to file through the gap in the gate. Some, not wanting to be left behind, directly killed the martial masters ahead of them. The fresh, crimson blood almost stained the gate of the relic a bloody red. Shen Qing noticed that the noble sons who had already rushed in did not act rashly. They stood outside the crowd, guarded by Guardians, craning their necks to watch from afar. S§×ar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Shen Qing looked down at Shao Hongling, who was still unconscious, and abandoned the idea of venturing deeper for the time being. This relic, only partially revealed, must have been glorious in Ancient Times, surely containing treasures hard to come by. But correspondingly, there might also be unimaginable dangers inside. Those who rushed in first might seize treasures, but were more likely to die inside. Faced with a world beyond his understanding, Shen Qing felt uncertain and was unwilling to act rashly. At the same time, he did not rashly leave the relic. Li Wenze and the others were still outside the relic, and rushing out might also put their lives at risk. Shen Qing decided to do as the other noble sons did and observe how things unfolded. At worst, he could simply seize the treasures from those who obtained them first. No big problem. With that thought, Shen Qing activated the Great Void Shifting Technique and retrieved the Three-Legged Small Furnace. The Three-Legged Small Furnace spun around, pulling along a trail of dark cyan traces, and floated back in front of him. Not sure if it was an illusion, he noticed that the previously antique bronze small furnace had become much "newer". On its engraved surface, the mottled cyan rust began to fall off, revealing a bright golden light anew. Shen Qing was quite astonished. However, he was very puzzled by this phenomenon. With too few clues at the moment, he could not discern the connections and decided not to continue his patient observation. He activated the Great Void Shifting Technique. A glow of rosy light sprayed from Shen Qing''s brow as the Three-Legged Small Furnace rapidly shrank within the glow, turning into a streak of light that rushed back into his brow. Inside the Qi Sea, the Three-Legged Small Furnace reappeared, returning to its former state. After completing these actions, Shen Qing lifted Shao Hongling horizontally and hid in an inconspicuous corner before sitting down cross-legged. Without hesitation, he took out several blank jade plates and placed them in front of him. These were all spent Spiritual Mechanism Jade plates, perfect for collecting the overflowing Spirit Essence. Although he did not rush in immediately, it didn''t mean he would do nothing. Shen Qing activated the secret method for collecting Spirit Essence, and an indescribable power quietly spread out. His Divine Sense focused on one of the Spiritual Mechanism Jade plates in front of him. Instantly, the plate trembled slightly as if endowed with life, hovering in midair, a faint fluorescence swirling on it. Under Shen Qing''s guidance, the Spiritual Mechanism Jade turned into an abyss-like entity, voraciously devouring the surging Spiritual Energy around it. The Spiritual Energy that emerged from the depths of the relic and aimlessly roamed the void was now drawn in by an invisible force, eagerly flowing into the Spiritual Mechanism Jade and enhancing its increasingly dazzling radiance. Many people wanted to rush in to seize the great opportunities, not realizing that these outflowing Spiritual Energies were also opportunities. Of course, Shen Qing knew well that without Spiritual Mechanism Jade, they could only refine limited amounts of Spiritual Energy with their Physical Bodies, and in this frenzied, chaotic atmosphere, it was already difficult to remain rational, calm down, and meditate. As the Spiritual Energy constantly flowed in, the Spiritual Mechanism Jade gained a layer of faint spiritual light, filled with spirituality. After one Spiritual Mechanism Jade was filled with Spirit Essence, Shen Qing calmly continued to refine the next one, repeating the process. Until he had filled all five pieces of Spiritual Mechanism Jade in his possession. "Uh..." Beside him, Shao Hongling woke up. After all, she was a Qi Cultivation Realm martial master, with a strong physical constitution, not completely unconscious due to the impact. Shao Hongling opened her eyes, looked around, and asked confusedly, "Where is this?" Shen Qing replied, "We''re inside the relic." "The relic?" Shao Hongling''s beautiful eyes widened, somewhat baffled. Shen Qing casually pointed and said, "That''s the entrance to this relic." Following the direction Shen Qing pointed, Shao Hongling looked and saw the vast interior of the relic, secretly astonished. Chapter 360 - 39: Gathering Spirit Essence, Seizing the Treasure Blade_2 She raised her eyebrows and suddenly asked, "What is that?" "Hmm?" Just then, Shen Qing noticed strange fluctuations emanating from deep within the ruins. A flash of white light appeared, moving incredibly fast. Shen Qing focused intently, activating his "sharp eyesight" Skill. He clearly saw that wrapped within the white light was a silver spearhead, shooting out spiritedly. Someone shouted loudly, "It''s a Magic Treasure!" Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh! Soon, streaks of white brilliance burst forth continuously, and more than a dozen could be seen. Those who had not yet entered the ruins were boiling with excitement. Countless martial masters recklessly fought to seize them. Even the noble sons who had been watching from the sidelines couldn''t stay calm and rushed in, joining the fierce battle for the treasures. However, these "Magic Treasures" were extremely elusive, darting about like fish. They simply couldn''t touch them. Usually composed, Shen Qing, faced with this scene, suddenly felt the urge to try his luck. His gaze locked onto one of the knife-shaped white lights, and he used the Da Xu Hand to grasp the light. He got it!!! Shen Qing''s face lit up with joy as he pulled the white light in front of him, holding it tightly. He felt the struggle of the long knife in his hand, trying to break free again. Shen Qing activated the Six Paths Whale Swallowing Technique, continuously suppressing it. Finally, the knife settled down and stopped struggling. Shao Hongling, who was nearby, couldn''t help but feel happy for Shen Qing, "That''s great." Shen Qing looked down and saw the knife lying quietly in his hand, resigned to its fate, docile like a lamb. Gradually, the white brilliance enveloping it dispersed, revealing the true form of the knife. The knife was over three feet long, meticulously forged from cold iron, with intricate and fine cloud and thunder patterns carved on it, displaying a style from the Ancient Times, distinct from the many other knives of the present. The handguard was an irregular polygon, and the blade itself was a deep, tranquil cyan. The spine of the blade was thick, and the edge was as thin as cicada wings, transitioning naturally between the two. Holding it, Shen Qing felt a stable yet violently brutal aura emerge naturally. He held the long knife in front of him and performed a flourish, and faint thunder seemed to rumble in the air, making him click his tongue in wonder. S§×arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. In the sunlight, Shen Qing also noticed a faint blue glow on the blade, as if a Spiritual Snake was moving on it, or like a galaxy pouring down, tremendously beautiful. The words "Thunder Abyss" were faintly visible. "What an excellent blade!" Shen Qing couldn''t help but exclaim sincerely. Boom, boom, boom! Roaring noises came from near the gates of the ruins. Unbeknownst to them, Xie Rui and Li Wenze had already rushed in, using the Seal and the Ancient Blade in their hands to continually capture the Spiritual Treasures. Although these two artifacts were labeled with "Fake" and not considered true Magic Treasures, they still contained astonishing power. As Xie Rui and Li Wenze activated them, ancient patterns on the Seal seemed to come alive. Each gentle tap accompanied a slight tremor in space, suppressing a cluster of Spiritual Treasure. The Ancient Blade, with its radiance fully revealed, did the same. Under the formidable might of these two "Fake Magical Treasures," the lively and fleeing Spiritual Treasures encountered their natural predators, emitting pitiful whimpers and a sense of unwillingness. Many of them failed to escape the capturing force of the two "Fake Magical Treasures." Xie Rui and Li Wenze, with one seal and one blade, coordinated flawlessly, gradually bringing this chaotic secret realm under their control. The ecstatic expressions on their faces said it all: "Hahaha!" Laughter continued to pour out. Just then, several people rushed out from deep within the ruins. They were in a pathetic state, with blood oozing from the corners of their mouths. Upon closer inspection, two of them were guards brought by the noble sons, each one a cultivator at the Innate Realm and the Spirit Void Realm respectively, both among the strongest of the Jing Luan Assembly. As soon as they burst out, they shouted, "Run!" The sound had barely faded when a figure burst forth from the depths of the ruins, like the first light of dawn piercing through the endless ages. It was a flawless woman, who strode forth confidently with a long sword in hand, surrounded by a faint spiritual light. Every movement she made seemed capable of shaking heaven and earth, her strength was to an extreme extent. Under everyone''s watchful eyes, the woman walked to the entrance of the ruins, her gaze sweeping across the people in front of her, one by one. Her face was as cold as frost, devoid of any worldly warmth, and her eyes seemed to hold the eternal ice of ages, inspiring awe with just one glance. Shen Qing had never seen such a perfect woman before. Her beauty transcended the mundane, making everything around her pale in comparison, even the endless treasures within these ancient ruins seemed insignificant under her brilliance. It gave Shen Qing an incredibly surreal feeling. "Ah!" The person who had burst forth let out a terrified scream upon seeing the woman, unable to hold back. Just when everyone was puzzled, the perfect woman moved. She gently lifted her wrist, and the ancient sword in her hand gathered a frigid chill before she brought it down with one slash. The entrance to the ruins immediately became the line between life and death. The sword light left an invisible mark in the void, fleeting, sweeping past many martial masters at the doorway. In the next moment, these martial masters hadn''t even had time to show any expression before they dissolved into nothingness, completely disappearing from time. Even the martial masters of the Spirit Void Realm and Innate Realm were like candles in the wind under this astonishing slash, utterly fragile. Their protective techniques were like thin paper, crumbling upon contact. Both their physical bodies and souls, under this destructive power, persisted for a few moments before completely eroding away into eternal nothingness. Seeing such a scene, everyone was terrified, their souls nearly escaping, and they scrambled to flee outward. Xie Rui and Li Wenze''s expressions changed abruptly, and they hurriedly tried to summon back their "Fake Magical Treasures." But at that moment, they realized they had lost connection with their magic treasures. As they were filled with panic, the woman raised her hand and grabbed. The seal and the ancient blade circulating in mid-air burst apart, and the spiritual treasures they contained broke free, seemingly rejoicing as they circled above the ruins. Xie Rui and Li Wenze turned pale with shock and turned to run. Suddenly, the ruins trembled incessantly. Shen Qing quickly said, "Quick, we need to leave this place now!" A heavy feeling in his heart, he activated the Great Void Shifting Technique, sparing no second, he channeled all his spiritual power and ran madly. At that moment, a powerful binding force appeared within the ruins, making the steps of many martial masters and disciples of the Huangtian Sect heavy and difficult. Shen Qing constantly maneuvered through using the Da Xu Technique. He glanced back at the woman behind him. He wasn''t sure if it was an illusion, but upon seeing Shen Qing''s face, the perfect woman seemed momentarily stunned. A flicker of unusual expression crossed her cold, frost-like face. Boom boom boom! "The seal of the ruins is closing again, run!" The woman was too terrifying, nobody wanted to die here. Tens of thousands of martial masters continuously rushed out of the ruins. Shen Qing moved unhindered, making it to the gap in the seal in one breath, half a step out. Just then, a strange fluctuation came from within the ruins, and the strength of the seal suddenly increased. A force beyond resistance appeared on Shen Qing''s right arm, and Shao Hongling, whom he was holding, screamed in panic, being swept back by the binding force. He wanted to turn back and rescue her, but it was already too late. Boom! The seal suddenly closed. Shen Qing narrowly avoided it. Under everyone''s gaze, out of the corner of the ruins emerged a loud rumbling sound, reminiscent of a sinking, colossal ship slowly descending into the ocean depths. Severe energy fluctuations surged in every direction, and the ground, centered around the ruins, rose up high, forming a circular mountain range. At first glance, it appeared as if the earth''s veins had been pushed upward by some force. Everything finally settled down. All the surviving martial masters, seeing the transformed world, felt as if they had been dreaming. If not for the changed landscape before their eyes, they might have thought themselves in a hurried dream, coming in haste and leaving in haste. Chapter 361 - 40 Damn, enemies everywhere! Danzhou City. An ancient and quaint mansion. Inside the room, a young man, wearing a yellow cloth on his head, was seated in the center, closing his eyes to rest. There was no superfluous sound in the hall. "Report..." At this moment, a series of urgent footsteps broke the indoor silence. An ordinary sect member hurried in, looking solemn and said, "Church Envoy, something has changed outside." Shen Xiaohu, the Huang Tian Sect''s Church Envoy, lightly raised his hand at these words, gesturing for the other to continue. His voice was low and magnetic: "Speak." The young Church Envoy hastily reported: "Church Envoy, the dispute over the ancient relics opportunities just outside Danzhou City has heavily cost our Huang Tian Sect, with many brothers and sisters meeting with disaster. The martial masters from the Jing Luan Assembly have faced the same, and now they are all gathered around the relic site." Shen Xiaohu slowly opened his slightly squinted eyes: "What''s the current situation with the ancient relic?" The ordinary sect member of Huang Tian Sect hurriedly replied: "It''s already disappeared." "So fast!" Shen Xiaohu''s face showed surprise, as if he realized something, a cold smile curled at the corner of his mouth: "Good, they are all gathered together; this is indeed a heaven-sent opportunity." S§×ar?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He withdrew his hand, slowly stood up, and his robe fluttered. Shen Xiaohu took two steps forward, quickly instructing the sect members in front of him: "Pass the order, secretly mobilize personnel, and arrange the ''Nine Heavens Absolute Kill Array''. Let those dogs of the court see the power of our Huang Tian Sect, never to mistake the mere possession of martial machines for the peace of mind!" "Yes, Church Envoy!" The sect members, upon hearing this, flashed a trace of fervor in their eyes. He bowed to take orders, spread his hands, and devoutly said to the sky: "Huang Tian above, thick earth below." Shen Xiaohu also made the same gesture: "Huang Tian above, thick earth below! May Huang Tian bless us, all things go smoothly!" The sect members turned resolutely and left. Shen Xiaohu''s face couldn''t help but reveal a few traces of joy. The Huang Tian Sect is skilled in talisman and array formation, treading a unique path in the Martial Arts-dominated Great Zhou world. After so many years of development, it has vaguely grown into a massive force capable of rivaling the Ji family of Dazhou. And he has already established a firm foothold in the Huang Tian Sect. Because of this, the upper Commander gave him a killing array named ''Nine Heavens Absolute Kill Array''. With this formation, killing ten thousand martial masters would be no problem. Another major achievement. His luck was indeed excellent. Shen Xiaohu''s face flashed with excitement, hurriedly walking towards the outside to preside over the formation. ... At the same time. At the place where the ancient relics appeared, countless martial masters and Huang Tian Sect Saints were mingled together. Originally, the numbers along with the Huang Tian Sect reached forty to fifty thousand, but now after mutual slaughter on the way and the mishaps behind the relics, less than half remain. Looking around, the martial masters participating from the Jing Luan Assembly are estimated to number less than ten thousand. Most have died within the relics. Now, even the corpses are nowhere to be found. The surviving martial masters of the Jing Luan Assembly are no longer as frenzied as before, having restored much of their rationality, they gathered naturally around each family''s noble sons, depending on each other and ceased their fighting. Meanwhile, the followers of the Huang Tian Sect each quickly searched for their own scattered teams to find their leaders. A clear line naturally divided them from the martial masters of the Jing Luan Assembly, forming two great camps, becoming clearly differentiated. Shen Qing silently walked forward, maintaining a low profile, with no intentions of initiating conflict with anyone. He took two steps forward and suddenly stopped. With the support of the [Hunting Scripture], his eyes were sharp and he spotted two familiar figures not far ahead¡ªXie Rui and Li Wenze. At this moment, the two looked pale, their breaths somewhat disordered, standing together with the still-living supervision team soldiers. When Shen Qing fixed his gaze on them, the two sensed his eyesight and turned to look back, their eyes meeting. Xie Rui and Li Wenze were slightly surprised. So many people died, and with their pursuit, Shen Qing still appears in front of them safe and sound, surprising them inexplicably. They couldn''t understand why this person was so hard to kill. But soon, their gazes unintentionally fell on the dagger in Shen Qing''s hand flickering with a dark glow, and their faces changed subtly. Having collected spiritual treasures from the relics, they recognized the style of this knife, clearly a spiritual treasure from the relics! Why! Why is his luck so good? We consecutively damaged two priceless treasure weapons and got nothing? Why could he, with such cultivation, obtain a treasure from the relics? This is a relic from Ancient Times, rare and unattainable. Gradually, the frozen expressions on Xie Rui and Li Wenze''s faces slowly turned into anger, jealousy... Xie Rui even stepped out, pointing at Shen Qing from afar, shouting: "Look quickly, this person holds the ultimate treasure from the relics! He possesses the relics'' remnants!" His voice was slightly sharp due to excitement, suppressing the surrounding noise. These words were like a massive stone thrown into a calm lake, stirring layer upon layer of ripples. The crowd turned their gazes towards Shen Qing''s location, fixating on the dagger in his hand, eyes keen. "To the finder goes the share, leave the ultimate treasure behind, or you''ll not leave alive today!" In an instant, the emotions of both Jing Luan Assembly''s martial masters and Huang Tian Sect''s followers were ignited by an invisible force, intertwining, transforming into torrents that surged toward Shen Qing''s direction. The air was thick with an explosive tension. The martial master closest to Shen Qing, eyes bloodshot, flew towards Shen Qing. Like a leopard pouncing on prey, he extended sharp claws, attempting to snatch the dagger from Shen Qing''s waist. Shen Qing''s eyes were as calm as water, without any retreat, instead his chest welled up with a surge of defiance. He brandished the knife, the air erupted with thunderous roars and brilliant lightning. Boom! Amidst an extremely sharp wind sound, a splash of blood burst forth in the air like a rose, brilliantly and brutally dispersed. The air was filled with the dense smell of blood. The martial master who recklessly attempted to close in was now split in two, lying in a pool of blood. Facing the masses of martial masters charging towards him, Shen Qing held the knife and fiercely shouted: "If you aren''t afraid to die, just come on!" In that moment, he looked around and found enemies everywhere. Chapter 362 - 41 Fight! Huang Tian Sects Absolute Killing Array ``` The sky was clear and blue. Shen Qing''s warning was powerful and resonant, spreading far and wide so that everyone present could hear it clearly. However, the sudden appearance of the Ancient Relics this time caught everyone unprepared. As a result, they had put in a tremendous amount of effort in the face of such a great opportunity, only to end up empty-handed, which was extremely frustrating. Now, seeing someone obtaining the great treasure made them feel even more imbalanced. Thus, Shen Qing''s warning failed to shake the martial masters of the Jing Luan Assembly and the Huang Tian Sect in the slightest. People die for wealth, just as birds die for food. They stared intently at the treasure in Shen Qing''s hand, which sparkled with a cold glow, and without hesitation, moved aggressively towards him. In their view, Shen Qing was alone, so no matter how formidable he was, how could he compare to a thousand troops and horses? If they could just seize it, maybe they could get a share of the spoils. Shen Qing''s expression was stern, his gaze locked on the two prime culprits in the distance, Xie Rui and Li Wenze. After escaping from the relics, he tried to keep a low profile, not wanting to clash with anyone. If not for those two talking too much, none of this would have happened. At the moment, the two were sitting back and watching the drama unfold, which infuriated him even more. A martial master from the Jing Luan Assembly holding a long sword could no longer hold back and shouted angrily, charging at Shen Qing like a tiger descending the mountain: "Leave the blade and you will live!" Behind him, the Huang Tian Sect members were also eager to make a move. A Yellow Robed Elder snorted coldly, brandishing Huang Tian Sect talismans upon himself before following suit, surging forth like a mountain flood. In the elder''s palm, a Fourth Grade Red Lotus flowered, accompanied by a whistling wind, aimed straight at Shen Qing''s vital points. Confronting the two who charged first, Shen Qing remained unfazed; his figure unmoving, an invisible pressure emanated from his body. He knew well that this battle was unavoidable. These people had set their sights on the supreme treasure in his hands; if he did not die, they would not let him go. And now they were all inside this Jingluan Assembly; the area around Dan Zhou felt like a Prison, and no one could leave. So, there was only one road left to take. Kill! The Yellow Robed Elder of Huang Tian Sect and the martial master wielding a long sword arrived simultaneously. Shen Qing''s eyes were like torches, and with a single slash of his treasured blade, lightning clashed with the martial master''s sword first. Meanwhile, he used his other hand to deftly unleash the Destruction Seal towards the elder''s vital points. Boom! A faint blue glow circulated from the martial master''s long sword, obviously not an ordinary weapon. He was confident in his high cultivation level, adept at maneuverability, trying to bypass Shen Qing''s assault, opting to seize the spiritual treasure first. Unexpectedly, when Shen Qing''s blade fell, a surge of lightning paralyzed his arm, causing him to lose the initiative in an instant. Moreover, the ''Lei Yuan'' treasured blade in Shen Qing''s hand was an Ancient spirit treasure, forged from unknown contemporary materials, incredibly sharp. With a metallic clash, the martial master''s long sword was severed into two sections instantly. In the martial master''s surprised gaze, the long blade, shimmering with a deep blue glow, did not stop, slicing diagonally down his neck. With a muffled slicing sound. The long blade cut effortlessly into the martial master''s chest, splitting his body into two halves. At the same time, Shen Qing exerted all his spiritual power, and from another palm, unleashed a seal containing apocalyptic might. S§×arch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. A scorching aura erupted like a furious volcano, wildly spreading, the golden-red brilliance dazzling to the eye. Where the Eight Desolations Destruction Seal passed, the talismans on the Yellow Robed Elder scattered like fragile paper, shattering into nothingness. With the advantage gained in one move, Shen Qing''s movements did not pause at all. He shifted his grasp, capturing the Yellow Robed Elder''s head. Shen Qing breathed lightly, his arm muscles taut as tumors. A searing aura burst from his palm, precisely striking the elder''s neck. With a muffled sound. Shen Qing, as easily as plucking a wildflower by the roadside, severed the elder''s head from his body. Blood spurted like dazzling fireworks, staining his lapel. Amidst everyone''s gaze, Shen Qing threw back the elder''s head, shouting, "My blade is here; if you''re not afraid of death, come get it!" With that, he soared into the air, activating the Six Paths Whale Swallow method, drawing all surrounding spiritual energy towards him. Golden glows emerged from the acupoints all over his body, radiant and dazzling. Under the relentless exertion of the Six Paths Whale Swallow method, Shen Qing''s aura surged; he channeled all his spiritual energy into the ''Lei Yuan'' treasured blade in one breath. Arcs of electricity leapt off the ''Lei Yuan'' blade. Shen Qing sensed an excited emotion from the blade. Just as he felt puzzled, the electric arcs burst violently into a ten-foot thunderbolt. Shen Qing''s expression momentarily changed as he grasped its meaning, quickly focusing his mind. He swept his gaze below, his eyes cold and sharp as knives. Shen Qing brandished the ''Lei Yuan'' treasured blade, wielding it like a bolt of lightning, commanding the majestic power of heaven to crash down. At this moment, someone recalled the day he decimated the Xue family members. "I remember! He''s the Yongzhou Lieutenant who destroyed the Xue family heir, that Lingxu realm expert!" "Ah!" The Jing Luan Assembly''s members gasped collectively, gazing at Shen Qing''s ruthless figure, a wave of unprecedented fear surged in their hearts. But it was too late! Shen Qing''s blade descended. A deafening roar erupted, the Lei Yuan treasured blade like heavenly punishment falling upon them. In one sweeping slash, where the bolt of lightning passed, the advancing martial masters fell like autumn leaves. Their bodies shattered under the lightning strikes, some even evaporated into nothingness by the electric force. The smell of blood and burnt flesh permeated the air. It was astonishing! All around, whether the followers of Huang Tian Sect or the martial masters of the Jing Luan Assembly, they involuntarily inhaled sharply. They found it unimaginable how Shen Qing had become so terrifying under the empowerment of the spiritual treasure. Xie Rui and Li Wenze exchanged glances, greatly astonished. Feeling somewhat reluctant, they continued to incite, "Don''t panic, everyone, such a technique consumes a lot of energy, he can''t hold on for long." "He may not last, but it''s enough to kill a few more people." Shen Qing held the treasured blade, his face a half-smile: "Do you two want to try? Is the Yuan Shen realm that impressive? I''d like a spar." Xie Rui and Li Wenze''s hearts skipped a beat, sensing something ominous. Just then, the ground trembled. Shen Qing looked up to see a massive killing array suddenly erupting from the ground, like an ancient beast awakening, opening its colossal mouth to engulf all within it. "It''s the Nine Heavens Absolute Kill Array!" The Huang Tian Sect members turned ashen at this, recognizing it as their sect''s killing array. Once activated, heaven and earth lament, even those with high cultivation struggles to escape, inevitable death! ``` Chapter 363 - 42 I Want to Kill, No One Can Save Him! ``` Boom! The Nine Heavens Absolute Kill Array continuously rose, with yellow radiance filling the sky. Within the array, everyone felt an icy serpent''s tongue slithering around their necks, sending shivers down their spines. An Innate Martial Master, sensing that all was not right, decisively acted before the Nine Heavens Absolute Kill Array fully closed, attempting to escape immediately. He rode on the Rainbow Light, soaring straight to the top of the Formation. This Innate Martial Master concentrated all his Spiritual Power into one punch and struck out. Bang! A yellow beam appeared on the Formation, completely covering the Innate Martial Master. "Ah..." A piercing scream echoed in midair. In an instant, this Innate Martial Master was devoured by the fierce killing intent within the Formation, and his aura extinguished instantly. Witnessing this scene, everyone shuddered, eager to escape this land of death. "Boom..." "Whoosh!" "Thud!" "This Formation is too terrifying!" Even Shen Qing couldn''t help but feel a chill in his heart. His pupils slightly contracted, detecting the myriad of hidden killing intents within the Formation. "We need to go quickly!" a martial master shouted anxiously, his voice filled with undeniable fear and trembling. The surviving martial masters turned into headless flies, desperately seeking a way to break the Formation. No one cared about the Merit Stones or Ancient Spiritual Treasures anymore. The desire to survive made everyone''s goals gradually align. Only Shen Qing, with sharp eyes, firmly targeted Xie Rui and Li Wenze, a strong killing intent quietly growing in his heart. These two had crossed him repeatedly, and he was determined to kill them no matter what! With a gloomy expression, Shen Qing activated the Great Void Shifting Technique, traversing sideways, step by step closing in on Xie Rui and Li Wenze. At this moment, the Nine Heavens Absolute Kill Array finally "woke up." Golden lights roamed like furious dragons, tearing the space apart, each light containing enough energy to destroy a Spirit Void Realm or even Primordial Spirit Realm. Many martial masters perished within these energies. Seeing Shen Qing approaching, Xie Rui and Li Wenze became intensely nervous. Having lost their "Fake Magical Treasure," injured, and dealing with the Formation''s energies, they couldn''t withstand Shen Qing''s assault. Once in Shen Qing''s hands, they were sure to die. Thus, the two combined their forces, channeling all their Spiritual Energy to break the Formation''s constraints. Suddenly, a thick beam of light descended from the sky, enveloping the area where they stood. As the light flickered, they were pushed back by the Formation''s powerful energies, even emitting a burnt smell from their bodies. They couldn''t shake off the assaults from the Nine Heavens Absolute Kill Array. Elsewhere, several noble sons and their guards and Guardians were desperately attacking the Nine Heavens Absolute Kill Array, seeking a slim chance to break free. However, how could the Nine Heavens Absolute Kill Array be easily shaken by ordinary people? In an instant, countless dense golden lights and flames poured down like a waterfall. Their flesh flew, revealing bones, suffering heavy losses. Among them, the princes and princesses of the Wang Family were the most powerful, with Guardians bringing powerful weapons. At this point, they held nothing back, directly deploying them. It was a Spirit Tower, with the tower door wide open, and the Spiritual Power within pouring out like a river from the Milky Way, blocking the golden energies, creating a stalemate. "We must cooperate if we want a slim chance!" someone shouted urgently. The situation was extremely dire, and only cooperation could avoid the fate of total annihilation. Upon hearing this, many martial masters immediately responded. They quickly gathered around these noble sons, jointly resisting the energies within the Formation. Xie Rui and Li Wenze were no exceptions. Realizing the power of the Nine Heavens Absolute Kill Array, which they couldn''t withstand alone, they put aside their Primordial Spirit Realm pride and actively approached the princely heirs of each major family. At this moment, Shen Qing had already closed in on Xie Rui and Li Wenze. He shouted angrily, his figure rising, slashing out with his blade, the blade glow like a dragon, "Thunder Abyss" wrapped in thunder light, containing violent thunder force, roaring towards Xie Rui and Li Wenze''s vital points. Seeing this, Xie Rui and Li Wenze''s faces changed drastically, hurriedly using their movement technique to dodge the fearsome strike. Yet the previous setbacks had halved their power from its peak, and the ferocity of the "Thunder Abyss" Treasure Blade was too much, and they couldn''t completely dodge. "Boom!" A loud noise erupted as the Thunder Light clashed with their protective Spiritual Power, exploding into dazzling brilliance. Xie Rui and Li Wenze felt a powerful force, involuntarily retreating several steps, their faces turning pale as paper, with blood trickling from the corners of their mouths. "Damn it, how is Shen Qing this strong!" Xie Rui gritted his teeth, his eyes filled with unwillingness and anger. Li Wenze also showed a solemn expression, knowing that unless they gave their all, they might fall to Shen Qing before even the Formation''s energies could finish them. "Brother Xie, don''t hold back, let''s go all out and fight him!" Li Wenze shouted, his figure rising again, channeling all his Spiritual Power into a sword glow, charging straight at Shen Qing''s face. Xie Rui did the same. Seeing this, Shen Qing remained serious. These two were Primordial Spirit Realm experts, full of Spiritual Power, and possessed many mysterious techniques. He dared not be careless. Relying on his movement technique, Shen Qing distanced himself, planning to wield the "Thunder Abyss" Spiritual Treasure again. This Spirit Treasure acquired from an Ancient ruin strangely suited him well. Though each move consumed significant Spiritual Power, with the Six Path Whale Swallowing Technique''s support, it was manageable. Seeing him preparing to strike, Xie Rui and Li Wenze both suddenly opened their mouths, simultaneously uttering a word: "Zha!" Shen Qing suddenly felt his mind sink, as if a thorn had pierced his consciousness deeply. Xie Rui and Li Wenze''s faces lit up with joy upon seeing this. This was their signature Soul Stab after breaking into the Primordial Spirit Realm, capable of affecting a martial master''s consciousness, causing confusion at best, and a stupor at worst. In duals, it often has unexpected effects. They had already noticed that Shen Qing was merely a Spirit Void Realm martial master, his cultivation just one Great Realm below theirs, unable to defend against their Soul Stab. But to their surprise, Shen Qing seemed unaffected, continuing his actions without any hesitation. His blade stance unchanged, the blade glow like lightning, enveloping Xie Rui and Li Wenze in an instant. "Boom!" Thunder and lightning flashed, striking directly at Xie Rui and Li Wenze. Their faces were filled with disbelief, unable to comprehend why their previously invincible Soul Stab had failed. In truth, Shen Qing had developed Divine Sense under the support of his panel. The Soul Stab was negligible on him, even less impactful than the memories surging at each breakthrough. With a mere thought, Shen Qing suppressed the discomfort. "Ah!" Already injured, the two were charred black under the "Thunder Abyss" Spiritual Treasure''s assault, with many parts of their bodies breaking and losing much vitality. Xie Rui and Li Wenze wavered, their last bit of strength nearly exhausted, on the verge of collapse. Just as Shen Qing was about to deal the finishing blow, a crisp feminine voice suddenly rang out: "Lord Shen, wait!" The young lady of the Wang Family, Wang Wan''er, wearing a flowing cloud brocade gown, stepped like a lotus flower, swiftly coming before Shen Qing to stop him. Shen Qing sized up this noble daughter. She stood tall and graceful, with smooth skin, and her almond-shaped eyes were captivating. The Wang Family was a leading clan in the Great Zhou Country, with ancestors who fought alongside the Ji Family''s patriarch, a nearly thousand-year-old family, not to be underestimated. Shen Qing coldly said, "Miss Wang, you wish to interfere in our grudge and protect these two?" Wang Wan''er shook her head and said, "I''m not doing it for them, but for ourselves. Look at the slaughter about to begin with the Huang Tian Sect''s Formation, our lives hang by a thread. These two are Primordial Spirit Realm experts; having their aid means more power, increasing our odds of breaking free." "I''m unaware of the deep grievances between you, but I hope you can set aside personal vendettas for the greater good." "I, Wang Wan''er, am willing to vouch with the Wang Family''s reputation. If you lay down your personal grievances and face the Nine Heavens Absolute Kill Array together, you can settle scores once we break free. Such killing benefits no one." Her words won many nods secretly, agreeing with her point. However, Shen Qing remained indifferent, his gaze showing only endless coldness and determination. "I refuse!" "You!" Wang Wan''er was infuriated. To her, it was clearly beneficial for everyone, but Shen Qing was unreasonably ungrateful. Shen Qing sneered, "Just one question: when martial masters came to kill me, why did none of you stand out? Do you really think I''m easy to bully?" Wang Wan''er didn''t hesitate to say, "That was then. Without this Kill Array, we couldn''t intervene." "So, can I take it to mean my life never mattered to any of you?" Wang Wan''er paused. In fact, initially, they hadn''t considered Shen Qing worth noticing. Though a Spirit Void Realm martial master is formidable, in a millennium-old family, it''s insignificant. Wang Wan''er bit her lip, "Don''t worry, if we manage to escape, the Wang Family will ensure your protection and elevate you highly." "Haha." Shen Qing laughed. Who could guarantee post-escape matters? To Shen Qing, she was merely talking nonsense. "I appreciate Miss Wang''s goodwill," he said, raising his Treasure Blade high, "Today, I intend to kill, and no one can stop me! That''s what I say!" As his words fell, Shen Qing''s "Thunder Abyss" Treasure Blade descended heavily, channeling all his Spiritual Power into one strike, imposing a tremendous force. A flash of cold light, as the blade glow like lightning, instantly engulfed Xie Rui and Li Wenze. Screams erupted abruptly and then ceased. When the blade glow dissipated, the silhouettes of Xie Rui and Li Wenze were gone. The air was saturated with a bloody scent. Wang Wan''er shrieked in terror, unable to believe Shen Qing would be so decisive, ruthlessly killing them before her, without considering her reputation. "You..." Shen Qing sheathed his blade, standing coldly as ice, S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "In this world, strength dictates everything. Those two were weaker than me, and their survival wouldn''t aid much; they died deservedly." His words were cold and unfeeling, stating an irrefutable fact. Wang Wan''er''s face turned pale, the blood draining, leaving her speechless. The surrounding crowd was abuzz, shocked at Shen Qing''s ruthless decisiveness. "Young Miss!" Wang Family''s guards rushed over, protecting Wang Wan''er, warily watching Shen Qing. "Young man, doing this won''t benefit you; show mercy where possible." An elder Guardian advised Shen Qing earnestly. Shen Qing scoffed, "The Formation''s energies grow stronger; you have time to preach, better focus on protecting your young miss." "Hmph! Hope when this Array drains you to death, you''re still this cocky! Ignorant fool, let''s go!" Wang Wan''er scornfully laughed, leaving directly. Returning to the other noble heirs, she cursed, "This damned hunter, what''s he so arrogant about?" The noble heirs shared information quickly; even before the Incident of Order began, they had insights on certain martial masters participating. They naturally knew of Shen Qing, a hunter by origin. The thought of someone of his background rejecting her made her infuriated. "Never mind this, let''s break the Formation together. Though powerful, if we give it our all, there''s still hope. Once we escape, that obstinate fool can die in the array!" A young man from the Xie Family spoke up. The Xie Family rivaled the Wang Family in stature, both families deeply rooted, now joining forces. "Alright!" Wang Wan''er nodded vigorously. With them at the core, others rallied, continually striking. Boom! Boom! Boom! The Formation intensified. A powerful momentum released within the Nine Heavens Absolute Kill Array. A golden millstone appeared, pressing upon the martial masters within the Formation. Everyone felt an immense pressure, almost immobilizing them. Even Guardians and guards from noble families struggled to resist. A martial master, inadvertently touched, exploded in the millstone''s energy, turning to dust, perishing in the Formation. "Join forces to break the Array!" The Guardian wielding the Spirit Tower shouted sternly, his hair flowing, exuding overwhelming battle intent. Above his head, the Profound Spirit Tower rotated slowly, resisting the Formation''s energies. On his command, other martial masters swiftly joined in rallying the Spirit Tower. The Spirit Tower emitted a chilling aura. All exerted their utmost to break free from the Nine Heavens Absolute Kill Array. Unfortunately, the previously unstoppable magical artifact still couldn''t shake the Array''s foundation to open a path to survival. As time passed, the Formation strengthened, more people failing to withstand it, consumed by its terror, leaving their names here. Shen Qing also sensed the escalating threat, spreading his Divine Sense, constantly seeking weak points in the Formation. He had no way back. Outside the Formation. Shen Xiaohu, after setting up the Nine Heavens Absolute Kill Array, led his subordinates over. He moved to a vantage point outside the Formation, viewing everything inside clearly. Suddenly, Shen Xiaohu spotted a familiar figure, exclaiming, "Brother!" ``` Chapter 364 - 43: Escaping the Trap, Slaying Them All ÉòС»¢ was dumbfounded, his eyes suddenly widened, and his face was full of disbelief. "How... how is this possible? Brother Qingzi, how could he appear in this place?!" He never expected to encounter Shen Qing in this place. Shen Xiaohu fixed his gaze, only to see Shen Qing struggling desperately within the formidable power of the formation, constantly searching for weaknesses in the array. But Shen Xiaohu knew that the Nine Heavens Absolute Heaven Array laid down by their sect was derived from ancient times, and even they hadn''t fully studied all the flaws, making it impossible to find any, let alone for Shen Qing and his group. With their cultivation, finding a flaw within it was virtually a pipe dream. Seeing the power of the formation growing stronger, the two streams of energy like grindstones constantly closing in, annihilating everything in their way. Shen Xiaohu couldn''t help but show a bit of nervousness on his face, his heart burning with anxiety, wishing he could directly open the formation and let Shen Qing out. But he also knew that this formation was a large-scale array, the result of everyone''s combined effort, and it couldn''t be stopped or opened just because he said so. To truly let Shen Qing out of the formation, there had to be a suitable reason, something to convince others. As time passed bit by bit, Shen Xiaohu''s expression gradually became serious. His gaze was fixed tightly on Shen Qing, continuously calculating a plan in his mind. When Shen Xiaohu saw Shen Qing approaching the group of Huang Tian Sect disciples, a thought flashed through his mind, and he suddenly had a daring idea. He loudly called to his subordinates next to him, "Men, come here!" A Yellow Angel quickly ran up to Shen Xiaohu, "What orders do you have, Church Envoy, sir?" "Why have you trapped our brothers and sisters inside the formation? What exactly is your intention?" Shen Xiaohu suddenly pointed to a corner of the formation, questioning sternly. The Yellow Angel who was questioned smiled bitterly, "Church Envoy, sir, back then all the brothers and sisters were mixed up with other martial masters of the Jing Luan Assembly. We had no time to notify and distinguish, so we had no choice." The Yellow Angel continued, "Besides, now that we''ve joined the Holy Sect and attained transcendence, even if they die, it''s surely willingly." "Nonsense!" Shen Xiaohu pierced through his hidden thoughts and cursed, "If I told you to let me kill you now, would you damn well be happy and willing?" "Church Envoy, sir." The Yellow Angel became more terrified. "Don''t say these useless things. As a member of the Huang Tian Sect, all compatriots are considered as brothers and sisters, and we must not do such harmful things to each other. Now spread my order, we need to open a corner of the formation and let these brothers and sisters out to help them escape!" S~ea??h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Huh?! Absolutely not." The Yellow Angel hurriedly urged, with an anxious expression, "Once the formation is opened, the martial masters of the Jing Luan Assembly will surely notice, and they might escape through it as well. We would have worked for nothing!" Shen Xiaohu glanced at the Yellow Angel, displeased, and said, "Do you think I haven''t thought of what you''ve thought of?" The Yellow Angel was momentarily stunned and bowed his head, saying, "It is my ignorance..." Shen Xiaohu snorted coldly. He took out a few golden talismans from his bosom and said, "These are Sound Transmission Talismans I refined over the past two days. Later, I will give orders to our brothers and sisters in the Huang Tian Sect, letting them prepare in advance and giving them a moment to escape. In this way, those martial masters of the Jing Luan Assembly will definitely not react in time." Under the gaze of his subordinates, Shen Xiaohu began to refine the talismans in front of his chest. As he continuously activated them, these talismans floated up and hovered in front of Shen Xiaohu, shining brightly with streams of yellow light flowing on them. Shen Xiaohu formed a complex spell with his fingers and lightly drank, "Swift!" Swish... The talismans in front immediately moved with a spirituality, transforming into streaks of golden light, flying all over the sky, dashing into the formation and integrating into it. Under Shen Xiaohu''s deliberate control, all these talismans fell towards the Huang Tian Sect members. However, in an inconspicuous position, a Sound Transmission Talisman overlapped with an Invisibility Talisman, transforming into an invisible light and flew towards Shen Qing''s location. After doing all this, Shen Xiaohu quickly instructed, "Go prepare now, we''re going to open the formation for a brief moment and let our brothers and sisters out safely." He spoke these words with a great sense of righteousness. The many Saints of the Huang Tian Sect behind Shen Xiaohu were all touched upon hearing this. All hearts are flesh. Shen Xiaohu''s concern for their life and death seemed far better to them than other Church Envoys and Commanders. "Yes! Church Envoy, sir." Unknowingly, Shen Xiaohu gathered a large amount of people''s hearts. Under Shen Xiaohu''s orders, the disciples of the Huang Tian Sect became high-spirited and quickly took action. At the same time, Shen Qing in the formation moved around like a trapped beast. His sharp gaze took in all the various details within the formation, even seeing many interwoven runes. These runes were extremely complex, and regardless of how he meticulously observed, the formation appeared seamless, without a hint of flaws or weaknesses. Every attempt he made ended in failure. Watching the grindstones on the formation close in on each other and the energy within the formation growing sharper, Shen Qing''s heart sank into a deep abyss with a sense of ominous foreboding. Could it be that he would die in this formation today? Amidst this despair, an unusual "pop" sound suddenly rang in Shen Qing''s ears. This sudden sound was particularly abrupt in the otherwise silent formation. And following this "pop," a familiar voice clearly entered his ears: "Brother Qingzi, soon, a fleeting flaw will appear in this formation. That''s your chance!" Shen Qing abruptly looked up, a glimmer of disbelief flashing in his eyes. That was Shen Xiaohu''s voice! "Xiao Hu? You... why... are you here..." Shen Qing replied in his heart, filled with surprise and confusion. "Don''t ask too many questions, time is of the essence!" Shen Xiaohu interrupted Shen Qing''s inquiries with an authoritative tone, "Keep an eye on the Huang Tian Sect folks, leave with them." Hearing this, Shen Qing quickly calmed down, understanding it wasn''t the time for catching up. He immediately pressed down the doubts and gratitude in his heart and focused all his attention. Silently, Shen Qing operated the Great Void Shifting Technique, moving with an invisible movement technique to the vicinity of the Huang Tian Sect members, his expression becoming fully focused. Click, click, click! Moments later, after a light mechanical turning sound, the runes around a corner of the formation began to flicker slightly. Shen Qing''s heartbeat accelerated, his entire body tensed to the extreme. The next moment, he clearly caught sight of a subtle crack slowly opening in the formation. Seeing this, Shen Qing didn''t hesitate for a moment and acted according to Shen Xiaohu''s instructions. "Go!" Shen Qing urged his spiritual power, his figure flashing like a ghost, shuttling between the runes and rushing with the Huang Tian Sect people towards the only exit. In the blink of an eye, using the Great Void Shifting Technique, he passed through that crack, escaping the constraints of the formation and regaining freedom. Looking back, Shen Qing found himself standing outside the formation, easily escaping the predicament. "Look, they''ve broken out of the formation!" "What? Quickly, rush over there. Hurry!" The commotion caused by the Huang Tian Sect was massive, almost instantly attracting the attention of many martial masters from the Jing Luan Assembly. Roaring furiously, the belated martial masters of the Jing Luan Assembly charged towards the spot where Shen Qing and the others had escaped. However, the opening of the formation only lasted for a moment, fleeting. When they arrived, the Nine Heavens Absolute Kill Array had already returned to normal. Everyone began to become hysterical. Shen Qing transformed into a beam of rainbow light, soaring into the sky, reigning over the outside of the formation. The Nine Heavens Absolute Kill Array was not a world of its own, the view inside was clear. Many noble sons who were struggling could see Shen Qing appearing outside the formation, their eyes filled with rage and fury. In particular, Wang Wan''er, seeing this scene, was filled with a complex emotions of shock and jealousy, "How is it possible, why did he appear outside the formation and escape?" Wang Wan''er''s mentality was thrown off balance. She found it hard to accept that a low-born hunter, with no backing or background, was living better than her. "Hurry up and give me some strength!" Wang Wan''er screamed almost hysterically, "If we die here, your entire family''s lives will accompany us to the grave!" Hearing this, all the Shi family''s guardians and guards suddenly tensed, sweating profusely. They never expected the usually secure Jing Luan Assembly to turn out like this. The changes in the world had exceeded their imagination. Outside the formation, Shen Qing smiled and made a clasping gesture towards the noble sons inside, further fueling their rage. He laughed heartily, indifferent. Shen Qing''s gaze inadvertently swept towards a certain direction, where he saw another familiar figure gazing at him excitedly. With his keen Divine Sense, he realized it truly was Shen Xiaohu. Unexpectedly, after so many years, he had infiltrated the Huang Tian Sect, and seemingly held a not-low position. Now, Shen Xiaohu had shed his former childlike demeanor, his figure had become much more upright. On him, the original wild aura of a mountain dweller had disappeared, replaced by a scholarly elegance unique to a scholar. In the distance, Shen Xiaohu also noticed Shen Qing. He suppressed his inner excitement, maintaining a calm demeanor as he instructed his subordinates, "Continue to host the formation, I have something to handle." "Yes, sir!" After saving many fellow disciples, Shen Xiaohu silently earned considerable respect from many sect members. There was naturally no doubt about his words. After leaving the multitude of sect members of the Huang Tian Sect, Shen Xiaohu headed to a secluded spot. Confirming there were no pursuers, he produced a Shapeshifting Talisman, transforming into a yellow light traveling swiftly through the mountain forest. Noticing Shen Xiaohu''s actions, Shen Qing didn''t hesitate either, knowing Shen Xiaohu likely wanted to meet him. Thus, Shen Qing also flashed towards Shen Xiaohu''s direction. In a secluded mountain forest, the two brothers finally met, halting their steps. "Brother Qingzi!" Shen Xiaohu called out, eyes brimming with tears. Shen Qing stood firmly, looking directly at Shen Xiaohu, moved, "Xiao Hu, is it really you?" "It''s me, it''s me." Shen Xiaohu nodded. "Why did you join the Huang Tian Sect?" "This is a long story. Brother Qingzi, why are you in the Jing Luan Assembly?" Shen Qing laughed, "That too is a long story." The two brothers exchanged a glance and simultaneously burst into laughter. "How has everyone been all these years?" "Not bad. I am now the Chief Constable of the two divisions of Yongzhou, and Uncle and Aunt live in Shen Mansion, becoming ''Master'' and ''Lady''." Shen Xiaohu widened his eyes, a comical image of his father wearing the long gowns of a ''Master'' flashing in his mind, and he couldn''t help but laugh. But soon, he seemed to notice something. "Wait a minute, brother, you say you are now the Chief Constable of two divisions?" "Yes!" Shen Qing nodded. "Isn''t that specifically against me?" Shen Xiaohu blinked, a bit stunned. Shen Qing replied, "In a certain sense, it is indeed!" "What about those martial masters in the formation, what does Brother Qingzi plan to do with them?" "Just kill them all!" Shen Xiaohu was taken aback. "What''s wrong, isn''t killing these martial masters what you guys were planning to do?" Shen Xiaohu rubbed his nose and said, "I thought Brother Qingzi wanted to save them." "No relation to me, why save them." Just then, tremors and rumblings began to emanate from the formation in the distance. Shen Xiaohu realized something. He took out a mirror and placed it in Shen Qing''s hands, saying, "This is a magic mirror I refined using Huang Tian Sect''s secret method. I''ll teach you a way to activate it, and then we can have a mirror talk." Oh, is there such an artifact? Holding the ordinary-looking mirror, Shen Qing felt a bit bewildered. After quickly teaching Shen Qing a series of manipulation methods, Shen Xiaohu hurriedly said, "I still have some matters to handle; once I''m done, I''ll come to chat with Brother Qingzi." "Okay." Shen Xiaohu once again harnessed talismans to leave. Shen Qing also didn''t stay, climbing a high mountain and watching the distant formation. In that vast Nine Heavens Absolute Kill Array, Shen Qing saw two golden grindstones formed by the energy of the array drawing close to each other. Amid the grindstones, countless martial masters were wailing in despair. Their vitality was swept away like autumn leaves, turning into wisps of blue smoke, dissipating into the formation. Those sons of noble families kept struggling. However, as the grinding momentum surged, the brilliance of the spiritual tower protecting them dimmed immensely. More tragically, many innate martial masters among them were caught between the grinding stones, instantly turning into a mangled mass, then utterly disintegrating without leaving a trace. This formation, fully activated, was suffused with an overwhelming power that could smash everything. Click, click. As the two grindstones closed, the spirit tower refined by the Wang family guardians cracked open, unable to hold any longer. Ultimately, it shattered spectacularly, scattering fragments everywhere. Bereft of the shield of the spirit tower, those noble sons and their guards, despite putting in all their effort and utilizing every means, were powerless in the end. Their bodies, under the pressure of the formation, gradually cracked, with blood gushing like springs, splattering this deathly place and emitting harrowing cries. These martial masters ultimately perished. Chapter 365 - 44: Unprecedented, Only One Survives the Jing Luan Assembly ``` Deep within the Ancient Relics, a breathtaking jade palace stood, its grand scale comparable to a human city, exuding a soft and gentle luster. Inside the palace, a misty fog swirled, obscuring the view and making it difficult to see clearly. Suddenly, a whisper shattered the silence within the palace. Shao Hongling woke up from this chaotic mist, slowly opening her eyes. S~ea??h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. When she saw the surrounding scenes, her face immediately froze. She clearly remembered that in the final moment, a powerful force swept through the Ancient Relics, and she was caught up in it. She had no memory of what happened after that. Could it be that she had died, and this was the world after death? Shao Hongling couldn''t be sure. She tried to stand up and looked around, seeing only endless white, as if she was in another world. A wave of fear and helplessness surged from deep within her heart. She couldn''t help but cry for help: "Is there anyone? Is anyone here?" Yet, the only response was the empty echoes, reverberating endlessly from all directions in the mist. Shao Hongling bit her lip and, guided by her intuition, walked forward aimlessly. But all around her was an endless expanse of white, leaving her lost and without direction. She didn''t know how long she wandered, but she never managed to escape. However, as she continued forward, she seemed to sense a mysterious whisper. Shao Hongling''s spirit was jolted awake, and she followed the faint whispering sound. The sound gradually became clearer. Only then did she realize it wasn''t a whisper at all; it was the ringing of a sword. Just as she was perplexed, a graceful figure emerged from the mist. She seemed like a fairy walking out of the mist, each step appearing to align with some rhythm or law. This was a flawless woman, her beauty unparalleled, her temperament transcendent, and her every gesture radiating an indescribable sense of detachment, giving one an extremely unrealistic illusion. Upon clearly seeing the woman''s face, Shao Hongling''s heart tightened sharply. This was precisely the perfect woman who had just appeared among the relics. Shao Hongling couldn''t help but take a few steps back, the shocking scenes of this woman slaughtering all in her path previously in the relics surfacing involuntarily in her mind, leaving her in fear. The perfect woman seemed indifferent to the waves in Shao Hongling''s heart. Her gaze was calm and profound, as she spoke directly, her voice like heavenly music: "Shao Hongling. I have been entrusted to teach you the Ancient Secret Cultivation Method, are you willing?" Shao Hongling was more surprised and incredulous than anything upon hearing this, staring at the woman before her, asking tremblingly: "Who are you, why do you know me?" "Who am I?" A hint of a smile appeared on the perfect woman''s icy, frost-like face: "My name you have all seen, it''s engraved on the great door." Tianxuan? Shao Hongling almost instantly remembered. In the relics, she had a deep impression of the plaque on the door. The perfect woman Tianxuan smiled slightly and continued: "As for why I know your name, you don''t need to ask further. Just know that this is your opportunity, and it won''t do you any harm." With Tianxuan''s words, the chaotic mist within the palace seemed to still, an ancient and powerful force quietly diffusing in the air. Shao Hongling astonishingly found that the mist ahead automatically parted, revealing a passage. At the end of the passage, a sword was planted, white as jade, with a glaze-like glow constantly manifesting. ¡­ Tragic. Extremely tragic. Inside the Nine Heavens Absolute Kill Array, the scene was heartbreaking, as if doomsday had arrived, filled with a thick, bloody aura. Inside, bone fragments and flesh flew everywhere, no complete existence to be seen. Those Innate Martial Masters brought by the noble sons, considered powerful in the Great Zhou, their physical bodies were fragile and shattered under this Absolute Kill Array. Not only these Innate realm martial masters, but even the Spirit Void realm martial masters fell within this ruthless array, leaving behind patches of mottled bloodstains. At this moment, within the Nine Heavens Absolute Kill Array, there were no victorious cheers, no cries of despair from the defeated, only deathly silence, deep and hopeless. Everyone was dead. Shen Qing witnessed all this, feeling a chill and fear. If he hadn''t been lucky enough to meet Xiao Hu, he would certainly be among the mud and blood stains in this array. And it was all due to the rules made by those who ruled this world. In their presence, someone like Shen Qing had no chance of resistance at all. Ultimately, it was because he himself was too weak, his cultivation insufficient. A desire to become stronger surged again from deep within Shen Qing''s heart. The last time he felt such an urge was when passing by a village along the road leaving Taiping County. However, that time he was influenced by the external environment rather than a personal experience, and the intensity was far less than this. Shen Qing gently exhaled a breath of foul air, suppressing the turbulent waves in his heart. Woo woo woo... Shen Qing suddenly noticed a trace of warmth and vibration at his chest. It was the Spirit Communication Mirror that Xiao Hu had given him. He hurriedly took it out, recalled the method Xiao Hu had taught him for refining it, and activated the Spirit Communication Mirror. Moments later, lines of characters appeared on the mirror''s surface, which was clean and smooth as ice. "Brother Qingzi, we are about to withdraw the array. At that time, I will lead my men to clean the battlefield. I will control the time spent cleaning the battlefield, and Brother Qingzi, you can enter the scene then." "The Merit Stones and these external things are useless to us; you can collect them all back." Shen Qing looked at the lines of text and found himself momentarily stunned for some reason. So this is how the Spirit Communication Mirror is used. He truly gained some knowledge. Indeed, the Huang Tian Sect couldn''t be underestimated. After some thought, Shen Qing activated his mental method and replied with two words: "Received." After replying, Shen Qing employed a movement technique to rush down from the mountaintop, continually crossing and traversing to reach near the Nine Heavens Absolute Kill Array. He sat cross-legged on one side, staring at the formation in front while adjusting his breath. In his sight, a group of sect members from Huang Tian Sect joyfully walked out from Dan Zhou and various places, heading towards the formation. Each of them had faces filled with ecstatic triumph, with Shen Xiaohu entering among the crowd''s embrace. It was evident that Shen Xiaohu''s status among these disciples of the Huang Tian Sect had risen, garnering respect and admiration from them. Standing before the formation, Shen Xiaohu gently waved his hand, signaling everyone to quiet down. Thereafter, the Nine Heavens Absolute Kill Array was steadily withdrawn under his command. The light gradually dissipated into nothingness, revealing a devastated battlefield. Shen Xiaohu directed the sect members from Huang Tian Sect to begin the methodical cleanup of the battlefield. Amidst cheers, countless disciples of the Huang Tian Sect plunged into the area of the array, their actions both swift and efficient. Who knows how long it took, Shen Xiaohu took out a token from his bosom, shimmering with a strange light. After sensing it through his brow, his expression turned grave. Shen Xiaohu then conveyed a brief evacuation order to the numerous sect members cleaning the battlefield. Upon hearing this, although the sect members of Huang Tian Sect looked reluctant, they didn''t hesitate and quickly departed under Shen Xiaohu''s lead. As Shen Xiaohu was leaving, Shen Qing even saw Shen Xiaohu throw a knowing glance in his direction, which made him involuntarily chuckle. Soon, the vast battlefield became empty. Shen Qing released his Divine Sense, making sure there was no one else, then boldly walked in. The battlefield was thick with a bloody aura, and even after the cleanup by the sect members of Huang Tian Sect, traces still remained. Shen Qing took a few deep breaths, numbing his sense of smell, then focused on releasing his Divine Sense to search for remnants on the battlefield. With his Divine Sense, he discovered countless scattered items. Most valuables, such as wish-fulfilling pearls and gold and silver, treasures, were taken by the Huang Tian Sect. However, due to the hasty search, many items were left behind. These items naturally didn''t escape his Divine Sense''s detection. The corners of Shen Qing''s mouth curled into a faint smile, maintaining the sharpness of his Divine Sense while passionately mobilizing the spiritual energy within his body. Under his control, vast spiritual energy surged and boiled within him, ultimately converging in his palm, transforming into strands of spiritual energy tendrils. "Go!" Shen Qing, with his powerful Divine Sense manipulation, constantly maneuvered these spiritual energy tendrils across the battlefield, picking up the remnants and gathering them behind him. To outsiders, it would seem like countless treasures flying by themselves, quite mystical. Among them, one by one, dark practice stones leaped up, eventually piling into a small mountain behind Shen Qing. Besides the wish-fulfilling pearls, many treasure fragments, remnants of pills, peculiar minerals, fragments of secret manuals... all piled together. The sheer quantity of these items was such that even with Shen Qing''s extraordinary means, it was momentarily difficult to handle them all, so he scooped them up entirely. Just then, a tremendous soul-shaking aura from the sky surged towards Shen Qing, involuntarily pausing his actions. Alarm bells rang in his heart as he abruptly lifted his head to gaze at the vast sky. Beneath the blue sky, dazzling rosy light tore through it like the first break of dawn, yet more dazzling and brilliant than sunrise. Immediately after, a golden silhouette, moving at an incredible speed, streaked across the sky like a meteor chasing the moon, approaching the forefront of the battlefield in an instant. This golden silhouette''s mere appearance caused the surrounding air to tremble. Another Spirit Void Realm martial master! This was a strand of a Spirit Void Realm martial master''s divine soul. This individual''s cultivated divine soul could already leave his body and exist apart from it. His cultivation level was stronger than that of Xue Rui and the two others. Shen Qing had a premonition of bad things to come. Gradually, the golden silhouette solidified, transforming into an armor-clad general, surrounded by an unyielding battle intent. The general gazed downward from a high position, fixing his eyes on Shen Qing. Seeing the Merit Stone mound behind Shen Qing, he couldn''t help but pause in surprise. He furrowed his brows, his tone carrying a hint of interrogation: "Youngster, why are these Merit Stones here? Where are the martial masters who participated in the Jing Luan Assembly?" Although Shen Qing''s heart was in turmoil facing this sudden strong presence, he maintained his composure and calmness on the surface. He truthfully said: "As the master saw, they are all dead! With Huang Tian Sect''s interference, the martial masters from the Jing Luan Assembly couldn''t withstand their terrifying power, and now they''ve all fallen. I was fortunate to survive and am here to clean up the aftermath." The golden silhouette hadn''t expected such a result, so he asked: "What is your name?" "I¡­" Shen Qing was about to say his name, but with a thought for his own safety, he suddenly switched his words, cupped his fists earnestly, and declared: "Li Feiyu." "Do you recognize a martial master named Shen Qing?" Shen Qing? Was he looking for me? Shen Qing felt a chill in his heart. Judging by the opposing party''s intimidating demeanor, this couldn''t be anything good. Currently, he wasn''t a match for a Spirit Void Realm martial master. If they targeted him, he wouldn''t have the power to fight back and would surely die. Thinking that far, Shen Qing said decisively: "I don''t know him." The golden silhouette fell silent, contemplating his existence. "General Xue, this is the designated area for the Jing Luan Assembly, why are you here?" Suddenly, the sky split open with a fissure, and a vast ocean-like aura swept forth, accompanied by a deep, resonant male voice that stirred the surrounding clouds. Upon hearing this thunderous voice, Shen Qing couldn''t help but look up towards the firmament. A middle-aged man dressed in a gray-white robe soared through the air, his garments fluttering, appearing like an immortal descending. This was none other than the void-traversing powerhouse, Lan Gongliang. Lan Gongliang''s gaze flickered as he looked directly below, with a tone tinged with both reproach and confusion: "Court laws were long established. No external intervention is allowed in the Jing Luan Assembly. General Xue, are you intending to break the rules?" Xue? General? Currently, there was only one General Xue in the Great Zhou court''s temple. Shen Qing hurriedly looked at the golden silhouette in the sky, studying its appearance closely, noticing it resembled Xue Yan and Xue Bai somewhat. Who else could it be but the head of the Xue family, Xue Zhao? This Xue Zhao was here, likely because of Xue Bai!!! Shen Qing''s heart shook intensely. Immediately, he lowered his head, remained silent, striving to be as inconspicuous as possible. General Xue didn''t notice Shen Qing''s small actions. He looked at Lan Gongliang and said: "Master Lan, there''s no misunderstanding. I am merely passing by to take a look. Besides, the Jing Luan Assembly has only one person left, it is, to some extent, concluded already." As he spoke, the golden silhouette gently quivered, emitting a faint glow that rendered the surroundings harmonious, yet subtly sharp. Lan Gongliang neither approved nor disapproved. He moved slightly, glancing towards Shen Qing. "Young friend," Lan Gongliang appeared near Shen Qing from midair and asked: "From afar, I sensed a powerful energy fluctuation and a tremendous phenomenon, what happened here?" Shen Qing promptly cupped his fists and truthfully recounted the entire series of events. Lan Gongliang''s expression shifted significantly. He never expected such events to unfold. "If things are as calculated, you are the sole survivor of the Jing Luan Assembly. According to the rules, you are the most deserving of glory." Lan Gongliang scanned him up and down, recalling the scene of killing Xue family''s young master at the Jing Luan Assembly''s inception. He asked for confirmation: "If I recall correctly, your name is Shen Qing, right?" Boom! Shen Qing''s scalp tingled with shock¡­ ``` Chapter 366 - 45 Hanging by a Thread Seeing Lan Gongliang call out his name, Shen Qing''s mind went blank, and his blood surged within him. He had just realized the danger, having concealed his identity with great difficulty. He had thought it was foolproof, but unexpectedly, such a scenario had unfolded. Now, with Lan Gongliang''s slight hint, he felt as if he had been pushed to the forefront of a storm, tensing every muscle in his body. Xue Zhao was originally out to avenge his son''s murder, stifling a bellyful of fire for not finding the murderer. Finding that the murderer was right under his nose, and that he had almost been deceived, only added fuel to the fire. Shen Qing looked at Lan Gongliang, who seemed delighted by the trouble, "I really ''thank'' you!" "Are you Shen Qing?" Xue Zhao''s manifested Primordial Spirit appeared vividly alive, his face animated with an intense killing intent that surged palpably. "Very well, very well!" Xue Zhao laughed in extreme anger. Before Shen Qing could react, Xue Zhao decisively pressed his palm toward Shen Qing, initiating his attack. The immense pressure of the Primordial Spirit Realm, like mountains collapsing and rivers bursting their banks, surged out from him. In midair, a massive golden palm materialized and mercilessly crushed toward Shen Qing. Each ounce of pressure within this palm was immensely heavy, enough to shatter the physical body of an ordinary martial master. Shen Qing was horrified. Still not fully recovered from the terrifying aura of the Nine Heavens Absolute Kill Array and with his strength greatly diminished, he felt like an ant trying to shake a tree facing this Primordial Spirit powerhouse, completely unable to contend. But he did not just wait to die. Shen Qing clenched his teeth, his Spiritual Power boiling inside him as he exerted all his might to activate the Six Path Whale Swallowing Technique and the Eight Desolate Annihilation Seal. Instantly, spirals of Spiritual Power emerged at the acupoints around his body, gathering the surrounding Spirit Essence like twinkling stars. A simple, crimson golden seal formed in front of him, bursting forth with divine might. These two Martial Arts techniques, the most thoroughly mastered and mightiest in his arsenal, still left him uncertain against Xue Zhao, a powerhouse in the Primordial Spirit Realm. A booming sound erupted. Two completely different auras collided fiercely in the void, like stars falling and the heavens trembling, the aftermath overflowing and distorting the surrounding space. Shen Qing staggered several steps back before stabilizing his stance. His upper body clothing, under the onslaught of this destructive force, turned instantly to dust and scattered with the wind, revealing skin torn by the fierce aura, with corners of his mouth silently spilling out bursts of bright red blood. He looked like someone who had just walked out of a bloodbath, covered in blood. Even so, Shen Qing did not take a single step back, nor did he harbor a trace of desire to beg for mercy. He pushed out all his learned skills with all his might, desperately holding on, and his bent waist slowly straightened again. ''Is this the true power of the Primordial Spirit Realm? Just a strand of Primordial Spirit is so powerful.'' Shen Qing''s eyes emitted a fierce light as he took this opportunity to grasp the aura of a Primordial Spirit Realm powerhouse, continuously resisting, unwilling to yield. Xue Zhao''s strand of Primordial Spirit noticed some changes in Shen Qing, "Hmm?" He snorted coldly and increased the force in his hand. Crack, crack, crack! Under the invisible pressure of the Primordial Spirit Realm, every inch of flesh in Shen Qing''s body suffered immense pressure, and fine cracks began to surface on his skin, sounding like porcelain breaking. Shen Qing ignored these injuries; his blood boiled as he continued to resist, his body seeming to thunder from within. Suddenly, a peculiar scene quietly emerged. Within the cracks appearing all over Shen Qing''s body, a strand of golden light faintly glimmered, ceaselessly roving through his meridians. The so-called Primordial Spirit Realm is the realm where a martial master integrates their own Spirit Essence, condenses the Primordial Spirit, and continuously merges with the heavens and earth. Once the Primordial Spirit merges with the heavens and earth to a certain critical point, it can achieve the level of mastery and roam freely between the heavens and earth. The key to this realm lies firstly in condensation and secondly in merging. Unknown amounts of time had passed when he perceived a layer of charm that subtly merged with the Spirit Essence of the heavens and earth from Xue Zhao''s Primordial Spirit. Light burst forth from his eyes. Immediately afterward, Shen Qing, completely disregarding his injuries, moved his body and grabbed the handle of the Thunder Abyss Blade hanging at his waist. He let out a light shout and swung the Treasure Blade in his hand. At this moment, with Shen Qing exerting all his strength, the blade unleashed an unprecedented, earth-shattering power. With one strike, the heavens and earth changed color! Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Boom! Blue lightning flickered, slashing toward that golden palm suspended in the void. This palm, manifested by Xue Zhao''s will, held astonishing power, but under the strike of the thunder from the Thunder Abyss, it shattered like fragile foam, splitting in two. The golden light scattered, eventually dissipating into nothingness. After the fierce attack poured out, Shen Qing''s figure trembled slightly, his chest heaving like a bellows, gasping continuously. Every breath he took was accompanied by a thunderous rumble between his bones and muscles; a giant dragon was tumbling inside him. The Six Path Whale Swallowing Technique was frantically circulating within his body. Shen Qing''s body seemed to transform into a black bottomless pit, devouring the Spiritual Power it could touch in this part of the heavens and earth. Under his deliberate control, the accumulated "pouch" burst forth like breached floodwaters, pouring out the immense Spiritual Power accumulated over countless days and nights, without reserve. Under the nourishment of Spiritual Power and the continuous repair by the Six Path Whale Swallowing Technique, the cracked wounds on his body rapidly healed at a visible speed. In the blink of an eye, Shen Qing had returned to his peak condition, radiating a glow of rebirth from fire. Xue Zhao stood not far away, witnessing this miraculous scene, a trace of incredulous surprise flashing across his eyes. A hint of surprise curled at his lips, "What Martial Arts are you practicing? Why have I never seen it before?" To be honest, such speed of injury repair was excessively fast, much faster than most Martial Arts he knew, even a bit faster than the injury repair of his own Primordial Spirit Realm. Shen Qing wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, smiling as he asked, "If I tell you, will you let me go?" "I can make your death a little less painful." Xue Zhao''s Primordial Spirit stood with folded arms, snorting coldly. "Only a fool would tell you." "Hmm?!" Xue Zhao had never expected such a reply and, furious to the point of laughter, said, "I think you''d better just die." Seeing Shen Qing''s irreverent attitude, Xue Zhao felt an unnamed anger rising within him, quickly spreading through his chest. Coupled with his revenge for his beloved son, complex emotions tinted his eyes a shade of blood red. "Die!" Xue Zhao bellowed angrily, the skies flashing with golden light. His entire being, like an arrow released from its bow, transformed into a streak of light, speeding directly towards Shen Qing. His speed was so fast it almost surpassed the limits of what the naked eye could capture. Xue Zhao''s figure abruptly appeared in front of Shen Qing, his hands sweeping fiercely, bringing a sharp piercing sound through the air. Xue Zhao gathered all his strength and launched a punch. The powerful punch surged toward Shen Qing, the punch''s wind compressing and distorting the space it passed through. In an instant, a ferocious wind howled, its overwhelming power emitting a deafening roar. The enormous shadow of the fist continuously enlarged in Shen Qing''s pupils until it reached right before him. Shen Qing felt the terrifying force of this punch, his heart pounding fiercely. He couldn''t block this punch! Chapter 367 - 46: When Heaven is About to Perish, Monsters Will Arise ``` Sear?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. I''m going to die! Shen Qing gritted his teeth, determined to make a desperate effort with all his might, struggling to hold on, unleashing power far greater than usual. "Enough!" A sharp shout, like a thunderous roar, exploded in Shen Qing''s ears. Lan Gongliang, standing nearby, moved. He stepped forward, his eyes shining brightly, as if two rising suns were hanging high in the sky. In the face of this overwhelming aura, Xue Zhao''s fist momentum was pushed aside like a leaf in a storm. The fist wind he painstakingly gathered dissipated and turned into nothingness. Xue Zhao''s face changed drastically, he stared intently at Lan Gongliang, questioning: "Lan Gongliang, do you really intend to intervene in this matter?" Lan Gongliang reined in his aura and said lightly, "Indeed, I must ensure his safety today! What about it? Do you have any objections?" Every word he spoke echoed like thunder in the air, startling everyone. Upon hearing this, Xue Zhao took a step forward, once again gathering his fist wind: "Lord Lan, I know your cultivation is unfathomable. If you insist on this, then today I will have to experience your high skills!" Having said that, Xue Zhao''s spiritual power surged uncontrollably, like rivers breaching a dam. His hands quickly formed seals, and mysterious runes appeared in the void, shining brightly, illuminating the surroundings. At present, he had already reached the Great Perfection of the Primordial Spirit Realm, just a step away from the Kongyou Realm. A lifetime of battles, he had killed countless people, possessing a body full of evil Qi. Against a martial master of the Kongyou Realm, he might have been able to contend. Besides, it was only a wisp of his primordial spirit, and even if it were to perish, it wouldn''t harm his foundation. Seeing Xue Zhao''s relentless stance, Lan Gongliang snorted coldly, his eyes radiating even more brightly. He did not move, yet another wave of grand momentum surged forth like a tide. "Disperse!" With a low shout, Lan Gongliang unleashed an immense, boundless force from his mouth, transformed into a dazzling beam of light, directly striking Xue Zhao''s wisp of primordial spirit. Under the impact of this force, all the brilliance of Xue Zhao''s primordial spirit was dispersed and turned into nothingness. He tried to regroup and resist vigorously, but it was all in vain. Lan Gongliang''s power was too overwhelming, crushing in an utterly one-sided manner. Xue Zhao shouted angrily: "Lan Gongliang, do you really want to oppose my Xue family?" Lan Gongliang shook his head and said, "I am only doing my duty impartially." With that, he glanced at the distressed Shen Qing, and continued: "Now, there are less than a hundred martial masters left in the Jing Luan Assembly, with only him alone. According to the rules, he deserves the greatest credit and can enjoy the treatment of the temple. I need to bring him back to the capital to meet the Emperor, how can I let you kill him? If there is anyone to blame, blame the current Emperor and all the former kings." Xue Zhao''s expression was stunned, looking at Shen Qing in disbelief, showing a hint of unwillingness. Boom! In the next moment, Lan Gongliang''s aura enveloped Xue Zhao''s primordial spirit, bursting forth in dazzling glory. Under Lan Gongliang''s aura, Xue Zhao''s primordial spirit was continuously obliterated until it vanished completely, leaving no trace behind. "Well, I, Xue Zhao, will not forget your actions today." Lan Gongliang remained unmoved, his face expressionless. As Xue Zhao''s primordial spirit dissipated, the surrounding air returned to calm, as if nothing had ever happened. Lan Gongliang retracted his spiritual power and turned to look at Shen Qing. Gratefully, Shen Qing looked at Lan Gongliang, clasping his fists in thanks: "Thank you, my lord, for saving my life." Lan Gongliang looked Shen Qing up and down, quietly praising him in his heart. A beautiful jade, truly a beautiful jade! His eyes were sharp, able to see that Shen Qing''s actual bone age was only nineteen and that his entire body lacked the frivolity from excessive use of elixirs, surprising him. It meant that through sheer hard work, this person had managed to break through to the Spirit Void Realm before the age of nineteen, which was simply incredible. Throughout the over nine hundred years of the Great Zhou Country, such individuals were hardly more than ten. As far as he knew, those individuals all had extraordinary backgrounds, whereas none were like Shen Qing, who broke through purely relying on talent and diligence. Shen Qing''s cultivation talent was extremely outstanding, almost to the point of being monstrous. Nowadays, the world was in great upheaval, demons were rampant everywhere. Looking around, the south had the rebellion of the Huang Tian Sect, while internally demons were wreaking havoc, painting a picture of a world on the brink of collapse. As the world faces decline, a prodigy must emerge! Lan Gongliang spoke to Shen Qing: "When Xue Zhao suppressed you earlier, I noticed great changes in you. What happened?" Shen Qing lowered his head, clasping his fists respectfully: "Junior merely sensed a trace of ''Harmony'' from his Primordial Spirit Realm, gaining some insight." Lan Gongliang chuckled. Indeed, this young man was extraordinary, able to remain calm and perceptive even in life-and-death situations, possessing a truly remarkable mindset. "Gentlemen seek harmony but not uniformity, whereas petty men achieve uniformity without harmony," Lan Gongliang said meaningfully. "''Harmony'' is merely an expression, what''s more important is for you to find your own essence, otherwise, once you breakthrough to the Primordial Spirit Realm, you''ll be trapped, unable to escape your predicament." Shen Qing straightened up, thoughtfully appreciating: "Thank you, my lord, for your guidance." "I wouldn''t dare call it guidance," Lan Gongliang said. "In the future, your achievements may well surpass mine, at which point I may need your guidance instead. Hahaha..." With that, Lan Gongliang laughed heartily. Shen Qing hastily expressed modesty, saying he dared not. After a moment, Lan Gongliang ceased laughing, looking at the mound of merit stones piled like a small hill behind Shen Qing. He took out a precious pouch embedded with sparkling diamonds from his bosom and said: "This is my Hundred Treasures Pouch, it has a space of ten feet. It''s a magical treasure I acquired from elsewhere and it has accompanied me for many years. Now it''s of no use to me, so I am giving it to you, to store your spoils." With that, Lan Gongliang casually tossed the pouch into Shen Qing''s hand. "This is too precious, I can''t accept it!" Shen Qing wasn''t too familiar with Lan Gongliang''s character, and dared not accept rashly. Even if it was a half magical treasure, it still remained a magical treasure! Lan Gongliang dismissed it, saying, "Just hold on to it as you''re told. Stop with the nonsense." "Later, gather all the merit stones behind you and bring them with you. After we return to the camp, the merits will be assessed and calculated. After the assessment, I will report the events here to the Emperor. Then prepare yourself to accompany me into the capital to meet the Emperor." A hint of excitement flashed in Shen Qing''s eyes. After initially joining the Jing Luan Assembly, he had no great ambitions, merely seeking to protect himself, and if possible, attempt to make it into the top hundred. Unexpectedly, after many changes along the way, he became the sole individual at the Jing Luan Assembly, reaping all of the merit, making it all seem unreal upon reflection. Shen Qing nodded heavily, agreeing: "Thank you, senior." "Come over, I''ll tell you how to activate the pouch." "Yes." ``` Chapter 368 - 47 Stay Awake, Return to Camp The Magic Skill passed down by Lan Gongliang wasn''t very complex, and with the enhancement from the panel, Shen Qing quickly mastered it completely. "You try it," Lan Gongliang lifted his chin to indicate. Without any hesitation, Shen Qing concentrated fully, stepped forward to activate the Magic Skill, and released a strand of Divine Thought that intertwined around the Hundred Treasure Pouch. Unlike any previous Martial Arts he''d encountered, this skill involved a strand of Divine Sense, which bore some similarities to his Great Void Shifting Technique and carried a hint of the flavor from the Ancient Times. With a thought, the Hundred Treasure Pouch in his palm suddenly burst into a dazzling light. Under the irrigation of Shen Qing''s Spiritual Power, the runes on the surface of the pouch lit up one by one, intertwining into a series of mysterious patterns, emitting waves of powerful fluctuations. "Go!" Shen Qing shouted lightly, tossing the Hundred Treasure Pouch into the void. The pouch swelled against the wind, quickly growing from the size of a palm to a three-foot cloth bag. Its mouth slowly opened, resembling the maw of a gigantic beast, exuding an aura of aggressive capture. The Merit Stones gathered by Shen Qing on the ground, each wrapped in a layer of bright red Evil Qi, were vibrant and dripping. At this moment, drawn by the Hundred Treasure Pouch, they rose into the air in an orderly fashion, as if pulled by invisible threads, converging toward the open mouth of the pouch. Following the Merit Stones, other scattered items were also successively drawn upwards. The Spiritual Energy hovering in the air around the pouch circled and danced, adding an extraordinary and transcendent charm to it. As the last piece was drawn into the Hundred Treasure Pouch, the mouth of the pouch slowly closed, and all the emitted light and fluctuations instantly converged, returning to calm. With a plop, the Hundred Treasure Pouch fell from the void into Shen Qing''s hand. Shen Qing weighed it in his hand and found no significant change in weight, which he found rather astonishing. The mechanism contained within this item involved not just any ordinary Martial Arts but perhaps tied to some aspects of the Tao Immortal Technique from ancient times, beyond his current understanding. Lan Gongliang''s willingness to gift him such a treasure was indeed generous. If it had been anyone else, they would probably already be moved to tears, willingly serving him, but Shen Qing, having experienced many great trials, saw things more clearly. Earlier, when he was contending against a strand of Xue Bai''s Primordial Spirit, Lan Gongliang didn''t step forward immediately; instead, he waited until Shen Qing had resisted twice and couldn''t hold out any longer before taking action. Lan Gongliang clearly had his calculations, wanting to be Shen Qing''s last lifesaver, yearning for him to owe a favor. The world bustles for profit. The reason Lan Gongliang was willing to give so much was that he also sought something from him. According to the rules of the Jing Luan Assembly, as the only survivor, Shen Qing already held a ticket to join the ranks of the top elite of Great Zhou, with a limitless future ahead. Building a good relationship now only had benefits, no drawbacks. Shen Qing had no objections to this kind of association. Having an extra friend was always better than having an extra enemy. However, he had to keep a clear head, always maintaining balance, not to be led by the nose by some moral shackles. Shen Qing secured the Hundred Treasure Pouch well, his expression filled with the joy of acquiring a treasure, and walked up to Lan Gongliang, cupping his hands and saying, "Mr. Zheng, it is done." Lan Gongliang, a smile on his face, nodded gently and said, "That''s mostly it, let''s return to the camp now to evaluate your contribution." As soon as his words fell, Lan Gongliang waved his hand grandly and disappeared from the spot, reappearing in the sky. His figure flickered continuously as he flew towards the camp. Shen Qing was not willing to fall behind, he stimulated his Spiritual Power, transforming into a burst of Rainbow Light that shot into the sky, closely following behind. Lan Gongliang, as a supremely powerful expert of the Kongyou Realm, had already quietly touched the mysterious threshold of the Tao Immortal Technique. His movement technique had reached a transformative state. He streaked across the sky like a dragon riding the wind, each step folding space in wondrous ways. Covering distances of dozens of miles in an instant; he left behind traces in the void. Shen Qing, riding the Rainbow Light, watched helplessly as Lan Gongliang''s figure disappeared from his sight, unable to keep up. With a grave expression, Shen Qing silently operated the Great Void Shifting Technique. Instantly, the Spiritual Power within his body surged like a raging river, all gathering in front of him. Suddenly, his figure also became misty and his speed increased several times over. He tightly followed Lan Gongliang''s trail, chasing ahead. Under the enhancement of his Cultivation Technique, Shen Qing''s entire body was resplendent and eye-catching, like a golden-bronze statue, emitting beams of radiance. Soon, he faintly spotted a small black dot in the distant horizon. Lan Gongliang, sensing the brilliance behind him, couldn''t help but show a hint of surprise in his eyes. He had not expected that Shen Qing, with just the cultivation of the Spirit Void Realm, could burst forth with such astonishing speed without falling behind. Even though he was currently only using three to four tenths of his cultivation, the speed and strength were enough to leave countless powerful beings far behind. Shen Qing''s status in his mind couldn''t help but rise, and his expectations for his future became even greater. The two, one after the other, returned to the camp nearby in less than the time it takes a stick of incense to burn. Lan Gongliang pressed down with a large hand, and the barriers he had previously set up were dismantled one by one. Following Lan Gongliang, Shen Qing crossed over the mountain and re-entered the camp. They had not been away from the camp for very long, so at this moment the camp still maintained the appearance they had left in without much difference. Patrolling soldiers in the camp saw Lan Gongliang''s figure and hurriedly came forward to salute with fisted hands, "Greetings, sir!" Lan Gongliang casually instructed, "The Jing Luan Assembly is already over, have your Leader Zheng come over to measure the merit and report the results to His Majesty." So soon? The patrolling soldier was somewhat surprised; he glanced at Lan Gongliang, said nothing further, and bowed his head to take his command, "Yes, sir." Having said that, he quickened his pace and left. Lan Gongliang called out to Shen Qing, "Come with me." Shen Qing bowed and followed Lan Gongliang''s steps, walking into the most luxurious tent within the camp. Shortly after, a man dressed as a general walked in briskly with a saber, looking at Lan Gongliang and asking, "I heard the Jing Luan Assembly has ended, has sir brought people back?" Lan Gongliang nudged his mouth and said, "Just him alone." The general looked at Shen Qing skeptically, "Has it really come down to just this one person from twenty to thirty thousand martial masters in such a short time? Are you joking with me, sir?" "Believe it or not," Lan Gongliang looked at Shen Qing and said, "Shen kid, take out all your Merit Stones, and let Mr. Zheng measure your merit." Shen Qing, still somewhat unfamiliar with this so-called merit measurement of the Jing Luan Assembly, but judging from the interaction between the two, it wasn''t something bad. "Yes." He clasped his hands, bowing his head in agreement. S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Then, Shen Qing brought out the Hundred Treasure Pouch. A flash of brilliant light. A small mountain-like pile of Merit Stones was stacked in front of the general. The general''s eyes, following Shen Qing''s actions, gradually widened to the size of bronze bells, speechless for a long time. Chapter 369 - 48: Weighing Contributions, Shock Across the Court and Country The general''s expression showed a hint of confusion. He looked at the Merit Stone as large as a small mountain, his lips moved slightly, but he was at a loss for words. As an Innate Realm martial master, this was already his second time presiding over the Jing Luan Assembly. The result of the last Jing Luan Assembly was nothing this outrageous. Not just the last time, but even looking back over a dozen times before, there was never such a situation. Zheng Yuanqiao realized his lapse and quickly composed himself, curiously asking, "Lord Lan, what exactly happened here?" Lan Gongliang casually said, "Nothing much, just that the rebels from Dan Zhou pulled a big one. They somehow got hold of a Great Killing Array, and everyone was wiped out in the array, except for one survivor." "This..." S§×ar?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "What, is this not admissible?" Zheng Yuanqiao clasped his hands in salute, "That''s not it." Lan Gongliang observed his dissatisfaction and conflict on his face and casually added, "I forgot to tell you. He was also within the formation and escaped purely by skill. Nineteen years old, Spirit Void Realm martial master!" Buzz! Zheng Yuanqiao''s spirit was shaken, and his gaze towards Shen Qing instantly changed. Tens of thousands of martial masters perished, yet only he escaped, and a nineteen-year-old Spirit Void Realm martial master at that! Each label thrown out caused a wave of shock in him. The young man before him was very unusual. To the side, Shen Qing could hear that Lan Gongliang was deliberately shaping his image, endorsing him. He couldn''t help but feel speechless. It seemed Lan Gongliang was heavily invested in him. "Can the merits be measured now?!" Zheng Yuanqiao nodded vigorously like a chicken pecking rice, "Yes, yes, I''ll measure right away." Finishing his words, he took out a small, ancient-looking scale from his chest and placed it in front of him, muttering some incantations. The small scale appeared ancient and mysterious, its carvings intricate, as if embodying the principles of heaven and earth. Zheng Yuanqiao closed his eyes lightly, merging his spirit, and as his muttering ceased, he uttered a deep and commanding order, instantly activating the small scale. Suddenly, brilliant light shot out, illuminating the entire tent in a dazzling display. In front of him, the Merit Stone piled as high as a towering hill suddenly clattered loudly, as if urged by some force, responding to a summons. The dense Evil Qi entwined on the surface surged madly like untamed steeds, finally congregating upon the scale''s disk, forming a brick of blood-red and crimson. As soon as this brick appeared, the tent''s temperature seemed to plummet by over a dozen degrees, filled with a daunting wave of aura. Zheng Yuanqiao''s face turned red from exerting his Cultivation Technique fully, sweat dripped like fine rain, soaking his garments. He gritted his teeth and grasped the scale bar tightly, continuously moving the heavy black weight on one end of the scale, each slight movement seemingly engaged in fierce struggle with an invisible force. "Hah!" Another deafening roar erupted, Zheng Yuanqiao''s muscles taut to the extreme, finally, at the instant when the weight steadied, the entire space seemed to fall into silence. "Thirty-five thousand catties of Killing Merit!" He announced with labored breath, his voice filled with inescapable exhaustion: "Ranked first in Jing Luan Assembly! No, it''s the first in history!" Upon hearing this figure, Lan Gongliang, unsurprised, nodded, "Then, please trouble Mr. Zheng to report truthfully to the court. When the time comes, I will sort out the incidents from this Jing Luan Assembly and draft a memorial to report to Ji Zikong." "Alright. I''ll report at once." Zheng Yuanqiao replied seriously, collecting the Evil Qi and the small scale before leaving hastily. Lan Gongliang turned to Shen Qing and said, "Stay in the camp for a day or two. Soon, there will be news from the court, and we will make further arrangements." "I comply with all your instructions, my lord," Shen Qing respectfully saluted. ... Capital City. Within the Mountain and Sea Department Mansion, the atmosphere was heavy and solemn. Suddenly, a burst of rapid footsteps shattered the tranquility. A dispatch official in a fitted suit darted through the corridor like a flying swallow, rushed straight to the hall, calling out loudly, "Report!" Mountain and Sea Department Chief Officer in the Capital City, Ji He, sat upright at his desk, clasping a teacup, emanating an aura of commanding presence. He looked up upon hearing the call and asked solemnly, "What is the cause of such urgency?" The dispatch official halted abruptly, then knelt on one knee, presenting a rolled secret missive with a slightly uncontrollable excitement in his voice, "Chief Officer, the results of the Jing Luan Assembly have arrived!" "I recall the Jing Luan Assembly wasn''t initiated long ago, the results are out so quickly?" Ji He received the missive, unfolded it with both hands, scanning through its contents. At first, a slight indifference hung on his face, as if everything was proceeding as expected. However, as his eyes fixed on a certain point, his pupils contracted suddenly, and he stood up abruptly. Displaying an incredulous expression, he murmured to himself, "Thirty-five thousand catties of Killing Merit? How... is this possible!" Ji He raised his head sharply, looking intensely at the dispatch official, his voice quivering slightly, "Have you¡­ confirmed the accuracy?" Seeing this, the dispatch official too was startled, hurriedly nodding with a firm expression, "Chief Officer, the information is perfectly accurate, directly from the frontline with comparison made, there is absolutely no falsity." Upon hearing, Ji He couldn''t help but draw a sharp breath, the missive in his hand trembling slightly. Since ancient times, the highest merit achieved in Jing Luan Assemblies was no more than two hundred catties of Evil Qi. This thirty-five thousand catties of Killing Merit was simply beyond belief. Ji He felt somewhat bewildered. Suddenly, he noticed the name atop seemed familiar. "This is... Shen Qing, Chief Officer of Yongzhou?" Inadvertently, the image of the Yongzhou Chief Officer surfaced in his mind. Quickly recollecting his thoughts, Ji He tightly grasped the missive, striding swiftly towards the palace. Along the way, those ordinarily steady guards of the dispatch office couldn''t help but cast side glances at his demeanor, silently speculating on what had occurred. Ji He sprinted all the way to the palace gates without a pause in his step, entering the palace directly and heading towards the imperial study. Arriving at the entrance of the imperial study, he took a deep breath to calm himself, then entered the room. Ji He found Ji Zikong sitting on the throne, and in front of him was Feng Daxun, the Director of the Imperial Observatory, standing by quietly, which caught him somewhat by surprise. However, he didn''t dwell on these details. Ji He knelt on both knees, raising the missive high and urgently said, "Your Majesty, the results of the Jing Luan Assembly are in. The leader records thirty-five thousand catties of Killing Merit!" Ji Zikong, upon hearing this, directed a sharp gaze like lightning towards Ji He, his tone deep, "Is this true?" A ruler long accustomed to power radiated an aura of authority, imposing great pressure on Ji He. Ji He nodded repeatedly, his voice firm, "It''s absolutely true. I have verified it repeatedly, and dare not deceive even slightly." Upon hearing this, Ji Zikong couldn''t help but exchange a glance with Feng Daxun, each seeing a hint of surprise in the other''s eyes. He stood up, eagerly declaring, "Present it!" Chapter 370 - 49: Breakthrough, Six Paths Reincarnation Technique Chief Eunuch He Yong, upon hearing the words, took over the urgent report and promptly presented it on the imperial desk. Ji Zikong unfolded the urgent report and started to review it in detail. His expression shifted from initial surprise to a solemn concentration, and finally to a profound shock, as if each character on the yellowed pages were heavy hammers striking upon the lake of his heart, stirring ripples layer upon layer. "I never expected such an outcome from the Jing Luan Assembly, that only one person survived," Ji Zikong muttered to himself, his tone laced with complex emotions, "It really surprises me." Chief Officer Ji He of the Mountain Sea Department stepped forward and asked, "Then, Your Majesty, should this Jing Luan Assembly be considered invalid and started over?" Upon hearing this, Ji Zikong glanced at Ji He askance, his ire not needing to assert itself. Ji He felt an invisible pressure mounting on him, making his breathing grow labored. Even with his cultivation in the Spirit Void Realm, he couldn''t withstand it in the slightest. Ji He quickly bowed his head and prostrated himself on the ground, silently awaiting judgment. After a moment, Ji Zikong coldly huffed, "Do you think the martial masters under the heavens can withstand the trials of two Jing Luan Assemblies? While the Jing Luan Assembly does exhaust the martial masters of the world, there must be limits¡ªtoo much, and not enough. If it exhausts too much, it could instead cause turmoil in the current situation." Ji He bowed and flattered, "Your Majesty displays clear insight; it is this servant''s foolishness." "Thirty-five thousand units of Killing Merit," Ji Zikong rose from the Dragon Throne, murmuring, "Ever since the Jing Luan Assembly was established, no one has ever reached this level. A nineteen-year-old martial master of the Spirit Void Realm, impressive indeed." "Transmit my decree, summon this person to the palace immediately. I want to meet this prodigy personally and bestow upon him the rewards he deserves!" Ji Zikong''s voice echoed in the Imperial Study Room, carrying an undeniable authority. "This servant obeys," replied Chief Eunuch He Yong, who was standing by. He quickly said, "I will send the message at once." With that, Chief Eunuch He Yong hurriedly left the Imperial Study Room. After He Yong had left, Director Feng Daxun of the Imperial Observatory spoke, "Your Majesty, I observed the celestial phenomena last night and noticed changes in Dan Zhou. This morning, my subordinates already sent back information, indeed an Ancient Relic has appeared near Dan Zhou. The results of this Jing Luan Assembly might partly be due to the strength of the Huang Tian Sect, but they are probably also not unrelated to this Ancient Relic." Ji Zikong nodded and responded, "Aside from Dan Zhou, I have also heard that an ancient tomb appeared in Taiping County, but it was looted by demons. Over the past few years, demons have been rising, and ancient remnants have been continuously appearing. It seems the day of great changes in the world is drawing nearer." Director Feng Daxun''s gaze was downcast, as if lost in thought. "Let it be, we''ll take it one step at a time. Who knows what the future may hold." The situation had not yet reached its utmost point; the Great Zhou Temple still needed to hold on for some time. ... In the camp, on a vast Martial Arts training ground, Shen Qing stood bathed in the blazing sunlight, standing tall and straight as a pine, grounded between heaven and earth. The sunlight pierced through the clouds like a golden waterfall, cascading over his face, draping him in a layer of faint glow. Shen Qing closed his eyes, assumed a stance training position, and refined the Spiritual Energy in his body. At this time, faint fluctuations of Spiritual Power surrounded him, resonating subtly with the surrounding Spiritual Energy. Each breath he took drove the movement of the surrounding Spiritual Energy, as if he were merging with the universe. As he delved deeper into his cultivation, the numbers on the Water Ink Panel suspended in front of him, indicating the progress in the "Six Path Whale Swallowing Technique," jumped at an astonishing rate. Each leap of the numbers made Shen Qing feel his cultivation advancing further. Swirls of Spiritual Power appeared above his acupoints, greedily devouring the surrounding Spiritual Energy, transforming it into nourishment for his cultivation. Shen Qing could only feel the Spiritual Energy inside him churning incessantly. He held a Wish Power Pearl in his hand, accelerating this process. With his cultivation progress inch by inch, Shen Qing experienced an indescribable sense of satisfaction, which increasingly engrossed him. He didn''t know how long had passed when he was finally enveloped by a delicate heat, as if he were standing in white fog, that he slowly ended his cultivation session for the day. After a session of intense cultivation, although he was covered in sweat, his eyes were exceptionally bright. Suddenly, Shen Qing felt something, a thought emerged, and he summoned the Water Ink Panel. The familiar interface appeared before his eyes. [Skill: Six Path Whale Swallowing Technique (Great Perfection)] [Progress: 4001/4000 points] [Status: Break Limit possible] [Note: The Six Path Whale Swallowing Technique is a Body Cultivation Technique without limit-breaking skill; continuous breakthroughs can transform it directly into the Six Paths Reincarnation Technique.] "Six Paths Reincarnation Technique?" Shen Qing was quite unfamiliar with such Martial Arts. He was somewhat puzzled. But having broken through so many times, Shen Qing knew there were only benefits and no disadvantages. Without any hesitation, Shen Qing chose to break through. Boom! As soon as Shen Qing initiated this thought, the information on the Water Ink Panel instantly refreshed, and a powerful, mysterious force bolstered him. Countless memories appeared in his mind out of nowhere, catching him entirely unprepared. Even with his Spirit Void Realm cultivation, facing such agony, Shen Qing couldn''t help but groan in pain. After a while, Shen Qing slowly woke as if from a deep and prolonged dream, his memory surged like a tide and eventually calmed down, completely digested and absorbed by him. In these memories, another Shen Qing from a different time and space was immersed in the cultivation of the Six Path Whale Swallowing Technique, day and night, through all seasons. S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. After decades, through countless revisions and realizations, he finally comprehended and completely mastered the core of this Martial Arts, integrating all its essence. Furthermore, on this basis, he comprehended the Six Paths Reincarnation Technique. This technique not only inherited the path of the Six Path Whale Swallowing Technique to devour surrounding Spiritual Energy and strengthen oneself but also integrated the supreme Martial Arts philosophy of endless cycles and perpetual life. When cultivated to the extreme, even if severely injured, one could recover rapidly within a very short period of time using the amazing Recovery Power contained in the technique, reborn like a phoenix rising from the ashes. Shen Qing looked up at the Water Ink Panel that had already refreshed, unable to hide the joy on his face. [Skill: Six Paths Reincarnation Technique (Entry Level)] [Progress: 1/5000 points] [Status: Break Limit not possible] [Note: The Six Paths Reincarnation Technique is a supreme Cultivation Technique, which when mastered to the extreme, allows the cultivator''s physical body to be nearly immortal, possessing astonishing Recovery Power and the Power of Rebirth.] Shen Qing stared at the information on the panel for a long time without saying a word. He silently operated the Six Paths Reincarnation Technique, suddenly realizing that each motion filled every muscle and drop of blood with supreme spiritual essence. The strand of golden blood in his veins, previously as thin as a strand of hair, had now thickened to the size of a little finger, roaring and rushing within Shen Qing''s body like a golden dragon. Chapter 371 - 50: An Audience with the Emperor in the Capital Shen Qing stood silently, eyes closed, concentrating entirely on the sensations within his body, as a feeling of unprecedented shock and surprise rippled through his heart, almost beyond belief. The Six Paths Reincarnation Technique, compared to the Six Path Whale Swallowing Technique he had practiced before, was like heaven and earth apart, its depth and mystery far surpassing that of the Whale Swallowing Technique. He faintly felt that, even if he should suffer unforeseen calamities in the future, his physical body shattered into pieces, with the power of this Six Paths Reincarnation Technique, he could still find a slim chance of survival and be reborn from the ashes. Not only that, under the tempering of this cultivation technique, Shen Qing also discovered that his physical body had undergone countless refinements, becoming unbreakable and so strong that it could withstand direct clashes with treasures. Shen Qing walked onto the practice field and casually executed a few moves. Water and fire circulated around him without harm; blades and spears struck him without penetrating¡ªhis strength was unparalleled. With this Six Paths Reincarnation Technique, he undoubtedly gained a powerful sense of security that could save his life. At this thought, a radiant smile gradually spread across Shen Qing''s face, his eyes sparkling with brilliance. He finished his practice and returned to the accountant''s office as usual. Stepping into the tent, Shen Qing heard the hearty laughter of Lan Gongliang, resounding like thunder, making even the furniture inside the tent tremble. Lan Gongliang glanced up at Shen Qing, with a meaningful smile on his face, he said, "Haha, you''ve arrived just in time. The court just sent a message¡ªHis Majesty intends to summon you!" "His Majesty wants to summon me?" Shen Qing felt a hint of surprise. He had not expected that his name could reach the ears of the supreme emperor. "That''s right," Lan Gongliang nodded lightly, his expression filled with a touch of admiration, "Although you took some shortcuts in your performance at the Jing Luan Assembly, the rules are established, and the one who made the greatest contribution deserves the appropriate rewards. In this Assembly, you were peerless; no one could compete with you for the spoils, all the rewards and benefits belong to you. Such substantial benefits, naturally, His Majesty will grant them to you personally." Hearing this, Shen Qing immediately understood. Even before his arrival, he knew that the ultimate survivors of the Jing Luan Assembly would not only gain the opportunity to enter the temple halls and rise in rank, but they would also receive a lot of good fortune and rewards. All are related to the secrets of the Martial Mechanism of the court. A rare opportunity indeed. Such rewards are something that even the sons of noble families would vie for, showing their significance. Shen Qing asked, "When do we depart?" "Now!" "Eh?" As soon as Lan Gongliang''s words fell, his strong hands suddenly grabbed Shen Qing''s shoulders, like an eagle seizing a rabbit, and propelled them both towards the vast horizon with immense speed. Two streaks of light cut through the sky, instantly piercing through layers of clouds. "Let''s go, young friend Shen Qing!" Lan Gongliang''s voice echoed in Shen Qing''s ear. Shen Qing, surprised, said, "We''re leaving so suddenly?" "It''s just a matter of one or two Shi Chen." Lan Gongliang''s fingers, clutching Shen Qing''s collar, exerted a slight force, speeding along the clouds with Shen Qing, heading towards the distant and bustling Capital City, riding the winds above the clouds. Shen Qing, feeling the howling wind whizzing by his ears, had a numb expression. He quickly mobilized the spiritual power within his body. A dazzling and eye-catching rainbow light instantly burst forth from within him, enveloping him tightly and forming a solid shield, keeping the fierce winds completely at bay. After a while, Lan Gongliang let go of him, and alone he sped forward across the sky. With his head down, Shen Qing silently operated the Great Void Shifting Technique and followed closely. Time flowed by hastily, like rushing water. In the blink of an eye, a Shi Chen had quietly passed. sea??h th§× N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "We''ve arrived! Follow me down!" Lord Lan''s voice rang out again as his figure leapt through the clouds like a spectral apparition. Shen Qing looked down and saw a majestic expanse of buildings had come into view. It was the Capital City of Great Zhou. The city walls of the Capital soared into the clouds, its palaces and pavilions artfully scattered, creating an imposing and magnificent aura like that of a fairyland on earth. Shen Qing did not delay, and in the blink of an eye, he landed steadily at the entrance of the palace. Standing before Shen Qing, Lord Lan stood erect at the palace gates, radiating an air of unignorable sternness, starkly different from what Shen Qing had seen in the encampment. In a flash, several guards quickly approached with long spears crossed, blocking the way, their expressions solemn. However, when one of the guards caught sight of Lord Lan''s face, a look of surprise flickered in his eyes, and he promptly bowed his head, his voice imbued with reverence, "So it''s Lord Lan!" Lord Lan spoke directly, "I must meet with Your Majesty, please allow me to pass." "Lord Lan, as the Commander of the Military Department, you have the privilege to directly seek an audience with His Majesty. Please proceed!" Lord Lan nodded slightly and without hesitation, he stepped forward, unhindered. Shen Qing hurriedly followed close behind. The two figures walked away, under the respectful gaze of the guards. Passing through the winding paths and by the glittering palaces, Lord Lan and Shen Qing finally arrived in front of the Imperial Study Room. "As per Your Majesty''s command, I have brought back Shen Qing, the sole victor of the Jing Luan Assembly." Outside the Imperial Study Room, two guards in splendid brocade robes stood watch. Upon seeing Lord Lan''s arrival, they quickly stepped forward, gently pushed open the vermilion doors, and reported in a low voice. "Your Majesty, Commander Lord Lan Gongliang of the Military Department seeks an audience." After a moment, a deep and authoritative voice sounded from within the study, bearing an unequivocal imperial command, "Admit him." Lord Lan, leading Shen Qing, entered the Imperial Study Room. The room was suffused with the scent of books, and in its center stood a dragon throne. Seated upon this throne was a middle-aged man in a dragon robe, his brows and eyes exuding a transcendent and extraordinary valor. None other than Ji Zikong, the Emperor of Great Zhou. He held an ancient scroll in his hands, his sword-like eyebrows and eagle eyes radiated an aura of decisiveness. Lord Lan took a step forward, bowed with folded hands, and declared firmly, "Your Majesty, your humble servant has fulfilled his duty and brought the person as instructed." "Ah, Lord Lan, is this the Shen Qing from the Jing Luan Assembly?" Emperor Ji Zikong''s voice resonated in the study. Shen Qing quickly stepped forward, bowed deeply, and tried to fathom what kind of person this Emperor of Great Zhou truly was. Emperor Ji Zikong''s gaze lingered on Shen Qing for a moment before he slightly smiled, as if seeing right through Shen Qing''s thoughts, "Oh? Shen Qing? Raise your head and let Us have a good look at you." Obediently, Shen Qing lifted his head to meet Emperor Ji Zikong''s gaze. A wave of imperial pressure descended on him. In a daze, Shen Qing felt as if he were stranded in a vast sea, with towering waves rising all around him, crashing down relentlessly. It was as though he was experiencing the ultimate terror of life and death. This cultivation was definitely beyond the Kongyou Realm. The man before him, the Emperor of Great Zhou, was an incomparably powerful being of the Unity Realm! Chapter 372 - 51: Ten Thousand Wish Power Pearls, Imperial Armory Atop the dragon chair in the Imperial Study Room, Emperor of Great Zhou, Ji Zikong, clad in his dragon robe, exuded authority tinged with a hint of unrestraint. The Emperor had reigned for over a hundred years and was at least a hundred or two hundred years old, yet Ji Zikong appeared very young, looking almost as if he were in his twenties or thirties. Only his eyes, which seemed to have weathered through ages, revealed a sense of twilight. As if he were making a joke with Shen Qing, Ji Zikong suddenly subdued his formidable aura, and with his deep, magnetic voice, he laughed heartily and said, "Indeed a talent." Shen Qing''s demeanor became even more humble, his expression even more submissive, too wary to make any sudden moves. Ji Zikong continued, "I am already aware of most of what transpired at the Jing Luan Assembly. According to the rules of the assembly, the achievements you''ve earned deserve great rewards! I ask you, do you desire anything else in your heart?" Shen Qing looked around at the people beside him, his gaze inadvertently falling on Lan Gongliang at his side. Lan Gongliang added, "This is an extra reward from His Majesty, if there''s something you want, just say it. As long as it''s not too excessive, His Majesty will fulfill it." Upon hearing this, Shen Qing fell into deep thought, recalling that he had heard about the Ji Clan owning the Imperial Armory while he was in Yongzhou. This armory, the Ji Clan had scoured the world for the essence of all Martial Mechanisms, confiscating them and investing a countless effort to build it. It was the ultimate place every martial master aspired to reach. Reportedly, the Martial Arts contained in the Imperial Armory were all of the highest techniques. Even the most inconspicuous one, when cultivated to the ultimate realm, could unleash overwhelming power enough to easily erase a city and cause mountains and rivers to change color. Such things inevitably captured one''s imagination. However, access to the Imperial Armory was extremely strict. According to the court''s regulations, only the noble sons of the Ji Family and high-ranking officials were allowed entry. All others were strictly forbidden. After considering for a while, Shen Qing tentatively said, "Your Majesty, when I practiced Martial Arts, I made a grand vow to one day peruse the finest Martial Techniques in the world, climb to the pinnacle of Martial Arts, and attain enlightenment. If Your Majesty permits, I wish to glimpse the Imperial Armory, to fulfill my long-cherished wish." Upon hearing this, Ji Zikong burst into hearty laughter, his voice booming so loudly it seemed to shake the roof tiles, "I did not expect you to be such a devotee of Martial Arts. I shall fulfill your wish! From today onwards, you may freely enter and exit the Imperial Armory." Shen Qing hadn''t expected Ji Zikong to agree so readily, "Thank you, Your Majesty." "Moreover, according to the rules of the Jing Luan Assembly, I will further grant you ten thousand Wish Power Pearls to aid your cultivation and appoint you as the Southern Chief Officer of the Military Department, hoping you will protect the peace and establish further merits!" Upon hearing this, Shen Qing felt a surge of warmth in his heart. The Military Department of Great Zhou was divided into five regions: East, West, South, North, and Central. Yongzhou was part of the Southern region. He hadn''t expected that in just a few short years, he had already climbed to this position. The speed was startling. It was no wonder that those noble sons were so enthusiastic about the Jing Luan Assembly, striving to achieve results from it. And ten thousand Wish Power Pearls, at his current position, would require a hundred years of official salary to acquire. The thought alone was astonishing. Everything was going so smoothly that it felt almost unsettling. Yet, faced with the ironclad reality, Shen Qing knew this was not a dream. Shen Qing quickly knelt to express his gratitude, "Your Great Grace, Your Majesty, this humble servant shall do his utmost to meet Your Majesty''s expectations!" "Rise." Emperor Ji Zikong waved his hand and said, "Hereafter, you will serve in the Military Department''s government office in the Capital City, assisting Lord Lan with various affairs." "For the remaining handover matters, you can discuss them with Lord Lan. He is your direct superior and will surely settle you in well." "Yes, Your Majesty." Seeing Ji Zikong return to processing his decrees, Lan Gongliang and Shen Qing consciously exited the Imperial Study Room. Upon reaching the door of the Imperial Study Room, Shen Qing felt as if a heavy burden had been lifted, suddenly letting out a sigh of relief. In the Imperial Study Room just then, Ji Zikong''s presence was overwhelmingly strong. Just a slight display was enough to make him feel an immense pressure, as if he were carrying a mountain. sea??h th§× n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Let''s go," said Lan Gongliang, patting Shen Qing on the shoulder, "What are your plans now?" Shen Qing hadn''t expected the unremarkable middle-aged man before him to suddenly become his immediate superior, seemingly having known all along, as if he had preemptively won over people''s hearts for allegiance. Such deep and calculating schemes. He revealed his thoughts frankly, "I plan to take up my post first, settle down in the Capital, and then go back to Yongzhou to bring my family here." Lan Gongliang nodded, "That is indeed what should be done. The matters on the post are rather straightforward; should you have any uncertainties, you can always come to me. Your official appointment letter should be issued within three to five days; then you can take up your post directly with the document." Shen Qing clasped his hands together and said, "I understand." After speaking, Lan Gongliang did not linger in the palace, swiftly leaving with Shen Qing. The two exchanged pleasantries along the way, and after Lan Gongliang explained some of the unspoken rules of the Capital''s officialdom, they parted ways at the palace gates. As Lan Gongliang''s figure gradually disappeared at the end of his sight, Shen Qing paused slightly, his gaze lingering briefly on the palace gates behind him. Without further thought, he stepped directly into the bustling streets of the Capital. On both sides of the street, prosperity flourished like brocade, with the calls of various vendors rising and falling in succession. Children frolicked and played, the air filled with the enticing scent of wine and freshly baked bread. The street was full of life and festivity. The Capital had seventy-two districts in total, and each district''s main street was spacious enough to allow two carriages to drive side by side. Shen Qing wandered aimlessly along the street for a while, pondering inwardly. He vaguely remembered that Wu Sheng had a secret base in the Capital. The "Never Forget" skill activated. Soon, memories surged in his mind, and he quickly recalled the exact location of that base. Shen Qing weaved through the bustling crowd and arrived in front of an unremarkable-looking tavern. The tavern was doing brisk business, filled with guests. Shen Qing strode in and approached the shopkeeper, asking softly, "Do you have any wine and dishes from Yongzhou here?" The shopkeeper, who was tallying accounts, paused and replied, "We have donkey meat from Yongzhou, how much would you like?" "Three jin, six taels, and five qian." Hearing this, the shopkeeper''s eyes flickered slightly, then calmly led him towards the inner room, "This way, please." Inside the inner room, the lighting was dim. Light filtering through the window lattice fell on a familiar yet slightly weary face. It was Wu Sheng himself. He had just arrived from Yongzhou, his face still bearing the weariness of travel, appearing heavily burdened. Currently, Lord Shen was transferred to the Jing Luan Assembly, faced with great dangers, his life and death uncertain. Moreover, many restless individuals in the city sought to take over the Shen Family''s properties again. If Lord Shen were to fall in the Jing Luan, those from Yongzhou would surely swoop in to ravage their group into oblivion. Now, his fate tied with Shen Qing''s, his situation was honestly quite precarious. While he was lost in his thoughts, a knocking sound came from the door. "What is it?" Wu Sheng asked irritably. The shopkeeper at the door said, "Brother Wu, an acquaintance has come calling." The ''acquaintance'' mentioned by the shopkeeper referred to some of the noble sons in the Capital, exclusively dealing in businesses that couldn''t be exposed to daylight. Wu Sheng''s expression immediately turned serious, "Let him in." "Yes." With a creak, The mottled wooden door opened. Chapter 373 - 52 Yongzhou Incident Wu Sheng looked up and saw Shen Qing''s figure, his face full of astonishment as he stuttered, "Boss..." "You... weren''t you at the Jingluan Assembly?" Shen Qing strode in and casually said, "The Jingluan Assembly has already ended." "That means..." A trace of joy flashed in Wu Sheng''s eyes as he quickly got to his feet, excitedly saying, "Boss, you won at the Jingluan Assembly?" "Almost," Shen Qing replied calmly. "I should be staying in the Capital City from now on." Overjoyed, Wu Sheng''s eyes immediately lit up as he excitedly said, "Congratulations, Boss. Congratulations." "There''s nothing to congratulate, it was just good luck." Shen Qing walked up to the seat Wu Sheng had been sitting on and asked, "Has everything been alright in Yongzhou since I left?" He remembered that before he left, there were basically no threats left in Yongzhou. Whether it was the Zhou Family or the Sun Family, the big households had been mostly dealt with, leaving only those minor government officers and officials who couldn''t stir up much trouble. Wu Sheng became hesitant to speak. Seeing this, Shen Qing slightly furrowed his brow and asked, "What, did something happen?" Wu Sheng said, "Right after Boss left, a member of the Zhou Family arrived in Yongzhou City the next day." "A Zhou Family member? Who?" Shen Qing was puzzled. He remembered that the Zhou Family''s old ancestor had been killed by him, and most of the remaining members had not escaped. There shouldn''t be any survivors. How could there possibly be a Zhou Family member popping out from somewhere? "His name is Zhou Su," Wu Sheng explained. "He''s similar to me; he was sent by the Zhou Family to the Capital to establish connections. He has some roots in Capital City. It''s like he timed it perfectly; just after you left, he hurried back to Yongzhou." "Once back in Yongzhou, he joined forces with Prefecture Chief Dou Wenxi and County Supervisor Yan Xushou''s men, trying to take back the Zhou Family''s properties. These days, they have been suppressing us, and our situation is not so good..." By the end of his speech, Wu Sheng''s gaze became somewhat evasive. Now that Shen Qing had passed the Jingluan Assembly, he had soared to a high position and entered the political arena; his future was boundless. Yet, with such a situation unfolding in Yongzhou, and him being far away in Capital City, it seemed somewhat "dishonorable." If it caused him to leave a poor impression in Shen Qing''s mind, it would truly be a loss. He felt annoyed within and couldn''t help but curse himself for why he hadn''t persevered a bit longer. Shen Qing glanced at him, fully aware of Wu Sheng''s thoughts, but he understood that nobody was perfect. Everyone has an instinct to seek fortune and avoid disaster, as long as there are no fundamental mistakes, the problem wasn''t too big. Shen Qing pondered for a moment and asked, "Does this Zhou Su have any substantial backing?" Wu Sheng thought and said, "It''s said that Zhou Su is quite close with Lord Xue of the Xue Family." "Lord Xue? Xue Bai?" Shen Qing expressed in surprise. Wu Sheng asked curiously, "Boss, you know him?" Shen Qing calmly stated, "Yes, I''ve met him. I''ve already killed him." "Ah? Killed!" Wu Sheng shrieked in surprise. He had never anticipated this outcome. Shen Qing killing even a member of the Shi family, the Xue Family? That''s fierce. "It''s no wonder I''ve been involved in so many issues with the Xue Family; it seems connected to this Zhou Su." Shen Qing didn''t believe in so many coincidences. Originally, he had planned to establish himself in Capital City before returning to Yongzhou, but now it seemed he needed to move up the timeline. sea??h th§× N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Shen Qing rose from the bench and walked towards the door. "Boss, where are you going?" "Back to Yongzhou to handle some family matters," Shen Qing responded without looking back. "These next few days, find me a residence in Capital City." With that, Shen Qing stomped his foot, his body emitting a burst of rainbow light as he soared into the sky. He did not inquire about Zhou Su''s cultivation. In his view, if Zhou Su had high cultivation, he would not have waited until now. Zhou Family had been destroyed, and he had not appeared to the end, indicating that his cultivation would not be higher than the Innate Realm. Such a martial master was merely easy prey for Shen Qing at the moment. Some people are seeking death, so he couldn''t blame himself for their demise. Yongzhou. Zhou Family''s old courtyard. A group of officials in black robes and a group of men in various colorful brocades gathered together. The young man standing in front of them exuded an air of nobility. This person was none other than Zhou Su, a descendant of the Zhou Family. Having learned that he was listed on the Jing Luan Assembly by Shen Qing, he had prepared to return to Yongzhou to reclaim the Zhou Family''s properties. So, as soon as the Jing Luan Assembly began, Shen Qing had just left Yongzhou, and he entered right afterwards. Leveraging the reputation of the Xue Family and the remaining influence of his own family in Yongzhou, he easily gathered a group of supporters and took back the old Zhou courtyard on the same day. Subsequently, various other Zhou Family businesses fell into his hands smoothly. In the crowd, someone nervously said, "Zhou Family''s young master, are we really going to the Shen Mansion today?" "Otherwise?" Zhou Su snorted coldly, sounding annoyed. "But that''s the Shen Family after all, Shen Qing is too terrifying..." a young man stammered, "Do you think he will really die in the Jing Luan Assembly?" Zhou Su looked down on them contemptuously, "Look at the little spirit you guys have, no wonder you''re only branch family members. Let me tell you honestly, I''ve already secretly notified Lord Xue of the Xue Family. Their group includes several Innate Realm martial masters. Shen Qing won''t have a chance to escape." "Besides, do you think the Jing Luan Assembly is so easy to get through?" Zhou Su continued with a cold huff, "This time, the Capital Families have placed heavy bets, including Spirit Void Realm Guardians. Even if Shen Qing narrowly escapes the Xue Family''s kill, with his immense talent, he will still find it extremely difficult to survive the Jing Luan Assembly, he''s doomed for sure." The crowd''s expressions became excited as they heard this, many of them being branch members of various major families in Yongzhou. After their main families were destroyed by Shen Qing, they had been living cautiously, afraid to stir up trouble. Each of them felt frustrated and stifled inside. "I just want to ask you, are you really willing to do it?" Zhou Su swept his sharp gaze over them and said coldly. "Let''s do it! I don''t believe that Shen Qing can still turn the heaven! He won''t escape this Jing Luan Assembly!" "Yes, I''m in." "Count me in too!" ... Soon, many people continuously responded. Zhou Su finally felt satisfied upon seeing this scene. Alone, he was weak, but rallying these people might be beneficial. The glory of the Zhou Family might be re-established by his hands. "Good. With everyone''s help, that damned Shen Family will undoubtedly fall to us." Zhou Su shouted loudly, "For safety, gentlemen, I''ve specially invited an Innate Master from the Tie Gang of the Capital to guard us here. Senior Lin! Come out and meet everyone." As he finished speaking, a burly man as large as a mountain walked out from the side hall, exuding an immense sense of oppression. The attendees were all shocked and couldn''t help but step back. Senior Lin, the Tie Gang''s strong man, looked down at the crowd and said, "Let''s make it clear beforehand, the payment you offered is only enough for me to take action three times. If you want more from me, you''ll need to pay extra." "I, Zhou Family, always keep our promises; we''ll handle it according to the rules. With so many people here, even if I can''t afford it, everyone can chip in enough for Senior to act several more times." "Ha ha, that''s also true. Let''s not waste time then." Zhou Su nodded, "Over the years, we''ve managed to snatch some manageable properties, but the remaining ones are tough. Let''s deal with that Shen Family first. Have the city gates been secured to prevent them from escaping?" A few officials in black robes replied, "You can rest assured, I''ve already given a heads up to the brothers guarding the city gates." "Good, let''s not delay any further, let''s set off. Go!" Chapter 374 - 53: Someone Doesnt Know Good from Bad Shen Mansion was enshrouded in an invisible gloom, the air filled with an aura of stern killing. Every person in the mansion could not help but feel unease in their minds. Auntie Wang and elder sister Shen Fang sat side by side in the hall, with a lively maid standing next to them; the three frequently glanced at the solitary figure outside the door. Shen the Second was sitting on the threshold like a farmer at this moment. He held a dry tobacco pipe tightly in his hands, drawing on it with a clattering noise that sounded particularly grating, betraying an air of irritation. After a while, the mansion''s main gate opened. With a burst of hurried footsteps, Shen Xiaoshan, Tian Xiaohu, and Zhang Shuyuan rushed in quickly. Following that, they almost simultaneously turned around and shut the gate tightly, their movements extremely fast. With a "clack," the bolt was secured. Shen Xiaoshan and Tian Xiaoshu finally felt some sense of security. Shen the Second suddenly stood up, his pipe still dangling from his mouth, and hurried over, staring intently at the two and asked, "How is the situation?" S~ea??h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Tian Xiaohu''s face was so somber it looked like it might drip water. He said in a low voice, "The city gates... have secretly been allowed passage, our people can''t get out at all. That Zhou fellow, I don''t know when, but he''s gathered quite a force. The situation... is not optimistic." Shen Xiaoshan chimed in, "Everyone outside is saying that Brother Qingzi is dead." "That can''t be, Qingzi has come so far, he won''t die so easily," Shen the Second firmly denied. Zhang Shuyuan spoke up, "We are certain that the Boss won''t die, but the people outside don''t believe it. The problem lies here now; many have turned and betrayed us." Upon hearing this, Shen the Second''s expression turned even uglier, and he fell silent. Before leaving, Shen Qing had instructed them to evacuate early. They had also been prepared to evacuate, but what they didn''t expect was that these people moved faster than they did. In the short time after Shen Qing''s departure, they began to act, which led to major changes in the situation within the city. They found themselves unable to cope, and even if they wanted to leave, they couldn''t. Their situation had suddenly taken a serious downturn. Seeing this, Tian Xiaohu hurriedly consoled, "However, everyone, don''t worry. I''ve already sent Xiao Zhi on a fast horse to contact Chen Guang and Ji Youwu. They''re all from the Guardian Martial Department; the Boss has been kind to them. With them by our side, we should be able to fight for a chance at survival." "Mhm." Shen the Second was just an ordinary hunter, and with his "bone" grown old, he had no way to deal with this situation; he could only hope that others would. Zhang Shuyuan advised, "At this time, we must keep our composure, there might still be a chance for survival. After all, there''s no firm news of the lord''s life or death; we can use this as a starting point to convince them not to act rashly." "Hard to say, looking at those people, I''m afraid it won''t end well today." Time ticked away bit by bit. Gradually, footsteps approached from outside, and someone knocked on the Shen Mansion''s gate. Tian Xiaohu and the others were jolted alert. "It''s me!" "Xiao Zhi?!" Tian Xiaohu lifted the bolt, opening just a crack in the gate and peered out. Apart from Xiao Zhi at the doorway, there were only Chen Guang, Ji Youwu, and a few others. He asked in astonishment, "Where are the others?" "They all say they''re busied with government affairs, that this doesn''t concern them, and are unwilling to come," Xiao Zhi sighed. Tian Xiaohu understood; this was just an excuse from those people. Seeing that Shen Qing''s situation was more perilous than lucky, they did not want to wade into these troubled waters and preferred to protect their own interests. At that moment, Tian Xiaohu truly realized what it meant when they say "out of sight, out of mind." "Come on in, all of you!" One by one, Xiao Zhi and the others nodded and stepped heavily into the mansion. Tian Xiaohu raised his hand to slide the heavy bolt back into its seat in the threshold with a "clang," fastening the door shut precisely and securely. "Ladies and gentlemen," Xiao Zhi took two steps, stopped, and solemnly said to Tian Xiaohu and the others, "I''ve just learned some information moments ago; I''m afraid our situation has become even more troublesome." "What''s going on?" Everyone clustered around in unison, their gaze filled with anxiety and unease. "I found out that Zhou Su has not only gathered a large group of people but has also secretly enlisted the aid of a martial master from the Innate Realm." "What?!" Tian Xiaohu and the others exclaimed almost in unison, their voices mixed with disbelief and terror. Their hearts felt as if they were being mercilessly clenched by an invisible hand, plummeting into the abyss. Xiao Zhi''s words were like ice, instantly freezing the atmosphere within the room. Now the place was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. To them, a martial master of the Innate Realm was a supremely exalted figure, someone of unfathomable strength, who could overturn life and death with a mere gesture. Facing such an entity, they felt as insignificant and powerless as ants trying to shake a tree. "Let''s go inside and talk," Zhang Shuyuan, not too familiar with martial arts matters, could see from everyone''s looks that things were not good; his deeply wrinkled face showed an added burden of concern. Without further words, they gathered in the main hall. One by one, they unconsciously gripped their dagger handles tighter, their knuckles whitening from the force. Auntie and others close to Shen Qing had their faces even more tightly drawn, as if they were standing at a crossroads of fate, with a vast uncertainty ahead and no way back. For a moment, the main hall fell into a deathly silence. The heavy atmosphere, like an invisible boulder, pressed upon everyone''s nerves, rendering them breathless. Only the occasional sound of wind passing through the windows offered a slight moment of respite for everyone''s tense minds. "Although the people we are facing are strong," Tian Xiaohu struggled to swallow, his voice hoarse, "we must not sit here and wait for death." "Indeed, even if we must die, we''ll take someone down with us." Just when the tension had peaked, a sudden disturbance came from the courtyard: footsteps, as if someone had unexpectedly appeared. "What''s happening?" Everyone''s nerves instantly tensed to the limit, their weapons nearly unsheathing on their own. Ji Youwu and Chen Guang, standing on the outskirts, exchanged glances, perplexed. "Let''s go. Let''s check it out." In a flash. The two, as if on cue, drew their daggers and cautiously made their way into the courtyard. When they reached the courtyard and saw the figure there, they stood stock-still, dumbfounded. Behind them, Tian Xiaohu and the others, seeing the abnormal reaction, rushed over hastily, thinking they faced grave danger. But when they saw the figure in the courtyard, they too were disbelieving, their eyes wide and filled with shock. It was none other than Shen Qing himself, who had traveled from the Capital City. Shen Qing, looking at the dumbstruck Tian Xiaohu and the others, asked, "Why are you all staring at me like that?" Shen Xiaoshan swallowed hard, blurting out, "Brother Qingzi, they all said you were dead!" "Not dead, very much alive," said Shen Qing with his hands behind his back, heading for the hall. He glanced at Zhang Shuyuan and commanded, "It''s time for a meal, prepare a banquet!" Zhang Shuyuan was puzzled. Shen Qing smiled and said, "I''ve heard already. It seems we''ll have quite a few people coming over soon to welcom me back, and we must play host, right?" "Yes, yes, yes, I will have the servants prepare immediately." Zhang Shuyuan hurriedly said and dashed towards the kitchen without a moment''s delay. However, no sooner had he left when footsteps and a pounding on the Mansion''s front gate could be heard. Boom, boom, boom! "Ah..." Shen Qing sighed helplessly, "It seems someone doesn''t appreciate the favor and doesn''t want to eat this meal." Bang! The front gate shattered into pieces under a tremendous force... Chapter 375 - 54 Who gave you the courage to be my enemy? Wood shavings flew in all directions, and dust billowed up. The sudden commotion drew everyone''s attention. Tian Xiaohu and his companions looked over to see a group of people dressed in brocade filing in through the gates. Their faces were filled with arrogance and haughtiness. Seeing the situation, Tian Xiaohu and the others quickly stepped forward, chastising, "Who dares to intrude into Shen Mansion so brazenly? Don''t you know what this place is?" The intruders acted as if deaf, naturally splitting into two sides like a tide to create a wide passage. Then, two figures walked out unhurriedly through this aisle. The one at the back was particularly burly, almost filling the path that the others had made, much like a small mountain. These two were none other than Zhou Su and Tie Gang Lin Heng. The leader, Zhou Su, slowly raised his hand and waved it slightly, and the people behind him immediately fell silent, "Of course, we know where we are, otherwise why do you think we would come here?" As he spoke, his hands resting behind his back, a fierce glint flashed in his eyes, "When your lord killed people from our families, he should have anticipated this day. Be sensible, surrender without a fight, and you might keep your bodies intact. Otherwise, we will slaughter your entire family, leaving not even the chickens or dogs alive!" "You say you''re going to slaughter my entire family, not sparing even the chickens or dogs?" Shen Qing couldn''t stand still any longer upon hearing this. He strode out from the main hall, staring at Zhou Su with a smile that was not quite a smile. Upon his appearance, the complexion of some people present changed abruptly. The deeds Shen Qing had done in Yongzhou were well-known, and his appearance had spread far in Yongzhou, seen by many. Now, someone recognized him, and an involuntary gasp ripped through the crowd. Fear, confusion, and shock mixed, creating a noisy confusion of emotions. "Shen Qing... he''s actually still alive! Weren''t you saying he was doomed to die at the Jing Luan Assembly, destined for the netherworld?" A trembling voice rose from the crowd, filled with disbelief. Upon hearing this, Zhou Su''s gaze fiercely shifted toward Shen Qing. He had never personally witnessed this face before, and a bad premonition surged through his heart. In almost a whisper, he asked someone next to him in a low voice, "He... he is Shen Qing?" After receiving a confirming nod from his companion, Zhou Su felt as if his mind had exploded, as if the entire world were collapsing at that very instant. His heartbeat quickened, his thoughts were in disarray, and for a brief moment, he didn''t know what to do. How could this be? Zhou Su couldn''t understand why Shen Qing was alive. That was the Jing Luan Assembly, where barely one in ten could survive! What were all those guards from the Xue Family, and the noble sons from the Capital Families doing? Couldn''t the Chief Officer of one place take him down? The more Zhou Su thought, the more terrified he became. But the reality was right in front of him, undeniable. He couldn''t help but swallow, the arrogance with which he had entered now gone, his entire body deflating. If Shen Qing had indeed survived the Jing Luan Assembly, then one thing was beyond doubt¡ªhis strength must be unfathomable, far surpassing theirs. Had he come here seeking death? Anxiety prickled at Zhou Su''s heart, a foreboding feeling setting in. S§×ar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "What should we do?" someone nearby inquired in a low voice. What should we do? Who the hell knows what to do? Everything Zhou Su had done was based on the assumption that Shen Qing was dead following the Jing Luan Assembly. Now that he was alive and had walked out, all that Zhou Su had done had painted him into a corner. Faced with Shen Qing''s question, Zhou Su didn''t know whether to respond or to remain silent. Like a man suffering constipation, his face turned beet-red, his mouth moved continuously, yet he uttered not a single word. Lin Heng from Tie Gang glanced at Zhou Su, seeing his indecisive state and growing impatient, finding his actions far too irresolute. He knew very little about Shen Qing. In his eyes, Shen Qing was merely from a county town. Given that the Ji Family had monopolized the Martial Mechanisms, how powerful could someone from a place so far from the Capital City be? Tie Gang Lin Heng took the initiative and directly slapped Zhou Su aside. His towering figure squeezed to the front, and turning his head, he said to Zhou Su with a grin, "It doesn''t matter if he''s Zhang Qing or Li Qing, I can handle it for you. But... it''ll cost you more!" Zhou Su, as if clutching at his last lifeline, asked, "How much more?" "Half of what you''ve earned from behind the scenes in Yongzhou!" Zhou Su''s expression twitched. If he could eliminate Shen Qing and take control of Yongzhou''s industry, the profits would be substantial, comparable to that of a minor noble family. Lin Heng''s demand for half was truly exorbitant. Unfortunately, at this point, he didn''t have much choice. If today he made one misstep and lost everything, nothing would be left to him. Compared to this, retaining half could actually be considered a good outcome. Of the two evils, he chose the lesser. Zhou Su gritted his teeth and said, "Fine, I agree!" "Deal!" Tie Gang Lin Heng tilted his neck and advanced step by step towards Shen Qing. He fixed his gaze on Shen Qing, scanned him from head to toe, and with a threatening smile said, "I am Tie Gang Lin Heng, here to take your life today. I hope in your next life you''ll be reborn into good fortune and avoid troublemakers like me." Before his words had even faded, Lin Heng charged towards Shen Qing with his colossal figure, like a wall, and threw a punch with the momentum of toppling mountains and overturning seas! However, the anticipated scene of Shen Qing being blown away and spitting blood did not happen. Shen Qing remained motionless, simply raising his hand gently, and firmly caught Lin Heng''s fist, strong enough to crush stones and split metal. Boom! A gust of wind exploded between the two of them. It spread outward in all directions, radiating from where they stood. The crowd in the courtyard couldn''t help but stagger backward several steps. Fine cracks appeared on the shadow wall and the roof tiles, making a crisp cracking sound. Tie Gang Lin Heng felt as though his hands were clamped down mercilessly, unable to move. His eyes showed a hint of shock and suddenly widened. He noticed that Shen Qing''s posture was as solid as a rock, without a hint of movement from beginning to end. Shen Qing''s lips curled into a smile, and with a bit of strength, he sent Lin Heng''s fist rebounding back. At the same time, his other hand formed seals with a single hand, and under everyone''s gaze, he rapidly struck, creating afterimages on Lin Heng''s body. Spiritual Power around him transformed into intense beams of energy, effortlessly penetrating through Lin Heng''s Protective Gang Qi and straight into his flesh and blood. "Your Qi-Blood is impure and chaotic, your strength is lax, your steps are disorderly, your perception slow ¨C your punch is like child''s play, utterly devoid of might. With such poor cultivation, you delude yourself into taking my life, Shen Qing? Who gave you the audacity to stand against me?!" Shen Qing spoke swiftly as he struck, each word hammering down on Lin Heng''s heart, turning his face instantly pale. He had never expected his full-force strike to be so easily neutralized by Shen Qing, nor had he anticipated Shen Qing''s strength to be so terrifying. "Die!" Shen Qing''s hand condensed with Spiritual Power. With a pfft sound! "Ah..." Tie Gang Lin Heng screamed, his chest exploded with a hole larg§Ö enough to fit an arm through, and his life force was continuously drained away by Shen Qing''s fingers. Tie Gang Lin Heng numbly looked down at the wound, realizing he had been careless today and provoked a force he should not have. Shen Qing''s hands formed a seal, and he pressed down with the Sky Flipping Seal. With a boom, all of Lin Heng''s vitality was extinguished. His body stiffened and then fell backward onto the ground, life completely extinguished. In an instant, the courtyard fell silent as a grave. Chapter 376 - 55: Since its here, settle it down Died?! An Innate Martial Master died just like that?! Just like a dog no less. The scene that unfolded in the courtyard shocked everyone. Those with some insight recognized that Shen Qing was even stronger than before. Under the intense visual stimulus, those who had rushed in with a menacing air now stood wilted, like frostbitten eggplants. Particularly, the leader Zhou Su''s face grew even uglier. Shen Qing glanced at the corpse of Tie Gang Lin Heng on the ground with a snort of disdain. This man had practiced "hard skill" and taken a wrong path in his training. Having developed such a bulky body at a great cost, his muscles appeared more of a burden than an asset. He must have used Elixirs to maintain his Qi-Blood and resorted to unusual methods to break through, resulting in a state that was "good-looking but useless." Otherwise, an Innate Martial Master wouldn''t have been killed by Shen Qing so easily. That''s good. The man had blundered in; using him as a scarecrow to intimidate others was suitable indeed. A faint smile hung on Shen Qing''s face as he stepped over Lin Heng''s body and stood before Zhou Su and the rest, saying, "What was it that you came for just now?" "Oh, right, you seemed to have come... to ''visit'' me? However, this manner of ''visiting'' is quite unique, isn''t it? Was it to kill my entire family, perhaps?" As he finished speaking, an indescribable oppressive aura burst forth from within him, causing everyone present to shiver uncontrollably. The cowards in the crowd grew weak in the knees, their eyes flickering, as they began to back away uncontrollably, the thought of escape growing wildly in their minds like weeds. Zhou Su''s face was pale, with beads of sweat on his forehead, as he tried to maintain composure, "Chief Officer Shen, this is a misunderstanding, a pure misunderstanding! We..." "Misunderstanding? I don''t think so. Had I not been here, would you really have wiped out my entire family?" said Shen Qing indifferently. "Since you''re here, settle in. I''ve prepared a feast today; I think it''s best if you all stay for the meal." "Ah!" Someone finally couldn''t bear the invisible pressure, and on the verge of collapsing, let out a hysterical scream, turning to flee. Shen Qing snorted coldly. His hand quickly stroked the Brocade Bag tied to his waist, and a flash of brilliance suddenly erupted. Instantly, a treasure bow quietly appeared in his palm. Shen Qing snorted again as he stretched out his arm and drew the bowstring. He channeled his Spiritual Power, using the Heavenly Bow Technique, to condense the power into an arrow. Whoosh! An arrow was launched. A bright and dazzling light burst forth momentarily, as if a sun had risen slowly in the courtyard, then dimmed to nothing. After the light had faded, everything returned to silence. Looking around, the ground was covered in fresh blood like blooming red spider lilies, staining every inch of soil, with corpses lying about in disarray. Zhou Su, who had seemed invincible just moments ago, had been utterly disintegrated by Shen Qing''s arrow. His large head, with eyes still wide, showed he had died with grievances. His ambitions had ended before they could even begin. After doing all this, Shen Qing slipped the treasure bow back into his Brocade Bag. The brilliant light showed again. The large treasure bow was stored back into his Hundred Treasure Pouch. "A rabble of nobodies." Shen Qing turned and no longer looked at the stained traces in the courtyard as he walked toward the main hall. As he brushed past Tian Xiaohu and others, he casually ordered, "Have someone clean up these useless things in the courtyard; having the entrance looking so dirty really isn''t proper." Tian Xiaohu and others, as if waking from a dream, rapidly agreed. Shen Qing strode in, heading straight for the main hall. The moment he stepped over the threshold of the main hall, Uncle Shen the Second, Big Sister, and the others, as if drawn by an invisible thread, crowded around with eyes flashing with anxiety and anticipation, asking in unison, "What''s happening outside?" Shen Qing let out a gentle breath and smiled, "Some uninvited guests came, but I took care of them." "Took care of them?" Hearing this, Uncle Shen the Second and the others could not help but show a trace of confusion on their faces. sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. They knew very little about the events outside and did not catch the implied meaning in Shen Qing''s words. Seeing their reaction, Shen Qing had no intention of explaining. He sat down in the main chair of the hall, casually took a teapot, drunk a few sips against his mouth, and put down the teapot, saying, "Speaking of which, I have some good news to tell uncle and aunt." "What good news?" His uncle and aunt were piqued by his words, casting curious glances at Shen Qing. "I''ve seen Xiao Hu." Shen Qing''s words struck Uncle and Aunt like a thunderclap. Huge waves surged instantly in their hearts, and their eyes shimmered with disbelief. Auntie from the Wang Family was so excited that her hands trembled slightly. Almost instinctively, she stepped forward, tightly grasped Shen Qing''s arm, and said with a voice tinged with eagerness and disbelief, "Is...is what you''re saying true?" Shen Qing gently patted the back of her hand and confirmed, "Of course it''s true, auntie. When we parted, he even gifted me a Spirit Mirror, which we can use to contact him. Wait a moment, and I''ll show you." As he spoke, Shen Qing activated his Spiritual Power, formed a Spell with his fingers and took out a plain-looking but faintly glowing mirror from his Hundred Treasure Pouch at his waist. Upon seeing the mirror, Uncle Shen the Second''s gaze froze, and he exclaimed in shock, "This... Isn''t this the mirror I gave auntie all those years ago?" An ordinary mirror? Was it just an ordinary mirror that Shen Xiaohu had managed to transform to such an extent? Was the Huang Tian Sect''s strength so formidable? Shen Qing was stunned, somewhat surprised. "May I take a look?" Shen Qing nodded and handed the mirror to Uncle Shen the Second. Uncle Shen the Second took the mirror, gently caressing its surface, examining it closely. Besides the newly added patterns that twinkled with strange light, the rest of the mirror was no different from the one he had given to auntie. Even the cracks and chips were identical. The familiar yet foreign touch brought a complex mix of flavors to his heart. At this moment, Uncle Shen the Second was somewhat convinced by what Shen Qing had said. Auntie from the Wang Family was, by then, teary-eyed and blurred. She covered her mouth tightly, for fear of crying out loud, but the tears still fell like broken pearls, rolling down continuously. She choked out, "Thank the heavens, Xiao Hu is alright, it''s really great." Uncle Shen the Second handed the mirror back to Shen Qing and asked, "Where is he now?" "At the Huang Tian Sect." "Ah... But doesn''t that make him a traitor?" Upon learning this, the joy in Uncle Shen the Second''s heart was immediately halved. Shen Qing reassured, "It''s not a problem. I saw that Xiao Hu is doing well there, and being alive is what matters most. There will always be a solution in the future." Uncle Shen the Second seemed to age many years all at once, sighing, "Ah..." "By the way, besides Xiao Hu''s matter, there''s something else I need to mention." "What''s that?" Big Sister Shen Fang asked curiously. Shen Qing said, "We''ll be heading to the Capital City soon. I''ll be taking up a post there." "Qingzi, you''re no longer the Chief Officer of Yongzhou?" "Yes, His Majesty has appointed me as the General of the Southern Military Department." "His Majesty?" Hearing this, Uncle Shen the Second was visibly surprised. In fact, not just him, Big Sister Shen Fang, Auntie from the Wang Family, and Shen Xiaoshan were all equally astonished. In their eyes, the current His Majesty was an exalted sovereign, and the fact that their nephew could be summoned by His Majesty was a sign of great promise, far beyond their expectations. Chapter 377 - 56: Jianghu is Not About Fighting and Killing Shen Mansion, in the main hall. Surrounded by his family members, including his uncle Shen the Second, Shen Qing discussed the events that had happened recently. In particular, his aunt from the Wang Family was incessantly inquiring about Shen Xiaohu''s experiences. When they heard that this once inexperienced Shen Xiaohu had vaguely become the leader of the traitors, everyone in the room felt a mix of emotions and didn''t know what to say. Shen Qing was not surprised by this. In fact, not just them, even Shen Qing was quite astonished when he learned about Shen Xiaohu''s experiences. Since the end of the Jing Luan Assembly, Shen Qing often communicated with this cousin in the Spirit Communication Realm and got to know about Shen Xiaohu''s experiences in the Huang Tian Sect. One could only say that looks can be deceiving, and the depth of the sea unfathomable. Shen Xiaohu''s fate was remarkable; they had misjudged him before. After a while, most of the traces in the courtyard had quietly been erased, leaving only faint dark-red marks on the ground. If it weren''t for the people inside, no one could tell that a bloody scene had just taken place here. Tian Xiaohu and Ji Youwu, among others, approached Shen Qing with serious expressions, "Boss, besides those we killed just now, there have been others in the city involved these days. They have ties with Zhou Su and are itching to make a move, attempting to take advantage of the situation. Should we also..." As he spoke, Tian Xiaohu made a throat-slitting gesture. Shen Qing gently stroked the teapot he was holding and said noncommittally, "There''s no rush, we''ll talk about this later." Seeing this, Tian Xiaohu and the others didn''t say much more. However, what they hadn''t expected was that as they were discussing this matter, a group of people had quietly gathered outside the Shen Family''s door. Moreover, from the end of the road, more figures were continuously arriving, flooding towards the Shen Mansion like a tide, the scene was spectacular. "Excuse me, is this Lord Shen Qing''s residence? We have come specially to visit, hearing of your reputation." A trembling elder with a cane stepped forward and asked the Shen Family''s servant at the door. "Yes, yes, us too. We heard that Lord Shen Qing has returned, so we came today to see him," added a young man in brocade clothes next to him. Seeing this, the Shen Family''s servants were visibly troubled and frantically tried to keep order, but they were somewhat overwhelmed by the number of people. Finally, a clever-looking servant hurried through the crowd, burst into the house, and while running, shouted, "Master, it''s terrible, many people have come outside saying they want to see you; we simply can''t stop them!" "You see, Jianghu isn''t just about fighting; it''s about human relations. Fighting is just a means; instilling fear is the outcome," Shen Qing said to Tian Xiaohu and the others with a smile inside the house. Tian Xiaohu and the others appeared contemplative. Shen Qing continued, "Are all these people saying they are here to visit me?" The servant gasped for breath and nodded repeatedly, "Yes, Master, more and more people are gathering outside, and we really don''t know what to do." "Do you want me to go and drive them away?" asked Xiao Zhi. As a martial master close to Qi Cultivation, dealing with these common people would be incredibly easy for Xiao Zhi, practically effortless. "No need!" Shen Qing''s lips curled into a playful smile, "Let them in. I want to see what these people are really here for." With that, he stood up, straightened his clothes, and walked out of the house with long strides, ready to meet this sudden "visitation wave." Under his orders, a swarm of people crowded into the courtyard. Standing outside the main hall, Shen Qing looked around¡ªthese people were all unfamiliar faces. Whether dressed in splendid attire or with anxious expressions, they invariably carried heavy gift boxes, hustling along. "Lord Shen, we heard that you returned safely from the Jing Luan Assembly, and we were so happy that we took the liberty of coming here to congratulate you; I hope you don''t mind," said an elegantly dressed elder with a smile, his words revealing a hint of trepidation and curiosity. He continually gauged Shen Qing, trying to read his reactions. Shen Qing smiled and replied, "There''s nothing to blame; fellow villagers and elders remembering me is my honor." Upon hearing this, everyone felt as if a heavy burden had been lifted and they collectively breathed a sigh of relief. The elderly man continued sincerely, "Lord Shen, we are at fault." Saying this, he immediately knelt down, hands holding a heavy gift, "I must confess, we have had some dealings with Zhou Su recently. Today, hearing that he intended to commit misdeeds in Yongzhou, we were shocked. We have come today to apologize and ask for your forgiveness, hoping you will show mercy and not blame us." Shen Qing, with his sharp eyesight, scanned the guests in front of him, each harboring their own thoughts, and couldn''t help but smile knowingly, fully aware of what these people were really thinking. He chose not to point it out directly. It wouldn''t be long before he was to take up his post in the Capital City, so Yongzhou was just a temporary stopover for him. Killing too many people would not serve him well. After several upheavals, the population of Yongzhou had significantly decreased, hence it was also not suitable to continue a large-scale slaughter over there. To Shen Qing, it seemed that those who needed to be killed had mostly been dealt with. With a slight smile, Shen Qing said, "I''m relieved to see that you have this intention. Let bygones be bygones. In the future, I hope you will think carefully before acting, not letting short-term benefits blind your eyes and offending people you shouldn''t, drawing disasters upon yourselves." As he finished these words, everyone present felt the chilling intention to kill emanating from him. These people trembled inwardly, not daring to be presumptuous anymore; their attitudes became even more respectful. The leading elder hurriedly said, "Thank you for your mercy, Lord Shen. We will definitely serve you well in the future." With that, he turned his head to signal, and one by one, others promptly presented the gifts they had brought. Shen Qing raised his hand, gesturing for the servants to accept the gifts one by one. Seeing that Shen Qing didn''t refuse them, they all felt relieved and showed expressions of joy, bidding their farewells and leaving behind gifts as numerous as a small mountain. "Get these things sorted out and make sure to register them," Shen Qing instructed Zhang Shuyuan. Sear?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Having said that, he no longer bothered with these details and went back inside the house. In his view, the people of Yongzhou were all very shrewd, well-understanding the benefits of seeking good fortune and avoiding disaster, aligning well with his wishes and saving him a lot of trouble. Having just arranged the evening banquet, Zhang Shuyuan immediately went on to register the gifts nonstop. Fortunately, according to Yongzhou''s traditions, the heavy gifts that came with their business seals attached spared Zhang Shuyuan a lot of trouble. After some inventory checking, Zhang Shuyuan found that the gifts received could match half a year''s income of the Shen Family''s property. Most of the notable people from Yongzhou had come. The influence of Shen Qing in Yongzhou was evident; he was in an unassailable position. Chapter 378 - 57 Cultivating the Ancient Spirit Essence, Frontline News ``` After dealing with a pile of trivial matters, Shen Qing declined the invitations from his subordinates and conversed with a few confidants before starting his daily routine of intense cultivation. This was a habit he had maintained for a long time, even amidst the Jing Luan Assembly. Late at night, the moon was bright and stars sparse. Everything was silent in Yongzhou City. S§×ar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. In the backyard of the Shen Mansion, Shen Qing sat cross-legged on his bed, hands gently open, facing the bright moonlight. He constantly practiced breathing techniques, involving a special rhythm, his breathing appearing deep and prolonged. With each breath, wisps of white mist emanated from Shen Qing''s nose and mouth, so dense they seemed almost tangible, flickering with a faint silver sheen under the weak moonlight, appearing quite unusual. As his cultivation progressed, gradually his body seemed to be enveloped by a layer of flowing radiance. Beneath this radiance, his body appeared as if it were cast from bronze, lending him an aura of transcendence. Through many years of training and study, Shen Qing had already developed a very clear understanding of Martial Arts. In today''s world, an ordinary person begins by refining Qi-Blood, moves on to stretching and strengthening, Skin Tempering and Qi Cultivation, before breaking through to the Transcendent, condensing a Qi Sea, reaching the Qi Hai Realm. From the Qi Hai Realm onwards, the cultivation journey becomes vastly different, focusing on spiritual energy cultivation, progressing through the Yu Luo Realm, Dan Realm, Spirit Void Realm, Primordial Spirit Realm, Kongyou Realm, until reaching the Unity Realm, achieving the highest state. Each step of cultivation here is as hard as climbing to the heavens for ordinary martial masters, lacking none of perseverance, opportunity, Sight, and enlightenment. Now, Shen Qing, relying on the Water Ink Panel, has barrelled forward all the way to the Spirit Void Realm. At this step, he is almost halfway onto the doorstep of the Immortal Martial path. If all goes well, he could then use his body''s spiritual power to condense a primordial spirit, thereby breaking free from the constraints of the flesh, casting a Primordial Spirit Avatar, truly making a name for his martial practice, shedding all vulgarity. Further ahead, he would become a Kongyou Great Power, merging with heaven and earth, traveling unimpeded, free from material bonds, nearly an Immortal. At Shen Qing''s current pace of cultivation, without external power aiding, reaching this stage would require at least ten years or even longer. As for the final stage of Martial Arts in this realm, the Unity Realm, it requires time measured in decades. Among the millions in the Great Zhou, only the ancestor of the Ji Family and the current Majesty Ji Zikong have achieved the Unity Realm. Aside from these two, no third person exists. Unfortunately, up to now, no one has ever witnessed either of them in action. To what extent the Unity Realm reaches, no one knows. But there''s no doubt, these two are much stronger than those in the Kongyou Realm and Primordial Spirit Realm. Thus, from another perspective, with the chaos in the south of Great Zhou, demons rampant, rebels rampant, it seems like Ji Zikong and others are intentionally indulging it, as if purposely wearing down the martial masters of the world. The Jingluan Assembly is likewise. But why they are doing this, the underlying reasons, Shen Qing knows very little and has yet no way to understand. Shen Qing exhaled a breath of turbid air and turned his attention to the brocade bag at his waist, taking it off and placing it in front of him. This brocade bag was a treasure given by Lan Gongliang, capable of holding many items, quite mystical. Shen Qing looked down to see the Hundred Treasure Pouch glimmering with a faint spiritual light, like the brightest star in the night sky. He gently raised his fingertip, a stream of pure spiritual energy trickled out from within him, wrapped like a fine thread around the intricate patterns on the bag''s mouth. Under the continuous permeation of spiritual energy, the surface of the Hundred Treasure Bag suddenly rippled in delicate waves, like light breezes brushing across a calm lake, forming an existence akin to a "gate." This "gate" seemed originally to have some form of restriction but had long lost its effect over time. Upon sensing Shen Qing''s spiritual energy aura, the gate opened wide, revealing a peculiar space, approximately several square meters in size, yet seemingly connected to another dimension, with light sparkling inside. Inside lay many sundry items¡ªWish Power Pearls, treasure bows, Weapons, secret books, and various precious Spiritual Materials and Elixirs. Shen Qing did not pick them one by one, rather focused on a few jade tokens among them, took them out one by one, placing them before him. These jade tokens were used by him in the Ancient Relics to absorb Spirit Essence; he looked down and saw each jade token shining brightly, full of spirituality, covered with special patterns, appearing quite extraordinary. Shen Qing took one out, placed it in front of him, and inspected it closely, subconsciously lost in thought. Was it an illusion, he wondered, as he felt that the Spirit Essence in the Ancient Relics was identical to that from the falling essence from beyond, both seemingly no different. Shen Qing sometimes was perplexed, as to why an inconspicuous relic of a sect from the Ancient Era was so formidable. At this moment, the image of the perfect woman surfaced in his mind. Her terrifying power, slaughtering them like ants. A faint worry arose within Shen Qing, doubting that such Ancient Relics were not isolated cases. If such existences appeared again in the future, he wouldn''t stand a chance. With demons continuously emerging everywhere, what the future holds is unpredictable and potentially extremely dangerous. The intense sense of crisis surged back to the forefront of his mind. Shen Qing dismissed these thoughts, avoiding further speculation about these useless concerns; thinking more was of no benefit. ``` Chapter 379 - 57 Cultivating the Spirit Essence of the Ancients, Frontline News_2 ``` He silently recited a passage of the Calming Incantation, allowing the lake of his mind to return to tranquility, and then stimulated a trace of Spiritual Power to refine one of the jade tokens. Shen Qing carefully guided a trace of extremely pure Spiritual Power to fall upon the jade token. The ancient-looking jade token seemed to be activated, gently hovering in mid-air, lightly pulsating. In the next moment, the prohibition applied on the jade token showed some looseness. In an instant, like a horse off its reins, it surged out from the jade token, filling the entire room, the air thick with Spirit Essence, even carrying a faint fragrance. Shen Qing took a deep breath, feeling the unprecedented abundance of Spiritual Energy, a flash of fervent light appearing in his eyes. He noticed a pot of orchids on the windowsill, under this Spirit Essence, flaunting their blooms, continuously stretching their bodies, visibly growing, flowering, turning lush and vivid, full of spirituality. No time to delay, Shen Qing quickly took out a Wish Power Pearl from the Brocade Bag, shimmering with faint luminescence, and similarly began refining it with the Refining Pearl Technique. After ensuring everything was prepared, Shen Qing formed a seal with both hands and began circulating the recently broken-through Six Paths Reincarnation Technique. This cultivation technique was extremely profound, several times more mystical than the earlier Six Path Whale Swallowing Technique. As Shen Qing cultivated, all the acupoints in his body lit up, sparkling like stars. Among them, several crucial acupoints shone most brightly, interlinked, forming a peculiar spoon shape, with a glow that fluctuated like his breathing. Under these glows, every trace of Spiritual Energy was meticulously guided by him, flowing along the unique path of the Six Paths Reincarnation Technique within his body, nourishing every inch of his flesh and blood, every thread of his Divine Sense, enhancing his cultivation. In this process, time seemed to lose its meaning, the clamor and changes of the outside world isolated. Time ticked away bit by bit. When the first ray of morning light pierced through the window, spilling over his body, Shen Qing suddenly withdrew from the training state. He raised his eyes and saw, unconsciously, the sky had already broken at dawn. Shen Qing felt the changes in his body, looked again at the Water Ink Panel in his vision; a night of cultivation hadn''t brought about a significant change in his cultivation, the road ahead still long and challenging. He stood up from the bed, slightly stretching his limbs, his spirit full. At this moment, he noticed a faint warmth spreading from his chest. Shen Qing frowned, taking a copper mirror from within his robes. With a thought, Spiritual Power circulated within him, entwined around the Spirit Void state. As he willed it, ripples spread across the mirror''s surface, emitting a faint, eerie light. Following that, lines of text leisurely emerged from the mirror. "Brother Qing, how have you been? Have you returned home safely?" Looking at the words appearing in the mirror, Shen Qing''s expression remained calm. All this time, he and Shen Xiaohu had been communicating with each other through the communication mirror every few days, already accustomed to it. After waiting a while, another message from Shen Xiaohu came from the other side: "After the emergence of the Ancient Relics, the Dao Master has sent a message, in one month, our sect will withdraw from Dan Province in batches, returning to the Holy Mountain. Perhaps we''ll enjoy a comfortable period afterward. Tell father and mother not to worry, I am well." Seeing this line of text, Shen Qing''s eyes narrowed slightly, a complex glow suddenly appearing across his face. From Xiaohu''s words, it sounded like the Dao Master of the Huangtian Sect had taken Dan Province solely for the Ancient Relics? If calculated this way, many cities might hold little significance to the Huangtian Sect and could be abandoned at any time, just like Taiping County back then. And once the Huangtian Sect abandoned many cities, the court would achieve their military objectives consequently. Would Xue Zhao still need to continue leading the army to fight? Not necessarily. By then, perhaps Xue Zhao would voluntarily lead the army back to the capital. There was a deadly feud between him and Xue Zhao, a point of nearly irreconcilable hostility. Once Xue Zhao returned to the capital, he would free his hands to deal with him. Now the Great Zhou under the Ji Family''s intentional indulgence, chaos was gradually emerging, a few officials'' deaths couldn''t stir up too much trouble. As a grand general in court, and a martial master at the late Primordial Spirit Realm, dealing with him really would leave no other choice but to surrender. Especially since he was in Yongzhou, far from the capital, making it more convenient for Xue Zhao''s operation. Yongzhou couldn''t be stayed. On the contrary, in the capital, under the Emperor''s watch, and he had been personally appointed by His Majesty as the Chief of the Southern Division of the Military Command, could make Xue Zhao cautious, not daring to act recklessly. Shen Qing looked at the copper mirror''s surface, contemplating deeply. Xiaohu and the others would leave Dan Province in a month, so Xue Zhao could return to the court in as soon as two months'' time. That meant when he went to the capital, he must find a way to stand firm in one or two months'' time. "I fear I might not be by father and mother''s side for a long time, later it''ll be hard on Brother Qing." The message from Shen Xiaohu interrupted Shen Qing''s train of thought. He silently replied: "It''s a duty that must be fulfilled. I will inform uncle and aunt, letting them be at ease, not to worry." Shen Qing cut off the message from the communication mirror and tossed it into the Hundred Treasure Bag, stepping out through the door. In the far east, thin strands of morning light continuously poured down from the horizon, dyeing the skyline a golden hue, full of burgeoning power. At this time, the servants and maids in the Shen Mansion had already begun bustling about preparing meals, dusting, tidying the courtyard. S§×ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Shen Qing went straight to his uncle and aunt''s residence, planning to tell them about Shen Xiaohu''s situation to put them at ease. He crossed the mist-enshrouded bluestone path, entering a small courtyard. Pushing the half-closed wooden door open, Shen Qing''s gaze swept across the courtyard, finally fixing on his uncle and aunt. Morning light cast on their slightly aged faces, reflecting undeniable worry and unease. They had gotten up early, sitting quietly opposite each other, faces full of concern. Uncle Shen Er kept smoking his pipe, puffing incessantly. "Uncle, aunt, I''m here." Shen Qing walked closer, saying: "There''s news about Xiaohu just this morning." Aunt Wang raised her head at his words, pretending indifference as she said: "What news can there be? After all the things said, he still can''t come back, what''s the use?" "Can''t you make fewer complaints, listen to what Qing has to say." Uncle Shen Er said irritably from beside. Shen Qing''s eyes flickered slightly, catching sight of the handkerchief tightly clutched in his aunt''s hand, already wrung into a tight ball. He knew his aunt''s temperament; her words were entirely different from her true thoughts. Shen Qing smiled: "Uncle, aunt, you don''t need to worry too much. Xiaohu just told me, they are about to withdraw from the front line, leaving Dan Province, and should soon enjoy a peaceful period, at least free from danger." "Really?" Shen Er asked. Shen Qing nodded. Shen Er''s tense face finally relaxed, heaving a sigh of relief: "Shen family ancestors bless. The ancestors of the Shen family bless us." Aunt Wang''s eyes suddenly brightened upon hearing this, but quickly dimmed again, remaining silent. Shen Qing continued: "Uncle, aunt, you should prepare, we might need to prepare to enter the capital in these coming days, and you''ll all join me then." "Huh? So soon?" Aunt said surprised: "We''ve only just settled down here for a few years." "Man strives to ascend, water flows downward." Shen Qing advised: "Aspiring upward always does no harm." Uncle Shen Er said: "Qing, there''s something I forgot to mention to you." "What is it?" "A few people from Taiping County escaped and somehow found me and Zhang Shuyuan, I''ve settled them in the city." "Okay, such small matters uncle can handle as he sees fit. What''s the situation in Taiping County now?" "Taiping County is gone." "Gone?" Shen Qing was slightly puzzled. Uncle Shen Er explained: "I heard from those people that a tomb appeared deep in the mountains, with many demons emerging, the city inside out taken over by demons, leaving no space for people to live. What exactly happened there, I''m not sure." A tomb? Shen Qing instinctively felt that this might be the same event related to the Ancient Relics. Clearly, something was changing in this world. ``` Chapter 380 - 58: Change in Taiping County, Entering the Capital The demons are becoming more numerous. A few years ago, people still didn''t know what demons were, but now demons have almost become something everyone is familiar with, almost coexisting with humans. But even so, the fall of Taiping County into the hands of the Demon Clan was something Shen Qing had never imagined. Yongzhou is a thousand miles away from Taiping County, which might be very far for ordinary people, but for demons, especially those that have gained power, this distance is nothing at all. In other words, Yongzhou is not very safe anymore either. Shen Qing said to his uncle Shen the Second, "Where are the people who came from Taiping County?" Uncle Shen the Second showed a difficult expression, his face becoming hesitant. Shen Qing noticed his uncle''s difficulty and thought he was going to trouble them, and he hurriedly explained, "Uncle, no need to worry. I just want to ask them some questions." Uncle let out a sigh and said, "I''ll send someone to call them over so that you don''t have to make a trip." "Alright, I''ll return to the study first," Shen Qing nodded and said, "When they arrive, they can come directly to see me." "Okay," replied Shen the Second. After courteously bowing, Shen Qing walked out of the courtyard, intending to return to his study to deal with trifles. As for the government office at the Yongzhou Guard Martial Arts Bureau, Shen Qing didn''t need to go there for the time being. Ji Zikong had already given him a new appointment, so presumably, there was also a suitable candidate here in Yongzhou, leaving him with no worries. In the courtyard of the mansion, the thin morning mist gradually dissipated in the sunlight. Walking on the bluestone path, Shen Qing unexpectedly encountered his elder sister Shen Fang. She and the maid at her side were holding hands, behaving very affectionately. When the elder sister saw Shen Qing, her face changed, and she hurriedly let go of the maid''s hand beside her, with a somewhat startled look. "Qingzi/Sir," the two said in unison. Shen Qing nodded in acknowledgment and brushed past them. After he passed, the elder sister Shen Fang hurriedly dragged the maid away with a guilty conscience. Shen Qing turned back to glance at them, lost in thought. The elder sister Shen Fang was not young anymore, and in this world, she was already considered a spinster, past the age of marriage. If the elder sister expressed the desire, with his current status, many men in Yongzhou would be easily available to her. However, until now, he had not heard anything about his sister wanting to find a good family. If he recalls correctly, that maid is called Huanhuan and is a hunter''s daughter, sold to his family to work as a maid. The previous duration was not long, only about half a year. Thinking back over these past six months, this maid called Huanhuan seemed to always be with the elder sister Shen Fang, inseparable. A possibility suddenly occurred to Shen Qing, leaving him speechless. Never mind, this matter is no longer within his consideration; let them be. Whether it''s his uncle and aunt or his elder sister, they have long passed the age of martial arts cultivation, with limited lifespan. He could only say that he will do his best to show concern while they are still in this world. S§×ar?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ... At the study entrance. "Sir, according to Master Shen''s orders, I have brought the people you wanted to see," a servant respectfully reported. From inside the study, Shen Qing''s calm and authoritative voice came through, "Come in." "Yes." The servant answered and then gently pushed open the heavy wooden door. Amidst a somewhat ancient creaking sound, the doors slowly opened, and the servant respectfully said, "Please, all of you, come in." Three people came this time; it was their first time entering the depths of the Shen Mansion, and they had never seen such an imposing setting. Their eyes continuously revealed a trace of apprehension and curiosity as they nodded and bowed, walking in. Shen Qing looked up and immediately recognized one of the burly, slightly rugged-faced men as a familiar person from Hongshan Village. This person was the child of a hunter''s family, the same generation as him. Shen Qing directly called out, "Are you... Gousheng?!" The burly man, upon seeing Shen Qing, had a flash of delight in his eyes, but a moment later quickly became deferential, looking down at his feet. After staying in Yongzhou for a while, he had long realized that this peer from his hometown had soared high, incomparable to the past, and he must not be as casual as before. He made a bow, filled with gratitude and respect, and said, "I didn''t expect you still remember me, Sir." Shen Qing stood up and said, "How are your parents and family? Are they well?" "Thanks for your concern, Sir, but like others, they have all been eaten by demons," Gousheng said in a calm tone, as if narrating something exceedingly common. While speaking, he couldn''t help but glance at Shen Qing a couple of more times, filled with regret. When Shen Qing left back then, they chose to stay in Taiping County for the sake of stability. If they had been a bit braver and followed Shen Qing, maybe he could, like Tian Xiaohu and the others, get a position in the government office. But alas, there is no medicine for regret in the world. What''s missed is missed, with no second chances. Hearing these words, Shen Qing''s brows furrowed with concern, and he asked in a deep voice, "What exactly happened over in Taiping County? Tell me everything in detail." Now, with demons increasingly appearing and mysterious occurrences arising, it only made his heart more unsettled. He wanted to quickly gather more intelligence and information to feel more secure. Gousheng took a deep breath, trying to calm his emotions. After exchanging a somber look with the two equally serious companions, he said, "About a month ago, outside Taiping County, in a place called Qingniu Mountain, an enormous ancient tomb unexpectedly appeared. It''s as if it emerged out of thin air, suddenly rising from the ground. It''s very strange." Chapter 381 - 58 Change in Taiping County, Entering the Capital_2 "From what I heard, that ancient tomb is very strange, from the outside it looks like volcanic lava, turning the sky red." "When this strange tomb appeared, those demons gathered near Taiping County rushed over." "At first, only a few daring demons attempted to assault it. Later, after prolonged attacks failed, a large bird with nine heads led many powerful demons in a relentless assault, cracking open a fissure in the tomb, from which emerged many incredible treasures, significantly boosting the strength of several demons." "Since then, those demons have taken this as their stronghold, staying in Taiping County, acting recklessly." "Now, in the entire Taiping County, people like us have almost become prey in their eyes, like livestock being farmed, a few eaten today, a few more tomorrow. There are deaths daily in the county, and there are not many survivors left." "We also struggled quite a lot to escape from the city." Upon hearing Gousheng''s account, Shen Qing fell into deep thought and asked, "When this ancient tomb appeared, was there any presence of Spirit Essence?" "Spirit Essence?" Shen Qing explained, "Did any unusual phenomena occur around the tomb, such as rapid tree growth?" "Yes, yes." A common man beside Gousheng quickly nodded, "In the beginning, before the demons truly acted, people often went near the site where the tomb appeared to gather herbs. Many aging herbs indeed appeared there." Hearing this, Shen Qing''s heart stirred. It seemed similar to the ancient relics found in Dan Zhou, creations from the Ancient Era. Once could be a coincidence, but such events repeatedly occurring can''t be that simple. Perhaps inside that tomb lies an ancient corpse, like that perfect woman, possessing incomprehensible power. Shen Qing remembered carefully, the first demon he encountered was in the direction of Taiping County, which was a tiger demon. Sear?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Is this also a coincidence? And now, with so many demons in the world, what exactly are Ji Zikong and the others mulling over? Why haven''t they sent a large army to suppress them? Are they really going to sit idly by as these demons run rampant and become a disaster? Shen Qing did not understand but was deeply shaken. He believed that if things continued like this, it wouldn''t be long before a second, third, or even more cities were seized and overrun by demons. The Great Zhou State is already in a perilous situation. "Sir, do you have anything else to ask?" Seeing Shen Qing remain silent for a long time without saying a word, Gousheng asked. Shen Qing snapped out of it, gently shook his head, and said, "Nothing else to ask, you should head back for now. If you face any difficulties in life, you can come to the mansion to find us at that time." The three of them, Gousheng, expressed joy on their faces, "Alright, alright, thank you, Sir." Shen Qing returned to his seat, his hands resting on the table, fingers tapping rhythmically, a crisp sound resonating, while he muttered to himself: ''The matter of the Imperial Armory cannot be delayed.'' ''No matter how I look at it, there seems to be a major change looming over the world. I heard the Ji family has conscripted martial machines from across the realm, with the Imperial Armory holding a third of it. The Imperial Armory not only has all kinds of supreme techniques but also many treasures and pills to aid Martial masters in their cultivation.'' ''My current cultivation is reasonable down here, but if placed among the upper echelon, it''s far from enough; at least, I can''t contend with Xue Zhao as he stands now.'' ''Perhaps I could use this as an opportunity to quickly enhance my cultivation.'' After contemplating for a long time, Shen Qing decided to expedite his journey to the capital, both to seek martial arts opportunities and for the sake of his family''s safety. After all, a gentleman does not stand beneath a collapsing wall. Shen Qing was not a hesitant person; once he made up his mind, he acted swiftly. That very day, he instructed everyone in the mansion to pack up, preparing to move the entire family to the capital. Besides uncles and aunts and other family members, Shen Qing also sounded out the intentions of his associates. Tian Xiaohu, who was alone and had been following him, had nothing much to say, and besides him, Chen Guang, Ji Youwu, and a few others chose to accompany him to the capital. However, Xiao Zhi planned to stay in Yongzhou. A closer inquiry revealed that he secretly had a family and was unwilling to abandon his wife and children to pursue a future alone. Naturally, Shen Qing wouldn''t force it. Fortunately, they needed trusted people to guard and manage the considerable family estate in Yongzhou. After considering comprehensively, Shen Qing finally decided to leave Zhang Shuyuan and Xiao Zhi in Yongzhou to manage and safeguard his estate there. Generally speaking, as long as he didn''t fall from power, others in Yongzhou wouldn''t cause a big stir. Meanwhile, Wu Sheng facilitated exchanges, leaving them as a retreat route. After spending three to five days managing the mess left by Zhou Su, Shen Qing prepared to enter the capital with a few trusted followers and family. Considering the long journey, which would take over a month by foot, and the urgency of the appointment and Xue family''s matters in the capital which couldn''t be delayed for long. Thus, Shen Qing arranged to split his forces; he would travel alone first riding the wind to return to the capital. Tian Xiaohu and the others would escort the uncles and aunts along the official road at a slow pace. Now that Tian Xiaohu and the others were at the Nourishment Realm, and there was no shortage of martial artists at the Qi Sea Realm, they could easily handle small-time thieves and even some demons along the way, ensuring safety on the road. After sending the uncles and aunts off onto the official road and ensuring everything was in order, Shen Qing invoked the Six Paths of Reincarnation technique. He absorbed the purest spiritual energy around him, causing the spiritual power within his entire body to boil, becoming vast and abundant. Soon, this immense spiritual power was suddenly transformed into a brilliant rainbow of light enveloping him. Shen Qing controlled the rainbow light, his toes lightly tapping, instantly bursting forth at an astonishing speed, soaring into the sky, with the sound of breaking through the air deafening, resembling the roars of dragon and tiger. He rushed into the clouds, riding the wind beneath the blue sky. After rushing for over an hour, the rainbow light controlled by Shen Qing descended into the backyard of Wu Sheng''s restaurant in the capital. Wu Sheng happened to be in the courtyard, and upon hearing the commotion, he hurried over to greet. Shen Qing symbolically brushed the dust off himself and directly asked, "Is the residence I asked you to prepare ready?" Wu Sheng solemnly responded, "Sir, it''s ready, the house is on Pingkang Street just outside the palace, close to all government offices." "Take me to see it." "Sure, I''ll prepare horses and carriages immediately to go over." "Let''s walk directly." Shen Qing took the lead, employing the Great Space Shifting Technique, spanning dozens of meters swiftly, his form quickly vanishing before Wu Sheng''s eyes. Wu Sheng, momentarily bewildered, hurriedly brought a fast horse from the stable to chase after him. Pingkang Street, as Wu Sheng described, is right next to one side of the palace, just a short distance from the main gate of the palace. It''s also not far from the military administrative building. Shen Qing surveyed the surroundings and felt quite satisfied with the location. After standing and waiting for a while, Wu Sheng arrived hastily, leading him to a large mansion. The gate of the courtyard looked ordinary with no towering threshold, but upon entering, the space was ample, and the furniture was also fairly new. "This courtyard originally belonged to an official family, but due to offending His Majesty, the entire family was banished from the capital, leaving the house vacant and just right for me to purchase." Wu Sheng introduced, "The neighbors are all capital officials." Shen Qing used his spiritual sense to scan and perceive all the details of the house, finding nothing inappropriate. "Here will do." Wu Sheng relaxed and said, "Alright, I''ll finalize paperwork with the broker today." "You handle it, don''t bother me with such trivial matters." Shen Qing said casually, "If there isn''t enough money, just let me know." Now that he was wealthy, he no longer concerned himself with material wealth. "Alright." In the distance, a figure suddenly appeared, quickly rushing to Shen Qing''s side and stopping, laughing heartily, "Little friend Shen, I''ve finally found you." Shen Qing turned around in surprise, "Lord Lan." "Your appointment documents and the rewards promised by His Majesty are all ready. When you have time, come to the military administrative office to handle them." Chapter 382 - 1: Entering the Temple ``` Capital City, Military Department. A dispatch officer dressed in brocade stood patiently at the entrance of the government office. Upon seeing Shen Qing, his face lit up with joy, and he quickly ran up to greet him, saying, "Subordinate Yu Hai Bei greets Lord Shen. Lord Lan has already conveyed the message to let me take Lord Shen to receive the Emperor''s reward and assist you with your official appointment." "Thank you for your assistance." "No need, no need, it is my duty." Shen Qing nodded and took the lead in stepping into the Military Department Office. Yu Hai Bei followed a step behind, trailing Shen Qing. The Military Department of the Great Zhou Country is divided into the Five City Military Departments, with five major regions, East, West, South, North, and Central, each with a Chief Officer position, managing the Military and Guardian Martial Departments of the Five Districts of Great Zhou, specifically responsible for national security. Generally speaking, from traitors and demons to thieves and petty thieves, all fall under the jurisdiction of the Military Department. However, there are slight differences between the Capital City''s Military Department and those in other regions. The regional Military Departments mostly focus on local affairs, whereas the Capital City''s Military Department primarily safeguards the Imperial family''s security. The emphasis, therefore, differs slightly based on the task at hand. It is precisely this difference in emphasis that elevates the status of the Capital City''s Military Department above other government offices. "This way, Lord Shen," Yu Hai Bei said with respect, guiding Shen Qing into the Military Department Office. The moment they stepped inside, an indescribable aura of prestige enveloped them. Shen Qing cast his eyes around, observing the curved eaves and painted beams, very impressive. Far incomparable to local government offices. The space was enormous, and the number of people was significant too. Shen Qing quickly estimated that in the short distance he walked, the number of officers he encountered already greatly exceeded that of a single office in Yongzhou. It appeared the scale of the Capital surpassed his previous impressions by a good margin. Following behind Shen Qing, Yu Hai Bei introduced each area one by one, "Our Military Department Office is a three-court compound; the first courtyard is where the officers in Kyoto conduct their daily patrols and office work. Since this area belongs to the Imperial City, patrols continue ceaselessly day and night, and thus there are quite a number of officers." Shen Qing thought of Tian Xiaohu and his group, asking, "Are there any requirements for becoming an officer here? What about the official salary?" S§×ar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "One must be a Cultivator, at least at the Qi Cultivation Realm, and have a clean background, a home, and family within the Capital Region to be eligible." Hearing this, Shen Qing couldn''t help but feel a touch of lament. In Taiping County, a cultivation level of Qi Cultivation would be enough to open a Martial Arts Hall, becoming a person of influence, yet in this Capital City, it''s only the threshold for becoming an ordinary officer. To know that officers are somewhat less than ''clerks'' speaks volumes. No wonder this is the heart of the Zhou Country, with experts everywhere. This requirement for family and home bars any fugitives from entering. Calculating like this, if he wanted to bring Tian Xiaohu and his peers in, it might pose some trouble. As if sensing Shen Qing''s thoughts, Yu Hai Bei lowered his voice and said, "If Lord Shen wants to have someone from your side get a position here, you just need to inform a few Chief Officers, and mention it to the constables below, and it should be no problem at all." Shen Qing glanced curiously at Yu Hai Bei, thinking this person was indeed perceptive and adept at reading people. He diverted the topic carelessly, "So, what about the second and third courtyards?" "The second courtyard is where the officers and constables work, and the third courtyard is the office for the five Chief Officers and Lord Commander," Yu Hai Bei guided the way, saying, "Lord, today we are headed to this third courtyard, this way, please." Shen Qing acknowledged with a nod and headed toward the second courtyard. As the surrounding officers noticed this unfamiliar face making his way toward the second courtyard, their attitudes immediately turned respectful, no longer ignoring him as before. Shen Qing couldn''t help but laugh silently. Human hearts are indeed subtle. Passing through a shadow wall to enter the second courtyard, there were noticeably fewer people inside. He counted roughly a dozen or so individuals; some sat cross-legged on the ground cultivating, others stretched and gestured with their fists, while a few, with nothing better to do, sparred with each other. It was evident that these individuals were filled with Great Perfection in blood energy, their aura restrained, and were at the very least of the Qi Sea Realm of cultivation. Randomly setting one loose locally could see them dominate an area. When Shen Qing appeared in the backyard, these constables and officers were evidently perceptive enough to realize that someone with the ability to enter must have an extraordinary identity. A few paused their cultivation, glanced at Shen Qing, and whispered, "Whose son could this be, coming from the back? He looks so young." "I heard a Southern Chief was coming to our office, could it be him?" "How could it be? He looks so young; if he could become Chief, that would be too absurd." While they speculated, Shen Qing, following Yu Hai Bei''s guidance, walked into the third courtyard, leaving those in the second courtyard staring at each other in disbelief. The man who had just denied it lightly swallowed down his spit saying, "It really is him." They were each incredulous. Shen Qing''s Divine Sense was sharp, noticing every move these people made. He did not waste time explaining, quickly striding inside. Upon entering the third courtyard, the sight changed once more. The courtyard was filled with various artificial scenic rocks and flowing water, creating a tranquil environment. Additionally, the courtyard''s size compared to the first and second courtyards was only larger, not smaller. Yu Hai Bei guided Shen Qing to the front of a side chamber. "Lord Shen, we have arrived. The Emperor''s rewards and your official appointment documents are prepared, this way, please." "Alright." Shen Qing pushed open the door and strode inside. Upon entering the room, he saw an older middle-aged man sitting lazily in a chair, eyes closed, either resting or in cultivation. Before Shen Qing got close, he sensed a faint searing heat. It was evident that this middle-aged man''s cultivation was not low, at least at the Ling Xu Realm or higher, demonstrating profound cultivation. He hadn''t expected such an existence to be so unassuming within the Military Department, without any presumptuous airs. Yu Hai Bei stepped forward saying, "Lord Wang, this is Lord Shen Qing, who has come today to commence his service and receive the Emperor''s rewards, we hope you could assist." The middle-aged man on the chair lazily opened his eyes, letting out a long yawn, stretching before addressing Shen Qing, "You''re the new Chief, Shen Qing?" Having no knowledge of this middle-aged man''s background, Shen Qing maintained his composure and answered, "Yes." The middle-aged man said nothing but silently produced a Jade Token for Shen Qing, saying, "This is the Beautiful Pattern Jade Token personally bestowed by the Emperor. Holding this token allows you access to the Imperial Armory and to draw ten thousand Wish Power Pearls. It''s also proof of your position as Chief of Kyoto''s Military Department." Shen Qing received the jade token and closely examined it. This item was a translucent jade green, containing an elusive spiritual energy within. The entire jade token was intricately and mysteriously carved with beautiful patterns, under the sunlight outside the room, shimmering with a ghostly green glow. The small seal character ''Shen'' in the center was particularly dazzling. More remarkably, upon touching the object, he felt a faint warmth, quite extraordinary. The middle-aged man explained, "This Beautiful Pattern Jade Token has been imprinted with Divine Skills by a Great Power, equipped with an anti-counterfeiting feature. After taking it back, drip a drop of your essence blood on it, binding it to you. It would be useless in anyone else''s hands." "Thank you, senior." Upon hearing this, Shen Qing immediately adjusted his fingers, using his spiritual energy to puncture his fingertip, squeezing a drop of essence blood onto the Beautiful Pattern Jade Token. The jade token momentarily glowed, absorbing the drop of blood. Instantly, Shen Qing felt a bloodline connection to the jade token, clicking his tongue in amazement. Today, I have witnessed something indeed, no wonder Kyoto, the heart of the empire''s martial capacity, takes such efforts even with a mere token, making it like an artifact. The middle-aged man chuckled, "The last person holding this token insisted on biting his tongue and then spitting onto such a treasured item, making it reek. You''re pretty clever." ''Uh...'' Shen Qing hadn''t considered this either. The middle-aged man then handed a bundle of documents to Shen Qing, "These are your official documents. Now your registration is listed under ''officials,'' within them is also a description of your position, keep them safe." Accepting the official documents, Shen Qing eyed them with surprise. Never expected that upon entering the Capital City, his identity would change from ''martial'' registration to ''officials.'' In Great Zhou Country, the hierarchy is Emperor, Aristocrats, Officials, Physicians, Martial, Farmers, Artisans, Merchants, and Servants. Official registration is only second to the Emperor and Aristocrats, signifying royalty and nobility. In a sense, starting from today, Shen Qing has officially entered the temple, becoming a part of the upper echelons of the Great Zhou Country. And this was just the matter of a decree from Ji Zikong. The middle-aged man remarked, "That''s all there is to it." The difference between what he anticipated about receiving rewards and commencing his service and what happened was stark, leaving Shen Qing somewhat surprised. On the way, he had thought about how he would manage to retrieve thousands of Wish Power Pearls, but it seemed that was a needless concern. Without further ado, he took his items, clasped his hands in a brief bow, and silently retreated. Shen Qing turned to Yu Hai Bei, "Is there anything else that needs completing?" Yu Hai Bei replied respectfully, "There are still some trivial matters remaining, such as official attire and casual clothes. I will collect them for you, Lord, and there''s not much else to worry about." "Alright, then I''ll trouble you to make a trip," Shen Qing said casually. "By the way, today, Lord Commander has specifically gone out to search for you, and he has called back the other Chief Officers as well. If you have no other engagements, you should meet with them. It seems Lord Commander''s intention is to hold a small gathering for you," Yu Hai Bei advised. "Where are they?" "In the hall of the third courtyard," Yu Hai Bei pointed to a location, "I am of low status and it is not convenient for me to go over there; you can proceed on your own, Lord." Shen Qing nodded and proceeded directly in the direction Yu Hai Bei indicated. Before even getting close, Shen Qing already heard laughter from the hall; without any sign of stage fright, he walked right in. All eyes, all four, swept simultaneously toward Shen Qing as soon as he entered. Shen Qing looked up and saw four people seated inside the hall, four men, one woman. Seated at the center was Lan Gongliang, Command of all Military Forces, surrounded on both sides by two men. "So, this is the new Southern Chief, Shen Qing, isn''t it? I heard you''re young, and seeing you today, your potential is indeed promising." The speaker was a man with sharp facial features. His voice was somewhat sharp, face very pale, and his physique differed from the typical warrior, appearing frail, as if a gust of wind could topple him. Lan Gongliang spoke, "There are no outsiders here; you needn''t be so formal. Please, come in." "Yes, my Lord." Shen Qing smiled subtly, walking calmly before the assembled individuals. Lan Gongliang rose, pointing to the individuals before him, introducing them one by one, "This is Wei Chengye, Chief of the Central Region. Amongst everyone, he has served in the Military Department the longest with the most experience. If you have any uncertainties in official duties, you may consult him." Shen Qing''s gaze followed Lan Gongliang''s gesture, noticing the Chief of the Central Region had thick eyebrows and big eyes, leaving an impression of considerable honesty. Acknowledging Shen Qing''s glance, he nodded slightly in acknowledgment. Lan Gongliang then pointed to an ordinary-looking man, "This is Zeng Weifeng, Chief of the Northern Region, a master at catching criminals, descended from Zeng Yaozi. His family''s renowned for numerous high forges. If you wish to forge weapons, he''s the one to seek." Next, he pointed to the only woman, "This is Zhao Lengyan, Chief of the Western Region, a noblewoman from the Zhao family and a descendant of a noble house." "As for the Chief of the Eastern Region, that''s Yang Henshan, the godson of Yang Changshi, the current eunuch officer." Hearing each introduction, Shen Qing couldn''t help but feel a bit amazed. In this room, except for himself, everyone else had significant backgrounds. Each had a backing; he couldn''t help but feel a silent sense of respect. After introducing them, Lan Gongliang said to the rest, "This young man is Shen Qing, the Southern Chief personally appointed by our Emperor. He is the sole survivor of the recent rebellion." Shen Qing stepped forward, neither overbearing nor servile, saying, "I''m Shen Qing from Yongzhou, greetings to my fellow colleagues." As the only female among the Chief Officers, Zhao Lengyan commented, "I heard this recent rebellion had many unexpected turns, even involving ancient relics. Is it true? Does the Huangtian Sect have such capabilities, wiping out so many people with just one formation?" Shen Qing glanced at Zhao Lengyan, his eyes discreetly sweeping over her. Perhaps due to martial practice, her physique appeared somewhat robust, muscles faintly visible. Clad in a black casual robe, she somewhat resembled a man. Often referred to as a tomboy. Shen Qing fabricated a story, "Indeed, there were ancient relics involved. Speaking of which, as these relics surfaced, the situation spiraled into chaos. The Huangtian Sect took advantage of this, setting up a lethal formation, eradicated many martial masters at once. I was simply fortunate to have not participated, barely escaping." In his view, since all the martial masters from the rebellion were mostly deceased, as long as the tale wasn''t too outrageous, no one could verify it. "I see," Zhao Lengyan laughed heartily, with no sign of sadness, "It seems my cousins weren''t lucky this time." Lan Gongliang surveyed the others, saying, "Chief Officer Shen here is a young talent. His joining our Military Department is a great benefit for our handling of demons nationwide. All of you must work together with solidarity." "Yes, my lord," everyone chorused. Speaking of demons, Shen Qing recalled something and approached to inquire, "Lord Lan, do you know that Taiping County has already been overrun by demons?" ``` Chapter 383 - 2 Capital City Prosperity, Observations "Taiping County?" Lan Gongliang said calmly, "I''ve heard of it." Shen Qing was quite surprised and puzzled, "Then why don''t we go to exterminate those demons? Isn''t this our duty?" "Exterminate we must." Lan Gongliang looked Shen Qing up and down and said, "But right now, the demon issue is not urgent for the court. The crucial matter is Huang Tian the rebel. Besides, Taiping County is remote and desolate, a tiny place even if it rots won''t matter much, no harm done. We can always go to eliminate the demons later, no hurry." Shen Qing''s heart stirred slightly, showing an enlightened look, "So that''s how it is. Thank you, Lord, for the clarification." Lan Gongliang waved his hand nonchalantly. He glanced at the sky; the sun was dazzling, right at noon. "It''s getting late, and since no one went out today, how about a feast for lunch together." "Yes, Lord." The government office of the Military Department is located in the bustling center of the Capital, surrounded by lively areas. S§×ar?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Stepping out from the back door of the third courtyard, they were greeted by a dusty street. The street was paved with blue stone bricks, each the size of a washbasin, cut perfectly square and very smooth. The street was bustling with people. Many young people dressed in silk sashes and jade, accompanied by women, laughed openly as they strolled. Quickly, they only walked a few steps to reach the back door of a tavern. Shen Qing looked up and saw the black signboard above the tavern''s back door, with four large gilt characters elegantly written: "Ancient Charm, Wine Aroma." "Lord Lan, you''ve arrived! Quickly, please come in. The first-class private room is reserved for you today." A servant at the door greeted them with a knowing smile, as if he had known for a long time that Lan Gongliang and his party would come. Lan Gongliang walked into the tavern without a word, hands behind his back, familiar with the way. The tavern was divided into two floors, with a small pavilion in the middle where an elder and a young girl were performing. The elder held a pipa and sat in a chair; the young girl stood in green attire, her voice melodious, singing tunes Shen Qing had never heard before. From the spoken parts and lyrics, it seemed to be a love story of a destitute man meeting a wealthy girl before achieving success, somewhat similar to "The Romance of the Western Chamber." The grandparent-grandchild duo performed skillfully, with clear recitations and good singing, coupled with the fact that many people from the Outer City were in the Capital City, this underdog story was quite straightforward. Shen Qing glanced and noticed a lot of broken silver scattered on the ground in front of them, as tips for their performance. "Today''s performers at the Yuan Yang Pavilion are quite good." After entering the tavern, Lan Gongliang, led by the servant, entered a private room directly facing the central pavilion with a great view. After sitting down in an empty seat, he couldn''t help but comment casually. "If the Lord enjoys it, how about I invite them over to sing a couple of songs for you, just the two of them?" the servant said sycophantically. Shen Qing took in the scene beside him. It was evident that Lan Gongliang was a valued guest with high status at this tavern. Lan Gongliang waved his hand and said, "We''re just here for a meal, no need for trouble, let''s just have the usual three specialties." "Sure." The servant took the towel from his shoulder, swiftly wiped the table, and said with a smile, "Please wait a moment, honored guests." Lan Gongliang pointed at the vacant seats and said, "Feel free to sit wherever you like." The private room used a separate dining system, with each person having their individual table. The group didn''t stand on ceremony, each finding a seat. There was no particular arrangement or consideration for seating. However, Shen Qing was cautious and chose to sit at the lowest seat. After they all sat down, five beautiful women and one handsome man entered the private room. The group saluted respectfully, with the five women standing behind Shen Qing and the others, and the only man standing behind Zhao Lengyan. ''This is...'' It was Shen Qing''s first time encountering such a setup, and he was slightly puzzled. But he wisely did not ask questions, only observed quietly. As Shen Qing still held some confusion in his heart, the young woman behind him knelt and began to massage his shoulders and back. "Sir, is this strength alright?" The woman behind Shen Qing, around eighteen years old, exhaled a fragrant breath at his ear. Only then did Shen Qing realize it was a thorough massage service. Fortunately, in his past life, he was quite familiar with such things. Sitting upright, Shen Qing said, "It''s acceptable." "If the strength isn''t comfortable, sir can tell me anytime," the woman said. Shen Qing slightly closed his eyes, choosing not to speak any further, and began to enjoy the gentle touch. "Mm~" Shen Qing hummed lightly. The Capital is truly different; even having a meal comes with so many fancies. Shen Qing quietly glanced at Zhao Lengyan and the others and saw they were entirely accustomed to it. Chief Officer Zeng Weifeng from the North had even quietly placed his hand on the maid''s backside, kneading forcefully. The maid continued to greet him with a smile. After the time it takes to drink a pot of tea, the redwood tables were quickly filled with plates of food and wine. The maid behind obediently served wine and distributed food to Shen Qing and the others. In fact, Shen Qing had never experienced such treatment since practicing Martial Arts. Growing up, it was indeed his first time. Lan Gongliang raised his wine glass and said, "This is the pear blossom white wine from this local tavern, made from the essence of pear blossoms blooming, with a color as white as snow and a pure taste. Such good wine can''t be found outside. Today, as Shen Chief Officer joins us, it''s the perfect occasion to enjoy such exquisite wine, thanks to Shen Chief Officer''s blessing." Chapter 384 - 2 Capital City Prosperity, Observations_2 Shen Qing quickly said, "I dare not, I dare not." "Let''s drink, hahaha." Shen Qing raised the Lihuabai and drank it in one gulp. The rich floral fragrance and the clear taste, with a hint of sweetness, made Shen Qing''s eyes brighten. It turns out this world indeed has such wonderful things. The prosperity and luxury of the Capital City had truly opened his eyes today. Shen Qing even thought that it wouldn''t be bad to live such a decadent life every day in the future. However, this thought was soon extinguished by him. Though this world is indeed prosperous, it''s still essentially a world that devours people, and human life is as worthless as grass. In many places, it might be like Taiping County, left to live or die on its own. No one can guarantee that the Capital City won''t become like Taiping County in the future, turning into a hell on earth. At this thought, Shen Qing''s eyes quickly regained clarity, and he couldn''t help but glance at Lan Gongliang seated in the main position. From the beginning of their meeting, Lan Gongliang had been quite good to him, always trying to win him over. Who knows if there are other reasons behind this. As the saying goes, one should not harbor intentions to harm others, but one must be vigilant of others'' intentions. Suddenly, Shen Qing became more cautious, deciding to be more attentive in the future. Lan Gongliang picked up the chopsticks and said, "Don''t be formal. Let''s enjoy the music and eat." After Lan Gongliang started to eat, Shen Qing and the others also picked up their chopsticks and began drinking and eating. Occasionally, they would eat a shrimp or crab peeled by the maid, or a prepared piece of roasted meat. "This dish is jade deer meat, a mountain delicacy that can boost vitality and blood. Outside, it could cost dozens of taels of silver, yet here it''s just an appetizer." Shen Qing murmured to himself as he looked at the plate of meat in front of him. Coming from a hunter''s background, he was most familiar with such mountain delicacies and recognized it at a glance. Today''s meal constantly refreshed his understanding of things. Shen Qing took a piece of jade deer meat, placed it in his mouth, and it melted instantly, incredibly delicious. After eating, he quickly felt his whole body heat up, as the deer meat transformed into pure energy, replenishing his body''s vitality. No wonder. Those born in the Capital have high cultivation. If he were to eat such mountain and sea delicacies every few days, even without cultivating, just eating could bring his vitality to perfection. How could those outside the Capital City compare? After three rounds of drinking, the atmosphere among everyone became much livelier, as they each shared their experiences and stories. Shen Qing didn''t say much, only occasionally mentioning a few hunting experiences from his childhood living in the mountains, brushing off the conversation. His relationship with these people was not deep, so it was not appropriate to speak too much, lest he invite trouble for himself later. Once they had their fill, the servants in the private room removed the dishes from the table and replaced them with a set of new teacups, brewed the tea, and then quietly withdrew. At this moment, Shen Qing took the initiative to ask, "My lords, may I ask if there are many demons and rebels in the Capital? Will we be busy with official duties in the future?" Northern Chief Officer Zeng Weifeng replied, "Not many, after all, it''s the center of the Capital region, and experts are abundant. Even if they sneak in, they wouldn''t dare cause trouble." "So, does this mean we Chief Officers are quite free?" "Not exactly," said Central Chief Officer Wei Chengye. "Not many in the Capital doesn''t mean none, and besides, we have to manage not only the Capital but also deal with personnel arrangements in other cities, which requires some effort from us." "Moreover, the most troublesome in the Capital are not the demons or rebels, but the people living in places like Changle Square, Yongxing Square. You will understand later," said Eastern Chief Officer Yang Henshan. Seeing that the others were unwilling to say more, Shen Qing did not press further. "Everyone seems almost done. We should leave now to not delay official duties." Lan Gongliang was the first to stand, and the others followed suit. As Shen Qing stood up, he saw Lan Gongliang pause next to him and turn to whisper, "The war in Danzhou is nearing its end, and Xue Zhao is expected to return. He won''t let matters rest easily. You better think of a way to handle it soon." After saying this, Lan Gongliang said no more and left the tavern. Shen Qing stood there pondering Lan Gongliang''s intentions, puzzled about what this powerful figure in the Kongyou Realm was up to. Upon returning to the government office, Lan Gongliang called Wei Chengye, the Central Chief Officer, asking him to acquaint Shen Qing with the official duties. sea??h th§× N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Wei Chengye naturally agreed without hesitation, promising on the spot, "Chief Officer Shen, what we do is not troublesome. You''ll understand after you accompany me for a day tomorrow." Shen Qing bowed and said, "I''ll have to trouble Chief Officer Wei then." "It''s all as it should be. Today, you should get to know the personnel and your subordinates in the government office. Take it slow." Shen Qing walked out from the third courtyard and found Yu Haibei. He heard from Wei Chengye and other Chief Officers that Yu Haibei was a sergeant under him, usually handling miscellaneous matters such as patrols. When Shen Qing found Yu Haibei, he was cultivating in the second courtyard. Judging from his cultivation, he seemed to be at the Yuluo Realm, and his bone age was no more than twenty-five. In Shen Qing''s view, such cultivation was already quite impressive, but unfortunately, it was only considered average in the Capital. Seeing Shen Qing, Yu Haibei quickly stopped cultivating, picked up a bundle, and said, "Lord Shen, this is your official and casual attire that I''ve obtained for you. Please check if the size fits." Shen Qing took the bundle and smiled, saying, "Thank you for your hard work. Besides you, who else do I have under me?" "In response, my lord, besides me, you have eighteen sergeants, one hundred and eight attendants, and one thousand five hundred thirty-two lower ranks under your command." "So many..." Shen Qing was surprised by this number. Calculating it all, the entire Military Department of the Capital had nearly four or five thousand people. And they all held the identity of martial artists, most of whom had reached the Nourishing Energy Realm. This scale made Shen Qing secretly click his tongue in amazement, broadening his horizons. Yu Haibei continued, "Would you like me to call the other sergeants to meet you together?" Seeing everyone would take too much time, Shen Qing shook his head, saying, "Let''s wait until we have time later." "Yes, my lord." "You can go ahead. I''ll walk around by myself." After sending Yu Haibei away, Shen Qing unleashed his entire divine sense, mapping the layout and each room within the Military Department''s premises into his mind. Then he left the Military Department alone, utilized the Great Teleportation Technique, and traversed the streets and alleys. At the same time, he used his divine sense to sense continuously as he moved. It only took half an hour, and he managed to take a quick tour of the entire Capital City. Thanks to his photographic memory, he gained a clear understanding of the city''s layout. Unknowingly, Shen Qing arrived at the entrance of the Shanhai Department''s government office. As one of the three departments in Da Zhou, he had heard a bit about it. The Shanhai Department gathered martial intelligence, spiritual insights, and monitored officials on behalf of the current Majesty¡ªa bit similar to the Jinyiwei from his previous life¡ªand wielded significant power. Not long ago, Huangfu Rou had also come to the Shanhai Department, somewhat stepping to success like him. Without hesitation, Shen Qing walked toward the entrance of the Shanhai Department. The two guards at the gate crossed their halberds to block Shen Qing, asking, "Who are you?" Shen Qing flicked his sleeve, revealing a jade-green token embroidered with patterns, and calmly said, "Shen Qing, Southern Chief Officer of the Military Department, here on important business to see Lord Huangfu. Please announce me." The two guards exchanged a quick glance before hastily withdrawing their assessing gazes. With cupped hands, they slightly bowed and said, "So it''s Chief Officer Shen visiting. We apologize for not welcoming you sooner. Please wait, we will immediately inform Lord Huangfu." One of them quickly turned and moved with a hint of urgency, clearly not daring to neglect Shen Qing, the Southern Chief Officer. Chapter 385 - 3: Seeing Huang Furo Again, The Secrets of the Ancients Inside the Mountain Sea Department office. Huang Furo sat upright at the desk piled with documents and scrolls, meticulously handling state affairs. "Lord Huangfu, outside there''s a person claiming to be Lord Chief Officer Shen Qing from the Military Department requesting to see you. Do you wish to meet him?" A servant dressed in blue at the door reported softly, his voice tinged with a bit of caution. Upon hearing this, Huang Furo paused slightly with the pen in hand, a drop of ink accidentally splattering on the rice paper, blossoming into an ink flower. He has come? A fleeting look of disbelief and surprise flashed in her eyes, quickly recovering to her usual calm: "Show him in, and don''t be negligent." "Yes, my lord." The servant accepted the order and left. Huang Furo quickly tidied her collar, rose, and stood by the window, gazing at the hurried figure in the courtyard, feeling a mysterious emotion well up inside. Before long, Shen Qing entered the Guardian Martial Department Office. Led by the servant, he arrived in front of a small room. Pushing the door open, Shen Qing stepped inside and saw Huang Furo already waiting. She was dressed in an ivory official robe embroidered with mountains and rivers, her figure graceful. She had already prepared a tea cup, placed on the long table, and upon seeing Shen Qing enter, she smiled slightly and said: "Lord Shen, long time no see." Huang Furo''s voice was as gentle as jade, making one feel as if bathed in a spring breeze. Shen Qing looked up, noticing that Huang Furo''s brows carried a maturity and steadiness. A spontaneous smile appeared on his lips as he walked over leisurely, saying: "It hasn''t been that long, just a few months." Huang Furo was slightly startled; was it really that short? She thought a long time had passed. "Please, have a seat." Sear?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Without standing on ceremony, Shen Qing sat opposite Huang Furo. With a wave of his hand, the door behind them closed with a sound. Huang Furo''s eyes shone with brilliance: "Lord Shen''s cultivation has improved again?" "You have a keen eye." Shen Qing did not hide it, using his thumb to pinch a small segment of his pinky, indicating as he said: "Previously, I was lucky and managed to break through a little, just a little." Huang Furo laughed immediately: "Your ''just a little'' might leave many in the dust." She could roughly see that when Shen Qing employed spiritual power, it was without the slightest hindrance, clearly indicating he had surpassed the Spirit Void Realm, which was not just a simple breakthrough but clearly above her level. What Shen Qing revealed confirmed her judgment. Seeing Shen Qing''s cultivation progressing so swiftly in such a short time, she felt genuinely happy for him without a trace of jealousy. With such cultivation and Sight, he wasn''t inferior compared to the noble sons of the Capital City. It was a good thing. Huang Furo put away her smile, personally poured a cup of tea, and pushed it in front of Shen Qing, saying: "Has the Jing Luan Assembly ended?" "You already knew?" Shen Qing took the tea, sniffed it, and took a small sip. Huang Furo also held up a cup of tea and said: "I deal with various kinds of intelligence every day in the Mountain River Bureau, how could I not know? Your selection into the Jing Luan Assembly was deliberately arranged by Xue Bai and Xue Zhao. Our department head had informed His Majesty of this discreetly." Shen Qing was slightly surprised, not expecting such matters behind the scenes. The Xue Family had repeatedly targeted him, treating him like a soft target. Huang Furo sincerely said: "Therefore, it really was not easy for you to come out smoothly this time; very impressive." "It was just good luck." Huang Furo knew that now in the Jing Luan Assembly, only one person survived and was honored by His Majesty, entering the Capital Military Department. Now it seemed to be Shen Qing. Although on the surface she seemed calm, deep inside her heart, a tidal wave surged. This time, they sent a Primordial Spirit Realm expert from the Mountain Sea Department, yet even they fell silent. And Shen Qing accomplished so much alone, which was simply incredible. Putting down her tea cup, Huang Furo asked: "The Qintian Bureau deduced that spirit essences appeared in Dan Zhou during the Jing Luan Assembly. Did you see any?" Shen Qing nodded: "There was indeed an Ancient relic that appeared, and many people died." "So it is." Huang Furo murmured to herself: "It seems those ancient records are true; much of what I found is also accurate." Shen Qing asked curiously: "Why? Is there some secret in the Ancient Era?" "Quite a few." Huang Furo nodded: "Since joining the Mountain Sea Department, I''ve mainly been collecting spirit essences for the Imperial family and have encountered many secrets. From the intelligence gathered so far, all the spirit essences that have appeared within Great Zhou''s borders are from the Ancient Era. Including that fallen object from the sky we encountered, it also originated from the Ancient times." Shen Qing asked in amazement: "But the Ancient Era is untraceable, I thought the records and legacies from that time had already been lost?" "Everything that remains leaves a trace. The events of the Ancient Era are indeed hard to verify due to their antiquity, but the Mountain Sea Department has found quite a few clues." Huang Furo earnestly said: "Recently, around Jinzhou, a spirit essence appeared, and we sent people to investigate. Surprisingly, they discovered an Ancient Cultivator sealed in a whole piece of spirit ore. It was said that when it emerged, you could still hear a heartbeat, which was astonishing. Unfortunately, it was later consumed by a demon, preventing further study." After hearing this, Shen Qing was quite shocked, his voice heavy: "So perhaps many Ancient Cultivators have survived until now." "Did you see any as well?" Huang Furo asked, surprised. "In the relic that appeared in Danzhou City, there was indeed a woman, her cultivation astonishing; I suspect she must also be an Ancient Cultivator," Shen Qing said with concern. Chapter 386 - 3: Seeing Huang Furo Again, The Secrets of the Ancients - Part 2 He was most worried about something that had finally shown some signs. In this world, it seems that in ten out of ten chances, it''s going to be far from peaceful in the future. Shen Qing held a porcelain pot, pressed the lid, and poured a cup of tea for Huang Furo, also pouring himself one. He set the teapot down, picked up his teacup, and said, "You just mentioned that ancient cultivators were discovered being devoured by demons in Jinzhou. Now I''m seeing demons everywhere across Great Zhou. Are these demons related to the Ancient Period? Why is the temple so indifferent about it?" "Currently, there are records of demons from the Ancient Times, and nine out of ten chances, they are indeed related. As for the temple''s indifference to the demons, it''s somewhat complicated." A faint, almost imperceptible weariness showed in Huang Furo''s expression. "What do you mean?" Shen Qing pressed on. Huang Furo sighed and said, "You know that a demon''s Demon Core is greatly beneficial to cultivators in enhancing their cultivation, right?" Shen Qing nodded, "That''s indeed the case." Ever since he killed his first tiger demon, he had obtained a Demon Core and significantly advanced his cultivation because of it. "Are you aware that Your Majesty has been increasingly stringent in consolidating martial mechanisms over the past decade?" Shen Qing''s brow furrowed, sensing there was more to Huang Furo''s words. He looked directly at Huang Furo and said, "I''d like to hear the details." "This is something I only learned after joining the Mountain Sea Department," Huang Furo continued, organizing her thoughts. "Martial mechanism includes various martial arts techniques, elixirs, wish pearls, advancement methods, and other things related to martial arts. Any martial artist wanting to train wouldn''t have any future at all relying solely on their own efforts without martial mechanism." "Once the Imperial Family gathered the martial mechanism, it wasn''t simply collected and stored. From what I know, everything other than the martial arts is consumed by the Imperial Family, and there are rumors that the nation''s martial mechanism sustains one person within the royal family." S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Who?" "The ancestors of the Ji family." Shen Qing felt as if he''d touched upon some secret, his eyes lighting up. "He wants to break into the Integration Realm, aiming for the pinnacle of the heavens, to become the only one in this world." Huang Furo said slowly. Achieving one''s success with the resources of the entire world, such ambition. After hearing this, Shen Qing felt a deep shock in his heart. "And how does this relate to the demons?" Shen Qing asked further. Huang Furo replied, "You must understand, it''s not just the Ji family''s ancestor who harbors ambitious goals; those old monsters within the Shi families, from his era, are still alive. They also wish to breach the heavens and attain prolonged lifespan." "But with just the Ji family ancestor blocking the way, naturally these people put their focus on Demon Cores." "If the court eradicates the demons, then the Demon Cores would naturally belong to the court, which is something many lords in the temple do not wish to see. Therefore, they obstruct in numerous ways, and the organization of Guardian Martial Departments across regions keeps getting reduced." Shen Qing, puzzled, asked, "Then does the temple just watch as demons rampage?" "How could that be? In fact, the cities with demons have long since been parceled out by the people in the temple. The demons appearing there are quietly dealt with by people from various families, forming an intricate network of underground dealings. It''s just that we weren''t aware before." Huang Furo, with a gloomy look in her eyes, said, "This time the Xue family targeted you and targeted Yongzhou, also because the Xue family saw the proliferation of demons there and had ideas of meddling. Do you know what they call these demon-infested cities once they take them?" "What?" "A vegetable city!" Huang Furo''s lips parted with cold words: "Turning a city into a vegetable garden, harvesting a batch every so often." Shen Qing was deeply shocked after Huang Furo''s explanation. At this moment, many confusing past events suddenly clarified for him. Why are there so many demons, and Ji Zikong doesn''t eradicate them? Why continuously expend martial artists, preferring to send them to their deaths rather than let them cultivate continuously? ... Shen Qing looked down at the teacup in his hand, and after a moment, he said, "So in some places, demons haven''t been exterminated because someone is raising them to accumulate large Demon Cores?" Huang Furo replied, "Yes, the higher the demon''s rank, the greater the benefit of the Demon Core for them." "So, currently, in the eyes of these people, Yongzhou and Taiping County are quite the goodies," Shen Qing said calmly as he looked up at Huang Furo. Huang Furo fell silent, saying nothing more. Shen Qing lifted his cup, saying, "Let''s drink tea, it''s getting cold." As he drained his cup, Shen Qing felt the bitterness become more apparent. At present, without power or influence, and being in the Military Department, if not for Huang Furo disclosing these things today, should he offend someone and end up fed to a great demon, he might remain oblivious, forever ignorant of these secrets. After all, the higher-ranking the martial artist, the more nourishing they are to demons, full of allure. Huang Furo asked, "What are you planning next?" "I don''t know, take it one step at a time." Huang Furo mused for a while before saying, "According to the information on my end, it won''t be long before Xue Zhao returns to the Capital. Given his vindictive nature, I doubt he''ll let you off. You''d better find someone to rely on in the Capital to avoid being too passive when the time comes, lest you find yourself losing your life confusedly." Shen Qing helplessly said, "Finding a protector like that isn''t so easy." Previously, Lan Gongliang did help him a lot and had the potential to become a protector. But he hasn''t clearly understood Lan Gongliang''s intentions yet, so he dares not take too much risk. Elsewhere, in the capital, he''s completely in the dark, with no connections at all. "Take it one step at a time." Shen Qing stood up and said, "I''ve drunk the tea and seen the person; I won''t delay Lord Huangfu from handling official duties any longer, I''ll head back first." Huang Furo''s eyes flickered subtly, and she got up as well, saying, "Let me see you off." "Lord Huangfu, no need, there''s always tomorrow; you''ll have plenty of opportunities to see me off in the future. Go ahead and take care of your duties, keep your health in check. From the looks of it, you haven''t worried less these days, worn yourself quite a bit." "I now live on Pingkang Street, you can come to find me if you have time." Finishing his words, Shen Qing waved his hand, turning to stride away. Suddenly, Huang Furo called to him, "By the way, I discovered something interesting lately." Shen Qing paused, turned back, and said, "What is it?" "In ancient times, there was a supreme being of humanity, called the Qing Emperor by the world, the same name as yours." Shen Qing chuckled and said, "Do you think I''m that Qing Emperor or something, hahaha... I didn''t even know I''ve been alive for ten thousand years." Huang Furo also laughed along, her mood considerably brightened. "I''m leaving." Shen Qing left directly. Huang Furo put away her smile, feeling much more cheerful. She sat back down at her long desk, her smile dissipating, and she instantly returned to her usual frosty demeanor. ... The night passed in a flash. The next day, neither early nor late, Shen Qing arrived at the Military Department Office. At this time, Wei Chengye had already arrived. Shen Qing stepped forward and cupped his fist, "I apologize for keeping you waiting, Lord Wei." "I just arrived myself." Wei Chengye led out two horses and said, "Let''s go, I''ll help you get acquainted with the Capital and the responsibilities you''ll need to oversee." "Alright." Shen Qing took the reins and mounted his horse. The two rode side by side down the street. While riding, Wei Chengye introduced, "There are seventy-two wards in the Capital, each with twenty of our people. The Outer City and the Capital''s surroundings have ninety-one wards and townships, and each area has between thirty to forty people." "You are responsible for fourteen neighborhoods in the southern gate section, sixteen wards and townships in the Outer City, as well as numerous affairs of the Military Department in the southern region of Great Zhou." Wei Chengye continued, "Generally, most of these tasks can be delegated to your subordinates, the bailiffs, and the patrols. If nothing major occurs, requiring our personal involvement is unnecessary, allowing you to focus on cultivation without issue." Shen Qing felt this was very much to his liking, understanding Wei Chengye''s words well. Chapter 387 - 4 The Eight Great Families On the bustling streets of the Capital City, the voices of peddlers were endless. Wei Chengye led Shen Qing to the area near the southern district of the city gate. "Chief Officer Shen, we have arrived." Shen Qing reined in his horse and stopped. He looked up and saw a low building at the street corner ahead, with a sign reading "Qinglong Square Military Department - Thirty-Seven." Wei Chengye dismounted and said, "This is the southern Qinglong Square, one of your patrol areas. Come, let''s go recognize the place." Shen Qing nodded and dismounted. Wei Chengye swaggered in, loudly declaring, "Is there anyone still breathing inside? Come out to meet me." Moments later, hurried footsteps emerged from the slightly cramped and dim interior of the house. Three minor officials dressed in black quickly rushed out. As soon as they saw Wei Chengye, their faces instantly filled with flattery and obsequiousness, groveling as they said, "Ah, isn''t this Lord Wei! Pardon our failure to greet you earlier!" "Please, my lord, have a seat." The three hastily brought out a few long benches, placed them beside Wei Chengye, and quickly served tea and water with a look of adulation. Meanwhile, Shen Qing surveyed the surroundings and found the space cramped and the furnishings simple, indicating that these officers'' living conditions were not that great. These officers were at least martial masters in the Qi Cultivation Realm and were influential figures back in Taiping County. Yet here in the Capital City, they were treated like lackeys, constantly ordered around, like heaven and earth apart. Witnessing this, Shen Qing couldn''t help but feel a bit rueful. Wei Chengye did not accept the tea or sit on the benches; instead, he stepped aside and introduced Shen Qing to everyone present. "Come, let me introduce you. This is Southern Chief Shen Qing, Lord Shen, who will be your new superior from now on. Get to know him." With these words, the room''s atmosphere froze; everyone''s gaze focused on Shen Qing, a mix of curiosity, awe, and anticipation. Shen Qing stood there, as immovable as a mountain, his expression solemn. One of the minor officials quickly responded, "Your humble servant, Ma Lingfei, greets you, my lord." "Your humble servant, Shi Yifei." "Your humble servant, Ge Wenbin." Wei Chengye directly commanded, "Bring out the files from the past few days." "Yes, my lord." One of the three quickly ran inside, producing a book resembling a ledger and presented it to both Wei Chengye and Shen Qing: "This, my lords, is the file from the past few days. Please review it, my lords." Wei Chengye skimmed through the records and then handed them to Shen Qing: "You take a look as well, to get a feel for it." Shen Qing opened the files and carefully read through them. By virtue of his Academic Pursuit ability, he quickly understood the cases documented in the files. Most were street fights, burglaries, and the like, with the only murder case being an accidental killing involving familial betrayal. Quite different from Yongzhou, where murder and rampant demon activity were common. In other words, life here was quite peaceful. "So, usually, we are not needed much; these officers and constables are more than capable of handling matters," Wei Chengye calmly explained. "You needn''t worry too much." Shen Qing closed the file and said, "I understand." "Your jurisdiction is from thirty to forty-four, all in this area. You can come familiarize yourself with the locations when you have time. Now, let''s head to another location." With that, Wei Chengye was already on his feet, heading outside. After returning the files, Shen Qing also stepped out. The three minor officials escorted them to the door, grinning, "My lords, take care." Outside, Shen Qing and Wei Chengye mounted their horses. Shen Qing inquired, "Are we heading to the next district office?" sea??h th§× n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Lord Shen, you can take your time meeting those under your jurisdiction later. I will take you to another place," Wei Chengye said, spurring his horse forward, "Let''s go!" Indeed, visiting so many neighborhoods, fourteen garrison points, one by one, would indeed be quite time-consuming. If conditions were largely the same everywhere, it would be unnecessary. Shen Qing did not question and simply followed. Having wandered around yesterday with nothing else to do, he was already quite familiar with the layout of this area. He noticed that Wei Chengye was heading further south. If he remembered correctly, that direction would lead near Qifu Gate. After riding for a while, they arrived at an establishment where Wei Chengye halted, handing the reins to a servant by the door before striding inside. The interior was bustling, with the first floor full of people. Wei Chengye led Shen Qing to the second floor, choosing a window seat. A servant approached, beaming with a smile, "What would you like to eat, sirs?" "Get a pot of Golden Osmanthus Wine, three taels of lamb, a roast chicken, and three side dishes for the wine," Wei Chengye skillfully ordered. The servant quickly noted on a bamboo slip, "All right, esteemed guests, please wait a moment." Shen Qing sat across from Wei Chengye, puzzled, "Lord Wei, is this the place you intended for me to see?" Wei Chengye smiled and pointed, "Look at the street below." Shen Qing leaned out to look at the street below, only seeing hurried pedestrians and rows of shops lining the street. Beyond that, he couldn''t notice any significant differences. "Forgive my lack of insight; I can''t discern anything special." Wei Chengye chuckled, "Do you know which influential families are in the Capital?" "Cui, Wang, Xue, Xie, Zhao, Li, Zhang, Su." "Correct. The stores below belong precisely to the Eight Great Families: the Su family''s gambling house, the Zhang family''s pleasure quarters, the Xie family''s pawnshop... Within your jurisdiction, this area has the most family establishments, so be cautious," Wei Chengye advised with a hint of warning. Chapter 388 - 4 Eight Great Families_2 "Capital is swarming with nobility; if you throw a brick, whoever you hit will likely have connections to the court. Picking the wrong target could lead to unnecessary trouble for yourself." "But, as you know, in our line of work, it''s easiest to offend people, which is unavoidable. So, just remember to steer clear of those from the Eight Major Surnames." "You''d better turn a blind eye to some things. The most important area in your jurisdiction is here." Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Shen Qing calmly said, "So, even though we are officials of the court, do we still have to kneel before the Eight Great Families?" "Don''t make it sound so unpleasant," Wei Chengye said with a smile. "There are plenty of people who want to kneel and can''t even get the chance." Shen Qing asked, "Is there no way to stand?" "There is, if your surname were Ji, no one would dare make you kneel." "Excuse me, gentlemen, your food and drinks are here." At this moment, the servant of the inn came up with plates full of food and drinks, interrupting the two. Wei Chengye said, "Let''s have a drink first." He flipped his fingers, and the seal on the wine pot was effortlessly removed, releasing a strong scent of osmanthus mixed with the aroma of wine. "Lord Shen, try the osmanthus wine here; it''s much better than the overly sweet stuff outside." Shen Qing didn''t question further and raised his cup, saying, "Then I won''t stand on ceremony and will indulge." Glug glug. Shen Qing tossed back his head and swallowed a large gulp of the wine in a hearty manner. The amber liquid flowed down his throat like a torrent, bringing a sense of warmth and satisfaction, as a warm current spread from his stomach. After drinking, the unique fragrance of osmanthus and a hint of sweetness emanated from his tongue. Shen Qing immediately felt that this wine was indeed a bit different. "Brother Shen, how''s the wine?" "Good wine." "Hahaha," Wei Chengye said, "In the Capital, besides many other things, there''s an abundance of wine here. Almost every inn has its unique flower wine. The annual Hundred Flowers Brew competition for the King of Wines is quite lively. In some days, you''ll have the chance to see it." Shen Qing picked up the chopsticks and said, "Then I''ll definitely take a look when the time comes." After a few more sips, Shen Qing suddenly remembered something and asked, "By any chance, does Big Brother Wei know about the affairs between the families and the city of Vegetables?" Wei Chengye''s smile instantly faded, and he asked, "Where did Brother Shen hear about this?" "I overheard those noble brats mention it occasionally during the Rebellion Suppression Meeting," Shen Qing fabricated, pushing the matter onto someone deceased. Wei Chengye sighed, very apprehensively saying, "The waters here are deep, beyond what we can tread into. It''s best you don''t inquire." Seeing Wei Chengye''s evasive demeanor, Shen Qing promptly asked no more questions. Below the inn, an intricately carved carriage slowly stopped, the sound of hooves ceased abruptly, raising a faint cloud of dust. The carriage curtain was lifted gently, revealing first a hand etched with the marks of time, followed by a venerable gentleman with white hair and beard, who slowly disembarked. After alighting, he held the curtain aside and courteously said to someone inside, "Young Master, we have arrived." "Hmm," a youthful voice hummed from the carriage. A lively-eyed, delicate-featured youth emerged from the carriage. He leapt down lightly, landing steadily, appearing clean and agile. He was evidently a martial arts practitioner as well. The innkeeper, Li Fu, was already waiting at the entrance. He kept a keen eye on his surroundings and upon seeing the carriage pull up, hurriedly stepped over the threshold, with a face full of welcoming smiles, jogging forward to greet them, "Ah, Steward Li, Ninth Young Master, you''ve finally arrived; I''ve been waiting a long time!" "Have you prepared everything? Today, I happen to be here to check the accounts of the inn. I noticed that quite a few accounts don''t tally." The innkeeper, Li Fu, broke into a cold sweat and said, "Ninth Young Master, surely you jest. We wouldn''t dare falsify the accounts no matter what." "Let''s check first and talk later." "This way, Ninth Young Master." Under the innkeeper''s escort, the elder and young man slowly entered the inn. Though young, Ninth Young Master Li exuded an imposing presence not to be underestimated. As soon as he stepped into the inn, he drew curious glances from the guests at the sudden air of ceremony. Ninth Young Master Li appeared unflustered, showing no change of expression, composed as ever. They ascended the stairs, and upon reaching the wooden floor of the second level, they encountered two individuals dressed in Military Department official attire: Shen Qing and Wei Chengye. Ninth Young Master Li recognized one of them as the Chief Officer of the Military Department, Wei Chengye. But the other handsome gentleman was unfamiliar. He turned to the elder beside him and asked, "Grandpa Tong, who is the one beside Wei Chengye?" The elder servant gazed over, noticing Shen Qing''s sharp appearance and vibrant eyes, but he couldn''t recognize him either. "Ninth Young Master, this old servant does not know either. I''ll inquire a bit later." Ninth Young Master Li softly acknowledged, then was ushered into a private room by innkeeper Li Fu. Innkeeper Li Fu promptly had the servants prepare fruits and desserts and brought out the accounts, saying, "Ninth Young Master, here''s the inn''s turnover for nearly a year." "Place it on the table. I''ll review them one by one. Meanwhile, you and your men can leave." Innkeeper Li Fu hurriedly retreated. After a while, the elder servant tasked with gathering information returned to the side of the youth, waiting patiently. The youth''s brows knitted tightly as he reviewed the accounts. With a blank face, he closed the accounts and said, "Bring that innkeeper to me." "Yes, Young Master." Innkeeper Li Fu entered, trembling with fear, "Ninth Young Master, you called?" Ninth Young Master Li coldly said, "Grandpa Tong, detach his head." "Ah!" Innkeeper Li Fu was so terrified he nearly rolled over, pleading, "Ninth Young Master, I''ve worked here for so many years. Surely I deserve some credit despite hardships. I beg the Young Master to spare my life..." Splat! Blood spattered. Innkeeper Li Fu''s voice abruptly stopped. His head was forcibly twisted off by the elder servant. "After so many years, with accounts this poorly done, expecting to live?" Ninth Young Master Li snorted coldly, asking the elder servant, "Have you figured out the identity of the newcomer outside?" The elder servant casually tossed the head onto the ground, respectfully replying, "Young Master, the old servant has found out. His name is Shen Qing; he recently survived the Rebellion Suppression Meeting and was appointed as the Southern Chief of the Military Department by His Majesty." "I heard only one person survived the Rebellion Suppression Meeting, which is this man?" Ninth Young Master Li curiously asked. "Yes, indeed." "Coincidentally, he is nominally the chief of our market square." Glancing at the corpse on the floor, Ninth Young Master Li indifferently instructed, "Bring him here. I happen to want to inquire about Third Brother and the others." "The deaths of Third Brother and the others at the Rebellion Suppression Meeting remain unclear, making Father very displeased. If we can pry some information about the Rebellion Suppression Meeting from his mouth to bring back, perhaps Father will feel somewhat relieved." "Understood." The elder servant acknowledged and went straight to Shen Qing and Wei Chengye. At this time, Shen Qing was casually chatting with Wei Chengye when suddenly a stranger stood beside him. He eyed the elder servant, not understanding. The elder servant, in a condescending manner, said, "Chief Officer Shen, my Young Master has questions for you; come along." His tone was disrespectful, displeasing Shen Qing. Seeing Shen Qing so aloof, the elder servant furrowed his brows briefly but then softened his tone humbly, saying, "Chief Officer Shen, my Ninth Young Master is at this inn and wishes to meet Lord Shen. I hope Lord Shen will oblige." Wei Chengye, hearing the elder servant''s identification, was momentarily surprised and said, "Ninth Young Master of the Li Family?" "Exactly." "I have heard the Ninth Young Master of the Li Manor has impressive martial talent among the young generation in the Li family. A pleasure to meet today, truly an honor." Wei Chengye introduced, lowering his voice, "Brother Shen, you might not know, but Young Master Li''s father is the reigning Martial Marquis." The intention was clear for Shen Qing to "bow" and acknowledge the bigger picture. However, Shen Qing wasn''t inclined to comply. Shen Qing seriously put down his wine cup and stated, "Not going!" Chapter 389 - 5: Why Look at the Owner When You Beat the Dog? Shen Qing''s words took the old servant by surprise; he even thought he heard wrong. The old servant''s face instantly turned cold, as dark as if it could wring water out, and he said coldly, "Do you even know what you''re saying?" "I said, I am not familiar with your young master, and I will not go." Shen Qing repeated again, speaking with clear enunciation. To him, the other party was arrogant and disrespectful by coming here, and he really didn''t have the patience to cozy up to someone who''s being ungrateful, bending over backward to cater to this unwarranted arrogance. Upon hearing this, the old servant''s expression became even more ferocious, and a cold smile appeared at the corner of his mouth, "Well, well, well, I see you choose to toast punishment instead of drinking respectfully. Within this Capital City, even your Lord Commander has to smile when meeting anyone from the Li Family. Who do you think you are, just a Chief Officer in a mere skin coat, thinking you''re great?" The atmosphere between the two suddenly became tense and confrontational. At this moment, Wei Chengye hurriedly stepped out in a timely manner, "Gentlemen, please refrain from getting angry. Chief Officer Shen may have his inconveniences. Why don''t we sit down and discuss this peacefully?" "Discuss? I see there''s no need for that." A trace of ruthlessness flashed in the eyes of the Li family''s old servant. His dry and skinny right hand suddenly stretched out like an eagle''s claw, reaching straight for Shen Qing''s shoulder, clearly unwilling to waste more words. "Die!" A strong wind rushed toward Shen Qing, causing his clothes to flutter loudly. Shen Qing''s body remained still, but waves of spiritual power surged around him, and deep spiritual power gushed out like a river, meeting the old servant''s claw. Boom! Their spiritual power collided in the air, exploding in a deafening roar. Around Shen Qing, whether it was the delicate carved window frames or the rustic redwood tables and chairs, they all turned to dust instantly under the force of this power. The air was filled with thick smoke and dust. The Li family servant retreated several steps before stabilizing himself. He squinted his eyes as he sized up Shen Qing, and he realized there was something unusual about this young man. Both being at the Spirit Void Realm, this person''s foundation was even stronger than his. Spiritual power surged continuously, endlessly deep, truly unbelievable. Wei Chengye, seeing the two had started to fight, was startled and quickly grabbed Shen Qing''s arm, apologizing to the Li family''s old servant with a smile, "My Brother Shen is ignorant; please don''t blame him, old steward." After speaking, he lowered his voice and leaned close to Shen Qing, whispering, "Brother Shen, are you crazy? Don''t just see that he''s a mere servant; he''s backed by the Li Family. You know, you don''t have to look at the owner when you beat the dog; if you do this, the Li Family might not let you go." Shen Qing smiled indifferently. Among the Eight Great Families now, he had already offended the Xue Family, not afraid of another one. A mere servant riding on his head to do as he pleased, did he really think he was a clay Bodhisattva without any temper? The old servant clearly did not take Wei Chengye seriously. "Now, wanting to bow your head is too late!" The old servant, having failed his first strike, stomped his foot, and yellow glimmers of light continuously gushed from his Qi Sea, transforming into a golden arrow heading straight toward Shen Qing. His claw, as if forged with golden light, filled with murderous intent, kept pressing towards Shen Qing like a ghost. Each move directly targeted Shen Qing''s vital points. Shen Qing''s mind remained focused, a Divine Sense spread out. The actions and patterns of each move of the old servant clearly manifested in Shen Qing''s mind. He employed the Great Void Shifting Technique, his form graceful, moving as if stepping on clouds like an Immortal, with each dodge perfectly timed. While avoiding Li Huai''s onslaught, he also continually depleted the spiritual power and stamina of the Li family''s old servant, making it seem effortless. Both were powerhouses at the Spirit Void Realm, wherever they passed, tables, screens, vases, all turned to powder under the impact of their spiritual power. This was still the result of both intentionally controlling; they didn''t want to tear the tavern apart and make a huge scene. The guests around the tavern, seeing the two fighting, scattered in all directions to avoid getting caught in the crossfire and losing their lives for nothing. Even the brave ones dared not stick around to watch the excitement. Bang, bang, bang! The two kept exchanging moves; Shen Qing used his physical body to withstand, his whole body glowed with a reddish-gold brilliance. The Li family old servant, the more he fought, the more horrified he became. He hadn''t expected Shen Qing''s cultivation to be so profound, as if playing child''s play in front of him with all his might. Moreover, seeing the opponent''s performance, he was clearly holding back some strength. He saw Shen Qing''s youthful appearance, feeling a huge sense of disparity. This sense quickly turned into supreme fury. After just exchanging dozens of moves, he felt like he was led by the nose. If it weren''t for his "battle-hardened experience," he might have already been defeated and lost his life. The Li family''s old servant, extremely unwilling in his heart. He roared, his whole body surged with spiritual power, fiercely clawing forward, pouring all his lifetime cultivation into this strike. Sear?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. In the void, a golden eagle claw suddenly appeared, clawing toward Shen Qing. Shen Qing showed no fear, waving both hands, facing the difficulty, his hands forming an imprint and throwing it forward. Before Shen Qing''s chest, gentle yet powerful spiritual power surged like a tide, transforming into an ancient great seal, colliding head-on with the golden eagle claw. Boom. In just an instant, he effortlessly resolved the Li family''s old servant''s offensive into nothingness. The golden eagle claw vanished with a bang. "It''s over." Shen Qing gently pointed a finger, a brilliant beam of spiritual power shot from his fingertip, hitting the Li family old servant''s chest accurately. The Li family old servant''s body flew backward like a kite with its string cut, crashing heavily into the tavern''s wall, then sliding down powerlessly, leaving a wall covered in bloodstains. Chapter 390 - 5 Do You Need to Look at the Owner When You Beat the Dog?_2 """, As both were martial masters in the Spirit Void Realm, the Li family''s servant was no match. Shen Qing steadied the dagger by his waist and took one step after another, his thumb pressed against the hilt, revealing the silver blade. The dagger at his waist trembled slightly, seeming very spiritual. From the blade, Shen Qing felt a surge of excitement and exhilaration. Shen Qing stood before the old servant of the Li family, looking down at him just as before, his eyes as calm as water, showing no sign of joy or sorrow. The old servant of the Li family struggled to open his eyes caked with blood, breathing heavily. Shen Qing slowly drew the treasure blade from his waist, pointing at the Li family''s servant. "Hold on!" At that moment, a room on the second floor opened, letting out a dim yellow glow that silhouetted a tall and straight young man. He wore a cyan robe embroidered with intricate cloud patterns, stepping out of the room with an undeniable air of nobility in his stride. "Young master Nine..." the old servant struggled to rise. His face was full of grooves, kneeling trembling on the ground, his voice filled with strong self-reproach: "It was my incompetence that offended the esteemed guest. I am... truly undeserving..." The young man continued to step forward, locking eyes with Shen Qing who stood not far away. "Chief Officer Shen," the young man said in a cold tone, imbued with an inherent command as if viewing all from above: "Do you realize that the person before you is a servant of my Li family? Just now Chief Officer Wei said it well, you need to check with the owner before beating the dog. Did you ask my Li family''s opinion before acting?" "The Capital City is not your little county town, nor is it the obscure Taiping County. It''s filled with capable individuals, and not someone a mere Chief Officer can provoke. I advise you to be sensible and stop while you''re ahead." With these words, the young man slightly raised his chin, a touch of arrogance emanating from his very bones. Shen Qing, from afar, vaguely sensed the sense of authority that came from a top family, exuding from the young man. "You overestimate yourselves," Shen Qing''s eyes flickered, suddenly he laughed: "In my view, you don''t have to look at the owner when you beat the dog." As soon as he finished speaking, Shen Qing activated his Spiritual Power, and the Spiritual Treasure Blade in his hand shone brightly. With one swing, the blade light sliced through the air like a dragon, rushing straight toward the old servant''s head with a howling wind. The old servant''s eyes filled with terror, he never thought Shen Qing would completely disregard the Li family''s power and truly aim to take his life. Already injured, he could not evade the sudden slash, only watching helplessly as the blade light approached, his heart flooded with unprecedented fear and despair. "Master, save me!" "Poof!" A soft sound, blood blossomed like a red lotus, instantly dyeing a corner of the inn red. The old servant''s head was swiftly and cleanly severed under the brilliant blade light. From the severed neck, Spiritual Power splattered, attempting to heal the wound, but ultimately could not change the outcome. The Li family''s ninth young master''s face turned pale as paper, filled with disbelief and shock. He never expected there could be someone in the Capital City who completely disregarded the Li family. Shen Qing sheathed his blade and stood, his expression calm, turning to look at the Li family''s ninth young master. The Li family''s ninth young master shivered immediately. Shen Qing glanced past the Li family''s ninth young master, seeing the already decapitated innkeeper inside. He said lightly: "In my jurisdiction, leaving innocent people in ruins, using private punishments indiscriminately, according to law, requires paying with one''s life. Now the murderer is punished, and it''s settled." "You... fine, today I concede." The Li family''s ninth young master, after a brief daze, regained his composure and threatened viciously: "I hope you can maintain this arrogance in the future." After speaking, he strode ahead and left. Shen Qing, however, stood crosswise with his blade, blocking Li Ninth Young Master. "What, you want to kill me?" Li Ninth Young Master said coldly. At this moment, he seemed calm, but inside he was already beating like drums. This Chief Officer before him really didn''t follow the usual way, hard to guarantee he wouldn''t act recklessly. Shen Qing laughed: "Killing you is not my intention, but you know, I don''t like being threatened, especially by a brat like you." "Hmm?" Shen Qing''s left hand formed a seal, connecting with the heavens and earth''s aura, condensing an ancient and mysterious rune seal. This great seal, carrying a thousand tons of force, crashed down, firmly suppressing Li Ninth Young Master in place, unable to move. S§×arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Li Ninth Young Master felt the air around him solidify, an indescribable pressure making it hard to breathe. He found himself unable to break free, panicking and shouted: "What do you intend to do?" "You''re young and learn bad manners, I''ll teach you a lesson for your parents." He grabbed Li Ninth Young Master''s fine collar, as if picking up a helpless cat or dog, and without allowing protest, pressed him onto his knee. At this moment, Li Ninth Young Master''s face flushed red, as if realizing something, with fear and disbelief in his eyes. When had he ever suffered such humiliation? "You... how dare you?!" Li Ninth Young Master''s voice trembled as he tried to resist, but it was ultimately futile. Shen Qing''s lips curled into a playful smile, raising his broad palm, the center of his palm exuding a light wave of Spiritual Power, the air seemed to tremble slightly under this palm. "Smack!" A crisp sound, Shen Qing''s palm landed squarely on Li Ninth Young Master''s buttocks, that sound echoing in the silent air, exceedingly piercing. Following that were several "smack" sounds, each landing with a strange rhythm. "Ah, I''ll kill you!" Wei Chengye, witnessing this scene from the side, his eyes widened in disbelief. He, indeed, was spanking Li Ninth Young Master?!!! No one knew how long it lasted, initially, Li Ninth Young Master was still shouting threats, claiming he would kill him. But for every shout, Shen Qing increased his force. Until the end, Li Ninth Young Master was completely terrified. With only Qi endurance realm cultivation, in Shen Qing''s hands, he was no different from a lamb. At this moment, he was truly feared of being beaten to death. What dignity, what face, he had thrown away everything. The Li family''s ninth young master cried bitterly, shouting: "I dare not, I will never dare again." Shen Qing slapped down with a palm. Smack! "Dare not what?" "I will never talk nonsense again, will never kill servants recklessly, will never wipe nose snot on father''s clothes again..." Under the threat of death, Li Ninth Young Master blurted out many things, even mixing in many strange ones. Wei Chengye watched from the side with a racing heart. He hurriedly stepped forward to persuade: "Chief Officer Shen, enough, going further might cause big trouble." Shen Qing glanced at the young man in front, for once showing a bit of obsequiousness on his usually fierce face. He lost interest, lifted the restraint, and casually tossed him out. Li Ninth Young Master went sprawling, due to Shen Qing''s heavy slap, his buttocks were not lightly injured, each movement brought piercing pain, taking a sharp breath. However, at this moment, he didn''t care about the pain and quickly climbed up, inhaling sharply while hobbling away downstairs, desperately distancing himself. Shen Qing patted the dust off himself, as if doing something insignificant. "Chief Officer Shen, now, now you''ve brought trouble for yourself," Wei Chengye said with worry: "Provoking the Li family like this, there''s no way you''ll have a good ending, might even risk your life." Shen Qing said flatly: "A remarkable person once said. Being a slave is unfortunate, but not frightening, because knowing to struggle, after all, there''s a hope of breaking free; if one finds ''beauty'' in slave life, praises and indulges in it, that''s the point of no return as a slave!" "I fought my way through the mountains of corpses and seas of blood to come to this Capital City as an official, not to kneel down and be someone''s slave." Before, I wasn''t powerful, if someone wanted to mess with me, I would endure it. But now my cultivation has reached the Spirit Void, still continue to endure? Endure my ass! Shen Qing steadied his blade and strode away. Wei Chengye, dazed by Shen Qing''s words, quickly followed and asked: "Chief Officer Shen, where are you going now?" "To find Lord Lan to save me." "..." """ Chapter 391 - 6 Hurry up and apologize to me ``` "Father, I was hit! I was hit!" The Ninth Young Master of the Li Family stumbled into the gates of Marquis Wu''s Mansion in a disheveled state, staggering as he moved. His hands tightly covered his backside, each step comically awkward as if a heavy stone hung from it. Tears and snot ran down his face. This strange yet comical sight drew the attention of the servants and maids, who looked on curiously. In the main hall of the Marquis Wu''s Mansion, a middle-aged man with a stern face sat at the head seat. He wore luxurious attire and was chatting amiably with a scholar in a green robe. This man was none other than the Military Marquis Li Zhen Tian, the current head of the Li Family. Hearing the commotion from outside, he exuded an aura of authority and disapproval without anger. When he saw Ninth Young Master Li bursting in without courtesy and interrupting his conversation with the guest, his expression turned grim and he bellowed, "What kind of conduct is this?!!" Ninth Young Master Li, having never seen his father so furious, couldn''t help but shudder. The guest, upon seeing Li''s tear-streaked and snot-covered face, wisely stood up, clasped his hands in respect, and said, "It seems the Marquis has family matters to attend to. I should take my leave and not intrude." "My apologies, we can convene at the palace tomorrow to summon the ministers for discussion and then decide." Li Zhen Tian cordially escorted the guest out and turned back to the hall. He stared intently at Ninth Young Master Li, scanning him from head to toe before asking angrily, "Speak, what on earth happened?" Seeing his father''s wrath, Ninth Young Master Li was frightened, but the burning pain from his buttocks reminded him of Shen Qing''s smug face, making it hard to focus on anything else. He fell to his knees with a thud, crying bitterly, "Father, you must seek justice for me!" While sobbing, Ninth Young Master Li narrated the grievances he had just suffered at the "Zuixian Building" in a choked voice. "Father, today I took Grandpa Tong to Zuixian Building to check the accounts and encountered two hooligans from the Military Department. At first, everything was fine, but who knew those two Chief Officers from the Military Department were so rude, shouting at us. I chose not to argue, but who would''ve thought my repeated tolerance would lead them to take advantage of us... Grandpa Tong stood up for me and was beheaded, and I couldn''t escape, ending up like this..." "Father, those Chief Officers of the Military Department truly have no regard for our Li Family, Father!" At this point, Ninth Young Master Li Yi couldn''t hold back his wails, seemingly venting all his grievances. However, after hearing everything, Li Zhen Tian did not react with the rage Li Yi expected, instead letting out a cold laugh. He looked down from above and said, "Little Nine, do you know why your grandfather chose me to inherit the title of Marquis among my uncles?" "What?" "Because I never blindly trust others'' words, especially one-sided stories like yours." Ninth Young Master Li Yi''s face froze, his sobs stuck in his throat. He stared at his father in disbelief. Li Zhen Tian continued, "Though those in the Military Department are often unreasonable and arrogant, they''re not brainless. Do you think your father blind, unable to discern truth from falsehood in what you''ve said today?" "I''ll say this: it''s always you bullying others, not the other way around without reason. Tell me, what really happened?" Li Zhen Tian''s aura of Spiritual Energy trembled, a sharp momentum rising from him, displaying his Primordial Spirit Realm power unmistakably. The color on Ninth Young Master Li Yi''s face shifted from red to white, then to blue. Swallowing, he quickly bowed his head and truthfully confessed, "I heard that the Chief Officer dining at Zuixian Building recently participated in the Jing Luan Assembly, so I sent Grandpa Tong to ask him for some information. Perhaps Grandpa Tong''s words were too harsh, causing offense, and ultimately led to the conflict." Li Zhen Tian pieced together a rough outline of the situation from the description. Surely, he relied on the family''s influence, becoming arrogant and reckless. This is what led to the confrontation, forcing the other to act in desperation. It was consistent with his son''s usual behavior. Sear?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Li Zhen Tian sighed, disappointment and helplessness evident in his tone. Thinking of the matter involving Jing Luan Assembly, Li Zhen Tian spoke, "Just now you mentioned the Chief Officer you encountered had participated in the recent Jing Luan Assembly?" "Yes, Father. I remember he should be named Shen Qing." Ninth Young Master Li Yi quickly nodded and said, "Many of our family''s brothers and sisters faced misfortune in this Jing Luan Assembly. I''ve seen you often troubled by it, Father, so I wanted to learn more about it to open your mind." Li Zhen Tian glanced at Li Yi, his heart filled with a mix of emotions, unsure of what to say. After pondering for a moment, he slowly responded, "If I recall correctly, only one person survived the recent Jing Luan Assembly. If you''re not mistaken, then the person you encountered today should be him." "This man came from humble beginnings, initially a hunter, with no ancestral privileges. The reason he could enter the power-holding government office like the Capital Military Department, aside from his own capabilities, was mainly because Your Majesty appointed him intentionally." "In other words, perhaps there are deeper intentions from Your Majesty, and you shouldn''t have provoked him." "Ah... Father, should we just let it go?" Ninth Young Master Li Yi asked, unwilling to accept. "Let it go?" With a "slap" sound, Li Zhen Tian slapped Li Yi''s face harshly. ``` Chapter 392 - 6 Hurry and Go Apologize_2 The fierce wind rose. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Li Yi only felt an irresistible force lift him whole, his body crashing heavily to the ground like a kite with a broken string. Amidst the swirling dust, he coughed up a mixture of blood and saliva, with a tooth knocked loose by the impact. "Cough... cough..." Li Yi propped himself up with his hands, struggling to get up from the ground. His cheek quickly swelled, the imprint of five fingers clearly visible, with traces of dried blood at the corner of his mouth, his eyes full of confusion. "How could it end like this, you hurry and go apologize!" Li Yi trembled as he lightly touched his burning cheek, his gaze turned towards Li Zhen Tian, his voice carrying a hint of disbelief: "Father? Why?" "Why? Do you think being a young master of the Li family allows you to do as you please? Do you think I''ve been indulging you just because of your high Martial Arts talent? Do you believe everyone outside is a fool like you? Hmm?" Li Zhen Tian looked at Li Yi with a disappointed glare, saying, "For our Li family to get where we are today, it''s nothing but the saying: ''Cautious and fearful, treading on thin ice.'' " "When you go out, make more friends and fewer enemies, only then can you thrive. That person surviving single-handedly in the Jing Luan Assembly is no ordinary person. If the Emperor has plans with him, do you realize the kind of disaster you could bring to our family?" The words baffled young master Li Yi, never having considered this angle before. He thought that as an outstanding member of the young generation in the family, blessed with extraordinary talent, even occasional mistakes would be overlooked by his father. He never expected his father to be so furious this time, even resorting to his cultivation to discipline him. "But, father, I..." Li Yi attempted to argue, but the words stuck in his throat. He understood that, at this moment, anything he said would seem powerless and pale. "There''s no ''but''!" Li Zhen Tian cut him off, his tone unyielding, "You go now. If you don''t want to go, I''ll take you with me." Facing Li Zhen Tian''s unarguable gaze, Li Yi finally lowered his head, silently accepting the order. He realized his father''s words were full of truth, that he had been too arrogant and full of himself. "Let''s go!" Li Zhen Tian immediately took a stride forward, walking ahead of Li Yi, ordering the servants to prepare a generous gift to be brought along. ... At the same time, Shen Qing and Wei Chengye also returned to the Military Department. Compared to Shen Qing''s calmness, Wei Chengye was filled with worry, regretting bringing Shen Qing to the Li family restaurant and starting a trouble with people they should not have provoked. "Chief Officer Shen, about today..." Wei Chengye said, "I''m afraid the Li family won''t let this go easily." Shen Qing gently patted Wei Chengye''s shoulder, smiling as he reassured him, "What''s done is done, let''s find Lord Lan and see what decision he makes." In Shen Qing''s view, this was an opportunity to test what exactly Lan Gongliang''s intentions were, whether towards him was good or ill. As the two walked towards the third courtyard, they found no sign of Lan Gongliang. Shen Qing scanned with his Sight but also found nothing. After hurriedly asking some government officials, he learned that Lan Gongliang was out on business and had not returned. "What to do now?" Wei Chengye said darkly: "Since I am with you, my end will probably not be great either." He paced anxiously back and forth in the government office, his heart filled with unease. "Chief Officer Wei, calm down." Shen Qing interrupted Wei Chengye''s anxiety and said calmly: "Even if the Li family is almighty, they can''t just kill us as they please." Wei Chengye shook his head, saying: "Brother Shen, you are still too young. The Li family has countless ways to deal with you. If they don''t harm you directly, can''t they go after your wife, children, or parents?" "I have no parents, nor have I started a family," Shen Qing stated truthfully. "..." Wei Chengye was momentarily stunned, saying: "Fine, even if you don''t have these family members, can''t they send you on a dangerous mission, using another''s hand to get rid of you?" "That is a possibility." However, Shen Qing was not afraid. With his current cultivation, given little time, his abilities were more than enough to protect his life. "Now that Lord Lan is not at the office, what are you planning to do next?" Shen Qing smiled, saying, "His Majesty granted me the Ribboned Green Jade Command allowing me to visit the Royal Arsenal. Since there''s nothing now, I''m planning to make a trip to the Imperial Palace." Hearing this, Wei Chengye thought to himself, ''Hiding in the Imperial Palace is indeed a good move. Even if the Li family is almighty, they wouldn''t dare create trouble inside the palace. But what about me? If he goes to the palace, won''t the Li family vent all their anger on me?'' Thinking of this, Wei Chengye felt even worse. At this moment, a heavy and hurried set of footsteps approached. A long-accompanying official swiftly jogged up to Shen Qing and Wei Chengye, saying: "Lord Shen, Lord Wei, the Marquis and Ninth Young Master of the Li family are here to see you." Wei Chengye''s mind was a blank. He hadn''t expected their "retaliation" to come so quickly, with the family head personally visiting. A twinge of surprise and tension flashed in Wei Chengye''s eyes. In a low voice, he said to Shen Qing, "How about we leave through the back door and evade the trouble for a bit?" Shen Qing glanced at Wei Chengye and said, "Let''s meet them. In broad daylight, in the government office, they won''t dare try anything, or else they''d be making too much of themselves even under the Emperor''s nose." Shen Qing, resting his hand on his saber around his waist, shouted, "Lead the way." The attendant led in front, silently guiding Shen Qing towards the first courtyard. Watching Shen Qing''s back grow distant, Wei Chengye slapped his own face, remorsefully thinking, ''Damn it, I should have stayed out of this mess from the start.'' He quickly caught up to him. A side room in the first courtyard. "Marquis, Lord Shen and his party have arrived." The attendant lightly knocked on the wooden door at the entrance, respectfully saying. "Come in." A deep, robust middle-aged man''s voice came from inside. As the hinges creaked, the door of the side room slowly opened. Shen Qing, dressed in the uniform of the Military Department, rested his hand on his saber as he stepped into the room. There, a middle-aged man in splendid attire sat in the main seat, exuding the unique authority of a superior. This must be the Marquis of the Li family. Shen Qing''s gaze swept over and caught sight of the Ninth Young Master of the Li family beside him. His expression shifted slightly, a hint of astonishment flickered. The opponent''s face was currently swollen, barely recognizable, worse than when he left the restaurant. After he entered the room, Wei Chengye followed closely behind. The moment he saw Li Zhen Tian, every muscle in his body tensed, the internal energy within surged like a river bursting from a dam, roiling uncontrollably through his body. This was trouble. Shen Qing might suffer even if he didn''t die. I''ll surely be dragged into it too. Rapidly, his mind filled with chaotic thoughts, his heart a mess. "You are Chief Officer Shen?" Li Zhen Tian''s gaze settled on Shen Qing, saying calmly. Shen Qing responded neither humbly nor arrogantly, "That would be me, may I ask for what purpose is the Marquis visiting the office?" "Nothing in particular." Li Zhen Tian stood up, picked up a sandalwood box beside him, and said plainly and candidly: "I heard about the matter between my son and you, and I came specifically to apologize. Xiao Jiu!" Called forth, Li Yi stepped forward with a pig-face expression, cupping the box in both hands, muffled speech: "Chief Officer Shen, I was too rude at the restaurant today, this is an old ginseng pill my father specially prepared for you, please... please accept it." Upon these words, the shock within Wei Chengye''s heart exploded instantly. His eyes widened, staring in disbelief at the scene before him, his mouth agape as if capable of fitting a whole egg. What on earth was going on? The Li family actually willing to lower themselves to apologize? Wei Chengye looked towards Shen Qing, unable to speak a word for a long time. Shen Qing said calmly, "Hmm, finally figured it out?!" Li Yi was infuriated to the point of grinding his teeth. But recalling his father''s prior teachings, he swallowed the grievance again... Chapter 393 - 7: Accepting Gifts, Imperial Armory ``` "To not endure the small pains is to spoil the larger plans." "I am born into a noble family, how could I stoop to the level of a mere commoner? Let him have his moment of pride for now." Li Yi, the Ninth Young Master of the Li Family, kept comforting himself, searching for a reason in his heart. After taking a deep breath and adjusting his emotions, he slowly bowed his head and said, "Lord Shen, if I offended you earlier, please do not take it to heart." Li Yi thought he hid it well, but everyone around could see the subtle restraint in his words. Seeing this, Shen Qing chuckled lightly and didn''t pursue the matter further. He reached out to grab the wooden box raised by his opponent and, under the gaze of a few, gently opened it. Immediately, a rich medicinal fragrance wafted out, invigorating the spirit. S§×ar?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Shen Qing looked down into the box. Inside was an Old Ginseng Pill of a grayish soil color, unremarkable yet full of spiritual energy, not a common item. Wei Chengye, standing nearby, exclaimed in a low voice, "What a treasure, what a treasure!" His eyes shining, he continued to praise the Old Ginseng Pill while examining it, "I''ve heard that the Old Ginseng Pill is immensely beneficial for Martial Cultivators in condensing their Primordial Spirit, it truly is a rare precious medicine. Marquis''s sincerity this time is indeed generous." While speaking softly, Wei Chengye couldn''t help but glance at Shen Qing a few more times, thinking his luck was incredible. Killing someone''s people, yet still receiving an apology from them, was indeed unheard of. He couldn''t help but feel a bit jealous, even thinking that if he had been the one to act at that time, perhaps these treasures would have been his. The thought brought a deeper sense of regret. After hearing Wei Chengye''s words, Shen Qing had a good grasp of the value of the Old Ginseng Pill. He closed the wooden box and put it in his arms, his gaze falling on Li Yi again: "Since the Ninth Young Master is so sincere, let''s put this matter behind us. Marquis, having traveled from afar, why not enjoy a cup of tea at the government office before leaving?" The Marquis heard it, understanding Shen Qing was issuing an indirect invitation to leave. He stood up and said, "I have business to attend to today, so no need for tea. There will be other opportunities in the future." Li Zhen Tian seemed to remember something and said, "Oh, Lord Shen, you attended the Jing Luan Assembly not long ago, didn''t you?" "Indeed." It wasn''t a secret matter, one could find out easily, so Shen Qing had no reason to hide it and admitted openly. Li Zhen Tian continued to ask, "During this Jing Luan Assembly, quite a few of my Li family members participated, yet they died mysteriously. I want to ask, did they really die at the hands of the Huang Tian Sect as rumored?" "Yes," Shen Qing confirmed emphatically, "To be precise, within the Huang Tian Sect''s murderous formation." "Good, I trust you." Marquis Li Zhen Tian signaled to Li Yi and said, "Let''s go!" Li Yi quickly followed. Once their figures completely disappeared from the government office of the Military Department, Wei Chengye slumped into a chair, his heart pounding furiously. He felt today was the most terrifying day since he became the General of the Army, and recalling it felt like a dream. Wei Chengye looked at Shen Qing, lost in thought. If he wasn''t mistaken, Marquis Li Zhen Tian''s attention was entirely on Shen Qing earlier, his gaze examining Shen Qing as if trying to see completely through him. Could there be a background behind Shen Qing? For a moment, Wei Chengye''s heart clenched, thinking it was very possible. Lord Lan held him in high regard, and so did the Marquis. Surely, the big figures knew more than he did; this Shen Qing must have something unusual about him. He resolved to be more cautious in the future, never to offend, but to build a good relationship. Shen Qing, unaware of Wei Chengye''s thoughts, stood expressionless in place. He had sensed Marquis Li Zhen Tian''s secret probe with a wisp of Divine Sense, partly stopped by his own Divine Sense. From that single wisp of Primordial Spirit, it seemed Li Zhen Tian''s strength was likely on par with Xue Zhao, far surpassing Qintian Bureau''s Xie Rui and Mountain Sea Department''s Li Wenze. Shen Qing couldn''t help but feel a chill in his heart. He knew well that today''s success was merely luck; although he didn''t know Marquis Li Zhen Tian''s exact thoughts, he surely wasn''t being ''courteous'' for his sake. Should he ever truly take himself seriously, the price would be terrible. Shen Qing quickly regained his clarity of mind, unblinded by this temporary success. He placed his hand on his chest, feeling the raised patterns of the Beautiful Pattern Jade Token, thinking to himself, "With my current strength insufficient, I must visit the Imperial Armory soon." ... Outside the Military Department''s government office. Marquis Li Zhen Tian walked out with Li Yi. Seeing Li Yi''s dejected look, with discontent and resentment not completely extinguished, rather burning like a suppressed flame in the dark, Li Zhen Tian asked, "What, are you discontent?" Li Yi, asked, responded, "Father, not discontent. Father''s decision surely has its reason. It''s just that there''s a pent-up frustration in me not yet released, feeling a bit uneasy." "Feeling uneasy is just right." Li Zhen Tian gazed forward, hands clasped behind his back, walking through the street said, "Currently, your cultivation is inferior to others, your position also inferior to others, without relying on the family, what do you have to compete with?" Li Yi''s complex gaze stirred a ripple in his heart. He understood Li Zhen Tian''s words were truthful. In Li Zhen Tian''s view, though he was born into nobility with outstanding talent, his son was always arrogant and dismissive of others. If he hadn''t suffered a setback this time, he would likely grow even more presumptuous. By then, should he hit a concrete wall, getting past wouldn''t be as easy. Marquis Li Zhen Tian advised sincerely, "A true strongman not only has exceptional strength but also a heart that embraces the world. You are far from it. This time, take Shen Qing as a stepping stone, a lesson. Learn from this mistake, and later resolve to surpass him." "You, a noble son, can''t even surpass a mere hunter? If you remain like this, blame my poor judgment." Marquis Li Zhen Tian''s words left Li Yi shaken, his heart in turmoil. Li Zhen Tian turned and left, leaving Li Yi to face his inner struggle and decisions alone. After a while, Li Yi clenched his fists and earnestly declared, "I will not fail my father''s expectations and, one day in the future, will take Shen Qing as a stepping stone to avenge today''s shame." Li Zhen Tian''s face showed a faint, nearly imperceptible smile. ... In some corner of the royal palace. Shen Qing stood before an unremarkable palace. This palace was low and ancient, even somewhat shabby and dilapidated, forming a stark contrast with the magnificent palace buildings around it. Without guidance from insiders, who would guess that this inconspicuous building was the renowned Imperial Armory. A place gathering the essence of martial arts from all over the world. Shen Qing walked forward with his knife, reaching the palace gate. The gate was slightly ajar, and two armored palace guards stood like sculptures, unmoving. When Shen Qing appeared before them, they each extended their spears to stop him. "Who goes there?" Shen Qing took out the Beautiful Pattern Jade Token, proving his identity, "I am Shen Qing from the Military Department, specially permitted by His Majesty to freely enter and exit the Imperial Armory. I hope you two will grant passage." The guards took the token, inspecting it carefully, and once confirmed, nodded respectfully. The doors were gently pushed open by the two, and Shen Qing strode in. Upon entering the armory, a potent smell of medicinal herbs mixed with ancient oils and inks greeted him, invigorating his spirit. Shen Qing looked up and surveyed the area, seeing rows of neatly arranged wooden shelves filled with various white porcelain bottles and miscellaneous books. As he approached to look, he saw that these bottles were labeled with names like Blood Replenishing Pill, Qi Recovery Pill, Foundation Building Pill... a plethora of choices. He mentally estimated that just on this floor, there must be thousands of kinds of pills stored, dazzling and overwhelming to behold. Merely ingesting these pills would take no less than three to five years to achieve. Besides these pills, there were also numerous martial arts manuals, all in vast quantity. While Shen Qing marveled at the sight, an elderly man in a splendid robe, with a kindly appearance, approached slowly. Seeing Shen Qing, he cupped his hands and asked, "How should I address Your Excellence?" Shen Qing''s Divine Sense scanned the elderly man, discovering him to be a mighty figure in an Empty Reality Realm, his heart skipped a beat. He didn''t expect such a significant person to willingly oversee affairs in the armory. But upon reflection, it made sense. The Imperial Armory had been painstakingly collected and built by the Zhou royal family over hundreds of years, expending countless efforts. It only made sense for it to be guarded by a notable figure. Shen Qing returned the gesture with cupped hands, "I am Shen Qing, the General of the Army." "Ah, it''s Lord Shen Qing in person, a pleasure to meet you." The elder smiled and introduced himself, "I am Ji Bochu, the governor of this Imperial Armory." "Governor Ji, an honor to meet you." The Armory Governor Ji Bochu smiled, gesturing around, introducing, "This armory holds weapons, magical treasures, techniques, pills, and willpower beads in abundance. What might Lord Shen need?" "I''ve just stepped into this Imperial Armory and am unfamiliar with the surroundings. Could I trouble you, Governor, for an introduction?" Shen Qing asked politely. "Of course." The Armory Governor Ji Bochu smiled, explaining, "The Imperial Armory is divided into five levels. The first and second floors house popular martial arts and pills for strengthening and consolidating cultivation. These pills are for the use of the Ji family. Though His Majesty allowed Lord Shen free access to the Imperial Armory, the removed pills and artifacts are prohibited." Shen Qing was prepared for this, nodding, "Got it." "By the way, you mentioned the Imperial Armory has five levels? It appeared only one story tall from the outside, how come?" "Is there a possibility it''s built underground!" Shen Qing stood stunned, realizing he hadn''t considered this. The Armory Governor Ji Bochu asked, "The first and second floors are all of these items. Is there anything Lord Shen wishes to see?" Shen Qing pondered, glancing at the martial arts shown on the ink panel. These martial arts he had cultivated and transcended, many though ordinary, were enhanced through the ink panel, vastly surpassing typical martial arts. Therefore, the so-called common martial arts on the first floor held no appeal to him. "What about the third and the lower levels?" "The third floor treasures martial art legacies from all schools, more profound and potent than the first two floors, with higher-tier pills targeting martial masters of the Qi Sea Realm and above." The elder spoke with a light-hearted tone as he led Shen Qing through the shelves, poised and leisurely. "Similarly, the fourth and fifth floors contain more profound techniques and higher quality pills, with some martial arts directly leading to the Unity Realm, akin to supreme immortal methods." The Armory Governor Ji Bochu smiled, saying, "Moreover, the fifth floor has a spirit eye, training in which for a day equals ten days outside." Shen Qing was awe-struck. He hadn''t expected such depths in the fifth floor of the Imperial Armory, his heart stirred with enthusiasm. The Armory Governor Ji Bochu turned, stating to Shen Qing, "Does Lord Shen plan to directly proceed to the third floor and below, or would you like to explore the first and second floors first?" Shen Qing''s gaze swept among the shelves. He was already at the Grand Void Realm, aiming to break into the Primordial Spirit Realm. Normally, with his ink panel capabilities, any low-tier martial art could continuously elevate to high-tier, benefiting him. However, an advanced martial art could save considerable effort when integrated with the ink panel. As known, the more profound a technique, the easier it is. Notably, the fifth floor has a spirit eye, greatly assisting his practice. However, Shen Qing did not decide immediately, smiling slightly, saying, "Governor Ji, currently, I''m at the Grand Void Realm. Where do you suggest I go? Incidentally, I still don''t know where Governor Ji''s residence is. His Majesty not long ago rewarded me with ten thousand willpower beads, which I ponder how to use, perhaps Governor Ji could assist in spending them?" Ji Bochu was momentarily stunned, swiftly catching Shen Qing''s meaning. He laughed heartily, "Lord Shen is not from the Ji family, hence the armory''s treasures and pills are out of reach. What you need most is a cultivation site, needing external aid, techniques are less crucial. Let''s head to the fifth floor." "Thank you, Governor Ji." "No trouble." Ji Bochu led Shen Qing through a routed staircase, descending continuously. As they delved deeper, the light dimmed, and the air filled with warmth. Through the levels, Shen Qing noticed many young heirs, surely successors of the Ji family. He occasionally encountered older martial masters donned in official attire, likely state-rewarded officers similar to himself. Ji Bochu guided Shen Qing all the way down to the deepest level. "Lord Shen, we''ve arrived." ``` Chapter 394 - 8: Immortal Martial Technique "Arrived?" Shen Qing lifted his gaze and saw in the distance pillars completely forged from Wish Power Pearls standing tall before him, each thick enough to require two people to wrap their arms around. Scattered with twinkling jade that emitted luminous glows, they brightened the entire fifth floor. The space of the fifth floor was not large to begin with, and with the addition of these massive pillars, it felt even more cramped. In this confined space, numerous descendants of the Ji Family were seated cross-legged on them. Some held scrolls of yellowed Martial Arts, their minds and bodies fully immersed, having forsaken sleep and food, to the point where their fingers would unconsciously mimic the movements demonstrated within. Others sat still as statues, surrounded by rings of faintly visible Spiritual Energy undulations. Ji Bochu stretched out his hand, calling out, "Lord Shen, please." Shen Qing bowed slightly as a gesture of respect and took the lead in walking forward. As he entered the range of the pillars'' arch, he suddenly felt a sense of clarity and refreshment, as if every pore on his body was smoothly opening up. This was the result of Spiritual Energy gathering. Shen Qing carefully sensed his surroundings and found that the Spiritual Energy here was several times more concentrated than outside, which greatly surprised him. Ji Bochu seemed to sense Shen Qing''s astonishment and said with a smile, "Have you discovered what''s different about this place?" "Is this the Spirit Eye you were talking about?" Ji Bochu nodded and replied, "The entire fifth floor uses these stone pillars as boundaries to gather Spirit Essence and form a Spirit Eye. Cultivation here yields twice the result with half the effort. Many Ji Family descendants do not even have the opportunity to come here. You are lucky to have received His Majesty''s Beautiful Pattern Jade Token; otherwise, you would have been restricted to just the third floor at most." Shen Qing was secretly shocked. He remembered he had never shown the Beautiful Pattern Jade Token to Ji Bochu, yet the other party seemed to have sensed it directly. His Power of Primordial Spirit was very strong. Ji Bochu continued to point around the Spirit Eye and said, "Take a look at these." Shen Qing followed the direction he was pointing and saw several mahogany cabinets arranged in an orderly fashion. At the top of each cabinet, a treasure was displayed. There were jade boxes as smooth as water, weapons emitting a cold gleam, and small, exquisitely made jade bottles, just to name a few. "Inside these nine jade boxes are Immortal Martial Arts, many of which are relics from an Ancient era, profoundly inscrutable. The sealed Magic Treasures are those weapons. As for the jade bottles, they contain supreme precious medicines like Longyin Huxiao Pills, Creation Pills, and the like, showcased here to be nurtured by Spiritual Energy." "Without exaggeration, any one of these items, if leaked, would cause massive upheaval," Ji Bochu said proudly. "With the Beautiful Pattern Jade Token on you, according to the rules, you can peruse any of these Martial Arts. However, you cannot touch the rest." "I understand," Shen Qing said as he looked around at the jade boxes. "How are these Cultivation Techniques different from ordinary Martial Arts?" Sear?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Ji Bochu earnestly said, "Each and every Technique here is a king-level Cultivation Technique. Any martial master with decent Sight who cultivates seriously will reap some benefits and may even glimpse the Path of Immortality." Immortality? Shen Qing''s expression changed. Anything related to immortality was never simple. He became excited. However, Shen Qing considered for a moment that Ji Bochu was perhaps exaggerating on purpose. If these Techniques were truly as powerful as he claimed, then the Ji Family would have long since been as mighty as dragons, not as they appeared today. Moreover, if such powerful Techniques were actually at their disposal, would they be so generous as to show them to others? Shen Qing asked himself if he could be as magnanimous as they were. Just to listen would suffice. He soon calmed down. However, although he thought so, Shen Qing didn''t show it. Pretending to be excited, he said, "The Path of Immortality? Is there really such Martial Arts for longevity in this world?" Ji Bochu enjoyed Shen Qing''s reaction. He smiled and said, "These Martial Arts do touch upon the realm of the ''Immortal'', and even if they don''t grant longevity, cultivating them to our realm could let one live for several hundred years, far surpassing others." Shen Qing bowed and said, "If that''s the case, I''m not very familiar with these Cultivation Techniques, could Lord Ji trouble himself to recommend a suitable Cultivation Technique based on my condition?" Ji Bochu waved his hand and said, "The choice of Cultivation Technique must ultimately fit one''s Bone and temperament. If I act on your behalf, I fear it may violate the principle of adhering to one''s Sight, potentially causing presumption. It would be better if I first outline the essence of these Cultivation Techniques, then you can decide for yourself." "Lord Ji is most considerate." Ji Bochu gave a slight smile, pointed, and said, "Lord Shen, take a look over here." Shen Qing followed his direction and looked closely. It was a Jade Box, its surface carved with small seal script, filled with ancient charm. Ji Bochu walked over, pressed his hand on it, and complex runes flowed across it. "This is the ''Nine Heavens Thunder God Technique'', which can harness the Nine Heavens Divine Thunder. Each strike contains the power to destroy heaven and earth. It''s a dream Cultivation Technique for Martial Artists who pursue ultimate strength. Once one embarks on the proper path of cultivation, there are no more bottlenecks, just a clear way forward." Shen Qing''s heart stirred, and he asked, "Are there any side effects?" Ji Bochu sighed and said, "Nowadays, the strength of the Physical Body cultivated by people is far less than that of the ancients. Therefore, it may not be possible to withstand the roaring divine thunders with this method. Very few in the Imperial Family have attempted it." "I recall the last elder who tried it was struck dead by a bolt of divine thunder." Shen Qing couldn''t help but be speechless. To think one could actually die from training was simply beyond words. "Lord Ji, let''s move to the next one." "Alright." Then, Ji Bochu''s finger moved to the second book. As his Spiritual Power touched it, a dragon''s roar echoed faintly: "This technique is called ''Azure Dragon Shouting Sky Technique''. It contains the divine charm of the Azure Dragon. Cultivators can borrow the power of the Azure Dragon to shake the heavens and are further protected by the Azure Dragon, impervious to all methods." "The downside is that this technique requires understanding the divine intent of the Azure Dragon, which is profoundly mysterious, making Entry Level extremely difficult." Seeing Shen Qing without a response, Ji Bochu continued to the side. The Jade Box there glowed with a faint golden light, and he gently waved his sleeve, saying: "This Martial Art is the ''Saint Body Great Achievement Technique'', which can forge a Sacred Body, making one''s physical strength comparable to a Magic Treasure. There is no defensive Martial Art in the whole world that can surpass it." "Then if one cultivates this Great Achievement Technique and also the Nine Heavens Thunder God Technique, can both be mastered?" Shen Qing curiously asked. Ji Bochu shook his head and said, "The might of heaven and earth is not something a Physical Body can withstand. No matter how strong your body is, when facing the majestic might of heaven, you can only surrender. After all, how can a human fight against nature?" Shen Qing nodded, showing he understood. Ji Bochu''s finger kept moving and landed on the fourth Jade Box, which blossomed with a bright pink lotus flower, exceptionally vivid. "This technique is the ''Sitting Lotus Longevity Skill''. The so-called Sitting Lotus Technique uses either a female or male as the ''meat lotus'', with daily immersion of the Demon-Subduing Pestle into the meat lotus to draw out its essence for strengthening one''s cultivation. The drawback is that as the skill progresses, one increasingly needs a meat lotus with a higher cultivation level than the cultivator to feed back in order to break through." Shen Qing understood clearly; this was a Dual Cultivation Method, taking an unusual path. If he wanted to cultivate it, he would have to find a woman at the Primordial Spirit Realm to be his ''meat lotus'', which would be hard to find throughout the whole Great Zhou. Ji Bochu was naturally aware of this and quickly moved on: "This is the ''Heaven Burning Technique'', which allows one to use oneself as a catalyst to draw in the fire of heaven and earth, incinerating all, and when cultivated to the extreme, unmatched." "The ''Wind and Thunder Escape Technique'', this technique allows one to command the wind and thunder, instantly covering thousands of miles..." "The ''Ten Thousand Soldiers Taoist Skill''..." After Ji Bochu finished introducing each one, he looked at Shen Qing and said, "I wonder, Lord Shen, which technique would you like to learn?" Chapter 395 - 9: Testing the Law, Spirit Eye Hard Cultivation After listening to Ji Bochu''s introduction, Shen Qing fell into deep thought. For some reason, he always felt that these Martial Arts Skills sounded not too different from the few techniques he was currently cultivating. In his view, the Six Paths Reincarnation Technique and Eight Desolate Annihilation Seal, which he had broken through via the panel, also carried a hint of the divine essence found in these Immortal Martial Techniques. Take the Six Paths Reincarnation Technique, for instance¡ªevery time he used this technique to seize nature''s spiritual energy, he felt detached from life and death, in harmony with the world, and the spiritual energy he seized would merge within his body like countless rivers converging into the sea, gathering into streams of vitality, allowing him to grasp a supreme meaning of transcending Samsara and life and death of heaven and earth. The Eight Desolate Annihilation Seal, on the other hand, took the "Annihilate" concept to the extreme. Every time Shen Qing employed the Seal Technique, he felt he was exuding and inhaling the destructive aura of the heavens and the earth in every move, crushing and obliterating everything. These two techniques did not seem out of place here at all. With the panel''s enhancement, there was no doubt about future breakthroughs in realms with these techniques, and with time, success would inevitably come. Upon careful reflection, Shen Qing realized he didn''t hold an intense yearning for these Immortal Martial Techniques before him. As for the other Magic Treasures and Elixirs, he wasn''t very fond of them either. Rather, the Spirit Eye here was a pleasant surprise. Even though he thought such things, Shen Qing did not show it; he tentatively asked: "Lord Ji, may I know which Immortal Martial Technique the current Imperial family is practicing?" "Hahaha..." Ji Bochu laughed and said, "Do you wish to learn the technique of the current Majesty?" Feigning embarrassment, Shen Qing nodded slightly. Ji Bochu shook his head, explaining: "The technique His Majesty practices is the ''Sword Storage,'' one of the few complete lineages from ancient times, a Martial Art that the Imperial lineage primarily practices; it would not be placed in this Imperial Armory." "If it were researched thoroughly by someone, finding flaws in the technique would be detrimental to the Imperial family." Shen Qing caught the implication of his words. In the current Great Zhou Techniques, there might be several excellent Immortal Martial Techniques that have not been shown to others. The ones left here are somewhat flawed, only touted as Immortal Martial Techniques for better sound. If some extraordinarily talented individuals explore many aspects from these techniques, it would be beneficial for the Imperial family, a great thing indeed. Placing Immortal Martial Techniques here seems like a win-win for the Imperial family. Given his deductions, Shen Qing felt this notion even more compelling. Perhaps Ji Zikong noticed his "talent" and gave him the Beautiful Pattern Jade Token to let him "decipher" and perfect these top-tier techniques. Thinking this made him even less interested. However, having come all this way, it would be a pity not to take a copy. Shen Qing extended his hand, saying, "Please, Master, I would like to learn that ''Saint Body Great Achievement Technique.''" Ji Bochu was not surprised, smiling as he said, "Good choice, many Martial Masters who opt for Immortal Martial Arts choose this technique. In reality, apart from being difficult to practice, it has no other drawbacks. Even if practiced moderately, it could prolong life." Saying this, Ji Bochu stepped forward and with a gesture, a Jade Box containing the ''Saint Body Great Achievement Technique'' flew into his hand. He gently caressed the surface of the Jade Box, a fleeting nostalgic look in his eyes before solemnly handing it over to Shen Qing. Receiving it with both hands, Shen Qing felt a warm sensation. The Jade Box emitted a faint golden light, and when he touched it, it became even more vibrant. When he opened the Jade Box, he saw quietly lying inside was a yellowed Sheepskin Scroll, faintly showing the words ''Saint Body Great Achievement Technique.'' Glancing at Ji Bochu as if realizing something, Shen Qing noticed he was too calm. Hurriedly focusing on the words on the Sheepskin Scroll, he forced out waves of excitement on his face. Under Ji Bochu''s gaze, Shen Qing took a deep breath, unfurled the Sheepskin Scroll, and began to study it carefully. Quietly watching Shen Qing read, Ji Bochu secretly thought, "To achieve this realm at such a young age, this person must have great talent in Martial Arts. The Emperor must have sent him to test the technique." "Throughout history, countless talents went insane practicing these Immortal Martial Techniques to their current state. I wonder if this lad can give us some surprise. I hope he can endure longer and not succumb to madness too soon." Using his "Never Forget" and "Erudite in Inquiry" abilities, Shen Qing quickly memorized and fully understood the Martial Arts in its entirety. "Lord Ji, I''ve memorized everything." Saying this, he packed the Sheepskin Scroll back into the Jade Box, intending to return it. Ji Bochu, however, waved it off, "Leave the technique here; no need to rush returning it, just don''t take it out. Conveniently, this fifth level has the Spirit Eye for you to study and enhance your skills." Shen Qing did not expect such thoughtful consideration, igniting suspicion in his heart. To his knowledge, the Great Zhou court kept a strict eye on Martial Arts, wanting to prevent anyone from seeing it. Something strange is always lurking. Is there an issue with the techniques here? Knowing the state of the Great Zhou instilled further skepticism in Shen Qing. Ji Bochu added, "Around that corner on the fifth level is a screen, behind which is a private Spirit Eye; you can study martial arts alone there. I''ll be around the Imperial Armory, so feel free to find me anytime if you need." Hearing this, Shen Qing feigned "delight," exclaiming, "Thank you, Master." "Mm." As Ji Bochu departed, the joy on Shen Qing''s face gradually faded away. He glanced at the position of the screen nearby and entered with the Jade Box in hand. The spot was a secluded and inconspicuous corner, very tranquil. Upon entering, Shen Qing noticed neatly arranged papers, ink, brushes, and inkstones. S§×arch* The N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He chuckled at himself, "Such thorough preparation." Stepping forward, Shen Qing casually tossed the Jade Box aside, seated himself cross-legged. "It''s a rare chance, perfect for cultivating the Six Paths Reincarnation Technique and the Eight Desolate Annihilation Seal, not forgetting to hone the Great Void Technique a bit; cultivating one''s own techniques is safest." With this resolution, Shen Qing quickly entered a meditative state, his breathing steady, enveloped by a faint aurora. "First, practice the Six Paths Reincarnation Technique to fortify myself." With a thought, Shen Qing activated the Six Paths Reincarnation Technique. Instantly his acupoints awoke one by one, illuminating brilliantly, akin to the brightest stars in the sky. Under Shen Qing''s urging, these luminous acupoints gradually transformed into spinning whirlpools of vibrant energy, voraciously devouring the surrounding Spiritual Energy. Here, beneath the Spirit Eye''s protection, the density of Spiritual Energy was astonishing, utterly different from the outside world. Each thread of Spiritual Energy brimming with rich earthly essence relentlessly streamed into Shen Qing''s body. "Such an extraordinary training environment!" Initiating his practice, Shen Qing distinctly sensed the abundant purity of the Spiritual Energy here, enhancing his training efficacy multiple times, leading him to express his admiration. He vaguely felt that training here equaled, or even exceeded, the speed facilitated by wish beads. Coming here was undoubtedly worth it. Chapter 396 - 10 Entering Holiness with a Mortal Body, The Imperial Familys Test Subject ``` Time seemed to lose its meaning at this moment, as Shen Qing was completely immersed in cultivation. He was within the Spirit Eye, and with every breath, every flow of Spiritual Energy, his cultivation advanced to a higher realm. His acupoints sparkled like stars, connecting into a constellation, giving him the appearance of being bathed in a galaxy from afar. No one knew how long had passed, but the radiant light from all of Shen Qing''s acupoints gradually dissipated, returning to normal. He opened his eyes, and a gleam flashed in his pupils. Shen Qing slightly circulated the Six Paths Reincarnation Technique, feeling his entire cultivation advance, the Spiritual Power within him surging like the ocean, with every inch of his flesh brimming with vigorous Essence Qi. Even his long stagnant Divine Sense showed minute growth, bringing him joy. "This Spirit Eye is truly extraordinary! Cultivating here for such a short while is equivalent to over a month of work outside!" Shen Qing stood up, carefully experiencing the sensation. Under the blessing of the Spirit Eye, the concentration of Spiritual Energy around him skyrocketed, almost dozens of times that of the external world. These pure streams of Spiritual Energy continuously flooded into his body like tides through the Six Paths Reincarnation Technique, each wave containing endless vitality and power. Using his Divine Sense to look inward, Shen Qing discovered that among the essence blood throughout his body, that thread of golden blood had grown even stronger. This thread of golden blood fused with his flesh, making his physical accomplishment increasingly distinct. Shen Qing ceased his introspection, and his gaze inadvertently fell on the Jade Box before him, a hint of doubt suddenly arising in his heart. He took out the sheepskin scroll inscribed with the Saint Body Great Achievement Technique, placed it before him, and examined it closely once more. Shen Qing clearly remembered that the scroll also spoke of golden blood. The Skill of "Academic Pursuit" activated once again. He began to delve continuously into its knowledge. After a moment, Shen Qing suddenly realized: "So that''s how it is." According to the Ancient Times'' description in this Saint Body Great Achievement Technique, every cultivator''s physique is different, but there is one physique that is innately superior at birth; its skin and flesh are impervious to blades and spears, innately able to suppress and resist all evil, known as the Saint King Body. Such physiques are born with pale gold blood, and the more they cultivate, the more it changes, the blood eventually transforming into dark gold. By then, every drop contains essence spiritual substances comparable to precious medicine. Invincible at the same level in combat strength, unstoppable and unmatched. This so-called Saint Body Great Achievement Technique was developed based on this type of physique. The golden blood appearing within Shen Qing''s body was exactly as described herein. Sear?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. In his mind, under the deduction of "Academic Pursuit," words suddenly emerged: "From a mortal body to sacred." Aided by the Six Paths Reincarnation Technique, Shen Qing did not expect to refine a trace of the Saint King Body''s characteristics. Shen Qing felt a surge of excitement. The Cultivation Technique deduced from the Water Ink Panel surpassed his imagination, perhaps even exceeding those Immortal Martial Techniques. The fifth floor was dimly lit, indistinguishable between day and night. Shen Qing, already full of energy, had no trace of fatigue. Taking advantage of this rare opportunity, he decided to continue concentrating on cultivating the Eight Desolate Annihilation Seal, intending to improve the progress of this technique as well. ... At the same time, in Ningshou Palace. A Mystic Ice Jade Bed emitted a faint cold light. The Emperor of Great Zhou, Ji Zikong, was dressed in a Cloud Brocade Robe embroidered with Dragon Patterns, sitting upright on it, surrounded by faint wisps of ripples, silver frost-colored short swords constantly moving across these ripples, absorbing the surrounding Spiritual Energy. If listening carefully, one could hear the indistinct sound of sword auras. Beside him, the Chief Eunuch, He Yong, with a respectful demeanor and a posture erect as a pine, stood silently by his side. His gaze never left Ji Zikong, his mind a clear mirror observing Ji Zikong''s every move, always prepared to deal with any possible sudden situations. In an instant, Ji Zikong''s breath became steady and long, swords flashing in his eyes. He gently exhaled a turbid breath, a white strip of light flying out from his mouth, like a beam of light that illuminated the palace in an instant. The white strip hit the wall and naturally dispersed to the sides, causing the doors and windows to tremble. Upon seeing this, He Yong knew the Emperor had finished this session of cultivation, and quickly stepped forward, his voice low and respectful: "Congratulations, Your Majesty, on your cultivation progress." The Emperor of Great Zhou, Ji Zikong, was immune to such daily flattery, his face calm and unruffled. He asked: "Has anything been reported recently?" The Chief Eunuch, He Yong, stepped forward and said: "Your servant indeed has something to report." "Speak." "Yes, Your Majesty." The Chief Eunuch, He Yong, respectfully bowed and continued: "Lord Ji from the Imperial Armory responded that the General of the Army who was bestowed the Cui Ying Order by Your Majesty, went to the Imperial Armory today." "Oh, it''s Shen Qing, right? How was it?" Ji Zikong replied as if he had anticipated it: "Did he go to the fifth floor to choose Immortal Martial Arts?" "Yes, Your Majesty, he did." "Which one did he choose?" "The Saint Body Great Achievement Technique." Hearing this, Ji Zikong''s eyebrows twitched slightly and he said: "The Saint Body Great Achievement Technique? I remember this technique; over time, many have chosen it. To what extent has it been perfected now?" "According to Lord Ji, seven or eight tenths have been perfected, only the last two or three tenths need continuous deduction and trials." "I see. Let things proceed as usual. Keep Uncle Ji in observation. If all goes well, after some more years, the Imperial family might have a third complete Immortal Path method." "Your Majesty, from this old servant''s perspective, it seems a pity for someone like Shen Qing, who climbed all the way from the bottom and possesses some aptitude, to serve as a trial worker for the Imperial family." He Yong hinted with a bowed head. "There are so many talented people in the world, what difference does it make with or without him? The main issue is that time left for us is limited. If that day truly arrives, what use is it even if all the world''s talents thrive? Better to utilize them fully now, seizing that shred of hope for us humans." With that, Ji Zikong stood up, hands behind his back, his gaze passing through the heavy curtains of the palace, seemingly penetrating time and space to see a much further future. The Chief Eunuch, He Yong, quickly apologized: "My ignorance." Ji Zikong, smiling, said: "This Shen Qing, to stand out from so many and attain a breakthrough into the Spiritual Void realm at such a young age without relying on our martial resources, his talent is truly impressive. With his understanding and ability, it won''t be long before he can grasp the Saint Body Great Achievement Technique." "When the time comes, watch over Uncle Ji and observe the changes in him. It''s good that he lacks those family backgrounds, making him perfect as a trial person for refining the technique. Let''s hope he can hold out longer and avoid going astray too soon, for even this contributes to the world''s human race." Ji Zikong''s voice resonated once again, carrying an indisputable authority. He secretly contemplated, should Shen Qing''s growth rate be as astonishing as predicted, this could be a significant turning point for them. Now that demons are increasing and the situation gets more uncontrollable, that anticipated day comes closer. The Chief Eunuch, He Yong, responded quickly: "Your servant obeys." "By the way, how are things with General Xue now? Has my decree reached him?" Ji Zikong asked as if remembering something. The Chief Eunuch, He Yong, bowed lowly and said: "Your Majesty, your decree has been sent to General Xue. It is expected he will return to the capital in a month. General Xue mentioned something unusual in his reply." Ji Zikong, curious, asked: "What''s that?" "General Xue noted that it''s not just the Yellow Heaven Cult rebels in Dan Prefecture; even rebels from other places in Jin Prefecture are returning to the Holy Mountain of Yellow Heaven. It seems something major is happening there." Ji Zikong''s eyes showed a touch of worry: "Have the people below keep a closer watch and report back to me at any sign of disturbance." ... After cultivating for two days and nights in a row, Shen Qing reluctantly stopped. To avoid raising suspicion, he also spent some time practicing the Saint Body Great Achievement Technique, randomly jotting down some of his insights on the paper and inkstone. For someone with the "Academic Pursuit" skill, this was a simple task. Shen Qing exited from the fifth floor of the Imperial Armory, spotting Ji Bochue basking in the sun, playing with a turtle by the entrance on the first floor. Approaching, he bowed and greeted: "Lord Ji." Ji Bochue, half-squinting his eyes, curved his lips into a calm smile and said: "Oh, it''s Lord Shen. How did your cultivation turn out this time, Lord Shen?" A gleam flashed in Shen Qing''s eyes, and after brewing his emotions, he displayed a hint of joy after breaking through his limitations, cheerfully saying: "Thanks to the support from Your Majesty and you, my lord, I have gained some insights into the mysteries of the Saint Body Great Achievement Technique, my cultivation has slightly succeeded." A nearly imperceptible hint of joy appeared in Ji Bochue''s eyes, and he praised: "The Saint Body Great Achievement Technique is one of the top martial arts in the Imperial Armory and renowned in the world. Countless people seek to uncover its secrets. Your achievement is indeed a rare opportunity. On the path of martial arts, one must advance or risk regression¡ªsince you have the Cui Ying Order, feel free to come to the Imperial Armory whenever you wish to progress further." Ji Bochue''s words were like a spring breeze turning rain; Shen Qing respectfully replied: "I will remember, and I am sure to trouble you more often, my lord." With that, Shen Qing bowed deeply again and turned to leave. Ji Bochue remained there, playing with the small turtle in his hands, undisturbed. However, after Shen Qing completely departed, he casually tossed the turtle aside, and went directly behind the fifth floor''s screen. He saw the manuscripts Shen Qing left, nodded approvingly, and said with a smile: "It seems he does have some talent. To grasp the essence of this technique in just two days is remarkable, truly remarkable." Ji Bochue could not help but grow more satisfied with Shen Qing''s performance. Yet, he was unaware that Shen Qing''s keen senses captured every detail of his expression. Leaving the palace, Shen Qing wore a somber expression, realizing something was definitely wrong with those Immortal Martial Techniques. Thinking of this, once he left the palace, Shen Qing went straight to the Yam and Hai Department''s office to find Huangfu Rou. "Lord Huangfu, do you have some time today? I have something I wish to ask for your help with." Huangfu Rou put down her pen, crossed her hands under her chin, and looked at Shen Qing with interest, saying: "Alright, let''s hear it, see if I can help." Shen Qing looked around, hesitation marking his face: "It''s not a suitable place to talk here." Sensing Shen Qing''s seriousness, Huangfu Rou got up and said, "Follow me." She led Shen Qing to an elegant room inside, furnished with a table and two chairs, a pot of tea still steaming atop. They sat across from each other. Huangfu Rou asked, "So, what''s happened?" Shen Qing casually set up a barrier formation, learned from the Yellow Heaven Cult, now perfected under the Water Ink Panel. An invisible ripple expanded from him, enveloping both in isolation from the outside. Shen Qing poured himself a cup of hot tea, unceremoniously saying: "Lord Huangfu, are you aware of any non-royal individuals who have entered the Imperial Armory and learned the Imperial family''s Immortal Martial Techniques?" Shen Qing continued: "I was allowed into the Imperial Armory these past two days and was curious, hence the inquiry. I suppose with your Yam and Hai Department''s capabilities, it shouldn''t be difficult, right?" "Give me a moment." Huangfu Rou pondered briefly, then hurried out, returning after a while, evidently having gone to gather intelligence. "Did you find anything?" Shen Qing looked up and asked. Huangfu Rou shook her head: "No, in recent years there are virtually no records." The Yam and Hai Department is specifically tasked with intelligence, and there is no agency under heaven who knows more. Especially in the capital, missing intelligence is impossible. However, they knew nothing about the people who cultivated the Imperial family''s Immortal Martial Techniques in the Imperial Armory. This could only mean someone deliberately erased this part of the information. Hearing this, Shen Qing nearly confirmed that something was indeed wrong with those Immortal Martial Techniques. "I see, thank you." Shen Qing stood to leave. Huangfu Rou regarded Shen Qing''s hurried and matter-of-fact departure with no spare consideration on her face but secretly cursed him a fool in her heart. Watching Shen Qing about to exit, she nonchalantly said: "Shen Qing, next month the chrysanthemums in Beihai will bloom, the Princess Yuzhen plans a Chrysanthemum Appreciation Gathering, do you want to attend?" "Most of the attendees will be from royal families and other high officials and noble families. There might be some gains concerning the Immortal Martial Techniques at the gathering." Shen Qing, not picking up on the subtle nuance in Huangfu Rou''s tone, was still lost in thoughts about the Immortal Martial Techniques. After a moment of contemplation, Shen Qing agreed: "Sure." A full smile conquered Huangfu Rou''s eyes, curving them like crescents, yet she quickly composed herself to appear serious. Time flew like water, quickly slipping away. Fifteen days passed in the blink of an eye. During this time, Shen Qing primarily lived a two-point line life, shuttling between the Imperial Armory and the office. Most days were spent in the Imperial Armory. Throughout this period of cultivation, the Six Paths Reincarnation Technique and Eight Desolate Annihilation Seal advanced at an astonishing speed. Shen Qing focused his mind and summoned the Water Ink Panel. The familiar interface reappeared in his vision, lines of water-ink text presented themselves. [Skill: Six Paths Reincarnation Technique (Entry level)] [Progress: 5004/5000 points] [Status: Breakthrough possible] [Skill: Eight Desolate Annihilation Seal (Entry level)] [Progress: 5001/5000 points] [Status: Breakthrough possible] Seeing the prominent reminders prominently reappear in his vision, a hint of relaxed satisfaction appeared on Shen Qing''s face. "Break through." ``` Chapter 397 - 11: Nurturing a Wisp of Primordial Spirit, Overlooking Heaven and Earth ``` The moment Shen Qing entertained this thought, the text on the Water Ink Panel immediately updated. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. [Skill: Six Paths Reincarnation Skill (Mastery)] [Progress: 4/10000 points] [Status: Breakthrough Unavailable] [Note: A saw cuts through wood, and a drip wears away stone. Through years of relentless cultivation, you have gradually grasped the essence of the Six Paths Reincarnation Skill ¡ª the tenacity of the Mortal Path, the vastness of the Heavenly Dao, the combativeness of the Asura Path, the wildness of the Beast Path, the greed of the Hungry Ghost Realm (absorption), and the tribulations of the Hell Path (transformation and rebirth). After the breakthrough, you successfully mastered the Power of the Mortal Path, with both flesh and will further strengthened, and the Saint Blood vastly augmented.] [Skill: Eight Desolate Destruction Seal (Mastery)] [Progress: 1/10000 points] [Status: Breakthrough Unavailable] [Note: The swift horse leaps but cannot maintain pace over ten steps; the slow horse trots relentlessly, its mastery lies in perseverance. Having mastered the Eight Desolate Destruction Seal, you have seized a sliver of the Eight Desolate Natural Energy, capable of manipulating at will the forces of nature such as mountains, earth, wind, rain, thunder, and lightning, incorporating them into your Seal Technique to form various unimaginable attacks and defenses.] Shen Qing''s eyes were firmly fixed on the water ink text that appeared in his sight, and his breathing became heavy. From the notes on these two skills, he felt as if he had vaguely touched the threshold of the "Great Dao." Waves of unfamiliar memories began to surface, not giving him a chance to react, forcefully inserting themselves into his mind. At the same time, a special energy rose from him. Shen Qing instinctively prepared himself, holding his breath and concentrating to handle the impact and changes that were to come. These two skills had taken him nearly a year to cultivate, requiring much more effort than other Martial Arts. Therefore, the memories associated with these two skills were also much more substantial than those of any other skill breakthroughs. Even for him, at the Spirit Void Realm, it was almost too much to bear, and it was extremely uncomfortable. Had it been before, he would have certainly passed out. After a full quarter of an hour, the current Shen Qing gradually came to his senses, regained clarity, and assimilated the vast memories. In those memories, it was as if Shen Qing had lived through a lifetime, spending four to five hundred years in the river of time, tirelessly studying and refining these two Martial Arts, finally achieving success and advancing them to the next realm, akin to Immortal Martial Techniques. Closing his eyes for internal observation, Shen Qing saw that the strand of golden Saint Blood within him was growing at a visible rate, expanding from the size of a strand of hair to the thickness of a little finger, transforming in a groundbreaking way. Whenever he practiced his cultivation, silver light blossomed from the acupoints all over his body, every inch of his flesh becoming crystalline and dazzling with golden light. The burning sensation he had initially cultivated was now thoroughly cleansed, leaving no trace of redness. The same was true for the Eight Desolate Destruction Seal. Merely by entertaining a thought, Shen Qing''s hands began to feel waves of familiarity as if he had practiced millions of times, effortlessly forming a strange yet familiar Seal Technique, causing thunder to roll and space to tremble. A dazzling Sky Flipping Seal slowly took shape before him, imbued with terrifying power. Shen Qing withdrew his gesture, and the visions he had conjured dispersed like scattered stars, vanishing into the void. Thanks to the benefit of the Spirit Eye, his cultivation progress was exceptionally smooth, and sensing the oceanic Spiritual Power within him, he felt content. In the blink of an eye, another three days had passed. On the fifth floor of the Imperial Armory, Shen Qing sat cross-legged, surrounded by twinkling stars, bathing in a galaxy. At this moment, in the Sea of Consciousness, it was as if a Spiritual Spring surged, a faint but intensely strong pulse quietly rose, resembling a dragon lurking in the abyss, accumulating energy to burst forth, eager to break free and soar to the skies. This was the sign of the imminent condensation of the Primordial Spirit, the Great Perfection of the Spirit Void Realm. Shen Qing suddenly realized something and decisively ended his cultivation in the Imperial Armory. Then, as usual, he left the Imperial Armory with a composed walk, his expression no different from any other day. He knew such breakthroughs would involve many external changes, and with the undercurrents of the Capital, where many capable individuals emerged, one careless move could easily attract unwanted attention. After some contemplation, Shen Qing discreetly left the Capital and found a dilapidated temple in a desolate suburb. Although the temple was worn by the years, its basic structure remained intact, rarely visited by people, and was most notably quiet. He entered without hesitation, and a scent of aged decay hit him. Inside the temple, dust was everywhere, the light was dim, giving off a sense of desolation and disarray due to years without inhabitants. Shen Qing took a deep breath, raised his hands gently, and Spiritual Power flowed out like a trickling stream from his palms. Clapping his hands together, an invisible whirlwind arose within the temple. Wherever it passed, dust was swept away, and the musty air was cleansed. The temple was completely transformed. Shen Qing smiled satisfactorily, sat down, and enveloped himself in a circle of Spiritual Power. He then took out a few yellow triangular flags from his bosom. Ever since the Jing Luan Assembly ended, he had kept in touch with Shen Xiaohu, and with his understanding of Array Formation, he could now make simple Array Flags. After the last flags were damaged by the relic''s power, he forged a new set using his own knowledge and materials at hand. These flags before him were the result of his leisure-time experiments. Though they seemed rudimentary, they were basically capable of isolation. However, due to the crude materials and craftsmanship, they could only be used as a one-time item and not be reused. ``` Chapter 398 - 11: Nurturing a Wisp of Primordial Spirit, Overlooking Heaven and Earth_2 Cultivating his Primordial Spirit was of critical importance to Shen Qing. The formations he cast through incantation gestures were not stable enough, and he did not want to take the risk. Therefore, he decided to take out this Array Flag and use it for a more reliable solution. Shen Qing''s fingers flew with agility, the small flag in his hands moving dynamically. Following his directions, it traced mysterious trajectories in the air, finally settling firmly in every direction around the wilderness temple. As Shen Qing chanted a spell softly, the several small flags emitted a faint luminescence, gradually forming a barrier formation. Once the formation was complete, the entire wilderness temple seemed to be enveloped by an invisible barrier, completely isolated from the outside world. Even those with a high level of cultivation could hardly peek into its secrets unless they had cultivated a Primordial Spirit or Divine Thought. When all was assuredly safe, Shen Qing took out a stick of Guardian Spirit Fragrance. Guardian Spirit Fragrance was part of the official salary given by the Great Zhou Court to its formal officials. Each person was entitled to only one stick per month, which had the effect of calming the mind and stabilizing the soul. Most officials only used it as an aid during their daily cultivation practices. In truth, Guardian Spirit Fragrance could also serve as a focal point during a martial master''s cultivation of the Primordial Spirit or Divine Sense to prevent the artifacts from fluctuating unstably, thus avoiding irreversible damage to the cultivator. After becoming the Yongzhou Chief Officer, Shen Qing had saved some, and he had received another bunch when he left Taiping County. This was the perfect time to use them. Shen Qing took out all the sticks of Guardian Spirit Fragrance, mobilized his Spiritual Power, and planted them around him as the center. The whole wilderness temple inside and out was densely packed with them. Shen Qing snapped his fingers and lit them all without sparing any. In an instant, thin plumes of smoke rose from the incense like Spiritual Snakes, curling up into the air and emanating a fascinating fragrance that refreshed one''s heart and clarified the mind. With the smoke permeating the air, Shen Qing felt as if all the noise and chaos surrounding him were isolated by this mysterious force. His state of mind started to become tranquil and profound, as if he were in an endless sea of calm, undisturbed by any waves. He pondered carefully, allowing the power from the Guardian Spirit Fragrance to guide him in sweeping away all distractions and obsessions, leaving nothing but the purest essence of self. "It''s about time." Having made all the preparations, Shen Qing took out an Old Ginseng Pill. This was a gift from Military Marquis Li Zhen Tian of the Li Family, greatly beneficial in cultivating the Primordial Spirit. To be cautious, Shen Qing had once shaved off the outer layer to feed to cats and dogs; no negative effects appeared, confirming its authenticity. Now, it was also time to use it. There are varieties of strength within the Primordial Spirit realm, and a breakthrough at this moment would determine seventy to eighty percent of it. Seeing that everything was ready, Shen Qing didn''t delay any further. He swallowed the Old Ginseng Pill and entered a state of deep meditation amidst the boundless tranquility. As the Elixir reached his stomach, a warm and powerful force exploded instantly within his body. Shen Qing felt his body and mind enveloped by an endless tranquility, seizing the opportunity to delve wholly into his cultivation, unifying all thoughts into meditation. Under his mental guidance, the Spiritual Power around his body surged like awakened rivers, tumultuously flowing. Shen Qing''s body gradually became enveloped in a faint glow, brimming with vitality. For all the martial masters of this world, the Primordial Spirit realm was the ultimate realm they yearned for in their dreams. Once someone broke through to this realm, they could be called a Great Power. As the name suggests, the Primordial Spirit realm is associated with the Primordial Spirit. A martial master in the Spirit Void Realm is someone who continuously excavates their innate domain, integrating it extensively to integrate with and blend into the profound mysteries of nature and the universe. When a martial master''s Primordial Spirit harmonizes with the universe to a certain indescribable threshold, they could cultivate a strand of Primordial Spirit, achieving Spirit Void Perfection. And once this Primordial Spirit can leave the body, even just an inch, that is the genuine Primordial Spirit realm, detached from the mundane world. This realm''s breakthrough hinges on the concepts of "condensing" and "merging." To condense is to refine the Spiritual Power within the body to the utmost, so that it transitions from substance to void, reaching a state of resonance with the nature''s Spiritual Energy; to merge is to integrate the Primordial Spirit with all things in the universe, to grow stronger until it can fully manifest and not be dissipated by the stray Spiritual Energy in the world. Once someone breaks through to the Primordial Spirit realm, the cultivator can master all kinds of incredible Divine Powers, as if becoming a True Master themselves, capable of changing heaven and earth with endless transformations. Shen Qing formed a hand seal and guarded his Divine Sense. First was "condensing." Shen Qing gathered his entire body''s Spiritual Power like a trickle of streams, continuously refining it, constructing a framework based on the contours of his own form. In this process, he continuously filled the framework with his true self while also ceaselessly infusing it with Spirit Essence. Under the dual enhancement of the overwhelming power from the Old Ginseng Pill and the tranquil efficacy of the Guardian Spirit Fragrance, Shen Qing''s mind reached an unprecedented level of focus, not daring to slacken or show negligence for even a moment. Finally, after his unremitting efforts, an almost indistinct Primordial Spirit Embryo identical to his appearance quietly took shape and kept improving. When the stage of "solidifying" was achieved, what followed was the even more critical "fusion." Shen Qing took a deep breath, let go of his mind, and allowed that now refined Primordial Spirit Embryo to merge with the nature''s Spiritual Energy of the outside world. At that moment, the stray Spiritual Energy around him seemed to transform into bone-scraping knives, madly assaulting his newly condensed Primordial Spirit Embryo, attempting to tear and destroy it. Shen Qing immediately felt as if he were experiencing it himself. As each part of the Primordial Spirit Embryo was chipped away, he felt as if a piece of his own body was being carved off, enduring the torture of "death by a thousand cuts." It was an indescribably painful and excruciating ordeal. Large beads of sweat kept seeping out from Shen Qing''s forehead. Shen Qing had never thought that condensing the Primordial Spirit would be such a painful process. However, there was no thought of giving up, he kept clenching his teeth and persevering without retreat. S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. This was the inevitable path of condensing the Primordial Spirit, one that could not be skipped. Shen Qing continually used his own Spiritual Power to repair and strengthen the Primordial Spirit. With each piece that was chipped away, he replenished it accordingly, persistently contending with the stray Spiritual Energy of the outside world. It felt like an eternity to him. He didn''t know how much time had passed when, just as Shen Qing felt he could no longer hold on, a thunderous boom echoed within his heart. It was as if some sort of shackle had been completely shattered; at that moment, that wisp of newly born Primordial Spirit burst forth with supreme divine splendor, becoming one with the nature''s Spiritual Energy of the outside world, with no more rejection between the two. All discomfort and pain disappeared without a trace, replaced by an unprecedented sense of power and serenity. "I did it!" Shen Qing felt ecstatic in his heart. He knew he had successfully condensed the Primordial Spirit, reaching the late phase of the Spirit Void Realm, just one step away from the Primordial Spirit Realm. He carefully examined his own Primordial Spirit, like a flawless work of art, feeling completely satisfied. "If that''s the case, why not try to take that step? To nurture a wisp of Primordial Spirit, and look down upon the world." If anyone were here, they would surely think Shen Qing was indulging in fantasy. To gather the Primordial Spirit was already very difficult, and now that the newly condensed Primordial Spirit was extremely fragile, to think of leaving the body was far too risky. But Shen Qing was always a decisive person, uninterested in procrastination. He stimulated the Six Paths Reincarnation Technique, with the power of the Mortal path and his unwavering determination. In the Sea of Consciousness, he recalled the first time he climbed to the peak of Mount Tai, standing at the edge of a cliff. At that time, the sea of clouds churned wildly, and he could look up to see the horizon at sunrise, while looking down made the climbers seem as insignificant as ants. The howling cold wind made his legs go weak. At this moment, Shen Qing imagined himself standing on top of that high mountain, and then he leaped. A violent sense of weightlessness spread through him. Shen Qing felt his whole body lighten as his view suddenly elevated. He looked around, still within the broken temple, without any change. Only when looking down from above, he could see another self. Shen Qing''s expression slightly changed, a rush of elation surged across his face. He rose to the sky, standing between heaven and earth, looking down on all things, instantly feeling a surge of lofty aspirations. "This is, the leaving of Primordial Spirit from the body... I''ve broken through to the Primordial Spirit Realm, I''ve succeeded!!!" Ordinarily, leaving the body by an inch would signify success, but he had plunged from heaven to earth upon his first attempt of condensation. Even though Shen Qing didn''t know how others would manifest their breakthroughs to the Primordial Spirit Realm, he realized his method was too unconventional, likely "different from normal people." Chapter 399 - 12 Primordial Spirit Realm, Controlling Objects, Xue Zhao Returns to the Capital ``` Before Shen Qing could rejoice for long, a heavy sense of weakness and dizziness quietly enveloped his Primordial Spirit, causing him to panic and feel a sense of foreboding in his heart. The dangers of the Primordial Spirit suddenly leaving the body were far beyond imagination. At this moment, he only felt his Primordial Spirit like a feather, drifting aimlessly in the endless void, free yet helpless. Any carelessness might lead to becoming completely lost in the boundless illusion. Whoosh... Suddenly, a breeze seeped through the cracks in the walls and windows of the abandoned temple. Even though it was a warm day, Shen Qing felt as if he had fallen into an ice cellar, chilled to the bone. The intense cold penetrated every fiber and inch of his body, freezing him so much that he shivered uncontrollably. sea??h th§× Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. This coldness was even worse than when he, as a hunter, went out in a soaked, worn-out coat; it was enough to freeze him to death. Shen Qing''s feet left his body, hovering in mid-air, like falling into a vast ocean, with no support in sight. A sense of helplessness surged in his heart, making him feel extremely uncomfortable. Was this the end? Shen Qing desperately wanted to return to his physical shell, leaving only this thought among countless others. However, no matter how he willed it, his Divine Soul would not budge. The prolonged exposure of the Primordial Spirit to the void began to make it weak. Shen Qing hurried to steady his mind. The more critical the situation, the calmer one needs to be. Shen Qing did not give up and constantly reflected on the True Intent of the Six Paths Reincarnation Technique, mastering the tenacity of the Mortal path and mobilizing everything available within him. As he exerted himself, the human nature within his Primordial Spirit was being continuously depleted. The whole process was extremely difficult, like a small boat struggling in a storm, ready to capsize at any moment. Finally, at a certain moment, he seemed to catch a special connection that allowed him to sense the presence of his physical shell. He quickly clung to that connection, drawing closer to his body. Shen Qing looked down to find that at this very moment, the Guardian Spirit Fragrance in the abandoned temple was burning at an extremely fast rate. Boom! After an unknown amount of time, Shen Qing''s Primordial Spirit finally returned slowly to his physical body. At the instant he returned, it was like coming back from a cold abyss to a warm embrace, all weakness and dizziness instantly dissipated. Shen Qing gasped heavily, his sweat-soaked collar, looking at the almost completely burnt Guardian Spirit Fragrance around him, unexpectedly finding that its aid to the Primordial Spirit was greater than he had imagined. Without these Guardian Spirit Fragrance, he would have struggled to return, filled with a mix of post-crisis relief and dread. Nevertheless, the rewards from this risky venture were immense, almost allowing him to leap through the late stage of the Spirit Void Realm, breaking through a Great Realm to reach the level of Primordial Spirit Realm. After a while, Shen Qing gradually calmed down. "Since I''ve already condensed the Primordial Spirit, I can now control external objects." Shen Qing''s gaze naturally fell on the dagger at his waist. This Treasure Blade was a weapon from the Ancient Relics, possessing a trace of spirituality, barely qualifying as a "Magic Treasure," suitable for practicing Controlling Objects. Shen Qing did not rush, instead sitting cross-legged to regulate his breath. He planned to continue practicing only after he felt his Primordial Spirit had fully recovered. Concentrating his mind, Shen Qing gently separated a pure strand of his Primordial Spirit. In an instant, a sensation never felt before coursed through his entire being, as if his existence had been wonderfully duplicated. At this moment, he had dual consciousness, dual vision, the two closely connected, sharing information, like twins with a linked mind. Under this peculiar dual perspective, Shen Qing intended to wield the dagger hanging at his waist. He thought of something and stepped forward to draw the dagger, placing it horizontally in front of him. Immediately, a clear clang, a flash of cold light, the Treasure Blade was lightly lifted, leisurely floating in front of Shen Qing''s body. The blade tip trembled slightly, emitting a faint cold glow that reflected his gaze. In the physical body''s perspective, the blade seemed to rise from nothing, without any external force. In the view of the Primordial Spirit, he was holding the Treasure Blade in front of him. The drastically different perspectives gave Shen Qing an incredibly unique sensory experience. Shen Qing thought again, wanting to have the blade circle around him. The blade''s light shifted, its trajectory lively, the Treasure Blade indeed adhering to his will, nimbly moving around him, skimming past his back or circling his neck, each motion precise and flawless, as if it were a living thing, an awe-inspiring sight. At this moment, Shen Qing suddenly realized, understanding that Controlling Objects involved using a strand of one''s Primordial Spirit to maneuver objects. The Primordial Spirit being light, consequently made the Controlling Objects swift. Furthermore, because when maneuvering objects with the Primordial Spirit, if not deliberately manifesting, its formless and intangible nature made it difficult for even adept cultivators to discern its mysteries; they could only witness the object seemingly lifted by an unseen force, moving on its own, assuming it to be artifact manipulation. "So, this is how it is." Experiencing once through the mysterious means perceived by others at the Primordial Spirit Realm, Shen Qing found it to be just as simple. Seeing there was still some strength left, Shen Qing continued with another round of attempts. He stretched out his hand, lightly touching the Treasure Blade that had accompanied him for years with his fingertip. With a thought, a flick of the finger, the Treasure Blade rose into the air, entwined by a strand of the Primordial Spirit, drawing away from its previous place. Initially, everything seemed under his control, the Treasure Blade darting lightly, traversing across the void. But as the distance gradually increased, Shen Qing''s expression grew solemn. He felt that the Treasure Blade in his hand seemed to be pulled by some invisible force, becoming increasingly heavy, until the blade felt as if pressed by a mountain, unbearably heavy, and he could no longer "hold" it. ``` Chapter 400 - 12 Primordial Spirit Realm, Controlling Objects, Xue Zhao Returns to the Capital_2 "Thud," a sound fell to the ground. Shen Qing frowned, as if realizing something. The blade was still the same one. It wasn''t that the blade had become heavier; it was just that the power of his Primordial Spirit weakened with the extension of the distance. He wasn''t discouraged and continued to try. Thud. Thud. Thud. ... After countless attempts, Shen Qing finally concluded that the current limit of his Primordial Spirit''s object-taming technique was within the five-meter radius. Within five meters, he could control the Treasure Blade; beyond five meters, he could only look on in despair. Shen Qing felt that this range was a bit small, somewhat dissatisfied, he couldn''t help but long for the Kongyou Realm where swords could slash enemies from a thousand miles away and travel freely in all directions. In reality, what he didn''t know was that other martial masters in the Primordial Spirit Realm would take at least three to five years to reach this five-meter distance, whereas he attained such a level on the first day after breaking through, which was already quite astonishing. Suddenly, Shen Qing noticed something unusual coming from his bosom. It was Xiao Hu sending a message. Shen Qing reached out and took the Spirit Communication Mirror, examining it in front of him. Under his gaze, a few words appeared on the mirror''s surface: "Xue Zhao returns to the capital today." Looking at these words, Shen Qing''s expression involuntarily became solemn. He didn''t expect Xue Zhao to return to the capital so soon. For certain reasons, he had killed two of Xue Zhao''s sons. People like Xue Zhao, experienced in battle and killing countless, at this moment, surely had an uncontrollable desire to kill him. Although there was the awe of imperial power in the capital, the Xue family was also a prestigious family there, with considerable influence. If they truly wanted to kill him, they would find a way. Considering it, it had already been more than a month; his aunt and them should have arrived near the capital. He needed to pick them up and avoid bringing them into the capital for the time being, lest the Xue family uses them to write an article, putting him on the defensive. Better wait until the situation stabilizes before taking action. Time was of the essence, after thinking it through, Shen Qing casually waved his hand, removing the formation. With a cracking sound around him, the disposable array flags he brought turned to dust under the Spiritual Power and dissipated with the wind. Shen Qing walked out of the abandoned temple, soared into the sky, transforming into a Rainbow Light and disappearing into the horizon. ... Under the Danzhou City Wall, as the smoke of gunpowder gradually dissipated, a scene of devastation remained. After capturing the city, Xue Zhao''s army, following ancient custom, allowed the soldiers to raid for three days, ending today. In the depth of the main tent, General Xue Zhao sat solemnly before the desk, surrounded by a strong Evil Qi. This was the result of his long experience in battle and excessive killing. At the moment, he was meticulously arranging the details of the garrison and withdrawal. No one knew how much time had passed, but Xue Zhao finally decided on the matter of returning to the capital. At this time, the tent''s curtain lightly lifted, and a young man silently entered, holding a heavy scroll in his hand as he quickly walked over. This person was Xue Manzi, a trusted confidant of Xue Zhao within the family, brought into the army by him and accumulated significant merit. "Sir, these are all the intelligence regarding Shen Qing." "Bring it over." "Yes." The detailed information about Shen Qing, meticulously sorted, was spread out in front of Xue Zhao by Xue Manzi. Xue Zhao''s gaze slowly swept over those words: Shen Qing, Southern Chief of the Capital Military Department, personally appointed by Your Majesty, with free access to the Imperial Armory, valued by Lan Gongliang... This information, like a cold wind, inadvertently rippled the calm lake in Xue Zhao''s heart. "Shen Qing...this boy..." Xue Zhao softly uttered the name, a complex expression appeared on his face, his eyes reflecting both scrutiny and contemplation: "To earn such trust from Your Majesty, he must not be spared." A scene of Lan Gongliang stopping him flashed in his mind, igniting a trace of anger in his heart. Now, Shen Qing had already gained some reputation, it would not be so easy to eradicate him. Especially with the attention of Ji Zikong, moving against him under the Capital''s presence would be even harder. He needed to find a way to lure him out, away from the Capital, and then deal with him quietly. Last time, Lan Gongliang intervened; this time, if the boy was alone, he could crush him effortlessly. Xue Manzi, hearing this, stood beside Xue Zhao awaiting the next instruction. "Besides matters in the capital, does Shen Qing have anything else?" After a while, Xue Zhao finally asked. "There is, General." As he spoke, Xue Manzi respectfully clutched his fists and said: "I have already investigated thoroughly. Shen Qing was born in Taiping County, a hunter, his parents passed one after another when he was about ten, relying on his elder sister for survival. With the aid of his uncle Shen Er, the siblings lived in the village, later moved to the city to learn martial arts, and somehow obtained appointment documents to enter Yongzhou as an officer. Along the way, he excelled in slaying demons, gaining recognition." "When eliminating a Huangtian Sect traitor, he rendered considerable service, thus being appointed as Chief Officer of both departments, until he participated in a rebel suppression meeting where he killed Young Master Xue Bai, by chance winning the top honor, and returned to the capital." Xue Manzi recited all the information he had gathered about Shen Qing in one breath. "He''s truly a talent; it would be a pity not to kill him," Xue Zhao sincerely remarked and asked: "You mentioned he has family, where are they now?" "I have also checked, General. They left Yongzhou heading to the capital and are now near the capital." S~ea??h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Hearing this, Xue Zhao''s eyes brightened, having found a breakthrough, he said: "Just what I needed, they have brought me a reason to draw him out of the capital." "In that case, I won''t hold back." Xue Zhao donned his armor and stood up, patting Xue Manzi on the shoulder, reminding: "The final wrap-up here is yours to oversee." "I obey, sir." After giving orders, Xue Zhao no longer lingered; he tapped his toe, Rainbow Light emerged, enveloping him as he shot out of the tent, racing towards the direction of the capital. ... Outside the capital, southwest direction, on the official road eighty miles from the city wall, a convoy of carriages leisurely advanced. At the front of the procession, a banner bearing the "Shen" character swayed in the breeze atop a simply decorated carriage. Inside the carriage, Aunt Wang gently lifted a corner of the carved wooden window, poked her head out, and tiredly asked: "Xiao Hu, can you estimate how far we are from the capital?" Tian Xiaohu, riding a horse, looked back, then rode the horse alongside the carriage, leaning over from the saddle, he said: "Aunt, I asked Yang just now, he said at this speed, we can reach in one or two days at most. Traveling with family and many belongings naturally slows us down. If we traveled light, we could arrive in a day." "Oh." Hearing this, Aunt Wang gently replied, then lowered the curtain, her hand rubbing her sore waist. The long journey had taken its toll on her aging body, her eyes reflecting a trace of helplessness. "Auntie, let me give you a massage." In the carriage, the considerate elder sister Shen Fang volunteered to help Wang with her back. Outside the carriage, Shen Er and Shen Shan, father and son, glanced inside silently. At this moment, someone in the convoy suddenly pointed to the sky, exclaiming excitedly: "Look! There''s a Rainbow Light!" Upon hearing this, everyone raised their heads, looking in the direction he pointed, towards the vast blue sky. They saw a brilliant streak of Rainbow Light cross the sky, rapidly approaching, its speed astonishing. "There seems to be someone in the Rainbow Light!" someone exclaimed, their voice tinged with disbelief. "That person... seems to be heading toward us!" another shouted in amazement. No sooner had the words left his mouth, that Rainbow Light landed right in front of their convoy. "Whoa!!!" Everyone reined their horses to a stop, their eyes locked on that Rainbow Light, filled with vigilance. They saw the Rainbow Light fade, revealing the figure of a middle-aged man fully armored. "Everyone, show your weapons." Clang. People in the convoy unhesitatingly drew their blades, ready for battle. Chapter 401 - 13: A Threat from the Primordial Spirit Realm, Fight! ``` "I am Yang Feng. I wonder what you intend to do by blocking our path?" Yang Feng, the head of the caravan, rode to the front and said with hands cupped in respect. They were part of Wu Sheng''s trading caravan, traveling between the Capital City and Yongzhou frequently. This time, as the Shen Family was relocating collectively to the Capital City, their group of fifteen people received secret orders to participate in the escort. Yang Feng could see that the armored middle-aged man in front of him could control the rainbow light, indicating his cultivation was at least at the level of an Innate Martial Master. They were no match for him. Instantly, Yang Feng''s heart was in his throat, and he tightly gripped his sword, not daring to breathe. Even so, they did not retreat. They all knew that after Shen Qing entered the Capital City, he advanced rapidly, with unlimited prospects. If they could connect with him through this, it would be greatly beneficial to them. Therefore, they had been extremely diligent and serious throughout this journey. Xue Zhao glanced at Yang Feng without much concern. He looked beyond Yang Feng, his gaze landing on the Shen Character Flag behind him, and asked with a smile, "Are Shen Qing''s family among you?" Yang Feng''s eyebrows twitched, immediately feeling a bad premonition, and he opened his mouth to say something to mislead. However, before he could utter a single word, a powerful and unmatched aura erupted from the middle-aged man in front of him, like a mountain flood, unstoppable. Yang Feng''s clothes billowed in the wind, making a flapping sound like a flag snapping in the breeze. The horse under him sensed the terrifying pressure, its eyes showing fear as it nervously backed away, instinctively wishing to flee. Had Yang Feng not tightly pulled the reins, it would have already bolted. Witnessing this, Yang Feng looked at Xue Zhao again, his expression slightly shifting, his throat dry. He had seen the stature of an Innate Martial Master before, and the power displayed by this middle-aged man was much stronger than the Innate Realm; his cultivation was definitely above it. While Yang Feng and others were still speculating, Xue Zhao spoke to Yang Feng with a faint smile, saying, "I advise you to tell the truth, otherwise if you deceive me twice, I can''t guarantee I won''t lose my temper and go on a killing spree." Xue Zhao''s threat carried a chilling murderous intent, causing everyone, including Yang Feng, to shiver. "I''ll ask you again, are Shen Qing''s family among you?" Intense fear surged from the depths of Yang Feng''s heart, completely overwhelming his reason and sense of responsibility. He hesitantly uttered, "Yes..." "Very well." Xue Zhao was very satisfied with Yang Feng''s response. He walked forward, speaking as he went. Faced with the extremely powerful Xue Zhao, everyone in the caravan showed fear. This oppressive feeling was like a cloud hanging low, making it hard for anyone to breathe. Many subconsciously made way for Xue Zhao. A martial master from the caravan, unable to watch any longer, showed some disdain for Yang Feng and the others'' actions. He stepped forward without fear, standing in front of Xue Zhao and solemnly shouted, "Stop! We have no grievances with you. Leave at once, or else our employer will not spare you." Upon hearing this, Xue Zhao glanced forward. His face remained calm and collected, without a hint of anger. The martial master standing in front of Xue Zhao caught a glimpse of deep indifference in Xue Zhao''s eyes. His actions seemed laughable to Xue Zhao, like an ant trying to stop a carriage. The martial master felt a surge of hot blood rushing to his head. He drew his sword and shouted, "We are all raised by parents. Who the hell do you think you are? Lord Shen has been kind to us; how can we stand by and let his family fall into this villain''s hands? Attack!" Clamping his steed, he charged forward, sword in hand. Swish! As the martial master charged at Xue Zhao, his sword hadn''t even come down when a cold gleam flashed, and he, along with his mount, was bisected without a sound. Glancing at the unsightly corpses on either side, Xue Zhao coldly remarked, "The courage to seek death is commendable!" A faint smile finally appeared on Xue Zhao''s face. He continued forward, extending his hand to point. Instantly, a wagon in the caravan was torn apart, revealing its contents. "Ah!" Aunt Wang screamed in panic and disarray. Shen Fang and the others were equally terrified. Tian Xiaohu and others gritted their teeth and stood guard by the carriage, cold sweat seeping from their backs in layers. Xue Zhao, upon seeing the few people in the carriage resembling Shen Qing somewhat, knew he had found the right people and nodded in satisfaction. Uncle Shen the Second, steeling himself, looked at Xue Zhao and hesitantly asked, "This lord, we''re strangers. Where have we offended you? I hope you''ll speak clearly. There might be a misunderstanding?" Even if it''s a misunderstanding, so what? It''s just mistakenly killing a few ants, after all. Once they''re dead, they''re mistaken. Better to kill the wrong than to let go! As soon as the words fell, Xue Zhao gently flicked his sleeve. Instantly, the martial masters standing in his way were swept away like leaves in the wind, spewing blood, their bodies flying backward and crashing heavily to the ground. They struggled to stand, but it was in vain. Their bodies trembled, their breaths faint, as if even breathing became exceptionally arduous. Amidst all the astonished gazes, they finally gasped their last breaths, becoming nothing more than corpses. By then, no one in the caravan dared to make a sound. The gap was too great. They stood no chance whatsoever. Tian Xiaohu''s face was pale, beads of sweat uncontrollably streaming down his face, collecting at his chin before dripping to the ground with a faint plop. Closer, closer! Tian Xiaohu watched as Xue Zhao approached leisurely, feeling his heart sink to rock bottom. Was this the end? No, he couldn''t just surrender. How could he face Qingzi after all his guidance? Tian Xiaohu shouted, "Run!" With that, he charged forward, intending to use his body to delay Xue Zhao even a little. sea??h th§× N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Courting death!" At this critical moment, the sky suddenly cracked open with a brilliant fissure. A golden light streaked down like a meteor slicing through the night sky, transforming into a golden arrow that resembled a spear from the heavens, charging toward Xue Zhao''s position. Xue Zhao''s heart shivered as he sensed a terrifying pressure. Daring not to be careless, his figure instantly became a blur, retreating hundreds of meters, trying to evade the arrow''s lock. Unexpectedly, the golden arrow seemed to possess a spiritual essence, ignoring spatial distance, tightly locking onto Xue Zhao''s aura, closely following him. No matter how much effort he exerted, he could not shake off its pursuit. The arrow traversed the void, swift as lightning, appearing before Xue Zhao in an instant, bringing with it a gust of fierce wind that sent shivers through him. Xue Zhao''s expression changed as he hastily gathered all his spiritual power to form an indestructible blue shield, attempting to block it. A deafening boom resounded, shaking heaven and earth! The golden arrow and the spiritual shield collided, unleashing a dazzling light as bright as the noon sun, illuminating the entire area. The massive shock wave swept through the surrounding caravan like a hurricane, overturning people and horses, raising dust, creating a scene of chaos. "Who dares to launch a sneak attack?!" Xue Zhao''s face turned ashen, his angry shout echoing through the heavens and earth, sensing a terrifying pressure from the arrow, suspecting the opponent wasn''t lower than him in cultivation. No one on the scene answered. Just as he was about to ascend, the opponent responded. Xue Zhao''s eyes widened suddenly. In the distant sky, a dense rain of golden arrows appeared, covering the sky, completely enveloping the area where Xue Zhao stood. Each arrow was like falling stars from the heavens. Boom! The mountains and rivers trembled as the golden arrows rained down like drops. The world shook as the sun-like brilliance slowly rose from Xue Zhao''s position, rumbling. When the last trace of light faded, Xue Zhao''s figure gradually emerged. Having endured a wave of arrow rain, he appeared disheveled, his hair draping down, armor tattered, with numerous bloody wounds exposed. His sharp eyes remained fixated on the eastern sky, where a radiant rainbow light rapidly approached. That familiar figure, if not Shen Qing, who else could it be? A trace of disbelief flashed in Xue Zhao''s eyes, then he laughed, "Good, good, good. I originally planned to use these people to lure you out of the Capital City, but you came out yourself, saving me a lot of trouble." Xue Zhao suddenly soared up like a dragon out of the sea, majestic. His Primordial Spirit concentrated highly, resonating with the heavens and earth, as the scabbard at his waist gently flicked, a long sword containing infinite icy power appeared out of thin air, blue light shimmering, instantly extending to nearly a hundred meters. "Slash!" With a cry, the long sword in front of Xue Zhao cut down like a river of stars from the sky, with fierce murderous intent and ultimate pressure aimed at Shen Qing''s location, slashing down fiercely. Shen Qing''s complexion changed at the sight, a trace of gravity flashing in his eyes. The fierce wind rushed toward him, even before it reached him, he had already sensed the immense power contained within the strike. If hit, regardless of his Six Paths Reincarnation Technique''s powerful physique, it certainly wouldn''t end well. Shen Qing dared not be careless. Controlling the rainbow light, he employed the Great Void Shifting Technique, his figure twisting and folding in the void like a ghost, crossing dozens of meters in an instant, deftly avoiding the strike capable of splitting mountains. The long sword howled down with world-destroying momentum, crashing onto a towering mountain top. Boom... A flash of blue light, splitting the mountaintop with tremendous force, bisecting it, causing the peak to collapse loudly, turning into countless rocks tumbling down, stirring up dust, covering the sun. The entire mountain crumbled into ruins. Shen Qing stood silently, witnessing this. Is this the true power of the Primordial Spirit Realm? No wonder Xue Zhao could stand as an army''s general, his power probably matching thousands of troops. Truly a family with roots, unlike any local tyrant. "Hmm?" Seeing Shen Qing avoid his sword, a hint of surprise flashed in Xue Zhao''s eyes. But the surprise quickly vanished. He stepped forward, hands tightly grasping the long sword, rushing towards Shen Qing with a roar, "Boy, give my son back his life, pay your blood debt today!" A thousand-meter distance was but a step to him. Shen Qing, seeing this, unsheathed his treasured sword, holding it across his chest. Bang! The two swords collided. At that moment, their spiritual energies surged like raging waves, scattering waves that twisted and shattered the surrounding forest. Shen Qing felt a mountain-crushing force surging through his arm, threatening to shatter his bones and meridians. His gaze sharp, his sacred blood boiling, flowing like golden molten iron, granting him unprecedented resilience and power, fiercely resisting Xue Zhao''s terrifying attack. This scene amazed Xue Zhao. The sword in his hand was forged from blood-shadow steel discovered by the Xue Family, cutting iron like mud, perfectly harmonizing with the Primordial Spirit. Now, this supreme weapon was blocked by Shen Qing''s ancient long sword. Even more incredible was Shen Qing''s stand, bearing such immense pressure without yielding a step. In the last encounter, Shen Qing was merely a Void Martial Master, easily crushed under Xue Zhao. Could it be that... Shen Qing advanced to the Primordial Spirit Realm in this short span?!! For a moment, great waves surged in Xue Zhao''s heart. If true, it was too terrifying. Impossible, absolutely impossible. Xue Zhao refused to accept such a fact. Although his strike didn''t kill Shen Qing, his eyes burned fiercer, like two flames. Raising both arms high, he sent the long sword whistling forward like a dragon out of the sea, slashing in succession. Each strike carried mountain-splitting force, crazily chopping downward. "Boom, boom, boom!!" The air burst into deafening roars under the barrage, slicing the surrounding air into tatters with fierce murderous intent like a storm. Shen Qing''s embroidered robe shredded under the force, revealing his skin underneath. Swords clashed, and the battle between the two grew even fiercer, exchanging blows endlessly, each clash sending visible ripples of impact waves. Suddenly, a muffled "swish" sounded. Shen Qing couldn''t dodge, taking a blow. His skin, hard as iron, was easily cut like paper, blood spurting out, staining his clothes, the wound terribly gaping. Yet Shen Qing didn''t panic. Using the Great Void Shifting Technique, he distanced from Xue Zhao, taking a deep breath, closing his eyes, concentrating as the Six Paths Reincarnation Technique activated within him. Instantly, his wounds shimmered with lustrous light, golden radiance spreading, exuding sacred aura. Under the glow, the frightening wounds began healing visibly, new flesh sprouting, quickly restoring as if never harmed. Xue Zhao, being a prominent general, had sharp insight and recognized Shen Qing''s skill as an exceptional divine technique at a glance. Considering Shen Qing''s recent rumors of frequent royal armory visits, perhaps he gained considerable fortune from the armory. If such a skill was obtained by him, it would certainly augment the Xue family, offsetting the loss of his child. Xue Zhao''s heart burned with intent to claim this divine skill, looking down arrogantly, "Your technique is impressive. Hand it over, and I might grant you a dignified death. What say you?" ``` Chapter 402 - 14 Are You Also in the Primordial Spirit Realm? Xue Zhao Falls ``` "What if I''m not willing?" Shen Qing said calmly. "Then you will die!" As Xue Zhao''s words fell, a brilliant spiritual light suddenly erupted around him, dazzling like the rising sun. At this moment, a wave surged behind him, and a blue Dharma Image, forged by his Primordial Spirit, appeared, wielding the might of a tsunami, and struck towards Shen Qing with a thunderous punch. The fist shadow was enormous, like a bull, carrying immense power and sealing off all of Shen Qing''s escape routes. Facing this terrifying attack, Shen Qing did not retreat. A fierce cold light gathered in his eyes, and his hands moved rapidly, forming seals like phantoms. As he continuously formed seals with his hands, the spiritual energy in his vicinity boiled. The clear sky above suddenly lit up with lightning and thunder. Golden lightning bolts appeared out of nowhere under the sky, appearing extremely abrupt. Under Shen Qing''s gaze, these golden lightning bolts condensed into an ancient Thunder and Light Seal. Lightning danced across it, and the roaring sound was deafening, directly confronting Xue Zhao''s unstoppable Fist Seal. With a loud explosion, the world changed color, and an unprecedented energy storm swept in all directions, its radiance dazzling. The Eight Desolate Annihilation Seal was fully unleashed by Shen Qing at this moment. Rumble! Xue Zhao felt his Primordial Spirit tremble violently, as if struck by lightning. He was astonished to find that the arm of his Dharma Image, condensed from a wisp of Primordial Spirit, dissipated like dust under Shen Qing''s "Seal Technique," leaving only a shocking ruin. The Dharma Image''s arm fell into complete numbness, losing all sensation. "Hmm? What Martial Arts is this?" Xue Zhao''s face was filled with astonishment. Today, Shen Qing continuously gave him great surprises and shocks. He clearly saw that this seal technique was also a supreme Martial Art. Could such an achievement really be possible in such a short period in the Imperial Armory? Absolutely impossible. No matter how miraculous and easy to learn an Immortal Martial Technique is, it cannot be mastered overnight. Immortal Martial Techniques are not Demon Skills. Could it be that these techniques were learned before entering the Imperial Armory? The more Xue Zhao thought about it, the more alarmed he became. The reason for Shen Qing''s rapid cultivation advancement might be attributed to these techniques. But how could someone from a humble background, like a hunter, possess such Martial Arts? There''s definitely something peculiar about him, and he likely has some great fortune. When Xue Zhao looked at Shen Qing again, his eyes were filled with greed. He was eager to uncover all of Shen Qing''s secrets. Xue Zhao snorted coldly, closed his eyes to focus, and wisps of deep and pure blue light leisurely emanated from his body, like spiritual snakes exiting their holes, gathering into the towering Dharma Image behind him. Powerful Primordial Spirit waves spread out in layers of blue ripples. The Dharma Image, with one arm lost due to the Thunder Seal, miraculously revived under the nourishment of these Primordial Spirit wisps. At the broken section, a faint blue light emerged, and the obliterated Dharma Image arm actually regenerated at a speed visible to the naked eye, restored completely within just a few breaths. A faint pressure pervaded the air, causing Shen Qing''s expression to turn serious. With a sudden press of his hands, Xue Zhao''s several zhang-high Dharma Image, carrying an unstoppable momentum, descended upon Shen Qing like a collapsing sky. The Dharma Image held immense power, even the void crackled as it passed. Just as the Dharma Image reached Shen Qing''s doorstep, Xue Zhao clasped his hands suddenly: "Ha!" Poof. The blue Dharma Image Xue Zhao conjured shattered abruptly, as if a mother cradling her infant, tightly wrapping Shen Qing within it. The next moment, the Dharma Image began to shrink rapidly, its light converging, transforming into a round bead with a deep blue glow, imprisoning Shen Qing firmly within it. S~ea??h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "This is my self-created Dharma Cage, no matter how vast your Divine Skills, don''t expect to escape from this absolute space..." Xue Zhao''s words carried undeniable confidence. However, before he could finish, an abrupt change occurred. On the blue orb, golden cracks suddenly appeared. The cracks spread quickly, their golden light dazzling, contrasting sharply with the orb''s glow. Bang! With a deafening roar, the Blue Orb shattered, turning into scattered blue light, vanishing without a trace. The golden light erupted like a volcanic eruption, ripping the surrounding space to shreds. Shen Qing''s silhouette, in this brilliant golden light, appeared as if reborn from flames, soaring into the Nine Heavens. Xue Zhao''s face changed drastically, as a surge of indescribable power struck back, overwhelming him like massive waves. His body staggered, as if hit by a heavy hammer, his mind dazed, he stumbled back, barely able to stand. The wisp of Primordial Spirit he had sent out was completely destroyed the moment the blue orb shattered, the intense pain connecting back to his own body, causing a backlash. His face instantly turned as pale as paper, a trickle of blood even seeped out from the corner of his mouth, severely injured. Xue Zhao stared intently at Shen Qing, disbelief flooding his eyes: "Primordial Spirit Realm, you''re also in the Primordial Spirit Realm?!" Standing before the Dharma Image, Shen Qing''s lips curled up, generously admitting: "Lucky me, I managed to break through one level." Xue Zhao muttered to himself: "Those two Cultivation Techniques reached such a level in such a short time, truly unheard of, never seen Divine Skills!" "I must obtain these techniques!" Unconsciously, greed flickered strongly in his gaze. ``` Chapter 403 - 14 Are You Also in the Primordial Spirit Realm? Xue Zhao Falls_2 "Alright, then let me face you, martial master of the Primordial Spirit Realm." At this moment, Xue Zhao had long since put the death of his son behind him. Years of brutal fights had steeped his heart with intense evil qi, gradually turning his expression manic. All he wanted was to kill Shen Qing and unearth the secrets within him. In his view, Shen Qing had made progress over about a month. Even if he broke through to the Primordial Spirit Realm, it would only be the initial stage and couldn''t possibly match him. In the distant sky, a streak of gold slowly emerged, like the rising sun, warm and dazzling. That golden Dharma Image gradually gathered and expanded in the void, finally forming a majestic figure a hundred meters tall, exuding a pressure that made one''s heart tremble. "It''s my turn." "Kill!" With a thought, Shen Qing''s hands formed Dharma Seals continuously striking towards Xue Zhao. The void roared, smoke and dust arose. Xue Zhao, without fear, charged forward. Both used their Primordial Spirits as a lead, and the sky-reaching Dharma Images they condensed were like ancient deities clashing fiercely. Fist against fist, palm against palm. Continuously exchanging blows. Each move brought deafening booms, sounding like heaven and earth splitting, almost rupturing the eardrums. The powerful aura swept across like a storm, engulfing everything around. The nearby mountain peaks appeared fragile in the face of this terrifying energy, crumbling under the aftershock of their Dharma Images, shattering into flying debris, dust filling the sky. The whole world seemed shrouded by this force, becoming dark and dim. S§×ar?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The confrontation between Xue Zhao and his opponent was like the collision of two stars. The power of a martial master in the Primordial Spirit Realm was too terrifying. In the blink of an eye, the entire battlefield was wrecked and devastated. The two were completely entangled in battle. On the ground, Yang Feng and others watched with pounding hearts. They hid in a corner, observing from afar, not daring to get too close for fear of collateral damage. By now, they had long realized Xue Zhao''s formidable background, unknowingly worrying for Shen Qing, continuously cheering for him. They also knew clearly, if Shen Qing died, their fate would be equally tragic. This had already been proven in Yongzhou. Boom, boom, boom... Under the blue sky, the thunderous sound was incessant. Anywhere the two passed, the mountains and rivers they encountered were shattered by their spiritual power and Primordial Spirit treasures. The more Xue Zhao fought, the more astonished he became. Shen Qing only defended without attacking, his spiritual power vast like the sea, terrifyingly monstrous. Not only was the spiritual power strong, but the Primordial Spirit he condensed was also immensely solid, his physical body unbelievably powerful. After dozens of exchanges, Xue Zhao felt his soul trembling and clarity waning, unable to withstand it. This despite years of stabilizing his breakthrough to the late Primordial Spirit Realm. If compared to an ordinary Primordial Spirit Realm master, Shen Qing would have already killed them by now. Where on earth did this monster Shen Qing come from? He had initially planned to capture alive, but now it seemed utterly unrealistic. Seeing Shen Qing growing braver in battle, momentum soaring, Xue Zhao gritted his teeth and unleashed his full Primordial Spirit without reservation. Instantly, an ancient and desolate aura surged from his brow. A rusted spear slowly emerged, stained with blood, emanating a chilling killing intent. "Condense!" Xue Zhao growled, pulling out the rusted spear completely. This spear was an ancient weapon he found in a cemetery during battles, stained with a trace of ancient power''s blood, exuding murderous intent. Xue Zhao''s spiritual power boiled, like a breached river, he lightly shouted: "Kill!" The rusted spear turned into a streak of light, aiming straight at Shen Qing. Shen Qing, with keen perception, sensed tremendous danger, his hair standing on end, enveloped by an unprecedented sense of crisis. His nascent Primordial Spirit couldn''t withstand such an attack. So, in an instant, he recalled his Primordial Spirit. Sacred blood surged. Golden light shimmered on Shen Qing''s skin, exuding a holy aura. Boom! The spear shot like lightning, piercing through Shen Qing''s chest effortlessly. Golden blood splattered out. "Haha, I did it!" Seeing this, Xue Zhao shouted excitedly, laughing aloud. But before he could celebrate for long, he saw Shen Qing''s golden holy blood boiling, suppressing the spear''s fierce killing qi, restoring calm. Shen Qing gripped the spear''s handle firmly, expression unchanged, pulling it out from his chest. The Six Paths Reincarnation Technique operated continuously, erasing the residual energy in the wound, replacing it with vibrant vitality, slowly repairing the injury. Soon, the wound healed completely. Shen Qing looked down at the spear in his hand. The spear was rusted, appearing to have weathered countless years, its ancient aura almost tangible. At that moment, the spear trembled, sensing something, trying to break free, full of spirituality. However, Shen Qing wouldn''t let it do as it pleased. Shen Qing snorted coldly, his sacred blood boiling, continuously repressed the spear with holy power, preventing it from escaping. Just then, a soft sound suddenly echoed. A small three-legged cauldron uncontrollably leapt from his brow. Ancient and mysterious patterns flowed on it, identical to those on the spear. The small three-legged cauldron lightly rotated, devouring all the bloodstains on the spear. Then, the cauldron shook sharply; with a crisp cracking sound, the spear was ground to dust under it. Such unexpected changes left Xue Zhao aghast. In Shen Qing''s eyes, a sharp light flashed, seemingly realizing something, hurriedly activating the Great Shift Void Technique. The three-legged cauldron exuded waves of excitement. It crossed the void directly, rushing in front of Xue Zhao. The cauldron opened wide, countless sword energies surged like flooding rivers. These were the absolute sword energies contained in countless sword fragments within the cauldron, each strand capable of slaying innate or even spiritual void realm experts. "Ah!" Xue Zhao screamed tragically. Under this immense sword energy, moving too quickly, he had no defenses. In just a moment, his Primordial Spirit and body were riddled with holes, barely holding on. Seeing this, Shen Qing didn''t hesitate. Taking advantage of his weakness, to claim his life. Shen Qing activated the Eight Desolate Annihilation Seal within him, bombarding Xue Zhao continuously with thunderous seals. Each strike altered the world, thundering mightily. After an unknown period, the bombing gradually ceased. Xue Zhao''s screams halted suddenly as well. He was dead. The last trace of life was extinguished by Shen Qing''s Eight Desolate Annihilation Seal. Only silence remained in the world, along with the lingering metallic scent in the air. With a thought, the three-legged cauldron seemingly with its own spirit returned to Shen Qing''s brow. Everything settled. Stepping into the void, he secured a beige embroidered pouch. This was Xue Zhao''s multi-treasure pouch, which Shen Qing had keenly spotted earlier, reclaiming it for himself. "Boss!" "Qingzi!" Not far away, seeing Xue Zhao dead, Yang Feng and the others from the convoy confirmed the area was safe and all came out with Sister Shen Fang. Shen Qing smiled, quickly crossing over and caring, "Uncles, Aunt, Sister, are you all alright on the way?" "All good, all good." They looked at the messy surroundings, hearts lingering with fear. If not for Shen Qing''s presence. They would''ve surely faced doom today. Uncle Shen Er asked with concern, "Who was that big figure? Will you be alright for killing him?" Shen Qing''s face solemn for once, whispered, "This is not a place to talk, let''s go!" The battle just now was quite a commotion. Although it was in the outskirts of the capital, several miles away, you never know if some purposeful eyes had seen it. To avoid unnecessary trouble, it''s best to leave soon. After all, killing the ruling Grand General, head of the Xue family, wouldn''t be a trivial matter in any sense. Chapter 404 - 15: Winds Stir, Unrest in Huang Tian Sect ``` After a moment. A dozen members of the Mountain Sea Department, the Military Department, and the Qintian Bureau rushed to the edge of the ruins. They stood on a hill and looked into the distance. The land was in chaos as if overturned, mountains collapsed, rivers stopped flowing, causing them all to gasp involuntarily. "What on earth happened here? Did any of you notice anything beforehand?" a dispatch officer of the Mountain Sea Department asked gravely, his brows furrowed, revealing a trace of solemnity. The others shook their heads and said, "We also just noticed the change here and came over immediately." "There''s no time to lose, let''s go take a look." Everyone quickly rushed towards the core of the ruins. What they didn''t expect was that before they even got close, they detected a powerful presence lingering in the ruins, with a faint trace of ancient killing intent. These auras mixed together, piercing through their Protective True Qi like ten thousand tiny needles, causing their skin to sting and their hearts to feel uneasy, like being pricked by needles. The Chief Officer of the Mountain Sea Department questioned, "Could it be that demons have attacked the Capital? Is this left by great demons?" "Impossible, we''ve been patrolling the Capital consistently, and nothing has been missed in the Capital Region. If there were demons, they couldn''t escape our patrols." "That''s strange." The official from the Qintian Bureau stepped forward, circulated his Spiritual Power, captured a wisp of the aura, and closed his eyes to carefully sense it. After a while, he immediately made a judgment and exclaimed, "Primordial Spirit Realm! This is the aura of the Primordial Spirit Realm." "A Great Power of the Primordial Spirit Realm engaged in a fierce battle here, and only beings of their caliber could leave an aura that wouldn''t dissipate in a short time." "This aura feels somewhat familiar..." These people had practiced martial arts for many years and already possessed keen senses. The Chief Officer of the Mountain Sea Department activated his Spiritual Power, a pale light falling onto the void, making a sizzling sound as it tangled and erased a lingering aura. He carefully comprehended it, and after a while, as if recalling something, he suddenly gasped. "It''s General Xue! His vitality was obliterated by someone else." "Quick, this matter is of great consequence, we must report to Your Majesty immediately!" a dispatch officer of the Military Department shouted loudly. After so many years, someone dared to commit murder near the Capital, and even killed the Great General of the court, making it unbelievable for them. They could foresee what kind of turbulence would follow. ... In the Capital. Shen Qing led his uncle and aunt around a small path and safely returned to his residence in the Capital. "Uncle, Aunt, please look." Shen Qing pointed to the magnificent mansion in front of them and said, "This is my house in the Capital City, and from now on, it will be your home. I will arrange all the servants and staff properly, so you can stay here with peace of mind." Uncle Shen the Second stepped forward, looking at the carved door and the large characters "Shen Mansion," with emotion he said, "The Capital, indeed extraordinary under Heaven''s feet. We, a family of hunters, actually have the fortune to enjoy our remaining years here; it''s like a dream to have such good fortune." "Wonderful, wonderful... Qingzi, you truly have achieved something!" Those who accompanied Shen Qing all the way felt a mix of emotions upon hearing these words. They recalled the days living in Hongshan Village, and thinking about the present, it all felt somewhat incredible. Yang Feng and others in the convoy stood aside and said respectfully, "Lord Shen, we have escorted you from Yongzhou to here as instructed by you, now we need to report to Brother Wu, farewell." Shen Qing smiled and said, "Everyone, you''ve worked hard. Once I''ve settled my family, there will be a generous reward. I will also make sure those brothers who met with misfortune are quickly compensated." "Thank you, my lord." Yang Feng and the others cupped their hands and did not linger in front of Shen Qing. Shortly after they left, a distant bell sound echoed from the sky above the Capital. "This is... the Imperial Bell!" Shen Qing''s expression changed slightly. The Imperial Bell is a Magic Treasure of The Ji Family of Dazhou, struck whenever a major event occurs. The bell''s sound would echo throughout the entire Capital. After tolling three times, any officials not returning to their government offices or respective positions would be executed without exception. Shen Qing did not know why the Imperial Bell was rung at this time. Could it be that his act of slaying Xue Zhao had been discovered? Shen Qing was uncertain. But given his cautiousness at the time, it shouldn''t have been that easily discovered. Moreover, his breakthrough to the Primordial Spirit Realm was outside the city, so no one would associate it with him. The second bell tolled. Shen Qing knew he couldn''t delay any longer. After settling his uncle and aunt, he changed into a clean official uniform and made his way towards the Military Department Office. Upon arriving at the Military Department Office, it was already bustling with people inside. Shen Qing did not linger at the first courtyard and went directly to the third courtyard. At this time, Wei Chengye, Zeng Weifeng, Zhao Lengyan, and Yang Henshan, the four Chief Officers, had all arrived. They sat around an old round table, whispering and discussing some major event. Shen Qing gently pushed the door open and entered the room. He glanced at everyone and said, "Gentlemen, I''m not late, am I?" "You came just in time, have a seat," Wei Chengye indicated the empty spot beside him. Shen Qing didn''t stand on ceremony, moved forward, and picked up a chair to sit down. Curiously, he asked, "May I know for what purpose the palace has urgently summoned us this time?" S§×arch* The Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Zeng Weifeng raised his head and said with a heavy tone, "Today, Lord Xue Zhao''s body was found in the outskirts of the city, this matter has alarmed the court, and His Majesty is furious!" ``` Chapter 405 - 15: Winds Stir, Unrest in Huang Tian Sect_2 "Ah, is there really such a thing?!" Shen Qing''s face was filled with shock as he exclaimed, "I remember Lord Xue was a martial master of the Primordial Spirit Realm, didn''t he return victorious? How could he just die out of nowhere?" Yang Henshan took over the conversation, saying, "Who knows? Lord Xue''s cultivation was unfathomable, yet he was killed just like that, it''s truly baffling. It''s practically a slap to Your Majesty''s face." "Lord Lan has already entered the palace to meet with His Majesty. The days we have ahead will surely be tough." ... Wanshou Palace. The main door was wide open, sunshine streaming in, illuminating a solemn and grave scene. Officials from the Internal Affairs Department, Military Department, and Mountain Sea Department were urgently summoned here. Each of them bowed their heads in silence, intensifying the oppressive atmosphere in the grand hall. At the front, Ji Zikong, donned in a dragon robe, sat regally on the high dragon throne, an undeniable authority emanating from his brows. His gaze was sharp as he scanned the ministers below, and once everyone was present, he slowly spoke, his voice tinged with suppressed anger, "Beloved ministers, I''ve just received word that Xue Zhao, a key minister of the court, was viciously murdered just outside the Capital, right under my nose. What do you make of this?" "Military Department?" S~ea??h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Lan Gongliang stepped forward and said, "Your humble servant is here!" "Any leads?" "Your humble servant... Your humble servant just found out." "Mountain Sea Department, Internal Affairs Department? You were responsible for General Xue''s return to the Capital." "Your humble servant deserves death ten thousand times, I beg Your Majesty for forgiveness!" As the head of the Internal Affairs Department, Chief Eunuch He Yong prostrated on the ground, trembling as he spoke. Following him, Mountain Sea Department Chief Ji Hong also knelt down and pleaded, "Your humble servant deserves death ten thousand times, I beg Your Majesty for forgiveness!" "Hmph! Forgiveness, forgiveness¡­ If everything could be forgiven, what use do I have for you ministers?" Ji Zikong''s face turned livid upon hearing this, his displeasure clear. Suddenly, his imposing aura as the foremost martial hero in the world erupted like a raging storm through the entire grand hall. His control over his power was astounding, not a hint leaked into the surroundings, it was all focused on Ji Hong, Lan Gongliang, and He Yong. This aura felt substantial, heavy as a thousand pounds. Under the pressure of this aura, Ji Hong and the others felt as if a giant mountain was crushing them, making it hard to breathe. He gritted his teeth, exerting all his strength to straighten his back, but his body trembled uncontrollably. Meanwhile, cracks and pops of bones breaking echoed throughout the grand hall. Overwhelmed by Ji Zikong''s aura, Ji Hong and the others felt their bones beginning to fracture. "Investigate for me, at all costs. I want you to provide me a satisfactory answer in the shortest time possible!" The three, drenched in sweat, kowtowed repeatedly, "Your humble servants obey." Ji Zikong withdrew his aura, allowing the three to feel relieved. They immediately adjusted their breathing to heal their internal injuries. In the following days, news of Xue Zhao''s death quickly spread throughout the Capital, causing an uproar. The Military Department, Mountain Sea Department, and the Internal Affairs Department, the three most powerful departments of the Great Zhou, launched a joint operation, turning the Capital Region and its surroundings upside down. As for Shen Qing, the instigator, he was also forced into this storm, leading a group of dispatch officers daily for patrol and catching the real culprit. However, it was destined to be fruitless. After a day of half-hearted efforts, Shen Qing returned to the government office as usual. He hadn''t even gotten comfortable in the Military Department Office when he saw Ji Bochu, the head of the Royal Armory, coming to find him. "Lord Shen." As soon as he entered, Ji Bochu greeted him with a smile, like a smiling Buddha. Shen Qing was somewhat surprised and quickly stood up, clasping his hands in salute, "What brings you here today, Lord Ji? Is there something you need from me?" "Can''t I just come to see you without any reason?" Ji Bochu chuckled. Shen Qing said, "You''re joking, sir. Please, have a seat." Ji Bochu glanced at Shen Qing, noticing his restrained aura and natural presence, clearly indicating an improvement in cultivation, leaving him astonished. He started a conversation box, saying, "Lord Shen, you haven''t visited the Royal Armory for some time, have you? Been busy lately?" Shen Qing let out a long sigh and said thoughtfully, "Lord Ji, you know about the recent events in the Capital. Since His Majesty has issued an edict, we cannot slack off." Ji Bochu nodded in agreement, saying, "It''s indeed a huge matter. There''s nothing you can do. However, I do have some good news for you." "Oh, what good news is that, my lord?" "Recently, His Majesty has gathered another batch of martial arts from across the world, and we are about to organize them. All departments are as busy as headless flies, and I couldn''t find manpower to assist, so I came to request your aid, Lord Shen." Shen Qing said, "Lord Ji, I also have numerous tasks at hand and might be hard-pressed to help." "Ah, Lord Shen, there''s no need to worry. You have the Cuilin Order from His Majesty. As long as you agree, I''ll mention it to His Majesty. At your age, it''s the perfect time for cultivation. If you keep burying yourself in these trivial matters, isn''t it a pity?" "If you come to my place, all you need to do is keep an eye on the fifth floor, and in your spare time, you can use the Spiritual Eye for cultivation." "Moreover, it''s a rare opportunity to make an appearance in front of His Majesty. Even if you gain just a little insight, it''ll benefit you for a lifetime. Don''t you think so?" Upon hearing Ji Bochu''s words, Shen Qing couldn''t help but feel wary for some reason. There are no free lunches in the world. Even if there were, he wouldn''t believe it would fall to him. After a moment''s hesitation, Shen Qing said, "Isn''t that a bit inappropriate?" "What''s inappropriate? If one doesn''t act for oneself, heaven and earth will destroy them." Shen Qing fell into silence. He subtly eyed Ji Bochu, unsure of what trick was up his sleeve. While Shen Qing was amidst his wild speculations, he sensed a slight warmth in front of his chest. It was the Spirit Communication Seal. A message came from Xiao Hu''s side. Shen Qing excused himself, "Lord Ji, please sit for a moment. I need to handle a personal matter, I''ll be right back." Ji Bochu, unperturbed, said, "Lord Shen, go ahead." Seeing Shen Qing leave, a sly glint flashed in Ji Bochu''s eyes. To him, when such a good opportunity falls in his lap, no one could refuse it. In the back hall. Shen Qing took out the Spirit Communication Seal, revealing lines of small text: "Xue Zhao is dead." A few moments later, more lines appeared on the Spirit Communication Seal: "The Dao Master is aware. He believes the Great Zhou''s destiny has ended and has hastened his subordinates'' actions. They''ll attack the Ji family in the Capital, potentially as soon as three to five months, or as long as a year or two." "The Dao Master''s power is boundless. Brother Qingzi, please make preparations." Seeing this message, Shen Qing''s expression changed, not expecting Huang Tian Sect to move so swiftly. In that case, the Capital, no, the entire Great Zhou''s situation was dire. Recalling the deadly formation encountered that day... a strong sense of crisis enveloped his heart. Now, he suddenly thought of Ji Bochu in the living room, contemplating, "Ji Bochu came this time for me, he''s baiting me to do something dangerous, what could it be?" "If the most direct connection to him is the selection of that Immortal Martial art." "Could the problem lie within that Immortal Martial art?" As Shen Qing continued reasoning, he could only think of one possibility. "In that case, I can use this to escape these mundane duties, avoiding capturing myself daily, focusing more on cultivation, and using the royal Spiritual Eye to hasten my training." He thought carefully and found nothing imprudent. Having made up his mind, Shen Qing exited the back hall. Ji Bochu looked at Shen Qing and said, "Lord Shen, what have you decided?" Feigning contemplation, Shen Qing hesitantly said, "Since you''re so gracious, my lord, it would be rude of me to refuse. I''ll be relying on you, Lord Ji." Seeing Shen Qing agree, a sly smile crept onto Ji Bochu''s face. Chapter 406 - 16: Gaining Treasure, Dome Splitting Void Absolute Slash The next day, an imperial edict from within the Imperial Palace reached the government office of the Military Department. Just as Ji Bochu had said, Heaven Ji Zikong had granted his request to summon him into the Imperial Armory; the task of finding the culprit no longer required his attention. Seeing how hastily Ji Bochu acted, Shen Qing vaguely felt that the other party seemed rather anxious, as if he couldn''t wait for him to enter the Imperial Armory. An abnormal situation surely sprouted from some evil cause. Shen Qing''s thoughts became even heavier. Night fell. Within the Shen Mansion, candlelight flickered, casting its light around the room. The master bedroom was brightly lit. Shen Qing''s silhouette stretched long under the candlelight, gently swaying and bobbing up and down. Before him, he waved his hand, and three small triangle flags silently flew out from his sleeve, planting themselves around the room. Shen Qing pinched a magic technique with his hand, and the triangle flags fluttered in the wind, emitting a dull yellow glow, forming an inverted bowl shape encompassing him within, completely isolating the inside of the room from the outside. After these days of continuous patrolling with his subordinates and using the abilities found in the "Hunting Scripture," he had cleverly erased all traces of his presence in and around the city on the day of Xue Zhao''s death, both overt and covert, leaving no flaws behind. Even the old hands in the city who had been around for years could not detect that he was the one who had slain Xue Zhao. Looking at the yellow isolation formation, a sense of indescribable peace finally surged in Shen Qing''s heart. At this moment, he took out a delicate and small Hundred Treasure Pouch from his bosom with confidence. This was precisely the spoils of war obtained from the body of Xue Zhao. With many in the Capital City watching closely after Xue Zhao''s death, he had been careful and had not inspected it until now. As the storm gradually settled and he had nothing urgent to attend to, it was a good time to meticulously check the spoils of war inside. Shen Qing inspected the small black Hundred Treasure Pouch in his hand, only the size of a palm, slightly larger than the one Lan Gongliang had given him. He relaxed his mind and touched the Hundred Treasure Pouch with his Divine Sense. Sear?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Unexpectedly, just as his Divine Thought was about to penetrate the mouth of the pouch, a faint fluctuation blocked it from the outside. The Hundred Treasure Pouch still carried a prohibition left by Xue Zhao. Shen Qing was not in a hurry. For him, who had already broken through to the Primordial Spirit Realm, erasing this prohibition was not a difficult task. His mind moved, and his aura quickly retracted inside him. The next moment, a sharp and incomparable Divine Sense burst forth from his body, wrapping around the prohibition like fine silk threads, swiftly stripping it away. The process was not a simple act of violent destruction but a step-by-step guidance of the energy flow within the prohibition, causing it to lose its original form and dissipate into nothingness, restoring the Hundred Treasure Pouch to its original state. Puff. Shen Qing faintly heard a silent sound in his Divine Sense as the prohibition within the Hundred Treasure Pouch was effortlessly erased. At the instant the prohibition completely lost its effect, the Hundred Treasure Pouch trembled lightly, releasing a faint spiritual light, resonating subtly with the Heaven and Earth Essence Qi from the outside world. The pouch opened wide. Shen Qing''s eyes brightened, and after ensuring there were no other dangers, he immediately activated his Primordial Spirit to control the Hundred Treasure Pouch. Under his guidance, the mouth of the pouch gradually opened, and a brilliant light spilled out, making the entire room shine brightly. Had he not set up the formation in advance, such a spectacle would have been impossible to hide. There must be quite a few good items inside. Shen Qing explored with his Divine Sense and saw that the Hundred Treasure Pouch was filled with all kinds of treasures. There were elixirs that radiated a soft glow, each containing astonishing potency and with a fragrance that assailed the nostrils; there were various kinds of armor that flashed with precious light, circulating with a faint glimmer of bloodlight, revealing a sharp Evil Qi; and there were all kinds of Demon Cores, flickering with strange lights, bodies of demons, and so on. Besides these, there were also common items used for rewards, such as fine silk fabrics, gold and silver treasures, Wish Power Pearls, making Shen Qing marvel. Truly worthy of the Shi families of Great Zhou. Just the items Xue Zhao carried were enough to serve as the foundation of a high-ranking noble family, capable of forging anew a family clan. Even for a prestigious family, it was so, then to what extent had the Ji Family, which had been outstanding for nearly nine hundred years, reached? Shen Qing couldn''t help but draw in a breath of cold air, feeling that he still had a long way to go and dared not harbor the slightest complacency or arrogance. He put aside his thoughts and continued to search and pick through the pile of treasures. "Huh?" Suddenly, among the pile, Shen Qing spotted a simple and unadorned book. His Primordial Spirit stirred, and he took it out, placing it in the palm of his hand. The cover was engraved with four ancient seal characters ¡ª Dome Splitting Void Absolute Slash. Beyond that, there was no additional information. As Shen Qing flipped open the book, just a glance at the text inside sent a strong shock through him, as if countless sword shadows and sabers were intertwining and colliding in his mind. He calmed his mind and began to read seriously, gradually understanding that the book contained a Blade Technique of astonishing power. Cultivating it, one could cut through mountains and rivers, tearing the sky asunder. At that thought, the scene of Xue Zhao splitting a mountain with a single strike surfaced in Shen Qing''s mind. ''So, the name of that strike he used is this, and the technique he cultivated is this one.'' Upon closer inspection, Shen Qing noticed that the book was very worn, as if it had been read many times over, and it contained many insights and understandings, showing how much Xue Zhao valued this Martial Art. He recalled carefully and realized that he had never seen this Martial Art in the Imperial Armory, and he had no idea where Xue Zhao had acquired it. Looking down, Shen Qing noticed both the style of the recorded text and the handwriting of the notes were from the same person, suggesting that this book was copied together and not an original. After reading through from beginning to end, he realized the uniqueness of this Cultivation Technique. Combined with Xue Zhao''s personal demonstration, the terrifying might of it was somewhat enticing to him, stronger than his current Bow Technique. It just so happened that he was also lacking a short-range combat technique. If he could master it, this "Dome Splitting Void Absolute Slash" might be of great use in the future. After all, having more skills would not be a burden, and having an extra Martial Art wouldn''t be a bad thing. With the Panel to assist, learning even a multitude of Martial Arts wouldn''t be too much of a burden for him. Without much hesitation, Shen Qing decided to cultivate this Martial Art. He immersed his entire mind into the book, carefully feeling every detail and nuance of the Blade Technique. The ''Academic Pursuit'' Skill activated, greatly speeding up his understanding of the technique. In just the time it took to drink a pot of tea, Shen Qing had almost fully grasped the Martial Art. Shen Qing set down the book and took out a Spirit Essence and a Wish Power Pearl from the Hundred Treasure Pouch. He drew the Thunder Abyss Treasure Saber and repeatedly pondered the True Intent, practicing the moves and the mental method. Time passed by bit by bit. The Martial Art was of a not-low Grade, progressing from simple to complex, and with many annotations, it wasn''t difficult for him to reach the Entry Level. With a thought from Shen Qing, the Water Ink Panel suddenly appeared in his line of sight. [Skill: Dome Splitting Void Absolute Slash (Entry Level)] [Progress: 874/1000 points] [Status: Can be upgraded] [Note: Time is precious to the ambitious, while the sorrowful find nights intolerably long. You have cultivated a modified version of an Ancient-era Magic Skill, and with your Primordial Spirit Realm already condensed, you take to it like a fish to water, advancing rapidly and capable of continuous breakthroughs.] "A Martial Art from the Ancient period?" Shen Qing was astonished; he had not expected the Martial Art Xue Zhao studied to be a legacy of the Ancient Times. Till now, if he remembered correctly, the Immortal Martial Techniques in the Imperial Armory were basically related to the Ancient times. What exactly happened during the Ancient period that made the latter generations turn out like this? He grew ever more puzzled in his heart. Chapter 407 - 17: Harboring Evil Intentions, Fifth Level ``` "Breakthrough!" A familiar feeling arrived as expected. Shen Qing was not surprised at all, remaining fully focused. In his vision, the information on the water ink panel jumped and refreshed rapidly. [Skill: Dome Splitting Void Absolute Slash (Small Success)] [Progress: 274/1000 points] [Status: Cannot be improved] Moments later, unfamiliar memories abruptly appeared in his mind. Fortunately, he had already broken through to the Primordial Spirit Realm, and was a different person now, so this amount of memory did not affect him in the slightest. Shen Qing carefully contemplated, digesting all the foreign memories. At this moment, when he grasped the Thunder Abyss Treasure Saber again, he felt as if he had held it millions of times, a strong sense of familiarity welling up within him. He twirled the saber, and suddenly, thunder and lightning flashed as blade light formed from lightning in the void and touched the formation. The fierce saber light instantly shredded the isolating formation into pieces. Sear?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Shen Qing realized that it only took him a short time to grasp the essence of this martial art, and a trace of satisfaction appeared on his face. He glanced at the sky outside the window, immediately sheathed the saber, gently closed the book, and carefully hid it with Xue Zhao''s Hundred Treasure Pouch. Seeing that there was still some time before dawn, Shen Qing silently adjusted his breathing, and a stream of spiritual power like a clear spring flowed through his meridians, entering the extraordinary meridians and nourishing his muscle and bone that had been tempered all night. His breathing became long and deep, continuously refining nature''s spiritual energy during inhalation and exhalation to replenish himself. In the early morning, as the dawn light revealed itself, it was the time when spiritual energy was most abundant. Accompanied by the rising sun, a vigorous vitality was constantly gathering and sublimating within Shen Qing. Under his mental direction, stars appeared at the acupoints all over his body, transforming into whirlpools, and the surrounding spiritual energy seemed to be invisibly drawn, converging towards him and transforming into warm streams that penetrated his skin and merged into his bloodstream. Finally, it gathered within his Qi Sea, transforming into thick and pure spiritual power. This spiritual power circulated endlessly within him, like a rushing river, nourishing every inch of his muscle and bone and each piece of muscle, silently and steadily elevating his cultivation level. Time quietly passed as Shen Qing immersed himself in cultivation. When the first rays of morning light penetrated the crevice of the cultivation room, spilling onto his face, Shen Qing finally stopped. He exhaled a mouthful of turbid air, showing no fatigue on his face, on the contrary, he was energetic and filled with an indescribable sense of satisfaction. After finishing his breakfast, Shen Qing, following Ji Zikong''s instructions, headed to the Imperial Armory. When he arrived at the Imperial Armory, Ji Bochu was already waiting at the entrance, which surprised him. "Lord Shen." Ji Bochu spoke warmly, revealing his respect and expectation for Shen Qing, clasping his hands in salute: "I have arranged everything for you, just proceed directly to the fifth floor to handle only the martial masters there." As everyone knows, even members of the Imperial Family must have a unique talent to be allowed into the Imperial Armory, if not extraordinary, it is difficult to gain entry. Not to mention the martial masters who are not of the Ji surname, which is even more challenging. Hence, the fifth floor appeared particularly empty, with very few martial masters. Being there was equivalent to having nothing to do. Shen Qing was a bit puzzled, but he wisely didn''t ask more questions, merely nodding slightly and saying, "Thank you, Lord Ji, for taking such a trouble for me. If you have a moment, please visit my residence for a few drinks." "Lord Shen, you are too kind, please!" Ji Bochu gestured for Shen Qing to go ahead. Shen Qing showed an overwhelmed expression, repeatedly declining several times before stepping into the Imperial Armory. Under Ji Bochu''s guidance, Shen Qing proceeded to the fifth floor. Apart from the occasional sound of practice, he could hardly sense the presence of others, it was extremely quiet. Ji Bochu instructed: "Lord Shen, you just need to stay here, and arrange if someone comes. If no one visits, feel free to cultivate yourself as well." Ji Bochu seemed to have thought of something, hinting as he said, "Rest assured, I have made arrangements. There is a Spirit Eye here which is an excellent place for cultivation. Many have achieved success in cultivating Immortal Martial Techniques here. Perhaps you will greatly advance your cultivation too." "This... the kindness of my lord, I, Shen, will never forget." Shen Qing "trembled with excitement," and his speech was somewhat incoherent. Ji Bochu seemed quite pleased with this, patting Shen Qing on the shoulder before leaving confidently. After Ji Bochu left, the "subservient" expression on Shen Qing''s face gradually faded, and he turned around to survey his surroundings. When he looked at the others, the martial masters on the fifth floor hastily averted their gaze. That feeling was as if... they were monitoring him. Shen Qing furrowed his brow, his gaze fell on a screen, and he walked over, fixing his gaze on the Saint Body Great Achievement Technique, pondering. He reached out to pick it up, held it in front of him for a while, and thought to himself, "This technique appears quite remarkable overall, easy to get started with in the early stages, and its subsequent cultivation paths directly point to the Path of Immortality. Judging by various signs, Ji Bochu probably wants me to cultivate this Immortal Martial Technique." However, Shen Qing dared not risk recklessly cultivating it, fearing it might bring misfortune. On the floor of the Imperial Armory. Ji Bochu gave instructions to the attendants on both sides: "By the Emperor''s order, the fifth floor of the Armory shall remain closed for the time being, no one is allowed to enter." "Yes, my lord." After instructing, Ji Bochu nodded in satisfaction, and strode back to the Imperial Armory. Sitting behind the screen, Shen Qing connected the dots with the potential changes in the Capital, anticipating attacks from the Huangtian Sect, the impending storm; he couldn''t afford any lenience. As for what Ji Bochu and the others were really planning to do, he wasn''t very clear yet, so he decided to take one step at a time. Just as well, he took this opportunity to immerse himself in hard cultivation, continuously improving his cultivation, which was never wrong. In the following three days, Shen Qing occasionally found himself alone. He boldly retrieved the Spirit Essence obtained from the Ancient Relics and kept consuming Wish Power Pearls, piling them up to speed up his cultivation. In this constant cultivation, like water eroding stone, his progress was visibly rapid. Recently, Ji Bochu frequently asked about his progress in cultivating the Great Achievement Technique. Fortunately, having practiced the Six Paths Reincarnation Technique and condensed a trace of Saint Blood, which aligned with some descriptions in the Saint Body Great Achievement Technique, combined with his ''Academic Pursuit'' Skill, he was able to handle queries from Ji Bochu each time. Over time, seeing such performance from Shen Qing, Ji Bochu was quite satisfied and gradually let his guard down, visiting less frequently. One day, Shen Qing was seated on a mat, exhaled a turbid breath, ending his arduous practice. He opened his eyes and stretched his muscles, feeling quite comfortable, his Primordial Spirit also becoming more consolidated. Shen Qing thought about his uncle and aunt now in the Capital, realizing that he hadn''t been home for several days, it was time to visit, so he decided to go back. The Shen residence was aglow with lights, servants bustling around, each performing their duties, everything in perfect order. Under his arrangement, his home had gradually become formal and gained some grandeur. Beside him, senior followers like Tian Xiaohu and others rose alongside him. With abundant Wish Power Pearls and various elixirs'' support, their cultivation advanced rapidly. In a short while, each of them had reached the Qi Sea realm, now worthy of his attention. As Shen Qing stepped into the main hall, he saw Tian Xiaohu holding something, cheerfully approaching. In his hand was an exquisite card with gold-leaf edges, depicting dragons and phoenixes. Tian Xiaohu respectfully said in a manager''s demeanor: "Master, this is an invitation sent from Princess Yuzhen''s residence during the day, inviting you to the Chrysanthemum Viewing Festival." ``` Chapter 408 - 18: Attending the Meeting Shen Qing took the invitation and opened it to see the flowing, cloud-like calligraphy that read, "Recently, the chrysanthemums in Beihai are in full bloom; I sincerely invite Lord Chief Officer Shen Qing to the gathering to discuss the Path of Immortality. Signed¡ªPrincess Yuzhen." The writing on the invitation revealed a spirited elegance, pleasing to the eye and the heart. "Princess Yuzhen?" Shen Qing closed the invitation, contemplating internally, "Ever since my days in Yongzhou, I had heard of her reputation as ''The Most Beautiful of Great Zhou,'' and at not even thirty years old, she broke through to the cultivation of the Spirit Void Realm. Among the many princes and princesses of the Imperial Family, she is indeed extraordinary and has a good reputation among the elite of Great Zhou." "This Chrysanthemum Viewing Festival will surely have many disciples from notable families participating; they are well-informed, and my participation might lead to unexpected gains." Ji Bochu''s recent actions have left me restless, eager to understand what''s going on. sea??h th§× n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. This Chrysanthemum Viewing Festival might just be the rare opportunity I need. As for why Princess Yuzhen would invite me... "Though the Huangfu family has declined, a skinny camel is still bigger than a horse. Plus, the Mountain Sea Department holds a somewhat special position in Great Zhou. This must be the Chrysanthemum Viewing Festival that Huang Furo spoke of; she must have recommended me." Shen Qing quickly made up his mind; he would attend this Chrysanthemum Viewing Festival. He carefully stored the invitation next to his heart and ordered, "Prepare the carriage for tomorrow; I will be attending the banquet." "I understand, Boss." There were rules in the Capital City that forbade martial masters like them from roaming freely, with severe penalties for violators. Although many martial masters like him disregarded this rule, given the troublesome times, he did not wish to draw unnecessary attention to himself. The next morning. Tian Xiaohu, having meticulously prepared, a lavishly decorated carriage stood impressively in front of Shen Mansion''s gates, its presence magnified in the morning light. With the assistance of his servants, Shen Qing, dressed in brocade and fine garb with a Treasure Blade at his waist, walked up to the carriage and sat inside. The carriage was suffused with a light fragrance of sandalwood and incense, refreshing and pleasing to the senses. Shen Qing gently took his seat and immediately closed his eyes to feign sleep, entering a state of meditation to not waste a single moment. "Giddyap!" The carriage shook. The wooden wheels rolled with a rumble. In no time at all, the carriage entered the bustling street market. It was the early market, and the streets were filled with a cacophony of sound. The calls of the vendors were incessant, and the aroma of pancakes wafted into the carriage... The air was thick with the scent of earthly life. Shen Qing''s luxurious carriage passed through, and pedestrians on the street stepped aside. After the time it took to drink a pot of tea, the noisy sounds of the street came to an abrupt halt. Shen Qing felt a shift in his attention and looked outside to find no vendors on the street, with passersby hurrying past this area. He glanced at the appearance of the street and recognized this place belonged to the Xue Mansion. The carriage rolled swiftly past. As it inadvertently skimmed by the entrance of the Xue Family''s estate, a desolate scene quietly entered his view. Beneath the gate of the Xue Family''s mansion, the white silk still fluttered listlessly in the breeze, swaying gently with a desolate and melancholic air. Where once carriages and horses had thronged a bustling scene, now stood silent emptiness that hinted at decay, her gloomy silence a stark contrast to bygone liveliness. It made sense, after all. The Family Head of the Xue Family had perished not long ago, following the mysterious deaths of two young masters. Such consecutive blows had plunged the Xue Family into silence. However, Shen Qing didn''t believe that the Xue Family would collapse from this adversity. As a grand noble family, even if recently risen, their depths were unfathomable. In the eyes of a martial master, it was likely that many old members of the Xue Family, their longevity yet unspent, were hidden in the shadows. In the dragon''s den that was the Capital City, Shen Qing dared not be the slightest bit careless. He withdrew his gaze, no longer dwelling on it. Beihai was not a true sea, but a man-made lake located outside the Capital City. It was said to be a pit created by a punch from a Unity Realm Great Power during enlightenment, which, over the years, along with human intervention, turned into the vast lake now known as Beihai. Because of its stunning scenery and the stories of Martial Arts cultivation, it was a favored destination among the young masters and ladies of the Capital for discussing their cultivation experiences. By the bank of Beihai, a ship as magnificent as a true dragon was docked at the shore. This was Beihai''s largest boat, and the restaurant atop it, the Tianwai Lou, was renowned throughout the Great Zhou¡ªwhere spending a fortune was an everyday affair. Today, this Tianwai Lou had been reserved by Princess Yuzhen for hosting the Chrysanthemum Viewing Festival, placing diverse chrysanthemums across the entire boat. Young nobles of note, from within and outside the Capital, gathered here, seizing the opportunity to exchange insights on cultivation. Such a high-profile gathering was off-limits to the common populace. Even so, numerous youths eager to cling to power congregated nearby, forming a sizable market in their wake. Some longed for a glimpse of Princess Yuzhen''s beauty, others hoped to catch the eye of the elite with their charms to change their fate, and some spent a small fortune, navigating through connections to board the boat under false pretenses. The atmosphere was lively and bustling. "The Princess loves bustle on regular days and enjoys making connections with the young talents of the land. Today''s Chrysanthemum Viewing is an annual grand event, highly valued by Her Highness¡ªit must not encounter any issues." On the spacious deck of the boat, Su Qiaoqiao, a lady of the Su Family tasked with preparing the event for Princess Yuzhen, was supervising the day''s readiness for the Chrysanthemum Viewing Festival. From the arrangement of refreshments to the order of the main seats, from the staffing for receiving guests to the security patrols, not a single detail could afford to be amiss in external dealings. After all, today''s meeting included individuals from prominent families such as the Cui, Wang, Xie, Zhao, Li, Zhang, and Su, all of significant standing in the Great Zhou. Even Su Qiaoqiao wouldn''t dare offend them lightly. Let alone the fact that this was a grand event specially organized by Princess Yuzhen, gathering distinguished figures¡ªan oversight on any minutiae could lead to unpredictable consequences. Su Qiaoqiao was dressed in a light yellow dress, her porcelain-like arms exposed, and with the swaying of her skirt, a glimpse of shapely legs could intermittently be seen, exuding grace and allure. Her hair, black as a waterfall, cascaded down to her waist, adorned at the forehead with floral ornaments, enhancing her transcendent and beautiful visage. As she moved with light steps, the strings of colored beads dangling from her dress jingled, drawing many gazes. Su Qiaoqiao entered a room on the boat, where people were busy organizing the guest list and seating arrangements. A steward-like man was continuously directing the staff at work. "First, separate those who received the Princess''s invitation, and rank them by family background, reputation, status, and position." Upon noticing Su Qiaoqiao, he quickly paid his respects, "Su San pays respects to the young lady." "People will arrive shortly; how are the preparations coming along?" Chapter 409 - 19 Chrysanthemum Viewing Festival ``` Su San respectfully said, "Everything is almost ready. We''re just verifying the seating names and arranging them." In such large gatherings, many detailed issues have to be considered. Particularly, the seating arrangement is of utmost importance. If, by any chance, a humble person is placed in a prominent position, they will surely feel like sitting on pins and needles, at a loss. Likewise, if a noble person is demoted to a humble position, they will inevitably feel resentful and indignant. Consequently, such a well-intentioned banquet would deviate from its purpose, adding countless rifts and unnecessary troubles. This Chrysanthemum Viewing Festival is organized in the name of Princess Yuzhen. Princess Yuzhen usually likes to make friends and values her reputation. If such an incident occurs, it will certainly anger her, and in severe cases, those responsible may even risk their lives. Su Qiaoqiao naturally understood this principle and raised her eyes slightly. Su San, being very observant, took the already drafted list and respectfully presented it with both hands, saying, "Miss, this is our initial draft of the list. Please have a look." Su Qiaoqiao took the list and carefully examined the seating arrangement for this Chrysanthemum Viewing Festival. "Cui Mingxuan''s position seems somewhat remote. He has recently received a proposal from the Wang Family and has also broken through to the Innate level in cultivation. His status is now different and should move forward by two seats," Su Qiaoqiao said softly, her fingers lightly sliding over the list. Su San quickly took out paper and pen, noting it carefully. "What about Xie Wanqing?" Su Qiaoqiao continued to ask, her eyes scanning the next name, "Her position should also be adjusted upward. After all, she is the legitimate daughter of the Xie Family and is extraordinarily talented. We cannot neglect her. Move her up by three seats." "Zhao Yuanlang''s position..." Su Qiaoqiao frowned slightly, "This person has some talent in cultivation but is too ostentatious. His status in the Zhao Family is not high and he hasn''t even secured a minor official position, so move him down by one seat." "As for Li Yi..." Su Qiaoqiao pondered for a moment, "Although he comes from a noble family, his recent reputation is not good, and there are rumors of a rift with Miss Zhang. To avoid embarrassment, place him farther away from the Zhang Family, moving him down two seats." "What about Miss Zhang, Zhang Qingying?" Su San interjected, "She was quite favored by the Princess last year. Should she be given a higher position?" "Of course," Su Qiaoqiao nodded, "Zhang Qingying''s cultivation is outstanding, and I heard she has made some breakthroughs recently. Her father even plans to secure a position for her in the Capital, so move her to the front row to speak with the Princess." Su San nodded in agreement, noting it carefully. Su Qiaoqiao continued reviewing the list, making slight adjustments from time to time. Suddenly, her gaze settled on a familiar name. "Huang Furo..." she murmured, frowning slightly, "I remember the Huangfu family has long ceased to exist. How come they''re on the list this time?" Su San explained, "There are still some descendants of the Huangfu family residing in Yongzhou. Some days ago, they were personally summoned back to the Capital by Your Majesty to join the Mountain Sea Department, responsible for Spirit Essence matters." "What is Huang Furo''s cultivation now?" "She is at the Dan Realm." "How old is she?" S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Twenty-two." "In that case, she still has potential, but most of the elders in the Huangfu family have either left or passed away. It''s difficult for her to make a comeback. Move her position down by five seats." This meant her position was second to last, and Shen san quickly noted it down. "Is there anything else to confirm?" "Indeed, there is." Su San quickly pointed to a name and said, "There''s also this Shen Qing." "Shen Qing?" Su Qiaoqiao felt unfamiliar with the name. According to reason, she should have some impression of the notable young people in the Capital, "What is his background? Is there a big family with the surname Shen in the Capital?" Su San promptly introduced respectfully, "This person entered the temple thanks to the Jing Luan Assembly. Originally, he was a hunter and has served as the Chief Officer in Yongzhou. His participation in Princess Yuzhen''s Chrysanthemum Viewing Festival this time was only made possible by Huang Furo pulling some strings and paying a price." "So, a connection, right?" Such situations happen every year and Su Qiaoqiao was long accustomed to them. She nonchalantly said, "Then lower his seat together with Huang Furo." "Understood." Su Qiaoqiao continued reviewing the list, making slight adjustments from time to time. Suddenly, her gaze settled on a familiar name. "Su Zimo..." she murmured, carrying a bit of personal sentiment, "Although he is a Su Family member, he has been low-profile recently, and his talents in cultivation are quite good. It''s his first participation so he should be encouraged. Move him up five seats, close to me." "I have also heard of Lord Su''s great reputation," Su San chimed in, using an appreciative tone, "He is modest and exceptionally talented. It''s fitting for him to sit in this position." Su Qiaoqiao smiled faintly, finding great satisfaction in Su San''s evaluation. She continued reviewing the list, swiftly confirming the seating for each name. ¡­ Meanwhile, Shen Qing''s carriage arrived at Beihai Pier, stopping beneath the lavish ship. "Boss, we have arrived." Shen Qing, seated inside, opened his eyes, grunted softly, and then stepped out of the carriage. Looking at the bustling pier, almost like a grand fair, Shen Qing was a bit surprised. He hadn''t expected the Chrysanthemum Viewing Festival to be such a grand affair. At this moment, he spotted a familiar figure. It was Huang Furo. She was now dressed in her customary white garb, with a black silk belt adorned with a jade gem tightly fastened around her waist, outlining her willow-like waist and prominent bust, adding a touch of indescribable allure. After arranging his carriage with Tian Xiaohu, Shen Qing stepped forward and greeted, "Officer Huangfu." Upon seeing Shen Qing, Huang Furo smiled and said, "Officer Shen, what a coincidence." "Indeed, I didn''t expect to see you just as I arrived." A sly smile flicked across Huang Furo''s eyes, but she spoke as usual, "Let''s go in together. It''s still early, just in time to take a stroll." "Sure." The two walked side by side towards the enormous ship. At the entrance, armored guards stood by. Shen Qing and Huang Furo presented their invitations before being granted entry. Inside, rows of exquisite tea tables and carved wooden chairs were arranged neatly. Some seats were already occupied. Various pots of differently shaped chrysanthemums adorned the tables, interspersed with rolls of poetry and calligraphy. Attendees sat around, speaking in hushed tones, awaiting the start of the banquet. "Come, let''s head to the upper deck; the view is better there," Huang Furo suggested, pointing upward. They passed through winding corridors and exquisite cabin doors, reaching a more expansive open deck. This area had a unique charm, with larger and more luxurious tea tables and seats, surrounded by uniformly dressed servants standing by. Those with higher status appreciated the view from a pavilion on the deck. Shen Qing and Huang Furo walked to one side of the deck. Looking out, they saw Beihai Lake stretching endlessly, almost like the sea. It was hard to imagine such a sight was the result of a single punch. ``` Chapter 410 - 20 Ancient Times, Princess Yuzhen The lake breeze gently caressed. The two stood side by side on the shimmering deck. Staring at the boundless lake surface, Shen Qing couldn''t help but doubt the truth behind the legend of Beihai. He couldn''t resist asking, "Regarding the origin of Beihai, there''s a rumor among the people that it was created by Ancient Cultivators. Do you think it''s true?" "Eight or nine times out of ten, it''s true," Huang Furo replied confidently. "Why?" Shen Qing asked curiously. Huang Furo''s gaze penetrated the layers of waves, as if she saw that glorious era that was beyond reach. Slowly she said, "I heard that in Ancient Times, the world was filled with Spiritual Energy. Cultivators could easily pluck stars and seize the moon, and a single technique could change the weather." "Back then, every path under the sun flourished, and a single beam of light could destroy the world, a single blade of grass could cut through stars. The Heavenly Dao was in the grasp of people, and longevity was not unattainable for many cultivators." Between her words, Huang Furo''s eyes shone with endless yearning for the Ancient Period. Shen Qing''s expression turned serious; this was the first time he''d heard of the Ancient Era, and it shocked him. Huang Furo''s recent experiences in the Mountain Sea Department must have unveiled many secrets unknown to those from lower echelons. He asked, somewhat puzzled, "Since the Ancient Times were so powerful, why has it become like this today?" "I don''t know." "You don''t know?" S§×arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Yes," Huang Furo sighed deeply and said, "During the Ancient Period, just when the Human Clan was in a brilliant era, the Heavenly Dao suddenly collapsed. Countless sects vanished overnight, and those powers that once stood at the pinnacle of the Cultivation World silently broke their inheritances. Our current paths of cultivation are entirely built on that ruins." Shen Qing frowned slightly, turning his gaze toward the broad lake surface in the distance, and after a long while, he said, "Our ancestors were truly remarkable." "Look at this Beihai, stretching nearly a hundred miles; it''s the mark left by a single punch from Ancient Great Powers, allowing us to feel the might of our ancestors from that era. We are indeed so fortunate." Shen Qing gazed at the lake surface, remaining silent. After a short while, a gong sounded from behind the deck, like a startling cry of a wild goose in autumn, piercing through the tranquility of the lake. Huang Furo gently turned her head and said to Shen Qing, "The Chrysanthemum Viewing Festival is about to start; let''s go in." Saying that, she took the lead in stepping forward and heading inside. Shen Qing had already heard of Princess Yuzhen''s reputation, and deep down, he couldn''t help but feel a bit of anticipation. He closely followed Huang Furo''s steps, the two walking side by side as they headed into the building ship. In the hall of the building ship, the main seats for the Chrysanthemum Viewing Festival were meticulously arranged in the center, surrounded by various chrysanthemums, appearing exceptionally enchanting. The air was filled with a faint scent of chrysanthemum, refreshing the senses. Not only that, besides the chrysanthemum floral arrangements, there was a stunning gown made entirely of assorted chrysanthemums placed prominently in the center. The chrysanthemum-accessorized gown extended more than ten meters and was adorned with many gold, silver, and coral ornaments, extremely luxurious. At this moment, many young gentlemen and ladies had already assembled at the entrance, creating a lively atmosphere. As Shen Qing and Huang Furo arrived at the entrance of the hall, a stunning woman with a hint of scrutiny in her gaze politely stopped them. "Distinguished guests, pardon the interruption. I am Su Qiaoqiao, and today I am organizing this event on behalf of Princess Yuzhen. May I have your names so I can arrange seats for you?" Shen Qing and Huang Furo exchanged a glance, Huang Furo lowered her voice and said, "The eldest miss of the Su Family." Shen Qing was inwardly alarmed; the person before him was indeed the daughter of a prestigious family. He took out an invitation, cupped his fists, and said, "I am Shen Qing, the Southern Chief Officer of the Military Department." "I am Huang Furo, the Chief Officer of the Mountain Sea Department." Huang Furo and Shen Qing took turns introducing themselves. Su Qiaoqiao immediately recalled their identities. She gently took the invitations they handed over, smiling slightly, her demeanor exuding the aura of a noble household. After carefully verifying them without error, she took two exquisite identity cards from the tray held by a maid beside her, handing them to them and said, "So it''s the two esteemed persons; welcome, dear guests. Please take these cards to enter. Please, both of you." Receiving the identity cards and invitations, Shen Qing and Huang Furo brushed past Su Qiaoqiao and stepped into the hall. Inside the hall, young gentlemen and ladies, people of celebrity and refinement had already gathered, laughing and chatting. They used chrysanthemums as a medium to discuss interesting events happening around them. "Forty-one..." Shen Qing, holding his identity card, found his seat in a relatively rear location. This spot was somewhat concealed, not too prominent, perfectly suiting his intention to secretly observe and gather information. Just as he sat down, unexpectedly, Huang Furo followed closely. Shen Qing said in surprise, "You''re sitting here too?" Huang Furo feigned anger and said, "Why, can''t I sit here?" "Haha... Miss Huangfu, although you usually like to put on a cold face, your act of feigned anger is truly unconvincing." Shen Qing''s words pierced through Huang Furo''s little pretense. She bit her silver teeth lightly, not knowing why she found this handsome man before her somewhat annoying. "Honestly," Shen Qing shifted silently inside the seat, smiled at Huang Furo, and said, "I''m honestly glad you''d sit here." The brief flicker of annoyance in Huang Furo''s heart vanished without a trace, and she sat next to Shen Qing with a calm expression, upright and poised. She glanced around, finding the surroundings quiet; only she and Shen Qing were there, perfectly matching her preference. "What are you looking at?" Not far away, Young Master Zhao Liu poked the person next to him, Li Yi, curiously and said, "Staring at someone like that, have you taken a liking to them?" Chapter 411 - 20 Ancient, Princess Yuzhen_2 ÀîÒÝ shook his head and said, "I just saw a familiar figure and got a bit curious." The noble young master Zhao Liu chuckled and teased, "But if you ask me, Ninth Young Master, you have a good eye. Huang Furo''s looks and figure aren''t bad, considering the status of their Huangfu family nowadays, you might as well take her as a concubine. After all, you''ve grown up and need someone to teach you the arts of the bedroom. Haha..." "It''s just there''s an eyesore next to her. If you treat me to a drink, how about I get rid of him for you? Just by looking at that row, you know he has no background, taking care of him would be a breeze for me." Shen Qing and Huang Furo both had reached certain levels in their cultivation, with senses far sharper than ordinary people. The conversation of the noble young master was overheard by the two. To speak frankly, such words were indeed somewhat offensive. Shen Qing remained unmoved, while Huang Furo had already grabbed his arm, poured herself a cup of tea, and said calmly, "Let''s have a cup of tea first and talk later." He could sense a trace of displeasure on Huang Furo, but she suppressed it. Shen Qing couldn''t help but look at Huang Furo with higher regard. In the center of the hall, Li Yi, who was seated, glanced at Shen Qing and Huang Furo. Seeing their calm demeanor, he couldn''t help but recall his father''s words. He had been told that as he was now, he was still no match for Shen Qing, and this had left a lingering frustration in his heart to this day. sea??h th§× N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. For some reason, Zhao Liu''s words beside him were irking him. You say handling him is a breeze, doesn''t that imply I''m useless? Li Yi said coldly, "Shut your foul mouth, stop talking, no one mistakes you for a mute." The noble young master Zhao Liu thought he had misheard, causing his face to turn cold, "Li Laojiu, what do you mean by that?" "I said shut your foul mouth." Thinking he had misheard, a surge of anger erupted within Zhao Liu. You''re young, Li Yi, still not fully grown, often bullying others, putting on airs. As soon as he stood up, wanting to teach this naive youth a lesson. However, just as he stood up, a large fist had already smashed into his face, his vision darkened, and he flew backward, crashing hard against the wall. The intense pain forced him to hold his nose, letting out a scream. "Ah!" Li Yi, young and vigorous, was brimming with anger. A few days ago, he had suffered at the hands of Shen Qing, further aggravating his annoyance. He couldn''t beat Shen Qing, but this spendthrift he could certainly teach a lesson. He took the initiative and struck first, trying to vent his anger. Su Qiaoqiao, who was welcoming guests at the door, saw this and was momentarily stunned. She rushed over and asked, "What happened?" "Young Master Li suddenly hit Young Master Zhao Liu." Su Qiaoqiao''s scalp tingled instantly. No matter what she anticipated, she never thought that right before the Chrysanthemum Viewing Festival was to start, such trouble would occur. No amount of caution could have prevented this mishap. This is a real problem now. Just as her thoughts raced, seeking a solution. Young Master Zhao Liu staggered to his feet, face covered in blood. He glared at Li Yi, eyes burning with rage, like an enraged beast, gritting his teeth, "Li Jiu, I''m going to kill you!" Boom! At this moment, an indescribable pressure erupted like a mountain flood from the mysterious cabin deep within, silently enveloping the entire hall. The air in the hall seemed to solidify, except for Shen Qing, everyone''s heart felt gripped by an invisible large hand, involuntarily tightening. "Ah!" Su Qiaoqiao gasped softly, her brows furrowed. Although she had been through many big scenes, the pressure at this moment was unprecedentedly unsettling for her. "Someone, throw this disrespectful Young Master Zhao into the lake, let him sober up." A clear female voice emerged from the cabin, as sweet as the sound of nature, yet carrying undeniable authority. Everyone turned towards the voice. A beautiful woman, adorned with pearls and jade, stepped out of the cabin, surrounded by several maids. Her beauty was unmatched, skin like snow, eyes like paintings, her every movement exuded an ethereal aura, like an earthly fairy. A beam of sunlight shone outside the cabin, falling on her face, making it appear translucent. Features carved like fine jade. Shen Qing was astonished at first sight. If he guessed correctly, this must be the most beautiful girl in Da Zhou, Princess Yuzhen! Li Yi showed a hint of joy upon hearing this, recognizing that Princess Yuzhen too disapproved of Zhao Liu''s rude words, "Her Highness, wise judgment." From a distance, Zhao Liu quivered like a leaf, speechless, devoid of any masculinity. Su Qiaoqiao was the first to react and gestured to the attendant behind her. Understanding her intent, they hurried forward and, without much care, dragged Zhao Liu out like a dead dog. After that, Su Qiaoqiao took a deep breath, suppressing the turmoil in her heart, swiftly stepped forward, and elegantly bowed to Princess Yuzhen, sensibly saying, "It''s due to my poor arrangements. Your Highness, please punish me." Princess Yuzhen gently waved her hand, "No matter, there are always unique birds in a big forest. Your arrangements for this Chrysanthemum Viewing Festival are well done, I''m quite satisfied." After speaking, she raised her hand slightly, signaling the maid beside her to bring out a gong. Princess Yuzhen, her red lips slightly parted, announced to everyone present, "This year''s Chrysanthemum Viewing Festival, let it begin!" As her words landed, the gong was sounded. Melodious music flowed from behind her, quickly permeating the entire hall. Many guests began to relax their tense faces. Huang Furo, who had been holding onto Shen Qing''s hand, finally let go, pretending nothing happened, and picked up her teacup to drink. Shen Qing smiled but said nothing. As Princess Yuzhen announced the start of the Chrysanthemum Viewing Festival, everyone found their seats, gathered around the meticulously arranged and unique chrysanthemums, and began to discuss freely, continually expressing their opinions. At the seat closest to Princess Yuzhen, a lady in yellow stood up first, her gaze was intense as she stared at the ''Hua Fu'' piece, focusing on a prized chrysanthemum named ''Frosty Moon Chrysanthemum'' and evaluated it: "This chrysanthemum should be considered one of the finest among all. Its form stands like a fairy in the frost, its petals distinct. Upon careful observation, it''s clear the cultivator poured much dedication into it. It must be someone who understands and loves chrysanthemums, and with formidable skill, capable of nurturing such a masterpiece with spiritual power." "Miss Zhang''s insight is as sharp as ever. This is indeed a new chrysanthemum patiently cultivated by Her Highness this year," the maid standing beside Princess Yuzhen said with a smile. Zhang Qingying exclaimed in surprise, "No wonder. I was wondering why this chrysanthemum was so well-cultivated." Seated at the head, Princess Yuzhen was quite pleased with Zhang Qingying''s praise, her laughter blooming like flowers, captivating those present with fascination. Next, a young man sitting beside Su Qiaoqiao lightly touched a chrysanthemum named ''Nine Suns Fiery Chrysanthemum'' and appreciated it, "The petals of this chrysanthemum are as radiant as fire, I sense threads of spiritual power within. To me, this chrysanthemum, besides being ornamental, will definitely aid in cultivation if kept at home, it''s an exceptional piece." "If possible, Your Highness, I''ll pay a thousand gold taels for a single petal." Hiss... The crowd present gasped collectively at this. Even Shen Qing, seated in the corner, was secretly amazed. Truly the elite of Da Zhou. All wealthy individuals. Willing to spend a fortune for just a single petal. Though Shen Qing considered himself to have amassed some wealth by now, he was far from living with such luxury. Princess Yuzhen smiled and said, "Young Master Su has a keen eye. This ''Nine Suns Fiery Chrysanthemum'' indeed is special. If you can channel its spiritual essence into your body, it would truly aid your cultivation." What? There really is a chrysanthemum that can aid in cultivation? This statement left everyone in awe. Chapter 412 - 21 Discussing the Tao and Resolving Confusions Sitting in the corner, Shen Qing heard the words of Princess Yuzhen and felt a bit surprised, thinking to himself: "I didn''t expect that apart from mountain treasures and Demon Core wonders, there are also human-cultivated Spiritual Objects in the world. It''s truly an eye-opener. I''ve gained some knowledge today." A thought crossed his mind, and he discreetly released his Divine Sense, gently touching and sensing those exotic chrysanthemums. To his astonishment, he discovered that these chrysanthemums indeed contained strands of Spirit Essence, like dewdrops in the morning, refreshing and delightful, prompting him to quietly praise, "Amazing!" Not sure if it was a delusion, but Princess Yuzhen seemed to sense something, her gaze fleetingly sweeping around Shen Qing. She asked the maid beside her, "Who is sitting over there? They look somewhat unfamiliar." The maid apologized, "Your Highness, the ones sitting over there are Lord Huang Furo and Lord Shen Qing." Upon hearing the name Shen Qing, Princess Yuzhen seemed somewhat enlightened, "So it''s him, indeed quite handsome." She cast a casual glance and then withdrew her gaze, no longer interested. Inside the hall. The news of chrysanthemums containing Spiritual Energy spread like a stone thrown into a still lake, causing a ripple of excitement. Everyone present knew that this year''s chrysanthemums were extraordinary. For a while, following Su Zimo of the Su Family, one by one, they lavishly spent fortunes. "I offer one thousand taels for just one petal!" "Hmph, do you think a mere one thousand taels is enough? I bid two thousand taels!" "Three thousand taels, I''m determined to get this flower!" ¡­ Amidst the cacophony of bids, the scene became lively like the buzzing of cicadas in summer. It was merely a chrysanthemum petal, seemingly imbued with supreme magic, that led everyone to compete fiercely. The price skyrocketed from the initial thousand taels to a staggering ten thousand taels. Watching this scene, Shen Qing couldn''t help but click his tongue and say, "Truly wealthy indeed, these noble sons, sparing no expense for a mere spiritual chrysanthemum petal." Huang Furo explained beside him, "To these noble families, gold and silver are useless items, but if they can exchange them for a portion of Spirit Essence, it''s worth it to enhance cultivation and break through bottlenecks. Moreover, establishing a connection with Princess Yuzhen through these flowers is a worthwhile endeavor." "The people here aren''t fools. Even if they don''t buy anything, making a bid and showing their face is still valuable." Shen Qing showed an understanding expression. After some fierce bidding, the twelve petals of the glowing Nine Sun Chrysanthemum each found a buyer among twelve people. Seeing her own brother make the first bid and truly show his face in front of Princess Yuzhen, Su Qiaoqiao was quite pleased, her face beaming with joy. sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Afterwards, everyone began to continue commenting on the other chrysanthemums in the hall. Shen Qing didn''t have much interest as he was not here for the chrysanthemums today. He picked up the teacup and drank tea, no longer paying attention. Huang Furo curiously asked next to him, "Don''t you want to show your face in front of Princess Yuzhen? You might use this chance to climb the social ladder. It''s a rare opportunity today." "I don''t understand chrysanthemums, nor am I interested in them, so I prefer not to embarrass myself," Shen Qing said, looking at Huang Furo, as if he had thought of something, jokingly saying, "Speaking of which, chrysanthemums have another name where I come from." "What name? Tell me," Huang Furo asked curiously. Shen Qing smiled and said, "In my hometown, chrysanthemums are often used to describe a kind of quirky sparrow." "What kind of sparrow is that?" "Just a special kind of sparrow." Huang Furo wanted to ask more, but Shen Qing was unwilling to say more. Time slowly passed. After almost an hour, dishes began to be served, marking the start of today''s Chrysanthemum Viewing Feast. "Next, let''s all speak freely, discuss ancient and modern topics, and exchange what we have." Princess Yuzhen gently raised the jade cup in her hand, concealing her sleeve, she sipped a cup of Baihua wine, completely igniting the atmosphere in the hall. Guests whispered to each other, making the hall bustling with life and noise. "Your Highness, you''re well-versed; I have a question that I don''t understand and came to seek your wisdom," a young man in a blue robe stood up, cupping his hands, and asked first, "Why do these chrysanthemums contain such unique Spirit Essence this year? In previous years, they did not." "Indeed, they didn''t in previous years, so why this year?" The man clad in a blue robe voiced the doubt in many people''s hearts. Princess Yuzhen smiled gently, carrying a touch of dignified grace in her demeanor, "If I remember correctly, you''re Cui Mingxuan, the second son of the Cui Family?" Cui Mingxuan hurriedly bowed, with a hint of uncontainable tremor, "I didn''t expect Your Highness to remember me, truly an honor." Princess Yuzhen didn''t mind, she said harmoniously, "This matter indeed is a long story." "We all know that we are now at Beihai Lake, its waters vast and boundless. It''s said to have been created by a Great Power from the Ancient Times, who punched it into existence. When we think about it today, it''s indeed somewhat incredible." "But let me tell you, such phenomena were common in the Ancient Times and not surprising at all." Everyone present focused their attention, listening attentively. Even Shen Qing, who was not very interested in the Chrysanthemum Viewing Festival, became rare in his seriousness. Princess Yuzhen continued, "In the Ancient Times, the Spirit Essence was ample, and everything had its spirituality. Those without sentient minds, we called them spirit plants or spirit beasts. Once they awakened their sentience, they transformed into demons; if one''s mind fell into imbalance, they might become demons that endanger the world." Chapter 413 - 21 Discussing the Tao and Resolving Confusions_2 "Nowadays, demons are gradually appearing in the world, in other words, the Spirit Essence from Ancient Times is gradually revealing itself in the human world." "The chrysanthemums I cultivated have thrived on the Spirit Mechanism collected by the Imperial family over the years, thus becoming this extraordinary Spirit Plant, possessing a trace of Spirit Essence." As Princess Yuzhen finished speaking, the lively atmosphere in the hall gradually turned quiet. Everyone was processing the information revealed by Princess Yuzhen. The attendees, all noble family children, were aware of their family''s "vegetable city" harvesting demons and refining Demon Cores. They believed their families, acting discreetly, were ahead of the Imperial family. Little did they know that the Imperial family had actually kept a massive advantage hidden. The Demon Cores contained numerous violent impurities, which couldn''t compare to the purity of Spirit Essence. Sitting, Shen Qing observed everyone''s reactions and mused to himself: "The intelligence controlled by the Ji family of Great Zhou is significantly more than what others know." "Xiao Hu once confided in me that their Huangtian Sect was also secretly gathering Spirit Essence, which explains their rapid rise in recent years, even rivaling the Ji family." Cui Mingxuan, the second son of the Cui Family, quickly responded, "I see, thank you, Your Highness, for clearing up the confusion." Princess Yuzhen was quite pleased with everyone''s reaction, so she laughed quietly, covering her mouth, and said, "Does anyone else have questions? If they are shareable secrets, I am willing to share them with everyone." Before the words faded, an eager person stepped forward from the crowd, eyes filled with an insatiable desire for cultivation: "Your Highness, you mentioned that in the Ancient Times, Spirit Essence was abundant. So in the current world, how can we effectively cultivate, break through bottlenecks, and explore the mysteries of immortality?" Princess Yuzhen nodded slightly and replied, "The path of cultivation is long and arduous, with perseverance being key. To break through bottlenecks, one must first cultivate the heart; a clear heart mirrors all things. As for immortality... in the present world, it should not be possible." The crowd was in an uproar. To them, reaching the peak of cultivation would allow one to glimpse the mysteries of immortality, which was a consensus among martial artists. But Princess Yuzhen''s words overturned their understanding, causing a storm of turmoil in their hearts that was hard to calm. Shen Qing pondered for a moment and stood up respectfully, asking, "May I ask, Your Highness, I heard of many celestial martial arts techniques stored in the Imperial Armory. It is said that mastering these techniques deeply can reveal immortality; is this not true?" His words were startling, "Or are these techniques perhaps fake?" The other guests in the hall immediately grew unsettled. They looked at Shen Qing with incredulity. This was blatant disrespect. However, Huang Furo, sitting quietly beside him, simply watched Shen Qing without saying a word. Seeing Shen Qing so composed, her worries eased, her face remaining calm. When everyone thought Shen Qing would displease Princess Yuzhen, she spoke. Contrary to expectations, Princess Yuzhen didn''t mind and treated him with courtesy, smiling as she said, "Chief Shen has indeed pointed out a key aspect." "Celestial martial arts techniques mostly originate from Ancient methods. As mentioned earlier, the Ancient Spirit Essence is different from today, and the same principles manifest differently in different places. So, saying celestial martial arts can reveal immortality is both correct and incorrect." Shen Qing carefully contemplated Princess Yuzhen''s words, and with the aid of his "scholarly insight," he grasped the crucial point in an instant. Exactly. S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. An unfitting environment would undoubtedly result in different outcomes from the same techniques. So what Princess Yuzhen knows, Ji Bofan could not be unaware of. Knowing this, why did he constantly "encourage" me to enter the fifth level of the Imperial Armory? It must have been to compel me to cultivate! Connecting the paper, ink, and brushes prepared on the scene, he continuously inquired about my cultivation insights and progress, coupled with the untraceable past practitioners of celestial martial arts, and a clear answer emerged. Ji Bofan was using him as a test subject for celestial martial arts experiments. And once cultivated, these unsuitable celestial martial arts would likely lead to undesirable outcomes. Thinking it through, such an action couldn''t be solely orchestrated by Ji Bofan. Perhaps from the beginning, when Ji Zikong gave him the Cuiying Order, this intention already existed. Shen Qing inwardly sighed in relief. Thankfully, he was clever and didn''t rashly engage in cultivation, otherwise, it would truly be unmanageable. He put away these thoughts and sincerely thanked, "Thank you, Your Highness, for enlightening me." A faint, indifferent smile appeared at the corner of Princess Yuzhen''s mouth as she surveyed the surroundings and asked, "Does anyone else have questions?" Seeing Princess Yuzhen''s broad-mindedness, the attendees felt relieved and began asking questions eagerly, exchanging ideas. "Chief Shen mentioned martial arts techniques earlier. I would like to ask Your Highness, given the multitude of martial arts techniques globally, how should one select the most suitable method for themselves, and how to avoid falling into a wrong path?" Princess Yuzhen replied, "Choosing a technique is like drinking water, only you know its warmth and coolness. The key is its alignment with one''s nature; if it fits, it''s a good method. As for wrong paths, they often stem from desire. If the heart is not greedy, all methods are correct." "I have learned a lot." "May I ask Your Highness..." ... Questions kept arising in the hall, making the previously silent atmosphere lively once more. Huang Furo observed covertly for a while longer, seeing Princess Yuzhen had no intent to trouble Shen Qing, she finally felt relieved. Once the free discussions concluded, it was time for contests of poetry, verses, and martial prowess. Shen Qing had no interest in this. Seeing that today''s purpose was mostly fulfilled, he didn''t wish to linger. So, while everyone was engrossed, he quietly stood up to leave when no one was watching. Huang Furo lowered her voice and asked, "Leaving now?" Shen Qing nodded slightly. "Shall we go together then?" "Alright." The two left together, trying not to disturb others. However, their movements caught Su Qiaoqiao''s attention, making her displeased. She had put considerable effort into organizing the gathering and wouldn''t tolerate anyone looking down on it. Adding this to the small incident before the gathering, Shen Qing''s "provocation"... With everything, Su Qiaoqiao wanted to make up for her shortcomings and show herself before Princess Yuzhen. She excused herself, claiming a need to use the restroom, and left to follow Shen Qing and Huang Furo. Outside the cabin, the sun was setting in the west. Radiant glows, like countless fragments of gold foil, scattered across the lake, with magnificent, shimmering golden waves. Upon exiting the lively hall, Shen Qing and Huang Furo immediately felt their spirits lighten. They hadn''t even had a chance to appreciate the scene when a sharp female voice called out from behind, stopping them. "Stop!" Shen Qing turned to see Su Qiaoqiao approaching briskly, full of energy. Her long white legs and the ornaments on her skirt clashed, creating a jingling noise. Her sharp phoenix eyes glanced Shen Qing up and down, speaking unfriendly, "Why are you two leaving without a word? It''s improper to come and go as you please, isn''t it?" Shen Qing responded casually, "It''s merely that I found the atmosphere too noisy and came out to get some air. Why, is that not allowed?" His relaxed tone made it seem like all this was trivial. But such an indifferent attitude ignited a fire in Su Qiaoqiao''s heart as if sparks had fallen into a pile of wood. She lost her usual calmness and composure, seething, "You just offended the Princess, and though the Princess was magnanimous not to reprimand you, I won''t let you off." Before finishing her sentence, Su Qiaoqiao''s figure flashed, closing in on Shen Qing, with a formidable energy gathered in her palm, striking fiercely. Chapter 414 - 22: Slap in the Face, Stunning Everyone ``` Su Qiaoqiao''s palm gathered immense power, sweeping towards Shen Qing in the blink of an eye, closing in on Shen Qing''s vital point with astonishing speed. Yet, seeing Shen Qing remaining unfazed, Su Qiaoqiao''s lips curled into a smile. The so-called top fighter of the Jing Luan Assembly is just this much. The move she was using now was the Frost Shadow Palm, which she had cultivated for years. Though it wouldn''t take a life, it penetrates the bone, freezing the opponent''s spiritual power, leaving them at her mercy. It was just right to teach him a lesson, lest he doesn''t know the heights of heaven and the depths of earth. However, just as Su Qiaoqiao''s palm neared within an inch of Shen Qing''s chest, almost touching the warm skin, an unexpected turn of events occurred. Her palm seemed to collide with an invisible yet firm wall, unable to inch forward no matter how much force she applied. That barrier seemed to harbor immense power, completely isolating Su Qiaoqiao''s attack, not budging a bit. This sudden mishap caused a flicker of astonishment to pass through Su Qiaoqiao''s eyes. But being seasoned by countless battles, her shock lasted only for a moment. "Tricks!" Su Qiaoqiao snorted coldly, urging her whole body''s spiritual power into her palm. The palm, originally glistening with a frosty sheen, now shone with dazzling brilliance. Her palm was enveloped in a layer of frost-like hue. She exerted her strength once more, the brilliance flowing, trying to break through the barrier on Shen Qing with even greater force. The barrier remained unmoved, making her difficult to advance. Su Qiaoqiao was utterly bewildered. In fact, if she had summoned her primordial spirit, she would surely see another "Shen Qing" clasping her wrist firmly before her, rendering her immobile. Shen Qing, a head taller than Su Qiaoqiao, looked down at her and said calmly, "Miss Su, this is not how you treat a guest." "Hmm?" Before Shen Qing''s words fully dissipated, an unprecedentedly strong pressure suddenly descended on Su Qiaoqiao. The pressure was so immense that it made Su Qiaoqiao''s body tremble, even causing her legs to go weak. She felt as if a towering mountain was pressing on her shoulders, forcing them to sink, gradually bowing her head. The strength of this force exceeded her expectations. A surge of unprecedented horror welled up in Su Qiaoqiao''s heart, making her even doubt her own cultivation. She struggled to look up at Shen Qing. The latter was watching her with an unreadable smile, making her scalp tingle. Shen Qing''s fingers moved slightly, an invisible and sharp Soul Stab silently entered Su Qiaoqiao''s Sea of Consciousness. Bang! Su Qiaoqiao gave a muffled groan, as if an invisible sledgehammer had struck her mind, an intense pain exploded from the depths of her soul, sweeping through her body instantly, making everything before her blurred, as if the world was spinning uncontrollably, almost fainting. At this moment, Su Qiaoqiao truly realized how terrifying the man before her was. His cultivation far surpassed hers. Her heart was filled with shock. Su Qiaoqiao quickly bit her tongue, using the pain to regain some clarity, her eyes wide open, she shouted sternly, "How bold, I am a daughter of the Su Family, and you dare to touch me..." "So what, only officials are allowed to set fires while the common people can''t light lamps?" Shen Qing unhesitatingly punched her in the chest. Bang! Su Qiaoqiao''s figure flew back like a kite with a broken string, drawing a long arc, flying several zhang away before heavily crashing to the ground. A pained expression appeared on Su Qiaoqiao''s face. She felt her qi-blood churning in her chest, her throat tasted sweet, and with a loud "wa", a mouthful of fresh blood spewed forth, staining her dress, splattering onto the deck beside her. Su Qiaoqiao was completely stunned, her eyes full of shock and anger, staring at Shen Qing, unable to believe what had just happened. In her understanding, how could someone like Shen Qing, with no background, dare to act against her without considering identities? At that moment, the shock and anger in her heart intertwined, leaving her at a loss for what to do. S§×ar?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Shen Qing paid no heed, turning away with Huang Furo. Just then, Su Qiaoqiao, who was lying on the ground, suddenly raised her head, glaring at Shen Qing. Her hair disheveled, she was in a pitiful state, snarling, "Shen, do you know who stands before you? You dare to touch me, do you believe I''ll make you wish for life, but unable to die?" Shen Qing paused, turned to look. Before he could do anything, a crisp slap suddenly echoed in the air between them. Unbeknownst to him, Princess Yuzhen had silently stood in front of him. The just risen Su Qiaoqiao was once again heavily slapped to the ground by Princess Yuzhen, her delicate face pressed tightly against the deck. Princess Yuzhen said coldly, "Today, this princess hosts the Chrysanthemum Viewing Festival, how can you be so rude to my guest?" Su Qiaoqiao was full of astonishment, still in a daze from the sudden slap. Moments later, she quickly gathered herself, disregarding the injury on her face, she hurriedly sat up, explaining, "I... Princess, Shen Qing just tried to leave halfway, and was disrespectful to the princess at the gathering, clearly disregarding your presence." Smack! Another slap landed. With a bang, Su Qiaoqiao''s face slammed heavily against the deck, having an intimate encounter with it. The series of strikes left her completely bewildered, her mind blank, stunned like a wooden chicken. ``` Chapter 415 - 22: A Slap in the Face, Shocking Everyone_2 Even the burning pain on his face was completely ignored. The slap''s sound was extremely loud and noticeable, drawing the attention of everyone in the hall. When they saw Su Qiaoqiao lying on the ground like a pig''s head and Shen Qing standing with hands tied, they were momentarily confused and couldn''t grasp the situation. With Princess Yuzhen present, they didn''t dare ask directly, so they began whispering among themselves. At this moment, Princess Yuzhen stepped forward, gracefully bowing to Shen Qing and said, "I apologize, it was my poor control over my subordinates that disturbed you, Master Shen. I have brought you unnecessary trouble, and this is indeed my fault." "What happened? Why is Princess Yuzhen being so courteous to this person?" The people present discussed endlessly, not expecting to encounter such a situation and were left clueless. In front of everyone involved, Shen Qing narrowed his eyes slightly, as if detecting something. He cupped his hands respectfully and said, "Your Highness overestimates me. I am merely a minor official of the military department, unworthy of such honor from the Princess. Attending Her Highness''s banquet today has been an immense benefit." Princess Yuzhen said softly, "Considering this for my sake, how about we let this incident pass?" Shen Qing replied, "We didn''t have any grudges to begin with, so let bygones be bygones." "That''s good." Princess Yuzhen gave Su Qiaoqiao a sidelong glance, "Why aren''t you quickly coming over to thank Master Shen for his magnanimity? If it wasn''t for Master Shen holding back just now, with his cultivation at the Primordial Spirit stage, you would be long dead!" "Ah!" The crowd gasped, sucking in a cold breath. "Primordial Spirit stage, at his age, he''s already at the Primordial Spirit stage of cultivation?" Everyone found it unbelievable. The Great Zhou was a nation that valued martial prowess, and any martial artist who broke through to the Primordial Spirit stage was considered a prominent figure, holding a significant position in the imperial court. It was unimaginable that this young man had already broken through to such a realm at such a young age, truly a remarkable feat. Standing beside Shen Qing, Huang Furo was also extremely shocked, looking at Shen Qing. She knew of Shen Qing''s exceptional martial talent, and since entering the capital, his cultivation had progressed further, but she didn''t expect it to have reached such a level. For a moment, it was as if she was seeing Shen Qing in a new light and didn''t know what to do. Equally shocked was Su Qiaoqiao. Now with her hair disheveled and clothes in disarray. Her face was swollen like a pig''s head, and her eyes were squeezed into slits. Even so, the inexplicable shock in her eyes was still clearly visible. If Shen Qing really didn''t let her go just now, she truly wouldn''t have had any strength to retaliate. Su Qiaoqiao was filled with lingering fear, feeling a sense of having survived a calamity. Now it seemed, Princess Yuzhen''s actions had actually spared her. Su Qiaoqiao no longer felt any grievance in her heart, nor cared about any dignity, quickly crawling on the ground, sincerely saying, "Thank you, Master Shen, I was blind." Shen Qing remained noncommittal. He gazed at Princess Yuzhen''s flawless face and said, "The night is getting late, I still have plenty of duties tonight, so I will take my leave first, hoping for your Highness''s forgiveness." Princess Yuzhen smiled and said, "Master Shen, please proceed." Shen Qing clasped his hands once again, gave a respectful bow, and walked away briskly, no longer staying. On the side, Huang Furo also excused herself and quickly followed. Watching Shen Qing''s departing figure, Princess Yuzhen''s smile grew even more pronounced, thinking to herself, "This Master Shen truly has some courage, remarkable, truly remarkable." "In the family, many brothers and sisters, even with the support of countless spiritual resources, can''t reach his level." "As long as he doesn''t die, his future will be limitless. I can get closer to him, promote him a bit, making good relations in advance won''t be harmful." Seeing Shen Qing''s figure disappear completely from her sight, she withdrew her thoughts, glanced around at everyone, then returned to the hall and said, "Continue the songs and dances." In the evening, the sunset dyed the sky a splendid orange-red like blood, and the afterglow cast on the shimmering lake, draping the vast lake with a golden veil. Shen Qing and Huang Furo walked out of the cabin side by side, their shadows elongated by the sunset. Huang Furo appeared as if she wanted to say something but hesitated. Shen Qing smiled, "Master Huangfu, if you have something to say, just say it, no need to be formal with me." Huang Furo sighed long, "Master Shen, your cultivation progress can truly be described as advancing by leaps and bounds, making people both astonished and envious." Shen Qing gave a gentle smile, humbly saying, "This is just a coincidence, nothing much." Huang Furo did not take Shen Qing''s modest words seriously, she looked up, gazing at the sunset slowly sinking into the lake, remaining silent. Soon, the two reached their respective carriages. Shen Qing stopped and said, "During this Chrysanthemum Viewing Festival, I obtained quite some crucial intelligence, matters concerning my safety. Thanks a lot." Saying so, Shen Qing pulled out a crystal-clear jade pendant from his bosom. The jade pendant was crystal-clear, emitting a faint spiritual glow. Not allowing Huang Furo to refuse, he gently slipped it into her hands. Huang Furo felt the waves of spiritual power from the jade pendant and realized what it was. "This... this is too valuable. I can''t accept it." "Just keep it, this spiritual essence might be more important for you, and didn''t you say you want to be like me just now?" After speaking, Shen Qing strode towards his carriage, as he boarded, he said, "In the future, let''s meet more often. Goodbye!" Sitting in the carriage, Tian Xiaohu, an old acquaintance of Huang Furo, nodded in greeting, then waved the long whip. "Giddy-up!" The carriage wheels rolled, and sped away quickly. Huang Furo looked at the jade pendant in her hand, suddenly clenched it, murmuring to herself in a voice only she could hear, "If only I could be like you... at least I could help you in some way, not drifting further apart." ... That night, the moon was dark and the wind was high. Inside the Royal Armory, the candlelight flickered, casting shadows on the mottled stone walls. A man, dressed in the attire of an armory official, hurriedly pushed open the door and walked inside. Upon entering the Royal Armory, he didn''t stop, proceeding straight to the fifth floor. There sat Ji Bochuban cross-legged, eyes closed, surrounded by a faint spiritual glow, using his spirit eyes to absorb spiritual energy, enhancing his cultivation. "Lord Ji, there is an urgent matter to report!" the official lowered his voice, but couldn''t hide the urgency in his tone. Ji Bochuban slowly opened his eyes, which gleamed brightly. He slightly tilted his head, signaling the official to come closer. "What is making you so anxious?" Ji Bochuban said, puzzled. The official leaned in close to his ear, whispering, "I just received news, Shen Qing, he... he has already broken through to the Primordial Spirit stage!" Upon hearing this, a look of disbelief flashed across Ji Bochuban''s face, "Is this true?" "This was personally confirmed by Princess Yuzhen, it shouldn''t be false." Ji Bochuban opened his mouth, immediately falling into thought. The Primordial Spirit stage, across the entire Great Zhou, was a rare existence. For Shen Qing to reach it so quickly was truly astonishing. "Could it be..." Ji Bochuban seemed to have thought of something, striding quickly to the screen, where there was a thick pile of cultivation insights and notes. Yes, it must be this. Otherwise, there would be no way to explain how Shen Qing''s cultivation could suddenly advance tremendously. This immortal martial arts method, after numerous trials by heaven''s chosen, had finally been refined to its current state. S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Perhaps the path was truly opened. Shen Qing must have gained insight from this, greatly advancing his cultivation. After pondering in place for a while, a resolute look flashed in Ji Bochuban''s eyes, he quickly adjusted his attire, muttering to himself, "This matter is of great importance, I should immediately go meet His Majesty, report this to him, and let him decide." Having made up his mind, Ji Bochuban quickly left the Royal Armory. He flashed, turning into a streak of light, sprinting deep into the palace. Chapter 416 - 23: The Old Schemer, Promotion and Nobility ``` Deep within the Imperial Palace, as night falls and silence prevails, Ji Bochu moves unobstructed, arriving before the Spirit Nourishing Hall. This palace is the place where Ji Zikong usually rests, works, and cultivates. At this late hour, he is usually present here. At present, the Spirit Nourishing Hall remains brightly lit, with two guards from the Eunuch Department standing sentinel at the entrance. The guards recognize Ji Bochu and step forward to greet him, "Chief Ji." Ji Bochu halts and hurriedly says, "I have some matters that are quite urgent and need to report them to His Highness personally. Please inform him." "Please wait a moment, Chief Ji." The guard replies with a smile and turns to enter the grand hall gently. Moments later, the guard emerges from the hall, clasping his hands politely, and says warmly, "Chief Ji, His Highness invites you in." Ji Bochu nods in gratitude, crosses without any hesitation, and steps into the grand hall. Within the grand hall, candles flicker, illuminating the magnificence of the richly decorated dome. A faint fragrance fills the air, calming one''s mind. Ji Bochu''s expression unconsciously becomes solemn. In the depths of the grand hall, there stands an ancient-looking table upon which lie several ordinary objects. Sear?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Beside the table, Ji Zikong sits poised on a golden-yellow meditation mat, sword light still encircling him like a predator yet to dissociate. His hair cascades freely, his eyes gleam like lightning, sharp and fierce. Chu Yuanfu, the Grand Eunuch, quietly stands by. As the foremost figure in Great Zhou Martial Arts, Ji Zikong''s Qi-Blood is abundant, his spiritual power vast as the sea, his energy vigorous. Ever since achieving his cultivation, he has almost ceased to sleep. His days are spent in matters of state and cultivation, his life anchored in the Spirit Nourishing Hall throughout the years. Upon seeing Ji Bochu enter, Ji Zikong ends his cultivation, exhaling a heavy breath, causing a sudden gust of wind. Under this breath, both Chu Yuanfu and Ji Bochu''s garments flutter noisily. They feel a sharp aura, stinging their skin. "Chief Ji visiting me at such a late hour," Ji Zikong says, radiating authority without anger, "is there pressing business to discuss?" Faced with the formidable presence of a Unity Realm martial master, Ji Bochu feels a bit apprehensive. He quickly steps forward a few paces, bows, and says, "Your Majesty, indeed there is an urgent matter. Recently..." Stopping deliberately, he glances at Chu Yuanfu. Seeing no reaction from Ji Zikong, he resumes speaking after a pause, carefully expressing himself, "I have just received a secret report; that Military Department''s Chief Officer Shen Qing has broken through to the Primordial Spirit Realm." At this, Ji Zikong''s brow remains unruffled, as if already in the know. He glances at Ji Bochu, noting his overjoyed expression, and calmly asks, "Are you implying that it''s because of the Immortal Martial Technique?" Ji Bochu''s eyes blaze with excitement as he nods enthusiastically, "Precisely, Your Majesty. The latest version of the Great Success Saint Body Technique seems to have proven successful." "For our Ji Family, this is indeed wonderful news. With this new Immortal Martial Technique, if the younger generation of the clan competes to cultivate, we might produce an outstanding martial master once more. In the future, when facing that great catastrophe, Your Majesty will stand a better chance." Ji Zikong gently caresses an exquisite teacup on the table, his thoughts seemingly drifting far away. After a while, he slowly asks, "This matter is not urgent, let it rest for now." Ji Bochu seems taken aback. "Has Chief Ji any other matters?" Ji Bochu attempts to argue further, "Your Majesty..." "Chief Ji." Ji Zikong interrupts him first, "Go back and carefully contemplate this matter, and if there are doubts later, come to me." Recognizing the dismissal in Ji Zikong''s words, Ji Bochu does not persist, clasping his hands, "I await your order, Your Majesty." With that, he retreats. Bang. The grand door shuts once more. The vast hall is left with only Ji Zikong and Chu Yuanfu. "Chu Banban!" Ji Zikong''s words break the silence of the hall. Chu Yuanfu bows his head, "This old servant is here." "That Shen Qing is somewhat peculiar." Chu Yuanfu''s brows furrow, Shen Qing''s youthful visage flashing across his mind. "Your Majesty, what''s peculiar about Chief Officer Shen?" Ji Zikong''s expression turns grave, "Do you think someone from a lowly background, lacking the slightest opportunity to temper their muscle and bone through spiritual power to assist cultivation, even with great talent, could break through to the Primordial Spirit Realm in mere years?" "This... Your Majesty, this old servant is poorly learned, truly does not know." Chu Yuanfu quickly apologizes. "Impossible!" Ji Zikong shakes his head, answering himself, "In nine hundred years since the Great Zhou was founded, no such person has emerged. If placed at the end of ancient times, perhaps such a prodigy existed, but in our current climate, absolutely not!" "After learning from Yu Zhen today that this individual has already broken through to the Primordial Spirit Realm, I''ve pondered this matter all day, and this remains my conclusion. Shen Qing must hold some secret I am unaware of, otherwise how could a huntsman have reached this point?" "So, if he has cultivated to the Primordial Spirit Realm, it won''t be due to the Immortal Martial Technique. Perhaps he only used the Spirit Eye within the Imperial Armory for cultivation, never touching that Immortal Martial Technique." Hearing this, Chu Yuanfu''s expression changes, "Wouldn''t this imply he''s guilty of deceiving the Emperor?" "At present, there''s no stipulation requiring someone to cultivate specific Immortal Martial Techniques upon entering the Imperial Armory." Puzzled, Chu Yuanfu asks, "Then what does Your Majesty mean?" Ji Zikong replies, "Given the current grand circumstances, the mediocre have their worth, and geniuses their uses. He is already a Unity Realm martial master; employing him merely as a trial subject is too wasteful. It happens I am in need of a sharp sword." ``` Chapter 417 - 23: The Old Schemer, Promotion and Nobility_2 Ji Zikong stood up, gazing out the window into the night sky, and said ethereally, "In today''s world, the potential of spiritual martial power is only sufficient for one person to transcend the limits of the heavens and achieve the highest. Even so, there is no certainty of victory against the celestial demons." "In the end, there are just too many martial masters in the world. You grab a little, I grab a little, and the remaining resources are divided up, leaving no one satisfied." "In my view, it would be better if there were half as many martial masters." Chu Yuanfu, standing by, shuddered at these cold words. He promptly said, "Your Majesty, we''ve just gone through a pacification meeting. To continue at this rate might incite a civil uprising, endangering the state." "I know," Ji Zikong said nonchalantly, "That''s why I need a knife to do this bit by bit for me." Chu Yuanfu said, "Your Majesty, in that case, wouldn''t this knife become the target of everyone? A few strikes, and it might already be nicked. Hit a hard stone, and the knife might break." "That''s just right! It becomes the half that''s gone." Ji Zikong indifferently uttered cold words between open and closing lips, "A knife is a consumable; if it breaks, just replace it, it''s no trouble." Chu Yuanfu wisely kept his head down, maintaining silence, not speaking further. After a moment, the Great Zhou Emperor Ji Zikong seemed to think of something and suddenly said, "Speaking of which, I remember that this time, in the pacification meeting, we stripped Shen Qing of the marquisate. Now that he is a martial master in the Primordial Spirit Realm, it''s time to give him some advantages to use him. Also, it''s just right to dig into his secrets, which might be more useful to the Great Dao than those Immortal Martial Techniques." After contemplating for a moment, Ji Zikong instructed, "Tomorrow, have Eunuch He draft a decree for me, conferring Shen Qing as the Marquis of Martial Peace." "Your servant... complies." "It''s late at night, I still need to cultivate and rest, do not disturb me before dawn." Returning to the Imperial Armory, Ji Bochu was filled with many doubts. No matter how much he thought about it, he couldn''t understand why, when Shen Qing had already proven the latest version of the [Great Success Saint Body Technique] was sound, His Majesty did not adopt its cultivation. That is, after all, an Immortal Martial Technique! Any Immortal Martial Technique has an extremely clear path of cultivation, progressing from shallow to deep. In terms of power and speed, its cultivation is far superior to other techniques, not to mention the faint possibility of attaining longevity. Ji Bochu was very puzzled. Since His Majesty did not permit cultivating it, he''d cultivate it himself. When Shen Qing comes over, he will scrutinize the pathways behind this [Great Success Saint Body Technique]. ... Shen Qing knew nothing of what transpired in the palace. He walked into the Imperial Armory as usual, looking calm. After participating in the Chrysanthemum Appreciation Meeting, he had comprehended his situation and the potential issue with the Immortal Martial Techniques. Now entering the Imperial Armory again, his state of mind was entirely different; it was no longer a blur where he couldn''t see clearly. Shen Qing walked to the fifth level of the Imperial Armory, where at a glance he saw Ji Bochu practicing fist techniques on the fifth level. Ji Bochu appeared to be quite aged, Shen Qing guessed he was probably over a hundred years old. Yet despite his age, his punch wind still howled, each punch carried a formidable force akin to a mountain or sea, tearing the surrounding air to shreds, exuding a spirit of indomitable will. Shen Qing smiled, approaching to greet, "Chief Ji." Ji Bochu, sensing him, swept his sleeve and slowly collected his fists, turning to Shen Qing and saying, "Mr. Shen, you''re here so early today?" "Nothing much at home, so I just came straight over." "That''s good, the fifth floor here hosts many Immortal Martial Techniques, and with you absent, I really wouldn''t feel easy. Hahaha..." Shen Qing glanced around. This Imperial Armory was built underground, with no windows and guards above, making what he said just pleasantries. After some small talk, Ji Bochu suddenly said seriously, "Mr. Shen, I just happen to have a favor to ask of you. If convenient." Shen Qing fist in palm, courteously replied, "Chief Ji, you''re too polite. Feel free to speak. If it''s within my ability, I''ll certainly help." "The Great Success Saint Body Technique has been here for quite some time. It''s said that this technique can forge a supreme physique, transcending the mundane. I practiced it in my younger years but found it difficult to train, and it eventually came to nothing." "So I wanted to seek some guidance from Chief Officer Shen. How is this Immortal Martial Technique truly cultivated, is there a unique cultivation method?" He wants to ask me about the cultivation path of the Great Success Saint Body Technique? When it comes to Immortal Martial Techniques, Shen Qing instinctively became wary. He was already aware that Ji Bochu had seen him as a test subject for the Immortal Martial Techniques. It seems Ji Bochu has noticed his cultivation advancements and wants to verify some cultivation methods. That''s perfect, let it go as he wishes. Shen Qing activated the skill [Learning and Seeking the Dao], continuously recalling the cultivation paths within the [Great Success Saint Body Technique] Immortal Martial Technique. After a moment, he organized his words and said, "The Great Success Saint Body Technique is a martial study focusing on the body, and it stands unique in methods of tempering the physique." "Its essence lies in harmonizing the energy of heaven and earth, cultivating inside out, strengthening muscles and bones. Ultimately refining a trace of sacred blood with the body''s essence, which then nourishes the body in return, the other reciprocating, to reach the state of the Great Success Saint Body." Under the enhancement of the [Learning and Seeking the Dao] skill, Shen Qing depicted every detail, every nuance of the "Great Success Saint Body Technique" vividly, leaving nothing out, with self-consistent logic throughout. Three parts falsehood, seven parts truth. Ji Bochu listened intently, nodding at times, furrowing his brow at others, and smiling with delight at others, clearly gaining much. "Mr. Shen, would you be willing to demonstrate a bit? So I can grasp the true meaning." Ji Bochu''s tone held a hint of anticipation. "Naturally." Shen Qing, without hesitation, immediately activated the trace of golden sacred blood within him. Although the Six Paths Reincarnation Method and the Great Success Saint Body Technique have very different paths, they are yet akin, remarkably similar in the art of condensing sacred blood. With sacred blood surging, Shen Qing''s aura dramatically increased. Soon, his muscles gradually swelled, and beneath his skin, a golden sheen faintly emerged, a sign of having achieved a minor success in the Great Success Saint Body Technique by condensing sacred blood. Moments later, Shen Qing''s entire body seemed to become a furnace, waves of heat continually exuding from him, which even moved the onlooking Ji Bochu. It was indeed the Great Success Saint Body Technique. He truly mastered and traversed part of the path. Ji Bochu was euphoric inside. This technique''s enhancement on the body was extremely domineering. Once cultivation yields any achievement, the increase in longevity is also very apparent. "The Great Success Saint Body Technique is indeed extraordinary, my eyes have truly been opened today." "Chief Ji flatters me, I''m just fortunate to have attained minor success." Shen Qing continually displayed humility, not daring arrogance. After some more pleasantries, Shen Qing intended to return to cultivation within the Spirit Eye. Just then, footsteps resounded from upstairs. Shortly after, a steward hurried in, with a solemn expression, calling to Shen Qing, "Master Shen Qing, there is an imperial decree, please quickly receive the decree." "An imperial decree? Chief Ji, I''ll be off for a moment." Shen Qing quickly followed behind the steward, silently speculating about the sudden nature of this decree. Sear?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. As he emerged from the Imperial Armory, he immediately saw the head eunuch He Yong standing at the entrance, clad in a python robe, holding the imperial decree. He Yong''s demeanor was calm, wearing a smiling countenance. He took out the decree and called, "Master Shen Qing, receive the decree!" "At your service." Shen Qing knelt on one knee. He Yong''s expression did not change as he unfolded the decree to read aloud, "By His Majesty''s will, Emperor decrees thus: Shen Qing, with exceptional cultivation and merits in safeguarding regions, is specially conferred the title of Marquis of Martial Peace, rewarded with ten thousand wish beads, and a hundred acres of fertile land, to commend his service. So proclaimed!" What, conferred a marquisate? Shen Qing was truly surprised, for this matter was so sudden, he hadn''t caught any wind of it. Now wasn''t the time to dwell, he restrained his thoughts, accepting the decree: "Your humble servant Shen Qing, thanks His Majesty''s great grace!" Chapter 418 - 24: The Seventh Prince Steals Credit, Shen Qing Sets Up His Own Estate The golden silk shimmered with a liquid brilliance under the sunlight. After Shen Qing accepted the Imperial Decree, his gaze quickly scanned the flowing script, his eyes narrowed slightly, becoming all the more solemn. He closed the Imperial Decree and turned his gaze to He Yong, who was waiting by the side. The Chief Eunuch stood straight, his body radiating with vigorous Qi-Blood; just a slight approach would reveal the searing aura emanating from him. Clearly, he was a Martial Arts expert with not low cultivation. If it weren''t for the "One Lotus" official uniform he wore, one could hardly tell he was already castrated. Shen Qing collected his thoughts and approached sincerely, "Lord He, it''s truly laborious for you to personally come and deliver the decree." He Yong cupped his hands in return, with a gentle smile, "Marquis Shen is too kind; it is an honor for this old servant to serve such a pillar of the nation as yourself." Just as He Yong was about to turn and take his leave, Shen Qing seemed to have remembered something. He quickly advanced, slowly pulling out a delicate Jade Bottle from his sleeve, holding onto He Yong, "Lord He, this is the Old Ginseng Pill given to me by the Li Family. A small gift, a token of my respect." With that, he pressed the Jade Bottle into He Yong''s arms. Among the Elixir acquired from Xue Zhao earlier, there were a few Old Ginseng Pills that could be used to cultivate a relationship at this moment. He Yong had intended to refuse several times, but found that he couldn''t push it back regardless, so he had no choice but to relent. He looked down and saw the Jade Bottle, translucent and bright with intricate cloud patterns carved on it, appearing quite extraordinary. S§×ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He Yong discreetly pushed the cork of the bottle gently, revealing a slit; instantly a faint medicinal fragrance permeated, invigorating one''s spirit. He realized that this was indeed a superb precious medicine. Shen Qing smiled, "It is said that the Old Ginseng Pill has the effects of strengthening the foundation and nourishing the root, nourishing the Primordial Spirit. You toil for the state affairs day and night, inevitably damaging your health; this pill might be of some assistance to you." Noticing with his Divine Sense, he discerned that He Yong was at the late stage of the Jade Void Realm, just a step away from the Primordial Spirit Realm. Hence, the Old Ginseng Pill he offered would certainly hit the spot. Sure enough, a hint of delight flickered in He Yong''s eyes, and he hurriedly corked the Elixir Bottle once more, his smile widening. "Marquis Shen is truly too generous; such a precious item¡ªhow could I dare to accept it?" Though he said that, He Yong made no move to return it, clearly understanding the value of this Old Ginseng Pill. "Lord He, please do not refuse; we are both serving His Majesty and ought to look out for each other. Moreover, if you don''t accept it, it would make me, Shen, seem small-minded." Shen Qing laughed a hearty laugh, with a bit of easygoing nonchalance. Upon hearing this, He Yong no longer feigned otherwise, carefully pocketing the Jade Bottle, smiling, "Then I shall respectfully accept. Should Marquis Shen have any needs in the future, just mention them, and I, He, will be sure to help to the utmost." "Speaking of which, I do indeed have a matter to ask for your assistance, Lord He." He Yong was slightly surprised, evidently not expecting Shen Qing to be so forthright, and asked, "Oh? What does Marquis Shen wish this old servant to do?" Shen Qing leaned forward and softly inquired, "I wish to know why His Majesty suddenly conferred the Marquis title upon me; is there any particular reason?" Long before, he had already investigated and discovered that during this Jing Luan Assembly, Ji Zikong felt the rebel forces suffered minimal losses, essentially equating to their own defeat, and even with sufficient "Killing Merit," he was reluctant to fulfill the conferment of Marquis for his achievements. Moreover, he had secretly positioned him as a test subject for the Imperial Armory, essentially dismissing him. Now, suddenly "having a change of heart" seemed rather peculiar. He Yong replied in a sharp voice, "Actually, there''s nothing much; yesterday, didn''t Marquis Shen attend Princess Yuzhen''s Chrysanthemum Viewing Festival?" "You mean... Princess Yuzhen was the reason?" The Chief Eunuch He Yong nodded and said, "Regarding your cultivation, His Majesty has already heard bits from Princess Yuzhen. With Marquis Shen''s level of cultivation, not conferring a Marquis title would make His Majesty seem unimaginative in recognizing talent. After all, our Majesty is known as a seldom-seen wise ruler throughout history; how could he allow a person of your caliber to stagnate? This is merely fulfilling the external promise of the adult''s Jing Luan Assembly." "I see!" Shen Qing feigned enlightenment, speaking softly. In truth, his heart did not agree. Ji Zikong, possessing exceptionally high cultivation, if placed in that position, it would be that those who obey me thrive, and those who oppose me perish. What he says is right is right, what he says is wrong is also right. Initially, Ji Zikong hardly cared for him; how could he alter his decision merely to accommodate the opinions of others? This contradicted all the descriptions of Ji Zikong he recently heard. Unless, there were more important and beneficial factors that made him change his mind. Either the Marquis position comes with immense risks, or there''s something on him that the Emperor covets, seeking to mollify him before later seizing it. Whichever the case, for him, it was not a good thing. His eyes darkened, feeling a tinge of unease deep within. Shen Qing decided not to dwell on it further and wore a radiant smile, cupping his fists, "Thank you, Lord He." The Chief Eunuch He Yong bowed, "If the Marquis has nothing further, this old servant shall take his leave." He Yong cupped his hands, turned, and took his leave. "Safe travels, Lord He." Once He Yong''s figure gradually faded into the distance, Shen Qing''s gaze once again rested on the Imperial Decree in his hand, lost in thought. After standing still for a while, he immediately left the palace to return home. Chapter 419 - 24 The Seventh Prince Steals Credit, Shen Qing Establishes His Manor_2 The news of being granted the title of Marquis cannot be concealed for long. I must return and make some preparations, lest the visit of nobility cause a breach of etiquette and unnecessary misunderstandings. On the fifth level of the Imperial Armory, Ji Bochu sat cross-legged in the Spirit Eye, his expression solemn, staring at the Saint Body Completion Jade Box in his hand, a contemplative look in his eyes. A Weapon Repository Manager hurriedly descended the stone steps, heading to Ji Bochu, the Chief of the Imperial Armory. "Chief," the manager reported in a low voice, "Just moments ago, there came an Imperial Decree that His Majesty intends to confer the title of Marquis Wu''an upon Shen Qing." Upon hearing this, Ji Bochu furrowed his brow slightly, and the jade box in his hand trembled lightly. He turned around and looked sharply at the manager, questioning doubtfully, "Is this true?" The manager nodded to affirm, "I saw it with my own eyes, absolutely true. It won''t be long before the news spreads throughout the entire Imperial City." Sear?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Ji Bochu was silent for a moment, perplexed inwardly by this unfathomable decision of His Majesty. Clearly, Shen Qing was appointed as a test subject, so why the sudden change of mind? The Saint Body Completion Technique was just beginning to show promise. However, he knew that His Majesty never acts without reason. There must be a reason behind Shen Qing being conferred the title of Marquis. "His Majesty''s actions have become increasingly unfathomable these days," Ji Bochu muttered to himself. The manager, hearing this, dared not make presumptions, only standing quietly by, awaiting Ji Bochu''s instructions. After a moment of contemplation, Ji Bochu finally instructed, "Let''s not pursue Shen Qing any further; let''s drop this matter." The manager nodded firmly and withdrew. Just after the manager left, a deep sigh echoed in the empty fifth level. However, as soon as he finished sighing, the manager returned, leaving Ji Bochu slightly speechless. "What now? What else is there?" The manager said, "The Seventh Prince has arrived, wishing to see you, Chief." "The Seventh Prince?" Ji Bochu was slightly startled and somewhat puzzled, "What brings him here?" "I don''t know." Without further thought, Ji Bochu tidied up his appearance and said, "Please invite His Highness in." "Yes." The manager quickly turned away to inform, and moments later, a gentle voice came from the staircase doorway: "Chief Ji, it''s been a long time. I came specially to visit today; I hope you don''t mind." Wearing a yellow brocade robe, the Seventh Prince, with white jade hanging from his waist, approached Ji Bochu with a smile. Ji Bochu, looking at this middle-aged man, felt helpless and, with a gesture, indicated for the manager to leave. Through the vast fifth level, only Ji Bochu and the Seventh Prince remained. The Seventh Prince politely asked, "Chief Ji, I''ve heard that the Saint Body Completion Technique has shown promise. Is it true?" Ji Bochu was somewhat surprised; he hadn''t expected that yesterday, soon after informing His Majesty, the Seventh Prince had already found out. He nodded slightly, responding with a soft hum. "Old Ji, I''ve long yearned for the Saint Body Completion Technique. I wonder if I could study it?" the Seventh Prince asked frankly, without any pretense. Ji Bochu, with an official business demeanor, replied, "Seventh Prince, to learn such immortal martial arts, you must obtain His Majesty''s permission; otherwise, I''m afraid I can''t comply." The Seventh Prince seemed to anticipate this, smiled slightly, and took out a small, exquisite jade bottle from his sleeve, placing it gently on the table, "I know Chief Ji is dutiful, reluctant to pass on the technique easily. But I am willing to exchange with a drop of true Xuanwu blood, which I believe shows my sincerity to Chief Ji. Rest assured, I''ll only take a glance, ensuring no difficulty on your part." True Xuanwu blood?! Ji Bochu was moved. He had only heard that nowadays, demons and monsters abound, some being unusually powerful, having awakened a portion of celestial demon blood. This portion of true blood significantly aids in cultivation. If the Seventh Prince merely wanted a glance, it wouldn''t be problematic. Ji Bochu gazed complexly at the jade bottle, weighing the pros and cons in his heart. True blood is exceedingly rare worldwide, an unattainable treasure for them. "Your Highness, the Saint Body Completion Technique, being an immortal martial art, is extraordinary. According to protocol, it can only be practiced with His Majesty''s written permission," Ji Bochu''s voice conveyed hesitation but also a hint of loosening. Seeing this, the Seventh Prince curled his lips into a confident smile, "The Crown Prince has already passed away, and my second and third brothers are getting old. The Saint Body Completion Technique greatly benefits the physique. If we don''t strive upwards, following Father Emperor''s level of cultivation, we might not live to see the day we relieve Father of his burdens. Chief Ji, as a member of the Ji family, surely you can''t bear to see us brothers perish in the palace?" "Rest assured, Chief, I merely wish to take a glance; nothing more. After seeing it, not a word will leak." After a round of considerations, Ji Bochu finally nodded slowly, "Very well, since the Seventh Prince shows sincerity, I''ll make an exception, but I hope you''ll keep your promise." Hearing this, the Seventh Prince''s face blossomed into a satisfied smile, bowing in gratitude, "Thank you, Chief, for accommodating me. I will definitely keep my word." With that, Ji Bochu opened the jade box, taking out the Saint Body Completion Technique and handing it to the Seventh Prince. The Seventh Prince, overjoyed, took the white jade from his waist, placed it in his palm, and eagerly began to scrutinize it, word by word. Meanwhile, in the Spirit Cultivation Hall. Chief Eunuch He Yong stood beside Ji Zikong, reporting back. Ji Zikong toyed with a jade bottle in his hand, pouring out an Old Ginseng Pill with a smile, "Is that how you responded to him?" He Yong replied, "I dare not deceive His Majesty." Ji Zikong returned the Old Ginseng Pill to the jade bottle, tossed it casually to He Yong, and said, "Pretty clever." "Your Majesty, next up..." "We''ll worry about it after getting through this hurdle." "Understood." ... Pingkang Street. Shen Qing, holding the Imperial Decree, stepped into his home. His expression was calm, his steps steady. In the outer courtyard, craftsmen, gardeners, and servant boys busily worked in an orderly manner. Nearby, at the Martial Arts training ground, Shen Xiaoshan, Tian Xiaohu, and others were diligently cultivating with the resources Shen Qing provided, their voices occasionally echoing from inside. Shen Qing summoned a servant boy and instructed, "Go call Butler Tian and Master Shen to the grand hall; I have an announcement." "Yes." The servant boy put down the broom and quickly ran to convey the message. Without delay, Shen Qing proceeded directly to the inner residence. Amidst bustling servant women and various maids organizing chores, he summoned a young maid to notify his elder sister Shen Fang and Aunt Wang. After that, Shen Qing returned to the grand hall to wait quietly. Before long, uncles, aunts, and other family members gradually arrived. Uncle Shen Er curiously asked, "Qingzi, why did you call us here?" "To announce something," Shen Qing placed the yellow Imperial Decree on the table and softly spoke, "Uncle, Aunt, His Majesty has conferred upon me the title of Marquis Wu''an." "Ah!" Uncle and Aunt exclaimed, exchanging glances with shock apparent in their eyes. Uncle Shen Er opened his mouth slightly, eyes flickering with disbelief, his voice slightly trembling, yet striving to maintain composure, "Qing''er, is this... is this true?" Others exchanged looks, intensely focusing on Shen Qing, equally astonished. The grand hall was filled with a tremendously subtle atmosphere. Everyone present seemed to be waiting for Shen Qing''s answer during the moment of great joy. Shen Qing held the Imperial Decree in hand and declared, "With His Majesty''s decree here, how dare I deceive you?" Wow! Everyone present was overjoyed. Commotion erupted in the grand hall. For them, a business owner was already a colossal figure, let alone a lofty Marquis. At this moment, Shen Er felt that their Shen family must have some great fortune to experience such honor. The Shen family was genuinely on the path to prominence. "Good, good, good," he looked at Shen Er, saying "good" three times, moved his lips, yet unsure what more to say. When the excitement of the crowd gradually settled, Shen Qing remarked, "Don''t rejoice too soon; my title as a Marquis is nominal without actual fiefdom, far from those genuine Princes and Marquis." Others exchanged looks, unable to grasp the intricacies. Shen Qing gave no further explanation, continuing, "First, instruct the servants to clean the house thoroughly inside and out, and then order a plaque for the ''Marquis Wu''an Mansion'' to hang over the entrance. Once the news of my title spreads, many distinguished guests are bound to visit; the current condition inside is somewhat unsightly." Chapter 420 - 25: Marquis Wuan Mansion, Bestowed Marriage ``` Discover exclusive content at My Virtual Library Empire Two days later, the official edict from the court was issued, formally conferring the title of Duke Wu''an upon Shen Qing. In just these couple of days, the news of Shen Qing''s ennoblement had already spread throughout the Capital. At the same time, the fact of his breakthrough to the Primordial Spirit Realm became known to these people, causing quite a stir among the Capital''s nobles. At the entrance of the residence. Craftsmen carefully hung a plaque draped in red silk above the lintel, the golden words "Marquis Wu''an Mansion" appearing particularly solemn in the sunlight, drawing the attention and discussion of many passersby. "This is the newly conferred Marquis Wu''an Mansion? The house feels so small." "I heard that Shen Qing is promising at a young age. No wonder he was granted this honor and titled a Marquis by His Majesty at such a young age, having already reached the cultivation of the Primordial Spirit Realm." "A true prodigy, the Shen Family has truly brought honor to their ancestors this time." "¡­" Tian Xiaohu and others stood at the entrance, looking up at the brand new plaque overhead, waves of excitement surging in their hearts. They had never thought that they would one day be connected with a marquis of the Great Zhou, changing their status and position so drastically. After a while, Wei Chengye, Zeng Weifeng, Zhao Lengyan, Yang Henshan, and Yu Hai Bei, among other colleagues from the Military Department, arrived one after another. They were not surprised to hear that Shen Qing was made a marquis. After all, under the Great Zhou, there was no Primordial Spirit Realm Martial Artist who remained outside the court''s system. A Primordial Spirit Realm martial master, with tremendous martial prowess capable of commanding an army, had the capital to establish a noble family and posed an unstable factor if not utilized by the court. Thus, it was only a matter of time before Shen Qing, at his young age, was conferred the title of Marquis. Wei Chengye and the others, being government office colleagues with Shen Qing, naturally needed to come to congratulate him and deepen their connections. With Shen Qing at such an age, his future prospects were limitless. In this period, visiting frequently could do no harm. Actually, not just them. Many from the dispatch office in the southern part of the Military Department also came, thick-skinned, and the number was considerable. Seeing the crowd from the Military Department, Tian Xiaohu and others at the entrance very courteously ushered them into the residence one by one. This time, Shen Qing did not send out invitations, but upon learning about his change in status, each noble family had the intent of establishing ties, sending their members to congratulate him. Soon after, a few young disciples dressed in splendid attire with extraordinary demeanor approached the residence''s entrance. All of them hailed from eminent families, exuding an aristocratic aura in their every movement. Li Yi, who had previously had conflicts with Shen Qing, was surprisingly among them. Seeing this impressive lineup, Tian Xiaohu and others guarding the entrance were secretly astonished. They immediately adjusted their demeanor, putting on broad smiles, and bowed to show respect. During this period, Shen Qing had hired a ceremonial teacher to carefully instruct them for several days, ensuring they did not panic when faced with such a scene. The taught content now proved useful one by one. They did their utmost to welcome each esteemed guest, guiding them into the residence, diligently arranging everything to ensure the Shen Family''s propriety was upheld. While carefully checking, Tian Xiaohu and others found that apart from the Xue Family, members from the other seven major families all came with gifts, showing that these families were not arrogant or contemptuous. On the contrary, many families preferred having more friends rather than offending a Marquis in the Primordial Spirit Realm. Near noon, the number of people in the residence increased, creating a lively and bustling atmosphere. As some were conversing in hushed tones or admiring the scenery within the residence, a series of orderly footsteps sounded quietly. Everyone''s attention was drawn to the source, and they saw rows of Imperial guards in splendid armor flooding the mansion''s gate, standing in two lines with overwhelming momentum. Following them, a grand procession slowly approached the center of the guards, finally halting in front of Shen Qing''s residence. In that moment, all eyes involuntarily gathered on the ornate carriage. "Is that... Princess Yuzhen?" someone in the crowd first recognized the carriage, exclaimed, breaking the silence. Everyone''s hearts were filled with surging waves of incredulity. Princess Yuzhen''s reputation in the Capital City was known to all. Some even spared no expense, seeking various rare treasures, just to catch a glimpse of her visage. Who would have expected such a person to visit Shen Qing''s residence, truly an unfathomable occurrence. Just as everyone was immersed in shock, the curtain of the carriage gently lifted, and Princess Yuzhen gracefully stepped out. Under the service of her palace maids, she walked step by step into the depths of the residence, her one gentle smile captivating countless hearts. Behind her, Huang Furo, with a treasure blade at her waist and dressed in off-white martial attire embroidered with golden threads, closely followed. Shen Qing, still sitting in inner meditation within the house, was quite surprised to hear of Princess Yuzhen''s arrival. He and Princess Yuzhen only had interactions during the Chrysanthemum Viewing Festival, and their relationship was not deep. Shen Qing for a moment couldn''t grasp Princess Yuzhen''s intentions. "I understand." Shen Qing said lightly, concluding his cultivation, tidied up his attire, and quickly proceeded to the main gate. "The little Marquis respectfully welcomes Your Highness''s grand visit!" Shen Qing stood at the entrance and, upon seeing Princess Yuzhen, bowed and greeted her. "Marquis Shen, there''s no need for so much courtesy. I came uninvited today, hoping Marquis Shen won''t take offense." S§×arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Princess Yuzhen''s lips curled into a slight smile, a smile that felt like the gentle spring breeze, soothing the soul, her voice crisp and pleasant, naturally endearing. ``` Chapter 421 - 25: Marquis Wuan Mansion, Granting a Marriage_2 "While speaking, Princess Yuzhen''s gaze lightly swept over the plaque of "Marquis Wu''an Mansion" and then looked around, saying, "Marquis Shen''s residence seems a bit cramped and somewhat mismatched with Marquis Shen''s status." Before her voice had faded, the Princess gently raised her hand, signaling the attendant beside her to step forward. The maid behind understood Princess Yuzhen''s intention, respectfully presenting a thick stack of property deeds, saying, "Marquis Shen, the Princess has ordered us to buy all the surrounding courtyards for you, making this entire area your new residence." Shen Qing was shocked upon hearing this, but more so, he was puzzled. He didn''t understand Princess Yuzhen''s true motive today, preparing such a lavish gift. In the capital, land is extremely expensive. Pingkang Street, where he resided, was home to many prominent families with intricate ties to numerous officials in the court. Acquiring such residences was not merely a matter of money but required significant connections as well. Princess Yuzhen must have utilized her influence to achieve this. The houses she gifted carried significant meaning. Shen Qing solemnly said, "Your Highness, such a generous gift, how can Shen Qing deserve such great favor?" Everyone exchanged glances, the astonishment evident on their faces. Princess Yuzhen''s generosity towards Shen Qing seemed to exceed their expectations. Seeing this, Princess Yuzhen couldn''t help but chuckle softly, playfully saying, "Could it be that Marquis Shen finds this gift too sudden and won''t even let me in?" Hearing this, Shen Qing quickly apologized, "Your Highness, I dare not! Please, Princess, welcome." With that, Shen Qing personally led Princess Yuzhen and her entourage into the main hall of the residence. As they entered the hall, Princess Yuzhen''s powerful aura naturally spread, making those around instinctively take two steps back, clearing a path wide enough for two to pass. At this moment, superior martial tea was already prepared inside the hall. The fragrance of the tea lingered, calming the spirit. "Please, Your Highness, take the seat of honor." Shen Qing said as he skillfully picked up the teapot and poured a cup of tea for the Princess. Princess Yuzhen took the cup, sipped lightly, and with a hint of praise in her eyes said, "Good tea, Marquis Shen truly understands tea." Setting down the teacup, Princess Yuzhen''s eyes held a flicker of curiosity and admiration as she remarked, "Marquis Shen, I''ve heard of your exceptional martial prowess and incredible talent, rising significantly from a mere local hunter to the notable Duke Wu''an in just a few years. Truly admirable." With unwavering eyes, Shen Qing responded, "Your Highness exaggerates. It was merely fortune with the Emperor''s favor." Princess Yuzhen smiled slightly, "May I ask if Marquis Shen is married or has someone in mind?" Shen Qing vaguely guessed the purpose of the Princess''s visit, feeling a slight chill in his heart. He was now accomplished in martial arts, capable of self-defense, and was not opposed to matters of the heart. After some thought, he respectfully replied, "In response to Your Highness, I have been dedicated to training and have neither married nor met anyone I admire. Fate has yet to arrive." Satisfied, Princess Yuzhen''s eyes sparkled with a hint of playfulness as she said, "Oh? So it seems Marquis Shen''s red string of fate awaits Yue Lao''s intervention?" "Marriages are traditionally decided by one''s parents and matchmakers. Naturally, I follow the arrangements of my elders." Princess Yuzhen nodded lightly, seemingly pleased with Shen Qing''s answer. She changed the subject, suddenly glancing at Huang Furo: "Speaking of which, I have a fair lady here, not only outstanding in cultivation but also gentle, virtuous, graceful and poised. Would Marquis Shen like to hear her name?" With his keen senses, Shen Qing sensed whom Princess Yuzhen might be referring to. But he maintained his composure, respectfully asking, "Whom does the Princess mean?" Princess Yuzhen smiled faintly, "Naturally, it is Miss Huangfu. She has often praised Marquis Shen''s talents and character in front of me. I recall you two sharing life and death experiences together. Might you be willing?" Standing aside, Huang Furo reacted with surprise. While she had some affection for Shen Qing, she never imagined expressing it in such a manner. Hearing the Princess speak thus, she felt both unexpected and at a loss, with a touch of nervousness as she glanced at Shen Qing. Amidst scrutinizing eyes, Huang Furo struggled to maintain composure, yet if observed closely, one would notice her hand gripping the sword hilt tightly, her knuckles turning pale from exertion. Shen Qing''s confusion deepened. Huang Furo seemed unaware as well. Shen Qing''s mind worked rapidly. So far, his interactions with Princess Yuzhen had been few, never troubled, and even aided by her. He knew her reputation in the capital as very good. Such a person would surely cherish her reputation and refrain from any unscrupulous actions. Could Princess Yuzhen be trying to ally with him due to his promising potential? Weighing the pros and cons, Shen Qing realized with the current conditions and help, his cultivation was advancing rapidly. In perhaps two or three years, he might reach the so-called Fusion State. The main thing he needed now was time. Gaining the favor of Princess Yuzhen could save much trouble, allowing him to cultivate peacefully. Once his skills were elevated, he could handle any turmoil that might arise. Considering the benefits, Shen Qing spoke, "Your Highness, Miss Huangfu is immensely talented and beautiful, for whom I hold great admiration. However, marriage is not merely an individual matter and should be approached with careful consideration, not rushed. This should first be discussed with Miss Huangfu." Carefully weighing his words, Shen Qing tried expressing his thoughts. Princess Yuzhen, seemingly anticipating Shen Qing''s reaction, turned to Huang Furo, "Miss Huangfu, what do you think?" Enjoy exclusive chapters from My Virtual Library Empire Huang Furo kept a cold facade, nonchalantly responding, "It''s up to Your Highness." Princess Yuzhen laughed, "I find you two perfectly matched. Let''s settle this; tomorrow, I''ll have the Emperor grant the marriage!" "This..." Princess Yuzhen sipped her warm tea, placing the cup back on the table with a crisp sound. "So be it." Rising, her elegant gown swayed gently like a blossoming lotus in a celestial realm, untouched by earthly dust, moving towards the door to depart. "Marquis Shen, burdened with affairs, may remain." Shen Qing escorted Princess Yuzhen to the entrance, watching as her maids helped her into the palanquin. The maids quickly drew the curtains, concealing the Princess within. With a soft command from the driver, the wheels turned, and the carriage slowly departed. Shen Qing stood in place, watching until the carriage disappeared into the street before turning back. He suddenly remembered something, glanced around, but did not see Huang Furo. Sear?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Sir, Miss Huangfu just left too," Tian Xiaohu whispered nearby. Extending his senses, Shen Qing spotted Huang Furo''s figure joyfully on a nearby street, her usually stern face holding a smile. Shen Qing chuckled in disbelief. In the carriage. Princess Yuzhen, lazily reclining on thick cushions after peering through a curtain slit, appeared relaxed. Her personal maid, curious beside her, asked, "Your Highness, why do you hold him in such regard?" "A hunter living in the mountains for years, reaching such martial heights upon contact. Frankly, I''ve found no one comparable in all my readings. With such potential, would one not befriend rather than oppose him?" Princess Yuzhen said indifferently, "Do good deeds without seeking the future. Who can predict what lies ahead?" Chapter 422 - 26: Various Motives, Sending a Concubine to the Door "From what I see, the two of them have had feelings for each other for a long time, but they''ve just never broken the ice. Today, I happened to bring Huang Furo here to give them a little push." Princess Yuzhen closed her eyes to pretend to nap, thoughts circling in her mind, murmuring to herself, "Judging by their behavior today, it should be almost certain. If this goes well, it will be a good marriage, and I''ll have to get Brother to grant them a marriage." Thinking of this, Princess Yuzhen felt her legs growing somewhat weak, so she ordered the servants, "Prepare to return to the palace, I need to see Brother." Unlike Ji Zikong, who relied on strength to dominate with an autocratic style, she preferred to "show kindness and make connections," to win people''s hearts. "Given Brother''s domineering nature, he never wakes up without profit. This time he''s changed his mind to grant him the title of Marquis. I wonder what he wants to gain from it. I hope he can grant me this small favor and help a little." After traveling for about a pot of tea''s time, the carriage entered the Imperial Palace. The sound of wheels rolling over the cobblestones echoed down the empty palace path, stopping near the Spirit Nourishing Hall. The carriage curtain was gently lifted, and Princess Yuzhen stepped down gracefully like a fairy, walking briskly towards the Spirit Nourishing Hall. Upon entering the hall, she saw Ji Zikong sitting upright on the dragon throne, meditating. Beside him, at another table, Chief Eunuch He Yong was buried in handling state affairs. "Greetings, Brother. Yuzhen has come to pay respects," Princess Yuzhen''s voice was as gentle as jade, carrying a sliver of imperceptible respect, softening Ji Zikong''s stern countenance ever so slightly. Looking at Princess Yuzhen, Ji Zikong smiled and asked, "Speaking of which, Yuzhen, you haven''t been here for some time. Is there something you''re requesting of me today?" Princess Yuzhen''s large eyes curved into crescent shapes as she covered her mouth and laughed, "I know that I can''t hide anything from Brother. I did indeed come today not only to pay respects but also to ask for a favor." Ji Zikong raised an eyebrow slightly, seemingly quite interested in what Princess Yuzhen was asking for, "Oh? What matter makes my dear sister so serious?" Princess Yuzhen laughed, "It''s about the marriage between Shen Qing and Huang Furo. Recently, Shen Qing was granted the title of Marquis by Brother, becoming quite distinguished, and Huang Furo is well acquainted with me. Knowing their intentions, I dare to ask Brother to grant them a marriage and let their bond be recognized." Upon hearing this, Ji Zikong frowned slightly, evidently contemplating seriously. Huang Furo was from the Huangfu family, which under his suppression was already on the brink of survival, merely a casual tool at this point. As for Shen Qing, in his eyes, he was merely a hawk or blade used to weaken the martial master group and similar factions. The union of the two was indeed quite fitting. Now Shen Qing had achieved success and fame, and anyone could see that his future was limitless. The only weak part was his familial background. If he was not restricted, and other noble families intended to win him over through marriage, it would be troublesome for him. With the impending chaos, he did not wish to expend too much energy on court affairs. What Princess Yuzhen proposed was indeed in line with his ideas. After a while, Ji Zikong slowly spoke, "Marriage is a big matter and cannot be taken lightly. However, since Sister has requested it, I assume everything has been coordinated well. Then I shall agree and let the Empress handle this matter." Princess Yuzhen, upon hearing this, hurriedly saluted in gratitude, "Thank you, Brother, for making it possible! I thank you on their behalf." "Is there anything else, Sister?" "No, may Your Majesty have great fortune, I take my leave." After the feast arranged by Shen Qing concluded, the guests gradually departed with their own thoughts. However, the rumor about Princess Yuzhen matchmaking for Shen Qing quietly spread among the major noble families like a spring breeze. In the Li Family study. Li Yi, dressed in brocade, with a handsome face, stood before the desk, narrating the day''s events in detail to Li Zhen Tian. Li Zhen Tian sat on a Taishi Chair behind the desk, stroking his long beard with a profound gaze. After hearing Li Yi''s account, he furrowed his brows, falling into thought. After a brief silence, he said, "Little Nine, it seems like your stepping stone is getting higher and higher, it might be hard for you to catch up now. Luckily, you took the initiative earlier to make peace and put aside past grievances, otherwise our Li Family would have made a formidable enemy for nothing." Li Yi opened his mouth to defend himself, but the facts were starkly in front of him, and he swallowed his words. He bowed his head sincerely, "Father is wise." Looking at Li Yi, Li Zhen Tian asked sternly, "Do you remember the eight words I told you?" Li Yi solemnly replied, "Be cautious and walk on thin ice." "Correct, for this matter alone, you should engrave these eight words in your mind. Under no circumstances should you act arrogantly." "Your child has learned." Li Yi replied earnestly. Breaking through to the Primordial Spirit Realm under the age of twenty, he knew in his heart he could not do it. At this moment, Li Yi completely let go of his preconceived notions about Shen Qing, accepting the reality with calmness. Li Zhen Tian pondered continuously, muttering to himself, "Shen Qing, this young man, is promising, yet his family background is weak. If we could establish some relationship with him, it would be beneficial for him and our Li Family. However..." Li Zhen Tian paused, pondering over something. Seeing this, Li Yi''s heart stirred, knowing his father heard about Princess Yuzhen''s approach and considered sacrificing a sister from the same generation to win over Shen Qing. Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "I ask you, do you know what kind of woman Marquis Shen likes?" Chapter 423 - 26: Various Motives, Sending a Concubine to the Door_2 ``` Li Yi carefully recalled and vaguely discovered that when Shen Qing saw Princess Yuzhen and Huang Furo, his gaze would occasionally fall upon their chests and hips. He responded without hesitation, "Big breasts, big hips, good for bearing children, beautiful women." Li Zhen Tian nodded in understanding and instructed, "Find a clan woman closely related by blood and of a similar age to Shen Qing, and select her according to this standard. Ensure she willingly marries Shen Qing as a concubine." "Child will handle it right away." A few days later, an edict issued from the rear palace arrived at the Marquis Wu''an Mansion. Just as Princess Yuzhen had predicted, the Empress formally granted marriage, betrothing Huang Furo to him. Simultaneously, a woman named Li Yuyao from a remote branch of the Li family was also selected. She was as beautiful as a flower, gentle in personality, and well-versed in poetry and books from a young age, with outstanding talent. After carefully dressing up, she was escorted by a competent team to the Marquis Wu''an Mansion. Dusk fell, the moonlight like silk. The rear gate of the Marquis Wu''an Mansion appeared unusually quiet in the night. Li Yuyao, dressed in embroidered finery and adorned with pearls and jade, sat in a carriage surrounded by a group of black-clad, stern-faced guards. Her eyes were filled with unease and fear. Yet Shen Qing stood at the gate, frowning, his eyes full of surprise and confusion. He never expected that Li Yi, a Shi family son who had always had conflicts with him, would send his clan sister to his mansion in the dead of night with such pomp. "Marquis Shen, it''s been a while." Li Yi, approaching on a sturdy warhorse, said, "I apologize for the late-night visit; there is something I wish to ask of you." Shen Qing''s impression of this young man was mediocre, and he replied flatly, "What can''t Master Li say during the day that requires a midnight visit and such a large entourage?" Li Yi chuckled, his gaze shifting between Shen Qing and Li Yuyao, "Marquis Shen, previously I offended you due to my youthful ignorance, and I hope you won''t hold a grudge." "My clan sister is in her prime at twenty-nine, similar in age to you, blessed with a face that could captivate the moon, and has long admired Marquis Shen. My father heard that Master Shen lacks a companion by his side, learned of my clan sister''s feelings, and specially ordered me to bring her here to become your concubine." Upon hearing this, Shen Qing was somewhat surprised. Daughters of the Shi family are very sought-after in the Great Zhou, and many consider it an honor to marry a Shi family woman. How unimaginable that they were willing to offer a clan woman to him as a concubine. The recent series of changes truly made him understand what it meant by "when poor in a bustling city, no one cares; when wealthy in remote hills, distant relatives appear." When one becomes successful, those things previously out of reach become easily within grasp. However, Shen Qing did not become complacent or let it go to his head. With regards to the Li family''s actions, Shen Qing was wary and didn''t readily agree, continuously pondering their intentions. Before he could speak, Li Yi preempted him and said, "Since she''s already here, I won''t disturb the Marquis further, farewell, giddy-up!" After speaking, Li Yi and the family guards left one after another, leaving behind only two carriages and a little maid standing beside them. The scene became silent. Li Yuyao sat nervously in the carriage, clutching her sleeves, her face pale. "Miss, you must alight quickly, the Marquis is about to return to the mansion and leave us here." "Ah!" The sudden turn of events made Li Yuyao cry out, opening the curtain at once and frantically jumping out of the carriage. She saw Shen Qing indeed not giving her a glance, her heart sank, and hastily rushed over with a swift stride, kneeling before Shen Qing. Li Yuyao looked up, her eyes glistening with tears, gazing at Shen Qing with helplessness and pleading: "Marquis Shen, please don''t send Yao''er away. Yao''er knows this trip is abrupt, but it''s a family arrangement, and Yao''er has no choice." "If you turn me away, my parents will surely face death. I beg Marquis Shen to have great virtue, please accept Yao''er. Yao''er will serve you diligently." "Yes, yes, my parents also sent a cart of dowry, and I hope the Marquis will accept it." Shen Qing glanced at the carriage behind, indeed filled with crates of various sizes. The wealth inside was enough for an average family to live for a lifetime. However, for the current Shen Qing, it seemed somewhat unimpressive. As Shen Qing remained unresponsive, Li Yuyao grew increasingly anxious. She tentatively looked up at Shen Qing, and Shen Qing happened to be looking down at her, making her heart hang in suspense. Her big eyes were now red, round tears rolling inside, dropping quietly without a word. Shen Qing asked, "Why do you say your parents will surely die?" "This time I''m here to serve the Marquis as arranged by the clan, my parents disagreed, thus angering the clan, and my coming saved them." Li Yuyao cried, "If the Marquis sends me back, they will certainly kill my parents. I hope the Marquis will be kind and take me in, even as a maidservant." A nearby maid couldn''t hold back anymore, crying pear blossoms in the rain: "Miss..." Shen Qing frowned, having long heard of the strict rules in prominent families, but hadn''t expected it would lead to punishment by death. "Stand up!" Shen Qing said calmly, "I don''t like people kneeling." Li Yuyao was startled, quickly got up, only to see her chest heaving, as if two little white rabbits were bouncing inside, quite lively. Shen Qing looked her up and down; she was fair and clean, quite delightful. Her figure was graceful and slender, both her looks and body met his aesthetic. He asked, "What can you do?" "To answer the Marquis, I have some knowledge of the zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting." "And what else? Have you practiced martial arts?" Li Yuyao answered without confidence, "I''ve practiced... a little." S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "What is your cultivation?" "Only to the level of stretching muscles and exercising bones." Shen Qing said, "Alright, here, things like zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting won''t be of much use. If you wish to stay, find a way to train in martial arts. I don''t keep people around me who bring no benefit." "You all, find Manager Tian and arrange a room for them." Shen Qing casually instructed. Li Yuyao was momentarily stunned, then realized Shen Qing intended to take her in, immediately expressing her gratitude: "Thank you, Marquis." Shen Qing said no more and turned to return indoors. Time swiftly passed, a month gone, and it was year-end, with the cold wind rising. In a restaurant named "Drunken Immortals'' Abode" in the capital, the aroma of hot dishes and fine wine blended, intoxicating those present. A few foreign men dressed as traveling merchants sat around a corner table by the window, their gazes not resting on the delicious food before them, but frequently sweeping outside, closely observing the patrols of the city guards and the majestic Imperial Palace in the distance. "The capital''s defense, though seemingly tight, is actually full of flaws," one man whispered, "if our Sacred Sect were to launch a strong attack, we could surely break in." "Oh? Brother Zhang, what do you mean by that?" Another man raised an eyebrow slightly. The man named Zhang sipped his wine lightly, sharply analyzing, "Look at the city guard''s patrol routes. They seem erratic but actually repeat every night. As long as we grasp the pattern, we can easily evade them." "And what about the Imperial Palace?" another middle-aged man inquired, evidently more interested in the palace, "That is under the emperor''s feet, heavily guarded." The man surnamed Li smiled faintly, a hint of cunning flickering in his eyes: "Though the Imperial Palace is hard to attack, what business do we have there? This time, it is left to the commander and sect leader to assault the palace, we are not involved in that level of conflict." "For now, our task is to compile the intelligence here, ensuring no mistakes, and leave the rest to them." ``` Chapter 424 - 27 A Pear Blossom Overpowers the Crabapple, The Death of Lan Gongliang ``` Winter passed, and spring came. In the blink of an eye, March was over. The Marquis Wu''an Mansion was adorned with lanterns and decorations. After the imperial marriage decree, Huang Furo and Shen Qing naturally reached the stage of discussing marriage. After several rounds of discussion, Shen Qing set their wedding date on the thirtieth of the first month. Today was their joyous day. Shen Qing had a calm disposition, and with his shallow roots in the Capital City, he didn''t want to be too extravagant, nor did he want to entangle too many complex relations under the guise of a grand wedding, so he only invited some close friends and family. As a result, the scene with loud gongs and drums that the world expected did not appear, but all the necessary rituals were fully observed, making it more touching than any luxurious display. After many hardships, Shen Qing finally had some peaceful days. The wedding banquet lasted only one day and then ended. In the main hall of the Shen Mansion, Shen Qing was bidding farewell to guests, a smile on his face. Tian Xiaohu walked up to Shen Qing''s side, lowered his voice, and said, "Marquis, someone from the Li Family has come." "Oh? Why are they here?" Shen Qing was somewhat surprised. Under his intentional control, this wedding had no outside participants, and neither the Li Family nor many of the Capital City''s influential families were on the invitation list. Was it because of Li Yuyao? Shen Qing immediately thought of this woman. She was the young lady of the Li Family and must be connected to them. Now it seemed that only the Li Family knew, and they didn''t seem to have any animosity towards him. After suffering a loss once, they frequently showed goodwill, so it was not a big issue. "Let them in," Shen Qing instructed with authority. Tian Xiaohu nodded emphatically: "As you command, Marquis." Moments later, after a slight sound of footsteps, members of the Li Family quietly entered. The leading person was someone Shen Qing knew, the Li Family''s steward, Li Wenxu. He had clearly learned in advance of Shen Qing''s desire for discretion and came low-profile and secretly without attracting other people''s attention. Steward Li Wenxu respectfully presented a congratulatory gift, said a few congratulatory words, and didn''t engage in much small talk with Shen Qing. After handing over the gift to Shen Qing, Li Wenxu and his companions left as quietly as they had come, not disturbing Shen Qing in the slightest. This style of conduct changed Shen Qing''s impression of the Li Family. Late at night. Huang Furo sat on the edge of a newly made bed, with a red veil over her head. A spring breeze slipped through the gap in the window, causing the candlelight in the room to flicker gently, casting her shadow in a wavering pattern. When the spring breeze dissipated, and the candlelight ceased to sway, her shadow seemed to find support and settled down completely. Creak. The door opened. Hearing familiar footsteps, Huang Furo''s body tensed. After her family''s decline, she had been rigorously cultivating, continuously striving upwards. Even as a daughter, she wanted to revive the Huangfu family. She had never thought of the day she would marry. Much less, that the man she married would be her subordinate. Much less, that she would also have affections for this subordinate. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The footsteps grew nearer. Huang Furo''s small hands involuntarily clenched the wedding dress on her thighs. Her heart pounded rapidly, making her even more nervous. Shen Qing used a scale to lift the red veil. Even her usually cold, frosty face bore a flush. Even though she had met this man countless times before, she now dared not lift her head to look at him. Standing opposite Huang Furo, Shen Qing was momentarily dazed. So beautiful. Her exquisite features, crimson lips, high chest, and willow-like waist...became exceptionally enchanting under the wedding dress and candlelight. Even Shen Qing, having lived two lifetimes, found himself somewhat nervous about his first wedding. He picked up two cups of turbid wine from the table and brought them to Huang Furo, saying, "Let''s drink the cross-cupped wine together." "Hmm." Huang Furo bashfully accepted the wine cup. The two crossed their arms and drank in one gulp. "Rou''er... I think it''s late now, we should rest." "Husband." Shen Qing waved his large hand, and spirit power gushed from his palm. Whoosh... A strong wind blew through. The red candles placed in the room were extinguished all at once. ... The next morning, the sky was bright. Shen Qing rarely had a good sleep. At this time, he felt much more mature, gazing at Huang Furo, curled up in his arms, with surprise on his face. Shen Qing didn''t expect Huang Furo to be so gentle and tender, far from the aloof impression she gave. After marriage, with Huang Furo''s support by his side, Shen Qing felt much more at ease. In the days to come, Shen Qing delegated various trivial matters to Huang Furo and a few loyal subordinates like Tian Xiaohu. Tian Xiaohu was steady and capable, handling affairs in an orderly manner, and had followed him since the days at Hongshanzhai, a reliable person to be trusted. As for Huang Furo, there was no need to mention, in the Mountain Sea Department, her ability was outstanding. More importantly, she held quite a bit of intelligence, which informed him about some of the Capital City''s unknown complex relationships, giving him more confidence. With their support, Shen Qing was able to extract himself from mundane daily affairs and devote all his energy to martial arts training. Shen Qing knew well that in the Great Zhou world today, chaos was rife, and the possibility of future instability was increasing. In such circumstances, strength was fundamental. Only with strong cultivation could he protect himself and his family. So Shen Qing didn''t dare delay for a moment, practicing diligently with the help of the panel, improving his cultivation. ``` Chapter 425 - 27 A Pear Flower Overpowers a Crabapple, The Death of Lan Gongliang_2 ``` ... Zhou Kingdom, outskirts of the Capital City. "Ah!" A shrill scream suddenly echoed from the mountain forest. Birds scattered in terror, flying away in all directions. In the dense forest, Lan Gongliang grabbed the hair of a burly man and twisted his head off alive. "This cult leader from the Huangtian Cult is nothing special." Lan Gongliang, clad in ancient armor, spoke with a tone of cold disdain. Behind him lay the broken bodies of numerous Huangtian Cult members, a scene of utter devastation. Lan Gongliang casually tossed aside the head in his hand. "Speaking of which, these Huangtian Cult members are really quite stupid, rushing in one after another. Who knows how many I''ve already killed, and yet they keep coming, heedless of death." Standing next to Lan Gongliang, Wei Chengye said, "Sir, perhaps it''s not that the members of the Huangtian Cult are stupid, but rather that we moved too swiftly¡ªor maybe Lord Lan is just too powerful." Lan Gongliang replied calmly, "The Huangtian Cult has come aggressively this time and certainly won''t give up easily. We''ve only dealt with some of the front-line soldiers for now, so we must not let our guard down, lest we suffer an unexpected defeat." Wei Chengye agreed, saying, "Understood, sir." His words had barely fallen when suddenly a rainbow light descended from the sky, breaking the tranquility of the forest. Boom! The spot where Wei Chengye was standing exploded with a bang, sending rubble flying. His figure moved like lightning, rolling to one side like a slithering snake, and in an instant, he was far away, shouting, "Who is it!?" The rainbow light faded, revealing the image of a burly man. His entire body was covered in mystical symbols, resembling a golden-armored war god. He frowned as he surveyed the scene of devastation and corpses sprawled everywhere before him. Wei Chengye sensed something amiss, and his figure rippled like water, vanishing without a trace. The burly man stared intently at a void, stomped his foot vigorously, and pointed a finger at a certain spot in the void. That finger, imbued with immense spiritual energy, shot a beam of clear light toward a certain point. Bang! Wei Chengye''s figure was forcibly jolted out from the void, staggering and almost falling to the ground. Witnessing this, Lan Gongliang squinted slightly. He looked up to see the burly man with disheveled hair, brimming with spiritual energy that emanated an imposing aura unique to a superior being. Yet, for some reason, even though he stood right there, he felt ethereal, as if he were not a human but an empty shell. Even Lan Gongliang''s cultivation at the ethereal travel realm had not detected that such a person was already there beside him. Something was amiss. Killing intent surged within Lan Gongliang, and he immediately gathered his spiritual energy, enveloping himself in radiant light. With a wave of his hand, a cyan lightning bolt rushed toward the burly man. Rumble! There was no anticipated scene of flesh and blood flying. The burly man merely waved his arm, casually dispersing the bolt of lightning with a single palm. His body remained unscathed, not even the slightest trace left behind. Sear?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Lan Gongliang grew increasingly astonished. He had never seen such a physique before. "Interesting." "So, you must be Lord Lan, a name I''ve long admired. Since I''ve encountered you today, I must apologize¡ªI need to take your life," the burly man said, his voice scraping like two rusty iron plates, extremely grating. His words had barely ended when he charged at Lan Gongliang like a torrent. As they drew close, Lan Gongliang suddenly sensed an overwhelming pressure, like a violent storm, as if this burly man was not of flesh and blood but an ancient demonic deity, standing firmly before him. As a master of the ethereal travel realm, Lan Gongliang''s soul was consolidated, allowing him to perform various wondrous techniques through his soul. His fingers twitched slightly, and a jade talisman hidden in his sleeve transformed into a stream of light, slicing through the sky toward the burly man with immense oppressive force. This was a talisman comparable to a pseudo-artifact, inscribed with ancient glyphs, and its power was extraordinary. Clang! The jade talisman struck the burly man, producing an ear-piercing sound. Green and golden light surged. An invisible splendor and airwave erupted from the center of their clash, expanding outward. The forest ground appeared plowed by iron, trees toppled. However, the burly man remained steadfast, his muscles as solid as stone. The usually unstoppable jade talisman left not a single mark on his body. Lan Gongliang flickered like a phantom, instantly appearing beside the burly man, weaving to his flank with eerie dexterity. In a flash, he summoned back the jade talisman from mid-air, channeling a torrent of spiritual energy into it, transforming it into radiant green light, and drove it fiercely at the man''s underarm. This was his exclusive technique, "Spirit Snake Probes the Hole," targeting vital points, highly effective in close combat, now even more formidable under the talisman''s power. The burly man seemed to sense something, and his massive body tilted slightly like a falling leaf. Hiss! Yet, the jade talisman seemed to have eyes, striking like a rock, channels of green light piercing the man''s arm, slicing off half his shoulder. Blood gushed forth, forming a mist in the air. The burly man glanced at his wound, showing no pain but only mild surprise and a hint of irrepressible battle intent. He laughed thunderously, "Indeed worthy of a martial master at the ethereal travel realm, your skills can actually breach the body defense of this ancient martial practitioner''s form, truly formidable." The burly man opened his mouth and spat out a golden sheen. Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be a talisman. Before Lan Gongliang understood what happened, a dazzling golden light engulfed him. A blaze like the sun burst forth. Boom! Lan Gongliang seemed somewhat battered. Disregarding the marks left by the talisman''s explosion all over him, he swung his right hand forcefully, mobilizing the surrounding spiritual aura like a tumultuous tide, its fierce momentum terrifying. Thunder rolled through the air. The thick layers of talismans on the burly man rustled like leaves. ÔÚÀ¶¹«Á¼»¹Î´ÄÜÓÐËù¶¯×÷ʱ, the burly man shouted lightly, transforming into a giant''s form, his hands striking directly at Lan Gongliang. Boom! With a thundering crash, Lan Gongliang was swept away like a leaf in a storm, smashing through mountain tops, collapsing them in ruins. He coughed out fresh blood violently, turning pale as frost, his soul nearly leaving his body. From a distance, the hidden observer Wei Chengye witnessed the scene aghast, his complexion instantly turning ashen. Even Lord Lan at the ethereal travel realm couldn''t defeat him. Could it be... This is the legendary Daoist Master of the Huangtian Cult? The more Wei Chengye thought about it, the more frightened he became, his heart sinking further into despair. "It seems the officials of this kingdom are nothing special after all!" he said, towering over Lan Gongliang as he spoke. Flicking his finger, a talisman stuck onto Lan Gongliang. The talisman shone brightly. With a muffled thud, it shattered Lan Gongliang''s sea of energy. Lan Gongliang''s face showed utter horror, trying to stabilize his injuries. Yet, his body had begun losing vitality, making recovery impossible. Resigning himself, he steeled his resolve, channeling all his spiritual power into his soul, attempting to escape with it. Having reached the ethereal travel realm, his soul could leave the body, traversing the heavens. As long as he found a suitable vessel, even if his body perished, it would be inconsequential, offering a second life. The burly man snorted coldly, raising his right hand, in his palm, lightning shimmered, capturing Lan Gongliang''s soul instantly. With a swift suck, the soul transformed into pure energy, wholly devoured by the man. "No!" Lan Gongliang''s scream ended abruptly. The burly man chewed continuously, then spat out a fresh talisman, hanging it conspicuously on himself. After completing these actions, the burly man turned back toward the distant Capital City, muttering with a grin, "The time should almost be right. This world is too crowded, not enough room for so many people, the Ji family will have to step down and vacate their position for us." "Ah!" Wei Chengye, hidden in the shadows, watched in panic, desperately seeking escape. The burly man did not pursue, merely sneering with disdain. Under his gaze, Wei Chengye''s figure gradually vanished from sight. ``` Chapter 426 - 28: Sun Shooting Bow Technique, Seventh Prince Goes Berserk ```plaintext Marquis Wu''an Mansion. In the bedroom, the candlelight ceased flickering. Li Yuyao placed a pillow under her lower back. Shen Qing, accustomed to this sight, sat cross-legged to regulate his breath and cultivate the cultivation technique. Sear?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. In just a moment, a night''s time swiftly passed. When it was by dawn, Shen Qing exhaled the turbid air lingering in his body, concluding his practice. After a night of refining and the nourishment of spiritual energy, he felt extremely refreshed, with a sense of comfort throughout his body. Shen Qing turned his head to glance at the still sleeping Li Yuyao, her long eyelashes lively, like a porcelain doll, very enchanting. During this period, whenever Huang Furo was unavailable, he would stay with Li Yuyao, enjoying a harmonious time akin to having a wife and concubine. Counting it up, this was the most leisurely period since he opened his eyes in Hongshan Village. No evildoers, no demons, no bloody battles. He only focused on cultivation, with a wife and concubine, working at sunrise and resting at sunset. Very enjoyable. Through months of diligent practice, his cultivation had once again advanced rapidly. Although far from out-of-body primordial spirit level and travelling the world, he was capable of self-defense against ordinary martial masters in the Kongyou Realm. Shen Qing withdrew his gaze from Li Yuyao''s graceful figure, silently leaving by wielding his spiritual power without waking her. Currently, the Capital is in peace, everything harmonious, and there were not many tasks within the Military Department, offering him a rare amount of free time. Thus, Shen Qing had the opportunity to devote much of his time to refining his bow technique. Leaving the mansion, he headed out of the city into the capital''s desolate outskirts. This was the area where he previously fought with Xue Zhao, filled with ravines and ruins. The original paths had been completely destroyed, preventing ordinary people from venturing into these parts, making it a rare humanless land. Here, he could practice his bow technique without attracting attention. Shen Qing''s figure moved, arriving at a tranquil mountain stream. Here, the stream babbled occasionally, the sound of birds chirping filled the air, bringing a refreshing sense of relaxation. Shen Qing stood amidst the landscape, eyes determined, posture erect. His mind stirred, summoning the Water Ink Panel. [Skill: Heavenly Bow Technique (Break Limit)] [Progress: 2989/3000 points] [Status: Unbreakable] [Note: By persevering tirelessly, a seemingly ordinary archery skill was honed to the highest realm through relentless effort. Continue practicing for a breakthrough and your [Sun Shooting Skill] will evolve into the Sun shooting Technique.] He had read the note at the bottom many times. Each time he read it, he couldn''t help feeling sentimental. Six years passed like yesterday. Unbeknownst to him, the skill he first mastered was about to be cultivated to its peak, a nostalgic feeling indeed. Shen Qing exhaled a breath of turbid air, not dwelling on the thought any longer. His hand brushed over the Hundred Treasure Pouch, pulling out Wish Power Pearls, scattering them at his feet. The dark Wish Power Pearls were crystal-clear, emitting a faint glow, starkly contrasting with the ordinary stones around them. These Wish Power Pearls were forcibly gathered by the Great Zhou Court from the aspirations of common people nationwide, each containing pure, undefiled wish power and faith power; they were an excellent medium for augmenting spiritual power and understanding during cultivation. Using these Wish Power Pearls in practice gave twice the result with half the effort. Previously, due to the Jing Luan Assembly, he had acquired over ten thousand of these Wish Power Pearls, sufficient for extensive use in cultivation. After fetching the Wish Power Pearls, Shen Qing''s fingers continued to move, without ceasing his actions. Next, he produced a Jade Token. He had seized this Spirit Essence from the Ancient Ruins, which conveniently aided his cultivation. As he prepared everything, Shen Qing took a deep breath, Gathering Qi and Focusing the Mind, mobilizing all the spiritual power in his body, accumulating it in his palm. As his spiritual power surged, the Jade Token suddenly emitted a dazzling light, overflowing with an ocean-like spiritual power, enveloping him entirely in radiant halos. The intensity of the spiritual power stunned Shen Qing, causing countless weeds to grow wildly from the cracks in the stones around him, flourishing with vitality. Shen Qing remained unfazed by these changes; his finger lightly flicked, and a Wish Power Pearl floated in front of his chest, spinning continuously, attracting the surrounding nature''s spiritual energy, enhancing the spiritual power''s density and purity. With everything ready, Shen Qing''s eyes sparkled with determination. He pulled out the treasure bow from the Hundred Treasure Bag, gripping it tightly in his hand, drawing the heavy, weighted bowstring with his right hand. Crack-crack-crack... The bowstring gradually tightened, and the spiritual power in Shen Qing''s body began to surge wildly, like a breached river, converging at his fingertips into a radiant arrow under his mind''s guidance. Shen Qing''s fingers suddenly released: "Whoosh!" A crisp sound from the bowstring pierced through the sky. The arrow created by Shen Qing''s spiritual power roared with thunderous sound, tearing through the atmosphere. That arrow not only frightened birds and beasts in the mountain stream but even the distant clouds were shaken by its might, with flashes of lightning appearing, crumbling apart under the arrow''s power. Boom! A rocky mountain ahead shattered, exploding into a cloud of dust rolling outwards. Shen Qing glanced at the Water Ink Panel. [Skill: Heavenly Bow Technique (Break Limit)] [Progress: 2990/3000 points] The progress showed a slight increase. Bang! The Wish Power Pearl in front of his chest rapidly diminished, eventually vanishing into nothingness with a dull sound. ``` Chapter 427 - 28 Sun Shooting Bow Technique, Seventh Prince Goes Berserk_2 He was startled, a brand new Wish Power Pearl reappeared, spinning rapidly in front of his chest. Shen Qing did not stop, and instead, seized the opportunity to continue drawing the bowstring, repeatedly shooting out arrows. With each shot, Shen Qing realized his understanding of the Heavenly Bow Technique grew deeper. Gradually, Shen Qing entered a state of selflessness. The arrows he shot became increasingly precise, and their power grew ever more immense, even leaving tiny spatial fissures in the void with each shot. It was unclear how much time had passed when Shen Qing suddenly had an epiphany. [Skill: Heavenly Bow Technique (Break Limit)] [Progress: 3001/3000 points] [Status: Can Breakthrough] Seeing the words popping up in his vision, Shen Qing''s face lit up with joy. "Alright, Water Ink Panel, then let me feel your limits again, breakthrough!" As his mind moved slightly, the Water Ink Panel quickly refreshed and changed. [Skill: Sun Shooting Bow Technique (Novice)] [Progress: 1/5000 points] sea??h th§× N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Immediately following, unfamiliar memories forcibly entered his mind; it took him a stick of incense time to gradually digest them. In these memories, Shen Qing relentlessly practiced day and night, finally mastering the Heavenly Bow Technique martial art, and thereby comprehending the martial art of the Sun Shooting Bow Technique. Shen Qing, who had read extensively about martial arts, knew that martial arts focused on archery were few and far between in the world. It could be said that the Sun Shooting Technique he broke through is the only martial art in the world that has achieved mastery in bow art. Shen Qing eagerly picked up the treasure bow. The moment his fingers touched the bow, a strong sense of familiarity surged throughout his body, revealing the path of his internal energy movements directly. "Let''s test what this Sun Shooting Technique is capable of." Shen Qing used his entire Primordial Spirit as the guide, Spiritual Energy as the arrow, and shot an arrow. Whoosh! A golden light darted out as fast as thunder, shooting towards the sky. In an instant, the world changed color. It seemed as if a new sun appeared in the distant sky. The clouds below the sky evaporated and disintegrated in an instant. Shen Qing stood on the ground, watching as a "sun" fell from the horizon. The next moment, a deafening thunderous sound rolled in, causing the surrounding air to tremble ever so slightly due to the arrow, with the aftershocks spreading, as if the terrifying power of it shook even the space itself. He gazed into the distance at the spot where the arrow fell, and where scorched earth remained, that was the spot where the Sun Shooting Bow Technique''s arrow had landed. "This... is the power of the Sun Shooting Bow Technique?" Shen Qing clicked his tongue in amazement. The Sun Shooting Bow Technique, using spiritual energy as its foundation, achieved explosive power through the arrows, capable of destroying both the mortal body and the Primordial Spirit. Mastered to perfection, even martial masters of the Kongyou Realm might fall to a single arrow. Remarkable! Truly remarkable! Recalling the arrow just now, Shen Qing could still feel the overwhelming power that almost burned both his Primordial Spirit and body together to ashes. The Sun Shooting Bow Technique uses his Primordial Spirit as a guide and spiritual energy as the body, allowing the arrows to continually absorb the world''s spiritual energy while flying, multiplying until reaching a critical point, and explosively unleash a dazzling, sun-like light and destructive power. For ordinary people, this arrow would consume a lot of energy, and he already felt a bit exhausted. Shen Qing silently estimated if it were an ordinary martial master of the Primordial Spirit realm, they''d probably not be able to stand. Without delay, he took out the Jade Token and began operating the Six Paths Reincarnation Technique to refine spiritual power. Soon, his acupoints lit up like stars all over his body. Mild and pure spiritual power seeped in through his pores, nourishing every cell of his. Previously tired from using the Sun Shooting Bow Technique, his Primordial Spirit and physical body began to gradually recover at this moment. Seeing that he had almost recovered, Shen Qing deployed the Great Void Shuttle Technique, moving away from the place. Just as he left, a burly man covered in talismans appeared out of thin air. He looked around, frowning, muttering to himself, "Huh? I seemed to feel a powerful aura here just now, was it my imagination?" The burly man was puzzled, reaching into the void and catching a wisp of residual aura. "Why is the aura so unfamiliar, is there another strong warrior from the Kongyou Realm?" Puzzled after investigating for some time without any clues, he decided to give up, "Forget it, be it the Kongyou Realm or the Primordial Spirit realm, they are of no concern to me, hehe..." His figure flickered and disappeared from the spot. Having achieved a breakthrough, Shen Qing returned to the Military Department happily. Upon entering the department, he sensed something was amiss. The place was noisy, bustling with sound. Everyone''s face bore a shade of panic to some extent. Shen Qing felt puzzled and stopped a staff member from the Military Department, asking, "What''s going on?" The staff member, still in shock, said, "Lord Lan has been killed by the leader of the Huang Tian Sect!" "What?" Hearing this news, Shen Qing couldn''t believe it. "Are the other chief inspectors in the bureau?" "They''re all inside, my lord." Shen Qing hesitated no longer and quickly hurried towards the third courtyard. ... At the same time, in a training room within a royal mansion. Seated within was the Seventh Prince, Ji Bo. In the dimly lit room, candles flickered, reflecting his resolute face. His eyes were bloodshot, filled with an endless longing for power. Before Ji Bo lay a nameless booklet, densely filled with small characters. It was a copy he had transcribed from the royal library''s Divine Physique Dafa manuscript. If practiced to perfection, this technique could sanctify the body, extend life, and achieve the pinnacle. Over the past few months, Ji Bo had been diligently practicing it, advancing rapidly. As the technique circulated within him, the spiritual power coalesced into a powerful vortex, washing over his body, every inch of his flesh seemingly imbued with explosive power, becoming resilient, immensely strong. His cultivation thus took a swift leap forward. Having tasted the sweetness of rapid progress, Ji Bo had become enamored with this Divine Physique Dafa, training night and day, almost reaching a state of not resting, sleeping, eating, or drinking. Thunder rumbled, spring rain poured. In the training room, the wind rose. Ji Bo opened his eyes, preparing to break through to the next realm of the Divine Physique Dafa. His fingers glided through the air, and the booklet turned pages automatically. "I have learned the previous content by heart, many have practiced it. The real challenge lies in what''s next." The Divine Physique Dafa was incomplete, with many parts unsuitable to the current environment, a fact well known among the royals. To explore further, many gifted individuals were ruined. Fortunately, the outcome was positive. Finally, someone had tested and verified new, correct insights within it. Ji Bo was eager to try. He practiced diligently as per the technique''s records, smooth at first, but as time went on, an inexplicable fever rose within. Ji Bo, unaware of the anomaly or simply indifferent, continued following the records, pushing his spiritual power to its limits. Suddenly, an indescribable pain surged like a tide, as if thousands of pounds weighed down his spiritual veins, which started breaking inch by inch, emitting a chilling wail. "Ah!" A heart-wrenching scream echoed through the training room as Ji Bo''s body began to twist and deform, veins bulging beneath his skin, his eyes turning a fiery red. The power forged through the Divine Physique Dafa spiraled out of control, wreaking havoc within him. Panic flashed across Ji Bo''s face as he seemed to realize something. There was indeed an issue with this technique!!! The trial practitioner hadn''t cultivated it at all. Only he had foolishly practiced it! Regret washed over him intensely. But it was all too late. Ultimately, with a dull thud, he spewed a mouthful of foul blood, collapsing headlong onto the ground. The candles in the training room extinguished, and silence fell. When the guards hurriedly arrived, they found Ji Bo lying lifeless in a pool of blood, his spiritual veins utterly destroyed, devoid of life. They were in utter shock, "Quick, go to the palace and notify His Majesty, the Seventh Prince is dead!" Chapter 428 - 29: Dramatic Changes in the Capital, Intruders Enter the City ``` Military Department Office, the third courtyard. Many people gathered together. Shen Qing squeezed in and saw Wei Chengye, who looked terrified. At this moment, he was in bad shape, his face pale, eyes lifeless, as if scared out of his wits. Zeng Weifeng, Zhao Lengyan, and Yang Henshan were all present. When they saw Shen Qing''s arrival, they nodded in acknowledgment. Shen Qing hastily asked, "What... happened here?" Zeng Weifeng, Zhao Lengyan, and Yang Henshan exchanged glances, and after a while, Zeng Weifeng spoke up, "Let me explain." With a solemn expression, he looked at Shen Qing and said, "Lord Zeng just returned, saying he encountered the leader of the Huang Tian Sect, Taoist Huangtian, and Lord Lan was no match for him, killed on the spot." Hearing this, Shen Qing''s face changed. Lan Gongliang was a martial master of the Kongyou Realm; how could he die just like that? What kind of joke is this? Shen Qing''s expression turned grim, "Is this true?" "Eighty to ninety percent chance it is," Zeng Weifeng continued, "Earlier, Lord Lan had already discovered tracks of numerous Huang Tian Sect disciples outside the city, and today he even eliminated a Qu Department. Now, it seems the people sent by the Huang Tian Sect are much more than we thought, with significant intentions." Shen Qing asked, "Has the palace been notified?" Zeng Weifeng nodded heavily, "We have already sent people over, and patrols have been dispatched outside the city. In any case, we must all remain on high alert; if things go wrong, we could be in big trouble." Shen Qing agreed, "Since that''s the case, we shouldn''t linger here. Let''s move quickly, everyone, patrol and set defenses. If something goes wrong in the Capital, we''ll all be in deep trouble." "You''re right, let''s go!" Zeng Weifeng, Zhao Lengyan, and Yang Henshan quickly responded and arranged everything. Shen Qing also promptly summoned Yu Hai Bei, called all the officers and dispatchers, both on duty and off, and sent them out to patrol the southern district of the Capital. It was then that Shen Qing suddenly felt warmth in his bosom. He hurried to a secluded corner and took out the Spirit Communication Mirror. A rare message from the long-missed Shen Xiaohu. "Leave swiftly! Our Holy Sect is attacking the Capital! The Daoist is coming personally!" Seeing these brief words, Shen Qing was shocked, a chill running down his spine. Without any hesitation, he tucked the Spirit Communication Mirror back into his chest and dashed home. The situation came suddenly; Shen Qing held nothing back, disregarding many taboos within the Capital. He directly used the Great Void Shifting Technique, crossing several steps to return home. His aunt and elder sister, Shen Fang, were in the back courtyard, working on shoes and doing needlework. Seeing Shen Qing appear abruptly at home, they were quite surprised. A maid beside them raised her head and said, "Oh, Marquis, why have you returned suddenly?" Without wasting any words, Shen Qing said directly, "Get ready, pack up immediately, and prepare to leave." A while ago, upon receiving a warning from Shen Xiaohu, he had already prepared a hidden estate outside the Capital, specifically for such emergencies. Now it was time to use it. Seeing Shen Qing''s serious demeanor, his aunt and the others asked no questions. Countless prior experiences had proven Shen Qing''s judgment. Thus, everyone obediently and swiftly packed their belongings without a single complaint, as if they were used to it. Moreover, they had already made some preparations before, so under Shen Qing''s orders, everyone in the residence quickly packed up. Three carriages were neatly lined up at the Marquis Wu''an Mansion''s entrance, and everyone boarded the carriages in an orderly manner. Standing in the residence, Li Yuyao was unclear why Shen Qing suddenly required everyone to leave the city. Her bright eyes roamed around thoughtfully. After a moment, she beckoned her maid, Xiao Hong, and whispered, "Go to the Li Residence, tell them what''s happening here, and then head to the city gates to catch up." Her close maid nodded heavily and hurried out when no one was watching. Li Yuyao followed behind everyone, quietly boarding a carriage. "Drive!" The wheels slowly rolled forward, heading toward the city gate. After handling matters at the mansion, Shen Qing hurried to the Mountain River Bureau to inform Huang Furo. As expected, Huang Furo was quite surprised. Being in the Mountain Sea Department, they dealt with various intelligence daily, yet had never heard any news about the Huang Tian Sect planning an attack. She wasn''t clear about many of the details. However, trusting Shen Qing, Huang Furo didn''t doubt him. "Husband, if it''s true, as you say, that the Huang Tian Sect plans to attack the city, you should seek refuge outside the city. The Outer City is under your patrol; going there might breach ethics, but no one can fault your duties." "Compared to establishing merits, your safety is what matters most to me," Huang Furo said tenderly, looking at Shen Qing. Shen Qing raised an eyebrow and asked, "What about you?" "Don''t worry, your wife is not a helpless woman; I do have some means of self-protection," Huang Furo reassured him solemnly. "You needn''t worry about me." Shen Qing squinted slightly, seeing through Huang Furo''s intent. She wanted to seize this opportunity to climb the ranks, to fight for a higher position. S§×arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Seeing through Shen Qing''s thoughts, Huang Furo said, "Husband, were you just thinking of knocking me out and taking me with you?" Shen Qing hesitated a bit. Indeed, she had guessed right. He restrained his expression and said, "Leaving you alone here, I can''t help but worry." ``` Chapter 429 - 29: Sudden Change in the Capital, Intruders Enter the City_2 "Dear husband, you''re mistaken. If I stay here, it''s the safest. They won''t easily make a move on us." Huangfu Rou said seriously, "According to the intelligence gathered by the Mountain and Sea Division over the years, the Yellow Heaven Sect is not to be underestimated; they are suspected to have obtained ancient heritage." "If they truly concentrate all their efforts to attack the city, it''s hard to say what would happen to the Capital." "Do you think the court will lose?" "Not necessarily." Huangfu Rou continued, "The Ji family''s nine hundred years of accumulated heritage is extremely formidable. We do not know the extent of their power. Even if the Yellow Heaven Sect comes, they may not gain any benefit." "Then what do you mean..." Shen Qing was puzzled. Huangfu Rou said seriously, "My father taught me from a young age that eggs cannot all be placed in one basket. You and I, as husband and wife, are one. If we are both outside the city, and if the court wins in the future, we might have difficulty explaining ourselves. Conversely, if we are both in the city and the Yellow Heaven Sect wins, it would be extremely disadvantageous for us." "The best way is for you and I to each guard a place, so no matter the outcome between the two parties in the future, we will have more room to maneuver." Shen Qing said, "Isn''t this putting you in danger?" The usually unsmiling Huangfu Rou smiled sweetly and said, "If I truly am in danger, wouldn''t you, as my husband, be there?" Shen Qing, being a very decisive person, seeing Huangfu Rou''s resolute manner, did not persuade further. "Alright, if you see things going wrong, I''ll come to take you out of the city." "I understand what is important." Shen Qing turned and left the Mountain and Sea Division, directly finding Yu Haibei, and instructed, "We''re patrolling the Capital day and night, and there is nothing happening within. If there''s an issue, it''s definitely outside the city. Take some reliable brothers and follow me out of the city." Yu Haibei, without any hesitation, organized a group and quickly followed Shen Qing out of the city. Li Mansion. In a pavilion, Li Zhentian, with nothing to do, grabbed and threw handfuls of fish feed into the pond. Under the water, golden and red carp swarmed from all directions, scrambling for food, splashing water everywhere. "You''re saying, the Marquis of Wu''an and his family just left the city?" Li family''s steward, Li Wenxu, bowed and said, "Indeed, it was a maid by the Tenth Miss''s side who specifically came to inform us." Hearing this, Li Zhentian mused, "It shows she is a filial child. Release his parents and siblings. We won''t trouble them in the future." "Yes. Regarding the matter of the Marquis of Wu''an..." Li Wenxu asked with folded hands in a requesting manner. Li Zhentian pondered, "The Marquis of Wu''an is not one to seek trouble and show off. If he''s moving the whole family, he must have caught wind of some incredible news. People move and live by what is best for them. He must have known something unheard by me, indicating a change in the Capital perhaps." "I have a country estate outside the city; make preparations for the young masters and miss to pack up and leave the city, taking some elders and the family''s most valuable items to stay there for a few days." "Do we really need to make such a big fuss?" "It''s better to believe in its existence than its absence. I''d rather go through the trouble than make an error that harms the family." Li Zhentian said with a calm expression. Li Wenxu, having no further thoughts, directly took the order, "Yes, Master. I''ll handle it immediately." After more than half an hour, following the Marquis of Wu''an''s residence, the Li family also dispatched a series of carriages toward outside the city. The crowd on the streets was curious, wondering if today was some special day, seeing such a bustle. ... In the Imperial Palace, inside the Spirit Nourishing Hall. A grand eunuch without a long beard hurriedly rushed in from outside the hall, his face contorted as he said, "Your Majesty, something has happened." Sitting cross-legged on a yellow meditation cushion, Ji Zikong opened his eyes, which were bright as lightning. He said with a face as calm as still water, "What happened?" Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "The Seventh Prince was found dead at home." "What happened?" Ji Zikong''s face changed slightly as he asked. "The servants discovered that the Seventh Prince was practicing the Great Saint Physique Technique, suffered from Qi deviation, and died as his meridians got severed." Ji Zikong frowned, murmuring, "The Great Saint Physique Technique? The one Duke Shen practices?" "Exactly, Your Majesty." Almost immediately, Ji Zikong thought that Shen Qing perhaps bypassed them and hadn''t practiced that legendary Martial technique. He was able to resist the temptation of Martial Arts techniques. Ji Zikong couldn''t help but find this amusing and unconsciously held Shen Qing in higher regard. This young man really is interesting. "Your Majesty, should I summon Lord Shen to the palace for this matter?" Ji Zikong said indifferently, "How did the Seventh Prince get his hands on this Martial Arts technique? I seem to recall not permitting him to practice other Martial techniques?" "This..." The grand eunuch instinctively sensed the implication in Ji Zikong''s words; there wasn''t any intention to target Shen Qing. He brooded over his word choice and said, "As far as the old servant knows, the reason the Seventh Prince obtained this Martial Arts technique was due to Chief Steward Ji''s involvement." "Then summon him to the hall; I need to question how he is managing as Chief Steward." "At once, I will find Chief Steward Ji." Ji Zikong''s lips parted as he uttered chilling words, "Also, the guards around the Seventh Prince failed to protect him; execute them all." "Yes, Your Majesty." The grand eunuch exited the Spirit Nourishing Hall, and no sooner did he leave than an armored, weary-looking official from the Military Department rushed to the front of the Spirit Nourishing Hall. He fell to his knees outside the vermilion doors, alarmed, he said, "Your Majesty, I have an urgent matter of extreme importance that needs reporting!" Inside the Spirit Nourishing Hall, Ji Zikong, sitting on the dragon throne, his gaze as sharp as an eagle, penetrated through layers of obstacles, directly watching the trembling figure below. "What makes you so panicked?" Ji Zikong''s voice came from the depths of the hall, charged with an overwhelming sense of authority. "Reporting to Your Majesty," the official''s forehead was beaded with sweat as he hurriedly said, "Lord Lan of the Military Department... he... his lordship was killed outside the city by the Yellow Heaven Sect..." At these words, the entire hall plunged into a dead silence. Emperor Ji Zikong''s expression changed drastically, a flash of disbelief and shock glinted in those profound eyes. He abruptly stood up, as the golden dragon pattern on his robe seemed to leap. "What did you say? Lord Lan... was actually... killed by the Yellow Heaven Sect?" "Yes." In this moment, the entire palace seemed to feel the emperor''s turbulent emotions, with a strong aura held at bay yet surging forth. Even the death of the Seventh Prince hadn''t moved him so. After all, he had many children: even if all currently perished, he could still sow new seeds and father more heirs. But the loss of Lan Gongliang was different. He was truly a Kongyou Realm martial master. Looking across the entire Great Zhou, how many martial masters of his caliber could there be? Just mysteriously dying like this, how could he stay calm? "Pass my decree, summon General Zhao..." Boom! Before Ji Zikong could finish his sentence, a thunderous roar echoed from the sky. Following it, he felt as if the world spun, and the ground began to tremble. "What is going on?" Ji Zikong''s expression was extremely displeased; he strode out of the Spirit Nourishing Hall, and upon seeing the distant horizon, he was rendered speechless with astonishment. The entire world seemed thrown into turmoil by an invisible force, the rumble of roaring chaos crashing upon them like tidal waves. In the western skyline of the Capital, an eerie, unfathomable yellow eerily shimmered, bright as fiery flames. Continuous, thunderous roars echoed from within. This spectacle caused the grand eunuch and others nearby to involuntarily shiver, the hairs on the back of their neck standing on end as if a chill pierced their souls. Even Ji Zikong, the emperor, upon witnessing such a sight for the first time, was taken aback. Raising his gaze, he saw several airships of various shapes and styles, seemingly ancient treasures from time immemorial, floating in mid-air by mystical power, releasing a powerful pressure. Concentrated together, they would surely make mountains shake and extinguish the shining sun and moon. Above them, a flag with the words "Yellow Heaven" fluttered high. The Yellow Heaven rebels had truly invaded the Capital! Chapter 430 - 30: Siege, Great Powers Contest Each Other ``` Endless yellow light emanated from those flying boats, enveloping the entire sky. The sky over the Capital completely transformed into yellow, resembling the true Yellow Sky. Flags fluttered, and shouts of battle pierced the heavens. "This is..." "The flying boats of the Huang Tian Sect?" People within the Capital City looked up in disbelief, finding it hard to accept the existence of ships that could fly. The foundation showcased by the Huang Tian Sect shocked each of them to their core. On the flying ships, the Holy Priests of the Huang Tian Sect stood solemnly with yellow cloth wrapped around their heads, holding long spears, appearing like Heavenly Soldiers. They stood in neat formations on the ship, exuding a formidable aura of battle. The evening gradually dimmed, and dark clouds gathered. The great army of the Huang Tian Sect had arrived, covering the land with a somber killing intent. The yellow light cast down on the city walls of the Capital, reflecting the bewildered faces of the court''s city guards. They had never witnessed such a formation before, and each couldn''t help but swallow nervously, caught off guard, instinctively gripping their weapons tightly, ready for battle. "Prepare for battle!" With a command from the many officers within the city, the Forbidden Army on the city walls dispersed swiftly, immediately taking combat stance. Outside the city, Shen Qing paused to look back. His gaze fell on the vast, surging army of the Huang Tian Sect, even from a distance, he could feel the unprecedented pressure. "So this is the full force of the Huang Tian Sect?" "What exactly did the Huang Tian Sect do over these years to gather such immense strength?" "Also, why has the Huang Tian Sect decided to bet everything now, focusing its entire strength against the Ji Family? What''s the explanation here?" As he watched the two sides engaging in fierce combat, Shen Qing felt puzzled, with question after question continuously emerging in his mind. He felt as if there was a layer of mist before his eyes, obscuring many truths. sea??h th§× N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Looking at the Huang Tian army in front of him, it seemed somewhat different from the evil cult organization he imagined. Rather than being controlled by some cult leader, it seemed more like a group of desperados gathered for a common goal, struggling to the death. "Not good, they are starting the siege!" Just as Shen Qing was lost in thought, a cry of alarm rang out by his side. It was Yu Hai Bei speaking. Following his gaze, Shen Qing saw one Holy Sect Disciple after another, clad in yellow armor, leaping down from the flying boats like war gods descending from the heavens, landing on the streets of the Capital City. Shen Qing released his Divine Sense, scanning the interior of the city. He saw countless Holy Priests of the Huang Tian Sect, wielding spears plastered with talismans, eyes filled with fanaticism and determination, rapidly advancing towards the Imperial Palace. The crowd surged like a tide, fierce and unrestrained. The Holy Priests of the Huang Tian Sect quickly engaged with the Forbidden Army of the Capital. The cries of battle and the clash of weapons intermingled, echoing high into the sky. The Huang Tian Sect was evidently well-prepared, not only large in number but also each a seasoned elite. The talismans affixed to their bodies were like treasure armor, difficult to penetrate, and the spears in their hands were incredibly formidable. Every one of them was intensely fervent, fearless in the face of death, and confronting the unprepared Forbidden Army of the Capital was like sheep being thrown to wolves, breaking through with unstoppable force. With the continuous joining of the Huang Tian Sect''s Saints from all over, the Forbidden Army began to weaken, their defense line gradually starting to crumble. Seeing this scene, Shen Qing couldn''t help but furrow his brows deeply. He knew well that although the Capital''s Forbidden Army was well-trained, they likely couldn''t hold for long against such fanatical believers. Wave after wave of the Holy Priests of the Huang Tian Sect charged towards the Forbidden Army''s defenses, and as expected, the Forbidden Army retreated step by step. Shen Qing noticed that there were plenty of powerful masters within the Huang Tian Sect. Once they took a position, they would skillfully arrange a defensive formation, securing their foothold, with array flags being deployed as if they cost nothing. This battle had lasted but a short while, and the streets of the Capital were already filled with bodies, blood everywhere. "My lord, what should we do? Just leave it be?" Yu Hai Bei looked towards the city where the sounds of battle reverberated, his expression bewildered. The current situation had already exceeded his expectations. Shen Qing''s face showed no change in expression, and he said softly, "The Military Department''s main duty is precaution, overseeing investigations and maintaining public order. Now that the two sides are at war, it is beyond our jurisdiction, something we cannot intervene in." Yu Hai Bei was taken aback, wanting to say more. But at that moment, he couldn''t help but recall that if he hadn''t left with Lord Shen earlier, perhaps they might already be in deadly clash with these crazed believers of the Huang Tian Sect, with their lives precarious. Finally, words filled his mind, only to condense into one word: "Alright..." Shen Qing glanced at him and said, "With Your Majesty, the greatest Martial Master in the world present, he can single-handedly oppose a nation. He surely has a way. If he can''t, there''s the Ji Family patriarch and other powerful forces from various noble families. As long as these remain undefeated, no matter how rampant the Huang Tian Sect gets, they won''t be able to shake the foundation of the court." Saying this, a cold light flashed in Shen Qing''s eyes, and he murmured in his heart: "If the Huang Tian Sect cannot take down the Ji Family this time, then their end will surely be fading into nothingness, naturally not needing our intervention. Once entangled in such a level of battle, the outcome really is hard to predict." Currently, the battle within the Imperial Palace was intense, affecting many noble families and ordinary residents. Withdrawing his Divine Sense from the city, Shen Qing looked in the direction outside the city, no longer lingering, focusing on urgently escorting his aunt and others to a safe haven. ``` Chapter 431 - 30 Siege, The Clash of the Great Powers_2 Approximately half a Shi Chen later, Shen Qing had already safely delivered his relatives. He then stood with Yu Hai Bei and his subordinates outside the city, constantly observing the changes within the Capital. The fierce battle between the Huang Tian Sect and the Forbidden Army of the court gradually intensified, with both sides unknowingly advancing their front line to the front of the Imperial Palace. Throughout the process, the major Shi family members did not take a stance, choosing to observe from the shadows. They each had their own calculations, intending to exploit the chaos for greater benefits. As time went on, the court appeared to be struggling against the frantic assault of the Huang Tian Sect. On the palace walls, arrows fell like rain, unable to halt the fervent steps of the Huang Tian Sect believers. Moreover, there were longbowmen and numerous Holy Sect disciples on the flying boats in the sky. They continuously threw down weapons known as machine thunder. Countless machine thunders descended like raindrops, crashing down from the sky. When they were about to hit the ground, they exploded with a loud bang, turning into spirals of fiery light shooting into the sky. Most of the Forbidden Army had cultivation that was not deep, finding it incredibly difficult to withstand such terrifying might. Each machine thunder claimed the lives of multiple Forbidden Army soldiers. Screams of agony were continuous. In just a moment, the Huang Tian Sect had already breached the Imperial Palace; the defense line was utterly lost. Looking out, the Capital appeared filled with small golden "mushroom" formations scattered throughout the city. The court of the Great Zhou Dynasty seemed to be on the verge of collapse. Shen Qing, stationed outside the Capital, maintained his calm demeanor. In his perception, at least five Void Wandering level and seven Essence Soul Realm martial masters had appeared inside the Imperial Palace. The Ji family had yet to truly act. The struggle had only just begun. Just as he thought this, a few astonishing and formidable auras suddenly erupted from within the palace¡ªmembers of the Ji family, who had been holding back, finally made their move. In the depths of the palace, they transformed into rainbow lights soaring skyward, directly charging at the elite of the Huang Tian Sect. Before the unmatched saints of the Huang Tian Sect on the battlefield, the Ji family''s experts were like autumn leaves swept by the wind, falling one by one. Shen Qing noticed that these individuals all appeared middle-aged, each with robust vitality showing no signs of decline. These people must be part of the Ji family''s retained strength. Over nine hundred years of massive tributary accumulation by the Ji family, there was presumably an unknown number of such individuals. At the thought, Shen Qing inexplicably felt a tingling sensation on his scalp. He very much doubted what courage Huang Tian Sect had to attack the Capital City of Great Zhou, to dare assault the Ji family. In facing the resistance of the Ji family, the Huang Tian Sect was equally unwilling to show weakness. Shen Qing saw from afar in the sky, nine figures leaping one after another down from the largest nine-story ships. Each of them adorned with yellow talismans, some wielding a simple long sword, some holding a giant hammer, others brandishing a blood-stained spear... Like golden armored war gods descending to the mortal realm, they charged toward the remaining experts of the Ji family. Boom! Boom! Boom! ... As these individuals clashed with the experts of the Ji family, a series of thunderous booms erupted one after another. Each impact accompanied by deafening roars seemed to rip the very fabric of space. Shen Qing watched the scene unfold before him, filled with disbelief. Under his Divine Sense''s scrutiny, he saw one figure from the Huang Tian Sect sever a martial master''s head in the Essence Soul Realm with a single blade, astounding him. Earlier, the once seemingly invincible Grand Powers of the Ji family were now all at a disadvantage. Even those martial masters at the Void Wandering level were no exception. The Huang Tian Sect was too formidable. Whether it was an illusion or not, Shen Qing discovered that these nine Huang Tian Sect figures appeared entirely lifeless, akin to corpses, with no signs of life detectable. Only their grand and boundless divine intent was comparable to his own. At this moment, the concept of puppetry, corpse control surfaced in Shen Qing''s mind. "Kill!" One of the Huang Tian Sect members let out a low chant, swinging his longsword forward. A clear and sharp sword light split the sky, akin to a galaxy pouring down, striking towards the vital points of the Ji family''s great powers. The battle''s aftermath engulfed the entire space above the Imperial City; space twisted, the clouds churned. Below, onlookers could only watch from afar, their hearts shocked beyond words. Puchi. A great power of the Ji family was simply no match, being decapitated with a single strike. The conflict between both sides intensified. Rage had reached an unyielding stage. Rumble! Countless houses surrounding the exchange between the two sides collapsed, many who had no time to escape were caught up and perished. In the end, the Ji family, sacrificing twelve great powers in a life-or-death struggle, managed to eliminate four from the Huang Tian Sect, considered a disastrous defeat. "I said, how could you have dared to attack the city; turns out you''ve already refined corpses from the ancient sacred grounds, no wonder you''re so arrogant." An authoritative voice of a robust man appeared above the palace, its tone filled with dignity: "However, since the Dao Master is present, isn''t it too lacking in courage to hide so?" Within the flying boat of the Huang Tian Sect, an ethereal voice emerged, stirring one''s heart: "So what if that''s the case? As long as we annihilate you, nothing else matters." "You think my Ji family''s centuries of accumulation amounts to just this? You will be soon disappointed. Ancestral forebears, lend me a hand!" With Ji Zi Kong''s words, bands of light gathered from all around the horizon. Mighty presences materialized out of thin air above the Imperial Palace. Shen Qing gazed at the array of figures in the sky, utterly stunned beyond measure. All were martial masters of the Void Wandering and Essence Soul Realm. He swept his gaze slightly, noting their number no less than sixty. The nine-hundred-year accumulation of the Ji family was wholly present here. Especially an elder with extremely white hair, radiating vigor. His aura alone overshadowed everyone present. The Ji family ancestor had emerged! "What rudimentary pests, daring to disturb our profound cultivation, you deserve death!" Speaking, he extended a hand, forming a hand that covered the skies, easily crushing the leading massive ship. Seeing this, the Taoist Lord of Huang Tian showed no anger but instead laughed heartily: "Well done, that''s precisely what we were waiting for." Buzz! With the Taoist Lord of Huang Tian''s words, the originally scattered small formations in the Capital suddenly blazed with light, linking together. A grand and towering formation suddenly surged, akin to an ancient beast awakened from the Nine Nethers, roaring as it tore through space, arising from the ground. S§×ar?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. In just a few breaths, it had locked all of Ji family''s grand martial masters within its boundless might. "Absolute Killing Formation, activate!" Rumble! A deafening roar abruptly resonated through dusk and earth. Golden runes, like boiling magma, seethed and surged, rapidly condensing into two colossal grinding discs that obscured the sky, carrying terrifying power enough to crush everything, slowly pressing inward, mercilessly erasing all life within the formation. These martial masters, trapped by the formation, who had lived hundreds of years, were among the world''s elite. However, at this moment, faced with an Absolute Killing Formation akin to heaven''s retribution, they appeared so insignificant and helpless. "Ah!" Soon, under the crushing force of the grinding discs, someone''s body collapsed, with their Essence Soul escaping. Before they could feel any solace, the crushing force pursued relentlessly. Even the ethereal formless Essence Soul could not escape the fate of being utterly obliterated. It was ground into wisps of smoke in the void, evaporating into nothingness, completely vanished. Within the span of just a tea time, over half of the great powers of the Ji family had fallen. Witnessing his heirs fading away continuously, the Ji family ancestor instantly realized Huang Tian Sect''s intention. It was all a trap to lure them out. "What audacity!" "Ancestor, do not hold back!" shouted Ji Zi Kong from outside the formation. The Ji family ancestor steeled his heart, extracting a piece of broken blade, sacrificing the remaining blade in hand with a push forward. The fragmented blade, stained with dark red blood, burst outward with an overwhelming menacing aura, suffused with ancient unyielding killing intent, viciously slashing onto the indestructible formation barrier. "Clang!" Like the sound of divine ancient iron breaking, echoing to the heavens. Suddenly, an uprising sword aura soared skyward, brilliance splashing, energy rampant as if severing heavens and earth in two. "Break for me!" Holding the broken blade, the Ji family ancestor effectively hacked the formation apart. Rumble! Centering from the Ji family ancestor, a dazzling radiance extended outward. The complex of palaces and towers, amid this surprising upheaval, crumbled into ruins. Chapter 432 - 31: The World is Like a Prison, the Human Clan Will Perish! ``` The formation that had left numerous ancestors of the Ji Family helpless was quietly split open with this one sword. The grinding disc above was directly cleaved into two, showing signs of collapse. Bang bang bang... Countless small formations within Capital City that were part of the Absolute Killing Array were also greatly affected at this moment. At this instant, the power bursting out from the Sword Qi crushed down along the formation. The cultivators of the Huang Tian Sect stationed in the small formations were unable to withstand it and were instantly crushed into mists of blood by an unstoppable force. The previously invincible Absolute Killing Array had completely lost control. The surviving great powers of the Ji Family all shouted at this time: "Charge out! Kill!" Among the sixty great powers of the Ji Family, only ten remained under the crushing force of the Huang Tian Sect''s Absolute Killing Array, representing a significant loss. Shen Qing saw this scene with his Divine Sense, and his heart unwittingly tightened. The Huang Tian Sect was too strong. Those were martial masters of the Primordial Spirit Realm, even the Kongyou Realm, yet dozens had just perished like that. With this formation, the Huang Tian Sect''s power rivaled that of the Unity Realm. No, it was stronger than the Unity Realm. "What is this..." "The Huang Tian Daoist?" As Shen Qing was lost in thought, his expression suddenly changed as he felt an extraordinarily powerful aura appear out of thin air, enveloping the entire heaven and earth. Shen Qing felt a slight impact on his Divine Sense, as if it were being squeezed, akin to a fish burrowing into the mud when brewing medicine underwater. He focused intently, discovering that beneath the sky, a middle-aged man in a golden Daoist robe stepped out from the first great boat. This middle-aged man had sharp brows and bright eyes, radiating a dazzling presence. Holding a Golden Bell, he stood at the bow of the ship, overlooking the Great Zhou Capital, his whole being exuding a divine aura. Unity Realm martial master! When the Ji Family saw this scene, their expressions changed drastically. "It''s the Huang Tian Daoist!" "Quickly join us in slaying him! We mustn''t let him succeed today!" "..." Above the Imperial Palace, the Ji Family patriarch urgently ordered. He had already sensed the terrifying aura emanating from the Huang Tian Daoist, not much weaker than his own. Without any hesitation, the Ji Family patriarch led the other great powers of the Ji Clan, turning into rainbow light, soaring towards the bow of the boat where the Huang Tian Daoist stood. The Huang Tian Daoist''s expression was as calm as water. He looked down with a cold smile, saying, "Old Man Ji, you and your offspring have dominated the martial mechanisms of the world for 900 years, but this is all you amount to. Even so, you still think you can break out of the Prison and face the Heavenly Demons?" "I say, why don''t you give all the martial mechanisms'' heritage to me? Perhaps, I''ll find a way and lead these people to a new path. What do you think?" The Ji Family patriarch''s face sank as he retorted, "Hmph, such boastful words. Things that couldn''t be achieved in Ancient Times, but you''d think just by chance lucking upon some ancient benefits, you can make it out? Foolish delusion!" Boom! As the words fell, the Ji Family patriarch moved like a meteor, arriving instantly above the bow of the Flying Boat. His body was surrounded by a tide-like surge of spiritual energy, like a war god awakened from Ancient Times. He let out a low chant, his fist carrying the force to shatter mountains and rivers, crashing down with a roar. At that moment, the air was torn apart by this punch, resounding with a deafening explosion, aiming to turn everything around into dust. The Huang Tian Daoist remained as calm as water, casually tapping his toe without haste. Instantly, the Flying Boat shone brilliantly as a complex golden rune appeared suddenly, its intricate patterns weaving a golden formation, overturning like a bowl on the Flying Boat, tightly enveloping it within. This formation faintly exuded an aura of suppressing all things. The punch of the Ji Family patriarch, upon touching this layer of formation, dissipated quietly as if sinking into the sea, unable to stir even a ripple. The Ji Family patriarch''s expression changed slightly, surprised by the strength of the formation, causing his figure to hesitate slightly. In the next moment, a hint of ferocity and decisiveness flashed in the Ji Family patriarch''s eyes. He once again summoned the Ancient Sword Fragment, its blade flickering uncertainly amid the dense evil Qi. He took a deep breath as all his spiritual power surged like an upheaving sea, unstoppable. The Ji Family patriarch once again wielded the fragment, the sword tip lightly grazing the void, and a streak of sword light thundered towards the formation. This fragment originated from the Ancient Times, and if complete, its grade would far surpass that of magic treasures. Previously breaking the Absolute Killing Array had consumed much of his spiritual power. Now, as he wielded this sword again, its power was significantly reduced. Yet, even so, the remaining might within the blade was still immense. The intense evil Qi weighed as heavily as mountains. The moment the sword light and the formation contacted, a violent surge of energy erupted. The Imperial Palace was affected, collapsing a large section of the buildings and houses instantly. Many palace maids and eunuchs who couldn''t escape in time were either crushed under the ruins, barely clinging to life, or directly killed by the aura of these two Unity Realm beings. Had these two been fighting fiercely within the Imperial Palace, it would have already turned into complete ruins. The golden formation trembled slightly under the powerful Sword Qi, ultimately collapsing entirely. Along with the dissipating formation was the dreadful sword light. Seeing this, the Ji Family patriarch resolved to use a third sword. Yet, unexpectedly, after the continuous use of two swords, his aging body became incredibly fragile, with some places already cracking and bleeding. It''s important to know that even martial masters who''ve broken through to the Unity Realm have bodies that should be indestructible. ``` sea??h th§× n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 433 - 31 The World as a Prison, The Human Clan Will Perish!_2 The appearance of such injuries is simply unbelievable. Old Man Ji realized it was due to this Broken Blade, consuming too much of his Spiritual Power and spirit. His body swayed slightly, his face pale as paper, and a trace of blood overflowed from the corner of his mouth. Clearly, wielding two consecutive strikes was already the limit of what he could currently perform. Old Man Ji made a decisive decision, put away the Broken Blade, and shouted, "The formation is broken, follow me to kill!" The face of HTaoist uangtian, which had been calm and unruffled, finally showed a slight movement. He gently shook the golden bell in his hand. S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Surprisingly, the bell was silent. Only invisible ripples, like waves, spread around. Carrying an indescribable oppressiveness, it spread outwards. The five remaining Ancient Corpse Puppets of Huang Tian Sect, as if guided by invisible chains, all soared into the sky, standing in front of HTaoist uangtian. Then, without any fear, they charged toward the members of the Ji Family. "Huang Tian brat, apart from these old tricks, don''t you have any other methods?" Old Man Ji directly confronted, charging up to HTaoist uangtian and confronting him with the strength of his Physical Body. HTaoist uangtian couldn''t avoid it. His sleeve shook slightly, countless talismans flying out from within, continually merging into his body. Immediately, his entire body shone with golden light, glowing brightly, akin to a golden man forged by gold, facing with fists. Gold and yellow auras fiercely collided in the air, with electric arcs appearing out of nowhere. As the fist wind howled, it was as if the sound of mountains and rivers collapsing echoed. Wherever it passed, space seemed to be torn apart by the Fist Power, leaving shocking cracks. Their battle grew faster and more intense, directly soaring into the sky. The clash between the two had transcended the realm of mortal comprehension. To the naked eye, one could only see flashes of light like the sun continuously appearing. Subsequent to earth-shattering explosions also rolled out across the sky. The skies dimmed, and the sun and moon lost their shine. The earth seemed to have a slight tremor. Shen Qing sensed the terrifying aura transmitted from the sky, furrowed his brows, and hastily suppressed his own aura, reducing his presence to the lowest level. If it wasn''t within a hundred meters, it would be difficult to discover his existence. "Is this the power of a Unity Realm master?" Shen Qing''s Primordial Spirit vibrated, thoroughly feeling the terrifying aura constantly emanating above the Imperial Palace. There seemed to be two fierce beings there, with auras vast and majestic, terrifying to the extreme. Even his Primordial Spirit was faintly trembling. "Strong! So strong it''s suffocating!" "This power has exceeded my imagination!" "With my current self... I simply cannot contend with it!" Shen Qing rubbed his temples with a splitting headache, his eyes filled with shock. From this battle, he gained a clearer understanding of martial masters in the Unity Realm. It was a strength almost despairing, with no hope of victory visible from the Primordial Spirit Realm, struggling even seemed futile. Not to mention, he was standing outside the city, only feeling the afterwaves of the two Unity Realm beings. Above the Imperial Palace, the battle continued without any sign of stopping. His Marquis Wu''an Mansion, close to the Imperial Palace, had also been leveled. If his uncle and aunt were still inside, they would likely be in grave danger by now. Time ticked by. Shen Qing noticed that the previously invincible Huang Tian Sect was gradually falling into a disadvantage. "Huh, why is Ji Zikong still observing from the sidelines, never joining in?" Shen Qing remembered that Ji Zikong was also a martial master in the Unity Realm. With the Imperial Palace battle reaching this extent, countless foundations of the Ji Clan seemed to have been ruined, so how could he still sit back and watch without a care? Could it be that he intended to exhaust the martial masters? That seemed too absurd. Boom! A heavy gap was smashed into the thick clouds above. A figure was violently flung to the ground. It was Old Man Ji. He was defeated. Shen Qing activated his Primordial Spirit, looking down from above. He saw Old Man Ji with blood at the corners of his mouth, eyes unfocused. A golden Primordial Spirit emerged from his physical shell, looking skyward with a poorly expression. Similarly, HTaoist uangtian was not feeling well either. His entire body was in tatters, the glow dim. Countless broken talismans continually emerged from his body, turning to dust. HTaoist uangtian revealed a slight smile and said, "You are strong, but I seem to have the upper hand." With that, he looked toward the battlefield ahead, shaking the bell in his hand once more. The four previously suppressed and damaged Ancient Corpse Puppets transformed into large human-shaped pills, charging into the battlefield. HTaoist uangtian''s hand movements stopped. The previously deafening battle cries in the Capital City suddenly became solemn, even the wind fell silent. In the next moment, those human-shaped pills suddenly released extremely dazzling light, like myriad blazing suns exploding simultaneously, enveloping the entire world in blinding white. This abrupt self-destruction released devastating power, the violent energy waves raging like a furious sea storm. The Ji Family''s Great Powers, still in the heat of battle, hadn''t reacted to this sudden change before being ruthlessly devoured by the unstoppable explosion aftershock. Their figures flickered in the radiant light, like candles in the wind, instantly devastated by this power, their internal qi and blood surging, meridians severed. Even with their profound cultivation and strong Physical Bodies, they couldn''t withstand the divine power contained within the ancient martial cultivation''s flesh. One by one, they spewed blood, falling from the sky, losing all combat ability. After this, HTaoist uangtian finally showed a slight ease, directing all his attention to Ji Zikong in the distance. This current Emperor of the Zhou Kingdom made him somewhat inscrutable. But it didn''t matter, the Ji Clan without teeth now posed no threat. If he could kill one martial master in the Unity Realm, he could kill a second. The face of the leader of Huang Tian Sect grew solemn, his hands forming a seal, pressing toward the Primordial Spirit of Old Man Ji. But just then, a sword light flashed, embedding itself into Old Man Ji before him. Huang Tian Sect Master suddenly raised his head to look at Ji Zikong. Only to see Ji Zikong with a faint and ambiguous expression, step by step approaching him. Old Man Ji turned back, incredulous, asking, "Why..." "Why ask so many times? Naturally, for great freedom." Ji Zikong gestured with his hand, the flying sword embedded in Old Man Ji trembled, releasing a devouring force, gradually consuming Old Man Ji''s Primordial Spirit. "This world is like a great ocean already depleted, transforming into a small pond, and we are all fish living in the sea." "Now this small pond has too many fish crowded in." "I think, if we clear out the other fish, leaving only the strongest fish to leap out of the small pond into another sea, it might open a path for the Human Clan, not necessarily having all fish leap out." "You always said the Human Clan will inevitably not perish, will inevitably break this Prison. So why can''t it be me?" Ji Zikong said as such. He gestured with his hand, the devouring force on the flying sword suddenly intensifying. "Ah!" Old Man Ji''s Primordial Spirit let out a scream, being devoured. Afterward, Ji Zikong didn''t stop, devouring all the Primordial Spirits of the Ji Clan''s Great Powers, adding them to himself. Suddenly, Ji Zikong''s aura surged tremendously. "Marvelous. Hahaha, with the nine hundred-year foundation of the Ji Clan gathered upon me, let''s see how the Heavenly Demon Clan can triumph over me!" Ji Zikong took a step forward, an indescribable invisible oppression surged out like a tidal wave, engulfing the world, tinting the surrounding space with a faint white glow. Above the azure sky, the floating Huang Tian Sect''s Flying Boat seemed to encounter utter disaster, several of the closest shattered simultaneously, disintegrating into pieces falling from the sky. HTaoist uangtian, who seemed assured of victory a moment ago, now couldn''t help but change his expression drastically, his eyes flashing with disbelief. He discovered Ji Zikong''s momentum continued to rise, stronger within moments than even his Old Ancestor. Chapter 434 - 32: Huang Tian Sect Retreats, Shen Qing in Danger ``` Far outside the Imperial Palace, Shen Qing captured every word of Ji Zikong through his powerful Primordial Spirit and Divine Thought, leaving him with a sense of sudden enlightenment, unable to speak for a long time. According to Ji Zikong''s explanation, in summary, the "ecological system" of Martial Arts in this world is on the brink of collapse and cannot withstand the consumption of too many martial masters. Controlling the number of martial masters is the means to maintain the integrity of this "ecological system." To save this "ecological system," one must break conventions, needing a leader to carve out a path, leading the Human Clan into another cultivation "ecological system" or connecting to another "ecological system." So why does the Ji Family resort to all means to gather all Martial Mechanisms in the world? Why do they ignore the mutual slaughter among martial masters? Why do they also turn a blind eye to the rampage of demons, even intentionally encouraging it? All these questions have been answered. In Shen Qing''s view, how sickly is this world. Facing Ji Zikong, whose aura had suddenly changed ahead, the Daoist''s expression turned serious. As he looked ahead, he saw Ji Zikong, who had been standing quietly over the Imperial Palace, reach out and hold the Flying Sword beside him. The sword''s tip was slightly raised, and Ji Zikong thrust forward quickly at the densely clouded Flying Boats of the Huang Tian Sect. This thrust was devoid of the thunderous magnitude generated by the Great Power, nor did it have the turning of the universe when the Ji Family''s ancestors struck, making the sun and moon lose their brilliance. It was merely a long sword, leaving an unobtrusive mark in the void of the air. Light as a feather, yet seemingly heavy as a mountain. However, it was precisely this seemingly casual touch that caused the Daoist''s heart to tense up suddenly. He seemed to see a divine sword that traversed eternal ages, roaring down from the Nine Heavens, severing all things! An unprecedented chill like icy cold pierced to the bone. The Daoist''s eyes instantly contracted into needles. He unhesitatingly activated the golden bell in his hand. Immediately, the golden bell in his hand shone brightly, instantly transforming into an indestructible golden light shield, enveloping him tightly within. "Crack!" It was as if cracks appeared on a frozen lake surface, with crisp shattering sounds arising. With a crisp sound, the golden bell in the Daoist''s hand was filled with cracks, trembling uncontrollably, as if about to break at any moment. He hurriedly activated countless talismans, forming a golden light shield across in front of him. "Boom!!!" Suddenly, an awe-inspiring sword light erupted with a thunderous roar, sweeping forward to drown his figure completely. The earth trembled, and dust filled the air. Majestic palace buildings toppled like fragile paper in the face of this earth-shattering force. Countless palace maids, Imperial Guards, were mercilessly buried under the rubble in this sudden catastrophe. More frightening still, the aftermath of this majestic Sword Qi, like a runaway dragon, spread from the Imperial Palace to every corner of the Capital City at a visibly insane speed, turning everything it passed into nothingness. When the dust settled, only devastation remained, the former splendor and riches now reduced to mere ruins. Outside the Imperial Palace, Shen Qing was shocked at this scene, unable to conceal his fear. He scanned with his Divine Thought and found the core zone of the explosion had become a living hell, with countless ordinary palace maids, eunuchs, guards, and Forbidden Army turning to ash in this calamity. It was evident that Ji Zikong was cold-hearted, utterly indifferent to the lives and deaths of those within the Imperial Palace. Otherwise, with his ability, he could completely control this Sword Intent. Inevitably, there would be casualties in the Capital City and the Imperial Palace, but it would certainly not have reached such an extent. He acted completely on impulse, with a reckless abandon. Shen Qing suddenly thought of Huang Furo still in the city. Now that the Huang Tian Sect had played their last cards, facing Ji Zikong''s aggressive advance, victory was no longer possible. The situation was becoming clear. He now had the power to protect himself in the Capital City. Perhaps, he could enter and protect her to some extent. After the explosive sword light in the sky faded, it revealed the Daoist''s desolate figure. Now, his entire body had no intact part, with many areas already deeply reaching the bone, blood continuously flowing. Seeing Ji Zikong so strong, the Daoist squinted his eyes. He stomped heavily, causing the Flying Boat beneath him to shake continuously, reaching the peak of eruption within moments, glowing with dazzling yellow light as it flew outside the city. "Retreat!" The forceful male voice resounded like thunder far away. Those surviving Disciple of the Huang Tian Sect in the city, hearing the command to retreat, hesitated no longer, decisively withdrawing from the city. At the moment when the Huang Tian Sect finally decided to retreat, the yellow glow that had enveloped the sky quietly dissipated, restoring its original colors. At this time, the area around the Shi family mansions in the Capital City suddenly became lively, with explosions and sounds of slaughter ringing ceaselessly. Many young members of the Shi family dispatched from their clans began to fight these disciples of the Huang Tian Sect. They did anything to hinder their retreat. The families in the Capital City had now perceived the direction the situation was heading, each like a bloodthirsty leopard, no longer waiting and hesitating, throwing themselves into this battle, continuously slaughtering the crumbling Huang Tian Sect believers. After all, their foundations were far less robust than the Ji Family''s, and facing the existence of the Daoist was like hitting a rock with an egg for them. However, they felt no pressure in killing these unprotected, fleeing sect members. ``` sea??h th§× ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 435 - 32 Huang Tian Sect Retreats, The Peril of Shen Qing_2 After the defeat of the Huang Tian Daoist, the defenses of the Huang Tian Sect were at their weakest point, making it the perfect time to strike at the fallen enemy. If this opportunity was missed, it would be difficult to clarify their stance later on, and they might risk being held accountable by Ji Zikong, which would not be worth it. Therefore, these families did not hesitate to take a side, directly joining in, seizing this chance to make amends and survive as a mere lapdog. Just moments ago, the Huang Tian Sect seemed to have the upper hand, but with the families joining in, they were quickly defeated like a collapsing mountain. Seeing this, Shen Qing also did not delay, urging his entire spiritual power, performing the Great Void Movement Technique to delve into the Capital City in search of Huang Furo''s whereabouts. He stepped across in one stride, transforming into a shadow, traversing several kilometers swiftly, making it hard to catch. A Huang Tian Sect believer blocked his path, and he simply slapped, turning the obstructing person into a bloody pulp. Even with a talisman in hand, it was to no avail. Boom! Shen Qing heard continuous rumbling from the skies afar, as one Flying Boat after another turned into fireballs, being blasted apart by Ji Zikong on the spot. The scene nearly turned into a one-sided massacre. Just as Ji Zikong was about to catch up with the Huang Tian Daoist, two ancient corpse puppets dormant in the city were awakened. They soared into the sky, tightly embracing Ji Zikong. In the latter''s surprised eyes, they suddenly transformed into a large yellow sphere, tightly enveloping Ji Zikong as if it were a sun forged in flames. The yellow sphere emitted ominous light, with every strand containing terrifying power capable of shaking mountains and rivers. With a deafening explosion, the large yellow sphere''s radiance burst forth, unleashing earth-shattering energy, tearing the surrounding void into pieces. "Ah..." In this destructive explosion, even Ji Zikong''s immensely powerful body was inevitably left with several ghastly wounds, bleeding profusely, revealing deep bones. When the smoke cleared, Ji Zikong''s figure appeared. A cold light flashed in his eyes as he surveyed the surroundings. However, the figure of the Huang Tian Daoist was nowhere to be seen. "Hm?" Suddenly, Ji Zikong unexpectedly saw Shen Qing''s figure and made a light sound of surprise. He noticed that Shen Qing''s Martial Arts were exceptionally unique, surprisingly hinting of the Great Void Dao. "This boy indeed has something peculiar about him." "If I''m not mistaken, he reached the Primordial Spirit realm in just a few short years, which is simply unbelievable." "Thanks to this opportunity with the Huang Tian Sect, I''ve gathered many of the Ji Family''s secrets that maintain the court, which I no longer need. Just as well, I can take a good look at what great secrets my Marquis Wu''an is hiding." With that thought, Ji Zikong pointed towards Shen Qing''s location midair. While still crossing the void, Shen Qing suddenly felt all his hairs stand on end, a strong sense of danger enveloping his heart. He instinctively rolled to the side. Swoosh! A Sword Qi nearly brushed past his cheek, flying by, penetrating the ground. Shen Qing''s heart pounded wildly. If he had been even a little slower just now, he would have been split in two by that Sword Qi. Looking up, Shen Qing saw Ji Zikong watching him from above, a trace of surprise flashing across his face. Calm and steady, he asked, "Your Majesty, what does this mean?" Ji Zikong stepped forward, each step causing invisible stairs to condense out of thin air beneath his feet. As he walked towards Shen Qing, Ji Zikong said, "Marquis Wu''an, tell me. The Saint Body Great Completion Method from the royal armory, have you not cultivated this celestial Martial technique from start to finish?" Shen Qing remained silent, his hand subconsciously gripping the hilt of his sword. Ji Zikong sighed deeply, saying, "My seventh prince, upon hearing that you cultivated the Great Completion Saint Body Method without harm, studied this celestial Martial technique as well, but he unexpectedly went berserk and died." "Because of you, I''ve lost a son," Ji Zikong said, counting on his fingers, "this is the first, the second, the third..." As he counted, he grew a bit impatient, "Forget it, anyway he''s dead, but he can''t die in vain. What do you think I should do?" At this point, Shen Qing finally realized that the monarch of the Great Zhou had turned the table and set his sights on him. "I think, Your Majesty, with your vigorous health, you could easily father another prince." Shen Qing involuntarily took two steps back. Ji Zikong shook his head, saying, "No need to trouble yourself, I have a way to exempt him from punishment." "What?" "Surrender your Primordial Spirit to me, and this matter will be written off." Primordial Spirit?! Shen Qing''s expression instantly darkened. The Primordial Spirit is profound and can be refined by others. Once his Primordial Spirit fell into Ji Zikong''s hands, it would be akin to being at his mercy. Ji Zikong sought to uncover all the secrets of his cultivation. "I''m afraid I cannot comply with Your Majesty''s request!" "Sigh, then I''ll have to do it myself!" Upon saying that, without moving his body, Ji Zikong raised a single finger. Instantly, a long sword imbued with a cold halo shot through the air, bearing immense majesty as it aimed directly at Shen Qing. Shen Qing''s expression hardened, a resolute gleam flashing in his eyes, as he pushed the Six Paths of Reincarnation technique to its utmost, causing the spiritual energy between heaven and earth to completely boil, madly pouring into his body, coalescing into immense power. He abruptly drew the "Thunder Abyss" treasure blade, infusing it with all his spiritual power. The blade emitted intense lightning, transforming into a hundred-zhang-long lightning edge, slashing at Ji Zikong''s long sword. Heaven''s Wrath Void Slash! In this moment of life and death, Shen Qing disregarded everything, directly unleashing the Martial technique he had learned from Xue Zhao. The blade and sword energies intersected in the air, bursting with a heart-wrenching energy fluctuation, resembling a falling star, overturning mountains and rivers. "Treasure!" Staring at the scene before him, Ji Zikong was momentarily stunned. He knew Shen Qing had many secrets; he didn''t expect to be surprised just at the first engagement. Seeing the familiar technique in the void, a playful smile emerged on his face. "Interesting, my Marquis Wu''an is becoming more interesting. Hahaha..." Ji Zikong laughed aloud in the void, his finger continued to point forward, increasing the force. The unmatched Heaven''s Wrath Void Slash, augmented by the Thunder Abyss treasure blade, was tremendously powerful. Yet when facing Ji Zikong''s cold light Flying Sword, it seemed lacking. At the moment of clash, the edge of Heaven''s Wrath Void Slash seemed to melt like ice under a scorching sun, swiftly dissipating, completely defeated in the blink of an eye. Ji Zikong''s spiritual power surged around him; he casually pointed forward, the white Sword Intent transformed into a crescent, sweeping past Shen Qing''s body. Shen Qing had no time to react, only sensing a sudden blur; the Sword Qi severed his body at the waist. Golden and crimson blood splattered out. Shen Qing''s eyes widened, filled with disbelief. S~ea??h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He sensed the life force within rapidly draining away, his Primordial Spirit trembling, seemingly compelled to burst out as if sensing the danger within his mortal shell, instinctively fleeing. Stay calm! At this moment, one must stay calm! Shen Qing did not give in, refusing to accept fate. He clenched his teeth and decisively retrieved a jade tablet, fully releasing the spiritual essence hidden within. Moreover, countless elixirs and pills were taken out, consumed in one go. The Six Paths of Reincarnation technique ran frantically. Around Shen Qing, crystalline and splendid vortices quietly emerged, like black holes in the deep cosmos, devouring all surrounding spiritual energy. In this life-and-death moment, he suddenly had a special insight into the Path of Hell. Rebirth through transformation, break before establishment! Serenely, Shen Qing seemed to cross a threshold, feeling a roaring in his ears as the Six Paths of Reincarnation technique was pushed to the limit. The golden blood strewn across the void suddenly linked into a sparkling chain of light, miraculously connecting Shen Qing''s severed upper and lower body. Amid the rumbling, his body, like shattered porcelain, began to be reassembled, astonishingly starting to repair and heal. In mid-air, seeing this scene, Ji Zikong''s eyes suddenly changed. Chapter 436 - 33: Desperate Fight! Dead End Ji Zikong saw Shen Qing, who was intact as if resurrected, and his spirit was completely exhilarated. Such a technique that could bring the dead back to life, he had never seen nor heard of before. "There is indeed something extraordinary about this child!" "Such a technique in his possession is simply a waste. If I could obtain this technique, then why should I fear the Heavenly Demon?" Ji Zikong eyed Shen Qing, his gaze turning fervent. He couldn''t wait to seize Shen Qing''s Primordial Spirit and extract all his secrets. "Today you have given me too many surprises; it''s time you did your part for the life and death of the Human Clan!" Ji Zikong laughed heartily as he wielded his Treasure Sword, swiftly advancing towards Shen Qing. His cultivation of the Unity Realm was fully unleashed at this moment, concentrating into his sharp sword. This sword was a Magic Treasure passed down in the Ji Family since ancient times, becoming highly spiritual after a millennium of refinement. Sensing Ji Zikong''s emotions and intentions, the sword trembled, its brilliance surged, and its cold glow was fully revealed, sweeping across like a mighty river, unhesitatingly towards Shen Qing. Even an eagle must exert full strength to seize a rabbit. Ji Zikong understood this truth and did not underestimate Shen Qing because of his lower cultivation. The oppressive might of the Unity Realm, tangible as substance, enveloped the skies of the Capital, descending upon Shen Qing along with the sword''s force. At that moment, Shen Qing was at a critical point in healing his injuries; the recently healed wounds instantly ruptured. His entire body was covered in cracks like a piece of porcelain. Bright red blood spurted out, exceedingly gruesome. With a thought, Shen Qing, in a critical moment, instantly activated the Great Void Shifting Technique. In front of him, the void twisted, enveloping him completely. S§×arch* The ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Boom! The Sword Qi struck the ground. Like the splitting of heaven and earth, a trench tens of meters deep appeared in the middle of the Capital, as if to split it in half. Shen Qing narrowly avoided it with the Great Void Shifting Technique. It was hard to imagine, had that strike hit him, he would have surely been reduced to dust. Unmatched power. Instantly, Shen Qing pushed the Great Void Shifting Technique to its limit, his figure flickering unpredictably to the left and right, back and forth, continuously moving towards the outskirts of the Capital, incomprehensible to onlookers. Ji Zikong''s gaze relentlessly pursued Shen Qing, pressing closely each step. His Sword Qi was relentless, allowing Shen Qing no chance to breathe. Their figures streaked across the sky like shooting stars, spanning great distances in the blink of an eye. "With this movement technique, even with my speed as a Sword Cultivator, I can''t take full advantage. Where in the world did Duke Wu''an learn such skills?" Ji Zikong''s eyes shone brilliantly, growing ever more eager about Shen Qing''s secrets. He had sustained significant injuries due to Taoist Huangtian, with many wounds ferociously bleeding, some even revealing glimpses of his internal organs, weakening his strength. Ji Zikong was blind to these injuries, disregarding them as he merged with his sword, dramatically increasing his speed. The sword light soared like a dragon ascending the Nine Heavens, with an unstoppable momentum covering the area where Shen Qing was. Everywhere it passed, the heavens and earth seemed to be split by this sword, the sky changed color, and the sun and moon darkened. Seeing this, Shen Qing''s eyes widened as Spiritual Power surged violently within him, knowing there was no room for hesitation. He exerted all his strength to wield his Magic Treasure "Thunder Abyss," using its formidable power to counter Ji Zikong''s fearsome strike. Lightning flashed, striking like a flood dragon towards the sword light. Crack. To Shen Qing''s disbelief, the "Thunder Abyss" Treasure Blade could not withstand Ji Zikong''s overpowering Sword Intent. A loud crash echoed, and Thunder Abyss shattered inch by inch under the sword light. Amidst its anguished cries, the power contained within the blade burst forth completely at that moment, transforming into a sea of thunder that filled the entire sky with blue lightning arcs. Intense energy waves spread far and wide. Even Ji Zikong, who was in the Unity Realm, could feel the terror emanating from it. He had no doubt that even if he were to fall into this sea of thunder right now, it would be unbearable. Shen Qing frantically activated the Six Paths Reincarnation Technique, with dazzling vortexes slowly lighting up at each of his acupoints. They desperately drew in the spiritual energy from the surroundings, quickly healing his injuries substantially. He rapidly pulled out a treasure bow from the Hundred Treasure Pouch and drew the bow to its full extent without hesitation. The spiritual power he had condensed inside his body, every thread and strand, he channeled into the treasure bow, turning them into arrows. "Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh!" The sounds of breaking the air exploded. Nine arrows almost simultaneously streaked across the sky; each one was like the scorching sun, wielding the might to scorch the heavens and boil the oceans, aiming straight for Ji Zikong. It seemed as if rounds of suns were summoned in the sky, radiating vast light. Even Ji Zikong, who had high expectations, could not help but reveal a hint of astonishment on his face at that moment. He could feel the terrifying power contained within these arrows; even though his body was injured, being struck by these arrows wouldn''t kill him, but it would be exceedingly painful. Ji Zikong instinctively dodged. However, to his surprise, even though he had dodged, the arrows, as if possessing eyes, landed precisely on his body without missing. Boom, boom, boom... The nine beams of arrow light burst one after another. Roaring suns lit up, only to extinguish in the blink of an eye. When the light from the nine "suns" gradually dissipated, Ji Zikong''s distressed expression was revealed. At this moment, he stood at the center of heaven and earth, his clothes tattered and his chest dyed mottled with crimson blood. "Good, good, good!" Ji Zikong laughed in rage, his eyes filled with bloodshot. He had never imagined that one day he would be pushed to this point by a martial master from the Primordial Spirit Realm. "Unexpectedly, amongst my subordinates there''s someone like you; I had underestimated you!" Ji''s Primordial Spirit quivered intensely inside him, stirring the surrounding natural spiritual energy to boil like a tide. Suddenly, a gigantic frost-colored sword Qi emerged behind him. The power of the long sword magic treasure, under the urging of his Primordial Spirit, fully manifested its might. "Your physical body shall be buried under my sword, and that shall be your honor." The frost on the blade twinkled, chilling to the bone, carrying an unmatched force as it chopped toward Shen Qing. Before the sword even arrived, the chilling intent had already frosted the ground. Shen Qing was greatly startled, his hands quickly forming a seal. A surge of spiritual power burst forth from within him, transforming into a colossal golden seal, dazzling with golden light, an overwhelming force. He activated the Eight Desolate Annihilation Seal. Primordial Spirit enhanced. The golden seal soared into the sky, confronting the frost-colored sword Qi. The two collided violently in the air, causing deafening booms. Spiritual power overflowed, like terrifying waves sweeping across the surroundings. However, the might of the Unity Realm was tremendous; the frost-colored sword Qi, being pushed to its limits by Ji Zikong, held an incomparable power of the Primordial Spirit. The golden seal gradually cracked under the collision and finally, with a loud "bang", completely shattered, turning into specks of golden light that dissolved into the void. Shen Qing, struck heavily, was involuntarily flung backward, blood gushing from his mouth, his complexion turning as pale as paper in an instant. "Die!" Ji Zikong''s face twisted in ferocity; the sword image remained unchanged behind him as he thrust out with his sword towards Shen Qing. Chapter 437 - 34 The Power of Broken Blade, Ji Zikong is Shocked ``` Behind Ji Zikong, the Sword Shadow solidified, as Sword Intent rampaged in all directions, incredibly cold. This Sword Intent, in an instant, resembled dragons in the raging waves, rushing to break through the sea surface. Countless sword lights enveloped Shen Qing, blocking out the sky and sun. Shen Qing saw this scene, his face, already pale as paper, lost its color completely, eyes flashing with an expression of disbelief and horror. Faced with the ocean-like sword light, he had no way out. At this life-and-death moment, he gritted his teeth, hardened his heart, and directly conjured the Three-legged Furnace from his Qi Sea. A flash of black light shimmered between his brows, and an ancient and majestic aura spread out. A Three-legged Ancient Cauldron appeared out of thin air before Shen Qing. The Three-legged Cauldron was only the size of a palm, yet inside it contained overwhelming Sword Intent. This Sword Intent was not sourced from the Three-legged Cauldron, but existed within the Broken Blade inside the cauldron and the scarlet bloodstains. Shen Qing had previously researched that the Broken Blade inside was extremely terrifying, difficult to handle. Every attempt was a risky venture. More troubling was that the tainted blood on the Broken Blade contained a True Intent, and overuse would result in backlash from the Sword Qi within the Broken Blade, with the True Intent pollution damaging even the Primordial Spirit. However, given the current situation, he couldn''t care about those concerns. Shen Qing focused his mind, gritting his teeth, poured all his remaining Spiritual Power into the cauldron. His entire body''s acupoints trembled with light. Instantly, the Three-legged Cauldron soared into the sky, expanding to blot out the sky and sun, tilting forward, unleashing a torrent of overwhelming Sword Intent. The Broken Blade sealed within the cauldron shot out directly, transforming into streams of silver light, clashing head-on with Ji Zikong''s sword intention. Boom! The tainted blood on the Broken Blade shone with a glazed radiance, the Sword Intent becoming incredibly grand. The sound of porcelain shattering echoed between heaven and earth. "How is this possible?" Ji Zikong''s eyes widened in exclamation. He saw his Sword Apparition crumble inch by inch under this mighty Sword Intent. With a muffled bang, His Sword Apparition, condensed by his Primordial Spirit, completely shattered. Invisible spatial ripples spread in all directions. Ji Zikong staggered, retreating a few steps before stabilizing his body. A trickle of scarlet blood seeped from his mouth, his face going utterly colorless. Shen Qing wasn''t doing well either. Even with the formidable Six Paths Reincarnation Technique, he couldn''t completely withstand the Spiritual Power exhaustion from the Broken Blade. "Ugh..." Shen Qing felt a sweetness in his throat, a powerful will imprinted upon his Primordial Spirit. He made a decisive cut, slicing off a wisp of his Primordial Spirit. Seeing Ji Zikong unresponsive, Shen Qing''s eyes flashed determination, his hands moving without pause, activating the Great Void Shifting Technique to escape this place. The Three-legged Cauldron spun, striking at the void before him. Cracks appeared on the void, revealing a pitch-black hole. The Three-legged Cauldron ripped through the spatial barrier, wrapping around Shen Qing, swept him in. "Thinking of leaving? How dare you!" Ji Zikong, disregarding everything, attempted to block Shen Qing. But he was ultimately a step too slow. As he rushed to that hole, Shen Qing had already crossed the void, disappearing without a trace. Moments later, everything settled. Even with Ji Zikong''s exhaustive search, he couldn''t find any trace of Shen Qing, leaving him furious. Ji Zikong, long accustomed to high status, had never lost his composure like this, shedding all imperial dignity. "Ugh!" Ji Zikong suddenly felt Qi-Blood churning, unable to help but spit out a mouthful of tainted blood. He horrifyingly discovered that a will had stealthily integrated onto his Primordial Spirit at some point. "Damn it!" Ji Zikong''s face twisted in rage. To save his life, he directly severed a significant portion of his Primordial Spirit, sustaining severe injury. His uncontrolled body plummeted from mid-air, crashing to the ground. Sitting on the ground, panting, Ji Zikong gradually regained his composure. At this moment, his shock was beyond description. He never imagined that, with his current status, as the world''s foremost Martial Artist, he couldn''t subdue a Primordial Spirit Realm martial master! No one would believe it spread. The more Ji Zikong thought, the more terrified he became. Who on earth was Shen Qing!!! "No matter who he is, there can only be one supreme Martial Arts in the world. No matter what, that person must be me!" Ji Zikong fell into complete madness, eyes focused, wiping away the tainted blood at the corner of his mouth, soaring back into the sky, heading towards the ruins of the Capital City. At this point, might as well go all in, the Eight Great Families have been nurtured long enough, it''s time to reap, to forge oneself! "Let''s go, Your Majesty is mad, we must leave here immediately!" In the outskirts of the Capital City, Huang Furo, at some unknown time, found the resting place of the uncle and others, directly urging them to evacuate. The Emperor''s slaying of family, such treacherous acts already happened, she realized this empire was completely in chaos, staying in the Capital was ominously dangerous. The events to follow were unknown, if they didn''t leave now, it would be too late. Tian Xiaohu and others hid in the manor, only hearing much commotion from outside, but unaware of what precisely happened. At this point, seeing Huang Furo hurriedly urging them to evacuate also puzzled them. "What happened? Didn''t we just evacuate? Why evacuate again?" Huang Furo said, "After the Huang Tian Sect''s assault, His Majesty went mad, killing wantonly, staying here means death for everyone!" "What?!" Uncle Shen the Second and others were shocked. "What about Qingzi, what about him?" Uncle Shen the Second asked anxiously. Huang Furo paused slightly, then feigned calm, replying, "He has his own matters, rest assured, with his cultivation, few in the world could harm him." Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "No more questions, let''s hurry, it''s now or never." "Alright!" Uncle Shen the Second and others trusted Huang Furo implicitly, said no more, following her to leave immediately. They had only recently relocated, many things were ready-packed, moving was no trouble for Huang Furo. The convoy swiftly set off in a southwestern direction. In the carriage, Aunt Wang, feeling anxious, cautiously asked, "Niece, where are we going?" while eyeing Huang Furo''s sharp presence. Huang Furo, eyes narrowed, answered, "Back to Yongzhou!" Just then, she heard screams from the direction of the Capital behind, like thunderclaps repeatedly booming. "Ji family''s child dared such acts, I will not spare you, ah..." ... The screams were harrowing, chilling to the bone. The Shen family in the carriage, upon hearing, stayed utterly silent, trembling in fear. Only Huang Furo instinctively glanced in the direction where Shen Qing vanished, remaining silent. ``` Chapter 438 - 35 Jinzhou In the endless chaos, Shen Qing felt everything around him becoming hazy and illusory. After a fierce battle with Ji Zikong, his Spiritual Power had nearly been exhausted, and using the Great Void Shifting Technique became extremely strenuous. Every minute and every second were exceptionally difficult; his body felt heavier and heavier. But he dared not slacken or pause for a moment. He worried that once he slowed down, Ji Zikong would catch up to him. Now extremely weak, he had no strength left to face Ji Zikong''s techniques. Shen Qing''s fingers trembled slightly as he lightly touched the Hundred Treasure Pouch and drew out a Jade Token rich with Spirit Essence. The Spirit Essence contained within was enough to drive many people mad, it was a precious Spirit Mechanism. But at that moment, without any hesitation, Shen Qing took it out, intending to use it. He formed a spell with his hands and began to refine the Jade Token. The smooth Jade Token burst into a gentle glow, like a bright star in this chaotic realm. Dense Spiritual Energy poured forth, infiltrating his body and through the Six Paths Reincarnation Technique, transforming into pure and untainted Spiritual Power that infused his depleted physical body. Soon, one Jade Token was used up. Without hesitation, Shen Qing took out a second one. At this critical time, it was not the moment to cherish these external possessions. These precious Jade Tokens could not support his nearly extinguished body indefinitely. As the Spirit Essence of the last Jade Token was depleted, Shen Qing clearly perceived that he had reached his limit and could no longer continue recklessly. Otherwise, he would surely be devoured by the chaos. Shen Qing gathered all his concentration, mobilizing the last bit of strength in his body to activate the Three-legged Furnace. The Three-legged Furnace shuddered, violently breaking free from the confines of chaos. The sky was a clear azure, vast and boundless. Sunlight streamed down, making all things glisten. In this serene and peaceful scene, a stark black rift abruptly appeared in the sky. This rift grew larger and larger until it became as tall as a person. The next moment, a person and a furnace surged out from the crack. It was Shen Qing, who had crossed through the void. At this moment, he was completely drained, having lost all control, his body free-falling towards the earth; the ancient Three-legged Furnace also tumbled down through the air following Shen Qing''s descent. With a thud, Shen Qing crashed heavily onto the ground, rolling several times before finally coming to a stop. The impact shook his Qi-Blood violently, making him feel extremely uncomfortable, and he couldn''t help but spit out a mouthful of foul blood. This was still the result of his strong physical body. Otherwise, an ordinary person falling from such a height would have likely been smashed to pieces. Shen Qing took a deep breath, continuously regulating his breathing, trying to rapidly recover. His whole body was weak, he couldn''t even move a finger. But Shen Qing realized his injuries were too severe. His Primordial Spirit was damaged, and his meridians were also harmed by Sword Qi; regaining Essence Qi was not something that could be done in a short amount of time. This left him feeling quite helpless. Shen Qing turned his head to look around and saw that he was lying on yellow soil; an endless expanse of barren land and wheat fields dyed a ghostly green. "Where is this?" If he remembered correctly, the northwest region of Great Zhou was known for its yellow soil, with the locals mainly living on wheat and tobacco cultivation. The place was approximately three thousand miles away from the Capital City. That is to say, he had traveled three thousand miles in just a few moments by crossing through void space. Shen Qing thought about this and found it even more unbelievable. Time passed by slowly, and Shen Qing circulated the Six Paths Reincarnation Technique, gradually recovering his cultivation. To his surprise, the spiritual energy here was terribly thin, merely one-tenth of that in the Capital City or even in Yongzhou. Such an environment made it very uncomfortable for him, a martial master of the Primordial Spirit Realm. After half an hour, Shen Qing finally regained a bit of mobility, enough to turn his body and move his fingers. At this rate, it looked like it would take a day or half a day of cultivation. Just then, Shen Qing heard the sound of wagon wheels turning in the distance. Following the sound, he saw a dark-skinned little boy driving a donkey cart coming his way. Upon sighting Shen Qing, the boy froze for a moment. S§×ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He hurriedly jumped down from the cart and grabbed the donkey. The boy looked at Shen Qing with wariness, his large, pitch-black eyes sizing him up continuously, then suddenly focused on the Three-legged Furnace next to him. His eyes lit up, he ran over hastily, grabbed one of the legs of the furnace, and took off running. The donkey behind him couldn''t even keep up with his pace. It left Shen Qing speechless. However, with his movement currently impaired, he couldn''t chase after the boy. He could only watch helplessly as the little boy ran into the distance and vanished from his sight, turning into a black dot. "Forget it, I''ll go find him after I''ve recovered my ability to move. With my Divine Sense and the power of my Primordial Spirit, it won''t be hard to find the boy." Shen Qing murmured to himself, making a plan in his heart, and focused on cultivating to restore his energy. What he hadn''t expected was that, after a while, the little boy returned, accompanied by a few peasant men. Seeing Shen Qing''s outfit, although it was largely torn and smeared with blood, those who had seen a bit of the world recognized it as high-quality golden silk¡ª a luxury not just anyone could afford. He realized Shen Qing''s identity was not ordinary. "What do we do?" "Erdan took his stuff, will he blame us? He can''t seem to move much, should we just finish him off?" "Don''t be rash! I think this man is extraordinary, like a martial artist. I''ve heard that martial masters in the cities can''t even be scratched with a hoe. If we can''t kill him, we''ll just make an irreversible enemy. The village might even get dragged into it." "Then Chen Gouzi, you always have the most ideas, what do you suggest?" After pondering for a moment, a man named Chen Gouzi said, "He looks immobile for now, let''s go and apologize first, see what kind of person he is. If he''s a good man, we''ll save him. If he''s ruthless, we''ll have to finish him off even if our hoes break." "Alright, let''s do as you say!" Chen Gouzi took a deep breath, attempting to stay calm. He called out to Erdan, "Come over here!" The little boy Erdan followed nervously. With Erdan beside him, Chen Gouzi approached Shen Qing and bowed deeply, saying humbly, "Esteemed sir, my child is ignorant and took your possession¡ªplease have a large heart and forgive this offense." With that, he signaled to Erdan. Erdan quickly returned the Three-legged Furnace. Shen Qing observed the group without concern and asked, "Where is this place?" Seeing that Shen Qing didn''t seem too upset, Chen Gouzi answered, "This is Shangao Village." "Jinzhou?" "It''s still a few hundred miles from Jinzhou; this is just a poor rural area." Shen Qing nodded to indicate he understood. Chen Gouzi, relieved to see that Shen Qing wasn''t a terrifying figure, cautiously asked, "Sir, have you run into some trouble? Do you need our help?" Chapter 439 - 36: Shangao Village The mottled and colorful yellow earth stretched out under the azure sky, tranquil and vast. Shen Qing lay on the simple wooden cart, gazing at the sky without speaking, his body swaying with the bumps of the donkey cart. Beside him, a group of farmers in coarse cloth surrounded him, walking alongside the donkey cart. The dry yellow earth rose in clouds under their feet, drifting away. "Sir, you look like you''re from the city; that''s rare here!" Li Dazhuang''s rough voice broke the surrounding silence first, and he asked curiously, "Where are you coming from, sir?" The others couldn''t help but perk up their ears, very curious about Shen Qing''s origins. Shen Qing glanced at these weather-beaten men and said sparingly, "The Capital City." "What''s the Capital City?" "A very far place, three thousand li away." "Wow, that''s really far." The others felt that Shen Qing was exaggerating, not quite believing him. In their understanding, walking over three thousand li would probably ruin one''s legs. Even Master Li from the neighboring village, despite practicing martial arts, wouldn''t dare to claim he could walk such a distance. Shen Qing showed no intention of explaining. With demons rampant in the Great Zhou nowadays, and his cultivation not fully restored, being alone in the wilderness was very dangerous. Thus, after careful consideration, he decided to return with these people, as it provided a bit of security. Once he had a stable place to rest for a night, his injuries could recover significantly, making it more prudent to leave afterward. S§×arch* The N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. After all, with these people, it was just a casual acquaintance; there was no need for extensive communication. As the donkey cart moved on, the scenery on both sides gradually changed, with more trees appearing, showing traces left by various activities. Before long, they finally arrived at a village nestled in a mountain hollow. The village was small, with one or two dozen scattered households. The old houses built from yellow earth blended almost seamlessly into the hillside, hard to distinguish from a distance without the curling smoke rising. "Oh, look, it''s Chen Gouzi and Li Dazhuang coming back!" At the village entrance, a little girl with pigtails excitedly shouted, gripping a potato tightly, her eyes filled with joy. "Wow, it really is them! Coming back so early today?" An old woman nearby responded with a smile, her hands not pausing from her needlework, but her gaze involuntarily shifted toward the donkey cart. "Whoa~" The donkey cart stopped at the village entrance, and Chen Gouzi stepped out from among the people, calling out, "Aunt Li, I''m looking for the village chief to discuss something?" Aunt Li glanced at Shen Qing behind Chen Gouzi and asked softly, "What''s going on here?" "Picked up on the road. Is the village chief still at home?" "I just saw him come back from the fields and didn''t see him leave, should still be inside." "Alright, I''ll go see him." Chen Gouzi instructed the others, "You all wait here for me, I''ll be back in a while." With that, he left in a hurry without waiting for Li Dazhuang and the others to speak. After he left, Shen Qing, using some strength, sat up on the cart. "You can sit up now?" Li Dake remarked in surprise while looking at Shen Qing. Shen Qing replied calmly, "Yes." He looked around at Shangao Village. This village was, in some respects, very poor, even poorer than Hongshan Village where he once stayed. At least in Hongshan Village, they could rely on the surrounding mountains and waters for sustenance, which offered some prospects. But here, the mountainous land was barren, and even water sources were scarce. Shen Qing felt uncomfortable and struggled to adapt even after staying a short while. Li Dazhuang laughed heartily and said, "That''s great! Our village has many fun places; once you recover, you can experience them yourself." Shen Qing smiled in response, nodding in agreement. On the other side, inside a mud-brick house in Shangao Village. Chen Gouzi arrived at the door of the village chief''s house. The weathered wooden door creaked on its hinges. The village chief emerged from inside, calmly seated on the doorstep. The doorstep, worn smooth by years of use, was slightly indented in the middle, making it the perfect place to sit. When he saw Chen Gouzi approaching, the village chief acted as if he hadn''t noticed, looking down as he tamped his pipe. Then, holding his tobacco pipe in one hand, he pulled out strands of golden tobacco from a small pouch with the other hand, filling the pipe. After completing these tasks, the village chief gently took out a firestick from his pocket and gave it a gentle blow. A flame emerged. The village chief brought the pipe close to the flame, lighting the tobacco within. He took a couple of quick puffs, and once the tobacco was alight, he put away the firestick, took a deep draw, and slowly closed his eyes. After a while, he exhaled slowly. Shrouded in smoke, his face looked increasingly serene. The village chief said, "It''s Gouzi, come in and sit for a while; it''s windy outside." His voice was deep, like a cask of aged wine. Chen Gouzi took two quick steps forward, a hint of urgency in his expression, "No need, I came to tell you something. Today, we picked up an outsider, seems like he has a different identity, we brought him back, and I need your advice." Hearing this, the village chief frowned slightly, his expression turning serious. The tobacco pipe in his hand was temporarily put aside, and he said, "Gouzi, what''s going on? Tell me clearly." "Here''s what happened." Chen Gouzi gave a full account of how they incidentally picked up the three-legged cauldron from the outsider, how they apologized, and finally returned to the village together, without hiding anything. After listening, the village chief took another deep draw from his pipe, nodding in approval, saying, "You handled this well. I''ve heard things are chaotic outside, and us ordinary folks without skills can put the entire village at risk if we get involved with the wrong people." "What do you suggest we do..." Chen Gouzi pressed. "Since he''s already here, bring him in. It''s better to have an extra friend than an enemy." The village chief decisively concluded. "Alright. I''ll go over and let them in." "Yes, and bring him to me first for a look?" "Got it." Chen Gouzi turned to leave, and the village chief called out, "Tomorrow the old fox spirit wants to send someone to demand tribute again. This time, the lot fell on your daughter, be prepared." Chen Gouzi paused but continued towards the village gate as if he hadn''t heard. When he reached the village entrance, Li Dazhuang stepped forward and asked, "What did he say?" "The village chief said he wants to meet you first," Chen Gouzi nodded toward Shen Qing and said. Shen Qing straightened his back and said lightly, "Alright, please lead the way, gentlemen." Chapter 440 - 37: Hard Times The wagon wheel once again began to turn. Shen Qing, along with several others, entered the village. Shangao Village was secluded, seldom visited by outsiders, especially those who appeared to have a distinguished status. As he walked into the village, other villagers who had heard the news came to see what was going on. "Look how handsome he is! His eyes are truly beautiful." "What material is his clothing made of? It looks all shiny. It''s such a shame that such fine fabric is torn." "..." The villagers gathered together, pointing and discussing Shen Qing. Shen Qing lay on a broken plank, eyes closed, resting his spirit and paying no attention to the villagers. "Village chief, the guest has arrived." The village chief removed the smoking pipe from his lips. The glossy pipe shimmered lightly under the sunlight. He gently caressed the surface of the pipe, shook it under the doorway, and placed it on the stone threshold beside him. After completing these actions, the village chief slowly stood up and walked over to Shen Qing, examining him from head to toe. He had been to Jinzhou Province City and had seen the world a bit. Seeing Shen Qing''s attire and demeanor, he realized that this man was either wealthy or noble and was out of the ordinary. The village chief tentatively asked, "May I have the honor of knowing your distinguished family name?" Shen Qing leaned on the plank and his gaze fell on the old man before him, inspecting him in turn. sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Although he was slightly injured, his divine sense remained sharp, and he could see that the village chief before him was a common man, his Qi-Blood degenerating, and had never practiced martial arts. Shen Qing smiled slightly, with a mischievous curvature forming at his lips, "I am simply called Shen." "So it is Mr. Shen in person." The village chief was very polite and continued probing, "May I ask from where Mr. Shen has arrived to our modest place, and what brings you here? Is there anything we can assist you with?" Shen Qing, having emerged from a sea of blood on his journey, unintentionally exuded a dominative aura, which made this insightful village chief not take him lightly. The village chief felt the subtle but present aura of Shen Qing and his attitude became even more respectful. "I have come from the Capital City and would like to request a night''s lodging in your village." "Capital City?" The village chief was momentarily stunned; he knew of the place¡ªit was thousands of miles away: "Surely, sir, you jest." These villagers, living in isolation year-round, knew very little of the outside world and could not even recognize all localities. Let alone acknowledge the existence of martial masters with the capabilities of reaching the Primordial Spirit Realm or Kongyou Realm. Such beings were too few and seemed nearly immortal to them. Shen Qing did not elaborate further or enlighten them. Seeing Shen Qing''s composed demeanor, the village chief''s heart skipped a beat, wondering if it could be true? He became somewhat uncertain. The Capital City was a place where only high-ranking officials and nobles could reside. This young gentleman before him might be of high stature. Moreover, observing his movements, which resembled the martial master from the neighboring village, it was clear he had trained in martial arts. For these ordinary folks, he was not someone they could reckon with. Immediately, the village chief respectfully said, "As Mr. Shen has traveled from afar and desires to rest in our village, he is indeed a distinguished guest, and it is naturally our duty to offer hospitality." "Chen Gouzi." The called Chen Gouzi stood out from the crowd, his face blank, unsure of the village chief''s intentions. The village chief said, "Since Mr. Shen came with you, he will stay at your place today. Make sure to take good care of him." Chen Ergou was a bit stunned, about to object, but seeing the serious expression on the village chief''s face, he swallowed his words. "Alright, everyone disperse, go back to your homes," the village chief waved his hand to clear the crowd. The gathered villagers at his doorstep scattered. Following the instructions, a listless Chen Gouzi led the donkey cart, taking Shen Qing toward a direction in the village. Along the road, villagers cast curious glances, some approached to greet him while others stood at a distance and watched silently. Shen Qing ignored them all. After a while, Chen Gouzi brought Shen Qing in front of an old house. "Sir, this is my home." As Chen Gouzi spoke, he hopped off the donkey cart and reached out to assist Shen Qing. Shen Qing rose from the donkey cart and stepped down. Chen Gouzi then shouted into the house, "Old woman, tidy up a room." Upon hearing Chen Gouzi''s call, a dark-skinned village woman came out of the house, followed by a little girl with pigtails, looking to be only three or four years old. Seeing Shen Qing and noticing his gaze, the little girl timidly hid again. The village woman, having pulled him aside, spoke urgently, "That vermin is coming tomorrow, what are we going to do about Niuniu?" As she spoke, her eyes reddened and tears threatened to fall. Chen Gouzi said nothing further, glanced at the little girl behind the woman, and after a moment of silence, he replied, "We''ll talk about it tomorrow." Shen Qing, whose mind was entirely focused on cultivation, had little interest in prying into the domestic affairs of Chen Gouzi and his wife. During the journey here, he had continuously practiced the Six Paths Reincarnation Technique and secretly consumed a spiritual elixir to regain much of his strength, enough to move about, but still insufficient. He still needed some more time. Shen Qing walked toward the house, noticing that Chen Gouzi''s home furnishing was extremely simple; a table and several crooked legged stools made up all the furniture. At the center of the main room, a makeshift altar was built against the wall with yellow clay, atop which sat an incense burner honoring a small yellow flag. Aside from that, the vast space was left with only dim yellow walls, starkly displaying the poverty. It wouldn''t be an exaggeration to say the home was practically bare. "Big brother, are you staying at our house?" The little girl in the main room, with her big dark eyes full of curiosity, asked Shen Qing. Shen Qing lightly nodded, without making a sound. Outside, the woman wiped her tears and returned inside, pulling the girl aside and said, "I''ll go make up a bed for you, sir." "No need, I''ll just sit here for the night." The woman seemed surprised, she continued to ask, "Would you like something to eat then?" "Not needed!" The woman was puzzled by Shen Qing''s behavior. Whenever government officers from the city visited in the past, they wouldn''t leave without having their fill and causing trouble. Sometimes, they''d even keep the prettier women to toy with. She thought Shen Qing would be the same, but he wanted nothing. This was indeed rare. Shen Qing didn''t elaborate further; he found a clean spot, sat down cross-legged, and focused on meditating. Seeing his actions, the woman did not disturb him any further. After a while, the little girl found a meditation cushion somewhere and brought it to Shen Qing, straining under its size. "Here!" The cushion, almost larger than her body, seemed to nearly topple her as she struggled with its weight. Shen Qing looked down at the somewhat tattered but clean cushion, accepted it, and spoke softly, "Thank you." The little girl asked curiously, "Big brother, they say you''re from Capital City. What place is that?" "It''s a very distant place," Shen Qing replied patiently. "Is it fun there?" Shen Qing said, "It''s not very fun, but there''s a lot to eat. If you went there, you could enjoy candied hawthorns, various cakes, and even meat." The little girl''s eyes lit up but dimmed quickly, "I can''t go, I''m going to die tomorrow." Chapter 441 - 38: The gentleman does not save, the sage is not reluctant to do what is right "Dead?" Shen Qing looked at the little girl, somewhat puzzled, and said, "You''re fine, why say you''ll be dead tomorrow?" The little girl blinked her bright eyes and said innocently, "I''m going to serve Huang Daxian tomorrow. All the children from the village who went there never came back, so I guess I won''t come back either, which means I''ll be dead." Shen Qing continued to ask, "Huang Daxian? A demon?" "Shh!" The little girl made a hushing gesture, worriedly looking around, and said cautiously, "Huang Daxian doesn''t allow others to talk about it like that." So, it was a demon. Shen Qing understood in his heart. "A Liang said that Huang Daxian likes children. If a village doesn''t send anyone, it gets very angry. Many villages have been completely eaten by it for not sending children. I don''t want my parents to die," the little girl said seriously. Shen Qing looked at the little girl''s innocent face and, after a moment, said, "Aren''t you afraid?" The little girl smiled brightly, her eyes curving into crescent moons, "Not afraid. A Liang said that when people die, it''s just like falling asleep; it doesn''t hurt." Shen Qing said, "So you want to die?" S~ea??h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The little girl shook her head, "I don''t want to." Shen Qing asked, "Do you want to live?" The little girl hesitated for a moment, then nodded, "Hmm, I want to take care of my parents before dying." Shen Qing said solemnly, "Then don''t go out tomorrow. Stay by my side." The little girl waved her hand, nervously saying, "Tomorrow, Huang Daxian will send someone over. If you stop them, they''ll kill you." "No problem, let them come and kill me," Shen Qing said indifferently. The little girl glanced at Shen Qing, seeing his pale face and somewhat weak appearance, yet somehow feeling reassured by him. She hesitated for a moment, nodded firmly, "Okay. Big brother, you''re like A Liang." Shen Qing asked, "Who is A Liang?" "My big brother." "Where did he go?" "He went to Huang Daxian and died." Shen Qing fell silent. With a creak, the worn wooden door opened. A dark-skinned woman pushed the door open and walked in. She held a basket filled with freshly picked vegetables from the field, exuding an alluring fragrance. "Niuniu, come quickly, there''s your favorite sweet potato," the woman said gently, shaking the basket slightly. The little girl ran excitedly to the woman''s side, "Wow! Great, I want to eat, I want to eat." "Don''t worry, it''s all yours." A mist of tears covered the woman''s eyes, as if she was trying hard not to cry. After a while, the woman came out of the kitchen with a plate of freshly steamed sweet potatoes, steaming hot. The little girl grabbed one and took a big bite, very happy, as if eating a lavish feast. Chen Gouzi and the woman couldn''t bear to watch this scene and went outside. Shen Qing took it all in. A cold light flashed in his eyes, and he looked away, slowly closing his eyes, seriously cultivating to heal his injuries. Shen Qing gently touched his treasure pouch, taking out a golden yellow pill, its rich medicinal fragrance spreading. This was a Revitalizing Pill he had scavenged from Xue Zhao, greatly beneficial for healing and restoring spiritual power. Shen Qing pinched the Revitalizing Pill between two fingers and threw it into his mouth to chew. At that moment, a fresh and fragrant aroma wafted from his mouth. This was the unique medicinal fragrance of the Revitalizing Pill. Shen Qing couldn''t help but think of the chrysanthemums he saw at the Chrysanthemum Festival; amazingly, this pill was comparable, with traces of spiritual essence. As Shen Qing continued to chew, the pill gradually turned into a warm, spiritual liquid, sliding down his throat into his abdomen. Immediately, a warm and powerful force began to spread within him, like countless small streams converging into rivers, flowing ceaselessly. This force was full of vitality, nourishing every inch of his flesh, reviving it anew. Shen Qing closed his eyes, focused, guiding this force through the specific meridian routes of his cultivation technique, first rushing straight up the Governor Vessel, then slowly sinking via the Conception Vessel, permeating every acupuncture point, forming a perfect cycle. In this process, the damaged meridians, muscles, even bones, and primordial spirit within him were visibly recuperating under the nourishment and restoration of this spiritual power. Shen Qing felt his broken bones rejoining, his damaged meridians becoming unobstructed, even the ghastly wounds on his body rapidly scabbing over and falling off, revealing intact skin. When the last trace of spiritual power integrated into his Qi Sea, and the refinement was complete, Shen Qing exhaled heavily. He felt the previous weakness and powerlessness gradually dissipate, replaced by an unprecedented ease and comfort. This good medicine had been immensely helpful to him. However, the spiritual energy here was sparse. Relying solely on spiritual energy to heal injuries was extremely slow, not to mention the slow refinement of the medicinal power. Shen Qing slowly opened his eyes, seeing the light outside the window, realizing he had unknowingly practiced until late at night. The Chen Gouzi family had already gone to rest. He flexed his fingers, sensing the changes in his spiritual power within, about four to five-tenths of what it was in his peak state. Not enough. Shen Qing then consecutively took out two more pills from his treasure pouch, putting them into his mouth, continuing the refinement and healing process. Time ticked by. The east turned white, the village rooster crowed repeatedly, and many men in the village got up to work while the weather was cool. The household where Shen Qing stayed, Chen Gouzi''s family, also got up early. But unlike others, Chen Gouzi did not go out after getting up early. Instead, he sat dazed at his doorstep. That morning, the little girl wore new clothes, lively and vibrant, shedding much of her unique rustic aura. The woman specially cooked two eggs, peeling one and handing it to the little girl while saying, "Be good when you go to Huang Daxian today, understand?" The little girl nodded heavily, her eyes fixed on the white egg, her legs swinging under the chair, "I got it, mom." "Eat up." The woman handed the egg to the little girl, who sweetly ate it, then suddenly remembered something, picked up the last egg on the table, and offered it to Shen Qing, "Big brother, do you want an egg?" Shen Qing opened his eyes, looking at the lone egg in her hand, feeling a mix of emotions. He wasn''t someone who liked meddling in others'' affairs. But as the saying goes, a gentleman does not save the world, but a sage must act. Some things, he could take charge of. Shen Qing was about to say something when suddenly there was a commotion outside. Chapter 442 - 39: Outrage of Both Humans and Gods, Beaten to Death on the Spot ``` Shangao Village, a commotion erupted at the village entrance. A group of disheveled ruffians appeared at the village entrance. A variety of weapons hung at their waists, the leader a brawny man in grey, his face full of menace, bursting with Qi-Blood, clearly a martial master cultivator, not someone to be trifled with. The village women standing at the entrance, frightened at the sight, turned around and ran, eliciting laughter from them. One of them couldn''t help but whistle like a rogue, behaving licentiously. The brawny leader adjusted his belt and walked grandly into the village, shouting, "We are here by the order of Huang Daxian, to demand a young girl or boy as ''practitioners.'' Have you prepared one?" Many in the village, hearing the name "Huang Daxian," were filled with fear. They all knew, Huang Daxian was a Weasel with spiritual wisdom, overflowing with demonic power, lurking nearby, with an insatiable appetite for human flesh and blood. Several villages had already been devoured by it. Now, every two months, a young boy or girl is randomly selected from nearby villages for a tasting feast. If they do not comply, the entire village is slaughtered. No village dared to defy them. This group of ruffians were the lackeys of "Huang Daxian," roaming street by street, collecting children. It is said that the leading ruffian was favored by "Huang Daxian," and, by a stroke of luck, obtained a Martial Arts cultivation technique, significantly advancing his cultivation. He is now a martial master of the Bone Refining Realm, with astonishing strength. No peasant could possibly rival him. Facing this group of ruffians, the villagers, though resentful, bottled their feelings, fearing that any misstep might provoke them, leading to greater disaster. Upon hearing the shout, they all instinctively hunched their shoulders. The village chief of Shangao Village rushed over, smiling amiably, he said, "Ah, it''s the envoys, sorry for the lack of welcome, please forgive us. This way, please..." "Did you prepare the ''practitioners''?" the brawny leader stared at the village chief. The village chief promptly replied, "It''s ready, it''s ready. This time it''s from Chen Gouzi''s family." "Again from his family? Alright, don''t try any tricks. Xia ao Village on the other side of the mountain didn''t provide the ''practitioners,'' angering ''Huang Daxian,'' and now... there''s no Xia ao Village anymore." The village chief said, "I understand, I understand. We won''t break the rules, I''ll take the envoys right over." "No rush." The group of ruffians appeared relaxed, evidently not in a hurry to complete their ''mission.'' The leader of the ruffians stopped him, smirking, and said, "We''ve been traveling all the way here, and we''re starving, find us a place to rest." The village chief wore a difficult expression. Their village was far from the center of authority, free from oppressive taxes, but the land was barren and harvests were slim, leaving little grain throughout the year. Each household had little surplus, unwilling to give it to these ruffians. "What, reluctant?" The brawny leader raised his brow, dissatisfied, "Looks like you hold ''Huang Daxian'' in no regard, huh?" The village chief tightened his expression, quickly smiling apologetically, "You jest, envoys, how could we not host you when you''ve come such a distance! Please, this way." Reluctantly, the village chief led them to his home. Along the way, when they saw chickens or ducks in someone''s yard, they''d rush in and grab them as if it were their own home. The villagers, angered but silent, could only hide indoors, locking windows and doors, seething with resentment as they listened to the chaos outside. The leading ruffian twisted the chickens and ducks'' necks, killing them on the spot, tossing them to the village chief, instructing, "Quickly make some duck soup, fry a chicken, and get some wine." The village chief grimaced, "Our backwater place is poor, where would we get drinks for you?" "When I tell you to prepare, just prepare, no more nonsense!" "Yes, yes, yes..." The village chief took the chickens and ducks to the kitchen, handing them to the old woman at home to handle. The brawny leader, unrestrained, wandered around the living room for a while, found a long bench, sat down with the other ruffians, and said gleefully, "Speaking of which, two months ago, when I went to the village in the west, there was a family named Zhao, only a young woman at home, her husband died of illness years ago. She was left a widow." "You wouldn''t believe it, that widow was juicy. Splashed all over me." "Ah, really, never heard you mention that!" The other ruffians, curious, pressed for more. "Just a minor deal. The women in this village are no good, wait a couple of months, and if you come with me again, I''ll take you to that village, there''s a couple of savory ones." "Great, great. It''s settled then." "Rest assured, I mean what I say." After a while, hot duck soup and several plates of chicken and duck were brought out. Along with it, a pot of wine and a dish of peanuts were served. "Old man, you know your place," the brawny leader laughed. The ruffians, without a word, started eating, gobbling down with vigor, the scene was spectacular. They squinted, nudged, tussled, eating until they were drenched in sweat, locked in struggle with the chicken and duck bones. In a moment, the plates and cups were empty, a complete mess. After the chicken and duck feast, they all had a ruddy complexion. The brawny leader, half-full, patted his stomach contentedly and said, "Thanks for the meal. Let''s get to business. Lead the way!" ``` S§×arch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 443 - 39: Outrage Among Gods and Humans, Killed on the Spot_2 A few ruffians gradually walked out of the village head''s house, with the village head hunched and expressionless leading them towards Chen Gouzi''s home. At this time, they were full from drink and food and in an extremely pleasant mood, humming all the way. One of the ruffians suddenly paused his steps, stopping in front of a simple earthen house. The wooden door was half-closed, making it hard to see inside. "Old Five, what''s up?" "I just saw a girl, she''s so pretty. Who said the girls in this village aren''t good-looking? Wait for me a moment." A brawny ruffian, with a malicious grin, walked towards the half-closed wooden door. Bang. The wooden door slammed shut. The ruffian, however, laughed instead of getting angry: "I knew there''s a lovely girl living in here." He suddenly crashed into the door, pushing it open and stormed inside with big strides. Inside the house, sunlight streamed through the door onto a young girl. She was so frightened by the sudden change that her face lost all color, terrified, and backed away, trembling: "What are... what do you want?" The ruffian who broke in, leered as he reached out to grab the girl''s wrist and said: "Little lady, don''t be afraid, come have some fun with us." The girl struggled desperately, tears bursting out: "Let go of me. Let go of me!" However, she was just a girl with no strength, being forcibly dragged into the room by the ruffian, towards the bed. "Help!" Her cries were sharp and desperate, carried far away. Unfortunately, the cries seemed to sink into the sea with no response. Although villagers rushed over upon hearing, they all hid at a distance, only daring to gather secretly to peek. Their eyes were filled with anger and helplessness, and no one dared to step forward to stop it. "This bunch of beasts, they''re completely lawless!" Someone in the crowd cursed under their breath, clenching their fists in anger, shaking all over. "Worse than animals!" Another villager replied bitterly: "But what can we do? Even if we could fight them, they have Huang Daxian backing them, and once provoked, none of us can escape, only to die." Meanwhile, Chen Gouzi heard the commotion in the village and knew those ruffians had come, sitting dejectedly at the doorway. Beside him, the woman behind him was heartbroken, holding the little girl tightly, tears streaming down. The little girl blinked her bright eyes, looking exceptionally calm, she comforted in a childish voice: "Dad, Mom, don''t be afraid, big brother will protect me." Chen Gouzi and his wife didn''t take the little girl''s words seriously. In their view, how could such a prestigious person be willing to stand up for them? Just as they were thinking this, Shen Qing, who was meditating on the ground, stood up. After a whole night and half a day''s recuperation, he was able to move freely, with his cultivation restored to about fifty percent. Shen Qing walked straight out the door. "Big brother, where are you going?" the little girl asked curiously. Shen Qing didn''t look back and said: "Going to take care of something, I''ll be back soon, you stay here, don''t go anywhere." The little girl didn''t understand but nodded and agreed: "Okay!" Inside the earthen house, the screams of the girl continued, causing surrounding villagers to feel unbearable. "Look, it''s that young master brought back yesterday, he''s coming over." "What is he trying to do? Is he going in there to rescue San Ni?" sea??h th§× ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Crazy, definitely crazy! Does this young man think he''s invincible?" "Even if he gets rid of this group of ruffians, what''s the use, with ''Huang Daxian'' behind them, he can wipe out our village with ease!" The villagers whispered, talking amongst themselves. Shen Qing ignored them, walking steadily towards the little earthen house under the villagers'' surprised gazes, step by step. He pushed open the door, and a stale and damp smell hit him in the face. Inside the house, a half-clothed girl was curled up in the corner, eyes full of despair and fear. The ruffian inside, still smirking, was closing in, playing with the girl like a cat and mouse. Noticing Shen Qing''s arrival, the ruffian was stunned for a moment, then sneered: "Where did this stinkin'' beggar come from, dare ruin my fun? Get lost, or else, don''t blame me for being impolite..." Before he finished the last word, Shen Qing expressionless, flashed and was in front of him immediately. Shen Qing reached out, directly grabbing the ruffian by the neck, easily lifting him up. The ruffian was shocked, his legs kicking wildly in the air, hands clawing at Shen Qing''s arm. Unfortunately, no matter how he struggled, it was futile. With a twist of his wrist, Shen Qing directly crushed the ruffian''s throat. The ruffian''s legs went limp, his life ended instantly, and everything returned to calm. "Ah!" The girl screamed in terror. Shen Qing paid no heed. He casually tore off the ruffian''s head and walked out grandly. When Shen Qing appeared in everyone''s sight again, the bloody head in his hand rendered everyone instantly silent. In the sunlight, his gaze was icy like frost, sending an indescribable chill down everyone''s spine present. It seemed like the temperature dropped a few degrees on the scene. Shen Qing tossed the bloody head casually, glanced at the other ruffians, and asked: "Are you the ones wanting to take Niuniu away?" His voice was not loud yet clearly heard by everyone, exuding an aura unique to someone in power. The leader snapped out of it, barking threateningly: "Audacious, do you know who we are?" Shen Qing let out a cold laugh, his eyes icy causing people to shiver with fear: "Of course I know who you are. Don''t doubt it, I came here for you." Now, having broken through to the Primordial Spirit level, his consciousness was sharp. He sensed them as soon as they entered the village. He never planned to let this group go. The leader''s heart sank instantly, with a bad premonition, yet didn''t show much fear, instead laughed heartily: "Coming for us? Look at yourself, we''re numerous and powerful, who do you think you are?" Shen Qing said no more, his figure flickered like a specter appearing before the ruffians. The ruffians were immediately shocked, they hadn''t even seen Shen Qing''s shadow just now. The speed was unexpectedly this fast? A ruffian quickly swung his fist to meet. However, his fist was like a child''s before Shen Qing, without any threat. "Is this all you''ve got?" Shen Qing sneered disdainfully, extending a finger. A golden energy beam flashed by, and the ruffian''s head fell off. The surrounding ruffians let out a scream, faces full of shock and fear, retreating a few steps quickly. He''d never seen such a powerful martial artist, unable to comprehend Shen Qing. "Who...who on earth are you?" the leading ruffian asked nervously. "Who I am doesn''t matter, the dead don''t need to know much." Shen Qing replied in a cold tone, using a finger again. This time, the golden energy beam pierced through another ruffian''s chest, his eyes flashed an unwillingness, desperately trying to save himself. However, his chest had been penetrated, gushing blood, totally unstoppable. With a thud. This ruffian powerlessly fell to the ground. The remaining few were terrified, fleeing in panic but were too late, no way to escape Shen Qing''s grasps. In a moment, most of these ruffians, usually perpetuating evil deeds, lay in pools of blood, leaving only the leader alone. The scene was deathly silent. Countless villagers looked at Shen Qing standing in front of the wooden house, at the corpses all around, emotions surging within their hearts. "My God, how did he do it?" "It''s over, it''s over, he killed those ruffians, ''Huang Daxian'' definitely won''t let us go, we''re doomed." ... Shen Qing didn''t mind these remarks, walking straight to the lone leader, asking: "Where does Huang Daxian live?" "What do you want to do?" "I want to kill him!" Chapter 444 - 40: Massacre The burly man, upon hearing such words, froze with a stunned expression, his mouth agape as if capable of swallowing an egg. He came to his senses and said harshly, "Do you think it''s impressive that you killed a few of us? Brother Huang knows ''Immortal Law,'' which is not something a mere mortal like you can handle." "You''ve provoked us today, which is akin to slapping Brother Huang in the face. He will not let you off easily. If you know what''s good for you, there''s still time to beg for mercy!" "Ah!" Before he could finish speaking, a sudden intense pain shot through his finger. The ruffian looked down to find that, somehow, his left hand had flown off, completely severed by a sharp force. Thick blood plasma gushed continuously from the wound, pooling on the ground. Shen Qing said indifferently, "You''re not the only one who knows where that demon resides. If you spout another word of nonsense, you might as well join your brothers." In his tone, there was a killing intent, barely perceivable yet undeniable. He was, after all, a martial master of the Bone Refining Realm, with exceptionally strong muscle and bone. Yet, he had his hand chopped off in an instant. At that moment, the ruffian felt the hair on his body stand on end. This young man was too terrifying. Severe pain caused his cold sweat to flow continuously; he gritted his teeth and grimaced, yet dared not make any sound. "Unwilling?" Shen Qing''s lips parted, and he said with a cold smile, "Since that is the case..." "I''ll take you there, I''ll take you there. Please don''t kill me!" The ruffian''s face drastically changed as he begged urgently, "Brother Huang has invited a few friends today and is hosting a banquet in a nearby valley." Hearing this, Shen Qing''s expression darkened, "Lead the way!" He grabbed the ruffian by the collar, transformed into a streak of rainbow light, and soared into the sky, flying towards the south. The villagers of Shangao Village who were watching this scene were petrified. "A God! He truly is a God!" They hadn''t expected Shen Qing to be so extraordinary, which shocked them. The village chief said solemnly, "No, not a God, but a martial master." He murmured to himself, "No wonder he could travel thousands of miles from the Capital City to our place; I thought he was bragging, but it seems he was telling the truth after all." The village chief, well-traveled and knowledgeable, had heard that some top martial masters moved as swiftly as the wind, almost like immortals. Perhaps this young master from the Shen Family was of such kind. His throat dry, he realized they might have encountered an extraordinary individual. Between the valleys, the wind howled, and the sun hung high. A group of demons sat around a bonfire, with a huge bronze furnace in the center, from which steam rose and a nauseating stench emitted. Sitting beside the furnace, a large black bear with its legs crossed said leisurely, "Brother Huang, I''m amazed that in this remote valley, you could still gather so many infants; that''s truly commendable." "Haha, the Human Clan has always been deceitful. Just show them a bit of cruelty, instill fear in them, and they will think of ways to please you. Your straightforward method is too harsh, and Dog Brother is too soft." Beside the big black bear, a weasel as tall as a man earnestly spoke. "Brother Huang indeed knows how to control humans." "Stop joking, everyone; the banquet is almost ready. You all must try my culinary skills later." The Weasel Demon, proudly showing off the "delicacies" in the furnace to the other demons, had an excited expression on its sharp-featured face and laughed aloud, "Hahaha, brothers, the flesh and blood of these infants will definitely advance our cultivation!" The group of demons echoed the laughter, filling the valley with chilling sounds. Just then, as if the sky suddenly tore open, a streak of rainbow light like a shooting meteor descended, landing steadily before them. The light dissipated, revealing a tall figure: it was Shen Qing. His eyes piercing, he immediately saw the horrifying scene inside the bronze furnace, his face turning extremely cold. The ruffian being held by him saw the Weasel and other demons, and desperately cried out, "Sir, he killed our brothers..." Pfft! The burly ruffian hadn''t finished his speech when he suddenly fell silent. The Weasel Demon''s expression faltered, then he angrily yelled, "Who are you to lay your hands on my men? Are you tired of living?" To it, those ruffians, though they were no different from mere food, were ultimately its possessions. The fact that Shen Qing killed this ruffian right in front of it was a blatant provocation. "Who am I? The one who kills you." Shen Qing said calmly, cutting straight to the point. He raised his right hand, fingers forming a seal, and a golden Spiritual Power Seal gathered in his palm. Shen Qing''s figure flashed, and he instantly appeared beside a demon, promptly smashing the demon''s head into pieces with his palm. "How dare you!" The demons present were enraged, each brandishing their Magic Treasures and Demon Arts, attacking Shen Qing. The Weasel Demon roared furiously, transformed into a yellow light, and charged directly at Shen Qing. Shen Qing snorted coldly, utterly unconcerned. The group of demons'' assault seemed like child''s play to him, utterly nonthreatening. "Bang, bang, bang!" Shen Qing''s punches roared like thunder. Golden Seal Techniques continued to smash down. The Eight Desolate Annihilation Seal was fully activated. S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Each golden seal contained terrifying power. The rumbling sound was deafening. Many demons fell under his onslaught as if they were leaves swept away by an autumn breeze. The Bear Demon attempted to withstand the Golden Seal Dharma Form with its brute physical strength, but it was futile. The golden seal was as heavy as a mountain, crushing down on it with immense weight, as if it were bearing a mountain range. Before it could even unleash its demonic power, it was smashed into a pile of mush. Seeing this, the Weasel Demon was shocked. It hadn''t expected Shen Qing''s strength to be so formidable and hastily picked up a yellow, spike-covered wolf tooth club from the ground. "To arms!" The Weasel Demon roared, swinging the wolf tooth club in an airtight manner as it smashed toward Shen Qing. The club, forged from the Human Clan''s fine iron, was incredibly heavy, beyond the resistance of any ordinary mortals. It was with this that it had built a fearsome reputation. Following its lead, the other demons also roared angrily and pounced toward Shen Qing. Shen Qing snorted coldly. Spiritual Power surged around his body, phantom vortices appearing around him. He walked forward step by step, solely with the strength of his Physical Body, striking forcefully. Under Shen Qing''s fists, the demons were like fragile porcelain, shattering upon contact. In merely a moment, most of the demons had fallen dead or injured, the few remaining retreating continuously out of fear, daring not to approach again. Realizing the challenge before it, a glint of wariness and fierceness flashed in the Weasel Demon''s eyes. It knew well that if they couldn''t take down Shen Qing today, these demons would have no place to be buried. "Brothers, don''t fear him! We are many, and together we can surely kill him!" The Weasel Demon shouted loudly. The few remaining demons exchanged glances, their animal instincts erupting as they burst forth, rushing at Shen Qing. "Kill!" Chapter 445 - 41: Slaying the Yellow-Skinned Demon, A Bountiful Harvest The demons went mad, each resembling a beast. The Weasel Demon lay prostrate on the ground, took a deep breath, puffed up its cheeks, and blew fiercely. Instantly, a violent wind arose, and yellow sand filled the sky. A tornado swept towards Shen Qing, engulfing him in its embrace. Within the tornado, Shen Qing felt the sharpness of the wind. The sharp sand struck his skin, crackling loudly, and sparks even flew from many spots. Had an ordinary person been present, they would certainly have been flayed open, if not reduced to a skeleton. "Ha ha ha, once caught in my yellow wind, death is certain, even copper skin and iron bones would turn into a pile of scrap." "Oh? Is that so?" Shen Qing''s calm voice came from within the tornado. The next moment, a dazzling golden light, like the sun, slowly rose. A supreme golden seal formed. Boom! Golden ripples spread out. The tornado was dispersed with a single surge. The Weasel Demon hadn''t even had time to react before the golden seal appeared above its head and pressed down. "Ah!" The Weasel Demon screamed. The golden seal merged with the earth. The Weasel Demon''s voice came to an abrupt halt. S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Its life force was completely extinguished by the Six Paths Reincarnation Seal, dying without leaving a trace. The other demons, upon seeing this, were terrified and attempted to flee. "Leaving now? Too late! Better to accept fate!" Shen Qing''s voice was bone-chilling, making the demons shudder without being cold. With a flash, he suddenly held a treasure bow in his hands. Shen Qing''s arms strained, and the bow was drawn fully. One after another, arrows made of condensed spiritual power shot out relentlessly from the bow. The arrows arrived in an instant, the fleeing demons were struck and shattered. The valley echoed with the screams of demons and the sound of Shen Qing''s arrows. The scene was chaotic. In just a moment, no living demon could be seen in the valley; all were killed by him. The valley was filled with the thick scent of blood. The noon sun still could not disperse it. Shen Qing walked on, his eyes cold and icy. Corpses littered the valley; demon bodies and human bones. Each step he took made a dull sound. Shen Qing surveyed his surroundings and saw chaos everywhere, with many human bones scattered in the depths. He noticed fresh bloodstains and vascular patterns on these bones, many of which showed signs of being gnawed, clearly they had not long been dead. The skeletons were all small, revealing that these individuals were young before they died. A hard-to-describe anger flashed in Shen Qing''s eyes. These demons, feeding on humans, especially children, were truly detestable. Even the usually steady Shen Qing felt a wave of unrest within him. Shen Qing closed his eyes, refusing to look further. He spread out his Divine Sense to search for the remains of the demons. Moments later, Shen Qing opened his eyes, having determined his course. He moved swiftly, his figure darting through the valley. Before long, his hands were filled with all manner of precious spiritual medicines, each emitting a faint glow. These demons were all born in a land rich with Spiritual Energy, possessing many precious medicines. Now, they had all fallen into his hands. Not only that, but Shen Qing also conveniently took out the Demon Cores of those slain demons one by one. These Demon Cores, round and crystalline, glowing with a strange light within, were greatly beneficial to martial masters like them. After examining his gains carefully, Shen Qing found himself in possession of as many as thirteen Demon Cores and over twenty different precious medicine plants¡ªa substantial bounty. Having taken care of this, Shen Qing grabbed the Weasel Demon and several intact demon corpses, soared into the air, and turned into a trail of Rainbow Light, descending toward Shangao Village. Inside Shangao Village, Most of the villagers had gathered at the village chief''s home, the noise was deafening, and the atmosphere was chaotic. "The village chief, it''s getting late, and that person hasn''t returned. What if he never comes back? When Huang Daxian seeks blame, what shall we do then?" "Indeed, Huang Daxian knows Immortal Law, if it comes here, our entire village will be doomed." "..." While everyone was discussing, Niuniu loudly voiced her dissent, "Nonsense! Big brother won''t abandon us!" The other villagers glanced at the little girl but did not take her words seriously. Seeing this, the little girl''s face turned red with urgency. "Village chief, won''t you say something?" Someone urged the village chief, who was puffing away at his pipe. The village chief blew out a puff of smoke and said, "No rush, let''s wait a little longer." "Wait more? If we wait any longer, disaster might befall us!" Just then, the sky suddenly darkened as if a huge cloud had covered the sun. The villagers looked up to see several dark shadows descending from the sky, crashing heavily onto the ground. A billow of dust rose, revealing the gigantic head of a Weasel. The villagers were scared out of their wits. "Ah, no good, Huang Daxian is in the village!" Upon hearing this, the villagers became frantically panicked, running around like headless flies. Even the usually composed village chief stood up in fear, shuddering, considering to flee. "Big brother!" The little girl suddenly cried out, calling out excitedly. Following her shout, the other villagers looked and saw Shen Qing, with his upper body bare, stepping out from behind Huang Daxian. All the villagers were stunned. With all eyes on him, Shen Qing walked slowly to the little girl and, touching the top of her head, he said, "Today, tomorrow, and the days thereafter, you won''t have to die." The little girl was confused, not grasping the deeper meaning of Shen Qing''s words. Chen Gouzi, standing behind her, immediately understood and fell to his knees with a thud, expressing his gratitude, "Thank you, Lord, for your great kindness. I have no way to repay you, except to serve as your ox or horse in my next life." With a casual lift of his hand, Shen Qing raised Chen Gouzi as if an invisible force had gently lifted him. "Live this life well. Whether there''s a next life is another matter," Shen Qing said indifferently. The village chief squeezed through the crowd to approach Shen Qing, choking back his saliva, he asked in astonishment, "Lord, is Huang Daxian dead?" Shen Qing smiled and said, "It''s lying right in front of you." The village chief gasped. The braver villagers went forward to look and saw the Weasel Demon, the size of a man, and gasped in shock. Someone shouted, "It''s dead, it''s dead! The beast is truly dead!" Instantly, the villagers burst into cheers and swarmed over to examine the demon corpse. Shen Qing told the village chief, "Find a clean place, don''t disturb me, I need to rest." The village chief excitedly called out, "Sanlengzi, your house is the cleanest. Stay at your brother''s for a few days and let Lord Shen use it!" The named Sanlengzi happily responded, "Alright, alright, I''ll take my old woman out right away." With that, he ran off, his face brimming with a smile, as if he had done something immensely honorable. Chapter 446 - 42: Refining the Demon Core, Future Plans That evening, Shangao Village lit up with bonfires, and the villagers sang and danced around them. Sear?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. In daylight, a furry, robust leg of "Huang Daxian" had been chopped off by the villagers, cut into pieces, and roasted by the fireside. Juices sizzled from the fatty meat. Many villagers gathered around the demon''s carcass, eagerly devouring it with smiles on their faces. The flesh of this demon was rich in essence. Many young people in the village felt their bodies become robust and their strength greatly increase after eating it. Even the village chief looked radiant and spirited. As he ate, the village chief suddenly remembered something and called a young man, "Hurry, take some of this roasted meat to Young Master Shen. We mustn''t hog this all to ourselves and forget our benefactor." "Hey, Sanlengzi has already taken it. But, you know, he''s an Immortal; he doesn''t care for such trifles and won''t eat them." The village chief was surprised and curiously looked in a particular direction of the village. In Shangao Village, inside a tidy earthen house. On a flat wooden bed, Shen Qing sat cross-legged, his body surrounded by a faint halo of Spiritual Energy. With his eyes closed and concentrating, his hands formed seals, beginning to refine the precious medicine and Demon Core in his hands. Generally, a Demon Core contains many impurities and violent energy, which would need to be neutralized with other medicinal herbs, but for Shen Qing, who had now reached the Primordial Spirit Realm, this was no longer necessary. He could remove these impurities and violent energies with his Primordial Spirit. After purging the impurities, he could directly consume the refined Demon Core to strengthen himself. After a day''s refining, Shen Qing had purified more than a dozen Demon Cores. With a thought, he circulated his Physical and Spiritual Power. The Spiritual Medicines and Demon Cores, one by one, were swallowed into his stomach, transforming into a gentle stream that slowly merged into his body. Each droplet was filled with mighty Life Force and pure energy. As these precious medicines and Demon Cores were refined, Shen Qing''s aura gradually became profound and powerful. Inside him, Spiritual Power continuously travelled through his blood and meridians, following a specific route mapped out by the Six Paths Reincarnation Technique. Bright lights lit up in his acupoints, connecting to form a mottled and complex pathway. Gradually, his skin became translucent, and the surrounding fluctuations of Spiritual Power grew stronger. Nourished by this power, every circulation of Spiritual Power enhanced his cultivation, eased his injuries, and even repaired his damaged Primordial Spirit. After an indeterminate period, Shen Qing emerged from his meditation, returning to lucidity and slowly exhaling a breath of stale air, stirring his Primordial Spirit. Suddenly, another Shen Qing, identical to him, burst from his body and floated in front of him. This Primordial Spirit had many fine cracks on one arm, and upon closer inspection, one could see that it was missing a piece the size of a thumb, a result of forcibly using the Ancient Blade. Repairing it would not be an overnight task. Under Shen Qing''s control, the dazzling golden Primordial Spirit stretched its body, distancing itself from its host. The Primordial Spirit then stood silently on an unnamed barren hill. After about a quarter of an hour there, Shen Qing felt the cold wind slashing at him like knives from the sky, making it difficult to endure. He silently estimated that this time his Primordial Spirit could fly two miles away and last for a quarter of an hour. Compared to before, there was significant Progress, but there was still a vast difference from the true Kongyou Realm, where the Primordial Spirit could become a second life, traversing the heavens and earth freely. At this moment, time and distance had reached the limits that his Primordial Spirit could endure. Shen Qing did not linger outside any longer and returned to his original self. He hurried along, but his mind was preoccupied with planning for the future. Right now, Ji Zikong, by slaughtering a clan member in front of everyone, clearly showed his hand, abandoning his identity as an emperor, wanting to monopolize all the spiritual martial mechanisms to vie for the Great Dao. In addition, various major families deliberately breeding demons had led to demons rampaging everywhere, devouring human lives. Shangao Village was just a part of this. The world had already lost order, and great chaos was imminent. In such chaotic times, being targeted by Ji Zikong, he might be retaliated against at any moment; the slightest carelessness could result in death and the annihilation of his path. "It seems I need to quickly enhance my strength," Shen Qing silently considered, "If I face Ji Zikong again, I should at least be at the Great Perfection of the Kongyou Realm to stand a fighting chance. The cultivation of the Unity Realm is too powerful; such martial masters are very hard to kill." "The spiritual power in Jinzhou is too sparse, unsuitable for cultivation. I''ll have to go somewhere else once my injuries have improved a bit more." Shen Qing thought for a moment and made his decision. Withdrawing his thoughts, Shen Qing continued to sit cross-legged, channeling the Six Paths Reincarnation Technique. The spiritual power inside his body began to surge, continuously moving in the Grand Circulation, making his internal spiritual power increasingly abundant. After an unknown amount of time, Shen Qing suddenly awoke from his cultivation. He opened his eyes, which flashed with sharp light. At this moment, he realized that his body''s injuries had mostly healed and were no longer a major concern. Even the skirmish with Ji Zikong had brought some insights that were beneficial to the advancement of his cultivation. "It''s about time to leave." Shen Qing stood up, feeling the surging spiritual energy within his body, in high spirits. He pushed the door open and saw the little girl Niuniu alone, playing hopscotch by the door. She saw Shen Qing and exclaimed joyously, "Big brother, you''ve finally come out." Shen Qing smiled and said, "You''ve been here this whole time?" Niuniu nodded, innocently saying, "Yeah. Everyone in the village says big brother is a ''True Immortal'' and doesn''t need to eat or drink, but I was worried, so I came to check on you." "Niuniu, have your dad come over, I have some things to ask him." "My dad went out to work; he won''t be back until noon." Shen Qing asked, "Is your village''s chief around then?" The little girl, Niuniu, nodded, "He is; he hasn''t gone out these past two days." "Good, I''ll go to him. You can go back now." Shen Qing took strides toward the village chief''s house. The little girl Niuniu called out to Shen Qing, "Big brother, are you leaving?" Shen Qing paused in his steps but did not answer. When Shen Qing arrived at the village chief''s house, the chief was, as usual, sitting on the threshold smoking his pipe. Upon seeing Shen Qing approaching, the chief quickly stood up, bowing and scraping, "Young Master Shen." "I need to ask you something," Shen Qing began. Shen Qing had killed that yellow skin and saved the entire Shangao Village, a great kindness to their village of dozens of people. Even though the chief might not be the clearest in other matters, he was very clear about such significant matters. He hurriedly said, "Young Master Shen, just ask. I definitely won''t conceal what I know." Shen Qing asked, "I want to ask you if you know about the Huang Tian Sect?" Chapter 447 - 43 The Blue Sky is Dead, Huang Tian Shall Rise "Huang Tian Sect?" The village chief carefully recalled, "Previously, there indeed was a group of Taoists carrying the Yellow Banner who came here, mentioning something about believing in Huang Tian. However, they didn''t stay here for long, and everyone later dismissed it as unimportant." "What''s the matter, Mr. Shen, why are you asking this all of a sudden?" Shen Qing replied, "Nothing much. I saw the symbol of the Huang Tian Sect in your village, and I was merely curious." When the HTaoist uangtian had attacked the Capital City, the power he demonstrated had astonished Shen Qing. He hadn''t expected that the unprepossessing Huang Tian Sect could be so formidable. Huang Furo had also mentioned to him that the sudden rise of the Huang Tian Sect and its development to this point were due to their inheritance from an Ancient Force. They possessed methods to detect and collect Spirit Essence, and their attacks on cities were largely aimed at acquiring Spirit Essence. This was the case with Taiping County as well. If he remembered correctly, Jinzhou City had once been conquered by the Huang Tian Sect. Maybe the symbols of the Huang Tian Sect appearing in Shangao Village were related to this matter, which was why he wanted to ask. However, the village chief of Shangao Village was just a slightly knowledgeable farmer, with limited understanding. He would hardly grasp the intricate reasons behind this, so there was no need to go into details with him. After pondering for a while, Shen Qing continued to ask, "You mentioned those Taoists appeared; did any abnormal phenomenon occur at that time?" "Indeed, there was," the village chief replied, energized. "About half a month before their arrival, one night, a star suddenly fell from the sky. I happened to be up at night and felt the ground shaking." Shen Qing''s mind tensed upon hearing this. It was undoubtedly celestial Spirit Essence! The Huang Tian Sect had come for that extraterrestrial Spirit Essence. "Since that day, have the number of demons in Yongzhou increased?" The village chief was slightly startled. He clearly hadn''t connected this event with the demons. After Shen Qing''s reminder, he realized that it was indeed the case. All incidents involving demons occurred after that day; there had been no mention of them in the past. He hesitantly said, "Mr. Shen, are you saying that the appearance of demons is related to that phenomenon?" Shen Qing neither confirmed nor denied. The village chief looked down at the ground, puffing on his pipe, his expression heavy with thoughts. "By the way, another thing I wanted to ask, apart from here, where else nearby have there been traces of demons?" The village chief sighed, feeling helpless, "Plenty. I''ve heard that many demons have settled down near Jinzhou City, though those demons aren''t conspicuous, and many people in Jinzhou City aren''t aware. Our situation here is relatively better, at least they only prey on the small ones; in other places, they don''t discriminate, devouring entire villages." Hearing this, Shen Qing couldn''t help feeling speechless. What a dreadful world this was. As they were speaking, Shen Qing suddenly felt an anomaly inside his Hundred Treasure Pouch. It was Shen Xiaohu. Over the recent period, he had tried to contact Shen Xiaohu via the Spirit Communication Mirror to understand the situation of the Huang Tian Sect, but every attempt had been met with silence, and he had received no response whatsoever. He had thought that Shen Xiaohu might have encountered some mishap, but it seemed that wasn''t the case¡ªXiao Hu was still alive. Shen Qing took out the Spirit Communication Mirror from the Hundred Treasure Pouch, and saw the words sent by Shen Xiaohu appearing on it. "The Daoist is dead!" What? The HTaoist uangtian is dead? Seeing these words, Shen Qing was shocked, and the memory of the HTaoist uangtian''s past awe-inspiring feats surfaced in his mind. He found it hard to believe that a being capable of contending with a martial master of the Unity Realm could just die like that. Shen Qing asked, "Was it Ji Zikong who chased after him?" "No, it was a true demon from beyond our realm, extremely terrifying." A true demon from beyond their realm? It was the first time Shen Qing had heard of it, and he was very puzzled. He asked, "How are you all faring?" "Our brothers and sisters in the Holy Land are safe for the moment, but as for the future, no one knows what might happen." Shen Qing put down the Spirit Communication Mirror, his expression growing ever more grave. The world was already chaotic enough, and now a true demon from another realm had emerged. S§×ar?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. What might happen next was truly unpredictable. A thought struck Shen Qing, and he asked, "Has your Huang Tian Sect obtained a lot of Spirit Essence?" "Yes." "Is it still there?" "Some remains." "Have you also received the legacy of an Ancient Force?" "Our Holy Mountain is the site of an Ancient Force." An idea suddenly formed in Shen Qing''s mind, and he asked, "I want to join your Holy Sect, what does Xiao Hu think?" On the other side of the Spirit Communication Mirror, Shen Xiaohu saw this text and thought he had read it wrong. He had never expected that Brother Qingzi, who had become a dispatch officer, would one day want to join their Huang Tian Sect. Now the court of Great Zhou was completely paralyzed, and their Huang Tian Sect wasn''t much better off, being in a nearly lifeless state. Joining their Huang Tian Sect was not a wise decision now. Through the Spirit Communication Mirror, Shen Xiaohu asked, "Brother Qingzi, what is this¡­" "I am impressed by the foundation of your Huang Tian Sect," Shen Qing bluntly said, "I want to use the foundation of your Holy Land to enhance my cultivation." Generally, those in the Spirit Void Realm have a lifespan of three hundred years, while those in the Primordial Spirit Realm have five hundred. As a martial master, he had plenty of time to improve his cultivation. However, Shen Qing felt that five hundred years was too long. With the current unstable state of the world, enhancing his strength quickly was the main concern, and swiftly increasing his strength inevitably required the support of resources. The Huang Tian Sect, having lost its Daoist leader Huang Tian, was a good choice. For some reason, upon reading Shen Qing''s words, Shen Xiaohu at Huang Tian Sacred Mountain suddenly recalled something the Commander had once told him. For most members of the Huang Tian Sect, opposing the Ji Family and the court was about seizing money and women to pursue longevity. His Brother Qingzi indeed seemed to truly embody the ''True Meaning'' of the Huang Tian Sect. Seeing that Shen Xiaohu had not replied, Shen Qing added, "Since I''ve decided to join our Holy Sect, I have a prophetic saying to offer to the elders of the Huang Tian Sect, which you can convey for me." "What prophetic saying?" Shen Qing''s lips curled into a smile as he wrote, "Heaven is dead, and Huang Tian must rise. In the year of Jiazi, all under heaven will be auspicious!" Boom! For some reason, upon seeing this twelve-character prophecy, Shen Xiaohu''s mind buzzed and went blank. Having spent many years in the Huang Tian Sect, he knew the weight of these twelve words. Shen Xiaohu immediately replied, "Come quickly!" Looking at the two characters on the Spirit Communication Mirror, Shen Qing smiled. "All under heaven strive for profit, bustling for personal gain." He knew that his joining the Huang Tian Sect was settled. Shen Qing put away the Spirit Communication Mirror, murmuring to himself, "Come on, Huang Tian Sect! Let''s see what your foundation is truly like, and whether it can help me achieve Unity!" Chapter 448 - 44: Slaying Demons and Exorcising Evil Spirits Along the Way, Refining Bow Technique "Sir, are you leaving?" the village chief put down his smoking pipe and asked Shen Qing. Shen Qing put away his belongings from the Spirit Communication Realm and said indifferently, "My injuries have mostly healed now; it''s time for me to leave." The village chief looked at Shen Qing, his expression showing he had something to say but hesitating to speak. Shen Qing took the initiative to say, "Go ahead, is there something you''d like me to do?" The village chief bowed deeply and sincerely said, "Sir, you saved our entire village, you are our great benefactor. It is only right and proper for us to repay you accordingly. I dare not trouble you further, but there''s nothing much in this remote and barren place to entertain someone of your status, I hope you won''t hold it against us." "I do have an unusual request." "Let''s hear it." "Now that our area has been ravaged by demons and the population has dwindled, our village has many women, so I was wondering if it might be possible to ask you, sir, for your noble seed, to bless our descendants." The village chief boldly put forth what was on his mind. In his eyes, Shen Qing was so young yet possessed such power, his lineage was undoubtedly extraordinary. If they could have even a trace of him here, a talented individual born into this chaotic world could enhance their villagers'' chances to survive, which would be an immense blessing for their village. In Jinzhou, it was common practice for city folks or wandering martial masters to leave offspring in the villages they visited. It had even become a sort of tradition, with many villages taking pride in this. His request wasn''t excessive. At this moment, the village chief realized that Shen Qing was not an ordinary person and likely considered the village women beneath him, so he hurriedly added, "Sir, if there''s any woman or girl in the village you take a fancy to, you can choose. Their husbands won''t say a word about it." Whoosh~~~ Suddenly, the village chief felt a gust of wind in front of him. When he looked up, he found that Shen Qing had already disappeared without a trace. ... Amidst the sea of clouds, Shen Qing was riding the wind. He was enveloped in Rainbow Light, and the cold high-altitude winds didn''t affect him at all. Shen Qing had an excellent memory and knew the exact location of Yellow Heaven Sacred Land. After confirming the direction, he sped off, flying towards the south where Yellow Heaven Sacred Land was located. "Hmm?" Just then, a powerful demon energy surged in the distant sky. The demon energy spread out like dark clouds that blotted out the sun, chilling the hearts of those who felt it. Shen Qing''s gaze sharpened, and his figure shot up in an instant, flying towards the source of the demon energy, soaring through the clouds like an eagle. The world suddenly opened up before his eyes. Below him, the land was scored with ravines that snaked like a mighty dragon, with patches of lush greenery scattered amidst them like stars dropped upon the vast loess plateau, forming a magnificent yet desolate tapestry. At the far end of his sight, a deep canyon was filled with thick demon energy rising to the sky. "Good, this saves me the effort of searching for Cultivation Techniques." As soon as Shen Qing had decided to go to Huang Tian Sacred Mountain, he had been determined to cut down demons along the way and push forward. On this journey, he would cross several counties and pass through many Shi family''s ''Cai City'' territories. This was an excellent opportunity for him to sharpen his bow skills. Speeding along, he soon arrived at a massive valley. The valley was filled with thick demon energy, which made breathing somewhat difficult. At the far end of the valley stood a figure in a black robe, its demonic aura so strong it seemed to consume everything around it like a black hole. Its eyes were like two blood-red pearls, flickering with a bloodthirsty gleam, as it sat on the ground gnawing on a large thigh bone. While eating, it was also continuously refining the Essence Qi from the human flesh and blood. "Who''s there?!" The demon shouted, sensing Shen Qing''s approach; its voice was like thunder, deafeningly loud. Shen Qing looked at the ghastly figure and a trace of disgust appeared on his face. He could tell that the demon was shrouded in a thick evil Qi, and had devoured countless people to have become what it was today. It must be slain! Shen Qing bellowed loudly as he charged at the demon like an arrow released from a bowstring. At the same time, with a thought to his Primordial Spirit, a treasure bow appeared in his hand. He held the bow and shot, fully activating the Sun Shooting Bow Technique. An arrow as dazzling as the sun condensed in his hand and shot towards the demon, carrying an overwhelming might, The demon snorted coldly and waved its hands, summoning two streams of black demon energy to fend off the attack. However, unexpectedly to it, its demon energy melted away upon contact with Shen Qing''s arrow, just as snow does in the blazing sun. To its astonishment, a beam of light arrow fell from the sky, striking its head with unerring accuracy. Body and spirit, both annihilated. Thump. The headless demon''s body fell to the ground. Shen Qing stepped down from the Rainbow Light, landing next to the demon''s body. This was a dog demon that had reached a significant level of cultivation with a large build and fur as glossy as black silk. Scattered around it lay countless bones, among them the innocent bones of infants. Shen Qing reached out and removed the Demon Core from the demon''s body, his face showing no sympathy whatsoever. After taking the Demon Core, he waved his hand and a powerful force disintegrated the demon''s body into a cloud of blood mist. He rubbed with his Divine Sense, extracting the demon''s essence blood, condensing it into a Blood Pill that he carried with him. Having done all this, Shen Qing leaped up and continued on his journey. Unaware, he was already flying above Jinzhou. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Shen Qing looked down below him and spread out his Divine Sense, secretly detecting the traces of several more demons. He snorted coldly, his figure in the clouds, bow in hand as he shot again. Suddenly, round after round of sun-like arrows appeared in the sky, raining down upon various locations in Jinzhou. Outside a certain tavern in Jinzhou City, Several rat demons as large as humans were gnawing on solitary travelers in the kitchen. One rat demon lifted its bloodstained head, sniffing the air nervously as it circled around. A puzzled rat demon asked, "Second Brother, what are you doing?" The nervous rat demon replied, "I think I smell something dangerous." "Ha ha ha, Second Brother, don''t be such a coward..." Boom! Suddenly, a sun-like arrow descended upon their heads. Before they could understand what was happening, a powerful surge of Spiritual Power exploded, enveloping all the rat demons present. Sun Shooting Bow Technique, every arrow hits the mark! The same scene continued to play out around and even within Jinzhou City. Countless demons died under Shen Qing''s bow technique. He didn''t know how many arrows he had released until there were no more demons in his Divine Sense, and only then did Shen Qing finally stop. Shen Qing thought, and the information appeared on his Panel. [Skill: Sun Shooting Bow Technique (Entry Level)] [Progress: 263/5000 points] [Status: Breakthrough Unavailable] [Note: Diligence is the mother of good fortune. Through continuous and uninterrupted practice, your bow technique has made substantial progress. Keep shooting arrows and utilizing the Sun Shooting Cultivation Technique to rapidly improve this skill.] Having taken note of the Panel''s reminder, Shen Qing''s form flickered. He moved from place to place, collecting Demon Cores, and then hurried to the next city to continue slaying demons and exorcising evil. Chapter 449 - 45 Sun shooting Bow Technique Breakthrough, Arrival ``` The setting sun was as red as blood, and suddenly countless flocks of birds scattered, startled, from the vast mountain forest. A black bear demon, as massive as a mountain, fell to the ground with a loud crash, revealing a bloody hole in its chest. Warm blood gushed continuously from the gaping wound. Moments later, a rustling disturbed the underbrush, and a man with a bare chest and holding a treasured bow emerged. S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. It was none other than Shen Qing himself, who had been traveling southward. He looked down at the corpse of the black bear demon and muttered to himself, "I didn''t expect such a remote place to hide a demon like this, devouring all nearby towns. I''ve never seen a sight like this before, where you could go ten miles without hearing a rooster crow or a hundred miles without any sign of life." Shen Qing reached out and retrieved a dark demon core from the corpse. He gazed at the demon core, sensing the violent energy contained within, and smiled faintly. Taking a deep breath, Shen Qing blew on the demon core. Gray impurities were blown away in an instant, and the once dark demon core became as pure as a black pearl. Without hesitation, Shen Qing tossed the demon core into his mouth and chewed it like candy. The familiar pure energy was absorbed into his abdomen, transforming into a gentle stream that coursed through every inch of his flesh and veins. Shen Qing let out a long breath and felt utterly comfortable. On this journey, he had slain countless demons, leaving practically no demon alive wherever he went. The so-called ''vegetable cities'' of various families were entirely reaped by him, benefiting him greatly. Several rounds of this had significantly advanced his cultivation. Shen Qing exhaled a mouthful of turbid air and relaxed his hand, noticing that his physical shell had become more robust, and his spirit had regained some vitality, able to last for two time periods amidst heaven and earth. Continuing like this, it was only a matter of time before he could breakthrough to the Void Roaming Realm. Shen Qing restrained his ocean-like aura and used his qi to cut off the bear''s paw and gall, storing them in his storage pouch. ''This black bear is a treasure from head to toe; it''s a pity I can''t take it all. I can only take away the most valuable items.'' With a leap, he continued to speed southward. Shen Qing, perhaps due to a superstition, felt that the closer he got to the Huangtian Sacred Mountain, the fewer demons he encountered, a stark contrast to the scene under Great Zhou''s rule. Several days later, within five hundred miles of the Huangtian Sacred Mountain, a natural cave began to radiate light among steep mountains. Deep within the cave, Shen Qing sat cross-legged on a green rock, eyes closed, deeply meditative and immersed in cultivation. At that moment, gentle spiritual energy fluctuations surrounded him, making him appear like an ascetic exile. Outside the cave, dark clouds loomed. Silver lightning streaked across the sky, accompanied by deafening thunder, with torrential rain pouring down. At first glance, it seemed as if the Milky Way was hanging upside down, enveloping the entire mountain range in a hazy mist. At that moment, Shen Qing inexplicably felt a wave of agitation in his heart. He opened his eyes suddenly, with sharp light in his gaze, as if two blades pierced through the rain curtain. His aura underwent a dramatic change, and an indescribable power quietly surged out from within him. ''After such a long period of cultivating the Six Paths Reincarnation Technique, I feel myself mastering the profound transformation mystery of the Hell Path. Every time I train in this technique, I feel renewed.'' Shen Qing stretched his body, emitting a crackling sound throughout, which was on par with the thunder outside, impressive and astonishing. ''After more than a month of demon hunting, it seems like the Sun Shooting Bow Technique is almost there as well.'' With a thought, he summoned the Ink Panel. Before him, the martial arts information about the Sun Shooting Bow Technique was fully displayed. [Technique: Sun Shooting Bow Technique (Entry Level)] [Progress: 5015/5000 points] [State: Breakthrough available] The corners of Shen Qing''s mouth slightly lifted. ''Breakthrough!'' A powerful force suddenly enveloped his body. The information about the martial arts technique on the Ink Panel simultaneously refreshed. [Technique: Sun Shooting Bow Technique (Skillfully)] [Progress: 15/7000 points] [State: Not available for breakthrough] [Remark: To retreat in adversity is to regress. In martial arts, perseverance is of utmost value. Through diligent practice, the bow technique you have mastered possesses an ever-changing capability, no longer limited by the state of the arrow, allowing for confident exploration during use.] ''Ever-changing capability?'' Shen Qing''s heart tightened. About a quarter of an hour later, Shen Qing fully absorbed the memories of the breakthrough in the Sun Shooting Technique. Shen Qing suddenly stood up, with a flick of his wrist, retrieving his treasured bow from his storage pouch. Leaping up, he dashed out of the cave, poised in the midst of the rain curtain. The rain poured ruthlessly like columns. Shen Qing manipulated his spiritual power to isolate the rain, remaining serene and unmoved by external objects. His gaze naturally fell on a mountain peak not far away. Taking a deep breath, Shen Qing tensed his arm muscles, pulling the bowstring to its limit. The muscle-bound memory activated at this moment, making the motion feel exceedingly familiar. His vast and mighty spiritual power was infused entirely into the treasured bow. In an instant, the bow shimmered with radiant colors. From its front end, a dazzling golden light blade quietly formed, crescent-shaped, blazing brightly and exuding a menacing sharpness. Shen Qing''s eyes shone with a cold gleam. In a low murmur, he suddenly released his grip. The golden light blade, brimming with limitless spiritual power and before the bow, like the first ray of dawn, broke its constraints, slicing through the skies with destructive force, heading straight for a towering mountain in the distance. Boom! The light blade left a clearly visible fissure in the air as it passed. The once indestructible mountain peak before him, under this force, shattered like fragile porcelain, splitting apart, with boulders tumbling and dust flying, rendering all who witnessed it in awe. Not only that, the golden light blade, after severing the mountain, continued unabated. It pierced through layers of black clouds, scattering the gloom that obscured the sky, as if Shen Qing released a pent-up fury, dispelling long-held oppression. Rumbling... Behind the black clouds, a brilliant long ray appeared like the sun. With the black clouds fading, the downpour ceased abruptly. The long-awaited sunlight eagerly breached the clouds, spilling upon the earth. All things revived, bathed in warm and harmonious light, with golden gleams shimmering across the entire mountain range. Shen Qing watched the scene, a hint of astonishment flashing across his face. This strike was something an ordinary Martial Master in the Primordial Spirit Realm couldn''t easily withstand. He couldn''t help but look forward to the future potential of the Sun Shooting Bow Technique. Collecting his thoughts, Shen Qing flicked his hand. The treasured bow burst into a clear light and was reabsorbed into his storage pouch. After determining the direction, Shen Qing activated his rainbow light and leaped, soaring towards the Huangtian Sacred Mountain. For Shen Qing, the five hundred li distance was nothing more than half a day''s cultivation techniques. After a swift journey, Shen Qing found himself unknowingly standing at the foot of the Huangtian Sacred Mountain. ``` Chapter 450 - 46: Welcome the Saint Heir Back to His Place ``` Shen Qing lifted his head leisurely and saw the majestic mountain peaks standing tall amidst the clouds. At the peaks, yellow clouds swirled around like golden silk, with rays of light bursting from the gaps in the clouds, casting a brilliant golden sheen over each peak, dazzling and stunning. At the foot of the mountain, numerous believers with yellow cloths wrapped around their arms knelt devoutly. Each of them had a solemn expression, making the otherwise ordinary square appear particularly solemn. Incense smoke curled, reaching its peak. Wisps of smoke slowly rose towards the unreachable sky, intertwining with the light from the clouds and the yellow clouds atop the mountains, almost giving an impression of divine aura. Shen Qing gently stroked the Hundred Treasure Pouch at his waist and took out a seemingly ordinary mirror. With a light touch of his fingertip on the mirror''s surface, ripples of pale blue spiritual light spread out, gradually reflecting his figure in the mirror. These days, the Spirit Communication Mirror had been continually refined and modified by Shen Xiaohu, and now it possessed the ability for face-to-face communication. Concentrating his mind, Shen Qing followed the method Shen Xiaohu had taught him and said, "Xiao Hu, it''s me. I have successfully arrived at the Huang Tian Sacred Mountain!" His voice was deep and clear, seemingly carrying an irresistible force that traversed the barriers of many mountains and rivers to reach another place. After a moment of silence, the Spirit Communication Mirror displayed Shen Xiaohu''s slightly excited face: "Brother Qingzi?! You''ve arrived? Wait at the mountain foot for a moment; I''ll report to the elders." The image of Shen Xiaohu in the Spirit Communication Mirror suddenly vanished. Shen Qing put away the Spirit Communication Mirror and patiently waited. He noticed it was still early, so he moved through the bustling crowd, walking towards those devoutly kneeling believers. These Huang Tian Sect believers had dark complexions, small and thin bodies, with large knuckles of clasped hands, evidently used to manual labor, not much different from ordinary peasants. They were muttering blessings from Huang Tian, which piqued his curiosity momentarily. Shen Qing approached an old man who had just finished his prayers, stopped him, and earnestly asked, "Old sir, I am a traveler from afar, newly acquainted with the name of Huang Tian Sect, and my heart is filled with curiosity. Could you tell me why you chose to join Huang Tian Sect?" S§×arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The haggard-faced elder looked up, a trace of helplessness flashing in his eyes. He glanced around and said, "Ah, young man, you may not know. We are just refugees who couldn''t survive. Some can''t bear the heavy taxes from the government, some are displaced by demon attacks... We heard this place is the residence of the Huang Tian immortals, so we came here to seek a way of living." Hearing this, Shen Qing continued to ask, "Then, why choose this place among so many others?" The elder was surprised and said, "Haven''t you heard the prophecy?" Shen Qing had a premonition but still wasn''t sure. He asked, "What prophecy?" "Heaven has fallen, Huang Tian shall rise. In the year of Jiazi, great peace reigns under heaven." The elder sighed, "Look at the world, the government is corrupt, demons run rampant unopposed, the people suffer, and heaven can no longer shelter us. The emergence of Huang Tian Sect is to follow the divine will and replace heaven. Under Huang Tian Sect''s rule, it won''t be long before true peace comes to the world." "The word has spread completely, and everyone firmly believes it. If you don''t come now, it would be too late later." Shen Qing was slightly taken aback; he had anticipated some influence from those twelve words but hadn''t expected it to spread so quickly. At that moment, a young woman took over the conversation, her eyes shimmered with devout light as she said, "You might not know, I heard that after the Daoist''s fall, they have reincarnated and will soon return to their rightful place, and a Saint Heir will come back to lead. Our Huang Tian Sect will undoubtedly prosper." "Saint Heir?" Shen Qing was puzzled, calmly inquiring further: "What Saint Heir?" The woman shook her head, revealing a hint of confusion on her face: "We don''t really know the specifics." Shen Qing''s curiosity grew. As they were talking, the sky suddenly became extraordinarily heavy, as if an invisible force was brewing a dramatic change. Everyone''s gaze was involuntarily drawn to the distant Holy Mountain. The place long regarded as sacred and inviolable by the Huang Tian Sect was undergoing unbelievable changes. The originally lush green mountains were now shrouded by rolling yellow clouds. These weren''t ordinary clouds; they contained indescribable dynamic spiritual energy. Shen Qing''s keen awareness detected pure spiritual energy interspersed within the yellow clouds. As the yellow clouds surged, they descended from the sky like they were alive, spreading along the winding stone steps, painting the entire mountain path with a layer of gold. This sudden anomaly made everyone present hold their breath. Many devout believers couldn''t help but kneel, continuously pressing their palms together in silent prayers. Just then, from the other side of the Holy Mountain, a solemn and imposing drumbeat resounded, striking at the spirit of each person. Even someone like Shen Qing, at the Primordial Spirit realm, felt his heart thump intensely, pounding vigorously. As the drumbeat intensified, three middle-aged men dressed in yellow robes walked steadily from the mountain gate, stepping along the yellow clouds. Behind them were high-ranking officers of the Huang Tian Sect, holding weapons, expressions solemn, exuding a sense of dignity. Further back were countless followers, wearing uniform yellow garments, holding incense, chanting in whispers. When this grand procession reached Shen Qing, the entire scene fell silent instantly, leaving only the sound of the wind and the distant chirping of birds. ``` Chapter 451 - 46 Welcoming the Saint Heir to His Position_2 "Welcome, Saint Heir!" the three elders shouted in unison after exchanging glances. This shout seemed to stir countless emotions in people''s hearts. Behind them, the leaders and followers of the sect also fell to their knees, repeatedly echoing the elders'' shout, their voices reverberating through the valley. Shen Qing stood there, momentarily overwhelmed by the sudden spectacle. The elder and the woman who had been speaking with Shen Qing moments ago were also shocked before expressions of immense joy crossed their faces. They had never imagined that the young man before them was actually the reincarnation of the Holy Son of Huang Tian Dao Master. Many people looked at Shen Qing with curiosity, thinking that he indeed had an impressive and outstanding appearance. As Shen Qing gazed at the many members of Huang Tian Sect before him, the feeling of doubt in his heart deepened. He knew very well that he was not born a saint, nor was he any reincarnation of a Dao Master. The actions of Huang Tian Sect must have had other motives. Silently, Shen Qing took a step back. "I..." A kindly elder with deep eyes interrupted quickly, saying, "The Saint Heir has come guided by the heavens, surely tired from your journey. Please follow us back to the sect''s gate. You are destined by heaven, and everyone in Huang Tian Sect eagerly awaits your return." Noticing the profound meaning in the other''s eyes, Shen Qing understood that they had much to say. Just as well, he also wanted to see what they were really up to. Now that his injuries had mostly healed, he figured these people couldn''t trap him. Calming himself gradually, Shen Qing faced the members of Huang Tian Sect in front of him and nodded, accepting their welcome. "Saint Heir, please!" One of the elders gestured for Shen Qing to proceed. Shen Qing gave a slight smile, returned the courtesy, and then, amid the admiring and reverent gazes of countless followers, ascended the stone steps leading to the sect''s gate alongside the people of Huang Tian Sect. As he stepped onto the yellow cloud, he felt as though the cloud was solid beneath his feet, inching down slightly before gently lifting him up along the stone steps. There was a certain familiarity in this sensation that made Shen Qing smile to himself, "Huang Tian Sect is quite interesting." Following him, the three elders of Huang Tian Sect and other leaders ascended in succession. Moments later, after passing through the solemn sect gate, the view opened up, revealing the scene of Huang Tian Sect''s Taoist field. It appeared magnificent, shrouded in mist, resembling an earthly paradise. Rows of buildings stood in an orderly manner, their scale nearly matching that of the imperial palace in the capital. Shen Qing found it hard to believe that this was the handiwork of Huang Tian Sect. With sharp eyes, upon closer observation, he discovered these structures bore the marks of age, with many parts showing signs of wear, as if they had endured through time. As it was known, Huang Tian Sect had only emerged in the past ten years or so. Based on such indications, it was impossible for them to have erected it. In the center of the Taoist field, Shen Qing unexpectedly saw his long-lost cousin¡ªShen Xiao Hu. Dressed in the attire of Huang Tian Sect, Shen Xiao Hu had a resolute face, with eyes shining with excitement and reverence. He hurried forward, grabbing Shen Qing''s hand, and said excitedly, "Brother Qing, you finally came! You don''t know, how much I''ve missed you all these years!" Looking at the familiar yet unfamiliar young man before him, Shen Qing couldn''t help but sigh with emotion. Only five or six years had passed, yet Shen Xiao Hu had changed so much. He had indeed inherited the outstanding looks of the Shen family, dignified and full of scholarly air. Such an aura, he had only sensed in Zhang Shuyuan, the bookworm. Taking advantage of the fact that no one around was paying attention, Shen Qing took a step forward and asked in a lowered voice, "Xiao Hu, do you know what''s going on?" "Are you referring to the matter of the Saint Heir?" Shen Qing nodded silently. "This actually relates to the prophecy you told me about. Huang Tian Sect can be said to have caught a breath because of this prophecy." Upon hearing this, Shen Qing was truly taken aback. In a solemn manner, Shen Xiao Hu said, "In any case, it''s not a bad thing." S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Seeing Shen Xiao Hu behaving so cautiously, Shen Qing began to understand that the position of Saint Heir might not be as he initially thought. While Shen Qing was lost in thought, the three elders of Huang Tian Sect approached. With kindly smiles, they addressed Shen Qing warmly, "Saint Heir, just upon returning to the holy sect, we invite you to Tianji Hall to discuss important matters." Raising his eyes, Shen Qing saw the three elders with semi-smiles. His heart stirred, realizing that the main business was upon them. "Alright." Recalling Shen Xiao Hu''s words, Shen Qing nodded in agreement, following the three elders towards Tianji Hall. He walked silently behind the three elders, spiritual power concealed. In the event of any unforeseen incident, he could react swiftly, relying on the tripod to make a swift escape. Although Shen Xiao Hu mentioned there''s nothing to worry about, it''s best to remain wary. People change over time. Even after so many years, whether Shen Xiao Hu was still the same person, Shen Qing didn''t dare assure himself fully. It''s wise to be cautious. The three elders seemed to notice Shen Qing''s careful intentions but didn''t pay much attention. Shen Qing followed the three elders to ''Tianji Hall,'' one of the core places of Huang Tian Sect. Inside Tianji Hall, the space was vast. In the center hung an exquisite stone wall. It had a large circle inscribed on it, with the middle filled with complex routes, with traces of stars faintly appearing. On the first glance, it could even make someone dizzy, emanating a mysterious aura that struck the heart with awe. Even with Shen Qing''s Primordial Spirit realm cultivation, he dared not look too long, fearing further injury to his barely recovered Primordial Spirit. He quickly averted his gaze, avoiding further looks. Below the stone wall, chairs were arranged in an orderly manner. In the center was one chair, with three on each flanking side. "Please!" The three elders led Shen Qing to a chair on the left side, as they each took a seat, facing each other. "Saint Heir, Heaven evolves in fours and nines, leaving a gap for escape. At the moment of life or death for our Huang Tian Sect, the prophecy you spoke of has brought us a glimmer of hope and change," said the elder with white hair occupying the central chair, beginning the conversation, "It just so happens that we heard from Leader Shen that you wish to join our holy sect, which is fate decreed by destiny." Hearing this, Shen Qing''s eyes flickered. Did what he said in twelve words really cause such a stir? Suspiciously believing, Shen Qing subtly replied, "What does the elder mean by this? Shen Qing is but an ordinary person, what virtue or ability does he possess to bear the name of Saint Heir?" The elder on the right side, with a kindly smile, said, "Saint Heir need not be humble. The prophecy you spoke of has been found to correspond in our sect''s ancient texts. The texts record that after the death of a Dao Master, a Saint Heir will be born, and you perfectly align with the heavenly mandate." "Is that true?" "Of course it''s true." Seeing the three elders'' eyes rapidly changing, Shen Qing decided to stop beating around the bush with them. He straightforwardly said, "Everyone, since there''s no one else here, let''s be frank with each other." "On my path, I, Shen, have never believed there''s a pie falling from the sky. If there ever is, it''s an equivalent exchange. To obtain some things, one must pay an equivalent price." With a pause in his tone, Shen Qing gradually said, "So, what exactly do you want to gain from me?" The three elders exchanged a look and laughed, "The Saint Heir is indeed someone who escaped from Ji Zikong''s hands, truly exceptional." Mobilizing the spiritual power within him, Shen Qing said, "What, do you also want to uncover the secrets in me like that Ji Zikong?" Three elders shook their heads and shifted the topic, "Saint Heir, do you know why Huang Tian Sect emerged suddenly and has reached its current status, even daring to contend with the Ji family?" "I am willing to listen attentively." "In fact, you''ve noticed that none of the buildings on this Holy Mountain were constructed by us at all. This site where the buildings stand was actually the sect place of Tai Xuan Sect from the ancient era, nearly two thousand years ago. Just a little over ten years ago, by a stroke of luck, we discovered it." Chapter 452 - 47 I Didnt Know I Was This Strong ``` Shen Qing was not surprised. Long ago, he had already heard some rumors. The reason the Huang Tian Sect rose so rapidly in recent years was precisely because they obtained the Ancient Relics. Now, it''s been confirmed. But... Is the foundation of the Ancient Relics really that deep? Can it actually allow a new force that has only developed for a little over a decade to rival the Ji Family? Shen Qing felt a bit puzzled in his heart. The elder across seemed to have noticed the confusion in Shen Qing''s heart and said, "Saint Heir, you probably don''t know how glorious the Human Clan was during the Ancient Times." Shen Qing''s expression became serious, and he continued to ask, "I often hear many people mention the Ancient Era. I want to know what exactly is in that era that makes all of you yearn for it so much?" "In that era, there were Immortals and the Immortality Technique!" Upon hearing these words, Shen Qing''s expression slightly changed. To speak of it, this was the first time he had heard such resolute words from others. At this moment, the image of that perfect woman inevitably emerged in his mind. "Then why did such an era disappear?" "Because of demons," said the elders of the Huang Tian Sect, "Which is why we sought you." Seeing the virtuous demeanor of the Huang Tian Sect elders, Shen Qing felt even more perplexed. He had too little information, unable to reason out more content from it. One of the elders from the Huang Tian Sect further explained, "We have all heard of your deeds in Yongzhou, where you slew countless demons. Moreover, this time as you came all the way from Jinzhou, you even wiped out numerous places referred to as ''Cai City.'' It shows you have a heart for slaying demons, which aligns with our goals." "Besides, at such a young age, you have already reached the cultivation of the Primordial Spirit Realm. Your cultivation Sight can be described as monstrous, a height even the Daoist Master has not reached. If you were to join our sect, what reason would we have to refuse?" Shen Qing subconsciously felt a bit bewildered, unsure of himself, and said uncertainly, "So you want me to eliminate demons?" An elder gently shook his head and added, "Not to eliminate demons, but to save the Human Clan. Has the Saint Heir not noticed that the demons in the world today are increasingly more numerous?" Shen Qing carefully recalled and indeed felt this was true. When he lived in Hongshan Village, for generations, no one had ever heard of the term ''demon.'' But since he entered the city, the demons became increasingly numerous, to the point of overflowing in the end. Perhaps the term ''Cai City'' existed in other places long ago, with many Shi families deliberately blocking the news, hence very little was known, which is understandable. But it would never be like this. Hearing the elder''s meaning from the Huang Tian Sect, there is a deeper reason here. Shen Qing grew curious and signaled to continue. One of the elders from the Huang Tian Sect spoke, "Saint Heir, you don''t know, beyond this world, there exist Heavenly Demons from other realms that practically feed on the Human Clan. Each of them is incredibly powerful; even a single wisp of their aura can crush a mountain and transform countless demons. Even humans find it hard to bear their weight." "Our ancestors of the Human Clan created a Protective Array against these demons. Within this Formation, the external Heavenly Demons cannot get in, and we cannot go out." "However, the nature''s spiritual energy in this world is nearly exhausted after operating the Formation for thousands of years, nearing the point of collapse. The external demon energy is constantly invading this place, thus creating rampant demons." Heavenly Demon Clan, just their demon energy invasion is enough to spawn so many demons? Shen Qing gasped, finding it somewhat unbelievable. Just how powerful would the real Heavenly Demon Clan be? He couldn''t imagine. At this moment, a thought suddenly flashed through Shen Qing''s mind, recalling something Ji Zikong had mentioned before. He asked, "Does the Emperor Ji Zikong of the Great Zhou also know about this matter?" "Yes," said an elder from the Huang Tian Sect, whose hair and beard were both white, "Not only does he know, but the entire Ji Clan knows, preparing for it for over nine hundred years to escape from such a ''Prison''." Another elder supplemented, "Unfortunately, despite all their calculations, they never expected a descendant like Ji Zikong to emerge, taking over the plots of the entire Ji Clan, attempting to achieve personal gain and prove his unique Dao." "As far as we know, Ji Zikong is refining the inheritance of the Ji Family and the major Shi families to break through to the Heaven''s End Realm and confront the Heavenly Demons. After our rigorous assessments, the Immortal Martial Mechanism he possesses is insufficient to support him reaching that point. So, once he breaks through and emerges, he will certainly have to seize the vitality of seventy percent of the people in the world to achieve it." "By that time, the meager foundation of the Human Clan will no longer be able to exit this world. The time left for us is not much." S§×ar?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. After hearing this, Shen Qing couldn''t help but give them a few more looks, not expecting them to have such grand objectives. "So, what do you want me to do?" "To be honest, we are not temple officials; we are ordinary Jianghu Martial Artists. Given the Martial Mechanism has been taken by the Ji Family, it''s already extraordinary for us old immortals to break through to the Spirit Void Realm. To go further is simply impossible. Reaching our current level is purely due to some external techniques, but you are different." "The foundation of the Tianxuan Sect is vast, and we have only utilized two to three tenths of it. So, we want to entrust this foundation to you, hoping that you reach the peak before the sky collapses and carve a noble path for our Human Clan." ``` Chapter 453 - 47 I Didnt Know I Was This Strong_2 ``` Shen Qing heard the specific mention of "them" in their words, indicating that there was more than one Saint Heir. However, is there really anyone in this world who regards the responsibility of the Human Clan so highly? Shen Qing was skeptical. At least from all his past experiences, there was none. Based on the experience from his previous life, the vision of a peasant uprising wouldn''t reach such heights. They still hadn''t told him the whole truth. But it was not important. As long as he could access the depths of the Huang Tian Sect, it would be mutually beneficial for his cultivation. This ''deal'' was one he could accept. Shen Qing pondered for a moment, then said with an "apologetic" face: "I didn''t expect you to have such a broad vision; I was judging a noble person with a petty heart. In that case, I am willing to humbly offer my strength for the Human Clan." "Very well, Saint Heir, please stay within the sect for a few days. Soon, we will open the deeper treasury of the Taixuan Gate, and let you enter." Shen Qing rose to clasp his fists and said: "Then I shall comply. Farewell!" After a few pleasantries, Shen Qing strode out of the hall. After he left, the elders of the Huang Tian Sect gathered together and sighed, "This young man is truly powerful, let''s hope he brings us some surprises." "The sects left over from Ancient Times are definitely not limited to this one, there must be a connection between different relics. If one of these seeds can stand out, our efforts won''t be in vain." "Never mind that, let''s get ready for tonight. We''re expecting another ''Saint Heir'' to arrive, let''s make sure everything is well-prepared, and remind the believers below not to slip up." One of the elders impatiently said, "Understood. We''ve done this many times without any mishaps." ... On the plaza of Huang Tian''s Sacred Mountain, Shen Xiaohu fiddled with a celestial crane, hearing some movement behind and turning his head. "Brother Qing, you''re done?" Shen Xiaohu said happily. "Yes." Shen Qing looked around and said, "Let''s find a place. We brothers haven''t seen each other for a long time and should sit down to catch up." "Come with me to where I live." Shen Xiaohu raised a hand slightly, summoning a triangular formation flag engraved with intricate totems: "Let''s go." In an instant, the flag blossomed with a hazy yellow light, like the first light of the sun, lifting his entire body to float in mid-air, moving forward slowly. Shen Qing uttered a soft "hmm," as he had never seen such a method before, intrigued by Shen Xiaohu''s formation flag. He moved with intent, following closely, his eyes constantly observing Shen Xiaohu. Unable to contain his curiosity, Shen Qing asked, "Xiaohu, what''s your current cultivation?" "Me?" Shen Xiaohu laughed, "I just reached the Sea of Qi Realm." "Can you perform formations and walk on the wind at just the Sea of Qi Realm?" Upon hearing this, Shen Xiaohu''s eyes showed a hint of pride, saying, "The formation beneath me is a newly mastered method in our Huang Tian Sect, called the ''Floating Light and Shadow Formation.'' This formation flag is merely the key to activate it. Once set, it can leverage Spiritual Energy to form a special field, allowing one to float in the air and even move short distances briefly." "Brother Qing, you don''t know, most people''s cultivation in our sect isn''t high. We''re mostly from humble backgrounds, already past the age for cultivation, so making progress in martial arts is tough. It''s the same even for the Daoist master." "Brother Qing, you have no idea, your cultivation is considered top-notch in our realm." Upon hearing this, Shen Qing was momentarily speechless. After a pause, he changed the topic and said, "I remember your Daoist master fell. Do you know what happened?" Upon mention of this, Shen Xiaohu sighed deeply, saying with regret: "On the day the Daoist master attacked the capital, he was severely injured and was attacked by a demon on the way back. As for the details, I''m not particularly sure. If you want to know, Brother Qing, you can ask the elders. Since you are the Saint Heir of our sect, they will surely tell you." S§×ar?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Shen Qing nodded and asked, "Are there many Saint Heirs in your sect?" "There are both Saint Heirs and Holy Maidens, and quite a few of them." A chill ran down Shen Qing''s spine, an instinctive vigilance creeping up. In his view, while the elders of the Huang Tian Sect spoke grandly of altruism, they were likely thinking about various dealings in their hearts. Entering the depths of the Taixuan Gate should be approached with caution, lest he be caught off guard. The two continued to converse while advancing. Shen Xiaohu''s "Floating Light and Shadow Formation" carried him between the mountain peaks. From some observation, Shen Qing noticed the speed of this formation was not fast, no different from an ordinary donkey cart. But it was better than nothing. Soon, they reached a serene and secluded house. "Brother Qing, we''ve arrived." Shen Xiaohu retracted the formation flag, gracefully leaping from mid-air, and deftly stowing the flag away. Looking up, Shen Qing saw an apparently ordinary house standing ahead. Gray tiles and white walls, unremarkable amidst the surrounding scenery. "This is my residence within the Huang Tian Sect," Shen Xiaohu said with a smile. He gently opened the wooden door, which creaked as it swung open. Following closely behind, Shen Qing stepped over the threshold, and a strange smell suddenly wafted towards him. A mix of various oils and mineral scents, slightly discomforting. Inside, the walls were adorned with all kinds of talismans, emitting a faint glow. Various formation flags and a plethora of devices were scattered all over the floor, leaving little room to step. Looking around, Shen Qing couldn''t help but remark, "Xiaohu, your abode is truly unique." Shen Xiaohu chuckled foolishly but did not respond. Advancing to a long table, Shen Qing saw an antiquarian book beside a mirror-like object that exuded a faint blue glow. Shen Xiaohu stepped forward to explain: "This mirror is said to be an Ancient relic, capable of peering into one''s heart. However, due to its age, it has lost its function. I''m planning to modify it to see if it can be made useful again." "You deciphered the effects on the Spirit Mirror here?" Shen Xiaohu nodded: "I gleaned some insights from it." "It shows you have a deep understanding of formations and talismans, this path holds great potential," Shen Qing remarked, then turned to Shen Xiaohu and said, "By the way, Xiaohu, do you have any defensive formations or talismans?" "I do have some, but what do you need them for, Brother Qing?" "For self-defense." During the conflict with Ji Zikong, many of his weapons and methods were consumed, leaving him with a sense of insecurity due to his lack of possessions. It was fortunate that he had previously learned about talismanic arts and how to refine talismans. If Shen Xiaohu had suitable talismans, they could be used for self-defense against unforeseen situations. "Wait for me." Shen Xiaohu did not refuse, dashing to a corner and rummaging through a pile of ancient texts and miscellaneous items. "Found it!" Shen Xiaohu exclaimed, pulling out a stack of dazzling gold talismans from a pile of yellowed talisman papers. As they lightly swayed, Shen Qing felt a gentle fluctuation of Spiritual Energy. Carrying this stack of talismans, Shen Xiaohu walked swiftly towards Shen Qing and said: "In here are the Transference Talisman and the Sigh of Tai Talisman. If you encounter danger, Brother Qing, these can redirect an opponent''s attack." A glint of surprise flashed in Shen Qing''s eyes. He hadn''t expected Shen Xiaohu to possess such talismans. "Can the Transference Talisman redirect any kind of attack?" "That depends on the cultivation of the caster. If the opponent''s cultivation surpasses the caster''s, the talisman may only redirect part of the attack." Shen Qing understood that the strength of these talismans depended entirely on the user. This was indeed a remarkable talisman. Gently accepting the stack of talismans, Shen Qing''s curiosity about the depths of the Taixuan Gate grew. ``` Chapter 454 - 48: Entering the Location of the Taoist Collection, Primordial Spirit Recovers ``` In the following days, Shen Qing spent time with Shen Xiaohu, the two cousins chatting daily about the changes over the years. Time flies by, and in the blink of an eye, it has been over ten days since Shen Qing became the Saint Heir of the Huang Tian Sect. One day, while Shen Qing was cultivating alone in the courtyard, he finally received a notice from the Huang Tian Sect. "Saint Heir, the elders have sent word, asking you to prepare. Now the location of the Taoist collection in the Tai Xuan Sect, the Tai Xuan Treasure Vault, is ready to be opened. You are to head over there today." At the entrance of Shen Xiaohu''s residence, a woman in a yellow Taoist robe said respectfully. Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Shen Qing, who was still cultivating his cultivation technique, heard the sound, exhaled a mouthful of impure air, and looked over. After waiting for so long, there was finally some progress. Shen Qing said lightly, "I understand, I''ll head over right away." ... Amidst the majestic ancient buildings of the Huang Tian Sacred Mountain. The Taoist Treasure Vault lay dormant like a sleeping ancient dragon, silently nestled at the cloud-enshrouded mountain peak, its doors tightly shut, exuding an ancient and mysterious aura. When Shen Qing arrived, riding on the Rainbow Light, three elders of the Huang Tian Sect were already standing steadfast in front of the vault. Their figures, cast long in the morning light, resembled three immortal stone tablets, unwavering and firm. One elder, with white beard and hair, sensed the commotion, turned around, nodded at Shen Qing after a glance, then slightly closed his eyes again, resuming his previous stillness. After a while, men and women arrived one after another. Their appearances were all like figures out of a painting, exceptionally elegant. It was obvious these people were the other Saint Heirs and Saintesses of the Huang Tian Sect. Shen Qing counted them briefly; besides himself, there were a total of eight others, all around his age. These people were not highly cultivated; Shen Qing slightly sensed with his Divine Sense and found that most of them were in the Qi Hai Realm. Among this group, Shen Qing was undoubtedly the outstanding one. The elder standing in the center glanced at everyone and said, "Everyone is here." "Fellow Saint Heirs and Saintesses, our Huang Tian Sect is opening the Taoist Treasure Vault this time with the aim of finding a method to break the Heavenly Tribulation, while also providing you an opportunity to enhance your cultivation. You must not waste this hard-won chance." "This time, with our methods, we can open the vault''s formation twice. We will use a year as a period, and by then, no matter what, you must come out." Everyone present, including Shen Qing, became serious, rare solemnity taking over their expressions. Another elder stepped forward and handed each of them a smooth copper mirror, saying, "This is our sect''s unique Spirit Communication Mirror. When you enter the vault, you can use it as a medium for communication. I will now teach you how to use it." After speaking, this elder seriously explained how to use the Spirit Communication Mirror, exactly as Shen Xiaohu had taught before. This made Shen Qing realize that the mirror was probably also crafted by his cousin''s handiwork. After explaining other details, the elder with white beard and hair said, "It''s about time. Let''s begin." As soon as he finished speaking, the three elders formed seals with their hands, Spiritual Power surged, converging upon the vault''s door. A flash of dazzling light passed, the ancient formation activated, revealing a radiant gateway. Immediately, a wave of Wilderness Energy rushed forth, causing everyone present to instinctively step back. "Remember, the vault is fraught with danger, where opportunities and trials coexist. Whether you gain anything depends entirely on your own fortune." The words of the Third Elders were like warning bells in the cold wind, evoking awe and respect. "Go!" At the elders'' signal, the remaining eight people stepped through the radiant gateway one after another. Shen Qing hesitated a little, then, seeing that the others entered without major issues, he finally felt relieved to walk in. After the last person entered, the three elders immediately closed the formation''s gateway, panting heavily. An elder stared at the vault location, murmuring to himself, "I hope this time there will be a result, someone who gains recognition and acquires the legacy within." Upon stepping into the portal, Shen Qing and the others seemed to enter a completely different world. They found themselves in a chamber, the Spiritual Energy so dense it was almost liquefied, ancient texts, Magic Treasures, Elixirs, even lost cultivation techniques, were all dazzlingly arrayed before them, overwhelming the senses. "Is this the true depth of the Tai Xuan Sect?" Shen Qing was astonished in his heart, his eyes sparkling with amazement at the scene before him. He hadn''t expected the Tai Xuan Sect''s treasury to reach such a level of grandeur. A Saint Heir eagerly went forward, opening one bottle of precious medicine, only to find a withered elixir remaining inside. The elixir inside, having weathered the passage of thousands of years, had long since lost its potency. A Saint Heir lamented, "How could this be? It''s too unfortunate." They continued to inspect the Magic Treasures, cultivation technique texts, and all found them in the same state, leaving them utterly disheartened. A woman in blue clothing spoke up to comfort, "Everyone, don''t lose heart. As you go deeper, there is bound to be something. This vault is not just this one place." Someone pushed open a door in the house, revealing an endless collection of buildings outside. The others deeply agreed. The woman in blue walked to Shen Qing and said, "I am Liu Chengyan. You must be Master Shen Qing, right?" "You know me?" The woman in blue, Liu Chengyan, smiled sweetly and replied, "I am from the neighboring prefecture. Master Shen''s esteemed name has long been heard like thunder in the ears." Shen Qing suddenly understood. The neighboring prefecture was adjacent to Yong Prefecture. The people there hearing about his deeds was indeed normal. ``` Chapter 455 - 48 Entering the Location of the Taoist Collection, Primordial Spirit Recovery_2 ``` The young lady in blue, Liu Chengyan, gracefully said, "Lord Shen, your cultivation is the highest among us. Would it be possible for us to advance and retreat together with you?" Liu Ruyan had a cool demeanor and a hint of warmth hidden in her eyes, her words like a breath of spring wind. The other four saints and saintesses showed great interest upon hearing this, turning their gaze towards Shen Qing. Shen Qing smiled slightly and nodded, "Of course." "I have a solitary nature, not fond of company; I plan to explore alone, farewell." A saint suddenly interrupted, shattering the surrounding silence. He looked only seventeen or eighteen, somewhat rebellious. Shen Qing was slightly taken aback, then nodded and said, "That''s fine too; splitting into more teams will make exploration more efficient." "Then I wish to go alone as well." "Lord Shen, farewell." ... Before long, three more people expressed their intentions to leave separately to explore the treasure vault and seek opportunities. Shen Qing looked at the three women in front of him and asked, "What about you?" "We''ve all decided, we''ll stay with you, Lord Shen." Shen Qing said, "Since we agreed to stick together, then all actions should heed my commands." "Alright." The three women nodded earnestly in agreement. Shen Qing observed the three women; they each had exceptional beauty, impeccable figures, and delicate skin. Presumably, they came from wealthy families. "Let''s go!" Shen Qing chose a direction and led the three women swiftly into the depths of the treasure vault. In the end, their group of nine had three women accompanying Shen Qing, while the other four decided to operate independently, seeking their own fate. The nine split into six teams for exploration. Shen Qing and the three others followed a winding path deeper into the vault. Along the way, they discovered the place was dark and damp, seemingly quite dilapidated, with the air filled with a musty odor. Many areas were in disrepair, with the original formations losing stable spiritual energy supply and completely collapsing, with some places even showing signs of collapse. "Hmm? What''s this?" The young woman in blue, Liu Chengyan, suddenly stopped, pointing to a place not far away. Following her direction, Shen Qing and the others saw a pavilion shrouded in a faint barrier of spiritual power, difficult to discern unless closely examined. Everyone gazed at the spiritual power barrier with a strong surge of curiosity, gathering around it. "I''ll do it!" A petite woman stepped forward, mobilizing her spiritual power, conjuring a talisman resembling a pair of scissors. With a twist of her hands, the talisman transformed into a golden pair of scissors, cutting at the barrier. The barrier cracked open, releasing a surge of rich spiritual energy that revitalized the spirit. "There''s something there!" The other three women exchanged smiles and stepped into the cavern without hesitation. Shen Qing followed right after them. Inside, the cavern was dimly lit, but with the peculiar items in the women''s hands, they could still see their surroundings. The place was filled with various runes and patterns, exuding an ancient atmosphere. "This seems to be an altar!" Liu Ruyan pointed to a high platform ahead, her voice tinged with awe. Upon hearing this, Shen Qing''s gaze fixed on the platform. On the platform, there was a vertical crystal-like object emitting a faint glow. More terrifyingly, there was a man sealed within the crystal, dressed identically to the puppet attire driven by the Huang Tian Dao Master. Shen Qing was shocked. Could it be that the ancient corpses refined by Huang Tian Dao Master originated from here? Just as they were about to investigate further, Suddenly, a powerful wave of spiritual power emanated from deeper within the cave. Then, the man sealed in the crystal opened his eyes. Shen Qing and the others were shocked. That thing is alive! Shen Qing''s eyes sharpened, immediately mobilizing spiritual power, and directly summoned a transference talisman. At the instant he cast the talisman, sword energy inexplicably arose, enveloping the four above. S~ea??h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Clang clang clang! A rain of swords poured down. Two women, unable to react in time, were cut in half by the sword energy. However, Liu Chengyan reacted swiftly, quickly producing an oil-paper umbrella. The umbrella, inscribed with formations, formed an inverted triangular light shield, shielding her within. "Run!" Shen Qing shouted, transforming into a rainbow light to escape the sword rain. Nearby, Liu Chengyan''s face turned pale; she grit her teeth and followed behind Shen Qing. Seeing the sword rain pursuing, Shen Qing immediately activated the overturning seal, displaying astounding power. A massive, mountain-like golden seal collided ahead, suppressing all the sword rain. Standing at the pavilion entrance, Liu Chengyan was filled with the exhilaration of surviving a disaster. Had she stayed a moment longer, she might not have held on, being slain by the sword rain like the two saintesses. She instinctively exchanged a glance with Shen Qing, asking, "Could that be someone sealed by the Tai Xuan Sect thousands of years ago?" Liu Ruyan''s voice trembled slightly; she couldn''t believe someone could live until now. Shen Qing nodded gently, equally filled with awe. Fortunate to have the precedent of the ''Perfect Woman,'' he wasn''t particularly surprised, "Most likely, yes." Liu Chengyan blanched, saying, "We can''t stay here long; let''s head somewhere else quickly." "Alright." Without any delay, the two moved deeper. The further they went, the more astonished they were at the scope of the treasure vault; it was practically a world of its own, incredibly vast. Despite how far they traveled, pavilions and towers still surrounded them. Shen Qing led Liu Chengyan to the front of a grand hall. A vast hall, its plaque barely visible, only revealed one character "Medicine," with others too blurred to read. This time, Shen Qing didn''t act rashly; he sent a strand of primordial spirit inside and only entered confidently after confirming no danger. Unaware of Shen Qing''s methods, Liu Chengyan was slightly worried, whispering, "Lord Shen, this place..." "No need to worry; there''s no significant danger here." Choosing to trust him, Liu Chengyan followed Shen Qing inside. Upon entering the hall, what greeted them was a massive alchemy furnace. As Shen Qing approached, he could even sense a slight warmth from the furnace. The furnace fire had long expired, the warmth emanating from the furnace itself. Shen Qing circled the alchemy furnace, eyes settling on the furnace lid. He formed hand seals, summoning a golden hand to open the furnace. Instantly, a faint spiritual essence emanated from within. Shen Qing''s face lit up with joy as he lightly leaped, standing above the furnace. Inside, it was filled with medicine dregs. Preserved by the furnace''s seal, these dregs still emitted potent spiritual substance and fragrance. Taking a deep breath, Shen Qing felt refreshed, his primordial spirit showing slight signs of healing and enhancement, growing more adept. ''The dregs inside could actually enhance the primordial spirit?'' Upon confirming no danger around, he sat atop the furnace, continuously extracting the residual essence and integrating it into his primordial spirit. With his relentless refining, strands of blue crystalline brilliance emerged from the dregs, continuously merging into his body. Gradually, soft blue light surrounded him. Shen Qing felt an icy coolness throughout his body, as if in an ice cellar, his primordial spirit becoming increasingly pure. He held his breath, focused, as the blue points of light multiplied. Unaware of the time passing, waves of warm, formidable power surged within him, healing his damaged primordial spirit, subtly expanding his spiritual perception, significantly advancing his primordial spirit. The ancient dregs wielded such formidable power. Opening his eyes, Shen Qing''s gaze was filled with incredulity. ``` Chapter 456 - 49 Tai Xuan Sect Legacy ```plaintext Beside her, Liu Chengyan discovered a stone tablet in the grand hall. She gently brushed away the dust, revealing an inscription in seal script, which appeared very mysterious. She excitedly said, "Lord Shen, quickly look here." Upon hearing this, Shen Qing turned around and dismounted from the Alchemy Furnace. Unconsciously quickening his pace, he walked over to Liu Chengyan''s side. The moment his gaze landed on the mottled inscription, he was stunned. He was familiar with these characters. Quickly gathering his thoughts, he examined it carefully, discovering that it was a secret method for refining elixirs. Shen Qing said truthfully, "This is a piece of Alchemy, a foundational Magic Skill for refining medicine." Liu Chengyan said, "This secret method doesn''t seem that profound, otherwise it wouldn''t be placed openly in the main hall for people to read." Shen Qing nodded in agreement, "However, this secret method is not entirely useless; at least it benefits the strengthening of the Primordial Spirit." Without any hesitation, Shen Qing''s eyes became focused, carefully pondering the True Intent within. After an unknown amount of time, he glanced at the text appearing on the Water Ink Panel, confirming he had grasped this secret method, and finally felt a bit at ease. Shen Qing and Liu Chengyan searched around the grand hall for a while, but after confirming there were no findings, they didn''t waste any more time there and continued deeper into the treasure trove. The treasury was silent. Shen Qing and Liu Chengyan walked side by side, heading towards the depths of the treasury, the surrounding so quiet that only their heartbeats and breaths could be heard. Looking at the swath of buildings before them, they felt inexplicably eerie. The two of them moved forward swiftly, the houses on either side falling behind continuously. In the distance, at the core position, they saw a massive building extending ahead, heading towards that core land. Just then, in this unexplored mysterious area, a sudden and piercing scream abruptly shattered the silence, causing Shen Qing and Liu Chengyan to halt their steps. "Sounds like someone else''s voice, should we take a look?" Liu Chengyan frowned and asked. Shen Qing looked in the direction of the sound, glanced once, then replied, "No need, let''s move away from here." He had only briefly met those Saint Heirs, with no affections attached. He did not want to involve himself and put himself in danger. Liu Chengyan thought of Shen Qing''s initial request, and despite feeling uneasy, she said no more, following Shen Qing as they moved ahead. However, they had not walked far before a heavy scent of blood assailed them. Not far away, a Saint Heir was already lying in a pool of blood, only a terror-stricken head remaining. This scene made Liu Chengyan''s heart tighten, realizing the lurking danger here, full of ominous signs. Just as she was trying to retreat, a figure, no, more accurately, a grotesque non-human creature akin to a demon, leapt out from the shadows. Its mouth a deep abyss, it lunged fiercely toward Shen Qing and Liu Chengyan, intending to devour their essence. Shen Qing, already tense, saw this and did not panic; he soared into the sky controlling the Rainbow Light, already pulling out a treasure bow. Swish! A sharp sword light descended from the heavens, landing squarely on the non-human creature. A squelching sound. The strange creature was immediately severed into two parts. Liu Chengyan was so frightened her face turned pale, her heart pounding wildly, almost thinking she might perish. Shen Qing landed steadily on the ground, gazing at the inhuman monster before him, a look of puzzlement on his face. For some reason, he sensed a hint of demon aura and human smell from this monster. Shen Qing was puzzled but did not delve deeply for long. "Let''s go inside and see." Shen Qing said calmly. This time he learned a lesson, choosing to travel with the wind, staying away from the buildings, simultaneously spreading his Divine Sense, continually observing the conditions inside the various structures, seeking overlooked opportunities. Along the way, he found some of the building doors already open, with empty coffins inside and scattered crystals. The life or corpses hidden inside had disappeared. Shen Qing raised an eyebrow, pondering the reason behind this. After about a tea''s time, the two arrived at the core of the treasure trove. Without solving anything, Shen Qing ceased his pondering, slowing his steps, hovering in the void. Shen Qing looked down, his gaze landing on the grand bronze palace slumbering underground. The bronze palace, dazzling with golden light, shone brightly; even after thousands of years, its luster was unblemished, seemingly immortal. "We should be there." Shen Qing gently turned his head, saying to Liu Chengyan beside him. sea??h th§× N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Liu Chengyan''s beautiful eyes moved slightly, shocked by the sight before her, her voice trembling, "Is this... the heritage of the Tai Xuan Sect?" Shen Qing still replied flatly, "It should be. This treasury is large, but not endless. This place is at the core of the treasury, and if the Tai Xuan Sect left heritage, it would be only here." "What the elders want us to get should all be inside this grand hall." Saying that, Shen Qing took out his treasure bow from his bosom, drawing it to a full moon. He raised the treasure bow high, aiming at the palace door. With the surge of True Yuan within him, the glow on the treasure bow became even more dazzling. A brilliant beam of light suddenly appeared, like an invisible hand, pushing across, hitting the palace gate with precision. ``` Chapter 457 - 49 Inheritance of the Tai Xuan Sect_2 """ Accompanied by a low and prolonged hum, the great bronze door of the palace was pushed open by the arrow beam. A thick and primal aura rushed over them, causing both to involuntarily hold their breaths. This kind of aura was incredibly dense. If they had been standing at the palace door, they might have been affected, possibly even injured. "Let''s go." Shen Qing tightened the treasure bow in his hand, took a deep breath, and was the first to step into the palace. Liu Chengyan followed closely behind. As Shen Qing and Liu Chengyan stepped into the ancient palace, an unusual luster appeared before their eyes, causing them both to gape in astonishment. In their sight, rows of sparkling crystals filled the great hall, extending into the depths. As they had pushed the door open moments ago, a faint and crisp sound echoed within the hall, as if the figures tightly sealed within the transparent crystals were awakening, emitting a faint and elusive glow. "These... are these ancient cultivators from a thousand years ago?" Shen Qing was shocked, his voice subconsciously lowered, eyes filled with disbelief. "Even in ancient books, they''re rarely mentioned, and yet here there''s such a vast number, with possibly more remaining hidden. What secret realm is this, and what does it conceal?" There was no answer. Shen Qing cautiously advanced and stopped before a crystal. Under the hazy crystal light, he saw a withered skeleton in a blue robe sealed within. It rested quietly in the crystal, its body cracked in multiple places, as if it might crumble into dust with a mere touch. Liu Chengyan swallowed and stepped forward for a closer look, saying, "This person must have had remarkable cultivation in life and held a significant position in the Tai Xuan Sect. This crystal is also unusual, but still could not withstand the erosion of time, leaving only the skeleton preserved under the crystal''s protection until now." Anyone able to retain a trace of themselves over such a long passage of time was undoubtedly a peerless powerhouse of the Tai Xuan Sect in that era. sea??h th§× NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The Tai Xuan Sect must have been resplendently glorious in ancient times. Yet, why they were sealed within this crystal remains a mystery. Shen Qing continued forward and saw another body preserved more intact. It was shriveled, its vitality completely drained, resembling a mummy. But compared to the first one he saw, it was undeniably stronger; this powerhouse must have been a prodigy of the Tai Xuan Sect. He stared at the jade plaque hanging at the waist of this "mummy" within the white crystal, on which was inscribed in small characters: "Tai Xuan Sect, Li Muyun." "Let''s get out of here quickly. Standing here looking at these corpses gives me chills. It feels eerie," said Liu Chengyan, standing in the main hall, uneasy with the scene. Shen Qing radiated his divine sense, thoroughly probing, finding no clues, and promptly moved past these "crystals" to the end, entering a spacious hall. In the hall, many more "crystals" were present, each sealing a lifelike person. These individuals appeared in much better condition than those outside, their physical bodies had not decayed. Some even had skin that remained ruddy, as if they were about to revive in the next moment, which was astonishing. Beyond these ''crystals'' captivating them, the monumental jade scroll suspended at the center of the hall astonished Shen Qing and Liu Chengyan. Upon close inspection, Shen Qing found it etched with intricate runes, emitting a gentle glow that illuminated the whole hall as bright as day. His expression turned considerably serious, "Shall we go up and take a look?" "Could it be dangerous?" Shen Qing was resolute, directly creating a wisp of a divine soul avatar. Seeing two identical Shen Qings, a hint of peculiar color flickered in Liu Chengyan''s eyes. Shen Qing''s plan was simple: to have the divine soul avatar make contact. If danger arose, he could abandon the wisp of divine soul. Though there would be some damage, it would not be life-threatening. "Go!" The divine soul avatar, with a solemn expression, walked slowly toward the jade scroll, reaching out to touch it. A warm and powerful force surged instantly into his body, causing him to shudder. In that moment, it was as if Shen Qing''s mind established a spiritual connection with the Tai Xuan Sect, a transcendent connection beyond words silently formed. On the other end of this connection was the accumulated essence of the Tai Xuan Sect over the centuries, filled with the insights of many ancient forebears into the principles of heaven and earth and the path to immortality. Among the numerous methods, a profound martial arts technique emerged in his mind. "The Tai Xuan Dao Literature?" Upon learning the utility of this technique, Shen Qing was jolted internally. This was the core martial method of the Tai Xuan Sect, condensing the sect''s countless painstaking efforts. The great powers of the Tai Xuan Sect, worrying their legacy might end, had specially left this scripture behind. Shen Qing stood quietly at the main hall entrance, surrounded by gentle circles of pale purple spiritual energy. His eyes closed tightly, an ineffable seriousness between his brows as he diligently cultivated. Here, the concentration of spiritual energy was astoundingly dense. As soon as Shen Qing began to cultivate, the spiritual energy of this realm started forming into dazzling vortices, madly rushing into his body. These energies surged through his meridians like rivers into the sea, not only nourishing his physical body but also invisibly strengthening his divine soul. An invisible and grand power silently descended, nourishing every inch of Shen Qing''s flesh and bone like gentle rainwater, causing a pleasant hum throughout his body. Yet as he frantically absorbed the spiritual energy of this realm, the "people" hidden in the numerous crystals in the palace began to age little by little, with some even turning directly into piles of bones, the transformation stark. With the support of the ink wash panel, their productiveness determined their reward. After about the time of one incense stick, Shen Qing saw the records and information of the Tai Xuan Dao Literature appear before his vision. He had successfully mastered and internalized this cultivation method, making his divine soul stronger. At this moment, he seemed to have sensed subtle changes within the palace. Instinctively, he recalled the wisp of divine soul and said to Liu Chengyan, "This place is not safe for prolonged stay. Let''s leave first." Liu Chengyan did not know the reason but still followed Shen Qing out of trust. As they returned to the main hall, a cracking sound came from the crystals laid out on the hall. Shen Qing looked around and saw many of the well-preserved crystals beginning to collapse, revealing cultivators who opened their cold eyes, staring fixedly at Shen Qing, sending chills down his spine. Realizing he might have touched something extremely formidable, Shen Qing immediately activated the Grand Teleportation technique, taking Liu Chengyan through the void. Their presence vanished from the main hall. At the moment they disappeared, five crystals completely shattered, with five ancient beings emerging from within them. Each of them exuded an overwhelming aura, their entire being brimming with unique energy. After losing their target of Shen Qing, their expressions suddenly turned aloof and absent-minded, as if lost. They spun around vicuously like headless flies, then one by one rushed out of the hall. Meanwhile, Shen Qing and Liu Chengyan materialized out of thin air back in the original alchemy hall. "The risks present in there are even greater than I imagined. We need to find a place to hide," Shen Qing straightforwardly remarked. Having received the legacy of the Tai Xuan Sect, he had learned much. For instance, only cultivators or martial artists below the age of thirty-five were permitted to enter this treasure trove. Others who tried would be obstructed by the array formations within, unable to proceed. And, the Tai Xuan Sect did not perish by annihilation but preserved their bodies to await an opportunity, aiming to vindicate the Immortal Path. Moreover, it appeared that many sects shared similar fates during ancient times. They might all be revived someday. ''I must quickly enhance my cultivation,'' Shen Qing felt a deep sense of urgency. He and Liu Chengyan returned to the alchemy hall and said to Liu Chengyan, "Can you set up an array to ensure our safety?" """ Chapter 458 - 50: Breaking Through the Kongyou Realm, Hou Yis Bow Liu Chengyan had also sensed those terrifying pieces of information just now, making her heart tremble. That power was almost unbearable for her. She didn''t dare to hesitate, acting swiftly to mobilize the spiritual power within her body. Between the movements of her fingers, yellow triangular Array Flags shot out from her sleeves, fixing themselves in various positions in the void, mystical runes flowing from them, intertwining to sketch out a yellow formation. Hum. As the final rune was placed, the entire formation seemed to activate, circles of ripples, invisible to the naked eye, spreading out from Liu Chengyan at the center. With the formation complete, Shen Qing and Liu Chengyan''s figures and breaths were completely concealed. The external clamor seemed to be completely isolated at this moment, imperceptible. "This is the Hidden Array. Once successfully constructed, even a cultivator of high cultivation would find it difficult to penetrate," said Liu Chengyan, taking a deep breath after setting up the formation, "We are safe here." Shen Qing glanced at the formation and nodded, "The concentration of spiritual energy in this vault far exceeds that of the outside world, making cultivation here much more efficient. I plan to meditate here to enhance my cultivation for the upcoming period. What about you?" Liu Chengyan pondered for a moment and said, "There are still many areas in this vault that remain unexplored. Once this danger has passed, I plan to venture out again in search of opportunities." This vault was extremely vast, with many areas still unexplored, harboring relics from ancient times. Compared to Shen Qing, she had gained little just now and was not quite willing to leave like this. Shen Qing could sense her thoughts and did not intend to stop her, agreeing, "That sounds good. The vault will be open for quite a long time; it would indeed be a waste for you to stay here the whole time." With that, he took out some talismans he had obtained from Shen Xiaohu. At present, these talismans still had some utility, although not very significant. Shen Qing placed the talismans in the slightly surprised hands of Liu Chengyan, saying, "These are the protective talismans I got before entering the vault. I don''t have much use for these right now; you take them." "Thank you," Liu Chengyan said, taking them graciously. She had seen Shen Qing use these talismans before, and their defensive effects were quite good. If she was going out exploring, having some extra protection was always good. Shen Qing flicked his sleeve, and a surge of spiritual power burst forth, sweeping away the dust in front of him, revealing a moderately-sized clean area. He elegantly sat down cross-legged, slowly closing his eyes, isolating the external noise, leaving only a faint, clear breath circulating leisurely within his body as he entered the meditation state. After a moment, when the aura around his body stabilized, he began to comprehend the Tai Xuan Taoist Collection with focus. The Tai Xuan Taoist Collection emphasized nurturing the spirit, containing cosmic truths that aided transcendence into sainthood and allowed one to traverse the Nine Heavens and ten lands, greatly benefiting his cultivation of the Primordial Spirit, matching his current situation and status perfectly. Shen Qing appeared like an Immortal, his body emanating sparkling stars, absorbing spiritual energy, exuding a mysterious charm that transcended the mundane. Liu Chengyan, witnessing this scene, was amazed. "Is this the power of a Martial Master of the Primordial Spirit Realm? So powerful." She clenched her fists with a competitive spirit, "If he can achieve this at his age, so can I." Time slipped away gradually. Sensing the calm outside, Liu Chengyan stood up, bowed to the still meditating Shen Qing, and then left without looking back. Above Shen Qing''s head, the alternating Primordial Spirit glanced at the gradually disappearing figure of Liu Chengyan without a word, dispelled all distractions, and continued to immerse himself in meditation. At this moment, time seemed to lose its meaning, with only the flowing spiritual light and the steadily ascendant cultivation filling this realm. Years passed swiftly, it was indeterminable how much time had actually elapsed. Shen Qing, who had been absorbed in meditation, was now covered in a thick layer of dust. With a flick of a finger on his left hand, the dust fell off, and he slowly opened his eyes, which flashed brightly. His eyes had become profound and luminous, as if capable of discerning the essence of all things. He took a moment to feel the sustained improvement in his cultivation, realizing that his Primordial Spirit had also quietly undergone a transformation. The once minute and fragile Primordial Spirit had now become like a brilliant star, continuously expanding until it filled the entire Sea of Consciousness. Driven by this power, Shen Qing''s Primordial Spirit had finally condensed into the so-called "Primordial Spirit Golden Physique," becoming almost tangible. "It''s about time." Shen Qing murmured to himself. Spiritual power surged, the dust on his body was completely shaken off, and his clothes fluttered without wind, surrounded by a faint spiritual light. Since starting his cultivation, he had transformed from a nameless hunter into a formidable Martial Master of the Primordial Spirit Realm, which was not an easy feat. But now he aimed to advance even further. Shen Qing stood up, his black hair spreading wildly behind him, each strand like a dragon. At that moment, the surrounding spiritual energy, as if finding an outlet, continuously converged towards Shen Qing. If someone were standing outside the Alchemy Room, they would see a dark cloud forming above the Alchemy Room, pouring down. This was the phenomenon created by Shen Qing''s frenzied absorption of nature''s spiritual energy. S~ea??h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Boom. Streaks of blue lightning appeared. Amidst the indistinct glimpses, Shen Qing seemed to grasp the barrier between the Primordial Spirit Realm and the Kongyou Realm, the bottleneck-wall. Chapter 459 - 50: Breaking Through the Kongyou Realm, Hou Yis Bow_2 His eyes flashed with a sharp light as he immersed his spirit and concentrated all his power to break through the invisible barrier. "Boom!" With a deafening roar, the Spiritual Energy within Shen Qing finally reached a critical point. A power like never before exploded within him, instantly tearing apart the last shackles between his Primordial Spirit and Physical Body. In an instant, Shen Qing felt the world spinning, as if the entire world was collapsing and reforming before his eyes, and his Primordial Spirit, like a true dragon breaking free from its bonds, soared high into the skies. When he opened his eyes again, a completely different scene lay before him. No longer confined by his Physical Body, his consciousness seemed to merge with this world, allowing him to clearly sense every fluctuation in space and every flow of Spiritual Energy. He tried waving his hand lightly and saw ripples immediately spread through the void, even causing the space itself to tremble. This power was far beyond what the Primordial Spirit Realm could compare to. Shen Qing felt indescribable excitement and shock surge within him. He finally understood why the Kongyou Realm was revered as the supreme state¡ªit was not only because one could completely transcend the Physical Body but also because of this profound comprehension and control over the laws of the universe. He felt like a part of the universe, able to traverse the void at will. "Is this the Kongyou Realm?" Shen Qing muttered to himself, then burst into laughter. With a single thought, he encompassed the entire treasure vault within his Divine Sense. "Huh, I can''t sense Liu Chengyan and the others'' presence. Could it be that they have all perished?" Shen Qing''s brow furrowed slightly, a bad premonition rising in his heart. There were no celestial bodies in the treasury; he could not sense the passage of time and changes, but from the looks of it, even the Formation had grown dim, it seemed at least nearly a year had passed. "Never mind, everyone has their own fate. It looks like there''s something here suitable for me to go and take." Shen Qing activated the Great Void Shifting Technique, traversing hundreds of miles in a single step, arriving in front of a Golden Hall. He placed his hands on the massive doors and pushed them open. Accompanied by a dull booming sound, the interior of the Golden Hall gradually revealed itself. The Golden Hall was dim and filled with an aura of cold desolation and ancient times. Shen Qing stepped inside. Whoosh! The moment Shen Qing entered the hall, a series of dull, zombie-like gazes shot his way. In the hall stood two rows of differently shaped Ancient Cultivator corpses. These corpses were in tattered clothes, their eyes devoid of life, leaving only emptiness and silence. Their attire suggested they were all Cultivators from the Tai Xuan Sect. Only, after countless years, their vitality had been eroded away, leaving only a will lingering within them, turning them into walking corpses. Shen Qing''s gaze swept over these corpses, his curiosity deepening. He wondered what the Tai Xuan Sect had gone through during the Ancient Times to end up like this. Unfortunately, no one could answer this question. The corpses, baring their teeth and clawing, flew at Shen Qing. Shen Qing dared not be careless. These Ancient Cultivators had been strong before their life force was extinguished, their flesh as tough as iron. Even just their shells were not to be underestimated. Spiritual Power surged within Shen Qing, and his hands quickly formed a seal, executing the Eight Desolate Annihilation Seal. A golden light burst forth in front of him, condensing into an ancient large seal that filled the entire hall, a powerful force enveloping the Golden Hall. "Annihilate!" Shen Qing shouted lowly, and the golden seal shone brightly, pressing down like a mountain, obliterating the Ancient Cultivator corpses as it passed, leaving not even a trace behind. Shen Qing''s heart skipped a beat, not expecting his cultivation in the Kongyou Realm to be so strong. S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The Eight Desolate Annihilation Seal had become several times more powerful, and using it, he didn''t feel the slightest bit exhausted; he still appeared vibrant. "I really don''t know, if I were to break through to the Unity Realm or even the legendary Heaven''s End Realm, what kind of state would it be." Shen Qing''s lips curved slightly upwards, growing more expectant for the future. Having dealt with these obstructions, Shen Qing continued deeper, arriving in front of a massive crystal at the back of the Golden Hall. This crystal was as tall as a person, standing quietly there, radiating a soft and pure light. Shen Qing approached and saw a simple and ancient bow sealed within the crystal. Intricate totems were engraved on the bow body, exuding a sense of ancient vicissitude. This bow had shone like the sun within his Primordial Spirit''s perception, impossible to ignore. Now, standing before it, it felt even more so. This bow was extraordinary, likely a magic treasure from Ancient Times, or perhaps an even rarer treasure. Shen Qing held his breath and concentrated, carefully touching the crystal, then suddenly struck it with his palm. Crack, crack, crack! A series of soft cracking sounds continued. Under Shen Qing''s gaze, the crystal transformed into specks of light and dissipated into nothingness. Only the bow slowly floated in front of him. Shen Qing gently picked up the bow, and an indescribable connection was established within his Primordial Spirit. On the bow body, a line of ancient text slowly appeared: "Hou Yi''s divine shooting, shattering all things, stabilizing heaven and earth." "Is this¡­Hou Yi''s Bow?" Shen Qing held the bow before him and scrutinized it closely. An overwhelmingly dominant aura hit him, giving him the illusion of standing atop a high mountain under the Golden Crow. "Extraordinary, truly extraordinary." Shen Qing was delighted, "This Hou Yi''s Bow is definitely a divine weapon." While Shen Qing was immersed in the joy of obtaining Hou Yi''s Bow, a deep rumbling suddenly came from the depths of the Golden Hall, as if something was awakening. His heart tightened, and he looked around, only to see the originally calm Golden Hall beginning to shake. Ancient runes rose from the ground, converging into a massive seal, firmly trapping him. "Hmm?" Shen Qing pondered inwardly. Given the decorations of this ancient hall, its status within the Tai Xuan Sect must be high; it would unlikely lack prohibitions. Perhaps thousands of years had caused the hall''s prohibitions to lose their effect, but with such an extraordinary Hou Yi''s Bow, the Tai Xuan Sect definitely wouldn''t let it be taken easily¡ªlikely, a backup formation had activated. Just as he thought this, an overwhelming oppressive force descended from the sky. Shen Qing looked up and saw a colossal demon beast phantom condense, its eyes like two burning stars, locked onto Shen Qing as if intending to devour him. The palace suddenly darkened, thunder roared, and a lightning bolt as thick as a barrel tore through the sky, striking directly at Shen Qing with a formidable heavenly might falling upon him. "Hmph, trying to suppress me with this kind of heavenly might?" Shen Qing snorted coldly, his hand tightly gripping Hou Yi''s Bow, Spiritual Power surging within him fiercely. He fully executed the Great Void Shifting Technique, veering to the side and traversing through the void, skillfully avoiding the attack. At the same time, he tensed the bowstring in his hand and shot an arrow. The Sun Shooting Bow Technique surged. An arrow, forged from amassed Spiritual Power, streaked through the night sky like a meteor, colliding with the lightning, generating a deafening explosion, mutually annihilating. Immediately after, the surrounding space twisted, and countless demon beast phantoms converged again, lunging at Shen Qing from all around. Shen Qing''s eyes were resolute, showing no signs of backing down. He pulled the bowstring fully once again, arrows following one after another. Arrows, like a torrential downpour, poured out. Above, rounds of light that resembled the sun exploded continuously, all the demon beast phantoms shattered entirely, obliterated. But the next moment, these beasts reassembled. Shen Qing smirked, noticing that the aura of these newly appeared demon beast phantoms was much weaker than before. He did not hesitate, his movements unceasing. The combination of Hou Yi''s Bow and the Sun Shooting Bow Technique displayed a terrifying scene. The beast phantoms burst under the barrage of arrows, continually transforming into nothingness, breaking apart before they could even fully form. After all, with the erosion of many years, the measures left by the Tai Xuan Sect were hard to maintain. Soon, under Shen Qing''s continuous shooting, the formation casting over the Golden Hall began to crack, and then with a loud "crack", it completely shattered. When the formation broke, the demon beast phantoms also dissipated like bubbles, and the Golden Hall once again returned to calm. Shen Qing stood in place, silent. He placed Hou Yi''s Bow into the Hundred Treasure Pouch and, without looking back, walked out of the hall, heading to the next location. Having come here, how could he possibly leave empty-handed?